Chapter 8
Chapter Summary: [The young man, seeing him lost in thought, felt disgusted and said, "Get lost! Just looking at you is enough to make me sick. You dead homosexual."]
In terms of seniority, ...
-------------------------------------
Seeing him in a daze, the young man felt disgusted and said, "Get lost! Just looking at you is enough to make me sick. You dead homosexual."
According to seniority, Mo Xuanyu might be an elder like this young man's uncle or elder brother, yet he was being humiliated like this by a junior. Wei Wuxian felt that even if not for himself, he should humiliate Mo Xuanyu's body in return, saying, "He really is born of a mother but raised by one."
Upon hearing this, two flashes of furious rage flickered in the boy's eyes. He drew his longsword from his back and said coldly, "What—did you say?"
"What did that brat say?!" Yu Ziyuan jumped up suddenly.
The space exploded once again.
"This Wei Wuxian is such an ingrate! Jin Gongzi's parents died because of him, and he still dares to say such things, it's really... sigh!"
"So, Jiang Yanli is his senior sister who raised him, how dare she say that!"
...
"What is this brat saying?!" Yu Ziyuan suddenly went berserk, and Jiang Fengmian almost couldn't hold her back in time.
"Grandmother! Grandmother! It's not like that..." Seeing Yu Ziyuan's head steaming, Jin Ling quickly got up and pulled her back.
As expected, Jin Ling was an automatic fire extinguisher. Yu Ziyuan's expression softened immediately when she saw her grandson coming over.
"If not like this, then what is it?" Although her expression softened, her tone remained stiff.
"Grandmother, Wei Wuxian didn't know I was Jin Ling back then." Jin Ling said, blushing as he recalled what happened in the grove later.
The large screen did not stop playing because of their conversation, but continued to play.
Upon hearing this, a flash of furious rage appeared in the boy's eyes. He drew his longsword from his back and said coldly, "What—did you say?"
The sword shone with golden light, making it a rare and superior sword. Many families struggle their entire lives but never manage to get their hands on such a sword. Wei Wuxian thought to himself, "Being born into a prestigious family makes one naturally superior!"
He twirled a small cloth pouch in his hand. It was a "spirit-locking pouch" he had hastily pieced together from scraps of fabric the other day. The boy slashed at him with his sword, but he took out a small piece of paper cut into the shape of a human from the pouch, dodged it, and slapped the boy on the back with a "smack".
The boy was already incredibly fast, but Wei Wuxian, having done this many times before, was even quicker. The boy felt a numbness in his back, a sudden weight on his back, and he involuntarily collapsed to the ground. His sword clattered to the side, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get up, as if Mount Tai was pressing down on him. A gluttonous ghost, having died, was clinging to his back, pressing him down so hard he could hardly breathe. Though the ghost was weak, dealing with this brat was no problem. Wei Wuxian picked up the boy's sword, weighed it in his hand, and with a single swing, severed the binding net above.
The family landed in a disheveled state, and without a word, fled in a frantic rush. The round-faced girl seemed about to thank them, but her elder pulled her away, afraid that saying more would only intensify the young master's resentment. The boy on the ground roared, "You damned homosexual! So you are! With your weak spiritual power, you resort to this evil path when you can't cultivate properly. You better watch out! Do you know who's coming today?! Today I..."
Wei Wuxian clutched his heart without any sincerity and exclaimed, "Ah! I'm so scared!"
Although his previous cultivation method was criticized and harmful to the practitioner's physical essence in the long run, it was extremely tempting because it offered quick results and was not limited by spiritual power or talent. There was never a shortage of people who secretly practiced it for the sake of shortcuts. This young man then assumed that Mo Xuanyu had gone astray after being expelled from the Lanling Jin Clan. This suspicion was reasonable and saved Wei Wuxian a lot of unnecessary trouble.
The boy tried to get up several times, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, but couldn't. His face turned red, and he gritted his teeth and said, "If you don't get out of here, I'll tell my uncle, and you'll be dead!"
Wei Wuxian asked curiously, "Why is it 'uncle' and not 'father'? Who is your uncle?"
A voice suddenly rang out from behind, three parts cold and seven parts chilling:
"I am his uncle. Do you have any last words?"
Upon hearing that voice, Wei Wuxian felt as if all the blood in his body rushed to his head, only to quickly subside. Fortunately, his face was already deathly pale, so any paler wouldn't have seemed unusual.
