Chapter 520 - 489: Emptying Out Celestial Ghost City

Chapter 520: Chapter 489: Emptying Out Celestial Ghost City

"Valley Master Chen, if this is about our previous conflict, then I apologize."

At Zhu Yiwen’s signal, Teng Miao stood up and offered a toast, his expression deferential.

"Everyone has witnessed your strength, and I am deeply impressed. Celestial Ghost City cannot do without you. If you aren’t here for the coming defense, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold the city with just the people we have."

Happiness had come so suddenly that neither of them dared to believe it.

To be honest, this banquet wasn’t meant to be a ’dismissal over drinks’ in the slightest. The two of them just wanted to smooth over their conflict with Chen Che and prevent him from making things difficult for them later. If it were them—

—they would have done the same.

So, they only believed about thirty percent of what Chen Che said about leaving, at most. After all, they had witnessed his terrifying prestige during the conflict below Three Rivers Peak.

If it were them, they would have gripped the defensive authority over Celestial Ghost City tightly in their hands—because that authority didn’t just mean the right to command everyone, but also control over the distribution of spoils after the war.

After a brief moment of joy, they immediately suspected that Chen Che might be feigning a retreat to advance, using this as an opportunity to put them in their place.

Zhu Yiwen also stood up, cup in hand, preparing to urge him to stay.

"The fighting has gone on for too long. I really do need some time to recuperate."

Chen Che made a placating gesture with his right hand, and the two of them immediately fell silent. "The battle at Three Rivers Peak has left me feeling utterly drained. I’m afraid I won’t recover without at least half a year’s rest. So, Celestial Ghost City will have to rely on the two of you for its defense."

The two of them didn’t believe this statement either.

Teng Miao, in particular, couldn’t help but purse his lips in a silent sneer.

’Right after the battle at Three Rivers Peak, he fought another battle against us, and I was nearly killed on the spot. He looked ready to kill, not the least bit drained.’

The two tried their utmost to convince him to stay, but Chen Che politely refused each attempt.

With that, they were finally convinced that Chen Che really was planning to leave.

"What a pity..."

Teng Miao said, his face full of regret, though inwardly he was ecstatic.

"Rest assured, Valley Master Chen. The two of us will absolutely live up to your expectations and hold Celestial Ghost City securely!"

Zhu Yiwen stood up to offer another toast as well.

With it clear that Chen Che was leaving, the atmosphere of the banquet’s second half became even more joyous, even verging on extravagant. It was obviously their way of ’thanking’ Chen Che.

However, having already made up his mind to depart, Chen Che didn’t want to waste any more words with them. He made some small talk and then made his excuses to leave. In truth, Teng Miao and Zhu Yiwen felt the same way; they couldn’t wait for Chen Che to be gone.

’The man’s power is too great. He’s become like a feudal lord under Primordial City’s jurisdiction, and envoys from the Upper Sect like us are completely powerless against him.’

It was only then that they understood why, before they left, Duobao had instructed them that if they couldn’t seize power, they should just swallow their pride and let it be.

The pair had even specially arranged for a luxurious carriage to send the Valley Master back to the City Lord’s Mansion. However, Chen Che refused, striding brazenly out of the palace. His reappearance brought a sigh of relief from Xiao Chan and the others, who had feared this was a treacherous banquet.

Celestial Ghost City was a hive of activity.

Just as Chen Che had said, with their revenge complete, the knots in everyone’s hearts had been untied, and the previously gloomy atmosphere was swept away. Looking around, one could see figures bustling about in many of the clan territories, though it was unclear what they were busy with.

Over at the Jinyun Valley encampment, things were even busier.

Because they were confirmed to be leaving, everyone was packing their belongings. Items that couldn’t fit into Storage Pouches were simply stuffed into wooden crates and carried aboard the Spiritual Boat in an orderly queue. A crowd of Cultivators surrounded the Spiritual Boat, several layers deep.

Passing by, one could overhear many Foundation Establishment Cultivators remarking that once they returned to Jinyun Valley, they would definitely buy a bigger Storage Ring—

The gap between rich and poor was just as evident among Cultivators.

Not long after his own Foundation Establishment, Chen Che had owned more than a dozen Storage Rings, yet over seventy percent of these Foundation Establishment Cultivators couldn’t afford one.

"All settled?"

Meng Qianxun, who was overseeing the Spiritual Boat to prevent any chaos from the crowding, saw Chen Che return and immediately went to greet him. "The Cultivators of Celestial Ghost City have all come looking for you. They’re waiting for you at the City Lord’s Mansion right now."

"Waiting for me? What for?"

