Ch. 83 – Striking a Deal
Inside a secluded courtyard at the mountain peak of Lingxiao Sword Sect.
Although the morning light was somewhat dim, its glimmer still marked the end to a turbulent night.
It was a bit early, but some diligent disciples had already gotten up to prepare for a day of cultivating. However, due to this courtyard’s remote location, there were few people in its vicinity.
Similarly, very few people lived there.
With a creak, a window was pushed open.
A visitor had appeared in the previously deserted courtyard.
A man dressed in black opened the window and casually leaned against it. The sunlight streaming into the dimly-lit room was the only source of light.
Bathed in the morning light, the handsome man turned the pages of a book as he leaned against the windowsill, eyes lowered while his fingers skimmed across the paper.
This scene was as beautiful as a poem or a painting, and just like a figure in a work of art, this person was the epitome of the word “ godly beauty.”
Actually, he was indeed a god.
“God,” Ling Yun called out to the man beside the window.
“En,” the man replied with disinterest. He continued what he was doing, paper rustling as he turned another page of his book.
He read quickly, without delving into the details of the text; it was clear that he was searching for something.
“What are you looking for?” Ling Yun asked, glancing at the list of disciples in the other’s hands.
The man gave no reply. After turning another two pages, his expression suddenly transformed into one of pleasant surprise, and he stroked the page with a trace of intimacy.
At once, he threw the book in his hand, and Ling Yun caught it. It was still open to the page he was reading.
Lingxiao Sword Sect’s disciple roster was extremely comprehensive, and recorded the disciples’ date of admittance, talents and aptitudes, and portraits.
Ling Yun looked at the portrait in front of him and found this face somewhat familiar.
This was the person he had specifically gone to see before leaving the Floating Island Secret Realm.
The man’s records were incredibly mediocre. He had entered the sect three years ago, had made no outstanding achievements, and possessed merely average talent. After three years, he had only reached the third level of Qi Refining, which put him firmly at the bottom of the pack.
As for aspects such as appearance and family background, he was as ordinary as could be. If there was anything remarkable or strange about these mediocre records, it was that this person had suddenly changed his name a month ago.
He had changed it from a rustic one to his current name, “Feng Ye.” Although it was a bit out of nowhere, it also wasn’t that strange. Quite a few people changed their names after entering an immortal sect. Having seen the vast world, nobody wanted to retain an extremely common name.
But while changing one’s name wasn’t odd, it was when that person deliberately changed their name while impersonating someone else.
Keeping the original name would have been the best, most inconspicuous choice. Going to great lengths to change his name could easily draw attention and lead to the discovery of his identity.
Why did he go to all that trouble?
Before Ling Yun could ask, the man said with a chuckle: “He’s trying to lure me out.”
After his first unsuccessful search of Ji Chengyue’s rooms, Feng Ye had not simply wasted that month. While idly waiting for an opportunity might have worked, it was far too passive, so he had devised a plan to lure the snake out of its hole.
And his name was the bait. If the person behind the scenes was who he thought it was, they would definitely recognize his name and take action.
But any move they made would be easily detected, giving him an opportunity to act.
He had put himself out in the open, hoping to lure the other party into revealing themselves as well.
Unfortunately……
“It’s a pity we haven’t been to Lingxiao Sword Sect in the past month.” The man shook his head with regret. If they had been, they wouldn’t have only just discovered Feng Ye in the Floating Island Secret Realm.
Therefore, Feng Ye’s attempt to lure the enemy out was fruitless. He never explained to anyone why he changed his name, just like he never explained any of his seemingly pointless actions.
Ling Yun estimated the time and found that it was true. He had come to Lingxiao Sword Sect just before Feng Ye got there, and went elsewhere upon finding nothing, thus missing Feng Ye.
Ling Yun closed the record and set it aside. There was no more useful information within it.
He didn’t speak again, nor did the other man.
That man remained standing by the windowsill, shielding his eyes with his hand as he watched the few rays of light that filtered through his fingers.
He suddenly clenched his fist tightly, as if trying to grasp that light in his hand.
But when he opened his hand again, there was nothing there.
At the same time, his originally solid figure began to disintegrate, turning into black mist starting at his fingertips.
The man stared at the changes to his hands and sighed: “The time has come.”
As soon as he spoke, his human figure vanished completely. The man who was as perfect as a portrait was no longer there; only a formless black mist remained.
