Chapter 418: Setting Sun (II)

Chapter 418: Setting Sun (II)

Bai Yinzi's face flushed red from the exertion and fear as he cried out desperately, "Daoist Donghe! Come quickly! Your family is about to kill me!"

These words caught Li Yuanjiao off guard, and he relented slightly.

"Let go of your dharma artifact and I'll spare you!" he said.

Bai Yinzi's face was still crimson. He shut his eyes and stood frozen on the spot as the light on his dharma artifact slowly faded. With his sword held to the man's throat, Li Yuanjiao was somewhat convinced by the man now and began to feel rather awkward.

"Young Master! Young Master!"

A middle-aged man flew out of the formation, looking pale and with several medicinal packs attached to his body. He smiled wryly and assured Li Yuanjiao, "This is a misunderstanding..."

Li Yuanjiao sheathed his sword, then bowed slightly to Bai Yinzi and apologized with mild embarrassment.

"Sorry, fellow Daoist..."

Still trembling with fright, Bai Yinzi muttered, "I see... Such is the might of the sword immortal clan... Half of my soul nearly fled my body as soon as you raised your sword."

Chen Donghe also apologized to Bai Yinzi. Having regained his composure, Bai Yinzi waved off the incident and simply replied, "It was my poor choice of words that caused the misunderstanding... I should be the one apologizing. You have been most gracious, Young Master!"

Despite being away from home for many years, Chen Donghe respectfully addressed Li Yuanjiao as Young Master, consequently influencing Bai Yinzi to do the same too. Li Yuanjiao said nothing and simply allowed them to address him that way.

With the misunderstanding resolved, Bai Yinzi let out a long sigh and was finally comfortable enough to speak normally.

"It's no surprise that your esteemed clan could thrive in the treacherous territories of the Azure Pond Sect, expand its territory, and ascend to become such a prestigious clan... Such determination is truly beyond my emulation!"

Having sheathed his sword, Li Yuanjiao's stern features relaxed. Although he no longer looked as vicious as earlier, he still looked rather fierce.

Bai Yinzi clicked his tongue in admiration before continuing, "The Golden Feather Sect, under which I serve, also imposes a hefty immortal tax. Yet, it's nothing compared to the ruthless measures of the Azure Pond Sect. They obliterate opposition at every opportunity. Even when temples are annexed, we must report to the Golden Feather Sect before proceeding with any further mergers, and we certainly do not resort to killing everyone..."

"In my opinion, the Azure Pond Sect and Gold Tang Gate behave no differently than devil cultivators. Let's keep our conversation between us, lest we be accused of slandering the immortal sect..." he added with a slow shake of his head, almost as though in dejection.

Li Yuanjiao listened patiently to Bai Yinzi's tirades. As soon as Bai Yinzi paused to catch his breath, Li Yuanjiao seized the opportunity to turn to Chen Donghe, his voice filled with concern as he asked, "What has gotten you into this state?"

"Devil cultivators!"

With a sorrowful tone, he revealed, "The Old Ancestor has left this world to express his gratitude to the Supreme Yin..."

Upon hearing this, Li Jingtian's face immediately paled and tears streamed down her cheeks. Chen Donghe also seemed to be taken aback by the news as the expression on his face changed and he stood frozen in place.

"I see... this moment has finally come..."

Although Li Jingtian had received a few pieces of news from home and had somewhat mentally prepared herself, Chen Donghe reacted as if struck by lightning, his face contorted in disbelief.

"Impossible... How can this be?!" he cried aloud.

Chen Donghe, normally composed even in the direst of circumstances, had completely lost his composure. His face contorted with a torrent of emotions. Taking a few steps back, his eyes darkened as he uttered in disbelief, "Unless a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator intervened, who could possibly have killed Second Uncle?!"

Without thinking, Chen Donghe had also addressed him as Second Uncle. His face flushed as he gasped for breath. Li Yuanjiao quickly reached out to support him, channeling qi through his meridians. After a moment, Chen Donghe coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

Since he had sustained internal injuries, his complexion visibly improved after he spat out the blood. Looking up, he asked, "Was it an old wound from Maha?"

"Yes..."

With this confirmation, Chen Donghe wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth and murmured, "The heavens must be envious of the talented... To think that all the four brothers of Lijing died so silently!"

Li Yuanjiao turned his head away slightly, as the family had not acknowledged Li Chejing's death. Chen Donghe, who had supported them for years, must have had his reasons for keeping such matters close to his heart. Now, overcome with emotion, he had let the words slip.

After being comforted by Li Jingtian for a moment, Chen Donghe regained his composure. He hung his head and apologized, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Unable to find the right words of comfort, Li Yuanjiao continued to focus on helping Chen Donghe fix his meridians.

Chen Donghe then remarked, "Please allow me to rest for a bit. Tomorrow, I will take you to Smoke Valley Market."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, and the couple supported each other as they moved toward the inner courtyard.

Soon after, the sound of muffled sobs could be heard from the doorway.

Li Yuanjiao sat in silence and was lost in his own thoughts, now all alone in the courtyard. The tea on the table remained untouched, its colors mingling with the hues of the blood-red sunset.

He rested his hand on his knee, gazing toward the red sun dipping below the desert horizon as he let out a sigh. Smoke rose in shapes that resembled serpents, whales, wolves, and snakes, all melding into the dark red distant sky.