After Running Away Pregnant, I Ended Up on the Wanted Lists of Both the Demon Venerable and the Immortal Venerable Chapter 54

Jian Zhen looked into Fu Changhuan’s eyes. He was someone who did not like to lie, nor was he willing to lie to others.

Standing by the edge of the pool, the reflection in the water swayed. Jian Zhen said, “Senior Brother, I don’t want to cultivate the Heartlessness Path.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Why?”

Jian Zhen said, “I feel that people living in this world do not live only for cultivation. The seven emotions and six desires are indeed the source of suffering, but they can also bring people happiness.”

Fu Changhuan said, “As a disciple of Spirit Mountain, how can you care only about yourself and disregard the people of the world?”

Jian Zhen was stunned.

For a brief moment, in Fu Changhuan’s eyes he saw something open and clear, the safety of all under heaven. He suddenly understood why the person before him would become the future Supreme of the Immortal Clan.

Fu Changhuan was someone who truly held the common people of the world in his heart.

Not for himself, only for the people.

Jian Zhen said, “This disciple knows he was wrong.”

“Only…” Jian Zhen looked at him and said somewhat timidly, “Senior Brother, sometimes I also feel that the Heartlessness Path is not necessarily the most suitable road for cultivators in this world.”

Fu Changhuan said, “In the future, you will understand.”

Jian Zhen: “Alright.”

In any case, Senior Brother’s thoughts were not something he could easily change.

Just as Jian Zhen was thinking this, Fu Changhuan said, “Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

With a lift of his hand, Fu Changhuan summoned his flying sword and said, “These few days are family-visit days. Classes in the hall are suspended. Since you have nothing to do staying in the mountains, I’ll take you down the mountain for a stroll.”

Jian Zhen broke into a smile. “Really, Senior Brother?”

Fu Changhuan nodded. “Mm.”

Jian Zhen subconsciously wanted to bring Ye Jisheng along as well, but upon second thought, given the relationship between Senior Brother and Ye Jisheng, the two of them probably wouldn’t have anything good happen together, so he gave up.

He stepped onto the flying sword.

Fu Changhuan’s sword-riding skills could be said to far surpass Jian Zhen’s half-baked ability. The sword energy was steady; standing on it calmed the mind and spirit.

All the way down the mountain.

After getting off the flying sword, Jian Zhen let out a sigh of relief. He said, “Senior Brother, your flying sword is so steady. I always can’t control mine well. I think I might not have talent in sword-riding. If in the future I could switch to some kind of bird or phoenix mount, that would be great, I could ride along and benefit a little.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Instead of properly thinking about cultivation, you only think about these unorthodox tricks. What kind of conduct is that?”

Jian Zhen quickly begged for mercy. “Yes, yes, yes, I know I was wrong.”

It was rare to come to the town at the foot of Spirit Mountain.

The town here was somewhat different from the Demon Clan’s towns. Everywhere there was an air of immortal elegance. Shops of all kinds sold spirit medicines, sword shops, weapons, everything one could need. The passersby coming and going rode swords or spirit beasts, each different in their own way.

Jian Zhen said with some emotion, “There are so many people.”

Fu Changhuan said, “It’s the annual family-visit leave. Disciples from several great families of the Immortal Clan, along with their families, all come. It’s much livelier than usual.”

At this point, Jian Zhen suddenly realized something. If during family-visit leave he himself was idle because he had no one, then why was Senior Brother also alone?

Fu Changhuan seemed to notice Jian Zhen’s gaze and said, “I was a child picked up by Grandmaster Ancestor.”

Other children at least knew where their parents were. Like Jian Zhen’s original body, at least he knew who his parents were. But Fu Changhuan did not even know where his own relatives were.

Jian Zhen said softly, “Senior Brother, have you ever tried to look for them?”

Fu Changhuan said, “Grandmaster Ancestor found me on a battlefield, and my family likely perished long ago in that great war.”

Jian Zhen looked at him and said, “Senior Brother, don’t be sad. Even without family, you have Grandmaster Ancestor, and you have me.”

To the little grass, after a hundred years of companionship, Fu Changhuan had long already become an indispensable family member in his life.

Fu Changhuan walked with him along the bustling street, his snow-white robes unstained by the mortal world. He parted his lips and said, “Those who cultivate the Heartlessness Path must sever worldly thoughts. I have long ceased to care about such things.”

