When the topic of leaving the mountain came up, everyone’s faces turned grave. They all knew that once they stepped out, massive trouble awaited them.
“No need to be so tense. Everyone sit down. Let’s talk it through.”
Ye Qiu spoke first and sat down on the grass.
The others followed suit and formed a circle around him.
Lin Bigbird grumbled, “That little shit. We travelled so far just to find Wu Qianfan, and the bastard doesn’t even appreciate it. I’m pissed off.”
“Big brother, why don’t we do what second brother suggested earlier and shove all the blame onto Wu Qianfan? Let him carry the can!”
Ye Qiu smiled. “That can is not only pitch-black, it’s bloody heavy. I’m afraid Wu Qianfan won’t be able to shoulder it.”
Lin Bigbird replied, “From the look on his face, he’s clearly not willing to be your servant anyway. So why should you go soft on him, big brother?”
Ye Qiu said, “That’s not how it works. Think about it. If it weren’t for Wu Qianfan, would I have obtained the Demon Refining Gourd?”
Lin Bigbird immediately shot back, “Big brother, getting the Demon Refining Gourd was your own fortune. It has nothing to do with Wu Qianfan.”
Ye Qiu shook his head. “I’ve said it before. I won’t screw over my own brothers.”
Real Person Longbrow gave a cold laugh. “Tsk tsk tsk. Listen to him, ‘I won’t screw over my own brothers’!”
“Little brat, you can say that with a straight face? You’re even more shameless than this poor Taoist.”
“Have you forgotten how you screwed me over just now?”
Ye Qiu smiled brightly. “Did I screw you over? I don’t remember. Want another go?”
As he finished speaking, the Demon Refining Gourd appeared in his palm.
Real Person Longbrow jumped in fright, his expression changing instantly. He forced an obsequious grin. “Little brat, this poor Taoist was only joking. Don’t take it seriously.”
Ye Qiu looked perfectly earnest. “Old thing, are you sure you don’t want another try?”
“You know, not everyone gets an opportunity like this.”
“An opportunity comes but once. Miss it and it’s gone forever.”
Try my arse!
One more time and I’ll be refined into sludge.
Real Person Longbrow hurriedly waved his hands. “Once was enough. I don’t fancy a second round. Give the chance to Bigbird and little junior brother instead!”
Lin Bigbird and Mo Tianji immediately glared at him with unfriendly expressions.
“Senior brother, do we have a feud or something?”
“Second brother, I didn’t steal your wife. Why are you trying to get me killed?”
Real Person Longbrow didn’t bat an eyelid. “Didn’t you hear the little brat? An opportunity like this isn’t given to just anyone. I cherish you both, so I’m passing it on to you.”
“No thanks!” Mo Tianji and Lin Bigbird answered in unison.
Real Person Longbrow turned back to Ye Qiu. “Little brat, since Bigbird and junior brother both declined, hurry up and put the Demon Refining Gourd away!”
The very sight of it now made his heart quiver.
Ye Qiu put the gourd away.
Only then did Real Person Longbrow breathe a sigh of relief. He continued, “Little brat, knowing you as I do, since you refuse to let Wu Qianfan take the fall, you must already have a plan.”
“Quick, tell us what it is.”
Ye Qiu grew serious. “My plan can be summed up in four words: leave the mountain in batches.”
Leave in batches?
Everyone exchanged glances. The four words were easy enough to understand, but how exactly would it work?
Yun Xi said, “Changsheng, explain in more detail.”
Ye Qiu nodded. “As Xi’er said, every sect lit a life lamp for their geniuses. Now that those geniuses are dead, their life lamps have gone out, so the sects already know they’ve fallen.”
“Whether it’s the Yin-Yang Cult or the three great holy lands, they are all top-tier sects in the Eastern Wilderness. From what I know of them, they will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.”
“After all, the dead were saint sons and saintesses. Their status was extraordinary, and each sect poured enormous resources and effort into raising them.”
“With these geniuses dying inexplicably inside the Undying Mountain, their sects are bound to dispatch supreme experts to get to the bottom of it.”
“If I’m not mistaken, a lot of powerful cultivators have probably already gathered outside the mountain.”
“That’s why leaving will be extremely troublesome.”
“Especially if so many of us go out together. We’d be far too conspicuous and draw attention.”
“After thinking it through, leaving in separate batches is the safest option.”
“Bigbird, you go first. If you run into disciples from the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, blend in with them. Apart from your weight, nothing else about you should attract notice.”
“Old thing, you and Tianji go together.”
“One old, one young, travelling light, cultivation not particularly high. Those sect experts will assume you didn’t have the strength to kill the geniuses, so they won’t make things difficult for you.”
“After that, Xi’er, you leave.”
Ye Qiu looked at Yun Xi. “With your strength and cultivation, you’ll definitely attract attention from all sides. That can’t be avoided.”
“If they question you, just give any excuse to brush them off.”
“If you can bluff your way through, great. If you can’t, tell them straight that Ye Changsheng killed An Ruoxi and the others.”
Yun Xi cried out anxiously, “No! If I say that, they’ll definitely kill you.”
Ye Qiu smiled. “Even if you don’t say it, the Yin-Yang Cult and the three holy lands won’t let me off.”
“Same goes for you, old thing, Tianji, and Bigbird. If you run into trouble, push everything onto me.”
“That way, you’ll have a chance to get away.”
Real Person Longbrow’s expression turned solemn. “Little brat, if we do that, how will you escape?”
Ye Qiu looked relaxed. “Don’t worry. I have my own way out.”
Real Person Longbrow immediately pulled out a saint-level array rune and handed it to Ye Qiu. “Take this. If anything goes wrong, use the saint rune to flee.”
“No need,” Ye Qiu said. “You keep the saint rune. It’ll be easier for you to escape with Bigbird and Tianji.”
“But—” Real Person Longbrow tried to argue, but Ye Qiu raised a hand to stop him.
“No buts. Do as I say.” Ye Qiu’s tone was firm.
Real Person Longbrow opened his mouth, then closed it again.
At that moment, Yun Xi pointed at the little white fox tucked in Ye Qiu’s arms. “Changsheng, what about her? If you take her out, human cultivators will treat you as a demon.”
Ye Qiu asked the little white fox, “Do you have any way to leave the Undying Mountain unnoticed, like Hu Zi did?”
“No,” the little white fox answered. “I’m staying with you.”
“Fine then. When we leave, I’ll put you in my Cosmos Pouch so no one will spot you.” Ye Qiu continued, “That settles the arrangements.”
“Little brat, after we leave in batches, where do we regroup?” Real Person Longbrow asked.
Ye Qiu was about to answer when the little white fox spoke up. “Once we’re out, head five hundred li east. There’s a mountain called Cockcrow Mountain. We can meet there.”
“Good. Cockcrow Mountain it is.” Ye Qiu stood up. “No time to waste. Let’s move out!”
