Chapter 2238: Attacking the Mountain

“Aren't the people of Yuanjing Mountain coming out? Do you intend to be cowards forever?”

“A life for a life! Hand over the killer!”

“If you don't hand over the killer, we'll break through your mountain gate!”

“Yes, break through the mountain gate!”

“Break through the mountain gate!”

The crowd blocked the mountain gate, with people constantly shouting insults at the mountain, their emotions running high.

Inside the mountain gate, a group of Yuanjing Mountain disciples gathered in front of the Main Hall. Hearing the vulgar curses from outside, their faces flushed with anger.

Currently, Yuanjing Mountain is no longer just the master and his five disciples. During Senior Tongshe’s retreat, they followed their master’s instructions and accepted many new disciples. Senior Disciple Qingyan was to assume the duties of a Celestial Guard on behalf of their master. Qin San would occasionally go out, and even when he returned, he would remain in seclusion. Therefore, Qinghong was in charge of all mountain affairs, with Shuangluo assisting her. Most of these disciples were under their guidance. Just a few days ago, one of them caused trouble, leading to today’s misfortune.

The incident began with the rebuilding of Yuanjing Mountain’s gate.

In those days, Senior Tongshe, accompanied by his eldest disciple Qingyan, visited the Qingjiang Sect. He sparred with the Qingjiang Sect Leader, who was defeated and conceded. The essence of this sparring match was a wager, a contest of strength between the two sides. Afterward, Senior Tongshe and the Qingjiang Sect Leader had a private discussion, resulting in Yuanjing Mountain acquiring not only a mountain gate but also nearby cultivation resources, which had originally belonged to the Qingjiang Sect.

Near Yuanjing Mountain was a river called Qingtou River, flowing from north to south. The Qingjiang Sect was located upstream of the Qingtou River, built along its banks, hence its name. Originally, the entire Qingtou River basin was under the influence of the Qingjiang Sect; other rogue cultivators and small sects could only survive by their grace. The arrival of Senior Tongshe and Yuanjing Mountain shattered the peace of theingtou River basin, forcefully carving out a significant chunk of territory from the Qingjiang Sect’s domain.

However, for the Qingjiang Sect, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing. As more cultivators migrated from other areas, the Yongsang Immortal City and its surrounding landscape were significantly impacted. Small sects could only drift with the tide, and many regional powers were reshuffled, with countless sects disappearing into the annals of history. Senior Tongshe was a Celestial Guard, backed by the Immortal City. He had diligently served for many years and was already a deputy commander of a small team. The Qingjiang Sect Leader’s willingness to swallow his pride was precisely because he valued Senior Tongshe’s background, which could protect the peace of their region.

After the sparring match, both sides agreed to use a mountain range in the middle section of the Qingtou River as a boundary, dividing the river for governance and non-interference. However, firstly, Yuanjing Mountain was an outsider, and Senior Tongshe did not want to be overly aggressive. Secondly, at that time, the sect only consisted of the master and his five disciples, and their need for external cultivation resources was not great. Therefore, Senior Tongshe did not forcefully expel the Qingjiang Sect’s forces. South of the boundary, many resources were still controlled by the Qingjiang Sect. Seeing Yuanjing Mountain’s forbearance, the Qingjiang Sect extended its reach further and further, rendering the agreement between the two parties virtually null and void.

As Yuanjing Mountain gained more disciples, it became necessary to reclaim those resources to sustain the sect, inevitably leading to friction with the Qingjiang Sect. Awed by Senior Tongshe's reputation, the initial process went smoothly. Even though the Qingjiang Sect was displeased, they could only gradually withdraw their forces and dared not openly violate the agreement.

However, when the Qingjiang Sect retreated to the boundary, they encountered trouble. The mountain range designated as the boundary turned out to be a land of auspicious geomancy, containing several valuable resources that would greatly benefit Yuanjing Mountain, which cultivated both water and fire. They had to fight for it no matter what. Senior Tongshe, being new to the area, had not anticipated this point and had not definitively determined the ownership of the mountain range with the Qingjiang Sect back then.

