IS Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Sensing the fluctuation of his master’s aura, Shen Xingge didn’t feel very honored.

The distance to calling his master “Dao friend” seemed to be just a step away, but now it suddenly felt distant again.

His master was actually not a Dao cultivator in the Tribulation Transcending Stage. This feeling was like always believing that Sect Leader Lin was the gentle and kind person his master described, only to have his vocal cords cruelly silenced by him.

–His master had clearly told him before that the Micro-Snow Palace liked to hide its true strength and bide its time, definitely possessing hidden cards, which was not the way of a gentleman.

At that time, he didn’t understand what “biding one’s time” or “hiding one’s true strength” meant. Now he completely understood, it was referring to people like his master who concealed everything.

Secretly cultivating to become a Human Immortal without even letting his disciple know, was this really the way of a gentleman? His master was no longer a gentleman, and he was no longer the disciple of a gentleman. Shen Xingge felt overwhelmed with sorrow.

As the stalemate continued, another gray-robed Daoist slowly approached from outside the town.

Also a Guardian True Man, the aura on his body was powerful, not inferior to Yu Hu. He recognized that this was one of the two people who had blocked them from coming to the Ghost Realm. Now, Shen Jingzhen faced even greater pressure.

The newcomer said in a deep voice, “Sect Leader Shen, since you’ve come here, why not listen to the whole story first, instead of disrupting the peace talks between the two realms?”

“Peace talks between the two realms?” Shen Jingzhen’s voice was cold. “As the master of a major Immortal Dao sect, how could I not know about the peace talks between the two realms?”

“The Ghost Realm and the Human Realm are adjacent, and it is inevitable. Only by planning early can we ease the transition and avoid widespread suffering.”

Shen Jingzhen repeated each word, still repeating: “Peace talks between the two realms, how could I not know?”

The aura of a Human Immortal on his body was unmistakable. Facing the pressure of two Guardian True Men, he was like a lone pine tree in a storm. Although weak and alone, he still stood tall and firm.

In the deathly silence, the Ghost Emperor chuckled lightly.

“Interesting, truly interesting.” The Ghost Emperor clapped his hands in admiration. “Brother Yu Shan, Brother Yu Hu, what do you say?”

Yu Hu’s expression was gloomy. “This junior is ignorant. Your Majesty, please forgive his rudeness.”

“Oh? Is that really the case?” The Ghost Emperor said, “Then this junior really needs to be disciplined. I almost thought — Brother Yu Hu was lying to me when he said that the Human Realm agreed to this.”

Shen Jingzhen was uncharacteristically transformed from a detached immortal into an aggressive defender of the Dao. The Ghost Emperor’s words were also barbed with sarcasm, and the face of True Man Yu Hu was clouded with anger. “Sect Leader Shen, don’t lose your composure in front of outsiders.”

“I have lost my composure,” Shen Jingzhen’s gaze was as cold as ice. “The various Immortal sects are still unaware, yet the two True Men have already engaged in face-to-face talks with the master of another realm, claiming that ‘the Human Realm agreed to this.’ What have you lost?”

The Hongmeng Sect, as a Daoist sect, had always been subservient to the Upper Purity Dao Sect. Its members were always harmonious and accommodating, and Shen Jingzhen, with his measured words and actions, was the best among them. When had they ever seen him like this?

Even Shen Xingge could feel that his master was truly angry.

If he wasn’t furious, why would he even bother to drop the pretense?

“Shen Jingzhen!” The later-arriving True Man Yu Shan’s tone was even angrier than Shen Jingzhen’s. “If you don’t know the whole story, don’t spout nonsense here! Step aside!”

“If you want me to step aside, unless the True Men clearly explain what happened, what the cause is, and what the effect will be!”

“You collude with the heretical Micro-Snow Palace and insist on breaking through the realm barrier to cause trouble here. Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

A whirlwind of spiritual energy surrounded Shen Jingzhen, and forty-nine talismans orbited him like celestial bodies. His blue robes fluttered. “Then please, True Man, enlighten me!”

“Good, good!” The Ghost Emperor clapped his hands and praised, his eyebrows dancing with laughter. “Why don’t you all step back and let True Man Yu Shan and this ‘Sect Leader Shen’ go over there to argue about who’s right and wrong? And if there are any other honored guests who want to appear, please come out together.”

Having said that, he gestured towards the dilapidated low platform made of wood in the center of the town — it was the stage used for performing ghost operas when the town was still prosperous.

True Man Yu Hu naturally recognized what that place was. The Ghost Emperor’s ridicule was tantamount to humiliation, making his expression even more gloomy.

Yu Shan’s cultivation was similar to his own, so it wouldn’t be difficult to deal with Shen Jingzhen, but the situation had been disrupted for no reason. How could they continue their deal with the Ghost Emperor?

