Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The clear sky above the Thunder Abyss suddenly became overcast with dark clouds. Gusts of fierce wind swept through, and the Demon-Subduing Formation let out strange sounds. The disciples guarding the Thunder Abyss were alerted by the sound. Ning Lanshao immediately sent an urgent message back to Tianmen Five Cities to report the anomaly in the formation.

"Disciples of Tianmen Five Cities, heed my command!" Ning Lanshao ordered. "Form the array!"

The Tianmen Five Cities disciples fell into formation with trained efficiency. Ning Lanshao thrust her longsword into the ground.

The earth trembled, and fine gravel shook incessantly. Yang Zhen shattered a demon before her with a palm strike. A wisp of spiritual light drifted through the air and stopped in front of her.

"This is bad. There's trouble with the Demon-Subduing Formation," Yang Zhen said.

Chaos reigned within Tianmen Five Cities. Qi Wuyu tried to awaken Liu Nanzhou, but it was as if a gray film covered Liu Nanzhou's eyes; he recognized no one.

"Someone needs to check the Demon-Subduing Formation," Zhuang Yanming said, grabbing a disciple who was out of control and bound his arms and legs.

He then formed hand seals with both hands and pointed into the air. A teleportation array appeared mid-air. "Yang Zhen and I will handle things here. You all go quickly."

Si Muyun was the first to step through the portal, leaving behind Zhao Mingye, an elder from Chaowu Tian, along with the Tianmen Five Cities disciples. Feng Cong followed closely behind her into the portal.

If the Demon-Subduing Formation were breached, the consequences would be unimaginable. Qi Wuyu... Qi Zhuo had to go. The Mountain Ghost was there; no one else could handle it.

Qi Wuyu gritted his teeth, looking at Liu Nanzhou. Several disciples were working together to keep him at bay. How could he possibly leave with his mind at ease like this?

Ying Nianling saw his concern and said, "Go with peace of mind. Xiao Zhou, Shen You, and I will look after him. Nothing will happen."

Reluctantly, Qi Wuyu steeled himself and entered the portal with Xie Yongdao.

By the time Si Muyun and the others arrived, Ning Lanshao had already led the guarding disciples in forming an array to suppress the demonic energy, but it was clearly a struggle. Blood had seeped from the corner of Ning Lanshao's mouth.

Qi Wuyu focused his senses. The Mountain Ghost had stirred earlier and had been ringing sharply in his mind ever since. Outside, thunder still rumbled, and demonic energy ran rampant in the sky.

Si Muyun and Feng Cong immediately went to assist with the suppression. With the aid of two powerful cultivators, the formation stabilized instantly. The demonic energy in the air gradually receded and was pressed back into the Thunder Abyss.

Qi Wuyu recited an incantation. The Mountain Ghost's spiritual light blazed brilliantly, and the trembling Demon-Subduing Formation gradually calmed. He clenched his fist, feeling the Mountain Ghost's spiritual power ease. He withdrew his energy, staggering a step before falling to his knees on the ground. Fine beads of sweat streamed down from his forehead.

He had been forcing himself to hold on since back in Tianmen Five Cities. Now, he could barely even kneel steadily. His heart and lungs felt overloaded. He hung his head, struggling to catch his breath. Si Muyun ran over, looking at him anxiously. "Qi Wuyu, are you alright?"

Qi Wuyu raised a hand slightly and shook his head gently. He had just opened his mouth to say he was fine when a mouthful of blood surged forth, staining the front of his robe crimson.

Both Si Muyun and Xie Yongdao were startled and hurriedly tried to make him rest. Qi Wuyu wiped the blood from his mouth indifferently and, using Xie Yongdao for support, swayed as he stood up. "No... I have to go back..."

There was still someone waiting for him. He couldn't leave Liu Nanzhou alone there.

Ning Lanshao and the others were still here. Feng Cong needed to manage these disciples and was also wary of further issues with the Demon-Subduing Formation, so he didn't plan to return with them. Si Muyun stayed behind to assist him, while Xie Yongdao helped Qi Wuyu return through the portal.

