Chapter 38: The Miserable Sumu—Lin Chuchen Arrives, A Hero Rescues the Beauty?

“Fellow cultivator, I must ask that you keep what happened earlier a secret…”

“Naturally.” Ling Tian nodded. He had no interest in boasting about a woman's private affairs as if it proved his own prowess.

After they finished their meal, the two left the cave together to rejoin the disciples of the Divine Fire Sect.

“Some of those you stored in your artifact just now are disciples of the Divine Fire Sect…” Chen Ningshuang reminded him, her brows slightly furrowed. She knew well enough that those disciples could not have survived; she only wished to see their bodies returned whole.

“Their souls are scattered, their spirits gone—the dead have already passed. For now, I’ll keep them within my treasure. Once we return to the sect, I’ll release them. It would be ill-advised to do so here.” Ling Tian understood her meaning well. It seemed she was not as cold and unfeeling as she appeared.

When Ling Tian had drawn Kui Shan and the others into the Human Sovereign Banner, he sensed that he could execute them at will. For instance, once Kui Shan was taken, he could be reduced to ashes with a thought, and with the controller gone, the puppets would lose their vitality too.

In truth, once they had been controlled, their lives were already forfeit. Finding what had been lost would be nearly impossible.

He trusted Chen Ningshuang understood.

“That is best,” she replied, nodding in affirmation.

Thereafter, guided by the position marked on their communication talismans, the two made their way toward the nearest group of Divine Fire Sect disciples.

...

“Hoo—”

Su Mu glanced back and, seeing that Ling Tian was not in pursuit, let out a long breath.

He hadn’t dared look back for fear Ling Tian would kill him, but thank goodness, he’d managed to shake him off.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he grumbled to himself. Damn it, he was exhausted. If it weren’t for the no-flight rule here, he’d have soared away long ago and spared himself the trouble.

In fact, he ought to be grateful for this rule; without it, he might not have survived.

“Damn brat, he got the better of me. Despicable!” Su Mu’s expression was grim. He knew precisely how potent his aphrodisiac was. If that youth wanted to save Chen Ningshuang, he’d have to resort to dual cultivation. How could that not be considered a windfall for the boy?

Once, Su Mu had tried to bed Chen Ningshuang himself, only to be castrated by her sword. Now that youth would reap what he had so painstakingly sought. The heavens were truly unjust!

“Damn Kui Shan! I thought he was formidable, but he turned out to be useless—couldn’t even handle a youth! And he needed so many female disciples to back him up!” Su Mu cursed Kui Shan roundly, forgetting that, without Kui Shan, he himself would not have escaped.

“I won’t let you get away with this. Once the Puppet Sect learns you two killed Kui Shan and joins forces with my sect, you’ll suffer for it!” Su Mu sneered, his eyes dark with malice as he devised another wicked plan.

Ling Tian had judged him correctly: with men like this, unless you killed them, they’d bring you endless trouble. Only death would bring peace.

But fate is full of surprises.

“Heh heh, what a deliciously wicked aura! Far stronger than those other insects—I like it!” A rasping voice, like rusty metal scraping against iron, grated on Su Mu’s ears. He scowled, following the sound to a tightly shrouded man in a black robe, red light gleaming in his eyes and blood at the corner of his mouth.

“Tsk, never mind Chen Ningshuang, but you—just a wandering cultivator—how dare you…” Already furious, Su Mu was further provoked by Han Yuntian’s words. As a Holy Son of the Sect of Ecstasy at the fifth stage of King Sealing, how could a mere rogue cultivator dare mock him? If those others were insects, what did that make him—a larger bug?

Hmph! He might not be able to beat Chen Ningshuang, but surely Han Yuntian was no match for him.

But before he could finish his retort, black smoke billowed from Han Yuntian, who in a blink appeared behind him. A chill, violent aura enveloped Su Mu.

Pop—

Su Mu looked down in horror. A pale, inhuman hand had pierced his abdomen.

“Who are you? Please, spare me! I can bring you people from my sect—many, many more…” As he felt his blood and essence being drained, Su Mu panicked, realizing the youth’s identity: he was a demon!

He’d been far too careless. He should have been able to spar with Han Yuntian for a few rounds, but he hadn’t anticipated the demon’s right arm contained a supreme demonic bone that rendered his protective shield as fragile as paper.

That was why he’d been subdued instantly; he’d thought breaking through his shield would take some time, so he’d let his guard down.

Now, all he could do was beg for mercy from Han Yuntian, who was only at the third stage of the Dao Palace.

But what did that matter? Survival was all that counted. His life was precious—those women could all die for all he cared!

“Heh, I do so enjoy seeing you like this. As for your offer, forget it—I’ll hunt for myself!” Han Yuntian laughed coldly, unleashing his full spiritual power and draining Su Mu’s essence entirely.

