Chapter 493: Settle the Accounts Clearly

Chapter 493: A Settlement of Accounts

The summer rain poured down in torrents under a murky night sky.

As the downpour enveloped the mountain range situated in the northern part of Liaodong Province, its ferocity grew even more pronounced.

Amidst the rolling, continuous topography of the mountains lay an abrupt, sunken gap, looking as if a peak that once stood there had been severed right through the middle, its majestic crest completely sheared away, leaving behind only a barren, low-lying hill where not a single blade of grass grew.

Though many years had already drifted past, traces of collapse remained visible everywhere upon the barren hill, strewn with split gravel and craters left behind by explosions. The loose, floating soil merged with the rainwater into a turbid torrent that washed down the slopes, rendering the already fragmented mountain path even more treacherous to navigate.

Yet, if an outsider had been present at this moment, they would have discovered with astonishment that a group of figures dressed in solemn black raiment was scaling the mountain in silence amidst the heavy rain.

Some brandished blades to cleave open a path through the wilderness, clearing away obstacles and carving a smooth thoroughfare for the coffin-bearers walking at the center of the procession.

The young Taoist priest trailing at the rear of the contingent kept his lips sealed in silence, while the alluring Buddhist enchantress dared not chant her scriptures.

All prayers for the dead and acts of deliverance were, at this hour, unworthy of disturbing the tranquility of the one resting within the coffin.

At the very summit of the dwarf mountain that had been nearly leveled flat, a small tree standing barely ten feet tall braved the wind and rain, its roots spreading tenaciously along the rugged, gravel-strewn ground, greedily foraging for any meager shred of nourishment it could provide for itself.

Though it was already summer, the still-sparse and incomplete canopy thrust open a cramped, rainless haven, and within this space stood a rusted, mottled metal signpost.

Lacking maintenance, the signpost had long since lost the ability to broadcast images or sound; only a dim, broken light tube outlined a faint line of small characters.

The Mourning Site of the Zhenlu Court Ruins.

The voiceless words mocked the widespread devastation, unchanging through decades of days.

A sharp smack resounded.

A palm with distinct knuckles pressed against the signpost, pulling it out inch by inch before casually casting it away into the depths of the night.

Li Jun lowered the iron coffin he bore on his shoulder to one side, using his bare hands to dig out a deep trench beneath the tree, spacious enough to accommodate the iron casket.

"Old man, we've reached the place."

His clothes thoroughly drenched, Li Jun crouched by the edge of the pit, scooping up the accumulated loose soil to cover the body of the coffin, murmuring in a low whisper.

"The environment here isn't quite ideal. You and the Master of Chi will just have to make do for now. Once I've cleared away all those people who wish to disturb your peaceful slumber, I'll build a grand tomb for you both. I know your people here might not care much about returning to one's roots like a falling leaf, but I am different. I care."

Li Jun split his lips into a silent smile: "And don't you go calling me some rigid old antique either; who's truly older than whom is hard to say. When we meet down below in the future, we'll lay our cards on the table and sort out our generations properly. When that time comes, you, Yan Bahuang, and Zhao Ding—you old men will probably have to stand obediently in a row and properly call me grandfather."

As he spoke, Li Jun leaned his body forward, carefully picking out the small pebbles and fragmented metal shrapnel mixed within the dirt, then used his palms to slowly press and pack the mounded earth firm.

Taking a bottle of Jiannanchun liquor handed to him by Xie Bi'an behind him, Li Jun twisted off the cap and poured the spirits before the grave.

"You just sleep peacefully right here, and don't worry about any other matters. I have already arranged everything."

"Qiongqi, Baowei, and Old Ghost have each taken men to different provinces to return the pensions and the Millet Dreamscape to the hometowns of our fallen brothers, delivering them directly into the hands of their families. These dreamscapes were all crafted by the Brothel Ghost according to their dying wishes, with the mainframe hosted on Yuan Mingfei. The realism and timelines are exceptionally well done, enough for them to live happily inside. As for the brothers who didn't have time to upload their consciousness, I will also send their ashes home."

"As for those who are still alive, some have grown weary of holding blades and wish to lead a stable life, so I gave them a sum of money; we part as friends. And for those who cannot stomach this grievance and refuse to loosen their grip on their hilts, I will take good care of them as well."

"You told me once before that I should help these brothers onto their mounts and see them off for a stretch of the journey. I remember those words very clearly, and I will see these tasks done properly and fittingly."

Trickles of water dripped down through the gaps in the canopy, seeping into the muddy ground before the grave along with the flowing liquor.

Li Jun continued his rambling chatter: "I drove Zhao Qingxia back to the Eastern Branch. That brat actually clamored that he didn't want to leave. Left with no choice, I had Mo Qijing bind him by force and take him back. We owe them a favor for the matters in the Yamato District, a point I have engraved in my heart, but we shouldn't involve others in the events that follow, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh, right, there is something I must tell the Master of Chi. You have two siblings, Shouyu and Changjun, and they too have decided to break away from the Juzi Hall. Mo Qijing originally wanted to do the same, but unfortunately, he still cannot let go of his teacher just yet. He said once he helps his teacher sweep clean the entire Eastern Branch, he will come to avenge you."

Li Jun paused for a moment, as if recalling something, and suddenly laughed: "I know you all must be very bored down there. Rest assured, I will send people down to keep you company very soon."

"The New Donglin Party, Mount Longhu, Mount Qingcheng, Sangyan Temple, the Liutao Group, the Central Province Branch of Juzi Hall—whosoever had a hand in that affair within the Yamato District, I will settle the account with them stroke by stroke, cent by cent, without a single error, and not a single soul shall be spared!"

Three lit paper cigarettes stood upside down, planted side by side into the dirt.

"That day you told me that henceforth the sky is high and the birds may fly, wanting me to take a good look at this Great Ming Empire. Regrettably, my vision is far too narrow; right now those people stand blocking my path, and if I do not slaughter them clean, I can see nothing at all."

"Very well, now that the words are spoken, it is time to depart. When I return next time, I'll bring you a few Buddhist sequences from Sangyan Temple to serve you well down below. I just wonder if you old man will still have the strength to take up arms and march into battle then?"

Li Jun said teasingly, slapping the dirt from his hands as he slowly stood up.

"Brother Jun, someone is coming up the mountain," Xie Bi'an's low voice sounded by his ear.

Li Jun acted as though he had heard nothing, bowing deeply toward the burial mound before him. Li Hua, her hair tied into twin horns, slid down his pant leg to the ground, her small face flushed crimson as she kowtowed heavily and soundlessly.

Only after a long while did Li Jun slowly straighten his back, turning his torso to look back.

Prince Ma, Yuan Mingfei, Chen Qisheng, Zou Sijiu, Xie Bi'an, Fan Wujiu.

The crowd standing scattered behind him turned their heads simultaneously at this exact instant.

Upon the barren hill, amidst the torrential rain, beneath the solitary tree.

One gaze after another, either cold or ferocious, fell upon the man leading the approach, heavy as mountains pressing down upon his body, making every step an arduous struggle.

The man concealed the terror deep within his eyes, his expression solemn as he clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

"Jiang Wei of the Sect Martial Sequence, representing my venerable master, comes specifically to mourn Master Su."

The several individuals who accompanied him moved in perfect unison, calling out in loud voices: "May Master Su live for a thousand generations!"

The wind and rain were bleak and dark, yet the voices of men rose like a boiling cauldron.

Li Hua, who had been kneeling on the ground, flashed and appeared upon Li Jun's shoulder, one hand resting on her hip while the other pointed a finger directly at the opposition.

"A bunch of spineless, cowardly sons of bitches!"