parentshiftbook Chapter 78 Cannon Fodder?
Chapter 78 Cannon Fodder?
Zixia Peak is located on the northeast side of Juyun Peak.
It is also the easternmost part of the entire Dongyang Jiufeng area.
The first rays of sunlight each day shine on Zixia Peak.
In addition, all the third-generation disciples of the sect who have entered the Body Refinement Realm live here.
Therefore, Zixia Peak is also known as "Purple Qi Comes from the East, Above the Sky".
Echoing the northernmost peak of the Nine Peaks, Tianzhu Peak, where the elders reside, the two peaks are collectively known as the "foundation of the sect".
After walking for a while, Liu Cong suddenly asked:
"How are you feeling, junior brother?"
"Um?"
Lu Cheng was puzzled.
Liu Cong pointed to a small courtyard hidden among the verdant mountains not far away:
"Naturally, it's this Purple Cloud Peak."
Lu Cheng looked around.
Zixia Peak is significantly more spacious than Juyun Peak.
Besides the vastness and grandeur of Zixia Peak, the buildings on the mountain are not as crowded as those on Juyun Peak.
As Lu Cheng walked along, he saw houses scattered among the mountains.
Some didn't even have houses; instead, they simply carved out a cave with the entrance on the mountainside.
Lu Cheng couldn't help but praise:
"A few days ago, I was on Juyun Peak and I often marveled at how the name 'Lingbi Blessed Land' at the second gate of the mountain was truly well-deserved."
"But today, having set foot on Zixia Peak, I realize that the words 'blessed land' have a different meaning."
"Hahahaha." Liu Cong laughed a few times, pointing to the eastern sky, "It's still a bit late today, we've missed the best time."
"If given the chance, Junior Brother should wait for the sunrise atop Zixia Mountain."
"The scenery at that time truly exemplified what a blessed land is!"
Lu Cheng nodded:
"There is a chance."
The two continued along the mountain path.
Before long, we arrived at the southern slope of the mountain.
Beside a banyan tree that takes five or six people to encircle, a small courtyard comes into view.
"We've arrived." Liu Cong pointed to the small courtyard, his tone tinged with envy. "Senior Brother Wan broke through to the Body Refinement Realm four months ago and moved from Juyun Peak to Zixia Peak."
"He who eats the morning mist and absorbs the essence of nature every day, seeking enlightenment and cultivating himself, is truly a role model for us all."
There was envy mixed with a touch of intoxication.
It seemed as if he himself was the one living in this courtyard.
This expression made Lu Cheng glance at him sideways.
Before anyone could speak, a cheerful voice rang out from the courtyard:
"Hahaha, Junior Brother Liu, you flatter me too much."
Ok?
Upon hearing the words coming from the courtyard, Lu Cheng immediately understood that Liu Cong was putting on an act!
Good grief, I underestimated you.
Lu Cheng glanced quickly at Liu Cong's face and saw that the look of ecstasy on his face had deepened even further.
Before I could even lift my foot, I saw several figures walk out of the courtyard.
The man in the lead was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with straight eyebrows, sharp brow peaks, and bright, sparkling eyes; he was full of energy and vitality.
Stepping out of the courtyard, the first thing this person saw was Lu Cheng.
Upon meeting Lu Cheng's gaze, his eyes immediately flashed with a sharp light, and he exclaimed in shock:
"What a handsome young man! This must be Junior Brother Lu Cheng."
As he spoke, he pointed at Lu Cheng and addressed the people behind him:
"Come, everyone, come and see! Junior Brother Liu's judgment of people is truly exceptional!"
With just three sentences, he brought everyone in the room together.
Lu Cheng couldn't help but glance at this person a few more times.
No wonder he's someone who can build a mountain stronghold with only the initial stage of body refinement.
The powerful forces behind him were one factor, but his abilities also played a significant role.
Looking at the others, there were three men and two women. The oldest was under thirty, and the youngest was only one or two years older than Lu Cheng.
Liu Cong stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wan Chuan, and said to Lu Cheng:
"Junior Brother Lu, this is Senior Brother Wan Chuan. Your success is entirely due to Senior Brother Wan's efforts."
Now that he was already here, Lu Cheng naturally wouldn't act aloof and become a troublemaker, needlessly making enemies.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Wan. Thank you for what happened before. I will gather the remaining tokens of gratitude as soon as possible."
"I also thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother, for Elder Cui Yuan's sermon order."
Wan Chuan waved his hand generously and said:
"Junior Brother Lu, what are you saying? We are all disciples of the same sect, so we should work together. I am very pleased to be able to help you."
