Chapter 1585: Mutual Killing

Chapter 1585: Mutual Killing

Lü Jingxiu's expression grew increasingly pained.

[Pei Tanggong] sighed and nodded. "Indeed. Blood debts are paid in blood, and then a father's debts are paid by the son."

"You don't have my heart's blood, but Jingxiu's heart's blood will suffice."

Hearing this, Wen Zhuangzhu said nothing more. Drawing a dagger, he plunged it straight into Lü Jingxiu's chest. Amidst Lü Jingxiu's agonized cries, he drew out several drops of heart's blood.

Already heavily wounded, Lü Jingxiu's face instantly turned paper-white, his aura growing even fainter.

Seeing this, a sharp pang pierced [Pei Tanggong's] heart, yet the depths of his eyes remained as cold as ice.

Having obtained the heart's blood, Wen Zhuangzhu's eyes gleamed sharply. Bringing two fingers together, he utilized the Golden Core Realm's Divine Sense Object Manipulation to fuse the heart's blood into a spirit stone. Then, he tossed this blood-tinged stone, glowing with an ominous crimson, toward the Debt-Lending Ghost guarding the tomb.

Receiving this spirit stone, the Debt-Lending Ghost's eyes flared with overwhelming bloody light. Driven mad with excitement, it began dancing about wildly in an grotesque, hideous display.

For this spirit stone contained the blood of Lü Jingxiu.

Lü Jingxiu was the son of its "master." According to the Causal Law, it was practically equivalent to the heart's blood of its master.

"Open the door," Wen Zhuangzhu commanded.

The Debt-Lending Ghost revealed a sinister smile. Using a blood-red brush, it crossed out an entry in its ledger, its lips flapping silently.

No sound came forth, and no one knew what it had said.

Across from it, the Haggling Ghost also grinned widely. In fact, every single ghost across the entire Hundred Ghosts Diagram seemed to break into laughter.

For they had smelled the scent of their master's blood.

They had caught the scent of the master they revered to their very marrow—and hated just as deeply.

Though clearly not a single sound reached their ears, those present seemed to hear the piercing shrieks of a hundred ghosts echoing in their minds.

Amidst this clamorous yet soundless ghost screeching, a change suddenly occurred upon the tomb door before them.

It was as if the contract had been fulfilled and the seal unraveled; the originally seamless stone wall slowly cracked open.

The two gatekeeper ghosts, the Haggling Ghost and the Debt-Lending Ghost, both vanished back into the shadows.

A wave of dread rippled through Wen Zhuangzhu's heart. After pondering for a moment, he slowly reached out and gave a push. Accompanied by a dry, rasping grind of age-old stone, the tomb door was completely shoved open.

Behind the tomb door lay pitch-black darkness.

"It really opened..."

Wen Zhuangzhu was overjoyed. Just as he was about to step inside, he suddenly recalled something and turned toward Mo Hua, speaking respectfully:

"Thanks to your great fortune, Venerable Great Master, the door to the main burial chamber has finally opened. Venerable Great Master, after you?"

Mo Hua said, "No matter. You go first."

Wen Zhuangzhu cupped his hands. "Understood."

After a brief pause for thought, he manipulated the Emerald Jade Python to bind Lü Jingxiu, then strode through the final tomb door.

[Pei Tanggong] glanced at Mo Hua before turning and walking inside as well.

Seeing everyone enter, Mo Hua looked up once more at the Hundred Ghosts Diagram.

Within the massive painting, the three little figures representing Bai XiaoSheng and his companions were still locked in combat with the evil ghosts. Though they appeared somewhat disheveled, their spirits remained quite robust. Mo Hua gave a slight nod. Hesitating no longer, he stepped forward into the final burial chamber.

Upon entering, the light dimmed for a brief moment, followed by a short passageway.

Unlike the exterior, this passageway was not carved from spirit stones, but cast entirely from gold and fine stone, gleaming brilliantly everywhere.

The passageway was shallow; after several dozen paces, one reached the end.

Stepping out from the corridor, the view that opened before them was resplendent and magnificent.

All the walls, masonry, folding screens, tables, and chairs were either cast from gold and fine stone or woven from golden threads.

This was the main burial chamber of Great Philanthropist Lü.

Right in the center of the chamber sat a massive golden coffin, carved with a mutated longevity rune-pattern and adorned with cloud motifs, bat motifs, spiritual rune patterns, and the like.

The golden coffin was exceedingly lavish, crafted with utter disregard for expense.

