Chapter Thirty-Five: My Well-Intentioned Efforts

Within the Loft of the Proud, the door closed and Xu Zhe’s expression returned to its usual calm, bearing a faint smile. Ever since his duel with Qi Ming yesterday, when the Righteous Sealing Demon Sutra nearly slipped out of control, Xu Zhe had begun paying special attention to his inner state. Whenever he felt a blockage in his thoughts, he resolved it immediately, venting as needed.

For instance, just now, after retorting with a sharp remark, he felt an instant sense of relief, as if a weight had lifted from his soul.

“It seems this Righteous Sealing Demon Sutra refines not only one’s cultivation but also one’s heart. No wonder those who practice it become upright people,” Xu Zhe quietly nodded to himself. His ability to master his own emotions had clearly improved.

Several young cultivators sat nearby, still in a daze.

The treasured daughter of the Mo family from West Kun Continent had actually left seclusion? And she wanted to kill the Grand Hall Master? Yet, the Grand Hall Master had responded with a fierce retort and now wore the smile of someone unfazed by death—truly inscrutable, worthy of his position.

The young cultivators felt genuine admiration; after all, they knew well the reputation of the Mo family’s jewel.

“Let’s return to our previous conversation. Does your Rooster Hall know the whereabouts of the other divine halls?” Xu Zhe walked over, smiling as he asked.

What interested him most now were these Twelve Divine Halls. Regardless of their origins, if he could gather all twelve hall techniques, the Righteous Sealing Demon Sutra would be complete.

“Grand Hall Master, only our branch leader would know about that,” said one cultivator. “But even the branch leader’s position is limited; he likely doesn’t know either. You’d need to consult the Rooster Hall master.”

Xu Zhe was taken aback. “The whereabouts of the other halls are so secretive?”

“It’s not widely known, Grand Hall Master. Years ago, the Twelve Divine Halls suffered a great civil war, fighting over techniques, attempting to merge. Though it failed, since then they rarely interact, each choosing isolation, seldom appearing in the world.”

“So it’s to guard against their own people,” Xu Zhe realized.

“Grand Hall Master, we are merely branch disciples of Rooster Hall and know little. You’ll need to ask the branch leader,” the cultivators said, faces awkward.

“When will your branch leader return?” Xu Zhe asked. He had already learned these were side disciples, lacking the qualifications to inherit Rooster Hall’s Feather Flame Technique. Of course, he believed its true name was Lunar Fire Lotus.

To see or obtain Lunar Fire Lotus, he would need the branch leader.

The branch leader’s position was modest: Branch Leader of Rooster Hall, Tianhe City Division, Twelve Divine Halls—a mere minor figure stationed in Tianhe City, which in the Green Gift Continent was akin to exile.

He could imagine how lowly the branch leader’s status was within Rooster Hall.

“Grand Hall Master, before leaving, the branch leader told us if he hadn’t returned by nightfall, we should escort you directly to the East Dry Continent headquarters,” one cultivator explained, glancing at the now dark sky and then at Xu Zhe with a knowing look.

“Is your branch leader in danger? That day I fought Hou Shanyue; he was quite powerful,” Xu Zhe asked, ignoring the hint.

The branch leader they mentioned was the mysterious figure who aided him that day.

“Grand Hall Master, you needn’t worry. Our branch leader only suppressed his cultivation to stay in Tianhe City. Elsewhere, he’s as strong as Hou Shanyue and can easily escape,” the cultivators replied, confident in their leader’s strength.

Xu Zhe nodded slightly. Hou Shanyue’s flight that day showed self-awareness; had Xu Zhe and the branch leader joined forces, Hou Shanyue would not have escaped.

Now, thinking back, it was regrettable. If he had pursued, he might have acquired the Sword Sweeping Eight Wastelands from the Monkey Hall.

“Grand Hall Master…” The cultivators spoke again, probing, “It’s already dark, and the branch leader hasn’t returned. What are your thoughts?”

“Go to East Dry Continent? Not yet. Qi Ming said Tianjiao Valley is sealed, and…” Xu Zhe shook his head.

“Grand Hall Master, our branch leader has guarded Tianhe City for years and knows a secret path straight to East Dry Continent,” another cultivator offered, smiling.

