Chapter 423: My Esteemed Teacher's Arch-Rival

The Flying-Dragon Fortress in the Emerald Sky Waters.

If someone were to gaze down from a high altitude, they would see a vast stretch of water extending for hundreds of li, interspersed with towering mountains that resembled isolated islands.

With endless green mountains and clear waters, the entire area looked like a piece of jade that the gods had dropped from heaven.

As a gust of black wind descended upon a spot within the lake and mountains, it revealed a huge walled city hidden among the misty hills. It appeared to be a large village situated halfway up the mountain. However, the squads of burly men armed with sharp blades patrolling the area made it clear that this was no ordinary place.

Whoosh—

The black wind settled in the central clearing of the walled city, revealing the figures hidden within. A towering giant stood out among them, surrounded by several fierce-looking, burly men. Yet, the passing villagers showed no fear; instead, their eyes reflected a mix of respect and admiration.

It seemed they greatly envied these powerful fighters who had the privilege of going out to battle.

Long before they landed, Chu Liang had already scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, allowing him to gain a rough understanding of the nature of this place.

Over the years, the bandits and pirates of the Emerald Sky Waters had developed their own way of life. They were bandits when they were on the back of horses, but when they dismounted, they blended in as ordinary folk. When the government sent powerful forces to eliminate them, they presented themselves as simple farmers and fishermen. Yet, when merchant ships sailed by, they could instantly transform into bandits, which was why they had never been completely eradicated.

Otherwise, with the power of the court, any group that dared to openly rebel, no matter how strong, would be swiftly crushed.

Some powerful villages could rival the sects of immortal cultivation and even the most formidable gangs. Among them, the Flying-Dragon Fortress stood out as one of the best.

"Chief, we've brought the advisor back!" the giant shouted as soon as he landed.

"Wu Lei, you could have let us down before calling out to the chief," the frail middle-aged man said, his face twisted in discomfort. It was clear that the rough journey had shaken him so much that he just wanted to throw up.

Chu Liang's cultivation level was much higher, which was why he remained unaffected.

During the trip, Chu Liang learned that the middle-aged man's name was Wu Qingfeng. The Flying-Dragon Fortress was primarily made up of people bearing the Wu surname. Although his cultivation wasn't among the strongest in the fortress, Wu Qingfeng was renowned for his wisdom and strategic mind, earning him the title of advisor, or Mister Qingfeng.

Though Wu Qingfeng appeared somewhat disheveled when he first met Chu Liang, the moment he stepped onto the grounds of Flying-Dragon Fortress, he straightened up and once again displayed his composed, strategic demeanor.

"Oh, Advisor!" A burly, one-armed man clad in a thick gray robe emerged from the main hall.

With a headband tied around his forehead and dark stubble shadowing his rugged face, he exuded a powerful aura of the martial world. As he stepped out, he greeted, "You're finally back."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

This man was likely the chief of the Flying-Dragon Fortress, known as the One-Armed Flying Dragon, Wu Yinhai—the very person Wu Qingfeng had mentioned. As a powerful sixth-realm cultivator, his name was renowned throughout the hundred li of the Emerald Sky Waters.

"Heh, I ran into some trouble in Wu'an City and ended up embarrassing the Flying-Dragon Fortress, Wu Qingfeng said with an awkward smile.

"Nonsense," Wu Yinhai said, giving him a hearty pat on the shoulder before turning to Chu Liang. "Huh? This young man isn't from our fortress, is he?"

"This is Ye Wen, a brother I met in prison," Wu Qingfeng said with admiration. "Don't let his youth deceive you; his cultivation is extraordinary. None of our young ones here can match him. That's why I had Wu Lei bring him along."

"Hahaha! This young brother is clearly a gifted talent. Now that you're here, you must stay!" Wu Yinhai laughed heartily.

Chu Liang returned the smile, thinking to himself,

Those who know you would see this as a friendly recruitment, but to others, it might seem like we have a grudge.

He clasped his fists and politely declined, "Thank you, Mister Qingfeng and esteemed heroes, for rescuing me from the prison. However, I am already committed to a sect and cannot join another. I must return and report to my elders."

