Chapter 65

The black dragon screams from pain. Its struggle shakes up the entire sky like a storm, causing the thick black clouds to pour down over everything they contain. That rain is like a plague that kills all living beings where it passes by. In a blink of an eye, there isn’t even a single blade of grass on the ground, as the black clouds descend and are about ‘swallow’ Cheng Qian.

Nian Dada is only a provincial cultivator who doesn’t have much experience with the world. Seeing what’s going on, he lets out a terrified cry and looks away. In a contrast, Liu Lang steps forward with the intention to leave the protective barrier formed by the Five Coloured Stone, but Tang Zhen pulls him back.

Wearing a mask over his half-a-corpse face, Liu Lang is no longer the youth who travelled to Mingming Valley back then. He speaks in a low voice that is rough like sandpaper, which seems to take a lot of effort, “Senior, I…”

With a coldness that words can’t adequately describe, Tang Zhen tells him, “You have only completed the energy exercise for beginners. Without even qi sensitivity, you aren’t that different from insects! It isn’t your lot to fight.”

Liu Lang says with difficulty, “Senior Cheng saved my life. Of course I have to gather all of my courage and repay it.”

Tang Zhen says mercilessly, “All of your courage isn’t enough to be a snack for that demonic cultivator. Why should he call on you?”

Liu Lang balls his hands into fists.

Without looking at him, Tang Zhen says in an apathetic tone, “Cultivators on the path to the Tao are like sands in front of great waves. The odds of surviving is one out of ten. Whether it’s a favour or a feud, you need some ability to repay what’s given to you. What use is it to have mere words?”

Liu Lang says, “But…”

Tang Zhen doesn’t seem to worry for Cheng Qian at all as he says simply, “Look.”

Being swallowed by the black fog, Cheng Qian can’t find the way out right away. All he knows is that the spiritual energy all over his body is suppressed by that force, causing him to nearly fall from above.

His heart, which hasn’t been disturbed by anything for a long time, is shaken by the black fog full of demonic energy around him. In that moment, all of the helplessness he once felt in his childhood, the rise and fall, the meeting and parting, as well as the flesh-rending pain in the Spirit Collection Jade, crash over him again. A voice in his heart asks insistently, “Do you really not resent it at all?”

He harboured resentment against his birth parents until death. One could tell Zhou Hanzheng was around just by looking into his eyes. He remembered all humiliations he suffered to the smallest detail. With that kind of temperament, can he really become a saint out of a sudden and let go of what happened?

Does he really not resent Han Yuan’s strike that pierced his heart?

It is something that even their most senior brother, who doesn’t hold grudges about anything, can’t ignore. Would Cheng Qian, who doesn’t let anything slide, forgive it? The peace of the past years, is it because he really has a change in temperament and refuses to harbour a resentment? Or does he put it aside just because Tang Zhen took away his memory for forty nine years, and everything still feels new to him?

In front of Cheng Qian, the black fog thickens and transforms into Han Yuan, who smiles lightly at him. “Third Brother, you’re always lying to everyone including yourself. Have you finally decided to be honest yet?”

Cheng Qian’s eyes twitch. He can’t tell if the Han Yuan in front of him is a demon of the heart created by the black fog. All he knows is that an opening has appeared in his unshakable tranquility, and like a great dike that collapses because of an ant hill, his heart irreversibly breaks into pieces.

With a meaningful gaze, Han Yuan says, “Third Brother, back then you weren’t such a liar. If you hated someone, you would never show him a pleasant face. Why dare you not even think of resentment now? What are you afraid of? Conflict in the sect? Doubt in the senior brothers’ heart? Or do you fear that you’ll appear petty, and that your reputation as an extraordinarily just person will be ruined?”

“Shut up,” Cheng Qian interrupts him. In a chilly voice, he says, “What right do you have to interrogate me? Was it not you who committed the deed back then? Even if you were affected by the ‘drawing on soul’ spell, was it not you who cultivated the demonic path and wrought countless evil? And you’re still shameless enough to claim that you’re judged wrongly?”

As if not expected that Cheng Qian would bluntly turn the question back, Han Yuan is momentarily stunned speechless.

