Mu Aotie had already tidied up most of the interior. After erasing the traces inside, he came out and continued to help the other two.
Among the three sworn brothers, he was naturally the most diligent, and could even be said to be the most diligent person in the entire Linglong Temple.
Eventually, all three gathered in front of the golden mountain.
A section of the piled gold sand had previously been knocked over by Nan Zhu, spilling across the floor. Restoring it to its original state proved quite difficult.
“Completely restoring it is impossible now. It might still fool people at night, but during the day it will hardly pass. Forget it, let us just leave it as it is.”
After working at it for a while, a disheartened Yu Qing decided to give up. His words clearly and implicitly blamed Nan Zhu for meddling.
Nobody knew how large the lake was, as the opposite shore was out of sight. The three could only continue walking along its edge.
As they walked and gained different vantage points, observing the undulations of the terrain, they could faintly make out that beneath the cover of the grass, the foundation of a dock had likely been laid back in the day.
After walking for what seemed like several miles, Yu Qing suddenly stopped.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie only realised after taking two more steps. They both turned around and saw Yu Qing staring blankly ahead. When they turned to look forward themselves, they noticed upon closer inspection that a faint human silhouette was standing on the mound ahead.
It was unclear whether it was actually a person or merely something resembling a human figure.
“Turn back, hurry, run towards the lake,” Yu Qing warned in a low voice. He gripped his sword hilt, positioning himself to cover their retreat.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie naturally sensed the danger and immediately darted towards the lakeshore.
However, the figure on the mound suddenly leapt into the air, cutting across the sky to land precisely in front of them. With an expressionless face, it was none other than Qin Jue.
From that speed alone, the three brothers knew their standing. Their opponent’s cultivation far surpassed their own, making escape unlikely.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie drew their swords in unison, retreating with high alert. Yu Qing darted in front of them, raised his sword, and smiled. “What a coincidence. I never expected to run into Brother Qin here.”
To be honest, he had anticipated the possibility of being captured by the three factions again, but he never expected to bump into this particular man.
Qin Jue gave a half-smile. “It is quite a coincidence. I must say, you three really know how to run. Covering so much ground in one go made finding you rather difficult. I nearly doubted myself along the way.”
Yu Qing chuckled. “Brother Qin, what do you want with us?”
Qin Jue laughed. “What do you think I want with you?”
Yu Qing said, “Anything can be discussed.”
Qin Jue looked around and suddenly remarked, “It really is a fine spot. Luckily you ran so far, we need not worry about anyone nearby hearing any commotion.”
The ill intent behind his words was obvious, sending a chill through the three brothers.
Yu Qing asked, “Does Brother Qin not know that people from the three factions have also arrived nearby?”
Qin Jue replied, “Spare me the nonsense. They would not run aimlessly this far.” He stepped closer. “Who betrayed me at Jianyuan Mountain?”
The three brothers took steps back. Yu Qing said, “I will not hide it from you, Brother Qin. We know how to dispel the evil aura from the immortal peach.”
Enjoying the feeling of a cat playing with a mouse, Qin Jue teased, “Oh, if the foremost scholar in the world says so, perhaps you might share it.”
He did not really care anyway. The White-Clothed Immortal would naturally teach him.
Yu Qing replied, “It is hard to explain in words. Once we reach the immortal peach garden, I will demonstrate it for you, Brother Qin.”
Qin Jue said, “Third-rank scholar, who sold me the fire cricket and then took it back? Who betrayed me at Jianyuan Mountain to put me to death? Who caused my Jianyuan Studio to be shut down by Youya Cliff? Who previously laid a false trail to shake us off? Do you think I can still trust you? I suspect you do not wish to demonstrate anything in the peach garden. You merely want an excuse to return to the embrace of the three factions, do you? Once you are back with the main force, I will be powerless against you, will I? You are exactly the people I wanted separated from that main force. How could I let you return?”
As expected, though cursing inwardly, Yu Qing smiled outwardly. “Brother Qin, you have misunderstood.”
Qin Jue’s face suddenly darkened. While pressing forward step by step, he abruptly reached out. “The fire cricket. Give it back to me.”
The fire cricket? Judging by the situation, Yu Qing did not believe the man would spare them even if he got the cricket back. Still, he nodded. “That is easy to arrange. I have something far more important to offer you, Brother Qin.”
Qin Jue sneered. “Give me the fire cricket first.”
Yu Qing said, “The Golden Ruins! We know how to find them. Would you not like to know, Brother Qin?”
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie gritted their teeth inwardly. They never expected a secret they had sworn to keep tightly guarded not long ago would now be revealed so readily.
Yet both knew there was no other choice. No secret, however precious, was more important than staying alive.
This was clearly a tactic to present something that would tie the opponent down, making him hesitate to act rashly, so they could later devise a way to escape.
The Golden Ruins? Qin Jue showed a reaction, a look of surprise and doubt crossing his face. He asked suspiciously, “How would you know how to find the Golden Ruins?”
Yu Qing explained, “Yunxi told us. She said that once we reached this place, we would find the secret route to the Golden Ruins. This lake is called Cloud Lake. Back then, the Cloud Fairy ordered the creation of a landscape here named Golden Pavilion Over the Waves, intending to build a golden pavilion on Cloud Lake. After the supervising inspector chose this site, he dispatched a group of men to the Golden Ruins to gather and transport gold.”