Qinghong and Shuangluo repeatedly negotiated with the Qingjiang Sect. The negotiation process was exceptionally difficult, and there were many conflicts between the disciples of the two sects. Fortunately, both sides maintained restraint, and no casualties occurred.

Recently, the Qingjiang Sect suddenly behaved out of character, becoming aggressive and increasingly arrogant. Qinghong had a premonition that something was wrong, and soon after, an incident occurred: a Yuanjing Mountain disciple killed a Qingjiang Sect deacon.

The deacon's death was highly suspicious, but it was irrelevant; it was sufficient reason for the Qingjiang Sect to launch their offensive, leading to the current situation.

Qinghong stood in front of the Main Hall, her face as still as water.

Kneeling before her was a young man in red.

“Master!”

The young man in red was precisely the one who had killed the deacon. He kowtowed heavily, tears in his tiger-like eyes. “I dare not implicate Master and the sect. I will bear the consequences of my actions. I took a life, so I will repay them with my own. Please allow me to descend the mountain! I will repay the sect's kindness in my next life!” Seeing this, the other disciples felt grief and indignation, their hearts heavy.

The young man in red was named Lan Jingchuan, Qinghong’s eldest disciple and the senior-most disciple of Yuanjing Mountain’s third generation. He possessed not only exceptional talent but also virtue, enjoying great prestige among the disciples. He was the one who had accidentally killed the Qingjiang Sect deacon.

“Foolish!” Qinghong lightly rebuked him, “The Qingjiang Sect is intent on breaking their promise. Even if you commit suicide before them, they will find other reasons to continue their offensive.”

Shuangluo spoke softly, “Jingchuan, your master and I have both reviewed the recording of your fight with that deacon. We know you weren't lying. Under normal circumstances, your final strike at most would have only severely wounded him. His death must have another cause.” While comforting Lan Jingchuan, Shuangluo secretly transmitted a message to Qinghong, “Senior Sister, is there any news of Senior Disciple and Junior Disciple?” Her eyes held a hidden worry.

The Qingjiang Sect’s current offensive was fierce, appearing intent on breaking through the mountain protection formation and attacking Yuanjing Mountain. There was more to this incident than met the eye; something they were unaware of must have happened. Master was in seclusion, at a crucial point in breaking through a bottleneck. They absolutely could not disturb his cultivation. Only the four of them could stand at the forefront.

“Senior Disciple should have received the talisman message. Junior Disciple might not be in the Immortal City; I don't know where he went…” Qinghong’s tone shifted, “It's better if Junior Disciple doesn't return. If his talent were to be exposed, and given the current unclear situation, I fear someone hiding in the shadows with malicious intent might harm him!”

Yuanjing Mountain had protected Qin San very well. Only the master and his four disciples knew of Qin San's talent. Disciples like Lan Jingchuan only knew of this Junior Uncle by name, never having seen him in person.

Shuangluo felt a wave of lingering fear. They suspected that the Qingjiang Sect's current offensive was likely an attempt to force their master out and disrupt his breakthrough. If the enemy were to discover Junior Disciple's talent, they would certainly move against him in secret.

As the two communicated via spiritual transmission, the commotion outside the mountain grew louder, with some even starting to hurl loud insults. It wasn't only Qingjiang Sect cultivators gathered in front of Yuanjing Mountain. The Qingjiang Sect had brought the body to demand an explanation, doing so ostentatiously along the way, attracting various forces from the Qingtou River basin. At the front of the crowd, someone carried a coffin. The deacon lay inside, already dead. His body was very peculiar: one half appeared moist, with a layer of frost on its surface, while the other half was charred black, as if burned by fire. This anomaly perfectly matched the cultivation techniques of Yuanjing Mountain.

All Yuanjing Mountain disciples cultivated both water and fire, manifesting both elements with every strike, making their characteristics very distinct.

The deacon's family members wailed around the coffin, their cries exceedingly tragic, moving all who heard or saw them to sorrow and tears.

