38. Life and Death
Fang Yuan watches the Bold Lightning Wolf snap Chi Cheng’s head like a crushed watermelon. The former never expected Chi Cheng’s scout to die. After all, the Old Gu Master survived the Beast Tides under Chi Shan’s command. There lies the core difference! Qing Shu, Mo Yan, and Chi Shan are Elders. How can Mo Bei and Chi Cheng be as experienced as their predecessors in leading teams at such short notice? Fang Zheng also advanced to Rank 3, letting Zie Qi hold the reigns.
‘Chi Cheng is done with. I’m also steadily increasing the price of Vitality Leaf Gu. It’s inciting Public Outrage. It will be the key Gu Yue Yao Ji needs to target me. However, I will still do it knowing Yao Ji’s greed. Chi Cheng’s death does not guarantee the Primeval Stones necessary to heal the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus.’
Tree roots dangle from Fang Yuan’s right ear, sharpening his hearing. Confirming Chi Cheng’s death, Fang Yuan leaves the area. He would usually search the corpses for Gu worms and hand them into the clan for merit points. He used this tactic to rise quickly in the merit board, exchanging several refinement materials. However, Chi Cheng is a different case. Chi Lian will target Fang Yuan should the latter publicly reveal he searched Chi Cheng’s corpse. After all, Chi Cheng was a C-grader who cheated during the awakening ceremony! Fang Yuan only wants to contact after having a similar status to keep Chi Lian from sending assassins after him.
He stops and crouches to let the tree roots touch the ground. His scouting area expands to 300 meters, allowing Fang Yuan to hear several things.
‘There’s a wolf pack in the east and a team of Gu Masters in the North. Hmm? A lone Gu Master is approaching my direction from the South?’
Fang Yuan frowns. He turns around and leaves through a different area. After a while, Fang Yuan crouches and scouts the region, sighing.
‘It’s her, right? I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with her since dear Batchmate Lo Jik took over my misfortune. But to think I would still encounter her.’
Fang Yuan does not lose his cool. Instead, he jumps into the bush as the air ripples around him, turning him invisible.
*Phew*
An icicle cuts through the bushes and stabs the ground beside Fang Yuan. An impish snicker rings from the distant branch. “I hunted another Frenzy Lightning Wolf for the Lightning Pupil Gu. You’re from Gu Yue Village. You know what I want! Tell me about Gu Yue Lo Jik, and I will let you leave.”
It should be another dull encounter for Bai Ning Bing. Yet, her body stills as if struck by lightning. Her black eyes meet the youth’s pitch-black, abyss-like pupils. She quietly stares at him as she jumps down the branch. A wave of excitement fills her. She steps forward, wanting to inspect the black-haired teen. His eyes attracted her, like Lo Jik’s. They aren’t the same. In fact, they are completely opposite!
Lo Jik’s gaze hid his indifference. However, she could sense a sparkle of hope and joy in the depths of those lonely brown hues. Meanwhile, the youth in front of her seems to possess a gaze that looks down on life—lonely but not desperate. A whirlpool of unending chaos hides solemn peace toward life and death! She could tell all this because she felt the same!
She wants to find joy in life. That flicker of hope has yet to run out. However, she also wants to surpass her frustration and fear of the inevitable death. Lo Jik struck correctly. She forced herself to turn a blind eye to her issues, lying to herself to feel at peace.
Yet, she was never peaceful.
Her bosom heaves as she steps forward to closely observe the youth. Yet, her opponent’s calm disdain makes her recollect ‘HIS’ words.
‘I really am a clown,’ Bai Ning Bing realizes. Did she almost inspect the youth like a plaything?
“There are two of you,” Bai Ning Bing instead states, not moving from her position. And she’s torn. What should she do? Unknowingly, she faces a fork of decision leading into the unknown. Hope and Peace—Both attract her. However, the depths of her being screams that she is one decision away from a path of no return.
‘Two?’ Fang Yuan narrows his eyes. He knows all about Bai Ning Bing. She’s a pitiful child forced to face the notion of inevitable death before she could even understand joy. It made her eccentric. She might not want to realize it, but her acts of finding ‘Joy’ in life and death battle is her way of trying to overcome that fear.
