Chapter 72

Xie Zhiwei sighed and said nothing. Actually, he hadn’t figured out how to explain this, either.

“Looks like you already fought with my nephew behind my back,” Qiu Chongyun said immediately. “Why did you provoke him, ah? Don’t you know the terrifying heights of his true strength?!”

“Of course I do.” Haven’t you seen whose disciple he is. Xie Zhiwei continued to make up excuses. “I saw him enter a compound while wandering outside and saw it was very simple compared to his status. I got curious and went inside for a further look, but who knew…”

Qiu Chongyun creased her brows. “Forget it, forget it. No use talking about that now. I can’t do anything if you’re rushing to your own death. That fat cat bites anyone it sees inside, so I get why you wanted to take it away to punish a couple days, but…”

“But what?” Xie Zhiwei asked.

Their procession was traveling very quickly, so Qiu Chongyun simply sat seductively in the prisoner cart and leaned in closer. “How in the world did you escape beneath my nephew’s eye and make him believe that you didn’t fear Qingping Sword?”

What do you mean, “make him believe I didn’t fear?” It’s clearly because I don’t fear it at all, all right. But the more Qiu Chongyun’s thoughts went on a tangent, the happier Xie Zhiwei felt. He feigned surprise and said, “How could you tell I was tricking him?”

“Like I need to explain it?” Qiu Chongyun snorted. “What kind of treasure is the Qingping Sword? Even Chi Yan himself respects it by three parts, to say nothing of a rogue cultivator like you.”

“Makes sense,” Xie Zhiwei nodded. He was about to blab out some nonsense when he heard the sound of a sword.

Qiu Chongyun looked up and arched her brows. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy to pass the gates.”

From a distance, Xie Zhiwei heard a familiar voice.

“Yujing Sect doesn’t welcome the likes of you. Hurry and leave.”

Who else except Chu Zhishi would sound so impatient and affectedly pretentious? Then came Mu He’s nonchalant reply.

“I’m afraid it’s not the daoist sect that spurns us, but Heavenly Sun City.”

Xie Zhiwei’s heart pounded as he reluctantly stood up. “We’ve reached the daoist sect?”

“Right ah, what are you so excited about?”

“Excuse me,” Xie Zhiwei said, “Can you help me remove the blindfold…I’m a little dizzy.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“They were afraid you wouldn’t adapt to the light after bringing you out of the dungeon, so they put it on out of consideration. You never said anything so I thought you preferred to keep it on. Tell us earlier next time.”

“….” said Xie Zhiwei. I was almost choked to death by the hero just then, you think I could make any demands?

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“What does your nephew want to do,” Xie Zhiwei asked, “bringing me…no, bringing Chi Yan and Bai Jianzhu to the daoist sect?”

“This…” Qiu Chongyun gave a dry cough and pretended to admire the scenery around them. “You know my nephew hasn’t returned here in four years. He’s just coming to sweep his master’s tomb and pay respects.”

Xie Zhiwei subconsciously shifted his gaze back to Mu He again, who was busy confronting Chu Zhishi. By now Lingkong and Thunderstrike were already flitting and flying between the pair and tearing airborne leaves around them to pieces that fluttered into the skies. But Mu He seemed to have an invisible barrier in front of him. No matter whether it was falling leaves or spiritual energy filled with killing intent, nothing could reach him beyond three steps away. The hems of his robe maintained the same swaying motion as before, like they were only stirred by the movements of a clear breeze. His figure before the bamboo grove was slender and tall, completely covering the shadow of the thin, tender teenager of the past.

After a while, Xie Zhiwei opened his mouth. “He really has…heart.”

Truly, he was a little touched. The hero was now invincible with his current skills and connections. There was no need to bother about the daoist sect at all, much less return to Summit City to visit that lonely grave. Xie Zhiwei felt this was better than the miserable fate of his original host in the novel. At the very least, he lived longer than him and personally witnessed the hero’s final form. He also had a proper grave for people to mourn him at. A screw-around author like Gallant Outlaw only cared about writing the love life of the hero and never even mentioned where Xie Zhiwei was buried in the book.

Besides the hero’s s*x life, everything else was a blank (crossed out).

Somewhat relieved, Xie Zhiwei couldn’t help asking, “But he had plenty of time in the last four years to visit the daoist sect. Why wait until now?”

Mu He still stood with his hands clasped behind his back, not unsheathing a single weapon. He relied on the spiritual energy around his body to exchange dozens of rounds with Chu Zhishi. Lingkong and Thunderstrike took turns circling him on all sides while Chu Zhishi raised waves, but Mu He’s side was simply calm winds and easy rain, as if he was simply playing around.

Qiu Chongyun was transfixed by the sight and replied casually, “That’s because he only collected all the offerings today.”

“What offerings?” It took him four years’ worth of effort to gather them all?

“Of course it’s Bai Jianzhu and…” Qiu Chongyun sensed something amiss midway, but it was already too late. She saw Xie Zhiwei’s eyes widen and had to finish the sentence. “…and Chi Yan.”

At her last words, Mu He’s body finally moved.

Huge waves of qi smashed down from overhead, cracking a gap in Mu He’s barrier. Although it was already rapidly repairing itself, some remnants of Chu Zhishi’s spiritual power still leaked through and forced Mu He to shift his head to avoid the blow. The energy brushed past Mu He’s temples like a sharp blade and continued towards the prison cart.

Qiu Chongyun’s expression blanched before she leaped down just as the energy struck the place where she’d been sitting. The corner of the cart split open, accompanied by the ear splitting crash of breaking wood as their fragments fell on Xie Zhiwei’s body.

He too, finally recovered his wits.

Hahahahahaha…so in other words, I came today to be the sacrificial offering at my own grave?