The chaos within Tianmen Five Cities had lessened, but the scene was far from pleasant: corpses littered the ground—demons and cultivators alike. Few demons remained, while those disciples controlled by the demons had turned their blades on their own comrades. Even among fellow disciples who usually didn't get along, in battle, they could trust each other with their backs. No one remained vigilant against their own sect members. Thus, many hadn't reacted in time when their close comrades suddenly turned on them. The faces of those fallen bore expressions of shock, disbelief, their wide eyes silently questioning: "Why?"

But no one answered.

Seeing former comrades draw swords against each other, Wu Lan found this play quite entertaining. He couldn't help but let out a laugh, which turned into a cough, bringing up a mouthful of blood. He too was seriously injured and was currently hiding to the side.

The color of Liu Nanzhou's sword was no longer distinguishable—whether it was its original hue or stained with blood. The Heart Demon mark on his forehead glowed crimson. His longsword had just slit the throat of a Chaowu Tian disciple.

This sword, since following Liu Nanzhou, had finally drunk its fill of blood today. Its murderous aura was overwhelming, as if it were only now revealing its true form—clearly a blade of ill omen.

One of his hands was bound by Chen Qianyu's whip, the other twisted behind his back by Zhou Xun. His movements were completely restrained, and he struggled slightly, though much less violently than before.

Zhou Xun thought he might be regaining some consciousness and shouted, "Nanzhou, wake up!"

But Liu Nanzhou showed little reaction. His arms still strained, his face contorted with the effort.

Qi Wuyu spotted Liu Nanzhou amidst the chaotic scene. He gently shook off Xie Yongdao's supporting hand and pulled a flute from his waist. Bringing it to his lips, he tried to blow, but his lungs couldn't function properly yet, and the first attempt produced no sound. He took another breath, his lungs still aching. Suppressing the pain, he played that familiar little tune.

The sound was shrill and off-key due to his breathlessness, barely recognizable as a melody. Yet, Liu Nanzhou's struggling movements noticeably paused. The violently surging spiritual energy around him diminished significantly.

Yao Shuning immediately stepped forward, placing a hand on Liu Nanzhou's forehead. A calming talisman was infused into him. Liu Nanzhou shuddered slightly, feeling as if icy water had washed through his body. His strength drained away, and the gray film over his eyes seemed to fade. He came back to himself, dazed. "...Shijie?"

Only then did Qi Wuyu let out a sigh of relief. His whole body slumped forward and was caught by Ying Nianling. The other controlled disciples also gradually regained their senses. Remembering what they had done, some dropped their swords in horror; others, realizing they had killed their own friends, stood frozen in shock and were sneak-attacked by cunning demons, instantly losing their lives.

Both Yang Zhen and Ying Nianling were nearly exhausted. Summoning their last reserves of strength, they dispatched the remaining few demons. Their clothes were already splattered with blood, the original colors almost indistinguishable.

Mo Chen had been lurking in the shadows the whole time, hardly taking action and thus largely uninjured. Taking advantage of the fact that the Four Major Sects were preoccupied with their own disciples, he quietly left with Wu Lan.

Qi Wuyu could hold on no longer. Seeing Liu Nanzhou regain his senses, he collapsed completely, falling into a deep unconsciousness.

This battle had inflicted heavy losses on every sect. The bamboo forest where the Fourfold Array had been located was almost completely destroyed.

Yang Zhen looked at the fallen disciples on the ground and closed her eyes for a moment. After a pause, she said hoarsely, "Everyone, you may rest within the city for now. The responsibility for today's events lies with Tianmen Five Cities." Her lips moved slightly. Faced with such immense losses, she truly felt she couldn't compensate. She had never felt so weary. "If you seek some form of justice... Jiang Ce is dead. If a life for a life is demanded, I, Yang Zhen, have nothing to say. But right now, everyone needs to recuperate. Once you have all recovered your strength, we will hold a joint trial of the four sects. Decide the judgment however you see fit. For now... take your disciples home."

