Chapter 580: with translation of chapter title

Xuanqing Daozhang smiled without saying a word.

He didn't know Cui Ji; if it weren't for Le Zhuang, he might not even know what sort of person Cui Ji was, nor would he want to know what kind of fellow he was.

His cultivation was merely average; otherwise, after so many years, he couldn't have failed to make a name for himself out there, and would have had to run to Tiger Head Mountain to build his own Daoist temple instead of staying in Ziyang Palace to cultivate.

It's not just that his cultivation is average and he lacks the qualifications to stay in Ziyang Palace to cultivate; even though Ziyang Palace has countless cultivation resources, they aren't something you can just squander.

They reserve such resources for genius disciples; how could they possibly waste them on someone like him, a mere cat and dog?

Just that.

Cui Ji is nothing more than a hanger-on who latched onto Zhu Xing's thigh; he admits that the Zhu Clan wields great power throughout Xiang Xian, to the point of being the local tyrant, and even the County Magistrate of Xiang Xian likely has to act according to the Zhu Clan's favor.

However.

Even if the Zhu Clan is formidable, they can only huddle in the tiny Xiang Xian, lacking the ability to expand to the prefectural city; though his cultivation is average, dealing with the Zhu Clan's lackeys is no problem for him.

He naturally wouldn't put Cui Ji in his eyes!

Speaking of which.

He actually wishes Cui Ji would appear before him, so he could finish what Le Wenmao left undone—wipe out the entire Cui Clan; since Cui Ji is a member of the Cui Clan, how could he allow him to live?

"My master is truly pretentious!"

Wang Ping'an hid in an inconspicuous spot, watching his master's smile without a word, and couldn't help sighing inwardly; the more he interacted with his master, the more he realized his master had many problems, and he remarked:

"That's right; someone like Cui Ji, a mere cat and dog, is just a hanger-on who relies on clinging to others' thighs—he probably doesn't have any real ability, so how could my master possibly put him in his eyes? Not to mention Cui Ji, even if Zhu Xing himself came, my master wouldn't take him to heart!"

His master is no longer the former master; after a recent life-and-death battle, his cultivation broke through from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core; on the path of cultivation, though he is still an ant, he is a super-sized ant, and roaming rampantly in a small place like Xiang Xian is no problem.

Back then, his master was only at late Foundation Establishment, yet he dared to stand up for their family, rushing to the Capital City to barge into the chancellor's residence; with his master's current cultivation, if he didn't stand up for the Le Family, barged into the Zhu Clan, and beheaded Zhu Xing, the eldest son of the Zhu Clan, he could only say his master has already been quite restrained.

How could he possibly care about a lackey of Zhu Xing showing up to cause trouble?

"Kumu Daozhang..."

Gu Liangong watched Xuanqing Daozhang's smile without a word, and couldn't help feeling anxious inside; although Xuanqing Daozhang's current appearance gave him a sense of security.

But then he thought back, recalling how over the years Cui Ji had dominated Liangshui Town—not just by relying on being Zhu Xing's warrior, but more so because he possessed formidable abilities.

Otherwise.

Even if Cui Ji were ever so skilled at flattery, and even if he repeatedly used Le Zhuang as a stepping stone, Zhu Xing would not let Cui Ji serve as his warrior to protect his safety.

Moreover, over the years he has heard plenty: since becoming Zhu Xing's warrior, Cui Ji has continually gained benefits from Zhu Xing, causing his cultivation to skyrocket—so much so that even his elder brother is no match for him.

The saying "poor in literature, rich in martial arts" is not just empty talk.

Le Zhuang comforted, saying, "Grandfather Gu, don't worry; with my uncle's abilities, not just one Cui Ji, but even ten or a hundred Cui Jis would be no match for my uncle!"

He had never seen Xuanqing Daozhang's abilities, but he trusted his grandfather's judgment; since his grandfather felt that Xuanqing Daozhang could storm the Zhu Clan and avenge his parents without issue, it was clear how formidable Xuanqing Daozhang was—no matter how strong Cui Ji might be, he could never be a match for his uncle.

Otherwise.

Even if he knew full well that this visit from Cui Ji would destroy his grandfather's corpse, he is unafraid of death and would rather fight to the death than allow Cui Ji to desecrate his grandfather's remains; but he is not the type who likes to drag others into danger and harm their lives—even if that person is his uncle, if his uncle's abilities are insufficient, he would advise his uncle to leave.

"Xiao Zhuang, I think you've had your head knocked loose by your grandfather just now, seeing Cui Ji go on a killing spree..."

Gu Liangong still wanted to advise; he didn't know how capable Xuanqing Daozhang was—perhaps he had some skill, otherwise wandering the martial world for so many years he wouldn't have remained unscathed, and even if he managed to run back to retire, he'd at least be missing an arm or a leg—but he still didn't believe Xuanqing Daozhang could be a match for Cui Ji.

Just as he was about to say more, a "Bang!" sounded, the tightly closed small courtyard gate was kicked open, and a burly man strode in first; aside from a few constables, the surroundings were filled with one armored warrior after another wielding sharp weapons.

"This is disastrous!"

Gu Liangong's face changed drastically; the leading burly man was none other than Cui Ji, and he was quite familiar with the armored warriors wielding weapons who followed Cui Ji—having met them a few times, they were Zhu Clan warriors, and moreover the elite among the elite, tasked with protecting Zhu Xing's safety, and he sighed:

"Now, even if you wanted to run, you couldn't!"

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The warriors who protect Zhu Xing have earned their reputations through fresh blood; someone like Zhu Xing, a beast, has done countless evil deeds from childhood, driving wives apart and destroying families; many might be like Le Wenmao, with various concerns, daring not to fight Zhu Xing to the death, yet many others, forced into desperation by Zhu Xing, seek to avenge themselves against him, but all meet their end at the hands of these warriors.

Among them.

Furthermore, many, having heard of Zhu Xing's endless wickedness, wish to enact heavenly justice and eradicate this scourge Zhu Xing; not a few renowned knights-errant likewise perish miserably at the hands of these warriors who guard Zhu Xing.

One bloody exploit after another—this is what forged the reputation of these warriors.

He never imagined that when Cui Ji returned this time to avenge his parents and elder brother, he would actually bring back the warriors who protect Zhu Xing; deep down he was also secretly startled, knowing that Cui Ji had earned Zhu Xing's favor—something the Cui Clan often boasted about—but he hadn't expected it to be to this extent.

"Kumu Daozhang..."

Gu Liangong, suppressing his trembling fear, urged Xuanqing Daozhang to take advantage of Cui Ji not yet noticing them and have him escort Le Zhuang away from the Le Family; before he could finish speaking, he saw Xuanqing Daozhang rise, stride purposefully toward the courtyard exit where Cui Ji's party had gone, and Le Zhuang followed behind, his voice shaking, saying:

"Kumu Daozhang, Kumu Daozhang, you're already up there in years—how can you not understand that this world ultimately belongs to the young? You may have been capable before, but now that you're old, how much of your abilities can you still exert? Going to seek out Cui Ji like this—aren't you afraid he'll cleave you in two with a single blow?"

(End of chapter)