Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 128: Etiology

Hua Jingchun stared blankly at Wu Huai’s head.

Shi Jingzhi had thoroughly examined the head inside and out and then passed it on to Chigou. Upon receiving the head of an old acquaintance, Hua Jingchun didn’t know how to handle it.

She had known Wu Huai since they were young and always held a deep admiration for the Chigou sect. Relying on his talents, Wu Huai joined the Immortal Assembly in his youth, leaving for Yidu, never to return. Initially, he wrote letters to her, but gradually, even those stopped coming.

Passion could fade, and youth was fleeting. Perhaps Wu Huai saw a vast world and lost interest in the barren northwest and the tomb robbing sect.

Yidu was dazzling, and if Wu Huai didn’t want to return to Shafu, he didn’t. Hua Jingchun wasn’t particularly surprised, nor did she inquire further.

She always acted decisively, never dwelling on sentimentalities. It wasn’t until the “Young Patriarch” appeared that she once again saw Wu Huai’s familiar yet estranged face.

She was now in her forties, but his appearance seemed to have stopped aging. The only proof of their past connection was the little “compassion” Wu Huai showed—he didn’t kill her on the spot but instead threw her down the Three Provinces Cliff.

Apart from that, she saw only a proud and cold stranger.

The Immortal Assembly always maintained a gentle public image, and Wu Huai wasn’t someone who simply followed others. Two decades had passed, and the changes in the opposition shocked Hua Jingchun. Being targeted by such an organization, had Chigou really escaped disaster?

In the end, she agreed to the Kushan Sect’s proposal, proposing a martial arts conference in the name of Chigou. The Chigou sect was a demonic sect and didn’t need to participate. According to Yin Ci’s words, the conference would divert the Immortal Assembly’s attention, giving Chigou some peace.

The Kushan Sect still held their Young Patriarch hostage, and Hua Jingchun saw no reason to refuse. As per the agreement, Chigou just needed to give their verbal commitment…

…How strange!

“Sect Master Shi, our proposal for the martial arts conference has been made, and the response has been good.”

Hua Jingchun said patiently, craning her neck.

“Many sects have suffered mysterious misfortunes. They all seek balance and will want to make a final stand. In this situation, in a few days, balance must be restored. So…”

Shi Jingzhi peeked out. “So?”

“So, we’re even! Even though our sect robs tombs, we have our limits!” Hua Jingchun held the head, almost in tears. “This is unacceptable!”

Shi Jingzhi smiled brilliantly, retreating back into the shadows.

This wasn’t the Kushan Sect; it was more like a den of foxes. Both the master and disciple were both deceitful, and Hua Jingchun regretted her choices.

A few days ago, the news of the martial arts conference was released. Just when Hua Jingchun wanted to discuss the matter of Su Si, Shi Jingzhi made another request.

[Sister Hua, I’d like to visit the temple in Shafu City. You have good relations with the officials of Shafu, right? Can you arrange for the temple to be closed for a day, saying Chigou wants to worship the Imperial Celestial?]

The Chigou sect, always dealing with tombs, cared deeply about the spirits. Previously, they had closed temples for worship, and given their recent tribulations, a session of worship seemed appropriate. Including the Kushan Sect wasn’t a problem.

She readily agreed then, but now deeply regretted it.

They gave the Kushan Sect three hours. Hua Jingchun initially thought the Kushan Sect might be looking for clues in the temple. But to her surprise, the duo brought tools and went directly to the celestial’s statue, tinkering behind it.

The clinking sound irritated Hua Jingchun. Fortunately, the Chigou sect was a demonic sect, allowing her to suppress the urge to expose the two. All she could do was hold her head, wanting to cry without tears.

She had intended to make some wishes in front of the celestial, hoping for Wu Huai’s peaceful passage without haunting Chigou. But now, she felt that the Imperial Celestial was incredibly merciful for not punishing them on the spot. She just hoped that when divine retribution struck the master and disciple, it would be accurate and not harm the Chigou sect.

Had Protector Hua seen what was behind the celestial, she probably wouldn’t have been able to stay in the temple.

Yin Ci patted Shi Jingzhi’s back. “Be careful, don’t really scare her.”

“No worries, she can’t see.” Shi Jingzhi crouched even lower, the silver knife in his hand gleaming. “Three hours is a bit tight; we need to be quick.”

After the martial arts conference, they would inevitably confront the Immortal Assembly. By then, they’d have no chance to get close to the flesh idol, so they decided to take advantage of Chigou’s reputation to examine it.

Removing a large shell according to the pattern, they indeed saw the flesh idol inside. This one looked fresher than the one in Yongsheng Temple. The eyes in the flesh moved quickly and shed tears as soon as they saw the two.

Shi Jingzhi gently peeled off layers of meat paste, occasionally packing a portion. As the idol slowly healed, Yin Ci controlled its shape with his sword qi, ensuring that Shi Jingzhi could peel deeper and deeper. The statue was massive, and as Shi Jingzhi delved deeper, separating the meat became increasingly difficult. Sweat formed on Shi Jingzhi’s forehead. He didn’t have time to wipe it, and many sweat droplets crossed his eyelashes and seeped into his eyes.

Just as Shi Jingzhi was about to blink to relieve himself, Yin Ci freed a hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead.

“Thank you.” Shi Jingzhi sighed with relief. “How much longer?”

“Half an hour.”

“I’ve almost reached the innermost part. Do you still have that strange feeling?”

Yin Ci paused for a moment, then said firmly, “It’s even stronger than before.”

“I’ve probably noted the way the meat is layered. Remember the giant tree root statue in the forbidden area? The structure of this flesh idol matches the tree root’s direction completely. It must be a ‘blueprint’ for those who shape the statue.”

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were fixed on the incision of the flesh idol, and he continued to cut further inside.

Yin Zizhu was a mortal, and this meat paste was once human too. Both had touched “immortality”, though under very different circumstances. Yin Ci felt an indescribable familiarity with these flesh idols, and it wasn’t for no reason. Since the flesh idol was man-made, he was sure he could find its flaws.

Hiss.

A soft sound echoed as Shi Jingzhi’s blade touched something.

Surprisingly, a piece of white cloth with blood characters appeared amongst the layers of flesh. The white cloth, soaked with blood, blended with the dark red meat, only faintly showing its original color. Positioned at the core of the flesh idol, the cloth covered something relatively solid. Thick layers of meat and bones intertwined around it, protecting whatever was behind the cloth.

That must be the flesh idol’s “core”.

After a brief search, Shi Jingzhi chose a protrusion with fewer obstructing bones. Despite the fatigue in his wrist, he delicately lifted the cloth, treating it as gently as a fragile bud.

What lay beneath the cloth felt slightly stiff, perhaps hiding the secret of the flesh idol’s undying nature.

The answer was right in front of him, and Shi Jingzhi felt a bit emotional. Back in the forbidden area, the two were busy being wary of each other, and their main focus was on the Shirou. They had let the flesh idol burnt beyond recognition, which was a regrettable incident.

…Fortunately, it wasn’t too late.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t damage the cloth with the blood characters. Taking a deep breath, he skillfully located a seam with his silver knife and finally unfolded the cloth—

Half of a pale hand was revealed.

