Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 114: Undercurrent

Across from him was someone from the martial world. Subconsciously, Shi Jingzhi rolled up his flag, fearing to be recognized. He murmured in agreement, preparing to leave in a hurry. However, just as he was about to take a step, he heard Yin Ci speak, “Chigou Protector Hua Jingchun?”

Hua Jingchun’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Indeed. It seems you know quite a bit.”

Shi Jingzhi stopped abruptly, a bit stunned. Without Yin Ci explaining, he had already recognized Chigou… The Chigou Protector had fallen to such a state?

There were six Protectors in the Chigou sect, each with eighteen elders under them, responsible for different tasks. Though the title of Protector wasn’t the highest in the sect, anyone who could become a Protector in the huge Chigou sect was notable. Shi Jingzhi had no impression of the woman before him, who had lost a leg. Considering she rarely showed herself, she likely served as an “Internal Protector”, responsible for tools and artifacts.

Sadly for her, both of them wore masks and had simple clothing, making them seem unimportant. Hua Jingchun wasn’t particularly interested in them and focused on her injured leg. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory medicine Shi Jingzhi applied, it seemed her remaining half leg might be saved.

However, Yin Ci continued to inquire with a series of lies. “Senior, I have relatives in Chigou and haven’t heard from them for a while. I’ve heard some rumors about the sect, but wasn’t the Young Patriarch brought back?”

Feeling obligated due to their help, Hua Jingchun replied, “Your relative? What do they do?”

Yin Ci bowed slightly. “They serve tea in the Immortal Seeker’s Residence.”

Recognizing the name of the guest courtyard in the Chigou sect, Hua Jingchun seemed to relax. After observing Yin Ci for a moment, she sighed. “Whether he has returned or not, having this Young Patriarch is worse than not having one at all.”

Yin Ci tried to further steer the conversation. “From what I’ve heard, if the position of the Patriarch is vacant, it is up to the three Great Protectors and the six Protectors to nominate a new leader. The returned Young Patriarch should have a token and be endorsed by at least a Protector.”

“That’s right.” As Hua Jingchun used a knife dipped in strong alcohol to cut away the decayed flesh from her wound, she hissed in pain.

“If that’s the case, then it’s settled. The Young Patriarch has the Bone Sweeping Sword, surely chosen by Matron Wuxue herself. Matron Wuxue has an excellent judgment of character, so how could she choose someone who’s ‘worse than having none’?”

Hua Jingchun paused, her expression darkening. “Your relative won’t die. It’s better if you don’t ask too many questions.”

She then signaled to the people around her. The leader among them smiled and said, “For saving Sister Hua, you won’t be short changed. Please follow us. It’s getting crowded here, and the air isn’t great.”

Though the setting was just a mud wall and straw ground, the message was clear: they were being dismissed.

But patience was key. The master and disciple didn’t protest and turned to leave. As they moved away, Hua Jingchun started whispering with her group. Due to their abilities, one having formidable inner force and the other with three hundred years of hearing and eyesight, they managed to catch some of the conversation.

“…That Young Patriarch absolutely cannot ascend…”

“Our brethren are from humble beginnings… He’s not just persecuting the commoners; those injured are our own kin…”

“…He barely got started and sent Sister Hua away… She’s in charge of the artifacts. The Bone Sweeping Sword might be fake…”

Shi Jingzhi signaled to Yin Ci. The Chigou Sect had been orderly for a long time, and the members weren’t blindly loyal; they wouldn’t be led like sheep to the slaughter.

“From what they’re saying, this new Young Patriarch has major issues. If he’s from the Immortal Assembly, that would be even better,” Shi Jingzhi said excitedly. “In any case, he’s not a good person. We’ll find an opportunity to capture him and let Su Si interrogate him.”

“Mm.” Yin Ci paused, pretending to remove a piece of grass from Shi Jingzhi’s hair.

Back with Hua Jingchun, the conversation continued, “… But isn’t he the grandchild of Su Zhu? If we take action, it won’t be justified… What if the Protectors…”

Shi Jingzhi’s smile froze, and Yin Ci’s hand stilled in the air. Shi Jingzhi slowly turned his head, with terror evident in his eyes shooting out of the Nuo mask.

“Ah Ci, you… I, this…” Shi Jingzhi, leaning on the flagpole, seemed to be in a daze. “That Young Patriarch…”

He was the great-grandson of Sun Huaijin, who lived during the same era as “Su Zhi”. Given that Yin Ci was ageless, it wouldn’t be strange if he had a family. Shi Jingzhi’s mind was a mess, and a sour feeling emerged within the confusion.

It felt like his nose was blocked. He couldn’t smell the stench of blood in the courtyard, only the scent coming from Yin Ci.

Yin Ci finally removed the blade of grass from his mouth and gazed deeply at the swaying Shi Jingzhi. Waiting until he stopped wobbling, Yin Ci, with a hint of amusement, shook his head and gently tapped Shi Jingzhi’s face. “I have never married, nor do I have children. Don’t worry, you can’t possibly be someone’s great-grandfather.”

Sect Master Shi finally recovered from the dizziness of the confusing generational discussion. “Is the Young Patriarch an imposter?”

“‘Su Zhi’s’ reputation is well known. Over the years, I’ve encountered many claiming to be my descendants.” Yin Ci scoffed. “However, to get the acknowledgment of the Chigou Sect, this person’s martial arts skills must be extraordinary—isn’t it wonderful? My lovely grandson will ascend to power soon, and the ‘great-grandparents’ will attend the ceremony.”

