Chapter 188: Purple Robe Venerable, Interception on the River
A single river flows through ten thousand majestic peaks, a strategic gateway to Jingxiang, its power speaks!
The river wound through the mountains, the peaks towering on either side, the landscape constantly shifting, a narrow passage opening into a wide expanse, towering cliffs giving way to gentle slopes.
Jagged rocks, steep cliffs, winding valleys, and towering peaks lined the riverbanks.
Shi Hao and Sha Lingshan sat facing each other in the cabin of the pleasure boat, Little Emerald perched on a corner of the low table between them.
Peach Blossom Lady, her movements graceful, poured them tea, then retreated quietly.
Shi Hao sipped his tea, gazing out the window at the passing scenery.
Having lived in the mountainous region of Shu since his arrival in this world, he was accustomed to such landscapes.
But even so, the towering cliffs of Wu Gorge, seemingly piercing the heavens, made him feel small and insignificant, a stark reminder of the power of nature.
Dark thunderclouds gathered above, lightning flashing, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
Sha Lingshan said softly, “As the saying goes, ‘Anything unusual is demonic.’ And there’s also the saying, ‘When a nation is about to fall, demons and monsters will appear.’ With the world in chaos, strange and inexplicable phenomena are becoming more common.”
Shi Hao said, “The jianghu has always been filled with eccentric individuals and powerful, monstrous figures. But in the past, with the Supreme Emperor’s overwhelming power, they remained hidden.
“Now, however, I’ve heard that Lie Zunyi hasn’t been seen for several years. And even he, despite his power, can’t live forever. Three hundred years is a long life. And with the barbarian court’s decline, those who have been biding their time are starting to make their moves.”
As he spoke, he looked towards the cliff ahead. A figure in purple robes descended rapidly, using his internal energy to control his descent, the billowing robes slowing his fall.
Against the backdrop of the dark thunderclouds, he looked like a celestial being descending from the heavens.
He landed on the water in front of the boat, facing Sha Lingshan. She, following Shi Hao’s gaze, saw the descending figure and, waving her fan, smiled, “It seems he’s here for us.”
A wave of force pressed down on the water, rocking the boat.
The man in purple stood on the water’s surface, the ripples spreading outwards.
Plum Blossom Lady, losing control of the boat momentarily, was pushed back half a zhang.
Little Emerald snorted, “What an arrogant old man.”
Sha Lingshan smiled, “I’ll go and greet him.” She stood up gracefully, exited the cabin, and stepped onto the bow of the boat, her light footwork stabilizing it.
The old man in purple, standing on the water, said, “Are you Pavilion Lord Sha of the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion?”
Sha Lingshan, waving her fan, smiled, “And you, sir, with your imposing aura, are you Venerable Li Shanwen, the Purple Robe Venerable, of the Poisonous Sunflower Sect?”
Li Shanwen, the Purple Robe Venerable, his eyes flashing like lightning, stared at her. Sha Lingshan, unfazed, her left hand holding her sleeve behind her back, her right hand gently waving her fan, met his gaze.
Li Shanwen said, “The Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion has been quiet for a long time. I heard you recently reached the fourth rank and reappeared in the martial world, first slaughtering an entire family in Huo Prefecture, then defeating Li Ximing and Ghost Howl of the Ghost Extreme Sect at Changbai Mountain. You’ve become quite… notorious.”
Sha Lingshan said, “We demonic cultivators prefer to operate discreetly. I wouldn’t dare be so arrogant. The incident in Huo Prefecture was just an… unavoidable part of my advancement ritual. As for the… disagreement with the Ghost Extreme Sect, it was just a minor misunderstanding. Surely you, a respected elder of the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, wouldn’t interfere on their behalf?”
Li Shanwen snorted, his eyes fixed on her, “I’m not interested in your conflict with the Ghost Extreme Sect. I just want to know why you’re here in Wu Gorge.”
Sha Lingshan, waving her fan, smiled, “Is Wu Gorge your Poisonous Sunflower Sect’s territory now?”
Li Shanwen’s voice was low and serious, “I’m simply curious. Although our sects have had our disagreements in the past, there’s no real animosity between us. I just want to know if your presence here… conflicts with our own interests.”
Sha Lingshan looked up at the swirling thunderclouds, “Are you… responsible for this weather?”
Li Shanwen snorted, “We don’t have that kind of power… Are you here because of it?”
Sha Lingshan smiled, “What if I said we’re just passing through, not involved in whatever you’re doing here, and not interested in knowing? Would you believe me?”
Li Shanwen laughed, “With your word, I have nothing to worry about.” As he spoke, a black aura emanated from his feet, spreading across the water towards the boat.
