Volume 2, Chapter 120 – Should We Just Kill Them All?

Upon hearing Cheng Hongling’s declaration, He Yong’s tears turned to grateful smiles as he stared at her with hopeful eyes.

“Solve it all at once? Hongling, to be frank, we only have five Ghost Tomatoes right now. If we act immediately, you might have to lure the Blue-Scaled King Snake within ten zhang.”

Qin Quan’s tone was grave.

“Ten zhang? That’s far too dangerous. The Blue-Scaled King Snake is renowned for its speed!”

“Maybe we should reconsider. Hongling is far more important to the Honghua Sect than some Blue Scale Stones.”

“If we must, let’s wait a few more days. The villagers have endured half a year already—what’s a little longer?”

The elders debated fervently, but no consensus was reached.

“Honored cultivators… please… we can’t wait any longer! If we delay, the villagers will all be dead!”

He Yong panicked, kowtowing desperately again.

“Thank you for your concern, but my decision is final. No further discussion is needed.”

Cheng Hongling’s refusal was polite but firm.

“Forgive my bluntness, but you’re the doppelgänger, correct? Can you truly make this decision?”

Qin Quan hesitated before asking—after all, he had witnessed this genius disciple’s “split personality” before.

“The doppelgänger is me, and the main body is also me. There’s no need to draw such distinctions.”

Cheng Hongling took a deep breath, then shot Qi Huang a sharp glare. If it weren’t for this damned doppelgänger acting out, people wouldn’t think she’s insane.

“Yes. Her words are mine as well.”

Qi Huang shivered and quickly affirmed.

‘Doppelgänger? Main body?’

He Yong was utterly lost, his gaze flickering between the two women in confusion.

“If that’s the case, I’ll say no more.”

Qin Quan relented. As sect leader, he couldn’t openly oppose a genius disciple two realms above him—especially when she wasn’t in the wrong.

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“If we’re acting, we need a foolproof plan. Hongling is too vital to our sect—we can’t afford even the slightest mishap.”

Xu Mei voiced her concern.

“Naturally. I’ve already considered this. Although the Heyi Sect is stronger, they can’t possibly station all their experts in Panshan Village. A surprise attack gives us a real chance.”

Qin Quan laid out his thoughts.

“Exactly. Speed is crucial. If we drag it out, Heyi Sect reinforcements will spell disaster.”

Elder Ruan nodded in agreement.

“Speed? Easier said than done! We don’t even know how many disciples they’ve stationed there!”

Another elder, surnamed Tao, voiced skepticism.

“Simple. We’ll ask He Yong.”

Qin Quan turned to the boy.

“They have around a hundred disciples… and one Guardian and two elders.”

He Yong recalled carefully.

“What?! A Guardian and two elders? Heyi Sect’s Guardians and elders are all at the Unity Realm! Whether we can even defeat them is uncertain, let alone quickly!”

Elder Tao paled.

“What’s there to fear? Leave those three to me.”

Cheng Hongling’s declaration instantly lifted morale.

“Don’t worry. I’ll assist you when the time comes.”

Qin Quan smiled approvingly.

“Aside from the three Unity Realm experts, they also have a hundred disciples. To win, we’ll likely need our entire sect—and we must catch them off-guard to minimize casualties.”

Elder Ruan sighed.

“For true surprise, we need familiarity with the terrain. That was a problem before, but now—He Yong can guide us.”

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Qin Quan’s gaze settled on the boy.

“Hah! He’s called ‘He Yong ¹ 何用, What Use ’, but now he’s proving very useful!”

Elder Ruan joked.

“The broad plan is set. Now, we need specifics. Initially, our goal was just the Blue Scale Stones, but now we must also rescue the villagers.”

Qin Quan sought further input.

“No need to overthink it. Rescue the villagers first, then take the stones.”

Cheng Hongling stated plainly.

Qi Huang nodded inwardly—this was her view as well. Lives came first.

“Agreed. Save the villagers, eliminate any Heyi Sect obstacles, then focus on the Blue-Scaled King Snake.”

