Death… and me

"Is Great Zhao really that far? Don't think that just because you've traveled far away that I have no way of catching you! Chu Yang, you are really a bastard! Don't you ever let me verify your identity! By that time, even if the elders protect you, I will make sure that I punish you by beating you up as many as eight times a day!"

The individual in blue grunted in frustration as he began grinding his teeth in anger. He raised his arm, striking the stone tablet in front of him. The tablet turned into dust and he stormed away filled with rage…

However, hidden inside he held a small bit of respect for Chu Yang in his mind. Surprisingly, this guy was able to foresee that I would come for him… Such intellect was impressive. If he really is my nephew, he is really an interesting punk…

Unknown to him, he was unexpectedly looking forward to seeing more of Chu Yang and what he was capable of…

…

Beyond the Heavens Sect…

"It's really cold today. Junior martial brother, come let's have a drink." Wu Yun Liang was clad in a black fox fur coat to keep him warm as he waltzed into Purple Bamboo Garden.

The past few days, Wu Yun Liang would come to Purple Bamboo Garden to visit and relax for a period of time if there was nothing to do. As a result, Meng Chao Ran who treasured the peace and silence was perpetually disturbed by him. However, even though Meng Chao Ran tried kicking him out, it was to no avail.

"I am really just not interested." Meng Chao Ran said as he sat in the Purple Bamboo Forest. The white snow covered both his black hair as well as the forest. Meng Chao Ran was wearing a white outfit which made him appear otherworldly and mystical.

"That won't be a problem. I am interested." Wu Yun Liang breathed as he rubbed his hands for warmth, "Come over here. Let's talk about your good disciple. Haha, who would have imagined that your strange disciple would be able to become so accomplished within such a short time."

Wu Yun Liang knew that even though Meng Chao Ran seemed like he couldn't be bothered, talking about Chu Yang would always lift his spirits.

Wu Yun Liang had reformed the Beyond the Heavens Sect a number of times and put distance between him and his martial brothers. He also sent his seventh martial brother, Kong Jing Feng out to run some errands for him. His ninth martial brother, Bao Kuang Lei was also presently not nearby. He had been sent to Iron Cloud. Therefore right at this point, there was only one person in Beyond the Heavens Sect that he was able to talk to and that was Meng Chao Ran.

"Why are we talking about Chu Yang?" Meng Chao Ran pretended to be annoyed. Hasn't your mouth gotten tired from all of the talking that you have been doing over the past couple of days?"

Wu Yun Liang's mouth curved up. Sure enough, the mere mention of his precious disciple had made Meng Chao Ran more talkative.

"Chu Yang is definitely not a simple person… Why can't I have a disciple like that?" Wu Yun Liang sighed.

Meng Chao Ran unknowingly smiled when he heard this.

"Cough cough, come over and have a drink?" Wu Yun Liang seized his chance and asked.

"I give up." Meng Chao Ran nodded and reluctantly went to get some food and wine.

He clearly wanted to hear more praise for his disciple but still continued to be unhappy. Wu Yun Liang called out in a casual tone, "Tell your little disciple to make a few dishes, will you? Why do you have to do all the work yourself?"

"Tan Tan is in closed-door training." Meng Chao Ran sighed. Before, he was slightly happy. He was helpless when it came to Tan Tan. Ever since Chu Yang had left, apart from admiring himself in the mirror, all he was interested about was cultivating.

He trained wholeheartedly like a madman.

Meng Chao Ran had talked to him a few times, but Tan Tan immediately began his training the moment Meng Chao Ran turned away. If he had no other way, Tan Tan would smile stupidly and ask, "Master, these days, have I grown more handsome?"

Only the heavens would be able to understand how Meng Chao Ran felt.

In the face of Tan Tan's extremely "abstract" face and upon hearing his narcissistic words, Meng Chao Ran could only wave his arm in surrender, "Go and cultivate. Don't ask me about this…" Each time Tan Tan asked about this, Meng Chao Ran felt as though he was being interrogated.

