By Shizhou Mountain, Puddle transforms into a great bird and carries Li Yun on her back. As she flies through the sky, onlookers must think that they just see a faint ray of light that flashes by.
Like a shooting star sporting a long tail, the two of them are followed by a bunch of demonic cultivators. The vermillion bird doesnât fly in a straight line. She makes abrupt turns and detours with cunning, and thus keeps those demonic cultivators tailing them.
That day, when they received the news from Tang Zhen, Yan Zhengming already left without a word before them. However, since cultivators from everywhere gathered at the Immortal Binding Platform, how can their most senior brother fight them all by himself? Thus, Li Yun has to come up with a scheme. Taking advantage of the event that many demonic cultivators follow the demonic dragon to the North, and of the fact that Puddle can fly very fast, they poke at a group of screaming demonic cultivators and lead them to Shizhou Mountain, in order to create proper chaos.
Li Yun makes the calculation with his hand and directs Puddle. âForward seventeen zhang, in Kan direction1. Youâre off the route. Careful!â
Puddle canât take it anymore. âStop showing off that youâre well read. Whatâs wrong with saying âfront, back, left, rightâ?â
She can only tell the direction with front, back, left, and right. Even north east south west makes her take some time to work out. Li Yunâs habit of babbling âqian kun zhen kanâ gives her a headache.
âDonât talk so much. Go over there right away, quick!â Li Yun complains, âCanât you withdraw the fire on your body? Iâm being burned to death!â
Puddle doesnât bother to squabble with him. She asks, worriedly, âSecond Brother, do you think our most senior brother can last until we arrive?â
âDonât joke like that. Why do you think he can keep calm when Xiao-Qian is in trouble?â Li Yun sighs. âEverything will be alright if Xiao-Qian is in one piece, but if something goes wrongâŠâ
Itâs unclear how much Puddle understands him, because she gets angry at the idea. âWhat? Who dares to hurt my senior brother? Iâll burn them to death!â
Li Yun: ââŠâ
Among the yao, this bird can be considered to have some brains, but among humans, she is too lacking. No matter how powerful she is, her thinking is extremely simple. Li Yun has no reply to that. Thinking that she wonât understand even if he explains it to her, he tiredly says, âConcentrate on flying. Itâll be fun if we are sloppy and get caught.â
He is filled with worry that Yan Zhengming lost his temper and charged straight into the Immortal Binding Platform, heedless of everything else.
Li Yun really understands his sect leader and senior brother well.
In the great hall of the Immortal Binding Platform, the sword will that is full of killing intent sweeps through the powerful cultivators present, and they instinctively mobilise their spiritual power to resist it. Being provoked by the spiritual energy from all sides, the Dragon Binding Lock glows. The sword energy from the outside and the spiritual power from the inside clash with each other, causing the great doors from all sides to be blown away with a loud crash.
âWhoâs there?!â
With a frosty expression, Yan Zhengming makes emphatic steps from the debris of the doors into the hall. He pays no heed to the crowd present, no matter whether theyâre powerful or not, as he walks straight to the Immortal Binding Platform.
Itâs as if the other people are of no consequence to him. He only sees the person imprisoned by the Dragon Binding Locks.
The calmness of Cheng Qian quickly vanishes. At the moment, he feels as if he was caught red-handed as soon as he commits a crime. He canât help but stiffen his back that is full of wounds. Then, he instinctively glances at his clothes, which have been torn beyond help, and pulls a piece of cloth to hide the nasty-looking bruise on his waist.
Disregarding everyone else, Yan Zhengming walks to the Immortal Binding Platform. He stares fixedly at the dried blood on Cheng Qian and asks with a soft voice, âWho hurt you?â
He says it with a gentle voice and a normal expression, but a chill runs through Cheng Qianâs spine. He anxiously looks at Yan Zhengming, and realises that there is an unsettling shade of red in those pitch-dark eyes. âSenior brother, youâŠâ
Yan Zhengming exhales softly, âIâve sworn to the Heavens that if someone hurts you again, Iâll ripâŠâ
Terrified, Cheng Qian dares not let his senior brother, who seems to have gone mad, finish that line. He cuts in and carefully uses soothing words. âIâm fine. Itâs just a little misunderstanding. Can you calm down? Where are the others?â
Yan Zhengming grinds his teeth, making his cheeks tense up. A second later, he closes his eyes, and the deep red that has been flashing from those eyes gradually fades.
Yan Zhengming sighs. As if exhausted, he says quietly, âCome here. Let me have a look.â
Cheng Qian casually walks next to the Qiankun Dragon Binding Locks. All of his movements are light and easy, as if all the injuries on his body are just painted on him.
