Chapter 7 Making Things Difficult for Oneself

Zhuang Yunzhen finally set off for the Suyi Pavilion. The young man now harbored an ominous premonition. He had just overheard Mo Qing's inner thoughts; could it be that she had fallen into danger? The more he felt this way, the more he needed to be by her side. "Sect Master, where are you going? Why is your complexion so poor?"

The Great Elder appeared at that moment, blocking Zhuang Yunzhen, who was attempting to leave. "Great Elder, I have urgent matters to attend to. If you have any questions, we can talk when I return. I simply do not have the time right now."

Damn it, what was this man trying to prevent him from doing? Did he not know that his time was extremely precious right now?

Hearing this, the Great Elder showed not a shred of panic. "Sect Master, are you going to find Miss Mo Qing? Of course, as your subordinate, I naturally have no right to meddle in your personal affairs. However, please do not forget that you are now the Sect Master of the Poison King Sect. Everything you do actually represents the dignity of the Poison King Sect. If you win this battle in the end, so be it; we will naturally be overjoyed. But if you lose, our faces will be completely disgraced. Have you ever considered this? I suppose you have never thought of such an outcome because you are far too confident in your own strength!"

"However, the world is vast. Although the Sect Master's strength is peerless, there are people in this world even more formidable than you. The Sect Master of the Poison King Sect cannot afford to fail. You have actually known this all along, but over the years, you have never taken it to heart. Very well, what you were like in the past, I do not know. But now that I have informed you of the Poison King Sect's rules, you must think twice for the sake of the sect and absolutely must not act rashly!"

Yes, the Great Elder had come today specifically to stop this man. In truth, he also had his own selfish motives. The Poison King Sect had always maintained close ties with the four major sects of the martial world. At such a critical juncture, how could Zhuang Yunzhen do something detrimental to the Poison King Sect? If the Poison King Sect were to lose the assistance of the four major sects, what kind of outcome would await them in the end? Such a scenario was simply unimaginable.

"If I insist on leaving today, the Great Elder will definitely try to stop me, won't you?" Zhuang Yunzhen understood. In fact, he should have known long ago that one should not show kindness to people like those in the Poison King Sect. Once you treat them with a pleasant expression, they immediately try to climb onto your head! "Great Elder, although your strength is quite impressive, you should also know that trying to stop me is an absolute impossibility. How formidable my true strength is, I believe you should know better than anyone else, shouldn't you?"

"Even for the sake of the Poison King Sect, I must go to this battle. I know that from the moment I became Sect Master, you have looked upon me with displeasure in every possible way. Fine! If you like this position of Sect Master so much, I can give it to you. In any case, my coming here in the first place was merely to repay my adoptive father's kindness. Now that you people no longer wish to accept this kindness, there is naturally no need to say anything more. Without this position to restrain me, I will be able to accomplish even greater things!"

"Sect Master, what do you mean by this? Your subordinate has never thought such a thing. Since the late Sect Master recognized you and passed the position of Sect Master to you, you are the Sect Master of the Poison King Sect. This is something no one can change. Someone like me can only ever remain a Great Elder. As for a position like that of Sect Master, it truly does not suit me. What kind of temperament I possess, I know best myself!"

"Your subordinate truly harbors no other intentions; I merely wished to make you stay. Are these matters really so unacceptable?" Although the Great Elder was stern by nature, he was fiercely loyal to the Poison King Sect and would never do anything to betray it under any circumstances.

"Very well, I have already given you a chance. You are the one who is rejecting this position. Since you do not want it, then there is no more to be said. Now, in my capacity as Sect Master, I order you to step aside!"

Although Zhuang Yunzhen remained extremely calm, a trace of anger had crept into his voice. "Since the Sect Master has spoken thus, your subordinate will naturally obey. However, the hour is late, and traveling by night is somewhat improper. Why not let the Sect Master rest for the night, and tomorrow, your subordinate will accompany you?"

Since reasoning failed, the Great Elder had no choice but to accompany him. Could he really just sit back and watch the Sect Master run into danger outside? Such a thing was strictly forbidden.

