Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 24.2

Chapter 24.2

The youth suddenly felt a bit of dread, feeling as though his teacher’s state was wrong, as if he were giving instructions for what follows after death.

But Ji Liang’s expression was calm as always, without a trace of anything unusual. This made the youth recover, shaking his head and thinking he was overthinking. Since his teacher had given it to him, Ah Heng obediently tucked it close to his body.

It was late now. When Ah Heng finished his practice, he saw the candlelight still moving in his teacher’s room. He had thought his teacher had forgotten to extinguish the lamp and intended to check, not expecting him to still be awake.

After tucking away the pouch, Ah Heng looked around and didn’t see Xiao Ba, assuming he had gone to rest. Seeing Ji Liang tidying the desk, he hurriedly stepped forward to take over.

“Teacher, you go rest first. Leave these trifles to Ah Heng.”

Ji Liang let go and did not refuse, taking a step back to give the youth space. He watched the youth silently as he tidied the messy desk for a long while before turning to go to the inner chamber.

Ah Heng gathered the scattered papers. His fingertips brushed over the beautiful handwriting, and he couldn’t help but think that his teacher had been sitting at the desk transcribing for the past two days whenever he had free time.

He understood that feeling of holding a brush; it was as if it washed the soul, making the whole person calm.

Teacher… What are you suppressing?

The sound of slow footsteps echoed in the quiet air. Ah Heng looked up in a daze and saw that thin figure in green slowly enter the inner room and disappear into the darkness.

…

Two days passed just like that, and everything seemed calm.

The streets of Qingyang City were still busy, with an endless stream of pedestrians, merchants, martial artists, and officials all in a scene of peace. No one seemed to have discovered the Demonic Sect hiding within.

However, on this day, Gu Yun who had disappeared for another half-day returned to Ji Liang’s residence, appeared before him, and said:

“Eldest Brother, everything is arranged outside. I will take you out.”

Beside them, Ah Heng had a look of shock at how “Xiao Ba” addressed his teacher. At this point, there was no need for further disguise.

Ji Liang said: “Take Ah Heng with us.”

Happy that his brother was cooperating, Gu Yun nodded. “Of course.”

And so, the youth, still confused about the situation, was forced to leave the manor quietly. Fortunately, his teacher was leaving too. Seeing the Demonic Sect which had imprisoned him for a month and coerced his teacher receding behind them, the youth set aside his doubts and became happy.

By the time the sect discovered Ji Liang was gone, two hours had passed. It was Xu Wei who discovered it when he came to urge Ji Liang about Chun Niang’s arrival, only to find the room empty.

Xu Wei’s face changed. He summoned the guards. One of them bowed and said: “This subordinate did not see Ji Liang leave for a single step.”

In fact, since the Sect Leader had brought him back and Xu Wei had placed him here, Ji Liang had never stepped out once. To the Sect Leader and Xu Wei, Ji Liang was just a discarded cripple; with his martial arts gone, it was impossible for him to escape alone, so the guard had been lax.

They never suspected that the unremarkable servant by Ji Liang’s side would be the Alliance Leader, Gu Yun.

The guard thought of something and quickly added: “However, that brat with Ji Liang often wandered around the manor.”

Xu Wei frowned, remembering the palm strike from earlier that matched his internal strength and he was supposedly from the Hidden Pavilion. Could it be?

Ignoring his frightened subordinate, Xu Wei walked away quickly and arrived before Yin Ren. Disregarding the fact that he was practicing, he reported urgently:

“Sect Leader, disaster is upon us!”

“What is it?”

Yin Ren’s brows furrowed, and his expression was grim. No one has a good face when interrupted during practice.

“Ji Liang is gone!”

A heavy gaze fell upon him, and Xu Wei couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. He spoke quickly: “This subordinate suspects we have all been fooled by Ji Liang! He used us to rescue him from the Alliance, then took advantage of our contempt to pretend to join the sect. In reality, he was coordinating with Chun Niang to escape while we were off guard!”

The argument was logical and seemed to be the case, but it was only half right.

At that moment, a subordinate rushed in.