"Sect?" Mister Qingfeng looked at him. "You mean that Yong Chun Sect? I've never heard of it; it doesn't seem like a major sect. Why not join our Flying-Dragon Fortress? We can drink big bowls of wine, eat large chunks of meat together—wouldn't that be enjoyable?"

Great. You want me to drink, eat, and plunder across the nine provinces, huh?

Chu Liang grumbled inwardly.

Then he smiled and said, "There were too many people in prison earlier, so I couldn't reveal my true identity. Actually, I'm a disciple of the Mount Shu Sect. I was out on a mission..."

Since they had helped him escape, Chu Liang decided not to hide anything. However, as soon as he mentioned "Mount Shu Sect," Wu Yinhai snapped his head around and looked over at him.

"Mount Shu Sect?" Wu Yinhai's voice rose sharply. "You're telling me you're a disciple of Mount Shu?"

"Hm?" Chu Liang paused, giving him a curious look. "Chief Wu, is there something wrong?"

Wu Qingfeng quickly intervened with a strained smile, "Brother, you might not know this, but our chief's greatest enemy in life happens to be from the Mount Shu Sect... What an unfortunate coincidence."

Chu Liang immediately considered a possibility, pausing before he slowly asked, "Could it be the Silver Sword Peak Master, Di Nufeng, of Mount Shu?"

"Exactly!" Wu Yinhai nodded heavily, his chest swelling with anger at the mere mention of the name. "It's her. Do you know her?"

"Of course, I know her," Chu Liang nodded slightly, aware of the sharp gazes fixed on him. He let out a heavy sigh and continued, "Alas! Speaking of her, she is my teacher's... arch-rival!"

"Hm?" Everyone stared at him in confusion.

"You all might not know this, but the thirty-six peaks of Mount Shu Sect are not exactly united," Chu Liang explained. "I'm a disciple of Jade Sword Peak. My name is Lin Bei, and my teacher is the grand peak master, Wang Xuanling. He and the Silver Sword Peak master have been at odds for many years—everyone on Mount Shu knows this. The disciples of our two peaks are constantly at each other's throats."

"I've heard a bit about Wang Xuanling's rivalry with Di Nufeng," Wu Yinhai said. His expression only softened after hearing this explanation.

Since Wu Yinhai considered Di Nufeng his lifelong enemy, he naturally knew a great deal about her. After all, it was often said that the person who knew you best was your enemy.

"Hahaha, indeed," Wu Qingfeng said, taking Chu Liang's hand with a warm smile. "Not everyone on Mount Shu is bad; Brother Lin Bei is a good man."

Chu Liang then looked up and asked, "Chief, what deep grudge do you have against Di Nufeng? Perhaps you could tell me, and I can spread the word among the peaks when I return, so others may criticize her as well."

"

Haaaa...

" Wu Yinhai said, "It's not really something worth spreading."

Wu Yinhai then began recounting his story. He had become a sixth-realm martial artist before the age of thirty, with boundless prospects ahead of him as he ventured into the martial world. If he had been part of an immortal sect like the Great Astral Sect, he would have been recognized as someone with the potential to achieve the seventh realm of martial arts.

At the time, he was young and successful, with a tendency to act arrogantly. One day, he learned that a large ship carrying precious cargo from the Fuyao Kingdom of the East Sea was about to pass through the Emerald Sky Waters, and he was tempted to rob it.

Those around him advised against it, pointing out that they lacked both the regional advantage and the manpower outside the Emerald Sky Waters. Additionally, the weather conditions were unfavorable, making the endeavor even more dangerous. But he wouldn't listen.

Wu Yinhai spoke solemnly, "That day, I led my men to intercept the ship. Just as we boarded and began our attack, a fire phoenix flew out from the cabin! Every brother who stepped on board was incinerated! I tried to flee right away, but a spark of that divine fire grazed my left arm, and it nearly consumed my entire body! If I hadn't acted fast and cut off my arm, I would have been reduced to ashes by now.

"With her status as an Eminent One from Mount Shu, she could have simply revealed her identity, and we would have backed down. Why did she resort to killing right away? Our brothers at Flying-Dragon Fortress rob the rich to help the poor, but we've never taken lives! That single burst of fire cost us dozens of brothers, and left my body crippled, scarred by divine fire. Since then, any hope I had of reaching the Heavenly Gate has been lost.

