Chapter 277: Immortal and Demon (Part 2)

Murong Xia landed casually in the mountains. He sat down on a nearby wooden chair, smiling as he looked at everyone, his gaze lingering on Li Qinghong’s face for a moment before he replied, “My Murong family practices the orthodox demonic path. It has existed since ancient times. By cultivating a ‘Pleasure-Inducing Human Head’ within one’s abdomen, one can practice the most righteous form of demonic cultivation. Even a cultivator of the Mahakala Dharma Aspect would find nothing to condemn.”

He paused, watching Li Qinghong shake her head, and said in a low voice, “Everyone knows this world: the Golden Core cultivators of the Violet Palace feed on the common people, Mahakala Dharma Aspect cultivators endure endless reincarnation, and mortals live a life of nothing but suffering, wishing they were dead… It would be better to be consumed by me…”

Li Qinghong scoffed dismissively, saying impolitely, “It is precisely because you and your kind devour people that mortals wish they were dead, not because they already wish they were dead and thus should be consumed by you. Aren’t you twisting right and wrong, reversing cause and effect? Don’t you feel you’re deluding yourself?”

Murong Xia, however, raised an eyebrow and said earnestly, “No, no. Practicing the demonic path is for the salvation of all living beings. My Murong family only consumes people through this ‘Pleasure-Inducing Human Head’ precisely for this reason.”

He paused, looking at the crowd, and said calmly, “Within this human head of mine, there is a realm of ultimate pleasure. There is fine wine, delicious food, splendid clothes, and abundant wealth—everything one could desire. Men and women live freely, indulging in enjoyment, free from the suffering of human life and death, and without the worry of conflict or torment. Infinite desires, pleasures, and blessings are all contained within.”

“As long as you are consumed by me, you can enter this realm, transcend this mortal body, and your soul will become an immortal ancestor. As long as I, Murong Xia, cultivate for a day, everyone will enjoy endless pleasures. Isn’t that wonderful?”

These words were like a large stone thrown into a lake, startling everyone, who exchanged bewildered glances. Li Qinghong froze slightly, unable to speak. Murong Xia sighed deeply and shook his head. He replied, “My generation is benevolent, and the Demonic Sect favors goodness. Whenever we demonic cultivators engage in conflict, the victor will gather the souls of the vanquished and incorporate them into their respective realms, where they will enjoy eternal pleasure. If everyone in the world practiced my demonic path, then only cultivators would suffer, while mortals would enjoy eternal bliss. This place would be a Holy Land of Eternal Joy!”

Murong Xia’s face showed compassion, and faint rays of colorful light subtly emerged from behind his head. Li Yuanjiao merely frowned. He spoke, “That’s just your word. Who knows if you truly consumed people or merely collected their souls? If this were truly an act of great virtue, why is your demonic path bloody and detestable, despised by all under heaven?”

Murong Xia laughed heartily and gently waved his hand. From his abdomen came the whooshing of wind, the extravagant sounds of strings and flutes, and the laughter of men, women, and children. A bluish demonic soul suddenly appeared before them. It bowed respectfully and replied, “This humble one is a town resident from under Jade Pavilion Mountain, named Cao Yangxuan. Greetings, honored immortal masters.”

Li Yuanjiao and the others were all stunned. The town head of Jade Pavilion Mountain, who was Li Yuanjiao’s illegitimate younger brother, was attending nearby. He stepped forward and conversed with the demonic soul for a few moments. Greatly shocked, he turned back and replied, “To the Family Head, I also know this person. His voice, appearance, and demeanor are exactly as they were when he was alive.”

Murong Xia burst into laughter. The demonic soul, however, dropped to its knees with a thud and cried out, “We are grateful for the family’s immense kindness, which is impossible to repay in ten lifetimes. Now that we have been enlightened by the master and reborn into ultimate bliss, we have only one request…”

Li Yuanjiao’s eyelids twitched. A vague sense of foreboding rose in his heart. He spoke, “Speak.”

