CH 35

February 19th, 2023

Mayfly Manor stood outside of Mountainview City.

It was situated within the mountain range, surrounded by its peaks, and the scenery here changed every season. It was Chong Wanshan’s private estate.

Guided by the Cinnabar Gate elder, Fang Li made his way along the cobblestone path that was littered with fallen blossoms of every color and shape.

In the distance, Chong Wanshan welcomed them from the entrance, a smile on his face as he said, “Your Excellency, Yuyi-jun.”

Fang Li still had that careless, indolent manner, and the corners of his lips held a trace of an indiscernible smile.

Xie Huai’s expression was cool and indifferent. Only the depths of his black eyes betrayed a hint of unease as he glanced at Fang with worry.

The two of them followed Chong Wanshan into the mountain villa.

A banquet had already been prepared inside the mountain villa, each and every dish one of Helan province’s finest delicacies. Dancers fluttered in rhythm inside the grand hall, their long sleeves lifting and rising like a graceful setting sun.

Fang Li’s line of sight fell onto Chong Wanshan, and he gave a soft laugh. “Is the Gate Master done considering?”

Chong Wanshan’s brows knit slightly, and he sighed, saying, “This one can agree to Your Excellency’s request, but this is no small sum. Would it be possible to extend the deadline to a later time……”

Fang Li raised his eyebrows, laughing. “This lord has always been understanding and sensible. Extending the deadline isn’t out of the question, but there will be interest. For every month it’s delayed, the amount will be increased by a tenth. What does the Gate Master think?”

The veins on Chong Wanshan’s temple bulged, and he fiercely suppressed the fury in his heart as he said in a heavy voice, “Is Your Excellency joking?”

Fang Li looked at Chong Wanshan, his eyes mocking. “Does this lord seem to be joking?”

The smile on Chong Wanshan’s face gradually faded away.

Thump, thump, thump.

It was the sound of the dancers rising and falling on the ground.

A sweet fragrance drifted, and the sound of bells filled the air.

Suddenly, countless silver threads appeared out of nowhere, entangling and intertwining, heading straight for Fang Li to strangle him to death!

Fang Li coolly lifted his eyes and struck the table with his palm, and silent shockwaves shattered the silver threads into pieces, but before he could counterattack, the runes of a spiritual array lit up beneath his feat, and the entire hall began to emit a droning noise.

A formless pressure came bearing down with the weight of a mountain.

It turned out he was already standing inside of a spiritual device.

Chong Wanshan slowly stood up, his sinister eyes watching Fang Li full of naked killing intent. He snorted coldly. “Ignorant brat, how brazen.”

Originally, he hadn’t wanted to rip off the façade of peace with the devil…… Seeing as Heaven’s Summit was jumping up and down and clamoring about how they were going to eliminate those monsters and demons, then he might as well let that bunch charge ahead. When Heaven’s Summit and Hollow Ridge had both exhausted their resources in battle, then he could swoop in and take advantage.

Alas, that devil hadn’t gone to Heaven’s Summit, but had come here instead.

This devil’s path had probably been too smooth until now, making him ignorant and fearless. He had given this devil a bit of face, yet the devil had stepped all over it, believing that Chong Wanshan feared him. Not only had he acted so vilely to his face, he’d even dared to ask for five-tenths in tribute!

If even this could be tolerated, there would be nothing left!

That day, the intent to kill had taken root in his heart, so he’d intentionally pretended to consider the offer, then planted this trap ahead of time, not hesitating to use Cinnabar Gate’s greatest treasure, the God-Quelling Cauldron, to eliminate this devil.

Originally, he’d worried that the devil would be too on guard to agree to attend the banquet. He hadn’t imagined that that devil was truly so arrogant as to actually come.

Well then, today, he’d kill that devil, and from then on, he would be the leader of the righteous sects. Who would dare oppose him?!

Chong Wanshan laughed coldly. “There’s nowhere left for you to escape.”