His hands behind his back, he glances at the surrounding cultivators as he stands on the Immortal Binding Platform like someone who is above them all. With an arrogant air that he hasnât let appear on his face for a long time, he raises an eyebrow and smiles. âItâs just a small dispute that will be resolved in a few words. What do you come here for?â
Yan Zhengming stares fixedly as that face, which has gone pale but still pretends to be tough. Just as his rational side is winning, his demon of the heart, which has been calm, begins to run wild in his head, and he gets angry.
After giving Cheng Qian a warning glare of âitâll be your turn laterâ, Yan Zhengming turns and taps his new sword on the ground, as he speaks. âIf he owes anyone money, Iâll pay the debt for him. If he kills any sectâs member, Iâll compensate with my life. If you are here to demand something from him, come talk to me.â
Even if Yan Zhengming is a sword cultivator with a rarely seen power, these foolishly arrogant words still stun everyone present.
After a long while, Zhuang Nanxi manages to regain his composure, and breaks the silence. âS-senior, you areâŠâ
Yan Zhengming says, âMy family name is Yan. Iâm the forty eighth Sect Leader of Fuyao Sect.â
Cheng Qian didnât expect him to just say everything so bluntly to the crowd. He startledly cries. âSenior brother!â
Yan Zhenming just waves his hand without looking back. This day has to come sooner or later. Can Fuyao Sect really hide until the end of times?
Most cultivators present just look blankly at Yan Zhengmingâs introduction. However, Bian Xu, Yang Decheng, and the still unnamed Elder from the White Tiger Estate are visibly surprised.
The Elder from the White Tiger Estate says, âThen your Master isâŠâ
âMy Master Han Muchun and my disciple grandfather Tong Ru⊠seem to have a history with the Four Sages,â Yan Zhengming pauses, then continues, âOur seniors are no longer of this world, so the sect is in my incapable hands. Iâm just a good for nothing that canât achieve much, despite having cultivated for more than a hundred years. So, Iâm too embarrassed to mention my home sect.â
Yan Zhengming lightly taps the sheath of his sword as he says this, making a soft ringing sound. Self-mockery is on his face. The thing is, he has no regard for anyone else even as he is mocking himself. Without bothering to look up, he says, âBut no matter how cowardly I am, I canât stand on the side and watch my junior brother be bullied. I have no other choice but to come here and see what lesson you may have for me.â
Yang Decheng says coldly, âIf I remember correctly, doesnât your Fuyao Sect claim to destroy all demons you come across? Why donât you execute your own member first?â
Hearing that, Yan Zhengming glances up, âOh?â
He is born with the beautiful peach blossom eyes of a rich playboy. Before he even speaks, his eyes already flirt like a pursuer of pleasure. However, at the moment, his gaze is full of the sword will at the âforming the bladeâ level, which can turn a feather into a blade and freeze water to ice. It is an indescribably poor fit for his person, yet at the same time seems entirely natural.
The disciple of Black Tortoise Hall next to Yang Decheng, who suggested opening Cheng Qianâs head, steps forward and tells everything with some elaboration.
Yan Zhengming listens without showing any expression. He looks down at the tip of his sword and suddenly laughs. âI see. Turns out itâs this Elder Yang. Your sectâs young master was possessed by a demon of the heart. His body was killed by me. My junior brother had nothing to do with it. If you feel that I donât have sufficient respect for his body, I can go and bow to his symbolic grave. AboutâŠâ
As soon as he says this, he has already moved close to Yang Decheng. The sword formed from his spiritual power joins with the sword in his hand, and paying no heed to his completely exposed back, he wordlessly attacks Yang Decheng from above, the force of which is like a falling mountain.
Yan Zhengming had already heard this geezerâs demands before he entered the hall. After listening to the full story, he works out that Cheng Qianâs hair ribbon was broken because of this geezer. His wrath immediately erupts.
If he hadnât given that puppet charm to Cheng Qian out of whims, if the White Tiger Estate hadnât intervened in time, would Cheng Qian still be alive?
The feeling when he couldnât bring vengeance on Zhou Hanzheng with his own hand rises in his heart. With the new anger on top of the old regret, even the Heavens couldnât stop him from cutting up his target into pieces.
The sword in Yan Zhengmingâs hand seems to bear the entire power of its owner. There is a loud buzz, and even the Supreme Elder of the Black Tortoise Hall Yang Decheng cannot handle the ferocity of the attack. He falls back with difficulty. Even Bian Xu, who is one of the Four Sages, canât help leaning to one side to avoid the tip of the blade.
This is an attack that can shake the world.
On the other hand, Cheng Qian frowns. He canât help himself and steps forward, but is held back by the Dragon Binding Locks.
Cheng Qian knows too well what the people present are like. Even if Yan Zhengming took the strength-giving cultivational medicine, he wouldnât have this kind of power. In these past days, what has this senior brother of his, who looks carefree but in fact carries more in his heart than anyone, done?
