"Xue Shidi, I don't want to do this, but you... you're too stubborn. You refuse to give in." Su Ran rose abruptly from his chair and stepped close to Xue Yao, so close that their breaths mingled. "You know I don't have much time to wait for you to speak," he said, his voice low and threatening. In one swift motion, his hand shot out and gripped Xue Yao's neck, forcing his chin up. Xue Yao struggled as his body was lifted off the ground, his breath growing weaker under Su Ran's iron fist.
Su Ran had believed that over the past few weeks, he had grown closer to Xue Yao. He thought it was finally time for Xue Yao to help him dissolve the strange poison coursing through his body. But his hopes were dashed when the so-called Shenyi from Yisheng Valley turned out to be nothing more than a half-baked charlatan. The doctor had rambled on about some "reincarnation pill" that had transformed Su Ran's male body into a female one, yet he knew nothing about how to cure the poison. Su Ran had expected Xue Yao to reveal the location of Yisheng Valley so he could seek proper treatment, but Xue Yao remained tight-lipped, loyal to his master's orders.
Had all his efforts to get close to Xue Yao over the past two weeks been in vain? Su Ran refused to accept that. The poison had flared up again the day before, and his internal energy was dissipating faster than ever. Panic set in. Without an antidote, his strength would continue to fade, leaving him vulnerable to his countless enemies. He couldn't afford to wait any longer.
Just as Xue Yao teetered on the brink of death, the door burst open with a deafening crash. Su Ran, startled, loosened his grip, allowing Xue Yao to gasp for air and cling to life. "Who dares interrupt?" Su Ran growled, his voice icy. He flung Xue Yao into a corner of the room and leaped outside, glaring at Ji Chun, who stood a few meters away. "You meddling monk! Are you looking to die?" Without waiting for a response, Su Ran lashed out with a blood-red whip, its force carving a deep gash into the ground. Ji Chun dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.
The two men clashed, their martial arts skills evenly matched. However, Su Ran's internal energy had been severely depleted over the past weeks, and after hundreds of exchanges, he began to falter. Ji Chun, sensing his advantage, gathered his strength and prepared to deliver a decisive blow. But Su Ran was cunning. At critical moments, he unleashed hidden weapons, forcing Ji Chun to stay on the defensive. Despite his tricks, Su Ran was ultimately overpowered. He collapsed to the ground, blood spilling from his lips, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Ji Chun.
"Master Ji Chun, kill him! He's the leader of the Demonic Cult!" Xue Yao cried out weakly, his voice trembling with pain and urgency. Ji Chun frowned, his gaze shifting back to Su Ran. The leader of the Demonic Cult? He had never dealt with the cult directly, but he knew their reputation for cruelty and treachery. If this man truly was their leader, then eliminating him would be a service to the martial world.
As Ji Chun raised his hand, gathering his energy for a fatal strike, Su Ran suddenly shouted, "You can't kill me!" His voice was hoarse but filled with defiance. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth as he struggled to speak. "Ouyang Yixun's life hangs by a thread. If you don't want all your efforts to be in vain, you'll spare me. I know exactly where he is and what he's enduring. Kill me, and he'll be dead within days."
Xue Yao and Ji Chun exchanged uneasy glances. They hadn't seen the young master of the Ouyang family for some time, and his current condition was unknown. But Su Ran was known for his deceitful nature. Could they trust his words?
Xue Yao, however, was not swayed. "Don't listen to his lies! He's a demon, a public enemy of the martial world! Kill him now!" he urged, his voice filled with desperation.
Su Ran let out a cold laugh, his eyes gleaming with a mix of malice and confidence. "Go ahead, kill me. But remember, Ouyang Yixun's fate rests in my hands. If you're willing to gamble with his life, then strike."
Ji Chun hesitated, his hand still poised to strike. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on him. Could he risk the life of an innocent for the sake of justice? Or was Su Ran's claim just another one of his manipulative ploys? Was he trustworthy?
"Hmph! Do you think we're fools? After being deceived by you once, do you really believe we'd trust you again? Take your twisted tricks and go to hell!" Xue Yao's voice trembled with rage as he glared at Su Ran. The memory of how he had poured his heart and soul into loving this ruthless, unscrupulous devil filled him with such fury that he wished he could drink his blood, devour his flesh, and condemn him to the deepest depths of hell for eternity.
