My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Yin Wind Burial Summoning Death

“Agreed,”

Lin Tianhai took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“We agree as well,”

Liu Simiao and Mu Xiaoyun followed closely behind, expressing their agreement.

“I also agree,”

Yi Daoyun, after a long silence, also clasped his fists.

At that moment, the Demon Sect experts present changed their tune, with no one speaking out against it.

Who would dare to oppose now?

Even Yi Daoyun had been defeated by An Tributor, and his strength seemed unfathomable, not having displayed his full power. Who else could be more suitable than him for the mission to Yan Country?

“Very well,”

Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, “This time, our Demon Sect’s mission to Yan Country will be led by An Tributor. Yu Qiurong and the experts of Earth Sect among others will accompany him. This matter is settled, and the specifics and details will remain unchanged.”

The Demon Sect experts bowed deeply: “We will strictly adhere to the Sect Hierarch’s decree.”

“Then this meeting is adjourned,”

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Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a meaningful look, and the two stood up and left the Fengyun Hall, with Yu Qiurong closely following behind An Jing.

After the Sect Hierarch departed, Lin Tianhai urgently looked at Duanmu Xinghua and asked, “Sect Master Duanmu, did you already know about An Tributor’s strength?”

Liu Simiao also approached and inquired, “Who exactly is he? How can he be so terrifying?”

No one would have imagined that the Hierarch’s ‘favored consort’ possessed such profound strength, since, to them, An Jing had no advantages apart from a good appearance and decent medical skills.

But the power he demonstrated was truly terrifying.

Most crucially, he was still so young.

“He is just An Tributor,”

Duanmu Xinghua chuckled lightly and whispered, “This matter should not be spread for the time being.”

Lin Tianhai replied, “We understand, and will not spread the word.”

“That’s good then,”

Duanmu Xinghua nodded and then walked slowly out of the Fengyun Hall.

Liu Simiao muttered, “Sect Master Duanmu is actually keeping this even from us?”

“Perhaps Duanmu Xinghua doesn’t know himself,”

Lin Tianhai looked at Yi Daoyun and said with a smile, “Yi, what do you think of An Tributor’s swordsmanship?”

Yi Daoyun pondered for a moment, “Very fast.”

That was the sole thought in his heart facing that sword.

Lin Tianhai pondered for a moment, “In this world, the swordsman known for practicing the Fast Sword Dao to fame is Zhao Country’s Wind Sword Huang Shang, but his cultivation has not yet reached the Grandmaster level.”

Liu Simiao shook his head, “I have seen Huang Shang, he is already sixty-three years old, it’s absolutely impossible for him to be so young.”

“Elders, there is no need to guess,”

Mu Xiaoyun interjected with a smile, “All in all, regardless of who he is, as long as we know him as An Tributor, that’s enough for us.”

Lin Tianhai nodded in agreement, “Precisely. It doesn’t matter who he is, as long as he serves as Tributor of our Demon Sect.”

Such an outstanding figure was beyond their guess as to who he might be, but it was enough for them to know that he was the Hierarch’s husband and not an enemy of the Demon Sect,

Liu Simiao stroked his beard and exclaimed, “It seems our Demon Sect will have another Sword Immortal in its ranks.”

“Sword Immortal…”

Mu Xiaoyun seemed to think of something, his heart skipped a beat, “He couldn’t be the Ghost Swordsman, could he?”

Silence!

Instantly, the Fengyun Hall became eerily quiet.

Liu Simiao said with a trembling voice, “Wasn’t the Ghost Swordsman supposed to be dead? It should be impossible.”

The Ghost Swordsman’s deeds were somewhat mysterious, and upon closer thought, there seemed to be a faint possibility.

Mu Xiaoyun spoke in a haunting tone, “I always feel there’s something fishy.”

Lin Tianhai’s expression changed, and shaking his head, he said, “No way, absolutely no way that An Tributor could be the Ghost Swordsman, absolutely impossible.”

……

Outside Fengyun Hall.

An Jing reflected for a moment and then said, “You should go back and manage the sect affairs first, I want to visit the Sealing Demon Platform.”

Zhao Qingmei asked, “Are you going to visit the Great Elder?”

“Yeah,”

An Jing nodded,

After all, Jun Qinglin was currently one of the top experts in the world and surely knew some secrets that others did not; it would be good to get some advice from him before heading to Yan Country.

