Ch84 - Door-to-Door Lobbying

Translator: transcendentwings

Editor: xiaobian

CW/TW: graphic scenes involving insects (probably the origin of XXZ’s fear)

Sa Si set out for the border town to search for Xu Xingzhi, taking three full days to pinpoint his whereabouts.

On the night of the first of those three days.

Zishi, a spring evening, the sound of a ticking clock.

Candles flickered in the middle of the night on Fengling Mountain and disciples on patrol were several times more numerous than usual, with their outposts spanning a hundred miles, all on high alert, vigilant against any incoming demonic attacks.

Xu Pingsheng, fully dressed in combat gear, slept at the southwest gate of the back mountain, sword in hand.

Many disciples, like him, had spent the night preparing for battle, exhausted. Just as many refused to return to their rooms, deciding to remain at their posts instead, and even more of them just slept fully dressed. Although, everyone did sleep in small groups of three or five so they could alert and protect each other in the event of an emergency. Only Xu Pingsheng was surrounded by a subtle, awkward void.

Since a year ago, few had been willing to approach Xu Pingsheng.

Fortunately, he’d gotten used to it, but once he fell asleep, the nightmares would haunt him endlessly, which he still wasn’t used to.

. . . Today, he dreamt of an event from the past.

A young child lay on the floor of a small Taoist temple with a wound about a finger long and half an inch deep on the leg, slightly festering.

The terrible fever had left only his lips to be unbelievably pale.

He clutched a tattered cotton blanket, his narrow shoulders trembling: “. . . Elder brother, I’m hungry, so thirsty.”

Xu Pingsheng knelt beside him. “The outside is full of ghosts and monsters. They’ll feed us to the insects if they capture us. Xingzhi, just bear with itah.”

The child whispered: “Fed to the bugs?”

Xu Pingsheng held the child tightly in his arms: “. . . Just now, when I went out to check, I saw Uncle Xu from next door. . . the Uncle Xu who often brought food to mother. He was walking along the village stream then as he strolled, he abruptly fell to the ground. His head fell off and insects crawled out of his ears and eyes. . . fat, white worms, swollen and round from feasting, all covered in blood. . .”

Xu Pingsheng was still a half-grown child at the time, so it was difficult for him to truly care for another’s emotions. He only wanted to share his fears with the only person he could talk to, and was utterly oblivious to the uneasy terror in the child’s eyes.

The child stopped crying out for water and food.

Due to the intense fever, thin, bloodshot veins branched out in his eyes, which, after a shimmery layer of water was embellished on the surface, made them appear particularly round and bright: “Elder brother, don’t go out again, it’s too dangerous.”

Xu Pingsheng complied: “Okay, I won’t go out.”

After lulling the starving child into a deep groggy sleep, Xu Pingsheng wrapped him up in cotton-wool padding and carried him through the temple’s front hall to the main hall, where the three painted clay statues of theSanqing-daozhangstood side by side. Long neglected, the incense ash had caked, spider webs were thick like frost, and lizards slithered up and down, painting a desolate scene.

He didn’t recognize the statues of the Sanqing-daozhangto begin with and with the flaking paint and the broken stone skulls, it was difficult to tell whether they were male or female. So, he knelt on the filthy mat, silently chanting the name of every deity he could think of, begging each one in turn: “Queen Mother,Goddess of Mercy,Lord Yama,Granny Willow, Xingzhi is my only relative, please don’t take him away.”

After praying to the deities and immortals, feeling somewhat at ease, Xu Pingsheng returned to his brother’s side and wrapped him up in a pile of rags and yellow banners that were in the corner. He then bundled up his own clothes, curled up in the corner, and fell into a deep sleep.

An unknown amount of time had passed before he was awakened by the hoarse moans of a child beside him.

Xu Pingsheng rubbed his eyes: “Xingzhi?”

The child, pale and writhing, grimaced in pain, moaning like a wounded puppy.

Sensing that something was amiss, Xu Pingsheng quickly peeled back the yellow banners and a closer examination froze him in fear on the spot.

