Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Young Lady Qingqing… Ying Qingqing?
Chen Luoyang recalled that part of “his” life resume.
He used his finger to gently tap on the armrest without any tempo.
Ying Qingqing, a very mysterious young lady…
Before the Demon Cult Master had a battle with the Sword Pavilion Lord, he had unintentionally picked up a young lady… One who had amnesia.
Her martial arts and cultivation were still there, but she had forgotten about her past.
After the battle, the Demon Sovereign recuperated in this place, while Ying Qingqing was also brought to this manor.
When they first met, the Demon Sovereign ordered the cult members to investigate her background. However, even with the Demon Cult’s information gathering abilities, there wasn’t a lot of information pertaining to Ying Qingqing. It had caused suspicions to increase.
Chen Luoyang was having a headache.
This is the weakness of that life resume. It isn’t able to reflect interpersonal relationships… Heaven knows what kind of dispute this Young Lady Qingqing has with me, the Demon Cult Master.
Amnesia…
To a certain extent, we are fellow sufferers.
Just as Chen Luoyang was pondering, the gray-clothed elder spoke with hesitation, “Reporting to Cult Master. This old servant carried out your instructions when you were in seclusion. I have verified again that Young Lady Qingqing… is proficient in the Clear Sky Divine Sword!”
Chen Luoyang’s heart suddenly tightened. He composed himself and turned to look at the gray-clothed elder with his usual indifferent expression.
The gray-clothed elder nodded. “Everyone in the Grand Divine Province knows that the Clear Sky Divine Sword is the unique martial art of the Sword Pavilion Lord and not even the direct-line disciples have learned it. Moreover, Young Lady Qingqing doesn’t seem like she recognizes the Sword Sovereign. Previously when she didn’t reveal her martial arts, the Sword Sovereign didn’t pay attention to her either.”
Chen Luoyang didn’t say anything. His recuperation just so happened to require the Clear Sky Divine Sword.
Could it be coincidental that someone delivered this to me? Is it real amnesia or fake amnesia? Could it be a honey trap? What relationship does she have with that Sword Pavilion Lord?
After long consideration, Chen Luoyang instructed, “This Seat will have my dinner now. Arrange for her to dine with me.”
“Yes, Cult Master.” The gray-clothed elder replied respectfully and asked to be excused.
After the elder left, Chen Luoyang went into his mind to communicate with the mysterious black pot again:
Can you tell me relevant information about Ying Qingqing?
The blood-red serum in the black pot suddenly reached the bottom! However, no blood words appeared.
Soon enough, the blood-red serum reappeared in the pot, and the quantity was exactly the same as before he asked the question, not more nor less.
The serum isn’t sufficient?
Chen Luoyang was rather surprised.
Obtaining the information of the original owner used up a lot of serum. Obtaining the formula for the Ten Revolution Primary Elixir used up quite a fair bit of serum too. But the remaining blood-red serum seems to be slightly more than the amount required for the Ten Revolution Primary Elixir’s formula.
This means that… the secret of Ying Qingqing is actually much more valuable than the Ten Revolution Primary Elixir’s formula?
After a long time, Chen Luoyang mumbled, “This is really interesting.”
An attractive and delicate flower, but heaven knows if this is a trap…
My injuries are a result of the battle with the Sword Pavilion Lord, and my body still has the remnants of the Clear Sky Divine Sword’s sword qi that needs to be neutralized. It can only be neutralized with the help of the same sword qi. If this is the opposition’s scheme, I will be in danger.
As Chen Luoyang pondered, he stood up, walked outside the room, and arrived in front of the reception pavilion.
Delicacies were all prepared and laid out. Apart from that, a beautiful lady was already seated by the table and waiting quietly.
Ying Qingqing was around sixteen or seventeen years old. She had an elegant and refined complexion.
She was sitting upright by the table, and when she saw Chen Luoyang walk over, she stood up and greeted, “Cult Master Chen.”
