After Sheng Jun Chapter 44 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 44 Crisis Signal (part 2)
Outside the council hall, Jiang Xingzhi glanced at Zhong Ming, "You should be thinking the same as me?"
Facing Jiang Xingzhi alone, Zhong Ming's expression softened again, curving his lips, "Of course." He turned his head toward the eastern part of the main city, "Someone capable of stealing the Thousand Goblet Bell would naturally be able to inquire about our whereabouts."
Jiang Xingzhi said, "Let's go, we'll see who waits for the rabbit first."
As soon as he finished speaking, two figures suddenly disappeared from in front of the hall doors, appearing in a flash of light at the head of the eastern district alley.
Fan Xiu's shop was no different from when they came last night.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming walked in. In the swirling smoke, Fan Xiu was still tending his alchemy furnace.
"Ready to come refine medicine?"
"Not yet, we didn't get the Thousand Goblet Bell." Jiang Xingzhi observed his expression, "Besides us, has anyone else come to ask you about the Thousand Goblet Bell?"
"Mm, yes." Fan Xiu held his water pipe and admitted frankly, "Just last night at the third watch."
"What did you tell them?"
"The truth."
"......"
Seeing how he explained everything clearly in just a few words, Jiang Xingzhi thought: I can see that—he's quite truthful indeed.
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming exchanged glances, understanding the meaning in each other's eyes. Since that person had already inquired here with Fan Xiu, they probably also knew the two of them would return.
As if to confirm their speculation, the next moment, a figure appeared at the doorway.
A deep male voice rang out, "Where do you think you're going after taking the Thousand Goblet Bell? Hand it over, and I'll spare your lives."
Jiang Xingzhi turned to look, seeing a stockily built man standing at the entrance. He appeared to be in his fifties, with fine lines at the corners of his eyes and a faint scar on his jaw.
In just two sentences, Yuwen Gong had already walked in, releasing Split Soul stage pressure like a signal of intimidation.
The flames under the alchemy furnace flickered.
Fan Xiu frowned, "If you want to fight, go outside. Don't affect my good batch of medicine."
Yuwen Gong's face showed contempt and disdain, "A mere little demon—do you think this lord cares about your broken hovel?"
A barrier flew out to block the alchemy furnace.
Jiang Xingzhi withdrew his hand, frowning at the other party, "Craftsman's spirit—what would you understand?"
He had his own plans before coming: based solely on Su You's one-sided account, it was hard to judge right from wrong. He'd wait to see the person who stole the "Thousand Goblet Bell" before deciding whether to capture him.
Now it seemed the other party's every word and action made him feel disgusted.
Fan Xiu stared at the flames that had returned to calm, blew out a puff of smoke, and raised his eyelids to glance at Jiang Xingzhi.
Having his released pressure easily blocked, Yuwen Gong's expression changed, "Who exactly are you people?"
Jiang Xingzhi, "Before inquiring about others, why not introduce yourself first."
Yuwen Gong said proudly, "Hmph, haven't you heard of my title 'Venerable Fanjin'?"
Jiang Xingzhi searched carefully through his memory... Who was this? A thousand years later, no legends of this person remained, and a thousand years ago when visiting various sects, no one had mentioned him either.
He appeared to be an independent cultivator not belonging to any sect.
After reaching a certain cultivation level, some cultivators would choose to become independent, no longer belonging to any sect—like him and Xu Jian, both were beautifully independent and carefree.
Jiang Xingzhi studied this "Venerable Fanjin" before him: but this person didn't look carefree at all. This person looked quite ambitious.
While he was studying him, Zhong Ming beside him turned and asked, "Who's this? Have you heard of him?"
Jiang Xingzhi shook his head, "No."
Their conversation fell into Yuwen Gong's ears like a provocation. He flew into a rage, drawing the soft whip coiled at his waist and lashing it at the two, "Seeking death!"
Crack! To kill with one strike, he even used his full power.
