Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Similar to Chun Niang, this Xu Wei was the second-in-command of the Shadow Pavilion (Ying Lou). He was responsible for managing the collective of assassins on behalf of the original host. On the surface, he appeared utterly loyal, but in reality, he harbored many schemes.

The original host might have seen through him, but Xu Wei indeed possessed a certain cleverness. When the original host was secretly targeting Gu Yun, Xu Wei had offered many strategies; it was likely because of this that he was highly valued.

Then came the moment the original host was exposed and “died.”

Following that death, although the Shadow Pavilion was severely damaged by the Martial Arts Alliance, about twenty to thirty percent of its members survived, among them was Xu Wei.

When the chaotic battle between the Demonic Sect and the Martial Arts Alliance first broke out, the Shadow Pavilion was still hidden and undiscovered. Thus, Xu Wei did not appear at the scene. This was also true for the Hidden Pavilion (Yin Lou). It was only after the original host was exposed and the battle concluded that the Martial Arts Alliance investigated and identified them as accomplices of the Demonic Sect, leading to a brutal crackdown.

Subsequently, Xu Wei escaped the purge and regathered the scattered members of the Shadow Pavilion. At that time, since the original host’s death was a certainty, the remaining members had only two choices.

First, to disband. Second, to elect a new leader. Xu Wei, clearly, was the most suitable candidate.

…

In Qingyang City, not far from the Martial Arts Alliance, inside a certain manor.

No one would have guessed that the Demonic Sect members, driven to a dead end by the Martial Arts Alliance, would brazenly hide right under their noses. The so-called “most dangerous place is the safest place” was exactly this.

The Right Envoy of the Demonic Sect stepped over the threshold, entering the room, and cupped his fists toward the man sitting in the main seat.

“Sect Leader, I have fortunately fulfilled the mission.”

He had followed Yin Ren’s orders to deliver that wooden sword into Ji Liang’s hands as a threat, and then intentionally led the Martial Arts Alliance members to a pre-designed location. With the Right Envoy’s peerless lightness skill, shaking them off was child’s play.

Consequently, while chasing the fleeing Right Envoy, the Martial Arts Alliance “accidentally” discovered several Demonic Sect remnants hidden in the city and killed them at a celebratory event.

Yet all of this was merely a trick played by the Demonic Sect.

One could say these remnants were voluntarily delivered to the door, carrying “Shadow” tokens. Before the Alliance could even react, more remnants appeared several times throughout the city over the next two days, leading the Alliance in circles. Unfortunately, seeing the situation turn sour, they all decisively committed suicide by poison, leaving no survivors.

Such a cruel method of suicide was expected; every member of the Demonic Sect had blood on their hands, so to the righteous path, their deaths were well-deserved.

Regardless of the Alliance’s reaction, at this moment, inside a room in this seemingly ordinary manor sat Yin Ren, the Demonic Sect Leader whom the Alliance had been unable to find for so long.

After listening to the Right Envoy’s report describing Ji Liang’s reaction upon seeing the wooden sword, a playful smile appeared on Yin Ren’s face, as if he had witnessed the amusing scene himself.

Yin Ren actually looked down on Ji Liang, finding him incredibly foolish. He saw a man who only looked at the square inch in front of him, was governed by emotions, and yet refused to fully join the Demonic Sect. Ji Liang seemed to uphold a ridiculous pride of “not associating with the Demonic Sect,” yet Yin Ren wondered: how were the things Ji Liang had done any different from the Sect’s actions?

Originally, if Ji Liang had died in that melee, the forces of the Hidden and Shadow Pavilions would have fallen under the Sect. Now that he was alive was his heart also positioned differently from a normal person’s, just like Yin Ren’s?

Yin Ren couldn’t fathom why Ji Liang was still alive. Seeing that the Demonic Sect had suffered heavy losses and needed manpower, Ji Liang’s influence was the perfect addition. Yin Ren was determined to have it; therefore, in the current situation, Ji Liang was better kept alive than dead.

However, just as Yin Ren received news of Ji Liang being alive and his brow filled with killing intent, Xu Wei stepped forward and spoke:

“Sect Leader, Chun Niang has not yet fully surrendered to our Sect. I have a plan.”

Xu Wei continued: “Currently in the world of martial arts, who doesn’t know of Ji Liang’s collusion with our Sect? Everyone wants him dead. It’s clear the Martial Arts Alliance can no longer tolerate him. One can guess what fate awaits him.”

“Why don’t we proactively reach out to help him? That way, the intelligence organization in his hands, the Hidden Pavilion, will eventually become your property, Sect Leader…”

Xu Wei analyzed slowly, speaking with hidden intent.

