Chapter 46: Iron Ridge’s Three Fiends |
Ning Qi keenly caught onto the key words.
Here we go again.
He naturally knew about the Purple River Sword Sect—it was one of the top-tier sects in Qingzhou. The strongest within the sect, the Purple River Sword Master, was also a peak expert in the Core Formation Realm.
“Senior Brother, hasn’t the Purple River Sword Sect come more than once?”
Ning Qi asked.
Luo Wentian nodded:
“This is the second time. Next month is the Purple River Sword Master’s one hundred and twentieth birthday. Logically, Master should be the one to attend, but when they came last time, Master was in seclusion. I guess they’ve come again to extend the invitation.”
“Master is quite well-known in Qingzhou. I’ll go meet them. It’s not a big deal, you just focus on your own training.”
Luo Wentian patted Ning Qi on the shoulder and prepared to leave.
“I’ll go with you, Senior Brother.”
Luo Wentian paused—Ning Qi rarely took the initiative to make such requests.
“Alright then, you’ll need to broaden your horizons sooner or later anyway.”
Very soon.
They met the envoys from the Purple River Sword Sect. Leading them was the third disciple of the Purple River Sword Master, who looked about the same age as Luo Wentian but had slightly weaker cultivation.
“Brother Luo, sorry for the unannounced visit. My master misses Daoist Longshan and hopes to see him. Has he come out of seclusion yet?”
Luo Wentian shook his head and replied:
“We appreciate the Sword Master’s goodwill, but unfortunately, my master is still in seclusion. When the time comes, I will attend on his behalf. Please forgive us.”
The third disciple quickly waved his hand:
“Brother Luo, you’re too kind. We already feel bad for troubling you a second time. My master just wanted to know if Daoist Longshan needed any help, so I came along to check.”
Luo Wentian’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled and said:
“Thanks to the Sword Master’s concern. But my master’s breakthrough to the Heaven-Man Realm is practically guaranteed—just a matter of time.”
A hint of awe flashed in the third disciple’s eyes:
“I see. Then I wish Daoist Longshan a successful breakthrough. I still need to invite others, so I won’t disturb you further.”
They watched the Purple River Sword Sect members depart.
Ning Qi, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
“Senior Brother, why do I get the feeling they weren’t here to invite us to the birthday banquet, but to probe Master’s condition?”
Luo Wentian replied:
“You’re sharp, Junior Brother. Do you know what rumors are floating around Qingzhou lately?”
“I don’t.”
“Some say that Master was injured by a Demonic Sect expert and went into seclusion to recover—that he’s even gravely wounded and near death.”
Beside them, Jiang Baishan snorted coldly:
“If not for that traitor, none of this would’ve happened.”
Luo Wentian shook his head slightly:
“Our Zhenwu Sect has drawn a lot of attention these past years—it’s bound to attract covetous eyes. Master’s breakthrough this time is also a test for us. Luckily, Fifth Senior Brother has already advanced to the Qi Origin Realm. With him holding the fort, there’s no big problem.”
“The Purple River Sword Sect isn’t the only one testing us, but they’re nothing to fear. Since they’ve invited us, I’ll attend openly—otherwise, it’ll make us look weak.”
“I’ll go to the banquet. Fifth Brother, stay alert and consult with Second Senior Brother and the others if anything comes up.”
Jiang Baishan nodded repeatedly.
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. With us here, nothing will go wrong. Just attend the banquet with peace of mind.”
Ning Qi’s eyes flickered slightly.
He felt things wouldn’t be that simple, and quietly made up his mind to stay sharp during this period.
He was worried.
Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan might not be able to keep the situation under control.
Time passed.
Half a month later, Luo Wentian picked several outstanding inner and outer sect disciples to head down the mountain and attend the Purple River Sword Master’s birthday celebration.
The journey was long, so they had to set out early.
“Fifth Brother, you’re the strongest. Be extra careful. Second Brother, Third Junior Sister—you all stay alert. Under no circumstances can anyone disturb Master’s seclusion,” Luo Wentian instructed.
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’ve just advanced to the Qi Origin Realm, and my sword has yet to taste blood.”
Jiang Baishan’s words carried a hint of killing intent.
It was true the Zhenwu Sect stood for righteousness—but as martial artists, whose hands were ever clean of blood?
“Don’t be careless.”
Luo Wentian gave one more reminder before leaving with his group.
In the Seeking Dao Courtyard, Ning Qi received the news, and his eyes flickered.
He told the White Ape to keep an eye on movements within the sect. If anything unusual happened, report it to him immediately.
No one knew.
This Little Junior Brother, barely over six years old, was actually the most powerful existence in the Zhenwu Sect—second only to Daoist Longshan.
Luo Wentian’s departure didn’t bring much change to the sect.
With Jiang Baishan holding down Zhenwu Mountain, the disciples felt at ease.
Looking across the land, not many sects had experts at the Qi Origin Realm. Such individuals were top-tier figures who made names for themselves.
Even Inner Origin Realm disciples of the Zhenwu Sect, if placed outside, would be considered first-rate experts.
The Great Yan Dynasty was divided into prefectures and counties. In a single county, someone at the peak of Body Tempering would already be a local powerhouse.
Still, Jiang Baishan and the others remembered Luo Wentian’s instructions and didn’t relax their guard.
The disciples increased the intensity of their patrols.
In the blink of an eye.
Ten days had passed.
The night was deep and dark.
At the foot of Zhenwu Mountain.
Three black-clothed figures crouched on tree branches, hiding their faces but revealing fierce eyes like night hawks—eerie and unsettling.
One was burly, one tall and lanky, and the middle one radiated the fiercest aura.
Anyone familiar with them would immediately recognize their identities.
The Three Fiends of Iron Ridge: Iron Dragon the River Fiend, Iron Tiger the Earth Fiend, and Iron Eagle the Sky Fiend.
The three were notorious figures in the Qingzhou region—massacres and bloodshed followed in their wake.
All three were in the White Mist Realm. Even most first-rate sects wouldn’t dare provoke them.
“Boss, we’ve been waiting this long. When are we gonna charge in?”
Iron Tiger licked his lips, eyes bloodthirsty.
“It’s been a while since we wiped out a sect. I bet Qingzhou’s already forgotten how terrifying we are!”
He chuckled coldly, sending chills down the spine.
But Iron Dragon, in the center, growled in a low voice:
“Iron Tiger, you dumb*ss—trying to get yourself killed? Daoist Longshan is still around. You want to wipe out his sect?”
“Didn’t they say Daoist Longshan got his heart meridian shattered by a Demonic Sect expert? He’s probably dying already. I’ve never killed a Core Formation expert before. Tsk tsk, if I could kill one, my life would be complete.” Iron Tiger didn’t care.
“Idiot!”
Iron Dragon cursed.
“You really believe those rumors? There’s also word that Daoist Longshan is about to ascend to the Heaven-Man Realm—why don’t you believe that?”
Iron Tiger shut up immediately.
A Heaven-Man Realm expert could squash him like an ant.
Iron Eagle, who had stayed silent, smiled and spoke.
“Alright, Boss. You’ve always known Third Bro has no brain—no need to get mad at him.”
“That stuff about being gravely wounded or breaking through, who knows what’s true. But one thing's for sure—that guy named Wang didn’t lie. Daoist Longshan is in dead-closed seclusion. As long as we don’t stir up too much noise, he won’t come out no matter what.”
“Without Daoist Longshan, Zhenwu Sect only has that newly advanced Qi Origin guy—Jiang Baishan. The rest aren’t worth worrying about.”