The Return of the Youth, Chapter 33: The Pact of the Cave Abode

On the long street, dust swirled into the air, and the tavern flags snapped rhythmically in the wind.

Mo Qingli’s gaze remained indifferent, her voice steady and resonant as she spoke: "The only one who can cure the demonic poison within you is Heng. You must go find him."

"As for your shattered dantian, if you still wish to pursue the path of cultivation, this jade slip will assist you. Furthermore, you must seek out a Sword Embryo; with it, you can replace your ruined sea of qi and embark on the path of a sword cultivator."

No sooner had she finished than she flipped her palm, revealing an ancient, simple jade slip that drifted lightly into Jiang Bai’s hand.

Mo Qingli’s lips curled into a meaningful smile as she teased, "You have always loved wine; perhaps one day you shall become a world-renowned Sword Immortal of Wine. That would be quite interesting."

Jiang Bai gripped the jade slip tightly, suppressing the surge of ecstasy in his heart and the twitching of his brows born of agitation. He bowed with increased reverence and asked earnestly, "Senior, if I may be so bold, where might one go to search for this Sword Embryo?"

Ever since he had been afflicted by the demonic poison and his sea of qi was destroyed, Jiang Bai had endured the cold mockery of his own kin. To purge the poison and restore his sea of qi, he had buried himself in the Jiang family’s library for a hundred days, only to find the slimmest of clues.

The records suggested three methods. The first was to consume the Nine-Herb Immortal Pill, which could reshape the sea of qi and elevate a mortal to the third realm overnight. Yet, such a pill was so rare that fewer than three existed in the entire cultivation world; Jiang Bai, despite his pride, dared not hope for it.

The second was to find a master beyond the eighth realm, willing to exhaust a century of power to repair his dantian. But why would such a mighty cultivator of Cangwu waste their own foundations for a mere junior?

The third was to find a Sword Embryo and practice the art of sword cultivation, using the embryo to replace the sea of qi. However, finding a Sword Embryo was as difficult as ascending to the heavens—why would a renowned Great Sword Immortal surrender their own?

Furthermore, using a Sword Embryo to replace a sea of qi required the assistance of an expert. The process was perilous; the slightest error would result in total failure, potentially killing the recipient and gravely injuring the helper.

All three methods seemed impossible. Yet, hearing a senior suggest the path of a sword cultivator, Jiang Bai felt it might truly be viable. Still, having wandered the world for over a year, he had never heard a whisper of where a Sword Embryo might be found.

Mo Qingli’s lips hooked up with a playful smirk. "There are a few 'rats' scurrying about the city these days, plotting to break into the cave dwelling of a bygone era's Cangwu cultivator. The Sword Embryo you desire so desperately lies within."

Jiang Bai bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior, for the jade slip and for sharing this information. I shall never forget this kindness."

"Once you retrieve the Sword Embryo, I shall personally assist you in refining it, allowing you to return to the path of cultivation," Mo Qingli declared with an unquestionable authority.

Hearing her mention the "rats" in the city, Yi Heng felt a stir in his heart, guessing she meant the demonic cultivators. Since she was so well-informed of their movements, perhaps she knew clues about who had stolen his master's remains.

Filled with anticipation, he asked, "Sister Qingli, do you know who stole my master’s body?"

Mo Qingli shook her head helplessly and spread her hands. "I was asleep at the time, so I truly don't know."

"I see. Thank you regardless, Sister Qingli," Yi Heng said, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, though he remained polite.

"I am sleepy. I shall be going now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Qingli waved her hand, and the bamboo chair rose into the air, drifting toward the Qingyi Teahouse.

Li Shuyao turned pale with fright. Like a startled sloth, she clung to Mo Qingli with all her limbs, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably as she wailed, "Sister Qingli, fly slower! I’m afraid of heights! Ah... I think I’m going to be sick."

Mo Qingli warned with clear annoyance, "Little Shuyao, no vomiting. If you do, I really will throw you off."

Li Shuyao snuck a glance downward, and seeing how far up they were, she buried her face in Mo Qingli’s chest and shrieked, "I won't! I won't! Please don't throw me down!"

Shen Ling, hiding at the corner of the street, looked up to find the bamboo chair already gone. The roiling sea of clouds remained as calm as ever. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that such a remote, dilapidated place as Beigu City could hide an immortal.

*She must be above the fifth realm, perhaps even higher!*

As that powerful aura dissipated, Kong Yue, who had been pinned down and unable to move, finally broke free. He gasped and spat out a mouthful of blood, the crimson droplets splashing into the dust.

