Torsten Hewson
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v2c85.3: The Final Day part 3
🕑 Added 2021-12-17 00:54:11 +0000 UTCXiulan’s heart pounded in her ears as she raced across the town around the Dueling Peaks, towards a small, forested hill just out of town.
“Yeah, they said they were headed for Little Pimple. A bit far for us to get to tonight, but they should be back soon.” The mortal friend of Rags had said.
She sped onwards to the hill, focused on the objective. A little creature hung on in her shirt, shaking slightly.
“Where are the brothers?” Xioulan asked her. She hadn’t time to check, but they should still be in town.
‘Gou Ren is with Xianghua. Yun Ren went with the Petal-grasses, still at the party.’
Xiulan breathed a small sigh of relief.
Most likely safe, then. In town and surrounded. A strike in full view of everybody wouldn’t go over well— But… would that stop them?
Riu Zu’s story had sent chills down her spine. Xiulan’s swords floated behind her as she sprinted, but she didn’t know the first place to start looking. She couldn’t just bash down the doors to the Shrouded Mountain Sect’s quarters—she didn’t even know if they had her. Could he have even gotten Tigu in the time he was in their sect? Had he sent others?
Xiulan didn’t know. All she knew was that Tigu was with two sectless companions and likely isolated.
Xiulan poured on the speed. She raced to the mountain, her eyes searching for clearings.
Please, please, let this all be nothing—
Riu Zu let out a mournful squeak. Xiulan’s heart fell.
A shattered bottle of wine. Cuts in the trees. Disturbances in a savaged clearing, evidence of a short and brutal fight.
Blood.
Xiulan skidded to her knees. Rags was flat on his back. His chest was torn open, red pooling into the dirt.
‘Heart Beating. Barely. His Qi is….’ Ri Zu cut herself off with a grimace. Her little hands moved to her pouch of medicine and she pulled out a pill. A pill made of the Spiritual Herbs.
But she hesitated. Her eyes flicked to the ball of medicine.
‘....one more left after this.’ She whispered. ‘And it might not be enough.’
Xiulan closed her eyes. “Do your best.”
Ri Zu nodded.
Xiulan stood, looking around. There was Rags, but where was—Xiulan saw a trail leading down the side of the peaks.
Pushed over grass and a trail of blood.
Xiulan followed it as Ri Zu tended to Rags, mashing up the medicine pill and mixing it with some water, hoping to be able to get it down Rags’ throat.
The trail got quite far down the mountain, before she saw who made it.
Loud Boy was slumped against a tree. His eyes were hazy and he was muttering to himself. Tear tracks stained his face. His shirt had been blown open, revealing a conspicuous mark near his navel. An impact mark where his Dantian would be.
“Gotta warn them, gotta warn them, gotta warn them…” he whispered repeatedly as he hiccuped a sob. Blood splattered to the ground from his mouth as he coughed.
Xiulan was beside him in an instant. The boy startled and flailed at her, his eyes going wild.
Xiulan gently caught the blow and cupped his face with a hand.
“Loud—Zang Wei. Zang Wei, it’s Xiulan.” she whispered to him.
The boy paused in his flailing. His face twisted as more hot tears stained his face. He tried to look away from her.
Xiulan pulled him into a hug. The boy stiffened in shock before collapsing onto her.
“What happened?” she whispered to him, as sobs wracked his body.
He couldn’t be more than fifteen at most.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. The men... they came out of the trees. They said they were Shrouded Mountain Sect, and that Tigu had to go with them.” he choked into her dress.
“She said… she said that she couldn’t go with strangers without telling other people first. They said she had to go with them now. We tried to fight—we tried, but Tigu was still tired from her battle, and they… they killed Rags and… and…” The boy hiccuped. One hand went from where he was holding Xiulan to his stomach.
They had destroyed his cultivation.
Xiulan’s breath was a sharp intake and she felt her own stomach clench. She took a deep, steadying breath.
She pulled back.
“Zang Wei. Zang Wei, listen to me. Rags is still alive.” Xiulan said in what she hoped was a reassuring voice.
The boy spasmed, hope blossomed on his face.
“Ri Zu is taking care of him. He might be in bad shape, but she thinks he might be able to make it through the night.”
“But… but what about Tigu? They took her away.” His voice wobbled.
Blood. The Valley. Sun Ken.
“I’ll take care of it. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens.” Xiulan said with a forced smile.
Loud Boy’s grip on her hands was weak. But for a brief moment, it firmed.
“Don’t let them take her.”
“I won’t.”
Never again.
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Ri Zu’s heart pounded in her chest. Her breath came in little gasps. Her nose tasted the air, picking up the faint scent of blood in the wind. There was a small commotion behind this place. The sounds of movement.
She stared up at the imposing walls of the manor. The guest house Xiulan said was the only place that they could be.
Xiulan was tending to Loud Boy and Rags. The look on her face had been calm, but Ri Zu could see the pain and fury within her crystal blue eyes.
The same pain and fury Ri Zu felt.
But they needed information. They needed to know if Tigu was actually in the guest building, or somewhere else entirely.
Ri Zu swallowed. She closed her eyes. Hger thundering heart quieted.
Ri Zu ascended the wall. Her steps were soft and silent, a wraith in the dark.
Her head poked up over the top, her nose sniffing rapidly.
“Stack that one over there.” a voice said from a man carrying a crate. “They want to be gone by sunrise.” Ri Zu froze, and stopped herself from flinching.
She cursed.
Clambering down from the wall she skirted along the outside of it avoiding the men packing bags. She followed the light taste of blood and what was unmistakably now Tigu.
She paused for a moment, when she got to the house. Then clambered up the side, and into the rafters.
Tigu was here. Riu Zu was fairly certain of that. But where exactly? She had the scent, but it was still a bit muddled with blood and sweat.
“I can’t wait to be rid of this hell hole. This entire Province is like a pig shitting into my soul.” a voice grumbled to laughter.
“This sits ill with me.” A calm, exacting voice stated. “For what purpose was this carried out?”
There was the sound of rustling, and a heavy body shifting.
“Come off it Yingwen. The Young Master said the girl challenged the sect, spitting in his face when he tried to offer her a place with us. Such insults can’t be borne, you know.”
