Chapter 458: I Will Crush Him to Dust
Early the next morning, the sound of gongs and drums reverberated throughout Yue Clan City. A long lion dance procession stretched from the city gates to the Yue Clan’s ancestral residence, drawing cheers from the crowd. Outside the Yue Clan’s gates, a grand banquet with nearly a thousand tables was laid out, offering free food and drinks to all.
Yue Shanhe stood in for his elder brother, welcoming guests at the entrance. As the day’s protagonist, his brother needed to remain in the main hall to host the gathering, leaving the welcoming duties to Shanhe.
A host of similar status was required to greet guests; otherwise, they might feel slighted. Yue Shanhe’s position was just right for the task.
“Brother Liu, please come in!”
“Oh, Sister Hu, you’ve come too…”
Yue Shanhe greeted each guest warmly. The reception hall was already packed, with a few reserved seats for dignitaries. Later arrivals had to be accommodated at hastily added tables, but no one complained; everyone understood the situation.
“Brother Xu, you’ve been waiting long enough. Please come in!” Yue Shanhe’s smile widened as he spotted Xu Sanyan. He pulled him aside and whispered, “I’ve reserved a prime seat for you, Brother Xu.”
Yue Shanhe subtly pointed to a seating area below the main hall. Xu Sanyan followed his gaze and saw a group of tall women dressed in uniform white robes gathered around a table, occupying most of the space and leaving only a few empty seats.
“That’s the Myriad Blossom Sword Sect,” Yue Shanhe whispered, raising an eyebrow with a sly grin. “Their Sect Leader is a close friend of my grandfather and was invited here. Though they’re a small sect, far inferior to Shangyin Mountain, it’s worth noting that their entire sect consists of women, all of whom train in martial arts year-round and maintain excellent figures. Brother Xu, heh heh…”
“The rest is up to your skills, Brother Xu,” Yue Shanhe concluded, his smile bordering on lewd.
Xu Sanyan chuckled, gently patting Yue Shanhe’s hand. “Brother Yue, you’ve gone to great lengths.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Brother Xu, go ahead and take your seat. I have some matters to attend to but will join you later.”
“Very well, Brother Yue. Attend to your business.”
It had to be said: Yue Shanhe had truly broadened his path in life, transforming a narrow, shaded lane into a grand thoroughfare leading to the heavens.
Xu Sanyan approached the table alone, a polite smile on his face as he clasped his hands in greeting. “Greetings, Immortal Maidens.”
The seven or eight women from the Myriad Blossom Sword Sect reacted in various ways. Some eyed him with curiosity, others nodded in acknowledgment, while a few feigned aloofness. Among them, a slightly older woman rose and said, “Song Zhizhi of the Myriad Blossom Sword Sect. Greetings, young master.”
Xu Sanyan found an empty seat and sat down without a word. The women paid him no attention, huddling in small groups to whisper secrets and gossip.
His seat was close to the main hall, allowing him to clearly see the elderly man seated at the head of the table. This must be the head of the Yue Clan, the only Soul Refining Realm cultivator among them.
Laughter frequently erupted from the hall, creating a lively atmosphere. Someone steered the conversation toward recent major events in the cultivation world. One person remarked, “Did you all hear? The calamity at Chaotic Cloud Mountains has spread across several provinces, triggering a surge in the Mist Sea. If we don’t contain it, we’ll all be dragged into the chaos!”
“Indeed. Without the intervention of a sage, the Qian Kingdom alone can’t possibly contain it. I heard they’ve already lost several Void Harmony Realm experts, yet the situation remains unchanged.”
The Yue Clan Patriarch shook his head. “This matter is beyond our reach. Let’s observe how things unfold.”
Another voice chimed in, “There’s been another major incident recently. Has anyone heard about it?”
“Brother Ma, are you referring to the demonic path demonfolk Xu Sanyan?”
“Exactly! Five cities in the Qian Kingdom, millions of lives, reduced to withered bones in a single night! That demonic fiend’s methods are ruthless. He forged his Void Harmony realm with the blood of millions—he’ll face karmic retribution sooner or later!”
