Chapter 159: With My Four Hundred Years Of Life, I Beg For Your Guidance
The white-haired youth was dressed in a black robe, with a handsome appearance. He looked at Jiang Baishan expressionlessly, with a hint of coldness:
“Fifth Senior Brother, long time no see.”
The one who arrived was Qin Yun.
He was originally hunting exotic beasts in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for their inner cores, but a few days ago, he received a message from Ghost Mask, asking him to come and capture Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua.
He knew.
This was the Demonic Sect’s last chance for him.
If he was willing to carry out the mission and kill Jiang Baishan himself, it would mean he was willing to completely sever ties with the True Martial Sect from then on. Perhaps he would have a chance to return to the Demonic Sect’s center of power, as neither Ghost Mask nor the Great Elder had completely given up on him.
But if he was unwilling, it would mean he still held thoughts for the True Martial Sect. Then, Qin Yun would be destined to be a thug for life. As for leaving the Demonic Sect, that was unrealistic; he had a mark planted on him by a Demonic Sect secret technique, and he would be tracked down no matter how far he fled.
So Qin Yun came.
He recalled the hardships he endured in the Hundred Thousand Mountains during this time, and recalled Lan Yiyi’s heartfelt confessions to him. In the end, he came.
Jiang Baishan looked at the white-haired youth before him, his gaze sweeping over his time-worn hair, and then resting on his familiar yet strange face. He said with a bitter smile:
“Yes, it has been a long time. If I calculate correctly, Little Eight, you’ve been down the mountain for five years now.”
He clenched Lin Ruhua’s hand, having already given up any thought of escape.
The fluctuations of Heaven and Earth power beside Qin Yun had already revealed his strength.
Heavenly Human Realm!
The two jade pendants left by Ning Qi had been completely consumed, and the two of them were like lambs to the slaughter facing a Heavenly Human Realm expert.
Jiang Baishan was somewhat shocked, as Qin Yun was so young yet had already stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm, which was simply unbelievable.
But then, he felt a strange sense of heartache. Although he didn’t know what had happened, it was impossible to reach the Heavenly Human Realm at this age without paying a price. Just looking at Qin Yun’s full head of white hair was a testament to that.
When Qin Yun had descended the mountain back then, the person most furious and angry was Jiang Baishan. He had cursed Qin Yun as a traitor and even vowed that if he ever met Qin Yun again, he would personally break his legs and bring him back to True Martial Mountain to kneel and repent before their Master.
But now.
When he truly met this Eighth Junior Brother whom he hadn’t seen in so long, Jiang Baishan realized how complex his emotions were.
A hint of complexity welled up in Qin Yun’s eyes, then vanished:
“It has been five years. I didn’t expect so much time to have passed. Is Master’s health alright?”
Jiang Baishan said with a hint of sarcasm:
“As the esteemed Holy Son of the Demonic Sect, with eyes and ears everywhere, wouldn’t you know Master’s information?”
Mentioning Dragon Mountain Daoist, he became incredibly angry. When Qin Yun had left the mountain, he knew that the one most heartbroken was not his fellow disciples, but their Master. It was akin to a parent parting ways with their child, and it even made Dragon Mountain Daoist doubt if he had made mistakes in teaching his disciples.
It wasn’t until later, when Divine Sword Elder entrusted him with his dying wish, that he gradually let go of his internal struggle.
Qin Yun fell silent, a pang of pain in his heart.
At this moment.
Elder Ye in the distance had already sat down cross-legged, desperately trying to expel the residual Sword Intent from his wounds. He heard the two of them actually chatting as if they were reminiscing, which made him so angry that he roared:
“Qin Yun, don’t forget your mission! Hurry and apprehend this pair of adulterers!”
Qin Yun merely glanced indifferently at Elder Ye:
“Elder Ye, perhaps you should worry about your own injuries first. Be careful not to become a cripple from now on.”
He had arrived earlier and had been suppressing his aura without appearing until he personally witnessed the Sword Qi from the jade pendant erupt and gravely wound Elder Ye. Even though he already knew of Heavenly Sword True Person’s many battle achievements, and had even seen this peerless expert in action before, the feeling was much deeper upon experiencing it at such close proximity.
Elder Ye was both shocked and enraged.
He immediately began to focus on recovering from his injuries. As long as Qin Yun didn’t let these two go, he would personally deal with them once he recovered a bit.
