Chapter 353

It's late at night.

Translation: "It was late at night."

Outside Flower Insect City, atop the tip of an extremely tall tree, Wu Tie stands on a thin horizontal branch, gazing at the movements inside Flower Insect City.

Translation: "Outside Flower Insect City, at the treetop of an extremely tall tree, Wu Tie stood on a thin lateral branch, gazing at the movements inside Flower Insect City."

All the formations and restrictions of Flower Insect City have been activated; a hazy light curtain, like an eggshell, is visible to the naked eye, enveloping the entire city.

Translation: "All the formations and restrictions of Flower Insect City were activated; a hazy light curtain, visible to the naked eye like an eggshell, enveloped the entire city."

On the city walls, groups of Flower family guards patrol back and forth, completely replacing the city's internal defense army.

Translation: "On the city walls, groups of Flower Clan guards patrolled back and forth, completely taking over the position of the city's internal defense forces."

During the day, the houses near the east gate that were burned by white phosphorus shells still emit black smoke, and in the distance one can hear the cries of the populace.

Translation: "During the day, the houses near the East Gate that had been burned by white phosphorus shells were still emitting black smoke, and from afar one could hear the cries of the common folk."

In the forest below, none of the five hundred city defense soldiers that Wu Tie brought out are sleeping; they toss and turn anxiously in their tents, worrying about the safety of their relatives in the city.

Translation: "In the mountain forest below, none of the five hundred city defense soldiers that Wu Tie had brought out were sleeping; they tossed and turned anxiously in their tents, worrying about the safety of their relatives in the city."

During the daytime chaos near the east gate, if it weren't for the eighty elite Divine Martial troops suppressing them, these city defense soldiers would have likely fled back to Flower Insect City to gather news.

Translation: "During the daytime chaos near the East Gate, if it weren't for the eighty elite Divine Martial Army troops suppressing the situation, these city defense soldiers would have likely fled back to Flower Insect City to gather news."

Although they remain outside the city now, their restless demeanor suggests they have little combat effectiveness left.

Translation: "Although they remain outside the city now, judging by their restless demeanor, they probably have little combat strength left."

Wu Tie shook his head and exhaled.

Translation: "Wu Tie shook his head and let out a breath."

After seeing the strength of those daytime 'dangerous elements' causing the turmoil, Wu Tie lost confidence in these city defense soldiers. With their cultivation at the Gan Xuan and Chong Lou realms, facing a Tai Zang realm expert, are they just going to deliver vegetables?

Translation: "Having seen the strength of those daytime 'dangerous elements' that caused the turmoil, Wu Tie lost confidence in these city defense soldiers. With their cultivation at the Sensing Mystery Realm and Chonglou Realm, facing a Fetal Storage Realm expert, would they just be delivering vegetables?"

Not to mention them, even those eighty Divine Martial soldiers, who are merely regular troops stationed long-term at the Divine Martial headquarters and not genuine battlefield fighters, Wu Tie holds no hope for their combat ability.

Translation: "Not to mention them, those eighty Divine Martial Army soldiers are, after all, regular troops stationed long-term at the Divine Martial Army headquarters, not genuine battlefield fighters; Wu Tie holds no hope for their combat ability either."

"Troublesome," Wu Tie sighed.

Translation: "\"Troublesome. \" Wu Tie sighed."

Although it's none of his business… no matter how Flower Insect City changes, it has nothing to do with him.

Translation: "Although it's none of his business……no matter how Flower Insect City changes, it has nothing to do with him."

But Wu Tie is curious about their intentions in his heart.

Translation: "But Wu Tie is curious about the purpose of those people."

Having stirred up such a big affair, what exactly are they trying to do?

Translation: "After causing such a big commotion, what exactly do they intend to do?"

What's especially interesting is that they attacked and killed Flower Xin Xin, reducing his flesh to something like tofu dregs, yet out of nowhere appears Ren Du Xing, who happens to possess a Six‑Turn Heavy Pregnancy Pill in his hand.

Translation: "What's especially interesting is that they attacked and killed Flower Xin Xin, reducing his flesh to something like bean dregs, yet out of nowhere appeared Ren Duxing, who happened to have a Six-Revolution Heavy Conception Pill in his hand."

