Chapter 121: The Scent of an Old Friend (Please Subscribe)

“Dismember him into a thousand pieces!” Liu Ding roared furiously. Because of this fellow, he had suffered countless beatings. This was a grudge that could never be forgiven!

Fish-Dragon’s eyes flickered as he rubbed his right shoulder, still feeling the lingering pain from having half his body’s essence drained dry. Thinking of this, Lu Qian stepped forward, clasping his fists respectfully. “Sir, if there is any news of Lu Qian, please be sure to inform me. I will surely sever this traitor’s head.”

It might have been acceptable for others to say this, but hearing Fish-Dragon speak in such a manner made Fu Bo’s expression strange. He remembered that this guy had been knocked down just at the first meeting. He feared that if they came face to face, Fish-Dragon would be the first to flee.

Though this made sense, Fu Bo didn’t want to dampen his subordinate’s enthusiasm. With that in mind, a pleased smile appeared on Fu Bo’s face as he said, “If that’s the case, then you shall lead the team to make contact with the Tongyou Sect.”

This... seemed a little over the top.

Lu Qian was speechless inside. If he really went to the Tongyou Sect’s stronghold, he couldn’t guarantee that the Netherworld Yin Seal would have any effect before the old ghosts of Tongyou.

It was said that this Tongyou fellow was no longer at half a step into the Dan Tribulation; when he had left, he had already reached the Dan Tribulation realm.

At that moment, Liu Ding stepped forward and said, “No, Fish-Dragon has no experience; the people of Tongyou Sect are cunning and seasoned. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle the situation. It’s better to let me go.”

Liu Ding had always been responsible for external affairs. This time, Fu Bo delegating the task to Fish-Dragon was clearly a sign of distrust, making Liu Ding feel his position was precarious.

Seeing someone come to save the day, Lu Qian hastily said, “Steward Liu is absolutely right. My cultivation is insufficient. I have little grasp of large-scale matters—please, let Steward Liu go.”

Liu Ding was somewhat surprised to see Fish-Dragon’s open expression, seemingly uninterested in competing with him. His heart warmed slightly toward the younger man.

This kid had some sense—knowing his own youth and lack of control, and still showing respect to his elders. Besides himself, who else could deal with an ancient sect like Tongyou?

“Very well, it’s you. Fish-Dragon must accompany you as well; this was meant to broaden your horizons,” Fu Bo chuckled.

“You are all busy officials, so you won’t be traveling too far. Just cross the river to Taishan City, a subordinate city of Tongyou, and notify them.”

The Tongyou Sect’s main stronghold rarely allowed outsiders entry, and its exact location was unknown. Lingbo Tower generally conducted business with Tongyou through subordinate cities—Taishan City being the closest to Tongtian River. The round trip would take about fifteen days.

“Then I shall respectfully obey,” Lu Qian accepted this arrangement. If the journey took a year or more, all recent preparations would be in vain.

Thinking this over, Lu Qian felt a sense of dissonance. Was this tantamount to going to find someone to capture himself? The Tongyou Daoist probably wouldn’t personally meet with mere minor cultivators like him.

At most, only officials at the level of the Three Capitals or Five Lords would be involved. If so, there would be no worry about exposure.

In the Hidden Dragon Cave Mansion—

Lu Qian looked at Mo Chou, who had just finished her cultivation session, sweat glistening and chest rising and falling slightly. “I will be traveling far in a few days. I won’t bring the zombie with me. Train it to the Bronze Bone stage before I return.”

“Understood, mistress,” Mo Chou bowed her head slightly.

The next day, aboard the sea vessel—

Lu Qian and Liu Ding stood at the bow while those nearby lowered their heads, unwilling to meet their gaze. To the sailors, one had purple hair and golden eyes; the other had a bull’s head with three eyes. These two looked more terrifying than any sea monster.

This trip was not only to visit Tongyou but also to trade goods and discuss how to capture Lu Qian, the traitor.

