Chapter 114: The Curtain Rises [Two Chapters in One—Please Subscribe]
Palace Yu stared at Gong Yang Yu in shock.
Kill someone to seize their martial fortune?
Young Master Yu was already listed on the Hidden Dragon Ranking; why would he still need to kill to seize martial fortune?
“The World-Calming Dharma Aspect is known as the supreme Dao Aspect of Heaven and Earth, a terrifying restraint on demons and monsters. When I reach the Martial Saint level in the future, I must hunt down the lingering Demon Gods to prepare for the breakthrough to Human Immortal. What I seek to seize is not merely the meager martial saint Dao opportunity granted by the Heavenly Dragon Instrument, but to devour everything of his, to glimpse the World-Calming Dharma Aspect itself,” Gong Yang Yu said coldly.
Born into the Gong Yang clan, from the moment he began practicing martial arts, he understood that Martial Saint was not the limit.
Martial Saint was merely the pinnacle of the current era.
Fortunate to live in this great age, the heavens and earth present a trace of Dao opportunity. To break through to Human Immortal, shatter the limits of the human race, and attain Demon God status is by no means impossible.
“What does Young Master intend to do?”
“Wait—for others from the sects to kill him.”
Gong Yang Yu regained his composure.
“Is it out of concern for Third Miss?”
“Whether a snake or a dragon, a whetstone is needed,” Gong Yang Yu chuckled lightly.
“If the sect’s people kill him, and then I kill those sect members, the gains will be much smaller. But if the sect cannot kill him, and he attains Divine Power Mastery, coupled with his Blood Refinement realm, he has likely already refined Kunpeng blood. Killing him would allow me to break through the Dharma Aspect and condense one of the most powerful Dharma Aspects,” Gong Yang Yu analyzed.
“I worry that Baili Feihong, having gained fame from a single battle, will be protected by the Demon Suppression Division.”
As the commander of the Demon Suppression Division, Palace Yu naturally understood that the power held by the division was among the strongest at that time.
Not to mention the mysterious Divine Insight Division.
The Divine Insight Division, in pursuit of the path to immortality, developed the way of the sorcerer. This path is subtle in its early stage but in its later stage, its power surpasses even martial arts.
The Divine Insight Division has one task: to study how to achieve eternal life.
To solve the problem of the royal family’s short lifespans.
Various methods are merely choices along the road to immortality.
This is the philosophy of the Divine Insight Division.
No matter the means, as long as it leads to eternal life, they boldly experiment.
Moreover, the Divine Insight Division openly experiments with trial and error.
Demons and monsters have even become their test subjects.
“If Baili Feihong truly has such ability and grows stronger, then I’ll just marry my younger sister to him,” Gong Yang Yu said without hesitation.
Any approach that benefits the Gong Yang family is worthwhile.
Interest is the eternal core of any family.
And the core of interest is strength.
To command the strongest power of the age means any benefit can be obtained.
“Send people to monitor Feiyuan Island. I want to know all information about Feiyuan Island clearly, especially every move of Baili Feihong,” Gong Yang Yu ordered.
“Yes, I will arrange personnel to head to Feiyuan Island immediately,” Palace Yu responded.
“Isn’t the Demon Suppression Division on Feiyuan Island weak? The vacant left and right guardians can be appointed by us. If Baili Feihong stabilizes and gains his own forces, it will be too late for you to send people into Feiyuan Island,” Gong Yang Yu smirked.
The Yan family is part of the Crown Prince faction, which has grown so powerful over the years, supported by vast wealth, including control over most of maritime trade.
Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce is one of its key pillars.
The Gong Yang family can also intervene in the benefits the Yan family receives.
Feiyuan Island was formerly under the Southern Naval Command, which the Yan family and the Crown Prince faction firmly control. Other noble families within the Great Yuan Empire find it difficult to meddle.
The appearance of Baili Feihong gave Gong Yang Yu the opportunity to interfere with Feiyuan Island’s affairs.
