Chapter 109: Killing Two Birds with One Stone
A few months later.
An old man with a severed arm, at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, hurriedly flew into Wuqi Mountain on a flying boat.
The old man appeared weak and his flying boat wobbled, almost crashing into Little Turtle Peak.
"Brother Yunfei?"
Lan Chang'an was drinking tea in a pavilion when he saw the disheveled old man.
Guan Qiaozi went over to support Mu Yunfei.
"Brother Yunfei, what happened?"
Lan Chang'an glanced at Mu Yunfei and saw that he was not injured but due to the long rushed journey, he had exhausted his mana and was suffering from both qi and blood deficiencies.
"Brother Chang'an, Uncle Renlong is gravely injured and on the brink of death!"
Mu Yunfei said bitterly with a dark expression.
Mu Renlong was critically injured?
Lan Chang'an was slightly surprised, having interacted with Mu Renlong just a few months ago.
Mu Renlong was in good condition then, plotting to advance to the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment.
"Who did it?"
"Uncle Renlong was attacked by Huang Tankong, the ancestor of the Huang Family, on his way back from Huanglong Immortal City."
Mu Yunfei gritted his teeth.
"Huang Tankong? That old geezer, his lifespan is nearly exhausted, and his body is aging..."
Back in Huanglong Immortal City, when bidding for the second-rank Life Extension Pill, Lan Chang'an sensed that Huang Tankong had only twenty years left to live.
Now, more than ten years have passed.
The old ancestor who was about to step into a coffin had slipped quite a bit in strength. Mu Renlong, an experienced early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, would not be much worse than the aging Huang Tankong.
"Before Uncle Renlong fell unconscious, he mentioned that Huang Tankong used a secret technique to overdraw his lifespan, paying a great price, and he won't live for more than a year," Mu Yunfei added.
Hearing this, Lan Chang'an understood the whole story.
...
Mu Renlong was seeking a pill to break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment and came to Wuqi Mountain to find an alchemist, then went to Huanglong Immortal City to gather materials. During this whole process, it was inevitable that news would leak.
Ten years ago, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Huang Family died at the hands of "Liang Shaotian," and since then, they have been keeping a low profile, consolidating their family's business.
The two families have been at peace for many years, and the Mu Family gradually let their guard down. The presence of the aged and weakening Huang Tankong had diminished considerably, yet he suddenly struck.
The final result, the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators from both families were nearly taken out. An early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator for a middle-stage one, sounded like a good deal. However, Mu Renlong was in his prime and had the opportunity to advance to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Huang Tankong, on the other hand, was already nearing the end of his lifespan.
In this scenario, it was the Mu Family who stood to lose more. If that was all there was to it, it wouldn't be too significant. But the key point lay in the fact that the only remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Mu Family... wasn't surnamed Mu!
"Huang Tankong's intentions are cruel and sinister, killing two birds with one stone!"
Lan Chang'an's eyes sparkled, seeing through the sinister plot.
With Mu Renlong's death, no members of the Mu Family remained as Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Would Li Ergou, the outsider Foundation Establishment cultivator, swallow the Mu Family, or establish his own faction?
This is a huge test of human nature.
Li Erqing had numerous children, whose bloodlines spread throughout the Mu Family, making them a formidable branch unto themselves.
Even if Li Erqing possessed a sense of morality and refused to usurp his host, his many descendants, benefiting from their familial connections, would gain access to greater resources and opportunities, unintentionally or otherwise bullying the native cultivators of the Mu Family. It would be difficult to maintain balance.
If left unchecked, this disparity would inevitably breed conflict and lead to division.
Huang Tankong's dying gambit had planted a massive landmine beneath the Mu Family.
...
"Brother Chang'an, this is a letter from the eldest lady for you."
Mu Yunfei took out a letter and looked deeply at Lan Chang'an.
This was the first time Lan Chang'an received a letter from Mu Xiuyun since he left the Mu Family.
Decades ago, when he first arrived at Huanglong Immortal City, he heard the news of Mu Xiuyun's failure to establish her foundation and sent a letter to Bamboo Leaf Mountain, with the intention of comforting her. At that time, Mu Xiuyun did not reply.
Lan Chang'an read the letter for a while. It mainly mentioned four points.
