My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Ghost Swordsman’s Night Visit to Lv Sect (10,000 Characters Update, Subscription Requested)

Zhao Qingmei heard this, her eyes fixed on the characters above, and then snapped her fingers.

“Whoosh!”

A jet of Qi Force shot out from her fingertips.

The Qi Force hit the cave ceiling without making the violent noise she had imagined, but instead silently merged into the ceiling.

“There really is something odd.”

Zhao Qingmei could not help but reveal a trace of joy in her eyes.

Nan Weiping slowly said, “This place is the exit from the Sealing Demon Well.”

Zhao Qingmei gazed at Nan Weiping and asked, “Senior, why are you suddenly telling me all this?”

Previously, she had drugged Nan Weiping, who had not revealed anything to her, but today she took the initiative to tell her.

“There are many reasons.”

Nan Weiping chuckled softly, and said in a low voice, “For instance, to thank you for the food you’ve brought these past days, and for keeping an old body company to chat away the boredom, even though you don’t talk much, mostly just listening to me. Of course, the main reason is that staying here, you will not have a chance to sever the Nine Heavens Profound Iron, so it’s better to let you go out and find another opportunity.”

The Nine Heavens Profound Iron is one of the most resilient substances in the world, and can only possibly be severed by the sharpest weapon under heaven.

If Zhao Qingmei had such a weapon, she would have already used it to ‘threaten’ herself; obviously, she did not possess it.

Thus, the only option was to let Zhao Qingmei go out and search for this weapon, which was her only chance to escape the Sealing Demon Well.

Although Nan Weiping was once at the Grandmaster Realm, her lifespan was now also not much. Reaching her level of a Demi Immortal, she could almost sense her life continuously slipping away.

The most helpless part of life is when you see countless choices, but the reality is that you have none at all.

Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, “Alright, as soon as I get out, I, Zhao Qingmei, swear I will find a way to find the sharpest weapon to sever this Nine Heavens Profound Iron.”

Nan Weiping nodded slightly, then looked somewhat lost as she gazed at the cave.

Zhao Qingmei, carrying the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, pushed off the ground and shot upwards towards the cave ceiling.

Just as she was about to reach the cave ceiling, she felt a thick wall appear before her, blocking her path.

“Senior, what’s happening here?”

Zhao Qingmei landed back on the ground and asked anxiously.

Nan Weiping sat down cross-legged and said, “As I said, this is a Heart Gate. Qi Force has no heart, but you are different.”

“No heart?”

“Your ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’ has reached the Seventh Layer and has already arrived at the Realm of Myriad Forms. You embody myriad forms, but it all stems from a single person, you, and thus cannot detach from your very self.”

“So, I need to reach the Eighth Layer, the Realm of Myriad Forms Heartless?”

Zhao Qingmei furrowed her eyebrows.

Advancing a level in the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’ is extremely difficult; the gap from the Seventh Layer to the Eighth might seem just one realm, but would at least require decades of arduous cultivation to achieve.

Nan Weiping shook her head and said, “Yes, I previously reminded you to cultivate the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,’ but you were solely focused on dealing with me and finding a way out of the Sealing Demon Well.”

Zhao Qingmei remained silent. Being trapped in this dark Sealing Demon Well, with the Demon Sect leaderless outside, her husband’s whereabouts unknown, how could she calm her mind to cultivate here?

Zhao Qingmei asked, “How long will it take?”

Nan Weiping thought for a moment and said, “In the records of the Demon Sect, the fastest time taken to cultivate from the Seventh Layer to the Eighth was nine years.”

“Nine years?”

Zhao Qingmei said solemnly, “That’s too long.”

Her life span was merely nineteen or twenty years, and nine years was immensely long for her.

The last time she parted from her brother was ten years ago, and now almost another decade has nearly passed; how could she endure it?

Nan Weiping thought for a moment and said, “With my full guidance, and with the understanding of many predecessors around you, it shouldn’t take many years, perhaps just one year would be enough.”

Zhao Qingmei suddenly laughed lightly, “One month, as long as I can calm my mind, I could reach the Eighth Layer in one month.”

She had long been stuck at the Seventh Layer; now, with the insights from the cave and guidance from Nan Weiping, she felt confident that she could reach the Eighth Layer within a month, provided she could truly quiet her mind.

“Hahahaha!”

At Zhao Qingmei’s words, Nan Weiping first paused, then burst into laughter.

