Chapter 1202: Junior Martial Brother?

Chapter 1202: Junior Martial Brother?

“Honestly, I really don’t want to set foot here again.”

Lin Nuo stopped at the foot of Tianling Mountain. Though he said that, there were still some fond memories lingering in this place.

While others soared on their swords to ascend the mountain, he had to climb on foot, but he actually took pleasure in it.

He had virtually explored every nook and cranny of this mountain, being more familiar with the mountain’s creatures than the people inhabiting it.

Even if he wiped out a clan, he wouldn’t destroy this mountain.

Of course, without anyone here, it would practically be in ruins.

“Then let’s make it quick. I don’t like being here either. So why not just fly on your sword?”

“It’s fine; it’s pretty much the same.”

Lin Nuo merely wanted to relive the feeling of hiking up, and with his speed, it wouldn’t take much longer than flying on a sword.

“You can fly up on your sword,” Lin Nuo suggested.

“I’ll go with you. If you’re not flying, then I won’t either,” Mu Yiting said firmly.

“Then you won’t be able to keep up with my pace. I’ll carry you up.”

“Why not just hold me all the way up?”

“That works too.”

The two reached a consensus, and Lin Nuo expertly scooped Mu Yiting into a princess carry, then took off, swiftly ascending the mountain. In no time, they reached the summit of Tianling Mountain, where the Xuanyun Sect resided.

It was now a shadow of its former self, clearly much more desolate. Remembering when he joined, many disciples would line up to practice their swordsmanship, and their shouts could be clearly heard.

Now, that was gone; he didn’t even see a single disciple practicing.

“Is no one here? Did they all die?”

Lin Nuo wondered, but it didn’t matter; ever since Zhang Yuanxu took over the Xuanyun Sect, it had been on a downhill slide—it was just a matter of time.

“Where’s the crack? Can you be sure?”

Lin Nuo set Mu Yiting down—having reached the summit, there was no need for the princess carry anymore.

However, Mu Yiting seemed reluctant to let go, still clinging to Lin Nuo.

“Alright, that’s enough…”

Lin Nuo felt somewhat helpless; they were here to take care of business, not for a couple’s vacation hug.

“You might as well keep holding me; it’ll be faster that way. I definitely can’t keep up with you, so wouldn’t that be more efficient?”

“That does make some sense.”

Lin Nuo didn’t waste more words and once again lifted her up.

Time to get moving, finish their task, and go home for dinner.

“Let’s go straight ahead. I feel it’s just up ahead; I can’t pinpoint the exact location yet, but we’re getting closer—both of us can feel it.”

Mu Yiting said, and Lin Nuo quickly set off, running forward. Along the way, he really didn’t spot any disciples; he figured they must all be out and not returned.

“Do you feel it?” Mu Yiting asked.

“I feel it; there’s definitely some Demon Qi.”

Lin Nuo found his direction and quickened his pace towards their destination.

Soon, they approached Hunyung Hall, where a number of disciples were blocking the way of a young girl.

The girl had long, flowing black hair like a waterfall, exuding a strong aura of Demon Qi.

“This person…”

Lin Nuo felt a sense of familiarity.

“Do you know her?” Mu Yiting asked.

“You should know her too.”

Lin Nuo had an inkling, but to be sure, he needed to see the girl’s face.

The disciples standing guard at Hunyung Hall were greatly surprised to see Lin Nuo and Mu Yiting arrive.

“Wha—what? Is that… Lin, Lin Nuo?!”

“It’s him! He’s not dead!”

“What about the Master? Is he back yet… No way… Damn traitors! And you, Liu Shuqin, the Xuanyun Sect has treated you well, yet you dare commit such a breach of our ancestral rules!”

The disciples ground their teeth, hurling harsh accusations, but their loud voices couldn’t actually do anything to Lin Nuo and Mu Yiting.

“It’s really…”

Lin Nuo quickly set Mu Yiting down; he recognized Liu Shuqin from her figure, and now the Xuanyun Sect disciples had called her name, confirming it.

“Junior Martial Brother?”

Liu Shuqin turned around in a hurry, her emotions complex upon seeing Lin Nuo. She was both delighted and worried.

After all, she had her own troubles coming to this place and didn’t want Lin Nuo to see her.

And who was that woman? She looked so familiar.

“Senior Sister, didn’t expect you to come here too.”

“Junior Brother, who’s that person next to you…?”

“It’s just Mu Yiting; she changed clothes, so she might not look too familiar. Alright, we can catch up later.”

Lin Nuo shifted his tone, turning sternly to the Xuanyun Sect disciples:

“You all know your own level. Let me put it this way—your esteemed Zhang Yuanxu is already dead. The Xuanyun Sect has fallen. It’d be easy for me to take you out. Now step aside, and I might not bother with you for the time being. You still have a chance to escape, or else you’ll go down with him.”

“You… you…!”

The disciples ground their teeth in anger, but all they could do was seethe; those capable had all gone out, and there were barely any left. The few who returned were rumored to have perished.

If Lin Nuo decided to strike, they likely wouldn’t withstand it.

Not possibly; it’s certain.

Unconsciously, some disciples began to retreat. Those who had united to block the way now fell apart.

“A bunch of shameful fools.”

Lin Nuo hadn’t even drawn his sword, yet he had already frightened them back. He was impatient with their displays, thinking they’d at least hold out a little longer.

Now, the signs of Demonization on Liu Shuqin were becoming more pronounced, almost matching Ling Meng’s level.

But unlike Ling Meng, who was genuinely of demonic lineage, Liu Shuqin was a latecomer to that path. If they were both showing the same signs, then Liu Shuqin would be much more terrifying.

“What happened to your body? What did you go through after we parted?”

Lin Nuo approached Liu Shuqin, but she intentionally stepped back, not wanting to get closer.

“Junior Brother, you shouldn’t worry about me. You must have your own business here; I won’t disturb you.”

“Whatever it is, just say it; no need for this back-and-forth.”

Lin Nuo complained, growing more insistent as she tried to distance herself.

In terms of speed, how could she possibly outpace him?

With a swoosh, Lin Nuo dashed right to Liu Shuqin’s front, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Junior Brother, you should…”

Liu Shuqin averted her gaze, seemingly not wanting Lin Nuo to see something.

The more she tried to avoid him, the more suspicious Lin Nuo grew; this girl definitely had something odd going on.

“I’m not going to waste words with you. If you don’t want to talk now, I can wait. But you need to come with us.”

Lin Nuo’s tone turned firm; how could she hide something from him? There was no way he would allow her to keep secrets.

If she didn’t speak, he’d stay until she did.

Mu Yiting was completely bewildered; just a moment ago, she had been wrapped around Lin Nuo, and the next he was over here with Liu Shuqin, holding her waist.

It was a bit infuriating.

But with business at hand, she couldn’t lose focus.

“Junior Brother, I… I killed someone…”

“That’s a small matter; I’ve killed countless myself.”

“I used to lecture you so much, but now I’ve killed someone…”

“It’s fine; I didn’t really pay attention to what you said.” Lin Nuo replied nonchalantly.