Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wild Chapter Twenty-Four: Confronting Life and Death

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Dustrise has returned to the mountain?

Yu Ye's expression altered slightly as he sat up from the ground.

Dustrise was not like Bai Zhi. Bai Zhi hailed from Bai Family Village, sharing a bond of kinship with Yu Family Village, but that fellow was innately violent and ruthless. Once he learned Yu Ye was confined here, would he not become even more cruel and tyrannical? And what of the promise Bai Zhi made for a face-to-face confrontation—how would that proceed? If Dustrise refused to confess, what could be done to him?

Yu Ye felt a growing sense of unease.

He was well aware of his precarious situation, but hadn’t realized danger was so imminent.

He wished to inquire further details, yet it was inappropriate to ask Gu Yu; he wanted to seek strategy from Jiao Ying, but Jiao Ying had already spoken all she could. He could only face the crisis alone, confronting all that was soon to come.

Yu Ye steadied himself and picked up two small bottles. He poured out more than a dozen pills, swallowed them without a glance, then took a few sips of clear water, kneading his stomach as he stood up.

He had crossed the threshold into Qi Refinement in such a short time thanks to these herbs and pills—they had been of immense help. And the efficacy of the pills far surpassed that of the herbs.

Yu Ye walked to the mouth of the cave and peered out.

On the mountain terrace below, it was utterly quiet—no disciples of Xuanhuang Mountain could be seen.

He glanced at Gu Yu beside him and feigned curiosity, asking, "Why is no one cultivating today?"

"Hmph!"

Gu Yu, slumped on a stone platform with his back against the rock wall, let out a listless grunt, complaining, "Not only is there no one cultivating, even I can't leave the Mo Cliff Cave."

"Oh?"

"It's all because of Senior Brother Dustrise. The companions he brought are rampaging on the mountain, causing much displeasure among the seniors. Senior Sister Bai Zhi, fearing trouble, advised her disciples to stay away, and ordered me to seal the Mo Cliff Cave—no outsiders allowed near, and I mustn’t leave even a step."

"Sealed the Mo Cliff Cave?"

"Yes. For the next half month, you and I are to live here."

"We'll share the same room?"

"Well, are you unhappy about that?"

Yu Ye shook his head. Gu Yu pulled out two small bottles from his robe and shook them, saying, "Senior Sister has prepared your pills, and I brought two bottles of fasting pills so we won’t go hungry."

Near the cave entrance, as expected, lay the bedding and long sword Yu Ye had brought.

Yu Ye was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Where is Dustrise now?"

"I heard he's gone to the Front Mountain."

"Front Mountain?"

"Where Master's cave residence is."

"And Bai Zhi?"

"Master has not emerged from seclusion, so Senior Sister is there as guardian."

Gu Yu answered several questions in succession, then eagerly said, "Why bother with all these concerns? Tell me some hunting tales instead..."

Yu Ye replied tiredly, "I am exhausted."

Gu Yu, understanding, waved dismissively, "Right, right, your injuries haven't healed—do as you please!"

Yu Ye turned and walked away.

He sat back down on his bedding, his haggard face now bearing a trace of cold determination.

The brief conversation with Gu Yu suddenly made the threat before him feel even heavier, like a storm about to break, its force unpredictable. He could only resign himself to fate—what else could he do?

Yu Ye let out a long, stifled breath, gradually calming his mind. He clasped his hands over his abdomen, eyes half closed, focusing inward.

Gu Yu saw Yu Ye adjusting his breath and smiled indifferently. With no one to talk to, he felt bored and simply spread out his bedding and sat cross-legged in silence...

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...

Main peak of Xuanhuang Mountain.

On a sunlit cliff, several people sat in silent meditation. Dustrise, Bai Zhi, and eight other disciples of Xuanhuang Mountain were present. Four middle-aged men, by their appearance and dress, were clearly visiting cultivators.

Below the cliff, the sheer wall concealed a cave. Mist shrouded the entrance, obscuring the scene.