“Senior, why are you laughing?”

“You truly are confident. You must understand that all the past leaders of the Demon Sect were geniuses of their times, and none dared to utter such bold words. Yet, you are a woman… ”

“In the path of cultivation, I am the most confident person.”

Zhao Qingmei’s tone was calm, without any fluctuations, as if stating something obvious, and then she walked out of the cave.

“Such confidence…”

Nan Weiping looked at that retreating figure and couldn’t help but take a fresh look.

…..

Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower.

In the quaint room.

Duanmu Xinghua sat at the table, facing the stacks of secret correspondence demanding attention.

“*Sigh*…”

She continuously reviewed the secret correspondence on the table and after about half an hour, she finally let out a long sigh, put down her pen, then stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the bustling Dongluo Pass below with its vibrant merchant caravans.

Dongluo Pass was as usual, with no disturbances whatsoever.

However, this period had been most exhausting for her.

Internal strife plagued the Demon Sect; the former Hierarch, Jiang Shang, had completely detached from the Demon Sect, solely pursuing the elusive immortality, while the current Hierarch, Zhao Qingmei, was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, with the break of the ban looking indefinitely distant, possibly never escaping in this lifetime.

Moreover, Yuan Feng on the Sealing Demon Platform had been causing trouble frequently. Recently, he even went to the East Camp to kill a master from Heavenly Sect, threatening the Xuanwu Sect’s leader to send forces to support Houjin and coerce Great Yan.

The current situation was on the brink of eruption, an opportunity for the Demon Sect to expand its grand ambitions, but due to its own internal issues, this rare opportunity had turned into a crisis for the sect.

“What should I do?”

Duanmu Xinghua rubbed her temples, her brows furrowed deeply.

“Tap tap tap tap…”

“Sect Master Duanmu, Jiang Renyi requests an audience!”

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the door.

Jiang Renyi!?

Duanmu Xinghua’s eyes narrowed into slits, then with a flick of her sleeve, she said indifferently, “Enter.”

“Creak!”

The door opened straight away, revealing Jiang Renyi standing outside, accompanied by several masters from Heavenly Sect, including the second master of Heavenly Sect, Geng Tianchou.

“Sect Master Duanmu.”

Jiang Renyi walked into the room and respectfully performed a large bow towards Duanmu Xinghua.

Duanmu Xinghua did not regard Jiang Renyi, instead looking at the Heavenly Sect masters behind him.

“Sect Master.”

Geng Tianchou said, bowing his fists.

The rest of the Heavenly Sect masters also respectfully performed a bow.

The younger generation seemed to have long forgotten the measures of Duanmu Xinghua, but as old masters of the Demon Sect, how could they possibly forget?

Duanmu Xinghua nodded slightly, then turned her attention to Jiang Renyi and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be in Dongluo Desert? What brings you to Dongluo Pass today?”

Jiang Renyi gravely said, “Having grown up in the Demon Sect, how can I remain calm in Dongluo Desert upon hearing of the current state of the sect? Thus, I hurried back without stopping.”

Duanmu Xinghua raised her eyebrows, “You were demoted to Dongluo Desert by the order of the Hierarch, and coming out before three years is hardly in accordance with our sect’s rules.”

Her heart faintly sensed an ominous sign.

What Duanmu Xinghua couldn’t understand, however, was how Jiang Renyi had managed to subdue Geng Tianchou.

“My fellow disciple is now at the bottom of the Sealing Demon Well, it’s still uncertain whether she can see the light of day again, and besides, rules are dead, but people are alive,” Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and continued, “Now that the Hierarch of the Demon Sect is trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, it can’t be without a leader for a day. I, Jiang Renyi, am willing to nominate myself to take the position of the temporary Hierarch.”

As Jiang Renyi finished speaking, the entire room fell very quiet.

The expressions of Geng Tianchou and the other Heavenly Sect masters did not change at all, evidently already aware of this matter.

“Oh?”

Duanmu Xinghua gave Jiang Renyi a glance but said nothing.

She had a high opinion of Jiang Renyi; if not for Zhao Qingmei, Jiang Renyi was certainly the most qualified to take up the position of Hierarch of the Demon Sect, especially since his father, Jiang Shang, was still in power.

