My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 184 - 163: Do You Know Chen Yi?

Chapter 184: Chapter 163: Do You Know Chen Yi?

The insane Sutra Master seemed unfazed by Chen Yi’s disrespectful words and instead asked, "You do not listen to the Buddhist Law?"

"No." Chen Yi answered decisively.

The Sutra Master swayed his head, as though puzzled, his gaze sharp. "Why not listen?"

Chen Yi replied, "I’ve already told you, you’re an idiot."

"......"

The Sutra Master froze for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Few in the world truly recognize me."

He pulled out a gourd, took large gulps of wine, then began to sway and dance wildly, his movements haphazard and full of opening points.

Yin Tingxue watched the bizarre man with wide eyes, utterly confused.

Chen Yi remained silently seated at the table, half his face obscured by shadows, making it impossible to discern his expression.

From afar on the river, when he first laid eyes on the man, Chen Yi was unsure. Now, seeing him up close, he confirmed it: he knew the Sutra Master’s history.

Once a Martial Arts Third Rank, he practiced lesser Buddhist teachings, achieving the seventh stage of Srotāpanna. But because the Tongbei Divine Ape had stolen the golden Buddha statue from his monastery, his cultivation had plummeted.

"Are you here for the Wuxiang Zen Master’s vestment robe as well?"

After his drunken antics, the Sutra Master suddenly posed the question.

"No."

If it wasn’t necessary, Chen Yi had no desire to get involved with him.

Only because the figure’s backstory and objectives were troublesome, lengthy, and had nothing to do with any female protagonist.

The Sutra Master appeared despondent, shaking his head and muttering:

"Everyone seeks the robe, but you do not. Odd, truly odd. Well, perhaps we shall meet again someday."

Drinking his wine, the Sutra Master vanished outside the tavern’s entrance.

Chen Yi pondered over his words.

Jianghu guests gathered at the Joyful Sect’s mountain gate for the Wuxiang Zen Master’s vestment robe. Could this mean the last heir of the Joyful Sect was hidden somewhere within its ruins?

If that were the case, perhaps the entire vicinity of the Joyful Sect’s ruins had already become a battleground of bloodshed and chaos.

The situation was dire. Investigations must proceed carefully; chaos would be counterproductive.

After meeting Zhou Yitang, Chen Yi rose slowly, ready to depart.

On the small path outside the tavern, a figure emerged, standing eight feet tall, gaunt-faced, and pale.

Zhang Xuqu had just entered the Capital Region last night and today used Qinggong to reach the Joyful Sect’s mountain gate, intent on finding the last remaining heir of the Joyful Sect.

Having recently crossed the river, he intended to head straight into the ruins but unexpectedly spotted the insane Sutra Master here. He had secretly tracked him, confirming his departure before stepping forward.

Entering the tavern, Zhang Xuqu saw the man who had recently conversed with the Sutra Master and naturally seated himself across from him.

Turning his gaze, he noticed the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl beside him. Zhang Xuqu, a coarse man, struggled to find words to describe her beauty. He could only think, "An absolute stunner."

After a fleeting glance, Zhang Xuqu wisely withdrew his gaze. Having roamed Jianghu for years, he instinctively knew some rules and courtesies. The world was vast, yet there was never a shortage of tragedies where a single longer stare at such beauties led to drawn swords and deadly clashes.

"Sir, might I ask if you’re heading up the mountain?"

"Having come this far, is there need to ask?"

Chen Yi replied casually, unwilling to talk further.

Seeing this, Zhang Xuqu grinned and said,

"Little Brother truly meant no offense, but seeing that lunatic had spared you sparked my curiosity."

The man in the straw hat nodded slightly, as though accepting the explanation.

"You must be a local, yes?"

"I am."

"Good. Little Brother would like to ask, do you know someone?"

"Who?"

"The former West Factory Thousand Households, surname Chen, given name Yi."

Throughout his journey, Zhang Xuqu had heard numerous tales about the former West Factory Thousand Households. He was also entrusted by a pharmacy shopkeeper’s wife to confront him for an explanation.

