The Sacred Ruins
chapter-269

Chapter 269: Demanding Repayment

Translator: Alsey Editor: Chrissy

Mount Lu was one of the ten famed mountains of China.

Furthermore, it was also one of the three mountains and five peaks frequently spoken of among the people. Its status was indeed great.

It had received great attention in the recent days, but it had never fallen into anyone’s hands despite being attacked by several kings. All of them failed to conquer the mountain in the end.

The heavy snowfall was comparable to falling goose feathers as it covered the whole place in white.

If only it wasn’t covered in ice and snow, one would see that Mount Lu was magnificent and elegant. It was covered with lush vegetation, numerous ponds, and famous waterfalls. The scenery of hills and water in harmony was exceptionally beautiful.

The sunshine was like a censer burning purple incense while distant waterfalls hung from the river. Such scenery was no longer visible as snow covered the land and the waterfalls had frozen over.

"Heehaw, heehaw, what heavy snowfall! This old donkey has lived a few hundred years but I’ve never seen such unusual amounts of snow!" White mist came out of his mouth as the donkey complained.

It was now much calmer after knowing that Chu Feng wouldn’t eat him anymore. It had completely swallowed its anxiety and was now focusing on being a good mount for Yellow Ox.

The temperature plummeted as they entered the Mount Lu area. The cold was shocking.

"Ah, this shouldn’t be called ‘goosefeather snow’ but ‘manhead snow’ instead!" The black yak cried out loud as snow piled up on his head. The snowflakes falling from above were several centimeters in size.

"Roar..." The Manchurian Tiger morphed into his true form in order to make traveling easier since the snow was almost as tall as a person.

"This king hails from the Siberia, the land of ice and snow, but I’ve never in my life seen snow so thick," the Manchurian Tiger complained.

"Donkey King, are you sure you know where the Golden Condor King is? Find the right place quickly, this icy land isn’t suitable for poking around," the black yak urged.

The tempestuous snow would rush in whenever someone opened their mouths. The wind was strong and the snowflakes were everywhere. Not only did they invade the nose and mouth but also made it difficult to even keep one’s eyes open.

"I only heard that his lair is located here but not its exact place." The Donkey King wasn’t quite confident.

Mount Lu had several main peaks. Certain peaks like the Great Hanyang Peak and Five Elder’s Peak were too dangerous to climb but it was possible to take residence at the foot of the mountain or even halfway up.

"Walking deep within yet not recognizing the true colors of Mount Lu—I think we’re lost!" The black yak sighed. [1]

The temperature dropped 120 degrees in the depths of Mount Lu. The chill cut to the bones for even the king level entities. It would likely be lethal for any normal person.

The Manchurian Tiger spoke, "Mount Lu used to be such a lush and scenic place. How did it turn into this? Do you guys think this upheaval bodes well? I don’t think we’ll find any fortune at this rate. All the divine trees have been frozen solid. How are they going to bear fruit?"

Even Yellow Ox wasn’t able to explain this phenomenon. Although he came from the other world and was very knowledgeable, he wasn’t quite confident about his understanding of this world’s upheavals.

"Quiet!"

Chu Feng had sensed a strand of vitality. It was very strong and dense as if a powerful life form was present in the snow.

The Donkey King suddenly remembered something. "There’s an ancient tree near the Mount Lu Waterfall which bears transformation fruits. Its abilities are absolutely unfathomable."

Chu Feng and the others were astonished. They had long since heard that the transformation fruit originated from an ancient tree on Mount Lu. Unexpectedly, they had run into it today.

In truth, this wasn’t the only transformation fruit in the world despite their rarity. However, the one on Mount Lu was the most famous.

It was the first to bear transformation fruits and its strength was terrifying. Not even experts with six severed shackles could afford to provoke it.

"Let’s circle around. Don’t provoke it." The Manchurian Tiger sensed that the tree was certainly an expert with six severed shackles.

Chu Feng wasn’t afraid but he didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble.

Finally, they skirted around the place and, under the guidance of the donkey, arrived at the base of the Five Elders Peak. There they saw a large area dotted with numerous caves.

