Bamboo Chest Chapter Twenty-One: The Opening Scene
“Hss, Shengge, take it easy…”
“Your body is far too weak.”
Lu Yun grimaced and said, “You never told me Senior Shan would start training me at night…”
He had just escaped from Hongyu’s torment when, in the middle of the night, a bald man pushed open his door, saying Lu Yun’s talent could not be wasted.
Naturally, Lu Yun refused and said he had to attend the Grand Red Banquet tomorrow, but the bald man—Senior Shan—would not listen to explanations and immediately gave him a fierce beating.
After being pummeled all night by Shan Cong, the next day Lu Yun was unable to get out of bed and had to call Shengge over.
Shengge, feeling a bit guilty, helped Lu Yun down and found him a blue robe.
“You should be able to move now. Dress yourself; I’ll go with you to the Grand Red Banquet later.”
She tossed the clothes to Lu Yun and turned to leave, stepping outside the room.
“Senior Jiaolong, what are you doing…”
Outside the door, Hongyu happened to pass by, eyes wide.
Shengge’s cheeks flushed as she stammered, “He can’t get out of bed—no, that’s not right! He’s just very tired—also not quite right…”
Hongyu looked at the blushing Shengge and couldn’t help but sigh again at how lucky her junior brother was.
When Shengge finally recovered her composure, she realized Hongyu had already left without anyone noticing.
“Shengge, let’s go.”
Lu Yun pushed open the door and said to Shengge.
Shengge snorted coldly, quickened her pace, and walked ahead of Lu Yun.
Lu Yun stared blankly at her retreating figure, utterly confused.
“Did I make her angry again?”
He thought this was a difficult question, one not easily answered.
Before Shengge could leave, Shu Menzi appeared in the courtyard.
The scholar called out to Lu Yun and Shengge, his face grim.
“There’s no need to attend the Grand Red Banquet.”
“Why?”
Lu Yun was puzzled.
“Because the contest for the kingly title has started early…”
Before Shu Menzi could finish, Lu Yun heard agonized screams from afar.
“It’s already begun.”
---
On the main street of Qianjing City leading straight to the imperial palace, soldiers clad in armor stood in formation.
Yuan Bai, dressed entirely in black, slowly stepped forward from the center.
Before him stood Yuan Mo, expressionless.
“Brother, you can’t go in.”
Yuan Bai smiled faintly.
“You have no authority to stop me,” Yuan Mo said, lowering his gaze to his younger brother with cold eyes.
“But this is Father’s command. If you force your way in, it’s treason.”
Yuan Bai shifted slightly. Behind him stood a silent man—Zhique.
Yuan Mo’s expression shifted subtly; he asked coldly, “What did you tell Father?”
“Father said whoever wins between us will be the crown prince.”
Yuan Bai laughed maniacally. “Brother, you never expected it, did you? Father doesn’t support you as much as you think. He’s wavering!”
“What did you promise him?” Yuan Mo remained calm, staring at his brother.
“He’s using you.”
Yuan Bai reached out, grabbing Yuan Mo’s collar and shouted, “Of course I know he’s using me, but brother, he gave me the chance! He wants Dong Sangeng dead and won’t care about anything else!”
“Do you think you can be emperor?” Yuan Mo stared him down fiercely. “Who do you think you can hold back?”
Yuan Bai released his collar and took a few steps back.
“The contest has already begun. Those old relics have no choice but to support their descendants and have entered the city early.
“That means the ambush against Dong Sangeng has started. For this precious opportunity, the ancestors will definitely act! I don’t need to do anything but kill you!”
Zhique stepped forward. Yuan Mo glared at the usually silent man and shouted, “Zhique, have you forgotten what I once told you? If I come back, I will support you with all my strength to ascend as an immortal!”
Zhique remained silent and took a step forward.
---
Inside the imperial palace of Qianjing City, Yuan Feng and an elder sat opposite each other beneath a tiled pavilion.
The elder quietly gazed at the shattered chessboard. After a long while, his hoarse voice said, “I’m old.”
Yuan Feng shook his head. “Elder, in my heart, you are still as you were in the past.”
The elder self-mockingly said, “Still as timid as before?”
“Elder, we cannot wait any longer. He will not help us.”
Yuan Feng said, “After this battle, Dong Sangeng will either be dead or gravely wounded, never again able to merge the Dao. So he need not worry anymore. We are just pawns in his eyes!”
“So you sent someone to Tuoyue Mountain to inquire about this matter, and Tuoyue Mountain actually gave you an answer?” the elder asked.
“Not all the demon clans support him,” Yuan Feng said coldly.
“She hasn’t ascended yet. If she fails, the Baiyuan Kingdom is finished.” The elder tapped the chessboard. “Give me a way for Baiyuan Kingdom to survive afterward.”
“As long as I ascend, Baiyuan will no longer need an immortal.”
Yuan Feng smiled.
“You’re gambling.”
The elder said.
“Don’t you want to gamble, Elder? We’ve lost all retreats. The elders behind those city lords have already made their moves.”
Yuan Feng picked up a chess piece and twirled it in his hand.
“If I win, Baiyuan Kingdom will prosper greatly. One new ascended being added, one demon clan member from Sword Qi City killed. Old Master Bai and Tuoyue Mountain will both be pleased. That person won’t say much either.”
The elder closed his eyes and pondered for a long time.
Finally, under Yuan Feng’s gaze, the elder raised his hand and pressed his finger on Yuan Feng’s forehead.
“Then let’s try.”
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura descended upon Qianjing City, as if it could crush the entire city.
Before Yuan Feng, the chessboard exploded violently, leaving no dust behind.
The elder, possessing the power of an ascended being, was steadily defeated, while Yuan Feng leaped from Nascent Soul to Jade Purity, then directly ascended to Immortal.
The pavilion and everyone nearby were flattened.
The elder grew increasingly feeble and finally slowly lowered his arm, looking at Yuan Feng with a full celestial brow, saying, “The rest is up to you.”
Yuan Feng said nothing and bowed deeply.
“Farewell, Elder.”
No longer an ascended being, the elder voluntarily relinquished centuries of cultivation and descended to the immortal realm. He stepped forward, approached Yuan Mo and Yuan Bai, paused slightly, and said, “Whichever of you wins is acceptable, but the other must die.”
With that, the elder took another step and instantly appeared atop the Hundred Flowers Tower.
“Watch closely what it truly means to be an immortal.”
The elder said to Deyue behind him.