Chapter 109 – Chen Fugui: Money Makes the Devil Push the Millstone—I'll Give the King of Hell…

“Old Chen, Old Chen!!!”

Li Youquan watched as the white cloth was draped over Chen Fugui’s body and immediately threw himself over him, weeping inconsolably.

In truth, it wasn’t just him; many teachers from No. 1 High also wore expressions of sorrow.

After all, during his time at No. 1 High, Chen Fugui had been known for his generosity and willingness to spend freely.

He had little concept of money, and every holiday, he would treat everyone to a lavish meal.

Moreover, Chen Fugui was unpretentious and approachable.

As a result, from Principal Meng Chuanping at the top to the security guards at the gate, almost everyone at No. 1 High had a good relationship with him.

Seeing such a familiar face die before their eyes left everyone deeply affected.

Among them, Lu Chen, whom Chen Fugui had saved at the cost of his own life, felt it the most.

Although it was Lu Chen who ultimately struck down Hao Fu, without Chen Fugui buying those three seconds by holding Hao Fu off, Lu Chen’s Heretical Sword would have struggled to break through Hao Fu’s Protective Qi, let alone deal significant damage.

Not to mention the subsequent barrage of attacks that left Hao Fu with no chance to retaliate.

In a way, Chen Fugui deserved at least half the credit for Lu Chen’s victory, as it was a result bought with his life.

Chen Fugui had also lived up to the promise he made to his students before they set out: if danger arose, the first to die would not be his students, but him, their teacher.

“Little Lu…”

Mu Xiaoye watched Lu Chen’s silent demeanor and understood that he was struggling emotionally.

Though she wanted to comfort him, she didn’t know what to say.

After all, she wasn’t Chen Fugui’s student, but because she often visited Lu Chen’s class, she had also developed a close bond with him.

The feeling of watching someone familiar vanish before your eyes was not something easily brushed aside.

Aside from Chen Fugui’s “body,” many other corpses lay scattered across the field.

For instance, there was Teacher Luo Yang, who had been stationed at the Qilin Statue to guard the formation’s focal point.

Although Luo Yang usually appeared stern and unyielding, the students knew he was warm-hearted beneath his cold exterior.

As long as the students didn’t cross the line, he tended to turn a blind eye.

In this “Black Lotus Sect assault,” four out of the thirteen teachers from No. 1 High, including Chen Fugui and Luo Yang, had fallen.

Among the visiting teachers from Second High and Third High, aside from the hidden Missionaries of the Black Lotus Sect, three more had perished in the attack.

Of the seven teachers from various schools who had fallen, five were killed by Black Lotus Cultists who had been hiding among them.

The remaining two included one who died holding off the Black Lotus Cultists to cover the students’ retreat, and another who was struck down by Hao Fu with a single palm when he tried to capture Bian Shouyi.

Although No. 1 High had suffered heavy losses, the Black Lotus Sect had also paid a steep price.

Of the twelve Missionaries, excluding the undercover agent Shen Feiyang, the remaining eleven had all been killed, with no survivors.

As for the Vice-Altar Lords and Altar Lords above the Missionaries, they too had been completely eradicated.Vice-Altar Lord Hao Fu died at the hands of Lu Chen.

Serpent, the Altar Lord of the Black Lotus Sect’s Luocheng branch, was killed by Li Nanshan.

Under normal circumstances, although Serpent’s strength was slightly inferior to City Lord Li Nanshan’s, it wouldn’t have been easy for Li Nanshan to keep him there if he hadn’t fought to the death.

But things went wrong due to the appearance of Crippled Sword Daoist Nangong Canjian.

As a veteran Sword Cultivator of the Supreme Purity Dao Palace, Nangong Canjian’s strength was already top-tier among the Golden Core Stage. Even in a one-on-one situation, Serpent could only think of ways to escape from him, let alone when Nangong Canjian and Li Nanshan joined forces.

Thus, when Nangong Canjian and Jiang Dongliu arrived in Luocheng, they took little time to eliminate Serpent. They then hurried directly to Luocheng High School.

So, upon careful calculation, the only person from the Black Lotus Sect who managed to escape was Protector Thousand Poisons Daoist.

As for Rat, who was called in as external support, although he wasn’t dead, he wasn’t far from it. He now faced a veteran Sword Cultivator’s relentless pursuit across thousands of miles.

Escape? If he could escape, Crippled Sword Daoist wouldn’t have struck such fear into so many Black Lotus Cultists.

