Chapter 136: Substitute

Translator: Exodus Tales  Editor: Exodus Tales

Tuoba Ye revealed a bitter grin and said, “Yan Nantian, you’re indeed formidable. I never would have expected you to actually be able to break my Dragonfish Transformation. However, it is still too early to talk about winning and losing right now. I’m only a substitute for our Young Lord. Young Lord is many folds stronger than me. Hahaha!”

Once this statement was out, everyone was astonished!

“What? You’re just a substitute?” Yang Dingtian yelled out in surprise.

This ‘Tuoba Ye’ immediately tore off his face and revealed a pale and ordinary look. He was indeed just a substitute.

“That’s right, I’m just Young Lord’s sword slave. Young Lord sent me here to scout out the situation. He will be coming here personally, once he wins, the pearl and the beauty shall all belong to him.” This substitute sneered and said, “Yan Nantian, do you know what class is my Young Lord at?”

“Speak!” Yang Dingtian replied.

“He has already broken through to the Great Mystic Martial Master and possesses mystic skills. How are you going to beat him? Hahaha!” The substitute laughed loudly and spurted blood at the same time.

In an instant, Mu Liancheng and Yang Dingtian had a drastic change in their expression!

The Great Mystic Martial Master was a clear and distinct limit for a martial artist. It symbolized what a true expert was, this was since the Great Mystic Martial Masters could learn mystic skills.

The way a mystic skill is able to deal against a martial skill was a complete instant kill! Mystic skills and martial skills had a world of difference between them.

Finally, the substitute used his avaricious eyes to look at Mu Lianyi’s fiery and sexy figure while laughing loudly. “Beauty! Just wait to be defiled by our Young Lord!”

Finishing his statement, the substitute then used his palm to strike at his own head abruptly.

“Bang!” There was a loud sound followed by the violent splatter of blood. This substitute blasted his own head into smithereens and had thoroughly died.

Everyone present was shocked!

The substitute was obviously not going to die after being defeated, but he committed suicide in front of everyone. It was clear how ruthless and resolute the Raging Flames Castle did things.

The grey figure who was an old man walked to the corpse of the substitute and placed his palm on the dead man’s chest, he said indifferently, “Don’t worry. Young Lord will take revenge for you and severe this Yan Nantian into pieces. You can rest in peace.”

“Pfff…” Immediately after, the grey old man released his mystic qi.

The substitute’s corpse was blasted into smithereens.

Afterward, the grey old man stood up and said, “I am Hui Ying, a deacon of the Raging Flames Castle. Mu Liancheng, speak honestly. Did you win the match earlier between the two of us?”

(TL note: Hui Ying = Grey Eagle)

Mu Liancheng stayed silent for a moment before speaking, “I am not a match for you.”

Hui Ying said, “Then between Yan Nantian and you, who more is superior?”

Mu Liancheng replied, “Yan Nantian is not a match against me.”

Hui Ying responded, “Then I can tell you that I’m not a match for my Young Lord. His mystic skill, the Wind Shadow Devil Sword can kill me.”

Finally, Hui Ying looked at Yan Nantian and laughed grimly. “How about now? Do you think you’re going to be a match for our Young Lord? Is this beauty that important? Or is your life more important? Think carefully.”

Once Hui Ying finished his declaration, he turned into a shadow and left rapidly, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

“Mu Liangyi, clean yourself up and wait in bed for my Young Lord to bless you. Prepare the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl as the dowry. Tomorrow, my Young Lord will come and participate in the martial contest for marriage.”

“Mu Liancheng, don’t even think about escaping. Tomorrow, if my Young Lord doesn’t see you and your daughter. We will slaughter all the innocent commoners in the surrounding hundred miles radius. Hahaha…”

Hui Ying’s sinister laughter echoed in everyone’s ears. It was a voice that caused them to tremble due to fear.

The entire Mu Clan Docks was dead silent. Everyone had a foreboding expression on their faces.

******

“Young Lord! You have to leave now and bring the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl with you,” said Mu Liancheng.

“What about all of you? What will you do?” Yang Dingtian asked.

