Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 133: Nuo Mask

“Don’t chase,” Shi Jingzhi whispered.

He no longer tightly gripped Yin Ci’s wrist but slid his palm down, covering the back of Yin Ci’s hand. The two of them stood close, and just a few movements brought back a strong smell of blood.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t say much. He lifted his head, grinning broadly at Yin Ci—probably the only person in the world who could be so cheerful after being injured.

Yin Ci calmed down, quickly realizing the issue.

When dealing with this man, he couldn’t maintain the same composure as before. The calmness and rationality that he had cultivated over many years suddenly crumbled in the face of the overpowering scent of blood. Any tiny variable involving this person could make him lose his bearings—

For a moment, he undoubtedly activated the disaster-warding talisman.

Due to its modification from a cursed artifact, the design of the talisman was simple. Even without inner force, a mere poke with a twig would activate it. Although Yin Ci claimed to have no inner force, his control over sword qi was impeccable; a mistake was impossible.

However, during the operation of the talisman, the injuries of the person being “shielded” would be transferred. At this moment, the bright red wound still remained on Shi Jingzhi’s neck, continuously oozing blood.

“…You knew.”

He didn’t make a mistake, and Chen Qianfan’s talisman couldn’t be of poor quality. The only remaining possibility was that Shi Jingzhi had detected the talisman on his body and had tampered with it beforehand.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t directly respond. He grimaced and touched the wound on his neck. “This will probably leave a scar. I’ll need to adjust my wedding robe.”

Yin Ci: “…”

Shi Jingzhi: “My clothes are dirty. Zizhu, fetch me a silver needle and silk thread. I need to stitch this wound.”

Yin Ci finally sighed. “Jingzhi, I shouldn’t have hidden this from you.”

Shi Jingzhi abruptly looked up, inadvertently pulling his wound, and winced in pain. Yet, the joy on his face was evident. “Say that again.”

“I shouldn’t have hidden it from you. I’m sorry.”

“Not that.” Shi Jingzhi covered his neck. “I know what you think, and I don’t blame you. Come, call me by my name again.”

Yin Ci’s emotions were thrown into turmoil by this man. On one hand, he was angry at Shi Jingzhi for treating himself poorly, and on the other, he felt like he was begrudgingly admitting his own mistakes. The feeling was truly a mix of sweet and sour, bitter and spicy, extremely complex and incredibly subtle.

Looking back, this young man hinted at him many times. Yet, he had always maintained some seniority and never candidly admitted it.

“Call me again,” Shi Jingzhi pressed on.

Yin Ci knew this young man loved to seize opportunities. He pulled out a silver needle and silk from the medicine box. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

Shi Jingzhi pretended not to hear.

“Jingzhi*.” Yin Ci, a bit helpless, started to thread the needle.

*Clarity: In Chinese culture, calling someone by just their first name often times shows extreme closeness, and among other cases, if you’re a romantic couple. This is why Shi Jingzhi is so enthusiastic about wanting to hear it from Yin Ci again.

Shi Jingzhi, satisfied, responded, “Mm, you stitch. When you gave me that brocade pouch, you still saw me as a junior, right? It’s hard to bring up such matters; if done wrongly, it seems like I’m taking advantage of gratitude.”

He gradually turned his cheek and rubbed Yin Ci’s hand, not holding the needle.

“Whenever I see you, I don’t know how to speak. It’s hard to explain, and I didn’t want you to get annoyed.”

Yin Ci found it both amusing and pitiable. “So you baited me to act first?”

“Yes. But I didn’t want to risk my life. It just so happened that the Changle Sect was there, so I used the opportunity. This way, my ‘serious illness’ seemed more believable. It’s a win-win.”

Yin Ci stitched the wound, which was numbed by a drug. Shi Jingzhi took the opportunity to lean in and kiss Yin Ci’s forehead.

“I indeed didn’t expect to see such a panicked look on your face, Zizhu… That was my fault.”

Regrettably, the satisfaction in Sect Master Shi’s tone overshadowed his apology, and the smugness in his eyes was impossible to hide. Yin Ci wanted to say, “Why not just say it?” but it got stuck in his throat, only to be swallowed back down. The scene of “being 100 steps angry but retreating 50 steps” replayed. He suspected that this kid had premeditated everything, precisely targeting every bit of his inner fury.

…However, if he wanted to completely grasp and manipulate him, this kid was still too naive.

Yin Ci resisted the urge to pull his ear, and his sewing movements became even gentler. Just when Shi Jingzhi relaxed completely, Demonic Lord Yin looked sideways and cleared his throat—

“Next time, I’ll definitely discuss it with you.”

Shi Jingzhi momentarily froze. “Next time?”

“Yes, next time.” Yin Ci washed the blood off his hands. “When I first gave you that charm, I did see you as a junior with a fragile life. Either way, I won’t die, so blocking a bit for you was no big deal.”

Shi Jingzhi touched the wound on his neck and stared silently at Yin Ci. Yin Ci took the safety brocade pouch off his body and solemnly placed it in front of Shi Jingzhi.

“Now I give it back to you, not out of an elder’s heart,” Yin Ci said solemnly, without a hint of embarrassment in his words.

“Shi Jingzhi, you are the person I cherish the most. I don’t want to lose you. Please keep this disaster-warding talisman with you.”

Shi Jingzhi was taken aback by these words, his eyes reddening slightly. “You…”

“Moreover, this item is rare. If used properly, it can strike unexpectedly.” Yin Ci continued with a straight face. “It would be a pity to give up on it.”

“…Can’t you let me be moved a bit longer?” Shi Jingzhi lamented.

But the disaster-warding talisman on his chest suddenly felt lighter. From now on, it wasn’t an armor of “self-sacrifice”, but a secret weapon they both understood.

Shi Jingzhi stared at the person in front of him for a while, then kissed his forehead.

“I’ll try not to use it. If I have to, it will only be for matters concerning both of us.” He rested his forehead against Yin Ci’s. “Zizhu, I’m very happy that you revealed everything today. As a return, I’ll tell you a secret—”

Shi Jingzhi moved his lips, whispering something.

Listening, Yin Ci’s face stiffened, and his fleeting guilt vanished instantly. At the end, Yin Ci leaned back and, without hesitation, pressed Shi Jingzhi’s hand against the wooden chair’s backrest.

“Good, very good.” Yin Ci’s face was clouded with shadows. “Shizun really is full of schemes.”

“This is the best plan I could think of,” Shi Jingzhi said sincerely. “I don’t want to hide it from you. Let’s discuss it.”

Thinking of the plan he just heard, Yin Ci felt a bit restless. However, with Shi Jingzhi’s sincere expression, looking up at his disciple, his face read, “I know you care about me.”

Poor Immortal Yin Ci; if his body had to go through more stress, he might internally injure himself. With Shi Jingzhi’s plan in place, he really didn’t have a better solution.

“Forget it, it really is the best strategy.” After struggling for a while, Yin Ci finally conceded. “You’re injured, so only vegetable porridge for you tonight.”

Shi Jingzhi froze in the chair, almost whimpering.

“Zizhu—”

Unfortunately, only the hard-hearted Demonic Lord Yin heard Sect Master Shi’s sobs.

The next day, the Sect Master of the Changle Sect had already vanished without a trace, and Yin Ci won without a fight. Qu Duanyun didn’t disappoint the audience, swiftly defeating Lin Zhen. The matches between Shi Zhongyu and Lin Xun, and Yan Qing against Elder Zhou of Taiheng, were unexpectedly fierce.

The battle between Shi Zhongyu and Lin Xun was set for noon. Though Shi Zhongyu lost her good sword, she still retained the Green Maiden Sword technique, which had been famous for a long time. Lin Xun, a member of the Jiu Tianhui Sect, was unknown to many. Even if he was a unique sword genius, he wouldn’t be a match for Shi Zhongyu.

Today, Shi Zhongyu finally changed her attire. She took off her coarse bandit clothes and wore her regular fabric outfit. Her long hair was neatly tied, even adorned with an elegant pearl hairpin.

The crowd saw a glimpse of the old Green Maiden Shi Zhongyu and couldn’t help but exclaim. Without a sideways glance, she gracefully stepped onto the stone platform and greeted Lin Xun.

With an expressionless face, Lin Xun returned the gesture. He looked ordinary, carrying a long sword, his eyes slightly vacant.

“Honor in heart, stop at the touch.” The leader of the Jinyu Group shouted. “Begin!”

Shi Zhongyu made the first move, her sword instantly ignited with a green flame. Unfortunately, her sword was of average quality, showing weakness under the flame’s burn. She swiftly aimed the green flame at Lin Xun’s face. Compared to the Green Maiden Sword technique that everyone had seen, her current sword style was more measured but several times more stable.

