Immortalis

Meat Well Eleven

"Lord Cao, do you think we can find the Longevity Heart Sutra on this mountain?"

In the darkness, Tu Yuanliang sat on his horse, watching squads of Zhaoming Guard charge through the mountain gate under cover of night, clashing with the mountain-guarding disciples. He let out a cold snort: "These lowly peasants actually dare to put up resistance. They truly value their lives too little."

Beside him, Cao Zhao smiled: "It's not surprising. Everyone in the martial world desires the Longevity Heart Sutra. Unless they've found the real thing, they would never set fire to the well, nor would they easily surrender the Longevity Heart Sutra."

Not long ago, they had shown the fake delivered by the Four Seas Alliance to the old Taoist. It indeed resembled the Longevity Heart Sutra—at the very least, it contained the cultivation methods of the first three chapters.

But now, all members of the Longevity Palace were dead—he had personally counted every severed head and chopped-off finger. Calculating carefully, who else in this world could possibly know the Longevity Heart Sutra?

Truly worthy of being the person she was determined to protect.

That little bastard Yang Wujian—his life was truly tenacious.

Cao Zhao narrowed his eyes, the long-healed scar on his wrist inexplicably itching and aching again. He said: "Lord Tu, I advise you not to underestimate these martial artists too much. Even if we overpower them today, we should leave some room for maneuver. Otherwise, it will surely become a calamity in the future."

His meaning was clear: he wanted Tu Yuanliang to restrain himself and not kill so many people outright.

After all, both were young military officers by origin, and both had followed the current Emperor Yong Zhao in campaigning across battlefields. They understood each other all too well.

If Cao Zhao was overly calculating and opportunistic, then Tu Yuanliang was reckless, combative, and addicted to killing.

In past battles, Tu Yuanliang even took pleasure in executing surrendering troops. The souls lost to his pair of Blood Thorn Sabers were beyond count. When killing frenzy took him, Tu Yuanliang would spare not even women and children.

And Cao Zhao knew well that since they were now ordered by the Four Seas Alliance to seek the Longevity Heart Sutra, if these people fell into Tu Yuanliang's hands, likely none would survive.

"Lord Cao, I never thought you'd show mercy one day... Clearly, back at the Longevity Palace, I saw you killing quite happily too."

Tu Yuanliang caught Cao Zhao's meaning and shot him a cold glance: "Do you mean to spare the lives of these lowly peasants who've hidden the Longevity Heart Sutra?"

Hearing this, Cao Zhao merely smiled: "Lord Tu, you've had little experience in the martial world, so perhaps you don't know—these people can't be exterminated by killing. They'll only grow more numerous. Killing a few rebellious traitors who openly resist as a warning is sufficient. Otherwise, if we stir up unrest simultaneously in the Central Plains and beyond the passes, His Majesty would have far too many worries."Indeed, when it comes to speculating about the Emperor's intentions, no one compares to Lord Cao's meticulousness.""

With this lukewarm remark, Tu Yuanliang dismounted and headed for the mountain gate, Blood Thorn Sabers in hand. Without a word, he sent numerous Immeasurable Manor disciples flying. Though he didn't deliver fatal blows, wherever the Blood Thorn Sabers passed, severing limbs was like slicing melons and chopping vegetables. In moments, the area before the gate was littered with dismembered limbs, the disciples' agonized screams piercing the sky, striking terror into all who heard.

To seize the Longevity Heart Sutra, Tu Yuanliang and Cao Zhao had brought nearly a hundred Zhaoming Guard from the Ya Zi and Bi An divisions, surrounding Immeasurable Manor completely. The mountain-guarding disciples, outmatched, fought while retreating until they reached the Sword Nurturing Pavilion. Only then did the Immeasurable Seven Swords—Danyuan Bai and Lei Shuang—finally emerge with many disciples.

"Who dares to intrude upon Immeasurable Manor under cover of night!"The arriving Longyin Sword raised his heavy blade to block Tu Yuanliang's Blood Thorn Saber. Recognizing the man's attire, he sternly declared, "Immeasurable Manor has always abided by the law, protecting the nation and its people! What crime have we committed to warrant the Zhaoming Division storming our mountain in the dead of night?"

"Tu Yuanliang, Ya Zi Envoy of the Northern Zhaoming Division, acting under imperial decree. When I kill you, must I choose an auspicious hour?" Tu Yuanliang couldn't be bothered with further explanations. He produced the Wolf Head Gold Token from his waist and sneered, "Do you truly not know why we've come? I advise you to hand over the Longevity Heart Sutra now. Otherwise, the blood spilled on this mountain tonight will far exceed what you've already witnessed."

