My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Jishi Hall Conceals a Murderous Trap

The experts in the Great Hall had all dispersed, leaving only Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong, and the Xuanwu Sect’s leader, who had been standing silently in the corner.

The leader of the Xuanwu Sect was clad in black. He appeared young, and even somewhat ugly, especially with the black moles that covered his face. His Cultivation was unremarkable among the many experts of the Demon Sect, merely at the Third Grade Realm.

He was also one of the only two people whom Zhao Qingmei promoted after she became the Sect Hierarch.

Zhao Qingmei, sitting on the high platform, said, “Sect Leader Duanmu, tell us about the Golden Eagle Banner issue.”

“Yes.”

Duanmu Xinghua clasped his hands together and then slowly began, “A few months ago, Chief Yu discovered spies of the Golden Eagle Banner near Dongluo Pass. Moreover, in recent years, Houjin has been aggressively purchasing food, iron mines, and even fire oil. In my opinion, the spies from Houjin have appeared beyond the Pass, and there’s something wrong with that…”

Houjin’s clandestine acquisitions are all essentials for war, which has been going on for some time. Any insightful person could see that it was preparation for war on one hand and a deception strategy on the other, imposing an invisible pressure on all parties.

If the string of a bow is kept taut all the time, it will eventually snap one day.

Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly and looked towards the Xuanwu Sect leader.

The Xuanwu Sect leader clasped his fist and replied, “Reporting to the Sect Hierarch, indeed I found spies from the Golden Eagle Banner, but in my humble opinion, this is normal. Houjin has been recuperating for over twenty years, their claws have become sharp, and naturally, they would send out spies to gather intelligence about the surrounding areas. This is not the first encounter.”

“Rumors say that the Great Yan Emperor is gravely ill, and the internal strife in the court is severe. Marquis, wielding the power of 300,000 troops, is noble and aloof, having already attracted the enmity of many in the court. If Houjin truly intends to act, then Great Yan is their primary target.”

Wars have never been just about battles on the field; politics is the core of war.

The battlefield is just a manifestation of politics.

A truly great general excels not only in arranging formations on the field and brandishing weapons but is also keenly sensitive to politics.

The Marquis, although commanding an army of 300,000 on the border, does not get along with the court officials. Coupled with the current chaos within Great Yan and the factions within the court, the people are in a state of unease — it’s a great opportunity indeed.

But whether the Great Yan Emperor truly failed to break his shackles and is hiding a conspiracy remains a doubt in people’s minds, which is why the world remains at peace for the moment.

“However, we must not let our guard down.”

Duanmu Xinghua said slowly from the side.

The Xuanwu Sect leader nodded and said no more.

“Let the Xuanwu Sect leader take care of this matter,” Zhao Qingmei decided after some thought. “The Human Sect experts hidden in Houjin will cooperate with you. Pay close attention to the movements of the Thirteen Banner of Houjin, and if there are any anomalies, you are allowed to take command on the spot.”

She continued, “Also, spread the word to Great Yan, especially to the Marquis.”

Rumors were that the Marquis was divine in warfare, having fought for a long time and being the only Yan general to have penetrated Zhao Country’s borders. However, his character has been widely criticized. With the life of the Emperor uncertain and the loss of intelligence from the Heaven and Earth Net, it is unknown whether he will be able to react in time.

If the Marquis’s army of 300,000 were to be defeated by Houjin, Zhao Country would certainly not miss such an opportunity from heaven. At that point, Great Yan would be in a situation of being attacked on all fronts…

The tide of the world is vast and unstoppable. Those who go with it thrive, and those who go against it perish.

Once the situation in the world is stabilized, stirring Heaven and Earth would be exceedingly difficult.

“I understand,” responded the Xuanwu Sect leader, standing tall, then clasped his fists and turned to leave.

Zhao Qingmei inquired, “Sect Leader Duanmu, your message surely isn’t just about this matter, is it?”

“Correct.”

After pondering for a moment, Duanmu Xinghua clasped his fists and said, “Sect Hierarch, several Elders of the Sealing Demon Platform wish to summon you.”

The Sealing Demon Platform!

The most mysterious place in the Demon Sect, a place that outsiders would not easily know of.

Many people knew of the formidable strength of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect experts, but few were aware that these experts ultimately belong to the Sealing Demon Platform, which is the Demon Sect’s greatest foundation and the key to controlling Dongluo Pass.

After all, not many in this world know of the Sealing Demon Platform, let alone the masters that lie beneath it within the Demon Sect.