“Okay,”

Zhao Qingmei’s lips lifted into a smile, her brow revealing a hint of coquetry, “Remember to come back early, I’ll make your favorite dishes tonight.”

“Alright, I’ll make a quick trip there and back,”

Upon hearing this, An Jing, his heart racing, then headed towards the outskirts of Dongluo Pass.

Outside Dongluo Pass, the scorching sun blazed down, with sandstorms sweeping across the sky and land.

A few dozen li out from Dongluo Pass, a huge shadow suddenly surged from the sands.

It was the Black Flood Dragon.

“Roar!”

Sensing An Jing’s arrival, its body transformed into a streak of light rushing forward.

It wasn’t long before the Black Flood Dragon saw An Jing, clad in a white robe, standing amid the whirling sands, and it extended its enormous head, as if wanting to rub against him.

“Hmm? Blood?”

An Jing suddenly sensed a heavy scent of blood on the Black Python and upon closer inspection, he saw fresh red blood on its scales.

Seeing this, he couldn’t help but frown deeply.

Flood Dragons, as recorded in the history books, are extremely fierce and ferocious Exotic Beasts, and their appearance is often accompanied by unimaginable disasters, with many of them feasting on human flesh.

Originally, after the Thousand-year-old Black Boa had shed and been refined into a Living Puppet, it had no soul, but in the place near the Four Symbols Sect called Dragon Hidden Creek, it developed a new Divine Soul.

This new soul, like a newborn baby, was curious about everything in the world, without emanating a sense of fierceness or brutality.

However, as the Black Flood Dragon’s soul came into contact with more and more of the world, An Jing realized that its soul seemed to be slowly developing and changing.

“I’m not sure if this is good or bad,”

An Jing looked at the lively Black Flood Dragon before him and thought to himself.

“Roar!”

The Black Flood Dragon roared lowly, its pupils showing a trace of excitement, and then its massive body rolled and wriggled in the sand, causing a ‘sizzling’ noise from the friction.

An Jing approached the Black Flood Dragon, touching its hard scales. “I might have to leave for a while, so you stay here during this time.”

This time, going to Yan Country, he didn’t plan to bring the Black Flood Dragon mainly because its body was very conspicuous and would inevitably draw premature attention from others.

“Roar!”

The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl, its lantern-sized eyes intently fixed on An Jing, as if responding to him.

After communicating with the Black Flood Dragon for a while, An Jing then left the Gobi for the Sealing Demon Platform.

After reaching the Second Qi Realm in his cultivation, his pace had quickened considerably.

Just a few hours later, he caught sight of the Qionglou Yuyu in the oasis ahead, the Sealing Demon Platform that looked like a fairyland on earth.

As soon as An Jing landed on the ground paved with white jade, he saw Ouyang Quan already there as if waiting for something.

“An Tributor, please come inside,” invited Ouyang Quan with an outstretched hand gesturing.

An Jing asked curiously, “Could it be that Brother Ouyang has been waiting for me?”

Ouyang Quan nodded and said, “Just tens of breaths ago, I was accompanying the Great Elder in a game of chess when he suddenly asked me to come out to welcome An Tributor.”

An Jing didn’t speak further, but he thought to himself with a silent awe, Truly a Five Qi Grandmaster, his sensing abilities far surpass those of ordinary experts.

Ouyang Quan led the way, and the two crossed the Great Hall to a square platform behind it.

In the center of the platform was a stone table, with a chess game laid out on it, and Jun Qinglin was presently sitting on one side, focusing intently on the chessboard.

“Great Elder, our guest has arrived,” said Ouyang Quan respectfully as he approached.

Jun Qinglin waved his sleeve and said, “Good, you can go. I know you’re also bored; it’s time someone else kept me company.”

Ouyang Quan laughed dryly twice before withdrawing.

An Jing bowed with his fist cupped in the other hand. “Great Elder, your junior offers his respects.”

Jun Qinglin placed the chess piece in his hand down, rose with a light smile, and asked, “What brings you here today?”

An Jing didn’t beat around the bush and replied straightforwardly, “Actually, your junior will soon be representing the Demon Sect on a mission to Yan Country, so before that I wanted to visit you, hoping you could offer some advice.”

