Ch72 - Come and Go

translator: transcendentwings

The expression on Zhou Beinan’s face changed abruptly and he swiftly yanked the short spear that had been inserted diagonally at his waist out. Zhou Xian was of the same mind and had drawn the short spear slung across her back at nearly the same time, launching it in Xu Xingzhi’s direction!

Two lines of light collided in the air, forming a cross, imbedding fiercely into the stone pillar as if it could pierce the clouds and split the earth in such a way that it supported Xu Xingzhi’s waist by pinning him down so that the force exerted by gravity wouldn’t tear his already shattered right arm even more.

Qu Chi took to the air, riding the wind and dust, coming up directly in front of Xu Xingzhi, trying to separate him from the stone pillar. However, the several transparent beams of spiritual energy had pierced Xu Xingzhi’s arm in countless places, nailing it firmly to the pillar. No matter how he analyzed it, he felt that if he wanted to carry Xu Xingzhi away smoothly, the only way was to tear off half of his arm.

The only thing he could do was support Xu Xingzhi by the waist and use the corner of his sleeve to wipe the darkened blood that dripped out at the corner of his lips: “Xingzhi, Xingzhi!”

Xu Xingzhi murmured: “My hand. . .”

Qu Chi lowered his gaze and saw that the other’s right hand was like a ball of messy wool, twisted and twitching as it dangled down uselessly, seemingly unusually soft.

The surging atmosphere thick with the smell of blood made Qu Chi’s eyes water: “Xingzhi, I’ll find a way to let you down, just bear with it a while longer. . .”

Xu Xingzhi asked in a low voice: “. . . Why can’t I see anything anymore.”

Qu Chi looked at this younger brother, whom he had known for over ten years, who had always been outspoken and vivacious and his lips trembled violently: “It’s okay, lean against me, don’t be afraid,ah.”

“Elder brother. . .” Pain thaterupted everywheregradually radiated across his body, Xu Xingzhi tossed and turned in agony, desperately slamming the back of his head against the stone pillar, “Save me. . .”

Qu Chi gazed at the other’s right hand which was riddled with gaping wounds helplessly.

The pure spiritual energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator pulsed brightly in the wounds where blood was pouring out. Under the pressure of such spiritual power, he was clueless as to how to save Xu Xingzhi.

He drew the long sword by his waist and placed it against Xu Xingzhi’s right shoulder.

. . . Perhaps severing his right arm completely would reduce his suffering?

Xu Xingzhi was wholly unaware and leaned on him. The other’s still mobile left hand seized his arm in a death grip: “Elder brother. . .”

Qu Chi had wielded a blade for many years and for the first time in his life, he was unable to hold it well as his hands shook and vision blurred.

After a while, he embraced Xu Xingzhi tightly with one arm and slid his sword back into its sheath.

While pouring his spiritual power into Xu Xingzhi’s body without reservation, he cupped the other’s head and comforted in a shaky voice: “Elder brother is hereneah, elder brother won’t leave.”

Before the advent of this sudden change, some of the disciples of Fengling Mountain were still unable to come to their senses and vehemently couldn’t believe that Xu Xingzhi was a ghostly cultivator at all. It was not until they saw Xu Xingzhi suffering such punishment that they became terrified as they knelt down as one.

Yuan Ruzhou took the lead in bowing, proclaiming in a loud voice tainted by tears: “Shixiongis innocent! Aguileful personframedShixiong!!”

Immediately, the voices of various Fengling disciples, including many other disciples hailing from the other three sects, washed over like a tsunami: “Shixiongwas wronged! Accused unjustly!”

The disciples were prostrated in unison, Wen Xuechen also gripped the armrests of his wheelchair with both hands and stood up shakily. He shoved his wheelchair back in one violent movement and dropped down to his knees on the cold and unforgiving ground.

Because of his physical condition, Wen Xuechn had always been exempted from bowing and performing the motions for formalities, yet at this moment, he used all of his strength to tamp down on every word crowding in his chest, so that every word brimmed with anger: “Qingjing-jun, Guangfu-jun! Firstly, this matter hasn’t passed through a trial and secondly, it hasn’t been tried clearly, but you both are in a hurry to punish Xu Xingzhi, based on what justification?! How can you convince the public with such hasty actions!”

