Chapter 36: Seven Ruins, Seven Kills

Gu Pinglin returned in less than an hour to find Duan Qingming seated at a table, chatting amiably with Zhang Lian and her fellow disciples. The Six Paths Sect members surrounded him, addressing him warmly as "Senior Brother." By now, they'd likely even disclosed their mission details. Zhang Lian sat beside him, chin propped on one hand, gazing at him with tender admiration, her coquettish smiles frequent.

Gu Pinglin scoffed inwardly.

A lonely madman masquerading as normal—how dangerous. Unaware admirers like Zhang Lian were drawn in, offering devotion, yet incapable of eliciting even a flicker of genuine regard from him. Should he find amusement in their deaths, he'd send them to their graves without hesitation.

Not that Gu Pinglin could save everyone from his whims.

The Six Paths Sect had sent a sizable group, suggesting their purchase was valuable. Gu Pinglin observed briefly before securing a room at the counter, instructing a servant to inform Duan Qingming, then retired alone.

Night fell. The door creaked open.

Duan Qingming entered, sealing the door behind him. He immediately cast a Cleansing Water Art—confirming he'd abandoned his reckless experimentation. His injuries had improved enough to permit minimal qi usage.

A positive sign, Gu Pinglin mused, bolstering their odds for what lay ahead. He resumed meditation without acknowledgment.

"Xiao Jiu."

Warm breath brushed his ear. Gu Pinglin remained immobile.

"Meditation, cultivation—is this all you do?" Duan Qingming sighed. "How tedious."

"Your 'excitement' gives others headaches," Gu Pinglin retorted. "I thought you were engrossed with Zhang Lian."

"That was true tedium." A pause. "If you were a woman, I'd suspect jealousy."

Ignoring the jab, Gu Pinglin asked, "What are they procuring?"

"Vitality Grass—hardly rare. But the increased traffic suggests the bazaar holds treasures." Duan Qingming's tone brightened. "Shall we investigate?"

Bringing this troublemaker to the bazaar? "Pass."

"What are you afraid of?"

Gu Pinglin opened one eye. "The Qi Family merely wants you dead. What are you afraid of?"

"Ah, refusal it is." Duan Qingming chuckled. "Ever the razor tongue."

"Use such transparent taunts again," Gu Pinglin warned, "and I'll toss you out myself."

Duan Qingming sprawled onto the bed. "As you wish. I'll be a model of docility."

Gu Pinglin stood. "Sleep is unnecessary. We depart tonight."

"My wounds aren't healed. Traveling overnight would exhaust me."

"Exhaustion is the point."

"Retribution?"

"If you insist."

Despite his protests, Duan Qingming offered little resistance. As they descended, they encountered Six Paths disciples who eagerly questioned their departure.

"Senior Brother, where are you off to at this hour?"

"My junior brother's impatience cannot be contained," Duan Qingming lamented, clasping hands. "Please convey my farewells to Sister Zhang."

The disciples assented, bidding him farewell.

Outside, Gu Pinglin remarked, "Heartless as ever—truly Duan Qingming."

"You urged me to entertain her." Duan Qingming smiled. "Jealousy ill suits you. My devotion is yours alone."

"Feigned ignorance fools others, not me." Gu Pinglin saw through the act. "Why seek her out now?"

Duan Qingming waved a hand. "A courtesy before leaving. You overthink."

"Zhang Lian admires you harmlessly. Must you—"

"Even with ulterior motives," Duan Qingming interrupted, "it was all for you."

Gu Pinglin abandoned the argument. Hopeless. "For me? Or yourself? Exploit everyone, and all you're left with is your own reflection, Duan Qingming."

Duan Qingming halted, slanting a look at him.

A chill prickled Gu Pinglin's spine. He matched the gaze. "Am I wrong?"

"Touched," Duan Qingming murmured. "My rival cares so deeply."

Gu Pinglin stiffened. This does cross rivalry boundaries. He recovered with a sneer. "Rather than disappoint our master or tarnish the Spirit Heart Sect's reputation, yes—I'd rather 'care' for you."

"Is that so." The reply was airy.

"Move." Gu Pinglin strode ahead.

Few traveled by night, yet Banyan Valley was far from silent. Gnarled tree shadows clawed at the gloom, will-o'-wisps drifting like specters. A brook's whisper threaded the darkness, punctuated by occasional owl cries. Fortunately, as a major thoroughfare, the area lacked dire threats.

Gu Ying Sword cleaved the night, its violet radiance sheathing the duo as they skimmed low. The black cloak and purple robes melded into obscurity, leaving Duan Qingming's white attire conspicuously luminous.

"Tonight will be... stimulating." His voice thrummed with suppressed excitement.

"Stimulating unto death," Gu Pinglin shot back. "Ready to meet your end?"

"I'm relying on your prowess."

