Chapter 15: Shixue Meng Reappears

Shixue Meng Headquarters.

Main Hall.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, so heavy you could hear a pin drop.

THUD!

A muffled impact echoed as Shi Qing slammed his fist down hard on the table!

“Li Ze!” Shi Qing roared, his voice shaking with fury. “What promises did you make to me?! Where are they?! Where are the people I told you to bring back?!”

Li Ze knelt on the floor, head bowed low in supplication. “My Lord… I was a step too late… The siblings… they escaped…”

CRACK!

Shi Qing exploded! He kicked the table over with violent force, sending it crashing! He stalked towards Li Ze, drew back his hand, and slapped him viciously across the face! WHACK!

“Excuses! You useless piece of trash! How did you guarantee success?! I ordered you to bring back people, not to come back alone and beg for forgiveness!”

The force of the slap left a livid red handprint swelling instantly on Li Ze’s face. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Li Ze kept his head bowed. “My Lord, please calm your anger! I have already gathered intelligence. The siblings are heading towards Kunlun in the Sand Sea region! If we leave now, we can intercept them at Qingnong Mountain  and capture them!”

Shi Qing eyed him suspiciously. “Are you absolutely certain about this information?”

Li Ze nodded respectfully. “The intelligence is accurate beyond doubt, My Lord. How could I dare deceive the Alliance Leader? If there is even the slightest inaccuracy, I am willing to offer my life as apology!”

“Fine,” Shi Qing snarled, his anger momentarily cooling into cold calculation. “I’ll give you one more chance! Go! Gather the other Black Robe cultivators immediately! I will personally lead them to retrieve the key for the Master!” He let out a savage grin and stormed out of the main hall.

Watching Shi Qing’s back disappear, Li Ze slowly stood up. He reached up, gingerly touching the stinging red mark on his face. A cold, calculating smile twisted his lips, completely devoid of the earlier humility and respect.

He glanced around the empty hall, his gaze finally landing on the ornate Leader’s chair at the far end. “This place isn’t bad,” he murmured to himself with a sinister chuckle. “Quite suitable for me, actually.”

***

Three days later. Qingnong Town.

Sensing the persistent gaze of the watcher, Ye Tianlong immediately steered the carriage towards a more deserted alleyway.

He leaped down from the driver’s seat, calling out loudly, “Which esteemed hero is following us? Why not show yourself and meet face-to-face?”

A fleeting shadow flickered past to his right!

Ye Tianlong instantly gave chase!

But the figure was incredibly fast. Before Ye Tianlong could close the distance, they vanished without a trace.

A faint, lingering scent of rouge hung in the air… strangely familiar.

Who the hell was that?

Filled with unease and confusion, Ye Tianlong returned to the carriage. He couldn’t shake the feeling… the closer they got to Kunlun, the heavier the sense of impending doom became.

He urged the horse forward quickly. “Whoever it was, they’re gone. This place feels wrong. Let’s get out of here, fast!”

“Right!” Bǎi Tōngmíng acknowledged from inside.

Qingnong Mountain.

The landscape here was desolate – endless stretches of barren desert and rocky Gobi.

The scorching sun beat down relentlessly, baking the rolling sand dunes. A single Red Willow (红柳) clung stubbornly to the crest of one dune, its gnarled roots digging deep, spreading across the shifting sands down to the dune’s edge.

Wind whipped across the landscape, carrying stinging sand that felt like tiny knives against exposed skin.

“Big Brother! Something’s wrong! Little Sister Qing… she…!” Bǎi Tōngmíng’s voice came urgently from inside the carriage!

Ye Tianlong immediately yanked the reins, halting the carriage! He scrambled inside!

Ye Qing’s Hanbing Sickness had flared up again!

She leaned weakly against the carriage wall, already bundled in several layers of clothing, yet her body trembled uncontrollably. Her skin was deathly pale, ice-cold to the touch, like a snowman. Her pupils were unfocused, dilated. A thin layer of actual frost coated her face! Even a lock of hair near her temple had turned stark white, with tiny icicles clinging to the strands!

