Chapter Fifty-Nine: Braving Fire and Water

“What did you just say?” Elder Zhang’s voice was low and stern. “I didn’t hear you clearly. Repeat yourselves!”

It wasn’t just Elder Zhang who was baffled—even the other elders of the Corpse Refining Sect, seated high on the platform, were bewildered by the unfolding events.

No one in the Corpse Refining Sect was simple. Among all those who cultivated step by step according to the rules, how many were there? Hardly any. Most disciples had advanced to this point with blood on their hands. Even though the mountain had been sealed and opportunities for tempering themselves were scarce, when it came to killing, none of them would hesitate.

Now, with such an opportunity before them, this was their reaction?

You had to know, it was becoming harder and harder to capture cultivators. Many disciples hadn’t received a single sacrificial offering in ages.

“Elder Zhang, actually, Old Wang has gotten along well with many disciples over the past few years. We’ve all grown quite familiar with him. Many of us already consider Old Wang one of our own,” Old Xian said, bowing deeply.

Cultivation in the Corpse Refining Sect was a monotonous and exhausting affair, nothing like other sects with their various forms of entertainment. For the past two years, Wang Changsheng had become the spice in many disciples’ dull lives.

Watching such an oddity like Wang Changsheng wander the sect so nonchalantly was a source of amusement. More importantly, back then, Wang Changsheng was untouchable—protected by Old Mou, a formidable backer. Anyone who dared lay a hand on him had to consider their own life first.

Since they couldn’t touch him, why not befriend him? There was no point in drooling over him day after day.

For his part, Wang Changsheng, though not particularly strong, treated the disciples well. He joked with them, and their interactions were pleasant.

“Thank you, everyone,” Wang Changsheng said, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

Did these disciples truly not want to absorb the sacrificial offering? Of course not. There was still affection here.

Wang Changsheng understood that, for the most part, the disciples were simply too innocent. The cultivation methods of the Corpse Refining Sect might seem brutal, and that was the common perception outside, but many disciples hadn’t truly experienced intrigue or betrayal. They didn’t grasp the darkness of the human heart.

If you befriended someone, they became your friend.

“Impudence!” Elder Zhang’s reprimand boomed from within the coffin, especially after Old Xian’s speech. A chilling pressure swept out, sending an icy shiver through the gathered disciples.

As for Wang Changsheng, his cultivation was too weak to withstand Elder Zhang’s might. The cold aura left him shivering uncontrollably.

“You are disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect, yet you would act so foolishly!”

Elder Zhang’s furious voice echoed from the coffin.

“If you won’t take him, then I will!” Elder Zhang declared.

The coffin rose into the air, a suction force drawing Wang Changsheng up as it sped away.

The disciples frowned at the scene, but none stepped forward to intervene. It was not for lack of strength; some among them were already as powerful as elders, only lacking a vacancy to take the title. It was simply that, for them, refraining from acting against Wang Changsheng was already a considerable gesture.

Speaking up on his behalf was just a courtesy born of acquaintance over the years. To truly fight an elder for Wang Changsheng? That was impossible.

“Thank you, all of you.”

As he was carried overhead, Wang Changsheng looked down at the disciples with gratitude in his eyes. He knew reaching this point had already surpassed all his expectations.

“Without Old Mou, I’m still unable to protect myself,” Wang Changsheng thought bitterly. Strength. It was always about strength.

Elder Zhang was so brazen because of his overwhelming power. If Wang Changsheng were stronger, even able to rival him, with the attitude the disciples had just shown, he might have been able to gamble for his life—if not escape the sect, then at least survive.

Once again, Wang Changsheng felt the weight of his own powerlessness.

Suddenly, the sky darkened further. “Why is the sky changing?” he wondered as a sense of despair pressed in.

The disciples, too, noticed the unnatural gloom. “This isn’t just bad weather… This scene feels oddly familiar…”

One after another, their expressions shifted, like a chain reaction. They recognized this moment as something they’d seen before.

“Old Wang…”

A voice drifted to Wang Changsheng’s ears. Hearing it, the despair in his eyes was replaced by a glimmer of hope—a light of deliverance. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

“Old Mou…”

That familiar rasp, sometimes so hoarse it was nearly inaudible, was unmistakable to Wang Changsheng—a voice more beautiful than celestial music at this moment.

Thunder shook the air as everyone turned to see a figure approaching from the direction of the grand hall. Each step seemed to land with the weight of a boulder, echoing across the platform. In just a few breaths, a gaunt figure appeared, confusion in his gaze as he looked at the crowd.

“It’s Old Mou…”

“I thought the elders had joined forces to deal with him!”

“So they’ve finally turned on Old Mou for real. They’re really going to sacrifice Old Wang this time…”

The disciples were shocked. Most had assumed Old Mou had already met a grim fate, which was why Elder Zhang dared act so openly against Wang Changsheng.

But that was not the case.

For those like Old Xian and Old Quan, who had witnessed Old Mou’s power firsthand, this scene was reminiscent of that fateful day.

“Old Mou, you’re back—where have you been?” Wang Changsheng cried as soon as he saw him. After such a day of turmoil, believing his own life forfeit, Old Mou’s sudden arrival was like salvation.

His tears were real.

“Disciples, hear my command!” Elder Zhang released Wang Changsheng and shouted from his coffin, “Surround and kill Old Mou! The Corpse Refining Sect will not tolerate such treacherous heretics!”

Treasonous? The disciples looked at each other in confusion. Strictly speaking, Old Mou wasn’t even a disciple of the sect. No matter what he had done—even if he’d killed the sect master—could he really be called a traitor?

No one moved.

Not a single disciple dared act, each glancing from Elder Zhang to Old Mou.

It wasn’t that Elder Zhang’s command held no weight, nor that he lacked authority—but did he not realize who he was dealing with?

This was Old Mou—the very same Old Mou who could slap an elder to death. Charging at him was suicide.

Besides, many were still disgruntled with Elder Zhang’s high-handedness, so why not take this chance to let him suffer a little? If Old Mou killed him, it would just mean another chance for someone to rise in rank.

Most importantly, Elder Zhang did not command the absolute loyalty of all disciples.

“You… you lot…” came Elder Zhang’s furious voice from within the coffin. “You cowards—when this is over, I’ll make you all pay!”

With that, a bitter cold aura erupted from his coffin, directed straight at Old Mou.

Seeing this, the disciples who had wavered before now folded their arms and prepared to watch the show. If Elder Zhang wanted to die, they weren’t foolish enough to join him.

Meanwhile, several other coffins on the high platform, which had been silent until now, began to emanate their own chilling energies. It was unclear what the elders within intended.

Old Mou’s expression remained unchanged. With a single step, he appeared before Wang Changsheng, helping the man—collapsed on the ground—to his feet.

The surrounding disciples edged away, wary of Old Mou’s notorious temper. If he took offense, a single slap could end their lives, and there would be no recourse.

“Are you alright?” Old Mou asked calmly, showing no concern for Elder Zhang’s wrath.

“I’m fine,” Wang Changsheng replied with a bitter smile. The loss of his spiritual energy was nothing; it was the loss of his life force that pained him most. He had only just regained normal strength, and now Elder Zhang had drained him in an instant.

If the other disciples hadn’t refused to act and delayed matters, he wouldn’t have lasted until Old Mou’s arrival.

“It’s good that you’re alright.”

With that, Old Mou stepped into the air, placing himself between Wang Changsheng and Elder Zhang, his gaunt form shielding the weaker man.

“Old Mou, if ever you’re in danger—no matter the peril—” Wang Changsheng called out, “I, Wang Changsheng, will go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!”