Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Naive Saintess of the Demonic Sect

Despite his age, Gu Lao was surprisingly agile. Half an hour after Shen Yu departed, his unease got the better of him. Deciding it was safer to leave, he hastily set off on his carriage, speeding along the main road. Eventually, deeming the carriage too slow, he abandoned it, mounted the horse, and galloped toward Qingcheng.

Gu Lao believed that once he reached Qingcheng, the city lord would protect him, allowing him to escape unscathed. Fixated on his goal, he spurred his horse onward.

_____

Meanwhile, Shen Mie and his men arrived at the base camp to find that Gu Lao had fled.

“This old fox ran off fast! Looks like he bolted right after my son left,” Shen Mie muttered angrily. Without wasting time, he ordered his men to give chase.

Along the way, they discovered the abandoned carriage. Shen Mie instructed his men to bring it back to the sect before continuing the pursuit. Eventually, they caught up with Gu Lao just as he was queuing at the gates of Qingcheng.

Seeing the city gates, Gu Lao had finally relaxed, convinced he was safe. He patiently waited in line, no longer in a rush.

“Gu Lao, you’ve got some speed for an old man. Quite impressive!” Shen Mie remarked as he approached on horseback, his tone mocking.

Gu Lao froze, shocked to see Shen Mie. Panic flashed across his face, but he quickly masked it, feigning calmness.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Master Shen. I had urgent business in Yongcheng and didn’t have the chance to inform you. There’s no need for such accusations.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, you’re not going anywhere now. You’ll have to come back with me as my guest. Otherwise, you won’t be going anywhere at all,” Shen Mie said coldly, his tone brooking no argument.

“This is Qingcheng! Surely, Master Shen wouldn’t dare to forcibly take me away here,” Gu Lao retorted, trying to leverage the city’s jurisdiction.

“Qingcheng’s city lord? Terrifying indeed,” Shen Mie said with biting sarcasm, his disdain evident. “But I’m right here. Let’s see if he dares interfere.”

Panicking, Gu Lao turned to the gate guards. “What are you standing there for? I’m a guest of the city lord! If something happens to me, you’ll all be held accountable!”

The guards hesitated. Everyone in Qingcheng knew Shen Mie’s reputation. Intervening on behalf of this old man was a surefire way to invite disaster. Yet doing nothing could also lead to consequences.

Sensing their hesitation, Shen Mie smirked. “Shen Jie, go invite the city lord here. Let’s see if he’s willing to protect this man from me.”

“Yes, sir!”

Shen Jie saluted and rode into the city to summon the city lord.

Turning to his men, Shen Mie said, “You, dislocate his arms and jaw. He’s skilled with poisons—we can’t risk letting him get the better of us.”

“Yes, sir.”

One of the subordinates stepped forward and expertly dislocated Gu Lao’s arms and jaw before the old man could protest further.

“Shen Mie, you dare—”

Gu Lao’s words were cut off by a pained scream as his limbs were rendered useless.

“I’ve never met anything I didn’t dare to do. Threaten me again, and you’ll regret it even more,” Shen Mie said, his tone dripping with scorn.

_______

Shortly after, Shen Jie returned with the city lord in tow. The city lord’s face was pale with dread. He had hoped to avoid direct involvement but now had no choice.

“Master Shen, what a pleasure to see you. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. This is entirely my fault,” the city lord stammered, bowing deeply to Shen Mie.

“Spare me the pleasantries. I brought you here to ask one question: I’m taking this man with me. Do you plan to stop me?” Shen Mie asked impatiently, eager to resolve the matter and return to the sect.

“Master Shen, there’s no misunderstanding here. I have no connection to this man. He must be slandering me. Please, take him away—I have no objections,” the city lord said hastily, his obsequiousness on full display.

Gu Lao, still immobilized, could only let out muffled groans of despair. The city lord, whom he had counted on for protection, had abandoned him without hesitation.

“Well, Gu Lao, hear that? The one you trusted so much claims he doesn’t even know you,” Shen Mie said, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

“Ahh… ahhh… ahhh!”

Gu Lao could only scream in helpless rage as his last shred of hope crumbled.