“I’m Bai Ning Bing,” she introduces herself, slightly shocking Fang Yuan. “What is your name?”
Unwilling to enter a confrontation like last time due to unfavorable conditions, Fang Yuan confesses, “Gu Yue Fang Yuan.”
“Gu Yue Lo Jik… Gu Yue Fang Yuan…” Bai Ning Bing mutters under her breath.
“Tell me about Lo Jik and yourself.”
Fang Yuan frowns. He’s not unwilling to share information. However, the current Bai Ning Bing is several times more dangerous than the one he faced in his previous life. She was like a child standing at the entrance of the Demonic Path. The so-called Demonic Path is the world of individuals who can never fit into society. Some may be psychotic mass murderers and criminals. But most are too individualistic with an Iron Will that never bends to the System’s whims. Bai Ning Bing was only at the cusp of it.
Now?
She’s unknowingly walking into the foggy, danger-riddled path of a Demon.
Her approaching death twisted her morals. Why else would a talent like her, with the hopes of the clan, taught by the Clan Leader about several righteous traditions and aspects, turn out this way? Death changes a man. It’s not just the death of one’s body. Losing identity and hope is similar to death. Death and fatal experiences refined men like Fang Yuan to possess an Iron Will. To Fang Yuan, Righteousness or Demonism is merely a tool.
What about Bai Ning Bing? She isn’t so far ahead to understand all that. She’s like a cub entering a threatening and unknown world for the first time. Or so she should be.
The Bai Ning Bing in front of Fang Yuan is like an injured cub, already aware of the dangers and still pressing forward.
“It will cost you,” Fang Yuan narrows his eyes. He isn’t scared. Injured or healthy—she is still a cub.
“How much?” Bai Ning Bing raises her eyebrows. Conventionally, Fang Yuan should have asked for the Red Steel Relic Gu in her aperture. However, he is already close to the Peak Stage. His cultivation in this life is quicker due to the early refinement of the Four Flavors Liquor Worm Gu.
‘That’s the Bai Ning Bing I know. She doesn’t need external resources for Cultivation. As the Clan Leader’s successor, she must possess deep savings. Can’t I use her to get some Primeval Stones? The only question is, should I engage her in a negotiation or place a price she’d be willing to splurge?’
Fang Yuan decides on the latter. He would be a fool to drop a hammer on his foot by aggravating Bai Ning Bing enough to let go of her calm discussion and attack him.
“6000 Primeval Stones each,” Fang Yuan smiles. “I will tell you everything, including our childhood.”
This attracts Bai Ning Bing. One’s childhood resonates with her since she felt conflicted since her Childhood!
“Fine,” Bai Ning Bing nods. She doesn’t hand him the Primeval Stones but tells Fang Yuan to appear in a location after midnight.
She quietly leaves while Fang Yuan sighs. ‘I was expecting too much for her to just hand something in advance. She may be wealthy and a fickle spender, but she isn’t a fool. What happened between her and Lo Jik?’
As for meeting her?
Fang Yuan would never do that!
He has the confidence to escape her in the open because he knows the terrain and can turn the situation chaotic by approaching other teams. Such convenience disappears at midnight when almost all teams defend the Village’s perimeter!
As expected, he can only rely on his Clansmen.
<<<>>>
The lack of Fang Yuan’s presence at the appointed location and time annoyed Bai Ning Bing as she began hunting Gu Yue’s team, demanding information about Lo Jik AND Fang Yuan. Aware of her disposition and the painful fate of those who refused, almost all Gu Masters admitted Lo Jik’s relationship with Mo Yan and Fang Yuan’s blood relation with Fang Zheng.
Aware of her combat strength against Bai Ning Bing, Mo Yan didn’t drift far from the village. She was at peace. After all, Lo Jik holed into the Village, too. She was slightly worried that Lo Jik began revealing all the symptoms of wanting to try advancing again. However, that was better than encountering Bai Ning Bing.
As for Fang Yuan? He was no better.
