Chapter 2385: 妖圣部下

Qin Sang and Chi Lian rushed back to Tianyunpu without delay, leading the demon soldiers in decorating the mountain with lanterns and streamers. Within a few days, the distinguished guests they were awaiting arrived.

At noon that day, Qin Sang was cultivating in his cave abode, digesting the insights gained from the stone bowl, when a sudden activation of a restriction startled him awake.

Qin Sang briefly adjusted his breathing, then pushed open the door and stepped out. He saw Chi Lian standing at the doorway, her back to him, gazing out beyond the mountains.

"They've arrived?"

Chi Lian nodded, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "Let's go," she said, "come with me to welcome them outside the mountain. Otherwise, they might accuse us of disrespect, and wouldn't that be unfair?"

"I was just about to see who these extraordinary figures truly are..."

Qin Sang smiled and issued orders to the demon generals.

The mountain gate burst open. Demon soldiers streamed out, stepping on demon clouds, flying into the air, and forming a formation in front of the mountain. Soon after, Qin Sang and Chi Lian gracefully appeared at the very front.

Just then, there was also movement to the west, as Gu Mei led her demon soldiers out of the mountain to greet the guests.

When the adversaries met, their eyes burned with intense animosity.

Upon seeing each other, Gu Mei and Chi Lian both snorted coldly, their beautiful eyes practically spitting fire. At the Crystal Palace, under the witness of the White Dragon King, various factions had forged an alliance: they must remain united and refrain from private conflicts until the demon saint's subordinates departed. Were it not for this alliance, they likely would have attacked each other instantly.

They resisted the urge to look at each other, instead gazing out into the sky.

Before long, streaks of crimson clouds appeared on the horizon, like fire, seemingly scorching the sky.

Upon seeing the fiery crimson clouds, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly flickered.

Immediately afterward, numerous flying vessels surged out from the crimson clouds. Like a swarm of ants, they were arranged in a formation, piercing through the air. Wherever they passed, crimson clouds filled the sky, and in the blink of an eye, the radiant light stained half the heavens, as if divine fire had descended.

Truly worthy of the demon saint's subordinates, their prestige was immense. Compared to them, Tianyunpu seemed like merely the private army of a rural landlord.

In an instant, the radiant light approached the front of the mountain.

The flying vessels stopped one after another, parting to both sides, as a magnificent palanquin slowly emerged.

"What an impeccable formation, majestic and formidable! Truly elite soldiers and powerful generals!"

A woman's voice, clear and powerful, emanated from within the palanquin, evidently praising the Tianyunpu demon soldiers.

Gu Mei's expression suddenly darkened.

Chi Lian's brows danced with delight. She secretly felt that inviting Qin Sang to train the troops had been an exceptionally wise decision. She flew forward, bowed, and asked, "Yinhuan of Tianyunpu. May I ask which Great Saint honors us with their presence?"

Gu Mei, not to be outdone, also stepped forward and announced her name.

"Oh, no! Since I became a disciple earliest, I am merely the senior disciple under my master. Fellow Daoists may simply call me Yuan Luo..."

Inside the palanquin, behind light gauze curtains, shadowy figures were discernible.

The gauze curtains swayed, and through the gaps, it was faintly visible that a female cultivator occupied the main seat, with other demon cultivators arranged in order below her.

"It's really her!"

Seeing the woman's true appearance, Qin Sang was profoundly shaken and utterly astonished.

Earlier, when he saw the radiant light, he had felt a sense of familiarity. He had actually met that female demon in the main seat before.

Previously, when he had burst out of the icy vortex, he encountered a female demon who trapped him and two other demon cultivators with a vast net. He had seen through her trick and cleverly escaped. This very female demon before him was Yuan Luo!

Qin Sang's expression remained neutral, but his mind was in turmoil.

Was the demon saint who disappeared in Liandu Daze Yuan Luo's master? Yet the demon saint behind Yuan Luo was clearly in the Arctic Ice Plains, captured by a skeletal hand!

Could it be that those two demon saints had broken free from the skeletal hand, then came to Liandu Daze, only to disappear there once more?

