Mu He was pressed back into his seat but wanted to get up, only to find he couldn’t move at all. His meridians were sealed, making it ihmpossible to use his spiritual energy or any physical strength.
What’s going on?
He tried to speak, but found that his lips were sealed too. He couldn’t even make noises from his throat.
He panicked.
He remembered this was the same technique Xie Zhiwei had used on Bai Yu and Lu Zhanyun in the past. Mu He was full of questions: why did Xie Zhiwei shoulder all the blame for him? Why get involved in such trouble?
Chu Zhishi only saw him sitting still and mocked, “Good, I was worried you wouldn’t cut ties. Our daoist sect has never accepted thin-skinned disciples.”
Mu He couldn’t even hear the conversations around him anymore. He stared at the crow gray figure alone on One Step Cliff as doubt filled his eyes.
Xie Zhiwei avoided his stare and grinned, asking Chi Yan, “How is it? Is the Demon Lord confident that he can take them from this poor daoist?”
Chi Yan looked at him with eyes full of greed. “If you hand them over, this Seat will spare everyone.”
Xie Zhiwei shook his head. “Demon Lord has no chance of winning against this poor daoist. Currently, the righteous sects have recovered their spiritual power. You and the rest are even less of a match now.”
Chi Yan just laughed and pointed behind Xie Zhiwei. “Right now, all these people want are the treasures on your body. Who would really want to help you?”
“Presumptuous,” Yan Zhifei shook his sleeves and summoned the Taisu Sword (ĺ¤Şç´ ĺ‰‘) to his hands. “Our daoist sect stands united. Whoever dares to hurt a hair on Zhiwei will earn the ire of the entire sect.”
His meaning was clear: screw righteousness, nobody’s allowed to touch Xie Zhiwei.
“Exactly. You need to know what kind of place the daoist sect is before you run rampant,” Chu Zhishi weaved a sword incantation with his hands before his sword and whisk rose to frame him on both sides, ready to attack at any time.
Xia Zhiqi didn’t speak, but her Frostverse Sword (čŻĺ†°ĺ‰‘) was already giving off wisps of ice. Following them, the disciples of Ascension City, Heavenly Sun City, and Earthly Moon City all unsheathed their weapons to swarm towards the center with their city lords.
The lone Xie Zhiwei suddenly felt that he was backed by a mountain full of strength. Heart warming, he turned back and said gratefully, “Many thanks to all my fellow disciples.” His eyes swept past Bai Yu and Bai Jianzhu, who were struggling to catch up, and seized the chance to glance at Mu He. The seats there were far more empty now, making the teen look a little lonely.
The King of Nine Provinces sat there without concern and was quite pleased with Mu He’s behavior. The other righteous sects were rather embarrassed. If they charged now, the daoist sect’s speech would still be ringing in their ears. If they sat back, then they’d be confirming Chi Yan’s dirty words.
“Shanzai,” Du Sheng slowly rose to his feet. “Demon Lord’s words are poorly chosen. Leaving aside the fact that Xie zhenren has already saved us once at Ashen Cloud Sword Sect, there was no need for him to rescue us from this disaster today. If he had selfish intentions, how could he have treated the poison on our bodies and exposed White Lotus at the same time?”
There were several people present who had survived the ordeal at Ashen Cloud Sword Sect. All of them were highly respected cultivators of their sects and now spoke up. “We have no intentions of speculating on Xie zhenren’s motives, but there will be no threat to the righteous factions if he possesses those items.”
“Exactly, if they’re not with Xie zhenren, is he supposed to gift them to your Demonic Sect?”
“Today we’ll join in a common cause and destroy the Demonic Sect together with Xie zhenren.”
With Du Sheng to set the stage, the remaining righteous cultivators all gathered as one to fight. Mu He and the King of Nine Provinces were the only ones left behind. Although Mu He no longer had to worry about those people for Xie Zhiwei’s sake, he wasn’t happy because he still couldn’t move or speak. He dearly wanted to rush over and grab those crow gray robes to demand some answers.
