“The Jianchen Temple is planning a ‘Sutra Cleansing Session’. They intend to take out all the sutras for maintenance and celebrate the return of the precious <Woodless Sutra> to the temple. It’s probably those bald donkeys, ahem, masters dislike the smell of the Ghost Tomb, so they’re taking the opportunity to dispel some bad luck.”
Su Si spoke while eating; the plate of pastries was quickly disappearing. Sect Master Shi, with quick eyes and hands, swiftly snatched the last one and put it in his mouth.
As the three senior members of the Kushan Sect weren’t available for a meeting, Su Si, being the unfamiliar face, was kicked out early in the morning to gather intelligence. Nonetheless, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t let his guard down. Su Si had debts trailing behind him, and though he might not attract attention from the Ling Sect, if the Chigou Sect discovered him, the outcome would be similar.
Fortunately, Su Si showed some spirit and managed to return even without taking Lord Bai.
“Anyway, Jianchen Temple has been overshadowed by Yan Budu. To protect their precious sutras, they have sealed the entire Huilian Mountain. The masters are as stubborn as donkeys. Don’t talk about small sects like ours; even if Heavenly King Laozi* came, they wouldn’t let him in.”
*A semi-legendary ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher. In some sects of Taoism, he is seen as an immortal hermit or a God.
Yan Qing: “At the very least, the <Woodless Sutra> was returned under the leadership of Sect Master Shi. It’s only fair that they give him some face, right?”
Su Si sneered. “Forget it. The Jianchen Temple is different from the Taiheng Sect. The Taiheng Sect understands social interactions, while the monks there emphasize detachment from worldly affairs. They distinguish between gratitude and grudges, and if they say you can’t come, you won’t be allowed in.”
After he finished, he realized something. “The <Woodless Sutra> was returned by that fox… Sect Master Shi himself?! That thing is priceless, and he’s… ahem… our sect is so poor. Can he really return it just like that?”
Yan Qing became spirited. “Let me tell you, below the Ghost Tomb—”
“How long will this ‘Sutra Cleansing Session’ last?” Shi Jingzhi finally finished swallowing the pastry and rudely interrupted the chattering servants.
Su Si: “At least three months. During this time, they will be self-sufficient in food and compensate the contracted farmers for breaching their agreements.”
Shi Jingzhi froze on the spot.
Three months—in three months, the day lily would grow cold*.
*Idiom referring to a considerable amount of time has passed often implying that an opportunity or situation has been missed or lost.
The Jianchen Temple was the largest temple in the world, and if it was sealed, there would be only one way to get there—break through the Buddha Heart Formation guarding Huilian Mountain. Yan Qing’s words were quite right. In the name of returning the <Woodless Sutra> to them, the masters would give them some thin face and not throw them out of the temple.
Provided they could break through the formation and meet with them.
Yin Ci calmly set down his plate, and the freshly cooked pastries emitted a steaming heat. “Let’s give it a try.”
The Jianchen Temple rarely sealed itself. The last time was for a special event for an eminent monk. Yin Ci wasn’t in the Central Plains at that time and missed it. Now, with the grand formation right under their noses, they couldn’t just ignore it.
Shi Jingzhi took another pastry and looked at his disciple. He probably understood this person’s temperament.
Whenever there was a point where one could court death, Yin Ci would undoubtedly be the first to rush in, spreading his wings on the edge of death. This could no longer be considered seeking excitement; it was more like a mild symptom of misanthropy. No wonder Yin Ci showed no fear or terror in the Ghost Tomb; this person wasn’t just abnormally brave but also didn’t know the value of life.
Shi Jingzhi carefully chewed the pastry, and the heart of a strict master rose within him again—he had to get rid of this annoying trait.
…Moreover, the pastries were so delicious. How could someone who could create such delicacies be so disgusted with the world?
What a pity.
In this way, Shi Jingzhi pondered for a while. “A’Ci is right; we don’t have any other options. Let’s go and give it a try. Maybe we won’t even be able to get past the outer perimeter. If we can’t break the array, we’ll go to Yongsheng and continue searching for clues.”
Since the sect master gave his order, the rest of them spent the whole day systematically preparing their luggage. The surroundings remained peaceful, and it seemed that the Ling Sect’s pursuit had been a false alarm.
