Translator: Cinder Translations
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Zhang Xiaofan arrived outside Lu Cang's cave residence and called out loudly.
"Master, your disciple, Fancheng, seeks an audience."
The stone door to the cave opened, and a slightly aged voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Zhang Xiaofan entered Lu Cang's cave and saw Lu Chan, who was sitting on a stone chair, her eyes full of tears, crying uncontrollably.
It seemed she had come to complain to Lu Cang.
"Greetings, Master," Zhang Xiaofan said with a respectful bow to Lu Cang.
Lu Cang's expression darkened, and his tone carried a reprimand.
"You and Xiaochan have been married for over two decades, and now you are a Gold Core cultivator with high status. Why would you still do something disgraceful, like hitting your wife?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan felt an intense resentment in his heart.
Is hitting a partner disgraceful? What about Lu Chan crying and making a scene in front of others? Doesn't that lose face?
Moreover, his slap didn't even land on Lu Chan's face.
Zhang Xiaofan felt frustrated but wore an expression of guilt and shame.
"Disciple acknowledges my mistake. I acted in haste and failed to live up to Master's teachings. Please forgive me, Master."
Seeing Zhang Xiaofan admitting his fault, Lu Chan, who had been sobbing quietly beside him, suddenly became more energetic.
She stormed up to Zhang Xiaofan, shouting angrily.
"You can only act like a hypocrite in front of my father! When you tried to hit me earlier, your gaze was full of hatred, as if you wanted to kill me."
Lu Cang's face darkened at this.
"Xiaofan, as a Gold Core cultivator, you should know how to control your emotions. No matter what faults Xiaochan has, you should not resort to violence. For this matter, you must apologize to Xiaochan."
Zhang Xiaofan, already used to Lu Cang's biased approach, turned to look at Lu Chan, his gaze soft and sincere.
"Chanmei, it's my fault. I swear, from now on, I will never let you suffer even the slightest grievance. Please forgive me this time. I am willing to do everything in my power to make amends. I only ask that you give me a chance to change."
Perhaps moved by the sincerity in Zhang Xiaofan's words, the anger faded from Lu Chan's face. She pouted and, with a hint of grievance, said,
"You say it so convincingly, but the reason you hit me was because of that shameless Chen Yi. I think you still have lingering feelings for her."
Zhang Xiaofan put on a sorrowful expression.
"Chanmei, you're misunderstanding me. At that time, Chen Feihe was present, and I couldn't explain it to you. You don't understand Ji Yin. Ji Yin and Chen Yi are from the same village. They grew up together, childhood friends, deeply attached to each other."
"Because of this, even after Chen Yi's death, Ji Yin still holds a grudge. He returned this time with a specific purpose, which is to investigate the cause of Chen Yi's death. I met him because I was worried that his investigation might reveal that Chen Yi's death was somehow connected to you, which could put you in danger, so I intended to eliminate him beforehand."
Lu Chan looked at him with doubt on her face.
"Is that really true?"
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. "Ji Yin, Chen Yi, and I, along with two other disciples who have passed away, all entered the sect at the same time. Later, Ji Yin betrayed the sect and, I don't know what kind of opportunity he encountered, but he advanced to the Golden Core stage."
"Xiaofan, the Ji Yin you mentioned, was once a disciple of our Corpse Demon Sect?" Lu Cang suddenly interrupted and asked.
Zhang Xiaofan nodded and, half-truthfully, elaborated on Ji Yin's past.
He described Ji Yin as someone who had been infatuated with Chen Yi since childhood, but Chen Yi had never shown him any affection, making no effort to hide her dislike.
"Since Ji Yin was once a disciple of my Corpse Demon Sect, what happened to his soul lamp?" Lu Cang asked.
Zhang Xiaofan replied, "I asked Elder Tang from the Ten Thousand Souls Pavilion. She said that Ji Yin's soul lamp was given to the Nine Palaces Sect. It seems that the Nine Palaces Sect had once hunted him down a hundred years ago, but he managed to escape."
Lu Cang said, "Ji Yin does have some skill. He has managed to evade both the Corpse Demon Sect and the Nine Palaces Sect's pursuit. Moreover, as a rogue cultivator, he is only a little over a hundred years old, yet he was able to successfully form his core. What's more, he has advanced to the mid-stage of the Gold Core realm. This person should not be underestimated."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Xiaofan is right. We should deal with him as soon as possible, or he will bring endless trouble. Xiaofan, how do you plan to eliminate him?"
Zhang Xiaofan replied, "Master, Ji Yin came this time not only to investigate the cause of Chen Yi's death but also to acquire some Dead Man's Vines that can be transplanted. Somehow, he found out that I am in charge of the White Bone Cave, and through Chen Feihe, he contacted me, trying to bribe me into supplying him with dead vines."
As soon as Zhang Xiaofan finished speaking, he flipped his hand, and a narrow jade box appeared.
"Disciple has decided to turn the tables on him. I will use two diseased dead vines to lure Ji Yin into a trap."
Lu Cang's fingers flicked slightly, and a streak of spiritual energy shot out.
The spiritual energy opened the jade box, revealing the dead vines inside.
Lu Cang studied the dead vines for a moment before asking in confusion, "Are these really diseased dead vines? Why do they seem no different from normal dead vines?"
Zhang Xiaofan explained, "Master, this dead vine is infected with Phosphorous Bone Moths. Before the moths shed their larval skins, their spiritual presence is undetectable. On the surface, this dead vine seems normal, but inside, it has already laid numerous phosphorous bone moth eggs."
"This dead vine is temporarily sealed with spiritual energy to prevent the eggs from hatching. However, if we try to plant it, the seal must be undone. Once the seal is lifted, the eggs will hatch, causing the dead vine to slowly die. Otherwise, if these two dead vines weren't diseased, I wouldn't dare to remove them myself, as that would be a serious crime."
Lu Cang nodded slightly, seemingly pleased with Zhang Xiaofan's plan.
"Since you are already prepared, when do you plan to act?"
Zhang Xiaofan replied, "The sooner the better. Time is of the essence. I've arranged a meeting with Ji Yin at noon tomorrow in a valley, about a thousand miles from the sect, to exchange the vines. I'd like to ask Master for help to eliminate Ji Yin and remove this hidden danger."
Lu Cang silently calculated the time in his mind. There wasn't much time left before noon.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright, I will accompany you."
"Father! I want to go too," Lu Chan suddenly said.
Lu Cang pretended to be angry and shouted, "We are going to kill a Golden Core cultivator, not for sightseeing! You are still in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, what are you going for?"
Lu Chan replied, "That shameless Chen Yi has been dead for over a hundred years, yet Ji Yin still can't let go of her, thinking about avenging her. I won't be at peace until I see Ji Yin dead with my own eyes."
Zhang Xiaofan said, "Master, let Chanmei go. With the two of us here, we can certainly ensure her safety."
Lu Cang pondered for a moment and finally spoke.
"Alright, Chan'er, if you insist on going, you may. But you must stay by my side at all times."
(End of the Chapter)
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