Volcanic Age

Four days later, Zhou Xuchuan finished his preparations in Shandong.

"I mean, Hyungnim, why are you dragging away a busy person?"[1] Zhuge Shengji, who lived in his workshop, complained.

"Yi Ri Bu Zhuo, Yi Ri Bu Shi."

A day without work is a day without food.[2]

"The bandits are running rampant. How could we just sit back and do nothing? There's a big battle ahead, so I need your strength."

Zhuge Shengji's sill with mechanisms wasn't just evident in the Three-Eyed Godly Thief's treasury or the Tomb of the Ominous Demon.

One could just tell how useful he was by looking at the weapons that could win wars without much effort, like the bamboo tube or the Multiple Fire Lance Launcher that had been used before.

"If you need weapons, I'll teach you how to use them, so just take them and go," Zhuge Shengji grumbled in discontent.

"Even though our final destination is a bandit den, isn't it still the den of the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest? Considering how long they've been stuck in Chongqing, who knows what kind of traps they may have hidden?"

He hated leaving his house, no, his room, but when it came to mechanisms or traps, his curiosity always piqued.

"We aren't the only ones going anyway, and your cultivation itself isn't ordinary either, so don't worry."

Zhuge Shengji had taken the Lesser Circulation Pill, which gave him considerable qi, surpassing that of most martial artists.

However, it was only his pure cultivation itself that was at that level. His overall martial skill, techniques included, was still relatively low.

"Now, hurry up and get ready. The Head Merchant's baby is getting attacked at this very moment, so we'll be leaving tomorrow at the latest."

"I-I…"

"Huh?"

Zhou Xuchuan and Zhuge Shengji both turned to see Wu Zhenhua, Wu Qu's daughter.

"Ah, Young Lady."

She had gotten healthier since Zhou Xuchuan had last seen her. Zhou Xuchuan was relieved to see that her complexion had noticeably improved.

However, he was concerned because her expression seemed troubled.

"What is it?"

"Could you take me with you?"

"…?"

Zhou Xuchuan's eyes widened in surprise.

What's going on?

While he didn't know much about Wu Zhenhua, he knew she wasn't someone who would take unnecessary risks.

Moreover, Zhou Xuchuan hadn't heard anything unusual about Wu Zhenhua whenever he received reports regarding her health during his occasional visits to the Gold Will Merchants.

As she wasn't yet fully healed, she spent her time wandering the neighborhood. She was far from being ready to enter a dangerous place like a bandit den.

"Could I ask why?"

Wu Zhenhua nodded, her expression filled with concern.

"Young Master Zhuge is someone who skips his meals if left alone… I'm worried about him."

Her hands, tightly clasping the hem of her clothes, as if she were anxious.

"...?"

Zhou Xuchuan blinked, unsure if he had heard her correctly. He replayed her words in his mind, momentarily dazed by the unexpected response.

"I keep telling you, I'm not a child. How could that be true? You worry too much, Young Lady Wu."

"You said that last time, but then you didn't eat anything for three whole days and turned into a skeleton."

"I had no other choice at that time because I was designing a new mechanism. Besides, I can compensate for the starvation with my qi, so it's fine."

"As expected, you can't be trusted. Benefactor, please take me with you…"

"Where to Lady Wu? Please, I don't want to die at the hands of Elder. Please spare me."

Zhuge Shengji frantically waved his hands with a flustered expression as Wu Zhenhua continued to press her point.

Zhou Xuchuan watched the two of them, his mouth agape, looking utterly bewildered.

Could it be… are these two in that sort of relationship?

The way Wu Xuanhua looked at Zhuge Shengji was unusual. It was like a wife sending her husband off.

"Well, um…."

Zhou Xuchuan finally managed to speak with great difficulty.

"Are you and Shengji in that sort of…?"

"...?"

Zhuge Shengji and Wu Xuanhua tilted their heads in confusion.

Wu Zhenhua was the first to understand what Zhou Xuchuan was asking.

"Oh, oh dear."

Wu Zhenhua's cheeks turned red.

"What are you talking about?"

Zhuge Shengji tilted his head, still puzzled.

"N-not yet… we aren't in that kind of relationship yet."

"Huh."

This time, Zhou Xuchuan was genuinely surprised. His mouth fell wide open at the words, "Not yet."