Jun Qinglin’s eyes drifted towards the distant sands and slowly said, “I’ve also learned from Ouyang Ping about the currents of our world today. A Demon Sect alliance with Yan Country to oppose Houjin is the best choice. Houjin’s Holy Master is an ambitious fellow, and cooperating with him would be akin to seeking the tiger’s skin.”

An Jing asked, “You know Houjin’s Holy Master, senior?”

Even being in Yan Country, one could often hear about Houjin’s Holy Master, Zongzheng Huachun—within twenty short years, he had conquered all the tribes of the Great Plains, united the vast grasslands, and within another two decades, developed Houjin rapidly, enough to pose a threat to Yan Country.

Even though Houjin was defeated by Yan Country in the battle at Northern Wilderness Dao, Yan Country failed to injure Houjin’s primordial energy, and nearly ten of the Thirteen Banners still had their full military force intact.

Furthermore, the force of Houjin’s Great Snow Mountain had not yet made a move.

In Yan Country’s Martial World of Zhenyi Sect, the power was awe-inspiring, and if other forces united, they could still hold their own against it. In contrast, Zhao Country’s Martial World was dominated by Black Ice Platform, but other Sects also scattered traces of their presence.

Houjin, on the other hand, was completely different from the two countries. In Houjin, there was only one Sect: Great Snow Mountain.

Great Snow Mountain was considered the holy land of the plains. All the masters of Houjin almost invariably came from there, without exception.

Zhenyi Sect openly had only two Grandmaster level experts: Yu Ying, who guarded the Heavenly Venerate Hall and boasted the cultivation of a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster, and Xiao Qianqiu, a Four Qi Grandmaster who had a formidable presence in the Great Yan Martial World.

And what about the openly known experts of Great Snow Mountain? They had five Dharma Kings and one Holy Master.

Among them, the Great Dharma King and the Holy Master had unfathomable Tongxuan-level cultivations, renowned as top experts far and wide, showcasing the formidable strength of Great Snow Mountain.

“I’ve met him once; the man is beyond measure,” Jun Qinglin mused for a moment before continuing, “Zongzheng Huachun can be considered my junior, but his talents surpass mine; he has an unfathomable nature and is a person of great resolve. When I first met him, I knew he was no ordinary individual.”

“The Great Plains was fractured with many tribes locked in constant strife and killing each other, and with external threats like the Snow Mountain tribes. Add to that the interference and manipulation from Yan Country, stirring up conflicts—in less than twenty years, for him to unite Houjin with substantial support from Great Snow Mountain, I believe it’s his own capability as well.”

An Jing nodded. The great deed of uniting the Grand Plains by the Houjin Holy Master would indeed leave a profound mark in history.

Jun Qinglin continued, “What I didn’t expect was that in the past twenty years, Zongzheng Huachun has managed to enhance the power of Houjin so significantly, to the point where they have the resources to contend with Yan Country. This is quite terrifying.”

Twenty years of development turned the weak grasslands into a powerful tiger; it’s simply unimaginable.

An Jing thought for a moment and said, “Besides vigorously developing trade, there were also the elixirs that Qiu Fengsheng brought from the Black Ice Platform, which attracted quite a few good hands from the Jianghu.”

The grasslands were most in need of ironware and salt supplies, but the bureaucrats of Yan Country were corrupt, selling countless iron mines to Houjin each year. Unseen, they had become a terrifying interest group. It’s fair to say that most of Yan Country’s bureaucrats were accomplices in the massacre of the people in the Northern Wilderness Dao by Houjin.

Moreover, with the assistance of Qiu Fengsheng’s elixirs, the Soul Seeker Mansion also developed rapidly.

Jun Qinglin nodded and continued, “The Holy Master of Houjin is not only ambitious but also a Martial Arts Emperor. Thirty years ago, I had a clash with him on the Heavenly Plain. At the time, his cultivation was in the Three Qi Realm. Only I, Zongzheng Huachun, and that Great Dharma King from the Great Snow Mountain were present. Outsiders do not know of this.”

An Jing furrowed his brows and asked, “Oh? Your cultivation back then should have been higher than that Holy Master’s, right?”

“Correct, my cultivation was in the Four Qi Realm at the time.”

Jun Qinglin appeared to be lost in memories, “With my higher cultivation, I had somewhat of an upper hand, but I wasn’t able to take him down. Eventually, the Great Dharma King intervened, and I wasn’t a match for the two combined, so I made my escape.”