"Hmph, if you had put it that way earlier, there would naturally be no problem at all. What you said is right; I was anxious and lost track of time. Setting off tomorrow it is. With you following me, I can feel somewhat more at ease."

Zhuang Yunzhen was actually quite easy to talk to, which allowed the Great Elder to breathe a sigh of relief. He had truly been worried that once the Sect Master's temper flared up, he would be completely powerless to stop him.

This man's only task now was to stall Zhuang Yunzhen and absolutely prevent him from leaving the Poison King Sect. Zhuang Yunzhen and that young man Liang Xi seemed to share a single entity; the two brothers shared a deep resonance, such that if danger befell one, the other would instantly become aware of it! Very few people in the world possessed such an ability!

Although Zhuang Yunzhen alone was formidable, he had not yet reached a terrifying degree. But if one added Liang Xi to the equation, the situation would truly be different. If the two of them joined forces, what was there in this world that they could not accomplish?

Xuan Huo had promised long ago never to harm Zhuang Yunzhen. As long as Zhuang Yunzhen could be delayed, leaving the rest to him would yield the exact same result!

The Great Elder naturally had not thought that far ahead. Since the other party had promised, it must be achievable! The Great Elder watched Zhuang Yunzhen depart and muttered, "Sect Master, your subordinate is truly failing you today. However, I have no other choice in this matter. If possible, I would not wish to do this either. It is just that for the Poison King Sect to reach where it is today has been no easy feat. Thanks to Lord Xuan Huo of the four major sects, I must not offend him at this juncture!"

"In the past, I truly did not understand why the late Sect Master favored you so much. Now, I understand. He always believed that you could lead us further and better. However, every process requires time—some processes are fast, while others are very long!"

"Sect Master, you may not understand me today, and that is naturally to be expected. But in the future, I hope you will truly realize that everything I did today was for the sake of the Poison King Sect. I have never harbored any personal selfishness."

"Are the preparations complete? Put these sleeping drugs into the Sect Master's food and drink. Remember, our goal is to trap him, not to harm him. Afterward, the Sect Master will fall into a deep sleep for three days. Three days will be enough to bring the battle at the Suyi Pavilion to a complete conclusion. Once this matter is settled, I will step down from the position of Great Elder, and thereafter, this seat will be yours. Xiaoyue, haven't you always wanted to become the Great Elder all these years?"

"You have actually always been more capable than me. What I could not accomplish in the past, you will certainly be able to achieve. Over the years, because of too many internal hesitations, I have committed many regrettable acts. But I know that in the future, you will surely do better than I have! Entrusting the position of Great Elder to you fills me with absolute confidence."

"Great Elder, what do you mean by this? Do you intend to leave after all this has happened? In truth, you must be very well aware that the current Poison King Sect is vastly different from the past. If this place lacks your assistance, what kind of outcome will await us in the end? I do not know!"

"Great Elder, I was brought up under your direct tutelage. Without you by my side, many things cannot be done well. You must remember that I have always been rather slow-witted all these years; whatever I have achieved today is entirely thanks to you. Now that you are leaving, have you ever considered what kind of feeling this will leave in my heart?"

Xiaoyue had always considered herself a slow person, unable to comprehend many things. If she were to lose the Great Elder, what would become of her?

"Silly child, do you even know what I am doing right now? Trapping the Sect Master violates the sect's rules. Although there are extenuating circumstances, a misdeed is a misdeed. Even if others are willing to listen to your explanations, can you truly explain everything clearly? Probably not. Since you cannot, the only solution now is for me to leave so that these matters can be truly resolved. Rest assured, I will always be watching over you. As for your own strength, you need not worry at all; your martial prowess has already surpassed mine, though you have never realized it yourself until now."

"Is that so? My own strength has already surpassed yours? Very well, if things have truly come to this, I naturally will not辜负 (fail to live up to) your trust in me. As for the Sect Master, I believe she will eventually understand that everything we are doing now is truly for the sake of the sect, and nothing else."

