My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 224 -

Chapter 224: 224

The Demon Sect has a long and far-reaching history, only matched by the Buddhist and Mystical Sects among the martial world. Should the Mystical Sect be in ruins, only the Buddhist Sect could vie with it for supremacy.

Therefore, within the Demon Sect, there are ancient texts that might touch upon secrets unknown to ordinary people.

The obscure history of the fall of the Great Qin and Great Zhou Dynasties, what kind of secrets are hidden within, and the true reasons behind Tian Yin’s search for me, remain a mystery.

A series of doubts emerged in the minds of the couple.

“Black luck!?”

An Jing couldn’t help but think of the first time he encountered Qi Shu, who had wanted to kill him upon seeing the Evil Suppressing Sword in his possession.

...

Tian Yin sought him out because of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and Zhao Country’s Black Ice Platform also wanted to kill him for it.

In other words, these two forces must have some special connection, just as the lady said.

“That’s right.”

Zhao Qingmei seemed to recall something, frowning as she said, “Liu Simiao spent a day in the Poison Cave without noticing anything unusual, but there seems to be something very uncommon about Qiu Fengsheng.”

After An Jing discovered something unusual about Qiu Fengsheng, he told Zhao Qingmei, who then handed the body over to the Poison King Liu Simiao for investigation.

“It’s too strange, the corpse of a Grandmaster level expert should remain intact for a while, but Qiu Fengsheng’s bones suddenly became soft after his death.”

An Jing pondered for a moment and analyzed calmly, “I think this may have something to do with the Black Ice Platform. Qiu Fengsheng came from the Black Ice Platform, and the events of that year might have been more complicated. Such a clever man as Qiu Fengsheng, how could he ruin his own future? And with the Black Ice Platform being so powerful in Zhao Country, how could they possibly have let Qiu Fengsheng escape Zhao Country?”

Zhao Qingmei nodded, “Indeed, it’s possible. This Black Ice Platform is too mysterious.”

Even when the Demon Sect was at its most powerful, it tried to invade Zhao Country but was no match for the Black Ice Platform. Only then did the Demon Sect realize what a colossal entity ruled over Zhao Country.

In the end, Jiang Shang could only lead the Demon Sect to retreat back to Yan Country, daring not harbour any more designs on Zhao Country and never mentioning the matter again.

The two fell silent for a while. An Jing took a deep breath and looked at Zhao Qingmei, “I can feel that danger is slowly creeping closer.”

Indeed, no one can truly leave Jianghu, for a person is Jianghu itself.

Unwittingly, he had fallen into the whirlpool of Jianghu.

Some wanted to kill him, while others wanted to use him.

Perhaps this is the inevitability of being in the Jianghu, where one’s actions are not one’s own to control.

Zhao Qingmei held An Jing’s hand and said softly, “You still have me at your back.”

An Jing felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

“However, you know your unauthorized actions nearly destroyed my plans. We agreed to be honest with each other, yet you deceived me. Do you understand the severity of the consequences?”

Her tone shifted, her gaze intense as she stared into An Jing’s eyes.

An Jing fell silent, for he had indeed gone against the plan he had made with Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei pursed her lips and said, “We agreed to be honest with each other, to trust each other, yet you didn’t trust me. If you thought there was something wrong with the plan, why didn’t you speak up beforehand?”

An Jing earnestly said, “My lady, I was wrong.”

Zhao Qingmei lowered her head and sighed softly, “If there’s one person in this world you should trust, it has to be me.”

An Jing couldn’t help but gently embrace the woman before him.

“This won’t happen again.”

“If you were to die one day, then I wouldn’t want to live either. I’ve realized that I won’t seek revenge for you.”

Zhao Qingmei spoke fiercely, yet leaned on An Jing’s chest with tears in her eyes, “So, when you put yourself in danger, when you seek death, remember to take me with you.”

Feeling a painful sting in his heart, An Jing gently stroked Zhao Qingmei’s hair.

There’s a saying that fortune favors the bold, but what wealth is more important than the life of one’s wife and oneself?

Zhao Qingmei spoke softly, “Having obtained Qiu Fengsheng’s Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, I feel that I can break through to the Second Qi Realm. I plan to enter closed-door cultivation tomorrow, and I should emerge after about four or five days.”