Geng Tianchou said, bowing his fist, “Sect Master Duanmu, you’re aware of the current situation. Zhao Country and Houjin already show a trend of alliance, and a national war could erupt at any moment. At this time, our Demon Sect under this crisis, can hardly remain uninvolved, we need someone to lead the Demon Sect…”

Duanmu Xinghua nodded, “It’s still unknown whether Hierarch Zhao can break free.”

In terms of righteousness, it was indeed necessary for someone to stand up and unify the brethren to face the impending great upheaval; however, her heart also started worrying about Zhao Qingmei under the Sealing Demon Well…

Jiang Renyi said calmly, “If my fellow disciple emerges, I’m willing to return the position to her.”

How could someone who entered the Sealing Demon Well a second time possibly come out again?

“Sect Master Duanmu, please prioritize the overall situation,”

As Duanmu Xinghua hesitated, a cold voice arrived from afar.

Yuan Feng!

Duanmu Xinghua recognized the voice instantly.

Jiang Renyi emerging from the Dongluo Desert — this matter was obviously not as simple as it seemed.

With the Sealing Demon Platform backing him, and his father Jiang Shang, it was no wonder that Geng Tianchou and the other Heavenly Sect experts were willing to follow Jiang Renyi’s lead.

It took a long while before Duanmu Xinghua sighed, “In life, I dwell in the Demon Sect; in death, I’ll be a ghost of the Demon Sect. I care for nothing else.”

Jiang Renyi smiled, knowing that Duanmu Xinghua had agreed to him acting as the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.

Within the Demon Sect, Duanmu Xinghua’s word was supreme, even surpassing that of Lin Tianhai, Li Fuzhou, and others.

In terms of strength, Duanmu Xinghua was a Grandmaster; her subordinates included countless Heavenly Sect experts. Having joined the Demon Sect almost four decades ago, even Li Fuzhou was brought into the Demon Sect by her.

As long as she didn’t interfere, the position of the Demon Sect Hierarch was almost guaranteed, and the only other concern was Qin Bin, who gave her quite a headache.

As for the word ‘acting’, as long as he was firm enough, could anyone else even touch this position of the Demon Sect Hierarch?

Geng Tianchou and other Heavenly Sect experts also breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Qingmei was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, likely never to emerge again. Having Jiang Renyi take over as the Sect Hierarch now seemed the best choice.

Duanmu Xinghua slowly spoke, “There are also the matters concerning Chief Yu and Chief Qin. I hope they can be handled well.”

Jiang Renyi smiled and said, “Don’t worry, both are pillars of the Demon Sect. I am aware of their importance.”

Duanmu Xinghua nodded and then lowering her voice, said, “If that’s the case, I pay my respects to Sect Hierarch Jiang.”

“We pay our respects to Sect Hierarch Jiang!”

Geng Tianchou and the others also respectfully knelt down.

At this moment, the skies of the Demon Sect changed.

Jiang Renyi forcefully suppressed the impulse within his heart, but he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Demon Sect Hierarch, he had coveted this lofty position for so many years, and today he finally achieved it.

Jiang Renyi took a deep breath to calm himself, then remembering Yuan Feng’s words, said, “Apart from Sect Master Li, summon all the experts back to the headquarters. On one hand, to discuss countermeasures for allying with Houjin, and on the other, to stabilize the disciples’ hearts.”

Duanmu Xinghua’s brow furrowed slightly, “Is our Demon Sect truly going to ally with Houjin?”

An alliance with Houjin would undoubtedly be making a deal with a tiger, likely ending up as its vassal, swallowed whole.

Jiang Renyi said plainly, “I have my own judgement in this matter.”

Hearing Jiang Renyi say this, Duanmu Xinghua did not speak any further.

……

Yujing City, northern Wangjing Mountain.

The sound of spring water tinkled, resembling crisp and melodious music. The early summer breeze blew, bringing a wave of warmth through the lush green forest.

In the dense woods, a Black Flood Dragon lay seemingly napping, intermittently expelling white smoke from its nostrils.

An Jing sat nearby, observing an ancient jade in his hand.

It was the ancient jade given to him by King Xiu, touted as a fine treasure.

After playing with it, An Jing found nothing unusual and tucked it into his bosom, then spoke up, “Old Lou, I have a bad feeling.”

After the battle at Abyss Lake, Xiao Qianqiu and other experts of the Zhenyi Sect rarely appeared in Jianghu, reportedly retreating into seclusion.

This unsettled An Jing.

