Chapter 211
Chapter 211: Hundred Refinements
“I, arrogant and unruly? The fact that I haven’t stopped eating beef already counts as me being modest.”
Li Mu Sheng chuckled softly, glancing at the half-eaten pack of sauced beef hanging at the little girl’s waist. Seeing it covered in tooth marks, he shook his head with mild disdain. The next moment, noticing her fierce glare aimed at him, he raised an eyebrow and said casually: “What? Now that your master isn’t around, you plan to attack me?”
Hearing this, the Hemp Robed Elder quickly shook his head, replying politely: “Young Master, please don’t misunderstand. We bear no grudges from the past nor recent conflicts, so naturally, we wouldn’t trouble you. This old man is merely curious. You are traveling alone toward Fallen God Peak—may I ask your reason?”
Li Mu Sheng turned his gaze toward the elder, narrowing his eyes slightly, and answered calmly: “Seems that’s the question I should be asking you. Earlier, you eagerly killed those from Fallen God Peak. Anyone with eyes can see there must be some deep grudge between you and the Peak.”
At this, the Hemp Robed Elder exchanged a quick glance with the Pink Clad Girl, then shook his head again, speaking slowly: “Since Young Master prefers not to speak, I won’t press further. However, as we share the same destination, let’s journey together. Upon reaching Fallen God Peak, we shall each pursue our matters without disturbing each other.”
The Pink Clad Girl curled her lips and eyed Li Mu Sheng suspiciously: “You speak so strangely—sometimes your words are so jumbled I can’t understand a thing. Still, after killing Fallen God Peak disciples, daring to ascend the mountain alone takes real courage.”
Li Mu Sheng studied the girl for a moment, eyebrows knitted with suspicion as he said: “There’s something off about you. One moment you act like a little child, and the next, your words are ancient and mature. If you’re actually old but pretending to be cute, that’s rather disturbing.”
Instantly, the Pink Clad Girl’s petite face froze. Her brows furrowed deeply, and her eyes flashed angrily as she glared back at Li Mu Sheng. Her small hand reached inside the embroidered pouch at her side, hesitating briefly before finally withdrawing empty-handed.
“Hmph! Too lazy to bother with you,” she huffed, grabbing her half-pack of sauced beef and fiercely biting into it.
Li Mu Sheng observed her briefly, shook his head again, then calmly rode his pack mule forward, calling out as he went: “Traveling together is fine, but don’t create trouble for me or slow my journey.”
As Li Mu Sheng rode ahead, the Hemp Robed Elder’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Beside him, the little girl sent a secret voice transmission: “Grandfather, can you see anything unusual about him?”
“Not at all,” the elder replied quietly. “He possesses no martial Qi, appearing no different from an ordinary human. But precisely that makes him peculiar. An ordinary person wouldn’t behave so confidently or carelessly unless he had hidden strength. We should maintain caution and avoid conflict if possible.”
The Pink Clad Girl clenched her small fists, grumbling through gritted teeth: “Grandfather, didn’t you hear how irritating his words were earlier? He even implied I’m old—I’m so angry my lungs might burst!”
The elder glanced solemnly at her, replying seriously: “Although he exaggerated a bit, he wasn’t completely wrong. If you lose your temper easily, it’ll spoil our bigger plan. You’re no longer a child—act with more maturity.”
The girl glared briefly at her grandfather, then quickly calmed herself, sighing softly. After a brief silence, she quietly asked: “Grandfather, can the two of us really achieve vengeance?”
For a long moment, the Hemp Robed Elder didn’t answer. At last, he replied gently: “We can only do our best.” A sharp glint flashed through his eyes as he added: “Along the way, I’ve overheard Fallen God Peak disciples mentioning that the Great Li Imperial Court has already begun to move against Fallen God Peak. Clearly, even the heavens favor us this time. This is undoubtedly our opportunity. Right now, our priority is to blend in with the Xi Shan Saber Sect and enter Fallen God Peak unnoticed.”
The Pink Clad Girl nodded gently, murderous intent filling her eyes as she whispered: “No matter what happens, I must avenge my elder sister and our people.”
Finished speaking, she patted her horse gently, riding after Li Mu Sheng.
…
They traveled for another day. Toward evening, the Xi Shan Saber Sect group finally reached Hundred Refinement City without incident.
Hundred Refinement City lay on the path to Fallen God Peak’s Seventh Summit—Hundred Refinement Peak—and was a small city directly governed by Fallen God Peak disciples. No institutions from the Great Li Imperial Court were established here. There were no officials or government offices from Great Li; here, Fallen God Peak itself was the law.
In Lan Province, within a hundred-mile radius of Fallen God Peak, the land was essentially Fallen God Peak’s private domain. Within this area, the sect ruled absolutely. Though the Great Li Imperial Court was aware, they could only turn a blind eye.
Thus, Hundred Refinement City ignored Great Li laws entirely, governed solely by Fallen God Peak’s rules.
At the city gates, a scar-faced man from Xi Shan Saber Sect handed silver to the guards. After briefly checking, the guards allowed Li Mu Sheng and the Hemp Robed Elder, both seemingly affiliated with Xi Shan Saber Sect, inside. This wasn’t due to negligence; rather, this was Fallen God Peak’s territory. No troublemaker would dare act rashly here, given the sect’s absolute authority. Even though the Great Li Court had started moving against Fallen God Peak, whether the Court could reach Hundred Refinement City remained uncertain. Judging from the city’s lively atmosphere, Fallen God Peak clearly wasn’t concerned.
Entering the city, the Xi Shan Saber Sect group found a restaurant to rest, bathe, and change into fresh clothes. Hundred Refinement City was less than twenty miles from Hundred Refinement Peak. They, as guests attending a celebration, must not arrive dusty and disheveled; proper attire was mandatory according to Fallen God Peak’s customs.
“Go clean yourselves thoroughly in the back courtyard. Losing your life is small, but don’t disgrace me and our sect!” ordered the scar-faced man, turning toward Li Mu Sheng and the Hemp Robed Elder seated nearby: “Young Master Li, Elder, would you also like to bathe? This humble one can host you at the city’s Hundred Fragrance Pavilion.” Lowering his voice, he added slyly: “I hear the young ladies there are even lovelier than those in the Imperial Music Bureau of the Great Li Capital.”