The hand was slender and beautiful, with an extremely fair complexion, showing no signs of decay. Amidst the writhing meat paste, this hand gave him chills.

He had seen this hand before. He had kissed it. This hand had once shielded him when he was young and had given him the most comforting embrace.

…He would never mistake it. It was Yin Ci’s hand.

Before he could process it, the malicious truth pierced his heart. Shi Jingzhi’s hand trembled, and he almost dropped the silver knife.

Yin Ci, standing beside him, couldn’t see what was inside the incision. Thinking that Shi Jingzhi was exhausted, he was about to comfort him when Shi Jingzhi turned his head, his eyes filled with horror.

“I know…”

Shi Jingzhi licked his dry lips, his voice shaky. He tried to start on a gentle note but couldn’t find any clean words amidst the bloodshed.

“I know why He Cheng’an kept beheading you. This meat statue isn’t your kind. Its core is made of ‘you’.”

He said, almost in despair.

Yin Ci didn’t immediately grasp the situation. He looked blankly at Shi Jingzhi for a moment, intending to see for himself, but was stopped by Shi Jingzhi’s hand.

Shi Jingzhi’s voice was hoarse. “Your body is inside. Lately, you… you’ve been unstable; it’s best not to look.”

After saying that, Shi Jingzhi carefully restored the layers of meat and cloth. He stood in front of the incision, waiting for it to heal. Yin Ci didn’t push him away but stood silently, obviously waiting for him to continue.

Shi Jingzhi stood there as if in a trance, piecing together fragments of information.

The earliest temple of the Imperial Celestial was in Yidu, created by the first Imperial Preceptor. Over the centuries, only a dozen temples were added.

The complexity of the meat statues indicated that they weren’t successful right away. The earliest temples probably used Yin Ci’s body as material, as an experimental ground. Yin Ci’s body was limited, so the Imperial Preceptors didn’t waste much, so the statues were built conservatively.

Two hundred years ago, the temples of the Imperial Celestial appeared on a large scale.

That was during the era of the Queen of Milan. They had witnessed similar events in that era. The Queen of Milan’s Arcane Arts was based on one person as the core, and the others as flesh. Although the “composition” wasn’t pure, it could also absorb vital qi and ensure its immortality.

However, the Arcane Arts carried the fragmented remains of ancient corpses. Initially, Shi Jingzhi only felt that the two seemed similar, without delving deeper into the matter. Reflecting on it now, in the grand scheme of things, they were never far from the truth.

[The corpse is completely dead, with no connected meridians. Vital qi cannot flow. How can it be resurrected? To channel the vital qi, we need a continuous piece of living flesh.]

Chen Qianfan’s voice echoed again in his mind.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Shi Jingzhi bitterly said, “I have a speculation…”

“Inspired by the Queen of Milan’s Arcane Arts, the Immortal Assembly began manufacturing these flesh idols.” Yin Ci spoke first; his voice was still calm. “Using my headless corpse as the ‘core’ and cultivating ordinary monster materials for flesh, they can mold thousands of idols.”

“Also, the structure of the flesh idols is identical to the giant tree root idol. And that structure is identical to your ‘true self’. They were molded in your likeness. They are your…” Shi Jingzhi couldn’t continue.

Yin Ci placed a hand on a flesh idol, staring at the eyes within the fleshy mud. He wasn’t sure if there was any consciousness behind those eyes or if his voice could be heard.

After a deep sigh, Yin Ci finally said what neither wanted to voice.

“They are my ‘replicas’.”

When he said this, Yin Ci felt as if his heart stopped.

He had previously speculated about the immortality of these flesh idols. In his speculations, he thought he was one of them, maybe a highly successful “finished product”.

But he was the first—the original “flesh idol”.

This wasn’t an overnight endeavor. Someone knew of his “true self” and used it to create the tree root idols, which were then replicated. Others researched the Queen of Milan’s techniques, using his corpse as the “core”. Yet others cultivated villages like “Yuanxian Village” for their flesh and labor.

This wasn’t the work of a single moment or individual. It would take at least a century of accumulation. The Imperial Preceptors expended such effort not just for novelty. Why flood the nation with these crude replicas?

…Perhaps he knew the answer.

Yin Ci approached Shi Jingzhi, cupping his face to steady his head.

The sweat still glistened on Shi Jingzhi’s face, and Yin Ci could feel the heat radiating from him. Without words, Shi Jingzhi seemed to understand, his eyes shifting from fear to sorrow.

However, Yin Ci spoke.

“The Arcane Arts remain active by constantly absorbing vital qi. In the barren north, it can sustain itself for centuries by consuming some monsters.”

Flesh idols were semi-living, even more sophisticated than the Arcane Arts, and definitely more powerful.

“A’Ci…”

“The flesh idols don’t need to fight or move. They are placed in the most prosperous cities, with worshippers constantly coming. The vital qi they absorb is clearly excessive, and this excess must have a purpose.”

Creatures with excessive vital qi were monster material, occasionally found in nature. The monster materials in Yuanxian Village weren’t exceptional, but their quantity was unusually high. If one intentionally increased the vital qi, one could artificially produce monster materials…

What could be achieved by gathering the vital qi of the entire nation?

“Zizhu, stop.” Shi Jingzhi tried to retreat, but Yin Ci held his head firmly.

“How did I not think of it earlier? I’ve met the only child of Xu Li, and he’s definitely not a Child of Desire. Previous generations of Child of Desire weren’t outstanding, so much so that the Queen of Milan from two centuries ago was the first to become famous. It was only when temples were everywhere that the Child of Desire began to flourish—interestingly, I even killed one of them.”

That Imperial Preceptor never revealed the truth to the Queen of Milan.

Yin Ci’s voice grew softer.

“After all, how can a person have thousands of desires out of nowhere? It’s merely the worshippers’ desires channeled into the vital qi. When you’re born from such vital qi, it’s natural to be of such a nature.”

“…” Shi Jingzhi remained silent, looking intently at Yin Ci as his amber eyes moistened.

The two stood behind the idol. The space here was narrow, as if only the two of them existed between heaven and earth. The air was filled with solemn incense, and they were surrounded by the grotesque, writhing mud.

If this scene were a dream, how wonderful it would be.

Shi Jingzhi searched his heart and soul, trying to find words to refute Yin Ci and deny this terrifying speculation. Unfortunately, Yin Ci’s theoretical reasoning was sound, and he could find no flaws.

Yin Ci’s hypothesis was likely correct.

He carried the blood of Yin Ci’s enemies and blossomed from Yin Ci’s remains.

Even for the great general Yin Zizhu, there must be a limit to resentment. Shi Jingzhi wasn’t particularly guilty, but his heart pounded painfully in his chest. Overwhelmed by deep pity, he didn’t have the time to ponder the conspiracy. His heart wavered—should he now beg “Please don’t vent your anger on me”, or should he let Yin Ci vent his frustrations fully?

Shi Jingzhi couldn’t find an answer. So he simply closed his eyes, adopting a “do with me as you please” demeanor.

