My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 172 - : Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect in Yu State City (10,000 Character Update, Subscription Requested)

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect in Yu State City (10,000 Character Update, Subscription Requested)

“In the Great Yan Martial World, those who are highly skilled in martial arts and act stealthily are mostly experts from the Demon Sect,”

An Jing stood silently in the distance, peering through the gap and thought to himself, “Of course, I’m not one of them, I only have my compelling reasons.”

His stealthiness had its own reasons.

Under the immense pressure from the Xuanyi Guard and the Zhenyi Sect, the Demon Sect essentially had no conditions for existence in Great Yan; they could only hide and live like rats crossing the streets.

Thinking that his wife was also in such a state, An Jing felt a dull pain in his heart.

He was determined to get his wife out of the Demon Sea as soon as possible.

An Jing clenched his fists tightly, silently making up his mind.

In the house, the voices of several people continuously reached his ears.

At that moment, footsteps were heard from outside, and two people walked in slowly.

An Jing recognized them; one was Luo Zixiang from the Demon Sect, and the other was Mo Yan from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

“Sect Leader Lin.”

Luo Zixiang greeted the man in the hat with a fist salute.

In the Demon Sect, the title Sect Leader was only accorded to the four great leaders, among whom there was only one with the surname Lin, thus his identity was clearly evident.

The Sect Leader of the Azure Dragon Seat, Lin Tianhai.

“So, it’s the Sect Leader of the Azure Dragon Seat,”

An Jing raised an eyebrow, looking at the man in the hat.

The four seats of the Demon Sect were also renowned in Jianghu, slightly less prominent than the Three Sects.

But within the Demon Sect, their significance was immense, each one was a pillar of the Demon Sect, and each had a clear division of labor; the Vermilion Bird Seat advocated business, trade, finance, and resources, arguably managing the economic lifeline of the Demon Sect.

The White Tiger Seat advocated killing, containing the top assassins of the Demon Sect, specializing in the assassination of Jianghu experts, wealthy businessmen, and sometimes even Court officials who opposed the Demon Sect.

Therefore, the White Tiger Seat had the greatest reputation and was also the most terrifying entity.

The Xuanwu Seat had the smallest fame. The rebel army formed in the past years was orchestrated by the Xuanwu Sect Leader, whose hundreds of thousands of rebels were imposing and thunderous, but were swiftly dismantled by the Pingyang Marquis and the Pingyang Guard in a blink of an eye; half of the large army surrendered, and the Xuan Wu Sect Leader was even beheaded, turning the Demon Sect’s Xuanwu Seat into a laughingstock across the world.

The Azure Dragon Seat of the Demon Sect, responsible for disciplinary actions and also the guards of the Demon Sect, was tasked with securing the safety of the Demon Sect’s Sect Hierarch; the Sect Leader of the Azure Dragon Seat also served as the personal guard to the Sect Hierarch.

However, since Zhao Qingmei took office, this position had been managed concurrently by the Vermilion Bird Seat’s Sect Leader, Yu Qiurong.

Both Lin Tianhai and Li Fuzhou were half-step masters, but Li Fuzhou’s name far surpassed Lin Tianhai.

Firstly, Li Fuzhou was a disciple of Lv Guoyong who later defected to join the Demon Sect. Secondly, Li Fuzhou’s way of doing things was loathsome, causing him to have numerous enemies throughout Great Yan.

Nevertheless, Lin Tianhai was also a highly renowned expert, having joined the Demon Sect even earlier than Li Fuzhou, originally guarding Jiang Shang constantly and was known as Jiang Shang’s shadow.

“Old man Lou once mentioned that Jiang Shang, who had disappeared for many years, seems to have returned to the Demon Sect.”

An Jing frowned and muttered to himself, “Jiang Shang…”

During this time, An Jing had been continually gathering intelligence about the Demon Sect, but lacking a direct source of information, most of what he knew came from hearsay or from the secret messages told by Lou Xiangzhen.

As the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect, although reclusive from Jianghu, he still had some channels of information.

If the Sect Leader of the Azure Dragon Seat had appeared, could it be that Jiang Shang was among these Four Symbols Sect?

Suddenly, An Jing became somewhat apprehensive, his eyes carefully sweeping over Lin Tianhai.

He suddenly noticed something extraordinary.

Grandmaster Realm!?

Lin Tianhai seemed to have just broken through his shackles not long ago. Although his Qi Mechanism was extremely concealed, a trace of outward-releasing Qi Mechanism could still be sensed.

Mo Yan also sat next to the man bearing the sword, “Great Tributor, there are no abnormalities around Zhao Chongyin.”

“Good.”

Xiao Ruoyun (Chapter 146) nodded, looked at Jia Shiwu, and couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Now that many experts have gathered together, the Grandmaster expert around Zhao Chongyin is in Yu State City. How can he break through this Heaven and Earth Net?”

Mo Yan, Luo Zixiang, and two elders from the Four Symbols Sect were all Earth Flower Realm experts, while Xiao Ruoyun was a Fifth Realm Swordsman of the Heavenly Flower Realm, considered just below the current six Great Sword Immortals among the experts in the Great Yan Martial World. Jia Shiwu himself was a Half-step Grandmaster, a figure second to none unless there were no Grandmasters around. Additionally, there were giants like Lin Tianhai, a Grandmaster,

With so many powerful experts gathered, aside from the Zhenyi Sect, Yu Heng Sword Sect, and the Five Poison Sect, they could all be wiped out in a snap.

Lin Tianhai nodded slightly, saying, “Once Zhao Chongyin is dead, which Prince in the Court could compete against the Second Prince? By then, the Second Prince would be the inevitable choice, the direction towards which the people’s hearts align, and the very land of Great Yan would change.”

Although Lin Tianhai spoke these words, a cold sneer emerged in his heart. He had come here ostensibly to assist Zhao Mengtai, but his true intention was to cause chaos in both the Great Yan Martial World and the Court.

Once Great Yan was in chaos, the Demon Sect could take advantage of the situation. What Great Yan lacked now was just a spark, and Zhao Chongyin’s death would be that blazing flame.

