Whispers of a Lonely City Beyond the Heavens – Chapter 26

Ch 26: Adapting to the Moment

“Senior…” Long Yang whispered softly into Zhang Tianxun’s ear.

“You have to call his name to wake him up.” Sun Jiacheng gently said, “Zhang Tianxun,” and Zhang Tianxun opened his eyes. Seeing Sun Jiacheng, he frowned and asked, “Seventh Brother, why are you here? You’ve inherited such a vast family estate. You shouldn’t concern yourself with my affairs anymore.”

“What kind of talk is that, Big Brother?” Sun Jiacheng grew anxious. “Big Brother, the sedan chair is right outside. Let’s leave this place first and talk later.”

“Let’s wait until it gets dark,” Zhang Tianxun said, glancing at the sky outside. The courtyard was dimly lit, and night was fast approaching.

Zhang Tianxun entered the third layer of the Xuanwu Divine Skill again, remaining there until the sky was completely dark. Only then did Long Yang wake him.

Sun Jiacheng said, “Big Brother, for now, come to my place first. I’ll send someone else to pick up Wei Wei later.”

“No,” Zhang Tianxun replied. “Take me back home.”

Sun Jiacheng didn’t dare argue and relented, “Alright, Big Brother, we’ll go to your place first.”

The three of them stepped outside, and Long Yang locked the door.

“Has anyone come asking around here?” Sun Jiacheng asked the two sedan bearers.

“No, we’ve been here the whole time and haven’t seen a single person.”

Sun Jiacheng nodded and helped Zhang Tianxun into the sedan chair.

He intended to take a detour from the south, but Long Yang had a different idea. “Master Sun, why don’t we pass by the front gate of the Long Family Mansion? At this hour, they’re busy with their own affairs and won’t have time to bother with us. Besides, passing by openly might be better than sneaking away.”

Sun Jiacheng was momentarily taken aback. From inside the sedan, Zhang Tianxun chimed in, “Seventh Brother, he’s right. Let’s go past the mansion’s main gate.”

“I’ll follow Big Brother’s lead,” Sun Jiacheng said, staying by the sedan as the group headed north.

As they passed the main gate of the Long Family Mansion, Long Yang glanced over and noticed that the plaque had been changed. It now bore the title of the Imperial Restricted Mountain Commissioner’s Office, though the lanterns hanging there were marked with a large “Tian” character.

The gate was already closed, and the entrance was quiet. On either side of the door stood a guard with a sword at his waist, neither of whom spared a glance at the sedan.

It seemed there was no immediate danger. Long Yang deduced that Tian Weihu likely didn’t know about Zhang Tianxun’s injury. Still, they needed to remain cautious. He had some preparations to make.

After passing the Long Family Mansion’s gate, Sun Jiacheng urged Zhang Tianxun, “Big Brother, enter the third layer of the Xuanwu Realm for now. I’ll wake you when we get home.”

Zhang Tianxun gave a bitter smile. “Fine,” he said, falling silent. He had likely already entered the third layer of the Xuanwu Divine Skill.

Long Yang surveyed their surroundings. “Master Sun, can you find two more reliable people? We need to take some precautions.”

Sun Jiacheng, aware that Long Yang might be the War God’s successor, didn’t dare slack off. “Little Brother, these two sedan bearers are my trusted men. I also have a few other dependable people. Whatever you need, just say it.”

“Master Sun, we need someone to keep watch here to see if they send anyone out. The alley entrance should be monitored too. If they dispatch people, we need to know right away.”

“That makes sense. Tang Jie, go back to this kid’s house and keep watch. If anyone comes snooping around, report to me at my place immediately.”

Tang Jie agreed, and he and the other sedan bearer set the chair down. He asked Long Yang for the key.

Long Yang chuckled. “I won’t give you the key. If someone spots you and you can’t escape, just say you’re a thief. It’ll be safer that way.”

