Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 150: Surrender

The sky and earth were without light, while smoke rose and dust flew.

Jiang Youyue acted decisively, directing his spell at the group. He stood firm, with shadows resembling roots forming beneath his feet, and the magic in his hands was like that of an immortal descending; certainly not ordinary. The two giant deformed hands beside him slowly moved, and the shadowy roots spread out like puppets they were controlling.

The Imperial Preceptor seemed to stand within a semi-transparent dark chrysanthemum. The bizarre scene gave people goosebumps, and the thick hostility made breathing difficult.

Both Monk Juehui and Hua Jingchun were seasoned masters. With just one glance, they knew they couldn’t resist. They grabbed the disciple from the Yueshui Pavilion and quickly retreated. They were merely here as witnesses. If they ended up dead, the situation would become farcical.

Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi were obviously aware of this, and they cautiously retreated, guarding the other three.

Jiang Youyue looked at Shi Jingzhi with a hint of admiration in his eyes. But that admiration seemed not directed at the person; the Imperial Preceptor looked as if he were admiring a particularly good fruit.

“You can resist the fear of imminent death and manage overwhelming doubt. Even when facing death, you remain vigilant. Truly a fine specimen. General Yin, shaping him to this extent, you’ve done us a great favor.”

With that, green light threads, like a soft spring rain, tangled with Shi Jingzhi’s golden flame. The flame seemed weakened by the rain, losing some of its vigor instantly. Yin Ci charged forward with his sword, unleashing a whirlwind-like sword technique. However, Jiang Youyue merely raised one hand, and countless soft roots formed a barrier, halting the sword’s qi.

“But General Yin doesn’t seem like a reckless man… This time, did you provoke Duanyun to draw me out and plan to destroy Jingzhi in front of us?”

Amidst the whirlpool of sword qi and golden flames, Jiang Youyue’s tone was calm and even carried a hint of amusement.

…It seemed quite reasonable.

Shi Jingzhi’s heart remained calm, but instinctively, his body broke out in cold sweat, even causing the flame in his hand to tremble. If he and Yin Ci didn’t have a deep relationship, he might have been persuaded to join the Immortal Assembly at this moment. However, the play had to be completed. Sect Master Shi wiped his lips and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Yin Ci stood in front of Shi Jingzhi, imperceptibly trembling as if suppressing an urge to turn around. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his sword again, saying, “I’ll deal with you first!”

However, this time, “fate” didn’t seem to favor the Kushan Sect.

Against Qu Duanyun, they were still dealing with a “human”. Now, they were facing Jiang Youyue, who was empowered by the Hanging Tree’s power—as the will of the Hanging Tree, the True Immortal didn’t need to appear in his true form; just lending a bit of power was enough to render the master and disciple helpless.

Jiang Youyue, with fluttering sleeves and surrounded by many root shadows, looked utterly calm and composed. The master and disciple seemed like old women trying to crack walnuts, finding no opportunities to strike. In terms of magical experience, Shi Jingzhi was inferior to him. In terms of energy and vigor, Yin Ci couldn’t match him. Even against his martial arts, all of Jiang Youyue’s weak points were protected by the roots of the Hanging Tree.

Yin Ci didn’t get discouraged, and his sword moves got faster. Shi Jingzhi stood behind him with golden flames dancing with the sword wind. Those semi-transparent root shadows broke and regrew time and time again. As long as there was a small mistake, multiple fine roots would form into weapons, piercing through his body in an instant. If they were a bit slower, the roots would thrust upwards, trying to tear Yin Ci in half.

With spells flying all around, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t afford any carelessness. Jiang Youyue’s attacks grew fiercer, forcing them to switch from offense to defense. They used the golden flames as a shield, barely protecting themselves. Seeing this defense, the “giant hands roots” surrounding Jiang Youyue twitched as if convulsing. Tiny roots rapidly spread across the ground, making the air increasingly cold and viscous. Soon, a feeling of weakness arose under everyone’s feet.

The barren ground was slowly engulfed by the fine roots, as if covered by a layer of semi-transparent dirty water. Silently, they engulfed everyone’s hands and feet, turning the area into a deadly quagmire.

As their vital qi continued to wane, this technique, although not as ruthless as the Invitation to God Formation, was enough to disrupt the battlefield.