Under the pile of yellow banners, a large anthill had emerged. The ants, smelling the scent of blood, shuffled their bodies and gathered like black beans around the wound on the child’s leg. They tirelessly gnawed and carried away the slightly rotting flesh until the area was densely packed with them, covering half his leg.

Having been deprived of food and water for so long, the child couldn’t move, unable to even cry. His dry, burning eyes widened as he watched the countless ants deftly tear apart his wounds, as if in a moment, he would be torn into pieces and carried off into the darkness of the anthill.

Xu Pingsheng pulled him into his arms, frantically swatting the ants from his legs: “Xingzhi, don’t be afraidah, don’t be scared!”

A moment later, a bloodstained, broken hand latched onto his arm tightly.

The hand was the size of an adult’s!

QK QwmNdgw’R TgwRSai ToR TaoL omp paRSaioua, eau wu arSHqpap HwLa ugKmpai wm gwR aoiR: “XHpai Diqugai, Roya va—”

QK CwmNRgamN RuiKNNHap uq ToLa, RTaou SqKiap pqTm gwR IoBa oR ga BoRu gwR Noda oiqKmp IiomuwBoHHe Iqi o HqmN vqvamu, DaTwHpaiap, DaIqia IwmoHHe KRwmN uga RTqip ou gwR TowRu uq SiqS gwvRaHI KS.

YwugqKu uwva uq RuiowNguam gwR pwRgayaHap BHqugaR, ga IwiRu NiwSSap gwR RgqKHpai, uiewmN uq HqqRam uga mKvD oiv.

FZ dcu, GuzYeuwD cui iGxte Ix tuez Icz Guwe, Ylweze DtlkzSZYYW xw xwz SxxI lI Icz ixZIcGziI DlIz. LZ KuwiczwD, uw cui iIlIz xS euilttlW, hzI cui DlTz.

Qu Chi flicked the sleeve of his long vermillion robe, raised the whisk in his right hand, and rested it on his left arm, gently nodding to Xu Pingsheng in greeting.

Qu Chi had always been courteous to everyone, and had been ridiculed more than once by Xu Xingzhi for his elaborate etiquette. Even at this moment, he still had the heart to care for others: “If you are worried, anxious, or upset, drink moreErchen Wendan Decoctionand you’ll feel better.”

Xu Pingsheng bowed his head and cupped his hands in a bow: “Many thanks Qu. . . Sect Master.”

“. . . Acting Sect Leader.” Qu Chi corrected gently, “If that doesn’t slide off the tongue, you can still address me as Qu-shixiongba.”

The news of Qu Chi’s arrival at the mountain had already spread through the outposts. As soon as he landed at the southwest gate, the disciples who had come forth to escort him also arrived: “Qu-shixiong, please come this way. Guangfu-junis waiting for you in Qingzhu Hall.”

While making his departure, Qu Chi turned his gaze calmly to the disciples guarding the sect gate. They were exhausted, their lips parched and their mouths dry, their fingers nervously fidgeted with the hems of their robes or stroked the hilts of their swords. Some stared blankly into space, others’ thoughts wandered, only a few bore clear, blazing eyes.

Observing this, Qu Chi’s expression remained unchanged. He blinked slightly, silently recording the scene in his mind and walked away. After he left, several disciples whispered to each other: “Qu-shixiongcoming at this time must be to discuss the joint assault against the demonic cultivators with Guangfu-junba.”

“Has Yingtiangchuan truly surrendered to those of the demonic path?”

“The massacre of Qingliang Valley was laid before them and his daughter fell into the hands of the demonic cultivators, while Zhou-shixiongled his men to challenge them by force. Seeing that disaster was about to be brought upon the sect, it’s understandable that he surrendered the entire sect for the sake of the peace and safety of his childrenba.”

Someone spat: “Pei, such a lack of backbone! He even handed over the key to the wasteland! What a servile act! Isn’t this pushing Zhou-shixiongand Zhou-shijieinto the wasteland with his own hands?”

They cursed and condemned with such natural and self-satisfactory gusto.

