Chapter 0: Master of Arc-Moon Mountain
“The so-called ‘duel’ is a method of combat among cultivators. It is a fair one-on-one fight between two individuals, and the victor has the right to take one item from the loser unconditionally.” Mu Man’er said with her dark eyebrows furrowed, indignantly. “According to established customary rules, this method of combat does not allow cultivators with significantly higher strength to challenge lower-level cultivators… But in a small place like Guyue City, the Situ family acts like local overlords, disregarding all sense of right and wrong and deliberately making things difficult for us.”
Qin Gou nodded slightly and paused before asking, “Is this the reason you stole the Tian Kun Dynasty’s birthday tribute?”
Mu Man’er sighed softly and nodded her small head. “This disciple already knows her mistake. But if I had to choose again, this disciple would still do it. Because I am very selfish and truly unwilling to see the Mu family wither away like this.”
“Then why didn’t you directly trouble the Situ family in Guyue City? After all, every wrong has its perpetrator.” Qin Gou asked, puzzled.
Mu Man’er shook her head, full of helplessness. “The Situ family head, Situ Pei, is a cultivator in the Li Jiu Realm. Although he is slightly stronger than me, I am not without the ability to fight back. But the problem is that the Yuhua Sutra, our Mu family’s inherited secret technique, was also long ago taken by the Situ family. Although this secret technique is not some earth-shattering, peerless divine art, it was created by the Mu family patriarch and passed down through generations. Its significance far outweighs its original value. I fear that if the Situ family, cornered like a desperate dog, forcibly destroys the Yuhua Sutra, we will regret it immensely.”
“I see.” Qin Gou calculated the remaining duration of the ‘Demon Master is Here’ talisman, cast a deep look at Mu Man’er, and dotingly rubbed her cute little head with a slight smile. “My good Man’er has truly suffered.”
“Master.” Mu Man’er’s beautiful eyes, clear as the Fairy Lake, filled with tears of grievance.
“It seems I must go in person,” Qin Gou said, flicking his sleeve. A chilling smile played on his lips. “Let me see just how capable this ‘local emperor’ of Guyue City truly is!”
“Master, you…” Mu Man’er’s eyes were filled with gratitude.
Her parents were also extremely excited.
“Many thanks, Celestial Master.”
“To trouble the Celestial Master to personally intervene!”
He’s intervening personally?!
Qin Gou gave a dry laugh and waved his large hand. “Man’er, lead the way.” With that, Qin Gou raised his leg to leave.
Mu Man’er immediately reached out and patted her Nas Ring. An elegant and luxurious carriage, a celestial artifact shaped like a royal vehicle, appeared out of thin air in the courtyard.
As the Master of Arc-Moon Mountain, patrolling the heavens, how could one’s dignity be compromised? Even Qin Gou himself was almost forgetting. I am a Celestial Master, after all. What kind of matter is it to walk to someone’s mansion? Is it like visiting relatives for New Year’s?
The Situ family mansion in Guyue City was far more grand and imposing than the Mu Estate. Not to mention its vast grounds, even the two majestic stone lions at the entrance were transformed from magic treasures, secretly inscribed with a protective formation that would attack enemies automatically. This display of wealth was undeniably lavish.
Under Qin Gou’s command, Mu Man’er resumed her appearance as a charming young girl of sixteen. With a three-foot green sword on her back, she stepped forward to issue a challenge.
“Situ Pei, come out and accept your death.”
Mu Man’er’s voice, as clear and pleasant as a pearl falling onto a jade plate, instantly spread throughout the entire Situ mansion with the reinforcement of spiritual power.
“Who are you, to dare cause trouble at the Situ Estate!”
Two guards at the gate, both in the middle stage of the Qi Gathering Realm, immediately wore ferocious expressions and shouted sternly.
At the same moment, a wave of arrogant and peerless laughter erupted from within the Situ mansion.
“How dare you!”
Then, surrounded by a crowd, an old man with white hair and beard, clad in a purple-gold robe, emerged from the Situ mansion’s gates. He held a dragon-headed staff, his eyes flashing with ferocity, and he scanned Mu Man’er, her parents, and the luxurious carriage Qin Gou was in with fury.
“Situ Pei, immediately hand over my Mu family’s ‘Yuhua Sutra’.” Mu Man’er shouted.
“Hahaha.” Situ Pei laughed maniacally and said contemptuously, “I wondered who it was. So it’s two stray dogs from the Mu clan. Did you not get beaten enough this morning, and now you’ve brought a little helper to stir up trouble?”
“Situ Pei, you old scoundrel, if you dare insult my parents one more time, I will sever your head from your neck!” Mu Man’er said, filled with righteous indignation.
“Oh? So you are a daughter of the Mu clan? Coming to me in such a rage, do you want to ‘duel’ me? Unfortunately, your cultivation level is probably not even high enough for that.” Situ Pei sneered at Mu Man’er, beckoned to two middle-aged men behind him, who were also cultivators in the Li Jiu Realm.
“It wouldn’t be impossible for my two juniors to spar with you. But I wonder what else your Mu Estate has that can serve as a stake for me to win?” As he spoke, Situ Pei’s gaze fell greedily upon the carriage-shaped celestial artifact behind Mu Man’er.
“A duel is acceptable, but you must first hand over the ‘Yuhua Sutra’ passed down through generations of my Mu family. Or at least hand it over to another esteemed and respected cultivator for safekeeping.”
“Wouldn’t that violate the rules of a cultivator’s ‘duel’?”
“When have your Situ family ever followed the rules?” Mu Man’er gritted her teeth.
A fierce light flared in Situ Pei’s eyes. He gave a profound smile and said sternly, “What a sharp-tongued little girl. I truly want to know who gave you the courage and capital to utter such arrogant words in front of me, Situ Pei!”
“Naturally, it is this Seat.”
Qin Gou, who had been restraining his aura inside the carriage, lightly pushed open the door and extended a foot.
However, even this slight leakage of aura was enough. The unparalleled might of a Dharma Image True Person crashed down upon the hearts of everyone in the Situ clan like a heavy hammer, causing them to even forget to breathe.
Qin Gou slowly stepped out of the carriage, his hair bound in a high crown, dressed in a green shirt. He appeared to be an utterly refined young talent, yet the aura of a Dharma Image master that naturally emanated from him was undeniable.
Situ Pei’s body trembled violently, his eyes filled with fear and reverence. “I did not expect such a distinguished guest. Please forgive my lack of proper reception.”
Qin Gou flicked his sleeve. “Let’s dispense with these empty pleasantries. You were asking just now where my disciple got her courage from? Let me tell you now. I am Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain!”
Instantly, Situ Pei’s aged eyes widened, his mouth agape as he stammered, unable to utter a single word.
Behind him, a young junior looked on with confusion and muttered to himself, “Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain? How have I never heard of this mighty figure’s name?”
“Idiot!” Situ Pei suddenly grabbed the junior and slapped him, causing him to spit blood and fly several meters back. He roared, “How dare you address him so casually!”
Then, Situ Pei respectfully bowed deeply to Qin Gou, like a mouse encountering a cat. His posture was so perfect that not a single flaw could be found.
“This old man greets you, Demon Master.”
