My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Qingmei gazes at the moon and thinks of An Jing

An Jing steadied himself on the ice surface and then looked at the blade of the fifth Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

Who exactly was the black shadow he had seen within the blade just now?

That brutal, ferocious, and evil gaze was almost unforgettable. Why was there a connection between the Evil Suppressing Sword and this shadow, could it be due to the sealing?

If it weren’t for the operation of the “Nameless Heart Scripture”, if he had been engulfed by the shadow, it was very likely that he would have lost his own consciousness.

The strangeness just now filled An Jing’s heart with doubts and unease.

Jun Qinglin walked over and said, “It seems you’ve obtained the fifth blade.”

“I have, now the last one is the only one left.”

An Jing put away the blade of the fifth Evil Suppressing Sword and said with a light smile, “The last one is in Lengping, which the Great Elder should know about.”

Lengping, once the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, had now become an infamous land of misfortune.

“I do.”

Jun Qinglin’s eyebrows raised slightly as he said, “That place is very sinister, filled with unclean things.”

“Unclean things?”

“Seven hundred thousand troops died miserably, and their resentful spirits have not dissipated over the years. They have coalesced into a vast amount of Yin Evil Qi. In the past, the Zhenyi Sect would send Taoists to perform rites for them every year, but it was all in vain. Instead, many experts were lost. The Yin Evil Qi has a greater impact on those with higher cultivation; over time, Jianghu experts rarely appeared near Lengping City. I once visited Lengping and could clearly hear the sounds of battle while lying in the inn at night.”

“Sounds of battle!?”

A look of astonishment appeared in An Jing’s eyes.

With Jun Qinglin’s level of cultivation, it was surely not an illusion; perhaps Lengping was as bizarre as the rumors claimed.

There were rumors of ghostly spirits and malevolent creatures in Lengping City, and even some had seen the gloomy and terrifying Fengdu City.

Fengdu City, also known as Fengdu, is the mythical Underworld where the dead are said to reside after death.

Jun Qinglin nodded and said, “Some rumors in Jianghu are exaggerated, but some do not arise from nothing. Be careful when you go to Lengping City; watch your step.”

Hearing this, An Jing looked in the direction of Lengping City.

Capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, below lies the buried souls of seven hundred thousand troops, and there is this last blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword…

Jun Qinglin slowly said, “Let’s go, let’s take a look at Lengping City. I shall revisit the old grounds.”

An Jing nodded, then the two of them, treading on the shimmering ice, walked towards the direction of Lengping City.

Having obtained the last blade of the sword, An Jing planned to return to Dongluo Pass.

……

East Sea Road, Qifeng Mountain Range.

Bizarre mountains stood erect, an endless chain of peaks, towering lushly with clouds wrapping around them.

The Zhenyi Sect was undoubtedly the first among the seven major sects of Yan Country, while the Yu Heng Sword Sect was the undisputed second, also ranking among the top sects in Yan Country.

Every year, many youths ascended the mountains wishing to join the Yu Heng Sword Sect to learn swordsmanship, dreaming that one day they could walk the Jianghu with a sword, face trials and tribulations, and become a swordsman famous all over the world.

However, in reality, many who climbed the mountain did not even qualify to be accepted into the Yu Heng Sword Sect.

Resources within the sect were limited; unlike gangs and cults that expanded recklessly, the Yu Heng Sword Sect assessed and selected individuals from those who sought to join each year. Only a mere few dozen could be admitted each year, and at most, just over a hundred.

This vast Qifeng Mountain Range with its jade towers seemed like a paradise on Earth, but in fine detail, there were only a little over two thousand people living there.

Compared to the Zhenyi Sect and the five gangs, indeed, two thousand people were not many, but compared to other sects, it was quite a significant number, making it truly the second largest sect in Yan Country.

This day was when the Yu Heng Sword Sect admitted new disciples.

Once again, numerous youths ascended the mountain, hoping to learn the arts with the aspiration of one day becoming an unrivaled Sword Immortal, whose name resounded in everyone’s ears.

In the misty peaks above the clouds,

A man in white robes sat cross-legged atop the Cloud Platform, with one of the famous swords of the world, the Phoenix Sword, lying before his knees.

This man was Lin Yiyang, the head of the Yu Heng Sword Sect.

Qiu Wanxia stood by the side, looking quietly into the distance, patiently waiting.

She could wait, no matter how long it took.