“Reporting to the Sect Leader! A large number of martial artists have appeared outside! We are surrounded!—”

…

Regardless of how shocked the Demonic Sect was, two days ago, after Gu Yun met his brothers from the Alliance and learned of Elder Wang’s plan, he had begun preparations.

The blacksmith and the head of the security bureau also helped, secretly gathering trusted forces within the city and starting a “crossing the sea under camouflage”plan.

Perhaps the Demonic Sect never imagined that right under their network of eyes, the Alliance would seep in so silently and turn the tables on them. Shouldn’t these be the sect’s own usual methods?

And how did the Alliance know the sect was in Qingyang City? And it seemed they had planned for a long time, striking the manor with unerring accuracy!

There was a traitor in the sect!  Who!

At that moment, a figure appeared in their minds, the one who had disappeared just at this time: Ji Liang.

Everything was self-explanatory.

Ji Liang…

Yin Ren chewed on the name in his mouth with such force it was as if he wanted to swallow the name’s owner.

Xu Wei stood to the side in a cold sweat, completely afraid to speak. Now that they were surrounded by the Alliance and the sect hadn’t discovered it beforehand, not even the Shadow Pavilion he feared the Sect Leader’s wrath would fall on him.

This was clearly a premeditated operation. Who could have thought they would be countered by a “useless” person!

Even Xu Wei hadn’t expected that Ji Liang would not only use them to escape the Alliance’s surveillance but even expose them to the Alliance at his convenience. With the two sides fighting, they wouldn’t have the energy to deal with him, and he could live in peace. What a calculation!

Xu Wei thought with gritted teeth, feeling increasingly that his thoughts were right. He had been by Ji Liang’s side for so long; how did he not know this man was so deep-scheming?

But soon, he had no mind for further thought, because the Alliance members surrounding the manor smashed open the gates and swarmed in.

…

At the head was Elder Wang. Although over sixty with gray hair, his body was robust, his temples bulging, and his internal energy powerful. He was originally a great general under the previous Alliance Leader.

Around him, aside from the three brothers who had unfortunately fallen in the battle with the sect, all the other experts were present. Behind them followed countless members of the righteous path.

This scene was so similar to the one three months ago.

Except the roles were completely reversed. The weak lambs had become the Demonic Sect’s side. However, this time, the sect was not as lucky as the Alliance had been; they hadn’t received word in advance to discuss a counter-strategy and turn the tide.

In the front courtyard, the righteous warriors halted and looked forward. Above the steps, outside the main hall, was a massive tiger-head chair. A figure everyone was very familiar with was sitting upon it with a domineering posture.

It was the Demonic Sect Leader, Yin Ren!

His condescending gaze swept over the warriors. This Sect Leader didn’t seem panicked at all, even though he was surrounded and every member of the sect in the manor seemed trapped.

Clearly, the Alliance members were still wary of the sect, fearing whether they had some final trump card. Yet, they gripped their weapons tightly, their auras imposing.

Elder Wang was the first to raise his sword, the sharp tip pointing directly at Yin Ren on the steps. He shouted sharply:

“The Demonic Sect’s crimes are monstrous and intolerable to the world! Surrender now!”

He was answered by Yin Ren’s loud laughter.

“Hahaha… ‘intolerable to the world’! A fine phrase!”

Then the laughter stopped, and his expression turned gloomy.

“Winners take all! The strong devour the weak! It is as simple as that! The Martial Arts Alliance has occupied the high position for long enough; it is time for my Demonic Sect to dominate the martial world!”

As soon as he spoke, an ambitious aura rushed toward them. Elder Wang couldn’t help but change his expression, imagining how the world would suffer if the Jianghu fell into the hands of the sect.

But before he could speak, the Sect Leader looked around and said with a half-smile: “Why don’t I see the Great Martial Arts Alliance Leader? Is he afraid of this seat?”

Yin Ren was so unscrupulous and fearless despite being surrounded—did he really have a trump card?

But at this point, whatever card he had was useless. No matter what, this time, the Alliance would surely wipe out the remnants for the sake of the people.

So, where was Gu Yun?

He had arranged for Ji Liang and Ah Heng to be settled far from the center of this incident. Once everything was secure, he contacted the Alliance members who had already secretly ambushed around the manor. Thus, the scene above took place.

