My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Four Symbols Sword Ancestor’s Sword Talisman

“The Demon Sect Hierarch! How did it end up in his possession?”

With a lift of his eyebrows, An Jing was somewhat surprised by Zhao Chongyin’s words; after all, he had never imagined that the fragment of the Mystical Sect’s “Jade Emperor Scripture” would actually be in the hands of the Demon Sect Hierarch.

“You don’t know?” Seeing the expression on An Jing’s face, Zhao Chongyin couldn’t help but ask.

“I’m not familiar with that part of history,” An Jing shook his head.

Initially, Yan Shaoshan had only passed on to him the “Daluo Heart Method” and he probably felt disheartened as well.

“It seems that Yan Shaoshan didn’t tell you,” Zhao Chongyin remarked as he looked at the chessboard in front of him, speaking indifferently, “The Daluo Sect initially had the complete ‘Daluo Heart Method.’ Unlike the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect that were flourishing and full of vitality, the Daluo Sect had been on a steady decline for nearly a hundred years, even having their mountaintop sanctuaries stripped away by the Court. Later, the Zhenyi Sect tried to acquire the Daluo Heart Method and deliberately incited internal strife within the Daluo Sect, tricking the then Daluo Sect disciple, Feng Zhijun, into stealing the ‘Daluo Heart Method.’ After Feng Zhijun successfully stole it, he arranged to trade it for a favor with the Zhenyi Sect as agreed.”

“But at the time, the Zhenyi Sect wasn’t interested in upholding any martial world righteousness; they planned to simply kill Feng Zhijun and take away the ‘Daluo Heart Method.’ Feng Zhijun was no match for the Zhenyi Sect, and just when things were critical, the Daluo Sect Leader appeared. With cultivation at the Half-step Grandmaster Realm, the Sect Leader struggled against two Peak Masters of the Zhenyi Sect. After a desperate battle, the Daluo Sect Leader managed to take the half of the heart method in Feng Zhijun’s hands and escape back to the Daluo Sect. He died at the entrance of the Daluo Sect. Amidst the chaos, Feng Zhijun also escaped and disappeared within the Jianghu.”

An Jing nodded upon hearing this, “So why did it end up in the hands of the Demon Sect Hierarch?”

The Demon Sect acquiring this fragment was a huge threat to the Zhenyi Sect.

Twisting a white piece in his fingers, Zhao Chongyin smiled, “This ‘Daluo Heart Method’ has been split into two. Half of it was in the hands of Yan Shaoshan, and the other half was with Feng Zhijun. The Zhenyi Sect searched for Feng Zhijun’s whereabouts for several years to no avail, as if he had suddenly vanished, until two years ago, when he appeared at Dongluo Pass…”

An Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I see. Feng Zhijun has quite a nerve. Is he not afraid of the Demon Sect backstabbing him?”

The Zhenyi Sect, who were deceitful and lacked integrity, paled in comparison to the forthright Demon Sect.

It seems that the new Demon Sect Hierarch is quite capable, at least more principled than the Zhenyi Sect.

Zhao Chongyin chuckled and said, “This newly appointed Demon Sect Hierarch does have some tricks up his sleeve. It’s said that he’s very young and talented, but it’s a pity…”

“A pity what?”

An Jing asked, placing a piece on the board.

Zhao Chongyin said, “This man’s ambition is even greater than Jiang Shang’s.”

“Too great an ambition is not necessarily a good thing.”

An Jing felt a stirring in his heart. Back in Yu State City, the Demon Sect had teamed up with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to prepare to kill Liu Qingshan. It was undeniable that the Demon Sect must have had dealings with today’s Second Prince, which Jiang Sanjia’s dying letter had also mentioned, telling him that the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, was in good terms with both the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect.

This made things very interesting.

Zhao Mengtai was not only the mastermind behind Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion but was also in cahoots with both the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect – could this be a ménage à trois?

Logically, Zhao Chongyin passing this information to the Zhenyi Sect would have been the best course of action, leading to strife between the two forces and allowing him to benefit from their conflict. So why was he telling An Jing instead?