Fang Li sat up straight, imposing and unwavering as he looked around him and said slowly, “So the Gate Master has set a trap for this lord. But, Gate Master, this trick of yours really isn’t very honorable.”

Chong Wanshan said, “Trivial details aren’t important when eliminating demons to protect the Dao. What’s the use in being so honorable when killing a devil like you for the sake of the people? Naturally, one should use whatever methods are effective.”

Fang Li laughed and deeply expressed his approval. “This opinion of the Gate Master’s truly has the style of us demonic cultivators.”

Chong Wanshan heard the ridicule in his words and was infuriated beyond restraint. This madman—even at this point, he still dared to be so arrogant. Chong Wanshan immediately shouted with fury, “You’re looking for death.”

Fang Li murmured to himself with a sigh, “Killing me is fine, but Yuyi-jun is also here. What does the Gate Master intend to do with him?”

Chong Wanshan’s temple twitched. Word of today’s events naturally couldn’t be allowed to spread. A savage look appeared in his eyes, and he said, “Yuyi-jun was killed by the devil during the chaos of battle. What business is it of mine?”

As long as Xie Huai wasn’t around, in the future, the world would only know that he, Chong Wanshan, had nobly and honorably killed the devil. His prestige mustn’t be allowed the slightest blemish.

Fang Li couldn’t help but clap. “Marvelous.”

Having said that, he turned to look at Xie Huai and clasped Xie Huai’s hands, comforting him in a warm voice, “Don’t worry, this lord won’t let that old thing touch a single hair on your head.”

As of today, Xie Huai’s cultivation was sealed. Since he had dared to bring Xie Huai here, of course he had the confidence to protect him.

He was the big villain, the tyrannical demon lord, after all. He couldn’t possibly let his acting cool implicate others, especially Xie Huai…… That was the person Yan Sui had placed in the very depths of his heart to protect.

Xie Huai stared fixedly at Fang Li, falling into the shallow smile in his eyes, and suddenly…… his worries really did disperse.

Actually, he’d already recovered seven-tenths of his cultivation. Because he was worried that Fang Li would fall for Chong Wanshan’s schemes, just now, he’d been thinking that in the worst case, even if he had to forcefully break through the seal and reveal the fact that his cultivation had recovered, he still had to stop Chong Wanshan. But right now, looking at Fang Li smile confidently like this, based on his understanding of Fang Li, Fang Li probably really did have some kind of insurance.

It looked like he wouldn’t need to take action……

The rumors said that the devil’s power rivaled the heavens, unmatched in the world. Today, he would be able to see with his own eyes if that really was the case.

Xie Huai said impassively, “No need to look after me.”

In his heart, Fang Li gave Xie Huai a big thumbs up. To be able to stay so calm even after Chong Wanshan said that he’s going to kill you, and with your cultivation still sealed—as expected of the protagonist!

Chong Wanshan had just finished letting loose his fierce speech, and he’d thought that the devil would become nervous and panicked, or at the very least consider carefully how to respond. Who would’ve thought that the devil would turn around and start flirting with Xie Huai? The veins in his temple bulged. This brat really didn’t have any regard for anyone! How hateful!

Chong Wanshan didn’t waste his time on any more words and immediately activated the Gods-Quelling Cauldron. More than a thousand jin of weight immediately came bearing down on Fang Li!

The tremendous pressure made all of Fang Li’s bones crackle and complain, but he remained unmoved. The corners of his lips curved up, and a black stone halberd appeared in his right hand. At the same time, the black jade talisman appeared in his left.

Fang Li lifted his eyes, and with a wave of his hand, the black stone halberd struck the top of the Gods-Quelling Cauldron, carrying with it an unmatched force, as if it came from the heavens.