Xiao Qianqiu, known as a natural-born Daoist, had unquestionable talents. Before reaching fifty, he had attained the Grandmaster level and even perfected the Beidou Seven Stars Technique.

Whether in terms of innate talent or intellect, he was among the top figures in the world. After his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, although his accumulated momentum was lost, Lou Xiangzhen had mentioned that it might very well complete Xiao Qianqiu. If he could overcome his internal barriers, his cultivation might increase substantially.

Now that Xiao Qianqiu had reached the Four Qi cultivation, if he were to advance further, he would achieve Five Qi Grandmaster, one step away from the rumored Great Grandmaster status. Given his age, it was highly probable he would reach it.

Jiang Sanjia hoped that one day he could ascend Zhenyi Mountain, scatter a pot of fine wine at the summit to pay tribute to his spirit in heaven, and the pending conflict between Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu also needed his resolution.

An Jing bore the expectations of Jiang Sanjia and Lou Xiangzhen, and having killed so many experts of the Zhenyi Sect, there was also a struggle over his inheritance; consequently, a battle between them was inevitable.

Xiao Qianqiu was truly a formidable opponent.

And there was also that Mr. Jiang, most likely the previous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang.

“Qingmei…”

An Jing touched his own cheek, muttering to himself, “With my physique and looks, clinging to a powerful thigh and living off someone else isn’t too much, right?”

Whoosh!

An Jing abruptly stood up, approached the creek, and looked fiercely at his reflection in the water. “How can you live off others, you’ve really fallen, do you still remember the oath you made in the past? To rely on yourself, to strive, you must fight… You need to work on strengthening your kidneys.”

The Black Flood Dragon shifted its body and glanced at the man talking to himself by the riverbank before continuing to lie on the ground.

After encouraging himself, An Jing also returned to normal.

Since Lou Xiangzhen had left, he felt lost as he wandered in the Jianghu, completely in the dark.

Apart from hearing rumors from the Jianghu along the way, he had no understanding of the various secrets and important matters of the world whatsoever.

“Anyway, infiltrating the Demon Sect to find a way to advance to the Grandmaster realm is the most urgent matter at hand,” he said.

An Jing took a deep breath, then approached the Black Flood Dragon.

The Black Flood Dragon turned its head, its lantern-sized eyes filled with curiosity.

An Jing pondered for a moment, then said, “You continue to cultivate here in Wangjing Mountain, and remember not to do anything out of line. Since we’re in Yujing City, we should go see Jiang Sanjia and Zhou Xianming, and meanwhile inquire about Old Man Li and Tan Yun.”

If it weren’t for Jiang Sanjia, he would have not learned the Ghost Valley Heart Method and inevitably would not have escaped Jiang Renyi’s pursuit.

Nor would there have been Lou Xiangzhen’s protection thereafter.

Since he was now in Yujing City, it would be necessary to meet with him and have a couple of drinks, or Jiang Sanjia might feel resentful even in death.

“Roar!”

The Black Flood Dragon let out a low roar in response to An Jing.

An Jing nodded, then leapt toward the direction of Yujing City.

A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of coolness with it.

Wangjing Mountain, the tall peaks north of Yujing City, was lush and green, the mountains as steep as sharp swords. Given that it had just turned to early summer, the weather was not yet hot, and some tourists could be seen on the roads.

Just then, a figure appeared ahead.

The man was in a black robe, handsome, but his face was cold as if devoid of any expression.

“Is it him?”

Seeing the man, An Jing instantly remembered.

Chamberlain Zhong Binru, one of the six great Sword Immortals of the world.

Previously, at Abyss Lake, Zhong Binru, holding the Emperor’s Sword, had tried to stop the battle between Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu.

He was also the swordsman whom Lou Xiangzhen currently held in highest esteem, even saying his mastery of the Sword Dao might surpass that of Lin Yiyang in the future.

He had not expected to encounter him today on Wangjing Mountain.

At this moment, Zhong Binru seemed to have not even noticed An Jing, his expression forever unchanging, just like his heart, as he slowly walked up the mountain.

The two of them thus passed by each other.

An Jing said nothing and followed the mountain road.

He had not yet reached Yujing City, but he could already see the ancient brick walls stretching like mountains and ravines, undulating far into the distance.

Eight armored men wearing black clothes, tall and sturdy, stood at the city gates with stern and serious expressions. The area was busy and bustling, the scene lively and flourishing.

