Chapter 338
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
The delicate and frail Ou Yan was incomparably resolute at this moment. From afar, she bowed deeply and said loudly: “Reporting to Abbess, my elder brother never told me anything about the sheepskin scroll.”
“Good!” Abbess Jingyi nodded, then turned to Zhang San and said: “Alliance Leader Zhang, did you hear that clearly?”
“I heard it well, Abbess. I suppose Ou Peng feared implicating his younger sister and thus may not have entrusted the sheepskin scroll to her. However, I was thinking—since Ou Peng just mentioned something about Huanxi Villa, do you think he might have hidden the sheepskin scroll there?”
Yang Ruping flew into a rage and said: “Alliance Leader Zhang, just now my husband made it very clear—Huanxi Villa belongs to Ou Yan, it is not part of the Piaomiao Sect. I will protect my younger sister, and I will not allow you to disturb even a single blade of grass or tree in Huanxi Villa! Furthermore, you keep going on about this so-called sheepskin scroll in the hands of the Piaomiao Sect, and claim it was information given by that Situ Ping of the Evil Tiger Gang—where is this so-called Situ Ping now?”
Zhang San replied, “Well… regarding Situ Ping, the matter is absolutely true. But… she did suddenly disappear some time ago. Our Heaven’s Way Alliance has already dispatched numerous disciples, but so far, there has been no news.”
“What?” Both Abbess Jingyi and Elder Changsheng were angered. “Alliance Leader Zhang, why did you not inform us of this matter earlier?”
“That, please quell your anger, both of you. It’s not that I didn’t wish to report it. It’s just that the arrow was already nocked and had to be released. I feared…”
“You feared we wouldn’t act according to the plan, didn’t you? Alliance Leader Zhang, your scheming runs far too deep.”
Abbess Jingyi’s voice turned cold.
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Let’s put that aside for now. What matters most is the sheepskin scroll in the Piaomiao Sect’s possession. Oh, right—Abbess, it’s possible the scroll might still be on Ou Peng’s body.”
“You—!” Yang Ruping raised her sword and pointed it straight at Zhang San. If she had invisible sword qi, she would have already pierced him through.
Abbess Jingyi thought for a moment and said: “Ruping, don’t act on impulse. Your master will stand up for you. However, since the three factions have made such a show of force by coming here, if we don’t get to the bottom of this, no one will be able to give a proper account.”
“Here’s what we’ll do—Alliance Leader Zhang, you may dispatch some disciples, and both our Incense Spreading Sect and Dalin Temple will also send some disciples. You’ll be given half a day. Whether you find anything or not, you must withdraw afterward. From this point forward, your Heaven’s Way Alliance is not to set foot in Huanxi Villa again. Also, you heard it from Ou Peng himself—Huanxi Villa is not part of the Piaomiao Sect. In other words, it lies outside our agreed plan. Every blade of grass, every tree, every person, and every beast in that villa must remain untouched. If you violate this, don’t blame my Incense Spreading Sect for turning hostile and showing no mercy!”
Zhang San pondered for a moment, then said: “What Abbess Jingyi says is very true. Let it be as Abbess has decided.”
With that, he gave You Zhanfei a slight nod. You Zhanfei turned and descended Piaomiao Peak. Over on the other side, Monk Changgeng of Dalin Temple and one of the consecrators from the Incense Spreading Sect also followed after him.
Then Elder Changsheng pressed his palms together and said softly: “Abbess Jingyi, what Alliance Leader Zhang said does carry some weight. With so many disciples in the Piaomiao Sect, who’s to say that none among them might be hiding the sheepskin scroll?”
Seeing Elder Changsheng speak thus, Abbess Jingyi smiled and said: “Elder Changsheng worries too much. As for the Luo River Gang incident, I won’t bring that up again. But when your Dalin Temple takes over, I ask that the Elder pay close attention—do not let the trail of the sheepskin scroll be lost. As for the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect, since our Incense Spreading Sect will be taking them in, naturally, they will be placed under our supervision. When they descend Piaomiao Peak, they will be made to change into our sect’s garments. Our disciples will inspect each one. If Elder is uneasy, you may send someone to participate. Also, Ou Peng’s remains will soon be dressed and placed into a coffin. Elder Changsheng, you may recite scriptures for him.”