"Heavy Pregnancy Pill," this is an immortal pill.

Translation: "\"Heavy Conception Pill\", this is an immortal pill."

Wu Tie had only recently begun his cultivation, and the various first‑second, eighth‑ninth grade primordial herbs he had encountered were merely ordinary quality.

Translation: "Wu Tie had only recently begun his cultivation; the Primal Herbs of first, second, eighth, and ninth grade he had encountered were merely ordinary quality."

Above the primordial herbs lie spiritual herbs.

Translation: "Above the Primal Herbs are Spirit Herbs."

Above the spiritual herbs are the immortal herbs.

Translation: "Above the Spirit Herbs are Immortal Herbs."

And immortal pills must be refined from immortal herbs.

Translation: "And immortal pills must be refined from immortal herbs."

The Divine State of Great Jin classifies pill grades into three tiers: three‑turn, six‑turn, and nine‑turn. Six‑turn means adding materials six times and subjecting them to six rounds of refinement in the pill furnace. Each turn consumes enormous resources, and each additional turn greatly increases the risk of ruining the pill.

Translation: "The Divine Martial Kingdom of the Great Jin classifies pill grades into three tiers: three-revolution, six-revolution, and nine-revolution. Six-revolution means adding materials six times and putting them into the pill furnace for six rounds of tempering. Each revolution consumes enormous resources, and each additional revolution greatly increases the risk of ruining the pill."

A Six‑Turn Heavy Pregnancy Pill is considered an extremely precious treasure even among immortal pills.

Translation: "A Six-Revolution Heavy Conception Pill is considered an extremely rare treasure even among immortal pills."

Having been struck by deadly poison, his five viscera and six bowels were shattered, his upper body damaged like tofu dregs; Flower Xin Xin's flesh, however, was restored to wholeness by the miraculous effect of a Six‑Turn Heavy Pregnancy Pill. Moreover, experts from the Ren family helped reintegrate his spirit and soul into his body, adjusted his qi and blood, and forcibly transformed what could only have been a possession‑rebirth into a living person.

Translation: "Having been struck by deadly poison, his five viscera and six bowels were shattered, his upper body ruined like bean dregs; Flower Xin Xin's flesh, however, was restored to its original state by the miraculous effect of a Six-Revolution Heavy Conception Pill. Moreover, experts of the Ren Clan helped his soul and spirit re-enter his body, adjusted his blood and qi, and forcibly transformed Flower Xin Xin, who could only have been reborn through possession, into a living person."

In the evening, when Wu Tie left the city, Flower Xin Xin had already addressed Ren Du Xing as a brother and moved directly into the Flower family manor.

Translation: "In the evening, when Wu Tie left the city, Flower Xin Xin had already sworn brotherhood with Ren Duxing and had moved directly into the Flower Clan manor."

What leaves Wu Tie speechless is that Flower Xin Xin's guards forcibly took over the city's defense, and even the news of Sim Quan's death—which ought to have been urgently reported to Pinghu County—was suppressed by Flower Xin Xin.

Translation: "What left Wu Tie speechless was that Flower Xin Xin's guards forcibly took over the city's defenses of Flower Insect City, and even the news of Simaquan's death—which should have been urgently reported to Pinghu Commandery—was suppressed by Flower Xin Xin."

In the words of the spoiled Flower Xin Xin, before the truth of his assassination and the Flower family's ninth steward being struck down to soul scattering is uncovered, all news from Flower Insect City is strictly forbidden from being leaked.

Translation: "In Flower Xin Xin's own words as a spoiled scion, before the truth of his assassination and the Flower Clan Ninth Steward being struck down to soul-scattering is uncovered, all news from Flower Insect City is strictly forbidden from leaking."

He even sent people to the Divine Martial headquarters to warn Li Dayou, telling him to keep his mouth shut!

Translation: "This guy even sent people to the Divine Martial Army headquarters to warn Li Dayou, telling him to keep his mouth shut!"