However, the whip that split the air was caught bare-handed by a large palm the next moment.
Yuwen Gong stared at Zhong Ming in shock, "How could...!"
Jiang Xingzhi looked steadily at the other party, giving him one last chance, "What do you want the Thousand Goblet Bell for?"
Hearing this, the skin on both sides of Yuwen Gong's nostrils twitched. He seemed unafraid of having his purpose known, showing ambition in his expression, "Filthy bloodlines like the demon race should disappear completely..."
He looked at Jiang Xingzhi and the other, "Aren't you human cultivators? As long as you follow this lord, after we wash the demon race in blood, this masterless territory can be divided to give you a city each. How about it?"
He spoke with complete confidence, as if he held irresistible leverage.
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
So he was having this kind of boring pipe dream. Never mind then.
He spoke, "Ah Zuo."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhong Ming released the soft whip.
No one saw how that black figure appeared behind Yuwen Gong—Bang! A clean chop to the back of his neck actually knocked the Split Soul stage powerhouse unconscious.
Thump, Yuwen Gong's sturdy body fell to the ground.
Zhong Ming used the other party's soft whip to tie him up like a dumpling, expressionlessly lifting him up: So much nonsense.
Jiang Xingzhi clapped for him, "Protector Bai's thunderous methods, truly impressive!"
Zhong Ming, "Let's go, back to report."
He was eager to complete his Deng Deng's remaining soul and return to a thousand years later for their loving relationship. Every extra day wearing this disguise made him anxious.
****
Zhong Ming hadn't used his full strength in that chop, so Yuwen Gong woke up just as he was carried back to the demon palace.
He was bound by his own natal magic weapon, and somehow Zhong Ming had placed restrictions on it that prevented him from breaking free.
Su You marveled at the efficiency of Zhong Ming and his companion, then put his hands behind his back and bent down to examine the immobilized Yuwen Gong on the ground, "Tsk tsk tsk~ Someone actually got tied up by their own natal magical weapon. This lord has truly learned something new."
Yuwen Gong looked at them with poisonous hatred.
"Demonic cultivators all have base and disgusting blood! That human cultivators would actually aid tyrants—simply the shame of the righteous path, self-degrading traitors!"
Bang! Su You kicked him, sneering, "Seems you still don't understand your situation."
He called for guards, "Take him down and interrogate him."
The sounds of impotent rage gradually faded.
Su You picked his ear, seemingly unangered. Jiang Xingzhi sighed at his good mentality, then heard Zhong Ming speak, "Where's the Thousand Goblet Bell?"
"Tsk, so impatient." Su You reached into his robes and pulled out a wooden box, tossing it toward him, "This lord keeps his word. Take it."
Zhong Ming caught the wooden box, opened it for a glance, then snapped it shut with a "clang."
He called to Jiang Xingzhi, not delaying a moment, "Let's go find Fan Xiu to refine it."
"Mm." Jiang Xingzhi responded, and the two disappeared in an instant.
…..
Su You watched their hurried departure, crossed his arms, and turned toward the dungeon.
In the deep dungeon of the demon palace, dim light filtered through gaps in the overhead bricks, falling in beams onto the damp, cold ground.
The blood-colored figure stood outside the prison door. Su You looked down at Yuwen Gong in the cell, "Speak. What did you do to the Demon Realm? Confess clearly, and this lord can give you a quick death."
Yuwen Gong hung his head, his face hidden in shadow. He didn't speak, and Su You didn't urge him, as if he had infinite patience to wait.
After a long while, a sinister laugh came from the cell, "Too late."
Su You's voice turned sharp, "What do you mean?"
Low laughter echoed in the cold dungeon, like a viper winding past the damp iron bars and floor.
"It has already begun... hehehahahaha!"
Loose hair covered the madness and triumph in Yuwen Gong's eyes.
He wanted to seal the Demon Realm's exit, make the Night Crossing River collapse from the heavens and drown the entire Demon Realm!