"All of this is thanks to Di Nufeng..."

Upon hearing the story, Chu Liang didn't know what to say. He could only sigh in response. "

Haaaa!

"

He then added, "What she did does seem excessive. Chief Wu, I won't stay any longer. As the mountain stands firm and the river flows, so may our paths cross again..."

Just as he was about to say goodbye, a group of people suddenly burst into the fortress, shouting and rushing over, with some of them looking injured.

"Chief!" one of them yelled. "A Trifloral Goldgrass showed up in the Green-Fish Pond. Ah Liu and the others tried to pluck it, but they ran into a golden draconic python guarding it and barely made it out alive!"

Chu Liang's eyes lit up.

Huh?

...

While the tension eased on one side, the other side was on the brink of conflict.

In Wu'an City, dazzling sword lights lit up the sky, leaving the entire city in shock. Every household quickly shut their doors, fearing they might be implicated in the fierce battle between cultivators.

Meanwhile, hundreds of martial artists from the garrison camp outside the city were mobilized. Clad in silver armor and mounted on exotic beasts, they advanced in a grand formation through the clouds.

Such a massive gathering of cultivators was beyond what the City Supervisory Division could manage. And so, the general of the garrison in Wu'an City immediately led his troops to the scene.

Given the immense strength of these cultivators, he knew his troops stood no chance against them. Yet, he couldn't just stand by. If he did, the military might of the Yu Dynasty would be called into question, and the people would no longer feel safe!

And so, the garrison forces of Wu'an City had no choice but to press on. They surged forward like a wave of silver-scaled clouds, moving relentlessly toward the sword lights of Mount Shu!

"May I ask which immortal sect you belong to, daring to wield such power over Wu'an City? Do you truly believe there's no one here who can oppose you?" General Meng Yuan shouted.

Behind him, a row of exotic beasts stood ready, their swords and halberds raised, presenting an imposing show of force.

These martial artists in the military were carefully trained and nurtured by the imperial court. Most had reached the third realm of cultivation, with some elite members advancing to the fourth or fifth realms. With a sixth-realm general leading the garrison and the support of a ferocious formation, even Eminent Ones would struggle to defeat such a force. This garrison was formidable enough to defend any inland city .

However, this garrison was clearly outmatched as they faced off against the formation of sword-wielding experts.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the opposing formation, "We are disciples of Mount Shu, here under the command of the Discipline Master. If the general has any objections, you may take them up with her."

"Very well!" the general responded loudly. "Then I shall go and see for myself!"

In reality, General Meng Yuan had a different plan in mind. These cultivators were clearly from a righteous sect, so it was unlikely that things would get so bad that both sides would end up burning bridges. A fight seemed improbable. Matters between cultivators were usually handled by the City Supervisory Division, and he was there mainly to show support. By stepping forward now, he might even earn some praise afterward.

However, when he arrived at the City Supervisory Division and saw the situation, he immediately changed his mind and wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

As soon as he landed, General Meng Yuan was struck by a chilling sight. The Discipline Master of the Mount Shu Sect exuded an aura of deadly intent. The chief official of the city and the city supervisor dangled helplessly in mid-air, bound by two menacing black spiky horns. Of the three highest-ranking officials in Wu'an City, two were now suspended in this unsettling display.

Seeing this, Meng Yuan realized that these cultivators were ready to burn bridges. In fact, things had escalated so far that it felt like they were already lighting the flames to do so! Clearly, he had walked straight into a trap.

Just as he was about to leave, the Discipline Master shouted, "You're just in time! I was about to execute them, but I worried there wouldn't be any witnesses."

Meng Yuan's scalp prickled with fear, but he turned back and kept his composure. "Discipline Master, isn't this a bit too hasty? Even if you are from the immortal sect of the Divine Nine, you should still respect the laws of the Yu Dynasty."

"Law?" The Discipline Master sneered. "What should we do when the officials of the imperial court are the ones breaking the law?"

"This..." Meng Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "We can hold a court trial and execute them only after they have been proven to be guilty."

"Okay!" The Discipline Master said, "Let's arrange for a trial and judge them accordingly!"