“I have already instructed Qiurong to take care of you while I’m gone these next few days.”

An Jing chuckled, “I’m not a child, there’s no need for such trouble.”

Zhao Qingmei’s eyes danced, “It doesn’t matter, she’s my personal maid, clever and well-mannered; you can tell her if you need anything.”

An Jing pinched Zhao Qingmei’s nose and said, “I understand.”

….

Yujing City, Heavenly Prison.

As the Heavenly Prison of Great Yan, these two words had become the nightmare of countless martial artists from Jianghu.

That’s because it held too many notorious martial artists who had committed heinous crimes but whom the Court couldn’t execute, aside from some martial artists, there were many powerful courtiers, merchants, and hidden experts imprisoned here.

Since the establishment of Great Yan’s Heavenly Prison, there had been seven major cases of prison breaks, each initiated by famous individuals from Jianghu, remarkable people, trusted subordinates of border generals, or death soldiers and guests fostered by wealthy merchants.

But without exception, these individuals had not even entered the true Heavenly Prison before they died at its entrance.

Thereafter, the number of people attempting to break into the Heavenly Prison dwindled until, in the past fifty years, there had been no attempts to breach it, as if the place had become forbidden ground within Great Yan.

The Heavenly Prison, despite its name, was constructed underground and comprised nine layers.

Each layer was more rigorous and tightly guarded than the one above it.

The ninth layer held individuals who had once been famous within Great Yan.

In the ninth layer, the atmosphere was dark and oppressively dank. The silence was so profound it felt eerie, with only the occasional light flickering on the walls breaking through the darkness.

On the straw mat inside a cell near the entrance lay a scholar with graying hair, who was currently propped up on the mat, holding a book.

This was none other than Li Fuzhou, who had killed Tang Taiyuan, the Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, on the Eight Feet Platform with a single palm strike.

“Hey, new scholar, come out and have a chat,” called an old voice from inside the cell. “You say you killed Tang Taiyuan. Why didn’t the old white-browed one kill you?”

Li Fuzhou replied indifferently, “He didn’t kill me because I still have my uses.”

The voice laughed, “What? Is there someone outside who can actually get you out of here?”

Those who enter the Heavenly Prison have to take a Qi Scattering Pill every day, which disperses the true Qi in their bodies. Moreover, due to the special construction of the Heavenly Prison, it’s impossible to replenish true Qi here.

So, thinking of walking out of the Heavenly Prison is as difficult as ascending to the heavens, unless someone from the outside rescues you, but there has been no success in forcefully breaking into the Heavenly Prison thus far. The other possibility of leaving the Heavenly Prison is only if the Great Yan Emperor himself issues an order.

And the likelihood of that happening is also extremely low.

What kind of person is the current Great Yan Emperor? Forty years ago, he staged a coup and ascended to power with unparalleled ruthlessness. Moreover, he is a famed Martial Arts Emperor. Before he came to power, it is said that he had already reached the Grandmaster Realm. With the support of the Royal Family’s vast resources over these forty years, wouldn’t his cultivation have reached the heaven and earth?

Li Fuzhou shook his head, “I don’t know.”

In his memory, there were only two people who had a chance to save him. One was his teacher, Lv Guoyong, and the other was Zhao Qingmei, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.

But with Zhao Qingmei’s current shallow cultivation, it was unknown how long it would take for her to become capable, and whether he would still be of use to her by then was another matter.

As for his teacher, who was stuck in a quagmire, it would be extremely difficult to rescue him while finding difficulty in saving himself.

The old voice chuckled, “You’re quite interesting. There are not many people who can remain as calm as you are at the beginning of their imprisonment in the Heavenly Prison, and you even have the mood to read books. Could it be that reading now is useful, and it can bring you to the Saint Realm?”

At the beginning of their imprisonment in the Heavenly Prison, not many had such a calm state of mind, as they all sought ways to escape. However, since this scholar had come in, all he did after eating and drinking was to lie on the straw mat and read books.

If it were possible to reach the Saint Realm, perhaps there really would be a chance to escape.

