My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Ghost Swordsman Whose Fame Spreads Across the World

Great Yan Border.

The wind and sand stretched endlessly, vast and boundless, the wild and unrestrained spirit was awe-inspiring, and it also made one feel an endless fatigue.

This place was far from the bustling noise, and even birds wouldn’t linger here. The heavy weight of time pressed on this vast land, hardly capturing that moment of grandeur from years past; yesterday, today, and tomorrow were all frozen together.

Only drought-resistant Russian olives and poplars grew here, occasionally accompanied by clumps of half-fathom-high tamarisk grass, all solemnly guarding this piece of land together.

This feeling surpassed that of the oceans and mountains, making one truly understand what emptiness and vastness were.

An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword, gazing into the distant direction.

It seemed his mind was still contemplating the remaining power of that one palm, or perhaps admiring the distant vast land.

“Rustle! Rustle!”

At the same time, countless Jianghu experts swarmed in from afar.

These people were dressed in various garments, but the anxious expressions on their faces were unanimously identical; they all wanted to know how the pursuit of Qi Shu by the Ghost Swordsman had ended.

“That’s the Ghost Swordsman!”

Someone who spotted An Jing at the front hastily shouted.

The crowd all stopped and looked over.

The yellow sand was swept up, and the sound of the wind howled. The black-robed man’s coat fluttered in the strong wind, his body as straight as a spear.

The ground around was a mess, with traces of fresh blood visible.

The Black Flood Dragon was now circling mid-air, silently waiting for something.

“What’s going on here?”

“Where is Qi Shu?”

……

Everyone’s hearts were filled with doubt.

Among the crowd, a woman stepped forward slowly and crisply shouted, “Sir, may I know where that thief Qi Shu is now?”

This woman’s face showed a few lines of wrinkles, but her features were very beautiful and charming, with a hint of allure in her eyes.

The Unrivaled Sword, Wang Ningshui.

An expert from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall.

“The mysterious expert from Great Snow Mountain saved him,”

An Jing quietly withdrew his gaze and responded softly.

On hearing this, everyone present felt a pang of regret, but then they were all shocked.

“That Qi Shu boy, chased for over three hundred li, has taken quite a fall this time.”

“If not for someone from Houjin taking action, Qi Shu would have undoubtedly died.”

“Such a despicable and shameless person, and he still managed to escape.”

“Could Great Snow Mountain be secretly colluding with Black Ice Platform?”

“Houjin barbarians, they even dare to invade our ancestral land?”

…..

Although everyone felt some regret,

Three hundred li!

The Ghost Swordsman had chased Qi Shu for a full three hundred li.

One must know, Qi Shu was also a top expert in Zhao Country, initially making a name for himself no less than Xiao Qianqiu, and even surpassing him by a fraction.

It was only later that Qi Shu gradually got overshadowed by Xiao Qianqiu.

Xiao Qianqiu, hailed as the once-in-a-generation genius, most likely to enter the Great Grandmaster Realm, was not something to be ashamed of being surpassed by. With Qi Shu’s talent, in a time of scarcity, he could still hold up this world.

Zhao Country also regarded Qi Shu as the next Qi Wushuang, and Qi Shu did not disappoint the expectations of others, achieving the Second Qi Grandmaster cultivation by his early fifties.

Now having suffered such humiliation and run three hundred li with his tail between his legs, if not for the expert from Houjin intervening, he might have died within Great Yan territory, killed under the Ghost Swordsman’s sword.

Looking at that figure, everyone was somewhat solemnly respectful.

An Jing quietly exhaled, deep in thought.

Now being at the Half-Step Master level, how he could truly reach the Grandmaster level by Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.

If it were solely depending on his own cultivation, it would take decades of hard work to reach, but he couldn’t wait that long now; he needed to find a way to quickly ascend to Grandmaster.

“Two more months, I guess, to reach Grandmaster within two months,”

An Jing paid no attention to the crowd, his figure leapt, landing on the back of the Flood Dragon.

“Roar!”

The Black Flood Dragon roared, its powerful sound vibrating the sky, echoing in all directions.

Everyone watched the scene before them, the peerless swordsman bathed in a golden orange sunlight, every move he made was indescribably expressive.

Everyone’s eyes carried a solemn respect as they shuffled to the sides to make way.