Yet, this golden coffin was presumably empty.

For the "person" who should have been lying inside the coffin was currently seated outside, before a massive writing desk, holding a thin golden booklet and flipping through its pages with his head lowered.

This person wore a brocade robe woven of gold thread. He possessed a tall, imposing build and an aura that was both gentle and profound, yet without losing its majesty.

However, having been shut inside this tomb for far too long, his Blood Qi was tainted with Yin Evil and decay. He did not look like a living person, yet he was not purely a dead man either.

When the group stepped into the burial chamber, this Great Philanthropist Lü lifted his face.

Only then did everyone realize that half of Great Philanthropist Lü's face displayed an unnatural golden hue, as if coated in molten gold. The other half, however, had already rotted away, exposing the pale bone beneath.

Half golden body, half rotting flesh.

He appeared both solemn and sinister.

Looking upon the man's appearance, Wen Zhuangzhu's temples twitched. Then, half sighing and half astonished, he said:

"Fellow daoist... Lü, who would have thought that after not seeing each other for fifty years, you would end up in such a state..."

Lü Chongshan, his face half gold and half rotting flesh, looked coldly at Wen Zhuangzhu. "You are quite bold."

His voice was hoarse, carrying a metallic resonance of stone and gold.

Wen Zhuangzhu chuckled. "It cannot be helped. Someone like me lacks your virtue, Fellow daoist Lü. If I wish to strike it rich, I naturally have to seek wealth amidst danger."

Lü Chongshan said, "Wealth sought amidst danger is also lost amidst danger."

"Even if it is lost..." Wen Zhuangzhu replied, "At least I was once wealthy, which is far better than having nothing at all."

Lü Chongshan remarked indifferently, "Your Wen family is, after all, a clan of Qingchou. With fields stretching endlessly, an intricate network of connections, and countless manors, are you not wealthy enough?"

Wen Zhuangzhu sighed. "It is not enough... Men strive to climb higher. No matter how rich the Wen family is, how could we compare to your Lü family?"

"Besides, the Wen family is a massive family spread across the entire Great Spirit Field Realm. There are so many fortress masters and manor lords, and those wealthier than me are everywhere."

"I must find a way. I cannot fall behind others."

Lü Chongshan said, "What do you want from me?"

"Naturally, it is..." As Wen Zhuangzhu spoke, his gaze turned frigid. Suddenly unleashing an attack, he thrust a palm forward, sending a massive emerald jade python roaring forth.

This palm strike seemed to be a rare magic spell with immense power, one that Wen Zhuangzhu had never used before.

However, this strike was aimed not at Lü Chongshan, but at Pei Tanggong.

The emerald jade python roared through the air, crashing violently into the already weakened Pei Tanggong.

Host to a ghost parasite and afflicted with venomous wounds, [Pei Tanggong] was caught entirely off guard. The force penetrated straight to his marrow, sending him flying until he slammed hard against the wall.

Just as he struggled to stand, Wen Zhuangzhu raised his Emerald Jade Serpent Staff, summoning three emerald jade pythons that coiled tightly around Pei Tanggong.

The pythons' bodies slithered slowly, constricting tighter and tighter. In the end, they squeezed Pei Tanggong until blood poured from his seven orifices, snapping his neck in two.

Soon after, Pei Tanggong's aura gradually faded into nothingness.

This sudden turn of events occurred so abruptly that even Mo Hua was slightly surprised.

Lü Chongshan frowned even more deeply. Looking at Wen Zhuangzhu, he said indifferently, "Just like that, you killed Pei Tanggong?"

Wen Zhuangzhu manipulated the giant serpent to twist its coils once more, virtually wringing Pei Tanggong's corpse into a twisted rope before casting it aside.

"Fellow daoist Lü overstates things. This Wen did not kill Pei Tanggong, but rather the 'Parasitic Ghost' inside him."

"Since it is a ghost creature, any slight carelessness could bring harm to others. To prevent the ghost from harming people, naturally the only choice was to kill Pei Tanggong, its host."

"This Wen was quite helpless in this..."

Lü Chongshan said, "Had you drawn out the Parasitic Ghost, Pei Tanggong could still have lived."

Wen Zhuangzhu shook his head. "He could not be saved."

Lü Chongshan's gaze sharpened slightly. Glancing at Pei Tanggong's wretched, twisted corpse, he merely sighed:

"Whatever else may be said, Pei Tanggong saved your life. Had it not been for him earlier, the one possessed by the Parasitic Ghost right now would be you, Wen Zhuangzhu."