However, calmness was often the calm before the storm. The false alarm turned into a real one that night, as Zheng Fengdao proved to be one of the most formidable elders of the Ling Sect and had a knack for pursuing others.
That night, the four members of the Kushan Sect split into two groups—Su Si and Yan Qing went to the market to buy food. Only Yin Ci accompanied Shi Jingzhi, and the two secretly replenished other essential supplies.
When they finished their purchases, Shi Jingzhi took his disciple to an herbal shop to replenish their stock. In order to avoid suspicion, he specifically asked a waiter from a nearby inn to make the purchases. Unexpectedly, the waiter was caught by the Ling Sect’s lackeys and immediately exposed Shi Jingzhi’s identity.
Realizing that a fight was about to break out, the master and disciple had to flee, leading the pursuers to a relatively dilapidated corner of the city.
“Well, well, well, isn’t this the disobedient little brat with no offspring?”
Zheng Fengdao, holding his nine-ringed saber, coldly smirked with his triangular eyes. He stood on the roof of a dilapidated house, looking down on the two of them. The moon, without a cloud in sight, cast a pale light, and the crumbling walls seemed to be covered in a layer of frost.
“On the first day you left Zongwu Mountain, I had people watching all the nearby herbal shops, and it seems I finally caught you. Shameful, Sect Master Shi. I had a clear view of the contents of that box of medicine in the Ghost Tomb.”
Since they knew the categories, it was easy to spot the rarest ones and find the people.
Yin Ci wasn’t particularly surprised. They were about to break through a formation, so they definitely needed to replenish their medicines. But little did they know that the Ling Sect had caught on tightly, leaving them no room for luck.
Now, he didn’t have to pretend to be weak anymore. But if he really killed Zheng Fengdao, using Shi Jingzhi as a shield would be pointless—
This was the city, with countless people watching. By that night, the information from the Yueshui Pavilion would spread far and wide. It would be big news if a newly recruited disciple from a small sect killed a well-known elder from a demonic sect. Tomorrow, before dawn, he would become the most eye-catching figure in the entire martial world.
Yin Ci looked around, pondering how to safely get the fox out without drawing too much attention.
Shi Jingzhi didn’t move.
Last time when facing Zheng Fengdao, Shi Jingzhi was completely overwhelmed and had no power to resist. But after several days had passed, he was no longer the trembling figure, and his gaze held no fear, only a faint calculation. “Upon closer inspection, Elder Zheng is quite good-looking.”
Zheng Fengdao: “…”
Zheng Fengdao glanced at Shi Jingzhi, then at Yin Ci by his side. “Kid, did you just insult me?”
Shi Jingzhi: “How could I dare? I was just reminded of my previous opponent and spoke my mind.”
In the midst of their conversation, there was no hint of weakness.
Zheng Fengdao clicked his tongue and raised an eyebrow. “Sect Leader Shi, you have quite a sharp tongue, and now that I look closely, you have a handsome face… No wonder you were all about ‘no offspring’ in the past. It seems the Kushan Sect is full of… rabbits*, destined to have ‘no offspring’.”
*Clarity: He’s referring to Tu’er Shen, which is the Chinese deity who manages love and sex between men. In late imperial China, it was a slang term used to refer to homosexuals. Ironically, his name means Rabbit Deity, but he actually has nothing to do with rabbits. You can read the legend in my Kinky Thoughts.
He paused for a moment and scanned the two with ill intentions. “It’s quite a coincidence. I happen to have a friend who enjoys handsome men. How about I cripple your limbs and give you to him for some fun?”
Before Zheng Fengdao could finish his words, he swiftly descended from the roof, slashing his blade toward Yin Ci.
This young man, with such a face, dared to kiss Shi Jingzhi at the city gates. He was definitely not a serious person.
The demonic sect’s way of doing things had always been to kill the ones they considered most threatening. There was no sense of chivalry or righteousness in the martial world. They were as vicious as they could be.
Unfortunately, Zheng Fengdao’s target knew this too well.
The clash of swords produced a harsh sound. Yin Ci calmly drew his own sword, deflecting the majority of Zheng Fengdao’s strength with a single strike.
Zheng Fengdao was undoubtedly a master, having survived until now not solely by luck. At the moment their blades collided, he sensed something was wrong—his kick had undoubtedly hit an iron plate*.