Yingwen clicked his tongue. “I was the one who said that yesterday, fool. Indeed, a firm chastisement is only right and proper. But to take her? That is beneath the might of our Sect. Bordering on uncouth, I might even say. It could be tolerated but he even wants us to collect the others with the same symbol she bears.”
Ri Zu paused at the statement, and got closer. She poked her head into the room. A large, muscled man was lounging on the floor while another thin and dressed proper looking leaned against the wall, his brow furrowed. Both had long, sleek hair in topknots… and were surrounded by copious amounts of bottles lining the floor. Even as she watched, the thin one drained another, glaring at it.
“Uncouth is allowing one to tarnish the name of the Shrouded Mountain. Let her hang, or be remoulded into something useful.” A third voice intoned, sitting down. He had grey hair and eyes.
Yingwen scoffed.
“Brother, how was guard duty?” Fenxian said, tossing him a bottle.
The man caught it. “Boring. She’s still unconscious, but she’s a tough little beast, some of her bruises are fading already. Or you’re getting weak. Six strikes to take down, Fenxian? For shame.”
Ri Zu felt her face twisting as fury filled her.
Yingwen’s head snapped up, his eyes searching.
Ri Zu froze. Her heart slowed to nearly a stop. Her Qi dissipated into nothing. She pushed herself carefully back into the slight hole in the wall that let her poke her head out.
“What’s the matter, Yingwen?” Fenxian asked.
Ri Zu heard the whisper of movement, and stilled again, as the man’s hand caught the ceiling beam and he pulled himself up. Ri Zu could feel him. She could sense him, as his Qi tingled her body, passing over her.
Silent.
Invisible.
She heard the man move towards the wall—
Then drop down.
“Nothing. Though this building may have a pest infestation..”
“Wait, really? Don’t they have seals or something to keep them out? How can you not have those?”
Ri Zu caught the scent of the man who had just come from “guard duty”. She followed it.
Down.
Down, into a basement. Where the construction turned to heavy stone.
Down she slunk, in the shadows of the stairs. There was no noise, save for breathing coming from the bottom. Two sets. One heavier and one lighter.
Ri zu swallowed, as she finished the descent, peeking around the doorframe.
A man reclined on a seat, in front of a cage. Its front held no keyhole, instead, a piece of paper was pressed over the edge where it would open.
Ri Zu put it out of her mind.
Because there was Tigu. Laying on her front, with her arms clamped by steel and more papers behind her back.
Tigu’s face was bruised. Some blood had pooled out of her mouth, to stain the floor. The happy, cheerful grin was nowhere to be seen.
Ri Zu committed the man’s face to memory. She committed the taste and tang of Tigu’s blood to her mind.
The people who had done this to Tigu would pay. Cold icy fingers crawled up her spine. Places to stick unpleasant things. Visions of the man writhing with reaper fungus toxin, or vomiting out his stomach.
Medicine turned to poison. Some of the recipes for Chow Ji’s pills danced tantalizingly in her mind’s eye.
They were made out of people. But even that might have been too good for this scum.
Her fingers itched for the needle she had left behind and her Master’s final gift.
“If you’re ever in any trouble, mix these two together, and add ground riverwort.” Her Master had said. Her eyes were cold. Ri Zu sniffed the bottles, and her eyes widened.
‘Master this is—’
“Hong Family recipe.” Master said to her with a soft, sad smile. “Medicine is just poison, after all. It doesn’t have a name. But…it’s supposed to be bad. I’ve never used it before. And I pray that you don’t have to either.”
Yes. That was perfect. She could go back right now, get the needle, and strike like Tigu had taught her. A blow to the neck would spread the poison the fastest, and then—
There was a sudden sound from the top of the stairs.
Footsteps. Ri Zu spasmed, her eyes searching for a hiding place. No holes in the walls she could use, the sound was too close to make it to the ceiling—
She whipped around, and shoved her body into one of the stairs. It had a slight overhang. Just barely enough to shield her from view. Maybe. Possibly, if the person was a cultivator.
The stomping feet resolved themselves into a woman, who looked rather nervous.
She walked right past Ri Zu’s hiding spot, carrying a tray.
“Master, the meal you requested.” the woman said demurely, taking great pains to not look at where Tigu was laying.
The man grunted, and took his food.
Ri Zu’s beating heart slowed. She took a breath.
To go and attempt this alone was foolish. There were too many variables.
Ri Zu scurried back up the stairs.
=======================
Xiulan tapped her fingers impatiently, as she waited for Ri Zu to get back. She knew she wasn’t particularly quiet or stealthy, so to her surprise, Ri Zu had volunteered to see where Tigu was being kept.
It did not make the waiting any easier, however.
Rags and Loud Boy were laying side by side on bedrolls, as Xiulan watched over them.
The others still weren’t back. Not that she could blame them. They still thought there was a party going on.
Xiulan bit the nail on her thumb.
What could she do? What could she do?
Xiulan closed her eyes. Elders Yi and Shen were out, her father and Elder Zei would be with the other Elders of the Azure Hills. She could find them, and tell them—and then what?
The problem was blatantly obvious.
If they went for Tigu while they already had her, they would be opposing the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
They had no demands that they could make. They had no demands that they could enforce.
Zang Li was stronger than her father. Her father, who was at the Second Stage of the Profound realm and near the third.
Against Zang Li’s blazing Qi and the secrets of the Shrouded Mountain Sect? It would be like throwing a handful of grass into a bonfire.
There was little question that the Shrouded Mountain Sect would win even without the difference in power. Zang Lihad an entire retinue with him. An entire retinue that could be in the Profound Realm as well—at minimum they were either in the fourth or fifth stage of the Initiate’s realm, and that would be considered weak.
Even if every Verdant Blade Elder was here—the Shrouded Mountain Sect could duel the entirety of their sect and expect to emerge victorious.
She could possibly rally other sects to their cause, which was a large prospect in itself, would they dare be willing to impede the Shrouded Mountain Sect’s path? To make demands of a Young Master? For a sectless girl that held no value to them?
Even if they did succeed in delaying them, or managed to fight and win. If Zang Li, or any member of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, escaped, or even if they capitulated and handed over Tigu…they would tell their Elders of what happened here, especially if her own father got involved.