The city before him was indeed the capital of Great Yan.

The street side stalls were always crowded with people calling out to each other; there were teahouses, inns, cloth shops, and more.

Along the streets, various vendors hawked their wares, selling antiques, rouge, jewelry, calligraphy, kites, scented sachets, and more. The streets branched out like a spiderweb, covering every corner of the capital, batches of people moved like goods, loading and unloading, making the entire capital look extremely lively.

The thin evening sun gently sprinkled its light on the red, green-tiled roofs and brightly colored pavilions, adding a bit of haziness and poetic charm to the flourishing evening scene of Yujing City.

Majestic, flourishing.

This was An Jing’s first impression of Yujing City before him.

“Excuse me!”

“Clatter!Clatter!”

As An Jing walked through the market, a swiftly galloping horse suddenly came charging by.

The surrounding people quickly moved aside upon seeing it.

An Jing also turned to look, and saw a young man in luxurious clothing riding a majestic horse roaring lowly.

“That must be Zuo Biwen, right?”

“Quite arrogant indeed, daring to ride at full speed in Yujing City.”

“It’s said that since Zhou Xianming passed the imperial examination, he’s been quite discontented and even looking to trouble Zhou Xianming.”

“Such despicable character, truly a villain indeed.”

“If your aunt were the Empress, you too could ride a horse through Yujing City.”

…..

As the richly-dressed young man left, the surrounding commoners began to talk amongst themselves.

Zuo Biwen and An Jing did not know who he was, but Zuo Biwen did have some understanding of the Zuo Family.

The Zuo Family was currently the top family in Great Yan, with its family head Zuo Biwen being the Valley Master of Youfeng Valley. His sister was also the former number one beauty of Great Yan, and now the current Empress Zuo Linglong.

“Zhou Xianming is the Hui Yuan?”

An Jing watched Zuo Biwen’s retreating figure and murmured to himself.

Zhou Xianming was indeed very talented; otherwise, he would not have achieved the title of Jie Yuan during the rural examinations in Lijiang City. However, achieving the higher title of Hui Yuan in the metropolitan examinations was beyond his expectations.

Yujing City covered a vast area, which was divided into the Inner and Outer City.

Aside from the Imperial Palace, the Inner City also contained the residences of various princes and nobles.

The sons of powerful families were everywhere, ordinary wealthy merchants in Yu State City were considered significant figures, but in Yujing City, they were like sesame seeds or green beans—insignificant and negligible.

The shops on both sides of the streets were exquisitely decorated; the flying eaves and carved railings were all crafted by skilled artisans, with no detail spared. The goods too were dazzling, with a complete array of varieties that captivated the eye.

At that moment, two familiar figures appeared and then walked into a fabric shop.

“Hmm!?”

An Jing saw this and a smile appeared on his lips, then he quickly followed them.

The fabric shop owner was cleaning with a feather duster. Seeing An Jing walk in, he hurriedly smiled and said, “Dear customer, are you looking to buy fabric or ready-made clothes? We have everything here.”

This fabric shop was quite large, and it even had two floors, with walls hung full of various colorful fabrics.

An Jing said indifferently, “I will just take a look around myself.”

“Alright, customer, please take your time picking. Just call if you need anything.”

The owner said, knowing that some people had special preferences.

An Jing nodded and then walked toward those two people in the distance.

“Sister Fang, do you think this suits me?”

“I think it looks good. The material is so nice, and it would definitely look great on Brother Qiu.”

“Hehe, if Sister Fang thinks it looks good, then it must be good-looking.”

…….

In a corner, a water jar and a mountain of flesh were laughing over a piece of red brocade.

As they spoke, the mountain of flesh extended his plump arms and gently wrapped around the water jar.

The two exchanged affectionate looks, whispering sweet nothings, appearing like a couple of immortals in love.

It was indeed Qiu Lun and Fang Jinxiu.

“Is this red a bit too garish?”

Just then, a voice sounded next to them.

Like a startled rabbit, Qiu Lun suddenly turned around and exclaimed, “You… you, why are you here?”

Seeing the man in a black robe before him, Qiu Lun’s eyes widened, but even at their widest, they were only the size of mung beans.

He never expected to see the Ghost Swordsman here again.

Fang Jinxiu was also a bit surprised.

After all, the Ghost Swordsman was currently one of the most sought-after figures in the martial world of Great Yan.

