Chapter 124: Chapter 121: Crane, Snake, Fire (2)

’Under the current circumstances, it seems running away is the best option!’

He Yujing asked in a calm voice, "Where is he now?"

Wang Daqian said, "Right above Ten Thousand Poison Cliff in Netherworld Valley. He has a Floating Cloud Immortal Residence."

Fang Cheng listened to the two of them talk without interrupting.

’After all, I’m just a newcomer to this world. It’s best to leave handling the current situation to the professionals.’

’If all else fails, I’ll just have to quietly kill that Zheng Family Life Talisman Cultivator.’

Then, He Yujing said calmly, "I will write a letter. I need you to deliver it to the Cao Family Master using a Bird of Thousand Thunders."

A look of delight appeared on Wang Daqian’s face. "Brother He, you have a connection with the Cao Family Master?"

He Yujing said, "I saved his life once, many years ago."

Wang Daqian clapped his hands in joy. "I can’t believe it! The three great families have always treated Netherworld Valley as their private reserve. Now that the Zheng Family is meddling, how could the Cao Family possibly let it slide? They just lacked an excuse. Now... there’s no time to lose. I’ll get right on it!"

He Yujing immediately penned a letter himself. Wang Daqian took the message and left the Cave Mansion, heading straight out to find a Bird of Thousand Thunders.

The Bird of Thousand Thunders was one of the fastest among Tier One Flying Birds. There was a Loose Cultivator in Netherworld Valley who specialized in taming these birds and was a long-time supplier for the major families.

He Yujing looked at Fang Cheng and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, let’s you and I go take a look."

"Alright." Fang Cheng nodded in agreement, then asked, confused, "Why not call for the Master of Suyun Cave?"

He Yujing sighed. "Fellow Daoist Ning isn’t skilled in combat. If we need to escape, we must go to her first. If we don’t, there’s no point in her coming."

After speaking, he added, "There is an Ancient Transmission Array in Suyun Cave. Fellow Daoist Ning repaired it three years ago."

Fang Cheng suddenly understood. ’So Suyun Cave is their escape route!’

The two of them walked out of Carefree Cave and soon arrived before Ten Thousand Poison Cliff.

High in the sky, a patch of cloud hung motionless. Atop it was a vermilion-towered structure with glazed tiles—the very Magical Artifact favored by family Elders when they traveled: a Floating Cloud Immortal Residence.

A rope dangled down from the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence, and hanging in mid-air was a fat Monk with large ears.

It was none other than Po Jie!

Only half of his left leg remained. A ball of purple flame burned slowly where his leg was severed, the missing half apparently having just been incinerated.

The Monk chanted Buddhist Scriptures, his expression solemn and dignified. He gazed down at the Loose Cultivators who had gathered to watch from the valley below with an expression of worldly pity, as if he weren’t the one being burned by the strange fire.

Fang Cheng asked in a low voice, "How long will it take for the Bird of Thousand Thunders to reach the Cao Family?"

He Yujing replied, "About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

Fang Cheng fell silent. ’Monk Po Jie clearly hasn’t sold us out. But for the Zheng Family to act like this... they really don’t behave like a family from a Xuanmen Orthodox Sect.’

’Can Monk Po Jie hold on until the Cao Family Cultivators arrive?’

’That remains to be seen.’

’My connection with Monk Po Jie is still shallow. Besides, in a situation like this, even if I had the ability to save him, I’d expose my true strength and draw suspicion from those who are watching.’

’I can only wait and see how things unfold.’

...

「Purple Cliff Cave.」

After Ye Yan returned, she settled the two Little Immortal Cranes and then instructed Die’Er, "Prepare a table of Spiritual Cuisine. I’m hosting the Master of Suyun Cave tonight."

Die’Er didn’t ask any questions. She just nodded and turned to her task.

Ye Yan took out a golden Message-Sending Flying Sword and inscribed a few words on it. The general message was that, to thank Ning Suyun for the gift of the cranes, she had specially prepared a Spiritual Cuisine banquet and was inviting her to grace them with her presence, and so on.

Then, she channeled her Magical Power and sent it off.

As evening fell, Ning Suyun and Wen Qianqian arrived, walking gracefully into Cyan Cliff Cave.

The Spiritual Cuisine Ye Yan had prepared was quite lavish and high-class, which secretly surprised the two women.

After the three had eaten for a while, Ye Yan made an excuse and called Wen Qianqian into the Quiet Chamber where Fang Cheng usually cultivated.

Then, she removed her disguise artifact, and a devastatingly beautiful face appeared before Wen Qianqian.

Wen Qianqian gasped softly, looking at her in disbelief. "Fellow Daoist Ye, how can it be you?"

Ye Yan smiled faintly. "This place is rich in Netherworld Heavy Water. I’ve been living here in seclusion to cultivate for some time now."

The story of how her attempt to refine Netherworld Heavy Water had failed, causing Profound Yin Cold Qi to corrode her meridians and Qi Sea, had spread throughout the Abyssal Marsh after the Ye Family’s Sword Fighting Conference.

Wen Qianqian had already heard about this, so she wasn’t surprised.

Wen Qianqian then asked, "Then... is he here too?"

Ye Yan nodded. "I saw that you seemed melancholic, Sister, as if troubled by something you couldn’t resolve. I guessed it might have something to do with my husband, which is why I revealed my true face to you."

Wen Qianqian gave a bashful, touched smile. "You must think me silly, Fellow Daoist. I’m so happy that you’ve acknowledged me. Don’t worry, I won’t reveal that you two are cultivating here."

Ye Yan took her hand and said with a smile, "We’re all sisters here, there’s no need to be so formal. Just keep up the act when we’re outside. We don’t want to reveal our identities for now. And as for my husband, please don’t blame him."

Wen Qianqian hummed softly in agreement. The gloom in her heart finally lifted as she said, "I’ll do whatever you say."

A moment later, Ye Yan put her disguise artifact back on and returned to the main hall with Wen Qianqian.

Ning Suyun looked at the two of them, puzzled.

Ye Yan smiled. "Sister Wen and I hit it off immediately. We were just discussing some private matters. I hope you don’t mind, Sister Suyun."

Ning Suyun couldn’t help but laugh. "What private matters could there be that I can’t hear? Mr. Chen isn’t here."

Ye Yan said gently, "We were talking about... matters between men and women. I noticed Sister Wen has a natural allure, so I asked her for some advice on bedroom secrets to please my husband. I was just afraid it would be too impolite in front of you, Sister Suyun, so we spoke privately for a moment."

Ning Suyun had lived alone for many years. Upon hearing this, she immediately thought of the many female Charm Arts, which involved numerous unspeakable details that were indeed not suitable for public discussion.

She spat lightly and said, half-amused and half-exasperated, "You two are really something else."

...

...

...

「Above Ten Thousand Poison Cliff.」

A mass of glowing clouds flew in from the distant sky, attracting the attention of many.

Seeing this, He Yujing said to Fang Cheng, "The Cao Family is here."

The glowing clouds stopped about a mile from Ten Thousand Poison Cliff, and a resonant voice called out, "I wonder which Elder of the Zheng Family I am addressing?"

From within the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence, a scorching, violent aura emerged, and a faint voice replied, "Feiyu of the Zheng Family is here."

The person within the glowing clouds did not reveal himself, but chuckled lightly and said, "So it’s little brother Feiyu. Do you still remember the trade fair in the Abyssal Marsh thirteen years ago?"

Inside the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence, a middle-aged man in a purple shirt opened a window, looked toward the glowing clouds, and said solemnly, "So it’s Brother Cao Kui. Why have you come here?"

The man in the glowing clouds said, "Little brother Feiyu, this isn’t the Flame God Palace’s territory, after all. Seeing as you’re acting this way, how can we just stand by and do nothing?"

The purple-shirted man said, displeased, "Brother Cao, you may not be aware, but this Monk below conspired with others to kill a disciple of my Zheng Family. If I don’t root out and kill the rest of his accomplices, where will the Zheng Family’s honor be?"

"Do you have any proof, little brother?" asked Cao Kui, who was hidden within the glowing clouds.

The purple-shirted man’s brow furrowed. "This... Brother Cao, do you really intend to interfere in this matter?"

Cao Kui laughed heartily. "Anything that happens in Netherworld Valley is the Cao Family’s business. If you’re not happy about it, little brother Feiyu, you can come over and we can have a little ’chat’."

The purple-shirted man replied, "I was just about to ask for a taste of Brother Cao’s profound techniques!"

With that, he transformed into a startling streak of fire and shot directly toward the glowing clouds.

The glowing clouds roiled like boiling water, instantly expanding to the size of an acre. Within them, fiery light blazed, darting left and right as their auras clashed violently.

The crowd of Cultivators watching from the valley below sensed the surging, astonishing power within the glowing clouds. They were filled with a mixture of envy and awe, and fearing they would be caught in the aftershocks of the battle between these Life Talisman Masters, they couldn’t help but scatter, not daring to get too close.

Fang Cheng and He Yujing watched from a distance within the crowd, silently analyzing which side was stronger.

Suddenly!

The glowing clouds flared brightly, and the flames within were extinguished as if pinched out. A sorry figure fled from the clouds and flew back to the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence.

The purple-shirted man, Zheng Feiyu, had actually been defeated!

His aura was diminished, and he stared in shock at the hazy figure within the glowing clouds, gritting his teeth. "No wonder you were so fearless, Brother Cao. You’ve already advanced to the Mid-Life Talisman Stage!"

Cao Kui said lightly, "You exaggerate, little brother. Netherworld Valley is under the protection of our three families. Next time the Zheng Family wants to cause trouble, you might want to bring a few more masters."

Zheng Feiyu snorted coldly and didn’t reply.

He glanced at Monk Po Jie, who was still hanging below the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he waved his hand, sending out a streak of fire, intending to burn the Monk to ashes.

Just then, a wisp of cloud flew over silently, wrapped itself around the Monk, and instantly pulled him back into the glowing clouds.

"Stay your hand, little brother. This Monk and I share a bit of karma."

Cao Kui laughed from within the glowing clouds.

Zheng Feiyu’s face was ashen. "Fine. A good move, Brother Cao. Zheng Mou will remember this."

After speaking, the Floating Cloud Immortal Residence gracefully turned and flew off into the distant sky.

The glowing clouds also departed slowly.

...