Chapter Twenty-Six: Lin Hu at Death's Door

High above, two long rainbows streaked across the waning night sky, one after the other.

The wind roared past Lin Cheng’s ears, his side-swept bangs already in disarray. It was his first time flying on a sword, and he could hardly avoid a bit of fumbling.

“Go…” Bringing his fingers together, he drew them back in a practiced gesture and sped after Wang Shan, who was ahead.

…

On the mountaintop plaza of Azure Sun Sect, a long rainbow fell from the sky and revealed Wang Shan’s figure. Not long after, another rainbow took form, turning into Lin Cheng.

“Brother Lin, how did your first time flying by sword feel?” Wang Shan asked.

“It was exhilarating!”

Wang Shan couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. “I’ll take my leave first. Let me report to Master, then I’ll come find you for a drink…”

“We won’t leave until we’re drunk…” Lin Cheng replied.

They clasped hands and parted ways. Unable to contain his excitement, Lin Cheng hurried off to find Fatty Lin and the others.

As he walked the path toward Funiu Peak, disciples passing by at the roadside, upon seeing Lin Cheng suddenly appear, quickly cupped their hands in greeting. “Greetings, Senior Brother…”

He returned each salute. After he had walked some distance, whispers drifted up behind him.

“I wonder what Senior Brother Lin will do when he hears that Lin Hu has been crippled…”

“Shh… Do you have a death wish? Zhang Yan and his lot never forgive a slight. If they find out we’re gossiping about them, do you want to live?”

“What, we can’t even talk now? I think Senior Brother Lin is pretty good. Even as a core disciple of Sword Concealment Peak, he doesn’t put on airs…”

“That may be, but he’s just a newcomer with little strength. He’s not like Zhang Yan and the others, whose cultivations are high. And behind them stands Dongfang Yu, the powerful core disciple of Azure Sun Peak…”

“Exactly… Relying on Azure Sun Peak being the main peak and having the Sect Master’s backing, they only bully weaker disciples like us…”

“Alright, let’s go… Neither side is someone we can afford to cross…”

…

After asking around about Fatty Lin’s whereabouts, he headed straight there, passing through many outer disciples clad in blue.

Quickly, Lin Cheng reached the area where the outer menial disciples lived. Passing rows of courtyards and through a courtyard wall, he saw that most within wore green—the mark of menial disciples. Each was busy with their own tasks, and for a moment, no one noticed Lin Cheng’s arrival.

“You there, little brother, do you know which room Lin Hu lives in?” Lin Cheng, a core disciple in all his dignity, found it strange that no one had noticed him, so he had to ask directly.

Zhao Si, who was drawing water at the well, turned at the sound of a voice—only to be startled out of his wits. Dressed in black! Wasn’t that the garb of a core disciple? Zhao Si had been in the Azure Sun Sect for two or three years now. He was still a menial disciple, but he had been fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a core disciple before and knew that those in black were at the very pinnacle of the sect.

“Greetings, Senior Brother,” Zhao Si stammered, quickly bowing.

“You’re looking for Lin Hu, Senior Brother? Did he… did he offend you too?” Zhao Si asked, confusion clouding Lin Cheng’s mind. What did he mean, offending him?

Sensing something was wrong, Lin Cheng’s tone hardened. “Is Lin Hu here or not?”

Zhao Si immediately replied, “Lin Hu… he… he was crippled by Zhang Yan and Zhan Peng. Right now… right now he should be at Senior Brother Pang’s cave dwelling…”

“What?” At these words, Lin Cheng ignored the trembling Zhao Si and grabbed him, ordering him to lead the way to Pang Bo’s cave.

“Just up ahead…” Zhao Si pointed. Lin Cheng left him behind and, in a flash, arrived at Pang Bo’s cave.

“Fatty!” he called out as soon as he reached the door.

Pang Bo and the others hurried out at the sound. Behind them, Niu Shisan’s eyes were red, his mouth opening and closing as if to speak but failing.

Seeing their bruised and battered bodies, Lin Cheng’s fists slowly clenched tight.

“How is Fatty? Take me to him,” he demanded.

Pang Bo hesitated. “Lin Hu, he…”

Without another word, Lin Cheng rushed inside. The scene before him left him frozen.

On a simple stone bed, Lin Hu lay wrapped in white bandages, barely clinging to life. One leg and one arm had been broken. The cheerful, easygoing Fatty was now lying motionless and silent.

At this, Lin Cheng grew strangely calm. He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. Yet his trembling eyelids, and fingernails digging into his palm as his fists clenched, betrayed his inner fury.

Murderous intent.

For the first time in his life, Lin Cheng felt the urge to kill. In this moment, he wanted to kill.

“Zhang Yan… Zhan Peng…”

“Fatty, don’t worry… I won’t spare a single one who bullied you…” Lin Cheng ground out each word beside the stone bed.

“Lin Cheng, I know you’re angry and want to storm over there,” Niu Shisan said. “We want to as well. But they’re just too strong for us… and Dongfang Yu stands behind them. If Senior Sister Han Meng hadn’t arrived in time, Pang Bo and I would probably be lying in beds right now…”

Pang Bo added, “That’s right, Lin Cheng. Calm down. If you go after them now, you’re walking into a tiger’s den. The most important thing is Fatty’s injuries. Master has already come to see him. Though the medicine has stabilized him for now, it’s been days and he still hasn’t woken up. I’m worried…”

“Dongfang Yu…” Lin Cheng repeated. He forced down his killing intent and slowly unclenched his fists, blood dripping freely from his palms.

Pang Bo and Niu Shisan stepped forward, gently patting his shoulder.

“Master said that broken bones can be mended… but Lin Hu’s dantian hasn’t opened yet—he’s still a mortal. If not for his strong constitution, he’d be dead already…”

“I also went to find Master, but Senior Sister Han Meng said he’s in seclusion and can’t be disturbed for now,” Niu Shisan said.

Lin Cheng frowned deeply. Aside from a few friends, he truly knew no one else in Azure Sun Sect. The only person he could count on—his master, the Sword Concealment True Man—was in closed cultivation. For the moment, he had no idea how to save Lin Hu.

Then Niu Shisan offered a suggestion. “What if we ask Priestess Tianhui of Jade Maiden Peak for help? I’ve heard that Jade Maiden Peak’s Jade Spirit Elixir can regenerate flesh, mend bones, and strengthen the body—it might help Fatty…”

Pang Bo agreed, “It’s worth a try.”

“Then let’s go to Jade Maiden Peak,” Lin Cheng said, striding out at once.

“Hey, you can’t just go up Jade Maiden Peak like that!” Niu Shisan shouted after him, hurrying to catch up. He thought to himself, This blockhead! Priestess Tianhui has expressly forbidden male disciples from other peaks to set foot on Jade Maiden Peak unless summoned.

…

In front of the spirit beast yard at the foot of Jade Maiden Peak, disciples of Azure Sun Sect gathered in small groups, lining up to rent spirit beasts from the sect.

Suddenly, they saw someone dash straight up the mountain without a backward glance. All were stunned, exchanging surprised glances. Was that guy really planning to force his way onto Jade Maiden Peak?

But Lin Cheng cared nothing for their shock. He charged up the path, unstoppable, straight to the main gate of Jade Maiden Peak, not hesitating for a moment before he prepared to barge in…