Jiang Cheng snorted coldly. This guy is so afraid of him? But his inner feelings told him that Wei Wuxian was indeed afraid of him, but not because of him, but simply because he was afraid of seeing him.
The round-faced girl was also sitting below. She glanced at the elder beside her, then suddenly stood up. Before the elder could even stop her, she bowed deeply to the Jiang family and said:
"Sect Master Jiang, seniors, I am just a lowly cultivator. At the time, I didn't know that the person who saved us was Young Master Wei. I deeply regret not thanking Young Master Wei then. Now, I don't know when Young Master Wei will come out. Here, I... would like to thank Young Master Wei."
After hearing her words, the space fell silent for a moment, then was immediately filled with silence again:
"You actually spoke up for someone like that!"
"You're in cahoots with the Yiling Patriarch, aren't you!"
...
The round-faced girl blushed, unsure whether to stand or sit.
"Thank you, young lady."
Lan Wangji stood up and nodded slightly. The moment he spoke, it felt as if the entire space had suddenly dropped several degrees.
"Han...Hanguang-jun, you're too kind." The round-faced girl's blush hadn't faded before, and she blushed again, stammering.
A young man in purple robes strolled over, his sleeves flared and his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. A silver bell hung at his waist, but it did not ring as he walked.
This young man had delicate eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, with a sharp and handsome appearance. His gaze was intense and carried a hint of aggression, making him look at people like two bolts of cold lightning. He stood ten steps away from Wei Wuxian, his expression like an arrow on a bowstring, ready to be released, and even his posture exuded arrogance and self-confidence.
He frowned and said, "Jin Ling, why did you take so long? Do I have to come and ask you to go back? You're in such a sorry state, get up now!"
After the initial numbness subsided, Wei Wuxian quickly regained his senses, flicked his fingers from his sleeve, and retracted the paper figure. Jin Ling felt a relief on his back, immediately grabbed his sword, scrambled to his feet, flashed to Jiang Cheng's side, and pointed at Wei Wuxian, cursing, "I'm going to break your legs!"
The uncle and nephew stood together, their features vaguely resembling each other, almost like brothers. Jiang Cheng moved his fingers, and the paper figure suddenly slipped from Wei Wuxian's grasp and flew into his hand. He glanced at it, a surge of malevolence rising in his eyes. He tightened his grip, and the paper figure burst into flames, burning to ashes amidst the shrieks of the ghostly spirit.
Jiang Cheng said coldly, "Break his legs? Didn't I tell you, when you encounter this kind of evil and heretical sect, just kill him and feed him to your dogs!"
Wei Wuxian didn't even bother to lead the donkey, leaping back. He thought that after so many years, even if Jiang Cheng harbored deep hatred for him, it would have dissipated. But it wasn't so easy. Instead of dissipating, it grew stronger with age, like fine wine, and now it had even turned its anger on everyone who imitated his cultivation!
With someone protecting him from behind, Jin Ling's sword strikes became even more ferocious this time. Wei Wuxian inserted two fingers into the Soul-Locking Pouch, ready to make a move. A blue sword light flashed out like lightning, clashing with Jin Ling's sword and instantly shattering the golden light of the superior-grade immortal sword.
It wasn't about the quality of the swords, but rather the vast difference in skill between the wielders. Wei Wuxian had calculated his opportunity perfectly, but the sword's edge had disrupted his steps, causing him to stumble and fall flat on his face, landing right in front of a pair of snow-white boots. After a moment of stunned silence, he slowly raised his head.
The first thing that catches the eye is a long, slender sword blade, as clear and translucent as solidified ice.
Among all the swords, this one is renowned. Wei Wuxian has experienced its power countless times in battle and when they drew their swords against each other. The hilt is forged from pure silver refined using secret methods. The blade is extremely thin, clear and transparent, radiating an icy chill, yet it can cut through iron like mud. Therefore, the sword appears light and agile, seemingly ethereal, but in reality, it is extremely heavy, and ordinary people cannot even wield it.
— "Avoiding dust".
The sword reversed its direction, and a resounding clang echoed as it was sheathed above Wei Wuxian's head. At the same time, Jiang Cheng's voice drifted from afar: "Who is it? It's Young Master Lan."
The pair of white boots walked past Wei Wuxian, taking three steps forward at a leisurely pace. Wei Wuxian looked up and stood up. As they brushed past each other, their eyes met for a fleeting, seemingly unintentional, glance.
