Chapter 209: Falling to the Mortal World

Ying Ge's family background was quite distinguished.

Ying Ge's father, Ying Boyan, was a merchant, but his grandfather had been the Viceroy of Songzhou's Capital Command, which was the fundamental reason the Ying family could expand its business throughout Chen Guo and beyond.

As a result, even in Wan Yi, the Ying family owned a sprawling mansion.

Moreover, the Ying family held a noble title: Third-Class Marquis.

Xu Jin took a leisurely pace, spending a full quarter-hour to reach the Ying residence, where no haughty servants or vulgar abuses occurred.

Xu Jin merely displayed his Dao Academy disciple token and was immediately admitted.

At the very moment Xu Jin arrived at the Ying residence, a series of reports—starting from when he left the State Dao Academy—had already reached Zhang Zhen, the Chen Guo Star Lord of the Cangming Star Hall.

Upon seeing the report, Zhang Zhen frowned tightly.

He was hesitant, yet impulsive.

His transfer order had already been issued.

In three days, the new Cangming Star Hall Star Lord of Chen Guo would assume office, and Zhang Zhen would then report to the Star River Battlefield.

The specifics of his transfer were even harsher than he'd imagined—he was directly assigned as Deputy Commander of the Third Guard of the Canglong Army on the Star River Battlefield.

The Canglong Army was a force constantly fighting on the front lines of the Star River Battlefield; even officers saw annual turnover rates exceeding thirty percent, let alone common soldiers.

It was the last place he wanted to go, but the Star Hall's order was final.

Military orders were as firm as mountains—he could not defy them.

He no longer wished to dwell on the many reasons behind this injustice; the more he thought, the angrier he became.

Yet now, he saw an opportunity.

Four days ago, the Seventh Elder of the Cangming Star Hall's Execution Hall, Huang Kejia, had issued a list: anyone who successfully eliminated a name on it would be credited with an extraordinary merit.

Extraordinary merit!

Had this come before his demotion, it would have guaranteed promotion.

If he could now secure another extraordinary merit, he would not need to go to the Star River Battlefield at all.

Yet although Zhang Zhen was eager for merit, he was not foolish.

He considered another possibility—could the Chen Guo State Dao Academy be setting a trap?

Could Xu Jin be a bait cast out by the State Dao Academy?

This possibility was significant!

Though the alert status among all halls and factions had been lifted, every side remained outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense.

Disciples still moved with extreme caution.

Xu Jin, the autumn examination champion, venturing out to visit someone—his likelihood of being bait was high!

But caution was one thing; watching a chance to earn extraordinary merit and change his fate slip away was another.

He did not dislike the Star River Battlefield—he simply planned to go there only after breaking through to the Gao Jie realm.

At Gao Jie, a cultivator's safety on the Star River Battlefield would skyrocket.

Fewer than one fell every few years.

But now, his plan was shattered.

His cultivation base had barely broken through to the middle stage of the Liu Jie Yunlou realm.

If he had another five or six years, he might barely reach the late stage of the Liu Jie Yunlou realm, and his chances of dying in battle would drop sharply.

But now—

"Investigate! Mobilize our covert agents and track the movements of the State Dao Academy's senior leadership!" Zhang Zhen, unwilling to let this opportunity slip, immediately issued the order.

But his subordinate in charge of intelligence immediately refused.

"Star Lord, we have a few covert agents within the State Dao Academy, but none have the capability to investigate or monitor the movements of its senior leadership."

"Moreover, the movements of the State Dao Academy's top leadership cannot be monitored or investigated."

Zhang Zhen slapped his forehead.

He was growing desperate.

But this opportunity—

The last time he sent someone to assassinate Xu Jin, it was a Wu Jie Judou Sixth Layer cultivator, who, according to intelligence, was instantly killed by Xu Jin's powerful talisman.

It was almost certainly a Liu Jie talisman.

But Liu Jie talismans were exceedingly rare.

Zhang Zhen believed Xu Jin likely did not possess a second Liu Jie talisman.

Yet he could not gamble on this!

Quickly, Zhang Zhen summoned two Wu Jie Judou Ninth Layer peak cultivators.

Among the Wu Jie cultivators stationed in Wan Yi by the Cangming Star Hall, no more than ten existed; most were only Wu Jie Judou early or mid-stage, and these two were the only ones at peak stage with formidable combat prowess.

But sending only two was still unsafe!

Zhang Zhen considered many factors.

What if Xu Jin still had another Liu Jie talisman?

That could easily remove one of the two peak Wu Jie assassins from the battle.

What if Xu Jin had hidden bodyguards?

Yes.

At least one must be present.

Then sending two peak Wu Jie cultivators was insufficient.

He could also mobilize one more Wu Jie Judou Sixth Layer cultivator from the Cangming Star Hall.

This was only possible thanks to the order from Huang Kejia, the head of the Star Hall's Execution Hall; otherwise, a soon-to-be-deposed former Star Lord like him could never command so many powerful cultivators for an assassination.

Assign three Wu Jie cultivators to carry out the assassination!