Flower Xin Xin made it clear that this matter has nothing to do with the Divine Martial army; it's a local security issue, and the victims are him and the Flower family's ninth steward. Therefore, as long as Li Dayou does not divulge what happens inside Flower Insect City, he will give Li Dayou a generous gift when he departs.

Translation: "Flower Xin Xin made it clear that this matter had nothing to do with the Divine Martial Army; it was a local security issue, and the injured parties were himself and the Flower Clan Ninth Steward. Therefore, as long as Li Dayou does not leak what happened inside Flower Insect City, he will give Li Dayou a generous gift when he departs."

Furthermore, he threatened Li Dayou, saying that if Li Dayou dared to report this to the Divine Martial headquarters in Pinghu County, he shouldn't blame Flower Xin Xin for personally breaking Li Dayou's two 'dog legs'!

Translation: "Furthermore, he threatened Li Dayou, saying that if Li Dayou dared to report this matter to the Divine Martial Army headquarters of Pinghu Commandery, then don't blame him, Flower Xin Xin, for personally breaking Li Dayou's two 'dog legs'!"

"Troublesome it is, but also quite interesting," Wu Tie said, playing with a jade talisman shaped like a green caterpillar worm in his hand, smiling happily.

Translation: "\"Troublesome it is, but also quite interesting. \" Wu Tie played with a jade talisman shaped like a green aphid insect, smiling happily."

This was given to him by Li Dayou, a secret symbol used in emergencies to summon personnel from the Forbidden Demon Hall.

Translation: "This was given to him by Li Dayou, a secret symbol used in emergencies to summon personnel from the Forbidden Magic Hall."

It also came along with that warning document, intended for emergency contact with the Forbidden Demon Hall. Accompanying it was a stern warning from the Forbidden Demon Hall: unless concrete evidence is seized or a living person is caught on the spot, use of this symbol is strictly prohibited, and violators will be severely punished without leniency.

Translation: "It also came along with that warning document, a treasure for urgently contacting the Forbidden Magic Hall. Following it came the Forbidden Magic Hall's stern warning: unless genuine evidence is captured, unless a living person is apprehended on the spot, use of this secret symbol is strictly prohibited; violators will be severely punished without leniency."

Wu Tie began to consider the origins and consequences of this matter.

Translation: "Wu Tie began to consider the causes and consequences of this matter."

Flower Xin Xin, Ren Du Xing, the Flower family, the Ren family, and those sudden attackers.

Translation: "Flower Xin Xin, Ren Duxing, plus the Flower Clan, plus the Ren Clan, plus those attackers who suddenly appeared."

In this chaotic mess, there must be an internal connection.

Translation: "Amidst this chaotic mess, there must be an internal connection."

Wu Tie is very curious about what they intend to do.

Translation: "Wu Tie is very curious about what they actually intend to do."

If we can find their goal and there is some benefit, Wu Tie doesn't mind intervening to scoop up a little advantage.

Translation: "If he can find their goal, and if there is benefit, Wu Tie doesn't mind intervening to scoop up a little advantage."

If the benefit has nothing to do with Wu Tie, then let's summon the Forbidden Demon Hall personnel to clean up; making connections with them is also a good thing.

Translation: "If the benefit has nothing to do with Wu Tie, then he might as well summon the Forbidden Magic Hall personnel to clean up; being able to make connections with the Forbidden Magic Hall is also a good thing."

Wu Tie still bears in mind the task given to him by Xi Bu Bai.

Translation: "Wu Tie still kept in mind the task given to him by Xi Bu Bai."

In Flower Insect City, the Ren family manor is one of the largest and most luxurious residences by area.

Translation: "In Flower Insect City, the Ren Clan manor is one of the largest and most luxurious residences by land area."

In the central hall covering about one mu, guests filled the seats, cups clinked, and the pale‑faced Flower Xin Xin, whose vitality had not yet fully recovered, sat in the place of honor, laughing and chatting with Ren Du Xing.

Translation: "In the central hall covering an area of one mu, the gathering was full of distinguished guests, wine cups clinking; Flower Xin Xin, whose complexion was pale and whose vitality had not yet fully recovered, sat in the seat of honor, laughing and chatting with Ren Duxing."