Chong Wanshan sneered as he watched at Fang Li. This was Cinnabar Gate’s most divine weapon. Even faced with a Unified Dao true immortal, it would still be able to resist for a few moments. How could it be smashed so easily? Just as he was ridiculing Fang Li……

He saw a blinding ray of light tear through, and in a split second, a hole had been poked into the ceiling.

Chong Wanshan looked at the ceiling in disbelief.

In, in just a few moments, it had been broken?

I-Impossible……

In the short span of time that Chong Wanshan was distracted, Fang Li’s figure flashed quick as lightning, leaving behind a black afterimage. In the blink of an eye, he arrived in front of Chong Wanshan. His long halberd swept through the air, striking Chong Wanshan away heavily!

Chong Wanshan crashed into the wall, all of his internal organs burning with pain. In his panic, he didn’t hesitate to throw out all the spiritual devices he had! At this point, running would only bring a quicker death; only in battle was there a trace of hope. He gripped his sword in one hand and yelled furiously, then charged forward!

A mocking smile hung off the corners of Fang Li’s mouth, and his left hand activated the jade talisman without pause. The surging spiritual energy created from burning away at his soul gave him unmatched strength, and Chong Wanshan’s counterattack wasn’t worth paying attention to at all. He simply thrust out with his halberd, and when the halberd clashed with the sword in Chong Wanshan’s hand, it sent the sword flying straight out.

Chong Wanshan left out a miserable shriek, and his right hand also fell down limply as if completely boneless. He staggered backwards several steps in retreat, his hair in disarray, his eyes suffused with red as he looked at Fang Li.

He saw Fang Li holding the long halberd, coming toward him step by step.

The pale man’s expression was languid. His black eyes looked toward him indifferently, like a demonic god that looked down on everything. He was completely undefeatable.

It, it shouldn’t be like this……

He had planned out all his machinations, used all of his divine weapons, yet he still couldn’t stop this person……

Such a powerful being couldn’t possibly exist.

He didn’t believe it!

Chong Wanshan watched Fang Li get closer and closer, the hatred and unwillingness in his eyes stormy and dense, as well as the madness of imminent death. Was he about to die? Why, why was it him…… He had never provoked this devil, he’d even compromised and endured the whole way. Regardless from what angle, it shouldn’t be him!

Fresh blood surged out of his mouth, despair, terror, pain, and unwillingness flooding his chest……

Then, he saw Fang Li stop in front of him. He put away his black stone halberd with a wave of his hand, then slowly, slowly took out a mottled green bamboo sword.

Fang Li hadn’t actually killed him right away. Chong Wanshan was dazed for a moment.

Why?

No, something was wrong, that bamboo sword……

Suddenly, Chong Wanshan’s pupils shrank. He remembered, he remembered now, he knew whose sword that was. But that was impossible, that person had already died!

Chong Wanshan’s lips trembled faintly, his voice hoarse and frenzied. “I-Impossible, it couldn’t be you, it couldn’t possibly be you……”

He finally knew why Fang Li had come here, why he’d come looking for him. So everything had been planned from the start. He’d thought he was the one plotting against Fang Li, yet he hadn’t known that he was also being plotted against.

But Fang Li couldn’t possibly be that person. No, that wasn’t right, he knew who Fang Li was. It was that brat who’d escaped back then. It was him, who’d taken the Great Sage’s holy treasure and escaped……

Causing the net he’d cast to come up empty.

Chong Wanshan understood everything in a flash. He eyed the black jade talisman in Fang Li’s hand, a greedy, voracious look in his eyes.

He muttered, “The Great Sage’s holy treasure……”

This was the object he’d been unable to obtain back then, even after going so far as to wipe out the Windbearer Sect. One would expect no less of the Great Sage’s holy treasure, to be able give such an ignorant brat power to rival the heavens. If he had been the one to obtain it back then, the one to unite the world would be him!

He was unresigned—

Fang Li watched Chong Wanshan’s eyes and knew that he’d already understood everything. He lifted the corners of his lips and laughed softly, then pierced Chong Wanshan’s heart in a single, swift, clean stroke.