And then…it would be over. The Shrouded Mountain Sect would brook no insult, especially not one of that magnitude. Mere insects assaulting their majestic falcon? The very idea would have men in the Spiritual Realm striding down from the Shrouded Mountain in force.
What could she do? A man who had been insulted and defeated by Master Jin, now seeking revenge against him through his student and family.
What could she do?!
Xiulan took a breath, and then black form appeared in the window.
Ri Zu came back.
‘They’re packing-preparing to leave. They will be gone by morning.”
No time. No time. They had no time.
Xiulan bit her lip.
She had made a promise to Master Jin to protect them.
A year of his help and compassion. A year of friendship and joy.
Her sect would likely survive. She could throw herself at Master Jin’s feet and say that they couldn’t stand against them. He would be angry. He would be furious... And he would likely go against the Shrouded Mountain Sect alone.
He even said to value her life more. That she shouldn’t be so willing to run head first to her death.
But that was not the kind of woman she was. She would not sit back, and let others die for her.
But she didn’t know if she could drag her entire sect to ruin with her.
Xiulan let out a breath and opened her eyes. Out of time. They had to go before the Shrouded Mountain Sect left, and Master Jin wasn’t here.
“My plan is foolish and dangerous. I do not know the chances of success, but It is better than doing nothing. Ri Zu, will you help me?” She asked. The little rat nodded her head.
“Are you sure? Are you sure you can do this?” she asked.
Ri Zu glared at her. Her eyes were full of a kind of vicious malice that equaled Senior Sister’s.
“Ri Zu… will be brave.”
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The brothel girl had been easy to convince. It was her turn tonight, as another woman was called every night. A bit of coin in her purse, and she was on her way.
Xiulan approached the manor and its pristine, tasteful stone walls from an alley. She seemed to appear from nowhere. She had a pack on her back and a wide brimmed traveling hat for noble ladies upon her head. A pink silk strap kept it on her head as her swords floated gently behind her. She had changed out of her soiled clothes into another dress. It was a bit looser in the top than she normally wore it.
There were no guards outside the door. The street was empty.
Xiulan knocked on the gate.
She had to wait for but a moment for the gate to be opened by a member of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, looking annoyed.
“Who dares call upon us at this hou…r.” He trailed off as Xiulan tipped her hat up, leaning forward slightly and giving the man a warm smile.
His face flushed.
“Pray, forgive this one’s interruption, Expert of the Shrouded Mountain. This humble one calls upon your Young Master, as he requested earlier.”
“Ah—um—” the man coughed, composing himself. “Yes, the Young Master mentioned meeting somebody earlier. This way, please, miss.”
Xiulan bowed appropriately to him, lowering her head. The man flushed again.
He let her into the compound. His eyes kept flicking to her as she pushed her hat back, letting the lantern light shine and catch her hair and skin. His steps were lurching, as he lead her to the main house.
He turned completely, and she gave him another smile.
The man stared, before coughing and opening the door for her.
“Miss, forgive me, but before you meet the Young Master, you must surrender your weapons.” he stated as formally as he could.
Xiulan nodded agreeably. “A wise course of action. Please, by all means. Though I would request them back at a later date.
Xiulan handed over her swords. The man took them, placing them on a rack. Xiulan leaned on the counter as she watched him work. “Do you need to search me as well?” she asked stiltedly. She cursed internally. It hadn’t come out as flirty as she wanted it to, but the man didn’t seem to notice. He nearly dropped her swords, as his head whipped around to stare at her. She fixed her smile—before releasing he wasn’t staring at her face.
The man nearly dropped her weapons as his head whipped around to look at her.
“Ah… no, you are surely an honourable woman, to agree to our terms, Miss Cai.”
She let out a pleasant chuckle. “Ah, a man of your power and skill remembered this one’s name? My thanks, sir.”
The man looked away.
“This way, please.”
He led her through the manor. Through the intricately paneled halls that some said used to have defensive wards on them. The building was very, very old, but still in good repair. Only the best for honoured guests to the Azure Hills….. Xiulan glanced to the side as they passed a set of stairs that led downwards before reaching the door to the main room, her guide knocked upon it.
“Young Master. Miss Cai is here to see you.”
There was a noise of interest from the other side.
“Let her in.” Zang Li said, amusement clear in his voice.
The disciple of the Shrouded Mountain Sect opened the door for her. Zang Li was seated in the center of the room, reclining on silks and pillows. A woman sat behind him. Her eyes were tired and mournful looking, but she dutifully ran her fingers through Zang Li’s hair. His shirt was slightly open, exposing his sweat, and the room smelled of perfumes and food.
“Oh, what’s this? The Young Mistress of the Verdant Blade Sect, coming into my home on her lonesome, defying the decision of her Elders?” Zang Li asked. He laughed as he sat up straighter.
Xiulan bowed her head.
“Yes, Young Master. I do not believe they had my best interests in mind. I would take you up on your most generous offer. Traveling with you would be an honour beyond compare.”
The man who had let her in glanced at his smiling Young Master with a look of admiration.
He nodded to the man. “You can go, Huang. Same to you girl. I have some… business to attend to.”
“Of course, Young Master. Have a pleasant time.” Huang said, bowing low. The woman behind Zang Li stood. As she rose, Xiulan noticed a scar on her throat. She said not a word, merely bowing and exiting with Huang.
Zang Li leaned forwards as the doors closed and the footsteps receded.
“You’re certainly audacious, woman.” Zang Li said bluntly, his voice abruptly becoming less refined. “Really, what sort of honourable fool comes in here without her weapons? Let me guess, you’re here to beg for my forgiveness or ask for me to reconsider taking you on?”
“I have come to bargain for Rou Tigu.” Xiulan stated simply.
“I beg your pardon? Miss Cai, this Young Master has no idea what you’re talking about.”
“She is here.” Xiulan stated simply.
Zang Li leaned back in his seat, and sighed. “You seem certain she's here. Why, it’s insulting to suspect a member of the righteous Shrouded Mountain Sect of such a base deed like… kidnapping.”
Xiulan stared at the man. His smile widened and he started to chuckle.
“Kowtow before me and I may hear what you have to say.” He demanded.
Xiulan took a breath, got on her knees, and bowed her head. There was a noise of mild surprise from him.
“Cai Xiulan begs the Young Master of the Shrouded Mountain Sect for his benevolence and generosity.”
Zang Li laughed.