The head of the Ren family, Ren Shanwen, several Ren family elders, and a dozen or so outstanding Ren family women sat nearby, with everyone's attention focused on Flower Xin Xin.

Translation: "The head of the Ren Clan, Ren Shanwen, several Ren Clan elders, and a dozen or so outstanding Ren Clan maiden ladies sat beside them, with everyone's attention focused on Flower Xin Xin."

A troupe of flower‑like dancers swirled wildly in the middle of the hall, while the band played at full volume beside them; next to three rows of luxurious bronze bells, six bell‑keepers with solemn expressions continuously struck the spirit‑light‑wreathed bells.

Translation: "A troupe of flowery dancers danced wildly in the center of the hall, while the band on the side played with all its might; beside three rows of luxurious bronze bells, six bell attendants with solemn expressions continuously struck the spirit-light-entwined bells."

With a 'dong' sound, Flower Xin Xin slammed his wine cup onto the long table, thumping his chest as he loudly declared, 'Du Xing, we are brothers, brothers… there's nothing more to say; the position of lord of Flower Insect City is a small matter, I'll take care of it.'

Translation: "With a 'dong' sound, Flower Xin Xin heavily slapped his wine goblet onto the long table, patting his chest as he loudly declared: \"Duxing, we are brothers, brothers……no need to say more, the position of lord of Flower Insect City is a small matter; I'll take care of it. \""

Raising his head, Flower Xin Xin laughed loudly: 'I see all the Ren brothers as dragon‑horse‑like heroes; the martial arts school of Pinghu County… is meaningless. My uncle is a grand master at the Nine Mountains martial arts school; I will recommend all these Ren brothers to go there.'

Translation: "Raising his head, Flower Xin Xin laughed loudly: \"All the brothers of the Ren Clan, I see each as a dragon-horse-like hero; the Martial Training Hall of Pinghu Commandery……is meaningless. My paternal uncle serves as the Chief Instructor of the Martial Training Hall in Jiushan Prefecture; I will recommend these brothers of the Ren Clan to go to the Martial Training Hall of Jiushan Prefecture. \""

Flower Xin Xin beamed: 'The Nine Mountains martial arts school holds exalted status; a few Ren brothers who train there for years, with a single recommendation letter from my uncle, can enter the Divine Martial army at least as a ninth‑grade lieutenant, which is far easier than for ordinary people.'

Translation: "Flower Xin Xin laughed especially brightly: \"The Martial Training Hall of Jiushan Prefecture holds a prestigious status; a few Ren Clan brothers who train there for several years, with a single recommendation letter from my uncle, can enter the Divine Martial Army, starting at least as a Ninth-Rank Colonel—far easier than for ordinary people. \""

Ren Shanwen and several elders smiled with wrinkles like chrysanthemums, hurriedly raising their cups to toast Flower Xin Xin.

Translation: "Ren Shanwen and several elders smiled with faces full of chrysanthemum wrinkles, hastily raising their cups to toast Flower Xin Xin."

Ren Du Xing and Flower Xin Xin clinked cups, drank the fine wine, then Ren Du Xing laughed loudly: 'Xin Di, you've brought so many people to Flower Insect City; surely you have important business. My Ren family also has some influence here—if anything is needed, just say the word.'

Translation: "Ren Duxing and Flower Xin Xin clinked cups, drank the fine wine, then laughed loudly: \"Xin Brother, you brought so many people to Flower Insect City this time; surely you have important matters at hand. My Ren Clan also has some strength in Flower Insect City……if anything can be used, just say the word. \""

Flower Xin Xin clapped his hands and burst into loud laughter.

Translation: "Flower Xin Xin clapped his hands and burst into loud laughter."

"Good, that's settled. Hey, the other brothers have also taken survey teams out; I am the most favored by the ancestor, and if I can't outshine them, I'd really have no face to go back and see people."

Translation: "\"Good, let's settle it like that. Hey, the other brothers also took their survey teams out; I am the most favored by the ancestor, and if I can't outshine them, I'd really have no face to return and meet people. \""

"Especially, this time the ninth steward has had an incident…" Flower Xin Xin's face darkened, and he said coldly: 'This matter should be kept from the clan for now. After I achieve results, I'll report to the clan; otherwise… those detractors will again stir up trouble before the ancestor.'

