Chapter 80: Let the Master’s Reputation Sink Even Lower

“God!” Wen Jingge exclaimed as if she had discovered a new continent, circling the man. “Is he really a god?”

“It seems so,” Lu Wei inwardly mourned for the man for a few seconds.

Wen Jingge had never lost a confrontation; every troublemaker who crossed her path always ended up pitiable and helpless in the end. Like him, like Golden Crow, like Northern Demon Bell...

This was the first time since he had awakened that someone dared to claim to be a god. Such a watered-down god—Lu Wei had never seen one before.

If this destitute man was a god, then he himself could be considered the ancestor of gods. It was a disgrace to the divine name.

“Is the meat fragrant because he's a god?” Wen Jingge was full of curiosity about the man, but refrained from acting rashly.

She still hadn’t fully grasped the rules of this world. Before, she’d only walked the earth; this was the first time she’d encountered a god from the heavens.

“For ordinary people, yes.” The man wore a proper smile throughout, making Wen Jingge feel as if it were a mask pasted on his face with glue, like a clown's compassionate smile before a killing.

“Ordinary people?” Wen Jingge nodded, not feeling particularly pleased. “So I’m just an ordinary person, am I? Thanks. Looks like I’ll have to work a bit harder.”

She reached out her hand, placing it atop the man’s head.

The man looked over in confusion, then closed his eyes in enjoyment. “If you’re going to kill me, please do it forcefully. I’ll savor the experience.”

Wen Jingge’s expression froze. How could there be someone even more shameless than herself!

“I believe this will be an indescribably marvelous journey into death.”

“This man is sick!” Wang Xi was the first among all the disciples to voice an opinion. “If you’re sick, don’t vent it on ordinary people! Those who follow your orders, many have families and children. Because of your whims, they simply perish. Are you a god or a demon?”

Wen Jingge couldn’t help but glance at Wang Xi more closely.

That wasn’t the sort of thing a princess pampered in the deep palace from childhood would say; it was more like something a minister who often advocated for the people would declare.

“Master, please don’t look at me like that. Qianyan wins the people’s heart precisely by sharing benefits with them and seeking their welfare. All the officials come from the common folk; this was your teaching from the start. Otherwise, how could the little Qianyan clan develop the aura of a founding nation?”

Wen Jingge: ...

Her mood suddenly improved considerably.

“You come from the sky, and I remain on the earth.” Wen Jingge tossed out a coffin. The man’s eyes widened, then he broke into a delighted smile.

“Earlier, you used it as the focal point to break through my advancing servants, didn’t you?”

“Exactly.”

“I can grant you ample freedom. Serve as my attendant.”

Wen Jingge: ...

“I will see that you gain greater fame and enjoy the reverence of thousands.”

“You’ve got it wrong, my friend.” Wen Jingge stepped on his knee. He only bit his lip at the pain, showing no other complaint. “How could you not know that I am Immortal Master Wen?”

“I know.” Stars seemed to swirl in the man’s eyes.

They were exceptionally beautiful eyes, slightly bewitching. Northern Demon Bell once tried to entrance Wen Jingge with scented powder, but to little effect.

“I know because those above know you.”

“So, you gods strike me with lightning just for fun?”

“Lightning?” The man finally stopped smiling; his stiff face revealed a trace of confusion. “Wasn’t that lightning summoned by your own talisman? No one dares to strike you.”

“Why?” Lu Wei feared Wen Jingge would continue bantering and forget to ask about the god’s origins.

“Become my attendant and I’ll tell you.” The man looked kindly at Lu Wei. “You were once a god. I can glimpse your past. Do you want to know what happened that night?”

Lu Wei hesitated.

Wen Jingge stepped in, “He doesn’t! I don’t either!”

Lu Wei: ...

“I’ll tell you this: If being a god means relying on pyramid schemes to beguile people, then such a god is either fabricated, false, or simply incompetent.

I, Wen Jingge, will only serve the strong. When he reaches the pinnacle, I’ll strike from behind, and the world will bow to me!”

These words were heretical, but when Wen Jingge spoke, no one dared refute.

The disciples felt their master’s decisions were unshakeable, so they simply followed her lead. Lu Wei believed that, given Wen Jingge’s madness, she was indeed capable of such things.

Everyone in this world had tangled ties they couldn’t truly sever, but Wen Jingge was an exception—her attachment to the world was nearly nonexistent.

The two in her mind seemed to threaten her, but in truth, she enjoyed their presence, and it was they who were threatened instead.

The man’s breathing grew rapid; his dark face showed a faint flush. He shook his head, crying incredulously, “Me! Ha ha ha! How could it be! How could it become like this? No, no, it shouldn’t be this way.”

“How shouldn’t it be?” Liang Si pointed her sword at him and with a single sweep, the man’s head fell, blood pooling everywhere.

But he did not die.

His head remained where it was, but his neck began to change. Slowly, a nearly transparent head grew out.

Liang Si struck again; two heads lay on the ground, and a third was forming.

“It’s useless.” The little girl shook her head, eyes brimming with tears, terrified. “I—I was tricked by him. He said he could help me become human first, and if I could kill him, he’d let me go. But—but I couldn’t kill him, so I had to be his servant, and I can’t stray too far.”

“How many times have you killed him?”

“I don’t know.” The little girl looked at Wen Jingge and cried even harder. “I was killing him before Xuanyun Sect’s recruitment. After the recruitment, he said he was going to Xuanyun Sect, so I stopped. Wuwuwu, I really don’t know anything. Please don’t roast me and eat me.”

“Are you immortal now too?”

“Yes, yes, I can’t die anymore. I’d rather die myself. Every wound hurts so much, but I just can’t die. Again and again—it hurts, it hurts so much!”

The man’s new head had fully grown. His face was pale, still fake-looking, as if made of paper, his features seemingly drawn on, with colors so faint.

“Is it that the so-called Heavenly Way can never appear in its true form?” Wen Jingge suddenly mused aloud. The expression on the man’s face grew richer, but when he heard Wen Jingge’s words, he unconsciously froze.

“Heavenly Way! Yes, you carry the opportunity of the Heavenly Way. That’s why I wanted you to kill me.”

“If you fail, you become his attendant?” Wen Jingge sneered and patted Liang Si’s shoulder. “Our Ten-Thousand-Fathom Peak has a tradition of slaying masters. When my disciple first joined, she was already plotting to kill me. You’d better think twice before answering.”

“Marvelous!” The man exclaimed in admiration.

“Master! Let’s just ignore him. He’s a complete fool. Before the innkeeper notices, let’s run!”

Wen Jingge looked at Wang Xi, utterly puzzled.

“That way, Master’s reputation will be even more tarnished!”

“Great idea!” Lu Wei patted her on the shoulder and set off on his own.