Why can all those people help you but not me? Why are you pushing me away?!
The King of Nine Provinces surveyed the crowd and remained firm in his stance. “These people are only united under a momentary impulse. After resolving the siege today, Xie Zhiwei and Yujing Sect will deal with no end of trouble. If the Demonic Sect isn’t destroyed, they too will target this place. You have chosen wisely by sitting here.”
Xie Zhiwei heard the words and couldn’t help admiring Mu He’s father’s strategic vision. In the original novel, Mu He’s schemes and methods grew stronger and stronger thanks in part to his father’s care. After all, the man was the mightiest, most noble existence in the human world now, second only to the emperor himself, so he needed character settings to match. Gallant Outlaw had created him as a perfect ruler in all respects besides being a Tom Sue—a very popular love interest—in romance.
It’s about time to say goodbye to the protagonist.
Xie Zhiwei took a deep breath before facing Chi Yan again. “How’s that? Does Demon Lord still think he can win?”
Word by word, Chi Yan retorted, “When you’re dead by this Seat’s hands, we’ll naturally know the answer.”
He didn’t finish speaking before Red Lotus opened to full bloom behind him, its scarlet light dying the dark clouds crimson.
Before Xie Zhiwei replied, he had sent his whisk flying towards Chi Yan while charging forward with his blade. The moment the whisk touched Red Lotus, its tail split in a few dozen sections and elongated to tear off the illusory petals one by one.
Unmoved, Chi Yan continued to advance towards Xie Zhiwei while ordering the troops behind him: “Kill.”
Actually, his orders were redundant because the righteous sects had already started exchanging blows with their enemies. The chaos of melee clashes broke out across One Step Cliff as various experts unleashed waves of qi against their enemies beneath the tumultuous clouds.
Seizing an opening, Xie Zhiwei quickly flashed in front of Mu He. The teen’s dim eyes immediately brightened at the sight, filled with a thousand questions he wanted to ask. But the King of Nine Provinces pressed a hand on his shoulder and looked up at Xie Zhiwei.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Xie Zhiwei pretended to ignore Mu He’s eagerness and said, “This place is dangerous. You mustn’t expose yourselves.”
The king’s reply was leisurely. “This king will naturally bless my own Royal Son. You have shown him a kindness, so this king will remember in the future—”
BOOM!
A stream of fire landed on a stone pillar nearby which split into pieces and crumbled towards them. Xie Zhiwei raised Qingping Sword and sent up a dense layer of jade-green light that sheltered Mu He and the King of Nine Provinces from the falling debris.
Du Sheng hurried over in the aftermath with a bow. “Many thanks to Xie zhenren for the assistance. You may leave the king to this poor monk.”
Xie Zhiwei nodded minutely but never stopped moving his hands until the layer of jade light solidified into a boundary field that could fully protect the pair. Meanwhile, Chi Yan and Chu Zhishi had already exchanged 20 moves and were stuck at a stalemate, with qi and blood causing strain for both sides.
Xie Zhiwei bowed to Du Sheng. “May Great Master take good care of the King of Nine Provinces and this poor daoist’s disciple. This poor daoist shall battle Chi Yan once more.”
The king wanted to say something, but finally stopped and asked, “Just what are your intentions for treating my Royal Son so well?”
Xie Zhiwei’s eyes finally fell on Mu He’s face, but his expression was as firm as his tone. “None. A master for a day means a master for a lifetime.”
Mu He looked at him dumbfounded as all of his doubts and uneasiness melted away.
Xie Zhiwei turned and instantly rushed towards the glow of Red Lotus. Mu He’s eyes trailed after him, his gaze seemingly stained by the rush of colors to turn slightly red.
—
Chi Yan advanced foot by foot. Despite being pressed by Chu Zhishi at every step, he was drawing ever closer to Xie Zhiwei.
