Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 72 The Luntai Trial (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
It was late October, and the wind was strong and the snow was cold.

Thick clouds covered the sky, obscuring both stars and the moon.

Hundreds of people gathered at the foot of Danxia Mountain in the biting north wind, waiting for their companions to reunite.

The leading third-grade alchemist, Chang Qing, kicked the ground at the foot of Danxia Mountain in front of him and sighed with a hint of envy and jealousy: "On such a snowy night, the soil of Danxia Mountain is still slightly warm. What a mountain of earth fire! The Heavenly Sword Sect actually got a good deal."

Someone nearby asked, "Since you could launch a full-scale attack on the Heavenly Sword Sect, why didn't you just launch a full-scale attack on the Danxia Gang earlier? How could Liu Qingcang possibly defend it? Why let Bai Chi go and eat up some dead family members, wasting time and doing all the work for others?"

"What do you know? Liu Qingcang is a dog raised by the Huo family. It's one thing to plot to seize his assets, but to launch a direct attack? How many lives do you have to deal with the Huo family's retaliation?"

"The Huo family..." The questioner shrank back, "What about the Tianxing Sword Sect now? Wasn't it said that His Majesty ordered them to be supported? Why are we launching such a strong attack..."

"So all you know how to fight are brainless," Chang Qing said disdainfully. "Your so-called support is just talk. We openly assassinated someone at the Heavenly Sword Sect's grand ceremony, and there was no punishment afterward. They just told other sects not to get involved. Is that the attitude of support?"

"Uh... what does this mean?"

Chang Qing sneered: "It means His Majesty also wants us to fight to the death with the Tianxing Sword Sect! He doesn't allow other families to get involved, but he doesn't want to go too far. He only defines the matter as a feud between two sects. Even if the Tianxing Sword Sect is wiped out, it will just be a common grudge between the martial arts world."

"I see……"

Chang Qing said with some impatience, "Why haven't Zhang Shaoyou and his gang arrived yet! They're not our own people, so we can't tame them."

He deliberately lowered his voice to avoid being overheard by the group of people standing at a distance who were "not his own."

A burly man, as tall as an iron tower, leaned against a tree trunk in the distance, arms crossed. He looked like a martial arts practitioner who had trained his body, and his hearing at a distance should not be very good, but at this moment he revealed a mocking smile.

Don't underestimate those who practice body tempering because they lack profound and mysterious methods. In reality, they have their own set of techniques; otherwise, they would have been killed long ago.

He was Zhao Guishan, a fourth-rank upper-level body-forging martial artist mentioned in the information, who was simply "hired" as a protector. Finding work in exchange for cultivation resources was common for many rogue cultivators and even disciples from ordinary sects. Even Lu Xingzhou had applied for the position of chief alchemist of the Danxia Gang.

Zhao Guishan had hoped that a famous alchemy sect like Fenxianglou could help him break through to the third rank, but in reality, he had been there for two years and was still not qualified to use a third-rank breakthrough pill.

This item is precious and cannot be given to those who haven't made enough contributions. Zhao Guishan understood why Zhang Shaoyou had risked his life so many times to obtain it. He wasn't one to be overly ambitious; he would simply accumulate merit quietly.

This attack on the Heavenly Sword Sect is a great opportunity to gain merit.

But upon unexpectedly hearing this remark, it suddenly felt quite pointless. Zhang Shaoyou, a protector who had risked his life for so many years, a representative figure among the "outsiders," was someone they, the later arrivals, wanted to emulate. Yet, even Zhang Shaoyou was seen as someone who "couldn't be trusted unless they were one of their own"?
How long does Zhao Guishan need to be "ripened" before he can be considered "mature"?

Going against your own principles and risking your life to attack someone else's sect, is it all for that little bit of money? How ridiculous.

Just as he was making plans, two figures flashed over: "Sorry, we're late."

It was Zhang Shaoyou and Qin Buwang. The two exchanged a glance, seemingly understanding why the other was late, and then turned their heads away, pretending to be nonchalant.