Looking at the overall situation, after this battle, the Black Lotus Sect’s painstakingly managed branch in Luocheng was left with only a few insignificant figures. The only person who could still be considered noteworthy was Shen Feiyang, the former Missionary of the Luocheng branch.

Among the crowd, Shen Feiyang watched as everyone grieved the loss of their friends and loved ones, his own feelings equally complicated.

However, his complexity didn’t stem from having friends die in this battle. As a loner, he had few friends not only at No. 1 High but even back at his original Third High.

The real reason for his complicated mood actually came from his left hand.

Yes, his arm, which had been severed by Black Lotus Sect’s 4th Missionary Chen Zhengjie, had inexplicably regrown. Shen Feiyang speculated that this might be related to the mysterious female ghost residing within him.

Originally, he had been on the verge of being surrounded and killed by Chen Zhengjie and the surrounding Black Lotus Cultists. But at the critical moment, he suddenly lost consciousness. When he woke up, not only was he the only one standing in the entire underground space, but his severed arm had also regrown.

What surprised Shen Feiyang even more was that previously, no matter the time, he could clearly sense the presence of the mysterious female ghost within him. Yet after this incident, the female ghost inside him seemed to have briefly fallen into a deep sleep. No matter how he tried to contact her, she gave no response.

Shen Feiyang guessed that this might be because the mysterious female ghost had paid a significant price to save him.

If before today, Shen Feiyang had been mostly resistant to the mysterious female ghost inside him, now his view of her had completely changed. After this battle, half his life was essentially given by her. If she truly intended to harm him, she wouldn’t have needed to save him in the first place, right?

On the playground of No. 1 High, Li Youquan lay over Chen Fugui’s corpse, tears streaming down his face like little pearls. But just as he was weeping bitterly, a weak hand slapped him across the face.Although the slap wasn’t painful, it left Li Youquan momentarily stunned.

Because the one who struck him was none other than Chen Fugui, who should have been deader than dead.

Seeing Chen Fugui open his eyes, not just Li Youquan, but everyone present was dumbfounded.

“…A ghost!!!”

Li Youquan belatedly jumped up, then scrambled away on all fours, pointing incredulously at Chen Fugui, who had already sat up.

As if remembering something, Li Youquan hastily clasped his hands together and pleaded: “Old Chen, even though I secretly gave the love letter you wrote to the class belle in elementary school to Teacher Gao, and even though I was the one who told your dad about you watching educational videos for the first time…”

“You don’t have to crawl out of the underworld to drag your bro down with you!”

“Old Chen, just rest in peace. I’ll burn some paper money for you regularly, so please don’t come haunting me.”

Hearing Li Youquan’s words, the originally weak Chen Fugui instantly flushed red.

This wasn’t due to improved health – he was purely red-faced with rage!

“So that’s how it is! I always wondered how Teacher Gao found out about that love letter I wrote back then – turns out it was you who ratted me out!”

“And here I was planning to work with you to catch the snitch… all along the traitor was right beside me!”

“Such poor judgment in friends! I really have terrible judgment in friends!”

Chen Fugui ranted for a good while before noticing the strange atmosphere around him.

“What? Why are you all staring at me? Never seen someone this handsome before?”

Hearing Chen Fugui’s words, everyone exchanged glances before Mu Xiaoye finally stepped forward.

“Um, Teacher Chen… are you… human or ghost?”

Hearing this bizarre question, Chen Fugui scratched the back of his head in confusion and said uncertainly: “Probably… not a ghost?”

Huh? Not a ghost?

Li Youquan looked up and examined Chen Fugui carefully.

He realized this guy really didn’t seem to be a ghost.

Because the gaping wound that had pierced through his chest had not only completely healed,

But his cultivation had actually advanced to the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

He remembered clearly that Chen Fugui had only been at the second layer of Foundation Establishment before.

What’s going on here? Weren’t we supposed to be brothers sticking together through thick and thin?

I, Li Youquan, remain at the bottom among No. 1 High’s teachers, while you, Chen Fugui, were supposed to be right there with me.

How did you suddenly race ahead without me noticing?

Can’t we maintain some basic trust between people!

As for whether there was any trust left between him and Li Youquan, Chen Fugui wasn’t sure.

But one thing he was certain of was that he apparently hadn’t died after all.

Because Chen Fugui discovered that the jade pendant he’d worn since childhood… had shattered.

