Chapter 103: The Grand Finale
[Notification: System task issued—assist Laodenuo in reclaiming the position of Mount Hua Sect leader.]
As the system alert sounded, Yun Zhonghe cursed silently, “Laodenuo is such a useless wretch; he can’t even handle such a trivial matter.”
He turned to Dongfang Bai. “Rest well today. Tomorrow, come with me to Mount Hua!”
Dongfang Bai said nothing, lightly tapping his toes, and soared into the air.
Watching Dongfang Bai’s departing figure, Xie Xun’s voice came from behind.
“Who is that person? Such formidable martial skill!”
Yun Zhonghe looked back to see Xie Xun standing before him.
“Is this journey to Blackwood Cliff all for him?”
Yun Zhonghe nodded slightly. “Though there were some twists, it went relatively smoothly.”
Xie Xun recounted the events of the past few days to Yun Zhonghe one by one.
“According to current estimates, in a few more days, we’ll have gathered the forces of various sects to attack Blackwood Cliff.”
A few days was indeed enough.
Yun Zhonghe murmured softly to himself.
Unperceiving of the expression on Yun Zhonghe’s face, Xie Xun continued, “But there has been no news from Mount Hua for many days. I fear something has happened.”
“I already know about this. I will set off for Mount Hua immediately to investigate.”
Xie Xun was not surprised by Yun Zhonghe’s reply. If he couldn’t even solve such a minor matter, then avenging his entire family was out of the question.
“Rest one night, then I will depart.”
Having said this, he returned to his room, seated cross-legged on the bed, meditating to refine the surge of true energy within him while assimilating Ren Woxing’s qi.
His recent progress had noticeably slowed; he had to find a way to strengthen himself quickly.
Ren Woxing was proving to be quite a thorny challenge.
The opponents he would face next would only be stronger.
If he couldn’t acquire enough strength to protect himself before disaster struck, all would be lost.
The night passed quietly.
Yun Zhonghe opened his eyes, a gleam of sharp light flashing within them.
“Whoosh!”
He exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Though he had not rested the entire night, his spirit was increasingly vigorous.
---
After a brief wash, he arrived at the square.
Unexpectedly, Dongfang Bai was already waiting there, so Yun Zhonghe greeted him.
“Brother Dongfang, did you sleep well last night?”
Dongfang Bai was startled, turning around to see Yun Zhonghe silently appearing behind him at some unknown moment.
His heart filled with alarm.
In just one night, Yun Zhonghe’s martial prowess had become unfathomably profound.
He had been so close without the slightest detection.
Had Yun Zhonghe intended to strike, he would have been dead long ago.
But Dongfang Bai was no ordinary man. He suppressed his shock and resumed composure.
Yun Zhonghe caught every flicker of expression on Dongfang Bai’s face, inwardly pleased. How about that? Brother’s showing off a trick—impressive, isn’t it?
Yet that feeling didn’t last long.
Dongfang Bai was far too formidable; he could detect the slightest hint of deceit.
Yun Zhonghe composed himself and looked ahead, where Xie Xun was leading two horses toward them.
The journey to Mount Hua was long, so transportation was naturally necessary.
Xie Xun nodded to Yun Zhonghe, then turned to Dongfang Bai with a solemn gaze, silently thinking, “So this is the expert Yun Zhonghe brought back—his martial skill is unfathomable.”
But he quickly withdrew his eyes.
“These are two fine horses. You two, be swift in your journey and return quickly.”
Seeing this, Yun Zhonghe exchanged a few words with Xie Xun, then mounted his horse, urging it forward. His figure gradually faded until it vanished from sight.
Dongfang Bai, unwilling to fall behind, followed closely.
Xie Xun lingered a while longer before turning away.
He despised dealing with sect affairs, but for the sake of avenging his wife and children, he patiently assisted Yun Zhonghe.
...
Yun Zhonghe and Dongfang Bai traveled through the night.
Finally, by dusk the following day, they arrived at an inn at the foot of Mount Hua.
“Let’s rest here tonight. We’ll ascend the mountain first thing in the morning.”
Saying so, Yun Zhonghe led the way into the inn.
The waiter, who had previously clashed with him, greeted them warmly.
“Master Yun, please come inside; we have prepared the best room for you.”
“You’re quite sensible, kid.”
The waiter smiled awkwardly. “Master, you are magnanimous, so please spare a poor servant, won’t you?”
“Bring out your finest wine and dishes. Brother Dongfang and I will drink until we’re drunk.”
Dongfang Bai surprisingly did not refuse.
“All right!”
The waiter turned swiftly, a cold gleam flashing briefly in his eyes before he ran to the kitchen to order the food.
Yun Zhonghe and Dongfang Bai exchanged a knowing smile, both detecting a trace of disdain in each other’s eyes.
He wanted to see what tricks the other was playing.
Laodenuo, that worthless fool, couldn’t even handle such trivial matters.
I will not support a useless man.
Just then, the waiter appeared, carrying the dishes to the table.
Once all the dishes were served, Yun Zhonghe turned to the waiter.
“You’ve worked hard. Sit down and eat with us.”
The waiter looked troubled, but under Yun Zhonghe’s firm insistence, he had no choice but to sit.
After tasting each dish carefully, the waiter remained unharmed, yet Yun Zhonghe and Dongfang Bai had yet to touch their food.
Returning to the kitchen, the waiter suddenly foamed at the mouth and collapsed stiffly to the ground.
Night fell.
Dongfang Bai kept watch outside while Yun Zhonghe lay on the bed, soon succumbing to deep sleep with snores filling the room.
In a hazy dream, his consciousness drifted to a secluded paradise.
There, he saw many beauties from the martial world.
All these women gathered around one man.
Just as Yun Zhonghe was about to shout, “Let me handle it,” the man turned around and gave him a wicked, charming smile.
Seeing that familiar face, Yun Zhonghe was momentarily stunned, then the corners of his mouth curled into the same sly grin.