302 We Just Need The Eastern Wind! (1/2)
The original Jun Mo Xie would've used the same means as Tang Yuan if he had faced a similar situation.
The present Jun Mo Xie and the previous one were very different from each other. Jun Xie was an evil spirit, and was also regarded as a 'free bird', but his bones weren't made of the same debauchery that consisted Tang Yuan and the original Jun Mo Xie's. Jun Xie had always relied on his own self. In fact, he wouldn't even alert the police if he were to spot a vicious crime; he'd treat the evil as his own enemy and would deliver justice himself.
The original Jun Mo Xie had a habit of oppressing people using his power. He would use it to push them down. These two people had such different characteristics; so, how could they be so easily integrated?
However, Tang Yuan's divine inspiration came 'in the nick of time' to help Jun Mo Xie settle his urgent matter. Time was of the essence, and Jun Mo Xie was merely a rookie at refining a Dan. In fact, he hadn't even practiced the most fundamental basics. Besides, there had always been a shortage of medicinal ingredients. But, Fatty Tang had solved the Young Master Jun's greatest problem. And, Jun Mo Xie wasn't going to blame him even though the methods he used were extremely despicable. Anyway, they had compensated the frightened shopkeepers with a lot of silver. So, that would justify as 'compensating for their losses'.
[This was naturally unfair to them. However, is this world ever 'truly fair'? This Young Master has crossed-over to this world; can they do that? Isn't that unfair too…]
The world doesn't exist in a balance of fairness and justice. So, what was the need to conceive such perfection?
[However, it doesn't matter if it was fair or unfair. I have to refine the Dan by tonight!]
This was very important, and Jun Mo Xie was looking forward to it. [What would be the result when I refine these ingredients?]
Then, suddenly a loud and dragon-like roar echoed. The Cold-Blooded Master, Lei Wu Bei appeared in the sky above the Jun residence. His expression was indifferent as he spoke, ”Solitary Eagle, why haven't you left when the entire manpower from the Silver Blizzard City has departed? How long do you plan to procrastinate? Do you not fear the Xuan Beast uprising?”
Careful eyes would see that the Cold-Blooded Master's complexion wasn't good. His eyes were somewhat bloodshot, and his vital conditions weren't good either. The person responsible to bring him to such a condition should've been very proud of themselves.
”I'll go if I want to go. And, I won't go if I don't want to go. So, I'll only go when I feel like it. Do you have a problem with that?” the Solitary Eagle replied in a bad mood.
Solitary Eagle was depressed. [This nonsensical summons has come at a key moment. Couldn't you have waited till I had finished mastering the 'Nine Claws of the Ghostly Falcon'? When will I be able to come back and practice in the calm if leave for Tian Fa right now… When will I get an opportunity like this? On top of that, I might miss out on the medicines too!]
Lei Wu Bei snorted coldly, ”It's important to go. You and I are both in The Tian Xiang City, Old Falcon. I know we have some grudges between us. But, when the supreme summons comes — we are to set everything aside. You're one of the Great Eight Masters; you ought to know the consequences of ignoring the supreme summons. This Old Man wishes to travel with you. But, I didn't know that you'd be so unappreciative of such kindness.”
Not only Solitary Eagle… Jun Mo Xie was also alarmed by Lei Wu Bei's words.
The Cold-Blooded Master wants to travel with the Solitary Eagle? This was extremely strange!
No one was aware that Lei Wu Bei had gone mad while searching for his personal enemy Chu Qi Hun. He wanted to find the man so that he could kill him. He would be extremely tense all day, and was always on-guard against his 'imagined' foe since he believed that the number-one assassin could deal a fatal attack from the shadows at any moment. Eventually, Lei Wu Bei's body had become tired, and his mind had become exhausted. In fact, this Great Master was nearly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Then, the supreme summons came. Lei Wu Bei realized that a mountain-forest or a lonely inn on the way to Tian Fa would pose as a very convenient setting for Chu Qi Hun's ambush. Moreover, his enemy was evil, and intelligent. Lei Wu Bei realized that his entire life's work would go wasted if he weren't careful. So, he came up with the idea of travelling with the Solitary Eagle. … The two Great Masters had some grudges, but it wasn't like they had a life-long hatred which couldn't be mediated.