Unexpectedly, he didn’t encounter the rage of Yin Ci, not even a suppressed angry breath. After a brief silence, something warm and soft touched his lips, and a slightly warm tongue teased its way through his teeth.

It was a kiss, intense but brief. After the intimate moment, Yin Ci finally let go of Sect Master Shi’s head.

“I won,” he whispered.

Shi Jingzhi: “…?”

“Back on Huilian Mountain, we had a bet. If I uncovered the cause of your ailment first, you’d grant me a request.”

“Huh?” Sect Master Shi, having just experienced a whirlwind of emotions, was somewhat dazed.

Yin Ci’s face held not a hint of resentment; his usual nonchalant look prevailed. “What do you mean ‘huh’? There are limits to everything. Even a Child of Desire is mortal. When filled with so much vital qi, how could they have a long life? Your meridians are likely being torn by the excessive vital qi.”

“…Well, I won. I’ll ask for my reward first,” He emphasized again.

Shi Jingzhi touched his chest, still not fully recovered. “Aren’t you resentful of me?”

At that moment, he even forgot about the cause of his illness.

Considering that Hua Jingchun was still in the shrine, Yin Ci held back his laughter. “What nonsense. If I held a grudge over every causality, the Yun Dynasty would’ve been wiped out by me. Meeting you is a blessing.”

Otherwise, he might never have known the truth.

“The ‘results’ accumulated by the Immortal Assembly over the centuries are mine. The most promising descendants of the Xu and Sun families are mine. Is there anything more wonderful in the world?”

Hearing this familiar rhetorical question, Shi Jingzhi was stunned for a long while. Yin Ci looked at him with a smile, just like before he knew the truth.

After a while, Sect Master Shi finally showed a genuine smile. He reached out to hug Yin Ci. ‘How wonderful,’ Shi Jingzhi thought. The cause of his long-sought illness had been revealed. Although many mysteries remained unsolved, he had never felt so at peace…

Wait, something’s wrong.

Yin Ci watched as Shi Jingzhi’s hugging gesture slowly distorted, turning into one of holding his head, then slowly crouching down.

“Regardless of what they made the Child of Desire for, or how the Shirou work,” Shi Jingzhi said, clutching his head, “if the cause is as you say, to survive, wouldn’t I have to destroy all the flesh idols in the country?”

There were thousands of temples. Even if he and Yin Ci split up and destroyed one a day, they wouldn’t have enough time.

Wasn’t he doomed?!

Outside the shrine.

Su Si and Yan Qing wore tattered civilian clothes, hiding in a dark alley, guarding several bags of kerosene. Yan Qing occasionally checked the time, while Su Si’s head drooped, nearly falling asleep.

“It’s almost time,” Yan Qing reminded considerately.

Su Si rubbed his face, his gaze a bit scattered. “Three hours, my back is stiff… San Zi, have you ever started a fire before? Are you sure you can handle it?”

“Never,” Yan Qing admitted. “But if we seem too proficient at playing resentful refugees plotting revenge against Chigou, wouldn’t that raise suspicions?”

“You can be quite scary sometimes,” Su Si remarked, patting his face to wake himself up. “It’s strange, this time they sneaked in perfectly and brought everything they needed. Why risk everything by setting a fire?”

Yan Qing gripped the kerosene bag, momentarily lost in thought. “Perhaps the Sect Master had other considerations.”

“What are you thinking about? I’ve never seen you daydream while working.”

“Thinking of you,” Yan Qing said seriously. “The Chigou sect wants you to be the next Young Patriarch. Are you planning to stay?”

Stunned, Su Si paused before teasingly asking, “Do you want me to stay? If I do, won’t it be hard for you alone?”

Yan Qing didn’t take the bait. “I know you. You’re not indecisive. Just yesterday, the Sect Master talked to you. If you’ve made up your mind, tell me…”

“I haven’t,” Su Si smirked. “Didn’t you once say that someone like me wouldn’t announce my departure? Oh, and you also said that if I ever speak up, you’d trust me.”

His own words were thrown back at him. Yan Qing sighed. After a moment, he picked up the kerosene and started the fire as planned.

The matchstick ignited the kerosene, and the flames soared up to eight feet high. The region of Shafu was arid and lacked water, so within a short span of time, the temple was covered in thick smoke with flames reaching the sky.

The next day, news from the Yueshui Pavilion spread all over the southern and northern regions—

The Patriarch of Chigou committed heinous crimes with far-reaching implications. Wu Huai met his tragic end, sparking widespread anger among the people. The members of Chigou, carrying Wu Huai’s severed head, went to the temple to pray and dispel the curse. However, they were attacked by a group of desperados who set the temple on fire. While no Chigou members were harmed, the temple in Shafu was destroyed due to the uncontrollable blaze.

According to bystanders, a young child passed by the burnt statues and reportedly heard numerous sighs of relief. With the catastrophe so recent, what relief and sighs could there be? It was likely just a sensational rumor circulating among the public. Everyone was advised not to be gullible.

Kinky Thoughts:

Well, in a way, He Cheng’an was correct. Yin Ci’s “offspring” is the strongest.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 127: A Nibble

Sometimes, Shi Jingzhi would follow closely, and Yin Ci’s mood became much more stable.

If the truth had emerged when he was in utter despair, yearning for death, it would undoubtedly lead to a bout of demonic possession. Initially, he pulled Shi Jingzhi from the “heavens” to the “mortal world” out of mere curiosity. Who would have known that upon gaining a human heart, Shi Jingzhi would pull him away from hell.

Twenty-four years had passed, and here they were reunited in the mortal world.

Yin Ci was enveloped in an odd calm, explaining briefly to Hua Jingchun. Shi Jingzhi was listening intently on the side, still harboring a stifled emotion in his chest—

Half an hour ago, in a guest room of the Fallen God Tower.

Shi Jingzhi looked down at Yin Ci on the bed. Yin Ci’s consciousness had returned. His face was still a tad pale, but his gaze was incredibly gentle. Shi Jingzhi caressed his soft hair, his heart becoming increasingly restless. From the hunter’s descendant to the immortal enigma, he had peeled off this man’s many masks and saw the true face of Yin Ci, which even Yin Ci himself didn’t know.

This was the best person in the world—his person. Only he knew this person’s real name.

A moment ago, he was anxious, fearing gain and loss, but now it felt like he had everything. Joy surged through him like a blazing fire, making Shi Jingzhi’s mind foggy.

There were so many emotions that words couldn’t describe; he urgently needed an outlet.

Unable to resist, Shi Jingzhi kissed the corner of Yin Ci’s eye, murmuring words that had been buried for three hundred years in his heart. The beast of desire was no longer tearing at him from within but rather teasing him, the tingling sensation driving him mad.

Yin Ci understood Shi Jingzhi’s emotions and decided to fan the flames. Holding Shi Jingzhi’s head, he returned a firm deep kiss. Unaccustomed to such provocations, Shi Jingzhi began to think of how to completely possess him.

He even thought he saw a glint of fire.

It must be an illusion, Shi Jingzhi thought seriously. Perhaps his desires were too intense, and it felt like his inner fire was becoming visible.