Zhuang Yunzhen must have been having a very long, drawn-out dream. In truth, for quite some time, she had hardly enjoyed a sound sleep. After all, she was now the Sect Master, and there were countless matters demanding her consideration. Later on, however, she realized that worrying over these things was utterly useless and only served to continuously drain her own energy.

What kind of plan the Great Elder harbored in his heart, Zhuang Yunzhen was well aware of. She simply chose not to voice it aloud. Whenever someone acted against their own conscience, they must have had compelling and unavoidable hardships. Very well, since that was the case, all she needed to do was choose to forgive.

***

Wanting to trap herself was naturally no easy feat. Zhuang Yunzhen chose to stay precisely because she wanted to see what this man was plotting. Facts proved that her decision was indeed correct; this Great Elder had maintained close contact with the four major sects all these years. "Great Elder, to be honest, you are truly a disappointment. I originally thought that deep down, you harbored some hidden hardship. But having heard the conversation between the two of you just now, I understand everything. The medicine you gave me actually contains a deadly poison. What? Now that matters have reached this point, could it be that you truly knew nothing of this?"

"Great Elder, it is precisely because you harbor too many misgivings in your heart that you have been manipulated by others in the end. However, now that I am aware of these affairs, I cannot allow you to continue down the wrong path. I imagine Xuan Huo must be arriving soon. To tell the truth, I really want to see just how formidable this man is. If we simply eliminate Xuan Huo, can the crisis at the Suyi Pavilion be resolved?"

Xuan Huo was extremely satisfied with the Great Elder's actions. "Great Elder, you truly have not disappointed me. I knew that leaving this matter to you was the best choice. Among all the people in the Poison King Sect, I trust you the most. That brat Zhuang Yunzhen also trusts you implicitly. I want to see just what kind of person this Zhuang Yunzhen is, that she could make me feel so wary!"

Yet, after seeing him with her own eyes, she discovered that this man was remarkably ordinary. "I thought Zhuang Yunzhen possessed some heaven-defying prowess. Now it seems she is just an ordinary person after all. It appears my previous worries were truly superfluous. Rest assured, this man is already plunged into a deep slumber; she cannot hear a single word we say. Great Elder, if I were to tell you now that I have a way to make you the Sect Master of the Poison King Sect, would you be willing?"

"In truth, you have sacrificed so much for the Poison King Sect, and this position should rightfully have been yours all along. That man has always underestimated you and has been guarding against you all these years. I believe you know this better than anyone else, don't you? Now, the opportunity has arrived. As long as you agree to my conditions, I can make you Sect Master immediately. Isn't this what you have wanted to attain all these years?"

"Now, all you need to do is reach out and take it. My condition is simply that you hand over all the supreme martial arts manuals of the Poison King Sect to me. You currently suffer from severe internal injuries; keeping these manuals here is of no benefit to you anyway. But if you hand them over to me, I can certainly make them shine with a completely different brilliance!"

Although the Great Elder knew that Xuan Huo never engaged in unprofitable ventures, this time, the demand genuinely startled him. "Lord Xuan Huo, I cannot agree to this condition. Anything else, no matter how difficult, I would surely accomplish. But the supreme martial arts manuals of the Poison King Sect embody the lifeblood and painstaking efforts of countless ancestors. If I were to hand them over to you, I would truly become a sinner against the Poison King Sect!"

"That label is simply too heavy. I confess I am unworthy of bearing such a burden. Therefore, I truly cannot assist you in this matter. If you can understand, that is naturally for the best; but if you cannot, I will not blame you!"

"Hahaha, of course I know you are that kind of person. In fact, the reason I hold you in such high regard is precisely because you are a man of true integrity and responsibility. Very well, I know the demand I raised is somewhat difficult for you. It matters not; I will give you some time to consider it carefully. You may step outside first. This is my first time meeting Zhuang Yunzhen; I am quite curious about this man. I want to see what is truly on his mind. Rest assured, I will certainly not harm her."

With Xuan Huo's status, even if she intended to kill someone, it would undoubtedly happen only at the very end. "Zhuang Yunzhen, this should be our first meeting. I have long heard of your reputation. Having laid eyes on you today, to be frank, I am quite disappointed. I should say you are far weaker than I had imagined."

