After Sheng Jun Chapter 29 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 29 Spoiled (part 1)
A hand grabbed Jiang Xingzhi's arm as Zhong Ming flew forward, saying "Let's go."
Jiang Xingzhi turned his head to look at You Suqing who was half a step behind, and reminded him, "Wait for your new friend."
"......" Zhong Ming swallowed a breath, "Fine."
The pure white mask hurriedly caught up: puff, puff, puff...
Slowing their pace slightly, the three walked side by side along the road.
You Suqing held the "Sword-Seeking Ruler" in his hand, while Jiang Xingzhi had the Jiang Langhao resting on his shoulder. As they changed direction, the two objects' pointing directions surprisingly synchronized.
Jiang Xingzhi curiously twisted his head around Zhong Ming to look. Seeing this, You Suqing generously introduced his "Sword-Seeking Ruler" to him.
The two, one on the left and one on the right, held up their rotating "pointers" to compare, resembling elderly parents who had children late in life taking their kids for a stroll. Zhong Ming was stuck in the middle, and after nearly being swept across the chest several times, he endured it for some distance before speaking up, "Jiang Xingzhi."
Jiang Xingzhi responded, "Hmm?"
Zhong Ming lowered his eyes to look at the propellers on either side of his arms, "Are you trying to give me wings of dreams?"
Jiang Xingzhi and You Suqing embarrassedly withdrew their hands, "Sorry."
Besides the "Sword-Seeking Ruler," You Suqing only carried a folding fan. Although he was the Master of the Hidden Sword Pavilion, his waist was completely empty of weapons. Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Is Pavilion Master You's spiritual weapon the fan?"
"Not exactly," You Suqing said, "But this fan is what I find most comfortable to use. I haven't yet found a suitable spiritual weapon for myself."
Finding the right spiritual weapon was indeed something that shouldn't be rushed. Jiang Xingzhi nodded, "I hope this journey into the secret realm will bring Pavilion Master You some gains."
The "Sword-Seeking Ruler" in his palm emitted a clear ringing sound.
You Suqing smiled behind his mask, "I'll take that as a good omen from Brother Jiang."
The three moved quickly, and before long, the air became increasingly humid.
The scenery gradually changed from mountain forests to wilderness. The valley was covered with stones and rocks. Jiang Xingzhi glanced at You Suqing, who didn't seem to notice this subtle inconsistency.
He muttered, "No wonder..."
The difference in air humidity was more subtle than the sense of nearby magical beasts or spiritual treasures, making it easy to overlook.
Additionally, when he had traveled with Xu Jian, his mind had been completely focused on Xu Jian, and now looking back, he had forgotten many details of the journey.
"What are you muttering about?" Zhong Ming asked.
"Nothing, just remembering some things from before," Jiang Xingzhi looked around.
The scene before him gradually became familiar. This valley seemed to be the one he and Xu Jian had flown through while fighting.
He had played a prank then, unexpectedly slashing his sword, nearly cutting off Xu Jian's belt—no wonder Xu Jian had looked at him like he wanted to eat him alive.
Remembering that look, Jiang Xingzhi's brow suddenly furrowed. It felt so familiar, just like...
His heart skipped a beat as he looked at Zhong Ming beside him: just like the look in Bai Mu's eyes when he stared at his earlobe.
Jiang Xingzhi's gaze was so intense that Zhong Ming held his breath. His hand at his side unconsciously curled, "What did you remember?"
Jiang Xingzhi concluded, "Some unavoidable matters between me and my enemy."
"......" Zhong Ming said, "Then no need to discuss it."
****
After flying forward for another stretch, a large expanse of earthy yellow came into view.
Jiang Xingzhi perked up, "It's the desert!"
The Sword-Seeking Ruler pointed straight toward the center of the desert. You Suqing said, "Looks like we'll be traveling together again." He then turned to the stern-faced Zhong Ming, "Brother Bai doesn't mind, does he?"
