Chapter 2055: Finding a Place

With Yan Wang's order, the twenty armies mobilized as one, turning the rear into the vanguard as they headed out of Gui Shan. Yan Wang, unsteady on his feet, was carried onto a war chariot, where he curled up on the bed, shivering uncontrollably. Gone was his earlier air of leisure; he had no mind for attacking Gui Yu Cheng now. Compared to these martial artists, he cared far more about his own kingdom.

The most awkward situation was for the soldiers who had already scaled the city walls. They had fought their way to the front and raised their weapons, only to be halted by a single command. As many had climbed up, just as many retreated.

The two hundred thousand troops surged like a tidal wave, their formation thrown into chaos by the hasty withdrawal.

In the ranks, Yin Shan Lao Dao rode on horseback without glancing back at Gui Yu Cheng's walls. His eyes held both anger and reluctance. If not for Yan Wang's stubbornness, Yang Xuan would likely be kneeling before him by now. They had missed the perfect opportunity, and with the army retreating, capturing Yang Xuan would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

He wondered, if he revealed the truth about that night's events, would Yan Wang fall from his horse?

Yang Xuan was also watching Yin Shan Lao Dao, unsure whether to hate him or not. After learning the truth about that night, upon calm reflection, he realized he and Yin Shan Lao Dao had no deep-seated grudge. If anyone was to blame, it was Ye Chen, who had stirred the jianghu waters into greater turmoil.

"He'll explain it to you someday."

Ye Chen coughed dryly and was the first to leap down from the city wall. If Yan Wang launched a surprise counterattack, that would be absurd.

"If you're not going, who is?"

Yang Xuan grumbled and followed in Ye Chen's footsteps.

Ling Feng and Shangguan Jiu shook their heads with a smile and descended as well.

The several hundred people made their way unobstructed, stepping out of Gui Shan.

Then, the group turned back collectively, gazing at Gui Shan with a sense of emotion. In this fierce and eerie mountain range, they had truly seen the world over these days—demons, ghosts, monsters, and spirits of all kinds. But what shocked them most was Ye Chen, the living Wu Lin Shen Hua.

Amid their emotion and shock, there was an underlying sorrow. Thousands of jianghu fighters and outsiders had entered Gui Shan, yet only a few hundred emerged alive. This was a tremendous loss for the jianghu.

They should feel fortunate—fortunate for Ye Chen's presence and for the eight great warlords' surprise attack on Bei Lang Cheng, which had tied down Yan Wang's forces. Otherwise, they too would have ended up on the road to the underworld.

Ye Chen stood quietly for a long while, his expression somewhat dazed. Yang Xuan and the others had brushed close to the gates of hell, and so had he. He truly seemed to have an inescapable connection with Tian Mo; wherever he went, he encountered them.

In that moment, he strongly suspected that Ren Wang had known about the Tian Mo here all along. Even the thunderstorm that night had come too conveniently, as if everything had been prearranged. He was merely a piece on the board, manipulated at will.

At the base of the mountain, the crowd cupped their hands and parted ways, each returning to their own homes. In the years to come, most would likely stay out of the jianghu, having seen through the vanities of the world after this battle and ordeal. They were tired of the endless fighting and killing—it was time to retire.

Ye Chen and his companions headed straight south, their destination: Yao Yue Gong.

Accompanying them, besides Yang Ge Lao, were Ling Feng, Yang Xuan, and Shangguan Jiu.

This delighted Yang Ge Lao immensely. With the Wu Lin Shen Hua, Du Gu Jian Sheng, Luan Shi Dao Kuang, and Tian Gang Yang Xuan—the top four figures in the martial world—joining him for Yao Yue Gong, what a tremendous honor and formidable lineup! Not only could they bring Xia Lan home, but overturning Yao Yue Gong would take mere moments.

On a mountain peak, the five paused, gazing into the distance.

It was a vast plain, filled with the roar of battle—Yen Wang's armies clashing fiercely with the allied forces of the eight great warlords. With eighty thousand troops engaged, warhorses thundered and banners fluttered. Lives were lost like blades of grass, and blood stained the earth and sky.

It was clear that Yan Wang's forces were at a complete disadvantage, retreating in defeat. Having lost Bei Lang Cheng, they had no natural defenses left. The eight great warlords' alliance would press on unhindered, potentially all the way to Yan Wang's capital. The world's power dynamics would be redrawn because of Yan Wang's defeat.

"This wasteful fool is nowhere near as capable as the old Yan Wang."

Shangguan Jiu clicked his tongue.

"The foundation built by his forebears is about to be squandered."

"He's turned a strong hand into utter ruin."

"Without benevolent rule and with tyrannical taxation, how could he unify the kingdom without the people's support?"

Ling Feng sighed and shook his head. Though a jianghu figure, he saw the situation all too clearly.

Ye Chen remained silent, his expression neutral. He had foreseen this scene long ago. The chaotic world would gradually unify through this war—the so-called cycle of division and unity.

After lingering for a quarter of an hour, the five set off once more.

A day later, they arrived at a remote small city. The place was in disarray, with most residents having fled upon hearing of the northern unrest and the impending advance of the eight great warlords. Only the elderly remained, unwilling to leave their homes or burden their children.

Ye Chen and his group felt a bit awkward as they searched for horses, but after scouring the ancient city, they found neither mounts nor many people.

With no choice, the five left and continued south. Along the way, they stopped several times to use nei gong to heal their wounds and bought a few fast horses, riding swiftly onward.

