Chapter 116: I, Li Sansi, Have Always Acted with Honor…
The surface of Beiluo Lake shimmered in gentle ripples. Nie Shuang, bare-chested and lean, stood at the water's edge, feet submerged, his gaze fixed blankly on the lone boat fading into the misty horizon. His father had gone south, to the Daoist Sect, to bring his mother back. Whether he would succeed on this journey remained uncertain.
Nie Shuang had long yearned for a reunion. Since he could remember, his mother had been absent from his life. In the depths of his memory, there remained only a hazy image of her departing figure—her face, a complete stranger to him."Father, you must succeed," he murmured, clenching his fists tightly.
Suddenly, a shadow descended behind him. Nie Shuang turned and saw Jing Yue, bearing a sword case on his back."Uncle Jing," Nie Shuang greeted.
Oddly enough, among all those at Beiluo Lake, it was Jing Yue with whom he shared the closest bond. Jing Yue talked often, enjoyed chatting with Nie Shuang, and would even teach him fragments of cultivation knowledge."Don't worry. Your father will succeed. After all, he is a disciple of Baiyu Peak," Jing Yue said, tousling Nie Shuang's unruly hair with a smile.
Nie Shuang smiled back and nodded solemnly."Cultivate well. Don't be as useless as your father—so many years passed before he could go fetch your mother. If a man cannot even protect the woman he loves, what kind of man is he?" Jing Yue said.
"My father… is not useless!" Nie Shuang's face flushed red.
Waving dismissively, Jing Yue added, "Keep training. Once you sense spiritual energy, I'll gift you a sword. How about it?"Nie Shuang's eyes lit up."It's a promise!"Jing Yue nodded with a chuckle.
Filled with renewed determination, Nie Shuang turned and sprinted toward the giant chrysanthemum beneath which he resumed his stance training.
Hands behind his back, Jing Yue gazed over the glimmering lake. The smile on his face gradually faded into sorrow.
"Xiao Jing! Run!""Run, as far as you can! Flee the village, escape those savage blades—live!"
Jing Yue shut his eyes. Fragments of long-buried memories flickered—faces distorted by tears and fear. Their features had long blurred from his mind, but the desperate cries of "Run!" and "Live!" echoed still.
"Father… Mother… your son will live well," he whispered, eyes still on the shimmering lake.
…
Northern County. Buzhou Peak.Li Sansi once more arrived at the mountain's base, riding his ox. After tying the beast securely, he patted the bulging wine pouch at his waist.
He had travelled dozens of miles to the finest tavern in a nearby town to buy a jug of "Bamboo Leaf Green." He was sure Zhu Long would enjoy it.After days of companionship on Buzhou Peak, Li Sansi found Zhu Long to be pure to an unimaginable degree—like a flawless piece of jade untouched by dust. A girl so untainted, he couldn't help but want to protect her.
Her only flaw, perhaps, was her surprisingly high tolerance for alcohol.
During these days of cultivation atop the peak, Li Sansi had unexpectedly sensed a significant rise in his spiritual strength. Indeed, training within such a blessed land was the fastest path to growth. His Qi Core could hold sixteen strands of spiritual energy, and he had now reached eight.
Climbing to the peak, he saw the familiar blue stones—still pristine, freshly swept, not a single fallen leaf in sight.
He smiled.Near the stone path, a girl sat at the cliff's edge, eyes closed, her fair feet swinging in the air.
With a leap, Li Sansi landed beside her, lifting his robe and handing her the wine pouch."Zhu'er, give this a try—Bamboo Leaf Green, a wine of delicate depth and aroma."
Zhu Long's long lashes quivered. She took the pouch."Drink slowly—fine wine is meant to be savored," Li Sansi reminded gently.
She nodded… then downed the entire pouch in one gulp.
Li Sansi was speechless.But he had grown used to it. Smiling wryly, he pulled out the flute at his waist, sat cross-legged on the stone, and began to play.
The girl listened, her legs swaying in rhythm.
Below Buzhou Peak, the clash of hooves and armor shattered the silence.
"According to the villagers, this is a Dragon-Nurturing Ground… whoever controls it, gains the path to immortality," an armored commander said.