While Sect Master Shi was lost in his thoughts, his inner robe was swiftly removed by Yin Ci’s hands. Not wanting to be left behind, just as his hands were about to touch Yin Ci’s belt, a sudden shout of “incoming water” mixed with the sound of gongs broke the mood.

Shi Jingzhi: “…”

He seriously began to think he was some eminent monk from the Jiachen Temple who had lost his way; otherwise, why would every attempt at breaking his vows be watched by the heavens? As if a wooden fish was in front and a gong behind, they seemed intent on ruining the mood.

Sitting stiffly on the bed with emotions running across his face, perhaps noticing Shi Jingzhi’s dazed expression, or perhaps feeling good from their encounter, Yin Ci, with a hint of mischief, covered his eyes and burst into laughter.

Having laughed enough, he suddenly turned around, pressing down on Shi Jingzhi, who looked like a cooked crab. “You don’t have to be so sensitive. Let the outside world burn if it must. But today, you and I—”

“Sect Master!” From outside, Yan Qing’s voice cried out. “Sect Master, open the door quickly! A’Si is seriously injured!”

A glimmer of hope flashed across Shi Jingzhi’s eyes, only to be shattered by Yan Qing’s shout. Pretending to be dead for a moment, he gathered all his self-control, and then took Yin Ci’s inner garment to wear.

Just as Yin Ci was about to put on his inner clothing, he reached out and felt nothing. Seeing the other’s desolate look and remembering that he had torn the garment, Demonic Lord Yin felt guilty and remained silent with a solemn face.

After hastily dressing, Shi Jingzhi muttered the “Purifying Words” under his breath. But his addiction was too intense, and as he subconsciously raised his hand, his fingers almost touched his teeth.

Yin Ci quickly grabbed that hand, saying, “That’s enough. We can’t be careless here. Third time’s the charm. Next time, I’ll set up a bridal chamber for you.”

Hearing these words, the madness in Shi Jingzhi’s eyes intensified. Thankfully, he had improved self-control and didn’t bite himself. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Zizhu, why do I feel that you’re promising more and more?”

So much that he felt he might burst from overflowing hope.

The name made Yin Ci remain silent for a long time. Finally, he looked up and said, “Your Highness, whether it’s a proposal or a wedding, it can’t be done alone.”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t reply immediately. He took the charm from the remnants of his clothing and placed it close to his chest. Turning his back to Yin Ci, he headed for the door. When he spoke again, still with his back to Yin Ci, there was a slight tremble in his voice. “Mm, instead of a long, worry-free life alone, I prefer this.”

“I know.”

As they spoke, there was a fluttering sound from the window. Sparrows chirped anxiously outside, coinciding with Yan Qing’s knocking. The two men, helpless, had to end their tender moment and get busy.

Soon, the master and disciple understood the situation.

Seeing Wu Huai reduced to just a head, Shi Jingzhi’s intense desire turned into frustration. Listening to Yin Ci’s calm voice, he felt a hint of envy.

Why was it that only he had to exercise such restraint?

Despite his feelings, the current situation had to be addressed. Shi Jingzhi clenched his fist.

After hearing Yin Ci’s concise explanation, Hua Jingchun hesitated and claimed she needed to think. Su Si and Yan Qing relaxed significantly when they saw the person from Chigou leave. Only one person in the room became increasingly nervous, shaking so much that the stool’s legs rattled.

Shi Jingzhi pulled the cloth from Xu Jingming’s mouth, amusingly watching him gag.

“You… You want to kill me.” Xu Jingming, with a mouthful of cloth taste, lost all his bravado from the Ghost Tomb. “You deliberately sold Chigou a favor, so they’d instigate various martial sects to hold a martial arts conference! All to hinder Qu Duanyun and seize the Shirou! You know I heard everything; you surely won’t let me—ow!”

Without hesitation, Shi Jingzhi gave his half-brother a knock on the head. Xu Jingming, pampered all his life, immediately shed tears.

“You’re not from the Immortal Assembly. Why should I kill you? After making such a commotion in Chigou, anyone with ears would have heard. If I killed you, it’d just bring more trouble.”

“How do you know I’m not from the Immortal Assembly?”

Shi Jingzhi looked at him with a hint of pity for a moment. “The Immortal Assembly doesn’t favor the Emperor’s eyes and ears, nor do they accept fools. You fit both criteria.”

Xu Jingming was instantly enraged. Yet he considered that his current situation might be a prelude set up by Qu Duanyun and lost all his energy to scold Shi Jingzhi. Even if this brother caused a national calamity, one couldn’t just blame him for everything.

However, Shi Jingzhi seemed to see through his thoughts. “You’ve been tricked by Qu Duanyun to this extent. You might as well see him fail. If he wanted you to die in Chigou, I’d let everyone know you’re here, so he can fetch you back to Yidu with the officers… At that time, you’ll stay faithfully by the Emperor’s side, and the Imperial Preceptor won’t risk harming you.”

“Qu Duanyun is indeed from the Immortal Assembly. I didn’t say he was involved. How do you know?”

“Have you ever thought about why that person specially drugged you, threw you into a basement, and set it on fire?”

Shi Jingzhi, expressionless, leaned in.

“If the aim was to frame Chigou, it would be simpler to kill you from the start and leave your body here, and there would be no further complications. That person not killing you himself means he either had some kind of bond with you or killing you ‘wasn’t his style’… The only one I can think of is Qu Duanyun.”

Shi Jingzhi had paid attention: Qu Duanyun was an interesting character. He wasn’t purely good, but he wasn’t hypocritical either. He had a unique sense of morality.

Xu Jingming, as the Prince of Rong, held a noble status. Although he didn’t value commoners’ lives, he wasn’t deserving of death according to either Great Yun’s or Taiheng’s rules.

Yet, he was still unsure. He had limited interaction with Qu Duanyun and could only gauge by Xu Jingming’s reaction.

As expected, Xu Jingming’s gaze shifted, and he shrank a little.

Having witnessed Wu Huai’s methods and eavesdropped on the conversation between Yin Ci and Hua Jingchun, Xu Jingming realized this was related to the Imperial Preceptor. Qu Duanyun’s appearance at this time couldn’t be coincidental.

The most infuriating part was that Shi Jingzhi hit the nail on the head. Why didn’t they kill him earlier? If the mastermind was Shi Jingzhi, he probably would have been torn apart by now.

The only one capable of such a thing was Qu Duanyun, born in the Qu Clan and raised in Taiheng.

Xu Jingming’s eyes reddened, and he gritted his teeth. “What a hypocrite. He doesn’t even want to dirty his own hands.”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t continue the conversation. He motioned for Yan Qing to escort Xu Jingming to his room, and also to guard him.

Watching Yan Qing obediently leave and seeing his own attendant being only Lord Bai, Su Si was displeased. He tried to sit up and angrily said, “You’ve arranged the message and got the allies from Chigou, so why release him? Kill him and throw him near Yidu. The emperor won’t blame Chigou and might even punish Qu Duanyun.”

“I still have questions for Qu Duanyun; he needs to wait. As for Xu Jingming, I have my uses,” Shi Jingzhi said distractedly.

Once they were alone, Shi Jingzhi occasionally glanced at Yin Ci, and the familiar feeling of disappointment enveloped him.