A single defeat has shaken even the rock-solid Crown Prince, who is now under attack at court.
The Sovereign has grown old and suspicious.
Especially towards the Crown Prince, suspicion runs deep, giving the other princes an opportunity to unite against him.
“Ordinary Refining Spirit level guardians going to Feiyuan Island won’t make a difference. Young Master, I suggest dispatching two of the family’s guardians within the Demon Suppression Division to take post at Feiyuan,” Palace Yu said gravely.
“One guardian is enough. Send another Refining Spirit level person,” Young Master Yu had other plans.
There are not many who can reach the guardian rank within the Demon Suppression Division from the Gong Yang family.
Each guardian is an important figure holding power within the division.
Sending two guardians would imply a decline in the Gong Yang family’s influence there.
“Then let it be General Xue Ying.”
“General Xue Ying? Would she agree?”
Gong Yang Yu was momentarily taken aback.
“General Xue Ying will agree. I’ll have my subordinates communicate the details,” Palace Yu replied confidently.
“Very well, but do not coerce General Xue Ying,” Gong Yang Yu thought it over and consented.
...
“Guardian, this is alchemist Tephra,” Qin Tiesheng respectfully introduced the middle-aged man before Baili Feihong.
His brown hair was loose and his face covered in a beard. He wore glasses with black rims, beneath which gleamed bright blue eyes full of wisdom.
This weathered middle-aged man was tall, clad in black robes, quietly standing and exuding a faint medicinal herb scent.
Only after hearing his name from Qin Tiesheng did he snap out of his reverie.
“Respected Guardian, I am Tephra. Pleased to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for a shake.
Qin Tiesheng glared sharply at him.
Baili Feihong warmly grasped his hand, saying, “Mr. Tephra, it is an honor to have you join the Demon Suppression Division. Please, have a seat.”
“Guardian, your body is perfect, so powerful, like a divine palace,” Tephra’s eyes traced a five-pointed star pattern. The Alchemist’s Eye of Truth fell upon Baili Feihong. Gazing at this near-perfect life form before him, he felt a strong urge.
To dissect this man and study his bodily structure.
Baili Feihong frowned slightly, sensing the intense sincerity behind those burning eyes.
Yet, he did not anger. Rather, he regarded this alchemist as a talent.
The first person he met who wanted to dissect him was both a madman and a genius.
“Mr. Tephra, are you skilled in medicine?”
Baili Feihong asked.
Qin Tiesheng felt embarrassed.
He knew that Tephra had been branded a heretic by the Holy Knights for allegedly violating religious laws in the name of medical research.
“I merely seek to study the truth of life. Medicine is just a minor technique discovered during my research,” Tephra said proudly.
“The truth of life? Who doesn’t want to know that?” Baili Feihong blinked.
“Are you interested in working at the Demon Suppression Tower? The prison holding demons and monsters below is empty. If you join us, I’ll permit you to capture all manner of demons and monsters for research. I won’t interfere with your progress,” Baili Feihong offered conditions Tephra could not refuse.
“I am willing,” Tephra said solemnly.
“Very well. Qin Tiesheng, accompany him and explain the rules of the Demon Suppression Division. Since you brought him in, you will be his supervisor,” Baili Feihong instructed.
“Yes, Guardian,” Qin Tiesheng replied.
Qin Tiesheng suddenly smiled bitterly.
He did not want to supervise Tephra’s research.
The man was recklessly daring, constantly venturing into forbidden areas and performing shocking acts.
“By the way,
Boss, here is a list I compiled of books once held by the Demon Suppression Division’s library, as well as secret tomes held by some noble families in the city. Please review it,” Qin Tiesheng said, holding a thick bundle of books.
He handed them to Baili Feihong.
Baili Feihong opened the books and scanned the contents with his spiritual perception.
With tens of thousands of volumes, it was impossible to list them all, but many removals were noted.
“Feiyuan Academy?”
“The former head of Feiyuan Academy took custody of much of the Demon Suppression Division’s books. But after his passing, the academy no longer acknowledges this debt,” Qin Tiesheng said angrily.
