Chapter 157: Together into the Pit

Jiang Xincheng didn’t pay further attention to the aftermath of the 327 Research Institute incident. Though Zheng Zhong and the others were doomed to face execution, that outcome had nothing to do with him anymore. Jiang Xincheng had secured what he sought and had completely distanced himself from the entire affair.

Unless someone gained control over the Flourishing Tang Empire, no one would ever know that the whistleblower behind the 327 Research Institute incident was just a Bone Training Realm Primordial Warrior, a rookie student who hadn’t even started his second year.

The Mowei Empire, naturally, was furious. They subsequently deployed enormous manpower and resources to hunt down the culprit. Unfortunately, after years of searching, they found nothing. Instead, the Flourishing Tang Empire managed to capture a few more of their spies. Helpless, the Mowei Empire could only withdraw with bitter resentment, dropping the matter.

Of course, all this occurred later. At this moment, Jiang Xincheng was still serenely living his cultivation life. Regardless of the storms outside, he leisurely progressed at his own pace.

But the good times didn’t last long. One night, after enjoying a big meal and returning from Shenzhuang Snack Street, as Jiang Xincheng walked through the bamboo grove, he encountered another obstacle sent by the Liu Clan.

“You, are Jiang Xincheng?”

Blocking the way was a young man in his twenties with a thin face showing signs of weariness. His almond-shaped eyes gave him a certain refined appearance. He stood empty-handed before Jiang Xincheng, radiating a powerful Primordial Force aura that constantly signaled his status as an Early Stage Cloud Condensation Realm Great Yuan Warrior.

Jiang Xincheng nodded, his expression grave. “That’s me. And you are?”

“Liu Clan, Liu Kaipeng,” the almond-eyed young man said coldly, a flash of hatred crossing his face. “Months ago, right here, you killed my distant cousin Liu Shengnan. So today, I’ve come for you. Right here, on this very spot, I will torture and kill you. I will avenge cousin Shengnan.”

“Ever since cousin Shengnan died, I’ve trained day and night over these months without pause. Thankfully, heaven has eyes. I broke through the bottleneck of the Bone Training Realm and became a Cloud Condensation Realm Great Yuan Warrior, a Grand Elder of the Liu Clan. Now, I can personally end you.”

“Liu Shengnan was indeed killed by me,” Jiang Xincheng admitted. “She died horribly back then. First, I bashed her bloody with rocks. Half the bones in her body broke. She suffered greatly. Then I finished her off and tossed her into a filthy ditch. She soaked there until she was almost unrecognizable. What a pity for such a beauty to end up in such a vile, dirty—”

Before Jiang Xincheng could finish, Liu Kaipeng let out a furious roar and lunged at him: “You’re asking to die! I’ll rip you to pieces and scatter your ashes!”

The punch whistled through the air – the Arhat Fist that Liu Shengnan had also practiced. Packed with formidable power and delivered full force, Jiang Xincheng still dodged it effortlessly with his perfected-level Five Elements Steps. He spun around and bolted.

“Animal! How dare you run! Come back here!” Liu Kaipeng bellowed behind him, accelerating his pursuit. As a Cloud Condensation Realm Great Yuan Warrior, his speed surpassed Jiang Xincheng’s. Even pushing the Five Elements Steps to its limit didn’t shake him. Jiang Xincheng was caught swiftly, a heavy parting punch slicing through the air towards him.

This time, Jiang Xincheng couldn’t dodge. The Splitting Void Fist slammed into him with brutal force, spattering blood from his mouth. Yet, the damage wasn’t severe. Though Liu Kaipeng’s Splitting Void Fist was fierce, it still fell short compared to Wu Ruirui’s Splitting Void Palm. Jiang Xincheng could withstand hers; Liu Kaipeng’s punch was far less threatening. His mastery-level Black Fiend Copper Body wasn’t something an ordinary Cloud Condensation Realm Great Yuan Warrior could break, especially not without a Yuan Power Weapon.

Using the force from Liu Kaipeng’s punch, Jiang Xincheng ran even faster. Liu Kaipeng chased relentlessly, his furious shouts filling the air.

“Animal! Are you even a man? Face me head-on if you have any guts! Even dying would be more honorable!”

“You will die today! Watch where you think you can run! I’ll track you down to the ends of the earth!”

“You bastard, still running?! Where do you think you’re going! Scumbag!”

…

Liu Kaipeng’s mindset was clearly shaky; his insults were childish, a common flaw among this new generation of Primordial Force experts. Primordial Force had only emerged a few years prior. The golden age, the fastest period for cultivation, spanned from roughly twenty to forty years old. Consequently, most quickly rising experts were young, many barely twenty years old.

These youngsters, suddenly endowed with immense power but lacking the mental fortitude, were easily influenced or fell into darkness, engaging in senseless acts. Take Zhuo Qiang, who claimed “invincible among primary schoolers” – the epitome of this problem. Possessing formidable Primordial Force but a twisted, violent nature, he killed and set fires over minor slights until he was hunted down by numerous powerful figures.

Liu Kaipeng, while slightly better than Zhuo Qiang, clearly lacked combat experience. Jiang Xincheng provoked him into irrational rage with just a few words. He chased after Jiang Xincheng mindlessly, like a dog chasing a bone, oblivious to the consequences. Jiang Xincheng was, after all, a citizen of the Flourishing Tang Empire. Liu Kaipeng hadn’t even tried to assassinate him discreetly, instead brazenly blocking his path to kill him. If Flourishing Tang Empire surveillance caught this, they wouldn’t hesitate to issue a bounty for Liu Kaipeng’s head.

Hearing Liu Kaipeng’s incessant shouting, demanding a head-on confrontation, Jiang Xincheng sneered in contempt. Did this fool think he was an idiot? A Cloud Condensation Realm Great Yuan Warrior versus a Bone Training Realm Primordial Warrior? Only a fool would go toe-to-toe. So not only did Jiang Xincheng not stop, he ran even harder, stinging Liu Kaipeng’s pride severely. Consecutive Splitting Void Fists battered Jiang Xincheng, leaving him dazed and torn, his freshly changed clothes soon reduced to tatters.

Yet, propelled by Liu Kaipeng’s blows, Jiang Xincheng sped up. His destination drew nearer. He occasionally glanced back to toss a provocative taunt, each inflaming Liu Kaipeng’s rage further. The chase continued, Liu Kaipeng completely oblivious to any potential danger ahead. Even if he considered it, he dismissed it. The gap in their strength was vast. What tricks could a mere Bone Training Realm fighter possibly have against him?

So Liu Kaipeng chased and chased. Jiang Xincheng ran and ran. Half an hour later, a vast cesspool, hundreds of meters across, appeared before Jiang Xincheng.

Under Liu Kaipeng’s stunned gaze, Jiang Xincheng didn’t hesitate for a second. He plunged straight into the cesspool with a loud splash, swimming towards its center. Liu Kaipeng stood rooted at the edge, speechless: “You… you jumped in… there?”

“Yep! Come on, jump in! Catch me now then!” Jiang Xincheng floated on the surface, looking back at Liu Kaipeng with undisguised mockery. “Oh, and I forgot to mention something. After finishing off Liu Shengnan, I dumped her right in here. She died so horribly. Drenched in filth,” Jiang Xincheng began. “Swallowed all kinds of filth. That beautiful girl ended up filthy, foul…”

“You bastard! I’ll kill you right here in this pit! Bury you beside cousin Shengnan!” Liu Kaipeng was too consumed by fury to even listen. Before Jiang Xincheng could finish, he roared, kicked off the bank violently, and leaped into the cesspool, surging forward to pursue him.