Chapter 2035: Scarred General

The night was profoundly quiet and serene, with bright moonlight bathing the small garden.

In the corner by the wall, Ye Chen crouched obediently, hands clasped over his head like a prisoner in a labor camp. His entire body was covered in clear footprints from a woman, and his hair was a mess, even wilder than a bird's nest.

This scene was quite pleasing to the eye.

The mighty emperor of Da Chu, who had deceived and schemed his way through the heavens, was unmatched in his exploits—even slaying multiple great emperors. Yet, he had been thoroughly subdued by Xie Mo.

"Admittedly, I might have been a bit heavy-handed," Xie Mo said from a distance, legs crossed elegantly as she sat, grooming her hair in a small mirror. Beating Ye Chen had been immensely satisfying.

Ye Chen's eyes brimmed with tears; the mighty ancient sacred body had actually been brought to tears.

Whenever this happened, he would earnestly curse Ren Wang a hundred times in his heart. Is this the person you arranged for me? A lunatic!

"We get beaten, but we don't hold grudges," Xie Mo said with her enchanting smile.

Hearing this, Ye Chen nearly leaped up, a surge of profanity bubbling through his veins. You crazy woman, you've thrashed me and now you won't let me resent it? Dream on. Just wait until I'm stronger than you—I'll be the first to overturn your Cang Lan Jie.

"Today, with some free time, I visited the gates of the heavens," Xie Mo finally put away her mirror, tilting her head slightly and smiling at Ye Chen.

"You went to Da Chu?" Ye Chen hurriedly stood up, his eyes full of hope, eager to hear news about his wife and children from Xie Mo.

Xie Mo smiled without speaking, gently waving her sleeve. A watery curtain materialized before Ye Chen, displaying scenes from his homeland in Da Chu. The image eventually settled on Heng Yue, that graceful mountain peak, where the women stood gazing quietly at the stars.

Ye Chen stared in a daze, his eyes misty. His homeland was so beautiful—the mountains, rivers, grasses, trees, people, and shadows—all as warm and familiar as in his memories. After seventy years of cultivation in the mortal world, that land was the true anchor of his soul.

"I want to go home," Ye Chen said, looking at Xie Mo.

"Not until that person arrives will I let you leave."

"Who exactly is Ren Wang making me wait for?" Ye Chen asked without glancing away; this question had crossed his lips countless times.

"You will know in due time," Xie Mo replied softly, her voice like an ethereal melody. "You only need to understand that you must wait for her, and it is right to do so, whether for a hundred years or a thousand. This is the cultivation of the immortal path, as well as the bonds of fate."

Ye Chen fell silent, lowering his gaze and asking no further, for he knew Xie Mo would not answer.

Seeing Ye Chen say nothing, Xie Mo rose and gazed into the void, speaking leisurely, "This time, it's the same old question: Do you know where Ren Wang is undergoing his tribulation?"

"You've been to Da Chu, so you must have seen Dong Huang Tai Xin and understand that no one in this world can find Ren Wang in his tribulation. He is the ancestor of the heavens, an existence without form. He's disrupted so many heavenly secrets along the way that his tribulation has always been the ultimate taboo." Ye Chen sat under a tree, his tone calm, his voice hoarse. It wasn't that he wouldn't say; he truly didn't know. Though he was a successor of the heavens, his cultivation was worlds apart. Ren Wang was no ordinary person.

This time, it was Xie Mo who fell silent. Ye Chen's words echoed exactly what Dong Huang Tai Xin had said.

A gentle breeze blew, and she left without a sound.

The moonlit night returned to tranquility.

Under the old tree, Ye Chen sat motionless like a statue, his head bowed and eyes downcast. Through the strands of his hair, one could glimpse his weathered face.

The night quietly faded away.

The next day, he resumed his fortune-telling spot, with a long line of people waiting, stretching all the way to the east end of the town.

"When did you learn the art of divination?" In the teahouse across the way, Yang Xuan muttered to himself. As an old friend of the Sword Saint, he knew Ling Feng well but had no idea the Sword Saint was skilled in divination. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.

Yang Xuan averted his gaze from Ye Chen and glanced elsewhere.

Zhu Xian Town seemed ordinary but was a mix of all sorts, hiding many martial arts experts in various roles, all waiting for his appearance.

"That old Yin Shan dog, just you wait," Yang Xuan cursed under his breath.

"Make way! Make way!" A fierce shout echoed through the street.

Looking over, it was a group of soldiers, each with a long sword at their waist, radiating hostility and acting arrogantly. They roughly shoved aside anyone blocking the path.

They were escorting one man, their leader—a middle-aged figure in armor. By his rank, he was likely a general. His face was fierce, with a broad back and powerful build, and a knife scar across it. His sharp eyes gleamed, and he moved with the authority of a superior.

Passersby dared not provoke them and instinctively stepped aside; officials were not to be trifled with.

In no time, they arrived. Everyone waiting for fortune-telling was dispersed, and Dao Ba Jiang Jun flung his cloak back, sitting at the table. Clearly, he was here for a reading. His personal guards stood in neat rows, vigilant, keeping onlookers at bay.

"I've heard your fortune-telling is spot-on," Dao Ba Jiang Jun said with a sly smile, casually rubbing his neck.

