Chapter 560: Sharp Words Are No Match for Fists

Chapter 560: Fists and Verbal Attacks Are Not as Good as Fists

What commotion was this? Li Jun clearly intended to sit atop the mountain, watching the tiger fight.

More importantly, this uninvited guest seemed to know his own thoughts intimately, dismantling his reputation with just a few words.

Fortunately, the remarks made by the stranger did not strike at the heart of the matter.

Moreover, from Li Jun's reaction, it appeared he was not angered by this, suggesting the situation still had room for maneuver.

Contemplating thus, Ge Jing steadied his nerves, suppressing the restless killing intent in his heart, and spoke in a cold tone.

"Nowadays, the Dao sect's 'Four Mountains and One Palace,' our Guoshan, while I dare not claim to be the one who holds the fort, has nonetheless accumulated some foundations. Why then seek to covet a small old-school cultivator like Chen Qisheng? Not to mention he is now merely a fairy official, let alone if he truly became an old-school Dao Third Rank's shepherd—how much does that matter?"

Ge Jing's voice was deep: "The old Dao path has been extinguished—this is a fact. We wish to take Chen Qisheng into the mountain abode, merely out of a caring heart, not as you described with convoluted excuses."

"The old Dao path is extinguished? Who managed to extinguish it? Now you speak of a caring heart, truly all your good intentions have been spoken, Ge Daozhang truly possesses profound Dao techniques."

The merchant raised his thumb, laughing, "However, what I admire most is that Daozhang dares to look down upon even the old-school Dao Third Rank's shepherds—such boldness, truly wrapped in the heavens! But I recall that Guoshan was once led by a shepherd with a sword from the mountain gate to the peak, the blood flowing like a river?"

"Did I misremember?" The merchant tilted his head, a sneer on his face.

"Sharp-tongued, are you a new member of the New Literati Society, or a spy from Lingshan?'"

Ge Jing's face darkened: "Are you willing to reveal your background?"

"Not that I am unwilling to speak, but I fear that if I do, you, this little mortal, will regret hearing it."

Ge Jing snorted: "It seems you are an elder then, which explains your knowledge of these old tales. I must admit, I am genuinely curious—what extraordinary identity allows me to dare not even listen?"

"Very well, then I'll let you in on a secret, lest you think I'm just blowing smoke."

Though conversing with Ge Jing, the merchant's gaze fell upon Li Jun: "I do not study Confucianism, nor do I cultivate Buddhism—I study the Art of Strategy."

Before the words were finished, Ge Jing's eyes suddenly froze, his skin tightening, furrowing his brows.

"Everyone here is a chance meeting, which is fate. Today, we shall not discuss identities."

Li Jun interjected, his face unchanged, pressing down on the merchant's arm with a subtle strength: "Let us continue discussing my ill-fated brother."

"Very well." The merchant nodded, smiling.

On the other side, Ge Jing's face was black, saying nothing.

"Under the heavens, the martial hierarchy—such matters should have long been heard by Li Xinzhu, right?"

"That is indeed the case. From Chengdu Prefecture to Yuanzhou Prefecture, I have traveled, hearing tales along the way. There are always people with narrow eyes who use this to talk about me, believing that since they once won, they should look down upon me with disdain."

Li Jun asked, "But how does this relate to what we are discussing?"

"Of course it is relevant. Under the martial hierarchy, what is divided is not only the martial order but also the Dao order's 'True Warriors.'"

The merchant leaned forward, glancing at Ge Jing: "Have I spoken correctly, Ge Daozhang?"

"That is no secret, yet you wish to flaunt it here?" Ge Jing looked down upon him.

"Indeed not a secret, but the matters of Wudang—you, the 'Four Mountains and One Palace,' who dares claim contentment? Yet all are unwilling to forget. Now, finally seeing a hint of anomaly, they immediately harbored ill intentions."

The merchant sneered, "Because you know well that, unless there is a way to cross the 'Jiazitianshan' threshold, you will forever be trampled under Longhu Mountain. Even if you hate them inwardly, you dare not strike a decisive blow to destroy their ancestral hall."

"Unfortunately, the Huangliang Dreamscape, since its establishment, the Dao sect's authority has already been divided among the respective holders. Longhu Mountain's possession is not the most, but the most critical. You assumed binding the Tianxian seat would secure your status, never imagining it would result in stepping on your own feet."

"Moreover, the foolish things you have done are not limited to this."

The merchant mocked, "Wudang, had it remained, would have balanced Longhu. But these fools, swayed by Zhang's family, split the True Warriors and again wounded their own feet. Zhang's family was dealt a harsh beating, and they have not yet recovered, but what benefit have you gained? None at all."

