Chapter 26: Inevitable Conflict

Chapter 26: Inevitable Conflict

CHAPTER

26

Inevitable Conflict

I

There was a tense moment of silence as Hao Zhen, Tian Jin, and Duo Lan stared at Du Jian and the five other outer disciples behind him, who stared right back at them.

Then Du Jian broke out into a wide, sinister smile. Well, if it isnt Tian Jin and his friends, he said. What a coincidence!

Beside him, Hao Zhen noticed Tian Jin taking a deep breath. He then stepped forward, his expression impassive. What do you want?

Du Jians smile widened, and he also took a step forward. Hao Zhen noticed the disciples that Du Jian had brought with him slightly tensing. He found them familiarthey were the same ones that had been following Du Jian when they met the day they returned to the sect after leaving Duo Lans place.

What kind of question is that, junior brother? Du Jian said, his brow furrowed in a look of mock confusion. Surely you realize this meeting was entirely coincidental. Why would I want anything?

Hao Zhen narrowed his eyes at Du Jian, wondering what was the point of this little play. Was he trying to stall for time, or was he just playing with his prey? Had Du Jian not been well, a secondary arrogant young master of sorts, Hao Zhen would have assumed the former, but the latter was far more likely.

Tian Jin was having none of it. Ill only ask again, Du Jian, he said, glaring daggers at the older disciple. What do you want? As he spoke, he took another step forward.

Like I said, I dont want anything, Du Jian said, standing his ground, though Hao Zhen noticed his expression becoming a little tense, his jaw slightly tightening. My cousin, on the other hand Du Jian let out a little chuckle. Well, he has an offer for youone youd be wise to accept.

It seemed like he wasnt stalling for time, after all, Hao Zhen decided, seeing how easily Du Jian had skipped to the point. And that was goodnot only did that mean Du Jian didnt have anything else prepared, but it also meant he was looking down on them, otherwise he wouldnt be carefree enough to play this little act.

What is it? Tian Jin asked, plainly.

Hao Zhen briefly shifted his attention to Tian Jin and saw that he was still impassively looking straight at Du Jian. Hao Zhen then glanced at Duo Lan. She was also staring at Du Jian, her expression unreadable.

Its quite simple, really, Du Jian said, shrugging. Hell let all three of you liveall you need to do is destroy your cruxes, right here and now, and promise to leave the sect. He looked at them expectantly.

Hao Zhen stared blankly at Du Jian, taking a moment to process what he had just heard. What kind of ludicrous proposal was that? Even if they were overcome by a flash of stupidity and took the offer, destroying their cruxes, thered be nothing stopping Du Jian from simply killing them, as theyd be defenseless. In fact, Hao Zhen would bet everything he owned that that was exactly what Du Jian would do if they accepted the proposal.

These kinds of absolutely absurd offers from antagonists were fairly commonif not stapleof cultivation novels, so he wasnt too surprised, but the sheer stupidity of it was still astounding. Unless Unless Du Jian was intentionally offering them something this absurd knowing theyd refuse, as a taunt? That was a possibility. Maybe Hao Zhens perception of Du Jian as a secondary minor antagonist of sorts was leading him to the wrong conclusion.

Hao Zhen scrutinized Du Jians face, looking for any signs of mocking or scorn, but found none of it. Instead, Du Jian was looking at Tian Jin earnestly, his eyes narrowed in expectation.

So it was sheer stupidity after all.

Hao Zhen didnt say anything, frowning. So Du Jian hadnt been bluffing after all. Well, no matterthere wasnt any harm in using the beacon, in any case. If the inner elder in the area was on Du Qings side, it wouldnt make much of a difference, as they would already know what was going on. If they werent but were somehow distracted by something arranged by Du Qing, then at least there was a chance of them noticing it.

In any case, he stood nothing to lose by using the beacon.

Du Jian then turned his attention toward Tian Jin. So, what will it be? Will you take my cousins gracious offer, or will you throw your lives away?

Well fight, Tian Jin said, firmly.

Tian Jins spatial ring flashed, and a sword appeared in his hand. Not even a moment later, Duo Lan also summoned her sword. Seeing that, Hao Zhen followed suit, taking out his own sword, and holding it in front of himself. He then started chanting, in his mind, the Drifting Moonlight Method.

He was nowhere near proficient at swordsmanship yet, but over the last few days, Tian Jin had taught him some basic sword movesenough that he was better off with a sword than without one.

As he looked at Du Jian and his underlings, Hao Zhens heart started racing, beating so loudly he could almost hear it. He tensed, tightening his grip on his sword. He took in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled in an attempt to calm himself down.

This would be his first real fight, and itd be one with his life on the line. Right now he really wished Du Jian could have at least waited until he had faced the shifting claw bear before making his appearance. At least in that case, hed get to experience a real fight first before having to risk his life.

Unfortunately, he wasnt the protagonist, so the world didnt wait for him to be ready.

You Du Jian glared at Tian Jin. Then he shook his head, his expression turning grim. So be it. He then summoned a sword of his own, the five outer disciples behind him doing the same.

For a moment, they all stood still, both sides glaring at each other, much like when Du Jian stepped into the clearing.

Then Du Jian launched himself forward, stabbing at Tian Jin. Du Jians lackeys all moved too a moment later, two of them attacking Tian Jin together with Du Jian, and another two throwing themselves at Duo Lan.

Hao Zhen didnt have the luxury to spare his two teammates any attention, however, because the remaining second-level redsoul was running straight at him, his sword held over his head.

Moving on instinct, Hao Zhen narrowly managed to dodge the attack by jumping to the side, the attackers sword cutting empty air. Hao Zhen then jumped backward, putting up some distance between them.

He stole a quick glance at Duo Lan and Tian Jin and saw that they had also split up, Tian Jin facing Du Jian plus two of his helpers, Duo Lan facing the other two who had charged at her. Both of them were busy with their own opponents.

Hao Zhen returned his attention to his attacker, who was staring back at him balefully. Like everyone Du Jian had brought with him, Hao Zhens opponent was a second-level redsoul. He appeared to be in his early twenties, with brown hair and a thin frame.

Hao Zhen licked his lips and tried his best to calm his nerves. He didnt believe he had any chance of defeating someone at the second levelsomeone twice as powerful as him in pretty much every way. He wasnt like Tian Jin or Duo Lan, who could punch above their weight.

He didnt need to beat the other outer disciple to win, though. He only needed to stall until either Tian Jin or Duo Lan were finished dealing with their own opponents.

That much, Hao Zhen believed, was feasiblebecause while he may not on the same level as Tian Jin and Duo Lan, he wasn't an average cultivator, either. Not anymore, at least.

He was a transmigrator, and that meant he didnt follow the same rules everyone else did.