Chapter 20
Chapter 20
The Demon Cult arrived with aggression but left in a hurry.
They didn’t dare to retreat blindly to avoid getting counterattacked and pursued by the enemy. Three of the branches gathered at the Cult Master’s side and left the Golden Summit’s Huayan Temple together.
They were waiting for orders from the Cult Master to decide if they were going to firm up their formations before retreating back to their respective territories or to return and provide reinforcements to the Demon Cult Shrine.
When the massive Clear Sky sword light blazed into the sky again, the Demon Cult members could all see it and were feeling immense pressure. However, the Demon Cult members felt at ease again when the sword light merely hovered in the sky and didn’t try to stop the dragon carriage that departed by itself.
However, by withdrawing their troops after a strong start but weak finish, it had caused the Demon Cult’s army to be demoralized.
“Delay the speed.” Protector Xingtian, Hong Yan, looked at the Clear Sky sword light at the back.
That fearsome pillar of light moved unhurriedly and followed behind the Demon Cult members.
The existence of the Sword Pavilion Lord was something that the Demon Cult didn’t dare to underestimate. It was imaginable that there would be other orthodox members following beside the Pavilion Lord.
With such an army in pursuit, the Demon Cult wouldn’t be able to retreat without worry and wouldn’t be able to speedily return to assist the shrine.
The enemy didn’t come too close and would only follow from a distance that wasn’t too far or too close.
“The secret scheme had turned into an overt plot. We might know that the opposition is hiding a known truth, but we are still hindered by them,” the Demon Cult’s Seventh Elder, Shangguan Song, said slowly. “The Sword Sovereign isn’t in a hurry. With the two Sovereigns tying each other up, it is actually advantageous to them.”
Hong Yan nodded without saying anything while Shangguan Song looked up at the floating palace that was pulled by six dragons. “If he didn’t strive to achieve extraordinary feats and challenged the Sword Sovereign, then attacked the Shu Prefecture blindly, would our cult be in this crisis?”
Shangguan Song then shook his head repeatedly. “By attacking the Shu Prefecture, we have fallen into the enemy’s scheme and lost out at a key moment. It didn’t just put our sacred domain’s shrine in danger, the Shu Prefecture conquest also ended up with a strong start but a weak finish. It has affected our cult’s prestige and morale.”
“Young and frivolous, excessively arrogant, nepotistic, relying on martial strength. He isn’t equipped with anything that is worthy of being the Cult Master. He is only a madman who is all brawn.”
Hong Yan said, “He is trying to mend the pen after the sheep are lost
1
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Shangguan Song said, “He does wish to mend the pen after the sheep are lost, but I am afraid it is too late. Right now, we can only hope that the Grand Hall Chief and Grand Elder will be able to hold on.”
Shangguan Song’s eyes were very abstruse. “If the Grand Hall Chief is able to save this desperate crisis, then the prestige of the cult will be able to overcome the mistakes that our Cult Master has made and will prevent our cult from being consigned to eternal damnation. With the two contrasting events, we might be able to achieve our great objective and overturn the entire situation and bring order out of chaos…”
“The Three Sovereigns check and balance each other,” Hong Yan said.
“That’s right. It is rather good that the two Sovereigns are keeping each other in check. His greatest function right now is to restrain the Sword Sovereign.” Shangguan Song suddenly let out a long breath and said softly, “Furthermore, right now, he might be strong in appearance but weak on the inside and is putting up a false front. This old one suspects that his injuries after the battle with the Sword Sovereign have yet to fully recover. It is a pity that other than Vajra, there is another Xiao Yuntian with him. If not, we could test him…”
Hong Yan knitted his brows tightly and just as he was going to say something, he closed his mouth again.
The Cult Master’s attendant from the dragon carriage had arrived to relay the order for them to see the Cult Master.
When Hong Yan and Shangguan Song arrived at the main hall, they saw that Protector Zhurong Zhang Tianheng and the other Demon Cult experts were already here.
Chen Luoyang sat in a high seat and swept a glance at everyone below. “The first half of this battle has come to an end. We will now begin the second half of the battle. Each of you will immediately pick your elite subordinates and break off from the main army to make a pretend retreat, but you will actually be laying an ambush.”
When the Demon Cult members heard the statement, they had their own individual expressions.
Zhang Tianheng revealed an excited expression. “I am already very unhappy with those lingering ghosts behind us. We are just waiting for Cult Master’s order. Don’t worry, I will lead my men to set up an ambush at the front. When they come over, we will claim their corpses!”