Seeing Xue Yao, severely injured and trembling with emotion, Ji Chun stepped forward to steady him. "Xue Gongzi, calm yourself," he said gently, supporting the wounded man. Then, turning his attention to Su Ran, his voice turned cold and sharp. "You claim to know that Young Master Ouyang is in danger. Tell me, where is he now, and who is holding him captive?"
Su Ran spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground, his earlier panic replaced by a smug, defiant expression. "If you want that information," he sneered, "you'll have to promise to let me go unharmed once I lead you to him." His tone was calculating, his eyes gleaming with a mix of arrogance and desperation.
Ji Chun considered the offer carefully. If Su Ran was lying, he could deal with him later. But if his words were true, saving Ouyang Yixun's life would be worth the risk. After all, saving a life was a greater virtue than building a seven-story pagoda. Yet, the thought of letting Su Ran go left a bitter taste in his mouth. This man was a menace, a ruthless schemer who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Letting him escape would only endanger more lives.
After a moment of deliberation, Ji Chun stepped closer to Su Ran, his expression stern. "If what you say is true," he said coldly, "I will honor my word and spare your life. But if you deceive us again, I will not hesitate to enforce justice with my Zen staff. Remember, this is your only chance. If we cross paths again and you continue your crimes, I will show no mercy."
Su Ran grinned viciously, his teeth stained with blood. "Monks don't lie, do they? Remember that, monk," he taunted. As he struggled to push himself up from the ground, a sudden cloud of white powder engulfed him. It clung to his clothes, hair, and even found its way into his mouth and nose. Coughing and sputtering, he glared at Xue Yao, who stood nearby, his hand still clutching the empty pouch.
"What did you throw at me?!" Su Ran demanded, his voice laced with venom. His appearance was ghastly—his clothes stained with blood and dust, his face smeared with the white powder, making him look like a vengeful spirit from the underworld.
Xue Yao avoided Su Ran's piercing gaze, retreating behind Ji Chun for protection. "It's... Muscle Softening Powder," he stammered. "It'll only render you unable to use your internal energy for a few hours. That's all."
"You—!" Su Ran's fists clenched, his eyes burning with hatred as if he wanted to tear Xue Yao apart. But the powder had already taken effect, leaving him powerless. Combined with his severe injuries, the pain was unbearable, and he could do little more than glare.
"Enough," Ji Chun interjected, his voice firm. "You will lead the way now." His usual calm demeanor was strained, his patience tested to its limits. This man, this embodiment of evil, seemed to exist solely to challenge his Buddhist principles. The anger and murderous intent that stirred within him were foreign, yet undeniable. He had been forced to compromise his values, to touch filth and indulge in vices he had long renounced. It was a trial unlike any he had faced before.
Su Ran snorted coldly, clutching his wound in an attempt to mask his discomfort. He strode forward with his head held high and chest puffed out, trying to maintain an air of confidence, but his dark, brooding expression was enough to keep the passing servants and Tiangang Sect disciples at a distance. No one dared to approach or question him.
For over half an hour, they wound their way through secluded paths rarely traveled by others. The journey was uneventful, yet they remained within the boundaries of the Tiangang Sect. Ji Chun followed in silence, though inwardly he was impressed. The fact that Su Ran, the leader of the Demonic Cult, had managed to navigate the Tiangang Sect's terrain so thoroughly in such a short time spoke volumes about his cunning and resourcefulness. He was indeed a formidable adversary, not to be underestimated.
Xue Yao, however, was struggling. His injuries were severe, and the seemingly endless trek was taking its toll. Unable to bear it any longer, he called out to Su Ran, his voice tinged with frustration, "Hey! What kind of game are you playing? It's been nearly an hour!"
Su Ran shot him a glare and replied with a cold sneer, "We're here." With that, he came to an abrupt halt.
Ji Chun and Xue Yao exchanged glances before surveying their surroundings. They appeared to be at the edge of the Tiangang Sect's territory, near the base of Tiangang Mountain. This area was remote and overgrown, with dense foliage forming a natural barrier. It seemed untouched, as if no one had tended to it in years. Yet, upon closer inspection, they noticed a faint, almost imperceptible path winding through the thick undergrowth.
The two approached cautiously, pushing aside the branches and leaves that obscured their view. A narrow, winding trail came into sight, stretching into the unknown. At the entrance stood a large stone, its surface etched with the word forbidden in bold red characters. It was clear that this was a private, restricted area of the Tiangang Sect.
Xue Yao frowned, his voice filled with suspicion. "What are you playing at, Su Ran? Why have you brought us here? Is Young Master Ouyang being held in this forbidden zone? But how could that be possible?"