Chapter 480: Old Grudges and New Enmities

Just as dawn broke, Xu Han put on his back basket, bucket, and bamboo crate, and stepped out of his small courtyard.

Is it really necessary to carry so many things for a single trip out?

To Old Man Xu, these three items were all essential; not one was superfluous.

The basket was for medicinal herbs, the bucket was for night soil, and the bamboo crate was for wild vegetables—each had its own purpose.

Walking along the mountain path, he spotted a shepherd's purse; this absolutely had to go into the bamboo crate.

Walking through the woods, he spotted a mushroom; this also had to go into the bamboo crate.

Beside the mushroom was a cocklebur; this was a medicinal herb and had to be stored in the basket.

Beside the cocklebur was a patch of tangled grass, and crouching in the grass was a man. This man was named Gong Ziming, a disciple of the Sage, and he had to be collected into the night soil bucket.

Old Man Xu used a pitchfork to pin Gong Ziming down. Gong Ziming wailed repeatedly as Old Man Xu dragged him to his side. "My friend, you've been monitoring me on this mountain for so many days. Now that you're leaving without saying goodbye, don't you think you're looking down on me, Xu?"

Gong Ziming waved his hands repeatedly. "This junior was just passing through and disturbed Senior's peace. I ask for Senior's forgiveness."

Xu Han sighed. "You aren't being honest."

As the words fell, the bucket on Xu Han's back suddenly grew larger and wider, resembling a bathtub.

Old Man Xu stirred the golden-bright liquid with a shovel and was just about to toss Gong Ziming in when Gong Ziming shouted loudly, "Spare me, Old Man Xu! I was sent by the Sage-Virtue Peak. I am here on my master's orders to pay a visit to Old Man Xu."

This was phrased euphemistically; he called surveillance a "visit," but it was indeed the truth.

Back then, when the Sage's disciple Zhong Zhong Huaien contracted the Green Water Beggar's disease, Old Man Xu had placed Zhong Zhong Huaien in a bucket and soaked him in night soil for three days. Zhong Zhong Huaien hadn't been able to hold on and died in the bucket. Old Man Xu had used two eggplant-men to send Zhong Zhong Huaien's corpse back.

From beginning to end, Old Man Xu felt he hadn't lacked in etiquette, but he hadn't expected the Sage to fly into a rage and insist that Gong Ziming monitor Xu Han. Just like that, Gong Ziming had monitored him until today.

Yet, from the very first day he arrived, Old Man Xu had already known.

Old Man Xu asked, "For what reason are you leaving in such a hurry?"

Gong Ziming replied, "My monitoring of Old Man Xu here was truly overestimating my own abilities. That Old Man Xu has not held it against me all these days is also because you wanted to leave me a way to survive.

No matter how dull I am, I know what it means to advance or retreat, to live or die. Taking advantage of the fact that you haven't truly lost your temper, I prepared to flee back to Sage-Virtue Peak immediately. Perhaps I can still preserve this life."

Old Man Xu asked, "If you return to Sage-Virtue Peak, won't your master blame you?"

Gong Ziming sighed. "Regardless of how Master blames me, I must first preserve my own life."

The words were seamless; there wasn't a single flaw.

Old Man Xu praised him. "To tell a lie so thoroughly—I truly admire your wit!"

Having said this, Old Man Xu used the fork to lift Gong Ziming, intending to send him into the bucket again. Gong Ziming shouted, "Old Man Xu, spare me! I'll tell the truth.

Master sent an order the day before yesterday, telling me to return to Sage-Virtue Peak immediately. There is an urgent matter to discuss with me."

Old Man Xu asked, "What is this urgent matter?"

Gong Ziming sighed. "Old Man Xu, you should be clear about my master's temperament. He only orders us to do things; he certainly wouldn't explain the details clearly."

"You didn't inquire with your fellow disciples?"

"This was an order issued by Master. How would I dare to inquire casually? Even if I asked, my fellow disciples wouldn't tell me."

Old Man Xu smiled. "Saying it like that—do you not trust your fellow disciples, or do you not trust me?"

"Old Man Xu, I am telling the truth, truly the truth..."

