285: Li Jia Musashi's murderous intent (asking for monthly tickets)

“Senior is right. This Ninth Zhonglang is now forcing our Qian family to resist. Several families are currently discussing countermeasures. I ask Senior to help, and my Qian family will surely offer a generous reward!” The tall man in blue luxurious clothes said with a fierce expression, cupping his fists.

“Generous reward?”

“Hehe!”

The old Senior chuckled, his eyes slightly raised.

“A Zhonglang General alone can suppress your so-called Families, making you unable to raise your heads. What do I expect from your Qian family?”

“True Families, with everyone like a Dragon, have endured Dynastic changes, through wind and rain, standing for a thousand years. In my opinion, this is just children fighting. This Zhonglang General used only a few moves, and you couldn't resist?”

The old man's tone was very arrogant, his laughter carrying a sense of lofty indifference and condescension, just like how the Qian family head treated that poor Young Revered Master earlier.

The old man was named Li Boya, from the Li Family's Ancestral Master in the Central Plains. The soul lamps of a clan Elder and the Eldest Young Master of the Li Family had extinguished, enraging the Li Family, so he came to this place.

Not long ago, information from the Imperial Court in Sichuan indicated that the Ten Fiends, imprisoned over a thousand years ago, were about to be released. The Luck of Heaven and Earth was re-gathering, and Qi Luck Spiritual Root, a Heavenly Spiritual item, might descend. The Li Family sent people to investigate. First, their Family retainers were openly executed by the Dao Fu Division. Later, the Eldest Young Master came personally and sent a message via a thousand-mile talisman, saying that the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General was suspected of having obtained a Qi Luck Spiritual Root. The rest of the story is known.

Previously, the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General's whereabouts were unknown, making the deaths of the Eldest Young Master and a clan Elder seem mysterious. So, he contacted local Families and sent people to investigate. At that time, he found the Qian family, valuing their numerous intelligence channels from operating money houses in various prefectures of Jiannan Road.

However, with Chen Yuan's return from the Demon Battlefield, everything seemed clear, and the Qian family lost its usefulness!

Whether it was true or not, Li Boya suspected that the Eldest Young Master's death was related to this Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General.

If it weren't for the Li Family's Family Head, Commander Sima, who was currently plotting a major event in the North Sea and had taken away most of the experts, at this moment, perhaps, the Li Family's powerful individuals would have already descended upon this place, turning it upside down, and capturing that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General on the spot to extract his soul and refine his spirit as a warning.

However, the battle in the North Sea was fierce, because the North Sea Spring Eye, a Forbidden Ground to humans, had suddenly opened, and a dead Dragon's nest had appeared. Many powerful Divine Ability users who had been in seclusion rushed to the North Sea, searching for the true Dragon's remains.

It was rumored that there were remnants and Dragon Cores of a dead true Dragon there. Such Heavenly True Spirits, comparable to Land Immortals, any left-behind items held an irresistible temptation for martial arts practitioners. And there, Human Race Divine Ability users and North Sea Yao Race were fighting fiercely, with rivers of blood, making the North Sea boil, in order to seize the Dragon's nest ruins and treasures. The Li Family was involved and could not extricate themselves.

And the Qian family head, hearing the mockery and refusal in the Wu Zang's words, his face changed, fluctuating between dark and bright, but he dared not act out, only gritting his teeth, “Senior's lesson is right, but Senior also has a grievance with that Ninth Zhonglang. Why not make a move now? My Qian family, and the other families, though not as deeply rooted as thousand-year Families, are not as useless as Senior says.”

Saying this, his Aura rose, “To be honest with Senior, among our Four Sects and Eight Families, two old Seniors who were in death seclusion have broken through and reached Wu Zang, and two other families have already contacted outside powerhouses like Senior, planning to take advantage of this Chen fellow's arrogance…”

As he spoke, the Qian family head's pupils flashed with a sharp glint, and he made a snapping gesture.

Unexpectedly, Li Boya remained unmoved, merely slowly rising, lowering his head to look at the broken bowl in his hand, turning it, and a mocking expression appeared on his gray eyebrows.

“Didn't news come from Sichuan Pass not long ago? This Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General returned from the Demon Battlefield, successively slaying three Wucang Great Demons at Sichuan Pass, and after returning, he also slew a Wu Zang from Eight Fen Mountain.”