"Junior Brother, please stay," Yuan Luo instructed one of the demon cultivators, "and remember not to neglect these three fellow Daoists." Then, addressing those outside, she added, "To the three fellow Daoists, this is my junior brother, Yuan Zhen. Please cooperate with him in investigating certain matters. Should he cause any offense, I hope you will be understanding."

"We will certainly do our best to assist Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhen," Chi Lian and Gu Mei said in unison.

Leaving Yuan Zhen behind, Yuan Luo then led the flying vessels away amidst the radiant clouds.

Yuan Zhen and the two women exchanged greetings. Then he approached Qin Sang, saying, "This must be Fellow Daoist Qingfeng. Yuan Zhen greets you."

Qin Sang averted his gaze and returned the greeting. "I wouldn't dare," he replied. "A humble repast has been prepared in the mountain for you, Fellow Daoist..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Mei interrupted, "Since it's a humble repast, wouldn't that be neglecting our esteemed guest? I've already prepared immortal fruits and jade nectar, with beautiful maidens to serve. Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhen has just arrived; it's only proper that he visits my abode first."

"Indeed, barbarians who don't understand the meaning of humble words..."

Chi Lian immediately interjected, retorting with sarcasm.

The two women engaged in a verbal battle, neither willing to yield, leaving Qin Sang and Yuan Zhen exchanging bewildered glances.

Yuan Zhen glanced left and right, then smiled. "There's no need to trouble yourselves by entering the mountain," he said. "I've already decided to set up a dwelling right there."

As he spoke, he pointed to a flower valley nestled between the two mountains. A flash of spiritual light from his fingertip, and a thatched hut materialized in the valley.

Without further ado, he gracefully descended in front of the thatched hut and said with a smile, "It would be a sin not to partake of such jade nectar and immortal fruits. Why don't the two fairies bring the nectar and fruits here, and we can all sit and discuss the Dao right here? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The two women's persuasion proved fruitless, so they had no choice but to comply with Yuan Zhen's wish. They each brought over lavish banquets, setting them up in front of the thatched hut.

After dismissing their subordinates, only the four Void Refinement stage demon cultivators remained in the valley. The two women continued to mock each other, yet as peerless beauties, each possessing a unique charm, Qin Sang and Yuan Zhen watched with great interest.

The two women were largely putting on a show, trying to extract the truth from Yuan Zhen: whether the rumor of the demon saint's life flame extinguishing was mere groundless fabrication. But Yuan Zhen remained tight-lipped, and in the end, they failed to elicit any useful information.

The banquet concluded late that night, around midnight. Yuan Zhen insisted on staying in the thatched hut. When bidding them farewell, he earnestly requested, "I have an impolite request. Starting tomorrow, I hope the two fairies can send your demon soldiers in batches. I wish to ask them some questions. Rest assured, I will not harm them in the slightest."

"This..."

Gu Mei hesitated.

Chi Lian, deliberately contradicting her, immediately agreed and instructed Qin Sang, "Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, you handle the arrangements. Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhen can ask whatever he wishes. If there's anything our subordinates don't know, he can also ask us."

"Much obliged!"

Yuan Zhen was overjoyed. "After questioning those demon soldiers," he said, "I indeed have a few questions I wish to consult with the three of you about."

After bidding farewell to Yuan Zhen, Qin Sang and Chi Lian returned to the mountain gate.

"What do you think of Yuan Zhen, Fellow Daoist?" Chi Lian asked.

"This demon is very meticulous," Qin Sang replied. "One banquet won't reveal much. In fact, his senior sister Yuan Luo is more deserving of our attention."

"The White Dragon King will handle Yuan Luo," Chi Lian said, turning to return to her abode. "Since that's the case, let's just wait and see."

Qin Sang summoned a few demon generals, gave them instructions, and then returned to his cave abode. Recalling the day's events, he pondered in silence.

One event occurred in Liandu Daze, the other far in the depths of the Arctic Ice Plains. He hadn't expected these two events to be connected.

Qin Sang felt that the mist shrouding Liandu Daze had become even more unfathomable.

What should he do?