Zhou Xian followed him to kneel, tears streaming down her face, unable to utter a single word.

Zhou Beinan was so enraged and anxious that when he saw Xu Xingzhi’s blood, he refused to kneel: “Qingjing-jun, Guangfu-jun, this junior has always known Xu Xingzhi’s behavior to be absurd and reckless. Looking at it today, it seems that it’s a case of as the superiors do, the subordinates follow suit!”

The expression on the leader of Yingtianchuan, Zhou Yunlie, changed in a flash: “Beinan, step down! Don’t spout such nonsense!”

Once Zhou Beinan’s temper was triggered, he naturally was uncaring of all: “Father, the two leaders of Fengling Mountain disregard human life,youand the other elders have been close confidants with them for many years, it isn’t easy for all of you to criticize them so bluntly, so let your son do so for you!”

He whipped around to face Qingjing-junand warned sternly: “Don’t blame this junior for being presumptuous. Ifyoucan’t give me a proper explanation for the punishment dealt to Xingzhi today, I, Zhou Beinan, will never let it go!”

Guangfu-junnever thought that this would lead to such dissent, nor did he expect that hisShixiongwould directly nail Xu Xingzhi to the white jade pillar erected before the palace.

According to common sense, it was enough to just use the bell to break the bone of the other’s right hand first to cut off his ability to write first, then after confirming his guilt, slowly deal with the other in private. Was there a need to punish the other in such a public manner and allow things to become so difficult to deal with?

Even so, Guangfu-junstill habitually defended Qingjing-jun’s actions: “Xu Xingzhi concealed his identity as a ghostly cultivator, his intentions unclear, such actions warrant punishment!Shixiongdealt with it in a timely manner and proceeded with it. What’s wrong with that?!”

When Lu Yujiu heard Guangfu-junaccusing Xu Xingzhi, the rims of his eyes grew sore immediately, he didn’t even have time to rush to Wen Xuechen’s side before he cried out with injustice: “No, that isn’t it! The ghostly clan’s imprints are nothing like what Xu-shixionghas! He. . .wuen!

Lu Yujiu was horrified to find that he couldn’t say a word.

He was under the influence of a mute spell!

. . . EnM? EnM bgT fP?

uD jDlfD IJNthCJz NtODyz fy N RNyfh, NAmJt N oOoJym, CJ CNz N yNqqfyq AJJLfyq Nyz mDtyJz CfI ofIme JeJI mO xD xfyqpCf ECO ENI RfyyJz zOEy DymfL CJ hODLzy’m oOFJ.

xD xfyqpCf LJNyJz Oy ZD kCf’I ICODLzJt, CfI IRftfm ILfqCmLe tJhOFJtJz, qNpJ LOEJtJz, OmCJtI hODLzy’m IJJ ECJtJ CfI LfyJ OA IfqCm AJLL, gDm uD jDlfD fyImfyhmfFJLe AJLm NI fA mCJ OmCJt’I qNpJ ENI AfPJz Oy CfoIJLA.

GCJ AfyqJtI OA CfI LJAm CNyz mCNm EJtJ tJImfyq NqNfyIm ZD kCf’I ICODLzJt EJtJ ILfqCmLe hLNIRJz, N gLOIIOofyq qLOE OA IRftfmDNL JyJtqe gLOOoJz Nm mCJ mfR.

. . . It really was Xu-shixiong? Xu-shixiongheard his exclamation?

cDm. . . ECe? WCe yOm LJm Cfo zJAJyz Cfo?

After a brief moment, he saw Xu Xingzhi’s lips begin to move.

He didn’t make any sound, but Lu Yujiu could clearly see each word he mouthed: “Xiao-Lu, anyone can speak up for me, anyone except for you.”

He shakily stuck out his pinky: “. . . We’ve made a pact.”

Lu Yujiu was stunned on the spot as realization gradually dawned on him.

—At this juncture where a charge had been forced onto Xu Xingzhi, if Lu Yujiu escalated it further through protests, he would definitely be interrogated as to why he was so familiar with the ghostly clan’s marks.

The ghostly clan’s brand on Xu Xingzhi was fake, but the one on Lu Yujiu’s body was the final nail in the coffin.

He could withstand an investigation, but Lu Yujiu couldn’t afford it.