The others all nodded in agreement. The present disarray in the Court was due to the overt and covert struggles between the Second Prince and the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince ever fell, the Second Prince would use his lightning methods to quickly seize the Court’s powers.

“Alright, our success or failure depends on this move.”

Jia Shiwu’s expression became solemn, saying earnestly, “Since they won’t leave a path of survival for my Four Symbols Sect, I have no choice but to carve out a path with my own hands.”

“Tomorrow’s event must succeed without any errors.”

“Zhao Chongyin won’t be able to escape by growing wings tomorrow. Let’s discuss some of the finer details now.”

“The Crown Prince is sided with Bai Jing, whose cultivation should be in the Heavenly Flower Realm. Besides him, there are a few others of the Great Heavenly Gang, with cultivations around First Grade Earth Flower, not enough to worry about.”

……

Upon hearing that conversation, An Jing’s eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.

So tomorrow’s private banquet by Jia Shiwu was actually an ambush set up to kill the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin.

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and the Demon Sect had laid a Heaven and Earth Net within the Four Symbols Sect. Once the Crown Prince was killed, it would definitely cause a stir in both the Court and Jianghu.

“It can’t succeed…”

An Jing suddenly thought about the elderly man behind Zhao Chongyin, shaking his head.

The elderly man had profound and unfathomable strength, far surpassing that of Lin Tianhai, a beginner entry into the Grandmaster Realm.

An Jing’s expression suddenly turned a bit weird, “Could it be that they mistook that the Grandmaster around the Crown Prince was with Liu Qingshan in Yu State City when I intervened, leading them to arrange this assassination?”

Once in Yu State City, he had tried to get the Crown Prince to clear his red name from the Xuanyi Guard by scaring away Mo Yan and Luo Zixiang, because he had tempered his Golden Bone to perfection and held a faint Grandmaster’s presence.

He hadn’t expected this would trigger a chain reaction, leading them to believe that the Grandmaster expert near the Crown Prince was still in Yu State City, hence setting up today’s Heaven and Earth Net.

“Tomorrow’s private banquet will be quite interesting…”

An Jing also remembered Zhao Chongyin’s words from that day. After thinking about it carefully, it seemed that those words also contained a deeper meaning. “Forget it, this matter has nothing to do with me, I should go look for that blue opportunity first.”

“Whoosh whoosh!”

A shadow flitted past and vanished above the pavilion.

About half an incense stick’s time later, An Jing touched the moonlight and arrived at the highest point of the Four Symbols Sect, the Four Symbols Hall.

The Four Symbols Sect also had its moments of glory. That great hall, with its carved beams and painted rafters, splendid and imposing, wasn’t inferior to the Five Poison Sect, even seeming to have a deeper foundation.

At this moment, the night had deepened, and all around was deathly quiet, with not a soul in sight.

An Jing leapt into the Great Hall and walked slowly toward the front.

The blue radiance from the Earth Book became brighter and more resplendent.

After walking hundreds of steps, a wall appeared up ahead, surrounded by a carved railing as if preventing any closer approach.

“A mechanism?”

An Jing spotted the railing immediately, his brow slightly raised.

He had acquired the mechanical techniques from the Mo Family and though he had not grasped the essence of these mechanisms, he had memorized various mechanisms in his mind, which allowed him to recognize the one in front of him at a glance.

The railing appeared ordinary, but should he come close, it would likely trigger the hidden arrows of the mechanism around it.

Triggering the mechanism was a trivial matter, but the trouble would be great if it drew many experts here. Perhaps he would not be able to escape then.

An Jing took a deep breath and observed the railing and the surrounding walls carefully.

The light from the Earth Book kept flickering, indicating that the Sword Posting should be right in front of him.

“Does the wall seem a bit strange?”

Suddenly, An Jing noticed that the wall in front of him was unusual.

Faintly, a trace of Sword Intent wafted out.

If it were not for the top swordsmen, no one would feel that almost imperceptible Sword Intent.

An Jing restrained his qi to the utmost and, deploying the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, he moved as nimble as a flying swallow without touching anything around him. Then he pointed together his index and middle fingers.

“Shi!”

A stream of Sword Light emerged from his fingertips, intensely sharp and chilling to the bone, as the Sword Light explosively shot onto the wall.

“Crack! Crack! Crack!”

As the Sword Light passed, the wall revealed a web of dense, spiderweb-like cracks, from which several sharp Sword Intents emerged.

“Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!”

Within a few moments, a layer peeled off the wall, revealing intricate iron sketches with scenes of phoenixes hovering and dragons soaring.

An Jing couldn’t help but exclaim, “Like flowing clouds and streaming water, the stroke is as light as mist; could this be the Sword Posting?”

The Ancestor of the Four Symbols Sword was renowned as a master of the Sword Finger and Sword Intent, a Sixth Realm swordsman. His Sword Posting was no ordinary matter, and unexpectedly, it was directly engraved on the wall.

Moreover, the expert of the Four Symbols Sect used a ‘skin’ layer to completely seal the Sword Intent, allowing it to be preserved for a long time.

“Best use the time to comprehend.”

An Jing’s eyes sparkled as he stared at the Sword Posting on the wall.

“The Sword is like a tiger descending a mountain, and a sword like a flood dragon overturning the seas. Swordsmanship should be like flowing clouds and streaming water, tightly connected, with unstoppable force but uninterrupted intent, like a silk produced by a spinning silkworm. It conceals hardness within softness, harbors voids and solids, motions and stillness, openings and closings, bends and stretches. Seemingly opposing yet unified, they are also mutually transformative…”

A swordsman’s Sword Intent includes their understanding of the Sword Dao; therefore, each person’s Sword Intent is unique.

If the Sword Dao is like a relentless river, then a swordsman’s Sword Intent is the tributary drawn from it, with every drop of water in that tributary coming from that river, inseparable from it.

Some swordsmen learn numerous sword techniques, integrating them to eventually create their own suitable swordsmanship. However, others get lost in it without grasping the essence.