The newcomer was bathed in moonlight, carrying a seven-stringed guqin on his back. The guqin was narrower than ordinary guqins, and its body was jet black with a soft wood color.
The man wore a cloud-patterned headband, his skin was fair, and he was extremely handsome and refined, as if sculpted from stone. His eyes were a very light color, like glass, which made his gaze seem overly cold. His expression was frosty and stern, almost rigid and solemn, and even when he saw Wei Wuxian's ridiculous face, he remained unmoved.
From head to toe, spotless and meticulous, without a single flaw or impropriety, yet even so, four words still popped into Wei Wuxian's mind:
"Wear linen and wear mourning!"]
"Wearing mourning clothes?!" Lan Qiren said through gritted teeth.
Repeat the family rules to me a hundred times! No, no, five hundred times!!!
He's so angry!
"Uncle..." Lan Xichen hurriedly raised his hand to soothe Lan Qiren's breathing, not daring to say that Wei Wuxian would not dare to do it again. Who knew what earth-shattering words Wei Wuxian would say next?
I'd better not say anything, lest I get embarrassed.
[He was truly dressed in mourning. No matter how much the various families praised the Gusu Lan Clan's school uniform as the most beautiful uniform in the world, or how much they lauded Lan Wangji as an unparalleled beauty, they couldn't hide the deep sorrow and resentment on his face, which looked like he had just lost his wife.]
Bad luck this year, and enemies on a narrow road. Misfortunes never come singly.
Everyone: ...
Cough… His wife died? Was he driven by some deep-seated grudge?
Everyone glanced silently at Lan Wangji, whose face was as cold as ice, and then lowered their heads.
So what if his wife died?
Is this a year of bad luck? Are you running into your enemies? Do good fortune never come in pairs? Do misfortunes never come singly?
Jiang Cheng was furious. So unwilling to see me?!
But after glancing up at Lan Wangji, I suddenly felt a sense of peace.
Just wait, someone will get you eventually, hmph.
Lan Wangji stood silently opposite Jiang Cheng, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Jiang Cheng was already exceptionally handsome, but standing face to face with Lan Wangji, he seemed somewhat less striking and a little more agitated. Raising one eyebrow, he said, "Hanguang-jun truly lives up to his reputation of 'always appearing when chaos strikes.' What brings you to this remote mountain forest today?"
Clan leaders of their stature generally disdained to prey on low-ranking evil spirits, but Lan Wangji was an exception. He never chose his night-hunting targets, nor would he refuse to hunt demons or monsters simply because they weren't fierce enough or wouldn't bring him fame. He would appear whenever someone asked for his help, a practice he had maintained since his youth. Therefore, "always appearing when chaos arises" was the world's assessment of Hanguang-jun's night-hunting activities, a testament to his character. Jiang Cheng's tone was rather impolite, and the group of younger members of Lan Wangji's family following behind felt uncomfortable. Lan Jingyi, ever outspoken, asked, "Isn't Sect Leader Jiang here too?"
Jiang Cheng said coldly, "Tsk, do you have the right to interrupt when your elders are speaking? The Gusu Lan Clan prides itself on being a family of high etiquette among the immortal sects, so this is how they teach their disciples."
Lan Wangji seemed unwilling to speak with him. He glanced at Lan Sizhui, who understood and decided to let the juniors talk to each other. He stepped forward and said to Jin Ling, "Young Master Jin, the night hunt has always been a fair competition among all families. However, Young Master Jin has been casting nets everywhere on Dafan Mountain, making it difficult for cultivators from other families to move forward, for fear of falling into traps. Isn't this already a violation of the rules of the night hunt?"
Jin Ling's cold expression was exactly like his uncle's: "They were stupid enough to fall into the trap, what can I do? We'll deal with everything after I catch my prey."
Lan Wangji frowned. Jin Ling was about to speak when he suddenly realized he couldn't open his mouth, and no sound came out. He was immediately alarmed. Jiang Cheng saw that Jin Ling's lips were stuck together and couldn't be separated. His face showed a hint of anger, and he abandoned his previous forced politeness: "You, Lan! What do you mean? Jin Ling is none of your business to discipline. Untie him!"
This silencing spell is used by the Lan clan to punish members who misbehave. Wei Wuxian has suffered from this trick many times; although it's not a complex or profound spell, only members of the Lan clan can break it. If one tries to speak, either their lips will be torn and bleed, or their voice will be hoarse for several days. They must remain silent and reflect on their actions until the punishment period is over. Lan Sizhui said, "Sect Leader Jiang, there's no need to be angry. As long as he doesn't forcibly break the spell, it will automatically be lifted after an incense stick burns."