Li Fuzhou looked at the book in his hand and said calmly, “The purpose of reading books is not to achieve great accomplishments, but rather to give you an inner strength, so when life knocks you back to square one and you are mired in setbacks, you can face it all with tranquility and composure.”

Upon hearing this, the owner of the old voice fell silent for a moment.

This scholar seemed somewhat extraordinary.

“Li Fuzhou, you have a visitor.”

Suddenly, a cold voice echoed throughout the Heavenly Prison.

All eyes in the Heavenly Prison looked over; it was extraordinary for someone to be allowed to visit in the Heavenly Prison.

Li Fuzhou put down the book in his hand. Then the door to his cell opened, and a prison guard dressed in black extended a dispassionate palm.

“Please,” said the prison guard.

“Thank you,” Li Fuzhou replied courteously, bowing slightly as he exited the cell.

With the black-clad prison guard leading the way, they soon arrived at a room, “Go in.”

Having said that, the prison guard stepped aside.

“Creak–!”

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Li Fuzhou pushed the door open and walked in, where the inside was brightly lit, and a woman sat under the bright light.

She was like an orchid in an empty valley, like the sound of a flute in the moonlit water, her ethereal and extraordinary temperament refreshing to the soul, and her faint smile’s charm was endlessly delightful.

This person was none other than the former number one beauty of the Great Yan, and now the Empress Zuo Linglong.

“Who do I think it is, it turns out to be Her Majesty the Empress. The commoner pays his respects.”

Seeing the person coming in, Li Fuzhou couldn’t help but bow to Zuo Linglong.

Zuo Linglong looked at the man before her, her brow slightly furrowed in her heart, but her face remained serene, “There’s no need for pretense, we are well aware of what kind of person you are.”

Li Fuzhou said, “The Empress jests. I am not familiar with Her Majesty. How could you possibly know what kind of person Li Fuzhou is?”

Zuo Linglong’s beautiful eyes narrowed into slits as she slowly stood up, “Li Fuzhou, it seems you’ve had quite a comfortable time in the Heavenly Prison.”

The scent that was faint yet pronounced wafted over, coupled with her delicate beauty and her voluptuous appeal, seemingly capable of ensnaring a man’s soul.

Li Fuzhou, as if not seeing any of this, replied indifferently, “There is food and drink here, naturally it’s quite nice.”

Zuo Linglong shook her head, staring at the old scholar before her, “Li Fuzhou, you truly are a weed that can’t be burnt down. When you fled from Yujing City, I thought you were surely doomed. Yet you managed to escape all the way, and even joined the Demon Sect in the end. Coming to Yujing City this time, you even killed Tang Taiyuan. I thought you were finally going to die today, but it turns out you are still alive. It seems not only is your spine tough, but your life is too.”

To say she hated the man before her, so many years had passed that such feelings had dissipated like smoke, but to say she wasn’t resentful, there was still a knot in her heart.

How can one talk of letting go when one has never picked it up?

Li Fuzhou said, “The wind doesn’t break the grass that blows, from extreme weakness comes strength. Perhaps the heavens didn’t want the grass to just die off like that.”

“Well said, ‘The wind doesn’t break the grass that blows, from extreme weakness comes strength.'”

Zuo Linglong couldn’t help but clap her hands and then said, “Li Fuzhou, do you realize you’re about to die?”

“I’m unaware.”

Li Fuzhou shook his head.

“Are you afraid?”

“How many in this world are not afraid of death? Li, for one, is very much afraid.”

“But there is no fear in your eyes, which means you are not afraid in your heart.”

“Her Majesty can see my eyes, but might not be able to see what is in my heart from them.”

Their back-and-forth held no sharp confrontation, nor the warmth of long-separation, instead carrying an indescribable flavor.

After a long silence, Zuo Linglong spoke again, “Li Fuzhou, you’re a talented individual. Would you be willing to work for the Martial Arts Emperor?”

Li Fuzhou asked, “Will I die if I say I’m unwilling?”

Zuo Linglong countered, “What if I say you will?”

Li Fuzhou, shaking his head, refused, “Unwilling.”

“Li Fuzhou, are you mocking me?”

Zuo Linglong laughed upon hearing this.