Hence, Sword Intent, being profound and vast, increasingly tends toward a complete Sword Dao, but it can also lead to downfall, getting lost within and unable to extricate oneself.

An Jing immersed his body and mind entirely, integrating all of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor’s insights into himself, solidifying his Sword Intent.

HIs mind like still water, he became exceptionally calm all at once.

Others might not perceive it, but An Jing knew that his Sword Intent was continuously enhancing.

This was the enlightenment and expertise of a Sixth Realm swordsman, the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor—an invaluable treasure for any swordsman.

Time flowed like water, and about an hour later, An Jing gradually came back to his senses, looking at the Sword Intent on the wall with a sense of loss, “What a pity. If I could view this Sword Posting a few more times, perhaps my gains would be even greater.”

Although he had only watched for an hour, An Jing felt his gains were tremendous.

Moreover, such a Sword Posting could be viewed and pondered repeatedly.

However, the Sword Posting left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was an invaluable treasure of the Four Symbols Sect, and with each viewing, some of the Sword Intent would fade away, naturally preventing it from being easily viewed by others.

“Hmm?”

Just as An Jing was preparing to leave, he noticed that the Earth Book was still emitting a blue glow.

In the past, as soon as he obtained an opportunity, that prompt would disappear, but this time the prompt in the Earth Book did not fade.

This meant that the blue opportunity was still present, and he had not taken it away.

Moreover, as An Jing approached the wall, the blue glow became even brighter.

An Jing carefully looked at the characters, pondering, wondering if there was something he had not discovered.

Watching the wall for a long time, he found nothing unusual.

“Hmm? That ‘Sword’ character seems odd…”

Suddenly, An Jing’s eyes caught that one of the characters for ‘Sword’ on the Sword Posting was strange, its Sword Intent appearing and disappearing intermittently, almost undetectable unless observed closely.

“Something’s fishy.”

An Jing pointed with his finger.

“Shi!”

A cold Sword Radiance surged from that ‘Sword’ character, stirring violently.

“If you were truly here, I might have some trepidation.”

An Jing pointed with his finger, directly nullifying that strike of Sword Radiance.

“Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!”

The moment the Sword Radiance was nullified, a fist-sized stone door appeared behind those characters, revealing a white paper.

An Jing leapt forward and grabbed the paper, scrutinizing it, his heart jolting.

“Spacious and elegant, feet stepping in eight directions, walking the Nine Palaces and Four Symbols, moving like a dragon weaving through. Continuous without breaks, with coordinated movement of the whole body, like a white snake spitting its tongue, an azure dragon extending its claws, utterly exquisite and divine.

“Like wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, twisting and rolling, the body as a whole is round. The sword follows the body, and the body carries the sword, even as clouds float evenly.”

The characters were vigorous and powerful, each stroke seemingly containing profound Sword Intent.

If the wall contained the understanding from the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, then this was a deeply esoteric Sword Technique.

“Could this be the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique?”

An Jing frowned, then focused his thoughts on the Earth Book.

Cultivation: Half-step Master

Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (on the rise)

Root Bone: Once in a Century

Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Ninth Layer), Ghost Valley Heart Method (Second Profound), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Eighth Layer), Brahma Heart Sees Me, Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique (Third Layer).

Prompt One: The host’s Life Fate has not yet taken root (remaining three months). When displaying martial arts, one must not let others know the host’s identity, or else a dark opportunity will be obtained.

……..

“Indeed, it is the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, and this poster is the sword intent left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, perhaps it could even trigger another trace of sword intent left by the Sword Ancestor, which should have the power of a full-force strike by a Grandmaster.”

Seeing this, An Jing’s eyes lit up.

High-ranking practitioners of the Four Symbols Sect must have thought that this wall was where the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor left his sword poster, but in fact, the real secret left by the Sword Ancestor was hidden in this mechanism instead.

Unfortunately, in the last two or three hundred years, there haven’t been many sword experts in the Four Symbols Sect, and hardly anyone has noticed this detail.

If it wasn’t for the Earth Book, An Jing likely wouldn’t have discovered this sword poster either.

“Let’s leave first.”

An Jing took the sword poster and disappeared within the Great Hall in the blink of an eye.

Not long after An Jing disappeared, a figure hurriedly burst into the Great Hall.

This person was the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect, Jia Shiwu.

“Hmm? Has someone else come to my Four Symbols Sect?”

His eyes swept across the area, then his expression suddenly changed dramatically, “A master has come…..”

There have also been many swordsmen who sneaked into the Four Symbols Sect. Some swordsmen were discovered before they even entered the Four Symbols Hall, while others wandered around in the Four Symbols Hall without finding anything and simply left on their own.

Rarely did swordsmen linger in the Four Symbols Hall, even to the extent of breaking through the Sword Layer and contemplating the sword poster of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

Swordsmen with such a level of cultivation usually maintained a certain level of dignity, either visiting to contemplate directly or not coming to learn covertly at all.

“Who could this shameless swordsman be?”

Jia Shiwu frowned as he thought to himself.

……

The next day.

A gentle mist rose up on the Four Symbols Mountain, the mountain ridges painted with a soft, milky white, the pristine fog rendering everything hazy and enchanting. The gentle sunlight, warm and comforting, sprinkled down.

Four Symbols Sect, side room.

An Jing was sitting on the bed recuperating when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

“Thump thump!”

“Brother Han, are you awake?”

A deep, loud voice called from outside.

“Cough, cough, cough… come in.”

An Jing lay on the bed, weakly responded.

“Creak–!”

As the door opened, a rugged-looking young man slowly walked in.

This person was none other than Yang Chong.

An Jing glanced at the young man, who possessed just a fourth-grade cultivation, hardly considered top-tier among the younger generation, let alone in the vast and boundless Jianghu.

It seemed, from his expression, that he held some dissatisfaction towards himself.

Yang Chong furrowed his brows and asked, “Brother Han, I heard from my junior sister that you woke up yesterday. May I know how you are feeling now?”

An Jing struggled to sit up and said, “Better… somewhat better, thanks to Miss Jia and Brother, I do not know this brother’s esteemed name and surname, but Han must repay today’s kindness…”

“Your injuries are severe. You should lie down quickly.”

