by Gore, A. P.
“Patriarch Shua, are you looking down on the City Lord’s Manor?” Dan Kuang couldn’t take it anymore. The kid must die. Standing, he reached out to grab the insolent kid.
Li Shua stood too and pulled a white emblem out and flashed it in front of Dan Kuang. “City Lord. Stay your hand.”
Dan Kuang’s hand stopped like he’d struck it against an iron board. His lips pinched together as he observed the white emblem in Li Shua’s hands.
It was a Divine Fragrance Palace emblem. They only gave it to clans they wanted to protect—and it wasn’t just worldly protection. That emblem was a talisman that summoned a beast that could attack with a peak Bone Baptization Realm cultivator’s powers. With his current powers, Dan Kuang wouldn’t be a match for the summoned beast.
And even if he could defeat the beast, he wouldn’t dare. Going against the Divine Fragrance Palace was a no-no. If the Divine Fragrance Palace found out about it, even a royal court member wouldn’t be able to save him from annihilation.
Du Tenjua rose too and unsheathed his sword. “Li Shua, are you trying to brag about your deal with the Divine Fragrance Palace? That emblem will save you once, but what about after that? How can you allow a mere junior to speak during these important matters?”
“Du Tenjua, stop speaking nonsense. Let’s hear Wei’er first.” Li Shua turned to Wei.
“Grandfather, this little one apologizes for interrupting your conversation, but I want to ask senior Dan one question. Please allow me to.”
Li Shua nodded, and Li Wei turned his gaze upon Dan Kuang. Dan Kuang’s back itched, right between his shoulder blades. Something was odd about this brat. Li Wei didn’t even budge when Dan Kuang projected his cultivation pressure on him. If he had no cultivation, he would have prostrated on the ground and killed himself, but this brat acted like Dan Kuang’s pressure didn’t matter.
How could a wastrel like this remain standing under his cultivation pressure?
“Junior. If you sputter nonsense, don’t blame me for being merciless.” Dan Kuang took a step back, but didn’t show any weakness.
“Senior Dan, did you notify the main office about the Hell Cicada Challenge? Isn’t it mandatory to notify them about every challenge?”
A silent tremor passed through Dan Kuang’s legs. How did this brat know about this rule? Technically, a Hell Cicada Challenge was counted official when the province office gave the go ahead, but with Dan Kuang’s status, he hadn’t bothered going through them. No one would question him for destroying a mere Tier 5 clan.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Dan Kuang’s hand moved to the sword wrapped inside his martial robe. His mind wavered over his next action. He could kill this brat and walk away like nothing happened, but he didn’t want to tarnish his own reputation in front of Old Martial City’s people. “There’s no rule like that.”
“Mortal Rules Book, rule number seven. A province office needs to be notified before a Hell Cicada Challenge is granted a go ahead. Do you have the receipt from the province office? Or are you trying to bully us with your authority?” Li Wei asked in a bashful manner.
Dan Kuang took a deep breath. This rule was indeed there, and he was aware of it before coming here, but he’d never thought the Li clan would have a Divine Fragrance Palace emblem. If they didn’t have that emblem, he would have killed them and then reported it. But it wasn’t possible anymore.
“Li Shua. In thirty days, you will receive the invitation for a Devil Cicada Challenge,” Dan Kuang said in a stern voice. “I hope your Li clan will survive the ordeal.”
Dan Kuang spotted a smirk on Li Wei’s face when he walked past Li Shua. He hated the Li clan and hated this Li Wei even more. If he got the chance, he would eliminate this brat before the challenge day.
This brat had to die by his hands.
Chapter 9
Hidden danger
Li Wei sat on a wooden chair, observing Grandfather Shua’s grim expression highlighted by the shadows of the stone pillar supporting the hundred-foot-tall clan hall.
Grandfather Shua exhaled. The tea setting on the mahogany table surrounded by eight chairs had gone cold ten minutes again. The fragrance of the Big Dipper Tree leaves that had brightened the clan hall had faded away way before that, and yet none of the six people sitting around the table said anything.
Wei couldn’t bear the silence anymore. He tapped on the rim of a ceramic teacup. “Grandfather, please tell us why your mood is bad.”
