Love & Redemption
Chapter 129: Volume 3, Heartless Xuanji, - 36: Betrayal (Part 2)

Chapter 129: Volume 3, Heartless Xuanji, Chapter 36: Betrayal (Part 2)

Cultivation is the mission, the Immortal World is the destination, and becoming immortal is like XXOO—since you can’t resist it, might as well enjoy it. Yuan Bupo’s new book number: 1018852, everyone go support it~~

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Encounters are very mysterious things, often leading people to meet strange individuals at strange times. Then, long after the event, when you look back, you realize that all these meetings seem to have been arranged by an invisible hand all along. Everything is just too coincidental, not a bit more, not a bit less.

As they made their way through the long corridor of the great hall, everyone kept guessing who the so-called Deputy Hall Master and Hall Master might be and whether they would be someone familiar. However, the moment they finally saw him, they had an epiphany.

This person was sitting in the seat at the center of the side hall, with two rows of huge torches in the hall casting jumping flames and swaying shadows on his face. He appeared so focused that he even seemed somewhat immature, bending over to trim his nails. His hands were slender and pale, each nail trimmed neatly, yet he was still unsatisfied, holding a small knife and scraping carefully, bit by bit.

His hair was also meticulously tied back, revealing a full forehead without a single stray hair, and compared to the others around him who were unkempt, he was truly clean and refreshing. He wore a black robe embroidered with large camellia flowers around the chest and collar. Had it not been for the setting and the atmosphere, he would have looked just like a carefree and wealthy young master sitting leisurely by a bridge in a drizzle outside a tavern.

Wu Tong.

This person, almost forgotten by them, appeared so abruptly, yet so naturally.

The one who had led them in murmured, "Right Deputy Hall Master, the guests have been brought."

Wu Tong let out a light "mm" and casually said, "Please, have a seat, and serve the tea. These are all old acquaintances, treat them well."

Someone immediately invited them to sit, and soon a pot of fine tea was presented, emitting a fragrance that was entirely out of place in the gloomy hall.

No one spoke; strangely, not a single person took the initiative to break the silence, and the atmosphere in the hall was so quiet it was awkward. Wu Tong seemed utterly unaware and continued trimming his nails, head down. Xuanji picked up a cup, watched the long tea leaves tumble inside, and couldn’t help but break the eerie stillness.

"How could it be you?"

Her question came even more abruptly.

Wu Tong slowly put down the small knife, looked up, his gaze flickering, and Xuanji felt as if a venomous snake was eyeing her, causing the hair on her spine to stand on end—there was a sense of immense danger. It had been over four years since she’d seen him, and his previous overt sharpness and sarcasm seemed to have been swallowed by a serene and smooth exterior. His eyes, like snow, like ice, yet beneath the frost, there was a fire burning, frightening to behold.

"It’s me," he drawled while patting his robe to dust off the nail clippings, smiling faintly, "Speaking of which, I should thank the Shaoyang Sect for their benevolence. Offering a bounty of a hundred gold for my capture—without your attention, Wu Tong wouldn’t be in the position he is today. I’m truly grateful."

The moment he spoke, his underlying sharpness and malevolence could no longer be concealed. His thank you was like the stab of a knife.

Xuanji set down her tea cup and looked at him coldly, cutting to the chase, "I know—it was you who abducted Linglong and drew out her two souls and six spirits. You’ve always harbored resentment, always thinking of revenge against us, yet you dare not confront the entire Shaoyang Sect directly, so you resort to such despicable means. Despicable!"

Her words were anything but polite; the guards on either side immediately gripped their treasure swords, ready to hack the impudent girl to pieces as soon as Wu Tong gave the word.

Surprisingly, Wu Tong was not angered, merely responding indifferently, "Miss Chu is being too severe. That little incident is hardly something I’d dwell on so persistently. As for not daring to confront Shaoyang..." He chuckled darkly and said, "It’s best not to speak too confidently. Does Miss Chu understand?"

Xuanji was about to retort but bit her tongue hard when Yu Sifeng tugged at her finger.

"You ought to be human," Yu Sifeng said gravely, "since you’re human, how can you collude with demons? Have you not considered the consequences of releasing that demon?"

Wu Tong snorted from his nose, and after a long pause, he slowly said, "The Five Great Sects, with all their prestigious demeanor, joined forces to deal with an ordinary disciple like me, eager to kill me swiftly. The taste of being driven to a dead end, I suppose you have never experienced. Humans wanted to kill me, but a demon saved me. Isn’t it laughable to talk about ’humans and demons’ now?"

Yu Sifeng was somewhat at a loss for words. When the Five Great Sects issued the warrants for his capture, it truly was making a mountain out of a molehill. The Palace Master had also said that it would be fine if this man were killed, but if he couldn’t be killed, he’d certainly become a future threat. It turned out he was right; he had indeed become a threat, a fatal one at that.

