My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Buddhist Relics Intimidate Grandmaster

Everyone present understood the situation clearly when they saw this.

Even among the Five Qi Grandmasters, there were disparities, and Elder Su’s cultivation level was evidently inferior to that of Qin Shan, who had refined Innate True Qi.

Many inside began to feel nervous again, fearing the consequences if the Five Qi Grandmaster beside the Crown Prince were to lose, which would inevitably lead to a major battle.

Duanmu Xinghua raised her eyebrows and asked, “Sect Hierarch, what now?”

This time, the Demon Sect had come to the mountain firstly for the Dulu Sword and secondly to avenge the grievance of that arrow at Dongluo Pass by killing the masters of Great Snow Mountain. Now, with the Dulu Sword in possession and masters like Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Mu Li Dharma King, and the Sword Demon of Great Snow Mountain dead, their mission was accomplished triumphantly.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at Zhao Chongyin in the distance and said indifferently, “Let’s wait and see how things unfold.”

Her words echoed Zhao Chongyin’s earlier sentiment.

She was not here to rescue Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin but merely to kill the masters of Houjin and seek revenge for past grievances.

An Jing also came over and transmitted his voice, “Just now, Zhao Chongyin displayed a strength that contradicts the rumors.”

The rumor had it that Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin had mediocre martial arts aptitude and no time to cultivate martial arts, thus only possessing Third Grade cultivation. Yet he had easily caught Li Yue’s sword, revealing there was surely some trickery involved.

Li Yue was a top assassin raised by the Wind and Rain Tower, who also cultivated the Blood Spirit Technique. Her cultivation had reached the realm of Heavenly Flower, and ordinarily, even a Half-step Master could not handle her as easily as Zhao Chongyin did.

A cold light flashed in Zhao Qingmei’s beautiful eyes, “Once Zhao Chongyin dies on Zhong Mountain, then it won’t be too late for us to make a move.”

An Jing nodded, aware of Zhao Chongyin’s murderous intent towards himself and how he had coldly observed the events earlier, indicative of his malicious intentions. Thus, the Demon Sect had no obligation to protect him from Black Ice Platform’s assassination.

Although Qin Shan held the upper hand, it was not easy to kill the Five Qi Grandmaster by the Crown Prince’s side; wouldn’t it be better to reap the benefits after a bloody battle?

Zhao Qingmei transmitted her voice to An Jing, “When I arrived, Ping Ding had already surrounded Zhong Mountain. It seems the Great Yan Emperor had long insight into all this and had made his plans accordingly; information indicates the Buddhist disciples have also rushed here.”

An Jing’s mind stirred, “Fa Wu?”

He remembered the little monk who had been at Three Temple Mountain, following beside Fa Zhi — Han Wenxin’s current master.

From the first time he saw the little monk, An Jing knew there was nothing ordinary about him.

A child around the age of eight or nine had already reached the realm of Perfection, which was incredibly exaggerated and clearly involved some trickery.

Latter demon sect intelligence also revealed some details — Fa Wu had a unique constitution that allowed him to absorb Buddhist relics and gain insights into Buddhist teachings, enhancing his cultivation. Such constitution was known to Buddhists as a reincarnated spirit child, a Buddhist disciple.

Though there were gaps between the Zen Sect and the Lotus Sect within Buddhism, they had joined forces for the Buddhist millennial plan, bringing out all their stored relics and giving them to Fa Wu to aid his cultivation.

Thus, Fa Wu had reached the realm of Perfection at such a young age. And with the entire Buddhist sect’s centuries-worth of collected relics, his cultivation would continue to surge rapidly until he reached the Grandmaster level or until all the relics were completely consumed.

His current strength was probably already at the level of Grandmaster. Aside from the high-ranking monks, few were aware of the exact realm he had achieved.

Obviously, Ping Ding and Fa Wu were the backup cards used by the Great Yan Emperor.

Elder Su looked at his own palm, then smiled and shook his head, “I don’t know what your intention is in boasting so, but you haven’t killed me yet.”

Qin Shan stood with one hand behind his back, surrounded by milky-white mist, and said lightly, “Killing you is just a matter of time.”

Elder Su said, “Look around you, the masters of Great Snow Mountain are all dead.”

Qin Shan glanced around coldly and said, “What does their death have to do with me?”

