Chapter 441: Ugly Monster

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He Xinliang

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With Yuan Zuozong covering the flanks and Wang Xiaoping holding the rear, the people from Zhulu Mountain were all experts who had perfected their cultivation. Most of them had lost the desire to compete fiercely. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, the beautiful woman decisively withdrew her pair of colorful butterflies. The twin butterflies spiraled around her, then merged into one and receded into her sleeve. The Wudang Divine Shentu Sword and Gu Jiantang’s Nanhua Blade were universally recognized as the top talismanic weapons in the world. Gu Jiantang was at the heart of the imperial court, an unattainable figure to the martial world. Wang Xiaoping, however, was different, especially for demonic cultivators like the woman, who specialized in unorthodox arts. He was their fated nemesis. To use witchcraft and evil sorcery in front of Wang Xiaoping was akin to inviting death. Wang Xiaoping’s talisman sword was capable of breaking all spells with a single strike.

Yet, a few demonic magnates, including Lu Linggui, who were well-ranked in Zhulu Mountain, did not lose their composure even upon seeing the Wudang Sword Fanatic personally arrive. Lu Linggui, his face as serene as if paralyzed, softly said, "This time, Zhulu Mountain awaits your arrival at Longwei Slope only to respectfully welcome you into the mountain to be enfeoffed as a marquis. There is no intention of provoking you. The reason for gathering more people was merely out of concern that you might deem Zhulu Mountain's sincerity insufficient…"

Lu Linggui, who was not eloquent, was carefully choosing his words when he was interrupted by Hu Chunya’s crisp laughter, for once without receiving much blame from Zhou Qinhu and the others. The scene before their eyes was truly too unexpected. Nearly twenty cavalry behind Lu Linggui also reacted, whispering among themselves. Xu Fengnian was caught between laughter and tears. The Wudang Taoist with the peach wood sword had arrived and departed in a hurry, leaving everyone else aside. Perhaps displeased by Xu Fengnian's displaying someone else's authority, Xu Fengnian, with his hands in his sleeves, casually lifted his sleeve to wipe his cheek. This crude gesture made the beautiful woman sway delicately, and the handsome young man in her arms, with his gentle features, utterly detested Xu Fengnian for monopolizing the limelight.

Xu Fengnian was in an exceptionally good mood today and didn't mind these demonic cult members blocking his path. He said, "If Zhulu Mountain truly has sincerity, let your Sect Master come to see me personally. Otherwise, it's out of the question. Be enfeoffed as a marquis upon entering the mountain? How audacious of you to even suggest it!"

Those demonic cultivators, who had been accustomed to overseeing the world from their mountain stronghold, now recalled that this young lord would one day inherit the title of Prince of Beiliang without exception. Among the feudal princes of Liyang, whose power could surpass that of the Prince of Beiliang? Zhulu Mountain's attempt was indeed petty this time. Lu Linggui was genuinely a clay Bodhisattva with boundless patience; he didn't object. Instead, a peculiar smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "I, Lu, was fortunate enough to meet the Sect Master in the mountain once. The Sect Master mentioned having some connection with you, young master. Given that, I, Lu, dare not act on my own. I will return to the mountain to meet the Sect Master and relay your request."

Xu Fengnian smiled and asked, "Judging by your tone, your Sect Master is quite a figure?"

Lu Linggui calmly replied, "I, Lu, dare not speak presumptuously, but I can tell you a fact. From the moment the Sect Master entered the mountain until ascending to the peak, it took only half a day to slaughter the original two kings and four dukes and marquises. At present, Zhulu Mountain has recruited four first-rank masters, half Finger-Profound and half Vajra, to join the mountain. Apart from me, Lu, who came to greet you, there are two other groups simultaneously welcoming people into the mountain. The Sect Master even personally went to Western Chu to find Cao Changqing, intending for this Confucian Saint to serve as Zhulu Mountain's Great Guest Elder."

Xu Fengnian was dumbfounded, as if listening to something incomprehensible. He quipped, "Then why doesn't your Sect Master just make Wang Xianzhi the Deputy Sect Master and choose Deng Tai'a as a guest elder? After that, you could simply swallow up the Wu Family Sword Mound and dominate the martial world without anyone daring to defy you. Now *that* would be impressive."