Elder Changsheng smiled and replied: “That would be for the best.”
He then turned to Zhang San and said: “Alliance Leader Zhang, your burden is even heavier—you are to take over Piaomiao Manor and this Piaomiao Peak. If the sheepskin scroll is found, please inform us at the earliest. The time for entering the forest is fast approaching this year. Our three factions must make ample preparations.”
Zhang San could not hide the excitement on his face. He clasped his hands repeatedly and said: “Indeed, indeed. Master and Abbess, there is no need for concern. I will certainly give it my all. I hope our three factions can soon find a method to enter the secret realm, so that our collective strength may rise to even greater heights.”
To be the knife or to be the fish on the chopping board—such was the nature of it.
In the blink of an eye, the Incense Spreading Sect, Dalin Temple, and the Heaven’s Way Alliance had thoroughly divvied up the millennia-old legacy of the Piaomiao Sect. And the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect, once the rightful masters, could only stand aside, listen, and watch, allowing themselves to be cut up and portioned out—unable to utter a single word of protest! Even Yang Ruping, who stood as their last line of defense, could only wipe her tears and endure, for the sake of fulfilling her husband’s dying wishes.
At this time, the blood-colored setting sun still hung half-visible beyond the distant mountains. The crimson clouds in the sky were like blood dripping from the heights of Piaomiao Peak.
By the time the sun had fully sunk below the horizon, not a single soul remained on Piaomiao Peak. The mountain wind howled with a low, mournful wail, oblivious to the fact that in just a single day, the entire peak had changed hands—and that another sect with ten thousand years of history had been extinguished within the ruthless currents of the martial world.
Heaven and earth shift, seas become mulberry fields—such is fate!
That day, Chu Yunfei had escaped from the rear mountain with Hu Yunyi. The finer details of what followed were unclear, most of what he knew were later rumors spread through the martial world. Yet even so, when Chu Yunfei finished recounting the tale, Zhang Xiaohua was full of sorrow, sighing over and over again, clenching his fists in regret—hating only that he had not been present atop Miaomiao Peak that day. But what he forgot was—regardless of his current level of martial skill—at that time, someone could’ve sent him flying from the peak to the base with a single punch. Where would he have had any chance to stand out?
Strength speaks above all else. Courage and passion alone—those are nothing but impulsive ideals!
The moonlight was bright and clear. Zhang Xiaohua played with the small sword in his hand, then asked with concern: “What about the surviving disciples of the Piaomiao Sect?”
Chu Yunfei gazed into the distance at the moon hanging high in the sky and said: “I heard they followed the Sect Leader’s wife and journeyed far to the Incense Spreading Sect. There, a new Piaomiao Hall was established, with the Sect Leader’s wife as its head, sheltering all the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect.”
“Sect Leader’s wife? You all still acknowledge her as the Sect Leader’s wife?”
“Yes, of course. She and the Sect Leader were deeply devoted—she didn’t marry into the Piaomiao Sect for the sake of benefits or ambition. And during our sect’s time of peril, it was she who protected the surviving disciples. Why wouldn’t we respect her? Even the Grand Elder says so.”
“The Grand Elder? Oh right, Elder Hu. I think I’ve vaguely seen him before. Is he alright?”
“Sigh, the Grand Elder was gravely injured—his cultivation nearly dissipated entirely. Otherwise, how could Dalin Temple and the Incense Spreading Sect have let him go? Now he’s merely holding on, afraid that if anything happens to him, the few remnants of Piaomiao disciples scattered outside might be lost as well.”
“Sigh… Piaomiao Sect’s already like this, and you all still think of yourselves as Piaomiao Sect disciples?”
“Even if the Piaomiao Sect is no longer atop Piaomiao Peak, even if it no longer resides in Piaomiao Manor, the Piaomiao Sect will forever be in our hearts. We will always be disciples of the Piaomiao Sect.”
Zhang Xiaohua sighed. His feelings toward the Piaomiao Sect ran deep as well. When he recalled Ou Peng’s words, it felt as if it were just yesterday. Yet now, they were separated by life and death—never to meet again. Even that kind-hearted Zhang Chengyue had long departed for the underworld. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but picture the moment Zhang Chengyue handed him the silver banknotes.