Most high-ranking warriors present felt a chill down their spines as they were swept by those eyes, and instinctively retreated several steps.

However, Zhao Chongyin stepped forward without any fear.

The two stared at each other for a moment, and Qin Shan was the first to shift her gaze away.

Zhao Chongyin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked, “Do you truly intend to kill me today?”

Qin Shan did not respond, but the surrounding Innate True Qi grew denser, indicating she either did not want to answer or did not dare to answer Zhao Chongyin’s question.

Houjin had secretly colluded with the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, and wasn’t Black Ice Platform thinking the same? However, their focus had shifted to Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, who had flatly refused any natural cooperation they might have had.

Thus, Black Ice Platform could only stir the contradictions within Yan Country. Only in muddy waters could one fish more effectively.

The death of the Crown Prince and the rebellion of the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai would indeed be a huge blow to Yan Country.

Strategic warfare targets the enemy’s plans first, aiming for their heart!

As the Yan Royal Family declined, the cohesion of the entire nation would diminish.

Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, turned to An Jing, and said, “Now is the best opportunity. With the masters of Outer Heaven and Elder Su working together, it’s possible to kill that Five Qi Grandmaster from Black Ice Platform and enhance the prestige of our Yan Country.”

An Jing looked at Zhao Chongyin and said calmly, “After several continuous fights, my True Qi has been exhausted, and I’m afraid I’m powerless to assist you.”

Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Clearly, Outer Heaven was not planning to make a move but rather wanted to sit back and reap the benefits of the fisherman, even wishing to see me dead.

At this moment, the two Five Qi Grandmasters confronting each other had both expanded their aura to a peak.

That surging and intense Qi Force was entangling in all directions and spreading out.

This immense pressure even caused An Jing to furrow his brows deeply.

The Five Qi within the Grandmasters, Divine Qi, Soul Qi, Will, Corporeal Qi, and Essence Qi were all in place, just a step away from igniting the Spiritual Lamp and attaching the longevity lock to reach the realm of Great Grandmaster.

With the Five Qi completely in place, it was rare in the Grandmaster realm to seek to challenge across realms because crossing one level was akin to crossing a mountain, and having the Five Qi in place signified a qualitative transformation in strength.

Elder Su’s cultivation in body refining was not high, merely at the level of a Flawless Body, far from the Heavenly Human Communication, his only advantage being his profound True Qi, vast like a boundless swamp.

But Qin Shan cultivated Innate True Qi through a malevolent secret technique, making it incomparable even to Elder Su’s profound True Qi.

Thus, under the intertwinement of their Qi Mechanism, the superior was immediately discernible.

Atop Zhong Mountain, the cold wind grew even colder, and once again, snow began to fall, adding a bit of shivering coldness.

Among the falling snow, the two standing amidst the wind and snow did not move.

The duel between the two top experts had at this moment become a simplification of complexity, both continuously brewing their next move.

Perhaps at the falling of the next snowflake.

Or possibly in the next breath.

Or maybe in the next blink of an eye.

Elder Su’s pupils suddenly contracted, and he knew his chances of victory over Qin Shan were slim, but having mingled in Jianghu, one could not always encounter weaker opponents; there would always be stronger ones.

In his past, he started as a Five Qi Grandmaster and had never encountered such a scene until today.

He wanted to prove himself, not in front of Zhao Chongyin, not in front of the Human Emperor, but to himself.

Compared to Elder Su’s adherence as solid as a mountain, Qin Shan’s heart was like calm waters, without a ripple.

Thus, she sought to control activity through stillness, responding to all changes by being unchanging.

In this clash of Qi Mechanism, no matter how Elder Su “changed,” he could not surpass Qin Shan’s “unchanging.”

Sometimes “unchanging” is a form of “change,” more profound than “change” itself.

The next moment, Elder Su moved.

The entire Zhong Mountain moved simultaneously.

The majestic True Qi burst forth suddenly like a volcano, shooting crazily towards the sky, dispersing the snowflakes in the sky, forming a unique area.

That vast and immense True Qi, as dense as an ocean, made one’s heart tremble.

Elder Su looked at Qin Shan, and then he stirred his hands, and at that moment, the ocean of True Qi also began to churn, seeming to brew something terrifying, emitting a fearsome fluctuation.

Boom! Boom!

