Chapter 29.2 Shangyang Peak
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Below the stage stood a dirty-faced youth, slightly chubby with a hint of baby fat on his face. It was only natural for him to be plump, given his insatiable appetite and constant hunger, a result of his demonic bloodline. The youth wore tattered clothes, a comical contrast to the immaculately dressed peers in their pristine white attire.
However, the youth’s eyes were pure and untainted, as clear as if he had a few fewer brain cells, filled with the innocence and foolishness of a child.
He asked, “Can I challenge you?”
The wind whispered softly, and the rain drizzled gently, as if freezing the moment into an ink painting.
Pei Jing suppressed the storm of astonishment in his heart and leaped down from the stage, casually grabbing the “Only seeking for one defeat” sign. With a smile, he said, “No, I’m too formidable. It wouldn’t be fun to bully you. You can continue competing against my subpar underlings.”
Ji Wuyou felt somewhat disappointed.
However, Pei Jing placed his sign in front of Ji Wuyou and said, “But no matter what, it was you who made me step down. So, I’ll give you the opportunity to showcase yourself. Take this ‘Only seeking for one defeat’ sign and stay till the end.”
Ji Wuyou looked up.
Amidst the faint smoke, the drizzling rain, and the gentle morning chill, the youth before him exuded a warm and kind aura. His smile radiated endless warmth and goodwill.
Ji Wuyou, in a daze, accepted the sign and clumsily and comically crawled up the edge of the stage under the encouraging gaze of Pei Jing.
The crowd was still puzzled by the appearance of this filthy chubby newcomer when Pei Jing’s action made them want to spit blood, feeling greatly humiliated.
Even Xu Jing was taken aback by his decision to step down.
Once Pei Jing reached the side, he asked, “Is this the someone destined to defeat you?”
After pondering for a moment, Pei Jing smiled, somewhat cryptically, and replied, “Yes.”
Pei Jing could immediately discern Ji Wuyou’s cultivation level, Qi Refining Stage Seven. As expected of a protagonist, he had lost his parents at a young age and encountered nothing but unkind individuals—a cruel and selfish aunt, a heartless and treacherous master. However, he persevered through various conspiracies and calculations, not only surviving but also advancing rapidly in his cultivation. In the entire Yinghui Peak, there were probably not many who could defeat him.
Pei Jing turned to Chu Junyu and said, “Don’t underestimate this chubby boy. I have a keen eye for people, and he will become formidable in the future.”
Only after speaking did Pei Jing notice that Chu Junyu seemed off.
The wind that whirled by his ear and the drizzling rain froze, casting a faint and flickering light upon the dusky scenery. Chu Junyu appeared as if he had entered another realm devoid of human presence. His pale eyes stared ahead, icy and pure like lustrous glass. Not a hint of emotion could be detected.
However, Pei Jing could sense that something was seriously wrong with him.
Pei Jing paused for a second and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
Pei Jing couldn’t help but think that the protagonist truly lived up to his title, as his influence was astonishing, even managing to sway Chu Junyu.
With his arms crossed, Pei Jing looked up at the arena. Since he stepped down, many people were delighted, one after another challenging Ji Wuyou, thinking he appeared dull-witted and easy to bully.
However, without exception, Ji Wuyou defeated them with a bewildered expression on his face.
The gap in strength between Qi Refining Stage Seven and Qi Refining Stage Five was insurmountable. Even without any fancy moves, Ji Wuyou easily fended off their attacks. A sword thrusting towards him with a fierce gust of wind would simply be effortlessly blocked by a casual wave of his hand, resulting in the sword snapping. What was going on? Ji Wuyou stood on the platform, utterly perplexed.
Pei Jing chuckled from the sidelines, “Those who are being struck are utterly confused, and even the ones striking can’t make sense of it all. What a group of fools.”
Xu Jing questioned, “Where did this young man come from? I don’t recall Yinghui Peak having such a person.”
Pei Jing: “Who cares where he came from? In any case, he will become a disciple of our Yunxiao Sect in the future.”
Xu Jing: “How can you be so certain?”
Pei Jing smiled faintly but remained silent.
Finally, a disciple who had suffered the humiliation of having his sword shattered by Ji Wuyou couldn’t bear it any longer. In a fit of rage and despair, he cried out to the Elders, “Elder! He is not a disciple of Yinghui Peak! He doesn’t have the qualifications to participate in the competition. Why is he allowed to stand here?”
The Elders exchanged glances, realizing that when they first saw the disciple’s attire, it didn’t resemble the disciples of Yunxiao. They never expected him to be an outsider. How did an outsider manage to enter? After a long silence, the senior elder of Ziyu Peak, adhering to the rules, spoke slowly, “Why didn’t you speak up earlier then?”
The disciple felt somewhat ashamed, his face turning crimson as he confessed, “This disciple didn’t pay attention earlier!”
They had initially thought he was an easy target, someone they could use to show off. But now, they had kicked an iron plate. What was the point of keeping him around?
The expression of Ziyu’s Elder grew serious. “According to Yunxiao’s rules, if he’s not a disciple of Yunxiao, he naturally doesn’t have the qualifications to participate in Yinghui Peak’s competition. Let that young man return from where he came.”
