Heaven’s Shadow

On the day Dongfang Tao achieved True Immortality and emerged from his retreat, most of the important figures in Kunlun Sect were present. Although the two highest-ranking Transformation Realm True Immortals did not attend in person, they sent congratulatory messages through representatives.

Among them, True Immortal Tianlan’s message was conveyed by True Immortal Qian Deng of the Hundred Herbs Hall. Everyone in Kunlun Sect knew that True Immortal Qian Deng was closely associated with True Immortal Tianlan, so this was not surprising. However, True Immortal Bai Chen sent a young girl, Bai Lian, who was ten years younger than most, to deliver his congratulations.

In the public eye, Bai Lian stood right next to Xian Yue True Immortal, positioned ahead of all the other True Immortals.

This was obviously significant, but there was ample justification for this arrangement. Bai Lian held the Wind Whispering Disk, and with True Immortal Bai Chen using this treasure as a medium, it was as if he was directly congratulating Dongfang Tao. This made it all the more noteworthy.

From that day on, Kunlun Sect openly recognized that despite his old age, True Immortal Bai Chen had chosen the ten-year-old, legendary five-element genius girl Bai Lian as his most valued successor.

This also brought renewed attention to another powerful True Immortal in Kunlun, who had not taken any disciples for many years. What exactly was this bald True Immortal thinking?

※※※

“What do I know about what the bald guy is thinking?” Lu Chen took a swig of his drink and complained to Lao Ma, “What I do know is that he’s the most unreliable person under the sun.”

Lao Ma patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, “I understand you’ve suffered and are feeling frustrated. Trust me, he’s not feeling any better.”

Lu Chen looked at him skeptically, “How could the bald guy be feeling bad?”

Lao Ma said solemnly, “When he heard about this, especially how you endured the injuries and didn’t take action for the greater good, True Immortal was furious and scolded the Su family. He told me to convey to you that he has remembered today’s events. Once he achieves great success, he’ll deal with the Su family first and get revenge for you.”

“Bullshit!” Lu Chen cursed, “You’re just talking big. What’s the use of all this? If he’s so capable, why doesn’t he just go to the Su family now and crush them? Why waste so much breath?”

Lao Ma looked embarrassed and forced a smile, “Well… you know, True Immortal’s status is different from ours. He has more constraints and can’t act on a whim…” He then straightened his expression and assured Lu Chen again, “Anyway, don’t worry. True Immortal has repeatedly said that this matter is not over. He has it in mind and will definitely find trouble with the Su family sooner or later.”

Lu Chen rolled his eyes, clearly not believing Lao Ma. Lao Ma laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, “Alright, let’s not talk about this. True Immortal will act in his own time. By the way, are your injuries any better?”

Lu Chen stretched his arm and said, “It’s getting better. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to come down the mountain to drink with you.”

Lao Ma nodded, “You’re recovering quickly. Though your cultivation has been greatly reduced, it seems you still have a solid foundation in recovery. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator might not match you.”

Lu Chen paused for a moment and then nodded, “I’ve probably gotten a lot of elixirs from Su Qingjun recently, and they seem to be effective.”

Lao Ma looked at him enviously, “Look at your life, so comfortable. Others are heroes saving beauties and working hard, but you just lie there and let the beauties rescue you, eating and living off them, and now even staying outside their cave. It’s really unfair. I’ve been a young, promising man for years, but no outstanding woman has ever looked at me. Are the flowers all on cow dung?”

“Flowers on cow dung?!” Lu Chen retorted, “If you lay there and let others cut you a few dozen times, see how comfortable you’d feel. Stop pretending. Still a young man? Wake up, you’ve never slimmed down in decades. If it weren’t for the bald guy being fatter than you, I’d think you’re a reincarnation of the pig deity. Even if there were flowers, they certainly wouldn’t be on your head.”

Lao Ma’s face turned serious, and he pointed at Lu Chen, “I heard that you insulted True Immortal as a pig deity’s reincarnation!”

“I insulted him, so what?” Lu Chen glared at him.

“Oh, nothing. You’re the loudest, so you’re impressive. I didn’t hear anything,” Lao Ma said calmly.

※※※

“How’s the situation on the mountain?” Lao Ma poured him another drink and asked.

### Chapter 175: The Cause of Revenge

Lu Chen took the cup and said, “It’s not too bad. Mainly, Dongfang Tao’s sudden achievement of True Immortality has been very sensational and has attracted everyone’s attention. Since I didn’t actually become Su Qingjun’s disciple, it’s not too conspicuous.”

