Chapter 73 The person rescuing the man clearly realized he had made a mistake...
The man clearly realized he had said the wrong thing and tried to brush it off.
Gu Zhinan took this to heart. Seeing that the other party was about to leave, he pulled up the brim of his hat and quietly followed.
He followed the middle-aged demon through a maze of twists and turns, finally arriving at a secluded, dilapidated alley. At the end of the alley was a solid wall. Just as the demon was about to cast a spell, a hand suddenly shot out from the side, striking a vital point on the back of his neck with lightning speed. The middle-aged demon didn't even utter a sound before collapsing limply to the ground.
Two figures emerged from the shadows; they were Fu Yunshu and Yin Lisheng.
"Grandmaster Uncle? Junior Uncle?" Gu Zhinan lowered his voice in surprise, "What are you doing here? No..."
Fu Yunshu kicked the unconscious demon into a corner and set up a soundproof barrier before saying calmly, "How could we really let you risk your life alone? We'll split into two groups. You'll conduct the transaction openly, while Li Sheng and I will sneak in and wait for the right opportunity."
"If Yan Ji keeps his word, then everything will be fine. You can successfully replace him, and we will hold back and escort you out. But if they go back on their word..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, his unspoken meaning clear.
Gu Zhinan felt a warmth in his heart, but then his heart tightened again: "Even so, it's still too risky. This is a heavily guarded area of the Demon Clan. Human cultivators would be sitting ducks if they came in."
“It’s alright,” Yin Lisheng replied, holding a black jade talisman with faint demonic energy fluctuations in his hand. He sighed, “Yan Nanqiu left in such a hurry that he hasn’t even tidied up his room at Qingyuan Sect yet.”
"Before leaving, Shuangwan found me and said that this jade talisman was found in his house. We had seen it before, and it was just an ordinary jade talisman. But when we saw it again this time, it had become like this."
Gu Zhinan took it, slightly surprised: "This thing can actually make humans disguise themselves as demons."
Yin Lisheng nodded, and Fu Yunshu looked at the unconscious middle-aged demon on the ground: "What is this person's background? Why were you following him?"
Gu Zhinan recounted the conversation he had overheard in the restaurant, his brow furrowed: "I have a feeling that Yan Nanqiu's mother must be a key figure."
After a moment's thought, Fu Yunshu raised his hand and sent a burst of spiritual energy into the demon's body. The middle-aged demon groaned and slowly woke up. When he saw the three people in front of him, and especially when he felt the terrifying pressure emanating from Fu Yunshu, which he had deliberately suppressed, his face turned ashen and he trembled.
"Who...who are you? This is the Demon Realm!" he shouted, his voice growing softer under Fu Yunshu's icy gaze.
Yin Lisheng stepped forward, drew his Duanyuan Sword, and gently pressed the blade against the other's throat. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable threat: "Answer a few questions and we'll spare your life. If you utter even a single falsehood, don't blame me for being ruthless."
With a slight movement of the hilt, the blade pierced the skin, oozing out dark red beads of blood.
The demon was terrified and nodded repeatedly, "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Please spare my life, my lord!"
Fu Yunshu asked, "Why do you say that His Highness the Crown Prince has human blood?"
The middle-aged demon's expression changed, his eyes darted around, and he stammered, not daring to speak.
Yin Lisheng's wrist sank slightly, and the sword pierced the flesh another halfway. The demon cried out in pain, no longer daring to conceal the truth, and said in a trembling voice, "I...I used to serve in the Demon Palace."
"The Crown Prince's birth mother... is not a demon, but a human female cultivator imprisoned deep within the Demon Palace." The middle-aged demon lowered his voice, as if afraid of being overheard. "This matter is taboo in the Demon Palace, and not many people know about it. I happened to be transferred there to guard it for a period of time back then, so... so I know some things."
"A female cultivator from the human race?" Fu Yunshu's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is her name? What sect or school does she come from? Why is she imprisoned?"
"I don't know about that. The matter of that female cultivator is taboo. Only a few people know about it. I only accidentally revealed it because I was drunk for a while."
"However, that female cultivator must be a disciple of some major sect. She has extremely high cultivation, is beautiful and has a strong personality. After being captured, she was unyielding and was tortured for a long time."
"Later, for some reason, His Majesty the Demon Lord took a liking to her and forced himself on her... and then, His Highness the Crown Prince was born."
