Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Want me to back down because it’s tough? (Second Update)
At the foot of the mountain belonging to the Profound Yellow Sect.
Some Jianghu People, who had acted ahead of others, had already figured out the location of the Profound Yellow Sect and had gathered there early on, lying in wait.
They did not know that Xu Nian was manipulating all this from behind the scenes.
Their purpose in coming to the Profound Yellow Sect was simple.
It was for the Black Dragon Dagger.
How could such an obscure, small Sect be qualified to possess the Black Dragon Dagger, one of the Nine Dragon Keys? Such a marvel of Jianghu belonged to them all!
However, after arriving at the Profound Yellow Sect, they discovered something amiss.
To be precise, they realized why the Profound Yellow Sect had the Power to retain the Black Dragon Dagger.
Stench!
It was overwhelmingly stinky!
The entire area at the foot of the Sect’s mountain was utterly permeated with an indescribable stench.
Among those who roamed Jianghu, most were men.
As the saying goes, "stinky men, stinky men."
It was almost embarrassing to claim to be a Jianghu wanderer if one didn’t carry a bit of an odor.
Never mind foot odor; a bit of body odor was commonplace.
But compared to the stench at the foot of the Profound Yellow Sect’s mountain, their own odors were laughably faint.
There was no comparison!
The first group who attempted to enter the Profound Yellow Sect under cover of night passed out less than a hundred meters into their journey, and no one has yet dared to retrieve them.
If it weren’t for the Stone Stele at the foot of the Mountain carved with the words "Profound Yellow Sect," they would have suspected they had come to the wrong place.
Is this not the Mountain where the Common People of Liang City dispose of their excrement?
Members of the Flying Fish Gang gathered at the foot of the Mountain, along with other Jianghu factions, none of which had a Grandmaster Realm expert to bolster them.
Chen Xuanfeng, the leader of the Flying Fish Gang, was examining some information about the Profound Yellow Sect that his subordinates had collected.
The information mostly detailed events concerning the Profound Yellow Sect over the past one month.
Challenging Major Sects.
A group of their Disciples ganging up to beat a Disciple from another Sect.
When facing powerful experts, they would fight desperately, aiming for mutual destruction.
All these reports, without exception, spoke of how ruthless the Disciples of the Profound Yellow Sect were.
For the sake of fame, they didn’t even seem to care about their own lives.
Indeed, because of this, the Profound Yellow Sect had become the number one force in Fengxiang Prefecture in less than one month.
"Boss, Six has climbed back from the Mountain." At that moment, a subordinate hurried over to report the latest news.
Hearing this, Chen Xuanfeng quickly put down the intelligence report and had his subordinate lead the way to check on the situation.
This Six was one of their men sent to scout the Profound Yellow Sect’s recent conditions.
But he had collapsed at the foot of the Mountain, having traveled less than a hundred meters.
Many, like Six, had been sent to scout, but it now seemed only Six had returned alive.
When Chen Xuanfeng arrived, Six had already recovered, his face filled with profound relief.
He looked as if he had just clawed his way out from the deepest pits of hell.
In just one day, Six felt as if he had experienced countless years.
He had relied solely on his willpower to endure the horrific odor, crawling all the way down the Mountain.
Free from the enveloping stench, he was, for the first time, truly grateful to be alive.
"Six? What did you encounter on the Mountain?" Chen Xuanfeng immediately inquired. "Did the Profound Yellow Sect Disciples attack you?"
With so many sent out and only Six returning, Everyone assumed they had been ambushed.
But Six, a grateful smile on his face, shook his head and said, "We didn’t see any Profound Yellow Sect Disciples. We hadn’t even gone a hundred meters before the stench knocked us all out."
Knocked out by a stench? How absurd! Chen Xuanfeng gave him a peculiar look.
Six continued, "The smell seems to be poisonous. Shortly after we inhaled it, our legs began to weaken. Most of the others are probably dead from the stench by now."
Dead from stench? Chen Xuanfeng mused. He had heard of being hacked to death, poisoned to death, and worked to death, but this was the first time he had heard of someone being stunk to death. Was the Profound Yellow Sect truly this unorthodox?
