Torsten Hewson
patreon
v2c71: Eyes of the Mountain
🕑 Added 2021-10-11 23:22:51 +0000 UTCLu Ban sighed, as the voice boomed out again, announcing another fight he cared little about. Normally, he would cultivate in the morning, but that was not an option here. Sitting still and attempting to cultivate was all he could manage, and he got little out of it, so dry of Qi was the air. It was amazing that cultivators in this province even existed.
At least there was some hospitality. The men and women tripped over themselves to please him and his fellows, and they dined on delicacies. Though they were still inferior to normal food of the Shrouded Mountain. They were simply for taste, rather than any real benefit. He could barely get drunk, from all the wine he guzzled, and had been reduced to dipping into his stores.
“Rags!”
“Loud Boy!”
The two in the arena howled at each other, their voices booming. They had already exchanged many blows, and were obviously getting tired. The combatants clashed, massive grins on their faces. The crowd howled with glee at the knock-down, drag out brawl the rough looking man and the boy were engaged in, their Qi visible around them. One was dark grey, a sluggish aura coming from the ragged man, and the other was bright blue and vibrant, twisting and leaping—both were streaked through with the occasional short of energy that showed that they had not fully refined the medicine they had taken.
Lu Ban watched them, bored, as he took another swig of his drink. He relined in a luxurious silk seat, the box adorned with gold tassels and rich red silks. The occasional servant stood unobtrusively against the walls, ready at a moment’s notice to cater to their every need. Soft fingers trailed through his hair, as a woman behind attended to him. This province was grating on him the longer he stayed.
“I heard that this Azure Jade Trading Company auctioned off gold grade rice yesterday. I told you we should have at least checked it out.” Zhou grumbled to the rest of Lu Ban’s subordinates. The five others glanced at him. There were some nods, but most didn’t seem to care. They too felt the frustration of this place, even though they were so much weaker than Lu Ban, and all of them were in the midst of drowning their boredom. It was nice to have them drink and praise him, but their voices did get annoying after a while.
And he had to watch his tongue. Lu Ban had suggested having their fun with some random village, deep into his cups, and the others had laughed, calling it a fine joke, but not seriously considering it.
Lu Ban had laughed along with them. How boring righteous sects were.
“How were we supposed to know such a thing would appear? And you didn’t resist too hard, when we went to the pleasure house.” Gan stated, not even watching the match, and instead eyeing one of the servants, who was looking at her feet.
Lu ban agreed with them. Gold Grade Rice was a treat, if only for the luxurious taste. It was a shame one of the meagre sects here had won the bid. But then again, it would likely take a month or so to transport the goods. As if he was going to wait on some mortal company. He was not planning on staying in this province longer one moment longer than he had to.
He took a sip, as the men in the arena clashed again and again. Amateurish. The ragged one was stronger, while the smaller one was faster.
“They’re stronger than the preliminaries.” Chen stated idly, peering at the men in the ring. One of the few who was slightly more serious than the others, he drank sparingly, and did not partake of any women. Boring, but one of his strongest. A useful man. “So that Hill did contain something of minor value. Yet it was pearls before the swine.”
Sima Ji laughed, as he took a drink. “You actually noticed he got stronger? They’re still so weak I can’t see them!”
“Then your eyes are poor. A cultivator’s eyes should see all, even the hairs upon an ant.” Chen returned.
“What use do I have to see the hairs on an ant? An ant is an ant, no matter how many hairs he has!”
“It's a metaphor, you uncultured swine. The masters are subtle, and it requires a keen eye to see their machinations. One must train to see the subtle small things. Like the increase in power of those two insects, or your own miniscule talent.”
There was laughter from the box, as the insulted man’s face turned red.
“Oi, you bastard! Say that again!” He snarled. Qi filled the box, and the soft fingers stopped.
“Enough.” Lu Ban commanded, and both of them fell silent. He cared little how much they beat each other, but their shouting was growing annoying. “You two can settle this later.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“As you wish, Young Master.”
Lu Ban smiled internally at the instant acceptance leaning back into his seat. There was a short inhale of breath, and the fingers resumed their minstations. He glanced back at his current companion. She was passably beautiful, but her true worth lay in something else.