The black mist churned inside the room for a moment, then surged toward Ling Yun, where it entered his sleeve and disappeared inside his wide robes.
Ling Yun straightened his cuffs, and just as he finished, footsteps sounded outside the door.
Xue Ren had carefully avoided other people as he made his way to this secluded courtyard. Before opening the door, he first observed his surroundings to make sure no one was watching, and only then did he push it open and enter.
After closing the door, he turned and saluted the only other person in the room: the “god.”
The man in black robes didn’t move, and the mask over his face made it impossible to discern his expression.
Xue Ren’s salute was not directed toward him, but at the person dwelling inside of him.
“Any results?” A wisp of black mist emerged from Ling Yun’s collar, coiling around his neck like a venomous snake.
“Yes, God.” Although Xue Ren put on a show of deference and submission, he sent a furtive glance toward the other person as he spoke.
But that venomous black mist seemed to sense his gaze, and abruptly stretched forward a few inches. It looked as if it was flicking its tongue.
Xue Ren instantly averted his gaze and didn’t dare look again. He had experienced the other party’s strength firsthand both that night in North Sea City and in his knowledge of the events one hundred years ago.
He gave a brief account of his conversation with Ji Chengyue and deduced: “I relayed the words Your Lordship taught me to my shifu. Based on my understanding of him, and judging from his expression, I am seventy percent certain that he indeed possesses a Jianmu fragment just as you suspect.”
“Very good,” the man praised. Then he commanded: “Go fetch the Jianmu fragment for me. Use whatever methods you prefer.”
Xue Ren’s heart stirred when he heard this. Last time, he had been in such shock from his sudden encounter with the other party that he’d readily agreed when the God of War instructed him to locate Jianmu.
But now that he was being asked to fetch the Jianmu fragment, a question arose in his mind. He asked tentatively: “God, would you like me to destroy the Jianmu fragment for you?”
The black, snake-like mist slithered up Ling Yun’s neck. After listening to what it said, the man immediately said: “No, no need.”
He emphasized: “You must bring the Jianmu fragment back to me intact.”
What did Yinglong want Jianmu for? He was the one who destroyed it in the first place one hundred years ago. Xue Ren’s doubts grew, but he remained outwardly calm and revealed nothing of his true thoughts.
He set aside his doubts for the time being and replied deferentially: “I will definitely do my best, but…..”
He seemed somewhat troubled: “Although I am my shifu’s personal disciple, my authority is ultimately limited. And I don’t know where my shifu hid the Jianmu fragment, so I’m afraid it wouldn’t be convenient to enact a large-scale search…..”
His words were loaded with meaning: the power of a personal disciple was limited, while the power of a sect leader was naturally much greater. This was a reminder for the other party to not forget their agreement: Xue Ren would help them find the Jianmu fragment, and they would help him become the sect leader of Lingxiao Sword Sect.
The black mist stretched along Ling Yun’s neck, suddenly lengthening its body until it reached Xue Ren. He naturally knew what Xue Ren meant. This human was complex, yet very easy to understand.
Because he had met far too many people just like him.
The black snake flicked its tongue and said with a laugh: “Your actions have left clues behind, and Ji Chengyue is already suspicious of you. The prospect of your master willingly passing the leadership of the sect to you is now highly unlikely.”
Xue Ren’s eyes flashed, and he retorted: “But he believed my story…..”
“He didn’t believe it.” Ling Yun cut in before Xue Ren could finish speaking.
This hoarse, unpleasant voice was very different from Yinglong’s, and Xue Ren immediately realized that it was the black-robed man speaking. He looked at this rarely talkative man and asked unsurely: “How do you know?”
“I know him,” said Ling Yun.
His tone remained as calm as a still pond, without any of the familiarity one might reveal when speaking of an old friend.
Xue Ren found this answer somewhat laughable. He had been his master’s disciple for over twenty years. How dare this unknown person claim to know his master better than he did?
But surprisingly, the black snake around Ling Yun’s throat agreed with him: “He’s right, Ji Chengyue didn’t believe you. He just doesn’t want to kill you. However…..”
“Hehe,” the black snake chuckled. “Your master doesn’t want to kill you, but that doesn’t mean he won’t employ other measures to keep you in check. Don’t even mention whether you can obtain the position of sect leader – it remains to be seen if you will even be able to move freely for the rest of your life.”
At the sight of Xue Ren’s disbelieving expression, the black snake just said: “If you don’t believe me, then go out and see for yourself. It’s getting lighter. Your master should be making his move soon.”