“My cultivation might have declined for the past decade, but I will not shame the prowess of the Cloud Heaven City. Even if I have to die, I will still take down a few of the bastards from the Raging Flames Castle,” replied Mu Liancheng.

“I will not leave.” Yang Dingtian said, “Uncle Mu, I don’t mind telling you this. I really need the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl because I have to forge my soul sword in the Fire Cloud Devil Cave. But I will not go now, I will stand alongside all of you!”

“No!” Mu Liancheng spoke resolutely and without hesitation, “I’m someone who should have been dead a long time ago. The City Lord saved me, the past decade is a life I consider that was picked up back from hell. But Young Lord is different, you still have to kill Ximen Ju and take back Cloud Heaven City. Your life is invaluable and you cannot afford to fall here. You will take the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art and the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl and leave immediately.”

Yang Dingtian went silent and shook his head resolutely.

Mu Liancheng gritted his teeth and knelt down while saying, “Young Lord! If you don’t go, I will kneel here until I die.”

Yang Dingtian took a deep breath and said, “Uncle Mu, I will not leave. If I am to escape just because of meeting a mere Tuoba Ye, then how will I face Ximen Ju in the future? How will I face Dongfang Bingling?”

Mu Liancheng replied, “But… He is already a Great Mystic Martial Master and is two ranks higher than you. He even has a mystic skill which is a quantitative leap in lethality compared to martial skills.”

Yang Dingtian fell silent again.

Great Mystic Martial Master? Mystic skill?

It was a complete myth to attain victory in a battle that had to exceed two ranks, it wasn’t realistic at all. However, he might be able to battle using another method.

“That’s right. Tuoba Ye is a Great Mystic Martial Master and has mystic skills. I cannot defeat him in strength, but it doesn’t mean I cannot defeat him with intelligence.” Yang Dingtian said slowly, “Furthermore, the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art might bring me an unexpected breakthrough.”

“Young Lord, you’re insane! Tuoba Ye is seventeen classes superior and two ranks higher than you. No one within the thousand years of history has been able to win with such conditions, no one has even survived facing an opponent this stronger than them. Even if the Pig Slaying Sword Art is mystical, it wouldn’t be able to help you breakthrough through more than ten classes quickly,” Mu Liancheng spoke with a surprised tone.

“Uncle Mu, wait until I practice the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art first. If there is truly no hope of winning, then I will not appear in battle. How about it?” Yang Dingtian said, “I already mentioned that I’m going to fight with intelligence, not with strength.”

“No, you have to leave,” Mu Liancheng knelt on the ground and spoke with determination.

Yang Dingtian’s face turned cold as he spoke, “I am the Young Lord, I have the final say in this. I will not leave.”

Mu Liancheng let out a bleak smile and said, “Young Lord, even if the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art gives you an astounding breakthrough, even if you are able to win against Tuoba Ye in the martial contest tomorrow. What would it do? He will not just obediently back away after losing. The Raging Flames Castle has the advantage in numbers and has plenty of experts. They will definitely turn hostile and slaughter everyone, by then, they will snatch Lianyi and the Fire Chilling Immunity Pearl. When that time comes, you will die in vain.”

“This is why we have to find an expert who has virtue and a great reputation to host and look over the martial contest in a fair and just manner. If Tuoba Ye is to lose, the Raging Flames Castle could only then leave obediently.” Yang Dingtian asked, “Is there such an expert in the nearby vicinity?”

Mu Liancheng thought for a moment and said, “There is one. But that person is withdrawn and reclusive, he never interferes with such things. I’m not afraid to tell you that when the Raging Flames Castle conspired against us, I did ask him for assistance and was even willing to offer the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl. I begged him to protect the lives of my Mu Clan Docks, but he rejected me.”

Yang Dingtian was surprised. Mu Liancheng was willing to offer the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl, yet he actually wasn’t willing to help? This person’s character is very headstrong.

“Who is that person?” Yang Dingtian asked.

“It is the Wooden Sword Castle’s Master, Li Guinong,” replied Mu Liancheng.

“It’s him?” Yang Dingtian exclaimed, “Is the Wooden Sword Castle in the nearby vicinity?”