It was not until a while later that Lin Yiyang slowly opened his eyes. “Junior Sister, what is the matter?”

If it wasn’t important, Qiu Wanxia wouldn’t come during his meditation.

Qiu Wanxia’s expression, rarely serious, conveyed some gravity as she said, “The Dulu Sword is about to emerge.”

“The Dulu Sword!?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yiyang’s brow furrowed.

As a swordsman, he would not be oblivious to the fame of this sword.

Whether on the Famous Sword List of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the arsenal records of Zhao Country, or from prior various diverse listings, the Dulu Sword was always ranked at the top.

The Dulu Sword, known as the World’s First Sword, was cast for the Human Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty by craftsmen using copper from the Shou Mountain. It was then lost to the world and whereabouts unknown until it fell into the hands of Yan Country after conquering Shu. The blade featured mysterious and profound patterns, reportedly bearing insights into the Dao of Heaven, while the hilt was made from the essence of the horn of a True Dragon. The blade was sharp and contained boundless power, rumored to generate its own Sword Qi capable of cutting through heaven and earth, earning it the title of Divine Sword.

Over the millennia, there were countless unclear claims of ownership, but those who wielded the Dulu Sword were either the absolute top experts of their era or the most exceptional swordsmen across several eras.

Under the Dulu Sword, none but the illustrious have lost their lives. Since ancient times, innumerable masters of Master Cultivation have perished under its edge, and it’s even stained with the blood of Great Grandmasters.

The blade also bore a robust Sword Intent and malevolence.

From the time the royal family of Yan Country acquired the Dulu Sword, it had always been kept in the treasury. That year, the Sword God from the Yu Heng Sword Sect had wanted to demand the Dulu Sword from Li Ping, the Human Emperor, but was ultimately refused.

Qiu Wanxia said in a deep voice, “After the New Year, the Human Emperor commanded Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin to use the Dulu Sword to pay homage to Heaven and Earth at Zhong Mountain, to pray for the nation’s fortune, and Zhao Chongyin then announced a piece of news that he would convene a sword meeting before the grand ceremony of paying homage to Heaven.”

“A grand ceremony for paying homage to Heaven!?”

Although Lin Yiyang was prideful, as the leader of Yu Heng Sword Sect, he was not dull-witted at all. Upon hearing Qiu Wanxia’s words, he immediately guessed their deeper meaning.

The Dulu Sword, being the foremost famous sword in the world, will undoubtedly attract countless experts. What is the purpose of this sword meeting?

Ever since the conflict between the Sword God and the Sword Demon began, the empty title of The World’s First Swordsman had been passed around. With the Sword God and the Sword Demon both being unparalleled and unmatched, no one dared to surpass them, and as they had never fought each other in their lifetimes, no one knew who would win or lose, hence the title of The World’s First had not fallen into anyone’s hands.

Afterwards, the newly emerged Swordsman Lou Xiangzhen fell into decline after a battle with the Sword God and only decades later, in a battle at Abyss Lake with Xiao Qianqiu, did his Human Dao Sword break through to the Sixth Realm, making him the world’s foremost swordsman.

However, after Lou Xiangzhen became the world’s foremost swordsman, he disappeared from Jianghu. Even when the Ghost Swordsman attacked Dongluo Pass, he was nowhere to be seen. Some said that Lou Xiangzhen had died, others said he had completely retired from Jianghu. In any case, he gradually faded from the martial world.

As Lin Yiyang broke through to the Sixth Realm, some people said that Lin Yiyang was the current world’s first swordsman. Later, the Ghost Swordsman defeated the Exalted Vajra at the Heavenly Martial Sect, and thus the title of the world’s foremost swordsman once again fell into the hands of the Ghost Swordsman.

The title of The World’s First Swordsman never stayed long with anyone, much like the unstable and fraught world of Jianghu.

Today, the title of The World’s First Swordsman is held by the Ghost Swordsman, but for how long will he be able to retain it?

Convening a sword meeting with the Dulu Sword will surely attract countless Sword Dao experts. Some seek fame, others seek advantage, and a great storm is bound to arise.

Qiu Wanxia said with a laugh, “I wonder if the top prize of this Dulu Sword meeting will be the Dulu Sword itself?”

The world’s top famous sword, would there be a Swordsman who wouldn’t want it?

“I don’t know.”

Lin Yiyang fell silent for a while before shaking his head and saying, “Have you told Master about this?”

“I am already aware of it.”

