Editor: chestnutwhale
Jiang Yinghe originally wanted to only take Huanhan along to resolve this matter since only he knew about it.
He obviously underestimated the observational abilities of his other two disciples.
This hotel was across the street from that brothel, so women with curvaceous bodies and ruby red lips were a common sight. But there were no beautiful ladies in a wide radius centered on Jiang Yinghe.
He silently took a sip of his tea and glanced at Chang Ye who sat beside him–
The youthful youngest disciple had an outstanding appearance. Although half his face was hidden, it only served to give him a mysterious aura. The half that was visible was white and delicate and graceful beyond compare. He could not even be mentioned in the same breath as the ladies who had god knows how many layers of makeup caked on.
Jiang Yinghe’s standards of beauty had been completely rebuilt from the ground up by these guys. He realized why no one was approaching when he saw the light smile on his little disciples face as he served him tea.
Chang Ye was just too attractive. Far away from their table, a group of girls previously considered to be the best-looking in this establishment peered over and quietly expressed their admiration. Yet not one volunteered to try and sit beside Chang Ye.
They assumed that the youth was Jiang Yinghe’s pampered bed warmer. Their faces lightened with peculiar smiles as they continued whispering.
“An aloof gong with a soft shou ah, isn’t this a match made in heaven? I feel like my professional pride has been hurt by a boy.”
“The other two are also easy on the eyes. With four handsome faces like that at a table, who can possibly be shameless enough to go? Wouldn’t it be so embarrassing to lose to a man?”
“Don’t even talk about that. All the courtesans retired to their rooms after seeing them.” A seventeen or eighteen girl among them was eating sunflower seeds as she said this. “I can’t believe people like that still go to brothels. I’d be willing even if I had to pay them.”
“Are you still dreaming after all that wine you drank? They’re obviously just here for the novelty of it. Have you ever seen someone that didn’t look around in a brothel?” The young woman couldn’t help but sigh. “They all look like true gentlemen.”
Technically that wasn’t true.
Chang Ye held onto Shizun’s snow white sleeve while glancing at Qin Jun seated across from them. He felt like the desire in this wraith’s eyes could no longer be hidden.
He sneered in his heart. That demon Li Huanhan actually wanted to bring Shizun alone to this place reeking of demonic energy. Isn’t this damning proof of his evil intentions? And Qin Jun was, as always, a savage of a wraith. Who knows when he’ll kidnap Shizun back to his lair if left unsupervised? He needs to keep a closer eye on him.
Chang Ye continued this line of thought as he said quietly to Jiang Yinghe, “Shizun, are there good demonic cultivators out there?”
Li Huanhan’s eyes twitched as he glared at his little shidi. That innocent yet alluring face came closer to Jiang Yinghe with clear eyes.
“I heard that demonic cultivators are all really scary, is that true?”
Jiang Yinghe placed a finger against his lips. “Don’t talk about that. Be careful of alerting our target.”
His finger was slightly cool and only touched Chang Ye’s lips for a split second like a dragonfly skimming over water. His Shizun didn’t think anything was wrong with the action.
Chang Ye was surprised. He stared at the retreating finger and couldn’t help but lick his lips. He was just about to speak when Qin Jun interrupted him.
“You’re being too cowardly.” Qin Jun’s steel-gray eyes bore into him. Every time someone saw him direct this kind of gaze at them, they felt like the end was near, like he was about to hack them to death.
But Chang Ye wasn’t intimidated. He smiled mockingly at Qin Jun before he lowered his head and complained to Jiang Yinghe. “Shizun, I don’t think Qin-shixiong likes me anymore.”
Before Jiang Yinghe could comfort him, he sensed another pulse of demonic energy originating from the center of the densely populated first floor.
He stared unblinkingly at the pipa placed on a stage in the middle of the first floor. He sensed that it was a disguised demonic instrument.
For a demonic cultivator to show up in this kind of civilian establishment, he must use the energy from copulation to cultivate, maybe even someone formerly affiliated with He Huan sect. There was only one demonic cultivator that came to mind…an old acquaintance.
That year Jiang Yinghe came to the cultivation world as a sword practitioner. He had exceptional talent and progressed quickly as the previous Peng Lai Sect Master’s last disciple. He was ranked first along with Tong Guiyu from He Huan sect in the ‘Hundred Year Ranking of Notable Cultivators’. This acquaintance of his was a talented disciple under the same master as Tong Guiyu.
It was just that he began to practise demonic cultivation and was blacklisted by He Huan sect, becoming a figure feared by humans and demons alike.
Jiang Yinghe stared at the demonic energy emanating from the purple pipa. He never would have imagined encountering him here.