Her throat had somehow been damaged to the point where she couldn’t speak. He never knew how relaxing things were to have an attendant that couldn't actually ask for his attention. The silence could have been disappointing but he found he preferred to watch the woman's eyes, he relished the moment she surrendered to her fears bound in silence was a fair trade.The fingers paused again to reach out and fill his cup. Her hands shook slightly, but not a drop spilled. Lu Ban smiled in pleasure.
She was not worth much. Perhaps he’d keep her?
It would keep the boredom at bay.
There was another roar from the crowd, as the two men clashed, again and again. Lu Ban detested the scene, the sheer weakness on display, but at least it was marginally interesting. He wished he could simply ignore this completely, and say that he hadn’t found anything worthwhile. But that wasn’t entirely true.
There was a moment. A decisive blow.
His subordinates made disgusted sounds. “Ah, how boring. There's barely any blood.” Zhou grumbled
Lu Ban raised an eyebrow, as the younger helped the ragged looking man up, and the ragged man raised the boy’s arm high in the air.
The crowd cheered, and Lu Ban grimaced at the sight. How pathetic.
“Zang Wei defeats Dong Chou! What an exciting match this was! What power was unleashed, after finding hidden treasures upon the Hill of Torment!”
The crowd roared again, as the taller man slung an arm around the weak boy, and they limped off the arena together.
“Next, Cai Xiulan, the Demon-Slaying Orchid!”
Lu Ban sat up straighter, finally something worthy of his attention. The only reason he was evben in this box seat, instead of simply leaving everything to his lessers. She was shy, outside the ring. Heading straight back to her compound, despite Lu Ban looking for her.
He took her in as she entered the arena. The silky hair, the colour of the finest lacquered wood. The smooth, paleness of her skin, and the red upon her lips. And above all, those crystal blue eyes.
Yet her beauty was only one part of it. She held herself differently. Not cold and imperious nor passionate and fiery. But something that was at peace. There was a kind of serenity to her. It was an expression he had yet to see on any female cultivator of value.
.
To find such beauty here was beyond his expectations.
“Look at that body.” Zhou muttered, his eyes darting all over her form.
“A beauty like that here is a waste.” Sima Yi muttered.
His subordinates gazed upon her with lust. He allowed it. They could covet her all they wished, but she would be his woman.
The match began, and ended in an instant.
“And Cai Xiulan administers another swift defeat! Yet was there any other outcome?” The man in the crystal podium boomed.
There were a couple of jeers from the crowd, at the boring fight. Indeed, there could have been no other outcome. Cai Xiulan did not even draw her blades.
“Tch. I wish she moved more. I want to see her bounce.” There were some laughs.
“Even if she has some measure of strength, her heart is weak, to be so merciful.” Zhou stated, frowning down at her.
“She might be worth something. But she is a toad in a small well. Is she even suitable to be scouted? Is it even with offering our benevolence to her?” another stated.
Lu Ban simply kept watching. Beautiful blue eyes swept up, to gaze into Lu Ban’s own. Their eyes met for a moment, before she turned.
Lu Ban felt his heart stir.
“Perhaps this is not a waste after all?” He mused.
He largely ignored the last match. As the tanned and muscled girl battled some other weakling. The second strongest once more toyed with her prey, her golden eyes fixed intently upon her opponent, as she battered at his weak points, before glaring, and kicking him out of the arena.
“How shameful! The strongest this province has to offer of this generation are all women!” A man laughed as he shook his head.
“Chen.” Lu Ban stated, as the last match finished up.
“Young Master.”
“Find out more about this Cai Xiulan for me.”
“As you wish, Young Master.”
Lu Ban nodded, and took a drink. Visions of loveliness danced in his head. Perhaps he would just go night crawling? He would grace her in her own home. Not like the weaklings here could do anything about it—
His hand suddenly throbbed. The feeling of bones shattering, against a wall of muscle, and eyes staring down at him with contempt and disgust.
Lu Ban spasmed, nearly dropping his cup.
Rage mixed with fear bloomed within him, before he calmed his trembling Qi. He bit his lip and glared down at the arena, as the room paused, glancing in Lu Ban’s direction.
“Young Master?” One questioned.
“It is nothing. I just tire of this farce.” Lu Ban bit out.
“Ha! We all do, Young Master! What were the elders thinking, sending us here?!”
The voice boomed off the walls of the arena.
“And that is it for this stage! We shall announce the next bouts!”