Could it be that he feared the Demon Sect might use this as an excuse, or even that the Zhenyi Sect might reconcile their differences with them?

“In short, we have a common enemy, whether it’s the Demon Sect or the Zhenyi Sect.”

As Zhao Chongyin placed the white piece down, the chessboard brimmed with a killing aura.

The Crown Prince of Great Yan actually regarded the Zhenyi Sect as a thorn in the side – this was truly incredible.

“The Demon Sect…”

An Jing slowly placed a chess piece on the board, reminded of the Heavenly Flipping Seal left by Zhao Qingmei, of Li Fuzhou, and of Tan Yun, he couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle.

Whether the Demon Sect is an enemy or a friend is still uncertain.

The implications in Zhao Chongyin’s words had been very clear, the enemy of an enemy is a friend, clearly wanting to cooperate with An Jing.

Although the World’s First Swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen, is now missing and presumed dead, given that there is an exotic beast like the Black Flood Dragon under An Jing’s command, one must not underestimate him, as he also represents a significant force.

Moreover, with him around, he could restrain the Zhenyi Sect.

An Jing was not interested in the struggles between the court and Jianghu but as Lou Xiangzhen once said, when you set foot on that path, there’s no turning back.

“This matter, I need to consider it further,” An Jing said.

He did not outright reject the idea, leaving himself some leeway.

“Very well.”

Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly, then seemed to recall something, “There will be a banquet at the Four Symbols Sect in three days, I wonder if you might be interested.”

An Jing inquired, “A private banquet? May I know what kind of private banquet it is?”

“The private banquet of Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect.”

Zhao Chongyin spoke indifferently, “In today’s Jianghu, besides the Zhenyi Sect, there are the six schools and five factions. As the saying goes, the court and Jianghu are inseparable. Nowadays, the Four Symbols Sect is at the bottom among the seven major sects, and it is very likely that in a few years, like the Daluo Sect, they will be stripped of the mountain gate and the rights to establish a sect. Jia Shiwu’s invitation to me is to discuss this matter.”

In Great Yan, establishing a sect requires a Mountain Gate Order, and with it comes support and subsidies from the court.

But Great Yan has certain assessments for sects, and if they fail to meet the standards, the Mountain Gate Order for those prized locations will be revoked.

Among the seven major sects, the Four Symbols Sect is the weakest. The highest cultivation in the sect is Jia Shiwu, a Half-step Master. They don’t even have a single Heavenly Flower Realm cultivator, only two Earth Flower Realm elders, and thereafter, no more masters of First Grade Cultivation.

For ordinary sects, such strength is quite notable, but when compared to the seven major sects of Great Yan, it looks quite meager.

The Four Symbols Sect managed to become one of the seven major sects because, three hundred years ago, they had a Grandmaster expert who was peerless in both swords and fingers, known as the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

This person was then the first swordsman in the world, his Sword Dao Cultivation dominating the era. He was also one of the only two swordsmen in the Sixth Realm in the world, his Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique shaking the world. The Yu Heng Sword Sect’s Four Symbols Sword Technique was but an imitation of the Four Symbols Sect’s Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, far inferior in power and subtlety to the original.

Furthermore, the finger technique of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was extraordinary, recognized as unparalleled in Jianghu.

With such a remarkable figure, the Four Symbols Sect was once at the peak of its glory, unrivaled, and even not weaker than the Yu Heng Sword Sect at that time.

Times change, and since the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, the Four Symbols Sect has yet to produce another person of such exceptional talent, a Grandmaster expert has not appeared since then.

With no Grandmaster in three hundred years, the gradual decline of the Four Symbols Sect was inevitable.

If not for the extensive reputation of the Four Symbols Sect and Jia Shiwu’s strenuous efforts to maintain it, the sect might have long fallen from the ranks of the seven major sects.

An Jing gave a slight nod, seeming to catch the deeper meaning behind the information.

A private banquet implies a gathering held in secret. Zhao Chongyin also said that the court and Jianghu are indivisible. With Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect inviting Zhao Chongyin, it’s likely they already have intentions of defecting.

