Chapter 117: Call for Help

Xiang Weiyuan walked around and sealed the dantians of the senior brother, junior brother, Jade-Faced Immortal Sword, and third sister, then said to Yun Feifei: “Lock these up first, then come tell me about the spiritual vein layout of Lanshen Palace.”

Yun Feifei nodded.

Xiang Weiyuan stared at her and said: “In front of me, you’d better put away that whole act of yours! I’ll be straight with you—I’ve already gotten what the palace wants, so you’re just a burden now. Whether I take you back depends on my mood. Understood?”

Yun Feifei lowered her head and nodded twice lightly. “Senior brother, rest assured—I’ll be very, very well-behaved, just like Wan’er. Whatever you want, I’ll do. I only ask you to show a little mercy.”

Xiang Weiyuan’s face darkened. “Since you’re so well-behaved, you’ll hold the front line when the Wuyu clan arrives. If you don’t die, I’ll show you mercy.”

Yun Feifei’s expression changed slightly. In the past, her tricks had always worked—no matter how pious or upright a man seemed, once he saw her round, snow-white thighs, none could resist slipping into lewd thoughts. What was wrong with this Xiang fellow? Had he cultivated some forbidden art that left him impotent?

Xiang Weiyuan had no idea what she was thinking. “Go scout the area. See what else you can use, where you can set up defenses, and where the Wuyu clan is likely to attack. When you’re done, come find me.”

At that moment, Yun Feifei sensed the changes in the surrounding heavens and earth, startled. “You brought a boundary stone with you?”

Xiang Weiyuan naturally wouldn’t tell her that an ancient boundary stone beneath the hall had already activated—meaning the Wuyu clan would surely launch their full force, drawing nearby troops, while Taichu Palace’s reinforcements wouldn’t arrive soon, and the Xu family couldn’t be counted on. This battle would be extremely perilous.

If he told her the truth, Xiang Weiyuan guessed Yun Feifei would sneak away.

After Yun Feifei left, Xu Wan’er took charge of the prisoners. Xiang Weiyuan found a room still standing, closed the door, and took out the jade pendant gifted by the Immortal Lord.

Xiang Weiyuan took a deep breath and calmed his racing heart. A true gentleman avoids standing under a crumbling wall. Under normal circumstances, he would have fled long ago—but now, Qingming had bonded with him and rooted itself; he could no longer move it.

The ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains had resonated with Qingming, fused into one. Forcibly pulling Qingming out would be self-damaging to his Dao foundation—something Xiang Weiyuan would never do. He’d rather fight to the death.

In truth, having read so many novels, Xiang Weiyuan understood Yun Feifei’s little schemes. Had it been any other time, he wouldn’t have minded a little free pleasure. But now? He had no such thoughts.

Just moments ago, his bold, impassioned demeanor before the guards and Yun Feifei had been for the sake of calming their spirits. Now that he’d sent Yun Feifei away, he must act: he must call for help.

Xiang Weiyuan first inscribed on the pendant the details of Qingming, its current location, the collusion between the Xu family and the Wuyu clan, and the imminent arrival of the Wuyu army. This was the public portion. Then, after it, he added separate messages, each sent to different recipients.

To the Immortal Lord: Qingming has suddenly recognized me as its master—this is now a fait accompli. Please, Immortal Lord, decide my fate.

To Zhang Sheng: Master, save me!

To Fenhai: Grandmaster, save me!

To Xuan Yue Zhenjun: Ancestor, save me!

To Ji Liuli: Big sister, there’s a major battle here!

To Xiang Xiaoyu: My Dao foundation has forged several immortal swords again—dare you come see?

To Cui Yu: Come fight! Bring plenty of people!

To Bao Yun: It’s been a month since we parted—I miss you deeply. This western journey has been perilous; I’ve been trapped in hopeless situations many times, yet somehow survived. But another great battle looms ahead—I don’t know if I’ll make it. If I’m unlucky, I may never repay the immortal silver I owe you. I’ll have to repay you in my next life.

