Chapter 29: The Ever-Changing Human Heart
"Elder Su, are the Vajra Sect's enemies the Medicine King Sect?"
"Can the Medicine King Sect really dominate the cultivation world?"
Li Changsheng asked in a low voice, voicing the questions that had been troubling him. In the Tiannan Territory, ordinary cultivators knew nothing about the Medicine King Sect. Yet, in his simulations, whenever he showed traces of the Vajra Sect's body-refining techniques, the Medicine King Sect would immediately detect him.
"The Medicine King Sect? What kind of thing is that?"
Elder Su's face was filled with disdain as he sneered, "The Medicine King Sect is nothing but a dog raised by our Vajra Sect's enemies. If it weren't for the Medicine King Sect's betrayal, our sect wouldn't have declined to this state."
"Remember, our Vajra Sect's true enemy is the Star River Sect!"
"Although the Star River Sect is based in the mortal world, they have immortals among their ranks. You'll only have a chance to escape from an immortal if you cultivate the Divine Devil Nine Transformations to the peak of the seventh transformation!"
"In the past, the Medicine King Sect was merely a subordinate of our Vajra Sect, and their strongest cultivator was only at the Unity stage. If the Medicine King Sect still exists after a hundred thousand years, their strength must not be underestimated."
After discussing this with Elder Su, Li Changsheng went straight to Zhao San, who was still in seclusion, and took him out of the secret realm.
...
Shortly after Li Changsheng and Zhao San left, Elder Su appeared at the entrance of the secret realm alongside a young man dressed in feathered robes and a majestic crown.
Watching the retreating figures of Li Changsheng and Zhao San, the young man spoke indifferently, "Elder Su, do you think this kid can really fool the people from the Medicine King Sect when the time comes?"
"His talent is quite good. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be willing to use him as a shield," Elder Su replied coldly. "Such a strong talent in body refinement is indeed rare among young people."
...
Black Wind Mountain Range.
Li Changsheng led Zhao San out of the mountain range.
"Senior, where are we going?"
Zhao San asked cautiously.
Ever since witnessing the commotion caused by Li Changsheng's cultivation in the secret realm, Zhao San had become convinced that Li Changsheng was a hidden expert—at least at the peak of Foundation Establishment, if not already a Golden Core cultivator.
Since Li Changsheng showed no intention of killing him, Zhao San resolved to stick close to this powerful figure.
"To Wushan City."
Li Changsheng walked ahead, his tone calm.
"Wushan City?"
Zhao San was momentarily stunned. What was there to do in a mortal city?
But since Li Changsheng was determined to go, Zhao San dared not say anything.
Exiting the Black Wind Mountain Range, they arrived at the nearest mortal city and hired a carriage. The distance between the Black Wind Mountain Range and Wushan City was considerable. While Li Changsheng could have flown there on a sword in a day, Zhao San, who was only at the peak of Qi Refining, couldn't fly with a sword. Using movement talismans would have drained his true energy too much.
Thus, Li Changsheng chose to ride in a carriage. He could cultivate inside while Zhao San drove.
...
Three days later.
A luxurious carriage entered Wushan City.
After arriving, Li Changsheng got out of the carriage. Since he had been born in Wushan City in this life, he still felt a certain attachment to it.
"Two years away, and nothing has changed."
Looking at the bustling crowd in Wushan City, Li Changsheng shook his head and smiled.
If he hadn't awakened the system, he would probably still be fishing outside Wushan City about now.
"Young Master, where should we go?"
Zhao San asked softly. Li Changsheng had instructed him to address him as "Young Master."
Dressed in a green robe, Li Changsheng looked like a scholarly young man, his handsome face attracting the glances of many young women.
"Just follow me."
A few minutes later, the two arrived at a seemingly long-abandoned courtyard in the southern part of Wushan City.
"Young Master, I've checked. This place hasn't been occupied for at least half a year."