An Jing laughed lightly, “Since it’s Sect Master Jia’s private banquet, it would be quite inconvenient for me to attend, wouldn’t it?”

“This private banquet will be very interesting.”

Zhao Chongyin’s smile was meaningful, “Moreover, there should be something within the Four Symbols Sect that would interest you greatly.”

An Jing stared at the chessboard and asked, “What is it?”

Zhao Chongyin, confident and composed, replied, “It’s a sword talisman left by the ancestor of the Four Symbols Sect. It is said to contain a strand of his Sword Intent that lingers on and on, serving as the Sect’s treasured artifact. Countless swordsmen in this world yearn to catch a glimpse of its truth but have never gotten their wish.”

“Snap!”

As he spoke, Zhao Chongyin placed another piece on the board.

At this point, the chessboard was a chaotic mix of black and white, having reached a fever pitch in battle.

Upon hearing this, An Jing laughed and said, “I am indeed very interested.”

It would have been impossible not to be moved. Having witnessed the sword intent of Lou Xiangzhen, he felt his understanding of the Sword Intent had greatly improved, benefiting him immensely. If he could also observe the sword talisman left by the ancestor of the Four Symbols Sect, he believed his Sword Dao cultivation would advance even further.

“So, does this mean that you are willing?” Zhao Chongyin asked, placing another piece.

“It’s a pity, I must first go to find my wife.”

An Jing shook his head. On his journey thus far, he had already delayed much of his time. Although he was very interested in studying the sword talisman, it would require him to stay in Bo City for a few more days, and afterward, contemplating and digesting the sword technique would take up a lot more time.

“That is indeed a shame. But you must be careful on the mountain roads,” Zhao Chongyin said without trying to detain him any further, suddenly adding, “I have heard some unsettling rumors; since the incident at Abyss Lake, the old man Qingfeng has not returned to East Lin Road…”

Old man Qingfeng!?

Upon hearing Zhao Chongyin’s words, An Jing furrowed his brows.

This name was thunderous in one’s ears. The man was a master from the same generation as Lou Xiangzhen, who had also vanished from the Great Yan Martial World for decades.

Masters like Lou Xiangzhen and old man Qingfeng, after reaching the pinnacle in the martial world, tended to retreat to some unnamed corner for cultivation, vainly aspiring to reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster or to see through the secular world and withdraw completely from the Jianghu.

Because they had already attained ordinary fame and fortune.

Similarly, in top sects like the Zhenyi Sect and the Yu Heng Sword Sect, there were certainly centenarian masters who were in reclusive cultivation.

Thus, in this vast martial world, there were always a few thousand-year-old creatures hiding in some unknown corner.

Old man Qingfeng was one such master of the older generation. After his cultivation reached the Grandmaster realm thirty years ago, he half-retired from the Jianghu.

If not for his second disciple, Yan Sheng, making an appearance in the martial world in recent years, many would have thought old man Qingfeng had long since turned to dust.

An Jing clearly remembered seeing old man Qingfeng at Abyss Lake.

“Your Highness means because of the monk Moyun?”

An Jing paused with a chess piece in his hand.

Zhao Chongyin nodded and said, “Monk Moyun was Qingfeng’s eldest disciple, and he was quite fond of him. Moreover, on Qingfeng’s eightieth birthday, Moyun spent a considerable sum to have two golden peaches made for the celebration. At Abyss Lake, on account of the presence of Sword God Lou, he didn’t act rashly.”

“And then, with the extremely ferocious Black Flood Dragon by your side, he was powerless to do anything.”

Ever since the battle at Abyss Lake, where the Black Flood Dragon swallowed Song Chengbiao whole, the Jianghu has been deeply fearful of the Ghost Swordsman.

That was a Half-step Master who was devoured in one bite.

The thought was truly horrifying!

Seeing that An Jing did not speak, Zhao Chongyin moved to pick up a white piece and said, “Not just old man Qingfeng, Feng Lingyue has not returned to the Five Poison Sect either.”

