The Author’s Dilemma and a Shameless Plan

As the protagonist he had penned, she merely needed to follow his authorial will. She was meant to traverse this destined life path, not to court such fatal peril.

While ninety-nine percent of protagonists were born from the jaws of death, forging life from the precipice of annihilation, an unexpected variable possessed the power to utterly shatter the destiny of a Child of Destiny.

The destruction of destiny was far more terrifying than the mere obliteration of one’s physical body and spirit. And now, he stood ready to sweep away these variables on her behalf, ensuring her safe growth and that she would tread the path he had meticulously laid out.

This was the duty of a Master.

It was also the duty of…

[Dao Ling, release partial restrictions. Nascent Soul Early Stage.]

[…]

Swish!

Swish!

With the power of heaven and earth, Zhuang Xun strode through the air. His silver spear swept horizontally, clearing away the multitude of small specters assailing him.

[I know that releasing restrictions twice in a single day will be an immense torment and burden on both body and soul…]

[But the story has taken an unexpected turn, and I must correct it…]

[Otherwise, it will deviate too far from my predictions, creating too many variables that I’ll find difficult to resolve later.]

[…]

[What a capricious father.]

Zhuang Xun felt the primordial essence of the Great Dao surging from the depths of his soul, and the nascent Nascent Soul gradually manifesting within his dantian.

A faint line appeared at the corner of his lips.

He thrust his spear out once more, and a dragon’s roar echoed through the heavens.

Roar!

[If an author cannot be capricious in the world they create, what’s the point of writing a book?]

A silver dragon coiled around his black robe, its presence hinting at the power to summon thunder and rain, with an aura capable of piercing the very firmament.

“……”

“……”

‘Qin Zhaoyu… if only you could be a little stronger,’ Qin Zhaoyu thought, watching Zhuang Xun’s aura suddenly surge. Her fingers clenched tightly, her heart filled with bitter resentment at her own weakness.

She knew her Master dared to fight across a chasm-like disparity in cultivation realms, likely by employing some secret art to boost his strength.

The side effects of such a secret art were glaringly obvious: extreme weakness, and a relentless descent of consciousness. These were merely the superficial manifestations; other aspects would surely be affected as well.

Yet, she was powerless to stop any of it, unable to change a thing. A Half-step Soul Transformation expert was already halfway into the ranks of the Great Powers.

Her Golden Core Peak cultivation was utterly incapable of interfering in a battle of this caliber. Any reckless display of strength would only prove to be a hindrance to her Master.

She could only follow his instructions, relaying the results of her investigation in Yue Long County to Qin Yong.

Yet, the profound unwillingness gnawing at her heart prevented Qin Zhaoyu from taking even a single step.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

It wasn’t until the tremendous spiritual energy in the sky collided violently, stirring up a mountain-toppling hurricane, that her feet were forced half a step from their spot.

“…..”

“Master… Zhaoyu will surely grow stronger…”

“And then I will come find you!”

Qin Zhaoyu summoned her spirit sword, cast a resolute glance at the two streaks of light battling in the sky, and then soared away on her sword.

Her resolve to grow stronger had never been so firm, not even when she had previously faced enemies of a higher realm.

****

“Finally, that girl is gone.”

With Qin Zhaoyu finally gone from Yue Long County’s borders, Zhuang Xun’s divine sense confirmed her departure. His spear-wielding movements grew increasingly expansive and uninhibited.

Clang! Clang! Clang!…..

In but an instant, his spear struck out like a dragon, wielding a sky-shattering momentum, piercing forth with dozens of draconic spear projections.

Whoosh!

“You masked fiend, let me tear that hood right off you!”

A dazzling white light flashed across the ghostly face in the sky, instantly scattering the dense, dark yin energy that had lingered there.

Tiny cracks appeared, and within three breaths, the ghostly face shattered and dispersed. From within, a ghostly black shadow shot out, its frigid blood claws exuding an extreme, sinister aura.

“To break my Dao magic, you have some skill indeed. Let’s see if you can withstand this old man’s move.”

Profound Nether Soul-Shattering Claw!

Zhuang Xun remained silent, his indifferent gaze sharpened. The shaft of his spear shifted slightly.

Hum!

Starting from the spearhead, a stream of gilded light overflowed, extending from tip to tail.

Swish!

The sinister blood-red claw tore through space, instantly drawing perilously close to Zhuang Xun’s neck. In an instant, it seemed to shred his very form.

“!”

“An afterimage!”

Zhuang Xun’s body turned ethereal.

Then, an ultimate spear intent descended, piercing the black shadow from top to bottom.

“Ahhh!!”

“Damn you!”

The black shadow uttered a venomous curse, then dissipated from its spot.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed at this moment.

“How cautious. He even used a clone.”

Zhuang Xun’s form shimmered into existence in the void. He put away his silver spear and slowly descended to the ground.

Pinching his chin, he pondered whether to stay for a few more days, wary of the black shadow’s true master returning.

After all, it was a clone of a Half-step Soul Transformation Demonic Cultivator. Though he had dealt with it, leaving it severely weakened, it still posed a huge threat to others.

Especially since there was also an Extreme Yin Physique here. That was a prime cultivation cauldron for cultivators, and an even greater attraction for demonic cultivators who had utterly no qualms about committing evil deeds.

‘Such a difficult choice.’

‘If only I still possessed my original cultivation, I would simply track him down and scatter his ashes to the wind… Why would I need to ponder so many contingencies?’

“I still need to achieve my goal as quickly as possible, otherwise, I can’t even perform this basic act of eradicating evil at its roots.”

