Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 148: Trap

The imperial court’s bandit suppression team went into battle lightly equipped. Qu Duanyun quickly arrived in Qizhou.

The weather was good, and Qizhou should have been adorned with blooming spring flowers and willows like clouds. But now, the flowers were trampled into mud, and the bark of the willows was gnawed clean by passing livestock due to neglect. Dirty stains covered the stone slabs, and most of the shops for tourists were shut, with only a few brave ones still doing business.

Tourists of the past were either gone or dispersed. Every home’s door was tightly shut, leaving the city desolate and lonely.

Even the temples in Qizhou weren’t spared from the hands of the Chigou Sect. It was unknown how brutally they acted, but a wall of the temple had collapsed considerably. Fortunately, the statue of the Imperial Celestial seemed minimally damaged and had been covered by the people of the Immortal Assembly. All the valuable gold and treasuries were stolen, and the usually lively courtyard was empty.

The temple of the Imperial Celestial had stood in many places for over a hundred years. Even those who didn’t sincerely believe in it might have grown a fondness due to familiarity. With the tragic sight of the revered temple before them, Qu Duanyun, who mixed in with the bandit suppression team, heard sighs of pity.

“Chaotic times, truly chaotic,” a soldier beside him lamented. “If all the able-bodied men hadn’t gone to war, would they dare to act so brazenly? Instead of defending their homeland, they choose to loot and fight amongst themselves. Bandits will be bandits!”

“Indeed, it’s said that even the elderly tried to stop them by kneeling. The new Patriarch of the Chigou Sect is unyielding. Even the elderly were pushed aside. Everyone says that the Chigou Sect used to deal well with the imperial court, but who knows what madness has taken them now.”

“Desperation, perhaps,” another added mysteriously. “The new Patriarch has a good relationship with the rebel Shi Jingzhi. The gold they loot supports him. But even with gold, the common people have become complacent. They can’t even escape in time, let alone join a rebellion.”

Qu Duanyun couldn’t help but smile.

After all, when it came to ruling the nation, the Emperor was diligent and had not made major mistakes, let alone inciting public outrage. Facing external enemies, although the imperial court’s reaction was slow, the people were even slower. They either ran or hid. The crisis hadn’t fully hit them, so they weren’t ready to rise up yet.

It was as hard to incite a rebellion in Great Yun as it was to grow crops between stones.

Jiang Youyue’s “treason” label was so tight on Shi Jingzhi that he had no room to wriggle out—surrounded, Shi Jingzhi was now trapped near Kushan. He no longer had the time or means to find another way out.

Of course, the reason the Chigou Sect’s Patriarch attacked the temple might have been to find out about the appearance of the “Children of Desire”. Perhaps their main aim wasn’t the gold, but to displace the people and destroy the statues. Theoretically, if the flesh idols couldn’t absorb vital qi, it would extend Shi Jingzhi’s life.

Unfortunately, he chose the wrong path.

The temples were just built in the busiest places, and the absorption range of the flesh idol wasn’t small. The Hanging Tree could naturally absorb vital qi, let alone the flesh statues imitating a Hanging Tree—whether people believed in the Imperial Celestial or not, the idol would still absorb vital qi. As long as people had desires, even if they no longer visited temples, the idol would continue to absorb, albeit slower.

And could the Hanging Tree beneath the flesh idol be easily destroyed?

This way, they cut off every escape route for Shi Jingzhi.

Only by consuming the Shirou could one be liberated from this chaos. Qu Duanyun was curious about how Shi Jingzhi, facing such a desperate situation, would counter.

Leaving everything else aside, the move at the Yueshui Pavilion was a terrible mistake.

The roots of the Hanging Tree were unseen and untouched, and only masters believed in them. The common people wouldn’t be convinced. When Shi Jingzhi ascended the throne, they would have time to deal with the leaders and informants.

The Martial Arts Conference was personal combat, so accidents could occur. Now, having both time and location advantages, they wouldn’t make mistakes again—

The Luojiu army surged forward powerfully, while their own troops were limited. The Immortal Assembly “kindly” organized many of their own and recruited some locals from Qizhou, assembling an army of thousands.

In contrast, the “rebels” were a mess. At the base of Kushan, numerous displaced people and bandits gathered. The surroundings were dirty and smelly. No organized force was visible. Everyone looked miserable, and one could only wonder where the gold from the Chigou Sect was spent.

Outside the abandoned town was a vast wasteland—hot during the day, cold at night, occasionally visited by wild dogs—a place the displaced people disliked. The soldiers, however, found it suitable for camping.

The enemy was insignificant, barely a shadow. The soldiers were relaxed, and the atmosphere lightened.

However, just as everyone let their guard down, a lone silhouette appeared on the wasteland. When they recognized the figure, a small disturbance rippled through the army.

The man’s brows and eyes were picturesque, dressed in a sharp black robe. His long hair was even darker than crow feathers by a shade. He walked alone among the wild grass with his long black hair fluttering in the wind, like an evil god descended from the heavens, or a fierce ghost bound to this land.

Across from them stood only one person, yet his aura was as overwhelming as a tempestuous wind or mighty waves crashing onshore. There was no emotion on his face, but even the youngest soldier could feel his hostility and hatred.

It was Yin Ci.

He came alone, without the shadow of Shi Jingzhi by his side. The young leading officer looked at Qu Duanyun and saw him shake his head. Immediately, the officer made a gesture, and the soldiers stood still.

Qu Duanyun rode a white horse, breaking from the formation and charging straight at Yin Ci.

Aware of Yin Ci’s reputation, he felt no fear. As the saying goes, overpowering ten with a single move. While Yin Ci was skilled in martial arts, he lacked inner force. If Shi Jingzhi had been with him, they might have complemented each other. But now, even if he ordered his troops to move in, they could easily subdue him.

But he had more pressing matters at hand.

With a light tap of his foot, Qu Duanyun leapt from his horse. Several thin streams of qi shot out. Soft explosions echoed from all directions as he spun gracefully back onto his horse.

“Evil qi from the Soft Fish Demon’s eye.” He drew out his piercing black sword, pointing it directly at Yin Ci. “Such trivial tricks, yet you want to play them a second time?”

Yin Ci halted in his tracks.

He looked up at Qu Duanyun with a chilling smirk. Without saying a word, his gaze swept over the army behind Qu Duanyun.

“Three thousand five hundred men.” Yin Ci murmured to himself. Several of the precious Soft Fish Demon eyes were damaged, but he didn’t seem to care.

Qu Duanyun frowned. “Founding General Yin Zizhu, resorting to such petty tricks, it’s really unimpressive.”

Simply reusing old tricks, trying to turn people against each other with illusions. The Immortal Assembly had been embarrassed at a martial arts conference once but wouldn’t be again.

