Chapter 208: Tu Bo's Oath

If one understands four or five tenths of a language, the remaining unknown parts become like codes. The meaning of these codes can then be deduced from the surrounding sentences.

Qin Mu did exactly that.

Originally, Qin Mu knew nothing of the demonic language. By sheer chance, he heard it at the Goddess Pass in the Great Ruins and committed it to memory. Later, at Zhenyang Palace, he encountered a demon god sealed within a wall, who taught him the Great Freedom Seal, allowing him to comprehend some of the demonic language.

Once he understood a portion of the demonic language, he could deduce the meanings of more words from his limited knowledge, just like cracking a code.

The Dutian Demon King's three oaths contained numerous demonic words of extreme purity. Qin Mu had long known that the language of gods and demons possessed formidable power, and these three oaths allowed him to achieve an astonishing command of demonic vocabulary.

If the Dutian Demon King were to make another oath with him using human language, Qin Mu would be able to compare it against the demonic words he had previously not understood, thus gaining a complete mastery of the demonic language!

The Dutian Demon King's accusation that he was secretly learning was not unfounded.

Conversing with the Dutian Demon King in the demonic language was no longer difficult for him. However, for caution, he decided it would be better to use human language, ensuring he could fully grasp every nuance and avoid any traps laid by the Dutian Demon King.

Qin Mu's eyes flickered. "Then, Demon King, do you still wish to make an oath?"

The Dutian Demon King sneered, "Yes, of course!"

He knew Qin Mu intended to use this opportunity to fully master the demonic language, but he was powerless to stop him. His only other option would be to kill Qin Mu.

Moreover, even if he were to kill Qin Mu, as he was merely a wisp of consciousness and magical power, he too would vanish with Qin Mu's demise.

"Souls, return! Tu Bo's Nine Covenants, observe my very being!"

The Dutian Demon King's voice rang out, calling Tu Bo's name and drawing the attention of Youdu's ruler. Because he used human language this time, he naturally couldn't manipulate the words or play any tricks.

Qin Mu meticulously paid attention to the meaning of each word, exercising extreme caution and repeatedly scrutinizing them.

Gradually, Qin Mu felt an unknown power surging from the depths of space. As the Dutian Demon King's voice continued, this power intensified, eventually forming half a portal in his mind.

After the Dutian Demon King completed the oath, he looked at Qin Mu.

Qin Mu, now having fully compared the demonic and human languages and thus achieving a more complete understanding of the demonic tongue, then recited the oath himself. Just as he reached "observe my very being," he felt a pair of eyes fix upon him—not his body, but his very soul!

His soul trembled, sensing the immense, boundless power and majesty of the soul's master!

It was an entity that governed all souls, possessing limitless power. It held no interest in physical bodies, only in souls.

Should the oath be broken, it would descend and claim the soul of the transgressor!

Qin Mu continued reciting the oath. Gradually, half a portal appeared before him, which then connected with the Dutian Demon King's half, forming a complete gateway.

Beyond the portal, he perceived only endless darkness.

Below the portal, however, Qin Mu "saw" a yellow spring, though it couldn't precisely be called the Yellow Springs. It was a shimmering golden current, winding through nine bends and eighteen turns, growing wider and more massive towards its base, resembling a celestial river.

At the very bottom of this endless golden current, he "saw" a pair of eyes devoid of all emotion.

What shimmered golden was not the Yellow Springs, but horns.

The two horns on the head of Tu Bo, the master of souls!

In "Tu Bo's Nine Covenants," the character for 'covenant' (约) actually means 'bend' or 'curve'.

Thus, "Nine Covenants" refers to "Nine Bends."

His horns were the Nine Bends Yellow Springs.

Qin Mu and the Dutian Demon King made their oath, and it was bound upon the long, winding horns of this majestic primordial deity!

Why is breaking a vow referred to as a "breach of covenant"? It likely relates to Tu Bo's Nine Covenants. An oath established upon the Nine Bends Yellow Springs means that if the oath is violated, Tu Bo will claim the soul of the transgressor, marking the "breach."

The oath concluded, the portal closed, and the strange vision before Qin Mu's eyes vanished.

"Heh heh, heh heh heh..."

The Dutian Demon King's laughter drifted over. Qin Mu puzzled, "What is the Demon King laughing about?"

"Nothing!"

The Dutian Demon King continued to laugh, unable to restrain himself. He chuckled, "Kid, even if you're as cunning as a ghost, you've still fallen into my trap! The oath you signed with me wasn't with my true self, but with a mere wisp of my consciousness! Now, you'd best diligently carry out my tasks! As for the Youdu script, don't even dream I'll reveal a single character to you! This wisp of my consciousness, if it's destroyed, then so be it; I don't care!"

Qin Mu was dumbfounded, stunned into silence for a long moment.

The Dutian Demon King roared with laughter, triumphant and thoroughly enjoying Qin Mu's discomfiture and helplessness.

After a moment, Qin Mu exhaled a shaky breath, muttering, "No wonder Grandpa Cripple always told me to smile at others while also being ready to stab them in the back... Demon King, you truly are a master of deception. Luckily, I'm not so bad myself."

The Dutian Demon King's heart clenched.

Qin Mu murmured to himself, "I also kept a trick up my sleeve. I was just plotting to summon your subordinates in batches and eliminate them one by one; that way, it wouldn't count as a breach of our agreement."

The Dutian Demon King was taken aback.

Both fell silent.

After a long pause, the Dutian Demon King said, "We're only hurting each other here. Since you don't trust me, there's no need for me to remain inside your body. I'll choose the second option. Create a divine effigy mechanism, and I will leave your body to reside within it. Rest assured, once you've completed the effigy, I will transmit the Youdu language to you."

