My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 The Three Religions Heart Method Ultimately Unites

“`

The next day, in Yujing City, the Honglu Institute.

Zhao Chongyin stood at the entrance of the courtyard, taking in the pungent smell of blood, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.

Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu of the Honglu Institute stood to one side, their faces equally grave. No one had expected to receive such shocking news early in the morning.

Mu Jin Dharma King and Zongzheng Yuan had been killed in the dead of night, and what was crucial was that no one knew about it until their bodies were discovered in the morning.

Surrounding them were dozens of Houjin experts, their faces ashen and contorted with grief.

Besides them, a man dressed in a black cape stood outside the gate.

The man appeared to be in his early forties, his countenance as indifferent as water. Whenever he looked at someone, it felt as though one was being eyed by a ferocious beast, making their heart race.

After a moment, Bai Jing cautiously came forward and said, “They’re dead. Mu Jin Dharma King and Zongzheng Yuan were both killed by a sword thrust to the throat.”

“A sword thrust to the throat?”

Zhao Chongyin’s frown deepened.

Zongzheng Yuan’s cultivation might not have been high, but he was at least at the Second Grade Realm, and Mu Jin Dharma King, being a Second Qi Grandmaster, although severely injured by the enigmatic Grandmaster Ghost Swordsman, should have been able to defend against ordinary grandmasters after taking Houjin’s healing holy medicine.

To kill with a single sword thrust, the attacker must at least be at the Second Qi Grandmaster realm or possibly even higher.

Currently in the world, there were probably only the likes of Lou Xiangzhen who had such strength. His cultivation was in the Three Qi Realm, and he had reached the Sixth Realm; it wasn’t impossible for him to kill a gravely wounded Mu Jin Dharma King with a single move.

“It couldn’t have been him.”

Zhao Chongyin shook his head. Killing Zongzheng Yuan would have no benefits for Lou Xiangzhen, and it was also highly unlikely for Lou Xiangzhen to be in Yujing City.

Considering the current situation in the world, there were essentially two types of people who would want to kill Zongzheng Yuan. The first were those involved in Houjin’s fight for succession, as with Zongzheng Yuan’s death, there would be one less powerful competitor. The second were those who wanted Yan and Houjin to start an all-out war, including members of the Black Ice Platform and those who wished to stir chaos in the world.

“Regarding this matter, your Yan Country must give a satisfactory explanation to my Houjin.”

While Zhao Chongyin was deep in thought, a Houjin expert said in a stern voice.

“Indeed, an explanation is required.”

The eyes of the surrounding Houjin experts glowed blood-red as they echoed the demand in a chorus.

Most of them were loyal followers of Zongzheng Yuan. Naturally, seeing Zongzheng Yuan killed in such a way aroused great indignation in their hearts.

At this moment, the man at the gate said, “Crown Prince, this person is an exceptional swordsman expert. Capturing him will likely be very difficult.”

Zhao Chongyin fell silent, not uttering a word.

The Houjin expert huffed, “Then this is a matter for your Great Yan Court to address. If you do not provide an explanation to Houjin, be prepared for an invasion by Houjin’s million-strong army.”

Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu, two civil officers, turned pale with a mixture of shock and anger upon hearing this threat.

If Houjin attacked, Zhao Country would surely kick them while they were down. Yan Country would be attacked from both sides, a truly perilous situation.

Zhao Chongyin’s pupils contracted slightly as he said with a faint smile, “An explanation—I will certainly provide one.”

“That’s good to hear.”

The Houjin crowd all sneered in response.

“Governor Xu, I leave all of this in your hands.”

Zhao Chongyin glanced at the man standing outside the gate.

“Your Highness can rest assured.”

The man bowed slightly, a fleeting glint of murderous intent in his eyes.

Afterward, Zhao Chongyin, along with Bai Jing and Zhu Yongfang, and Wang Yangyu walked towards the hall.

Outside the hall, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly.

Zhao Chongyin felt a mixture of emotions, “I hadn’t expected Zongzheng Yuan to die just like that.”

In his view, Zongzheng Yuan was a talented individual, potentially a successor to Houjin’s leadership. Yet unexpectedly, he had died so easily here.

The world is full of uncertainties, no one knows what the next day may bring.

This made Zhao Chongyin feel a twinge of caution; today’s Zongzheng Yuan could be himself tomorrow.