Ye Tianlong turned to Bǎi Tōngmíng, his voice tight with urgency. “Tongming! Quick! The medicine vial in the flowered cloth bundle! Give it to me! Xiao Qing is having an attack, she needs her medicine!”

“Right here!” Bǎi Tōngmíng quickly handed it over.

Ye Tianlong gently lifted Ye Qing’s head, carefully feeding her the medicine. “Xiao Qing… Xiao Qing… Wake up… Stay with me…” he murmured softly.

“Brother…” Ye Qing’s voice was barely a weak whisper. “I… I’m so cold…”

Ye Tianlong pulled her into a tight hug, trying to share his warmth. “It’s okay, Xiao Qing. It’ll be okay. Brother’s here,” he soothed.

Bǎi Tōngmíng watched them, his face etched with deep worry.

“Big Brother,” he asked quietly once Ye Qing seemed to stabilize slightly, “what kind of terrifying illness does Little Sister Qing have? For an attack to be this frightening…?”

Seeing Ye Qing’s condition improve marginally, Ye Tianlong finally answered, his voice laced with pain. “It’s Hanbing. Cold Sickness. She’s had it since birth. Whenever it flares up, she becomes incredibly sensitive to cold, almost freezing from the inside out. It used to only happen once a month… but this… this is the third time this month…” His voice was heavy with anguish.

“Little Sister Qing…” Bǎi Tōngmíng started to say something more, but—

Thump-thump-thump-thump! Suddenly, the thunderous sound of many galloping horses erupted outside!

“It’s that carriage up ahead!” a rough, unfamiliar male voice yelled! “Capture the brother and sister alive! There’s a hefty reward!”

“CHARGE!”

The sounds grew rapidly closer!

Ye Tianlong made an instant decision! “Tongming! You drive! I’ll hold them off!”

The moment Bǎi Tōngmíng scrambled out to take the reins, he froze, horrified by the sight!

A large group of black-robed cultivators, mounted on powerful, sweating Ferghana horses, were charging towards them like an avalanche! There had to be dozens! They were less than a hundred meters away! Every single one radiated potent True Qi – the weakest among them was at least Diamond Realm Third Layer! And the figure leading the charge… a menacing black-robed warrior holding a longbow, a single grey-fletched arrow already nocked and aimed… This man radiated the terrifying pressure of a Martial Venerable Realm, Third Layer!

It was unmistakably the leader of the Shixue Meng – Shi Qing!

Ye Tianlong leaped onto the roof of the carriage, drawing the Wood Stone Sword! “GO! NOW!” he roared!

“Hiya! Hiya!” Bǎi Tōngmíng didn’t dare look back, frantically whipping the horse onward!

Dust billowed behind them!

Several black blurs detached from the main group, flashing through the sandstorm! Silver light glinted!

Ye Tianlong swung his sword in a wide arc! FWOOSH! Sword Qi exploded outwards!

Several headless corpses tumbled silently from the air!

“Keep attacking!” Shi Qing bellowed!

Thwip! An arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself deep in the back of the carriage!

A long whip snaked out from the attackers, wrapping tightly around the protruding arrow! YANK! The whip pulled taut, dragging the carriage’s speed down significantly!

More black figures leaped forward! Clang! Shink! Splatter! More flashes of steel, sprays of blood! Several more black-robed corpses fell onto the speeding carriage!

Shi Qing drew his bowstring back until the bow resembled a full moon! WHOOSH! The arrow shot forward like a bolt of lightning! Pshk! It pierced cleanly through the galloping horse’s neck!

“Big Brother!” Bǎi Tōngmíng screamed in terror!

The horse let out a horrific, gurgling whinny and collapsed violently! CRASH! The entire carriage tipped sharply to the right!

“Brother— Aaaah!”

THUD!

Ye Qing was thrown violently from the tipping carriage! Her head struck the hard ground with sickening force! Blood streamed from the impact site as she lost consciousness instantly!

Bǎi Tōngmíng was also thrown clear, tumbling hard across the sand! He coughed up a mouthful of blood and passed out!