Wang Ningshui watched the figure gradually fade away, unable to refrain from calling out.

“Sir, when will you become the World’s First Swordsman?”

An Jing, however, did not speak again, as the Black Flood Dragon moved extremely fast, vanishing from everyone’s sight in the blink of an eye.

…..

Land Temple on Mount Su.

The temple was now a mess, a sight full of devastation wherever one looked.

Zhao Xuening couldn’t hear the outside noises anymore, and cautiously poked her head out.

“Whew…..”

Seeing no one around, she couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh before forcefully climbing out.

Now that there was no one, if she stayed in this place, who knew whether Qi Shu would come back to kill again.

“Princess?! What are you doing here?”

Just then, a sharp voice rang out.

Zhao Xuening raised her head and saw a man standing outside the broken temple.

The man was exceptionally handsome, with a delicate beauty to his features that seemed to rival even Zhao Xuening’s.

“Little Table?”

Zhao Xuening’s eyes lit up when she saw who it was.

This man was Zhuo Yuchang, who had used some connections to be released from the Heavenly Prison and had planned to go to Dongluo Pass to pick flowers. Unexpectedly, as he passed by Xu Wang Mountain, he sensed a disturbance in the qi mechanism and sneaked up the mountain waist to investigate.

Zhuo Yuchang’s mouth twitched as he said, “I am no longer a eunuch in the palace, Princess. You can just call me by my name.”

Zhao Xuening quickly called out, “Little Table, come help me, let’s go quickly.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang helped Zhao Xuening towards the outside of the temple, while asking, “Princess, what in the world happened?”

Nowadays, south of Pingling, Jianghu was completely chaotic. Everyone was frantically searching for Qi Shu’s whereabouts.

All kinds of true and false news, complicated and intertwined, had bewildered many in the martial world. In short, the entire court and Jianghu were in complete disarray.

Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, “The criminal Qi Shu was preparing to head north to hand me over to Houjin, but unexpectedly encountered that Ghost Swordsman here, and then the two of them started fighting; now their whereabouts are unknown….”

“Ghost Swordsman!?”

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang couldn’t help but recall that ‘extra-large’ bellyband, a surge of unpleasant memories rushing to his mind.

If it weren’t for that ‘extra-large’ bellyband, he wouldn’t have been sent to the Heavenly Prison.

Seeing the expression on Zhuo Yuchang’s face, Zhao Xuening asked, “What, do you know this person?”

“No, I don’t.”

Zhuo Yuchang quickly shook his head, “That Ghost Swordsman is extremely mysterious in Jianghu, how could I possibly know him? But I do know someone who does.”

“Who?”

“Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis.”

“Qiu Lun!?”

Zhao Xuening’s expression also turned strange, as she had a profoundly deep impression of Qiu Lun.

Zuo Linglong had once tried to arrange a marriage between herself and Qiu Lun.

When Zhao Xuening first met that water-tank-like fat man, a sense of aversion sprang up within her—it was clearly not a person, but a big meatball!

To her surprise, without her saying anything, Qiu Lun had outright refused.

Which nobleman or high-ranking official’s son didn’t try to win her favor, pleasing her in every possible way? Only Qiu Lun avoided her as if she were a viper, as if he had seen a ghost.

He even blatantly called her an ugly monster.

Besides, she always felt that this man’s way of thinking was somewhat abnormal.

According to the saying that like attracts like, the brain of that Ghost Swordsman also seemed to be abnormal, since normal and abnormal people do not mix.

However, her escape this time was indeed thanks to that Ghost Swordsman.

“Let’s just go,” she said.

Zhao Xuening didn’t ponder any longer, instead urging Zhuo Yuchang to hurry towards the distance.

The two hurried down Xu Wang Mountain and ran towards Yujing City.

“Someone!?”

Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, Zhuo Yuchang felt a familiar qi mechanism swiftly approaching from ahead.

“Princess, I still have matters to attend to, I must take my leave today,” he said.

As Zhuo Yuchang set Zhao Xuening down and tried to escape towards the distance, @@novelbin@@

“Grandson, where are you going?”

Just as Zhuo Yuchang took a step, a dry hand landed onto his shoulder.

“Grand… Grandfather, how did you come here?”

Zhuo Yuchang turned around, looking at the white-browed elder behind him, his face stricken as if in mourning.