Qin Yun retracted his gaze and fell upon Jiang Baishan and the other person.
“True Martial Sect… is everything well now?”
Jiang Baishan was about to retort with a sarcastic “No need for your concern,” but upon seeing Qin Yun’s familiar face, he snorted and said:
“Everything is very good. Under Senior Disciple Brother’s management, everything is in perfect order. Within ten to twenty years, the True Martial Sect will surely astonish the world! Not long ago, Senior Disciple Brother, Second Senior Brother, and Third Senior Sister each took a disciple, and Little Nine is also doing very well.”
Perhaps sensing that he was about to die, Jiang Baishan’s mood for conversation became more animated. He spoke of more events that had occurred in the True Martial Sect in recent years, not involving any classified information, but only related to his fellow disciples and Master Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Qin Yun became increasingly silent as he listened. He turned his back, not wanting Jiang Baishan and the other person to see his reddened eyes. Occasionally, a smile would appear on his lips, especially when he heard about Ye Qinghe brewing peach blossom wine repeatedly, at which point he genuinely laughed.
Regret brewed in his chest.
If he hadn’t made that single mistake back then, he would surely have been a part of these events, instead of being a mere listener like he was now. If it were possible, he wished he could trade his entire cultivation to mend everything.
“Thank you, Fifth Senior Brother.” Qin Yun’s voice sounded very calm, as if he had found some peace.
Hearing these things from his senior brother’s mouth was incomparable to cold information; it carried a warmth he had long yearned for.
Jiang Baishan’s nose also felt a little sore. He took a deep breath and said:
“Since you are still willing to call me Fifth Senior Brother, I do not ask you to let me go. Just promise me one thing.”
“Tell me.”
“Ruhua is already pregnant. She is also a member of your Demonic Sect, and her mother is your Vice Sect Master. If you all work together, you can surely protect them, mother and child. As for me, you can take my head back for merit.”
His face was filled with bitterness as he tightly gripped Lin Ruhua’s right hand, preventing her from speaking.
Qin Yun remained silent for a long time, then finally said:
“Alright.”
Jiang Baishan breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at Qin Yun’s retreating figure and said softly:
“Come on.”
In an instant, countless images flashed through his mind: scenes of them playing together on True Martial Mountain, Master teaching them martial arts, everyone playing pranks on Qin Yun. Before Ning Qi arrived, Qin Yun was the youngest and was doted on by everyone. Finally, these images froze on the white-haired figure before him. He sighed softly, knowing that dying at the hands of his own junior brother was better than dying at the hands of an outsider.
Jiang Baishan had already closed his eyes.
“Ruhua, we will be husband and wife again in the next life.”
Lin Ruhua’s tears stained her clothes, her beautiful face contorted as she shook her head incessantly.
“Think more about our child, raise him well.”
Having said that.
Jiang Baishan strode forward, ready to meet his death.
At this moment.
Elder Ye’s voice, filled with gloomy rage and mockery, rang out:
“He agreed, but I didn’t!”
Elder Ye dragged his broken body through the air, a palpable malice emanating from him. He hated Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua to the extreme, how could he allow them to die so easily? He wanted to torment Jiang Baishan until he wished he were dead, to make him witness the demise of his unborn child, and to make him witness his beloved wife become another’s plaything!
Jiang Baishan’s heart tightened, and he looked at Qin Yun.
Qin Yun said softly:
“Elder Ye, would you do me a favor? He was my senior brother after all, and Miss Lin is the daughter of Deputy Sect Leader Lin. Doing something too extreme wouldn’t be good.”
His expression was cold as he gazed at Elder Ye.
Elder Ye, however, paid him no heed. He had been severely injured, with half of his body and one arm severed. Even if he recovered from his injuries upon returning, he would be a cripple. All of this was due to Lin Ruhua and Jiang Baishan, and he was unwilling to accept it.
“Get out of the way!” Elder Ye roared, “What right do you have to ask me for a favor?”
He had been consumed by rage, and if Qin Yun, who was still a Candidate Holy Son back then, had appeared, he might have shown some respect. But Qin Yun, who was still under punishment, he could completely disregard.
Qin Yun’s expression froze:
“Are you truly not leaving any room for sentiment?”
Elder Ye roared ferociously:
“Scram!”
Qin Yun’s expression returned to calm:
“Good.”
He slowly turned around, his speed instantly becoming unbelievably fast. A dark aura flashed and disappeared in his pupils. In the blink of an eye, he had rushed in front of Elder Ye.
