Martial Peak

Chapter 6123, Escape (7)

Author: Silavin

“…A book that stores other books…A Heaven above the Heavens… Is that why it is called ‘Inverse Heaven’? Because it goes against the Principle that Heaven is above all, and we are below it?” Yang Ji questioned as he thought about the implication of what it means.

“Wow. Quite unexpectedly sharp of you.” Wu Lun praised a little and explained further. “This is their belief, that the Heavens is something to oppose. That the Heavens itself is unfair and unjust.” 

“Isn’t that impossible?” Yang Ji said, wondering. 

“Who knows? Even I have not reached the peak of cultivation, and not to say you. Do we truly have the right to say that it is impossible? Maybe someone might be able to do it? Then again, it could be just a blanket wish they hold, one in which they use to fuel their continued fight for existence.” Wu Lun said as his voice sounded a little softer at the end. There was a hollowness to it, but it was not something Yang Ji could have caught onto.

Still, from what Wu Lun was saying, Yang Ji came to some conclusion, “So, Inverse Heaven is a Sect?” 

“Yes, and no. Not in the strictest sense. They aren’t officially an organisation like a Sect. They are more like a gathering of lone wanderers but they have no foundational land to speak of, so it can’t really be called a Sect. They also do not really pass down their techniques unless it is to a Direct Disciple, and every man basically stands for themselves. But, at the same time, their shared hardships creates a bond between each member that is akin to that of a Sect.” Wu Lun said with a hint of praise in his voice. 

“Wait. And are you trying to get me to join them?” Yang Ji’s eyes narrowed a little upon this realisation.

“Trying to get you to join? *Pff!* You are already basically considered one of them. Though, not officially. After all, with that Lower Realm Aura on you, you can’t really join any other ordinary Sect. You don’t have a Master to grace your entry into their Sect, and would merely be treated as some run-away slave.” Wu Lun said mockingly. 

“Huh? I’m basically one of them?” Yang Ji exclaimed but Wu Lun just directed his focus elsewhere instead of explaining. “Better to just show you. Go to the counter and tell them you want to purchase the shelf. Don’t bother putting the books back first.”

Yang Ji’s eyes naturally continued to contain questions, but Wu Lun seemed to truly have no intention of answering any of them. As such, Yang Ji did as he was instructed and went to the counter. There, even when no one else was manning it, Yang Ji immediately heard a voice play inside his mind.

“Boy, you’d like to make a purchase?” The voice, though aged, definitely contained warmth within it. 

[Before, it didn’t cross my mind, but now, I can’t help but realise that this old man must have seen through my disguise in the first instant I’ve entered…] Yang Ji made a slightly astonished expression which was immediately picked up on.

“If you are worried about your identity being exposed, do not be. I am but a humble merchant. I do not seek to place my customers in a difficult position.” The aged voice said and questioned again, “You have taken all the books off that shelf but have not taken a single one to the counter. Do you truly not intend to make a purchase?”

“Erm… that’s not it. It’s just… is it alright if I buy the shelf itself?” Yang Ji said, shuttering a little, thinking that it was a little absurd to be asking to buy a shelf in a bookstore. 

However, there seemed to be a tinge of delight in the voice, “Oh? But do you have enough to pay for it?”

“Erm… He will pay for me.” Yang Ji turned around and quickly pointed to the only adult left here, Hong Jun. As a child, this was almost instinctual.

However, the voice gave a chuckle, “*Ha ha ha…* That shelf cannot be bought by Immortal Crystals, just so you know.”

“Huh? Then, in Artifacts?” Yang Ji seemed a little confused, so the voice had to further clarify. “No no. That shelf can only be purchased using information. For example, where are you from…”

“I’m–” Yang Ji was about to speak when Wu Lun quickly blocked him. “Stop!”

“Huh? Why?” Yang Ji seemed to be in deep thought.

“Don’t ‘why’ me. Who the heck tells some stranger about their background like that?” Wu Lun said but then quickly thought, [Oh yeah… this kid probably gets away with shit by just saying he is from High Heaven Palace…]

Quickly calming himself, Wu Lun then explained in simple terms, “Just never tell others where you are from. If need be, just say that you were abandoned in the forest within the Outer Heaven, that you don’t know your own Parents. If you don’t do this, I can swear to you that you will be placing your home in danger.”

