Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Destined to Die

Lu Chengfeng didn’t rush to absorb Elder Xiao’s legacy that night. The days of killing had left him physically and mentally exhausted. After sharing intimacy with Luo Suyi, he fell into a deep sleep, his arms wrapped around his beloved wife, and didn’t wake up until noon the next day.

“Husband, you’re awake?” Luo Suyi had already woken up at some point. Seeing him awake, she hurried over to attend to him.

“I was just wondering whether to wake you. Senior Brother Zhou Tong came looking for you earlier. The maidservant just served him tea and came to inform me.”

“Zhou Tong? Why is he here at this hour?” Lu Chengfeng asked, puzzled. He stretched and felt refreshed.

“Suyi, you stay here. I’ll go see what’s up.”

Lu Chengfeng put on his robe and stopped Luo Suyi from continuing to tie his hair. “It’s not good to keep Senior Brother Zhou waiting outside. Besides, there’s no need to be so formal with fellow disciples.”

Luo Suyi took a warm handkerchief and wiped his face. “But you should at least wash your face, shouldn’t you? Otherwise, wouldn’t you look like…”

Lu Chengfeng enjoyed her playful teasing and her cute little expressions. He kissed her on the lips. “Be good and wait for me here. I’ll go check on him.”

Luo Suyi responded and straightened his collar.

“Alright, go on!”

Lu Chengfeng smiled and walked out the door.

When he arrived at the front hall, he saw Zhou Tong sitting upright in a chair, a cup of tea beside him, completely still.

“Hahaha, Senior Brother Zhou, what brings you here today? How was the beast tide hunt?” Lu Chengfeng asked with a smile as he approached.

Zhou Tong’s face was devoid of any mirth. He said in a somewhat stiff tone, “Junior Brother Lu, let’s find a secluded place. I have something to tell you.”

Lu Chengfeng studied him for a moment, noticing Zhou Tong’s grim expression and the complex emotions in his eyes. His fists were unconsciously clenched.

He was taken aback, realizing that something must have happened. He immediately said, “Alright, Senior Brother, follow me.”

Lu Chengfeng led the way, and Zhou Tong followed.

Usually quite cheerful, Zhou Tong remained silent throughout the journey, his face gloomy and looking rather stressed.

They arrived at the bamboo grove where he and his Junior Sister, Zhao Ling’er, had built the bamboo hut. It was a secluded spot, rarely visited by anyone.

Especially now, with fewer people on the mountain, no one came here except Lu Chengfeng, who occasionally came to maintain the hut.

“Senior Brother Zhou, what happened?” Lu Chengfeng turned around and asked, looking at Zhou Tong with confusion.

“Elder Xiao of Azure Dragon Peak was killed last night, along with one of his concubines, two personal maids, and two True Disciples,” Zhou Tong said, his voice cold, not looking at Lu Chengfeng. “The killer was incredibly brazen, coming in the dead of night during the rain. All the victims were killed with a single sword strike, their heads severed, and blood flowed like a river.”

“Before leaving, they even set a fire to destroy the evidence.”

“Oh?” Lu Chengfeng feigned shock. “Who would be so bold as to do such a thing?”

Then, a sneer appeared on his face. “But it’s good that he’s dead. Xiao Qi held a deep grudge against me and even tried to harm me before. If it weren’t for you, Senior Brother, I would have surely died.”

“Someone killing him is the best outcome.”

“Otherwise, once my swordsmanship improves, I would have had to take his head myself.”

Zhou Tong finally turned his head, his gaze meeting Lu Chengfeng’s. “Xiao Qi, you killed him, didn’t you?”

Lu Chengfeng was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. “Senior Brother Zhou, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“You know that just a month ago, I was almost killed by Xiao Qi. Even if my swordsmanship has improved this month, it’s impossible for me to kill him with a single strike, right?”

