Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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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?”

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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!

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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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.”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 145: Farewell

Bright golden flames rose three meters high, and a sound like the tearing of silk echoed through the air.

The sword conveyed a subtle sensation, as if cutting through a swamp. Then something fell onto Shi Jingzhi—it was cold and soft, feeling much like raw flesh. Despite its lightness, it didn’t hurt Shi Jingzhi upon impact.

With a successful strike, Sect Master Shi nimbly rolled over and knelt halfway on the ground, with golden flames encircling him.

“General Yin!” He raised his voice, addressing with respect. “I saw it clearly just now. Another flesh root is connected to this thing!”

In an instant, Yin Ci leapt out from the bushes, stepping on the wind. The jade eye was embedded in his left eye socket, from which blood continuously seeped, like never-ending tears of blood.

Through the blood-stained vision, Yin Ci saw everything clearly.

The giant hands hovered in mid-air, their spider-like fingers halted in their motion, evidently caught off guard. Shi Jingzhi’s move was precise and steady, successfully cutting off one of the slender fingers.

The finger wobbled as it fell to the ground, rolling twice before its joints started to bend.

Unlike his own situation, blood-red tendrils sprouted from the wound on the giant hand, yet a new finger didn’t immediately form. The severed finger also stretched out tendrils, seemingly trying to reattach itself.

Without hesitation, Yin Ci lunged forward, touching Shi Jingzhi’s skin.

The moment their skins touched, the vast forest of bare branches and the giant floating hands appeared. Shi Jingzhi glanced at the thread between the fingers with a gaze as cold as ice.

They touched only for an instant, and as soon as they separated, the vision in front of Shi Jingzhi vanished.

But a glimpse was enough.

The reattaching process of the severed finger was interrupted once again by Shi Jingzhi. The golden flames on his sword burned brightly, almost white. Although they couldn’t destroy the roots, they could slow their growth.

Yin Ci, taking advantage of his sight, constantly rammed into the giant hands, adjusting them to a more convenient strike position for Shi Jingzhi. If Shi Jingzhi’s movements went astray, Yin Ci would swoop in. Their fleeting touches brought brief glimpses into another world—a sight so fast that ordinary people wouldn’t even have time to react.

However, a Child of Desire wasn’t an ordinary person.

Both continued without pause—one swift as the wind and lightning, with incredibly sharp movements, and the other circling an unseen enemy, his swordplay intricate yet brutal. Occasionally, they brushed past each other, adjusting their perspectives, reminiscent of petals and butterflies in a fierce storm.

Shi Jingzhi kept targeting the same spot, forcing the mysterious entity to relinquish the troublesome finger and quickly regenerate a new one.

The abandoned slender finger began to take shape. Even without Yin Ci’s assistance, Shi Jingzhi could see it clearly. Ignoring its unusually long form, it was almost beautiful.

The finger, with its smooth skin and intact nail, exuded vitality. It lay quietly on the grass, two inches longer than an adult man’s leg.

It was within reach.

However, Shi Jingzhi didn’t immediately show any greed. He kicked the finger away as if uninterested and continued his attack with his sword. Yin Ci also pressed on. They seemed intent on revealing the true form of their foe.

As they expected, the entity found their actions intriguing and didn’t immediately flee.

In Yin Ci’s vision, the giant hands transformed back into a mass of flesh. Dark red tendrils covered it, and it morphed once again. Like a fetus in the womb, it curled up, gradually taking the shape of a human.

The figure was tall and dressed in white. He stood with his back to Yin Ci, looking at Shi Jingzhi with a faint smile. Shi Jingzhi immediately stepped back—the entity had initially appeared emotionless, but now its human-like expression sent chills down his spine.

Golden flames rose higher around Shi Jingzhi, but the entity didn’t engage in conversation. After observing Shi Jingzhi for a while, it turned to face Yin Ci.

Yin Ci shuddered uncontrollably.

Even though he knew the flesh could control puppets, seeing that familiar yet strange face left him both shocked and bewildered.

“General Yin, it’s been three hundred years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

The entity’s voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of vivacity.

“Little brother, long time no see.”

…Such a casual greeting.

Yin Ci stood frozen, his face pale as ice, feeling as if his blood was freezing.

Just by appearance, what was in front of him looked no different from Sun Wang; even the tone of speech and small movements were exactly the same. However, Sun Wang’s eyes always carried a joyful look, while the eyes of this thing seemed to be covered in a layer of mist, empty inside.

Something had completely changed.

This used to be the head of the Sun Clan, who would pick beautiful stones from bloody battlefields as gifts for his beloved wife. He was also the General Sun who, despite facing immense pressure, painstakingly learned to write and tearfully documented the truth.

Standing before him now might just be the second half of his life as a warrior, the long-celebrated “Marquis of Lie’an”.

Indeed, Sun Wang had documented this. However, the clue was so subtle that neither he nor Shi Jingzhi noticed it.

Before offering the sacrifice to the heavens, He Cheng’an entrusted some “super tonic” to Lady Sun.

At that time, Sun Wang was in extremely poor condition, locking himself in his room to weep and write, looking extremely frail. Sun Wang and He Cheng’an had a sworn brotherhood, and Lady Sun, worried about her husband, suspected nothing—

She might have personally prepared and fed that tonic, which was the Shirou, to her husband.

After that, Sun Wang’s records abruptly ended. The world no longer had the agonized General Sun, but only a great loyal official who was “devoted to Great Yun”.

How would Lady Sun feel when she recalled that day?

“Sun Wang” didn’t go back to his hometown with her. Instead, he held great power, with the Sun Clan shining brilliantly, and all his descendants becoming accomplished. Yet amidst this prosperity, Lady Sun packed away her cherished half-lifetime collection of small stones, along with Sun Wang’s records, sealing them into an idol.

Facing that rough idol, what was she praying for?

In Yin Ci’s memory, Lady Sun was always a contented person with a smile on her face. After that incident, would she still smile like that?

Three hundred years had passed, and her body had turned to bones. Yet, her beloved stood here, his hands stained with invisible blood, casually saying to him, “Long time no see.”

…How was this different from mocking the corpse of his friend? At the end of this Hundred-Year Project, would Shi Jingzhi also end up like this?

Thinking of this, Yin Ci was filled with rage but managed to suppress his emotions.

Seeing Yin Ci’s fluctuating facial expressions, the creature continued to smile and said, “I wondered why this generation’s Child of Desire has so many tricks. Turns out you’ve been interfering. Truly fitting for General Yin, who even managed to break out from the Northwest Prohibition… After all this time, no one noticed. Humans really are unreliable.”

“But you alone managed to investigate the Children of Desire to this extent. Truly, as they say, ‘A man changes in just three days; one should look at him with fresh eyes*’.”

*Farewell for three days, look back with admiration (士别三日，刮目相待) Idiom referring to if you haven’t seen each other for a long time, they have made progress in such that you can no longer look at them with old eyes.

The creature spoke as if making small talk, showing no concern about Yin Ci’s escape.

Yin Ci slowly adjusted his breathing, staring intently at those dark greenish eyes. “Where is He Cheng’an?”

“Brother He?” The creature raised an eyebrow and laughed loudly. “Brother He is far away in Luojiu, very safe.”

“I see. If it’s convenient, please arrange a meeting.” Yin Ci’s spirit wasn’t dampened; he casually said, “Three hundred years have passed, and I have a lot of questions for him.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Brother He has long gone underground, nourishing a new Hanging Tree with his body.”

Yin Ci gritted his teeth.

He was tricked. What so-called Saint? What Hundred-Year Project? He Cheng’an had probably consumed the Shirou by the time he found Xu Li and helped him become emperor.

All previous affections were just illusions from He Cheng’an’s past life.

“It’s interesting. The Child of Desire is right here, yet you don’t seem to care.” Yin Ci smiled coldly. “After consuming the Shirou and becoming a puppet of that demon tree… the Hanging Tree doesn’t sound too tempting. As far as I know, a Child of Desire would rather die than accept the Shirou.”

“That Yan Budu is inherently dark and suspicious, always thinking of ridiculous things. He pretended to agree to take the Shirou but killed the messenger I sent. That messenger’s eyeball is now embedded in your eye socket.”

The creature replied nonchalantly.

“Now with me personally taking care of things, the Child of Desire doesn’t need to have any misunderstandings. You should stop with your puppet talk.”

Then, it gracefully turned and reached out to Shi Jingzhi, who was a few steps away.

“In one’s life, one simply seeks satisfaction and ease. Immortality can become boring over time. If you eat the Shirou, you can freely roam the beautiful landscapes. When you’re tired of living, just find a scenic place and bury yourself. But before you get bored, the Hanging Tree will keep you safe from illness and injury, controlling winds and summoning rain. Even if you want to be an emperor for hundreds of years, you can.”

Shi Jingzhi held his breath, neither moving forward nor retreating.

“What he told you, mostly, is the nonsense that ‘the Hanging Tree will seize your mind’. You’ve almost died twice, so you probably have some insights. It doesn’t even have consciousness; how can it manipulate minds? …Do you think my actions and demeanor can be imitated by a tree?”

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes flickered, seemingly swayed.

Yin Ci, infuriated, denounced immediately, “It’s all nonsense! I—”

“‘The Sun Wang I know would never do such a thing.’ General Yin, you’ve lived for three hundred years, and you’re still so stubborn—people’s hearts change easily. After I consumed the ‘Shirou’, my perspective broadened considerably.”

The creature gleefully interrupted Yin Ci.

“This concerns the life of a Child of Desire, so I must be honest with everyone—Shi Jingzhi, the price you’ll pay is merely being influenced by the ‘Shirou’ and feeling an exceptional affection and closeness towards the Hanging Tree.”

Shi Jingzhi pursed his lips and remained silent, seeming even more hesitant. However, hearing this, Yin Ci oddly became calm.

“Do you still remember Cuicui?”

“What does it matter if I remember?” The creature retorted. “Mortal women are insignificant. Brother Shi has no relatives or friends, so there’s less trouble.”

It stood openly, speaking calmly, seemingly confident that the two men were powerless against it. Shi Jingzhi looked torn, while Yin Ci looked grave, but his mind raced.

The current situation precisely matched their findings.

[The matter of the ‘Shirou’ has been somewhat deciphered.] Shen Zhu once sent them a long letter. [The ‘Invitation to God Formation’ summons the malevolent root of the demon tree, which can instantly drain a person. The technique connected to the demon tree is inspired by the ‘Shirou’. However, the ‘Shirou’ is not a genuine divine object. It doesn’t grant superhuman abilities, and its effects are not complex.]

[Firstly, it connects a person to the demon tree, sharing life and death.]

Saying “sharing life and death” was more like the Hanging Tree solely nourishing the person who consumed the ‘Shirou’, granting them immortality.

[Secondly, fine roots grow throughout the person’s body, controlling their mind. The exact effects are unknown.]

Based on the creature’s words, the effect seems to be “exceptional affection and closeness” to the demon tree. When it mentioned Cuicui, there was no emotion on its face, which indicated the effects were extraordinary—resembling that of the Crab Slave*.

*Sacculina, a genus of barnacles that is a parasitic castrator of crabs. They stick to the host’s organs, which gives it the group name of Rhizocephala, meaning “root-head”. Often times they extend these roots into the host’s brain and central nervous system, which scientists hypothesize helps explain how the parasite can manipulate the host’s behavior.

With thousands of roots running through him, Sun Wang probably regarded the demon tree as a cherished son, doing everything to protect it.

Perhaps Sun Wang was still “alive”, but was he still “Sun Wang”?

[Thirdly, its seeds are embedded in the human body, carried to distant places.]

There were countless plants that used animals to spread their seeds, so the Hanging Tree wasn’t special. Although the creature said, “Die when you get tired of living”, the reality was uncertain—like parasite blackworms leading mantises to streams and cordyceps making larvae burrow into the ground, it appeared at first glance to be a ‘voluntary choice’.”

However, this hid excellent news.

Even those “immortals” who can cooperate with the Hanging Tree, as they expected, have limited knowledge. Even if Yin Ci, connected by a flesh root, was running everywhere, it couldn’t get close, unable to detect anything.

Very good.

“Brother Shi, come with me. No need for further complications.”

Unaware of Yin Ci’s thoughts, the creature laughed even more brightly.

“General Yin is merely dissatisfied and wants to vent through you… You’re my descendant and have the bloodline of Xu Li; how can he not hold resentment towards you?”

“You are just being used by him.”

Shi Jingzhi was taken aback for a moment; the color of wavering on his face was extremely evident. He struggled for a while, and his initial momentum had already diminished significantly. In the end, he spoke with relative respect. “Burying General Yin under the Great Prohibition is somewhat…”

“The Great Prohibition of the Northwest is based on him. For three hundred years, it has protected against wind and desertification, defended against external disasters, and ensured the peace and prosperity of the local people. General Yin claimed to be willing to fight for the people and die for Great Yun. All we did was let him get what he desired; where is the wrongdoing in that?”

That thing looked on with a calm and undisturbed gaze, as if discussing something that was a matter of course.

“Moreover, this has nothing to do with you. A Child of Desire has a limited number of lives. For now, I can still ensure you won’t die. When your time comes, even I won’t be able to do anything… You’re a smart person. You know how to choose.”

Shi Jingzhi glanced at Yin Ci, still hesitant in his eyes. Seeing Yin Ci’s gaze turn cold, he hesitated for a long time, but didn’t make any definite statement. “The two of you were old acquaintances, both seemingly immortal, yet holding different opinions. I… I need to go back and think about this.”

After speaking, there was a slight twist on Shi Jingzhi’s handsome face.

“I was previously rude to you, the Marquis of Lie’an. I apologize first.”

The entity showed no signs of displeasure, but rather seemed magnanimous. “Being cautious is good. I won’t rush you. If you were fickle, this Shirou wouldn’t be yours to take. If it weren’t for the suspicious actions of Yan Budu and my old friend interfering, I wouldn’t want to complicate things.”

Shi Jingzhi glanced at Yin Ci again, finally bowing his head against that piercing gaze, and said, “Farewell, Immortal.”

With that, he waved his hand, sending a dazzling flame towards that finger. Instantly, a patch of grass turned into a charred heap, billowing with smoke.

Seeing this, the entity looked at the visibly angry Yin Ci with a smirk.

“General Yin, I hope you remember the greater good and stay true to your word.”

With that, it turned into a liquid form, slowly vanishing into thin air. Aside from the scorched ground, the place remained as clear and bright as before, with only a gentle breeze blowing.

After a short while, the two still stood silently in the grass.

“Is he gone?” Shi Jingzhi cautiously asked.

“…He’s gone.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Jingzhi quickly moved to the scorched ground, rolled up his sleeves, and dug out the finger—it was already light, and the heat wave just blew it away from its original position, obscured by the smoky ash, appearing as if consumed by the golden flame.

The principle was simple but sweat still formed on Shi Jingzhi’s back. The entity’s oppressive aura was strong, making it difficult for him to precisely control the golden flame without showing signs of panic.

Ensuring the finger was intact, Shi Jingzhi finally sighed in relief. He joyfully held it and flaunted it to Yin Ci. “Zizhu, did I perform well?”

“Very well, I couldn’t find any flaws.” Yin Ci gently patted the ash off him, smiling with some difficulty.

Regardless of the unexpected appearance of the “acquaintance”, Yin Ci’s heart was heavy. Even if they had agreed to act, Shi Jingzhi might still be influenced by that creature’s words. The intensity of his desire was overwhelming, akin to a suffocating person longing for air. It wasn’t something that could simply be resisted by willpower.

Shi Jingzhi’s face was relaxed, perhaps not wanting to burden him further.

“Jingzhi, if you’re truly wavering, you can discuss it with me at any time.”

“Wavering?”

Shi Jingzhi’s action of stroking the severed finger paused.

He approached Yin Ci, leaned slightly forward, and gently removed the jade eye. As the foreign object was taken out, Yin Ci’s eye opened again; its beautiful iris restored to its original state.

“Zizhu, you’re still too indifferent—one side requires loyalty to the Hanging Tree, working for it. Considering the busy times, it just means a little more time to live. On the other side is being with the one you love, free and easy for a lifetime. Between the two, is there really a need to waver? I’m the greediest of the Children of Desire. How could I choose?”

“I want both the time and you. Let’s proceed with the plan. I’m very clear-headed now.”

Far away.

Su Si mounted a black horse, with Lord Bai tied up in his arms. “Hey, I’m leaving.”

Shen Zhu glanced at him. Without saying anything, Su Si read the words “Hurry up and leave” from her face.

“I mean, we do share some sort of camaraderie as fellow servants. I’m going to do something important; you should at least say a few words.”

Su Si clicked his tongue, looking somewhat aggrieved.

