Mountain and sea lantern

Chapter 593 Senior, Please Think Twice

The two didn't run anywhere else. They hadn't done any prior research on the place, and they didn't dare to wander around. Instead, they went straight into the water and sank to the bottom to use their earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic that allows one to escape underground).

The mud along the way was really hard to escape. Shi Chun helped by casting spells to resist the seeping groundwater until it gradually dried out a bit deep underground.

When Wu Jinliang finally stopped, he was panting heavily and asked, "Is that enough?"

Shi Chun looked around at the area where water was still dripping and seeping, with mud falling with each drop. He estimated that it would collapse soon without the support of magic power, so he immediately threw out a corpse and said, "Quick."

Wu Jinliang understood immediately, quickly took out the "Death-Slaying Incense," hooked it with his finger, and then used his fire-based technique to burn it.

Just as the water had reached their knees, the passage between the two worlds reopened, letting in a chilling aura. Shi Chun slipped inside to check the situation, and then a voice called out, "Come."

So Wu Jinliang immediately rushed in and returned to the dark underworld. He looked around and found that this time he was no longer above Qiangyu City. He wondered where Lao Changtai had scattered and placed those soul-binding bags.

After using his right eye to observe his surroundings, Shi Chun released the bundle of golden threads binding him and breathed a sigh of relief.

After taking a deep breath of the "ice sheep" (a type of ice cream), Wu Jinliang asked, "Spring, what was that commotion just now?"

Shi Chun: "It was I who issued the warning. Those demonic cultivators were after Zhen'er. They sneaked into the Lian Tian Sect and kidnapped Zhen'er."

"Huh?" Wu Jinliang was quite surprised. "How did they manage that? That's the Lian Tian Sect. If an outsider could so easily sneak in and kidnap someone, wouldn't the Lian Tian Sect's defenses be rendered useless?"

Shi Chun: "They timed their attack perfectly, taking advantage of the absence of Situ Gu and the other high-ranking officials. There must be an inside traitor among them, otherwise, no matter how capable they are, they couldn't have kidnapped someone from the Lian Tian Sect so quietly. I have already given them a warning in time. I hope the Lian Tian Sect can catch up with them and rescue the person in time."

Wu Jinliang stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Spring, to put it bluntly, even if we can't save her, killing her would be fine too. The point is, we absolutely cannot let her fall into someone else's hands. If she really can't withstand it and reveals the truth about our relationship with Situ Gu, if outsiders find out that the secret method for finding the divine fire is actually Situ Gu taking the blame for us, then we'll be in big trouble. The secret method for finding the divine fire is with Situ Gu. Facing pressure from all sides, Situ Gu has the ability to withstand it, but we have absolutely no ability to withstand it."

Shi Chun pondered, "Zhen'er's thinking is different from that of normal people, so she shouldn't be so easy to confess."

Wu Jinliang: "The fact that the Demonic Path would risk going directly to the Refining Heaven Sect to kidnap Zhen'er clearly means they're after the secret method for finding the Divine Fire in Situ Gu's possession. Wait... no, how do they know that capturing Zhen'er will affect the secret method for finding the Divine Fire in Situ Gu's possession? It can't be just because she's Situ Gu's disciple, right? How can they be so sure that this will be enough to coerce Situ Gu into handing over the secret method? Situ Gu has more than one disciple, Zhen'er, so why didn't he kidnap anyone else?"

Shi Chun seemed to have known the answer all along, and calmly said, "We have been neglecting one person all along, Yin Tianlu of the Extreme Fire Sect!"

"Him?" Wu Jinliang was surprised and uncertain, and couldn't help but think about the reason.

Shi Chun: "The demonic cultivators who captured Zhen'er this time should be from the same lineage as those who besieged us last time, and also from the lineage of Jiang You'er on the sacred mountain. I only realized what was happening after I saw Zhen'er being taken away."

The reason why the Extreme Fire Sect went to such great lengths to target us is definitely not because we offended them or took advantage of them. It should still be because they want to find the secret method of the Divine Fire.

The Seal of Heaven later fell into the hands of the Demonic Path, and then, like the Extreme Fire Sect, the Demonic Path also turned against us, which led to the last siege against us, and even dispatched experts at the Heavenly Immortal level to track me all the way to the Dazhi City Library.

Why wasn't the Demonic Path so radical before? It must be because they learned something from Yin Tianlu later.