The donkey king pointed its hoof towards the front, indicating that their target was there.

"I’ll head over first to prevent him from fleeing skywards," said Chu Feng.

He was extremely fast and could conceal himself from divine instinct. He traversed the snowy ground in large strides without leaving a single footprint. He then he leapt onto the cliff and began to search the numerous caves.

Very soon, a cry of astonishment was heard as golden light erupted from the cliffside. Just as expected, the Golden Condor King was found hiding here.

He let out a long shrill cry and resisted as best he could, but he was sent flying with a single slap from Chu Feng, crashing into the cliff and sending snow and ice scattering everywhere.

"Chu Feng!" the Golden Condor king cried. He was both frightened and angry. He was completely helpless just now as the other party picked him up, walked out of the cave and threw him down with a smack to the back of his head.

The Golden Condor wanted to rush to the skies and escape because it understood how helpless it was before Chu Feng.

"Where do you think you’re going? Stay right where you are!"

The Manchurian Tiger roared loudly. As a fierce warrior with six severed shackles, the sound waves from its tiger roar was sufficient to shake the world. The Golden Condor King felt his blood and qi boiling up as he immediately coughed up blood.

The Manchurian Tiger wasn’t very kind. He had suddenly appeared and had every chance to simply grab hold of the enemy with his massive claws, but he still opted to use his great roar instead.

The sound waves reverberated and sent the Golden Condor King into a daze.

"Hey Condor, we’ve come to pick at your nest since you dare besiege and hunt my brother. Your crimes are simply too great! Don’t even think about escaping!"

The black yak let out a loud roar and leapt into the skies, grabbing onto that golden-eyed bird king and dragging him to the ground.

Thump!

The black yak conveniently threw out a punch which knocked him out and sent him flying onto the distant ground.

The Golden Condor King knew he was in deep trouble. He wasn’t even able to fly after being completely suppressed and even his lair had been compromised.

Clang!

It transformed into human form and drew its snow-white longsword and slashed towards the black yak with a loud buzz. He wanted to engage the black yak in battle as they were both experts with five severed shackles.

Thump!

Chu Feng threw out a punch from atop the distant cliff which made him cough up blood and revert to his true form, sending golden feathers flying into the air.

There was nothing more to say at this point other than to beat him black and blue. It was said that even those who trained falcons needed to "temper" their birds. They planned to teach him a good lesson and make him submit obediently.

The Golden Condor King let out a shrill cry. It was thoroughly enraged after being completely suppressed like this and refused to give in even though his opponent was Demon King Chu. It mustered all its strength to resist the blows and fly up once again.

Thump!

The Manchurian Tiger struck out—its body was as large as a small hill—a slap crossed the air and struck the target back to the ground.

The Golden Condor King rolled painfully on the ground whereupon he received another attack. A donkey’s hoof struck his head with a dong whereupon his eyes turned white and almost blacked out.

It was at this time that he noticed the donkey.

"It’s you..." The Golden Condor King was absolutely furious. It flipped over and leapt up in fury as he suddenly came to the realization that this donkey had led Chu Feng’s party to him.

"Brother Condor, it’s been said that wise men submit to present circumstances. The supremely grand Demon King Chu hopes to persuade you to leave your isolation and join him on great undertakings," the donkey called out seriously.

"I once besieged him and nearly caused him to lose his life. Why would he spare me?" The Golden Condor King suppressed his anger and stopped attacking. He naturally didn’t want to die despite his unyielding character.

He was bound to die if he fought under the present circumstances. Demon King Chu alone was enough to squish him to death.

"Naturally, Demon King Chu has already pardoned someone such as me let alone a hero like the Golden Condor King," the donkey replied.

"I’ll tell you the truth. I’m here to subdue you as a mount." Chu Feng cut off the donkey’s unnecessary trickery.

"You... you’re too oppressive!" The Golden Condor King was enraged.

"I don’t want to waste words with you. I’m here to demand my repayment! You’ll decide whether you want to submit. You’ll definitely benefit if you submit and stay beside me, otherwise, you will die!"

Chu Feng didn’t waste any words. The Golden Condor King was one of the main forces during the attack on him that night. He would’ve smashed the latter into pieces were it not for his ability to fly.