Even Zhao Qingmei, much less outsiders, did not know the true details of the Sealing Demon Platform.

All she knew was that when she entered the Sealing Demon Well, she saw a Grandmaster of the Demon Sect and another at the Half-step Master Realm.

Mysterious and powerful — that was the impression the Sealing Demon Platform left on her.

The Sealing Demon Platform?

Zhao Qingmei sneered in her heart; she couldn’t stand the feeling of being unable to control it, like a sword hanging over her head. Sooner or later, she would have to take control of the Sealing Demon Platform.

“Alright,” Zhao Qingmei said with an easy grace, “When?”

“It might take around a month,” Duanmu Xinghua replied.

“That’s too long, the day after tomorrow will do,” Zhao Qingmei waved her hand. “The Sect Hierarch has countless affairs to manage; I don’t have so much time.”

She could not wait that long; she needed to return to Yu State City and reunite with her husband.

Duanmu Xinghua said gravely, “Sect Hierarch, many Elders will be present this time, including the Great Elder, who will only leave seclusion in a month.”

Zhao Qingmei’s eyes narrowed, “It has to be the day after tomorrow!”

“Sect Hierarch!”

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, “It’s only a month; it passes in the blink of an eye. Why cause displeasure with the Elders over this? After all, we must still prioritize the bigger picture.”

“Since the founding of our Demon Sect, there has rarely been any conflict with the Sealing Demon Platform.”

Yu Qiurong was also anxious as she said, “Yes, Sect Hierarch.”

She seemed to have faintly guessed why Zhao Qingmei was in such a hurry to leave.

However, the Sealing Demon Platform was no trivial matter, not to be neglected. Ancient Demon Sect records mention that a dispute arose between the thirteenth Demon Sect Hierarch and the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, resulting in the thirteenth Hierarch’s death.

In the eyes of the top experts of the Demon Sect, the Sealing Demon Platform is sacred ground; their commands must be obeyed without question.

Fortunately, the Sealing Demon Platform hardly interferes in worldly affairs, only acting when the very survival of the Demon Sect is at stake.

Thus, all past Hierarchs of the Demon Sect held the Sealing Demon Platform in high esteem.

Zhao Qingmei’s thoughts raced. “Fine, I will wait for this Great Elder for one month.”

She couldn’t deal with the Sealing Demon Platform with her current strength, but it was something that needed to be under her control in the future. This was an opportunity to probe the depths of the Sealing Demon Platform.

Duanmu Xinghua breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this and then gave a respectful bow.

“Then I shall take my leave,” he said.

After saying this, he slowly stepped out of the Great Hall.

Now in the spacious Great Hall, only Yu Qiurong and Zhao Qingmei were left.

Zhao Qingmei’s gaze was calm as still water, as she turned her eyes towards Yu Qiurong.

“Sect Hierarch…..”

Yu Qiurong’s heart tightened, biting her lip, “I… I was also considering the Sect Hierarch’s well-being.”

…..

In Lingnan Dao, Bo City.

The courtyard of the Liao family.

If the four major families of Jiangnan Dao were said to hold sway without a clear leader, then in Lingnan Dao, the Liao family stood unchallenged, with no other family able to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

The Liao family managed two tenths of Great Yan’s textile, tobacco, and porcelain business, much of which was traded with Houjin and the Pure Land, bringing in unimaginable revenue for Great Yan. Furthermore, Liao Fangqi of the Liao family was a famous Great Scholar and currently served as the Crown Prince’s tutor.

A fair-faced young man in white quietly sat at a table, reading a secret letter in his hand.

As he read the secret letter, his expression remained unchanged from beginning to end.

“Interesting,” he said after a long while, setting aside the letter and idly playing with a piece of jade hanging from his waist.

“Chongyin, what’s in the content of this secret letter?” a plain-looking woman in her forties asked out of curiosity.

In Great Yan, no one would not know of Zhao Chongyin, the Crown Prince’s given name.

Zhao Chongyin spoke slowly, “Liu Qingshan was attacked by experts from the Demon Sect and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Nurse, what do you think will happen?”

The woman’s face changed slightly when she heard this, “With Liu Qingshan’s cultivation at the Heavenly Flower Realm, it would be difficult to withstand the attack.”

Although Liu Qingshan was quite powerful, he was one step away from the true apex. If the Demon Sect and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion were to join forces, the consequences would be unimaginable.

And the Five Gangs Alliance was an extremely important chess piece; its loss would be like losing an arm for the Crown Prince.

