Young Noble Be Monster Slaying-Chapter 773: I Won’t Let You Down! (II)

Chu Liang thought of something, and he quickly said, "Senior Aunt Yan, you take him and hurry back to Mount Shu. We'll wrap things up here."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zi prepared to leave.

However, before she could depart, a radiant seven-colored cloud suddenly flew over from the east. It floated down to the ground in a flash.

As the cloud of qi dispersed, it revealed a middle-aged man clad in a dragon-patterned Daoist robe. His skin bore purple-blue markings, faintly resembling dragon scales. Bright flames danced in the vertical pupils of his eyes, shining with the intense glow of spiritual power.

"It's Immortal Cangqiu!"[1]

A wave of exclamations rippled through the crowd that had gathered some distance away from the palace. Their voices were filled with reverence as if they were witnessing an immortal descend from the heavens.

Haaaaaa, Chu Liang sighed inwardly. I guess it was bound to happen at some point. The Penglai Sect showed up at just the right moment.

Chu Liang had heard of Daoist Cangqiu before. He was an eighth-realm Eminent One, Daoist Cangsheng's junior brother, and one of the highest-ranking figures in the Penglai Supreme Sect. He wielded immense authority in the sect, overseeing the East Sea's island kingdoms and their immortal sects as well as the various beautiful hidden paradises.

As Daoist Cangqiu landed, he scanned the area before directing a cold gaze at Daoist Yan. He then questioned, "Fellow Daoists of Mount Shu, why have you come to stir up trouble in the East Sea?"

Daoist Yan replied nonchalantly, "We aren't the ones causing the trouble. There were people of the Fuyao Kingdom colluding with the Celestial Charm Sect to sow chaos. We simply intervened to uphold justice."

Chu Liang knew better than to try and get involved when the two eighth-realm Eminent Ones were conversing. Only those of the same cultivation realm could engage in discussions like that.

"The Fuyao Kingdom is a close neighbor of Penglai's. They have always given us a lot of support. If something happens here, it should be handled by the Penglai Supreme Sect. There's no need for outsiders like you to interfere," Daoist Cangqiu stated rudely.

Di Nufeng took a large stride forward and went straight for the verbal kill. "The fight's already over, and now you show up here flapping your mouth? Where were you earlier? Why not wait until Tomb Sweeping Day so you can also pay your respects to your dead bastard father and mother while you're at it?"

Others might not dare to interrupt the two eighth-realm Eminent Ones, but Di Nufeng would. Others might not dare to curse at Eminent Ones, but she absolutely would.

However, Daoist Cangqiu had a pretty good temperament. Instead of getting angry at Di Nufeng's colorful insults, he actually chuckled. "Rather than saying I arrived late, perhaps it's more accurate to say that all of you from the Mount Shu Sect arrived too early. I hurried over the moment I learned of the chaos here, only to find all of you already present. There must be more to this, a hidden story behind the chaos. And I intend to investigate thoroughly to find out what it is."

His words implied he suspected that it was the Mount Shu Sect that had stirred up trouble in the Fuyao Kingdom.

Chu Liang bowed politely and said, "There's no hidden story, Esteemed Senior. We were here attending to our own business and just so happened to witness the injustice.

"If there's nothing else, we will take our leave and return to our respective sects. We wouldn't want to interfere in the affairs between the Penglai Supreme Sect and the Fuyao Kingdom."

"Hold on. You may leave." Daoist Cangqiu slowly raised a hand and pointed at Jing Wuya. "But he stays."

Upon seeing Daoist Cangqiu, Jing Wuya, who was half dead, suddenly seemed to come alive with a glimmer of hope in his eyes—hope that he could survive this ordeal.

Di Nufeng turned to glare at Jing Wuya, causing him to quickly avert his gaze and adopt a weak, helpless, and pitiful expression.

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Di Nufeng shifted her gaze back to Daoist Cangqiu and spoke in a scathing tone. "We risked our lives in this battle just for this small gain. You think we'll leave him behind just because you said so? What is he to you, your father?"

"This matter was never something you should have interfered in," Daoist Cangqiu replied, his voice was cold and unwavering. "I won't hold you accountable for overstepping, but my sect must investigate the root cause of this incident. Naturally, that means you cannot take away the mastermind behind this incident. If you don't leave him behind, none of you will be leaving either."

The moment Di Nufeng heard that, she rolled up her sleeves, clearly getting riled up. "Heeeeeh!"

"Esteemed Teacher, Esteemed Teacher…" Chu Liang called out, hurriedly pulling her back.

He had a pretty good idea why Daoist Cangqiu was so adamant about keeping Jing Wuya.

For years, the general of the Royal Wave Bureau, Jing Wuya, had run rampant in the Fuyao Kingdom, standing on equal footing with the king. Yet, no moves had been made to remove him from power. Since they were within the Penglai Supreme Sect's territory, there was only one possibility as to why that was. He had likely given the Penglai Supreme Sect plenty of supplies, ensuring the sect would value him highly.

From the Penglai Supreme Sect's perspective, maintaining the Fuyao Kingdom's stability was beneficial because it ensured a steady flow of resources and disciples. Nevertheless, the Penglai Supreme Sect was a massive sect, with a far more complex hierarchy of power than that of the Mount Shu Sect. It was impossible for every member of the Penglai Supreme Sect to be free of personal ambition.

For example, Daoist Cangqiu oversaw the immortal sects of the East Sea's island kingdoms. If Jing Wuya had been bribing him handsomely while acknowledging the Penglai Supreme Sect as his true master, then Daoist Cangqiu would naturally turn a blind eye to his actions.

