Shivering Mind

Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Immediately, he explained more than ten different types of ghosts he had encountered to Lu Sheng in detail. According to him, he had not seen the same type of ghost twice. Ghosts came in different shapes and forms; their abilities differed from each other as well.

The demonic ghosts that Lu Sheng had seen, for instance, were something he had never heard of.

After the exchange, both of them were rather satisfied with what they had learned.

From Li Shunxi, Lu Sheng had obtained plenty of data on other ghosts. Li Shunxi, too, had some gaps in his understanding of ghosts filled by Lu Sheng. Furthermore, he was very glad to be of help to Lu Sheng in a small repayment of Lu Sheng’s grace.

The two of them sat till dusk before returning to Mountain-Edge City together.

Li Shunxi bade Lu Sheng farewell and left his apartment. Lu Sheng gave instructions to all the men under him to start building a path towards the iron mine that bypassed Song Manor.

After several days’ effort, a new route was established from scratch. Lu Sheng guaranteed that they would be safe as long as they avoided Song Manor.

As a result, work in the iron mine resumed. Massive numbers of miners were recruited and dispatched into the mine. Lu Sheng also posted his men to guard and supervise the mining work.

Everything fell into order.

After two days of mining operations continuing without any mishap, Lu Sheng headed to Crimson Whale Sect headquarters once again and presented a conclusive report on the present situation.

He was still awaiting being granted full legitimacy in his position so that he could enter Martial Proclamation Library.

***

In Crimson Whale Sect headquarters.

It was still the same titanic ship. But, many of the upper echelons of the sect were out on missions this time round.

Only the Sect Master and two Deputy Sect Masters–Gongsun Zhanglan and Chen Ying–as well as two Internal Affairs Emissaries were present.

Old Sect Master’s face looked pale, as if he had gotten weaker again.

“So does that mean that the supernatural being was behind the incident?” He coughed as he looked at Lu Sheng, seated beneath the podium.

“Indeed,” Lu Sheng replied calmly. “When I investigated further, I met the legendary indestructible Soul of the Dead. After exchanging a few blows with it, I was just barely able to get out of the fight unscathed. This has indeed turned into a haunted zone. Even a blazing fire couldn’t raze it down.”

The old Sect Master coughed again, then shut his eyes and remained quiet.

Deputy Sect Master Chen Ying cleared his throat and was about to speak.

“In other words, this matter’s still left unresolved? Right?” Abruptly, Gongsun Zhanglan asked.

“If Deputy Sect Master Gongsun is confident, you may go try it yourself,” Lu Sheng’s face was unflinching.

“Just answer my question: has this matter been resolved?” Gongsun Zhanglan smiled, then asked gravely.

Lu Sheng turned his gaze towards him and stared at him for a few seconds, before replying,

“Indeed, as Deputy Sect Master said, it’s unresolved. However…”

“There is no ‘however’. If it’s done, then it’s done. If it’s not, then it’s not,” Gongsun Zhanglan smiled. “Since it isn’t, then Wu San’s estate should not be inherited by you. Am I right?”

Lu Sheng was speechless.

Even Chen Ying had no idea how to speak up for him, except to simmer in rage.

The old Sect Master fell into thought silently. The ambience in the hall turned heavy and tense.

“News!!!”

Suddenly, a guard rushed into the hall, interrupting the tense silence. He knelt on one knee before the old Sect Master.

“Sect Master, External Affairs Emissary Zhang has returned from Jie Long City!”

“He’s returned?! Quick, admit him!” The old Sect Master’s countenance lifted visibly as he rose and shouted.

Lu Sheng had also heard about this External Affairs Emissary Zhang from those around him in the past few days. He was considered the strongest expert among the present External Affairs Emissaries.

Before long, a muscular man, who was covered in blood all over and whose face looked drained of color, walked into the hall at a slow pace, a guard trailing behind him.

“Greetings to Sect Master, Deputy Sect Masters,” he clasped his hands together. As he spoke, it was clear that he was suffering from over-exhaustion of blood and Qi. He looked no different from a weather-beaten old man.

“Thankfully, I’ve not failed in my mission. This time, we’re finally clear about the movement patterns of that powerful ghost blocking our path.”

“It’s been hard on you, External Affairs Emissary Zhang,” the old Sect Master went over to support him.

“This ghost is no joke. It’s not something that the average man can touch. It’s already no mean feat for External Affairs Emissary Zhang to be able to come out of it safely.”

“Sect Master…!”

