Chapter 158
Chapter 158: Even Surviving Would Be Difficult
Hemp Robed Elder and Pink Clad Girl leaned comfortably against a large green stone, enjoying the cool shade. As Li Mu Sheng and his companions approached, Hemp Robed Elder slightly narrowed his eyes, while Pink Clad Girl carefully observed Li Mu Sheng stepping down from the carriage.
Memories of what she’d seen from afar last night flickered in her mind. Her eyes sparkled uncertainly, trying to discern anything suspicious about Li Mu Sheng. Yet, no matter how carefully she watched, she couldn’t detect even the faintest trace of martial Qi within him. It didn’t seem like he was hiding any martial cultivation at all.
Pink Clad Girl gently furrowed her delicate brows, but her doubts remained. [Something seems off about Li Mu Sheng,] she thought uneasily.
At this moment, Hu Rui An, who stood close by Li Mu Sheng, noticed the intensity of Pink Clad Girl’s gaze and looked perplexed. First, Shen An Ran pursued Li Mu Sheng relentlessly, and now a young girl was paying him such close attention as well. Hu Rui An knew Li Mu Sheng had profound martial strength, yet he still couldn’t understand what exactly made His Highness so appealing.
Li Mu Sheng himself naturally noticed Pink Clad Girl’s gaze. Glancing sideways at Hu Rui An, he clearly saw the jealousy flickering openly in Hu Rui An’s eyes. After all, how could Hu Rui An possibly compare to himself, with his handsome looks charming both older and younger ladies alike?
“That little one must be hungry. Take her one of our packed roast chickens to chew on,” Li Mu Sheng instructed Wu Shang casually, stroking his chin.
Soon after, Pink Clad Girl stared blankly at the roast chicken Wu Shang brought her, utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, Shen An Ran held the reins of her white horse, resting quietly under the shade of the cliffside not far from Li Mu Sheng and the others. She deliberately kept some distance, clearly revealing her intentions without seeming too forward.
After resting quietly for about half an hour beneath the cliff, a refreshing breeze cooled the sweating horses and restored everyone’s spirits. Just then, rapid hoofbeats sounded along the road behind them. A luxurious carriage accompanied by over a dozen riders swiftly approached.
Hemp Robed Elder and Pink Clad Girl exchanged quick glances. Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong’s expressions darkened slightly. Wu Shang murmured with a frown, “It’s the people from Fallen God Peak.”
“Halt!”
With a swift pull of the reins, the newcomers from Fallen God Peak abruptly stopped beside Hu Rui An’s group beneath the cliff.
A young man dressed in Cloud Peak’s Dark Robes lifted the curtain of his carriage, his eyes coldly settling on a familiar figure. “Shen An Ran, you’re actually here?”
Shen An Ran, seated gracefully upon a smooth engraved stone, frowned slightly but showed no intention of engaging in conversation.
Seeing Shen An Ran’s indifferent attitude, a ruthless glint flickered through the young man’s narrowed eyes. He smiled without warmth.
“I traveled tirelessly to compete for your hand, yet your Deer Slaying Manor abruptly canceled the event, treating us like disposable servants. Have you completely disregarded Fallen God Peak?”
At a subtle nod from the young man, a dozen Fallen God Peak disciples silently urged their horses forward, swiftly surrounding Shen An Ran and her white horse.
Shen An Ran’s expression hardened. She placed her hand firmly on the dagger at her waist, watching the young man with wary eyes.
The young man sneered maliciously, coldly declaring, “Shen An Ran, since fate brought us together here, you’ll return with me to Fallen God Peak. I happen to need a watchdog in my courtyard—a female dog. At least this trip won’t have been in vain.”
The young man had already built up a stomach full of resentment, and Shen An Ran appeared at just the wrong time. He firmly believed that even if he took Shen An Ran back forcibly, Deer Slaying Manor wouldn’t dare say a word. By then, what was done would be done, leaving even Shen Jue Sheng helpless.
Inside the carriage, Bei Shi watched silently, clearly approving the Young Peak Master’s actions. Had they been in Deer Slaying Manor under Shen Jue Sheng’s protection, they wouldn’t dare behave so boldly. But now, far from the manor, they could act without fear.
“Take her down!”
With a quick gesture from the young man, the disciples of Fallen God Peak immediately moved forward. Turning his gaze toward Hu Rui An and the others, he coldly warned, “Fallen God Peak is handling its affairs. Bystanders, keep yourselves out of trouble!”