"Ah!"

Zhuge Shengji finally clapped his hands, seemingly realizing what they were talking about.

"You must have mistakenly thought we were in a master-disciple relationship."

"What?"

Zhou Xuchuan's face twisted into an absurd expression, as if to ask if Zhuge Shengji was being serious, while Wu Zhenhua's face darkened.

Leaning back, Zhuge Shengji continued, a slightly arrogant smile on his face. "When I was working on mechanisms, Young Lady Wu would occasionally come over to watch. Recently, I've been teaching her about the Art of Mechanisms. She's the second person to recognize the true value of mechanisms after you, Hyungnim."

Zhuge Shengji lifted his chin proudly. Then, he began to brag about mechanisms as if it were something to brag about in this instance.

Zhou Xuchuan stared at Zhuge Shengji blankly for a moment, then turned to Wu Zhenhua, who was smiling bitterly beside him.

"Does your father know?"

"Well, not yet…"

Li Yicai had tried to dissuade her, encouraging her to take it easy and focus on her health, but Wu Zhenhua had been determined to contribute.

Since her father was working hard to pay off her debts, Wu Zhenhua may have wanted to rest, but she didn't. Despite her father's disapproval, she insisted on helping out, doing small tasks where she could.

Over time, she started interacting more with Zhuge Shengji, and gradually, she developed feelings for him.

Zhou Xuchuan gave Zhuge Shengji, who was still talking, a pitiful look.

Shengji…

Wu Qu was someone who had become a demon for his daughter in his previous life. Imagining Zhuge Shengji caught in that terrifying man's gaze, Zhou Xuchuan couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

***

The next day, a group of people left the Gold Will Merchants.

Zhou Xuchuan led the group, while Zhuge Shengji joined as an advisor. They also brought twenty disciples from the Gold Will Sword Sect along.

Although they weren't visible, they were accompanied by the Phantoms.

"Looks like we're traveling together this time, too," Zhou Xuchuan said.

Chu Lian grinned.

"Hehe, Young Master. Don't you think we have a little fate between us?"

She playfully ruffled Zhuge Shengji's hair, turning it into a bird's nest.

"Hmph! This ignorant auntie, agh!!"

Zhuge Shengji's anger flared, as if he was getting fed up with her presence, but Chu Lian just laughed heartily and brushed him off.

"Are we really going to invade the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest with just our forces?" one of the Gold Will Sword Sect warriors asked anxiously.

"Of course not."

Zhou Xuchuan shook his head and smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, there will be people joining us when we reach Chongqing."

Gulp.

The added manpower was both reassuring and nerve-wracking, as it meant that the scale of the battle would increase.

Even though they had been trained by the monster named Wu Qu and had become stronger, the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest weren't some neighborhood thugs.

"It's a shame that guy didn't come with us," Chu Lian said as she glanced back at Shandong and licked her lips.

The Ten Gale Swordsmen also received teachings from Wu Qu whenever they stayed at the merchant company.

At first, none of them thought much of him.

After becoming the Ten Gale Swordsman, their confidence grew alongside their cultivation and skills.

However, they experienced hell when they attacked Wu Qu with their unnecessary pride.

That was when they realized that he, too, was another monster.

"Because he has to protect the merchant company."

The Gold Will Merchants were weaker than before. Although they were still barely holding on, things would grow worse as time went by.

Even without the intervention of others, the lynxes who sensed the Gold Will Merchants' weakness and overstepped their boundaries were annoying.

One day, something serious would happen, and at that time, Wu Qu's strength would be necessary. That was why Zhou Xuchuan had deliberately left him behind.

There was no need to talk about Wu Zhenhua.

This journey was too dangerous for her, who hadn't even cultivated before.

Most importantly, if she came, Wu Qu would follow. No matter how much she begged, she wouldn't be able to go with them.

"Hyungnim, who are we meeting up with?"

"You'll see them when we arrive."

After arriving in Shandong and learning of the situation, Zhou Xuchuan had immediately sent several pigeons to places where he could get help.

"After all, our Senior Brother, who hides a vast array of things, has a talent for surprising people. Don't you think so?" Luo Xiaoyue joked with a laugh.

However, the weight of her words was no joke.[3] Not even her eyes were smiling.