Li Fuzhou answered, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Zuo Linglong turned away, her back to Li Fuzhou, “You entered the Heavenly Prison, yet the Demon Sect has undergone earth-shattering changes.”

“I’d like to hear more.”

Zuo Linglong said, “The Ghost Swordsman led Luo Chongyang, the Universal Literary Vajra, and two mysterious One Qi Grandmasters to denounce the Demon Sect. Heroes from all over responded in droves. You probably didn’t know about this, did you?”

A suspicion flashed in Li Fuzhou’s eyes, “The Ghost Swordsman!?”

It was hard to determine whether this person was a friend or foe to the Demon Sect. To this day, he was filled with doubts.

And the Ghost Swordsman had such a call to arms that even Luo Chongyang and the Universal Literary Vajra, such renowned experts, heeded his call?

“Yes, the battle has been very much in the spotlight.”

Zuo Linglong murmured softly, “Even I’ve heard about this matter in the palace, you can imagine the tumult this battle has stirred.”

“What was the outcome?”

Zuo Linglong said, “The result is quite absurd. In the end, the Ghost Swordsman chose to cease fighting. The Demon Sect’s Sealing Demon Platform elders joined forces with Soul Seeker Mansion in a surprise rebellion against the Demon Sect, ultimately leading to both the Ghost Swordsman and the traitor Yuan Feng perishing together.”

Li Fuzhou’s mind was somewhat chaotic, feeling that this affair was shrouded in secrets unknown to others.

Without giving Li Fuzhou time to process, Zuo Linglong continued, “Moreover, news came a few days ago that the Houjin army suffered a defeat at Sanfeng Pass, and the Master of Soul Seeker Mansion was besieged and killed by the Demon Sect’s experts.”

Qiu Fengsheng is dead!?

Who killed him?

Could it have been the old Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang who took action?

Li Fuzhou was exceptionally shaken. His brow furrowed tightly, and he did not speak.

He hadn’t expected that after entering the ninth layer of the Heavenly Prison, the Demon Sect would be rocked by such a great disturbance.

“The Demon Sect is now at war with Houjin and will be unable to avoid disaster sooner or later; they simply have no time to care about your life or death.”

Zuo Linglong turned around with a smile, “Li Fuzhou, His Majesty is willing to offer you a chance, it all depends on whether you can find your way back from your lost path.”

Li Fuzhou’s deep eyes gleamed with a hint of brightness, “Are you here to persuade me on behalf of the Emperor?”

“Yes.”

Zuo Linglong did not hesitate.

Li Fuzhou asked with a smile, “I, Li Fuzhou, am a layman. May I ask, if I submit to the Human Emperor, what benefits can he offer me, Li Fuzhou?”

Zuo Linglong replied, “Feel free to speak.”

A person is not feared for his greed, but for his lack of desire. It is those without wants or needs that are most difficult to control.

Li Fuzhou looked at Zuo Linglong with a grin, “I, Li Fuzhou, don’t crave power but beauty. I wonder if the Human Emperor can bestow a beauty upon Li?”

Zuo Linglong’s face flushed slightly, then a flicker of cold light passed through her eyes, “Li Fuzhou, you have quite the nerve!”

“Ha ha ha ha.”

Li Fuzhou laughed out loud, “Miss Zuo, the rouge on your face is much thicker than it used to be, but I still find that you were more beautiful before.”

With that, Li Fuzhou walked out the door nonchalantly.

Zuo Linglong seemed very annoyed; her chest heaved up and down, and then subconsciously, she touched her cheek with a slight frown.

….

Dongluo Pass, within the courtyard.

Sunlight filtered through the layered leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground and turning into faint, gently swaying rounds of light.

An Jing sat cross-legged on the bed, with the “Nameless Heart Scripture” flowing within him. He had fully refined and absorbed the three strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Not only had his internal injuries recovered, but his Second Qi Realm had also stabilized.

“This Sixth Realm is indeed not so easy to reach.”

An Jing exhaled a breath of turbid air and then opened his eyes.

After his battle with Qiu Fengsheng, he had combined his own sword technique with the “Nameless Heart Scripture” and grasped a move of the Invisible Sword, gaining new insights into the Sword Dao, yet he was still unable to cross from the Fifth Realm to the Sixth Realm.

