Volume One: The Turbulence of the Small Town Chapter Thirty-Five: Curtains Fall

"Wait a moment," Zhang Heng suddenly spoke up.

The crowd lining up was startled, their nerves frayed. What was this damned brat up to now?

Seeing how just a casual remark from him could intimidate so many powerful figures, Zhang Heng felt a secret thrill. With such mighty protectors backing him, he truly felt invincible.

Pointing at Yuan Yi, who had just finished paying his spirit stones and was preparing to leave, Zhang Heng scratched his head thoughtfully, then spoke with arrogant confidence. "Hey, what's your name—Yuan something or other. You people of Yuan Kingdom have to pay a hundred top-grade spirit stones each."

"Aren't you a prince of Yuan Kingdom? Don't tell me you can't even produce a hundred spirit stones?" Zhang Heng taunted, trying to provoke Yuan Yi.

Humiliated beyond measure, Yuan Yi had no wish to linger. Seething with anger, he flung out a pile of spirit essence, then led his countrymen onto the spirit vessel. In moments, they vanished without a trace.

Watching Yuan Yi's departure, Zhang Heng's lips curled into a cold smile. You harmed my parents; I should have killed you. But if you die here, disaster will befall the Zhang family. However, if you perish in the Dragon Burial Abyss, that's another story...

Before long, those who had come to trouble the Zhang family were all gone. Thus ended a grand and turbulent farce.

Seeing everyone gone, Zhang Heng quickly jumped up from his chair. He was only putting on a show to anger those people; now that they'd left, it was unwise to continue acting arrogant in front of Qian Muyun and Du Gu Bai, those two great elders. It might affect their impression of him, though truthfully, he never cared much for his own image.

He hurried to their side and, without a word, knelt before them. The rest of the Zhang family followed suit.

"Sister Muyun, Elder Du Gu, thank you both for your help today. But I won't let your efforts go unrewarded. What I promised you, I will keep," Zhang Heng said steadfastly.

The Zhang family echoed, "Thank you, esteemed elders."

Zhang Qingcang was slightly worried. These two stood above all others; they wouldn't help for no reason. Surely Heng had paid a heavy price. Yet, thinking further, Du Gu Bai and Qian Muyun were both known for their kind hearts. Perhaps they wouldn't make things difficult for Zhang Heng.

"Rise," Du Gu Bai said.

"Little brother, you dare to deceive me? Watch how your sister punishes you," Qian Muyun's icy, goddess-like demeanor melted away as soon as the crowd dispersed, revealing her true colors.

Everyone turned to look at Qian Muyun. Murong Qingxue's cheeks flushed red, but Qian Muyun continued unabashed, "Zhang Heng, explain yourself to your sister."

The Zhang family was not surprised, believing that Qian Muyun's extraordinary cultivation had brought her to a state of returning to simplicity. It was said that the higher one's cultivation, the less one cared for worldly etiquette.

Zhang Heng was exasperated. Qian Muyun was truly eccentric; probably the only person in the entire Linglong Sanctuary so unconcerned with her image.

"I ask Sister Muyun and Miss Qingxue to return and wait for me. Once I've settled matters here, I'll come to the Murong family to apologize," Zhang Heng said helplessly. Ever since arriving in this world, it seemed he'd been lying constantly. But what else could he do? If he told the truth, none of them would believe him.

Upon hearing this, Qian Muyun prepared to leave with Murong Qingxue.

Zhang Heng quickly stood up and called after them, "Sister Muyun, wait a moment."

This elder sister was so decisive—she didn't even bother with pleasantries.

"Little brother, do you want us to stay for dinner?" Qian Muyun teased.

Zhang Heng ignored her and addressed Murong Qingxue. "Miss Qingxue, do you still have your Heart-Cleansing Pill? I'd like to borrow it."

He remembered clearly that this girl possessed a fourth-tier Heart-Cleansing Pill—almost his, once.

Murong Qingxue flicked her jade-like wrist, producing a delicate little box from thin air, and handed it to Zhang Heng. "Young Master Zhang, here."

To produce things out of nowhere—she must have a spatial artifact. Truly, people of the Sanctuary were incomparable.

Just as Zhang Heng was about to thank her, both women vanished in an instant.

He grumbled powerlessly: So what if you can traverse the void? One day, I'll master it too.

Once the two women had gone, Zhang Heng rushed to Zhang Lie's side.

Zhang Lie was moved to tears. After all this time, they'd finally remembered him.

He gave Zhang Lie the Heart-Cleansing Pill. Once his injuries stabilized, Zhang Heng returned to Du Gu Bai.

"Elder Du Gu, I plan to take you to the Dragon Burial Abyss in three days. Why not rest here at the Zhang family for the time being? It will also give us a chance to discuss poetry together. What do you think?"

Du Gu Bai replied with a simple "Very well."

Zhang Heng was overjoyed, promptly arranging rooms for them.

With Du Gu Bai residing at the Zhang family, not only could he deter any lingering troublemakers, but spending more time with him would increase Zhang Heng's chances of completing his task.

Once Du Gu Bai and Yan Xueqing were settled, Zhang Heng prepared to visit the Murong family to see Qian Muyun. He couldn't afford to delay; if the elder got angry, his plans would be ruined.

At the Zhang family's gate, Zhang Qingcang stood waiting, seemingly for a long time.

As Zhang Heng approached, Qingcang's rugged face was filled with worry. He choked out, "Heng'er..."

All these years, to protect Zhang Heng, he had to deliberately distance himself. When people in the clan bullied Heng for his lack of strength, he could only feign ignorance. The two of them lived on the edge of starvation; he was powerless, and his guilt was unfathomable.

Yet, at the brink of the Zhang family's doom, Zhang Heng stepped forward, saving the clan that had never shown him warmth, helping them weather the calamity, and even suppressing those so-called mighty figures to avenge them.

To enlist the help of the Sanctuary and Sword Saint Du Gu Bai, Zhang Heng must have made immense sacrifices.

Zhang Qingcang felt deeply powerless and ashamed.

"It's my uselessness. The Zhang family's safety rests entirely on your shoulders," he said, patting Zhang Heng's shoulder with resignation.

Don't act like we're parting for life and death! I'm fine, with a vast world waiting for me, and countless beauties to pursue. How could I allow myself to die so easily?

Zhang Heng gently embraced Zhang Qingcang, then strode out the gate, calling back without a glance, "Uncle, don't worry. Everything is under my control."

In truth, Zhang Heng was merely going to have tea and chat about life with Qian Muyun. But in Qingcang's eyes, Zhang Heng was like a martyr going bravely to his doom.

It's hard to blame them. To them, deceiving people from the Sanctuary was tantamount to certain death. Qingcang believed that Heng had lied to them to obtain their help.

Watching Zhang Heng walk away, tears rolled down Qingcang's weathered face. "Heng'er, go in peace..."

On the street, Zhang Heng sneezed twice.

Ugh, his body was still so weak—sick yet again. He was speechless. He'd already reached the first level of body training; how could he still be so frail?