The three elders in attendance nodded. After losing two elders in the fight with Du Su, the Li clan only had three elders holding down the fort. They were all between layer one and layer four of the qi Foundation Realm. In fact, since losing ancestor Tim and the two elders, the Li clan could barely survive in the main city. Although the Du clan had lost a Bone Baptization Realm expert, the Li clan had lost half of their power.
Fourth elder slapped the table, waking grandfather Shua from his ruminations. The other elders jumped in their chairs.
The atmosphere was grim. Even the air felt stale, and an invisible pressure weighed down on everyone.
“Li Wei, this is not your place to be. Get lost.” Li Tang stood, pulling out his sword and pointing at Wei. “You’ve brought disaster to our clan. If you hadn’t spoken so brazenly, we would be facing a Hell Cicada Challenge instead of a Devil Cicada Challenge.”
Wei frowned. Somehow, he had to kill this man. As soon as possible.
Third elder said with a stern expression, “Tang’er, shut up. If it wasn’t for Wei’er we would be signing our death warrant by tomorrow. Do you think sacrificing the younger generation or the elder generation is good for our clan?” His eyes shifted to Li Shua. “Patriarch. What should we do? The highest cultivator in our clan is Li Tang, at layer five of the Foundation Realm, and the Du clan patriarch has crossed the Bone Baptization Realm. How can we face them?”
“Patriarch, please say something,” fourth elder demanded. “After your cultivation dropped, you ate five Foundation Refirming Pills, yet you only reached layer three of the Foundation Realm.” He’d never cared for Grandfather Shua, and had always searched for a way to evict him from the patriarch position. “Our clan’s treasury is empty because of your selfishness. Now you must take responsibility and let someone capable take charge.”
Wei snickered. What a naïve fool.
“Li Wei, why are you laughing?” Fourth elder glared at him with his button-shaped eyes. “You’ve doomed us, and now you’re laughing? Do you even know the might of the heavens?”
Wei chuckled. “Heaven. It only knows to rain down fools like you who dare to rebel against the clan.”
“Li Wei, are you tired of living?” Fourth elder slapped the arm of his chair, and it shattered into pieces. “Don’t go overboard just because you have an array expert backing you.”
Wei licked his lips. “We’re about to face a Devil Cicada Challenge, and you are trying to claim the patriarch position. Isn’t that rebellion?”
Forth elder’s face turned pale. “It’s all because of you. If I become Patriarch, I’ll go to City Lord Dan and ask him to write off the challenge. We are in no condition to undertake this challenge.”
“You mean you’ll beg and then offer them the whole Old Martial City business? Including the medicinal plant?”
Fourth elder looked away but whispered, “What’s wrong in begging when it can save our clan?”
Wei ignored that fool. “Grandfather, these fools don’t understand the meaning behind the whole plot. Please enlighten them.”
Grandfather Shua exhaled loudly and shook his head. “It’s not easy indeed. If we lose this city branch, we might attract the wrath of the Divine Fragrance Palace. We’ve already signed a deal with them, and part of the deal was various pills and this emblem. We have already used many of the pills, and if we lose the properties of the Li clan, we will be in trouble.”
“But how does that matter?” Fourth elder scratched his wrinkled forehead.
Wei sn
ickered. After giving so many hints, these fools still couldn’t understand the simple politics behind this. “Grandfather, you mean if we lose the land where the Earthly Fruit Tree is growing, we will face the wrath of the Divine Fragrance Palace?” He pretended to understand it suddenly. It was a crafty plan from Du Tenjua and Dan Kuang.
Grandfather nodded, and the blood drained from the elders’ faces.
“There is one more thing,” Grandfather said. “Du clan has backing of Wang clan from Divine Fragrance Palace, and Wang clan is unfathomable. We can’t enrage them directly.”
“This is indeed troublesome.” Wei rubbed his jaw. “Grandfather, we still have thirty days. We’ll think of a way out of this.”
Grandfather Shua shook his head. “What can we do in thirty days? We don’t even have a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Realm. How can we fight against a Bone Baptization Realm cultivator?”
Wei smirked. “Grandfather, if you trust my master, pushing you into the Bone Baptization Realm isn’t too difficult.”