Shi Zhongyu, being a woman, was light and agile. She danced around Lin Xun, her sword alternating between close and distant. The green light, like a giant snake, kept moving around Lin Xun while the crowd burst into exclamations—

This move was tricky, and if one misjudged the distance, they would be at a disadvantage. Shi Zhongyu’s style had always been gentle, progressing step by step. But now, she went straight to the point with a vicious move.

People looked at each other, wondering what had upset the “Great Senior Sister of Taiheng”.

Lin Xun didn’t shrink back. He stood still for a moment and suddenly brandished his sword, producing layers of sword flowers around him. As the sword flowers tumbled, with continuous chimes, he managed to defend against Shi Zhongyu’s “Green Snake Stance”.

Shi Zhongyu showed no surprise, dodging Lin Xun’s intricate sword flowers. She twisted her body and aimed at Lin Xun’s wrist that was holding his sword.

Her sword was heated by the green flames, and this move raised a lot of hot steel slag. The slag scattered with her sword intent, becoming an excellent distracting weapon. Lin Xin immediately had dozens of minor injuries on his arm. As his attention was diverted, his swordplay was disrupted and became chaotic, and he quickly disengaged.

However, there was still no expression on Lin Xin’s face. He simply gave up his defense and engaged in close combat with Shi Zhongyu. For a moment, the glow of flames and the shadows of swords flew together, and countless sword qi lashed towards the stone platform, making a crisp cracking sound.

Lin Xin was tall and thin, yet he seemed weightless. He and Shi Zhongyu seemed like two intertwined gusts of wind, their figures blurring. The audience below erupted in cheers. But only Yin Ci slightly frowned, looking contemplative.

The two gusts swirled around the large arena several times, slowing down enough for their movements to be discernible. Shi Zhongyu was slightly panting, with numerous notches on her sword. Fortunately, the green flame was still blazing. Lin Xin continued with a calm expression, but his moves were more aggressive, exuding a self-sacrificing aura.

He seemed inexhaustible, growing stronger as the fight continued. Shi Zhongyu fought defensively, conserving her energy amidst the rapid attacks. Unfortunately, the opponent had no sense of rhythm in combat and attacked relentlessly. She was forced into a corner where her vision was obscured. Seeing that there was no way to retreat, the battle intensified.

The location was further from the spectators, and their positions were relatively fixed. Shi Zhongyu had more opportunities to observe her opponent.

It’s a trap.

Lin Xin’s movements were peculiar, unlike the common styles in the martial world. Despite their rapid pace, his breathing was steady, as solid as wood or stone. In the right light, she could see a hint of jade green in his pupils.

She realized that the Immortal Assembly wouldn’t just stand by and watch. This so-called Jiu Tianhui Sect was merely a stepping stone to interfere with the main event.

As if sensing her thoughts, an expression finally appeared on Lin Xin’s face—a stiff smile that was slightly unsettling.

The smile vanished quickly. Just as Shi Zhongyu’s sword broke a bit and she was about to switch positions, Lin Xin lunged directly at her, colliding with her flaming broken sword.

“Ah!!!”

A loud scream came from below.

In the arena, Lin Xin’s movements completely stopped, as if he had been paralyzed. A dark red stain slowly spread across his back, eventually soaking it completely.

The next moment, Lin Xin fell like a sack with his dull eyes still open. His sword clattered to the ground, sliding a few steps away.

After Lin Xin fell, the slightly shorter figure of Shi Zhongyu became visible. This time, she was the expressionless one—holding a half-burned sword with no signs of shock or regret.

Monk Zhixing, sitting in a prominent position, began to recite Buddhist scriptures in a low voice upon seeing this. The two monks beside him remained silent. Nearby, two doctors wanted to approach, but Shi Zhongyu signaled them to stay back.

“He’s dead,” she said calmly.

Whispers and discussions broke out among the martial artists below. Jin Lan, who was familiar with Shi Zhongyu, was utterly shocked. Shi Zhongyu’s demeanor, without even a hint of remorse, was unprecedented.

In Jin Lan’s heart, Shi Zhongyu was almost considered the soul of Taiheng. She would definitely not behave in such a manner. Could it be that she was possessed by something or affected by some technique?

Unexpectedly, Shi Zhongyu didn’t even glance at him; her eyes were sharply fixed on Qu Duanyun seated above.

“Taking a life means disqualification!” The leader of Jinyu Gang wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, his voice trembling slightly. “She must be strictly guarded and handed over to the authorities after the conference!”

Shi Zhongyu didn’t defend herself. She looked around as if imprinting everything in her memory, then nodded to Lin Zhen below, showing no intention of fleeing.

It wasn’t until Shi Zhongyu was taken away and the blood was cleaned up that the murmurs from the crowd began to die down. Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi—Shi Jingzhi had his head lowered and his face remained calm.

However, there were many observing the Kushan Sect.

“It happened so suddenly, and only your sect remained calm. No wonder she spoke up for you. Kushan, you heretics, have you deceived her with your wicked ways?”

Elder Zhou of Taiheng, the next to go on stage, didn’t even wait for the fat leader’s signal before accusing Yan Qing.

Yan Qing, wearing a Nuo mask, remained silent.

“Even the servants are wearing masks, always using these mysterious tricks. Covering your face is useless; the aggrieved party is right here, and you can’t escape this time.”

Elder Zhou, with his white beard, looked furious, but his tone seemed genuinely concerned for Shi Zhongyu. Yan Qing didn’t drop his sword this time; he stood upright with his sword, still maintaining his silence.

The fat leader of the Jinyu Group soaked through a handkerchief with sweat before finding an opportunity to interject, “Begin!”

Given the situation, rallying shouts probably wouldn’t be of much use.

As expected, Elder Zhou shouted and instantly lunged at Yan Qing. Elder Zhou was highly respected in Taiheng, and his Feng Hui palm technique was masterful and intimidating to all. If not for his old age and declining strength, he might even stand a chance against Qu Duanyun.

Facing such a senior figure, Yan Qing didn’t act arrogantly. If he were to lose his sword, he might not be able to counter. Without his weapon, the situation would be irreparable.

Yan Qing cautiously adjusted his position, but against a master like Elder Zhou, the Nuo mask was a hindrance. To cover his ghost eyes, the mask’s holes were small, limiting his field of vision.

Elder Zhou, with his vast experience, immediately recognized the limitations of the mask. He targeted Yan Qing’s blind spots, his Feng Hui palm strikes producing sharp sounds of breaking the air. Yan Qing barely managed to defend using his Sword of Compassion. Despite this, Elder Zhou’s techniques were still overwhelmingly powerful.

The Sword of Compassion couldn’t block inner force like the Hanging Shadow Sword. The surging inner force passed through the blade, making it hard for Yan Qing to even hold onto the hilt.

Few cheered from below the stage.

The audience was still immersed in the shock of Shi Zhongyu’s public killing. Moreover, this match seemed to have a foregone conclusion. Although the turmoil in the martial world had shaken its foundations, the members of the Kushan Sect could still make it among the top eight. The righteous sects had lost face.

The situation was clear. Elder Zhou’s inner force could injure Yan Qing even if he hid behind a turtle shell. Unless Yan Qing could change the tide, breaking the deadlock—but how could someone who had thrown his sword this entire time have the power to do so?

“Thief, take this palm strike!” Seeing Yan Qing’s desperate defense, Elder Zhou, feeling unsatisfied, intensified his palm technique.

Using all his strength in this strike, even the surrounding air rippled. Yan Qing stabbed his sword into the stone platform to steady himself, preventing himself from being blown away by the palm’s wind.

Yan Qing tightly gripped the hilt, spitting out a bit of blood.

Elder Zhou was no ordinary master. His momentum was like a landslide, with each palm strike stronger than the last, leaving little time to counter. His strength was comparable to Chai Xin of the Ling Sect, but when he fought Chai Xin, Yan Zheng was by his side to help. Chai Xin had the upper hand then but became overconfident.

However, Elder Zhou was far from being complacent. The old man was furious, as if he wished to crush Yan Qing in a mortar.

“Why aren’t you throwing your sword now?” Seeing Yan Qing still not making a move, Elder Zhou said angrily. “Can’t you even face me head-on? Are you a coward or not?”

“Forget it.”

Yan Qing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and finally spoke.

“Senior’s skills are profound. If I don’t face you with all my strength, it would be disrespectful.”

“Just as I thought…” Elder Zhou started to say, but then froze on stage.

With a “snap” sound, Yan Qing’s wooden mask fell to the ground. Under the bright midday sun, Yan Qing’s ghost eyes shone like blazing charcoal, glaringly red.

The audience below fell into complete silence.

Jin Lan was greatly shocked. Instinctively, he cried out “Yan Qing”, but then realized his mistake and quickly covered his mouth. Unfortunately, it was too late—while others may not understand, Elder Zhou was crystal clear.