“Steward Liu, I’ll need your continued care in the future,” Lu Qian smiled, handing over a palm-sized box.

“No trouble at all—just call me Brother Liu. If you ever face difficulties, just mention my name,” Liu Ding said as he took the box and sensed its contents—five or six pills.

Not especially valuable, but this gesture of respect pleased Liu Ding greatly.

“Thank you, Brother Liu,” Lu Qian said politely.

After returning, Lu Qian pondered why he always seemed to attract cultivators around him. In the end, he realized he simply didn’t fit in well.

The cultivation world, like the mortal realm, valued social exchanges. Being out of sync often led to exclusion.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was best to maintain some social graces—giving small gifts and showing ample respect.

After all, one never strikes a smiling face.

A few days later, the merchant ship reached the opposite riverbank.

Liu Ding disembarked and took out a white talisman from his bosom. As the talisman burned, a sudden chill wind rose, and ten giants, each three zhang tall, emerged from the mist.

White paper and black ink talismans generally belonged to the Yin category, likely invoking Yin soldiers.

Seeing Lu Qian’s puzzled expression, Liu Ding chuckled, “These are Yin Mountain Strongmen. They have no special skills, just immense strength.”

Each of the ten strongmen bore loads several times their own size.

As the group traveled, the Taoist priests and novices scattered white joss paper along the path—not for show, but to obscure the sight of mortals and prevent unnecessary troubles.

Soon, they arrived at Taishan City.

Before the towering city walls, an incantation was murmured, and suddenly a vermilion gate appeared on the wall.

Outside the gate swirled thick Yin mist and shadowy figures. Strange-looking cultivators, neither clearly human nor demon, flew past from time to time.

This was the Dark City—a place where mortals and immortals lived mixed, with an underworld street inaccessible to ordinary humans.

Entering the city, they passed through a hidden passage.

Ahead was a spacious area with only a large building adorned with hanging lanterns.

With a rustle, a Yin crow descended from the sky and transformed into a Daoist cultivator wearing a carefree headscarf.

“Haha, welcome, fellow Daoists,” the cultivator greeted with a clasped fist bow.

“Greetings, Daoist Xuan Yu,” Liu Ding returned the gesture.

Lu Qian observed from behind, realizing he didn’t recognize this person. Taishan City was governed by the Tongyou Zhang family; this man must be from another hall.

Liu Ding then explained the situation. Xuan Yu furrowed his brows and said, “I have no authority to handle this. My steward is nearby—go speak with him.”

Xuan Yu took out a paper crane, which flew off into the distance.

After a long while, the mist rolled, and within it appeared a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar.

Lu Qian was slightly surprised—this man was none other than Fang Su, the steward who had allowed him to leave that day.

“You say Lu Qian has appeared again?” Steward Fang Su looked interested. “What is his current cultivation level?”

“Nearly mid-stage of Nourishing Spirit,” Liu Ding replied.

“Tsk tsk, such progress in so short a time—none of the young generation in Tongyou Sect have advanced so quickly,” Fang Su said with a trace of sarcasm.

After speaking, he felt the remark might have been inappropriate and added, “Rest assured, our sect is aware of this. When the Shuiyan Assembly begins, we will go to capture him.”

“His whereabouts are concealed. Can you tell us how to find him?” Liu Ding did not forget the purpose of this trip.

“We cannot locate him either, but once he slips up, we will detect it.”

Lu Qian truly was a legendary figure. Though gone from the world, his tales lingered in the martial circles.

Whenever he caused major trouble, Tongyou Sect was the first to know.

Subordinates would then compare him to the young prodigies, fueling hostility from the youth, who petitioned to capture him to prove their own strength.

As they talked, Lu Qian suddenly felt a stirring in his heart—a presence nearby.

It was the aura of a Bloodstain Dao Soldier, detectable within a hundred-li radius.

Who could it be?

“Fellow Daoist, do you require assistance?” Fang Su noticed Lu Qian’s unusual expression.