Ye Tianlong himself was launched through the air by inertia! He rolled several times across the abrasive sand, his body instantly covered in cuts and bleeding profusely!

He roared in pure fury and anguish, “XIAO QING! TONGMING!”

Pushing himself up despite the searing pain, Ye Tianlong’s eyes blazed crimson red! He faced the charging horde alone, raising the Wood Stone Sword! Its blade seemed to hum with power! Hate fueled his sword intent, amplifying it, making the simple wooden sword seem terrifyingly menacing!

“COME ON AND FIGHT!” Ye Tianlong bellowed, raw power surging through him!

Vwommmm! The sword vibrated intensely! The sound of crashing waves echoed again, seeming to resonate with the howling desert wind! The sand dunes themselves seemed to tremble!

Sword Qi erupted!

A devastating slash ripped through the air! For a fleeting moment, the sword seemed like a divine blade descending from beyond the heavens! A deep fissure opened in the ground where the Qi passed! Any black-robed cultivator below Grandmaster Realm, Second Layer caught in its path let out agonizing screams as their bodies were instantly cleaved in two! Blood sprayed everywhere! Even the Grandmaster Realm Third Layer cultivators nearby staggered back, deep, bleeding wounds appearing horizontally across their chests!

Even the higher-level Martial Venerable cultivators, including Shi Qing, felt the terrifying power contained within that single strike!

Shi Qing’s eyes widened in shock and fury! He instantly raised his bow again, aiming directly at Ye Tianlong’s head! “This brat! At only the Body Refining Realm, he possesses such terrifying talent and sword techniques! Truly astonishing! If we allow him time to grow… he could become a major power, a hegemon! A dire threat to our Shixue Meng! But…” Shi Qing grinned savagely, “…he won’t get the chance to grow up!”

Li Ze, hidden strategically amongst the other cultivators, suddenly sensed a powerful aura descending nearby! A calculating glint flashed in his eyes! He immediately chimed in loudly, “The Alliance Leader is wise!”

“The Alliance Leader is wise!” the other cultivators echoed dutifully.

WHOOSH!

The arrow streaked towards Ye Tianlong like a falling star, tearing through the air with a deadly shriek!

Suddenly—

“Who dares cause trouble in my Kunlun region?! Stop this at once!” A stern, powerful middle-aged man’s voice boomed across the desert!

A palm strike materialized seemingly from nowhere, intercepting the deadly arrow in mid-flight! CRACK! The arrow shattered into pieces, falling harmlessly to the sand!

Ye Tianlong looked up, startled.

Standing protectively before him was a middle-aged man. His temples showed streaks of grey, but his posture was ramrod straight, imposing. He wore the distinct white robes of a Kunlun Sect Daoist. Behind him stood several dozen disciples clad in simpler grey Kunlun robes.

The middle-aged man turned slightly, speaking softly to Ye Tianlong. “Child, rest now. I will absolutely not tolerate such behavior within Kunlun territory.”

Ye Tianlong shook his head fiercely, gripping his sword tighter. “I wish to fight! They came for me!”

“There’s no need,” the man replied calmly. “The Kunlun Sect has a duty to protect the rights of everyone within our jurisdiction. If you truly wish to fight… perhaps focus on protecting your companions. There may be a chaotic battle shortly.”

Hearing this, Ye Tianlong hesitated, then nodded curtly. He retreated carefully, positioning himself defensively beside the unconscious forms of Ye Qing and Bǎi Tōngmíng.

The atmosphere grew heavy, charged with tension.

Shi Qing broke the stalemate, his voice wary. “Might the esteemed visitor be Kunlun’s Sect Master, Shi Qingwu ?”

Shi Qingwu inclined his head slightly. “I am he.”

His gaze sharpened. “And you, I presume, are the leader of the Shixue Meng, Shi Qing. Kunlun has rules. No one, regardless of status or affiliation, is permitted to commit evil or bully the weak within our territory. Otherwise… do not blame the Kunlun Sect for intervening!”

As he spoke, his True Qi flared! The pressure was immense, significantly stronger than Shi Qing’s! Martial Saint Realm, First Layer!