*Idiom that refers to unexpectedly encountering resistance or finding oneself in a difficult situation after attempting to take advantage of someone or engage in an unfavorable confrontation.
Elder Zheng didn’t try to show off his strength. He concentrated all his power and immediately retreated several zhang.
Yin Ci’s sword sliced through the night sky. “I think Elder Zheng resembles a rabbit even more, hopping quite far away.”
He glanced around the surrounding streets and alleys; his calculations running even faster in his mind. Zheng Fengdao was cautious enough; he probably wouldn’t relentlessly pursue them. If he could capture Shi Jingzhi and leave now…
“A’Ci, stop. I’ll deal with him.” Shi Jingzhi unfurled the flag that had been rolled up for days, and a faint golden light appeared on the flag’s surface.
Yin Ci’s smile disappeared.
Shi Jingzhi had indeed made progress in these days, but it was limited. In terms of strength alone, Zheng Fengdao used to be able to fight five Shi Jingzhis, and even now, he could handle more than two.
Zheng Fengdao was neither a sinister creature lurking in a narrow cave nor an aging goddess within. The streets of the city were intricate, with no overhead cover. Even if Shi Jingzhi were to use his old tricks and set everything on fire with full force, it wouldn’t necessarily reach Zheng Fengdao. In fact, it might end up harming a large number of innocent people and attracting the attention of the authorities.
It was true that his cheap master possessed astonishing power, but if pure strength could solve everything, then Yin Ci, a “powerless” individual, could summon the spirits of the dead to curse the streets.
Has this kid started floating around without fully mastering his qinggong?
Yin Ci shook his head inwardly, issuing a warning in his words. “Shizun.”
“I know what you’re thinking; I have an idea,” Shi Jingzhi responded.
Though Zheng Fengdao was cautious, he wasn’t someone who feared death. He let out an unpleasant whistle, and more than a dozen Ling Sect disciples emerged from the shadows, gradually surrounding the two.
Shi Jingzhi remained calm. “If I deal with Zheng Fengdao, could you handle those people for me?”
Seizing the opportunity, Zheng Fengdao applied pressure. “Handle those people? Sect Leader Shi, my pursuit of you is not just a personal grudge. Our Patriarch is very interested in the Buddha beads you have that he even lent me his Corpse Retrieval Team. Your little lover will soon be separated from his head.”
Yin Ci’s tone grew impatient. “Fine, I’ll clear the way. If Shizun wants to fight, then fight. If we truly can’t defeat them, we’ll escape together.”
Shi Jingzhi agreed with a smile. “Mm.”
Zheng Fengdao, who was ignored: “……”
Elder Zheng spat and stopped wasting words. He turned his attention towards Shi Jingzhi and launched an attack. Shi Jingzhi swiftly countered and led Zheng Fengdao to the dead corner of a rooftop, creating distance from the rest of the Ling Sect disciples.
Yin Ci sighed and leaped onto the eaves of a nearby house, creating a separation of ten or more lackeys from Shi Jingzhi.
Yin Ci’s small appearance made it easy for people to underestimate him. The Corpse Retrieval Team was skilled in martial arts, and there were a few arrogant individuals among them. They felt that with their superior numbers, it would be a waste to deal with just one person. The three of them were the first to pass Yin Ci and rush toward Shi Jingzhi, intending to assist their elder.
However, they were unable to truly pass Yin Ci.
In an instant, as they brushed past, the clothes of the three individuals burst open, revealing a bloody mess of bones. The three sets of blood-soaked skeletons fell from the air, rolling down the eaves.
“Shizun asked me to guard him,” Yin Ci said indifferently.
“The Sweeping Bones Sword Technique…”
The members of the Corpse Retrieval Team instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
It wasn’t the Sweeping Bones Sword Technique itself that terrified them; it was the fact that this person had revealed the Sweeping Bones Sword Technique which clearly meant he had no intention of leaving any survivors. After a brief moment of fear, a near-frenzy of killing intent took over. The remaining ten-plus people attacked together, their sword blades flickering like a dense spider web in the moonlight.
Yin Ci bathed in the heavy atmosphere of killing intent and let out a breath.
The Hanging Shadow Sword rose. Its dark blade merged with the night, swift as a startled swan, leaving no lingering hesitation.