Wen Zhuangzhu nodded, sighing as well. "Indeed, this Wen feels quite guilty at heart..."

"However, if this endeavor succeeds, my Wen family can leap to become the strongest family in Qingchou City. In the face of the family's grand interests, there is no room for this Wen's personal sentiments."

"To avoid complications, I could only wrong Pei Tanggong and have him die for a time."

Lü Chongshan's expression turned cold. "What do you want?"

Wen Zhuangzhu replied, "This Wen is a vulgar man. All I desire is some of... the Lü family's assets."

Lü Chongshan said, "If you want them, why not just go and seize them yourself? Why go through so much trouble to enter my tomb and ask me?"

Wen Zhuangzhu shook his head. "That is not the same. Robbery is unrefined, and it is a crime, it sounds terrible to the ears."

"However, if you, Great Philanthropist Lü, personally draft a spirit contract and press your blood seal, transferring a portion of the Lü family's industries for my Wen family to manage on your behalf, we would be cooperating with one another. That would be the best of both worlds."

"You are a philanthropist of renowned reputation. Dividing some of your family assets to my Wen family is surely something you would not refuse."

Looking at Wen Zhuangzhu's demeanor, Lü Chongshan felt both angry and amused. He shook his head:

"It is not that I am unwilling to share with you, but that even if I did, it would only bring disaster upon you."

"That which I overcome becomes wealth; that which overcomes me becomes disaster."

Wen Zhuangzhu replied, "You haven't even given me your wealth yet, so how do you know if it will bring me disaster? What if your wealth cannot overcome me? Wouldn't that be a joyful outcome for all? You would shed a burden, while I would enjoy your benevolence, thereby increasing your merit."

Lü Chongshan nodded. "I truly underestimated you. I never expected the Wen lineage to be so utterly shameless."

Wen Zhuangzhu's expression gradually cooled. "Does this mean that you, Great Philanthropist Lü, are unwilling to play the great philanthropist?"

Lü Chongshan looked at Wen Zhuangzhu with unmasked disdain.

Subjected to such a gaze, Wen Zhuangzhu felt anger rising in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered that another person was present in the chamber.

Wen Zhuangzhu turned his head toward Mo Hua. Dressed entirely in black, this Esteemed Master was a figure of high virtue and prestigious standing, commanding a million-strong Changshan Army with terrifying authority.

Yet just now, he had not revealed a shred of his aura, appearing as if he were not there at all.

Wen Zhuangzhu himself had nearly forgotten about him.

However, such a great figure could not be slighted.

Wen Zhuangzhu cupped his hands. "Venerable Great Master, if this venture succeeds, this Wen will never monopolize the Lü family's assets. I shall share this choice piece of meat with you, Esteemed Master."

Mo Hua gave a slight nod. "Decide amongst yourselves. This Esteemed Master shall not interfere."

Wen Zhuangzhu let out a small sigh of relief.

Thus far, though this Esteemed Master Mo's intentions were unclear, he had proven to be a man of his word.

His non-interference was the best possible outcome.

Who could resist spirit stones and wealth? Once he secured the Lü family's assets, feeding this Esteemed Master Mo a share to satisfy his appetite would surely settle the matter.

With that thought, Wen Zhuangzhu harbored no further reservations. Looking at Lü Chongshan, he said slowly:

"Fellow daoist Lü, forgive my offense."

Lü Chongshan asked, "I possess merit. Are you not afraid of retribution?"

Wen Zhuangzhu replied, "If striking rich invites retribution, this Wen will drink that poison gladly."

Understanding Wen Zhuangzhu's intent, Lü Chongshan nodded:

"Very well. Kill me, and everything belonging to the Lü family is yours."

The thought of the Lü family's vast wealth made Wen Zhuangzhu instinctively lick his lips.

Without further hesitation, his figure blurred like a venomous snake, closing the distance toward Lü Chongshan.

A man cannot grow rich without windfalls, and wealth must be sought amidst danger.

How could toiling bitterly for wealth ever compare to outright robbery?

Taking this single risk might make him wealthy for the rest of his days.

And with sufficient cultivation resources, once he entered secluded cultivation for several more decades, he might even reach out and touch that legendary threshold of Feathered Ascension.

Wen Zhuangzhu's heart burned with fervor, his strikes showing no mercy.

Seeing Wen Zhuangzhu charging close, Lü Chongshan had no choice but to retaliate. Golden light radiated from his arms as he clashed with Wen Zhuangzhu using physical techniques.