*Splash! *

Gong Ziming was tossed into the bucket. He floated and sank in the golden soup for a moment, wanting to jump out, but was poked back in by Old Man Xu with the fork.

"Old Man Xu, spare me, I'll tell the truth, glug, glug..."

Old Man Xu retracted the fork. Gong Ziming coughed and wheezed for a long time before saying, "Master moved the Blade Ghost Ridge to the side of Sage-Virtue Peak, saying he wanted to turn it into an army.

As a result, the Blade-Labor Ghosts didn't know what variable had occurred; not only did they refuse to be controlled, they killed many of my fellow disciples and even charged down from Blade Ghost Ridge, attacking Sage-Virtue Peak.

Now Master is in a critical situation. The layered magic arrays have all been broken. He has recalled all the disciples from outside back to Sage-Virtue Peak to resist the Blade-Labor Ghosts with all their might."

Old Man Xu shook his head and sighed. "Having lost power for so many years, he has also lost his sense of depth. A place like Blade Ghost Ridge, and he dared to move it to his own doorstep.

However, it is strange. Blade-Labor Ghosts don't easily leave Blade Ghost Ridge. Attacking Sage-Virtue Peak now—they have indeed changed their temperament."

Gong Ziming said, "Old Man Xu, offending you in the past was because I was acting on orders; it was truly a helpless move.

Now that the sect is hanging by a thread, this junior only wants to return to Sage-Virtue Peak and risk this life to repay my master's grace of teaching.

Old Man Xu, this junior has only this one wish. I ask Old Man Xu to be magnanimous and grant it."

Xu Han sighed. "What kind of person do you take me for? How can the grudges of our generation involve you?

Your master and I do have some grievances, but since he has encountered such a great disaster, I cannot sit idly by. You wait here for a moment; I will go and return."

Old Man Xu left Gong Ziming in the bucket and turned to leave. Seeing Old Man Xu walk far away, Gong Ziming wanted to jump out of the bucket. He tried several times but failed.

Within the night soil, there seemed to be an invisible force tightly binding Gong Ziming. The more Gong Ziming struggled, the tighter he felt himself being bound.

Old Man Xu arrived at the fields, planted eighteen eggplant-men, wrote eighteen letters, and stuffed them into the bellies of the eggplant-men.

The content of the letters was the same: first, it introduced the situation on Sage-Virtue Peak, and then it offered suggestions to the recipients.

Old Man Xu's suggestion was: The Sage was once a monarch of a nation, and now that he has fallen into misfortune, you all cannot stand by and watch.

Avenge grudges if you have them, settle scores if you have them. Today is the perfect opportunity to beat a dog that has fallen into the water.

The eggplant-men were sent out, the letters were delivered, and Old Man Xu felt some regret.

He very much wanted to go to Sage-Virtue Peak himself to see the current appearance of that Sage and send him off on his way.

But he could not go. He had promised the Peddler to guard Medicine King Gully. Within the agreed-upon time limit, he would not leave Medicine King Gully.

Yet, in his heart, he was still curious: what is the scene on Sage-Virtue Peak like now?

A farmer, with his grandson, was pushing a cart of grain, walking toward Sage-Virtue Peak. The grain on the cart was very heavy, the mountain road was difficult to walk, and the grandfather and grandson were almost unable to push it.

An old man wearing a dome cap and round-rimmed glasses, leaning on a cane, asked from the side, "Brother, where are you going with this?"

The farmer smiled. "Delivering grain to the Sage."

"Still delivering grain to the Sage now?"

The farmer was quite surprised. "What's wrong with now?"

The old man said, "Haven't you heard that something happened on Sage-Virtue Peak?"

The farmer didn't care much and waved his hand. "I heard. It's just a few monsters coming to the mountain to cause trouble.

These monsters are seeking their own deaths. The Sage has the virtue of loving life and is letting them live for two more days. If they are sensible, they should leave quickly. If they don't know what's good for them, once the Sage truly loses his temper, he'll make them die without a burial place with a blink of his eyes."

"Just a blink of his eyes?" The old man didn't quite believe it. "Does the Sage really have such great ability?"

"You've arrived at Sage-Virtue Peak and still dare to say such things?" The farmer was terrified. "If your heart isn't sincere, I advise you not to go see the Sage.