The white-browed eunuch turned to look at Zhao Xuening, bowing slightly and saying, “This old servant has come late to rescue, causing fright to the Princess.”

Zhao Xuening let out a big sigh of relief, saying, “No harm, it was my carelessness that gave Qi Shu an opportunity, causing so much chaos and concern for you all.”

With this man here, she knew she was safe.

The white-browed eunuch said, “Princess, let’s return to the palace quickly, the Empress is currently very anxious….”

Zhao Xuening frowned slightly and said, “Okay, let’s hurry back.”

Zhuo Yuchang’s face darkened, thinking of something, “Grandfather, I just remembered, I borrowed something from someone yesterday and need to return it today. How can a man fail to keep his word? I, Zhuo Yuchang, as a man, always keep my promises; please allow me to fulfill my commitment….”

The white-browed eunuch said indifferently, “You borrowed that woman’s bellyband, didn’t you? In my opinion, it’s better not to return it; besides, you are not really a man, just a eunuch, and the most important thing for a eunuch is to know his place.”

“Grandson, better come back with me.”

Zhuo Yuchang’s face turned red, then he sighed deeply, seemingly resigned.

…..

Three days later, Yujing City, Baiyu Palace.

The woman at the head wore a fiery red dress with golden auspicious clouds embroidered on the skirt, her sharp and charming phoenix eyes smiling, a phoenix perched in her hair bun holding a bright pearl, casting a magnificent and charming light.

This person was the current Empress of Great Yan, Zuo Linglong.

The man who had just rushed there was Zhao Mengtai.

Zuo Linglong, still shaken, said, “This was indeed perilous. If it wasn’t for that Ghost Swordsman fighting with Qi Shu, Qi Shu might have truly escaped.”

At this moment, Zhao Xuening had already returned to the Imperial Palace, and news had spread throughout the world that the Ghost Swordsman had pursued Qi Shu for over three hundred miles and was ultimately rescued by a master from Houjin at the Great Yan Border.

This invisibly elevated the fame of the Ghost Swordsman to a new height. Many young heroes sought to emulate the Ghost Swordsman’s attire, and even some flower-picking thieves wore black robes, lingering in the fragrant boudoirs and dark chambers, significantly increasing their chances of success.

Since no one in Jianghu knew what the Ghost Swordsman looked like, whether male or female, or how old they were.

Some wealthy widows and courageous heroines even posted tens of thousands in rewards, eager to glimpse the true face of the Ghost Swordsman, quickly turning it into a hot topic in Jianghu.

It was not just women who were curious; even some men wondered about the true identity of this mysterious figure.

Many youngsters in Jianghu sought the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman, hoping to become his disciple and learn his profound and inscrutable sword skills.

For a time, the name of the Ghost Swordsman was immensely notorious in Jianghu, truly renowned throughout the world, and supported by countless followers.

Zuo Biwen, despite the warrants from the Zhenyi Sect, openly declared that the Ghost Swordsman would be a distinguished guest should he come to Youfeng Valley.

Zhao Mengtai spoke in a deep voice, “The strength of the Ghost Swordsman shouldn’t be that formidable. It must be his Black Flood Dragon.”

He constantly monitored the strength of the Ghost Swordsman. Although it was said that he had killed an old master like Qingfeng of the One Qi Grandmaster level, he was still far from possessing the power to pursue a Second Qi Grandmaster.

“Regardless, this is a favor.”

Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said, “I heard that the Ghost Swordsman is on the wanted list of the Zhenyi Sect, but I am not sure if it’s true.”

Zhao Mengtai nodded, “It’s true.”

Zuo Linglong tentatively asked, “Then is there a chance for reconciliation?”

“It is unlikely.”

Zhao Mengtai shook his head.

Zuo Linglong was not very concerned about the matters of Jianghu, but she vaguely knew about the recent battle at Abyss Lake between Xiao Qianqiu and Lou Xiangzhen, and it seemed that the Ghost Swordsman was also involved.

The Zhenyi Sect was definitely not going to give up on the Jade Emperor Scripture, and if they asked the Ghost Swordsman to surrender the Jade Emperor Scripture, it would undoubtedly break the backbone of a swordsman.

Zuo Linglong pondered for a moment, then thought of something, and asked, “What did Elder Lü say?”

