Chapter 84: Worry
The training ground fell silent for all present. Even though they had anticipated it somewhat beforehand, once Wang Family Old Ancestor announced immediate departure, the congregation still felt their hearts grow heavy.
Hiding was not an option.
Otherwise, when the reckoning came later, even Green Ox Swordsman could not withstand the consequences, let alone these people with vast estates and families. One could flee as a monk, but not the temple, and not even the monk could escape.
The best course now was to go and act according to the situation, striving to preserve themselves as much as possible.
Dragon Mountain Daoist slightly bowed to the congregation, saying with some apology:
“Fellow guests who have come from afar, joining together this time to exterminate demons is also fate. At that time, try to act together, stay near me and the Heavenly Human Realm Experts to avoid being exploited by Demonic Sect Experts.”
Although this matter arose because of Wang Family Old Ancestor and Dragon Mountain Daoist had also been schemed against, the congregation had ultimately suffered this calamity because of attending Dragon Mountain Daoist’s Heavenly Human Ceremony, so he naturally felt some guilt in his heart.
But some words could not be stated openly.
The meaning in Dragon Mountain Daoist’s words was rather implicit, but all the Core Elixir Realm Experts understood.
The congregation all looked gratefully at Dragon Mountain Daoist and said in unison:
“We thank True Person!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist then clasped his fists toward Green Ox Swordsman and the other two. Green Ox Swordsman had already adjusted his mindset. He waved his hand slightly and said:
“At that time, we shall watch out for each other. A single Demonic Sect Branch should not pose a major problem.”
Carefree Lord and White River True Person also nodded, signaling Dragon Mountain Daoist to rest assured.
The four had quietly formed an alliance of mutual offense and defense, tacitly excluding Wang Family Old Ancestor.
Wang Family Old Ancestor also knew he would not be welcomed, so he spoke:
“In that case, let us set off now!”
With that.
He was already flying ahead at the forefront.
Dragon Mountain Daoist glanced at his disciples, exhaled softly, and finally fixed his gaze on Ning Qi. He sent a telepathic communication with private instructions:
“Little Nine, with so many people remaining on True Martial Mountain this time, if any trouble arises from the shadows, keep extra vigilance.”
He knew his youngest disciple’s strength. Now that both Heavenly Human Realm and Core Elixir Realm were departing, Ning Qi was the strongest left. He worried that if the demon extermination later did not go smoothly, the people left behind might cause unrest.
Ning Qi’s mood was also somewhat complex at this moment.
He worried about his master, but without decisive strength, following along would be of no help and might instead introduce unnecessary variables.
He nodded silently in response to Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Then he looked deeply once more at Wang Family Old Ancestor’s receding figure.
The several Heavenly Humans flew through the air.
One by one, the Core Elixir Realm Experts instructed their own juniors, some even sounding like final testaments, causing some juniors’ eyes to redden. After all, aside from a few itinerant martial artists, most came from sects or clans. They had brought their younger generation to the Heavenly Human Ceremony to gain knowledge, never expecting such a turn of events.
After the instructions were complete, one by one, the Core Elixir Realm Experts also stirred their Gang Qi and rose into the air.
The reason Wang Family Old Ancestor only wanted Core Elixir Realm and Heavenly Human Realm was naturally to provide support at the fastest speed.
“Set off!”
Wang Family Old Ancestor was full of vigor, while the others followed silently behind.
The figures of dozens of experts soon vanished at the horizon. The previously lively atmosphere on True Martial Mountain instantly became somewhat subdued. The Heavenly Human Ceremony, which had been perfectly completed, now bore a few flaws due to this variable.
The numerous disciples of True Martial Sect all cursed Wang Family Old Ancestor in their hearts for barging in midway.
But with so many people left behind, arrangements still needed to be made.