“The academy is a good place; we can’t just strike or seize forcibly. Send my letter of introduction to Feiyuan Academy. I will visit tomorrow,” Baili Feihong said.
“As for the whereabouts of other books, you must retrieve them. For compensation, discuss with Hu Zuo and set standards. Collect what is due. If they dare default or deny, invite them to the Demon Suppression Division for tea,” Baili Feihong continued.
“I trust they will come back. After all, with Tephra joining our family, we’ll need some specimens.”
“I believe they won’t want to become the specimens,” Baili Feihong said dominantly.
Tephra’s eyes glowed.
Specimens.
It seemed this Guardian was not ignorant; his thoughts were close to mine.
“Rest assured, my lord, I will handle this matter for you,” Qin Tiesheng said.
As the library curator, he was resigned to guarding the library and counting mice daily.
Soon, many would join the Demon Suppression Division.
The library was the core of the division and one of the places that gathered the loyalty of its members.
If the library were empty, many seeking knowledge of cultivation would be disappointed.
That night, inside Feiyuan Academy.
The Gathering Pavilion was brightly lit.
The academy’s head and teachers gathered.
Du Jingming, the head of Feiyuan Academy, was about sixty-eight years old, with bright eyes and rosy skin, hardly appearing elderly.
He was a powerful figure at the Refining Spirit level and practiced the Confucian Way.
Martial arts refine blood; Confucianism refines spirit.
Confucian cultivation was profound and mystical, surpassing martial arts in spirit refinement.
“Esteemed teachers, I have gathered you here tonight to discuss an important matter. The Demon Suppression Division has sent a letter of introduction. The Guardian will visit our academy tomorrow for inspection,” Du Jingming said, pacing and observing the teachers’ expressions.
Those with deep composure remained calm, like Liu Yansheng.
Others were anxious and restless, like Han Hetong, who had distant blood ties to the Han family of the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce.
“Director, the Guardian’s visit does not require such a grand reception. The academy is a place of teaching and spreading knowledge. We need not fear or prepare for hostility,” said the great Confucian scholar Zhou Donghai.
The ninety-six-year-old elder spoke forcefully, his eyes radiating divine light with the power to pierce through books.
“Old Zhou, this is not mere pomp to welcome the Guardian,” Du Jingming explained. “You know that during the Demon Suppression Division’s turmoil, the former head was a friend of the then Guardian. To protect the many classical books collected by the division, he took much of their library into the academy.”
“Decades have passed; much has changed. Tomorrow, the Guardian’s purpose is clear: to discuss returning these books to the division.”
As Du Jingming finished speaking, the Gathering Pavilion erupted like a marketplace.
“Indeed, the academy acquired many books from the Demon Suppression Division, but I was abroad then. The details are unclear,” Zhou Donghai admitted, hinting he did not know the full story.
Whether the books were gifted or merely stored in the academy was uncertain.
The teachers’ eyes brightened.
Tens of thousands of volumes—all priceless classics.
These books had become the academy’s foundation.
If returned, the academy would lose more than half its foundation, severely damaging its vitality and shaking its roots.
If they were books, why not copy them for preservation?
Following the former head’s rule, the books could be read but not circulated.
Many teachers believed this rule preserved the academy’s heritage.
But now, this reasoning was too late.
“Since these belong to the Demon Suppression Division, they must be returned,” said Liu Yansheng.
“Impossible. If the division gifted the books, they have no right to demand them back. If the division needs them, they can come and copy them,” Han Hetong offered.
Liu Yansheng sneered, “Teacher Han, do you intend to persuade the Guardian on this matter?”
Han Hetong immediately fell silent.
At that moment, the director raised his hand to quiet the debate.
“The reasons behind this are unclear. The Guardian is powerful. The academy is a peaceful place; causing trouble would harm both you and our students. Tomorrow, I will negotiate with him about returning the books in batches. If partial returns are possible, I may trouble you all to keep as many books as possible in the academy.”
