Chapter 170: Atone with Death

Chapter 170: Atone with Death

Plot Quest: Blood Spattered Across Linqing Prefecture -- Slay Liang Cong, an inner disciple of the Transformation Temple who insulted Lin Fei, in order to trigger the next phase of the quest...
Quest completion: one hundred percent.
Quest reward: available to claim.
Next phase quest: already unlocked.

Seeing the quest information on the transparent interface, a flash of relief crossed Jiang Yan's eyes. It seemed that Lin Fei was none other than Little San's younger sister, Little Si. Because Little Si had been insulted, Little San's wrath was entirely justified. Although he had killed Liang Cong, Little San was still in the right. Now that the plot quest had been unlocked, Jiang Yan wondered somewhat uncertainly whether the next phase would require him to slay Liang Cong's father, or...

"Ding! Completed the quest 'Blood Spattered Across Linqing Prefecture'. Reward: a divine sense technique manual, the 'Scatter-Shot Swords', and ten divine sense spirit artifacts."
"Ding! Unlocked the quest 'Slay Liang Dapeng'. Requirement: Slay Liang Dapeng, the Realm Lord of the Sixth-Grade Minor Realm, Strange Commerce Realm."

Jiang Yan shook his head helplessly. As expected, the task was indeed to kill Liang Dapeng, the father of Liang Cong whom Little San had slain. This quest would be remarkably difficult to complete.

Mount Hua was currently a fourth-grade sect. To elevate the sect to the next tier, several special structures within the sect had to be upgraded to the fifth grade. At the same time, among the sect's disciples, there must be cultivators who had reached the Core Formation stage. Finally, Jiang Yan needed to master a Realm Stone. Only then could Mount Hua become a fifth-grade sect, and only then would Jiang Yan become the Realm Lord of a fifth-grade minor realm.

Elevating the sect from the third grade to the fourth grade had already driven Jiang Yan to the brink of mental exhaustion. Had it not been for the fortuitous downfall of the Xihe Sword Sect, it would have been nearly impossible to elevate a third-grade sect to the fourth grade in just a few short years. Now, raising the sect to one capable of dominating an entire realm was as difficult as ascending to the heavens, let alone reaching the sixth grade.

From the compendium of rare objects he had obtained from the Pavilion of Oddities, Jiang Yan knew that Tianyue Realm was a fifth-grade minor realm. If Mount Hua could force the Tiannan Sword Sect to retreat and seize the Tianyue Realm Stone, or if the Tiannan Sword Sect voluntarily ceded the Realm Stone, Mount Hua would have the opportunity to become a fifth-grade sect. However, when he thought about the fact that the Tiannan Sword Sect possessed the only Core Formation cultivator in the Tianyue Realm, a chill ran down Jiang Yan's spine. A Core Formation cultivator--even as a Great Circle Foundation Establishment cultivator and a second-grade primary talismansmith, he could not claim to have the certainty to resist one.

Since the Strange Commerce Realm was a sixth-grade minor realm, Liang Dapeng, as its Realm Lord, was undoubtedly a cultivator higher by an entire realm than a Core Formation cultivator. Jiang Yan was still incapable of rivaling a Core Formation cultivator, let alone a Nascent Soul cultivator, who was a realm above Core Formation. Moreover, judging solely by the strength of their disciples, the Strange Commerce Realm was certainly superior to the Tianyue Realm by a grade, and under Liang Dapeng's command, there were bound to be Core Formation experts. Therefore, to speak of going to kill Liang Dapeng was out of the question; even if Liang Dapeng's subordinates casually dispatched a few Core Formation experts, they could easily sweep through the entire lineage of Mount Hua.

...

Xun Ri gazed coldly at Little San in the distance, whose mouth and nose were covered in blood. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, a chilling glint flashed in his eyes, and he said coldly, "Boy, I don't care what your reasons are. In any case, you killed Young Master Liang. You killed Young Master Liang, and regardless of right or wrong, you must die. Furthermore, your sect must also perish. Every single one of your senior martial sisters, junior martial sisters, senior martial brothers, junior martial brothers, martial uncles, martial granduncles, and your master in your sect shall all die. Do not say that your Mount Hua is not a fifth-grade sect; even if it were a fifth-grade sect, it would still have to die!"

