Chapter 133: Saint or Sinner?

Half an hour later, the old man opened his eyes.

Since Cheng Qingqing had spoken, the surrounding area had fallen into a dead silence. After all, it was a demonic cultivator who had used medicinal elixirs supplemented by true essence to save his dying companion; had they not witnessed it with their own eyes, which of these righteous cultivators would have believed it?

Yet, the old man had truly shown significant improvement. While it was too soon to say he had recovered to his normal self, judging by his spirit, he was certainly not going to die anytime soon. Under the gaze of the group’s complex expressions, He Feng went on to treat the other two wounded individuals as well.

Helian Yong watched this scene with a hint of surprise. He turned his head to consult Lu Yanchang, only to find that Lu Yanchang’s attention was not on this side at all. Jing Xiaoyun was pulling at him, whispering something, and Lu Yanchang was clearly distracted, his eyes drifting toward Hong Jian in the distance from time to time.

Hong Jian had not returned. She sat by the river, motionless for a long while, lost in thought or perhaps deep in meditation. Helian Yong had no choice but to turn back and continue observing He Feng.

Regardless, the atmosphere within the group had finally become a bit more harmonious. If not for Cheng Qingqing occasionally riling everyone up, many would likely have forgotten that there were still several demonic cultivators among them.

Once He Feng finished his work, the group realized they had stayed too long. Helian Yong urged everyone to board their magical artifacts, deciding they could discuss their next destination while on the road. In this land of righteous cultivation, if one were worried about the demonic cultivators struggling to hide, there were actually quite a few options for a group of a dozen or so rogue cultivators.

Along the way, someone suggested heading to Central Province.

Upon hearing "Central Province," Hong Jian felt a stir in her heart. Central Province was far from the major sects and was the place where the most rogue cultivators gathered on the continent. Years ago, when Chen Zaizhi parted ways with her, he had said he would go to Central Province to wait for her. Over twenty years had passed; she wondered how Junior Brother Chen’s cultivation was progressing and if he was still hiding in Central Province.

Most of these rogue cultivators had visited Central Province before being imprisoned in the Demon-Refining Prison, and some had even lived there for long periods. They were very familiar with the customs and environment there. Hearing they were returning to a familiar place—and knowing that once the three wounded were healed and everyone was delivered to their destination, He Feng would take Cheng Tian and Cheng Qingqing and leave—everyone felt a sense of relief. Although the Jing family were also demonic cultivators, they did not seem to pose such a great threat.

He Feng, however, seemed oblivious to everyone’s eagerness to be rid of him. He said to Helian Yong, "You are only going to Central Province because you are familiar with it, and because it is a gathering place for rogue cultivators where a dozen or so extra people won't be noticed. But look closely—everyone has spent at least a few decades in prison. You aren't as familiar with the place as you think. If I were Ji Youyun and I wanted to find you, the first place I would think of is Central Province. I suggest you reconsider and find another place."

Helian Yong pondered this without speaking, but an elderly Nascent Soul cultivator nearby interjected, "Central Province has another advantage: expert rogue cultivators who have not been recruited by the major sects often appear there. To fight against the Demon-Refining Prison and the Futu Sect, our strength alone is far from enough. It would be good to gain more helpers."

He Feng smiled and shook his head.

Helian Yong then asked him, "What is your brilliant suggestion, Mr. He?"

He Feng hit the nail on the head: "Forgive my bluntness, but with that goal, you will find it difficult to recruit any experts, and instead, you will easily place yourselves in danger. Rather than relying on others, you would be better off finding a place to settle down and improve your strength. You have wasted far too much time on your cultivation. From every perspective, Central Province is not the best choice right now. If you ask me, you would be better off heading west. The Red Gold Volcano, ten thousand miles to the west, is dry and hot, lacking water and trees. Although the conditions are harsh, it makes the 'Root-Seeking and Source-Tracing' technique impossible to cast. It is the perfect place to shake off Ji Youyun's pursuit."

He Feng had suddenly proposed a place none of them had ever been to. The righteous cultivators looked at one another in dismay. The Nascent Soul elder could not help but remind him, "The Red Gold Volcano is only a few hundred miles from the Futu Sect."

Helian Yong said, "That is not a problem. As long as everyone is careful, neither Dai Mingchi nor Ji Youyun would expect it." After saying this, Helian Yong felt a secret regret. Such a good idea, yet it came from a man whose background was unknown—could he be trusted?

He Feng laughed: "You don't need to worry too much about that. After a while, Ji Youyun and Dai Mingchi will inevitably develop a rift. By then, even if you invited him to the Red Gold Volcano, he might not dare to go. Even now, because Nascent Soul experts with fire-affinity roots occasionally cultivate there, Ji Youyun would not go without making full preparations."

Hong Jian, having heard He Feng’s suggestion, had already decided to let these righteous cultivators go and head straight for the Xianyun Sect once they were delivered. Hearing He Feng’s sudden remark, she was deeply shocked. Fire-affinity roots, fire-based spells—He Feng knew this weakness of Ji Youyun’s!

