Chapter Twenty-Seven: Cooperation (Part One)

“Both of you, stop right there! This is the Grand Yan Sect’s mountain gate, not your personal arena. If you want to fight, take it to the martial training grounds,” commanded Chen Wanru. As a martial artist in the later Bone Refining stage, she was not swayed by Lin Sheng’s provocations and immediately blocked his path.

Knowing he was no match for Chen Wanru in a fight, Lin Sheng reluctantly obeyed and ceased his aggression, though he glared fiercely at Su Bai, his teeth grinding with frustration. Under Chen Wanru’s authority, he could do nothing but cast a venomous look at Su Bai.

“Just you wait, boy! Once we’re inside, you’ll get what’s coming to you. If I don’t skin you alive today, I’m not worthy of my own name!” Lin Sheng seethed inwardly.

Even a fool could see that Lin Sheng intended to make trouble, but this suited Su Bai’s plans perfectly.

“Whether I succeed or fail will depend on how well I’ve prepared these past three days,” Su Bai thought, following Chen Wanru into the sect.

As he approached the ancient three-character inscription above the gate, a majestic aura washed over him. Sensing that Su Bai had stopped, the other two looked back and saw him standing dazed before the plaque.

Lin Sheng couldn’t help but sneer, “What a country bumpkin—never seen the world, have you?”

Though Chen Wanru refrained from mockery, she interrupted his reverie, “No need to stare. As a disciple, you’ll have plenty of time to look later. For now, you’re coming with me to meet the Elder.”

A short while later.

“Found them?” The Third Elder raised an eyebrow at Chen Wanru’s report.

“They were found, but…” Chen Wanru hesitated, a troubled look on her face.

“Continue,” the Third Elder prompted, his calm gaze betraying no emotion.

“Yes, Master,” Chen Wanru replied, “The treasure was recovered, but not by a single person. These two are now at each other’s throats over the reward.”

The Third Elder let out a faint “Oh?” and then said, “Such trifling matters. You handle it. If they insist on fighting, let strength decide. The winner takes all.”

“Yes, Master.”

With a wave of his hand, the Third Elder dismissed her. “You may go. I have other matters to attend.”

“Yes, Master.” Chen Wanru bowed and departed.

The moment the heavy bronze doors swung shut, the Third Elder’s expression darkened.

“Those two fools! They couldn’t even handle someone as insignificant as Xiao Huixin. Had they succeeded in killing her, I’d have had an excuse to keep that sect treasure in my possession for far longer. If I could break the seal on it, my power would soar. Even if the Wudang old goats came knocking, what would I have to fear?”

The thought of Su Kun and his companion infuriated him further.

“They’re locked away in the Grand Yan dungeon now; even as an Elder, I can’t be too reckless. If they implicate me, what then?” He fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, his mind turned to Su Bai and Lin Sheng. “I wonder if that one has ever met Xiao Huixin. If he knows the truth, things could get complicated. I can’t move against him inside the sect, but perhaps I could lure him with promises and eliminate him later.”

With that, the Third Elder rose steadily, waving a hand to swing the doors wide open. The blood-red sunset cast a glow upon his silvery hair.

Elsewhere, Su Bai and his two companions were embroiled in a heated argument.

“I saw the treasure first! Why should I share the reward? I demand justice from the Third Elder!” Lin Sheng’s voice could be heard from afar.

“Lin Sheng, Master has already spoken. If you disagree, there’s only one option left,” Chen Wanru said disdainfully.

“And what did the Elder say?” Su Bai stepped forward to ask.

Though Chen Wanru was normally indifferent toward Su Bai, his respectful tone prompted her to explain, “Master said if neither of you can accept splitting the reward, settle it in combat. The winner takes it all. Are you interested?”

“Excellent!” Lin Sheng sneered. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to teach this brat a lesson. Now that the Elder has given the word, you won’t escape.”

Su Bai fell silent, fueling Lin Sheng’s arrogance as he continued to taunt.

Even Chen Wanru, waiting for his response, began to lose patience with Lin Sheng’s incessant blather.

Just as both thought Su Bai would refuse the duel, he spoke calmly, “Senior Sister, may I ask if we can settle this on the life-and-death arena?”

“A fight to the death?” Both Chen Wanru and Lin Sheng were taken aback.

“Have you grown tired of living?” Lin Sheng asked, incredulous.

Ignoring him, Su Bai repeated his question to Chen Wanru.

She looked at him strangely. “Yes… but if you choose the life-and-death arena, there’s no retreat. Only one of you will walk away.”

“I accept all consequences. You needn’t worry, Senior Sister.” Su Bai bowed respectfully.

Lin Sheng’s restless nature had made him a target for Su Bai from the start. If left alive, Lin Sheng would spread word of his actions, leaving Su Bai unable to clear his name. Better to eliminate the threat at its root.

A short time later.

Standing at the center of the martial arena, Chen Wanru addressed the two, “You both know the rules. I’ll spare the formalities. Begin!”

Su Bai stepped back with his right foot, left hand behind his back, right hand extended. “Please teach me, Senior Brother.”

Lin Sheng ignored the gesture, his eyes cold. “Don’t worry. Next year, I’ll be sure to burn incense for you.”

“Who are these two? I don’t recognize either,” someone in the crowd asked.

“Honestly, I’m not sure myself,” another replied, squinting. “But I think the one on the left is Lin Sheng, the lowest-ranked inner sect disciple for five years running. His opponent must be an outer sect member. But…” He trailed off, as if noticing something unusual.

