After Sheng Jun Chapter 15 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 15 Acting All the Time (part 2)
Having secured a new identity, Jiang Xingzhi's focus returned to the Kongxuan Secret Realm.
The flower bud at the bottom of the lake was about to bloom. Compared to when they first saw it, it seemed to have opened just a little.
He calculated according to the four seasons and eight directions, aligning with the frequency of the flower's opening and closing, deducing that it would bloom in about half a month. If all went well, the Kongxuan Secret Realm would open in half a month.
—Provided his deduction was correct.
To find evidence, he would likely need to go somewhere.
Early the next morning, Jiang Xingzhi called on the three from Yuhua Sect, saying, "We can contact the sect now."
Fei Yin jumped up, "Finally, we can leave here!"
Ping Lan slowly exhaled, picking up a communication stone to send a message back to the sect. Before long, a reply came back.
After cutting off the transmission, his mood turned heavy. "Martial Uncle said they would send someone to pick us up."
Saying "pick us up" was polite; it would be better to say "escort." To prevent them from hiding after leaving the valley, making it easy to bring them back for a second kill.
A hand fell on Ping Lan's shoulder. He looked up and met Jiang Xingzhi's calm eyes. "Immortal Lord Jiang?"
Jiang Xingzhi, wrapped in a gentle breeze, stood upright like a cold mountain. "Don't worry, I said I'd ensure your safety."
Ping Lan's furrowed brow gradually relaxed. "Okay, I trust you."
Two steps away, Zhong Ming watched this familiar scene with his arms crossed.
If conditions allowed, he wanted to introduce Zhu Yan and Shang Luxing to these three. They would surely provide plenty of dinner conversation.
****
After regaining their spirits, the group set out immediately.
Exiting the valley brought them to a circle of white mist. The three from Yuhua Sect, who had taken five days to stumble through, now passed through smoothly under Jiang Xingzhi's guidance as if traversing an ethereal realm.
As Jiang Xingzhi walked leisurely, he plucked a few flowers from the ground to stash in his storage bag.
Zhong Ming glanced over. "What are you planning to do this time?" His tone carried a hint of caution.
Jiang Xingzhi replied, "These flowers are everywhere in the valley. Once exposed to light, they release white mist. Planting them at our doorstep will be just right, at least enough to fend off a hundred or so Golden Core cultivators."
Zhong Ming's eyelids twitched at this, and he reminded him, "Have you thought about how others will get out?"
Jiang Xingzhi paused, "You have a point; I'll need to dig a secret path later."
"…"
In less than half an hour, the group had exited the valley.
As their vision cleared, they spotted a group of Yuhua Sect people outside the valley—swift and efficient.
Ping Lan stepped forward to greet them. "Thank you, Protector Qian, for bringing the disciples back to the sect."
"Not at all, after all, it was entrusted by the Grand Elder."
Jiang Xingzhi silently observed the incoming group.
Among the five, there were two Golden Cores and three Qi Condensation practitioners, all armed with swords and robust in stature; they were likely part of Yuhua Sect's "Martial Faction," as mentioned by Lin Kuo.
Protector Qian scrutinized the three of them. "Have you completed the assessment?"
Fei Yin showed a guilty expression. "No... We didn't dare to go into the lake."
Protector Qian asked, "Why didn't you dare?"
Fei Yin recounted Jiang Xingzhi's instructions, "When we arrived, we encountered these two fellow cultivators who were about to enter the lake. Their cultivation was higher than ours, yet they nearly lost their lives by the lake."
Protector Qian finally noticed the two beside him. "May I ask what brought you two to the lake…?"
Jiang Xingzhi responded softly, "We intended to seek a flower from the lake's bottom."
"Flower?" Protector Qian's expression fluctuated, uncertain of what to consider.
Jiang Xingzhi remained still, calmly enduring his scrutiny.
After a moment, Protector Qian adopted a peaceful expression and spoke again, "Thanks to you two, my sect's disciples turned danger into safety. Please follow us back to Yuhua Sect; we will surely express our gratitude!"
He had already thought of various threatening and enticing excuses; in any case, he could not let these two suspicious individuals leave. Just as he was contemplating, he heard Jiang Xingzhi nodding modestly, "As agreed, we'll be well rewarded."
Protector Qian, "…"
He felt a lump in his throat, stepped aside, and said, "Of course, please."
With a flick of his blue-and-white long robe, the four companions took positions on either side. Protector Qian produced a magical artifact, injecting spiritual energy into it, which quickly expanded into a peach wood boat capable of holding over ten people.
Ping Lan and the others walked ahead, while Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming followed closely behind, boarding the peach wood boat under Protector Qian's vigilant gaze.
As the wind picked up, the boat swiftly sailed several miles away.
…..
Yuhua Sect was located south of Jiuzhou, with low ridges and lush forests stretching as far as the eye could see.
Jiang Xingzhi recalled that a thousand years later, the southern region of Jiuzhou thrived in witchcraft and Gu curses, and Yuhua Sect's master also taught these arts—whether it was from the same origin remained unknown.
In the distance, the mountain gate of Yuhua Sect became faintly visible. The sect was grand in scale, yet the old mountain gate indeed appeared somewhat faded, just as Lin Kuo had said.
Jiang Xingzhi communicated with Ping Lan and the others, "You don’t need to say much later; I will perform."
Ping Lan subtly nodded, hidden from Protector Qian’s view.
As he felt a touch on the back of his hand from the man beside him, Jiang Xingzhi turned to see Zhong Ming's sculpted profile. A voice echoed in his consciousness, "What are you discussing with that kid?"
Jiang Xingzhi was startled. "How did you know I was communicating with him?"
Could this person read minds?
Zhong Ming replied, "It's a man's intuition."
Jiang Xingzhi, "…"
Zhong Ming asked, "You don’t believe it?"
Jiang Xingzhi replied, "Of course I believe it. I must believe it."
In just a few exchanges, they arrived at the mountain gate, and the peach wood boat descended.
A middle-aged man dressed in a blue and black robe stood at the mountain gate, accompanied by a group of Yuhua Sect disciples.
Since the sect master had not yet come out, this person must be the "martial uncle" mentioned by Ping Lan—Yuhua Sect's Grand Elder.
Wan Xing stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his hawk-like eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized the few people who had just landed. He had already received Protector Qian's message; these three little brats were indeed tough—they hadn’t died…
Anyway, there would be more opportunities in the future. Wan Xing's heart harbored a hint of cold malice; what mattered more now was these two unfamiliar individuals who had appeared out of nowhere. If they dared to interfere with his plans, it would be just right to eliminate them together.
"Grand Elder, the people have been brought back," Protector Qian disembarked from the peach wood boat and cupped his fists in report.
Wan Xing scanned Ping Lan and the others. "Hmm," he turned to Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming, "Are these two fellow cultivators the ones who saved my sect's disciples?"
Jiang Xingzhi noticed the lingering coldness in his gaze and greeted him with a smile, realizing this person’s acting skills were lacking.
It was still up to him to give a lesson.
He promptly coughed lightly, covering his mouth. "It’s not about saving lives; we were merely the pioneers on the path of no return."
Wan Xing, "…"
Wan Xing concealed an unnatural expression, his gaze shifting between Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming. "I heard you two went to the lake's bottom in search of a flower; may I ask what you intend to use it for?"
Just as Jiang Xingzhi was about to respond, an arm suddenly wrapped around him from the side.
Immediately, a low, affectionate voice sounded in his ear, "To heal my frail and ailing Dao companion."
"………"
Jiang Xingzhi nearly lost control of his expression!
Dao…what thing???