Books themselves are not valuable; the knowledge within is priceless.
“Agreed,” Liu Yansheng responded.
“Agreed,” the other teachers reluctantly echoed.
Strength overrules principle.
But these books ultimately belong to the Demon Suppression Division.
“Baili Feihong is coming,” Liu Yansheng murmured.
“This man cultivates the Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture. His Divine Eye has just manifested; though only half-opened, anyone close enough would see my identity,” Liu Yansheng frowned.
Knock, knock, knock—
A knocking sound interrupted.
Liu Yansheng restored a pleasant expression.
But upon seeing the visitor, his face darkened.
“Nangong Zhen, you have not yet left Feiyuan Island?”
Liu Yansheng’s low voice suppressed his anger.
Standing before them was a student of Feiyuan Academy, but the Demonic Mark on his brow betrayed his identity.
“Now that I know the Source Seed sought by the Black Heaven Cult is here, why would I leave?” Nangong Zhen stepped into the room, sneering coldly. “Baili Feihong, a Blood Refiner ranked on the Hidden Dragon list, will soon make Feiyuan Island lively.”
Whether righteous or wicked, all bear hatred for the Demon Suppression Division’s seeds.
When the Great Yuan Empire swept the rivers and lakes, its vanguard was the Demon Suppression Division.
The Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture was honed using various sects as whetstones to perfect this peerless martial art.
Besides sects, demons lurking in dark corners of the world also harbor deadly hatred for the division’s seeds.
Some advanced demons possess intelligence.
If they obtain the True Word and reach the True Demon or True Devil level, their wisdom becomes a great threat to humanity.
Their intellect nears that of demons—these are true demons.
“This Guardian is shrouded in mist. He is unlikely to be short-lived,” Liu Yansheng said.
He had examined Baili Feihong’s physiognomy.
It was terrifying; being on Feiyuan Island but destined for the heavens beyond.
A fate connected to the vast sky—profound and ineffable.
“You say those watching Baili Feihong have thoroughly investigated him. It is precisely because of his strange fate that they want to kill him,” Nangong Zhen continued.
“Ancestor Guliang also shares this fate,” Nangong Zhen said.
Liu Yansheng was shocked.
“Impossible. Ancestor Guliang’s fate is not celestial but that of the True Dragon Heaven.”
“Not contradictory, is it?” Nangong Zhen smiled.
“Has the Primordial Demon Sect discovered something? Guliang contended for Qin, united the world, and established Great Yuan. Within the following century, the traces of Human Immortals vanished. No one knows if they died or fell into slumber to avoid disaster.”
Liu Yansheng wandered the countries seeking the secret behind the disappearance of Human Immortals.
“They are dead. As far as I know, those Human Immortals who followed the martial path in the Primordial Demon Sect died. The essence of Human Immortals lies in Blood Refinement. The sect only records that the remaining Human Immortals went to do a great task, to prevent some terrifying beings from descending, related to the origin of demons and monsters,” Nangong Zhen whispered.
Liu Yansheng’s heart stirred.
“Is the origin of demons and monsters not from the Devil Sea?”
“The Devil Sea is just a name to instill fear. But who can cross it and investigate beyond?”
Nangong Zhen let out an eerie laugh.
“Source Seed?”
“Yes. Only those bearing the Source Seed can resist the Devil Sea’s corruption and delve within. The Source Seed is a symbol of the Demon God. It’s said that the Underworld has been searching for the Gate of Yellow Springs. The so-called Nine Nether Yellow Springs, the Underworld, Shades, the Realm of the Dead, the Death God’s Domain, Hell—these are but projections of the world’s true nature, places that receive the cycle of reincarnation. Cults are still cults—they cannot perceive the world’s essence. Even if they find the Gate of Yellow Springs and enter it, it is but an illusion destined to shatter.”
What Nangong Zhen revealed shocked Liu Yansheng deeply.
“How do you know this?”