“How is your stay?” Chen Luoyang walked to the master’s seat and sat down.
“The environment here is very nice,” Ying Qingqing replied, “but, I am here to bid farewell to Cult Master Chen.”
The flavor of the dishes isn’t bad, although this is the first time I am seeing such ingredients…
Chen Luoyang didn’t have any reservations just because Ying Qingqing was observing by the side. He ate heartily while tasting all of the dishes on the table.
“Did the people here neglect you?” While he was picking the dishes, he asked indifferently.
“That is not the case. I have received great treatment from everyone.” Ying Qingqing shook her head and said, “I am leaving because of my own matters.”
Chen Luoyang asked, “Have you regained your memory?”
“Not yet, my memory is still the same and can only reach one month ago.” Ying Qingqing’s expression looked slightly sad, but she quickly brought up her spirits and said, “However, the Sword Sovereign senior who fought with Cult Master Chen wields a sword art that seems to be of the same origin as my martial art. Therefore, I wish to consult him as he might know about my past.”
The young lady might have a straightforward character, but she too knew that the Demon Cult Master and the Sword Pavilion Lord were enemies, and they had just had an intense battle.
She looked at Chen Luoyang and said softly, “I thank Cult Master Chen for saving me previously. However, I am still rather concerned about my past and wish to visit the Sword Pavilion. I hope that Cult Master can forgive me.”
“You are This Seat’s guest and have your own freedom. If you wish to leave, you can go at any time.”
Chen Luoyang looked at Ying Qingqing with a ruminating expression. “But… it seems like you are afraid of This Seat?”
Ying Qingqing stayed silent for a moment before replying, “I am not afraid, just… feeling a little conflicted.”
Chen Luoyang used his fingers to rub the edge of the wine cup. “Tell me about it.”
“I might only have memories from one month ago, but during that month, I have constantly heard others mention… that your honored cult is vicious and despotic, and is thinking of all methods to create a reign of terror. They said that the Demon Cult has the intention to rule over the Divine Province and terrorize all living things with evil.”
Ying Qingqing then said, “However, I have been rescued by Cult Master Chen, and during these days, be it you or the people around you, I have been treated very well. All of you have gentle and polite behavior, nothing less than being upright and candid.”
I am guessing that “someone” is curious why you know the Clear Sky Divine Sword, while also trying to woo after you…
Chen Luoyang ridiculed in his heart.
Ying Qingqing continued, “I wish to stand a little further to see what is true and what is false, to see who is right and who is wrong.”
I too wish to see if you are real or fake…
Chen Luoyang commented in his heart.
Chen Luoyang let out a faint smile. “Things that seem contradictory might all be real because this world’s true, false, right, and wrong are all different for each individual. Others might address us as demons. However, our cult’s original name is the Ancient Divine Cult. You can read through and know about it.”
Ying Qingqing was startled, and she continued to remain in silence.
Chen Luoyang nonchalantly said, “It is already evening time, and it wouldn’t be too late to depart tomorrow.”
Ying Qingqing came back to her senses and nodded. “Alright.”
Chen Luoyang picked up some food while smiling and saying, “This Seat will send someone to scout for you too. If you don’t obtain the answers that you needed at the Sword Pavilion, you might be able to obtain new information if you return here.”
“Thank you, Cult Master Chen.” Ying Qingqing responded by standing up and bowing to Chen Luoyang solemnly.
“You don’t have to be so scrupulous.” Chen Luoyang used his chopsticks to knock on the edge of the plate and said, “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Thank you, Cult Master.” The young lady sat back down and started to move her chopsticks. However, the meal was a rather silent one.
This young lady was a person who didn’t really talk much, while Chen Luoyang was afraid that he might say something wrong.
After the meal ended, Ying Qingqing asked to be excused. Chen Luoyang then watched as she left before he gently knocked on the jade pendant twice.