Clearly, he knew Hu Rui An’s group was not to be underestimated and hoped revealing their identity would deter interference. He firmly believed no sensible person would dare provoke Fallen God Peak, a giant among martial sects.
Despite the danger, Shen An Ran showed no fear. Instead, she met the young man’s gaze firmly. “I already have someone in my heart. Naturally, the martial competition for marriage cannot continue. If you seek revenge for this, I, Shen An Ran, won’t simply wait to be captured.”
With these words, she swiftly drew the short dagger from her waist. A cold flash of blade Qi surged fiercely as she cut towards the approaching Fallen God Peak disciples.
Watching this scene, Hemp Robed Elder and Pink Clad Girl glanced meaningfully at each other, quietly nodding in agreement.
In the next moment, Hemp Robed Elder vanished from his spot, transforming into a swift gust of wind heading directly toward the carriage where the young man and Bei Shi sat. Pink Clad Girl remained in place, seemingly idle.
Hu Rui An saw Shen An Ran being surrounded and naturally wouldn’t stand by. Besides, their original mission was to destroy Fallen God Peak; there was certainly no reason to fear its might.
Thus, Hemp Robed Elder and Hu Rui An moved almost simultaneously.
The young man had originally believed Fallen God Peak’s name alone would be enough to intimidate anyone, never realizing it would actually seal their doom. After all, one group already waited in ambush to kill them along their path, while another was openly headed to exterminate their entire sect.
Encountering two groups who both completely disregarded the might of Fallen God Peak was nothing short of destined tragedy. Even surviving would be difficult!
Boom!
With a resounding explosion, the carriage holding the young man and Bei Shi shattered instantly under a mighty palm wind.
“How dare you!”
Bei Shi, a burly man, roared angrily as martial Qi surged around him, manifesting into heavy, mountain-like shadows. He punched fiercely toward the sky, clashing directly with Hemp Robed Elder, who appeared suddenly. Both retreated swiftly, leaving only explosive waves of energy carving a crater dozens of feet wide in the ground.
Only after Bei Shi retreated several steps, dragging along the still stunned young man, did he manage to stop himself. He stared icily at Hemp Robed Elder, demanding sharply, “Who are you? Why attack us?”
However, Hemp Robed Elder said nothing more. His figure merely flickered, and in an instant, he reappeared beside Bei Shi and his companion.
His movements were swift as shadows, impossible to track with mortal eyes, and his strikes were as fierce and rapid as thunder from the heavens. In a blink, he unleashed hundreds of shadowy afterimages.
Within those shadowy illusions hid countless fearsome palm strikes filled with overwhelming martial Qi. The layered afterimages blended into one another, each strike merging seamlessly, until their gathered might turned the space around Bei Shi into a zone of deepening darkness.
“Rift Abyss Divine Force!”
Bei Shi dared not be careless. He desperately activated his martial Qi, drawing upon the energy of heaven and earth to surge into his body.
His already huge form expanded even further, nearly rising another ten feet. Pale golden lines shimmered across bulging muscles. Raising both fists skyward, he summoned the faint image of a towering mountain, its power shaking the very air, as though attempting to split apart the heavens above.
While Bei Shi and Hemp Robed Elder clashed fiercely, those Fallen God Peak disciples attacking Shen An Ran were naturally no match for Hu Rui An’s strength.
With merely a casual wave of his hand, Hu Rui An sent martial Qi swiftly through their necks, instantly felling the dozen or so disciples.
“Thank you, Uncle Hu, for your help,” Shen An Ran quickly said, sheathing her short dagger in gratitude.
She had already heard about Hu Rui An from her mother. Knowing his past with Ruan Zhen Hui filled Shen An Ran with sadness, yet it was not her place to judge. Instead, from her mother’s story, Shen An Ran had become even more determined to live as a woman brave enough to follow her heart.
For example, since she had set her eyes upon Li Mu Sheng, she must bravely pursue him. Only then could she avoid lifelong regret from missing her destined love.
Thinking this, Shen An Ran turned to gaze at Li Mu Sheng near the cliffside. Li Mu Sheng, sensing the heat of her stare, raised an eyebrow and thought secretly: [It’s fortunate Lord Hu acted. If I’d been the one to save her, wouldn’t this young lady have fainted on the spot from admiration?]