“Such a person's strength requires even me to deliberate at length. How can you casually comment?” This Li familys Wu Zang said, glancing sideways at the trembling Qian family head, then chuckled and said:

“Besides, what you're telling me is probably just to trick me into making a move, isn't it? Leaving aside the two old monsters among your Four Sects and Eight Families, hehe, those foreign powerhouses probably don't have time to bother with you, hehe.”

Li Boya clearly knew the purpose of those foreign powerhouses coming here, and without sufficient benefits, it was impossible for these people to intervene in this matter and offend the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General, whose strength was not to be underestimated, as long as they were not provoked.

And these benefits, with the strength of these Families, they probably couldn't provide them to move those people.

Hence, this statement.

Unexpectedly, it was indeed a direct hit, and the Qian family head's face visibly turned ugly.

The Li familys Wu Zang was right; several families felt that Ninth Zhonglang was going to act against them and were now on pins and needles. They were currently secretly in contact with those foreign powerhouses, but all families had been rebuffed.

Just as his heart sank, he heard a strange, ambiguous laugh from the Senior in front of him,

“I have business to attend to, so I can't make a move myself, but I can teach your families how to attract those foreign powerhouses to help you make a move and kill that person.”

The Qian family head's expression immediately brightened, and he quickly bowed, even lower than before, “Please, Senior, save us!”

“Haha!” Li Boya looked up and laughed, then his eyes narrowed, and he smiled coldly,

“As far as I know, this Zhonglang General possesses a Qi Luck Spiritual Root. That is a Heavenly Treasure coveted by practitioners, thousand-year Families, and even Blessed Lands, yet it's strange that no such news has spread.”

He was naturally surprised, because only that group of powerhouses who were close to the projection could keenly perceive it and make inferences based on the intelligence of the reshaping of Sichuan's Luck. And the Heavenly Gate powerhouses in Jinguancheng at that time, even if some noticed abnormalities, did not know about the Luck, and their cognition was limited, so they did not know the situation. And basically, that group of people, at that time, left the city in droves, and then were silenced by Chen Yuan at Fulong Mountain, thousands of miles away.

Therefore, very few people knew this news, and the foreign experts appearing in Jinguancheng now were all later arrivals.

The Qian family head's expression changed upon hearing this news, showing deep surprise and doubt.

Qi Luck Spiritual Root?

He seemed to have heard of it in ancient texts.

“You just need to tell this news to those foreigners you've contacted, and they will naturally be tempted.”

Saying this, this Li familys Wu Zang smiled strangely, “At worst!”

“Do you know the book ‘Records of Pacifying Demons in Green Mountain’? I've studied it a bit. This Zhonglang General served as a Patrolling Mountain Commandant here for a long time. You can completely go there to investigate. Perhaps there are people he cares about there, which would make this Zhonglang General hesitate to act rashly.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a crack.

The broken bowl in this Li familys Wu Zang's hand was crushed into powder.

Upon hearing this, the Qian family head's pupils immediately sparkled with brilliance, and he bowed sharply, “Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. I am greatly enlightened!”

“Go!”

“I hope to hear good news from you.”

“Then, Senior, I will take my leave first!” The Qian family head said with a respectful expression, then turned around and, with a sway of his feet, disappeared from the courtyard.

And this Li familys Wu Zang, looking in the direction where the person disappeared, the smile at the corner of his mouth gradually deepened, becoming sinister.

He would not directly make a move, because the strength of that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General made him wary. Without certainty, he would not show himself. Let these people fight to the death with that fellow.

He would see if he could reap the benefits!

Just like that, the sun set, and night slowly descended. The daytime clamor of the Ninth Mountain Army recruitment gradually faded.

That night, there were dark clouds in the sky, obscuring the moon.

The night was dark and windy. In the northeast corner of Jinguancheng, there was a Cuiwei Mountain, a thousand zhang high, with waterfalls and flowing water in the mountains, verdant clouds. The Han Shan Sect, one of the Four Sects and Eight Families, resided there. It is rumored that five hundred years ago, the founding Ancestral Master of this Sect discovered a damaged map of Heavenly Human Mountain Shaking in these mountains, which could lead directly to Wu Zang. Thus, the Sect was established and has maintained its stable position for five hundred years, with numerous experts within the Sect.

That night, within this Sect, security was tight. Up and down the mountain, Disciples patrolled, and the atmosphere in the mountains was clearly tense.