. . . Not letting him defend him was due to such a simple reason.

As early as when they first met on Taihua Mountain, he had already promised Xu Xingzhi, he had vowed that he would never reveal his identity as a ghostly cultivator.

Tears burst from Lu Yujiu’s eyes as he covered his face and squatted down in the turbulent crowd.

Sa Luo admired the chaos he had instigated below as he covered his lips with his hand to hide his uncontrollable grin.

This group of people from the immortal sects, whether it was decades ago or decades later, were all still so comical.

The voice within the body said hoarsely: “Let go of. . . Xingzhi.”

“If I don’t, what will you do?” Sa Luo asked himself jokingly, “. . . Are you feeling distressed?”

After saying so, he pinched his left thumb and index finger together again, stimulating spiritual power, only to see Xu Xingzhi, who was already semi-unconscious on the jade-white pillar, choke out another mouthful of blood. The spiritual power that had originally quieted down began to whirr in Xu Xingzhi’s body like a drill bit, completely crushing the bones in his right hand that were already shattered.

. . . It was precisely this hand that had been pointing a dagger at Sa Luo’s neck.

At that time, Sa Luo had been fighting with Qingjing-junfor control of the body, and dealing with this guy had just been a matter of convenience. However, even so, he could not tolerate his own defeat, especially losing to this boy from the younger generation who dared to step on his head!

If it weren’t for Qingjing-junstruggling so hard within the body and restraining him so tightly, then he would’ve let the spiritual energy in the hexagonal bell directly penetrate Xu Xingzhi’s heart and shatter all the bones in his body!

Sa Luo abruptly remembered something and snickered darkly: “Has Xu Xingzhif*cked youbefore?”

“. . .”

“Probably notba.” Sa Luo mocked maliciously, “Do you know how tight you are?”

“. . .”

Faced with Sa Luo’s insulting words, Qingjing-jundidn’t say a word, which made Sa Luo slightly angry: “. . . Speak.”

Qingjing-junstill didn’t speak.

The shadow between Sa Luo’s eyebrows became heavier: “What do you mean? . . . He’s touched you before? Speak!!!”

Faced with such silence, Sa Luo felt that he was being taken lightly and grinned slyly at this body: “You won’t say? That’s great, I have plenty of ways to make you. . .”

As soon as his voice fell, he felt a tingling in his Dantian and his face froze: “What are you going to do?”

The next moment, he understood: This person was attempting to self-destruct his spiritual body!

These immortal cultivators valued their prestige this much? Endeavoring to commit suicide after a mere few words.

How could he still be focused on chatting with Qingjing-jun, cursing silently as he circulated the Nascent Soul level power internally once again to fend the other off.

While the two of them were grappling in the same body, Fuyao-jun, who stood off to the side, saw Wen Xuechen kneeling for so long and felt sorry for the other, taking a step out to persuade the other: “Qingjing-jun, we have watched Xingzhi grow up together since he was a child. Although his temperament has been a bit erratic and he occasionally speaks disrespectfully, yet to declare that he is a ghostly cultivator based on an unverified ghost clan seal, is a bit. . . Qingjing-jun?!”

At first, he saw Qingjing-junwith a furrowed brow and thought he was just feeling down and troubled over Xu Xingzhi’s matter, who would’ve thought that when he had only gotten half of what he wanted to say out, he’d see Qingjing-junreach out his trembling right hand and clamp tightly down on the index finger of his left hand.

Following that, a loud snapping sound came from the base of his index finger.

Once the source of spiritual power was cut off, the spiritual energy that had caused half of Xu Xingzhi’s body to take on such a sorry state also dissipated.

Xu Xingzhi’s body slipped downwards heavily, leaning against Qu Chi behind him.

Fuyao-junwas horrified: “Qingjing-jun!You. . .”

Cold sweat trickled down his pale cheeks as he took advantage of the momentary gap to regain control of his body and use his fingers to lock several of his major acupoints. He was sure that even he couldn’t break through these seals within an hour before allowing all the strength to slip from his body, tipping to one side as he fainted.

Guangfu-junsaw Qingjing-juncollapse, mentally shocked. He caught the other by the waist and called out “Shixiong” twice helplessly.

Qingjing-jun‘s teeth were clenched and his face was drained of all colors.