“The Taiheng sect leader collaborating with the Immortal Assembly—isn’t that disgraceful?”

“In dealing with the rebels, it’s a matter of national importance. Not to mention Taiheng, didn’t the followers of your Alliance Leader also stay out of it?”

Qu Duanyun was full of confidence.

He was only maintaining order in the name of the Sect Master of Taiheng; officially, this army still belonged to the imperial court, and nobody could find fault. But once Shi Jingzhi obtained the Shirou, it would be hard to say which Emperor this “diluted” army would support.

Yin Ci chuckled, neither agreeing or disagreeing, his face saying, “Just as I thought.”

He quietly observed Qu Duanyun for a moment, then motioned with his left hand. The bushes behind him rustled, revealing a blood-soaked bag. Yin Ci opened the bag to reveal human limbs cut into several pieces.

Despite the blood, the limbs were elegant and beautiful, unlike those of ordinary people. But the wounds were clearly not Yin Ci’s doing. With no trace of Shi Jingzhi, could it be…

Qu Duanyun’s gaze grew colder.

Yin Ci laughed. “I wouldn’t be so foolish as to kill him. Thanks to all of you, I’ve been perfecting the art of dissecting living beings over the years.”

The blood-soaked limbs lay scattered, and Yin Ci’s eyes grew even wilder.

“Three hundred years, and the Xu Clan remains the same, as do the traitors. I thought Shi Jingzhi was insightful, but in the end, he’s just another coward. Now, even if he had the power, he can’t use it.”

“Don’t worry, even if he’s injured to half his body, the True Immortal can heal him. Even if you killed him, we could still raise the next Child of Desire.”

Qu Duanyun coldly retorted.

“Before that, we’ll seal you back in the Northwestern Great Prohibition. No one will steal mercury to save you this time… Yin Zizhu, by the time you emerge, my Great Yun will have unified the world, for generations to come.”

Yin Ci drew his Hanging Shadow Sword. “Instead of making idle boasts, better save the Child of Desire. With his limbs gone, how much longer do you think he has to live? It would be such a letdown if the main character dies during the play.”

With that, he lunged forward, aiming a killing blow directly at Qu Duanyun’s throat. His sword’s wind was chilling, more treacherous than the Bone Sweeping Sword technique.

Qu Duanyun’s scalp tingle, and he swiftly dodged. The Hanging Shadow Sword adjusted its trajectory, slashing at the horse’s neck. The white horse neighed, blood spattering, as Qu Duanyun barely escaped the sword’s edge.

Facing just one opponent, the soldiers behind hesitated, unsure whether to intervene. Qu Duanyun parried Yin Ci’s fierce strikes while his mind turned quickly—

Infighting?

Shi Jingzhi treasured his life to the extreme. Perhaps it was his overwhelming desire for life that led him to try and secretly steal the Shirou. Unfortunately, he was discovered by Yin Ci. That man had formidable inner force, but now he was weak and frail, so it wasn’t impossible for him to be controlled by Yin Ci.

If understood in this way, everything from the chaotic mess to minor resistances becomes easier to grasp.

Yin Ci dared not kill Shi Jingzhi directly, for he was a True Immortal. So he disabled him, hiding Shi Jingzhi in a secluded corner, waiting to slowly drain his life so that even the True Immortal couldn’t save him. The master and disciple of the Kushan Sect turned against each other, and outside, everyone panicked. The defenses naturally collapsed.

…Shi Jingzhi could not die yet.

Waiting for the next Child of Desire to grow would take at least ten to twenty years. Although the True Immortal could intervene and stabilize the chaos, supporting the Imperial Preceptor’s linage, this war would inevitably weaken Great Yun. If Shi Jingzhi died at this critical moment, it would be a bad deal.

“This man is also a rebel!” Qu Duanyun dodged the sword attacks and shouted. “Shi Jingzhi is hidden nearby; search quickly!”

As he spoke, he released a signal flare from his sleeve. The flare exploded in a bright red in the clear sky, drawing attention.

Now he was trying to save someone, and Taiheng had no reason to stand by.

Who could have thought that the bandit suppression team would have to search the countryside for someone? The soldiers were confused but could only obey and split into several groups. Of the more than three thousand, only a few hundred remained, looking more scattered than the wilderness bushes.

With a few hundred men, they could handle Yin Ci. All Qu Duanyun needed was to buy time until Taiheng arrived.

“If I were you, I’d have hidden away with him. Did you come out to fight because you’re afraid you won’t lose quickly enough?” Qu Duanyun defended cautiously, retreating towards where the most people were.

“I don’t want to flee like a drowning dog. It’s a pity you damaged the Soft Fish Demon Eye. I originally wanted to broadcast this scene… What does it feel like to fail at the last moment—isn’t it a pity to miss it?”

Yin Ci’s sword was like a rainstorm, but his breathing remained steady. The hostility around him grew stronger, resembling a vengeful ghost from hell. Qu Duanyun was well-prepared, but even with magical artifacts, he couldn’t withstand such violent attacks.

“There will be successors even if you kill me. We want greatness for Great Yun, yet you wish to destroy this golden age.” Qu Duanyun deliberately started a conversation.

“Greatness?” Yin Ci laughed. “In poor families, the elderly don’t live past sixty, and the young die of injuries and illnesses. In the end, your Immortal Assembly feeds human lives to the Hanging Tree. What kind of prosperity are you talking about? It’s all the same*!”

*Six of one and half a dozen of the other (半斤八两) Idiom referring to the choices being no different from each other.

Despite Qu Duanyun starting the conversation, he felt a sudden bitterness in his heart. Many faces flashed through his mind, bringing a familiar feeling of nausea.

This man had lived for over a hundred years but still couldn’t see the truth of the world.

“Why pamper and indulge those who are incredibly foolish and inherently lazy? Our relationship with the Hanging Tree is merely a mutual benefit!”

With a surge of vital qi on his Guanwu Sword, the air around Qu Duanyun distorted. He yelled, “My father once made me personally farm and trade to experience the world. If those people tried harder and thought more, they wouldn’t suffer so much. The weak are detested by the heavens. What’s wrong with survival of the fittest?”

During Qu Duanyun’s outburst, Yin Ci was caught off guard. His left shoulder was deeply cut, almost severing his arm. A mistake lost him the advantage, and Qu Duanyun seized the moment.

“To pity the commoners is a waste of national power. In the end, you’ll only be hindered and stagnate!”

“You speak of the great truth well, but you got rid of high-virtue individuals like Sect Master Qi. Among those sacrificed to Luojiu, weren’t there any ‘worthy’ people? In my opinion, it’s just personal ambition to leave a legacy.”

Yin Ci tasted the blood from his lips, the laughter in his voice growing stronger.