This was because he didn't want to hurt Tan Tan's feelings by telling him the truth but at the same time, to tell him a lie… Meng Chao Ran couldn't bring himself to do it.

Ever since he had gotten the Divine Chi Gathering Fish, Tan Tan cultivated relentlessly.

The rate of his advancement shocked Meng Chao Ran. During the past few months, Tan Tan had managed to break straight through into the fifth grade Martial Artist!

Moreover, while he was getting energy from the Divine Chi Gathering Fish, Meng Chao Ran was surprised to find that Tan Tan's aptitude had begun to imperceptibly change in all aspects…

Meng Chao Ran had a feeling that perhaps his proudest achievements in life were being able to nurture these two disciples.

He naturally knew the reason behind Tan Tan's desire to cultivate as much as he could. This was because he wanted to become stronger so that he would be able to go and help Chu Yang.

Given Tan Tan's motivations, how could Meng Chao Ran not be supportive of it?

After a while, Meng Chao Rao came out with some food and two jugs of wine, "Eldest martial brother, I have to say, could you bring something each time you come here? Each time you come, you come empty handed and ask for food and drinks. This is really tough on our pockets."

Wu Yun Liang rolled his eyes and said, "All you need to do is leave the mountain and find your precious disciple. You will be able to bring back a mountain of gold and silver. I can't believe a rich person like you is lamenting in front of me."

"Haha, such thick skin…" Meng Chao Ran smiled so wide his eyes squinted. Opening the wine and pouring, he said, "Eldest martial brother, you have been in Jiang Hu for so many years; have you ever seen anyone who is as strange as Tan Tan?"

"I really haven't seen anyone with such a personality…" Wu Yun Liang brought the wine cup to his lips and took a large gulp. "If I have met such a person, I would definitely remember. Even if I was dreaming I would have to wake up…"

Meng Chao Ran sighed; he frowned and looked at the snow all around. After a long time, he spoke, "something doesn't seem quite right. I don't know why I feel so bothered…"

"Bothered? Bothered is right!" Wu Yun Liang sneered, "Lately, second, third, fourth, and fifth have been sneaking around; sixth and eighth have been swinging left and right… Little martial brother, have you ever thought that our Beyond the Heavens Sect would come to this?"

Then, Wu Yun Liang laughed at himself.

"It was because he had forced them too much before." Meng Chao Ran sighed quietly, "Second had a few students he was proud of. Yet you used the sect's tournament to have them and the strong disciples of third and fourth fight violently with one another. Moreover resulting in a few of them dying on the spot… This resulted in many years of effort to go down the drain. How could they not feel a little resentment?"

"But you know why I had to do that." Wu Yun Liang said gravely, "You know, I was going to deal with the four of them as well… But thinking about our brotherhood which had many years of history, I just did not have the heart to do it. I was being lenient and only eliminated a few disciples. I had hoped that with that, they would repent…"

"Eldest martial brother, you don't need to lie when you are talking to me." Meng Chao Ran looked up at his brother, "I know you want what is good for the sect, and you know what they are doing. However, you did what you did because you had other intentions. Moreover, you were certain of the outcome. You clearly do not care about brotherly affection. So let's not talk about that anymore."

Wu Yun Liang smiled in embarrassment. Then he said with annoyance, "Little martial brother, no matter what, I am still the sect master…"

"Ah…" Meng Chao Ran sighed, "Have you ever seen a sect leader with such thick skin?"

Wu Yun Liang let out a dry cough and said, "Little martial brother, there is something I have to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Meng Chao Ran became alert.

"What do you think of my daughter, Wu Qian Qian?" Wu Yun Liang tensely looked at Meng Chao Ran.

"Yes. That child is good. She is talented, has a good temperament, good looks; she is not bad at all." Meng Chao Ran generously praised Wu Qian Qian in order to appease Wu Yun Liang.