A few days ago, news arrived that two of the four sects had fallen. The lower-level outer disciples were terrified, with seven or eight out of ten fleeing overnight. The remaining outer and inner disciples totaled over 1200 people; if they could rely on the mountain-sealing formation and coordinate with Danyang Peak to hold out for a while, they might have a shot at victory.

Someone suddenly interjected: “If Xu-shixiongwere still here, how could he, Jiu Zhideng, dare to attack?!”

At this, hateful, contemptuous, and disgusted looks swung in Xu Pingsheng’s direction.

Xu Pingsheng froze in place.

He was expressionless outwardly, yet he seemed as if he were pushed into a pile of ash, judged and condemned by dozens of various accusatory gazes.

Xu Pingsheng ruminated that he’d already suffered a year’s worth of such judgement and had long become used to it. Yet why wouldn’t that dream let him gone.

Watching Xu Pingsheng’s face turn pale as he averted his gaze, everyone felt slightly appeased. They ended this self-conducted trial on their own and returned to discussing the issues they’ve been debating over and over for the past few days.

Someone raised a question: “. . . But doesn’t Yingtianchuan possess a divine weapon? Qingliang Valley as well, why didn’t they utilize it?”

The surroundings fell into a hushed silence in the wake of these words, everyone exchanged glances with each other, waiting for someone to pose a plausible and reassuring answer.

One disciple gritted his teeth and ventured: “Perhaps. . . maybe the demonic path arrived too quickly and they didn’t have time to equip itba.”

This reason was so forced that the others lost interest in further discussion, and after a few more dry words were exchanged, they each returned to their own stations, eyes peeled, waiting hollowly for the unpredictable realization of their ambitious hopes.

Xu Pingsheng cradled his blade and gazed skyward.

. . . He didn’t want to dream any more tonight, but he had listened to a bunch of people’s daydreams in vain.

Before disaster struck, these people naturally had integrity.

Just two short days ago, every one of them who remained were likely prepared to die on the mountain, but hot-bloodedness couldn’t withstand the drag of time, the more time passed, the faster it cooled.

Qingliang Valley was overrun by flies and insects, steeped in blood, while Yingtianchuan surrendered to the enemy and defected, these two precedents could create countless complications and stir up a storm in people’s minds.

Credit must be given when due, it must be said that Jiu Zhideng had truly employed an ingenious tactic.

Qingliang Valley was led by Wen Xuechen, known for his strong and stern character and he was further married to the daughter of Zhou Yunlie of Yingtianchuan. Moreover, Yingtianchuan was the sect that placed the most emphasis on bloodlines and familial relations. Once Zhou Xian was captured alive, Yingtianchuan would be thrown into disarray. This chain of events, one after another, was clearly a long-planned scheme, waiting for the perfect opportunity to unleash them all simultaneously and wipe out all four sects in one fell swoop.

. . . So, that being said, what about the divine artifacts?

What about the divine weapons that guard the four sects, that were presented every seven years for appreciation and discussion?

Could Jiu Zhideng have predicted that even when thevalleywas shattered, themountain and riverscrumbled, the four sects still would not activate and use their divine artifacts?

Xu Pingsheng had a vague and terrifying suspicion.

These speculations also quietly spread amongst the minds of every disciple on guard.

. . . Do the divine artifacts truly exist?

Inside Qingzhu Pavilion.

After hearing what Qu Chi had to say, Guangfu-junforced himself to remain calm: “. . . What do you mean by that? I don’t understand.”

“Guangfu-jun, there’s no need to hide anything from me.” Qu Chi soothed in a gentle voice, “Before myShifu, Mingzhao-junascended to theFour Brahma Heavens, he explained everything he needed to. I know that of the four artifacts, only the Shijie Book still exists, preserved in Fengling Mountain.”

Guangfu-junremained silent, a faint flicker in his expression.