Gu Lao’s muffled cries of despair echoed through the night as he watched the Qingcheng city lord betray him so easily. But his pitiful state failed to elicit any sympathy—no one dared offend Shen Mie, and the city lord himself was more than happy to wash his hands of the troublesome man.

Thus, Gu Lao was taken away without resistance, his arms and jaw dislocated to prevent any further treachery. Along the way, he remained unnervingly quiet, either due to the pain or a complete loss of morale.

By the time Shen Mie returned to the sect with his captive, it was already midnight. An Ran, exhausted from the day’s events, had long since gone to sleep. Not wanting to disturb her, Shen Yu went to his father’s study instead.

______

When Shen Yu entered the study, he found Shen Mie and Mu Xiaodong seated across from an elderly man—Gu Lao, now subdued and disheveled.

“Father, Uncle Mu,” Shen Yu greeted as he stepped inside.

“Sit down, Shen Yu. You’ll want to hear what this old man, or rather, ‘Mu Qing,’ has to say. He claims to have a proposition that will interest us,” Shen Mie said, gesturing for Shen Yu to take a seat.

“Proposition? Sounds intriguing,” Shen Yu said, masking his disdain for Gu Lao. He forced himself to appear mildly interested, keen to uncover more of the man’s secrets.

“Ah, Young Master Shen! Surely you’re interested in immortality. But it seems you’re quite attached to An Ran. The question is—are you willing to sacrifice her?”

Gu Lao began confidently, oblivious to the subtle hostility in Shen Yu’s expression.

“What does this have to do with An Ran? Speak clearly,” Shen Yu said, suppressing the fury bubbling within him.

Gu Lao smirked, leaning forward as he explained, “Let me tell you a story. The origin of this opportunity lies with a formula for immortality developed by the alchemists of the Qin Kingdom. These alchemists eventually became the ancestors of Yaowang Valley. While the formula was perfected long ago, it required a specific catalyst—an extraordinary bloodline nurtured through a secretive and cruel method spanning generations.”

“For over ten generations, they failed. But in this generation, they succeeded. The Valley Master’s wife was a failed experiment from the previous generation, but her exposure to the secret medicine gave her an unusual resistance. Combined with your father’s assistance and the Valley Master’s genius, they managed to produce the perfect ‘catalyst.’ That catalyst is none other than An Ran!” Gu Lao finished, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Stop with the history lesson. What’s your plan for immortality? Speak plainly,” Shen Yu interrupted, his irritation thinly veiled.

“Impatient, are we? Very well,” Gu Lao said, grinning. He mistook Shen Yu’s urgency for eagerness, oblivious to the murderous intent brewing beneath the surface.

“I originally planned to join forces with Jianhai Manor, the Qingcheng city lord, and the imperial prime minister to annihilate the Demonic Sect and seize An Ran. But now there’s no need for such trouble.”

“All we need is to convince An Ran to perform a blood exchange under the pretense of saving you. We don’t have to take all her blood—just most of it. Using a secret technique, we can keep her alive long enough for her body to regenerate. With the rest of the ingredients ready, the immortal elixir can be created as soon as her blood is collected,” Gu Lao revealed, his voice brimming with confidence.

Expecting excitement or approval, Gu Lao looked up at his audience, only to find their faces devoid of any warmth. Instead, icy fury radiated from Shen Mie, Mu Xiaodong, and Shen Yu. Their piercing gazes sent chills down his spine.

“What… What’s wrong? Aren’t you interested in immortality?” Gu Lao stammered, his earlier bravado crumbling.

“Interested?”

Shen Yu’s voice was low and menacing.

“You dare suggest sacrificing An Ran for such selfish ambitions? You must have a death wish.”

“Immortality? To achieve it through such vile means? You must be mad,” Mu Xiaodong spat, his disgust palpable.

“Gu Lao, or should I say Mu Qing, I’ve met many fools in my time, but you’re in a league of your own. You insult my family, my sect, and my son. Did you really think you could come here, spout this nonsense, and walk away alive?” Shen Mie said coldly, rising from his seat.

Realizing his grave miscalculation, Gu Lao’s confidence turned to terror.

“No… No! You can’t kill me! You need me—my knowledge, my expertise—”

But his pleas were drowned out by the oppressive silence in the room, as Shen Mie, Mu Xiaodong, and Shen Yu loomed over him, their patience at its limit.