Xu Sanyan chuckled softly and shook his head, his expression tinged with disdain.
Backlash?
Let the backlash come! Let’s see if he fears it!
Xu Sanyan’s demeanor struck the women of the Myriad Blossom Sword Sect as particularly unsettling, as if he tacitly approved of the Demonic Path villain’s methods.
One woman, unable to bear his attitude, spoke up indignantly, “Those million innocent people—including countless children and virtuous souls—were slaughtered by that demonfolk, their deaths unspeakably gruesome! It’s said the heavens wept blood that day. I only regret that a bolt of heavenly thunder didn’t strike him dead!”
Another woman nodded in agreement. “The Central Region is already facing calamity, with the chaos in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains still unresolved. Yet that demonfolk seized the opportunity to sow further chaos—truly detestable!”
The woman’s voice carried, drawing murmurs of agreement from the surrounding crowd. “The Immortal Maiden speaks truly. We of the righteous path are filled with compassion for the world, yet that demonfolk cares only for satisfying his own desires. They say he’s the holy son of the demonic path—proof that there’s not a single good thing in the demonic sect!”
“Exactly.”
“Indeed…”
Seeing her words met with universal approval, the woman cast a smug glance at Xu Sanyan and challenged him, “What do you think, young master?”
What do I think?
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. “The Immortal Maiden speaks truly. That demonic path demonfolk is utterly detestable. If I were to encounter him, I would grind his bones to dust and tear his soul to shreds, offering it as a sacrifice to appease the spirits of the five cities’ slain citizens.”
Perhaps his words pleased the woman greatly, for she lifted her chin haughtily and smiled. “It’s good that Young Master has such resolve. But if you truly encounter that demonfolk, fleeing would be the wisest course. Though his methods are ruthless and his sins countless, he is an authentic void harmony realm cultivator. I’ve heard that even the combined might of the Jiang Family’s Old Ancestor from Southern Heaven Valley and Prefect Sun—two seasoned void harmony realm experts—proved no match for him.”
“We should retreat three steps upon encountering him, preserving our lives for future endeavors. Throwing away one’s life would be utterly pointless.”
“Heh, the Immortal Maiden speaks with wisdom.” Xu Sanyan nodded in agreement. As expected of the righteous path—even cowardice sounds refined and virtuous when they say it.
“I haven’t yet asked for Young Master’s esteemed name, nor which immortal mountain you cultivate on.”
Xu Sanyan forced a smile. “I…”
Before he could finish, a loud shout echoed from outside the door: “Elder Liu has arrived!”
“Brother Liu is here! Quick, let’s go greet him!”
The Yue Clan Patriarch immediately rose to his feet, leading the group to welcome the newcomer. Few were worthy of such a personal greeting, indicating the visitor’s high status.
“Brother Yue, you’ve been keeping Elder Liu’s acquaintance a deep secret.”
“Indeed, Elder Liu isn’t someone anyone can simply summon.”
Everyone in the main hall came out to greet the visitors, while those in the courtyard rose to their feet to observe, showing their respect.
Three figures approached through the gate. Leading the way was an old man in a gray robe, his white beard flowing from his jaw and his hair neatly arranged, presenting an impressive appearance at first glance.
Beside him walked a young man and woman. The man stood tall and straight as a spear, while the woman’s delicate features radiated a lively charm. They were none other than the siblings Lu Wang and Lu Wanzhe.
“Hahahaha! Brother Liu, you’ve come from so far! Forgive me for not greeting you sooner!” The Yue Clan Patriarch’s booming laughter revealed his genuine delight.
“Heh heh, with my virtuous nephew’s remarkable progress on his pathway, even the greatest distance wouldn’t deter me,” Elder Liu replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Lu Wang secretly rolled his eyes. Who was it who said they didn’t want to come earlier? They only came out of obligation.
As Elder Liu and his group exchanged pleasantries at the gate, everyone in the courtyard stood waiting, except for one person who continued to pour and drink wine, completely oblivious to the commotion.
(End of the Chapter)