Do you see that mountain over there? That mountain wasn't originally here. The Sage had a thought, and in the blink of an eye, he moved it over.

If he can move a mountain, what are a few monsters? Some people in the village don't dare to go up the mountain now; this proves their hearts aren't sincere. Such people will never become disciples of the Sage."

Having said this, the old farmer continued to push the cart up the mountain with his grandson.

The old man wearing the dome cap gave one last piece of advice: "I have always prioritized virtue in my actions. Now, I am speaking to you with all sincerity.

Brother, if you want to seek death, go yourself, but don't take the child with you."

The old farmer stopped the cart and suddenly felt a bit guilty. What if he really encountered monsters?

His own old bones, if he threw them away, he threw them away, but what if he really harmed the child?

But he had already walked to this point, and he hadn't encountered any monsters along the way. When he left home, it was to express his sincerity to the Sage at this juncture. Now, having heard a few words from that old man, why was he shrinking back?

The more the old farmer thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. He wanted to say a few more words to the old man, but when he turned his head, he discovered that the old man wearing the dome cap had disappeared.

*Momma! * Is that old man a monster?

The old farmer felt a wave of fear in his heart and hurriedly took his little grandson, pushing the cart down the mountain.

Not long after walking, he saw a beggar and a young man walking up the mountain.

The old farmer didn't dare to ask more and hurriedly pushed the cart down the mountain.

Green Water Beggar looked back. "Why is this person walking in such a hurry? We should have stopped him and asked."

He He Jiaqing shook his head. "No need to ask. He probably saw a Blade-Labor Ghost. I saw one in the woods just now."

Green Water Beggar smiled. "It's truly strange. Blade-Labor Ghosts can actually run out of Blade Ghost Ridge. I really want to know whose method this is."

He He Jiaqing frowned slightly. "The methods here are truly confusing. Someone has laid out a grand scheme for the Sage, hitting the Sage off-guard ring by ring.

In a moment, don't be in a hurry to make a move. I'll go sweep through his residence first. We'll split whatever we find."

Green Water Beggar shook his head. "Keep it yourself. I don't covet it. I just want his old life."

He He Jiaqing smiled. "Wait until we see the goods before talking. Good treasures from the imperial family—who wouldn't be tempted?"

Green Water Beggar weighed the bowl in his hand. "Before doing things, look at your own weight. Eight-Dou Ink Guest has come, Hundred-Flower Baihua Danqing has come, Smiling Ghost King has come, Half-Mouth Yellow Soup has come, and Three-Pot Tobacco Bag has also come.

These few all have cultivation bases beyond the Clouds. There are also many ruthless people beyond the Clouds on the way. If you sweep up all the good things, I'm afraid it will be difficult to walk out of Scoundrel Ridge."

He He Jiaqing was startled. "Why are you so concerned about me today?"

Green Water Beggar sneered. "Whether you live or die, I'm too lazy to care, but this matter cannot involve me. I only want that old thing's life; I don't want to offend these people."

The old farmer pushed the cart down Sage-Virtue Peak and was hurrying toward the village. When he was about to reach the village entrance, he saw a man in a black suit and a Westerner walking toward him.

Li Li Banfeng didn't speak. Cui Cui Tike stepped forward to greet him. "Old sir, where are you delivering this cart of grain?"

Seeing the Westerner, the old farmer didn't dare to speak much and stammered for a long time before saying, "This, this is for the Sage."

Cui Cui Tike asked again, "Isn't Sage-Virtue Peak over there? Why are you walking in the opposite direction?"

The old farmer smacked his lips, thinking about how he should answer.

The atmosphere of Scoundrel Ridge was quite different from other places in Puluo Continent. Westerners rarely appeared here, and most people hadn't seen Westerners. Those who had seen Westerners were all respectful to them. Since the Westerner had asked, the old farmer didn't dare not to answer.

But if he said he was afraid and didn't dare to deliver it to the mountain, the Sage would certainly hear these words, and there would be no hope for his grandson's schooling.

The origin of this Westerner in front of him certainly wasn't simple. He had to be measured when speaking to him. The old farmer replied, "The Sage said the quality of the grain wasn't good enough, so I'm going back to exchange it for another cart."