"Old Gold, take it easy. Don’t let the flames of fury burn your life away. I wasn’t accepted even though I wanted to be his mount!" the Donkey King persuaded.

"You spineless coward! I never thought a timid mouse like you would actually know my secret hideout, you whistleblower!" The Golden Condor King became increasingly furious and flames were surging in his heart.

"Have you chosen death?" Chu Feng smashed down with his fist and sent the Golden Condor King flying with blood spurting out of his mouth.

He was fully suppressed with absolutely no opportunity to spread his wings.

"Big condor, if you don’t grasp this rare opportunity to live then don’t blame us for killing you," the black yak coldly said. He drew his violet blade with a clang and was poised to slash down.

"Allow me to slap him into paste!" said the Manchurian Tiger.

Only Yellow Ox was calm at the moment. He hadn’t made a move since the beginning while everyone had already delivered a few blows.

"Dao friends, please have mercy." A sound wave spread out from the distance. It was the old tree near the waterfall that had transmitted its voice across several kilometers of snow.

"Little Condor, I suggest you submit. As someone who watched you grow up on Mount Lu, I can’t bear to watch you die just like that." The old tree transmitted its voice.

"Grandpa Tree, they want to make me their mount. I’m unresigned!" The Golden Condor was staunch and unyielding.

"That’s still better than dying. In addition, you were the one who attacked him with a mob which isn’t exactly something to be proud of. It’s meaningless to discuss whether or not you’re convinced," said the old tree.

The old tree’s words obviously affected the Golden Condor who eventually lowered his head. It was true that he didn’t want to die.

Chu Feng didn’t want to embarrass him further. "I won’t treat you like a slave or make things difficult for you. You’ll be relatively free except while carrying us on long distance trips."

Chu Feng didn’t think too much about whether the Golden Condor King would run away. If he did make a false promise and flee, it would mean that their next meeting would be the latter’s end.

Finally, the Golden Condor King carried Chu Feng and party into the air and left the Mount Lu area.

At first, Chu Feng wanted to go and greet the old tree but was tactfully declined. It claimed to be undergoing a tribulation for which it needed to fully concentrate. Apart from the snow and ice that were harmful to him, he claimed more calamities might be on the way.

Their target was Hangcheng!

Chu Feng and his gang set out on a journey to demand repayment from certain corporations.

They traveled overnight and soon reached Hangcheng. This area was also covered in snow while the lake had become completely frozen.

The West Lake had changed drastically after the upheavals. It was extremely large and had become separated from the city area.

The Tonggu Alliance headquarters were located in Hangcheng.

Chu Feng and the others lodged in Hangcheng that night and planned to knock on the Tonggu Alliance’s doors next morning.

The captive from Mount Yunluo had confessed that he was from the Tonggu Alliance after being "thoroughly interrogated" by the professionals from Hollow Jade Temple.

That’s why Chu Feng’s first stop was here. He would draw first blood from this corporation.

In truth, there was no peace in Jiangxi with all the heroes gathered therein. The Peacock King and the marine race members were still there along with a large batch of demons from Mount Kunlun.

Additionally, the Hollow Jade Temple Master, the Wudang Grandmaster, the Golden Crow and the Nine-lives cat had all made their appearances.

Chu Feng had wanted to go and meet these people but he couldn’t wait after getting wind of which human corporation was plotting against him.

"I’ll collect the debts from the corporations first then continue to my seafood banquet, roast peacock, and stewed golden crow. I’m very grateful to people like the Wudang Grandmaster," Chu Feng muttered.

He had been schemed and plotted against by human corporations. This caused the fires of his fury to burn turbulently. These people were even more vicious than the beasts and should be immediately dealt with.

Dawn. The area hundreds of kilometers around West Lake had become a silvery land of ice and snow, but the weather was clear near the city area. The sky was blue and the air was warm.

Chu Feng approached a certain skyscraper with his hands behind his back. He had come directly knocking on the doors of the Tonggu Alliance Headquarters!

———

[1] An idiom which describes not understanding the details behind something. But it was used quite literally here.