“We all have personal desires; why pretend to be so—”

Yin Ci’s wound sprouted countless tiny roots, healing rapidly. He was like a black wind, attacking from the most unexpected angles. But while his swordsmanship was wild, he didn’t aim for Qu Duanyun’s life, seemingly enjoying toying with him.

“—high and mighty?” His sword and words fell simultaneously, making Qu Duanyun’s palms tingle.

“Personal desire?” Qu Duanyun’s veins popped on his forehead, and he swung his sword again. “For personal desire, I would not have acted against my beloved teacher! It’s just that the Sect Master was too indecisive and lacked the heart to kill. For a great cause, even if I must die, I will accept it gladly…”

As a result, before he could finish his words, the madness on Yin Ci’s face disappeared in an instant.

“Hmm, quite tragic.” He jumped back several feet, kicking aside the severed limbs and legs near his feet. “Everyone, did you hear that? This man has just admitted to the matter of the demon tree.”

Qu Duanyun’s mind went blank for a moment.

Who was he talking to?

There were no signs of anyone nearby, and he had been specifically checking. Yin Ci’s madness didn’t seem feigned just now. Who were these people…

“Well done, Zizhu.”

A figure suddenly dashed out, rushing straight towards Yin Ci. The man was tall and slender, moving like the wind, with a bright smile on his face. By the time he reached Yin Ci, he even leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

It was Shi Jingzhi, the very person who was supposedly “maimed”!

What was even more shocking was that following him were several familiar faces—

Monk Juehui, with his hands clasped together, looked even more distressed than before. Shi Zhongyu looked either too angry or too shocked to show any emotion; her face was pale and expressionless. Hua Jingchun was hissing from the cold, and the remaining person, who looked like a member of the Yueshui Pavilion, seemed as if his eyes were about to pop out.

All these people were masters at hiding their auras. Even so, their wrists were adorned with expensive artifacts that helped them hide it.

It was a trap.

…The news about the Hanging Tree could be ignored; the stranger it seemed, the easier it would be to cover up. However, the sin of disrupting the martial world at this crucial moment couldn’t be exposed.

This was troublesome now. They needed to eliminate all witnesses.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 147: Current Situation

Lately, Qu Duanyun had been staying in the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

Either way, Shi Zhongyu already knew about his connection with the Immortal Assembly. Rather than being watched everywhere in Taiheng, it was better to spend more time in the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence to study. He left a note at the sect, so his duties weren’t neglected.

The current situation in Taiheng was quite awkward; it was better to lay low for a while.

The “villains” who plotted against the masters seemed to be related to the Immortal Assembly, but no direct evidence could be found. Not to mention other sects, disagreements arose first within Taiheng. Some believed Taiheng was also a victim, and Shi Zhongyu was only seizing the opportunity for power. Others, remembering the deceased Sect Master Qi, saw Qu Duanyun’s unclear involvement with the Immortal Assembly and criticized him.

Taiheng itself was in chaos, and its reputation plummeted. It happened to coincide with the Luojiu invasion. Facing internal and external threats, everything became muddled.

The Jianchen Temple, unlike Taiheng, was less worldly and had little influence on the frontier. It wasn’t easy for them to act against the imperial court.

From the looks of it, the Immortal Assembly’s goal to disrupt the martial world was thoroughly achieved.

Although his personal situation wasn’t ideal, Qu Duanyun showed no concern. In times of chaos, it was an opportunity to cleanse the sect’s reputation. When the war intensified, the first to rush out would surely be the naive ones.

Thinking this, Qu Duanyun scooped a spoonful of warm water, sprinkling it on the flesh idol in the temple.

Ever since he learned about the existence of the “Grandmaster”, serving the flesh idol became Qu Duanyun’s task. His master experimented with the body, merging it into the flesh idol. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t perfect—a full-fledged human couldn’t compare to the refined Shirou. To live eternally this way, the Grandmaster needed to occasionally consume the “immortal body”, or his organs would decay.

Even if he consumed the immortal body, his physique would exude some waste daily. Every day at dawn, someone needed to bathe it with warm water.

Compared to the chaos outside the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence, Qu Duanyun quite liked this task. Although the Grandmaster lived uncomfortably, his wisdom surpassed ordinary people.

Now, what Qu Duanyun wasn’t short of were questions.

“Centuries of peace and prosperity—was it truly blessed by the True Immortal?”

He watered enthusiastically, and the water mixed with a dark yellow, viscous liquid dripped down, emitting a faint fishy smell. But the scent of incense in the room was stronger, masking the stench quickly.

[No. The True Immortal merely conveyed intentions to the Hanging Tree and doesn’t have the power to turn the world upside down. The roots of the Hanging Tree reached the heavens; hence, it could disperse clouds, summon rain, solidify the earth, and protect the borders, granting our land a century of peace.]

The tone of the flesh idol Grandmaster was particularly indifferent.

[We cooperate with the Hanging Tree for mutual benefits. The Hanging Tree eliminates the weak and selects the strong for our land. We nurture good species and expand territories for it. Such collaboration establishes a glorious and invincible nation… It’s a pity that people are shortsighted and blinded by selfishness. The royal family lacks foresight. Otherwise, why would such grand plans be kept hidden?]

Reflecting on the matter of Qi Xundao, Qu Duanyun deeply agreed and couldn’t help but sigh.

Having expressed his sentiments, Qu Duanyun cleaned even more diligently. “Grandmaster, since the Hanging Tree has the power to reach the heavens, why not use it in the border wars?”

Raising a rare talent every century was good, but wasn’t the selection standard too strict? The power of the Invitation to God Formation was astonishing. With proper utilization, was there any war that couldn’t be won?

[No, there’s no such convenient solution in the world. The so-called “Invitation to God” is just using techniques to set a location, enticing the Hanging Tree to grow a new root. At that time, the True Immortal can control it with magic, indeed draining the life of nearby mortals.]

The flesh idol was silent for a while, sounding more profound.

[…However, everything adheres to the laws of nature. The Hanging Tree is now massive, and growing a new root consumes much of its vital qi. If it’s in a populated area, the lost vital qi can be replenished over time. But if too many roots are extended in barren frontiers, it’s harmful to the Hanging Tree. If it weren’t for the care of the True Immortal, the Hanging Tree wouldn’t have grown this big.]

‘Indeed,’ Qu Duanyun thought. More pests, fewer predators; that was the natural order. If such a thing was as resilient as weeds, all life would’ve been drained long ago.

[It’s a pity that mortals are, after all, just mortals. Sun Wang, although valiant, isn’t resourceful. The Hanging Tree under his protection has reached its limit.]

The monstrous old man opened his deformed fingers.

[Without destruction, there’s no establishment. I’ve clung to life for many years, waiting for this moment… a person with both wisdom and courage, with pure desire. Once that person consumes the Shirou, they can become the greatest Emperor ever, the true “Imperial Celestial”.]

