Lu Zhou thought about Gong Yuandu’s descriptions and recalled the sensation he felt while he was cultivating in seclusion. “The oldest mortal is only about 100 years old… Perhaps, cultivators are just a different kind of mortals.”
Gong Yuandu glanced at Lu Zhou. His gaze slid across the white strands in Lu Zhou’s hair and said, “That’s a fresh way of explaining it, Brother Ji. You’ve changed… a lot.”
They were old nemeses. In a way, old nemeses knew each other better than friends did.
Lu Zhou merely nodded ambiguously. He could never tell Gong Yuandu that he was actually another person from another world that was far away.
“You’ve changed as well,” Lu Zhou said when he compared the person before him to the person in his memories. The Gong Yuandu o his memories was not an agreeable character.
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The mountain was too small for two tigers. Gong Yuandu was sinister, patient, and sly in nature. He could endure what most could not, hiding away for 100 years in the Mausoleum of Swords. How could he live under the same roof with another elite? Perhaps, a dying man was kinder. The current Gong Yuandu was nothing like his former self.
After three rounds of drinks, the sun was beginning to set.
The sunlight fell upon Gong Yuandu at just the right angle. He was enjoying himself very much. He looked at Leng Luo, Pan Litian, and Hua Wudao who were standing nearby before looking at Duanmu Sheng, Little Yuan’er, and the others. Then, he surveyed the Evil Sky Pavilion. He said, “These two had a debate of swords with me…”
“Leng Luo,” Leng Luo announced his own name again. Since Gong Yuandu was clearly not in peak condition, he thought, perhaps, Gong Yuandu’s memory was not very good as well.
Initially, Pan Litian was just going to refer to himself as the old beggar. However, after giving it some thought, he said truthfully, “I’m Pan… Litian.”
Gong Yuandu was slightly taken aback. He said, “The greatest elite of Clarity Sect… I remember you.”
“I’m flattered.”
“The former Sect Master Ren of the Clarity Sect had passed away. You fought against the eight elders, and I heard that you were injured. Then, you were rescued by the Fourth Prince and was brought to the borders, right?” Gong Yuandu regarded Pan Litian with a puzzled gaze.
The others looked at Pan Litian.
‘Was this the reason why Pan Litian left the Clarity Sect?’ “That’s all in the past. There’s no use in bringing them up now,” Pan Litian said, waving his hand dismissively. It was also unimportant to ask how Gong Yuandu knew about this.
“Brother Ji, I must say that you’re really skilled. You even managed to tame old men such as Leng Luo and Pan Litian… I’m impressed.” After Gong Yuandu finished speaking, he coughed violently again. Although there was no blood, it seemed like his hair had whitened even more. He had aged tremendously in just a moment.
A person who had exhausted his blood and essence was the same as a person who had used up all of his life force in exchange for a short period boost in cultivation base through unconventional methods. Even Critical Heal could not help him now. Even if it could, Lu Zhou did not think he would use it on Gong Yuandu. After all, Gong Yuandu had intended to kill him with his shocking move earlier.
Gong Yuandu’s gaze on Lu Zhou. His tone seemed different as he said, “It’s almost time.”
“Aren’t you getting into the coffin?” Lu Zhou glanced at the coffin at the side. Initially, he planned to give Gong Yuandu another chance if he was willing to remain in the Evil Sky Pavilion. However, after hearing about the insights Gong Yuandu had gained in the Mausoleum of Swords, he knew it was impossible.
“It’s alright.” Gong Yuandu did not even look at the coffin as he shook his head. “I suddenly thought of a witchcraft spell. If someone wanted to reanimate my corpse… Let’s just say ‘I’d be dreadful to look at.”
“You’re right.” Lu Zhou nodded and raised his wine cup.
Gong Yuandu’s lips twitched. He chuckled and said, “You old geezer… Can’t you say something nice for a change?”
A gust of wind began to blow…
Without the protection provided by the barrier, the movement of grass being blown by the wind could be felt in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
The rays of the setting sun turned crimson, making it seem as though there had been a bloodbath in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Shhh!