The atmosphere became awkward again, and Ruo Yu suddenly stood up, clasped his hands with a smile, and said, "Mr. Wu Tong’s reputation precedes him. With such integrity, you must be someone who does not do things underhandedly. May I be so bold as to ask, what is your intention in bringing Linglong and Chen Minjue to Buzhou Mountain?"

He went straight to the heart of the matter. Wu Tong raised his eyebrows noncommittally and after some thought, he said, "Nothing much, I just wanted to see what that little girl had become after not seeing her for a few years. I didn’t expect her to turn into a beauty, and found myself reluctant to let her go in the end."

He chuckled lightly. Zhong Minyan’s face alternated between green and white as he gritted his teeth in silence.

"Now that Mr. Wu Tong holds a high position, surely you will not concern yourself with past grievances, nor take to heart the likes of us junior disciples," Ruo Yu said softly. "Since you were willing to let us in, it means there is room for negotiation. Let us speak openly and clearly."

His words were quite eloquent, and Wu Tong watched him approvingly, chuckling, "Unexpectedly, Lize Palace indeed has talented individuals."

"You flatter me."

Wu Tong appeared somewhat listless as he propped his head up, glanced over at them, and said indifferently, "Let’s trade a life for a life. You choose two people to give to me, and I will swap Linglong’s soul and spirit with Chen Minjue’s. How does that sound? Fair enough?"

Xuanji could not hold back and exclaimed, "No! It was you who kidnapped them first! This kind of exchange is inherently unfair!"

Wu Tong rubbed his brows wearily and sighed, "Does that mean the deal is off?"

"You’re going too far..." Before Xuanji could finish speaking, she saw Wu Tong’s wrist swing softly, and with a "snap," the small nail-trimming knife he had been toying with in his hand suddenly shot towards her face. She didn’t expect the knife to fly so fast; it reached her in the blink of an eye. Wanting to dodge but being too slow and unable to muster her True Qi due to her injuries, she found herself unable to move, standing there frozen.

Zhong Minyan, who had been sitting beside silently, suddenly rose to his full height. His movements were as quick as lightning. Lifting his hand and gently brushing his sleeve, he wrapped the flying knife in it, then with a reverse toss, he aimed it at Wu Tong’s face.

"How dare you!"

The surrounding guards rushed up in an uproar, encircling Zhong Minyan and striking down with their disordered blades. His expression unwavering, he calmly spun around, and the clanging of metal filled the air. As he steadied his footsteps, the blades of the guards broke in half and clattered to the ground. He held a piece of a broken blade between the fingers of each hand, slowly dropped them to the floor, and looked quietly at Wu Tong.

Wu Tong showed a hint of pleasant surprise, stroking his chin while fiddling with the small knife thrown back by Zhong Minyan, and praised, "Impressive, the Shaoyang Sect’s renowned Finger Skill, I’m seeing it for the first time. You’re quite skilled."

Zhong Minyan said dryly, "The Right Deputy Hall Master is too kind."

Wu Tong stroked his palm and sighed, "What a pity, such talent is always in the hands of others! Chu Lei, that old fool, doesn’t know how to appreciate talent but his disciples are indeed capable! What a waste."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing him curse Chu Lei as an "old coot." Xuanji, aware that she couldn’t win a war of words, could only turn her head away with a face pale with anger, pretending not to hear.

Zhong Minyan spoke in a low voice, "I dare not claim to be so. I’ve long been expelled from my Sect and no longer qualify as a disciple of Shaoyang."

"Oh? How did you get expelled from the Sect?" Wu Tong seemed interested.

Zhong Minyan bit his lip and said indifferently, "I saved someone on Fuyu Island who was a serious offender in their eyes. My master was furious over it."

He was lying! Both Xuanji and Yu Sifeng were taken aback.

Wu Tong sneered, "I knew it! All these Cultivation Sects, who knows how many dirty deeds they do behind the scenes! Good on you for saving that person! You should be happy to have been expelled!"

Zhong Minyan said earnestly, "One day as a teacher is like a lifetime as a father. Please, Hall Master, do not insult my respected master!"

Wu Tong smiled slightly, "You do have a sense of loyalty. Not bad, not bad!"

He clapped his hands, "Well then! I was going to trade life for life, but now I’m somewhat reluctant. You were expelled without cause, and you must be feeling unjust and have nowhere to turn. Why not join me? Forget all those Cultivation Sect rules. Treat them like dog crap! They have let you down, and as a man, it is better to be killed than to be humiliated. Why bother with them anymore!"

Zhong Minyan’s eyes flickered for a moment before he spoke in a low voice, "I am flattered by your high regard, Deputy Hall Master, but I am unworthy. There is no principle of following two masters in this world, and after this incident, my heart has grown cold, so I must regretfully decline your generous offer."

Wu Tong shook his head, then suddenly clapped his hands and ordered his men, "Go to the back and bring over the person from the ’Yu’ prison cell. And while you’re at it... bring that thing too."

Nobody knew what he ordered his subordinates to bring, and they all watched him. Xuanji looked at Zhong Minyan and moved her lips slightly, softly calling out, "Sixth Brother..."