“Elder Lü agreed,” Zhao Mengtai smiled, “With Xuening’s appearance and status, there should be few men in this world who can refuse her. Now it just depends on whether Xuening is satisfied.”

Zuo Linglong slightly nodded, “Although he is Elder Lü’s student, we still need to see his character.”

“Mother, rest assured, I will handle this matter.”

Zhao Mengtai stood up, preparing to take his leave: “Since Xuening has rested, I shall visit her next time…

“Empress, the Crown Prince has arrived.”

Just then, a beautiful palace maid walked in.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengtai paused mid-sentence, and his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.

Zuo Linglong nodded, “Let him in.”

“Yes.”

The palace maid spoke and retreated out.

Zhao Mengtai smiled, “It’s good, it’s been a while since I have seen my brother.”

Zuo Linglong could clearly see this ‘cordial brotherly’ facade, as the two brothers were already at odds with each other in the imperial court, a situation that is inevitably sad in an imperial family.

If Zhao Xuening were a boy, would she still be as close to Zhao Mengtai?

Soon, a man with a friendly smile and elegant demeanor entered,

It was indeed Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin.

“Your son pays respects to mother,” Zhao Chongyin bowed to Zuo Linglong above him.

“No need for such formalities.”

Zuo Ling smiled slightly, “You came today to see Xuening as well, but she has just rested.”

Zhao Chongyin’s smile lingered, “That is indeed a pity. However, it is my duty to pay respects to mother after being away for so long, and it provides a chance to see my younger brother whom I haven’t seen in a long time; I do have important matters to discuss with him.”

Saying this, Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai.

Zuo Linglong said, “Crown Prince, please take a seat.”

“Thank you, mother.”

Zhao Chongyin straightened his clothes and then sat down, his demeanor graceful and his face always carrying a pleasant smile that naturally endeared him to others.

However, Zhao Mengtai’s expression was stern and even carried a hint of mockery, “Your Highness, I hope you did not come today just to boast?”

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had been his work for decades. Now, not only had it suffered heavy losses, but it was also forced underground, which could be said to have cost Zhao Mengtai a major limb.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai and smiled, “Of course not. I actually came to discuss Qi Shu.”

Zhao Mengtai’s fingers lightly tapped on the table, his expression indifferent, “Please speak, Your Highness.”

Zhao Chongyin said, “Younger brother, as you know, Qi Shu was able to escape this time entirely because of the intervention of a top expert from Houjin, who did not enter Great Yan’s territory and managed to fend off a peerless swordsman like the Ghost Swordsman. There are only a handful of such experts.”

“Houjin and Zhao Country, one is a jackal, the other a tiger; it now seems they both view Great Yan as a fat sheep.”

Zhao Mengtai remained silent, the hint of a dark look in his eyes completely withheld.

Although there had been rumors of Houjin moving south for three years now, years had passed since that speculation, somewhat making people complacent.

But today’s episode with Qi Shu gives a glimpse into the situation.

It was clear that Houjin and Zhao Country had reached some understanding, and now everyone knew their intentions. What worried both Houjin and Zhao Country now was whether the Great Yan Emperor truly reached that Great Grandmaster level.

While others might not be aware, Zhao Mengtai knew very well that the Emperor had not achieved this Great Grandmaster level but had instead suffered backlash injuries, and his internal injuries might be more serious than expected.

This was also why he had been somewhat anxious lately.

Great Yan was surrounded by formidable foes, and the situation was precarious.

Zuo Linglong also furrowed her brows deeply, feeling extremely worried.

The ruin of a nation and the fall of a dynasty weighed more heavily on the heart than mountains, especially since she was the current Empress of Great Yan, with her own fate and her daughter’s bound together with the nation’s fortune.

Zhao Chongyin continued, “The Jin Envoy will soon arrive in Great Yan, seemingly with matrimonial intentions, but their true purpose is likely espionage.”

“Regardless of the intelligence, both Houjin and Zhao Country might send out troops; the only differences are the methods and timing of their deployment.”

Zhao Mengtai couldn’t help but nod. The Holy Master of Houjin had indeed mastered the ancestral art of warfare to perfection, never engaging in battles unless success was assured.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say.”

Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, then stood up and said, “Empress Mother, I will take my leave now.”

After finishing his statement, Zhao Chongyin slowly exited the Baiyu Palace.