The gray-clothed elder quickly appeared in the reception pavilion and bowed. “Will Cult Master please give the orders?”
“Ying Qingqing will be leaving tomorrow morning. Follow her secretly and observe what she does and who she makes contact with,” Chen Luoyang instructed in an indifferent manner. “Pay extra attention to people other than the Sword Pavilion’s members.”
The gray-clothed elder replied respectfully, “Yes, Cult Master.”
“When required, This Seat will transmit an order for you to bring her back.” Chen Luoyang asked, “Are you able to do that?”
The instructions were rather ambiguous, but Chen Luoyang’s expressions remained enigmatic and emotionless, and had a very calm tone.
The gray-clothed elder hesitated before answering, “Cult Master, if she isn’t in the Sword Pavilion, this old servant is confident in doing so. But if she is in the Sword Pavilion…”
“If she is in the Sword Pavilion, This Seat will order another person to assist you,” Chen Luoyang said insipidly. “Before that, you have to verify her background.”
“This old servant acknowledges Cult Master’s orders.” The gray-clothed elder kowtowed as he responded.
When the elder left, Chen Luoyang had also left the reception pavilion to take a stroll in the courtyard.
He took out the jade pendant and had a surge of curiosity. This time, he knocked on the jade pendant three times.
At the three long rings, some arrived in front of him. However, it was someone else this time, and it was two middle-aged men.
They both knelt down on one knee.
“Azure Dragon Hall’s Azure Dragon 5 pays his respect to Cult Master. Long live Cult Master!”
“Azure Dragon Hall’s Dragon Claw 11 pays his respects to Cult Master. Long live Cult Master!”
Chen Luoyang looked at them with an expressionless face.
Code names? What kind of hero would do this?
The structure and customs of the Demon Cult were things that couldn’t describe. Even the life resume provided by the black pot didn’t have such details.
Hold on…
Chen Luoyang had an idea.
He used an indifferent tone while stating casually, “Instead of fixing a date, why not do it now? I shall test the two of you today.”
The two individuals standing in front were rather nervous. They quickly responded, “Will Cult Master please ask?”
Chen Luoyang looked at Dragon Claw 11 first and said, “Recite our cult rules and laws. This Seat will not do a random check.”
Dragon Claw 11 was rather surprised and also terrified as he thought that he had violated one of the cult rules. The Demon Cult rules were strict, and since Chen Luoyang didn’t indicate anything else, Dragon Claw 11 had to recite it obediently.
Azure Dragon 5 was also silently anxious and frightened.
Chen Luoyang put his hands behind his back and stood there leisurely. In fact, his ears were pricked up as he was listening attentively and memorizing it diligently.
By the time Dragon Claw 11 recited everything, his entire body was already covered in a cold sweat.
Chen Luoyang didn’t express any opinion and turned to look at Azure Dragon 5. “It is your turn. Recite the Azure Dragon Hall’s rules.”
Azure Dragon 5’s heart was drumming nervously; he was pondering if he had overstepped his boundaries at some point while bracing himself to recite the rules to his Cult Master.
The duo was very anxious.
Chen Luoyang heaved a sigh of relief inwardly.
When Azure Dragon 5 finished reciting the rules, Chen Luoyang asked indifferently, “How are things for your respective duties?”
Azure Dragon 5 and Dragon Claw 11 promptly reported.
Chen Luoyang listened silently and gradually had some rough outlines in his mind.
The Demon Cult’s Shrine was located in the Divine Province’s southern desolate land. That place was also known as the Demon Domain.
During recent years, the Demon Cult had been striving to enter the Central Divine Province and dominate its entirety.
The cult had the Azure Dragon Hall, Vermilion Bird Hall, Black Tortoise Hall, and White Tiger Hall, and they were the core.
The Azure Dragon Hall was one of the four halls, and they were specifically responsible for punitive expeditions in foreign lands. They were vanguards for the domination of the Divine Province, and they were responsible for collecting information, infiltration, bribery, instigation, and assassination.
