Chapter 41: Fighting to the Death or Survival

The air was suffused with a nauseating, rancid scent of coagulated blood and gore.

With a flick of his finger, Zhang Shen conjured a tiny flame that instantly incinerated it and the noxious atmosphere with it. 

“Your injuries have seeped deep into your internal organs. We mustn’t hasten the healing process. Approximately half a month should be enough to completely root out your ailment,” Zhang Shen said cautiously.

Healing Li Shuang in one go was not his intent, even with spiritual power at his fingertips, prudence was essential. Half a month should be more than enough time for Li Shuang to submit wholeheartedly.

Spitting out that mouthful of tainted blood, Li Shuang felt an unprecedented sense of relief wash over him. Although a dull ache still throbbed within, he felt inexplicably revitalized.

“After you’ve fully recovered, we’ll address the Luo family issue,” Zhang Shen assured him. “In the meantime, maintain a low profile.”

Withdrawing his hand, Zhang Shen knew his immediate goal had been met. There was no need to linger, any further actions concerning Li Shuang could wait until he was fully recovered.

“Also, remember that as your children grow, there’s no need to keep them ignorant about everything. They’re far more intelligent than you might think,” he advised before vanishing into the darkness.

Startled, Li Shuang sensed two life forces near the window upstairs. So absorbed had he been in suppressing his injuries and fortifying the workshop’s defenses that he hadn’t noticed the watchful eyes in the dark.

“These two rascals,” thought Li Shuang, his heart warming even as his expression remained stern. 

It was a father’s habit to always appear strong and unyielding.

Recalling Zhang Shen’s earlier words, Li Shuang had a realization. His little bundles of joy were now thinking, maturing individuals, some already in their late teens or early twenties.

“It’s high time I talk to them about the recent events, as well as our future plans,” he resolved.

Despite the unresolved Luo family issue, Li Shuang found himself brimming with newfound hope for the future.

Over the next fortnight, Zhang Shen would spend his days immersed in cultivation, and his nights sparing a few moments to tend to Li Shuang’s injuries. Li Shuang’s children, Li Li and Li An, stood attentively by their side, respectfully offering tea and attending to other small needs.

It was evident that a profound conversation had already occurred between the father and his children. To Zhang Shen, Li Li and Li An were nothing but respectful.

Setting aside the fact that Zhang Shen healed their father and resolved their family’s looming crisis, his status as a True Core cultivator alone demanded the deepest respect from them, who were fledglings in the realm of cultivation.

After treating Li Shuang, Zhang Shen found himself intrigued enough to offer some occasional guidance to the trio. With his advanced level of expertise and mastery over a myriad of cultivation techniques, Zhang Shen easily spotted issues in their training, problems that would have taken them at least six months to a year to figure out by themselves. A few pieces of advice were enough to win their heartfelt respect.

Of course, Zhang Shen refrained from divulging the most vital secrets of cultivation. Such invaluable wisdom would only be shared when Li Shuang had proven his worth.

Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye.

Dressed impeccably, Li Shuang followed Zhang Shen to the stronghold of the Luo family.

Located not far from the bustling Sunfire Market, the Luo family had erected a secluded town, more aptly described as the Luo Family Fortress. Populated solely by members of their clan, it was less of a town and more like their private sanctuary.

Hovering three hundred meters above the Luo enclave, Zhang Shen sent a message, its tone reverberating throughout the fortress but never grating on the ears.

“Daoist Luo Tian, Lin Fanyun requests an audience.”

People within the Luo Family Fortress, those who were attuned to such matters, instantly recognized the arrival of a True Core cultivator. The ability to project one’s voice across ten miles without causing any auditory discomfort was an extraordinary feat, achievable only by a True Core cultivator.

Friend or foe?

As they pondered, a voice, saturated with both age and wisdom, answered.

“Friend Lin has traveled from afar, a meeting is most certainly in order.”

Zhang Shen directed his gaze toward the origin of the voice and spotted a silver-haired, handsome man standing proudly deep within a secluded courtyard of the fortress.

