Chapter 14: Provoking the Enemy with Anger

While Bu Shui Han was delayed by Duan Qing Ming, Gu Ping Lin and Wu Xiang engaged in a chase, one fleeing and the other pursuing. Before long, the two had fought their way ten li away. Wu Xiang, relying on his superior cultivation, didn't take Gu Ping Lin seriously at all. Gu Ping Lin, for his part, merely fled in apparent panic, covered in dust and looking utterly disheveled.

Finally, the two entered a valley.

"Where else do you plan to run?" Wu Xiang taunted.

Gu Ping Lin showed no fear. "You're nothing special either! If you return the Life-Transforming Grass now, I'll let this matter drop!"

"Let this matter drop?" Wu Xiang burst into laughter, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He tapped his folding fan against his palm and nodded deliberately. "True, I'm nothing special. The Life-Transforming Grass is in my hands. If you want it, come and take it yourself!"

Gu Ping Lin said sternly, "A great sect like yours bullying others—aren't you afraid of drawing criticism?"

Wu Xiang leisurely replied, "Oh? Who would dare criticize me for picking a few blades of grass?"

Gu Ping Lin flew into a rage. "Qianyang Mountain doesn't belong solely to the Profound Darkness Sect! It's not yours!"

The angrier Gu Ping Lin became, the more excited Wu Xiang grew. He laughed arrogantly. "What can a second- or third-rate sect like yours do against the Profound Darkness Sect? Qianyang Mountain is ours! We take whatever we want—let alone a single Life-Transforming Grass!"

Gu Ping Lin sneered. "Well said."

"Kid, I've had enough of playing with you!" Wu Xiang felt it was time to end this farce. Any further delay would be beneath his dignity. He put away his folding fan and drew a longsword, slashing downward through the air.

Sword light cascaded like rain, enveloping Gu Ping Lin.

This was sheer suppression through cultivation disparity. Even with his divine-level technique, Gu Ping Lin couldn't evade the sword rain.

Yet, at that very moment—

"Such arrogance," a cold voice rang out. "Let's see how the Profound Darkness Sect plans to monopolize Qianyang Mountain!"

A bloody sword light shot out from the forest!

The sword energy was icy to the extreme, its technique ruthlessly sharp. It carried a suffocating killing intent, as if tinged with the scent of blood.

The sword light dispersed the rain of blades, its residual force shooting skyward. A pained cry echoed as Wu Xiang plummeted from midair!

Simultaneously, a gray figure flitted gracefully out of the woods and alighted on a treetop.

It was a middle-aged man dressed in gray robes, holding a heavy sword. His features were handsome—arched brows, a straight nose, and thin lips—yet his face bore an odd, unsettling quality. His expression was as cold and unyielding as stone.

This man was missing his right ear.

Physical deformities usually invited avoidance, but the gray-robed man clearly didn't care. He tied his hair up openly, leaving his flaw exposed for all to see.

"The Broken Stone Pact still stands! How dare Zhan Ren Jie act so arrogantly? Qianyang Mountain belongs to the Heaven's残 Sect as well!"

Wu Xiang struggled to his feet, about to hurl threats, but the moment he heard "Heaven's残 Sect," he swallowed his words along with a mouthful of blood.

The Heaven's残 Sect wasn't a major sect, but even the Eight Great Sects tread carefully around them. The Heaven's残 Sword was infamous for its lethality. However, their techniques required a unique physique to cultivate, so their disciples were few. Moreover, they were born with deformities, and their temperaments tended to be eccentric. They rarely interacted with outsiders, and once provoked, they refused to back down for anyone.

In the past, the True Unity Sect had clashed with them over a minor issue. The Heaven's残 Sect fought to mutual destruction, and in the end, the True Unity Sect was forced to concede. After that battle, the True Unity Sect's strength was severely diminished, and they were ousted from the Eight Great Sects. Thus, in the cultivation world, the Heaven's残 Sect was a force no one wanted to provoke.

Coincidentally, the Heaven's残 Sect was also based on Qianyang Mountain. How could their disciples tolerate Wu Xiang's words? The one-eared man who had taught Wu Xiang a lesson was none other than Zhou Yi, the fifth disciple of the sect leader, Old Ailment True Man, and the third-ranked among the "Four残 Swords."