Within the burial chamber, killing intent surged once more.

Mo Hua remained motionless, watching from the periphery.

Yet as he watched, he began to find it odd. This Lü Chongshan, half coated in gold and half decayed, looked terrifying, but once the fight truly began, he did not seem exceedingly strong. In fact, he was being suppressed by Wen Zhuangzhu.

Why is he so weak?

Mo Hua thought to himself.

Logically speaking, this made no sense...

After a mere fifty exchanges, Wen Zhuangzhu felt immense joy.

Indeed, something was wrong with this Great Philanthropist Lü!

His current strength was not even half of what it used to be.

The deduction he and Pei Tanggong had made earlier was correct: an unforeseen disaster must have struck this Great Philanthropist Lü, severely damaging his merit and forcing him to hide down here in this dreary, subterranean tomb to drag out his feeble existence.

For a cultivator cultivating merit, once that merit was gravely diminished, their attainment would inevitably suffer a massive drop.

As for why this universally acclaimed Great Philanthropist Lü, who had spent his life performing good deeds, had suddenly suffered a loss of merit... Wen Zhuangzhu did not know.

Of course, he did not care either.

All he needed to do was take his life while he was vulnerable. Whatever ailed him, claiming his life was all that mattered.

Driven by greed, Wen Zhuangzhu channeled his Jade Serpent Staff once more, holding nothing back as he fought Lü Chongshan.

Three emerald jade serpents opened their lurid green maws, looking ready to swallow Lü Chongshan whole.

Lü Chongshan could only rely on his golden body to endure the assault, fighting the man and the three serpents simultaneously.

The battle raged for a while longer, with Wen Zhuangzhu maintaining the upper hand.

Yet despite being half golden body and half rotting flesh, looking half-dead and teetering on the brink of collapse, Lü Chongshan never truly fell into defeat.

A starved camel was still bigger than a horse.

This Great Philanthropist Lü had possessed immense attainment in life. Even with half his body entering the earth, he was not someone to be underestimated, nor could he be brought down in short order.

Wen Zhuangzhu grew anxious, yet he could only patiently wear Lü Chongshan down.

After another two hundred exchanges, Wen Zhuangzhu finally realized something was amiss.

This Great Philanthropist Lü showed no signs of defeat whatsoever. Dragging this out would not do...

Wen Zhuangzhu temporarily halted his attacks. Backing away a dozen paces, he moved beside Lü Jingxiu, binding him with an emerald jade python, and sneered:

"I almost forgot, Great Philanthropist Lü, your son is still here."

"You wouldn't want your son to die by this Wen's hands, would you?"

Lü Chongshan's expression remained unchanged, his tone cold and detached:

"If you want to kill him, then kill him. Between hundreds of years of Lü family heritage and the life of a single son, I can clearly distinguish which is weightier."

"If he dies, that is simply his fate. As his father, I will avenge him."

Wen Zhuangzhu's eyelid twitched. Suddenly, he found himself unable to gauge the situation.

Just what was this Great Philanthropist Lü's attitude toward his son?

He seemed caring, yet utterly ruthless at the same time.

He truly was a difficult opponent to handle...

If he killed Lü Jingxiu outright, Lü Chongshan would lose all constraints and act with even greater ease.

Yet if he did not kill Lü Jingxiu, Lü Chongshan had no reason to heed his threats at all.

To kill, or not to kill?

Wen Zhuangzhu was caught in a dilemma.

Just as he was distracted by this contemplation, a cold light suddenly flashed. The tip of a sword pierced straight through his chest from behind.

Wen Zhuangzhu looked down. The sword tip, glistening like fine jade and radiating resplendent treasure light, was intimately familiar to him.

The Three Origins Spirit Treasure Sword.

Wen Zhuangzhu turned his head with great difficulty, discovering that [Pei Tanggong], whom he had killed earlier, was standing behind him covered in blood, his sword piercing through Wen Zhuangzhu's chest.

His neck was still broken, snapped by the emerald jade python. There was not a trace of a living person's aura upon him, yet neither was there the aura of a ghost.

For a moment, Wen Zhuangzhu could hardly believe his eyes. Just as he tried to speak, Pei Tanggong's hand reached out, seizing his neck in an iron grip. With a violent twist, his fingers sank into the flesh, snapping Wen Zhuangzhu's neck clean in two.

Then, with a horizontal slash of the longsword, he hacked Wen Zhuangzhu cleanly in half.

(End of Chapter)