He rushed the ranking in Merit Board to exchange for the Nine Step Fragrant Grass Gu. But Gu Yue Yao Ji would not let him purchase it. He also used the wolves to kill Gu Yue Jiang He—the only remaining witness of the Wang Family’s murder. Fang Yuan also used the wolves to kill Chi Cheng. As expected, the power dynamics shifted instantly. The loss of Chi Faction’s heir wavered many Elders’ beliefs. Meanwhile, the Mo Faction thrived. However, the Elders did not dare flare the political disputes in the face of Wolf Tides.
Everything can be ‘discussed’ after dealing with the Wolves.
So, Fang Yuan has no need to risk his life. In fact, he turned Bai Ning Bing into a convenient excuse and cultivated it with a single focus. The excuse of daily fines for not completing the quota allowed Fang Yuan to increase the prices of the Vitality Leaves again!
Nobody could deal with the wolf tides AND Bai Ning Bing, so her presence ran amok. Naturally, her queries dwindled since she heard almost everything others had to say about the duo.
She had to raise the quality of her inspection. So, Bai Ning Bing began silently searching for Mo Yan and Fang Zheng. Those two must know more about their Husband and twin, right? However, Mo Yan didn’t leave the village.
On the other hand, Fang Zheng…
“You were looking for me?” Bai Ning Bing sounds those words against her soft pink lips while staring at the plain-faced, dark-haired youth. A white belt with a silver buckle graces his uniform. However, she feels disappointment in her heart when meeting his determined gaze. Those eyes are too bright…
Too shallow.
“I am!” Fang Zheng grits his teeth. “How dare you attack Gu Yue’s Gu Masters despite the alliance? Bai Ning Bing! We’re both the same! We—”
*Shlk*
Fang Zheng’s pupils constrict as a sharp icicle scratches his cheek. He could not even react!
“The same?” Bai Ning Bing slowly stands, tying her gourd to her waist. Her expression turns frosty. Sneering, she goads. “Ah! You tried to make me laugh before spilling the beans about your Elder Twin. We’re not the same, kid. Don’t mistake my amusement with kindness. Your only saving grace is sharing the same face as Fang Yuan.”
Fang Zheng pales. He unconsciously takes a step back. He thought he put his past behind him since he advanced to Rank 3. However, Bai Ning Bing’s biting words forced all those emotions and memories to return like a tidal wave!
“So?” Bai Ning Bing ignores Fang Zheng’s internal turmoil. “How old are you two? What are your hobbies? What do you do when you’re bored? Does Fang Yuan have a woman he loves? Is she boring like Mo Yan? What about Lo Jik? He’s better-looking than you. Did he get any woman other than his wife? Wasn’t there a rumor about him and your wife? Did Lo Jik leave you his sloppy seconds?”
Bai Ning Bing amassed several rumors about the duo. Lo Jik’s conflict with Fang Zheng confuses her because she can tell beauty is not a standard the former holds dear. He must have other reasons. If a woman can acquire his intrigue, she must be quite the character—Gu Master or a Mortal.
Her barrage of swift questions is like a dagger into Fang Zheng’s heart. He spent hours locating Bai Ning Bing. Yet, he cannot say a word. His breathing turns ragged. Fang Zheng could not hear the sincere inquiry in her voice. All he hears are insults!
Clenching his fist, Fang Zheng tries hard to not lose to anger. Instead, he snarls at the woman, “I’m dutybound to protect my people! You won’t lay a finger on Gu Yue’s Clansmen!”
Bai Ning Bing stares at the youth before releasing a sigh. ‘Lo Jik was right. Just because he sounds boring to me shouldn’t mean he is boring to everyone. Our interests don’t align. However, why should that matter?’ Her gaze sharpens. ‘If he is boring to me—he’s boring!’
The woman brushes her bangs behind, cocking her head sideways. “You didn’t follow this idiot for a chat, right, Qing Shu?”
“What?” Fang Zheng turns around when Bai Ning Bing’s eyes turn crystal blue. Her dainty body twists and contracts like a vicious animal as she delivers a rolling side-kick to Fang Zheng’s head. The force propels Fang Zheng off the narrow cliff.
“Save Fang Zheng!” A voice screams. Three shadows leave the nearby thicket. One figure rushes to save Fang Zheng, jumping down the cliff as green vines roll out from his wrist, quickly coiling around the unconscious Fang Zheng.