“You, on the other hand, External Affairs Emissary Lu, returned with no results to show. External Affairs Emissary Zhang came back with a body of wounds, blood-soaked robes, and a clear understanding of the ghost’s movement patterns. How about you? What right or merit do you have to lay claim on the position of an External Affairs Emissary?” Gongsun Zhanglan exclaimed.

“Zhanglan, you talk too much crap! Brother Lu was able to go in and come out of unscathed. That just goes to demonstrate his outstanding strength. Don’t tell me that all our men have got to return with wounds for them to be considered brave?” Chen Ying replied coldly, unable to hold his peace anymore.

“That’s not what I said,” Gongsun Zhanglan smiled and looked at Lu Sheng. Had it not been for the sudden emergence of this brat, this position ought to have gone to his niece. It was a pity that because of this man, the opportunity that his niece had been longing for had once again passed her by.

“Enough. Although Brother Lu did not fully succeed in his case, the Manor is extremely dangerous. From today onwards, it shall be listed as a forbidden zone. Put up the signs, lest people enter it and come to be harmed,” the old Sect Master commanded. “This case is closed. Brother Lu has proven his strength. So many of our men have witnessed the eccentricity and terror of that Manor. Brother Lu rightfully deserves the position of External Affairs Emissary.

With that settled, let’s discuss the situation in Jie Long City. White Sands Sect and Green Star Sect have struck an alliance. Establishing a route this time is not so easy. Moreover, there’s that ghost intercepting along the route…”

With old Sect Master’s word, the dust had settled on Lu Sheng’s matter.

More than a hundred sect disciples had personally witnessed Lu Sheng sending the girl-ghost flying backwards with a single strike of his saber. They had also seen how he led Duan Meng’an and Ning San out unharmed.

While those jealous of him may still be trying to find faults with him, most of the sect was convinced of his abilities.

The topic presently shifted to the conflict between Crimson Whale Sect and the two other sects in the direction of the Central Plains–White Sands Sect and Green Star Sect.

Lu Sheng was clueless about this matter and so could only play the role of a listener.

Although Crimson Whale Sect lorded over the Northern lands and had innumerable connections with the authorities, its influence had not extended to the factions in the Central Plains.

Furthermore, the distance was considerable. Even someone from the top ranks like External Affairs Emissary Zhang was barely able to come back alive. That went to show how prickly the issue was.

The meeting lasted all the way till noon before dispersing.

Lu Sheng was asked to stay by the old Sect Master for a lunch together.

After lunch, he took Lu Sheng on a stroll in the garden at the back of the headquarters. A large number of flora and fauna was kept on the deck in the rear of the massive Crimson Whale.

The two strolled along in the garden leisurely. Through the foliage, the noon sun rays fell on the ground in blotches. The ground was damp and covered in a layer of soft lawn.

The old Sect Master walked in front, hands behind his back, sighing without a turn of his head.

“Brother Lu. Do you know why Deputy Sect Master Gongsun is so against you?”

Trailing behind him, Lu Sheng nodded in reply, “I’ve heard rumors. Probably because his niece wanted my position. Neither of them expected that I’d show up and take it all of a sudden.”

“You’re an honest one to speak your mind,” the old Sect Master paused, turned his head and laughed.

“What’s there to hide? I entered Crimson Whale Sect precisely to find stronger experts to learn through exchange. If Gongsun Zhanglan ever picks a fight with me, it’d make my day,” Lu Sheng said without a care.

“You’re different from the others indeed…” old Sect Master Hong Mingzi chuckled. “I’ve heard about Brother Lu’s extraordinary strength from Elder Ouyang and the rest. But we’re all members of the same sect after all, and we’re bound to run into each other one way or another. There’s no need to make things difficult.”

“Since old Sect Master has spoken, if that Gongsun Zhanglan ever makes a move on me, I’ll save him some face,” Lu Sheng replied nonchalantly.

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He actually really was not afraid of Gongsun Zhanglan. Although he was likewise a Spirit Focus expert who cultivated both inner and outer forces, there were also differences in strength among experts of the same level.

They may have been of the same realm, but he boasted three powerful inner forces, the equivalent of the average person’s hundred years of cultivation. If others got wind of this, it would be terribly shocking and no one would have believed him in the least.

There was no need to even mention other aspects of Lu Sheng’s strength. Just competing in terms of inner force alone was enough to pull any opponent to his grave.

Ever since he interacted with Li Shunxi, Lu Sheng had a deeper understanding of the power of his inner force skills cultivation.