An Jing looked at Jun Qinglin in front of him, deeply shaken. He thought to himself how this person almost killed the Holy Master of Houjin. If he had succeeded back then, what would the world’s situation be like now?

“This is not something to be proud of.”

Jun Qinglin looked at An Jing and said seriously, “But now, if I were to encounter Zongzheng Huachun again, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be his match.”

An Jing took a deep breath and said, “Has Zongzheng Huachun also reached Five Qi?”

Jun Qinglin was silent for a moment and then said, “Unless there are surprises, he probably has.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing was internally astonished. Then he asked again, “Does senior know how many Five Qi Grandmasters are there in the world?”

Five Qi Grandmasters stand on the pinnacle among grandmasters, the closest to demi-immortals, and can be said to be the top existences in the current world.

Looking into the distant sands, Jun Qinglin said slowly, “Probably only about five or six. However, most are like me, mere old bones in the grave, struggling at the end. Don’t underestimate us. For those who are near their end, an impasse can become a view and a crisis can lead to rebirth. At your lowest point, as long as you are willing to move forward, every direction is an ascent. And who knows, one day the gates of Heaven might open, and you just might step directly into a demi-immortal state.”

As he spoke, a hint of brightness emerged in Jun Qinglin’s eyes.

An Jing shook his head with a smile, “Looking at the world, senior is a true master. You have nothing in common with the ‘old bones in the grave, on the brink of death’ you speak of.”

Jun Qinglin seemed to be asking An Jing and at the same time questioning himself, “What defines a true master, and what constitutes a real powerhouse?”

After thinking for a while, An Jing replied, “A true powerhouse is someone with a strong heart, while a true master is a master of life.”

“A master of life…”

Upon hearing this, Jun Qinglin sighed deeply.

The distant sandstorm howled, and both of them fell silent as if reflecting on the words they had just shared while watching the blowing sands.

Coming back to his senses, Jun Qinglin said, “Zongzheng Huachun is not just ambitious and powerful, but the Human Emperor of Yan Country is also not to be underestimated.”

“This Human Emperor is adept at biding his time. The coup at the Heavenly Book Pavilion forty years ago is still vivid in my mind. I’m not too clear whether he is laying out plans now, but in my estimation, if he is indeed planning something, it’s likely a grand game he is setting up. And Zhenyi Sect also has profound depths with the likely presence of old monsters of the Hua generation in Hidden Mountain yet to emerge. First, there was the Buddhist’s crossing to the east, then our Demon Sect’s alliance in the south. Now the world has fallen into chaos. Planners are making their moves, and pieces are being placed in order. Even a sect like the Demon Sect could be reduced to ashes if it makes a wrong move.”

“Before heading to Yan Country, I have only one piece of advice, being cautious never leads to big mistakes.”

An Jing’s heart grew tense, “So, I will be extra cautious on this trip to Yan Country, ensuring nothing goes wrong.”

……

A crescent moon rose up, clear and cold, spilling ice-like silver light from the west.

An Jing took steps towards the courtyard.

“Son-in-law.”

At that moment, Tan Yun appeared from the side calling out to An Jing.

An Jing walked over and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Tan Yun pressed her lips together and said, “Son-in-law, I heard that the Sect Hierarch asked you to make a trip to Great Yan.”

“Yes.”

An Jing nodded in response.

Tan Yun glanced around and whispered, “The Sect Hierarch ordered Sister Qiurong and you to go together, but how could she take care of you, my lord? Surely, I understand you better…”

Whether she will take care of me, I do not know, but at the very least, she won’t poison and harm me.

An Jing saw through Tan Yun’s thoughts in a glance, “Do you want to accompany me on the mission to Yan Country?”

Tan Yun nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining brightly, “This mission to Yan Country might present an opportunity to rescue my master.”

An Jing looked at Tan Yun, she was Lv Guoyong’s granddaughter with a special identity, but it was precisely because of this special connection that Tan Yun could not be brought along.

Involving Tan Yun and the Lv Sect in this whirlpool could backfire due to some unspeakable secret. Initially, Li Fuzhou had not planned on taking Tan Yun to Yujing City, but unexpected changes had occurred.