Upon hearing that his own home might be in danger, Yang Ji meekly but quickly agreed.

Wu Lun gave a sigh and quickly told him the next steps to answering this mysterious voice. 

“Sir, you know that asking for someone’s origins is a big no no. Instead, how about I tell you about the weather?” Yang Ji said in a voice that forced a tinge of confidence.

“Weather? *Ha ha ha.* What would knowing the weather do for me? If I so wish, I could break apart the clouds if I want the Sun, and hail the wind if it is not cool enough. Why would I need to know the weather?” The voice seemed to have been greatly entertained, as though he had heard a truly interesting joke.

However, Yang Ji’s next words made him freeze up. “No, not the weather here. I’m referring to the weather in the Immortal Abyss.”

[Immortal Abyss?] Yang Ji remembers those two words, as they seemed to have deeply impacted the voice. It turned a little shaky, “You. You know when the Immortal Fog will clear?”

[Immortal Fog?] Yang Ji wondered but he had to follow the script, “Yes, from my Master, he said that it will clear every thousand years. The next time, it will clear three years from now. You will be able to cross the Immortal Abyss for three months. Any longer and the Immortal Fog will return, sealing your path of escape.”

The voice seemed to pause for a moment, and turn more solemn, “Sorry boy, though this information is more than enough to purchase the bookshelf, we have no way to verify it right now. But, I am an honest merchant, if not anything else.”

The voice seemed to focus on Hong Jun and Xing Ting, but was only speaking to Yang Ji, a little more protective this time. “How about this, I will grant you three times to ask for my help. If you so wish, I can protect you from these two. How about that?”

Wu Lun seemed a little astonished that this person would actually grant such a reward. He was actually willing to trade for more information. After all, information about the Immortal Abyss, though rare, was not impossible to get. In short, it might actually be possible for this old man to already know about it but was using this opportunity to grant Yang Ji a favour or establish a connection.

Following Wu Lun’s instructions, Yang Ji shook his head and explained, “No. I don’t need your help in dealing with them. I’m not their slave and my relationship with them is more transactional in nature. In fact, I need to help them keep their Young Mistress alive.”

“Oh? Young love?” The old voice seemed to exclaim with a pitch higher.

“Huh?” Yang Ji exclaimed and quickly calmed down to nervously say, “sort of…” through Wu Lun’s suggestion.

“How interesting. A Mortal from the Lower Realm and the Young Mistress of the Hong Clan… what a scandal this is! Ah, I can already imagine the tragic separation, how one must prove themself to claim the other’s hand…” The voice seemed to have gotten a little more excited, and gone off in a monologue.

Yang Ji could not help but think back on the books on the shelf for Mortals, [Oh yeah… there were strangely a lot of books about romance… Does this old man actually like romance?]

However, the first to snap at this was Wu Lun, who pushed Yang Ji to give an awkward cough, “*Ahem* So, I need them alive to ensure that Lan Tian does not get harmed.”

“Oh! Already speaking without using any honorifics. So, you two are already so intimate.” The voice exclaimed, which made Yang Ji feel all awkward inside.

“Erm…” Yang Ji wanted to say something but was quickly shot down by Wu Lun, “Just let the misunderstanding be. Besides, you might actually be able to gain more if you win his favour.”

“But, wouldn’t this affect Hong Lan Tian’s reputation?” Yang Ji quickled stressed. Though he knew little about relationships between a man and a woman, he had at least received advice from his Mothers that so long as a woman’s dignity was involved, a man had to honour it. This misunderstanding of Hong Lan Tian and him being lovers might actually damage her marriage prospects–or so Yang Ji concluded from the bits and pieces of what his Mothers had said.

“What is there to worry about? You two are so young. Besides, she is currently worried for her life. What use is one’s face when their life is at stake? Right now, better to butter up this romance idiot and receive more favours than to turn it down.” Wu Lun stressed. “If you are so worried, you can just apologise to her later with a gift. That girl does indeed need to get stronger so that your Divine Soul Brand remains safe.”

