Chapter 4: The Fisherman’s Gain

The moment Lei Ya’s hand clamped down and forced the man before him to lower his head, his right hand, shimmering with ghostly blue light, darted forward like a viper’s fangs dripping with venom. Watching Zhao Yu, who had just straightened up, with a look of confusion in his eyes, Lei Ya’s lips curled into a cold sneer.

To the victor, the spoils; to the vanquished, oblivion. As long as Zhao Yu died, would not the outcome be as easy to shape as a maiden’s will? He saw the moment when the Azure Mountain Sect poured all its resources into helping Zhao Yu ascend to immortality, saw mountains and rivers trampled beneath his feet, saw that cousin bowing in submission. Everything in this world would be his, for the taking, in but a single thought.

Yet, the world rarely bends to one’s will. The joys and sorrows, reunions and partings of mortals, rights and wrongs, achievements and failures—all become empty in the end. Suddenly, a figure shot forth, shattering this illusion like a dandelion’s down scattered by the wind.

Looking closely—what was happening in the courtyard? Was this a staged performance by the three leaders? It did not seem so. The farce had nearly escalated into a deadly battle, had it not been for the unpredictable presence of Qin Chuan.

Within a hair’s breadth, Lei Ya’s glowing blue hand stopped half an inch from Zhao Yu’s chest, arrested by Qin Chuan’s iron grip. Eyes swirling with spiritual energy, Qin Chuan gazed at Lei Ya and slowly smiled.

"People of the Southern Lands are not so easily slain," Qin Chuan said softly, yet his words struck like a ringing bell in everyone’s heart.

Though Qin Chuan was a cold and indifferent person, he was not one to watch others die with a clear conscience, unmoved like some true demon or fiend. Repay evil with good? That did not exist for him. He simply followed his heart’s desires.

The crowd erupted in astonishment and disbelief, especially those from the Southern Lands, their mouths agape as if they could swallow eggs whole. Qin Chuan’s words were like a stone thrown into a pond, sending a thousand ripples. Whispers rose among both refugees and the Azure Mountain disciples.

"Has he stepped across that threshold too?"

"We mocked him before—what if he holds it against us?"

"The outcome is decided. Lei Ya’s actions truly disgrace us! I am ashamed to associate with him!"

"Thank goodness for Brother Qin—Scarface was spared."

"We have truly shamed the ancestors of the Southern Lands, to end up fighting among ourselves. Fortunately, Brother Qin holds no grudges and stands as our example!"

A hundred varied responses—surprise, fear, admiration—merged together, the flavor and color of which could be found in this very courtyard.

"To think this man would stoop to such a despicable ambush! I truly misjudged him," the Azure Mountain disciples declared, though most bowed their heads in silence, lost in thought.

The spiritual energy cloaking Qin Chuan may have been hard to discern, but it could not have been faked. In that moment, he amazed everyone present. In the span of a breath, every disciple of Qingyang Mountain, whichever side they belonged to, realized that today’s events would cast a long shadow on days to come.

No one present was slow-witted; now, as they came to their senses, they cast admiring glances at Zhang Huai and Zhu Ran, both of whom had stepped into the first level of Qi Refinement.

For a moment, the two felt uneasy under everyone’s gaze.

"Ahem!"

Just then, as confusion reigned, Xing Hua and Wen Yuan entered together. With a light cough, they drew everyone’s attention.

Lei Ya, of course, saw them arrive. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed—whether from exhaustion or the disgrace of his failed schemes, none could say.

"Reporting to the steward, Lei Ya is unharmed, merely depleted," Qin Chuan said quietly, gently propping Lei Ya against the wall, checking his pulse, and bowing to the steward.

"Very well, take him back to his room," came the reply.

"As you command." Without another word, Qin Chuan shouldered Lei Ya and carried him off, heedless of the grime on his own body.

Xing Hua frowned slightly and called out, "Wait."