"A-ahem."

Zhou Xuchuan coughed dryly and scratched the back of his head.

"Junior Sister, I really am sorry for leaving you behind."

A few days ago, after hearing about what was happening from the Head Merchant, he had immediately gone to see Luo Xiaoyue.

At that time, she had coldly lashed out while trembling with anger.

Are you the Great Hero, Plum Blossom Order Sword, who had promised that he would go on the cultivation journey together with me, but left me behind to enjoy himself alone?

Only after mixing in some half-truths about what had happened in Zhengzhou and at the Shaolin Temple had Zhou Xuchuan managed to earn her forgiveness.

Now, as he stood there awkwardly scratching his head, Luo Xiaoyue chuckled, clearly amused by his discomfort.

"I'm just teasing you. I'm no longer angry. I thought I'd stay upset a little longer, but I'd feel bad for you if I did."

Luo Xiaoyue smiled playfully. Even that small smile was so cute that it made Zhou Xuchuan's heart flutter a little.

Meanwhile, there were others watching the group as they left Shandong.

It was Zhou Xuchuan's greatest enemy, the Dark Heavens Association.

"It's a report from Twisted Melody's forces. The Plum Blossom Order Sword has departed from the Gold Will Merchants."

Blessed Existence, who had just picked up his brush, narrowed his eyes.

"While I heard that the Plum Blossom Order Sword and the I've heard that the Plum Blossom Order Sword and the Head Merchant of the Gold Will Merchants are close, I didn't realize it was to this extent. Could it be that they realized the situation too late and are now struggling?"

As Zhou Xuchuan had expected, the Dark Heavens Association had wanted to get a hold of the Gold Will Merchants in order to secure military funds.

However, Blessed Existence was incredibly upset when Li Yicai refused to even pretend to listen to their requests despite several suggestions. That's why he ultimately decided it was better to seize it by force, ordering the attack.

"I suppose this is a good opportunity to remove all obstacles to the Association once and for all."

The Plum Blossom Order Sword Zhou Xuchuan!

How could he forget that name?

The name of the one who had ruined their plans by burning the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic due to his proud sense of justice. At that moment, Blessed Existence had wanted to capture and crush him, but Zhou Xuchuan had immediately fled to the safety of the Mount Hua Sect, making it impossible for him to strike.

So, Blessed Existence waited for him to come back out into the world of the murim, and finally, the time had come.

"Even though I've made my preparations, it seems the sword is a bit lacking." Blessed Existence said with a frown.

The Dark Heavens Association had lost Vast Gate recently and was faced with the worst situation: an intelligence vacuum.

Blessed Existence was now forced to handle matters personally, working tirelessly to compensate for her absence.

His workload had increased drastically, and he had even been cutting back on sleep to fill the gap.

Most importantly, there were many things that he had to prioritize.

While Zhou Xuchuan's burning of the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic had ruined everything, that wasn't enough to drive him to devote his heart and soul to revenge.

Blessed Existence was someone who clearly distinguished between public and private affairs. He knew what to prioritize.

Although his preparations were as thorough as his meticulous personality, he still felt a bit anxious and regretful. However, that was something that had to be compromised on, even though it was a bit bothersome.

"I heard that he even returned the Prajna Divine Art to the Shaolin Temple. He's been causing all sorts of trouble from start to finish. Considering how many coincidences he's had since he was young, he must just be naturally lucky."

Blessed Existence clicked his tongue and tightened his grip on the brush.

However, his expression looked strangely uncomfortable.

Could this really be a coincidence?

Even if he tried to ignore it, he couldn't shake off the feeling of not having cleaned himself up after visiting the bathroom. His mind kept getting caught up in it.

Suspicion bred doubt, and his thoughts went down a dark path. But reason quickly stepped in, reminding him he didn't have time for this.

Although he might have been able to come up with something if he thought about it a little longer, he couldn't waste his time doing so because the Dark Heavens Association's more important work came to mind.

While he hated the stifling feeling in his chest, Blessed Existence licked his lips and shook his head as if trying to clear his mind of all distracting thoughts.

1. Literally a cruel person, someone fully engrossed in something. ☜

2. Reference to Zen Master Baizhang. ☜

3. Kekw. ☜

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