“Ah, that’s good! That’s good. That’s how things should be.”
In an instant, he was on his feet, and her hair was fisted in his hand. He dragged her up to stare him in the eyes.
“Unfortunately, this Young Master must decline your request.” He threw her into his seat, the mound of blankets and silks.
“After all, I would have to recall my best men. Why, they’re quite busy at the moment.”
Xiulan’s eyes widened.
=================================
Yinwei’s eyes cataloged the two below him.
A man and a woman, their lips pressed together. One of them had the target symbol on his back. The other was from the Misty Lake Sect. Unfortunate that there were bystanders, but not unanticipated. Hopefully they would not interfere.
His face was stone as he dropped down, his hands behind his back.
================================
Ah, there the bastard was. Fenxian smiled as he saw the man through the window, laughing at something another person said. That was the symbol, right there.
Fengxian grinned as he slammed open the door. “Quite the party you’ve got here!” he thundered.
The entire room was silenced, as they stared at him, awe and shock on their faces. Ah, that never got old.
===============================
Zang Li smiled at her, shaking his head. “Really, what was your plan, anyway? Come in, seduce me, then hopefully make off with the girl? I’ll again say audacious, but foolish. Did you really think I would fall for that?”
“You seem like the kind of man who would.”
Zang Li laughed. “How rude! Though I will thank you for coming to see me. I had almost given up hope of being able to sample you before I had to leave. A pity, but the sacrifices we make for our goals.” He stroked her cheek. “It would have been a shame to lose such a prize.”
Xiulan glared at him.
“You court death. Master Jin will destroy you utterly for this insult.”
Zang Li’s face flashed with fury, his fiery Qi spiking. Xiulan flinched before he shrugged. “Oh, I’m sure he could. But he's not here right now, is he? And when he finds out—well. Elders don’t get involved in the struggles of the Younger Generation. But they would get involved when a Master attacks their home, wouldn’t they?”
Xiulan snarled and swung at him; he caught the blow and laughed. His other hand jumped up, fixing around her neck.
He overpowered her in an instant, pushing up against her.
“I do like them feisty… let's make a deal, you and I. For real now. Be a good girl for me and I’ll let you be the one to tell him. I’ll even spare your sect. Otherwise….”
The fire surged and Xiulan hissed as her skin grew hot.
“So tell me, do you dare oppose the Shrouded Mountain Sect?”
Xiulan’s breath caught. She looked away.
Zang Li smiled indulgently.
He pressed his lips to hers, claiming his victory.
Xiulan felt overwhelming revulsion.
And just ever so slightly victorious.
She looked above to the rafters and saw a slight figure cloaked in shadows.
Ri Zu was glaring at the man from the ceiling.
A tiny green blade, infused with Xiulan’s Qi and something far more insidious was strapped to her back. The broken, incomplete version of her sect’s technique, that every initiate struggled with. The small blade that was too fragile. Too weak, and above all, too small to actually accomplish anything. It would have faded to nothingness already… if Ri Zu hadn’t kept close enough for Xiulan to be able to maintain the tiny, almost unnoticeable strand of Qi that fed it, that allowed it to exist.
Ri Zu nodded and let the blade fall. She then turned around, leaving to begin the second phase.
Xiulan’s Qi plucked the tiny blade out of the air. It was coated with Ri Zu’s energy and Senior Sister’s poison, filled with her own Qi.
If Xiulan had not spent so much time practicing with knives, chopsticks, and other small things, it would never have had a prayer of working. She wouldn’t have had control fine enough, her skill and speed great enough now.
Her opponent was distracted. He was trying to deepen the kiss.
Xulan struck. The tiny, jade green blade penetrated the soft skin behind his ear.
Barely half-way in. A cut that wasn’t life threatening in the slightest.
Zang Li jerked backwards, his hand coming up even as her blade disassembled itself into Qi, dumping any remaining poison on it into the tiny wound.
The man’s eyes widened as he pulled back, shoving her away from him. His face twisted with surprise and fury. His Qi burnt her wrist where he was holding it.
“Poison?! You whore—”
Xiulan smashed her forehead into his nose, throwing him away from her.
Xiulan spat on the ground, getting his taste out of her mouth.
Fire exploded from the wall Zang Li had been thrown into. Xiulan moved, dodging past the flames. She smashed through the door and raced down the hallway, bursting back into the entrance. The disciple of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, Huang she recalled, looked dumbfounded as she hammered a knee into his gut and sent a palm into his nose. Her Jade Grass Blades leapt to her command, slashing open his back.
Xiulan grabbed the hammer on the desk and slammed it into the warning gong. Shouts of surprise and alarm echoed through the building.
Xiulan exploded out into the night, tumbling past eruptions of flame and the snarling crackling hiss of lightning.
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Hope this isn't too dark. Sorry for the wait, everybody. but at least I think tomorrow will be on time.
Comments
Nick Marini
Just catching up on chapters after taking a long, unintended break for health reasons. Good job on this one! I felt like punching the wall, and I am not a violent person!
SuperiorFreak
I wouldn’t mind if he went on a rampage. But I also don’t think the story needs him to go on a rampage arc.
Stefan Mensink
Ho-lee gallus gallus domesticus! This relaxing story just got dark fast.
Fortunis
Ya know, Jin is a pretty mellow guy. Something tells me this shits gonna wake the dragon though.
Will mILLER
The young master unfortunately got better than he deserved.
Aesoir
The author has been trying to bring in the darker aspects of this story (this is set in a XiaXia world after all). (Chopped Yu Ren chapter for example). Jin is a beacon of change in a pretty crappy world, it’s long past due for us to start seeing exactly what he’s deviating from.
chakkacor
I think it's getting a bit dark. I also think the timelines are not adding up. Jin and the rest should have arrived by the evening of the last fight at the latest. It's getting a bit long on this arc.