“Rou Tigu Versus Liu Xianghua!”
“Cai Xiulan versus…..”
Lu Ban forcefully calmed himself.
The memory had spoiled his mood, and not even the silent woman made him feel better.
The urge to simply take the woman was gone, and he couldn’t even enjoy the feeling of being lifted into the air, on the backs of his lessers, as the arena once more ascended.
But his eyes found his prize. Even if she was weak… well, what woman from this province could refuse him?
His hand throbbed again.
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A quick check in with our most hated of villains. The scumbag Lu Ban. Hopefully everybody gets the email for this chapter! Some fights finish, and Tigu gets somebody who may be a challenge, the Young Misress of the Misty Lake.
And its been a real treat to see all the responses to the poll. I can't say I expected the Magistrate to be #3, but memes do drive people onwards. We're also at nearly 10K responses!
Its still stunning to see all the people who like the story. hopefully It continues to be enjoyable!
Comments
SuperiorFreak
@Birb No, he hasn't chosen death. He is courting Death!
Lord Felidae
I actually hope he manages to get close to hurting them. And Jin finds out.
Lord Felidae
Giving Jin carte blanche to wreck his shit, and the emotional investment to actually want to do so.
J03MAN
Maybe drop this on Royal road if you ever need to take a day off. I paid for this month because I wanted to see this perspective and it definitely deserves to get its own canonical chapter.
Sere Maddox
Perhaps it was "The silence could have been disappointing, but he found he preferred to watch the woman's eyes. He relished the moment she surrendered to her fears; (having her) bound in silence was a fair trade." Just missing punctuation.
Gabriel
I didn't get the email for this or the last 2 chapters.
Jan Alexander
I wonder who will beat him up. I hope its Tigu or Xiulan. Haha.
fatbo
Yun Ren has a good chance of being in the profound realm after getting trained by the fox.
Ichypa
“ The silence could have been disappointing but he found he preferred to watch the woman's eyes, he relished the moment she surrendered to her fears bound in silence was a fair trade.” -> I think the beginning or end of this sentence needs to be dropped for it to make sense. Also, yeah, sure Lu Ban. It’s because Lanlan is shy, because she definitely a) knows who you are in more than a passing sense, b) knew that you were looking for her, and c) would give a damn if she did.
MountHermon
no email, but good chapter!
Hunendora
Rereading, it sounds like Tigu'er's opponent didn't want to take pointers from her. Though Lu Ban might not be the most reliable narrator.
Imspinnennetz
More interesting would be for Meimei to reveal that the qi that Lu Ban uses is the wrong type and reveal him to be an imposter.
Mantiqore
I think he'll hurt someone soon.
Critical Hit
Nah, just call his sect about him being disgracefully weak again, and then his own sect is likely to kill him for the disgrace to their name.
Umut Numanoglu
There is more to it. This story is about someone who does not want to be part of the shenanigans of cultivators, so in this vein, the lord Magistrate could even be the real MC as he is also someone like that and not even a cultivator himself
Umut Numanoglu
I really hope Jin will kill him next time he sees him. It sounds extreme but if he does not kill him he will come back and possibly hurt someone Jin cares. Not only that if you let someone go twice the effect of fear is minimal and he will most definitely try something. Yeah there is possibility that someone will come after him if he kills Lu Ban but it makes more sense to dispose of him quietly than letting him go again
Jordan Tucker
He didn't enter the Howling Fang Sect. Zhang Li, the guy who Lu Ban is body snatching currently, is the son of one of the Howling Fang Elders and was already a Young Master before Lu Ban stole his identity and body.
Birb
So, he has chosen death.
Lochar
Arrogance, pure and simple.
Gremlin Jack
Isn't it kinda big talk from Lu Ban to call Lanlan weak when she's in the same realm as him? Sure he's three steps above, but it's the realm difference that's the big one.
Rizaidym
I know. That's why I said "pull one over," not "defeat" or "win." It's also why I made the comparison to Enel, who outclasses the Straw Hats greatly, but lost to circumstance, guile, and grit.
Brian P.
I seriously doubt it, they'd have to be stronger than Xiulan and have had their Profound realm breakthrough, that would've been noted. If they need an out, Jin and Bi De are both going to show up and there's a good chance Lu Ri is around as well. But I wouldn't be shocked if Xiulan can handle it herself with the earth spirit's help, that serenity paying off against the cruel, hedonistic and short-cut focused Lu Ban.
