Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 55

That day, the disciples of the sect were running around in chaos.

He Lang learned that the Xuankong Sword Sect, undeterred by previous setbacks, had not given up their assault. This time, they had attacked right at the sect’s gates. Fortunately, Master Ge had used his weapon to fend them off, fighting against many adversaries, but he was severely injured in the process.

Even so, the Xuankong Sword Sect’s attack had a significant impact on the entire sect. even though He Lang had been there for a short time, he understood the situation.

The Hunyuan Sect had been isolated in the mountains for decades, with no outsiders able to enter. The perilous terrain of the Pínglíng Mountains had been used by the ancestors to build the sect’s structures and caverns, making their exact location difficult for outsiders to discern. as long as the mountain was defended, the sect could be protected.

However, with the Xuankong Sword Sect able to attack right at the sect’s gates, it indicated they had found the sect’s precise location. Without an insider’s assistance, such an achievement would be impossible.

at this moment, everyone was anxious. Many disciples were panicking and speculating about who the mole might be. Several hall masters had no choice but to ask Ao Li to address the entire sect.

The first to speak was the long-haired disciple Shang Zong, who had previously lost to He Lang in the arena. Despite his defeat, he was still a high-ranking disciple and held significant sway among the others. He stood up with righteous indignation, scrutinized everyone present, and then focused his gaze on He Lang, loudly voicing his suspicions.

“I have a suspect! I believe the brethren here also have their own judgments. The mole can only be the new Right Protector! This fellow spends every day by the sect leader’s side, stirring up trouble—” at this point, he hesitated, not daring to speak further in front of the sect leader. He shifted his focus and continued presenting his suspicions.

“Zhuo Shūlang was originally from the righteous side before joining our sect. according to my investigation, he even attended a demon-clearing conference on Beidou Peak! Moreover, last month, the gatekeeping disciples reported he had a record of leaving the mountain! This must be to send messages to outsiders!”

His tone was resolute, and seeing the thoughtful expressions on the others, he questioned, “How did he manage to infiltrate our sect in just a few months? It’s already a miracle that no one has been able to break the gate’s maze for decades, yet now that he’s here, the sect has faced these issues. Isn’t he the most suspicious person?!”

His words were logical and convincing.

originally, he was the one most suspected by everyone, and now that Wū Zheng had publicly named him, many agreed, and there was even a murmur of sharpening knives, as if ready to deal with him on the spot.

“Be quiet. The sect leader will make the decision!”

a crisp female voice interrupted. It was Ge Rúlan, who had brought Zhuo Shūlang into the sect. She was well aware of the situation, and Wū Zheng’s accusations embarrassed her.

Wū Zheng, unfazed, continued, “I remember that the Demoness had many interactions with Zhuo Shūlang when he joined the sect. Perhaps his lover is also an accomplice!”

The tall man beside Ge Rúlan scowled and said in a rough voice, “He is just a disciple. Watch your mouth.”

He was Qí Jūn, one of the hall masters. His words carried more weight, and Wū Zheng had to close his mouth reluctantly, though his expression still showed dissatisfaction. The other disciples joined in, urging the sect leader to make a decision and eliminate Zhuo Shūlang to prevent future problems.

He Lang’s heart sank as he looked at the man who had been sitting in a high position and saying nothing.

Ao Li had been watching and listening with an indifferent expression. even when the sect faced such a crisis, he remained calm.

He Lang had heard that Ao Li hated chaos in the sect the most. If someone caused trouble, he would rather wrongly kill a thousand than let one escape, sending them all to the punishment hall to be disciplined by the hall masters.

He Lang involuntarily shrank his neck. Wū Zheng’s accusations were indeed plausible, making him the prime suspect. He felt increasingly anxious, thinking about how to extricate himself from this predicament.

The disciples’ calls for Ao Li to make a decision were deafening, but he simply glanced at He Lang and said, “It’s not him.”

although his tone was calm, the firmness was evident.

He Lang was somewhat surprised by Ao Li’s unconditional trust. a sense of relief washed over him.

However, Ao Li’s statement clearly did not convince everyone. although they feared him, the crowd remained restless. The Left Protector, seeing the situation, stepped forward with a persuasive tone, “Sect leader, even if you don’t want to hear it, I must boldly advise you! The Right Protector has many suspicions. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment!”

Ao Li, playing with the decorative walnut He Lang had brought back, listened to the Left Protector without rebutting. after he finished speaking, Ao Li looked at him meaningfully. The Left Protector, intimidated by the released pressure, fell silent, clenching his fists with unwillingness.

With the Left Protector’s persuasion ineffective, the crowd gradually quieted down.

Ao Li, not wanting to stay any longer, stood up, and with a slight movement of his toes, used lightness skills to lift off the ground and returned to his quarters, taking He Lang with him.

as He Lang was swiftly dragged through the air, he vaguely recalled the saying “I’ll take you flying” that Gua Tù often mentioned. although he also knew some lightness skills, being lifted by his collar and flying away was rather humiliating.