He struggled to move his limbs. His internal organs felt as if they were awakening from a dark, suffocating nightmare, and every breath brought a sharp, searing pain. Kong Yue collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, his chest heaving violently.

"Senior Brother, quickly seal your six senses and circulate the *Clear Heart Art*. I will channel my energy to heal you," Shen Ling said, rushing from the corner to his side.

"Very well, thank you, Junior Sister."

Kong Yue sat cross-legged and began to circulate the *Clear Heart Art*, a faint flush returning to his pale face. Shen Ling hurriedly sat behind him, placing her palms against his "Supreme Yang" acupuncture point to slowly channel two streams of true qi into him.

At that moment, Zhe Linfeng stood nearby, holding a glowing jade brick. He looked down at them with a wicked, malicious grin.

"Hehehe..."

His chilling laughter echoed through the empty street. Shen Ling looked up, her eyes filled with vigilance and fury. "What exactly do you want?"

"Guess what I want!" Zhe Linfeng drawled, his tone dripping with provocation.

"You are no gentleman! To strike while others are vulnerable!" Sensing his malicious intent, Shen Ling trembled with rage.

"Shut up! I never claimed to be a gentleman! I always repay my grudges, and I repay them on the very same day!"

Zhe Linfeng bellowed, raised the jade brick high, and smashed it down onto Kong Yue’s face. His movements were lightning-fast; within moments, the brick descended like rain. A hundred strikes later, with a series of dull thuds, Kong Yue—having no strength to retaliate—was beaten until his face was bruised and swollen, turning into a literal pig’s head.

"Hah!"

Zhe Linfeng exhaled, looking thoroughly satisfied, as if all his frustrations had vanished with the beating. He felt refreshed. Turning to Jiang Bai and Yi Heng, he asked, "You two, do you want to try as well?"

Shen Ling, struggling to maintain her focus while still channeling qi into Kong Yue, cried out in desperation, "No! Please, I beg you! If you keep hitting him, my Senior Brother will suffer a cultivation deviation!"

Jiang Bai shook his head calmly. "Forget it, I have no interest."

Yi Heng spoke with a stern expression, "Let us show mercy where we can. They are our main force for the upcoming exploration of the cave dwelling; they might still be useful."

"Fine. Since they pleaded for you, I’ll let you off this time. Remember, in two days, the cave of a Cangwu cultivator from the previous dynasty will open outside Beigu City. You will join us then. We split the treasures three-to-seven—you get three, we get seven," Zhe Linfeng stated firmly.

Shen Ling’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded repeatedly, her voice choked with sobs. "Whatever you say, whatever you say..."

"Haha!"

Zhe Linfeng laughed triumphantly. He reached out and pinched Shen Ling’s cheek, leaving two dirty black smudges on her fair skin. "Tsk tsk... this skin is even more tender than the tofu made by Xishi, the widow down the street!"

"Have you been sneaking off to watch the widow Xishi bathe again?" Yi Heng asked suddenly.

Zhe Linfeng’s expression changed instantly, as if stung by the comment. He quickly retrieved the jade brick from the ground and roared, "I only peeked once when I was a kid! I haven't done it since!"

Jiang Bai teased from the side, "Afraid you have the heart of a thief but lack the guts, eh?"

"I have no interest in women! They only slow down my speed in wielding the jade brick!" Zhe Linfeng grumbled, catching up to Yi Heng and Jiang Bai.

He led over a horse, vaulted onto its back with ease, and sat firmly in the saddle. Jiang Bai, also mounted, turned to Yi Heng and asked, "Where to now?"

"To the county office. Since Sister Qingli said I could treat your demonic poison, I want to see if it works," Yi Heng replied with a firm gaze.

"Good!"

Jiang Bai responded briefly and nudged the horse. The three rode off at a gallop, the sound of hoofbeats thundering past Shen Ling and Kong Yue. The mud kicked up by the horses splattered over them both.

Shen Ling endured the humiliation and rage, continuing to channel her energy to heal Kong Yue. As the cold wind whistled, carrying sand and stone, only the two of them remained on the desolate street.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Kong Yue suddenly spat out a mouthful of stagnant blood. His pig-like face had slimmed down by half, but it remained visibly bruised and swollen—sausage lips, a bulbous nose, and dark circles under his eyes. He looked exactly like a plucked pig’s head.

He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes filled with bottomless hatred and resentment as he ground his teeth:

"Zhe Linfeng! If I do not kill you in this lifetime, I shall never find peace!"