The Shadow Pavilion he had taken over had already fully defected to the Demonic Sect. But Chun Niang was different. One could call her ungrateful, but faced with Yin Ren’s recruitment, she had refused without hesitation.

Thinking of this, Yin Ren’s expression soured. He snorted coldly, “I fear he will still be stubborn.”

Xu Wei lowered his head and offered a scheme: “In that case, we can do this… and that…”

The air was dark and silent. After a long while, Yin Ren’s face cleared like the sun after rain, and he clapped his hands, laughing loudly.

“Good! Excellent! We shall do exactly that!”

His appreciative gaze fell on Xu Wei, causing the man to straighten his back. Yin Ren added:

“I’ll leave this matter for you to handle.”

Xu Wei’s scheme was to kidnap Ah Heng, who was connected to Ji Liang, from Pangxi Village, a link intended to constrain Ji Liang.

At that moment, the Right Envoy’s expression flickered as he glanced at Xu Wei. He had always known this fellow was full of tricks, which explained why Ji Liang had favored him. Seeing Yin Ren’s appreciation now, the Envoy couldn’t help but frown, feeling his status beside the Sect Leader was being threatened.

Indeed, having joined the Demonic Sect, Xu Wei was naturally ambitious. Under Ji Liang, he was the second-in-command with only one master above him. Now, he was unwilling to be beneath anyone; at the very least, he had to secure the position of the Sect Leader’s favorite.

How ridiculous that Chun Niang, despite possessing a top-tier intelligence network, understood nothing. Her “womanly compassion” was useless; given their current status as pariahs in the righteous world, siding with the Demonic Sect was the only prudent choice.

Xu Wei felt great contempt for Chun Niang.

After this, Ah Heng was successfully kidnapped from Pangxi Village. This led to the Right Envoy’s sudden appearance in the tavern to deliver the familiar wooden sword to Ji Liang.

Then, the next step of the plot unfolded: the remnants carrying “Shadow” tokens appeared, pushing Ji Liang into the eye of the storm once again.

In the eyes of the Martial Arts Alliance, this was a conspiracy. But in Ji Liang’s eyes, it was both a conspiracy and an open trap. The Demonic Sect used Ah Heng to force him into a quick choice while making the Alliance hate him even more.

It was as if they were saying: See? There is no place for you in the Martial Arts Alliance. Joining us is your best move.

…

Slender, pale fingers held a watering can, slowly tilting it. The clear water poured onto the twisted stem of the green plant, and its verdant leaves unfurled.

Faint, almost inaudible footsteps sounded behind him. Ji Liang stopped watering and placed the can gently on the windowsill. He turned around and sat in the chair by the table.

He took a bowl of steaming medicine from Xiao Ba. Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he drank it in one go.

The pills refined by Physician Dong at the Ji Villa had run out two days ago; now he was decocting the prescription he had written himself.

After he finished the medicine, the little servant began tidying the table, but suddenly heard Ji Liang speak:

“Do you remember the one thing you promised me?”

Xiao Ba froze, his hands stopping mid-motion. After a moment, he said slowly:

“What do you want me to do?”

Previously, Ji Liang had cured his gravely ill mother. In return, Xiao Ba promised to do one thing within his power. Seeing his mother improve daily, Xiao Ba was overjoyed and deeply grateful.

As long as it didn’t violate his conscience, he could agree. Xiao Ba was not someone who repaid kindness with enmity; he just didn’t know what Ji Liang would ask of him.

However, under Xiao Ba’s apprehensive gaze, Ji Liang merely said calmly:

“First, accompany me on a trip outside.”

Although Xiao Ba was confused about the connection, Ji Liang leaving the manor was a major event. It was very likely to draw out the Demonic Sect.

This was Ji Liang’s second time going out. Compared to the butler who blocked him last time, this time the butler was full of smiles, even busying himself to prepare for Ji Liang’s departure.

Ji Liang saw this, but there was no spark of emotion in his eyes. All of it was simply the hope that he could lure the Demonic Sect out again.

Only the little servant followed him openly, but as for how many martial arts experts were hidden in the shadows, only those people knew. It was likely more than the last time.

Ji Liang ignored them, acting as if he were just casually browsing the streets. Only Xiao Ba beside him seemed a bit preoccupied.

Seeing this, the observant butler frowned slightly but said nothing, assuming Xiao Ba simply understood the importance of the trip.

He did not know that Xiao Ba, whom he had specifically chosen and placed beside Ji Liang, already seemed inclined to “defect.” Perhaps that wasn’t the right word, but Xiao Ba’s perception of Ji Liang was significantly better than before.