What Lou Xiangzhen said was right; it would be much more difficult for him to reach the Sixth Realm compared to other swordsmen.

“My son-in-law, it’s time to eat.”

At that moment, a voice came from outside the door, Yu Qiurong’s voice.

“Coming.”

An Jing got up and walked towards the door.

There stood Yu Qiurong, respectfully saying, “The food is ready; it’s in the dining hall.”

“Good.”

An Jing nodded and headed to the dining hall.

Zhao Qingmei was going into seclusion to break through the Second Qi Realm and had Yu Qiurong take care of his meals and daily needs, which An Jing thought was unnecessary.

Upon entering the dining hall, he saw a woman dressed in a light purple palace outfit, standing with her hands behind her back, examining the food on the table.

The woman was Tan Yun.

“What are you looking at?”

An Jing glanced at her, then took a seat.

Upon seeing An Jing, Tan Yun said, “Son-in-law, I was just checking to see how the meal turned out, afraid it might not suit your taste.”

As she spoke, she sneakily glanced at Yu Qiurong.

For some reason, ever since Yu Qiurong had become An Jing’s maid, Tan Yun couldn’t help feeling a bit despondent.

A job that should have been hers had now been snatched away by Yu Qiurong.

Yu Qiurong chimed in, “I made these dishes myself. They might not be as delicious as those the Sect Hierarch makes, but if the son-in-law doesn’t like them, I can call the chef.”

“No worries, I don’t care much for these sorts of things,” An Jing said, pausing to look at Tan Yun, “as long as they are edible, that’s fine.”

Tan Yun shook her head and sighed, “Qiurong, looking at the dishes you made, it’s obvious that you have no idea what the son-in-law likes to eat.”

Yu Qiurong asked, “What does the son-in-law like to eat? I’ll make it tomorrow.”

Tan Yun smugly picked up her chopsticks, “The son-in-law’s favorite is crab, especially the specialty crabs from Weishan Lake in Lijiang City, Yu State.”

How could Qiurong understand the son-in-law? Only she knew him best.

Hearing this, An Jing suddenly felt a heart attack coming on.

“Crab!?”

Dongluo Pass was in a desert region, so where would it have crabs? Thus, Yu Qiurong couldn’t help furrowing her brows.

“Cough cough cough.”

An Jing coughed lightly and said, “What Tan Yun mentioned was from last year; this year I no longer fancy eating crabs. The dishes you’ve made are quite alright.”

Although Yu Qiurong’s cooking was hardly delicious, it was far from being poisoned.

At that moment, Tan Yun served a bowl of rice for An Jing, and then dished out a bowl each for herself and Yu Qiurong.

Yu Qiurong raised her eyebrows, “What are you doing?”

Tan Yun looked at the rice in her hands, “Of course, I’m going to eat.”

“No respect for seniors or juniors here.”

Yu Qiurong hummed softly, “The Sect Hierarch is in seclusion; you should go and attend to your own matters.”

With the strict rules of the Demon Sect, only the carefree Tan Yun dared to dine with the Sect Hierarch’s husband at the same table.

“Oh.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately hung her head low.

An Jing chuckled and said, “It’s fine, just sit down and eat with us.”

Yu Qiurong showed a look of difficulty, “But…”

An Jing waved Tan Yun over, “It’s okay, there’s too much food here for one person to finish, you should sit down and eat too.”

“Yes, yes, it would be a waste not to finish it.”

Tan Yun nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with hope.

“Alright.”

Ultimately, Yu Qiurong nodded her head and took a seat.

Compared to Tan Yun’s hearty feasting, Yu Qiurong was much more deliberate, chewing each bite slowly and carefully, her mannerisms faintly revealing a shadow of Zhao Qingmei.

While Tan Yun was struggling with the meal in front of her, she managed to find a moment amid her busyness to ask, “Son-in-law, if you no longer like eating crabs, what do you like to eat now?”

An Jing became immediately guarded upon hearing this, “Why do you ask?”

With wide eyes, Tan Yun said, “I’m just curious, just asking casually.”

Yu Qiurong also looked over.

After considering for a moment, An Jing said, “I’ve been enjoying beef, okra, yam, and such.”