Luo Wentian took a deep breath and said loudly:
“Since this is for exterminating demons, please remain on True Martial Mountain for these few days and do not descend the mountain for now. With fellow martial artists gathered so rarely, this is a good chance to exchange insights on the Martial Way. Additionally, please supervise each other to prevent any Demonic Sect spies from sneaking down the mountain at night.”
He understood the meaning behind Wang Family Old Ancestor’s earlier words about having the others stay temporarily on True Martial Mountain—it was to prevent news from leaking.
Although with so many people and eyes around, the message spreading was inevitable sooner or later.
But at least not so quickly.
This would allow the demon extermination operation to gain a time advantage, as Core Elixir Realm and Heavenly Human Realm Experts moved at extreme speeds.
Luo Wentian had already thought of a pretext: tomorrow, send someone down the mountain to spread the word that the experts who came for the Heavenly Human Ceremony would remain on the mountain to continue exchanging on the Martial Way, to avoid arousing suspicions among the martial artists in True Martial City. Delay one day for every day possible.
This was not helping Wang Family Old Ancestor, but helping Dragon Mountain Daoist.
The smoother the demon extermination operation, the safer Dragon Mountain Daoist would be.
Luo Wentian would not arrogantly think that his master had become invincible in the world after advancing to Heavenly Human Realm. The danger level of this operation was still an unknown.
Moreover, since Wang Family Old Ancestor had raised this matter, to some extent he had placed the responsibility on True Martial Sect’s shoulders. If something went wrong, who knew if someone might pursue it later.
He had already begun arrangements, having True Martial Sect disciples secretly count numbers and watch everyone one by one.
The congregation was also quite cooperative:
“We certainly will not descend the mountain. If anyone does, we shall attack them all together!”
At this critical juncture, anyone daring to force their way down the mountain, regardless of reason, would be treated as a Demonic Sect spy whether they were or not.
Luo Wentian felt slightly relieved.
He then suppressed his inner worries and comforted the congregation’s emotions one by one, especially the factions whose Core Elixir Realm Experts had left together, who needed extra reassurance to prevent them from growing restless and causing trouble.
Ning Qi exhaled lightly.
Beside him, Zhuang Chen rarely showed worry on his face and asked:
“Ning Qi, my master… he should be fine, right?”
Ning Qi patted his shoulder and said:
“Rest assured, Divine Sword Senior is powerful, and my master will certainly look after him. They will all return safely.”
Zhuang Chen nodded vigorously.
He viciously muttered under his breath:
“It’s all that old fellow Wang Family Old Ancestor’s fault…”
Originally, he would not have dared say such a thing, no matter how low his voice.
After all, there were still Wang Clan disciples present, but now, the remaining Wang Clan disciples were in trouble. Waves of white eyes and hostile gazes fell upon them, making them shiver all over, especially from the factions whose Core Elixir Realm elders had been taken away—they were practically on the verge of cursing them on the spot.
The Wang Clan disciples did not dare linger on the training ground, fearing a group assault. They apologized to Luo Wentian and fled in disarray, being led to the guest quarters.
Night had fallen, and the guests dispersed to the guest quarters.
Ning Qi looked at the bright moon gradually rising and sighed inwardly.
For the first time, he had such a direct cognition of Great Yan Dynasty’s dominance, so he still needed to stay low-key when it was time to do so.
“In this world, Great Yan Dynasty ultimately calls the shots. A single Martial Saint Token is enough to make four Heavenly Humans bow their heads and obediently go exterminate demons.”
Ning Qi was not worried about any trouble arising on True Martial Mountain. The strongest remaining now were merely Jade Liquid Realm, and with his strength, he could completely hold the scene.
He only hoped that his master’s side would go smoothly.
“Junior Brother, rest assured. I see that Wang Family Old Ancestor is confident, and with five Heavenly Humans rushing to aid this time, it should be fine. No need to worry; Master will surely return safely,” Ye Qinghe comforted softly.
Ning Qi merely nodded slightly.
He always felt that this demon extermination operation was not so simple.