“That still won’t do,” Xu Zhe insisted. “The world is surely watching me now. If you travel with me, you’ll be implicated. I suggest you leave first and don’t worry about me.”

Xu Zhe understood his situation well; the images spread by Destiny Dao would draw worldwide attention. The Mo family jewel was only the visible threat; hidden dangers included several treacherous divine halls.

The cultivators were stunned by his words.

A female cultivator spoke anxiously, “Grand Hall Master, do you not trust us? We truly are loyal to you. Rooster Hall has never betrayed.”

“Yes, Grand Hall Master, that secret phrase has another meaning: ‘Rooster changes, even stays, Rooster Hall hasn’t rebelled,’” another added.

Xu Zhe’s lips twitched.

He had no doubts about these cultivators or their branch leader. Otherwise, that day, he could have stayed hidden and ambushed both himself and Hou Shanyue.

Though weak, these cultivators risked their lives to save him yesterday, nearly losing their lives to Qi Ming.

And those brothers slain by Qi Ming—Zhang Jiufeng and the others—were all noble souls.

With such a group, Xu Zhe saw no reason for suspicion.

But given the current circumstances, traveling together would endanger them. He had not stopped Destiny Dao from broadcasting on purpose; if it brought harm to these people, he could not escape blame.

Thus, Xu Zhe patiently explained his reasoning, weighing the risks and comparing strengths.

Essentially, he told them they were too weak, and accompanying him would only lead to pointless deaths.

The cultivators were finally persuaded, agreeing to leave first and leaving behind a map of the secret path.

Before departing, a female cultivator kept glancing back at Xu Zhe, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Her companions sighed. One spoke, “Grand Hall Master, Junior Sister Zhang Lin is shy. She wanted…”

“Absolutely not, don’t even think about it,” Xu Zhe interrupted, his face serious. “All day, I’ve noticed the sincerity in her gaze. I could have pretended not to see, hoping she would restrain herself. But since it’s come to this, I’ll be direct: I’m not interested in romance right now. I seek self-cultivation and the pursuit of the Dao.”

“Ah? But…” the cultivators were dumbfounded.

Zhang Lin’s eyes widened, her face flushed as she hurried to protest, “No, Grand Hall Master, I…”

“You must restrain yourself. Don’t fall for someone so easily. You are wonderful, but I don’t wish to let down your sincere heart. Please seek another worthy match.”

With that, Xu Zhe closed the door with a bang.

He sighed, shaking his head, then took ink, brush, and paper from the shelf and walked upstairs.

Outside, the cultivators looked at each other in bewilderment.

“Grand Hall Master, you misunderstood. Junior Sister Zhang Lin just wanted to thank you for avenging Brother Li and the others,” one called out loudly to the door.

“No need for more words,” came a sigh from the opened upstairs window.

A sheet of white paper drifted down.

“Please, give this letter to Miss Zhang Lin,” Xu Zhe’s voice said as the window shut.

They picked up the letter: “Letter of Refusal, for Miss Zhang Lin.”

The cultivators were momentarily petrified, then their faces changed.

“What powerful Dao rhythm!”

“Each stroke is like a sword cultivator performing a profound sword technique on the page.”

“Junior Sister Zhang Lin, this—this is a sword technique from the Grand Hall Master!”

Shocked, they handed the letter to Zhang Lin, whose face was crimson.

Seeing the words “Letter of Refusal,” she nearly tore it up in anger.

But at the first glance, she was captivated by the script, as if a tiny figure stood atop the paper, executing exquisite sword moves.

As a sword cultivator herself, Zhang Lin sensed more deeply than the others. Instinct told her the sword technique within was extraordinary, infused with a mysterious Dao rhythm.

She opened the letter, and its brief lines leapt forth:

“Maiden walks north, young man looks south. Let us part here. May you live well, meet a worthy match, find joy in the City of Happiness, and warmth for the rest of your days.”

Zhang Lin was too stunned to ponder the meaning. She was entranced by the script, seeing the tiny figure’s swordplay shift with each stroke—sharp enough to pierce anything, yet gentle and all-embracing.