Moreover, seeing that Yu Shan’s expression held a hint of apprehension, it was true. Shen Jingzhen had brought his disciple with him. How could the two of them have the power to break through the realm barrier?

Just as he was about to say something to turn the tide, the Ghost Emperor on the opposite side showed no intention of listening to him. He simply watched the two opposing forces, True Man Yu Shan and Shen Jingzhen, who were on the verge of erupting, with great interest, and raised his hand to take the wine pot on the table to pour himself a drink.

–But it was empty.

The green jade wine pot that had been on the table, along with two unused empty cups, had disappeared without anyone noticing.

“Hmm…?” The Ghost Emperor narrowed his eyes and looked around with displeasure.

True Man Yu Hu was also vigilant. Disregarding the etiquette between realms, he swept his powerful spiritual consciousness outwards and immediately detected an anomaly.

–A pair of eyes, cold and hidden in the shadows, on an aging face, looked towards the roof of a ghost residence not far away.

On that roof ridge, an additional figure had appeared at some unknown time.

A young man with an extraordinary bearing, dressed in elegant black robes, was sitting idly on the eaves, holding a green jade wine pot, slowly filling a cup to seven-tenths full.

Then, he handed it to the person beside him: “Want to try some?”

–It was none other than that unidentified demon beast from the Micro-Snow Palace!

And the figure standing beside him with a sword in his arms, expressionless, was tall and straight, with robes as red as blazing flames. Looking at that face, who else could it be but Ye Zhuo?

True Man Yu Hu’s face was ashen.

Ye Zhuo’s gaze swept over everyone, and he glanced at the unidentified wine, saying, “I won’t.”

Li Yuan continued to offer the wine, smiling brightly. “As a substitute for a gift, I apologize to you.”

Confused, Ye Zhuo didn’t take it at all. “What crime have you committed?”

“Not recognizing good intentions. I’m really making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Making a mountain out of a molehill?” As soon as Ye Zhuo heard this, he knew there was a hidden meaning in the dragon’s words. “Since you’re so good at talking, why don’t you go down and debate with Yu Shan and Yu Hu? And while you’re at it, ask where Jade Pavilion is.”

Except for Shen Jingzhen, everyone who heard this conversation gnashed their teeth in their hearts: What on earth were they talking about!

“Oh,” the Ghost Emperor looked at Li Yuan, and after a long time, slowly revealed a meaningful smile. “Who is this? What brings you to my humble abode?”

With a glance, all the Ghost Realm soldiers retreated, but the Ghost Emperor himself placed his hand on the sword at his waist.

His pensive gaze scrutinized Li Yuan, then slowly shifted to Ye Zhuo.

–His eyes widened in surprise.

He had heard that the beauties of the Human Realm were gentle and graceful, and the objects of the human world were elegant and refined, often making it difficult for ghosts to appreciate them.

In their Ghost Realm’s eyes, the most beautiful things were not of this kind. The most beautiful things were those that were magnificent and dazzling, with rivers of blood flowing.

“Little Prince, may I ask who is beside you?” The Ghost Emperor looked at Ye Zhuo, his voice no longer so frivolous. “I hope you will kindly introduce him.”

Pretentious deference, laughable to behold.

Li Yuan looked at him calmly, his expression devoid of the playful intent he had shown when speaking to Ye Zhuo.

The atmosphere seemed to grow colder and heavier inch by inch.

“Jun Shao Liu, what did you call me?” His voice was full of indifference.

The two True Men, Yu Shan and Yu Hu, exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, confirming that they had not misheard.

They didn’t even know the Ghost Emperor’s real name, yet this person had just addressed him directly by his name?

–Wasn’t this disrespect, wasn’t it irreverence?

The Ghost Emperor slowly smiled. “I misspoke, please don’t be offended.”

He said that he had misspoke, but he didn’t say what he should have called him, instead using “Your Mightiness” as a substitute.

“However, can you tell me… what is your friend doing?”

As he spoke, everyone’s gaze turned to Ye Zhuo.

All they saw were two sections of verdant peach branch scattered on the roof ridge.

Among the uneven, dilapidated tiles, a crystal-clear jade tablet had shattered.

And in front of this person, between his two fingers, was a talisman that was quietly burning.

The blood-red and eerie true fire, although only a few wisps, made Jun Shao Liu inexplicably feel discomfort in his ghostly form.

The light of the burning talisman reflected on that dazzling face. Ye Zhuo’s gaze quietly passed over Yu Shan and Yu Hu, over the Ghost Emperor, and even lingered on Shen Jingzhen for a moment.

This expression made Li Yuan understand.

“Perhaps,” Li Yuan said with a smile, “he’s wondering, who to start with?”

“.”

Recalling the gaze that had landed on him earlier, Shen Jingzhen really didn’t want to say anything.