Zhao San inspected the courtyard and reported back.
Li Changsheng frowned slightly. This was the place he had designated for the Tianxia Society to regroup and receive his messages after they had scattered to remain hidden. Someone should have been here normally.
'From the simulation, it seems Qin Yi and the others haven't been harmed yet. I hope I'm not too late!'
Li Changsheng sighed inwardly and stepped out of the courtyard, heading toward the Song family's residence.
...
The Song family residence, Wushan City.
Compared to before, the Song family now appeared even more luxurious. Even the plaque above their gate was made of pure gold. It seemed that the decline of the Tianxia Society hadn't negatively impacted the Song family—in fact, their influence had grown stronger.
In a pavilion in the Song family's backyard.
Old Master Song Zhengwu, with a radiant complexion, sat across from another innate-level martial artist, engaged in a fierce game of chess.
Five or six beautiful maidservants attended to them.
Two years ago, Song Zhengwu had been on the brink of death from poisoning. But after Li Changsheng killed the high-ranking members of the Cao Gang, the gang's physician cured Song Zhengwu. Now, not only did he look younger, but his martial strength had also advanced to the mid-level of the innate stage.
"Old Song, your Song family is now among the top forces in the Qi Kingdom. Regarding the conflict between my Liu family and the Iron Sand Sect, you must help mediate."
The innate martial artist sitting across from Song Zhengwu spoke with a hint of humility.
He and Song Zhengwu had been friends for years, but after the Song family aligned with the Tianxia Society, he had fallen behind. He had thought that the Song family would decline after the Tianxia Society angered the royal family and became outcasts. However, the Song family patriarch, Song Rulong, had managed to curry favor with the royal family, even breaking through to the peak of the innate stage.
Now, the Song family could stand on equal footing with the top martial forces in the Qi Kingdom, such as the Iron Sand Sect and the Autumn Water Palace.
"Old Liu, I've heard about the conflict between your Liu family and the Iron Sand Sect."
Song Zhengwu lifted his eyelids slightly. "Your Liu family injured an inner disciple of the Iron Sand Sect. This matter won't be easy to resolve."
"Here's a five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng. Old Song, for the sake of our past friendship, please help."
Old Liu handed a rosewood box to Song Zhengwu, a look of pain flashing in his eyes.
The five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng could create another innate-level martial artist. It had been a treasure of his Liu family, but for the sake of saving his clan, he had no choice but to give it away.
"Old Liu, don't worry. Your matters are my matters. I'll give you a satisfactory answer within three days."
Song Zhengwu smiled and signaled for a servant to take the ginseng.
He was well aware of the conflict between the Liu family and the Iron Sand Sect. It was an Iron Sand Sect disciple who had injured someone from the Liu family, but the Liu family, being weaker, feared retaliation.
All Song Zhengwu needed to do was send someone to the Iron Sand Sect to mediate—he didn't even need to offer anything in return.
"Thank you, Brother Song!"
Seeing Song Zhengwu's sudden change in attitude, Old Liu felt a wave of discomfort.
He and Song Zhengwu had known each other since their youth. Though he had prepared to pay a high price for the favor, seeing Song Zhengwu's smug expression left him with a sense of disgust.
"A five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng—what a treasure!"
At that moment, a voice echoed from the pavilion.
"How dare you interrupt..."
Song Zhengwu tossed the chess piece in his hand and turned around coldly. But the words caught in his throat as his eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing not far from the pavilion was a young figure. Although he looked somewhat different from before, Song Zhengwu recognized him instantly.
The leader of the Tianxia Society!
The man who had killed his second son!
Realizing something, Song Zhengwu regained his composure. He looked at Li Changsheng and sneered,
"Li Changsheng, you've chosen to walk into hell when heaven was open to you."
"Today, I'll capture you and hand you over to the Emperor of Qi, securing a fortune for my Song family."
"And take revenge for the death of my son!"