Jianghu folk valued righteousness. A Broken Swordsman might traverse a thousand miles for a single drink, and Zhang Xuqu felt honor-bound to pay back his own debt of life-saving grace.

"You mean... Chen Yi, the former West Factory Thousand Households?" The straw-hatted man asked flatly.

Zhang Xuqu replied, "Correct. I’ve heard his blade is swift; they say in Jianghu he’s called ’Wind-Slicing, Rain-Cleaving’."

"He’s likely in the Capital City. Rumor has it he’s about to enter the Spring and Autumn Records, making future feuds and vendettas nearly impossible."

The straw-hatted man stated.

"Thank you, Sir. I should ascend the mountain soon."

Having learned the details, Zhang Xuqu turned and left the tavern, his figure disappearing from sight.

Yin Tingxue’s small hands were already drenched in sweat.

Chen Yi smiled and patted her head. Anticipating such encounters beforehand, he had already explained everything clearly to her.

Therefore, Yin Tingxue’s expressions had not betrayed any oddities earlier, nor had she been noticed.

"Who was that? Why is he looking for you?" Yin Tingxue asked aloud.

"Tongbei Divine Ape Zhang Xuqu, early years a thief. His Qinggong is unparalleled: though merely fourth or fifth-grade, it’s renowned across the land."

"I see. So, he’s strong?"

"He may not be formidable, but he has a powerful friend."

"Who?"

"The Sixth-ranked swordsman, Broken Swordsman. Extremely strong, close to my master. They even dueled once."

After saying this, Chen Yi casually recounted some of Broken Swordsman’s tales to Yin Tingxue. The little fox was unfamiliar with most martial arts luminaries on the rankings; having only heard their names, she knew few details. Broken Swordsman’s origin from Western Jin made him even more of a stranger to the princess who rarely left her Prince Mansion.

"Many have gathered at the Joyful Sect’s ruins. If others don’t provoke us, we avoid troubling them. But if anyone crosses us, we’ll make sure they understand the consequences. Otherwise, they’ll push further, ignorant of boundaries. It’s often said that walking Jianghu requires at least three parts of killing intent—the reason’s clear."

Yin Tingxue nodded repeatedly, seemingly enlightened. Her almond-shaped eyes followed Chen Yi, realizing that while she disliked accompanying him, there were undeniable benefits. In fact, since she’d become his concubine, he’d begun sharing much more.

"Alright, let’s head up the mountain."

Judging the passing of time until Zhang Xuqu was far enough, Chen Yi decided it was time to leave the tavern with Yin Tingxue.

.........

"You’re saying that was Chen Yi?"

Lu Ying turned her head and asked.

The two of them had been waiting here for someone, and from afar they had caught sight of none other than the former West Factory Thousand Households Chen Yi.

Dong Gong Ruoshu never doubted her memory. "I wouldn’t mistake him. That has to be him, and isn’t he here for the Joyful Sect heir as well?"

Lu Ying, however, was conflicted.

Born into the Lu family of Huai’an in Western Jin, she had been sent to the mountain at an early age. While initially pushed towards the outer sect due to her poor innate talent, she was chosen by the Sword Armor Peak Master of Yin Sword Mountain and taken to Cangwu Peak, where she learned Taoist skills.

Later, she made a name for herself at the Qingjiang Taoist Conference, her fame drawing waves of Peak Masters to Cangwu Peak, some from outside sects extending secret olive branches.

Yet, despite the allure, she never left the secluded Cangwu Peak—even though the Sect Leader had discreetly urged her numerous times, hoping to make her his direct disciple.

This was because she didn’t want to leave Zhou Yitang.

Her master, a figure like a mother to her...

And now, she had been taken by that man called Chen Yi?

Lu Ying’s thoughts were in utter disarray when the person they were waiting for appeared slowly.

A white-robed female crown, carrying the Peach Wood Sword at her waist, horsetail whisk in hand, walked through the lush forest and wild grass as if ascending to immortality.