"Not bad," Ye Chen replied with a smile, showing no fear. From the moment Dao Ba Jiang Jun arrived, he had recognized him.

Now, outside Zhu Xian Town, an army of ten thousand was camped at the ancient graveyard, and that force was commanded by the man before him. He held real military power, a genuine general, brave and skilled in battle. Yan Wang had assigned him to guard the old tomb, showing how much importance was placed on it.

An army of ten thousand in the mortal realm was no small matter. Not to mention ordinary people, even experts like Yang Xuan would be wary. If Dao Ba Jiang Jun wished, a single order could raze Zhu Xian Town.

"Come on, tell me my fortune," Dao Ba Jiang Jun said with a laugh, though his eyes held a menacing glint.

"But I don't know what you'd like to divine," Ye Chen said with a smile.

"Anything."

"Then let's divine good and bad luck." Ye Chen picked up three copper coins and tossed them on the table.

Dao Ba Jiang Jun glanced at them but said nothing. He was adept at warfare but clueless about divination, so he waited for Ye Chen's interpretation.

"This hexagram shows yin and yang clashing, with three good omens and nine bad ones. I'm afraid you're facing trouble soon," Ye Chen said slowly.

"So, you're saying my time is up?" Dao Ba Jiang Jun looked at Ye Chen with a chilling smile.

"That's what the hexagram indicates."

"Nonsense." Before Dao Ba Jiang Jun could respond, one of his guards behind him roared in anger, drawing the long knife at his waist.

"Enough." Dao Ba Jiang Jun snorted coldly and waved his hand dismissively, sending the guard back. Then, he turned to Ye Chen with interest. "Go on, tell me where this trouble comes from."

"My humble skills are limited; I can't discern it yet." Ye Chen sighed, putting on an act. He was joking—of course he could see through it at a glance; he just didn't want to say.

"How intriguing." Dao Ba Jiang Jun smirked slightly but didn't press Ye Chen further. He stood and left, striding into the tavern.

He was here for drinking and amusement, and getting his fortune told was just a whim. A man who lived by the blade had seen it all and didn't believe in divination. He dismissed Ye Chen's reading as nonsense.

With his departure, the soldiers followed suit. As they left, they all cast cold glances at Ye Chen, not even bothering to pay for the reading.

Because of them, the tavern's patrons were all driven out—it was utter bullying. No one dared to challenge them, or they might lose their heads.

The tavern owner didn't dare breathe a word, fawning and smiling obsequiously.

This was a group of demons; he had to serve them well.

Drink!

The tavern was livelier than usual today, filled with unrestrained laughter. They acted like kings, clearly intending to eat without paying—a classic freeloading feast.

Ye Chen didn't even glance their way, sitting calmly. Those who were too arrogant always met their downfall.

Before long, Yang Ge Lao emerged, dragging a chair over to sit next to Ye Chen. He said meaningfully, "That group's foreheads are darkened."

"If even you can see it, then it's truly black," Ye Chen replied indifferently.

"Officials think they're above everyone? If they mess with me, I'll wipe them out." Yang Ge Lao muttered under his breath, unable to stand their arrogance.

But he had withdrawn from the world and didn't want to stir up trouble.

If this were in his younger days, he'd have charged in without a second thought.

Eighteen years later, another fierce warrior—ah, forget it, a true hero.

Ye Chen said nothing, uninterested in such matters.

"The man in the teahouse across—do you know his background?" Yang Ge Lao nudged Ye Chen. "I can tell he's disguised, definitely a martial arts master with terrifying inner strength."

"The third-ranked on the martial arts list, Yang Xuan."

"Yang... Yang..." Yang Ge Lao was stunned, stammering the name twice but not finishing it, afraid his voice would carry. If that name got out, Zhu Xian Town would erupt in chaos.

From Ye Chen's expression, Yang Ge Lao was certain it wasn't a joke. The person in the teahouse was indeed Yang Xuan.

For a moment, old Yang's face showed a mix of surprise and amusement.

Who would have thought the man Yan Wang was hunting across the land was hiding right here in Zhu Xian Town, even in the teahouse opposite? Earlier, he had kicked him—nearly breaking him apart.

"The third on the martial arts list is truly bold." After the shock, Yang Ge Lao couldn't help but sigh. He understood Yang Xuan's intent; Zhu Xian Town was dangerous but also the safest place. If it were him, he'd hide here too.

He felt honored to have seen such a top expert today.

"Military lord, please don't!"

"Get lost."

As Yang Ge Lao sighed, noisy voices erupted from the tavern—a plea from the owner and a harsh shout from Dao Ba Jiang Jun.

Soon after, the tavern owner was kicked out, crashing heavily to the ground and coughing up blood. The footprint on his chest was starkly visible.

"Dad!"

A cry came from the tavern, laced with sobs—it was the owner's daughter.

"Don't run, little lady!" Dao Ba Jiang Jun, drunk and leering, was roughly tearing at the owner's daughter's clothes.

Everything happened so suddenly; the street people heard it clearly.

In that instant, even Yang Xuan in the teahouse across the way flung open the window. It was easy to imagine what was unfolding in the tavern—Dao Ba Jiang Jun must be trying to assault the owner's daughter, sparking the chaos.