The middle-aged demon licked his dry lips and continued, "Shortly after giving birth to the crown prince, that female cultivator disappeared without a trace. No one knows whether she is alive or dead. The Demon Lord executed all the servants who served her closely at the time, as well as some of the guards. I was temporarily transferred elsewhere during that period and luckily escaped. After that, everything about that female cultivator was erased."
The alley was silent. Fu Yunshu and the other two did not speak, only the heavy breathing of the demon could be heard.
Gu Zhinan was pondering whether he could possibly know that female cultivator, but he didn't know many female cultivators. The one he was most familiar with was Ning Xuexi. Moreover, judging from Yan Nanqiu's age, his mother was at least of Gu Zhinan's master's generation. There was no way he could know such a person!
Yin Lisheng simply didn't know what to say, while Fu Yunshu...
Fu Yunshu closed his eyes, carefully calculated Yan Nanqiu's age, and his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.
He thought of a possibility: if it was that person, it would explain why Gu Zhinan wanted to refine the Nine-Turn Condensation Pill, and why he cooperated with Yan Nanqiu to become his "Crown Princess" back then.
But Fu Yunshu hoped it wasn't the possibility he was thinking of; if it were true, it would be too cruel.
Seeing that none of them reacted, the middle-aged demon bowed and scraped, saying, "My lords, I really don't know anything, please..."
Fu Yunshu twitched his fingertips slightly, and a restriction was cast into the middle-aged demon's body: "If even a fraction of what happened today is leaked, the restriction will activate, and your soul and spirit will be destroyed."
The demon was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't dare! Thank you for sparing my life, sir!"
Fu Yunshu removed the soundproof barrier and waved his hand: "Get lost."
The demon, as if granted a pardon, scrambled away and disappeared into the depths of the alley.
The alleyway fell silent again. The distant hustle and bustle of Shanghai drifted in, making the atmosphere here even more somber.
"Grandmaster Uncle," Gu Zhinan's voice was hoarse, "what... should we do now?"
"The day after tomorrow is the agreed time. You go as planned, and Li Sheng and I will go and scout around the Blood Abyss first."
Fu Yunshu and Yin Lisheng moved stealthily towards the Blood-Weeping Abyss under the cover of night, like two silent shadows. The closer they got to the center of the Demon Realm, the more heavily guarded they became. Many demonic creatures hovered in the air, and patrols of demonic soldiers stretched out in droves on the ground. Countless arrays for detecting auras were also hidden in the shadows.
With the help of the demonic aura masquerading from the black jade talisman, coupled with Fu Yunshu's superb concealment techniques, the two managed to avoid any major dangers along the way. However, the closer they got to the Blood-Weeping Abyss, the more Fu Yunshu's brows furrowed.
The Blood Abyss is not a simple prison; it is more like a huge, naturally formed canyon fissure, bottomless, perpetually filled with thick, bloody mist and a nauseating, foul stench.
The canyon is flanked by steep black rock walls, covered with countless caves, each said to imprison a high-ranking demon criminal or prisoner.
The only entrance to the canyon was firmly guarded by a huge black fortress. Demonic energy soared into the sky above the fortress, and several powerful demon generals could be vaguely seen sitting there.
The two lay in ambush in the shadow of a rocky peak several miles from the fortress, observing from a distance. Yin Lisheng transmitted his voice, "Master, the guards there are too tight. It's almost impossible to sneak in and rescue people without alerting anyone."
Fu Yunshu nodded slightly. He scanned the area with his divine sense and could clearly sense the auras of at least three demon generals inside and outside the fortress. One of them was particularly subtle and profound, likely one of the five demon generals personally overseeing the area. In addition, there were countless restrictions, formations, and traps, layered upon each other, like a net covering the sky.
In fact, all these people combined wouldn't be enough for Fu Yunshu to defeat, but Fu Yunshu couldn't kill them all at once with a single blow. If they found a chance to spread the news, that would be bad.
“It seems Yan Ji is determined to obtain the Nine-Turn Essence Pill,” Fu Yunshu said with a deep gaze. “We cannot act rashly.”
Yin Lisheng said, "Since Yan Ji wants the Nine Revolutions Essence Pill so badly, he will definitely bring Yan Nanqiu out the day after tomorrow. After all, Peak Master Gu is not so easy to fool. We can only think of a way then."
At the same time, on the main peak of Qingyuanzong.
