Chapter 42: Toil at "Lotus Pavilion"

Chapter 42: The “Lotus Pavilion” of Labor

Lu Bai, known as the Crane-handed Immortal, grew increasingly fearful. He could already sense the cold, murderous intent hidden in his senior brother, the Sect Leader’s, words.

At that moment, a sudden realization dawned on him: “How much my senior brother, the Sect Leader, has changed over these years!”

The Zuo Lengchan of the past, though ruthless and merciless, carried the aura of a true overlord. The Songshan Sect was united under his command and stood unchallenged as the foremost of the Five Mountains. Yet, in these last two years, even as Zuo Lengchan’s martial arts became more unfathomable, his bearing and mannerisms grew increasingly strange.

He would often raise his pinky in an effeminate gesture, his voice had become shrill, and a peculiar air of “allure” would flicker in his gaze—a quality both foreign and unsettling. It was something Lu Bai had once overlooked, but now, facing mortal terror, he suddenly understood: this was remarkably reminiscent of the eunuchs in the imperial court!

“You’re not my senior brother, the Sect Leader—who are you really?” Lu Bai shouted in desperation.

Zuo Lengchan’s eyes narrowed, and in a movement as ghostly as a wraith, he drifted across the hall to stand before Lu Bai. Bending low, he whispered, “Junior Brother Lu, what nonsense are you spouting? If I’m not Zuo Lengchan, then who am I? Look again, carefully.”

Lu Bai was nearly paralyzed by fear, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a sharp pain burst in his chest. Lu Bai looked down to find a slender sword had pierced deep into his heart.

Zuo Lengchan leaned over Lu Bai’s shoulder, murmuring softly into his ear, “Junior Brother Lu, I didn’t hold you responsible for the deaths of Brother Fei and Brother Ding. If you wished to survive by submission, I could have forgiven that as well. But you… you should never have betrayed De Nuo. If I don’t kill you, how could I ever answer to De Nuo? So, you’d best die now.”

Lu Bai heard the special weight Zuo Lengchan placed on Lao Denuo’s name and was aghast. No matter how he wracked his mind, he could not fathom how a mere disciple could be more valued than himself, a fellow junior brother. But the agony was too great for further thought, and darkness overwhelmed him as his sight faded away.

Zuo Lengchan rose slowly, glanced at the blood dripping from his sword with a slight frown, and drew a delicate embroidered handkerchief from his robe. He wiped the blade meticulously clean before turning and returning to the inner hall.

Once inside, Zuo Lengchan seemed to shed all restraint; even his gait was now imbued with grace and softness, his eyes brimming with tender affection. He sauntered in with lotus-like steps and, with a single turn, saw Lao Denuo seated cross-legged on the floor, immersed in cultivation.

“De Nuo is still practicing—so diligent!” Zuo Lengchan’s heart blossomed with delight, his gaze full of adoration…

Ever since he had made that decisive slash, Zuo Lengchan found his mastery of the “Evil-Repelling Sword Manual” progressing with astonishing ease. In three years’ time, he had perfected this demonic, god-defying sword art, his martial prowess now utterly transformed from before.

He felt certain that if he were to face his former self in combat, it would take less than a dozen moves to claim victory.

The reason was simple: the Evil-Repelling Sword was simply too fast.

With this in mind, he had abandoned his old longsword in favor of a slender blade, making his swordplay even swifter.

Though Zuo Lengchan sensed his own tastes shifting—finding women increasingly tiresome, while men, especially Lao Denuo, grew ever more pleasing to his eyes—he was not troubled. In the past three years, he had not only passed on all the Songshan Sword techniques to Lao Denuo, but had also taught him his secret arts, the Frost Palm and the Frost True Qi.

“Though De Nuo’s aptitude is average, with me here, there’s no need for him to become a peerless master. After all, I will always protect him…” Zuo Lengchan mused contentedly.

