Chapter 597: Where is Dugu Chou?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As he pondered and gazed upon Gu Chaliang who was curled on the ground, unable to move, Mr. Nian's hand twitched; a rush of force struck Gu Chaliang. The man grunted, flying some fifty to sixty feet away from where he was lying down, like a ball. A gaping wound appeared on his arm, blood gushing out. Then, he landed back on the ground with a squishing sound.
Ninety-nine percent of Mr. Nian's attention was still on Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou, waiting to observe their reaction. The both of them were motionless, waiting to see what would happen next.
Mr. Nian was somewhat reassured by this, and said with a sneer, "This is an important matter, I have to be cautious. How would I know if the both of you are working together to deceive me? Wouldn't it be amiss if I weren't careful and got tricked?"
Ling Xiaozui huffed angrily and said, "I asked you to check earlier. You're the one who didn't do anything and dragged up baseless accusations. Why are you being upset and righteous about it now? Others may allow it but I, Ling Xiaozui, will not!"
"Both of you, move another hundred feet back!" Mr. Nian hollered with a snort.
With an additional hundred feet of distance, Mr. Nian could react promptly, even if there were an unexpected plot twist or an ambush; given his cultivation base, it was a safe distance in which he could defend himself or even launch an attack.
Ling Xiaozui spoke flatly, "I'm warning you for the last time. Check quickly. If you delay with more words, I'll assume that you're stalling for time. This will then into an irreversible pursuit, that will not end until one of us dies."
Mr. Nian said coldly, "As long as you, Ling Xiaozui, don't pull any tricks on me, I won't back out of my promise. I just want Gu Chaliang. That youngster's life has no value to me!"
Ling Xiaozui smirked and retreated with Dugu Chou, drawing themselves as far back as the hundred feet that had been demanded.
At the same time, Mr. Nian sent another gush of force that engulfed Gu Chaliang. Checking with his cultivation, he could sense that Gu Chaliang's meridians were indeed sealed, so much so that he could not even blink or speak; he was just like meat on a chopping board, helpless.
Mr. Nian was still unconvinced. He went a step further to check Gu Chaliang's dantian and Qi to see that they were the same. He was assured then, speaking faintly, "I've confirmed Brother Ling's sincerity in this deal. I'll leave with the both of you. He who borrows, returns; where there is demand, there is supply. This is how a deal is completed happily."
As he spoke, powerful energy enveloped Gu Chaliang with a snap of his fingers. It was Mr. Nian's unique cultivation method that mystically sealed Gu Chaliang's meridians even more securely. This, however, restored Gu Chaliang's ability to speak.
Mr. Nian said with a smile, "Brother Gu, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."
Gu Chaliang stared back at him resentfully before his gaze turned indescribably aggrieved and grim. He spoke with a self-deprecating laugh, "I have nothing to say at this point. Mr. Nian, I only hope that you can come to talk to this old man more often after you send me there. I have no other request."
"Of course, Brother Gu. You and I both know that I'll talk more frequently to you before you die. I won't let your thoughts go astray like they used to," Mr. Nian said with a beaming smile.
As he spoke, his leg extended in a kick. A strong gust of wind picked Gu Chaliang up and sent him towards the dark recesses of the forest.
Even at this point in time, Mr. Nian was still very cautious, on the lookout for any possibility of an accident. He had not personally touched Gu CHaliang but had sent the latter straight to where his partner was waiting; this allowed him to always stay safe. Without the presence of a careless loophole, he could stand, stable and undefeated!
Almost immediately, a silhouette flitted by in the dark. A rich voice spoke out, "Got him."
Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou said nothing more as they rose and stood in midair. Their tone was impatient as the coldly spoke, "What else are you waiting for? The one on the other side can't wait any longer."
Mr. Nian nodded but a sense of doubt suddenly rose within. "Since the remedy is so urgent, why didn't you two bring the young one along?"
Ling Xiaozui lashed out in a fury, his tone icy as he said, "Are you not clear about what you've done? Don't you know that it's already the third day now? How could you not know how he is now? If it weren't for Feng Xiange who's prolonging his life over there, even if you could save him, how much of his longevity can be salvaged? Are you trying to gloat about your unique art that no one can cure by asking this?"
Mr. Nian thought about it and realized that he had indeed gone overboard with his words. The situation when Yun Yang was struck the other day was more severe than his usual victims; it was an expected situation for him to be on the brink of life and death now. Even if there were a proficient cultivator like Feng Xiange helping him, the young man would not be much better off. He was as good as a rotting zombie.
There was indeed a huge risk to move the youth here. No wonder Feng Xiange had not shown up this time.
Right, that should be it.
Mr. Nian chuckled and said, "Caution is the parent of safety. It is indeed my fault that Brother Ling is in such a hurry. Let us go, we shall depart right now. The Cycle of Four Seasons Palm is mystical, but as long as the victim is saved before the due time, it will only deplete a few days of the victim's life. There won't be further complications."
He then floated up like a cloud. Rising into the air and standing about three hundred feet away from Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou, he said, "Let's go."
It was apparent that Mr. Nian's guard and awareness had not diminished, even up until now. He had maintained a safe distance all the way.
Ling Xiaozui huffed. With a blink of sword light, he moved first, drifting thousands of feet away with a loud swoosh. Dugu Chou tailed him closely, equally impatient, as he sped forth.
Mr. Nian chortled, following them easily, and said, "Cycle of Four Seasons Palm will be lethal in four days. There is still time, no need to be in such a hurry."
"Going to Tiantang City with you and my speed, it's only…" Mr. Nian said with a faint smile, coming near to Ling Xiaozui's left as he spoke.
Ling Xiaozui was still leading their departure, his speed not reducing in the slightest. He replied immediately, "We are all people of cultivation. How can we not know about the pros and cons of the matter? Being stricken with that vicious art of yours, one's longevity will rot away speedily. Even when the cure is secured, the lost longevity can barely be recovered. The earlier the remedy is, the less damage there is. Of course, it's better to be faster lest more issues creep up."
"That's true. I won't be able to bear offending this young friend whom Ling Xiaozui is so concerned about. From now on, no one from the Four Seasons Tower will dare to lay a finger on him."
Mr. Nian was well aware of the carrot-and-stick approach; he was aware that despite the fact that he had taken the upper hand today, he had still deeply offended Ling Xiaozui. Even when Yun Yang was saved, it was an unavoidable fact that his longevity would be severely damaged. He might as well be promised a guarantee. Of course, this also implied that if Ling Xiaozui were to find fault with the Four Seasons Tower in future, the one to suffer the first retaliatory strike would be this young friend he was so concerned about!
As they spoke, they sped forward. They moved tens of thousands of feet away within the blink of an eye. They were like immortals riding the clouds, speeding in the air, side by side.
"Faster, faster!" Ling Xiaozui urged.
Ling Xiaozui had fully unleashed his skill and flew as fast as he could.
Mr. Nian chuckled and said, "Don't worry. The Cycle of Four Seasons Palm is vicious, but as long as the remedy is appropriate, there won't be any hidden threats, especially when Feng Xiange is there prolonging his life… Your young friend's life won't be sabotaged for sure."
Despite the comforting words, he had increased his speed as well.
However, as he picked up speed, Mr. Nian suddenly felt as if something was wrong somewhere, yet he could not figure it out. Unintentionally turning his head, he was caught by surprise.
"Where's Dugu Chou?"
Dugu Chou, who had been right beside them, had vanished without a trace! Mr. Nian did not even know when he had disappeared.