Chapter 18: Hair-Pulling! What’s Wrong with This Young Master…

On the other side.

Jin Shuang, who had also put down the Tongtian Instrument, looked at Rong Ye with a strange expression. “Immortal Venerable, what are they…”

Rong Ye lowered his eyelashes, his face impassive. “Arrange it for him.”

He wanted to see what Gu Changhuai was up to.

Jin Shuang: “…Oh.”

Otherwise, he might as well go to Zhao Shuzhai’s place and buy a couple of books. In the past, demons like Gu Changhuai, who harbored ill intentions, couldn’t even approach the Xinnan Immortal Sect before being crushed by the Immortal Venerable.

How could it have been their turn to… eat the Ten Thousand Year Silver Fish…

Hmm…

What did Ten Thousand Year Silver Fish taste like?

*

Unbeknownst to Gu Changhuai, whose pants had been thoroughly stripped bare, he first went to the Ten Directions Garden to meet up with Kong Huai. Then he headed to the Book Pavilion to pick up a stack of rainbow farts and hot-blooded fight scenes that Zhao Shuzhai had written, planning to tweak a few lines after Xue Lao Er made his move and hand them over to the Demon Venerable.

Then, humming a little tune, he casually whittled a bamboo pole from the roadside into a fishing rod and returned to Waterside Residence to fish.

Of course, he had no intention of following the Demon Venerable’s orders to kill Xuan Yao. The young master had a bit of a temper and liked to play the victim, but he didn’t deserve death.

The real culprit was someone else.

He had a pretty good idea who it was, and his steps lightened accordingly.

…

Five days passed in a flash.

Just past noon, Gu Changhuai tucked his hands into his sleeves and headed toward the Stone Long Platform. The cliffs surrounding it on three sides made for the best hiding spots.

He had arranged with Xue Lao Er: he would hide on the left cliff, Xue Lao Er on the right. They wouldn’t make their move until both were in position.

For this business of each taking one side, Gu Changhuai’s explanation to Xue Lao Er was, “You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Dual arrows from both sides will ensure he’s dead.”

Though Xue Lao Er was suspicious, he agreed.

To avoid any mishaps, Gu Changhuai set out early, planning to get to the left cliff ahead of time and keep an eye on Xue Lao Er’s movements.

If nothing went wrong, something unexpected was bound to happen.

It was that familiar mountain path again.

From afar, he saw several figures blocking the road. Pei Tianyi led the group, with three or four lackeys behind him, while Jin Shuang stood alone on the other side.

Jin Shuang tried to go around, but one of the lackeys deliberately blocked his path. “Two years without seeing you, and now that you’ve entered Supreme Peak, even the dogs and chickens can ascend to heaven!”

Pei Tianyi stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching coldly.

Jin Shuang pressed his lips together and said nothing.

The lackeys grew even more enthusiastic, shoving at Jin Shuang. “What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? Did a thunderbolt strike you mute!?”

—Whoa! What a bunch of cannon fodder!

Wuding Pavilion was really something, making Jin Shuang work two jobs alone, and now he had to deal with these sycophants harassing him… Tough life.

Gu Changhuai sighed inwardly, concealed his figure, and continued to watch stealthily. He almost wished he could pull out some melon seeds to munch on.

At this point, Pei Tianyi spoke up with a sneer. “Draw your sword!”

Jin Shuang replied calmly, “Sect rule four hundred and thirty-one: no private fights allowed.”

“Coward who fears battle!” Pei Tianyi scoffed. “Since you won’t spar with me, then get the hell out of Supreme Peak. Don’t hide inside all day relying on the Immortal Venerable’s protection!”

A flash of forbearance crossed Jin Shuang’s eyes, and he said gravely, “I’m not leaving.”

“That’s not up to you!”

Finally cornered, Pei Tianyi burned with fresh and old grudges. He immediately struck out with his palm, the wind from it sharp. Jin Shuang’s gaze turned fierce.

In an instant, the two tangled together, moving so fast that only afterimages could be seen around them.

Spiritual power formed a protective barrier, and the lackeys retreated to the side, cheering Pei Tianyi on.

…

Gu Changhuai muttered to himself, “What a show.” And just like that, the fight started.

He quietly took out a spiritual fruit Kong Huai had given him and watched with relish while eating.