The demonic soul bowed respectfully and replied, “There is an old farmer at the village entrance named Cao Ye; he is my father. My father and I lived a difficult life. Now that I have received this great fortune, I hope the Family Head can summon my father, have him thoroughly wash his body, bathe in incense, and then allow the master to consume him. That way, we can be reunited in bliss and together enjoy this eternal blessing…”

“Absurd!” Before Li Yuanjiao could react, Li Qinghong could not listen any longer. With furrowed brows, she unleashed a bolt of thunder from her mouth, abruptly interrupting the spell. This minor demon was originally just a remnant soul, and the thunder’s power, which vanquished evil, immediately caused the minor demon to disperse into thin air. Murong Xia was furious. He cursed, “What a cruel woman! What a malicious heart!”

Li Qinghong watched the soul dissipate, feeling a slight pang of guilt. Yet, she raised an eyebrow, showing no politeness. She stated directly, “All your cultivation is sought in emptiness. So-called paradises and dreamlands are all illusions.”

“Illusions?” Murong Xia sneered. He replied, “Whose master can you be? Go ask the common folk and the people: would they rather struggle bitterly in this present world, or enter my illusory ‘Pleasure-Inducing Human Head’?” He turned away from Li Qinghong and addressed Li Yuanjiao, “As for the Family Head’s claim that my demonic path is bloody and detestable, it is because our ultimate goodness and beauty are hidden within our abdomen, while our loathsome and terrifying appearance serves as a substitute! The Elder of my family has even debated with a Mahakala Dharma Aspect cultivator; we are no evil cultists.”

Murong Xia’s voice resonated through the courtyard. He gritted his teeth and said, “If you ask this old Taoist, it is cultivators like you, of the Violet Palace Golden Core path, who are truly selfish. On the surface, you flutter in your robes, radiating immortal aura, seeking only personal transcendence and viewing all living beings as ants. *That* is the demonic path! We, on the other hand, merely have ugly appearances and unusual behaviors, but internally, we are truly immortal cultivators!”

“Hmph!” Li Qinghong was so infuriated that she almost laughed. The bodies of the one hundred and fifteen deceased families had not yet grown cold, and severed limbs and blood still lay in the town, staining the ground crimson. Yet, this demonic cultivator had the audacity to scold them. She immediately said coldly, “Those with different principles cannot work together!”

The old Taoist shook his head. He patted his belly and chuckled, “Either we fight, or you let this old man go. Family Head, you should consider this carefully!”

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly grew tense. Li Yuanjiao quietly stroked his sword hilt, silently listening to something. After a moment, he exhaled deeply and waved his hand. He said, “Fellow Daoist, you may leave. Do not come to our territory to devour people again in the future. If there is a next time, it may not be so easy for you to escape.”

“Thank you, Family Head.” Murong Xia cupped his hands, then strode out of the courtyard and departed on the wind. Tian Youdao and the others, seeing the expressions on the siblings’ faces, discreetly withdrew. Li Qinghong tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, sat down to the side, and chuckled, “This old fellow, with his talk of his Elder debating with a Mahakala Dharma Aspect and being an immortal cultivator on the inside, it seems he was truly afraid.”

Li Yuanjiao still held the Coiling Dragonwood sword. He replied, “Who isn’t afraid? Like a stick hitting a wolf, both sides are wary. He feared the reputation of our family’s Sword Immortal, but we’ve never actually fought a demonic cultivator, so our hearts were still pounding. That old fellow looked like he was only at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Cultivation, yet he cultivated such an eerie thing. There’s no doubt he has Foundation Establishment level strength. This is the first time a cultivator of such power has appeared in our territory.”

They exchanged glances, neither mentioning the more than one hundred people who had died unjustly. Li Yuanjiao sighed softly. He replied, “One can only do as much as one is capable of. Driving him away was already the best outcome. Demonic cultivators are increasing in Jiangnan these days, and I’m afraid there won’t be many peaceful days ahead.”

Li Qinghong nodded slightly. She asked, “Regarding the demonic plagues around Yue State… could sister-in-law inquire about any news from the Xiao family?”

Li Yuanjiao shook his head. He replied, “No news yet. On the contrary… there’s some news from the Yuan family.”