Chen Che was a little surprised, but he still strolled toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

The main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion was already packed with people. A quick glance revealed that they were basically all from the families of Celestial Ghost City—the same group that had followed him out to battle. The hall was a dark sea of people, all silent and grim-faced.

It looked just like it did before they marched to war.

You could even see the tension in some of their hearts from their slightly clenched fists.

"Greetings, Valley Master Chen." ℴℴ𝘮

A unified, resonant cry rang out.

"The battle at Three Rivers Peak is over, and your great vengeance has been exacted. Why have you come here instead of returning to rest?" Chen Che walked through the crowd, hands clasped behind his back, and sat in the seat of honor, accepting the Spirit Tea that Yu Daogui handed him.

He noticed that many of them were still injured, having only bandaged their wounds simply before rushing over. A faint, cloying scent of blood lingered in the great hall.

"Valley Master Chen, forgive my presumption, but are you planning to return to Jinyun Valley?" Huang Shaoqing asked, limping forward.

"That’s right."

Chen Che nodded slightly.

His plan to return to the valley was no secret. With so many Jinyun Valley Cultivators packing their bags, anyone who wasn’t blind could see it.

"Then... can we go back to Jinyun Valley with you?" Huang Shaoqing asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

"I’m returning to Jinyun Valley. What’s this about you following?"

Chen Che’s eyes swept over the crowd, and he suddenly understood. "All of you want to leave?"

Seeing Huang Shaoqing nod and the hesitant expressions on everyone else’s faces, he began to grasp the situation.

Ultimately, it all came down to the battle at Three Rivers Peak. They had stood behind Chen Che and challenged Zhu Yiwen and Teng Miao. If Chen Che were to remain in Celestial Ghost City, everything would naturally be fine.

But if Chen Che left, their fate would be uncertain.

Being sent by the Primordial Sect to serve as cannon fodder might even be the best-case scenario.

They would rather die in battle than at the hands of their own people. Therefore, upon learning that Chen Che was preparing to return to his valley, these Cultivators discussed it amongst themselves and decided to seek refuge with Jinyun Valley and leave with them.

What Chen Che had seen earlier were these very people ordering their clansmen to pack.

If Jinyun Valley wouldn’t take them...

They would have no choice but to flee Celestial Ghost City with their families in tow.

"There’s no way for us to survive if we stay in Celestial Ghost City. We implore you to take us in, Valley Master." Seeing Chen Che’s silence, the crowd was unable to guess his thoughts. Lei Boyu mustered her courage and stepped forward to plead:

"We understand the rules. We will register with Jinyun Valley at the first opportunity. We don’t need a large territory, just a place for our clans to settle down. From now on, we will be vassal families of Jinyun Valley."

"Pack your things and get on the boat. We depart tomorrow evening at the latest."

Just as Lei Boyu was about to continue pleading, Chen Che raised a hand to stop her. "The sooner the better. We won’t wait for latecomers..."

"Really?"

It wasn’t just Lei Boyu; the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall erupted into a commotion.

For them, too, happiness had come too quickly. They never imagined Chen Che would agree so easily.

Of course.

Some of the cleverer ones realized it was likely because they had drawn their weapons against Teng Miao and Zhu Yiwen for Chen Che’s sake below Three Rivers Peak. Had they not done so, Chen Che wouldn’t have agreed so readily.

Watching the numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators leave the City Lord’s Mansion overjoyed, Meng Qianxun, who had learned of the situation, couldn’t help but feel a little worried. He had taken a quick look and realized that basically all of Celestial Ghost City’s Cultivators were involved.

For Chen Che to take them all away like this—he was taking them all in one fell swoop.

"What about the Primordial Sect?"

Meng Qianxun pointed a finger toward the brightly lit palace in the northwest.

"Don’t worry. Teng Miao and Zhu Yiwen can’t wait for me to leave sooner so they can be the local despots here. Why would they care if I take these people with me?" Chen Che said, unconcerned. "Besides, could you bear to leave these people here to die? Don’t forget the Star-Picking Sect..."

The old man nodded. The Star-Picking Sect had sent out all their elites. Celestial Ghost City had become a death trap; whoever stayed now would surely die.

Unless their numbers tripled, they wouldn’t stand a chance of stopping the enemy.

Still, Chen Che sent someone to inform the two Vice Chiefs, just to avoid any unnecessary trouble after everything was said and done.

...

...

「Meanwhile.」

In the palace to the northwest, sounds of laughter and cheerful chatter still filled the air, a picture of peace and prosperity.

The two Vice Chiefs sat to one side, raising their cups and drinking freely, utterly delighted.