Chapter 74 (1)
In the few days after that, Su Yu kept strolling around Qi Tian gate, picking places that were far from his dwelling. If he walked back and forth on foot, it would take the better part of a day. Basically, he left no time for Ling Tian’s double cultivation. Ling Tian was incredibly bothered by this but couldn’t force him, so all he could do was suffer in silence.
One day Su Yu walked out early into a rather isolated bamboo forest. He thought he wouldn’t b.u.mp into anyone else, but instead encountered the new disciple of the vice sect leader.
In the beginning he hadn’t noticed. The ball piped up from his side, “Master, if you keep walking you’ll b.u.mp into someone: the new disciple of the vice sect leader, Luo Shang.”
Su Yu kept walking, glancing up. A person was practicing his swordsmanship in an opening. He was very normal-looking, dressed in the white clothing all Qi Tian disciples wore, with no sign of demon cultivation.
Luo Shang noticed Su Yu, his gaze flashing while he put his sword away. “Excuse me for asking, but are you the Demon Elder from the beast demon cultivation world?”
“If there were another non-Taoist cultivator here, it would make sense to ask this question. But according to my knowledge, I’m the only one here who isn’t a Taoist cultivator.” Su Yu’s expression was cold, his tone sarcastic as ever. “Unless you aren’t a Taoist cultivator either?”
Choked back by Su Yu’s words, Luo Shang still maintained his expression. “Demon Elder, you’re quite humorous. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s my life’s honor to meet you.”
“Your life must be quite short then,” Su Yu was expressionless.
For an instant, Luo Shang’s expression twisted, a dash of evil flashing through his eyes. But he recovered quickly. Because he didn’t want to speak more, he was about to open his mouth and bid farewell when Su Yu suddenly spoke. “You’re the real Devilish Elder, aren’t you?”
Although it seemed like Luo Shang’s face hadn’t changed, his eyes widened slightly, complicated emotions flashing through them.
The ball floating at his shoulder was dumbfounded too. “M-master, you…what are you talking about? How could this guy be the Devilish Elder?!”
Luo Shang’s deception skills were far more impressive than the ball’s. Within seconds he was back to normal again. “Demon Elder, what are you talking about? I can’t understand what you’re saying.”
“My least favorite thing is people who pretend not to understand something when they clearly do. Doesn’t it tire you out?” Su Yu glared at Luo Shang coldly, his voice just as icy calm. “You really think if you don’t admit to certain things they won’t exist? That’s just lying to yourself.”
Pressing his lips together, Luo Shang studied Su Yu. He couldn’t tell if he’d really seen through his disguise or was just testing him, so he cast his gaze downwards. “I dislike those people too. But what I dislike even more is people who come up with something from nothing. They’ll say anything, even without proof. Aren’t they afraid of the consequences?”
“If that’s the case, I’m rea.s.sured. No matter who you are, it’s never good to have someone else who dislikes you. I was just about to visit the sect leader, so I’ll be going ahead now.” With a cold chuckle, he began to walk away again. The moment they brushed by each other, he spat out a few words in a low voice. “Evil deeds will eventually end in your defeat. Tread carefully, Devilish Elder.”
Luo Shang pressed his lips together, his expression contorting on his face. Seeing that Su Yu had walked to a turn and was about to depart from the bamboo forest, he clenched his jaw and spoke up to stop him. “Demon Elder, please wait.”
Su Yu’s silhouette, already half-hidden in the bamboo shade, halted. “What is it?”
Luo Shang narrowed his eyes. Seemed like the Demon Elder had confirmed his ident.i.ty after all, or he wouldn’t be so carefree. Plus, he mentioned discussing something important with the sect leader?
Although he didn’t know how he had been found out, he couldn’t let himself be exposed.
“I really don’t understand why Demon Elder would say something like that, but since you’ve already spoken the words, I don’t think I can stay my hand any further.” Saying this, he started to draw his sword slowly.
Glancing at the sword in his hands, Su Yu chuckled. “So the Devilish Elder plans to fight me?”
“Indeed. Or how will I keep guarding this secret?” Luo Shang had barely finished speaking the sentence when he spun out toward Su Yu, his sword pointed right between his brows.
The attack was so forthright it seemed like he was going for his life, but Su Yu could sense the calmness and calculation in his eyes. These weren’t the eyes of someone fighting for his life.
Waving his wide sleeves, Su Yu didn’t dodge, instead extending a hand to reach toward the sword.
Luo Shang didn’t expect this reaction from Su Yu, and it was too late for him to draw back his hand. In an instant, Su Yu grabbed his sword while he was still gripping it, turning it back toward him and cutting him on the shoulder.