"Is that so? In your eyes, am I a weak person? Very well, now I would like to see just how formidable the power residing within me will be once I awaken. Do you truly know anything about that?"

"Good brat, I knew that you would ultimately possess immensely powerful strength. It seems the preparations I made for you are completely useless, eh? Ah, I understand; you have simply been accumulating boundless energy all this time. But what purpose does all this power serve?"

"You must know why I trapped you here. That's right, I simply refuse to let you leave. Once a man like you departs, you are bound to stand in my way. I have spent so many years preparing for this grand scheme—how could I allow anyone to ruin my plans?"

"If you believe I fear you, I freely admit it. If you and your junior brother were to join forces, I honestly do not know what the ultimate outcome would be. However, you need not worry; your junior brother likely has no spare time to waste on you right now. Everything is proceeding according to my schedule, and at this moment, my heart is filled with joy!"

"You guessed correctly; the medicine I gave you did indeed contain a lethal poison. I knew that a man possessing your immensely powerful and ferocious internal energy—being the master of the Heavenly Scroll of the *Lingyun Tulu*—was someone I could not afford to take lightly."

"Although this is our first meeting, I rather take a liking to you. I have no other special talent, but I am fond of gathering talented individuals. My subordinates already boast a vast array of elite talents, as you likely know. How about it? If you are willing to follow me now, I will certainly make you even more formidable!"

"Doesn't this brat suffer from extremely severe internal injuries? Those old wounds must have plagued you for many years. Well then, as long as you agree to my request, I will release you immediately!"

"I am Xuan Huo. In truth, it has been many years since I last spoke to anyone in this manner; usually, people simply cower around me. Let me assist you this once—I feel this sensation is rather pleasant, after all."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yunzhen merely found the woman utterly laughable. "You should know full well that such a thing is an absolute impossibility. Xuan Huo, is it? Although this is our first meeting, I thoroughly dislike you. I already realize that you and I are fundamentally different people. If we continue this conversation, it will inevitably lead to blows. Fine, I may not be able to leave right now, but you needn't look so smug!"

"From the moment you began speaking to me, I have already channeled a portion of my internal energy into your body and temporarily sealed your mobility. The two of us chatting here together like this is actually quite nice. To tell the truth, I have always been terribly lonely; in this vast world, there are truly very few people who catch my eye!"

Hearing this, Xuan Huo showed not a trace of anger. Instead, she found the man before her thoroughly fascinating, entirely different from anyone she had ever encountered. In the past, whenever people laid eyes upon her, their gazes were invariably filled with terror, yet Zhuang Yunzhen actually had the audacity to mock her!

How could this not amuse her? Having been showered with obsequious flattery for too long, she had long grown weary of such days. Being able to exchange idle chatter with someone like this was, frankly, quite entertaining.

"Hahaha, it has indeed been a long, long time since I experienced such a feeling. To be honest, I rather miss days like these. You actually managed to remind me of the past!"

"Fine, fine. If this allows you to reminisce about the old days, that's well and good. It seems that is the only purpose I serve by staying here. Since things have turned out this way, I am actually quite pleased. Tell me, why do you possess such formidable martial prowess? The four major sects are already immensely powerful—why on earth must you seize the Suyi Pavilion?"

"Hahaha, the reason we wish to take the Suyi Pavilion is naturally very simple: its geographical location is far too advantageous, and seizing this strategic point has always been part of our grand design. In fact, many years ago, this place should have belonged to us. Unfortunately, we were merely a step too late back then—yes, just a single step! Otherwise, we certainly wouldn't need to expend so much effort now."

"However, looking at it now, these setbacks hardly matter. After all, those preliminary preparations were all meant to serve this very moment. Although our four major sects bear a resounding reputation, for years those titles have grown hollow. Who is even willing to look up to them nowadays? Naturally, not a single soul!"

"To my face, those people hail me as the master of the four major sects, but the moment I turn my back, they dismiss me as a worthless piece of trash. Of course, how they choose to speak of me is their freedom. What I cannot endure, however, is when they disparage the four major sects. What kind of pathetic faces did those people wear back when the four major sects were at the height of their glory?!"