This is the biggest joke in the world, cold beyond belief, hahaha.

Mu He only glanced behind him a moment before turning back with a faint sigh. “Youngest martial uncle used all his strength to break through the barrier I set up casually. Looks like I’m still not strong enough.”

Chu Zhishi was slightly panting when he heard these words and blew up. “Brat, stop acting docile aftering winning an advantage. Scram before I make a move.”

Mu He’s lips hooked up into a strange smile. “If I remember correctly, youngest martial uncle already made a big move just now.”

“Really?” Chu Zhishi was incensed into laughter. He ordered his disciples behind him, “All of you withdraw for Master. Be careful I don’t sweep you off your feet.” Lingkong and Thunderstrike floated before him and re-filled with spiritual energy as they started to shine. “Let’s have an even bigger move.”

The waves of qi began to churn again, even more violently than before. Qiu Chongyun hurried to the prison cart for a look and saw that Xie Zhiwei’s wrists were still wrapped tightly by White Lotus light while his feet were bound in shackles. Relieved, she restrained her expression and murmured, “Things have to come to this point, so there’s no turning back. You can only go along with your mistakes.”

Xie Zhiwei looked at Mu He, who was wholly focused on dealing with Chu Zhishi, and felt complex emotions in his heart. “Maiden, although I don’t know why you have to hide Chi Yan’s death, don’t you think it laughable to send someone unrelated to die in his place?”

“No. I’m serious,” Qiu Chongyun nodded deeply. “But if you want to laugh, laugh all you want. I won’t mind.”

“….” said Xie Zhiwei. Seeing as how you’re a woman, I won’t lose my manners before you. Besides, you’re not the one who has to die, so of course you don’t mind…

Qiu Chongyun put on a pleasant face and coaxed, “All the misfortunes my nephew encountered in his youth likely formed his harsh personality. For example, if he wants to travel tomorrow and the sky catches on fire, it still wouldn’t stop him. A long time ago, he made a vow to never see his shizun again until he could kill Xie zhenren’s enemies right in front of him. You can imagine how long he’s been waiting for this day.”

Harsh?

Hah, sister. You’re using such a positive word to describe him because you’ve never heard of “obsessive-compulsive.” He remembered Gallant Outlaw never gave the hero this kind of personality. The original hero had excellent adaptability and could charm a variety of girls or gather countless bros as followers. Why did the hero’s temperament change along with the plot to become someone eccentric and aloof?

Qiu Chongyun’s eyebrows drooped before her eyes turned watery. Softly she said, “Anyways, Chi Yan’s death was an accident and my fault. I’ll make reparations by taking care of that little sister for you, all right?

It’s useless even if you act spoiled. When other girls do it, they’re asking for designer bags or lipstick, but you’re asking for my life, ah.

Xie Zhiwei remained equivocal. “Will the holy grounds of the daoist sect allow your nephew to do something so cruel? Even Xie zhenren himself wouldn’t agree.” Right. De, fin, itely, not!

“I don’t know what Xie zhenren thinks. He’s lying in a coffin right now, so it’s not like he can stand up and tell my nephew himself,” Qiu Chongyun raised her hand and pointed at the battle nearby. “As for the daoist sect, do you think anyone can still stop my nephew?”

Xie Zhiwei froze. He discovered that Chu Zhishi had landed on the ground with a black face, seemingly exhausted of full strength. His steps were a bit unsteady and two disciples rushed forward to support him. Mu He slowly walked over and said something, causing Chu Zhishi to look over and meet his eyes.

As if refilled with vigor, Chu Zhishi shoved aside the disciples around him and shook his sleeves, stepping on Thunderstrike to rush towards him. Qiu Chongyun sucked in a breath and told Xie Zhiwei, “Here comes trouble for you.” She was about to retreat when Chu Zhishi landed next to her and pushed her until she stumbled onto the ground.

“Get out of the way.”

Qiu Chongyun wanted to stop him, but Mu He appeared by her side and raised a hand. “Aunt Yun, don’t ruin youngest martial uncle’s fun.”

Qiu Chongyun couldn’t say anything else and watched as Chu Zhishi stood in her spot to mock Xie Zhiwei in the cart. “Isn’t this the Demon Lord? What, tired of shouting and trying out a prisoner’s cart for a change of mood?”

Xie Zhiwei shook his head helplessly. It’s already chaotic enough but now Cheese is here to add to the mess. Yet after seeing Mu He’s icy gaze, he couldn’t help nodding instead.

“Shaking then nodding your head,” Chu Zhishi observed, “What does that mean?”

Afraid to speak, Xie Zhiwei only shook his head again.

Chu Zhishi arched a brow. “Are you playing crazy?”

The next moment there was a boom as the prisoner cart was destroyed into pieces by Chu Zhishi. Xie Zhiwei closed his eyes amidst the falling wood chips before someone dragged him off. Chu Zhishi grabbed him by the neck and cursed between gritted teeth, “Bastard son of a b*tch, speak! Was it you who killed my second senior brother?!”

—

The author has something to say: A round of applause for Teacher Xie, Hardest Worker of the Year award winner.

Translator’s Note: Is this what they call putting your neck on the line for your work? Professional acting to a tee, but oof, I can only imagine the bruises if he was an ordinary mortal…

Things are getting intense, so for readers who want to read the goodies all in one shot, feel free to come back Saturday when we’ll be done with most of the dramatics! (Honestly tho, when is there no drama when XZW is involved…)

P.S. The maker of the Luo Yunxi x Wu Lei fanvid recently made a mini-trailer based on Too Bad Master Died Early that you can see in the image link below! It’s only 1 minute long, but hey more content is more content! (I’ll publish the subs of their actual fanvid another day haha) They’re probably working on Arc 2…. >:D