Seeing the dagger, the leader on the ground chuckled in pain. “It would have been better if you had just watched from the sidelines. Protecting an insignificant fool, you’re just digging your own graves…”
However, the following scene nearly made him bite his tongue.
Yin Ci maintained his grip on the dagger with his two fingers, and sword qi surged around him, leaving deep sword marks in the mud. Although he had no inner force, the bursting killing intent was no less than that of the dagger.
Immediately, he let out a cold snort and exerted force with his shoulder and wrist. The dagger flashed with a cold light as he flung it back to its original trajectory.
The frosty blade shattered the wind, faintly producing a sound of breaking through the air.
When masters faced off, they could tell each other’s capabilities with a single move. Intimidated by the returned dagger, the faint and blurry aura from afar instantly dissipated, leaving no trace.
The three “bandits” looked as if they wanted to grind their teeth, but Su Si coldly smirked as he pressed their acupoints one by one, then dislocated their jaws and pulled out three bloody venomous fangs. Seeing that the leader was losing too much blood, Su Si grabbed a handful of still warm wood ashes and applied them directly to the man’s wound.
The “bandits” mixed their saliva with blood, and their eyes filled with resentment.
On the other side, Shi Jingzhi was ready to seek revenge. Unexpectedly, Yin Ci immediately counterattacked and frightened away the formidable opponent that had come. As a result, Shi Jingzhi’s spirit deflated quite a bit.
Ignoring the three men at his feet, he turned to Yin Ci with a dejected expression. The latter gave him a faint smile, and the previously brooding and sinister aura vanished without a trace.
Su Si and Yan Qing were accustomed to this. However, Jin Lan’s impression of the Kushan Sect was still stuck on the temporary sect formed in the Ghost Tomb in order to “make up the numbers”. He only knew that Shi Jingzhi could barely fight, but in the span of about a month, the Kushan Sect had gained another truly formidable master.
Not to mention the person who threw back the dagger had an otherworldly demeanor, leaving everyone breathless, there was also the exquisite and exaggerated beauty of the current Sect Master’s face. Even the newly dressed servant-like member looked as enchanting as a peach blossom, unlike an ordinary person.
…The number of suspicious members in the sect had increased.
The group of people looked so refined that it was frightening, and they happened to be squeezed in a desolate and dilapidated house in the remote wilderness, with gloomy and rainy weather. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like the beginning of a supernatural story. Jin Lan quickly took a step back, and his instinct to exterminate demons and evil made his heart pound.
He ignored the enemies and looked at Yan Qing, his expression filled with terror. Could it be that your Kushan Sect is really not from some demonic sect?
Yan Qing slowly turned away, avoiding that inquiring gaze.
On the contrary, Shi Jingzhi recovered from his grief and pain, and kindly spoke up. “Brother Jin, this group of people who came is undoubtedly ill-intentioned. There must be a reason behind it. May I take a look at the medicinal herbs?”
Jin Lan didn’t know whether he should be grateful or on guard, his tone drifting. “Y-You can take a look. Senior Sister entrusted me with this task, and there’s no need for any concealment.”
As he handed over the medicine box, his gaze even swept toward the other three people behind them, as if trying to find the tail of a monster.
Shi Jingzhi took it in stride, leaving behind an even brighter smile, and then proceeded to examine the medicinal herbs.
As Jin Lan had said, the box of medicine contained only medicine—precious medicinal herbs that could be purchased anywhere in the world—without any extraordinary items like the Ice Peak Snake Lotus. There was nothing unusual mixed in the herbs, and the box, though made of expensive materials, showed no signs of hidden compartments.
This box of medicine was just as orderly as Shi Zhongyu herself.
“These are all mildly nourishing medicines.”
Shi Jingzhi carefully sniffed them and sealed the medicine box back in its original state.
“The Taiheng Sect is indeed wealthy and powerful. This box of medicine is worth at least seven to eight hundred taels of silver.”
Jin Lan chuckled absentmindedly.