He did not turn around, and after a long pause, he said softly, "Don’t call me Sixth Brother. I’m no longer your Senior Brother."

Her heart ached, and she stammered, "Father... Papa expelled you only in a fit of anger! I—I am treated no differently..."

Zhong Minyan still did not turn back, his voice flat, "You are his daughter, it won’t come to expelling you. You don’t need to comfort me, I have already accepted the reality."

Xuanji said anxiously, "But what you just said is clearly..."

Zhong Minyan did not let her finish, cutting her off quickly, his voice particularly icy, "A true man, having been expelled, will never indulge in the humiliation of begging and crying! Say no more!"

"But you can’t join this place either... have you forgotten? Linglong and Second Senior Brother were both captured by him!"

Xuanji found it unbelievable, feeling even more distant from him with each exchange. This man standing tall, with his back to her, was clearly a stranger. Definitely not the impulsive yet kind Zhong Minyan she knew.

Zhong Minyan fell silent for a long while, then suddenly turned around, his gaze cold as he looked at her intensely, and spoke in a low voice, "They were not as skilled, there was nothing that could be done."

Xuanji had nothing to say, feeling as if her mind was chaotically disturbed by him without reason, unable to sort things out. Yu Sifeng tugged at her sleeve from the side, signaling her not to speak anymore.

After a while, those subordinates indeed pushed out a person tied up tightly. The person was covered in blood, yet spirited, walking briskly with head held high and chest out. A hemp gag was stuffed in his mouth, preventing speech, only allowing him to make whimpering noises. His eyes seemed to shoot out flames, glaring fiercely at Wu Tong as if he intended to devour him with his gaze.

"Second Senior Brother!" Xuanji cried out in shock, stepping forward to support him but was immediately blocked by the guards drawing their swords.

Indeed, that person was Chen Minjue. Turning his head and seeing Xuanji and the others, joy overflowed his face, but it lasted only a moment before turning into worry.

Wu Tong waved his hand, "Let him speak."

Someone promptly pulled the hemp gag from Chen Minjue’s mouth. He coughed violently, swearing indistinctly through his coughs, "Fuck your ancestors for eighteen generations! If you dare, just kill me! I’m not afraid of you lot, a bunch of bottom-feeder trash!"

Wu Tong smiled faintly, unfazed by his foul language, simply saying, "Min Yan, no need to hide anything from me. You came here again to save your senior and junior sect brothers and sisters, didn’t you? How about this, as long as you stay to help me, I’ll let them take back both this man and your junior sister’s soul."

Zhong Minyan did not deny it, asking, "What about Linglong’s soul?"

Wu Tong’s smile broadened as he gently stroked his chin, speaking softly, "I nearly forgot, you two are a pair of lovers. You’re really willing to do anything for your lover. I admire such a sentimental man."

A subordinate handed over a tiny purple crystal bottle, inside which a few clusters of Cang Lan’s flame danced lightly, like fireflies, joyous and lively. He held the bottle in his hand, saying lightly, "Linglong’s two souls and six spirits are right here."

Everyone couldn’t contain their impulse upon hearing this. Zhong Minyan was visibly shaken, involuntarily stepping forward and reaching out as if to take it.

Wu Tong covered it with his hand, "Wait! I’ve offered a gesture of sincerity, shouldn’t you offer some as well?"

Zhong Minyan stared at the little bottle, as if all his soul were floating along with Linglong inside. After a long while, he suddenly unfastened his treasure sword from his waist, brushed the hem of his garment, and knelt down deftly, his voice firm, "Right Deputy Hall Master above! I, Zhong Minyan, am willing to do my utmost for the Deputy Hall Master! Henceforth, I shall have no second thoughts! Should I betray today’s pledge, may I bleed from seven orifices and die a terrible death!"

As these words fell, Wu Tong burst into laughter and tossed over the crystal bottle. Xuanji quickly snatched it, treasuring it in her palm like a precious jewel, her hands trembling, as if she was holding the entirety of a life’s weight and feared breaking it. She stared blankly at the fragile two souls and six spirits in the bottle, feeling a burning sensation in her eyes, unable to hold back the tears.

"Wait a moment."

Suddenly, someone spoke up. Everyone turned around to see Ruo Yu stepping forward from the crowd, joining Zhong Minyan in kneeling, proclaiming loudly, "I am Ruo Yu from Li Ze Palace. Zhong Minyan and I are like brothers; we also swore to share both fortune and trials. Now that he pledges allegiance to the Deputy Hall Master, I cannot betray our oath! I ask the Deputy Hall Master to take us in!"

Even Yu Sifeng was so shaken that he couldn’t stand firm. His face went pale as he incredulously stared at the two kneeling in the hall, as if they had suddenly become someone else, strangers who he had never recognized at all.

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The word count for today’s update should be quite substantial. ^_^

It’s the last day of May, asking for monthly tickets~~~~~~ If you have monthly tickets, please don’t be stingy~~ I shamelessly come asking~ (To be continued. If you wish to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters available, support the author, support genuine reading!)