Chapter 66

Zhang Cunxiao brought people from Wuyu Fort, all of whom were experienced veterans, most adept at plundering wealth.

By the time Zhuang Wudao and the others came out of the cabin, the entire building ship had been thoroughly ransacked. All the loot was moved to their own ship.

This building ship was actually still quite sturdy and could be used as a warship. However, Zhang Cunxiao found the ship's speed too slow, not as fast as their own swift ship, and it was too conspicuous, so he was unwilling to take it with them.

The eunuch in charge of the city's defense was a close confidant of the Wu Emperor, but in Yuecheng, he was a figurehead, suppressed by the Zhen Nan General's residence and several major families, with little power. However, no matter how weak he was, he was still one of the few major figures in Yuecheng's officialdom.

Seizing this building ship would be like slapping him in the face, inviting disaster for both sides. They couldn't even burn it, for fear of angering him.

The only problem was how to deal with the Zhuang family's dependents. According to Zhuang Wudao's idea, it would be best to leave these people on the ship, letting them fend for themselves.

Ma Yuan, however, was somewhat dissatisfied, his eyes flashing with a cold light. "If you listen to me, we should just kill them all, to avoid future trouble. Cut the grass and remove the roots. Brother Wudao, showing mercy to them is too womanly."

Zhuang Wudao shook his head. "I've heard that in the northern grasslands, the nomadic tribes only behead men who can stand over the height of a cart wheel. We have no deep enmity with the Zhuang family. The only ones who can support the family are Zhuang Xun and Zhuang Tong. There's no need to involve their families, even the nomads wouldn't do that."

As he spoke, Zhuang Wudao looked at Zhang Cunxiao. He had no real objection to killing them all. The promise he made to Zhuang Xun didn't weigh heavily on his mind. Keeping one's word depends on who it's for; he wouldn't be swayed by Zhuang Xun's few words.

However, today it was all Wuyu Fort's people, and the final decision would depend on the chief of Wuyu Fort.

Zhang Cunxiao frowned, but in the end, he couldn't refuse Zhuang Wudao's face. He laughed loudly, pretending not to care. "Just a bunch of women and children, what trouble can they cause? Without the Zhuang family's wealth, I doubt they can survive. We've done enough bad deeds; this time, let's do some good."

Qin Feng, however, remained noncommittal, saying softly, "I've been to the places Zhuang Xun mentioned. If they are indeed ore veins, they should be within twenty zhang of the surface, easy to mine. According to my knowledge, the surrounding areas are also rich in ore. This is quite suspicious. Moreover, Zhuang Xun's two illegitimate sons might know the locations of these ore veins, and perhaps more—"

Zhang Cunxiao didn't initially understand Qin Feng's meaning, but he finally reacted, his eyes widening in anger. "Is Zhuang Xun trying to trick us even on his deathbed?"

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback, then sighed inwardly. The ore veins were very close to the surface, and the surrounding areas were rich in ore. Zhuang Xun must have had other reasons for not mining them. If they foolishly went to mine or revealed the locations to others, they might invite disaster.

With Qin Feng's words, the Zhuang family's lives were likely to be spared no longer. Zhuang Xun's calculations probably didn't include the lives of his family except for Zhuang Tong.

It was clear that once Zhang Cunxiao confirmed Qin Feng's words, he would surely kill everyone on the ship to vent his anger.

Zhuang Wudao didn't object, but he didn't want to participate. He simply walked to the ship's railing and waited quietly. This wasn't pretentiousness or weakness, but a remembrance of his mother's last words before she died.

"Lei, I know you have harbored deep resentment in recent years and often act without scruples. It's all because of me. Mother doesn't blame you and knows she can't restrain you in the future. However, Lei, you must remember that our Shen and Zhuang families have always practiced good deeds and passed down the virtues of benevolence and trust. I don't ask you to uphold the family's honor, but I do ask you to show mercy when you can, and not to be too extreme or cynical—"

His real name was Shen Lei, but after his mother's death, he no longer wanted to use his father's surname. He took his mother's surname, Zhuang, and named himself "Wudao."

The sky was gradually clearing, and the bright moonlight shone through the clouds, clear and cold.

The cries and screams on the ship continued to reach his ears, but Zhuang Wudao heard nothing, lost in memories of his mother, his eyes filled with melancholy.

He was originally from a place far from Dongwu, in the Zhou Kingdom, thousands of miles away.

About twenty-five years ago, his mother, Zhuang Xiaoxi, married into the Shen family and became the wife of "Father" Shen Jue.

At that time, the Shen family was just a small clan that passed down the traditions of farming and reading. However, his father, Shen Jue, was exceptionally intelligent. At a young age, he was already well-versed in literature and poetry. His mother was also a talented woman, from a noble family with great wealth and influence. However, by the time she married, her family had no male heirs. She brought the Zhuang family's wealth with her when she married into the Shen family.