Shi Jingzhi: “However, the quantity of medicine is quite large, and these medicines don’t target specific ailments. They can only be used to sustain life. Is someone in your sect seriously ill?”
Jin Lan looked away and fell silent.
“These three men are assassins from the Chigou Sect. They have scorpion tattoos on their bodies.” Su Si rummaged through the clothes of the three men. “Their skills are not particularly refined, likely belonging to the lowest level. They disguise their identities by traveling in groups of three, secretly accompanied by a skilled master. This is a typical assassination technique of the Chigou Sect.”
As a fugitive former young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect, he was more than willing to expose them.
Although they weren’t qualified to know Su Si’s identity, upon hearing his words, the three assassins could still guess that he was a former insider of the Chigou Sect. The three men immediately became anxious, writhing on the ground, and their resentful gazes turned into disdain.
Su Si pretended not to see them. “Even if they are the lowest-level assassins, they are more than capable of killing this young man. Although the Chigou Sect is a demonic sect, they have their own rules and would not engage in such a boring act of robbery. I believe the target is not the medicine but the life of this young man.”
“Nonsense! I, Jin Lan, have no enemies and hold no position. Why would they need to go to such lengths to kill me? Moreover, even if I fail to deliver this box of medicine, it wouldn’t truly affect that person—”
As he spoke, Jin Lan hastily closed his mouth and looked at the ground.
Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci exchanged glances.
Yin Ci: “Su Si, do you have any confidence in getting these three men to talk?”
“It’s impossible. If we used any torture methods to extract information, the ‘Red Scorpion Foot’ wouldn’t dare accept such a hefty payment. Rules are rules. Even if Matron Wuxue herself were here, these three would not betray their client.”
“I suppose so.”
Even if these three men lied, there was no way to verify it. Seeing that the rules he had established were closely followed, Yin Ci didn’t know whether to feel gratified or resigned.
“These three individuals do seem to have some principles. Since our sect’s information cannot be exposed, let’s give them a quick and painless end.”
Jin Lan, after all, came from a reputable sect, and he quickly interjected, “There’s no need for that. Let the Taiheng Sect handle it. If I don’t return on time, Senior Sister will definitely send someone…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Su Si swiftly snapped the necks of the three assassins, silencing them instantly.
Jin Lan took another step back, pressing himself against the wall.
…This was undoubtedly a demonic sect.
It wasn’t until the sound of horses coming from outside that Jin Lan remained pressed against the wall, resembling a raised mural.
As Jin Lan had said, the Taiheng Sect had indeed sent people to find him. However, the two who arrived weren’t ordinary members but influential figures in the Taiheng Sect—Shi Zhongyu, the senior disciple, and Qu Duanyun, a top-ranked member of the Taiheng Sect.
“Senior Sister!” Seeing his savior, Jin Lan hugged the box tightly, finally feeling a sense of returning to the human world from the realm of demons.
When he turned his head, the four members of the Kushan Sect had already put on their Nuo masks, transforming from ethereal immortals to monstrous demons. Shi Jingzhi boldly unfurled his “Medicine Cures Illness” banner, deliberately indicating his identity.
Jin Lan: “…” Why wasn’t he treated this way?
Shi Zhongyu, dressed in sturdy clothing, had an unpleasant expression. As soon as she saw the banner, she promptly dismounted and respectfully greeted Shi Jingzhi, “Sect Master Shi.”
Qu Duanyun remained seated on his horse. “Shi Jingzhi of the Kushan Sect?”
Shi Jingzhi maintained his composure. “Indeed.”
“I am Qu Duanyun. I’ve heard much about you.” Unlike the troubled expression of Shi Zhongyu, Qu Duanyun politely smiled and dismounted.
Through the Nuo masks, Yin Ci silently assessed Qu Duanyun.
This person had sharp eyebrows and a commanding presence, appearing to be a typical member of the Qu Clan.