But Zhang Zhen still felt it was insufficient.

After all, this was Wan Yi.

What if an unwise Wu Jie cultivator nearby decided to lend a hand?

Or what if Xu Jin had two hidden bodyguards?

Then they would still fail.

Zhang Zhen even considered himself.

But he could not act unless absolutely desperate.

Because within Wan Yi, the number of Liu Jie cultivators was limited.

More importantly, when a Liu Jie cultivator acts, they subtly stir the celestial star force.

Even a slight stirring of celestial star force would immediately alert Cheng Yuexiao, the Grand Master of the Chen Guo State Dao Academy.

That man's artifact could sense everything within Wan Yi.

To alarm him within Wan Yi was to invite death.

If solid evidence was obtained, Cheng Yuexiao could kill him, and the Cangming Star Hall could not directly retaliate.

The assassination force was still insufficient!

If they forced the assassination and failed, losing one or two Wu Jie cultivators would not only yield no merit but incur blame.

A compounded offense.

Then he would not merely be transferred to the Canglong Army under the Cangming Star Hall—he would be directly reassigned to the Zuisa Army under the Cangming Luo.

The Zuisa Army, from its name alone, revealed its origins.

It was composed almost entirely of cultivators from the Cangming Star Hall and Da Chu Guo who had committed crimes and sought redemption through service.

It was brutally intense, with an extremely high death rate.

It was a place no one wanted to go.

To let this chance for merit slip away to avoid an even worse outcome made Zhang Zhen suffer deeply.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhen thought of his fellow sufferer.

Du Tingyun, the Chen Guo Star Lord of the Tianyang Star Hall!

This man had suffered misfortune just like himself over the past few months—his troubles were nearly identical, and several had directly involved Xu Jin.

During a private meeting a few days ago, Du Tingyun had said his transfer order had arrived—he was being reassigned to serve in the She Yao Army of the Tianyang Star Hall on the Star River Battlefield, with a slightly better position: Guard Commander.

But the She Yao Army of the Tianyang Star Hall was also a frontline unit locked in fierce combat.

Did Du Tingyun want to go?

Absolutely not.

Did Du Tingyun want to earn merit?

Almost certainly.

"Should I ask him to cooperate? But I don't know if the Tianyang Star Hall has a similar kill list?"

"It probably does."

With this thought, Zhang Zhen sent Du Tingyun a starlight message—given the urgency, this was the only way to contact him.

"Old Du, want to earn an extraordinary merit and get reassigned?"

"Who wouldn't? But extraordinary merit isn't that easy to earn."

"There's an opportunity now…"

…

At the Ying residence, under the guidance of the gatekeeper, Xu Jin arrived at the courtyard where Ying Ge resided.

Just stepping through the courtyard gate, one could see its opulence, but according to the Mingji Star Pattern's feedback, the dozen or so qi signatures inside were all tense, suffocating, even depressed. "Mr. Xu, the eldest Young Master has been in poor spirits lately; if anything is inappropriate, please forgive him."

The steward rushed over to warn Xu Jin in advance, then went to announce him personally—after which Xu Jin heard shouting.

"I won't see anyone!"

"Didn't I say I won't see anyone?"

"Look at this ghostly state I'm in—how am I supposed to see anyone?"

"Get rid of him right now—say I'm dead!"

The outburst left the steward standing there, face flushed with embarrassment.

But Xu Jin sighed softly.

He understood—Ying Ge's plight, he understood it deeply.

Once a true disciple of the Guo Dao Academy, the prodigy eldest Young Master of his entire clan, his future was boundless—he had long been guaranteed the position of next head of the Ying family, and likely next clan patriarch as well.

But now, everything was gone.

Even his body was crippled!

"Mr. Xu, I'm sorry—the eldest Young Master doesn't wish to see you. But please understand."

The steward, aware of Xu Jin's identity, spoke with red-rimmed eyes and tears, "The eldest Young Master suffered a massive blow, and it's been unbearable—but recently, one misfortune after another has come."

"Misfortunes? What do you mean?" Xu Jin's brows shot up—he hadn't expected anyone to bully Ying Ge.

"Ah!"

The steward pulled Xu Jin aside and sighed deeply. "In noble households, one can't blame the master or the patriarch. The eldest Young Master 's food, clothing, and daily needs are still good—but the clan's cultivation resources he once enjoyed have now been entirely redirected to the third Young Master, whose talent is only slightly inferior to the eldest Young Master 's."

And the third Young Master, Ying Zhan, is the son of the second elder—always at odds with the eldest Young Master since childhood!

A few days ago, when he came to visit, he dropped a few cold, mocking remarks under the guise of comfort—actually to provoke him!

It left the eldest Young Master utterly heartbroken!"

As the steward spoke, he wiped away tears.

Xu Jin listened in silent sorrow—this was the brutal reality of noble family infighting.

Especially in an age where power resides solely within the individual—lose your strength, and your status plummets.

Only because Ying Ge's father, Ying Boyan, still lives—otherwise Ying Ge's situation would be far worse.