Dion
Honestly, I agree with everyone saying that the story progression so far makes absolute sense. No plans ever go quite as everyone would like them and I think that’s what happened to Jin. Hell, he might only be running late by a few hours depending on how long it’s been since the tournament fight ended. While I agree, the young master is a bit one dimensional right now, I always saw him as a starter villain and a foil to Jin. And if Jin is the one to defeat him, then it’d be pretty satisfying for me since it’d be like Jin defeating the stereotype of himself, the expectation that he would have possessed the original body himself instead of molding with the host spirit. Either way, I’m tired of typing but I trust Casual with the story he’s written so far and if I could throw more money his way I would
Aesoir
Unless he’s gained something from the monkeys, Bi De is second stage profound, the young master is 4th stage. It wouldn’t be an easy fight (good thing he’s poisoned)
Manofonezerg
Bi De can take the shrouded mountain guy
paul Emmer
Agreed
Kaladin
I think the disciples will take care of this themselves, but there will be fallout. Do you think this can be cleaned up with who's there? No, Jin will use cloudy sects name to push back and finish the young master from shrouded mountain. Not physically as the girls will handle that, but politically.
Honestly, it is actually NOT predictable that Jin will do anything. I love the way Jin has been written, but he hasn't been saving the day. In fact seeing Jin truly move in a big way is something I personally have been looking forward to. Not using the first major character of a story and "thinking outside the box" is only great when it is used appropriately, otherwise it is like the monster in a horror movie being behind you after looking around the corner, predictable.
paul Emmer
For Jin to come save the day is to predictable and limiting allowing the other characters to rise to the occasion in and unpredictable way is just what this story needs to broaden its base at this point no one has died and attempted rape was used against the villain let's give the author time to tell his story perhaps the foxboy sword will put a quick end to the evil attempt to the bewilderment of the young man who unknown caries it without any loss of life just one of many possible outcomes this writer has proven to think out side the box of the expected let's give him the space to work his magic that is why we are all here
Undead Writer
Yes!! Come on Jin!! Show up already!!
Jeff Scott
Oh gods. I NEED this to happen.
Clay Smith
I agree with you Jared. Not bad but just a bit off of my cup a tea. Not to menton Jin was planning on being there to watch the finals and stuff but just so happens he is late.
Nick Devor
The issue would've escalated the elders would have come seeking revenge in the cycle Jin was specifically trying to avoid plus at the time Jin still believed he was weak it's a question of whether he would know how to without killing the asshole by accident
Not too dark, I just didn't care for it much. Reminds me too much of the reviving enemy trope. If jin wasn't so soft hearted(understandable) although he hated cultivators, should have crippled his cultivation in the first encounter. Now that he is resurfacing and kidnapping all of them at the tournament, not bad but not a fan.
Godlyskeleton
agree
The suspense is part of it for me. The other part is that I know this is a cultivation world and has dark aspects, but the massive tone shift of this chapter was a surprise. Or it may just be that this story has a flow where dark leads to light leads to dark, etc. and its not complete yet. Good chapter, but I think I will enjoy it more once I can read through this arc in total instead of stopping at a point like this.
Colin
Holy shit this is getting INTENSE. I’ve been waiting for the intensity to ramp up, and damn, you are not disappointing.
Vylet Raku-n
Great chapter. I didn't feel it was too dark at all. I am sad Jin didnt show up yet, but we will see when he makes it! I want to see him and the earth link back up and then just destroy that chode :P But I feel like the FeRam disciples will handle it :) I just want more Jin being a badass haha
Rene Christensen
I mean Jin isn't aware that he is powerful, not consciously, but he will also definitely go to get Tigu back. It will be interesting to see whether he realizes it or we just see a scene of the shrouded mountain elders bowing and him taking Tigu home, thinking that " the head of the sect is a man of honor who will protect the helpless" or similar misunderstandings.
A disgruntled nondescript squirrel
I wonder if the poison will force out a parasite personality
Dontspam Meho
I hope that poison is a million times more awful than expected.
Ashlee Jacobsen
I have just realised we get 1 more chapter before the break, and it's going to end on one hell of acliffhanger
fatbo
I hope we finallyget to see summer breeze in action.
Zehn
Decided to treat myself and buy get the advanced chapters for my birthday, have not been disappointed! Thanks for the chapters and keep up the good work!
The Lost Pages
I like this. And it isn't a betrayal of expectations in the least. From the very beginning you established this as a world very similar to a Chinese Xianxia. Full of face slapping, arrogant young masters, and the like. There is darkness lurking beneath the surface. Thanks for the chapter!
Stav Tri
Well to give the author some credence, in order to really enjoy the light, you have to remind yourself of the dark, same with peace and war.
Ashlazaria
"She fixed her smile—before releasing he wasn’t staring at her face." releasing => realizing (or realising, depending :) ). I don't think it's too dark at all. I'm enjoying it. I am anticipating Bi De and Jin's response (not to mention the Missus)....things are going to get a wee bit painful for Shrouded mountain.
totalynotanonymous .
Yeah, I think they will get here just in time, or Chunky and Tian will, and grant a temporary boost to our heroines so they can bust the chops of the enemy. One extra stage and a refill would be all they need now that Cuckoo is poisoned and Cai has gotten a few cheap shots in. Jin is definitly going to be making use of the Plum blossoms and his trade pals to lock this shit down though. Bi Dee is also gonna probably jump onto a training arc to make sure he can protect his junior brothers and sisters too (and maintain his being too of the roost). Finally I can see where all the new activity will start attracting outside weirdo cultivators, giving us new plot lines we can pursue, along with interesting new farming stuff and crafts.
Connor
It’s kinda dragging on at this point. Every chapter is good, doesn’t help the dragging feeling.
RedFaux
Is he psychic? No. So its a crystal that's important to Big D on one side, and a tournament he doesn't really want to go to on the other. He'll surely feel like his should have been there after the fact, but he will be being too hard on himself.
Pebble
Wouldn't it be funny if Jin is already there? What if he is the person Yun Ren is talking with right as they get attacked? Could be Jin just arrived and Yun Ren was the first one he ran into, and was getting filled in on how things were. Meanwhile, Bi De went out to find the others and will find Gou Ren just as he is getting attacked.
silentwolf465
Jin is being far too fucking slow, all for, what? A crystal? Crystal in one hand the safety and lives of his family in another....
ericksond
Tigu was the most vicious and angry of all the Faram beasts. Her being this too cheerful kind of bothered me. I think unleashing the inner beast is enough to turn the tide. Maybe the point of this tournament is to level them all up individually. And wasn’t there a chapter that mentioned Tigu can change forms if she wants to? I think they should win this themselves otherwise it will be a “crutch” to their cultivation… or maybe that’s the point. Let them experience what Bide had with the Chowji thing.