Jian Zhen was thoughtful. Since most of the Immortal Venerable’s family had died in war, like himself, his parents had already passed away, his mortal ties already severed, so he was indeed the best candidate to cultivate the Heartlessness Path.

The two were walking.

On the street not far away, a disturbance suddenly arose.

Jian Zhen noticed it. Fu Changhuan stepped forward and said, “Let’s go take a look.”

When the two walked over, they saw in front of a shop the owner grabbing a raggedly dressed child at the stall and saying, “Whose child is this? Daring to steal my things in broad daylight, doesn’t anyone care?!”

Quite a few people gradually gathered around.

The little boy clutched the item in his hands as the owner snatched it away, then kicked him resentfully and said, “If you dare come again, I won’t let you off so easily!”

The surrounding people discussed among themselves.

The little boy lying on the ground shakily stood up. Just as he was about to walk forward, his legs gave way and he was about to fall.

Jian Zhen hurriedly said, “Careful!”

The boy was caught by Jian Zhen, and just like that, fainted.

Jian Zhen turned back anxiously to look at Fu Changhuan and said, “Senior Brother, he fainted.”

Fu Changhuan walked over and said, “Help him to the side first.”

Jian Zhen did so. The little boy was actually very light, perhaps because he was thin, perhaps because he was hungry, so lifting him was not difficult. Not far away was a small tea stall. They ordered a cup of tea at the stall and fed it to the child. Fu Changhuan’s fingertips formed a hand seal, and a spell fell upon the little boy’s brow. A gentle stream of spiritual energy allowed him to slowly awaken from unconsciousness.

The little boy coughed violently a few times.

Jian Zhen asked with concern, “Are you alright?”

The little boy lifted his eyes to look at the two of them, appearing somewhat frightened and wary.

Jian Zhen said, “Don’t be afraid. We’re not bad people. We saw you faint, so we brought you here.”

The little boy seemed to feel a little better, then as if remembering something, he fumbled in his pocket and took out a spiritual artifact from the shop earlier.

Jian Zhen was somewhat surprised. “You still have one? You didn’t return them all to the shopkeeper?”

The little boy tightly clutched the spiritual artifact without speaking.

Fu Changhuan slightly frowned and said, “Stealing violates the laws of the Immortal Clan. Even a child must not overstep the bounds.”

After hearing this, the little boy seemed somewhat frightened. He jumped off the chair and tried to run away. Jian Zhen was caught off guard and let him slip away like a loach. However, after only a few steps, the child was nearly hit by a carriage on the road and fell to the side.

Jian Zhen secretly sighed.

Fu Changhuan raised his hand, and an invisible barrier immediately stood up around the boy, preventing the surrounding people from trampling him. Of course, the boy himself could not run away either.

Jian Zhen walked over and said, “I already told you we’re not bad people. Running around recklessly in the street like this will really get yourself killed.”

The raggedly dressed boy crawled up and immediately knelt on the ground, beginning to kowtow to Jian Zhen. He seemed truly frightened, or perhaps he had taken Jian Zhen for someone not to be trifled with, continuously kowtowing and begging to be let off.

Jian Zhen hurriedly crouched down to pull him up but couldn’t move him. He looked at Fu Changhuan for help and said, “Senior brother, why is he kowtowing to me?”

Fu Changhuan walked over at a slow pace. Dressed in snow-white robes, as if untouched by the dust of the mortal world, his lowered eyes were cold and emotionless. “He committed the crime of theft. Naturally, he is afraid you will act against him.”

Jian Zhen said, “I’m not the authorities. What would I do to him?”

Fu Changhuan reminded him, “Disciples of Spirit Mountain have the authority to deal with those who violate the Immortal Clan’s laws.”

Only then did Jian Zhen truly and emotionally realize that within the Immortal Clan, Spirit Mountain was supreme, and all Immortal Clan members wished to enter Spirit Mountain to cultivate. Spirit Mountain’s status among the Immortal Clan and the Three Realms was such that it could easily determine a person’s life or death.

Looking down condescendingly at the little boy, Fu Changhuan said, “If you return the item to the shopkeeper now, we can consider letting you off.”

The little boy’s kowtowing movements stopped.

Seeing that he was about to dash forward again, Fu Changhuan had not even made a move yet.

Jian Zhen took several large strides and grabbed the boy by the back of his collar. The little fellow was very thin, so lifting him required no effort at all. Somewhat annoyed, Jian Zhen put a hand on his hip and said, “Where are you trying to run to?”

