Chapter 3815: Life In All Its Forms
Chapter 3815: Life In All Its Forms
Not far off, the group from the Brocade Clan was fuming. “The Five-Palm Sect is too lawless! We thought that the current master, Master Tingchao, might introduce a bit of change, but he’s made things worse than before! There are rumors that they attacked our Brocade Clan just because we were nearby—what kind of nonsense is that? Do they take us for nothing?”
Xiu Zhan looked grim. “No matter what, the Five-Palm Sect needs to give us an explanation. Lang Ruyu and Si Jiushi are both surrounded, but it won’t be easy to take them down. At least they won’t be able to escape. It was the right move to lure people from the Five-Palm Sect here. Too many people here in Ridgeplain resent that sect, and they will definitely take our side.”
“You’re right, Young Lord. Si Jiushi is treating us like fools, claiming that the palm strike was delivered by some unknown expert. Hah! He can’t even come up with a good excuse! We asked him to find that person, and of course he hasn’t.”
“I’m just baffled why the Five-Palm Sect would attack us like that in the first place. They were just asking for trouble, weren’t they?”
“Other people need reasons, but the Five-Palm Sect? They don’t. That’s just who they are.”
“That certainly explains it.”
Lu Yin was speechless. He could not deny that he had managed to pin the blame onto the Five-Palm Sect, but they could have simply not accepted it! Instead, they had readily accepted the blame and had not even tried to explain what had really happened. It was beyond absurd.
Even if Si Jiushi had a hundred mouths, he would never be able to clear the confusion. Without at least reaching Lu Yin’s level, it was impossible for anyone to determine if his palm strike had been the Five-Palms Sect’s genuine technique or not.
“I’m going up,” Ming Xiaolong suddenly announced.
Lu Yin waved her away. “Go ahead.”
Ming Xiaolong looked over at Lu Yin. “Try to restrain yourself from making a mess.”
Lu Yin chuckled. “Don’t you think that this is the perfect time to take action, given the number of Deathmound’s people who are nearby?”
Ming Xiaolong felt helpless. “But there are more variables in play, all because of that woman.”
“Who?” Shui Su asked curiously.
Ming Xiaolong ignored the question, and with a single step, ascended to the floating bamboo slip.
Not just anyone could set foot onto the Autumnspring Slip. Many were visiting Ridgeplain for the Worldscript, but very few were qualified to step onto the scroll. Most could only look at it from afar.
Lu Yin glanced up, but he did not examine the Autumnspring Slip too closely. There was no doubt that the sect had stationed experts there, though that did not matter. As long as there were no Immortals present, Lu Yin could simply ignore all of the powerhouses.
Shui Su wanted to leave, but after looking at Lu Yin, she could not force herself to say goodbye. The man had saved her life on multiple occasions. Simply walking away as soon as she was safe felt wrong. Still, she was unwilling to stay close to him, as it had become clear that he wanted to stir up trouble. What to do? She felt conflicted.
Up on the bamboo slip, Ming Xiaolong’s appearance caused the expressions of Qian Shu’s followers to subtly change.
Everyone was aware that the woman’s brother, Ming Xiaochou, had been set up by the Autumnspring Slip. The Everchange Valley had been rendered helpless in the matter, but it was understandable that Ming Xiaolong wanted to find a way to take her brother home. However, the Autumnspring Slip would never release the man, which made them inherently opposed to Ming Xiaolong.
Qian Shu greeted the woman with a gentle smile. “What an honor it is for this Worldscript to have even you attend, Xiaolong.”
Ming Xiaolong shot a cold glance at Qian Shu, and then she turned her attention to Lu Siyu and that young woman.
Lu Siyu happily ran over and dragged Ming Xiaolong away, whispering something to her. Ming Xiaolong looked at the other young woman and stepped forward to speak with her.
The young woman nodded, though it seemed that her expression never changed at all.
No one had the courage to eavesdrop on their conversation, but Qian Shu was unconcerned. While it was possible for the Seven Fairies to oppose the Autumnspring Slip for Ming Xiaolong’s sake, the other woman would not. She had no faction, and she would never join one. So long as she was present, no one would be able to stir up too much trouble, not even Deathmound.
In fact, Qian Shu was even hoping to see Deathmound’s Long Yin or Ming Xiaolong make a scene, as that might rouse feelings of disgust in the young woman. That would be enough to destroy either of the two.
That thought caused the man’s smile to grow even gentler.