Nutritional supplementation must be prioritized in the making, as this matter relates to every single meal each day.

Tan Yun said gravely, “Son-in-law, I have noted it all down.”

During this period while the Sect Hierarch is in seclusion, she must let the son-in-law realize her growth in culinary skills. As long as she gains his favor, by the time he influences the Sect Hierarch with pillow talk, perhaps the Hierarch will consider rescuing her master.

An Jing’s hand shook slightly as he held his chopsticks and said, “No, you must forget it right away.”

Yu Qiurong almost let out a laugh upon hearing this, seemingly understanding something.

“Brother An.”

Just then, the urgent voice of Liu Simiao sounded from outside the door.

Seeing the visitor, An Jing smiled and said, “Senior Liu, what brings you here?”

Liu Simiao took a deep breath and said, “There’s new news from Great Yan. Sect Master Duanmu has requested your presence to discuss matters.”

Tan Yun looked up, puzzled, and asked, “What do they need the son-in-law for?”

Even though An Jing was nominally a tributor, in the Demon Sect, it was a mere honorary title; he rarely participated in discussing the Sect’s major affairs.

Liu Simiao responded with slight annoyance, “I don’t know either. Anyway, Sect Master Duanmu asked me to come personally and invite Brother An.”

“Alright, then I will go now.”

An Jing nodded his head.

If Sect Master Duanmu Xinghua had asked for him, it must be a significant matter.

Yu Qiurong also put down her chopsticks. As An Jing’s personal maid, she naturally had to follow closely by his side.

In the dining hall, only Tan Yun was left with a hesitant face and a table full of food.

After struggling for a while, Tan Yun swallowed down the last big mouthful of rice and followed them.

….

Fengyun Hall.

Experts of the Demon Sect gathered together, with Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, Yi Daoyun, and others all frowning and involved in heated discussion.

Lin Tianhai asked, “Sect Master Duanmu, does this mean that there is really a chance for our Demon Sect to improve relations with Great Yan?”

“That’s right, this message has come from within the court; it’s thoroughly verified.”

Duanmu Xinghua contemplated for a moment and said, “Consider this, Great Yan is currently facing dual pressures from Houjin and Zhao Country, and the intentions of the Southern Barbarians are unclear, yet their relations with Great Yan have always been strained. Given our recent major victory over Houjin, their desire to cooperate with us is only normal.”

As Duanmu Xinghua finished speaking, the experts of the Demon Sect present all had their spirits lifted.

It is known that many masters from the Demon Sect originated from Great Yan, but due to the Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang’s perverse actions causing chaos in Jianghu, the Demon Sect was ultimately expelled from Great Yan, leaving them no choice but to retreat and hold their ground in Dongluo Pass headquarters.

Now that there was a chance to mend relationships, wasn’t this an enormous piece of good news for everyone? It was the wish of so many for the Demon Sect to return to Great Yan openly and legitimately.

Among the many experts present, Mu Xiaoyun was naturally the most ecstatic, or rather, she had been waiting for this day for a very long time.

Duanmu Xinghua shook his head and said, “Gentlemen, there’s no need to be too pleased just yet. While there is this proposal in the Great Yan Court, whether it will pass remains uncertain.”

Lin Tianhai stroked his beard, smiling, “I think this matter is not difficult. Although Houjin has lost this battle, they are not yet so grievously wounded, and Zhao Country has not yet made a move. Given the consistent losses Great Yan has suffered against Zhao Country, they cannot disregard that threat. If Houjin and Zhao Country were to join forces, attacking from the north and the south, the Great Yan Dynasty would surely crumble in an instant.”

Everyone was aware of the current situation. Although there was enmity between Great Yan and the Demon Sect, with a common enemy and goal, this hostility was not irreconcilable.

“Sect Master Duanmu, the person has been brought here.”

Just then, An Jing, Liu Simiao, Yu Qiurong, and Tan Yun, among the four, entered Fengyun Hall.

“Tributor An, you’ve arrived.”

Upon seeing An Jing, Duanmu Xinghua quickly rose to his feet.

Yi Daoyun and Lin Tianhai exchanged glances and also stood up.

The many Demon Sect experts present were somewhat perplexed as to why Duanmu Xinghua had asked Doctor An to come and discuss important matters of the Demon Sect that day.

