As the saying goes, speed is of the essence in warfare.
Put simply, after doing something bad, you have to leave the scene of the crime immediately.
The character “wronged” that she had left behind served two purposes. On the one hand, it would give Shu Xin an excuse to use if she were caught. On the other, it was meant to muddy the waters and divert the pursuers’ attention toward other people.
After all, these were aristocratic clans. How could they monopolize so many resources without making enemies?
The more a person possessed, the more afraid they were that someone would take it away.
They were accustomed to treating everything around them as a potential enemy. A little misleading information at the outset could buy Shu Xin a great deal of time.
Shu Xin was no neat freak. She first took the storage rings from the three dead Grotto-Heaven Adepts. From them, she found spare robes and masks, put them on, disguised herself as someone else, and swaggered out of the room.
“All the surrounding peaks are encircled by cultivators from the aristocratic factions. Even if you disguise yourself, you won’t escape their pursuit.” The Sword Spirit was puzzled.
“I know. Don’t worry, I have a plan.” Shu Xin waved a hand. “This is the perfect opportunity to show you how devious the human race can be.”
The Sword Spirit had not the slightest doubt that Shu Xin was bragging.
That was because the woman was practically synonymous with those four words.
The moment Shu Xin left the room in disguise, the restraints imprisoning the Sword Spirit were shattered. Several cultivators wearing exquisite jade pendants kicked the door open. They saw the bodies on the floor—and the large character “Wronged” on the wall.
“The bodies are still warm. She can’t have gone far,” one of the Lin family cultivators said with a frown. “The moment the soul lamps they left in the clan went out, we came straight here. Shu Xin couldn’t have gotten far. After her!”
“Wait. What are you rushing for? The mountains surrounding the prison in the lake are all covered by sealing formations. Even a Great Ascension cultivator would need several hours to break through them. She couldn’t have gone far.” Another Lin family disciple shook his head. “The three of them died incredibly quickly. Their dantians were pierced through by a spirit sword. They may have been old, but they were still Grotto-Heaven Adepts. An ordinary spirit sword would have had trouble even piercing their skin.”
“Shu Xin is merely a rogue cultivator. How could she possibly possess a spirit sword of that level? And considering the character she wrote, could it be that she wasn’t the one who killed them?”
“Of course she couldn’t have killed them. Shu Xin is only at the Dao Infant stage. How could she have killed three Grotto-Heaven Adepts in such a short time? Someone else must have made a move.”
“To kill someone on the Enforcement Hall’s territory, the culprit could only be someone from within our sect. Was it the Zhang family? Or the Shangguan family?” The two clans named by the Lin family cultivator were both mortal enemies of their own clan.
After thinking it over, the only people who could have helped Shu Xin kill the three men were members of those two hostile families.
“Shu Xin is someone our ancestor wants dead. It won’t matter if she’s already dead. But if she was rescued by one of those enemy clans, and the ancestor finds out that we failed in our duty…” As they recalled their own ancestor’s methods and petty nature, the men could not help shuddering.
“Shu Xin must die.” The leading Lin family cultivator spoke with absolute firmness. “Before long, the ancestor will officially accept Situ Jian as his personal disciple. It has been several hundred years since he last took on a disciple, and he has never liked his disciples to have unfinished worldly ties. If Shu Xin is still alive before the disciple-acceptance ceremony, the ancestor will feel that his dignity has been damaged. Even though we are his descendants, we will still be unable to escape death.”
Having several hundred or even several thousand descendants meant that any single one of them was practically worthless.
A disciple capable of inheriting one’s legacy, on the other hand, was precious.
The ancestor’s last disciple had died while attempting to break through to the Immaculate Realm. After that, the ancestor had never taken another disciple.
The parents and relatives of his previous disciple had also died in various “accidents,” leaving them no choice but to regard the Lin family as their only support.
“Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll send people to search the surrounding area, while also leaking the news that Shu Xin has the Five-Region Mountain-and-River Seal. Among the aristocratic clans, there are plenty of Grotto-Heaven Adepts whose lifespans are nearly exhausted and who are desperate to break through. They’ll search for Shu Xin with everything they have.”