“In my sect, there was a blind servant who died in the Ghost Tomb named Yan Qing,” Elder Zhou said in a very low voice, pausing between words. “I thought it was just a coincidence of names, but to think… the Yan Clan’s bloodline has been hiding in my Taiheng!”

He then withdrew his hands and announced loudly. “You are lucky today. Leader of Jinyu, this man is not qualified to stand here. Take him down immediately!”

Yan Qing stood with his sword, his ghost eyes fixed on Elder Zhou, showing calm acceptance. Hearing Elder Zhou’s words, he didn’t move an inch, but instead showed a hint of a smile.

Could the situation get any more bizarre? The fat leader of the Jinyu Group was sweating profusely, and it took him a while to come to his senses.

“This… This…”

Elder Zhou: “What?”

“As for qualifications, the Martial Arts Conference only has two conditions: belonging to the ‘righteous sects’ and ‘passing the Mirror of Judgment’. The Kushan Sect has not been convicted and is still considered a righteous sect. This man also passed the Mirror of Judgement… even if he carries the bloodline of a demon, by the rules…”

The Jinyu Group leader swallowed hard.

“By the rules, he is indeed qualified.”

The situation was so outlandish that there was an uproar from the audience below.

The Martial Arts Conference wasn’t held annually, but in its century-long history, no descendant of the Yan Clan had ever set foot on the stone platform. This conference, especially, was about “winning over the audience”. Just by seeing those ghost eyes, one would not say “winning over” but rather “inciting anger”. With Taiheng at the forefront of this year’s conference, publicly revealing his identity like this, was he tired of living?

Despite being the center of attention, Yan Qing remained calm.

He didn’t glance at the audience below, nor did he listen to the exclamations or curses.

“Senior, can we continue now?”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 132: Eight People

During the duel that evening, the night sky was cloudless. The abandoned house’s courtyard was dimly lit, without even a lamp burning.

Yin Ci merged with the night as he approached like a ghost. He knocked Yan Qing’s sword out of his hand for the fifth time. He held back his strength, but Yan Qing’s wrist was still swollen and red. Yan Qing didn’t utter a word; he just obediently picked up his sword and carefully pondered his own mistakes.

Yin Ci remained silent, just observing the man before him.

In terms of talent, Yan Qing was gifted, but not as much as Qu Duanyun. In terms of knowledge, since he had served his father from a young age, his literacy was mostly gleaned from eavesdropping on others reading aloud, even less than Qu Duanyun. Yan Qing had been a member of the Kushan sect for less than a year and had only learned the basics of Taiheng martial arts. If he had any self-awareness, he should be worried about his situation.

The Kushan Sect had a bad reputation so Qu Duanyun wouldn’t be polite to them. If Su Si was the one dueling, the Young Patriarch Su would have probably run away long ago.

However, Yan Qing just held his wrist, lost in thought. After a long while, he took his stance again, seemingly without any worry.

This man knew nothing of their plans but still entrusted them with deep trust. When they were scavenging the Ghost Tomb, they truly found a gem.

Yin Ci’s thoughts were interrupted by a recent discussion.

“Zizhu, you pair up with Shi Zhongyu. Yan Qing will pair up with Qu Duanyun.”

Shi Jing Zhi swallowed his porridge unhappily, showing no aura of a sect leader, but his words were serious.

“Shi Zhongyu chose this occasion to meet with Qu Duanyun. There must be a reliable backup plan. Since we’re from Kushan and can’t serve the public, you should find a reason to lose to her.”

“Would Shi Zhongyu agree?” Unless she lost her memory after returning from the Mishan sect, she would notice that Yin Ci was going easy.

Shi Jingzhi put down his porridge bowl, rubbing his paws, looking forward to the future with anticipation.

“Qu Duanyun’s misconduct towards his fellow sect members will come to light. Whether he can become the martial alliance leader or even keep his position as sect leader is questionable. At that time, Shi Zhongyu will win without a fight, and we can exchange this favor!”

Considering the chaos, Shi Zhongyu might not refuse the position of martial alliance leader.

To outsiders, this fox remained the same, calculating every move. Fortunately, his direction was correct and wouldn’t deeply offend anyone.

“Yan Qing has a good temperament. He just lacks experience. We have given Qu Duanyun such a big advantage; he should serve as a sparring partner.” Shi Jingzhi imagined happily. “You see, isn’t it a great deal?”

Yin Ci paused. “What about Su Si?”

“…Do you remember the attitude of the Sword of Compassion? If he faces the Mirror of Judgement, it might warn on the spot.”

By now, Young Patriarch Su was openly acknowledging that he was “a bad seed”. If not for the mirror that could differentiate between good and evil, this would be considered a twisted form of “having a clear conscience”.

Yin Ci understood. “You know I’m not asking about that. Since leaving the Northwest, you have had him do menial tasks. This time, it’s better to give Su Si something proper to do.”

“Oh, favoring one servant over another?” Shi Jingzhi snorted. “I’ve been in a bad mood and didn’t want to bother.”

Yin Ci frowned at him.

Shi Jingzhi took advantage, his eyes brightening. “Zizhu, you’re becoming more and more like my exclusive general. Why worry so much? Even if Su Si rebels, you can stop him.”

Every time Yin Ci recalled this, he felt there were deeper meanings in these words. Just as he was pondering the memory, he was interrupted.

“Senior Yin,” Yan Qing said, breaking Yin Ci’s reverie.

“You can rest.”

“No, I was just wondering, if that mirror is for judging sins, why could Qu Duanyun pass it?” Yan Qing wiped the sweat from his face. “I heard from A’Si that both the death of Sect Master Qi and the attack on Taiheng’s subordinates were related to him…”

“Yes, he probably knew about the disaster caused by the ‘Invitation to God Formation’ of the Ling Sect.”

“Qu Duanyun clearly harmed others. Isn’t that considered a sin?”

“He holds a high position in the Immortal Assembly, and knowing some dispelling techniques is normal.”

Yan Qing leaned on his sword, hesitating a bit, his face still in deep thought.

“Why worry about all this while practicing your sword?”

“Using magic to conceal himself would mean he feels guilty for his own sins. If he truly felt ‘guilt-free’, it can only be said that he sees himself as a “greater good”, even if it means sacrificing the innocent. The more I know about him, the better. Knowing what kind of person Sect Master Qu is, I’ll know how to fight him.”

Seeing Yan Qing’s serious expression, Yin Ci smiled. “Do you want to defeat him?”

“I’ve never thought of winning,” Yan Qing replied calmly.

“But I never thought of losing either.”

For the next few days, the weather was clear, and the tournament proceeded as expected.

The minor sects fought hard that day even Qu Duanyun, a strong competitor, took his opponents very seriously, unlike some sects—

The senior disciple of the Kushan Sect seemed to be experimenting with new sword techniques against his opponents. He didn’t even consider them a threat. Sometimes he’d poke here, then thrust there. His opponents felt like mice under a cat’s paw, many preferring to jump off the stage, surrendering their wooden bracelets, rather than endure such torment.

Is this person from a demonic sect?

Although Yin Ci played around, his skill was clear. Many bet heavily on him, hoping for a showdown between him and Shi Zhongyu.

Others were more concerned about Monk Zhixing taking action on stage. The Kushan Sect was an enemy of the Jianchen Temple. Given previous betrayals, it was surprising that Zhixing managed to keep his temper.

Yan Qing effectively used the “Sword of Compassion”. No matter the weapons his opponents wielded, he would hurl the Sword of Compassion at them.

Everyone there knew of the sword’s capabilities. No one knew how deep their own obsessions were, and they dared not risk being crushed by the weight of the sword. They had to dodge. But once they moved, Yan Qing would easily kick them off the stage. Using this tactic, Yan Qing progressed further than expected.

This kind of competition, devoid of any chivalry, almost caused public outrage. Wasn’t it just about wielding the “Sword of Compassion”? Even if you tied it to a monkey, the monkey could do it!

Fortunately, by tomorrow, the contestants for the final battle would be decided. The journey of this servant, sneaking through the competition, was likely at its end.

As the unknown competitors were eliminated, the atmosphere became more and more lively. Famous figures like Qu and Shi and the universally challenged Kushan Sect went without saying. Even after the chaos of the “Shirou” incident, various sects still retained some of their masters—

Although the Changle Sect lost their “Stick Sect Master” in the Ghost Tomb, this time they’ve put forward a standout, the “Sack Sect Master”. Knowing he would face Yin Ci, he didn’t seem worried at all. On the contrary, he twirled his little finger and stroked his beard, appearing completely confident.

There was also a relatively unknown sect called Jiu Tianhui. They sent a pair of twin youths to compete. Although not renowned, their skills and tactics were impressive at first glance. The two were placed in different groups, and neither had been eliminated yet.

“Only eight people left, excluding Taiheng. How come not a single person from Kushan has been eliminated?”