Inside the brightly lit council hall, the atmosphere was even more somber and tense than before. Representatives from the four upper sects and five lower families gathered together. In addition to Lu Yanci, the head of the Tianji Pavilion, Ji Yuanbai, the head of the Ji family, and other forces that were on good terms with the Qingyuan Sect, Shi Jin, the head of the Jiuyang Sect, and elders of the Yu family in the Southern Territory were also present, but their expressions were not good.
Song Wenzhuo changed out of the bright red wedding robes he had worn during the day and into a black sect leader's casual robe, standing before the main seat. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp as knives as he swept over everyone present.
"Everyone, you have all witnessed what happened during the day." Song Wenzhuo's voice was calm and resolute. "The Demon General Li Sha of the Demon Clan brazenly intruded into our sect's grand event, provoking conflict between our two races. Such behavior is not merely provocation, but a blatant trampling on the dignity of our cultivation world!"
Shi Jin snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Sect Leader Song is mistaken. Yan Nanqiu is the Crown Prince of the Demon Clan, and Peak Master Gu and he... cough cough, have a close relationship. The Demon Clan's use of this to blackmail him is ultimately a private matter between them. Now that Peak Master Gu has decided to go, why don't we wait and see? Rashly launching an attack might trigger a war between the two realms, causing widespread suffering."
The elder of the Yu family chimed in, "Sect Leader Shi is absolutely right. Moreover, the infighting among the demons and the downfall of Yan Ji may not necessarily be a bad thing for our righteous path. The fiercer they fight, the more we can reap the benefits. Why get involved now and invite trouble upon ourselves?"
"Reap the benefits without lifting a finger?" Ji Yuanbai, the head of the Ji family, sneered. "Sect Leader Shi, Elder Yu, are you truly confused or just pretending? Li Sha dared to storm my Qingyuan Sect alone, is it really just for a single pill? His wanton humiliation is clearly a test of the bottom line of our righteous path! If we swallow our anger this time, they will dare to besiege our city tomorrow!"
Qin Lian toyed with the teacup in her hand and said slowly, "Patriarch Ji is right."
Song Wenzhuo took over the conversation, his voice suddenly rising: "Everyone! I don't need to elaborate on the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' The demons are wolves in sheep's clothing. Today they can break into Qingyuan Sect, and tomorrow they can break into Jiuyang Gate, Miaoyin Palace, and Tianji Pavilion! They can slaughter the Yu family, the Lin family, the Xie family, and the Ji family!"
His gaze was intense as he stared intently at Shi Jin and the Yu family elder: "Sect Leader Shi, Elder Yu, do you really think that the Demon Clan will let you go after they grow stronger? Back then, when the Demon Clan ravaged the land, the founder of the Nine Yang Sect died in a bloody battle, and the Yu family was almost wiped out. Have you forgotten these deep-seated hatreds?"
Shi Jin and the Yu family elders' expressions changed, as Song Wenzhuo's words struck a nerve.
"Moreover," Song Wenzhuo's tone softened, but carried even greater persuasiveness, "now is the best time to attack the Demon Clan. Yan Ji has just escaped his predicament, and his foundation is not yet stable. The Demon Clan is in turmoil, while we have several major forces gathered together, experts galore, and even our grandmaster uncles are there to provide support in the Demon Realm. How can we not defeat the Demon Clan?"
He surveyed the crowd and declared emphatically, "This is a golden opportunity. By taking advantage of their internal strife to severely damage the Demon Clan, we can at least secure several hundred years of peace for the cultivation world. If we miss this opportunity, once the Demon Clan has consolidated its power, each and every one of you will be the next to suffer!"
The hall was silent, save for the crackling of the candlelight. The representatives from each faction looked at each other and whispered amongst themselves.
Ji Yuanbai was the first to express his opinion: "The Ji family is willing to go to war with Emperor Song."
Qin Lianyue nodded: "Miaoyin Palace seconded it."
Lu Yanci smiled slightly and said, "The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has an inescapable responsibility."
Representatives from the other companies also nodded in agreement.
The meeting ended, and with time running out, all factions rushed back to prepare.
Duan Xuan and Chu Yu walked side by side on their way back. The moonlight was cold and clear, casting long, thin shadows of the two of them.
"Senior Sister," Duan Xuan couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with worry, "Do you think Peak Master Gu will be able to return safely? And what about Yan Nanqiu...?"
She felt a pang of sadness when she thought of Qiu Nan, whom she had only met a few times but who always had a smile on his face.
Chu Yu did not answer immediately. She lowered her head slightly, seemingly preoccupied, and the moonlight cast a faint shadow on her delicate profile.