Feng Lingyue!?

Upon hearing Zhao Chongyin’s words, An Jing immediately understood and said, “I see.”

Although old man Qingfeng was a Grandmaster-level cultivator, he would not dare to trouble him, because the Black Flood Dragon had the strength of a Second Qi to Third Qi Grandmaster.

But if Feng Lingyue were to join, it would be different. If Feng Lingyue could hold off the Black Flood Dragon, then with old man Qingfeng’s strength, there would be a fair chance to kill him.

After all, the strength he had shown was above that of a Half-step Master, but still far from the Grandmaster realm.

“This move is likely orchestrated by the Zhenyi Sect, a case of ‘borrowing a knife to kill someone,'” Zhao Chongyin commented as he placed the white piece down.

An Jing laughed and said, “Retribution sure comes quickly.”

After the battle between Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu, neither could protect him. The Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect had been seriously injured, and with the critical time at hand, it was inconvenient to act.

This ‘borrowed knife to kill someone’ was clever and swift.

A glint of imperceptible light flashed in Zhao Chongyin’s eyes as he said slowly, “Why not stay here for a while and give it some more thought?”

An Jing could naturally feel Zhao Chongyin’s good intentions in trying to win him over.

“What is meant to come will always come. I must go north this time; I appreciate Your Highness’s kind offer.”

After a moment of contemplation, An Jing still declined, then glanced at the chessboard and admired, “Your Highness’s skill in chess is indeed profound. I am inferior.”

At this moment, the black pieces had been pushed into a desperate situation and the overall position was already lost, so he simply conceded the game.

Upon hearing An Jing say this, Zhao Chongyin smiled and shook his head, saying, “Since it is so, I won’t force the issue. If you change your mind, the doors here will always be open for you.”

“Aunt Bai, please see the guest out.”

Everything that needed to be said had been said, and to say more might cause displeasure.

An Jing stood up, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, “I’ll remember Your Highness’s kindness today. I shall take my leave now.”

Just as An Jing stood up, he suddenly noticed an old man standing behind Zhao Chongyin.

The old man had a short, wiry beard and his unkempt grey hair framed a pair of deep-set black eyes.

A Master!

An Jing was startled; he had not realized until that moment that there was such a person behind Zhao Chongyin.

The old man was not looking at An Jing but was instead gazing at the chessboard.

“Please.”

It was only when Aunt Bai’s voice echoed in An Jing’s ears that he came back to his senses.

“What is it, Elder Su?”

Zhao Chongyin saw the elder behind him staring intently at the chessboard and couldn’t help asking.

Old Su stepped forward two paces and took a single black piece from the basket before placing it on an inconspicuous spot on the board.

“Snap!”

A crisp sound was heard.

That move reversed the heavens and earth, completely changing the previous dire situation of the black pieces.

What had been weak and listless black pieces now seemed to transform into ferocious ancient beasts.

Just moments ago, the white pieces were in a very favorable position, but in the blink of an eye, the situation became tumultuous and unstable, and they were now driven into a dead end with no chance to recover.

“This….”

Zhao Chongyin was stunned, then let out a wry laugh, “This Ghost Swordsman, really is…”

The Ghost Swordsman had trumped himself, and he hadn’t even noticed.

Old Su, watching An Jing’s retreating back, shook his head and said, “This man’s Qi Mechanism is extremely concealed, he must have cultivated the most formidable Concealing Qi Method in the world.”

Zhao Chongyin frowned and asked, “Even with Elder Su’s cultivation, you can’t see through him?”

Others might not know the old man’s strength and identity before them, but he was very clear about it. If even Elder Su couldn’t see through him, then there likely wasn’t a person in the world who could.

Old Su shook his head and said, “However, he definitely hasn’t reached the Grandmaster Realm.”

As he spoke, the elder’s tone hesitated for a moment, as if he had more to say but stopped himself.

“Truly an interesting person.”

After a long while, Zhao Chongyin narrowed his eyes and said, “I wonder if he will be able to withstand Yu Ying’s offensive with Lou Xiangzhen gone.”