Without any warning, the flame of Cheng Qian’s anger takes over his mind. Gritting his teeth, he forces his suppressed spiritual energy to circulate, ignoring that his chest hurts to the point of bursting. Paying no heed to the spiritual energy that flows wildly in his veins, he sweeps clean the demonic energy surrounding him.

In this life, besides the prison he creates for himself, what can hold him back?

Cheng Qian doesn’t use Shuang Ren. Instead he slaps the Han Yuan that is standing in front of him and angrily yells, “Why should I not put the blame on you?”

After the strike, both the attacker and the one that is hit are at a loss.

Cheng Qian thought the Han Yuan in front of him was only an illusion created by his demon of the heart, so he hit it in the spur of the moment. Unexpectedly, he got the real thing.

Within seconds, he is reminded of what Tang Zhen said about ‘using oneself as the tool’ and ‘forging a dragon from heart demons’. His eyes widened, he says incredulously, “You really are… Han Yuan?”

Holding his face, Han Yuan looks helpless for a second. Then he laughs madly. “Third Brother, you’re such an apathetic victim. I’ve been standing here right in front of you. How can you not recognise me?”

The hand that is holding Shuang Ren shakes, “Then the one that broke into Vermilion Bird Tower was you. The demonic dragon is you. The one that wants to take the yao skeleton of our little sister is also…”

Clasping his hands behind his back, Han Yuan says casually, “A celestial yao’s skeleton is an unlucky thing. On her body, what good is it for besides tormenting her every few years? Better to draw it out of her and give it to me, who is also unlucky. Out of regard for our past as fellow disciples, I may be merciful when getting her skeleton out and spare her life.”

Cheng Qian’s spiritual energy growls like the stormy sea. A wave of frosty energy rises from his body. Like a whirlwind, it sweeps away the demonic energy that has been overwhelming the area. He grits out. “Why don’t you ask if I’ll spare your life?!”

As soon as he says that, Shuang Ren shines brightly. The surrounding black energy is broken apart like dried leaves. Even if Han Yuan has created a demonic dragon, he has to step back. He takes the draconic form in the air and flies up into the skies.

The all-consuming darkness is torn up by the sword glare. Cheng Qian is again in the night sky. He charges at the body of the dragon. In the thunder and wind, he gives off the aura of a dragon-killer.

Amidst the clouds, human and dragon battle fiercely, such that even their shadows can’t be seen clearly.

“Stay well away,” Tang Zhen pulls Liu Lang back. Shaking his head, he says, “With a big fight outside and a celestial yao causing trouble inside, I think this building can’t survive much longer.”

Tang Zhenren seems to have a crow’s mouth that successfully predicts bad things. As soon as he says that, the tavern collapses.

The dust from the derelict is hovered up in the red cloud. The giant Scarlet Crane shows her true appearance. There is a loud cracking sound in her skeleton, as the yao energy is suppressed by Yan Zhengming’s sword power in the Cinnabar Array.

Nian Dada stares and says, “This… this is a Scarlet Crane. Looks like it isn’t easy to be a bird either.”

Tang Zhen steps back a little. He looks closely at Puddle and frowns. “From ancient times, a celestial yao is born as a disaster. The stench of blood follows them from birth. The problem is, she is half human in addition to her fate of a celestial yao. Her birth should have been soaked in blood, but someone altered her fate. It must have been not easy for her to peacefully grow up to this age, and her yao energy to be suppressed as much.”

Hearing that, Nian Dada can’t help his admiration when he looks at Yan Zhengming’s direction.

Tang Zhen says, “Well then, I’ll give him a hand.”

Then, he raises his hand, as if to randomly catch something from the air. Like spring wind that transforms into a rain, a gust of spiritual energy is gathered in his hand, and seeps into the Cinnabar Array on the ground.

Li Yun’s Cinnabar Array was created in haste and has been damaged by the Scarlet Crane’s yao energy. It can’t last much longer. Being reinforced by Tang Zhen, the array seems to wake up and shines softly.

Countless vines rise up from the Cinnabar Array. They keep getting burnt by the great flame around the giant bird’s body, but relentlessly charge forward one after another again.

The pressure on Yan Zhengming significantly reduced, he looks in the direction of Tang Zhen and hesitantly nods.