Translation: "\"Especially, this time the Ninth Steward met with trouble……\" Flower Xin Xin's face darkened, and he said coldly: \"This matter should first be kept from the clan. After I achieve results, I will report to the clan; otherwise……those detractors will again stir up trouble before the ancestor. \""

Ren Du Xing nodded firmly: 'I understand, I understand… the Flower family is a great house, unlike our rustic small clan; infighting among brothers is inevitable. Since you're in a difficult position, Xin Di, my Ren family will certainly help you settle things properly.'

Translation: "Ren Duxing nodded firmly: \"I understand, I understand……the Flower Clan is a great house with vast enterprise, unlike our rustic small clan; it's inevitable that brothers scheme against each other. Since Xin Brother is in a difficult position, my Ren Clan will certainly help him settle things properly and smoothly. \""

Slapping his chest, Ren Du Xing shouted: 'Xin Di, I think we should make our move early tomorrow morning.'

Translation: "Patting his chest, Ren Duxing loudly said: \"Xin Brother, I think we should make our move early tomorrow morning. \""

"Although my Ren family is small, our household servants, slaves, and private troops together number tens of thousands; plus my Ren brothers, you can deploy them as you wish. In our storehouse, all grain, fodder, and supplies are yours to take."

Translation: "\"Although my Ren Clan is a small household, our servants, slaves, and private soldiers together number tens of thousands; plus these brothers of my Ren Clan, you may deploy them as you wish. In our clan's storehouse, all grain, fodder, and supplies are at your disposal—just take what you need. \""

"Since we are brothers, we certainly cannot let you, Xin Di, lose face before your brothers."

Translation: "\"Since we are brothers, we certainly cannot let Xin Brother lose face before his fellow brothers. \""

"How fortunate I, Ren Du Xing, am to have met you, Xin Di; thereafter, the futures of all my Ren brothers and of the Ren family itself depend entirely on you!"

Translation: "\"How fortunate I, Ren Duxing, am to have met you, Xin Brother; from now on, the futures of all my Ren Clan brothers, and even the future of my Ren Clan itself, depend entirely on you! \""

Ren Du Xing, moved with emotion, rose to his feet and bowed deeply to Flower Xin Xin.

Translation: "Ren Duxing, moved by emotion, stood up and bowed deeply to Flower Xin Xin."

Ren Shanwen and several elders also rose to their feet and solemnly bowed to Flower Xin Xin.

Translation: "Ren Shanwen and several elders also rose to their feet, solemnly bowing to Flower Xin Xin."

Hua Xinxin stood up with a flushed face, hurriedly helping Ren Shanwen and several elders to their feet; the alcohol was getting to him, and Hua Xinxin shouted, "Uncle Ren, rest assured, elders, I and Du Xing are brothers—closer than blood brothers… From now on, the affairs of the Ren family are my Hua Xinxin's affairs."

Ren Duxing and the clan elders plied Flower Heart with drink after drink—one round, then another, then another…

After several rounds of drinks, even though Flower Heart had been lavishly nurtured by the Flower clan and, despite his youth, had already attained the half‑step Life Pool level, he was already drunk—eyes spinning, body swaying.

Ren Duxing smiled and nodded to his father.

Ren Shanwen laughed brightly and waved at the dozen or so outstanding young women of the Ren clan standing beside him.

A dozen or so Ren clan women, dressed in dazzling finery, giggled as they escorted Flower Heart toward the rear hall.

Ren Shanwen lifted his wine cup with a smile, took a sip, and said, "The matter—let's make it happen, shall we?"

Ren Duxing smiled and nodded: "Father, rest assured—the matter will surely succeed."

With a faint smile, Ren Duxing said softly, "Even if this fails, we've already tied ourselves to the Flower clan… a six‑reversal Heavy Conception Pill—such a huge favor; wouldn't the Flower clan be embarrassed not to repay us a hundredfold? That's more than enough, more than enough."