“It’s just dumb luck. Have you seen him? That’s the leader of the Changle Sect, Sect Master Xu. Who knows what techniques he’s learned? He’s been on a winning streak… But that surname Yin—he’s ruthless when he strikes. This match is hard to predict.”

“Those two from Jiu Tianhui are impressive. It’s a pity Lin Xun and Lin Zhen aren’t in the same group; I really wanted to see the twins compete. Lin Zhen is up against Qu Duanyun this time and probably won’t win. Lin Xun is facing Shi Zhongyu, so that should be interesting.”

“That servant from Kushan is facing Elder Zhou of Taiheng. I guess throwing the sword won’t work this time. If only the Jianchen Temple had participated. Someone would have long taught that lunatic a lesson for throwing the Sword of Compassion around so recklessly.”

“Place your bets, place your bets! Nothing else to say; let’s first bet on Elder Zhou of Taiheng to win…”

Countless spectators arrived upon hearing the news. The Jinyu Group began encouraging people to place bets with their spare change, making a quick buck. Seeing the number of contestants drop from eight to four, the crowd’s enthusiasm surged to an unprecedented level.

Yin Ci couldn’t be bothered with the noisy crowd, let alone Sect Master Xu trying to cozy up to him. Who would have thought that this sack-like robust man, paying no heed to others’ feelings, would eagerly follow all the way to the abandoned house?

Everyone knew that the Kushan Sect was staying here. It was necessary for Shi Jingzhi to continue his charade of being sick. Out of patience, Yin Ci turned and responded, “If Sect Master Xu has something to say, let’s discuss it after tomorrow’s battle.”

Sect Master Xu continued to smile. “We are going to face off tomorrow. It’s a sort of fate. I’ve admired Brother Yin for a long time. Why not share a drink together to ensure we don’t ruin the mood tomorrow?”

Yin Ci was getting increasingly annoyed. Yan Qing was out practicing his swordsmanship, and Su Si had predictably followed him. At this moment, he was alone, and he really didn’t feel like brewing tea for this persistently sticky guest.

“There’s no need.”

However, just as he finished speaking, a sharp scent of blood rushed into his nostrils. Yin Ci’s face changed, and he noticed that the ever-smiling Sect Master Xu’s expression had deepened. “You are too polite, Brother Yin.”

As the door to the dilapidated house opened, Yin Ci saw Shi Jingzhi being held hostage.

Shi Jingzhi looked pale, with a pitiful tilt to his head. His long hair was speckled with bits of grass, and there were fresh blood stains at the corner of his mouth. The captor stood behind the wooden chair with a dagger against Shi Jingzhi’s neck, the blade pressing against his skin.

Shi Jingzhi’s mask was removed, revealing his charming face in full display. He genuinely looked as if he was… speechless.

‘This fox is really getting into the act,’ Yin Ci thought.

The kidnapper, with mediocre martial arts skills, definitely couldn’t hurt Shi Jingzhi. This situation made Shi Jingzhi seem more like he was enjoying the play rather than being “faithfully pretending to be ill”.

“A’Ci, save Master!” Shi Jingzhi cried out weakly.

Yin Ci sighed. “Sect Master Xu, what is the meaning of this? The Changle Sect is a reputable sect. Why this hostage situation?”

“I am nowhere near your level,” Sect Master Xu confessed. “I know I’d lose to you in tomorrow’s battle. The Kushan Sect’s reputation isn’t great, so why bother taking a spot in the competition?”

As he spoke, he took out a small compass. It spun in his palm before settling on a certain sign.

“My Changle Sect suffered greatly in the Ghost Tomb, but we were favored by the gods. I obtained this little object which can discern strength and weakness…”

“So you intend to bully the weak and threaten the strong?” Yin Ci sneered.

Sect Master Xu scoffed. “This is the first time for threats. For the others, I just bribed them. Besides dreamers like you, who really wants the ‘Shirou’ from Taiheng? Everyone else is just after fame or fortune, and that can be negotiated.”

Yin Ci remained silent, observing him.

The Changle Sect indeed suffered a lot. Its reputation had always been average, and recent events were just adding insult to injury. Sect Master Xu’s actions were clearly driven by a desire for recognition, to restore some of the Changle Sect’s dignity in the martial world.

Seeing Yin Ci so calm, sweat formed on Sect Master Xu’s forehead. He gathered himself, insisting, “Fortunately, Kushan isn’t a renowned sect. If I act today, and face the Mirror of Judgment tomorrow, I can still have a clear conscience. As for your master, we will hold onto him. After you lose to me tomorrow, we will return him to you, safe and sound.”

Sect Master Xu had decent martial arts, but he had never dealt with such hostage situations before. His face almost betrayed the words “fierce in appearance but faint-hearted”. The man holding Shi Jingzhi hostage didn’t possess a shred of malice. A little bit of pressure, and the situation could be resolved.

“So, it’s like that,” Yin Ci remarked. “At this age, still blindly believing in those magical artifacts, no wonder the Changle Sect hasn’t prospered. Just from watching a few fights, you think you have everything under control—”

Suddenly, the smell of blood intensified.

Almost instinctively, Yin Ci activated the disaster-warding talisman with one hand and swung his Hanging Shadow Sword with the other. A powerful murderous intent surged around, and even before his gaze shifted, the tip of his sword pierced through the palm of the kidnapper.

The man immediately screamed in pain as his short knife clattered to the ground.

“What happened? I didn’t even speak; why did you act?!” The shock on the face of Sect Master Xu was no less than Yin Ci’s. The sudden eruption of murderous intent was terrifying. His legs went weak, and he almost fell flat on his backside.

“I… I don’t know… He just moved suddenly, and my hand slipped…” The kidnapper, being mediocre in martial arts, had never seen such a display of power. Overwhelmed by the suffocating aura imbued with bloodlust, he wet his pants in fear.

Shi Jingzhi slightly tilted his head, revealing a moderately deep cut on his elegant neck. Blood flowed unceasingly from it. The wound wasn’t fatal, but it was disturbing to look at.

Yin Ci, captivated by the sight of the blood, forgot about seeking vengeance. He rushed over to Shi Jingzhi and hurriedly bandaged the wound. The two from the Changle Sect wouldn’t dare make threats any longer. They scrambled and tumbled toward the door, desperate to flee. Just as Yin Ci was about to unleash his sword qi to forcefully “invite” them to stay, a pale, cold hand suddenly reached out, gripping Yin Ci’s wrist tightly.

“Shh, it’s okay.”

Shi Jingzhi finally moved. He raised a blood-stained finger, placing it gently over his lips. The vivid red blood on his lips was startlingly bright. His long, smooth hair draped down, and the hand that held Yin Ci was cold and pale, but the blood dripping from the wound was scorching hot.

His eyes sparkled as always, displaying the perfect mix of mischief.

“Don’t chase.”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 131: Platoon

“Shi Jingzhi isn’t participating in the martial arts conference?” Qu Duanyun’s hand paused as he was writing.

“Sect Master Shi is unwell and has sent his disciple, and… and a servant, to participate,” Jin Lan said, finding the situation absurd.

According to the rules of the martial arts conference, unless there was a special circumstance, the head of the sect was required to attend in person. This rule was to show that the sect leader had the capability to pass on their knowledge. They were given an extra spot to bring an outstanding disciple with them. This “outstanding disciple” was likely the next candidate to be Sect Master.

To prevent smaller sects from randomly recruiting outsiders or lone warriors to fight on their behalf, the martial arts conference tested not only combat skills but also loyalty and following. With all these rules, it was the most solemn event in the martial world. It was one thing for a senior disciple to represent a sect, but it was absurd for the Kushan Sect to bring in a mere servant.

Yet, no one could really pinpoint any violation of the rules.

Qu Duanyun had received information from the Yueshui Pavilion that Shi Jingzhi had been seated in a wooden chair the entire journey, consuming only porridge and medicinal soup, looking frail. By the rules, Sect Master Shi was exempt from performing. Qu Duanyun racked his brain but couldn’t figure out why Shi Jingzhi might be pretending to be ill.

Shi Jingzhi was an excellent martial artist and now seemed to be on his deathbed. If he and his top disciple both participated, Qu Duanyun would need to be more cautious. Shi Jingzhi’s actions seemed like cutting off his own arm.

Had he truly reached his limit?

Over the 300-year history of the Great Yun nation, there were several special beings called “Children of Desire”. Most of them were consumed by their desires before reaching the age of twenty, falling into madness. Either they took their own lives or sought death through others. The Queen of Milan and Yan Budu were among the few who endured this torment and lived a relatively “long” life.

Yet, the Queen of Milan took her life at 26 and Yan Budu at 29, never truly realizing their potential.

Jiang Youyue once said that the Children of Desire, being the concentration of the world’s vital qi, were destined to live short lives. This short lifespan magnified their desires, making the selection process more effective and strategic.