Having said this, the old farmer pushed the cart and left hurriedly.

Cui Cui Tike sighed. "When I first came to Puluo Continent, I didn't know why this place was called Scoundrel Ridge. I didn't know why a place would have such a name. Now I know."

He looked toward Sage-Virtue Peak and said with a face full of longing, "We personally created a disaster here. I can't wait to see what this disaster looks like."

Li Li Banfeng sighed. "I feel that in this matter, the power I contributed was negligible."

Cui Cui Tike said, "You don't have to be so humble. In the matter of the Blade-Labor Ghost's mutation, I provided the technology, and you created the opportunity. Our contributions are completely equal."

Li Li Banfeng was speechless. Cui Cui Tike sighed softly. "I don't know how many people live here. In my impression, there should be tens of thousands. After this catastrophe, I don't know how many of them will be able to survive.

The disaster has already been staged on Sage-Virtue Peak. Friend, are you ready? Are you ready to witness this great achievement with me?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head slightly.

Along this journey, he shivered from time to time.

Some high-level dangers cannot be directly perceived, but the Coachman had told him never to ignore details. Many details are the key to preserving one's life.

Cui Cui Tike said, "You are a Traveling Cultivator; I know you have the ability to seek good fortune and avoid disaster. I can understand that you don't want to go up the mountain, but I personally will absolutely not miss such an important moment."

Cui Cui Tike walked toward Sage-Virtue Peak alone.

Li Li Banfeng walked to a secluded spot and returned to his Personal Residence.

When he came out, he was followed by a dozen Cabbage-men.

The dozen Cabbage-men walked in different directions. Li Li Banfeng himself entered the village nearest to him.

At the village entrance, he encountered a young man and stepped forward to ask directly, "Do you want to die?"

The man was terrified, lowered his head, and retreated repeatedly, not daring to respond, nor daring to look at Li Li Banfeng again.

"If you don't want to die, take your whole family and come out. Wait at the village entrance; I'll take you away."

Without waiting for the man to make any reaction, Li Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and continued to walk into the village, saying to a woman carrying a child, "If you don't want to die, take your family and wait for me at the village entrance."

Scoundrel Ridge is full of scoundrels; they are very annoying.

But at least they should be given a chance to survive.

A man had been seeking schooling from the Sage for eighteen consecutive years. Although he had never been accepted, his admiration for the Sage had never changed.

He stood on the village road, pointing at Li Li Banfeng, and said, "Fellow villagers, do not listen to this outsider's heretical words and demagoguery."

The changes of heaven and earth begin with the Sage's thoughts. With a single thought, the Sage can exterminate demons and evil. We live here and receive the Sage's protection. How can we be bewitched by such a petty person?

"Vile thief, your vicious intentions have long been seen through by me. I advise you to pull back from the brink and stop being obsessed. If you wait for the Saint to descend with divine power, you will be ground to dust..."

*Crack! *

Li Li Banfeng twisted the man's neck.

"Those who want to die, go on the road with him," Li Li Banfeng pointed at the man's corpse. "Those who don't want to die, go to the village entrance and wait for me."

On Sage-Virtue Peak, there were corpses everywhere, a ruin.

Except for the Sage's residence, other buildings were basically destroyed.

The Sage had recalled hundreds of disciples from all over Puluo Continent, and now only thirty-odd remained by his side, defending the residence to the death.

Outside the courtyard wall, it was slightly quieter. The Blade-Labor Ghosts besieging the residence had dispersed.

They returned to Blade Ghost Ridge to replenish their yin energy, but another batch of Blade-Labor Ghosts would soon arrive. Do not underestimate the intelligence of Blade-Labor Ghosts; they know how to fight in rotation.

In close combat, they know how to utilize their own tough physiques; in long-range combat, they know how to exert their range advantage.

Especially in group combat, they are very skilled at launching attacks within poisonous mist, and their coordination with each other is very proficient.

Originally, the Sage still held a glimmer of hope. He wanted to find a way to control the Blade-Labor Ghosts through these days of fighting.

As a result, he tried thirteen types of Daoist sects with control techniques, and none of them could cause a substantial impact on the behavior of the Blade-Labor Ghosts.