Starting the next day, the demon soldiers under Chi Lian and Gu Mei successively descended the mountain to be questioned by Yuan Zhen.

Neither Qin Sang nor the two women interfered, only allowing the demon soldiers to tell Yuan Zhen everything they knew.

The demon soldiers entered the thatched hut in turns for questioning, and the sessions took much longer than expected.

In fact, it would have been more convenient and quicker for Yuan Zhen to use soul-searching techniques. He likely feared inciting public outrage, so he chose this gentler method, despite the added trouble.

Yuan Zhen questioned not only the high-ranking demon generals and soldiers but also the small demons who had just been brought back to the mountain, and he questioned them all very meticulously.

After the demon soldiers were questioned, Qin Sang would summon them before him and have them recount Yuan Zhen's questions. He eventually found that Yuan Zhen hadn't asked any specific questions, only asking them to describe all their experiences and observations during the period from ten years before that demon saint battle until the present.

That battle was rumored to be the second time a demon saint battle had occurred in Liandu Daze; the first time had happened just a few years prior!

If there was any unclear description, Yuan Zhen would ask again and again, probing deeply into all sorts of details. But Qin Sang didn't feel there was anything special about these details and couldn't infer Yuan Zhen's true intentions from them.

Yuan Zhen also knew his limits; his questions did not involve the secrets of Tianyunpu, so Qin Sang had no reason to stop him.

It took Yuan Zhen over a month to question all the demon soldiers. Only the three of them were left, and the first to receive an invitation was Qin Sang.

"Please be seated, Fellow Daoist."

Yuan Zhen was all smiles. "I apologize for the frequent disturbances these past days," he said.

"Fellow Daoist, you overstate," Qin Sang replied blandly. "We are all acting under orders. As long as we don't miss anything important, it's fine."

Yuan Zhen nodded, then pondered for a moment before asking, "Forgive my presumptuousness, but Fellow Daoist, it seems you were neither born nor raised here?"

"What makes you say that?"

Qin Sang retorted.

"Because before Tianyunpu made a name for itself, there was no widespread renown for you, Fellow Daoist, in Liandu Daze," Yuan Zhen explained. "With your abilities, that shouldn't be the case. It's as if you appeared out of nowhere, and the same goes for Fellow Daoist Yinhuan and the other."

"Surely we aren't the only Fellow Daoists who have seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the Four Kings' territory?" Qin Sang countered.

"That's right, almost half of them were previously unknown," Yuan Zhen replied. "However, those Fellow Daoists are the responsibility of my Senior Brother and Senior Sister. I only need to get answers from you, Fellow Daoist, and the two fairies, and then I can report back to Senior Sister Yuan Luo."

"Are you specifically here to investigate my background?" Qin Sang's gaze turned cold.

Yuan Zhen seemed oblivious, leaning slightly forward as he asked expectantly, "Can Fellow Daoist elaborate?"

Qin Sang sneered, "No comment!"

Unexpectedly, Yuan Zhen didn't press further on this question. Changing his tone, he asked, "Then, where did Fellow Daoist get the news of the Four Kings' demise, allowing you to arrive in time and occupy this prime cultivation ground?"

"You should ask Fellow Daoist Yinhuan that question; she is the master of Tianyunpu," Qin Sang said impatiently.

"I see, I understand," Yuan Zhen said, standing up and bowing respectfully. "I apologize for any offense I caused just now. Fellow Daoist, please don't take it to heart."

Qin Sang asked in surprise, "Are you finished asking?"

Yuan Zhen sighed helplessly. "Since Fellow Daoist has no comment," he said, "why should I humiliate myself by pressing further?"

After Qin Sang left, Yuan Zhen invited Chi Lian for a discussion.

That night, Qin Sang and Chi Lian met to discuss their respective encounters. They found that Yuan Zhen seemed to be merely going through the motions; he would immediately cease questioning once rejected. The intentions of these demon saint subordinates were truly difficult to fathom.

Subsequently, Yuan Zhen did not leave, still residing in the thatched hut. However, he frequently went out, leaving early and returning late, his investigations unknown.