The great hall is thrown into chaos by his attack. Except for the area surrounded by the Dragon Binding Locks, everywhere is wrecked. The countless defense wards around the hall all collapse, as if they were made from mere mud.
When the great cultivators of the previous generations created the Immortal Binding Platform, they probably didnât expect there would be someone who dared to cause this much trouble here.
The Elder from White Tiger Estate hastily says, âNephew, you canâtâŠâ
Yang Decheng canât avoid it anymore. With a soft cry, he raises his hands and signs a spell. Eighteen illusions emerge from behind his back, each of which carries a kind of weapon. The shadows are all either immensely powerful for agile, as they surround Yan Zhengming from all sides.
Suddenly, the flare of the sword erupts, as the real sword and the sword made from primordial spirit merge into one. The ferocity of the sword flare is so great, that even demons and gods would flee from it. The eighteen illusions run away, but they are all crushed into dust before they can escape. Yang Decheng already has some fear in his heart. With the rising panic, he is immediately under the backlash from the illusions and blown away for a good distance. He lies motionless, and no one can tell if he is dead or alive.
Yan Zhengming doesnât let off his attack. Bian Xu is finally forced to act. He signs a spell and throws out a jade plate, which becomes a shield for Yang Decheng.
The sword energy hits a corner of the jade plate and causes a crack on the plate. With an icy smile, Yan Zhengming glances at the Lord of Black Tortoise Hall. Then the sword aura surrounding him changes direction and charges at the thirty six Dragon Binding Locks like a tidal wave.
âStop!â This time, Bian Xu, the Elder of White Tiger Estate, and even Cheng Qian cry out at the same time.
However, no one can stop the stubbornness of this cultivator of the sword.
The sword formed from Yan Zhengmingâs primordial spirit and the Dragon Binding Locks clash with each other. The sound of dragons howling ring out from the Dragon Binding Locks, as what remains of the great hallâs roof is all swept away. The cultivators present, who dare to claim to be the most powerful in their regions, all run away like rats.
The Dragon Binding Locks have been soaked in the elements throughout countless years, in which they have absorbed the spiritual energy from many powerful cultivators and drunk the blood of innumerable demonic cultivators. Therefore, they have formed a spirit of their own. The two clashing forces, one as immovable as a mountain, one immensely powerful, meet each other without the slightest concession.
Blood drops from the corners of Yan Zhengmingâs mouth. The scarlet shade in his eyes, which has already faded, appears again under the provocation from the Dragon Binding Locks. Within seconds, the second sword is formed and charges at the Dragon Binding Locks again.
Perhaps the good-for-nothing little rich boy on Fuyao Mountain back then was guided by the sword to the Tao because of this bone-deep coldness. In certain situations, heâd disregard everything and everyone, no matter if theyâre gods or demons.
On one hand he searches for the key and passwords to open the mountain seal. On the other hand, he relentlessly tries his best to wrestle the awareness the previous generations of his sect left behind in the sect leader seal.
He can be lazy or hates to be dirtied, but he has never been affected by true fear to the point of stagnation in his progress.
The Dragon Binding Locks angrily howls, as the Immortal Binding Platform shakes.
The Elder of White Tiger Estate turns to Bian Xu and yells so loudly his voice is distorted, âHe is a sword cultivator who has reached âdivine realmâ level. Why would he care to kill your good-for-nothing son? Why the hell donât you open the Immortal Binding Platform?â
Bian Xu has to admit that the man isnât wrong. However, at the moment, he canât open the Immortal Binding Platform even if he really wants to. With his cultivation level, he can battle with Yan Zhengming, but he will only ask for trouble if he comes in between the ongoing raging fight.
At that moment, Cheng Qian suddenly kneels down on the Immortal Binding Platform. âSenior brother, I beg you, please stop!â
As soon as Cheng Qian is down on his knees, Yan Zhengmingâs apathetic eyes suddenly flashes. The sword energy that has been formed like a sun in the air pauses alongside him.
Cheng Qian says, âDonât you want to live anymore?â
In the deafening silence, the raging sword energy slowly dissipates and transforms into a soft breeze, then goes back to Yan Zhengmingâs sword.
After a moment of silence, Yan Zhengming says in a low voice, âOpen the Dragon Binding Locks.â
The cultivators present look at each other. The Elder of White Tiger Estate makes the first step and says, âWe have one of the keys.â
The thirty six Dragon Binding Locks are maintained by thirty six cultivators. With the Elder as the example, the others immediately follow. Even Bian Xu, after a moment of hesitation, reluctantly summons a key and throws it to a disciple nearby.
As each Dragon Binding Lock is opened, the spiritual energy that has been suppressed on Cheng Qianâs body circulates again in his meridians, like water flooding in rivers that have been dried up for a long time. The overflowing energy hurts him a little.