After pondering, Bai Jing asked, “Crown Prince, will the hero’s meeting still take place tonight?”

Zhao Chongyin said nonchalantly, “Now that Zongzheng Yuan is dead, the meeting is even more necessary.”

The purpose of the hero’s meeting was to discuss how to counter Houjin. Now that Zongzheng Yuan was dead, the ferocious tiger that was Houjin had even more reason to be aggressive.

At this moment, sounds of collision and shrill screams came from inside the hall. The commotion lasted for dozens of breaths, and then the man surnamed ‘Xu’ emerged.

“Crown Prince, everything has been taken care of,” he said.

A trace of blood still lingered on the man.

Upon hearing this, both Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu exchanged glances, a chill rising in their hearts.

The Crown Prince is truly decisive.

It seemed like the conflict between Houjin and Great Yan was inevitable.

Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly and turned to Wang Yangyu, “Minister Wang, seal off this news. It is not yet appropriate to spread it.”

Wang Yangyu replied hastily, “This official understands.”

If today’s events were made public, they would unquestionably create an uproar.

Although the deaths of Zongzheng Yuan, Mu Jin Dharma King, and the others could not be kept under wraps forever, and the mastermind behind the scenes probably knew about it and might even spread the word, suppressing the news for now could at least give the border regions some time to prepare.

“`

I just don’t know how long this matter can be suppressed.

…….

In Yujing City, within the Lv Mansion, at the backyard.

The ancient-styled room was filled with a subtle fragrance.

“Master!?”

Tan Yun opened his eyes in a daze, then felt a shock in his heart and suddenly sat up.

“Awake?”

Just then, the door opened, and Liu Huiyun walked in from outside.

Tan Yun looked at Liu Huiyun, lightly biting his lip and said, “Aunt Liu, I thought I was dreaming.”

The battle at the Eight Feet Platform, where Li Fuzhou killed Tang Taiyuan with a palm strike, followed by the Bai Mei eunuch taking him away to the Heavenly Prison’s Ninth Layer, seeming like it was all just a dream.

Liu Huiyun sat down on the bed, touched Tan Yun’s head, and said, “Don’t think too much about it.”

Tan Yun looked up and asked, “Will master die?”

Every time he uttered the word ‘die,’ his heart clenched.

He always felt like fate was playing tricks on him, as every important person kept drifting further away from him.

“I’m not sure either.”

Liu Huiyun sighed deeply, “The Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison is very dangerous, holding many experts from the Great Yan Martial World. To this day, no one has been heard to have come out from there.”

The Great Yan Court had been in control of the kingdom for hundreds of years, which was not an easy or carefree task, especially when there were always top experts in Jianghu who wanted to challenge the Royal Family and scorn royal authority.

These people either died or were imprisoned in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison.

For hundreds of years, people had been sent there regularly, which indicates how many old monsters from Jianghu were hidden inside, yet not a single person has ever come out alive from the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison.

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun’s expression grew somewhat dim: “I once swore that I would take care of master in his old age, I…”

Liu Huiyun pinched Tan Yun’s tender cheek, and couldn’t help but smile, “If your master heard what you just said, I wonder what he would think. Don’t worry too much. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and your master wouldn’t want you to be gloomy every day.”

Looking at Tan Yun before her, a wave of pity arose in Liu Huiyun’s heart.

Tan Yun, Tan Yun… his name contains the character for ‘cloud’.

At that thought, Liu Huiyun’s heart suddenly warmed as she remembered her own past dear friend.

“I understand. I will find a chance to rescue master,” Tan Yun nodded, then touched his belly and asked, “Aunt Liu, what time is it now?”

“It’s the hour of noon.”

“It’s noon already, I was wondering… Aunt Liu, did you bring the pastries on the table?”

Tan Yun glanced at the pastries on the table and blinked his eyes.

Liu Huiyun picked up a pastry from the table and handed it over, “They were already here when I came. If you’re hungry, have some first, especially since you didn’t eat anything all night yesterday.”

Tan Yun was starving and grabbed a piece of pastry from the parchment paper to stuff into his mouth.

“Eat slowly.”

Liu Huiyun quickly poured a glass of water and said, “After eating, go see Elder Lv. We planned to take you to thank the Ghost Swordsman who helped us the other day, but I didn’t expect him to have left.”

“He left!?”

Tan Yun’s hands, holding the pastries, paused.

