Chapter Bonanza (8/10)

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Qin Zhou didn’t know how to describe it.

His features were sharply defined, with a well-defined jawline; the perfectly proportioned bridge of his nose seemed to serve as a dividing line between light and shadow. From his brow bone to the tip of his chin, his face was three-dimensional and layered. When a beam of light fell upon him, he looked almost like a deity.

The Lu Yi of today bore a resemblance to the image he had once sculpted, yet he was not quite the same.

To be precise, as the saying goes, “appearance reflects the heart”; it is only natural for a person’s features to change over time.

The Lu Yi of the past, having left the village chief’s protection and just entered the mortal world, wore all white and carried a sword. He was carefree and unrestrained, his eyes shining with a bright, pure light—a young immortal lord who knew nothing of the world’s hardships.

The Wen Jue of today still wears white, yet the indifference and ferocity that inadvertently flicker between his brows seem to embody the phrase “the same place, different people” to the fullest extent.

Yet at this very moment, his chin tilted slightly upward, the outer corners of his eyes reddened, and his fine lashes around the rims of his eyes dampened by tears, he seemed to carry an unexpected sense of fragility.

It truly made one want to crush that exquisite, beautiful shell piece by piece. And then poke at the soft part inside him.

Seeing him staring intently, Wen Jue suddenly realized something and touched his own face.

“Can you see me now?”

Qin Zhou nodded.

Wen Jue raised an eyebrow slightly. “Do I look good?”

“You do.” Qin Zhou reached out and gently stroked the corner of his eye. He was so beautiful, he couldn’t look away.

Wen Jue squirmed, “You’re staring like a lovesick fool. Is this face really that important?”

Qin Zhou answered honestly, “It is.”

Wen Jue: “……?”

“What if my face were ruined? What if I met someone even more handsome?!” Wen Jue leaned in, cupping Qin Zhou’s face with both palms, looking down at him with a faintly threatening tone.

Wen Jue’s hair fell from his shoulders onto the side of Qin Zhou’s face, tickling him slightly.

Qin Zhou wrapped his arms around his waist and tilted his head back; the distance between them was no more than a fist’s width.

Qin Zhou’s eyes darkened slightly. His hands, restless, settled on Wen Jue’s waist, applying a little pressure. “Your face isn’t important enough to make someone fall for someone else.”

Wen Jue: Hmm?

“But it is important enough to make someone want to kiss you.”

Wen Jue?

Their faces drew closer, the softness of their lips meeting.

Wen Jue’s pupils dilated slightly.

Qin Zhou’s lips pressed against his, carrying a hint of ferocity, yet grinding against him as if with tenderness.

A strange sensation, but…one he liked.

Wen Jue could feel the strength of the hands gripping his waist.

So tightly.

As if he couldn’t live without him, as if he adored him to the extreme.

His eyes glistening, Wen Jue cupped Qin Zhou’s head and pressed his lips against him, as if refusing to be outdone.

A muffled groan escaped Qin Zhou’s lips, his gaze darkening.

This little wolf cub.

The usually taciturn man went all out, pinning Wen Jue down and kissing him fiercely, his passion surging.

……

The sounds of breathing around them gradually subsided. Wen Jue panted slightly, looking down at Qin Zhou—whom he’d kissed so fiercely—with the haughty air of a victor.

“I will.”

Completely oblivious, he sat back down on top of Qin Zhou, his clothes slightly disheveled.

A smile flickered in Qin Zhou’s eyes as he licked his lips. “Mm.”

Suddenly, Qin Zhou caught sight of something.

In midair, over thirty points of light hovered silently, not even flickering.

Qin Zhou made a shushing gesture toward them.

The points of light all flickered in unison, as if to say, “Don’t worry, Chief. Hehe.”

……

Lu Qi was the second to arrive at the Immortal Restraint Prison.

His voice reached them before he did—

“Lu Yi, are you dead yet?”

Inside the cell, Qin Zhou and Lu Yi both looked up simultaneously.

“How could I possibly be dead!” Wen Jue replied loudly.

Lu Qi walked in with a grin on his face.

But the moment he stepped into the corridor and could make out the figures inside the cell by the light, he nearly jumped out of his skin!

“Village Chief?!”

Lu Qi’s first thought was that the Village Chief had smashed the sky again for Lu Yi’s sake, and now they were both locked up in the cell together.

Qin Zhou nodded. “Want to come in?”

Qin Zhou stood up, indicating he could open the door.

Lu Qi:?

……

Soon after, there were three people in the Immortal Confinement Cell.

Plus over thirty soul starlights.

“Old Seven!”

“Seventh Junior Brother.”

“Big Brother Seven is here!”

“Big Brother Seven.”