In the following days, Yan Wang suffered defeat after defeat, unable to hold back the eight great warlords' offensive. In just three days, they lost over seventy cities, surrendering half their territory. At this rate, in a few more days, the entire Yan domain might change hands.

Though the world was in chaos, the jianghu remained the jianghu.

Where there are people, there is the jianghu; where there is the jianghu, there are legends.

And the legend now was Ye Chen. The events at Gui Shan had spread across the land, causing a massive stir in the martial world. Every sect and school was astounded.

"Defeating the top three in the martial world single-handedly—truly deserving of the Wu Lin Shen Hua title."

"What's his background? We've never heard of him before!"

"Rumor has it he's from a place called Zhu Xian Zhen, and he's a fortune-teller."

"What kind of master could teach such a prodigy? And he's just a young man. This era is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—we're truly getting old."

In gathering places of martial artists, everyone discussed Ye Chen, turning him into a mythical figure.

Ye Chen and his companions heard these rumors all along their journey. Wherever they went, tales of Ye Chen abounded.

Ye Chen was used to it by now.

But Yang Xuan and the others felt awkward traveling with such a figure, their own reputations completely overshadowed. The world now only knew the Wu Lin Shen Hua—who remembered them?

The most composed was Jian Sheng, who knew Ye Chen was a cultivator. It was only natural for him to gain fame in the jianghu. If Ye Chen wished, he could even establish a new dynasty; Yan Wang and the eight great warlords wouldn't stand a chance. After all, he was an immortal.

Nine days later, the five finally appeared before a range of mountains.

This mountain range was strikingly beautiful, with steep, well-arranged peaks covered in lush vegetation. Wisps of mist drifted through the air, creating a hazy, ethereal scene, and cranes danced gracefully. Far from the world's filth, it was an ideal hidden retreat.

Yao Yue Gong was concealed deep within these mountains, known to few in the jianghu. Even Jian Sheng was visiting for the first time; he wouldn't have known if not for Yang Ge Lao's secret tracking.

"Really knows how to find a place."

Yang Xuan stroked his chin, sighing in admiration.

"I've passed by here more than once and never realized a martial sect was hidden here."

Shangguan Jiu marveled, clicking his tongue repeatedly.

"It's protected by Qi Men Dun Jia formations—that's why it's undetectable."

Ling Feng said softly.

Ye Chen said nothing but took the most direct approach, not even bothering with the mountain paths. He used qing gong to leap onto a peak and darted onward. To him, any Qi Men Dun Jia was mere illusion—he could spot Yao Yue Gong's location at a glance.

"Xia Lan, I'm here."

Yang Ge Lao followed closely, his heart pounding.

The five didn't bother with formal greetings; they charged straight through and reached the deepest part. There stood a majestic peak, and atop it loomed a ethereal palace—Yao Yue Gong.

"Who goes there?"

As soon as Ye Chen landed, a stern voice rang out.

Before the words faded, shadows emerged from the palace—one after another, ten figures leaped out, all elderly women leaning on canes and dressed in identical robes. Their inner energy was profound; they were Yao Yue Gong's Ten Great Elders.

These were the ones who had abducted Xia Lan and pursued Yang Ge Lao that day.

But they weren't alone; Yao Yue Gong disciples poured out too, all women, numbering over a thousand, each strikingly beautiful. Yang Xuan and Shangguan Jiu's eyes lit up at the sight—so many lovely women confined to Yao Yue Gong was a waste.

"It's you again."

The Great Elder of Yao Yue Gong spotted Yang Ge Lao at once, her voice icy.

"I'm here to take my wife."

Yang Ge Lao replied calmly.

"You had a path to heaven but didn't take it; you charged into hell uninvited. Today, we'll send you to the underworld."

The Great Elder snorted coldly and lunged forward, striking at Yang Ge Lao's forehead with a palm.

But before her palm could land, a powerful aura flung her backward. She staggered back seven or eight steps before steadying herself, then spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and dropped to one knee with a thud.

The other nine elders and everyone from Yao Yue Gong paled in unison. To repel someone with mere aura alone was beyond anyone in the jianghu—even Du Gu Jian Sheng couldn't do it.

All eyes turned to Ye Chen—it was his aura that had injured the Great Elder.

"Senior, too much anger will harm your health."

Ye Chen said with a smile.

"You're the Wu Lin Shen Hua."

The Great Elder struggled to her feet, nearly collapsing again. Though secluded in the mountains, she was well-informed about jianghu affairs and knew of Ye Chen's reputation. Who else but the Wu Lin Shen Hua could strike with aura alone?

"Is he really the Wu Lin Shen Hua?"

The nine other elders exclaimed in shock.

The female disciples of Yao Yue Gong gazed at him in a daze. They had heard the Wu Lin Shen Hua was young, and now they saw it was true—he was even a bit handsome and incredibly powerful, even surpassing Du Gu Jian Sheng. In that instant, many women's hearts stirred.

"No one's offering tea?"

Yang Xuan pulled off his black robe and stretched his neck.

"Now that you mention it, I'm a bit thirsty too. I'd like some water."

Shangguan Jiu cleared his throat and removed his black robe as well.

Ling Feng was more subtle, simply taking off his cloak to reveal his face.

"You..."

Seeing the three, Yao Yue Gong's Ten Great Elders nearly panicked. What was this? The Wu Lin Shen Hua, Du Gu Jian Sheng, Luan Shi Dao Kuang, and Tian Gang Yang Xuan—the martial world's strongest four—had all shown up. This was an overwhelming force for causing trouble!