Chapter 47: Can’t You Even Cheat?

Maple Red Valley is the secluded cultivation ground used by the Xuan Yun Sect. Though called a valley, its area is vast. After all, with the illustrious reputation of the Xuan Yun Sect spanning a thousand years, each year, at least a hundred experts come to train here. Yet, as a direct disciple of the previous Sect Master, Seven Peaks’ arrangements in this place were evidently of the highest standard, making it easy to find.

The two landed on a cliff slope, where wild grass grew thick before the cave entrance. Beyond the mouth yawned a bottomless abyss, its depths shrouded in clouds atop the peaks, and now, at night, Qiao Yu could not help but feel uneasy.

“Master, what are we here to do?”

Lu Wei's words had deeply affected him, yet he refused to believe his master was such a person. Wen Jin Ge's image, in his heart, had always been that of a savior. Moreover, both master and grandmaster were skilled in divination. It must be that something was about to happen to Elder Shan, prompting his master to hurry over.

“To read.”

“Oh.” Qiao Yu opened the pages, finding rows of circles he could not decipher, likely spell diagrams. “Master…”

He felt troubled, knowing that his ignorance would probably annoy his master again.

“Can’t understand?”

“Mm-hmm.” He nodded.

“Don’t you know how to cheat?” Wen Jin Ge leaned against the rock behind her, pinching her brow, thinking her hint was sufficient.

“…Huh?”

“One quarter of an hour.” She stretched out her leg, resting it on Qiao Yu’s thigh. “If you still don’t get it, I’ll kick you off the cliff.”

“…I…”

Qiao Yu carefully glanced at his master, slowly sliding his back off the stone wall until half his body was inside the cave, likely pretending to sleep.

Thus, his courage grew.

Right in front of his master, he asked, “Senior, can you… help me?”

…Was he indebted to this pair in his past life? Lu Wei was speechless. He had lived two lifetimes, and all the shamelessness he’d ever seen resided in Wen Jin Ge. Truly, living long meant seeing everything!

“Array, spell diagram.” Lu Wei spoke in his mind, then paused. “You can’t read?”

“Yes, still… can’t read. Senior brother said he’d teach me, but he’s been too busy lately and hasn’t been on the peak.”

Lu Wei took a deep breath. He understood Wen Jin Ge now. No wonder she dumped this mess on him. When sealing him, she must have had this very plan.

“Senior, don’t worry. Once I find your remains, I’ll beg my master for permission to let you be my half-master. I’ll offer incense to you day and night, praying for your blessings.”

Lu Wei: …

He was strangely touched, strangely amused, strangely bitter… What sorcery was this!

As someone who’d once been a ruthless demon, his experience dictated he would not be entangled by emotion. Yet, for a moment, those feelings surfaced only to be suppressed.

“Don’t you know how to ask someone who can read?” Lu Wei spoke in a tone almost identical to Wen Jin Ge’s—a true disappointment.

This child was stubborn indeed.

“Is… is it allowed?” he asked uncertainly. “Wouldn’t it trouble them?”

“All right!” Lu Wei relented. “Seems you prefer your master scolding you.”

“No, that’s not it…”

“I don’t care if it is.” He sighed. “Here, here—seven array points, seven spell diagrams, draw external energy, gather spiritual essence in the heart, transform the mysterious power into yourself, the artifact…”

“Senior, what’s wrong?”

“Isn’t this the corpse-cultivating coffin?” Lu Wei was puzzled. Suddenly, he recalled the positions of Seven Peaks. He’d thought Seven Peaks and the Burning Heaven Gate were the array cores suppressing the trial boundary, but now realized he’d been utterly mistaken.

The array Wen Jin Ge placed in the Spirit Pool had been laid long ago.

Seven Peaks, Burning Heaven Gate—what was being nourished was not the jade tokens for the dead and living within the Burning Heaven Gate, but Ling Xiao Peak, the peak Wen Jin Ge once belonged to.

It was said that a hundred years ago, Wen Jin Ge’s junior brother had his cultivation destroyed by a demonic cultivator and could no longer wield a sword, his body ruined. Wen Jin Ge brought him to Ling Xiao Peak, after which the two peaks exchanged masters. Wen Jin Ge had a fierce argument with her own master, the Diviner, because of her junior brother.

By rights, the one on Ling Xiao Peak, sustained by all these powers, should not still be relying on artifacts to cultivate! His body should have healed long ago.

Lu Wei was astonished.

He could understand; Wen Jin Ge had no reason not to. Coming now to seek Shan Hong Xing, and having Qiao Yu memorize this array diagram in such a short time—what did she intend?

To seize cultivation?

“All done?” Wen Jin Ge emerged from the cave, “If you’ve memorized it, follow me inside.”

“You…”

Wen Jin Ge was lighting a fire, noticed Qiao Yu still staring at her, realized this gaze must be Lu Wei’s, and asked, “Is there something on my face?”

“No.” He shook his head anxiously. “You’re strong enough; there’s no need for such things.”

“If I weren’t strong enough, I couldn’t do it. Protect him well. I’ll go in first.”

“Which number?”

“Wind and Thunder.”

Lu Wei: …

“Wanzhang and Ling Xiao are mine; you can stay inside.”

Lu Wei: …

Seven cultivation sites, laid out exactly according to the positions of Seven Peaks—easy to find.

But to Wen Jin Ge’s surprise, Wind and Thunder was empty; she found Shan Hong Xing in Wanzhang instead.

Furthermore, Ling Xiao showed signs of recent visitors, while Wind and Thunder was thick with dust, obviously untouched for a century.

…Wen Jin Ge’s mouth twitched. She extinguished the lamp, gazing at the barrier and the person meditating within, lost in thought.

Could Shan Hong Xing be a childish fool, trying unsuccessfully to attract her attention? Was it possible? Could he secretly harbor feelings for her?

Lu Wei also felt his worldview shatter.

As for Qiao Yu, he looked at the person inside, puzzled. Why would Elder Shan appear in his master’s cultivation site? Weren’t they enemies?

“Cough, cough, cough…” The person inside spat blood.

Wen Jin Ge instinctively tensed, placing invisibility talismans on herself and Qiao Yu, leaving them boldly before the barrier.

“Why can she, but I cannot?”

His gaze was piercing, tears glimmering in his eyes. The black vortex reflected Wen Jin Ge as she looked into the distance, as if to draw her in.

“Master! Why?” he cried, blood streaming from his eyes. “Why can she, but I cannot? She’s your disciple, but so am I! Heaven’s punishment? Ha, ha, ha, heaven’s punishment…”

He swept his hand across the ground, staggering to his feet and shattering stones with a wave, “Why? Wen Jin Ge is the youngest! She died.”

The very much alive Wen Jin Ge frowned. Lu Wei checked her mind again—was she only alive because of that thing?

“You shouldn’t have brought me up the mountain, Master.” He pointed to the stone statue etched into the chamber wall. “What saint, what immortal, what god… Ha, ha, ha—just lackeys, nothing more!”

“If it wants to punish, let it punish! Xiao Wu—why Xiao Wu? First Xiao Wu, then Xiao Qi—how much more do you want? Is it not enough?”