Chapter Forty-Five: Your Surname Is Song?

Gulp.

Zhu Yiqun swallowed hard, his face blank with shock as he murmured, “This is just too much. Compared to him, the old man is downright gentle.”

Song Changsheng was equally dumbfounded. A late Foundation Establishment blood demon had just been beaten to utter annihilation? Even if his own elder had acted, it would hardly have been more decisive.

“Second Senior Brother, don’t let those blood demons escape,” Zhuang Yuechan called out, as if this was nothing unusual. She shouted loudly to the burly man.

“Hahaha, don’t worry, little junior sister. Since they dared lay a hand on you, I’ll twist off their heads for you to kick around like balls,” the burly man responded with a menacing grin and charged after the scattered demonic cultivators.

His methods were brutally straightforward: catch up, press his enormous hand on their heads, twist hard—head and body separated.

He did it to every single one, as if he truly meant to leave all those heads for Zhuang Yuechan to kick.

Zhuang Yuechan’s pretty face darkened. Her eccentric senior brother really would do such a thing.

“Uh… Fellow Daoist Zhuang, your senior brother is really…” Zhu Yiqun was at a loss for words as he watched the burly man twist off heads while cursing foully.

Song Changsheng was speechless as well. This was surely the least image-conscious Foundation Establishment cultivator he’d ever seen—not only was he violently ruthless, but his mouth was equally filthy, utterly unlike any orthodox cultivator.

…

It took about half an hour before the burly man, drenched in blood, swaggered back carrying more than twenty dripping heads.

He tossed the heads at Zhuang Yuechan’s feet, bared his large yellow teeth in a broad grin, and said merrily, “Junior Sister, here they are. How should you kick them to vent your anger?”

Looking at the grisly pile, Zhuang Yuechan could not help but cover her forehead with her hand. What kind of fate had landed her with such a bizarre senior brother?

“Why did you bring these back? It’s disgusting.” She took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth.

Hearing her tone, the burly man realized he’d gone too far. He hastily scooped up the heads and tossed them aside, scratching his head with an awkward laugh. “Next time, I’ll be more careful, really.”

Zhuang Yuechan shot him a glare, then turned to the others. “This is my second senior brother, Niu Dazhuang.”

“Niu Dazhuang… what an honest name,” Zhu Yiqun thought suddenly, feeling his own name wasn’t so bad after all.

Unlike Zhu Yiqun, Song Changsheng found the name familiar. After pondering deeply, he blurted out, “Niu Dazhuang? The chief disciple of the second lord of Sunset City?”

“Hey, this young fellow is well informed! You’ve heard of Old Niu?” Niu Dazhuang showed no seniority, grinning from ear to ear.

“Sunset City—the one with three City Lords, all Purple Mansion cultivators?” Xu Yunhe’s eyes widened. That place was a paradise for rogue cultivators.

“Yes, you have a good eye. Shame about your missing arm, but it’s not a big deal, you still have a chance to reach Foundation Establishment,” Niu Dazhuang said approvingly after glancing at Xu Yunhe.

“Senior Niu’s master is Lord Zhan Tianxia. Then, Fellow Daoist Zhuang, your master must be…” Zhu Yiqun finally caught on, staring at Zhuang Yuechan in amazement.

She nodded. “My master is the Chief Lord, Mu Guibai.”

With her confirmation, Zhu Yiqun drew in a sharp breath. Mu Guibai—he was the most formidable figure below Golden Core in all of Qi’s cultivation world. Even Golden Core masters were said to defer to him.

“Fellow Daoist Zhuang, you really keep a low profile,” Zhu Yiqun said with a wry smile. Compared to her, neither his own elder nor the Song clan could even compare.

“Oh, enough with the modesty. Junior sister, you haven’t introduced your companions,” Niu Dazhuang cut in impatiently.

Zhuang Yuechan nodded. “This is Fellow Daoist Xu Yunhe, a swordsman of rare skill among rogue cultivators. This is Fellow Daoist Zhu Yiqun, a medicinal chef who has looked after me these past days.”

At this, Niu Dazhuang clapped Zhu Yiqun on the shoulder with his palm like a fan, his voice booming, “At first, you looked pretty shifty to me, but I was wrong to judge by appearances. You’re a good fellow—thanks for looking after my junior sister.”

Zhu Yiqun felt as if his bones were about to fall apart from the slaps, but still managed a strained smile—though it was obviously forced.

“Junior sister, what about him? This young man seems pretty decent,” Niu Dazhuang pointed a thick finger at Song Changsheng.

Zhuang Yuechan’s gaze became complicated. “This is Fellow Daoist Song Changsheng, he…”

“Wait a minute.” For the first time, Niu Dazhuang interrupted her, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Song Changsheng. “Your surname is Song? Are you related to the Song clan of the Moonwatch Mountains?”

His tone was unfriendly, causing Song Changsheng’s heart to tighten. Was this man a family enemy? He had never heard his grandfather mention any grudges with Sunset City.

He wanted to avoid answering, but his identity was no secret. If they were enemies, there was no escape. He could only steel himself and reply, “I am indeed a member of the Song clan.”

“What?” Niu Dazhuang’s eyes widened, and a fierce aura radiated from his body, the pressure making Song Changsheng’s chest feel tight.

“Senior brother, what are you doing?” Zhuang Yuechan stepped forward to block Song Changsheng, staring Niu Dazhuang down.

“You want to protect him? We had no objection when you said you wanted to travel, but now you’re getting mixed up with the Song clan? If I’d known, I’d never have let you leave!” For the first time, Niu Dazhuang reproached her sternly.

Zhu Yiqun and Xu Yunhe were stunned. Hadn’t everything just been fine? Why did it suddenly feel like they’d met a mortal enemy?

“Senior brother, I know what you’re thinking. But Song has saved my life; I won’t let you harm him. Besides, Master said it himself—there is no conflict between us and the Song clan. Are you going to defy his orders?”

Zhuang Yuechan looked up at the ferocious Niu Dazhuang, her voice unwavering.

“You! Fine, I won’t touch him. But you’re coming back with me today, and you’re not to get involved with the Song clan again!” Niu Dazhuang snorted, grabbing Zhuang Yuechan’s hand and preparing to leave.

She couldn’t resist and was swept onto his flying sword, turning into a rainbow as they departed.

Long after, Zhu Yiqun sighed and patted Song Changsheng’s shoulder. “Don’t look, they’re already gone. Doesn’t the Song clan do business with Sunset City? Why does it sound like you’re supposed to stay out of each other’s affairs? Old Zhu really doesn’t get it.”

Faced with the question, Song Changsheng shook his head in confusion. “I don’t know either.”

“Well, forget it then. Let’s clean up the battlefield. They took nothing—so it’s all ours.” Zhu Yiqun rubbed his hands together and began to loot.

…