Ge Jing's face grew more displeased, angrily exclaiming, "We are discussing Chen Qisheng's matter, not playing second fiddle here with empty boasts!"

"I am now discussing Chen Qisheng's matter."

The merchant extended a finger, pointing at him: "In short, you did not take disciples, but tools. Not out of valuing talent, but for killing."

A cold, biting wind suddenly swept across the street, chilling the three seated by the roadside.

"This is indeed the case. Without a moment's hesitation, they resort to killing—that is the nature of your Dao order. Why pretend virtue and goodness here, acting the part of a benevolent and tolerant figure?"

The merchant shivered, yet his face showed no fear, sneering at Ge Jing.

Unexpectedly, the one who spoke first was not the enraged Ge Jing, but Li Jun, who had been watching the spectacle.

"Elder, your words are somewhat off the mark. Let us discuss matters objectively, without personal attacks."

Li Jun's tone resembled that of longtime acquaintances, lightly patting the merchant's shoulder: "Moreover, this Dao sect is no benevolent hall. Ge Shan's protection of Chen Qisheng is a rebuttal to Longhu Mountain's face. If that 'Jiazitianshan' is as powerful as you claim, the cost they paid must not be insignificant. Surely, they must have gained something in return?"

"Li Xinzhu, your words are not without merit."

The merchant's eyes brightened, his face relaxed, as if particularly pleased with the term "elder."

"Elder."

Li Jun noticed something amiss, slightly raising his eyebrows, smiling broadly: "If you like, I don't mind calling you that, though I wonder if you can bear it."

The merchant hesitated: "What do you mean?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Li Jun laughed, turning his gaze to Ge Jing: "Daozhang, others have attacked you personally—why not say a word?"

"Jumping dwarf, what is there to debate?"

Ge Jing's cold eyes fixed on the merchant: "I merely wish to ask—if Ge Shan is suspicious, what is your purpose?"

"I come here for one purpose: to rescue people." The merchant spoke plainly.

"Absurd! Who here needs your rescue?"

Ge Jing laughed in rage.

"I reckon Guoshan's large detachment will arrive shortly. Let me guess—the commander is either Yi Kui Du, or Jia Ju, or even your own elder brother Ge Fenghu personally leading the charge?"

The merchant spoke with casual ease, yet his words struck Ge Jing like a sword, stripping away all excess expression to reveal a face of ice.

"When Li Xinzhu first attacked the Rao Dao Palace, all Dao Third Rank members within Guoshan's ancestral hall were stationed in dispersed locations, strictly guarding against the possibility of Li Xinzhu's sudden arrival. This is not strange, for given the despicable deeds Luo City in the foreign region, being sought for revenge was only natural."

"What is truly interesting is why Ge Jing is staging this play today? Because he wishes to delay time."

The merchant's self-answer: "This aspect, Guoshan is not as fraudulent as Longhu Mountain, always ready to gang up rather than single out. If truly surrounded by Guoshan, with your current strength, escaping may be as difficult as climbing heaven. What do you think they will do to you then?"

Li Jun did not hesitate: "Of course, kill her. What else could they do?"

"Not necessarily. Because they cannot afford to lose Chen Qisheng, killing you would also lose this rare fairy official, along with the hope of seeking Wudang's legacy."

The merchant's tone shifted: "However, if you are stubborn, they will certainly not show mercy. Given your current physical strength, you can completely be used to forge one of the Eight Body True Forms. Whoever obtains it, aside from the benefit of nurturing the Dao foundation, is also genuine peak Dao Third Rank combat power."

"Since it is like this, why didn't you say so earlier? You've been rambling on so long. You are somewhat inconsiderate." Li Jun feigned a look of panic.

The merchant laughed: "It is not too late to say now."

"Your story is well-crafted, but do you think anyone will believe it?"

Ge Jing spoke calmly on the side.

"Here there are only three people. I believe you, and you don't believe."

The merchant pointed to himself and then to the Daoist, his eyes fixed on Li Jun: "Do you believe?"

"Should I believe a Dao order member?" Li Jun withdrew his hand from the merchant's shoulder, pointing to himself.

"Why would you believe a Dao order member?"

They trulydon’t deserve trust. Then, old ancestor, are you not worthy?

All called old ancestor, yet still not worthy?

The merchant smiled faintly: “I am a man of integrity; you shall come to know. My words are spoken, and our paths shall cross again.”

As his voice faded, the light in his eyes dimmed, as if about to escape this illusion.

“Old ancestor, time is still early, don’t rush.”

The vanishing gaze suddenly flared, landing on Li Jun’s face with confusion.

“Both of you have said nearly the same. Now it’s my turn to speak.”