Bian Xu coughs and seems to want to say something. Suddenly, the gust of dark energy flies up in the northern sky and quickly covers half of the sunlight. The roof of the great hall has been destroyed, so everyone inside can see what is going on clearly. They all turn their head and realise that a dragon-shaped being is lurking among the swirling black clouds.
At that moment, a great bird surrounded by flame appears with a loud screech. As the bird lands in what remains of the great hall, Li Yun pants and jumps down from the birdâs back. Looking around, he canât grasp what has been going on and mumbles. âIt canât be⊠What the heck is this?â
In the swirling black clouds that are like a great tide, Han Yuanâs voice rings out like thunder. âItâs I who destroyed the Vermillion Bird Tower. The great demon of the heart was also released by me. Which vermin dares to steal my credit?â
As he speaks, the black energy surrounding Shizhou Mountain howls, and a crowd of demonic cultivators appear down the mountain.
As he finally finds his breath, Li Yun weakly smiles. âWe encountered these demons on our way. They chased the crap out of us.â
No one present pays attention to his self-deprecating joke.
Demonic energy surges relentlessly from all sides, as the Immortal Binding Platform shakes. The demonic dragon laughs loudly. âItâs time this world is changed. Letâs turn everything upside down.â
The demonic cultivators all enthusiastically meet his rallying call.
The giant claws of the demonic dragon scratch through the clouds as if wanting to tear apart the sky. A downpour immediately breaks out.
With the howling wind and rain above and the demonic cultivators wrecking everything below, chaos reigns on Shizhou Mountain.
Wiping off the rainwater on his face, Zhuang Nanxi strides forward and raises his voice to address Yan Zhengming. âSenior, Iâm only an ignorant junior who has never heard of the great Fuyao Sect, but didnât someone just say Fuyao people were committed to destroying evil. At the moment, the world is in a great unrest. Who can stay unaffected in this situation?â
Maybe itâs an illusion of Cheng Qian, but he feels that Yan Zhengmingâs body sways a little.
Zhuang Nanxi says straightforwardly, âSeniors, please consider the greater good and let go of the small disagreement between us!â
Cheng Qian tilts his head. His eyes seem to meet Han Yuanâs through the layers of heavy rain and thick clouds. In that moment, as he hears the cultivators around declare their commitment to defend righteousness, a feeling rises in his heart.
There is no way back.
After a long time of hiding, Fuyao Sect re-appears to other people in the world. They are also once more at the centre of the storm, while their junior brother, who once only lazed about and caused trouble, increasingly drifts away from them without a way back.
Villains and heretics appear every generation, while the teachings from their ancestors demand them to eliminate all demons.
âThose who want to play heroes should all step aside,â Tang Zhen suddenly splits the crowd and strides forward. âDonât you see that he canât even stand any longer?â
Before he even finishes, Yan Zhengming suddenly collapses without any warning.
Cheng Qian has no mind to have relevant thoughts. He clumsily supports Yan Zhengming, but all he feels from his senior brother is coldness. Yan Zhengmingâs breathing is so soft, that it almost canât be felt.
Zhuang Nanxi is at a loss. At that moment, an unfamiliar cultivator carefully steps forward and says, âSenior, please follow. There is a place where you can rest on Shizhou Mountain.â
Tang Zhen says, âSorry to bother you. Please lead the way. This madman has been injured by the power of the Dragon Binding Locks.â
Having said that, he signals with a glance to Cheng Qian, who is panicking a little, to follow him.
Cheng Qian hastily picks up Yan Zhengming. Li Yun and Puddle hurriedly follow him. No one among the cultivators present on the mountain dares to stop them.
Cheng Qian quickly chases after Tang Zhen. âTang-xiong, my senior brotherâŠâ
âStop asking me,â Tang Zhen says, his voice nearly a whisper, âAt that moment I saw White Tiger Estate summoned their disciples, so I came to learn what was going out then sent news to your senior brothers. Besides the location of Immortal Binding Platform, he also asked me about a forbidden technique.â
Cheng Qianâs heart constricts. âWhat?â
âA technique to increase oneâs cultivation to the limit for a short while, at the cost of a later backlash that is three times as powerful. Heavens, I thought your senior brother was a very reasonable person,â Tang Zhen frowns. âIf I had known he would be like that, no way I would have taught it to him.â
Cheng Qian is stunned.
Completely shaken, he looks at Yan Zhengmingâs exhausted face, as an unnamed feeling rises within him.
What Zhuang Nanxi once said to him murmurs in his heart.
As long as it doesnât go against morals, there is nothing I wonât do for her.
********
1. Kan direction: Li Yun is using the Bagua terms. The Kan sign refers to the North.