“Haa, only San Zi is easy to talk to. Let’s go, Sixty-Seven Taels. Let’s return to Chigou.”

With that, he tugged the reins and rode off on the black horse named “Sixty-Seven Taels”, soon disappearing into the distance.

Shen Zhu rolled her eyes, weighing the two glazed jars in her hands. One contained the Shirou, and the other had sliced fruit pieces. She placed them in a thick bundle of papers. Once everything was ready, Shen Zhu finally cracked a stiff smile.

“Doing something ‘important’?”

She caressed the packed cloth bag as if touching a lover’s skin.

“I’ve waited for this moment for over twenty years.”

---

The author has something to say:

The Crab Slave is a fascinating R18G (?) parasitic creature, wholeheartedly recommended to everyone! (…

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 144: The Immortal

The stone chamber was empty.

Qu Duanyun wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or worried. He was pleased that a century-long endeavor could result in such a spectacular outcome. However, he was concerned due to the odd circumstances, which were far from his previous understanding. Back then, he assumed that immortals lived above the clouds, dressed in flowing robes, often seen in silhouette but not in person. The recent explanation of the Shirou from the Grandmaster left him feeling lost and overwhelmed.

According to the Grandmaster on the flesh idol, the True Immortal should be the last person to have consumed the “Shirou”.

He or she only provided intelligence for the Hanging Tree, having lost all humanity. Once Shi Jingzhi consumed the Shirou and became the new True Immortal, this individual would leave to a foreign land and bury themselves in the soil.

In other words, if the “Immortal” was about to leave Great Yun, why choose this time to meet?

Although these thoughts whirled in his mind, Qu Duanyun obediently knelt beside Jiang Youyue and bowed towards the empty space.

After the bow, the stone chamber began to shake. Invisible fine roots emerged from the crevices of the rocks. They intertwined and oozed dark red flesh, slowly forming a human figure. At first glance, it seemed like a person being formed from the void, growing organs and flesh, followed by skin. The sight was deeply unsettling.

Once the flesh was formed, countless delicate roots turned milky white, wrapping around the figure like a cocoon of silk. Shortly after, a simple white robe materialized, with its hem dragging on the ground without gathering any dust.

Upon closer inspection, Qu Duanyun found the milky white substance eerily familiar, much like the manifesting threads of the “Three Thousand Threads of Worries”.

Just like that, a man materialized out of thin air in the underground chamber.

Unexpectedly for Qu Duanyun, the man wasn’t an “ethereal-looking old man”. Instead, he was tall and muscular with deep-set features—undoubtedly handsome. However, his eyes, hidden in shadows, glowed a bright luminescent green. Just by looking into those eyes, one would be reminded of a wild beast in the night.

With a stern expression and undeniable determination, the man felt strangely familiar. Yet, his gaze was so intense that, despite Qu Duanyun’s vast experience, it caught him off guard.

Much like a tiger observing a bug, there was no malice or curiosity in those green eyes, just an overwhelming presence that made it hard for one to raise their head.

Although Qu Duanyun was semi-informed and had prepared internally, the innate fear within him bubbled up uncontrollably.

Was this the True Immortal?

Upon his arrival, the True Immortal stood silently without even the slightest movement or sign of breathing. If one were to ignore the daunting aura, he genuinely resembled a tree.

“This is the second-generation True Immortal of our Great Yun,” Jiang Youyue whispered. “You might have heard of this shell. It belongs to one of the founding heroes—Sun Wang, the Marquis of Lie’an.”

“The body it chose is simple, making it a top-quality vessel. It’s been around for about three hundred years, and its abilities are well understood. If Yan Budu hadn’t given up the Shirou, he would have already left this place to ‘seed’.”

Jiang Youyue remained kneeling, his head lowered. His voice was soft but loud enough for the True Immortal to hear. Yet, the immortal just watched, unmoving.

Suddenly, Qu Duanyun felt that this being wrapped in human skin wasn’t “not understanding”, but rather, “indifferent”.

It only required their respect and submission. Given the vastness of the Hanging Tree, it probably didn’t care about these “insignificant beings” at its roots.

Jiang Youyue continued, “The reason I brought you here is for the Hanging Tree to mark you beforehand. Even if you’re severely injured, you won’t exhibit… the ‘broken horse’ symptoms that Taiheng mentioned.”

Like his master, Qu Duanyun kept his head lowered. “Thank you, Master.”

Jiang Youyue, with the utmost respect, bowed again to the True Immortal, who finally turned to Qu Duanyun.

Countless snow-like, thin roots crawled over his skin, their faint green glow puncturing his body with countless tiny blood spots. The blood spots quickly scabbed over, and Qu Duanyun felt a weight lifting from him, a sensation of profound relief.

This feeling was extremely peculiar, like being trapped in a damp tomb for a lifetime and suddenly being released into an endless open space, feeling a refreshing cool breeze.

Before Qu Duanyun could fully process the sensation, the True Immortal, wrapped in Sun Wang’s shell, resumed his original posture, looking much like an exquisite statue. His green eyes fixed on Jiang Youyue, unblinking.

Jiang Youyue, still kneeling, stood upright. He took out a fine silk scroll from his chest and was about to unroll it when the True Immortal’s expression changed for the first time. For a split second, he appeared more human.

“The Child of Desire is in danger. I will be back shortly.”

His voice was clear and pleasant, very human-like, but with an extremely detached tone.

Subsequently, he instantly turned into a lump of flesh right where he was and quickly vanished into thin air.

The oppressive aura in the air abruptly dissipated, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Qu Duanyun didn’t have time to feel the changes in his body; he hastily wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.

“…The second generation True Immortal? Wasn’t Sun Wang from the founding period?”

“Who do you think led the way to conquer this world?” Jiang Youyue sighed. “The Saint specifically chose Xu Le to gradually establish the territory of Great Yun. At that time, the nation’s power was weak, and Xu Le’s abilities were limited. The True Immortal was a civil official, so they couldn’t get involved in warfare… Just as the Shirou matured, the Saint gifted it to Sun Wang.”

When it came to worldly matters, Qu Duanyun got it immediately.

After the True Immortal He Cheng’an gifted the Shirou, he disappeared under the guise of “offering sacrifices to the heavens” and went abroad to “sow seeds”. Xu Le passed away, and the Imperial Preceptor died. Compared to the young prince, Sun Wang had a greater reputation, making him an excellent choice.

As it turned out, the Saint wasn’t mistaken—after Sun Wang became the True Immortal, he served as a loyal regent and later went on to war, becoming a famous minister of his generation. He laid a solid foundation for Great Yun and continued He Cheng’an’s plan, “sowing seeds” in the royal bloodline.

Three hundred years passed. Great Yun’s foundation was robust, and the heirs were all raised well. It was time for the Hanging Tree to find a better puppet.

Just now, that True Immortal said, “The Child of Desire is in danger”, and then disappeared immediately. Could it be…

Qu Duanyun gasped sharply.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Youyue’s face. “As you thought. Duanyun, is there anything else you want to ask?”

“No more.”

Qu Duanyun swallowed, saying it with lingering fear in his heart.

No wonder his master didn’t care about Shi Jingzhi’s life at that time; the destiny he once looked down upon was even more terrifying than he imagined.

At this moment, Shi Jingzhi was lying on the edge of the town.

There was no one around, and he painfully curled up. His clothes were stained with blood, and a deep wound marked his throat—

The members of the Changle Sect slashed his throat first, followed by Su Si cutting his windpipe. The current cut was precisely at the old wound. With three injuries combined, the wound appeared even deeper and longer.

Blood was everywhere, staining the green grass and dried stems. In his dying agony, Shi Jingzhi’s fingers dug into the soil, trembling.

Unlike last time, Yin Ci didn’t immediately appear to treat the wound. Only a gentle breeze circulated, making a soft whistling sound.

Dozens of steps away, Yin Ci had completely hidden his presence, hiding in the bushes. The scent of blood in the wind grew stronger. He held the disaster warding talisman tightly, staring unblinkingly at Shi Jingzhi. Unconsciously, his fingernails pierced his palm, staining the talisman bright red.

Shi Jingzhi was dying; there was no doubt about it.

Yin Ci had seen too many people die in front of him, taking their last breaths. He had to muster all his cruelty to resist the urge to use the disaster warding talisman.

However, no matter how dire the situation, no matter how much Yin Ci felt for him, he couldn’t look away for a moment. At this moment, what he held was not a talisman but the life of his beloved.

[Zizhu, when the time comes, you must restrain yourself.] Shi Jingzhi had repeatedly warned. [The demon tree is also a demon of this world. The True Immortal won’t wait for me to die before coming. If necessary, activate the disaster warding talisman when I take my last breath; it should still be on time.]

Life was precious to a Children of Desire, and even though Shi Jingzhi spoke calmly, he was trembling. Despite this, he insisted on speaking.

[My life is in your hands, General.]

Yin Ci had fought on countless battlefields and traveled the world for over a hundred years. The cycles of life and death were but fleeting moments to him. However, right now, he felt like he was seeing an injured person for the first time, and the sweat soaked through his inner garments.

In the distance, Shi Jingzhi twitched a couple of times, with barely any movement in his chest. Yin Ci clenched his teeth, about to activate the mechanism on the disaster warding talisman—

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

It felt as if the world suddenly stood still, with the clouds frozen and even the leaves no longer trembling, exuding a sense of absurd stagnation. The quietness seemed to be the calm before a storm. Yin Ci abruptly stopped his actions, taking out the jade eye. Without any hesitation, he embedded it into his eye socket.

Connected to the underground demon tree, although he didn’t possess inner force, he had an inexhaustible supply of vital qi. Indeed, the jade eye, once filled with this vital qi, became active again. Within Yin Ci’s vision, bare branches filled the sky once more. The culprit that disrupted the atmosphere also revealed itself—

A lump of flesh appeared above Shi Jingzhi, hovering in mid-air, moving slightly, and vaguely taking human form. Just when Yin Ci thought it would take shape, it twisted instantaneously, transforming into two extremely thin giant hands.

The pair of giant hands flicked at their fingers, and the emerald green vital qi gathered into a distinct thread. One of the hands held Shi Jingzhi in place while the other stitched up the wound on Shi Jingzhi’s neck. The skinny fingers moved like spider legs, stitching skillfully and eerily, one stitch after another.

With the dance of the qi threads, the wound closed at an unnatural speed. Though the deep scar remained, the gushing blood ceased in an instant. Without this jade eye, others might find it mysteriously halted from bleeding.

Shi Jingzhi had long been unconscious, hanging by a thread.

The giant hands continued their meticulous sewing, as if mending a delicate doll.

A wave of nausea surged in Yin Ci’s stomach. He covered his mouth with one hand, barely containing his breath.

Their speculation was indeed correct.

Past Children of Desire either committed suicide or died in madness, all deemed subpar products. However, Shi Jingzhi remained mentally stable, still wanting to live even on the brink of death… Such a “high-quality” individual wouldn’t break so easily.

The lineage of the Imperial Preceptor likely already knew of this—knowing that Shi Jingzhi had the protection of an “Immortal”.

…Perfect.

Yin Ci took a deep breath, activating the disaster warding talisman.

Since you’ve come, don’t think about leaving so easily.

Having been treated by the “Immortal”, Shi Jingzhi’s injuries weren’t that severe. Once the talisman took effect, the remaining pain vanished in an instant. He swiftly awakened from unconsciousness, opening his eyes.

Without the jade eye, he couldn’t see the giant hands and the needle. Fortunately, the unexpected event didn’t hide its presence.

Lying in a pool of blood, Shi Jingzhi gazed up at the clear sky, smiling faintly.

“Nice to meet you.”

The next moment, the Hanging Shadow Sword emerged, and golden fire shot to the sky.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 143: Plan

Yin Ci opened his eyes to a bright scene outside the window. The town was empty, but the birdsong remained melodiously sweet.

Even in such a small town, the temple of the Imperial Celestial was splendidly magnificent. Yin Ci had dismantled the clay idol on the altar. The remaining platform, padded with a few quilts, was just right for use as a bed. The sunlight shining on the red silk fabrics inside the temple warmed the heart at a glance.

The thick red candles had burned down cleanly, with wax tears dripping down the table’s edge. In the dawn light, they gave off a semi-translucent haze that was truly beautiful. The cup used for the ceremonial exchange of drinks lay tipped over to one side, the residual wine emitting a faint fragrance.

If one ignored the temple’s scent of incense, it truly resembled a bridal chamber. Away from the hustle and bustle of the world, even amidst the chaos, there was a certain leisurely charm.

The hastily sewn wedding garments lay crumpled on the ground, while the inner garment hung nearby, swaying gently in the warm breeze. Yin Ci reached out to grab it but felt a strong restraint from his waist—Shi Jingzhi seemed to have completely forgotten about waking up at the hour of yin and held Yin Ci tightly, sleeping soundly.

Both were without their undergarments, so the sensation of skin touching skin was incredibly distinct. Shi Jingzhi’s body temperature was slightly higher. Yin Ci felt as though he were leaning against a large hot water bottle; it was comfortably warm and dizzyingly intimate.

Yin Ci didn’t force himself to reach for the clothing, but with some difficulty, he turned around. He then hugged Shi Jingzhi’s shoulders, pulling him closer to his chest.

Wrapped in a familiar scent, Shi Jingzhi’s face relaxed even more in sleep.

After a night of passion, they had explosively released pent-up emotions. However, if it weren’t for the injury on Shi Jingzhi, he might not even have closed his eyes—insatiable in desire, always wanting more. Even expecting this, Yin Ci was still taken aback.

Originally, Yin Ci thought that because Shi Jingzhi was injured and physically weak, he shouldn’t be too assertive and would need to treat him gently and take the initiative to guide. Who would have thought that Shi Jingzhi was exceptionally perceptive and intuitive, channeling all his unrestrained energy into action. Startled, Yin Ci occasionally glanced at the wound and, when necessary, licked it with his tongue, fearing that Shi Jingzhi might get too carried away and forget about the fresh injury on his throat.

Their mutual desires surged like a flood breaking through a dam or a sudden storm. Fortunately, even in Shi Jingzhi’s fervor, a sense of rationality remained, and Yin Ci didn’t suffer any setbacks. Both the master and disciple were trained in martial arts, making them evenly matched in bed. By the latter part of the night, both of their minds had nearly melted from the intense passion and satisfaction, with little memory of the rest.

It was a true wedding night in every sense.

Yin Ci, who had lived a life of asceticism for over a century, could not compete with worldly desires when deep feelings arose. These bottomless desires were like a vast abyss that was hard to fathom, yet intriguing and captivating.

With that thought, Demonic Lord Yin lay down confidently—he hoped to wake up a bit earlier to see Shi Jingzhi’s sleeping face.

With the pain from his injury and the horrifying vision of the demonic tree, Shi Jingzhi hadn’t slept soundly in a while. Now, his head was buried in Yin Ci’s chest, and his breath was shallow and drawn-out. Yin Ci’s fingers brushed over the red marks left from the previous night. The warmth of soft hair tickling his fingers was soothing.

He moved very gently, but unfortunately, a soft rumbling sound emanated from someone’s stomach, followed by eyes fluttering open.

Waking up, Shi Jingzhi was disoriented. He groggily looked up at Yin Ci. “Zizhu, I had a wonderful dream, where we became…”

He was halfway through his sentence when he clearly saw that Yin Ci wasn’t wearing his inner garments. Sect Master Shi was stunned as if struck by lightning and froze on the spot for quite some time. One hand moved from Yin Ci’s earlobe to his chest.

The other’s skin was warm, and the heartbeat was steady and strong, clearly indicating that this wasn’t a dream.

Seeing Yin Ci’s teasing eyes, Shi Jingzhi quickly withdrew his hand as if he had touched a soldering iron, his face turning red. In the sunlit temple, Sect Master Shi’s face almost matched the color of the red candles.

Unable to hold back, Yin Ci laughed. “Your shyness seems to fluctuate. Don’t be shy to touch. It’s not like I will break.”

He then casually got up and put on his inner garment.

“Let’s get up. We need to go back to the inn. I’ll prepare some food later, and you boil the water. We sweated a lot last night; a good bath is in order.”

Shi Jingzhi remained seated on the altar for a while.

The moment paired with the scene made them seem like a normal couple in love, without the worries of demons or conspiracies. Everything he had sought in life seemed within reach.

“I understand.”

Blinded by the dawn, Shi Jingzhi instinctively reached out towards the light. But halfway through, he shifted direction and touched the scar on his neck, exhaling a deep sigh.

“…No porridge for breakfast. There’s a stream behind the temple. I’ll catch a few fish.”