"You should understand this feeling quite well, Zhuang Yunzhen. I have thoroughly investigated your background; a man like you reaching where you are today has been no easy feat. In truth, the two of us are identical. If we do not constantly strive, we will simply be forgotten by the world. Yet even so, just how many people will ever truly remember us?"

"I originally thought that after so many years, I had grown indifferent to these matters. But having experienced it once more, I truly realize that I am incapable of letting go of these grievances!"

"Therefore, I must constantly prove myself. I may have taken many detours along the way, but so what? I have always believed that whatever I wish to attain, I will ultimately secure. Facts have proven that my instincts were right—over the years, everything I desired has fallen into my hands. The outcome for this Suyi Pavilion will naturally be no different. What? Are you truly unwilling to assist me in this?"

***

"Indeed, these are your own affairs and have nothing whatsoever to do with me. There is truly no reason for me to help you. However, I never imagined that a man who appears so incomparably formidable could carry such a heavy burden. Everything you said just now likely serves a single purpose: to drive a wedge between my junior brother and me. It is true that our master favored my junior brother greatly in the past, simply because he was exceptionally clever. In that regard, I truly cannot compare to him."

"Unlike you, a person like you probably cannot tolerate anyone else being stronger than yourself, right? But I harbor no such sentiments. The stronger my junior brother becomes, the happier I, as his senior brother, feel. Do you know why that is? Because the stronger he grows, the more he can accomplish the things I cannot. What kind of feeling is that? Frankly, you wouldn't understand, would you?"

"Indeed, such sentiments are utterly beyond my comprehension. From the time I was very young, the only person I could trust was myself. Aside from myself, every single person I encountered coveted my formidable power and conjured up all sorts of excuses to attain it. I grew utterly weary of such games long ago! Eventually, I learned to isolate myself. To be honest, that sensation is rather liberating."

Xuan Huo never expected that she would actually bare her past to a man like Zhuang Yunzhen, whom she had known for merely a single hour. The moment she laid eyes on Zhuang Yunzhen, a strange sense of affinity had welled up in her heart. Just what kind of feeling was this, and why did she harbor it? Even she herself could not explain.

"Talking with you has been a genuine pleasure, brat. In all these years, you are actually the first person willing to listen to me speak at such length. Perhaps I have simply pent up too much inside for too long. Everyone else fears me—only you do not. My curiosity toward you continues to grow; I truly want to see just how formidable a man like you can become if you continue to cultivate your craft."

"Haven't you already seen it? My entire cultivation, and even my mobility, have been sealed by you. Doesn't that prove everything?"

"It would seem so. Actually, this sensation is quite novel. Very well, remain here for the next three days and trouble yourself with nothing else. Fretting over other matters will yield zero results anyway. However, I can give you my word: your precious Li Moqing will ultimately survive—on the sole condition that she ceases her resistance. If she does, I will personally allow her to come and see you!"

"And I am well aware that the only person in this world capable of stopping her is you. Frankly speaking, unless it is an absolute last resort, I would rather not push matters to that extreme."

"I see. So everything you told me just now was merely to trick me into persuading Moqing to voluntarily surrender the Suyi Pavilion? If that is your answer, I can tell you right now: such a thing is an absolute impossibility. Why? Because it is very simple—I will never permit such a thing to happen. True, Li Moqing is very fond of me, and our bond has always been deep. But that does not mean she must obey me in everything. To be frank, I don't even believe I possess such immense influence!"

"So you refuse to help at all? Hmph, I should have anticipated your reaction. One can never expect cooperation from a person like you. Very well, since matters stand thus, I might as well tell you: even if you refuse, it is of no use. I have already made up my decision. If your woman continues to stubbornly resist, death will be her only reward!"

"I know your bond is deep and that whatever happens, you wish to stay together. So be it; ponder carefully upon what you must do next. Of course, I personally take no joy in driving matters to this state!"