Xu Mei, as Cheng Hongling’s master, supported the idea.

“Rescuing the villagers is straightforward. The real issue is locating the Blue Scale Stones. We don’t even know where they are—we can’t waste time searching once we arrive, or Heyi reinforcements will ruin everything.”

Elder Ruan frowned.

“No need to worry. According to Ma Wen’s intel, finding the Blue-Scaled King Snake means finding the stones.”

Qin Quan reassured.

“Why?”

Elder Ruan was puzzled.

“It’s about how the stones form. Blue Scale Stones are a mix of the snake’s secretions and mudrock, compacted over years by its scales. The more it frequents an area, the higher the chance of stone formation—so they’re usually found in its lair.”

Qin Quan explained.

“Ah, I see!”

The elders’ expressions cleared.

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“Hongling, you’ll lure the snake out. Once we locate the lair, we’ll retrieve the stones swiftly.”

Qin Quan finalized the arrangements.

“Understood.”

Cheng Hongling agreed—then remembered she was playing the doppelgänger now. She mentally chided Qi Huang: “Stop standing there dumbly! You’re the main body!”

“No problem! I’ll use the Ghost Tomatoes to lure the snake alone while you all secure the stones.”

Qi Huang hurriedly played her part.

With plans set, Qin Quan decided they would depart at dawn two days later, urging all present to maintain secrecy.

Back in their quarters, Cheng Hongling remained uneasy and summoned Qi Huang privately.

“Are you sure you can handle luring the Blue-Scaled Snake alone? Should I come with you?”

She offered sincerely.

“I’m baiting it, not fighting to the death. What use is an extra person?”

Qi Huang countered.

“Fine. Once we enter the lair, if you’re overwhelmed, contact me immediately. I’ll recall you at once. The stones aren’t worth dying for.”

Cheng Hongling insisted.

“Got it. You protect those senior sisters too! With the whole sect mobilizing, they’ll likely join.”

Qi Huang fretted over the delicate female disciples.

“You’re quite concerned for them.”

Cheng Hongling smirked.

“Well, they’re martial sisters! Of course I care! Don’t you?”

Qi Huang defended weakly.

“As martial sisters, yes. But whether you see them only as martial sisters… who knows?”

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Cheng Hongling scoffed.

Qi Huang flushed, realizing she’d been too obvious. ‘I really need to tone it down…’

Located in Huangtian County’s easternmost reaches, separated from the next province by a single mountain range, Panshan Village was once a bustling hub due to its rich iron deposits. But after being plagued by vengeful spirits, it became a desolate wilderness.

Now, the village was besieged by Heyi Sect disciples. Of the original fifty-odd villagers, only twenty-odd frail survivors remained, having consumed everything edible—even resorting to cannibalism.

After a period of terrified submission, they had recently realized the grim truth: If they don’t escape, they’ll die anyway. Their latest mass breakout attempt had failed spectacularly, and the leaders’ corpses now swung from the village’s ancient tree as a warning.

Outside, Heyi Sect disciples feasted around bonfires, indifferent to the suffering within. The contrast was stark—two worlds separated by mere meters.

“Senior Brother Zhang, how much longer must we stay here?”

A fair-faced disciple grumbled.

“Who knows? Rumor says those Ghost Tomatoes we planted were stolen by the Honghua Sect. No bait means no snake luring.”

A tall, thin elder disciple—presumably “Senior Brother Zhang”—shrugged.

“So what? Wait until the sect gathers more Ghost Tomatoes? That could take ages!”

“This damned place is crawling with venomous snakes—one misstep and you’re meeting King Yama ² Chinese King of Hell !”

“Not just snakes—wandering ghosts too! It’s uninhabitable!”

The younger disciples vented their frustrations.

“Enough whining! You think I have answers? The sect’s orders are clear—no villagers leave until further notice.”

Senior Brother Zhang snapped.

“Then why not just kill them all? They’re as good as dead anyway.”

The fair-faced disciple suggested coldly.