First, decades ago, Mu Xiuyun received Lan Chang'an's letter.
At that time, she had failed to establish her foundation and was in no mood to respond, hoping Lan Chang'an would not blame her.
Second, she regretted failing to make use of the Foundation Establishment Pill that Lan Chang'an brought to the Mu Family for her.
Third, various expressions of gratitude, such as the insights of talisman arts brought back by Mu Maode, which greatly benefited her.
Including Lan Chang'an's guidance to Mu Bingyun and helping the Mu Family purchase the second-rank spirit beast.
Mu Xiuyun clearly stated that Lan Chang'an had done his utmost for Feiyue Lake, and it was the Mu Family that owed him.
Fourth, she hoped Lan Chang'an could visit Feiyue Lake to see Mu Renlong for the last time.
Lan Chang'an understood her intentions.
The final fourth point was the true purpose behind this letter, something outsiders wouldn't understand upon reading it.
What use would returning to look at Mu Renlong serve if Lan Chang'an did so now?
In the entire Mu Family, only Mu Xiuyun knew that the technique Lan Chang'an practiced was extraordinary, possessing a healing secret spell art that set him apart from other cultivators.
Mu Xiuyun once swore on her heart demon to keep this a secret, and she had kept her word for so many years. If not for the major trouble the Mu Family was facing, she never would have broken her silence to write to Lan Chang'an.
Her statement about not being in the mood to reply back then was not a lie either. Since she already knew Lan Chang'an was an unordinary cultivator, seeking opportunities for Foundation Establishment by himself, yet she herself failed to reach it, she could hardly avoid feeling disheartened.
...
Lan Chang'an put away the letter and looked at the one-armed old man in front of him, asking about Mu Renlong's specific injuries.
In the letter, Mu Xiuyun only mentioned it briefly.
Mu Yunfei described it in more detail.
Based on his experience from several lifetimes, Lan Chang'an concluded that he was likely too late to intervene.
Mu Yunfei had already spent a lot of time coming here. Li Erqing, the Foundation Establishment cultivator, had to stay with the Mu Family and couldn't come in person.
Lan Chang'an would most likely see a corpse if he went back. Could it be that they expected him to perform a true resurrection technique?
Lan Chang'an instructed Guan Qiaozi to prepare a good meal, letting Mu Yunfei eat more spirit rice to regain his strength and mana.
"Brother Chang'an, aren't you coming back with me?"
Mu Yunfei hurriedly finished his meal, looking anxious.
"Brother Yunfei, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. There's no point in rushing." Lan Chang'an's tone was calm.
Mu Yunfei's cloudy old eyes showed slight disappointment but no complaints.
He had recovered enough mana, bade farewell, and stepped onto the flying boat.
"Brother Yunfei, be careful on the road."
Lan Chang'an reminded.
...
"Brother Lan, this time you don't plan to help the Mu Family?"
Guan Qiaozi asked casually while cleaning up the dishes.
"How can I help?" Lan Chang'an asked in return.
Guan Qiaozi shook her head, unable to explain herself.
Surely she couldn't ask Lan Chang'an to return to the Mu Family or storm to the Huang Family for revenge. Those were scenarios she did not wish to see.
"I'm going to be in seclusion for a while, don't disturb me in the near future."
Lan Chang'an left a word and went to the secret room of his cave mansion. He had no intention of going to Feiyue Lake to save Mu Renlong.
Besides being too late.
Not only was it too far away, but he also felt that revealing the secret of the Evergreen Technique by expending his own lifespan to save a mere acquaintance would be a waste. Instead, he preferred to assist the Mu Family in cultivating a new Foundation Establishment cultivator.
...
Mu Yunfei, with a face full of wrinkles and worry, sighed and left Wuqi Mountain on his flying boat.
After flying hundreds of li through dense forest, Mu Yunfei felt an inexplicable chill along his spine. He cautiously scanned his surroundings, then suddenly recalled Lan Chang'an's parting words to him: Be careful on the road.
Mu Yunfei vaguely realized why Lan Chang'an was unwilling to return to the Mu Family with him. The man known as Turtle Talisman Master was renowned for his caution, having never shown any willingness to take risks—even back at the Mu Family. Fortunately, that chill seemed to have been nothing more than a fleeting illusion, and Mu Yunfei safely emerged from the area.