Sha Lingshan’s voice was soft and melodious, “It seems you don’t trust me entirely.” She flicked her wrist, and a ring of fire appeared around the boat, spreading across the water’s surface.
Li Shanwen sneered, “I’m simply reminding you, although we demonic cultivators aren’t exactly allies, we shouldn’t be hindering each other.” He leaped onto the cliff face and disappeared.
Dead fish floated to the surface around the boat.
Sha Lingshan returned to the cabin and sat down across from Shi Hao, “I didn’t expect that old man to appear. The Poisonous Sunflower Sect has two elders, the ‘Evil Venerable’ and the ‘Poison Venerable,’ both fourth-rank experts. Although not widely known in the martial world, they’re infamous within the demonic sects.
“With the ‘Evil Venerable’ here, the ‘Crimson Rainbow Poison Venerable,’ He Longcheng, can’t be far. The Poisonous Sunflower Sect’s recent activities suggest they have… ambitious plans.”
Shi Hao said thoughtfully, “The Danyang Society is controlled by the Poisonous Sunflower Sect. They already control the upper Hanyang River. If they also control the Three Gorges, they’ll control the entire upper reaches of the Long River. Perhaps that’s their strategy.”
Sha Lingshan, however, shook her head, “Although ‘Huang Facai’ was one of theirs, Xiong Wanghu, the ‘Tiger Roaring Saber Hero,’ wouldn’t dare openly associate with the Poisonous Sunflower Sect. His reputation is his greatest asset. If his connection to the demonic sects was revealed, everything he’s built would crumble, just like Sheng Menghui.”
“And if they wanted to help Xiong Wanghu control the Three Gorges, the two elders of the Poisonous Sunflower Sect wouldn’t appear so openly. Although most in the martial world don’t know them, the demonic sects certainly do.”
The two elders were well-known figures within the demonic sects, their past actions making them easily recognizable.
“I don’t think the Poisonous Sunflower Sect’s actions here in Wu Gorge are related to Xiong Wanghu.”
Shi Hao, after a moment of thought, nodded, “That makes sense. The Poisonous Sunflower Sect must have other motives.”
Sha Lingshan waved her fan and smiled, “Regardless, their recent activities suggest they’re planning something big. We have to be careful.”
Suddenly, Plum Blossom Lady called out from outside, “Young Master, Miss Sha! A warship is approaching!”
Shi Hao and Sha Lingshan looked out the window.
The river, although winding, was wide enough for them to see a warship emerging from around the bend.
Its oars churning, the warship quickly approached.
Sha Lingshan said, “Move to the side.”
Plum Blossom Lady steered the boat towards the riverbank.
The warship, a two-decker with a ram and oars on both sides, could carry eight hundred men. Although smaller than the massive troop transports, it was still a formidable vessel.
Its reinforced bow, covered in iron plates, could easily crush smaller ships. Flags and weapons adorned its decks, its appearance menacing and intimidating.
It was a barbarian patrol ship.
The warship, much faster than their small pleasure boat, quickly caught up to them.
Soldiers lined the deck, and a barbarian officer in armor, a scar on his forehead, carrying a bow, stood at the front.
He waved his hand, and the soldiers aimed their bows at the pleasure boat.
The officer shouted, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Plum Blossom Lady, prepared for this, called out, “We are servants of the Marquis of Le Shan. Our young lady and master are inside. They were visiting Guangling and are now returning home, hoping to admire the scenery of Wu Gorge. We don’t know what’s happening here, with this strange weather. We’re just passing through.”
She had subtly altered her accent, adopting the speech patterns of the “royal” families, her voice soft but carrying clearly, hinting at her martial arts training.
The officer looked towards the pleasure boat. Sha Lingshan had closed the curtains, but his sharp gaze, piercing through the mist and the thin fabric, saw three figures inside, a young man and a young woman sitting by the window.
Although he couldn’t see their faces clearly, he wasn’t entirely convinced they were from a noble family.
He waved his hand, and the soldiers lowered their bows, their movements precise and disciplined, clearly elite troops.
The officer shouted, “Wu Gorge is dangerous now. Leave quickly, and don’t linger.”
Plum Blossom Lady said, “Thank you for the warning, General. May I ask what’s happening here? Why is the weather so strange?”
The officer snorted, “We’re investigating. Don’t ask questions.”
The warship continued on its way, quickly leaving them behind.
Sha Lingshan opened the curtains again and said, “It seems even the barbarian army doesn’t know what’s going on.”
Shi Hao said, “If they were involved, they would have sealed off Wu Gorge and evacuated the area long ago.”
Plum Blossom Lady said, “Young Master, Miss Sha, we’re approaching Flying Phoenix Peak and Goddess Peak.”
Shi Hao said, “Yes…” He didn’t finish his sentence.
A sudden explosion echoed from ahead, and everything changed.
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