With a flick of his wrist, the long chain dragged the still-dripping Wolf Tooth Blade, producing a chilling sound. At that moment, Cao Zhao leisurely ascended the Long Steps and proclaimed, "You must be Great Hero Zhao of the Longyin Sword. I've long admired the Four Seas Alliance's reputation—today I finally have the honor of meeting you."

Compared to Tu Yuanliang, Cao Zhao appeared much more reasonable. Yet he walked calmly through the blood-soaked ground, his Tiger Head Long Saber still sheathed at his waist. He merely smiled and said, "We truly had no choice but to intrude upon your mountain so late tonight. I beg your understanding—we are here on imperial orders and must bring something back to fulfill our duty."

Lei Shuang, awakened by disturbances for two consecutive nights, her beautiful face contorted with rage, coldly retorted, "We already gave you the Longevity Heart Sutra before! What more do you want?"

Upon hearing this, Tu Yuanliang only snorted. "Since we act on imperial authority, your attempt to deceive us with a counterfeit constitutes treason—an offense punishable by beheading. Killing you now might even be an act of mercy."

They discovered it so quickly?

Meanwhile, Yang Wujian, who had just arrived, stood perched on a distant treetop. Staring at Cao Zhao's face, he recalled everything that had transpired at the Aconite Kiln that day, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the tree bark.

How could they have detected the forgery so quickly? Even Guanri had never seen the final chapter of the Longevity Heart Sutra. To identify it as fake, one would need to practice the entire method from beginning to end... There was no way they should have arrived this soon.

Unless... Cao Zhao had come prepared, wanting to ensure the Four Seas Alliance hadn't kept any copies hidden?

Yang Wujian frowned deeply but quickly dismissed his own speculation. Even the Zhaoming Division wouldn't want to openly rupture relations with the Four Seas Alliance. Throughout history, the martial world had always represented the people's will. Though the Zhaoming Division possessed imperial authority to execute first and report later, they wouldn't dare defy universal condemnation by slaughtering the entire Four Seas Alliance.

In other words, Cao Zhao must have absolute certainty that the Longevity Heart Sutra they obtained was fake. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought his forces here.

But... why?

Before Yang Wujian could unravel this puzzle, unrest stirred among the crowd. Amid the stalemate, a disciple from Thousand Cliffs Fortress suddenly shouted, "Is the Four Seas Alliance full of cowards who fear death? Why waste words with these imperial lackeys! The Longevity Heart Sutra belongs to the martial world! They already slaughtered the entire Longevity Palace for it! If we don't fight today, the Four Seas Alliance will become the next Longevity Palace!"

Just as expected, upon hearing this, Tu Yuanliang resembled a wild beast catching the scent of prey. The long scar on his face twisted with murderous intent as he sneered, "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Very well! Today, I'll show you exactly what happened to the Longevity Palace when they defied orders!"As these words fell, everyone's expressions changed.

Perhaps stirred by the earlier instigation from the Thousand Cliffs Fortress disciple, the members of the Four Seas Alliance were now filled with a surge of inexplicable courage.

The imperial court and the martial world had always kept to their own domains without interfering. But now, the court had crossed the line first—not only planting countless spies in the martial world and poisoning the Sword Sect into madness, but even daring to launch a midnight assault on the Boundless Sword Manor. If they continued to retreat, the entire martial world would soon cease to exist!

"Boundless disciples, not a single step back!"

As the voice of the Longyin Sword echoed across the mountain, not only the members of Immeasurable Manor, but also those from Jade Pavilion, Medicine King Mountain, and Thousand Cliffs Fortress drew their swords. Seeing the situation escalate to this point, Cao Zhao sighed and finally grasped the hilt of his long blade.

He said helplessly, "For something that can't be kept... why must you go to such lengths?"

From that moment, the scene descended into complete chaos.

In the distance, Yang Wujian watched as everyone clashed in a bloody melee, and he couldn't help but think, This is bad.

Zhou Huai was still injured. If Cao Zhao discovered they were on the mountain, he would certainly not let them live. But escaping down the mountain now was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

He had to take advantage of the Four Seas Alliance holding off the Zhaoming Division and quickly find a way down.

With this thought, Yang Wujian tapped his toes and hurried toward the medicine pavilion. But halfway there, footsteps sounded behind him again.

Someone from the Zhaoming Division?