Just then, a gentle voice sounded from behind the two.

“Master!”

Both were stirred in their hearts and turned to bow.

In the distance, an elder in grey robes approached, not tall in stature and somewhat hunched, his face lined with deep wrinkles, showing signs of the years, yet his eyes were bright and sharp, shimmering with a faint light.

Lin Yiyang’s thoughts raced. His master had not left the Ancestor Hall for decades, and in recent years had even stopped concerning himself with affairs of Jianghu. Could his appearance today mean that he was going to…

At the same time, the Phoenix Sword in Lin Yiyang’s hand also began to quiver.

The elder reached the edge of Yun Hai and gazed out over the vast expanse, sighing, “Ye Ding is dead, Yu Ying is dead, I can’t believe they have gone before me.”

Lin Yiyang nodded slightly, “Such is the unpredictability of life.”

The elder’s lips moved slightly as he asked, “Apart from you, I hear there are two other Sixth Realm swordsmen in Jianghu.”

Lin Yiyang nodded, “One of them, Master knows as well, it is none other than Lou Xiangzhen.”

“Lou Xiangzhen?”

The elder narrowed his eyes, remembering the young man who had challenged him in front of the Sword Pavilion, “So he indeed reached the Sixth Realm.”

The elder was not surprised that Lou Xiangzhen had achieved the Sixth Realm.

Perhaps if he hadn’t been defeated by his three moves back then, he might have reached the Sixth Realm much earlier.

The identity of the elder was already self-evident; it was none other than Liu Moyuan, the Sword God who presided over the Ancestor Hall.

Lin Yiyang continued, “Lou Xiangzhen reached the Sixth Realm with the Human Dao Sword, his Sword Dao still surpasses mine.”

Liu Moyuan was unperturbed, “It seems that his setback back then turned into a blessing in disguise. Where is he now?”

Lou Xiangzhen had previously observed the falling peach blossoms to comprehend his own Sword Dao; the petals fell slowly or swiftly, from which he derived the essence of speed, hence on climbing the Yu Heng Sword Sect’s Sword Pavilion, Lou Xiangzhen wielded the Fast Sword Dao.

It was unexpected that after that defeat, he switched to cultivating the Human Dao Sword and even made a name for himself.

Lin Yiyang replied, “He’s untraceable.”

Liu Moyuan did not pursue the whereabouts of Lou Xiangzhen further, “And the other person?”

Lin Yiyang said solemnly, “There’s a very young one; just slightly over twenty years old, I couldn’t see through his Sword Dao.”

Liu Moyuan raised an eyebrow and said gravely, “Just over twenty, and he has reached the Sixth Realm?”

To him, someone so young, with such a level of Sword Dao cultivation, seemed extremely formidable.

“Yes.”

“That is indeed interesting, I didn’t expect there to be such a prodigy in Jianghu.”

Liu Moyuan’s eyes glittered, “What’s his background and identity?”

Lin Yiyang answered, “He is from the Demon Sect, named An Jing.”

Liu Moyuan felt some confusion and looked towards Qiu Wanxia, as she nodded in confirmation.

Some time ago, Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin had sent a secret letter asking Liu Moyuan to kill someone, but Liu Moyuan had refused at that time.

After all, he had endured for many years and it wasn’t to kill a junior.

But now things were different. Ye Ding had perished and the Zhenyi Sect’s influence would surely be greatly diminished. Yan Country’s Jianghu was in need of a leader, and with Zhao Chongyin hosting the grand ceremony of Dulu Sword meeting, both the title of the world’s first swordsman and the Dulu Sword were within reach.

He wanted the title of the world’s first swordsman and he wanted the Dulu Sword.

If the Dulu Sword were in his possession, his strength would certainly rise a notch, giving him the power to battle even a Five Qi Grandmaster.

If everything went as planned, with Zhao Chongyin’s help, both Yu Heng Sword Sect and himself would surely ascend to the pinnacle of Jianghu. This was an opportunity that came once in a millennium.

“This Jianghu is still just as interesting,”

Liu Moyuan chuckled, “The Dulu Sword, Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing, and that Sword Demon… Now that the Zhenyi Sect has suffered consecutive heavy blows, with Ye Ding dying on Blue Sky Island, it presents an opportunity for my Yu Heng Sword Sect.”

Lin Yiyang nodded. Having been the head of the Seven Sects for years, the Zhenyi Sect had always been ranked second. It was impossible for them not to have any ambitions.

