I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 330: Chapter 50: Always Be Grateful and Never Forget.

“What did you say?!”

Chen Yingyu’s face was as cold as frost, her gaze icy as she stared at Yu Liang and said in a deep voice, “Village Chief Yu, if you no longer wish to keep the head on your neck, I can help you remove it.”

At that moment, there wasn’t a hint of the gentleness she had when speaking to Zhou Heng. Whether it was her words or expression, both were sharp as blades, every word brimming with intent to kill, resembling a female general ready to slay her enemies.

Zhou Heng stood by, nodding slightly, feeling that he might have misunderstood Chen Yingyu before. Such a valiant and spirited female Sect Leader should indeed be able to develop the sect.

Upon hearing her words, Yu Liang shrank a little, fear flashing in his eyes, instinctively trying to back away, but he was blocked by his elder brother Peng Kang.

“What are you afraid of? Huh, a little wench can scare you?” Peng Kang clapped Yu Liang on the shoulder, stepped forward, and fixed his eyes on Chen Yingyu,

“Little wench, listen well. Although you defeated me before, times have changed. My strength has increased a lot. If you agree to marry me and become the Lady of our village now, I can still take in these few dozen people of yours. Otherwise… huh!”

As he spoke, he unsheathed the blade in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and said to Chen Yingyu, “I, Peng Kang, am a man who cherishes beauty. If I really have to take action and harm your delicate skin, it would genuinely pain my heart.”

Clang!

However, at that moment, a sword cry rang out; Chen Yingyu drew her sword and attacked, her blade’s edge aimed straight for Peng Kang’s brow.

Her body moved extremely fast, and her swordsmanship was exquisite. Almost in the blink of an eye, she closed in on Peng Kang, and her sword was about to pierce his brow.

But just then, with a light swing of his blade, Peng Kang clashed with Chen Yingyu’s sword edge, and both forces collided fiercely.

However, since neither sword nor blade held an advantage over the other, they both retreated immediately after the clash, not engaging in a prolonged battle.

Despite this, Peng Kang was utterly enraged.

His face twisted with a ferocious expression; his eyes pinned on Chen Yingyu, seething with killing intent, he said, “Wench, you will regret what you just did. Since you don’t wish to be the Lady, then become a plaything! Brothers, break through this place, and take the women at will!”

His words instantly roused the crowd from God Axe Village; their gazes roamed unchecked over Chen Yingyu and the two or three young female disciples behind her.

“You’re courting death!” Chen Yingyu’s eyebrows inverted in rage.

The disciples of her sect standing behind her were also shocked and furious, clutching their swords and knives tightly, ready to clash with God Axe Village at any moment.

After hearing Peng Kang’s words, Yu Liang’s courage grew again, feeling emboldened.

Hiding behind Peng Kang, he scoffed at Chen Yingyu, “Sect Leader Chen, you really don’t know what’s good for you. Our God Axe Village is now entirely stronger than yours. My big brother wants you as his Lady—a great honor you’re too foolish to appreciate!”

As he was speaking, he suddenly noticed Zhou Heng standing behind Chen Yingyu.

Seeing the handsome young man, Yu Liang’s heart filled with jealousy, and he mocked, “Heh, so this is why Sect Leader Chen has refused all along—keeping a pretty boy as a pet!

“I thought Sect Leader Chen was pure as ice and clean as jade, but it turns out you’re nothing but trash. Brothers, when we start fighting, kill that pretty boy first, then grab Sect Leader Chen! Hahaha…”

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck, deafeningly loud, cutting off Yu Liang’s words and bewildering everyone present. It was a bolt of golden lightning that descended from the sky, striking Yu Liang directly.

Just moments ago, Yu Liang, who was spouting scornful words, had been reduced to ash by the strike of a golden thunderbolt, no longer existing, both body and spirit obliterated.

After the thunder, silence enveloped the surroundings.

Everyone present was dumbstruck, disbelievingly staring at the spot where Yu Liang had once stood, mouths agape and faces filled with shock.

What had just happened?!

What was this situation?

Yu Liang was a martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank, one of the strongest amongst those before the Middle Third Rank, how could he suddenly be turned into ash by a thunderbolt?

“Daoist?” Chen Yingyu turned her head towards Zhou Heng and saw that he no longer concealed his aura as he stepped forward to approach.

“Pretty boy?” Zhou Heng’s gaze swept over the people of God Axe Village as he said indifferently, “God Axe Village certainly has quite the presence.”

Just this one sentence caused the dozens of men from God Axe Village to turn pale, instinctively stepping backward.

“You, you…” Peng Kang was extremely horrified, his eyes wide open as he pointed at Zhou Heng, and with a trembling voice said, “Just now, did you use Taoist formulas?!”

In this era, Taoist formulas are extremely rare; even within the top martial Dao sects, the transmission of Taoist formulas is limited, and for the common martial artists in the Jianghu, Taoist formulas are almost mythical.