“But if we do that, it’ll be very difficult for us to reclaim the Five-Region Mountain-and-River Seal.” The relatively younger cultivator made no attempt to hide his desire for the artifact. “Even if we pooled all our accomplishments, it would still be difficult to exchange them for this treasure. If we weren’t trying to kill Shu Xin, how could the clan have been willing to give it to her?”
“The Five-Region Mountain-and-River Seal is important to the clan, but to the ancestor, it’s nothing more than a dispensable trinket. When forced to choose between two evils, we must pick the lesser one. If Shu Xin dies and we lose the seal, our merits may still offset our mistakes. But if Shu Xin survives and we lose the seal as well, that would be adding one crime on top of another.”
The Lin family disciples’ hearts stirred. In the end, their fear of the ancestor outweighed their greed for the Five-Region Mountain-and-River Seal.
“Fine. I’ll spread the news first.”
“Don’t say that Shu Xin was kidnapped. Say that she was rescued by an accomplice.” The leading Lin family cultivator casually wiped away the character “Wronged” from the wall. “She fled while wanted for her crimes. We are perfectly justified in arresting her.”
“Yes, Elder Brother.”
“Wait. Add one more thing.”
“Anyone who brings Shu Xin to us will receive a reward of one hundred thousand spirit stones from the Lin family. As for Shu Xin herself, alive or dead, we’ll accept her either way.”
“Elder Brother, is Shu Xin really worth that much?”
“The storage bags of those three Grotto-Heaven Adepts were all searched and emptied. Their aptitudes may have been ordinary, but outside they were each renowned as an overlord in their own right. And considering how many resources they must have gathered while trying to break through, those things are probably all in Shu Xin’s and her accomplice’s hands now. Those alone are worth at least three hundred thousand spirit stones.”
“I understand.”
Half a day later.
Many of the aristocratic cultivators in the nearby mountain ranges had already heard the news that Shu Xin, carrying the Five-Region Mountain-and-River Seal, had apparently been rescued by someone. Her rescuer was said to possess at least Grotto-Heaven cultivation.
The aristocratic cultivators were delighted to watch the spectacle and became even more eager to get involved.
“The formations around the Enforcement Hall have been active year-round. Even we need to verify our identities before entering the appropriate peaks. Shu Xin and her accomplice must be hiding nearby. Search carefully and report back immediately.”
“Anyone who finds Shu Xin will be heavily rewarded.”
“How interesting. A Dao Infant cultivator was arrested and then rescued from the Enforcement Hall, and three Grotto-Heaven Adepts died in the process. If this had merely been a casual move by the Lin family before, it has now become a blatant slap in their face.”
“Shu Xin is truly unlucky, getting entangled with Situ Jian for no good reason.”
“It would be more accurate to say that anyone noticed by that old monster from the Lin family is unlucky.”
Even among the many ancestors of the aristocratic clans, the Lin family ancestor was one of the most difficult to deal with. If he had not lived so long and been so powerful, everyone would have joined forces to kill him long ago.
“Even if they weren’t alone to begin with, anyone who catches the eye of that old monster from the Lin family is bound to become a cursed lone star.”
Jokes were one thing, but with the news spreading so widely, it had gradually evolved into rumors that Shu Xin was carrying not only a vast number of spirit stones, but also rare treasures capable of helping one withstand the tribulation of lightning, as well as powerful and bizarre inheritances of cultivation techniques.
For a time, the cultivators from the surrounding mountains began to grow restless.
【This is bad. Everyone is looking for you now. If I could briefly recover, I could break through the formation with a single slash and get you out of here.】 The Sword Spirit was deeply worried.
No one had expected the Lin family’s cultivators to arrive so quickly. Even less expected was that they would be shameless enough to spread the news outright. It was obvious they wanted the nearby cultivators to come and kill Shu Xin.
“Hmm. There are clever people even among the scions of aristocratic families.” Shu Xin stroked her chin. “It’s better when they’re clever. I can’t figure out what fools are thinking at all. The Lin family’s move is actually quite brilliant.”
【And you still have the mood to praise them? You’ve played yourself into a corner, haven’t you? If only you hadn’t entered the Enforcement Hall in the first place.】 The Sword Spirit was full of regret.