Fearing the person might follow him to Zhou Huai, Yang Wujian immediately grabbed his steel ring and flung it backward. It was blocked with a loud clang and bounced back. The figure landed lightly on a tree branch, and under the moonlight, Yang Wujian would recognize those eyes even if they were reduced to ashes.

It was Shen Qingshi.

Yang Wujian almost instantly tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth.

Since the day he fell into the well, Shen Qingshi's face had been inextricably linked with the unavenged spirits who died with grievances. Yang Wujian had tried to find many excuses for her, but he was unwilling to forgive... and he could not forgive.

"You dare to show yourself?"

The voice that came out of Yang Wujian was so venomous he barely recognized it himself. In response, Shen Qingshi merely took a step forward, half her body emerging into the moonlight, allowing Yang Wujian to see her more clearly.

She had grown much thinner these days, deathly pale, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words. But Yang Wujian could decipher none of them.

What could she possibly say now?

Yang Wujian clenched the steel ring until it creaked, letting out a cold laugh. "Another order from Cao Zhao? To find me alone?"

"At least... Zhou Huai saved you."

Shen Qingshi's reply was evasive.

She shouldn't have come here at all. Cao Zhao had instructed her to remain in the secret chamber, but before departing, he had deliberately mentioned that they were heading to Immeasurable Manor to demand the Longevity Heart Sutra and that many would be going.

Though Cao Zhao hadn't explicitly stated it, Shen Qingshi, who had long stayed by his side, discerned his hidden implication.

Due to the White-faced Guest's instigation, the Emperor had developed the intent to kill her. Even staying in the secret chamber might not guarantee her safety under Cao Zhao's protection. Thus, Cao Zhao's words were a subtle hint for her to seize the opportunity to escape while he was away, to save her own life.

Only in this way, if the Emperor pursued the matter later, would Cao Zhao not be too deeply implicated.

Naturally, Shen Qingshi wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.

Taking advantage of the Bi'an Department's mass deployment to Immeasurable Manor, she secretly slipped out of the secret chamber, trailing behind them, and used the chaos to search for Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai within the manor.She knew that the reason the Longevity Heart Sutra confiscated from the Four Seas Alliance could pass as genuine must be because its techniques were half-true and half-false. Since the destruction of the Longevity Palace, aside from the White-faced Guest, only one person in the entire world could still use the first three chapters of the Longevity Heart Sutra.

Cao Zhao must have anticipated she would figure it out.

Yet he still let her go—was it to track her movements and completely eradicate Yang Wujian, roots and all?

Throughout her journey here, countless thoughts had swirled in Shen Qingshi's mind. For some reason, she feared not finding Yang Wujian, but also feared finding him.

Over the past decade or so, Shen Qingshi had never known what it meant to be afraid, nor what it meant to be anxious. She had only searched urgently, until the moment she saw Yang Wujian under the moonlight, when those indistinct emotions finally became somewhat clearer.

Shen Qingshi only felt a sharp pain.

Looking at him, that sensation of blood about to seep from her eyes returned.

"I've come to take you all out."

As soon as Shen Qingshi finished speaking, a dark figure flashed in the distance. Both Yang Wujian, born with Night Eyes, and Shen Qingshi, with her exceptional hearing, sensed who it was and broke into a cold sweat almost simultaneously.

It was the White-faced Guest, heading toward the back mountain.

Yang Wujian's heart skipped a beat.

Why did the Zhaoming Division immediately realize that the Longevity Heart Sutra he provided was fake?

And why was the Longevity Heart Sutra hidden in such a damp, lightless underground place? Why did it attract beasts that had consumed Meteor Stars?

In an instant, Yang Wujian understood.

Meteor Stars crave ore—it could only have been drawn by some kind of mineral hidden in the Meat Well, controlling the beasts to enter the cave.

Moreover, the final chapter of the Longevity Heart Sutra was utterly unlike ordinary techniques, which are presented as written text on scrolls.

The Longevity Heart Sutra might originally have been a piece of ore... a Meteorite Iron from beyond the heavens.

At this thought, Yang Wujian sharply turned his gaze toward the back mountain. He finally understood what Zhuang Tianyou's muttered words meant.

The reason for urgently refining the Cicada Molt was that Zhuang Tianyou had already obtained the final chapter of the Longevity Heart Sutra.

At the renowned sword gathering, someone had given him that piece of ore and even deluded Zhuang Tianyou into investigating old cases to master the Longevity Heart Sutra, even to the point of sacrificing his closest allies into the furnace flames to become Flesh Conduits.

In other words, the Zhaoming Division's demand for the Longevity Heart Sutra was not without cause.

The Longevity Heart Sutra was indeed now within this manor.