Villainous Junior Chapter 64
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 64: Shocking Change
Because of those three extra words spoken, Meng Chen didn't get up from bed until noon.
He rubbed his sore waist and secretly took two pills that Mei Xiaohan had given him earlier, then was somewhat surprised to discover that his realm level had actually increased.
"...God Transformation fifth level?" He was momentarily confused - how had his realm advanced instead of declining when he hadn't been practicing cultivation lately?
Xue Lang, who had been busy preparing washbasin and cloths for him, heard this and gave a silly laugh. He slipped over and said with a mixed expression of shyness, pride and seeking credit. "It's all thanks to me."
Meng Chen: "?"
Xue Lang leaned close to his ear and whispered a string of words.
Meng Chen: "..."
So the legendary "dual cultivation" really did exist!?
"That was my... my first time," Xue Lang said softly with reddened ears. "I gave it all to you, so of course it would boost you."
Meng Chen: "......"
Well, thank you very much then.
"Actually it benefited me too," Xue Lang said with a giggle. "I feel my realm has changed as well."
The Tribulation Crossing Realm was already the highest level mortals could achieve in cultivation. Going beyond that meant ascending to immortality as told in legends. In thousands of years, seemingly no one had reached that realm.
"Whether we become immortals or not doesn't matter, as long as I can be with you," Xue Lang said naturally. What was immortality compared to having a spouse?
Meng Chen listened to his unhesitating words, his heart softening as he gently raised the corners of his mouth.
After getting ready, they went to the ground floor hall to wait for the innkeeper to calculate and settle their bill. Being noon, the hall was lively with diners drinking and loudly discussing the latest news they'd heard.
"Did you know? Plum Blossom Valley has had an upheaval!"
Meng Chen and Xue Lang simultaneously looked toward the source of the voice. Others were clearly shocked by this major news as well, all turning their heads and asking in a clamor. "What happened? What happened to Plum Blossom Valley?"
The speaker was a tall, thin cultivator who said, "I just came from there. Li Feng, the personal guard of the Valley Master, betrayed his master, killed Valley Master Mei, and tried to seize power!"
Upon hearing this, all the cultivators present burst into an uproar.
"That's impossible!? I heard Li Feng grew up with Valley Master Mei and had always been his most loyal subordinate. How could he betray his master?"
"Yes! I've been to Plum Blossom Valley before and met this Li Feng. Not only is he a powerful cultivator at the Refining Void Realm, but he also seemed particularly honest and sincere. He doesn't seem like someone who would kill his master!"
Some were skeptical. "As the saying goes, you can know someone's face but not their heart. As you said, Li Feng was a Refining Void Realm master, while Valley Master Mei was only at God Transformation Realm. Having to serve under him, Li Feng naturally grew dissatisfied over time! Being a mere guard can't compare to being a ruler. If you ask me, his actions were understandable."
The cultivator who first shared the news said, "Whatever the reason, Li Feng's betrayal is a fact. I heard Valley Master Mei's fate is uncertain. After Li Feng's plan failed, he fled the valley. Plum Blossom Valley has issued an arrest warrant throughout the cultivation world, saying whoever can provide crucial information about the traitor Li Feng will receive a reward of 100 taels!"
Meng Chen and Xue Lang exchanged glances, then frowned and walked to that cultivator, asking in deep voices. "Is what you said truly accurate?"
"Of course!" the cultivator said. "The news has spread. If you don't believe me, you can ask around outside yourselves!"
Meng Chen thought for a moment and said to Xue Lang. "Let's return to Plum Blossom Valley."
Xue Lang had the same intention. They immediately returned along their original route, taking half a day to reach Plum Blossom Valley. Indeed, completely different from when they came earlier, Plum Blossom Valley was now entirely sealed off, with valley disciples guarding every entrance, strictly prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving at will. Seeing Meng Chen and Xue Lang approaching from afar, the guard disciples immediately shouted. "Plum Blossom Valley is not receiving anyone now, please turn back!"
Meng Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands. "We are friends of Valley Master Mei. We heard something happened in the valley and want to see Valley Master Mei."
"We appreciate your concern," the guard disciple said stiffly. "But valley matters are for valley people to handle, and outsiders need not interfere. Please leave immediately!"
Xue Lang, seeing their attitude, knew there was no point in talking further. He directly swept his sleeve, pushing aside more than ten guard disciples, then pulled Meng Chen into the valley as if no one else existed.
"De...Demonic cultivator!" The guard disciples sensed the demonic aura and shouted in terror, "A demonic cultivator has broken into the valley! Quickly notify Elder Xu!!"
Upon hearing the disciples' report, Xu Can was very surprised.
Although it wasn't rare for demonic cultivators to operate in immortal cultivators' territory, this was the first time someone had so brazenly broken into Plum Blossom Valley. It was well known that Plum Blossom Valley wasn't just the Valley of Divine Doctors - its masters were no less powerful than other forces, and Xu Can himself was a Mahayana Third Level Venerable.
He was about to leave his room to see who had forcefully entered Plum Blossom Valley when the intruders burst through his door first.