“It’s less than 300 miles away. It is also the only prestigious faction within the few thousand miles radius of this place. However, since Li Tianxiao rebelled, the Wooden Sword Castle has completely declined and are secluded, they are shunned by the world in the valley. They have never interfered in worldly matters.” Mu Liancheng asked, “Does Young Lord know him?”

“When on the way to Yin Yang Sect. We happened to cross paths.” Yang Dingtian asked, “How is Li Guinong’s cultivation rank?”

“Martial Ancestor class. Within this thousand miles radius, he should be unmatched,” Mu Liancheng replied.

Yang Dingtian was aghast. Li Guinong had an ordinary look like an old common farmer, but he was actually so formidable.

“We will do it like this.” Yang Dingtian said, “I will go to the Wooden Sword Castle to invite Li Guinong to host the martial marriage contest at Mu Clan Docks. I believe that with him around, the Raging Flames Castle will not dare to be presumptuous.”

“Young Lord, that person is reclusive and never bothers about worldly matters. He will not agree to it,” Mu Liancheng responded.

“How would we know if we don’t try again?” We’re going to do it like this.” Yang Dingtian said, “I will use my fastest speed to come back. Afterward, I will immerse myself into the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art and cultivate.”

******

Yang Dingtian was galloping on the horse, traveling towards the northeast direction with rapid speed.

In the past, the Wooden Sword Castle was one of the clans of the Three Sects and Nine Clans. They had awe-inspiring prowess and was extremely powerful. There was a period of time when the Wooden Sword Castle had more than two Master class experts in every generation.

(TL note: Master class is just one rank lower than Grandmaster class)

But ever since the greatest traitor Li Tianxiao emerged two centuries ago, all of the experts in the Wooden Sword Castle were murdered while hundreds of thousands of the southwest alliance army were all poisoned. Ever since then, the Wooden Sword Castle had completely declined. The once-formidable Iron Sword Castle headquarters whose prowess had extended thousands of miles had also turned into ruins. Hence, the Wooden Sword Castle chose to migrate several hundred miles into a secluded valley.

Yang Dingtian traveled at full speed. One and a half-hour later, he reached the Wooden Sword Valley, which was where the Wooden Sword Castle was located at.

There was only one path to enter the valley.

“Halt your advance! The Wooden Sword Castle doesn’t welcome any guests,” Before entering the castle, two sword-wielding warriors obstructed the pathway.

Yang Dingtian could clearly see that the guards of the valley entrance didn’t wear any armor and were wearing coarse clothes. It was needless to think about the current financial situation of the Wooden Sword Castle when he saw this.

“Go report to Castle Master Li. Say that an old friend from the Yin Yang Sect is seeking for a meeting,” Yang Dingtian spoke with respect.

“Yin Yang Sect?” The two guards were instantly alarmed and had this respectful expression when they heard of the name of the Yin Yang Sect.

“Will the esteemed guest please wait a moment? I will go report now,” one of the warriors bowed with respect and ran into the valley.

The other warrior went to the side of a stone table and spoke to Yang Dingtian, “Will the esteemed guest please have some tea?”

Yang Dingtian went over and sat while the warrior poured a cup of tea, he spoke with an ashamed expression, “The tea leaves in this wilderness are crude. Esteemed guest, please forgive us.”

“This is good enough, many thanks Senior Brother,” Yang Dingtian responded.

This warrior revealed an expression of admiration. This prestigious disciple was indeed different and was so humble. Hence, he sat down and had a conversation with Yang Dingtian while his expression and manner of speech were filled with admiration.

It was obvious that the Yin Yang Sect’s halo was too shocking for him.

About ten minutes later, there was a group of people that galloped out from the valley. The one leading the group was the Wooden Sword Castle Master Li Guinong and his daughter Shui Hongshao.

Shui Hongshao still had this wild beauty that looked similar to Mu Lianyi.

“Our lowly castle is humbled by the visit from Senior Brother of the almighty sect. Li Guinong has been disrespectful and didn’t welcome you earlier. Please forgive me,” When Li Guinong was still over a dozen meters from Yang Dingtian, he bowed deeply.