Tom Marshall
Also, no patron Email but I have RR chapter notifications on
Tom Marshall
I wonder if one the brothers will be stronger than Lu Ban?
Zeta
since you know, all of them are weaker than lu ban and his gang.
Zeta
Jin will definitely be one to rescue them, if not Lu Ri. this might be a nice place to set up the meeting between the two, as the "big incident" for the book 2.
Mrdelta
I could see tigu having a glorious fight then dropping out at the last minute. I mean Liu really wants that fight with Xiu lan and tigu would have already gotten her fun from the tournament. Only reason she would stay in is for the honor of the Fa Ram and Xiu lan carries that too.
Mrdelta
I thought it was a heart demon formed from the last time he thought himself untouchable while choosing a woman in this area. Who could do anything about it indeed.
Rukkileib
Lu Ban cultivates an unorthodox method that allowed him to steal the real Zhang Li’s cultivation. Until then, killing a Profound Realm was a big deal, and he hadn’t internalized his advances because he hadn’t needed to actually put in the effort.
Jack Trowell
Sadly he is powerful enough to overpower even xiulan, outside Jin only Bi De (or maybe Washy) should be able to match him
Max Lopo
Oh wow, he was THAT strong even back then? Didn't find that information, I thought he was mid/high initiate, since that was what Jin was, at least on paper. And it was enough to enter the most advanced sect around. His comment on "oh this super snazzy technique I know killed a guy in the profound realm" makes even less sense now. If it was about something STRONGER than him, or at least something outside his routine, it would make sense, give it pathos. Cringy, granted, but at least rational. Guess he dumb.
Corwin
The weird thing is that it's not just emails not happening. The patreon app is also not popping up notifications for new chapters anymore. I get notifications for the other people I support, so it's not the app.
Jordan Tucker
Lu Ban who is impersonating Zhang Li attacked Jin while he(Lu Ban) was in the mid tiers of the Profound Realm. After the nearly a year of punishment he was released and under the supervision of Zhang Li's seniors when he was sent to Fang tip fortress where he discovered a scroll detailing a new technique. He's in the 4th to 5th Stage of the Profound Realm in this chapter while Xiulan is only in the 1st Stage of the Profound Realm.
Havefeith
No email. There are a few errors, like "trade.The", which is registering as a link here on patreon, and "evben", which I'm pretty sure is just a case of accidentally hitting more than one key at once when going for the V. Those are the only two I noticed, but I'm tired enough that even my nearsighted eyes are having a hard time reading the keyboard on my phone not even a foot from my face. Or not even 10 centimeters from my face. But that last feels weird to say, let alone type, hence the first bit. Anyways, I'mma head to bed. It's after midnight as I type this. Night y'all.
Rizaidym
No email, sadly. But I am eagerly awaiting the look on Lu Ban's face when Xiulan and/or Tigu pull one over on him. I wonder if it'll be as good as Enel's?
Andrew Haynes
While I didn't get the email, I do check m/w/f for updates.
The Slowest Turtle
Both? Got a bit stronger and is stupid?
Ed
I bet Jin is feeling the weird itching. Lol
Max Lopo
I don't get it. This guy is not, and I repeat NOT some kind of genius. He is not even from a super special zone/sect. Middle of the road. And basically a year ago he was all galvanised about a skill that could "kill a profound realm". Besides failing miserably, by his own personal measure "profound realm" is something NOTEWORTHY. And here he is, surrounded by flunkies, all calling miss bouncy tits "weak". Errrrrm.... What? She is in the profound realm. Forget about realising it themselves or not, it is PUBLIC knowledge. Did he get super strong in a very short time, or is he really that dense? Because she did improve exponentially, whilst he spent most of the time in punishment. What gives?
Brian P.
@Alan McBrayer It was Lu Ban, the cuckoo guy, who was the vile thing. The earth spirit never used her power to stop Chow Ji and the corruption of Bi De was later in that chapter.
Hunendora
Zhang Li is who everyone thinks he is. The real Zhang Li was killed by Lu Ban, who then took his place.
Hunendora
I thought it was the Land. She felt his intent towards Xiulan and reminded him what happened last time. Ymmv
Gary Hixenbaugh
changing Zang Li name to Lu ban? was that not who he turn in to lord Magistrate
Carl Mason
Was. Until last week I think.
