Chapter Thirty-Four: Who Is Courting Death

The man in the black robe was momentarily stunned by Wang Changsheng's words. Then, he pulled off his cloak, revealing a chubby man with a broad grin—it was none other than Li Fusheng.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, your wit is truly beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. To think you’d still guess it was me!" Li Fusheng said with a laugh.

Despite Li Fusheng’s jovial expression, Wang Changsheng felt no relief. He could clearly sense the hidden murderous intent lurking in Li Fusheng’s eyes, the same killing intent he’d felt on the platform earlier.

That was why, after leaving the platform, Wang Changsheng had run without any hesitation—he simply wanted to escape Li Fusheng.

As for why Li Fusheng wanted to kill him, Wang Changsheng knew perfectly well.

The Ethereal Stone.

The stone stolen from Cloud Palace Peak had been taken by Li Fusheng. Wang Changsheng was fully aware of this—even if he hadn’t known at the time that it belonged to Cloud Palace Peak, he certainly knew now. This secret absolutely could not be revealed to Cloud Palace Peak; otherwise, Li Fusheng would be in dire straits.

Thus, when Li Fusheng appeared on the platform, his true purpose had not been to collect a debt from Wang Changsheng, but to silence him—so that Wang Changsheng wouldn't expose him. In fact, even Fang Qing was on Li Fusheng’s list of targets.

Only Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing knew the truth.

Unfortunately for Li Fusheng, Fang Qing was exceptionally gifted and happened upon the opportunity of Cloud Palace Peak, entering its ranks directly. Li Fusheng couldn’t make a move against Fang Qing on the platform.

"Li Fusheng, you don’t dare kill me, so why go through the motions?" Wang Changsheng forced a smile, his lips smeared with blood, which made his grin appear rather grim. "If it had been Fang Qing and me here today, you’d have already struck."

Wang Changsheng saw the situation clearly. That was why, when Fang Qing had the chance to enter Cloud Palace Peak, he had urged him to go without hesitation.

As long as he and Fang Qing were separated and Li Fusheng couldn’t kill them both at once, Li Fusheng would hesitate.

"Luckily, I told my junior. If I die, he’ll inform the people of Cloud Palace Peak," Wang Changsheng said, gazing at Li Fusheng. "Who knows, maybe Fang Qing might even earn great merit from this. What do you say, Fellow Daoist Li?"

The smile faded from Li Fusheng’s face. He stared at Wang Changsheng, unable to hide the murderous gleam in his eyes.

"Wang Changsheng, you’re truly courting death," Li Fusheng growled, his presence swelling with power.

With a sharp burst of force, Wang Changsheng was crushed to the ground, coughing up blood before he felt the pressure ease.

"You’re the one looking for death!" Wang Changsheng wiped the blood from his lips and laughed. "Of all the things you could have stolen, you had to take something from Cloud Palace Peak. You nearly got Fang Qing and me killed!"

"So tell me, who’s really courting death?" Wang Changsheng roared.

"You understand nothing!" Li Fusheng shouted back.

The two began yelling at each other, sounding more like old friends engaged in a heated argument than deadly enemies.

"I may not understand," Wang Changsheng bellowed, "but I know Cloud Palace Peak’s influence. If you get exposed, you’re dead!"

Li Fusheng glowered darkly at Wang Changsheng, offering no retort.

"So, will you kill me or not?" Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

"Kill you? If I’d wanted to, you’d already be dead," Li Fusheng replied bitterly. "Was I an idiot to show you the Ethereal Stone back then?"

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng finally relaxed, sprawling on the ground and savoring the feeling of being alive.

Though Wang Changsheng had been trading barbs with Li Fusheng, every word was a warning: if he were killed now, Fang Qing would reveal everything to Cloud Palace Peak. If he lived, there was room to negotiate.

"You were truly foolish to steal from Cloud Palace Peak," Wang Changsheng said, shaking his head.

Li Fusheng replied, "This matter must not be spoken of. If Cloud Palace Peak learns I have the Ethereal Stone, the worst is I return it—they won’t dare harm me. But as for you, Wang Changsheng, I swear I’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth!"

"If I wanted to reveal your secret, do you think I’d have waited until you were chasing me?" Wang Changsheng said firmly. "Relax—my word is as good as gold."

"Besides, it’s my lifeline now. Do you think I’d be so foolish?" Wang Changsheng added.

Li Fusheng nodded. "Fine, I’ll trust you this once," he said gravely.

Hearing that, Wang Changsheng knew his danger had passed.

As Li Fusheng prepared to leave, Wang Changsheng called out, "Wait!"

"What now?" Li Fusheng looked back, his expression threatening.