“Not at the front,” Chen Luoyang said. “Make a detour and go behind them.”
“Behind them?” Zhang Tianheng was startled. “Does Cult Master mean between them and the Golden Summit?”
Everyone stared blankly for a moment before realizing something and looking back at their Cult Master.
“That’s right, along their path to assist the Golden Summit.” Chen Luoyang verified his subordinates’ conjecture.
Shangguan Song blurted out, “Along their path to assist the Golden Summit? Does that mean that the Golden Summit is already in the hands of our cult?”
Shangguan Song looked around. All the Demon Cult experts that attacked the Golden Summit previously were all here. It included the mysterious Left Envoy, Xiao Yuntian who was enveloped in flowing wind.
Even if the orthodox members have come out to pursue us, there must still be experts staying behind to guard the Golden Summit…
Hong Yan and Shangguan Song looked at each other in dismay. They could see the shock in one another’s eyes. The others, including Xiao Yuntian, were all looking at Chen Luoyang with astonishment.
Chen Luoyang let out an indifferent smile. “This Seat said that I want Shu Prefecture. It means that it belongs to This Seat.”
…
When the Demon Sovereign withdrew his troops, the “Sword Sovereign” led a group of people in pursuit.
The smoke of war on the Golden Summit had finally scattered.
“Next up is to recover the lost territories, wipe out the remaining Cult demons, and take the entire Shu Prefecture back under control.”
The Great Xia Empire’s King Zhao said with high spirits, “Most of the Demon Cult army will have to return to aid their demon domain’s shrine with Chen Luoyang, the great demon. Even if they couldn’t return to the shrine, they would be securing the borders of the demon domain. They are definitely unable to stay in the Shu Prefecture.”
Huayan Temple’s Zen Master Xindeng placed his palms together. “Namo Amitabha. It is truly a blessing for the Shu Prefecture’s citizens for King Zhao to temporarily serve as the Shu Prefecture Governor.”
King Zhao smiled and said, “Zen Master is too courteous. This King is only staying in the Shu Prefecture temporarily to help the people recover. Huayan Temple is still the Shu Prefecture’s mainstay. For the future of the Shu Prefecture, I believe we will have great cooperation.”
Just as the duo was talking, an old monk suddenly appeared. It was the Qingliang Temple’s Elder Mingjing.
“Senior Xindeng, King Zhao.” Elder Mingjing had a rather grave expression. “There is something wrong with the Five Color Hall Master Song.”
Zen Master Xindeng and King Zhao’s expressions had also turned stern. “What is going on?”
“He wants to leave the Golden Summit but is packing his belongings in a dilly-dally manner,” Elder Mingjing said. “Furthermore, this old monk noticed that he didn’t just contact his subordinates from the Five Color Hall, he is also secretly contacting others.”
Zen Master Xindeng placed his palms together. “The Shu and Yu Prefectures are connected. This old abbot is rather familiar with Hall Master Song. He is amiable on the outside, but aggressive on the inside, and is thriving with ambition. He is dedicated to strengthening the Five Color Hall, and it is hard to imagine that he would willingly serve the Demon Cult. I cannot imagine what kind of precious treasures the Demon Sovereign could use to tempt him.”
King Zhao said in a deep tone, “The Five Color Hall is surrounded by formidable factions, and Song Lun has been suppressed in the Yu Prefecture. This time, it is possible that Song Lun wishes to seize the Shu Prefecture for himself. Third Sir Nie and the others have followed the Pavilion Lord to pursue the Demon Sovereign. Now that the Golden Summit is weakly defended, if Song Lun gets external help, he might be able to succeed.”
King Zhao looked at the two old monks and said, “The reason doesn’t matter. Shu Prefecture must not be lost. We will eliminate the internal threats first.”
Elder Mingjing said, “I am afraid of alerting him. Therefore, this old monk didn’t dare to act recklessly earlier.”
“Let’s go over together,” Zen Master Xindeng said.
Three experts immediately headed for the Five Color Hall Master Song Lun’s residence.
When Song Lun was surrounded by the trio, he had an expression that was calm like water. “With the desire to put the sin on me, there isn’t a need to worry about the pretext! In this humble Song’s opinion, you are the people that wish to eliminate this humble Song and devour my Five Color Hall’s foundation in Yu Prefecture, right?”
