Chapter 975: Chapter 107: Dignity (Part 2)

“…”

Chen Jingxuan didn’t give a response.

But often, silence is the best reply.

At this moment, Smoke Cloud Lake was just like a few days ago.

After a few breaths, Yan Xie suddenly spoke: “The Taoist treasure [Yin Yang Mirror] is in my waist pouch.”

This news was somewhat abrupt.

“Hmm?” Chen Jingxuan raised an eyebrow.

Yan Xie smiled faintly: “In my original plan, Ren Shou Palace won a great victory, and I took over Li Pavilion. It wouldn’t take long for this [Yin Yang Mirror] to be given to Qin Qianlian, considered as fortune left by a senior brother to a destined junior brother in the sect.”

Chen Jingxuan knew.

These two had a fleeting acquaintance and even a short cooperative relationship.

Although that cooperation… was fake.

But it wasn’t important.

Yan Xie wanted to retake control of the Imperial City, so needed to maintain good relations with the Qin Family.

Qin Qianlian was the best breakthrough point.

“I originally wanted to support Qin Qianlian to rise, but this junior brother is just too obstinate.”

Yan Xie paused: “Now it’s simple. After my death, this treasure should naturally return to the Taoist sect… but if you are willing to give me some dignity… I can teach you how to refine this mirror.”

By now, Yan Xie’s tone had become a lot more relaxed.

He had come to terms.

Today’s so-called reckoning seemed to be Chen Jingxuan coming with a victor’s stance to eliminate him.

But in fact, the true victor was at the Da Sui Sword Palace, on Lotus Peak.

The Holy Empress lost, so he lost.

“I’m not interested in this treasure.”

Chen Jingxuan shook his head, saying: “Besides this, do you have any other last words?”

Yan Xie’s expression didn’t change much, but upon hearing the words “last words,” his voice trembled slightly: “I… have some words I want to say to Master Xuanzhi.”

“Please speak.”

Chen Jingxuan flicked his sleeve.

“…Forget it.”

Yan Xie lowered his eyelids, softly murmuring: “Even if I said, he wouldn’t forgive me, would he?”

Being a disciple of Longevity House.

Meant inevitably following Master Xuanzhi in cultivation.

Master Xuanzhi’s cultivation was only farming and plowing, very dull and monotonous, for someone like Yan Xie, a “self-proclaimed extraordinary” cultivator, it was truly uninteresting.

Therefore.

Yan Xie’s nominal master was Xuanzhi in past years, but later, his cultivation of divine skills, Daoist skills… were all acquired from Chong Kan.

Xuanzhi once advised him.

To stay on Qingnang Mountain and abandon those wild thoughts.

He disdained it.

Looking back now… his heart fleetingly felt a touch of regret.

If he had listened to the advice then, would the end be better?

All thoughts settled.

Yan Xie spread his arms, closed his eyes, as if accepting fate, dispersing the Dao Domain.

Dao Domain was dispersed.

An overwhelming amount of foul aura flowed from his dark sleeve.

Chen Jingxuan was not merciful, extending his palm, where the imposing dharma of a scholar in green robes emerged, hundreds of thin golden lines appeared in the air, accompanied by the scholar’s palm pressing down, swept across Yan Xie’s brow, cutting through, shattering the void, with a splash in the lake water.

Blazing sun scorched the heart, the renegade disciple of Longevity House, who also practiced evil techniques, was cleaved by the golden line at the brow, his divine soul annihilated, plummeting straight into Smoke Cloud Lake.

Countless carp leapt up.

…

…

On the Moss Ridge mountain path, hooves thundered.

A steed galloped through the mud, swift like a shooting arrow, on the horseback, a shadow in black clothes lay low.

The figure wore a bamboo hat, concealing his face, covered in numerous talismans, nearly merging with the steed, speeding between the winding mountain path—

Suddenly.

The steed cried sadly, stepping onto a protruding rock, flipping sideways and falling.

“Ugh!”

The man in black on horseback gave a muffled groan, not struck down by the unforeseen accident, he supported himself with one hand on the ground, rebounded with great resilience, and landed steadily. He did not rush to help the fallen steed, but reached for his waist, feeling for the sword hilt, only then did he feel somewhat relieved.

Moss Ridge was as dead silent as ever.

No sound.

Yet the man in black was like a startled bird, constantly scanning around, he released his Divine Thought, enveloping the surrounding hundred meters.

Confirming no living persons, confirming it was merely an accident, only then did he cautiously move closer to the steed.

Just as his hand reached out.

“Whoosh!”

A very faint sound of something tearing through the air, a pebble flew from an unknown location, striking his hand back with a swift sound.

“…Who?!”

