Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 106: Behind The Scenes

Kongshi’s grave was some distance from the outside of the mountains, so it was nightfall when they started to descend. The group of people simply moved into a cave and decided to set off again the next morning. Yan Qing slept at the entrance of the cave, chatting sporadically with Yan Zheng. Yu Zikuan insisted on going out to stand guard at night, while Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci were supposed to sleep in the deepest part of the cave.

However, Sect Master Shi couldn’t sleep.

The night outside the cave had deepened, leaving only a faint glow of fire. It was almost the hour of yin of the night, yet Shi Jingzhi had not a trace of sleepiness. He stared at Yin Ci’s sleeping face, pondering over what the man had said before going to bed.

Perhaps he had tried to dilute the impact of his “true self”, Yin Ci briefly mentioned his past. What he said was even more vague than the folk rumors, with all details brushed over or left ambiguous. Nevertheless, Shi Jingzhi understood why Yin Ci didn’t elaborate.

His situation was more troublesome than memory loss, offering no help with the current circumstances.

Yin Ci had clear memories, but only of the past two hundred years. The first hundred years were chaotic, like a dream. He couldn’t even differentiate what was real.

“I suffered a lot and had many delusions during that time. It’s not that I don’t remember, but that there are too many fragments, and I don’t know what’s true and what’s false,” Yin Ci confessed. “Starting from ‘Su Zhi’, my memory is relatively clear. Before that, I tried to investigate the more vivid identities in my head but found no clues.”

There were no records or rumors left in the world. The past seemed to be just a part of his delusion.

Yin Ci once thought he was a common craftsman under a spiritual mountain or a destitute beggar in a remote town. He even thought he was a disciple of a non-existent immortal sect or an official without historical record… Even Shi Jingzhi felt that these seemed more like fanciful imaginations rather than real experiences.

According to Chen Qianfan’s account, in that village two hundred years ago, the “immortal body” was in a state of “madness to idiocy”. Something significant must have happened then, causing Yin Ci to fall into madness. His memories before madness might still be there, but they were now hidden and indistinguishable.

“So I gave up later and changed my goal. Instead of being tangled in the fruitless past, it’s better to figure out the cause of this constitution.”

Shi Jingzhi found that he had unconsciously learned to restrain his desires.

He wanted to know the accident that befell Yin Ci two hundred years ago, but the overwhelming heartache and powerlessness firmly suppressed his curiosity.

He also wanted to know Yin Ci’s purpose when they first met. However, since Yin Ci didn’t clarify, Shi Jingzhi didn’t ask and just listened quietly. The desire that had accompanied him throughout his life lay obediently, without any mischief.

His heart was devoid of complicated calculations and inquiries, leaving only a gentle thought—

This was the person closest to him in the world.

Shi Jingzhi looked at the sleeping Yin Ci, his hands unsure of what to do. He touched Yin Ci’s eyelids, then pressed his neck. After settling down for a while, he twirled Yin Ci’s long hair around his fingers, gripping it tightly.

Had it been when they first met, Yin Ci would have awakened with such touching. At this moment, his disciple was in a deep sleep—his body slightly curled and his expression even more relaxed than before the truth was revealed.

Shi Jingzhi truly couldn’t catch sleep and gave up. He gazed at Yin Ci’s face, realizing that he had almost forgotten the horrifying true self.

From discovering the true self, to lying relative to each other, Sect Master Shi had gone through shock, then embarrassment, and finally joy, all in one night.

As the hour of yin approached, Yin Ci had already developed a habit, and even if he slept heavily, he knew that Shi Jingzhi would be getting up. Shi Jingzhi saw him unfold his curled body and assume a standard sleeping posture, indifferent and relaxed.

Yin Ci was lying face-up, his entire body stretched out straight, looking extraordinarily dignified, exuding an air of a wise and profound person.

Shi Jingzhi: “…” 

This person really did everything he could to pretend to be a “perfect elder”. Had Shi Jingzhi not stayed awake all night, he would have probably been misled forever.

But it seemed that Yin Ci, in his semi-conscious state, sensed something was amiss. Shi Jingzhi saw Yin Ci’s movements soften, and he curled up again, draping an arm over Shi Jingzhi’s waist.

He muttered indistinctly a few times and unceremoniously pulled Shi Jingzhi into his arms, clearly having no intention of letting go.

