Chapter 57: Rest in Peace, Old Man

In the center of the clearing, looking at the old man covered in blood on the ground who still maintained a calm smile at the corners of his mouth, Zhao Zhen opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a long sigh.

Meanwhile, the head of the Lü family and Lin Feng, the senior master of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, who had been watching from the sidelines, exchanged a glance.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to settle their grievances with this evil fiend?"

Following Lin Feng's loud shout, the people present looked at one another, and ultimately, all of them shook their heads.

They had all taken turns going up earlier to vent their anger, but while there were many sects present, there was only one Venerable Jinmang.

Given that no one could possibly "monopolize" the evil fiend, this outcome was the most reasonable distribution method.

"Since no one else wishes to, Brother Lü, let the final blow be yours."

With that, Lin Feng cast his gaze toward the head of the Lü family behind him.

"Does Brother Lin not intend to strike?" The head of the Lü family looked at Lin Feng with some confusion.

"There is no need. In this state, killing him would only dirty my sword," Lin Feng said coldly.

"In that case, I thank Brother Lin for yielding the honor."

The head of the Lü family cupped his fists in a salute, then slowly walked up to Duan Chuan.

"Duan Chuan, it has been a long time."

Duan Chuan was already heavily injured at this point and no longer had the strength to speak.

Therefore, facing the greeting from the head of the Lü family, he could only force a rather strained smile at the corners of his mouth.

"To be honest, I had imagined countless times how I would kill you to avenge my brother after capturing you, but I never expected it would end in this manner."

Having said this, the head of the Lü family let out a long sigh.

"You old ghost, you have committed countless evils in your lifetime, and the number of people who died at your hands is innumerable. Yet a person like you not only managed to take in such an exceptional disciple in your old age, but when death is imminent, you are even able to achieve sudden enlightenment."

The head of the Lü family looked up at the sky, letting out an emotional sigh: "How unfair is the heavens..."

Duan Chuan did not speak. He simply mustered the very last ounce of strength in his entire body and knelt prostrate at the feet of the head of the Lü family.

"I am sorry..."

His voice was very faint, but it still clearly reached the ears of the head of the Lü family.

"Heh, so be it. To be able to choose to end a lifetime of sins in such a manner—I, Lü Wen, hold you in a slightly higher regard.

The lives you owe our Lü family, and the lives you owe everyone present, shall be repaid with this old life of yours.

From this day onward, you, Duan Chuan, and my Lü family shall have no grievances between us."

Thud!

A muffled sound suddenly echoed through the silent clearing.

Hearing this dull impact, Zhao Zhen slowly closed his eyes.

He knew that was the sound of the Lü family head using the Ruyi Force to shatter the old man's heart.

Sure enough, after the head of the Lü family turned and walked away without looking back, Duan Chuan's body collapsed straight to the ground.

"Old man, have a safe journey. This time, it's truly time to say goodnight to you..."

Dong~

The bronze gong, signifying the conclusion of the karmic settlement ritual, was struck heavily by Zhao Zhen.

Aside him, Wang Yaozu stared blankly at Duan Chuan's corpse on the ground, remaining silent for a long time.

"Tsk, truly miserable. In the end, the Venerable still couldn't even last a single hour..." Yuan Jingui remarked with emotion.

"Heh, this Zhao Zhen is cold-blooded enough. His own master was beaten to death right before his eyes, yet he actually didn't make a single sound the entire time."

"Personally, I think that being able to calmly watch the entire karmic settlement process of the Venerable—this kid is no simple character..."

Wu Gensheng shook his head, silently reciting a wish for the Venerable to rest in peace on his journey, then dusted off his backside and sat up from the ground.

"Sect Master, where are you heading?"

"Where am I heading? To make a run for it, of course! With so many righteous sects here, if we don't bolt right now, are we waiting for them to finish up and deal with us next?"

Wu Gensheng shrugged, then led Gu Qiting toward the base of the mountain.

"Sect Master, wait for me!"

Wu Man, who had just asked Wu Gensheng for help, hurriedly followed after them.

"Tch, I thought we might actually get to cause a massive uproar, but it ended just like this. How utterly disappointing."

Liang Ting let out a cold, disgruntled snort. However, upon catching the icy glares from Lin Feng and the others, he reined in his emotions and obediently followed Wu Gensheng's group.

"Master..."

Beside Lin Feng, another Flowing Cloud Sword disciple spoke up.

"Let them leave. Our trip today is strictly for the karmic settlement."

"Yes."

On the other side, Lü Wen walked to the front of the crowd and cupped his fists toward everyone.

"Fellow cultivators, Duan Chuan's heart meridian has been shattered by my Ruyi Force. This fiend is dead, and the grievances between him and the Lü family are cleared. If anyone doubts this, you are free to step forward and examine the body yourselves."

"Lü Family Head jests. Since you have said so, how could we possibly distrust you?"

"That's right, surely the Lü Family Head would not deceive us. It's just a pity that the old villain died so easily; it's honestly letting him off far too lightly."

...

Just as the crowd was either offering flattery or seething with resentment, an untimely voice suddenly rang out: "Lü Family Head, it is not that this humble person distrusts you, but my hatred for that evil fiend runs as deep as the sea. Therefore, I still wish to confirm it with my own eyes, lest this fiend be playing some trick of feigned death!"

The head of the Lü family furrowed his brow, but ultimately said nothing further, merely uttering two indifferent words: "Be my guest."

Having obtained the permission of the head of the Lü family, a rat-faced man with a thin mustache slowly walked up to Duan Chuan's corpse.

"You old bastard, you finally got what was coming to you today! Knowing how fast you can run, I deliberately severed your heel tendons beforehand.

It's a pity I couldn't take your life with my own hands, but it doesn't matter. Chopping off your head with my own hands and taking it back to make an offering to my father amounts to the same thing."

With that, the man raised his longsword high, preparing to decapitate Duan Chuan.

Yet just as the sword was about to descend, a dark shadow flashed, and in the very next instant, the man was sent flying backward, sword and all.

Everyone was startled by the sight, and immediately cast their gazes toward the figure standing beside the corpse.

"Everyone, the gong has been struck, and the karmic settlement is complete. My old man has already paid for his grievances with all of you using his own life.

If you continue to hound us relentlessly and even intend to desecrate the spiritual remains of the deceased, isn't that going a bit too far?"

Zhao Zhen swept his gaze across the crowd present, finally letting his cold eyes lock onto the mustache-wearing man he had just kicked flying.

"Damn it, Zhao Zhen, what do you mean by this?!!"

Clutching his chest, the mustache-wearing man clambered up from the ground, glaring furiously at Zhao Zhen before him.

"Was my meaning not clear enough just a moment ago? Take one more step forward, and I will slaughter you!"

No one doubted the sincerity of Zhao Zhen's words, for the murderous intent in his eyes at that moment was practically solidifying!

The mustache-wearing man was momentarily frightened by Zhao Zhen's gaze, but regaining his wits, he stubbornly pressed on to save face:

"You won't let us inspect the fiend's corpse—who knows if you're helping your master fake his death to deceive everyone?!!"

At these words, Lü Wen's expression instantly turned gloomy.

"Zhong Tao! Are you implying that my father is also helping an evil fiend fake his death?!!" Lü Ci stepped forward immediately and roared angrily.