However, the powerful allure of that spring night was overwhelming. Even though the steamed fish was deliciously sweet, and the egg custard was silky smooth, Sect Master Shi still couldn’t taste anything. If not for Yin Ci’s timely intervention, this man might have almost stuck his chopsticks up his nose.

By the time the two of them entered the bath, the man still looked disoriented.

“Above the word ‘desire’ there is a knife. The ancients didn’t deceive me*. Especially when the one you treasure is in front of you, it truly torments the heart,” Shi Jingzhi said as he picked up a strand of Yin Ci’s long hair, which was moistened by the warm water and shone like black jade. “If one sets one’s heart on something but cannot obtain it in the end, that is truly a living hell.”

*Clarity: He’s talking about the word (色) which means color, but in this context it means lust/desire. On top of the word (色) it has the radical (⺈) that’s similar to (刀) which means knife. Thus, what Shi Jingzhi is saying is, there’s a knife hanging over one’s desire (head), suggesting that giving in to such desires can lead to trouble. The latter half of the sentence refers to how the wisdom of the ancients (wise ones) indeed holds true, referring to the former half of the sentence.

This person was still young and vigorous. Yin Ci couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ll never step into that ‘living hell’ in this lifetime. Just be at ease.”

Shi Jingzhi’s earlobes turned slightly red, and he half-submerged his face in the water, blowing out a stream of thoughtful bubbles.

After a while, Shi Jingzhi, with a serious expression, was about to speak. Unexpectedly, a sparrow suddenly descended from the sky, scratching the top of his head causing him to hiss. “This is a sparrow demon raised by the Yueshui Pavilion. Can’t it read the mood?”

The sparrow innocently hopped around twice and then perched on the rim of the tub, tilting its head to look at him.

Before meeting his lover, Sect Master Shi wasn’t eloquent. Just as he finally mustered up some thoughts, they were disrupted by this little feathery ball. He unhappily opened a delicate handkerchief and began to read a message from Shen Zhu. The more he read, the higher his eyebrows rose.

“Zizhu, about the matter we discussed yesterday, we can now discuss it in detail. Since both require action, let me speak first.”

Shi Jingzhi gathered his wet hair, his eyes no longer showing confusion and shyness. Under his powerful presence, the romantic atmosphere shifted, and even the peach branches outside the window seemed to take on a solemn air.

“When you first followed me, you wanted to die, didn’t you?”

His question was so direct that Yin Ci didn’t know how to respond, so he simply nodded.

“And now? After a hundred years with me, do you still wish to continue living?”

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi with a complex gaze. This person was truly different from when they first met. He no longer acted impulsively without thinking. Instead of showing anger at Yin Ci’s affirmation, Shi Jingzhi revealed understanding.

After pondering for a moment, Yin Ci sincerely replied, “In my two hundred years, I think I’ve seen the ups and downs of the world. But now I realize I must have missed a lot… However, such scenery, I cannot see alone.”

“I don’t need immortality. Just growing old with you is enough.”

Shi Jingzhi nodded seriously. “I understand.”

“What do you think?”

“You, Zizhu, and those who ate the Shirou are the same, an ‘Immortal’. Based on that, you all are probably connected to the demon tree and can be considered the same kind.”

“Yes.”

“This is unprecedented. It’s hard to say whether, after separation, you can survive. How could I bear to use you as a test? It’s better to capture that person and see.”

Shi Jingzhi waved the handkerchief in his hand.

“To deal with that demon tree, Shen Zhu and the others have found a way.”

Yin Ci frowned slightly. “Capture that person?”

That person likely ate the Shirou and was the previous “puppet”, certainly more powerful than Yin Ci, who was an accidental product. How could they just capture him at will?

“Yes, capture him,” Shi Jingzhi said with a bloodthirsty smile. “Last time I was on the brink of death, I could clearly feel someone’s intention to rescue me—if it wasn’t you who saved me, then someone else was about to. The demon tree has no consciousness, and the people of the Immortal Assembly weren’t nearby. The only one who could intervene without detection was him.”

Yin Ci suddenly understood Shi Jingzhi’s intention—

“Zizhu, I’m their carefully cultivated ‘good puppet’. If he… that thing comes to rescue, it would make sense why the Immortal Assembly ignored me all along.”

Shi Jingzhi traced the wound on his neck, and a drop of blood seeped out, mixing with the warm water.

“This time you come to kill me, not rescue. Wait for him to intervene, and we can catch his trail… Once we catch him, we might get more information about the demon tree.”

The blood mixed with water slid down Shi Jingzhi’s collarbone, disappearing into the bath.

“Even if things go horribly wrong, we still have the disaster-warding talisman as our last resort.”

Though the idea was mad, after a moment of silence, Yin Ci slowly revealed a smile.

“It’s a good plan, but it needs some refinement… Come closer, now it’s my turn to share my thoughts.”

Yidu, the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

Qu Duanyun, dressed in new clothes, was led underground by Jiang Youyue.

“Master, if Shi Jingzhi refuses to eat the Shirou…”

“Even if we don’t mention the Children of Desire, there’s a saying among mortals: ‘drinking poison to quench thirst*.’ A Child of Desire’s nature is extremely selfish; it’s impossible for him to give up his life for external things.” Jiang Youyue spoke calmly. “Admittedly, we made mistakes in handling the Yan Budu affair and explained things too clearly. This time, we’ve left room for maneuver, and Shi Jingzhi will naturally be unable to resist the urge to live.”

*Idiom referring to seeking temporary relief regardless of the consequences.

Despite such words, Qu Duanyun always felt that something was amiss.

For someone on the brink of death, Shi Jingzhi seemed too composed. As for his disciple of unknown origin, he had yet to fully understand him. There were rumors that “Yin Ci is a descendant of the Su Clan”, but no one could provide concrete evidence.

Then there was the Great Prohibition in the Northwest… Although the prohibition was still in effect, its efficacy was gradually weakening. Jiang Youyue once said that as long as the Great Prohibition was still effective, there wouldn’t be significant leaks. Yet, all these anomalies were like tiny holes in a white wall, constantly unsettling him.

Finally, the two stopped in an empty underground stone chamber. Seeing Jiang Youyue halt, Qu Duanyun hesitated for a moment, preparing to voice his doubts.

However, before he could speak, he saw Jiang Youyue lift his robe and kneel down, even more respectfully than when facing the previous Imperial Preceptor.

“I greet the True Immortal. I’m getting old, so I’ve specially brought the younger generation to pay respects to your Esteemed One.”

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 142: Vermilion

The Kushan Sect stayed in Juyi Valley for three days.

As the Alliance Leader, Yan Qing couldn’t be isolated from the world for too long. The intention of the master and disciple was to leave him some time to calm down, but Yan Qing never panicked from start to finish. He just practiced martial arts in silence and did miscellaneous tasks with the same demeanor as always.

However, after descending the mountain, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

There were some scattered towns under Kushan. When everyone went up the mountain, it was still bustling. However, after a few days, the town was deserted, and no one was in sight. Unlike the anomaly of the abandoned Xizhuang, traces of people’s hasty evacuation filled the place. Above was the bright spring light; below were broken eggs, spilled rice, and trampled vegetable leaves. Miscellaneous objects were trampled to pieces, leaving only a pile of pitiful wooden fragments.

Near the temple in the town, there seemed to be a family preparing for a celebration, with a lively red decoration at the door. But now there wasn’t a single person on the street, and the festive atmosphere turned desolate.

Yin Ci recognized this scene. Three hundred years ago, the Yun Dynasty wasn’t yet stable. Wars were raging, bandits were everywhere, and the people were like startled birds. Whenever there were rumors of bandits coming, people would gather their food and belongings and flee to the big cities in advance.

As the leader of thousands of troops, Yin Ci had seen this situation too many times.

Kushan was to the east of Yidu, closer to Luojiu. Perhaps the border situation wasn’t good, and some desperate looters had emerged… In these three hundred years, Great Yun had been prosperous, and such a scene had never occurred.

Shi Jingzhi, quick-witted, guessed almost immediately. “Bandit troubles?”

“It might not be true,” Yin Ci sighed, “but if people are convinced, the situation isn’t much better.”

The entire town lay silent, like a piece of meat that was on the verge of rotting—shiny on the surface, but the smell of decay was evident.

“Now we don’t even need to find an inn. It’s quite convenient.”

Shi Jingzhi rubbed the wound on his throat, but his expression wasn’t as relaxed as his tone.

“It seems my Emperor Brother, after all, couldn’t hold on.”

Now he understood the ambition of this Hundred-Year Project. When He Cheng’an appeared out of nowhere and began to support Xu Ye, his intentions were intriguing. Not to mention the current royal family, even the founding emperor Xu Ye might have been just a pawn.

Now the world was about to fall into chaos, and the frontier was unstable. According to the arrangement of the Immortal Assembly, he should be the one to eat the Shirou and be used by the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage. By then, they would kill Xu Jingxing and gather people’s hearts in the name of the gods, promoting him, the talented heir to the throne… Whether for the demon tree or personal gain, everything seemed within their grasp.

No wonder he was lured out of the palace with the news of the Shirou. It seemed that before Yan Budu lost control, they wanted to observe his performance and “inspect the goods” in advance. Accidentally blaming the Kushan Sect was probably because they were worried he might gather forces and create unpredictable variables.

They seemed to think of him as a docile pig ready for slaughter.

…But if he hadn’t met Yin Ci, he might already have been roasted, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed hard, feeling a lingering fear.

Yin Ci noticed that Shi Jingzhi suddenly stopped in front of a pork stall. His face was indecipherable as he stared at the greasy hooks.

Despite his vast experience, Yin Zizhu couldn’t understand the unpredictable mind of the other. He paused for a moment and then guessed, “Hungry?”

To his surprise, Shi Jingzhi responded with a hint of subtle resentment on his face as he patted the meat stand, “Tonight, we’re having roast pig, and I’ll be the one to roast it.”

Yin Ci: “…” There was no need to say it with such gritted teeth.

That being said, such a deserted town was indeed a good place to lay low. Yin Ci pondered for a moment and turned to Yan Qing. “You go ahead and find Shi Zhongyu. Miss Shi is trustworthy. She should be able to help with the matters of the martial world. Now that you’ve just become the Alliance Leader, the situation is initially settled, and the Immortal Assembly might not risk moving against you.”

Yan Qing stood silently, obviously waiting for more.

Sure enough, Yin Ci paused and then continued, “If someone inquires, tell them that Sect Master Shi is critically ill and cannot travel far. He needs to recuperate here for some time.”

“Yes.”

In the past, Yan Qing would have asked about the Sect Master’s well-being. However, ever since he learned about the demon tree, he became more reticent, seemingly having his thoughts. Yin Ci didn’t feel any resentment, so he let him be.

The large town was left with just the two of them.

The sky was clear, and white clouds floated leisurely. Looking at Kushan in the distance, Shi Jingzhi felt a surreal sense of detachment. It felt as if, like twenty-four years ago, they had never parted and had always lived here.

A chubby sparrow flew over and pecked at Shi Jingzhi’s earlobe. He was then brought back to reality.

Yin Ci recognized the sparrow. “Shen Zhu?”

“Right, Shen Zhu and Su Si must have hidden well. I need to inform her about the demon tree matter. She has been researching the Invitation to God Formation for years; she must have made some discoveries.”

Shi Jingzhi playfully poked the soft sparrow and suddenly smiled faintly.

“Why are you smiling?”

“It’s nothing, just a sudden thought. Back then, I wanted to control matters outside the palace and searched everywhere for trustworthy people. At that time, Miss Shen pretended to be a maid to enter the palace, wanting to uncover the palace’s secrets. She initially thought that these ‘secrets’ had nothing to do with the Immortal Assembly and was greatly disappointed. But now…”

Shi Jingzhi coughed out blood, yet a smile still hung on his face.

“Zizhu, if there are enough ants, they can destroy a dam that stretches for thousands of miles, right?”

Su Si was a monster material, born from a demon tree. Yan Qing had ghost eyes and was a descendant of a Child of Desire. Without the bond between them, they might not even have discovered the source of Yuanxian Village. Moving further back, the Immortal Assembly overlooked a lonely girl. Without Shen Zhu, they wouldn’t recognize the Invitation to God Formation and wouldn’t find the Immortal Assembly.

All these coincidences were just typical human behavior.

A hundred years ago, Yan Budu committed suicide on Zongwu Mountain, using his flesh to mock the universe. Two hundred years ago, the Queen of Milan took a leap, hiding her hatred-filled discoveries in the snow. Three hundred years ago, the mercury in a coffin was stolen, giving the sleeping general a glimmer of hope.

His beloved, using bones as weapons, finally returned to the sunlight and met him in the mortal world.

Generation after generation of Imperial Preceptors, century after century, there were always oversights in the Hundred-Year Project. These seemingly insignificant “oversights” took root and led them to where they were now.

Sadly…

Shi Jingzhi coughed violently, spitting out a large amount of blood. Overwhelming vital qi flooded him, signaling the end of his lifespan.

Yin Ci held him up and stayed silent. They slowly walked through the desolate streets. When they reached an inn, Yin Ci finally spoke.

“Back on Huilian Mountain, we made a bet. I found the cause of your illness first and can make a request.”

“Mm.”

“I’ve decided what I want,” Yin Ci said. “I have a plan. We’ll discuss it tonight.”

“Why not now?”

“I have other things to do before we talk in detail.”

Entering the inn, Yin Ci settled Shi Jingzhi.

“Don’t even think about eating meat in your weakened state. I’ll make some medicinal porridge for you to warm up and eat tonight.”

Shi Jingzhi resisted. “No porridge, no! Zizhu, there’s no one here. Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry. This Disciple won’t abandon his Shizun. I’ll return tonight,” Yin Ci cheekily replied. “If you’re really scared, I can knock you out. I guarantee you’ll wake up at night.”

All of Shi Jingzhi’s spirit was gone. He eyed the porridge pot warily, wishing he could throw it away. Reluctantly, he rested.

“I know my body. I just need two hours to recover,” Shi Jingzhi said seriously. “Then I can eat and even run around the town. No porridge, no beating… If I don’t hear from you by dusk, I’ll prepare food and look for you.”

Yin Ci silently stroked Shi Jingzhi’s hair.

“Mm,” he said vaguely. “I remember. You’ll come looking for me.”

After that, he pushed Shi Jingzhi back onto the bed and, mercifully, didn’t prepare the porridge.

Shi Jingzhi lay restlessly in the empty inn. He eventually drifted off to sleep.

He awoke at sunset. The peach tree branches outside his window had turned orange by the setting sun. There was still no sign of Yin Ci. Gathering his strength, Shi Jingzhi rushed to the inn’s kitchen—

As promised, he’d prepare food to find Yin Ci.

Fortunately, there was still some pork left in the well water. Shi Jingzhi quickly roasted some meat and made some pancakes. He wanted to get some wine but noticed the best had been taken. It seemed Yin Ci had been here, perhaps wanting to drink alone given Shi Jingzhi’s condition.

Shi Jingzhi shook his head, picked up the food box, and left. Before leaving the courtyard, he hesitated, then plucked a peach blossom, placing it on the food box.

Yin Ci carried the Hanging Shadow Sword on his back. The scabbard was made of fragrant wood that he had gifted, so it was easy to trace by its scent. Shi Jingzhi followed the aroma, tracking it diligently along the path.

First, he came across a better wine shop on the opposite side. Various ingredients had been taken, but there was no sign of the stove being used.

…What could this mean?

Frowning, Shi Jingzhi continued, tracking the scent. Next, he passed some general stores, then a fabric shop. Yin Ci had stopped at these places but didn’t linger. From what he could tell, it seemed as if his senior disciple had dumped him at the inn and went out on his own.

The roasted meat in the food box was getting cold! At this time, the Master felt like crying but had no tears.

Quickening his pace, he followed the afterglow. However, when he reached the place where the aroma was strongest, he stopped in his tracks.

He stood in front of the town’s temple.

Kushan was already barren, and the town was pitifully small. Despite the sparse population, there was a statue of the Imperial Celestial, but it was merely a common clay statue. It had been thrown outside and shattered into pieces. But what was even more shocking—

The temple was adorned with red wedding lanterns. It seemed festive, celebrating something. The courtyard doors were ajar, and the scent of wine and food wafted from within. The setting sun painted the sky with fiery hues, and everywhere he looked, it was a lively red scene.

Shi Jingzhi stood still, his legs feeling numb. Regaining his senses, he rushed into the courtyard, holding the food box.

Unlike a typical wedding feast, there weren’t tables set for numerous guests. Only one table with two chairs, some fine dishes, and two jugs of good wine. This setup was right in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by red fabric and lanterns, replacing the usual incense cauldron, creating an eerie, defiant atmosphere.