Elder Su extended his palm and pressed forward forcefully, utilizing the Five Qi cultivation to its utmost, the surging and roiling Qi shockingly impressing all the experts present.

Boom!

The ocean of True Qi was suddenly torn apart, countless streams of True Qi soaring into the sky.

A gigantic hand formed from gathered True Qi fiercely thrust out from the ocean of True Qi, then, as if piercing through the air, pressed down towards Qin Shan.

The gigantic hand of True Qi seemed to cover all directions and every place in heaven and earth, leaving nowhere to escape.

Especially around the giant hand, the entwining eerie red light was overwhelmingly powerful, captivating one’s soul.

Elder Su executed his move with all his might, holding nothing back.

He was very clear that if he lost to Qin Shan, it was highly likely that he would become Five Paths of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, used to replenish Qin Shan’s Innate True Qi.

Qin Shan’s gaze remained ice cold, still not moving.

That “petite” body standing under the giant hand projected a disharmonious sight, yet her indifferent demeanor further tightened the hearts of those watching.

The next moment, a milky white aurora emerged and rushed forward.

The blinding white light made many of the experts present involuntarily close their eyes.

The dominance of Innate True Qi was evident!

The nature of this True Qi had overwhelmingly tipped the scale in his favor.

In an instant, that very instant was fatally decisive.

Su Lao saw the white radiance, his pupils also filled only with that white light, no longer seeing anything else.

He could feel the cold onslaught, not just his heart; his hair, bones, and blood all turned ice-cold—a sensation he had never experienced before.

And this chilling sensation continued unabated, until even his blood and heart were frozen solid.

Boom!

Su Lao only felt darkness before his eyes; when he regained consciousness, his steps faltered backwards repeatedly as a sweet-tasting rush emerged in his mouth, followed by a jet of blood spraying out.

The outcome was determined in just that instant.

Qin Shan was surrounded by a wafting white smoke, quietly standing in his original spot.

Seeing this, the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, felt a deep chill in his heart, his lips trembling slightly, “Lost… Have we lost?”

The Five Qi Grandmaster must have been the Crown Prince’s final card, but now collapsed in the hands of Black Ice Platform, if the Crown Prince should die, he could by no means survive; how could he not be panicked?

The expressions of the experts present varied, but all were tremendously shaken, their hearts racing uncontrollably.

Today, the Ghost Swordsman had fought against all sides, defeating both the Sword Demon and the Sword God, delighting everyone watching; the consecutive arrival of Houjin and the Demon Sect further added to the shock, and now the clash of the Five Qi Grandmasters had pushed it all to a climax.

The Five Qi Grandmaster of Black Ice Platform, could he possibly slaughter all sides on Zhong Mountain today?

An Jing furrowed his brows and whispered, “They’ve arrived.”

Qin Shan also seemed to sense something and looked toward the steps of Zhong Mountain.

“Amitabha!”

Just as everyone was still immersed in the fight between the Five Qi Grandmasters, a clear and crisp voice rang out.

Suddenly, a ten thousand feet tall golden light manifested above Zhong Mountain, shining brightly like a sword.

Buddha’s Light!?

Such pure Buddha’s light could only be from a master of Pure Land Buddhism!

Everyone’s minds were greatly shocked, focusing their eyes towards the staircase.

They saw a small monk clad in a red kasaya, with red lips and white teeth, walking up the mountain path. His pace was neither fast nor slow, like a devout Buddhist on a pilgrimage to worship the Buddha.

And that sun-like Buddha’s light was emitting from him.

Monks, old men, children, the Jianghu’s most dangerous four types of experts, three of which had now appeared on Zhong Mountain.

…..

Inside the Golden Throne Hall of Yujing City.

Inside the vast Golden Throne Hall, there were only two people.

One was seated high up, the other stood outside the Golden Throne Hall.

At that moment, the two were like people from two different worlds.

Right now, Zhao Mengtai’s eyes were exceptionally cold, like a wolf challenging the wolf king within a pack.

As if the one in front of him was not his own father, but a stranger, whom he dearly wished to tear to shreds.

Zhao Zhiwu saw in those eyes just as he had seen his own over forty years ago—cold, devoid of any emotion.

Those eyes would kill anyone who stood in his way, anyone.

Including parents, siblings, and even wife and children.