Meanwhile, two Gu Yue elders under Gu Yue Bo’s faction glare at Bai Ning Bing.
“How dare you break the peace treaty, you vicious lass!” One of the elders growls. The clan wanted to end the trouble Bai Ning Bing posed to their Clan after the Wolf Tide. Her growth scared others.
“You must pay for your crimes with your life!” The other shouts.
Bai Ning Bing smiles at them, questioning, “Should we wait for Qing Shu? Hmm?” She claps her palms before forging an icy katana.
“Elder Qing Shu will keep Elder Fang from harm’s way. You should feel honored. We recognize your strength and will combine our forces to kill you. We shall return your untouched corpse—”
Lightning buzzes around Bai Ning Bing. Before others react, the ferocious lightning is already at the monologuing elder, phasing through his head and frying his brain. A scorch mark releases the scent of burnt flesh from the corpse’s forehead. Meanwhile, the other Elder’s defensive measures activate.
“That was an expendable Rank 2 Blink Lightning Gu! Y-You killed him!”
Bai Ning Bing scratches her head.
“Did you expect me to hear him drone about honor killing? I don’t want to be bored. So? Should we wait for Qing Shu?”
Bai Ning Bing enjoys the fear overlapping her would-be assassin’s expression before suddenly dashing at him. The Gu Yue Elder overcomes the intimidation with a forceful grunt. What should he be scared of? He already has his defensive means activated! He can exchange a few moves and test the waters before escaping!
<<<>>>
“—ke up!”
Fang Zheng groans. His world spins as the youth tries sitting up before feeling another sharp headache!
‘Brother… Qing Shu?” Fang Zheng recognizes the green-haired silhouette, barely able to focus on his words. “You need to escape, Fang Zheng!”
Fang Zheng’s eyes threaten to roll into his skull when a wave of warmth allows him to regather his focus. His vision slowly returns. Qing Shu helps Fang Zheng up while constantly using his Healing Gu. Qing Shu is an attack-type Gu Master. So, his healing means are subpar. It’s barely enough to wake Fang Zheng.
Qing Shu firmly squeezes Fang Zheng’s shoulder, prompting, “You need to leave. Now! I know Bai Ning Bing’s strength. Elder Long and Ni won’t hold for long. We cannot risk you, Fang Zheng. Go—”
*Thud*
*Thud*
Something heavy falling on the ground echoes behind Qing Shu as he turns around. His usually compassionate features turn stern when he sees the head of the two Elders.
“I didn’t bother taking their Gu Worms,” Bai Ning Bing’s pale feet dangle as she sits on the branch. She is strangely bereft of any boots. Qing Shu notices the lightning bolt mark on her right ankle.
“Elder Long! Elder Ni!” Fang Zheng yells, sadness pervading his being! The two Elders were kind and caring, guiding him through several facts about Gu's refinement that are otherwise closely guarded secrets.
Qing Shu nods quietly. “That was generous of you, Bai Ning Bing.”
“After all,” she trills. “You two would have escaped if I wasted time with their Gu.” Her smirk turns sickly disgusting to the duo as she crosses her legs. “So? Are you two going to tell me something new about Lo Jik and Fang Yuan? I may let you guys leave after taking an arm each.”
“You soulless monster!” Fang Zheng grits his teeth. Bai Ning Bing’s smile slowly recedes. She jumps down while recreating her ice katana.
“How did you know?” Bai Ning Bing quirks, wagging her white brows.
A thick green wall formed from vines and sharp thorns surrounds Bai Ning Bing. If one looks closely, Qing Shu’s toes stretch and pierce out from his boots as dark green vines stab into the ground.
“Go!” Qing Shu cannot move as long as the Vine Cage is active. He urges the shaken Fang Zheng. “Go get reinforcements, Fang Zheng! Hurry!”
That wakes the youth up as he bites his bottom lip before turning around, already understanding the severity of the issue. Bai Ning Bing killed their elders. The Gu Yue Clan MUST apprehend her now before the Bai Clan hears the wind of it!
*Chhk*
*Chhk*
The ice blade cuts through the cage, opening a path for Bai Ning Bing to step out. She stares at Qing Shu with a soft smirk. “The offer still stands.”