Having chased Qi Shu for three hundred li, he had truly made a name for himself throughout the Great Yan martial world, earning a large following.

Glancing at Qiu Lun, An Jing said, “Hey, Fatty, I need to ask you some things.”

“Brother, look at what you are saying, what ‘Big Fatty’… it’s a bit too distancing if others hear it,”

Qiu Lun said with a sycophantic smile, “Just call me Little Qiu.”

Due to his excessive fat, when Qiu Lun laughed, his facial features tightly clustered together, resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.

An Jing waved his hand impatiently and said, “Enough talk, the Hui Yuan of this examination was a man surnamed Zhou, do you know him?”

The moment he heard this, Qiu Lun immediately perked up, “Of course, who in Yujing City does not know Master Zhou’s name? He is a student of Elder Lv.”

“Elder Lv!?”

An Jing felt somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

In Yujing City, the person whom the civilians referred to as Elder Lv was none other than Lv Guoyong.

Lv Guoyong was indeed a significant treasure of Great Yan, and till now, he had only taken two disciples. One is now the Human Emperor’s Chamberlain, Zhao Tianyi, and the other had defected to the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou.

But when had he become Zhou Xianming’s mentor?

Qiu Lun kept nodding repeatedly, saying, “Yes, a student personally chosen by Old Master Lv is known to everyone in Yujing City. Now, many merchants who set odds for the palace examination are ready to jump into the moat. Luckily, I learned my lesson this time and didn’t set up betting books; I almost lost my wife’s dowry.”

As he spoke, Qiu Lun’s tone carried a trace of relief.

Old Master Lv’s student—could this top scholar possibly escape?

Fang Jinxiu clutched Qiu Lun’s arm tightly, seriously saying, “Big Brother Qiu, don’t worry. Even if you have no money, no status, no power, I’ll still never leave you, because it’s you as a person that I fell for.”

An Jing looked astonished. If Fang Jinxiu had fallen for Qiu Lun’s money, status, or power, he could understand.

But he just couldn’t fathom falling for Qiu Lun as a person.

What else could this big fatso, Qiu Lun, have without money, status, or power?

Is he short?

Qiu Lun was also deeply moved, “Sister Fang, it’s the same for me. Even if with time your youth fades and your beauty no longer remains, I won’t leave you. My feelings for you will always stay the same.”

Having heard this, An Jing fell completely silent.

Qiu Lun seemed to think of something, gleefully adding, “Zhou Xianming really has ascended to the skies in a single bound. I heard through the grapevine that there are rumors the royal family wants to make him the Prince Consort. I’ve seen Princess An Le; she’s rather ugly…”

She’s rather ugly.

If An Jing hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he might have believed what Qiu Lun said just based on his expression.

Seeing An Jing silent, Qiu Lun mischievously said, “Big Brother, are you like those common folk, fond of monsters and freaks?”

“If it were true, you should have kidnapped Princess An Le when you saved her, turned the raw rice into cooked rice, father a few chubby boys, and by now, you’d be the Prince Consort.”

An Jing was lost in thought, his mind occupied with matters regarding Zhou Xianming.

Nobody had expected that Zhou Xianming would actually become Lv Guoyong’s disciple. His grand ambitions from back in the tavern seemed like they might soon be realized.

Given the relationships at the court, Zhou Xianming’s future accomplishments would certainly be no small feat; he might even be appointed as a marquis or upper minister, reaching a high station as a court official.

One could only utter that the ways of fate are hard to predict.

Fang Jinxiu chided from the side, “Don’t talk nonsense; Big Brother is not those common folk.”

“Indeed, how could Big Brother be compared to those commoners.”

Qiu Lun nodded, suddenly glancing around, and whispered, “Big Brother, do you remember that dead eunuch?”

An Jing raised an eyebrow, replying, “The Holy Hand?”

That fellow who was even paler than him? Of course, he remembered.

Qiu Lun’s expression was grave as he said, “His status is not ordinary; I had him sent to the Heavenly Prison recently, only to find out he’s actually a foster grandson of Ming Gong.”

Ming Gong!

Anyone involved in the Great Yan Martial World knows that while Xiao Qianqiu is the top expert in Jianghu, Ming Gong Bai Mei was the foremost expert in court.

He is the Chamberlain of the Human Emperor.

The ability of the Taiping Human Emperor to instigate the coup at the Heavenly Book Pavilion, besides the support from Zhenyi Sect, was largely possible because of the support of Ming Gong in the Imperial Palace.

