Chapter 78 Impersonation
Jie Zhoujian: "But why is Junior Brother Wen so black-hearted?"
"The wild goose has lost its flock" is not meant to be offensive; it is simply an objective statement: "To be honest, he may appear gentle, but his methods are far more ruthless than mine."
Qingjue asked curiously, "Do I and Zhoujian also have nicknames?"
"...Who would dare give you two nicknames? You two are big names in the cultivation world."
Immortal Lord of the Mist and Master of the Qing Family.
And his eldest disciple, though unassuming, has never lost a battle and is a legendary figure who has shattered the Xie family's reputation through his actions.
These two are widely known among the public.
Unlike their ambiguous rumors, Jie Zhoujian was a person with a clear identity, and that identity was once quite well-known, albeit with a bad reputation.
However, with such a background, he is bound to attract more attention.
However, this is also something that Yan Shiqun admires. He never expected that after so many years, with so many eyes watching him, no one would have discovered any flaws in his character.
He is indeed a promising talent with upright character and sound moral values.
In fact, after Jie Zhoujian took the initiative to admit that he had lied back then, Qingjue knew that he was actually quite good at pretending.
The current Jie Zhoujian may not be the person he wants to be, but at least one or two tenths of him is probably the person others want him to be.
But how many people in this world can truly be themselves as they please?
Clinging to a straw and becoming a shining figure in the eyes of the world, or remaining in the original shadows and gradually driven mad by distorted education.
He understood that no matter how many times he had to do it again, he would always choose the former.
Stepping through the gate, the sweltering heat subsided considerably, perhaps as the aftershocks of the previous heat dissipated. Although it was still a little difficult to adjust to, it was much better.
Once the maple leaves were removed, many demonic cultivators tried to spread outwards, but they were forced back by the fire seeds buried by Yan Shiqun before they could go more than ten miles.
Qingjue watched in disbelief as a demonic cultivator from the mountains fell from the sky. Its wings resembled those of a black bat, but unlike the bat, its wings had a hole burned in them.
He seemed to be trying to run away, but failed. He fell to the ground, rolled twice, and was a little out of breath.
"I haven't returned to my position yet, why are you running?" Yan Shiqun said as he passed by.
It's true that I've seen him fooling around with the kids a lot.
As a demon lord above all others, and possessing an extremely yin body, he controls the purest yet most poisonous flames in the world. It wouldn't make sense if he didn't have some skill and courage.
Qingjue thought to himself: My God, my disciples.
Luckily, I was recruited by him. Otherwise, if these guys had started fighting amongst themselves, wouldn't the entire cultivation world have been wiped out?
Jie Zhoujian looked at the distance, which was not far but not too short either, and was a little worried: "Are Linglai and the others alright? Without Ayan, will they be harassed by the demonic cultivators?"
Yan Shiqun asked, "Are you kidding me? You're worried they can't beat these half-baked guys who've been locked up for decades?"
"Oh no, I'm worried that rebuilding the Demonic Sect is already difficult enough, and it would be better to leave some of those imprisoned alive." He was afraid that too many people had been killed over there.
Qingjue thought about it and realized it made sense. Fortunately, these demonic cultivators were reasonable and didn't rush in blindly.
Otherwise, if the three of them, who are the most powerful in combat, were to get together and really fight, they wouldn't even need to use many formations; they could wipe out the entire clan just by brute force.
Leaving the Demon Lord himself by the side was a wise move.
Bobo spoke up: "Your Excellency, there are two more immortals. Although my skills are not very good, I can burrow underground very quickly. I can go and fetch them for you."
Qingjue exclaimed, "Oh, quickly give us a performance!"
Bobo disappeared in the blink of an eye. Looking down, it was discovered that it had indeed turned into a radish in the field.
The radish leaves swayed twice, as if waving.
"Then I'll go. Your Excellency and the two immortals, please wait in the Black Stone Palace!"
Then he burrowed into the ground and disappeared from sight.
Qingjue: "Wow, that's really fast! No wonder I was able to run back then."
Jie Zhoujian: "It really is a radish spirit."
Yan Shiqun: "...Ahem, you see? Even the weakest of my subordinates has a skill."
After walking for a while, we finally saw the Black Stone Palace not far ahead. It certainly looked different from the other buildings, at least it was magnificent.
When Yan Shiqun arrived at the palace, he kicked the palace door open.
Everyone who saw him immediately knelt down, not daring to raise their heads, let alone anyone dare to stop them.
Yan Shiqun grabbed a servant by the collar: "Where is the one who impersonated me?"
"Your Majesty... Your Highness... I... I don't know..."
“Hmph,” Yan Shiqun released him and said, “Issue my decree: without my permission, no demonic cultivator may leave the vicinity of Qianlun Mountain, or they will bear the consequences.”
"Yes...yes, yes, yes."
Shouts rang out from outside the Black Stone Palace, naturally announcing the return of the Demon Lord.
Qingjue opened his fan and fanned himself: "I thought there would be many obstacles and traps after entering, but I didn't expect them to be so sensible."