Qin Sang and the others did not inquire further, simply ordering the demon soldiers to cooperate fully and letting Yuan Zhen proceed as he wished.

Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Zhen had already been there for half a year.

These demon saint subordinates brought a rare period of peace to the area. The Four Kings' territory and surrounding factions became stagnant, and everything seemed to fall silent.

Tianyunpu, Feilai Peak.

Qin Sang watched Yuan Zhen leave the flower valley, gradually moving further away. After waiting for a moment, he also quietly left Tianyunpu.

Not long after flying out, he landed by a lake. Qin Sang looked towards the reed marsh and asked, "Why have you come, Fellow Daoist?"

The reeds swayed gently, and a woman emerged: Mei Shan Yuanjun, whose identity had been altered.

"Demon King Heiji ordered me to escort a batch of treasures to the White Dragon King," Mei Shan Yuanjun explained, "and it happened to be on the way through Tianyunpu."

"When did that fellow's friendship with the White Dragon King become so profound?" Qin Sang remarked. "He certainly knows how to network."

"Yes, Demon King Heiji is no simpleton," Mei Shan Yuanjun confirmed.

"No one who can cultivate to such a realm is a simpleton," Qin Sang said, shaking his head. "What has Demon King Heiji been up to during this period?"

"He has been very well-behaved," Mei Shan Yuanjun replied. "Whatever that demon saint's descendant tells him to do, he does it dutifully and without complaint..."

Mei Shan Yuanjun briefly recounted some anecdotes about Demon King Heiji, some of which she had already reported to Qin Sang previously.

"That fellow is very likely also a subordinate of a demon saint, yet he can endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens," Qin Sang mused. "It seems he has grand schemes indeed!"

"Also, Demon King Heiji seems to be very close to the Plague Lord," Mei Shan Yuanjun added, revealing her perceptive nature and the trust she had gained with Demon King Heiji. "Although he ordered me to present treasures to the White Dragon King, he himself has never visited the Water Dragon Palace. Instead, he personally went to the Plague Lord's residence."

As this meeting was too rushed and Mei Shan Yuanjun was about to depart immediately, she told Qin Sang one more piece of news before leaving.

A few days ago, that demon saint's descendant ordered Demon King Heiji to select some demon soldiers for future use.

Qin Sang didn't understand the reason, and after returning, paid even closer attention to Yuan Zhen's actions.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist wishes to select a group of demon soldiers to take with you?"

In the great hall, Qin Sang looked at Yuan Zhen, who had come to borrow soldiers.

"To be frank, Fellow Daoist," Yuan Zhen said with a sincere expression, "during this time, Senior Sister Yuan Luo has been planning a major undertaking that requires the assistance of a large number of demon soldiers. Due to the long journey and our hurried, ill-considered actions, we are short on troops and must borrow some. The demon soldiers you trained were highly praised by Senior Sister and are a rare elite force, so I shamelessly come to you for help. After the matter is concluded, I will certainly bring them back intact."

Qin Sang had anticipated this and pretended to ponder. "If it's just borrowing soldiers, Fellow Daoist Yinhuan surely won't refuse," he said. "However, I have an impolite request..."

"Please speak, Fellow Daoist," Yuan Zhen said, a little eagerly.

"I have always admired the Great Saints," Qin Sang began, "but unfortunately, my cultivation is low, and I do not have the qualifications to meet them. May I accompany Fellow Daoist? Even just to witness the demeanor of the Great Saints' subordinates would satisfy me..."

"What's so difficult about that!" Yuan Zhen readily agreed. "I only fear it might disappoint Fellow Daoist."

Both sides were delighted. Qin Sang found Chi Lian, and after a brief discussion, selected a group of demon soldiers, ordering them to follow Yuan Zhen.

Upon departure, Qin Sang learned that the destination was the Water Dragon Palace once again. Only then did he realize that Yuan Luo had been residing in the Water Dragon Palace all along. Furthermore, besides Yuan Luo, another demon saint's subordinate was also there.

Qin Sang's purpose for this trip was to see if the other demon saint's subordinate was indeed the pair of cousins he had met in the Arctic Ice Plains!