Immortalis

Tong Xue III

“So this is why the Green Rain Sword came to receive us.”

Shen Qingshi said calmly, “He was also involved in the Longevity Palace incident.”

Sword-wielding disciples led the way all along the path to the back mountain. Just as Dong Zhu had said, half of the back mountain was sealed off due to the old manor lord’s seclusion, with many branching paths guarded by disciples—the security was extremely tight.

Zhou Huai, having grown up in White Rainbow Tower, was quite accustomed to such scenes. His father, Zhou Jinglei, was a master of Mechanical Arts, having not only fortified their home like an iron bastion but also replacing the servants every three months—truly the epitome of caution.

However, it was also well-known in the martial world that Zhou Jinglei’s martial skills were lacking. But the old manor lord, Zhuang Tianyou, was a Sword Sect master who, in his youth, had claimed the title of the world’s number one swordsman with his Boundless Sword… Would someone like him need to be so cautious?

Just as Zhou Huai was pondering this, the Sword-wielding Disciple halted and said, “We’ve arrived.”

The group looked up and realized they had reached a secluded corner in the northern part of the back mountain. The area was strewn with jagged rocks, and the cliff face was dotted with numerous caves large enough to hold a person—truly living up to the name “Myriad Sword Cave.”

“How come there are beds placed inside these caves?”

Zhou Huai, accustomed to a life of luxury, was shocked to think that people actually practiced such austere cultivation.

The Sword-wielding Disciple explained, “The Boundless Sword Manor’s reputation as the world’s top sword manor is well-deserved. The back mountain is divided into northern and southern hills. The southern side is closer to the manor and serves as the training grounds, where disciples usually practice. The old manor lord also chose that area for his seclusion. The northern hill, however, is the Myriad Sword Cave, where many swordsmen who are not manor disciples come for quiet cultivation. The manor lord built these resting places for them and even constructed a sword forge in the back mountain for them to smith swords.”

As he spoke, he led the three to see the nearby sword forge. Although no fires were lit at the moment, the walls still bore many black marks from past sparks, evidence that numerous swordsmen had once forged blades there.

“Speaking of which,” Yang Wujian suddenly asked, “since outsiders come to your back mountain to cultivate, couldn’t there have been others here when the sword child disappeared fifteen years ago? Were all the people on the mountain thoroughly investigated at the time?”

She glanced at the expressionless Shen Qingshi beside her, recalling his dismemberment that night.

A petty thief had broken into his room to steal something, then vanished without a trace… If one were to dismember a person, wrap the pieces in oilpaper, and carry them out of the inn in batches, the deed could be done without a soul noticing.

Applying this method to a child would only be easier.

The Sword-wielding Disciple, who was quite young, shook his head and said, “We don’t know the specifics very clearly, but at that time… after Senior Apprentice Brother—that is, the son of Uncle Dong, Dong Lu—disappeared, Uncle Dong turned the back mountain upside down searching for him. He tried every method and must have investigated all the martial artists cultivating here on the mountain.”

“So, the person in charge of the investigation back then was the Green Rain Sword, Dong Zhu.”

Yang Wujian pondered thoughtfully.

Not long ago, Dong Zhu had the Sword-wielding Disciple bring them to the back mountain but did not come personally. It seemed he still couldn’t let go of what happened back then.

This made it easier to understand why the Boundless Sword Manor suddenly wanted to reassemble the so-called Four Seas Alliance to investigate the long-secluded Longevity Palace.

In the end, wasn’t it just about using public means to settle private grudges?Yang Wujian sneered inwardly. Due to her surging internal energy, the seventy-two golden rings of various sizes beneath her wide sleeves silently stretched and deformed. She truly wished she could slash these sanctimonious old fools to death on the spot.

Seeking immortality, seeking immortality.

These blind old fools couldn't even guess that Longevity Palace was right under their noses.

Yang Wujian barely managed to suppress her rage.

After all, before she left, Gu Yun had warned her: "You must be careful on this trip, don't reveal your tracks. Over the years, many dirty deeds in the martial world have been unjustly pinned on Longevity Palace. The signs of Four Seas Alliance's reorganization are definitely aimed at dealing with us."

"To treat Blood Deficiency Syndrome, we always need to test new herbs, which is why we have to keep sending you out to search... Wujian, you must be cautious. If anyone questions you, use these golden rings for self-defense and claim you're a descendant of Crescent Moon Blade... The Crescent Moon Blade descendants are all dead with no family left to investigate, and the martial world knows Hero's Tomb is inauspicious, so they won't dig deeper."