Ren Shanwen restrained his smile and said calmly, "In that case, my son, you must proceed carefully. Well, that idiot Simaquan is dead, but there are still a few other households in the city, the Divine Martial Army headquarters… and the Forbidden Demon Temple outpost in Qiye Lane—all of them have people watching them closely."

"The Divine Martial Army headquarters doesn't worry me meddling in local affairs, but those lackeys of the Forbidden Demon Temple are a real nuisance. Keep them under strict watch—allow no slip‑up."

Ren Shanwen spoke solemnly, and Ren Duxing and the others responded in earnest.

The next day, Flower Heart, his legs weak from drink, set out of the city with a large entourage, accompanied by Ren Duxing.

A dozen or so Ren clan women in full bloom, along with dozens of carefully selected Ren maidservants, all dressed in men's attire, followed Flower Heart, laughing and chattering.

The Flower clan dispatched three thousand guards, while the rest remained in the city to guard the entire Insect‑Flower City.

Tens of thousands of Flower clan artisans and laborers, plus tens of thousands of Ren clan servants, slaves, and private guards, formed a mighty throng that escorted over a thousand heavy wagons out the south gate, winding along the mountain trail into the deep mountains.

The mountain path was tough to travel—it was originally just a narrow trail used by the townsfolk of Insect‑Flower City for gathering herbs and catching spirit scorpions.

The Flower clan's heavy wagons were huge and extraordinarily heavy; the winding, rugged mountain road made them hard to move. Fortunately, the Flower and Ren clan private guards accompanying them were strong, clearing trees, blasting rock, and laying paths; where the going got truly tough, three or five guards would simply hoist a wagon and jump it forward, so the procession's speed remained respectable.

Wu Tie restrained his aura, wearing a set of tattered coarse hemp clothes, a wood‑chopping knife tied at his waist, and walked at a leisurely pace through the forest, keeping close beside the Flower clan's procession.

Besides Wu Tie, there were several hundred others similarly dressed, following at a leisurely pace alongside.

These people included retainers of the Insect‑Flower City lord's manor, spies sent by several other great clans of the city, and, most importantly, there were certainly agents of the Forbidden Demon Temple among them.

Of course, Wu Tie was among them and recognized two familiar faces.

These two were among those who had committed murder on the street yesterday, sparking the disturbance.

Aside from those Wu Tie could roughly identify, fully half of the group were strangers to him—he had no idea where they came from.

Everyone, by tacit agreement, kept a certain distance from one another in the woods, moving forward without interfering as they followed the Flower clan's procession.

Far off, Wu Tie could still hear Flower Heart's roar.

"That's right, Steward Nine is dead… and precisely because of that, we must not send any word back to the clan."

"What's your angle? Do you want to make me lose face before the patriarch?"

"Get lost, all of you! If anyone dares to send a single word back to the clan, I'll kill him and his whole family!"

"Listen up—until I find a rare vein of ore and have something to show for myself before returning to the clan, anyone who dares to send a word back will die, along with his entire family!"

"Believe it or not—do you believe me?"

"Scram, get far away… you clumsy oafs, getting in the way… don't interfere with my chat with the Ren sisters… get lost, all of you!"

Wu Tie curled his lip and shook his head.

The mountains ahead grew ever steeper; despite the Flower and Ren clan experts dragging and hauling the wagons, the procession still took three days and four nights to penetrate over three hundred li into the range.

This far exceeded the hundred‑li safety zone around Insect‑Flower City; along the way the troupe faced dozens of waves of fierce beasts and venomous creatures. Although private guards accompanied them, the contingent still suffered about a hundred casualties.

Finally, at noon that day, a tall, dark‑skinned, powerfully built artisan stepped before Flower Heart.

"Young master, the terrain here is rich in earthly qi, the mountains are massive—there ought to be a vein of ore below."

"We can follow this ridge southwestward; if luck holds, we're bound to find something."

Flower Heart burst into laughter: "Good, set up the tools and get to work… uh, first help me pitch my tent—don't you see the sisters are getting sun‑burnt dark? Quick, quick, setting up my tent comes first!"