“Yes,” Zhao Chongyin concurred, eyes gleaming with amusement, “but just then, the Ghost Swordsman and the forces behind him appeared, repelling the experts from the Demon Sect and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion with a single move.”

The woman’s brows raised, “The Ghost Swordsman?”

Since the Ghost Swordsman’s battle with the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, many great masters had taken notice of this swordsman from Jiangnan Dao.

Although he defeated the severely injured Bodhisattva, this swordsman’s strength was definitely above the Heavenly Flower Realm, possibly reaching the Half-step Master or even Grandmaster Realm.

No one from the various factions around the world knew his true strength; most were merely speculating.

Many were searching for any news of him, but to no avail; it was as if the man had appeared out of thin air.

After a moment of contemplation, the woman said in a serious tone, “What is his intention…?

The Ghost Swordsman wouldn’t make a move for no reason.

Zhao Chongyin replied, “He wants my help to clear his ‘red name’ from the records of the Xuanyi Guard.”

“What does the Crown Prince intend?” she asked.

“This Ghost Swordsman certainly is no ordinary character.”

A hint of curiosity shone in Zhao Chongyin’s refined eyes, “I’m actually curious about the identity of the Grandmaster backing him.”

Grandmasters held a pivotal status in Jianghu, wherever they went.

Aunt Bai nodded, “If there really is a Grandmaster, it would be worth making a connection, even attracting him to our side.”

“The Ghost Swordsman is different from others,” Zhao Chongyin declared with a gleam of sharpness in his eyes, “He has an old grudge with the Zhenyi Sect, which makes him suitable for forming an alliance with; there’s no need to attract him.”

Despite being the Crown Prince, attracting a master with Grandmaster strength wasn’t easy, and Zhao Chongyin wasn’t keen on expending so much effort.

“`

“Old grudges?” Aunt Bai felt a jolt in her heart, “Has the Crown Prince already discovered this person’s identity?”

The Ghost Swordsman and the Zhenyi Sect have old grudges?

There doesn’t seem to be such a rumor in Jianghu, does there!?

“This person’s identity is mysterious and unfathomable; it’s not easy to discover his identity,” Zhao Chongyin shook his head and asked, “The Heaven and Earth Net, where has it locked on to?”

Aunt Bai slowly said, “The Heaven and Earth Net has already locked onto Linhe Street in Yu State City. According to the information we have, it’s difficult to pinpoint more precisely. We can only wait for the Ghost Swordsman to make another move and reveal more information.”

Zhao Chongyin thought for a moment and said, “You should return to Yujing City now and inform Elder Tang that the red name warrant for the Ghost Swordsman has been canceled. There’s also no need to investigate his identity any longer.”

“Why is that?”

“Since this person does not wish to expose his identity, we should not investigate it and instead cause displeasure. By taking no action, we are making goodwill gestures. Since this person harbors old grudges against the Zhenyi Sect, let them investigate instead. Let Mengtai look into it; he has been rather idle lately.”

Zhao Chongyin’s smile was gentle and warm as jade as he said, “By the way, Mengtai still doesn’t know that there’s a Grandmaster backing the Ghost Swordsman.”

Since they had conflicts of interest, it was better to let them fight it out.

“I understand,” Aunt Bai said.

Her heart was somewhat tempted, not understanding what this matter had to do with Zhao Mengtai, but she had immense faith in the man before her, who had never let her down.

…..

As night gradually fell, Jishi Hall.

“Huh!”

“Judging by the time, the lady might be returning in a little over a month,” An Jing said as he saw off the last customer who had come to buy medicine. He then walked into the hall and took out a paper figure from his sleeve, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.

The north wind blows south, the southern geese fly north.

“The chrysanthemum seeds have already been sown; now it’s just waiting for the moment they bloom.”

Humming a tune, An Jing headed towards the backyard.

When the chrysanthemums filled the courtyard, the lady would surely be overjoyed upon seeing them.

“Son-in-law,” just then, Tan Yun walked over quickly, “Miss has sent a message.”

“Oh?” An Jing perked up upon hearing this, “Bring it here for me to see.”

Tan Yun took out a letter and handed it over.

An Jing eagerly opened the letter, then his eyes fixed tightly on the page, and the joy in his heart suddenly lessened a great deal.

“Son-in-law…?” Tan Yun noticed An Jing’s frown deepening and couldn’t help but ask.

This was a letter urgently sent through the Human Sect’s intelligence network by Zhao Qingmei, and she herself was unaware of its contents.