The guards and disciples frantically chased after them and knelt down. "Elder Xu, please forgive us! This demon was too powerful, we couldn't stop him!"
Xu Can had no time to worry about others. He stared stiffly at Xue Lang, more clearly aware than anyone of this demon's realm level—
It was actually the Tribulation Crossing Realm, above Mahayana!
As far as he knew, there was only one person in the world currently at the Tribulation Crossing Realm.
"I apologize for not properly receiving the Demon Realm Venerable’s esteemed presence," Xu Can said, still mentally tense but outwardly polite, even respectful. "May I ask why the Demon Venerable has personally come to our Plum Blossom Valley?"
Even though righteous and demonic forces were sworn enemies, this Demon Venerable's power spoke for itself. Anyone who valued their life wouldn't dare speak disrespectfully to him. Especially not someone as shrewd as Xu Can, who had lived over two hundred years.
The reason he could remain calm was that he saw this Demon Venerable hadn't come for slaughter, but for some purpose. Otherwise, the valley disciples behind him wouldn't have survived to report to him.
Xue Lang asked directly. "Where is Mei Xiaohan?"
Xu Can was slightly surprised. "You are old acquaintances of Han’er?"
Hearing that form of address, Meng Chen carefully observed Elder Xu's expression while maintaining his composure. He cupped his hands and said, "We are friends of Valley Master Mei. We had just parted ways with him days ago when we heard about the valley's upheaval, so we came specially to check on the situation. May I ask if Valley Master Mei is well? Could we see him?"
Hearing this, Xu Can's expression gradually darkened. He closed his eyes, shook his head and said, "Han’er's whereabouts are unknown. I've been sending valley disciples to search everywhere, not resting for a moment."
Meng Chen frowned. "Please tell us, what exactly happened in the valley?"
"Since you are Han’er's friends, you must know his personal guard called Li Feng?" As Xu Can spoke, his face showed a mix of pain and hatred. "He ambushed Han’er, attempting to seize power by controlling him. After failing, he took Han’er hostage and jumped off a cliff... We don't know if Han’er is alive or dead, and Li Feng has vanished. I've issued an arrest warrant - even if he runs to the ends of the earth, I will definitely catch this traitor!"
"You're talking bulls*t," Xue Lang felt this old man was increasingly speaking rubbish and said rudely. "Li Feng seizing power? More like you're the one seizing power."
This Elder Xu was clearly now in charge of Plum Blossom Valley, while both Mei Xiaohan and Li Feng had disappeared - it was impossible not to be suspicious.
Although Xu Can didn't understand what "bulls*t" meant, he could guess it wasn't anything nice. He gave a bitter laugh and said, "I know you suspect me. But what you don't know is that I practically raised both Han’er and Li Feng."
Xu Can had served Plum Blossom Valley since his twenties. In over two hundred years, he had loyally assisted three generations of valley masters, with Mei Xiaohan being the fourth. Mei Xiaohan's parents died when he was young, and Xu Can raised him, temporarily serving as valley master to manage affairs until Mei Xiaohan came of age, then returned the position to him.
"Everything Elder Xu says is true!" a Plum Blossom Valley disciple shouted loudly, glaring angrily at Xue Lang and Meng Chen. "Elder Xu is the most loyal person to the Valley Master, we've all witnessed it! If you don't believe us, you can go out and ask around, see what others say!"
Meng Chen's brows slightly furrowed as he exchanged a glance with Xue Lang.
Although Xu Can was surrounded by suspicious points, his attitude seemed quite open and forthright. Moreover, if he were truly an evil person, these many valley disciples wouldn't so sincerely defend him.
But if they said Li Feng was the assassin, Meng Chen absolutely couldn't believe that either.
Seeing their silence, Xu Can sighed, waved for everyone to withdraw, and closed the door.
"This matter absolutely shouldn't be leaked, but I know you won't rest until your suspicions are cleared." Xu Can gave a bitter laugh, then slowly continued in a serious tone, "Actually, half a year ago, Han’er told me he had received a 'Heavenly Fate.'"
Meng Chen's heart suddenly sank!
Heavenly Fate...
This was the third time he had heard these words.
Xu Can recalled. "Han’er had always been lively, but during that time he was noticeably anxious and emotionally very low. I was worried and asked him several times what had happened. At first he wouldn't say, but later, probably unable to bear it alone, he finally confided in me."
"He said he had received a mysterious warning, telling him that Li Feng, whom he trusted most, would one day betray him for power. Han’er initially didn't pay attention, thinking it was just a dream, but later, that voice frequently appeared in his mind, forcing him to take this matter seriously."
"When I heard this, my first thought was that someone had used strange techniques to invade his spirit," Xu Can said. "So I examined his consciousness with soul-capturing techniques, but surprisingly found no traces of any strange arts. Then I wondered, could this truly be a revelation from fate?"
"So I advised him to be more careful of Li Feng, but Han’er was very stubborn, believing Li Feng would never betray him. Although I was worried, subconsciously I also didn't believe Li Feng would do such a thing, so I just assigned more people to protect Han’er's safety. But unexpectedly one day... the prophecy actually came true!"
