Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Old Grudges

Ling Yun Zhou.

Ling Bu Fei’s father.

The name flashed through Bai Meng Jin’s mind as Venerable Ku Mu’s voice cut through the dark, hard as iron. “You’ve seen him. Now you can leave.”

Second Lady Hu laughed loudly, dripping with ridicule. “I’m only taking one look, and you guard him like you’re afraid of thieves. Young Sect Master Ling really is precious, huh?”

Venerable Ku Mu’s answer wasn’t words.

Pressure rolled outward—thick, suffocating, pressing down on flesh and bone.

Below the mechanism, Bai Meng Xing grabbed his chest, face turning red. “Why… can’t I breathe…?”

Bai Meng Lian’s complexion went chalk-white too. She could endure more than him, but the strain was obvious.

Bai Meng Jin didn’t hesitate. She bit her finger and drew an array on the ground in a burst of speed, her blood tracing lines that glimmered faintly. Then she shoved her brother and sister into the center of it.

“Stay here and wait for Elder Yi Ming,” she said, voice low and sharp. “Don’t move.”

Bai Meng Lian caught her wrist. “Where are you going?”

“To take a look.”

And before Bai Meng Lian could grab her again, Bai Meng Jin slipped into the darkness.

Inside the Divine Power Barrier, light was stripped away beyond a few paces. The five senses failed with it, swallowed whole. Only secret methods could guide you.

Bai Meng Jin was grateful she’d absorbed Great-Uncle’s power as soon as she returned. Otherwise, stuck at the Qi Refining Stage, she’d be helpless.

She pulled out three copper coins and cast a quick divination, letting them clink softly against the stone.

A direction settled in her mind.

“Found it.”

She pocketed the coins and moved forward under the dim glow of the rooftop’s pearls, following the invisible thread of her own method.

At the viewing pavilion, Ji Xing Ge’s temper hadn’t cooled. Hearing Second Lady Hu name herself, she snapped at Ling Bu Fei in a hissed, furious whisper, “See? They came for you! And you still denied it!”

Ling Bu Fei gave her a look that said plainly: At a time like this, you’re still arguing about right and wrong?

Ji Xing Ge nearly choked.

Above the Star-Plucking Tower, two Divine Transformation experts had already exchanged blows. A heavy boom rang through the barrier as their spiritual waves collided, the shock rippling through the dark. Neither seemed to have gained advantage.

Then a new presence arrived.

A figure appeared soundlessly nearby, and a refined, gentle voice carried through the pavilion. “A guest from afar is still a guest. Fellow daoist, why not show yourself and share a cup?”

“Lord Shao Yang,” Ling Bu Fei murmured.

The Divine Transformation cultivator stationed in Phoenix Parasol City was Shang Shao Yang. People called him Lord Shao Yang.

Second Lady Hu sounded genuinely surprised. “You got back that fast?”

She’d used tricks to stall Shang Shao Yang before coming here. It couldn’t have been longer than a quarter hour. And he’d already broken free.

Shang Shao Yang didn’t bother explaining. His tone stayed polite, smiling even. “Madam Hu, your feud with the Ling Clan is not something Phoenix Parasol City wants to step into.

“But you can’t cause trouble inside the city. Otherwise, how will Phoenix Parasol City keep its footing in the future?”

Venerable Ku Mu’s voice followed, heavy and cold. “Second Lady Hu, with Lord Shao Yang and me here, you can still retreat while you have the chance.”

Phoenix Parasol City was packed with residents. It was not a place for a Divine Transformation battle. And with Shang Shao Yang standing beside Venerable Ku Mu, any sensible person would give him face.

Second Lady Hu’s laugh answered instead. “Old thing, you don’t actually think I’m the only one interested in Young Sect Master Ling, do you?”

The threat in that question turned the air sharp.

As her words fell, shadows emerged from the darkness, taking positions from different directions.

Several.

Another old voice rang out, amused. “Ku Mu. Long time no see.”

“Po Qian Jun…” Venerable Ku Mu’s tone sank, turning grave. “You’re already nearing the end. You still want to get involved in worldly grudges?”

Po Qian Jun replied calmly, “It’s because I’m nearing the end that I want to settle certain matters before I die.

“Ling Yun Zhou’s son is here, isn’t he? Hand him over, and we won’t need to fight today.”