The Ling Sect disciples once again felt fear. The figure before them was like a faint ghostly shadow—a fish swimming in dark water. He had no inner force, wandering among the crowd, leaving only emptiness in his wake. They truly felt trapped, like flies caught in a spider’s web, suffocating slowly.
Whether the opponent was strong or weak, he exuded neither a sense of oppression nor a desire for battle. He seemed untouched despite their attempts to harm him.
It was like he was playing games with them.
What is the true origin of the Kushan Sect?
…The same question was swirling in Zheng Fengdao’s mind.
Compared to their last encounter, Shi Jingzhi hadn’t grown much stronger. Zheng Fengdao was certain that he had struck him hard with several blows, but unexpectedly, the person across from him remained silent, and his eyes were filled with fanaticism.
The two engaged in a fierce battle, leaving countless bloodstains on rooftops, stone paths, and walls. The pale moonlight took on tinges of crimson. At first, Zheng Fengdao thought he might be exaggerating the situation—based solely on technique, Shi Jingzhi wasn’t his match.
However, Zheng Fengdao didn’t relax because of this; instead, he unleashed an overwhelming battle intent, intending to end the fight swiftly. Little did he know that the opponent’s qinggong became increasingly unpredictable, and his movements became more difficult to deal with.
Every move seemed to be specifically targeted at him.
Zheng Fengdao inexplicably thought of the precious battle puppet he used to train with when he was young. It would always strike at his weaknesses and stay one step ahead… never to fall.
Although Zheng Fengdao held the upper hand, his movements grew hesitant. In the dark night, his opponent’s clothes were stained dark red with blood; their exotic facial features were expressionless, with only intense battle intent. Compared to a person, the “thing” opposite him resembled some kind of beast. The more they fought, the more focused and less human they seemed.
He couldn’t help but recall the Human Shaped Coffin in the ancient tomb.
If it weren’t for the hundred-year gap between Yan Budu and Shi Jingzhi, Zheng Fengdao would almost suspect that the two had come from the same sect.
The gap between the two narrowed, and the pace of the battle accelerated. Elder Zheng couldn’t determine if Shi Jingzhi had increased his speed or if he himself had slowed down. All he knew was that his swordsmanship gradually became passive, and he felt as if he were being pulled into a mass of sticky mud.
Shi Jingzhi moved around him, weaving in and out, with his hair and clothing fluttering like butterfly wings. His qinggong carried a hint of ghostly feeling.
Every time Shi Jingzhi flashed past him, Zheng Fengdao inevitably received a new wound. It wasn’t until the coldness of blood loss spread across his back that Zheng Fengdao realized his opponent’s strategy—
Shi Jingzhi intended to wear him down until death. This person, covered in sword wounds and possessing only half-mastered qinggong, actually planned to wear him down with most of his life force.
It seemed as though Shi Jingzhi had planned everything from the beginning, patiently calculating his wounds and waiting for every mistake he made. It sounded absurd, but terrifyingly enough, his opponent was close to succeeding.
No, this person was too abnormal; he had to escape. Regardless of the Buddha beads and his reputation, his life was more important.
Zheng Fengdao bit his fingertip, smearing blood on his headband. The white jade headband emitted a faint glow, creating a thin protective barrier around him. Although the barrier was somewhat weak, it had the potential to disrupt the rhythm of the battle and create vulnerabilities at a crucial moment.
Shi Jingzhi’s eyes brightened, and for the first time, he showed a human-like expression on his face. “Nice headband. Where did you buy it?”
…This person must be sick. Zheng Fengdao turned around, intensifying his efforts to escape. However, before he could take a few steps, an overwhelming pressure that almost obliterated his senses exploded. His mind trembled, and he involuntarily stopped in his tracks.
In that moment of hesitation, Zheng Fengdao’s mind went blank.
It’s over.
Unfortunately, he no longer had a chance. As the thought crossed his mind, a flagpole pierced through the back of his neck, protruding from his mouth, directly puncturing his throat.
Shi Jingzhi severed his spine, delivering a non-lethal blow. Lowering his head, Shi Jingzhi’s cascading black hair hung down from his shoulders, and a smile that was almost genuine appeared on his face.
“Thank you for the lesson, senior.”