Bits of Lingkong’s whisk had already been torn off to disappear in the wind. Chu Zhishi’s fierce offensive had also slowed down; he finally understood the sheer might of this demon head. At the same time, he realized the shocking heights of Xie Zhiwei’s cultivation base.
With Thunderstrike in his hand, he continued to parry blows while feeling pain in the crook of his thumb. Afraid to relax before the onslaught, he struck out with his blade again.
“So it’s just this level,” Chi Yan remarked. His mask flashed with various colors of light before he launched the same swirl-patterned attack he’d used on Xie Zhiwei. Like the mouths of some strange beast, they swallowed up Chu Zhishi’s powerful sword attack without a single tremor. Once the sword qi was devoured, they targeted Chu Zhishi next, who shifted his grip so that both hands were holding his weapon. He prepared to resist with all his strength, but wasn’t sure if it’d be enough. For the first time, he wasn’t absolutely invincible.
In a flash, a hand dragged him back a few steps. At the same time, the circles of light seemed startled and shrank back in the opposite direction.
“There’s no need for the Demon Lord to use the same trick twice,” a voice said.
Chu Zhishi looked back. “Senior brother.” He was regarding Xie Zhiwei in a completely different light now—with eyes full of real conviction.
Xie Zhiwei said, “Go help Sect Leader Senior Brother and the others.”
“All right, I’ll listen to second senior brother,” Chu Zhishi promised and obediently scooted off.
He probably forgot how he used to claim the completely opposite: “Second senior brother always does what I want.”
The jade-hued light grew and expanded around Xie Zhiwei until it soon dwarfed the flame of Red Lotus.
Chi Yan lost his temper. “You’re courting death.”
The half-furled Red Lotus immediately broke into maximum bloom and detached itself from Chi Yan’s side to pounce at Xie Zhiwei like a giant beast. Xie Zhiwei slowly raised Qingping Sword to his forehead and chanted a few incantations.
The Qingping Sword absorbed the jade-colored radiance at the same time the Red Lotus swallowed him up, sword and all. Thinking he had triumphed, Chi Yan broke into unrestrained laughter, catching the attention of both the righteous and demonic factions.
Yan Zhifei gave a start. “Where’s Zhiwei?”
Chi Yan pointed at Red Lotus, raising alarmed exclamations from the crowd. Mu He stared at the flower so hard he even forgot to breathe.
The petals of Red Lotus had closed up layer by layer like a blossom cycling from summer’s prime to autumn’s end, but it didn’t last. It suddenly shook violently before rays of turquoise light pierced through its gaps like sunlight streaming through clouds.
All of One Step Cliff was silent.
Within Red Lotus, the light swelled until the lotus was bulging. Its petals desperately pressed down, but with little success. As the flower was connected to its owner’s divine sense, its suffering was shared with Chi Yan. If this went on, the entire lotus would burst.
Chi Yan howled. At the same time, Red Lotus split open like a bloody mouth to spit out the jade light and Xie Zhiwei. Chi Yan couldn’t help coughing as a stream of blood leaked out from beneath his mask.
Xie Zhiwei wielded Qingping Sword as he drifted to the ground like a light bamboo leaf. Cheers and praises rose from the righteous faction.
“As expected of Xie zhenren, the backbone of the righteous faction’s middle generation.”
“With Xie zhenren here, why should any of us worry about the Demonic Sect?”
Chu Zhishi patted his chest. “Second senior brother’s giving me one shock after the other. He’s really, really…powerful.”
Xia Zhiqi gave him a scornful look before turning to Xie Zhiwei in admiration.
With the enemy still here, Yan Zhifei’s expression remained stern, but he did use his sleeve to wipe a corner of his forehead. Mu He was ashen white and didn’t relax like the rest, doing his best to raise his spiritual energy in an attempt to break out of Xie Zhiwei’s restraints. He had discovered that despite looking calm as ever, Xie Zhiwei’s temples were covered in a faint sheen of sweat beneath the wind-blown tresses around his face.