"Rely on your own fleeing skills. Run faster."

On cue, Gu Ying Sword veered sharply. Gu Pinglin shoved Duan Qingming forward!

The sword ascended, unleashing a downpour of blade-light that shattered an emerging sword diagram before it could fully form. Simultaneously, Ming Feng Sword materialized midair. Duan Qingming flipped gracefully onto its back, soaring away like a white eagle.

"Not entirely inept," boomed a voice, its resonance threatening to unhinge minds.

Here they come! Gu Pinglin activated Creation Art to counter the cultivation-pressure, charging ahead.

The Qi Family, resolved to eliminate their thorn, had bided their time—crowded routes and Gu Pinglin's unknown capabilities delaying them. But a month's reconnaissance had laid his strengths bare. Beyond this stretch lay territories of the Eastern Emperor Mountain, Dark Abyss Sect, and Heaven's Maw Sect—all formidable powers. Provoking them by murdering on their lands was unthinkable even for the Qi Family, whose influence was northern-centric. Banyan Valley's seclusion made it ideal for an ambush. Sending a Core Formation cultivator was expected.

"Flee where?" The voice echoed. A spirit sword plunged from above, embedding itself in the earth. Azure剑气 (sword energy) erupted, churning dust into a barrier.

Duan Qingming halted ahead. Gu Pinglin followed suit.

A cultivator materialized—a stout, bearded man in his fifties, perched arrogantly on the sword's hilt. "Boy," he addressed Gu Pinglin, "this doesn't concern you. Step aside."

Gu Pinglin stood firm. "Elder Qi Zhen, your defeat at the Eastern Sea hasn't humbled your tone."

Qi Zhen's cheek twitched. After a long stare, he burst into laughter.

Duan Qingming patted Gu Pinglin's shoulder. "Show elders some courtesy."

"Penglai Island's techniques are peerless," Gu Pinglin added mildly. "Your loss was no disgrace."

The laughter cut off. "Provoke me, boy," Qi Zhen growled, "and you'll regret it."

"Would you spare me unprovoked?"

"I'd make your death swift."

"By ambush?" Gu Pinglin turned. "Elder lurking in shadows—Qi Xiao or Qi Peng?"

"I don't sneak-attack juniors." An elder emerged—kinder-faced than Qi Zhen. His assessing gaze held pity. "A waste of talent."

"Elder Qi Peng." Gu Pinglin's frown was fleeting. Core Formation eighth level—troublesome.

Duan Qingming remarked, "Two elders for me? The Qi Family honors me."

"Seeing you confirms our fears," Qi Peng sighed. "A greater pity to kill you."

"Without me, can you manipulate the Duan Family?"

"You obstruct Duan Qinghou's path. The Duan elders are obstinate—with you alive, we'll never rest easy."

Duan Qingming smiled. "Then prepare for disappointment. Luck favors me."

Qi Peng frowned. "You—"

"Enough prattle!" Qi Zhen pointed at Gu Pinglin. "This one's mine!"

"Honored to learn from you." Gu Pinglin's grip tightened on Gu Ying Sword. With a few swift strokes, he carved symbols into the ground, then slammed his palm down. White light erupted—lines forming a正统引阵符 (standard array-summoning sigil).

Duan Qingming, poised to act, stilled.

"An array! A trap!" Qi Peng recoiled. "Fall back!"

Arrays harnessed terrain and timing, offering more than mere power boosts. Even Qi Zhen retreated warily.

Yet the sigil flickered out. Silence.

Finally—

"Seven Ruins Array," Gu Pinglin stated.

"Seven Kills Array," Duan Qingming echoed.

Gu Pinglin turned slowly. His smile promised murder. "Exciting enough?"

Duan Qingming beamed. "Thrilled to my core."

"Charge ahead then," Gu Pinglin jeered. "Don't you adore challenges?"

"Challenging the impossible is suicide. I adore challenges—not death."

Gu Pinglin inhaled deeply. He'd surveyed the terrain, noting its unique veins, and laid the Seven Ruins Array to exploit it. He'd accounted for ambush points—everything except the critical flaw: Duan Qingming would never entrust his life entirely to another.

He'd never fully trusted Gu Pinglin. He trusted no one.

Unable to act alone, he must have coaxed Zhang Lian's group here during the day, hastily setting the Seven Kills Array. Their presence likely prevented him from noticing Gu Pinglin's earlier preparations.

Separately, the arrays were manageable—one trapped, the other killed. The catastrophe lay in their阵眼 (array eyes) being diametrically opposed!

Mutual nullification.

Gu Pinglin wrestled down the urge to decapitate Duan Qingming. "Stall."

Duan Qingming's death would rid the world of a scourge. But the Qi Family would silence Gu Pinglin as a witness. Moreover, his Dao path hinged on Duan Qingming. Cooperation was their sole path forward.