Chapter 207: Expelled from the Cauldron, Fu Yong

Enduring the pain of his body being shredded once more, Du En was just about to finish off the High Envoy, but the latter's smile remained unchanged; as if he had anticipated this, his figure blurred and flickered, and by the time he reappeared, he had already shifted several yards to the right.

"Hahaha, so that's how it is. A divine ability! To think you actually comprehended something like this from that wasteland. No wonder that grudge-spirit would stare at you so intently, regarding you as a rare and precious delicacy."

The High Envoy's killing intent vanished into thin air. Facing Meng Changqing, who had stopped in his tracks and dropped his pill, ready to turn and kill in retaliation, he hurriedly waved his hands: "I lose, I lose. This time, I have lost to you."

Hearing this, although his eyes looked as if he wanted to eat someone, Meng Changqing still halted his movements.

After all, Du En had not truly died.

Therefore, his reason remained, and there was still room for maneuver.

It was just that he felt he had been severely played, and his expression and mood were exceptionally terrible.

Although the High Envoy had suffered heavy injuries, he appeared remarkably composed, chuckling as he continued: "Especially regarding Du En here—if my seven hundred subordinates had died down to the last fifty, then I could still have kept fighting. But after you wiped them all out, I had effectively already lost."

"So, your move just now was merely to see my cards."

Du En asked calmly.

"Correct, that is exactly it. Of course, wanting to kill you was also real. After all, my temper is not as good as Changqing's. This operation was constantly obstructed by an accident like you; my subordinates were continuously whittled away at your hands, making things twist and turn repeatedly, and in the end, it fell short of success."

As the High Envoy said this, his figure began to fade.

He was leaving this place, withdrawing from the scene.

Although Meng Changqing was furious, he remained restrained and did not actually do anything.

Because it had been agreed upon long ago: as long as someone admitted defeat, the matter would be considered concluded.

Since they, the upper echelons of the sect, had made this agreement, they would all strictly comply with it to avoid the escalation of internal strife.

After all, the Falling Feather Immortal Sect still faced four major external enemies, and besides...

"How about it, Du En? Although I just wanted to kill you, to be honest, I feel that my side is more suitable for you. Changqing is indeed benevolent and law-abiding, but he is too benevolent and law-abiding."

"Those with different Daos cannot make plans together."

"Is that so? That is truly a pity. However, I still admire you, so let us formally get to know each other here. My name is Wang Jueheng. Of course, I would prefer you to address me by my Daoist name, Zhuding."

"Zhuding..."

As Du En murmured, the High Envoy had already vanished, leaving the Nancang Ruins, and even leaving the territory of the Nanmo Border City; he had completely withdrawn from this matter, truly willing to accept the loss of the wager.

At the same time, the armored soldiers staying in other parts of the ruins also silently ceased their original actions and began to gather to withdraw quickly and in an orderly fashion.

Only one person, instead, took the initiative to approach this side.

They were not yet far from them.

Having put back on his Lacquer Shadow Dharma Robe and retrieved his storage bag, Du En had already consumed the fifth-grade pill given by Meng Changqing and had recovered as before; through his divine sense, he detected the arrival of this armored soldier.

Meng Changqing, who had originally intended to move, had discovered this much earlier; at this moment, he had already stopped and turned, frowning toward that direction.

The newcomer was as taciturn as the other armored soldiers. Upon landing before them, they knelt on one knee, pulled open their faceplate to reveal a young face that was unexpectedly delicate, and raised both hands to present two items.

"The Master ordered: if defeated, entrust these to you."

"..."

Meng Changqing took them, his expression displeased, and waved his hand wordlessly, telling her to get lost quickly.

The other party silently closed their faceplate, offered a salute, and turned to leave.

"What is it?"

Du En asked.

"The newly sealed keys to the inner court, and the remains of the fallen subordinates."

Meng Changqing had not had time to collect the bodies of the guards who had died in the ruins earlier, so the High Envoy had sent people to collect them and preserve them carefully; regardless of whether he won or lost, they would eventually be returned to his hands.

Seeing that Du En seemed lost in thought, Meng Changqing grew anxious and hurriedly added: "That fellow is just like that—hypocritical and deep-scheming. One moment he is fighting you to the death, and the next he will put on a different face!"

In short, you must absolutely not be deceived!

But, it could not be denied that the High Envoy did not actually seek any reward for doing such things.

He simply felt that he should do it, so he did it as a matter of course; doing so was certainly correct, in accordance with the principles of heaven and earth—everything ought to be as it was.

Du En only nodded slightly, said nothing, and turned his gaze to the other side.

Over there, Fu Yong was lying in the wreckage, on the verge of death, but he had not yet fully perished; he was also quite tenacious.

Consequently, Meng Changqing's expression quickly fell; he put away the storage box containing the remains, turned, and walked toward that side.

"Ming... My Lord..."

His eyes, already blurred, caught the approaching figure and immediately recognized him. Fu Yong's mouth twitched, spitting out difficult words.

"Mm."

Meng Changqing wanted to appear indifferent, or perhaps more emotionally intense, or perhaps easygoing and gentle, but in the end, only this sound escaped him.

"A thousand apologies..."

"So, for what reason did you think to come and stop me?"

"... Your will and grand plans, I have always considered the most precious. Therefore, I truly could not sit by and watch your risky actions. At the same time, the High Envoy's goal was actually not to stop you from stepping into the inner court of the ruins."

"I see. You were afraid that I, like that evil cultivator, would be secretly influenced by the Nancang Venerable."

Hearing this, Meng Changqing could not help but grit his teeth: "Can you not trust me a little more?"

"... I truly could not take the risk, because only you are unique!"

Fu Yong mumbled, relying on his willpower to reveal his heart: "After all, that Venerable was killed by your esteemed master in the past!"

Once these words were spoken, the scene fell silent.

The guards, who were half-healing and half-standing guard, could not help but be shocked, never having imagined such a thing.

At the same time, they were also suddenly enlightened, feeling that it was no wonder Fu Yong had acted this way.

If it were them, if they could use a fake to replace the real, endure the secret technique of emotional deposit, and still maintain their original self-will, they would likely choose to act in such a manner.

Because Meng Changqing was sometimes extremely stubborn, harder and smellier than a stone in a latrine; without using an extreme method of remonstrance through death, it was impossible to change his trajectory.

And this time, if not for the accidental factor of Du En, they would have long since admitted defeat and left, would not have stepped into the inner court of the ruins, and there would have been no possibility of the Master being secretly influenced!

This was Fu Yong's intention.

Of course, Meng Changqing would certainly find a way to come over again later, but by then, his cultivation would surely have broken through, so there would be no risk like this time, or at the very least, it would be greatly reduced.

As for the secrets hidden in the ruins, Fu Yong would also certainly keep them secretly, saving them for Meng Changqing's side.

In other words, he was prepared to be misunderstood, treated with hostility, and even killed by his own lord, all to ensure that this side would be absolutely secure!

(End of chapter)