Seeing that An Jing was silent, Tan Yun quickly asked, “My lord, what do you think?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

An Jing smiled, “You stay in Dongluo Pass, and when I come back, I’ll bring you some Yan Country pastries.”

“My lord, I want to go.”

Tan Yun bit her lower lip.

An Jing’s expression turned stern, “Aren’t you going to listen to your lord?”

Tan Yun began to get anxious, “Of course I’ll listen to my lord, but…”

An Jing interrupted Tan Yun, soothingly saying, “There are no buts, just stay at home.”

With that, An Jing walked towards the bedroom.

“My lord…”

Tan Yun watched An Jing’s retreating figure, wanting to call out to him but not daring to raise her voice too much, only able to huff and puff, “Bad lord, I won’t see you off then.”

“Creak—!”

As he pushed open the door, he saw Zhao Qingmei in a white gauzy dress, with her jade-like skin faintly visible and her stunningly beautiful face becoming even more enchanting under the dim light, holding a book in her hand.

“My lady, I’m back.”

An Jing then looked around, asking with a smile, “Didn’t you say you were going to make something delicious for me? Why don’t I see anything?”

Zhao Qingmei stepped forward, gently touching An Jing’s collar with her palm, her eyes seductive as silk, “Brother, am I not delicious?”

“This…”

An Jing blinked, looking at the young woman in front of him, grudgingly saying, “I haven’t eaten dinner yet.”

“Can’t we eat in bed?”

Zhao Qingmei began tugging An Jing’s clothes off, impatiently saying, “I promise to satisfy your appetite fully.”

An Jing put up a final resistance, “Don’t rush, I haven’t had a bath yet.”

“Brother, then we can bathe together afterwards.”

Zhao Qingmei’s lips parted slightly, her eyes revealing an alluring charm as her hand seized An Jing’s hold.

“Then we’ll bathe together later.”

An Jing also felt a flame rising within him, as he embraced Zhao Qingmei’s waist.

……

News of the Human Emperor of Yan Country issuing the National Teaching Order spread across the land at an extremely fast speed, like a stone causing ripples in a pond, instantly stirring the entire world into a tumult.

The term National Teaching Order carried an extraordinary significance; it was precisely because of this order that the Zhenyi Sect could thrive in Yan Country, growing into a force that dominated the Great Yan Martial World over a hundred years.

Now that the Human Emperor of Yan Country had issued another National Teaching Order, it naturally caught everyone’s attention.

However, the discerning could see that this order was clearly prepared for the Buddhist sect, and their plans to cross eastward had been in the works since before the year began.

Buddhism had settled in the Yan Country, becoming the national religion. That was tantamount to binding themselves to Yan Country’s war chariot, a move that would be a tremendous upheaval for the world’s balance of power.

Moreover, there were rumors that the Demon Sect had dispatched masters on a mission to Yan Country. All at once, Yan Country became a meeting place of winds and clouds, gathering masters from all walks of life.

The following day, outside Dongluo Pass.

A white-clothed youth with a charming and elegant demeanor, who looked serene and calm, was riding a black steed. Beside him was a beautiful woman dressed in black, followed by six black-clothed martial artists.

The group, mounted on horses, left the Demon Sect’s main hall through Dongluo Pass.

The young man in white was carrying a long object wrapped in Shu brocade that looked like a wooden box on his back.

An Jing led Tan Yun and several Earth Sect masters out of Dongluo Pass, the object on his back being none other than the third-ranked sword on the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s Famous Sword List, the Evil Suppressing Sword.

There weren’t many in the world who recognized the Evil Suppressing Sword, but going to Yujing City in the Yan Country, there might be quite a few who did.

In heading to Yan Country, in addition to visiting Yujing City, An Jing intended to display the grandeur of the legendary third-ranked sword again by finding the other three sword bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword, completing its set of six sword bodies.

It was said that when a famous sword emerged, its blade was unlike any common one, impossible to wield except by peerless swordsmen and masters. The Evil Suppressing Sword was even more enigmatic. When it was initially forged, it resulted in the deaths of the Human Emperor and several experts of the Great Zhou Royal Family.

Zhao Qingmei and a group of Demon Sect masters stood atop the city walls, seeing An Jing off.

Zhao Qingmei’s brows were knit with worry. After all, the journey to Yan Country would be fraught with difficulties. With dangers lurking in both light and shadow, even An Jing, who had reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level, couldn’t ease her concerns.