Regarding this jade pendant, even Chen Fugui himself couldn’t explain its origins.

According to his father, some powerful figure had performed a fortune reading for him when he was young.

The prediction said he would experience three great tribulations in this lifetime. After transcending these three trials, he would soar as high as the skies and swim as freely as the seas.

But before that, he must maintain his pure yang body and never lose his virginity, or he would have zero chance of transcending the tribulations.

Although the Immortal Alliance heavily embraced metaphysical concepts,

Chen Fugui naturally didn’t quite believe in something as far-fetched as fortune telling.

But his father believed it wholeheartedly…

Thus, from childhood onward, Chen Fugui was not only strictly monitored by his father, but also completely cut off from any contact with the opposite sex.Though he appeared to live a life of debauchery, it was all just a facade he put up.

Essentially, it was merely a disguise he crafted because he feared being mocked by his best friend Li Youquan for still being a virgin in his thirties.

Originally, Chen Fugui couldn’t understand why his father believed that old charlatan’s words.

But now he did.

That jade pendant… it really saved his life!

At this thought, Chen Fugui felt that the old gentleman back then might have had some real skills.

They say money can make the devil turn the millstone—perhaps that old gentleman had him pay the King of Hell in advance.

Otherwise, with his original injuries, how could he have possibly survived?

And it wasn’t just him; Lu Chen and Meng Chuanping beside him also noticed the tremendous change in Chen Fugui’s body.

The former discovered it out of curiosity by using his Azure Lotus Eyes for a glance.

The latter discerned it through the sharp perception of a Golden Core Stage cultivator and his rich life experience.

Witnessing Chen Fugui’s astonishing transformation, Meng Chuanping couldn’t help but exclaim, “Incredible, Teacher Chen! This is truly incredible—a Pure Yang Spirit Root! You’ve actually evolved a Pure Yang Spirit Root.”

Hearing this, Chen Fugui asked in confusion, “Pure Yang Spirit Root? Wasn’t I just an ordinary Medium Grade Fire Spirit Root? How did it suddenly become Pure Yang Spirit Root?”

Meng Chuanping looked at him seriously and said, “Utmost intensity and purity—I’m absolutely certain. What you have now is indeed a Pure Yang Spirit Root.”

“That legendary spirit root, jokingly called the ‘Single Spirit Root,’ which allows cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds as long as one remains chaste.”

“Ah?”

Hearing that the effect of this Pure Yang Spirit Root only worked if he stayed single,

Chen Fugui instantly froze in place.

The joy of surviving a disaster was completely washed away in that moment!

He struggled to his feet, his expression grim as he questioned Meng Chuanping, grasping at straws.

“Principal Meng, you must have misseen, right? You definitely made a mistake, didn’t you?”

“You have to know, I, Chen Fugui, was once the Nightlife Prince of Luocheng! How could I possibly have something as absurd as a Single Spirit Root?”

Upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Meng Chuanping’s face.

He then scrutinized Chen Fugui carefully and said earnestly, “Teacher Chen, you may doubt my teaching skills, but you cannot doubt a Golden Core cultivator’s judgment of spirit roots.”

“I am absolutely certain—right now, you… have a Pure Yang Spirit Root.”

Boom!

Hearing that he had actually evolved the legendary “Eternal Single Dog” Pure Yang Spirit Root,

Chen Fugui felt as if his head had been struck by lightning, nearly blacking out and fainting again.

Seriously, what sin did I, Chen Fugui, commit in my past life to end up with such an outrageous spirit root?!

I’ve already been single for thirty-three years, and now you’re telling me it’s not just those past thirty-three years—

but the next three hundred, three thousand, or even thirty thousand years, I might have to remain single!

Seeing Chen Fugui kneeling on the ground with a look of utter despair,

everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

It wasn’t just because Chen Fugui’s expression was highly amusing;

his revival had also diluted much of the sorrow in their hearts.

Amid all the misfortunes, this was a sudden piece of good news.

And just then, Crippled Sword Daoist returned, carrying a head.The turmoil that had swept through the entire city of Luocheng finally came to an end without major disaster.

Although Luocheng had suffered considerable losses during this upheaval,

compared to the destruction of nearly half the city a decade ago,

the minimal damage inflicted this time was truly fortunate amidst misfortune.

Ten days later, in the reception room of Luocheng High School.

