Chapter 681: People Only for Themselves

Chapter 681: People Only Care About Themselves

“These individuals' martial arts prowess is unlikely to be weak; even the one nicknamed 'Xí Jūn' possesses a three-pin realm of strength, and his swift blade techniques are rather commendable.”

The loyal guardian offered Shen Li a cup of freshly brewed hot tea, to which Shen Li hastily rose, receiving it with both hands in a respectful manner.

“Thank you, sister.”

The loyal guardian gave a slight nod, then stood behind Zhou Qiujiu.

Shen Li had long grown accustomed to the other's outward coldness and inward warmth. Placing the tea on the table, he rested his hands on his legs and continued, “However, I believe our greatest concern at present is that we are in the Ming, while they operate in the shadows. Jinnan’s terrain is neither vast nor small, teeming with countless factions and clans. It is not so simple to root them out in such a short span.”

“Though it is not easy, arrangements have already been conveyed from above. As long as we eliminate the East Emperor’s Assembly, whatever they desire, the superior will grant.”

Zhou Qiujiu laughed, “This is indeed a sky-scraping fortune and honor; our brothers today may ascend to prominence—whether we can achieve it hinges on this endeavor.”

Shen Li observed the glint in Zhou Qiujiu’s eyes and furrowed his brow. His mind flashed back to the recent rain-alley massacre, and he spoke with concern, “Lord Zhou, the East Emperor’s Assembly is no easy foe; they may prove even more treacherous than the ‘Fan Tu’ before. We must not underestimate them!”

Zhou Qiujiu detected the underlying meaning in Shen Li’s words and laughed, “Haha, are you worried I’ve been charmed by the superior’s generous rewards?”

Shen Li’s face flushed, and he hastily protested, “I didn’t mean that!”

“I’ve told you before—we are brothers who share life and death; there’s no need for such formality.”

Zhou Qiujiu waved his hand, assuring him to relax. “I’ve mentioned it before: I’ve never cared for the affairs of the Jianghu until Li Zu saved me. On his deathbed, he urged me to look after the Tian Yue siblings. Otherwise, I’d never have accepted this position.”

“People in the Jianghu are subject to forces beyond their control.”

Zhou Qiujiu sighed, “How Tian Yue has thrived these years—our brothers may not walk the Jinnan unchecked, but no one dares oppress them. With rice in their bowls and tiles on their roofs, it’s not merely due to our boldness and tenacity, but because we have a great tree to shield us from wind and rain. You should understand this well.”

“I understand.”

Shen Li nodded vigorously, comprehending the metaphor. The great tree referred to someone of immense stature—Zhou Qiujiu himself. Without his protection, Tian Yue could never have established itself in Jinnan, let alone vanquished the ‘Fan Tu’ and other forces to become a dominant power across the southern provinces.

“After Li Zu’s passing, the superior’s continued patronage is but a debt of gratitude for Li Zu’s past services. Otherwise, with his status, countless would vie to serve him—we wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Zhou Qiujiu’s voice grew heavy, “But regardless of how deep the bond, it will eventually exhaust. ‘Taking advantage of others’ kindness and currying favor with the powerful’—now that they need us, we must complete this task, no matter the cost. Do you understand?”

“Your lord’s admonition is heeded; I’ve not considered it thoroughly.”

“These words need not be shared with the subordinates.”

Zhou Qiujiu instructed, “Simply tell them: whoever slays those barbarians, whether for gold or women, I’ll fulfill their every wish!”

“Yes.”

Shen Li paused, then asked, “But Lord Zhou, if the superior has already reached the pinnacle of power, why does he clash with a Commissioner of Tianji Hall to the point of plotting under the table?”

“Human hearts are ever insatiable; none are ever fully satisfied.”

Zhou Qiujiu smiled faintly, “Yet their conflict has escalated to this. I hadn’t anticipated it. The object of their obsession was something I deemed trivial.”

“What thing?”

“Today is how many years?”

Zhou Qiujiu’s words were vague, leaving Shen Li bewildered. Before he could ponder, the latter added, “You need not dwell on it. Whether now or later, living each day with food and drink suffices—this is the true essence. The rest is empty talk. Since power has reached their level, common things can no longer satisfy them; they seek what commoners like us cannot fathom.”

Zhou Qiujiu’s tone shifted, “Enough about that. We must focus on resolving this matter at hand.”

Shen Li nodded vaguely, “But Lord, what exactly is the East Emperor’s Assembly?”

“Speaking of it, these people are not unrelated to me.”

“Connected to you?”

Shen Li’s eyes widened.

Zhou Qiujiu gave a noncommittal hum, “You know I joined Tian Yue through artistry. Prior to that, I lingered in an organization called ‘Huang Liang,’ where my skills were honed. Later, I encountered Li Zu and was saved by him, leading me to switch allegiances and join Tian Yue.”

“Huang Liang?”

Shen Li stared in disbelief, “Is it the legendary organization said to be backed by the Zhu royal house, titled to ‘oversee the heavens’?”

“Yes. But ‘overseeing the heavens’ was merely a pretext. Huang Liang’s true purpose was the same as others—eradicating rivals. Thus, from its inception, it was doomed. The martial world rose against it, reducing it to fragments. Were it not for Li Zu, I might have perished in that battle.”

“Xí Jūn, Shan Gui… those names evoke nostalgia.”

Zhou Qiujiu seemed lost in memories, “After wandering this vast circle, we’ve come full term to confront these individuals. It is time to settle this.”

“Lord, something’s amiss!”

A Tian Yue disciple rushed in, his face pale. “Our warehouse in Xuan’an was bombed; many brothers perished.”

“Quick!” Shen Li sprang up, “Lord, I’ll attend to it immediately, ensuring the elders receive a report!”