"Send word to the governor—tell him we've found a Dragon-Nurturing Ground in the north!" he ordered.
A soldier saluted, mounted his horse, and sped away.
The commander eyed the ox tied nearby, eyes narrowing. With a wave, his troops dismounted and began ascending the peak.
The flute's notes drifted, ethereal.
As the armored troop reached the summit, they were stunned. Who would be playing music atop such a remote peak?
The melody was distant in intent, yet… poorly played.
Bathed in sunlight, a blue-robed Daoist sat cross-legged on the stone, flute in hand.Coiled beside him was a long serpent, its head raised. Shockingly, its face bore the features of a young girl, delicate scales shimmering as her body swayed gently to the flute's rhythm.
A strange, monstrous dragon!
The commander gasped in horror. Around him, soldiers erupted in cries of alarm.
Li Sansi paused mid-note, turning to face them."The first of Daoist Sect—Li Sansi?!" the commander exclaimed. He recognized him: the hero who, alone with an ox and a wooden sword, had shattered an army at the border.
Yet their eyes now turned to the dragon beside him—realization dawning: this was truly a Dragon-Nurturing Ground. A land of divine fortune!
Li Sansi frowned, noting the greed and wonder in their eyes as they looked upon Zhu Long.
He sighed, leapt from the stone, and approached."I'd like to speak," he said calmly.
"It's escaping into the Dragon Ground!""Seize it!""Charge!"
Seeing the dragon girl retreating toward the black cave, the soldiers panicked, drew weapons, and surged forward.
Li Sansi's brow furrowed tightly. He turned and saw Zhu Long fleeing, panic-stricken.
"You all—stand down," he growled, raising his wooden sword.
With a thud, one soldier was flung back several meters.
"Li Sansi, we honor you as a hero—leave now. Soon, the governor's entire army will arrive. You cannot hold this land alone!" the commander warned.
"I, Li Sansi, care not for divine fortune. I simply cannot stomach men bullying a young girl," he replied coolly.
"Withdraw. Or face death."
The soldiers froze—then their faces contorted with rage."Li Sansi has gone mad! What girl? He's bewitched by the demon dragon!"
They charged.
Li Sansi sighed.
He had once vowed: his sword would only strike foreign invaders. Yet today, he was forced to draw it against the troops of Da Zhou.
From the black cave, two eyes—one black, one white—watched silently.
Upon Buzhou Peak, a mist of blood gradually spread.
Long after, the clash of battle faded. Silence reclaimed the summit.
Clad in a blood-stained robe, the Daoist leaned on his wooden sword. Turning to the cave's dark mouth, he offered a faint smile.
…
"A Dragon-Nurturing Ground on Buzhou Peak?" Dantai Xuan's eyes gleamed as he received the report.
"Well done. So the Northern County possesses a Dragon Ground after all!"
He paced within the grand tent.
Across the land, eight Dragon Grounds had been revealed—six already known:The Emperor's Palace in the imperial capital,Beiluo Lake within Beiluo City,The Great Marsh of the Southern County,Star-Plucking Peak of the Daoist Sect,Dongyan River in the Western County,The Cracked Valley of Dongyang County.
Yet none had emerged in the Northern County—an absence that drove Dantai Xuan to near madness.
Had he offended the immortals? Why were they so averse to his domain? Was he fated to be denied the path to divinity?
He had suffered bitter loss in the Secret Realm of Wolong Ridge. And now again, the Dragon Grounds shunned him.
But finally—hope.
"Buzhou Peak… it lies near Tianhai Pass.""Mobilize thirty thousand iron cavalry. We ride for Buzhou Peak!"
Dantai Xuan's crimson robe flared as his order thundered through the camp.
Iron hooves thundered, shaking the land.
…
At Buzhou Peak's base, Dantai Xuan's army arrived. A trembling scout knelt in the dust."Reporting, my lord! On the peak—Daoist Sect's first disciple, Li Sansi. He's gone mad, bewitched by a demon dragon—he's begun a slaughter!"
Dantai Xuan's eyes narrowed coldly.