Before Jiang Cheng could speak, a man dressed in purple robes in the Jiang clan's attire rushed out of the woods, calling out, "Sect Leader!" Seeing Lan Wangji standing there, a look of hesitation crossed his face. Jiang Cheng sneered, "Speak, what bad news do you have to report to me now?"
The guest elder whispered, "Not long ago, a blue flying sword destroyed the Immortal Binding Net you had set up."
Jiang Cheng glared at Lan Wangji, his displeasure evident on his face, and asked, "How many were broken?"
The guest advisor cautiously replied, "...all..."
More than four hundred!
Jiang Cheng was furious.
It was truly unexpected that this trip would end so badly. He had originally come to support Jin Ling, who was turning fifteen this year—the age to debut and compete with the younger generation of other families for experience. Jiang Cheng had meticulously selected the hunting grounds of Dafan Mountain for him, casting nets everywhere and intimidating other family cultivators, making it difficult for them to advance and forcing them to retreat, all so that Jin Ling could win the competition and prevent others from taking it from him. Four hundred-plus binding nets, though nearly astronomically expensive, were nothing to the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. But the destruction of the nets was a minor matter; the loss of face was a major one. Seeing Lan Wangji's actions, Jiang Cheng felt a surge of anger rising within him. He narrowed his eyes, his left hand intentionally or unintentionally stroking the ring on his right index finger.
This is a dangerous move.
Everyone knows that the ring is a deadly and powerful magical artifact. The fact that the Jiang family head touched it signifies his intent to kill.
"uncle……"
Jin Ling only realized at this moment how much his uncle had sacrificed to make him stand out from the crowd.
"What are you yelling for? I'm your uncle, who else would I side with if not you?"
Jiang Cheng glared coldly at Jin Ling. Did he not know what this brat was thinking?
Jiang Yanli smiled and patted Jin Ling's head. Seeing that he was now sensible and polite, and that the arrogant image from the video was long gone, she stopped scolding him.
"A Cheng."
Jiang Yanli thought for a moment, then turned around.
"Sister?"
Jiang Cheng looked at Jiang Yanli's eyes, which were gradually turning red, with some confusion.
"Acheng, you've worked so hard all these years."
Jiang Yanli doesn't cry easily; on the contrary, she is perhaps stronger than any other woman. But everyone has things they care about and cherish.
Seeing his younger brother, whom he had cherished since childhood, shoulder everything alone, having to take care of a newborn baby at the age of twenty, and having to pay attention to Jin Ling's daily life while trying his best to help him gain a foothold in the immortal sects, even with Jin Guangyao's help, it was still not easy.
How could she not be sad?
And Jin Ling...
“Sister, Jin Ling is my nephew, please don’t speak so formally. Besides, I…”
Jiang Cheng has always been a stubborn child who rarely admits his mistakes, and he remains a big boy who can't bring himself to speak.
“Acheng, some of your actions, though intended to help Jin Ling, are not quite appropriate. Do you understand now?” Jiang Fengmian knew Jiang Cheng’s temperament and did not force him.
"I understand." Although Jiang Cheng was a bit stubborn, he was not someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong; he always knew what was good and what was bad.
In no time, Jiang Cheng suppressed his slight hostility.
Although he was not happy, as the head of a sect, he had more to consider and could not act impulsively like a kid like Jin Ling.
Since the decline of the Nie Clan of Qinghe, the three major families of the cultivation world now stand in a tripartite balance. The Jin and Lan families are already very close due to the close personal relationship between their heads. However, the Jin family, which independently controls the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, is practically isolated among the three. Although Lan Zhan is not the head of the Lan Clan, he is a renowned figure in the cultivation world with high prestige and has always maintained a harmonious relationship with the head of the clan. It's best to avoid a complete breakdown in relations if possible.
Furthermore, Jiang Cheng's sword "San Du" and Lan Zhan's sword "Bi Chen" have never truly clashed, and the outcome remains uncertain. Although he possesses the precious ring "Zi Dian," Lan Zhan's "Wang Ji" zither also enjoys formidable prestige. Jiang Cheng cannot tolerate being at a disadvantage and will never act rashly without certainty of victory.
Having understood this, he slowly withdrew his left hand from stroking the ring.
Listening to Wei Wuxian's inner grumbling, Jiang Cheng's face turned black, then red, then black again.