The moment he finished speaking, the tightly closed door was flung open by an invisible force.
As it creaked, the wide-open door seemed to offer a silent invitation.
Xue Ren’s throat bobbed as he suppressed his roiling emotions. He glanced at the black-robed man and the snake encircling his neck, then turned and walked out of the room.
He hadn’t gone far when he spotted another disciple hurrying along. Before he could stop them, they approached him of their own volition and said: “Da-shixiong, I was just looking for you. The sect leader just gave the order that a trial ceremony will be held in three days. Your shidi, Cao Zirui, has been chosen to challenge the thousand-step staircase.”
Xue Ren was shaken to his core. The thousand stone steps and one hundred checkpoints had always been the ceremony used to select the next sect leader. This act was tantamount to announcing that Cao Zirui had secured the position.
But what shocked him more was yet to come.
The disciple continued: “The sect leader also told me to inform you that you should pack your belongings over the next two days. You will be heading to the Cold Mountain Secret Realm for secluded cultivation three days from now, once the trial ceremony is over.”
Although the Cold Mountain Secret Realm was also a small world, it varied greatly from the Floating Island Secret Realm. The latter was rich in spiritual energy and lush with vegetation, but the former was nothing but endless snow.
Such harsh, desolate conditions were extremely challenging to one’s character and willpower, and in order to break through their limitations, many people chose to enter this secret realm for arduous cultivation.
Once one entered the Cold Mountain Secret Realm, at least ten years would pass until they could emerge. His master had ostensibly ordered him to go there to cultivate, but in reality, it was basically house arrest.
Everything the other party had predicted was spot on…..
Xue Ren didn’t know what he said to the disciple who’d delivered the message, but he realized that his expression likely wasn’t good – rather, it must be terrifying. Because that disciple was currently trembling with fear.
Xue Ren paid no further attention to him. Without a care for whether he was still wearing his “good guy” mask, he walked away in a daze.
His master’s actions proved that he had completely given up on him.
He had banished him to the Cold Mountain Secret Realm to cultivate for ten years, and during those ten years, Cao Zirui was certain to secure his position as the next sect leader.
Xue Ren had become a complete failure, like a lion who had been driven away after failing to become the king of lions, pitiful and dejected.
“How pitiful, ah…..” A man’s low chuckle sounded in his ear, and Xue Ren abruptly turned his head to look down toward the side of his neck.
The black mist that had been swirling around the black-robed man had somehow transferred over to him. The snake-like cloud coiled around his neck whispered in his ear: “Xue Ren, do you know why the dormant Burning Sky Bow awakened in your hands?”
“Was it because of the materials you used to awaken it?” The black snake asked, then answered his own question, “No, it was not. Many have attempted to awaken the Burning Sky Bow, and the materials they used were not inferior to yours, but they all failed. Only you succeeded. Do you want to know why?”
“Why?” Xue Ren asked helplessly, drawn in by the other’s words.
“Because I chose you, Xue Ren,” the black snake said in a smiling tone.
“How much does a single spiritual root actually matter? Xue Ren, your master is foolish and incompetent, and is utterly incapable of seeing your talents. You have never been less capable than your shidi. You are the true chosen one! You deserve to be the next sect leader!” The black snake’s voice suddenly rose.
These words resonated in Xue Ren’s heart. Yes, he deserved to be the next sect leader!
“Now, your shidi wants to take everything from you, and your master wants to imprison you. Xue Ren, what will you do?”
“Like hell I’ll go!” Xue Ren cursed fiercely.
“Hehe, that’s more like it.” The black snake’s voice was equally fierce as he commanded, “Go and take back everything that is rightfully yours!”
Xue Ren’s chest heaved with intense emotion. Although he was filled with anger, resentment, and bitterness, these emotions did not completely cloud his mind. He still retained some rationality.
He looked down at his hands and murmured: “I can’t do it…..”
He was at Golden Core stage, and would never be able to take the sect leader position by force.
The black snake suddenly slithered over his robes and positioned himself in front of Xue Ren, promising: “I will help you.”
“I will bestow upon you the power of the God of War and help you to obtain the position of sect leader. Then…..” The black snake let loose an uninhibited laugh. “Then you will seize the Jianmu fragment for me.”
“It’s a deal.” Clenching his fists, Xue Ren laughed as well.
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Neon Dragonfly Translations 