Chapter 260: Clouds Disperse, Mist Clears, Revealing Clarity
The deep sea of clouds was cleaved by a single sword stroke. Spiritual energy soared into the sky, and the massive, towering, pitch-black dragon’s body froze stiffly like a sculpture.
A strange light seemed to flicker in the dragon’s eyes, which had been filled with rage. After a few hoarse whispers, its body began to be covered with countless cracks spreading from the sword wound, finally collapsing completely under the moonlight.
“…”
The misty wind dispersed, along with the fragmented dragon body.
The masterless spiritual energy once again converged into the sky and earth, and bits of starlight intertwined and danced, finally scattering onto the shattered mountain ruins.
The collapsed earth, the broken and burned forest, the devoured life force… gradually revived under the nourishment of the starlight.
The midnight air was slightly cool, but everything here felt like springtime. The evening breeze that brushed against one’s face was even more gentle and warm, bringing a soothing warmth that seemed to elevate the soul.
The qin music, like a flowing spring, echoed leisurely, like a gentle hymn, penetrating the heart.
A beautiful woman played the qin, a picturesque scene. Slowly opening her lowered eyes amidst the delicate movements of her fingers, she looked with surprise at the man returning through the night.
Countless words and a thousand exclamations welled up in her heart, wanting to be expressed.
But in the end—
The tightly strung chords of her heart completely relaxed. Smoothing the still-trembling strings of the qin, she smiled gently: “—Welcome back, Sir, victorious.”
“I haven’t failed your trust, and I’ve finally resolved the trouble.”
Lin Tianlu put the broken sword back into his embrace, waving and greeting with a smile: “Miss Ren, your qin music tonight was full of emotional waves, making one’s heart leap with joy. It was truly pleasant to listen to.”
Ren Yinshan smiled faintly: “It’s just that seeing Sir slay that terrifying and earth-shattering black dragon, my heart surged with emotion, and I couldn’t help but play a tune for you.
Moreover, Sir had just instructed me to play music to boost morale, but I was stunned by shock and remained motionless, failing to fulfill Sir’s request. I’m truly ashamed. I could only play a few notes, hoping to give Sir an… ‘ultimate move love curtain’?”
She blinked her beautiful eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed: “I wonder if what I said is appropriate?”
Lin Tianlu scratched his head sheepishly: “No need to mind, that was just a colloquial saying from my hometown. I only wanted Miss Ren to play music to calm your heart, so you wouldn’t be too worried and uneasy.”
“You’ve been so thoughtful, Sir.”
Ren Yinshan’s beautiful face flushed with a bright blush as she waved her sleeve, putting away the guzheng.
Lightly pursing her pink lips, she looked towards the direction where the black dragon’s body had dispersed and disappeared, her expression turning serious again: “But I wonder if that incredible black dragon is now…”
“That black dragon is not a true dragon from myths and legends that can summon wind and rain.”
Lin Tianlu glanced sideways, speaking softly: “When I confronted it just now, I could clearly feel the surging spiritual energy within its body. It was more like a manifestation of the will of this land, manipulated and mobilized by that ancient secret technique to wreak havoc and show its power. Now that it has been forcibly defeated, it naturally returns to dust, back to the elements.”
However—”
He stepped on the soft earth beneath his feet: “Perhaps the spiritual veins that have been dormant for thousands of years have been awakened again, and this land has gradually begun to generate spiritual energy.”
The amount of spiritual energy wasn’t particularly remarkable, and it couldn’t compare to the vast amount of spiritual energy gushing out from behind the Lunar Valley, it was just at an average level.
But this Changling mountain area was clearly no longer an ordinary wilderness.
Ren Yinshan raised her hand to cover her chest, her willow-like eyebrows slightly furrowed: “I can indeed feel a trace of warm energy. Is this the spiritual energy Sir mentioned…?”
Her heart stirred, and she temporarily put aside her many thoughts, turning to look at Tang Qianmen, who was frozen on the withered tree not far away.
This Savage Realm demon ghost had clearly witnessed the scene that seemed to cleave the heavens and earth, stunned into complete silence.
Even though the towering black dragon’s body had dispersed, she still stood on the tree with a dazed expression, as if she hadn’t yet recovered from the sudden change.
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but grin: “I thought you would take the opportunity to escape, but I didn’t expect you to be so obedient.”
