Chapter 141: Dealing with You, No Need for Grand Schemes

Song Changning is ruthless, giving Gu Zongyuan no chance to regret.

In his view, since Bai Wuji the "brute" voluntarily courted death, he naturally cannot let him go.

A mere foundation-establishing cultivator from a small locale, boasting some skill and a fairly strong Soul Transformation, dares to challenge him, one of Character: Liyang's twin champions; how could he be merciful?

Not only must he win, but also seize the chance to slay this kid!

In this way, not only does the Song family's face stay intact, their prestige even rises, and even the "clash" between him and Gu Zongyuan can be won without fighting!

With a triple‑win situation, how could he not hurry to set it in motion?

So he immediately broadcast the news so that every guest in the Drunken Immortal Tower could hear.

And once the tower's guests hear it, word will quickly spread throughout Character: Liyang Zhenren City, letting everyone know what happened today.

After Song Changning shouted his words, a grin in his eyes could no longer be suppressed, and he looked playfully at Xiao Zhangqing and at Gu Zongyuan.

At this moment Gu Zongyuan's complexion turned sour; clearly today's events were completely unexpected, and his scheme backfired.

Originally, in his duel with Song Changning, he was fully confident he could win, guaranteeing he would not hand over Xiao Zhangqing, nor let the Song family or Blood Crow True Person lay a finger on Xiao Zhangqing.

Who could have thought Xiao Zhangqing would be so foolish?

Yet what neither Song Changning nor Gu Zongyuan anticipated was that upon hearing Song Changning's battle proclamation, Xiao Zhangqing did not panic; instead, he smiled and used his power to broadcast his voice so that every guest in the Drunken Immortal Tower could hear:

"I, Bai Wuji, agree to make a life‑and‑death pact with Song Changning. Today we duel, life and death aside. If one side unfortunately loses their life, that's deserved. The opponent's relatives and friends may not seek revenge!"

Song Changning laughed heartily at the words: "Very good, excellent! Fellow Dao companions, setting aside everything else, your audacious nerve that knows no limits is probably unmatched in the whole Character: Liyang Zhenren City! If you hadn't thrown yourself behind Brother Gu Zongyuan but had instead earlier come to the Song family, knelt and begged for mercy, asking me to spare you, perhaps I might actually have let you live."

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head: "Don't think that just because I say so, I'll show mercy. Today, I have no intention of sparing your life."

"Still being stubborn? Then, go ahead, to the Character: Liyang Guard Camp!"

Song Changning's expression suddenly turned cold; he no longer wished to waste words and was eager to strike Xiao Zhangqing down.

He was also keen to see the unpleasant look on Gu Zongyuan's face.

At the Character: Liyang Guard Camp, in front of Gu Zongyuan, he would openly slay the Character: Liyang Guard Captain he had recruited.

This battle will make Song Changning's name spread far and wide!

From then on, Gu Zongyuan will only be his sidekick!

Gu Zongyuan completely gave up hope; at this point, with Xiao Zhangqing publicly declaring a challenge, he has no excuse to back out.

He began to feel a bit of regret in his heart.

He truly messed up this matter.

Perhaps from the start he should have quietly remained a bystander, watching how the Song family and Blood Crow True Person took revenge, without involving himself.

He thought it was a good opportunity, but it turned out to be a massive pit! "Captain Bai! When we reach the Character: Liyang Guard Camp later, follow my commands in everything; don't act on your own!" Gu Zongyuan's tone became noticeably more serious when he transmitted this to Xiao Zhangqing.

He no longer hoped for Xiao Zhangqing, believing recruiting him was a blunder, but since things have come to this with no chance to regret, he can only grit his teeth and press on.

Counter the move.

In short, he recruited Xiao Zhangqing and even gave him the position of Character: Liyang Guard Captain.

If Song Changning truly uses today's duel as a pretext to slay Xiao Zhangqing, his face will be ruined!

Even if his position as Character: Liyang Guard Captain remains secure and Master Character: Liyang Zhenren won't look down on him because of this, he himself cannot bear it.

Upon reaching the Character: Liyang Guard Camp, he cannot employ subtle moves, secretly helping Xiao Zhangqing turn defeat into victory.

But as long as Xiao Zhangqing cooperates obediently, he is confident he can rescue Xiao Zhangqing from Song Changning's killing strike and preserve his life.

That is already the best outcome.