Zhuang Xun knew well that failing to eradicate evil at its roots was a grave taboo, one that would lead to endless future troubles. But he currently had no better solution.

‘I’ll just stay for a few more days. After all, I can easily sense the aura of that Daoist nun.’

‘Once she arrives, as the plot dictates, and takes Jiang Lishuang away, I can quietly depart from this county town.’

‘I have nothing else to do, so I might as well consider this a period of rest and recuperation.’

Thump!

Suddenly, the faint cracks in Zhuang Xun’s heart widened, causing him to clutch his chest, wincing in pain. Spirit energy continuously surged forth to mend the widening fissures.

“Ugh!”

‘It began with my heart…’

‘It will likely spread throughout my entire body within the next few days…’

‘I need to find a quiet place to properly recuperate…’

‘But if that demonic cultivator returns, those two brothers definitely won’t be able to withstand them…’

Zhuang Xun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a rather brazen idea forming in his mind.

‘It seems there’s no other choice.’

****

Jiang Manor’s back courtyard

Shangwen and Shangwu were leisurely sipping tea, showing not a hint of panic. They had already witnessed Zhuang Xun’s strength and knew he would surely act.

Thus, rather than being a hindrance, it was better to simply stay put. They would protect the rear, preventing anyone from launching a sneak attack.

“Brother, aren’t we being a bit disloyal?” Shangwen asked, taking a sip of hot tea.

“A Half-step Soul Transformation expert? Can you beat him?”

Shangwu had a clear self-awareness of his and his brother’s strength. Going there at a time like this would only make them cannon fodder and cause trouble.

“Even when we team up, we can’t defeat a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. Going there would only hold him back.”

“It’s better to just let our fellow Daoist take the limelight.”

“Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Zhuang Xun hides himself quite well, doesn’t he? His aura concealment is truly exceptional.”

No sooner had Shangwen finished speaking than a figure descended from the sky, swaying unsteadily.

“Exceptional, my foot…”

“I merely used a secret art to boost my realm…”

“That’s the only reason I could defeat that fellow…”

Seeing that the newcomer was Zhuang Xun, the two brothers rushed forward to support the tottering man.

“So, Fellow Daoist, have you suffered a backlash from the secret art?”

After Zhuang Xun’s explanation, Shangwu immediately discerned his current state.

“Yes…”

“So I need to recuperate now…”

Two thunder talismans appeared in Zhuang Xun’s hand, which he placed into the hands of the two brothers respectively.

“These are Supreme Yang Thunder Talismans, specifically countering Yin and evil entities…”

“If an unmatchable demonic cultivator attacks again while I’m recuperating, these can hold them off for a moment…”

“At that time, just wake me up.”

Having said this, Zhuang Xun’s head slowly drooped, and he fell unconscious.

“Fellow Daoist?” Shangwu called out. Receiving no response, he put away the thunder talismans and reminded his brother, “Shangwen, let’s find a quiet place for Fellow Daoist to recuperate later.”

Feigning unconsciousness, Zhuang Xun thought, ‘It seems I’m quite good at judging people after all.’

Shangwen’s eyes darted about as if he had thought of something. He nudged Shangwu with a wink. “Brother, I’ve thought of a good place. There’s even someone there who can look after him.”

“Hmm? You’re not talking about…”

Shangwu seemed to instantly grasp Shangwen’s meaning. Or rather, it was the unspoken understanding between brothers, their mutual comprehension of each other.

“Exactly, the place Brother is thinking of.”

A smile played on Shangwen’s lips, as if recalling something joyful.

****

“Master Immortal Zhuang is injured! What happened?”

Jiang Ningwan pushed open a grand door with force, parting the crowd gathered around, and hurried to the bedside. Jiang Lishuang also scurried forward, keeping pace with her mother.

She wore a simple, deep purple fitted robe, her waist-length hair neatly unbound, without even a hairpin. However, her eyes were now fixed solely on the slightly pale Zhuang Xun, with no thought for her own appearance.

Upon seeing this, Shangwen secretly mused, ‘Madam Jiang truly has some feelings for Fellow Daoist Zhuang, otherwise she wouldn’t be so anxious.’

Shangwu, following their original plan, explained, “Fellow Daoist used a secret art to resist the attacking demonic cultivator, and his foundation suffered a backlash…”

“He’ll likely need a period of quiet recuperation.”

“Then let Master Immortal Zhuang rest here for a few more days…”

“It’s perfect…”

“I also wish to repay Master Immortal for saving our lives.”

Jiang Ningwan’s eyes shimmered with a hint of longing and a faint trace of heartache. She thought, ‘Heaven itself is helping me, ensuring I don’t miss this fated connection.’

Were it not for the many people present, forcing her to mind her demeanor, she would have reached out to touch Zhuang Xun’s face.

After all, this was no longer a dream, no longer a fleeting illusion from her heartscape. She could now touch the emotions she had so deeply longed for.

“Very well, then Fellow Daoist’s daily care will be entrusted to Madam Jiang.” Shangwu clasped his hands and bowed. “My brother and I still need to search the city for any remaining demonic cultivators, so we won’t trouble you further.”

“Good.”

“Ningwan thanks both Master Immortals for your utmost assistance to the Jiang Manor.”

Jiang Ningwan stood up and curtsied slightly, her gaze still mostly fixed on Zhuang Xun.

“It’s a small matter.”

With that, the two brothers quickly departed, seemingly afraid of disturbing any good fortune that might be brewing.

Zhuang Xun, faced with these two brothers’ act of ‘selling out’ their comrade, was utterly speechless.

‘These two brothers…’

‘I truly misjudged you.’