“It’s nothing,” An Jing put away the letter and sighed, “The lady says she’s been held up by trifles at home, and there are some relatives she needs to visit, so she might come back later than expected. She told me not to worry about her.”

“Oh.” Tan Yun was not surprised; after all, Zhao Qingmei was the Sect Hierarch and was very busy, naturally dealing with innumerable matters.

Offhandedly, An Jing asked, “Tan Yun, does the lady have many relatives?”

Zhao Qingmei had said she would return as soon as possible, but the reply now mentioned a delay of a month. Could it be ordinary trifles? Or had she run into some trouble?

With that thought, he couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun hastily gave a noncommittal response, “Not too many, but not a few either.”

An Jing nodded.

“Son-in-law, it’s time for me to close up shop,” Tan Yun, fearing further questions from An Jing, immediately started heading towards the front hall.

“Could it be that the lady’s family estates have fallen, and someone is demanding repayment?” An Jing muttered to himself, “No, that’s not right. The lady sold off the family assets and though not wealthy, she does have some property. If she owed debts, others wouldn’t have let her leave.”

“Could it be because of a dispute over family assets?”

With a wealthy family, it was inevitable to encounter financial disputes. If Zhao Qingmei had relatives come to demand money…

An Jing knew Zhao Qingmei’s character quite well. She was kind-hearted, gentle, and virtuous, but she also had a streak of toughness and a bit of tyranny.

With Zhao Qingmei around, the little black dog behaved like a ‘grandson’, never daring to go on a rampage. But since she had been gone, it had been howling viciously, as wild as an unleashed stray.

And then there was the time Song Lin came to cause trouble in the medical hall, and Zhao Qingmei lifted the curtain and walked out from the backyard, seemingly fearless, her eyes always calm.

The most memorable thing for An Jing was when he and Zhou Xianming went to the painting boat to listen to music and were accidentally discovered by Zhao Qingmei. Although it ended without incident, the words Zhao Qingmei said at the time left a deep impression on him.

“`

The heart holds a fierce tiger, yet delicately sniffs the rose.

If not born into a family of scholars, then Zhao Qingmei would undoubtedly be the most famous, most assertive woman in all the nearby villages.

Forcing her to hand over her family fortune would be nearly impossible.

Thinking of this, An Jing couldn’t help feeling somewhat worried.

The lady might have really encountered some trouble, or perhaps those relatives pressured her so much she couldn’t return.

After dinner, he lay in his bed but couldn’t sleep; his mind was filled with worries, and he started to have all sorts of wild thoughts.

Now the night had deepened, and the earth was engulfed in silence.

After much tossing and turning, An Jing really couldn’t sleep, and decided to get up for a glass of water.

“There’s no water.”

An Jing walked over to the table and discovered the teapot on it was empty.

“With the lady gone, there’s not even water to drink.”

With this lament, An Jing donned a coat and slowly walked out.

Just then, he noticed a candle flickering in the front hall.

This piqued his interest.

“I didn’t expect Tan Yun to still be awake so late, to be so diligent in her studies.”

With this in mind, An Jing headed towards the front hall.

He saw Tan Yun in a light purple dress, sitting in the spot where Li Fuzhou often read, engrossed in a book.

An Jing tiptoed over, getting close to Tan Yun’s back, afraid to disturb her studies.

Tan Yun hadn’t noticed his approach, so focused was she on her reading.

“Hm?!”

But when An Jing caught a glimpse of the depraved content of the book, his expression changed drastically.

Tan Yun finally heard a sound from behind and quickly closed the book she was holding.

An Jing was holding a kettle, and Tan Yun had a figurine in her hands; both were slightly taken aback.

The whole room seemed to freeze in that moment.

Just then, little Heizi came trotting over, curiously looking at the odd pair.

“Son-in-law… Umm, it’s just two little figures fighting, there really isn’t…”

Tan Yun’s face heated up to the base of her neck, as if water was about to drip from her red face; she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Because of her nervousness, her voice shook.

How could she have expected An Jing to get up in the middle of the night, just as she was getting to the interesting part of the book, and catch her red-handed?

It was her own fault for sealing her meridians and dulling her six senses, not even hearing his footsteps.

What would the son-in-law think of me after discovering I was reading this? Would he think this is the kind of person I am?

At this thought, Tan Yun felt so ashamed she wished she could just die.

“Tan Yun… you!”

An Jing looked at her angrily, “How can you read such books? And you still want to lie to me?”

He had thought that Tan Yun was relentlessly poring over her studies, deepening her culinary knowledge, but she was actually immersed in such filth!?