The little boy looked at him in some terror.

“You run even after doing something wrong.” Jian Zhen threatened him. “Do you believe we’ll tie you up and send you to the shopkeeper?”

Now the little boy was truly somewhat afraid. His frail body trembled. Being lifted up made his bony frame and injury-covered back even more visible.

Jian Zhen said, “Promise me you won’t run again, and I’ll put you down.”

The little boy nodded hurriedly.

Only then did Jian Zhen put him down. Looking at him, he asked, “Tell me, why did you steal?”

The little boy, wearing straw sandals, stood in place. His dark face did not dare to lift. Under Jian Zhen’s gaze, he finally spoke in a low voice, “This was originally our family’s thing.”

Jian Zhen was stunned.

After being set down, the little boy began walking forward.

Jian Zhen stepped forward to follow. The little boy passed through a street and finally arrived in front of a somewhat dilapidated brick-and-tile house. Jian Zhen followed him into the courtyard, past a somewhat broken fence, stepping over a stone-paved path. Upon entering the house, he smelled a strong medicinal odor. Not far away, on a straw mat, lay a woman. She was covered with a thin quilt. Hearing the sound, she looked toward the outside.

The woman softly said, “Is Little Qing back?”

The frail little boy rushed to the bedside and said in a low voice, “Mother.”

The woman gently stroked the little boy’s head and said, “Little Qing, Mother’s medicine should be ready by now. Could you go outside and check for me?”

The little boy nodded and hurried off.

Jian Zhen stood inside, hesitating over what to say, when the woman spoke first: “Did Little Qing run to that Boss Wang’s shop again and cause trouble?”

So the shopkeeper’s surname was Wang.

Jian Zhen said, “You knew?”

The woman gently sighed and said, “Half a year ago, I fell ill. My husband took all the money in the house and ran away, abandoning us, a widow and orphan, without care. When he left, he pawned and sold all the things in the house to Boss Wang. I told Little Qing not to go to Boss Wang’s shop again. Those things have already been sold; they no longer belong to us…”

Halfway through speaking, the woman could not help lowering her head and coughing.

Her body was somewhat weak; when she coughed, her pale lips and thin spine were visible.

“It’s just that my health has been getting worse and worse. These past few days, a bit of wind was enough to knock me down.” The woman said somewhat sadly, “Seeing that there was no medicine left at home, Little Qing ran to Boss Wang’s shop to make trouble again. Young hero, rest assured, later on, I will certainly discipline this child properly and never let him do foolish things again.”

Jian Zhen said, “None of that is important. The priority is for you to take care of your health.”

The little boy outside brought in a bowl of black, murky medicine.

Jian Zhen looked at him. He was not even as tall as Jian Zhen’s waist, yet he already understood how to shoulder these household burdens.

The woman took the medicine and drank a couple of mouthfuls, yet still looked worriedly at the child. She said, “Little Qing, you must not go to Boss Wang’s shop and do foolish things again. Mother has told you, those things are no longer ours. Your father already sold them long ago.”

The little boy’s thin hand clutched the corner of his mother’s clothes, his voice tinged with tears. “Mother, I don’t want you to die.”

The woman’s nose grew sour. She hugged the child and said, “Silly child, Mother’s illness will get better after some time. Don’t think nonsense, understand?”

In the cramped little house, the mother and son clung tightly to each other.

Jian Zhen watched this scene and silently left. Not far away, Fu Changhuan, standing outside the courtyard, had also witnessed everything. Jian Zhen untied the pouch containing his spirit stones and hung it on a tree in the courtyard.

Fu Changhuan watched him finish all this without stopping him.

Jian Zhen walked outside the courtyard and said, “Senior brother, let’s go.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Do you think that by doing this, this matter can be resolved?”

Jian Zhen froze. “Then…”

Fu Changhuan turned around and said, “Follow me.”

Jian Zhen looked at his somewhat resolute back. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately stepped forward and followed. He saw Fu Changhuan walk all the way to the pawnshop. Jian Zhen’s heart tightened, afraid that his senior brother, who cultivated the Path of Heartlessness with single-minded devotion, would impartially hand the child over.

Standing before the counter, Fu Changhuan said, “Shopkeeper, does that child from earlier often come here?”

The shopkeeper had originally not wanted to answer, but upon raising his head and seeing Fu Changhuan’s appearance and the token at his waist, he immediately changed his attitude. He said, “Yes, that child, so stubborn. You see, our shop doesn’t owe their family anything at all. His father wasn’t a good man. He sold the goods, took the money, and ran away. What does that have to do with our pawnshop!”