Yang Dingtian was stunned when he saw this. He thought that his appearance should be of the lowest hierarchy even if he was a Yin Yang Sect disciple. However, this Li Guinong was actually so respectful and even addressed him as a Senior Brother.

“Castle Master Li. Let us go in and talk,” Yang Dingtian said.

“Yes Senior Brother, this way please,” Li Guinong spoke with respect, on the contrary, Shui Hongshao looked at Yang Dingtian with eyes of resent and hostility. He didn’t know why, but it might be because she was mistreated at the Yin Yang Sect.

*******

In the large hall, Li Guinong invited Yang Dingtian for a seat and instructed Shui Hongshao to personally serve some tea.

“Hmph!” After pouring a cup of tea for Yang Dingtian, Shui Hongshao couldn’t bear it any longer and spoke in a soft voice, “There is no one good from the Yin Yang Sect.”

Once she said this, Li Guinong’s expression had a drastic change as he yelled out, “Shui Hongshao, what nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and apologize to Senior Brother!”

“What is there to apologize about? It’s a fact.” Shui Hongshao said, “There’s no one good from the Yin Yang Sect! Especially that Dongfang Bingling who didn’t comply with the rules of a wife. Not only did she break the promise of marriage, she even injured her own fiancé. Big Brother Yang Dingtian is such a good person!”

“Shut your mouth!” Li Guinong’s body was trembling as he pointed at Shui Hongshao and said, “Get out of here. Get out!.”

Immediately after, he walked in front of Yang Dingtian and gave a deep bow. “My daughter is rude and impetuous, would Senior Brother please forgive her? Li Guinong will always remember the kindness that the Yin Yang Sect offered to us. Without the Yin Yang Sect, my Wooden Sword Castle wouldn’t be in the list of the Twenty-Seven Factions. If Senior Brother has any request to make, my Wooden Sword Castle would do it without any questions.”

Yang Dingtian quickly went forward and helped Li Guinong up. He then spoke softly, “Martial Uncle Li, I’m Yang Dingtian,”

“What?” Li Guinong’s face changed drastically as he looked at Yang Dingtian with disbelief.

He immediately walked out and closed all the doors and windows tightly. After making sure that no one was around, he turned back and asked with surprise in his voice, “Are… Are you really Nephew Yang? Why… Why are you here?”

Shui Hongshao who was by the side instantly gasped and ran over, she quickly grabbed onto Yang Dingtian’s hands and said, “Are… Are you really Big Brother Yang Dingtian?”

“Yes, It’s me,” Yang Dingtian took off the mask on his face and revealed his real face.

He had many masks and they were all placed in the spatial ring by Ximen Ningning in advance. Of course, compared to the Illusionary Beast Mask, these masks weren’t lifelike enough. If one didn’t look closely, they wouldn’t be able to tell.

“Ahh!” Shui Hongshao exclaimed softly and used her hand to cover her small lips. She was desperately trying to hold back her tears while her other hand grabbed onto Yang Dingtian tightly. She was speechless.

For unknown reasons, they merely had a single encounter and exchanged a few words, but it felt as though they were extremely close to each other.

Seeing how his daughter couldn’t conceal her affection, Li Guinong felt awkward, he said, “Lass, you go stand by the door and don’t let anyone come near. I have things to speak with your Big Brother Yang.”

“En. Okay…” Shui Hongshao spoke in a soft voice. She reluctantly let go of Yang Dingtian’s hand and spoke gently, “Big Brother Yang, I will come and talk with you later on.”

After Shui Hongshao went out, Li Guinong then spoke in a soft voice, “Nephew, the Northwest Qin Clan and the Cloud Heaven City are in pursuit looking for you. Not long ago, the Northwest Qin Clan even sent men to give me an order. It stated for me to kill you upon sight. Furthermore, it seems like they even sent a group into the southwest continent just to kill you.”

“Do they know that I’m in the southwest continent?” Yang Dingtian asked.

“It seems like they have only detected you. In short, you just have to be careful.” Li Guinong said, “If this is the case, you can stay in my Wooden Sword Castle and wait for this wave of danger to blow over before leaving.”