And upon being caught, she even tried to deceive him, but who did An Jing think he was!?

“It’s my…my fault, I was wrong.”

Tan Yun’s head was lowered to her chest, her fair neck flushed; she looked like a child who had been caught doing something wrong.

Seeing the Tan Yun in front of him, An Jing sighed internally.

It seems, indeed, she has grown up.

Tan Yun hastily said, “Son-in-law, I just happened to take a look, no, no, I mean today is my first time.

“The first time!?” An Jing raised his eyebrow, his eyes conveying disbelief.

“Son-in-law, it truly is my first time today, really, you have to believe me, I’m not that kind of person,” Tan Yun said biting her lip, “I swear, if I’m lying, then let little Heizi be struck by lightning and meet a terrible end.”

Little Heizi wagged its tail at her side: “??”

“Alright, I believe you,” An Jing nodded.

Tan Yun, even the act of lying eludes you.

“Son-in-law, I really am here for the first time, you must believe me, I’m not that sort of person,” Tan Yun, seeing the look in An Jing’s eyes, hurriedly said.

An Jing quickly reassured her, “I believe, I believe you. When have I ever not believed you?”

“Son-in-law, if you believe me that’s enough.”

Tan Yun lowered her head, pleading, “This matter must absolutely not be mentioned to Third Master or the young lady.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” he replied.

An Jing, his face serious, followed up, “But you should look at this less, you understand?”

As he spoke, An Jing snatched away the comic book from Tan Yun’s hands.

Was this something Tan Yun should be looking at?

Seeing her beloved comic book taken away, Tan Yun said in a low voice, “Son-in-law, don’t you also read them?”

“Me? I am not the same as you,” An Jing shook his head.

“What, what’s different?” Tan Yun seemed to have grown bolder and argued, “You won’t let me read, yet you sneak peeks yourself, what is this…. Do not do to others what you…. do not desire.”

“You’re talking back? Alright, have it your way with the smart mouth, huh?”

“I’m not being smart-mouthed, my mouth is soft,” she replied.

Tan Yun even touched her own lips.

“Enough nonsense.”

An Jing huffed lightly and said, “I’m confiscating this; you’re not allowed to read it anymore. It’s late; go to bed now.”

“Understood.”

Tan Yun glanced at the comic book in An Jing’s hand, feeling a bit regretful. After all, it was a new release she hadn’t finished reading yet.

Watching Tan Yun’s retreating figure, An Jing couldn’t help shaking his head, “Really not learning anything good. Can’t manage to read books and learn characters, and now this?”

You think too little of people, stinking son-in-law!

Naturally, Tan Yun heard An Jing’s murmur and her face turned even redder.

An Jing examined the book in his hand, wondering to himself, “This is a collector’s edition; I didn’t even manage to buy one back then. How did Tan Yun get her hands on it?”

With that, he filled a pot with water and quickly stepped into his own room.

Soon, a candle was lit in the room.

Providing a semblance of solace in the long night.

The little black puppy lay in the yard, looked up at the sky, and after letting out a breath, continued sleeping.

…

In Yu State City, Wuliang Temple.

In a quiet chamber, Ling Yuanjing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

“Peak Master Ling, Grandmaster Yu Huai is in the Heavenly Sun Hall and says there is an important matter to discuss with you,”

Just then, a crisp voice rang from outside the door.

Ling Yuanjing opened his eyes and said, “I’m aware.”

Having spoken, Ling Yuanjing slowly rose and headed out of the chamber towards the Heavenly Sun Hall.

In no time, he arrived at the main hall of Wuliang Daoist Temple.

At this moment, Grandmaster Yu Huai was sitting cross-legged in the center of the Great Hall. Upon seeing Ling Yuanjing enter, he hurried to his feet, “Brother Ling.”

“Greetings to Uncle-Master Ling.”

“Greetings to Elder Ancestor Ling.”

The temple master of Wuliang Daoist Temple and its disciples promptly gave their respectful greetings.

Ling Yuanjing gestured with his hand and asked, “What has happened?”

“It’s about the Ghost Swordsman.”

Grandmaster Yu Huai slowly replied.

“Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing raised his hand to stop Grandmaster Yu Huai, who wished to keep speaking, and looked around, “The rest of you may leave now.”

“Yes.”

Following Ling Yuanjing’s words, everyone from Wuliang Daoist Temple stood and withdrew.

“The Ghost Swordsman matters greatly to our sect’s century-long plan!” Ling Yuanjing said solemnly.