A Child of Desire was arrogant and selfish by nature; he could never have a shred of pity for the weak and useless. He was the perfect material for an emperor. Now thinking of Shi Jingzhi, Qu Duanyun no longer felt any envy. He was thoroughly convinced of his defeat and was just waiting to be a loyal minister.

Qu Duanyun emptied the last spoonful of water from the bucket and respectfully bowed. “Thank you, Grandmaster, for your guidance. This time, our Hundred-Year Project is bound to succeed.”

The scene underneath the temple of the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence was completely different.

Compared to the delicate task of saving a life, causing a natural disaster was simpler. The True Immortal didn’t need to be present in person—he just needed to convey his intention to the Hanging Tree to disturb the climate.

Sun Wang was sitting in the deepest part, with countless black and red roots piercing through his clothes and connecting to him. His entire body was twisted and deformed, like a coarse bundle made of thick vines, with twisted roots protruding from the gaps of the “bundle” and spreading in all directions, gradually fading into the air.

Compared to an immortal, he looked more like a spirit formed from intertwined tree roots.

Jiang Youyue knelt in front of this massive entity; his posture as respectful as ever.

“The matter of the Root of Calamity is due to our negligence; we failed to find the loophole in the Great Prohibition,” he earnestly said. “However, the Wushu mines in Great Yun territory have been nearly destroyed by us. Even if a little remains, it won’t harm the Hanging Tree.”

“Even if that Root of Calamity tempts and ruins the Child of Desire, with previous successes as reference, our Hundred-Year Project will only be delayed by a few decades. Once this settles, we will surely deal with that Root of Calamity.”

Root of Calamity—truly a fitting name.

The Hanging Tree regarded that person as a part of itself, so even the True Immortal was powerless against him. Truly indestructible and inexhaustible, the only option was to imprison him carefully. At present, the enemy was in the dark while they were in the light, making capturing the Root of Calamity exceedingly difficult.

Jiang Youyue had heard of the Root of Calamity before—

During the founding of the country, there was a great general, Yin Zizhu, a man of both wisdom and beauty, resembling a fallen immortal. Back then, He Cheng’an, as the True Immortal, wanted to grant him the Shirou, allowing Yin Zizhu to become the new True Immortal. However, Yin Zizhu’s physique had a unique affinity with the Hanging Tree. After drinking the immortal wine, he gradually became one with the Hanging Tree’s roots.

True Immortals eventually leave to propagate in foreign lands. This was the natural way for the Hanging Tree to reproduce, allowing time for fruits to ripen and fall. But Yin Zizhu’s connection was exceptionally close; he couldn’t be used as a True Immortal.

Worse, Yin Zizhu hadn’t consumed the Shirou and had no love for the Hanging Tree. If allowed to roam the world and discover the truth, it was uncertain what chaos he might cause.

So, He Cheng’an changed his approach.

It was a rare situation, as the Hanging Tree saw him as one of its own “roots”. Its roots were invisible, beyond human interference, but Yin Zizhu was a tangible person. Similar to the roots of the Hanging Tree, he could be subjected to various experiments.

What happened next was well known to every Imperial Preceptor.

Creating idols, manufacturing “imitation roots”, using the idols to absorb the vital qi of the masses, and creating a “Child of Desire” on the ground resembling a “small Hanging Tree” marked the beginning of their Hundred-Year Project.

As for Yin Zizhu… He Cheng’an sealed him in the Northwest, using him as material for the Great Prohibition. This was a perfect design.

Next time they capture the Root of Calamity, they should cast him into molten iron. Even if he couldn’t be used as material, at least no mistakes would be made. Shi Jingzhi was a Child of Desire who would do anything to survive and was familiar with Yin Zizhu. Once he became the True Immortal, catching Yin Zizhu wouldn’t be an issue.

As they had expected, the moment Shi Jingzhi was accused of treason, he didn’t sit and wait for his fate.

Now, with wars breaking out and natural disasters imminent, chaotic times were approaching. The Emperor’s “bandit suppression order” had also been presented to that man.

Jiang Youyue had a feeling that by early summer, this matter would come to a resolution.

“…When Shi Jingzhi starts fighting with the royal family, I will send Duanyun to the front line to support the newly born True Immortal.”

“Sun Wang” didn’t respond for a long time.

That root-like entity slowly writhed, continuing its incomprehensible communication with the Hanging Tree. It completely ignored Jiang Youyue, treating him as if he were thin air.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Youyue understood this as tacit approval. Although the True Immortal could pretend to be a person with human-like characteristics, it rarely bothered to communicate directly. As long as there was no punishment, it meant everything was fine.

Perhaps this was related to its age. Maybe when Shi Jingzhi became a True Immortal, things would be livelier here.

Spring was in full bloom above the ground with the scent of peach blossoms, while the blood from the borderlands seeped into the Central Plains.

When the wall fell, everyone pushed. The Chigou Sect remained silent, the western regions were becoming increasingly restless, and storms and floods were raging in the south. In less than half a month, refugees were scattered everywhere. The martial sects hadn’t recovered and couldn’t protect the people, while bandit groups were sprouting up faster than post-rain mushrooms.

At a glance, there were disasters in the east, south, west, and north. It was as if the heavens had packed up three hundred years of accumulated calamities that Great Yun owed and solemnly repaid them all at once.

Nowhere was safe, and the center was equally unstable.

The news of the Emperor’s critical condition leaked out, and everyone knew of His Majesty’s grave illness. Bad luck was compounding; the illness was neither severe enough to warrant a regent nor mild enough to offer any hope.

Despite the dire situation, the Emperor showed no sign of being proactive. Xu Jingxing had become emaciated, no longer even glancing at official documents and only occasionally listening to war updates. The ever-present Prince of Rong was also nowhere to be seen. He was always timid and cherished his life; perhaps he had already found a place to hide.

The imperial court was in chaos, much like the situation with Taiheng in the past. Everyone was panicking, leading to utter disarray.

Amid this chaos, rumors spread by the Immortal Assembly were becoming widespread. Everywhere people talk about “the Emperor’s misdeeds, his jealous harm to his own kin, resulting in the loss of his heavenly mandate”, and “the destined virtuous Emperor was amongst the commoners, near Kushan”.

In desperation and panic, many people, along with their families, flock to the vicinity of Kushan, hoping to gain a touch of this “destiny”. Others were impersonating “Shi Jingzhi”, all wanting to claim the throne for themselves.

Consequently, where refugees gathered, bandits would follow suit. The area around Qizhou had truly become a den of thieves. Even before Luojiu approached, the past prosperity had already turned to smoke.

Yet, as the “chief culprit”, Shi Jingzhi himself never appeared.

On this day, the Yueshui Pavilion was as bustling as ever.

The border situation changed daily. Messengers rushed about so quickly that they occasionally bumped into each other, causing ink splatters.