Liu Cong then pointed to the other five people and introduced them one by one.
The man, who was nearly thirty years old, was named Ge Long, and he was also at the early stage of Body Refinement.
Lu Cheng couldn't help but take a second look.
Their eyes met, and Ge Long smiled first.
Of the other four, Bai Yu, Xiao Yichen, and Wei Jin are all in the late stage of the Qi Refining realm, while Ye Ping, the youngest, is at the peak of the Qi Refining realm.
Bai Yu is also a disciple of Juyun Peak.
Wan Chuan's attitude toward Ye Ping was also somewhat unusual.
After Lu Cheng and the others had finished exchanging greetings, Wan Chuan said:
"We're discussing how to suppress the bandits, and we're just waiting for the two of you. Come on, let's go inside and talk."
After saying that, he took the lead and went into the hospital.
Wan Chuan's courtyard is small, but very quiet.
There is a main room directly opposite the courtyard gate, and then a side room to the east.
A gravel path leads directly from the doorway to the eaves of the two houses.
Upon entering the main room, the group sat down one after another.
Lu Cheng glanced around and saw that there were only six cups of tea on the table, but eight stools were placed around it, making it seem a bit cramped.
Wan Chuan's words, "We're just waiting for the two of you," are true.
This also shows that if Lu Cheng does not agree to Liu Cong's request, he will definitely offend Wan Chuan completely this time.
Unexpectedly, Ge Long actually poured water for Lu Cheng and the other person.
Moreover, judging from Liu Cong's appearance and attitude, it was clearly not the first time.
Lu Cheng simply thanked him politely.
Given the unclear situation, taking no action is the best course of action; this small group is clearly not as simple as it seems.
After taking their seats, Bai Yu, dressed in white and exuding the air of a scholar, spoke:
"According to the information we have received, this group of bandits is quite large and powerful."
"Within three months, more than ten caravans have been robbed."
"Based on the routes taken by these caravans, this group of people should be hiding in the western part of Lingbi Mountain, about 30 miles from the mountain pass."
As he spoke, he unfolded a map and gestured the names on it.
"But the exact location is not easy to find. Since they are bandits, the entire West Mountain could become their hiding place."
Suddenly, Wan Chuan, who was in the main seat, spoke up and asked:
"Junior Brother Lu, what are your thoughts?"
Lu Cheng was taken aback, not understanding why Wan Chuan suddenly asked him this, and shook his head, saying:
"I don't have an opinion yet, but I'm a little curious. Shouldn't the bandit problem be handled by the Zhenwu Army?"
The people at the table exchanged smiles, and Liu Cong explained:
"Junior Brother Lu, you may not know this, but Dongyang County is different from the counties below it."
"The entire Dongyang County area is under the jurisdiction of Zhenwu Military Command only within the city walls."
"Otherwise, the sect wouldn't have issued this mission."
Lu Cheng nodded and said nothing more.
Ye Ping said:
"Since we can't find them, we'll just have to let them expose themselves. How about we disguise them as a caravan?"
Bai Yu shook his head:
"This method has been tried before, but all attempts have failed."
"This group of people seems to know my Dongyang Sect very well. They don't show up as long as there are Dongyang Sect disciples in the caravan."
"But if it's just a disciple with lower strength, they won't be able to withstand a single blow. By the time the others arrive, the caravan will have already been slaughtered."
"But it's not wrong to let them reveal this idea on their own initiative."
"Therefore, we need to find someone unfamiliar, but not too weak, at least someone who can hold out until the others arrive."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Lu Cheng.
The implication shouldn't be too obvious.
Lu Cheng immediately cursed inwardly.
More than a dozen caravans were involved in accidents; the weaker ones were wiped out in a single encounter.
All of this demonstrates the formidable strength of this group of robbers.
In addition, although Xishan is far away, it is still considered the territory of Dongyang Sect. The fact that this group of people is so arrogant means that there must be body-refining martial artists among them.
Lu Cheng's current level of cultivation is the perfection of Qi Refining. How can he possibly survive against a Body Refining martial artist?
These people were clearly trying to make Lu Cheng a cannon fodder!
The room fell silent for a moment.
After a long while, Wan Chuan nodded and said to Lu Cheng:
"Junior Brother Bai's method may work. Junior Brother Lu has only been in the Dongyang Sect for a few days and is a complete newcomer."
"Junior Brother is quite strong too, so how about we let Junior Brother Lu take on the task of luring the snake out of its hole?"