…..

In Lingnan Dao, a small city, within a separate courtyard.

The early summer evening breeze, carrying the delicate fragrance of jujube and roses, wafted in.

Li Fuzhou sat in the stone chair in the courtyard, staring at the secret letter that had come from Dongluo Pass, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.

Top powers in Jianghu knew that Jiang Shang had returned to the Demon Sect.

But those within the Demon Sect knew all too well that since Jiang Shang’s return, the sect seemed even more plagued by hidden dangers than before.

After his return, Jiang Shang disappeared in a hurry, his thoughts clearly not concerned with the matters of the Demon Sect, while the Demon Sect Hierarch, Zhao Qingmei, was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well and couldn’t get out.

For a time, the Demon Sect was like a dragon without a head, with only Yu Qiurong’s subordinate Duanmu Xinghua managing the overall situation.

That’s right, Duanmu Xinghua’s position was still beneath Yu Qiurong.

“How did it come to this?”

Seeing the secret letter from Duanmu Xinghua, Li Fuzhou shook his head.

The secret letter from Yu Qiurong was asking him to return and take charge, ostensibly to preside over the situation, but behind the scenes, it was a conspiracy joining forces with Duanmu Xinghua, the leader of the Xuanwu Sect, and the experts from Li Fuzhou, the Azure Dragon Sect, and the White Tiger Sect to launch an assault on the Sealing Demon Platform.

“No, we must pacify them one by one, this cannot be rushed.”

After some thought, Li Fuzhou still picked up pen and paper and wrote a secret letter.

He hadn’t yet gone to Yujing City to resolve his concerns, and besides, with only a Half-step Master in cultivation, returning to Dongluo Pass would be of no help.

After finishing the letter, Li Fuzhou carefully wrapped up the secret message and then picked up the next one to read.

“Hmm!?”

Upon reading it, Li Fuzhou raised his eyebrows and muttered to himself, “Yu Ying, you old rascal, you move fast. You don’t dare to take action yourself, yet you plan to strike from behind the shadows with another’s hand?”

“Two Grandmasters, what a big move.”

The secret letter detailed the schemes of the Zhenyi Sect.

The involvement of two Grandmaster experts was a rare event in Jianghu. One should know that even when the Demon Sect was stirring up chaos in Great Yan, there were altogether only three or four Grandmasters clashing, and even then they were merely testing each other.

The most pivotal action was Duanmu Xinghua’s initiative to strike first, killing two Great Real Ones of the Zhenyi Sect, which resulted in a full-blown war.

Grandmasters did not act lightly, which had almost become an iron law in Jianghu.

And now two Grandmasters were mobilized just to kill one man.

“Master, Master.”

Just then, a crisp voice called out.

Tan Yun came out quickly, holding a dark plate in her hands.

Her rosy cheeks were smudged with black and red streaks, resembling a charming patchwork kitten, yet her face beamed with a smile, “Master, look what I made?”

Li Fuzhou frowned and asked, “What’s this?”

Tan Yun said with anticipation, “It’s peach blossom pastry, Master. Won’t you try some?”

“There’s no need.”

Li Fuzhou shook his head; he knew very well that aside from boiling water, she was only capable of setting the kitchen on fire.

Hearing this, Tan Yun looked somewhat disheartened and said, “Master, do you also think what I’ve made is terrible?”

“It also depends on talent and effort.”

“But I’ve been working really hard.”

“Then perhaps your talent isn’t enough, or maybe your talent just doesn’t lie there.”

“I understand.”

Tan Yun let out a long sigh, then dejectedly made her way back to the kitchen.

“What are you doing?”

Li Fuzhou called out to Tan Yun.

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“I want to go back and try again.”

Tan Yun said earnestly, “Master, didn’t you say that as long as one works hard, there will definitely be a reward? I want to give it my all on this matter.”

The phrase “I want to give it my all on this matter” seemed to have a double meaning.

She had always lived her life carefree and without much thought, but today her words were especially serious.