Even if Jing Wuya had successfully seized the throne, the Penglai Supreme Sect's control over the Fuyao Kingdom would remain unchanged. Daoist Cangqiu, on the other hand, would gain quite a bit.

It was like keeping two crickets in a fighting cage. No matter which cricket won, the true winner was always the master holding the cage.

However, if Jing Wuya fell into the hands of the Mount Shu Sect, it would find out about all of that, and Daoist Canqiu's dirty deals with Jing Wuya might get exposed.

The more Chu Liang understood this, the more determined he was to keep Jing Wuya. At this point, the conflict between the Mount Shu Sect and the Penglai Supreme Sect was already out in the open. There was no reason for the Mount Shu Sect to back down now.

To the righteous sects, someone like Jing Wuya was a highly valuable treasure trove of secrets. In some ways, he might even be more valuable than Immortal Yuan Lu.

Chu Liang straightened his back and puffed out his chest. He declared loudly, "The chaos in the Fuyao Kingdom placed the king's life in danger, and I just so happened to step in to save him. It was at the king's request for assistance that we captured this traitor today. The East Sea may be the Penglai Supreme Sect's domain, but the Fuyao Kingdom is not your personal property.

"Had I stood by and done nothing, allowing Jing Wuya to seize power, who knows how many innocent soldiers and civilians would have perished? Esteemed Senior Cangqiu, we of the Mount Shu Sect did not intervene to challenge the Penglai Supreme Sect's authority; we did it to save lives. We do not need Penglai's permission to take action; that permission was given to us by the people of the Fuyao Kingdom!"

Daoist Cangqiu watched Chu Liang intently. "Quite the silver tongue you have there."

He paused and then shouted, "Han Lingshou, get over here!"

His voice boomed like thunder, loud enough for Han Lingshou to hear. Han Lingshou had been waiting somewhere far off, not daring to get close.

When Daoist Cangqiu summoned him, Han Lingshou shook in alarm. He rushed over and answered, "Esteemed Cultivator Cangqiu!"

It was clear from his expression that his fear of the Penglai Supreme Sect ran deep.

Unfortunately, the king of the Fuyao Kingdom was not the only one suffering from this affliction. For many years, the people of the Fuyao Kingdom had lived under the Penglai Supreme Sect's control, and a strange mental state had taken root in all of them. They simultaneously revered, feared, and yearned for the Penglai Supreme Sect.

Daoist Cangqiu didn't even spare Han Lingshou a glance. Instead, he asked slowly, "Young Hero Chu said he saved your life and that he acted at your request for assistance. Is this true?"

"This…" Han Lingshou uttered hesitantly.

He looked at Chu Liang and then at Daoist Cangqiu. His eyes showed he was struggling with his conflicting feelings.

His true feelings were, of course, that he wanted to side with the people from the Mount Shu Sect. Although they were strangers, Chu Liang had stepped in heroically to save him and had helped him root out Jing Wuya—a malignant tumor growing in his kingdom. On all accounts, Chu Liang was both his and the Fuyao Kingdom's savior.

But…

Han Lingshou's gaze shifted to the citizens of the Fuyao Kingdom gathered beyond the palace walls.

As the king of this island kingdom, he couldn't completely sever ties with the Penglai Supreme Sect. He too had once been a passionate youth, full of ideals and ambitions, so he knew where Chu Liang was coming from.

But it won't work.

This was the Fuyao Kingdom. It was too far from the Heavenly Kingdom and too close to Penglai.

But Miss Xue is on the Mount Shu Sect's side. If I lie, would she despise me?

Han Lingshou glanced at Xue Lingxue. She gazed at him with an expectant look, hoping that he would side with them.

Ah…

Han Lingshou truly admired Miss Xue from the depths of his heart, but his fear of the Penglai Supreme Sect ran so deep that it was practically ingrained in his bones. For the rulers of the Fuyao Kingdom, this fear was like a hereditary disease.

Daoist Cangqiu's intent was obvious. Knowing Han Lingshou was nothing more than Penglai's loyal dog, Daoist Cangqiu was pressuring him to persuade the Mount Shu Sect to back down.

After all, how could he possibly speak the truth?

However… Han Lingshou suddenly turned his gaze to Lin Bei.

Lin Bei was standing nearby, looking at him with an encouraging expression.

When I met Brother Lin Bei, we instantly became friends. There is no doubt we're kindred spirits. Though our time together has been brief, it's as if our souls resonated together.

If Lin Bei were in my shoes, what would he choose? Would he ever be a treacherous, cowardly man who repays kindness with betrayal just to save himself?

No! Lin Bei, my brother, I will not let you down! True brothers stand together!

…

Daoist Cangqiu had been completely confident in the outcome. To the Penglai Supreme Sect, the king of the Fuyao Kingdom was nothing more than a herding dog. For generations, none of the kingdom's rulers had ever dared to defy the Penglai Supreme Sect. So, no matter what the truth was, Daoist Cangqiu was certain Han Lingshou would say what he wanted to hear.

He watched as Han Lingshou fell into deep thought, seemingly on the verge of surrendering to his fate. Yet, at that very last moment, he turned his gaze away, leaving Daoist Cangqiu in shock. Han Lingshou's eyes were suddenly ablaze with determination like he had been injected with incredible strength.

Daoist Cangqiu followed his gaze, only to see nothing more than a bushy-browed, large-eyed disciple of the Mount Shu Sect standing there.

What's so special about him? Daoist Cangqiu wondered.

Then Han Lingshou held his head high and puffed his chest out. He declared loudly, "It is true!"

1. His name translates to "dark blue young dragon with horns." ☜

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: LD

I'm disappointed. Di Nufeng's verbal tirade wasn't long enough.