My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 638 - 424: The Great Fire at Yuanfeng Building
A group of Jianghu figures rushed toward Yingxiang Garden, leaving Yuanfeng Building, this centuries-old opera house, nearly vacant, with only a handful of people remaining.
In the shadows, an elder emerged and stood by the foot of a wall. Another person perched on the eaves of a gabled roof. Though standing high, their head was bowed low, their face radiating utmost respect.
The woman wore the waist badge of Xique Pavilion, recovered earlier from the deceased spy of Xique Pavilion.
"How is it?" the elder asked.
"The Jianghu people have been lured to Yingxiang Garden." The woman replied with her head lowered, "Master, as you predicted, Huang Jing and Xique Pavilion distrust each other completely."
The elder touched the wall, greasy to the feel, as though confirming something, and replied, "Jianghu… is born to oppose the government. No hatred is stronger than that for the government. Tell me, which big hero doesn't have a few corrupt officials in their home county whose heads deserve to roll?"
The woman nodded slightly and said, "I thought these Dongyu people would unite against external threats."
The elder sneered, "Even in our great Jin, there are constant internal disputes. Can Dongyu be any better?"
As he spoke, his eyes revealed a mix of emotions as he turned back to look at the massive Yuanfeng Building. His gaze was nearby, unable to cross the towering walls, yet his thoughts wandered far, spanning the colors of mountains and rivers.
The elder pressed his temples and said, "With this intelligence, bringing it back… will be sufficient to quell internal strife and unite against external threats. Before I left, the Prime Minister gave countless reminders—I dare not forget."
The woman remained silent.
The court struggles of Jin Country had worsened. The Wanyan family and Chen family were at each other's throats, like fire and water. Even though the current Emperor was a diligent and capable ruler, his efforts were barely maintaining balance. Under such circumstances, even the Inspection Bureau was gravely affected, causing division within.
Duomian Ghost had once pleaded for retirement due to the court struggles a year ago but was brought back into action through the Prime Minister Wanyan Zonglu's nomination and promotion. It was precisely due to his presence that they had managed to evade countless hunts since traveling down from Xiaoguan, maneuvering for months in Shantong City alongside Xique Pavilion, Huang Jing, Tang Ze, and others.
The elder glanced toward Yingxiang Garden. Among the forces chasing their group, Xique Pavilion's foundation in Shantong City was the shallowest, making their movements the most exposed. Now, it seemed Huang Jing had already surrounded Yingxiang Garden.
"That housekeeper… deal with him first, then intentionally let him escape," the elder said.
The woman hesitated slightly and asked, "What about his young son in our custody?"
"Kill him. Don't leave any loose ends."
"Understood."
The elder continued to give orders, "Set a fire, make it big. Eliminate our people whenever spotted."
The woman's expression stiffened slightly. After some hesitation, she asked, "If that's the case, Master, you might need to act as bait and be in grave peril…"
"I'm not afraid of death. One must live for something. The Prime Minister called me out of retirement; I must live for him," 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
The elder rubbed the calluses on his palms, his aged face breaking into a faint smile, and said:
"To repay him for the favor from the golden steps, to lift the jade dragon and die for his cause."
Not long after.
Flames licked up the massive and majestic opera house. The red lacquer that had been recently repaired slowly peeled away, revealing its centuries-old facade. The high-hanging plaque warped in the fire. Panicked screams erupted, and people shouted for water, but they were scattered like loose sand. The ferocious blaze quickly engulfed the entire building. Black smoke stretched heavenward where Lonely Smoke Sword watched from afar, holding a baby and howling like a grieving wolf.
The infant in his arms began to cry.
He quickly silenced himself and whimpered, lowering his head to kiss away the tears.
...…
Amidst an atmosphere of deadly killing intent, a gentle breeze swayed the knife handles. The Jianghu crowd, seething with righteous indignation and fury, suddenly heard a single sentence, and the entire street froze.
Only faintly rolling dust remained.