These two people, who had been targeted and seduced by the adulterous couple, might be too quick to say they would betray each other outright, but they were certainly wavering in their hearts. They wanted to observe a little longer, firstly to see if Chang Qing would intentionally send them, these "outsiders," to test the waters and die, and secondly to see the true strength of the Heavenly Sword Sect. If it collapsed at the first sign of trouble, then there was nothing more to say.

Chang Qing said with a stern face, "Why are you all so slow?"

Zhang Shaoyou, whose status was not low, responded calmly: "It hasn't exceeded the agreed time limit, so what's the difference between fast and slow? Now that everyone is here, the Grand Elder can make the arrangements."

Chang Qing said calmly, "You are a sword cultivator and are most familiar with the Sword Sect's routines, so you will lead the way, with Zhao Guishan, who is engaged in body tempering, and Qin Buwang, a Daoist cultivator, protecting you on either side. Is that alright?"

Zhang Shaoyou glanced at Zhu Lianfeng, the First Protector, and asked, "And you?"

Zhu Lianfeng said, "We will follow closely behind and provide immediate assistance if anything goes wrong."

It sounded perfectly normal. If Zhang Shaoyou hadn't had that conversation with Shen Tang before, he might have thought it made sense. But now, it just felt incredibly uncomfortable. "You're the First Protector, you're the strongest in the Incense Burning Pavilion, you get the most resources, and now you're saying I'm a sword cultivator and I'm the one clearing the way?"
Qin Buwang and Zhao Guishan aren't sword cultivators, so why are they the ones who go up with me first, instead of you, Zhu Lianfeng, going up alongside me?
Looking around, Qin Buwang and Zhao Guishan both had a half-smile on their faces.

Chang Qing said, "What are you still hesitating about? How could the Heavenly Sword Sect possibly know about our surprise attack today? Even if they have a mountain-protecting formation, they probably haven't had time to activate it. Letting you go first is to let you make a contribution!"

Zhang Shaoyou smiled with relief: "Okay."

Then he pointed to some of his familiar subordinates: "They'll come with me."

Chang Qing naturally had no objections, and Zhang Shaoyou quickly led his men straight up from the side of Danxia Mountain.

Chang Qing, Zhu Lianfeng, and the others carefully followed dozens of feet behind. They watched as Zhang Shaoyou and the others crossed the mountain gate and headed straight for the building above, without triggering any protective sword formation. They all breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that tonight's surprise attack was the right thing to do. The Heavenly Sword Sect has not yet received news of the Incense Pavilion's large-scale invasion of Xia Prefecture, so naturally they are unprepared to fight back.

Seeing that Zhang Shaoyou and the others had already crossed the courtyard wall and entered the Tianxing Sword Sect, shouts came from inside, and soon sword energy spread everywhere, as if they had already clashed with someone. Chang Qing saw that the sword energy was definitely not some terrifying sword formation, and immediately waved his hand: "Go!" Little did he know that Zhang Shaoyou and the others who had entered the Tianxing Sword Sect were covered in cold sweat.

There was no terrifying sword formation... the terrifying sword formation was clearly right in front of us!
It was just that the great formation that was supposed to protect the entire mountain had been condensed into this mere courtyard. Thousands of swords hovered around, trapping the dozens of people who had entered first in the center of the sword formation.

Zhang Shaoyou was certain that with a single move, ten thousand swords would be unleashed, turning all those who entered first into sieves.

This isn't a third-grade sword formation... but Shen Tang's boasting about it being first-grade is a bit of an exaggeration. They do have a first-grade formation, but unfortunately, they don't have enough high-end materials to set it up, so it can't achieve the power of a first-grade formation. However, when the formation is condensed into such a small area, it still has the power comparable to a second-grade formation, and its deterrent effect is sufficient.

The one in charge of the formation was not Shen Tang, but a middle-aged man dressed in sloppy clothes, with a full beard and wearing tattered straw sandals. His aura was very similar to Zhang Shaoyou's... a third-grade sword cultivator!
The sword clash that Chang Qing and the others saw outside was caused by Zhang Shaoyou exchanging sword blows with this person.

