Chapter 35

Shen Qingqiu returned to the Golden Character Armory in a daze. He climbed the stairs, entered his room, and collapsed onto the bed, his mind, stomach, and blood all churning as if something were crawling through them. He tossed and turned.

The blood of the Ancient Heavenly Demon, even after leaving the body, could still be manipulated by its inheritor. If consumed by another, death wasn't the only possible outcome—far worse possibilities existed.

For example, in the original work, after Luo Binghe gained full control over his blood, its uses included poison, parasitic blood worms for body infestation, tracking devices, physical brainwashing tools, instruments for certain pleasures… and so on.

Shen Qingqiu was drenched in cold sweat, drifting between sleep and wakefulness, only sinking into deep slumber near dawn. He hadn't slept long before being violently awakened by earth-shaking cheers.

He stumbled and rolled off the bed. Having lain down fully clothed the night before, he didn't need to dress. Just as he was about to open the door, it flew open on its own, and a bouncing youth burst in.

Yang Yixuan exclaimed excitedly, "The city gates are open! The gates are open!"

Shen Qingqiu: "What?"

Yang Yixuan shouted, "Those red-skinned monsters have all been captured! The city gates are open! Jinlan City has finally held on!" Thinking of his father's death, tears welled in his eyes again. Though muddled himself, Shen Qingqiu had to comfort him, thinking: So fast? They caught them all in one night?

With the gates open, the cultivators from various sects who had been watching from miles away poured into the city, gathering in a wide-open square. Mu Qingfang was there distributing the pills he had prepared. The Jinlan City that had been lifeless just days before was now brimming with joy.

A total of seven live Seed-Spreaders had been captured, all isolated within a barrier set up by Zhao Hua Temple.

Seeing Liu Qingge lost in thought, Shen Qingqiu walked over and asked quietly, "What happened last night?"

Liu Qingge glanced at him. "What happened with your disciple?"

Shen Qingqiu: "What did he do?"

Liu Qingge said slowly, "Last night, he captured five. I captured two." He looked at Shen Qingqiu. "What exactly happened during the years Luo Binghe was missing?"

To snatch prey from the master of Bai Zhan Peak—and, crucially, to win—was truly something that shattered the worldview of a Bai Zhan Peak successor, an utter disgrace!

And didn't this data essentially confirm that, in terms of combat power, the current ratio was Luo Binghe : Liu Qingge = 5 : 2…

Suddenly, the nearby disciples quieted their chatter, consciously making way and clearing space. Not far off, the leading figures of several sects approached slowly. Yue Qingyuan walked side-by-side with the Old Palace Master of Huan Hua Palace, followed by representatives from Tian Yi Monastery and Zhao Hua Temple.

Luo Binghe stood right beside the Old Palace Master.

The morning sun shone upon him, making him look refreshed and radiant. Shen Qingqiu compared him to himself and felt instantly gloomy.

Even Yue Qingyuan, drawing near and looking at him for a moment, said with concern, "Junior Brother, your complexion… it's terrible. I really shouldn't have let you come."

Shen Qingqiu gave a dry laugh. "Just didn't sleep well last night."

Mu Qingfang, returning after distributing the pills, was also startled. "Senior Brother, how did you become like this in just one night? Did you take the medicine I left in your room?"

Shen Qingqiu hurriedly said, "I did, I did." Please, don't ask him if he'd taken his medicine today!

A commotion suddenly arose from over there. Shen Qingqiu glanced over and immediately wanted to facepalm and turn away. He saw a middle-aged man in mourning clothes, leading a large group of men and women, trying to kneel before Luo Binghe. It was the City Lord of Jinlan City.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he said, "Our humble city has been saved by the immortal masters' selfless sacrifice. This debt of gratitude is beyond repayment. If you ever have any commands in the future, we will dare ten thousand deaths to fulfill them!"