“Only muddy waters are good for fishing. Even if the Lin family hadn’t spread the news, I would have found a way to do it myself. Now they’ve saved me the trouble.” Shu Xin laughed loudly. “As for you, you’re my final trump card. How could I use you to break the formation? You don’t play the ace first thing!”
【Someone’s coming. Hide quickly.】 The Sword Spirit urged her on.
“Why hide?” Shu Xin asked boldly. “A Cave-Heaven True Immortal isn’t as common as cabbages and turnips. How could ordinary cultivators possibly see through my disguise?”
The most dangerous place was often the safest.
Although this place was large, with so many cultivators searching every inch of the mountain, digging three feet into the ground, she would eventually be found.
Wouldn’t it be better to simply hide among the very teams searching for her?
The greatest concealment was in the midst of the city.
A drop of water would not be noticed once it merged into the sea.
With that thought, Shu Xin spotted a group of people approaching from a distance and hurried toward them at a light jog.
“Senior Brothers, judging by the way you’re dressed, are you disciples of the Shangguan family—the ones said to be ‘unmatched beneath their fists, and number one in battle among those of the same cultivation level’?” Shu Xin asked with an expression of admiration. She had suppressed her cultivation to the early Core Formation stage, making herself look like an ordinary young female cultivator one could find anywhere.
The group Shu Xin had stopped was indeed made up of branch disciples of the Shangguan family. The leader looked somewhat mature and was at the late Core Formation stage. Behind him followed cultivators who had formed cores as well as others who had only recently succeeded in Foundation Establishment. They all looked rather old for their cultivation levels, making it clear that their aptitudes were nothing special. Even within the Shangguan family, they were probably not highly valued.
“You have a discerning eye.” The leader cupped his hands slightly. “I am Shangguan Yu. It was only by luck that I was recently added to the family register. These behind me are some of my younger brothers and sisters. May I ask who you are, Junior Sister?”
“I… I’m only from a small family, one that can hardly compare with the Shangguan family. My humble surname is Li.” Shu Xin lowered her head shyly. “I originally came to patrol the mountains with my elders, but along the way I found a spirit herb that looked quite good and was delayed for a while. When I looked up again, my elders were gone. I had no choice but to wait here and ask whether any of you fellow disciples have seen my family elders.”
“When we arrived, we saw quite a few cultivators patrolling the mountains. I don’t know which ones are your elders.” Seeing that Junior Sister Li was quite attractive, Shangguan Yu took note of the fact that, although the robes she wore were not particularly valuable, they still showed that she was favored by her family. Moreover, she had already reached the Core Formation stage at such a young age. She was worth treating with a certain degree of caution.
“I see.” Shu Xin sniffled and wiped away a tear. “Then I’ll continue waiting here. I’m sorry to have troubled you, Senior Brothers.”
“If Junior Sister Li doesn’t mind, you can travel with us for the time being. The area ahead is likely to be filled with all sorts of people. I’ve heard that quite a few cultivators from rogue-cultivator backgrounds are foolishly hoping to distinguish themselves. If you’re alone, you may be in some danger. We are all disciples of aristocratic families, so we should look out for one another.”
Shangguan Yu wore a proud expression. “Those rogue cultivators were lucky enough to enter our sect, but they haven’t managed to shed their rough, uncultured habits. Besides, I hear that Shu Xin is quite famous among rogue cultivators. It’s possible that some of her allies are hiding among them.”
“This… this might be inconvenient.” Shu Xin hesitated, looking conflicted. “Aren’t you worried that I might be a bad person, Senior Brother Shangguan?”
Shangguan Yu smiled with unrestrained confidence. “Our Shangguan family is renowned throughout the world. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare provoke us.”
“Cousin, isn’t it inappropriate to bring an unaffiliated cultivator along?” A younger cultivator tugged at Shangguan Yu’s sleeve, then secretly glanced at Shu Xin. “What if she’s Shu Xin in disguise? Isn’t Shu Xin a female cultivator too?”
Shangguan Yu couldn’t help laughing when he heard this.