"Senior Sister?" Duan Xuan stopped and tugged at her sleeve. "What's wrong? I've noticed you seemed distracted ever since we were in the hall."
Chu Yu snapped out of her reverie and forced a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just... a little tired. There's been so much going on these past few days, I haven't had a good rest."
Duan Xuan frowned. She had grown up with Chu Yu and knew this seemingly gentle but actually shrewd senior sister best. She had never shown such unease before.
"Senior sister," Duan Xuan gripped her hand tightly, looking at her earnestly, "Is something wrong? Tell me, don't keep it to yourself."
Chu Yu's fingertips trembled slightly as she avoided Duan Xuan's clear gaze. She remained silent for a moment, then gently shook her head, grasping Duan Xuan's hand with a firm grip: "I'm really fine, Xuan, don't worry."
These words were less meant to comfort Duan Xuan and more meant to comfort himself.
She paused, her voice lowering as if speaking to herself: "Some things always need to come to an end."
Duan Xuan wanted to ask more, but Chu Yu had already let go of her hand and walked quickly forward: "It's late, you should get some rest. We still need to prepare for our departure tomorrow."
Watching Chu Yu's somewhat hurried figure, Duan Xuan's doubts deepened. She always felt that her senior sister was hiding something.
Three days later, in the Demon Realm, at the entrance to the Bloodshed Abyss.
The sky was overcast, with leaden clouds hanging low over the canyon, mingling with the crimson mist rising from within, creating a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere.
Gu Zhinan stood alone in front of the massive black fortress. He was still wearing his practical black outfit, covered by an inconspicuous gray cloak with the brim pulled low, obscuring most of his face.
The heavy gates of the fortress slowly rose with a screeching sound, and squads of fully armed demon soldiers filed out, lining up on both sides, exuding murderous intent. Immediately afterwards, several powerful auras emanated from within the fortress.
Li Sha stepped forward first, still with his sinister appearance, followed by two other demon generals whose auras were equally formidable. And among them, escorted by two tall demon soldiers, was Yan Nanqiu.
Compared to what was shown on screen, the real Yan Nanqiu looked even more miserable. His black clothes were tattered and stained with dark red blood and dust, his face was so pale it was almost transparent, and the demonic mark on his forehead was dull and lifeless. Most shocking were the two thick black iron chains piercing through his collarbones, making dull thuds with his movements.
Yan Nanqiu lowered his head, his breath weak, as if he didn't even have the strength to stand up, and was supported by the demon soldiers.
Gu Zhinan closed his eyes. After all, there was still some teacher-student relationship between them. Seeing his old friend in this state, he couldn't remain unmoved.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, you are indeed punctual." Li Sha spoke sarcastically, her gaze sweeping over Gu Zhinan with undisguised scrutiny and malice. "Did you bring the pills?"
Gu Zhinan raised his hand, revealing a jade bottle, his voice cold and hard: "I've seen the person, and the pills are here. Release the person first, then give me the pills."
Li Sha sneered: "Peak Master Gu, this is the Demon Realm, and we have to follow our rules. Hand over the pills first, and once we verify them, we will naturally release the people."
"How do I know you won't go back on your word?" Gu Zhinan retorted without backing down. "I'll hand over the person and the pill in return. Otherwise, I'd rather destroy the pill and fight to the death."
His tone was resolute, and a faint sword intent flowed around him, giving the impression that he was ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
A flash of annoyance crossed Li Sha's eyes, but as if receiving some instruction, he snorted coldly, "Fine! As you wish!"
With a wave of his hand, he sent the two demon soldiers escorting Yan Nanqiu forward a few steps, stopping them between the two sides. Gu Zhinan also slowly stepped forward.
As Gu Zhinan drew closer, he could see Yan Nanqiu's condition more clearly. Yan Nanqiu's eyes were tightly closed, his eyelashes seemed to be coated with blood, his lips were chapped and cracked, and his breathing was so faint it was almost imperceptible. Only when Gu Zhinan approached did Yan Nanqiu's long eyelashes tremble almost imperceptibly.
Gu Zhinan took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and handed the jade bottle to Li Sha. Li Sha grabbed it and eagerly opened the stopper. Instantly, a clear, pure medicinal fragrance, brimming with vitality, filled the air, even temporarily dispelling the nauseating bloody demonic energy around them.
A look of greed and joy flashed in Li Sha's eyes. After carefully examining the evidence for a moment and confirming that everything was correct, he nodded to the demon soldiers escorting Yan Nanqiu.