Li Jun pinched his wrist, twisting his palm, a series of crackling bone sounds echoing.

“I don’t care which path you take, whether you scheme or play both sides. What matters is the power and status behind you. I have no interest. You showed up today with a pretense, and I don’t want to hear your schemes. I only want to tell you: from now on, if you want to curry favor, do it openly. I’ve been wronged enough; meeting someone like you, who hides their true intentions, I only want to break your head.”

This was directed at the merchant.

“I don’t care if you truly want to protect Chen Qideng or just exploit his identity as an old sect master. If there hadn’t been a mishap, you should already be dead. In the Woe Region, Ro City killed my brother and wife, and you wanted to turn him into a Yellow Turban warrior. If I had forgiven you, I wouldn’t have the face to return to him.”

This was directed at Ge Jing.

Li Jun ignored their altered expressions, patting his pants and standing from the roadside.

“You lot think sitting high lets you see far, used to judging by interest, thinking a few bones tossed out will draw kneeling. But I’m a dead man who clawed through death’s gates, preferring to linger by the road, seeing farthest at my fingertips. So I don’t care if you two today sing a double tune or perform a bitter scheme.”

“I’m going to do something simple. Four words: revenge and kill.”

Li Jun turned to face them, his brows furrowed: “Dragon Tiger, Ge Jing, and you, the one playing tricks. What are you performing before the old man? What are you trying to show off?”

“Did you understand my words?”

Li Jun’s tone rose, his arrogance palpable.

“I…”

The merchant’s lips moved, then his head exploded in a thunderous burst, his body straightening as he fell backward.

“It seems ‘old ancestor’ carries weight you can’t bear.”

Li Jun watched the corpse dissolve into mist, scornfully flicking his lip, then turned.

Ge Jing, who should have been on the roadside, now hovered behind Li Jun, his eyes swirling with violent black ripples.

A moment later, the air around Li Jun seemed scorched, twisting and churning.

Then, his eyes turned black and white, a chaotic banner billowing, countless armored soldiers lined the street, their military might oppressive, killing intent thick.

“Indeed, there was a mishap, but it doesn’t change the outcome.”

Ge Jing stood atop the military formation, his gaze now cold and detached: “Li Jun, you’re now a trapped beast. The last question from the Old Path Lord: will you submit or not?”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

The ground cracked under the clashing weapons, the deafening roars echoing through the sky.

“Do you still think you discovered me? You never considered I was waiting for you to reveal yourself?”

Li Jun laughed coldly: “Want to learn human tricks? Even if you’ve been mixed with a Yellow Bridge ghost for a thousand years, you’re still too naive.”

As he spoke, Ge Jing’s pupils constricted, his hands clenching into fists.

His vision detected nothing of Li Jun’s presence, not even a trace of his aura.

Startled, Ge Jing dissolved the illusion, activated his full spiritual sense, and spread defenses around him.

The black-and-white illusion faded, revealing the bustling yet empty street.

Ge Jing, fully alert, faced no attack. His gaze found Li Jun still on the roadside, smiling mockingly.

A sudden wave of humiliation surged in Ge Jing’s heart.

“Old saying goes: don’t hit a smiling face. Your expression fits perfectly, giving me reason to strike.”

A phantom seal, etched with ‘Floating Clouds,’ hovered near Li Jun, the source of his entrapment.

Li Jun stood, his cloak stirring as a black smoke returned to Ge Jing.

A large, mottled beast-lion leaped onto Ge Jing’s shoulder, devouring the smoke, its eyes blazing with fury.

Ge Jing’s Threshold Mountain Three-Level Dao Ancestor’s artifact, the Five-Colored Lion.

Li Jun looked up at Ge Jing: “Your brothers haven’t arrived. You’re facing me alone. I won’t ask if you’ll submit or not. I’ll ask: what kind of death do you want?”

By then, Ge Jing couldn’t surrender.

Though he feared this unnatural technique that evaded his spiritual sense, he had no choice but to fight.

“This is my Threshold Mountain’s domain, not your place to make a scene. Without that ink-clad helper, you’re unworthy to challenge the Old Path Lord.”

Ge Jing looked down at Li Jun’s black robes, coldly: “You’re already a mud Buddha crossing the river, failing to protect Chen Qideng. If you hand him over, you get a chance to live. If you persist, don’t blame the Old Path Lord’s men for being ruthless.”

“Hmph, your words are sharp, but lack force. Without spiritual sense, your new sect is like a egg.”

Li Jun raised an eyebrow, grinning: “But you’ll feel it soon. Killing you, I’m skilled.”

His eyes turned sharp, and with a “bang,” his form launched skyward, a fist wrapped in a deafening explosion hurtling toward Ge Jing’s head!