At the back of the crowd, several individuals with extraordinary demeanor watched Yuanjing Mountain coldly.

Regardless of how the victim’s family wailed, there was no movement within the mountain protection formation. Even the onlookers couldn't help but whisper among themselves, mostly blaming Yuanjing Mountain.

“Junior Sister, can you discern anything from the body?” Qinghong asked via spiritual transmission. The clamor outside the mountain did not affect her. She calmly pondered a way to resolve the situation. Of course, there were methods, but she was unsure of the Qingjiang Sect’s true reliance or what hidden circumstances lay behind their actions, so she dared not act rashly. Currently, the best way to break the deadlock was to start with that body.

Shuangluo gently shook her head. “Observing his death, it indeed appears he died from our sect's divine ability. It looks exactly as if Jingchuan killed him. I can't find any flaws either, unless there's someone else who also masters the Water and Fire Confluence Chapter.” The foundation of Yuanjing Mountain’s techniques was the Water and Fire Confluence Chapter of the 'Great Treatise on Yin and Yang and Correlative Phenomena'. It was not a simple simultaneous cultivation of water and fire. Even if someone could cultivate both water and fire techniques, they could not imitate Yuanjing Mountain’s unique characteristics.

At this moment, someone outside the mountain shouted, “Hmph! If you are unjust, do not blame us for being unrighteous. We will give you one more incense stick's worth of time. If you do not give the Qingjiang Sect an explanation after that, we will begin attacking your mountain protection formation!” The cultivators of Yuanjing Mountain were enraged by these words.

Qinghong and Shuangluo exchanged glances. Their delay was intentional, meant to probe the Qingjiang Sect’s intentions and gauge the extent of their confidence. They had not expected them to actually intend to attack Yuanjing Mountain.

Time slowly passed. The incense stick quickly burned down, but Yuanjing Mountain still gave no response.

The onlookers all turned to look at the Qingjiang Sect's side, wanting to know if they would dare to act.

*Whoosh!*

The Qingjiang Sect did not disappoint. The cultivators flew forward, shedding their disguises. It turned out they were led by the Qingjiang Sect Leader’s senior disciple, with various Qingjiang Sect elders positioned on either side. Aside from the Qingjiang Sect Leader, almost all of their top experts were present. It was only then that everyone realized the Qingjiang Sect was not bluffing; they truly intended to turn hostile against Yuanjing Mountain!

Some astute individuals, sensing the peculiar turn of events, quietly distanced themselves from the area, not wishing to be caught in the storm.

The Qingjiang Sect Leader’s senior disciple stepped forward from the crowd. He gazed up at the mountaintop, his sight seemingly able to penetrate the mountain protection formation and see the Yuanjing Mountain disciples in front of the Main Hall. He spoke, his voice slightly hoarse: “Deacon Xia was the direct grandson of our Qingjiang Sect’s previous Grand Elder. Elder Xia poured his heart and soul into the Qingjiang Sect, making immense contributions. One could say that without Elder Xia, there would be no Qingjiang Sect today. Now, Elder Xia’s descendant has been murdered, yet Yuanjing Mountain shelters the killer. If the Qingjiang Sect were to swallow this humiliation, wouldn’t it discourage everyone in our sect? Today, I, You Chen, will represent the Qingjiang Sect and seek justice for Elder Xia and Deacon Xia.”

His words resonated with conviction. You Chen’s gaze turned cold. “Elders, heed my command! Form ranks!” The cultivators behind him roared their assent. Each Qingjiang Sect elder led a team of disciples, flying into mid-air and forming a battle array in front of Yuanjing Mountain, their offensive directly aimed at the mountain protection formation.

“Kill!”

You Chen conjured a treasured sword and swung it forward. All the cultivators attacked in unison. Streams of light, like swimming dragons, soared into the sky, intertwining with each other at high altitudes, eventually forming a massive spear. Like a battering ram, it aimed at one of the light pillars of the mountain protection formation, poised to strike.

