Chapter Thirteen: Escape

Afterward, Master Jianyu turned his gaze to Xu Cheng and Master Liao Yi, and said, “You two belong to the Celestial Profound Sect. I have no authority over you. However, perhaps your sect possesses a powerful technique that can restore his severed limbs. You’d best return to your sect as soon as possible.”

“Understood, Master!”

“Abba abba!”

...

Liao Yi bowed slightly, then found a length of rope and tied Xu Cheng securely to his back.

“That’s for the best. By the way, when you return, inform Ling Jade and the others that in a few days I will personally visit the Celestial Profound Sect to discuss our grand plan for eradicating the demons!”

“Cheng Yue, Cheng Kun, come with me at once.”

With these words, Master Jianyu mounted his divine sword, taking Cheng Kun and Cheng Yue, and transformed into a silvery streak of light that vanished at the horizon.

“My poor junior brother, how pitiful he is, tormented so by that demon!” Liao Yi, carrying Xu Cheng on his back, appeared mournful and dejected.

If Xu Cheng could speak, he’d surely curse at him—he’s not the one injured, and besides, Xu Cheng isn’t dead yet. Wouldn’t it be better to return to the sect sooner?

Paying no further mind to his carrier, Xu Cheng devoted himself wholly to gathering spell talismans. No matter what, improving his cultivation was the most practical course, especially since there existed a technique for regenerating limbs.

Liao Yi chattered incessantly along the way, so much so that, had Xu Cheng not sealed off his five senses, even a corpse would be driven to leap from its coffin and pummel him.

For example:

“I wonder if Master or Uncle has a way to help you regain your limbs.”

“If you can’t recover, what will we do? Surely Master will blame me for letting you end up like this.”

“Won’t they lock me in the Cold Prison for seven or eight years?”

“No, junior brother, this time you must listen to me. For the sake of my happy life, you’ll have to make a small sacrifice. If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as your agreement.”

“Senior brother will definitely take good care of you, even if you remain like this for a lifetime. Yes... I’ll care for you as long as you live.”

...

After such a long bout of rambling, Liao Yi decided that bringing Xu Cheng back to the sect would surely result in punishment, so he opted not to bring him along. He planned to return alone, report the news, and then make his escape.

If Xu Cheng could hear him, it would surely inspire him to condense five thousand spell talismans within a minute.

Running around instead of returning to the sect—Liao Yi was completely unperturbed by the appearance of the snake demon.

Three days passed. Fortunately, after attaining enlightenment, cultivators could freely absorb celestial energy to sustain themselves, thus fasting without worry over food.

Ahead, not far away, lay the grand gate of the Celestial Profound Sect. Liao Yi placed the still meditating Xu Cheng in a secluded corner, then returned to the sect alone...

---

“Master! Uh, Uncle!”

Upon Liao Yi’s return, he found Ling Xu and Ling Jade playing chess.

“You’re back? Why are you alone? Where’s Liao Wu?”

Ling Xu spoke without turning his head.

“Well... it’s like this. We encountered a demon at the Unity Realm. It seems those demons are plotting something big. Master Jianyu of Sword Martial Sect will visit us soon to discuss plans for demon eradication!” Liao Yi scratched his head as he spoke.

“Demons? Do they still refuse to give up? No, I asked you—where is your junior brother Liao Wu?” Ling Jade seemed to understand what the demons were planning, then leaned forward, searching for Xu Cheng.

“We... don’t wish to return to the sect for now. I’m just here to notify you about Master Jianyu’s upcoming visit. Shortly, I’ll go down the mountain to meet my junior brother; the two of us will train for a few more days!” Liao Yi replied perfunctorily.

“Nonsense! Go and bring your junior brother up the mountain at once!” Ling Jade’s beard bristled, her eyes blazing with anger.

Liao Yi rolled his eyes and answered, “Alright.”

“Hurry up!” Ling Jade waved her hand impatiently.

With that, Liao Yi darted down the mountain, carrying Xu Cheng westward, never once looking back.

“Ling Jade, does it really take so long for your disciple to go down the mountain and bring Liao Wu up?” With a snap, Ling Xu placed a black chess piece on the board, feeling that Liao Yi’s schemes were truly endless.

“It shouldn’t take so long! Even an ordinary person could walk down and be back in less time!” Ling Jade, holding a white chess piece, hesitated for a long moment before finally realizing something was amiss.

Ling Xu and Ling Jade followed the path down the mountain, but never caught sight of Liao Yi’s shadow.

“Liao Yi! If you dare come back, I’ll deal with you! Ten years in the Cold Prison before you’re allowed out!” Ling Jade’s anger caused her hair to flutter wildly, while Liao Yi in the distance shivered uncontrollably.

“It must be Master!” Liao Yi muttered under his breath, quickening his pace.

He hurried overnight to a nearby town, his purse full enough to enjoy several carefree days.

Fortune Town, Tianfeng Tavern.

---

A strange guest arrived, dressed in coarse linen, with a maimed man slung across his back.

“Sir, are you here for a meal or lodging?” The innkeeper, carrying his satchel, approached the guest and inquired.

“Lodging! Find me a quiet room with few people,” Liao Yi said, pulling out several taels of silver and handing them over.

“Very well! Please come inside!” The innkeeper led Liao Yi upstairs, to a room in the innermost part of the corridor. “This room is the most peaceful, sir. Do you approve?”

Liao Yi inspected the furnishings—the wardrobe, the bed, even a large wooden tub for bathing.

He nodded. “The environment is good, I’ll take this room!”

“If the guest is satisfied, I’ll take my leave!” The innkeeper bowed and closed the door behind him.

Liao Yi laid Xu Cheng flat on the bed, his gaze falling upon the large wooden tub. At that moment, nothing seemed more enjoyable than a hot bath.

Behind the tub was a wooden pipe, which, when opened, released hot water.

“This inn has ingenuity!” Liao Yi chuckled, brewed himself a cup of tea, and waited for the tub to fill. Xu Cheng remained immersed in his cultivation, believing that Liao Yi had brought him back to the Celestial Profound Sect as Master Jianyu had instructed, never imagining he’d been taken to Fortune Town instead.

As the tub filled, Liao Yi undressed and luxuriated in the hot bath, letting out satisfied sighs.

“So comfortable! Even a cultivator deserves a bit of pleasure!” He raised his teacup, swept away the foam, blew gently, revealing the clear tea beneath, and drank it all in one go.

Smacking his lips, Liao Yi glanced at Xu Cheng lying on the bed and said, “Ah, junior brother! Master once said that there’s the Jade Toad Palace’s Glass Body Technique for regenerating limbs, and a few other sects have similar methods, but I can’t remember which. If you agree to go to Jade Toad Palace, just don’t speak.”

He paused.

“Since you’re willing to go to Jade Toad Palace, I’ll reluctantly accompany you!”

Having finished, Liao Yi—whose mind was perhaps a bit muddled—sat cross-legged on the floor to cultivate.

He didn’t choose the Universal Methods Scroll, instead practicing the Boundless Transformation Technique from the Jade Tablet.

The Boundless Transformation Technique was truly extraordinary; once four thousand eight hundred spell talismans were condensed, one could transform into anything—people, objects, even the clouds in the sky. It was an indispensible skill for travel and escape.