Chen Xuanfeng frowned and asked, "Are you sure? You really didn’t see a single person?"
Six shook his head and explained, "No. Or rather, we didn’t even reach a place where Disciples might have appeared."
They had only covered about a hundred meters.
The Dung Beetle guarding the foot of the Mountain had simply logged off to sleep for the night.
It would be a miracle if they saw anyone at night.
If they tried to ascend during the day, such a large group would undoubtedly alert the entire Profound Yellow Sect, which was why they had chosen to move at night.
But at night, most of the Profound Yellow Sect Disciples weren’t typically at the Mountain’s base.
Dung Beetle alone could hold the pass against ten thousand foes.
This could even be considered unlocking a life achievement for him.
Their inability to ascend the Mountain now was a significant problem.
The situation on the Mountain was unclear. They were exposed while their enemy remained hidden. If they went up and ran into an ambush, they’d be trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice bait—a complete net loss.
Maybe we should wait a bit?
Chen Xuanfeng began to hesitate.Just then, on the distant Official Road, a carriage approached at an unhurried pace.
Surrounding the carriage were numerous experts exuding strong auras. The two middle-aged men driving the horses, in particular, possessed terrifyingly powerful presences.
Grandmasters?! If Grandmasters are driving the horses, who could possibly be in the carriage? The Jianghu People guarding the area also looked puzzled.
Chen Xuanfeng, having rather good judgment, knew these people were not to be trifled with and led his men to step aside and observe.
A few less discerning individuals drew their weapons and moved to intercept.
But before they could get close, the escorts surrounding the carriage swiftly struck.
BANG!
SWISH!
In the blink of an eye, those imprudent Jianghu men were cut down, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground.
This display served as an effective deterrent.
The carriage passed by the crowd and stopped a short distance away.
Clearly, the stench had blocked their path as well.
"This damn stench is too much, isn’t it?"
"GAG— It’s the first time in my life I’ve smelled something this foul."
"Should we also back off a bit?"
"Don’t be nosy! Don’t forget our identities—GAG—"
"..."
This carriage had indeed come from Fengxiang Prefecture City. Specifically, it was the one carrying Shen Rongyin.
Zhou Yuntong had brought back Old Man Wang’s Corpse and relayed Xu Nian’s message.
An infuriated Shen Rongyin had then personally led her people to the Profound Yellow Sect.
It had to be said that Xu Nian, by killing her man, had essentially slapped Shen Rongyin in the face.
Naturally, Shen Rongyin would not swallow such an insult.
However, when they arrived at the foot of the Profound Yellow Sect’s mountain, they too were overwhelmed by the stench and could not advance.
Zhou Yuntong had never mentioned that the Profound Yellow Sect had such a tactic.
"Let’s back off," a cold, slightly strange voice said from inside the carriage.
Heaven’s Defect and Earth’s Lack immediately turned the horses and retreated, with the others following closely behind.
What a setback! They hadn’t even ascended the Mountain, and the stench had already forced them to retreat. It was too embarrassing to even mention.
By the time they retreated to where the other Jianghu People were gathered, the stench was less intense, and Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Heaven’s Defect scanned the surrounding Jianghu People. "My Lady," he said, "there are Jianghu People all around. It’s best if you don’t show yourself."
Although they were mostly of lower Realms, the strongest being only First-Grade Martial Artists, their numbers were considerable.
If chaos erupted, he and Earth’s Lack wouldn’t have to worry about themselves, but Shen Rongyin’s safety would become a major concern.
Inside the carriage, Shen Rongyin frowned slightly and asked softly, "Why have they come here?"
Earth’s Lack said thoughtfully, "They are probably here for a Nine Dragon Key. One of the Nine Dragon Keys is Inside the Profound Yellow Sect. They likely intend to join forces to seize it."
Hearing this, Shen Rongyin couldn’t help but sneer.
Trying to snatch something from that Seventh Prince? Were these Jianghu People tired of living, courting death?