Tang Zhen doesn’t bother to stand on ceremony with him. He stares at Puddle in the Cinnabar Array with a grave face, and says in a low voice, “Why now…”

Puddle’s Scarlet Crane form suddenly grows larger. Yan Zhengming’s relief is short-lived, as he feels the yao energy madly fights back his sword will. He is forced back, and the Cinnabar Array is destroyed before he can come to its rescue.

Li Yun is blown away, crying, “Han Tan!”

Another crack appears on the cage made from the Five-Coloured Stone. Nian Dada points at it and panics, “Senior, what is going on?”

Tang Zhen says, “Although the Scarlet Crane is the Phoenix’ descendant, it cannot use the fire to be reborn. In its life, it has to undergo several major transformations, which is comparable to a person who has entered the Tao advancing to a higher cultivation level. It should be a fortune, but the timing is… Not good, the Heavens are provoked!”

Thick clouds from all corners gather and mix with the black fog in the sky. From inside the Five-Coloured Stone cage, Nian Dada feels a chill run down his spine. Back then, when Cheng Qian underwent his tribulations in Mingming Valley, no one dared to be in the proximity of it. Therefore, this is the first time he has seen a heavenly tribulation close up.

After several rounds of thunder, a ray of blinding lightning strikes down. Yan Zhenming concentrates his sword cultivator’s primordial spirit on the sword in his hand. Uniting his mind and his energy, he bears the first lightning of the tribulation for Puddle.

In the background noise of Heaven and Earth, a loud tearing sound can be heard as the sword and the lightning clash, giving off a blinding light.

The sword Yan Zhengming has been using all these years is still the one that got chipped by Zhou Hanzheng back then on the deserted island in Eastern Sea. He keeps it to remind himself of the humiliation. However, the sword unexpectedly gets broken by the lightning of the tribulation.

His chest hurts, as his primordial spirit, which is joined with the sword, is heavily injured. If he didn’t reach the ‘forming the blade’ level, this primordial spirit would be destroyed. Before he can regain his breath, the second lightning is already forming.

At that moment, the red cloud on Puddle is suddenly pulled into the sky by some unknown force, forming a pillar that connects with the black fog.

The world shakes as a great yao is about to be born. Carrying the wrath of Heaven and Earth, the second lightning strikes.

In the mad whirlwind and the wrathful lightning, the blade flare and the sword reflection, the howls of the demonic dragon blends with the screech of the divine crane. The great fire on the celestial yao seems about to burn the long night into ash. The great mountains of Nanjiang shake, while the protective barrier made from the Five Coloured Stone is smashed into dust.

Amidst the chaos, there is a terrified cry of ‘brother’ in the voice of a young girl.

The voice is so delicate, like the buzz of an insect in a raging storm.

It’s unclear which of her senior brothers she is calling for, but her cry reaches everyone who should hear it without exception.

The movements of the black dragon in the air slows down. As if suffering from a great pain, he tilts his head backward. The giant body in the endless night sky flashes a few times, then contracts and turns into human form. Without any fear, he turns his back to Cheng Qian.

Cheng Qian’s gaze freezes. Shuang Ren makes a slight swerve and narrowly avoids Han Yuan’s human body.

A second later, Han Yuan raises his pale hand and grabs the black fog that tangles with the red cloud. Suddenly, Shuang Ren becomes the target of the lightning.

Cheng Qian is very experienced in dealing with a heavenly tribulation. With Shuang Ren in hand, he is like a tiger that has grown wings.

The lightning that is about to strike at him is blocked mid-way. It slides off the blade and changes direction, like the giant tail of a shooting star.

Cheng Qian’s face is lit up by the bright light.

On the other side, Han Yuan calls quietly. “Third Brother.”

Cheng Qian glances at him with chilly eyes. He looks just like in the past, when he was on Han Yuan’s back by the Eastern Sea and declared that he would denounce him to their Master.

Under his glare, Han Yuan nearly bursts into tears.

At that moment, countless rays of sword energy rise from the ground. As Yan Zhengming’s sword has broken, the debris of bricks and stones, or even the rain and wind around him, can be turned into his weapon. They all gather and form a rather disfigured but extremely sharp giant sword, which cuts off the tangle between the red cloud of the Scarlet Crane and the black fog of the demonic dragon.