Wasn’t the Ghost Swordsman supposed to join the Demon Sect? Why had he left!?

Liu Huiyun said, “Yes, apparently he left early this morning. Such people in Jianghu, like the Divine Dragon, often appear and disappear unpredictably. Who knows when we will see him again?”

For loner experts in Jianghu without organizations or backing, their whereabouts were always erratic.

“But, but…”

Tan Yun began to get anxious.

Liu Huiyun patted Tan Yun’s hand and reassured, “Don’t worry, he is a good friend of Elder Lv, and there will always be another opportunity to thank him in person.”

Tan Yun bit into the pastry in his hand and then made up his mind, “Aunt Liu, I want to return to the Demon Sect for a bit.”

Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman went directly to the Demon Sect?

After all, he had been persistently asking about the Demon Sect.

Moreover, now that her master was trapped in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison, this was no small matter. She wondered whether the people in the Demon Sect would be willing to help with the rescue.

All things considered, she had to return to the Demon Sect.

“You want to go back to the Demon Sect?”

Liu Huiyun frowned deeply.

Now that Li Fuzhou was locked in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison and Tan Yun’s identity had been revealed, was it necessary to return to the Demon Sect and be a demon’s disciple?

“I want to go back and take a look, after all, it is where I grew up.”

Tan Yun obviously would not speak of what he truly had in mind, instead giving a different reason.

After thinking for a while, Liu Huiyun said, “If you truly want to go back, I can accompany you for a visit.”

Tan Yun looked at Liu Huiyun with a grateful expression, “Then I will trouble Auntie Liu.”

“Eat quickly, or have some water first.”

Liu Huiyun watched the young girl’s face brimming with smiles. If Li Fuzhou hadn’t left Yujing City back then… But in life, there are no ifs.

…….

Yun Hua Dao, Xuanqing Mountain.

Dense ink-colored clouds twined around the mountain, which was lush and verdant, with mountains nestling against water and water reflecting mountains, a picture of quiet harmony and a tint of solitude.

It was now the early summer season, the weather somewhat hot and oppressive, with the robust chirping of cicadas audible throughout the forest.

Once the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect, this place was renowned throughout the world, even surpassing Nanhua Mountain, the highest peak.

But few sects chose to build their gates here, firstly because the Court had not issued Mountain Gate Orders, and secondly because with the Zhenyi Sect in its heyday, few dared to provoke such bad luck.

Everyone knew that the Zhenyi Sect always wanted to revive its sect and prop up the might of the Mystical Sect.

Amidst the mountain woods, the sound of a low howl echoed in all directions.

Following the sound, one would see a gigantic Black Flood Dragon lying in the dense forest, occasionally opening its vast maw to growl, as if showing its domineering presence to the creatures around it.

An Jing sat cross-legged on the head of the Black Flood Dragon, meditating and regulating his breath. The Inner Strength within his Dantian surged out towards his limbs, spreading to every corner of his body.

Within the Dantian, where the qi of black and white intersected, faint golden glimmers started to emerge, with the golden light becoming brighter and stronger between the two.

About half an hour later, the internal breath returned within his Dantian.

“Hoo….”

An Jing exhaled deeply, then opened his eyes, “This ‘Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture’ is indeed the ultimate Buddhist martial art, it’s just a pity that the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’ has yet to become one. Otherwise, I really could find a common thread among these three heart methods.”

He was now cultivating the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’ and the ‘Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture’, two ultimate martial arts. Although the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’ of the Mystical Sect was incomplete, because of ten years of trials, he had reached the Tenth Layer.

Cultivating these three heart methods made him vaguely sense a certain connection between them, which was quite wondrous.

However, compared to the rapid progression of the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture’, the ‘Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture’ showed no sign of progress after the first layer. An Jing silently speculated that perhaps only by studying Buddhist Law like the monks could he hope to make further progress.

An Jing looked up at the building complex above and murmured to himself, “It was upon the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate that I grasped the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. Moreover, the Demon Sect’s treasure, the Heavenly Flipping Seal, also reacted. Perhaps there could be some clues within the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate.”

Beili Volcano lay on the border between Yun Hua Dao and Northern Wilderness Dao. Since he was passing by Xuanqing Mountain, it was naturally worth visiting the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate again to glimpse its true mysteries.

Additionally, there was a peerless expert within Xuanqing Mountain.

“Wait here for me.”