"Allow me to rid you of this filth," Xing Hua said, not waiting for a reply. He extended his sleeves, formed a quick seal, and with a wave, sprinkled a wash of emerald radiance over them. The glow was pure as a mountain spring, instantly cooling the stifling heat for all in the courtyard.

The effect was immediate and wondrous. The emerald light swept over Qin Chuan, Zhang Huai, Zhu Ran, Zhao Yu, and Lei Ya, cleansing every trace of dirt from their bodies.

"Thank you, Steward," they all replied.

Moving swiftly, Qin Chuan returned after delivering Lei Ya to his quarters. By the time he came back, he saw that Xing Hua had already healed Zhao Yu’s injuries. Now, aside from some scars on his right arm and a wan pallor on his cheeks, Zhao Yu showed no other signs of harm.

Zhao Yu looked at him with gratitude, which he accepted calmly.

"I am fully aware of what transpired in this courtyard. Since taking up stewardship of Qingyang Mountain, I have not seen such reprehensible conduct. Rest assured, I will see that those responsible are severely punished."

"Zhao Yu! Do you admit your fault?" Xing Hua’s brows and beard bristled, his voice stern. Though it was phrased as a question, everyone knew that if Zhao Yu tried to shirk responsibility, the consequences would be dire.

"I do!" Zhao Yu bowed deeply, though inwardly he could not help but grumble. Wasn’t this all arranged by you, old priest? Don’t forget who got you your fish, don’t kill the donkey after it’s done turning the mill.

Sure enough, Xing Hua’s tone changed. "Heh, even if you admit your fault, there’s nothing I can do to you."

Before anyone could ponder what that meant, Xing Hua spoke again. "Today, we were meant to determine the rankings. The top three will be nominated by me and removed from the list of merely registered disciples." His gaze swept over the courtyard.

"I believe everyone already has their own idea of who the top three are." He turned his gaze to Zhang Huai and Zhu Ran. "The three are Qin Chuan, Zhao Yu, and Lei Ya. Does anyone object?"

"Steward, I object," Zhang Huai declared unexpectedly, stepping forward to bow deeply.

Even Xing Hua was surprised. The crowd murmured—could Zhang Huai truly have reached the first level of Qi Refinement? Xing Hua scrutinized Zhang Huai but could see no sign of advancement.

Did I misjudge? he wondered, glancing at Wen Yuan.

Wen Yuan caught his look and was equally perplexed; he too saw Zhang Huai had yet to break through, but with similar situations repeating, he suspected Xing Hua was playing some trick again. Ignoring the look, he turned and left the courtyard. "Qingyang is your territory, not mine," he called over his shoulder.

Once bitten, twice shy. Having been burned by Xing Hua once, Wen Yuan was wary, but he did not go far, merely stepped outside.

As Wen Yuan departed, Xing Hua thought of the Wind Listening Order soon to be his and chuckled, unconcerned.

"Then, among these three, whose ranking do you dispute? Who would you nominate instead?" Xing Hua asked, without the slightest irritation.

"I wish to challenge Lei Ya, Steward. If Lei Ya is unfit to compete in the coming days, I will not take advantage of his state. I only ask that Steward allow the nomination to be postponed until he has recovered, so that we may compete then," Zhang Huai said frankly, hastily adding his request upon seeing Xing Hua’s hesitation.

Deliberately or not, Zhang Huai’s words stirred a variety of thoughts among the crowd.

"Scarface hasn’t even reached the next level. Clearly, Lei Ya is all show—perhaps just a paper tiger."

"Right! If Scarface can beat Lei Ya, then so could we. If I could thrash that treacherous man, it would not be a wasted life!"

Such comments abounded.

"Steward, I object as well!" Suddenly, seven or eight confident souls stepped forward, all eager to challenge Lei Ya.

At this, Steward Xing was no longer pleased. He had been in a good mood after so many happy events today, but the crowd before him was too unruly, and he lost interest at once. "This matter will be discussed another day!"