“Hold your horses. They’ve likely fled by now; pursuing them would be futile. Worse, if you’re ambushed there, what if they set a trap?”

Zhou Qiujiu raised a hand, signaling calm. “Shan Gui Yin Wen, you truly embody your reputation for swift vengeance. However, this is not your assembly’s domain—it’s my Tian Yue’s territory.”

Zhou Qiujiu’s smile was faint, his slit eyes gleaming with cold light, “This cat-and-mouse game, I have all the time in the world.”

Liang Gongming, controlling his flying sword, descended from the sky. Two steps onto the mountain path, he stumbled involuntarily. Recently returned from the Floating Li battleground, he appeared wan and pale, as if gravely wounded.

The mountain’s side temples buzzed with activity, filled with meditators in dreamlike states. No one noticed him.

Liang Gongming coughed repeatedly, then spat out thick black vapor, as if finally alleviated. He staggered forward, his steps unsteady.

“Master Liang, Elder Zhang is engaged with Master Li in the sect. Why return to the monastery now?”

A figure blocked his path. “Zhang Qingli?”

Liang Gongming recognized him, raising his brow slightly, “I’ve come by the Elder’s command to guard the sect. What is your issue?”

“Truly the Elder’s order, or are you fleeing the battlefield?” Zhang Qingli’s tone was defiant, showing no respect to Liang Gongming, once the chief of Qingcheng.

“Zhang Qingli, do not act so presumptuously!”

“The Romance of the Three Kingdoms”

Lord Ming shouted angrily, but as soon as the words left his mouth, a sharp pain in his injury flared, followed by a sudden, violent cough. "You're nothing more than a lowly Fourth Rank cultivator—unworthy of standing before my master. If you dare to act as a traitor and throw stones from a well, let your father Zhang Chongcheng come himself. You still lack the qualifications!" Lord Ming's face darkened with fury as he continued ascending the steps. "Get out of my way!" Zhang Qingli, intimidated by the other's overwhelming presence, reluctantly stepped aside under the scrutiny of Lord Ming's piercing gaze.

But in the fleeting moment they brushed past, a faint, ghostly voice echoed in Lord Ming's ear: "Floating Leaves has been deceiving others, inviting outsiders into the Eternal Joy Cave to steal the Taoist Master's heavenly seat." Lord Ming ignored Zhang Qingli's words, his steps unrelenting. "Alas, in the eyes of those people, he was no more than a mere guide dog—betrayed and discarded the moment he entered. My father uncovered his treachery, and he died, his body and spirit consumed." Lord Ming's steps abruptly halted, yet he did not turn back. "If you speak the truth, then Floating Leaves reaped what he sown. His death is no great loss. But if you're fabricating this to frame him, know that this matter will not end so easily. When the Taoist Master returns to the mountain gate, I will ensure you both face justice!"

"Wait for me," Zhang Qingli replied, his voice calm. "But by then, you'll only need to answer for yourself. My father no longer hears the Taoist Master's reprimands."

Lord Ming finally turned, only to see Zhang Qingli gently caressing his abdomen, his expression unnervingly strange. "Zhang Qingli, what do you mean?"

"I, too, have died," Zhang Qingli said, his tone flat. "My father was deceived by the Eastern Palace's schemes, trapped in a dream until his final moments. Only then did he awaken." Zhang Qingli's peculiar gestures and the sinister smile creeping across his face sent a chill through Lord Ming.

"What is Floating Leaves?" Lord Ming asked, his voice tight. "Severe Eastern Peace told me, and my father told me."

Zhang Qingli ignored the icy aura surrounding him, continuing, "My father, Floating Leaves, and Severe Eastern Peace—these so-called clever men were all manipulated by the Spring and Autumn Society. They lost their lives, their legacies, became puppets. None achieved their desires."

"Sometimes, I truly don't understand why they act so foolishly. Lord Ming, you're a wise man—do you know why they failed so utterly?" Lord Ming's brow furrowed, his gaze fixed on Zhang Qingli's abdomen.

From there, an aura unlike anything Zhang Qingli's radiated, yet strangely familiar. "Did you consume him?"

"Of course. His mind is shattered, beyond salvation. If this Third Rank cultivation base also withers, it would be a waste." Zhang Qingli admitted calmly, his words dripping with heresy.

Even Lord Ming, accustomed to the worst of human nature, stood stunned. After a moment, he gritted out, "You beast!"

"Beast? You're mistaken. You're merely the weakest in the struggle for survival." Zhang Qingli shook his head. "If you can't explain why they failed, let me tell you: they all lost because they weren't ruthless enough."

"What's the difference between a sect of the Dao and a common criminal gang? None. Between a Taoist and a bandit? None. We all fight and steal—only the goals differ. You seek wealth, we seek survival."

"Thus, only those who are truly cruel can endure. 'He who does not serve himself is destroyed by heaven and earth,' Lord Ming, do you understand?" Zhang Qingli smiled, his eyes gleaming. "If you don't, your death will not be the only one."

"Tell me what you mean!" Lord Ming roared, his divine consciousness already preparing to strike.

"I say this: Taoists and humans are the same. The one with the stronger fist speaks. Sects, legacies—these are self-imposed shackles, meaningless." Zhang Qingli paused, each word deliberate. "And you, Lord Ming, are destined to be my stepping stone."

As the words left his lips, two opposing sword lights erupted from the mountain path! *Clang!* The blades collided, sending shockwaves that revealed hidden figures. Lord Ming's form fled toward the peak, pursued by glowing talismans and magical artifacts. "Once you're dead, the Taoist Master will know who his true right hand is!"

Zhang Qingli rose, his gaze cold as he watched Lord Ming surrounded by enemies. "Lord Ming, it's you who should step aside, not me. These useless old men are the ones to blame!"