C12 He Said That It Was a Pity That They Did Not Die

Liu Yang had been seated as a guest of honor by Murong Xuanzang. He was beginning to grasp the reason his master had encouraged him to foster a good relationship with Murong Xuanzang.

Observing the opulence surrounding Murong Xuanzang, Liu Yang surmised the significant influence of Murong Xuanzang's family in the mortal realm. With Murong Xuanzang's assistance, avenging himself seemed well within reach.

"Junior Brother, lost in thought? Come, let's drink this cup and let bygones be bygones," Murong Xuanzang offered.

Liu Yang didn't even need to lift his cup; a kneeling woman beside him gracefully presented an exquisitely crafted wine cup to his lips, waiting for him to take a sip.

Such indulgence could certainly be described as luxurious and hedonistic.

Before Liu Yang could respond, Murong Xuanzang preempted him, "Don't blame yourself for not enjoying the wine. What is wine without the company of a beautiful woman?"

At Murong Xuanzang's clap, two troupes of dancers clad in vibrant reds and greens entered, their beauty undeniable. It was then that Liu Yang truly understood the phrase "a feast for the eyes."

Despite his youth, Liu Yang couldn't appreciate the wine nor discern the allure of the dancers. Yet, the captivating dance rhythms managed to ensnare his attention, allowing him to momentarily let go of the hatred that had filled his heart.

In that instant, one of the dancers in green showed a deadly intent, brandishing two sharp daggers and lunging at Murong Xuanzang. In a flash, she was upon him.

"Murong, you wretch, today you meet your end!" she declared.

Her eyes blazed with an unspoken loathing, intent on ending Murong Xuanzang's life with her daggers.

"Junior Brother, your timing is impeccable!" Murong Xuanzang exclaimed with delight. As the dancer's daggers neared his forehead, he seized the moment of her distraction. Murong Xuanzang pulled the bewildered maid to his side, creating an opportunity to perform a Daoist technique.

Watching the dancer being tightly bound, yet still hurling curses, Liu Yang realized Murong Xuanzang's cunning. In a life-or-death moment, Murong Xuanzang could still manipulate emotions, anticipating the dancer's moment of vengeance-induced relaxation to secure his escape. It was a skill Liu Yang admitted he did not possess.

As Yue Yang reflected on the assassination attempt, Murong Xuan had completed his interrogation of the dancer. He had uncovered a group of four accomplices, including the dancer herself, and was preparing to execute them all.

"Wait!" Yue Yang, having endured the agony of his family's destruction, couldn't stand to witness a similar tragedy unfold before his eyes. Without much thought, he spoke up to intervene.

"Junior Brother, what are you suggesting?" Murong Xuan's eyes glinted with a menacing light. Yue Yang had no doubt that a single misstep in his words could lead Murong Xuan to end his life.

"Senior Brother, I'm new to the sect and still adjusting. I was hoping to request a few maids from you," Yue Yang offered, grasping at the best excuse he could muster.

Yue Yang met Murong Xuan's amused look with unwavering eyes.

"Hahaha, you're not interested in Senior Brother Feng's five exquisite beauties, but you're fixated on these lowly maids? If Senior Brother Feng heard this, I can't imagine how furious he'd be," Murong Xuan laughed heartily after a long stare-down.

"Who has caught your eye? Speak up. I'm not like the others, hoarding all the treasures for themselves," Murong Xuan encouraged.

"I'll take them," Yue Yang said, pointing to the four bound dancers.

"Are you certain, Junior Brother?" Murong Xuan's eyes twinkled with mirth as he clapped his hands. "Bring them forward."

Yue Yang watched as the girl who had been behind him was pulled forward, her lower body appearing as if it had been drenched in blood.

"This worthless maid can't even lead properly, so her legs are of no use. Tomorrow, I'll shatter her leg bones and sever her tendons," Murong Xuan's voice, devilish in tone, reached Yue Yang's ears. His eyes reddened with fury as he saw the two young girls who had escorted him to the bath being led forward, their once lively eyes now hollow, their mouths missing their soft tongues.

"These two little ones didn't know what to say and what not to say. Keeping their tongues would only invite trouble. Since they can't seem to hold their tongues about anything they hear or see, I've taken the liberty of removing them. Now, they'll be obedient," Murong Xuan declared.

In Yue Yang's heart, Murong Xuan had become indistinguishable from a demon straight out of hell.

"I thought you'd take a liking to them, but even though I'm not one to hold grudges, I've grown accustomed to those three. If you insist on taking them with you, then the four must remain. I can manage to make do with a bit of effort. But if you prefer to take the four, that would save me some trouble. Make your choice, my dear junior brother."

Le Yang, having heard Murong Xuanzang's words, felt as if each one pierced his heart.

Le Yang inquired, "What must I do for you to release them?"

"I never realized you were such a romantic, junior brother," Murong Xuanzang said with a smile. "Taking them with you is simple. Serve me as your master. I never expected to find someone as extraordinary as you in this modest sect."

"This is the Life-Sealing Plate. Drop your blood on it and swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. Henceforth, you will obey my commands."

Le Yang firmly rejected the offer, "That's impossible!"