Shen Qingqiu's mouth twitched. Such a standard plot—after clearing the monsters, collect followers and rewards. And at times like these, only the protagonist ever hogged the spotlight; everyone else who contributed became part of the background. He himself wouldn't mention it, but Liu Qingge had captured two, and Mu Qingfang had just been distributing medicine.

Luo Binghe's response was also textbook standard. He said modestly, "City Lord, please rise quickly. Jinlan City's safe passage through this calamity is thanks to the united efforts and assistance of all sects. The strength of one person could never reach the heavens."

His words and demeanor were both sincere and appropriate. Other sects felt somewhat balanced hearing this, his own glory remained undiminished, and the City Lord praised him again. "Last night, I witnessed with my own eyes how this Young Master single-handedly subdued these harmful creatures. His cultivation is truly remarkable. Indeed, heroes emerge from among the young, and a famed master produces an outstanding disciple! Palace Master, you have a worthy successor."

When Luo Binghe heard the phrase "a famed master produces an outstanding disciple," his smile deepened. His gaze swept over here intentionally or not, alighting briefly on Shen Qingqiu's face like a dragonfly skimming water.

Shen Qingqiu opened his fan, using it as a shield.

The Old Palace Master looked at Luo Binghe with approval and paternal affection. Others might not understand, but Shen Qingqiu understood perfectly—this was the look reserved for a future successor and a satisfactory son-in-law.

The seven trapped Seed-Spreaders cackled and shrieked, grating on the nerves. Someone asked, "How should these filthy things be dealt with?"

Yue Qingyuan said, "Qingqiu, do you have any thoughts?"

Shen Qingqiu pondered and said, "I've seen ancient records stating that Seed-Spreaders fear high temperatures. It seems to mention that only incineration by fierce flames can completely purge the corrosive infectious power from their bodies."

Very easy to understand—disinfection requires high heat.

A cultivator exclaimed in shock, "This… how can this be allowed? Such a method is no different from the savagery and cruelty of the demon race!"

His voice was quickly drowned out by the furious shouts of the surviving citizens of Jinlan City surrounding them.

During the plague's rampage, countless innocent lives had been lost in the city, their bodies covered in festering sores, a pitiful sight. A once prosperous commercial capital had been reduced to its current ghostly state. Showing sympathy and advocating humanitarianism for the Seed-Spreaders now meant making an enemy of the entire Jinlan City. Those few cultivators soon found themselves surrounded by a tidal wave of "Burn them!" and "Anyone who objects can burn with them!"

Within the barrier, most of the seven Seed-Spreaders bared their teeth, cackling wildly, showing no sign of yielding. Shen Qingqiu felt they likely still considered themselves heroes creating bountiful harvests for their race. Only one, the smallest and thinnest among them, clutched its head and wept.

Seeing this, some people's compassion began to overflow again. Qin Wanyue bit her lip and moved closer to Luo Binghe. "Young Master Luo, that weak Seed-Spreader looks so pitiful."

Luo Binghe smiled at her but did not respond.

In Shen Qingqiu's view, this reaction toward a girl was rather perfunctory, barely a passing grade. According to the original, shouldn't he be taking this chance to whisper gentle words of shared sympathy? How come Luo Binghe's leveling speed had increased, but his skills with women had declined?

Alas, the man simply possessed a face that, from any angle and with any expression, appeared as gentle as jade and effortlessly elegant. Qin Wanyue was momentarily dazzled, forgot what she had just said, and contentedly returned to watching the spectacle.

"They look so pitiful"—no matter how pitiful, were they more pitiful than those who inexplicably contracted the plague and died with their bodies rotting away?

Just as Shen Qingqiu was inwardly grumbling, something far beyond his expectations occurred.

That thin, small Seed-Spreader lunged forward, thudding against the edge of the barrier. Its crimson face grew even more grotesque from its wailing cries as it shouted, "Immortal Master Shen! You mustn't let them burn me to death! I beg you, Immortal Master Shen, please save me!"

In that instant, Shen Qingqiu felt a string in his mind snap.

…Who the hell are you?!