Chi Yan felt something wrong with his divine sense and raised his hand. A stream of faint green light was coiled up in his palm like a tattoo. His face sank as he tried to expel it with spiritual power, but the mark only seemed to suck his energy into a bottomless pit.
He immediately looked towards Xie Zhiwei. “What’s going on?!”
Xie Zhiwei replied, “Doesn’t Demon Lord already know?”
Chi Yan’s shoulders shuddered violently. Although his mask hid his expression, Xie Zhiwei could guess that he was about to blow his top. He had used the same method the protagonist did to deal with him in the original novel, likely paving the way for the hero’s face-off against this boss in the future.
That was as far as he could help him.
The Demonic Sect was slaughtered left and right and lost many of its troops. Furthermore, the remaining disciples from other cities had heard of the commotion and were currently hurrying their way to One Step Cliff as reinforcements. There was no way for Chi Yan to gain any more advantages. In fact, he might even end up losing his entire army.
He stepped back and said in a deep voice, “Retreat.”
Behind him, Red Lotus slowly unfurled, revealing a deep crack on one of its petals. Above them, the clouds swirled to reveal a large opening in the center. Red Lotus had the ability to open passageways in the void like a teleporter. Anyone who entered the opening now would be instantly transported back to the Demonic Sect.
“Want to leave? Too careless,” Chu Zhishi floated his whisk and sword to give chase, but Xie Zhiwei stopped him.
“The other side has a few ten thousand men. You’ve just recovered your spiritual power, it’s better not to chase them.”
Chu Zhishi laughed and withdrew his weapons. “I’m just joking to scare them a bit.”
Tens of thousands of Demonic Sect soldiers and mounts retreated from Ascension City in a flash, taking their dazzling colors with them. Once again, the place was a clear and quiet fairyland. Everyone’s faces looked fatigued, but they could finally relax.
Du Sheng gave a heshi. “Amitabha, this poor monk is so grateful to be saved by Xie zhenren again today, I don’t even know how to ask for the second half of the Diamond Sutra.”
Chu Zhishi cleared his throat before walking to Xie Zhiwei and tugging at him. “See what I told you?” he murmured quietly.
Perhaps Xie Zhiwei was caught off-guard, but the small action made him stumble. Fortunately, there was a chunk of broken pillar next to him, so he leaned on that to prevent falling down.
“Are you all right?” Chu Zhishi hastened to support him.
Xie Zhiwei was already waving a hand before he steadied himself. “It doesn’t matter.”
Chu Zhishi wanted to speak but stopped to stare at him instead. Soon enough, his expression sank.
Meanwhile, a clamor had started up on all sides. Currently, Xie Zhiwei was the focal point of the entire righteous cultivation world on One Step Cliff. Many people were jostling to be by his side. As the sect leader, Yan Zhifei was caught up in responding to all sorts of courtesies and flattery.
Someone said, “The daoist sect needs to take care in the future. Xie zhenren should especially be more careful.”
Yan Zhifei’s eyebrows knitted together again. “Place a boundary field outside Summit City, Zhishi, and double the patrols from now on.”
This was only the beginning, but the daoist sect was already on edge, all eyes on unknown scourges in the future.
Xie Zhiwei’s lips quirked up briefly in a grin before he looked up. “No need.”
Yan Zhifei peered at him past the few people keeping them apart, his words full of rebuke. “How could there be no need? You knew the intentions of the Demonic Sect today. If anything happened to you, how could I face—Zhiwei!”
Xie Zhiwei had clutched his chest to spit out a mouthful of black blood.
—
Translator’s Note: Mannnnnn there were a lot of footnotes for this chapter! I had fun looking up the references, so I hope you enjoyed reading about them too. The author obviously took care choosing her names. ^-^
Again, we have a double release today, so keep reading to finish the story arc. These two chapters are 4k+ words long in the raws instead of the usual 3k, so there’s plenty to enjoy~