“Xiao Lu, when we meet Crippled Sword Daoist later, let me do all the talking. Don’t speak unless necessary, understood?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen nodded.

Seeing his response, Chen Fugui immediately straightened his tie.

After ten days of recovery, Chen Fugui had confirmed he hadn’t sustained any lasting injuries from the great chaos ten days prior.

Truth be told, he had genuinely believed he was doomed at that time.

Whether it was the side effects of the Blood-Burning Pill or the chest wound inflicted by Hao Fu,

either one would have been fatal to an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

Yet he had encountered both simultaneously and still emerged completely unscathed.

This made Chen Fugui nostalgic for the jade pendant he had worn since childhood.

If his father could procure eight or ten more such pendants, wouldn’t he be able to stride unhindered through the Immortal Alliance?

His father had scolded him harshly for this notion,

saying such treasures couldn’t possibly be obtained in bulk,

especially since they couldn’t even locate the fortune-teller from years past.

Ultimately, this was an Opportunity fate had bestowed upon Chen Fugui.

And such Opportunities are often encountered by chance rather than by seeking.

Understanding this, Chen Fugui abandoned the idea of acquiring more special jade pendants.

Standing before the reception room door, Chen Fugui politely knocked after straightening his clothes.

Soon, a steady voice came from within.

“The door isn’t locked. Come in.”

Hearing this, Chen Fugui pushed open the door and entered with Lu Chen.

Upon entering, Chen Fugui sensed something amiss with the atmosphere.

Crippled Sword Daoist’s expression was unusually stern, quite different from the eager talent-seeking demeanor he had imagined.

“Teacher Chen, could you let me speak with Student Lu alone?”

While Chen Fugui was pondering the reason for this change, Crippled Sword Daoist spoke abruptly.

Before Chen Fugui could respond, Jiang Dongliu—who had been playing on his phone in the corner—stood up and approached.

“Don’t worry, Teacher Chen. My mentor just wants to discuss some matters with Student Lu. Please come out with me for now.”

After brief consideration, Chen Fugui nodded in agreement.

As Chen Fugui and Jiang Dongliu left the reception room,

only Lu Chen and Crippled Sword Daoist remained in the spacious room.

“Please have a seat, Student Lu.”

Lu Chen walked over and sat in the empty chair opposite Crippled Sword Daoist.

He already had a fair idea what the Daoist wished to ask.

After all, matters that would draw such serious attention from a figure like Crippled Sword Daoist

likely involved more than mere student recruitment.

It was probably related to the Heretical Sword technique he had used against Hao Fu.

In fact, ever since that day ended, Lu Chen had been contemplating how to explain his ability to wield heretical power.After all, within the Immortal Alliance, aside from the Black Lotus Sect and some Demonic Heresy, no cultivator could unleash Heretical Divine Abilities.

So if his Heretical Avatar wasn’t properly explained, it might bring him considerable trouble.

And Crippled Sword Daoist’s following words indeed aligned with Lu Chen’s expectations.

“Student Lu, could you explain how you managed to defeat Hao Fu back then?”

“According to several students who survived the western battlefield, you seemed to have employed some unusual methods not typically possessed by ordinary cultivators.”

“And these methods bear a striking resemblance to those used by the Black Lotus Sect.”

Perhaps worried that Lu Chen might misunderstand, Crippled Sword Daoist immediately added, “Student Lu, don’t overthink it. I’m already aware of your situation. I’m not suspecting you of colluding with the Black Lotus Sect, but rather suspecting that you might possess something the Black Lotus Sect desperately wants.”

“That’s why I hope you can be candid. After all, besides being a Golden Core Stage mentor at Clear River Dao Academy, I also serve as the Scripture Master of Qingzhou Shanhai Division.”

“And I’m questioning you in this capacity now, since our Shanhai Bureau has always been committed to completely eradicating the Black Lotus Sect from the Immortal Alliance.”

“That’s why I became curious about what happened to you, Student Lu. Based on the information I’ve obtained, it appears the Black Lotus Sect launched this attack specifically because of you.”

“So what exactly is it about you… that they’re so determined to obtain?”

Facing Crippled Sword Daoist’s inquiry, Lu Chen remained silent for a moment.

Then he immediately began recounting the prepared explanation to Crippled Sword Daoist.

As he listened to Lu Chen’s account, Crippled Sword Daoist’s expression grew increasingly solemn.

Before long, the entire meeting room fell into complete silence…

(End of Chapter)