CH 43

March 22nd, 2023

Good brothers should just forget each other and go their separate ways.1

Fang Li tried very hard to lower his sense of existence to zero and didn’t give Xie Huai’s direction another look.

One by one, even more sects arrived.

Lu Hongdao fretted his heart out over Fang Li, worrying here that he was hungry, or worrying there that he was cold. Luckily, Fang Li was very well-behaved and stayed there quietly, not making a fuss.

At night, everyone split the dry rations and ate.

Lu Hongdao saw that Fang Li was done eating, and his short beard twitched. He said in a gentle voice, “Little Li, are you sleepy? Do you want to sleep for a while?”

Fang Li looked at him with perplexion.

Lu Hongdao folded his hands together by his ears and tilted his head to mimic a sleeping posture, saying with great effort, “Sleep, sleep.”

After a long time, Fang Li made an expression of realization and nodded.

Lu Hongdao immediately laid out some bedding for him. Seeing Fang Li lie down to go to sleep, he carefully pulled the blankets over him, then let out a long sigh.

In the valley, each of the sects lit their torches.

The firelight swayed and flickered.

The shadows danced left and right on the ground, drawing out constantly shifting images.

Xie Huai slowly opened his eyes. His frigid gaze was even darker than the night sky, and it fell on Fang Li’s figure.

He remembered this young man.

Previously, at a household in Hualin Town, he’d still had a languid, carefree bearing, his manner of speech calm and unruffled, easily scaring away those two demonic cultivators. Yet right now…… He was actually acting like a dazed fool.

Hah……

To put on such a show, he must have ulterior motives.

But as long as he didn’t do any misdeeds, Xie Huai didn’t feel like bothering with it.

He withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes again.

Fang Li wasn’t actually asleep yet.

His back faced Xie Huai, and his whole body tensed.

Xie Huai was extremely sharp, so he had to be extra careful on this trip. Sigh, he’d only wanted to come here to pick up some things to help his body recover. Who would’ve thought that he could run into Xie Huai with just that?

The world was really too small!

The crowd stayed there for three days.

During those three days, demonic cultivators occasionally came to harass them with attacks, but because Xie Huai was present, none of those demonic cultivators were able to create any waves and quickly retreated.

Seeing that just about all of the sects who were supposed to come had arrived.

The four great sects held a discussion and decided that they would lead the way in front and enter the valley together.

The entrance to the valley had a seal that had been left behind by the devil back then. Heaven’s Summit specially brought their sect’s divine weapon to indicate that they were willing to step forward to break the seal.

The one leading Heaven’s Summit was an elder with white hair. Although he was the senior, when facing Xie Huai, he was extremely courteous and respectful. He smiled as he said, “What does Yuyi-jun think?”

From start to finish, Xie Huai had that indifferent expression. He didn’t say a word, only slightly nodding his head.

The Heaven’s Summit elder let out a breath.

If Xie Huai weren’t here, then Heaven’s Summit, which was vaguely the leader of the righteous sects today, would be the ones to call all the shots. They wouldn’t need to be so cautious at all…… But when Xie Huai was present, it was different.

Yuyi-jun was the publicly recognized number one in the world. It was rumored that he might very well have already become a Unified Dao true immortal, and even sect masters had to be courteous when greeting him. He naturally didn’t dare to ignore Yuyi-jun…… Luckily, Yuyi-jun never liked to bother with things, or else Heaven’s Summit wouldn’t even get a turn to step forward these days.

The Heaven’s Summit elder turned around and waved his hands, and a spiritual device shaped like a jade bottle appeared in his hands. He activated his spiritual energy to control the jade bottle, and a huge wave of spiritual energy surged out.

A deafening roar thundered, and the seal on the valley entrance crumbled with a boom.

The white mist ahead of them dispersed, revealing a grassy, overgrown plain.

Fang Li stood silently amidst the crowd, evaluating the scene with contemplation…… Yan Sui hadn’t come here very often, but he still remembered clearly where to go.

This expanse of weeds and grass looked ordinary and plain, but it was actually a killing array with layers of misdirection.

If it were just that disorganized band of fellows recklessly charging in, then they would certainly suffer heavy casualties, but with members of the four great sects present…… Especially with Xie Huai here, a mere illusion array was nothing to sweat about, so he didn’t need to worry.

Following Xie Huai and the others would be good enough.

All of the cultivators present were also extremely cautious. Although the demon lord’s treasure vault truly did make one’s eyes turn green, they still needed to be alive to take it. They still had that bit of self-awareness, so nobody rushed to charge ahead, and they all watched the members of the four great sects proceed.