If he could get the Solitary Eagle to help him… the two Great Masters could possibly jolt Chu Qi Hun's nerves… and he may not dare to attack either one of them.
A person's shadow flitted across as the Solitary Eagle appeared before Lei Wu Bei, ”Speak the truth Lei Wu Bei — what sly plan have you formed in that head of yours?”
”Are you afraid?” Lei Wu Bei snorted in provocation.
”Me? Afraid? Ha ha ha… this Old Man is aware that this is an indirect method of yours to get me to go with you. I can see the trick you're trying to play!” the Solitary Eagle laughed heartily.
”Stop!” The Young Master Jun couldn't stay calm as he realized that the Solitary Eagle might leave with the other Great Master. So, he quickly moved into action in order to stop them. He knew that the Silver Blizzard City was a step ahead, and may be waiting in ambush for the Solitary Eagle. The Young Master Jun hadn't anticipated that Lei Wu Bei would seek the Solitary Eagle's company in order to guard-against Chu Qi Hun. Moreover, he believed that Lei Wu Bei was unlikely to render any aid in case the Solitary Eagle was met with any mishaps on the way. In fact, he was likely to step-on the Solitary Eagle if it were to serve his purpose.
”What's the matter?” the Solitary Eagle frowned.
”This young student has to pass-on many things before the Master's return,” Jun Mo Xie's eyes turned.
The Solitary Eagle's heart jumped when he heard those words, and he became extremely excited with anticipation, ”What things?! You brat, you've made me happy with those words.”
Lei Wu Bei was somewhat alarmed. [Who is this youngster's Master? How strong is he? He made one of the 'Eight Great Masters' jump around with joy using only a few words…?]
”My master told me to recite the following lines to you, ”The falcon soars in solitude; like a cloud floats in the empty sky — it is dissolute in this empty solitude. The dead falcons don't exist in the solitude of the sky. And, ten thousand laws don't exist in the solitude of the sky. The ten thousand laws are the solitude.” Jun Mo Xie wasn't very verbose about it. And, he stuck close to Solitary Eagle's name in order to create his mnemonic chants for him.
”The falcon soars in solitude; like a cloud floats in the empty sky — it is dissolute in this empty solitude. The dead falcons don't exist in the solitude of the sky. And, ten thousand laws don't exist in the solitude of the sky…” the Solitary Eagle frowned as he contemplated. It was like he had the meaning in his hands, but was unable to grasp it properly. His eyes revealed how perplexed he was.
”This is a very clever and creative line. It can be understood, but not described. I can't express it in words. Master knows that you will have to rush to Tian Fa; he knows that you will be involved in several battles. So, he has preponed the time of my telling you this line since he didn't wish for these incidents to interfere with your cultivation…”
”Many thanks!” the Solitary Eagle's rough face appeared very grateful. He then cupped his hands.
”Master also told me to inform you that Six Spirit Xuan experts from the Silver Blizzard City are already a step ahead, and may try to way-lay you on the way to Tian Fa. They'll be accompanied by their seven swords. I request you to be extremely careful, and move as fast as you can.”
”Six Spirit Xuan experts? The Seven Swords? Could it be 'THE' Seven Swords from the Silver Blizzard City?” the Solitary Eagle's expression turned grave as his heart sank. He wouldn't have believed this if someone else had told him this. But, the Solitary Eagle believed this news since it had come from the mouth of that Mysterious Master.
”Then, I shall travel with Lei Wu Bei. There may be some disadvantages in that, but there can be many advantages if we co-ordinate properly. So much so, that the former outweighs the latter,” the Solitary Eagle mumbled to himself for a long while. Then, his expression changed, ”What else did the Master say?”
”Master said that the senior's spirit will soar like a Falcon by the time he returns,” Jun Mo Xie chuckled. He then cupped his hands, and said, ”God-speed! Tread carefully!”
”Goodbye!” the Solitary Eagle bowed in a rare instance of respect, and cupped his hands. ”Again, give my sincere thanks to your Master. Solitary Eagle holds him in very high esteem. I take this matter regarding the Jun Family very seriously. Tell him to feel relieved.” The Solitary Eagle let out a long roar after he was done speaking. Then, he soared up into the desolate sky. Lei Wu Bei laughed out loud, and followed after him. The two figures flitted in the sky for a moment before they disappeared without a trace.