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi for a while and then, turning his back to Su Si, grabbed Shi Jingzhi’s hand. The latter was confused but let Yin Ci hold on.

Yin Ci brought the hand to his lips and gently bit Shi Jingzhi’s finger. Not long before, Shi Jingzhi almost bit the same spot to suppress his desire.

Unlike Shi Jingzhi, who bit without thinking, Yin Ci’s bite was gentle, and his warm tongue briefly touched the finger. Shi Jingzhi inhaled sharply, understanding the gesture. His eyes lit up, and his disappointment vanished.

They both had a lot of restraint.

Shi Jingzhi, in a good mood, whispered in Yin Ci’s ear, “Let’s go, Zizhu. Dawn is approaching. How about we have a drink?”

A day later, in the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

Jiang Youyue stared at a letter. There was no wrinkle between his brows, and he was in high spirits.

“Not able to outdo Taiheng, they chose the knife of Chigou. Not only did they not fall into despair, they even used the martial arts conference to buy time. Impressive,” he mused. “This generation’s Child of Desire is indeed promising.”

There was a glimmer of hope after numerous Imperial Preceptors had come and gone. The only concern was that Qu Duanyun was becoming more and more unruly, which needed to be addressed properly. They had to find out more about Xu Jingming, the Prince of Rong, to ensure he didn’t ruin their plans at a critical time.

Once this storm passed, their Hundred-Year Project would finally succeed.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 126: Come Together

Xu Jingming had just climbed out of the cellar, and upon witnessing the outside scene, he forcibly threw himself back inside.

The cellar door was shattered, and the inside remained suffocating. Flammable oil flowed into the cellar with flames following, and in places without fire, green tendrils spread everywhere, creating a scene resembling hell.

Asphyxiation coupled with intoxication made Xu Jingming feel woozy, as if needles pricked his head.

He should have been seated safely in that magical sedan chair, guarded by the masters’ guards of the Rong Palace. He should have passed through the desert with Qu Duanyun, safely returning to the scenic Yidu. However, by the firelight, he saw that he was surrounded by followers of the Chigou Sect. How had he returned to the Chigou Sect’s territory after leaving it the day before?

Given the dire circumstances outside, even if Xu Jingming were obtuse, he’d realize someone was after his life. After having a few drinks, he was groggily captured and almost buried with a bunch of rebels.

Qu Duanyun should have come to save him.

But no matter what means the bandits used, they kidnapped him right under Qu Duanyun’s watch. Touching the painful back of his head, Xu Jingming’s expression darkened.

Indeed, he had drunk happily last night because Taiheng acquired the Shirou—as if he himself had. He only needed to present this magical item to the Emperor, and this whole drama would end.

However, the Emperor was indifferent to the ways of the immortals. If he died in Chigou’s territory, the Emperor would not actively seek the Shirou. Consequently, Chigou would retreat from the competition, and the Shirou would naturally become Taiheng’s possession.

Such a great strategy—killing two birds with one stone!

Thinking about their journey so far, Qu Duanyun’s attitude towards him was neither humble nor arrogant, showing no sign of closeness or harmony. It was so standard that it seemed like he was just going through the motions of official business. Everyone says that the Qu Clan is extremely upright, but can he truly trust Qu Duanyun?

Xu Jingming’s face twitched, and after taking a deep breath, he started to claw his way out of the cellar again.

As a royal prince, even in death, he should die amidst luxury. If he were thrown underground, burned alongside filthy men, he wouldn’t rest in peace.

The Prince of Rong was proud and radical, but his courage was undeniable. Xu Jingming once again leaped to the cellar entrance, gripping his folding fan. As he emerged, he was confronted by Wu Huai, whose throat had been slit by Su Si.

The Red Scorpion Feet and Hua Jingchun were tightly wrapped by the tendrils. Yan Qing and Su Si also had some on them, but it didn’t hinder Su Si’s actions—he was ruthless, slashing half of Wu Huai’s neck without leaving room for survival.

Yet, not much blood gushed out.

Countless green tendrils instantly sealed the wound. Wu Huai coughed up blood; his eyes were bloodshot. With a raspy voice, he croaked, “…Young Patriarch? You?”

As he spoke hoarsely, the “jade man” that was originally dealing with Hua Jingchun quickly moved back in front of Wu Huai, taking a defensive stance.

Su Si licked the blood from his lips, grinning even brighter. “Indeed, it’s me. Unfortunately, I had the Bone Sweeping Sword remade; the hilt still bears the Chigou mark. Protector Hua should recognize it.”

Hua Jingchun: “……”

She didn’t know whether to be grateful to this man or to kill him along with Wu Huai.

“Rather than using these external trinkets, isn’t it faster to fight directly?”

Su Si tossed the knife directly to Xu Jingming.

“Prince of Rong, I’ve heard you dare to venture into the Ghost Tomb so you must have some martial arts skills. Take this for self-defense. If you die here, we’ll be in trouble.”

Without waiting for Xu Jingming’s reply, Su Si charged at Wu Huai with bare hands. Yan Qing, seemingly in sync with him, waved his sword to fend off the flames and tendrils, freeing Hua Jingchun and the Red Scorpion Feet.

“I taught him the ‘Red Chi Hand’ technique. Is that kid really…?”

Hua Jingchun recognized Su Si’s moves; her expression was filled with astonishment and uncertainty. It wasn’t like she had ignored Su Si; that kid had been eating and drinking as usual these days, never taking the chaos of the Chigou Sect seriously. With the appearance of Wu Huai, the “Young Patriarch”, she had assumed the real Young Patriarch had long been dead.

But that “Red Chi Hand” technique couldn’t be faked.

Hua Jingchun shook her head and immediately ordered, “Protect that young… that young warrior!”

The Red Scorpion Feet members were all assassins. Ignoring their wounds, they instantly began to deal with the bizarre “Jade Person”. Su Si seemed to have predicted this, so he concentrated all his energy, sticking close to Wu Huai.

Clean knife wounds could easily be blocked by thin threads, but what about when a large chunk of flesh was torn off? He didn’t want to run away with his back to Wu Huai. No matter why Wu Huai was stalling, he’d prefer to kill him as soon as possible.

Wu Huai wasn’t someone to be taken lightly either. With his long sword, he drew countless sword flowers, each emanating a deadly aura. However, the wound left by Yin Ci hadn’t healed, making Wu Huai’s movements slightly sluggish. When facing the ruthlessly aggressive Su Si, the scene resembled a punishment of Lingchi—if he wasn’t careful, Su Si would rip off a piece of his flesh and throw it into the fire along with its skin, giving no opportunity for the threads to “stitch” it back.

The air was filled with the lethal smell of roasting flesh.

Yan Qing’s side wasn’t going smoothly—even when he and many assassins faced the “Jade Person”, they couldn’t gain the upper hand. No matter how they tried to slash at it, more threads would wrap around it, making the green humanoid regenerate as before.

So Yan Qing could only utilize his skills to repeatedly send it flying, giving Su Si the opportunity to face Wu Huai one-on-one. Compared to when it was first spat out by Wu Huai, the entity had grown quite a bit, its size resembling that of a slender young man.

