Chapter 387: What Right Does a Mere Kid Have to Snatch Master’s Opportunity?
A flicker of panic flashed across Cheng Yuan’s face!
When He Jing first woke up, she’d mistaken him for her husband, which had been incredibly awkward for him!
He’d had no choice but to use Hypnosis just to get away.
He never expected they’d run into each other on a plane!
’What rotten luck!’
Wan Liang was sharp enough not to press the issue. Instead, he took the next best option, swapping seats with the young man sitting across the aisle from He Jing.
Wan Liang turned his head, forcing a friendly smile. "Mr. Cheng," he began tentatively, "are you and Xiaojing childhood friends, or perhaps classmates?"
Cheng Yuan shook his head gently. "Neither. I’m a doctor, and Xiaojing was a patient of mine. We’ve only met once before."
He Jing pouted, a little displeased.
’Her grandfather and father held Cheng Yuan in such high regard, and even her brother looked up to him as a big brother. Did Cheng Yuan really have to be so distant?’
Wan Liang, however, perked up. He smiled and asked, "Mr. Cheng, are you traveling for business or pleasure on this trip?"
Cheng Yuan replied flatly, "I guess you could call it a vacation."
Wan Liang’s eyes lit up. He had keenly spotted an opportunity to impress.
"If you’re here for a vacation, Mr. Cheng, you should join us! I’m the president of the Hunting God Hunting Expedition Club! I have tons of experience leading hunting parties in the Hundred Thousand Mountains!"
He Jing had been getting annoyed by Wan Liang’s constant pestering, but now, she found him rather endearing.
He Jing looked at Cheng Yuan with hopeful eyes, eagerly waiting for him to nod in agreement.
’This way, I can have a sweet little trip with Cheng Yuan!’
He Jing had already heard that Hu Shishi’s Fire of Life was about to be extinguished because she had saved Cheng Yuan.
He Jing greatly admired Hu Shishi. She had decided that after Hu Shishi passed away, she would take it upon herself to look after Cheng Yuan for her.
But to He Jing’s dismay, Cheng Yuan refused without a second thought.
"Sorry, I’m used to operating alone. We wouldn’t keep the same pace."
What Cheng Yuan actually meant was that Wan Liang and his group wouldn’t be able to keep up with *his* pace.
However, Wan Liang misunderstood, thinking Cheng Yuan was worried he’d slow them down.
Wan Liang laughed. "Mr. Cheng, don’t worry. I often lead rookies with zero experience. It’s too dangerous to venture into the Hundred Thousand Mountains alone! It’s much safer if we go together. With our Olympic-grade hunting bows, we can take down anything from huge bears to ferocious beasts!"
Unfortunately, no matter how much Wan Liang tried to persuade him, Cheng Yuan wouldn’t budge.
Since Cheng Yuan was proving impossible to persuade, Wan Liang stopped trying. It was better to have one less rival anyway.
He Jing lowered her voice, sounding upset. "Cheng Yuan, am I really that frightening? Do you have to avoid me like this?"
’You really are scary,’ Cheng Yuan thought. ’You called me your husband the moment you opened your eyes. Who could possibly handle that?’
"He Jing, where is this coming from? When have I ever avoided you? It’s just really not convenient for me this time. Let’s talk about it next time there’s an opportunity."
He Jing turned her head away in a huff, ignoring him.
The three-hour flight passed quickly, and the plane landed smoothly at Nanjiang International Airport.
While Wan Liang, He Jing, and their group went to collect their checked equipment, Cheng Yuan exited the terminal through the VIP access lane.
The guide arranged by Xuanyuan Potian had been waiting for quite some time. He picked up Cheng Yuan, and they drove straight toward the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
As he drove, the guide quietly sent a text message.
"Senior Brother, I have the target. We’re heading toward the Death Swamp!"
"Junior Brother, your time has come. Rest in peace. I, your Senior Brother, will do everything in my power to cultivate your son and make him the Saint Heir."
The guide’s name was Ma Fei, the Seventh Elder of the Celestial Witch Sect.
A few days prior, Ma Fei had failed in his attempt to break through to the Martial Emperor realm. This led to a cultivation deviation, leaving him with only a month left to live.
’To use what little life I have left to secure my son’s future... It’s worth it!’
Deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains stood an altar steeped in the passage of time.
It was covered in a thick layer of earth, with many unidentifiable plants growing from it.