Being a Child of Desire, Shi Jingzhi, approaching 28, was indeed at an age where his life might be ending. Jiang Youyue had judged correctly: even on the brink of death, Shi Jingzhi had not broken down in madness but was still striving for a way to survive. This cunning Child of Desire had faced numerous dangers and adversities but had lived to the present day.

Everything was unfolding just as Jiang Youyue had predicted, and the Hundred-Year Project was nearing its final step.

Was “fate” real in this world?

…No, even if it was, he wouldn’t bow to it.

“Sect Master?” While Qu Duanyun was lost in thought, Jin Lan’s legs had gone numb from standing. He couldn’t help but speak up again.

Qu Duanyun looked down to see that the ink on his brush had dried. Setting his brush aside, he put on his usual smile. “Anything else?”

“I… I saw Senior Sister. She looks different now. She even started the Yangsha Sect. She might be mentally disturbed. With Sect Master Qi gone, perhaps you could decide to bring her back.”

“I cannot defy Master’s orders. I’ve only been Sect Master for a few months, and it’s not appropriate for me to go against Master’s last wishes right away.”

Seeing Jin Lan’s disappointment, Qu Duanyun offered a reassuring smile.

“Although Senior Sister can be stubborn, she’s not reckless. She must have her reasons for attending the martial arts conference. If she demonstrates righteousness at the conference, I might find a way to invite her back.”

Jin Lan brightened up, saying, “That’s great.”

“Not so good.” At the corner of Wuming Town, Sect Master Shi finished his last spoonful of hawthorn porridge. He kept flipping through several old papers, looking rather distressed.

“What’s not so good?” Yin Ci put down a bowl of bitter medicinal soup, making Shi Jingzhi lean back from its strong taste.

“It’s about Qu Duanyun.”

Shi Jingzhi moved his wooden chair, trying to distance himself from the bitter soup.

“Shen Zhu has gathered information on him, and he seems… unpredictable.”

Qu Duanyun was born into the wealthy and influential Qu Clan.

His father was a renowned and upright official, and his mother was the daughter of a high-ranking elder, known for her kindness and openness. The couple was deeply in love—a genuine match made in heaven. They neither spoiled nor were too strict with their only son, Qu Duanyun, ensuring he grew up balanced.

From a young age, Qu Duanyun had the best tutors and was a diligent student. Whether in martial arts or academics, he never relied solely on talent but worked hard without faltering. Compared to the princes of the palace, Qu Duanyun was like a treasured child of heaven.

In the entire Great Yun nation, there might not be a more perfect family or a more fortunate individual than Qu Duanyun.

From childhood to adulthood, Qu Duanyun seemed to have never done any “wrongdoings”. Not even slightly bad rumors could be found about him. Gifted and persevering, with excellent social and interpersonal skills, Qu Duanyun’s future looked promising.

The Immortal Assembly had always been keen on attracting outstanding individuals. Only if they were blind would they overlook such a talent.

“If he wanted to be an official, he could take the imperial examination, and he might even become the top scholar. Now that he’s with the Imperial Preceptor, his future is bright,” Shi Jingzhi muttered. “If he doesn’t want to be an official, he’s still the head of Taiheng, well-respected among the people. If Qu Duanyun had further ambitions, he could only overthrow my brother to become Emperor. But looking at his actions, there’s no sign he wants to harm Great Yun.”

For many years, Sect Master Shi struggled just to survive, always having humble desires. With Qu Duanyun’s booming fortune, Shi Jingzhi really couldn’t guess what more he might want.

Was he simply overthinking?

“Anyway, as long as he’s not the kind of person who turns his back, our plan can proceed. We’ve had such bad luck that our speculations might end up as jokes, like ‘the Emperor using a gold pole*’,” Shi Jingzhi said bitterly.

*Clarity: This comes from a fable where two farmers were on their way home from picking firewood when one asked what the Emperor would use to pick firewood every day, to which the other replied jokingly, “a gold pole, because the Emperor has a lot of gold and must use it for everything.” The pole they are referring to is a carrying pole. This joke highlights the limitations of people’s understanding of a problem. However, in this context, it’s not referring to the meaning, but more so, they would look like the butt of a joke.

“If I could swap places with him, it would be so…”

Before he could finish saying “good”, Yin Ci turned to look at Shi Jingzhi. Sect Master Shi sighed with a complicated expression. “It might not be better. If I became him, wouldn’t I miss chasing you?”

Yin Ci smirked.

“Zizhu?”

“Instead of sweet-talking here, drink your medicine first. It’s bitter when hot, even more bitter when cold.”

“Zizhu—”

“In the past, you gnawed on rotten meat just to stay alive,” Yin Ci remarked bluntly. “It’s just a bowl of medicinal soup. Stop whining.”

“… Complaining a bit feels good,” Sect Master Shi said while holding the bowl of medicine. “After all, you brought candy for me. I smelled it the moment you entered.”

Yin Ci raised an eyebrow, took out the candy, and popped it into his own mouth. Shi Jingzhi, remembering Yin Ci’s ruthless side, almost spilled the medicine out of shock. Fearing that Yin Ci might tease him with the candy, he quickly drank up.

Yin Ci chuckled. He didn’t swallow the candy but held it between his lips, leaning over to transfer it into Shi Jingzhi’s mouth.

After drinking the bitter medicine, Shi Jingzhi’s face wrinkled like a dried radish. He kissed his disciple while tasting the sweetness, and only then did his expression relax.

Inside the town, it was peaceful; outside, it was bustling.

Wuming Town’s unique feature was its abundance of theater troupes in the early years. Over time, local carpenters and stonemasons became skilled at constructing and dismantling stages. Now, the Jinyu Group came upon hearing the news and urgently set up the stage. Once most major sects arrived, the Jinyu Group would even arrange stalls everywhere.

Su Si, wearing a Nuo mask, squatted on a nearby rooftop. Yan Qing, also masked, hid his ghost eyes and squatted next to him. At first glance, they looked like two gray cats.

Wearing such masks, everyone recognized them as members of the Kushan Sect. Righteous individuals passed by beneath the eaves, casting disdainful glances their way.

They didn’t care that their conversation could be heard by Su Si and Yan Qing.

“The Kushan Sect dares to come? Are they even qualified?”

“They haven’t been declared a demonic sect by the Yueshui Pavilion yet. They follow protocols. Unfortunately, despite the long-standing arrest warrant, no one has caught them, allowing them to exploit this loophole.”

“It’s probably desperation. That Shi Jingzhi looks like he’s on his last legs, definitely wanting to fight for his life more than anyone else. Poor thing, he’s so focused on staying alive that he’s lost his mind. With the current reputation of the Kushan Sect, how can they convince the masses?”

“They might not even win the martial arts conference, let alone gain followers. After the conference, the ‘no private duels’ rule won’t apply. With Sect Master Qu present, there’s no way the Kushan Sect could escape, right?”

“Speaking of the Taiheng Sect, have you heard about Shi Zhongyu…”

Losing interest when the topic shifted to Shi Zhongyu, Su Si took out some roasted chicken. After taking a bite, he gave one to Yan Qing.

“I just bought this from the Jinyu Group. It’s very delicious,” Su Si said with his mouth full.

“Be careful when you eat. Afterward, we’ll move near the incense burner to get rid of the smell. If the Sect Master smells it, he could literally suffocate you with his aura.”

Yan Qing accepted the chicken solemnly and ate it with special care.

Given the crowd and the omnipresence of the Immortal Assembly, Shi Jingzhi was afraid of being exposed and had been eating porridge for days. Yesterday, feeling mischievous, Su Si roasted some pork in the yard. Shi Jingzhi was furious, and his aura descended precisely on Su Si’s head.

Patriarch Su’s hand trembled, and the freshly roasted meat skewer almost fell into the ashes. Without waiting for Sect Master Shi to react further, he grabbed handfuls of skewers and dashed away quickly.

“After all, isn’t the Sect Master a… ‘Child of Desire’? His appetites are a hundred times stronger than ordinary people’s. What you did was no different than torturing him with extreme punishment,” Yan Qing said calmly.

“It’s a good thing the timing was right. If Senior Yin was present, you might not have been able to escape.”

Throughout their journey, Shi Jingzhi’s behavior was no different from that of an ordinary person. However, recently, he had been less restrained in showing his emotions around them. Perhaps it was because of his deep bond with Senior Yin that he no longer suppressed his true self.

Thinking of this, a hint of gratification appeared on Yan Qing’s face.

“People used to say I am the Young Patriarch of a demonic sect. But you sound even more terrifying,” Su Si retorted. He didn’t bother to reflect on Yan Qing’s sentiments. Thinking of Yin Ci’s cold face, Patriarch Su shivered instantly.

“What do you mean by ‘might not have been able to escape’? That behavior of Shi Jingzhi, wasn’t it spoiled by that surname Yin… Who do you think I did it for? Those two made you train day and night; no matter how much meat you eat, it’s never enough.”