Zuo Linglong watched Zhao Chongyin’s retreating figure, then turned to look at Zhao Mengtai, who had remained silent the whole time.

“Mengtai.”

“Empress Mother, don’t worry, I am not someone who fails to see the bigger picture.”

Though Zhao Mengtai’s face wore a smile, his heart was growing colder.

Zhao Chongyin’s stratagem was indeed cruel and ruthless.

Now, with Great Yan surrounded by formidable enemies, to compete against him would be akin to throwing Great Yan into turmoil. Moreover, what he said today in the Baiyu Palace was partly a reminder for himself and partly intended for Zuo Linglong’s ears.

But if he didn’t make a move now, once the Crown Prince truly consolidated his power and won over the people’s hearts, would he still have a chance?

…..

Dongluo Pass, beneath the Sealing Demon Well.

“Are you implying that the world is now divided into three, and it’s no longer the era of the Qin Dynasty’s unification?”

Nan Weiping asked intermittently, lying on the ground.

During this time, she would often ask about the world outside when she had nothing else to do, thus she understood the current state of affairs.

“Yes.”

Zhao Qingmei stated faintly.

Upon hearing this, Nan Weiping couldn’t help but comment, “The times now really aren’t suited for me anymore, perhaps staying here is the best destiny for me.”

Such a lengthy passage of time had worn down her ambitions and aspirations, prompting her to utter these words involuntarily.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at Nan Weiping and asked, “Does that mean you still wholeheartedly wish to escape the Sealing Demon Well?”

After a long silence, Nan Weiping responded, “I want to see the sunrise and sunset again.”

Who could have imagined that this individual, once a Grandmaster, now simply yearned to witness the sunrise and sunset?

Although it seemed a rather ordinary desire, for her, it was seemingly impossible due to the Nine Heavens Profound Iron within her.

Zhao Qingmei remained silent but closed the diary she had been reading.

Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, “Young girl, how about you comb my hair?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take the opportunity to harm you?”

Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow.

“Not afraid.”

Nan Weiping shook her head and leaned back against Zhao Qingmei, “You need me if you want to leave the Sealing Demon Well, so you wouldn’t kill me.”

Zhao Qingmei looked at the serious expression on Nan Weiping’s face and broke into a smile, nodding, “Alright.”

Then, Zhao Qingmei pulled out a comb and went behind Nan Weiping.

The comb glided through her tangled, salt-and-pepper hair, lifting strands of silver with it.

Nan Weiping commented, “If it weren’t for this special cave, my hair would likely be full of lice by now.”

Zhao Qingmei casually asked, “Why were you trapped here, Elder?”

Nan Weiping waved her hand, “The past is the past, let’s not mention it.”

Zhao Qingmei said nothing more, instead she focused on meticulously combing the hair, afterward twisting it into a bun and securing it with a hairpin she carried.

Nan Weiping felt her temples and the bun on her head, saying, “Will you lend me your bronze mirror to see?”

Zhao Qingmei went to a stone table to hand over her bronze mirror.

Through the mirror, Zhao Qingmei also observed Nan Weiping’s visage.

Eyes tinged with red, skin like dried bark, cheekbones hollowed out, her appearance having long lost the traces of youthful beauty.

It was hard to imagine what she looked like when she was young.

“Hahahaha.”

Seeing her own reflection, Nan Weiping burst into laughter, then turned to Zhao Qingmei, “Young girl, what if I asked you to stay here forever with me, what would you think?”

Zhao Qingmei’s eyes narrowed, “Impossible.”

Nan Weiping’s smile faded as she muttered to herself, “Indeed, being born so beautiful and enchanting, it would be a waste to confine you in the Sealing Demon Well during your prime.”

Neither spoke again, and the cave seemed to quieten further.

“I’ll go fetch tonight’s dinner.”

Zhao Qingmei turned to leave the cave.

Suddenly, Nan Weiping raised her head and looked towards the ceiling of the cave, saying, “The door is right above you.”

“A door!?”

Zhao Qingmei, upon hearing this, immediately looked up.

All she saw above were rows of characters, and nothing else—where was there any sign of a door?

“The door, that’s a ‘heart gate.’”

Nan Weiping spoke softly.

……

PS: I’m not sick, nor do I have other matters today, just feeling a bit tired, this is enough for today.