“Thank you Martial Uncle Li. But I’m here this time for another request,” said Yang Dingtian.

“You can say it,” Li Guinong said.

“Martial Uncle Li, do you know of the Mu Clan Docks? I’m here for them,” Yang Dingtian said.

“Is it about the matters of the Raging Flames Castle forcing a marriage onto the Mu Clan’s Young Lady?” Li Guinong asked, “Nephew, what kind of timing is this? You still have the heart to bother about them? The Raging Flames Castle is colluding with the Northwest Qin Clan. You will be in grave danger.”

“I cannot stand by the side.” Yang Dingtian said, “This is because Mu Liancheng is a member of Cloud Heaven City and was once the trusted aide of City Lord Ximen. They even look up to me as the Young Lord now.”

Li Guinong was astonished upon hearing this, “They had this level of relationship?”

Yang Dingtian then said, “This is why I cannot stand by the side and watch on as Mu Lianyi enters a living hell. I cannot forcefully look away as Tuoba Ye snatches away the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl.”

Li Guinong stayed silent for a moment before he raised his head to ask, “Alright then, say it, what do you need me to do?”

Yang Dingtian said, “Despite the fact that you have secluded yourself and aren’t bothering with worldly matters. Within this thousand miles radius, you are still viewed as a person with virtue and a good reputation. Tomorrow, Tuoba Ye will personally participate in the martial contest for marriage. Thus, even if I defeat him, the Raging Flames Castle might turn hostile and kill everyone, even snatching Mu Lianyi and the Fire Immunity Chilling Pearl as a result. So, I’m here to request you to host the martial contest for marriage tomorrow. Hence, even if the Raging Flames Castle loses, they cannot slander the Mu Clan for anything else.”

“What? You’re going to fight against Tuoba Ye? No!” Li Guinong spoke resolutely, “I know that Tuoba Ye has already broken through to the Great Mystic Martial Master and even obtained a mystic skill scroll. Even if you are an elite prodigy, you are still not his match right now. You cannot go to the martial contest.”

Yang Dingtian replied, “Later on, I will return to learn the second rank of the Pig Slaying Sword Art and hope for a great breakthrough. Moreover, I will only fight in the martial contest tomorrow if I find that there is a chance for me to win. If there is no hope at all, then I’m not going to fight.”

Li Guinong remained silent before saying, “If that’s the case, I will follow along with you. However, you don’t have to participate in the martial contest tomorrow. I will get my eldest disciple, Ximen Bao to participate. He has already broken through to the Great Mystic Martial Master. He can fight against Tuoba Ye.”

Yang Dingtian pondered for a moment and nodded. “Okay, I will abide by Martial Uncle Li’s arrangement!”

Li Guinong stood up and said, “Then we will set it like this. I will go and prepare immediately, then we will depart.”

“Yes. Many thanks to Martial Uncle Li,” Yang Dingtian spoke with respect.

Yang Dingtian’s heart was truly filled with gratitude. Li Guinong was unrelated to Yang Dingtian but he still willingly broke out of his seclusion and got involved in this matter.

After Li Guinong left, Shui Hongshao quickly came back in and looked at Yang Dingtian with a blushing face, she spoke in a tender voice, “Big Brother Yang. Are you going to leave now that you’ve done what you came here to do?”

Before Yang Dingtian could reply, Shui Hongshao lifted her head and spoke expectantly, “Can you please not leave? You can just stay in the Wooden Sword Castle.”

Yang Dingtian was startled, he replied, “I still have many things I need to do.”

“Is it to defeat Dongfang Bingling and take back the position as the Yin Yang Sect Patriarch?” Shui Hongshao spoke in an agitated voice, “What good is that? Wouldn’t it be better to live a peaceful life?”

For a moment, Yang Dingtian didn’t know how to answer.

Shui Hongshao clenched her teeth and looked at Yang Dingtian with her big beautiful eyes, she continued, “If you stay… I will marry you. I will give birth to your children and serve you for my whole life. Wouldn’t that be good enough?”

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