Chapter 8: The Cultivation World Is Truly Perilous

Early in the morning, Gu Changqing changed into a tracksuit and grabbed a bag of food. At his waist hung a pistol and a machete. He then focused his mind on the bead nestled in his consciousness.

A flash before his eyes, Gu Changqing vanished from his room and reappeared in a woodland glade—the very spot where he had departed last time. He planned to head first to Wang Family Village, then find a way to the nearest county town, secure a place to stay, and keep a low profile. He intended to build up his strength here in Southern Chu before making any further moves.

As for the wild beasts along the way… he reckoned a swift slide could see him through, especially since he now had a gun—deadly accurate and fast beyond seven paces.

His eyes swept the surroundings and soon landed on the shriveled corpse of Kou Dahai not far away.

"Someone's been here!"

Gu Changqing immediately sensed the body had been disturbed, but paid it little mind. After all, it wasn’t far from the village; being discovered was normal. What troubled him was the uncertainty of how much time had passed, and whether the passage of time was consistent between the two worlds.

He gazed toward the village, and his expression grew tense.

Only a few charred, broken timbers remained where the village once stood, blackened logs thrusting skyward like the outstretched arms of darkness.

"A fire? How could that be?" Gu Changqing’s eyes flickered.

The villagers had always been cautious with fire. The houses, though made of wood and thatch, were scattered—how could an entire village be reduced to ashes, leaving not the slightest trace? Moreover, the place was eerily silent, devoid of any sign of human presence.

The wounded cultivator from before… Gu Changqing’s departure… the disturbed corpse… the village razed to empty ground…

He swiftly pieced the events together, anxiety tightening his chest.

It was the pursuers of the wounded cultivator.

They had come, found only Kou Dahai’s corpse, and then burned the entire village to the ground.

Gu Changqing stood for a moment, surveying the area, then cautiously moved off toward the beast trail nearby. There was an earthen pit trap there, used for catching black boars.

He carefully sidled up to the pit, bent down, and gently moved aside the branches covering it.

The pit was over a meter wide and deep, its bottom bristling with sharpened stakes pointing upwards.

Gu Changqing slipped into the pit, quietly pulled out the wooden spears, and replaced the branches overhead.

He settled against the muddy wall, a fierce look on his face.

He had never felt much for the villagers, but the sensation of being hunted was intolerable.

Given the ruthlessness with which the pursuers had obliterated an innocent village, he knew that should he fall into their hands, his fate would be grim. Death might not even be an option.

The motive was obvious. If it were vengeance, they would have left once they found the corpse of the cultivator. But they burned the village—clearly, they were after something else.

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Since it wasn’t revenge, it must be for what he possessed.

The Flesh Refining Divine Method and the bead.

With this in mind, it was clear the pursuers suspected these treasures had fallen into his hands.

Why burn the village? The answer was obvious.

Unable to find him, they must have believed he was hiding. Since he had grown up in this village, burning it was meant to flush him out.

Gu Changqing quickly deduced the sequence of events, a cold, grim smile on his face.

He exhaled slowly, his expression calming. From his bag, he took out some sheets of paper marked with his notes.

Through the gaps in the branches overhead, he could just make out the writing.

He tore off a small twig to use as a pen, and began jotting notes in the mud.

...

Half a day later, Gu Changqing tossed the twig aside and rested with eyes closed.

Before long, the sound of something slicing through the air echoed nearby, followed by voices.

"Miss You, did you find any trace of him at Wang Family Village?"

"There are only a few villages in this area. The boy hasn’t appeared in six days; either he was eaten by wild beasts or he’s gone far away."

For days, one of them had stayed nearby while the other scouted the surroundings.

After several days, they had found no sign of their target, and finally had to give up.

"Young Master Yu is correct. This man possesses demonic arts and the Blood Sovereign’s legacy. Now that he’s escaped, who knows what chaos he’ll stir up next!" came a cool, clear female voice.

"When I return, I’ll mobilize the Yu family to search for the boy. Should any news arise, I’ll inform Miss You!"

"Young Master Yu is truly chivalrous. I thank you in advance!" the woman replied.

Twenty meters from Gu Changqing’s hiding place, the gentle-faced youth and the cold woman were conversing.

Gu Changqing listened intently in the pit, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

Did they take him for clay, easily molded?

The conversation continued above.

The woman clasped her hands in a gesture of thanks. Young Master Yu smiled, "All for the sake of justice—"

He hadn’t finished speaking when a flash of green light shot from the woman’s sleeve—a palm-sized sword stabbed toward him like lightning.

"You—" Young Master Yu was shocked and angry, his hand trembling as he snapped open his fan. Countless fan ribs flew out, overlapping in the air to shield his torso.

Yet the green light was agile as a spark of electricity, circling him once.

Young Master Yu’s head fell to the ground.

"The boy carries the Blood Sovereign’s inheritance. This matter is grave. The fewer who know, the less trouble. It is best only I am aware," the woman said coolly.

The green light slipped back into her sleeve.

"Young Master Yu was slain by a demonic cultivator. Naturally, I shall avenge him! Even the Yu family cannot object."

Besides, knowing the truth, the Yu family would never relent—they would send people to hunt for the boy, and she need only follow their trail.

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This was far easier than searching for a needle in the sea.

The woman beckoned, and Yu’s fan and a brocade pouch at his waist flew into her hand.

She vanished into the forest.

Gu Changqing was left dumbfounded in the pit.

Damn it, who here is the real demon?

Truly, today was an education!

Indeed, in every world, sycophants meet a bitter end!

Your surname is You, huh?

We’ll settle this another day! If I don’t see you dead, I’ll take your name!

His father had taught him: bear anything but the blame; eat anything but defeat!

Gu Changqing was tempted to climb out for a look, but quickly dismissed the idea.

He remained perfectly still in the pit, even breathing more softly.

An hour passed, then another rush of air overhead.

The woman landed near Yu’s corpse and inspected the area.

"So he’s really not here!"

She flung a talisman onto Yu’s body, which erupted in flames.

In moments, not even ashes remained.

Only then did the woman depart.

Gu Changqing reckoned she had truly gone this time.

Still, he decided not to move.

"The cultivation world is damn dangerous!"

He had spent six days in the other world, and six days had passed here as well. The two worlds’ time flowed at a one-to-one rate.

Since that was so, he would wait until he returned from Southern Chu to leave.

Late at night, Gu Changqing, knife in one hand and gun in the other, listened to the rustling grass and the occasional cries of wild beasts, and drifted off to sleep.

He had no idea how long had passed when he once again sensed the bead in his mind.

A flash, and he vanished from the pit.

The instant he appeared in his room, he rushed toward the bathroom.

"Damn it, it’s about to explode!"

As the torrent roared, Gu Changqing’s contorted expression melted into relief.

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