"I thought you had a heart full of compassion. My dear junior brother, are you sure you won't reconsider?"

Le Yang desperately wanted to rescue these innocent and vulnerable women from Murong Xuanzang's clutches, but he couldn't bear to sacrifice his own life.

"Very well, take them away."

Le Yang watched the banquet return to order with a mix of shock and confusion, as if his agonizing decision had been nothing more than a charade.

"Junior brother, let's drink to that. After this, I truly owe you nothing," Murong Xuanzang declared, lifting his cup and emptying it in one gulp.

"What's going on?"

"Senior brother was merely helping you to affirm your true intentions. This world is full of cultivators who were once mere mortals, unacquainted with the realm of cultivation. Upon acquiring extraordinary powers, they often fancy themselves as heroes destined to save the world."

Le Yang continued to listen to Murong Xuanzang, still puzzled.

"However, they merely transform from pitiable creatures in the mortal realm to pitiable creatures in the realm of cultivation. Junior brother, heed my words: don't rush to stand out, and don't concern yourself with the judgments of others."

Le Yang questioned, "What do you mean? Senior brother, are you suggesting I shouldn't correct the flaws in our fellow disciples' cultivation methods?"

Le Yang noticed Murong Xuanzang's enigmatic smile, which seemed to be both an agreement and a dismissal.

"It's both yes and no, you just need to be careful not to unwittingly walk into a deadly trap."

Le Yang, confused, asked, "Senior Brother, are you suggesting that I could face danger even within our sect?"

Zhuge Xuanzang took a sip of wine and savored the delicacies served by the servant girl, closing his eyes to rest, remaining silent.

Realizing he wouldn't get any more answers, Le Yang still wanted clarity on one matter, "The maids earlier were just acting, right? Their injuries weren't real, were they?"

Zhuge Xuanzang looked at Le Yang with contempt, "If they were fake injuries, don't you think you'd be able to tell? Would you believe it otherwise?"

Le Yang was so furious he shook, "How could you do such a thing? Just for a play, you'd shatter a girl's legs and gouge out her eyes? Does a Foundation Building cultivator have the right to disregard the lives of mortals? What are mortals to you, mere plants, chopsticks, cups? Are they so disposable to you?"

Murong Xuanzang's response only fueled Le Yang's rage further.

"Don't damage my treasures; I paid a fortune for them from the Pearl Country. They are far more valuable than those mortals. But those golden silkwood chopsticks you're holding—consider their quality, their craftsmanship—one pair alone is worth the price of a hundred fairly attractive mortal women."

Le Yang was incensed, "So in your eyes, human lives can be bought and sold?"

Despite having studied the Taoist scriptures in his dreams, Le Yang's understanding of human nature remained childlike—seeing the world in stark black and white, right or wrong, good or evil. Every life was precious and unique; how could they possibly be for sale?

Murong Xuanzang arched an eyebrow, "What's so wrong with that? Do you think I should personally capture each one? They were all purchased. Since I've paid for them, they'll do whatever I want, even if it means dying on command."

Murong Xuanzang turned and affectionately nipped the cheek of the servant girl, whose beauty was barely concealed by a sheer veil, "Sweetheart, isn't that right? You're my favorite. I remember spending three hundred gold ingots on you. But then again, who could resist such beauty?"

Yue Yang was so furious that he overturned the table, unable to bear another moment in this seemingly grand place reeking of blood and money.

"Junior brother, you've just toppled a table that represents thousands of lives!"

Yue Yang stormed out of the hall, Murong Xuan's voice, thick with mockery, trailing after him.

Yue Yang stopped a maid and inquired about directions. Recognizing him as a new senior disciple uncle, she readily provided answers.

Upon bursting into the pharmacy, the guards initially raised their weapons, ready to reprimand him, but recognizing the new senior disciple uncle, they lowered their guard and let Yue Yang approach Chu Yun Rou and the others receiving treatment.

"Are you alright?" Yue Yang asked gently, unable to bear the sight of his sister, who just half an hour earlier had been like a sprite carrying him, now unable to walk.

"Greetings, senior disciple uncle. It's my fault you've suffered. My injuries are trivial compared to the grave sins I've committed. If given the chance, Yun Rou hopes to serve by your side and atone for my wrongdoings," Chu Yun Rou said with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"It's my fault this happened to you. I'm taking you away now, all of you!"

Without waiting for Chu Yun Rou to protest, Yue Yang snatched the medicine bottle from her hands to apply it himself. He then instructed the pharmacy guards to escort the unfortunate young girls and Chu Yun Rou with him to the Golden Hall.

"Junior brother, are you hungry? Luckily, I haven't cleared away the feast. If you're cold, I'll have Master Bo prepare something warm for you," Murong Xuanzang teased, cradling his jade servant affectionately as he awaited Yue Yang's return.

"Senior brother, I'm taking these three with me. Whatever you paid for them, I'll reimburse you," Yue Yang declared, disregarding Murong Xuanzang's invitation to sit.

"My dear junior brother, where would you get the money? Besides, do you realize that Yun Rou and the jade servant are as dear to me as my own heart? They weren't bought with money, but if she weren't with me, she might well have been the Empress of the Pearl Kingdom by now. So, tell me, what price would you put on that?"