Lu Linggui stated matter-of-factly, "I, Lu, will relay your suggestion to the Sect Master."

Xu Fengnian chuckled like a certain young girl, effectively signaling their departure. Lu Linggui was quite efficient and wasted no more words. He turned his horse around and led his people away. The lightly clad beautiful woman did not forget to cast a lingering smile back. Xu Fengnian remained in a daze. He wasn't particularly concerned about these formidable demonic cult members from Zhulu Mountain, but the Sect Master, who revealed only a glimpse like a dragon in the smoke and clouds, made him wary. Though Xu Fengnian had seemed to disbelieve Lu Linggui's words earlier, he had not lowered his guard in the slightest.

Zhulu Mountain had stood for eight hundred years in the martial world. The catastrophe sixty years ago was not the most tragic in the history of demonic cults. A hundred years ago, almost every Sword Immortal, with the exception of Lu Zu, the foremost figure of five centuries, had without fail traveled to Zhulu Mountain with their swords, launching a great slaughter. Most founders of dynasties were ambitious strategists, and their successors were often not far behind. But afterwards, dynasties would decline, and even if a capable ruler managed to revive them, it only prolonged their existence. However, the Sect Masters of Zhulu Mountain, up to the previous one, Liu Songtao, totaling nine individuals, were all paramount figures in the martial world, only slightly inferior to Wang Xianzhi. The position of Sect Master would rather remain vacant for decades than be filled by a mediocre person. Whoever became Sect Master, regardless of how unknown they were outside Zhulu Mountain, would inevitably be an unparalleled figure. For instance, Liu Songtao, after suffering qi deviation, left Zhulu Mountain and killed over ten thousand people, causing unrest in both the martial world and the imperial court. They desperately tried to stop him but to no avail. Among the Nine Kingdoms of the Spring and Autumn period, Liu Songtao alone killed two emperors: one was dismembered on his throne by Liu Songtao, and another mysteriously lost his head in his dragon bed. The number of nobles, generals, and ministers in the Central Plains was countless. Legend has it that Heavenly Master Zhao Gusu of Dragon Tiger Mountain personally went to Dragon Pool, sacrificing six purple-golden lotus flowers of his fortune, and with the power of heaven and man, branded a nine-character prophecy, using the vast nine-layered heavenly thunder to strike down Liu Songtao from thousands of miles away. Those of Liu Songtao's generation, equally brilliant, whether Sword Immortals or members of the Three Religions, none achieved immortality, perhaps because Heaven was enraged by their inaction, closing the Heavenly Gate for twenty years.

Xu Fengnian chuckled self-deprecatingly. A few years ago, he would have loved hearing stories about people like Liu Songtao. But having rolled around in the mud a few times himself, he no longer envied them. People who flew around all day and couldn't be killed by hundreds of knife strikes—what kind of martial artists were they? They were gods. Xu Fengnian shook his head slightly, clearing his cluttered thoughts, and dismissed notions of Zhulu Mountain or its Sect Master. He pulled a hand from his sleeve and gestured forward. Gu Dazhu, who had brazenly asked for the hot potato of a Beiliang infantry commander position, quietly followed. Walking side by side, the no-longer-weary old man chuckled softly, "Your Highness, I cheekily asked you for a difficult official post earlier. Please don't take it seriously. I know what Beiliang's cavalry lacks and needs, so I won't cause you any trouble."

Xu Fengnian didn't pretend to be more capable than he was. He nodded and said, "It wasn't very honorable of me to have General Zhong Hongwu of Huaihua retire and return to his fields. It would be difficult to move Yan Wenluan again, even if Xu Xiao himself were to act, let alone me. But General Gu, rest assured, the infantry deputy commander position I promised you is definitely yours."