“The Demon God’s blood bears a mark; similarly, human souls bear marks hidden beneath layers. The Primordial Way returns to simplicity, reflecting the origin and essence. If you are ruthless enough, you can gather this knowledge,” Nangong Zhen’s words were tempting.
“Join the embrace of the Primordial Demon God, and you too can receive the Demon God’s gifts as I have.”
Nangong Zhen did not forget his purpose.
His mission was to recruit Liu Yansheng.
Liu Yansheng loved exploring mysteries and the unknown darkness.
“Let me think it over.”
“Don’t take too long. Opportunities wait for no one.”
Nangong Zhen controlled the body and returned to the dormitory.
Liu Yansheng was also a member of the Primordial Demon Sect.
The sect was divided into two main factions: the Demon Palace and the Primordial Palace.
The Primordial Demon God bore both primal and initial natures.
One side was demon, the other god.
The divine side aligned with the Primordial Way, recognized by the world.
The demonic side pursued the primal nature, reviled by the world.
Liu Yansheng was devoted to academia, chasing the Primordial Way, seeking the world’s original essence.
But over the years, after traveling and witnessing much, he understood that the secular world was filled with primal nature—the raging mortal world was but its appearance.
Rolling in the dust, one cannot see the true nature—how then to witness the true heart?
He seemed to have a glimmer of enlightenment.
Yet Liu Yansheng did not abandon his true heart.
In his view, the world’s essence is contradictory, like yin and yang—mutually generating and restraining, opposing yet intertwined.
“Source Seed, the symbol of the Black Heaven Demon God, can it truly lead us to the world’s original face?”
Liu Yansheng did not know.
But he understood that he had been swayed by Nangong Zhen’s words.
Nangong Zhen was ruthless but a different sort of person within the Primordial Demon Sect. He pursued the Demon God and immortality.
In the pursuit, he learned all knowledge to support his will and strengthen his inner world.
He was pure in his way.
This world was vast and full of mysteries; he wanted to witness the primal nature and the world itself.
Though an outer elder of the Primordial Demon Sect, he had never truly integrated, choosing instead to walk alone toward his own goal.
In this, Nangong Zhen and Liu Yansheng were alike—fellow travelers on the same path.
Only their methods and views differed.
Liu Yansheng avoided the Guardian.
He came under the pretense of visiting friends to a close friend’s home in the city.
“This is Feiyuan Academy?”
The carriage arrived at the academy.
The students paid no special attention, chatting freely and discussing scholarly matters.
Freedom, independence, and thoughtfulness were the academy’s atmosphere.
No matter their noble status, they did not abandon the scholar’s pride.
At the academy gate, Baili Feihong halted the carriage.
He disembarked.
Today, he wore no Guardian’s uniform.
In a simple white Confucian robe, with an ethereal demeanor, he looked like a refined scholar stepping out of a painting, not the monstrous figure rumored outside with three heads, six arms, and three-foot fangs.
“Return,” Baili Feihong beckoned, signaling Hu Zuo to go back to the Demon Suppression Tower.
Director Du Jingming bowed from afar.
“I am Du Jingming, director of Feiyuan Academy. Greetings, Guardian.”
“Director Du, you are too polite. Please call me Feihong,” Baili Feihong responded hastily.
“Yesterday, you were like the blazing sun, your blood energy sweeping thousands of miles, cleansing the filth of Feiyuan Island. For this alone, you have my respect,” Du Jingming said sincerely.
Outside rumors claimed this Guardian brought ominous energy and would doom Feiyuan Island.
But Du Jingming knew that someone who could cultivate blood energy to such a degree must have a broad, open heart.
“My duty calls; no thanks necessary. Feiyuan Island suffered from demons before; if blame is to be cast, it lies with the Demon Suppression Division. I merely come to make amends for their failings.”
“Master Baili, you are truly sincere and open-hearted,” Du Jingming said.
“Kind words, Director Du. Today I come with two matters to discuss with the academy. May we find a quiet place to talk?”
“Please, Master Baili,” Du Jingming led the way to the Gathering Pavilion.