Splitting the Heave

Shang Xia had a sneaking suspicion that Shang Pei was in danger. With the explanation from Lu Sanbao, it seemed as though his worst fears had come true.

With credible news that the experts from the Jingxiu Peak were planning to band together to deal with Shang Pei, Shang Xia started to gather more information about them.

Once he learned enough, he flew straight for the Jingxiu Peak at his quickest speed.

This time, Shang Xia didn’t hold back. He didn’t plan on hiding his tracks as a four colored light flashed under his feet while he tore through the air.

Shang Xia learned about the powers that populated the region around the Rocky Cliff Village and the Jingxiu Peak and knew that no one would dare to stop a suspected fourth layer Martial Extermination Realm expert.

Traveling close to 700 miles without rest, Shang Xia released his divine perception in a tyrannical fashion. Just like he thought, no one tried countering it with their own.

Pushing himself to his limits earlier, Shang Xia gained some insights on how to fly more effectively. He discovered that he would be able to conserve two thirds of his strength if he managed to grasp the strange rhythm of his extermination origins cycling in his body. 

Finally landing 300 miles away from the Jingxiu Peak, Shang Xia learned from Lu Sanbao that there was a place called the Lingfeng Stronghold nearby. It was one of the Jingxiu Peak’s external powers, and Shang Xia decided to start with them.

Restraining his aura, Shang Xia ensured that he was properly hidden before infiltrating the Linfeng Stronghold. Before anyone discovered his presence, he had already achieved his goal. 

He appeared in a desolate piece of land some distance away from the stronghold as he held an unkempt-looking man by the collar.

Tossing him onto the ground casually, Shang Xia muttered, “I’ll count to five. Tell me everything you know about the Jingxiu Peak. One… Two…” 

“I… I’ll tell you anything you want! Please don’t kill me! Seven days ago, Duan Liufeng, the master of the Jingxiu Peak, gathered all the leaders of the strongholds under their command. My brother said that that old… I mean, he said that Duan Liufeng might be up to something big. He gathered the leaders of the strongholds so that they could form an alliance to protect the region…” The cultivator Shang Xia tossed to the ground earlier revealed.

“Your brother?” Shang Xia frowned.

“My brother is the chief of our Linfeng Stronghold… He… He’s on the Jingxiu Peak at the moment.” 

Grunting softly, Shang Xia continued, “So… It’s possible that Duan Liufeng isn’t on the Jingxiu Peak at the moment, right?” 

The cultivator felt beads of cold sweat dripping down his forehead as he was too afraid to respond.

Staring at the cultivator with a look of amusement, Shang Xia sneered, “So… You’re not the chief of the Linfeng Stronghold. Didn’t I drag you out from the village chief’s residence? Interesting… No wonder the lady in there looks a little older than you.” 

The cultivator felt his body trembling like a leaf after hearing what Shang Xia said and the look of mockery in Shang Xia’s eyes grew a little stronger.

However, Shang Xia’s tone returned to normal when he addressed the cultivator again. “I plan on heading over to the Jingxiu Peak. From what I can tell, you might have a plan for me. What do you think?” 

“Yes… Yes! Yes, I do!” The cultivator cried out helplessly.

…

When Shang Xia approached the Jingxiu Peak with the cultivator in tow, the situation in the Rocky Cliff Stronghold was discovered by members of other strongholds. As reports flew all around, the master of the Thousand Caves Peak, Yin Wanxiang, was alerted.

“Cave Master…” As one of his subordinates, Hu Guilin couldn’t help but worry after seeing Yin Wanxiang standing before Lu Sanbao’s body for an hour straight. “Will Chief Lu be…” 

The cultivators who were struck unconscious by Shang Xia earlier started to wake up and they couldn't help but stare at Yin Wanxiang in hopes that he would be able to save their chief.

Yin Wanxiang was a middle aged man who had the typical looks of a strict parent. He had a slightly receding hairline and he hardly ever smiled.

“His methods are really impressive.” Yin Wanxiang sighed softly before turning to the others. “I can’t save him.” 