Lao Ma snorted, “This was truly an unwarranted disaster. Those three Su family’s wastes really sickened me. Honestly, if you hadn’t stopped me with your eyes that day, I might have lost my temper.”

Lu Chen smiled and said, “It’s nothing. It’s not worth ruining our major plans over those things.”

Lao Ma hesitated, lowering his voice to ask Lu Chen, “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Although you endured it that day, we didn’t know those guys had such disgusting torture devices, making you suffer so much more. But if Su Qingjun hadn’t come, would you… have really endured it to the end?”

Lu Chen turned to look at Lao Ma, and after a moment, slowly shook his head, “No.”

“Then would you have turned hostile?” Lao Ma asked.

“When they started, I had already made up my mind. Once their actions threatened my life and endangered my very existence, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I couldn’t just wait around to die, so I would have fought back.”

“Mm, I thought so.” Lao Ma nodded, but then looked at Lu Chen with a hint of lingering fear in his eyes. “At the beginning, you… suffered such severe injuries and were cut so many times by those wastes. I thought you’d have snapped sooner.”

Lu Chen smiled, glancing over his body. Underneath his clothes, his flesh was still marked with countless scars. He paused for a moment before saying淡淡地道, “After being burned by Black Flame for ten years, I seem to have gotten used to such pain.”

Lao Ma didn’t say anything more, just nodded silently.

※※※

“So, what are you planning to do next?” Lao Ma asked Lu Chen.

Lu Chen stretched lazily and said, “What else can I do? Continue with life and secretly look for spies. There are always things that need to be done. By the way, I need you to find out some information for me.”

“What information?”

“Details about the younger generation of the Su family—their daily routines, whereabouts, and preferences. The more detailed, the better.”

Lao Ma’s eyes lit up, and he looked excited. He whispered, “So, you can’t hold back anymore?”

Lu Chen sneered, “I’m no saint. After being treated like this, how can I just keep quiet? I need to get my revenge.”

“Well said!” Lao Ma slapped his thigh, and his smile suddenly took on a fierce look as he gritted his teeth, “That’s right. In our line of work, it’s all about being fiercer. Who’s afraid of whom!”

However, he hesitated for a moment and then said, “But since this matter has just passed for less than a month, won’t taking revenge immediately draw attention and implicate you?”

Lu Chen said淡淡地道, “I endured it that day, so I won’t act recklessly just for revenge. But I can’t just let it go. I need to find an opportunity to make them taste what true suffering is.”

Lao Ma looked at him, frowning as if feeling a cold chill, but his expression quickly returned to normal. “That’s fine. I also find those guys unpleasant. Don’t worry about the information; you’ll get it the next time you come down the mountain. We’ll take action and deal with them.”

Lu Chen nodded and stood up, seemingly about to leave. Lao Ma suddenly thought of something and said, “By the way, if you’re determined to do this, what about Su Qingjun?”

Lu Chen paused and then said, “What’s there to worry about? She won’t know it’s me.”

Lao Ma nodded, “True, as long as we keep it discreet, there’s no fear of being discovered. But… uh, I’m just asking out of curiosity. You said the Su family members are all despicable, and taking revenge on them is fine. But Su Qingjun, I’ve heard, is quite a good person. She’s been very kind to you, not only arguing with her family and causing a commotion, but also giving you the title of a nominal disciple. Doesn’t that count for something?”

Lu Chen looked up and stared silently at Lao Ma. Lao Ma’s voice grew softer, and after a while, Lu Chen asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Lao Ma said, “I want to ask if you don’t care about her feelings?”

“I’ve been injured and suffered. Why should I care about her feelings when seeking revenge?”

“But between you two, isn’t there some… at least mutual sympathy?”

Lu Chen’s gaze lowered slightly, like a shadow swaying in the dark, expressionless as he looked towards the distant light. After a while, he淡淡地道, “We shadow dwellers have no qualifications to talk about love and romance. You’re overthinking it.”

He turned to walk out, his voice carrying a hint of coldness, “Help me gather information on those people. Once I handle it personally, I think you’ll feel more at ease and won’t doubt me anymore.”

Lao Ma stood still, watching Lu Chen walk out alone. After a moment, a faint smile appeared on his face, though it was tinged with a touch of desolation and loneliness.