“Fine. Then, tell me what to say…” Yang Ji could only relent on this, seeing as the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks.

“Sir, she has just entered the Pool of Revitalisation. Is it possible to use one of those three chances to exchange for something that can keep her safe?” Yang Ji shook his head to get rid of his inner turmoil and suggested.

However, he received a joyous voice of approval, which made his stomach feel knotted. “En. How loyal, asking for your lover’s safety first before anything else. I like it. I really like it. Fine. I will ensure that she is safe and sound. Don’t worry boy. With me here, no one would be able to harm her.”

Yang Ji gave a sigh, which could be read in two ways, and made the second request, “Thank you Sir. That will allow me to feel at ease. For the second and third chances, can I ask for a Map of the Outer Heaven and all the flying routes from Defiance City, along with their schedule?”

“Hmm…” The voice seemed to contemplate for a moment, turning slightly back to its more solemn state. “I can’t give you a map of the whole Outer Heaven. That in itself is something of value that exceeds the information you have provided. As for the public flying routes and their schedules, those are all easily accessible at the port.”

“For the flying routes and schedules, do you provide those for private Forces? Those not available to the public. As for the map, erm… is it fine to narrow it down to a map of Defiance City to a single valley?” Yang Ji asked.

As though understanding the whole situation, the voice said, “It will not be easy to board the ship of those Forces. But, if that is truly your request, then I have no issue providing you whatever information I know. As for the map, I need you to specify which valley you are specifically looking at?”

“It’s the Dark Desolate Valley…” Yang Ji said with a hint of worry and a hint of excitement. He did not know the place, but if anything was called dark and desolate, he truly wondered what kind of accursed place it would be. 

The voice went silent for a while. This was probably the longest pause the old man had given.

Then, a laugh soon came, “Ha ha ha… so you seek that place. But unfortunately, I do not have any maps that would help you locate it. Will that be fine?”

Yang Ji was left confused and Wu Lun’s next words only served to confuse him further, which he repeated, “Emptiness due to cleanliness, darkness due to the past. Sir need not worry.”

The voice laughed even harder. “Good! Good! In that case, take this with you and pass it to that old dog. In return, I’ll help your little lover get stronger!”

The voice was loud, so loud that Yang Ji could not help but turn back to check if Hong Jun had overheard the conversation. However, Wu Lun calmed him down, “Don’t worry. Even your voice cannot be heard. He has purposefully isolated you the moment you actually started moving towards the counter, and even that Rune will not overhear you two.”

“But, I have to say, you’re damn lucky. Didn’t expect this old fool to take such a liking to you. You must know, to move him, it is not a simple matter of having wealth. Also, anything he gives will definitely not be something ordinary.”

As soon as Wu Lun said those words, out of nowhere, a token appeared in mid-air. It was just directly in front of Yang Ji, beckoning him.

This token had a metallic lustre to it, with simple engravings within a mix of silver and azure material. Even for someone uninterested in Artifacts like Yang Ji, he could not help but admire the craftsmanship of it. Certainly, even in the 3,000 Worlds, he had never seen something quite like this before.

“Not bad. It contains a trace of his own True Dao inside of it and is almost indestructible. It’ll literally protect you once. Though, using it would put you at great risk since this Token is a great treasure that even the Hong Clan would want.” Wu Lun stated nonchalantly. 

“Huh? Then, isn’t this too valuable for me to handle?” Yang Ji questioned how Wu Lun could stay so calm when this ticking timebomb had basically fallen to his lap.

“You’re currently no different from a Mortal. A MORTAL. Take whatever you can get if it aids you. Besides, bringing this token along will help you protect that girl. So, why not. Besides, you might actually gain some favours if you bring this token along.” Wu Lun said with a measure of confidence. “Besides, are you truly afraid of holding some treasure?”

Yang Ji thought back on stories of his Father. He felt his heart, it was beating more intensely than ever. However, this was not fear. It was excitement. The kind of blood rush he would get when exploring somewhere new.

Yang Ji smiled and grabbed hold of the token. “Sir, I will see to it that the ‘old dog’ receives it.”