Chapter 288 - 273: Return to the Immortal City

Chapter 288: Chapter 273: Return to the Immortal City

「One day later.」

Jiang Xu’s observation and study of Liang Fan had reached its peak.

He had not only mastered every one of Liang Fan’s conscious habits—

his posture when walking, the speed and tone of his speech—but had even committed to memory his unconscious tics, like the frequency with which he furrowed his brow when thinking, and the small movements he made to adjust his posture when sitting down.

Over the course of the day, Jiang Xu had meticulously sculpted his "Liang Fan" persona, striving to recreate every detail to an impeccable degree.

His meticulous observation and imitation made his portrayal of Liang Fan not only physically indistinguishable from the real person but also perfectly matched in behavior and mannerisms.

It could even be said that he was now more Liang Fan than Liang Fan himself.

At this point, unless it was a close relative who had spent every day with Liang Fan and knew his habits like the back of their hand, no one could possibly tell that this "Liang Fan" was an imposter.

And since Liang Fan’s only relatives were now deceased, this meant Jiang Xu’s one potential weakness had disappeared.

Jiang Xu, now transformed into Liang Fan’s likeness, was heading toward Sun’s Immortal City.

As for the real Liang Fan,

Jiang Xu had hidden him away. He had also put certain measures in place to ensure he could not appear in public during this time, nor could he be easily found.

...

On the road, as Jiang Xu passed, the people outside the Immortal City stared fixedly at him with eyes full of loathing and hatred. Every so often, someone would shout a curse.

Liang Fan’s reputation within the Sun Clan was astonishingly widespread.

It was just that this widespread reputation was one of infamy.

Now that Jiang Xu had taken on Liang Fan’s appearance,

everyone who saw him glared daggers, as if they were about to rush over and beat him to a pulp at any moment.

Jiang Xu met their gazes, unperturbed.

’Most of these people are just mortals.’

’They look like they resent me so much they’d love to tear me limb from limb on the spot.’

’But when it comes to an Immortal Cultivator, a being who could easily take their lives...’

’...deep down, they are terrified and trembling.’

’These mortals only dare to glare at me now...’

’...because there are so many people around. Their courage is amplified by the power of the crowd.’

’But if any one of them were alone in a room with me, not one in a hundred would dare to treat me this way.’

Jiang Xu couldn’t be bothered with them.

’In any case, their hatred isn’t directed at the real me, but at the skin I’m currently wearing.’

’Let them stare. It’s not as if I’ll lose a piece of flesh over it.’

And so, Jiang Xu walked all the way into Sun’s Immortal City.

A day earlier, a great many people had seen Liang Fan leave, looking dead to the world.

At the time, most people had come to a single conclusion: Liang Fan must have realized the extent of his own evil and chosen to leave this world forever.

Even if he didn’t choose suicide, he probably wouldn’t dare return to Sun’s Immortal City ever again.

After all, with the last person who could support him—his mother—now dead, he certainly wouldn’t have the gall to shamelessly remain in the Immortal City.

So, most of the people living in the Immortal City were convinced.

The only stain on the Immortal City had finally been removed.

As a result, the entire Immortal City was practically boiling over with excitement.

People ran around spreading the news, weeping with joy, as if they were celebrating the once-every-seven-years sacrificial ceremony for the Greedy Wolf Star God.

The lively celebrations went on for nearly a day, and someone even proposed turning the day into a holiday.

The name of the holiday would be "Immortal City Rebirth Day."

But just then, Jiang Xu, in the guise of Liang Fan, suddenly returned to Sun’s Immortal City.

This made the atmosphere for everyone extremely awkward.

Jiang Xu stared blankly at the banners hanging all over the streets, all celebrating Liang Fan’s departure.

"The Stain Is Gone, The Immortal City Reborn," "A New Chapter for the Immortal City, A Celebration of Purification Day," "The Shadows of the Past Dispersed, Sun’s Immortal City Shines Anew," "Washing Away the Shame, Celebrating the Immortal City’s Restored Dignity"...

These banners hung conspicuously on every street and alley. The celebrating crowd stopped their festivities and stared blankly at Jiang Xu as well.

Everyone stared at each other, wide-eyed. No one knew what to do.

Finally, someone with thinner skin, though still hostile toward Liang Fan, couldn’t stand the silent awkwardness. They quietly took down a banner and left.

The others exchanged glances, then also hastily packed up their things and departed.

In the end, Jiang Xu hadn’t expected that upon entering the Immortal City this time, there wouldn’t be a single person on the street pointing fingers at him. They had all been too embarrassed and had simply scurried away.

Jiang Xu, happy for the peace and quiet, walked straight to the area on the eastern side concealed by an Array.

This was the place where those Cultivators who had been collecting Spirit Stones had gone.

Previously, Liang Fan had always lived inside.

Logically, his status was too low for him to be living there.

However, because he possessed a Spirit Root and his mother was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, he had always lived there with her.

It was only after his mother’s death that, before the clan members could even come to drive him out, he had already fallen into complete despair and left on his own.

Jiang Xu arrived before the Array and performed a few Spells. An opening just tall enough for a person to pass through appeared before him, allowing him to enter.

His decision not to force his way in with the Spirit-Devouring Insects earlier had turned out to be rather prescient.