"Haha…" Wu Yun Liang happily exclaimed, "You see, Qian Qian and Chu Yang… Don't you think the two of them make a good pair?"

"This…" Meng Chao Ran stroked his beard and frowned, "Eldest martial brother, you should not worry about the youngsters' business. Moreover, both of them are not here; we need to have their input on this kind of thing."

He paused a little and said, "While Chu Yang is my disciple, I cannot make arbitrary decisions for him."

Wu Yun Liang sighed and said, "Fine, I won't force you. I will just ask Chu Yang when I have the chance. I have to say, a master like you is something. Chu Yang does not have a father or a mother. His business should definitely be decided by you. And yet…"

"This is a decision which would impact his entire life. If Chu Yang does not agree to it, I shall not make the decision for him." Meng Chao Ran grunted coldly, "On the off chance that my decision is wrong, he would be suffering for the rest of his life! I don't want my disciples to suffer for the rest of their lives!"

"Okay." Wu Yun Liang became silent briefly before saying, "Little martial brother, I have a favor to ask of you."

"You have a lot to talk about today." Meng Chao Ran glared.

"On the off chance that something happens to Beyond the Heavens Sect…" Wu Yun Liang said solemnly, "Little martial brother, you do not need to worry about me. Just take Tan Tan and run. Understood?"

Meng Chao Ran smiled thoughtfully and said, "It seems Beyond the Heavens Sect is really in trouble this time, right?"

"Yes, the two major sects, Saintly Saber Pavilion and Black Blood League, as well as a number of mysterious martial experts are currently heading in the direction of our Beyond the Heavens Sect." Wu Yun Liang said in a low voice, "This time, Beyond the Heavens Sect cannot avoid a bitter fight!"

"A bitter fight?" Meng Chao Ran stood up. His figure stood tall like a sword as he said pensively, "You mean?"

"This is entirely unexpected and happened all of a sudden." Wu Yun Liang said slowly, "I suspect that Diwu Qing Rou wanted to vent his anger this time. He probably doesn't want to destroy the Beyond the Heavens Sect. The main target of these two major sects is probably you and Tan Tan!"

"It is all because of Chu Yang's actions in Iron Cloud resulted in Diwu Qing Rou suffering major losses. Therefore… dealing with you would be a blow to Chu Yang." Wu Yun Liang said seriously, "That is why I want… you and Tan Tan to go into hiding first."

"Go into hiding first?" Meng Chao Ran was startled. He had a bitter smile and said, "Eldest martial brother, I am afraid that even if I want to hide now, it's already too late."

"Exactly, it is definitely too late." A cold voice suddenly rang out. The sound resonated like metals hitting each other.

Wu Yun Liang froze momentarily. Then it immediately relaxed and he smiled, "Which friends have come to visit?"

That voice replied, "Black Blood League greets sect master Wu!"

Right after a voice was heard from behind him, "Saintly Saber Pavilion's disciples greet sect master Wu."

With a swoosh, two figures appeared around them simultaneously. There were a total of eight people in a circle. On their right was a person in black carrying a sword. These were definitely people of the Black Blood League. The two people on their left were wearing red outfits and carrying sabers on their waist. These people belonged to Saintly Saber Pavilion.

The four people facing them and standing behind them were wearing white outfits with sharp gazes.

One of them laughed and said, "We have just arrived but we were already got discovered by Brother Meng. This is really surprising." He said in praise, "Meng Chao Ran, you are worthy of being the master of King of Hell Chu! Amazing!"

Meng Chao Ran said casually, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Whether you know it or not, you are definitely dead today." A white outfitted person from behind flashed his fierce killing intent. With a clang, the sword had appeared in his hand, "Meng Chao Ran, your disciple has killed many of our people. Today is the day you will pay for it with your life!"

Meng Chao Ran frowned. Then he suddenly looked up with a gaze as sharp as a sword, "That's it… You are people of Golden Horse Riders Department!"