Gu Dazhu smiled and asked, "I, Gu Dazhu, have some reputation in naval warfare. As this infantry deputy commander, aren't you worried that Yan Wenluan, with his distinguished military achievements, will push me around and humiliate me? And drag down you, my recommender, with me?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "On the surface, all advantages—timing, geography, and human relations—are with Yan Wenluan. But when I first traveled the martial world, there was a good saying on an inn wall: 'He who stands high must not sit for too long, nor should he let temporary success obscure those who come after.' Yan Wenluan has cultivated his direct lineage for twenty years, leading to stagnation. He appears to be at his zenith, commanding immense authority within the Beiliang infantry, but in reality, he's not truly an impenetrable fortress. In officialdom, local strongmen have their advantages, but powerful outsiders also have theirs. Besides, if Yan Wenluan's behavior becomes too unsightly, truly losing face by sulking to the end with a profligate like me, I'll seize the opportunity and have him join Zhong Hongwu in retirement, enjoying his grandchildren." Gu Dazhu glanced back at the carriage carrying Huang Shang and sighed, "If Huang Shang were merely a foolishly loyal pedantic scholar, he wouldn't be going to Beiliang."

Xu Fengnian smiled. "The descendants of Beiliang generals, the so-called 'seeds of generals,' except for some second and third-rate families, rarely let their clan members serve in the military on the border. Cavalry Commander Zhong Hongwu didn't let Zhong Chengxin join the army. Firstly, he didn't want to cut off the family line. Secondly, he had sharp insight and recognized that twenty years of martial artists ruling Beiliang had led to deep-seated problems, and eventually, seasoned civil officials would need to take over. However, in recent years, the imperial court has been actively wielding its small hoes, sparing no effort to undermine the foundations. First, Yan Jiexi became a royal relative, then Jin Lantang gained power, and then the great Confucian scholar Yao Baifeng entered the capital as an official. These were all grand gestures, 'spending a thousand gold to buy bones,' which caused the already scarce scholars in the northern regions to flock to the capital. Actually, for me, it doesn't matter how much genuine talent Huang Shang, who is about to go to the capital to serve, truly possesses. The crucial point is that this upright censor is willing to serve in Beiliang. That's enough. The imperial court has been disgusting Beiliang for twenty years; it's time for the wheel of fortune to turn."

Gu Dazhu burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this, feeling greatly satisfied. Some of his planned probing actions in his heart dissipated at this moment. This young man with white hair was already so magnanimous at such a young age; why should an old man like him be petty?

Perhaps it was a case of prosperity after extreme adversity. After the armored soldiers' ambush at Longwei Slope and the demonic cult's obstruction at the foot of the slope, the group traveled exceptionally calmly, steadily approaching Caishi Mountain. Before entering the mountain, there was a wine stall by the roadside. The old man selling wine, upon seeing Hu Chunya, reacted as if she were his own daughter, refusing to accept payment for the wine and offering good wine to everyone in the caravan. Hu Chunya didn't put on airs either, personally pouring wine for Lord Huang, Xu Zhan, and Zhou Qinhu. As for Xu Fengnian and the others, who both startled and intimidated her, she simply ignored them. Xu Fengnian had never had a good impression of this petulant woman, but at this moment, he thought that no matter how annoying a woman might be, there were still moments of softness in her heart. Hu Chunya might never know that her most endearing moments were not when she was heavily made up for her marriage, nor when she was gallivanting through the martial world with high spirits, but perhaps these trivial smiles and frowns. Xu Fengnian sat and drank. Gu Dazhu, after one bowl of wine, felt his spirits lift. He looked up at the mountain, his eyes filled with the fresh green after the melting snow, and declared loudly, "Heaven cares not, Earth cares not, but wine cares!"

Huang Shang drank it all in one gulp, then wiped his mouth and laughed, "Whether it's prosperity or ruin, let's drink!"

Xu Fengnian didn't join the boisterous fun. He just smiled and clinked bowls with Yuan Zuozong, sipping slowly.