It looked as if it had been abandoned for many years.
The headquarters of the Celestial Witch Sect was located here, more than ten meters beneath the altar.
Deep beneath the altar lay two Earth Veins: one Spiritual Vein and one Evil Vein. For an ordinary Martial Artist, this was not a good place.
But for the Celestial Witch Sect, this place was without a doubt a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.
「Three hours earlier.」
Xuanyuan Potian had contacted Wu Qinghe, the current Sect Leader of the Celestial Witch Sect.
"Senior Brother, I have great news! The Young Master has been found!"
’The Young Master?’
Wu Qinghe, on the other end of the line, was clearly stunned. He asked in a trembling voice, "Junior Brother, is it true? Where was the Young Master found? Has our Master emerged from his seclusion?"
"There’s no news of our Master at the moment. The Young Master was found in Dongshan—no, to be precise, it’s the young Master. The young Master is already on a plane to Nanjiang. Arrange for someone to pick him up."
"The young Master? The Young Master isn’t coming?"
"I don’t know the reason, but the Young Master never practiced martial arts. Instead, it’s the young Master who has inherited our Master’s ultimate techniques!"
Wu Qinghe asked tentatively, "Why is the young Master coming to Nanjiang?"
"I think there are two reasons. First, he’s probably trying to find out information about our Master. Second, it must be for the Celestial Witch Sect’s Secret Inheritance Holy Land! Didn’t our own master order us? Whatever the young Master requests, you, Senior Brother, are to satisfy him completely."
Hearing the unspoken meaning in Xuanyuan Potian’s words, Wu Qinghe’s voice grew somber. "Understood."
In the deepest chamber of the Celestial Witch Sect, three men were seated on the floor.
Wu Qinghe hung up the phone, his expression turning extremely grim.
The expression of Ma Gu—Wu Qinghe’s disciple and Ma Fei’s son—was also grave.
Only Ma Fei’s face remained as still as a tranquil well.
"Master, according to the old Sect Leader’s decree, once the Master’s heir is found, we must unconditionally install him as the new Sect Leader! The entire sect is to devote all its resources to cultivating him! Are you really going to relinquish your position as Sect Leader?"
Wu Qinghe’s eyes flickered. He had been Sect Leader for over a decade and had grown accustomed to the life of power and prestige. Naturally, he was unwilling to give up his position.
Wu Qinghe said in a low, muffled voice, "It’s not that I’m unwilling to part with the Sect Leader’s seat. The key is that the Celestial Slayer Spirit Liquid is just about to form—it could be any day now! The young Master is coming at this exact moment; he must be after the Celestial Slayer Spirit Liquid! I can’t bear the thought of just handing it over!"
Ma Gu sighed. "Our Celestial Witch Sect’s Evil Vein only produces a single drop of Celestial Slayer Spirit Liquid once every thirty years! The last drop was taken by the old Sect Leader, but unfortunately, his constitution was too ordinary, and he never reached the Martial Saint realm! If you were to obtain the Celestial Slayer Spirit Liquid, Master, I’m certain you could break through to the Martial Saint realm! If you become a Martial Saint, why would our Celestial Witch Sect have to hide deep in these Hundred Thousand Mountains like rats scurrying across the street?"
Wu Qinghe said, his face a mask of frustration, "But what can we do? I have already sworn the Celestial Dao Blood Oath. As long as a descendant of the Master comes to the Celestial Witch Sect, I must unconditionally relinquish the title of Sect Leader!"
A vicious glint flashed in Ma Gu’s eyes. "Master, if the young Master never arrives at the Celestial Witch Sect, then it wouldn’t be a violation of the oath, would it? The Master merely did the old Sect Leader a favor, and the old Sect Leader already died trying to repay that debt. There’s no need for us to continue this foolish loyalty! Why should some snot-nosed kid who popped out of nowhere get to snatch away your destiny?"
Wu Qinghe’s eyes lit up. He gave Ma Gu a long, meaningful look.
"You’re right. There’s no need for such blind loyalty. Don’t worry, when I get the Celestial Slayer Spirit Liquid, I will share it with you!"
Ma Gu was ecstatic. "Thank you for your tutelage, Master!"
"Your Second Senior Uncle asked us to find a guide for the young Master. In that case, let’s find him a guide straight to Hell!"
Ma Fei, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "Senior Brother, my end is near. Let me be the one to guide him."