What nonsense is this guy spouting?! Do you think I'm afraid of Lan Zhan?!
Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian were very satisfied to see that Jiang Cheng knew how to consider the consequences of his actions and prioritized the Jiang family.
It seems Lan Wangji has made up his mind to intervene in this matter, so it's not convenient for him to play the villain again. Let's make a note of this for now; there will be plenty of opportunities to settle scores with this person in the future. Jiang Cheng weighed his options, then turned to see Jin Ling still angrily covering his mouth, and said, "If Hanguang-jun wants to punish you, then you'll have to accept his discipline this time. It's not easy for him to be able to discipline other people's juniors."
Lan Wangji never argued, and pretended not to hear. His words were barbed, and he changed the subject again: "What are you still standing there for, waiting for the Soul-Eating Beast to crash into your sword? If you can't defeat this Soul-Eating Beast today, don't bother coming to me again!"
Jin Ling glared fiercely at Wei Wuxian, but dared not glare at Lan Wangji, who had punished him by silencing him. He sheathed his sword, bowed to the two elders, and retreated with his bow. Lan Sizhui said, "Sect Leader Jiang, the Gusu Lan Clan will return the destroyed Immortal-Binding Net in full."
Jiang Cheng sneered, "No need." He chose the opposite direction and strolled down the mountain. His subordinates followed in silence, knowing they would be punished upon their return, and their faces were full of worry.
After they disappeared, Lan Jingyi said, "How could Sect Leader Jiang be like this!" Only after saying that did he remember the Lan family's teachings that one should not speak ill of others behind their backs. He was so frightened that he glanced at Hanguang-jun, shut his mouth, and shrank back. Lan Sizhui smiled slightly at Wei Wuxian and said, "Young Master Mo, we meet again."
Wei Wuxian twitched the corner of his mouth. Lan Wangji spoke up, his instructions concise and clear, his words devoid of any flowery language: "Go do your work."
Several juniors then remembered what Dafan Mountain was for, put aside their other thoughts, and respectfully awaited Hanguang-jun's further instruction. Lan Wangji added, "Do your best. Don't overexert yourself."
The voice was low and magnetic; if one were close enough, it would surely make one's heart tremble. The juniors respectfully agreed and, not daring to linger, headed deeper into the mountains. Wei Wuxian thought to himself, Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan are truly completely different people; even their words of advice to the juniors are diametrically opposed. But then he saw Lan Wangji nod almost imperceptibly to him, and he was slightly taken aback.
Lan Zhan had been so serious and earnest since his youth that it was almost painful; he was rigid and stern, seemingly never lively, and intolerant of even the slightest imperfection. He never showed a kind expression when it came to Wei Wuxian's cultivation path. Lan Sizhui had probably already told him about the Mo Family Manor incident. Knowing that Wei Wuxian was practicing an unorthodox path, he still nodded to him, presumably to thank the Mo Family Manor for helping the Lan family's juniors. Wei Wuxian had rarely received such treatment from him, and without thinking, he returned the bow. When he looked up again, Lan Wangji's figure had already disappeared.
Lan Jingyi shuddered again upon seeing this scene, but after receiving a fierce glare from Old Master Lan, he fell silent, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.
Hehe, Qingheng-jun's words really do carry weight.
Jiang Cheng's face darkened again.
If you compare me to Lan Er again, believe me, I'll beat you to death when you get out!
After a pause, he also headed down the mountain.
He couldn't possibly want the Soul-Eating Demon in Dafan Mountain. After all, he wouldn't fight Jin Ling for it, no matter who he was competing with.
It was Jin Ling.
Of all the members of the Lanling Jin clan, he truly hadn't expected to encounter Jin Ling. If he had known, how could he have mocked him for being "born of a mother but raised without one"? If someone else had said those words to Jin Ling, he would have taught that person a lesson about the dangers of careless words. But it was himself who had said them.
After standing still for a moment, Wei Wuxian raised his hand and slapped himself.
Snap!
Wei Wuxian slapped everyone present hard across the face.
"Ouch, that hurts like hell!"
...
It's clear that Wei Wuxian's slap was quite severe.
Even after the pain subsided, everyone still felt their faces burning. Who said Wei Wuxian didn't care about his senior sister or Jin Ling?
Jin Ling was also taken aback. He thought Wei Wuxian's apology in the forest back then was already quite lenient, but he genuinely didn't know about this matter. He never expected that...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