‘He certainly carries a unique presence,’ Zhang Shen thought

He and Li Shuang descended into the courtyard, meeting no resistance along the way.

“Stay outside the courtyard, there’s no need to accompany me in,” Zhang Shen cautioned Li Shuang.

Zhang Shen himself was uncertain if confrontation would ensue. Regardless, it was not a situation in which an Innate stage cultivator like Li Shuang should be involved.

Li Shuang obediently stepped aside, a sense of relief washing over him. Just the formidable aura emanating from the two True Core masters was enough to make his heart quiver with unease. To not have to enter their company was a blessing in its own right.

Inside the courtyard, Zhang Shen and Luo Tian were seated at opposite ends of a stone table.

“May I ask whence you come and what has brought you to seek me?” queried Luo Tian, certain that he had neither encountered nor heard of Zhang Shen before. 

From Zhang Shen’s calm and deep-rooted aura, he did not seem like a novice in the True Core stage. Furthermore, Luo Tian was familiar with the local prodigies, none of whom bore any resemblance to Zhang Shen, thereby dismissing any notion that Zhang Shen was a freshly ascended True Core cultivator from the nearby areas.

“I’m here on behalf of a recent subordinate,” Zhang Shen responded succinctly. “He has had some friction with your Luo family, and I’ve come to settle the matter.”

Luo Tian’s eyebrows knitted together. Being the backbone of his family, he couldn’t possibly keep track of every trivial incident that occurred. He wondered who had managed to cause offense this time, provoking the wrath of a True Core master. Irritation began to bubble up within him.

“Kindly give me a moment to verify the facts,” Luo Tian stated, unwilling to accept Zhang Shen’s account at face value. 

After sizing each other up, he was convinced that Zhang Shen wasn’t any more powerful than him. There was no need for undue compliance.

Soon after, the elderly patriarch of the Luo family arrived, his body aged but his gait was determined. He had received Luo Tian’s telepathic message and had come to the courtyard.

Members of the Luo family had already recognized Li Shuang and surmised the purpose behind the visit. The patriarch was not only familiar with the recent events but also had keen insights into the circumstances and the internal power struggles among the heirs.

As he stepped into the courtyard, he shot Li Shuang a glare filled with both bitterness and reproach.

‘Why didn’t you mention your powerful connections earlier? We could have been allies, and nobody would dare to lay a finger on you,’ he thought resentfully. ‘Did you really have to wait until after you were injured to reveal your status, staging some sort of triumphant return? Is such drama really necessary?’

Amidst this turmoil of thoughts, the patriarch took solace in one fact. He was merely a spectator in this unfolding drama and had not involved himself in any way and his peaceful retirement wouldn’t be disturbed.

“So, that’s how it all unfolded,” the elderly patriarch concluded as he stepped back. 

What was the basis of his authority as the family patriarch? Luo Tian was his uncle.

The situation was frustrating, but Luo Tian, who had lived for nearly four centuries, had seen it all before.

“I’ve grasped the situation. The fault lies with our people, and the Luo family is prepared to make amends,” declared Luo Tian, his expression remaining calm and composed.

Taking action against Li Shuang was not an issue for him. However, when Li Shuang had the backing of a True Core master like Zhang Shen, Luo Tian was willing to incur some costs to settle the matter.

“Costs?” Zhang Shen feigned contemplation. “The one who mostly instigated this was Luo Jun. Would shattering all five of his internal organs suffice as appropriate compensation?”

At this, Luo Tian’s hand halted, and his gaze took on a depth of consideration. “I see you have no desire for a peaceful resolution.”

With a wave of his hand, Luo Tian signaled for the elderly patriarch to retreat quickly. The elder still aspired to enjoy his twilight years in peace, without the threat of becoming collateral damage in a clash of powerhouses.

“The prospect of a peaceful resolution is up to you, isn’t it?” Zhang Shen countered. “If someone harms those under my protection, fairness dictates that I reciprocate, wouldn’t you agree?”

Despite the tension, Zhang Shen’s tone remained calm, wholly undisturbed by Luo Tian’s intimidating aura.