The group sat in a circle around the cave mouth, resembling a gathering of cultivators, though the atmosphere was tense, the parties clearly divided and bordering on confrontation.

On one side were Bai Zhi and eight Xuanhuang Mountain disciples, guarding the cave with grave expressions; on the other, four visiting cultivators, proud and arrogant, their demeanor dismissive of others. Dustrise, meanwhile, acted as mediator, frequently attempting to placate both sides.

"Junior Sister, this Daoist Brother Bu Yi has come with three companions to pay respects to Master—how could we refuse such strength?"

"Master is still in seclusion and will not see outsiders."

"Even if Master is secluded, we cannot deny visitors at the gate..."

"Is this how Xuanhuang Mountain treats guests? The four of us journeyed here in admiration—if we are denied audience with your Master, we will not leave the mountain. Otherwise, where is our dignity?"

"Daoist Friend Bu Yi, a distinguished figure from Qizhou, surely you know reason. You forced your way up the mountain with companions, insulted our disciples, and now use Master's seclusion as a pretext for unreasonable demands..."

"Junior Sister, no need to be angry. Daoist Brother Bu, please forgive us!"

Dustrise hurriedly tried to intervene.

Bai Zhi, seated next to him, had not covered her face; her expression was icy cold. The eight Xuanhuang Mountain disciples behind her were also visibly angry.

Bu Yi, whom Dustrise addressed, was a middle-aged man with a short beard, dressed in furs, of slight build and unremarkable appearance. The other three men, dressed as mountain hunters, all looked fierce and unfriendly.

Dustrise raised his hand to signal both sides, then turned to Bu Yi and said, "It is unfortunate Master is in seclusion. Your visit to Xuanhuang Mountain comes at a most inopportune time, and it is indeed a discourtesy. Perhaps you could wait here a few days for Master to emerge. If not, we can only bid you and your friends farewell down the mountain." He looked at Bai Zhi, clearly troubled, and forced a smile, "Though Xuanhuang Mountain is not a grand famous place, we are still hospitable. Why not let the four of you stay a few days—what harm is there?" He then adopted a stern tone, "But do not harass our disciples further, or Junior Sister and I will not tolerate it!"

Bai Zhi tried to speak in urgency, "Senior Brother..."

Bu Yi nodded, saying, "Your words are reasonable; guests follow the host’s lead." He looked at his companions and continued, "There are rules in the Daoist sect; we dare not offend. We shall wait for Daoist Friend Hong Gu to finish her seclusion, forge a connection, seek a good outcome, and then depart!"

His companions, seemingly understanding or perhaps acting in concert, answered in unison, "We’ll go along with Daoist Friend Dustrise’s proposal!"

Dustrise bowed repeatedly, expressing deep thanks, then gave Bai Zhi a reassuring look, saying quietly, "With me guarding here, you need not worry!"

Bai Zhi wished to say more, but could no longer speak.

...

Five days later.

Yu Ye still sat meditating in the same spot, not once lifting his rear, only occasionally stretching his waist and poking with his fingers left and right, as if imitating swordplay, then swallowing several bottles of pills and continuing his breathing exercises.

Gu Yu remained lively as ever—either practicing punches and sword techniques, or wandering the cave to kill time. He had hoped for conversation, but no one responded. When he approached Yu Ye yet again, he was startled.

"The pills are gone?"

The bamboo box on the ground was empty; two or three dozen bottles of pills completely used up.

"That was enough for half a month—how did you use them all in just five days?"

Gu Yu was astonished.

Yu Ye still sat with his eyes downcast, silent.

Gu Yu waved his hand in front of Yu Ye, puzzled, "Is he meditating, or just ignoring me? He doesn’t know breathing techniques—how could he enter deep meditation? Did he overdose on pills and suffer some mishap? Hey, wake up—"

To meditate deeply, with no breath through nose or mouth, forming a world within, was the realm of a post-celestial expert. Only pre-celestial masters could sustain it. Yet a simple hunter, ignorant of such arts, sitting still for days was clearly unnatural.

