Chapter 46: 46. Killing Mr. Tan is a blessing for the people.
Zhao Huaiji’s question went unanswered because, as the pleasant sound like that of a hundred songbirds faded, the young master of Luoja Mountain made his appearance.
Veiled by what appeared to be either a Magic Artifact or a treasure, his form was obscured and indistinct.
Yet, this famously beautiful young figure was unparalleled in power.
Using Long Zhangyuan’s actions as a pretext, she had directly expelled the group from Tujian Mountain.
...
"Are we just going to leave like this?" Zhao Huaiji was obviously furious, and he repeatedly vented his anger upon seeing his fellow sect members.
"That young lady is no simple character. She has several individuals by her side who are at my level, and the Dong family has also sent two..." At this moment, the former leader of the Demon Sect, who had successfully infiltrated the group, explained in a calm and unhurried tone.
Actually, he didn’t care about those mere centennial Cultivators in the slightest.
Although, because his Cultivation Technique was countered, making his last two hundred years seem like a waste, it wasn’t as though everyone could restrain him.
Only someone like Nan Jian Su Huan’an could suppress his "Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome" with the "Heavenly Power Treasured Tome" called "Absolute Immortal Sword."
As for the others, even those who had cultivated for a hundred years, none of them could match him.
After all, not everyone is qualified to cultivate the Heavenly Power Treasured Tome, not to mention the "Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome," which, even including him and the other two whose fate is unknown, numbered less than five.
The situation with other Heavenly Power Treasured Tomes was roughly the same.
Hearing this explanation from the former leader of the Demon Sect, Zhao Huaiji suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, realizing that with so many centennial Cultivators, unless the Sect Leader himself came, they stood no chance just by themselves.
"The incident at Caiyun Valley was my nephew’s recklessness!" At this point, Long Zhangyuan proactively took responsibility for the earlier incident.
This action by Long Zhangyuan undoubtedly significantly increased his favorability among the group, except for the leader of the Demon Sect.
Although Long Zhangyuan’s previous actions had been somewhat foolish, not just failing to achieve their goals but also provoking many adversaries, this Son of the Heavenly Mandate had only been a Cultivator for a few months, and he was just a village youth before that, so the Guardians from Tujian Mountain could understand his situation.
Thus, Zhao Huaiji said, "This time you indeed acted rashly, but it doesn’t matter. Instead of blaming yourself, you might as well think about how to kill Tan Shuchang."
"The narrow escape from death almost cost me my life; I must seek revenge!" Long Zhangyuan, upon hearing the name Tan Shuchang, couldn’t help but show a hint of coldness in his eyes.
As the posthumous child of the Dragon Crown Prince, he had not yet avenged his father, and nearly lost his life. Each time he thought of this, his hatred for Tan Shuchang deepened.
"Yes, excellent! And by killing this Tan Shuchang, you are not only avenging yourself but also ridding the common people of a scourge, securing a blessing for them," Zhao Huaiji nodded repeatedly.
A decisive Son of the Heavenly Mandate was indeed the Son of the Heavenly Mandate Zhao Huaiji envisioned!
At this moment, as Zhao Huaiji brought up the common people and the masses, Long Zhangyuan couldn’t help but pause. Although he had never seen an official robe, he knew from Tan Shuchang’s attire that he must be an official of the Zi Xuan dynasty.
"Is this Tan Shuchang really that malevolent?" Long Zhangyuan couldn’t help but ask.
"What evil he has done, I am not clear about, as I haven’t left the mountain for many years. But one thing I do know is that Tan Shuchang’s master was killed by this scoundrel!" Zhao Huaiji spoke, feeling a pang of regret. "Even though his master, the Heartless Old Man, was a figure in the Demon path, he was recognized by the Chaotic Life Dharma Bead, a sentient treasure.
Zhangyuan, you may not know this, but to be recognized by the Chaotic Life Dharma Bead, one must be extremely filial in the world!"
Because of his dislike for Tan Shuchang, Zhao Huaiji couldn’t help but idealize the man-eating Heartless Old Man a bit in his narrative.