Mu Xiaoyun beside her was curiously watching the white-clothed youth’s retreating figure, her mind brimming with questions. Could he truly be the Ghost Swordsman?

“The world is about to gain another sword immortal master,” Yi Daoyun remarked as he looked down, feeling sentimental.

He was indifferent to whether An Jing was the Ghost Swordsman or not, but he knew that An Jing’s swordplay was worthy of the title of Sword Immortal.

Lin Tianhai and Liu Simiao had their own thoughts, but this matter concerning the interests of the Demon Sect made them hope that this mission to Yan Country would go smoothly.

Only Duanmu Xinghua appeared somewhat composed as she said, “Sect Hierarch, are you somewhat worried?”

Looking into the distance, Zhao Qingmei replied, “Heading to Yan Country, the future is unpredictable. With so many masters converging, how could I not worry?”

Duanmu Xinghua consoled her, “Sect Hierarch, the strength of An the Tributor will surely protect him.”

After all, the swordsman who could slay Qiu Fengsheng, the experts who could threaten him were few and far between in the world.

In a soft voice, Zhao Qingmei said, “If things go well this time, the Demon Sect’s alliance with Yan Country could work together to confront Houjin.”

An Jing looked back and waved at the woman standing atop the city walls. After a clear call to his horse, he spurred it on the official road, galloping away into the distance.

As a dust storm was raised, An Jing and his party soon vanished from everyone’s sight.

“Let’s go back.”

It was a long while before Zhao Qingmei exhaled and with a wave of her sleeves, she walked off into the distance.

The other Demon Sect masters also rose and followed behind Zhao Qingmei, leaving the city walls.

“Son-in-law—!”

Shortly after everyone had left, Tan Yun hastily rushed up to the city walls.

Standing on the walls of Dongluo Pass, she looked into the distance where the yellow sands were pervasive. There was no trace of An Jing anymore.

Somehow, a sense of unease and sorrow unexpectedly stirred within her.

Tan Yun, with her eyes still moist with tears, placed her hands over her mouth and shouted loudly, “Son-in-law, I will listen to you and not go, but you must remember to return safely. Don’t forget what you promised.”

….

An Jing had barely left Dongluo Pass when he suddenly pulled the reins and looked back.

Dongluo Pass—this place felt both familiar and foreign to him.

Without a direction, he was a wanderer anywhere.

But now that his heart had a direction, for the first time in ten years, he felt a sense of ‘leaving home’—an emotion he had not experienced even when he left Yu State City.

“Son-in-law, what’s wrong?” Yu Qiurong couldn’t help but ask curiously when she saw this.

“It’s nothing.”

An Jing shook his head and said, “Let’s hurry up. We’ll try to get to Yunlin City as soon as possible. Let’s go!”

After that, several steeds galloped, running towards the distance.

Dongluo Pass is located in the northwest, and the nearest to Dongluo Pass is the Northern Wilderness Dao. The official road from Yunlin City of Northern Wilderness to Dongluo Pass was closed, but the relationship between the two sides has eased recently. Now this trade route has reopened.

Along the way, one could see many merchants and armed escorts, and even some wandering Jianghu visitors. Every few tens of miles, there would also be a bustling teahouse.

The last time An Jing came to the Demon Sect, he had passed through this official road. At that time, there were few people around and it could even be described as desolate. But now it’s bustling with activity.

To be precise, An Jing had been to many places in Great Yan, but he had hardly had the chance to take a good look at them. It could even be said to be just a glimpse.

Now riding on a steed, his speed was not as fast as his Black Flood Dragon, and he stopped along the way to appreciate the surrounding scenery.

Even so, by the time night fell, the group had reached Yunlin City on the Northern Wilderness Dao.

Compared to several months ago, Yunlin City had undergone earth-shattering changes. Even at night, the streets were still ablaze with lights and crowded with people.

An Jing smiled and asked, “Do you know what it looked like here when I first came?”

Yu Qiurong thought for a moment and replied, “It should have been very run-down and desolate.”

An Jing said with emotion, “Yes, it’s only been a short two months, and yet the change has been so great. It’s truly unimaginable.”

Yu Qiurong’s lips curled up as she said, “The future will be even better.”

An Jing gave a slight nod and said nothing more.

The reason why Yunlin City could develop so well was naturally due to the easing of relations between the Demon Sect and Yan Country, leading to its current development.