A hundred years ago, Taiheng’s Qu Tinglei, along with Yan Budu, Kongshi, and himself, were collectively known as the Four Greats. Qu Duanyun was the direct disciple of Qu Tinglei and ranked among the top ten of the younger generation in martial arts. He was polite and had a good reputation, no less than Shi Zhongyu.
It was rumored that he was highly favored within the Taiheng Sect and had basically been designated as the future Taiheng Sect leader.
Yin Ci swept a glance out of the corner of his eye. Indeed, Su Si had already hidden behind Yan Qing, using his Sword of Compassion to half-conceal himself—his whole being on the verge of exploding. Yan Qing was clearly familiar with Qu Duanyun’s identity and considerately stepped forward, making his friend appear more inconspicuous.
“Senior Sister, Senior Qu, why have you both come?” Jin Lan finally regained his senses, feeling surprised by the attention he was receiving.
“I was on my way to the Qu Clan’s residence, but since you haven’t returned for a long time, we decided to look for you,” Shi Zhongyu said with a stern face. “You smell strongly of blood. How did you end up in such a sorry state?”
“Don’t stand here asking questions.” Qu Duanyun mediated. “It’s damp outside. Let’s go to the branch of my family’s residence first, find shelter from the rain, warm ourselves by the fire, and have some tea while we talk.”
Shi Zhongyu pursed her lips, remained silent for a while, and eventually sighed in agreement.
Half an hour later, at the Qu Clan’s branch residence.
The branch was conveniently located near this wilderness, adjacent to a small grove of trees, offering a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The room had been warmed by a brazier, devoid of annoying dampness, with a faint scent of pine in the air.
The furniture in the room was ordinary in material but elegant in design. There were no pretty maidservants in the courtyard; only a few kind-hearted and gentle old servants, and the tea and snacks were of ordinary style.
This place was different from the simple direction of the Jianchen Temple but emitted a similar pure aura.
At the table, Jin Lan rambled on, recounting the details, while Shi Zhongyu didn’t even touch her tea, allowing it to slowly cool down.
“Jin Lan isn’t capable enough. Thank you, members of the Kushan Sect, for your help.” She lowered her head and expressed her gratitude on Jin Lan’s behalf.
Qu Duanyun shook his head and replaced Shi Zhongyu’s cup with a hot one. “So, it was the Chigou Sect causing trouble. That old hag suffered a loss in the matter of the treasure map and is still trying to provoke us like this… Sect Master Shi, your two disciples won’t join us for tea? I’m not that formal here.”
“No need. Our sect’s White Goose Demon was frightened earlier and needs care.” A twitch appeared at the corner of Shi Jingzhi’s mouth.
Joking aside, those two youngsters, one being a descendant of the Yan family and the other the former young Patriarch of the Chigou Sect, wished they could hide hand in hand in the kitchen stove. If Qu Duanyun discovered their identities, the next generation’s conflict between the righteous and the evil in the martial world could start ahead of schedule.
Qu Duanyun didn’t insist. “Alright, later on, I’ll have someone prepare some warm meals to drive away the cold and deliver them separately to them.”
Jin Lan’s situation was already suspicious, and the appearance of the two remarkable individuals from the Taiheng Sect made the strangeness of the matter double. Unfortunately, Shi Zhongyu transformed into a gourd with a saw-toothed mouth*, while Qu Duanyun kept diverting the topic and didn’t mention anything about the medicinal ingredients. Shi Jingzhi could only temporarily give up on probing.
*Metaphor for someone who is silent.
The people from Taiheng were honest but not foolish. Clearly, something inconvenient to disclose had happened within the Taiheng Sect. If they were to press for answers, it would only waste the hard-earned goodwill.
“In fact, the purpose of our sect’s visit to Taiheng this time is twofold.” Shi Jingzhi began following the prepared script. “I obtained a rubbing left by Miss Shi at the Jianchen Temple. However, there happened to be some matters at the Jianchen Temple, making it inconvenient to have it delivered promptly, so I have decided to personally bring it here.”
Shi Zhongyu didn’t delve deeper and absentmindedly responded, “Mm, thank you, Sect Master Shi.”