He waved his hand, pointing in the direction they had come from. “If you do not believe me, Brother Qin, the ruins of the construction office are not far ahead, along with plenty of gold transported from the ruins as proof. Yunxi told us that the construction staff maintained direct contact with the Golden Ruins. Finding that place will reveal the route there. That is exactly why the three of us fled here.”
Was it really just ahead? Qin Jue’s eyes flickered. Since it was nearby, he naturally wanted to verify it, but he gradually calmed down.
It had to be said that he was genuinely tempted. Had he not met the White-Clothed Immortal, he might well have been led by the nose by Yu Qing’s words.
Yet the pros and cons were quickly weighed. He already had connections with the White-Clothed Immortal and knew of his existence. Was there any need to seek something far away when something close was at hand?
He dared not defy the White-Clothed Immortal to pursue other gains, knowing that his every move might not escape the immortal’s watchful eyes.
Therefore, he reached out again. “Where is the fire cricket? Give it to me first.”
Yu Qing had been closely observing his reactions. Seeing the man quickly regain his composure, a chill settled in his heart. He vaguely sensed that today would likely not end well.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie seemed to feel it too. They reached out from behind to tug at his robes, signalling him to go first. They would cover his retreat and buy him time.
Their intention was simple. It was better for at least one to survive than for all of them to perish here.
Yet Yu Qing was unwilling to yield, and absolutely refused to give up easily so long as a sliver of hope remained.
He raised a hand, plucked Da Tou from the ponytail at the back of his head, held him in his palm, and showed him to Qin Jue.
Seeing the fire cricket still there, Qin Jue’s eyes instantly lit up with joy. He reached out to demand it. “Must I use force? Hand it over!”
Yu Qing stared at him. Some of his suspicions seemed to find confirmation.
The man’s disregard for the Golden Ruins and his persistent fixation on the fire cricket had puzzled him. He had not understood why, but now, reading the delight in those eyes, he found his answer. The fire cricket seemed extremely important to him!
Having a leverage point was good. He had only feared having none at all.
“Da Tou, run!”
That was what Yu Qing said to Da Tou at that moment. At the same time, he flicked his finger. Pop!
Da Tou let out a strange chirping sound, flying off in pain, or rather, being fiercely flicked away by a single finger.
Yu Qing feared its dullness might make it forget to flee. If it ran, they might still have a slim chance of survival!
Da Tou seemed to object, circling overhead with strange chirps.
Caught off guard by Yu Qing’s reckless move, Qin Jue was both startled and panicked. He struck a palm strike through the air. The force howled towards the three men. Simultaneously, he leapt into the air, desperately reaching for Da Tou circling above.
“Da Tou, run!”
Yu Qing roared. His sword traced a silver arc, meeting the incoming palm strike head-on, forcing a direct clash!
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie were greatly alarmed. In their desperation, each struck a palm against Yu Qing’s back, channeling all their cultivation to lend him strength.
It had to be said that the three brothers worked together with remarkable co-ordination, a stark contrast to their usual bickering.
Da Tou flew swiftly. Seeing someone reach for him, he sharply changed direction in mid-air and darted away in a flash.
Missing his grab, Qin Jue’s face was filled with anxiety. He finally witnessed the fire cricket’s speed. He leapt through the air again, chasing desperately, truly panicked.
It was the final chance the White-Clothed Immortal had given him. The guidance had gone this far. If he still failed to secure the fire cricket, how would he report back?
Boom!
The colliding spiritual energy exploded violently. The fierce wind tore through the surrounding grass, uprooting a large patch.
The blade in Yu Qing’s hand hummed, trembling violently until it blurred, and the hand gripping it shook as well.
This was the vast gap in cultivation. Using such meagre power to forcefully withstand a devastating blow meant the lingering force had not fully dissipated.
Yet his sword stood like a great tree in a fierce hurricane. Despite the heavy assault and the violent swaying of its canopy, the roots remained secure. The profound application of the Fengchen Sword Art’s Dragon-Capturing Hand appeared once more.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie pressed forward again, channeling their entire cultivation into Yu Qing’s body.
The humming sword cry ceased abruptly. The blade in Yu Qing’s hand stopped trembling.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie, withdrawing their hands at the same time, were deeply surprised. This fifteenth junior brother had actually parried and blocked a strike from a Xuan-rank cultivator!
Although they had pooled all their cultivation to assist, logically their combined strength should not have been enough to withstand a Xuan-rank strike. Yet this time, they truly had blocked it!
Yu Qing glanced back at them. He knew full well that without their timely reaction and unhesitating transfer of their full cultivation at the critical moment, even if he had blocked the strike, he would have suffered severe internal injuries.
Had it been outsiders who knew that their combined cultivation could not stop a Xuan-rank strike, they would likely not have risked injury to help.
Of course, having trained under the same master and practising the same internal arts, their spiritual energy was pure and untainted. The instantaneous fusion and combined effect of their power was something outsiders could never match.
Glancing at Qin Jue chasing Da Tou into the distance, Yu Qing knew his judgement had been correct. They had bought a chance to survive. He sheathed his long sword without a word and called out, “Go!”
He took the lead, charging straight towards the tranquil lake.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie followed without hesitation.
The three brothers plunged into the water one after another, diving beneath the surface. Their figures vanished as they escaped underwater.
They dared not travel by land anymore. This vast lake was an excellent place to conceal their tracks. At such a critical moment, they naturally had to use it to make their escape.