That smile sent shivers down Zheng Fengdao’s spine. Fearfully, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Shi Jingzhi swung the bloodstained flagpole, pressing it against Zheng Fengdao’s forehead.
“A’Ci is really powerful. I once used this pressure to scare him, and he was only surprised. But you—you nearly wet your pants. Although I don’t know why he’s avoiding the major sects… Well, as long as I treat him well, he will surely tell me, don’t you think?”
The flagpole ignited with golden flames and pierced down once again.
While Shi Jingzhi finished his battle, Yin Ci also stopped being perfunctory. Sword qi surged, and the entire Corpse Retrieval Team was annihilated.
When Yin Ci approached, Shi Jingzhi instinctively raised his sleeve, attempting to hide the twisted smile that hadn’t faded from his lips. Unexpectedly, as he raised his arm, Yin Ci grabbed his wrist.
Yin Ci looked at him with a half-smile. “You look quite lovely when you smile. What are you trying to hide?”
“…Everyone prefers a more approachable master.”
“Is that so? I prefer someone like you.” Yin Ci couldn’t help but feel that this person’s inner conflicts were incredibly strange. The Medicine Cures Illness flag was still lodged in Zheng Fengdao’s forehead. How could he be afraid to smile?
Yin Ci released his grip on Shi Jingzhi’s wrist as if complying with his request. Shi Jingzhi stood still for a moment, then mysteriously leaned closer. “A’Ci, come closer.”
“What are you fussing about? Look at your own injuries first—there’s no need to push yourself too hard.”
“Just come a bit closer.”
Yin Ci sheathed his sword and reluctantly approached. Shi Jingzhi pulled out the bloodstained white jade headband, smiling with a twinkle in his eyes. He raised both arms, hands crossing over the side of Yin Ci’s face, and carefully tied up his disciple’s loose black hair.
His movements were incredibly gentle, like touching the rising smoke of a burning incense.
“Mm, I felt it suited you earlier… and indeed, it suits you well. Wear it.”
The faint scent of medicine mixed with the strong smell of blood, and for a moment, Yin Ci had the illusion of being embraced. He instinctively lightened his breath, feeling a hint of bitterness in his mouth.
The next moment, the embrace became a reality. Shi Jingzhi let out a few grunts and directly collapsed, nearly smashing Yin Ci to the ground.
Alright, the logic of dog education surfaced once again. Seeing Shi Jingzhi casually handing over something, Yin Ci thought he had reserved some strength. But after several days, it turned out that this person still hadn’t learned to distinguish between urgency and nonchalance.
Yin Ci was annoyed. He swiftly pressed a point on Shi Jingzhi’s body, viciously bandaging his wounds without holding back any strength. He tightly bound his master, causing him to yelp in pain.
“A’Ci! I knew I could win… Ah, you’re choking me to death—”
“You knew? Did you also consider that later we’ll have to dispose of the corpses? Am I the only one who’s responsible for cleaning up the bodies scattered all over the place?”
“…”
“You really thought it through?”
“…Next time, for sure.”
The author has something to say:
Demonic Lord Yin: Huh? You still want a next time.
————
-In the beginning-
Shi Jingzhi: My things.
Yin Ci: My things.
-Nowadays-
Shi Jingzhi: My disciple.
Yin Ci: My fox (?
Both gentlemen, please strive towards the direction of “my man”!
Kinky Thoughts:
According to legends, Tu’er Shen was a man named Hu Tianbao who fell in love with a very handsome imperial inspector of Fujian Province. One day he was caught peeping on the inspector through a bathroom wall, at which point he confessed his reluctant affections for the other man. The imperial inspector had Hu Tianbao sentenced to death by beating. One month after his death, he appeared to a man from his hometown in a dream, claiming that since his crime was one of love, the underworld officials decided to right the injustice by appointing him the god and safeguarder of homosexual affections.
After his dream, the man erected a shrine to Hu Tianbao, which became very popular in Fujian, so much so that in late Qing times, the cult of Hu Tianbao was targeted for extermination by the Qing government.
——
Well, I certainly hope they bang like rabbits…
——
A note on the title of this arc, it’s an idiom (高处不胜寒) that expresses the idea that those in high positions or with great responsibilities often face more challenges, difficulties, or pressure, just like how it’s colder at higher altitude (AKA it’s lonely to be in a high position/at the top).
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