His cold words instantly echoed across the entire courtyard. Carrying a bone-chilling frost, the tone swept over the Mount Hua disciples present like a freezing gust of wind, instantly enveloping them.

Yan Feng raised his head slightly, his brows and eyes filled with disdain as he said, "I say, what kind of creature are you, yet you talk about wiping out my Mount Hua sect? Do you really think you are somebody important? Even Master Kongse, with his lofty status, has never uttered such preposterous nonsense, yet what manner of beast are you? Hmph!"

Although he had never stepped outside the borders of Linqing Prefecture, before joining Mount Hua, Yan Feng was still a figure respectfully addressed as a master by others. After joining Mount Hua, he became Jiang Yan's disciple, and the things he heard most often were words of flattery and praise from everyone. When had he ever been reviled by others, let alone told to his face that his sect would be destroyed?

Xun Ri's handsome face flushed with anger, wrath surging across his features. Golden light began to gather in his hands, and he sneered coldly, "Talk is cheap. You and I shall test our true skills under our hands and see precisely who is speaking preposterous nonsense. Heh, a pathetic disciple of a third-rate, fourth-grade minor sect actually dares to curse this young master. You must truly be tired of living. When I left home to travel and hone my skills, I thought I was coming to the most lackluster and impoverished wasteland, only to find that a disciple of a decrepit little sect has such audacity..."

"So stinky, so stinky! Which bastard let out such a stinky, silent fart!"

Yan Feng pinched his nose and hopped in place, mocking Xun Ri heartily because he found his arrogant words utterly ridiculous, deliberately pinching his nose to exaggerate his mockery.

"Junior Brother, did you see that? The ones causing trouble at your place are entirely useless wretches. They dare not do anything else, but they are full of tricks when it comes to trying to scare people here. When it actually comes to blows, they are worth less than dog shit. Look at the fellow you just slew; he couldn't even withstand two forms of your Annihilation Divine Transformation, and yet he still dares to challenge this granddaddy. Heh!"

Yan Feng supported Little San, hurling playful jeers and angry curses at Xun Ri and the group of black-robed Transformation Temple disciples.

"Young Master Xun, why bother lowering yourself to their level? First kill the disciple who murdered Young Master Liang to pave the way below for him. Once reinforcements are called up later, we can then slaughter this Mount Hua sect. I refuse to believe that a tiny Mount Hua could truly turn the heavens upside down." The gloomy Yun Feng, who had been standing to the side, finally spoke up, though his tone was even colder than Xun Ri's by several degrees, bluntly declaring his intent to annihilate Mount Hua from top to bottom.

Monk Wukong stood caught in the middle, his expression somewhat displeased. In his heart, he leaned toward Mount Hua, but Young Master Xun, Young Master Yun, Young Master Liang, and the aforementioned Young Master Sun were all figures he could not afford to provoke -- they were all scions of high-ranking, powerful figures within the Transformation Temple. Now that the little disciple of Mount Hua had killed Young Master Liang, if these people were willing to give up seeking revenge, it would be as difficult as bringing the deceased Liang Cong back to life.

However, for Wukong to turn his face and deal with Mount Hua alongside Xun Ri and Yun Feng was something he could never bring himself to do. Therefore, standing right where he was, Monk Wukong truly found himself caught in a dilemma.

Monk Wusheng and Monk Wude walked past Yan Feng and Little San. Wusheng glanced at the mocking expression on Yan Feng's face, then looked at Little San's blood-soaked visage, and said in a low voice, "Benefactor Lin, this time you have truly slain the wrong person. Although Young Master Liang committed a wrong, by killing him, you have forged an immense grudge between Mount Hua and the Realm Lord of the Strange Commerce Realm. Even Uncle Kongse will find it difficult to mediate!"