"Fellow Daoist Li, look at me—I’m seriously wounded. If you leave me here in the wild to be eaten by wolves or tigers, wouldn’t you be responsible?" Wang Changsheng said.

"You..." Li Fusheng’s face darkened, but in the end he whipped his sleeve and tossed over a jade bottle.

Catching it, Wang Changsheng grinned, "Thanks!"

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Li Fusheng turned and vanished.

Gazing at the bottle in his hand, Wang Changsheng wore a look of resignation. "Almost beaten to death, and I still have to say thank you. I must be the only one in the world."

Self-mockery flickered in his eyes.

The moment Li Fusheng removed his cloak and revealed his face, Wang Changsheng knew that Li Fusheng hadn’t truly intended to kill him this time. The earlier murderous intent had been real, though—if Fang Qing had been with him, both would have been doomed.

Ultimately, Li Fusheng had been held back by fear.

Moreover, had he truly meant to kill, Li Fusheng would never have revealed his face. No matter how much Wang Changsheng suspected, it would have been only conjecture. If Li Fusheng killed him, how could Fang Qing know for sure?

In this, Wang Changsheng had been naïve. If Fang Qing truly investigated, with a cultivator’s means, clues could be found. Then, regardless of certainty, Fang Qing might take the gamble and reveal the truth to Cloud Palace Peak. That was what truly worried Li Fusheng.

As for relentlessly pursuing Wang Changsheng and injuring him—even piercing his leg—it was just venting his anger.

After all, Wang Changsheng had tricked Li Fusheng once before.

Opening the jade bottle, Wang Changsheng poured out a single pill. A soothing fragrance drifted up at once.

"This is truly a healing treasure," Wang Changsheng said, taking a deep breath.

Just the scent made his meridians feel clearer. To Wang Changsheng, this pill was a priceless medicine for healing.

"This Li Fusheng is really stingy—only gave me one pill," Wang Changsheng muttered.

Had Li Fusheng been present to hear this, he might have killed Wang Changsheng on the spot.

Li Fusheng was known for counting every spirit stone. If this pill were exchanged for spirit stones, it would be costly indeed. To give it away freely, and Wang Changsheng still complained it was too little!

The moment the pill entered his mouth, it dissolved into a gentle current, flowing down his throat. Its medicinal power spread instantly through his body, nourishing his injured meridians.

Within just an hour, Wang Changsheng opened his eyes.

"What excellent medicine!"

He felt clear-headed and invigorated. With such serious injuries, if not for this pill, he reckoned he’d need at least half a year to recover. Now, after just an hour, his wounds were seventy percent healed.

Examining his pierced leg, he found the wound already scabbed over.

"Li Fusheng, I’ll remember this grudge," Wang Changsheng muttered inwardly.

Never before had he fled so wretchedly from pursuit. Although his strength was far beneath Li Fusheng’s now, given the chance, he swore to settle the score.

After sorting his thoughts, Wang Changsheng set out for the imperial capital.

Before Fang Qing left, he had helped the Fourth Prince lay the foundation for ascending the throne. With Cloud Palace Peak supporting the Yunfeng Empire, the succession was a minor affair—the only requirement was obedience.

However, Fang Qing had left a message for Wang Changsheng to pass on to the Fourth Prince.

Upon arriving in the capital, Wang Changsheng noticed many cultivators had appeared in the city. Their cultivation was not low—most had already opened their meridians. They moved about in groups.

These were the cultivators who had come down from the platform. Now that they were in the Yunfeng Empire, naturally they wanted to see the capital. Knowing Cloud Palace Peak stood behind the empire, none dared cause trouble.

As soon as Wang Changsheng entered the Fourth Prince’s residence, he ran into the prince, who had just returned as well.

"Daoist Wang!" The Fourth Prince greeted him eagerly, excitement shining in his eyes.

"It seems it’s done," Wang Changsheng thought.

"Daoist Wang," the prince said, struggling to contain his joy. "I’ve just returned from the palace—my royal father has decided to abdicate to me! All my efforts have finally been recognized!"

Wang Changsheng nodded.

"By the way, where is General Fang?" the prince asked at once. "I must tell him this news first!"

Wang Changsheng frowned and spoke solemnly, "Your Highness, Fang Qing has already left. He has joined Cloud Palace Peak. Before he left, he recommended you as the successor to the elders of Cloud Palace Peak."

"What?" the Fourth Prince exclaimed in shock. "So it was General Fang... it wasn’t my own efforts..."

"Fang Qing left this message for you," Wang Changsheng said, gently patting the prince’s shoulder as he stood stunned. "Be a good emperor..."