The casualties on both sides were high, but the number of Blade-Labor Ghosts far exceeded the Sage's estimation. The Sage's disciples were almost dead, while the Blade-Labor Ghosts seemed to have lost less than one-tenth.

Fighting to this step, the Sage's residence clearly could not be defended, but it was too late to leave now.

The disciples had already found out the news: Pan Pan Dehai, Green Water Beggar, Eight-Dou Ink Guest, Half-Mouth Yellow Soup, Hundred-Flower Baihua Danqing, Smiling Ghost King, and Three-Pot Tobacco Bag had all arrived at Sage-Virtue Peak.

The Sage knew the quality of these people. He sighed long and said, "You have followed me for many years, and now you are going to die on the battlefield with me. Do you have any regrets in your hearts?"

Everyone said in unison, "We have no regrets!"

The Sage sighed with tears, "You are all loyal and good; my heart is very comforted!"

The scene was very tragic. A disciple came to report, "The Earth Deity of Sea-Eat Ridge, Pan Pan Dehai, has arrived in front of the residence gate."

Hearing this, the Sage gritted his teeth and shouted, "Eating the monarch's salary, being loyal to the monarch's affairs. Pan Pan Dehai, you were originally a minister in the court, but now you have committed the act of regicide and rebellion. Do you know your crime? Do you know shame? You consider yourself a person of virtue, but do you still know how to write that 'virtue' character?"

Pan Pan Dehai stood outside the gate and laughed. "I studied hard for twenty years. I passed the imperial examination at twenty-eight. I worked diligently as an official for ten years. How much have I done for you? You know it in your heart.

When I was thirty-eight, you discarded me like a worn-out shoe, saying 'prioritize virtue in employing people,' and demoted me.

When I was forty-eight, the nation was swaying, and you re-employed me. I helped you stabilize the country for two years, and you said 'have talent but no virtue,' and demoted me again.

At that time, I could never figure it out. I was loyal to you and had a clear conscience. Why was it that in your heart, I was so lacking in virtue?

After I entered Virtue Cultivation later, I finally understood the truth. Virtue is not in your heart; it is on your face.

The thicker your face, the deeper your virtue!"

The Sage said angrily, "Shameless madman, how dare you act so recklessly!"

Pan Pan Dehai smiled. "Virtueless dim-witted monarch, death is at hand, why be stubborn?"

"Pan Lang, well scolded!" A painting scroll floated in mid-air, and a stunningly beautiful woman walked out of the scroll.

The woman was wearing a high-collared, slanted-lapel, wide-sleeved brown gown with round flower patterns. It was old-fashioned, but it didn't affect her beauty that could topple cities and states.

Seeing the woman, Pan Pan Dehai hurriedly saluted. "Old Senior Mu, this junior greets you."

The woman frowned. "Calling me a senior is fine, but you have to call me 'Old Senior,' as if I were your grandmother."

Pan Pan Dehai smiled. "If we really talk about seniority, calling you grandmother, I wouldn't be at a loss."

The Sage was restless in the courtyard. Hundred-Flower Baihua Danqing Mu Yuejuan had come.

"Whose woman is this, thick-skinned enough to come out and recognize a grandson?" A drunkard staggered to Mu Yuejuan and smiled. "Do you think I don't know you? You've slept with many men, but you can't give birth to children. You don't even have a son; where did you get a grandson?"

Half-Mouth Yellow Soup Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui had also come.

A middle-aged man carrying a tobacco bag said, "No matter how many men Miss Mu has slept with, it's not your turn, you drunkard. It's useless even if you're greedy!"

Three-Pot Tobacco Bag Ye Ye Jianhuang had come.

Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui frowned. "You look down on me, a drunkard, but you can look down on you, a tobacco addict? Why don't you go take a piss and look at yourself?"

Ye Ye Jianhuang smiled. "I've been very angry these past two days, my urine is yellow, and I can't see a human figure. If you don't believe me, I'll take a piss, and you can try looking at it?"

Another middle-aged man, with a face as white as paper and no blood color, stepped forward and smiled. "Everyone, let's not argue here. Today we've come to see the Emperor; let's not lose our etiquette."