Within the depths of the forest, an old man dressed in plain clothes withered like a corpse, his eyes sunken and gaze dark, stared after Mu Yunfei's retreating figure. It was difficult to reconcile this withered old man with Huang Tankong, the leading Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Huang Family.
"Lan Chang'an..."
Huang Tankong coughed lightly, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, and turned toward Wuqi Mountain, his expression unyielding.
"Uncle Tan, this Lan Chang'an knows when it's time to quit. He seems to have no plans to return to Feiyue Lake."
A frail old man with protruding cheekbones emerged from behind a large tree.
This ancient ancestor was the second most senior Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Huang Family, Huang Changling.
"Perhaps not. Lan Chang'an is prudent and careful; he likely won't directly assist Feiyue Lake. That Foundation Establishment Pill back then was most likely brought to the Mu Family by him."
Huang Tankong coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and expressed his concerns: "I cannot be certain that this person will not help the Mu Family openly or secretly after my death."
He had exhausted himself earlier by bringing Mu Renlong's life to its final moments, ensuring he would surely die.
With this step, the future of the Mu Family in Feiyue Lake had been sown with seeds of disaster, and it was likely to splinter apart.
The only thing Huang Tankong couldn't shake was his worry over Lan Chang'an. This child cultivated good karma and had many connections; if he were to extend a helping hand in the future, he could very well lead the Mu Family out of their crisis and restore their strength.
Other than that, the Mu Family's remaining Foundation Establishment ancestor Li Erqing is Lan Chang'an's little brother.
Huang Tankong planned to exhaust his last breath here, ready to drag Lan Chang'an down with him. Unfortunately, Lan Chang'an hadn't returned to the Mu Family with Mu Yunfei.
...
"You need not waste your time here; Lan Chang'an will not pass this way," Huang Tankong instructed. "The Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market Town must have its own Foundation Establishment cultivator on standby."
Huang Changling was stationed as such.
Although they had hired another Foundation Establishment cultivator to help manage the market, he wasn't one of their own and thus couldn't be left alone for too long.
In the attack against Mu Renlong, Huang Tankong had been the main force while Huang Changling only assisted.
"Then what next, Uncle Tan?"
"I've only got half a year of longevity left, so I'll continue hiding near Feiyue Lake. Perhaps that brat will take a roundabout route back to Mu Manor from some other direction," Huang Tankong coughed.
"If I can't catch him within six months, I'll return home to arrange my funeral."
"Take care, Uncle Tan." A look of distress crossed Huang Changling's face as he bowed his head respectfully before leaving.
On the opposite side of the dense forest, within a valley, stood a pale-faced young man in the shadow of a giant tree, like a decaying log with no presence whatsoever.
Behind him, the Earth Burrowing Rat emerged from its burrow.
"Huang Changling?"
The yellow-eyed youth narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at the middle-aged man flying overhead, clad in a straw raincoat. Despite concealing his identity, he couldn't escape Lan Chang'an's powerful spiritual sense.
Under the pretext of seclusion, Lan Chang'an had secretly slipped out to trail Mu Yunfei and observe the situation.
Underneath the secret room of the Little Turtle Peak's cave mansion, the Earth Burrowing Rat had excavated a concealed tunnel large enough for adults to traverse, leading outside the Little Turtle Peak.
"Huang Tankong, only half a year left of your longevity?"
Lan Chang'an closed his eyes, his spiritual sense instantly traversing several li across, enveloping the dense forest opposite, revealing every detail clearly.
With this range, his spiritual sense far exceeded that of Foundation Establishment! Even in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, the range of spiritual sense usually did not exceed a hundred zhang.
At present, the second seal on the Nine Seal Stele was illuminated by the bright light of a white-bearded old man, emanating the aura of a peak Core Formation Realm.
As soon as Lan Chang'an mentally fused with the soul, his spiritual senses were immediately amplified by terrifying proportions.
After more than ten years of nourishment, the second life soul imprint on the Nine Seal Stele had been activated for over a year now. Such a formidable trump card that required a decade of soul nourishment; naturally, Lan Chang'an wouldn't use a bull's knife to kill a chicken.
(End of chapter)