Chapter 77: A Bond of Life and Death, A Mysterious Grudge

The elderly man, dressed in a gray robe with a long white beard and a slightly hunched back, stood just half a step behind King Xiaoshan, Wu Yishan. From his posture and position, it was clear he held considerable status within the rebel ranks. "We can’t deal with those two Immortal Masters, but Xie Yuanshan... With our strength, capturing him and forcing him to reveal what he knows about the Immortal Dao shouldn't be difficult!" Fu Zhizhou's eyes gleamed with sharp determination, a ruthless glint flashing across them. This was their best chance to interact with an Immortal Master, but due to their cautious nature, they had been forced to watch helplessly as the opportunity slipped away. However, fate had presented them with another path. Now that Xie Yuanshan—one of the surviving members of Martial Luck Pavilion—had appeared, they had another chance to uncover the secrets of the Immortal Dao. "Alright, let’s do as Fourth Brother suggests," Wei Tu nodded in agreement. They were no match for Immortal Master Wu or that mysterious Jia clan Immortal, but taking down Xie Yuanshan—a mere survivor of Martial Luck Pavilion—was well within their capabilities. Furthermore, after killing Xie Qing and seizing the Xie clan’s Immortal techniques, Wei Tu and Wei Fei had already formed an irreconcilable enmity with Xie Yuanshan. If they could eliminate this hidden threat now, it would be a significant advantage. With their target confirmed, the three of them didn't act recklessly. First, they moved away from the main force of the rebel army. Then, they captured a lieutenant under King Xiaoshan's command, interrogating him for information on Xie Yuanshan. Beneath the crescent moon, hidden within the dense, shadowed thickets, the chirping of insects filled the air. Fu Zhizhou placed two fingers against the captive’s forehead, using a specialized Xiantian technique to extract information. Since reaching the Xiantian Realm, Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou hadn’t had the chance to exchange techniques with other Xiantian warriors, but through their own cultivation, they had gradually unlocked various abilities—one of which was the mental probing method feared by many. This so-called “mental interrogation” was not supernatural; it was merely an application of Xiantian True Qi, stimulating key acupoints in the forehead to induce a state of trance. Under Fu Zhizhou’s influence, the captured officer slowly divulged all the information he knew about Xie Yuanshan. "He’s just a lieutenant, so his knowledge is limited. But what he’s told us is more than enough," Fu Zhizhou smirked. Earlier that night, they had been dragged into a battle between Immortals, nearly used as cannon fodder. Even though they had managed to escape, they would inevitably become wanted men. In just one night, their lives had taken a drastic turn, plunging them into uncertainty. But if they could capture Xie Yuanshan and pry out the secrets of the Immortal Dao, then everything would be worth it. A few moments later, the three of them devised a plan based on the intelligence they had gathered. "Let’s move," Wei Tu said, glancing at the night sky and estimating the time. Then, with a single slash, he slit the captive’s throat. In an instant, the three of them disappeared into the ranks of King Xiaoshan’s rebel army. … "Master, the young lord is requesting your presence." Half an hour later, a soldier dressed as a bodyguard approached Xie Yuanshan and whispered the message. "Zhibai is looking for me?" Xie Yuanshan raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the unfamiliar face before him with a hint of suspicion. But he didn’t dwell on it for long. After all, King Xiaoshan’s forces had expanded rapidly, and it was only natural that there were many subordinates he had yet to meet. "The young lord said he has fulfilled your orders and successfully sensed Qi…" The soldier lowered his head and added. Upon hearing this, Xie Yuanshan immediately dismissed his doubts. A bright smile spread across his face as he repeated the word "Good" three times, then hurried off towards his private tent. … A quarter of an hour later. On a ridge far from King Xiaoshan’s encampment, Wei Tu, Fu Zhizhou, and Kou Liang stood overlooking the valley where the battle between the Immortals raged on. At their feet lay two unconscious figures, bound tightly with rope. One was an elderly man—Xie Yuanshan, the very person they had just lured away. "Regardless of who wins between Immortal Master Wu and the Jia clan Immortal… we’ve already defected from the battlefield." "No matter the outcome of their duel, we should avoid exposing ourselves for now," Wei Tu said seriously, glancing at Fu Zhizhou and Kou Liang. Neither result would benefit them. If Immortal Master Wu won, then the people of Qingfeng Prefecture would be spared from the slaughter of the rebel forces. But if the rebels conquered the city, it would mean the start of a massacre. "Third Brother, you decide," Fu Zhizhou said quickly, throwing a glance at Kou Liang before looking to Wei Tu. Originally, when they had first formed the Brotherhood of Righteousness, Kou Liang—being the eldest—was their leader, and they followed his every decision. However, as time passed… Kou Liang’s limitations in martial arts became more apparent. Over time, the role of leader within their group had gradually shifted from Kou Liang to Wei Tu. "Third Brother, you decide, I'll listen," Kou Liang said, slightly uncomfortable but accepting of the decision. Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded and carefully planned their next moves based on their current situation. "We’ll split into two groups. Big Brother and Fourth Brother will take Xie Yuanshan and his grandson to Xiaoyi Prefecture. Fourth Brother will be responsible for guarding them, while Big Brother will ride ahead to Xiaoyi Prefecture and evacuate our families to a secure location." "After completing this, Big Brother will wait at Qingliang Post Station for news. Fourth Brother will also rendezvous with him there." "As for me…" Wei Tu hesitated momentarily before saying, "I will return to the city and get Second Brother out. Afterward, I’ll meet up with you both." "This…" "No, returning to the city is too dangerous!" Fu Zhizhou shook his head. Although he respected Wei Tu’s loyalty to his sworn brothers, heading back to the city was an incredibly risky move. In just a short while, dawn would break, and the battle between the two Immortal Masters would come to a conclusion. Attempting to sneak into the city at that time to rescue Wei Fei was bound to be met with obstacles and dangers they could not fully predict. "I purchased an abandoned private residence within the city. I dug out a deep underground cellar inside—it can be used to hide our movements," Wei Tu stated concisely. Rescuing Wei Fei was undoubtedly risky, but it was a risk he believed he could manage. Furthermore, as the Defense Officer of the Western Gate, he had a thorough understanding of the city’s defenses and troop placements. He knew the city's strengths and weaknesses. For him, escorting Wei Fei out of the city wasn't an impossible task. Hearing this, Fu Zhizhou did not press the issue further. "Ten days from now, if I don’t see you at Qingliang Post Station, I’ll go into the city to look for you," Fu Zhizhou declared firmly. "If anything happens… I swear on my life that I will take care of your family." His last words carried an unwavering determination. "I will do the same," Kou Liang solemnly agreed. At first, they had come together for mutual benefit, calling each other brothers. But after enduring this battle together, they realized they had truly become bonded by life and death. … After leaving the ridge, Wei Tu rushed toward the Western Gate of the city at full speed, determined to reach it before dawn. With his Xiantian-level martial arts, he moved faster than a galloping horse. Within a single incense stick’s time, he had traveled from King Xiaoshan’s southern encampment to the territory controlled by King Qinghu and the Ming Province King near the Western Gate. His movements were fluid as he dashed across the rooftops of tents, his figure a mere blur in the darkness. Unlike King Xiaoshan’s strictly managed military camp, King Qinghu and the Ming Province King’s forces—perhaps due to their recent merger—were sloppily organized, with gaps in their security everywhere. Because of this, despite moving openly, he encountered no resistance or detection. However, as Wei Tu passed over a particularly large and well-lit tent, a familiar voice reached his ears. "Li Xingye?" Wei Tu’s eyes narrowed in surprise. He swiftly landed in the shadow of the tent, pressing close to eavesdrop. Although the voices inside were hushed, his heightened Xiantian-level hearing allowed him to capture every word clearly. At the same time, he quietly pierced a small hole in the tent’s fabric, peering inside. Inside the tent, aside from Li Xingye, there were two other men. One was a tall, broad-shouldered warrior with a thick beard, clad in gleaming silver armor, a gray cloak draped over his shoulders. The other, dressed in scholar’s robes like Li Xingye, had a scholarly appearance but exuded an air of arrogance. "Ming Province King, while King Xiaoshan is locked in battle with the government’s military officers, the city’s defenses are at their weakest. Now is the perfect opportunity to launch an assault on the Western Gate and seize glory for yourself!" "I urge you to make a swift decision," Li Xingye said, bowing deeply in respect toward the burly warrior. "Xingye, what’s the rush? The battle between King Xiaoshan and the court’s forces isn’t over yet. If we storm the Western Gate now, at best, we’ll be stealing credit from King Xiaoshan. At worst, we’ll be slapping him in the face!" The scholar scoffed sarcastically. "Miao Dashi, don't get ahead of yourself! You’re nothing more than a failed scholar who couldn't even pass the county-level examination. What gives you the right to speak so arrogantly before me?" Li Xingye snapped, his face darkening with frustration. Then, turning back to the Ming Province King, he continued, "Your Highness, while this action may appear as ‘stealing credit,’ it would, in fact, allow you to consolidate power. In time, you could surpass King Xiaoshan and seize the position of Supreme Leader of the allied forces!" "If we hesitate too long, King Xiaoshan’s forces will absorb all the troops and resources, leaving your army at a disadvantage." "If we refuse to act, we may be forced to submit to King Xiaoshan in the future. But Your Highness—do you truly wish to serve under another?" He let his words hang in the air. "That… is a compelling argument." The Ming Province King’s expression shifted, and he gave Li Xingye a thoughtful glance before nodding slightly. "Your Highness mustn’t listen to him!" the scholar, Miao Dashi, protested angrily. "Have you already forgotten what happened to Xingye’s family half a month ago?" "Right now, Xingye is desperate for you to attack the Western Gate—not for military gains, but for revenge! He wants to use your army to kill that Defense Officer, Wei Tu!"