Jian Zhen felt troubled listening to this.

Fu Changhuan, however, directly took out a pouch of spirit stones and said, “Is this money enough for the price of those items?”

Joy spread across the shopkeeper’s face. He quickly said, “Enough, enough! Immortal Lord, do you mean that when that boy comes again, we should return those items to him?”

Fu Changhuan said, “No.”

The shopkeeper was stunned. Even Jian Zhen was somewhat dumbfounded.

Standing before the counter, Fu Changhuan’s back was straight and his expression clear. He said, “The items have already been sold to you. Payment and goods have both been settled. If you return them without cause, you will only spoil that child and teach him to disregard the law.”

The shopkeeper hesitated. “Then Immortal Lord, what do you mean?”

Fu Changhuan said, “If that child comes again, you will take him in as a hired worker in your shop. This is his wages for one year. After one year, when his mother recovers from her illness, you will let him go to Spirit Mountain to cultivate.”

At the sight of the high-grade spirit stones, the shopkeeper’s eyes gleamed. Even spirit stones had ranks, those circulating in the market were generally low-grade or mid-grade. Someone as generous as Fu Changhuan was a first for him!

Fu Changhuan lightly tapped with his finger, his voice somewhat cold. “These spirit stones carry my divine sense. If…”

The shopkeeper immediately understood and, in fear, said, “Immortal Lord, rest assured. I will certainly handle the matters you’ve instructed. Though we are merely merchants, we absolutely will not withhold a child’s wages.”

Only then did Fu Changhuan nod. Turning to Jian Zhen, he said, “Let’s go.”

A smile slowly appeared on Jian Zhen’s face.

On the road back to Spirit Mountain, he kept smiling, walking with little hops, looking utterly cheerful. Fu Changhuan directly brought him back to the highest peak of Spirit Mountain’s palace halls.

Fu Changhuan said, “Grandmaster Ancestor has come out of seclusion. In a while, we must go together to pay our respects.”

Jian Zhen nodded. “Alright.”

On the way to the Grandmaster Ancestor’s hall,

Fu Changhuan glanced at him from the side and said, “That child now has somewhere to go. It makes you this happy.”

“No,” Jian Zhen said. “I’m happy because of Senior Brother.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Because of me?”

Jian Zhen: “Mm. At first, I was worried Senior Brother wouldn’t care about that child, and might even convict him of theft. But Senior Brother still helped them. Now that child and his mother have a future ahead of them. They must be especially happy. It’s all thanks to you, Senior Brother!”

Seeing him so excited and chattering, Fu Changhuan was somewhat helpless, but still said, “It’s already rather late today. We didn’t properly stroll around here. Let’s return first. If you’re worried about them, you can come take another look tomorrow.”

Jian Zhen happily said, “Okay!”

It was already late; they could not linger here.

Because they would be going down the mountain again tomorrow, Fu Changhuan brought Jian Zhen back to the palace halls at Spirit Mountain’s peak and let him stay in a side hall, convenient for descending the mountain the next day. After arranging everything,

Fu Changhuan said, “Grandmaster Ancestor has already come out of seclusion. I’m going to pay my respects. Will you come with me?”

Jian Zhen thought that he should also meet Master, so he agreed. “Alright.”

When they arrived at the Grandmaster Ancestor’s hall,

Fu Changhuan said, “Wait outside. I will go in first.”

Jian Zhen obediently said, “Understood.”

While waiting outside, he was no longer as lost as the first time. Perhaps after these days in this world, his heart had grown much more settled, especially after discovering today that Senior Brother was still the Immortal Venerable from his memories, gentle and kind.

If that were the case…

Jian Zhen’s thoughts began to wander. Could he perhaps persuade the Immortal Venerable in this time and space to let go of his prejudice against the Demon Clan? If he could refrain from acting against Ye Jisheng, then in the future Spirit Mountain would not face calamity.

Perhaps all of this could be changed, could be salvaged.

Just as Jian Zhen was thinking…

“Boom!”

A tremendous sound suddenly rang out from inside the hall. Jian Zhen’s heart jolted. Somewhat hesitant, he stepped forward to check what had happened.

After a few steps, he reached the edge of the cliff outside the flower garden.

