A Heavy Consequence

Undoubtedly, the situation had escalated significantly.

The Sanchuan Prefecture was already a sensitive area, given the arrangements made there by the Demonic Path, Immortal Alliance and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Now, with the two factions clashing, it seemed as though a war between immortals and devils was about to erupt.

Amidst the Immortal Alliance disciples, a bruised and battered unfortunate soul—the very one who had just moments ago pinned Gu Bei down for a thorough beating—now gazed upon the unfolding scene, a faint realization dawning in his mind.

‘So, this was the outcome that person desired…’

Yet, following this epiphany, he couldn’t help but delve deeper: what purpose did that person have in orchestrating such a scenario?

Even if he racked his brains, he couldn’t possibly fathom the true reason, especially since Gu Bei, the very architect of this current predicament, was himself unaware of its ultimate purpose.

He had simply followed Ning Wanzhuang’s instructions, nothing more.

He neither knew nor wished to know the deeper implications behind it all.

A mere disciple from a minor ninth-rank sect, even a so-called chief disciple, possessed no autonomy whatsoever before those two scions whose status surpassed even the heavens.

The words of these two were akin to golden decrees, requiring no further proof or signed agreements.

Refusal was not an option, nor was there any room for failure.

Of course, this unfortunate soul remained oblivious to the fact that Gu Bei was merely a tool devoid of emotion.

Still pondering the profound implications of the current situation, he suddenly recalled where he had heard the moniker ‘Scholar’ before.

It was a name that had been active several years prior.

Though their cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation stage, they had moved among various sects and families, acting as an envoy or a white glove (TL Note: A front or intermediary, often for illicit dealings).

They performed tasks akin to a guest elder, yet functioned as a mercenary who completed a job for payment and then departed.

Due to their low cultivation, high efficiency, and reasonable fees, they had once been highly sought after by the noble families and sects throughout Sanchuan. Though their reputation wasn’t widespread across the entire Jiuzhou, they were far from unknown.

Rumor has it that their reputation even extended to more distant regions.

According to legend, the ‘Scholar’s’ cultivation varied wildly, sometimes at the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, and at other times even at the first stage.

It was said that no one could discern their true cultivation, not even Nascent Soul cultivators.

Moreover, they had never once engaged in combat with anyone, leaving their true fighting strength without any point of reference.

However, for reasons unknown, they had suddenly vanished without a trace, leading many at the time to believe they had met their demise. To think they had been recruited by Fairy Ning…

At this thought, a faint idea surfaced in his mind: ‘Indeed, a great reputation is rarely unfounded.’

****

Far from being the master strategist this person imagined, Gu Bei had merely made a slight calculation, which had unexpectedly led to the current predicament.

In truth, it had surpassed his expectations.

His original intention had been to flirt with the fairy performing on the flower platform and then escalate the situation. He hadn’t anticipated someone suddenly rushing out to act as a protector, prompting a last-minute change in his plan.

In the distance, Yu Qiuqiao and Ning Wanzhuang, standing in direct opposition, found their Dao Protectors and Dharma Protectors appearing openly beside them due to the sudden turn of events.

The Sanchuan Prefecture, a minor locale, was far from the most prominent county in Sanchuan, let alone the entire Jiuzhou. Its Prefect, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, was now startled by the appearance of several Soul Transformation experts and two Tribulation Transcending Grand Elders, prompting their hurried arrival.

Naturally, the Prefect alone could not intervene in a conflict of this magnitude, so they had arrived leading five thousand prefectural soldiers.

Each of these five thousand prefectural soldiers was a cultivator, at least at the fifth stage of Qi Condensation. The squad leaders were all at the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, the captains were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the general leading them possessed a Golden Core cultivation.

Military formations had their unique combat methods, with disciplined soldiers acting as individual battle flags to form war arrays. Thus, five thousand prefectural soldiers, like those present, could be considered a somewhat cumbersome Soul Transformation cultivator.

Though they lacked divine abilities or spells, an ordinary Soul Transformation cultivator trapped within such a formation would have little chance of victory.

Of course, that was assuming they could be trapped.

If they couldn’t be contained, even if outnumbered, they could still escape.

Witnessing the unfolding spectacle, Gu Bei clicked his tongue, then sat cross-legged, settling in to ‘eat melon’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to observing a dramatic event as an outsider, akin to watching a show).