Great Yun had been peaceful for hundreds of years, but now calamities were striking one after another.

“It’s been so long, and we still can’t contact the Mishan Sect…”

“Luojiu’s ‘Divine Saint’ is leading the army personally, and Generals Liu and Li were killed on the frontlines!”

“The Silk River has flooded again, affecting tens of thousands—”

The hall was in an uproar with not a single piece of good news could be heard. When Shen Zhu entered, she saw this chaotic scene.

As soon as she entered, the room quieted significantly. Not because people in Yidu respected their colleagues—there was history between Shen Zhu and the Kushan Sect. Maybe she knew something about the rebel, Shi Jingzhi!

People exchanged glances, and then, like hungry chickens, they swarmed around her. Amidst the barrage of questions, Shen Zhu, holding a comically oversized package, smiled and made her way to the Ministry of Heaven.

Standing before the puzzle submission platform, Shen Zhu paused for a moment, as if lost in thought. Finally, she rummaged in her chest and produced an extremely old wooden plaque.

“The puzzle is solved. I’ve come to submit it.”

The disciple guarding the platform, irritated by the noise, grunted and took the plaque. Expecting the same old, as a member of the Ministry of Heaven, he found Shen Zhu’s submissions to be mundane.

However, when he touched the plaque, something felt off. It felt smooth and cold, almost like jade. Unconsciously, he looked at the writing on it.

“Seeking Immortals?!” he blurted out in disbelief, his voice cracking.

“Yes.”

Shen Zhu’s smile blossomed. “I’ve found them.”

The room fell silent, followed by a sudden uproar.

This was a puzzle that the Ministry of Heaven had used as decoration since the foundation of the Yueshui Pavilion. It was more for decoration than research, waiting for her to give up or die so they could put it back.

No one expected this seemingly impossible puzzle to actually be solved.

“You…” The disciple behind the platform swallowed, his mind blank. “This isn’t the time for jokes! To submit such a significant puzzle, you need verifiable evidence and a coherent theory. If you’re just trying to attract attention…”

There was a snort.

With a thud, Shen Zhu placed a glass bottle filled with the Shirou pieces and a thick stack of papers on the table.

The papers were of varying ages; the newest ones seemed to be from a few days ago, while the older ones had been compiled into volumes, suggesting they were at least a decade old. The disciple quickly skimmed one, and his expression grew more rigid.

The techniques detailed were 90% unfamiliar to him. The decomposition of the formations was dizzying.

Yet, the writings were neat and comprehensive. From a glance, the arguments were clear and directions obvious. It didn’t look like a last-minute forgery. Considering the age of some papers, she had been researching this even before joining the Yueshui Pavilion.

Insane.

Why is a woman of common birth so fanatical about these nonsensical things?

“When I took this token, to be honest, I did it merely out of convenience. Even if there are gods in this world, I wouldn’t worship them in the slightest.”

Seeing the stunned expression of the disciple, Shen Zhu’s smile grew even brighter.

“Now that I’ve found the truth I sought, who knew even this question would be effortlessly answered. Take it for verification. I have only two demands.”

“…What are they?”

“First, honor the promise from the Ministry of Heaven. From today, I am the Minister of the Ministry of Heaven… unless you can prove me wrong. Don’t think about destroying or altering it; whether it’s the argument or the physical evidence, I have plenty of backups. Even if this Shirou is gone, I have other substitutes that can’t be completely destroyed.”

“This… This…”

“Don’t worry, I’ve specifically added a second requirement for you. I want this article and evidence to be spread to every corner of the Yueshui Pavilion in Great Yun. After all, the more people there are to disprove it, the better, right?”

Her voice grew louder, making no effort to hide the provocation in it. Her smile grew wider, eventually bursting into laughter.

“Come on, come and verify it. The Yueshui Pavilion’s Ministry of Heaven is full of elites. Surely they won’t be defeated by a ‘weak woman’ like me who just muddles through life, right?”

Many eyes watched intently, and those behind the stage didn’t dare to dawdle. He carefully unpacked the mountainous stack of articles, scanned each one with a tool, and immediately transmitted them using a messaging spell.

But just as he finished, another person rushed into the hall, looking flustered, heading straight for the side table. His voice was loud, and everyone could hear him clearly.

“It’s chaos, complete chaos! After all these days, there’s finally movement from the Kushan Sect!”

He gestured excitedly.

“The first to act was Su Si! He… He’s collecting gold, but only supports Shi Jingzhi at this time!”

The news was significant but not shocking. Given the more bizarre events that transpired just now, it seemed trivial. The surrounding people were still deeply engrossed in the matter of Seeking Immortals, their faces numb.

Seeing that nobody reacted, the man stomped his foot in frustration. “Su Si didn’t rob ordinary people or wealthy households; he robbed the temples of gods and immortals!”

Shen Zhu covered her mouth with a sleeve, feigning shock. Behind the sleeve, she revealed an approving smile.

“For all his chatter, his actions are quite swift,” she murmured silently.

Miles away.

“Greetings, Patriarch.”

Protector Hua, having been fitted with a prosthetic limb, knelt with some difficulty.

Chigou was in recovery and had many concerns. Because of Wu Huaixin’s malicious actions, they had to compensate the suffering villagers, spending a lot of money. Now, with the threat from the West looming, even she, a reclusive Protector, had to be dispatched, running around.

But as soon as she returned to the main branch, she heard news of “the Chigou Sect attacking temples everywhere” and almost lost her footing.

Was the Patriarch position of the Chigou Sect cursed? Why did everyone who touched it go insane? She didn’t even have time to change her clothes and rushed to the new Patriarch.

“Patriarch, Yan Zheng is willing to befriend you to help you annex the Ling Sect. We indeed didn’t suffer much… but the Ling Sect’s branches are filled with lunatics. They’re naturally defiant and crazy, and they’ve long been at odds with our sect. In my opinion, it’s best to first tame the Ling Sect members before making other plans.”

The rest of what she wanted to say was evident in her expression—The world is in chaos, and you just ascended to this position, not yet firmly seated. Such brazen actions might lead to problems.

“Hm?” Su Si sat cross-legged on the Patriarch’s seat, casually munching on mulberries. “Oh, those crazies from the Ling Sect. I’ve already disciplined them well. They’re quite obedient now.”

Other Protectors stood in the hall, holding their breath, with some trying to signal Protector Hua. But she, fearing another disaster, was too anxious to notice their intentions.

Indeed, Protector Hua continued hastily, “Forgive my frankness, but the people of the Ling Sect are used to deceit. It’s common for them to say one thing and do another. Patriarch, you are young and might easily be deceived by those scourges…”

Snap.

A blood-stained cloth bag was thrown in front of Hua Jingchun. She opened it to find a bag full of flesh cleaned of blood.

“What’s this?”