It was a spectacular match, evenly matched between the two. Neither Jin Shuang nor Pei Tianyi pulled out their natal artifacts; they simply used spiritual power for their moves. Their fists and feet seemed light, but hid profound techniques, and their counters were swift, precise, and ruthless.

As expected of the Cultivation World’s rising prodigies. No wonder the Demon Venerable felt such a strong sense of crisis.

Then he thought of the male lead. He wondered if he could run into Zhao Qianlin at today’s Heaven Discussion Assembly. By his calculations, the male lead should have repaired his foundation by now and made his appearance.

His gaze swept to the two fighting in midair, and he was suddenly dumbfounded.

Wait, no…

How did it turn into hair-pulling while they were fighting!

In midair, Pei Tianyi made the first move, grabbing Jin Shuang’s hair. The young man had no sense of martial honor.

Jin Shuang had apparently put up with Pei Tianyi for a long time.

This kind of roadside ambush wasn’t the first or second time. Since the other side played dirty, he wouldn’t hold back either. He instantly counterattacked, grabbing a fistful of Pei Tianyi’s hair and yanking hard.

Both were at Nascent Soul; if they went all out, neither would come out unscathed. To vent their grudges, they could only fight like this.

The two tacitly withdrew their spiritual power.

Once they landed from the air, they switched to comparing physical training techniques. Hair-pulling wasn’t enough; they threw punches and kicks, sneaking in attacks.

Each punch landed solidly, each move forceful, whipping up gusts of wind around them. In moments, both were covered in bruises.

“You stole my spot five years ago! Three years ago at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, you played dirty!” Pei Tianyi cursed as he fought. “Supreme Peak should have been mine! Who the hell do you think you are! Die, you brat!”

Jin Shuang gnashed his teeth. “Five years—whole five years—and you’ve been hounding me over this! Are you insane, Pei Tianyi!?”

The lackeys nearby flailed about helplessly, not daring to jump in or even speak, spinning in circles anxiously.

Pei Tianyi spat. “I just can’t stand your fake gentleman act. Exposed your true colors now, huh? Tell me, who slipped me the laxative at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition three years ago!”

Jin Shuang sneered coldly. “As if you didn’t put that snake in my room back then. I was just returning the favor! Day in and day out, ‘My dad’s the Enforcement Elder.’ Weaned yet, young master!”

He threw an angry punch and added, “Grown men fighting and pulling hair? How childish are you!”

Jin Shuang shot back furiously, “Against a scumbag like you, who needs fair play!”

They fought inseparably, trading barbs and airing each other’s dirty laundry while scrapping.

Gu Changhuai watched, tempted to applaud.

Brilliant! Brilliant!

No wonder Zhao Shuzhai said these two had beef—and deep beef at that.

It was a pile-up of old and new grudges, big and small, and since they were the two most talented disciples in the Xinnan Immortal Sect right now, comparisons were inevitable.

Seeing that the two wouldn’t stop anytime soon and would probably keep going for a while, Gu Changhuai decided he couldn’t watch any longer, no matter how entertaining.

By his calculations, the appointed time was approaching.

With Xue Lao Er potentially causing trouble on his mind, he needed to hurry over. There was no other path to detour anyway.

Gu Changhuai schooled his look of enjoyment, revealed himself, and walked past the group as if by chance.

“…”

“…”

Hearing the sound, the two, battered and disheveled, stopped in unison and turned to stare at Gu Changhuai, who had appeared out of nowhere and strolled over leisurely.

“Oh, don’t mind me.” Gu Changhuai brushed past them with a smile. “You two carry on.”

Seeing it was Gu Changhuai, Pei Tianyi’s expression flickered with panic. He wiped the blood from his mouth and hurriedly checked his appearance.

But after the brawl of fists and feet, his once neat and tidy outfit was covered in footprints.

His hair crown was askew, and he looked a total mess.

To appear so sloppy in front of his crush… Pei Tianyi’s face twisted in an instant, and the look he shot Jin Shuang turned murderous.

It’s all your fault! We’re settling this today!

Seeing Pei Tianyi suddenly blaze with fighting spirit, eyes bloodshot as he glared over, Jin Shuang went on high alert. “…?”

Wait.

Who had pissed him off now?

What’s this young master flying off the handle about!