Heaven’s Summit stubbornly occupied the position of lead. That elder had already put away the jade bottle and gave a faint smile. “This old one will take a step first.”

As he spoke, he stepped inside.

There was obviously nothing in front of them, but as soon as he stepped inside, he vanished before everyone’s eyes in a flash. More than a few people’s hearts trembled. So there really was an array!

Heaven’s Summit and the sects following behind them quickly stepped inside after the elder.

Following that were Black Star Tower and Jade Hawk Palace’s people.

Lastly, was Cloudbank Keep.

Lu Hongdao was completely on edge. He grabbed Fang Li’s hand and gave it his all to squeeze forward toward Xie Huai.

The corners of Fang Li’s lips twitched helplessly. He very much wanted to say, actually, it would be safer for you to follow me. After all, I’m familiar with this place. But right now, he was a fool, and he couldn’t say those words, so he could only allow himself to get pulled over to where Xie Huai was……

Don’t look at Lu Hongdao’s rough, bear-like appearance, but in truth, he was careful and timid. Right now, he didn’t have time to think about things like face, and he stuck close to the Cloudbank Keep disciples, not falling a step behind.

Seeing Xie Huai’s back close enough to be within reach.

Fang Li was truly a bit uneasy and didn’t really want to get any closer, but Lu Hongdao held tight to his hand, like a mother hen grabbing her chicks……

In the calm, quiet brush thickets.

There was only the sound of people walking forward and their heavy, cautious breathing……

Suddenly—

A glaring cluster of darkness flashed abruptly ahead of them, and countless sharp vines and thorns appeared out of nowhere, completely surrounding the crowd as it came piercing toward them! Lu Hongdao anxiously held his breath, so terrified that he didn’t dare move…… In front, Xie Huai’s cold, gloomy gaze swept around. He didn’t even lift his hand, but those thorny vines seemed to hit some kind of invisible barrier and crumbled into dust in a split second, settling to the ground like snowflakes.

This whole scene came in the blink of an eye and disappeared just as quickly.

The crowd still hadn’t had time to come to their senses yet, and the attack had already been eliminated. After a moment, they finally felt a lingering terror in their hearts, and at the same time, they looked at Xie Huai with reverence and fear.

Lu Hongdao wiped the sweat from his forehead. Thank goodness they were following Yuyi-jun, or else at that moment, he would have become minced meat……

He didn’t know if Fang Li had been scared or not. He looked back with worry, but Fang Li still had that perplexed expression. He thought to himself, being a fool sure was good, he didn’t even know to be scared……

Fang Li gave Lu Hongdao a bashful smile.

He was a fool, okay, he didn’t understand about arrays or whatever. What was there to be scared of?

Xie Huai’s cold, sharp gaze swept all around.

Suddenly, it stopped for a moment on Fang Li’s figure.

The sickly pale young man stood there leisurely with perplexion, a nearly indiscernible smile hanging off of his lips. Not only was there not a trace of lingering fear in his expression, he looked like he was strolling in his own home, completely at odds with the grave, anxious expressions of the people around him.

Xie Huai’s brows furrowed slightly.

If the young man really were an ignorant, muddle-headed fool, then that would be one thing, but he was very clearly a clear-headed person with full understanding, yet he was able to not reveal the slightest flaw in his act even under these circumstances……

Either he’d already expected this, or his mental fortitude was beyond the norm. Regardless of which one, it meant that he was no ordinary person.

This person was playing the fool, yet was enigmatic and unfathomable. Exactly what purpose did he have for following them? Had he been sent here by demonic cultivators? It was indeed very possible that a demonic cultivator had possessed this fool’s body and come along to set a trap for the righteous cultivators.

With that thought, the chill in Xie Huai’s eyes grew deeper.

Fang Li could sense that Xie Huai was looking at him, and his back tensed, but his face still had that perplexed expression!

He definitely couldn’t let Xie Huai discover any flaws.

After a few breaths, Fang Li saw that Xie Huai had finally turned around and continued walking. Only then did he let out a small breath. Xie Huai’s gaze was much more ferocious than before. Just that one glance was enough to freeze a person to death.

Fang Li feared neither heaven nor earth, but the only thing he did fear were those eyes of Xie Huai’s. Probably, this was the so-called…… indebtedness?

Because Yuyi-jun was in front to open up a path, the journey was full of scares but no real danger and went extremely smoothly.

Very quickly, they left this patch of grass.

Although Cloudbank Keep’s disciples had been the last to enter, they were the first to exit.

Not too long after, the members of the other three great sects also arrived one after the other.

Some people had suffered injuries, but nobody had really died.