“A’Si, the thread cage is shrinking!” Yan Qing suddenly realized.

The threads forming the Jade Person kept drawing from the “separation cover”. Just moments ago, the cover was as tall as four or five people, but now it was only about two people high. If it shrank further, they’d all have to return to the underground cellar, waiting to suffocate to death.

With the resilient threads blocking the entrance of the cellar, Yan Qing wouldn’t be able to break them open quickly. Wu Huai’s arrival suggested he had no intention of letting anyone leave alive.

Su Si momentarily paused but didn’t respond.

Xu Jingming had a bigger reaction. He tightly held the butcher knife, attempting to cut an opening in the cover to escape as soon as possible. But as soon as his blade touched the isolating threads, the Jade Person charged at him like a mad dog. If not for Yan Qing’s quick action, Xu Jingming would have been fatally stabbed.

The Jade Person, stopped by many swords just in front of Xu Jingming, extended its sharp “arm” forward, stopping just an inch away from Xu Jingming’s head. Upon closer examination, the vague features of the Jade Person appeared to be fused from thin roots, giving it a jade-like texture. Its “skin” still had the intricate patterns of interconnected roots, making one dizzy. Xu Jingming couldn’t look at it for long without feeling like he might vomit.

After this turmoil, The Prince of Rong didn’t dare touch the cover anymore. He made a gloomy face, quickly cutting the threads off his body, looking like a string bean removing its own tendons. The Jade Person seemed to have neither cognition nor pain perception. Seeing Xu Jingming stop his desperate actions, it turned its attention, despite its many “wounds”, to Su Si.

Luckily, Su Si was reckless.

He allowed the threads to wound him repeatedly, ignoring the assassins falling one by one around him, biting onto Wu Huai relentlessly without any distractions. Wu Huai was covered in wounds, and his missing flesh was filled with filaments, looking terrifying.

“I’ve also studied the ‘Red Chi Hand’.” Wu Huai dodged while speaking hoarsely. “You can wound me, but you can’t kill me.”

The thread cage above everyone’s head was shrinking rapidly, now only one and a half persons tall. Su Si’s strength lay in speed, and Yan Qing’s stone sword required ample space for big swings, increasingly restraining both of them. Although the situation seemed to be at a standstill on the surface, Wu Huai was gaining the upper hand.

Su Si’s attacks gradually slowed. Before long, he was driven by Wu Huai to the corner of the cage.

“What a pity.” Wu Huai sighed, raising his sword. “You’re extremely talented. If you had joined the Immortal Assembly, you would have achieved great things.”

Su Si seemed like a butterfly trapped in a web. He had lost a lot of blood. The surrounding threads kept coming, and the undead-like Wu Huai was still standing. Yan Qing was using all his strength to block the Jade Person, and nobody could assist him.

His lips trembled for a moment before whispering something. Wu Huai didn’t hear it and moved closer. “What did you say?”

With an expression of anguish and plea, Su Si repeated it softly. Wu Huai still didn’t catch it and, seeing him look like he was on his last breath, he moved even closer. This time, he clearly heard Su Si’s words:

Su Si: “Fuck you, motherfucker.”

Immediately after, Su Si backed into the thread cage. Predictably, the Jade Person charged forward the next moment. Wu Huai, having his back to the Jade Person, instinctively turned to face it. At the same instant, Yan Qing, with his Sword of Compassion, joined the fray. With four of them gathered at the edge of the cage, Wu Huai found it difficult to adjust his movements.

This wasn’t good.

The sound of the stone sword blocking the Jade Person’s charge echoed together with the light sound of footsteps rubbing against the ground.

Before Wu Huai could dodge, someone took the opportunity to climb onto his back. Su Si, using all the remaining strength and the elasticity of the thin net, pasted himself onto Wu Huai’s back. He wrapped his arms around Wu Huai’s neck and locked his legs around Wu Huai’s waist, like a vengeful ghost coming to take a life.

“Be careful!” Protector Hua shouted urgently. “This man cannot be choked to death!”

From this angle, Su Si’s range of motion was quite limited. The most lethal move would be strangulation. However, there was already a slit on Wu Huai’s neck. As long as the filaments made a small gap, Wu Huai would still be able to breathe.

Su Si gave her a smile that could send a shiver down one’s spine.

What happened next made even the skilled assassins of the Red Scorpion Feet ashamed. Su Si didn’t twist Wu Huai’s neck. Instead, with veins bulging, he grabbed Wu Huai’s head and pulled it backwards along the throat injury.

Using his elbow as a fulcrum, his strength was immense. The fine threads finally couldn’t hold, and the wound on Wu Huai’s throat reopened.

Su Si heard the sound of flesh tearing but didn’t stop. His eyes fixed on Yan Qing as his fingers dug into the sides of Wu Huai’s skull.

A sticky sound of flesh being ripped apart echoed.

Without any hesitation, Su Si took advantage of the initial knife wound and gruesomely tore off Wu Huai’s head. The head was still attached to a part of the spine, and the green threads on it were scrambling around in confusion.

Holding the head, Su Si landed gracefully with a faint smile on his face. As Wu Huai’s breathing stopped, the jade figure dispersed into chaotic threads, quickly burrowing into the ground. The surrounding net of threads immediately shattered, and without the magic shield, flames illuminated the sky.

Seeing the beheading, Xu Jingming carefully placed a knife in front of him and then used his fan to hide his pale face. Su Si paid no attention to him; his eyes were still fixed on Yan Qing.

Using his sword to prop himself up, Yan Qing met Su Si’s gaze and comforted him with a smile. “A’Si, you’ve suffered.”

Relieved, Su Si continued to roast the head over the fire, fearing Wu Huai might revive.

Hua Jingchun, with her injured leg, knelt on the ground, catching her breath. She then said loudly, “I pay my respects to the Young Patriarch!”

“Respect to the Young Patriarch!” Half of the Red Scorpion Feet had died, but the remaining followed Hua Jingchun’s lead.

“Oh, I just wanted to tease him and cheer you guys up,” Su Si said, turning around. “Let’s talk about this later.”

With that, he winked at Yan Qing, and then, exhausted, he fainted with the head in his grasp.

When Su Si woke up, the first thing he saw was the magnified face of Sect Master Shi.

He was so startled he shook the bed, only then realizing his entire body was bandaged, he groaned in pain. Lord Bai jumped over, stepping on his fresh wound, causing Su Si to scream even louder.

Shi Jingzhi looked disgusted and said, “Awake, are you?”

It was pitch dark outside the window, and there was still a faint smell of burning in the air. He probably wasn’t unconscious for too long. Su Si took a deep breath and looked around—

Yan Qing had minor injuries and was sitting on a chair, drinking medicine. Xu Jingming had a cloth gag in his mouth and was firmly tied to another chair. Wu Huai’s head was placed on a tea table, and despite her injuries, Protector Hua stubbornly stood with a crutch.

The remaining two, the master and disciple, had a displeased look. Yin Ci looked pale, seemingly recovering from a severe illness.

Looking at everyone, Su Si thought they all seemed fine. He ignored the angry muffled noises from Xu Jingming and said, “Sect Master, I killed Wu Huai and have made a merit. Don’t I deserve some sleep?”