“Cousin, you haven’t thought this through. If you were Shu Xin, having finally escaped from the Enforcement Hall after killing someone and now being hunted everywhere, what would you do?”
“I… I would hide so no one could find me!”
“Exactly. Now look at this Junior Sister. Can any of the things she wears or uses be afforded by an ordinary rogue cultivator? And with such a beautiful appearance—so delicate and lovely that anyone passing by would have to look twice—how could she possibly be Shu Xin in disguise? Besides, Shu Xin has allies. She must be traveling with two or three people.”
Shangguan Yu delivered his reasoning smoothly and confidently.
“Cousin is right.”
The cultivators behind Shangguan Yu were all convinced. One after another, they began praising him for his wisdom and might.
Shu Xin was thus able to stay with them. Having served as an outer sect elder for so many years, she knew the rules and rhetoric of aristocratic cultivators inside and out. Pretending to be an innocent, single-minded young lady from an aristocratic family was effortless for her.
Before long, the Shangguan family’s cultivators learned that Junior Sister Li possessed outstanding aptitude and had yet to be betrothed. If she married, her family would prepare a bottle of Barrier-Breaking Pills for her as part of her dowry. Supposedly, the pills could increase a Core Formation cultivator’s chances of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.
For smaller aristocratic families, this could be considered an exceptionally generous dowry.
In an instant, the younger cultivators began looking at Junior Sister Li with noticeably greater fervor.
Only Shangguan Yu, confident in his cultivation and status, did not think very highly of her.
The dao companion he chose had to come from a major family. Although Junior Sister Li’s aptitude was excellent, she would offer little assistance to his future cultivation.
Even so, Junior Sister Li was gentle, considerate, meticulous, and thoughtful.
After several days, quite a few of the younger men from the Shangguan family had begun gazing at her with undisguised affection. They could hardly wait to meet her family elders and send a proposal of marriage.
Even Shangguan Yu had to admit that this Junior Sister Li truly knew how to say exactly what he wanted to hear.
“Although I haven’t spent much time with Senior Brother Shangguan, I can already tell that you’re a responsible and ambitious man. You value loyalty and affection, and you’re generous when you act. I’m sure you must be very popular with women. It’s just that, given your outstanding aptitude, you’re bound to arouse the jealousy of your peers. That is probably what has hindered your path forward…”
“I believe that Senior Brother Shangguan will surely succeed in his cultivation. When that day comes, please don’t forget your junior sister.”
There really is a female cultivator in this world who understands me so well?
Shangguan Yu looked at Shu Xin with noticeably greater tenderness.
If the elders of the Li family were open-minded, marrying Junior Sister Li wouldn’t be out of the question.
Meanwhile, the other young men of the Shangguan family watched Shangguan Yu and Junior Sister Li exchanging flirtatious glances, their hearts souring with jealousy.
【...Does Situ Jian know you’re here toying with all these young men’s hearts?】the Sword Spirit said darkly in Shu Xin’s mind.
“What do you mean, toying with them? It’s just a little conversational skill.” As Shu Xin spoke with the Sword Spirit, she sweetly accepted the pastries and snacks offered by one of the young men from the Shangguan family. A faint smile was enough to turn the young man’s face bright red.
“It’s just that the timing isn’t right. Otherwise, I’d show you how I can get these cultivators to spend thousands of spirit stones in just three sentences.” Shu Xin sighed, regretting that the circumstances were unsuitable.
【Get a grip. You’re not a cultivator from the Acacia Sect. What are you going to do next?】the Sword Spirit asked anxiously.
“Why are you in such a hurry? The people looking for me aren’t worried.” Shu Xin shrugged. “They’ll make mistakes once they start to panic. Besides, take a guess—if someone took advantage of this situation to settle an old score, then pinned the blame on me, what do you think would happen?”
The Sword Spirit froze.
“For certain people, it’s much easier to act while I remain absent,” Shu Xin said with a smile. “After all, I won’t be there to stand up and say that I wasn’t the one who did it.”
What a wonderful opportunity to settle old grudges and repay old grievances.
They’d better not let it slip away.
Shu Xin: You don’t understand humans. The more people there are, the harder they are to manage.
