My Journey to Immortality Begins with Hunting
Chapter 221 – A Battle Where Everyone Wins - Part 2

Chapter 221 – A Battle Where Everyone Wins - Part 2

Far away, in a tall pavilion more than 5 kilometers from the scene, a figure wrapped in white gauze stood holding a folding fan, gazing into the distance.

Through his eyes, the ordinary streets of the city seemed to fade, replaced by a clear view of Li Yuan’s home at 78 Peach Blossom Alley.

The man snapped the fan shut and turned away. “Poor, foolish Guo Guangdan.”

A young woman wearing a pale green gauze robe and matching ruqun stood behind him. “What happened, Patriarch?”

He tapped the fan against his palm. “Guo Guangdan went to extort Li Yuan for a favor—a recommendation from Gu Xuejian for that worthless clan head of his.”

“Li Yuan?” The green-robed girl’s eyes lit up. “Oh, right, the family of that new direct disciple Gu Xuejian just took in. So Guo Guangdan tried pushing him around, hoping Li Yuan would use up his precious favor with Gu Xuejian to help him out? I guess he figured Li Yuan wouldn’t want to waste it and would trade it to the Guo Clan for some benefit. That doesn’t sound so dumb, so why call Guo Guangdan poor and foolish?”

The figure turned around and recounted everything he had just witnessed to the young woman behind him. She listened intently, frowning in thought.

He went on, “Guo Guangdan is shallow. He flew into a rage from a few taunting words. That’s the first sign of his foolishness.

“Then, once he got angry, he tried to attack but he didn’t have the nerve to follow through. That’s his second foolish move.

“Not only did he pull his punch, he still had to smash a wall in Li Yuan’s home, kicking up dust so everyone around could see. That’s the third.

“And after all that, he threatened Li Yuan, telling him not to regret what happened, before stalking off in a huff. That’s the fourth bit of stupidity.”

The young woman stood there, eyes wide with amazement. “Didn’t you once say no one who reaches the fifth rank can really be considered simple?”

The figure nodded. “I did. But I also told you that when you’re trapped in the middle of a power struggle, you often can’t see the bigger picture. Guo Guangdan is being used.”

“Used by whom?”

“Someone who doesn’t want Gu Xuejian’s lineage to become any stronger.”

She gasped. “You mean—”

“Shh. Don’t say it out loud.”

She stamped her foot in frustration. “Why do they have to act like this? We’re already fighting so many battles outside, the temple itself is constantly deploying families to assist disciples on missions. And yet they still carry on these internal feuds?”

He gave her a wry smile. “Let me ask you. Do you get any benefits from just killing the enemy?”

She shook her head.

“And do you get benefits from climbing higher within the temple hierarchy?”

She nodded.

“So if someone can drag you down while you’re busy fighting outside, isn’t that the most convenient moment to do it?”

The girl fell silent. She wasn’t yet used to the darkness lurking in the world around her, and it left her unsettled. Feeling she couldn’t do anything about it, she changed the topic. “So, why do you care about this Li Yuan?”

“Because he’s a sixth rank martial artist who also has a very gifted son. A boy only seven years old yet already taken as Gu Xuejian’s direct disciple. I’ve got a good guess why. And from what I saw, Li Yuan himself isn’t just sixth rank; he’s clever, and he’s got nerves of steel.”

The young woman clapped her hands in delight. “Got it. You want to recruit him cheaply while he’s under the radar, then reap the rewards when he shows his value!”

With a flick of his folding fan, he smacked her lightly on the head. “How many times have I told you? Treat people with sincerity. I’m not trying to snatch up a bargain.”

Rubbing her head, her large eyes brimming with complaint, she mumbled, “Don’t hit me... You’re the one who taught me all those tricks in the first place.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The next day.

A cold, lonely street stretched ahead. The banner of the Ginger Tavern fluttered in the breeze. The alley was nearly deserted, and those who passed by rarely bothered stepping inside. The tavern’s enthusiastic barkeep now sat inside on a wooden bench, shoulders drooping, a spotless cloth draped over one arm. He let out a weary sigh.

“Old Lin,” he asked the man beside him, “why did we ever leave Gemhill? We were doing fine there, but now look at us... Sure, this place is prosperous, but—”

He trailed off miserably, nearly in tears. The person he was speaking to was Lin Silang, who’d once been captured by kidnappers but then became part of the tavern staff. Now he served as manager, and though he had no martial skill to speak of, he was utterly loyal to Li Yuan and his wife.

Lin Silang said, “The master has a broad vision we can’t possibly fathom, Xiao Sun. Instead of complaining, maybe you should be outside drumming up more business.”

