Chapter 216: Chapter 216: This Is What It Means to Be Life-and-Death Brothers, Loyal and True - Dragon Snake Mountain
Chapter 216: This Is What It Means to Be Life-and-Death Brothers, Loyal and True - Dragon Snake Mountain
After leaving the Qi Yun Mountain Range, Shen Mo did not stop to rest and made his way straight back to Dragon Snake Mountain.
However, before he could arrive, he was intercepted by two individuals near Jade Sea City—Lu Dongxuan and He Tianchou.
To be precise, it was Lu Dongxuan dragging He Tianchou along to block his path.
He Tianchou looked extremely awkward, wanting to escape but finding no opportunity.
He could only clasp his hands and bow toward Shen Mo. "Greetings, Elder Shen."
Shen Mo nodded, then glanced at the drunken Lu Dongxuan and chuckled. "Senior Brother Lu, it's been a year. Why are you just returning now?"
Lu Dongxuan, fuming with anger, began ranting, "I wasted an entire year looking for that stupid dragon egg, and I didn't find a damn thing. It's infuriating!"
"And as soon as I get back, I hear that bastard Yang Qiye sent you off to Dragon Snake Mountain?"
"Damn it, it's enough to make me explode with rage!"
He jabbed a finger at He Tianchou's nose. "Tell me, doesn't that make you angry?"
He Tianchou glanced at Lu's fist, as large as a soup pot, swallowed hard, and nodded hastily. "Angry, extremely angry!"
"The Second Elder's actions are truly despicable!"
Lu Dongxuan nodded in satisfaction and smoothed out the wrinkles in He Tianchou's robe. "Hall Master He, I've always regarded you as a life-and-death brother. We should share our burdens together!"
He Tianchou's face was full of confusion.
Since when did you consider me a life-and-death brother?
"This time, there's no way Junior Brother Shen can meet the sect's demands. By the rules, he'll be docked four D-rank contributions."
"You know me; I never leave any contributions on me. So, it's up to you to lend a hand."
Lu Dongxuan slung an arm around He Tianchou's shoulders, leaned in close, his breath reeking of alcohol, and chuckled slyly.
He Tianchou froze.
Oh. You want my contributions, don't you?
No wonder you're treating me like a life-and-death brother.
Forcing a smile, He Tianchou said, "Elder Lu, you know me. I don't have many contributions left; I spent most of them redeeming Infant Transformation Pills…"
Before he could finish, the Jade Cauldron Orb hanging at his waist was snatched by Lu Dongxuan in one swift motion.
Lu immediately tossed it to Shen Mo.
"Junior Brother, Hall Master He is truly a good friend. Outwardly, he might seem embarrassed to help, but he left the Jade Cauldron Orb right where I could easily grab it."
"And what does that mean?"
"This is what it means to be life-and-death brothers, loyal and true!"
"Come on, let's head to Dragon Snake Mountain!"
Lu Dongxuan threw an arm around Shen Mo's shoulders.
In the blink of an eye, the two of them disappeared into the horizon, leaving He Tianchou standing there, frozen in place.
Where's my Jade Cauldron Orb?
My precious Jade Cauldron Orb, where is it?
"Come back! Damn it, come back here!"
"That orb contains nine entire C-rank contributions!"
"That's something I spent ten years saving up!"
He Tianchou, enraged, gave chase.
As they flew, Shen Mo chuckled. "Senior Brother, isn't this a bit underhanded?"
Lu Dongxuan sneered. "He Tianchou is under the Third Elder. The Third Elder claims to be neutral, but in reality, he's just a fence-sitter."
"I'm dragging him into this on purpose, forcing him to take a side!"
As he spoke, Lu Dongxuan's sharp gaze belied his drunken appearance.
Shen Mo couldn't help but laugh.
This rough-and-tumble senior brother of his was truly a cunning strategist beneath his rugged facade.
"But speaking of which, that bastard Yang Qiye sending you to Dragon Snake Mountain, and none of the other elders saying a word about it, really…"
Lu Dongxuan sighed.
Shen Mo's expression shifted slightly. "So, how many factions are there among the ten elders?"
Lu Dongxuan thought for a moment before replying, "The Grand Elder is aligned with the Sect Master and doesn't belong to any faction."