Indeed, it was an excellent opportunity.

Liu Moyuan, looking at the Phoenix Sword in his hand, murmured, “Next, I must take down this Jianghu.”

His voice was very calm, as if he were discussing an insignificant trifle.

Lin Yiyang and Qiu Wanxia exchanged glances, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

……

Dongluo Pass.

Li Fuzhou and Yu Qiurong had successfully traversed Beihuang Dao and returned to Dongluo Pass with the Mountain Opening Order issued by the Yan Kingdom Court.

From then on, like the other sects from Yan Country, the Demon Sect could freely enter the territory of Yan Country.

The trade between the Demon Sect and Yan Country also became more frequent, with merchant caravans passing through more often, gradually restoring the former prosperity of Dongluo Pass and thriving more and more each day.

The repaired official road leading from Dongluo Pass to Yan Country was in excellent condition, with a large number of trade caravans entering and departing Dongluo Pass daily, creating a lively scene all around the official road.

Even though deep autumn had arrived, Dongluo Pass remained exceedingly hot.

The relentless sun blazed down with an intense heat.

Under the shade of a leafy poplar tree stood a young woman, who occasionally shaded her eyes with her hand while looking into the distance.

This young woman was none other than Tan Yun.

Since Li Fuzhou and Yu Qiurong’s return, she had often come to this place to wait.

“Why hasn’t my betrothed returned yet?”

Apparently having stood for quite a while, Tan Yun sat down on a stone stool next to her, taking out some candied fruit she had bought that morning, her eyes twinkling.

“To eat means being content, to abstain means craving.”

Just then, an aged voice came from behind her.

“Master.”

Tan Yun turned her head and saw Li Fuzhou appear behind her.

Li Fuzhou, quite sternly, said, “You’ve sneaked out again. Aren’t you afraid that the Sect Hierarch will look for you?”

“The Sect Hierarch is busy now, he won’t look for me.”

Tan Yun lowered her head, looking at the candied fruit in her hands, “Master, didn’t you say I should return to the Lv Sect before the year’s end? Does that mean I’m no longer a person of Outer Heaven?”

While speaking, Tan Yun put the candied fruit in her mouth, then sighed while chewing.

Li Fuzhou watched her with a somewhat downcast expression and asked, “Being separated from your master, you can’t bear it, can you?”

Tan Yun, feeling slightly guilty, said, “Of course, how could I bear to leave Master?”

“You’re probably not speaking from your heart.”

“Of course I’m speaking from my heart, don’t you know me, Master? I never lie.”

“It’s because I know you that I’m aware all you say are lies.”

Li Fuzhou picked up a piece of candied fruit and held it in his palm, “Besides, thoughts from the heart should stay in the heart, how can they be called such if spoken aloud?”

Tan Yun hung her head low, munching on the candied fruit without speaking again.

Li Fuzhou tasted the candied fruit; he didn’t know if it was delicious, but it was certainly sweet.

Neither of them spoke as the diluted sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting mottled shadows upon them.

Li Fuzhou asked, “Are you waiting for him to return?”

Tan Yun’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she replied softly, “My betrothed has been so good to me, and he saved me too. I want to see him once more.”

Li Fuzhou shook his head, “And after you meet him?”

“Once I’ve met my betrothed, I’ll be at ease and then return to Yujing City.”

Pointing in the direction of Yujing City, Tan Yun beamed, “Master, there are so many more pastries in Yujing City than in Dongluo Pass.”

Li Fuzhou replied irritably, “You’re the one person I can’t stop worrying about, what are you at ease about?”

Tan Yun pouted, “I haven’t caused any trouble for you in several days, Master.”

“Not causing trouble and you’re already feeling proud about it?”

Li Fuzhou glanced towards the distance, “Your betrothed said he’s going to look for the Evil Suppressing Sword’s blade. He won’t come back anytime soon. The day is getting late; stop waiting and come back with me.”

“Alright then.”

Tan Yun took one last look at the vast, desolate expanse of the official road, even though she deeply wished to see that solitary figure racing towards her, noticing her at first glance. But she knew such a thing was practically impossible.

Sometimes, people go to great lengths to attempt the utterly impossible.

They call this kind of action foolishness.

The two made their way back to the villa as the sky gradually faded to dusk. Li Fuzhou briefly explained a few things and then left.