“What a sword technique, combining strength and softness. The moves are subtle, and the Dao rhythm within is beyond imagination,” Zhang Lin murmured, deeply shaken.

“This is at least a second-rank sword technique,” she said breathlessly to her senior brothers and sisters.

Even among the highest sects of the Four Continents, aside from the bloodline talents of their prodigies, most sect techniques were only second-rank.

“I see now, the Grand Hall Master used this letter as a pretext to bestow a sword technique to Junior Sister Lin.”

“No, it’s not that simple. If he wanted to give a sword technique, why make such a fuss, and specifically mention giving it to Junior Sister Zhang Lin…” one cultivator’s face showed a knowing smile.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Grand Hall Master has a special fondness for Junior Sister Zhang Lin.”

“Brother Liu, stop talking nonsense. I— I won’t argue with you,” Zhang Lin’s face flushed even deeper as she stomped her foot and ran off, clutching the letter.

The others exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Lifting their heads, they shouted toward the upstairs window, “Thank you, Grand Hall Master!”

With that, they departed.

Xu Zhe sat in his room, clean clothes in hand, preparing for a bath. He heard faint voices outside, perhaps expressing thanks?

“So it’s true. In the future, I must not speak too bluntly—it hurts others and leaves them no dignity. But with a letter of refusal, if the words are direct yet gently phrased and elegantly structured, they will accept my good intentions.”

Xu Zhe smiled with satisfaction, feeling he had improved again. From now on, he would handle refusals in this manner.

…

Soon, Xu Zhe enjoyed a comfortable hot bath, dressed in clean garments, feeling refreshed as he lay back on a soft armchair.

Utterly relaxed.

If only he had a chilled, Immortal brand cola…

“Wait, speaking of cola, I forgot to ask where Xiao Zhang and the others have gone,” Xu Zhe recalled that Zhang Chang and the Loft guardians had been missing for more than three days.

Today, when talking with Zhang Lin and the others about Tianhe City’s Soul-Calming Night, Xu Zhe learned that on that night, no one could mention related words; even hints were forbidden, lest they be cursed and die mysteriously.

This intrigued Xu Zhe greatly and was one reason he chose to stay longer in Tianhe City.

But if Zhang Chang and the others left to avoid Soul-Calming Night, why hadn’t they returned?

“Could it really be connected to the Monkey Hall?” Xu Zhe frowned.

He remembered that on the day after Soul-Calming Night, Zhang Chang and the guardians hadn’t returned, while Hou Shanyue had attacked.

With this in mind, Xu Zhe rose, donned his outer robe, and stepped out.

Night had fallen, and perhaps due to the recent battle, Tianhe City was unusually desolate and silent.

The streets were deserted, and the Changyun Inn across the way had closed early.

Xu Zhe continued on, winding through several streets before finding a small tavern. A dozen cultivators were gathered, drinking in silence.

“Fellow Daoists, pardon the interruption,” Xu Zhe approached.

The crowd looked up, surprised, then delighted.

“So it’s Xu Tianjiao!”

“Last night’s duel was eye-opening. Who knew the path of physical cultivation could be so formidable?”

“Indeed, Xu Tianjiao’s bloodline is mortal, but he’s forged a unique path.”

“Truly worthy of the title Tianjiao!”

They lavished praise on Xu Zhe, who listened in puzzlement—his path wasn’t purely physical cultivation.

In yesterday’s battle, he used thirteen movement techniques, switching between them, and over twenty types of fist techniques against Qi Ming. He even cast a protective barrier to shield the surroundings; otherwise, the ruins would have become a giant crater.

Didn’t they notice?

Never mind, time to get to the point.

Xu Zhe shook his head and asked, “Have any of you seen Zhang Chang, the proprietor of the Loft of the Proud?”

“Zhang Chang?” They paused.

One quickly responded, “Xu Tianjiao, on Soul-Calming Night, I saw him heading east of Tianjiao Valley with the guardians.”

“East of Tianjiao Valley? What’s there?” Xu Zhe asked.

“If you go east, you’ll pass the Valley of Slumbering Tianjiao, then further east is the East Dry Continent.”

The cultivator’s eyes widened as he recalled, “That’s right, the Blade God Li is in East Dry Continent. Perhaps they went to welcome him?”

…