The Ghost Swordsman was related to the “Jade Emperor Scripture”; the matter was an urgent priority for the Zhenyi Sect. Naturally, it required extreme caution, as no one knew if there were spies from other factions within Wuliang Daoist Temple.

“Junior brother understands,” Grandmaster Yu Huai replied, nodding gravely upon hearing this.

“Good, tell me, what has happened?” Ling Yuanjing motioned with his hand.

Grandmaster Yu Huai spoke in a solemn tone, “I’ve received intelligence from Qing Feng Hall. The Red Notice on the Ghost Swordsman issued by the Xuanyi Guard has disappeared, and the Heaven and Earth Net that’s been pursuing him has also begun to withdraw.”

Ling Yujing, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel somewhat astonished, “Oh?!”

Once listed in the handbook of the Xuanyi Guard and annotated with a red name, it was basically extremely difficult to eliminate, especially the first-class red name, because the only people who could remove a red name were the Xuanyi Guard’s Deputy Governor or the Great Commander, if not the current Human Emperor himself.

Those who could persuade these people must hold extraordinary status in Jianghu.

“It seems that this Ghost Swordsman is no ordinary individual, and there might be a capable person behind him,”

Ling Yuanjing said with a grave expression.

The Real Person Yu Huai sighed, “Without the Heaven and Earth Net, it will be even harder for us to find his whereabouts.”

Initially, they had hoped to rely on the Heaven and Earth Net to locate the Ghost Swordsman, but now it seemed that this method was unfeasible.

Although the Zhenyi Sect also had its own intelligence organization, it was completely insufficient compared to the Heaven and Earth Net.

After all, the Zhenyi Sect had never thought to plot a rebellion, so naturally, they didn’t brazenly develop their intelligence organization.

Moreover, the Zhenyi Sect had already grown too prominent, leading to the dissatisfaction of the imperial court, so they had to be even more cautious in expanding the Qing Feng Hall.

“This really is troublesome.”

Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath, “I’ve already sent out an invitation, but the Ghost Swordsman has yet to show up. It seems this person is also quite cunning.”

The Ghost Swordsman’s refusal to come to the meeting clearly meant he was unwilling to hand over his “Daluo Heart Method” so easily, and given his previous raid on Liumu Villa with the intent to capture Qi Yun, he was obviously eager to obtain the “Jade Emperor Scripture.”

“Hmph, he dares to covet the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’?”

A cold smirk appeared at the corner of Real Person Yu Huai’s mouth.

The “Jade Emperor Scripture” is one of the three great secret scriptures of this era; without strength, even if one obtains it, it’s but a death sentence.

“In any case, we must strive to find him.”

Ling Yuanjing pondered for a moment and said, “Tomorrow, you shall personally make a trip to the Sky Scraping Cave at Tianku Mountain and invite the Reverend Mocloud to come out of seclusion.”

“Him?”

Real Person Yu Huai asked with some doubt, “But isn’t it that the spirit-seeking rat needs to absorb the Ghost Swordsman’s Qi Mechanism to trace his whereabouts?”

In this Jianghu, replete with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, talents emerge in great numbers, unfathomable in depth.

At Sky Scraping Cave on Tianku Mountain, there resided a supreme master known as Reverend Mocloud. Not only was his cultivation profound, but he also raised an Exotic Beast—a spirit-seeking rat that could follow the traces of Qi Mechanism residue to find its possessor.

Ling Yuanjing smiled, “Exactly, the next time the Ghost Swordsman makes a move, he will leave behind his Qi Mechanism. Then we can let the spirit-seeking rat absorb it to trace the Ghost Swordsman’s whereabouts. Reverend Mocloud frequently does this to great effect.”

Real Person Yu Huai said, “But the price for inviting him out of seclusion is substantial.”

“There is no other way,”

Ling Yuanjing replied slowly, “As long as we can obtain the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture,’ it’s only a matter of time before our Sect Leader breaks through to the Great Grandmaster level, then the Zhenyi Sect’s hundred-year plan can come to fruition.”

Real Person Yu Huai nodded heavily, “We must not underestimate the Ghost Swordsman’s strength; although it is far from being as exaggerated as the rumors suggest, his cultivation is also at the peak of the Heavenly Flower Realm.”

Ling Yuanjing said indifferently, “If it’s only the Heavenly Flower Realm, capturing him shouldn’t be difficult. When the time comes, I will speak to my martial uncle and ask the other three senior brothers to take action together, to ensure there is no room for error.”