Fang Li wasn’t actually surprised by that. This place had just been where Yan Sui tossed his extra belongings, so he hadn’t really put much effort into installing any kind of mechanisms. The first illusion array, especially, wasn’t really particularly dangerous, and the four great sects wouldn’t fare so poorly as to not even be able to pass through that.

But the second trial was a little more dangerous.

What appeared before the crowd’s eyes was a gloomy, dense underground river.

This underground river was over a hundred meters wide, and the pitch-black surface of the river gleamed with reflected light, looking extremely peaceful. But Fang Li knew what dangers were hidden inside the water.

Oh, at the time, Yan Sui had thought that the fish in the Fallen Star Sea weren’t bad, so he’d hauled a bunch over in passing to raise here……

Now, it had been nine years since anyone had come here, so these fish kids and fish grandkids were probably ravenous……

Although the Cloudbank Keep group hadn’t been injured, the other groups had more or less suffered some damage. Nobody knew whether there were any mechanisms in the river, so they didn’t rush to proceed, but instead sat down where they were to recover.

Fang Li sat down lazily with his legs crossed and touched his stomach.

Lu Hongdao immediately took out a piece of corn and laughed awkwardly as he said, “Little Li, we were in a rush when we left this time, so there isn’t much to eat. Make do with this for now, heh heh.” There was no other option, only corn was left!

Fang Li turned his head aside disdainfully, looking down his nose at it. For better or for worse, he was someone who’d been the demon lord. Did you really think he would eat anything?

He wasn’t going to eat raw corn!

Because Fang Li was a pitiful little fool, he looked very unusual in a crowd of cultivators, so Tao Lu had been paying attention to him the whole time.

He didn’t know what on earth these people from the Golden Blade Sect were doing. Such a dangerous place, and they’d brought along a fool who didn’t even have the strength to truss a chicken. Right now, looking at how he was hungry but didn’t have anything to eat, Tao Lu thought this fool was really too pitiful.

Tao Lu got up and walked over, smiling at Fang Li, “I have some crystal cake here, go ahead and eat this.”

Fang Li looked up with surprise, looking at the youth in front of him. The youth’s round face was giving him a kind smile, two little dimples appearing on his face.

He held the cake in one hand, opening his mouth and mimicking an eating gesture. He then blinked, instructing patiently, “Something to eat.”

Fang Li immediately felt touched, and the youth seemed to emit a brilliant light. One would expect no less of Cloudbank Keep’s disciples.

Just like Xie Huai, they were all living saints with hearts full of compassion and mercy!

He reached out to accept the crystal cake in the youth’s hands.

The crystal cake was glossy and translucent, emitting a clear fragrance, neither overpowering nor overly sweet. Just from its appearance, it looked extremely delicious…… Fang Li took a bite with satisfaction, and as expected, the taste was marvelous.

As Fang Li ate and ate, he couldn’t help but think of the so-called Linxian province specialty crystal cakes that he’d bought for Xie Huai on that trip back then. As expected, they’d been fakes, hadn’t they? He immediately let out an embarrassed smile.

This was the real and genuine Linxian province specialty, huh.

Xie Huai’s line of sight swept blandly past their direction. He saw Fang Li eat the crystal cakes and reveal such a full and content appearance. Even the curve of his lips when the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted was so similar to that person……

For a second, he actually couldn’t help but recall that person again……

Xie Huai suddenly closed his eyes, the air around him icy cold.

Why, did he always feel the familiarity of that person from this fellow with untoward schemes?

This shouldn’t be.

When Fang Li finished eating the crystal cakes, there were still crumbs stuck to his mouth.

Lu Hongdao came over to help him wipe his face, then said gratefully to Tao Lu, “Thank you, young hero, if not for you, this nephew of mine would have to starve!”

Tao Lu put on a stern face to scold, “This is such a dangerous place. Why did you bring him?”

Lu Hongdao’s face looked miserable. “He came on his own and hid in the basket with the dry rations. We didn’t even notice him……”

So that was it……

The anger in Tao Lu’s chest dissipated a bit. He paused, then instructed helplessly, “Then be careful, and remember to follow close during the trip.”

Lu Hongdao nodded fervently. “Yes, yes, yes, much thanks, young hero!”

When he was done speaking, Tao Lu returned to Cloudbank Keep’s side.

Xie Huai’s peripheral vision flitted past Tao Lu.

This child was still so sentimental and easily worried. That fellow was all kinds of crafty and clever. He’s not a fool in the least, he’s just making a fool out of all of you.

Only……

Xie Huai looked deeply into the distance, his brows furrowing slightly with a trace of puzzlement.

Although that fellow had been very secretive, very careful…… Xie Huai could still sense that he was meticulously avoiding him.

