Translator: CinderTL
Cloudveil City.
In a room at a cultivator's inn, Song Wen sat on a low couch, clutching Qi Luo's Communication Jade Slip.
[Qi Luo, it's been so long... Are you well?]
Song Wen's voice trembled with emotion, as if he were a devoted man about to reunite with his long-lost beloved.
[Ye Hua, you vanished almost twenty years ago! I thought you were dead!] Qi Luo finally replied three hours later, her tone tinged with mockery.
Song Wen felt a pang of unease at the resentment in her words.
Years ago, Qi Luo had sought to meet him, but he had refused, fearing she had ulterior motives—that she might try to harm him to conceal her involvement in Chi Pei's death.
Now, needing her help, he worried she might still harbor resentment from that past encounter and refuse to assist him.
[For the past twenty years, I've thought of you constantly, longing to fly to your side. But I was gravely injured and had to retreat into seclusion to heal. As soon as I recovered, I rushed to Cloudveil City, just to see you again,] Song Wen explained urgently, his expression earnest.
Qi Luo replied, "Ye Hua, though we once had some entanglements, that's all in the past. Why bring it up again? From now on, it's best we avoid seeing each other. Hong Zhe and the others haven't left the Qicang Domain yet, after all."
"Chi Pei has been dead for forty years," Song Wen asked, genuinely surprised. "Has the Divine Blood Gate still not given up investigating his death?"
"Who knows?" Qi Luo replied. "Anyway, Hong Zhe and his group are still at the Veiled Moon Hall. They rarely venture out except for occasional trips to the Qianchang Wilderness. I have no idea what they're up to, but I suspect they have ulterior motives."
Song Wen fell silent for a moment before sending a message with a hint of sorrow.
"Since you don't wish to see me, I won't force the issue. Knowing you're safe and well is enough for me."
Then, shifting his tone, Song Wen continued, "I have a favor to ask."
"Go ahead," Qi Luo replied. "Considering our past connection, I'll help you with anything reasonable."
"In the past twenty years, has anything significant happened at the Veiled Moon Hall?" Song Wen asked.
"No," Qi Luo replied, then asked suspiciously, "You have no ties to the Veiled Moon Hall. Why are you asking about their affairs?"
A faint smile curved Song Wen's lips.
Song Wen was now certain that Du'e, fearing exposure of their private transaction involving a thousand Bodhi Spirit Cores, had not reported Song Wen's secret cultivation of the Corpse King's Rebirth Art to the Veiled Moon Hall.
Perhaps I can use this to blackmail Du'e into handing over even more Bodhi Spirit Cores, Song Wen thought to himself.
Instead of answering Qi Luo's question, he abruptly changed the subject.
[Qi Luo, though you refuse to see me, my feelings for you remain unchanged. I hope that after the Divine Blood Gate departs, we can rekindle our past. I will come looking for you then. I only hope... you won't forget me.]
After sending this message, Song Wen ignored Qi Luo's reaction. He put away her Communication Jade Slip and retrieved Du'e's.
This jade slip had originally belonged to Hui Zhen, Du'e's son.
[Venerable Du'e, do you remember me?] Song Wen's voice carried a sinister edge, laced with veiled threats.
Du'e replied almost immediately.
[You dare to show your face, you little whelp! You must be in Cloudveil City right now. If I report your cultivation of the Corpse King's Rebirth Art to the Veiled Moon Hall, even with all your tricks, you won't escape!]
Song Wen scoffed, "Master Du'e, why the empty threats? If you truly intended to expose me, you would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?"
After a brief pause, Du'e replied:
[Young man, what do you want? Why not end this now? Let's keep our affairs separate, like well water and river water, and leave each other in peace. If you keep silent about the thousand Bodhi Spirit Cores, I won't reveal your secret cultivation of the Corpse King's Rebirth Art.]
Song Wen sneered, "Great Master, you operate in the open, while I lurk in the shadows. Even if both our secrets were exposed, you would be the first to die. Moreover, as the abbot of Dry Zen Temple, you hold immense power and prestige. Wouldn't it be a pity for you to die like this? As for me, I'm just a lowly rogue cultivator—my death would be insignificant!"
[What exactly are you after? State your intentions clearly!] Du'e demanded, his tone darkening.
Song Wen asked, "What did you do with the Divine Transformation Stage female cultivator who was with me back then?"
Du'e replied, "I did nothing to her. After failing to capture you, I turned my pursuit on her. But she had already vanished without a trace."
Song Wen pressed, "Is she truly still alive?"
[Daoist Du'e: I don't know if she's still alive, but I didn't kill her. Did you contact me because you thought I had and wanted to die with me?]
[Song Wen: Great Master, you misunderstand. I have no desire to die. I contacted you to demand compensation for my losses.]
[Du'e: Losses... what losses?]
[Song Wen: Naturally, the thousand-plus Bodhi Spirit Cores on that island.]
[Du'e: You dare demand Bodhi Spirit Cores? Do you have a death wish?]
[Song Wen: Great Master, your threats are meaningless. If you compensate me with two thousand 400-year-old Bodhi Spirit Cores, we'll never cross paths again. Otherwise, we'll both perish!]
[Du'e: Absolutely impossible. I can't produce that many Bodhi Spirit Cores.]
[Song Wen: Then how many can you offer?]
[Du'e: Back then, all the Bodhi Spirit Cores from the island were still in my possession. I'll give you everything I have left. How does that sound?]
[Song Wen: Not enough! I nearly died at your hands. I deserve proper compensation.]
[Du'e: Then I'll add two hundred more 400-year-old cores.]
[Song Wen: Five hundred!]
Daoist Du'e: "Very well, I agree. How shall I deliver these Bodhi Spirit Cores to you?"
Instead of answering, Song Wen countered with a question: "When can you gather all the Bodhi Spirit Cores?"
Daoist Du'e: "At most, three days."
Song Wen: "Then I'll contact you again in three days, Great Master."
After ending the communication with Du'e, Song Wen left the inn.
However, several hours later, he returned.
Two days later, he received another message from Du'e:
[The Bodhi Spirit Cores you requested are now fully prepared.]
Song Wen replied: [Great Master, you certainly act with lightning speed. Please place the Spirit Herbs in a storage ring, take it to Mountain White Falls, located 300,000 li east of Cloudveil City, and toss the ring into the deep pool beneath the waterfall. That will suffice.]
[You won't meet me in person for the exchange?] Du'e's voice carried a hint of surprise, and perhaps even disappointment.
Song Wen: [I wouldn't dare meet you face-to-face, Great Master. You'd best set out immediately. If the storage ring containing the Bodhi Spirit Cores doesn't appear in the Cold Pool within fifteen minutes, the deal is off.]
[No problem. However, I hope this is the last time you contact this humble monk. If you ever dare to use this matter to threaten me again, I will not hesitate to take us both down with me rather than be manipulated by you.] Du'e's voice was strained with suppressed rage.
Song Wen: [Rest assured, Great Master. I always keep my word. As long as you follow my instructions, I won't cause any further trouble. But if you try any tricks, don't blame me for retaliating without mercy.]
(End of the Chapter)
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