Li Fuzhou’s brows furrowed, and his face became stern, “When I told you to practice martial arts, why weren’t you this serious? If you had been as diligent and earnest as you are now, how could your cultivation be only Second Grade?”

Tan Yun took a deep breath and asked, “Master, can practicing martial arts capture a man’s heart?”

Li Fuzhou: “…..”

Tan Yun continued to speak with a solemn tone, “The Sect Hierarch is very strong, but why does son-in-law like her? Isn’t it because she cooks good food and is gentle and virtuous….”

Li Fuzhou retorted, “That’s because the Sect Hierarch is good-looking. That deceitful Doctor is just a vulgar, lecherous person.”

To be so clever and smart, yet having suffered the most setbacks at the hands of that little Doctor, in this world, there are not many who could make Li Fuzhou suffer in silence.

Thinking this, Li Fuzhou sighed endlessly.

Tan Yun said somewhat sadly, “I don’t think son-in-law is deceitful, and he has been very good to me.”

“Let’s not talk about him. Maybe that boy is already busy being reincarnated.”

Li Fuzhou paused for a moment, then asked seriously, “Do you like that Ghost Swordsman?”

Li Fuzhou’s words were straightforward and clear.

“Unable to forget him, that’s a kind of liking, I guess.”

Tan Yun bit her lip and said.

“He might be about to die.”

Li Fuzhou handed the secret letter in his hand to Tan Yun, and heaved a long sigh of relief in his heart. Yu Ying, oh Yu Ying, you’ve actually done a good deed. It’s fortunate that this young girl hasn’t completely fallen for it.

To Li Fuzhou, no matter how he looked at it, he was very dissatisfied with that Ghost Swordsman. He didn’t seem to be a responsible and dependable good man.

Especially since he had been violently attacked by Three Temple Mountain for no reason.

Death!?

Hearing Li Fuzhou’s words, Tan Yun quickly took the letter and was stunned.

“Two Grandmasters… How could it be?”

…..

Outside Bo City, in the dense woods.

After leaving Bo City, An Jing came to a small lake outside the city.

“Splash! Splash!”

As the water splashed, a huge black Flood Dragon burst out from the lake.

“Let’s go.”

An Jing leapt onto the back of the Black Python.

“Roar!”

The Black Python let out a low roar and turned into a shadow passing through the woods.

At this moment, a woodcutter carrying firewood was walking through the forest and only saw a blur as if something flew by.

“Huh?”

The woodcutter rubbed his eyes and mumbled to himself, “Are my eyes deceiving me? It felt like something flew in the sky.”

The speed at which the Thousand-year-old Black Boa moved was incomparable to the Black Flood Dragon, and it wasn’t long before they were about to leave the vicinity of Bo City.

As for An Jing, it was impossible not to feel any emotion about the blocks set by the old man Qingfeng and Feng Lingyue. After all, it was two Grandmasters taking action, especially Feng Lingyue, who was a Second Qi Grandmaster.

In the Martial World, anyone who could become a Grandmaster was no ordinary figure, each one cunning and with unfathomable strength.

After several hours, An Jing had completely left the vicinity of Bo City and even passed more than a hundred miles.

South of Pingling was Lingnan Dao, and north of it was Capital Road.

At this moment, An Jing stood before Pingling, facing an endless dense forest and mountain range. Once he crossed Pingling, he would be at Heaven Gate City, which was also the entrance to Yujing City.

At this moment, An Jing was full of eagerness, yet at the same time, he was nervous and apprehensive.

He wanted to know exactly who Zhao Qingmei was, and he also wanted to ask her why she married him, afraid of receiving some unbearable answers.

A complex and subtle emotion arose in his heart.

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a cold light shot from a distance, incredibly fast and thunderous.

The air itself carried a whistling sound.

“Not good!”

An Jing’s heart turned cold, feeling goosebumps all over.

“Bang!”

The cold light struck the Black Python hard. Despite the Black Python’s scales being extremely tough, the body still shook from the intense impact.

“Where are you heading, sir?”

A leisurely, familiar voice came from the distance.

…..

PS: Sorry, I’m short and powerless.

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