"Is there no way to ascend the Mountain?" Shen Rongyin asked coldly. "I do not wish to waste time here!"
Ascend the Mountain? The stench at its foot was a significant obstacle. Those in the Grandmaster Realm could block their breathing and charge through, but it would be impossible for Shen Rongyin. So many Jianghu People were already stuck here. How could an Ordinary person like her, devoid of Internal Energy, possibly make it up?
Earth’s Lack sighed, "This matter is perhaps... My brother and I can ascend, but Your Ladyship might not be able to."
This was too devious! Had the Profound Yellow Sect done this intentionally? When Zhou Yuntong and the others went up, wasn’t the path clear? Why, now that she had come personally, was there suddenly such a barrier at the foot of the Mountain? Were they trying to give her a show of force, to intimidate her?
Inside the carriage, Shen Rongyin clenched her teeth, her fair hands gripping each other tightly.
At this moment, she wished she could strangle Xu Nian.
This prince, who had brought her such humiliation, was clearly targeting her.
Fine! He wanted her to back down in the face of difficulty? She absolutely refused to leave!
"Heaven’s Defect," Shen Rongyin said through gritted teeth, "go up there yourself. If he doesn’t allow me to ascend, break his arms and legs and drag him down!"
Earth’s Lack, who was driving the horses, gestured to Heaven’s Defect beside him.
The two understood each other implicitly, a single glance conveying the meaning.
Moreover, with Earth’s Lack present, the surrounding Jianghu People wouldn’t dare to approach.
The next moment, Heaven’s Defect leaped up. Circulating his Internal Energy to hold his breath, his figure forceful and swift, he charged up the Mountain.
"He’s gone up! That Grandmaster Realm expert went up!"
"Heaven’s Defect and Earth’s Lack? What are they doing here? Could it be that someone important from the Shen Family is in that carriage?"
"I heard Heaven’s Defect and Earth’s Lack escorted an Imperial Consort from the Capital City. The one in the carriage must be the Eldest Miss from the Shen Family who married His Majesty."
"People from the Imperial Court? We’d better be careful not to be misunderstood by them."
"..."
The Jianghu People recognized Heaven’s Defect and Earth’s Lack and immediately chose not to provoke them.
There was no way around it. These were people they couldn’t afford to provoke. Earth’s Lack alone could slaughter them all here. A Grandmaster Realm expert wasn’t just a title; it signified genuine, formidable ability. Heaven’s Defect and Earth’s Lack had been renowned for many years. They were once wanted by the Imperial Court and had only survived thanks to the Shen Family. Even so, they weren’t individuals these Jianghu People could easily offend. Avoiding them was the wisest course of action, especially since the Eldest Miss of the Shen Family was in the carriage. The Ten Great Clans all recruited numerous experts, and the Shen Family was no exception. There was no need to risk their lives over something so trivial. They could forget about the Black Dragon Dagger. Staying alive was what mattered most.
Chen Xuanfeng was reasonable enough to realize there was no chance of obtaining the Black Dragon Dagger now, especially since the Shen Family had arrived. What use was there in competing further?
Promptly, he led his men away from the Profound Yellow Sect, their direction suggesting they were heading towards Celestial Origin Mansion.
Seeing the Flying Fish Gang members leaving, the other Jianghu People also knew their hopes were dashed and began to hastily pack up and retreat.
Let the Shen Family deal with the tough nut that was the Profound Yellow Sect. They would head to Celestial Origin Mansion first and try to connect with the person who possessed a Nine Dragon Key. If they managed to get noticed, perhaps they could even team up to search for the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, right? After all, when you’re alive, you can’t just stake everything on one failing venture...
Earth’s Lack, hearing the movements around them, calmly said, "My Lady, they have all left."
Inside the carriage, Shen Rongyin’s face was cold. "Ignore them," she said. "I came here personally this time. That Luo... Xu Nian cannot refuse to meet me! If certain accounts aren’t settled clearly, it will be a lingering problem—not just for me and the Shen Family, but even for you two brothers!"