“Let’s do it that way,” Sun Jiacheng said, waving his hand. He then ordered the other man, “Chu Jun, head back now and bring a few people over. Watch the alley entrances on both sides and the back gate of the mansion. If they send anyone out, report back immediately. Stay sharp—don’t let them realize you’re keeping an eye on things.”

Chu Jun agreed and left at once. Judging by their swift departures, it was clear both men had martial skills.

“Let’s move quickly now,” Sun Jiacheng said. Long Yang took the front, Sun Jiacheng the back, and the two lifted the sedan. With their strong footing, they carried it swiftly and steadily, soon arriving at Zhang Tianxun’s home.

Wei Wei opened the door and saw Long Yang first. She exclaimed with joy, “Big Brother! Grandfather said the Tian Family came, and he was worried it’d be dangerous for you to stay here. He wanted to take you with us. I’ve already packed everything and was waiting for you. Oh, Grandfather Sun, why are you here too—and carrying a sedan?”

“Wei Wei, you’re such a good girl,” Long Yang said, his heart aching as he forced a faint smile. He woke Zhang Tianxun and helped him out of the sedan. Together, they entered the house.

Zhang Tianxun sat on the bed. Only then did Wei Wei notice something was off with her grandfather’s expression and demeanor. She gasped in shock.

“Grandfather, what’s wrong with you?” Wei Wei hugged him, sobbing softly.

“Wei Wei, be good. Grandfather might be…” Zhang Tianxun stroked her hair, sighed, and didn’t finish his sentence.

Sun Jiacheng quickly interjected, “Big Brother, even if it’s just for Wei Wei, you have to keep living. For now, come to my place, and we’ll plan further from there.”

“No need to go to your place,” Zhang Tianxun said with a smile. “I heard everything on the way. Long Yang’s arrangements are solid. This place is still safe for now.”

Sun Jiacheng let out an “Ah.” “Big Brother, you didn’t enter the third layer of the Xuanwu Realm?”

“No. Sigh, I was too worried. I only entered the first layer.”

“Big Brother, you can’t let your injuries worsen,” Sun Jiacheng said, his brow furrowing slightly. “Please enter the third layer right away. Long Yang’s got a sharp mind. I’ll discuss with him what to do next. Once we’ve got a plan, we’ll wake you.”

“Alright. Seventh Brother, wake me in an hour, whether you’ve got a plan or not,” Zhang Tianxun said. He sat silently, beginning to circulate the Xuanwu Divine Skill.

Wei Wei stood under the candlelight, watching her grandfather, tears streaming down her face.

Worried she’d be overwhelmed by grief, Long Yang tried to find something for her to do. “Wei Wei, it’s still early. Go open the shop and pretend to sell wine while keeping an eye on things outside. Okay?”

“Okay,” Wei Wei nodded, wiping her tears as she left.

“Young friend Long Yang, why pretend to open the shop?” Sun Jiacheng asked, turning to him.

“Master Sun, though I don’t understand the Critical Strike Technique, I can roughly guess it’s a move that sacrifices the user’s own condition to deliver a full-force blow. Tian Weihu must be an expert. Even if he’s not certain Senior Zhang used it, he might send someone to check. Keeping the shop open will keep them guessing.”

Sun Jiacheng sighed. “No wonder Big Brother always praises you. You’re clever, alert, and cautious—rare for someone so young. But you don’t know much about cultivators’ martial arts. I doubt Tian Weihu suspects Big Brother used the Critical Strike Technique.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he added, “The real worry is if Big Brother showed signs of exhaustion or pain after using it, and Tian Weihu noticed.”

Long Yang reassured him, “Master Sun, don’t worry. I’m certain he didn’t. Senior Zhang stepped on Tian Weihu’s sword with such vigor—no trace of fatigue showed.”

Sun Jiacheng sighed again. “He was forcing himself to keep his true energy flowing back then. It’ll only worsen his injuries.”

“When Senior Zhang fought Tian Weihu, the match was decided in an instant. It seemed effortless, not some earth-shattering strike. Why are you so sure he used the Critical Strike Technique, Master Sun?”

Unable to hold back the question that had been gnawing at him, Long Yang finally spoke up.