She knew that Ji Youyun would do his utmost to hide his fear of fire-based spells; it was impossible for the information to be common knowledge. She had learned this secret from Ji Youfeng and had only mentioned it in passing to Jing Xiaoyun, Helian Yong, and the others. She could not possibly have let He Feng overhear it. How, then, did he know?

Moreover, from the moment he appeared, he had acted as if he were more familiar with Ji Youyun than she was—familiar to the point that it seemed he had spent decades or even centuries by his side.

He Feng seemed to have eyes on the side of his head; sensing Hong Jian looking at him, he turned his face and offered her a smile. After spending so much time together, aside from such occasional attention, it was almost impossible to tell if he treated Hong Jian any differently than the others.

Helian Yong weighed the options and ordered the magical artifact to land in a secluded spot. Since it was a matter of life and death, he needed to consult with the others before deciding whether to follow He Feng's advice.

Lu Yanchang whispered to Hong Jian, "You went to such great lengths to save everyone, why aren't you sharing your opinion? Is that man surnamed He reliable?"

Hong Jian told Lu Yanchang what He Feng had said to her earlier, along with her own decision. Lu Yanchang was quite surprised. Although he had long known that they couldn't keep Hong Jian, he didn't expect her to leave so soon. He put aside his playful demeanor and said solemnly, "The Xianyun Sect? You alone would be far too unsafe. I will go with you."

Hong Jian hesitated for a moment. In every respect, Lu Yanchang was an excellent companion; with him there, she would undoubtedly save a lot of worry and effort. But... she looked toward the group of righteous cultivators and hesitated: "Don't you have other things to attend to?"

Seeing that Hong Jian’s stance had softened, Lu Yanchang beamed: "You know as well as I do that I have nothing to do. Traveling to the Xianyun Sect while enjoying the scenery—isn't that better than staying in that godforsaken, hot, and dry place like the Red Gold Volcano?"

Hong Jian smiled. She was very grateful for Lu Yanchang’s kindness; after such a deep friendship built along the journey, words of thanks would only seem distant. But why was Lu Yanchang so certain that the group would go to the Red Gold Volcano?

Hong Jian looked toward the righteous cultivators. Their opinions were not yet unified. He Feng sat to the side, looking relaxed. Hong Jian’s gaze lingered on his unremarkable face, which was nonetheless impossible to ignore, until Helian Yong came over to ask for their opinions, prompting her to look away.

Lu Yanchang laughed: "Aren't you usually quite decisive? I'm going to leave with Miss Fang, so don't bring this mess to us."

True enough, Helian Yong hesitated for a moment before saying, "If it weren't for the fact that I don't know his background, making me uneasy, I would be inclined to follow his suggestion and go to the Red Gold Volcano to take a look."

He rose and went over to He Feng, saying in a low voice, "Mr. He, please come with me. I have something to ask you."

He Feng stood up readily and followed Helian Yong a few paces away. Helian Yong raised his hand to cast a restriction. He seemed to be struggling with his words, but after a moment of silence, he asked abruptly, "Mr. He, can you tell me the truth? Are you a demonic cultivator or a righteous cultivator?"

He Feng raised an eyebrow, surprised: "Why ask that? You are a Nascent Soul expert; can you not sense my aura?"

Helian Yong rarely showed such confusion: "Logically, you are undoubtedly a demonic cultivator, but when you treated those three just now, I felt like you were a righteous cultivator. And your cultivation base—it has many strange aspects. Your name must be fake. Who exactly are you?"

He Feng laughed: "You really... you think too much."

He stopped smiling and said sternly, "I am a friend, not an enemy. Rest assured, Heaven has sent me to deal with Ji Youyun; I will not harm you in the slightest. If you truly cannot trust me, you can split into two groups. Those who want to go to Central Province may do so, but I hope, Helian, that you will go to the Red Gold Volcano."

This conversation yielded nothing for Helian Yong. What he found even stranger was He Feng’s tone—composed and easy-going, yet filled with a sense of familiarity, as if they had known each other for a long time. It was truly bizarre.

Even stranger things were yet to come. He Feng leaned closer and used telepathy: "You must go to the Red Gold Volcano. There is a cave dwelling of a Transformation-God cultivator sealed within the Flaming Gorge."

Helian Yong was shocked and asked, "Such important information, why tell me?" It was clear they were strangers; how could he accept such a great favor? But if he still suspected He Feng of having ill intentions, it didn't make sense—to harm a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like him, why go to such trouble?

He Feng nodded, his tone very serious: "With our current strength, we cannot enter the cave dwelling yet. Simply clearing and breaking the outermost magical array will take a great deal of effort. I can stay with you for at most five or six more days. Before I leave, I will tell you everything I know about how to break it. Helian, the things inside this cave dwelling are vital. With them, we will have hope of defeating Ji Youyun. I am counting on you."

"Since it is so important, why not have them come along?" Helian Yong gestured toward Lu Yanchang and Hong Jian, who were talking not far away.

He Feng’s tone became somewhat melancholy: "Such a difficult and dangerous task—as long as we men can do it, we shouldn't drag her into it. Let her have a few easy years."