Shi Jingzhi’s heart nearly leapt from his throat, and the satisfying fulfillment he had wanted surged to the tips of his hair and toes. He began to happily move his hands, looking for the most appropriate embracing posture.

How could he embrace him more intimately? Shi Jingzhi continued to hold Yin Ci’s black hair with one hand, and with the other, he lightly traced from Yin Ci’s neck to his shoulder, then remotely caressed his waist. Despite practicing martial arts for so long and having performed more complex movements, he had never been this indecisive.

However, as Sect Master Shi tirelessly experimented with different positions, a glance from a distance pricked the back of his neck. He turned his head and saw Yan Qing with a face that looked as if it had been struck by lightning.

Deep affection between master and disciple was common, but the kind of affection where they embrace so tightly that their hair intertwined was rare in this world.

Coming from a righteous sect like Taiheng, let alone sticking together, even sharing a bed between master and disciple was considered disrespectful. Unfortunately, Sect Master Shi’s shamelessness varied from person to person, and in front of Yan Qing, his acting skills soared.

As soon as he locked eyes with Yan Qing, Shi Jingzhi instantly transformed into Lord Bai #2, and his eyes filled with righteous indignation.

Poor Yan Qing, who was straightforward in nature, was led into self-doubt by Shi Jingzhi. He stood blankly for a while before saying, “Sect Master, A’Si is here and says there is urgent news.”

Shi Jingzhi was comfortably embraced and didn’t want to get up. He grunted. “Didn’t we agree to gather at the foot of the mountain?”

“Matron Wuxue is dead.”

Shi Jingzhi sat up abruptly. He forgot that he was holding Yin Ci’s hair and pulled his disciple awake with him.

Yin Ci, who was sleeping soundly, had never experienced such a sudden awakening. His tranquil dream was disturbed, and his fierceness exploded, revealing a hint of murderous intent on his face. However, after recognizing the person beside him, that fierceness dispersed, even replaced by some satisfaction.

Yin Ci murmured in a daze, and without even pulling back his hair, he slowly lay back down. As he did so, he made sure to press his calf against Shi Jingzhi, signaling him to stay a little longer.

Shi Jingzhi enjoyed this and tenderly said, “It’s still so early in the morning. Tell Su Si to stop messing around.”

His features softened, which was a rare look for him. Although Yan Qing was accustomed to the two’s faces, this strange atmosphere was new to him. Uncertain whether to leave or stay, he repeated bluntly, “Matron Wuxue has really been killed, and the members of the Chigou Sect are rushing back to the main branch.”

“What did you say?” Yin Ci swooned and sat up, finally awake.

This time, everyone was wide awake, and in no time, the group gathered in front of Kongshi’s grave. Under the morning sun, the apricot blossoms were particularly brilliant, but the faces under the apricot trees were grave and varied, except for the relaxed expression of the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect.

Su Si, hugging Lord Bai, and Shen Zhu sat down, both looking worn out. Shen Zhu’s expression was dark, and even the sparrow on her shoulder didn’t stir.

“Let me tell it.” Shen Zhu glanced at the uncertain Su Si and sighed. “The fools by the mountain are still investigating the Invitation to God Formation, without much progress. I went to Qizhou to inquire and help Brother Su Si. Matron Wuxue’s throat was slit at the main branch—we heard it with our own ears.”

She looked at Yan Zheng and Yu Zikuan and added meaningfully, “The young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect was also killed in the same way, his throat slit.”

Yan Zheng inhaled sharply. “Killed at the main branch? Previously, Chai Xun also attempted to assassinate the higher-ups of the Chigou Sect. Their main branch is well defended, almost impregnable.”

“It’s not easy to kill Matron Wuxue, a top master. Such a ruthless method likely points to an inside job,” Yu Zikuan said gravely.

“The sudden incident and similar circumstances of the victims’ deaths may suggest the work of the Twin Roots. With it, killing someone from thousands of miles away isn’t difficult,” Su Si said, staring at the mud in front of him without lifting his head.

He then stared blankly at the ground. Yan Qing and Shi Jingzhi exchanged a glance and explained the circumstances of Abbot Juefei’s death to the two outsiders.

“The Twin Roots is indeed useful, but it has stringent requirements—to take effect, the target must swallow the demonic root whole and then have their blood taken. Matron Wuxue is famously cautious and suspicious; I’ve heard Chai Xun mention this. She wouldn’t touch anything remotely suspicious, let alone eat it.” Yan Zheng, as the Patriarch of a demonic sect, was familiar with the Twin Roots and explained it thoroughly.