Moreover, the Taiping Human Emperor even calls him an almost father, highlighting his significance to the Human Emperor.

An Jing never expected that Zhuo Yuchang would have such a background.

Qiu Lun’s face looked rather uneasy as he said, “Yes, that kid didn’t reveal his identity, and I only found out when I sent him to the Heavenly Prison for registration.”

An Jing nodded slightly, “I understand now; be careful about that eunuch’s revenge. I have to go now.”

Saying so, he walked towards the exit of the shop.

Seeing An Jing turning to leave, Qiu Lun quickly asked, “Big Brother, where are you going? I heard you’re going to duel Lin Yiyang, is that true?”

“By the way, Sister Fang and I are getting married soon. Don’t forget to come for a drink and bring a wedding gift.”

An Jing paused for a moment, then quickened his pace and left.

Fang Jinxiu watched An Jing leave, and couldn’t help but ask, “Big Brother Qiu, do you think Big Brother can win against Lin Yiyang? I heard Lin Yiyang has reached the Grandmaster Realm as a Sword Immortal.”

Though An Jing was renowned for chasing Qi Shu, it was well-known that it was with the assistance of the Black Flood Dragon. Without the Black Flood Dragon supporting him, whether his capabilities matched Lin Yiyang was still very uncertain.

Qiu Lun shook his head, “Who knows? Anyway, when we set the odds, we are sure to make a killing.”

Thinking this, Qiu Lun’s heart suddenly burned with anticipation.

The duel between the Ghost Swordsman and the White-clothed Sword Immortal, the clash of the two top swordsmen of the current era, would surely attract countless swordsmen as spectators.

This time, it would be another excellent opportunity for him to make a fortune.

……

Zhenyi Sect, Zhenyi Mountain.

Inside the Sect Leader’s chamber of tranquility.

Xiao Qianqiu was seated on a cushion, holding a mirror in his hand.

This was precisely the Mystical Sect’s exotic treasure, the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror.

At this moment, the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror appeared just like an ordinary mirror, reflecting a faint yellow halo that illuminated Xiao Qianqiu’s tranquil face.

He was still recalling in his mind the sword thrust above Abyss Lake.

The light flickered, and that stream of light fell like a meteor between heaven and earth.

What mattered was not that sword, nor the emergence of the Heavenly Venerate’s phantom in the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror, but the enlightenment between life and death in that moment.

“Lou Xiangzhen’s sword was truly formidable,” he said.

After a long while, Xiao Qianqiu sighed softly.

So far in his career, he had encountered countless masters, including his own master, Ye Ding, Luo Chongyang, Jiang Shang, Qi Shu, and other masters from Houjin, many of whom had died by his hand.

But no one had ever given him a feeling like Lou Xiangzhen’s, a sword elegant and peerless, piercing through all things in the world, severing the breath of life, and even penetrating the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror.

If it weren’t for the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror, he would undoubtedly be dead.

Lou Xiangzhen was indeed the number one master of Great Yan Martial World, the world’s first swordsman, beyond any doubt.

Just then, a respectful voice came from outside the quiet chamber.

“Sect Leader, Qi Shu has been rescued by Wood Metal Dharma King from Houjin’s Great Snow Mountain,” it declared.

Xiao Qianqiu nodded, “I know.”

“Yes.”

Afterwards, only the sound of footsteps fading away could be heard.

“Wood Metal Dharma King rescued Qi Shu?” Xiao Qianqiu murmured to himself.

Qi Shu was a disciple of Qi Wushuang, quite likely the future controller of Black Ice Platform. It was only logical for Houjin to rescue him and foster ties with Black Ice Platform.

Looking at it now, the situation became clearer.

The relationship between Houjin and Zhao Country, even if not conspiratorial, was certainly very friendly and harmonious.

“What is destined to come will ultimately come.”

Xiao Qianqiu exhaled, then continued to close his eyes and cultivate.

To survive in this chaotic world, one must continuously enhance one’s own strength.

In his mind, lights and shadows intermingled, time passed quickly, and this corner of the universe seemed to have become somewhat different.

“Crack! Crack!”

Just then, the Heavenly Venerate’s Mirror in his hand suddenly cracked open, and dense, spiderweb-like cracks appeared at the center of the mirror.

“Boom!”