Imperial authority, initially an elusive entity, was also the thing most relentlessly clung to; it could drive siblings to fight, father and son to injure each other, and even lead one to missteps that turn into eternal regrets.

Zhao Zhiwu softly said, “Do you know why I have always liked you?”

Among all the princes, everyone knew that the Human Emperor of Taiping favored Zhao Mengtai the most, but unfortunately, Zhao Chongyin was the eldest son and was the Crown Prince thrust into position to stabilize the situation of Great Yan.

Zhao Mengtai hardly hesitated, saying, “Because I am very much like you.”

“Exactly, you are very much like me,”

Zhao Zhiwu nodded, then continued to ask, “Then do you know why you can’t become the Crown Prince?”

Zhao Mengtai spoke gravely, “I don’t know.”

He was also very puzzled as to why Zhao Zhiwu was not fond of this Crown Prince, why he hadn’t abolished the Crown Prince and established a new one?

Could it be because of guilt!?

But could a person like Zhao Zhiwu really feel guilt?

This question had troubled him for many restless nights.

Zhao Zhiwu said indifferently, “Because you are too much like me.”

“Hahahahaha.”

Having his years of doubts resolved, Zhao Mengtai could not help but burst into laughter, unable to understand that the reason he couldn’t be the Crown Prince was simply because he was too much like Zhao Zhiwu.

Looking at the somewhat crazed Zhao Mengtai, Zhao Zhiwu did not get angry, and even his heart did not fluctuate in the slightest.

“Father, I really didn’t expect these words to come from your mouth. You know what? You have always been the person I admire the most.”

Zhao Mengtai looked intently at Zhao Chongyin, “From a young age, I liked to mimic your every word and action, even learning your style of handling affairs and managing people. I remember clearly when I was twelve, the day after the Empress passed away, I cried very hard, and my tears even wet the book. You were in the Imperial Study Room then, patting my shoulder. I have never forgotten the words you said, that an emperor should be ruthless and tearless.”

“I have remembered that sentence for more than thirty years, thirty years! That sentence turned my heart cold and made me stronger, and I worked hard for it.”

After a long silence, Zhao Zhiwu, who had raised a emperor with his own hands, finally said, “Before being an emperor, first you need to learn how to be human.”

Zhao Mengtai sneered and shouted, “What high and mighty principles of being human! You’re talking to me about being human in the Golden Throne Hall? Didn’t you obtain the throne in exactly the same way before? There’s no one in the world who understands you better than I do. You are just scared, scared that I would be just like you were back then.”

The voice of the Second Prince was powerful, echoing in the Golden Throne Hall, and also thundering like a storm in Zhao Zhiwu’s heart, though his heart was as hard as rock, as still as an ancient well.

And those words, of course, did not disturb his peace of mind.

Zhao Zhiwu asked straightforwardly, “Mengtai, are you thinking of making a move against me?”

“I would like to see Father Emperor’s tactics.”

Zhao Mengtai’s gaze was piercing as he slowly walked into the Golden Throne Hall.

He had finally overcome the fear in his heart and stepped inside.

Perhaps he had no choice but to come.

Their gazes began to intersect.

In the silent muteness, the quietness felt somewhat terrifying.

“Good.”

Zhao Zhiwu nodded slightly.

Zhao Mengtai took a deep breath and then stamped his foot on the ground.

Although Zhao Zhiwu was severely injured, being a Five Qi Grandmaster, his chances of winning were very slim, but even so, he needed to try today.

If he lost, it meant death; winning, he could own this entire realm.

In the face of death, everyone is equal, but in front of life, everyone is different.

Some are peddlers and servants; some are emperors and generals.

So why can some be emperors and generals, and why are some just peddlers and servants?

Zhao Mengtai did not believe in fate; he believed in himself.

He believed that his own hands could accomplish everything.

For the throne, even if it meant patricide and rebellion.

And all this was taught by this father before him.

The Golden Throne Hall became very spacious, empty as if it was the realm of Yan itself, with only the two of them, father and son, beneath it.

Zhao Mengtai knew he had only one chance.

If the first strike didn’t succeed, then there was only one outcome for him, an outcome where everyone is equal.

But even if given ten thousand chances, he would still do the same.

Zhao Mengtai was a man destined for great things, and those destined for great things either achieve greatly or fail terribly.