“And the other matter is that our sect is planning to head north to visit a member of the Mishan Sect. However, the northern region is vast and bitterly cold, and it would consume too much time to travel back and forth. So, I would like to borrow some Arrow Horses…”
Creak.
Shi Zhongyu pushed back her chair and stood up. Surprisingly, she completely changed her previously despondent appearance, gripping the table with both hands and staring intently. “The members of the Mishan Sect have always been reluctant to see people. How do you expect to find them?”
Shi Jingzhi: “Venerable Juefei knows someone who is acquainted with a senior from the Mishan Sect and helped us write a letter of introduction.”
Shi Zhongyu showed a hint of relief on her face. “I—”
“Senior Sister,” Qu Duanyun warned.
Shi Zhongyu didn’t back down. “What’s wrong? This is a stroke of luck. It’s just borrowing some Arrow Horses; it can’t be considered ‘needlessly wasting manpower and resources’, right? This time, I won’t involve others. I’ll go by myself.”
Qu Duanyun shook his head and looked helpless. “Sect Master Shi is still here; let’s discuss this matter later.”
“Sect Master Shi isn’t someone who is greedy and forgets loyalty. He is trustworthy, and I saw it with my own eyes.”
Shi Zhongyu gritted her teeth.
“Duanyun, even if you don’t believe him, you should at least believe in the Buddha Heart Formation of the Jianchen Temple and the discerning eye of Venerable Juefei… That Venerable is most knowledgeable about cause and effect and wouldn’t help someone with just a casual request. Before, when I wanted to seek help from Venerable Juefei, didn’t you stop me with this reason?”
“That’s different. Besides, even if we find someone from the Mishan Sect, they may not have a solution. Senior Sister, please calm down—”
Jin Lan kept his head lowered and dared not make a sound.
Shi Jingzhi put down his teacup decisively. “Enough with the evasiveness. Just speak up. What illness has afflicted your sect’s leader?”
The two individuals from Taiheng froze in mid-action.
“Others may not be able to tell, but I have… come across very similar medicine. Those medicines are used to prolong life, a ‘life and death soup’. Those who use this method to prolong their lives are usually afflicted with strange illnesses, on the brink of death, with no other prescriptions to take, and can only rely on this to sustain their lives.”
“If it’s your elders, friends, or relatives of the two of you, the expenses would truly be immense. Taiheng isn’t lacking in resources, but they wouldn’t squander them for personal reasons. I won’t mention Jin Lan, but the two of you are being secretive about it as well, so it’s not difficult to guess.”
Qu Duanyun pressed his forehead and looked bitter. “Senior Sister, I’ve told you not to bring up this matter anymore.”
“This time, you invited me to your family’s branch residence precisely because of the instructions from the elders and to privately discuss this matter with me, right? Sect Master Shi has connections, and I didn’t intend to hide it.”
Shi Zhongyu spoke frankly.
“That’s right. Our sect leader suddenly got ‘Broken Horse’, and the sect’s renowned physicians are helpless. If we don’t quickly find the root cause, even the life and death soup won’t sustain them for long.”
“Broken Horse?” Shi Jingzhi asked curiously.
Qu Duanyun let out a long sigh. “It’s an internal term within Taiheng. Even the strongest and most valuable steed, once its leg is broken, can only wait helplessly for death. Our sect leader, despite being spirited and energetic until a few days ago, couldn’t withstand the onslaught of the illness.”
“In that case, if it’s a matter concerning the sect leader, why did you stop Miss Shi from saving them?”
“Sect Master Shi is not aware of everything. The ‘Broken Horse’ is not uncommon. Even in the mortal world, when an elderly person gets injured or falls ill, it is a hundred times harder to save them than an ordinary person.”
Qu Duanyun shook his head.
“Everyone has their own destiny. Even if we were to save Sect Master Qi and restore his consciousness, his vitality has been greatly damaged, and he won’t live much longer. The cost of this matter is enormous, and ultimately, it is bound to be futile. The elders are considering the best interests of the sect, which is why they sent me to persuade Senior Sister.”
