Chapter 59: Return to Z City

Upon hearing Zhang Xiao's words, Shangguan Tianheng was momentarily stunned, his expression shifting abruptly. He exclaimed, "Are you mad? I don't know what your relationship with the bride is, but have you thought this through? The nine great sects have long wanted to eliminate you. Now you’re going to Kunlun? That’s courting death."

Zhang Xiao was well aware of this reasoning. Yet, as a man, to see his woman taken by another—such a thing might happen to others, but never to himself. With this resolve, Zhang Xiao declared firmly, "You need not help me with this favor, but I must go to Kunlun."

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s unwavering stance, Shangguan Tianheng realized that not even the First Emperor himself could stop such determination. He nodded and began to dispatch efforts to gather all recent intelligence on Kunlun.

Shangguan Tianheng was undeniably a genius—not in cultivation, but in business acumen. In no time, reports began arriving via transmission onto his desk.

Zhang Xiao sat nearby, carefully studying the intelligence. The more he read, the more astonished he became. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Tianheng’s domestic intelligence network to be so formidable. The reports detailed nearly every recent event in Kunlun, large and small. Zhang Xiao meticulously examined them one by one, but the core issue remained elusive.

Information on Lan Fang herself was sparse—only a few vague lines stating that she operated with simplicity and low profile in Kunlun, rarely attending sect activities, and thus had remained largely unknown within the sect.

Yet, just a month ago, she was suddenly summoned by Sect Leader Zhang Yifan to the Jade Void Hall. Soon after, rumors spread that Zhang Yifan and Lan Fang were to hold a dual cultivation ceremony a month later, during which Zhang Yifan would use Kunlun’s secret techniques to help Lan Fang break through to the Nascent Soul stage in one leap.

This news cast a heavy shadow over Zhang Xiao’s heart. The rest of the information was of little consequence. At that moment, Shangguan Tianheng entered with an urgent jade scroll: "Here’s an urgent report just delivered. I believe you will find it most interesting."

Zhang Xiao took the jade scroll and, using his spiritual perception, scanned its contents. His face changed immediately—it concerned Ni Weilan, that girl! The letter revealed that Kunlun was secretly searching for a disciple named Ni Weilan and had issued orders that once found, she must be brought back to the sect.

Judging from the last sect transmission record, Ni Weilan should be in her hometown—her own home. Why had she ventured elsewhere? Deep in thought, Zhang Xiao’s eyes suddenly brightened as he stood and said, “I’m going back to my country.”

At the northern edge of Chixue Ridge, a narrow sloping path, twisted and worn by constant cold winds, led to a nearby cave. Inside, darkness reigned, save for a strange spherical orb flickering atop the cavern ceiling.

Suddenly, spatial fluctuations emanated from the orb. A rift tore open in the void, and Zhang Xiao stepped out boldly. Surveying his surroundings, he smiled quietly.

This place was perilous and remote, guarded by veteran Qin soldiers at the mountain’s base. Few dared come here. Though Wang Ben seemed simple, he was evidently quite shrewd. As Zhang Xiao emerged, keen-eyed soldiers quickly spotted him, raising the alarm. Within moments, cavalry and infantry encircled his position. Though Zhang Xiao had spent time here before, the guards could hardly recognize him now.

Zhang Xiao promptly withdrew his jade token and handed it to a guard. The guard examined it and saw the words “Guardian of the Nation” engraved in clerical script, with the imperial seal of Qin Emperor stamped behind.

The guard immediately barked, “Cancel the alarm! Everyone back to their posts!” Hearing this, the troops withdrew their weapons and marched back orderly. The guard returned the jade token to Zhang Xiao and said, “So it is the Guardian of the Nation. The General has already been informed. If you return this way, you must visit him.”

Zhang Xiao nodded and followed the guard toward Wang Ben’s command tent.

Word of Zhang Xiao’s arrival had reached Wang Ben as soon as the alarm sounded. Though puzzled by the timing, Wang Ben was glad his brother had come to see him. He strode out with a smile and said, “Ha ha ha, it’s been a year. Your cultivation has improved greatly, brother! A pity and a blessing both. Prepare the wine!”

Seeing Wang Ben ready to drink, Zhang Xiao quickly stopped him with a wry smile, “I came on urgent business. Otherwise, I’d be glad to drink with you.”

Noting Zhang Xiao’s serious tone, Wang Ben was taken aback but said quickly, “Come, let’s talk in my tent.”