“You can’t just borrow someone else’s place for such things. As for the decorations… I left some silver coins. Consider them bought,” came Yin Ci’s voice. At that moment, he was sitting atop the temple’s roof.

Holding a half-drunk jug of wine, his hair and clothes fluttered in the evening breeze. When they first met, amidst falling maple leaves and the scent of wine, the scene was red all around. Now, the despair in his eyes had turned into a lively defiance.

“You came just in time. A little later, and the food would have been cold. Here, get changed first.”

A package flew towards Shi Jingzhi. When he unwrapped it, a bright red ceremonial robe was revealed.

The robe was tailored to fit, with beautiful stitches similar to his “Medicine Cures Illness” flag. It was clearly hand-stitched by Yin Ci. Shi Jingzhi, overwhelmed with emotion, nearly dropped the robe. After a while, he finally found his voice.

“You…”

Tears welled in his eyes, and it took him a while to lighten his tone.

“You didn’t keep your word. Where’s the grand palanquin you promised?”

Yin Ci paused, then laughed heartily. “The immortals are watching now. I’ll make up for it later.”

Shi Jingzhi, holding the food box adorned with peach blossoms, responded, “I’ve only brought this little gift. It’s quite disgraceful… Since I owe you now, wait and see how grand the feast I’ll host next time will be.”

Once dressed, the clothes fit perfectly. The light fabric felt like protective armor, and Shi Jingzhi had never felt so comfortable and free. Within moments, the demon tree roots on the other side seemed like insignificant weeds, unable to distract or disturb him.

As he stepped out, he bumped into Yin Ci, also in his ceremonial attire.

Yin Ci usually wore plain or gray clothes, so Shi Jingzhi had never seen him in red.

Yin Ci had exceptionally fine features, elegant but not overly flamboyant, truly resembling a gentleman of jade. Now in red attire, his usual indifference and detachment were completely hidden, leaving only a dignified sharpness and vigorous vitality. Even though his black hair still cascaded loosely, Shi Jingzhi could envision him with his hair tied back, donning armor, fighting fiercely on the battlefield.

At this moment, Yin Ci was also observing him closely. As he looked on, his expression slightly contorted, and eventually, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Who would have thought my life would be like a bizarre tale, and in the end, I’d truly marry a fox spirit in a temple.”

“Yes, I am a great immortal destined to bring about the downfall of a nation.” Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but laugh as well, feeling no pain even from his wounds. “As for whose nation it will be, it’s still uncertain. Great General, would you be willing to join me in wreaking havoc upon the world?”

“Of course.”

“We have no heavens or ancestors to pay respects to in this setting.” Shi Jingzhi’s eyes softened. “Shall we bow to each other?”

Inside the temple, the two, resembling immortals, stepped forward to bow to each other. However, instead of bowing, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t resist and transformed the gesture into a loving kiss.

Living in this world, he had never felt so content. His disciple was truly cunning… not to mention a Child of Desire, once a mortal tasted such pleasure, how could they consider “defeat” and “death”? When he first encountered the demon tree, he thought he’d never find peace in this life. Who knew that in just a few days, he’d walk out of that hopeless darkness?

Was being with a beloved such a wondrous thing?

His overwhelming desires felt satiated and dormant, obedient to a degree that was hard to believe. Past worldly ties, the deep bond between master and disciple; after all the twists and turns, all he wanted was to live alongside “Yin Zizhu”.

After a long kiss, the two sat by the table.

The setting sun had faded, and the twilight deepened. The dishes on the table were cold-resistant. Shi Jingzhi used a mild flame to warm them, but the flavor didn’t change much. The warm glow of candles filled the courtyard. Both picked up their wine cups, took a deep breath, and almost simultaneously began to speak.

“Since you and I have already—”

“Now that we’re married—”

Considering that the other had “a plan to discuss in detail”, Shi Jingzhi hesitated. “You go first.”

“I have a plan that might save your life. Ever since discovering the secret of the flesh idol, I’ve been contemplating it.”

Yin Ci lowered his eyes and spoke calmly.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t show overt joy, only a serious, listening demeanor. The plan Yin Ci had kept hidden for so long was unlikely to be pleasant. Indeed, Yin Ci took a sip of wine first, a blush appearing on his pale skin.

After a moment’s focus, he looked solemnly at Shi Jingzhi.

“…For this plan to work, you’ll need to ‘kill’ me. Jingzhi, now that we’re married, I promise I won’t abandon you. This is my guarantee.”

As the spring breeze blew, flowers swayed in the courtyard, and the candle flames flickered. The town was silent.

Having reached this point, Yin Ci intended not to hide anything more.

Contrary to Yin Ci’s expectations, Shi Jingzhi, faced with this grim topic, showed neither despair nor anger. He just quietly looked at him, a smile gradually forming.

“Coincidentally, I was about to say the exact same thing. I also have a plan, and you’ll need to ‘kill me’.”

Shi Jingzhi poured another cup for Yin Ci, his tone playful.

“But I have to wait for a reply from Shen Zhu… Zizhu, since our thoughts align, why not discuss it after the reply? A moment in the spring night is precious and shouldn’t be wasted.”

The wind tilted the peach branches on the food box, causing the petals to gently fall.

Yin Ci’s last shred of concern faded, and his energy returned. He took his wine cup and gently pressed it to Shi Jingzhi’s lips. The lips became slightly deeper in color due to the moisture.

“You’re right.” Yin Ci moved closer; his breath mixed with a hint of wine. “Such good wine and a beautiful night aren’t for grim discussions. Husband, how about you come with me and we have another toast?”

On one side, warm wind whispered, and the aroma of wine and meat lingered. On the other, though they were alone, the atmosphere was devoid of any flirtation.

After retrieving the Shirou, Su Si didn’t immediately return to Chigou. He hid in an underground chamber, watching Shen Zhu deal with the Shirou.

Without Yan Budu’s jade eyes, the Shirou reverted to its enticing green appearance. Unfortunately, having seen its true nature and detesting the Immortal Assembly, neither had the desire to touch it.

Su Si, a man of action, had been idle for days, which almost drove him mad. But Shen Zhu remained calm, almost poking the fruit with a needle in her meticulousness. Bored, Su Si could only watch.

“Hey, hey, hey, you’re messing around so much. What are you going to do with the fire?”

Shen Zhu had been probing the Shirou for days. Initially using a lustrous mirror and jade clamps, she now had various fires ready to burn a piece of the fruit’s stem.

“It doesn’t decay and can’t be easily destroyed. It seems one must consume it to unlock its power.”

Shen Zhu mused, toasting the fruit piece over a dark flame.

“Still eating it? Haven’t you seen? It looks utterly disgusting,” Su Si grumbled while playing with a rope. “Didn’t you get the Sect Master’s letter? With that massive inverted demon tree, why bother with this thing?”

Annoyed by his nagging, Shen Zhu moved the fruit piece to another flame.

“I know you want to leave, to find your martial Alliance Leader.” Tired of his noise, she dropped her friendly demeanor. “But you’re hiding here for your safety—the Immortal Assembly might not be fooled. If you leave now, they might capture you and take the Shirou.”

She made a mock-threatening gesture, reminding him of the dangers outside.

Su Si clutched Lord Bai and fiercely stroked it. “Anyway, Sect Master Shi just wants to feign near-death in front of them. I don’t think he plans to eat it, so handing it over won’t matter much…”

“Won’t matter? I’ve looked into it thoroughly. This thing is just like the immortal wine; indeed, it shares the same origin with the bare branches.”

Shen Zhu narrowed her eyes at him.

“We can’t get the bare branches, and the immortal wine is just wine soaked with that demon, so they’re all hard to verify. But this is a genuine part of the demon tree; perhaps we can find its weakness.”

Su Si was in disbelief. “What weakness? …You want to destroy that demon tree? Have you gone mad?”

“The one who’s mad is your sect leader.”

Shen Zhu wiped her hands nonchalantly and said, “But destroying it would mean obliterating the very foundation that the Immortal Assembly cherishes. Of course, I’d be more than happy to see that.”

To Su Si’s shock, he inadvertently loosened his grip. Lord Bai managed to break free, flapping its large wings frantically. The line of flames was blown elongated by the wind, instantly igniting the papers on the table and accidentally setting Shen Zhu’s clothes on fire.

The two trusted the goose for its ability to predict auspicious and inauspicious omens. They never expected it to cause such a mess. Shen Zhu immediately grabbed the demon fruit and pressed it to her chest. “Water, now!”

Reacting swiftly, Su Si grabbed a bucket from the corner and splashed water all over Shen Zhu. The flames, which weren’t ordinary but rather poisonous, were quickly extinguished before spreading.

Shen Zhu let out a sigh of relief, releasing the Shirou with lingering fear—these flames weren’t ordinary ones; each was highly toxic. Even a slight touch resulted in several burn holes in her clothes. The Shirou was stored in a glazed container that had been enchanted with a spell, and fortunately, it was unharmed.

However, the piece that had been cut off was affected differently.

It turned a dull purplish gray, emitting a foul stench as if it was a piece of rotting flesh. After a while, it completely withered, losing its alluring aroma.

Although Su Si wasn’t as knowledgeable as the disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion and wasn’t familiar with these demonic things, one glance was enough for him to conclude—

It was dead.

---

The author has something to say:

They are married!!!

Sect Master Shi: I demand a grand palanquin! A grand one that needs eight people to lift! (gesturing)

Demonic Lord Yin: ? You’ll be sewing the wedding clothes next time.

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 141: The Hanging Tree

After hearing Shi Jingzhi’s intermittent description, filled with suppressed pain, Yin Ci remained silent for a long while.

The night wind gently blew into the carriage, making it cool and dry. The night sky was as clear as water, with a full moon hanging overhead. The two sat closely together, a moment that should have been deeply comforting.

However, they couldn’t even enjoy this fleeting tranquility.

“Don’t speak any further. The wound on your neck hasn’t healed. Be careful not to tear it.” Seeing Shi Jingzhi, with his still fresh injury, struggling to speak, Yin Ci extended two fingers to silence him by pressing his lips.

Shi Jingzhi, deeply traumatized, was physically and mentally exhausted. He half lay in the cramped carriage, clinging to Yin Ci, as if he couldn’t bear to move even a step away.

Yin Ci was all too familiar with this state. Twenty-four years had passed, and their situations seemed to have reversed entirely. Now, it was Shi Jingzhi who stood at the edge of the abyss, and Yin Ci needed to firmly anchor him.

“I’ll repeat it again. See if there are any oversights. Just blink your eyes to respond: once for ‘yes’, twice for ‘no’.”

Yin Ci allowed him to cling, not showing a hint of impatience or disdain.

“There is an ‘inverted colossal tree’ in Great Yun, which absorbs the vital qi of everything, especially from humans. To ensure an ample supply, it uses ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’ to weed out the weak and keep humans like livestock… Given the circumstances, Luojiu also possesses a ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’. It’s highly likely they have a similar ‘Demon Tree’.”

Shi Jingzhi instinctively wanted to nod, but a sharp pain from his throat stopped him. Startled, he stiffened and blinked instead.

“Where there’s abundant vital qi, monsters arise. Considering your condition and the numerous monster materials in Yuanxian village, it appears the sporadically appearing ‘monster’ and ‘monster material’ simply inherited a unique constitution and absorbed more vital qi from the demon tree.”

If the monster materials and monsters are influenced by this colossal tree, everything would make sense. Considering the returned vital qi as “feed”, they were just better adapted and extraordinarily thriving “anomalies”.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to have come to the same realization. His eyes dimmed, and he blinked weakly.

But Yin Ci laughed. It started as a small smile but grew into hearty laughter. A beautiful man laughing under the moonlight was a delightful sight. However, considering what might be lurking in the shadows, Shi Jingzhi felt chills.

Could it be that Yin Ci was overly stimulated and on the verge of going mad? Sect Master Shi nearly lunged forward to embrace him tightly in preparation.

However, Yin Ci just continued laughing for a long while, patting Shi Jingzhi’s back comfortingly.

“Shizun has always been shrewd. Why can’t he see through this now?”

Not only was he not in despair, but he also teased. Shi Jingzhi, looking lost, let go of Yin Ci, who still seemed as steady as a mountain. Gazing into those familiar eyes, some of Shi Jingzhi’s despair dissipated.

“If the ‘Demon Tree’ has sentience, it wouldn’t let someone as troublesome as me roam freely. At the very least, it could have signaled He Cheng’an to handle me. Yet, here I am, perfectly fine. There’s only one possibility—”

Yin Ci stated casually.

“It hasn’t gained consciousness.”

It felt like a cool drink on a scorching summer day, instantly relieving Shi Jingzhi’s anxiety.

Legends of monster materials and monsters existed a thousand years ago. However, the immortal wine and the Children of Desire only appeared after the founding of Great Yun. Behind this vast conspiracy, it might not be the demon tree itself that was pulling the strings.

After all, when humans kept livestock, they didn’t have them do unnecessary tasks.

If that thing had intelligence, why rely on humans to incite the Invitation to God? Or wait for someone to execute a “Hundred-Year Project”? It could simply target influential individuals, dangling the bait of “immortality” and let people eagerly tend to its “livestock”. If people’s loyalty wavered, they could be replaced.

Perhaps the “Inverted Colossal Tree” was just a colossal tree.

Like every other tree, drawing nutrients from their roots and growing branches upward. They existed in their own right but didn’t possess thoughts or emotions. Left to its own, it would just establish its “Heaven Displeasure” and steal vital qi from other beings.

This was no different from weeds in a field or rats in a granary.

With this realization, Shi Jingzhi’s restless spirit felt grounded. He rummaged through his belongings, pulling out Chen Qianfan’s notebook, and began writing quickly with charcoal.

Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s calm demeanor, even with a hint of determination, Yin Ci leaned in, planting a tender kiss on the corner of his lips.

[Why does the Immortal Assembly nurture the ‘Children of Desire’, using them as fodder? What’s the meaning behind it?] Shi Jingzhi revealed a faint smile.

“According to Yan Budu’s original words, consuming the ‘Shirou’ would lead to immortality. If becoming an immortal means eternal life, then my current state is probably due to it… and it most likely has something to do with the demon tree.”

Yin Ci pondered.

“The Children of Desire are very cunning and outsmart most. However, they’re often overly arrogant and desire more power, making them hard to control. Inside that ‘Shirou’, there might be a means to manipulate people.”

This was said with some reservation. Being forcefully controlled might be tolerable, but the real fear was if one’s heart got erased, turning one into a loyal puppet.

As for who this loyalty would serve and who it would benefit, that was hard to say.

After all, spending over a hundred years cultivating the perfect Child of Desire, the Immortal Assembly didn’t seem to be particularly careful. They even openly confronted Shi Jingzhi without any disguises. If the ‘Shirou’ only granted longevity and Shi Jingzhi just took it and left, wouldn’t their hundred-year long plan become a joke?

Thinking of this, Yan Budu might have seen through the tricks and didn’t want to consume the ‘Shirou’.

Shi Jingzhi seemed to understand Yin Ci’s thoughts. He gave a bitter smile and then wrote down a sentence.

[I share your thoughts. That demon tree happens to have two human flesh roots. If our assumptions are correct, the person who consumed the ‘Shirou’ might still be around. We need to find that person as soon as possible.]

“Okay.”

Shi Jingzhi still looked pale from his injuries, making Yin Ci want to call it a day.

Their hardships were rooted in the mortal world. Knowing that the strange demon tree lacked wisdom, they should focus on opposing the Immortal Assembly. This way, Shi Jingzhi wouldn’t be hindered by fear.

Yin Ci comforted Shi Jingzhi, suggesting he should rest. However, Shi Jingzhi’s eyes shone coldly in the darkness.

He touched the wound on his throat, then looked at Yin Ci, writing carefully in the book—

[There are no trees on Kushan. Cutting grass without removing its roots can lead to future troubles*. Once we expose ourselves, it’ll be hard to act again.]

_{*(斩草除根) Idiom referring to destroying something thoroughly or dealing with the problem completely so it doesn’t recur.}

Yin Ci chuckled. “What are you writing? You can’t accomplish everything at once. First, ruin their hundred-year long project; preserving our lives is the priority. As for the demon tree, we can deal with it later.”

Shi Jingzhi pursed his lips and gently shook his head. The wound didn’t hurt this time, so he sighed in relief.

A glint of affection and attachment appeared in Yin Ci’s eyes, and Shi Jingzhi knew their origin. Given Yin Ci’s personality, he probably just wanted him to live a peaceful life and leave the demon tree’s matter for after his death.

He would let Yin Ci deal with it.

[I’m insatiable. I want to grow old with you.]