“What are you doing…” Elder Ye’s words were cut short before he could finish. His eyes bulged in disbelief as he looked down.
Qin Yun’s pupils were cold and merciless. One hand had already pierced through his chest, and in his palm, he held a beating heart. With a squeeze, the heart turned into a mist of blood.
Elder Ye’s consciousness descended into darkness, and he faintly heard Qin Yun’s whisper:
“Since you leave no room for sentiment, then die.”
Qin Yun casually flicked his hand, and Elder Ye’s corpse flew towards the forest, then was crushed by strands of Heaven and Earth power, exploding into a bloody rain.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua were both stunned by the sudden turn of events.
“Little Eight, you…”
Jiang Baishan’s stunned voice was interrupted by Qin Yun’s wave of his hand.
“You two leave. I haven’t seen you today.”
Qin Yun stood with his back to them, his gaze fixed on the distance.
From the beginning, he had no intention of using his senior brother to claim merit. He had already made one mistake, and he would not make a second one. For some reason, after killing Elder Ye, he felt his thoughts had become much clearer, and the depression of the past five years had significantly dissipated.
Jiang Baishan looked at Qin Yun’s retreating back, and his eyes filled with emotion.
“Little Eight, thank you.” He said softly.
Qin Yun merely waved his hand.
Jiang Baishan paused, then said again:
“Come back to True Martial Mountain with me. Master, he… has actually been missing you. Did you know, Master has taken two new junior disciples, ranked tenth and eleventh.”
He didn’t finish his sentence.
But Qin Yun was already in tears.
He would always be Master’s Little Eight in his heart.
“I can’t go back. There’s no chance.” Qin Yun shook his head painfully, his voice choked with sobs.
Jiang Baishan continued to persuade:
“It’s not too late for everything. You’ve realized your mistake and sincerely apologize to Master, and he will surely forgive you. You have now killed a Heavenly Human Realm elder of the Demonic Sect and failed to complete your mission. The Demonic Sect will not tolerate you.”
Qin Yun merely sighed.
He gazed into the distance, and strands of Heaven and Earth power began to gather.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua were still somewhat bewildered, not understanding why Qin Yun had suddenly entered a combat state. But the next moment, their pupils suddenly constricted. A cold sigh sounded from the distance:
“What deep brotherhood. Qin Yun, you have disappointed me.”
A figure arrived, hands clasped behind his back, his robes billowing, carrying an astonishing sense of oppression. Lin Ruhua’s face instantly turned pale as she looked at the iconic Ghost Mask.
“Ghost Mask Deputy Sect Master!”
This Deputy Sect Master, who was on par with her mother, was clearly not comparable to the previous Elder Ye. If Elder Ye had still given them the courage to resist, then with the Ghost Mask Deputy Sect Master’s personal arrival, she was completely filled with despair.
Qin Yun’s eyes flickered, and he let out a soft sigh:
“I knew you wouldn’t let me come alone, but I didn’t expect you to come personally. You really think highly of me, Qin Yun.”
He knew that when he killed Elder Ye, this Deputy Sect Master was likely watching, but had not intervened, wanting to use him to eliminate an elder from another faction.
A hint of self-mockery appeared on his face.
From the very beginning, he knew this was a choice: either achieve his own goals with Jiang Baishan’s corpse, or use his own life to buy Jiang Baishan a way out. Clearly, he had chosen the latter.
“Fifth Senior Brother, go!”
Qin Yun commanded in a low voice.
Jiang Baishan’s expression changed repeatedly. Lin Ruhua tugged at his sleeve. He opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything. A sense of powerlessness washed over him. Staying to fight side-by-side would only mean two more deaths; in front of these kinds of experts, they were just a burden.
He gazed deeply at Ghost Mask, as if to engrave him into his mind.
Jiang Baishan vowed in his heart that if he were fortunate enough to survive today, he would avenge this great wrong in the future.
Without hesitation, he pulled Lin Ruhua and turned to flee into the mountain forest, only his roar echoing:
“Little Eight, live, and return to True Martial Mountain!”
Qin Yun’s body trembled, and a smile slowly curved on his lips. This smile gradually widened, then became even more unrestrained, until it echoed through the mountains. His mood was more exhilarating than ever before.