Moreover, this attitude seemed overly enthusiastic, even with a hint of ingratiating intent.

“Hmm.”

An Jing nodded and glanced at Duanmu Xinghua, asking, “Is there something major?”

Duanmu Xinghua smiled and replied, “Please take a seat, An Tributor, and allow me to explain slowly.”

An Jing walked over slowly and sat down.

Tan Yun and Yu Qiurong stood behind him, one to the left and one to the right.

Taking a deep breath, Duanmu Xinghua said, “Just yesterday, news leaked from the Great Yan Court that they intend to negotiate peace with our Demon Sect.”

“Negotiate peace?”

An Jing’s heart stirred upon hearing this.

Before Zhao Qingmei entered seclusion yesterday, they had already considered it; currently, the best strategy for the Demon Sect was to ally with either Great Yan or Houjin.

Since the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion from Houjin had recently died at the hands of the Demon Sect, the possibility of peace talks with Houjin was not high, making an alliance with Great Yan much more likely.

After all, Great Yan was currently caught between a pincer attack from Houjin and Zhao Country to the north and south, and the situation looked grim.

If they formed an alliance with Great Yan, perhaps they could even negotiate to rescue Li Fuzhou.

After all, Li Fuzhou was a Second Qi Grandmaster who had reached the Heavenly Human Communication realm, his strength comparable to a Three Qi Grandmaster, and the Demon Sect was in dire need of manpower at the moment.

After thinking for a while, An Jing said, “An alliance between the Demon Sect and Yan Country would be all benefits and no drawbacks. Indeed, it’s an opportunity, but we mustn’t rush into action.”

Duanmu Xinghua asked, “So, An Tributor agrees?”

“Agreed.”

An Jing nodded, “We still need to wait, waiting for the Great Yan Court to speak is not too late.”

All the Demon Sect experts present heaved a sigh of relief and nodded silently; whoever proposed the alliance first would be at a disadvantage in the negotiations.

The Yan Kingdom Court needed to wait, and naturally, the Demon Sect needed to wait as well.

Houjin, having just experienced a great battle, would not be able to start another one in such a short time.

The Demon Sect could afford to wait.

Subsequently, the group discussed the specific details, including a series of affairs concerning the Demon Sect. Duanmu Xinghua would make decisions only after consulting An Jing.

The meeting concluded after an hour. Due to matters concerning the Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua stood up to take his leave, and the other many experts of the Demon Sect also dispersed.

“Brother An, wait for a moment.”

An Jing was preparing to leave when Liu Simiao stopped him.

An Jing asked, “Senior Liu, is there something else?”

Liu Simiao chuckled, “About the matter I mentioned to you last time, I wonder how Brother An has considered?”

Lin Tianhai and Yi Daoyun also approached.

An Jing smiled, “If there is an opportunity, I would naturally still want to learn swordsmanship.”

Liu Simiao pointed at Yi Daoyun and said, “This is the head of the White Tiger Sect in our Demon Sect, Yi Daoyun. If you really want to learn the sword, you can study by his side.”

Yi Daoyun scrutinized An Jing and shook his head, “An Tributor has missed the prime age to practice the sword, and Yi is very busy on regular days. I’m afraid I won’t have much time to teach An Tributor.”

Ever since Yi Daoyun killed Tang Dali and obtained a wisp of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, his cultivation had improved, and his Sword Dao had progressed. With his age, he still held hopes of reaching the Sixth Realm; if he could reach the Three Qi Realm, he might well find a place for himself in this vast world.

He was naturally fully devoted to his training at this moment.

Lin Tianhai laughed and patted An Jing on the shoulder, jocularly commenting, “What’s so good about practicing the sword? It’s better to practice the spear.”

Liu Simiao raised an eyebrow and said, “Spear Technique might not be easier to learn than Sword Dao. It’s more reliable to study poison skills. Moreover, you already know medical skills; you would learn poison skills quickly. In time, Brother An could surpass the blue and become a great Poison King.”

The two went back and forth, each trying to persuade An Jing.

Tan Yun thought carefully on the side, her little brain whirring rapidly as she helped An Jing strategize, “Yes, brother-in-law, with your high medical skills, studying poison skills is indeed an excellent choice.”