Zhong Ming's lips formed a straight line, "Friends don't say such things."
Jiang Xingzhi praised highly, "I told you! Bai Mu is a warm-hearted person."
The compliment wasn't taken seriously by either of the two men except Jiang Xingzhi himself.
A faint repulsive force emanated from the edge of the desert. Jiang Xingzhi said, "There's a barrier before entering the desert, but anyone at the Split Soul level or above can enter."
You Suqing inwardly gave a bitter smile.
With his cultivation, he would normally be considered at the pinnacle of existence in the Three Realms, but unexpectedly, in this secret realm, he barely met the threshold for certain areas.
As they spoke, they reached the barrier.
Zhong Ming and Jiang Xingzhi flew in effortlessly, as if passing through air. Jiang Xingzhi turned his head to see You Suqing still lingering outside the barrier. Remembering that the latter had just broken through to Split Soul level, he sent out a light wave of spiritual power.
Most of the pressure at the barrier was dispelled, and You Suqing quickly followed through. After steadying himself, he wiped his temple, "Thank you, Brother Jiang."
Jiang Xingzhi didn't quite understand what he could wipe with the mask on.
His gaze still lingering, he casually replied, "Friends don't say such things."
Zhong Ming, "......"
The vast desert appeared flawless from every angle. Jiang Xingzhi was uncertain of the direction. He asked Jiang Langhao, "Which way should we go next?"
Jiang Langhao twisted and wriggled, "Ancestor, I'm not omnipotent."
Seeing that they couldn't decide on a direction, You Suqing said, "Why don't we follow my Sword-Seeking Ruler first?"
"Sounds good," Jiang Xingzhi said.
Zhong Ming glanced at the Sword-Seeking Ruler, hesitated, but didn't object.
Following the guidance of the Sword-Seeking Ruler, they flew toward the depths of the desert for about an incense stick's time. Suddenly, there was a subtle movement of air ahead. Jiang Xingzhi looked down and noticed something stirring beneath the fine sand. He raised his hand to block the way, "Wait a moment."
At the same time, an arm also blocked in front of him.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming silently looked at each other, "......"
They had formed a cross at their original position, each blocking the other in the safe zone, while the unprotected You Suqing had already rushed ahead.
Jiang Xingzhi reacted and called out to the person in front, "Pavilion Master You, wait a moment!"
"What's wrong?" You Suqing stopped and turned around.
Just as he finished speaking, a sudden change occurred beneath his feet—
The quiet quicksand seemed to come alive, instantly collapsing into a deep vortex. An irresistible suction pulled at You Suqing, violently dragging him into the ground!
"Pavilion Master You!"
Jiang Xingzhi was startled and raised his hand, flinging out a piece of mermaid silk from his storage pouch that wrapped around You Suqing's arm with a "swoosh."
The yellow sand rapidly swallowed the person, leaving only a strand of mermaid silk protruding from above the sand. The force pulled Jiang Xingzhi half a step forward. From behind, an arm hooked around him as Zhong Ming grabbed his waist, steadily pulling him back.
The force from underground was far beyond a cultivator's strength.
Jiang Xingzhi's back pressed against Zhong Ming's spacious embrace, one hand gripping the mermaid silk, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible.
Zhong Ming lowered his head to look, frowning as he extended his free hand to cover Jiang Xingzhi's hand, enveloping him in his arms.
He said softly, "Let go, I'll take over."
"I can handle it," Jiang Xingzhi temporarily couldn't care about their posture.
He was almost being pulled into the sand himself; he could hardly turn around and complain: Don't hold my hand, hold my clothes instead.
Seeing that the mermaid silk was about to be stretched to its limit, Jiang Xingzhi considered, "Why don't we go down together?"
Something in his words seemed to please Zhong Ming, who looked toward the center of the vortex, his tone lifting, "Alright."
Jiang Langhao beside them also timely retracted its fur and darted into Jiang Xingzhi's arms. Whoosh!
The opposing force was thus released.