“Flesh connected to tendons,” Su Si said nonchalantly. “I picked the most troublesome ones and dealt with them, while the most arrogant ones were killed outright.”

Seeing his demeanor, it seemed he was prepared for her reaction.

“I told those people that if they don’t obey their new master, they’re free to assassinate or openly attack. But I don’t have the patience of Yan Zheng; I won’t let people die quickly and easily.”

The words caught in Hua Jingchun’s throat, choking her into silence—though the Kushan Sect had suffered many casualties along the way, they had at least not committed any atrocities. They had even saved quite a few people. Su Si was an old acquaintance of the Sect Master, and she had originally worried that he would be swayed by old sentiments and be indecisive…

How laughable! When it came to ruthlessness, not only did this man match Wu Huai, he was on par with the members of the Ling Sect. With such a bandit-like demeanor, he seemed capable of controlling those lunatics from the Ling Sect. However, the once stable reputation of the Chigou Sect would probably never return…

Hua Jingchun felt a surge of weariness.

Since the Patriarch was designated by Matron Wuxue, there was no choice but to accept him now. At the very least, Su Si wouldn’t vent his frustrations on his subordinates and would listen to reason.

So, Protector Hua took a deep breath and advised earnestly from another angle. “Sect Master Shi has shown kindness to both of us. Your willingness to help him is admirable and righteous. However, while we can rob the Immortal Assembly, disturbing the temple will anger the local people. Patriarch, we need to think this through…”

Even if she trusted Matron Wuxue’s judgment, Hua Jingchun still felt that Su Si might use the Chigou Sect and then abandon them.

“I am thinking it through.”

“Protector Hua is right.” The Protector who was in charge of this matter couldn’t sit still any longer. He bowed to Su Si. “Given the unstable situation, more people are turning to gods and Buddhas. The common people believe in these deities, and our actions will definitely be resented… Last time we seized the temple in Yongsheng, the locals formed a human wall to block us, it was…”

“A human wall? So what? The Chigou Sect is, after all, a demonic sect. Can’t we even deal with ordinary people? If there are not enough hands, tell me, and I’ll arrange more for you. Unless you can’t handle the soldiers, don’t bring this up again.”

Su Si finished his mulberries, narrowing his eyes contentedly.

“My orders won’t change. Remember, don’t speak out of turn about things you shouldn’t. The members of our Red Scorpion Feet aren’t just here for free meals. That’s how it is working under me. Now that I’m here, it won’t be easy for me to leave.”

The expressions of those present varied, each showing their own level of fatigue. Perhaps the Chigou Sect was cursed this year, with each new Patriarch being more troublesome than the last.

Still persistent, Hua Jingchun knelt down. “Patriarch!”

“Sister Hua.”

Su Si jumped off his seat and squatted in front of Hua Jingchun. He caressed the handle of his knife and touched the mountain ghost coin. The smile in his eyes was enigmatic.

“Speaking from my heart, I truly despise Matron Wuxue. But Chigou is the best tool I can grasp. I will use this tool to protect others and won’t discard it once it’s used. Don’t worry, I aim to be a world-famous Hero.”

“Some words can only be spoken at the right moment. Some things… can only be done by the right person.”

“How about trusting me this once?”

The author has something to say:

If the fox obediently eats the Shirou, then there will be a plot where the fox and the demonic lord kill each other.

Sect Master Shi: Bah! Impossible to eat!

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 146: Rebellion

The internal situation of the Taiheng Sect was in chaos.

The reappearance of the Reverse Yang Token was a rare event that hadn’t happened in a century. The Taiheng Sect was an ancient sect that existed since the founding of the country, and the Reverse Yang Token had only been formally invoked twice. The Taiheng Sect owned shops and fertile lands, with a considerable income. The two sect leaders lost their sanity, colluding with corrupt officials to embezzle the sect’s assets.

Then the Reverse Yang Token was invoked, and the evidence was irrefutable. In a few days, the two were dealt with severely and expelled from the sect.

However, Shi Zhongyu used the Reverse Yang Token ambiguously. She didn’t find evidence of Qu Duanyun’s wrongdoings, but brazenly displayed the Reverse Yang Token. This meant that Qu Duanyun had to inform her before making any major moves in the Taiheng Sect.

A single mountain couldn’t accommodate two tigers*. Suddenly, the Taiheng S ect had two “sect leaders”, leaving the members at a loss. Unlike other sects that resolved conflicts quickly, the situation in Taiheng dragged on painfully.

*(一山不容二虎) Idiom referring to how it’s incompatible for two strong people to be in the same place.

On a sunny spring day, two sect members chatted in low voices.

“Lately, Sect Master Qu hasn’t been returning to the sect. Maybe he’s too annoyed by Senior Sister. They used to get along. How did things end up like this?”

“Who knows? I feel Senior Sister is nitpicking. The Qu Clan has good relations with the imperial court, so it’s not surprising that the Immortal Assembly would want the sect leader as the Alliance Leader. Their methods may be unclean, but our sect leader may not be aware.”

One of them became quite agitated. “The duel drawing box was made by Senior Brother; our sect guarantees no cheating. Just because Senior Sister had bad luck and ran into someone from the Immortal Assembly, she can’t vent her anger on the sect leader.”

“Shh! Keep it down, isn’t that Senior Jin?”

Not far away, Jin Lan was carrying a pile of miscellaneous items with a helpless expression on his. He had clearly been there for a while. Known as a supporter of Shi Zhongyu, he had heard their unkind words. The two stood upright, waiting for a reprimand.

“I believe Senior Sister is thinking of Taiheng’s best interests.”

Jin Lan didn’t reprimand them but instead continued calmly.

“Don’t talk about the martial arts conference; there’s a big problem with our Tranquil Heart Pills. If we don’t take some tough measures, who knows how the rumors will spread in the martial world.”

“Brother Jin is right.” The two young disciples immediately bowed their heads.

Jin Lan forced a smile. “No need for idle chit-chat here. Go to the east gate and help. The people from the Twin Rivers station just returned and brought back many things.”

The two hurriedly agreed and rushed towards the east gate. Jin Lan looked at the clear sky feeling as if a weight had dropped in his stomach, pulling on his heart and making him feel heavy.

Twin Rivers had fallen.

Taiheng was close to Yidu, surrounded by prosperity and peace. People had lived peacefully for three hundred years and had long forgotten the taste of war. Originally, Great Yun could rely on its population to resist Luojiu. Now, with spring in full bloom, Luojiu’s cavalry was unstoppable.

Twin Rivers was the closest major city to Luojiu. It used to be filled with merchants from all countries and had many wealthy families. However, in just a few days, the bustling market turned into ruins. Soldiers fought on the frontline, and the people of Taiheng did their best but only managed to evacuate some of the civilians safely.