Yang Chong hurriedly pressed down on An Jing’s shoulders, then his face grew somewhat flushed, and he said, “My name is Yang Chong, it was my junior sister who saved and brought you back.”

An Jing was serious as he replied, “No, both of you are my lifesavers. A kindness as small as a drop of water should be reciprocated with a spring. Moreover, this life-saving grace? If not for both of you, I might have already become a corpse by now. No, perhaps not even a corpse would be left, so I must repay this kindness.”

Hearing An Jing’s solemn and heartfelt words, with his eyes brimming with hot tears, Yang Chong couldn’t help but feel a mix of shame and self-reproach.

Brother Han awoke, and not only did I fail to feel happy for him, but I even doubted his identity and background.

Our great uncle has always taught us that a true hero should serve the country and the people, and possess a broad and encompassing heart.

I really acted foolishly as a child of Jianghu, my junior sister saved someone, and yet I doubted another’s identity, which is truly improper.

Yang Chong awkwardly touched his head and said sheepishly, “Actually, I didn’t do much, just helped you bathe and wipe your body…”

An Jing’s expression darkened immediately as he said gravely, “We’ve met each other honestly…?”

He had originally thought that it was Jia Meixian who changed his clothes and wiped his body, which he could accept, but a broad and sturdy man… This wasn’t how it was written in the books.

“Yes.”

Yang Chong nodded and pinched An Jing’s arm, adding, “Brother Han’s body is quite sturdy, like that of a martial artist. From your appearance, I thought you were a pedantic scholar.”

An Jing: “….”

Yang Chong thought of something and said, “Right, Brother Han, let me check your pulse. My medical skills within the Four Symbols Sect are unmatched.”

As he spoke, he grabbed An Jing’s arm and began to check his pulse.

An Jing mused indignantly, “My medical skills are also unmatched…”

Of course, he couldn’t voice his inner thoughts and could only respond gratefully.

“Ah.”

Before long, Yang Chong’s eyebrows furrowed tightly, “Your breath is still somewhat disordered, and your body is also somewhat weak, it seems you still need some time to recover.”

“Right, Brother Han, I heard you fell into this state because you encountered bandits?”

An Jing sighed sorrowfully, “Yes, I was coming from East Lin Road, and I was originally searching for my wife, but I encountered bandits on the road. They threatened me…”

“Threatened you?”

Yang Chong widened his eyes, staring in shock at An Jing in front of him.

Handsome in appearance, with a hint of valor in his brows, naturally, he looked excellent…

Yang Chong couldn’t help recalling what a few elders had said a few days ago. Some wealthy young masters had a penchant for handsome young lads, reveling in their company night after night, even to the point that some physically weak ones lost their lives due to it.

An Jing hung his head, his eyes filled with tears as he said, “Yes, they demanded I hand over silver…”

His demeanor was truly heart-wrenching, enough to make the listeners shed tears. His acting was top-notch, Jishi Hall owed him a gold Oscar.

Yang Chong quickly interrupted An Jing, gritting his teeth and said, “I understand, Brother Han. You need not say more. When I encounter these bandits, I will not let them off easily. I will show them where royal authority and the natural order lie.”

These bandits, extremely cruel and lawless, had completely lost their humanity.

Yang Chong grew more angry as he thought about it, especially upon seeing An Jing’s pitiful appearance, he couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Brother Han, does it hurt a lot?”

An Jing, puzzled by the bewildered Yang Chong in front of him, replied, “It’s bearable, mostly superficial wounds.”

Superficial wounds!?

Seeing An Jing’s expressionless face, Yang Chong’s heart ached even more.

This Brother Han had endured such inhumane torture, and yet he himself had been suspicious and mistrustful of him; he was truly not a good person!

This kind of ordeal would be unimaginable for anyone; if it were him, he might already have gone mad.

The more Yang Chong thought about it, the more sympathetic he became, while guilt and self-reproach overwhelmed his heart.

“Brother Han, you can rest assured.”

Yang Chong suddenly stood up, declaring solemnly to An Jing, “As long as I am in the Four Symbols Sect, I will definitely take good care of you and ensure that you suffer no more grievances.”

An Jing was taken aback, your kindness is appreciated, but I’m leaving tonight…

“The porridge is ready.”

Just then, the crisp voice of Jia Meixian echoed from outside the door.

Jia Meixian came in carrying white porridge, smiling, “The porridge yesterday was leftover, but today’s is freshly cooked, please try it, Young Master Han.”

An Jing, delighted by the aroma, eagerly replied, “Great, I was just feeling a bit…”

“Junior sister.”

Before he could finish, Yang Chong snatched the fragrant white porridge, looking painfully at Jia Meixian: “Brother Han has been through such torment, his body is very weak and in dire need of nourishment, why did you only make some white porridge?”

Jia Meixian hesitated, then replied, “Young Master Han’s wounds have just…”

“Go!”

Yang Chong took a deep breath and said, “Get the hundred-year-old ginseng I acquired last month.”

“Hundred-year-old ginseng!?”

An Jing’s eyes lit up; being a medicine shop owner, he was very clear about its value.

This was a precious item indeed, worth several dozens of silver, or even a hundred silver pieces, and often priceless.

Jia Meixian cautiously asked, “Brother, didn’t you say that ginseng was for grandfather’s medicinal wine?”

Yang Chong said gravely, “If I tell you to fetch it, then fetch it.”

Jia Meixian, seeing Yang Chong’s expression, quickly headed off.

An Jing blinked, thinking to himself, “This brother is quite the character.”

…..

The sun set in the west, the sea of clouds stretched endlessly, and the ancient path was long.

In a grand hall of the Four Symbols Sect, there was singing and dancing, bustling with activity.

Jia Shiwu, dressed in blue, sat at the head of the table, with a smiling Zhao Chongyin beside him, and behind them, besides Bai Jing, stood two Great Heavenly Gang guards from the Xuanyi Guard.

In the world, only a handful of people could have Great Heavenly Gang members standing guard behind them.