So far, he hadn’t seen anyone from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau make an appearance.

He was, however, quite curious how this grand drama would continue to unfold.

At the very least, he had set the stage. If Ning Wanzhuang truly intended to use this to further escalate the situation, then the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, no matter how reluctant to get involved, couldn’t possibly ignore it.

After all, the Nine Provinces Dynasty was nominally the master of this world, and as executors of the Emperor’s will, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau could not stand idly by.

It all depended on Ning Wanzhuang’s intentions.

As for what would happen if this commotion didn’t align with Ning Wanzhuang’s wishes…

Considering he had stirred up such a massive commotion in mere days, it was likely that even if Ning Wanzhuang disapproved of his actions, she wouldn’t so easily discard such a useful pawn.

At worst, she would summon him for a scolding, then provide more detailed instructions.

As for Yu Qiuqiao’s reaction, he felt that was even simpler to predict.

”Didn’t you want to see rivers of blood? Didn’t you want me to make everyone lose face?”

”Well, is this enough?”

”Not enough? Then, Fairy Yu, please allow me to return and strategize further.”

At best, he’d just endure another scare from that madwoman.

Ultimately, both sides were merely bruised and battered, with no lives actually lost, so it couldn’t truly be called a great calamity.

As for the spokespeople on both sides, they were initially bewildered, but after gaining a preliminary understanding of the situation, their minds became active with possibilities.

Upon grasping the situation, Yu Qiuqiao was pleasantly surprised to discover that this time, they were actually in the right.

‘Oh ho?’

“Who initiated this matter?” she inquired softly, a faint smile playing on her lips, to a trusted aide beside her.

“To answer, Miss, it was Gu Langzhou, a newly inducted disciple of the Hundred Hunt Gate.”

“Newly inducted… Gu?” Her eyes curved into a smile as she mused for a moment. “Where is this person now?”

“Among the sect disciples,” the aide replied.

“Bring him to me.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The Nascent Soul aide nodded and withdrew.

Yu Qiuqiao then gazed with her beautiful eyes towards Ning Wanzhuang in the distance. “Fairy Ning, is this how your Immortal Alliance treats its guests?”

“Miss Yu exaggerates,” Ning Wanzhuang replied with a faint smile. “The cause was merely a skirmish between juniors. Had the Hundred Hunt Gate not bullied the smaller, how would it have come to this? If one’s skills are inferior, one should simply train more. To call for elders… are they mere toddlers? It only invites ridicule.”

“Is instigating trouble and then ganging up on someone also merely a skirmish between juniors? Fairy Ning, we Demonic Path cultivators have always been called ‘Demonic Cultivators’ by your Immortal Alliance, yet even we ‘Demonic Cultivators’ are not seen committing such despicable acts.” Yu Qiuqiao, having found herself in the right, naturally seized the rare opportunity to unleash a verbal assault.

“Are you suggesting, even now, that Fairy Ning intends to distort the truth? Why not let the juniors themselves state whether this occurred or not?” Yu Qiuqiao said with a beaming smile.

The faint smile on Ning Wanzhuang’s exquisite, elegant, and noble face slowly receded slightly.

Yu Qiuqiao was clearly harboring ill intentions. The Misty Rain Pavilion’s main hall contained a record-keeping artifact, making it easy to discern the truth. By having an Immortal Alliance junior testify now, she aimed to present irrefutable evidence later, thereby shattering their Dao heart and tarnishing the Immortal Alliance’s reputation.

Ning Wanzhuang did not fall into the trap. After a moment of contemplation, she said, “If this matter is as Miss Yu describes, then state your demands. As it is an error committed by an Immortal Alliance disciple, I, Wanzhuang, shall bear all responsibility.”

Yu Qiuqiao smiled, her facial expression even gentler and more beautiful than that of Ning Wanzhuang, the Immortal Alliance’s Young Mistress—if one ignored the flickering madness in her eyes.

“Very well. The entire affair began when a Demonic Path disciple, in the flush of youth and admiration, sought out one of your Immortal Alliance fairies. Yet, the moment the words left his lips, he was insulted and physically assaulted by your Immortal Alliance disciples—”

“Miss Yu, are you not distorting the facts? It was your Demonic Path disciple who struck first.”

“When a senior brother within our sect is humiliated, our Demonic Path disciples do not have a habit of silently enduring it.”