If the mission to Yan Country goes smoothly this time, the Demon Sect would be able to make an aboveboard appearance in Yan Country.

Yu Qiurong pointed to an inn ahead and said, “Son-in-law, there is an inn up ahead.”

An Jing nodded, “Good, we’ll stay there for tonight.”

The group entered the inn.

“Guests, are you looking to stay at the inn?”

As soon as they walked in, an inn’s assistant came over with a smile, “Our rooms are already fully booked.”

Yu Qiurong looked at An Jing with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

An Jing said, “Let’s try another place.”

Then, the group switched several inns in succession, but all were already full.

Eventually, they arrived at the last inn in Yunlin City, Yue Lai Inn.

Soon after, an Earth Sect expert came out in a hurry and reported, “An Tributor, this inn has rooms, but there are only two…”

“Only two?”

Yu Qiurong frowned and looked at An Jing, “Son-in-law, six of them can share one room, and the two of us can share another room; let’s just rest for the night.”

An Jing nodded, “It can only be so.”

After that, the group entered the inn, and they were met by a middle-aged innkeeper. He was very tall, burly, with a rugged appearance.

Seeing An Jing and his party, the innkeeper eagerly greeted, “Guests, are you here to stay?”

An Jing nodded, “Bring us some food first.”

“Right away.”

The innkeeper quickly shouted towards the kitchen, “Prepare some signature dishes.”

An Jing and Yu Qiurong sat at one table, while the other six sat at another.

Soon, several steaming dishes were served, looking delicious and appetizing.

An Jing picked up his chopsticks and took a bite, his eyes lighting up, “This taste is really not bad.”

Yu Qiurong also took a bite and chewed delicately, “Indeed, it’s good.”

The innkeeper, while wiping the table, said with a smile, “Our chef used to be a master chef for the Liu Family of Yuan City. After the Liu Family fell into decline, the chef fell on hard times too and ended up in Yunlin City.”

“The Liu Family used to be a big clan, and the cooking skills of their chefs are naturally extraordinary.”

An Jing nodded his head and said no more.

The innkeeper also knew that the identity of An Jing and his companions was extraordinary, so after a few more words, he stopped talking.

After a satisfying meal, An Jing and his party went to their rooms.

Yu Qiurong, preparing a place on the floor, said, “Son-in-law, you rest on the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“There’s no need; you go rest. I won’t be sleeping tonight.”

An Jing shook his head.

“Not sleeping?”

Yu Qiurong showed a hint of confusion in her gaze.

An Jing said indifferently, “Go to sleep; that’s an order.”

Although Yu Qiurong was nominally a maid, she and Zhao Qingmei were like sisters. An Jing naturally would not let her sleep on the floor.

Moreover, with his cultivation, he could go for days and nights without shutting his eyes. This short night didn’t require any rest at all; he would meditate and cultivate with the “Nameless Heart Scripture,” and the night would soon pass.

“Yes.”

Upon hearing the word ‘order,’ Yu Qiurong could only obediently lie down on the bed.

She didn’t take off her clothes but lay flat on the bed, her heart thumping wildly and restlessly.

This was the first time in her life, apart from her father, that she shared a room with a man—especially as she lay on the bed while that man sat on a chair.

As time slipped by, Yu Qiurong’s emotions gradually settled, and even her heart became very calm, soon drifting into dreams.

Moonlight shone like water, covering thousands of miles.

Yunlin City fell into eerie silence, even frighteningly so.

“Hm!?”

Suddenly, An Jing heard faint noises coming from above, and the sound was getting closer.

“Someone’s here.”

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

An Jing’s eyes narrowed, and in the next moment, his body shot through the window like the wind and landed on the rooftop.

Under the high-hanging full moon, there was a burly figure standing on the rooftop, appearing as if embedded within it.

It was none other than the innkeeper.

An Jing chuckled, “Innkeeper, you’re not resting so late at night?”

Faced with a figure like a ghost, the innkeeper was startled inside but kept a composed smile, “The moon is nice tonight, I came up to enjoy it and to catch a breeze.”

“The sky is clear tonight, and there seems to be no wind,” An Jing said, extending his palm, a cold gleam in his eyes, “Could it be that the innkeeper is enjoying the ‘Yin Wind Burial’?”

…..

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