“You have sharp eyes indeed,” Zhou Heng nodded slightly and replied solemnly, “Who’s behind you attacking the Cavern Sky Sect?”

“You, don’t talk nonsense!” Peng Kang immediately shook his head, vehemently denying it, “We only attacked the Cavern Sky Sect because they occupied the Three-Head Mountain and shamelessly changed its name. It was just that we felt it was unjust!”

“Is that so?” Zhou Heng sneered, he raised his right hand and extended a finger, on which a strand of dark green True Qi swirled around, “Then what is this strand of True Qi, and how come it was found in Yu Liang’s meridians, sustaining his Inner Qi and inner landscape?”

“How, how is this possible, how could you extract True Qi?!” Seeing this, Peng Kang was shocked and then exclaimed in horror, “Could it be, could you be an expert of the Secret Six Rank?!”

“Were they truly acting under someone’s command?” Chen Yingyu’s eyebrows rose slightly as she spoke, “I had my suspicions before as well, but there was no evidence. Was Yu Liang’s sudden breakthrough due to the influence of this strand of True Qi?”

“That seems to be the case,” Zhou Heng nodded and said, “This strand of True Qi is very lively and elusive, and it’s close to nature, like… a monkey. Does Sect Master Chen remember anyone like this?”

“A monkey? Divine Monkey Village?!” Chen Yingyu responded with some surprise, saying, “Among the Six Mountains only Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect have experts of the Secret Six Rank, but Divine Monkey Village has always been content and had no intention of expanding their territory.”

“They might not want to expand, but could their village chief ignore the many secret techniques inherited by the Cavern Sky Sect?” Zhou Heng shook his head slightly and continued, “After all, the Cavern Sky Sect was once a Great Sect, how could no one covet what they have? It’s just that, due to their relationship with Pure Yang Palace, no one dares to openly take action.”

Indeed, when Pure Yang Palace had guided and escorted Chen Yingyu and others to Three-Head Mountain, they did not reveal their association with Pure Yang Palace nor did they use it to deter local forces. However, as forces with experts of the Secret Six Rank, both Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect should be aware of this relationship.

This was probably why they had not taken action over the past two years, and after observing for these two years and seeing that Pure Yang Palace had not continued to intervene in Cavern Sky Sect’s affairs, they finally dared to take action in the shadows.

“Mm, that is indeed the logic,” Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, “Surrounded by a pack of wolves and yet I was unaware, this was my oversight, thank you Daoist for the reminder.”

“For Sect Master Chen to achieve this much is already commendable,” Zhou Heng smiled and then turned to look at Peng Kang, saying, “Take your men back and tell the chief of Divine Monkey Village that after some time, Sect Master Chen will personally go there to seek justice; tell him to be prepared.”

“You, you’re not going to kill me?” Peng Kang, hearing this as if granted amnesty, trembled as he spoke, “I don’t have to die, I don’t have to die, go, go, let’s go quickly, brothers!”

As he spoke, he turned tail and ran.

“`

The rest of the God Axe Village people also took to their heels, not caring where they ran. Some collided with rocks, some with trees, fleeing in a most wretched state.

“Has the Taoist priest really let him go like that?” Chen Yingyu asked in surprise.

She had seen Zhou Heng kill ghosts with his own hands, and just now, she had watched him summon thunder to strike down Yu Liang, so decisively lethal. How could he let Peng Kang, one of the masterminds, escape?

Could it be that he had some other plan in mind?

“He won’t live.” Zhou Heng smiled and said, “Sect Leader Chen, I have something to discuss with you. May we find a quiet place?”

“No problem.” Chen Yingyu nodded and said, “Please follow me, Taoist Priest.”

…

Guardian Silence Hall.

This place was considered the library of the Zhi Xu Sect, housing the not-so-many martial arts manuals and texts that remained after the calamity that had befallen the sect.

Typically, only the core disciples and the sect leader were allowed access here.

Named after Ancestor Guardian Silence, it also embodied Chen Yingyu’s hope for the revival of the Zhi Xu Sect.

There was nobody around.

Chen Yingyu and Zhou Heng stopped under a pine tree outside the Guardian Silence Hall.

“Taoist priest, please speak your mind,” Chen Yingyu said with a smile.

“Sect Leader Chen, you must know about the incident where I was trapped in Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhen’s Cave Sky during the Yan Yang Liquor Gathering,” Zhou Heng said.

“Yes, I’m aware,” Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, “Originally, when I heard of Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhen’s incident, I thought our sect might have a chance at revival.

“But since his escape, the grand ancestor has never visited here, and at the last gathering, I heard that the grand ancestor had been sacrificed by the Heavenly Palace of Yun Xiao, which is truly lamentable. It seems that our rise and revival still rely on ourselves.”

“But the martial arts and texts of the Zhi Xu Sect were mostly lost in that great calamity. Revival cannot be easy, I’d imagine,” Zhou Heng said with a smile.

“Indeed, it’s not easy,” Chen Yingyu shook her head, her expression somewhat bitter, “I won’t even mention the rest; the mere loss of Secret Sixth Rank martial arts troubles me greatly.