Then…

Xiao Zhangqing seemed not to hear his transmitted warning and directly said to Song Changning: "We probably don't need to go to the Character: Liyang Guard Headquarters. The formation of this Drunken Immortal Tower is decent; as long as the commotion isn't too great, it won't cause much damage. Let's not trouble ourselves and settle the score right here in this tower."

Gu Zongyuan: …

His complexion grew even worse.

He feels his words were taken as wind in his ears, right?

This Bai Wuji, from the recent conversation, seems a fairly normal cultivator—humble, courteous, knows when to advance or retreat, not an unruly or unsociable type.

Why does he seem to have gone mad ever since Song Changning arrived? Gu Zongyuan can't help but suspect that Bai Wuji might be a big move by Song Changning, deliberately set to trap him.

"Do we fight right here in the Drunken Immortal Tower?" Song Changning smiled and nodded, saying: "Indeed. Perhaps dealing with you truly doesn't require much fuss…"

……

At this moment, few guests in the Drunken Immortal Tower are in the mood for drinking and feasting.

Most guests, after Song Changning's arrival, have been secretly watching the happenings in this private room.

Especially when Song Changning and Xiao Zhangqing sequentially presented the "life‑and‑death pact," all the guests eagerly awaited.

Some foundation cultivators not present in the tower today, upon hearing the news, couldn't help but rush over out of curiosity.

The proprietor of the Drunken Immortal Tower is a Fake Core True Person.

At this moment, he is also in a nearby private room, quietly observing today's duel.

As a Fake Core, although his strength surpasses both Gu Zongyuan and Song Changning, he finds it difficult to intervene in their clash.

After all, these two are not only foundation masters at the pinnacle, but also geniuses of the Earth Spirit Root; when they later break the Golden Core, they have a great chance to become Fake Core cultivators like him, and also a decent chance to become true Golden Core True Persons!

Moreover, considering their backgrounds—especially Gu Zongyuan, a disciple of Character: Liyang Zhenren and commander of the Character: Liyang Guard—he not only dares not act arrogantly but also must make many connections.

So when Gu Zongyuan and Song Changning clashed, he pretended not to know, stayed out of it, and didn't act as a mediator.

His reputation hasn't grown that big yet.

At this moment Xiao Zhangqing and Song Changning are about to fight in his Drunken Immortal Tower; after a brief assessment, he immediately ordered his subordinates not to intervene—let the two duel—just reinforce the formation and avoid harming other guests.

"This Bai Wuji, you really live impatiently. Can't you just live peacefully behind Gu Zongyuan?"

Being able to sit in the same private room with the Fake Core True Person, on equal footing, unrestrained, naturally makes him also a Fake Core True Person.

This person is none other than the head of the Song family, Song Wentian! After Gu Zongyuan deliberately spread the news that Xiao Zhangqing became Character: Liyang Guard Captain, Song Changning decisively made a move, openly confronting the issue.

As a "senior," Song Wentian cannot directly question Gu Zongyuan, but he remains uneasy and must follow to watch.

After all, if his son Song Changning were in danger, Gu Zongyuan would disregard the rules, and he would also be ready to lend a timely hand.

Song Changning is not only his most prized son, but also the embodiment of the Song family's future, the most promising talent in a hundred years to achieve a Golden Core!

He could die, but Song Changning will not tolerate any loss!

Therefore, if Song Changning is in danger, even if it breaks the rules or loses face, he must act decisively.

"Host, your statement is mistaken. This Bai Wuji is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and my son is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator; everyone has drawn up a life‑and‑death pact for the duel, and he is not completely without the power for a single battle. Moreover, Bai Wuji's background is unknown, his details are unclear, his Soul Transformation is rather strong, perhaps he could survive my son's attack," Song Wentian said.

Anyone could see that his mood was quite good at that moment.

The host of Drunken Immortal Tower replied irritably, "Enough. Here, Old Song, there's no need for you to pretend to be clueless. As for your son's strength, doesn't everyone know it? Two years ago I saw with my own eyes that after that Fake Core Evil Cultivator unleashed a killing move, your son, though a bit disheveled, miraculously survived without injury until our rescue arrived. Forget that obscure Bai Wuji who appeared out of nowhere; even that Ancient Commander, if he truly meets his end, might not be a match for your son."

"Hahaha," Song Wentian stroked his beard and smiled, "Host, rest assured, when the fight breaks out, any damage to Drunken Immortal Tower will be borne by my Song family."