He had sworn to himself that he must live a life full of vigor.

He stared into Zhao Zhiwu’s eyes, considering himself the person who understood Zhao Zhiwu the best, hoping to see something through those eyes, to find a flaw.

But Zhao Mengtai was disappointed, those eyes were no different from before, nothing but aged and muddled, nothing more.

It was as if he wasn’t looking at eyes, but an abyss that was bottomless.

At the same time he saw those eyes, for some unknown reason, the confidence in Zhao Mengtai’s heart started to melt away like the snow in winter.

Simultaneously, an inexplicable fear surged, instantly drenching his entire body.

He was clearly not afraid of death.

Yet at this moment, he was afraid of seeing those eyes.

Afraid of seeing that endless abyss.

The next moment, everything disappeared from Zhao Mengtai’s eyes—no fear, no confidence, as if these things had been illusory from the start.

He thought the landscape he saw also completely vanished.

He saw his father, Zhao Zhiwu.

It was his father from forty years ago.

Subsequently, these two figures gradually merged and vanished as well.

After that, he saw nothing.

Only darkness remained in his eyes, and his heart also fell into darkness.

Loneliness.

Struggle.

The golden light above the Golden Throne Hall shone on Zhao Mengtai’s pale face, as beads of sweat fell from it.

Zhao Zhiwu looked at Zhao Mengtai before him.

The next moment, the abyss disappeared.

The darkness also disappeared.

Zhao Mengtai’s body collapsed heavily to the ground, gasping for air, as if he had narrowly survived a catastrophe.

In that moment, like falling into an abyss, even now his hands and feet felt cold.

No one in this world is unafraid of death because those who are unafraid are already dead.

Zhao Mengtai once again saw the Golden Throne Hall.

Once again, he saw his father, the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu.

But Zhao Mengtai could no longer see himself.

Zhao Zhiwu’s murky eyes suddenly became bright, outshining even the dazzling light of the Golden Throne Hall, but it was merely a fleeting moment.

The emperor’s mind is hard to predict, no one knows what the Great Yan Emperor is thinking at this moment.

Like the starry sky above the night, you can see it, but you cannot see through it.

And you cannot see through it either.

Zhao Zhiwu looked at Zhao Mengtai as if he was looking at his younger self, “I won’t kill you because you cannot die at my hand.”

In the Golden Throne Hall, Zhao Mengtai gasped for air, his heart now cold, numb, cruel, resolved, even his pride seemed stripped away.

Facing his own father, he was completely defeated.

If Zhao Zhiwu did not die, he was bound to die.

Zhao Zhiwu would not kill him.

So who would kill him!?

…..

On Zhong Mountain, myriad rays of Buddha light emerged.

Attracting everyone’s attention, including Qin Shan.

Fa Wu ascended the mountain.

This Buddhist child stepped onto this mountain of heavenly sacrifice.

Everyone present felt astonished and confused by his appearance.

They did not understand why the Buddhist disciple had come up the mountain.

A glint flashed in Zhao Chongyin’s eyes, as compared to the Demon Sect and the Zhenyi Sect, the Buddhist was undoubtedly his most favored partner, and the suddenly appearing Fa Wu was his lifeline.

Fa Wu brought his hands together in a Buddhist salute to Qin Shan and said, “The martial arts practiced by this benefactor are indeed somewhat cruel.”

Qin Shan replied indifferently, “It’s natural selection, survival of the fittest, if you are not cruel, others will be cruel to you.”

Fa Wu shook his head, “The benefactor is too attached, the sea of suffering is boundless, turning back is the shore.”

Qin Shan said lazily, “Buddhist monk, spare me your sermons, do you think you can stop me with your power? Others may fear your Buddhist sect, but we of Black Ice Platform do not.”

Fa Wu said, “The Buddhist sect guides people towards goodness, not toward fear, it is normal for the benefactor’s heart to be fearless.”

The murderous intent in Qin Shan’s heart surged, unabashedly, and her Qi force emerged like a tide.

For her cultivation, killing the young monk before her was merely a wave of her hand.

Even though he was a Grandmaster.

Fa Wu extended his palm, and a beam of golden light appeared.

It was like the dazzling sunlight in the night, compelling those below the Grandmaster realm to use their inner strength to block it.

Feeling that emerging golden light, even the wind and snow seemed to pause.