"That's not all," the steward wiped his eyes again.

"There's more?"

"Of course. In noble households, other families' young masters and ladies all fawn over the third Young Master, Ying Zhan. That's normal—but some, eager to curry favor with him, pretend to comfort the eldest Young Master while actually provoking him!"

"This very thing has even angered the master to the point of illness!" the steward said.

Now Xu Jin was furious.

This was outright belittlement.

Fawning over someone? Fine.

But belittling Ying Ge? That went too far.

But what could Xu Jin do, angry as he was?

Noble household affairs were beyond his reach.

"Ah, the eldest Young Master is just too kind-hearted!"

"And it's not over. Before this, the Han family, who had arranged a marriage with the eldest Young Master, had planned to wed their daughter, Han Xi, by year's end!"

They came straight to the door and broke off the engagement.

Breaking the engagement? Fine.

The master is a reasonable man—who could blame him? The eldest Young Master suffered such a catastrophe, even his body is ruined.

So he agreed to the annulment.

But the Han family—"

At this, the steward's chest heaved.

"What happened?"

"That Han family actually sent someone to the second elder's residence to propose marriage to the third Young Master, Ying Zhan!"

"This… this is unbearable!" The Ying family steward was nearly beside himself.

Even Xu Jin, an outsider, felt a surge of rage rising from his feet to his skull.

The Han family was truly—

"Did your second elder agree?" Xu Jin asked—this was critical.

At this, the steward's face twisted. "The second elder didn't immediately throw out the matchmaker—he actually talked with him for a long time!"

Fortunately, the patriarch—the clan head—heard of it and had the matchmaker expelled."

But the news still reached the eldest Young Master," the steward sighed helplessly again.

He wiped his eyes. "Mr. Xu, forgive me for this display. I'll deliver your concern to the master and the eldest Young Master. He's been in such low spirits lately—please understand."

This was dismissal.

But Xu Jin frowned, thought for a moment, then walked straight into the courtyard's depths—he intended to enter directly.

The steward rushed to block him.

"Do you want your eldest Young Master to remain like this—or to rise again?"

"If you want him to rise again, don't stop me," Xu Jin said.

The steward froze, thought it over, then hesitantly stepped aside.

Moments later, Xu Jin pushed open the door.

As soon as he entered, a large chamber pot flew at his face—followed by Ying Ge's shout: "I said no one's to come in! Are you deaf?"

"Even you now dare to bully me? You don't even listen to my words?"

There, half-laying on a chaotic bed, was Ying Ge—his legs and right arm gone.

Suddenly, no crash sounded—he sensed something wrong, tried to look, but could only tilt his head up—and still couldn't see.

He tried to push himself up with his remaining left arm—but lost balance, tumbling straight to the floor!

But Ying Ge had already recognized the visitor: Xu Jin.

"D-Da-shixiong… why are you here? Go, go quickly—don't waste your cultivation!"

In the next instant, Ying Ge buried his face in the bedding and burst into sobs.

Xu Jin said nothing. He quietly set down what he carried, sat beside him, and gently stroked Ying Ge's back as he wept.

Ying Ge wept for a full quarter-hour—his cries slowly turning into howls.

As if pouring out all the resentment and pain of the past half-month.

Xu Jin understood—it was merely emotional release.

To truly rise again? That would be hard.

"Da-shixiong, thank you for coming to see me. You coming means you still remember me—I'm already so happy. Among Dao Academy disciples, you're the third to visit me."

"Who were the first two?"

"Ji Hongli and Wang Jiugao."

"Do you think I came too late?"

"No, Da-shixiong, just that you still remember your junior brother—I'm already content."

As he spoke, Ying Ge began crying again.

Life's fortunes were as illusory as a demon's trick—Ying Ge's recent experiences felt like heaven turned to hell.

When he was strong and gifted, he saw only the beauty and kindness of the world.

Now that he'd fallen from grace,

he saw only the ugliness and baseness he'd never glimpsed before.

Xu Jin let Ying Ge continue. Only when the weeping ended did he softly ask:

"I've observed your injuries—your Three Star Palaces weren't damaged?"

"No."

"Then your star force remains?"

"Yes."

"Then look at me."

Ying Ge lifted his head, puzzled.

Xu Jin immediately shaped his star force into ropes, then, gritting his teeth against the pain, bound his own right arm and both legs in folded, constricting knots.

*Thud!

The moment he bound himself, Xu Jin lost balance and rolled onto the floor like a tumbling gourd.

His appearance was no better than Ying Ge's.

But in the next instant, star force flared faintly at his waist and hips—he instantly rose from the floor into a seated position.

With swift bursts of star force from his palms, he began moving rapidly.

Soon, he sprinted through the room—star force ignited at different points, enabling him to advance, turn, retreat, even flip through the air!

At first, he stumbled.

But he grew smoother, faster—until he became a blur of motion!

In the next instant, the starlight vanished. Xu Jin looked at Ying Ge and asked, "Understood?"

(End of Chapter)