After Shi Jingzhi finished writing, he circled the words “grow old with you” emphatically.

Yin Ci, realizing his thoughts were exposed, looked a bit stiff. After a pause, he tried to maintain a dignified demeanor. “Just now you were terrified, now you’re not? I think our current situation is good. Don’t think of impractical things…”

This time, Shi Jingzhi didn’t write. He cleared his throat, interrupting Yin Ci.

“No, I’m still scared.”

His voice was soft and hoarse but full of the Child of Desire’s distinctive madness.

“But I want to destroy both it and the Immortal Assembly and live with you without any reservations… I yearn for it immensely.”

In the temple at the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.

This was Qu Duanyun’s first time here. The temple appeared darker compared to the well-lit exteriors. Incense burned for meditation wafted strongly, having been burning for a long time. Qu Duanyun identified a scent of painkillers.

The moon was obscured, making the room even darker.

There were curtains hanging in front of the altar. Behind it, a faint silhouette of a statue could be seen. Jiang Youyue took two steps forward and forcefully pulled the curtain. The sight behind made Qu Duanyun step back.

It was horrifying.

As the Imperial Preceptor’s best disciple, Qu Duanyun knew about the function of the flesh statues. But he had never seen one like this—this statue lacked the golden outer shell to hide its form and didn’t have the compassionate look of a deity. The lower half resembled a perfect statue, but the upper half was a twisted humanoid figure.

This creature’s head was the size of a human’s, but its arms and palms were about five times longer. Its spine was unnaturally bent, as if it were forcibly stuffed into a box.

The dry, hairless head’s eyes were still blinking. Suddenly exposed to the light, it squinted, making an unclear murmuring noise.

“This Disciple pays his respects to Master.”

Towards this creature, Jiang Youyue only showed reverence. He, who was usually headstrong, now seemed utterly obedient.

“Grandmaster?!” Qu Duanyun exclaimed in shock.

Although immortal wine could prolong life, it couldn’t teach people to live forever. If this monster truly was Jiang Youyue’s master, he would already be over a hundred and sixty years old—a lifespan ordinary people couldn’t achieve.

“Come here, kneel.” Jiang Youyue calmly reminded. “Previously, you only knew about the ‘Hundred-Year Project’—knowing its purpose but not the reasons behind it. Today, let Master teach you a lesson. Listen carefully.”

Qu Duanyun saw the creature twisted beyond human recognition and braced himself to kneel before it. The monster extended a huge hand, lightly placing it on Qu Duanyun’s head. The thin and withered fingers brushed past Qu Duanyun’s ear, sending shivers down his spine.

The creature paused and then murmured in an extremely vague tone. Unlike before, Qu Duanyun understood its meaning this time.

“In ancient times, there was the Hanging Tree, growing in the shadows. When it matured, it bore sparse fruits, which people called the ‘Shirou’.”

In his mind, the murmur transformed into the voice of an old man, filled with the weight of time.

“Humans find its scent enchanting, while animals are repelled by its peculiar odor. When the ‘Shirou’ appears in the world, those predestined to find it can consume it. After consumption, one’s heart becomes dominated by the Hanging Tree, achieving immortality and being called the ‘Imperial Celestial’.”

‘This is different from what Master told me,’ Qu Duanyun thought, slightly confused. Initially, his master said that only carefully cultivated individuals could eat the ‘Shirou’ to allow the Imperial Celestial to manifest. Now, it seemed anyone could consume it—even a mere farmer who stumbled upon it.

Isn’t the fate of this fruit, then, just like any ordinary tree?

The creature, seeming to be Qu Duanyun’s grandmaster, ignored his thoughts and continued, “The Hanging Tree borrows wisdom from the True Immortal, and in return, the immortal gains strength from the Hanging Tree, becoming one. When the next ‘Shirou’ matures, the immortal will be replaced—the older one will sever ties and travel to distant lands. They will then bury themselves deep in the earth, giving birth to new Hanging Trees.”

‘It’s just like any ordinary tree,’ Qu Duanyun realized. Normal trees enticed birds with its fruits, while the Hanging Tree lured humans. In the end, both aimed to spread their seeds.

As for the difference… Ordinary birds wouldn’t lose their will upon eating the fruits.

“With the assistance of the True Immortal, we can set up formations to spread roots and eliminate external threats. We can also seek good weather and avoid calamities through the power of the Hanging Tree.”

“Unfortunately, everyone is different, with varying intelligence and power. The heart of the True Immortal belongs to the Hanging Tree, but they retain the desires from their mortal lives, making it difficult to achieve eternal accomplishments. To unify all countries under Great Yun and create a prosperous era for thousands of years, one needs a purely ambitious ruler to become the true Imperial Celestial.”

“Although the True Immortal has a limited lifespan, they can guard our Great Yun for hundreds of years. From there, we can carefully select and refine. With the power of the Hanging Tree, we can achieve the grand ambition of Great Yun… This is the ‘Hundred-Year Project’.”

As the words ended, a vision was imprinted in Qu Duanyun’s mind. He saw territories merging, and a giant Hanging Tree growing, its roots reaching the skies, overshadowing the sun, creating an indescribable sight.

Between heaven and earth, temples dotted the vast landscape, each looking as insignificant as a grain of millet. Yet, it was this very grain that shaped the world.

Qu Duanyun’s heart almost stopped. He couldn’t tell who was using whom; humans using gods or the other way around.

Jiang Youyue sighed in amusement. “You… are just like me back then. Very good. If you feared the Hanging Tree, you wouldn’t be suited for this position.”

“This Disciple was arrogant and didn’t understand the painstaking efforts of my predecessors,” Qu Duanyun replied with a complicated look, regaining his senses after a long pause.

“If I could achieve such a grand legacy, I’d gladly eat the ‘Shirou’. Unfortunately, the winners write history, and Shi Jingzhi is much stronger than me… The ‘Hundred-Year Project’ will surely be realized soon.”

Jiang Youyue nodded in approval.

“But I have one more question.”

“Ask away.”

“The Hanging Tree is strange and hard to control. Master, even with the True Immortal as a mediator, have there been any mishaps over these centuries?”

Jiang Youyue’s expression shifted upon hearing this. After a brief silence, he shook his head.

“Just a minor ‘source of trouble’ that we’ve dealt with. When you’re more familiar, I’ll tell you.”

---

The author has something to say:

Fox: ? Guess if I’ll eat?

Demonic Lord: ? Guess where the troublemaker is now?

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 140: Hanging by a Thread

Shi Jingzhi had never experienced the sensation of being “on the verge of death”.

His memories of those desperate moments were vivid, yet over the course of two decades, the bitterness of those memories had faded. This time was different. The knife that slid across his throat chilled him to the bone, followed by a burning, stabbing pain. Su Si’s strike was precise, not severing his windpipe, but the gushing blood still left Shi Jingzhi in utter shock.

It felt as if he had plunged into a frozen lake, every move requiring immense effort. All sounds seemed muffled, merging into a fuzzy cacophony. A heavy sense of fear surged, nearly consuming him.

Shi Jingzhi wished to pass out. However, his heart pounded uncontrollably while panic and terror caused tingling sensations throughout his limbs, forcing him to stay conscious. An overwhelming fear bore down on him, causing intense headaches. He could see nothing, grasp no one; his mind was filled only with suffocation and terror.

It felt like being trapped in a lightless chamber, hearing unseen instruments of torture being prepared. Such torment was too much for any ordinary person, let alone a Child of Desire.

…Was Yin Ci, buried underground for over eighty years, also in such agony?

Thinking of Yin Ci in a daze, Shi Jingzhi regained a bit of clarity. Amidst the suffocating pain, it seemed he had grasped a helping hand, settling his spirit.

But as he gradually regained lucidity, Shi Jingzhi faintly felt something else.

As his life ebbed away and his senses faded one by one, a very faint awareness emerged—

Around him, it felt like he was bound by countless unseen “fine roots”. Numerous vital qi flowed through them, continuously pouring into Shi Jingzhi’s meridians. He felt like a bizarre plant, vaguely sensing the boundaries of this odd “root system”.

When they first discovered the secrets of the flesh idol, their speculation was correct.

At the end of these “roots” were cities housing the Imperial Celestial temples. Cities like Yidu, Qizhou, and Yongsheng, densely populated metropolises, channeled particularly abundant vital qi. People knelt before the statues, praying with earnest desires. Qi, tainted with desires, was siphoned by the magic, ultimately flowing into Shi Jingzhi’s flesh and blood.

…But this was something they had already guessed.

These qi poured in ceaselessly, day and night. Not only were they enough to keep him alive, they threatened to overwhelm him. Shi Jingzhi cautiously felt this “temple root system” that spanned the entire nation, trying to decipher its mysteries.

The cold embrace of impending death clung to him, making coherent thought especially challenging. Unbeknownst to him, he lost all connection to the external world. Fighting to retain his sanity, Shi Jingzhi forced himself to delve deeper—

Despair arrived in a flash.

As if sensing Shi Jingzhi’s struggle, another force emerged from the void. It was chaotic and dim, but carried an oppressive aura, like a giant hand poised to strike, gently enclosing Shi Jingzhi within.

The force’s appearance and disappearance was but a fleeting moment. It was like a firework exploding in the dark, its transient light illuminating the shadows, or ripples in murky waters upon hitting unseen reefs.

Fortunately or unfortunately, only in that split second, Shi Jingzhi’s dwindling concentration happened to be fully focused on the “temple root system”. Thanks to this force, he inadvertently “saw” another outline.

Roots.

His “temple root system”, which spread across mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, was entirely enveloped by another set of “roots”.

These were denser, more hidden, and even more terrifying. Their growth direction was opposite to normal plants, with roots pointing towards the sky, reminiscent of the intricate roots of a millennia-old tree. Even with an inexhaustible supply of vital qi, for a time, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t locate the origin of these roots.

All he saw were countless tendrils piercing the earth, their tips emerging above ground, drawing the essence of all things. The minuscule portion that protruded above the ground consisted of the grayish-red “bare branches”.

…The same “bare branches” that were intertwined within Yin Ci’s body, granting him immortality.

These bare branches were scattered from north to south, densely piercing the sky, outnumbering the temples by thousands, if not tens of thousands. If Yan Budu’s jade eye could reveal the entire land, all its splendors would likely be obscured by these grayish-red bare branches. Only because common folks could neither see nor touch them had they lived in peace until now.

The ordeal wasn’t over. Suppressing his fear, Shi Jingzhi took another step forward.

Though his original intent was merely to probe the Immortal Assembly, with no second chance at a near-death experience, he had to see everything clearly. Gathering all his strength, almost sacrificing half his life, he recklessly continued his search.

The more he probed, the more absurd and terrifying everything became. In his daze, Shi Jingzhi felt like an insect trying to measure an elephant—this monstrous entity seemed boundless. With his head pounding and on the brink of losing consciousness, he barely managed to discern the “trunk” of this entity.

Like roots hanging upside down with the tips of the roots, this monster’s “trunk” also delved deep into the ground, its shape twisted to the extreme. As for its thickness… If the vast land of Great Yun were divided into ten parts, the thickness of this “trunk” would occupy one or two-tenths.

Below was pure darkness. His mind was nearly boiling, his body nearly fainting, truly unable to see further.

Shi Jingzhi exhausted all his strength but could only perceive a strange corner. His artificially made “shrine root system” was sparse and fragile, merely a shallow layer. In comparison, it was like the tender roots of young rice, hardly worth mentioning.

Shi Jingzhi hovered motionlessly in the darkness, seeing bare branches rising into the sky above, and below, they became increasingly thick and twisted, merging into the unimaginable gigantic entity. With only a vague sense, it suffocated him.

So, this was the case.

No wonder Yin Ci couldn’t use his inner force; his disciple wasn’t a “leak”. As soon as he merged with the roots, Yin Ci’s meridians connected with this “upside-down giant tree”. No matter how profound Yin Ci’s inner force was, no matter how he cultivated in the future, he could never circulate his inner force—how could a pinch of salt make a roaring river salty?

For some unknown reason, Yin Ci connected with the “upside-down giant tree” and obtained its vital qi; thus, he couldn’t die normally.

…So the Imperial Preceptor used Yin Ci’s body as a foundation and created flesh idol temples. They experimented generation after generation, imitating a “small root system” to extract the vital qi.

The Child of Desire of successive generations were nurtured by this small root system.

Unfortunately, the man-made imitation was extremely crude, naturally inferior to this naturally grown monstrous entity. Too much of anything was bad. With the chaotic vital qi, being infused day and night; not only did these Children of Desire not become immortal, but they also had shorter lifespans than ordinary people.

Those ambiguous and mysterious places seem to have answers now.

Why the magic in his blood was incredibly complex, unlike that of ordinary people, and showed traces of artificial modification—it was modified from this monster, naturally intricate and hard to understand.

Why Great Yun experienced the phenomenon of “Heaven’s Displeasure”—the man-made small root system was naturally crude, incapable of such intricate tasks. But with such a vast monstrous entity, even if the “useless” people were drained to death, it was probably possible to reward the robust laborers with a bit of vital qi.

[Minor illnesses or injuries in livestock could be cured immediately. But if the disease is troublesome or the root is hurt, kill and eat it quickly; otherwise, you’ll just waste the feed.]

Who could have predicted that Yan Qing’s casual remark would prove prophetic?

Indeed, something was breeding and controlling them. In a fleeting glimpse, he saw it clearly.

Thinking of this, Shi Jingzhi shuddered.

If this malevolent entity was more straightforward, could it drain a person in a short time? What was summoned by the Invitation to God Formation? …Did the Imperial Preceptors of the past already know about this “giant tree”?

Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but probe those branches again. In his heart now, they were no longer grotesque monsters but pens of judgment that controlled life and death.

Surprisingly, this time, he perceived something.

Among the countless roots, the “upside-down giant tree” had two roots that were particularly twisted, with a texture quite different from the surrounding roots. They were flesh-colored; one was close to him, undoubtedly connected to Yin Ci. The other extended into the distance, its end invisible.

Who or “what” was connected to that end?

As for the appearance of this “upside-down giant tree”, and what lay in the depths of the darkness, Shi Jingzhi no longer had the strength to sense or imagine.

He was overwhelmed by profound despair.

Previously, Shi Jingzhi thought his opponents were just the Immortal Assembly and, at worst, an elusive “immortal”. Now, he realized his opponent was too massive, too ancient, and too powerful. He hadn’t even figured out how to destroy his “small root system”, let alone face this colossal malevolent entity.

In the grand scheme of things, worldly affairs were child’s play. If Jiang Youyue had known about the “upside-down giant tree” from the start, if the Imperial Preceptors had a way to negotiate with this monstrous entity, then he was merely an ant in the universe. Even with thousands of loves and hates, he couldn’t withstand a flick from the fingers of such powerful beings.

Even if he were as persistent as the old man moving the mountains*, it would take countless generations. Now, with his limited lifespan, he couldn’t even take slow steps towards that goal.

*A well-known fable about the virtues of perseverance and willpower, emphasizing the idea that no obstacle is too large when faced with steadfast effort. You can read the story by going to the Wikipedia.

He couldn’t win.

No matter how he thought, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t find a way out.

…He couldn’t win; he couldn’t think of any solutions.

What could he do facing the current situation in front of him? If he refused the Shirou, he would undoubtedly die. This death wouldn’t be instantaneous. With the Shirou in hand, he would have to endure continuous hesitation and torment before death. If he didn’t refuse the Shirou, his resistance along the way would be nothing but a redundant joke, like drawing legs on a snake.

The most fatal thing was, Shi Jingzhi still didn’t know what would happen after eating the Shirou. Just this unknown hope alone was enough to produce thousands of excuses, igniting all his restless desires.

In his utter despair, a chilling thought pierced through Shi Jingzhi’s heart—

How easy it would be if he also didn’t have a human heart now.

At first, all he did was wholeheartedly strive for survival, thus navigating through the martial arts conference set up by the Immortal Assembly and, after much hardship, obtaining the Shirou. Such simple and interesting matters; he didn’t need to consider any darkness, nor have any doubts. The moment he swallowed the Shirou and before the unknown took place, he might even feel incredibly happy.

Yet, he couldn’t even bring himself to hate Yin Ci. Every time he thought of that man, his full-blown resentment couldn’t hold back, all transforming into bitterness and grievance.

Perhaps, going mad might be easier. Whether it was ending his life or losing his sanity, it was better than facing the torment of despair. Looking at it now, it seemed that the Children of Desire were destined to go down this path—hoping for an impossible ending, and willingly walking down the path of self-destruction.

But he still cherished a bit of warmth in his heart. He hadn’t watched the lanterns with that person, hadn’t tasted enough of the feeling of living with someone without any burdens. He didn’t want to die.