“Yes, you have merit,” Shi Jingzhi hummed, still looking somewhat displeased. “But you stole Chigou’s wine and revealed your identity without permission. The good and the bad cancel out. As a reward, I won’t punish you.”

Unbeknownst to Su Si, Shi Jingzhi had discovered a shocking secret. Su Si’s eyes darted between the disheveled master and disciple, and he grew genuinely aggrieved. To hell with canceling out merits and faults! This cunning fox not only didn’t reward him but also held grudges!

Su Si tried to sit up, but the pain caused him to gasp.

“I’ve called everyone here for an important discussion,” Shi Jingzhi said, exuding the aura of a sect leader. “I heard Taiheng has found the ‘Shirou’. But they don’t have the ‘key’. It won’t be easy for them… Okay, Xu Jingming, you don’t need to cover your ears. I won’t kill you to silence you.”

Only then did Xu Jingming stop struggling.

Yin Ci gave a helpless smile. Whether it was an illusion or not, Su Si felt there was a subtle change in the man’s aura.

Yin Ci turned to Protector Hua and said calmly, “The Kushan Sect is small and can’t compete with the overwhelming numbers of Taiheng. While the chaos over the ‘Shirou’ hasn’t yet subsided, we want to promote a great martial arts conference.”

Su Si and Yan Qing: “…” Can’t compete? Who are you trying to fool?

Poor Protector Hua, who was kept in the dark, responded, “What does the righteous path have to do with our Divine Sect?”

Yin Ci looked at her for a moment, his gaze briefly touching Wu Huai’s head. “Does Chigou want revenge?”

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Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 125: Conspiracy

Su Si groggily opened his eyes and then, as if splashed with cold water, abruptly came to his senses.

A tingling numbness lingered in his limbs, clearly a reaction from being poisoned. Using all his strength, Su Si felt for the butcher knife at his waist. Perhaps due to its unappealing look, no one had taken it from him.

The place was dark and stifling. Instinctively, Su Si employed the skills he acquired during his training in the Red Scorpion Feet. He forcefully pressed several acupoints on his head to wake himself fully.

It felt as if he were waking up from a drunken stupor and his memories were slowly coming back together.

That night, Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci went to the Fallen God Tower for business. Su Si, uninterested in the affairs of Chigou, chose to stay at the Immortal Seeker’s Residence with Yan Qing.

A day had passed since Wu Huai escaped. The irrelevant merchants cleared out, and Taiheng officially set out. However, the Immortal Seeker’s Residence wasn’t empty. After taking power, Wu Huai was bloodthirsty and murderous, wreaking havoc in the village. Some followers of Chigou couldn’t bear to watch and therefore left Chigou. Once news broke out about Wu Huai’s escape, they joyfully returned.

It was rumored that Hua Jingchun spread the word that, under Wu Huai’s rule, defectors would not be punished. But defectors were still defectors. To prevent potential threats, they were placed in the remote Immortal Seeker’s Residence.

Compared to the ascension ceremony, the Immortal Seeker’s Residence was now even more lively.

With Wu Huai on the run, people were particularly delighted and didn’t miss a chance to drink and feast. Yan Qing was slightly resistant to alcohol, but Su Si took the opportunity to drink to his heart’s content. He saw the wine being brought out of storage and opened in front of everyone. His minor suspicion was blown away by the strong aroma of the wine.

Who would still work for a defeated dog like Wu Huai?

But this drink led to a total mess.

Unexpectedly, instead of drugging Wu Huai, they were the ones who got drugged. In the chaos and noise, Su Si didn’t notice anything.

Who was behind this? Was someone in the sect still supporting Wu Huai?

Su Si pressed his temples for a while, but the effects of the drug were still lingering. He cut open a small wound on his collarbone. With the combination of pain and bleeding, he finally felt better.

He was lying on top of several people, some of whom had already stopped breathing, their bodies cold and stiff. There was a smell of decaying plants in the air.

Su Si recognized the smell. They were in some underground cellar filled with a poisonous gas that could silently take lives. Combined with the sleeping drug, even the strongest martial artist could be killed without a trace.

Had it not been for Su Si’s resistance training against drugs at the Red Scorpion Feet, he wouldn’t have woken up and would’ve met his doom.

Cold sweat formed on Su Si’s back. He took out a torch, but it wouldn’t ignite. Just as he decided to escape in the dark, a faint glow caught his eye.

Drawing closer while holding his breath, he discovered a folded fan with a glowing pearl pendant. The handle of the fan was exquisite and obviously of high quality. An idea formed in Su Si’s mind, and he decided to use the fan’s owner as a potential source of money. The person had strong inner force but wasn’t a top master. Why not exchange kindness for gold?

With this lovely idea in mind, Su Si tried various ways to wake the man.

The man had a smell of alcohol on him and was terrified. His voice was hoarse as he said, “You… You—”

“You what, you? Call me your savior,” Su Si whispered. “We can’t stay here for long because of the gas. We need to escape quickly.”

The man seemed experienced and didn’t panic for long. After a brief hesitation, he got up with Su Si’s help. The luminous pearl wasn’t bright enough to light the way, so Su Si continued to grope in the dark, sometimes using the bodies around as steps. In less than half an hour, he found a door-like entrance.

As they approached the slightly ventilated door, the smell of kerosene became clearer. While Su Si tried to pry the lock with his knife, he listened carefully to the surroundings.

Near the entrance of the cellar, the man seemed to breathe more easily. With his hoarse voice, he finally said, “Who did this?”

“Who else? It’s Wu Huai’s people. To kidnap so many of us without Chigou noticing, seems like the traitors weren’t completely eradicated,” Su Si replied while working on the lock. “However, this method is too messy. It looks like we’re being held hostage.”

The man remained silent.

Su Si assumed he was scared and continued to ramble, “Don’t panic. With so many people around, we must still be near Chigou. When my brother notices I’m gone, he will surely come looking for me. He’s the naivest person in the world and would never easily compromise. You, young man, are wealthy; there will surely be many looking for you.”

“I…”

“Shh!”

Su Si broke the lock of the cellar but didn’t escape immediately. He listened closely to the outside, and indeed heard two sets of footsteps. One belonged to a young man with a limping stride, apparently severely injured. The other was a woman’s, with an uneven gait, clearly also limping.

“I came alone,” said the woman, and it was indeed Hua Jingchun. “Release my brothers and sisters, and for old times’ sake, I might spare your life.”

The other voice, weakly, responded, “Spare my life? That’s rich. Where are the beasts of the Kushan Sect?”

“The Sect Master and his disciples are resting at the Fallen God Tower, and they’re unaware of this. Wu Huai, I’m telling you again—”

“How ridiculous,” Wu Huai coughed. “You really don’t get it. If I hadn’t turned a blind eye, would that old servant have planted the trap for you? Since you survived, why come back?”

“You tarnish the name of Chigou, and I should thank you?”