Yuan Jimo quickly withdrew his hand, suddenly stood up, looking towards the empty and desolate dense forest on both sides.

Within the range of his Divine Thought, there was still nothing.

He gritted his teeth.

In almost an instant, Yuan Jimo made a decision. He directly abandoned the swift horse, ready to turn and flee into the forest, but the next moment he suddenly stomped on the ground, abruptly halting his movement again.

Yuan Jimo gasped in shock.

His pupils narrowed into a thin line, reflecting a strand of extremely slender golden light.

Unbeknownst to him, an exceptionally dazzling golden flying sword was hovering behind his head, with its tip aimed right at his forehead. The person who set this sword seemed to have anticipated his escape decision… If not for his quick reaction, colliding with that flying sword just now would have led to instant death.

“…Chen Ke?”

Yuan Jimo’s expression was terribly grim.

It only took a moment.

He recognized this flying sword.

“Lord Yuan.”

“In such a hurry to leave?”

Meanwhile, a slightly mocking, unhurried voice echoed from the dense forest.

A black-robed figure was already sitting on the treetop branches, gently pressing down with both hands. As the wind blew and the leaves moved, the black robe swayed along.

With a thud.

The young man in black landed on the ground, casually waving his sleeve, causing the golden sword to transform into a stream of light, obediently returning to hover by its master’s shoulder.

Standing before Yuan Jimo at this moment.

Was none other than Xie Xuanyi, who had removed the [All Living Beings] disguise to reveal his true appearance.

“Xie Xuanyi…”

The face under Yuan Jimo’s hat was exceptionally stiff.

Some people are willing to stay in the Imperial City, to maintain a dignified front.

But clearly.

He was not such a person.

After losing contact with the Communication Order from Ren Shou Palace, he made two preparations, leaving Xuan Wu and the trusted confidants of the Imperial City Department to delay the Northern County Family and any “reinforcements” that might arrive at the Imperial City at any time. Yuan Jimo knew how many people hated him, so when he was escaping, he did not dare to use the [Transmission Array], as every [talisman formation] in the Great Chu Imperial City could trace precise anchor points.

Using the [talisman formation] to escape seemed to allow fleeing to a distant place.

In reality, it was not suitable for someone like Yuan Jimo, who had enemies all over the world. Once he stepped into the [talisman formation], he would only be locked on more quickly!

Thus, alone with horse, without informing any close confidant, fully covered in Breath-Suppressing Talismans, he left the Imperial City, heading north along the desolate and uninhabited route of Moss Ridge… In his plan, escaping Moss Ridge meant a major accomplishment, as escaping Great Chu would mean a rebirth.

He could either cross the Qu River to seek refuge under the Li Kingdom or cross the North Sea to join the Demon Country.

Unfortunately.

This move was intercepted halfway.

“How did you…”

Yuan Jimo gritted his teeth, looking at the young man before him. He couldn’t understand how Xie Xuanyi found him.

“You want to ask how I found you?”

Xie Xuanyi crossed his arms behind his back and smiled calmly, “If I say it was a coincidence… would you believe it?”

“Coincidence?”

Yuan Jimo’s eyes flashed with sarcasm.

No one knew his escape route.

Yet here was someone from Da Sui Sword Palace appearing in Moss Ridge—

However.

Since they had already met, how he was found didn’t matter anymore.

Buzz!

Yuan Jimo’s eyes glimmered with a hint of coldness. Instead of retreating, he accelerated, charging at the young man ahead. In just an instant, he covered several feet, drawing his sword from its sheath with extreme speed, whipping up a gust in the dense forest.

“Woosh—”

He paused briefly.

The vertical strike containing full Tao Realm Power was effortlessly dodged by the opponent’s slight shift in position.

Followed by the second, then the third strike.

Yuan Jimo’s sword speed increased, yet the figure in black remained stationary, evading all sword glows with ease.

“???”

Cold sweat emerged on Yuan Jimo’s forehead.

Although the news of the Southern Border Pseudo-Saint’s death had reached the Imperial City.

Some things required personal experience to be truly understood.

He couldn’t comprehend how this Xie, who previously at Qu River was like a lamb awaiting slaughter, needing Lotus Sword Energy to contend with him…

In just over a hundred days.

The gap between the two had become as vast as cloud and mud!

A muffled sound echoed.

Xie Xuanyi raised his foot to kick, without exerting much force.

Yet Yuan Jimo’s expression drastically changed.

It felt as if a mountain had crushed him.

With a boom!

The man beneath the black clothes, hiding scale armor, was sent flying, breaking several ancient trees in succession.

Yuan Jimo coughed up a large mouthful of blood, raising his head with eyes full of disbelief.

“What are you…”

Xie Xuanyi frowned, “Do you think you’re worthy to draw your sword in front of me?”