Besides them, two First Grade experts from the Four Symbols Sect sat at the lower seats, and no one else was present.

This was a private banquet hosted by Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect for the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, and even the members of the Four Symbols Sect were unaware that the Crown Prince had arrived at their facility that day.

Jia Shiwu raised his wine cup and said with a smile, “It is a great honor for the Crown Prince to visit our Four Symbols Sect today.”

“You’re too polite, Sect Leader Jia,”

Zhao Chongyin’s smile didn’t lessen, “Being able to visit the treasure-filled Four Symbols Mountain is also a fortunate matter.”

Jia Shiwu nodded and then raising his cup, sighed, “It is indeed a treasure land, but sadly, the Four Symbols Sect has been declining over the past century, truly dishonoring the reputation of our ancestors. I am ashamed.”

When the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was alive, the Four Symbols Sect was a renowned sect under heaven; now just three hundred years later, the sect’s decline was visibly evident.

In the current ranking of the seven major sects, it was placed last, nearly falling out of the ranking entirely.

According to this trend, within a few years, the name of the Four Symbols Sect would be removed from the list of the seven sects.

The two First Grade experts sitting below also had gloomy expressions, continually sighing.

“What goes up must come down; what flourishes must decline. That is the natural order,” Zhao Chongyin said calmly.

Jia Shiwu’s eyes flashed with a trace of sharpness as he asked, “Then, Your Highness, do you think there is a chance for the Four Symbols Sect to rise again?”

“Whether it can rise again is not up to me,”

Zhao Chongyin swirled the wine in his cup, a calm smile always on his face, which was very trustworthy.

“Then upon whom does it depend?”

“It depends on you.”

“Yes, it depends on me.”

Jia Shiwu smiled and then said, “Your Highness, I have a grand gift I would like to offer you.”

“What is the grand gift?”

Zhao Chongyin laughed.

“Clap, clap!”

Jia Shiwu clapped his hands, and following the clapping sounds.

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a streak of cold light surged forward, rushing towards Zhao Chongyin.

“Swoosh!”

Zhao Chongyin’s expression remained untroubled, as if he didn’t notice the cold light at all, and just as the sword light was about to reach his neck, a hand directly grabbed the sword light.

“How dare you!”

The person who acted was Bai Jing, whose face was as cold as frost as she looked forward.

She saw four figures appearing ahead, namely Lin Tianhai, Luo Zixiang, Xiao Ruoyun, and Mo Yan.

All four had cold expressions and murderous looks in their eyes.

Jia Shiwu, still smiling, said, “Your Highness, what do you think of this grand gift?”

The two Great Heavenly Gang members behind Bai Jing tensed up, staring intently at the four individuals ahead, one of them even sweating on the forehead, “Your Highness, these are experts…”

Zhao Chongyin, however, was undeterred, smiling in inquiry, “These four all look very unfamiliar, who are they?”

Jia Shiwu answered, “The leader of the Azure Dragon Sect of the Demon Sect, Lin Tianhai, a master of the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect, Luo Zixiang, and a Great Tributor of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Xiao Ruoyun, with the third Tributor, Mo Yan.”

Zhao Chongyin heard this and couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, “Good, very good, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is actually colluding with the Demon Sect, that’s really great.”

Who was behind the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was clear to everyone present.

It was truly the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai.

The two Great Heavenly Gangs were also very clear, but they had never imagined that Zhao Mengtai would collude with the Demon Sect.

“I’m very sorry, Your Highness,”

Lin Tianhai said with a light smile.

Bai Jing’s cultivation was merely at the Heavenly Flower Realm, while the two Great Heavenly Gangs guarding her were only at the First Grade Earth Flower Realm. Capturing Zhao Chongyin today would be as easy as turning one’s hand over.

“Is that so?”

Zhao Chongyin raised his wine cup and then drank all the liquor in the cup, “Sect Leader Jia, you have done very well, I am very satisfied.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Upon hearing this, Jia Shiwu quickly bowed deeply, “If Your Highness needs it, I can also eliminate one or two rebels for you.”

Xiao Ruoyun frowned, “Sect Leader Jia, what are you doing?”

“Hahahahaha.”

Jia Shiwu, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but burst into laughter, then his smile turned cold, “You don’t really think that this old man intends to join you in rebelling, do you?”

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

Whoosh!

As soon as Jia Shiwu’s words fell, Lin Tianhai and the others’ expressions drastically changed, disbelief evident in their eyes.

“Jia Shiwu!”

Lin Tianhai felt a chill in his heart, a wave of coldness washing over him.

If today was indeed a planned plot, then the Crown Prince must have been prepared all along, and there should be the Crown Prince’s men hidden around here.

Mo Yan said grimly, “When you mentioned offering Zhao Chongyin a grand gift, was it our heads you referred to?”

“That’s right.”

Jia Shiwu nodded.

“Jia Shiwu, are you truly not afraid?”

Luo Zixiang said through gritted teeth, “You’re not afraid of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, but are you not afraid of retaliation from my Demon Sect?”

Jia Shiwu remained silent but looked towards Zhao Chongyin, “Your Highness, do you want them alive or dead?”

Zhao Chongyin looked down at the four below him without speaking.

Although he hadn’t spoken a word, it was as if he’d said thousands through his eyes to the four men.

“Whoosh!”

Lin Tianhai flashed instantly, rushing to Zhao Chongyin’s front.

“Swoosh!”

The next moment, a cold light descended from the sky, blocking directly in front of Lin Tianhai.

Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings!?

Lin Tianhai frowned, stepped to one side, but the cold blade attacked again, forcing him to strike out with his palm.

Bang!

Although he was a newly promoted Grandmaster, a Grandmaster was still a Grandmaster.

After a clash, the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings were forced back several steps.

“Xi Yuanjun!?”

Luo Zixiang, seeing the person who appeared, had an extremely ugly expression on his face.

No one in the Demon Sect didn’t recognize this Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, who had pursued Li Fuzhou years ago and almost killed him. If it weren’t for Lin Tianhai’s help back then, Li Fuzhou would have long been dead.