When the Sect Leader mockingly asked why the Alliance Leader was absent, Gu Yun had just arrived. At that time, he was still wearing the disguise of Xiao Ba, but he entered the tense manor openly.

The Alliance disciples surrounding the outside made way for him, and he passed through without obstruction until he reached the front courtyard. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere was like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil.

The Alliance members split to both sides, forming a path. Gu Yun stood at the other end of the path and slowly walked toward the Demonic Sect as if taking a stroll.

Finally, he walked in front of Elder Wang, stood still, and raised his eyes to look directly at the astonished Yin Ren. He said:

“I heard you were looking for me?”

“You aren’t—” Xu Wei, standing behind Yin Ren, couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

Gu Yun raised a hand to touch the disguise mask on his face. “Oh, you mean this?” As soon as he spoke, his fingers caught the edge of the mask and he tore it off, revealing his true face.

“…It was just a disguise.”

The broken mask was tossed casually to the ground.

The air went silent, a deathly silence where one could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, it began to vibrate slowly as the laughter of Yin Ren sounded.

“Hahaha… So that’s how it is. So that’s how it is.”

At this moment, what was there not to understand? He thought Ji Liang had played both sides, but in the end, it turned out only the Demonic Sect was the clown. But! He shouldn’t think he could stay out of it!

Yin Ren shook his head and sneered.

“It is quite something for the Alliance Leader to be willing to disguise himself as a servant. This level of endurance makes even this seat admire you. You truly deserve to sit in that position.”

Yin Ren clapped his hands and said calmly: “However, don’t you heroes of the martial world feel that things have gone a bit too smoothly?”

Sneaking into the city, gradually ambushing around the sect without alerting a single person, and successfully surrounding them it did seem a bit too smooth. But that was because they had made a detailed plan and carried it out silently to ensure the sect wouldn’t notice.

However, once these words left the Sect Leader’s mouth, combined with his current lack of panic, the atmosphere among the Alliance warriors froze. They couldn’t help but think deeply about the question they had raised at the beginning.

Yin Ren took in their reactions and laughed in his heart. He turned and pointed to Xu Wei beside him.

“You all should recognize him. If anyone doesn’t, this seat shall introduce him once more. —Xu Wei, the second-in-command of the Shadow Pavilion and Ji Liang’s capable subordinate. Now he stands by my side… What do you think that means?”

Xu Wei reacted immediately. Although he didn’t know what card the Sect Leader had, he was delighted in his heart. He must have hated Ji Liang too, and wanted to drag him down. So he chimed in:

“My master had already thoroughly joined the Demonic Sect. Heh, everything done was just a plan within a plan, meant to lure you all here to be caught like turtles in a jar!”

Anyone can bluff, and there were clearly holes in the story, but the impact on the Alliance warriors was massive.

They already didn’t trust Ji Liang; now, with Xu Wei’s personal “confession,” a commotion broke out.

Gu Yun, standing at the front, immediately felt things were going wrong. He had been by his brother’s side and knew perfectly well he hadn’t joined the sect. But the previous slander hadn’t been cleared yet, and now the Sect Leader and Xu Wei were throwing this bucket of filthy water together. If they were allowed to continue, his brother’s guilt would be set in stone!

Gu Yun knew they were wavering. Even if he spoke up to defend his brother, he would be refuted by the Sect Leader. Plans within plans, turtles in jars it was all nonsense!

Without wasting words, Gu Yun used his martial arts and struck directly at Yin Ren! Once these remnants were captured, all lies would collapse on their own!

…

In the unnamed small courtyard, Ah Heng held his sword, the corner of the sword manual peeking from his robes. He looked toward a certain direction in the city.

That way was the hiding place of the Demonic Sect.

The youth finally understood what was happening. He frowned, wondering how the battle was going. In his heart, he naturally hoped the Alliance would win, though he felt the Alliance wasn’t entirely good either.

But in the current situation, the Alliance clearly had a better chance of winning.

As the youth was lost in thought, he heard several coughs. He turned quickly and saw his teacher come out of the room, leaning against the doorframe and covering his mouth as he coughed.