“…”
Tang Qianmen suddenly came back to her senses and looked at his smiling face, speechless. Her expression became incredibly complex as she fell silent.
She now didn’t know what to say or what to do.
This man’s methods far exceeded her imagination. Even if she had harbored a delusion just now, she would never have expected that the black dragon would be killed with a single strike.
As for escaping…
Perhaps the moment she turned and dashed away, she would be easily defeated by some unfathomable method, certain death.
She didn’t think that with her cultivation, she could withstand the supreme power of such a living immortal.
“Miss Tang, tell us the whole story.”
Lin Tianlu asked calmly: “Why did you help guide the True Dragon Demon to Changling? Who is the real mastermind behind this, and what is their purpose in summoning this black dragon?”
“…There’s no mastermind in the true sense of the word.”
But Tang Qianmen gave a rather surprising answer.
“What do you mean by that?”
“No single faction or organization could orchestrate this alone, nor could it be a single demon or ghost stirring up trouble in the shadows.”
Tang Qianmen lowered her eyes, her voice low: “It’s simply the general trend of the world pushing things forward. Factions, both overt and covert, and countless demons and ghosts are all players in this, working together to bring forth these True Dragon Demons, then leading to the emergence of the Nine Dragons, stirring up a great change in the heavens.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression froze slightly, his gaze becoming more stern.
So the so-called general trend of the world wasn’t the consequences it would bring in the future.
But rather, the ‘trend’ itself was pushing the development of events towards ‘change’, intending to plunge the increasingly peaceful world back into chaos and strife?
“I previously speculated about who was holding the board and manipulating the rules of the world. In the end… all beings are chess pieces, and also the players themselves.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly.
After a brief silence, he suddenly continued: “I’m a bit curious, why did Miss Tang suddenly tell me the relevant information before?”
Although it was a bit late, knowing that they were enemies, she honestly explained the situation, which was quite unexpected.
This woman seemed…
Clearly not someone arrogant and foolish enough to cheerfully “explain” things to her enemy.
Tang Qianmen took a deep breath, jumping down from the tree, her expression gradually becoming calm: “I just had a premonition, a feeling that you would win.”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
Ren Yinshan frowned slightly, her eyes still wary.
A Savage Realm demon ghost like this, who had “lived long enough to become a spirit,” couldn’t be easily trusted.
“Since you have won, I have no complaints.”
Tang Qianmen sighed, spreading her arms with great ease, and said calmly: “Kill me.”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow: “Miss Tang, are you seeking death?”
“With my previous vile attitude, I don’t think I can obtain your forgiveness. Not to mention that Wei Yanshan and I came here to slaughter the people of Changling County. How could you two forgive such a heinous crime?” Tang Qianmen chuckled self-deprecatingly: “Since death is inevitable, I only ask that you leave my body intact, at least let me die with dignity.”
“It seems that you are quite free and easy, indifferent to life and death.”
“How could a decaying monster like me, who has lived for two hundred years, still crave to cling to life?”
Tang Qianmen seemed to have completely abandoned her fear, walking slowly towards them without any defenses.
Looking at the genuine relief on her face, Lin Tianlu pondered, recalling Yan Yi, the Luo Xing Soultaker he had met in Changling County.
Although these two women had different personalities, they were both fearless in the face of death… even seemingly seeking it.
—The loneliness of immortality might be more cruel than imagined.
Thinking of this, Lin Tianlu suddenly raised his right hand. Emerald light surged behind him, transforming into the illusion of a range of immortal mountains. White mist lingered like a sacred realm on earth, and amidst the radiant light, numerous profound spiritual chains shot out. Under Tang Qianmen’s stunned gaze, they instantly pierced through her chest.
“Guh uh uh uh uh?!”
Tang Qianmen’s body trembled repeatedly, her ample chest pierced. It felt as if her entire body was being torn apart. Her beautiful eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but let out seductive moans. Finally, as if all her strength had been drained, she fell to her knees with a thud, watching as a shadowy mass was forcibly dragged out of her body by the chains and quickly retracted into the illusion of the immortal mountains.
An indescribable weakness washed over her, making Tang Qianmen almost faint as she collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath: “What, what are you doing…?”
“Since Miss Tang seeks death, I will not let you die.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and waved his fingers, dispelling the ethereal illusion behind him: “If your crimes are so numerous, to simply die would be too lenient and preferential for you. It’s better to put your skills to use and honestly make some contributions to help those displaced civilians.”