There was no need to waste words on someone like this.

Fang Li didn’t even bother giving him a single sentence.

Chong Wanshan lowered his eyes and stared blankly at the sword in his chest. He knew he was about to die.

But he was unresigned……

Really unresigned……

The Great Sage’s holy treasure……

It should have been his……

His……

Chong Wanshan’s eyes slowly lost their light. He lowered his eyes, kneeling on the ground, completely still.

He had died.

Fang Li slowly pulled out the sword. Fresh blood dripped onto the ground, drop by drop……

Like long-awaited spring rain.

He closed his eyes.

Raging flames surging into the sky, the clamor of battle.

His master had called him and his Shixiong over, his expression grave as he entrusted the black and white jade talisman to the two of them, instructing them to separate and each take one half of the jade talisman away, to flee in different directions, and not, under any circumstances, to let the black and white jade talisman fall into hands of those with evil intentions, or it would bring calamity to the world.

He clenched his teeth tightly, tears in his eyes as he accepted the black half of the jade talisman, saying, I’ll definitely bring the jade talisman and escape. Unless he died, he definitely wouldn’t let the jade talisman fall into the hands of evil.

He ran with all his might.

His once peaceful and tranquil home was now a sea of flame, like purgatory on earth.

He heard the sound of a blade piercing flesh, and he saw his sect brothers fall to the ground one by one, but he didn’t dare turn his head, continuing to run straight forward, because his master had told him that he absolutely had to take the jade talisman away……

He was already at the end of strength.

But the sound behind him was getting closer and closer. A sword lunged toward him, and he rolled on the ground to dodge, but with just this small delay, even more Cinnabar Gate members had caught up. They were all powerful experts, and he was just a tiny, little Foundation Building cultivator……

Just when he’d already given up, a white figure suddenly appeared. He lifted his eyes blankly. His Shixiong was standing in front of him, blocking the swords and blades for him. His Shixiong turned and smiled, saying, “A’Yan, don’t be scared.”

A single ray of hope.

Only, why had Shixiong returned?

Their master had told them to separate. Now that you’ve come back to save me, if you’re also killed, what will happen? He was anxious and scared, wanting to tell his Shixiong to leave quickly and to not worry about him, but it was already too late……

A sharp blade pierced through hisShixiong’s chest.

His Shixiong remained completely still. Even though his chest had been pierced, and his white robes stained with blood, he still held back the people behind, looking at him gently and resolutely, saying, “A’Yan, hurry and go.”

Although it was only four words.

But he knew that Shixiong was using his life to seize an opportunity for him to leave, and to let him escape with the jade talisman, so…… He couldn’t betray his Shixiong’s expectations.

He couldn’t let his Shixiong die for nothing.

His heart was a hollow cavern, his eyes suffused with red, his entire body stained with blood, staggering forward as he ran.

He would definitely take the jade talisman away.

Definitely.

Fang Li opened his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

At that moment, Yan Sui’s despair and grief weighed down on his chest until he nearly suffocated, as if carved into this body’s bones.

If not for coming back to save him, his Shixiong wouldn’t have died.

But his Shixiong had still come back.

He’d left him the opportunity to live and had told him to escape alone.

Their master had instructed him that he absolutely mustn’t let the jade talisman fall into the hands of those with wicked intentions and had used up all of his strength, and sacrificed his life and his cultivation to let them separate and take the jade talismans away.

But their master hadn’t imagined that—

In the end, the one who would bring calamity to the world was precisely that youth who’d walked out of that sea of blood.

In the end, he’d become the kind of person that he’d never wanted to become.

Because when he’d seen his Shixiong standing in front of him, pierced through with a blade, from the moment that he’d crawled out of that pile of corpses, he was no longer the A’Yan from before, but a vicious ghost that had crawled out of hell.

Every action had its destined outcome.