…

Zheng Jian, of course, knew nothing of Zuo Lengchan’s gradual transformation into an “Invincible One.” Even if he did, his only response would have been a retching sound…

But as Zheng Jian saw it, Zuo Lengchan would inevitably succumb to the urge to practice the sword. Once he did, he would inevitably follow the path of his predecessor, Dongfang Invincible. After all, the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual was itself derived from the Sunflower Manual. Both men had been ambitious overlords before their practice, and afterwards, it was only natural that they would “evolve” in the same direction.

When Zheng Jian returned to Mount Hua with Lin Pingzhi and Qu Feiyan, as he had expected, the entire sect regarded him with side-eyed glances.

It was certainly not Lin Pingzhi or Qu Feiyan who attracted such attention—it was Zheng Jian himself! Every time this guy went out, he simply had to bring something—or someone—back!

Zheng Jian paid this no mind and led the two straight into the Hall of Righteousness at Mount Hua.

Master Yue had already received word and was seated in the hall, awaiting them.

“Disciple greets Master! Master, you are more dignified than ever, though you do look rather tired, with even dark circles under your eyes. Ah, when men reach middle age, the decline sets in… Another day, I’ll bring you some tiger bone wine for a tonic!” Zheng Jian teased as he spoke.

Master Yue’s face couldn’t hold its composure. This rascal hadn’t changed at all—he would blurt out anything, especially in front of two young ones!

“Ahem… That’s enough nonsense! Speak your business!” Master Yue pretended anger, though in his heart he rather agreed with Zheng Jian’s words. Indeed, all things fade with middle age, and lately his wife had become strangely clingy, making him lose face before his disciples…

“Ahem, yes! On my journey down the mountain, I came across Pingzhi by chance. He greatly admires our Mount Hua Sect and wishes to become a disciple. Pingzhi, this is my master, the head of Mount Hua, known as the ‘Gentleman Sword’ Master Yue. Speak for yourself.”

Lin Pingzhi had rehearsed this moment countless times on the road. At once, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly. “Please accept me as your disciple, Master! I vow to obey the sect’s rules and never defy your commands.”

Master Yue smiled gently and nodded. “Taking you as my disciple is no great matter. I have heard of your misfortunes. I only hope you will not let vengeance cloud your eyes. Remember, hatred is momentary—it cannot be your life’s burden.”

Hearing this, Lin Pingzhi was moved to tears and gave profuse thanks.

Master Yue then eyed Qu Feiyan, who was hiding behind Zheng Jian. “And who is this girl?”

Zheng Jian gave a wry smile and pulled Qu Feiyan down to kneel beside him. “Master, this is Feiyan, granddaughter of Qu Yang from the Demon Cult. Uncle Liu and Qu Yang have already retired from the martial world, leaving Feiyan in my care. I took the liberty of bringing her here—please punish me as you see fit.”

Master Yue’s expression cleared with understanding, though he kept his face stern. “Zheng Jian, you’re bold indeed! Not only did you stir up trouble at the Golden Basin Hand-Washing, killing men of the Songshan Sect, but you even dared to bring back the granddaughter of a Demon Cult elder without permission. Tell me, what punishment do you deserve?”

Zheng Jian sneaked a glance and saw that Master Yue’s words, though stern, carried a glint of sly amusement in his eyes. At once, he feigned compliance. “Disciple admits his fault and will accept any punishment without complaint.”

“Very well! As you say! Then I sentence you to a year of reflection at the Cliff of Repentance. Without my order, you are not to set foot beyond it!” Master Yue thundered.

At this, Qu Feiyan could not hold back. She crawled forward on her knees, begging, “Sect Leader Uncle, please don’t blame Brother Zheng Jian—blame me instead. I’ll just leave the mountain myself…”

From the back hall, Madam Ning could listen no more and stepped forward. “Child, you look clever, but in truth you’re quite foolish. Where did your Sect Leader Uncle ever blame him? The Cliff of Repentance is where Jian’er idles away his time anyway…”

She shot a reproachful glance at Master Yue, as if scolding both master and disciple for bullying a young girl.

…

(End of Chapter)