Chapter 94: Chapter 77: Return to Red Flame, Waiting in the Snow at Jiang’s Gate

The heavy snow sealed the mountains, blanketing the peaks and ravines like a layer of cotton.

Only occasionally did the steep cliffs reveal a hint of their ocher color, like a piece of rock sugar in a white porcelain bowl.

Down by the mountain path, Jiang Yi held the Cat Master, gently covering its big, round eyes with his palm.

Grandpa was killing horses, using their blood essence to refine the Black Slaughter Lock. It wouldn’t do to let the Cat Master see such a bloody scene.

The Black Slaughter Lock rose and fell like a great python, its dark, heavy links rattling and clanking.

Yang Xun formed hand seals as he instructed:

“After you return to Red Flame Peak, you must lie low for a few days. And don’t mention to anyone that you’ve broken through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

A tree that rises above the forest will be broken by the wind. You can’t afford to be mediocre, or you won’t be respected. But when you lack a powerful backer, you can’t stand out too much, as it’s easy to attract jealousy.”

Jiang Yi nodded, agreeing completely.

The safest path was always to blend in and conceal one’s brilliance.

Especially in a Demon Dao Dharma Lineage. Those Upper Cultivators never minded mingling with Lower Cultivators, and they loved to use dirty tricks, so one had to be doubly cautious.

“Wait until I find you a patron in the Inner Peak. Once you have someone supporting you, it won’t be too late to start showing your talent. That way, you’ll be nurtured instead of suppressed.”

Yang Xun seemed to have thought it over repeatedly, speaking from the heart:

“The Qianji Sect is too small a temple to hold a true Dao Material. I once heard Elder Sui mention that every twelve years, the ’North and South Dipper Sword’ competition is held, a grand event attended by over a hundred Dharma Lineages.

I reckon that once you’ve solidified your Cultivation and reached the Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer, you could go and try your luck.”

’Please, no more trying my luck!’

The corner of Jiang Yi’s mouth twitched, the phrase striking a nerve.

If he died again, being reborn on the Dongsheng Continent as an “Immortal Daoist” would be one thing, but if he ended up in the Beiju Continent reincarnated as a pig or a dog, that would be the worst possible luck.

“I’ve also made some inquiries. Rumor has it that only those with a Dharma Lineage’s True Inheritance or from a Dao Race’s Direct Lineage are allowed to attend the North and South Dipper Sword competition.

Ordinary Lower Cultivators don’t even have the qualifications to get in the door,” Jiang Yi said hesitantly.

The “way out” his Grandpa was considering happened to coincide with his own thoughts.

A common mortal like him, wanting to escape Beimang Ridge—a place completely dominated by the two Branch Sects, Zhao You and True Gu—could only seek other “Opportunities.”

The North and South Dipper Sword competition was indeed one such path. Many Dharma Lineages gathered there, including numerous Foundation Establishment Upper Cultivators.

True Masters of this level, who had surpassed the Twelfth Layer Floors, no longer needed to consume Daoist Can. That, at least, was a relief.

But there was no rush for now. With True Master Xuanmiao at his side and a world-shaking Dao Inheritance in hand, Jiang Yi planned to first fully absorb the Spiritual Materials and Spiritual Objects he had purchased on this trip. Only then would he enter the Inner Peak to seek a position.

As for how to leave the Qianji Sect, that wouldn’t be difficult once his Cultivation rose and his Merit reached Perfection.

“Grandpa, which Elder in the Inner Peak do you know? Could it be the ’Elder Sui’ you often mention?”

Jiang Yi didn’t want the conversation to die, so he asked casually.

WHOOSH!

A yin wind suddenly swirled around the Black Slaughter Lock. The blood essence of three fine horses was completely devoured by the Magical Artifact, along with the Soul Spirit of Zheng Qing, gradually coalescing into an unusually spirited, jet-black steed.

With this Yin Horse for transport, crossing mountains and rivers would be like walking on flat ground—much more effortless than traveling on two legs.

Yang Xun slowly withdrew his power, exhaling a puff of white smoke. The effort had clearly taken a toll:

“The very same. When I first joined the Qianji Sect, I served under Elder Sui. We have a bit of a connection from back then.”

’So he was Grandpa’s old boss.’

Jiang Yi’s mind was set at ease. ’With this connection, it shouldn’t be difficult to secure a spot in the Inner Peak and then find a Resource Land to guard while I focus on my Cultivation…’

’I really should settle down and focus on developing for a while.’

…

…

Halfway up Red Flame Peak, snowflakes drifted down, thickly blanketing the patchwork of workers’ shacks.

Since several of the workshops had closed, the area had grown desolate, with very few people around.

The Mortal Servants had either gone down the mountain to find odd jobs and earn a few extra talisman coins to support their families, or they were simply holed up in their rooms for the winter, waiting for the new year.