"To actually kill his own mentor! How brutal and disrespectful to the elderly, this criminal deserves death!" Upon hearing that the Heartless Old Man was a person of great filial piety, saddened by not having met his own parents and regretting not being able to fulfill his filial duties, Long Zhangyuan immediately couldn’t help but voice his anger.
"Regarding the matters at Caiyun Valley, with this complication, things are indeed a bit tricky. It might be better if we find a place first to discuss the long-term plan," suggested the former leader of the demon sect.
Because he really couldn’t listen any further.
Good heavens, could the Heartless Old Man really be painted in such a positive light?
Although he admitted that the young man named Tan Shuchang was a bit cunning and greatly skilled in the ancient demon’s authentic teachings, bearing somewhat the style of the Heavenly Demon, the evil deeds of the Heartless Old Man were atrocious beyond words!
If it weren’t for the Heartless Old Man having some ties to him, being a distant relative outside the fifth degree of kinship, he would have been unable to restrain himself from taking action to clean his own house.
Even though he was a Demon Cultivator, it didn’t mean he was a pervert!
"Let’s follow the elder’s advice.
As for Tan Shuchang, the vengeance of today must be swiftly resolved, hence I will personally write a letter of challenge to decide life and death with him and settle today’s cause and effect!" Long Zhangyuan perceived Zhao Huaiji’s discontent towards Tan Shuchang and knowing the malevolent intent of such a villain, Long Zhangyuan also harbored a murderous intent, so he immediately declared as such.
"Good, since it is so, Zhang Yuan, go on and write that challenge letter. I’ll deliver it myself.
After all, it’s your battle to resolve this karma, and it should be treated with due importance!" Zhao Huaiji immediately took on the responsibility enthusiastically, "I still have a few old friends around here, whom I can ask to spread this news, ensuring that the young thief has no way to avoid the battle."
"Then I thank you, Uncle Master!" What young man doesn’t seek renown? Hence, upon hearing Zhao Huaiji propose such, Long Zhangyuan harbored no intentions of refusal.
Although the other Guardians seemed to notice Zhao Huaiji’s proactive approach and clear intentions to accomplish something, none of them minded.
The former demon sect leader also took note but said nothing.
He had passed down the Shadow Retaining Immortal Secret Tome, but Tan Shuchang was not his disciple.
For the cultivation among the demon sect, it was customary to be self-made or self-destroyed.
After a moment, Long Zhangyuan finished writing the challenge letter and handed it to Zhao Huaiji. Zhao Huaiji, holding the letter, waited there until the meeting concluded peacefully.
However, even after everyone departed, Zhao Huaiji still couldn’t locate Tan Shuchang.
"What a cunning little thief!"
Zhao Huaiji snorted coldly, then he hid his presence.
Shortly after, he knocked on a lodge member’s door.
This lodge member had already known of Zhao Huaiji’s arrival, so had cleared the nearby area in advance for him.
After welcoming Zhao Huaiji inside, the lodge member immediately kneeled down to greet him, "Unworthy disciple, Shi Changkong, greets his master!"
This lodge member, one of the top-ranked in his position, held a high position among the lodge members. However, in Qitian Tower, he was not known as Shi Changkong but as Chu Xiujian.
It wasn’t because Shi Changkong was sent from the sword school in the mountains, but because Shi Changkong had committed an offense in his early years. Thus, with Zhao Huaiji’s help, he had changed his appearance and hidden inside Qitian Pavilion.
"Pass this letter to Tan Shuchang and tell him you encountered a woman near a secluded cave outside Qitian Pavilion who had a Qitian Command and asked you to deliver this letter to him," Zhao Huaiji instructed.
The Qitian Command was a type of token issued by the Qitian Pavilion. Regardless of the holder’s status, high or low, even if they had no cultivation, one possessing the token could compel the people of Qitian Pavilion to unconditionally do something for them.
Clearly, Zhao Huaiji was creating these gaps in information intentionally, aiming to use "bait to fish," in hopes of drawing someone out to investigate.
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