Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Chosen Demon Hunter

Although Jiang Yan managed to fool Bai Lun, making him witness the devastation wrought by the Huashan Mountain-guarding formation and discouraging him from descending to Huashan, Bai Lun’s mocking words still ignited Jiang Yan’s anger. Bai Lun spoke as if addressing his own subordinate, scolding and threatening at his whim.

A trace of ridicule flickered across Jiang Yan’s face as he replied coldly, “Is that so? Then I shall trouble you no further, Young Master Bai. I imagine the Golden Flame Sect would need Young Master Xu Shi’s approval to sweep Huashan clean. You alone, I fear, do not possess such authority.”

“You—” Bai Lun’s expression chilled, his voice laden with murderous intent. “Jiang Yan, you look down on me, huh? It’s all because of Xu Shi, isn’t it? You look down on me! Fine, today I’ll—” To be contradicted by the master of a tiny sect, one that wasn’t even ranked, filled Bai Lun’s chest with rage. Within the sect, his brothers suffered ridicule because of Xu Shi and his father; now, out on business, even the leader of a destitute sect dared to mock him.

Bai Lun’s face flushed crimson. He formed his fingers into a sword and drew the long blade he carried on his back; the sword clashed against its sheath, emitting a constant buzzing.

…

“Please trouble Young Master Bai to greet Master Jiang Yan for me. Tell him this humble monk awaits him at Transforming Life Temple, and hopes Master Jiang will visit to share a moment with me.”

The words of the young monk from Transforming Life Temple flowed gently through Bai Lun’s furious mind. He recalled how his grand-uncle treated the little monk with reverence, how Xu Mingyuan was humble in the monk’s presence. Bai Lun forcibly suppressed his anger; this little monk was no ordinary shaven-headed priest, and Jiang Yan was under his protection. Before the demon hunt, Bai Lun could not touch him—at least, not before Jiang Yan met the little monk.

The sword in its sheath buzzed for a long while before Bai Lun finally subdued his mountainous rage and relaxed his fingers.

“Hmph, Jiang Yan, don’t get cocky. When the demon hunt begins, you’ll regret it.” Unable to take action against the master of this fallen sect, Bai Lun vented his anger with curses instead.

“Demon hunt? I’m afraid you don’t even qualify to participate,” Jiang Yan retorted, his tone full of mockery.

Just now, Bai Lun had been seething, the sword behind him humming, but in the end he restrained himself. Jiang Yan guessed Bai Lun had some misgivings, which kept him from striking. Thus, Jiang Yan felt emboldened, and mocked Bai Lun without fear; he suspected that given the chance, Bai Lun would attack without hesitation.

“You’re lying! Of course I qualify for the demon hunt!” Bai Lun’s voice rose to a shrill pitch, his face growing redder as he shouted at Jiang Yan.

In the past, Golden Flame Sect’s demon hunt for second-tier sects always allowed the managing third-tier sect to send their elite disciples. Thanks to his grand-uncle, Bai Lun used to be eligible. But this year, with Xu Shi’s rising influence, his name had been removed. Jiang Yan’s words hit Bai Lun’s sore spot.

“Jiang Yan, don’t think that just because the little monk backs you, I won’t dare touch you. Anger me, and I’ll kill you and wipe Huashan from the map.” Bai Lun finally revealed why he didn’t dare act against Jiang Yan.

“The little monk?” Jiang Yan recalled the white-robed monk outside Linqing Prefecture. That day, the little monk’s mere presence had frightened Lu Xiya, the top master of Tianshan, into fleeing—surely a foundation-stage expert at least.

A smug smile spread across Jiang Yan’s face. He had always feared Bai Lun only because of Bai Tong, the foundation-stage master backing him. Now, since Bai Lun dared not act due to the little monk, it meant Bai Tong must also be wary of him. Otherwise, Bai Lun wouldn’t have suppressed his anger; before the demon hunt, Bai Lun definitely wouldn’t dare make a move.

Standing straighter, Jiang Yan shot Bai Lun a disdainful glance. “Young Master Bai, you’d best get lost. I must prepare for the demon hunt. The little monk expects me at Transforming Life Temple before the hunt. Farewell, I’ll not see you off.”

Bai Lun’s face darkened as if smeared with coal. His threats, once spoken, seemed to fuel Jiang Yan’s arrogance instead. Each time Bai Lun menaced him, Jiang Yan grew even more audacious.

“You brat, how dare you—” Having been issued a dismissal, Bai Lun was nearly beside himself with fury. When had he, the esteemed Young Master Bai, ever been treated so? He pointed at Jiang Yan, his face ashen, unable to utter another word.

Jiang Yan paid him no heed, turned, and mounted the Golden-Eyed Eagle, wobbling as he flew off. Still airborne, he called back arrogantly, “Bai Lun, you have no right to be presumptuous before me. If you want to swagger, send your uncle.”

Jiang Yan strode off with absolute confidence. Bai Lun was arrogant, but not stupid. Since he could restrain his anger and not attack Jiang Yan, it must be because he feared the little monk, whose cultivation was unknown. As long as Jiang Yan didn’t cross his limits, Bai Lun, no matter how furious, wouldn’t act against him now.

“You—” The sword behind Bai Lun began buzzing again, his fury at its peak, barely able to restrain himself from striking.

“Damn it…” Watching Jiang Yan’s figure fade into the distance, Bai Lun cursed bitterly. Facing Jiang Yan’s retreating back, Bai Lun ultimately did not dare act.

Although Transforming Life Temple was obscure in Linqing Prefecture, Bai Lun, who had left the area, knew its reputation well. In the face of the true Transforming Life Temple, Golden Flame Sect was little more than an ant.

“Just wait for the demon hunt!” Bai Lun spat these words, then mounted his White-Headed Goose and vanished as a black dot on the horizon.

…

Jiang Yan was quite relieved that Bai Lun hadn’t dared to attack him. The little monk’s reputation was formidable enough to restrain even a top disciple of Golden Flame Sect. Jiang Yan was pleasantly surprised.

He guided the Golden-Eyed Eagle to land, watched Bai Lun depart, withdrew the mountain-guarding formation’s disguise, and swiftly returned to the sect’s main hall to convene the disciples for a grand discussion.

Inside the Huashan Sect Master’s Hall

Jiang Yan sat cross-legged on a cushion atop the hall’s high platform. Beside him, Yun Ying imitated her senior brother, sitting upright and proper. On the first row of cushions below, sat Tang Wan, Mu Yun, and Nanmen Luo. Behind them, Ning Qian, Zi Su, Sun Yang, and other disciples took their seats.

“In five days, this year’s demon hunt will begin,” Jiang Yan announced calmly, informing everyone of the imminent event.

“This time, Golden Flame Sect requires each second-tier sect to send at least two participants, and forbids the use of spirit beasts. I have gathered you today to discuss who will accompany me to the demon hunt.” Jiang Yan’s voice was steady as he surveyed the disciples.

“Senior Brother Sect Master, can we not participate? We are already a second-tier sect—there’s no need to send replacements for the main sect anymore, right?” Tang Wan’s delicate face showed worry; her master had perished in the last demon hunt. If her senior brother went this time…

“Senior Brother Sect Master, Senior Sister is right. If you go and something happens, Huashan will be finished.” Nanmen Luo’s homely face wrinkled in agreement.

Behind Tang Wan, Lin Ke’s black veil fluttered as if she wanted to speak, but with some misgivings, lowered her head when Jiang Yan’s gaze swept over.

“Zi Su is willing to accompany Master to the demon hunt,” Zi Su volunteered, her pretty face cold with determination.

Jiang Yan smiled and waved his hand, his tone relaxed. “No need to worry. This demon hunt is not such a grave matter. I already have a foolproof plan. The reason I must select one of you to accompany me is merely to satisfy Golden Flame Sect’s requirement.”

He reassured Tang Wan and Mu Yun, who appeared slightly panicked, declaring he was fully prepared for the hunt—though what his foolproof plan was, only heaven knew.

“Senior Brother Sect Master, I wish to accompany you as well,” Tang Wan said, trusting his words but unable to shake her worries; the demon hunt had always been fraught with danger. Even with a perfect plan, injuries were inevitable. So she declared her intent to accompany him without hesitation.

“Very well, Wan Junior Sister will accompany me to the demon hunt.” Jiang Yan made his decision without consulting Nanmen Luo or Mu Yun, who were about to speak.

“But Senior Brother Sect Master—” Mu Yun’s round face turned red as he jumped up, speaking righteously, “Senior Brother Sect Master, Wan Senior Sister is a woman. Let Nan Junior Brother and me go instead, and you and Senior Sister wait on the mountain for our good news.”

“Yes, yes,” Nanmen Luo echoed, his dark face grave. He agreed with Mu Yun’s suggestion; as for whether the demon hunt would claim lives, Nanmen Luo no longer considered it. Since the sect master claimed to have a perfect plan, he believed him.

Jiang Yan waved for his two junior brothers to sit, his tone authoritative. “Though I have a foolproof plan, the hunt is still fraught with difficulty. If anything goes awry, lives may be lost. I chose Wan Junior Sister because, like me, she cultivates wood-based techniques. If anything happens, it’s easier for us to heal each other.”

Mu Yun’s plump face froze, about to argue further, but Jiang Yan raised his hand to stop him, his tone severe. “As for those remaining in the sect, I will grant a certain number of Qi-Gathering Pills. When I return in a month, anyone whose cultivation has not advanced will answer to me.”

He finished speaking and flicked his wrist, sending bottles of milky-white pills by spiritual power to each disciple’s cushion. Once everyone had collected the pills, Jiang Yan’s demeanor grew formal. “Upon my return, each of you must advance at least one level. There will be rewards for those who succeed, and rigorous training for those who fail.”

His eyes swept over the disciples, whose faces were full of surprise, and he continued, “Mu Yun, Nanmen Luo, if you both reach the eighth level of Qi Refinement in a month, I promise you a set of attack techniques and a method for swift travel across a thousand miles…”

…

PS: This chapter was difficult to write; I am still not very skilled at handling conflict. As for the direction of the plot, feel free to discuss it in the review section. Special thanks to Brother Solitary Fisherman in the Snow for today’s reward. This chapter wasn’t meant to be released so soon, but seeing your generosity, I can only repay it with updates.