In front of the Big Mixed Courtyard’s gate, Luo Qian’er stood huddled in a corner, her clothes thin. Her voice trembled as she asked:

“Sister Qin, has… has Senior Brother Jiang returned?”

Widow Qin had moved a chair into the courtyard and was slowly cracking melon seeds, her tone cold:

“Not yet. Brother Yi has been gone for over half a month, who knows when he’ll be back. I heard there was trouble over in Sanhe District, and the Zhao You Sect’s transport station closed down. He might just be spending the new year there.

Miss Luo, you should stop coming here to wait for him every day.”

Luo Qian’er’s expression was sorrowful. She looked so pitiful that even Widow Qin felt a little soft-hearted.

If this girl hadn’t caused Brother Yi so much misery back then, she wouldn’t be treating her so coldly now.

“If Senior Brother Jiang returns, could I trouble you, Sister Qin, to let me know, or perhaps pass a message on for me… Qian’er is all alone now, with no one to rely on. I can only hope that Senior Brother Jiang, for the sake of our past, will lend me a hand.”

Widow Qin was about to refuse, but then she caught a glimpse of a bruise on the side of Luo Qian’er’s face, which had been inadvertently revealed.

Her heart tightened, and she couldn’t help but ask:

“That bastard Zhou Can… did he hit you?”

Luo Qian’er’s eyes brimmed with tears as she turned her face away:

“He’s been drinking with the senior brothers from the Inner Peak a lot recently. When he gets drunk, he comes looking for… ’fun’ with me. If I refuse, I can’t avoid his fists and feet.”

Widow Qin sighed. To think that a young lady from a good country family could fall to such a state.

“Fine, when Brother Yi gets back, I’ll pass on your message. But Zhou Can is a Servant at Sewing Peak, after all. What could Brother Yi possibly do to help?”

But a flicker of hope ignited in Luo Qian’er’s eyes, and she said hastily:

“Senior Brother Jiang’s Cultivation is advancing quickly, he’ll definitely be able to enter the Inner Peak next spring… Qian’er only wants to escape this sea of misery!

If Senior Brother Jiang could ask Marshal Yang to transfer me to Red Flame Peak…”

Widow Qin fell silent.

She wanted to say, ’You should have thought of that before,’ but she swallowed the words.

This Miss Luo was truly star-crossed. Her younger brother, Luo Tong, had been on duty in the Heart-Stealing Forest with a senior brother from the Inner Peak when he suddenly died for some unknown reason.

If it had just been his life that was lost, that would have been one thing, but he had also implicated a Mortal Servant from Sewing Peak.

According to the sect’s rules, the Qianji Sect offered no compensation, so the debt in talisman coins fell to Luo Qian’er.

To make matters worse, Luo Tong had borrowed the Magical Artifact, the Seven Evils Needle, from Zhou Can, and that had been lost as well.

All told, Luo Qian’er ended up with a debt of over a hundred thousand talisman coins, plunging her into dire straits.

“Thank you, Sister Qin.”

Luo Qian’er curtsied and didn’t linger, leaving in a hurry.

“What a pitiful person…”

Widow Qin had mixed feelings. Now that only she and Old Li’s wife were left in the Big Mixed Courtyard, it really was terribly quiet.

“What’s so pitiful about her!” Old Li’s wife, who had been silent until now, sneered. “That girl couldn’t stand the hardship of labor, but she was unwilling to spend talisman coins to hire someone to do it for her, so she went and latched onto Zhou Can.

It was a case of one being willing to abuse and the other willing to be abused! She brought this on herself!”

She spoke in a rapid-fire burst, her words crackling like firecrackers:

“She doesn’t have her brother to back her up anymore, and Zhou Can is riding high, so of course he’s going to take advantage of her.

If you ask me, Sister Qin, you shouldn’t pass on her message. Brother Yi has finally started to make something of himself and is about to enter the Inner Peak. Why should he get dragged into this mess!”

Widow Qin was at a loss for words. She pitied Luo Qian’er, but she didn’t want to cause trouble for Brother Yi either.

While she was torn, a familiar shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard:

“We’re finally back! Nothing feels as solid as our Big Mixed Courtyard!”

He the Venerable strode through the courtyard gate, his face flushed, and tossed his travel bag down with a grin:

“This trip down the mountain was really something! Sister-in-law Qin, Old Li’s wife, you should have seen it! Brother Yi and I happened to run into some Upper Cultivators in Magical Combat!

What a scene! Sword Qi went WHOOSH, and lightning went KABOOM!”

Widow Qin shot to her feet. Ignoring the chattering He the Venerable, she hurried to the gateway, her beautiful eyes peering outside.

Before long, she saw the figure of a young man in a Daoist Robe.

Jiang Yi walked slowly through the snow, a calico cat nestled in the crook of his arm.

Compared to before he left, his features seemed calmer, and a gentle smile played on his lips:

“We rushed and rushed, but we finally made it back before the new year.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep