I Have Countless Past-life Identities-Chapter 78 - 62: Even If the ‘Sky’ Over Black Mountain Is Dark, Can It Really Suppress the Guardian?

Chapter 78: Chapter 62: Even If the ‘Sky’ Over Black Mountain Is Dark, Can It Really Suppress the Guardian?

[On the journey to the Zither Sword Pavilion, Xu Nian’s words pierced the veil between you and Ruan Xiuxiu.]

[The young girl was delighted by your praise, yet became burning with jealousy over your expressed feelings for Song Brahman Mirror. Ignoring your explicit and implicit hints, she gambled everything, intending to take what she wanted.]

[Because of the ’Qingli Jade Pendant’ and your nearly two-year friendship, you hesitated for a moment.]

[That slight hesitation allowed her to turn the tables on you, taking what she desired. Looking at her beautiful, affectionate face, your blood boiled, and you nearly lost control.]

[Fortunately, reason prevailed, halting you at the final step.]

[You pushed Ruan Xiuxiu away, staring at the girl whose act had sullied the proud Demon Hunting Robe she wore. She licked her lips, her eyes a mix of innocence and some fear, but when she saw your reaction, she smiled freely.]

[Her expression seemed to openly tell you that you were nothing more than a mere mortal.]

[From this moment, you realized deeply how ’wicked’ this girl truly was.]

["What a pity... If you had taken even one more step, you wouldn’t need to take up the post of Black Mountain Guardian just yet."]

["I would have taken you to Yunluan Mountain and Wutong Xie Mansion, inviting my master the Sword Observation Elder, along with your grandfather Old Mr. Xie Qiaoxuan, to witness the formal betrothal ceremonies, forcing you to comply!" the girl pouted, feeling a bit regretful.]

[She just wanted to seduce you.]

[And you knew she was telling the truth.]

[If you indeed followed through, you would have no choice but to comply. Given Ruan Xiuxiu’s sudden explosive nature, it’s likely that the Yunluan Sword Master and his precious daughter would have to come down the mountain to attend the ceremony.]

[Just imagining being seen by Song Brahman Mirror, hosting a grand banquet with this charming girl at Xie Mansion in Wutong Prefecture, made you dizzy. It felt like the world was spinning, and some matters were gradually getting out of your control.]

[But like a red thread tied by the Matchmaker, after such an event, you could no longer see Ruan Xiuxiu as just an unrelated passerby.]

[What you are thinking now is how to neutralize this relationship.]

[Perhaps...]

[You could return to Yunluan at a grand event when Song Brahman Mirror achieves her Yuan Condensing Pill status, and express your feelings to her, only to be gently declined with ’my sole ambition is to reach the pinnacle of Martial Dao’ — perhaps that would be the best outcome?]

[After all, to this point, your relationship with Song Brahman Mirror has been one-sided, with you alone wishing to forge a connection.]

[The carriage continued on its way to Black Mountain, and your thoughts grew increasingly complex, restless and troubled.]

[When you finally arrived at Black Mountain City, where you serve as the Guardian,]

[One teasing remark from Ruan Xiuxiu made you look over the entire mountain city in shock.]

[Everywhere you looked, there was ruin.]

[Ordinary people’s lives were tough, a stark contrast to the Prefecture City, with a pervasive sense of decay. Whether it was due to demonic interference or some ’Divine Blood Sect’ characters like ’Bai Qiuyi’ lurking, it was unclear.]

[Overall, however,]

[You have yet to start practicing the Orthodox Fist Dao’s ’Fenghuo Langyan, Green Blood and Red Heart’.]

[And the vigorous energy technique ’Dragon and Tiger True Gang’, aimed at the Yellow Court, hasn’t been completely mastered; you’ve barely skimmed the surface and are in dire need of cultivation resources.]

[As the Guardian, besides the salary from the government office, you must rely on collecting taxes, and your plan is to start with the noble clans and martial arts halls.]

[The former controls the economic lifeline of the city, salt and iron, and even if the city is in decline, the accumulated wealth is still significant.]

[The latter charges for martial arts training, enjoying success with little effort, continually supplying fresh blood to their supporting sects — all relying on you, the Lord Guardian.]

[How can they not share the profits while draining your resources?]

[Otherwise, where would the Guardian’s Vajra Impermeable, Enlightenment of the Yellow Court, Carefree Divine Soul come from, and where would he go to train?]

[With such thoughts, you grabbed a sturdy man at the city gate, and with the help of a familiar constable, made your way straight to the Black Mountain Outer City’s Government Office!]

[There, you met the Ninth-Grade Department Head of Black Mountain City.]

[A middle-aged man carrying a broadsword, tall and powerful, yet always bowed down.]

[For all his imposing stature, even taller than you, he kept his eyes lowered, seemingly indifferent to all matters.]

[Guided by the constable known as ’Zheng’, you arrived at the Government Office of Black Mountain.]

[The Black Mountain Department Head, Chen Zhao, treated you with great respect, explaining the various forces within the Inner City of Black Mountain City.]

["Controlling salt, iron, and essentials, monopolizing businesses, and nurturing gang henchmen outside the city, the Duan and Shi families have the support of three major orthodox martial arts school branches — Shaoyang Martial Arts Hall, Xuandu Martial Arts Hall, and Sword Spine Martial Arts Hall — along with the Commander of the Military Department, Liang Longwei, they are the pinnacle forces within the Inner City."]

["As the new Guardian, it’s prudent to meet these local leaders before proceeding with cultivation or issuing decrees." Chen Zhao laughed, hobbling on one leg, causing your eyebrows to furrow.]

["As the chief official of Black Mountain City, I’m accustomed to local influencers and subordinate officials coming to pay their respects to me. Why should I visit each one personally?"]