“I’m not complaining about the master,” Xiao Sun replied with a sigh. “The master and madam have been so good to us; I’d never turn on them. But I know how good our wine is, and these troublemakers that keep showing up; they’re doing it just to ruin our reputation. Once that’s gone, no one will step inside.”

Just then, there was a sudden clamor outside, and a group of roughly ten people in black streamed in, pulled out chairs, and sat around a table.

“Waiter!” they called. “Bring us your best wine and food!”

Xiao Sun scrambled over, wearing a welcoming smile. “What would you like to order, sirs? Our signature dishes—”

He didn’t even finish before the leader waved a dismissive hand. “Give us two of everything on your menu! As for wine, each of my brothers here wants two jars of your best stuff. Don’t worry, we can afford it!”

He pulled a gold ingot from his robe and slammed it onto the table with a loud thud, shouting, “Well? Hurry up!”

“Yes, sirs, right away!” Xiao Sun said quickly, grateful for actual customers at last. The troublemakers before had only come one or two at a time. Surely these men couldn’t all be here just to cause problems...right?

But moments later—

Bang! The leader smashed one of the wine jars onto the floor. The rich aroma of the Springdream Brew filled the air. Kicking at the shards underfoot, he sneered, “What is this swill? Even dogs wouldn’t drink it!”

Someone else piped up, “And look at this dish, ugh! I see two flies in here! What kind of place are you running?”

“Pack it in and go beg on the streets,” another jeered. “You’ll be better off than running a dump like this!”

Boom! Crash! The tavern erupted into chaos. Suddenly, a man with speckled white hair darted out from the back. He stood with a long blade touching the ground, cold eyes fixed on the troublemakers.

Xiao Sun and the other terrified staff rushed to him as if he were their savior, calling out, “Master Zhou! Master Zhou!”

This was Zhou Jia.

He glared at the dozen or so men, his gaze icy.

Their leader tilted his chin up. “Oh, so you brought out your hired muscle? You out-of-towners really don’t know how things work here. You gonna kill us inside the city walls?”

Zhou Jia took a step forward, one hand gripping the blade’s hilt.

Screech! A piercing whine split the silence like a razor slicing through paper. Immediately, an eerie vibration began to rise from the blade, like a demonic shriek building toward a frantic pitch.

Alarmed, the leader involuntarily backed up several paces.

Zhou Jia stepped forward again.

All ten-plus men stepped back in unison.

He advanced once more, and they continued to retreat...until the last man at the threshold tripped backward over the door’s raised sill with a startled yelp, then turned tail and ran.

Seeing him flee, the rest bolted as well, sprinting into the busy street shouting, “The Ginger Tavern is killing people, killing people in there!”

Zhou Jia watched them go, then sheathed his blade. Though his face looked pale, he allowed himself a slight exhale of relief.

Four years ago, after experiencing Li Yuan’s City Toppler skill, Zhou Jia had regained his confidence and ambition. With proper resources to nurture his health, he’d since returned to the seventh rank.

Yet he still hadn’t managed to recreate the Fallen Moon School’s life chronicle, nor had he actually learned City Toppler. Even pouring his heart and soul into it, he’d only grasped ten percent of the skill, just enough to draw his blade but not enough to fully unleash it.

That small fraction, however, was more than enough to frighten away these troublemakers without even drawing blood.

Zhou Jia lifted his gaze, seeming to stare either at the sky or perhaps the second floor of the tavern, a look of reverence flickering in his eyes. No one understood better than him just how terrifying the master he followed was. If Li Yuan was so formidable, then by following in his footsteps, surely Zhou Jia would someday recreate the Fallen Moon School’s life chronicle as well.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

Before long, more commotion arose in front of the Ginger Tavern. A patrol of black-clad bailiffs appeared, striding over with harsh calls.

“Someone reported this tavern as a front for criminal activity! We’re here to search the place.”

Lin Silang hurried out to greet them with a placating smile. “Sirs, we would never—”

He got no further before the lead bailiff waved him aside, and the others immediately fanned out to conduct a thorough search.

One officer strode to the counter, yanking open a wooden drawer. His lips twitched as if he’d almost spoken, then thought better of it. He rummaged around a bit more, checking every nook and cranny.

The other bailiffs did the same, methodically combing through the premises.

A long while passed...then another. Finally, the bailiffs regrouped, conferred among themselves, and the lead bailiff, looking perplexed, slammed his hand on the table and barked, “Move out!”

Just like that, they filed away as abruptly as they’d arrived, apparently leaving empty-handed.