A shocking scene unfolded.
Gong Yuandu’s feet began to disintegrate into what seemed like grains of sand. It was as though he was a sand sculpture. “You like wine. You should have some more.” Lu Zhou raised his cup.
“Sure.” Gong Yuandu’s voice was no longer hoarse. It sounded invigorated, young, and playful now. He had blocked the grand technique, Scram, with his dantian’s sea of Qi. His sea of Qi that had sealed the energy within his body could no longer endure the strain. The wine traveled into his stomach. His feet were gone, scattering into the wind. The wind blew harder.
Everyone’s attention was focused on Gong Yuandu at this moment.
His power returned to the surroundings while his Primal Qi returned to nature and dispersed with the wind.
“Nice wine…” Gong Yuandu lowered his wine cup. He placed both hands before himself. The pace of the disintegration was picking up.
“”Any last words?”.
“Forget it.”
Lu Zhou shook his head. What could he say? He was from another world, after all. His familiarity with Gong Yuandu was from Ji Tiandao’s memories. When he recalled everything that happened since he transmigrated, how he survived and resisted the ten great sects, and his hometown, a poem appeared in his mind. It seemed perfect for putting his complicated feelings into words. Hence, he said, “Have another cup of wine, my friend, for beyond the western pass shall be our farewell.”
Lu Zhou raised his wine cup and emptied it.
Gong Yuandu drank his final cup of wine as well. He placed the cup on the table. A faint ripple of energy spread out, and his body scattered like grains of sand in the wind. When all that was left of him was his head, he asked, “Where’s the western pass?” Alas, he did not manage to hear Lu Zhou’s answer. He scattered along with the wind on Golden Court Mountain.
The seat across Lu Zhou was empty now.
Silence descended on the Evil Sky Pavilion once more.
After a moment of stillness, Lu Zhou rose to his feet with his hands on his back. He looked at the coffin and the damaged ground.
The others remained quiet. This was their master’s nemesis.
Gong Yuandu had spent his blood and essence, reducing his lifespan by 100 years. Even if he did not challenge the Evil Sky Pavilion, he would have died anyway. Initially, he planned to die in the coffin. That way, he would be left with an intact corpse. Perhaps, he had gained some insight during their wine drinking session earlier and had changed his mind at the last minute.
“Clean this up,” Lu Zhou calmly said.
“Understood.”
When Lu Zhou entered the great hall, everyone followed after him.
The others bowed. “Pavilion Master.” “Master.”
Lu Zhou looked around himself and wondered aloud, “Mingshi Yin and Zhao Yue aren’t here?”
Duanmu Sheng cupped his fists and said, “When you were cultivating in seclusion, Old Fourth had sent a letter… He said that he’s in the Divine Capital and that he’d bring Junior Sister Zhao Yue back with him. Hence, he asked for more time.”
“He can do as he wishes.”
Duanmu Sheng retreated. Lu Zhou looked at Pan Litian, Leng Luo, and Hua Wudao. He looked at their white hair and wizened appearance. How awkward. It seemed like the Evil Sky Pavilion was slowly becoming a care home for the elderly.
Little Yuan’er was the only one who looked youthful and high-spirited…
Lu Zhou recalled the sight of Gong Yuandu scattering in the wind. He gave it some thought. He had the Reversal Cards so he was not worried. However, what about these people? “Pavilion Master, a letter from Jiang Aijian.”
“Read it,” Lu Zhou said.
“Old senior, the Righteous Sect has been wiped out by the Nether Sect. Zhang Yuanshan has gone missing. The Nether Sect’s actions have been brought to the Imperial family’s attention. Coincidentally, the concurrent disturbances in Anyang and Upper Prime City has resulted in the Imperial family being unable to spare any effort to deal with the Nether Sect. Also, your fourth and fifth disciples are safe in the Divine Capital. I’ll look after them for you. Here’s another piece of information, the Five Mice are dead. The one who killed them is your sixth disciple, Ye Tianxin.”
After the letter was read, the great hall was plunged into silence.