Yin Wanxiang’s words caused a slight commotion, but he quickly followed up, “Well, Sanbao doesn’t seem to be in danger anyway. His movements and speech were sealed by that expert but his consciousness remains clear. The person who did this isn’t planning on killing him. The restrictions should be gone in 3 to 5 days.” 

Collective sighs of relief filled the air after everyone heard what he said.

After Hu Guilin carried Lu Sanbao back into his room and placated the rest of the members of the stronghold, he returned to Yin Wanxiang’s side. “Cave Master, who could it possibly be? Did he come to threaten our Thousand Caves Peak?”

Thinking for a moment, Yin Wanxiang shook his head and muttered, “He seems like a passing expert. Moreover, it doesn’t look like he plans on offending us. After all, he didn’t kill Lu Sanbao and the other members of the stronghold. He probably sealed Lu Sanbao’s movements and ability to speak to prevent news of him leaking.”

Hu Guilin’s eyes widened in realization and he muttered, “A foreign cultivator? That’s why… The members of the Rocky Cliff Stronghold said that a figure descended from the skies before they were all knocked unconscious. They couldn’t even see the person’s appearance.” Thinking for a second, he continued, “Cave Master, is it possible to estimate the person’s strength?” 

“Lu Sanbao isn’t the only Martial Intent Realm expert in the Rocky Cliff Stronghold. Even so, that person managed to knock all of them unconscious with the exception of Lu Sanbao. They couldn’t even release their transmission talismans in time. From the strength of his divine perception, ability to focus on different targets, and his intricate restriction, I might not be his match.” Yin Wanxiang estimated.

A look of fright flashed across Hu Guilin’s eyes. “Luckily, he didn’t have ill intentions for the Rocky Cliff Stronghold. Lu Sanbao should recover soon and he’ll be able to tell us what happened.”

Yin Wanxiang sighed softly as he turned his gaze to the depths of the Taihang Mountains. “We need to tell those outside to keep a close eye on the Sixth Pass. From his actions, that person looks to be out for revenge…” 

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“This… Should we remind the other powers in the Sixth Pass about the foreign expert?” Hu Guilin wondered.

Instead of replying immediately, Yin Wanxiang fell silent for a moment. Only after thinking about the various repercussions did he respond. “The Sixth Pass will probably descend into chaos soon. Since it’s pretty much unavoidable, we’ll just let the shitshow play out.” 

Realizing his intentions, Hu Guilin cupped his fists before taking his leave.

…

Lin Zhixuan rushed down the Jingxiu Peak the moment he received his brother, Lin Zhishi’s, urgent report. He looked at his brother’s helpless expression and a frown appeared on his face. “Second Brother, why are you here? Didn’t I tell you that you need to tighten the protection of our Linfeng Stronghold? Currently, the Sixth Pass is… Hey? Second Brother?” 

Lin Zhixuan discovered the distracted look in his brother’s eyes before he finished speaking and he quickly raised his guard.

A soft voice rang in his ears before he could try anything weird. “I was planning to learn more during our meeting. I didn’t think that your brother is a little wuss who can’t maintain his composure…” 

“Who?!” Lin Zhixuan yelled while retreating at his top speed.

Unfortunately, a palm clapped down on Lin Zhixuan’s shoulder. He felt an inexhaustible amount of qi pouring into his body, replacing his own. After scattering his inner qi, the foreign qi sealed up his dantian.

Shang Xia experimented with that exact ability of his qi a long time ago. Sealing someone like Lin Zhixuan didn’t pose the slightest problem.

Standing dead in his tracks, he glared at his brother who had clearly led whatever monstrous existence to the Jingxiu Peak and growled, “How are things back at our Linfeng Stronghold? Is my wife alright?”

With an endless amount of guilt in his heart, Lin Zhishi didn’t dare to meet his brother’s gaze. He whispered in a voice comparable to a mosquito’s buzz. “They’re fine. This… This senior didn’t intend to hurt anyone. He only brought me over to look for you…”

“Fortunately…” Lin Zhixuan heaved a sigh of relief after learning about the situation back at the Linfeng Stronghold. With the reassurance that everything was fine back at home, he didn’t even turn his head to address Shang Xia. “Senior, you wouldn’t need to deal with someone like me personally given your strength. I believe you’re here for the Jingxiu Peak?” 