ShadowFireZelda
Hahaha. Jin is going to burn that entire sect to the ground.
I really liked this chapter. Sometimes you need the bad times to appreciate the good times, hope Jin shows but he might be to far away
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Jan Alexander
Goodbye Shrouded Mountain. Earth chan and Jin are on their way.
Mantiqore
I hope Tigu is OK after this. I'd hatte to See her cheerful character change too much
Zacle
Thought I'd put my voice in sense this arc seems to be getting a fair bit of push back. I personally have been really enjoying this arc, though I am ready for Jin to catch back up with everyone. But it's not like he's been alone out in the wilderness like in other novels. I am also enjoying the slightly darker tone this one has been taking, assuming you pull off a good ending which I think you will. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Heidao
Jin really wanted to keep a calm and quiet life, but there is one trope that he forgot about in manga and novels. The strong protagonists that seek such peace, are denied it by everyone that enter their lives. Lu Ri's appearance alone was just the start, that things he left behind, have a chance of coming back into his life. Now he'll see what happens when he stood up to that "impostor", two of Tigu's friends almost died, one had their dantian shattered, Tigu was beaten and kidnapped, Gou, Xianhua and Yun are also gonna get their shit kicked in, Rizu and Xiulan are risking their lives in a crazy rescue attempt. Geez, things are going to get real close next chapter
KoZa
I really need to remember to skip some of the comments here, there seem to be a lot of people getting angry about things that haven’t even happened yet (granted, mixed in with positivity too), I’ll just say this: Casualfarmer, great work! This story is awesome and I believe in you! Have a great break! (You know, after the cliffhanger is resolved :P)
Harley Shockley
Looking at the comments, I think people don’t actually hate the chapter for its typical xianxia storyline. They hate the suspense for waiting for the twist.
John Pratt
Jin thought he would make it to the last day of the tournament before Lu Ri kept him in the city two extra days.
Aethric
Have to echo what others have said, the timeline on everything seems a little wonky. I know Jin wasn't rushing super hard but he knows this is an important moment for friends and wasn't actively trying to miss things; anyone have an approximate timeline on Jin that justify him still not making it there?
jetblackvalias .
Agree with this. Having Xiulan handle this is a subversion of the trope enough. To be honest though I’m more keen to see what happens to the lieutenants.
David Giles
Zang Li hasn't learned the two most important lessons, power borrowed from others is no power at all, and the rules only work until someone decides the sheer joy of a world they don't have to share with you is worth breaking them.
RedFaux
Fits for me. He supposed to be the "Great Young Master" of the usual Xianxia fair, to juxtapose with Jins more sensible values. Remember, this is very much a 'Cultivators' world, just with Jin in it. His old sect being reasonable and stuff like it? That's very much outside the norm.
Jymbo
Would the First Disciple let his Great Master dirty his hands on such lowlives?
Gremlin Jack
Y'know... if these guys manage to deal with Shrouded Mountain on their own... then once more, Jin will have dodged the plot. Now I'm really hoping this gets handled without Jin. Getting beat up by apprentices of the Azure Hills will be doubly embarrassing, and since it was apprentices doing the beating, the elders of Shrouded Mountain can't retaliate without losing face.
Jeff Scott
It can be done without a villain so dark that Disney villains would think he went too far. Violent rape/sexual assault in every gods damned scene he is in way too far, for example.
Jeff Scott
Ugg, I hate this. Every scene with this villain feels out of place, like he's an insane villain from a edgy dark tragedy novel. He is so over the top, and this level of conflict doesn't even fit the tone of the rest of the novel.
Adi
I know this probably won't happen, but I want Jin to Show up and kick some ass.
Adi
I don't think the brothers can. They are only in the first realm.
Benjamin Lawton
Is it too much to hope for, that that actually got him?
aj0413
So...the Young Master and his companions; they have chosen death above all else?
SuperiorFreak
I don’t mind the darkness. The story is well written and I like the characters so its fine. Besides, its not like you went over the top with the darkness. Its a realistic amount given the situation and characters involved.
paul
not at all you could go much darker
STORRM
i mean fuck as long as no ones raped at the end of all this, maybe we will finally get to see jin say "rise up" with out the accompanying "and go to war" i kinda want to see him use it earth-chan powers with out having to slaughter and entire sect. and if tigu got raped before getting put in that cage or if any of his friends die, i would expect nothing less then Rou waking up and doing what jin can not, not that i think this story needs a slaughter arc.
fbt
more likely a 2 stage thing; Jin won't be strong enough on his own, but chunky & the land avatar arrive and fix the scales seems more likely. Who knows, tho. we'll see! Ideally, the kids will handle it and he can just be proud of them, but that seems unlikely. Shrouded Mtn Sect needs to be burned to the ground, but then I feel that way about the entire cultivation genre, so...
I dont think he would hesitate for Tigu and the others sake
Mislandor
will be interesting to see how this goes - as I do not think Jin will be aware he can fight these guys - he has no real idea of his strength - nor do we, we have had HINTS - but no real bench marks. I look forward to seeing how this goes.
Parker Groseclose
To be fair to Jin, he assumed that they were frauds and the actual sect would come down like a ton of bricks.
Chad Hagner
I really love this story and I like this arc a lot with the character growth for the disciples. But did you have to end up on a cliff hangar!!!!? Need Jin to show up and open a can of whoopass.
Zeta
I like it very much. time for them to test their mettle and solidify their position and for Jin to make his name known, since his home sect already got wind of where he is. this doesn't mean forced faction building, people.
Lavagolem
I started following the story because Jin is really unique plus likeable and because of the lighthearted nature of it. So I must honestly say that I don‘t like the current arc. Jin is basically a side character and detached from the main group, while Xiulan gets sexually harrassed, which is too dark for me. I can understand that you want to build tension and not be forced into a direction because of the tone of the story at the start, but as someone who is really leaning hard towards lighter stories, this is basically the exact opposite of what made me enjoy your story.
6b5zksc9
Great read. A very welcome change of pace after so many peaceful chapters. I like the conflict and the buildup.
Louis Kasser
Thanks for the chapter! Don't worry so much about a schedule. Worry about yourself and then your story.