"Back in the Divine Fire Domain, I noticed that Black Tiger from the Extreme Fire Sect was acting strangely towards Zhen'er. Later, you killed him, and I was busy with other things, so I overlooked it. Now it seems that Black Tiger's ability to absorb so much divine fire suggests he possesses some kind of supernatural power to track it down. Judging from the current situation, Black Tiger must have already discovered Zhen'er's identity. Do you think he'll tell Yin Tianlu after finding out?"

Wu Jinliang said in a deep voice, "I will definitely tell you that Yin Tianlu was the leader of the Jihuo Sect at the time."

Shi Chun sighed, "So Yin Tianlu knew Zhen'er's true identity long ago, so the Jihuo Sect knew that Zhen'er was not Situ Gu's disciple outside the sect at all, and that Situ Gu's acceptance of Zhen'er must be of great importance, and there is every reason to suspect that it is closely related to the secret method of finding the divine fire."

After thinking for a moment, Wu Jin slowly said, "So, according to what you're saying, they originally attacked us to extract information from us, but because we couldn't be found, they turned their attention to Zhen'er instead?"

Shi Chun: "That's probably the situation with the Demonic Path. However, the Extreme Fire Sect may have wanted to make a move against Zhen'er for a long time, but they couldn't find an opportunity to do so against the Refining Heaven Sect, so they turned to us as a lead to follow."

Wu Jinliang couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, they're treating us like pushovers."

“In their eyes, we’re just pushovers. Brother, we’re still a long way from making something of ourselves.” Shi Chun chuckled self-deprecatingly, then dragged out another corpse, stomped his foot, and said, “Let’s go down and go again.”

Wu Jinliang was taken aback. "Going back now?"

Shi Chun: "Return to Beiju Royal Capital. Such a major event has occurred in Lian Tian Sect, and they will report it to Situ Gu and the others immediately. Upon hearing the news, Situ Gu and the others will also return to Lian Tian Sect as soon as possible. They will return to Yanzhou from the Heavenly Court through the Xun Gate of Beiju Royal Capital. We will wait for him in Beiju Royal Capital and tell him the relevant situation so that Lian Tian Sect can rescue people."

Wu Jinliang understood what he meant and immediately sank him underground, jokingly sighing, "The way we play now, people without money really can't afford it. The cost of just one trip is more than many people could earn in several years."

Once they reached the depths of the earth, they lit the incense to extinguish death again, just as before.

When he reappeared, he was in the lush forests outside the capital of the Northern Kingdom, in broad daylight, and could see the bustling capital in the distance.

After confirming that there were no problems in the surroundings, Shi Chun immediately took out the mother-child talisman and, timing it perfectly, repeatedly sent messages to Situ Gu in very short intervals.

As he had predicted, the Lian Tian Sect group immediately turned back after receiving the news.

When the group walked out of the Xun Gate of the Northern Kingdom Capital, the sect leader Luo Yan, who was at the head, had a sullen face. The faces of a group of high-ranking members of the Refining Heaven Sect were also not good. In many years, they had never seen such a bold person. They actually dared to directly attack the Refining Heaven Sect. Did they really think that the number one weapon refining sect in the world was just for show?

Following them out was a force of over a thousand people clad in bright red armor. Those in the know gasped in astonishment; these were the Heavenly Palace Guards, the elite of the Heavenly Court, appearing alongside the Refining Heaven Sect members. Most were unaware of the situation.

After leaving, they headed straight for the next Xun Gate to move on to another site.

Before they even reached the entrance of the next Xun Gate, Situ Gu, whose clothes were eye-catching among the crowd, suddenly raised an eyebrow, took out his mother-child talisman and glanced at it, then sent a message. After receiving the reply, he quickly stepped forward and said to Luo Yan, "Senior brother, you go ahead first, I have something to do."

Luo Yan turned his head to look at him, somewhat surprised. "Your precious disciple has been kidnapped. Is there anything more important to you right now?"

But since they've already spoken, it must be something important, otherwise they wouldn't have asked at this time. So I didn't press them further and said, "We don't know the situation yet, so bring a few more people."

"No need, I can manage on my own." Situ Gu refused outright, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and then flew away into the sky.

Neither the guards of the capital nor the celestial forces present stopped him from flying over the capital.