King Zhao grunted. “Since you colluded with the Demon Cult, even your death isn’t enough to pay for your sins!”
Song Lun had actually spoken of King Zhao’s main intention. Colluding with the Demon Cult was obviously a great pretext, and all other sins would be added in as well.
When the three experts attacked together, Song Lun was gradually losing out. Previously, during the battle with the Demon Cult, he was already injured. Right now, because of a careless mistake, he was struck on the back by Elder Mingjing’s staff and collapsed after vomiting blood.
Just as King Zhao was planning to execute the final strike, there was a strange and dark sword light that lit up beside him.
The sword light was silent and without presence, the assassin was faint and illusory. King Zhao was caught off guard and was barely able to adapt and block.
However, the assassin’s sword intent condensed into a strange scarlet dragon that had the body of a snake and the face of a person. When the scarlet dragon closed its eyes, it emitted radiance that was like daytime. When it closed its eyes, it was dusky like nighttime.
Day and night interchanged, making it as though everything was upside down and in chaos.
King Zhao felt his speed become extremely slow, while his enemy was extremely fast.
If he was confronting the enemy while being alert and on guard, he might be able to block it. However, he was facing a surprise attack and was assailed by the enemy’s sword intent, making it hard to struggle free.
In just a split moment, fresh blood spurted out, and King Zhao was staggering with severe injuries.
He lifted his head to look at the assassin. “Demon Cult’s 36 Secret Arts… Illusion Demon Body Technique and Illumination Dragon Sword? You are ‘Nine Yin Illusion Sword’ Liu Si?”
The female assassin looked to be slightly over twenty years old. She had a graceful appearance and looked to be gentle and refined.
She smiled and said, “You can also call me Azure Dragon 1.”
The sudden turn of events had also shocked Zen Master Xindeng. Just as he was about to help King Zhao, he felt an intense pain on his back!
Zen Master Xindeng’s mouth oozed with blood as he turned around in disbelief.
Elder Mingjing was wielding his staff with a calm expression.
“She is Azure Dragon 1.” Elder Mingjing said softly, “This old monk is Dragon 1.”
Zen Master Xindeng’s expression changed several times. “I have longed to meet with the Three Dragons outside of the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall. But this old abbot never expected for Senior Mingjing to actually be bribed by the Demon Cult.”
There was a rumor in the martial world stating that the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall had the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, the 18 Dragon Claws, and the 108 Dragon Scales. But outside the hall, they actually had Three Dragons.
They were all venerable experts from prestigious factions. During normal times, they were sanctimonious in their own faction but had secretly joined the Demon Cult.
Elder Mingjing had an indifferent expression. “Since the Buddha isn’t able to bless everyone and give them their livelihood, then this old monk can only search for the truth in another manner.”
“The old abbot doesn’t have the intention to argue with Senior Mingjing.” Zen Master Xindeng smiled bitterly and looked at Song Lun who had collapsed by the side. “It is a pity that I listened to your lies and wronged Hall Master Song.”
Song Lun let out a cold snort.
Elder Mingjing then smiled and said, “Your side has three while our side has two. This old monk doesn’t have a choice but to use schemes. I hope Senior Xindeng won’t be offended.”
Azure Dragon 1, Liu Si put her sword in front and said, “Zen Master Xindeng doesn’t have to feel regret. Since the three of you are going to have the same outcome.”
“This old abbot doesn’t think so,” Zen Master Xindeng said with palms together. “This place is the Golden Summit.”
On the top of Zen Master Xindeng’s head, the Buddhist martial dao sutra formed a giant Buddhist lantern that illuminated the entire place. Influenced by him, the Buddha light on the Golden Summit lit up again.
With the support of the rays of Buddha light, the massive Buddhist lantern was like a mountain that enveloped Zen Master Xindeng, King Zhao, and Song Lun. Liu Si’s sword and Elder Mingjing’s staff were blocked by the Buddha light.
“This old abbot doesn’t have the strength to fight back. But it isn’t bad to provide support by offering a firm defense,” Zen Master Xindeng said with his palms together.
But right at this moment, his back suffered another heavy attack! It was an attack that came from inside the Buddha light protection.
The Buddhist lantern above Zen Master Xindeng’s head suddenly dimmed while he turned his head around with difficulty.
Song Lun said in an insipid tone, “Master, please forgive me.”
As soon as he finished talking, the second fist struck Zen Master Xindeng!