Moreover, his apprentice was too skilled in combat; those who were blocking the way outside were instantly killed. Apart from dismantling the formation, he did nothing else.
Is this what it feels like when the children have all grown up?
The Black Stone Palace's decor was not much different from what Yan Shiqun had done before his death. Although the demonic cultivators were trapped here, they did not stop trying to live.
Yan Shiqun led Qingjue and Jiejie to the inner hall during the day. After looking left and right, he beckoned a servant boy.
"Where is Xijing? Tell him to come see me."
Qingjue: "Xijing? A familiar face from Xiaoyanzi?"
Yan Shiqun nodded: "Yes, he is my most trusted subordinate, so what he said must be true."
The servant instinctively dared not disobey the order, took two steps outside, then suddenly remembered something and turned back tremblingly...
"Your Excellency, before you... oh no, no, the person who impersonated you... was none other than Lord Xijing..."
Yan Shiqun's expression changed.
"Say it again?"
The servant knelt down instantly and hurriedly said, "It's absolutely true! We...we believed it for so long because Lord Xijing is the most trusted by His Majesty, and we thought that even if someone were to possess another body, they would choose him..."
When Qingjue and Jiezai heard this during the day, they exchanged a glance and roughly guessed what was going on.
As the most trusted and familiar superior and subordinate, this person must have been the one who knew Yan Shiqun the most back then. At that time, Yan Shiqun kept everyone at arm's length and few people knew him. But to play a demon lord well, one still needs to have some resemblance.
"Is he still alive?"
"yes……"
"bring!"
"Where did Lord Xijing go just now? I don't know..."
"Find me three feet into the ground."
"yes!"
Qingjue stepped forward and patted Yan Shiqun on the shoulder as a gesture of comfort, saying, "Besides this Xijing, do you have any other subordinates you trust?"
Yan Shiqun calmed her anger: "...not many, I only remember a few efficient people."
“…Hmm,” Qingjue thought for a moment and said, “These are the people whose names you can remember, you must have had more contact with them in your daily life.”
"indeed."
Qingjue: "Alright, bring them here."
Yan Shiqun calmed down: "...Master has a plan?"
“Well, firstly, the imposter disappeared without a trace after we came in. He couldn’t have left Qianlun Mountain. With our cultivation, we can see through his invisibility technique. He must be hiding among a group of demonic cultivators. With the face of a highly respected figure, it’s obviously impossible for him to hide so well.” Qingjue said, “Secondly, although it’s just my guess, I trust our Demon Lord’s judgment. There might be something fishy about this.”
“…Indeed,” Yan Shiqun recalled his previous memories and said, “Xi Jing was my most trusted subordinate. In his last moments, he also wanted to live and die with me. It is unlikely that he would do something like impersonation after his death…Guards, do as he says.”
This is so strange, so very strange...
The True Demon Lord has returned, bringing along the righteous path, and even calling that righteous path member "Master"?
Why would the Demon Lord associate with these people?
But no one dared to doubt his identity, because his strength was something that not just anyone could fake.
Possession can be excused by using the pretext that one's cultivation is not as good as before, but the one in front of you is a real demon lord whose body and soul are completely identical.
The goods are genuine and of good quality.
The demonic cultivators had a million questions in their minds, but none of them dared to ask; they were simply busy doing as instructed.
A short while later, Ruan Linglai and her group, who had arrived from the other side, followed Bobo to the front of the hall.
Looking at the magnificent decorations at the entrance of the palace, Aju said, "Wow, I've hooked up with a rich family again."
In the end... isn't he the poorest one? His only asset is his body covered in demonic beasts, and all he does is scare and harm people.
Ruan Linglai carefully observed the style of the doorway and asked, "Tianyu, do you think this style is somewhat similar to the black stone at the bottom of the valley during the Yun family incident...?"
“…Hmm,” Wen Tianyu nodded in confirmation, “There are indeed similarities, but they are not exactly the same. No wonder Ayan said back then that it was somewhat similar to the demonic sect he had been in.”
Aju also cleverly remarked, "Could it be that this is another reason they're attacking the Demon Lord? They really don't miss any opportunity to gain an advantage."
Where in the entire cultivation world can we find any useful treasures? If they find out, won't they all try to take them?
He really died a worthy death.
Ruan Linglai scoffed in disgust, "They're like a swarm of locusts."
A hurried voice came from inside the hall: "What are you chattering about at the entrance of my hall? Come in and say what you have to say."
Aju replied loudly, "I know, I know, junior brother, it's so hot here. Can't you cool off a bit in winter?"
"It depends on my mood, of course."
Bobo led the way, saying, "Please come in, esteemed immortals."
Aju leaned forward and patted him on the back: "You little rascal, you're quite the opportunist! Should I whisper in your Demon Lord's ear and give you a promotion?"
Wen Tianyu said, "Aju, don't be silly. Quickly thank our friend Luobo for clearing the way."
"No, no, please don't! I have offended you immortals before, and I didn't know you were friends with the Demon Lord. Please don't hold it against me. I... I'll send you and your master fresh carrots every year from now on!"
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