The next moment, a white light emerged from within the mirror.

“Hmm!?”

Xiao Qianqiu felt a blur before his eyes, as if his divine soul had been sublimated in an instant, leaving his body.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The white light pierced through the quiet room and poured out of the great hall.

Everyone on Zhenyi Mountain felt a tremor in their hearts, and they all looked up.

That day, atop Zhenyi Mountain, a white light soared into the sky, brilliant and resplendent, shining brightly.

……..

Nighttime lingered, Lv Mansion.

The faint light of a lamp flickered, casting reflections on the rockery and pond.

A figure darted through the corridors.

This person was An Jing.

“After I see Zhou Xianming, that old fellow, and then Jiang Sanjia, I’ll go seek a method to ascend to Grandmaster Realm,” he said to himself as he walked through the corridor.

“If he becomes successful, will he still remember the old favors?”

Reflecting on it now, it really seemed extraordinary. If Zhou Xianming knew that the person funding his academic pursuits belonged to the Demon Sect, what would he think?

Would his wife regret it if she knew that she had funded such a person?

Thinking of when everyone would gather again, An Jing couldn’t help but smile.

At that moment, a young man in lavish clothes strolled towards him with his hands behind his back.

The next moment, a black and white Qi Mechanism surged out, causing the young man to involuntarily halt.

It was the “Ghost Valley Enchantment” from the “Ghost Valley Heart Method.”

An Jing gently landed in front of the young man and asked, “What is your name?”

The young man dully answered, “My name is Lv Jingchun.”

An Jing’s eyebrows raised as he asked, “What relation is Lv Guoyong to you?”

The young man replied, “He is my grandfather.”

Lv Guoyong’s grandson!? @@novelbin@@

An Jing frowned, not expecting that the person he had randomly grabbed was none other than Lv Guoyong’s grandson. “Then do you know where Zhou Xianming is?”

“He’s at my aunt’s other residence.”

“Your aunt’s other residence?”

“Yes.”

“Who is your aunt?”

“My aunt is Lv Xiangning. She was driven out of the Lv family by my grandfather when I was four years old.”

“Where is that other residence?”

“If you follow this corridor to the end, you will see it.”

……

An Jing nodded, then leaped and vanished from in front of Lv Jingchun.

“What happened?”

Lv Jingchun only felt a blur before his eyes and rubbed his head, “Could it be that I have been drinking too much with Zhou Xianming recently, and my mind isn’t as sharp? It seems I should drink less in the future, I can’t let a few bouts of drinking buy me over. He’s corrupting my mind; I cannot behave like such a reckless scholar.”

With that, Lv Jingchun continued walking towards the distance.

Now knowing Zhou Xianming’s location, An Jing followed the corridor.

He concealed his Qi Mechanism to the utmost, so much so that even the servants of the Lv Mansion passing before him failed to notice him, a living person.

Before long, An Jing reached the end of the corridor.

Before even entering the other residence, he could see a lush palm tree in the center of the courtyard, seemingly covering half of the yard.

“Young friend, you hurry about—where are you headed?”

Just as An Jing prepared to step forward into the residence, a voice rang out behind him.

“Hmm!?”

An Jing was startled and looked back.

He saw an old man with a head full of grey hair standing behind him, smiling amiably at him.

The old man had no trace of Qi leaking from his body, appearing just like an ordinary person.

But an ordinary person would definitely not have been able to detect his movements.

An Jing calmly said, “Visiting a good friend.”

“A good friend?”

The old man’s smile deepened, “I wonder which friend requires the use of the Ghost Valley Sect’s Ghost Valley Enchantment to ask for directions.”

This old man is indeed not simple.

An Jing’s eyes narrowed into slits as he said, “I have heard that Elder Lv is a crucial instrument of Great Yan and that it is because of Elder Lv that Great Yan can enjoy harmonious winds and rains and the people can live in peace. I have long admired him, and today I planned to pay a visit.”

“Hahaha.”

The old man burst into laughter upon hearing An Jing’s words, “You young rascal, being so elusive, yet speaking quite pleasantly, I like it.”

Did he see right through me?

An Jing was shocked, his thoughts falling upon the Earth Book. Finding nothing amiss, he couldn’t help but ask, “May I know who you are?”

The old man walked forward two steps with his hands behind his back before slowly stating, “I am precisely the critical instrument of the country you mentioned, Lv Guoyong.”

…….

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