Nearby, Granny Ya shot a cold glance at Ming Xiaolong, but as soon as the other young woman entered the old woman’s sight, she immediately ducked her head. She did not dare to even look at that person. The Autumnspring Slip needed to show the utmost respect towards her.
Down on the ground, Lu Yin continued to wander about. The women from Deathmound were still causing trouble at the Autumnspring Slip’s book stalls, but they did not bother anyone else.
Lu Yin even noticed a brothel, and he wondered who would have the courage to be so open about such activities.
Shui Su’s mind was churning with possible excuses that she could use to get away. Lu Yin knew exactly what was going through the woman’s mind, but he said nothing. His silence only left her feeling even more conflicted.
A few hours later, up on the bamboo slip, Ming Xiaolong gave up, completely frustrated. She had tried to invite the young woman to visit the Everchange Valley, or anywhere else for that matter, but the woman had refused to leave. She had insisted that she could observe life in all its forms by observing the events on the ground below. There’s something wrong with her.
A short distance away, Qian Shu laughed and chatted with his group, completely unconcerned about the trouble that Deathmound was creating.
Seeing the man’s relaxed attitude infuriated Ming Xiaolong.
Lu Siyu ground her teeth. “Fourth Sister, I really want to kick that guy off the cliff.”
“So do I.”
The young woman grew curious. “Kick who?”
Lu Siyu pointed at Qian Shu. “That hypocrite.”
The woman blandly replied, “He seems fine. What makes him a hypocrite?”
Lu Siyu was about to explain, but Ming Xiaolong spoke up first. “What have you been focusing on lately with your training, Sister? Since you’re trying to observe life in all its forms, could it be karma?”
The woman shook her head. “It’s much too difficult to comprehend karma, and it’s beyond me. I’m merely trying to comprehend something that Greater Sancte Green Lotus has spoken of: fate.”
“Fate?” Ming Xiaolong and Lu Siyu both grew uneasy. They were much too familiar with that word. It was that exact word that had prompted their master to try to marry the Seven Fairies to that man. It was absolutely infuriating. In fact, even their presence in the Autumnspring Slip was because of that exact word.
“Fate is a wondrous concept,” Qian Shu interjected with a smile, his voice carrying over from where he stood. “If you truly wish to understand it, you should walk among the common people.”
Lu Siyu snapped back, “How shameless can you be? Really? Eavesdropping?”
Qian Shu smiled calmly. “The young lady is open and direct. All on the Autumnspring Slip are able to hear what she says.”
Others quickly chimed in, “That’s true. I also clearly heard her.”
“So the young lady is trying to understand the word ‘fate.’”
“Her insights are truly beyond ours. Impressive. Most impressive.”
“No wonder she’s...”
Lu Siyu shot a fierce glare at the bootlickers.
Qian Shu continued, “Young lady, the Autumnspring Slip drifts across the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse. If you genuinely wish to observe life in all its forms, there’s no better place to stay than right here.”
Ming Xiaolong’s heart dropped. If the woman really did stay on the bamboo slip, who would dare to stand against the Autumnspring Slip? The sect would be able to freely roam the Nine Odysseys Megaverse with none willing to stand in their way. “To observe life in all its forms, it’s necessary to move through it. Your Autumnspring Slip runs rampant about the megaverse, and no one dares to even approach you. How can you observe anything like that?”
Lu Siyu added, “Exactly. Are you saying that she should watch you bully people?”
Granny Ya glared coldly at the two women. The old woman wanted to do nothing more than rip the two women’s mouths off, but that was nothing more than an idle thought. Even if Granny Ya was ten times more courageous, she still would not dare to attack either woman.
Qian Shu did not reveal the slightest hint of anger, and he instead remained calm and collected. “For the young lady’s sake, the Autumnspring Slip would be happy to seal itself off for a hundred years, a thousand years, or even 10,000 years. We can simply drift about the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, refusing to interact with any outsiders. As long as we help her understand the word ‘fate,’ no price is too great.”
The young woman looked at Qian Shu and nodded. “How thoughtful.”
Qian Shu met the glance with a smile.
Ming Xiaolong clenched her teeth. “Even if the Autumnspring Slip seals itself off, you can’t hide your past crimes. Master always says that where there is cause, there is effect. The sins that the Autumnspring Slip has committed will eventually need to be repaid. Deathmound is here, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s also someone from the Skyward Gate’s Luo family present. They are also quite displeased with you.”