Yan Qing pondered. “These few are not like the ordinary village people of Yuanxian Village. Making so many elders swallow the Twin Roots is even harder than obtaining their blood.”

Blood could be obtained through assassination, competition, or even bribing servants, but the Twin Roots must be swallowed whole to work. How could the hidden culprit force it down the throats of these masters if they refused to open their mouths?

The morning sun had risen completely, and the last hint of red had faded away. This small meeting had come to a standstill, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Finally, it was Shi Jingzhi who broke the silence. “Actually, according to what Senior Chen said before, Sect Master Qi may have also been affected by the Twin Roots. This matter is strange, but rather than focusing on how it was done, we should first look at the purpose behind it—”

Yan Qing was stunned by these words and turned to look at Yan Zheng. “Why are you still alive?”

Yan Zheng was taken aback. “…What?”

“Even with the Invitation to God Formation, you could have conveniently left the mountain and escaped disaster. During such chaos in the Ling Sect, contacting you wouldn’t have been difficult. Wouldn’t planting a Twin Roots in you be the safest way?”

Yan Qing’s expression was honestly bewildered, but the words he spat out had a faint hint of demonic heritage.

“If you were to say that you were young and seldom ventured out, it would be hard to act… The young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect was raised within the sect, and even Chigou’s own people couldn’t reach him. Shouldn’t it be more difficult to act against him than against you, A’Zheng?”

This question was not directed solely at Yan Zheng.

Su Si was taken aback for a moment, looking down at his hands. After a while, he spoke in a muffled voice. “It might be in a pill.”

The other six people looked at him all at once.

Su Si didn’t meet anyone’s eyes but said, “Martial artists often consume some pills to calm the mind and spirit. The pills are swallowed whole. If the Twin Roots were hidden inside a pill, perhaps it could be done.”

Su Si had been on the run for many years and knew early on that he had a body double. His double was an ordinary servant, similar in age and stature, and a bit naive when he smiled. Back in the day, Su Si was afraid that Matron Wuxue would poison him, so he never touched the pills she gave him, and they all went into his double’s stomach.

When confined within the sect, Su Si also insisted on preparing his own food, and although it was unpalatable, it at least ensured his survival. In that regard, there was no better reference than him.

Yan Zheng realized something. “Chai Xin never took me seriously, and indeed never gave me any pills.”

Shi Jingzhi frowned. “So many people all consuming the same pill, yet ensuring the source is consistent without arousing Matron Wuxue’s suspicion…”

He suddenly stopped talking, and Yin Ci seemed to have the same thought, as the two of them almost simultaneously reached for their respective baggage. However, Yin Ci was quicker, and he pulled out a small bottle from the well-worn records of the Jianchen Temple.

It was a small gift from Venerable Juefei to the Kushan Sect.

[In gratitude for Taiheng’s safeguarding of the treasure map, a Tranquil Heart Pill was specially given. This item calms the mind and is a treasure of Taiheng.]

Yin Ci poured the pill into his palm, and it emitted a faint fragrance that could soothe the mind. Just the scent alone made people feel close. Yu Zikuan recognized it instantly and inhaled sharply.

The Tranquil Heart Pill was a spiritual medicine of Taiheng, and the Taiheng Sect didn’t have many. Aside from significant disciples practicing or in critical condition, only the sect leader and a few elders were eligible to use it. Occasionally, Taiheng would gift one or two to the high ranks of other sects as a sign of respect or gratitude.

Taiheng had a clean reputation for hundreds of years, never resorting to poisoning. Once the pill was placed in its bottle, it could remain unopened for ten years or more. As long as the seal was intact, even the demonic sects wouldn’t suspect anything.

Yin Ci had tried one when he was on the verge of losing control, and unlike others who were careful with it, he chewed it directly. While it had a miraculous calming effect, it did nothing for his pain. Though Yin Ci couldn’t identify some ingredients, he didn’t dwell on its composition.

Back then, Yin Ci had found the taste strange. Unlike other pills, the Tranquil Heart Pill had a coarse core, as if wrapped around uncrushed herbal medicine.

If a whole Twin Roots had been added, that strange taste would make sense.