The ferocious sword energy, which seems able to separate Heaven and Earth, blocks the yao energy which has been rising to the sky. However, it doesn’t hurt Puddle. Instead, it pushes that troublesome red cloud back to the ground, within a short distance from her.

Ten talismans fly from Li Yun’s hand, one after another, to Puddle. When each one of them touches her, the great flame on her body subsides. After all ten have been delivered, the struggling Scarlet Crane finally turns into a teenage girl with wings on her back, who falls unconscious on the ground full of debris.

Finally, the relentless thunder reluctantly goes away.

Han Yuan looks relieved. However, right away, his face changes, and without any warning, his arm turns into claws covered in draconic scales and charges at Cheng Qian’s back.

As soon as the flow of air around him changes, Cheng Qian is already on guard in the howling wind. He counterattacks with his sword. Still containing some lightning power from dealing with the heavenly tribulation, Shuang Ren clashes with the dragon’s claws. Fiery sparks fly everywhere.

The dragon scales flash on Han Yuan’s face. He seems about to say something, when the sound of a horn rings from afar.

Compared to the usual military signal, that horn’s arrogant sound reaches everywhere, making it seem like a troop of thousands were approaching. Han Yuan’s face changes. He smiles coldly. “Alas, the dogs are called here already. Third Brother, I have to go.”

He pushes Shuang Ren away as he says that, his nails scratching at the blade in a bone-grating sound. Han Yuan turns to leave, but Cheng Qian’s sword doesn’t let him off. With a clang, the sword once again clashes unforgivingly with the dragon claws.

Cheng Qian stresses every word. “Guided by the demon of the heart. What’s yours?”

Han Yuan’s face changes. He grabs the black fog and pushes it at Cheng Qian’s chest.

Cheng Qian isn’t prepared for that, so he is forced back by the demonic energy.

After the tussle, Han Yuan transforms the demonic dragon once more and flies a good distance away.

“Instead of interrogating what my demon of the heart is,” The great dragon turns his head. Han Yuan’s human face flashes over his giant head, giving a half-ferocious half-mocking smile. “You’d better ask the sect leader and senior brother about his demon of the heart. I’m afraid you won’t dare to hear the answer.”

Having said that, the demonic dragon rides the black cloud and flies to the North.

The sound of the horn mixes with the sound of someone shouting. Then, rays of bright light emerge from all directions and aim at the sky, as if some people are sending signals for each other. Li Yun approaches Puddle. He slowly folds the large wings that have been spreading like a shooting target. Not grudging any effort, he carries her on his back and asks, “What is going on? Who is coming?”

Cheng Qian descends from the sky. His body covered in blood, he walks somewhat shakily. Yan Zhengming supports him and scolds in a low voice. “Take it easy.”

Nian Dada steps forward to greet him, but Tang Zhen interrupts it.

Tang Zhen says, “Stop chit-chatting. The Yin Yang Signal and Seven-Coloured Flare, they’re from the Celestial Divination Bureau. It’ll be a pain to run into them. Please follow me first.”

Li Yun looks at Yan Zhengming. Cheng Qian hastens to make the introduction. “I forgot. This gentleman here is Tang-xiong, Tang Zhen.”

Hearing that, Yan Zhengming says decisively, “Daoyu, sorry to bother you. Let’s go!”

The group quickly follows Tang Zhen. They travel very fast and cover dozens of miles in a blink of the eye. Tang Zhen, who knows the way, takes them to the ruin of a shrine. He doesn’t rest right away, but borrows some cinnabar from Li Yun to create an array around the shrine.

It is obvious that Tang Zhen is very knowledgeable and has been studying the art of creating arrays for many years. In a short while, the half-collapsed shrine is hidden.

Putting Puddle down, Li Yun runs to Tang Zhen’s side to help him like a starving man seeking food. Cheng Qian and Yan Zhengming stand by the door to protect them, while regulating their spiritual energy to heal themselves in silence.

This year’s Mid-Autumn Night can’t be anymore chaotic.

Out of the blue, Cheng Qian asks, “Most senior brother, what is the demon of the heart that was provoked from you in the Vermilion Bird Tower?”