Cangshu Haoxue’s body was carried back to Zhenyue Mountain City. The elders and disciples guarding the mountain gate stood with solemn expressions, yet there was no real grief among them.
Such was the way of cultivation—the law of the jungle. No one could be certain they would live to see the next day’s sun.
However, Cangshu Haoxue was the Third Young Master of the Cangshu family. Even if he was somewhat incompetent, he still represented Zhenyue Mountain City in the outside world. For someone to kill him was a direct slap to the face of the entire city.
As the head of the family, Cangshu Taotian had lost a son. Yet, looking at the mangled corpse on the ground, he felt no sorrow. He merely furrowed his brows in displeasure and anger.
Was it the work of Old Man Longsword?
Cangshu Fenming replied, According to the Soul-Burning Incense, the Third Young Master indeed died at the hands of a man carrying a white jade umbrella adorned with red plums.
Cangshu Taotian was several hundred years old, yet his appearance remained youthful. With sharp sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his tall and upright figure exuded a natural aura of authority. Where is Old Man Longsword now?
Shortly after the Third Young Master died, Old Man Longsword perished along with the cultivators pursuing him. His body was destroyed, leaving nothing behind.
Cangshu Taotian snorted. So there is truly no witness left to testify. Haoxue had many life-saving treasures on him; why did he die so easily?
Based on the scene, the Third Young Master walked into a pre-arranged killing array. At the same time, the person who attacked possessed profound cultivation. The Third Young Master had no time to react before his life was taken.
Cangshu Taotian remarked, Old Man Longsword was indeed skilled in formations. These methods do match his style.
Cangshu Fenming stood to the side, offering no personal judgment. He was only responsible for reporting the facts; the conclusions were not his concern. He continued, During this excursion, I discovered that the Cangshu branch family in Song City has been wiped out.
Cangshu Taotian’s expression shifted slightly. Who did it?
The branch family was killed cleanly, and the place was burned to the ground, Cangshu Fenming said. It is impossible to tell which sect’s methods were used. Furthermore, the Hongmeng Glazed Lamp, the supreme treasure held by the branch head, has vanished.
The others began to whisper among themselves.
Even if they were a branch family, they still carried the Cangshu name.
This is clearly a sign that they do not respect our Zhenyue Mountain City!
Is someone deliberately targeting us, or is this just a common vendetta in the martial world?
Could Old Man Longsword have done this as well?
That must be it. Old Man Longsword was heavily injured two hundred years ago and has never fully recovered. The Hongmeng Glazed Lamp is a supreme treasure for mending the soul. It is not impossible that he wanted it to treat his injuries.
For a moment, the crowd was filled with righteous indignation.
Someone said, Family Head, the Third Young Master was killed by Old Man Longsword. Although Old Man Longsword is dead, the face of our Zhenyue Mountain City has been tarnished. Can we just let this go?
Cangshu Taotian’s eyes turned cold. Naturally, we cannot. Even if Old Man Longsword is dead, his sect, Red Flame Peak, still remains. Since he used the killing methods of Red Flame Peak, then Red Flame Peak must take responsibility.
The others vaguely understood the meaning behind Cangshu Taotian’s words.
Recently, the younger generation of the clan had been declining with each passing year. Aside from the Eldest Young Master, who had reached the Nascent Soul stage at a young age, there were no other exceptionally talented youths. They needed more resources to nurture the next generation; even if they lacked talent, they would be force-fed resources until talent was forged.
One could say that Cangshu Haoxue’s death provided them with a perfect excuse.
Since we are going to war, I might as well lead the vanguard.
A young man was leaning against a tree, his red robes tied loosely, the hem fluttering in the wind. Most striking was his fiery red hair, left unbundled and falling freely over his shoulders, with a few stray strands over his forehead that accentuated his vivid, intense features.
When the others looked over, he tilted the corners of his eyes upward with a hint of casual malice. A half-smile played on his lips. Though he spoke of the brutal task of leading a vanguard in war, his posture was lazy and relaxed, devoid of any gravity.
Cangshu Taotian frowned slightly. You are volunteering?
Cangshu Qihua nodded and smiled. Why not?
He was the second son of Cangshu Taotian. His exotic features and crimson hair were symbols of his mother’s lineage—the lowliest medicine testers in Zhenyue Mountain City.
Cangshu Qihua added, However, if I am the one to take down Red Flame Peak, the treasures and resources obtained there must be distributed by me. How does that sound?
Cangshu Taotian pondered for a moment before saying, Very well.
He turned and departed, followed by the others. The disciples picked up the remains on the ground to take them for burial. Since Cangshu Haoxue had died in such an embarrassing manner, Zhenyue Mountain City certainly wouldn't be holding any grand funeral for him.
Cangshu Fenming looked at the frivolous red figure under the tree. Is the Second Young Master leaving the mountain immediately?
Cangshu Qihua smiled cryptically. If I don’t set out now and one of my brothers beats me to it, won’t I end up with nothing?
Cangshu Fenming gave a dutiful reminder, Miss Mu will be coming to Zhenyue Mountain City in a few days.
Is that so? Then please tell my fiancée that I’m off to do great things and don’t have time for her, Cangshu Qihua said, turning his back and waving a hand lazily. If she’s unhappy about it, tell her she’s free to break the engagement.
Cangshu Fenming watched Cangshu Qihua’s retreating figure and sighed softly.
Not a single one of the Cangshu young masters was easy to deal with.
In Song City, ever since the Cangshu branch was wiped out, a new sect called the Evergreen Sect had surged to become the largest and most popular cultivation sect in the city.
Mu Ran was following Cangshu Bai to buy supplies for the New Year. As they walked through the streets, they could hear the name of the Evergreen Sect mentioned from time to time.
Normally, any sect recruiting disciples would check for spiritual roots. But the Evergreen Sect was different; they claimed that even those without spiritual roots could cultivate them. This drew the longing of many ordinary commoners.
Cangshu Bai reached out again, shielding Mu Ran behind him. We are not interested in cultivation.
The black-robed disciple who had come to invite them looked disappointed but did not persist. He simply said, If the Young Master changes his mind, just come to our Evergreen Sect.
Mu Ran watched the man leave and said, This is the first time I’ve seen a sect recruit people like this. They aren't picky at all.
She grabbed Cangshu Bai’s hand and whispered, When things are this strange, there’s bound to be a catch. Jinzhi, I think it’s better if we don’t get involved with the Evergreen Sect. For some reason, I find them a bit frightening. Don't you?
Cangshu Bai nodded. Yes, I find them frightening too.
Mu Ran looked at him skeptically. Her husband’s expression was calm; she couldn't see a hint of fear in him.
He gently brushed a stray hair from her forehead. But the matter of immortality is something countless people seek. Are you not tempted?
Mu Ran’s eyes curved into a bright smile. Didn't we agree when we got married? A hundred years of harmony and a union of hearts. It’s enough for me to spend this lifetime with you. As for immortality, one cannot force it or crave it. To be able to grow old together with you is all the satisfaction I need.
Cangshu Bai knew that she had always been easily satisfied. In the past, if he peeled a few water chestnuts for her, she would hold them and be happy for a long time.
He, however, was not a man who was easily satisfied.