…He had nowhere to go, but he couldn’t stop either.

In this suffocating despair, Shi Jingzhi opened his eyes. His lips were chapped, his throat itched painfully, and he couldn’t speak a word. Seeing the concerned eyes of Yin Ci, before Shi Jingzhi could decide what expression to wear, tears streamed down on their own.

‘How embarrassing,’ he thought.

But he just couldn’t stop those tears. Under the other’s gentle gaze, all the despair and grievances seemed to burst forth. Unable to control his emotions, Shi Jingzhi moved abruptly, desperately hugging Yin Ci, trying to escape from the world for a moment.

Yin Ci seemed to sense his despair and didn’t rush or question him. The man just spoke softly, as if nothing mattered, even if the sky were falling.

His tortured beloved still didn’t know the absurdity hidden behind his “immortality”. Nor did he know the other side of this beautiful world, what kind of bizarre scenery it held.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed, feeling a tearing pain in his throat. He held Yin Ci even tighter and finally uttered a hoarse sentence.

“I’d give up everything, just to leave you alone.”

His tears were still not wiped away.

“How can I… be willing.”

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 139: Grief

The Shirou was taken away, and everything returned to normal. At this moment, the morning sun rose completely, birds chirped loudly, and the forest was bathed in radiant spring light.

The stench was replaced by a fresh fragrance, with only a hint of blood lingering in the wind. Shi Jingzhi collapsed weakly onto a wooden chair, his long hair and clothing soaked with the blood gushing from him. He seemed to be breathing less and less, his life hanging by a thread, creating a scene of sorrow.

The senior disciple of the Kushan Sect arrived late. Yin Ci jumped down from the treetop and quickly pressed various acupoints on Shi Jingzhi’s body, frantically trying to stop the bleeding and close the wound. The medicine box was thrown aside, its valuable contents scattered everywhere. Yin Ci poured and applied the medicines heedlessly.

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were tightly closed, his face paler than winter snow, and his breath faint like a spider’s thread floating in the wind. If it weren’t for Yin Ci desperately trying to save him, he would have been no different from a corpse.

Knowing that Yin Ci had no inner force, Shi Zhongyu rushed forward to infuse her own qi to heal the wounds. Only then did Jin Lan react, calling others to clear a space for a proper treatment.

After witnessing the strange and unsettling scene, everyone was in disarray and shock. But seeing the life-threatening situation, everyone did their part. Some provided medicine, some lent their strength, and they barely managed to save Shi Jingzhi.

Yan Qing stood amidst the chaotic crowd, silent as a wooden stake. He gazed at the blood-covered, unconscious Shi Jingzhi and deeply frowned.

Then he turned to look in the direction where Su Si had fled, still without saying a word.

In the bushes, Su Si moved as fast as he could. Upon escaping Juyi Valley, he quickly mounted a black horse and continued his escape towards the outskirts of Kushan. As he had anticipated, several presences began to converge around him, drawing closer and closer.

“They’re really impatient,” Su Si remarked, urging his horse to go faster.

He had spent all of his sixty-seven taels on this. More than five or six were spent on handy tools, and the rest was used to purchase the horse. Though it wasn’t a top-tier steed, it was young and sturdy, built for long runs.

The “Shirou” was stored in a crystal jar by Su Si, securely tied to his chest, leaving no gaps. Even though it had returned to its enticing form, its torturous fragrance could not escape.

Once outside the mountains, another reddish-brown horse awaited him. A masked woman in martial attire was atop it. “I’ve set up a diversion spell. This way!”

“Good!” Su Si’s mouth curled in a smile.

Riding the horse felt like being hit by a storm. Holding the reins tightly, Su Si’s focus gradually shifted away from the blurred scenery ahead.

He wondered about Shi Jingzhi’s condition.

Memories from a few days ago resurfaced. Every time he recalled that day, Su Si found it utterly absurd.

That day, Shi Jingzhi had specially dismissed Yan Qing and summoned him. Su Si had assumed he was being tasked with another errand and had even planned to negotiate a higher fee. However, upon hearing Shi Jingzhi’s request, Su Si wished he had an extra pair of legs to run away faster.

“Have you lost your mind?!” Su Si exclaimed.

He then turned to Yin Ci, hoping he would intervene. But Yin Ci, though showing a displeased expression, actually agreed with Shi Jingzhi.

“This method is indeed the best. After all, you come from the bloodline of the ‘Red Scorpion Feet’ of Chigou. You know how to skillfully hold back.”

Crazy, these two are insane. Su Si had been fighting in the rivers and lakes for many years, yet he had never seen such a bizarre request. He pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Hold back? The two of you want me to slit the throat of the Sect Master. If you want it to look like a real assassination, you have to consider the subsequent rescue—if the rescue goes wrong, he’s done for!”

Besides, Shi Jingzhi’s health was already compromised. A stab, even if not fatal, would only make things worse. With the ‘Shirou’ right at hand, Su Si couldn’t figure out what these two were up to.

Wouldn’t a swift death be merciful?

“I want to understand clearly.”

Shi Jingzhi’s voice was shaky, but firm.

“With things set up to this extent, even if I’m a replaceable tool, the Immortal Assembly should intervene. Su Si, leave for a few days, and remember to make some mistakes in advance. If someone hinders you, let it be. If not…”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t finish, but Su Si knew what he meant.

He was just a “small player”. If the Immortal Assembly wanted, obstructing him would be easy. But their inaction indicated only one possibility –

They had an unconventional method to ensure Shi Jingzhi “won’t die”.

Moreover, Shi Jingzhi was already suspicious of the ‘Shirou’. Taking it for himself provided Shi Jingzhi an excuse “not to consume” it. This way, he could focus on studying the ‘Shirou’ without revealing his intentions to the Immortal Assembly.

Apart from this being an insane plan, Su Si couldn’t find any other flaws. After pondering for a while, he said, “Why does it have to be me? Shen Zhu can cast spells; she’s not incapable.”

Shi Jingzhi gave a slight smile. “Because you can take over the Chigou Sect.”

Su Si’s relaxed expression vanished instantly. “When did I decide?”

“Because both of us know, Yan Qing is not one to hide. Knowing his character, how long do you think he can hide his tail once he steps into the arena?”

Shi Jingzhi stared intently into Su Si’s eyes.

“You probably understand better than anyone that life is not about licking one’s wounds. To protect friends, you need power… Now, Chigou is a piece of meat right in front of you. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve already discussed this with Protector Hua, right?”

Su Si remained silent, then chuckled after a while. “Sect Master has sharp eyes; nothing can escape your notice.”

This was the perfect opportunity. If he gave up Chigou, he would only travel with his friend as a servant. Faced with the Immortal Assembly targeting the Kushan Sect, they could only expect suppression and anxiety.

And they were just servants of the Kushan Sect, with no say in decisions.

Although Su Si seemed indecisive on the surface, he had made up his mind. He intended to delay this matter and stay with the Kushan Sect for a bit longer. Not to mention his own resentment towards the Chigou Sect; once he took over, their laid-back days would be over.

What a pity.

“So, let’s speak candidly. Sect Master Shi, what’s in it for me?”

Su Si’s aura subtly shifted, his tone no longer that of a servant, but more like the Young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect.

“Chigou has always had a decent relationship with the righteous path. If we kill and steal treasures at the last moment, it’s equivalent to slapping the faces of the righteous. Even if I don’t care about its reputation, it’s still a tool in my hands. I have to get some benefits from it.”

Shi Jingzhi laughed.

He glanced at Yin Ci next to him, his voice softening. “By taking on this task, you get two benefits. First, we won’t pursue the matter of you altering the Bone Sweeping Sword. Second…”

“As far as I know, Yan Zheng is finding ways to shirk responsibilities. You, gaining fame in front of the righteous people by killing for the ‘Shirou’, is the perfect time to take over the Ling Sect… Su Si, do you want to be the first to unify the demonic sects?”

First, they would deceive the Ling Sect disciples. Once they found out the truth, leaving wouldn’t be easy. Once Chigou took over the Ling Sect’s branches everywhere, they would undoubtedly be the rulers of the demonic sects. Then, not to mention protecting Yan Qing, even if the entire Kushan Sect sought refuge, he would be able to protect them.

Su Si bit his thumbnail, silent for a long time, then gradually displayed a bloody grin. However, he suddenly seemed to realize something, and the rising hostile aura vanished, replaced by hesitation.

If everything could be that simple, he wouldn’t be targeted by the Lord of Ignorance on Huilian Mountain. If he fully becomes the leader of the demonic sects, how could he call himself a “hero” in front of San Zi?

Seemingly seeing through his concerns, Yin Ci said calmly, “People in the demonic sect have always been disunited. If you’re not accustomed to it, you can destroy it afterwards. But the martial world can’t be purely righteous. Instead of letting villains run wild, it’s better to take control of the ‘evil path’.”

In principle, this was true. Su Si was torn. Even though Yin Ci had vast abilities, could he really become the leader of the demonic sects? Perhaps this was just empty talk.

Thus, Su Si remained silent for a moment, not continuing the conversation. He took a deep breath and abruptly changed the topic. “What did Sect Master Shi mean by ‘not pursue the matter of altering the Bone Sweeping Sword’? Even if Protector Hua doesn’t care, what does this have to do with the two of you?”

The next moment, he saw the master-disciple pair exchange glances, their faces screaming, “We’ve been waiting for you to ask that.”

……

That day, Su Si left the door floating with two new bumps on his head. The stingy fox said he wouldn’t pursue the matter but still rewarded him with two qi-filled blows. Standing beside the “Old Patriarch” of the Chigou Sect, Su Si stood upright and endured without uttering a sound.

Who would have thought that after a hundred years, he would face the sword’s master again? Recalling his past flaunting in front of Yin Ci, Su Si wished he could travel back in time and slap himself.

What a mess. The Kushan Sect was truly the number one den of thieves in the world. He should’ve taken San Zi and run!

Choosing this time to clarify the shocking news “Yin Ci is Su Zhi” was clearly an intimidation! It was intimidation!

Unfortunately, Su Si had to admit that he was truly intimidated. He had originally intended to flee if things went south, but now he had encountered an immortal debtor—

This debtor could chase him to the ends of the earth, so where could he run? Su Si smashed his own little plans and gave up.

He had to accept his fate.

However, the character of the Old Patriarch of the Chigou Sect seemed much gentler than legends suggest. As Su Si was leaving that day, Yin Ci, seeing him almost stumble, added, “Keep Yan Qing in the dark about this, or it might hurt your relationship. I’ll explain to him later… I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” Dazed by the surprising news, Su Si responded, “What’s the big deal? His acting sucks anyway; he shouldn’t know. As for our feelings… don’t worry, they won’t be hurt.”

Thinking of his friend, Su Si felt a bit relieved.

“He said he trusts me, and he will.”

…Yes.

Su Si pulled himself out of his memories, his smile growing wider. The recent events at the Kushan Sect made him more determined than ever. He felt exhilarated facing challenges head-on.

The woman beside him shot him a displeased look. Su Si laughed heartily and spurred his horse forward.

“How thrilling!”

As Su Si madly escaped, Shi Jingzhi remained unconscious. Yin Ci stayed by his side, constantly feeling his pulse.

It wasn’t a spell that trapped Shi Jingzhi—his health had been deteriorating lately. Being injured in such a state meant he was seriously wounded. Fortunately, his breathing was steady, and there were no signs of “Heaven’s Displeasure”.

Yin Ci surveyed the surroundings. Familiar faces surrounded them, and there was no sign of the Immortal Assembly. After the anomaly, the shock of the Shirou being taken was much weaker. People were still discussing the cause of the anomaly. While Shi Zhongyu was distracted by the incident, Qu Duanyun had disappeared, likely trying to contact Jiang Youyue.

Their speculation was probably correct.

Yin Ci held onto Shi Jingzhi’s cold hand and pressed it against his forehead.

He had deliberately climbed a tree when the anomaly first appeared, coming down when the Shirou was taken. Everyone’s attention was fixed, and the anomaly on him didn’t alarm them. When he descended, he had a clear view:

When Shi Jingzhi was bleeding profusely, seemingly on the brink of death, the bare branches around trembled violently. Their roots entwined in the air, forming a vague shape, seemingly reaching out to Shi Jingzhi. For some reason, Yin Ci felt a familiar sensation, a vague consciousness emerging from his heart.

That consciousness was blurry but assertive. It was as if something whispered in his ear while he was drunk.

[Save him.]

There were no words, but Yin Ci understood.

[Save him.]

This thought kept repeating.

Fortunately, Yin Ci had already intended to save him. As soon as he began to treat the wound, the surrounding branches returned to their original state. With the Shirou too far away, the jade eye became ineffective, and the branches disappeared from their view. As Shi Jingzhi’s condition improved, that vague consciousness also vanished instantly. If Yin Ci hadn’t lived for hundreds of years, he might have mistaken it for his own thoughts.

He checked everything on his own end. Now all that was left was to wait for Shi Jingzhi to wake up and see if he had made any other discoveries.

Shi Jingzhi’s eyes remained closed, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he had seen something terribly frightening. Yin Ci didn’t care about the surrounding gazes and held Shi Jingzhi’s hand tightly.

“Wake up,” Yin Ci whispered softly. “We had plans that we haven’t carried out yet. Do you want to back out?”

But a serious injury was still a serious injury. Unlike Yin Ci, Shi Jingzhi didn’t have the terrifying ability to heal instantly, so he couldn’t wake up right away. Yin Ci made some fish soup and crushed some juice for him, straining away the residues, and then fed it to him mouth-to-mouth.

Shi Jingzhi was in a coma for four days.

During his coma, most people came to the conclusion that the visions they had seen were illusions created by Su Si. Though many still had doubts, they couldn’t make sense of it all in this wild, remote place.

It was around this time that rumors spread about Su Si’s connections with the Chigou Sect. The sad reputation of the Kushan Sect intensified, and the unconscious sect leader seemed even more pitiful.

Nobody expected the intense conflict to end in such a bleak way.

“The demonic sect is just that, a demonic sect. We shouldn’t have underestimated them.”

“What a pity about Sect Master Shi…”

“You all should leave,” Yan Qing said with a tired face, giving a formal bow and forcing a smile. “The Sect Master is stable now and can be moved today. You have already expended a lot of effort on our behalf. We really appreciate it.”

After the tumultuous events, nobody wanted to confront the ghost eye Alliance Leader. The caravan arrived in a grand fashion and left in disarray, leaving only tracks stained with the scent of blood. Shi Zhongyu, who held the Reverse Yang Token, also departed with Taiheng.

Throughout the whole incident, no one from the Immortal Assembly approached Shi Jingzhi. The atmosphere in the mountains was peaceful, and it seemed like all plots and schemes were blocked outside, leaving a sanctuary for them.

Shi Jingzhi’s wounds showed signs of healing. Yin Ci carefully carried him into the carriage. His neck wound was critical, so they were the last to leave to avoid jostling him too much.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the stars filled the sky. Only the Kushan Sect’s carriage remained in the tranquil Juyi Valley.

Yin Ci fed Shi Jingzhi some liquid food and then brought over the medicinal soup. However, this time, just as the bowl approached Shi Jingzhi’s lips, there was a little reflection on the edge of the bowl.

A tear glistened.

Shi Jingzhi had opened his eyes at some point. Those amber eyes, once full of life, now only showed profound sadness. Unable to speak because of his throat injury, he just shed tears uncontrollably.

Shi Jingzhi, always so prideful and skillful, now appeared so vulnerable. Tears flowed freely in the dim carriage. He weakly raised his hand, pushing the bowl away, then slowly and firmly hugged Yin Ci, burying his face in Yin Ci’s chest.

After a while, still crying, Shi Jingzhi held Yin Ci tighter, like a drowning man clutching onto a lifeline. In the past, he had always been extravagant and arrogant. Even when faced with Yin Ci’s true form, he hadn’t blinked. Yin Ci couldn’t imagine what had terrified Shi Jingzhi to this extent.

Near death, what did you discover?

Yet Yin Ci didn’t ask, nor did he share what he had seen. He simply held Shi Jingzhi, just as he had comforted a child who had awoken from a nightmare twenty-four years ago in the same place.

“It’s okay to cry,” Yin Ci said softly, caressing Shi Jingzhi’s hair. “What’s the worst I could do, laugh at you? You’ve suffered enough. Don’t hold back. Even if the world collapses, we can stay here, and I’ll be with you until the end.”

Finally, Shi Jingzhi began to sob, albeit silently.

Yidu, the Imperial Preceptor Residence.

Qu Duanyun rushed over after receiving a summons from Jiang Youyue. Even though days had passed since the incident, he was still somewhat dazed. He couldn’t afford any delays.