Inside the Sect Master's hall, amidst flickering candlelight, Yue Heng, the Sect Master of Han Shan Sect, despite his Heavenly Gate Dao Soldier cultivation, paced back and forth in the hall, somewhat restless.

His Revered Master, who had been missing for ten years, recently emerged from his death seclusion in the deep mountains of Sichuan. According to his Revered Master, the world suddenly became clear, as if some Restriction was suddenly lifted. His Dao fruit, which had been stagnant for many years, advanced rapidly, giving birth to a Primordial Spirit, passing the Five Thunder Tribulation, and thus promoting to Wu Zang.

This was originally a joyous occasion.

But the recent events in Jinguancheng had caused considerable unrest.

That Ninth Zhonglang acted domineeringly. A few days ago, he also detained a Heavenly Gate Elder from Han Shan Sect. He originally wanted to go to the Dao Fu Division to ask that Senior to be lenient and retrieve the person, but he was severely reprimanded by his Master, who had broken through to Wu Zang and was full of vigor.

His Master said that it would damage the prestige of Han Shan Sect, and that he would personally seek an explanation in the future!

Currently, the rumors that the Ninth Mountain was going to act against the Families were growing stronger. Today was a clear signal. He was hesitant, feeling that he should not get involved in such a dispute, and that he should show weakness and send Disciples into the Ninth Mountain. But now that his Revered Master had emerged from seclusion, his ambition was even greater than before, and he had been rebuffed, losing his right to speak.

Just then, a hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.

A Sect's mountain guardian Fushi quickly walked in, and upon seeing Yue Heng, he clasped his hands.

“Sect Master, the mountain guardian Disciple from the foot of the mountain reported that a person claiming to be your close Fellow Daoist has come to visit the mountain!”

“Who?” Yue Heng stopped pacing, glanced sideways, and asked.

“It is this humble Daoist!”

Suddenly, a voice sounded.

As the words fell, amidst the flickering candlelight outside the hall, an old Daoist priest, wearing a black Daoist crown, a green Daoist robe, holding a whisk, and with a sword on his back, stepped into view.

“Sect Master Yue, long time no see!”

The Sect Fushi was startled to see this; the opponent had silently broken through the mountain gate Restriction and sneaked in. What did he intend to do? He was about to scold him.

But he saw Sect Master Yue Heng looking at the appearing old Daoist priest, and he waved his hand at the Fushi, “This is the famous Li Guan Master, one of the Wei Yuan Eight Heroes. Do not be rude, you may go down first!”

The Sect Fushi was startled upon hearing this introduction to the other party. He looked closely, recalling the name Wei Yuan Eight Heroes.

That was a fierce individual who followed the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General and wreaked havoc on the Demon Battlefield.

“Yes!” His heart was filled with envy and awe. To earn such a name was enough for this life. He bowed to the other party and then retreated.

At this moment, Yue Heng, seeing that there were no other people, quickly walked down, his expression carrying a hint of surprise, “Brother Guanyi, you actually broke through to Dao fruit.”

“By chance, after returning from the Demon Battlefield, I felt something in my heart and successfully broke through yesterday!”

This person was precisely Li Guanyi, the Revered Master of Fulong Temple, who had returned with Chen Yuan from Weiyuan Pass. The other Fellow Daoists who returned with them, except for Qingyangzi of Shu Mountain Sword Sect and Fellow Daoist An of Su Nu Sword Sect, who remained at Sichuan Pass, some chose to return to the east to meet the Disciples who had evacuated eastward from Guangan Prefecture, while others stayed in Jinguancheng to recover from injuries. As for him, having gained something, he went into seclusion to Breakthrough in a secluded mountain forest dozens of miles outside Jinguancheng and only emerged yesterday.

Hearing this, Yue Heng said with a complex expression:

“Brother Guanyi, speaking of it, I truly envy you. The name Wei Yuan Eight Heroes resounds throughout Sichuan. I regret it somewhat; I had too many concerns back then and didn't follow you all out of the Pass for a trip.”

Upon hearing this, Li Guanyi's expression became serious,

“Sect Master Yue, it's still not too late.”

“You and I have been friends for many years. I know Sect Master Yue's character. After emerging from seclusion, I learned about the recent events in Jinguancheng, so I came tonight specifically to warn Sect Master Yue not to conflict with Ninth Zhonglang.”