Lu Qi’s ears were filled with voices calling his name. He froze for a second, and when he snapped out of it, his eyes welled up with tears—

“Fourth Brother, Sixth Brother, Eighth Brother, Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother… twenty-seven, eighteen… Damn, I can’t even count them all.”

“So… you’re all reunited in this prison, are you?”

“You’re such a wimp, crying again.” Wen Jue teased him.

“Get lost.” Lu Qi shot him a withering glance.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the starlight swirled around Lu Qi once before drifting back into Qin Zhou’s storage pouch.

Lu Qi stared blankly at Qin Zhou.

“They’re spirit forms; they can’t stay out here for long.” Staying inside the registry seems fine.

Lu Qi wiped his eyes. “…Oh. But why is the Village Chief here?”

“I’ve met Zhanyu. Since the Guiyuan Sect is targeting Lu Yi, I had to come take a look.” Qin Zhou said.

“I’m here for much the same reason…” Lu Qi glanced at Wen Jue. “But I wasn’t worried about you. I was just passing by, thinking that an old guy at the Union Realm—if he died, he’d probably provide a lot of energy for the barrier.”

In short, he was here to collect the body, not to fight.

Wen Jue narrowed his eyes. “Take out the Qiankun Bag and let me have a look.”

Lu Qi shielded the Qiankun Bag. “What for?”

“Let your big brother take a look. I bet your bag is stuffed full of formation scrolls.” Wen Jue raised a hand and slung it over Lu Qi’s shoulder.

“……”

Wen Jue certainly didn’t believe Lu Qi had just dropped by for a casual visit.

Lu Qi’s appearance here was likely because he was worried Wen Jue couldn’t hold his own against those Union Realm cultivators from the righteous faction, so he’d come specifically to lend a hand.

“Our Little Seven is such a good boy. Right, Village Chief?” Lu Yi chuckled.

“You’re disgusting.” Lu Qi, as if he’d swallowed a fly, swatted his hand away.

Qin Zhou merely smiled at the sight.

“Someone’s coming.” Suddenly, Wen Jue looked toward the prison gate.

The three of them looked up in unison.

This time, walking down the corridor outside the prison was—

None other than the renowned Cangyun Sword Immortal.

Wen Jue was stunned. He looked down at Lu Qi, who was under his arm, and asked, “Did you bring him?”

Lu Qi: “Am I crazy? If I were to bring anyone, it’d be Lu Xiao. Why would I bring this thing? It’s just bad luck.”

Lu Er, who had heard every word Lu Qi said: “……”

“Village Chief.” Lu Er approached.

Qin Zhou nodded. “Lu Er, you’re here too.”

“What are you doing here? Oh, did that bunch from the Guiyuan Sect come looking for the Sword Sect? What did they offer you to make you come personally to take Lu Yi’s life?” Lu Qi wasn’t the least bit afraid—with the Village Chief behind him, what was there to fear?

Lu Er: “…No.”

Lu Qi was about to speak when Wen Jue immediately covered his mouth. “Hold your tongue for a moment.”

Lu Qi: ??

Bro, we’re on the same side here. Why are you actively weakening our offensive power?

Wen Jue stared intently at Lu Er outside the cell door.

A white robe and black garments—he knew that outfit all too well.

Wen Jue suddenly remembered that he had even joined the Cangyun Sword Sect before Lu Er. Lu Er’s admission to the sect was thanks to his recommendation.

Later on, Lu Er had stood before him in that very outfit, sword in hand—

“Move aside.”

“I won’t.”

Lu Er’s eyes were bloodshot as he lunged forward with his sword.

Wen Jue was too weak to dodge. He knew Lu Er wouldn’t actually strike him down with that blow. He was simply furious—furious that not a single one of his thirty-odd fellow disciples had survived. Furious that Lu Yi had stood in his way.

He would kill anyone he could, and avenge every single one of them.

But that strike was ultimately blocked by Lu Qi.

The sword’s energy pierced Lu Qi’s shoulder, and blood gushed out.

Lu Qi’s face went pale as he cursed furiously, “Haven’t so many deaths been enough? Do you want to go and die too? If you want to go, kill me first! And you lot too—whoever wants to go, just kill me first!”

In the end, Lu Er let go of his sword.

Wen Jue pushed the memory deep into his heart and smiled. “We were fellow disciples, after all. The village chief is still here—you didn’t come here to kill me, did you?”

Lu Er: “No.”

“Did you come here with Lu Qi?”

Lu Er shook his head. “No.”

Wen Jue raised an eyebrow. “Then you…”

Lu Er: “I came to take a look. I’m not representing the Sword Sect; I’m here on my own.”

The Guiyuan Sect had gathered several experts at the Union Realm. He’d come to see if there was anything he could do to help. He just hadn’t expected Lu Qi to have arrived first—and that even the village chief was here.