That was what Gu Yun had told her back then.

After the palace coup fifteen years ago, when Old Palace Master Guanri went mad refining elixirs and was eventually expelled from the palace, among Longevity Palace's ten elders, two went missing, five died at enemy hands, and the remaining three—Gu Yun, Mingshan, and Guanshui—had to shoulder the operation of the entire Longevity Palace.

Normally, to treat the palace members' Blood Deficiency Syndrome, Gu Yun would often refine medicines in the Medicine Furnace, while Mingshan was burdened with numerous palace affairs. Therefore, the task of gathering herbs fell upon Yang Wujian, the Guanshui elder who hardly handled any administrative matters.

However, if Gu Yun found out she had infiltrated Four Seas Alliance this time, she'd probably want to slap her to death with one palm.

Thinking of this, Yang Wujian couldn't help but sigh softly.

Initially, she had impulsively joined the martial contest just to probe Four Seas Alliance's foundations, never expecting to stumble upon their search for immortality.

Now this was perfect—it directly gave her the opportunity to investigate these cases that had been inexplicably attributed to Longevity Palace. Yang Wujian wanted to see what she could uncover.

"What are your thoughts?"

Yang Wujian snapped back to reality and looked at the two people beside her.

One was the young master of Old Four Seas Alliance, the other a spy from Zhaoming Division. Yang Wujian felt she had found herself two excellent assistants.

"Th...thoughts?"

Since arriving at the back mountain, Zhou Huai had been extremely tense. After all, as someone who didn't even dare to extinguish the lamp while sleeping at night, coming to this gloomy back mountain full of caves without running away was already showing immense face.

Zhou Huai swallowed hard, his prayer beads clicking loudly in his hands: "Well... I actually think we should just go down the mountain and make inquiries? Didn't you say earlier? If we need to take four people out, there must be some arrangements along the way. Since we've already turned this mountain upside down, why don't we do the opposite and start our investigation from the foot of the mountain?"

"You've gotten smarter, young master. Congratulations."

Though Yang Wujian said this, she didn't actually believe the people had been taken down the mountain.

After all, she had been present during that catastrophe fifteen years ago. When Old Palace Master Guanri was searching for a qi-tonifying medicine called Cicada Molt, he successively threw hundreds of people into the furnace flames. However, he wasn't completely indiscriminate about the flesh conduits—he used young maidens under eighteen the most.

A pair of completely lifeless eyes flashed through Yang Wujian's mind.The girl was only two or three years younger than her. The Old Palace Master seemed to value her highly, locking her alone in a Black Iron Cage and force-feeding her countless elixirs for several consecutive days—yet she miraculously survived.

It appeared only young girls could withstand Guanri's torment of using poisons to transform them into his desired Flesh Conduits. Thus, Yang Wujian found it hard to believe that the Old Palace Master Guanri would infiltrate the Boundless Sword Manor just to capture four seemingly useless boys.

By now, she had also realized Zhou Huai was quite gullible and likely wouldn't be much help, so she turned to the silent Shen Qingshi.

"Young Master Shen, what do you think?"

Yang Wujian studied Shen Qingshi's impenetrable expression, wondering if all Zhaoming Guards were like this—never revealing joy or anger.

Though, it seemed the palace's provisions weren't particularly generous, having nurtured someone so gaunt. He clearly appeared older than Zhou Huai, yet stood a full head shorter, as if his bones hadn't fully developed.

Shen Qingshi pondered briefly before uttering just two words: "Descend the mountain."

"Young master, you also think we should go down?"

Yang Wujian began regretting her earlier overly persuasive performance. She had only intended to convince Young Master Zhou to continue investigating the case, never expecting to deceive even Shen Qingshi.

Shen Qingshi's jade-like face remained unreadable as he said calmly, "Killing children violates heavenly principles—an unforgivable crime. If local authorities neglect investigation and fail their duties, they shall face salary deductions."

Yang Wujian paused. "You mean even if this is considered Jianghu business that should be settled within the Jianghu, it's strange that local officials aren't investigating given how major this incident is?"

Shen Qingshi nodded and turned toward the mountain gate. Knowing only Shen Qingshi could navigate certain bureaucratic channels, Yang Wujian immediately pursued him.