Zhou Yi was an External Elixir cultivator who had reached the Qi Transformation Realm. Wu Xiang didn't dare fight back. His face flushed red with humiliation.

At that moment, Bu Shui Han and the other two Profound Darkness Sect disciples arrived in a hurry.

"Senior Brother Wu!"

"Who injured you?"

The two Profound Darkness disciples shouted in alarm, but Wu Xiang stopped them.

Bu Shui Han rushed to Gu Ping Lin's side and asked in a low voice, "Are you all right?"

All traces of Gu Ping Lin's earlier fury had vanished. He calmly brushed the dust off his robes. "I'm fine."

Bu Shui Han sighed in relief. When he recognized the man on the treetop, he exclaimed softly, "Zhou Yi!"

The rumors about Zhou Yi visiting Fanren Valley had been true. Knowing Zhou Yi's temperament, Gu Ping Lin simply bowed toward another direction. "Thank you all for your assistance."

Four or five people emerged from the forest, their expressions grim. They were important figures from nearby minor sects. From the earlier argument, they had learned the reason for the fight—the Profound Darkness Sect was bullying others to seize resources.

The leader was the sect master of the Sand-Buried Island. He waved dismissively at Gu Ping Lin and sneered at Wu Xiang. "So Qianyang Mountain belongs to the Profound Darkness Sect? This old man only learned of it today."

Another person added, "Perhaps we should pay Sect Master Zhan a visit and ask him—does the Broken Stone Pact still hold?"

In the past, to win over minor sects, the founder of the Profound Darkness Sect had established the Broken Stone Pact, allowing them to take root on Qianyang Mountain without interference. If the Profound Darkness Sect could rob Ling Xin Sect today, who was to say they wouldn't target others tomorrow? Who could guarantee their own sect wouldn't suffer the same fate as Ling Xin Sect?

With matters at this point, Gu Ping Lin paid no further attention to the aftermath. He signaled to Bu Shui Han, and the two left.

Bu Shui Han was in high spirits. After walking a few li, he couldn't suppress his grin. "Old Man Zhan is in trouble now! Xiao Gu, you knew Zhou Yi was there all along, didn't you?"

Gu Ping Lin smiled but didn't deny it.

Bu Shui Han was proud by nature, but he treated those he favored exceptionally well. He clapped Gu Ping Lin on the shoulder. "How are your preparations for the entrance competition going? Just the other day, Master and I were talking about you."

Gu Ping Lin was surprised. "What did the sect leader say about me?"

Bu Shui Han waved vaguely. "That you're diligent… Anyway, you must work hard. I hope you can become Master's last personal disciple."

Seeing his evasive answer, Gu Ping Lin understood. In his past life, it might have been possible, but in this life, with Duan Qing Ming around, how could Yue Song Ting possibly notice him? Most likely, Bu Shui Han had put in a good word for him. A warmth spread in Gu Ping Lin's chest. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll do my best."

Bu Shui Han also knew who Gu Ping Lin's biggest threat was. His expression darkened. "You don't need to worry. Duan Qing Ming is cunning and unprincipled. Once I report to Master, his qualification for the competition will surely be revoked."

"Hmm?" Gu Ping Lin frowned.

Bu Shui Han suppressed his anger. "He deliberately delayed, putting you in danger. With such a vile character, Master won't let him off once he finds out."

Gu Ping Lin quickly deduced the reason and shook his head.

Beneath his refined exterior, Duan Qing Ming was cold-blooded. He was a master of words, silver-tongued and persuasive. Outsiders couldn't see through him, and Bu Shui Han was no match for him in a debate. Moreover, in his past life, Bu Shui Han had crossed paths with Duan Qing Ming because of him and ultimately… There was no way he would let them become enemies again.

That said, Duan Qing Ming's actions this time had aligned perfectly with his own intentions. Gu Ping Lin said, "Actually, this was my idea."

"Yours?" Bu Shui Han was stunned.

Gu Ping Lin explained nonchalantly, "If Senior Brother Chen and the others had come out, we wouldn't have had the chance to deal with Wu Xiang. So I asked Duan Qing Ming to stall for time."

Recalling Chen Qian's personality, Bu Shui Han nodded. But then he frowned. "You still shouldn't have kept me in the dark. Wu Xiang is a Qi Refinement cultivator. It was too dangerous for you to face him. I should have been the one to lure him."