Witnessing this, Qinghong and Shuangluo no longer held any trace of hope. The Qingjiang Sect was not bluffing. They had to respond and find a way to resolve this crisis. Defending Yuanjing Mountain alone was by no means a long-term solution. If the mountain protection formation were to suffer a strong attack, the resulting tremors would shake Yuanjing Mountain and inevitably alert their master.

Qinghong’s figure flickered, then reappeared. She gazed into the distance, her expression slightly relaxed. “Senior Disciple is back!”

*Whoosh!*

Just as the giant spear was about to pierce Yuanjing Mountain, a flash of lightning suddenly appeared in the sky, followed by an angry roar: “Stop!”

The lightning was swift. Everyone recognized it as a streak of light, and they immediately guessed the identity of the newcomer. “Yuanjing Mountain’s Senior Disciple is here! I heard he’s also a Celestial Guard of the Immortal City, highly esteemed there. This is going to be interesting!”

Qingyan was quite renowned. His arrival stirred up a wave of discussion.

Meanwhile, outside Yuanjing Mountain.

In the mountains far away, beside a stream, there was a stone table and stone stools. Two figures sat on opposite sides of a chessboard, holding chess pieces and playing a game. One of them was the Qingjiang Sect Leader, and his opponent was an old man in a green robe.

It was the Qingjiang Sect Leader’s turn to move. He held a chess piece, hesitating, seemingly preoccupied.

The old man in green robe sensed something. He looked out into the distance beyond the mountain and said with a smile, “That fellow has returned. Only one junior disciple remains outside, which is nothing to worry about. The overall situation is now set. I must congratulate you in advance, fellow Daoist.”

The Qingjiang Sect Leader looked up, a cloud seemingly gathered between his brows. He only slightly relaxed when he saw the streak of light. “Only him?”

The old man in green robe calmly replied, “After all, that fellow is a Celestial Guard of Yongsang Immortal City. Ambushing and killing him mid-journey would cause great trouble. However, with my young master’s connections, it's possible to arrange for him to be temporarily separated from his companions. Once today is over, even if he brings reinforcements, it won't change anything.” He paused, then counter-questioned, “Are you still worried about Senior Tongshe, fellow Daoist?”

The Qingjiang Sect Leader had no mind for the game. He simply put the chess pieces back into the box and remained silent, clearly assenting to the old man’s words.

“Since the Qingjiang Sect has aligned with my Tianjing Gate, my Tianjing Gate will handle things. What are you afraid of, fellow Daoist? In the future, the Qingtou River will still belong to the Qingjiang Sect, and no one will compete with you for it again,” the old man in green robe said with an arrogant expression.

As the two spoke, Qingyan had already arrived at Yuanjing Mountain, his face filled with anger, blocking the path of the Qingjiang Sect cultivators.

With Qingyan’s return, Yuanjing Mountain finally opened its gate. Qinghong and Shuangluo led their people out.

The Qingjiang Sect Leader and the old man in green robe merely observed from a distance, showing no intention of revealing themselves.

Suddenly, the old man in green robe’s expression shifted slightly. He looked up and saw a white cloud drifting in the sky, appearing slow but moving swiftly.

A moment later, the white cloud descended, and three figures stepped down from it. One was a young man in white, followed by two beautiful women. This young man held a folding fan, with bright, star-like eyes, and an air of elegance and charm; he was truly a handsome young gentleman.

Facing the young man in white, the old man in green robe actually rose and bowed respectfully. “This old servant greets Young Master.”

The young man in white asked, “How is it going?”

The old man in green robe pointed towards Yuanjing Mountain and said, “Everything has been arranged as per your instructions, Young Master. We can close the net today.”

The young man in white nodded slightly, gazing towards Yuanjing Mountain. He happened to see Qinghong and Shuangluo flying out of the mountain gate together, and his expression suddenly changed.

*Snap!*

The young man in white snapped his folding fan open, his eyes fixed and sparkling, and he exclaimed in admiration.

“What a pair of peerless beauties!”