Ghost Mask glanced at Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua as they departed but did not pursue. In his eyes, after dealing with Qin Yun, these two would not be able to escape. It was fine to let them be happy for a while longer.
He merely fixed his gaze on Qin Yun and asked in a deep voice:
“Was it worth it? Kill him, and you can silence others. You will still be one of the strong contenders for Holy Son, and perhaps even have the possibility of ruling the world in the future.”
Qin Yun sighed softly:
“Perhaps, as a friend of mine said, it’s enough to make one mistake. Making two would be too foolish.”
Ghost Mask shook his head in disappointment:
“You truly are a fool. I misjudged you. Do you think your strength can stop me? If I kill you, they won’t survive either. You’ve made the worst choice.”
Qin Yun took a deep breath:
“I can only give it my all! Please grant me your guidance!”
The two stood opposite each other, an invisible aura surging, and even the wind seemed to come to a standstill.
Ghost Mask’s pupils gradually turned cold. Combined with the bronze ghost mask, he truly looked like a demon from hell. He had already formed the intent to kill, looking at Qin Yun opposite him as if he were already dead.
Suddenly.
Ghost Mask made his move.
He gently raised a finger and pressed down. The surging Heaven and Earth power condensed into a black finger mark, like a colossal pillar, pressing down with a suffocating aura.
Qin Yun did not dodge or evade.
He accepted it with composure.
Heaven and Earth power gathered beside him, forming a barrier. Dark energy surged around his physical body, and he endured this strike head-on.
“Boom!”
An explosion sounded, and Qin Yun’s body was instantly blasted into the forest, plowing a terrifying gash. He coughed up blood continuously, many of his bones already broken. The power of a single strike was already so terrifying, almost severely injuring Qin Yun, and this was clearly not Ghost Mask’s full power.
Ghost Mask strode forward, his cold voice devoid of any emotion:
“Why didn’t you dodge?”
Qin Yun slowly got up with his head bowed. He coughed up some bone fragments and pieces of internal organs, and said earnestly:
“Since I joined the Demonic Sect, Deputy Sect Master has shown me much care. If you had not taught me the Sad White Hair Secret Technique, I would have already died in the Blood Demon Pool. Receiving a finger from Deputy Sect Master is, at best, a partial repayment of the kindness you have shown me.”
Ghost Mask’s steps faltered, his eyes flickering.
“I’ll give you one more chance. Go bring Jiang Baishan back, and I’ll pretend everything that happened before didn’t occur.”
He felt a sense of cherishing talent again. Although the finger strike was not his full power, he had not held back either, and it was definitely not something an ordinary Heavenly Human Realm expert could withstand. Yet Qin Yun not only withstood it but was also in relatively good condition.
Qin Yun’s black robe billowed, and he shook his head firmly:
“Vice Sect Master, please enlighten me!”
An aura of pitch-black qi surged from him, and a strange power spread forth. This was an unnamed secret technique that Qin Yun obtained by chance in the past, and it even caused an inner demon. Later, he entered the demonic path, and his attainments in this secret technique grew increasingly profound.
Finally, within the Blood Demon Pool, by leveraging numerous opportunities, he cultivated this secret technique to a level unattainable by his predecessors, completely mastering it at will.
When this was unleashed with full power for the first time, even Ghost Mask couldn’t help but show astonishment.
But then, he shook his head:
“It’s somewhat interesting, but that’s all.”
Under the absolute gap in power, even the most exquisite secret technique is powerless. If his strength were placed on the Heavenly Human Ranking, he would be comparable to masters of the caliber of the Heart-Seeking Sword, but there was a qualitative gap with Qin Yun.
Qin Yun naturally also knew this.
He threw his head back and laughed wildly.
His whole body exuded an increasingly dense black aura, and powerful forces surged from all parts of his body. At a speed visible to the naked eye, his white hair lost its luster. What was originally somewhat silvery white now became completely snow white.
Not only that, his hands, feet, skin, and face began to dry up at a speed visible to the naked eye, becoming wrinkled, and even his sharp eyes gradually became cloudy.
Qin Yun’s laughter became hoarse, grating like fingernails on glass:
“Deputy Sect Master, in the past, I used the Sad White Hair Secret Technique to burn four hundred years of my lifespan to step into the Heavenly Human Realm. Today, I will again offer four hundred years of my lifespan and ask the Deputy Sect Master to kindly let me go!”
His power expanded infinitely under the burning of life essence, and in the blink of an eye, it had already more than tenfold increased.
