Chapter Forty-Three: To Silence or Not

As expected, Li Xingyu’s actions drew the black-clad man’s attention away. The moment the man’s gaze fell upon the jade ginseng in Li Xingyu’s hand, Li Xingyu struck. First, he used a binding spell to immobilize the hand holding the sword, making it impossible for the man to break free and retaliate in the brief moments that followed. Then, a flash of golden light streaked through the air—a coin embedded itself in the man’s forehead, most of it vanishing beneath the skin. The force of the impact sent the black-clad man reeling backward; only after he collapsed did blood begin to trickle down from his brow.

At his current level, Li Xingyu’s cultivation was insufficient for his binding spell to restrain an expert of this caliber entirely. He could only use the jade ginseng as a diversion and then seize the opportunity to strike.

Chen Jingrou had never experienced someone dying so suddenly, so close beside her—let alone killed anyone herself. With a startled scream, she leapt away to her senior brother Cheng’s side. At that moment, the other two disciples of the Free Spirit Sect had also gathered around him. Because the difference in cultivation between Senior Brother Cheng and the deputy chief Pang was not as vast as that between Pang and Li Xingyu, after a few moments of regulated breathing, he was able to sit up.

After witnessing Li Xingyu kill the black-clad man, the group noticed that he barely spared them a glance before returning his attention to the jade ginseng in his hand. By now, Deputy Chief Pang was incapacitated, lying dazed on the ground, his mind elsewhere. Only then did the disciples of the Free Spirit Sect begin to recover from their shock and fear—but seeing Li Xingyu examining the jade ginseng with no intention of returning it, anxiety crept over them once more.

Cheng, the senior protector, was far more experienced and thoughtful than the others. He never expected Li Xingyu to return such a peerless spiritual treasure, especially a jade ginseng over five centuries old. His greater concern was whether Li Xingyu would silence them to keep his acquisition a secret. After all, if word got out that he possessed such a treasure, it would not merely be his sect and the black-clad man’s secret organization pursuing him. Every innate expert in the Celestial Empire—and even those from foreign lands—would covet the jade ginseng and hunt him relentlessly.

“Brother Li,” Chen Jingrou said, evidently unaware of how valuable the jade ginseng was to martial artists, especially those at the innate level. “This jade ginseng belongs to our Free Spirit Sect. It was stolen earlier by the Mole. Could you return it to us? I’m sure my father would reward you generously.” She had no inkling of the importance of the jade ginseng or how dangerous it was to even mention reclaiming it, especially when, in this world where might makes right, even treasures rightfully acquired would not be returned so easily.

Senior Brother Cheng realized where she was going the moment she spoke, and though he considered stopping her, he ultimately let her speak, thinking perhaps there was something special between his junior sister and Li Xingyu. After all, she had insisted on traveling together, and Li Xingyu hadn’t objected. Perhaps, then, there was hope. Even if they could not reclaim the ginseng, they might at least glean Li Xingyu’s intentions, possibly sparing their lives.

Li Xingyu frowned at her words. Was this girl too naïve, or did she think they were close, or did he simply appear too kind? With a shake of his head, he replied, “You must be joking. This belongs to you? You want me to return it? If I did, what compensation would your sect offer me? Our acquaintance hardly warrants such a favor.” Though his face still wore a smile, the firmness in his voice brooked no argument.

Chen Jingrou flushed with anger. In her mind, since the jade ginseng had been stolen from their sect, it was only rightfully theirs. Li Xingyu’s mocking tone only stoked her pampered temper.

“Master Li, please forgive my junior sister’s rudeness. She has spent most of her life within the sect, rarely venturing into the martial world, and so is unfamiliar with its ways,” Senior Brother Cheng interjected quickly, regretting not stopping her earlier. They already risked being silenced; if Li Xingyu deemed them ignorant and presumptuous, their situation would only become more perilous. “Since Master Li seized this treasure from our foe and saved our lives, we will not ask for its return.”

“Oh? So you no longer plan to reclaim the jade ginseng?” Li Xingyu remarked, his gaze lingering on Cheng. “You seem to understand the rules well. But after you leave, will you…”

“Master Li, rest assured. We will not reveal what happened today, nor will anyone in our sect learn that you obtained the jade ginseng,” Cheng promised, seizing the opportunity as Li Xingyu’s tone softened.

“Perhaps I can trust you, but how can you guarantee that word won’t spread within your sect? You’re not the sect leader; can you make such decisions?”

“Please be assured, Master Li. Even if the sect covets the jade ginseng, our leader would never let news of your acquisition leak. If it did, countless individuals and factions would come for it, and our own chances of retrieving it would only diminish. I am sure the sect leader understands this well.” Cheng offered this explanation candidly, knowing any promise to give up on the treasure would sound empty.

“You make a fair point. Miss Chen, do you agree with your senior brother?” Li Xingyu asked, turning to Chen Jingrou.

“No objections. Thank you, Brother Li, for your care and for saving my life twice. I will remember your kindness always,” she replied. She was not a fool; after hearing the exchange, she understood the gravity of the situation and the danger they faced. Instead of pressing further, she appealed to the gratitude owed for the times Li Xingyu had saved her, hoping this would move him to spare them.

Li Xingyu was surprised by her response. The legacy of these great sects was evident—none of their disciples were simple, not even the sect leader’s daughter. Now, should he silence them? If he killed them, no one would know he had acquired the jade ginseng. The Mole did not know his identity and would likely assume he was a member of the Free Spirit Sect, especially since he had concealed his aura and appeared wholly unremarkable. For the time being, the jade ginseng would bring him no trouble. Even if suspicions arose later, he would have already used the treasure to break through to the Spirit Condensation stage.

The thought was tempting, and gradually, a cold intent flickered in his eyes as he looked at the group.

The others sensed the murderous intent in his gaze. They dared not speak or move, fearing to provoke him further. They understood well that if Li Xingyu decided not to spare them, they could not escape, let alone defeat him, even uninjured.

Yet, Li Xingyu had grown up in the highly civilized world of Earth. Though he had killed before, those were cases of self-defense against direct threats. Chen Jingrou and the others were different—the danger they posed was indirect; it was merely the fear that possessing a treasure would invite disaster. The principles instilled in him since childhood forbade the wanton slaughter of innocents, especially those he knew and who had traveled with him.

Should he silence them? The question reverberated in his mind. The old Li Xingyu would never have hesitated; he would never harm the innocent for his own gain. But as his understanding of this world’s rules deepened, their influence grew stronger. What he did not realize was that the cultivation method he practiced was also slowly changing his temperament.