Qu Chi recounted the story: “As far as I know, Hong Jun-laozuintended to use the four divine artifacts he carried with him to create a savage wasteland prison in this realm, guarding it from all four sides for complete safety. The key to the wasteland was also forged from the fragments of the four artifacts. Yet who would have thought that before entering the savage wastelands, one of the artifacts, the Shijie Book, would transform into the six desires, which gave rise to a consciousness and spirit and form a bond between the mind and soul of one theLaozu’s disciples. . .”

When Qu Chi first heard Mingzhao-junrecount this, he too, found it incredulous.

That disciple had served Hong Jun for many years, managing and guarding the artifacts, yet unexpectedly earned the adoration of the spirit of the Shijie Book, giving birth to many intangible delusions of desire.

His flattering words and deceit captivated the Shijie Book, leading it to deceive theLaozu, channeling much of its divine power to create a false book, intending to have that enter the savage wastelands on its behalf while it remained in the mortal world, sharing eternity with the disciple.

However, how couldLaozube so easily deceived? As the wasteland was formed,Laozusensed the missing spiritual aura within. Fortunately, the other three divine artifacts successfully merged, forming a triad of power and were able to triumphantly confine the captured Origin Giant within.

That disciple, still greedy beyond measure, harbored overzealous ambitions like a snake attempting to devour an elephant. He wrote with wild rhetoric, even attempting to use the artifact’s power to kill Hong Jun and take a risk to snatch his position as the lord. Fortunately, Hong Jun discovered his intentions in time.

After this incident, the disciple perished, and the Shijie Book’s divine soul turned to ashes.

Since the Shijie Book’s divine soul was lost and its power greatly diminished, it was useless to take it away. Therefore, Hong Jun left it to his disciple, Xuan Feijun, and instructed him to seal it up and take good care of it.

AfterLaozusettled in the Sixth Heavens, Xuan Feijun devoted all his energy to cultivating the four sects. In order to establish a legitimate claim to righteous cultivation, Xuan Feijun crafted three “divine artifacts”, falsely declaring them to be treasures left by Hong Jun-laozu. He entrusted one to Qingliang Valley, another to Yingtianchuan, and the last to Danyang Peak for safekeeping, instructing them to keep the artifacts secret for an eternity. They were only allowed to reveal the secret of the artifacts’ authenticity to the succeeding lord before their ascension.

As for the Shijie Book, which still retained its divine power, Xuan Feijun entrusted it to his beloved disciple,Chihong-jun. After Chihong-junascended to the upper realms, he passed it on to his disciple, Qingjing-jun, Yue Wuchen.

One day, drunkenly, Yue Wuchen led a disciple into the treasure pavilion, promising that he’d see through the artifact’s true form with one look. However, the disciple accidentally triggered the seal, causing the Shijie Book’s true energy to leak out. The Shijie Book, sensing the visitor’s presence, made another erroneous judgment and merged with the visitor’s body, functioning like a parasite, drawing on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to replenish its losses.

The disciple, having recently entered the immortal path, struggled to withstand the artifact’s power and immediately lost consciousness.

Thankfully, the artifact was damaged, and Qingjing-jun, who had sobered up slightly, promptly remediated his meridians, toiling tirelessly during the ten days of his coma to save his life, though also allowing the Shijie Book to merge with his flesh and blood in return.

Upon awakening, the disciple had completely forgotten what had happened. He only knew that, thanks to “Heavens’ will”, he had been accepted as Fengling Mountain’s first disciple, a fact that left him bewildered.

Later, he often boasted to Qu Chi and the others, saying that his status as first disciple had come so easily, believing it must be due to his uncanny good looks.

Once Qu Chi’s thoughts strayed to that arrogant and proud youth, his lips curled slightly, his fingertips slowly stroking the handle of his whisk.

Despite the seal outside the palace, Guangfu-juntried to keep his voice down: “This is a secret of our sect.Shixiongand I never told anyone, how did you know?”

Qu Chi warmly continued: “Not only do I know this, but Jiu Zhideng must also be aware. He dared to attack the four sects directly, most likely because he knew about the loss of the artifact. Especially after the massacre. . .”

After speaking up to here, Qu Chi paused, as if he had bit his tongue: “. . . After the massacre of Qingliang Valley, he didn’t fear the divine artifact’s power at all, heading straight for Fengling, further gaining confirmation for this conjecture.”