“Relics!?”

An Jing was all too familiar with that golden light.

He had once asked a Buddhist expert for a Shariputra and even obtained half of the Concealing Qi Technique.

The Shariputra was left by a Buddhist expert, imbued with the qi of Supreme Yang and purity, but he could not absorb it excessively, which was a great regret for An Jing.

Following the golden light upward, halfway up the sky, a golden relic shone brilliantly.

Qin Shan scoffed, “With your cultivation, even with a Shariputra, you dream of stopping me.”

Although this Buddhist disciple’s physique was special and could harness the power of Supreme Yang from the Shariputra, it was a fool’s dream to think that just one relic could make her retreat.

“Benefactor, do not be hasty.”

After Fa Wu spoke, his robe fluttered again, and his red kasaya trembled.

In an instant, Zhong Mountain was overflowing with golden light, as if the piercing brilliance could shatter the heavens.

One.

Two.

Three.

…….

Among the golden rays, nothing but relics could be seen.

As the relics appeared, the entire Zhong Mountain was enveloped in the golden light of Buddhism, dispelling the cold and warming the entire mountain.

In three breaths’ time, no less than nine relics circled around Fa Wu, forming dazzling golden radiance.

Each relic was left by a high monk of the Buddhist sect, and not all high monks could leave behind a relic, indicating the preciousness of these relics.

Wow!

Seeing the nine relics floating midair, everyone on Zhong Mountain was astonished.

Even Qin Shan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly at that moment.

The power of Supreme Yang contained in the nine relics was too pure, and even with her cultivation level, she feared she would lose half her life if injured by their force.

Qin Shan said, “These nine relics are treasures of the Buddhist sect.”

Fa Wu nodded and said, “Indeed.”

Qin Shan, with her delicate appearance, looked at Fa Wu, “To stop me, you expended nine relics at once?”

The Buddhist sect giving all the relics to Fa Wu was intention clear, evidently focused on nurturing Fa Wu with hopes of using his special physique to reach the Great Grandmaster realm.

In today’s world, be it dynasties, sects, or tribes, having a Great Grandmaster emerge would undoubtedly seize the fortune of the world and affect the entire global structure.

Therefore, the efforts and secret conflicts amongst the forces of the Five Qi Grandmasters to reach Great Grandmaster are not openly discussed.

The greatest strength of the Buddhist sect was Xi Hafu, but this man was elusive, and not even other forces or the masters of Buddhism could locate him. Aside from him, the others at the Tianyi Bodhisattva realm had been stuck at the Four Qi Grandmaster peak for a long time and could not advance to Five Qi Grandmaster, posing no threat.

And this Buddhist disciple, Fa Wu, was named the hope of Buddhism.

His constitution was extremely unique, allowing him to continuously absorb the Power of Supreme Yang from the relics and comprehend the Buddhist principles left by high monks within the Shariputra. As long as he absorbed the Shariputra, he could reach the Five Qi Grandmaster rank, and given his age, he had a great potential to reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future.

That was the move Buddhism had placed in this current age.

However, if the Shariputra were completely used up, Fa Wu’s cultivation would still not be close to Five Qi, and then Buddhism’s strategy would collapse, utterly losing the possibility to contend with the forces around the world.

“Amitābha.”

Fa Wu solemnly looked at Qin Shan, who was even ‘younger’ than himself, and said, “Nine Shariputra, with your strength, it will also be very difficult to withstand. You will surely suffer severe injuries, and even if you can leave Zhong Mountain, it would be difficult to leave Yan Country.”

Listening to Fa Wu’s threat that didn’t sound like a threat, Qin Shan’s expression didn’t change, but he tensed inwardly.

Fa Wu was right, even if she could withstand the Power of Supreme Yang from the nine Shariputra, could she really leave Yan Country?

After all, the masters of the Demon Sect were still covetously nearby, and the might displayed by the Ghost Swordsman was even daunting to her, arguably the strongest master under the Five Qi so far, whether a heavily wounded body could still withstand was yet another question.

Yet in her heart, she didn’t quite believe what Fa Wu had said.

Would Buddhism really pay such a price to kill her with nine relics?

Qin Shan’s tone grew exceedingly icy, “Does Buddhism really want to fight to the death for Yan Country?”

Fa Wu nodded and said, “The master has ordered that we must protect the Crown Prince’s safety at all costs.”