”A Great Master isn't to be trifled with, ah…” Jun Mo XIe let out a profound sigh, and turned to walk inside the room.
Many Xuan Experts gathered in the Tian Xiang City that night; regardless of their level or backing. Then, they rushed towards the Tian Fa forest; whether in groups or alone.
After all, this was the Supreme Summons. No one could take it lightly.
Even Song Shang and Hai Chen Feng asked permission to leave for Tian Fa since they had a mind to go and lend aid. But, Jun Mo Xie forbade them from doing so, ”What are you doing? Do you have a dislike for long lives? I prohibit you from going there. You're staying here. Song Shang, get back to fermenting wine; I'll cancel your apprenticeship if I find you slacking-off. And as for Hai Chen Feng — get back to looking after your gang! You needn't involve yourself in others' matters. You must focus on developing your gang.”
This was a joke. The Young Master Jun was in no position to stop the Solitary Eagle if he wished to leave. But, he had marked these two as 'men of the Jun Family'. So, how could he allow them to leave?
What would happen if Jun Mo Xie left the Jun Household with ordinary men? But, if both these experts stayed behind… they could take care of the Jun Household even if something were to happen. In fact, the Jun Family would be considered the strongest in the area. And, Jun Mo Xie had made-up his mind.
Coming back to the original issue… he wouldn't allow them to leave even if they weren't required to look after the Jun Household. This was because they had been labeled as 'men of the Jun Family' now. So, sending them to Tian Fa would be like using them as cannon fodder against the Xiao and the Li Families. These two men were Sky Xuan experts, but the Tian Fa forest was crawling with Spirit Xuan experts at present. A Sky Xuan expert would be akin to a dog in the south. Therefore, they would be better used in Tian Xiang.
[I've selected the members of my factions so carefully! So, why would I throw them away at Tian Fa? The Xuan Beast uprising? What difference would it make to me if a lot of people die, huh?]
Hai Chen Feng and Song Shang had gone to meet Jun Mo Xie in very high spirits. However, they had no choice but to return embarrassed after they had listened to Jun Mo Xie's words.
~The Second Prince's Residence~
The Second Prince was in a very cheerful mood. He was feeling extremely happy.
He felt that all men under the heaven were coming to his aid. Two Great Masters had issued the supreme summons just when the Xuan Beast crossbows were about to arrive. So, the well-known, and the not-so-well-known experts had started to leave for the Tian Fa. The Tian Xiang City's experts were no exception to this.
The Capitals's strength would be reduced incomparably since so many experts were leaving. He could use this chance to transport the deadly weapons safely. Moreover, these weapons would deliver far better results since his men wouldn't have much competition. So, the tiger could grow wings when the time was ripe, and could move-in to fill the power vacuum of the city. Would he be able to seize the city with ease?
The Second Prince and his councilor were embroiled in a tense discussion in his secret chambers. Everyone seemed very excited.
”Mr. Fang, inform the Spirit Storm Guard to hurry up to the Capital. Tell them that they are to leave the southern provinces, and come here as fast as they can,” The Second Prince looked amiably towards his mastermind. ”Mr. Fang, I would request that you proceed with the future plans.”
”I request the Second Master to be relieved. This is Fang Bo Wen's job, and you can be assured of safety.”
Fang Bo Wen then muttered to himself irresolutely, ”I know that the Zhao Trading Company has sent two hundred men as escorts. Two Jade Xuan experts lead them. Then, there is the Company's Vice-President… Meng Xiao Song… he leads a group of eighty experts. That Meng Xiao Song is an Earth Xuan expert. With him, there's no need to be anxious. The Zhao Trading Company will move in the bright light — and the guild in the dark; they will move together yet separately. This would eventually go smoothly. The Spirit Storm Guard and the Zhao Trading Company will travel together. In addition, the Blood Sword Hall has been notified as well. They will send two Sky Xuan assassins, five Earth Xuan assassins and twenty Jade Xuan assassins. These assassins will secretly escort the convoy; just to make things absolutely safe. And, most of the power has left the Capital now. That leaves it vulnerable; so, the power of our means will guarantee victory!”