Chapter 46: Iron Ridge Three Fiends
Ning Qi keenly grasped the key phrase among them.
Here they come again.
He naturally knew of Purple River Sword Sect; it was one of the top-tier sects in Qingzhou territory, and its strongest being, Purple River Sword Venerable, was likewise a top-tier Core Elixir Realm expert.
“Senior Disciple Brother, has Purple River Sword Sect come more than once?”
Ning Qi asked.
Luo Wentian nodded:
“This is the second time. Next month is Purple River Sword Venerable’s one hundred and twentieth birthday banquet. By reason, Master should go in person, but last time they came, Master was in closed-door cultivation. Now they are probably here to invite again.”
“Master still has plenty of face in Qingzhou. I’ll go meet them; it’s not a big deal. You just focus on your own matters.”
Luo Wentian patted Ning Qi’s shoulder and prepared to leave.
Ning Qi, however, said:
“I’ll go with Senior Disciple Brother.”
Luo Wentian was stunned for a moment; it was rare for Ning Qi to take the initiative to make such a request.
“That’s fine too. In the future, you’ll need to see more of the world anyway.”
Soon.
They met the people from Purple River Sword Sect. The leader was Purple River Sword Venerable’s third disciple, who appeared about the same age as Luo Wentian but had slightly lower cultivation.
“Brother Luo, we have come uninvited and disturbed you. It is truly because my master misses Dragon Mountain Senior and hopes he can come for a visit. I wonder if Dragon Mountain Senior has already come out of seclusion.”
Luo Wentian shook his head:
“We are honored by Purple River Sword Venerable’s favor, but unfortunately my master is still in closed-door cultivation. At that time, I will represent my master and go. Please forgive us.”
This third disciple waved his hands repeatedly:
“Brother Luo, you are too serious. Coming a second time to invite has already been a bother, but my master was wondering if Dragon Mountain Senior here needs any help, so he had me come take a look as well.”
Luo Wentian’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled:
“Thank you for Purple River Sword Venerable’s concern, but my master is in closed-door cultivation this time to break through to Heavenly Human Realm; it’s a sure thing, just a matter of time.”
The third disciple’s eyes showed some reverence:
“I see. Then I wish Dragon Mountain Senior a smooth emergence from seclusion. I still need to go invite others, so I won’t disturb you further.”
He saw off the people from Purple River Sword Sect.
Ning Qi, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke up.
“Senior Disciple Brother, why do I feel like these people from Purple River Sword Sect don’t seem to be here to invite us to the birthday banquet, but rather to probe Master’s situation.”
Luo Wentian said:
“Little Junior Brother, you are sharp. Do you know what rumors are circulating in Qingzhou now?”
“No.”
“Some say Master was injured in his Origin by a Demonic Sect expert and was forced into closed-door cultivation to heal, or even that he is already gravely injured and near death.”
Ginger Baishan beside them snorted coldly:
“If not for that traitor, how could this trouble have arisen.”
Luo Wentian shook his head slightly:
“It’s also that True Martial Sect has grown prominent in recent years and attracted envy. This time Master’s closed-door cultivation to break through to Heavenly Human Realm is also a test for us. Fortunately, Fifth Junior Brother has already advanced to Gang Yuan Realm, and with him guarding, there won’t be any major issues.”
“Purple River Sword Sect isn’t the only one probing, but they are nothing to fear. Since they invited us, I’ll go openly; otherwise, it would seem like we lack confidence.”
“At that time, I’ll go to the birthday banquet. Fifth Junior Brother, you need to stay alert, and for any matters, consult more with Second Junior Brother and the others.”
Ginger Baishan nodded repeatedly.
“Senior Disciple Brother, rest assured. With us here, nothing will happen at home. Go attend the birthday banquet with peace of mind.”
Ning Qi’s eyes flashed slightly.
He always felt the matter was not that simple and secretly resolved in his heart to stay vigilant during this period.
He was worried.
Fifth Senior Brother Ginger Baishan might not be able to hold the scene.
Time passed.