Why?

He didn’t recognize this person, and there were no grudges between them, so why was he avoiding him?

The only people in the world who would hide from and be afraid of him were evil demons, but he hadn’t sensed any presence of demonic cultivation on this person…… Had this person hid it too well, or was there another reason?

Just what did you come here for?

After everyone had recovered for a time.

They prepared to continue onwards.

The river was calm, but nobody dared to relax their guard.

One of the Heaven’s Summit cultivators received an order and headed out, trying to cross the river by sword, but just when he’d flown to the middle, a huge magnetic force suddenly pulled him downwards. In a split second, he fell into the river water, and the originally calm surface seemed to roil up. Countless fish with vicious, bared teeth sensed the movement and began to stir, ripping him into pieces in the blink of an eye, leaving only a slowly expanding splotch of dark red on the surface of the lake……

The area immediately became dead silent.

They’d just known that this river wouldn’t be simple, but looking at this scene and watching with their own eyes as a living person was ripped to pieces in the blink of an eye, they still felt a shiver run up their spines, terror and alarm coiling around everyone’s hearts…… Moreover, this mechanism had truly been sinister. It couldn’t be discerned from the start and would only suddenly activate when one had flown to the middle of the river, catching one by surprise with no way to advance or retreat. There wasn’t even time to flee for your life!

The crowd was full of curses. “As expected of a trap laid by that devil, it’s really too sinister, too despicable, too vile!”

“Such a ferocious devil really deserved his death and more!”

“Thank goodness that devil was killed by Yuyi-jun, or else who knows what kind of disasters the world would be facing today!”

Fang Li lowered his head, not making a sound.

Yan Sui was only raising some fish. If you didn’t come here, wouldn’t you not get fed to the fish?

Everyone was viciously cursing Yan Sui. Only the Cloudbank Keep disciples all had their heads lowered, their expressions anxious, not even daring to steal a look at Xie Huai……

Gradually.

The crowd sensed that something was wrong.

Y-Yuyi-jun seemed, not too happy?

Xie Huai’s gloomy, black eyes were fixed on the surface of the river. The fresh red dying the surface of the river was reflected in his pupils, mingling together with that bottomless black, like the luster of blood congealing at the depths of an abyss.

He forcefully closed his eyes.

But what appeared before him was the scene of that person smiling at him and plummeting into the Fallen Star Sea……

After that, although he’d exhausted every method he had, he hadn’t been able to find even a shred of that person’s clothes.

Because, he hadn’t been able to leave anything behind.

Xie Huai suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes dark and fathomless. His Snowblue Sword appeared in his hands in a split second and came thundering down without any hesitation!

With his strike, a cold light radiated out without a sound.

But the entire river was split in two by his sword, and a ravine a hundred meters deep appeared in the middle of the lake. The crashing river water sucked countless ferocious fish into the ravine, and as soon as those fish touched the sword qi, they were turned to dust without exception.

The scene immediately fell silent again. The crowd had originally been whole-heartedly cursing the demon lord, and nobody had thought that Xie Huai would split the lake straight into two halves without even saying a word.

They looked at Xie Huai fearfully, trembling and on edge, too scared to say a word.

Y-Yuyi-jun was indeed the number one in the world. Probably no one in the world could block that one sword strike, right? As expected, “strong enough to level mountains and split seas” wasn’t an exaggeration!

Moreover, sure enough, Yuyi-jun really did hate that devil to the core, or else why would he have been angered?

Fang Li vaguely felt that something was wrong and subconsciously took a step back.

Although he’d previously felt that Xie Huai seemed to have changed somewhat……

At this moment, it was especially clear.

The fish hadn’t bothered him, so what need was there to be so vicious?

It couldn’t be that he was taking out his anger on them?

Xie Huai wouldn’t really hate him to the core, would he?

But after making that one strike of his sword, Xie Huai put away his sword and recovered his usual indifferent appearance, as if nothing was different from usual.

He turned his head blandly, his gaze flitting past Fang Li. His lips parted slightly and spat out one word. “Continue.”

That word wasn’t exactly said to Fang Li.

But in that split second, Fang Li only felt his scalp go numb, as if he were being stared down by some fierce, abyssal beast.

Was there really still time to flee right now?

………………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Fang Li: Don’t take your anger out on the fish.

Xie Huai: What else then? : )

Fang Li: Forget it, take your anger out on the fish after all.

………………………………

1 The original text “相忘于江湖” comes from a parable about two fish in a dried up lake trying to keep each other alive by breathing on each other. In this context, the idea is something like, rather than holding on to old attachments and staying in a miserable situation, it would be better to forget each other and turn over a new leaf somewhere else.