A servant knocked on the door and then stepped in. “Patriarch, Array Master Wu Xiodia is waiting in the main clan hall.”
“Array master Wu Xiodia?” Everyone shouted and got to their feet. They seemed worried for nothing.
“Yes, and he is waiting for young master Wei.”
Every one turned their focus on Wei.
“Li Wei, you’ve brought more trouble to our clan. Now how did you offend master Wu?” Li Tang threw his hands in the air frantically.
Chapter 10
Wu Xiodia’s rage
Wu Xiodia sat on a red cushioned chair, shifting his shriveled bottom a little here there. It had been half an hour already, and the servant hadn’t returned.
He glared at the tea gone cold in the white porcelain cup. He waited for master Li Wei, but apparently, he wasn’t here.
Should he just leave and come back another time?
He shook his head. His tattered green robe fluttered with the wind coming from the main door. But he wasn’t worried about anything. Excitement surged through his veins, providing him vitality and the desire to live more and walk further on the path of arrays. Yes, he had finally crossed that line and stepped into Array Apprentice Realm, thanks to master Li Wei’s guidance and the array diagram he’d left for Wu Xiodia to study. He was so gratified that, after crossing the final line, he’d dashed out of his courtyard and rushed to the Li clan’s compound.
His gaze dashed to the golden emblem with one star marked on it. He was One Star Array Apprentice. Finally.
Unfortunately, master Li Wei wasn’t here, so he’d asked Li Shua’s son, Li Tang, to go look for him. In fact, he wanted to go himself and look for master Li Wei, but he didn’t want to offend him. What if he didn’t like Wu Xiodia barging like this?
Yes, he should maintain proper decorum and seek master Li Wei’s guidance.
After enough time for a whole incense stick to burn, master Li Wei stepped through the main door with Li Shua and Li Tang.
Wu Xiodia’s eyes gleamed as he rushed forward. He completely ignored Li Shua’s respectful salute. Master Li Wei was like a god to him right now. With master Li Wei’s guidance and the Two Sword Formation Array, he had successfully reached the Array Apprentice Realm. Although he had advanced to the peak of the Array Carver Realm, he hadn’t been able to cross that final hurdle and enter the Array Apprentice Realm. Master Li Wei’s simple guidance had enlightened him and helped him break through.
“Master Wu!” Li Tang jumped forward, intercepting Wu Xiodia’s advance.
Wu Xiodia frowned. “What do you want?”
“Master Wu. I bought Li Wei as you demanded. Please let me punish him for any grievances he caused you.”
Wu Xiodia looked at that brat, Li Tang, with dazed eyes. Was he going mad?
“Tang’er—” Li Shua began.
“Father, please. I know he is your grandson, but we have to give face to master Wu. And keeping a vile brat like this in the clan will only bring more trouble in the future.”
Sudden comprehension dawned. Master Li Wei must have faced many troubles inside the Li clan, and this man wanted to kill him.
How presumptuous. Did he not fear the heavens?
“Master Wu,” Li Tang continued with his vile tongue. “I know we owe you an explanation, and maybe taking this Li Wei’s life won’t be enough, but please consider this as the Li clan’s apology and let me behead him in front of you.”
“What nonsense!” Rage flared in Wu Xiodia. “If you say a single word against master Li Wei, then don’t blame me for showing no mercy. I’ll get every cultivator in Old Martial City to go against your Li clan.” What rubbish was this guy talking about? How could he speak ill about master Li Wei? Wasn’t he worried about heaven splitting him in two parts?
“Master Wu. You must be making a mistake. It’s Li Wei that offended you. Not me.” He pulled his sword out. “Please consider my sincere apology and let me kill this demon once and for all.” Without waiting for any reply, he sliced at master Li Wei.
Wu Xiodia’s eyes turned cold, and his heart hardened. It seemed that he needed to kill this Li Tang brat. “How impudent.” Snorting, he threw a dagger out of his sleeves. It was his secret weapon, crafted by his own master. It was a high-tier Bronze Grade weapon capable of injuring even a Foundation Realm cultivator. It slashed through the air and grazed Li Tang’s neck, drawing thick black blood from a shallow cut.