Yu Ye ignored everything, not moving in the least.

"Huh?"

Gu Yu thought of shaking Yu Ye awake, but hesitated. As he stood bewildered, suddenly a cold laugh echoed: "He’s playing dead!"

Before the laughter faded, a young man entered the cave.

The Mo Cliff Cave entrance had been sealed, but he passed straight through it. Outside, the cliff was over thirty yards high.

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Gu Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Senior Brother Dustrise..."

Indeed, it was Dustrise. He paid Gu Yu no attention, calmly brushing dust from his clothes, boasting, "If not for Junior Sister’s help, I wouldn’t have found this brat."

"Yu Ye..."

Gu Yu turned to look.

Yu Ye remained unresponsive, seated as before.

"Boy, you will never escape my grasp!"

Dustrise, proud, strode forward.

"Senior Sister Bai Zhi instructed that no one is to harm Yu Ye."

Gu Yu did not forget his duty, quickly reaching out to block him.

"Are you listening to Bai Zhi, or to your senior brother?"

Forced to stop, Dustrise was irritated.

"Senior Sister acts on Master’s orders. As disciples, we dare not disobey..."

Gu Yu stubbornly held his ground.

The word "disobey" seemed to touch a nerve in Dustrise; his face suddenly changed as he shouted, "Ungrateful wretch, get out of my way—"

Gu Yu involuntarily stepped back, fear written on his face, yet still blocked Yu Ye, pleading, "Senior Brother, don’t make things difficult for me!"

Without another word, Dustrise raised his hand and struck with a flash of sword light.

Gu Yu was stunned.

Never had he imagined that his familiar, respected senior brother would attempt murder over a disagreement. In a split second, the sword light was upon him, and he stood frozen, unable to dodge.

Just as despair overtook him, someone pushed him aside. With a clang, the fierce sword light recoiled.

Gu Yu stumbled several yards, barely steadying himself. Looking back, he was astonished.

Yu Ye, who had sat unmoving, was now standing and retreating several steps. His arm and the bamboo staff he held trembled slightly.

Was it Yu Ye who saved him?

Did Yu Ye block senior brother’s sword with the bamboo staff?

At the same time, Dustrise cried out in surprise—

"Huh?"

The once-familiar mountain boy stood three yards away, now somewhat changed. His Daoist robe, the cold determination in his expression, the calm in his gaze, and the long, restrained aura—all suggested a cultivated adept. Especially the way he held the bamboo staff—it hinted at a sword technique. Yet he possessed no cultivation—how had he blocked Dustrise’s sword?

Dustrise sharply turned to Gu Yu, demanding, "Who taught him swordplay?"

Gu Yu, still shaken, replied, "He watched and learned by himself every day..."

This Xuanhuang Mountain outer disciple was both aggrieved and afraid. He was ordered to guard Mo Cliff Cave—he had done nothing wrong. Yet Senior Brother Dustrise not only attacked him, but also sought to kill Yu Ye. Though he didn’t understand the reasoning, he knew Yu Ye’s prospects were grim.

"Self-taught swordplay?"

Dustrise sneered, his sword vibrating with a humming sound, the blade flashing with light. He turned to Yu Ye, murderous intent rising, "Boy, I know you’re full of tricks, but today no one can save you!"

Yu Ye, standing with bamboo staff in hand, was no longer fearful, nor did he retreat.

For five days, he had immersed himself in cultivation, constantly taking pills, absorbing their spiritual energy. Even when Gu Yu tried repeatedly to speak with him, he had no time to spare. But when Dustrise broke into Mo Cliff Cave, his senses had already detected it, so he secretly prepared and saved Gu Yu in time.

After three or four months, he was finally face to face with Dustrise again.

Yet he did not receive the promised confrontation and justice Bai Zhi spoke of, nor any awaited turning point—only a life-and-death standoff, with no retreat...

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