Guangfu-junwas worried about Qingjing-junand shouted: “Disciples of Fengling! Arrest Xu Xingzhi and detain him temporarily!”

None of the Fengling disciples below were willing to move.

The expression on Guangfu-jun’s face changed: “What are you guys planning to do? Are you planning on rebelling against the sect?!”

No one below answered, even Yuan Ruzhou, who had always obeyed him, just clenched her fists and stared at him, troubled and unwilling.

. . . It was only Xu Xingzhi, yet he actually had such influence and support?

Guangfu-junsuppressed his apprehension, turned to Qu Chi, took a step back and ordered: “Qu Chi, take him to the Fengling dungeons and imprison him. You’ll keep watch and assure that he won’t escape.”

Qu Chi, who was cradling Xu Xingzhi, didn’t even turn his head. This was something that would almost have never occurred with Qu Chi, who had always been strict with etiquette.

He restrained himself and replied: “Xingzhi is seriously injured and needs treatment. He can’t withstand the chill of the dungeon. I will take him back to his rooms to rest.”

Guangfu-jun’s meaning was clear: “Then, the entire responsibility of his guard falls upon you. If he escapes. . .”

Qu Chi finally turned around and stated: “Until his grievances are clear, he won’t leave, I also won’t leave.”

Guangfu-junbrushed him off in a distracted manner: “Whatever you wantba.”

From the time Xu Xingzhi was nailed to the stone pillar, Xu Pingsheng’s legs softened as he collapsed onto the ground, gaping blankly at the blood flowing down the body of the pillar.

Noticing Guangfu-junon the stage pick up the unconscious Qingjing-junand was intending to leave, Xu Pingsheng started as if waking from a dream. He staggered and rushed over, calling out miserably: “No. . . wrong! Xingzhi. . . is my brother, he’s my little brother! I admit it,Shifu! Xu Xingzhi is my blood-related younger brother, he isn’t a ghostly cultivator! He isn’t! Please have mercy on himba! This disciple begsyou!”

The crowd that had already settled became stirred up again due to his few heart-wrenching words.

Guangfu-jundidn’t take his pleading words seriously and hurriedly announced that the grand assembly was temporarily suspended and departed with Qingjing-junin his arms with a wave of his sleeves.

Qu Chi didn’t dare to waste any more time and also lifted the unconscious Xu Xingzhi up and headed away while stepping on the wind.

Zhou Beinan didn’t spare the time to beat Xu Pingsheng up. He helped Wen Xuechen to his feet and they hurried to the palace where Xu Xingzhi lived with Zhou Xian accompanying them.

The lords returned to their respective villas with a heavy heart, completely puzzled as they waited for further information.

Only after all of the elders left did all of the disciples really jump into a lively debate. Countless contemptuous eyes were cast at Xu Pingsheng.

“Is he reallyShixiong’s elder brother? Then why didn’t he say so earlier?”

“Xu-shixiongwas already injured like that, so what is he pretending to care for?”

“It seems that Xu-shixiong’s hand must be ruined now. . .”

“How could that be?!”

“I was close by and could clearly make out that the bones of his hand were shattered. . .”

Xu Pingsheng craddled his head, but he couldn’t completely isolate those voices. He keeled over and collapsed in shame, striking his forehead against the ground over and over again, creating a mess of dirt and ash, his hair and blood becoming a matted mess.

Why did things become like this. . .

Didn’t Qingjing-junalways spoil Xu Xingzhi? How can it beah. . .

Xu Pingsheng covered his ears that buzzed incessantly, a gust of wind and rain brushed passed, wrapping him within completely. He shed tears in despair, eager for this cool rain to wake him up from this nightmare.

When he rouses, he will run to Xingzhi’s palace and tell him that he will recognize this little brother of his and Xingzhi will certainly find it funny, laughing at him for crying about such a dream. He’ll accept him with joy, just like he used to excuse his jealousy, betrayal, and indifference. The other always tolerated everything about him.

. . . Snap out of itah, hurryah.

Fengling was shrouded in red clouds in the evening, the mountains and rivers hazy, the wind started up and the rain fell. The disciples of the four sects also dispersed, but no one departed from Fengling.