Xi Yuanjun looked at Lin Tianhai and indifferently said, “Lin Tianhai, we meet again.”

“Yes, we meet again.”

Lin Tianhai squinted his eyes, watching the qi fluctuating on his palm.

The so-called enemies often turn red upon meeting, but the world only knew that Li Fuzhou almost died at the hands of Xi Yuanjun, little did they know that Lin Tianhai nearly killed Xi Yuanjun when he helped Li Fuzhou.

“Brother Xi, it’s been a long time since we fought together.”

Jia Shiwu extended his hand, and a pale blue long sword appeared in his palm.

The Four Symbols Sword, the famed weapon of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

Xi Yuanjun positioned his Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, his eyes emitting a cold light, “I’ve been wanting to see the strength of a Grandmaster for a long time.”

“I’ll hold them back, you go kill Zhao Chongyin.”

Lin Tianhai faced the combined attack of the two top experts of the era with a calm demeanor, holding in his hand a green long spear, its tip emanating a sharp chill.

Although the cultivation of the two was at the Half-step Master level, his cultivation had already reached the Grandmaster level, naturally he had nothing to fear.

Sword and ring intersected, several cold lights were the first to strike, and Lin Tianhai’s eyes brightened as he met them head-on.

Shadows flickered, figures crisscrossed, the three men fought fiercely together.

Originally, his strength was not much different from that of Xi Yuanjun, but now breaking through the barriers and reaching the Grandmaster level, facing the combined forces of Jia Shiwu and Xi Yuanjun seemed quite effortless and very easy.

“Kill!”

Xiao Ruoyun vibrated the sword in his hand, charging towards Bai Jing.

Both had similar cultivation, both at the Heavenly Flower Realm.

Xiao Ruoyun was famous in the martial world for his Fast Sword, known as the Chasing Wind Sword, a well-known swordmanship expert in the martial world today, with several First Grade experts having fallen to his blade.

While Bai Jing did not have much fame, had she not been the personal attendant of the Crown Prince, Xiao Ruoyun might not have even heard her name.

Famed for his fast sword, Xiao Ruoyun usually subdued his opponents in a few moves, but when facing Bai Jing, he seemed somewhat at a disadvantage; every time he was about to thrust his sword into a critical spot, she would dodge it.

On the other side, Mo Yan and Luo Zixiang were also locked in fierce combat with the two Great Heavenly Gangs.

The entire banquet had instantly turned into a chaotic battlefield.

Zhao Chongyin sat in his seat, his demeanor leisurely, calmly drinking the wine in his cup, as if he were a spectator enjoying a play on the stage.

“Do you need me to take action?”

At that moment, Elder Su quietly appeared behind Zhao Chongyin.

“No need.”

Zhao Chongyin shook his head.

The elder before him was one of his trump cards, how could he reveal everything just because of a probe from Zhao Mengtai.

Old Su twitched his mouth and said no more.

Lin Tianhai suppressed two half-step masters, but it was hard to distinguish a winner in a short time, yet his peripheral vision caught sight of the people fighting around him.

The first to show signs of defeat was Xiao Ruoyun, who was currently in grave danger under Bai Jing, one careless move could lead to death by those palms capable of catching sword light.

“Not good, today Zhao Chongyin must be prepared……”

Thinking of this, Lin Tianhai pushed his palm forward, and his True Qi surged forth like a tide, then he forced Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu directly back.

Leaping forward, he flew towards the distance.

Two people, one with a sword and the other with the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, chased after him.

“Run!”

As Lin Tianhai was leaving, he struck a palm towards the Great Heavenly Gang, breaking Luo Zixiang’s encirclement.

Luo Zixiang also reacted, gritting his teeth and hurriedly followed.

“Damn it!”

Xiao Ruoyun saw the two from the Demon Sect fleeing, and his eyes immediately filled with blood.

“Great Tributor, let’s go too,” Mo Yan said, flustered and struggling against the Great Heavenly Gang’s long blade.

Although his strength was slightly superior to that of the Great Heavenly Gang, his mind was already in chaos, no match at all, and he appeared extremely embarrassed.

“There’s no escape.”

Bai Jing sneered coldly and fiercely slapped toward the front.

Boom!

This palm was forceful enough to shatter gold and stone, to move mountains and overturn seas!

“Clang!”

Xiao Ruoyun’s pupils dilated, and sensing danger, he quickly placed his longsword in front of his chest.

Yet that palm directly penetrated Xiao Ruoyun’s longsword, and his chest.

“Gurgling—!”

Xiao Ruoyun’s body halted, then slowly lowered his head, only to see that a pale hand had directly pierced through his body.

“I…..”

“Thud!”

Xiao Ruoyun didn’t finish speaking before his body heavily fell to the ground.

Mo Yan’s face filled with horror, with a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

Equally in the Heavenly Flower Realm, but how could the Xiao Ruoyun before him be so formidable?!

Run!

This was all Mo Yan could think of in his heart, just as he was prepared to leave, a cold shout sounded by his ear.

“It’s too late to think of running now.”

Xiao Ruoyun sneered coldly, slapping his palm on Mo Yan’s body.

“Bang!”

Mo Yan’s body instantly burst, turning into a mist of blood.

The blood spatter hit the two Great Heavenly Gang members.

“Crown Prince, two people from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion are dead,” Bai Jing said as if he had done a trivial thing.

Zhao Chongyin indifferently stated, “The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion plotted against the current Crown Prince, intending to rebel, the evidence is conclusive…..”

Hearing this, both Great Heavenly Gang members shivered, realizing that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion might now be erased from the Martial World.

Killing two tributors from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was already enough to cripple it, now with this charge of rebellion, it basically amounted to declaring the annihilation of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

……

Four Symbols Sect, side room.

“The weather is really nice, this ginseng soup is damn good.”

An Jing had ‘borrowed’ a black robe and a bizarre mask from the Four Symbols Sect, now looking at the beautiful sunset, he was filled with immense emotions.

Although his cultivation was still some way from his peak, it had recovered about forty to fifty percent, which was much better than yesterday.