“A’Si has been good to me, and I remember it,” Yan Qing replied, filtering out the previous negative remarks. He scratched his head, smiling a bit shyly. “Though training is hard, it’s not the fault of the Sect Master or Senior Yin. I have to participate in the competition. If I get eliminated too soon, wouldn’t that tarnish the reputation of the Kushan Sect? Besides, I’ve learned a lot these days.”

Su Si stared at Yan Qing in frustration. Until now, he hadn’t seen any reputation left for the Kushan Sect to tarnish.

“You… haa, the competition begins tomorrow. Be careful. Everyone knows you’re from the Kushan Sect, and they might not hold back.”

“Mm!”

On the first day of the martial arts conference, the Yueshui Pavilion still came to observe.

This time they didn’t wear red and green robes, but formal and elegant attire. “Documenting the Martial Arts Conference” wasn’t as dangerous as descending into the Ghost Tomb. It was a cushy assignment. Yan Qing looked around for a while and couldn’t find Shen Zhu or even a sparrow.

Had the Sect Master completely severed ties with Miss Shen?

Maybe he was overthinking, but Yan Qing always felt there were undercurrents around him. Sect Master Shi and Senior Yin hadn’t shared their plans, only asking him to focus on his training. Even Su Si had talked privately with the Sect Master about important matters, but he, about to take the stage, remained in the dark.

…Never mind.

Yan Qing soon consoled himself. The master and apprentice were formidable, and A’Si wasn’t someone to be easily manipulated. So far, all four of them were safe. With good friends and martial arts skills, he shouldn’t be greedy for more.

The edge of the arena was bustling.

Several palanquins were parked at the farthest point. Apparently, some wealthy households came to watch. The crowd surged, and vendors started selling refreshments and snacks. Nearby, two doctors were preparing, and even a limping fortune-teller had squeezed in, shouting for the Jinyu Group to place bets on their behalf.

Closest to the fighting stage, the commoners were crowded shoulder to shoulder, creating a chaotic scene. They were reluctant to get too close to the stage for fear of danger, yet they were anxious about moving too far away, lest they couldn’t see clearly. This indecisiveness led to them milling about, creating a disorderly human stew.

The Jinyu Group, having seen much of the world, had a solution. They used red ropes to cordon off the fighting stage and set up wooden stands of varying heights. This way, even more people could have a clear view of the events.

The fighting stage remained vacant for the time being, and the crowd’s initial urgency gradually subsided. The disciples of the Jinyu Group, acting much like sheepdogs within a flock of sheep, slowly organized the crowd. They even skillfully arranged for vendors to come in, selling fruits and tea to the attendees.

Though not many representatives from various sects came, it was surprising to see three monks in the crowd.

Wasn’t the Jianchen Temple closed?

But the monk at the forefront was recognized by the martial artists—it was Monk Zhixing, who had witnessed the misdeeds of the Kushan Sect.

Monk Zhixing looked a bit pale and out of place in the festive atmosphere. The two ascetic martial monks with cloaks covering their faces didn’t seem like they would compete.

“Could they have been invited by Taiheng to confront the Kushan Sect after the conference?” someone whispered.

“Ah, this is going to be interesting!”

But no matter who questioned, Zhixing simply bowed his head without replying. When persistently stopped, he only murmured, “Amitabha”, without showing anger. With the prestige of the Jianchen Temple, no one dared to push too far and could only watch him take a seat.

If the Jianchen Temple wasn’t participating and the demonic sect couldn’t attend, then Taiheng, despite not having won, seemed to have gained some dominance.

As the time approached, the leader of the Jinyu Group, with his portly figure, stepped onto the stage and struck a large gong.

“The competition is beginning—please clear the stage—”

The fat man, with a pinched voice, melodiously shouted out as if he were performing a grand opera.

Before he could finish, disciples from the Jinyu Group emerged from the side of the stage. Dressed in gold and silver, they looked like two auspicious beasts.

The crowd buzzed with excitement for a moment, their voices almost drowning out the leader of the Jinyu Group. The members of the Kushan Sect, not wanting to get too close to the crowd, had to tiptoe to get a better view, despite Yan Qing being a towering figure.

One disciple stood to the left and the other to the right, both holding red wooden trays. On the left tray, there were nearly a hundred delicate wooden bracelets, piled slightly high. On the right tray was a large bronze mirror, polished to shine brilliantly. The mirror stand was carved from a special stone with intricate symbols etched into it, akin in purpose to the Sword of Compassion.

The leader of the Jinyu Group, using delicate silk to handle the mirror, placed it in the center of the stage, accompanied by a small incense burner. After paying respect to the mirror, he turned and smiled. “This time, there are thirty-six sects participating, roughly seventy-two individuals. This is our foremost martial arts conference. As per tradition, we will first test the heart and then arrange the battles.”

Yan Qing, engrossed in the proceedings, suddenly heard a rule he wasn’t familiar with and quickly turned to Su Si. “Test the heart?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll understand in a moment,” Su Si said casually. “Even if something happens to Senior Yin, you’ll be fine.”

Yan Qing’s curiosity only grew. Without Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi around to ask, he just kept silent and continued watching.

On the stage, the leader of the Jinyu Group began reading names from a long list. Being the center of attention, Qu Duanyun naturally ranked first.

“Taiheng Sect—Sect Master Qu Duanyun—”

Qu Duanyun gracefully leapt up and landed right in front of the bronze mirror. The Taiheng Sect was held in high regard, and there was a loud cheer from below.

The leader of the Jinyu Group seemed to have anticipated such a scene. He patiently waited for the commotion to die down before continuing.

“Bright mirror hung high, evil spirits disperse. Sect Master Qu, please!”

Without any hesitation, Qu Duanyun took hold of the mirror stand, allowing the mirror to clearly reflect his face. After a quick glance, the chubby leader declared, “Pass!”

Qu Duanyun bowed, took a wooden bracelet from the tray, and put it on his wrist. The bracelet adjusted its size snugly, revealing its magical nature.

“Wow,” Su Si whispered. “Qu Duanyun really passed the test of the heart. Did he use some kind of trick?”

Yan Qing, clueless, could only grunt in confusion.

One by one, representatives from each sect repeated the process. Some were disqualified when their faces did not appear in the mirror.

“Evil intentions, fail!” The leader of the Jinyu Group would shout this every time someone failed the test.

The Kushan Sect, being a new sect, was at the bottom of the list. After naming many, the fat leader finally got to their sect.

“Kushan Sect—Senior Disciple Yin Ci—”

There was no response from below.

The fat leader, unfazed, repeated Yin Ci’s name three times. With no sign of Yin Ci, he moved on to the next name.

“Kushan Sect—Servant Yan Qing—”

The word “servant” caused an uproar. Unlike the respectful cheering for Taiheng’s entry, there was ridicule and scorn.

Fortunately, having grown up with ghost eyes, Yan Qing was used to far worse insults from his villagers. He ignored the jeers, and cautiously approached the mirror, fearing it would expose him.

He gently touched the stone base of the mirror.

Suddenly, all surrounding noise ceased. He found himself in an empty space, the once bustling surroundings and brilliant sky now blank and gray. The mirror only reflected his face amidst pitch blackness.

A shrill, elderly voice abruptly resonated in his ears. “Yan Qing, do you acknowledge your sins?”

Yan Qing, bewildered, could only respond with: “…?”

Staring blankly at the mirror, he waited for another statement, but none came. His reflection remained clear without distortion.

Confused, Yan Qing tried to figure out his next move when suddenly, the noise from the crowd returned, flooding his ears.

“Pass!” declared the leader of the Jinyu Group.

Even after putting on the bracelet, Yan Qing was still puzzled by what had happened. Maybe the mirror had the same ability as the Sword of Compassion—a way to gauge a person’s true nature… At least he hadn’t been embarrassed.

Seeing Yan Qing’s dazed expression as he left the stage, Su Si chuckled—his friend had passed the test of the heart and acquired the Sword of Compassion. If he had failed the “Mirror of Judgment,” it would have been a real joke.

He was more worried about Senior Yin, who didn’t seem like a good person.

Yan Qing stepped down not long ago, followed by the tardy arrival of Yin Ci. His face was three times thicker-skinned than Yan Qing, remaining calm amidst a chorus of jeers. To Su Si’s surprise, Yin Ci approached the mirror without hesitation, his actions resolute.

Now it was the turn of the leader of the Jinyu Group to be puzzled. He was stunned for a while before hesitatingly saying “Pass”, his voice noticeably softer than before.

Upon hearing the result, the criticism from the crowd below mostly turned into shock.

“Accepting a servant is one thing, but even the main disciple of Kushan can pass?”

“The Mirror of Judgement reflects one’s sins, requiring a clear conscience… If someone’s thoughts are different from the ordinary, they can still believe themselves to be sinless, right?”