Wen Jue was momentarily speechless. Lu Qi also fell silent.

“Come in,” Qin Zhou said.

With Qin Zhou speaking, no one said another word.

Lu Er squeezed his way in from outside.

And so, there was one more person in the cell.

They locked eyes, but neither spoke.

“Aren’t you two going to sit together?” Qin Zhou asked suddenly.

Lu Er and Lu Qi both froze.

That’s right—back when they were in the Lower Realm, they’d been pretending to be a loving couple right in front of the village chief…

Lu Qi turned his head away, refusing to look at Lu Er.

Lu Er walked over in silence and sat down beside Lu Qi.

He said, “Village Chief, I was the one who asked Lu Yi to take the Fertility Pill. While you were away, Lu Qi and I became dao companions, and now we have a son. We’ll bring him to pay his respects to you next time.”

“Very well.”

Wen Jue glanced at Qin Zhou; he knew full well that the two of them…

Qin Zhou smiled but said nothing.

They may bicker and squabble, but when someone actually tried to take Lu Yi’s life, didn’t Lu Er still come to the rescue?

……

Now, over at Yuanqing Mountain.

Lu San entered Yuanqing Mountain and, naturally, encountered Baixing.

“Third Uncle, the Master isn’t here. You’re a bit late.” Baixing smiled helplessly.

Lu San: “Where did he go?”

“To the Immortal Restraint Prison.”

Lu San looked puzzled.

Baixing had no choice but to explain, “You probably don’t know this yet, but Uncle Wen was imprisoned in the Immortal Confinement Prison for the ‘Shattering the Heavens’ incident.”

Lu San: “Shattering the Heavens? How long has he been there?”

“Several decades now,” Baixing said, recalling the news he’d received. “The righteous factions thought Uncle Wen was trapped, so they went to the Jiecheng Secret Realm to confront the Demon Sect. As a result, all thirty disciples of the Guiyuan Sect were wiped out. The Guiyuan Sect’s Patriarch had just broken through to the Union Realm and was eager to rally his forces, launching a ‘Demon-Slaying’ campaign. I heard quite a few Union Realm experts went along. Right after the Patriarch left, we received the news. My Master was worried and set out immediately. By now, they should be nearing the Immortal Restraint Prison.”

The information was overwhelming, and Lu San paused several times.

What Baixing was implying was—

Numerous Union Realm experts were out to kill Lu Yi.

That was why Lu Wu had rushed over.

“Who is the Patriarch?” Lu San asked.

Baixing paused in surprise.

His third uncle really was a hermit living in the mountains. It was rather excessive, really—none of his uncles had even bothered to inform his third uncle.

“My Master’s teacher. I imagine you know who that is better than I do,” Baixing said.

Lu San’s tall, sturdy frame swayed as if he couldn’t quite steady himself.

“The red glow over Yuanqing Mountain—that was the Village Chief’s doing.” He looked up; the red cloud was still there.

“Yes.”

Lu San lowered his gaze.

The Village Chief had returned.

“Thank you,” Lu San said.

Baixing:?

“You’re a good kid.” Lu San pulled out a small artifact and placed it in Baixing’s hand.

No one had told him the Village Chief had returned—only Baixing had. Baixing was good; he deserved a reward.

Baixing stared blankly at the sixth-tier artifact in his hand, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Thank you, Uncle San.”

After doing this, Lu San turned around, ready to leave.

“Uncle San, are you going to look for my Grandmaster?”

Lu San shook his head. “I’m going to the Immortal Restraint Prison.”

Baixing froze for a moment; he’d thought Uncle San would want to find his Grandmaster first.

“Baixing, do you know where the Immortal Restraint Prison is?” Lu San suddenly remembered—he didn’t know where it was.

Baixing raised his hand and pointed east. “Third Uncle, it’s to the east, on the highest mountain—that’s the Immortal Confinement Prison.”

“Alright.”

And so, Lu San set off again.

Baixing watched his retreating figure, unable to shake off the sense of disbelief.

The Haoqi Sect had always stood on the side of righteousness. Yet upon learning that Uncle Wen was under attack by a group of Merged Realm experts, Third Uncle still chose to go to the Immortal Confinement Prison first.

Baixing thought, if Uncle Lu is like this, isn’t his master the same?

Oh well.

The Immortal Confinement Prison is bound to get lively.

……

Of course, the participants in the Demon-Slaying Plan were still unaware.

At this moment, it wasn’t just Xinglin Danxian of Yuanqing Mountain and the founding patriarch of the Haoqi Sect heading toward the Immortal Restraint Prison.

Throughout the cultivation world, anyone with even the slightest connection to the Lu surname—including ancient ancestors who had since changed their names—was rushing toward the Immortal Restraint Prison without delay upon hearing news of the Demon-Slaying Plan.