A young Elder hesitated, making a suggestion. “He has already surpassed the sixth stage of Qi Gathering, which is impressive even among the Outer Peaks. Moreover, judging by his attire, he is likely a wandering cultivator. It might be better to take him in and consider it an act of kindness.”
Ziyu’s Elder glared at him and said, “Yunxiao’s selection of disciples has always followed a single path, and the rules are set in stone. Besides the Sect Master, who dares to rashly accept him into the sect?”
The young elder lowered his head in frustration.
Soon, a female Elder walked gracefully from the Elder’s seat and approached Ji Wuyou. She had a graceful figure, a gentle demeanor, and a smile on her face. She asked, “Since you are not a disciple of Yunxiao, where did you come from?”
Ji Wuyou’s face turned pale, unsure of where to put his hands and feet. He could only answer truthfully, “I… I was recommended by someone. They gave me a token and told me that once I arrived, I would become a disciple of Yunxiao.”
The female Elder sighed, covering her forehead, and smiled helplessly. “Yunxiao has never had such a recommendation system. It seems you have been deceived, and I’m not sure how you ended up mistakenly brought to Yinghui Peak. Come with me, I will escort you back home.”
Ji Wuyou became completely flustered. He didn’t want to leave, and going back home wouldn’t be good either. His aunt never fed him enough because she had to take care of her own son. He wanted to stay, he had always been hungry. Feeling utterly helpless, he involuntarily turned his pleading gaze towards Pei Jing, the young man who had shown him kindness from the very beginning.
However, he was soon frightened. Because beside that young man, there was another person, with light-colored eyes that pierced through him, as cold as bone erosion. Even without getting close, he felt a sense of danger and fear, as if he had plunged into a horrifying hell.
Pei Jing caught his gaze and gave him a radiant smile.
One of the reasons he had been drawn to the novel “Executioner’s Sword” was the intriguing character development of the protagonist. Before the awakening of the demonic blood, Ji Wuyou’s spiritual perception hadn’t fully developed, making him naive and clueless, a silly and innocent foodie. Despite the early hardships, it was inevitable for him to undergo a transformation and rise to power, reversing the situation.
However, now that he had transmigrated into the book, he certainly wouldn’t let Ji Wuyou turn to the dark side.
…Rest assured, Brother Protagonist, you will stay safe and sound.
Moreover, all the humiliations that occurred in the original story while he was in the Outer Peaks would not happen.
After Ji Wuyou left, the sign of “Only seeking for one defeat” was also taken away, signifying the end of the glorious era led by Pei Jing alone. Other disciples breathed a sigh of relief, stretching their limbs and starting to showcase their own abilities. The remaining platforms were also put to use.
The competition lasted for three days and three nights.
Of course, Pei Jing couldn’t stay here and watch them bumble around.
Chu Junyu’s talent and strength were evident. He didn’t need to prove himself. In the following two days, he naturally returned to Xuyia Courtyard.
Inside Tianqian Peak, Pei Jing took up his pen and wrote a letter.
He only had a vague recollection of the general plot of “Executioner’s Sword.” It seemed that Ji Wuyou was also supposed to appear in the grand competition at Yinghui Peak but ended up mistakenly entering the Outer Peaks.
In the book, an Elder from the Shangyang Peak was impressed by Ji Wuyou’s talent and pleaded with the Sect Master to let him stay. However, Ji Wuyou’s subsequent performance fell short of expectations, leading to the Elder’s disappointment and neglect.
This time, there was no need for Shangyang’s Elder to intercede. The acting Sect Master personally arranged a place for Ji Wuyou.
“Where should it be?” Pei Jing pondered, resting the pen against his chin. Eventually, he decided to follow the plot of the book. “Then let’s pick Shangyang Peak. I’ll go there too.”
After dealing with the protagonist’s matters, Pei Jing noticed that Ji Wuduan had replied to his message.
It was about the matter concerning Shu Yan.
Ji Wuduan wasn’t familiar with the name Shu Yan, but he recognized the lines of poetry.
That was because Yu Qinglian had sent him a nearly identical handwriting just a few days ago. The information Yu Qinglian discovered was even more comprehensive.
I call the madman sharpening his blade at night, sweeping away all the injustices before his eyes.
From now on, the world will be turned upside down, and there’s no need to spare any effort in killing.
Those who are disloyal deserve death! Those who are unfilial deserve death!
Those who are heartless deserve death! Those who are unjust deserve death!
Those who lack courtesy, wisdom, and trust shall be killed! Those who oppose my heart shall be killed, killed, killed!
The handwriting was arrogant and mad, the strokes twisted, resembling a fanatic reveling in madness.
Pei Jing was stunned. “Wasn’t it directed at me? Why would Yu Qinglian also have it?”
Ji Wuduan continued, “This poem was found in the room of a Senior Elder in Yingzhou who committed suicide. It’s a serious matter. Yu Qinglian may come to Canghua soon and wants to investigate it together with you.”
Pei Jing’s mouth twitched. He picked up the pen and straightforwardly explained that he had transformed into a young disciple and was currently experiencing life in the Outer Peaks of Yunxiao. If she wanted to come, she would have to make herself a few hundred years younger. He allowed her not to revert to her original weight.
After all, knowing Yu Qinglian’s personality, it was impossible for her to transform into the chubby girl she was when she was younger.
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