Buzz1089
I understand your point but I also disagree with it. The demon is a mirror/foil to Jin in every way. Technically, Jin is also a body snatcher. I can understand not needing a foil character but I like it as a method of exploring what Jin could have become. And part of subverting regular tropes is to have the trope start so you can subvert it. Like Jin leaving his original sect thinking they were classic sects from the story he knows, only to have the elders clean house internally because they hated what happened as well.
Felix Blinn III
Looking forwards to seeing where this goes next. Of course, because of the title of the story, I want the rescue to be done by Big D, not Jin. :P
Kolade I
I’d have to say I’m disappointed in Jin not being there after he said he would try to make it to the final fight knowing how much it meant to tigu. So far Jin has kept his word when it comes to his disciples for the most part. Seeing him not here kinda threw me off as I expected him to show up near the end of the final fight I guess I know why now
BaguaBrady
well said!
taukid
Yeah and Jin showing up as planned isn't deus ex machina.
Kolade I
Boooooooo
Leander
I just feel like the readers have forgotten what kind of story they are reading, either wanting a standard xianxia development or thinking it would inevitably follow and dreading it, without realizing that Farmer has up to this point reliably subverted any and all tropes, the tournament arc being a prime example for that.
Leander
This chapter certainly has the readers split. But I can‘t agree with neither the critics nor the supporters, as I think both factions don‘t recognize what the Antagonist really is: An incarnation of the ‚Young Master/evil protagonist’ trope of standard xianxia novels thought to it‘s logical conclusion and placed in conflict with the main cast of characters. It was inevitable that such a conflict would arise, because there was no way that asshole wouldn‘t try for revenge if Farmer wanted to keep his characters consistent, and violence, coercion and the like are the only means an asshole like that ever uses to get what he wants. Now Farmer has to subvert the usual reactions of all parties involved, Most likely leading to a situation where the young master is defeated (Either by Xiulan, Tigu and co, or by Jin and Bi De) which leads to character development in all parties, afterwards possibly Jin dragging Zang Li back to the shrouded mountain sect (possibly after getting backup) and talking the situation out with the elders. That would handily subvert a truckload of tropes, while simultaneously setting up new conflicts and new tropes to subvert.
Moosh7
People sound pretty upset! I agree with PublicLee above: the peace and slice of life we enjoy in this story is *because* Jin deliberately chooses to live his life that way. That is not the natural state of this world and it hasn't been from the beginning. He very much lives in the standard stereotypical world, and it's his choices that make things feel different. That world includes cliché villains. Jin went to go live on a farm in the first place *because* these people exist in this kind of world. Did everyone forget the guy Xiulan was trying to kill in the beginning of her story arc? Did he have complex motivations? No, he was basically just a violent psychopath, and I think that arc was great and shined an important light on multiple characters. In general, I'm shocked at the arrogance people have when they say there's no way this can get resolved without a Deus Ex Machina. I didn't realize the readers were all professional authors and English lit professors, and I'd love to be sent to their Patreon and learn what the other limits of human imagination are. It might be nice to have a little faith in the author here. We're not on chapter 3 of a brand new writer; we know what he can do--he literally writes amazing chapters and then re-writes them even better essentially weekly! His plot arcs have all been very satisfying and uplifting so far even if they had dark moments in the middle. As we learn from the themes of this very story: there is strength in peaceful cultivation, strength in believing in others, strength in calm, strength in patience. Let us practice it together.
TheRaptorOfHermes
We had the good times... Now it time for jins team to be put through the crucible. I can't wait for more
ByzFan
It's good to be reminded sometimes that there are bigger monsters out there.
Joe S
I sat for awhile thinking about what I didn't like about this chapter. My first thought was Tigu's loss of agency, which I didn't care for but not really a criticism. Of course the total loss of all Slice of Life elements has been a negative for me, but that's been this whole last arc. I think this bit of the story could be saved in the next couple of chapters with a great subversion that I have felt has been totally missing from the evil cultivator side story line. Overall I can't totally put into words what I disliked here so much. It wasn't the "dark" parts as this story had a few, although that is clearly not a theme of this story so the tone doesn't totally sit right.
Jam
Sometimes you need the darkness to appreciate the light. You've done an excellent job of adding some evilness without overwhelming a reader. As mentioned by another, choosing a life of peace is easy when there is no conflict, so forcing Jin to make difficult decisions can help raise the story.
Havefeith
You have a few names spelled inconsistently at the start. Namely Ri Zu's and Xiulan's. I can't remember what you called Ri Zu, beyond "Ri Zou, but you spelled Xiulan as "Xioulan". This was one of those ones that hit a bit different. As a thriller xianxia cross, instead of slice-of-life xianxia cross. Still, it was a great chapter nonetheless.
Bob Semxy
Ima need jin to not take the high road on this dude. He already did so before when he attempted RAPE in broad daylight.
DocteurNS
Oh... this is going to be good. In conclusion, the world of cultivators is both different than Jin feared and exactly as he feared. It's more nuanced, that's what it is.
That Guy
I found this part rather gripping and I look forward to how you plan to subvert the usual villainous young master trope
riseris
I mean the shrouded mountain sect elder that picked him up told him to not pick trouble with Jin again and expect the sect to clean up after him. It would be hilarious if he did abduct Tigu and the elders beat the shit out of him when he gets back. Well I’m pretty sure Jin will show up at the climax.
PublicLee Speaking
It's interesting, reading the comments, how many people miss the point that while Jin is a non-standard Protag when it comes to Xianxia tropes, his disciples fall into them fully, except for how Jin has helped shape them. I wasn't a Patron then, but I wonder if people complained this much when Big D went on his wandering Quest, because it was 'too close' to normal Xianxia faire. Love this chapter, and keep up the good work!
Paratus
oh no! Don't cliff us before your break! =( Seriously tho, I know we may get one more out of you and I hope you enjoy your time off. P.S. I'm really hoping the next chapter has Chun-ke showing why you don't piss off a boar.
Evan
Have to agree with Alex. The demon shitter isn't an interesting character, his storyline is as boring and formulaic as they come, and his entire presence is nothing but a weight dragging the story in the direct opposite direction from what brought readers here. He is an antagonist with no drive that matters, no story hooks that are in any way interesting, and exists to be an opponent that is evil for the sake of evil and only the author can save the brave heroes now. Ho-hum, oh good, a commercial break.