To be frank, Yu Qiuqiao felt immensely satisfied as she spoke these words. Her Demonic Path disciples were known for their unrestrained and willful actions; when had they ever been so clearly in the right?

It was a rare opportunity for her to legitimately corner Ning Wanzhuang with her words.

Previously, it had always come down to physical confrontation, and even then, victory was not assured.

That peerless individual of the younger generation, capable of suppressing an entire era, was now playing house.

At this point, she recalled a small doubt that had been tucked away in the back of her mind: ‘Did Gu Bei not know that his master’s master was the number one on the Heavenly Rankings?’

‘Why would he come begging in such a servile manner?’

A person of his temperament, if aware of having a grandmaster who was the Heavenly Rankings’ top expert, would never have come to plead with her.

‘Then again, given Mu Qingsi’s stubborn nature… it wouldn’t be surprising if she hadn’t mentioned it…’

‘Never mind. It was probably for the best that he didn’t know; otherwise, where would she find such an amusing toy?’

Just as she was pondering this, the aide who had departed moments ago returned.

“Miss, the person seems to have… vanished.”

“What do you mean, ‘seems to‘?”

“To answer, Miss, the person is gone.”

Yu Qiuqiao’s delicate, beautiful brows subtly arched. “Gone?”

She thought for a moment. “When did they disappear?”

“Just moments ago. According to the sect disciples, they arrived together.”

“Oh…” She nodded slightly in understanding, then subtly looked towards the silent Dao Protector on the other side. “Elder Liu, could you ascertain if the chief disciple of the Minor Sword Sect, who has visited us multiple times before, is in the vicinity?”

“Understood.” The taciturn Dao Protector, Elder Liu, a Tribulation Transcending expert, nodded.

“Found him. Miss, do you require me to bring him over?”

“That would be rather damaging to the young man’s pride. Where is he? I shall personally ‘invite’ him.” Yu Qiuqiao said with a beaming smile.

“He is atop that pavilion over there,” Elder Liu said, pointing into the distance.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qiuqiao disregarded Ning Wanzhuang, who was still pondering how to respond, and moved directly towards Gu Bei’s location.

Gu Bei, who had been contentedly ‘eating melon’ in the distance, suddenly shivered. However, he had never intended to slip away from his spot, so even seeing that madwoman approaching him didn’t fill him with a sense of dread.

Rising, he subtly adjusted his appearance, then watched as Yu Qiuqiao gracefully arrived.

“Young Master Gu, if you please?” Without any superfluous words, Yu Qiuqiao said with a beaming smile.

“It is my earnest desire, but I dare not presume to ask,” Gu Bei replied, his demeanor still respectful.

“Young Master Gu has truly accomplished something significant. It’s only been a few days, yet you’ve genuinely impressed me, Qiuqiao.”

The demoness’s soft whispers were in his ear, carrying, as always, a hint of natural, understated charm.

As always, upon hearing her, a chill ran through Gu Bei’s entire body.

“Fairy Yu jests,” Gu Bei replied, his expression and voice as strained as ever. “I merely followed orders.”

“Then, in a moment, will Young Master Gu also listen to this humble maiden?”

“It is my earnest desire…” Gu Bei’s mouth twitched. He felt a heavy consequence was imminent, yet he dared not refute her.

However, the turn of events somewhat exceeded Gu Bei’s expectations.

After bringing Gu Bei into the sky, Yu Qiuqiao smiled sweetly as she addressed Ning Wanzhuang. “Since an Immortal Alliance disciple disrupted my Demonic Path disciple’s destined match and resorted to violence, and Fairy Ning is willing to bear the consequences… Fairy Ning, with your delicate grace, noble bearing, and beauty that can topple nations, is naturally the Immortal Alliance’s foremost beauty. I presume this disciple of my Demonic Path must have fallen for you at first sight.”

Yu Qiuqiao paused here.

Ning Wanzhuang’s eyes had held a hint of surprise upon seeing Gu Bei, but as she listened to Yu Qiuqiao’s slowly unfolding words, a sudden sense of foreboding settled in her heart.

‘What exactly is she going to say?’

Listening, Gu Bei couldn’t help but look at Yu Qiuqiao with a face full of dread.

Her luscious, blood-red lips then parted ever so slightly.

“How about this, Fairy Ning: why don’t you accompany Young Master Gu for a night?”