The arena was removed and the high platform also no longer existed. Only the pool of blood that was under that white jade pillar not too far from the front of the hall was still there, constantly being diluted by the rain. Several Fengling disciples shed tears as they cleaned the blood-stained pillar.

While the disciples busied about in silence, the door to Qingzhu Hall opened.

Guangfu-junstepped out and spotted these few figures in the rain, inquiring in passing: “Has Xu Xingzhi woken up?”

One of them answered: “This disciple just went to see him,Shixiongis awake. Yuan-shijieis taking care of him.”

Guangfu-junfrowned: “From today onwards, Xu Xingzhi is no longer yourShixiong.”

Everyone just used their silence to answer him.

Guangfu-jundidn’t want to argue with these young disciples: “You guys go to his residence and tell Qu Chi to bring Xu Xingzhi over to Qingzhu Hall. Qingjing-junwants to interrogate him personally.”

At this time, at the foot of Fengling Mountain, two disciples who were guarding the gate to Nan Mountain were also discussing today’s events.

One of them was just gesticulating animatedly when another disciple nudged his arm with the hilt of his sword.

A team of people wearing the Fengling uniform appeared in the rain. Because the rain obstructed their gazes, the two disciples keeping watch at the gate didn’t recognize that the leader was Meng Chongguang until they had gotten close.

Today was too much of a mess, almost everyone had forgotten that Fengling still had a squad of disciples who went to Nan Mountain to hunt corpses and ghosts that hadn’t returned yet, so naturally no one informed them of today’s happenings.

After catching sight of Meng Chongguang, one of the disciples was startled and muttered: “. . . He’s back.”

The other responded: “What’s the use of him coming back? What else can he do besides cry?”

The two of them weren’t quiet, allowing Meng Chongguang to catch a few words, but he had never paid any attention to other people gossiping about him.

In his opinion, those words were no different from the crowing of a rooster.

He lowered his head and was only focused on whyShixionghadn’t sent him a spiritual message today.

It was clear that in the past few days, no matter how busy the other was, he would still send one or two spiritual messages a day, either filling him in on daily gossip or coaxing him, asking if he had calmed down already or not, but today there wasn’t a single word, which was truly strange.

When Meng Chongguang crossed through the sect’s gate, he just so happened to see Qu Chi supporting another young man, walking him to the doors of Qingzhu Hall. Qu Chi knocked on the door and the door opened. Guangfu-junstepped out and pushed the young man in as he, himself, exited Qingzhu Hall with Qu Chi.

Before leaving, Qu Chi seemed reluctant and looked back frequently.

There was no moon nor stars in the sky, thus Meng Chongguang couldn’t make it out clearly. He only felt that the figure pushed into Qingzhu Hall looked a bit likeShixiong.

. . . But when hadShixiong’s back ever looked so weak and helpless?

The author has something to say:

Meng Chongguang only thought that he had seen it wrongly and whirled around, stalking straight towards Xu Xingzhi’s residence.

The shidi behind him called out: “Meng-shixiong, we have to pay our respects toShifuandShishuand submit our reports regarding the mission at the col of Nan Mountain first as is properah.”

Meng Chongguang didn’t even deign to turn his head back before he ordered concisely: “You guys go ahead firstba. I’m going to seek outShixiong.”

Author’s Chapter Summary:Shixiong, returning to the mountain, pandemonium

The translator has something to say: I don’t know if you guys have noticed that WXC had dropped all formalities and didn’t address QJJ and GFJ with respect, him kneeling further seemed like mockery for the ridiculousness of this farce, so much disrespect in this chapter and GFJ still doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong, he’s fallen prey to his own disdain and dislike that it controls his every move and thought and makes him so extremely shortsighted, I kind of pity him

Hello, my dear lovely readers, I’m glad that you are all still with me, I feel like I keep having to apologize for the infrequent updates and I AM SORRY. So about the long absence, I’ve realized that you don’t really know how burnt out you are from work until you really take the time for yourself, so I kinda took a month’s vacation and boy did it do wonders for me mentally. Physically, I think I was a bit ambitious with my daily sightseeing/family plans and actually became so physically tired such that my wild plans about being able to update frequently because I had no other obligations turned into bubbles. So sorry for the long radio silence. Now let me make another ambitious goal of finishing my projects by the end of this year