The Jianchen Temple wasn’t completely sealed off, the Ling Sect hadn’t been uprooted, and the Chigou Sect had announced that they had a new Young Patriarch. Not to mention, a disciple from the Kushan Sect had now assumed the position of Alliance Leader, and even Shi Zhongyu had produced the Reverse Yang Token. If she found solid evidence, his position as Sect Master would be in jeopardy.

The essential “Shirou” was also taken by people from the Chigou Sect. If it was consumed by irrelevant individuals…

Just thinking about it gave Qu Duanyun goosebumps.

It was undeniable that the Immortal Assembly had been planning in the martial world for a long time, but the current situation was full of loopholes. Faced with these “achievements”, Qu Duanyun had nothing to say, and his ambitions had long since dissipated.

“I’ve failed as your student.”

“Mm.” Despite the continuous bad news, Jiang Youyue remained calm and even seemed to be in a good mood. “To hone your mind, you need to experience hardships.”

“What about the Shirou…”

Jiang Youyue smiled faintly. “Given Shi Jingzhi’s character, this is probably part of his plan. If he really didn’t want to let it go, snatching the Shirou might be harder than taking a set of his moves. He probably has reservations about the Shirou and is testing us.”

Relieved to know that the Shirou wouldn’t just be consumed by anyone, Qu Duanyun exhaled.

“Duanyun, do you know why I put you in charge of this?”

Jiang Youyue asked leisurely.

“Ever since you came into this world, you’ve been considered a favored child of heaven. Upon learning of the Hundred-Year Project, you would undoubtedly harbor feelings of discontent and aspire to take Shi Jingzhi’s position… Dead bait makes it hard to catch fish. Your genuine desire to snatch the Shirou is what can dispel that person’s doubts to the fullest extent.”

Qu Duanyun remained silent.

Indeed, with the Immortal Assembly plotting against major sect leaders and his own presence in Taiheng, it seemed as though they were determined to obtain the Shirou.

Regarding the anomaly they witnessed that day, it could be explained that “Yan Budu set a trap to deceive people.”

Although Shi Jingzhi might have doubts about the Shirou, he, like many, would find a myriad of “justifiable” reasons to persuade himself, especially given he was a Child of Desire.

“Remember, if a plan’s conditions are too stringent and intricately linked, it’s akin to seeking destruction. As my student, you should’ve seen through this.”

Jiang Youyue added with a hint of amusement.

Qu Duanyun closed his eyes—it turned out that Jiang Youyue didn’t care about the success or failure of the plan, and he was just a pawn in his hands.

“This student learned his lesson.”

He was genuinely disappointed and regretful.

Seeing the dejected expression on Qu Duanyun’s face, Jiang Youyue laughed heartily and said, “No need for that. I went through the same when I was younger. Duanyun, if you clearly lost to Shi Jingzhi and still tried to forcibly take the Shirou, that would truly disappoint me.”

“Don’t be disheartened. No matter the current state of the martial world, it’s already riddled with wounds and holes, and that’s enough… Come, I believe you must be curious about the unusual phenomenon you witnessed that day. It’s time I told you everything.”

Qu Duanyun, expecting reprimand, instead received an unexpected boon. The conflicting feelings, akin to both ice and fire, were truly unbearable, making him feel a tingle down to his very roots. Before he left the room with Jiang Youyue, he finally mustered the courage to cautiously ask his teacher a question—

“If I had forcibly taken the Shirou then, what would you have done?”

Without pausing or looking back, Jiang Youyue answered in a gentle tone, accompanied by the faint smile from earlier.

“Do you need to ask? …You grew up in Taiheng, so you must have consumed the Tranquil Heart Pill.”

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 138: The Shirou

Yan Qing stood helplessly on the stage, eagerly waiting for someone to stand up and shout, “Choosing the Alliance Leader isn’t child’s play.” However, the audience below just whispered among themselves, with no one voicing any objections.

Yan Qing, straightforward as he was, quickly grasped the crux of the matter.

In the eyes of others, as a servant, he could defeat Qu Duanyun, so the senior disciple, Yin Ci, would presumably be even stronger. Since Taiheng lost their qualifications, the outcome of a rematch would likely remain unchanged. The orthodox martial world valued rules, so if Yin Ci, being the senior disciple, became Alliance Leader, the Kushan Sect might have a greater claim to the position. On the other hand, if Yan Qing took the role, he could be easily dismissed at any time.

This scenario would save face for Taiheng while also giving the other sects a way out.

…Yan Qing understood the reasoning, but his dream was simply to lead a normal life, not to become the center of attention.

If the stares from the audience could be transformed into sword qi, he would already be minced meat by now.

Seeing the situation stabilize, the leader of the Jinyu Group swiftly struck the gong on the side of the stage. Clearing his throat and amplifying his voice using inner force, he announced, “Yin Ci of the Kushan Sect has forfeited, and Yan Qing wins by default. Does anyone have any objections?”

Whispers rose from the audience, but as Yan Qing predicted, no one openly voiced any objections.

Seeing this, the leader of the Jinyu Group lit a stick of incense. His gaze swept over the expressionless Qu Duanyun, and he paced at the edge of the stage. When the incense burned halfway, he repeated his query.

“The leader of the martial alliance is set to be Yan Qing from the Kushan Sect. Are there any objections?”

With the head of Taiheng remaining silent, no one in the audience voiced any opposition. However, groups were forming, discussing in hushed voices. Many showed disapproving expressions, but none objected.

Yan Qing, anxiety apparent, picked up the cup he had dropped earlier and quickly moved to the master and disciple side. “Sect Master, Senior Yin, what do we do now?”

“If you’re chosen, then just accept it. Your martial arts skills are top-tier, and you’ve also studied and learned the ways of orthodox sects from Taiheng. In terms of qualifications, how are you lacking?”

Seeing Yan Qing’s bewildered and shocked appearance, Yin Ci couldn’t help but be amused. “Moreover, once you become the Alliance Leader, after this meeting, Taiheng won’t have a stance to chase and kill you.”

Though Yan Qing lacked grand ambitions, whether in terms of courage, intelligence, or perseverance, he was indeed suited for the role. More importantly, both he and Shi Jingzhi were weary of the martial world’s intrigues. With the power of the Alliance Leader in their hands… Neither had the energy to deal with the mess of the responsibilities that came with it.

Yan Qing had the qualifications, and the opportunity was given. Whether he could firmly grasp this chance to integrate into the righteous path would depend entirely on Yan Qing himself.

Yan Qing pondered for a moment, finally calming down. He was about to speak when Yin Ci leisurely added, “The Alliance Leader also receives a monthly salary. By the rules, the leader receives sixteen taels of silver each month. For major sects, this amount is trivial, but…”

Yan Qing’s eyes hardened, and he instantly declared, “I’ll do it!”

Unfortunately, his youthful bravery was short-lived. The next moment, his energy deflated. He looked pleadingly at the Sect Master, doing his best to avoid the countless pairs of eyes below. “…How do I do this?”

“Do as you see fit. You’ve always been adept at handling matters and arranging miscellaneous tasks, haven’t you?” The emotionless Yin Ci didn’t offer an ounce of help. “Figure it out on your own.”

Finally, the incense stick burned out. The leader of the Jinyu Group straightened his collar and stood proudly at the edge of the stage.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

This time, a response came from the audience. An elder of some renown leaped forward, standing at the forefront of the stage. Stroking his beard, he scrutinized Yan Qing from head to toe.

“I wouldn’t say I have objections, but given the unusual circumstances, I’d like to propose a condition on behalf of everyone present. This young man, after all, is but a lowly servant of the Kushan Sect. If aside from his martial skills, he has no other abilities, where would the dignity of our righteous path lie?”

The elder’s tone was stern, and while his words might sound confrontational, they weren’t unreasonable.

In the past, the chosen alliance leaders were usually sect leaders or elders, so no one posed conditions. Now, presenting a young servant, it was natural for the righteous path to have concerns.

Unfortunately, the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect were cold-hearted. The two beasts seemed indifferent, leaving Yan Qing to fend for himself. Yan Qing, looking like a fledgling bird pushed out of its nest, made a quick decision and faced the elder with the proposal.

“What the elder said makes sense; feel free to make any requests.”

The old man nodded in agreement. “This martial arts conference is clearly intended to end the chaos caused by the ‘Shirou’. Young man, first present a plan that convinces everyone, then think about becoming the Alliance Leader.”

After speaking, he stared intently at Yan Qing with his eagle-like eyes, as if he was trying to catch every tiny mistake.

Yan Qing licked his chapped lips.

The master and disciple were almost like spectators, eating melon seeds* and watching the drama. Relying on the Kushan Sect seemed hopeless. As for A’Si… well, having been educated by a sect leader, A’Si should know what to do.

*Slang for onlookers who don’t participate or express their opinions and instead just watch.

The most serious negotiation Yan Qing had ever engaged in was bargaining in the vegetable market.

…Wait, bargaining?

Yan Qing rubbed his temples, suddenly realizing something crucial.

The position of the Alliance Leader was like a hot potato. The small sects truly didn’t want it. But they also didn’t want Yan Qing to gain power and favored the Kushan Sect. They were pressuring him to offer a fair solution.

Just like when haggling with a vendor, they don’t truly want to withhold the goods but just want to earn a few more coins.

Since the logic was the same…

“You are right, elder. The ‘Shirou’ chaos has lasted too long and needs a resolution.”

Imagining the platform below as a marketplace, Yan Qing felt at ease. He was always gentle and would never appear arrogant. If one overlooked his ghost eyes, he exuded righteousness.

“To my knowledge, Taiheng seeks the ‘Shirou’ for the Prince of Rong, while the Kushan Sect seeks it to save their sect leader. The Prince of Rong and the current Emperor are healthy, so they probably want to use it as a tonic. Sect Master Qu, is this true?”

Qu Duanyun remained silent, seemingly acknowledging the claim.

A murmur spread among the crowd below. Most martial artists didn’t have strong allegiances, especially to the imperial court. The idea of presenting the ‘Shirou’ to the royal family felt like shattering a precious antique.

Compared to that, the Kushan Sect wanted it just to save their sect leader’s life. A simple and blunt reason that seemed honorable.

Following this line of reasoning, Yan Qing quickly proposed a solution for the ‘Shirou’: since the Kushan Sect had the key and Taiheng knew its location, their contributions were equal. They could split the ‘Shirou’ or, if not, the Kushan Sect would take it and compensate Taiheng.

“…My sect is indeed impoverished and cannot provide proper compensation. But I, Yan Qing, swear to expose those who have harmed the elders here.”

Yan Qing’s words were sincerely heartfelt.

“After all, the Kushan Sect has also been victimized. We will seek revenge, and everyone need not worry that we will only talk without action. Although this might seem opportunistic, it’s the most realistic guarantee I can offer.”

Everyone in the audience: “……”

So, they’re sharing a common enemy? No need to be so candid.

Yet, this young descendant of the Yan Clan almost exposed everything about the Kushan Sect—

Before anyone could bring up the mystery of the stolen ‘key to the Shirou’, Yan Qing promptly apologized. Mentioning the sect’s dire state, the Kushan Sect’s desperation to save their Sect Master made them take bold actions. To show sincerity, he invited warriors from all walks of life to see the real appearance of the ‘Shirou’.

Yan Qing’s words seemed genuine, making the crowd feel his decisions were justified. They, bearing the title of the righteous sects, didn’t really desire the ‘Shirou’, and thus didn’t blame the Kushan Sect too much.

The resolution was straightforward, leaving no room for the Kushan Sect’s mischief. The old man didn’t say much and left the stage.

“With the Alliance Leader now decided, I present Yan Qing of the Kushan Sect!” The fat leader of Jinyu took a deep breath and struck the huge gong three times.

As the gong sounded, Yan Qing’s wristband grew warm and transformed into a jade bracelet, the symbol of the Martial Alliance Leader. It now rested on his wrist.

It felt like a dream.

Touching the smooth jade bracelet, Yan Qing felt a mix of emotions, and overwhelming fatigue followed. Were it not for the many eyes watching him, he would have loved to collapse and sleep right there.

Several members of the demonic sect seemed satisfied with the outcome and left without any further disputes. A bizarre day passed, and all seemed settled.

That evening, a horse carriage slowly moved eastward.

The night was long and full of dreams. The leader of the Jinyu Group, renowned for his decisiveness and swift actions, had prepared horses and carriages before nightfall. He also selected more than a dozen disciples from the Jinyu Group to accompany him. Apart from members of the Taiheng Sect in the convoy, most of them were well-known figures in the martial world. Every disciple from the Yueshui Pavilion joined without exception, and they were so eager that they might as well have clung to the underside of the carriages.

Only Taiheng knew the location of the “Shirou”. Hence, the caravan was personally led by Qu Duanyun, veering far from the vicinity of Yidu.

First, to guard against villains, and second, out of sheer curiosity, various sects sent their masters to witness the emergence of this legendary item. Once the Martial Alliance Leader had spoken, the general situation was set. If anyone dared to act out of line, they would make an enemy of the entire martial world.

As the new alliance leader, Yan Qing was allotted a carriage. Unfortunately, having always led a simple life, he felt uncomfortable alone in the spacious carriage. So, he invited the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect to join him.

Surrounded by people in the carriage, Shi Jingzhi could only have porridge. Fortunately, the current situation for the Kushan Sect had improved. Yin Ci had specifically prepared pear syrup candies and sheep liver soup, meant for “nourishing the body”, and fed them bit by bit to the almost withered Sect Master Shi.

Sect Master Shi seemed to want to suppress his appetite with other matters. His eyes constantly glanced over Yin Ci’s lips. Sadly, with Yan Qing, the new alliance leader, sitting right there, they couldn’t very well ask him to leave the carriage.

Moreover, Yan Qing seemed to snap out of his daze, his face full of concern.

“Something’s not right. A’Si has never been gone this long. He even took Lord Bai with him,” Yan Qing said, looking lost. “Whenever he left before, he always informed me.”

Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci exchanged glances. Sect Master Shi took a sip of tea, then some sheep liver soup, and said, “A few days ago, Su Si approached me. He said that Qu Duanyun is crafty and might have discovered his identity. Rather than being caught off guard, he wanted to lay low for a while and return once everything settled.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing’s spirits sank even lower. “If that’s the case, why didn’t he tell me? Now that I’m the leader, shouldn’t he return?”

Yin Ci nonchalantly replied, “Su Si has always done as he pleases. Perhaps the Chigou Sect had urgent matters that needed him, and with the martial arts conference taking place, he didn’t have time to say goodbye. You have more pressing matters to attend to tomorrow, stop worrying about this.”

Yan Qing’s worries shifted direction as he caressed the longevity lock on his sword and drifted into his thoughts.

Outside the carriage, another person was deep in thought.

Qu Duanyun rode at the forefront of the caravan. He felt eyes on him from all directions, with Shi Zhongyu closely monitoring his every move. Things had deviated from his plans, and now he was on the defensive. Worse, he couldn’t establish contact with the Immortal Assembly.

One wrong move led to another.

Regarding the “Twin Roots in the Tranquil Heart Pill”, suspicion hadn’t yet fallen on him. However, as one of the orthodox sects, Taiheng definitely needed to provide some explanations. Not to mention, Shi Zhongyu had the Yang Reversal Token, giving her authority akin to a sect leader. Taiheng might not be keen on following Qu Duanyun’s commands.

His situation was dire, and he didn’t even have an opportunity to vent his frustrations.

Shi Zhongyu rode a white horse, staying only half a step behind Qu Duanyun. Seeing his strained expression, she sighed. “Duanyun, we’ve known each other for a long time… If you turned back now, it wouldn’t be too late.”

Qu Duanyun tightened his grip on the reins.

“Turn back?” He asked with a mix of amusement and anger. “I haven’t taken the wrong path. What is there to turn back from?”

Shi Zhongyu frowned slightly, pursing her lips.

Qu Duanyun desperately needed to vent. Faced with an old acquaintance, he couldn’t hold his tongue. “Different paths lead to different destinations. We’ve seen such situations before. If Senior Sister intends to persuade me, you better not.”

“Similar situations?” Shi Zhongyu was puzzled.

“Qi Xundao, despite his old age and declining mental faculties, was respected and held his position due to his revered reputation. Even during his last moments, there were people like Senior Sister who spent time and resources to keep him alive. You and I both know that such actions were at best ‘righteous’, but they brought no benefit to Taiheng.”

Touching on Shi Zhongyu’s pain point, her expression instantly chilled. “Qu Duanyun, even if talking about a deceased elder, it’s not appropriate to mention their name directly.”

“You always focus on these emotional aspects.”

Qu Duanyun didn’t even bother smiling.