In an instant, the letters were written. Xiang Weiyuan crushed the pendant. A clear light shot into Qingming and vanished instantly. These messages would be relayed back to Taichu Palace, then delivered to the respective recipients.

Thinking of what he’d written, even Xiang Weiyuan’s old face flushed slightly. But his life mattered more than shame.

Moreover, Xiang Weiyuan knew his limits—this place was far beyond what he could hold alone. The halls of Tianqing still had countless unclaimed territories lying idle. Why not send them to the western frontier to earn merit? These fellows earned little but spent recklessly; even after fifty more years, they couldn’t afford an ordinary boundary stone. Qingming was an immortal artifact, an ancient boundary stone—Tianqing and Shuixue Halls couldn’t afford it even if they sold every pot and pan. To use Qingming to expand territory—since Xuan Yue Zhenjun down, the paupers of both halls had never fought such a lavish battle.

The rescue messages sent, Yun Feifei returned from patrolling the former sect grounds. She had lived here for years and knew it intimately—she flew once around and saw it all. Knowing time was urgent, she moved swiftly, tearing half her skirt and losing one shoe, revealing a small, snow-white foot.

She stood before Xiang Weiyuan, gasping for breath. “There’s one secret vault the enemy hasn’t found—but it’s low-grade, filled only with materials.”

Xiang Weiyuan beamed. “Let’s go see.”

Yun Feifei nodded, her dark brows slightly furrowed. She took a step with her bare foot, then pulled it back.

Xiang Weiyuan glanced at the snow-white foot. “We’ll fly there.”

This answer took Yun Feifei completely off guard. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes inwardly. In the past, when she revealed even a sliver of her round, snow-white legs, which young genius hadn’t been dazzled?

Once, her junior brother was arrogant and haughty. During a private sparring match, she kicked him down with her bare, supple foot and stepped on him. After that, he was utterly devoted to her, spending every day vying for her attention with the senior brother, neglecting his original spy mission—and still got nothing.

But what was wrong with this man? She’d used all her tricks, and he remained unmoved. Had everyone from Taichu Palace lost some vital part?

Yun Feifei gritted her teeth inwardly: “You’re forcing me to go all out, aren’t you? We’ll settle this in the secret vault!”

As the two prepared to leave, Xu Wan’er rushed over. “I’ve dealt with all of them—but where’s Brother Wenwu?”

!

Xiang Weiyuan suddenly remembered he’d left someone behind. Earlier, during the hall’s exploration, he’d seen Wenwu huddled in a corner. Fearing his nagging, Xiang Weiyuan had sealed his mouth with spiritual force. Then came Xu Guanwen’s attack—he fought Xu Guanwen and the Wuyu clan’s flesh mountain, and finally the hall collapsed. With Wenwu’s strength, he couldn’t possibly have escaped. Even the residual wind from a shattered Dharma Body would have blown his flesh to dust, leaving only bones.

A pang of regret rose in Xiang Weiyuan’s heart—he knew Wenwu had no chance.

Though the man was talkative, unreliable, lustful, and lacking restraint, he had followed Xiang Weiyuan all the way here. Xiang Weiyuan had an instinctive care for those around him, especially the weak—like a hen protecting her chicks. Now, because of his own negligence, Wenwu was dead. He felt deep guilt.

“He’s in the hall. Go find his body.” Xiang Weiyuan turned on his heel. Yun Feifei and Xu Wan’er hurried after him.

Standing atop the hall’s ruins, Xiang Weiyuan amplified his spiritual sense with Qingming’s power and swept through the debris. To his surprise, Wenwu was still alive—he was huddled in the underground stone chamber, trembling violently as he clutched Qingming, muttering prayers to deities, reciting seventeen or eighteen divine titles, none of which Xiang Weiyuan recognized.

(End of Chapter)