It wasn’t until they reached the entrance of the sleeping quarters that Ao Li set He Lang down and leisurely walked into the inner chamber, as if waiting for He Lang to follow.

He Lang followed as expected, asking the question that was on his mind: why did Ao Li trust him so completely? Did he really have no doubts?

Ao Li, removing his outer robe and lying on the bed with his eyes closed, gave He Lang a dismissive look. after a moment, he answered, “You’re too weak… not worth the trouble. I doubt you have the guts.”

“…” He Lang was silent, feeling a tinge of frustration at being so bluntly dismissed. How could Ao Li be so straightforward? He was a man too, with some martial skill—was he really that insignificant?

“It seems I’m indeed not suited for the position of Right Protector,” He Lang said, shaking his head with self-deprecation.

He had just recently arrived in this world, and his skills were largely due to the advantages he inherited from the original body. although he could barely be considered a skilled practitioner, he couldn’t compare to those who had grown up in this world and dedicated decades to martial arts. No wonder the Left Protector, who had worked with him, always looked down on him.

Suddenly, Ao Li, who seemed to have been resting, opened his eyes. His sharp gaze focused on He Lang, and he asked, “are you having regrets?”

He Lang’s calm demeanor was disturbed by a ripple of irritation. He was vexed by the thought that Ao Li might consider his previous efforts and claims to protect him as mere pretense.

even He Lang, as slow as he was, could sense the small spark of anger in front of him. If he wasn’t careful with his words and actions, that tiny spark could ignite into a blazing fire.

“I have no regrets. It is a great honor to serve as your Right Protector.”

He Lang said this without a hint of embarrassment, though internally he scorned himself. How had he become so opportunistic, easily spouting flattering words?

But clearly, Ao Li was pleased with this.

once the anger subsided, Ao Li began to find He Lang’s chatter bothersome, disturbing his peace. He ordered, “Lie down.”

It took He Lang a while to understand this seemingly nonsensical command. Was the sect leader asking him to rest alongside him? He Lang was usually quiet; could it be that he was indeed talkative as Ao Li suggested, causing the sect leader to act so strangely?

He Lang fell into self-doubt, shaking his head lightly. “I’ll withdraw and not disturb your rest.”

“annoying. are you defying me?” The renewed flare of anger made He Lang stiffen. He quickly moved closer and lay down at one corner of the large, spacious bed, carefully avoiding touching any part of Ao Li’s clothes, fearful of provoking further anger.

although He Lang had been diligent as the Right Protector, always mindful of not angering Ao Li, his efforts seemed to have the opposite effect.

His posture suggested a strong reluctance to be near Ao Li, which only made Ao Li more irritated. In frustration, Ao Li once again used his power to push He Lang out the door.

……

In the midst of this somewhat relaxed atmosphere, their personalities continued to adjust, gradually developing a tacit understanding. He Lang had grown accustomed to being routinely expelled by the sect leader, and Ao Li had grown used to finding amusement in He Lang’s presence.

However, the issue of the mole had not settled at all. Because of Ao Li’s trust in He Lang, the real mole had lost a scapegoat and had to launch a more extensive plot.

Under various factors, the Xuankong Sword Sect’s new offensive finally succeeded.

on this day, within the Hunyuan Sect, disciples dressed in blood-stained clothes were running amok. The air was filled with a suffocating stench of blood, and the sounds of clashing weapons mixed with the tearing of flesh, crying children, and screaming women.

While many believed that the sect was full of evil people, no one had considered that the sect also housed families and children. Their attack, purportedly aimed at eradicating evil, was no different from the very behavior they condemned.

The attackers came with overwhelming force, not only assaulting from outside but also coordinating with internal forces, making their attack alarmingly swift and catching everyone off guard.

He Lang was the first to notice the anomaly and went outside to assess the situation, without initially disturbing Ao Li.

However, as he arrived at the central training ground using his lightness skills, he saw some familiar faces.

Ren Bozhong and Fú Yīfei, the master and disciple duo, led the attack, arriving at the center first. They looked triumphant, with dozens of lower-tier disciples’ corpses lying at their feet. They were so audacious that, logically, some of the sect’s experts should have come forward to subdue them, but they were nowhere to be seen.

The number of fallen was too great. He Lang noticed Master Ge among them, and nearby, Ge Rúlan lay pale and bleeding.

Could it be that the Xuankong Sword Sect had become so powerful in such a short time that even the sect’s elders were defeated without a chance to fight back?!

He Lang shook his head repeatedly, feeling everything was in disarray. When he saw the pair of master and disciple followed by others who approached unhurriedly, his eyes widened, realizing that things were unfolding in an unexpected direction.