“Although we still possess some Sect Fifth Rank and even Absolute Fourth Rank martial arts techniques, the Secret Sixth Rank inheritance is completely gone, not a trace left.

“Currently, the entire Zhi Xu Sect counts me as a Peak Seventh Rank, along with three ordinary Seventh Rankers. I am on the verge of a breakthrough, and in not too long, the other three should reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank.

“But neither I nor they can see the path ahead, only feeling lost in darkness, uncertain how to use our current internal foundation to interface with the outer world, let alone how to build the bridge between heaven and earth, the Innate external landscape vast and elusive.”

“Such a situation is indeed very challenging,” Zhou Heng nodded and said, “That must be quite burdensome for you, Sect Leader Chen. Do you remember what I said to Peng Kang earlier?”

“To Peng Kang?” Chen Yingyu paused, reflecting, “Are you talking about my having to personally inquire about today’s matter with the Divine Monkey Village?”

“Exactly,” confirmed Zhou Heng.

“Taoist Priest, I must be frank with you, I don’t have that confidence,” Chen Yingyu sighed, “The Divine Monkey Village has Secret Sixth Rank experts, and with just my Peak Seventh Rank cultivation, I simply can’t do much.”

“What if you could reach Secret Sixth Rank?” Zhou Heng asked with a smile.

“If I could really attain Secret Sixth Rank, with the foundation of my Zhi Xu Sect, I could take on two or three Secret Sixth Rank practitioners from a small sect like the Divine Monkey Village,” A glint of hope flashed in Chen Yingyu’s eyes, but it quickly faded, “Yet now we don’t even have the martial arts of the Secret Sixth Rank, all lost. I want to use my merit to wish for their completion, but I still haven’t accumulated enough.”

“I have them,” Zhou Heng stated plainly, “And they are even more complete than your original inheritance.”

The Zhi Xu Sect, before it was destroyed by the Nine Deaths Sect, also had an incomplete inheritance.

Because at the end of the Middle Ancient period, the Zhi Xu Sect’s gates and the sect leader, Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhen, were captured. Fortunately, at that time, a few grandmasters and great grandmasters were not within the sect, and after gathering the remaining disciples, they rebuilt the Zhi Xu Sect.

Although the Zhi Xu Sect avoided a catastrophe, its inheritance had already been incomplete from that time, with no Upper Third Rank martial arts left, very few Middle Third Rank techniques, and only the Lower Third Rank legacy being more complete.

The inheritance of the Zhi Xu Sect that Zhou Heng obtained within the statue of the late Immortal Qing Yu included the complete transmission of various divine skills, texts, and Taoist formulas.

“What?!” Chen Yingyu was somewhat dazed upon hearing this and looked incredulously at Zhou Heng, her voice trembling, “Taoist Priest, what did you just say? You have our complete inheritance?!”

“Correct. From Ninth Grade to Divine First Rank, including many texts recording the history of the Zhi Xu Sect, I have them all,” Zhou Heng said gravely.

Thump!

Chen Yingyu knelt before Zhou Heng, grasping his hand, her voice shaking, “Taoist Priest, Zhou Taoist Priest, I beg you, please teach us some of the martial arts and texts, just a tiny portion, even if only of the Secret Sixth Rank is also enough. We, our entire Zhi Xu Sect, would be eternally grateful and never forget your kindness.”

“Please get up, Sect Leader Chen,” Zhou Heng helped Chen Yingyu to her feet and smiled, “There’s no need for such formalities, Sect Leader Chen. I’ve come precisely for this matter—the items of the Zhi Xu Sect should naturally be returned to the Zhi Xu Sect, and not just a portion, but all of it.”

“All of it?!” Chen Yingyu’s eyes widened in shock.

…

After leaving the Zhi Xu Sect gates, Peng Kang did not return to his own God Axe Village but went straight to the Divine Monkey Village with two of his men.

He was fuming and intended to inform the leader of the Divine Monkey Village about the day’s events, so he could teach that wretched girl Chen Yingyu a lesson.

The central Brotherhood Hall of the Divine Monkey Village.

The leader, Jia Shen, personally received Peng Kang, smiling and asking, “What’s wrong, brother? You seem to be in a bad mood; did you face trouble somewhere else?”

“Ah, Brother Jia, you have no idea, that…” Peng Kang recounted the earlier events, embellishing the tale and emphasizing Zhou Heng and Chen Yingyu’s disdain for the Divine Monkey Village.

Not knowing Zhou Heng’s identity, he referred to him disdainfully as the “little pretty boy” and Chen Yingyu’s “gallant.”

Finally, he ended vehemently, “Big Brother Jia, my brother Yu Liang was struck dead by that pretty boy right in front of me. You must avenge me! Kill them, kill…”

But before he could finish, his voice abruptly cut off, as if a force within Peng Kang suddenly erupted.

Bang!

Peng Kang instantly exploded into a mist of blood, splattering blood all over the face of Jia Shen standing before him.

“`

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