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Chapter 14: The Location of the Ruins
Elder chose to take his own life, and Ling Xuan felt a deep sense of regret, but there was nothing she could change about it.
Ling Xuan sighed softly before turning to Ji Zichen. "I owe you thanks this time."
Ji Zichen looked at Elder's lifeless body, feeling a pang of sorrow as she sighed in return. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Hearing Ji Zichen's concern, Ling Xuan felt her cheeks flush, though the shyness quickly faded. After a moment, her expression returned to normal. "I know you didn't come specifically to save me."
Despite this, Ling Xuan was still very grateful for Ji Zichen's help.
Ji Zichen did not deny it. "Yes, I had my own motives."
Ling Xuan suddenly smiled slightly at Ji Zichen. "You saved me because of those Wraiths. You want me to feel grateful so that we can avoid conflict, and I would willingly give you the Dan Ding in return."
Ji Zichen smiled calmly. "Yes, once someone is dead, they are dead—whether human or divine. I hope they won't be disturbed anymore, nor used for anything."
Ling Xuan lowered her head in silence. After a moment, she said, "As long as there are methods like this, there will always be people who exploit them. This time, I will return the Dan Ding to you."
Ji Zichen chuckled. "No need for you to return it; perhaps Xia Zhou and Uncle Jiang have already obtained it."
The Dan Ding was indeed in Xia Zhou's possession. Zhu Qi lay on the ground, lifeless, with his Burial Sun Blade resting beside him. Zhu Qi was no match for Xia Zhou and Uncle Jiang. Uncle Jiang remarked, "You don't need to help me; I can handle him alone."
Xia Zhou laughed lightly. "I know; I'm just worried that Dan Ding might get damaged during your fight."
Seeing how things had turned out, Uncle Jiang knew there was no point in discussing it further. He said, "In any case, as long as we have the Dan Ding, that's what matters."
Xia Zhou held Dan Ding close and said, "Let's go."
Ling Xuan gestured for the soldiers to take the Elder's body back. Ji Zichen turned to Ling Xuan and said, "Once we’re outside, I hope you won’t speak of what happened in Zhuque Chenjing."
Ling Xuan asked curiously, "Why? Why can’t I talk about it?"
Ji Zichen met Ling Xuan's sharp gaze and replied, "If the Western King learns about this, he wouldn’t have called you here. I don’t want any more casualties."
After a moment of contemplation, Ling Xuan responded, "I will keep this matter to myself, but I won’t mention the divine race. Rest assured, I will dissuade the Western King from coming here again. But don’t you think it’s a pity?"
"A pity?" Ji Zichen looked at Ling Xuan in confusion.
Ling Xuan smiled and said, "Yes, a pity. If word of this place gets out, Ji Zichen ’s name would spread again as someone who allied with the divine race to face challenges. What an honor that would be."
Ji Zichen sighed with a bitter smile. "Honor? It’s fear. If the world knew there were divine beings here, they would find it terrifying. Just pretend nothing happened here; this is a sacred ground belonging to the divine race. I only hope no one disturbs them again."
Ling Xuan deliberately probed, "What if I go out? Will you come to Western King City to scold me?"
Ji Zichen chuckled softly. "I’m not forcing you or asking for any promises. Your mouth is your own; you can change your mind at any time. But remember, those who saved you this time weren’t just me; the divine beings also played their part."
Ling Xuan stared intently at Ji Zichen for several breaths before replying, "I promise you I won’t say a word about what happened here. But you know these soldiers have eyes and ears."
Ji Zichen smiled and said, "You are the Chief Justice; I know you’ll find a way to make them forget about this place."
Ling Xuan chuckled lightly, "You seem to know everything about me. Well, there's nothing more for me to do here. Go tell the people of the Divine Clan that we will be leaving soon."
Ji Zichen smiled, "Then we'll meet again someday."
Ling Xuan fixed her gaze on Ji Zichen, "Do you really think we will meet again?"
Ji Zichen replied, "If we can meet in a place like this, why not?"
Ling Xuan laughed softly, "Then we'll meet again."
---
Ji Zichen returned to the Sanctuary of the Professionals, but Ma Tongwei did not follow. Before Ji Zichen left, Ma Tongwei said, "Who knows if those people have all left? I want to observe them secretly to see if there's anything suspicious."
Ji Zichen had no objections. In the Sanctuary of the Professionals, in Jiang Dahuzi's study, Xia Zhou had placed the Dan Ding on the desk. Everyone curiously glanced at the strange light emanating from the Dan Ding. Jiang Dahuzi was in a good mood and said, "Brother Ji, I owe you one this time."
Ji Zichen was taken aback. "Thank me? This Dan Ding was retrieved by you all; why thank me?"
Jiang Dahuzi replied, "If it weren't for you, how would we have figured out what they were planning? Thankfully, Wraith and Smoothly managed to bring it back; it's a relief."
A professional entered from outside, and Jiang Dahuzi pointed at the Dan Ding. "Take it and store it properly. We need to find a time to study it thoroughly."
The professional took the Dan Ding and left.
At that moment, Ji Zichen asked, "Aren't you going to send it back?"
Jiang Dahuzi said, "There's no need to send it back. It doesn't matter where the reincarnation takes place. This incident serves as a reminder for us. Starting tomorrow, I will have the practitioners collect Wraiths to prevent others from taking advantage of the situation."