Instantly, the entire Zhong Mountain became quiet.

Shariputra surged around Fa Wu’s body, and the Power of Supreme Yang spread across Zhong Mountain like a tidal wave, creating intense heat.

It was as if it had suddenly moved from the bitter cold of winter to the intense heat of summer.

Fa Wu’s expression was calm as water, clearly he did not want to use the Shariputra to block Qin Shan, and Qin Shan also greatly dreaded Fa Wu’s Shariputra.

But in a flash, Qin Shan made her decision and couldn’t help but laugh aloud, “The Great Yan Emperor really knows how to calculate.”

If Buddhism intervened, she would never believe it wasn’t the Great Yan Emperor’s doing.

If she were really stubborn, the Buddhist disciple would definitely not reach Five Qi soon and could still kill her, which would serve multiple purposes for the Emperor.

And Buddhism had no choice but to do so because Buddhism was the national religion, and as the national religion of Great Yan, it had to pay some price.

Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin felt somewhat regretful but still relaxed slightly.

Clearly, Qin Shan had given up the idea of both parties suffering losses against Buddhism, and she was already contemplating retreat.

Meanwhile, Teng Xubing was being forced to retreat continuously by You Gai, and within a few dozen moves, he would likely die at his hands.

Noticing Qin Shan’s gaze coming his way, You Gai started to retreat.

After all, she was a Five Qi Grandmaster, and even defeated Elder Su, and currently, there was no one in the Demon Sect who could confront Qin Shan, and Fa Wu would not stop Qin Shan for the Demon Sect, so there was no need to provoke her.

Seeing You Gai retreat, Teng Xubing gasped for air and felt secretly relieved, acknowledging You Gai as a former top master. If a few more moves had passed, he might have been defeated and killed.

Teng Xubing caught his breath and quickly came to Qin Shan’s side.

Qin Shan glanced around and finally landed her gaze on Zhao Chongyin, “Zhao Chongyin, this entire celestial sacrifice ceremony was Zhao Mengtai’s doing. When you return to Yujing City, you should properly settle this account with him.”

After speaking, Qin Shan propelled her body along with Teng Xubing toward the base of the mountain.

Qin Shan’s words stirred up a storm, causing an explosion of discussions across Zhong Mountain.

“What! This was all Zhao Mengtai’s doing?”

“He actually colluded with Houjin?”

“No wonder those Houjin experts were allowed to come in.”

“Does that mean the soldiers at the bottom of the mountain have already rebelled?”

……

Everyone was discussing animatedly, their faces dramatically changing.

Nobody had expected that this upheaval on Zhong Mountain was actually orchestrated by Second Prince Zhao Mengtai.

Zuo Biwen looked very troubled. He was on very good terms with Zhao Mengtai and even supported him wholeheartedly to ascend to the throne, being a peripheral figure in the Second Prince’s faction.

But now, the Second Prince had committed such an outrageously treasonous act, and the Zuo Family, along with Youfeng Valley, would inevitably be swept into this tumult.

The most crucial issue was the strong relationship between the Second Prince and the Empress; could this impact his sister?

For a moment, Zuo Biwen’s heart sank to the bottom.

From the moment Qin Shan appeared, Zhao Chongyin had vaguely guessed it, and now, upon hearing Qin Shan’s final words, he was completely certain. He immediately fixed his gaze on Yue Tingchen like a sword, who was undoubtedly a confidant of the Second Prince.

The Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, and other officials hurriedly retreated to a distance, fearing they would involve themselves in this trouble.

Yue Tingchen was not panicked; instead, he calmly said, “Indeed, this was the doing of the Second Prince, but I had already reported it truthfully to His Majesty earlier.”

Not only had Yue Tingchen reported the matter, but he had also handed over all the evidence to the Taiping Emperor.

Upon hearing Yue Tingchen’s words, An Jing immediately understood the situation, “So that’s how it is.”

The arrival of Fa Wu from the Buddhist sector could be seen as the Human Emperor being prepared; evidently, he was aware of all Zhao Mengtai’s actions. It turned out that Zhao Mengtai’s most trusted confidant was actually the Human Emperor’s plant in Zhao Mengtai’s camp.

“The Taiping Emperor really has profound stratagems.” Zhao Qingmei was also secretly shocked.