“Words are pointless.” Vines retract into Qing Shu’s boots, reforming into his injured toes.
Both momentarily stare at each other.
Icicle Gu!
Pin Needle Gu!
Frost swiftly forms into multiple icicles around Bai Ning Bing before shooting at Qing Shu. The latter’s green hair suddenly hardens before releasing a flurry of jade-green needles!
*Ting* *Ting* *Ting* *Ting*
Some pin needles break an icicle or two. Meanwhile, the remaining attack is swiftly dodged by both parties or directly countered using their terrain. Icicles and needles stab into trees. Two vines descend from Qing Shu’s wrists as he whips at Bai Ning Bing. The latter avoids and cuts the vines with her Ice Blade.
They move through a dozen meters at once as Qing Shu frowns.
Is Bai Ning Bing going to keep using Rank 2 Gu?
He cares little about honor in the face of his Clan’s prosperity. Willing to sacrifice everything for the clan—even honor!
If Bai Ning Bing does not want to use her Gu, it’s her demise.
Their battle turns intense as Bai Ning Bing laughs. “Hahaha! Your whipping skills improved!”
Qing Shu would reciprocate and acknowledge Bai Ning Bing’s swordsmanship if she didn’t have the upper hand. The woman is like a wild beast stowed in a human’s body. She uses her terrain as if born into it—jumping off the tree trunks to attack him from impossible angles!
Revealing her superior talent, Bai Ning Bing also forms a few icicles during the intense clash. Her ability to divert her focus to use another Gu shocks Qing Shu as he’s forced into a corner. But he isn’t without experience!
His vines suddenly slip past her defenses. Bai Ning Bing snorts as water vapor instantly escapes her nostrils, forming a tight spherical defense from revolving vapors. The vines hit Bai Ning Bing before losing momentum against the Water Shield Gu’s ability.
Seeing a gap in Qing Shu’s defense, Bai Ning Bing gulps loudly. Her throat suddenly expands like a toad midway through its croaking. She opens her mouth, revealing an icy-blue sparrow. Qing Shu’s expression changes slightly!
A Rank 3 Blue Bird Ice Coffin Gu!
The bird targets Qing Shu, flying at a swift speed! Qing Shu weaves through different trees. This Gu is dangerous. Not only does it smother the target in a wave of chilling ice, instantly killing them, but it also moves locks on the target, avoiding the rest! The bird flaps its wings and flies around the trees. Qing Shu cannot break the Gu, too. It will release all the condensed frost as a dangerous explosion.
But Qing Shu isn’t without means. One of the first Gu he refined as a Rank 3 Gu Master used Lo Jik’s Blood Vomit Gu.
Rank 3 Corrosive Jade Spit Gu!
Qing Shu spits a ball of jade-green corrosive saliva the second the bird nears him.
*Tsssssssss*
The Blue Bird Ice Coffin releases thick smoke, melting away!
Bai Ning Bing’s gaze brightens. She isn’t deterred.
‘Still, using a Rank 3 Gu with a Rank 2 Essence took a lot out of me. But Qing Shu shouldn’t know that. To others, I’m still a Rank 3 Gu Master using Rank 2 Gu for fun.’ Her gaze hardens. She cannot do many things while being restricted.
Their battle rages as her aperture recovers essence at a heaven-defying pace.
The good thing doesn’t last forever when Bai Ning Bing hears multiple shouts.
“Stop here, you vile beast!”
“Attack!”
“How dare you kill Gu Yue Clansmen!”
“Recover Elder Long’s and Ni’s corpses!”
Bai Ning Bing’s heart sinks as she groans. The lightning bolt pattern on her ankle crackles into life as electricity flashes around her feet.
“It was fun, Qing Shu!” She grins before turning around in a mad dash!
“Stop her!”
Qing Shu’s eyes transition into jade-green as the ground near Bai Ning Bing trembles.
Another wall of vine and thorns grows around Bai Ning Bing, shocking her! ‘How can a Rank 2 Gu have such a range?’ She is aware of several Gu used by her competition. So, she knows about the limits of Qing Shu’s Gu.
No matter.