Ling Yuanjing was known for acting with composure and sagacity, and despite being one of the four Peak Masters of the Zhenyi Sect with high status and great power, he remained neither arrogant nor impetuous. This earned him the high regard of Xiao Qianqiu, otherwise, he would not have been entrusted with the full authority to handle the Sect’s major affairs while Xiao Qianqiu was in seclusion.

Upon hearing this, Real Person Yu Huai felt a jolt in his spirit, “The collaboration of several real people descending from their peaks is a treatment that the Demon Sect could have once enjoyed.”

The Zhenyi Sect was making such a major movement; for hundreds of years, it was only during the campaign against the Demon Sect that such a grand occasion had occurred, with three of the four Peak Masters and all six Real People descending from the mountains, causing a sensation throughout the world.

“The lion uses all its strength even when catching a rabbit.”

Ling Yuanjing said mysteriously, “Moreover, in my view, the Ghost Swordsman is not a docile rabbit but a volatile and terrifying one.”

Real Person Yu Huai nodded, feeling a surge of excitement, “Tomorrow, I will set out for Tianku Mountain.”

Ling Yuanjing smiled, “No need to hurry, brother. Tomorrow, I will personally write a letter. Reverend Mocloud and I have met before, and with my letter in hand, it will add a touch of personal affection to the request.”

“Very well.

Real Person Yu Huai nodded in agreement.

…..

Mazi Lane.

In a dark room, there was an eerie silence.

The mummified corpse was suspended in the middle of the room, below it a vast ocean of surging True Qi.

At the center of the mummy was a crimson patch that seemed about to boil over under the billowing True Qi.

True Qi!

Since ancient times, only Grandmasters could transform the Qi Mechanism inside their bodies into the profound True Qi, and only True Qi could refine nature’s spiritual energy.

And naturally, True Qi was the hallmark of a Grandmaster.

“It’s almost time…”

The person felt the boiling of their blood and was ecstatic.

Their True Qi then surged wildly, like the rolling waters of a river, rushing towards the mummified body.

“Boom!” “Boom!”

“`

I do not know how much time had passed, but the crimson blood quivered more fiercely, as if it was about to surge out from the corpse.

“Swish swish!”

The next moment, the blood began to converge.

What was once a mass of crimson blood turned into several drops in the blink of an eye, and then those drops merged back into a single drop.

That one drop of blood was not only vivid as blood, but also carried an extremely brutal and fierce aura, as if it was not a drop of blood but a wildly ferocious beast.

“Undying Blood!”

The person seeing that scarlet blood, had a glint of frenzy in his eyes.

The single drop of blood was drawn out by the pull of True Qi, stripping away from the corpse before finally suspending in mid-air.

“Undying Blood, I can finally glimpse the secret of immortality.”

Seeing this, the man waved his sleeve, his True Qi holding up that drop of fresh blood.

“Roar!”

At that moment, an astounding roar emanated from the blood, a deafening sound.

Even with the person’s cultivation at the Grandmaster Realm, his heart turned cold at that moment.

Following that explosive roar, the blood began to dissipate.

In just the blink of an eye, it vanished into the darkness of the room.

The Undying Blood disappeared!?

“This!?”

Seeing this scene, the person was completely dumbfounded, his features twisted in extreme distortion.

The Undying Blood was so close at hand, yet in the end, it evaporated, turning into a mere illusion?

“How can this be? How is this possible!?”

The person clenched his fists, his eyes filled with astonishment, and then he grabbed the dry corpse laying on the ground.

At this moment, there was nothing but emptiness within the dry corpse, as if the Undying Blood had completely evaporated as well.

“Creak!” “Creak!”

Bones made crisp sounds as his palms grasped too tightly.

“My Undying Blood!”

Seeing this, his eyes filled with a trace of blood.

He had struggled for years, just to obtain that drop of Undying Blood, but just as the Undying Blood was within reach, it collapsed and disappeared.

If everything had been merely an illusion, he might have accepted it, but the Undying Blood was right before his eyes, almost within his grasp.

How could he possibly bear this!?

He felt his heart trembling.

Not knowing how much time had passed, the person finally exhaled slowly, calming down, “Indeed, obtaining this Undying Blood is not easy.”

“The Undying Blood was right before my eyes this time, truly unbearable to think about. Next time, next time I must obtain the Undying Blood and find the mystery of longevity.”

With that thought, he adjusted his emotions and walked slowly out of the house.

It was dawn with a ray of sunlight shining on the land.

It shone upon his withered, old face.

This person was none other than Elder Jiang.

“Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Jiang.”

Just then, a youthful voice came from afar.