But that would have been decades ago. For decades, there were no reports of any sect leaders dying so mysteriously. Rather than predicting who would be assassinated, the person behind this seemed to be casting a wide net in advance. When the time was right, they would take care of their target.

…This was almost identical to the methods used in Yuanxian Village.

Yin Ci exerted force on the pill, and it split in two. Indeed, in the center of the pill was a clump of dry, grass-like roots. The tight cluster opened up, and the roots spread out, larger than Yin Ci’s palm.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed nervously. Fortunately, Yin Ci was nearby, and he felt much  more relieved. Otherwise, with his impending death and growing irritability, this thing might have ended up in his stomach.

Yu Zikuan’s expression also changed several times.

He looked at Yan Zheng’s white hair for a while, then at the Tranquil Heart Pill in Yin Ci’s hand for a long time, before finally making up his mind. “This is indeed Taiheng’s Tranquil Heart Pill, and the seal on the outside matches as well. Sect Master Qi was virtuous and respected, and I originally didn’t want to suspect my own people regarding his death… but the origin of the Invitation to God Formation may now be explained.”

Shi Jingzhi wiped his cold sweat. “Please continue.”

“The Tranquil Heart Pill was created by our first sect leader, and its formulation requires extremely precise conditions and rare equipment. The first leader didn’t want Taiheng to go down the path of pill refining, so he kept the formula secret and entrusted the production to the Immortal Assembly—from Taiheng’s foundation, it has always been this way. Taiheng would test the pills once received, and since it has never been exposed, it must mean someone from the Immortal Assembly might be within Taiheng…”

“On this occasion, I searched for the battle formation, and followed the high levels of Taiheng. As a Taiheng elder, I contacted the Mishan Sect, but what I received was an invitation to the Immortal Assembly. The disciples sent by the Mishan Sect are always different, making them difficult to manipulate. The only one who might notice me is someone from Taiheng… Finding an opportunity to replace my battle formation, will it work?”

Yin Ci played with the pill in his hand, not looking gloomy, but rather cheerful. “Thank you for your honesty, Your Excellency.”

A few petals of apricot blossoms fell, like snowflakes sticking to Yin Ci’s hair. Shi Jingzhi brushed them away casually, smiling with relief. “Taiheng is swirling with undercurrents, and the purpose of the Immortal Assembly is unclear. The four major sects are in great trouble, leaderless, and the martial world will be in complete chaos. You two, please act discreetly and do your best to preserve yourselves.”

Yu Zikuan, Yan Zheng: “…”

What’s going on? The topic was clearly heavy and might even involve the imperial court and the Imperial Preceptor. The master and disciple, at the center of the whirlpool, seemed to be celebrating New Year’s in advance.

“But I have a request.” Shi Jingzhi smiled even more genially. “Patriarch Yan, do you have the Buddhist bead treasure map? A rub of it is fine too. I’m not picky.”

“It is here…”

“Very good. Please, Senior Yu, use Taiheng’s way and find a reason to let Taiheng’s people on the mountain discover them… Taiheng is about to gather all the treasure maps, right?”

Yu Zikuan raised his eyebrows. “The two of you have quite a few treasure maps in your hands, and now you have the ‘key’, isn’t it better to keep it yourself?”

“Compared to obediently looking for the Shirou, my sect has more important things to do.” Shi Jingzhi clenched his jade eye, his body temperature soaking it, feeling no different from real eyes. “Anyway, Taiheng doesn’t have the key, so they will come looking for us.”

Yin Ci added meaningfully, “Regarding today’s affairs, please pretend you don’t know anything. Warrior Yu should have died in the formation, so please keep this in mind in your future actions.”

The members from the Kushan Sect slipped down the mountain, and a few days later, the news that Taiheng had obtained the treasure map spread throughout the martial world. Competitors fell into disarray, but Taiheng remained somewhat confident. Considering the situation, the Shirou would become Taiheng’s possession.

As for the commotion caused by the Kushan Sect that day—the formation still hadn’t been investigated thoroughly, and whether it was a self-directed performance or a sincere rescue, with the passing of time, gradually no one cared. After all, defending this tricky sect with several unresolved murder cases had no benefit.

Of course, the Kushan Sect itself wasn’t too aggrieved. Right now, Sect Master Shi was treating his favorite disciple and others… to a big meal at a restaurant in Qizhou.

