After Sheng Jun Chapter 46 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 46 Settling Old Scores (part 1)
The flowing demonic qi helped him conceal his aura very well.
Jiang Xingzhi stood far behind that black-robed figure, his blood rushing backward like a torrent into his mind!
For a moment, it seemed as if only that snow-bright Tinghan Sword remained in the vast world.
His heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, "thump thump."
Although he had vaguely suspected it before, when he truly saw that familiar natal sword, he was still shocked into a daze by the tremendous impact, his mind blank for an instant.
Within a few breaths, the black-robed man had already split open the barrier and sheathed his long sword with a backhand motion.
Jiang Xingzhi slowly came back to his senses.
He looked at Zhong Ming with deep eyes, then "whoosh" turned and rushed toward the formation corner.
First, he would handle the Demon Realm's affairs properly, then he would slowly settle accounts.
….
The method to activate the Protective Grand Formation was not complicated.
With cultivation support and Su You's remote guidance, the four formation corners activated simultaneously, and the Protective Grand Formation held up the sky.
After activating the formation, Jiang Xingzhi didn't linger long. He turned back to rendezvous with Zhong Ming. The barrier had been split open by the latter with a single sword strike, so they could leave the Demon Realm without waiting for the exit to open.
When he returned to the original spot, Zhong Ming was waiting obliviously under the sky dome.
The gaping hole torn in the sky above was pitch black, like it would leak wind.
Seeing Jiang Xingzhi return, Zhong Ming immediately showed off his handiwork, trying to claim credit, "I've already torn open the barrier. Let's go quickly."
Jiang Xingzhi cast him a glance.
The questioning words circled around his tongue before being forcibly suppressed. Jiang Xingzhi paused, then looked up at the gap in the sky with apparent calm, "Mm."
The two instantly left the Demon Realm and returned to the human world.
Bright sunlight fell on them again, radiating warmth.
Probably because he had completely escaped the dangerous Night Crossing River, Zhong Ming looked refreshed and even reached out to adjust Jiang Xingzhi's outer robe that had slipped an inch from his shoulder.
His fingers brushed across the collarbone through the fabric. Jiang Xingzhi instinctively shuddered and shrank his shoulder back.
Zhong Ming explained, "I was just helping you straighten your clothes, nothing else."
Jiang Xingzhi: "......"
Jiang Xingzhi's expression suddenly became somewhat complex. Hearing these shameless words, he found it very difficult to connect the other person with Xu Jian.
Was Bai Mu really Xu Jian?
Why would Xu Jian appear here, and why would he change his appearance to deceive him? Moreover, he even said he liked him...
Some things were too incredible. Even with countless pieces of evidence pointing to a certain conclusion, when it came down to it, one still dared not confirm it.
Jiang Xingzhi felt two forces pulling at each other in his mind: Could that Tinghan Sword really prove that Bai Mu was Xu Jian? Didn't You Suqing also have an "ancestral sword" identical to Lin He's?
Besides, he had suspected before whether Bai Mu might be Xu Jian's ancestor. What if he was really mistaken?
Jiang Xingzhi secretly regretted: If he had known, he would have forced Bai Mu into that Night Crossing River even if it meant using violence!
......
"What's wrong, Deng Deng?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
Seeing Jiang Xingzhi frowning without responding, Zhong Ming carefully observed his expression, "Are you still angry with me?"
Angry? When he said this, Jiang Xingzhi remembered: himself flying wildly in the fierce wind like a kite with a broken string. He should indeed be angry.
Jiang Xingzhi then composed his expression, "Mm."
"Then punish me." Zhong Ming had a good attitude, even slightly lowering his head to lean closer, looking completely at his mercy, "Punish me however you want. The lamp's authority is supreme, I'll listen to Deng Deng."
Jiang Xingzhi looked at this relatively unfamiliar yet incomparably handsome face before him. When the other person looked at him, all the cold, sharp sword intent receded from those brows, leaving only a pool of gentle waves in his eyes.
Was the person gazing at him like this really Xu Jian?
Jiang Xingzhi lowered his eyelashes and pressed his lips together. He needed to make one final confirmation.
"Then I'll punish you to drink with me."
"What?" Zhong Ming was stunned.
"I said I want you to drink with me."
Lifting his eyelashes, when Jiang Xingzhi looked at Zhong Ming again, the corners of his mouth carried a gentle smile, "I don't just hold grudges. You helped me restore my soul, so I should thank you."
He appeared very understanding, "Besides, everyone has their own secrets. If you don't want to tell me, I won't force you."
"......?"
The happiness came too suddenly, and Zhong Ming was completely stunned.
He had been worrying about his disguise, worried about being exposed; worried that if Jiang Xingzhi investigated, he wouldn't know how to explain himself—even if the soul matter wasn't pursued, dragging someone on that wild chase should have made Jiang Xingzhi angry with him.
But unexpectedly, now everything was written off!
His Xingzhi not only didn't pursue the matter but even invited him to drink together.
Was this a dream? Was this the immortal realm?
Seeing Zhong Ming seemingly lost in thought, Jiang Xingzhi asked again, "Will you go or not?"
"Go!" Zhong Ming immediately snapped back to attention, his tone softening several degrees, "I'll follow you anywhere."
Jiang Xingzhi looked at him again, "Mm."
****
The place Jiang Xingzhi chose was still "Undrunken Immortal."
Arriving at the tavern, peach blossom petals spiraled down and covered their shoulders just like last time.
Jiang Xingzhi said he would treat this time and told Zhong Ming to go up first and wait. Where to "go up" was self-evident to both of them.
After Zhong Ming turned and left, Jiang Xingzhi gave some instructions to the waiter. A jar of wine was quickly brought up, and he personally carried it as he flew upstairs.
Today they came slightly earlier than last time. The bright moon had just emerged from behind the clouds, its light thinly spreading a layer, making the person approaching with wine appear gentle in the moonlight.
The jar lid "pop" bounced open, and the mellow wine fragrance lingered in the air, its scent subtly different from last time.
Zhong Ming asked, "Changed to a different wine?"
Jiang Xingzhi sat down beside him, "Trying a different flavor." As he spoke, he raised his hand to pick up a wine cup to fill it for the other person, but was immediately stopped by Zhong Ming.
"I have poor alcohol tolerance, so I won't drink." Zhong Ming said, "I'll just watch you drink."
He was being quite cautious now.
After all, drinking led to trouble. If he ended up speaking the truth after drinking like Jiang Xingzhi did, accidentally revealing his identity, he would probably go from extreme joy to sorrow.
While refusing, Zhong Ming also felt some regret: It seemed he could only wait until later when he resumed his "Xu Jian" identity to drink to his heart's content with his Deng Deng.
Jiang Xingzhi said, "If you don't drink, how can it count as me treating you?"
Zhong Ming pointed overhead, "Aren't you treating me to moon-viewing and flower-appreciation?"
Jiang Xingzhi looked up and saw the serene moonlight and rustling peach blossoms—indeed a priceless beautiful scene. Hearing this, he no longer insisted, seemingly not obsessed with making Zhong Ming drink.
"Then I'll drink alone." He raised his hand to pour himself a cup, then drained it in one gulp.