Once the front line was broken, it was like a flood; hard to control. Twin Rivers was far from the Emperor’s reach, and the imperial court’s response was even slower than usual. Seeing the breach, neighboring small countries also took action, afraid of missing out.

Under the beautiful spring light, the bloodstains on the ground looked even more vivid.

However, in this crisis, the imperial court didn’t take any measures. Half of the people had no idea, saying all sorts of things. The other half believed that Great Yun, glorious for three hundred years, couldn’t possibly fall to barbarians. The idea of “country destroyed and family ruined” seemed too distant and unreal; hardly anyone took it seriously.

If the martial world were still stable…

Sect Master Qi would definitely approach the imperial court for inquiries, send experts to protect the people, and decisively handle the Twin Rivers situation. Seeing this, the Jianchen Temple would not sit by and watch the suffering; they would help. Matron Wuxue would probably join hands with Taiheng, sending assassins to disrupt the enemy formation. The Ling Sect, though full of lunatics, was territorial like wild animals and would likely wreak havoc in the enemy camp.

Great Yun’s martial world forces were strong, and with the unity of military and civilians, the situation wouldn’t be too bad.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs in this world.

…The villains had harmed the senior members and disrupted the martial world. Now it seemed there was a deeper purpose. Bad news followed bad news, and the ordinary people were helpless.

Hopefully, the Emperor would wake up soon and face the dire situation on the frontier.

Unfortunately, Jin Lan’s wish was destined to be in vain—inside the palace, the situation wasn’t much better than at Taiheng.

Xu Jingxing had fallen seriously ill.

He didn’t collapse suddenly like Qi Xundao but weakened day by day. The imperial physician could only diagnose it as “being overworked”.

Xu Jingxing was a decent Emperor. He had been studious since his days as crown prince and wasn’t interested in romance. He ascended the throne late, and though he had several heirs, the eldest was only around ten and couldn’t bear great responsibilities.

Thankfully, Xu Jingxing was smart. His brothers, who were pampered and weak, weren’t daring enough to rebel. Xu Jingming, his maternal brother, even had the privilege of visiting.

Everyone, from officials to commoners, knew that the Prince of Rong was just a decorative figure.

“Twin Rivers is gone.”

Xu Jingxing leaned on his sickbed; his eyes somewhat vacant.

“Jingming, do you think I did something wrong? I did my best, yet I couldn’t protect this land… Could it be true about fate and luck? Have I been too disrespectful to the Imperial Celestial?”

Xu Jingming looked at his emaciated brother and couldn’t find words.

Before Xu Jingming could reply, Xu Jingxing turned his head weakly and smiled. “What’s the matter? If it were usual times, you’d seize the opportunity to, cough, scold Jingzhi.”

Xu Jingming held his fan tighter, looking down even more.

“I don’t know,” he said dispiritedly. “I… I don’t think you did anything wrong. As for the rest…”

He paused, unable to continue.

His elder brother always disagreed with Jiang Youyue. In reality, the Imperial Preceptor and his followers were indeed plotting. Xu Jingxing hadn’t misjudged them.

His brother had let Shi Jingzhi, the “nation’s calamity”, roam free. Yet from what he saw, Shi Jingzhi didn’t seem to have the opportunity to stir things up. Xu Jingxing’s judgment was still accurate.

So was rectifying corrupt officials wrong? Or was ensuring the people’s livelihood and peace wrong? Even when fighting with Luojiu, Xu Jingming watched the entire time.

Although Xu Jingxing leaned conservative, the ultimate reason for defeat wasn’t the Emperor’s incompetence but the overwhelming power of the enemy, as if they weren’t mere mortals.

The only solution was to take the initiative to invade and annex them when Luojiu was weak. If one had to point out the only “mistake” of his elder brother, it might just be “disliking war”.

It was a mistake that wasn’t really a mistake, but it still pushed his Emperor Brother to a dead end, and he was on the verge of bearing infamy forever.

When the country was at peace and the people were safe, he always made early preparations against Shi Jingzhi. But now that calamity was upon them, Xu Jingming no longer had the heart to blame that monster.

“Forget it, don’t force yourself to answer me,” Xu Jingxing said, closing his eyes slightly and his voice getting fainter. “Things have come to this point, I… I also…”

Just as Xu Jingxing revealed a hint of regret, Lu Fu’s greeting came from outside the door. That fleeting vulnerability was replaced by the emperor’s usual dignity.

The old eunuch entered the door, immediately bowing down in respect.

“This Old Slave brought you today’s reports.”

Xu Jingming, already irritated, became even more frustrated. “If it’s just a war report, so be it. But why bring in these trivial matters at this time?”

“Your Highness, this is no small matter,” Lu Fu whispered. “I also feel for the Emperor, but I really have no choice… Haa, the rumors outside are spreading like wildfire. His Majesty must know.”

Xu Jingxing, too weak to get out of bed and with no mood to listen to the old eunuch’s incessant talking, glanced aside. Lu Fu got the hint and began to read the report.

The report wasn’t long, but its contents left both of them pale—

Shi Jingzhi was planning a rebellion.

Xu Jingxing immediately forced himself to sit up, furrowing his brows. Lu Fu moved closer on his knees, presenting the report for the emperor to see clearly.

Xu Jingxing struggled to read, his face growing paler. He looked at his younger brother beside him, seemingly exhausted, and leaned back on the bed.

“I’m tired, you continue reading,” he said with a sense of despair.

“Yes.”

Lu Fu cleared his throat and carefully continued. The report, written by the prefect of Qizhou, expressed grave concern. It claimed that Shi Jingzhi was “posing as the Emperor’s heir”, causing unrest on the frontier, stirring up the people near Kushan, and bribing martial artists.

Much of the report was filled with various evidence, from “disrupting the martial world and placing forces everywhere” to “recruiting soldiers and spreading rumors about the Emperor’s immorality”. The multitude of allegations was overwhelming.

Listening, Xu Jingming’s head buzzed, and he barely dared to breathe.

He had heard about the issue of Shirou being taken away. Could it be that Shi Jingzhi, having lost his sight, wanted to stir the waters and drag the entire Great Yun to ruin with him? But it could also be a conspiracy by the Imperial Preceptor’s faction. Everything was so confusing that Xu Jingming didn’t know who to trust.

However, given the sensitive situation and this news of rebellion…

“I understand.”

Indeed, Xu Jingxing’s face was calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of near-desperate exhaustion. His gaze passed over Lu Fu, staring at an empty space, as if communicating with someone.

“True or false, I’ve made a miscalculation in this game of chess. There’s no choice… no choice,” he murmured.

Beside him, Xu Jingming remained silent, his hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves.

The atmosphere in the imperial palace was heavy, while a warm wind blew in the quiet town outside.

The river shimmered with a faint red hue, and the strong smell of blood dispersed with the wind. Yin Ci put away his Hanging Shadow Sword and wiped it with a cloth.

