9/10

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Thus, two days later.

Sensing visitors approaching the mountain, Wen Jue and Shisi waited at the village entrance early that morning.

Shisi raised his hand to shield his eyes as he scanned the distance. “It really is someone from Cangyun Sword Sect.”

Wen Jue narrowed his eyes, suddenly spitting out a blade of grass. “Then we’ll have to meet them.”

Swordsect brats, daring to come knocking. They’re asking for it.

Shisi chuckled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You brought this trouble upon yourself. You handle it. I’ll bury the bodies.”

Wen Jue was a demonic master, but the village chief wasn’t. That he’d actually come to the lower realm looking for someone… Shisi wasn’t too pleased either.

Don’t think you can bully people just because their village chief has changed shells and his cultivation is temporarily low.

Fang Huai, walking along the road, sensed something too. He suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing the mist straight to the hilltop at the village entrance.

Someone was there. A powerful being.

The aura emanating from them was no ordinary one.

“Honorable Immortal, it’s just ahead! Our young master lives right here!” cried the young servant guiding them.

Fang Huai dared not even shift his gaze. He merely hummed in acknowledgment. “Thank you.”

This servant was none other than A-Sheng, the personal attendant who had once served Young Master Qin.

Wen Jue remembered him. Once, when he visited the Qin residence, he had happened upon A-Sheng and Chen San in the midst of an argument. He never imagined this fellow would be the one leading people up the mountain today.

“May I ask what business the Immortal Lord has with our young master? Had I known you sought him, I would have sent word for him to come down the mountain. Why trouble the Immortal Lord to make the journey personally?” A-Sheng said, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Fang Huai remained silent.

He had initially doubted whether this servant was lying about being a Qin household retainer. The moment he heard Fang Huai was seeking Qin Zhou, the boy had immediately jumped up, eager to guide him.

Without even knowing Fang Huai’s character, the servant had rushed him up the mountain the instant he recognized him as a cultivator.

But Fang Huai glanced at the figure atop the mountain peak near the village entrance and thought to himself: At least I’m on the right path.

Still, this young servant probably wasn’t some favored attendant of the master.

“Immortal Lord, it’s just ahead!” A-Sheng persisted, seeing Fang Huai hadn’t responded.

So he was a cultivating noble? If Chen San could climb the social ladder by latching onto the young master, so could he!

This man clearly came from a major sect—his aura was so imposing it was hard to look him in the eye.

For people like them, guiding him and asking for a sect admission token wasn’t too much to ask. A-Sheng thought to himself: If even a guy like Chen San could get into the Medicine Moon Sect, he shouldn’t be completely without hope.

A-Sheng’s calculations seemed flawless.

Little did he know, Fang Huai was already backing out mentally.

The mountain’s aura was terrifying. His timing was terrible—going up now would inevitably lead to an encounter with Wen Jue. And if he met Wen Jue… what chance did he have of escaping?

Fang Huai intended to find Qin Zhou, but if he did so in Wen Jue’s presence, forget about taking Qin Zhou away—he doubted he’d even survive leaving this place.

Lost in thought, Fang Huai halted his steps.

To go up and court death—that was the question.

“Immortal?” A-Sheng turned back in confusion. Why stop?

Having observed every word and action of the two, Shisi couldn’t help but chuckle. “He’s stopped. He fears you.”

A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Wen Jue’s eyes. “How many across the heavens and earth do you think dare face this master’s pressure and press forward?”

That the Sword Sect disciple halted was hardly surprising.

Seeing his expression, Shisi frowned. “This is the lower realm. It’s best not to unleash a bloodbath here,” he cautioned.

It wouldn’t be difficult for Wen Jue to instantly kill this Sword Sect cultivator. But this was the lower realm. If the disturbance grew too loud and the laws of heaven and earth detected it, even Wen Jue would be sent back by his divine soul.

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” Wen Jue nodded.

He absolutely couldn’t be sent back.

They were already short-handed. Qin Zhou had been fretting over this for two days. If he got sent back too…

Qin Zhou and Shisi wouldn’t finish harvesting the Spirit Heart Fruits in the fields even if they worked through the New Year.

“You go back too,” Wen Jue suddenly said.

Shisi: ?

“You want that Sword Sect disciple to see you with me?”

If word of this got back, the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect would be branded as a demonic sect tomorrow.

Shisi: “Understood.”

In the end, he obediently returned.

Wen Jue stood atop the large boulder at the village entrance, silently watching Fang Huai on the mountainside. Wind swept through a strand of his long hair.

He was waiting to see if Fang Huai dared to come up.

“What are you hesitating for? Even if you choose to leave now, he won’t spare you.” A voice suddenly echoed in Fang Huai’s ear.

Fang Huai whipped his head around.

The speaker remained unseen, but he recognized the voice.

“Since you’ve come this far, go up and see. Regardless of victory or defeat, are disciples of the Sword Sect so lacking that they can’t even muster the courage to draw their blades and face him?”

The voice carried a hint of chill, yet to Fang Huai’s ears, it felt like a sudden awakening.

Fang Huai clenched his fist tighter. Yes, he was a disciple of the Sword Sect.

