CHAPTER 40: 40. UNIFICATION

Western Shu, Celestial Cloud Mountain City was originally a lawless land, a paradise for the people of the Jianghu.

There has always been a saying here, "Cloud City is treacherous, one lion and three wolves."

The "one lion" refers to "Lion King" Li Kuangzhan.

And the "three wolves" refer to the three strongmen of the Solitary Bamboo Gang.

But after the battle at Silver Waterfall Lake, the saying "Cloud City is treacherous, one lion and three wolves" suddenly changed to "Cloud City is treacherous, one lion, three wolves, and without the Divine Dragon, who can contest?"

The "Divine Dragon" is the nickname the people of the Jianghu gave to Song Yan.

Song Yan felt it was quite exaggerated.

However, when in Rome, it’s all just for show...

...

...

The new master of the Ghostly Cyan Robe Tower, Hua Linglong, in order to consolidate her prestige, redirect internal conflicts, eliminate dissidents, and settle her confidants, launched an attack on the Solitary Bamboo Gang as soon as she took power.

Her reliance was naturally her sworn brother "Divine Dragon" Hua Rong.

"Divine Dragon" Hua Rong did not disappoint this pure-looking yet ambitious woman.

No matter what terrifying defenses the Solitary Bamboo Gang set up, as long as he appeared, he could break through with his superb martial arts.

However, two fists were eventually no match for four hands, and a few times, the Solitary Bamboo Gang laid heavy ambushes that caused the "Divine Dragon" some trouble, almost costing him his life once.

But this did not diminish the "Divine Dragon" Hua Rong’s reputation; instead, it made the people of Jianghu admire him even more.

Because those few ambushes by the Solitary Bamboo Gang were full force efforts.

The time they nearly killed the "Divine Dragon," the Solitary Bamboo Gang even called back their elders who were retired outside. Yet despite this, "Divine Dragon" Hua Rong still fought his way out of the encirclement with only minor injuries.

...

...

Time flew by, and it was already winter.

It was almost a year since Song Yan left the Puppet Sect.

The Solitary Bamboo Gang had been beaten back to only the last remaining county, a county named after the Solitary Bamboo Gang itself — Guzhu County.

Snow filled the sky, the mountains and rivers were one vast expanse of white.

A luxurious palanquin was by the river, across the river facing the distant Guzhu County.

In the palanquin, a tender hand lifted the curtain, revealing a pretty and pure, yet slightly pale face in the light, her gaze fixed on the man beside the palanquin, a gaze full of complexity, yet with a hint of subtle warmth.

"Come inside, it’s cold outside."

Hua Linglong said.

By now, she was close to completely unifying the Jianghu.

The ruler of the Jianghu over three cities and twenty-six counties was essentially the local tyrant, and even the City Lord sent by the King of Shu had to listen to her.

Song Yan shook his head, looking towards the east.

Across the river to the east was Guzhu County, but it was also the direction of the Puppet Sect.

His first step was to blend into the Jianghu;

The second step was to investigate, especially the information on the Puppet Sect and Nanwu Sword Sect; and to search for the "Independent Cultivator Market mentioned by the Princess Consort."

He firmly believed that the "Independent Cultivator Market" existed, because Hua Linglong had told him about the "Blood-Burning Divine Water."

The "Blood-Burning Divine Water," a strange poison of the Jianghu, was a prescription found by an old man from Cold Water Manor from God knows where, which sounded similar in some ways to the "Spirit Flower Manual found by the Princess Consort’s grandfather."

Besides, the Princess Consort’s grandfather found the Spirit Flower Manual about forty years ago.

The old man from Cold Water Manor only emerged about ten years ago.

A few years ago, the Princess Consort searched everywhere near Mountain Mist City for the Immortal Market but found no news, yet Mountain Mist City is still quite a distance from Celestial Cloud City.

Additionally, at the beginning of last year, when Hua Linglong sent people to annihilate Cold Water Manor, someone in the manor shouted, "I am willing to trade an immortal secret for my life," yet the killers sent were not interested in information about cultivators and slaughtered the person with one blow.

This intelligence naturally allowed Song Yan to deduce that there is a cultivator market in Western Shu, but this market is mobile, near Mountain Mist City forty years ago, and now near Celestial Cloud City.

As for why a place like Western Shu, devoid of Profound Qi, has such a market, and why it moves, he was quite curious.

But these questions he would leave for "phase two" of his plan to resolve.

Song Yan was quite eager to take another step forward, so he had an inexplicable obsession with these "wild independent cultivator markets."

He knew that only in such places could he truly find what he needed, rather than in markets of large forces, where there were "technology blockades" everywhere.

Having practiced Cultivating Profound for so long, he also understood that "Cultivating Profound" was essentially "breaking through the human body, defying the heavens and changing fate."

This step necessarily required external support.

Such as the "Skin-Stripping Ointment" and "Flame Marrow Pill."

He was directly using Life Span Calculation, so he couldn’t feel the "skin-stripping" pain of applying the "Skin-Stripping Ointment" nor experience the bone-burning agony of swallowing the "Flame Marrow Pill."

It is precisely these external things that help ordinary human bodies break limits, step by step, in the practice of Refining Profound, gradually rising, allowing Profound Qi of heaven and earth to fill a body where it was originally impossible to exist.

Without these external things, even in ten thousand years or a hundred thousand years, it would be impossible to break through unless... you had already evolved from a "human" into "another species."

Just as Song Yan was lost in thought, a playful voice came from the palanquin.

"Hua Rong!"

"Hmm?"