Now that the truth had been revealed, there was no point in hiding it any further. Guangfu-junsighed and confessed: “Yes. The Shijie Book. . . is indeed harbored within Xu Xingzhi’s body.”

When Guangfu-junfirst learned of this, he felt as if the heavens and earth had collapsed. He immediately drew his sword and was about to kill the young man and dissect him, all to easily retrieve the Shijie Book and restore it to its proper place to prevent further trouble. However, Qingjing-jun, feeling guilty, vehemently defended him and after much persuasion, Guangfu-junreluctantly spared his life.

Over the years, he had sought to make Xu Xingzhi copy books with an ulterior motive, to make him tire of paper and pen, to lose interest in scribbling and sketching randomly, so that he wouldn’t unleash the power of the Shijie Book within him, thereby disrupting the laws of nature and preventing the trigger of some irreversible disaster.

Seeing that the matter had been brought to light, Qu Chi stated his purpose in a steady voice: “Guangfu-jun, I want Xingzhi to use the power of the Shijie Book to turn the tide.”

Guangfu-junblurted out instantly: “Absolutely not!”

Qu Chi wasn’t surprised, questioning: “Why not?”

“What the Shijie Book can do is unknown in ancient texts! No one knows the full extent of its power!” Guangfu-jungritted his teeth, “Xu Xingzhi has always been rebellious and unworthy of his position.Shixiongand I have painstakingly concealed this for years because we feared that once he gained great power, he would do whatever he pleased and then no one would be able to stop him!”

Qu Chi calmly asked: “What then? Even if you see the four sects destroyed,youwon’t seek his help?”

Guangfu-jun’s eyes widened as his breathing grew heavier and more audible.

Qu Chi: “Excuse my boldness. Areyouafraid of Xingzhi exacting revenge uponyou?”

“What would I fear? My life, if he wants it, he can take it!” Guangfu-jundidn’t hesitate. “I’m afraid he harbors deep hatred and refuses to come to the aid of the four sects, or perhaps takes this opportunity to collude with Jiu Zhideng! If that happens, what would I be able to do to him? What could you do?”

Qu Chi fixed his eyes on Guangfu-jun, his gaze as calm as still water, his composure so steady that it evoked a sense of warm reassurance in the heart: “Guangfu-jun,you’ve interacted with Xingzhi for many years. Although Xingzhi’s actions may sometimes be inappropriate, he is a man who places a heavy emphasis on relationships and possesses a deep loyalty. If he knew the disaster the four sects had suffered, even if it meant crossing tens of thousands of oceans and thousands of mountains, he would most certainly return.”

After hesitating for a long time, Guangfu-junmuttered in a low voice: “. . . Would he?”

Qu Chi smiled gently and generously, holding out his hand to Guangfu-jun: “Would you please give me Xingzhi’s right hand first?”

Guangfu-junwas taken aback.

Ever since he discovered Xingzhi’s identity as the carrier of the Shijie Book, Qu Chi came to many realizations.

“Over the years, the Shijie Book has merged with Xingzhi’s flesh and blood. Therefore, Xingzhi must have a fragment of the Shijie Book in his right palm,” Qu Chi stated, “Ifyoutrust me, give it to me. I will guarantee its safety for Xingzhi’s sake. Then once I locate Xingzhi, the fragment will return to him; then with this, it will prompt him to believe my words, proving my credibility. At that time, he definitely won’t sit idly by and watch the four sects crumble and scatter!”

Guangfu-jun’s expression shifted several times, but ultimately, his suspicions gave way to his wholehearted wish to defend the sect.

He untied a brocade pouch from his waist and placed it in Qu Chi’s palm.

As Qu Chi’s bony fingertips brushed the pouch’s surface, the layers of seals attached to it shone with tiny glimmers of light, glittering between his fingers.

Seeing Qu Chi securely stow the brocade pouch, Guangfu-juntook a deep breath and ventured: “Qu Chi, let me ask you, how does Danyang Peak plan to engage the enemy? Some things must be said first, Fengling intends to defend the mountain to the death and refuse to retreat!”

