Chapter 289 - 41: Descending the Mountain with a Blade

Chapter 289: Chapter 41: Descending the Mountain with a Blade

’Presiding over it personally?’

Chen Ye’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’That’s just perfect!’

For the next two days, the merchant caravan continued its journey.

By chatting with the talkative attendant, Chen Ye gained a general understanding of the situation in Qingzhou over the past five years.

The prestige of the Celestial Sword Manor had peaked in the last five years, all thanks to the rise of Jian Wuchen. The manor’s conduct grew increasingly tyrannical, and it seemed bent on turning all of Qingzhou into its personal backyard. This sparked discontent among many other Sects and powers, but they dared not voice their anger.

Jian Wuchen himself had been molded into the image of a near-perfect genius, idolized by countless young Cultivators.

Hearing this news, Chen Ye felt an ever-growing sense of calm.

On the third day, the majestic Qingzhou Prefecture City finally appeared on the horizon.

The caravan stopped outside the city gates to unload its cargo and handle entry procedures.

Chen Ye didn’t follow them any further. He thanked the talkative attendant, then blended into the ceaseless river of people and entered the city alone.

Inside Qingzhou City, the streets were a clamorous, bustling hub of activity.

With the Immortal Ascension Ceremony imminent, the city was even livelier than when Chen Ye had left five years ago.

The streets were lined with colorful flags, and the air was thick with a restless yet fervent atmosphere.

Chen Ye walked through the crowd, attracting no attention.

He didn’t rush to find his target. Instead, he first found a nondescript inn to stay in.

A place like this, teeming with all sorts of people, was perfect for concealing his Identity.

After settling in, he unhurriedly took to the streets, heading west.

That was the location of the Celestial Sword Manor’s residence in Qingzhou City.

After five years, the Celestial Sword Manor’s residence had expanded considerably. A large new complex of buildings with magnificent pavilions and towers had risen beside the original mansion, so grand that it occupied nearly an entire street.

The number of disciples guarding the gate had increased from four to eight. Each one had a profound aura and a sharp gaze; they were clearly all experts.

Everyone coming and going from the residence was immaculately dressed and carried themselves with an extraordinary air, their faces wearing the arrogance befitting disciples of a major Sect.

Chen Ye didn’t get too close. He simply sat down at a tea stall across the street, ordered a pot of flower tea, and observed discreetly as he drank.

To others, the Celestial Sword Manor’s residence was merely a magnificent complex of buildings.

But to Chen Ye, who had activated his Tribulation Eye, it was a complex force field woven from countless lines of Energy.

Powerful auras rose like signal fires from deep within the residence.

The entire residence was enveloped by a massive Defense Array. Countless threads of Energy drew power from the ley lines, forming an invisible net that made the place as impregnable as a fortress of gold.

Chen Ye silently committed it all to memory: the trajectories of the Energy flows, the nodes of the Array, and the locations of those powerful auras.

He hadn’t come for a frontal assault, but there was no harm in knowing his enemy.

Just as he was about to leave, a familiar figure suddenly caught the corner of his eye.

On a street corner not far from the gates of the Celestial Sword Manor residence stood a small wine shop.

The shop was simple, containing only a few worn-out tables and chairs, and a wine vat that was half a man’s height.

A haggard woman with graying hair sat on a small stool at the shop’s entrance. Her eyes were vacant as she gazed at the bustling street, mechanically wiping a wine bowl in her hands as if indifferent to the world around her.

Chen Ye recognized her at a glance.

Xiao Hongye.

’I never thought she’d end up like this after five years.’

But seeing this, Chen Ye felt not the slightest ripple of emotion in his heart.

Back then, it was Xiao Zhanbai who had been relentless, insisting on his death.

If he hadn’t fought back, he would have been the one to die.

Therefore, in a battle to the death, each must abide by their Celestial Mandate.

He could understand Xiao Hongye’s grief over losing her sister, but he would never regret his actions.

With that thought, Chen Ye withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

At the same time, Xiao Hongye seemed to sense something. She lifted her head blankly and glanced at the street.

But she saw nothing besides the bustling crowd.

A flicker of light crossed Xiao Hongye’s vacant eyes before they dimmed again. She lowered her head and resumed wiping the bowl in her hands.

Ever since her sister’s death, her world had become a pool of stagnant water, incapable of being stirred by the slightest ripple.

「Evening. South side of the city, at the Worry-Free Tavern.」

It had the same unremarkable storefront, the same familiar sign.

Five years seemed to have left little trace on the place.

Chen Ye pushed the door open and entered. The tavern was as lively as ever. Dozens of tables were packed with patrons, and the air was filled with the sounds of drinking games, curses, and boasts—an endless clamor brimming with the vitality of common life.

Chen Ye’s gaze swept across the tavern, and he soon spotted a familiar figure behind the counter.

The Mad Swordsman, Xue Shan.

He looked as burly as ever, wiping a wine glass while chatting loudly with a regular customer, letting out a hearty laugh from time to time.

Chen Ye didn’t announce his presence. He found a corner table by the window, ordered a pot of fiery spirits and two small side dishes, and began to drink by himself.

But as he drank, Chen Ye pricked up his ears, listening to the conversations around him.

’One shouldn’t underestimate it. This is the simplest and fastest way to gather information, and sometimes it even brings unexpected surprises.’

"Did you hear? The City Lord’s Mansion sent people for the Immortal Ascension Ceremony this time. They say they’re going to pick out a few promising prospects with the Celestial Sword Manor and recruit them into the Household Guard!"

"Tch. That’s just a nice way of putting it. Aren’t they just feeling bitter that the Celestial Sword Manor is the only power in town and want to get a piece of the pie?"

"Shh! Keep it down! You can’t just say things like that. If someone from the Celestial Sword Manor hears you, you’ll be sorry!"

"What’s there to be afraid of! This is Brother Xue’s Worry-Free Tavern, not the Celestial Sword Manor’s council hall! No matter how domineering they are, can they stop us from drinking and shooting our mouths off?"

A man with a face flushed from drinking slammed his hand on the table and bellowed.

His words immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"Exactly! The Celestial Sword Manor has gotten more and more tyrannical these past few years! Last time, my brother hunted a Red-Eyed Demon Wolf outside the city, and before he could even skin it, their mountain patrol snatched it away! They even had the gall to say that everywhere outside the Southern Wilderness is the Celestial Sword Manor’s hunting ground! Pah!"

"Damn right! Just because they have Jian Wuchen, they really think they own all of Qingzhou!"

Behind the counter, Xue Shan heard the discussion and snorted, slamming a clean glass down on the countertop.

"Just a bunch of arrogant fools," Xue Shan said, his voice low but filled with unconcealed contempt. "A true expert is forged inch by inch with their own Swords and Sabers, not built up by flattery and family connections."

Clearly, he held no goodwill for the Celestial Sword Manor or Jian Wuchen.