You just randomly lunge over and call me 'Immortal Master Shen'—I really don't know you, okay?!

Instantly, thousands of eyes in the entire square focused on Shen Qingqiu.

The Seed-Spreader continued to howl. "We only acted on your orders! You never said we'd be burned alive!"

…What the fuck!!!

This kind of divine plot twist, this crude and blunt accusation! Shen Qingqiu was utterly dumbfounded.

What made him even more speechless was that the Old Palace Master of Huan Hua Palace said, "The words spoken by this creature—shouldn't Immortal Master Shen offer some explanation?"

Yet such a low-level tactic actually found believers!

Immediately, others chimed in. "Indeed!"

And not just one person!

The Twelve Peaks presented a united front to the outside world. With these words, the spearpoint was clearly aimed, and many cultivators from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect showed displeasure. Yue Qingyuan's face turned cold outright.

Qi Qingqi mocked, "Anyone with a bit of sense should see that this creature, facing death and unwilling to go alone, is trying to drag someone down with it. It's pure slander. All the lowlifes of the demon realm are cut from the same cloth. To think some would actually take the bait—it would be laughable if word got out!"

The Old Palace Master said mildly, "Then why doesn't it slander anyone else, only Immortal Master Shen? That is worth pondering."

Shen Qingqiu was awed by his logic.

Luo Binghe remained silent, still wearing that gentle, handsome demeanor, his gaze fixed intently here with an expression of perfectly measured surprise.

But Shen Qingqiu absolutely dared to guarantee that within those starry, pitch-black eyes was full of amusement.

In the original work, the point of hatred that made Shen Qingqiu's crimes unforgivable was that he harmed his fellow sect member, personally killing Liu Qingge. But now, Liu Qingge was standing right beside him. If anyone tried to beat him up, Liu Qingge might even lend a hand. The charge was completely invalid!

Insufficient stains, so slander to make up the difference?

Very well. Luo Binghe, you're ruthless!

Suddenly, a disciple from Huan Hua Palace stepped forward. His face bore a few small pockmarks—it was the disciple who had mocked Shen Qingqiu in the abandoned building that day. He bowed and said, "Palace Master, this disciple has just discovered something. I wonder if I should speak of it."

Shen Qingqiu's face remained utterly blank. "If you have something to say, then say it. Why bother with 'I don't know if I should say it' after you've already opened your mouth? Isn't that just slapping your own face?"

The disciple clearly hadn't expected a Senior to clap back at him directly. His face flushed, then paled, the pockmarks on his skin seeming to shift color with his embarrassment. Not daring to retort, he could only glare fiercely at Shen Qingqiu. "Yesterday, several fellow disciples and I clearly saw red, contaminated spots on Senior Shen's arm. But today, they've completely vanished!"

"Senior Mu of Cang Qiong Mountain personally stated that the medicinal pills distributed in the city require twelve full hours to take effect. Young Master Luo took the antidote right before our eyes, and the spots on his hands still haven't faded. Why is it only Senior Shen who has recovered so swiftly, with the spots disappearing without a trace? Regardless, this disciple finds this point highly suspicious!"

Shen Qingqiu sighed inwardly. He knew it. Luo Binghe had never been kind enough to truly help him purge the corruption seed.

Yue Qingyuan spoke, his voice calm but measured. "My Junior Brother presides over Qing Jing Peak. As a Peak Lord, he has always been a model for our sect, known throughout for his noble character and integrity. You are all placing far too much faith in baseless rumors."

Shen Qingqiu felt his old face heat up. Senior Brother, don't say things like that. Are you serious? If you're forcing yourself to speak against your conscience just to protect me, I really can't accept it! Neither the original goods nor the current model could ever hope to touch the hem of 'noble character and integrity.' Well, wait—the original might at least manage the 'character' part.

The Old Palace Master remarked coolly, "Is that so? What I've heard is quite different."

Shen Qingqiu's heart sank.

It seemed today, he was being dragged into the deep water whether he liked it or not.