“At the very least, Sect Master Qi should regain consciousness and make the decision himself.”
Shi Zhongyu’s tone was icy.
“Sect Master Qi is highly respected. For decades, he has managed our sect very well. Now that he is in trouble and we haven’t even identified the cause of his illness, do you expect us to give up on him? My Shi Clan has some savings. If you think the expenses are too great, I will use my own money to cover them.”
“Senior Sister, you are too stubborn. Your approach will only harm the overall situation. Even if Sect Master Qi wakes up, he will surely give up. He values Taiheng too much to jeopardize others for his own sake… Our sect has already invested a lot in the treasure map matter and is unable to handle both issues.”
Shi Zhongyu sneered. “Such lofty selflessness. Duanyun, I will make myself clear. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. I will use my own money, and if anyone has a problem with it, they can tell me themselves.”
Qu Duanyun furrowed his brow slightly, and his tone became stern. “Sect Master Qi’s life is his life, and Jin Lan’s life is his life. If it weren’t for your insistence, our sect members wouldn’t be traveling the same fixed routes every day and attracting the attention of the Chigou Sect.”
“If it weren’t for the assistance of several individuals from the Kushan Sect today, we would have barely managed to retrieve Jin Lan’s body. Can the Shi Clan afford these lives?”
Shi Zhongyu’s face turned pale, and she clenched her fist, causing veins to pop out on her fair hand.
“If I can’t find out the truth during this trip to the Mishan Sect, I will apologize publicly and leave Taiheng. If any of my sect members die during that time, I will personally go to each door and kowtow.”
“But saving Sect Leader Qi is our duty, and on this point, I, Shi Zhongyu, will never back down.”
Shi Zhongyu stood tall with a straight back. As a refined woman, she exuded an unyielding aura, appearing like an immovable rock. Qu Duanyun remained silent; his face filled with helplessness.
Yin Ci finally understood the subtle atmosphere between the two earlier. However, as an outsider, he genuinely didn’t care about Sect Master Qi’s life and death. Compared to the internal disputes within Taiheng, he was more concerned about another matter—
While Abbot Juefei was cursed and burned alive by yang fire on the front foot, shortly after, Sect Master Qi fell seriously ill. If it weren’t for Shi Zhongyu’s stubbornness, forcibly snatching someone from the hands of King Yama, Taiheng’s leadership would have already changed hands.
Qu Duanyun was still young—not to mention whether he could gain the support of the majority—his experience was incomparable to the elder generation’s Sect Master Qi. In this way, Taiheng wouldn’t be as tragic as the Jianchen Temple, but it would still suffer a severe blow, losing much of its former prestige.
Was it just a coincidence?
Shi Jingzhi clearly didn’t want to get involved in this matter. He simply cleared his throat and said, “If Miss Shi is willing to lend Arrow Horses, our sect is also willing to accommodate Miss Shi.”
“Then it’s settled. There’s no time to waste. We’ll leave tomorrow. Jin Lan, go back and inform the people around you that from now on, when delivering medicine, there must be a minimum of three escorts. Don’t stop the life and death soup. I will bring back a solution.”
Shi Zhongyu said coldly, no longer looking at Qu Duanyun.
“I’ll send a message to prepare the Arrow Horses.”
Qu Duanyun didn’t stop her and sighed. “…I understand.”
After Shi Zhongyu left, Qu Duanyun finally let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Shi Jingzhi. “Originally, I was here to be a host, but it turned into a conflict within our own ranks. Please forgive me, Sect Master Shi.”
He anxiously scratched his head.
“Senior Sister has a point. Sect Master Qi has treated us well, but given the current situation… Haa, during this trip to the Mishan Sect, please take good care of Senior Sister. I, Qu Duanyun, hereby express my gratitude in advance.”
Qu Duanyun respectfully lowered his head and bowed.
Shi Jingzhi looked at him for a moment, then returned the bow, giving a flawless response.
“I will do everything in my power.”
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