In truth, it was precisely because Gu Ping Lin was weak and acted impulsively that Wu Xiang had underestimated him, leading to his careless words. If Bu Shui Han had gone instead, Wu Xiang might not have fallen for the trap.

Gu Ping Lin didn't argue. He nodded in agreement.

Bu Shui Han didn't press the matter, though he was still displeased. "Next time, you must tell me."

Duan Qing Ming and the others were still waiting outside the mountain gate. Chen Qian and Chang Jin Xin had also come out. Seeing the two return unharmed, everyone relaxed. Bu Shui Han briefly recounted what had happened. Hearing about Wu Xiang's humiliation, the Ling Xin disciples were overjoyed, feeling they had finally vented their grievances.

Only Chen Qian flew into a rage. He pointed at Gu Ping Lin and scolded, "Reckless! Utterly reckless! Who told you to act on your own?"

Young men were hot-blooded by nature, and Bu Shui Han, who loved a good fight, didn't think much of it. "The Profound Darkness Sect went too far. Junior Brother Gu just wanted to teach him a lesson. It's fine now—"

"Fine?" Chen Qian grew even angrier. "With your meager cultivation, you dare fight a Qi Refinement cultivator? If you're tired of living, why bother cultivating? You might as well pack up and go home now!"

"Enough," Chang Jin Xin interjected, seeing that his scolding had gone too far. He comforted Gu Ping Lin, "You're young and don't know the dangers. This was far too risky. Don't be so reckless next time."

Gu Ping Lin bowed. "It was my mistake. I've worried Senior Brother Chen."

Chen Qian had been ready to continue berating him, but Gu Ping Lin's immediate admission of fault left him at a loss. He opened his mouth but could only mutter after a long pause, "As long as you understand. Don't forget this lesson." With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Chang Jin Xin patted Gu Ping Lin's head with a smile and hurried after Chen Qian, whispering reassurances.

Bu Shui Han took a few steps before turning back to look at Duan Qing Ming.

Duan Qing Ming took the hint. "I was at fault. Punish me as you see fit, Senior Brother Bu."

Bu Shui Han disliked him. His face was cold. "I'll let it go this time. If you hide things from me again, there will be no mercy."

Duan Qing Ming immediately replied, "Understood. Thank you, Senior Brother."

Bu Shui Han snorted and ignored him, quickly catching up to Chang Jin Xin. After Chen Qian's scolding, no one dared show their delight anymore. The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Gu Ping Lin behind.

Once everyone was gone, Duan Qing Ming spoke as expected. "I don't recall you asking me to stall for time."

"Of course you did."

"You defended me because you were afraid he'd confront me?"

Gu Ping Lin remained expressionless. "You set the challenge, and I accepted it. Your opponent is me. I was merely reminding you to stay focused."

"Oh?" Duan Qing Ming smiled slightly and stepped closer. "I heard you stormed off in a rage and even fought a Qi Refinement cultivator. I was quite worried."

"So you stalled to see how I'd escape?"

"Gu Xiao Jiu doesn't do things he isn't confident about. I merely played along. It was a trivial effort—no need to thank me."

"Thank you for standing by and watching the show."

"You doubt my good intentions again."

Good intentions? Gu Ping Lin snorted softly.

"Anger can also be a means to lure the enemy into underestimating you," Duan Qing Ming said with a smile, leaning in close to his ear. "You get angry so often—when is it real, and when is it fake?"

Gu Ping Lin turned to look at him. "What do you think?"

"I'm slow-witted. How could I guess your thoughts?" Duan Qing Ming sighed. "I heard that Zhang Lian, the junior sister who resembles you, is coming again tomorrow."

"Duan Qing Ming!"

"This time, it's true."

Gu Ping Lin's hands clenched slightly in his sleeves before relaxing. He remained calm. "It's just a shell. What does it matter if it's real or fake? The entrance competition is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to seeing how a genius like you performs."

Duan Qing Ming laughed. "Knowing you're no match, why persist?"

Gu Ping Lin countered, "Is provoking me also part of your strategy?"

"Whatever you think is true, must be true." Duan Qing Ming reached out and flicked a speck of dust from Gu Ping Lin's hair. "How much brilliance can such blind confidence bring you?"

"Overconfidence only leads to defeat." Gu Ping Lin chuckled and leaped up the mountain path.