Caishi Mountain, as expected, was far from towns and bustling markets. The forty li of mountain road leading in were all narrow and difficult to traverse; otherwise, it would have long been suppressed by the authorities. However, the next twenty li offered a sudden sense of openness: wide bluestone slabs paved the road, allowing three carriages to travel abreast, indicating Caishi Mountain's immense wealth. The road wound through green mountains and clear waters. Hu Chunya was in low conversation with a high-ranking middle-aged man from the mountain at the front. She occasionally turned to point at Xu Fengnian. The man's face was grim, his eyes fierce, clearly not having a good impression of this uninvited guest. Xu Zhan and Zhou Qinhu naturally did not wish to cause trouble. But on Caishi Mountain, Hu Chunya was the undisputed noble lady. Xu Zhan could offer a few reminders, but he didn't want to. Zhou Qinhu wanted to speak but knew it was inappropriate. For a moment, the atmosphere on the road became somewhat strange. As more people came to greet Hu Chunya, their ranks swelled. Dozens of riders galloped forth, their presence no less imposing than the robust soldiers on Longwei Slope. Cries of "Young Miss!" rose and fell, making Hu Chunya even more triumphant and self-satisfied.

Especially when a graceful swordmaster in a green robe descended the mountain alone on horseback, appearing in their sight, Hu Chunya's eyes welled up, as if she had suffered a great injustice. The elegant swordmaster exemplified the saying that "a man at forty is like a flower," becoming more appealing with age. At his waist hung an ancient-looking long sword, with two sword tassels dangling. Besides the sword, there was a striking wine gourd. The man in green bowed on horseback, his eyes filled with tenderness, and patted his daughter's head. Then he cupped his fists and bowed to everyone. Xu Zhan and Zhou Qinhu, being junior, quickly returned the respectful greeting. Caishi Mountain was rich and powerful, with a large following. They, as lone wanderers in the martial world, absolutely could not afford to provoke them. When traveling outside, one relies on friends, especially for unknown individuals traversing the martial world, just as ambitious young scholars strive in the literary world. Both emphasize the idea that "many hands make light work," and forging good connections is a blessing. Reputation is built through one's own efforts, but also greatly by the support of predecessors. Experienced martial artists understood this.

Zhao Hongdan, who had married into Caishi Mountain, knew his daughter's temperament. He seemed to completely disregard any negative comments about her, instead paying special attention to "Xu Qi." As they ascended the mountain, he actively slowed his horse and said warmly, "Chunya is thoughtless. This trip of hers was thanks to Young Master Xu's care. If there are any deficiencies in our hospitality during your visit to Caishi Mountain, I hope Young Master Xu will speak frankly. Since we've met, we are like brothers; please treat Caishi Mountain as your home."

Collapse Replies: 2013102119:12: What's happening? 2013102119:16: Ruthless... I'll shoot you in the face. 2013102119:36: Does this count as inserting comments? 2013102119:54: My bad. 2013102120:16: Squishier is healthier. 2013102120:40: I'll break Old Dai and go up a floor. 2013102121:06

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Xu Fengnian laughed, "Xu Qi has heard of Caishi Mountain for a long time. Grandmaster Zhao's Ninety-Six Drunken Sword moves, said to pierce the Big Dipper, are well-known throughout the martial world. This intrusion, Xu Qi was truly a bit apprehensive before entering the mountain. Only after meeting Grandmaster Zhao have I felt at ease."

Zhao Hongdan burst into hearty laughter, repeating the compliments several times with an air of casualness.

On the sunny side of the mountain, there were continuous rows of quiet, secluded courtyards and small buildings. Bamboo groves proliferated, and the scenery was elegant, provided for distinguished guests visiting Caishi Mountain. The small buildings were constructed from slender bamboo, warm in winter and cool in summer. The furnishings inside were mostly woven from bamboo as well: bamboo flutes, bamboo zithers, bamboo beds, bamboo tables. Some bamboo root carvings were even masterpieces by renowned artists, exuding an ancient charm. Zhao Hongdan personally attended to every detail to settle the group, before taking his daughter Hu Chunya to meet the true master of Caishi Mountain.

After leaving the building, Xu Fengnian walked along a stone path into the bamboo grove. Wooden fences lined both sides of the path, and large red lanterns hung from the cultivated bamboo along the way. Presumably, after dusk, the two lines of lights would create a rare and beautiful spectacle. Xu Fengnian walked until he reached an ancient temple. Spring water trickled gently. The ancient temple was maintained by the Hu family of Caishi Mountain, presumably not open to outside pilgrims. A suspended plaque read "Temple of Rosy Clouds and Zen," and an extremely interesting couplet adorned the main gate: "If you do not turn back, who will save you from suffering? If you can change your mind, why do I need great compassion?"