A little girl in coarse clothing, with a joyful smile in her eyes and on her lips, ran toward him.

“What is it, Xiao Ya?”

Elder Jiang’s mouth carried a slight smile as he lifted the girl who ran into his arms.

Xiao Ya voiced her concern, “Grandpa Jiang, I heard some noise from your place just now, so I ran over to check on you.”

He Ping and his wife were both busy with work, often leaving Xiao Ya alone at home.

Although she was young, she was very well-behaved, not only keeping her own home clean but sometimes she would also help the destitute Elder Jiang with his cleaning.

“Hahaha.”

Elder Jiang laughed upon hearing this.

“Grandpa Jiang, you seem to be in a bad mood?”

Xiao Ya asked curiously.

“Can you tell?” Elder Jiang responded in surprise.

“`

“Yes, I can feel it,” the young girl said seriously. “It’s like standing in the cold wind.”

“Yes, my mood is very bad.”

Jiang Ye stroked the young girl’s face and sighed deeply.

“Grandpa Jiang, if there’s anything upsetting you, you can talk to me about it,” the young girl said with concern.

“My Undying Blood is gone,” Jiang Ye said despondently.

“What’s Undying Blood?”

“It’s a treasure that can grant people longevity.

“Grandpa Jiang, can people really achieve immortality?”

“Why not?”

The young girl was puzzled, quite skeptical about the longevity Jiang Ye spoke of.

“If only I could stay as young as you.”

Jiang Ye pinched the young girl’s cheek and smiled. “Pity that time doesn’t turn back.”

The young girl always felt that there was something odd about Jiang Ye today, especially when he smiled, which gave her a chilling feeling.

“Grandpa Jiang, I should get going now.”

“You’re leaving?”

At this, Jiang Ye smiled and said, “Young girl, would you like to stay with Grandpa Jiang forever?”

The young girl pressed her lips together and said softly, “Although I’d like to, my parents still need me.”

“It seems you don’t agree then?”

Jiang Ye’s smile deepened, but the young girl felt even colder.

“I want to go home now.”

The young girl quickly tried to break free from Jiang Ye’s embrace, but no matter how hard she struggled, it was in vain.

“Wuwuwu… Grandpa Jiang, I want to go home,” the young girl cried out.

“Don’t cry, young girl.”

Seeing her cry, Jiang Ye promptly wiped away the tears from her eyes and said, “If you promise to stay with Grandpa Jiang, I will let you go back.”

The young girl, hearing this, sobbed, “Okay, I will stay with Grandpa Jiang whenever I have time in the future.”

“Very good, very good.”

Jiang Ye, delighted at her words, said, “Young girl, do you know? Grandpa Jiang likes you the most, and I’m especially happy when you’re with me.”

The young girl, looking at Grandpa Jiang in front of her, felt both shocked and scared. “Grandpa Jiang, can you let me go back now?”

“Since you’ve said you would stay with Grandpa Jiang, why talk about going back home?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ye suddenly showed discontent.

“I…”

Before the young girl could finish her words, she felt a blur before her eyes and an immense pain surging within her, as if she was being consumed by flames.

The intense pain did not last long, just a moment, and then she closed her eyes.

Looking affectionately at the young girl in his arms, Jiang Ye said softly, “Young girl, you said you’d stay with Grandpa Jiang, so go ahead and wait for me.”

The girl in his arms appeared to be fast asleep, giving no response whatsoever.

Jiang Ye then carefully laid down the girl, as if fearful of hurting her, and then walked out of the house with measured steps.

As spring arrived, the weather gradually warmed.

At this time, Yu State City was bustling with pedestrians and traffic, a scene of prosperity.

Jiang Ye walked in the streets, stepping into the gentle sunshine.

“Jiang Ye, long time no see,” said a patrolling constable upon catching sight of Jiang Ye. “Why do you look so pale?”

Jiang Ye chuckled lightly, “Indeed, it has been a while. I’m feeling unwell, and I’m about to go check in at Jishi Hall.”

“Then you better hurry, Doctor An is still quite skillful,” the constable said promptly.

Along the way, people would occasionally greet Jiang Ye, and he courteously responded to everyone.

Having been in the area for two or three years and being approachable and easygoing, he had made a very positive impression on everyone.

After walking through two or three streets, Jiang Ye finally reached the street market by the Yu State River and then arrived at the entrance of Jishi Hall.

Suddenly, he paused, his eyes fixated on the brand-new plaque above the door with a trace of distraction.

“Yu State City is really a good place; I wonder why I’m finding it hard to leave.”