Chapter 32: He Deserves to Die

Yue Wumiao gazed at the man before her in a daze, momentarily at a loss for words.

She had assumed that when faced with the temptation of Zheng Peng’s massive payout, Chen Tiansheng would let him go. Instead, he had killed the man without a second thought, leaving no room for any desperate pleading. To be so young and yet so decisive in his killing—it was truly shocking.

Chen Tiansheng sheathed his Dragon-Phoenix Blade, glanced up at the sky, and said to the stunned Yue Wumiao, "Let's go. If we don't leave now, it will be dawn."

With that, he turned and crouched slightly, signaling her to climb on his back.

Yue Wumiao regained her composure and, without much hesitation, pressed herself against his back. Unlike before, she did not grab his shoulders to create distance between their bodies; the broad, sturdy back offered her an overwhelming sense of security.

Chen Tiansheng noticed the sensation behind him and couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, struggling to steady his mind. Having such a woman pressed against him was a formidable test of his resolve.

On the road, Yue Wumiao said sincerely, "Thank you."

"Don't give it another thought," Chen Tiansheng replied. "I simply did what a bodyguard is supposed to do."

Hearing this, Yue Wumiao felt both surprised and a touch of disappointment. The men she had encountered in the past would have seized upon her gratitude, exaggerating their efforts in hopes of gaining more favors. This man was different; there was no hint of perfunctoriness in his tone. He truly did not want to take advantage of her.

Taking a deep breath, Yue Wumiao said, "You didn't just protect me; you killed my enemy. You have already completed the second commission beyond expectations."

The second commission had been to identify the murderer of her family. While she had largely suspected the Zheng family, hearing Zheng Peng confess it today had been definitive. Although she lacked concrete evidence to have the authorities arrest the entire clan, it was enough for her. She didn't want Chen Tiansheng to risk more, especially now that she knew Zheng Guangzhong had become a Foundation Establishment immortal. She did not want Chen Tiansheng to die.

"My apologies for not bringing Zheng Peng back alive," Chen Tiansheng said honestly. "With him as a witness, everyone involved in the case could have been arrested."

Yue Wumiao shook her head. "You had to carry me; you couldn't have brought anyone else. Besides, now that Zheng Guangzhong is an immortal, the law is useless against him. Even with evidence, we could do nothing, and it might have even resulted in him rescuing that villain from prison."

Chen Tiansheng was moved. This woman was far more understanding than he had imagined. Had she insisted he bring Zheng Peng back, he would not have agreed; he would have killed him regardless. Bringing an extra person would have slowed them down, and if Zheng Guangzhong had caught up, they would have had no chance to escape. After all, he was not a true immortal—merely a man with a strong physique. If he were to encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Zheng Guangzhong, it would be a death sentence.

"Those people saw your face," Chen Tiansheng said. "Zheng Guangzhong will not let this go. If he tracks you to the Sixiang Pavilion, you will be in danger."

He had not intended to be so concerned for her—her future was none of his business—but after hearing her words, he could not bring himself to be indifferent. In the world of martial arts, ignoring a life in peril was not the way of a true hero.

Yue Wumiao sensed his concern but, knowing Zheng Guangzhong’s power, did not want to implicate him further. She smiled and said, "Even as an immortal, Zheng Guangzhong cannot behave recklessly within the city. Besides, the Sixiang Pavilion is no pushover. As their top performer, they will protect me."

Chen Tiansheng nodded. As the largest brothel in Qingzhou Prefecture, the Sixiang Pavilion certainly had its own means of influence.

Without further conversation, Chen Tiansheng carried her and headed back to the city at full speed. Having resisted the attacks of Zheng Peng's men with his physical strength alone, he hadn't expended much energy. Pushing hard, he calculated he could reach the pavilion before dawn, minimizing the chance of Zheng Guangzhong catching up.

About three-quarters of an hour later, they reached the city walls. Once inside, even Zheng Guangzhong would not dare to act with total impunity.

Chen Tiansheng crouched slightly, watching the patrolling soldiers. As soon as they turned away, he prepared to leap. *Now!*

He surged upward like a cannonball.

"Give me back my son's life!"

Just as he was about to clear the wall, a thunderous roar erupted from behind. Turning his head, he saw a figure sprinting across the ground with supernatural speed. Within a single breath, the man reached the ten-meter mark outside the wall, then leaped into the air like a hawk, flying toward them.

"Zheng Guangzhong!" Yue Wumiao gasped.

It was indeed him. The survivors from the village had returned to the Dragon-Tiger Manor to inform him, and upon learning of his only son's death, Zheng Guangzhong had pursued them in a blind rage.

Chen Tiansheng’s heart sank. At this speed, Zheng Guangzhong would strike them down before they even cleared the wall. Damn it! So this was the speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Without a second thought, Chen Tiansheng grabbed Yue Wumiao’s waist, pulled her from his back to his front, and shoved her toward the other side of the wall.

"Thinking of running? You’ll both die!" Zheng Guangzhong roared, lunging to intercept them before they could reach the city’s protection.

As he closed within meters, he unleashed a palm strike meant to end Chen Tiansheng’s life.

Just as Zheng Guangzhong expected to land the killing blow, a broad, broken blade appeared in Chen Tiansheng’s hand, catching the strike. The terrifying force sent a jolt of agony through Chen Tiansheng’s arm. Even with his full resistance, the power crushed him, pinning him against the wall and knocking the wind from his lungs. He was sent flying like a kite with snapped strings, slamming into the masonry with a thunderous crash.

*Thud.*

Chen Tiansheng spat out a mouthful of blood, his internal organs wracked with pain. If not for the Dragon-Phoenix Blade blocking the strike, he would have been killed instantly.

Zheng Guangzhong landed on the wall, peering down at the black-clad man embedded in the stone. "You are from the Immortal Sect!"

The ability to manifest objects out of thin air required a spatial storage artifact, something only those of the immortal path possessed. Zheng Guangzhong hesitated. Although he had successfully established his foundation and received invitations from immortal sects, he was not yet officially a member. He feared that offending another immortal before establishing his own footing would jeopardize his future.

Chen Tiansheng gritted his teeth and stood, his insides still in turmoil. He replied calmly, "So, do you still intend to kill me?"

Inside the city walls, Yue Wumiao had tumbled onto the grass, crying out in pain. Chen Tiansheng glanced over, relieved to see her stand, and gestured for her to leave.

"Live! I won't let you die!" Yue Wumiao shouted, her eyes brimming with tears.

Chen Tiansheng did not answer, merely waving her away again. Seeing the resolve in his eyes, she wiped her tears, clutched her dislocated shoulder, and dragged her pained body toward the city center. Staying would only make her a burden. *Stay alive,* she thought. *If he kills you, I will avenge you, no matter the cost.*

Zheng Guangzhong noticed her but did not pursue. He frowned, his gaze locked on Chen Tiansheng. "Why did you kill my son?"

Chen Tiansheng looked up and laughed, then said three words with nonchalant indifference:

"He deserved it."