Armo
I have to say I appreciate the raised stakes here. Higher stakes at some points make Jin’s choice to live a peaceful life more meaningful, even if it clashes with the bright, cheery, bubbly energy most of the story had until this point. It refreshes the idea that Jin chooses to live, as far as he can, peacefully and constructively, rather than destructively as the majority of cultivators; and that choice is, ultimately, hard and purposeful - borne of trauma and keeping in mind real threats that menace cultivators in that world.
Obran
He'll probably leave the Cloudy Mountain sect cultivators alive, just destroy their cultivation.
Carlos Torres
I'm pretty sure they can handle themselves we haven't seen the extent of Gou and Yun's strength for all we know they could be Tigu's equal in raw power alone
ericksond
Casual please end the year right.
Elias A Rosado
Congratulations Author-san you actually had the guts to start this situation. But how will resolve it? The popularity of this work comes from its non-standard plot for the setting type. But in actuality, it's just a modern world man getting by living by his RL standards and morals...and that's worked so far. But violence is violence, no matter where you are. If this ends peacefully, which would take a deus ex machina, you're going to lose a lot.
totalynotanonymous .
I get what your saying, but ultimately I think that this climax will put into action the necessary next step of deconstruction, which will be how to deal with the shitbirds that will try to come and ruin crap. I trust that the author isn't going to let anything too bad happen to Tigu, and that we will see the good guys come in, but Jin can't ignore this stuff anymore. He has to proactively involve himself or at least make sure his right hand man (Bi De) is strong enough to prevent this from happening.
lala jhones
I actually think that Jin might be in trouble. So hear me out, he is 100% stronger, but he isn't connected to earth-chan, not on Fa-Ram, and has used a significant amount of Qi to power the crystal. I hope this isn't true, but he is probably tired and unable to regain his lost energy. Rather than Jin we probably need both Jin and Earth-chan. On the other hand, the mailman (forgot his name) scared Zang Li into submission, yet he marveled at Jin's strength, so maybe there is still a chance with everything being okay?
Alex I
100% agree here, this is becoming peak cliche cultivation novel here and it is frankly clashing with the vibes the novel has been 'cultivating' till now.
Alex I
Yeah, not gonna lie I am starting to lose interest. This was supposed to be a slice of life deconstruction of the frankly terrible and predictable cultivation genre and now it is becoming it instead of deconstructing it. Tell me, was the demon cultivator here important to the overall plot? Are you using him as some device to change Jin or those around him when they didn't need to be changed? The hidden story behind the area and Jin slowly reviving it with Big D and the gang is far more of an interesting plotline than this trash pile of cliches and doesn't stoop to just being another cookie cutter forced plot from every cultivation novel ever.
Yunru
"The future? Comrade General, I *am* the future."
Nicholas Roberts
Fucking YES So good
Max Lopo
Sorry but no. The author has to pull some Deus ex machina. They are far, far, FAR stronger than the local cultivators or the horny girl. They can easily kill them all, doubly so if they go for assassination. Love the story, but this is why I hate xianxia&co. The "Bad guys" always have to be the most insecure, shortsighted, hypocritical, spiteful, slimy garbage with zero self-control or self-esteem. Let's be honest: this guy is a MORON. He is fully, certifiably, mentally retarded. You have access to a unique path to have everything you want (in the context of this world) . Unique, fast, powerful. You are in a position of privilege and power..... And you go poking the bear. The very same bear that already smacked your ass over a "mortal girl". You jeopardise everything because you couldn't basically rape a girl, and in your mind that is bad. How in hell an insecure, inept micropenis like this actually managed to do anything in life? THAT is the biggest "fantasy" element of eastern stories, how these bi-dimensional sub-humans actually managed to survive being a baby when their brains are nearly too defective to figure out how to breathe. It stretches my ability to suspend my disbelief, this moron should have been caught a thousand times, NO WAY he acts this shortsightedly and managed to not get killed.
Joel Bullock
Listen man I'm all for the girls getting it done but I also need Jin to fall down on this piece of shit like a heavenly mountain of fury
Godlyskeleton
Dark is good! nothing wrong with some versatility, life is mostly bright but dark too, anything else would be silly
BRUNO ASTUR
I just hope tomorrow chapter doesn't end in a cliffhanger.
Goof Nasty
I need blood now
fdsddfsa
The entire thrust of this fiction is to twist the cultivator genre, and it's not your fault that genre is full of absolutely terrible people.
totalynotanonymous .
So long as no one does more than touch Tigu's shoulder it is...tolerable. I just hope she isn't too traumatized by this.
Aaron Martinez
He thinks his sect elders can take him, and that by hurting his family he is baiting Jin into death.
crusaderstar
Would love a First Disciple taking care of business moment
Einhander
One of the brothers is making out with ms yandere the horney and murderous and the other has an entire bar full of drunk cultivator buddies and cultivation land's equivalent of Excalibur. I don't think they thought their cunning plan through.
Aaron Martinez
I like the callbacks.
NeWorlDark
Yeah the only thing is that Jin's lateness seems a bit... contrived? Like he wasn't in a big hurry but he knew that this meant alot to Tigu
James Squibb
That. Was. Amazing. Not too dark at all. I couldn't read it fast enough!
Enochi
Honestly I wasn't expecting Zang Li to be this stupid. I mean Tigu has the same name as Jin. Screwing with family is this easiest way to get an Elder off the mountain. What the hell is he thinking here?
Chad L.
I expect the brothers to do some buttkicking.
Gunnar Crider
Welp. Looks like Jin gets to destroy his first sect.
Sassy
Rot his dick off with poison, Ri Zu!
Summercat
Oh. Oh fuck. Fuckboi just fucked up. Also I wonder how long for the poison to take effect. And Xuilan. Lanlan. She's.. She's good people.
Teatime42
On one had, I'm hoping Jin and Big D shows up, on the other, it'll get so much worse for everyone if they do. XD
Sean Ulrich
Jin can wait. We need Bi De!
J3_Haustkottr
Oh the suspence. Come on, Jin. Show up and beat his ass.
Athena Alexandria
It’s not too dark but I will say that if Jin doesn’t get there soon or if much more bad happens, I’ll have to stop reading for a bit.
Aaron
Damn.