Infringing on the Great Sage’s holy treasure, holding only the half that was the black jade talisman, endlessly devouring his own lifespan.

But he didn’t care, because every day that he lived was his punishment.

Only death was his escape.

The only thing he wished for was to complete his revenge. Other than that, nothing mattered.

Fang Li slowly looked around him.

The God-Quelling Cauldron was already destroyed, Chong Wanshan was already dead, and the rest of the Cinnabar Gate members had been scared witless.

They were fleeing every which way.

But very quickly, they were forced back by demonic cultivators.

Wu Yimei had long received the order to infiltrate Helan province, just for this moment.

The Cinnabar Gate disciples had lost their will to fight and were killed to last by the demonic cultivators led by Wu Yimei until not a scrap of armor remained, and blood flowed in rivers.

Fang Li narrowed his eyes. This scene was actually rather similar to the one from ten years ago.

Only, the roles had been reversed.

All of the people who had come today to ensnare and kill him were Chong Wanshan’s trusted aides. Yan Sui still remembered some of the faces among them; no matter what, he couldn’t forget that night at the Windbearer Sect, when they’d cut down his fellow sect members with slash after slash, brutally and ruthlessly eliminating them to the last……

Perhaps not everyone present right now had participated in that night’s slaughter, and perhaps not all of the people who had participated in that slaughter were here today.

But since they’d chosen to follow Chong Wanshan and help him do things that couldn’t see the light of day, then even if they were all killed, so what?

Those who killed were ordained to be killed.

Xie Huai stood silently to one side.

He was the only one there standing motionless, his white robes unblemished by a speck of dust, as if standing outside it all.

Before Fang Li had gone to that village, he’d once made his resolve that if Fang Li were to slaughter innocents and start a massacre, he wouldn’t stand by and watch…… But if it wasn’t slaughtering innocents, but taking an eye for an eye and settling his revenge?

Although Fang Li hadn’t said a single word to him, Chong Wanshan’s expression alone had already made everything clear. Just as he’d guessed, Chong Wanshan was the murderer who’d destroyed the Windbearer Sect back then, for the sake of the Great Sage’s holy treasure.

Since that was the case, he didn’t have any reason to stop Fang Li.

The heavenly Dao turned and turned, every sin would receive its retribution.

Every single person had to pay the price for their choices.

This was the ending that Chong Wanshan deserved.

Fang Li stood there quietly.

Only when the surroundings became completely still did he lower his eyes and slowly, bit by bit, clean all of the blood off the green bamboo sword……

Xie Huai’s eyes darkened slightly.

The owner of that sword, who were they to you?

He couldn’t help but recall again the forbidden area in the demonic palace back then. In the empty bamboo building, there was only this green bamboo sword, carefully and preciously hidden away, not permitted by anyone to touch……

That person must have been very important to you.

Xie Huai clenched his fists.

For some reason, his chest felt heavy and stifled.

Fang Li slowly cleaned off the bamboo sword, not looking at Xie Huai. Right now, he definitely didn’t look very good. The reason Xie Huai hadn’t stopped him was probably because his cultivation was sealed, or there was no way he could sit still and watch him commit a massacre.

Killing so many people today should make Xie Huai despise him a little more, right?

Fang Li turned.

He knelt down next to Chong Wanshan’s corpse, his black robes trailing amidst the dark red, like a black lotus unfurling in a sea of blood. He stretched out his hand and searched through Chong Wanshan’s corpse, his storage devices, checking them all thoroughly…… then furrowed his brow.

He didn’t find the other half of the treasure, the white jade talisman.

That shouldn’t be.

That day, Shixiong had died in order to protect Yan Sui, and the white jade talisman should have fallen into Chong Wanshan’s hands. He couldn’t possibly not bring such an important treasure with him wherever he went……

Why didn’t Chong Wanshan have the white jade talisman here?

………………………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Fang Li: Acting cool ✓

Xie Huai: Not stealing the wife’s spotlight.