The Azure Dragon Hall was filled with experts, and they were also the most secretive, like a divine dragon that would appear and vanish without traces.
Below the Azure Dragon Hall Chief, there were seven experts that were direct-line disciples in the Demon Cult. They were also generally known as the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations. Apart from them, there were the 18 Dragon Claws and 108 Dragon Scales.
The Dragon Claws and Dragon Scales consisted of direct-line disciples from the Demon Cult, Central Divine Province’s experts, and the Other Tribe’s experts that were bribed.
Due to the frequent expansion and losses, the actual number of people in the Dragon Claws and the Dragon Scales were constantly changing. 18 and 108 were just imaginary numbers. It was possible for the number to be more, and there were times when it was fewer.
There were also the three legendary dragons who were the famed and venerable experts. They maintained their dignified status in their own factions, but in fact, they had already secretly joined the Demon Cult.
The Azure Dragon Hall had well-trained and powerful warriors while having deep foundations. The entire list of members was only in the hands of the Cult Master Chen Luoyang and the Azure Dragon Hall Chief who was in charge.
The Amrita Manor that Chen Luoyang was temporarily residing in had a reputation that spread through a thousand miles.
The owner of the manor was Wan Hesong, who also had the title of Timely Rain
1
. He was a forthright and upright person who frequently offered material assistance to people of the same circle and had friends in all places. He was actually the Shu Prefecture’s Cloud Martial County’s outstanding hero and had the faint influence of a county lord.
However, no one knew that he had another name in the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall… Dragon Claw 11.
No one also knew that the Amrita Manor, where people gathered to uphold justice, that was considered a sacred place in the Cloud Martial County, was actually a secret temple in the Central Divine Province belonging to the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall.
Information was gathered in this place; members were trained and nurtured; money and rations were stored and transported. This place served many functions, but everything was done clearly and orderly at the same time. No accidents had ever happened.
After Chen Luoyang’s battle with the Sword Pavilion Lord at the Snow Domain Plateau, he was recuperating in this place for now.
As the Cult Master, he was accompanied by many servants, but after entering the Amrita Manor, everything had been arranged appropriately. There was no disorder, and no information was leaked out.
“Well done.” Chen Luoyang looked at the man in front of him and praised him.
Wan Hesong was Dragon Claw 11 from the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall and also the owner of Amrita Manor that was located in the Great Xia Empire’s Cloud Martial County. He was rather scared and on the edge earlier, but he had finally let out a breath of relief.
Wan Hesong quickly responded in a respectful tone, “It is all because of the teachings and advice from Cult Master, Hall Chief, and Sir 5.”
The panic-stricken middle-aged man at the side had also heaved a sigh of relief and immediately said, “It is because of the correct pointers from Cult Master and Hall Chief. I don’t dare to claim the merit.”
Among the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, the fifth constellation, Ding Chen, didn’t excel in martial strength, but he was proficient in business and construction.
The secret temples that were established in the Central Divine Province and the Other Tribe’s Outwalls had the shadows of Azure Dragon 5’s hard work.
This Amrita Manor’s initial construction was actually the result of Azure Dragon 5 and Dragon Claw 11’s collective hard work.
Chen Luoyang stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, “This Seat knows clearly who is loyal to me and who is putting effort in their work. The two of you deserve a reward.”
Azure Dragon 5 and Dragon Claw 11 who were kneeling on one knee had revealed delighted expressions in response. “Thank you, Cult Master. Your subordinates shall offer their lives in sacrifice for the Divine Cult!”
Chen Luoyang nodded with a seemingly pleased expression while he was ridiculing in his heart:
Ying Qingqing mentioned that the Demon Cult is stirring up havoc. It seems like she didn’t accuse us wrongly.
He then asked again, “How many individuals are there in the manor that are undertaking assignments?”