There's nothing else to it. Situ Gu has special privileges that allow him to fly over the capital of Beiju. Not only in Beiju, but he has this privilege in all four capitals. In other words, there are very few places in the cultivation world that restrict him.

Luo Yan glanced at him briefly without saying anything more. After all, there weren't many people in the cultivation world who dared to mess with Situ Gu. He turned around and continued on his way, eager to return to his sect to deal with the unexpected situation...

A figure in a dark blue robe landed on a mountaintop and looked around; it was Situ Gu.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, who were hiding at the foot of the mountain, quickly rushed up to pay their respects, "Senior Situ."

Situ Gu was stunned. If it weren't for Wu Jinliang's height, he really wouldn't have recognized them, because the two of them were disguised.

Situ Gu was worried and didn't have time to waste words with them. He asked, "How did you get here? How did you know Zhen'er was captured?"

"Heh, it's probably thanks to the commotion I created to warn you, otherwise your Lian Tian Sect would still be in the dark..." Shi Chun immediately recounted how he went to the Lian Tian Sect to find them, but ended up accidentally witnessing the demonic sect's actions, since it was inappropriate to reveal his right eye's special ability.

Situ Gu was very surprised and suspicious after hearing this, "Did the demonic sect capture Zhen'er? Why did they capture Zhen'er?"

"I've already clashed with the demonic forces in Jukuzhou. The cause of the conflict is probably still the search for the secret method of the divine fire..."

Except for key issues, Shi Chun didn't hide anything from him, and he went over the matter of the Extreme Fire Sect Seal Record that he had previously discussed with Wu Jinliang in more detail.

Situ Gu's expression turned serious upon hearing this, then he asked in confusion, "What do you mean, 'what library'? I don't understand what you mean. Why are you doing odd jobs at a library?"

Shi Chun raised his head and said, "I have loved reading since I was a child. Senior, you don't know, but the collection of books in Chaoyue Pavilion is so rich that few can compare. Even the Sword Saint Fuque reads there. It's not a bad thing to condescend to do odd jobs in order to enjoy the fragrance of books."

Wu Jinliang nodded and said, "Me too, I love reading too."

Situ Gu had no intention of getting too distracted by their hobbies. After a moment's thought, he said, "Since you already have relevant clues here, you must help me rescue Zhen'er as soon as possible."

Shi Chun said solemnly, "That's for sure, otherwise I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to find you, senior."

Wu Jinliang also raised his head and said, "It is my duty to serve you, senior. I am willing to die for you."

Just as Situ Gu was about to turn and leave, he suddenly paused, as if he had remembered something difficult. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Shi Chun, after rescuing Zhen'er, there is something I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you with."

Shi Chunbo retorted, "Senior, you're being too polite. What kind of relationship do we have? Just tell me what you need."

Actually, the two didn't have a very deep relationship. Given his personality, their previous interactions were purely based on the facts.

Situ Gu sighed and said, "After Zhen'er is rescued, let her stay with you."

"Huh?" Shi Chun was startled, then hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no, I can't, senior. It's not that I don't want to agree, I really can't protect her. Even the demonic sects in the Refining Heaven Sect can kidnap people. If she's with me, the demonic sects will kidnap two of her at once. Wouldn't that give the demonic sects a chance to have a double blessing?"

Wu Jinliang nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, saying, "Yes, yes, they might even tie me up too. No way, senior, please think it over!"

Situ Gu sighed, "Shi Chun, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you, but I really can't control her anymore. We've been too naive about many things. She's inexperienced and her thinking is different from normal people. If she stays with me any longer, your secret will be exposed sooner or later. She listens to you, so you should try to arrange things. Before I went to the Heavenly Palace, I promised her that I would take her to find you when I returned, but I didn't expect this to happen. Shi Chun, I really don't know what to do with her."

Upon hearing that his secret would be exposed, Shi Chun fell silent. The image of the underworld flashed through his mind. Sending people to the underworld wasn't out of the question, so he hesitated and said, "That has to be arranged secretly, otherwise I really can't handle it."

Situ Gu wasn't picky about food, and waved his hand, saying, "As long as she can be properly taken care of, you can take your time to coax her."

He was truly exhausted and terrified.

"Since it's your order, senior, I'll go through fire and water without hesitation." Shi Chun accepted with a bow, but after lowering his hands, he chuckled dryly and said, "Then how about you do me a favor, senior?"

(End of this chapter)