Qian Shu just shrugged. “All misunderstandings will be clarified in time. My Autumnspring Slip is willing to resolve past grudges, even if doing so comes at great cost.”
He then turned to the young woman again. “Hatred and gratitude are also aspects of life. If you wish to observe life in all its forms, the Autumnspring Slip will not fail to comply.”
The woman nodded, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.
Ming Xiaolong’s heart sank deeper. Qian Shu was much too eloquent and equally shameless.
Lu Siyu was just about to lash out when Granny Ya’s voice rang out from a short distance away, “Respected young masters and mistresses, tea is ready. Please come and rest.”
Qian Shu smiled and turned to Ming Xiaolong. “Xiaolong, while I understand that you are upset that your brother has joined the Autumnspring Slip, we never forced him to do so. In fact, he’s free to come and go. He could leave right now, if he wanted.”
Ming Xiaolong frowned. “I don’t know what kind of trick you used, but this isn’t over!”
Lu Siyu chimed in, “The Seven Fairies share a single heart. If one is in trouble, the others go help her.”
Qian Shu shook his head in a show of helplessness. “It was a fair bet. There’s no regret in losing. Of course, I can offer you a chance to place a new bet with me. If you win, you can take your brother away.”
“And if she loses?” someone called out.
Qian Shu smiled. “There’s no cost.”
The surrounding people had nothing but praise. “Young Master Qian Shu is truly magnanimous!”
“That is no different from overturning the outcome of the original bet. If the young master loses, the consequences will be borne by him alone, and yet he still requires no price from the other side. He’s a true role model for our generation!”
“We can’t help but admire such a person.”
“Brother Qian Shu has sacrificed so much...”
Ming Xiaolong was enraged, and she clenched her teeth. This bastard is blatantly being hypocritical!
Given the situation, Ming Xiaolong had lost before even agreeing to make a bet. Even if she won, it would be impossible to take Ming Xiaochou away. Doing so would be too humiliating.
If Ming Xiaolong lost without wagering anything at all, word of the incident would spread, and people would mock her by saying that the Everchange Valley’s proud Ming Xiaolong was incapable of accepting defeat. That would be even more humiliating than the current situation. As for the Autumnspring Slip, they would suffer no losses and would instead gain a better reputation. After all, she was one of the Seven Fairies. Even if the Autumnspring Slip demanded that she place a wager, they might not dare to collect on it.
Ultimately, the Autumnspring Slip would lose nothing, while Ming Xiaolong would ruin her own reputation; the only thing that would happen was a showcasing of the Autumnspring Slip’s magnanimity. It was a complete joke.
Lu Siyu’s anger was about to boil over. She could also see through Qian Shu’s intentions, but there was nothing that either of them could do. Manipulating things in such a way was precisely what the Autumnspring Slip excelled at.
The young woman calmly looked down at the ground, apparently uninterested in what happened atop the bamboo slip.
Granny Ya sneered as she stared at Ming Xiaolong and Lu Siyu. So what if they were two of the Seven Fairies? As long as they were not openly provoked, what could they do? Could they summon Greater Sancte Green Lotus?
It was too easy to toy with the two women.
“So, Xiaolong, what do you say? I’ll accept all of the costs. You just need to agree to the bet,” Qian Shu pressed, smiling as he continued to push the woman. “Of course, if you don’t want to, that’s fine. However, please do try to persuade your brother.”
Ming Xiaolong was taken aback by the sudden request. “What happened to my brother?”
Qian Shu sighed. “We’ve given your brother the best possible environment for him to cultivate, but while he is clearly able to break through to the Myriad Changes realm, he has been suppressing his breakthrough. He says that, as long as he is in the Autumnspring Slip, he will not advance any further. You must understand what that means. If he suppresses his breakthrough for 10,000 years, he could very well ruin himself. We don’t want to see that, and I’m sure your Everchange Valley doesn’t either.”
Ming Xiaolong’s eyes narrowed. He’s deliberately suppressing a breakthrough? Brother, how could you be so foolish?
Lu Siyu clenched her fists, her face flushing a bright red. She could not hold herself back any longer. She was desperate to beat this hypocrite to death. Compared to Qian Shu, she found Lu Yin much better. This man was truly despicable and utterly shameless.
“Fourth Sister, I’m contacting our other sisters right now. No matter what, we have to get Brother Xiaochou away.”