Chapter 159: Qian Zhongxuan
Qian Zhuang did not know who it was that drew that formation. What he did know was that he was finished.
So many men lost, so much time wasted, and countless spirit tools and pills expended... yet not even a fragment of spiritual ore reclaimed.
The family would not give him another chance.
The next day, he was informed that his command had been stripped. He was, however, permitted to remain at the mining site to redeem his failure through service.
That night, a Qian Family cultivator bearing deep law-line marks on his face arrived at the camp. Upon seeing Qian Zhuang, he gave a cold snort.
"Useless in success, ruinous in failure!"
Qian Zhuang bowed deeply, keeping his head low, not daring to offer a single word of rebuttal.
The newcomer was Qian Zhongxuan, an elder of the Qian Family and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, also the greatest pillar of support for Qian Zhuang's branch of the family.
"I had no wish to come," Qian Zhongxuan said coldly. "But your incompetence left me no choice. After so long, you have accomplished nothing. I must clean up your mess, or our branch will become the laughingstock of the clan, unable to lift our heads."
Qian Zhuang's face flushed crimson with shame. "Elder, it was not that I was incapable, it's just that—"
"Enough excuses!" Qian Zhongxuan cut him off sharply. "Excuses are worthless before the Patriarch or the other elders. They will not listen to what you say, only to what you do and what results you bring!"
Qian Zhuang bowed lower. "Yes."
Seeing that Qian Zhuang's attitude was earnest, and considering that his branch did not have many late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators worth supporting, Qian Zhongxuan's tone softened slightly.
"Others say that the Qian Family are like wolves, filled with wolfish ambition. That is no insult, it is praise. A disciple of the Qian Family must be like a wolf: seize what is his, fight for it, bite for it!"
"Every piece of meat must be clamped firmly between your teeth. If someone snatches a morsel from your mouth, you must bite a chunk out of their flesh in return!"
Qian Zhuang straightened, spirit rekindled. "Disciple understands!"
"Good." Qian Zhongxuan nodded. "This failure need not weigh on your mind. Victory and defeat are common to all who fight. Do not let it dull your drive."
Encouraged, Qian Zhuang bowed gratefully. "I shall heed Elder's instruction!"
"Rest for a few days," Qian Zhongxuan said solemnly. "Once I finish rearranging our forces, it will be time to assault the mountain again. Perform well then, do not disappoint me."
After Qian Zhongxuan departed, Qian Zhuang escorted him respectfully out of camp and finally let out a long breath of relief.
...
At that time, Elder Yu had also received word that Qian Zhongxuan had entered the Great Black Mountain.
He snorted coldly. "That old fox Qian Zhongxuan coming here means trouble. Stay sharp, there's likely a hard battle ahead."
Yu Chengyi and the others all nodded solemnly.
Mo Hua also nodded.
Elder Yu glanced at him. "You don't need to nod. You're staying here. Do not go out."
Mo Hua asked, "Can I peek?"
"Peek at what?"
"Watch you all fight."
Elder Yu frowned. "What's so interesting about that?"
"I can learn," Mo Hua said with a face of pure, humble curiosity.
Elder Yu sighed. "Fine, you can watch, but do not go out. When cultivators fight, it's no child's play."
"Mm, mm!" Mo Hua nodded rapidly.
Keeping one's life intact was priority number one. He was not stupid enough to step outside.
During the following days, Mo Hua learned a new formation: The First-Grade Earth-Fire Array.
It was another array from Mister Zhuang's compendium. Its effect was similar to the standard Earthfire Array, though more powerful, containing nine formation runes, a true First-Grade formation.
The previous version, with six runes, had simply been called Earthfire Array. This one was named First-Grade Earthfire Array. The name barely changed, just two more words.
Whoever compiled these formation manuals, Mo Hua silently grumbled, was an unrepentant slacker. At least pretend to come up with a new name!
After mastering the First-Grade Earthfire Array, Mo Hua spent his free time drawing it, about ten per day.
Ten arrays a day was not many, yet not few either. Using them immediately would not yield great results, so Mo Hua decided to stockpile them first.
That day, tired from drawing arrays, he took out a pouch of pine nuts and started cracking them leisurely.
Next door, Elder Yu was in a strategy meeting.
To better protect Mo Hua, Elder Yu had carved out another stone chamber beside his quarters, one for resting and holding discussions with the demon hunters.
In the middle of the meeting, Elder Yu's expression suddenly turned sharp. In a flash, he vanished from the chamber.
Outside the cave, the terrain was rugged, covered with dense forest.
After being blasted by Earthfire Arrays, the ground was pitted and uneven, looking thoroughly devastated.
Elder Yu sneered, his voice carrying across the hillside.
"Qian Zhongxuan, you decrepit old dog, skulking about again, are you?"
Not far away, Qian Zhongxuan appeared, forcing a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Your dog's nose is as sharp as ever."
Elder Yu replied acidly, "If mine's a dog's nose, then your mother's a bitch, your father's a mutt, and you're the mongrel pup!"
The words were filthy, resounding across the mountain. Even those at the foot of the slopes could hear them. Qian Zhongxuan nearly choked on his own fury.
He wanted to slap himself, why had he provoked this foul-mouthed old wretch? Everyone knew that when Yu Changlin started cursing, not even heaven or earth were spared.
It took Qian Zhongxuan a long moment to steady his breath.
"Let's make some rules."
"Rules? You think your backside's a face, to have the nerve to speak of rules?"
Grinding his teeth, Qian Zhongxuan hissed, "If you keep acting like this, there's no point in talking."
Elder Yu chuckled darkly. "You're no Qian Hong. He could at least keep his composure, or rather, he had no shame at all."
Qian Zhongxuan's patience was nearly gone.
Seeing that, Elder Yu finally eased off. "Fine then. Say what you came to say."
Qian Zhongxuan took a deep breath. "In this contest for the spirit mine, I won't take action, and neither will you."
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow. "What about the other Foundation Establishment cultivators from your Qian Family?"
"They won't act either."
"Why should I believe that?"
"I've already asked the Dao Court Division's Chief Overseer to notarize it," Qian Zhongxuan said. "You can rest easy."
Elder Yu frowned slightly. He could not tell what trick the man was playing, but if neither side's Foundation Establishment cultivators intervened, that was indeed favorable for the demon hunters.
"Fine. I agree."
Qian Zhongxuan exhaled. "Then it's settled."
Elder Yu's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Afraid of dying, aren't you, Qian Zhongxuan?"
Afraid of fighting him to the death, and afraid of trading lives with the demon hunters.
Qian Zhongxuan's expression stiffened. He said nothing.
He was afraid. Yu Changlin was a reckless old rogue; as a rogue cultivator, he had nothing to lose.
Qian Zhongxuan was different, an elder of the Qian Family, honored and wealthy. He had no desire to die pointlessly.
Seeing his silence, Elder Yu sneered, confirming his guess. Then he launched another volley of insults.
"Go back to your mother's womb and suckle, why don't you? A place like this—where men fight with blades and blood—isn't for you. Be a good coward, curl up in your fat rich den, and rot in comfort!"
Unable to win with words, Qian Zhongxuan simply flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
Mo Hua, who had been eavesdropping, was stunned.
If cursing were a cultivation path, Elder Yu would already be a Half-Step Immortal.
Elder Yu, still feeling unsatisfied after venting, turned around and caught Mo Hua watching him in awe.
He coughed lightly. "You mustn't learn those words I just said."
Mo Hua, who had already learned them perfectly, nodded solemnly. "Of course, Elder Yu. Rest assured."
(End of Chapter)