"Deal!"

Qin Mu was filled with enthusiasm. Grandpa Ma frequently crafted various pieces of furniture, from whom he had learned many manual skills. Combined with the art of calligraphy and painting and the metallurgy techniques taught by Cripple, creating a divine effigy mechanism would not be difficult for him.

Just as Qin Mu was about to begin, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "I nearly fell into his trap! Before I create that divine effigy mechanism for him, I must first summon the demons and complete the oath. Otherwise, if I focus only on building the mechanism and he transmits the Youdu language to me without me having summoned the demons, it will be considered a breach of the oath, and Tu Bo will claim my soul!"

The Dutian Demon King commended him, "You are quite remarkable. If you were to come to my Dutian, your quick wit would certainly ensure your survival."

Qin Mu let out a heavy sigh. Engaging in a transaction with an entity like the Dutian Demon King meant that if he wasn't extremely careful, he would surely be devoured so completely that even his bone marrow would be licked clean multiple times over!

He headed to the west room to retrieve some money, intending to visit the treasury and purchase cold iron-gold crystals and fine wood for carving the divine effigy. However, he saw Fox Ling'er standing by the doorway, peering out. Qin Mu chuckled, "Ling'er, aren't you going to cultivate? What are you looking at?"

Fox Ling'er replied listlessly, "The Imperial Preceptor still owes us a thousand Great Feng coins. It's time for him to pay up..."

Qin Mu shook his head, then went to the treasury to buy the necessary materials and brought them back to the courtyard.

Carving divine effigies was not difficult for him. Within half a day, under the Dutian Demon King's guidance, Qin Mu carved five distinct wooden statues, all depicting demon gods.

"These five are all disobedient characters," the Dutian Demon King chuckled. "If you summon them and destroy them, it would be doing me a favor."

After Qin Mu finished carving the wooden effigies, he cooked a meal and called Fox Ling'er from the doorway to eat. Fox Ling'er's eyes were vacant. Halfway through her meal, she absently remarked, "Young Master, the Imperial Preceptor still owes a thousand coins."

From his Gluttony Pouch, Qin Mu retrieved a smelting furnace he had acquired from the Loulan Golden Palace. He then used it to refine cold iron-gold crystals and forge the necessary components for the divine effigy mechanism. He worked until midnight, keeping the surrounding scholars awake with his noise. They lodged complaints with the Imperial Academy, prompting several academy officials to personally come and politely inquire about the disturbance.

Qin Mu had no choice but to stop and go to sleep.

The next day, Qin Mu opened his door and washed up, feeling that something was amiss. After a moment of thought, he realized what had been missing from his bed the previous night.

"It seems Ling'er didn't snuggle into my quilt to sleep last night..."

Qin Mu pushed open the courtyard gate to find Fox Ling'er perched atop the Dragon Qilin's head by the entrance, gazing towards the gate of the Scholars' Residence. Her eyes were red, indicating she had clearly been awake all night.

"Young Master, the Imperial Preceptor still owes a thousand Great Feng coins," Fox Ling'er said with a somewhat disheartened air.

Qin Mu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He picked her up, tucked her into his quilt, and resumed working on the divine effigy mechanism.

By the third day, Fox Ling'er was still waiting by the door, only returning listlessly at night to eat her dinner without enthusiasm. The little fox sat there for a long moment, then suddenly said absently, "The Imperial Preceptor still owes a thousand Great Feng coins."

On the fourth day, Fox Ling'er said nothing further and did not wait by the door, looking quite unhappy.

Qin Mu inquired with concern. Fox Ling'er replied, "Perhaps the Imperial Preceptor truly won't pay us back."

Qin Mu finally completed the divine effigy mechanism: a demon god statue with four heads, eight arms, and two legs, featuring various joints that allowed free movement. Its surface was branded with diverse totem patterns. However, he did not immediately allow the Dutian Demon King to enter it.

Just then, a knock sounded from outside. Qin Mu glanced at Fox Ling'er, who was still lost in thought and made no move to open the door. He shook his head and went to answer it himself.

Standing at the door was an elder whose clothes, though worn, were impeccably clean. He smiled. "Are you Young Master Qin Mu? I am the steward of the Imperial Preceptor's manor, my surname is Fu, and I have been dispatched by the Imperial Preceptor to repay a debt."

Qin Mu asked in surprise, "Elder Fu, has the Emperor's reward finally arrived?"

Elder Fu replied, "Indeed, it has. The Emperor bestowed a hundred palace maids and a million coins upon the Imperial Preceptor, which he accepted. These hundred maids are a headache for him; he simply cannot afford to support them. Fortunately, there is still some money, though after paying his creditors, he estimates only half will remain... Young Master Qin, here are a thousand coins..."

Qin Mu was about to turn and call Fox Ling'er when he saw a flash of white. Fox Ling'er darted forward, snatched the money bag from Elder Fu's hand, and said with a sweet smile, "The Imperial Preceptor is indeed a man of his word. Many thanks, Elder Fu."

Elder Fu, surprised, said no more but added, "Young Master Qin, you are a man of great wealth, so you must be cautious. Recently, there have been many thieves in the capital, and numerous high-ranking officials and nobles have suffered greatly. It's quite tragic; Imperial Physician You wept for days and couldn't get out of bed, and several other high officials had their homes ransacked, losing so many valuables that they dared not report it publicly—only their servants are gossiping..."

As he was speaking, two elderly men approached from the Scholars' Residence. They were splendidly dressed, adorned with gold and silver, and appeared very opulent. They arrived at Qin Mu's door. One was Cripple, and the other resembled a middle-aged or elderly lay Buddhist. Both exuded an air of great wealth and influence.