And with the ginseng soup’s continuous effect, his cultivation would recover much faster.

“Miss Mei, Brother Yang, I, Han Wenxin, remember this kindness, and I will definitely repay it in the future,”

An Jing muttered to himself, then leaped up to the eaves, ready to leave the Four Symbols Sect.

“Hmm!?”

Just then, the sound of intense fighting from afar caught An Jing’s attention, “Shrinking Land into Inches, a Grandmaster?”

He saw a figure hurriedly approaching from the distance on the pavilions, moving several meters in a flash.

This person was none other than Lin Tianhai, who had rushed out from the banquet.

Jia Shiwu and Xi Yuanjun were using all their inner strength but could only barely keep up with him.

With Lin Tianhai’s strength, he could easily shake them off, but thinking of Luo Zixiang’s safety, he couldn’t help but slow down his steps.

“Hmm!?”

Just then, Lin Tianhai spotted a young girl ahead in his eyes.

Lin Tianhai had seen her before, she was Jia Shiwu’s granddaughter, Jia Meixian.

“How about a chicken soup tonight?”

At this moment, Jia Meixian was carrying bowls and chopsticks, preparing to follow her senior brother’s instructions to make dinner for his ‘Brother Han’.

“Lin Tianhai, how dare you!?”

Seeing this, Jia Shiwu was greatly alarmed and shouted loudly, but it was already too late.

Lin Tianhai didn’t hesitate and stretched out his hand toward Jia Meixian.

“Clang—!”

Jia Meixian, seeing the rushing figure, became so frightened that her face paled, dropping the bowls and chopsticks to the ground.

Quick!

Too quick!

Lin Tianhai had the cultivation of a Grandmaster, which Zhao Qingmei couldn’t withstand.

“Swoosh!”

Just as his palm was about to touch Zhao Qingmei, a cold and severe sword light shot out from afar.

Another expert!?

The sword light was extremely fast, causing Lin Tianhai’s spine to chill, and he stepped back continuously.

“Who!?”

Lin Tianhai followed the sword light, only to see a man in black standing in the distance, his face covered with a ghost mask, revealing only a pair of bright eyes.

The black-clothed man was none other than An Jing.

Jia Shiwu, Xi Yuanjun had also arrived by Zhao Qingmei’s side at this time.

Xi Yuanjun, looking at the man in black, couldn’t help but think, “Could this person be the lost Ghost Swordsman?”

The news of the Ghost Swordsman killing the old man Qingfeng was known to Xi Yuanjun, the deputy governor of Xuanyi Guard, who, with Half-step Grandmaster cultivation, had slain a Grandmaster.

Such a feat was extremely rare in contemporary times, even Xiao Qianqiu hadn’t achieved it.

It’s not that Xiao Qianqiu couldn’t do it, but that no Grandmaster had ever confronted him.

However, at this moment, the black-clothed man wasn’t holding Evil Suppressing Sword, so Xi Yuanjun couldn’t be certain of the newcomer’s identity.

“Ghost Swordsman!?”

Lin Tianhai heard Xi Yuanjun’s murmur, he had never seen the Ghost Swordsman but had heard of his fearsome reputation, which made his heart chill.

“A person’s name, a tree’s shadow!”

A Grandmaster slain by a Half-step Grandmaster, and furthermore a distinguished One Qi Grandmaster, this was truly terrifying.

Why would he appear here?

Why would he obstruct me?

Could this person have already sided with the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin?

In an instant, numerous suspicions surfaced in Lin Tianhai’s mind.

Zhao Qingmei looked gratefully at the man in front, had it not been for his intervention, she would have fallen into the clutches of the villain by now.

“Your cultivation has already reached the Grandmaster Realm, you must hold a high position in the Demon Sect, what is your name?”

An Jing, feeling the aura emitted by Lin Tianhai, couldn’t help but ask.

“I am Lin Tianhai, the chief of the Azure Dragon Sect.” Lin Tianhai coldly replied.

The chief of the Azure Dragon Sect!?!

That was a position similar to that of Li Fuzhou, likely someone who knew some secrets of the Demon Sect.

Thinking this, An Jing’s eyes narrowed, “Good, you are the one I’m looking for.”

Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu exchanged a glance, a hint of joy appeared in their eyes, if the Ghost Swordsman was willing to make a move, then Lin Tianhai might not escape today.

“Do you really have to oppose my Demon Sect?”

Feeling a bit uneasy, Lin Tianhai couldn’t help but frown.

“One move!” An Jing slowly said.

“What?” Lin Tianhai didn’t understand what he meant.

“If you can withstand one move from me, I’ll let you go.” An Jing stated word by word.

Xi Yuanjun shook his head and exclaimed, “This Ghost Swordsman is crazy, he’s truly insane.”

Defeating Lin Tianhai in one move was definitely possible, but at the very least, it required the cultivation of a Second Qi Grandmaster.

Jia Shiwu furrowed his brow, looking puzzled at the Ghost Swordsman.

Lin Tianhai was stunned, “My lord, you are indeed confident.”

Whoosh!

An Jing stepped forward, his black robe fluttering like an arrow released from a bow, his black hair flying backward, his clothes ruffling as he rapidly approached Lin Tianhai.

“Today, I will see for myself the strength of the Ghost Swordsman.”

A spark of anger appeared in Lin Tianhai’s eyes, and he didn’t even choose to evade; he allowed the oncoming wind to dishevel his long hair and flutter his clothes.

Only when An Jing was less than half a zhang away did Lin Tianhai make his move.

Two sharp glints burst forth from his eyes.

A striking cold gleam erupted from his hand, a blue long spear hummed and vibrated like a dragon’s roar, causing the air itself to tremble.

Simultaneously, a formidable, oppressive Qi emanated from Lin Tianhai’s body.

The air suddenly filled with a hint of murderous intent.

Jia Shiwu commented with furrowed brows, “Can he really defeat Lin Tianhai in one move?”

Xi Yuanjun shook his head, as he was also unsure.

The Ghost Swordsman had defeated the old man Qingfeng when no other Grandmaster was present, only the elder from the Five Poison Sect was there.