Inside, Zhang Xiao revealed everything. Upon hearing this, Wang Ben’s forehead veins bulged with anger as he roared, “A true man kills with his head held high. Brother, that Kunlun bastard is surely setting you up. Be extremely cautious!”

Unlike Shangguan Tianheng, Wang Ben’s thoughts diverged. Though he warned Zhang Xiao to be careful, he did not try to stop him. If it were Wang Ben himself, he too would find it impossible to resist going to Kunlun.

Inspired by Wang Ben’s bold spirit, Zhang Xiao cut to the chase: “Brother, do you have a Military Merit Pavilion here? I want to exchange my military merits for crystallized energy.”

Wang Ben was stunned. Crystallized energy was a precious resource. Even Mount Mao, which controlled the nation’s treasury, strictly regulated its production. It was costly to exchange—300 military merits for one unit—often making other rewards more worthwhile.

Yet, seeing Zhang Xiao’s insistence, Wang Ben acquiesced and took him to the pavilion. Zhang Xiao didn’t hesitate and exchanged all 5,000 of his military merits for 15 units of crystallized energy, sparing only 500 merits to acquire a human skin mask—a rare fourth-grade magical treasure that, when worn, concealed identity from all but Spirit Refinement experts.

Having spent all his military merits, Zhang Xiao wasted no time lingering at Chixue Ridge. After a brief farewell with Wang Ben, he used the ridge’s teleportation array to travel directly to Z City.

At the Mount Mao branch in Z City, Xia Tan was troubled, staring at an order from the sect’s inner gate. Now nearing the Nascent Soul stage, Xia Tan was one of the city’s top cultivators. Thanks to a Life Pill once given by Zhang Xiao, he had advanced early to the Golden Core stage.

But now, for the second time, the inner gate demanded his immediate return to cultivate. For most outer gate leaders, this would be a blessing. Xia Tan longed to return, for Mount Mao was strong, and Nascent Soul practitioners were emerging rapidly among inner disciples.

Yet he hesitated. If he left, his position as outer gate leader would be reassigned, and the new leader might discover Ni Weilan hidden in his estate. That would be disastrous.

He had considered sending Ni Weilan elsewhere, but Kunlun disciples had set a vast, unyielding net across Z City. Xia Tan was certain that if Ni Weilan left his estate, she would be immediately found.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Xia Tan’s agitation grew. Just then, a disciple entered: “Leader, a man outside claims to be an old acquaintance and gave me this note. He says if you read it, you will want to see him.”

Xia Tan took the note and read the three characters: Life Pill.

Even his seasoned composure faltered, and he stood abruptly, ready to leave. Then reconsidering, he smoothed his clothes and commanded a disciple, “Go invite him in.”

The disciple hurried off, for few were granted such an invitation by the leader. Soon, a rugged, stubbled middle-aged man strode into the hall.

Xia Tan was taken aback and scanned him with spiritual perception but detected no information, deepening his suspicions.

Seeing Xia Tan’s doubt, the rugged man laughed, “Why, Brother Xia, don’t you recognize me? The Life Pill I made back then still tasted good, didn’t it?”

Xia Tan’s eyes lit up. Clearing his throat, he smiled warmly, “How could I forget? Brother, I’ve missed you. Tonight, we’ll drink till dawn!”

He dismissed the others to prepare food and drink, then his expression darkened: “Is it really you?”

The rugged man’s face shifted suddenly, revealing an unremarkable visage.

None other than Zhang Xiao himself.

Relieved, Xia Tan stepped forward and punched Zhang Xiao’s chest, “You’ve come just in time. I was worrying what to do. Now you’re here.”

Zhang Xiao, curious, asked, “What happened?”

Xia Tan recounted his recent encounter with Ni Weilan. Knowing her close bond with Zhang Xiao, he was shocked to learn Kunlun was after her. She had sought refuge in his estate, for Kunlun dared not create trouble at the Mount Mao branch.

But now, the inner gate’s summons to return and cultivate Nascent Soul left Xia Tan no choice. He had delayed once, but the second call was final.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao’s heart swelled with gratitude—his brothers were truly reliable in critical moments.

Readers have expressed much debate over the heroine’s role, many dismissing her early appearances as insignificant. Admittedly, that’s the author’s oversight. Going forward, the heroine will meet a definitive end. Will the protagonist tread the path of demonic transformation or revenge? Dear readers, please leave your thoughts and support for the story.