Huang Jing's face shifted subtly, his emotions momentarily slipping but quickly regained composure, staring sharply at Wei Wuque and shouting:
"Wei Zuo Zhu, what tricks are you up to this time?!"
Wei Wuque pressed his hand against the railing and repeated:
"I haven't yet sent anyone to encircle Miaoshang Temple."
Almost the exact same words fell again, and the Jianghu crowd on the streets belatedly exchanged bewildered glances, confusion seeping into their hearts as all eyes turned to the masters of exceptional martial arts, who in turn looked at Huang Jing.
Huang Jing's gaze was also skeptical, as though uncertain what Wei Wuque's hidden agenda was.
The simmering killing intent from moments ago had yet to dissipate when Liuyangzhai Gong, relying on his Jianghu experience, sneered coldly:
"What a cunning Wei Zuo Zhu! You actually plan to deceive us! Do you think those of us who walk the Jianghu are mere fools?"
His words rang loudly, and the atmosphere outside Yingxiang Garden grew icy once more.
Huang Jing snapped back to reality and sneered as well, throwing a sidelong glance at Liuyangzhai Gong.
Liuyangzhai Gong stomped forward, each step kicking up dust, his blade partially drawn and ready to climb the tall building to confront Wei Wuque.
He meant to question the sword, to demand the truth of right and wrong!
Liuyangzhai Gong understood, imbued his voice with energy, and roared:
"You despicable government officers, shameless and unrighteous, attempting to deceive us Jianghu heroes! The government has its laws, but we in the Jianghu have our rules. Today, Master Huang will question Wei Wuque's sword and demand fairness and justice. Do you dare accept…?"
Before he could finish, urgent and chaotic cries interrupted from the alleys:
"Fire! Yuanfeng Building is on fire!"
Huang Jing suddenly paused, his pupils shrinking.
...…
"Fire! Fire!"
"Go to the water station and call for help—quickly save the fire, don't let it spread to other places!"
"The water station is running dry! There's not enough water!"
Yuanfeng Building burned furiously, its gabled roof giving off an imposing aura that compelled gazes upward. Water continuously poured onto the surrounding alleys like thin walls, but the flames still spread. The twisted, chaotic air churned, throwing Shantong City into upheaval.
Shadows darted through the black smoke, piercing screams resounding over people's heads. By the time Huang Jing led his group of masters back, the scene was utter devastation. No one had anticipated that those Western Jin spies would take such desperate measures.
"Jiangxin, Jiangxin Zhenren is dead! Jiangxin Zhenren is dead!"
A pillar engulfed in flames collapsed, as a smoking servant ran out, screaming with heart-wrenching desperation:
"So many people—so many didn't make it out! My wife too… someone save my wife!"
The scene was a complete mess. Burning wood splinters flew through the air, beams exploded with sharp cracks, followed by thunderous collapses. The thirty-foot-wide coffered ceiling came crashing down, leaving the ground deeply indented. The towering stage catastrophically crumbled as raging flames lit up Huang Jing's face.
Screams continued within the burning building.
In this blazing crisis, the Jianghu masters, renowned for soaring through the air, seemed especially bewildered and at a loss. Despite the fire roaring in their eyes, they exchanged looks of hesitation. Any swords, fists, or Qinggong could have been used to charge into the flames and save people—they all seemed to have forgotten these skills for the moment or had simply never done so before. Then, like Huang Jing, they stood frozen, with only a few reacting and moving to fetch water.
In this instance, the usual air of deadly bloodshed was useless. The chaotic street scene remained in pandemonium as ordinary citizens flooded in from all directions, surrounding Yuanfeng Building like tides. Water poured out endlessly until someone fell to their knees and begged, finally spurring a few masters into action.
Thunder Bear was the first to move. He roared and charged into the inferno, breaking down the collapsed door with his one remaining arm.
Only then did a scattered few martial artists follow to fight fire and rescue the trapped…