Meanwhile, Li Moqing was still locked in fierce combat, yet she realized her internal energy was rapidly depleting. This battle might ultimately leave her severely wounded. That man, Xuan Gang, possessed astonishingly formidable power; it turned out he had been concealing his true strength all along! "Li Moqing, what exactly are you waiting for? Rest assured, everything is proceeding according to plan. I know you have been waiting for Zhuang Yunzhen all these days, but regrettably, your man will never be able to return!"

"Because your man's opponent is Lord Xuan Huo, whose temperament is relentlessly ruthless. Among the adversaries she has targeted thus far, not a single one has ever escaped alive. Although your man possesses respectable cultivation, do you truly know just how terrifying Lord Xuan Huo's true power is?"

"What are you implying? Just how formidable my elder brother's cultivation is, I know better than anyone. Over the years, he has endured countless battles and danced with death time and time again. Every single combat has only made him stronger! Yes, I have never spoken of this to outsiders, because many in the martial world eagerly await my brother's downfall, and he has suffered through countless trials!"

"He has endured countless disdainful stares in the past, yet he bore every ounce of humiliation. I often thought to myself: if I were in his shoes, I surely would not have survived it. My capacity to endure falls far short of my brother's. Then what is the purpose of my existence? I pondered this question for a very long time, and only recently have I truly understood it: my sole purpose in existing is to guard my elder brother!"

"Your four major sects have always coveted the power of others. Whether it is my Suyi Pavilion or the Poison King Sect, as long as it grants you power, you praise them. But if we do so, do we retain any right to speak for ourselves? Naturally not! Therefore, we can never allow such tyranny to prevail!"

"You murdered my uncle, and now you seek to destroy my beloved. Today, even if I must risk my life, I will never let you succeed! If you doubt me, just try!"

"Hahaha, I understand. Your man's strength is formidable, but I harbor no such grand ambitions. I know I am no match for him, so I can only content myself with fighting you. To be honest, this isn't bad at all! Look at what has become of you. When I first laid eyes upon you, your beauty left me utterly mesmerized. What a pity that those days are gone forever, which naturally fills me with a sense of regret!"

"The outcome of our duel has already been decided. If you continue to fight, you will only meet a tragic end. My instructions from my superior were to execute you with my own hands. I originally thought I could easily accomplish this task, but now... I find myself reluctant to strike the fatal blow!"

"I hope you will reconsider and think carefully about your next move; that would be best for you. Truth be told, I have harbored a fondness for you. Frankly, before today, I would never have believed I could fall for a woman, but seeing you now, I am convinced."

Li Moqing found this laughable in the extreme. "You claim you love me? Hahaha, what an absurd joke. I know full well that what you fancy is merely this face of mine. The world is full of such superficial men. Only my elder brother is different; no matter what I look like, he loves me for who I am. In this entire world, I will only ever love my elder brother, and no one else, no matter how extraordinary they might seem!"

"I did not come here to exchange idle chatter with you. I am well aware that my body is currently riddled with a deadly poison, administered by your own hands. Did you think I was oblivious to this? No, I knew it clearly all along. But do you honestly believe that will make me cower in fear?"

"What? Are you truly not afraid? Others are terrified of my poison, for once contaminated by it, even someone of your caliber would be utterly helpless. I know you possess considerable cultivation, yet right now, you cannot muster even a fraction of your strength. How is it that you feel no anger at all?"

"Anger? No, I have long since transcended such petty fury. This battle is something I have long anticipated; my only regret is that I cannot slay you with my own hands!"

"That is entirely my fault. If heaven were to grant me another chance, I would cultivate with even greater diligence so that I could destroy you with my bare hands!"

"Hahaha, it seems you truly are at your wit's end. Splendid! My greatest hobby is admiring the look of despair in people's eyes. Magnificent! Such an expression suits you wonderfully—an enraged, despairing beauty is truly the finest scenery in this mortal realm!"

"What did you say just now? You want to kill me? Hahaha, perhaps you stood a chance once, but that opportunity is long gone. Right now, your life rests entirely within my grasp. Whether you wish to live or die depends entirely on your own choice. I know you are a clever woman; choosing the path of survival is clearly the most sensible course. This matter is truly not difficult, yet you insist on tormenting yourself—what can I do?"