Typically, if a sect or individual committed a minor offense, it was an internal matter, dealt with behind closed doors as they saw fit. But if other sects were involved, it was impossible to let the involved party judge themselves. The most severe and fairest method was the joint trial of the four sects, reaching a verdict acceptable to all—a long-standing tradition.

For a moment, only the howling wind could be heard. Gradually, a few sobs broke the silence. Members of the various sects began to move, searching among the corpses for their own disciples.

Xie Yongdao spoke to Ying Nianling. With only Zhou Ren holding the fort at their sect, they feared further changes and asked him to return first.

Ying Nianling nodded. Xie Yongdao then hurriedly took Qi Wuyu away to rest.

Liu Nanzhou anxiously tried to run over to see him but was stopped by a somewhat aged hand on his shoulder.

Liu Nanzhou turned his head and met a pair of eyes filled with hatred. His heart jolted with sudden dread. Memories of what had just happened flooded his mind. He looked down at his own hands, covered in grime and blood—whether from demons or humans, he couldn't tell.

Looking at these hands, he suddenly felt an emptiness in his heart, as if he had lost something.

Those hands trembled slightly. Shen You wiped the blood from Qi Wuyu's hands. His hands were ice-cold, but his forehead burned with fever. Shen You fed him a handful of medicinal pills before Qi Wuyu gradually stabilized.

Just as Shen You breathed a sigh of relief, Yao Shuning suddenly rushed in. "It's terrible, Shizun!"

"What's wrong? Speak slowly."

Yao Shuning pointed urgently toward the door. "They... they want to arrest Shidi!"

Shen You hurried outside just in time to see Liu Nanzhou surrounded by several disciples pointing and accusing him.

"It's you! It's all because of you!"

"You're a spy for the demons!"

"We demand a joint trial! You deserve to be whipped to death!"

"Lock him up!"

"Yes, lock him up!"

As they spoke, they grabbed Liu Nanzhou's arms. He seemed like a lost soul, his eyes vacant, as if not hearing their words. He staggered when pulled but showed no reaction.

"What do you mean it's not our place to speak? It was our martial brothers and sisters who died!" one disciple shouted angrily, pointing at Liu Nanzhou. "If not for him, how would my shimei have lost her mind?"

At that moment, Xie Yongdao walked over, his expression cold and stern. "This is a disciple of the Tianyao Sect. No one may lay a hand on him. Even if he has committed some wrong, it must be decided by the joint trial. If you continue to harass him without cause, don't blame me for bullying juniors."

Shen You wanted to say something more, but Liu Nanzhou gently tugged her sleeve. The few people stalked off, furious.

Xie Yongdao patted Liu Nanzhou on the back. "Don't be afraid."

Liu Nanzhou seemed to come back to himself. He lifted his head, his eyes rimmed red, and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader, Elder Shen. How is Wu... how is my master?"

Shen You reached out and wiped the blood from his face. "Exhausted, his spiritual energy is depleted. But there's no life-threatening danger. I've given him medicine; he'll be alright after he recovers. You should worry about yourself first."

He was covered in countless wounds, big and small. Liu Nanzhou, as if feeling no pain, gave a weak twitch of his lips. "I want to see him."

Shen You nodded, pointed to the door, and let him go on his own.

Liu Nanzhou pushed the door open, saw Qi Wuyu lying on the bed, walked to his bedside, his knees buckled, and he knelt down.

"Master..."

Liu Nanzhou's hand rested on the bedside, gently grasping Qi Wuyu's wrist. The cold made him shiver. He didn't rush to get up, resting his forehead on his arm.

After a moment, a choked sob echoed in the quiet room: "It seems... my crimes are unforgivable."

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Author's Note: Will make up the word count tomorrow... When will I ever get my act together?

Second edit: Made it up. If I can finish writing today, there will be another update today [shrugs]. I'll try to finish this part.