To the point that when he heard of the remnants with the “Shadow” tokens and heard everyone’s malicious suspicions and certainties about Ji Liang, the little servant didn’t believe a word of it.

The weather today was quite good, sunny and bright and the streets were as bustling as ever.

The sounds of passersby and the shouts of street vendors were endless.

Xiao Ba continued his duties as a servant, shielding Ji Liang from the crowds just like last time. However, he was more careful this time, having learned his lesson and not giving thieves another chance to get close.

Because of Xiao Ba’s deliberate protection, Ji Liang avoided being targeted by thieves and successfully entered a tea house.

By now, Ji Liang had been wandering the streets for nearly an hour, buying various items he took an interest in, seemingly truly just out for a stroll.

Ji Liang did not go to a private room on the second floor but sat casually in the main hall on the first floor, ordering a pot of tea and several plates of pastries.

Xiao Ba looked around. There weren’t many guests in the hall, just a few scattered here and there. He felt a bit more at ease and sat on a bench without restraint.

But then he frowned slightly and looked at Ji Liang across from him. He saw Ji Liang holding a cup of tea, slowly bringing it to his lips. Perhaps the tea was good, as his features softened with a hint of contentment.

Xiao Ba swallowed the words he was about to say. Forget it as the saying goes, “the boat will straighten itself at the bridge.” He turned his gaze to the pastries on the table; their small, exquisite appearance was mouth-watering.

“Eat if you want to.”

The voice, light as flowing water, reached his ears, accurately naming his inner desire. Xiao Ba’s face flushed; he waved his hands hurriedly and took a sip of tea as a cover.

But after only two or three seconds, his eyes instinctively drifted back to the table. The pastries from this tea house were famous and said to be incredibly delicious. It was a regret of Xiao Ba’s that he had never tried them.

In terms of age, Xiao Ba was probably a bit younger than Ah Heng, and having grown up in a different environment, his personality was more lively. When he wasn’t familiar with Ji Liang, he could suppress his nature under the butler’s orders, but now he had loosened up quite a bit.

Seeing Ji Liang slowly sipping his tea in a peaceful atmosphere, Xiao Ba finally couldn’t control his appetite and reached out his “evil claws.”

Just as Xiao Ba was eating happily, a sudden commotion broke out at the entrance.

Ji Liang’s downcast eyes flickered.

Xiao Ba turned to look at the door and saw the waiter shooing away an old beggar.

“Go, go! Beg somewhere else! Don’t affect our business here!”

“Have mercy, give me something to eat… I haven’t eaten in several days…”

The old beggar was pushed by the waiter and fell onto the bluestone road outside, unable to get up for a long time.

The surroundings were filled with heartless onlookers, all acting as if it were none of their business. In this era, such things were very common; pity often only existed in shared suffering.

The Alliance experts hidden in the shadows glanced over, and seeing no threat, they withdrew their gaze to continue watching for suspicious people.

Xiao Ba frowned, likely thinking of his childhood when he and his mother depended on each other how he had been a beggar and a thief just to fill his stomach. If the Martial Arts Alliance hadn’t taken them in, he and his mother would have either starved or been beaten to death long ago…

While Xiao Ba was lost in thought, a calm voice sounded in his ear:

“Go and help that elderly man over to rest for a bit.”

Xiao Ba looked up abruptly, still a bit dazed, but he quickly reacted and stood up to walk to the door.

He threw a silver ingot directly at the waiter who was about to object, then helped the fallen old beggar up and brought him into the tea house.

The old beggar was clearly very constrained, not knowing what to do with himself, but looking at the pastries on the table, he swallowed hard, his eyes filled with longing.

New food was brought by the waiter. The old beggar devoured it, his eating manner not pleasant to look at, but he ate with tears in his eyes perhaps he hadn’t been full in a long time.

“Thank you, thank you! You two are truly like living Bodhisattvas!”

The old beggar was immensely grateful, thanking them incessantly and bowing, but he was stopped by Xiao Ba.

Finally, Xiao Ba took a bag of packed food and stuffed it into the beggar’s arms.

“Alright, leave once you’ve finished eating.”

His tone sounded a bit fierce, but looking at his expression and actions, he didn’t despise the beggar’s filth at all.

This was likely just an insignificant interlude. After the old beggar left, Xiao Ba called the waiter to tidy the messy table and brought a fresh pot of tea.

Everything seemed to return to the original peace.

Ji Liang gazed out the window, his eyes boundless. Yet, within his wide green sleeves, his fingertips lightly rubbed a tiny, tightly rolled slip of paper that the old beggar had lightning-fast passed to him from under the table.

This was the message from the Hidden Pavilion.