Turn back.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, feeling a sudden urge to turn around and return to his lodging. The red-robed yin entity appeared beside him. After this period of recuperation, its two faces had largely regained their brilliance, but its six arms had become five, making it appear even more bizarre and eerie. Since Xu Fengnian neither wished to enter the temple nor to return hastily, he walked to the small stream outside the temple, squatting on a large rock. Listening to the gurgling stream, both he and the yin entity found peace, completely lost in thought. The yin entity lowered its head, noticing some mud on his boots. It gently peeled it away with its fingers. Xu Fengnian laughed, "Don't bother tidying them up; they'll just get dirty again when we go back."

But the yin entity tirelessly continued this silent, trivial task.

From behind them came the piercing screams of children.

"Ghost! Ghost!"

A group of children in brocade clothes, with bamboo baskets slung over their arms and small hoes for digging winter bamboo shoots, had each gathered their harvest in the bamboo forest. Suddenly seeing a red-clad woman whose face could twist to her back, they naturally mistook her for a wild ghost hidden in the bamboo forest.

"Don't be afraid! This is a Zen temple! Let's smash that ghost to death together!"

"Yes! Dad says evil cannot overcome good! Ghosts are most afraid of temple chants and reading. Let's smash it while reciting the Thousand Character Classic!"

When a slightly older boy spoke, he threw his hoe fiercely. The other children followed suit. Children on Caishi Mountain could be given medicinal supplements to strengthen their bodies from an early age, making them far stronger than ordinary children. Seven or eight hoes were suddenly thrown towards the stream. A few crying girls also bravely mustered their courage. Their arm strength was relatively weaker, so their hoes didn't reach the stream, but they began reciting the Thousand Character Classic, which almost all private schools made their students memorize by rote. After throwing their hoes and failing to hit anything, the boys began to bend down and pick up lighter stones. But for some reason, whether hoes or stones, their intended trajectories were altered, losing their aim and landing around the two ghosts, the white-haired ghost and the red-clad ghost. The children lost their initial fear and became more courageous with each throw. Even the most timid boys and girls began to laugh, treating stone-throwing as a game. After exhausting the nearby stones, they switched to the winter bamboo shoots in their baskets.

Xu Fengnian's arm had been tightly gripped by the entity, which was why he hadn't turned his head.

"Let's go, call our parents to fight the ghost!" a boy ordered.

A little girl glanced disdainfully at the red-robed yin entity, her face filled with scorn. "Ugly monster! It really is a ghost!"

That single word, "ugly monster,"perhaps surpassed all of Han Diaosi's ruthless tactics outside Shenwu City.

Xu Fengnian was about to speak when he turned and saw that, apart from one arm gripping his own, her other four arms were clutching her two faces, the face of joy and the face of sorrow. Her fingers were like hooks, seeping blood, as if she wanted to tear off her own skin.

He gently raised his hand, pulling her fingers away one by one. He looked towards the stream, then reached over her shoulder and rested her head on his.

Her eye sockets were bleeding.Four lines of bloody tears blurred both her cheeks.

Xu Fengnian murmured, "Xu Ying, how can you be so beautiful? To the point that, outside Shenwu City, in the moment before I lent out the Spring and Autumn Sword, I thought, 'It wouldn't be bad to die with you.'"

Her joyful face was crying, while her sorrowful face was smiling.

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Collapse Replies: 2013102119:10: Again? 2013102119:11: Darn. 2013102119:12: —From the freezing, no-clothes-wearing client. 2013102119:13: This is the rhythm of tears. 2013102119:21: Haha. 2013102119:28: Cried while reading TT. Mwah, ruthless, mwah Xuxuan. 2013102119:33: I recognize this cute girl, but I'm a fake demon, can I still come play? 2013102119:33: Reply to Long Sword Walks the World WJL: Insert. 2013102119:50: I wasn't even a Sakura fan; don't make it so touching, okay? 2013102120:02

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