Chapter Two: When the Snipe and the Clam Quarrel

Li Chengzhu’s face was filled with grief and indignation as he mustered his courage and spoke, “Since this is a request I can’t possibly fulfill, could I perhaps refuse it altogether?”

Cui Xiaosa remained all smiles. “My friend, you’re mistaken. Helping others is the root of joy. I can see you’re a righteous man—surely you won’t turn down such a small favor from me?”

Li Chengzhu cursed Cui Xiaosa’s shamelessness in his heart. Here he was, already trapped—how could he resist anything now? So he stopped protesting and pretended to be forthright. “Very well, then. I won’t decline any longer.”

Satisfied, Cui Xiaosa regarded the novice cultivator before him and asked, “May I ask which sect your master hails from?”

Cui Xiaosa was shrewd. Though Li Chengzhu’s cultivation was low, he couldn’t dismiss the possibility of powerful backers, so he cautiously asked.

Li Chengzhu had no idea which sect he belonged to and could only reply, “My master is the current Celestial Guide Envoy.”

Cui Xiaosa shot a startled look at Hao Meili, who also cast a doubtful glance at Li Chengzhu. The Celestial Guide Envoy had entered the Great Heaven-Covering Formation a century ago—when had he taken on a disciple? If this youth truly were the Celestial Guide Envoy’s disciple, Cui Xiaosa wouldn’t dare lay a hand on him.

Hao Meili found it suspicious as well. Even if the Celestial Guide Envoy had accepted a disciple, why would he choose such a rookie cultivator? Though she couldn’t see his exact age, this young man, who hadn’t even reached the Nascent Soul stage, hardly seemed worthy of that title.

Moreover, the Illusory Sword Sect where the Celestial Guide Envoy resided was half a world away from here. Even if he really were the envoy’s disciple, if someone killed him here, who would ever know?

Hao Meili, who had half-hoped for some protection, now abandoned the thought entirely. She sighed softly—there would be no peaceful resolution today.

Cui Xiaosa eyed Li Chengzhu’s disheveled appearance and asked, seemingly offhand, “Can you provide any proof that you’re the envoy’s disciple?”

Li Chengzhu shrugged angrily. “That old miser never gave me a single token.”

Hao Meili frowned. This man’s lack of respect for his supposed master made him look even more like a fraud.

But Cui Xiaosa broke into a broad grin. “No matter. As long as you can bear witness for us, that will suffice.”

Li Chengzhu, seeing there was no escaping, replied briskly, “Fine.”

Cui Xiaosa gave him a look that said, “You’re sensible.” Then he turned to Hao Meili. “With the envoy’s disciple here, we can make the exchange, can’t we? Even if you don’t trust me, surely you trust the envoy’s disciple.”

From the start, Cui Xiaosa hadn’t even bothered to ask Li Chengzhu’s name—any fool could see he didn’t take this so-called disciple seriously.

Hao Meili didn’t believe a word Li Chengzhu said, and trusted the smiling man before her even less. But she had another plan in mind.

Having made up her mind, she smiled. “Very well, I’ll exchange with you. But remember—today’s grudge over the treasure will be repaid with interest.” She took a piece of Destiny Spirit Stone from her ring. “This is a Destiny Spirit Stone. Do you want to inspect it?”

Cui Xiaosa slipped off his own ring with a showy flourish. “No need. I trust you completely.”

Hao Meili snorted. “As if.”

Li Chengzhu watched the man and woman not far off, feeling a wave of sorrow for fellow sufferers and praying they wouldn’t have any other schemes—otherwise, he was sure to come to grief.

As Cui Xiaosa approached, Hao Meili suddenly called out, “Wait! Put your flying sword into your ring as well.”

Cui Xiaosa was taken aback. “How can I do that? If I don’t have my sword, what if you cut me down?”

Hao Meili’s voice was icy. “You already said you’d give me the sword if need be. What’s the matter? Unable to part with it? Or do you never intend to exchange?”

Cui Xiaosa forced a laugh. “Of course not. To be fair, why don’t you put your sword into your ring too?”

Hao Meili complied, storing her sword in her ring. At that instant, a sudden change occurred—Cui Xiaosa’s eyes flashed with cruelty as he raised his flying sword and thrust it straight at Hao Meili’s chest.

Startled, Hao Meili drew her sword and struck back at Cui Xiaosa’s flank.

With a sickening thud, Cui Xiaosa’s sword pierced Hao Meili’s chest.

Clutching her wound, Hao Meili cursed, “Cui Xiaosa, you despicable villain! I knew you were up to no good!”

Cui Xiaosa laughed heartily. “So what if you knew? You still fell into my trap! Let’s see how you die today. Be a good girl and hand over the Destiny Spirit Stone.”

“Never!” Hao Meili’s face was full of grief. She glanced at Li Chengzhu, pinning her last hope on him, and said, “Don’t forget—the envoy’s disciple has witnessed everything. Even if you kill me, your deeds will come to light. I’d like to see how you’ll ever survive in the Celestial Realm.”

Cui Xiaosa glanced at the still-trapped Li Chengzhu and sneered, “Him? Who knows if he’s really the envoy’s disciple. Even if he is, I’ll kill him with a single stroke—who will ever find out?”

Li Chengzhu inwardly cursed and prayed that Hao Meili could hold on a little longer. Once Cui Xiaosa finished with her, he would surely silence Li Chengzhu as well.

The only weapon Li Chengzhu could use was the Godslayer Bow, but it required time to charge before firing—plenty of time for Cui Xiaosa to kill him a dozen times over.

Hao Meili, seeing that Cui Xiaosa truly intended to kill her, no longer dared to let her guard down. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she launched a desperate attack.

She was already slightly weaker than Cui Xiaosa, and now, injured from the ambush, her power was greatly diminished—she could barely dodge his attacks.

Cui Xiaosa didn’t press too hard, either. Though victory was certain, if he forced this madwoman into self-destruction, he’d be gravely wounded if not killed. So he exchanged spells with her at a measured pace, waiting to take her captive when her strength failed.

Meanwhile, Li Chengzhu seized the opportunity while the two fought fiercely, quietly summoned the Godslayer Bow, and slowly channeled spiritual power into it, careful not to attract Cui Xiaosa’s attention.

After more than an hour of combat, Hao Meili’s clothes were in tatters, leaving her body exposed with each step. Her defensive artifacts were shattered by Cui Xiaosa.

In a burst of rage, she raised her sword and blocked one of Cui Xiaosa’s attacks head-on.

There was a loud clang—her sword broke in two. Cui Xiaosa laughed. “Let’s see how you die now.”

Hao Meili’s face turned ashen, but in this moment of utter despair, her mind grew calm. Gritting her teeth, she charged straight at Cui Xiaosa.

With a sickening crunch, the flying sword pierced through Hao Meili’s body. Before Cui Xiaosa could celebrate, he realized she had seized both his hands, and a fierce white light erupted from her dantian.