An Jing patted the Black Flood Dragon’s head, then leaped up towards Xuanqing Mountain.

The lush greenery was rampant in the forest, and there were even more visitors on the path seeking pleasure and admiration than the last time.

An Jing arrived at the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, looking at the endless mountain peaks ahead, and he couldn’t help but remember the first time he and Lou Xiangzhen climbed these stone stairs.

“As hard as it is to ascend to heaven, if given the chance in life, one ought to try.”

He sighed softly and continued to climb the mountain alone.

One step at a time, it took him a full hour to reach the summit of Xuanqing Mountain, Black Bull Ridge.

The mountaintop was as usual, with people enjoying the view, and a few Daoists scattered about telling fortunes and divining with talismans.

The once intact Thousand Mechanism Palace had collapsed thunderously, the result of An Jing’s battle with the Zhenyi Sect. Yet to this day no one had repaired it, leaving the gigantic Thousand Mechanism Stone exposed.

Next to the Thousand Mechanism Stone, a middle-aged Daoist in a Daoist robe huddled beside it, dozing off, with bunches of sandalwood and a talisman tube in front of him. The tube was filled with bamboo talismans.

This person was Luo Chongyang.

An Jing approached Luo Chongyang and asked with a smile, “Do you still tell fortunes?”

Luo Chongyang slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the man in black robes, and said, “Same old rules, a hundred copper coins for fate, fifty for love.”

An Jing handed over a hundred copper coins, “Then let’s see about the future.”

Luo Chongyang took the coins and said, “Please draw a talisman.”

An Jing shook the talisman tube, and a stick fell out.

“Good talisman.”

Luo Chongyang picked up the stick and smiled, “The whale guards the Jianghu before its transformation, not yet permitted to ascend and leave the azure waves. One day, when it changes form, it leaps over the Yu Gate at once.”

“The meaning of the talisman is to endure when you must endure and be patient when you must be patient. Do not rush your actions; fame and success will come naturally.”

An Jing asked with a smile, “It seems I have drawn another top-grade talisman?”

Luo Chongyang replied, “A top-grade talisman.”

An Jing glanced around and whispered, “It seems your business hasn’t been so good these past few days, Daoist.”

Luo Chongyang put away the tube and said, “Good or not, life goes on, so why bother with what is good or bad?”

“Indeed, life must go on, whether it’s good or bad. This is life itself.”

An Jing too sat down, gazing at the clouds drifting above, and remarked, “Daoist leads such an easy and comfortable life, truly enviable.”

Feng Lingyue, as a traitor to the Demon Sect, lived in constant fear, and the Demon Sect was still at Dongluo Pass, who knows how far from the Five Poison Sect. In contrast, Luo Chongyang, right under the nose of the Zhenyi Sect, could live so comfortably, which showed Luo Chongyang’s extraordinary nature.

Luo Chongyang stretched lazily and said, “Aren’t you living quite comfortably yourself? Killing several Zhenyi Sect’s real people and still carefree in the Great Yan Martial World, there aren’t many like you.”

An Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked with a smile, “How many has the senior killed?”

Luo Chongyang replied indifferently, “I have only killed one expert of the ‘Hua’ generation; not as many as you.”

An Jing’s eyes revealed a trace of confusion, “The ‘Hua’ generation?”

He knew that Xiao Qianqiu was of the ‘Yu’ generation, and it seemed that the previous Sect Leader Ye Ding was rumored to be of the ‘Qing’ generation, but he was unclear about those of the ‘Hua’ generation.

Luo Chongyang glanced at An Jing and said, “An old monster from Hidden Mountain. There aren’t many of the ‘Hua’ generation left in Zhenyi Sect. After so many years, most of them have died, and one of them died by my hand.”

“I’ve heard that the Zhenyi Sect’s wanted list now places you and me side by side. You should not underestimate the methods of Zhenyi Sect.”

Zhenyi Sect, after all, is the national religion of the Great Yan, having grasped the world’s reins for hundreds of years. Apart from the Yu Heng Sword Sect, the other major sects combined can’t match its profundity.

An Jing said, “It seems we have the same enemy.”

“In this world, there are many masters with grudges against Zhenyi Sect, not just you and me.”

Luo Chongyang smiled noncommittally, “So, did you come here today specifically looking for me because of this matter?”

As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind, especially such a towering tree as Zhenyi Sect.