"The Second Elder leads a faction, pulling in the Fourth, Seventh, and Ninth Elders, advocating for abandoning some industries to focus on artifact refinement."
"The Third and Sixth Elders are fence-sitters."
"The Fifth and Eighth Elders have a good relationship with our master, but when it comes to sect matters, they always prioritize the sect's interests."
"As for our master, the Tenth Elder, well… he's always insisted on not abandoning any industries, but he's probably still drinking and carousing with some scantily clad women right now."
It was true—despite spending an entire year in the Jade Cauldron Sect, he had never once seen what the Tenth Elder looked like.
"Dragon Snake Mountain is a strange place," Lu Dongxuan said gravely. "Over the past three centuries, seven different elders have taken charge there, and not a single one of them managed to meet the sect's yearly requirements, even once. Including this year, it's been exactly 300 years."
"This year is a lost cause, but after the sect's assessment ends, you, I, and Senior Sister will go together to argue your case with the master. Once the Fifth Elder presides over the Elders' Council, we'll have you transferred out of Dragon Snake Mountain."
Lu Dongxuan's tone was firm.
Shen Mo felt warmth in his heart.
Even though he hadn't known this senior brother for long, Lu's every thought and action was on his behalf.
In this cold and ruthless world of cultivation, it was rare to meet someone with such brotherly warmth.
"Senior Brother, Dragon Snake Mountain is actually a good place," Shen Mo said with a smile. "And this year's assessment—I've already completed it."
Lu Dongxuan froze, then looked astonished. "You must be joking."
"That cursed place's demonic beasts have suffered bloodline dilution for centuries. It's not a problem that started yesterday; it's been three hundred years!"
"Seven elders, some of whom were experts in beast taming, couldn't meet even a single year's requirements."
"And you…"
"I know you're a skilled fighter, but beast taming has nothing to do with fighting!"
Lu Dongxuan stared at Shen Mo in disbelief.
Shen Mo only chuckled. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I wouldn't say it if I didn't have full confidence."
"Just watch and see."
Lu Dongxuan nodded solemnly. "Alright! I can tell you're not lying."
"Let's go, let's go! Now I'm even more curious—could Dragon Snake Mountain finally be turning around?"
…
Dragon Snake Mountain
As Shen Mo and Lu Dongxuan landed, a streak of light appeared in the distant sky.
Moments later, two figures descended.
The leader, dressed in a crimson robe, had a cold and emotionless expression. The other trailed behind, his eyes cast down but glinting with hidden resentment.
It was none other than Ye Yan and Xu Ziqiang.
Ye Yan glanced at Lu Dongxuan before addressing Shen Mo coldly. "Ye Yan and Xu Ziqiang, under the Second Elder's command, have come to Dragon Snake Mountain to collect this year's output in accordance with sect regulations."
"Elder Shen, please hand everything over."
Lu Dongxuan frowned slightly. "By regulation, only one steward is needed to collect the output. Why have you come as well?"
He knew Ye Yan's reputation well.
This man had made a name for himself at a young age, known for his ruthless methods and overbearing attitude.
Yang Qiye must have sent Ye Yan alongside Xu Ziqiang to oversee the collection.
This wasn't the first time such a measure had been taken across the sect's industries.
When stationed elders realized they couldn't meet the sect's demands, they would either bribe the stewards or purchase treasures from elsewhere to meet the requirements.
With Ye Yan accompanying Xu Ziqiang, bribery was out of the question.
Moreover, Ye Yan's discerning eye would easily identify whether the goods truly came from Dragon Snake Mountain.
Ye Yan's tone remained calm. "Elder Lu, why I'm here is none of your concern."
Lu Dongxuan immediately rolled up his sleeves. "There aren't many people in this sect who dare talk to me like that. You've got guts!"
Ye Yan's expression didn't change. "Well, now there's one more."
Shen Mo grabbed Lu Dongxuan by the arm, smiling faintly. "Dragon Snake Mountain's output for this year is ready. Follow me."
With that, he strode confidently toward the buildings of Dragon Snake Mountain.
Lu Dongxuan said nothing further and quickly followed.
Ye Yan and Xu Ziqiang, seeing his calm and confident demeanor, couldn't help but feel a stir of curiosity and immediately followed as well.
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