Xu Can's face filled with pain as he said in a trembling voice. "These past two days I've been full of regret. If I had known it was true, I should have hardened my heart and killed Li Feng half a year ago, eliminating this future trouble! But sadly... it's too late for anything now..."
He closed his eyes as two streams of hot tears rolled down his face.
Meng Chen felt his mind in complete chaos.
Could Heavenly Fate really be so accurate?
Did Li Feng really harm Mei Xiaohan? Had they all misjudged Li Feng?
And Mei Xiaohan... had he really met with misfortune?
A broad, powerful hand reached over and firmly grasped Meng Chen's palm. Meng Chen looked up into Xue Lang's eyes.
His chaotic, disordered mind immediately settled down.
He reorganized his thoughts and said to Xu Can. "Excuse us, we'd like to look around the valley."
Xu Can seemed to understand his intention but still openly permitted it. Meng Chen gave Xue Lang a look, and Xue Lang nodded, releasing his divine consciousness.
No one could block or hide from the divine consciousness of someone at the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Xue Lang slowly spread his divine consciousness over the entire Plum Blossom Valley, carefully examining every corner, but couldn't detect either Mei Xiaohan's or Li Feng's aura.
The two were indeed not in the valley.
"Excuse our rudeness," Meng Chen could only say to Xu Can in the end. "We're very concerned about Valley Master Mei's whereabouts. We hope Elder Xu can notify us immediately if there's any news."
"Certainly," Xu Can readily agreed, personally escorting Meng Chen and Xue Lang out of Plum Blossom Valley.
After leaving Plum Blossom Valley, Meng Chen stared at the horizon in thought for a moment, then took a deep breath and said to Xue Lang. "I still believe Li Feng didn't do this."
When they had parted, Li Feng had asked him for Moon Frost flower seeds, because Mei Xiaohan had said he wanted to see Moon Frost flowers bloom.
How could someone who would use Moon Frost flowers to prove their feelings possibly commit betrayal?
"I believe in him too," Xue Lang smiled. "His eyes couldn't lie."
He paused then continued. "Moreover, although this Xu Can appears flawless, I feel something's wrong with him. Let's do this - we'll return to the Demon Realm, I'll send people to search for Mei Xiaohan and Li Feng, and also carefully investigate Xu Can."
Meng Chen nodded. At this point, this was the best solution.
The two immediately rushed to the Demon Realm. The nightmare horses ran at their fastest speed, taking just over a day to return. Meng Chen drew portraits of Mei Xiaohan and Li Feng, and Xue Lang ordered all his subordinates to mobilize and search tirelessly.
To their surprise, after just one hour, a subordinate rushed back reporting they had found them.
"Found them?" Xue Lang looked dubious. "Are you sure you haven't found the wrong people?"
There wasn't even enough time to leave the Demon Realm's borders!
That efficient subordinate immediately had companions bring in someone on a stretcher. Meng Chen and Xue Lang hurried forward to look - the severely injured unconscious person was indeed Mei Xiaohan!
Xue Lang immediately sent for doctors while quickly asking, "Where was he found?"
Subordinate: "Venerable, by the Dark River bank!"
The Dark River was the longest and deepest river in the Demon Realm, extending beyond its borders. But because countless demons and monsters lived in the Dark River, few people took the water route, properly using the main gate to leave the Demon Realm instead.
Meng Chen's thoughts raced as he immediately said, "Deploy all personnel to the Dark River, search both banks and the water for the other person, quickly!"
The subordinate was very sharp, knowing this Meng Chen's orders were equivalent to their lord's orders, and ran to carry them out without hesitation. Several doctors also rushed over, urgently treating Mei Xiaohan.
"Severe blood loss, but fortunately no internal organs were damaged, not life-threatening," the doctor said while quickly stopping the bleeding and bandaging Mei Xiaohan. Meng Chen remembered Mei Xiaohan had given him a package of miraculous medicines, and hurriedly found several bottles of wound medicine, which he gave to Mei Xiaohan after the doctor's confirmation.
Perhaps because the Divine Doctor's own medicine was too effective, or perhaps because Mei Xiaohan's willpower was strong, he soon regained consciousness. Upon first seeing Meng Chen, he immediately reached out to grab him, anxiously squeezing out words from his hoarse throat. "Li Feng... save him—"
"I know," Meng Chen immediately stepped forward and gripped his hand, telling him clearly and firmly, "Xue Lang is personally leading people to search the Dark River. There should be news soon, don't worry."
Mei Xiaohan chokingly nodded, his eyes quickly filling with tears.
Xue Lang didn't disappoint them, soon bringing Li Feng back.
Li Feng wasn't dead, but was barely breathing, with unbearable wounds covering his body. His entire right arm had been bitten off by monsters in the Dark River.
As soon as Mei Xiaohan saw Li Feng, despite his own severe injuries, he immediately rolled off the bed, staggering to Li Feng's side. Seeing Li Feng's death-like pale face and empty right sleeve, he embraced him and began sobbing hoarsely.