Venerable Ku Mu laughed, anger flashing. “If I hand him to you, how could I ever face Senior Brother Jiang? You might as well kill me!”

“You don’t need to be so tense,” Po Qian Jun said, voice even. “At my age, my killing intent isn’t that heavy. I’ll ask my questions, and maybe I’ll even send him back.”

A faint smile threaded through his words. “But if you hand him to someone else, that’s another story.”

A younger voice cut in, light and teasing. “Senior Qian Jun, we’re partners here. Why are you trying to grab all the business? This man belongs to all of us. You can’t decide everything by yourself.”

“Ji Yuan Si…” Shang Shao Yang’s voice tightened, the smile thinning.

Divine Transformation cultivators were rarely seen. Yet so many had gathered here. If they truly fought, Phoenix Parasol City would be flattened. The Shang Clan’s foundation was all here.

Within the pavilion, Ji Xing Ge couldn’t see them, but their voices alone made panic claw up her throat.

“It’s over,” she whispered. “At least three of them…”

Her fingers curled hard enough to ache. “Lord Shao Yang won’t stand with us anymore. His first priority is Phoenix Parasol City. If a fight breaks out, he won’t be able to spare attention.” Her voice thinned. “My father still hasn’t replied.”

She turned—and saw Ling Bu Fei sitting down, unhurriedly pouring himself tea.

Rage flared. “You’re not worried at all? They’re all here for you!”

Ling Bu Fei lifted the cup to his lips. Ji Xing Ge’s movement almost knocked it from his hand. He slid three feet away at once, looking genuinely offended. “Don’t touch me. Trying to take advantage of me?”

At a time like this, it was almost impressive how fast she could get angrier. “What kind of chaste little wife are you? I touch you once and you act like you’re dying!”

He didn’t even blink. “That’s right. Only my wife can touch me. The rest of you stray bees and butterflies can forget it.”

Ji Xing Ge laughed, pure fury. “Fine. Young Sect Master Ling, you’re so pure and spotless. I’m not worthy, all right?”

“You know it,” Ling Bu Fei said smoothly.

Ji Xing Ge dug her nails into her palm, repeating to herself: Don’t argue with him. Not now. Not now.

The situation was obvious. Venerable Ku Mu couldn’t hold off three Divine Transformation cultivators alone. The enemy came prepared. Their call for help might not even make it out.

Where was the way to live?

Then Ling Bu Fei spoke again, tone almost casual. “Ji Xing Ge, what are you to me? They’re coming for me. What does it have to do with you?

“Phoenix Roost Valley isn’t big, but it’s not small. They won’t want to offend the Ji Family.”

Ji Xing Ge’s chest tightened.

Was he… telling her to get out?

For one heartbeat, something almost like warmth touched her.

Then the ground shook violently.

The battle above had begun in earnest.

Firelight flashed across Ji Xing Ge as her family’s secret technique flared, protecting her. Instinctively, she turned toward Ling Bu Fei.

“Young master!”

Bai Li Xu rushed to him and pressed his palms together. A barrier of light formed around them.

But the aftershock of a Divine Transformation clash was terrifying. Bai Li Xu was only Golden Core. The barrier trembled once—and shattered.

The viewing pavilion swayed on the verge of collapse. Rocks rolled, stone cracking under the invisible weight.

Ling Bu Fei staggered, about to fall. Ji Xing Ge only managed to shout, “Careful!”

A deafening crash exploded beside them.

The rockery behind the pavilion took a direct hit from the shockwave and burst apart, stones spraying into the dark.

A shadow fell with the rubble, crashing down toward them—straight at Ling Bu Fei.

Bai Li Xu and Ji Xing Ge lunged, but another violent tremor threw them off balance.

They only heard Ling Bu Fei grunt as something slammed down on him and pinned him tight.

When the shaking eased, Ji Xing Ge stumbled forward, dizzy and furious and half out of her mind.

Then she saw.

Ling Bu Fei lay among shattered stone with a woman pressed on top of him.

Ji Xing Ge couldn’t see the woman’s face in the dim light. But the woman’s hand, bracing herself, clutched Ling Bu Fei’s collar so hard it tore open, exposing half his chest.

Ji Xing Ge burst into loud laughter.

“Chaste? Pure and spotless?” She wiped at tears that might’ve been from dust or delight. “Ha!”