Coming to capture Qin Zhou was to eliminate Wen Jue, to uphold the path of exorcising demons in his heart. He refused to debate whether dragging the potentially innocent Qin Zhou into this made him petty.

He had made his decision; his conviction would not, and should not, waver.

Even if Wen Jue stood before him.

A disciple of the Sword Sect must know neither fear nor hesitation. The tip of the sword in his hand must always point toward the path in his heart.

Fang Huai’s eyes snapped open.

“Thank you, Your Excellency. I understand now.”

“If you don’t want to die, stop following me!” Leaving these words for A-Sheng, Fang Huai drew his sharp sword. His figure transformed into a streak of light, streaking straight toward the mountain peak.

A-Sheng stood rooted to the spot, dazed.

Suddenly, a figure materialized beside him.

A-Sheng startled, then looked closer. The other person was also carrying a sword on their back.

“Traitors and disloyal scum,” Lu Er murmured indifferently. With a flick of his finger, A-Sheng’s mortal body shot straight into the air.

A-Sheng’s eyes widened in terror, unable to comprehend what had transpired in that split second. By the time he registered what was happening, he was already tumbling down the mountainside.

The relentless agony coursing through his body forced a wail from his lips.

Even after colliding with rocks and tree stumps, his descent showed no sign of slowing.

Was he going to die?

He didn’t want to die!

Endless regret flooded A-Sheng’s mind.

He had no recollection of how he finally passed out, only the sensation of crashing into something that finally stopped his fall.

At the mountain’s base, Lu Qi watched the ‘corpse’ suddenly tumble to his feet and raised an eyebrow.

Looks like there’s real entertainment up on that mountain.

“Hey, you’re blocking my path.”

With a hint of amusement in his voice, Lu Qi stepped right over it.

He faintly heard the crisp crack of A-Sheng’s bones. The sound was almost pleasant to Lu Qi’s ears. He pulled out a handful of melon seeds and strolled leisurely up the mountain.

Wen Jue stood atop the peak. Naturally, he sensed the arrival of another person.

He thought to himself, today is truly eventful.

A trace of mockery surfaced at the corner of his mouth.

But as he watched Fang Huai charge toward him, Wen Jue let out a cold laugh—

“Lu Er, using this seat to enlighten your Sword Sect disciple? That doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”

Fang Huai thrust his sword at him. Even though Wen Jue had just grasped a sliver of Dao intent and was now utterly focused, his sword intent reaching its peak, Wen Jue didn’t even consider retreating.

He stood rooted to the large rock beneath him.

So what if he’d grasped a bit of the Dao?

A sharp gleam flashed in Wen Jue’s eyes. What if his divine essence body directly absorbed this sword intent?

As Fang Huai’s thrust approached, Wen Jue spread his fingers. A flash of light erupted, and a minuscule thread of spiritual energy appeared in his palm. Instantly, he erected an impenetrable barrier around his palm.

Sword and palm collided with a sharp clang.

Fang Huai’s sword-gripping hand went numb. It felt as though his thrust had struck the hardest substance imaginable.

Surrounding spiritual energy surged violently. An instantaneous gale swept Fang Huai away, his internal organs seemingly jostled out of place.

Fang Huai flew through the air, caught by someone.

“Your Excellency…” He managed to utter before a surge of blood rushed to his chest, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Fang Huai’s face turned deathly pale.

He had heard tales of the demonic master Wen Jue’s terrifying cultivation. Only when they clashed did he realize he couldn’t withstand even a single strike.

Wen Jue remained standing on the rock. The spiritual energy tremors merely ruffled the hem of his robe, which instantly returned to its original state, light and unfurled.

“Lu Er, you brutes of the Sword Sect—do you not understand the meaning of an ant shaking a tree?” Wen Jue raised an eyebrow, standing atop the mountain peak. His white robes shone so brightly that it seemed no one could rival his radiance.

Lu Er released Fang Huai’s collar and turned to ask him, “Do you understand now?”

Fang Huai froze, his face flushing crimson as he grasped the Supreme Master’s meaning.

Yes—the Sect Leader had explicitly warned him not to come.

“Lu Er, I’ve told you before: don’t come meddling with my people. Seems you have no memory.” Wen Jue’s voice carried a hint of anger.

If only Fang Huai had come alone. Troublemakers could be easily dealt with.

But Lu Er was here. If Qin Zhou saw him… his identity…

Spotting the ruthless intent in Wen Jue’s eyes, Lu Er promptly pushed Fang Huai aside and drew the sword strapped to his back. “It’s been quite some time since we last crossed blades.”

Wen Jue scoffed. “What does someone who couldn’t even break through this master’s barrier have to say? Let me see if you’ve made any progress during your years of seclusion.”

As he spoke, the air around them seemed to freeze, gradually distorting.

The sparse spiritual energy of the lower realm now surged toward the two figures. Like the gathering storm before a tempest, it threatened to tear this land apart!

The great battle was about to erupt.

Noticing the commotion, Shisi poked his head out from the doorway. Seeing the scene unfolding in the mountain air, he slapped his forehead in frustration. It’s over. It’s all over!