Smiling Ghost King, Gui Gui Jianchou, had also arrived.

Mu Yuejuan looked at everyone and said, "Since we've come to see the Emperor, it's not good for a woman like me to walk in front. Who among you is willing to be the first to face the monarch?"

Everyone lowered their heads and didn't speak.

Mu Yuejuan sneered. "If I don't say I look down on you, just find any young lad, and he would have more courage and guts than you."

Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui smiled. "Miss Mu, how do you know I don't have guts? I didn't enter this courtyard not because I was afraid of this dim-witted monarch, but because I was afraid someone would stab me in the back."

Ye Ye Jianhuang tapped his tobacco pipe. "What do you mean? Who are you talking about?"

Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui said, "Whoever has stabbed someone, that's who I'm talking about. Can you forget what you've done yourself?"

Ye Ye Jianhuang sneered. "Why bring up those old accounts? If you have the ability, go in now and take off that dim-witted monarch's head for me to see."

Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui said, "I really have this courage, but you must walk in front of me; otherwise, I won't feel at ease in my heart."

Gui Gui Jianchou smiled happily. "Two brothers, let's not have internal strife. Everyone who came today is a hero."

Mu Yuejuan said, "You are a hero, you go first!"

Gui Gui Jianchou shook his head. "It's not that this little brother is timid. I have plenty of ghost servants by my side. Sending a few to explore the path is not a difficult task.

Right now, the layered magic arrays are indeed gone, but it's hard to say if the Sage has any other backup plans. Old Xu didn't explain clearly in the letter, and he didn't show his face himself, so I think this matter..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui was unhappy. "Old Xu is helping Yao Xin guard the territory. It's only right that he couldn't come. If you don't have the guts, don't climb onto others."

Cui Cui Tike stood in the distance watching.

In such an occasion, it certainly wasn't his turn to speak, but the behavior of these few people truly made him unable to understand.

Nightmare Cultivator, Smoke Cultivator, Wine Cultivator, Painting Cultivator—the strength of these four people was unimaginably high. Now, Scoundrel Ridge no longer had layered magic arrays. Killing the Sage seemed to have no difficulty for them.

Yet they were hesitating. They didn't want to make a move. Their hostility toward the Sage was not even as great as their wariness of each other.

Green Water Beggar shrugged his eyebrows and shook his bowl. "I'll go."

Ye Ye Jianhuang looked down at Green Water Beggar and sneered. "Is it your turn for this matter?"

Judging from his tone, Green Water Beggar's status and cultivation base should be inferior to his.

But in Cui Cui Tike's view, Green Water Beggar truly had more guts than them.

Green Flower Beggar looked up at everyone. "You don't go, and you don't want me to go. Then we'll just wait here? Wait for the Blade-Labor Ghosts to kill their way over, and we'll have a chaotic battle here?"

Everyone didn't make a sound. Green Flower Beggar shook his bowl and walked toward the residence gate.

The gate suddenly opened wide. The Sage's disciple Song Deke, leading a dozen people, rushed outside the gate.

They were acting on the Sage's orders to be the vanguard and first dampen the enemy's spirit.

Rushing in to fight might have some misgivings, but cleaning up these few disciples at the gate was naturally not a problem.

Smiling Ghost King Gui Gui Jianchou summoned ghost servants, preparing to make a move first.

Song Deke showed no fear, puffed out his chest, lifted his hem, and led his subordinates, *thump*, kneeling in front of everyone.

The scene changed a bit too fast, and everyone was slightly puzzled.

Song Deke didn't speak. He placed his hands on the ground and led his subordinates in kowtowing to everyone!

*Bang! *

A dozen people kowtowing, and the sound produced was the same. What did this prove?

This proved that this kowtow was neat! This proved the sincerity of Song Deke's group!

Having kowtowed three times, needless to say, their intention had already been expressed clearly.

Green Water Beggar asked, "Who among you is leading the way!"

Everyone scrambled to be first. Song Deke suppressed everyone and said, "I have the highest seniority. This path must be led by me!"

PS: Mu Yuejuan and Hong Ying's second brother had a relationship, in Chapter 477.

Dear readers, wishing you a peaceful Dragon Boat Festival.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 481 =====