Shi Jingzhi: “……”

Suddenly, he empathized with Sun Huaijin’s past confusion. For the first time, he felt much older. Standing in sorrow for a while, he touched his non-existent beard. “Husband is right. Let’s proceed this way.”

A hint of Yin Ci’s fierce expression drained away. Unexpectedly stunned, he turned his head. Shi Jingzhi looked left and right, noticing a hint of blush on Yin Ci’s ear.

The Chigou Sect’s Main Branch.

The new Young Patriarch leaned by the window, looking at the barren desert view outside. The winter snow had completely melted, leaving only desolation outside. He picked up a candy from a small table and popped it into his mouth. His hands, thick with calluses, revealed him as a martial artist.

“I’m sick of this.” He frowned at the servant.

The servant, fearing any mistakes, quickly removed the candy and replaced it with clear tea.

This Young Patriarch looked young and refined. Although his features weren’t strikingly handsome, they were comparable to Su Si. Unlike Su Si, who was always amidst worldly affairs, this man seemed somewhat detached, reminiscent of Su Zhi from the past.

He wore a long sword with a bone handle which bore the emblem of the Chigou Sect. He always kept a hand on his sword, as if fearing it would run away.

“Young Patriarch,” the servant, who had always been by his side, said with a hint of bitterness.

“Mm, what happened to Hua Jingchun?”

“She was thrown off Three Province Cliff according to the rules. No sign of her now; she’s probably dead,” the servant said cautiously. “Young Patriarch, since you haven’t officially taken over yet, the external plundering…”

The young Patriarch swiftly drew his sword, its sharp tip pointing at the servant’s throat.

The servant persisted. “The external plundering is too excessive, not our Chigou’s doing. If Matron Wuxue were still here, she would be furious.”

The Young Patriarch said with a smirk, “I’ve said it countless times. Matron Wuxue has grown old and conservative; only her insights were valuable. As they say, ‘a whole nest of bears*’. We are the top demonic sect, yet we’re afraid of a few villages?”

*(将熊熊一窝) It’s a term used to describe someone’s incompetence and can’t be a leader. Bear means cowardice or lack of ability. 

“Our Divine Chigou doesn’t consume living people; we only rob the dead. This is a strict rule set by Patriarch Su. Wu Huai, you…”

Wu Huai slowly advanced his sword. “Who allowed you to call me by name? Su Zhi is merely bones now, and you still cling to his old rules—I too have the blood of the Su Clan. Isn’t live blood more interesting than the dead? Say one more word, and you’ll lose your tongue.”

The subordinate was stabbed in the shoulder, and his voice was tinged with the metallic taste of blood. “Our Divine Chigou Sect…”

He didn’t finish, as the tip of the sword pried open his teeth. Half of his tongue fell to the ground. The subordinate, in a mixture of shock and anger, spat out a pool of saliva-mixed blood. Wu Huai’s swordsmanship wasn’t as eerie as that of the “Bone Sweeping Sword technique”, but it was equally sinister and unpredictable.

“Clean the floor,” Wu Huai ordered, sheathing his sword and gesturing to the attendants.

The injured man fell to the ground, choking and coughing on his own blood. Wu Huai stepped forward, placing a foot on his head. “Disrespecting the Bone Sweeping Sword is one thing, but I am the great-grandson of Su Zhi, and you should at least respect this lineage.”

Another attendant, trembling, moved closer to clean the blood. The injured subordinate sorrowfully looked towards the window. The window was embedded with high-quality glass, so clear that it seemed as if there was nothing there. A few months ago, a thin elderly woman often sat there, sipping tea and enjoying the view. Now, not even her shadow remained.

Even if Matron Wuxue was still alive, she wouldn’t treasure a descendant of the Su Clan like a precious gem. Such practices were typical for the Ling Sect but not for Chigou. However, the injured man, now only able to utter indistinct noises and unable to move or shout, could only slump defeatedly on the floor.

He wondered about the fate of Hua Jingchun.

Days earlier, Hua Jingchun had offended Wu Huai for reasons unknown and was ordered to be thrown off the “Three Provinces Cliff”. As a Protector in the sect, Protector Hua was well-liked and trusted by Matron Wuxue. The injured subordinate had, out of caution, given Protector Hua a small rope hook before her fall. With Hua Jingchun’s skills, she surely wouldn’t have died at the bottom of the cliff.

Since Wu Huai’s return to the sect, although not overtly arrogant, his actions were cruel and ruthless, incongruent with his refined appearance. Unfortunately, with the symbols of his authority and his guarantees intact, the established rules that had governed Chigou now seemed like obstacles. The subordinate, from his years of experience serving Matron Wuxue, believed that Wu Huai wasn’t fit to lead Chigou. After the upcoming ascension ceremony, it would be too late to act.

Before then, Wu Huai must be eliminated.

The subordinate’s vision started to blur, and his thoughts became fuzzy. Just as he tried to get up, an icy sensation pierced his temple—Wu Huai, with his foot still on his head, drove a sword through his skull.

“To be so distracted even in such a situation. It seems Chigou really hires just about anyone,” Wu Huai remarked casually as he pulled out the sword. “He was just a personal servant; I’ll personally select a replacement tomorrow.”

He wiped the blood off his sword.

“Sect Master Qu will be arriving soon. Having an old and dull servant by my side is a mood killer just thinking about it.”

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The author has something to say:

Demonic Lord Yin: I’m used to it. People always seem eager to claim they’re my grandchildren.

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