In the next instant, the changes in the sky between lightning and flint gave the answer.

As Lin Tianhai’s iron spear attacked, the Ghost Swordsman made no attempt to dodge; he reached into his bosom as if pulling out a talisman, then swept it forward.

It was indeed the talisman of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

This move was completely unorthodox!

It seemed like a casual swing by someone unskilled in swordsmanship!

Yet, it also seemed like nothing more than a subconscious action of stretching after being lazy.

However, when the few experts present felt their hearts jump to their throats, they suddenly experienced a terrifying illusion.

That casual move gave the two experts present an indescribable feeling.

In mid-air, Lin Tianhai’s pupils suddenly constricted.

Boom!

Finally, a furious thunder erupted from that stroke of sword light.

Four Symbols Heavenly Intent Sword Technique! As fierce as thunder!

The entire Four Symbols Sect could see that thunderbolt, and the surrounding clouds were scattered by the shock.

The overwhelming awe of the heavens left everyone with a look of horror, their hearts shocked beyond measure.

The furious thunder roared crazily, striking heavily forward, and the true qi wave of Lin Ruhai seemed so fragile before it, instantly turning into dust.

Then, the remaining thunderbolts fell heavily upon Lin Tianhai.

“Thud!”

Lin Tianhai’s body heavily hit the ground, seemingly emanating a scent of char, as he lost consciousness.

A single move!

Just one move, and Lin Tianhai, of the Grandmaster Realm, had fallen to the ground.

Jia Shiwu’s mouth dropped open. “This….this…..”

He wasn’t unfamiliar with the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, but this thunderous move was a technique from the eighth layer, which even he had only grasped after three years.

How could this Ghost Swordsman perform the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, with sword light even more refined and powerful than his own?

“Tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I have taken this Demon Sect follower away.”

An Jing packed up the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor’s Sword Paper and then grabbed the motionless Lin Ruhai, leaping towards the distance.

Xi Yuanjun frowned deeply, still recollecting the terrifying bolt of lightning.

This sword carried the residual might left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, naturally terrifying in power.

It troubled his mind for a long time.

Jia Shiwu suddenly snapped back to his senses and cursed loudly. “That shameless swordsman, he stole the treasure of our Four Symbols Sect.”

But by then, An Jing had already disappeared without a trace, making him impossible to pursue.

The ‘inviter of the wolf into the house,’ Jia Meixian, had an innocent face, her heart filled with gratitude.

……

Lingnan Dao, Dragon Hidden Creek.

Carrying Lin Tianhai’s body, An Jing sped along, quickly escaping the territory of the Four Symbols Sect.

“Jia Shiwu must have recognized me.”

An Jing touched the Sword Paper on his body, then sighed somewhat.

By then, the sword intent of the Sword Paper was gradually dissipating, and it had turned into an ordinary piece of paper; it only contained the insights and experiences of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor regarding the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique.

The move just now was naturally not performed by An Jing. Not to mention the injuries on his body, even his cultivation and understanding of the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique could not have allowed him to perform that move.

“This old man is really heavy.”

An Jing muttered, then landed beside a tree, directly dropping Lin Tianhai onto the ground. “Old man, wake up. I know you woke up halfway here; no need to pretend with me.”

Lin Tianhai slowly opened his eyes, silently looking at An Jing, not saying a word.

He, Lin Tianhai, the chief of the Azure Dragon Sect, had actually become a captive today.

“I do not intend to be an enemy of your Demon Sect”

An Jing spoke indifferently, “Just tell me one piece of information, and I’ll let you go. How about it?”

Lin Tianhai responded coldly, “I am a man of principle, definitely would not betray my own, kill or torture me if you must.”

“Principled?”

Upon hearing this, An Jing’s brow quirked slightly, retorting with a sneer, “I like people who are tough like you. I’ll just castrate you first and then discuss terms, and see if you can still be so tough.”

Saying this, his fingers came together, and sword qi gradually began to gather.

“Wait!”

Upon hearing An Jing’s words, Lin Tianhai hurriedly said, “What was your previous statement?”

An Jing pondered and then repeated, “Just tell me one piece of information, and I’ll let you go.”

“Fine.”

Lin Tianhai nodded.

An Jing grinned. “What about your principles?”

Lin Tianhai pondered for a moment, then said, “As long as it’s something I can reveal, I have no objection to telling you, but I can only answer one question.”

“That’s also fine.”

“But you must swear.”

“I swear, just answer my one question and I will immediately release you, if I break this vow, may the heavens strike me with five thunderbolts, and may I never die a good death.”

“Why are you making this oath so quickly and fluently?”

Lin Tianhai, looking at the Ghost Swordsman before him, couldn’t help but comment.

The manner and tone before him seemed like he had done this many times before, which made Lin Tianhai slightly uncertain.

An Jing asked, “You said you’d talk, so will you?”

Lin Tianhai sighed and said, “Ask away.”

A man under the eave has to bow his head.

An Jing nodded and straightforwardly asked: “What is the purpose of Li Fuzhou and other Human Sect experts heading to Yu State City”

This question had troubled him for a long, long time.

“Just this question?”

Upon hearing An Jing’s question, Lin Tianhai couldn’t help but be stunned.

He had thought that the Ghost Swordsman before him would ask about some confidential information, such as how many experts were at the Sealing Demon Platform, to what realm Jiang Shang’s cultivation had reached, or even the defensive arrangements of East Luo Pass and Dongluo Tower…

Instead, it turned out to be such an insignificant question.

“How so?”

An Jing looked at Lin Tianhai, his brow lifting, “You can’t discuss this issue? Is it a secret of your Demon Sect?”

“It’s not that it can’t be discussed.”

Lin Tianhai shook his head and said, “Li Fuzhou went to Yu State City for two purposes.”

An Jing immediately grew anxious, “What are the purposes? Quick, speak.”

Lin Tianhai looked at An Jing and slowly said, “The first purpose is to set up an undercover network for the Human Sect, the second is to protect the Sect Hierarch’s safety.”

……

PS: Today’s chapter is both thick and long.