Half a month later, Luo Wentian selected a few outstanding inner and outer disciples and prepared to go down the mountain to attend Purple River Sword Venerable’s birthday banquet.
The journey was long, so they needed to set off early.
“Fifth Junior Brother, you have the strongest strength, so be extra careful lately. Second Junior Brother, Third Junior Sister, all of you stay vigilant; we absolutely cannot let anyone disturb Master’s closed-door cultivation.” Luo Wentian instructed.
“Senior Disciple Brother, rest assured. It’s just that after breaking through to Gang Yuan Realm, my sword hasn’t tasted blood yet.”
Killing intent laced Ginger Baishan’s words.
True Martial Sect was righteous, no doubt, but as martial artists, who among them did not have blood on their hands.
“Don’t be careless.”
After another instruction, Luo Wentian led the people away.
In Seeker’s Courtyard, Ning Qi received the news, and his eyes stirred slightly.
He had White Ape pay more attention to the sect’s movements lately and report any abnormalities to him promptly.
No one knew.
This little Junior Brother, only a little over six years old, was the strongest existence in True Martial Sect aside from Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Luo Wentian’s departure did not bring much change to True Martial Sect.
Ginger Baishan guarded True Martial Mountain, which put all the sect disciples greatly at ease.
Looking across the world, not many sects had Gang Yuan Realm experts; they were all renowned masters in their regions. Though Inner Yuan Realm in True Martial Sect was just disciples, if placed outside, they would be first-rate experts.
Great Yan Dynasty was divided into states, prefectures, and counties. In a single county, even Body Tempering Perfection was enough to dominate and become a local overlord.
However, Ginger Baishan and the others remembered Luo Wentian’s instructions and did not relax their vigilance.
The sect disciples patrolled even more tightly.
In the blink of an eye.
It was already ten days later.
The night was deep and dark.
At the foot of True Martial Mountain.
Three black-clothed figures crouched on a tree trunk, hiding their true faces and revealing only fierce eyes, like night hawks, somewhat eerie.
One had a burly figure, one was tall and slender, and the middle one had the fiercest aura.
If anyone familiar with the three were here, they could recognize their identities.
Iron Ridge Three Fiends: River Dragon Tie Long, Ground Tiger Tie Hu, and Flying Eagle Tie Ying. The three were notorious fiends in Qingzhou territory, committing massacres and sect destructions with unpredictable movements. All three were in White Mist Realm; even general top-tier sects dared not provoke them.
“Boss, we’ve waited so many days; when do we charge up?”
Tie Hu couldn’t help licking his lips, his eyes somewhat bloodthirsty.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve done something like wiping out a sect; I’m afraid the land of Qingzhou has almost forgotten our trio’s might!”
He chuckled coldly, sending chills down the spine.
But Tie Long in the middle barked lowly:
“Tie Hu, are you fucking courting death? Old Daoist Dragon Mountain is still here; do you want to destroy his sect?”
“Isn’t the rumor in Qingzhou that Old Daoist Dragon Mountain was struck in the heart meridian by a Demonic Sect expert and is probably not far from death? I haven’t killed a Core Elixir Realm yet. Tsk tsk, if I could kill a Core Elixir Realm, this life would be worth it.” Tie Hu didn’t take it seriously.
“Fool!”
Tie Long berated angrily.
“You really think that rumor is true? There are also rumors that Old Daoist Dragon Mountain is about to advance to Heavenly Human Realm; why don’t you believe that?”
Tie Hu immediately shut his mouth.
Heavenly Human Realm—killing him would be like pinching an ant to death.
Tie Ying, who had been silent, smiled and spoke up.
“Alright, Boss, you know Old Three has always been brainless; no need to get mad at this fool.”
“Whether gravely injured and dying or breaking through to Heavenly Human Realm, we don’t know if it’s true, but one thing that surnamed Wang definitely didn’t lie to us about: Old Daoist Dragon Mountain is in closed-door death seclusion. As long as we don’t make too much noise, he absolutely won’t come out desperately.”
“Without Old Daoist Dragon Mountain, True Martial Sect only has Ginger Baishan who just broke through to Gang Yuan Realm; the rest are nothing to fear.”