The Demon Sect had plenty of affairs to tend to, especially since spies from the Houjin had been killed. The Yan Country intelligence network needed further deepening. Even for someone skilled like Li Fuzhou, maintaining control of the operation was frazzling.

The ancient and quaint room was suffused with the tipsy light of candles, and the moonlight slowly descended.

Zhao Qingmei was bent over her desk, looking at a secret letter before her, then her delicate fists clenched slightly.

“People from the Black Ice Platform really made their move…”

The letter contained news from Blue Sky Island.

From the monumental defeat of the Exalted Vajra in the Buddha-Demon war to the battle of Blue Sky Island, Zhao Qingmei had learned through secret letters that An Jing’s cultivation must have improved again. Furthermore, with the Evil Suppressing Sword soon to be complete, there was still room for an increase in strength.

Somehow, while her heart was excited, there was also an increase in worry.

It was as if everything had been under her control before, but now some things were starting to slip away from her grasp.

Would An Jing betray superiors?

Especially the reports from Yan Country’s court indicated that Princess An Le seemed to be casting amorous glances at An Jing, creating a buzz throughout Jianghu, even turning into a delightful tale.

This made her furious. She detested such rumors, even though she knew very well that they were just hearsay.

Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and walked to the window to look at the moonlight.

She looked at the moon, and the moon looked back at her, but it also looked at others simultaneously. Thinking of this made Zhao Qingmei even more unhappy…

“Sect Hierarch, dinner is ready.”

Just then, a voice carried in from outside the door, belonging to Tan Yun.

Upon hearing, Zhao Qingmei, with her hands clasped behind her, walked towards the dining hall.

The table was set with delicious dishes, and both Tan Yun and Yu Qiurong were standing by.

“Sit down as well,” she said.

Zhao Qingmei, expressionless, took her seat and gestured for the two to do the same.

“Yes, Sect Hierarch.”

The two sat down as usual, with Tan Yun, like always, digging into her bowl with big bites, rice grains sticking around her mouth.

Yu Qiurong, on the other hand, ate gracefully and unhurriedly.

Zhao Qingmei observed them, silently pondering whether a woman like Tan Yun, full in the stomach but empty in the head, might be safer.

Apart from her stature, she had no other merits.

While women like Yu Qiurong, gentle and charming, had a greater allure to men. Although she trusted Yu Qiurong completely, whether An Jing could resist remained uncertain…

Which of the two could truly be relied upon?

Or maybe…

Seeing Zhao Qingmei lost in thought, Yu Qiurong couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Hierarch, why aren’t you eating?”

“You eat, I’m thinking about things,” Zhao Qingmei replied with a smile.

The Sect Hierarch was smiling…

Tan Yun paused in her actions and then became more careful. In her memory, the Sect Hierarch only smiled in front of the son-in-law, rarely at other times.

Zhao Qingmei picked up her utensils and also took a few bites of the food.

The room became somewhat quiet for a while.

“The food tastes good today,” Zhao Qingmei remarked casually.

“This is a new cook,” Yu Qiurong replied. “It’s said that he can also cook dishes from Zhao Country’s Min Prefecture. If the Sect Hierarch wishes, I’ll have the cook prepare some tomorrow.”

“It’s delicious,” agreed Tan Yun.

Though she had indulged in preserved fruits, peach pastries, peach blossom cakes, rice balls… she felt she could eat another two bowls, yet an inexplicable sense made her think today’s Sect Hierarch was different, and she decided to only eat two bowls and quietly observe the changes.

Soon, the meal was finished in this subtle atmosphere.

Zhao Qingmei set down her utensils and noticed Tan Yun sitting still, compelling her to ask, “Tan Yun, why did you eat so little today?”

“Sect Hierarch, I’m full,” whispered Tan Yun.

“You’ve eaten quite little today,” Zhao Qingmei remarked lightly.

Tan Yun laughed dryly a couple of times, her heart moved. She hadn’t expected Zhao Qingmei to be so clearly aware of her appetite.

Yu Qiurong then inquired, “Sect Hierarch, do you have something on your mind?”

Today’s Zhao Qingmei was very different from usual, and if Tan Yun had noticed it, how could she not?

“What do you think, is the son-in-law not quite good?” Zhao Qingmei said offhandedly.

“The son-in-law is indeed a good person,” they both agreed, their eyes lighting up.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at them, an unkind look in her eyes.

…..

PS: There will be another chapter tonight, probably around 12-1 AM. See you tomorrow.