To plant spies even among his own son’s closest circles was truly disheartening.

Zhao Chongyin looked at Yue Tingchen; rather than feeling joy, his heart grew colder.

Yue Tingchen, who was by Zhao Mengtai’s side, was actually his father’s man?!

Even he had believed Yue Tingchen was one of Zhao Mengtai’s most trusted, tightly bound together. Little had he expected that he was actually a pawn of his father.

With such a pawn in Zhao Mengtai’s camp, then around him…. a chilling feeling surged in his heart.

At that moment, a disturbance came from the staircase.

A general clad in armor ascended the mountain, with a swaying figure moving forward by his side, closer inspection revealed a clean-cut eunuch, small in stature and meticulously dressed in eunuch’s attire, his waist naturally bent slightly forwards with his fingers crossed in front of him tipping slightly in an orchid gesture.

This person An Jing recognized; he was the famous Holy Hand Zhuo Yuchang in Jianghu, also known as the godson of Eunuch Bai Mei.

Zhuo Yuchang came before them all and lifted a scroll of imperial decree, saying, “An imperial decree from the Human Emperor.”

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, order State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, master of Outer Heaven Zhao Qingmei, tributor An Jing, Fa Wu from the Buddhist sector, Valley Master Zuo Biwen of Youfeng Valley, Jia Shiwu of Four Symbols Sect, Sect Master Wang Yue from the Blue River Sect, Liu Moyuan, the Supreme Elder of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, Dai Danshu from the Five Poison Sect, and many other heroes of Jianghu to converge in Yujing City to discuss the resistance against the Houjin and Zhao Country among other matters, arrive within a month, without error, hereby ordered.”

The soft voice resounded in everyone’s ears at Zhong Mountain, followed by whispers that spread all around.

The Human Emperor was gathering many top experts from Yan Country’s Jianghu; this was a significant move.

An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances. After the events at Zhong Mountain, it seemed the invasion by Houjin and Zhao Country against Yan Country had become a fixed plan. If the Southern Barbarians were added, it would inevitably lead to a war of all nations, bound to be a bloody battle.

Zhao Chongyin’s face, however, darkened considerably. It turned out that from the beginning to the end, he had been played like a puppet. That his own brother wished to kill him was one thing, but that his father knew about Zhao Mengtai’s betrayal and yet told him nothing, even forcing out his only trump card, Elder Su, was clearly using him as bait.

Bai Jing approached and said, “Crown Prince, that assassin from the Wind and Rain Tower is still alive.”

Zhao Chongyin’s eyes overflowed with murderous intent, and he coldly ordered, “Kill them all.”

If not for him concealing his own cultivation, he might truly have died under that sword during this Heaven Worship Ceremony, when dozens of assassins from Wind and Rain Tower came to kill him.

Bai Jing transmitted, “This assassin cultivates the Blood Spirit Technique, and he had been hiding in Yu State City as an Oiran, and even had some connections with the top scholar.”

“Zhou Xianming?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin pondered for a long while and then said, “Don’t kill him yet, capture him and keep an eye on him.”

Zhou Xianming, now an aide in the Imperial Study Room, had been entrusted with significant responsibilities and was backed by Lv Guoyong.

A person whom Zhao Mengtai had tried all means to win over but failed.

Bai Jing nodded and moved over to the unconscious Li Yue.

Zhao Chongyin then looked at Elder Su, who was sitting cross-legged. He had already exposed this card, but at the same time, he was free from Zhao Mengtai’s entanglements. Logically, this should be a favorable situation, but his heart could not find joy.

His father, the Emperor, clearly did not want to pass on the throne to him.

What exactly was he thinking?

An Jing also saw Bai Jing rescuing Li Yue, his eyes narrowed slightly.

This Zhao Chongyin, who was just brimming with killing intent, suddenly ordered not to kill; evidently, he was contemplating making a move on Zhou Xianming.

Now that Zhou Xianming had been granted weighty responsibilities, and with the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai’s faction thoroughly downed, it was his time to expand his grand designs. If Zhou truly sided with the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, they might become enemies in time.

Just then, Yi Daoyun hurriedly came over, his expression extremely troubled, “Sect Hierarch, we haven’t found the Sword Demon’s corpse….”

…….

PS: It was a close call, but I managed to get it out before midnight.