“Besides, I was hunting a demonic beast with Senior Brother Tan and the others deep in the Bewildering Swamp yesterday. I was exhausted when I got back and slept until the sun was high in the sky.”

“How could I have the time or energy to kill Xiao Qi?”

He then said with some displeasure, “I know I have a grudge against Xiao Qi, and I even wish to kill him with my own sword. But Senior Brother, you don’t have to suspect me like this, do you?”

Zhou Tong stared at him intently, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he said in a gloomy tone, “Last night, I was outside Xiao Qi’s house.”

Lu Chengfeng’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, but he maintained a calm facade. “Senior Brother Zhou Tong, what are you implying?”

“You’re saying I killed Xiao Qi, but do you have any evidence?”

“Why were you at Xiao Qi’s residence in the middle of the night?”

Zhou Tong sighed. “Xiao Qi has committed countless evil deeds over the years and was even involved in a secret matter within the sect. I’ve been investigating him in secret for many years.”

“If it weren’t for wanting to uncover the bigger fish behind him, I would have killed him long ago.”

“It’s one thing for you to kill him, but why didn’t you spare the innocent?”

“His two True Disciples were his accomplices and deserved to die, but what crime did his concubine and the two maidservants commit?”

Lu Chengfeng’s heart sank. Zhou Tong didn’t seem to be bluffing. It was more like he had witnessed the scene firsthand; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so certain.

“I originally thought I had gained a fellow disciple who could inherit Master’s legacy. I truly admired your talent and potential, Junior Brother.”

Zhou Tong’s expression was complex. “But I never imagined you were hiding so much. Such exquisite swordsmanship, such profound lightness skills… even the Seven Heroes of the sect are no match for you.”

“At the age of twenty, with such talent and martial arts achievements, even the Three Paragons of the sect couldn’t compare to you back then.”

“I should be proud of you, but I never expected you to be so ruthless and unscrupulous.”

“Now I even doubt who was truly responsible for Zhao Changzhen’s death.”

“Senior Brother…” Lu Chengfeng frowned.

But before he could speak, Zhou Tong raised his right palm, interrupting him. “You don’t need to say anything. Zhao Changzhen’s death also has nothing to do with me.”

“I won’t report last night’s incident to the sect. I’m sure you’ve already anticipated that without solid evidence, the sect won’t be able to do anything to you.”

“But, Heaven sees what people do. Aren’t you afraid of your guilty conscience?”

He then abruptly swung his sleeve, sword Qi shooting from his fingertips, tearing a piece of his robe, which fluttered to the ground.

“I came to you today to make things clear. The sect is not a lawless place where you can kill and burn as you please.”

“I will keep an eye on you from now on. If anything like this happens again, even if it costs me my life, I will strike you down with my sword.”

“From this day forward, we sever our ties. We shall never cross paths again. You… take care of yourself!”

With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned away, leaving without looking back.

Lu Chengfeng stared at his retreating figure, a darkness and coldness flashing in his eyes for a moment, but it quickly dissipated. “How could you possibly know what I’ve been through?”

“If you don’t eliminate the roots, the weeds will endlessly sprout.”

“I learned this lesson ten years ago.”

“Zhou Tong, you’re so naive. One day, you’ll surely die because of it.”

He muttered coldly, as if speaking to Zhou Tong, yet also seeming to warn himself.

Lu Chengfeng stood there for a long time, then suddenly drew his sword. A sharp sword light flashed, and three feet of sword Qi surged, slicing through seven or eight green bamboos nearby.

“Hmph!”

He felt an inexplicable displeasure in his heart. He sheathed his sword and walked towards his courtyard.

Just as he entered, he heard the maidservant say, “Master, there’s a guest. He claims to be a direct disciple of the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.”

Lu Chengfeng’s face turned completely cold. “What a day. Everyone seems to be coming to my place in droves.”

——————

Please rate and review this novel on NU.

If you enjoy the translation, please consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi. It helps keep me motivated!