Hornblower
You really hit the arrogant young master quite well. This story has done a great job of showing a bunch of different types of young masters/mistresses, both good and bad
arnumart
Yeah if do not get a email for this chapter .
Vorquel
Villains do not do well in this story. I look forward to this one being humbled.
Michael Maor
Nice chapter, the "joke" about having fun with a village made me think about them meeting Jin in whatever village they decided to attack. A typo I spotted " Is it even with offering our benevolence to her?" -->" Is it even worth offering our benevolence to her?"
JP Koenig
I haven't received any emails. 🤔
Ashlazaria
“[…] occasional short of energy that showed that they had not fully refined the medicine they had taken. Lu Ban watched them, bored, as he took another swig of his drink. He relined in a luxurious silk seat, the box adorned with gold tassels and rich red silks.” Short = shot Relined = reclined “The only reason he was evben in this box seat, instead of simply leaving everything to his lessers. “ Evben = even
Len
I am thinking the boys get involved, and jin shows up towards the end to compler e the rescue
Alan McBrayer
I don’t use emails to check up, but this is the only creator that I follow that has the “2 days early” message on their posts
Alan McBrayer
I think it was more than just a random thought. Either Lu Ban sensed an inking of the earth spirit which empowered Jin or the earth spirit noticed Lu Ban and sent a subtle warning his way. Similar to how she looked up on Washy when he was being trained by the turtle. It wasn’t clear whether the wicked vile thing that is mentioned in volume 1.5 was Lu Ban or Chow Ji.
Teghlin
I didn't get the email for this chapter, but I enjoyed it. Can't wait for Lu Ban to get fucked up by Jin again
Christopher Bates
Same
on the upside
You guys are getting emails?
Lochar
Yeah, but that's really the only difference I can tell between the ones we're getting emails on and not.
chumponimys
They’ve been posted as “released X days early” since forever though, while lack of emails seems to be a more recent thing.
chumponimys
@Mrdelta punched Jin in the chest with his “super ultimate move that can even beat someone in the profound realm!”
DaftWully
Didn't get the email either.
juntodsf
Nope no email sadly
Niraada
Still not getting emails, not sure what's up with Patreon. It's so unreliable. That aside, love what you've done with Lu Ban here. You really did a great job making him believable and an honestly disgusting person. The entire time I was reading I was thinking "If someone could come along and kill this dude, that'd be great."
Evan
“Rou Tigu Versus Liu Xianghua!” This will probably be a decent fight for Tigu. She'll win, certainly. But Liu is probably skilled enough to at least make the Tiger work a bit for it.
Gamer Doyle
No Emails and thank you for the chapter. I am guessing that Tigger's opponent did not take her pointers well.
Jeff Petkau
No email.
Mrdelta
I always thought Xiulan was going to be the target. The question in my mind was who was going to be the hero. Does Gau Ren get a time to shine. Does Jin show up with big d, does Tigu skoff at his impudence or does the damsel save her self?
JaC
This is the guy who Jin fought in book 1 chapter 6. He's a shapeshifter who killed and replaced the young master.
on the upside
Thanks, I was thinking it was like some form of intent from a cultivator who read his intentions, but that makes a lot more sense
on the upside
That is one of the main upsides, another one I would suggest is the way he manages to keep (relatively) calm in the face of the ridiculous stuff Jin does
JaC
I didn't get the email. It's not just me huh?
Tonberry
For the magistrate!
Lochar
Nope, no emails. It seems to be any post that is flagged as 'released X days early' instead of just locked to a patreon level. Good chapter, I was half expecting Ban to go for Tigu solely on the fact that even a Young Master of a stronger sect should probably not try to take on a Young Mistress and piss of her entire sect.
Mrdelta
The time Jin kicked his ass. He punched Jin in the chest and broke his hand.
Jason Gariando
Probs PTSD from Jin
on the upside
For honour
on the upside
I’m a little confused what the sensation of breaking bones and stuff was coming from, can anyone explain it for my small brain
Bunny Waffles
The Magistrate is an excellent dude and it is endlessly amusing to hear his inner monologue as he is forced to keep a straight face the entire time while internally freaking out and wishing that he could be at home having a lovely BDSM session with his wife.
JesteR231
For honor.