The host of Drunken Immortal Tower also laughed, "Now that's more like it."

…

Invited by Gu Zongyuan to join the revelry, Character: Liyang Zhenren City's one of the three top courtesans, the Peony Fairy, was now watching the happenings inside the private room with keen interest.

Originally at this moment she was supposed to go in and perform a piece.

But now it seemed her performance for today had been ruined.

No one paid attention to her, the courtesan of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, nor was anyone interested in hearing her rarely heard zither music.

However, she was not angry; instead, she was full of enthusiasm.

Anyway, she had already received her fee for today, so even if the performance were cancelled, her Spirit Stone could not be returned.

"Xiao He, do you think this Bai Wuji is fearless because he knows nothing, or is he brimming with confidence, causing others to underestimate him?" she asked, wearing a simple green long dress that gave an astonishing impression.

To become one of the top three courtesans of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, besides her astonishing skill on the zither, her looks and figure are naturally beyond reproach.

The Cultivation World is not short of beautiful women; during cultivation, countless spirit pills and elixirs can hardly change one's innate talent or comprehension, but altering appearance is much easier.

However, a truly top‑tier fairy's extraordinary aura cannot be compensated by pills or secret techniques.

"Of course it's fearless ignorance! This Young Master Song, Song Changning, has also come to see you, hasn't he, to hear the zither? I recall the lady praised him highly, believing his Soul Transformation strength has already reached the limit of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and if he later obtains a complete chance to form a Pill, his prospects will be great," the maid Xiao He, with twin buns and looking about fifteen or sixteen, said while devouring exquisite snacks and speaking vaguely.

It is well known that the Peony Fairy's zither music can calm cultivators, and listening repeatedly can even have a purifying effect on the Soul Transformation!

Beyond sharpening and strengthening the Soul Transformation, if the Soul Transformation is wounded or cultivation hits a bottleneck, a single listen to the Peony Fairy's music might yield unexpected benefits! So—

Even though the Peony Fairy sells her art without selling herself, her suitors are as countless as fish crossing a river.

There are no shortage of Fake Core True Persons or high‑ranking members of great families trying to recruit the Peony Fairy, but all end without result.

Not only the Peony Fairy; the three renowned courtesans of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, each possessing unique miracles yet not taken into the chambers of great figures, all have extraordinary backgrounds.

"Why do I feel this Bai Wuji seems confident as if he has a bamboo shoot in his chest?" the Peony Fairy said, blinking her large eyes.

"Impossible... no, absolutely not!" Xiao He's small cheeks were puffed from overeating snacks; she eased it with a sip of tea.

The Peony Fairy said, "Shall we make a bet?"

Xiao He's eyes lit up instantly, and she said, "Alright! I bet Young Master Song will win, and you, miss, bet that Bai Wuji will win. The stake… how about free access to Drunken Immortal Tower's snacks for three months?"

"Dream on!" the Peony Fairy gave Xiao He a glance and said, "Bet whether Bai Wuji will die. How about that?"

In his view, Xiao Zhangqing could never be a match for Song Changning.

Even if he holds hidden cards, perhaps secrets.

But it's useless.

Song Changning, being one of the two Foundation Establishment prodigies of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, could not possibly lack hidden cards or secrets. Not to mention Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Even across the entire Da Yu Cultivation World, there are not many Foundation Establishment cultivators who can reliably defeat Song Changning.

This Bai Wuji is clearly not one of them.

"I see," Xiao He tapped her smooth, round chin, pondering, "So miss, do you bet that Bai Wuji will die, or that he will not die?"

The Peony Fairy replied, "You choose first."

Xiao He thought for a moment, then said, "I bet Bai Wuji will die! From what Young Master Song just said, and the apparent conflict between him and the Ancient Commander, he will certainly show no mercy today! So I think Bai Wuji is very likely to meet his end on the spot!"

The Peony Fairy nodded, "Fine. Then I bet Bai Wuji will not die, that he will survive."

Xiao He exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, you're so confident? Do you hold Bai Wuji in such high regard?"

The Peony Fairy smiled without replying.

She harbored an inexplicable strong belief in Xiao Zhangqing, but her main trust lay with Gu Zongyuan.

Song Changning is extraordinary.

Gu Zongyuan, as the disciple most prized by the Immortal of Character: Liyang, is even more extraordinary!

If he intervenes to rescue, and Bai Wuji can muster a little resolve and hold on, there is a chance for him to survive.

(End of chapter)