The demon soldier released his grip, and Yan Nanqiu lost his support, his body slumping forward. Gu Zhinan instinctively stepped forward to catch him, but the demon soldier pulled Yan Nanqiu back.
Gu Zhinan's face immediately turned cold. "What does this mean?"
Li Sha revealed a triumphant sneer: "Peak Master Gu, don't be in such a hurry. The pill is genuine, and we will naturally keep our promise. His Highness the Crown Prince will return it to you now. However..." He paused, his eyes almost overflowing with malice, "Our sovereign, out of consideration for our past relationship, would like to invite His Highness the Crown Princess to stay as well, and spend a few days in the Demon Palace."
Gu Zhinan's expression changed drastically: "Li Sha! You are shameless!"
"Hahaha!" Li Sha laughed wildly, "Shameless? All's fair in war, surely Peak Master Gu doesn't even understand this? Take him down!"
At his command, the two demon generals behind him and the demon soldiers around him who were poised to attack instantly sprang into action, and countless chains of demonic energy and flashing swords enveloped Gu Zhinan!
Gu Zhinan was prepared. The instant Li Sha changed his expression, a sharp sword light shot into the sky, severing the demon soldier's arm that was holding Yan Nanqiu, and simultaneously pulling Yan Nanqiu behind him to protect him. He held the sword in his left hand and quickly stuffed a pill into Yan Nanqiu's mouth with his right, fearing that Yan Nanqiu might die here in the next moment during the fight.
The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth. Yan Nanqiu let out a muffled groan, his aura suddenly becoming disordered, but then slowly calming down.
"Go!" Gu Zhinan shouted, his sword light transforming into a screen of light that temporarily blocked the oncoming attack. He then led Yan Nanqiu in a hasty retreat.
However, how could Li Sha and the others let him have his way? The three demon generals joined forces, their demonic power overwhelming. Coupled with the array that had been set up in advance to imprison them, Gu Zhinan felt that the flow of spiritual energy around his body was sluggish, as if he were stuck in a quagmire, and his retreat was completely blocked.
Just as the two were about to be captured again, another unexpected event occurred.
"Buzz—!"
A clear and melodious sword cry, seemingly capable of cleansing away all filth and evil, suddenly resounded above the Blood-Weeping Abyss!
With a crisp "crack," the invisible confinement shattered like glass!
"Who?!" Li Sha was both shocked and furious as he blocked the icy sword energy.
He looked up in horror and saw two figures, one white and one black, standing in the air high above.
It was Fu Yunshu and Yin Lisheng.
Fu Yunshu's cold gaze swept across the area below: "Li Sha, it seems Yan Ji is determined to start a war with my Qingyuan Sect."
Li Sha's face turned ashen, and he cursed inwardly.
"Immortal Venerable Huaiwei truly lives up to his reputation!" Li Sha gritted his teeth and said, "But this is the Demon Realm! Do you think the three of you can escape?!"
Before he finished speaking, alarm bells rang throughout the fortress, and the auras of more demon experts surged forth. Several powerful demonic energy fluctuations also came from the direction of the distant Demon City, rapidly approaching!
"Let's go!" Fu Yunshu made a decisive decision and stopped arguing.
"Stop them!" Li Sha roared in exasperation, preparing to give chase with two other demon generals, when a dark mass of demon soldiers and generals surged out of the fortress like a tide.
The number of pursuers increased, and experts from the depths of the Demon Realm gradually closed in. Although Fu Yunshu was strong, he was carrying three juniors and had to deal with countless attacks and activated restrictions along the way, which inevitably affected his speed and slowed him down.
Just as they were about to be surrounded, suddenly, a deafening roar and battle cries came from afar! Countless dazzling lights and sword energies flashed in the sky!
“That is…” Yin Lisheng looked back and saw the sky shining with spiritual light, battle flags fluttering, and the symbols of various sects such as Qingyuan Sect, Tianji Pavilion, Ji Family, and Miaoyin Palace could be vaguely seen.
Li Sha and the others also noticed the earth-shattering change behind them, and their pursuit slowed down.
"Lord Li Sha, shall we continue the pursuit?" asked the subordinate beside him.
Today, the Demon Clan has already mobilized most of its forces to pursue Gu Zhinan. Now, the cultivation world's army is pressing in. If the pursuit continues, the rear will be unable to be defended.
Li Sha shook his head and scoffed, "There's no need to pursue it any further."
The Demon Lord has achieved his goal; they never intended to keep Gu Zhinan here.
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