Tang Qianmen was dumbfounded:
“You, you want me to… do good?!”
“That expression is very good.”
Lin Tianlu walked up to her, bent down, and patted her shoulder: “Don’t disappoint my expectations. From now on, you must become a great philanthropist praised by everyone.”
“How could I possibly… uh ah ah!”
Just as Tang Qianmen was about to retort, she immediately clutched her chest and screamed, her face turning pale with pain.
Her face contorted as she gritted her teeth and hissed: “What, what did you do to me…!”
“More than half of your soul is now in my hands. If you disobey, you will naturally be punished.”
Lin Tianlu showed a kind smile and said cheerfully: “If you don’t want to suffer ‘physical pain’, I hope Miss Tang will be obedient and not do anything outrageous or wicked.
Of course, whether you want to stay or leave, I won’t restrict you. But even if you flee thousands of miles away, you can’t escape these spiritual chains wrapped around your chest. I hope you will behave yourself.”
“…”
Looking at the handsome face close at hand, Tang Qianmen swallowed hard with a grimace, feeling that this seemingly gentle and refined scholar…
Was truly a monster in human form!
The soul-piercing pain just now was more intense than all the pain she had endured in her entire life combined. It was unimaginable what kind of agonizing torture she would suffer if she truly disobeyed.
Just imagining it made Tang Qianmen, who had long been indifferent to life and death, tremble with fear, her beautiful face paling as she scrambled to distance herself from him.
In the end, she showed a humiliated and sorrowful expression, escaping in a rather pathetic manner. However, because a large part of her soul had been torn away and her injuries were not light, her fleeing figure flickered in and out of view, clearly full of flaws, and she could be easily captured.
“…”
Ren Yinshan approached softly and whispered: “Are you just going to let her leave, Sir?”
With her clumsy escape, let alone Lin Tianlu, even she could easily capture her now.
“Miss Ren, you may not know.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Although Tang Qianmen’s words and actions are vicious and vile, the blood on her hands is actually very light. She hasn’t even taken a few lives in these two hundred years.”
Ren Yinshan was surprised: “Really?!”
“If that weren’t the case, why would I have only told her to sit quietly and not move in the beginning?” Lin Tianlu explained calmly: “But although she rarely takes lives, her wicked nature must have led to many despicable acts. Perhaps this punishment will teach her a lesson and persuade her to follow the righteous path like Miss Ren.”
“This… Sir, you flatter me.”
Ren Yinshan smiled wryly.
She didn’t dwell on the matter of Tang Qianmen’s fate, knowing that the man before her had his own judgment. Looking at the sparsely lit Changling County, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Tonight’s events are probably unknown to almost everyone in this county.”
“To live a peaceful and carefree life, isn’t that a beautiful thing?”
“But Sir’s heroic feat of saving the people…”
“No need to mind.”
Lin Tianlu dusted himself off, smiling as he took the lead and walked back towards the county.
“A thousand achievements can’t compare to waking up to a new day. Going home early for a good night’s sleep without any disturbances is much more enjoyable than being praised and lauded by everyone.”
Looking at the man’s carefree and unfettered back, Ren Yinshan parted her red lips slightly, as if wanting to murmur a sigh.
But seeing his steps becoming lighter and more cheerful, as if he were on a leisurely stroll, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth with a chuckle, no longer feeling any regret or obsession. With a warm and pleasant smile, she gathered her skirt and hurried to catch up.
Perhaps, what she admired was precisely this carefree detachment from the world, this admirable innocence.
Even if no one knew of his achievements, he could still face everything with a clear conscience and sincerity.
And the crisis in Changling…
Had already been completely resolved by this man’s own hands.
…
…
The warm sun shone down, bringing an unprecedentedly comfortable breeze.
Changling County was still bustling with activity, the sounds of hawkers’ calls and shouts rising and falling. In the taverns and teahouses, groups of leisurely patrons sat together, chatting and laughing.
Last night’s sudden earthquake and thunder had now become vague topics of conversation, attributed to seasonal changes or superstitious talk of gods and ghosts.
But in the end, no one knew that the crisis that could have brought about utter destruction had already dissipated.
Everything was as harmonious and peaceful as ever.
And today, Changling County seemed even more prosperous and lively.