Grandmaster Ancestor stood with his back to them among the flowers. His ink-black hair had already turned somewhat white. He seemed to sigh and said, “I have used my body to question the Dao. If this stone does not shatter, then my Immortal Clan will enjoy eternal peace. If this stone breaks apart, then within a hundred years, the Demon God will descend, and my Immortal Clan will gradually wither.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Heaven intends to destroy my Immortal Clan?”

Grandmaster Ancestor remained silent for a long time before saying, “The Demon Clan is destined to carve up this world.”

Fu Changhuan’s voice was rational and clear, without the slightest fear. He said, “Even if the Demon God truly appears, this disciple and all the disciples of Spirit Mountain will swear to the death to protect the Immortal Clan’s people.”

Grandmaster Ancestor shook his head. “Heaven’s mandate cannot be altered by human strength. If one truly wishes to stop the Demon God, there is only one method…”

Fu Changhuan said, “What is it?”

A cold wind blew from the edge of the cliff. Grandmaster Ancestor’s white hair fluttered, making him appear even colder. “When the Demon God undergoes his tribulation, use the God-Slaying Grand Formation to completely seal his divine power.”

Fu Changhuan said, “The God-Slaying Grand Formation, that is an ancient killing array. There is actually still a place in this world capable of activating it?”

Grandmaster Ancestor stroked his beard and said, “The ancient divine mountain, Wanmie Mountain, stirs once every ten thousand years. At that time, a fissure will open within the mountain. Only there is the sole place between Heaven and Earth capable of sealing a god.”

Fu Changhuan said, “If that is so, then must we not first find the reincarnation of the Demon God?”

Grandmaster Ancestor nodded and said, “I will leave this matter to you. Since the heavenly signs have already appeared, a person bearing a divine godhead will certainly emerge.”

Fu Changhuan responded, “If we find him…”

Grandmaster Ancestor’s voice was faint in the cold wind, yet carried endless chill. “The day the God-Slaying Grand Array is completed will be the day of his death.”

A soft sound of inhalation broke the silence.

Jian Zhen had failed to control his breathing; it was noticed by the two great figures above the Nascent Soul stage, or rather, with his cultivation level, the moment he stepped in, he had already been discovered. They simply had not avoided him.

Grandmaster Ancestor waved his hand and said, “Wangyou, take your junior brother back.”

Fu Changhuan nodded. “Yes.”

In the night, Fu Changhuan’s snow-colored robes approached. He said to Jian Zhen, “Let’s go.”

Jian Zhen’s mind was numb. He only nodded and mechanically followed. At this moment, his thoughts were in complete turmoil, and he could not speak at all, until Fu Changhuan said, “Frightened?”

Jian Zhen did not know how to answer.

Fu Changhuan said, “Regarding the Heavenly Dao and the future calamity of our Immortal Clan, such matters are indeed too shocking for you. But you need not be afraid. Grandmaster Ancestor and we will handle it properly.”

Jian Zhen did not dare say that what he feared was precisely this.

Fu Changhuan glanced at him and said, “Since Grandmaster Ancestor is willing to let you know, it means he trusts your ability. The coming hundred years will not be peaceful. You must be mentally prepared.”

Jian Zhen steadied himself and cautiously said, “Senior Brother… must we and the Demon Clan truly fight to mutual destruction?”

Fu Changhuan said, “What are your thoughts?”

“I just think…” Jian Zhen said softly, “Look at the little boy we met in the city. He seemed to have done something wrong, but he had his reasons. At that time, didn’t you give him a chance as well? Perhaps we could also be like that time…”

Fu Changhuan interrupted him. “Jian Zhu.”

Jian Zhen looked up at him.

In the night, Fu Changhuan’s gaze was indifferent. He said, “I helped that child not because I have emotions, but because he is a citizen of the Immortal Clan. I am Spirit Mountain’s eldest disciple. It is my responsibility to protect every citizen of the Immortal Clan from suffering. The Demon Clan and we are two different races, destined mortal enemies.”

“Now that the Demon Clan poses a threat to us, they are our enemy. Protecting our people and exterminating the enemy, that is our mission.” Fu Changhuan’s gaze settled on him. “I know you are soft-hearted and keep close company with some enslaved members of the Demon Clan. But you are Grandmaster Ancestor’s disciple, my junior brother. One day, this responsibility will also fall upon you.”

The night wind blew past, carrying a chill.

Fu Changhuan looked down at him and said coldly, “You must make a choice between the two. Do you understand?”

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