I think it would be easier to count when his disciples aren’t watching him.
He sighed and decided not to tell his disciples about who they were facing, instead softly issuing instructions. “…Huanhan.”
Li Huanhan calmly listened. “En.”
“I need you and Jun-er to maintain the dimensional array I’m about to put down. You must ensure that it holds, or else not just here, but the entire city would be in danger from two Hollowed Cave cultivators exchanging blows. Chang Ye, you’re still young, so don’t be hasty…” He took out a black tablet from Peng Lai that served as an alarm. “If the barrier is about to break, immediately input your spiritual energy to warm Peng Lai.”
Chang Ye received the transmission tablet, but he sensed something was wrong. “Maybe I should go with Shizun. I…”
I can still protect you.
He had wanted to protect Jiang Yinghe since the beginning, but these words had always been stuck in his throat like knives. He thought back to what he had said to Li Huanhan at Yun city.
He wanted to stay by Shizun’s side for a long time to come.
But at this moment, his deceit and lies made him no different from the other two, he couldn’t even say he wanted to protect him out loud.
Jiang Yinghe cut him off. “Be good and stay here.”
Jiang Yinghe rarely admonished them. The last vestiges of his gentleness and patience were all given to these disciples of his. This kind of tone was already very strict coming from him.
Li Huanhan looked at him with a heavy gaze. “If something happens, this disciple cannot promise to focus solely on maintaining the array.”
Jiang Yinghe patiently explained, “This isn’t something that you can interfere with. The civilians here are more important…”
“No.” Qin Jun also said, “Shizun is more important.”
Jiang Yinghe: “…but the civilians are even more important.”
“Shizun is more important.” Li Huanhan’s voice was calm.
Jiang Yinghe felt his chest hurt from arguing with these disobedient children. Due to the current situation at hand, he’ll have to deal with them later. He quickly set up the formation around the pipa’s stage.
This kind of array was very fragile and required a continuous input of spiritual energy to operate. It was the only way to resolve this quietly. According to what Jiang Yinghe knew about that person, if his spiritual weapon was here, then so was he.
The practitioners of He Huan sect were very skilled at weaving illusions.
Jiang Yinghe rose and descended. He quietly cast a disillusionment charm on himself and walked alone to the purple pipa, entering the separate dimension he had created.
There was a ribbon tied to the top of the pipa. The flower and word carvings were filled with the memories of the old He Huan sect. Jiang Yinghe traced a hand over the engraved words. In the next second after touching the purple pipa his surroundings changed.
An illusion like he suspected.
From the bustling brothel to the deserted night before him, demonic energy and a heavy scent of blood slowly began drifting through the air.
Jiang Yinghe looked at his ‘acquaintance’ seated before him.
There was also a very light and obscene scent surrounding him in addition to the demonic energy. The corpse of a young woman rested at his feet. In the blink of an eye, it rotted to reveal the skeleton underneath.
“Xiao Xuanyu.” Jiang Yinghe stated lightly. “It looks like you intended to lead me here.”
Xiao Xuanyu rolled his eyes and kicked the skeletal remains by his foot. As expected, he smiled at Jiang Yinghe.
“You would always waltz into even an obvious trap.” He stood and began approaching Jiang Yinghe step by step, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
“These mortals only live a hundred years at most before they return to dust. They’re like ants beneath our feet, but you’ve alway cherished them. Even after so many years, a threat to the lives of a few ants is enough to have you land right into my hands.”
He reached out a hand to brush back the hair from Jiang Yinghe’s ear, but was evaded.
Xiao Xuanyu already anticipated his reaction and laughed deeply.
“How about this. If you agree to dual cultivate with me, I won’t fight you here. You should know the outcome of us exchanging blows…” He paused and slowly raised the corner of his mouth. “I just so happened to need a furnace to make a breakthrough in my cultivation.”
Jiang Yinghe retreated half a step, his voice cold. “The words of a madman. This master came only to settle old debts.”
He slightly shifted. The snow sword Wangchen slowly materialized in midair, showing off its snow white blade before landing in his hand.
There was no warmth to be found in Jiang Yinghe’s eyes. Only an icy intent.
“Using others as furnaces, killing your fellow sect members, harming the innocent.” His voice was like an arctic wind. “Xiao Xuanyu, Wangchen has never forgotten crimes you’ve committed.”
Author’s Corner
Xiao Xuanyu: As long as you dual cultivate with me…
Author: Do you know how many people want to dual cultivate with him? Which hole did you crawl out of?
Xiao Xuanyu: …???
Translator’s Corner
Really hope Chang Ye learns from his realization and starts being more himself soon. Man, Xiao Xuanyu seems like a real character already.