Shi Qing visibly hesitated. Although there was only one major realm difference between them, that gap was colossal, insurmountable. If they fought, his own chances of victory were less than forty percent. Furthermore, Shi Qingwu’s disciples looked fresh and ready, while his own men were already somewhat fatigued from the chase and initial skirmish. Retreat seemed the wisest option…

Sensing Shi Qing’s hesitation, Li Ze immediately spoke up, his voice ringing with feigned righteous indignation. “Sect Master Shi! I advise you not to meddle in affairs that don’t concern you! When my Shixue Meng conducts business, outsiders should stay out! You tell us to retreat, and we just retreat? Where does that leave the reputation of the Shixue Meng?! If our name is tarnished… that’s a price you cannot afford to pay!”

Li Ze glanced around at the other black-robed cultivators, then turned back to Shi Qing, his voice rising angrily. “This Kunlun Sect is too arrogant! Treating our Shixue Meng like common trash to be ordered around! They clearly have no respect for us! Brothers! Do you agree?! Alliance Leader! Let’s attack!”

“Alliance Leader, let’s attack!” the other cultivators roared, their pride stoked.

Forced into a corner, Shi Qing gritted his teeth. “Brothers! ATTACK!”

The Shixue Meng cultivators surged forward, weapons drawn!

“Since you insist,” Shi Qingwu stated calmly, his eyes hardening, “then do not blame Kunlun for taking action!”

Grey robes clashed with black! Chaos erupted! Limbs flew, blood sprayed! The two factions battled fiercely across the sand dunes!

Shi Qing nocked arrow after arrow, firing relentless volleys towards Shi Qingwu! Each arrow dripped with bloodthirsty killing intent!

Shi Qingwu didn’t dodge. He simply brought his hands together, palm-to-palm, gathering power, then thrust both palms forward towards Shi Qing!

The incoming arrows shattered in mid-air! BOOM! The palm force slammed into Shi Qing!

Puh!

Shi Qing was thrown from his horse, landing heavily, spitting out a large mouthful of blood! He quickly scanned the battlefield – the Shixue Meng was already losing ground, showing signs of collapsing!

“Retreat! Everyone, retreat!” Shi Qing roared desperately! He scrambled to remount his horse, intending to flee! Li Ze moved swiftly, positioning himself right behind Shi Qing’s back! A cold glint flashed in Li Ze’s hand!

“Quickly, tell the brothers—” Shi Qing started to shout orders, but his words choked off as a sharp pain erupted in his side! He looked down, incredulous, seeing the hilt of a bloody dagger protruding from his waist! He looked back at Li Ze, realization dawning in his dying eyes. “You… a spy…?”

“No,” Li Ze whispered coldly, leaning close. “I just want the Leader’s position.”

With a vicious horizontal slash, Li Ze twisted the dagger!

Shi Qing gasped, life draining from his eyes. He died, unable to close his eyes in disbelief.

The moment Shi Qing fell, Li Ze immediately discarded the dagger, his face twisting into a mask of grief and fury! He yelled out to the remaining fighters, “Brothers! The Alliance Leader has been killed by the Kunlun Sect Master! Retreat! Retreat quickly!”

Hearing this, the remaining black-robed cultivators panicked, turning their horses and fleeing desperately into the desert.

Ye Tianlong had remained vigilant throughout the battle, guarding the unconscious Ye Qing and Bǎi Tōngmíng with his sword drawn. Only when the Kunlun Sect had clearly won did he allow himself to relax slightly.

Suddenly, that familiar scent of rouge drifted to his nose again.

The mysterious blue-eyed woman who had saved him before appeared beside him, now wearing the grey robes of a Kunlun disciple! She offered him a gentle, reassuring smile. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Relax.”

Just as he started to process this, a sharp, stinging pain suddenly shot through Ye Tianlong’s arm! His eyelids felt impossibly heavy… His head swam… and he collapsed into darkness.

“Sect Master,” the woman – Arəya – reported softly to Shi Qingwu, “I have the person.”

Shi Qingwu smiled faintly, nodding in approval. “You’ve done well on this journey, Arəya.”