Despite being under the protection of the Kushan Sect, Monk Juehui and Hua Jingchun couldn’t resist the influence of the Hanging Tree. They were quickly entangled by fully armed soldiers before they could escape, once again embroiled in the clash of blades.

In the distance, the clash between Taiheng and the imperial troops was deafening. Nearby, golden flames and ash were swept up by the sword wind, staining the wild grass red.

Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot or a mayfly shaking a tree, the situation grew increasingly dire, yet the master and disciple couldn’t harm the Imperial Preceptor at all.

Compared to Qu Duanyun, Jiang Youyue was a troublesome opponent. He didn’t toy with them or waste time needlessly. Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s persistent resistance, he quickly decided to cut through the mess, showing no mercy.

Even if the one he was facing was the carefully cultivated Child of Desire.

The absorption from the roots grew stronger. Affected by the Hanging Tree, Shi Jingzhi’s hands trembled for a moment. Just then, he was caught off guard, and was slashed in his right shoulder forming a deep gash. The cheap robe he wore was instantly torn, revealing the scarred skin underneath.

It looked as if someone had carved chunks of flesh from his chest and shoulder.

Shi Jingzhi gasped in pain, hastily pulling his clothing over the large scars. Yin Ci finally turned his head, giving Shi Jingzhi a particularly sharp look. The sharp intent in the swordplay increased, tinged with evident anger.

Jiang Youyue just smiled, his actions growing fiercer.

Involuntary reactions couldn’t deceive; the relationship between these two was apparently not good. As long as there was a gap in the heart, it was easy to exploit. The “quality” of Shi Jingzhi was established; they just needed to capture him and feed him the Shirou, and their Hundred-Year Project would be realized.

It was just one step away.

Qu Duanyun was entangled in a fight with Yan Qing and Shi Zhongyu. The Imperial Preceptor used the power of the Hanging Tree, and the Yan Shi duo were significantly affected; their bodies were riddled with wounds. The situation in the distance was also grim—the people of the Taiheng Sect were all righteous individuals who dared not hurt the imperial soldiers. In the midst of the chaotic battle, Kushan and Taiheng seemed on the brink of defeat.

Out of desperation, Shi Zhongyu had to intercept a sneaky officer, while Yan Qing continued his fight with Qu Duanyun, resulting in a stalemate.

“All of you were tricked by the people from the Kushan Sect.”

With his Qingwu Sword held horizontally, Qu Duanyun nearly slit Yan Qing’s throat. Surrounded by the faint shadows of roots, those scarlet ghost eyes seemed exceptionally piercing.

“Yin Zizhu is an immortal monster. Even if Shi Jingzhi dies by the blade, the True Immortal can save him. Only you will surely perish here. How can mortal power compete with the True Immortal?”

People always seemed to miss the bigger picture.

Once, Qu Duanyun also had such naive thoughts. However, his parents, not wanting him to be ignorant, sent him to remote places to see the world.

Sadly, he didn’t learn compassion but instead fostered a cold anger—in the Great Yun Dynasty, simply sowing seeds could yield crops, and any livestock could reproduce in time. Yet month after month, the people persisted in the most basic tasks, showing no progress.

Furthermore, whenever someone tried to rise, there were always others spreading rumors to pull them down.

…They were just like livestock, wasting precious resources.

“If we can’t compete with the True Immortal, then we can’t.” Yan Qing finally caught his breath, remaining calm. “Not being able to compete is one thing, waiting to die is another.”

“Waiting to die?”

Feeling frustrated, Qu Duanyun’s swordplay became even more aggressive. He focused on attacking Yan Qing, his voice cold as ice.

“Humans have different levels. For Great Yun, which is more important, the young and rising or the old and lazy? You’re not the latter, so why would you wait to die?”

“All humans will age.”

“So what? People like Sun Huajin accumulate wealth and can use medicine to live up to a hundred years,” Qu Duanyun replied with emphasis. “Young ones who don’t strive will have no money to prolong their lives in old age. That’s just the way of the world!”

Yan Qing remained silent, slowing down, his eyes fixed on Qu Duanyun.

Yan Qing rarely showed anger; even now, his expression was neutral, but his Sword of Compassion began to emit a heavy hum. He inhaled, and blood seeped from his wounds.

“Young Warrior Qu, you’re even more useless than I thought.”

“Useless?”

“On one hand, one possesses immense wealth, with every step offering a way out. On the other hand, when hands stop and mouths cease, one can see through the entirety of life… Doing the same work doesn’t mean ‘doing the same thing’.”

Yan Qing’s voice grew cold. His presence weighed down the surroundings that even the swaying roots seemed to calm. Using his sword as a shield, he blocked the rain-like attacks of the Guanwu sword without a tremor in his voice.

“You don’t worry about your parents above, nor about your future below. Of course, you dare to take risks… With all due respect, you’re merely a superficial observer. You don’t understand the real world, much less have the right to criticize.”

Qu Duanyun laughed coldly, with a hint of desperation in his swordplay. “You speak so righteously. Aren’t you the perfect example? Even when faced with the worst situations, you manage to pull yourself out—”

He was cut off by Yan Qing’s bitter laughter.

“I am indeed the perfect example.”

His aura converged, pushing away the Hanging Tree’s fine roots. Centered around Yan Qing, a clear circle emerged in the desolate land.

“If it weren’t for the coincidental death of my father, I would still be struggling in Xizhuang, working daily to care for him. By the time he passed, I would be approaching middle age, penniless… According to your reasoning, it would be natural for me to be devoured by that Hanging Tree without any support.”

“But you lost to me.”

Yan Qing’s voice became even calmer.

“Young Warrior Qu, by your standards, I fear half of it might be attributed to luck.”

Qu Duanyun’s eyes were tinged with bloodshot veins. “Luck? I’ve been fending for myself since I was young—”

“It doesn’t matter.” Yan Qing sighed, glancing at the dimming sun. “When the Immortal Assembly is completely uprooted by us, and the Qu Clan’s reputation is tarnished because of you, you’ll understand.”

Just as Qu Duanyun was about to retort, he was rendered speechless. In a fit of rage, his aura exploded uncontrollably.

“You all preach about loyalty and justice daily. Do you intend to continue rebelling? The imperial soldiers are here. I want to see how you, the righteous leader, can win!”

Hours had passed. This place was an obvious anomaly, and the scattered soldiers were slowly regrouping. The Kushan Sect was just putting on a tough front; at this moment, what the Immortal Assembly should be worried about wasn’t failure but how to win more cleanly.

While Qu Duanyun was deep in thought, Yan Qing raised his Sword of Compassion high.

Yan Qing gathered all his qi, but he didn’t attack Qu Duanyun nor the soldiers. With the blade pointing downward, the heavy, dark sword was deeply thrust into the wasteland. The tombstone-like great sword caused a burst of shockwaves, causing both the spirit and the earth to tremble.

“Sect Master, it’s time!” Yan Qing took a deep breath, raising his voice.

Before Qu Duanyun could recover from his anger and confusion, he was taken aback. “What time…”

Before he could finish, the ground trembled once more, as if responding to the previous heavy sword strike. A team rapidly approached from the distance, their figures not yet clear but a thick murderous aura already rolling in. From their disorderly charge, it was evident that they were members of the demonic sect.

At the same time, a familiar wave of magic emanated from Jiang Youyue, as if someone had sent an urgent message in the word cloth—

The cloth ignited without flame, and a panicked voice burst from Jiang Youyue’s chest. The voice was thin and sharp, unmistakably belonging to the eunuch, Lu Fu.

“Lord Jiang,” Lu Fu exclaimed in a panic, “The Emperor, he, he, he—”

Is he dead?

Qu Duanyun halted his sword.

It didn’t matter if he was dead. If Shi Jingzhi failed, they would simply prop up Xu Jingming, that useless trash, and have the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage take over as regents. Raising another prince only required ten to twenty years; there was no need for such panic.

There were many organisms and minerals that were harmful to the Hanging Tree, but in the past three hundred years, they were all eradicated by the Immortal Assembly. The only “troublemaker”, Yin Zizhu, was also under their watch, waiting to be dealt with. There was nothing in the world that could threaten the Hanging Tree unless…

“The Emperor has surrendered to Luojiu! He surrendered behind our backs!!!”

The old eunuch exclaimed; his voice hoarse with a crying tone.

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Kinky Thoughts:

Qu Duanyun teaches us a good lesson about not judging others superficially. Being born with luck in the Qu Clan, he has the support, power, and wealth to make the decisions he made. Rather than learning humility and compassion when his parents sent him out into the world, he instead became more ignorant.

This reminds me of a comment I once read online. “We’re all running a race, but some people get a head start and have on shoes while others are running barefoot.”

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