“I fear that before the nest even collapses, there are cowards eager to jump ship. This time, the Chigou Sect has chosen a lively Patriarch, who surely will be more effective than you.” Hua Jingchun didn’t buy into his talk. “A sect that has lasted for more than a hundred years, and you say it’s doomed? Back then, I shouldn’t have…”

“Never supported me into the Immortal Assembly?”

“We had a deal. You would make connections and amass wealth. I stayed with Chigou, prospering the sect. Grave-digging opportunities were dwindling, so we adapted. In another hundred years, Chigou would’ve risen to prominence.”

Hua Jingchun was furious.

“After decades apart, I returned to a monster. Seeing you, the ‘Young Patriarch’, did you ever consider my—”

“Childhood promises are void. Adaptability is the key to survival.”

Wu Huai casually interrupted her.

“Plundering the villages, when Chigou is done, the followers will share some money. Why end up like the Ling Sect, achieving nothing? As for the common folk, they’d die sooner or later. I simply acted first. I thought you’d be sensible, but you’re just a fool.”

His voice grew weaker, but the mockery intensified.

“People’s lives are worthless, yet you’re here haggling over them. It’s laughable.”

Su Si’s heart sank, quickly calculating his next move. “Protector Hua, run! He never intended to negotiate!”

“I don’t need you to tell me!” Hua Jingchun snapped back.

As she roared, more footsteps approached. The sounds of those footsteps were soft, sounding like the footwork of the Red Scorpion Feet.

Feeling she had the upper hand, Hua Jingchun’s voice turned icy. “I thought you’d have a good excuse, but it’s all madness. Guards, seize him—What is this?!”

Hearing her scream, Su Si couldn’t restrain himself and tried pushing the cellar door. The door he had previously pried open was now immovable, as if a mountain lay atop it.

Screams continued outside.

Oil seeped in, and the heat intensified. Su Si, running out of air, slashed at the crevice. His blade met something resilient before being grabbed. Struggling, he retrieved the blade, covered in green liquid.

Above, fire raged; below, toxic gas. Without air, everyone would suffocate.

Desperate, Su Si slammed against the cellar door. The hilt’s Mountain Ghost coin glistened blood-red in the firelight. As the flames grew and the air thinned, his vision blurred—

Crash.

The cellar door shattered, and warm air rushed in. Su Si gasped for breath. He looked up to see a round, straw figure.

Su Si almost lashed out with his knife.

“A’Si, it’s me!” a familiar voice called out.

Yan Qing, with immense strength and a hint of the Jianchen Temple’s prowess, slashed through the green tendrils. He fended off the flames, grabbing a Chigou follower and pressing him against his Sword of Compassion. The stone sword, heavy as a mountain, instantly crushed the cellar door.

Su Si quickly grabbed Yan Qing’s hand, pulling himself out of the cellar.

Judging from the buildings alone, they obviously reflect the style of the Chigou Sect. Yet in the sky, there were numerous thin threads swaying, forming a net, blocking all the flames and thick smoke inside. Outside the threads, the starry sky twinkled, creating a scene of dim tranquility. Hua Jingchun was struggling to deal with those threads, and even the assassins of the Red Scorpion Feet were trapped in place.

Wu Huai stood on the grass-like threads with the corner of his mouth sporting a torn wound. The wound, illuminated by the firelight, resembled a sinister smile. He stood still, watching everyone, with a clear hint of pity in his eyes.

Flames licked the threads, filling the air with a rich scent of grass and wood. By the looks of things, they were meant to burn everyone here alive.

…For a minor act of revenge, Wu Huai was making quite a spectacle.

Su Si thought to himself, but his hands didn’t hesitate. He immediately wielded his blade, cutting off the threads entangling Yan Qing. As he turned around, intending to pick up the money pouch he had just found and pull it into the basement, a flash of fire caught their attention, and the three of them stood still.

Xu Jingming stood blankly at the entrance of the basement with a complicated expression.

‘So that’s how it is,’ Su Si thought, gripping the hilt of his butcher knife.

According to the Immortal Assembly’s methods, Wu Huai was here to “deal with” the Chigou Sect. Letting it decline was one way, and getting an imperial relative killed within the sect was another.

The Chigou members in the Immortal Seeker’s Residence—each one of them was a defiant “thorn”. Keeping them around would only cause endless trouble. Dealing with them and Xu Jingming and then attracting Hua Jingchun would be perfect. Once Hua Jingchun and this group died, the most fiery members of Chigou would disappear. With Xu Jingming gone, Chigou would certainly be targeted by the imperial court and face its end.

Knowing he was no match for the Kushan Sect, Wu Huai deliberately excluded them from his plans. ‘What a strategy,’ Su Si thought angrily. The sect leader of the Kushan Sect was far away at the Fallen God Tower. By the time he realized something was wrong, his two subordinates would probably be as cold as dead.

Seemingly sensing Su Si’s anger, Wu Huai glanced at him. By his expression, he clearly didn’t regard the two subordinates of the Kushan Sect highly.

“Protector Hua, considering our past relationship, I let you taste the flavor of ‘victory’ for a day.” Wu Huai sighed. “Unfortunately… among the remaining eight Protectors, most are old. With the example of Matron Wuxue, some still know what’s best for them.”

“You bastard…”

“Just remove one plank of wood, and the bucket can’t hold water anymore. Do you think the next ‘Patriarch’ will make Chigou prosperous again? Going against heaven’s will is in vain.”

Hua Jingchun collapsed amidst the threads, her chest heaving in anger. Threads drilled into her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Under the intense pain, she couldn’t speak much, only managing to spit out.

“Fuck the so-called heavenly will, and to hell with the Immortal Assembly.”

She took a deep breath, and a cluster of threads formed in front of her, resembling the “little jade figure” Wu Huai had vomited that day. It looked at her, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

This was a clear intention to kill.

With a cold laugh, Hua Jingchun seemed to activate something. A dazzling white light illuminated the area. Even though it was confined by the thread net, it still stunned the attacking threads.

“Members of the Kushan Sect, leave!” she shouted. “You don’t need to save anyone; just spread this shit out!”

Yan Qing didn’t think of escaping amidst the chaos. What surprised him was that Su Si was still there.

The anger on Su Si’s face gradually faded. He took a deep breath and shielded Yan Qing behind him. His facial features were naturally sharp and paired with a despondent expression, looking quite pitiable.

“Why involve us if you want to harm Chigou or resent Kushan?” he said mournfully. “We’re just servants. Even if we die a few times over, our sect leader won’t care. Please, let us go.”

Su Si pretended to beg, subtly moving closer. Hua Jingchun’s eyes blazed with fury. “Coward!”

“You saw those strange things. What if we can’t escape? Maybe you’re using us as bait to divert his attention!”

Su Si replied confidently. He made a few hand gestures behind his back to Yan Qing.

Wu Huai was momentarily distracted by their argument, and in that brief moment, Yan Qing swung his stone sword.

The sword’s wind tore apart countless threads. The wind directed Su Si, who, despite the pain, moved with it. Powered by the wind and his own momentum, he reached Wu Huai in an instant.

His butcher knife drew an arc in the air, cutting open Wu Huai’s throat.

“Grandpa is the true Young Patriarch,” Su Si said with a cold smile. “Now, taste the real Bone Sweeping Sword.”

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