[A lovesick young lady is truly too much to handle.]
Coughing lightly, Li Mu Sheng turned his gaze away, resting it instead upon the Pink Clad Girl nearby.
While Hemp Robed Elder battled fiercely with Fallen God Lord Shen Bei Shi, the Pink Clad Girl remained standing still, her eyes darting around with a secretive glint. Clearly, she had her own plans.
Li Mu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, studying the girl with curiosity flickering within.
At that moment, Hu Rui An returned to Li Mu Sheng’s side after helping Shen An Ran. Looking toward Hemp Robed Elder, he asked, “Young master, shall I intervene?”
Li Mu Sheng paused thoughtfully, then slowly shook his head.
Soon after, from Hemp Robed Elder’s direction came an earth-shaking roar. A large section of the greenish cliff shattered and collapsed from the shockwaves of their battle.
Within the storm of dust and shattered stone, Fallen God Lord Shen Bei Shi coughed harshly, then staggered unsteadily as Hemp Robed Elder struck him squarely. His figure tumbled directly into a deep crevice torn open by their battle’s aftermath.
“Hm? He won so easily?” Hu Rui An remarked with surprise at this outcome.
Judging from their earlier exchange, Fallen God Lord Shen Bei Shi and Hemp Robed Elder seemed evenly matched in martial prowess, suggesting a long, drawn-out fight. Bei Shi’s quick defeat was beyond Hu Rui An’s expectations.
Boom!
Suddenly, the ground where Bei Shi fell exploded violently, and Bei Shi leapt from the debris into the air, swiftly fleeing into the distance.
Hemp Robed Elder had no intention of letting him escape. His eyes narrowed, and he immediately gave chase.
Not long after, Hemp Robed Elder returned, clothing torn and appearance somewhat disheveled. In one hand, he carried Fallen God Lord Shen Bei Shi.
Bei Shi’s once massive form had returned to normal. His face was now pale as paper, utterly subdued by Hemp Robed Elder’s techniques.
Returning with Bei Shi, Hemp Robed Elder tossed him before the Pink Clad Girl. Turning toward Li Mu Sheng’s group, he said calmly, “Now that we share the same boat, you should have no objections to me dealing with this man myself?”
Hu Rui An naturally had no objections. Not only did they hold no interest in the Elder of Fallen God Peak, but it was also Hemp Robed Elder who defeated Bei Shi alone—he had every right to deal with his prisoner.
Still, Hu Rui An glanced at Li Mu Sheng to confirm. Seeing Li Mu Sheng wave dismissively, Hu Rui An nodded to Hemp Robed Elder, replying, “As you wish.”
Hemp Robed Elder nodded slightly, briefly meeting Li Mu Sheng’s gaze before turning back to Pink Clad Girl. Flicking his finger, he released Bei Shi’s throat acupoint and immediately asked, “What sort of death would you prefer?”
Upon hearing this, Bei Shi opened his mouth, glaring with rage at Hemp Robed Elder as he shouted bitterly, “Despicable! To stoop so low as to poison me!”
His eyes drifted briefly toward the ruined cliff wall, where a young man’s severed limb lay among the rubble.
During their fierce fight, Bei Shi had originally tried to shield the Young Peak Master. However, when the poison flared within him, in desperation, he had no choice but to use the young man as a shield against Hemp Robed Elder’s deadly strike. Though Bei Shi managed to dodge, the young man was tragically struck, nearly reduced to ashes.
“It’s merely poison,” Hemp Robed Elder calmly replied. “When dealing with Fallen God Peak’s people, I will use any means necessary.”
Then, glancing at Pink Clad Girl, he asked simply, “Do you want to finish him yourself, or shall I?”
Pink Clad Girl’s rosy lips curled into a charming smile. “I’ll do it,” she said.
However, after glancing at Li Mu Sheng and the others nearby, she added, “But there are too many eyes here. Let’s find somewhere more private.”
Hemp Robed Elder said nothing more, merely lifted Bei Shi onto the back of their pack mule. Afterward, he and Pink Clad Girl began gathering their belongings to leave.
Just then, another thunderous rumbling erupted along the main road ahead.
Soon enough, armored cavalry emerged, galloping with a mighty roar. A carriage rolled amidst them, shaking the earth beneath their horses’ hooves. Their approach echoed loudly through the mountain valley.