An Jing shook his head and said, “Not entirely. I plan to join the hunt at Dongluo Pass and stopped by to visit on my way. Perhaps in the future, I might have the opportunity to collaborate with you.”

Luo Chongyang looked at the Ghost Swordsman before him with interest, “Hunt at Dongluo Pass? Do you intend to kill your way into the Demon Sect?”

The Demon Sect, with its thousand years of profundity, is also extremely deep, perhaps not much less than Zhenyi Sect. This Ghost Swordsman, with his Half-step Master cultivation, wants to hunt at Dongluo Pass?

An Jing asked directly, “Are you interested?”

“Hahahaha.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang burst into laughter. “Jiang Shang also tried his best to recruit me in the past. My relationship with the Demon Sect is not particularly good, but I have few grudges with them as well. Why should I go to the Demon Sect Main Hall to seek death?”

“If you were to go to Zhenyi Mountain, however, I might just take an interest.”

In his opinion, the Ghost Swordsman heading to the Demon Sect Main Hall was seeking his own death, since that was truly a lair of dragons and a den of tigers.

An Jing simply smiled without speaking. He had long been prepared for Luo Chongyang’s refusal.

Luo Chongyang shook his head and said, “You must have come to the wrong place. If you go to the Five Poison Sect to find Feng Lingyue, maybe he’d be very willing to accompany you to Dongluo Pass.”

An Jing said, “He may not trust me.”

Feng Lingyue had crossed his mind, but after careful consideration, he decided against it.

First, he had his own grudges with the Five Poison Sect, and secondly, Feng Lingyue would certainly not trust him.

Luo Chongyang nodded slightly without speaking. If Lou Xiangzhen were to take on the Demon Sect, a rallying cry might even resonate throughout the Great Yan Martial World, but the Ghost Swordsman was still somewhat lacking.

A person’s reputation casts a long shadow.

The title of The World’s First Swordsman carried significant weight.

Especially after Lou Xiangzhen’s battle by Abyss Lake, where his sword challenged the Daoist Crown of the Four Qi Grandmaster Xiao Qianqiu, becoming famous throughout the world.

“It’s getting late; time to head back and rest.”

Luo Chongyang glanced at the sky, picked up the blanket on the ground, “I still advise you, don’t go to Dongluo Pass. It’s not a possibility you may die; it’s a certainty you will.”

After speaking, Luo Chongyang strode away lightly, heading off into the distance.

An Jing watched Luo Chongyang’s retreating figure and muttered to himself, “How can one capture tiger cubs without entering the tiger’s den?”

As the sun neared setting, the tourists on Black Bull Ridge hurried down the mountain before darkness fell.

The setting sun cast its afterglow over Xuanqing Mountain, and the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate seemed to have been draped in a veil.

An Jing did not look at the Thousand Mechanism Stone. Instead, he sat in silence for a long while, quietly watching the clouds roll and unfold across the sky, and the sun set.

“Half with others, half with myself, half carefree; half awake, half inebriated, half like an Immortal.”

After a long time, he seemed to snap out of his trance, then turned his head to look at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate.

The vast stone plate lay exposed in the natural world.

If An Jing thought the stone plate before him exuded an incredible mystery the first time he saw it, today, looking at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate, it seemed more like an ordinary boulder to him.

A rock that had withstood countless years of wind, countless years of rain, and countless years of sunshine, bearing the marks of endless ages and vicissitudes.

An Jing gazed at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate with unparalleled calmness in his heart, as placid as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple or wrinkle, smooth as a water mirror.

In that moment, he seemed to enter into the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate.

Witnessing the countless years of wind, rain, and sunshine, his body and mind transformed into the stone plate, and within it, he saw an essence of profound mystery.

At that point, ancient traces began to appear on the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate. These marks had some connection and seemed to form an ancient script.

The marks emitted light, growing brighter and more spectacular, as if they were akin to a sun.

“Crack!” “Crack!”

Cracks formed on the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate, growing larger as if something was trying to burst forth, ultimately unable to withstand the shining light.

“Boom!”

The Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate suddenly exploded, sending a beam of light from the mountain top into the sky.

This beam was grand and majestic, containing deeply profound truths.

“Hm!?”

Luo Chongyang, who was descending the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, halted abruptly, staring in amazement at the beam of light.

…….

PS: Another chapter will arrive before 12 o’clock.