"Young Hero Shen, let us join your investigation! I bear blood grudges against Longevity Palace and know much of its history, while Young Master Zhou here has an influential father and considerable Jianghu reputation... Finding Longevity Palace is crucial, and you'd be stronger with companions than working alone."

Shen Qingshi halted at these words, scrutinizing the girl before him. Her features seemed familiar, yet his childhood memories were too hazy to recall clearly.

Had they crossed paths because of Longevity Palace before?

Shen Qingshi knew his past was inextricably linked to Longevity Palace—this was precisely why Cao Zhao had sent him as a spy.

By finding Longevity Palace, he could uncover those forgotten painful memories, learn the origin of the brand on his body, and understand the screams echoing in his mind.

Perhaps Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai could indeed provide assistance.

Having served years in the Zhaoming Division where killing required but a blink, Shen Qingshi acted with decisive swiftness. "Wait for me at the inn downhill," he said immediately. "Investigating officials will take some time."

The three parted ways at the mountain gate. Watching Shen Qingshi depart, Zhou Huai muttered, "What's his background? He claims he grew up on charity, yet he has government connections. Could he be from a wealthy family too?"

Yang Wujian secretly found this amusing.

The Zhaoming Division was established by the current Son of Heaven specifically to investigate officials. It was said that entering Zhaoming Prison would strip you of your skin even if you survived. No wonder petty officials like county magistrates would tremble and kneel at the sight of a Bi An Token.She smiled, "Who knows? Young Master Shen is so mysterious in his ways. Perhaps among his former foster parents were high-ranking officials and nobles... Young Master Zhou, you should learn from him. Your father has such a great reputation in the martial world, so why aren't you staying home to inherit the family business instead of running around playing the part of a young hero?"

Her words truly struck a nerve, like stepping on a peacock's tail feathers. Zhou Huai's handsome face immediately scrunched up, and he retorted stubbornly, "My father is in the prime of his life—what is there for me to inherit? Besides, he's the one who told me to gain more experience. What else can I do?"

Having said that, to change the subject, Zhou Huai walked with her toward the inn and asked with a serious expression, "Miss Yang, just how old are you? Why do you always speak to me in such a condescending tone?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Yang Wujian smiled and stated an age, which immediately made Zhou Huai's eyes widen in shock. "Nonsense! You clearly look only seventeen or eighteen. If what you say is true, tell me how you maintain your youthfulness. I'll definitely try it when I get back."

"Try it?"

Yang Wujian raised an eyebrow. "This youthful appearance of mine comes from Blood Washing. Do you still want to try? The Blood Cleansing Pill feels like being burned by fire, with excruciating pain that never stops. Young Master Zhou, if you want to try, I'll let you have a taste."

"Blood Washing?"

Zhou Huai had taken countless medicines since childhood to treat his Evil Sickness, but he had never heard of such a thing. He assumed Yang Wujian was joking again and steered the conversation back on track. "Well, you said you've investigated a lot about the Longevity Palace. Aren't there any more recent cases to look into? Besides, such a large sect—how could they move around the martial world without being noticed? Don't they have any unique techniques?"

"Unique techniques? Young master, you really did no research before joining the Four Seas Alliance, did you?"

By now, Yang Wujian was increasingly convinced that this guy was incredibly naive. If not for his exceptional martial skills, he'd probably be sold to a brothel within the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

She chuckled and said, "Haven't you heard? The Longevity Palace only practices internal techniques."

"Internal techniques?"

"Yes, the Longevity Heart Sutra is said to be a very unorthodox internal art. It allows practitioners to extract their inner energy, bypassing the meridians and acupoints, as if drawing a blade from their body... Have you ever considered that you cultivate internal energy to strengthen your foundation, but they cultivate it to directly use it for killing?"

"Extract it?"

Zhou Huai stared wide-eyed. "Are you saying they use internal energy as external techniques?"

Yang Wujian loved seeing his ignorant expression and laughed again. "Yes, their internal techniques are their external techniques. However, using them that way is too conspicuous, so when Longevity Palace members travel the martial world, they rely on stolen techniques. It's entirely possible that some of them even know your family's White Rainbow Sword technique. The difference is, when you unleash sword energy, it flows through your meridians and acupoints, while they don't need to... Young Master Zhou, how many moves do you think you could withstand against someone like that?"