Chapter Thirty-Eight: Seeking Hell Where There Is No Entry

For this reason, he did not allow himself any slackness this time. As Xiu Ji's iron fists came crashing fiercely toward his face, Bai Mu swiftly sprang up from the ground with a nimble leap, soaring above Xiu Ji's head. In the air, he calmly thrust his sword, sending a surge of ancient sword energy directly at Xiu Ji's waist.

Yet, Bai Mu was kind-hearted by nature; despite his opponent's relentless aggression, he had no intention of taking the man's life. Thus, the strike contained less than a fifth of his true power—its sole purpose was to drive Xiu Ji back.

Although Xiu Ji was a formidable force among his peers at the Temple of the Returning Void, compared to Bai Mu, he was like a child pitted against a seasoned master. After all, Bai Mu’s master, Bai Ze, was a legendary figure of the same era as the Heavenly Emperor himself. How could his disciple be anything less than extraordinary?

When Xiu Ji sensed the chilling sword energy behind him, it was already too late to dodge. He could only muster all his internal force to envelop himself in a protective aura, desperately hoping to withstand the attack.

Though this maneuver was fraught with risk, it was his best option for survival at that moment—a testament to Xiu Ji’s quick thinking and wealth of battle experience, no doubt honed during his years at the Temple.

In the blink of an eye, the Azure Dragon Sword's energy struck Xiu Ji squarely in the waist. Though Bai Mu had used only a fraction of his power, the sword’s might was such that even this was multiplied several times over by the ancient energy it contained.

The sword struck Xiu Ji's waist, and though he was shielded by his protective aura, he was still sent flying like a kite with a broken string, hurtling across the brook and crashing into the rocky bank.

A pained wail escaped his lips. The sharp determination in his eyes had faded, replaced by disappointment and dejection. It was understandable. As one of the most outstanding disciples of his generation at the Temple, Xiu Ji had rarely tasted defeat—especially not a humiliating loss such as this, something unimaginable in his twenty-some years of life.

Yet the tragedy had unfolded, and the one who brought it about was none other than an obscure youth of sixteen or seventeen.

After driving Xiu Ji back with a single sword strike, Bai Mu immediately sheathed the Azure Dragon Sword and landed gracefully. Catching Ling Yan’s gaze, the two prepared to cross the brook together to explain themselves.

But just as they took a step, two black pellets, each the size of an egg, shot out from the dense forest at their side, falling straight at their feet.

“Watch out!”

Ling Yan quickly pulled Bai Mu back, retreating through the air.

At that moment, the black pellets hit the ground and exploded like thunderclaps, the force blasting the riverbank’s stones into fragments and sending the waters of the brook surging a dozen feet high before cascading back down—a spectacular, chaotic scene.

But the true tragedy befell Brother Wushang, whose corpse had lain by the water’s edge. The explosion mangled his remains beyond recognition, and then the falling debris buried him completely, forming a mound like a small grave—thus sparing him even the rites of burial.

Fortunately, Ling Yan had reacted swiftly, pulling Bai Mu several yards away in time. Otherwise, though their strength might have protected them from the blast, they would have been left battered and covered in dust by the flying debris.

Once they landed safely and looked back at the blast site, chaos reigned. Across the brook, Xiu Ji—who had been injured and wailing—was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn!” Bai Mu stamped his foot in frustration, muttering regretfully, “I didn’t even get to explain before Xiu Ji ran off. If he returns to the Temple and spreads lies, won’t I become the public enemy of the entire Wildlands?”

“If that happens, there’ll be no chance of seeking out the Sword Sage at Floating Jade Mountain for a cure. I’ll be hunted down as a murderous fiend the moment I set foot at the mountain’s base!”

Ling Yan sighed helplessly, glancing at Wushang’s now-buried body by the brook. She shrugged with a wry smile, “Who could be so vicious, to ambush us like this and strike so ruthlessly?”

“I have no idea.” Bai Mu gazed thoughtfully at the spot from which the pellets had flown, replying uncertainly, “I’ve never seen such powerful explosives before. I’ve only just arrived in the Wildlands and have no enemies. Why would anyone ambush me?”

“Forget it. Let’s not worry about such complicated matters,” Ling Yan said with cheerful optimism, smiling softly. “No matter what happens, nothing will stop us from reaching Floating Jade Mountain!”

“What?” Bai Mu cried out, his heart pounding in dread. “Ling Yan, did that explosion knock some sense out of you?”

“At a time like this, you still want to go to Floating Jade Mountain? You’re choosing to walk into hell when heaven’s path is right before you!”

“That’s right!” Ling Yan’s expression turned solemn. “Not only am I going, but you must as well!”

“I don’t see the point,” Bai Mu replied, shaking his head in confusion. An uneasy premonition crept into his heart. He sensed that this journey to Floating Jade Mountain might entangle them in an even greater conspiracy—one that could very well cost them their lives. Deep down, he was reluctant to go.

“What’s there to fear?” Ling Yan dismissed his concern with a wave. “We have to go! Otherwise, the crimes of destroying the town, murder, and the attack on Wushang will be pinned on you forever. You’ll never clear your name!”

“So you mean we should go to Floating Jade Mountain to prove our innocence?” Bai Mu scratched his head, puzzled.

“Of course! If someone wants to frame us, let’s turn the tables!”

“If they wish to see us dead, we’ll carve out a path to survival—how about it?”

“Well…” Bai Mu hesitated. “Your reasoning isn’t wrong, but the misunderstanding is so deep now, and I’ve wounded Xiu Ji. Even if we reach Floating Jade Mountain, who’s to say they’ll listen to us?”

“Besides, we’re both novices—barely out in the world. How can we possibly contend with those seasoned schemers?”