Little San's blood-covered, handsome face suddenly lifted. His features were suffused with a deep red stacked high with fury, and contrasted against the dried, black-edged bloody streaks framing the corners of his mouth and eyes, his appearance was rather terrifying. Sticking his neck out, Little San retorted, "Then what do you think the Master should have done? That evildoer insulted my younger sister. Am I, Lin Tingfeng, supposed to just stand by and do nothing, allowing my younger sister to be defiled?!"

His stirring and mournful words resonated through the entire courtyard. Aside from Jiang Yan, who was lost in deep thought, the gazes of all the Transformation Temple monks and Mount Hua disciples within the courtyard were instantly drawn to him.

"Hey now, you motherfucker killed Young Master Liang and yet you still think you're in the right..."

Sun Sun, standing in the doorway, finally found an opportunity to vent. Tossing his head back, he prepared to start lecturing Little San.

Little San turned his head coldly, casting a gaze filled with bone-chilling frost toward Sun Sun. The corners of his eyes, stained with fresh blood, carried a grim and sinister look as if he wished to devour someone alive. This immediately caused Sun Sun, who had seen very little of the world's hardships, to obediently shut his mouth and shrink back into the doorway, not daring to utter another word.

"When one's parents and sisters are insulted, even if it means being shattered to pieces, Little San must slay the evildoers! You are a high monk of the Transformation Temple who reveres the vast heavens. Does the Heavenly Dao teach you that after your own sisters are insulted, you must still endure evildoers running amok in your home?!"

"If I do not kill this villain, Little San is unworthy of being human! Unworthy of being human! How could I stand between heaven and earth?!"

With a single glare, Little San frightened Sun Sun into silence, his tone blazing with passionate questioning directed at Monk Wusheng, whose face bore a look of pity, while his voice overflowed with hatred.

"However, however, Benefactor Lin, by flying into such a rage, have you ever considered what immense trouble you have brought upon your respected sect? The Transformation Temple falls into a rage, and a thousand realms are overturned! The wrath of our Transformation Temple is enough to annihilate any cultivator who dares to offend us."

Monk Wusheng had originally intended to persuade Little San, but Little San's mournful words had instead stirred the grand ambitions burning within his own chest. Mentioning his own sect's temple, Wusheng's face bloomed with overwhelming pride, and the tone of his voice instantly drowned out all other sounds in the courtyard.

Hearing Monk Wusheng's words, Monk Wukong at the side placed one palm upright against his chest and chanted a low Buddhist proclamation. Judging by his expression, he seemed to deeply agree with Wusheng's sentiments.

Nearby, although Xun Ri's face remained grim and icy, upon hearing Wusheng's words, he too raised his palm, a triumphant radiance blooming across his features.

The gloomy-faced Yun Feng, the cowering Sun Sun, and Liang Peng -- whose face bore a bitter expression -- all raised their hands upon hearing Wusheng, their faces overflowing with a radiant sense of pride.

Yan Feng, who was adept at reading expressions, froze in astonishment. Because of the young monk's single remark, everyone from the Transformation Temple had suddenly worn expressions of glowing pride. It seemed that the Transformation Temple, which he had previously looked down upon somewhat, might genuinely possess some formidable backing.

"Benefactor Lin, at this juncture, the best course of action is for you to atone with your death. This matter began because of Young Master Liang, and with Uncle Kongse mediating from the middle, coupled with your atonement through death, it should be sufficient to extinguish the Strange Commerce Realm Lord's fury and spare your sect, Mount Hua, from the disaster of annihilation. I hope Benefactor Lin will give this deep consideration."

After proclaiming the pride of his sect, Monk Wusheng's expression returned to calm and composure as he offered Little San a suggestion that left everyone dumbfounded.

Beside him, Monk Wukong's face crumpled with unbearable pity, but after pondering for a long time, he let out a long sigh, lowered his head, and remained silent.