“The seasons change, plants thrive and wither. It’s survival of the fittest. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural occurrences in the world. To gather a sect’s wealth just to buy empty fame is nothing but a narrow-minded act. If we can’t agree on this point, then we have nothing more to discuss.”

Shi Zhongyu suppressed her raging anger and calmly continued, “Alright, let’s not discuss it. I just want to know, why do you go out of your way to make things difficult for Shi Jingzhi, a man on his deathbed?”

If Qu Duanyun didn’t want the Shirou, based on his past behavior, he would likely have given it to Shi Jingzhi to earn some goodwill. But Shi Zhongyu had observed for a long time, and he hadn’t even pretended to do so.

Now, with Shi Jingzhi not present, Qu Duanyun’s disdain was evident. Shi Zhongyu had known him for many years and had never seen him target someone so pointedly.

Upon hearing these words, Qu Duanyun couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “Senior Sister, do you think Shi Jingzhi was a ‘respectable person’ at that time?”

The topic suddenly shifted, and the question was peculiar. Shi Zhongyu was momentarily stunned.

Shi Jingzhi wasn’t a vile scoundrel. She saw this clearly. But if one were to say that he understood great principles or harbored grand ambitions, he didn’t quite fit the bill. Shi Jingzhi wasn’t the kind-hearted person who’d respond to others’ pleas. He had a sharp, almost ruthless cunningness about him, always preferring to be straightforward about costs, calculating deals with his fox eyes.

Speaking of this martial arts conference’s counteraction, the Kushan Sect had informed her in advance. Knowing the other party’s deep and intricate plans, even as a “co-conspirator”, she couldn’t help but feel a chill for a moment.

Even so, Shi Jingzhi was still a reliable partner. Once he made a promise, he would never break it.

Would that qualify him as a “respectable person”?

“I don’t know,” Shi Zhongyu answered honestly.

“Then let me ask another question.” Qu Duanyun turned his head to look at her. “Would you want such an ‘immortal’?”

‘…Probably not,’ Shi Zhongyu thought. But to be fair…

“What’s the use of an immortal?” she snorted. “If the heavens had eyes, Master wouldn’t have suffered such a painful death. If there really are immortals in this world, I’d like some justice.”

“That’s why I have nothing to say to you.” Qu Duanyun, in a rare moment, looked somewhat dispirited. “You desire so much, but you’re so mundane. I’m not even as good as him…”

Seeing his erratic attitude, Shi Zhongyu didn’t want to continue the argument. She rode her horse forward in silence, heading straight for their destination.

When they arrived, everyone couldn’t help but gasp. It seemed like destiny had chosen the place.

The Shirou was stored in Juyi Valley of Kushan.

It was springtime, and the landscape was covered in fresh green. As the sun was about to set, the convoy stopped outside Juyi Valley and set up a simple camp.

“There are many monsters in Juyi Valley. It’s inconvenient to move around at night,” Jin Lan instructed. “Wait for the sunrise tomorrow. When our energy is at its peak, we’ll retrieve the ‘Shirou’ together.”

Yan Qing, seeing old acquaintances, wanted to chat. But Jin Lan only gave him an awkward smile upon seeing him. “I’m also from Taiheng. I might have been influenced by that villain. Now that you’re the Alliance Leader, you should be more cautious.”

“I…” Yan Qing realized the awkwardness—he had just ousted the head of someone’s sect, so there wasn’t much of an atmosphere for small talk.

Seeing Yan Qing’s hesitation, Jin Lan sighed. “Actually, I’m quite happy you became the Alliance Leader… Yan Qing, you seem to be close to Su Si?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful.” Jin Lan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “I’ve had someone see him go out alone, buying sharp weapons and magical items. He’s steeped in malevolence; I fear he has ulterior motives.”

Yan Qing felt displeased, but knowing Jin Lan meant no harm, he didn’t lash out. “A’Si isn’t that kind of person. Besides, he doesn’t have money to buy weapons.”

Jin Lan shook his head with a complicated expression and said no more.

Yan Qing’s attempt at conversation was a failure, and he felt downcast. He trudged back to the Kushan Sect’s tent—

“I didn’t expect the ‘Shirou’ to be here,” Shi Jingzhi remarked with mixed feelings. “What is this, fate letting us revisit our old haunts?”

Yin Ci chuckled. “Last time I saw you here, you were shorter than my leg. Little Mute, are you going to pick flowers for me this time?”

Yan Qing was utterly confused. What were they talking about? Why couldn’t he understand anything?

Who would’ve thought that Shi Jingzhi would continue with this seemingly ambiguous talk, speaking in a teasing tone, “Why wouldn’t I? If I see that thing again, watch me pluck it bare. But in exchange, you’ll have to feed me the best tender roasted fish.”

Yin Ci’s laughter became even more hearty, and Yan Qing had never heard him laugh like that before. Shi Jingzhi spoke with a teasing, relaxed tone, as if his life wasn’t in danger and the world had no troubles.

It seemed everyone had their own secrets. And him, having just received the title of Martial Alliance Leader, was alone and at a loss. If only A’Si were here…

Haa…

Yan Qing ultimately didn’t enter the tent. He resorted to his usual method to deal with anxiety—the new Martial Alliance Leader, with a serious face, began to reorganize the belongings of the Kushan Sect. He even rummaged through his own bundle, meticulously reorganizing everything.

When he picked up a small wooden box, Yan Qing’s movements suddenly halted.

Something was amiss.

The cloth around the wooden box was tied differently than he remembered, as if someone had opened it. The weight of the box also felt lighter, as though much of its content was gone.

This was the money box of the Kushan Sect. As the person in charge of the money, Yan Qing broke out in cold sweat instantly. He carefully opened the box and felt a chill in his heart—

Sure enough, one of the silver notes had disappeared. With trembling hands, he counted the remaining amount. All the missing money was his personal savings, neither more nor less, exactly sixty-seven taels of silver.

This package had always been shared between him and Su Si. Su Si never touched his personal belongings, but he was aware of where Yan Qing kept his money… Could it be that the sixty-seven taels were taken by Su Si?

Yan Qing held the wooden box in mid-air, his face slowly tightening.

If Su Si really took the money, his “departure” would not be as simple as avoiding trouble temporarily. Yan Qing packed the money box just as it was, and the bitterness in his heart disappeared in an instant.

At that moment, his heart was filled with concern.

The next morning, everything was as usual. The sky was clear with gentle winds and soft clouds and the ground smelled fresh. Golden morning light filtered through the leaves, illuminating the mist in the woods, and all was peaceful.

Under the guidance of the Taiheng Sect members, everyone geared up and slowly moved deeper into Juyi Valley. Hours later, the group stopped in front of a pile of scattered rocks. Whether it was good luck or not, they hadn’t encountered any monsters during their journey.

Speaking of this rocky area, both Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi had some memories.

Only thin weeds grew here, leaving most of the area barren. With no food available, no creatures, especially no beasts, would choose to come here. Aside from being excessively desolate, there was nothing unusual about this place.

When they were previously in Juyi Valley, Yin Ci disliked the scenery and didn’t stay long. Shi Jingzhi, as a child, hated this gray and monotonous stone forest and wouldn’t even play hide and seek here.

Who would have thought that after all these years, they would return to this place and stand here again.

“The Shirou is buried underground. My sect has already dug it up. Please continue forward,” Qu Duanyun said in a steady and polite tone, though he looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.

“Guests are here. Disable the formation!”

Following the order of Sect Master Qu, the Taiheng disciples deactivated the blinding technique. The view inside the rocks suddenly revealed itself to everyone—

In the center of the rocks was a half-circular deep pit.

The soil in the pit was fine and damp, reflecting a blood-red hue under the morning sun. At the bottom of the pit was a small room made of clear glass. It had been cleaned thoroughly by the Taiheng Sect, with not a speck of dirt in sight. Many spells and incantations were engraved on it, shimmering under the sunlight.

It looked like a delicate tomb made of glass.

Inside the glass room, the sight was full of life. Lush, vibrant vines filled half of the space, looking as if they were made of jade, bringing a sense of comfort at first glance.

The vines intertwined on a platform, where a peach-shaped fruit rested.

The fruit appeared fresh and delicate, with an enticing color. The fruit’s stem was still attached to the vine, and its skin held a pool of semi-transparent juice. Under the sunlight, it looked exceptionally exquisite, unlike anything from this world.

Even separated by thick glass, the scent of the fruit somehow permeated out. Its indescribable aroma instantly overwhelmed all other senses, making even the finest delicacies in the world pale in comparison. If anyone had doubts because of its appearance, once they smelled it, no one cared about the minor details—this divine entity was undoubtedly the Shirou!

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi with concern.

Considering Shi Jingzhi’s overwhelming desire to live, even just as a snack, it might be impossible for him to restrain his appetite. The scent alone had many seasoned martial artists, with iron-willed determination, in a daze.

Shi Jingzhi’s face turned flush, and a hint of bloodlust appeared in his eyes. But he just took a few deep breaths, seeming still conscious.

“Don’t worry,” Shi Jingzhi whispered into Yin Ci’s ear, taking advantage of everyone’s distraction with the Shirou. “I’ve endured worse. I’m used to it.”

Seeing that Shi Jingzhi had no intention of hurting himself, Yin Ci felt relieved. He stroked Shi Jingzhi’s hair and teasingly said, “It seems you’ve mastered the ‘Purifying Words’ well. We should find a time to reward you properly.”

Their faces showed relaxed flirting, but their hands under the sleeves were gripping tightly. Only when Yin Ci reassured him did Shi Jingzhi reluctantly let go.

[Go,] Yin Ci conveyed silently. [I’ll protect you.]

Qu Duanyun didn’t notice their actions. He gazed at the Shirou with complex emotions. “This glass room is extremely sturdy, and my sect couldn’t open it. Since Sect Master Shi has the key, perhaps you could retrieve it.”

Shi Jingzhi patted his face, the blood color in his eyes fading slightly. Afflicted with a serious illness, he wasn’t mobile. Yin Ci pushed him all the way on the wooden chair towards the glass room. Upon closer inspection, in addition to the intricate spells, there were also vivid bas-reliefs carved on the glass. All of these bas-reliefs were faces, each with closed eyes and a slight smile.

It was really Yan Budu’s style.

In the center of the group of faces, one face had an eye open. Unfortunately, that eye socket was empty, with just a recess, waiting for someone to complete it with an eyeball.

The aroma emanating from that eye socket was extremely strong. When they got closer, the fragrance was even more intoxicating, making one’s heart restless and mouth salivating. Shi Jingzhi held his breath, his hand holding the jade eye trembling slightly.

With everyone watching, he took a long time to successfully fit the jade eye into the recess.

Let’s see.

Shi Jingzhi stared at the face with the open eye. He tried to ignore the scent that kept drilling into his nose. His hands became as cold as ice, to the point of almost convulsing.

Yan Budu, as your kin, let me take a good look. After a century, what have you left for this world?

Click.

With this soft sound, a sourceless chuckle echoed around, as if in response.

In an instant, the world changed.

The originally enticing fragrance suddenly turned into a pungent, bloody smell, causing many to retch. However, compared to other changes, this was minor—

Just like originally on Zongwu Mountain, countless gray-red “bare branches” rose from the ground, their dark red roots moving like fish. Atop the bare branches, the fleshy wrinkles were extremely clear, shining like living creatures. These branches crowded the forest, stretching and swaying in the morning sun. They were numerous and vigorous, and from a vantage point on the mountain, one couldn’t see the boundary of this eerie “flesh forest”.

Strange things densely surrounded them, bringing a feeling of oppression and suffocation. A breeze carried wave after wave of the foul smell, making people dizzy.

Screams erupted from the crowd. It seemed that many more people than just Shi Jingzhi could see them. Jin Lan sat on the ground, while the masters grouped together in shock. Shi Zhongyu instantly drew her sword, while Qu Duanyun stood among the myriad of bare branches, looking somewhat lost.

Within the branches, Yin Ci lost his immortal appearance, turning back into the eerie “idol” made of blood and roots. However, this time, Yin Ci could see himself clearly.

He stared at his horrifying hands, almost forgetting to breathe. Even without a mirror, he could imagine his abnormal appearance. This time, there was no fear or panic in Yin Ci’s heart; just sheer anger—what had He Cheng’an done to him?

However, at this moment, thanks to the Shirou, no one noticed his change.

The center of attention, the Shirou, had changed in appearance and smell.

The moment the jade eye was installed, the vines inside the glass room changed color, turning into the sticky gray-red similar to the bare branches. They wriggled slowly, occasionally making soft noises of friction.

Surrounded by these “fleshy vines”, the Shirou no longer looked like a tempting celestial fruit. It changed from emerald green to an unsightly purple-red, emitting a slight heat and looking like an organ just taken out of an animal’s body. Amid the purple-red flesh, there were hundreds of tiny eyes without whites. They were all pitch black, occasionally blinking, looking in unknown directions.

This was the “immortal object” that had caused turmoil in the martial world and had been contested for by many.

The sky remained intact, the sunny day was still sunny, and the forest was still lush and green. There was no shaking or loud noise, and the sounds of wind and birds were still present. Against the backdrop of the scene before them, everything seemed eerily quiet.

What is going on?

From shock, people turned to panic, unsure if what they were witnessing was a nightmare, a spell, or a terrifying reality. The surroundings changed drastically, and compared to the gigantic eerie things, people felt as insignificant as ants in a storm. Even though there were many masters present, they were just a few more powerful ants.

The feeling of helplessness was maddening.

Even the disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion, who had seen much, lost their composure, crouching and staring only at the blood-red mud beneath their feet. The people of the Jinyu Group were in even greater panic, fainting left and right. The foul smell of the Shirou was now mixed with the stench of urine.

In this chaos and madness, Yin Ci hesitated for a moment, then leapt up, rushing towards the sky through the branches.

Looking down, the barren mountains, the surrounding towns, and even the horizon in the distance, were all covered with dense, uniquely shaped “bare branches”. Human towns were nestled among them, looking like tiny pebbles beneath grass.

This sight was overwhelming.

Regarding the Shirou as an “immortal object”, its energy was even more abundant than the muyan stones used to forge the Sword of Compassion. Therefore, using the Shirou to power the jade eye meant there was no fear of exhausting its energy, unlike atop Zongwu Mountain, where spells could only be powered momentarily. It was hard to say whether the “clue” left on the Sword of Compassion was the demonic lord’s last sentiment or a hint given out of ostentation.

Or perhaps, it was a bit of both.

Although he didn’t know the origin of the jade eye, Yin Ci was quite certain that this was what Yan Budu truly wanted them to see.

He wanted them to witness the true appearance of this world, the true form of the Shirou. From the start at the Ghost Tomb, this had all been a thorough prank. Even if turned into a handful of bones, that person still wished to mock the mortals blindly chasing after the Shirou and the “immortals” who sent the Shirou into this world without knowing their own whereabouts.

Yin Ci gently descended, stopping on the treetop. He took a deep breath and touched the nearest bare branch. The fine roots on the bare branch immediately wrapped around his hand affectionately, quivering as if they were playing with him.

Yan Budu only expressed malice without providing a definite answer. That guy just kept mocking to his heart’s content, probably without knowing the real truth. He did see another aspect of this world…

But what exactly were these things?

Under the tall tree, Shi Jingzhi didn’t move his jade eye, allowing this vision to persist. Without waiting for Yin Ci to return to his side, he removed the Shirou and held it in his hand. “According to our agreement, I’ll take this thing first.”

It was as if he was unaffected by the terrifying scene before him.

The Shirou wriggled in Shi Jingzhi’s palm, its numerous eyes blinking even faster.

The surroundings were filled with eerie sights, and the crowd was still in shock and daze. Even those who managed to retain some sanity didn’t know how to respond. Only Qu Duanyun’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, seeming to want to say something.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed, and before Qu Duanyun could speak, a burst of blood exploded in front of him.

Shi Jingzhi had been deeply slashed in the throat, with blood gushing out instantly. The Shirou in his hand vanished in a moment, taken by the attacker.

“What righteous sects? Nothing but a bunch of cowards. Just a little scare, and they’re all panicking.”

The man laughed, putting away his dagger. A pendant gleamed on the dagger’s hilt, clearly a mountain ghost coin.

Yan Qing was the first to recover from the vision, staring in disbelief at the scene before him—Su Si was perched like a bird on the back of a wooden chair, having just cleanly slit Shi Jingzhi’s throat.

Su Si didn’t look at the surrounding bare branches, nor at the strange-looking Shirou in his hand. He stared intently at Yan Qing, his eyes as black as ink.

“I’ll be taking this Shirou for now.”

Su Si declared, word by word.

“Everyone, we’ll meet again.”

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