“Seems I’ve arrived just in time,” a voice suddenly echoed through the wilderness.

Lu Er, poised to strike, froze abruptly.

Wen Jue also looked down.

Lu Qi floated down through the air, a handful of melon seeds in hand, drifting effortlessly between the two.

“Oh, don’t mind me. You two carry on. I’ll cheer you on,” Lu Qi said with a sly grin.

He’d been wondering what Wen Jue was doing in the lower realm.

Discovering a fight, Lu Qi was naturally furious.

A divine spirit body, coming to the lower realm to fight? Was he trying to invite heavenly thunder calamity?

But then he caught sight of that Sword Sect figure.

This show suddenly got a lot more interesting.

Why stop it? Fight! Fight hard! Lu Qi’s eyes seemed to say just that.

Watching from the door crack, Shisi was frantic as an ant on a hot skillet: Oh no!! Why did Seventh Brother show up, too?!

This is going to turn into a fight to the death!

What should he do? Should he go out and help?

No, if he went out, who would he help then?!

The injured Fang Huai, seeing Lu Qi arrive, felt his heart sink. One demonic tyrant wasn’t enough, and now another?

The two demonic tyrants who had turned the cultivation world upside down had both arrived!

“Honorable Lord, I come to aid you.” Fang Huai immediately gathered his energy and rushed toward Lu Er.

But before he could get anywhere near, Lu Qi’s mocking voice reached his ears, “What a joke—you dare to come and join the fun.”

Fang Huai shuddered.

The next second, he was sent flying again.

Only this time, the Honorable One didn’t catch him!

Unable to control his descent, Fang Huai could only watch helplessly as the three figures hung suspended in midair, locked in a three-way standoff, each refusing to yield an inch.

Crashing to the ground, Fang Huai rolled several times before losing consciousness completely.

“Wen Jue, shall you handle this or shall I? I’m itching to get my hands dirty.” Lu Qi’s gaze never left that cold, taciturn face as a mocking smile curled his lips.

That damnable dead man’s face—still as irritating as ever after all these years.

Wen Jue: “…”

He had absolutely no desire to be here right now.

Lu Qi’s appearance finally brought Wen Jue’s blood-boiling mind back to its senses.

If Qin Zhou detected the commotion outside soon, he’d be finished. Had Qin Zhou not been within the village’s barrier, the earlier disturbance would likely have already alerted him.

“I don’t want to fight anymore. Can you both just get lost?” Wen Jue snapped irritably.

However, no one was listening to Wen Jue.

Lu Er’s gaze was fixed intently on Lu Qi’s face, unblinking.

Lu Qi’s forehead veins throbbed under Lu Er’s stare. “Keep staring, and I’ll kill you!”

Lu Er: Oh.

Lu Qi: “…Wen Jue, step aside. I’ll handle this.”

He would kill Lu Er today, no matter what!

Wen Jue was startled to see Lu Qi actually rolling up his sleeves. Though he’d rather not get involved in their business, he reconsidered and flew forward to grab Lu Qi’s arm.

“Seventh Brother, if you must fight, take it upstairs.”

“You can fight here, so why can’t I?” Lu Qi asked, his face dark. “Worst case, my soul gets banished. Or do you think I can’t handle this guy?”

Lu Er said nothing, only staring at Wen Jue’s hand gripping Lu Qi’s arm, his eyes growing heavier and heavier.

“Wen Jue, we’ll fight.” After a long pause, Lu Er spoke.

Wen Jue: “…”

A stalemate ensued.

“Gentlemen, I believe fighting is rather unwise.” A gentle male voice drifted from afar, arriving before the speaker himself.

All three turned simultaneously. A new Immortal Lord had arrived with his disciple.

Baixing also bowed politely: “Baixing greets you, uncles.”

After so many years, Lu Wu remained unchanged—still the same good-natured fellow. Baixing was also very courteous. Lu Er and Lu Qi thought this simultaneously.

Only Wen Jue’s head grew larger and larger.

Fine, fine, everyone’s here. Everyone’s here, right!

“Where’s Third Brother? Didn’t he come with you?” Wen Jue laughed bitterly. Just Third Brother is missing, and we’d have the whole gang.

Lu Wu glanced at everyone in surprise, even spotting Shisi peeking through the door crack. “I thought… You notified Third Brother. What? You didn’t?”

Wen Jue: “…”

Lu Er: “…”

Lu Qi: “…”

Shisi: “…”

“Fifth Brother, why did you come down? This doesn’t concern you. We’re fighting.” Lu Qi waved his hand, signaling for him to leave quickly.

Lu Wu sighed, walked straight past them, and flew toward the village entrance, landing smoothly.

Behind him, Baixing couldn’t help but whisper, “Master, are we just going to let this slide?”

The leader of the righteous path in the cultivation world and the two heads of the Demon Sect are fighting in the lower realm. This was no small matter.

Lu Wu smiled. “It’s fine. They’re just messing around.”

Fighting in the upper realm might be play, but in the lower realm? What could they possibly fight over? Besides, there was also…

Lu Wu stepped past Shisi, pushed open the courtyard gate, and called out in a raised voice—

“Village Chief, I’m here!”