“It appears I’ve been out of the game for too long. The world has forgotten just how formidable Luo Tian can be,” Luo Tian mused.

Though he didn’t show overt anger, the surging wave of True Core energy emanating from him could not better express his inner turmoil.

It had been a while, hadn’t it? 

How long had it been since someone dared to belittle him like this?

“Formidability isn’t claimed, it’s demonstrated,” Zhang Shen shot back, standing as resolute as a rock amidst the storm of Luo Tian’s overwhelming presence.

“Very well, let me see just how impressive your abilities are,” said Luo Tian, unable to turn a blind eye to such overt taunts. Enraged, he launched an attack.

Unleashing a palm strike, the formidable energy it carried was so potent that it threatened to demolish even a five-meter-thick wall.

Undaunted, Zhang Shen extended his right palm, his muscles taut and coiled, imbued with an overwhelming force.

A deafening crash reverberated through the air as their powers collided, reducing the courtyard to rubble. Even the yard’s protective array was shattered, leaving only debris in its wake.

Remarkably, the stone benches they were sitting on remained intact.

“A master of physical cultivation.” Luo Tian’s eyes narrowed in realization.

The force that could penetrate his energy and induce a tingling sensation in his palm could only come from a practitioner of martial physical cultivation.

With this, Zhang Shen’s standing in Luo Tian’s internal assessment rose yet another level. While practitioners of physical cultivation lacked the versatility and myriad techniques available to Qi-based martial artists, their innate resilience and durability made them incredibly challenging to kill once they reached a certain level of mastery.

Their vitality was formidable, surpassing even the most resilient creatures.

Zhang Shen remained silent, offering no explanation. He had deliberately crafted the persona of Lin Fanyun to be that of a formidable physical cultivator. Although his own physical prowess wasn’t rooted in martial arts but was instead innate, the distinction was moot.

The two were more than ninety percent similar in abilities, albeit with completely different foundational roots. In terms of sheer physical strength, Zhang Shen’s own body surpassed that of a physical cultivator at the same level of mastery.

Zhang Shen noted that he had been forced to retreat by three meters.

‘Luo Tian hasn’t even unleashed his full strength, yet he’s already gained the upper hand. I mustn’t underestimate these seasoned True Core masters,’ he thought.

There was no dent in his confidence, after all, he was well aware that Luo Tian’s level of physical cultivation exceeded his own.

Besides, he hadn’t yet played his trump card.

Zhang Shen was quite sure that even if he couldn’t win outright, he could at least make a symbolic show of coughing up a few drops of blood and then make a tactical retreat with Li Shuang, both of them emerging largely unscathed.

The two continued to exchange a series of powerful blows.

Zhang Shen found himself pushed back repeatedly, but he never conceded any ground.

In fact, besides being driven back, he hadn’t sustained a single injury.

Luo Tian’s face darkened even more. This was what he found so irritating about physical cultivators, their remarkable resilience made it incredibly difficult to inflict any meaningful damage.

Finally, the stone stools they were sitting on could no longer endure the residual force generated by their intense clash and crumbled.

Patting his behind, Zhang Shen deftly sidestepped Luo Tian’s sweeping palm attack.

“Friend Luo Tian, let’s consider this a draw and cease hostilities. A minor disagreement among our subordinates hardly warrants us fighting to the death.”

“Hmph, you want to end this without a decisive outcome after we’ve already crossed palms? Are you belittling me?” Luo Tian seemed dissatisfied, resentful even. “Is this the kind of matter that can be concluded so easily?”

“Continuing this fight serves no purpose, Luo Tian. Bear in mind, I have youth on my side. And you’re not fooling anyone,” Zhang Shen implied, his words tinged with suggestion.

Upon hearing this, Luo Tian’s fluctuating aura indeed settled into a calm state.

Anger? Outrage? 

A touch, perhaps, but having lived nearly four hundred years, Luo Tian was long past being easily disturbed by such emotions.

Moreover, as Zhang Shen had pointed out, a scuffle instigated by their underlings was hardly worth either of them risking their lives.