The wedding was grand, shaking the entire city. The couple was deeply in love, living harmoniously and happily. However, despite his literary talents, Shen Jue was not interested in an official career and preferred martial arts, aspiring to immortality. He spent a fortune on various elixirs and medicines and invited many masters to teach him. He began his martial arts training at the age of sixteen and, surprisingly, almost reached the Qi Condensation realm by the age of twenty.

After that, his cultivation progressed rapidly. However, three years later, Shen Jue suddenly left with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and then disappeared without a trace.

Zhuang Xiaoxi waited for six years, using all the family's wealth to search for Shen Jue, but found no news. Just when the family was about to give up, Shen Jue suddenly returned.

After that, he stayed at home, managing the family's farmland and business, rarely leaving the estate.

By then, the dowry from his mother was almost depleted, but Shen Jue was resourceful and had a remarkable cultivation. He seemed to have the support of a powerful patron. In just a few years, he had accumulated wealth ten times greater than the Zhuang family. However, a year after the death of his grandparents, Shen Jue suddenly went on a business trip and was reported to have been killed by bandits in the wilderness.

Zhuang Xiaoxi, deeply in love with Shen Jue, refused to believe he was dead. She investigated and eventually found some clues. A few years later, she found Shen Jue in the north of Tianyi.

At that time, Shen Jue was already a disciple of the Northern Great Sect, Taiping Dao, with the Daoist name "Chongyangzi," at the Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment, with a bright future. He was also the beloved son-in-law of the Taiping Dao's Yuan Shen realm immortal, "Huanglongzi," and his Daoist partner, "Xiao Lingshu." They had already formed a good marriage and had a son ten years before Shen Jue's disappearance. The son was also introduced to the Taiping Dao by "Xiao Lingshu" and became a disciple due to his exceptional talent.

Shen Jue's return to the Shen family was only to sever his "earthly ties."

Zhuang Xiaoxi was devastated and fiercely independent. She never wanted to see Shen Jue again, refused to eat the Shen family's food, and would not accept any help from the Xiao family. After leaving the north, she took him to Dongwu, settling in Yuecheng, and made a living by sewing.

Falling in love with someone else is a common occurrence in the world. Abandoning one's family for immortality is also not unusual. Shen Jue was not entirely heartless; after joining the Taiping Dao, he still provided for his parents and left enough wealth for his wife to live on.

However, Zhuang Wudao saw his mother suffer every day, tossing and turning, tears soaking her pillow, her health deteriorating day by day. How could he not hate and resent?

Suddenly, a cold current swept over him, instantly calming his mind.

"Yun'er?"

The cold current came from the "Qingyun Sword" behind him.

"Your emotional fluctuations are too intense, which is not good for cultivation. The path of cultivation requires avoiding extreme joy or sorrow."

Yun'er said solemnly, "Your attachment is too strong. If you can't overcome this heart demon, your future achievements will be limited, and you may not be able to pass the Immortal Ascension Tribulation or achieve Yuan Shen."

Zhuang Wudao frowned, clenching his fists. He couldn't let go of this heart knot, nor did he want to. For ten years, he had done everything for this wish.

Does this mean he can't cultivate if he can't overcome the heart demon?

Yun'er was silent for a moment, then said softly, "If you really can't let go, then be more extreme. Transform this attachment into a heart demon and integrate it into your Dao foundation. If used well, it can be a powerful aid."

"Aid?"

"Exactly! The Daoist sect has the 'Nianyang Ling Shu,' and the demonic sect has the 'Monian Lian Shen Dafa,' both methods of cultivation using attachment. However, they are extremely dangerous. You must never deviate from your true nature. If your thoughts become obstructed and your attachment grows stronger, you will eventually fall into demonic possession and die."

Zhuang Wudao didn't hesitate, asking directly, "Which method is better?"

He didn't take the danger seriously. It was said that Chongyangzi's cultivation talent was above the third rank, ranking among the top four in the world.

Ten years ago, Chongyangzi was at the Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment, and ten years later, he might be close to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Zhuang Wudao, with only fifth-rank immortal bones, had just entered the Qi Condensation realm. The hope of surpassing him was almost nonexistent.

Even the slightest chance to improve his cultivation, he wouldn't let go. This was also the reason he was determined to join the Lichen Sect, no matter the cost.

"Of course, the 'Monian Lian Shen Dafa' is better. It transforms the heart demon into a demonic seed, cultivated within the Yuan Shen. It can continuously stimulate potential, making cultivation more efficient. However, it also has many hidden dangers. If your foundation is weak and your body can't keep up, it may damage your essence. Most demonic cultivators use evil techniques to extract others' essence to nourish the demonic seed, making it easy to fall into demonic possession. However, the benefits are also significant. Once you resolve the attachment and refine the demonic seed, the accumulated power of the demonic seed can greatly enhance your cultivation. The stronger and longer-lasting the attachment, the greater the benefits."

Zhuang Wudao was already tempted but had some concerns: "But the Lichen Sect—"

The Lichen Sect was a prestigious orthodox sect in the southeast of Tianyi, in constant conflict with the demonic sects.