Qin Yun moved.
Carrying pitch-black demonic power, like a peerless demon, he killed towards Ghost Mask without mercy. As he had said before, receiving one finger was repaying the kindness; next was a fight to the death.
The Ghost Mask was both astonished and angry.
“Good! I misjudged, lifting a stone only to drop it on my own feet.”
His expression was more serious than ever; Ning Qi’s current strength was enough to make him pay attention.
“Boom!!”
The collision of Heaven and Earth Power resounded through Yan Mountain, transforming into ripples that swept through the mountain forest. Ancient trees turned into powder and exploded, mountains trembled, and all beasts wailed.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua, who were fleeing rapidly, lost their footing and almost fell to the ground. They looked up at the sky in horror, vaguely seeing two figures rushing towards the sky, then plunging back into the mountains. Tremors were constantly transmitted, and the nearby battle aftermath was enough to tear them to shreds.
Jiang Baishan’s face was full of grief, his fingernails digging into his flesh:
“Little Eight!”
At this moment, he was filled with intense hatred for his own incompetence. He desperately craved power; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to make his junior brother cover his retreat.
“It’s the Sad White Hair Secret Technique. Eighth Junior Brother is burning his life force to fight. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be a match for Ghost Mask.”
Lin Ruhua’s expression was also somewhat complex, tinged with gratitude and guilt.
The first time I learned of Qin Yun was when my mother intentionally tried to match us. But at that time, she had already taken a liking to Jiang Baishan. After learning that Qin Yun was a traitor to the True Martial Sect, she gave him even less of a favorable look.
Later, they learned that Qin Yun had done many things for the True Martial Sect in secret. Now, when his wife and he were in danger, he did not hesitate to sacrifice himself to cover their retreat. This kindness was impossible to repay.
Jiang Baishan’s eyes reddened, holding back tears. He longed to go back and fight side-by-side, but doing so would only be a wasted kindness to Qin Yun.
Lin Ruhua comforted her:
“If we can survive, we will destroy the Demonic Sect in the future and avenge Eighth Junior Brother!”
Her eyes were icy, and today’s encounter was enough to make her remember it for a lifetime. Moreover, from Elder Ye’s attitude before, it was not difficult to discover that her mother’s situation was likely not as good as before. Since that was the case, she had nothing more to worry about.
Revenge!
This is already the obsession in both their hearts.
But the prerequisite is to survive.
They no longer looked, and fled desperately towards the direction of Lei Prefecture City, which was the central land of Lei Prefecture, where the Imperial Court’s great army and countless masters were stationed. Even Ghost Mask would not dare to venture there rashly; this was their only hope.
Although this place is a distance from Lei Prefecture City, they will not give up.
Flee!
Flee desperately!
I don’t know when, the two of them had already stepped out of Yan Mountain, passing through several cities.
Jiang Baishan only felt his mouth dry and his tongue parched. Blood flowed all over his body, but he dared not stop to treat his injuries. He could only swallow a few pills haphazardly, his wounds healing and then breaking open under the effect of the medicinal power. The essence blood within his body was slowly evaporating.
Lin Ruhua’s condition wasn’t much better. She was already pregnant, and the consecutive battles and escapes had drained too much of her energy. Now, after fleeing such a long distance, her face was like gold paper.
The two were almost at the end of their strength.
With a stumble, Lin Ruhua almost fell to the ground, but Jiang Baishan quickly supported her.
“Bai Shan, it seems we can’t escape,” Lin Ruhua said with a bitter smile. Both of them were in terrible shape. Although they had escaped far, it wouldn’t be too difficult for a Heavenly Human Realm expert to catch up.
With evil spirits clawing at their lives from behind, even if they were unwilling to admit it, they knew that Qin Yun could not continuously block the Ghost Mask.
Jiang Baishan shook his head firmly and carried her on his back:
“No, we’ll reach Lei Prefecture City soon, we absolutely cannot give up! We cannot let Little Eight’s kind intentions go unfulfilled!”
He swallowed another Blood-Burning Pill, also risking his life without regard for the consequences.
But as he just took a step.
He froze on the spot.
In the distant sky, an extremely familiar figure appeared, almost making him think he was mistaken, but in the blink of an eye, the young Daoist descended from the void before him.
Ning Qi looked at the miserable appearance of Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua, his heart filled with immense anger, but in the end, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I made it in time.