“Oh right, I forgot to ask—what’s the situation at Huanxi Villa?”
“No one at Huanxi Villa was moved. Even the guards are still the same as before. It’s just been taken over by the Incense Spreading Sect—everything’s practically the same.”
“Ah? Then, is Miss Ou still at the villa?”
“How could that be? Though Huanxi Villa is still technically Miss Ou’s, without the Sect Leader’s protection, how could she possibly keep her footing there? She’s now with the Sect Leader’s wife at the Incense Spreading Sect.”
“Then… what about Qiu Tong?”
“Brother Zhang, it seems you really are from Huanxi Villa—you know it so well!”
“Of course I am. Genuine product, guaranteed authentic.”
“Besides Miss Ou, I don’t know about the others. That Qiu Tong you’re asking about—she might still be at Huanxi Villa, or she might be with the Incense Spreading Sect.”
“You’ve been talking for a while—where are you all hiding now?”
“We’re at…” At that point, Chu Yunfei cast a cautious glance at Zhang Xiaohua.
Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood. He waved his hands quickly and said: “Ah, Brother Chu, that was my mistake. You don’t have to answer. I’m not some mole sent by the Heaven’s Way Alliance using a self-harming trick to gain your trust. Where you’re hiding has nothing to do with me. But actually, what I do want to ask is—do you know where the Incense Spreading Sect is? Or the Piaomiao Hall?”
“Brother Zhang, I’m sorry. Honestly, you saved my life—I shouldn’t be hiding anything from you. But this really concerns the life and death of the Piaomiao Sect. I hope you’ll understand.”
“No problem. I was just asking casually.”
Zhang Xiaohua looked up at the moonlight—the hour was getting late. He rose to his feet and said: “Brother Chu, I just want to ask one last question.”
Chu Yunfei smiled. “Ask away.”
“Do you know where the Incense Spreading Sect is?”
“That…” Chu Yunfei could only smile bitterly. “The Incense Spreading Sect has always been shrouded in mystery. They rarely show themselves in the martial world. How could I possibly know where they are? Even that Zhang San of the Heaven’s Way Alliance probably doesn’t know clearly either.”
“Huh?” Zhang Xiaohua was surprised. “Is the relationship between the Piaomiao Sect and the Incense Spreading Sect so complicated that even you don’t know where they are?”
Chu Yunfei smiled bitterly. “I’m just a regular disciple of the sect—how would I know something like that? Maybe the Grand Elder does. Oh, right—there’s a rumor going around the martial world that says, ‘The Incense Spreading Sect is above the moon.’ No idea where that came from, though.”
“Above the moon?” Zhang Xiaohua looked up at the moon in the sky and chuckled. He had already reached the sixth level of Qi Refining, and was technically part of the Immortal Path, but he still hadn’t acquired the ability to fly. How could the Incense Spreading Sect possibly be on the moon?
Still, if he wanted to find his second brother, he had no choice but to seek out the Incense Spreading Sect. And right now, the only person who might know where it was is none other than the Piaomiao Sect’s Grand Elder, Hu Yunyi.
“What should I do? Chu Yunfei still hasn’t let his guard down around me. How am I supposed to find Elder Hu? And I can’t just reveal my background to anyone either, this is going to be tricky.”
Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes lit up. He smiled and said: “Senior Brother Chu, there’s something I’d like to trouble you with.”
“Go ahead, I’ll hear you out first.”
“I’d like to ask you to go back and ask Elder Hu whether he knows the location of the Incense Spreading Sect. If he does, could I trouble you to pass that address on to me?”
“Oh? You want to go to the Incense Spreading Sect? Don’t tell me Zhang Xiaohu is your…?”
“That’s right—Zhang Xiaohu is my biological elder brother. We haven’t seen each other in four or five years now. I’d like to see him with my own eyes to be at ease.”
“What if you can’t find him?” Chu Yunfei frowned.
Zhang Xiaohua looked completely harmless, shrugged, and said with a faint smile: “Then blood will be paid with blood, I suppose.”