Shi Jingzhi took out some silver coins and specially booked the best room, ordering many delicious dishes. A table full of dishes, both meat and vegetables, colorful and bright. Some were even cooked by Yin Ci in the kitchen. The fragrance was intoxicating to everyone. Seeing the plates full of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, anyone would know that this meal was expensive.

Shi Jingzhi, who had previously been stingy, was suddenly generous, and not only Su Si and Yan Qing but even Shen Zhu was taken aback.

She thought back and felt that recently, besides getting the key to the Shirou, there didn’t seem to be any other good news—continuous bloodshed in the martial world, everyone feeling threatened, numerous slanders against the Kushan Sect, and the Shirou about to be taken by Taiheng.

It didn’t seem like a time to splurge on celebrations.

“Come, eat!” Sect Master Shi picked up a piece of meat with chopsticks, declaring boldly. “Now that we have a definite enemy, it’s truly something to celebrate.”

…What, what kind of bullshit is this! Shen Zhu wanted to speak but stopped, looking for help from Yin Ci. Yin Ci was always more stable than Shi Jingzhi, perhaps he could bring the wayward thinking of Sect Master Shi back on track.

Who knew that the Kushan Sect’s main disciple would support the mischief. Yin Ci added a piece of meat to his cheap master’s bowl with an utterly calm expression.

Shen Zhu: “…”

Yan Qing was in a daze, looking at Shi Jingzhi with a somewhat horrified look, as if questioning whether this person had been possessed. Since Matron Wuxue’s death, Su Si always seemed distracted. The task of propping up the conversation had fallen on Shen Zhu’s head.

Shen Zhu bit the bullet and inquired, “What enemy?”

“The Immortal Assembly!” Eagerly waiting for someone to follow up, Shi Jingzhi’s eyes brightened. “What we are investigating, in the end, is one thing. Previously, I was worried about the complexity of the clues and that seeking the Shirou might not be feasible. Now, without this worry, I feel much more relieved.”

After saying this, he specifically looked at Yin Ci next to him, his eyes nearly brimming with laughter.

“Yan Budu once visited Yuanxian Village under the Immortal Assembly and mentioned that the Shirou was bestowed by an Immortal. Immortals, the Shirou, and the Immortal Assembly are all closely related; this is the first. The Immortal Assembly added something to the Tranquil Heart Pill, tampering with many martial arts masters long ago; this is the second.”

“The appearance of the Shirou in the world and the consecutive deaths of various sect leaders are no coincidence. Everything related to the competition for the Shirou has the shadow of the Immortal Assembly. If we continue to obediently seek the Shirou, wouldn’t we become puppets in others’ hands?”

Shen Zhu frowned. “Puppet or not, plot or not, if we don’t find the Shirou… Don’t you want to live?”

“Taiheng will help us find it. Taiheng’s waters run deep, and even if the Shirou is at hand, they won’t deal with it quickly.”

Yin Ci looked up, taking over the conversation.

“If it’s useful, we’ll take it. If it’s not, we’ll save wasting time.”

Using the competition for the Shirou as bait and the Immortal Assembly’s formation as fuel, the casualties on Zongwu Mountain should have been more severe. Adding Matron Wuxue’s death, the entire martial world was thrown into chaos. Although the Kushan Sect saved many people and kept the chaos from growing, they merely delayed it, not completely resolved it.

Knowing someone had plotted beforehand and was still stubbornly muddling through, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t wait.

Strike the snake at the vital seven inches*. The matter of the Children of Desire was related to the Imperial Preceptor’s “Hundred-Year Project”, and the connections between the “Shirou” and the Imperial Preceptor’s Immortal Assembly weren’t clear. With an identity that couldn’t be killed or destroyed, following the clues of the flesh idol and the Shirou still ended at the Immortal Assembly.

*(打蛇打七寸) Idiom referring to targeting the most vital or vulnerable part of something to ensure its defeat. This is referencing how the “seven-inch mark” is where the snake’s heart is, and by attacking it, you can kill the snake in a single strike (AKA Hit where it hurts).

Yin Ci clenched the chopsticks in his hand, and Shi Jingzhi, at some unknown point, reached over to grasp Yin Ci’s left hand.

It was time to drag them out of the shrine and let this hundred-year-old abomination see the light.

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The author has something to say:

The two have started a hidden love line and are beginning to head towards the TRUE END.

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