“Why not finish?” his companion pressed.

“It’s nothing. That scarred youth just reminds me of someone. Don’t you have chores from your master? Why are you still here?”

“Ah! I’d almost forgotten. If my master finds out, I’ll be in for it.” He hurried off, while the other continued to observe Su Bai, muttering, “He’s unusual—already at this level at ten years old; there’s no one else in the sect like him. But his foundation is shaky—he could regress at any moment. What kind of cultivation is this?”

In the arena, Lin Sheng was the first to attack, his calloused hands forming claws that lunged for Su Bai’s chest.

Su Bai frowned. “Lin Sheng has had proper training, and our realms aren’t so far apart. If I’m not careful, he could turn the tables.”

Forced to dodge, Su Bai waited for an opening, while Lin Sheng pressed his advantage, relying on his superior technique. He’d already noticed Su Bai’s flaw: deep reserves of internal force, but no real martial skill. Despite his disbelief, the evidence was clear.

This was Lin Sheng’s edge: using technique to defeat raw strength.

Still, any seasoned fighter valued caution. Confident as he was, Lin Sheng held back some power, wary of a hidden trump card.

But the duel dragged on, and Su Bai offered no counterattack. Frustrated, Lin Sheng decided to go all out—he couldn’t afford to waste any more energy.

His blade danced with renewed vigor, while Su Bai’s expression grew grim. He sensed Lin Sheng was using an unknown secret art to boost his strength.

“This is a losing battle,” Su Bai thought, touching his right forearm, steeling himself to keep dodging.

But Lin Sheng was no fool. If he held back any longer, he’d be courting death. Channeling his internal power, he hurled his blade, which sliced through the air with a piercing shriek, and followed up with a punch from an unexpected angle.

With attacks coming from both sides, Su Bai knew he could no longer avoid a direct clash. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself.

He was outmatched; Lin Sheng’s years of combat experience made it easy to predict and counter Su Bai’s limited moves. As Su Bai ducked under a straight punch, a kick came flying at his chest. He raised his hands to block, but another fist crashed into his face.

A wave of dizziness washed over him, but it was far from over. Suddenly, his foot caught on something, and dread filled his heart.

Lin Sheng seized the chance, stepping forward, muscles bulging as he drove a punch at Su Bai’s chest.

With the last of his wits, Su Bai crossed his arms to shield himself. The blow broke his left forearm, rendering it useless, but spared his ribs.

The force sent him skidding across the arena, crashing into the wall. He heard the crack of breaking bone as dust swirled around him. Huddled in a corner, he wiped blood from his lips, pain twisting his features.

Lin Sheng gave him no respite, sprinting over as soon as Su Bai fell. Ten paces away, Lin Sheng leapt high, slamming down like a cannonball toward Su Bai’s prone form—one blow would finish him.

But just as he seemed utterly defeated, Su Bai suddenly sprang up, dragging a trail of blood. He narrowly avoided the lethal stomp, but as he staggered forward, a large hand seized his injured left arm from behind.

Blinding pain shot through his broken limb; Su Bai nearly fainted but clung to consciousness. The grip only tightened.

Outside the ring, Chen Wanru had lost all hope for him. Anyone could see Su Bai’s defeat was certain.

Just as she lowered her gaze, a sudden roar from the arena snapped her attention back.

In a burst of desperation, Su Bai twisted and fired a hidden dart from his right sleeve. The motion contorted his broken left arm further, but the dart was only a decoy—coated with a fine powder.

The dart clanged off Lin Sheng’s hidden armor, surprising him for an instant, but he recovered, scoffing, “Did you really think that would work? I’m wearing an inner cuirass.”

But at such close range, the powder reached Lin Sheng’s nose, a toxin that only affected those who had consumed Qingxiu Incense. He faltered, his movements stalling.

Seizing the fleeting advantage, Su Bai gathered all his remaining internal power into his right fist, the knuckles jutting sharply. With all his might, he struck Lin Sheng at the temple.

There was a sickening crack; the force broke Su Bai’s wrist as well.

Fearing Lin Sheng might still be alive, Su Bai landed a savage kick between his legs for good measure.

The arena fell silent, the audience stunned by the ruthlessness and ferocity of Su Bai’s counterattack—they could hardly comprehend how Lin Sheng had fallen. The image of Su Bai’s determination and willingness to shatter his own body to win was seared into their minds.

In the center of the arena, a thin youth stood, swaying precariously as though a breeze could topple him. But he refused to fall; his ultimate goal was not yet achieved—he could not afford to faint.

His eyes searched the crowd for a particular figure. Just before blacking out, he spotted him: the Third Elder—a man Su Bai had never met, but upon whom he had pinned all his hopes for survival.

With his last ounce of strength, Su Bai bit his tongue to stay conscious and croaked, “Elder, I can resolve your current predicament.”

At these words, Chen Wanru looked to the Third Elder for instruction.

The Elder narrowed his eyes, speaking softly, “Take him to my private chamber. I will tend to his wounds myself. As for his duel with Lin Sheng, not a word must be spoken. His name and information are to remain absolutely confidential. Understood?”

“Your disciple will obey,” Chen Wanru replied with a bow.

“Good. Take him ahead—I have other matters to attend.” The Third Elder’s deep gaze lingered on Su Bai, full of unspoken meaning.