In his view, his junior brother's idea was the best solution that could be conceived at present. The Realm Lord of Strange Commerce was arrogant and unmatched; to say nothing of a tiny, impoverished sect, even a sixth-grade realm lord of the same Transformation Temple might not necessarily be given face. This brat had killed the Realm Lord's son; for the Realm Lord to want to eliminate this Mount Hua sect -- which was on friendly terms with their little uncle -- would be as easy as flipping a hand. However, thinking of the immense influence their little uncle could wield, Wukong's heart settled. As long as the principal culprit died and a small sect was spared, his little uncle still had the certainty to pull it off.

Xun Ri's angry face relaxed slightly. Although executing only the principal culprit sounded somewhat incomplete, Liang Cong was indeed at fault first, and with Kongse -- one of the temple's top ten disciples -- stepping forward, they could presumably avoid a bloody storm.

The gloomy Yun Feng glanced at the composed Monk Wusheng and muttered a complaint under his breath, seemingly blaming Wusheng for meddling unnecessarily.

Liang Peng, shrinking in the doorway, wore a relieved expression. As long as they did not pursue the responsibility of the principal culprit's sect, he, a mere gatekeeper, should not face any joint liability.

"Bullsrap..." Yan Feng pointed a finger at Monk Wusheng, his face full of rage as he said, "You bald donkey actually want my junior brother to commit suicide! How powerful can your Transformation Temple possibly be..."

Suddenly, Little San reached out and grabbed the emotionally agitated Yan Feng, saying in a desolate tone, "Senior Brother, do you remember the Map of a Thousand Realms that the Eldest Senior Brother once showed us?"

Yan Feng was bewildered, but nodded blankly.

Little San continued, "Senior Brother might not remember it clearly, but Junior Brother remembers it distinctly. After the Eldest Senior Brother finished his lecture and everyone dispersed, he once pointed quietly to one of the three largest bright spots on the Map of a Thousand Realms and said, 'Mount Hua will one day become a massive bright spot just like the Transformation Temple.'"

"At first, Junior Brother didn't quite understand. But today, combined with the arrogance of these Transformation Temple disciples, Junior Brother finally understands. The Transformation Temple is not merely a temple, but a behemoth of a sect that spans across a thousand realms. Vassal sects beneath the Transformation Temple that can rival Mount Hua are probably as numerous as the sands of the Ganges or the fish crossing a river."

Pushing away Yan Feng's hand that was supporting him, Little San took a step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Monk Wusheng, and said in a desolate tone, "Master Wusheng, Master Wukong, and all you cultivator friends of the Transformation Temple: because my younger sister was insulted, Lin Tingfeng killed a disciple of your temple. As the saying goes, every debt has its debtor. Today, Little San atones with his death. I only hope that after I die, you all will not hold my Mount Hua accountable."

With that, Little San raised his hands high above his head and bowed deeply to the Transformation Temple disciples before him.

"Little San goes first. Senior Brother, please help me take care of my parents and younger sister."

Little San turned his head desolately and spoke to the stunned Yan Feng beside him. After his death, he only needed to entrust everything to Senior Brother Yan Feng; as for the Eldest Senior Brother, even if he said nothing, the Eldest Senior Brother would come. With a somewhat forlorn expression, Little San glanced back at the room behind him, hearing the heartbroken cries coming from within. A flash of bitter sorrow crossed his face, but it vanished instantly, replaced by absolute resolve.

"Master, this disciple is unfilial and unable to serve before you to the end."

Little San turned around, knelt before the deep-in-thought Jiang Yan, and bowed heavily three times with his head touching the ground before pulling himself back up. He drew the long sword strapped to his back and hurled it high into the air.

The long sword soared into midair, a flash of cyan brilliance shimmering along its blade. It hovered momentarily in the sky, and then the momentum of the glowing cyan sword shifted abruptly. A cyan light instantly enveloped the small courtyard. With its hilt pointing upward, the long sword plummeted straight down from the heights, its tip aimed directly at the crown of Little San's head.

"Junior Brother!" Yan Feng had the urge to step forward, but remembering the massive Map of a Thousand Realms in his memory, and then looking at their calm Master, even though his heart felt as though it were being wrung, Yan Feng did not dare to take another step.

"Humming..."

The brilliance on the cyan blade suddenly grew blindingly bright, plunging straight toward Little San's forehead...