“No!” Su Mu howled in despair. How had he managed to escape the tiger’s den only to fall into the wolf’s jaws? Such wretched luck! He’d hoped to take revenge on two people, but that was over now.

A moment later, his emaciated corpse was discarded on the ground, eyes bulging with unwillingness. But fate had dealt its hand—he’d simply been unfortunate enough to cross Han Yuntian’s path.

With that, Han Yuntian’s cultivation soared from the third to the sixth stage of the Dao Palace.

“Hoo—delicious! Such a coward, yet his cultivation was quite high.” Han Yuntian glanced disdainfully at Su Mu’s cold corpse and produced his communication talisman—along with several others from different sects.

This was why he’d rejected Su Mu’s offer; he had no need for the man to bring him more disciples. He relished the thrill of the hunt—whichever sect’s members were near, he’d go there and kill as he pleased.

After all, they all had to die.

Surveying the positions on the talismans, Han Yuntian dashed toward the nearest group.

...

“This… Fellow Daoist Tianling, I fear this is the work of an evil cultivator!” Chen Ningshuang frowned at the shriveled corpse of another sect’s disciple, their blood and essence utterly drained.

Along the way, Chen Ningshuang had learned Ling Tian’s identity and addressed him accordingly. Her usual indifference to worldly matters meant she found his name familiar, but didn’t connect him to the famed Sword Genius.

Ling Tian made no effort to explain; there were times to make an impression and times to remain low-key. After all, striking a pose was an art in itself.

“I think it’s more likely the work of a demon,” Ling Tian said after a moment’s contemplation, his gaze lingering on the dessicated body. The answer was clear to him: it was Han Yuntian, the Fourth Demon Child.

“A demon? Then our fellow disciples are in grave danger!” Chen Ningshuang’s heart tightened.

“There’s no use searching one by one. Let’s send out a message and have everyone gather at this location,” Ling Tian suggested, pointing to a clearing near the Divine Fire Sect disciples.

“Agreed.” Chen Ningshuang nodded, finding Ling Tian’s plan sensible.

Since the two were already near the chosen spot, there was no need to travel further. As they began to survey the area, the sound of clapping reached their ears.

Clap, clap, clap…

“Truly worthy of the Saintess Chu Xuan’s favor! You handle matters with such poise,” Lin Chuchen remarked, his tone mocking and sly.

“So, it’s you. I’ve seen you before. But you’re right about one thing—thank heavens Saintess Chu Xuan didn’t choose a fool like you!” Ling Tian narrowed his eyes at Lin Chuchen and sneered.

“You—” Lin Chuchen’s old wound was reopened and salt rubbed in. He hadn’t expected Ling Tian to be so quick-witted and sharp-tongued.

“And what? What I’m more curious about is how you found me so quickly. Am I just unlucky, or did someone lead you here?” Ling Tian interrupted, glancing around with a measuring gaze. It would be impossible for him not to know about Yan Chen and the other’s scheme—he’d heard every word.

Thump!

Hidden in a nearby tree, Yan Chen’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze icy as he watched Ling Tian. Could the brat have discovered him? Impossible—if he had, he wouldn’t be acting this way. Cunning boy, still playing tricks at a time like this!

“Brother Yan Chen, why don’t you just kill him!” Beside Yan Chen, Xu Yao glared at Lin Chuchen with utter loathing, wishing she could tear him apart.

“He’s a bit much for me to handle directly. Better to let that brat do the dirty work. Once they’ve worn each other out, Lin Chuchen is yours to do with as you please.” Yan Chen sighed inwardly. He hadn’t intended for Xu Yao to get involved, but after consulting with Lin Chuchen, they’d run into her and had no choice but to bring her along.

Reassured, Xu Yao calmed herself.

“Boy, your end is near—enough talk!” Lin Chuchen scowled. He was here to kill Ling Tian, not to bandy words. If the Divine Fire Sect arrived, it would only complicate matters. With that, he drew his staff, his King Sealing Ninth Stage aura surging.

Thankfully, he’d received Yan Chen’s message before advancing in rank, or he wouldn’t have been able to enter this secret realm at all. So be it—he’d take Ling Tian’s life as his reward for breaking through. Otherwise, carrying this heart demon would never do.

“Step aside. This has nothing to do with you,” Ling Tian said firmly, intercepting Chen Ningshuang as she moved to help.

Chen Ningshuang sighed and withdrew; there was simply no comparison between her own power at the seventh stage and Lin Chuchen’s ninth.

Seeing this, Lin Chuchen’s teeth itched with anger. With a furious laugh, he spat, “Very well! You want to play the hero even at death’s door? I won’t kill you right away. Since you wish to protect her, I’ll cripple you first—then, before your very eyes, I’ll thoroughly humiliate her…”