“Alas! Brother Guanyi!” Yue Heng heard this and gave a bitter smile, “It's not that I, Yue, want to conflict with this Senior. It's truly that this Senior's every move is domineering, pressing hard on the forces in the city, especially our Four Sects and Eight Families. You must have heard that this Zhonglang General wants all families to submit. Now, everyone in every Family is in danger, and my position is not secure.”

“Not so!”

“The truth is not as you imagine!”

Daoist Li shook his head, then sighed with a look of melancholy, “If Sect Master Yue had gone to the Demon Battlefield and personally experienced and witnessed the cruelty of that battlefield, he would understand this Senior's actions.”

“At that time, the Demons broke through the Pass, and life was devastated. Fushi issued a conscription order to support the front lines and resist the Demons, but how many responded?”

When this Li Guan Master asked this, his eyes were exceptionally sharp, seemingly able to pierce directly into one's heart.

Yue Heng's face changed slightly, his throat rolled, and he was ultimately speechless.

“Too many people died! The Fa Shan Army was nearly wiped out, and in the fallen cities, the bones of the common people piled up like mountains. Yet, in Jinguancheng and most of Sichuan, these people turned a blind eye, all wanting others to stand in front. If it were you, what would you think?”

Yue Heng did not speak, remaining silent for a long time.

“Please, Sect Master Yue, do not mislead yourself. This is from the bottom of my heart!”

Just as the air fell silent, a cold snort suddenly erupted.

“Hmph! What a 'do not mislead yourself'!”

With this explosive sound, a gust of wind blew outside the main hall. The candlelight in the Sect Master's hall suddenly dipped, and then a dark shadow passed through the hall, causing both of them to sway.

The dark shadow landed on the Sect Master's seat in the main hall, revealing a figure with ink-black hair, wearing a loose green robe, with the bearing of a Dragon and the eyes of a tiger, exuding a powerful Aura like a towering mountain.

As if a great mountain stood before them!

Wu Zang!

Li Guanyi's face was startled. When he clearly saw the figure, he was even more surprised, his memory pulling back to the figure of ten or twenty years ago.

His hair had turned black, he had become younger, and his Aura had also broken through to Wu Zang.

Then, the figure above spoke, with a cold snort,

“Fulong Temple's Daoist, I remember you. It's been many years. You've reached Dao fruit, hmph, daring to be presumptuous in my Han Shan Sect!”

“Where is your Revered Master, that old ghost?”

This person was precisely the former Sect Master of Han Shan Sect, Yue Heng's Master, who had left for over ten years!

Li Guanyi, upon seeing this person, bowed.

“Greetings, Senior You. My Master ascended five years ago.”

“If he's dead, he's dead. Why be so refined about it?” This You-named Wu Zang was not at all polite, scoffing with a flick of his sleeve, “It seems he was ultimately not as good as me.”

Saying this, his eyes turned cold, “You came to plead for the Ninth Mountain, fine, but you're telling my Han Shan Sect not to mislead itself. That Ninth Zhonglang truly has great abilities to make you so willing. It seems I've been in the mountains for too long, and no one puts my Han Shan Sect in their eyes anymore.”

“One day, I will go and meet this Ninth Zhonglang!”

Li Guanyi, the Daoist, seeing that Senior You spoke with such arrogant hostility, felt that something was wrong, but he did not back down,

“Senior, after all these years, breaking through to Wu Zang is a joyous occasion. Why provoke conflict? This humble Daoist is willing to mediate.”

These words, however, sounded completely wrong in the ears of the You-named Wu Zang.

It sounded as if Han Shan Sect was begging him, begging that Ninth Zhonglang.

Having gone through many years, he had finally stepped into Wu Zang. He needed to announce his return to the entire Sichuan Jianghu, and his spirit was soaring. How could he endure such a thing?

“How dare you!”

He raised his hand.

Immediately, all the candlelight in the main hall bent, and a fierce wind rushed directly towards Daoist Li.

Seeing this, Daoist Li flicked his whisk, and each strand of the whisk shot through the air, attempting to break the momentum.

However, it only lasted for one breath. The whisk was pressed back, and a large hand appeared out of thin air, grabbing Daoist Li of Fulong Temple.

“Revered Master, no!” Yue Heng made a move, striking out a blow for his Fellow Daoist, with whom he had many years of friendship.

“Get lost!”

However, the large hand remained unmoved, trapping Daoist Li.