Bai Ning Bing waves her sword when—
*Ting*
She barely scratches the surface as her blade chips from the thorns.
‘Fuck!’ Her right arm unhesitatingly turns crystal blue. One can see the bones in her arm and hand. Frost collects near her right hand as she hacks the vines with her arm.
Rank 3 Frost Demon Gu! This is a powerful Gu with similar restrictions. It turns one’s body or body parts that of a Frost Demon! However, the issues to one’s joints are the least of the user’s problems when using it. This Gu can freeze someone’s heart if not careful, killing them!
Her hand slices past the vine. Bai Ning Bing’s rank 2 Essence plunges again.
There are three other elders besides Qing Shu.
*Puchik*
A sharp metal rod stabs into her left thigh from behind the second she escapes the prison vine. Bai Ning Bing almost falls over as she grits her teeth.
The situation is too dangerous!
Wait.
Was this not what she always wanted?
An exciting match?
Lightning crackles around her feet as Bai Ning Bing focuses on escaping.
‘Why am I running away?’ She screams internally. ‘I wanted to feel the ‘Colors’ during a life and death match! It’s Life and Death! So, why am I running?!’
Her thoughts fall into disarray.
Two pairs of eyes bore into her, seeing through her as if she were naked. The brown hues seem strangely encouraging. That’s right! Lo Jik warned her how ‘Boring’ she was.
How dull AND weak her thoughts were.
Meanwhile, the pools of an abyss that Fang Yuan has his eyes condescendingly glance at her.
Are you running from your dreams? Was dying your dream?
These two men made a fool out of her, and both emerged from the same batch. Bai Ning Bing cannot help but feel shallow in their presence.
But isn’t running away the wisest choice?
She cannot readily unlock her cultivation. Facing four Rank 3 elders is a suicide.
‘Why don’t you commit suicide?’ Lo Jik’s voice buzzes inside her head. ‘You wanted a colorful death. I’m sure your blood will complement your skin.’
‘Send your savings to me,’ Fang Yuan’s cold voice encourages. ‘Your stupidity shouldn’t affect how I use your treasures.’
‘Just what do I want?’ Bai Ning Bing yells aloud as a corrosive spit lands on her back, instantly searing her flesh and clothes into a bloody mess! Her body tumbles and rolls against the foliage. She evades instinctively, hacking at a metal rod aimed at her head.
“Leave it to me!” An elder transforms into a hairy white ape! He snarls and pounces at Bai Ning Bing, forcing her to jump away when a moonblade slices her ankles. The Rank 2 Moonglow doesn’t neatly slice her feet since Bai Ning Bing used Ice Muscle Gu to nurture Ice Muscles. Her flesh is refined by a Rank 3 Gu.
She still falls.
Her heart thumps.
‘I’m going to die,’ her body stops panicking when her right arm condenses into an icy one.
“I see.”
Bai Ning Bing ignores the excited expression of the ape-transformed Elder smashing his fist down at her.
“No!” Qing Shu screams when he realizes something.
‘Death has no color. How could I ever focus on life when fearing death? Who doesn’t die?’
*Boooooommmmmm*
Her right arm explodes as a whirlpool of icy mist engulfs her surroundings!
Trees and soil scatter. Qing Shu hurriedly forms a protective vine cage around himself and the two elders. The third elder was too far!
***
Alternate Title: Chi Cheng’s Death; Fang Yuan is on a Roll; Different Encounter; A Cub Against a Monster; Resolving the Situation With Peace; Kindred Spirits; Different Directions of Same Magnitude; Two Demons; Three Makes a Charm; Who Knows About Lo Jik and Fang Yuan?; A Relieved Mo Yan; Using Excuses to Cultivate; Difference in Previous Lives; Tilt in Gu Yue’s Political World; Bai Ning Bing to FZ: Oh, You’re Not Running Away But Approaching Me?; Unintentionally Creating PTSD for Fang Zheng; Easy Two Elders; Qing Shu’s Strength; An Engaging Battle; At Death’s Door; Only Death Values Life; The Two Men; Evenly Matched?; Forced To Escape; Battered; Realizing Her Baseless Fears; Why Is She Running?; Boring is Boring