“Maybe it was that Jingzhi who deceived them at that time, deliberately picking innocent people to go on stage.”

……

However, before the crowd could discuss much, their attention was captured by the next announcement—

“Yangsha Sect—Sect Master Shi Zhongyu—”

“Pass!”

“Yangsha Sect—Main disciple Ma Shili—”

“Evil intentions, fail!”

Shi Zhongyu completely ignored Ma Shili’s cursing. She turned her head and looked at Qu Duanyun, who was not far away, with sharp eyes. He looked back openly, without any sign of guilt or retreat.

After distributing the wooden bracelets that represented qualifications, it was time for the combat draw. To demonstrate fairness, the leader of Jinyu Group called on Monk Zhixing from the Jianchen Temple to draw the lots.

Nearby, Yin Ci pushed Shi Jingzhi, who was sitting in a wooden chair, closer to the stage. With the qualifications now settled, several sects retreated to spectator positions, leaving many empty spots.

The surrounding areas were mostly occupied by qualified sects, so no one would openly attack Sect Master Shi. However, up close, Shi Jingzhi’s condition was much worse than rumored. Although the day was temperate, Sect Master Shi’s teeth were tightly clenched, and sweat was dripping from his forehead. Every now and then, he would tug at his disciple’s sleeve, whispering softly.

If people knew what they were talking about, they would probably be even angrier.

“Push me a bit closer… Yes, yes, ah, I almost made a mistake just now. It’s difficult to cast spells from a distance. Zizhu, are you sure you’ve switched every piece of silk?”

“You better focus on your spell. Zhixing is already stiffening up. The young monk is waiting for you, so quickly give him the appropriate signal. Later, I’ll have to switch the lot back.”

The Jinyu Group was very strict about the silk lots. Even someone as skilled as Yin Ci took a lot of effort to switch them—to control the martial arts conference, they had to replace the silk with demon silk, allowing Shi Jingzhi to control each one.

“Senior Chen’s spells are indeed powerful, but they’re a bit hard to control…”

Shi Jing murmured, but his hands inside his sleeves never stopped working. One meticulous spell after another was continuously cast, making him sweat profusely. Fortunately, Monk Zhixing kept a straight face, deliberately slowing down his movements to match, so no one noticed.

In less than an hour, the combat list was set.

Qu Duanyun couldn’t help but smile.

Even if fate truly existed, this time it was on his side. The current combat list was ideal for him—

Yin Ci and Shi Zhongyu were in a separate group. They would have to fight each other first, and the winner would only meet him in the final battle. Before that, all he had to do was eliminate the insignificant servant from the Kushan Sect.

Absolutely perfect.

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The author has something to say:

In the Ghost Tomb—

Everyone: The disciple from the Kushan Sect is just a filler, right?

Martial Arts Conference—

Everyone: The servant from the Kushan Sect is just a filler, right?

Classic re-enactment (×

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 130: Entering the Fight

Xu Jingming walked all the way to the teahouse without escaping Jiang Youyue’s fleeting glance.

Not only was he made a fool of regarding the matter of looking for the Shirou, but his years of accumulated sense of security were also shattered. Seeing Xu Jingxing in a yellow robe, his grievances found a place to settle. Xu Jingming hurriedly ran to his Emperor Brother’s side, stuffing several tea snacks into his mouth to cover the bitterness.

High Highness The Prince of Rong’s behavior was too unruly. Eunuch Lu Fu was about to remind him but was stopped by the Emperor with a hand.

Xu Jingxing had passed the age of thirty and was very tolerant of his younger brother. Lu Fu immediately shut his mouth, respectfully stepped aside, and continued to watch the Prince of Rong, who wore a bitter expression.

The snacks in the palace tasted much better than those from the Prince of Rong’s mansion. Although the desserts were sweet, Xu Jingming always felt they burned his heart. He poured a cup of fine tea and only then freed up his mouth, intending to have a good chat with his Emperor Brother—

However, he was taken aback by Xu Jingxing’s appearance.

Compared to their last meeting, the emperor had lost considerable weight. There were slight dark circles around his eyes, and although his complexion wasn’t pale, it lacked any rosiness, making him look unwell. The tea snacks were light and fragrant, but the Emperor only took a small bite before frowning and asking for them to be removed.

Xu Jingming quickly swallowed the idle chatter he was about to share. “Emperor Brother, your complexion…”

“The war in Luojiu is not settled. I haven’t slept well.” The Emperor shook his head. “The war has dragged on, and the dead and injured are my people. I initially thought it was a minor conflict, but as time passed, there’s no good news.”

“A bunch of useless men! Those generals are paid by our Great Yun, yet they can’t even defeat uncivilized barbarians!” Xu Jingming quickly agreed with his Emperor Brother’s sentiment.

However, hearing this, a bitter look appeared on the Emperor’s face.

“At first, I thought the same. Jingming, I’ve recently studied the war reports closely, and these barbarians are extraordinary. Their ‘Divine Saint’ is a strategic genius, reminding me of…”

Stopping there, Xu Jingxing seemed to hesitate, ultimately sighing.

Of course, Xu Jingming knew whom his Emperor Brother was referring to. “Why not bring Shi Jingzhi back to address the urgent matters of Great Yun? Dying for the nation is a worthy cause.”

“By now, his health is on its last leg. If we forcibly summon him back now, how can he willingly serve Great Yun?”

His younger brother’s presumptions always made the emperor smile wryly. He coughed lightly, sipping his tea to quell the dry cough.

Xu Jingming looked melancholic. “I just mentioned it. Emperor Brother, you’ve been too lenient with Shi Jingzhi. If it weren’t for Emperor Father’s decree—”

The emperor’s lips twitched. “So you’ve always thought that way… It was Emperor Father who wanted to kill him.”

“Was it at the Imperial Preceptor’s instigation? I heard the current Imperial Preceptor say that Shi Jingzhi is a national calamity.”

“But he made a bet with Emperor Father, which saved him. Throwing a three-year-old child into the Juyi Valley for a month should have meant certain death. Yet fate allowed him to survive, and Emperor Father had to admit defeat.”

Xu Jingming was baffled. “Emperor Brother, you’ve never been kind to the lineage of the Imperial Preceptor. Wouldn’t it have been better to kill him early on?”

“It would’ve been a waste to kill him too soon. First, he’s a genius who can serve me. Second… Consort Jin is expecting, and her belly is getting noticeable.”

Xu Jingming was puzzled. He knew his Brother Emperor had few heirs, but what did this have to do with Shi Jingzhi?

The emperor sighed deeply.

“For many generations of emperors in Great Yun, each one had a brilliant but short-lived child. I wanted to give Shi Jingzhi a chance to see if he could pave a way to survival, so I could learn from it… Lu Fu reminded me of this. If it works, my child might be saved. If not, at least he’d gain some merit.”

“…”

Indeed. Even with Shi Jingzhi’s reputation as a “national calamity”, his priority was survival. He couldn’t influence the vast land within half a year.

But he was almost like a demon. Simply letting him go was—

During Xu Jingming’s silence, Xu Jingxing looked at his slightly thin hands and asked without raising his head.

“Do you think I’m too compassionate, Jingming?”

“Emperor Brother…”

“I’m tired of war and have no ambition. Rather than expanding territories, I just want a prosperous treasury, peaceful citizens, and to pass on this thriving land to future generations. Now with the impending war and rising disasters, the people think I lack virtue… Maybe I should have heeded the Imperial Preceptor’s advice and attacked Luojiu earlier. If I had, we wouldn’t face this calamity now.”

Xu Jingming didn’t know what to say.

For almost a century, Great Yun had been living in harmony with neighboring countries. But now, under his generation, the long-settled turmoil returned. Speaking of war, he certainly didn’t want to wage it, but…

“Previously, Luoju had a close relationship with Great Yun, and their relationship was good. Attacking another country without any reason isn’t a righteous act.” After a moment’s hesitation, the Prince of Rong sincerely said, “Emperor Brother, no, elder brother, don’t blame yourself too much. It’ll harm your health.”

Xu Jingxing remained silent for a long time. After a while, he changed the topic. “Speaking of these things makes my heart restless. Jingming, I heard you watched a grand play in Shafu. Come, tell me about it—”

Before he could finish, the emperor suddenly wavered and weakly slumped over the tea table. His sleeve brushed the teacups and saucers off the table, shattering them on the ground.

“Emperor Brother? Call the royal physician, quickly!”

“It’s okay, don’t panic,” the emperor murmured as if in a daze before gradually regaining his composure. “I’m just… a bit tired.”

Looking at the increasingly haggard face of his Emperor Brother, Xu Jingming stood frozen in place. For some reason, the chill he felt when meeting Jiang Youyue had returned. He was far from the sandy storms of Shafu and the bloody battles of the frontier. The capital city was warm and peaceful in spring, and he was in the presumably safe palace.