"Get in!"

"Hmm?"

"I order you to get on the palanquin!"

The voice, filled with anger, added softly, "It’s quite cold outside."

Silence ensued in the air for a moment.

The four strong men carrying the palanquin, along with the experts from the Ghostly Cyan Robe Tower following nearby, all pretended as if they neither saw nor heard anything, their eyes looking downward, minds wandering elsewhere.

Song Yan was also momentarily stunned, but he still got onto the palanquin and sat next to Hua Linglong.

He was a bit puzzled. He seemed not to have used the Fanatic Fans powder this year.

The key thing about "Fanatic Fans" is that once its effect wears off, the best outcome is "friends turn into strangers."

But he hoped to turn the Ghostly Cyan Robe Tower into his own private garden, becoming his eyes and ears outside, so... he tried to stop using Fanatic Fans once he felt everything was under control.

Logically speaking, the drug’s effect should have nearly worn off by now.

Hua Linglong should have almost awakened by now.

He glanced sideways. The pure and charming mistress of the Flower Tower, dressed in a dark golden robe, sat upright, half-leaning against the window, pondering something, seemingly indifferent to him.

Soon after, quite a few scouts began to appear outside, each coming to report intelligence concerning Guzhu County.

The experts of the Cyan Robe Tower were all eager to get ready to accomplish this "final battle to unify the Jianghu."

...

...

"Outrageous, outrageous!"

"The foundation of our Solitary Bamboo Gang cannot be destroyed by my hand!"

In the county, a strong and imposing man was pacing back and forth, and at this time a disciple reported from outside, "Leader, they’re here!"

The leader of the Solitary Bamboo Gang showed some hesitation but quickly made a decision, saying, "Invite him in!"

Moments later, a yellow-robed man bearing a sword swept in from outside, landed in the hall, and bowed with a smile, "Has the leader made a decision?"

The yellow-robed man immediately added, "Leader, you know that I am originally a consecrated of the Great Wei, a mere loose cultivator, unable to break through, just wanting to enjoy some peace. I’m no threat to you."

The leader of the Solitary Bamboo Gang hurriedly said, "Elder Huang, you speak too severely. I’ve made up my mind.

If you can help me kill the dragon and the lion of the Ghostly Cyan Robe Tower, once I reclaim the three cities and twenty-six counties, I will definitely offer half to Elder Huang."

The yellow-robed man said, "Why not just let me personally kill Hua Linglong?"

The leader of the Solitary Bamboo Gang asked, "How much Profound Jade does Elder Huang have left?"

The yellow-robed man replied, "None."

"Then in this land devoid of Profound Qi, how many times can Elder Huang still use his magic?" The leader of the Solitary Bamboo Gang said, "Moreover, Jianghu has its own rules. Using a cultivator’s hand to seize power, you won’t be able to suppress the people below.

Where Hua Linglong is, there must be countless experts. Whether Elder Huang can prevail upon entering is one issue; even if you win, you might not come out unscathed. Even if you retreat, others will know our Solitary Bamboo Gang invited a cultivator.

But the dragon and the lion are different. They must have moments when they are alone outside. When the time comes... please act, Elder Huang."

The yellow-robed man nodded.

The leader of the Solitary Bamboo Gang said, "That Divine Dragon Hua Rong, his martial arts mastery is terrifying. Elder Huang, please be careful."

The yellow-robed man couldn’t help but laugh, stroking his beard arrogantly, he said, "It’s just a matter of one sword stroke."

...

...

Several days later...

Winter night.

"Impossible... no... impossible..."

The yellow-robed man stared in horror at the man in front of him, his legs kicking frantically, but that man’s big hand clamped around his neck like an iron hoop, lifting him half into the air.

Near Celestial Cloud City, there is hardly any Profound Qi, so Song Yan generally doesn’t use magic here.

But today, he inexplicably encountered an assassination attempt by a loose cultivator.

At this moment, his left hand holding the yellow-robed man, his right hand casually pointing, Evil Qi surged from his finger, striking the yellow-robed man’s forehead, swirling and expanding within, transforming into a terrifying ghastly ghost mouth, plunging deeper inside.

The ghost mouth swallowed, directly devouring the bit of Primordial Spirit in the yellow-robed man’s forehead, only to spit it back out moments later.

However, the regurgitated Primordial Spirit was already tainted with Evil Qi.

This was an evolution of "Soul-Searching Skill," forming the "Ghost Slayer Soul Revival Technique."

This technique not only allows for a more detailed search of the opponent’s memories but can also directly swallow their soul, then spew it out mixed with Evil Qi, returning it to the original body, turning it into an obedient killing machine devoid of much thought but overflowing with rage and madness.

Smack!

Song Yan released his hand.

The yellow-robed man fell to the ground, his eyes red, filled with fury as he crazily and irrationally glared around.

Song Yan pondered over the memories he had just seen, breathing out lightly.

A stray dog, just a lone loose cultivator...

Not a big trouble.

"Go, whoever sent you, go kill them, then cause chaos in the Solitary Bamboo Gang until you’re killed."

The yellow-robed man’s eyes brightened as if he had received a decree, promptly picking up his flying sword, turned, and headed toward Guzhu County.

...

...

The next day, while the Ghostly Cyan Robe Tower was still discussing how to attack the Solitary Bamboo Gang, they received news that last night a loose cultivator caused havoc within the Solitary Bamboo Gang, leading to the tragic death of their leader and several top members. It was said... this loose cultivator was invited by the Solitary Bamboo Gang’s leader, only to inexplicably turn against them.