Ah Heng took a couple of steps toward him, his face filled with urgency, but he didn’t know what to do. Finally, the coughing that made his chest hurt stopped. Ji Liang moved his hand away; unsurprisingly, there was a smear of bright red on his palm.

“Teacher—”

Raising his eyes, he saw the extremely anxious youth. Ji Liang lowered his hand, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he comforted him: “It is nothing.”

How could it be nothing? Ah Heng had clearly seen it! But before he could say more, his teacher’s figure passed him. A glint of cold light reflected; only then did he notice that in his teacher’s other hand was a sword the one Gu Yun had given him for self-defense just in case.

But what was his teacher doing with this sword?

The youth didn’t know, but a sense of panic suddenly rose in his heart.

Ji Liang walked into the courtyard. It was noon now, and the sunlight fell upon him. His cold, stiff limbs seemed to soften.

He turned slightly to look at the youth who had caught up and said: “Our fate has ended. Do not follow me.”

With that, he walked straight out of the courtyard. But just as he crossed the gate, a loud shout came from behind him:

“Teacher!”

The youth caught up again, his gaze burning and his tone firm: “Is Teacher going to that manor? If so, Ah Heng is going too.”

He didn’t mention the “fate has ended.” Though he was lost in his heart, his teacher’s safety was paramount. He couldn’t change his teacher’s decision, so he could only follow and hope to share the burden.

However, Ji Liang seemed not to hear him. Instead, he looked at a man who had suddenly appeared beside him and said in a faint voice:

“He only told you to protect my safety, but he didn’t restrict where I go, did he?”

The man’s expression was complex as he said: “That is correct.”

“Good.”

Ji Liang nodded. Suddenly, he reached out quickly and tapped a point on the youth beside him. Under the man’s startled gaze, he caught the falling, unconscious youth and handed him to the man.

“Please send him back. The things that follow are still too early for him.”

The Ji Liang before him looked as frail as a leaf, weak and powerless. Had it not been for the total lack of killing intent, the man would have struck just now. Hearing him speak, the man shifted his gaze to the unconscious youth.

His chest was rising and falling; he was still alive. Yet his brows were furrowed, and his fingers had instinctively gripped Ji Liang’s sleeve before he fainted. But when the man took him, Ji Liang’s hand holding the sword twisted, and the fabric tore.

The man looked at Ji Liang with a complex expression once more. With a leap, he took the unconscious youth back into the room. When he emerged, he saw only Ji Liang’s distant silhouette.

…

On the other hand,

As soon as Gu Yun exchanged blows with the Sect Leader, he immediately sensed something was wrong. In the palm strike where they met, both were forced back a great distance, their faces full of astonishment.

At that moment, the signal for battle was declared. The Alliance members and the sect members began a chaotic melee, with the sounds of fighting everywhere. Yet no one dared approach the area where Gu Yun and Yin Ren were fighting.

The Alliance warriors thought the Sect Leader would be defeated after all, he hadn’t been Gu Yun’s match before. Yet to everyone’s shock, half an hour passed and no winner was decided!

Only Gu Yun, fighting Yin Ren, knew that the Sect Leader’s martial arts were different from before; they had improved significantly in just two or three short months, even after he had been struck in the heart.

Something was wrong.

Gu Yun’s expression was grave, and he felt a sense of familiarity. To verify his thoughts, he clenched his fist and struck again!

The Sect Leader met the moves calmly. The two clashed countless times in mid-air, their movements almost invisible, with only the sound of dull thuds echoing in the air.

Suddenly, Gu Yun’s powerful punch felt as if it had fallen into a swamp. His whole body stiffened. It was in this opening that Yin Ren seized the chance and struck him with a palm. Gu Yun was instantly sent flying back, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

“Leader!!!” the Alliance members cried out.

However, Gu Yun seemed not to care at all. He stopped his backward momentum and his eyes pierced like blades at the Sect Leader.

“The Chaotic Heavens Demonic Secret Technique?!”

This was the powerful and sinister technique Ji Liang’s original host had practiced in secret. It was originally sealed by Qian Jizi but later stolen by the host through assassination. It had only been exposed when the host suffered a deviation and Gu Yun found an opportunity.