Zhang Shaoyou swallowed hard and forced out a question: "What do you mean by this, sir?"

The slovenly man sat idly to one side, picking lice, and said lazily, "Why ask me what I mean? Why don't you ask yourselves what you mean... Being driven into this sword formation like dogs, and you're all so obedient? Can you tell me what you're thinking?"

Zhang Shaoyou remained silent.

Zhao Guishan, standing beside him, cupped his hands and said, "We are merely following orders..."

"Don't give me that..." the slovenly man laughed. "Don't you want to see our strength? If we can level it with one shovel, then there's nothing more to say."

Everyone was silent.

The disheveled man laughed and said, "The sect leader values ​​you very much. He specially brought out the mountain-protecting sword formation for you to see. He even deliberately displayed my power, which should not be shown to others. You should know his sincerity."

It is a demonstration of strength, and also a show of force.

With so many of them working together, they certainly have a chance to break through this sword formation, but there will definitely be heavy casualties. And with a third-grade sword cultivator providing backup, the casualties are truly unpredictable. What's the point of risking their lives for a meager monthly allowance of pills and spirit stones?
Zhang Shaoyou knew what was going on, and sighed, "I heard that after the old sect master of the Heavenly Sword Sect passed away, there haven't been any third-grade experts left. May I ask who you are...?"

Shen Qi chuckled: "My name is Shen Qi, but I'm just the sect leader's bodyguard. I have no interest in the sect position; that's reserved for you..."

Zhang Shaoyou remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "If we were to betray our original sect so easily, I'm afraid your sect wouldn't trust our character either. Why bother?"

Shen Qi glanced at him, his expression indifferent: "We don't need your betrayal, just stay here and don't run around... I believe you don't need to risk your lives to break through—even if you wanted to, others might not cooperate."

Zhang Shaoyou's heart skipped a beat, and his palms were covered in cold sweat.

Of course, they couldn't break through... Just as Shen Qi said, even if a few people were willing to fight to the death, it would be useless. In this situation, only by uniting as one and fighting together with heavy casualties could a few of the strongest people possibly break through, but the current situation made such unity impossible.

So we can only wait.

But what will others think when it comes to the fact that those who came in first are unharmed, while Chang Qing, Zhu Lianfeng, and others behind them suffer heavy casualties? What will the Incense Burning Pavilion think?
Then there's no going back!

Zhang Shaoyou's expression changed: "Is this Sect Leader Shen's scheme?"

Is that woman, who looks so elegant, poised, and gentle, really this sinister?
Shen Qi was silent for a moment: "Elder Lu's plan."

He's already corrupted our princess... We're really upset about it too.

Qin Buwang, standing beside him, took a deep breath: "If your sect does not plan to use our defection forces... then the mountain-protecting sword formation and you are both tied up here. We are not afraid that Sect Master Shen's side will be unable to defeat us, and all our plans will be in vain."

Shen Qi said calmly, "Let's wait and see. You all want to wait for the result, don't you?"

Chang Qing and the others behind them noticed that after Zhang Shaoyou and his group unleashed their first wave of sword energy, they went silent. Just as they rushed to the courtyard wall, the scenery suddenly changed.

It was a snowy night, but the wind and snow had suddenly disappeared.

All around was pitch black, and the cries of countless ghosts echoed through the mountains and fields, disturbing people's minds and driving them to the brink of madness.

Chang Qing and Zhu Lianfeng, both of the third rank, could still see the people around them, but apart from the two of them, everyone else had lost their sight and hearing. They couldn't even see or hear their companions who were right next to them, as if they were in a ghost prison.

Long ago, Xu Bingkun's henchmen, who would break into the backyard of Shen's Trading Company, would tell them, "We know this place well..."

The famous illusion array of the Yama Palace... is not the collected spoils of war, but the true legendary array of Yama King Yuan Muyu himself: the Netherworld Ghost Prison, the Luntai Judgment.

No matter how many people came, it felt as if he was the only one in Luntai, facing the darkness of despair, awaiting the judgment of the King of Hell.

(End of this chapter)