In front of him lay a neatly dissected… pig. Although the cuts were precise, they seemed to be done with a hint of irritation, perhaps reflecting the butcher’s mood.

The two were newlyweds but hadn’t enjoyed much marital bliss. Shi Jingzhi got the finger of the True Immortal and devoted himself day and night studying it, almost locking himself in the temple. If not for Yin Ci bringing him meals, he might have starved.

Yin Ci also had tasks, gathering news in a place where information was hard to come by and ensuring they were always informed. Their collaboration was good, but still…

Shi Jingzhi seemed to lock himself away too much. They had important matters to discuss today and needed a serious talk.

After preparing the rest of the pork, Yin Ci began to cook. He arranged the food in a box, adding a peach blossom and a candied fruit. Carrying the food, he headed towards the temple courtyard.

“Zizhu,” Shi Jingzhi called out, sensing him even before he knocked. “Is it braised pork and oil-fried vegetables today? Just leave it at the courtyard door.”

“We’re eating together today,” Yin Ci said firmly.

On the other side of the door, Shi Jingzhi was silent for a moment and replied aggrievedly, “Of course I thought about it too… But I just like you so much. If you stay here for too long, I can’t calm down for half an hour. Go back, go back quickly. Otherwise, Master will have to recite the Purifying Words again.”

Yin Ci chuckled. “It’s been so long, you think I don’t want to see you?”

Before he finished his sentence, Shi Jingzhi quickly opened the door, a face full of “you can’t blame me” sneakiness. That fleeting joy didn’t last long before it was shattered by Yin Ci’s next sentence.

“You’ve become a traitor.”

Ignoring the chopped fingers of the True Immortal near him, Yin Ci casually brought the stewed meat to the table as he said it lightly.

“Ah? So soon?” Shi Jingzhi’s expression froze for a moment, then his smile became bitter. “I thought that Sun… the True Immortal would come to see me a few more times.”

“He’s probably afraid of you lingering too long, allowing me to find a way to persuade you.” Yin Ci scoffed coldly. “Besides, being an ‘Immortal’ who is always watching you, fearing you might run away, wouldn’t that make him even more suspicious?”

“…True.”

Shi Jingzhi fed Yin Ci a piece of meat with chopsticks and smacked his lips.

“Well, whether I stick my neck out or not, I can’t avoid the knife. At least it proves that they were fooled by us, which is a good thing.”

That day, when they lured the “Immortal”, in order for their opponent to feel they had an advantage, the two intentionally didn’t appear too intimate.

They gave their opponents a seemingly plausible “truth” —

They both knew about the Hundred-Year Project. Shi Jingzhi might not be foolish enough to be easily deceived, but he was willing to risk his life to investigate, most likely under Yin Ci’s influence. Yin Ci’s action was simply to destroy the Hundred-Year Project and seek revenge on the royal family and the Imperial Preceptor.

The seemingly harmonious master-disciple duo of the Kushan Sect was just a relationship of using and being used.

For the Immortal Assembly, the path ahead was clear.

To force Shi Jingzhi to drop his reservations quickly, making him feel trapped would be more effective than persuasion. The chaos had already begun, with the power of the emperor and longevity being presented together. One step forward, and he’d be the ruler of the world. Who would want to keep guessing and doubting along with a sworn enemy?

And with Shi Jingzhi carrying the label of a “national calamity”, it wasn’t out of the question that the Emperor was framing him. Either way, the Immortal Assembly had everything calculated perfectly.

Thinking about this, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but look at Yin Ci again.

Spring peach blossoms looked like pink snow, and he too was dressed in light colors. However, the image of Yin Ci dressed in a wedding gown from not long ago was still firmly etched in his mind.

The lineage of the Imperial Preceptor probably never imagined that the true nature of the storm’s center involved the two of them “using each other” to the point of becoming wedded.

Thinking of this, Shi Jingzhi felt a wave of contentment.

“Speaking of which, they really know how to make a fuss. They sent such a seditious script, and if I don’t accept it, I’d lose my head. How could I refuse? …I wonder when my elder brother will come to destroy me. I’ve never been to the front lines of a war myself, so there’s something new to do.”

Holding the chopsticks, Shi Jingzhi spoke nonchalantly.

Well, the stewed meat is delicious, and the soup is also good soaked in the bread. After all, he and his general were together, so they could tackle any problem. Compared to becoming a traitor, he had more important things to worry about.

“But Zizhu, if they come too fast, remember to block for me a bit. That Immortal’s finger is interesting. I need to study it for some time.”

Seeing him bring it up, Yin Ci raised an eyebrow. “I just saw a sparrow.”

“Oh, that’s Shen Zhu returning to Yidu, giving me a report.” Shi Jingzhi waved his hand, wiping the bottom of the plate with a piece of bread. “You can rest assured, everything is going smoothly.”

“Although I can’t use magic, theoretically I can help you a bit. You don’t need to work too hard—”

Shi Jingzhi was truly frail. He even stopped practicing martial arts, only burying his head in work day after day. Even though this person wouldn’t die easily, Yin Ci still found it hard to watch.

Before he finished speaking, Shi Jingzhi leaned over and pecked Yin Ci’s lips.

“I’ve got the true teachings of Senior Chen and have plenty of time. Now that it’s so chaotic outside, you’re tired enough scouting around.”

Shi Jingzhi smiled contentedly, with an air of having everything under control.

“Alright, go rest for a while. I’ll continue to ponder some magic here and will rest on time.”

However, just after Yin Ci stepped out, Shi Jingzhi took out the thin silk that the sparrow had brought. The silk was densely written on, and at a glance, it wasn’t just a simple “reporting safety” message.

[I’ve returned to Yidu and used a good magic weapon to inspect the Shirou.]

[Once integrated with the Hanging Tree, all internal organs must be nurtured by its roots. Forcibly separating the roots would only result in a puddle of flesh. Senior Yin is bound to live and die with the Hanging Tree, unable to return to his ordinary human form.]

[However, if you keep the Hanging Tree, that Immortal will certainly not let you go easily. What will you do?]

Holding the thin silk with two fingers, Shi Jingzhi slowly burned it with a golden flame until it was completely consumed, leaving no trace of ash. Then, Sect Master Shi wiped the ash from his hands, lifted a large cylindrical piece of finger flesh, and wobbled into the inner chamber of the temple.

Inside the temple, the floor was littered with scattered papers, and the stench of blood and flesh was nauseating. Shi Jingzhi seemed unaffected by the smell. He found a clear space, sat down directly, and began to write feverishly. From time to time, he would cough, wiping away the blood he spat out with scrap paper and carelessly throwing it aside.

“Why does everyone force me to make choices?”

While researching the technique in his hand, he murmured to himself.

“…I choose not to choose.”

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