“Looks like you’re no fool. Are you willing to help me enter the mountain?” Shang Xia didn’t beat about the bush either.

Sighing softly, Lin Zhixuan replied, “I apologize. I have promised the Jingxiu Peak Master to protect the Jingxiu Peak. I hope Senior can understand my decision.” 

“Hehe. You better think twice then. Your brother, your wife, and everything you care about in the Linfeng Stronghold will cease to exist the moment you make the wrong decision.” Shang Xia chuckled softly.

A wave of pain flashed through Lin Zhixuan’s face. However, he forced himself to close his eyes as he suppressed the pain in his heart. Finally reaching a state of tranquility, his silence gave Shang Xia his answer.

Who would have thought that Lin Zhishi would break down from the pressure at that moment? He lost control of his emotions as he crumbled to the ground. Tears gushed out his eyes and he cried miserably, “Your wife… Your wife is pregnant! You can’t let them die like that… You can’t!” 

With his eyes snapping open, Lin Zhixuan looked at Lin Zhishi silently. Even though he didn’t utter a word following the revelation, Shang Xia could feel the violent fluctuations in his heart.

Shang Xia’s voice rang in his mind once again. “Fine. Since you promised Duan Liufeng to stand guard at the Jingxiu Peak, I won’t make things difficult for you. I don’t need you to help me infiltrate the mountain. Instead, give me detailed instructions about where Duan Liufeng went and his plans.”

Before Lin Zhifeng could say anything, Shang Xia’s tone turned chilly and he continued, “You better not tell me that you don’t know anything about his plans. Duan Liufeng wouldn’t put you in charge of the Jingxiu Peak if he didn’t trust you. This is your last chance to save the ones you love…” 

“Brother…” Lin Zhishi felt so guilty that he couldn’t say anything else. 

Releasing a long sigh, a helpless look flashed through Lin Zhixuan’s eyes. There was a trace of disappointment and frustration and he seemed to age ten years in an instant. 

“There’s a mountain stream shrouded in dense clouds 800 miles south of the Jingxiu Peak. A new faction called the Youyan Stronghold established themselves there and the leader of the Youyan Stronghold seems to have formed a grudge with Master Duan. Because it's difficult to locate the leader of the Youyan Stronghold, Master Duan isn’t able to do anything to them. Now, it’s said that the leader of the Youyan Stronghold is related to a huge opportunity that will descend on the Sixth Pass. As soon as Master Duan heard the news, he contacted several friends around the Taihang Mountains to barge into the Cloud Water Gorge. They plan on encircling and killing the leader of the Youyan Stronghold.” 

“So that’s it…” Shang Xia finally understood what happened. The huge opportunity Shang Pei was related to was probably the secret region that would appear soon but Shang Xia had no idea why news of that would be leaked.

With the information he wanted, Shang Xia looked at Liu Zhixuan and Liu Zhishi before releasing his grip on the stronger of the two. “Alright. I won’t go back on my words. You can leave now.” 

After releasing the two of them, Shang Xia started to move towards the Jingxiu Peak.

Lin Zhixuan’s heart sank when he saw where Shang Xia was going. “Senior, the Jingxiu Peak is protected by a grand formation and it won’t be easy to shatter it in a short period of time. If you’re here to save those in the Cloud Water Gorge, why don’t you head over there directly?” 

No fool would be able to establish themselves as a leader of a stronghold in the Sixth Pass. Even Lu Sanbao could guess that Shang Xia had entered the Sixth Pass for a specific reason. Lin Zhixuan, who was a trusted aide of one of the stronger leaders, was naturally able to see through Shang Xia’s intention too. 

His true intentions weren’t to give Shang Xia advice. At the end of the day, he was still trying to protect the Jingxiu Peak.

Chuckling softly, Shang Xia replied without turning his head. “You’re overestimating the strength of the protection formation around the Jingxiu Peak. Moreover, there’s one less Martial Intent Realm cultivator now that you’re here…” 

Shang Xia’s figure disappeared the next instant but he left behind a final warning that rang clearly in Lin Zhixuan’s mind. “You should worry about your problems instead of the Jingxiu Peak.”