Evergreen Immortal-Chapter 10: The Three Great Illusions of Life
The three great illusions of life:
My phone vibrated.
I can make a comeback.
She likes me!
Li Rui stared at the small characters in front of him, momentarily at a loss for what to think.
Jiang Yan, a noble lady of the Splendid Purity Sect, was superior to him in birth, cultivation realm, and appearance. In every way, she was far above him. Not to mention, he was already seventy years old!
He had heard of people with foot fetishes and those who liked the ugly.
But this was the first time he had encountered someone who liked the elderly.
Li Rui was self-aware. Even if someone had a thing for old men, they wouldn’t pick someone like him.
There were plenty of ethereal-looking old men in Splendid Purity Sect. No need to settle for him.
But if it wasn’t that she liked him... then she must have taken an interest in something on him. As a groom, the only thing Jiang Yan might have noticed would be his Martial Bones!
Li Rui instantly became alert.
If that was the case, then everything made sense.
No wonder he had always received Jiang Yan's attention. Although he didn’t know how she discovered he had Martial Bones, he decided it was best to avoid the four people from Splendid Purity Sect for the time being.
[Gained the Favor of a Noble Sect Lady. Achievement +2]
[Name: Li Rui]
[Age: 0]
[Talent: Martial Bones]
[Achievements: 70/100]
It wasn’t until Han Qin led the group up the mountain and Jiang Yan’s figure completely disappeared that the fluttering small text finally stopped.
In less than a quarter of an hour, his Achievement Points had risen by ten whole points.
But Li Rui felt no joy.
The more Jiang Yan paid attention to him, the more dangerous his situation became.
How vast and mighty was the Splendid Purity Sect?
Even a speck of dust they let fall could crush someone like him, a mere stable hand to death.
Halfway up the mountain, the forest was lush. Through the trees, one could faintly glimpse an abandoned temple.
Better to sleep in a wild grave than stay in a ruined temple.
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The local mountain folk avoided the place, so human presence was scarce.
It wasn’t that the temple truly housed ghosts or gods, it was just that the roof provided shelter from the elements, and it often became a hideout for bandits and criminals.
At this moment, inside the temple’s main hall-
A young man dressed in luxurious clothes stood out starkly against the dilapidated surroundings.
“People believe in you, but I don’t.”
He stared at the dust-covered Buddha statue, face full of mockery.
If chanting Buddha's name could fix everything, common folks would've long lost their right to worship. What you want—you have to seize it yourself!
Just then-
A voice came from outside the hall.
“Junior Brother Xu, long time no see.”
The young man named Xu Hua turned around and saw that Han Qin had somehow already appeared just outside the temple.
“So it’s Senior Brother Han.”
Xu Hua showed not a trace of panic upon seeing him.
“Hand over the technique you stole from Martial Uncle Ma. I’ll report it to the Law Enforcement Elder, have your bones broken, and spare your life.”
Han Qin’s tone was low and cold.
At the same time, the sound of wood breaking came from all around the temple.
Zhu Yue, Zhou Hu, and Jiang Yan burst in through the windows from three different directions, surrounding Xu Hua.
“That old Ma really spent big. But you lot? Still not enough to stop me!”
Xu Hua sneered coldly.
“Arrogant!”
Zhu Yue shouted, drawing his sword without hesitation.
A ringing clang of steel echoed as the treasured sword flashed from its sheath, aiming straight for Xu Hua’s vital point, his chest.
Xu Hua didn’t dodge or block, didn’t even draw the long blade at his waist. He merely raised two fingers.
Clang!
A crisp sound.
Zhu Yue’s sword tip was caught firmly between Xu Hua’s fingers, unable to advance even an inch.
Bare-handed against a blade!
Zhu Yue’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Xu Hua. “You’re... Eighth Grade?!”
Xu Hua didn’t answer. He raised his foot and kicked Zhu Yue square in the chest.
With a muffled grunt, Zhu Yue staggered backward several steps in pain. If Han Qin hadn’t rushed over to catch him, he likely would’ve slammed into a wooden beam and been seriously injured.
“Forget talk of honor, attack together!”
Han Qin’s face turned grim.
The intelligence for this bounty task hadn’t mentioned Xu Hua breaking through. If it had, with Han Qin’s cautious nature, he never would’ve taken the mission.
Zhou Hu and Jiang Yan’s expressions turned solemn as well.
They, like Zhu Yue, were Ninth Grade.
Zhu Yue had been seriously injured in just a single exchange. The two of them were no match for Xu Hua either.
Everything rested on Han Qin now.
Han Qin’s gentle demeanor vanished. His sword had already left its sheath at some unknown moment, and the icy intent from his blade made even onlookers tremble.
“Let me witness the famed Falling Blossom Sword for myself.”
Xu Hua let out a sharp cry and drew his long blade.
Han Qin’s gaze landed on Xu Hua’s blade, where a faint black aura twisted and curled. He furrowed his brows slightly. “You actually practiced a demonic technique?!”
Zhu Yue and the others suddenly understood.
No wonder Xu Hua had broken through so quickly, it was because he had cultivated a demonic art!
“Demonic art?”
Xu Hua smirked.
“Techniques serve people. Who’s to say what’s righteous or evil? Senior Brother, your thinking is too low-level.”
A twisted, almost delighted expression curled at the corners of Xu Hua’s lips.
Han Qin snorted coldly. He had no intention of wasting words. Demonic arts were powerful, and even for him, this would be a difficult battle.
At that moment—
Jiang Yan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
“Senior Brother, hold him off for a quarter hour.”
Han Qin turned and saw a brilliant yellow talisman in Jiang Yan’s hand, densely covered in red, dragon-and-phoenix-like characters written in cinnabar ink.
“Divine Weapon Talisman?!”
Seeing the talisman, Han Qin’s eyes lit up.
“Very well. Junior Sister Jiang, focus on casting it!”
For the first time, the ever-confident Xu Hua’s face changed: “You’re...”
But before he could finish, Han Qin’s sword was already at his chest.
Down the mountain.
Several crows, hiding in some unknown location, let out harsh, raspy caws.
Li Rui looked up at the moon.
It was already the Xu Hour(7–9 PM).
“Why is it taking this long?”
From the moment Zhu Yue’s group headed up the mountain until now, a full hour had passed. By all accounts, it should have been over already.
Real-life fights weren’t like those martial arts novels where battles lasted three days and nights.
Anyone who’s fought for their life knows, swinging a blade at full force for even fifteen minutes is enough to dislocate your shoulder.
When masters clash, a single move can decide it all.
“Something’s definitely gone wrong!”
A sinking feeling hit Li Rui.
He acted without hesitation, leading the four Sweatblood Horsess to a concealed spot. If that Splendid Purity Sect traitor had accomplices, running into them would spell trouble.
Li Rui was familiar with these woods.
In no time, he led the horses into a secluded valley, hidden under layers of dense trees. No trace of them could be seen.
Once everything was hidden, he clapped his hands in satisfaction.
Then he turned and headed for the abandoned temple.
He had been there several times before and still remembered its layout.
Soon, he saw a corner of the temple.
Head Constable Liu was leading a dozen constables to surround it. Faint sounds of clashing weapons and angry shouts could still be heard from inside.
It was Zhu Yue, the eldest son of the Zhu family.
“Demonic Sect!”
“You Splendid Purity Sect... scum!”
From so far away, the voices weren’t clear. He could only catch bits and pieces.
Li Rui did not have the slightest intention of going forward to help.
He was only here to observe the situation for the sake of making a clean escape, if needed.