“You idiot.”

Yu Qiurong glanced at Tan Yun, inwardly shaking her head; if they knew that the person before them was the Ghost Swordsman, and that he had single-handedly killed Qiu Fengsheng, she wondered what they would think.

An Jing interrupted Liu Simiao, saying, “Yu Miss is also an expert in the way of the sword. I think it’s better for her to teach me swordsmanship.”

“Me!?”

Yu Qiurong said in astonishment, but then her face turned bright red in an instant.

For her, a Fourth Realm swordsman, to instruct An Jing in swordsmanship was utterly preposterous and comical.

To the side, Tan Yun saw Yu Qiurong’s face blush slightly and furrowed her brows in concern, her expression turning wary.

She knew something of Yu Qiurong’s temperament; it was impossible for her to blush without reason. Could it be that Sister Qiurong…. Tan Yun seemed to think of something.

How could such a thing happen!?

Liu Simiao, not yet ready to give up, said, “Is Brother An truly set on learning swordsmanship?”

“Certain.”

An Jing nodded emphatically.

Lin Tianhai hesitated, then finally said, “There is no future for you in practicing swordsmanship now, but this is your own choice, and we have no right to interfere.”

Yi Daoyun shook his head, not speaking, yet seemingly saying a lot without words.

Yu Qiurong whispered, “My swordsmanship is crude, how dare I instruct the Sect Hierarch’s husband… ”

“The Sect Hierarch’s husband!”

Tan Yun interrupted Yu Qiurong, seriously saying, “My swordsmanship is also formidable. When the time comes, I can teach you if you want to learn.”

An Jing nodded, “Alright, then you will teach me.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately clenched her fists in excitement.

The Sect Hierarch’s husband has finally recognized that she is a Second Grade Cultivation expert!

The crowd on site exchanged glances. Initially, they had intended to let An Jing learn some self-defense martial arts, but now with Tan Yun teaching An Jing swordsmanship, this method seemed unreliable, and the person looked even more unreliable….

At that moment, a master from the Azure Dragon Sect hurriedly walked in.

“Sect Master, Elder Ouyang from the Sealing Demon Platform has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Tianhai quickly said, “Elder Ouyang? Let him in immediately.”

Ouyang Ping!?

An Jing naturally recognized the name. The Third Elder from the Sealing Demon Platform, a Second Qi Peak expert who had fought against the Black Flood Dragon for dozens of rounds.

Yi Daoyun and Liu Simiao showed a trace of curiosity in their eyes. Ouyang Ping wouldn’t come to the Demon Sect without reason; could there be some matter?

Soon after, an elderly man in white robes walked in from outside the hall.

“We pay our respects to the Second Elder.”

All the Demon Sect masters present bowed to the newcomer.

This person was indeed the Third Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, Ouyang Ping.

“Please, there’s no need for formality,” Ouyang Ping said with his usual indifferent expression, then asked, “Where is Sect Hierarch Zhao? I have important matters to discuss with her.”

Yu Qiurong replied, “The Sect Hierarch is in seclusion. This man is the Sect Hierarch’s husband and can fully act in her place.”

Ouyang Ping looked towards An Jing, raising his eyebrows slightly. “Act in place of Sect Hierarch Zhao!?”

He had also heard that Zhao Qingmei had taken an outside lover, but he had not expected the man to hold such a high status. Wasn’t this too frivolous?

Yu Qiurong nodded, “Yes.”

An Jing chuckled softly and said with a salute, “Elder Ouyang can speak freely, and we can discuss the matter. If it is something that truly can only be addressed by the Sect Hierarch, we can also wait for my wife to come out of seclusion to discuss it.”

An Jing spoke sensibly and modestly, calm and composed.

Ouyang Ping glanced at An Jing, pondered for a moment, and then said, “Since everyone present is from our own Demon Sect, I will speak frankly. The Great Elder might soon come out of seclusion.”

The entire Fengyun Hall immediately went silent, and the Demon Sect masters present were taken aback.

Lin Tianhai asked, “When the Second Elder speaks of the Great Elder, is he referring to the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform?”

Ouyang Ping nodded, “Exactly.”