---
Ling Xuan returned to the camp and immediately instructed the other soldiers to prepare for the departure.
Upon entering the camp, Ling Xuan quickly ordered the soldiers to get ready. Chen Da was quite surprised by this urgency and asked, "Chief Justice, why the rush to leave?"
Chen Er entered from outside and said, "The Elder's body has been properly placed. However, if we want to transport it back to Western King City, it might decay along the way."
Ling Xuan replied, "Who wants to take his body back? I brought him here to give him a proper burial. The Elder was determined to find a rift, so just find a quiet spot in the camp's woods and bury him here. This is the least I can do for him."
Chen Da, who had been in the camp and unaware of this matter, exclaimed in shock, "What! The Elder is dead?"
Ling Xuan gritted his teeth and said, "You don't need to worry about this. I will explain it well to Western King; it has nothing to do with you."
Confused, Chen Da asked, "Chief Justice, what happened?"
Ling Xuan shook his head and said, "I'm tired. You all can leave now."
Chen Da and Chen Er exchanged glances before stepping back.
---
That night, Xia Zhou stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the bright moon. Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu approached him from behind. Xia Zhou sighed softly without turning around and said, "You both have arrived."
" Ji Zichen asked, 'What do you need from us?'"
Xia Zhou smiled weakly at the bright moon and said, "Is this what experience feels like?"
"Experience?" Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu exchanged glances, and Lin Chuyu asked, "What do you mean?"
Xia Zhou replied, "This incident has been a special experience for me. Brother Ji, you showed great courage. You stood your ground against them without fear. I’m not afraid to admit that this was my first fight, and it felt exhilarating."
After a pause, Xia Zhou continued, "You might find it sudden, but I've decided that I want to go out with you all and see the world!"
Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu were both surprised. "You want to go out?"
"Ah? You want to go out?" Lin Chuyu interjected. "Aren't you supposed to guard this place?"
Xia Zhou looked at the two of them and glanced at the Sanctuary of the Professionals illuminated by moonlight. "They no longer need my protection. I used to think they would only study doctrines every night without any ability to protect themselves. But now, look at Jiang's performance; it has exceeded my expectations. So, I want to experience a different life in the human world."
Ji Zichen laughed and said, "If you want to come with us, I have no objections. It's just that... isn't this against..."
Xia Zhou interrupted, "I finally understand why Jiang Tao left here. You have no idea how monotonous our lives are day after day. That's why I want to go with you all and broaden my horizons."
Ji Zichen said, "Going is fine, but I need to ask Management about something first."
The next day, Ji Zichen and Yu Ren were having breakfast when Zhang Tang hurriedly choked on a bun that got stuck in his throat. He quickly took a sip of porridge while Xia Zhou smiled lightly and said, "Why are you eating so fast? No one is competing with you."
Zhang Tang swallowed a bun and smiled, "I need to finish eating quickly so I can study the teachings. I want to go out and spread the teachings as soon as possible."
Xia Zhou chuckled, "I think you just want to go out and have some fun."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Ji Zichen finished the porridge in her bowl and said to Xia Zhou, "Alright, let's go find Management. If we can get some answers, we might be delayed here for a while. If we can't find out anything, we'll head back to Watchtower so you can pack your things and leave."
Xia Zhou replied, "You want to ask about Divine Dawn, right?"
Ji Zichen nodded.
Xia Zhou continued, "Even if Divine Dawn is here, I doubt Management would tell you."
Ji Zichen recalled Management's unpredictable temper and felt less confident. Just as she was about to speak, someone said, "Who wouldn't I tell?"
Everyone turned to look at the speaker, and they were all surprised. Ji Zichen exclaimed, "It's you!"
Management maintained a serious expression and replied, "Yes, it's me."
Seeing Management arrive, Zhang Tang immediately brightened up and said, "Uncle Jinglun, what brings you here?"
Jiang Dahuzi snorted coldly, "What? No more repentance?"
Management ignored Jiang Dahuzi's taunt and fixed a serious gaze on Ji Zichen. "Do you really want to find Divine Dawn?"
Ji Zichen felt a surge of joy in her heart. "Are you willing to tell me where Divine Dawn is?"
Management looked at Ji Zichen, pondering for a moment before replying, "Yes."
Ji Zichen narrowed her eyes at Management and asked cautiously, "Why are you willing to tell me now?"
Management's gaze fell upon Lin Chuyu, and it seemed to penetrate deep into her soul. For some reason, Lin Chuyu's heart raced uncontrollably. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
Management stated bluntly, "You are the Vermilion Bird!"
The crowd immediately erupted in astonishment, except for Ji Zichen.
Zhang Tang widened his eyes in shock as he stared at Lin Chuyu. "Sister Lin, you are the Vermilion Bird!"
Lin Chuyu gritted her teeth and responded, "How did you figure that out?"
Although her words did not directly answer the question, they already indicated that Lin Chuyu had acknowledged it.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically among the others.
Jiang the Bearded was stunned, exclaiming, "This... how is this possible? How can there still be...?"
Management withdrew their unyielding gaze and said, "Lin Chuyu, step forward. I can only tell you the location of the ruins."
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