Wu Xiodia squinted. That black blood smelled like poison.
“Master Wu, why are you attacking me?” Li Tang turned back and asked fiercely.
“Have you gone mad? Or did you lose all sense of reason? If you continue acting like a stupid pig, don’t blame me for not showing mercy.” Wu Xiodia frowned.
“Master Wu,” Li Tang roared, his fingers clenching the hilt of his sword.
“What? You want to kill me?” Wu Xiodia drew his sword. Although his cultivation was beneath this Li Tang brat’s by two minor realms, he wasn’t afraid of him. With his martial artifact he could bypass realm and battle.
As soon as his sword appeared, it drew cold air from the surroundings and shone brightly. It was a low-tier Silver Grade martial artifact Wu Xiodia had found in an ancient site, and it was his most lethal weapon.
“Today you’ll die,” Wu Xiodia roared and dashed forward.
Chapter 11
Plan
When Old Man Wu pulled his sword from its dark sheath, the surrounding cold essence rushed to the sword and everyone around felt a chill rising in their bones. Even Li Tang took a step back, horror flashing in his eyes.
The sword continued gathering cold qi, and soon ice formed on the rusted blade. It was thinner than a sheet of paper but contained enough cold essence to give a Foundation Realm cultivator frostbite.
Sweat formed on Grandfather Shua’s forehead and he too went for his sword. Wei knew his grandfather didn’t appreciate Li Tang’s display of stupidity, but he was still his son, so Grandfather had to fight back.
This was not what Wei wanted. Although his uncle had behaved stupidly, and tried to kill him twice now, his death could wait. The Du clan’s Bone Baptization elder wouldn’t wait, so Wei had to carry out his plan quickly.
Li Wei’s heart thumped and his blood moved faster, producing enough heat to resist the assault of cold.
“Old Man Wu, stop messing around,” Wei said after eyeing the weapon for a moment. This sword had an Innate Martial Skill branded by an Array Master. It was a difficult thing to do. In his previous life, he had done it occasionally. Where had this old man found this sword? With his meager capabilities, he couldn’t have carved that skill himself.
“Master Li Wei.” Old Man Wu sheathed his sword and turned to bow deeply in front of him.
As soon as Old Man Wu moved closer, a stench assaulted Wei’s nose and almost made him throw up the porridge he’d eaten that morning. Li Wei glared at him. “You’re disgusting.”
“Wei’er. Don’t be disrespectf
ul to master Wu,” Li Shua said.
Wei ignored his grandfather. “Old Man Wu, why are you here?” Disrespectful? He could shoo this old man, and he wouldn’t dare say anything. Although Wei couldn’t display his superiority to everyone, to a mere old man whom he’d helped to pass through an array realm, he owned that right.
“Master Li Wei. I apologize for coming here unannounced, but I’ve come to pay my respects. Otherwise, how would my Dao of Array flourish? A single word of enlightenment would lift an ant to exhausted status, and you left me a whole array. How can I not be humble and pay my respect, master Li Wei?” Old Man Wu bowed deep and ignored everything else.
Wei nodded. The old man wasn’t bad. At least he knew when to show gratitude. He sniffed. The old man really did stink, and he couldn’t stop himself from reminding the old man about it. “Go take a bath, then return.”
“Yes. I should do that.” Old Man Wu turned to look at Grandfather, and then Grandfather waved to a servant to take Wu to the Li clan’s private bathhouse.
“Grandfather, let’s talk somewhere private. I’ve a plan that can save our Li clan,” Wei said.
“Yes, let’s go to my study.”
Wei nodded and followed his grandfather.
Pulling the beast’s blood bottle out, Li Wei drew a peculiar symbol on the floor in the study. It was a Lesser Isolation Array, and he set it up so he could speak with Old Man Wu and his grandfather without being overheard.
Wu Xiodia stepped into the study, wearing a clean blue robe and a blossoming smile on his lips. “Master Li Wei, I’m back.” He looked much tidier and alive than he had before.
Tapping a Qi Stone to the array, Wei activated it.
“Master Li Wei, what kind of array is this? I’ve never seen it before.” Old Man Wu kneeled in front of the array diagram and studied it frantically.