Qu Chi politely corrected: “Guangfu-jun,youcan only guarantee thatyouwill defend the mountain to the death and refuse to retreat.”

Guangfu-junclenched his fists with a dull crack, feeling deeply offended: “. . . What do you mean by that? Is Danyang Peak planning to emulate Yingtianchuan and give in to the demonic way?”

Qu Chi declared: “. . I indeed have this intention.”

A set of porcelain cups crashed to the ground, spilling boiling tea onto Qu Chi’s feet, it’s current state a reflection of Guangfu-jun’s fierce expression now.

Qu Chi remained calm, neither servile nor volatile, explaining slowly: “At this moment, Danyang and Fengling should not confine themselves in defending a building in imminent danger, each fighting to the death on their own. Qingliang Valley was a ruthless force, throwing themselves into battle to protect its innocence; Yingtianchaun took an emotional step and couldn’t help but surrender to ensure its safety. Two of the four sects have already been removed from the equation, to preserve our strength, I propose that Danyang Peak and Fengling Mountain open their gates, release all the disciples, leaving only two empty sects to Jiu Zhideng. This is better than gathering here and allowing the demonic practitioners to wipe us out in one fell swoop.”

“Don’t even think about boosting their morale! I don’t believe Fengling Mountain would allow him to gain any advantage if we held our ground in a fight to the death!”

Qu Chi: “He won’t gain any.”

Under the fiery gaze Guangfu-junfixed upon him, Qu Chi leaned over, picked up the fallen porcelain pieces and gathered them into his palm.

“Guangfu-jun, you can go and take a look at the disciples gatekeeping. Just by looking into their eyes,you’ll know how many of them, likeyou, truly intend to die for the sect.”

“They stayed behind voluntarily—”

“People’s hearts are fickle. Human will is just like this, unable to be forced.” Qu Chi amassed all the fragments and placed them on the corner of the table, “Guangfu-jun, of the 2,365 disciples of Danyang Peak, after seeing the preceding examples Qingliang Valley and Yingtianchuan made, I dare guarantee that only a hundred truly intend to stay. Qingliang Valley is slightly larger than Danyang peak, so there will be at least a hundred and fifty of them.”

Guangfu-jun’s face was as grim as if someone had stomped on him.

Qu Chi continued: “The demonic path is now seeking a swift victory, a decisive battle, and the speedy conquest of the four sects. Doyouthink that two hundred and fifty men would be able to withstand this powerful and battle-ready demonic horde?”

Guangfu-jungnashed his teeth, detesting to the extreme: “The fate of the four sects. . . will it really be over just like this?!”

“Absolutely not!” Qu Chi’s usually gentle features gradually gleamed, brimming with an iron will, “It’s not that these disciples don’t cherish the righteous path, they simply don’t want to die in vain! Ifyouas the ruling elder, lead these disciples to a safe location and proceed slowly, the four sects’ glory will shine brightly like the sun, and will never be snatched away by the demonic path!”

Guangfu-junobserved the gentle yet resolute fire in the young man’s eyes, and after a long pause, he questioned: “. . . So, what did you mean when you said you would surrender to the demonic sects?”

“. . . Beinan and Zhou Xian, someone has to save them. As for Xuechen, someone must avenge him.” Qu Chi lightly declared, “I will save them. I will avenge him.”

Author’s Chapter Summary: palpitation inducing dreams, persuading a retreat, Shijie Book

The translator has something to say: QC sees more clearly than GFJ does, he already seems like the better leader, but at the same time, I think he is still acting too emotionally and that it wasn’t his strategic and somewhat emotionless planning that led to him staging a rescue and getting vengeance, but the other way around. He is acting based on his emotions and molded a plan to obtain what truly mattered to him, his friends foremost and then the sects as a whole

I know I said I make no promises, but I’ll try to post every 7-10 days. Thanks for all the kind words, but let’s face it, I have bad work-life balance ahahaha, sorry about that