Novel Lived
Chapter 851: 852: Your Way of Speaking, Senior Brother Doesn't Like It
Chapter 851: Chapter 852: Your Way of Speaking, Senior Brother Doesn’t Like It
Atop the Second Peak.
After several days, all amenities were complete; the sect had refurbished every building. As per Li Xiaobai’s request, whether tea houses or taverns, or even resource trading stalls, they were all transformed into branches of Tangneng First-class and fine goods shops.
All the bathhouses were filled with hot water, with steam rising and filling the entire Second Peak, lending it an even more mystical, mist-enthralled appearance.
The news about the little Secret Realm spread quickly. The Sword Sect disciples already knew that only the Sect Master and Li Xiaobai had returned from this mission; the whereabouts of the experts from the other major sects remained unknown, clearly indicating some complicated and unclear link with the Sword Sect.
However, this also meant that a good number of disciples from other peaks began to appear on the Second Peak, driven by curiosity to explore and understand more. Unable to see the Sect Master himself, perhaps they could find some clues from Li Xiaobai.
The long-silent peak had begun to show signs of newfound vitality.
On the mountaintop.
Li Xiaobai found an open area and began to shovel dirt and engrave tombstones, placing them onto a series of graves.
He took out Ye Yidao’s treasured sword, Water Breaker, and planted it atop the centralmost grave. This man was different from the other geniuses; he was ambitious and worth remembering.
The disciples who came to investigate were dumbstruck by the sight. All of them had long been observers and now seeing the Second Peak for the first time, they were shocked, their hair standing on end at the sight of the surnames engraved on each tombstone.
“The grave of Sword Sect’s Elder Ouyang!”
“The grave of Situ Baoqi!”
“The grave of Ye Yidao!”
“…”
These names were all renowned figures, and now their epitaphs stood before them. Didn’t this imply that all the cultivators from the little Secret Realm had perished?
“Why is he erecting monuments for these predecessors? Could it be they have all died?”
“Could it be he’s the killer? It’s said that only the Sect Master and he returned to the sect successfully, while the disciples from the other sects are completely out of touch. There’s definitely a story here!”
“Just showing off to gain public attention. He’s doing this to add to his mountain’s heritage, probably trying to increase the peak’s deterrence, right?”
The disciples observed Li Xiaobai’s actions from a distance, their faces filled with surprise.
“You looking at what’s unusual as though it’s the norm. The extent of Brother Li’s abilities, you’ve seen merely the tip of the iceberg!”
“This act is a warning to you all, to behave yourselves on the Second Peak from now on. If anyone causes trouble again, Brother will be preparing graves for you too!”
Chen Yuan said blandly to the crowd. Every action of his senior brother had a profound meaning. As the steward of the Second Peak, he must always interpret senior brother’s thoughts and convey them to the many sect disciples—a task both arduous and noble.
“Rest assured, Senior Brother Chen, we’ve just come to the Second Peak for a bath, we won’t stir up trouble,” the cultivators said, hastily waving their hands. The seniors who would wish ill on Li Xiaobai were all gone, even Situ Baoqi of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, without exception. Uncanny as it was, they dared not misbehave again.
“Hmm, all of you, come register. Remember, the first checkpoint of the Second Peak will always be the latrines. Without the sufficient experience of cleaning the latrines, you are not qualified to step into the bathhouse to bathe.”
Chen Yuan took out a small booklet and spoke earnestly.
“Senior Brother Chen’s business skills are really getting more and more adept. Appointing him as the steward of the Second Peak was indeed a correct decision.”
Li Xiaobai watched as the far-off disciples queued up obediently to register, looking thoroughly pleased.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
“Elder, have you seen Er Gou?”
Li Xiaobai found the old beggar in the Scripture Pavilion and asked.
Lately, both man and dog had been incredibly elusive, their auras growing ever more mysterious.
“I don’t know. A few days ago it was blustering about wanting to enlighten the masses, and then it vanished. It probably went to the nations amongst the mortal realms,” the old beggar replied.
“It has the Treasure Gourd, so as long as it doesn’t stray too far, there won’t be any problems,” Ji Wuqing also said.
“Forget it, it will know to come back once it’s been roughed up a bit.”
“I need to go register with the Enforcement Team. The Sin Value has been increasing lately, so it’s best to prepare early. I’ll leave Second Peak in your hands to look after,” Li Xiaobai said, recalling the letter Wu Chengjue gave him before he left, which would allow him to participate in the Enforcement Team’s assessment and attain the qualification of an external member.
“Rest assured, I am now a venerable power of the Saint Realm, a formidable figure. Those petty thieves can’t even touch me!”
The old beggar sat upright, his attire of the past few days having immersed him too deeply in the role, and he had completely begun to see himself as the Xiao Lao Di whom he had never met.
“Senior, the most important thing in life is to be self-aware. Don’t get too absorbed in the role; it can be terrifying if you can’t get out of it,” Li Xiaobai reminded.
“Don’t worry, I can still distinguish right from wrong. I am but an actor,” he retorted.
Li Xiaobai: “…”
Hopeless. This old man had succumbed to his own little world and couldn’t extricate himself.
Meanwhile.
On Second Peak.
A large group of Earth Immortal Realm disciples forcefully intruded, looking furious. According to the disciples they sent to spy on Second Peak, they claimed that all the senior cultivator brothers who had gone to the Secret Realm had had their names etched on tablets by Li Xiaobai on Second Peak, seemingly confirming their deaths.
This made them unable to stay put, and they hurried up the mountain seeking an explanation.
Heavenly Immortal Realm cultivators were already few; they were the pillars of the various peaks. Their presence deterred intense conflicts between the peaks and allowed them to secure more resources for their respective peaks. Now, with several of the mountain leaders vanishing after a single trip, how could they not be enraged?
Unable to find the Sect Master, they were determined to pry the secret from Li Xiaobai’s mouth.
“Where is Li Xiaobai?”
“Let him roll out here!”
“Why set up tablets for my brothers and sisters? What are your intentions?”
“Do you really think that by relying on the Sect Master’s favor, you can do whatever you want? If you don’t give us an explanation today, even at the risk of punishment by the sect, we will tear down Second Peak!”
The cultivators rushed into the shops, looting and smashing things, driving the Sect Disciples to one side like a tiger among sheep, acting quite arrogantly.
Chen Yuan, who was enthusiastically introducing everyone to the various scenic spots on Second Peak, changed his complexion upon seeing this. These were all Earth Immortal Realm cultivators from several other peaks.
“Who are you people, coming here to Second Peak to make trouble?”
Chen Yuan shouted angrily; as the steward of Second Peak, he felt like the light of righteousness at that moment.
“Get Li Xiaobai out here quickly. Our patience is very limited!”
A woman in purple clothes stepped forward and said coldly; she was the boss of the group, hailing from the Tenth Peak. Situ Baoqi was the man she admired, and now his life and whereabouts were unknown, fueling a raging fire in her heart.
“I am Li Xiaobai. What brings you all here?”
Hearing the commotion, Li Xiaobai came out and spoke indifferently.
“We’re here to find the truth. I want to know where my Senior Brother has gone!”
“Indeed, my Senior Brother once said that he would quietly discipline you. Did you retaliate against him because of this?”
The cultivators chattered and bickered.
Li Xiaobai shook his head, “I understand why you have come to see me, and I am glad you did. However, I don’t like the way you are speaking today!”