Volume One: Tempests in a Small Town Chapter 26: On the Road, Rushing Closer

Zhang Heng could not help but admire the character and integrity of Du Gu Bai. Had it been anyone else, upon hearing what Zhang Heng had said, they would have impatiently seized him and rushed to the Dragon Burial Abyss to seek their fortune. Yet Du Gu Bai, though clearly tempted, remained rational and did not force Zhang Heng’s hand. Truly, he deserved his reputation as the peerless Sword Saint in the eyes of the world. With this, Zhang Heng finally relaxed; his gamble had paid off.

Du Gu Bai spoke again, “Boy, if you take me into the Dragon Burial Abyss, whatever reward you desire, I shall do my utmost to grant you.” His desire was evident, but such was only human nature. Even the four Grand Saints at the pinnacle of the continent would struggle to maintain their composure upon learning of the possible secrets hidden within the Dragon Burial Abyss.

“Elder, aren’t you afraid I might be deceiving you?” Zhang Heng smiled. Why did Du Gu Bai seem so naïve, so trusting, almost like an innocent youth untouched by the ways of the world?

Du Gu Bai was startled, quickly asking, “You say you know, but how can you prove it?”

Zhang Heng was speechless, wondering if he had truly made the right choice in picking Du Gu Bai. Left with no other option, he recited a portion of the “Classic of Virtue” to Du Gu Bai. After listening, Du Gu Bai immediately believed Zhang Heng, for that half scroll was the very source of Daoist law, a treasure without equal. Zhang Heng could not have obtained such a thing anywhere but the Dragon Burial Abyss.

“Boy, a treasure of this caliber in your hands is a curse rather than a blessing. It will only bring disaster upon you,” Du Gu Bai said with a sigh.

The words sounded all too familiar.

“Take me to find the other half of the scroll. I will guarantee your safety and avenge you. How about it?” Du Gu Bai was losing his composure. Had he not cultivated for eight hundred years, he would never have wasted so many words with Zhang Heng.

“Elder, please don’t be hasty,” Zhang Heng quickly interjected upon seeing Du Gu Bai’s agitation. This would not do; if things went awry, the consequences would be dire.

“Elder, everyone desires such a treasure, but how could everything go as one wishes? The scroll is a rare and precious artifact, naturally guarded by formidable protectors. Even with your strength, you cannot obtain it alone, and may even lose your life in vain,” Zhang Heng said calmly.

Though these were not facts Zhang Heng should have known, he had the system to guide him.

Du Gu Bai settled himself, realizing the truth in Zhang Heng’s words. Cultivation prized one’s inner state above all; he had nearly lost himself and fallen into obsession.

Regaining his composure, Du Gu Bai looked at Zhang Heng with feigned profundity and asked, “Boy, do you know what my cultivation is?”

He had lost his composure before a junior, which irritated the Sword Saint. He wanted to intimidate Zhang Heng and restore his dignity.

Zhang Heng replied coolly, “Du Gu Bai, Sword Saint, peak Divine Transformation sword cultivator. In swordsmanship, you are unmatched on the continent and your combat strength rivals those of the Tribulation Crossing stage.”

Hearing Zhang Heng’s answer only made Du Gu Bai more annoyed. He stared at Zhang Heng and said coldly, “Boy, since you know, why do you say I cannot obtain the scroll? Are you looking down on me?”

If Zhang Heng did not understand Du Gu Bai’s character, he would surely be frightened by his demeanor.

“Elder, the guardian beast is an eighth-tier spirit beast, its strength equivalent to a Tribulation Crossing expert. Moreover, as you know, high-tier spirit beasts possess innate advantages, making them difficult for cultivators of the same rank to defeat. Although you possess the strength to rival the Tribulation Crossing stage, alone you might win, but you would pay a heavy price,” Zhang Heng explained carefully.

These were not things Zhang Heng should know, but with the system, he was well informed.

Du Gu Bai stood up and laughed, “That’s easily solved. I’ll call a few friends to join me. Even an eighth-tier spirit beast will be no match for us.”

As the peerless Sword Saint, he naturally had a circle of friends who stood above all others. If they assisted, after success the scroll could be shared with them for study.

Seeing Du Gu Bai rise to seek help, Zhang Heng was alarmed and quickly stood to stop him.

This world’s people are truly peculiar, Zhang Heng thought. Originally, he planned to lead Du Gu Bai step by step into his carefully laid trap. It seemed he would have to get straight to the point in future dealings.

“Elder, I have already found someone for you. If you join forces with her, you will surely defeat the guardian spirit beast,” Zhang Heng said directly.

“You know someone at the Tribulation Crossing stage?” Du Gu Bai was deeply skeptical.

“Elder, the person I know is not at the Tribulation Crossing stage, but, like you, she can defeat those who are,” Zhang Heng answered.

According to the system, Qian Mu Yun possessed only ninth-tier Divine Transformation strength, but her primary cultivation was speed, making her unbeatable by early-stage Tribulation Crossing experts.

“Very well. Where is she? Take me to her at once,”

Du Gu Bai did not wish to wait another moment. He had been stuck at ninth-tier Divine Transformation for two hundred years, and that scroll was extraordinary. If he could obtain it in full, it would surely allow him to enter the legendary state of cultivation and perhaps break through the barrier of Tribulation Crossing.

It was precisely for this reason that Du Gu Bai’s eight hundred-year Dao heart had nearly faltered.

“All right, elder. She is in South Willow City. Please take me there,” Zhang Heng replied, eager not to delay further.

The centennial deadline was only half a month away. Some could no longer afford to wait...

The Zhang residence was filled with every member of the Zhang family. The atmosphere was stifling beyond words. Outside, layers of high-level cultivators surrounded them, eager to tear them apart. Within, they were helpless lambs awaiting slaughter. Those cultivators who preached virtue and justice were nothing but greedy villains.

Zhang Lie sat at the head of the table, gazing at the loyal and heroic figures below, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness compounded by the injuries he had suffered at the hands of Lin Ye the day before. His body and spirit were exhausted.

Cough, cough, cough...

“Father, are you all right?”

“Patriarch, how are you?”

Seeing Zhang Lie cough, everyone hurried forward to inquire.

They had spent the entire day here, tacitly keeping silent, for no matter what they tried, against absolute strength, all efforts were futile.

The refined Zhang Yu stood up, his handsome face resolute and tinged with regret. “Grandfather, father, and all clansmen, when those scoundrels come again, you need not respond. Let me face them. I spent several years with Wang Ze Wei; surely he will remember our past and not make things difficult for me.”

“Don’t be foolish.” Zhang Lie, furious, stood and said darkly, “I am not dead yet. The Zhang family does not need you to sacrifice yourself.”

Seeing Zhang Lie’s anger, Zhang Yu quickly approached to support him. “Grandfather, please don’t be upset. We will think of a solution.”

The atmosphere fell silent again.

To force their way out was certain death, merely hastening their demise. Yet waiting here meant watching loyal clansmen die one by one before their eyes.

As the foremost expert of South Willow City, Zhang Lie had never before faced a problem he could not solve. Now, he was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

Is it my family’s lives you want? Very well. Today, I will offer up my own.

So Zhang Lie thought, hoping his sacrifice would buy his clansmen some time.

Just then, shouts were heard outside the door.

They had begun again.