Yet he had never felt such fear.

No, as a prince of Great Yun, he shouldn’t be this vulnerable. Half a month had passed, and given the circumstances, Shi Jingzhi should be faring even worse. Maybe once the “calamity” dies on its own, all misfortunes would also vanish.

On one side, Xu Jingming was trembling; on the other, Shi Jingzhi appeared emotionless.

…But he was holding on.

Before descending the mountain, Shi Jingzhi ate voraciously, vowing to try all his favorite dishes. He did so at a great cost. Currently, his face was pale without any need for makeup. As porters climbed the mountain with his luggage, he sat weakly on a wooden chair, looking as if his end was near.

‘Maybe that’s better,’ Yin Ci thought indifferently. At least it would save him the trouble of acting.

“Why is this young master attending the martial arts conference in such a condition? He should seek Taiheng. Perhaps they can give him some the ‘Shirou’.” The man with a face like a shoe, having become acquainted with Su Si, spoke without much courtesy.

“You know about the Shirou?” Su Si asked curiously.

“Of course, it’s a magical item that many seek. We’ve made a good amount of money helping transport it. Recently, not many people have been seeking it, saying Taiheng has got it.”

“They probably found it but couldn’t obtain it,” Su Si said cryptically. “To retrieve it, you need the key!”

“So what’s the plan, a fifty-fifty split? What if there’s a dispute?”

“That’s why they’re hosting the martial arts conference. After everyone competes, they might as well select a leader to settle the matter.”

Shoe Face was astonished. “What, you guys want to be the leader too? Isn’t this position almost guaranteed for Taiheng? It’s like trying to catch a turtle in a jar—pretty much a sure thing.”

Su Si just smiled mysteriously without answering. The man just assumed they were crazy and didn’t press further.

The martial arts conference was set in a nameless town to the north of Qizhou, near the heart of Great Yun, making it convenient for everyone. The Kushan Sect traveled on foot for four to five days, and by the time they arrived, there were no seats left. They settled for a dilapidated house with a roof.

The long-lost Kushan Sect’s sudden appearance stirred a lot of attention. They were nonchalant about it, eating, drinking, and waiting for rumors to spread.

As expected, the next day, Jin Lan paid them a visit.

Taiheng had rented the best courtyard in town. Compared to that, the house the Kushan Sect occupied was no better than a stable, seemingly on the brink of collapse. Jin Lan cautiously opened the wooden door, afraid it might fall apart.

Inside, after it was cleaned up by the Kushan Sect, it was surprisingly neat. There was even a faint aroma of rice—

Shi Jingzhi’s disciple was feeding porridge to his master. The flag of the sect leader was hanging limply behind a wooden chair, and he himself looked frail with disheveled hair and a pale face while eating the porridge.

There were bits of brown-red stuff in the porridge. Jin Lan first thought it was minced meat, but upon closer look, it was chopped hawthorn. Given the frailty of Shi Jingzhi, the bleak atmosphere intensified.

Jin Lan took a step back, glancing around. The servants were nowhere to be seen. They must be busy, leaving even such tasks to the senior disciple.

Was the Kushan Sect in such a pitiable state?

Seeing Shi Jingzhi in this condition, Jin Lan had mixed feelings. After a deep sigh, he began. “Rumors said that Sect Master Shi was attacked and robbed of the ‘Shirou’ key. It seems to be true. The common saying is to not flaunt wealth. Even my Taiheng would be cautious. Why did you expose such a secret in Chigou… Haa.”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t respond, just snuggling deeper into his fur coat.

Yin Ci put down his spoon, responding calmly, “Brother Jin has come in person, and I presume it’s not to enjoy a joke. Perhaps you’re here to confirm the whereabouts of the ‘key’? …It seems that without the key, Taiheng cannot get the Shirou.”

Jin Lan, being an old acquaintance, was the most suitable candidate sent for investigation. They had anticipated Qu Duanyun’s straightforward move.

Jin Lan was indeed candid. “It’s not that we can’t get it. I’ve seen where the Shirou is stored. It can be forcibly accessed, but it would take a very long time, perhaps a century.”

A century would pass and those who should be dead would have died. It was said that Shirou was a substance that granted longevity and immortality. No one wanted to plant a tree only for others to enjoy its shade. Taiheng’s participation in this martial arts conference was probably to acquire the key as well.

“You’ve seen where the Shirou is stored?” Yin Ci feigned surprise.

“Can’t help it. That place requires manual digging… Ah, don’t try to trick me! I’m not Senior Sister, and I don’t trust you at all.”

“If we find out, can we snatch it from Taiheng?” Yin Ci asked calmly, sitting on a broken stool. “I’m just curious about what the Shirou looks like.”

Jin Lan hesitated for a moment, then said with a hint of sympathy, “I only caught a glimpse of it, but I knew it was a treasure at first sight. It’s emerald green, shaped like a peach, growing on jade-like vines, and has a mesmerizing fragrance. I don’t know who named it ‘Shirou’, but it clearly looks more like a celestial fruit.”

Yin Ci responded meaningfully, “Thank you for letting me know, Brother Jin.”

“You should give up on the idea. Brother Qu, or rather, Sect Master Qu, is acting as if he’s sure to win. After all…”

Jin Lan didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Considering the long-term closure of the Jianchen Temple, no masters would be sent. With rumors of demonic sect disturbances and the Ling sect being completely wiped out, plus the declining reputation of the Chigou Sect and no recent news of a new Patriarch being selected, if Taiheng didn’t emerge as the leader among the four major sects, it would be a huge joke.

However, these logical considerations couldn’t suppress everyone’s desire to try their luck.

What if there was an unexpected upset? What if they could get the key to the Shirou by luck? Even if they fail, at worst, Qu Duanyun would become the leader and rightfully obtain the key to the Shirou. Once Sect Master Qu got the Shirou, he would surely compensate the attendees. It was a win-win situation.

While the two were silent, Shi Jingzhi let out a loud cough. Yin Ci quickly fed him some porridge, then resumed, “If Brother Jin has no other business…”

Jin Lan tactfully bowed and turned to leave. Just as he approached the broken door, he heard a weak voice from behind.

Shi Jingzhi, after swallowing his porridge, said, “Jin Lan, have you seen Miss Shi recently? If you do, please send my regards.”

Jin Lan didn’t turn around.

“It’s been a long time since I saw Senior Sister.” His voice sounded a bit lonely. “Ever since she left Yidu, I’ve not heard any news about her. Maybe she’ll show up at this martial arts conference… Senior Sister?!”

The dilapidated door was abruptly opened, nearly falling to the ground. Shi Zhongyu, dressed as a bandit, stood at the entrance, staring at Jin Lan expressionlessly.

“So there are people here.” Her gaze went past Jin Lan to Shi Jingzhi sitting on a wooden chair, showing just a hint of surprise.

Jin Lan was familiar with the elegant, white-clothed senior sister, but he had never seen Shi Zhongyu in such a wild outfit. He stood there, speechless, before finally stuttering, “Are… Are you really Senior Sister?”

“Jin Lan.” Shi Zhongyu nodded slightly towards Jin Lan and then turned to Yin Ci. “I apologize for disturbing you both. Seeing the dilapidated state of this house, I thought it was empty… I’ll find another place.”

Jin Lan, still in shock, said, “Senior Sister, there’s still space in Taiheng’s courtyard. If you talk to Sect Master Qu, he will definitely accommodate you—”

“No need. I don’t belong to Taiheng and won’t accept their favors. This time, I’ll return to Taiheng in my own way.”

“But…”

“Besides, I have my own sect, and it’s inappropriate to impose.”

With that, she dragged someone inside. The man trembled like a leaf, missing a front tooth, and kept muttering things like “Great Warrior have mercy” for a while, then “I know I was wrong”, before finally just stuttering “Master, please stop”.

Upon closely looking, Yin Ci recognized him—it was none other than the bandit leader from Shafu, Ma Shili. The man appeared rather pale, as if he had been beaten badly, clearly brought in just to make up the numbers.

…This scene seemed somewhat familiar, yet Yin Ci remained silent.

Shi Zhongyu seemed unperturbed. “Our Yangsha Sect is now registered at the Yueshui Pavilion. We will also participate in this martial arts conference… Speaking of which, each sect has two spots. What does Kushan intend to do?”

Upon hearing this, Jin Lan was shocked, but he also eagerly listened in.

“Shizun is severely ill and cannot go on stage.” Yin Ci said with a faint smile, “This time, both Yan Qing and I will fight. That’ll be enough.”

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The author has something to say:

Sect Master Shi: Hehe, didn’t expect that, did you, Qu Duanyun? I’m not participating.

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Kinky Thoughts:

Shi Zhongyu picking up the bad influences of the Kushan Sect.

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