Li Qinghong raised an eyebrow. She then saw Li Yuanjiao say with some concern, “Yuan Tuan of Qinghui Peak has gone into seclusion to prepare for her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. According to the Yuan family, her chances of success are very high, within the next four or five years. If she successfully breaks through, the Qinghui Peak inheritance will fall into her hands. She will undoubtedly take on disciples and pass on her teachings then. Our Li family must cultivate influence within the sect, and we absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!”

Li Qinghong’s mind stirred, and she immediately understood Li Yuanjiao’s meaning. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed. She replied, “Brother, you mean… Xizhi.”

To be sent to Qinghui Peak, one must be at least seven years old, with ten to twelve being ideal. Li Yuanping has not yet married. Although Li Yuanyun has two children, the younger one is only one year old and too young, and the elder one is eight but lacks spiritual aptitude, so neither is suitable. Currently, among the Xiyue generation of the Li family, only Li Yuanjiao’s own son, Li Xizhi, is four or five years old. In four or five years, he would perfectly meet Qinghui Peak’s requirements. Seeing Li Qinghong pondering, Li Yuanjiao nodded. He replied, “If his talent is suitable, we can only send Xizhi.”

Li Qinghong pursed her lips. She replied, “Will sister-in-law agree?”

Li Yuanjiao drank his tea. In his mind, he saw Li Tongya personally handing him the shimmering Coiling Dragonwood. He remained silent.

While Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong were discussing on Lijing Peak, the small courtyard below was also brightly lit. Several tables were set up in the courtyard, laden with small plates of mountain delicacies and seafood, with various dipping sauces beside them. At the lower end sat a young man, appearing seventeen or eighteen years old, with a cultivation of the third level of Embryonic Breathing, leaning back comfortably.

“Come, come!” The young man at the head of the table, with a slightly pale complexion and colorless lips, smiled as he looked at the person at the lower end. He chuckled softly, “Brother Xiao Xian, are you still comfortable?”

“Comfortable! Very comfortable!” Xiao Xian quickly responded. He had often visited the Li family over the years and was quite familiar with Li Yuanping. Perhaps it was due to a domineering aura Li Yuanping inherited from Madam Dou, but even with a few years’ difference in age, Xiao Xian still felt somewhat reserved in front of him, not daring to fully relax.

Li Yuanping smiled. His appearance leaned more towards Madam Dou, being dignified and strong, with an air of grandeur. He moved the clear tea on the table, found a topic to discuss, and asked, “Why does your esteemed clan suddenly need to use Azure Crow Ore?”

Xiao Xian cupped his hands. He replied, “With the demonic plagues rampant, the price of magical artifacts is soaring daily. Our family happens to have a fire vein and a legacy in artifact refining, so my father thought of seizing this opportunity to make a profit.”

“I see!” Li Yuanping nodded slightly, glanced at Xiao Xian, and found a couple of topics related to Li Qingxiao to discuss. Xiao Xian listened attentively, and soon the two opened up in conversation. Li Yuanping then said, “Brother Xiao Xian, how much do you know about the Great Xu to the north?”

Xiao Xian was already slightly tipsy. Seeing Li Yuanping’s clear expression, he secretly praised him. He replied, “Brother asked me to inquire about it the year before last, and now I know a bit.” He paused. He continued, “For nearly a hundred years, the immortal path in Xu State has been in decline, with heterodox sects rising everywhere and demons running rampant. Four years ago, the Three Sects and Seven Gates united with the various Violet Palace cultivators of Jiangnan, advancing northward together and driving many heterodox practitioners back to the north. This war was primarily led by the Golden Feather Sect and the Cultivating Yue Sect, with the Sword Immortal True Person Shangyuan, a peak Violet Palace cultivator, holding the line. They killed two Compassion Demonic Lords and three Demon Heads, finally pacifying Xu State.”

At this point, Xiao Xian looked slightly confused. He paused and spoke, “As for the Dao foundations of these Violet Palace cultivators you asked me to inquire about… that was a bit difficult. I gathered information from all sides, but only managed to find out a few.”

“The True Person from the Green Pond Sect cultivates the ‘Heavy Turbidity’ method. The Xuan Yue Sect cultivates ‘Foolish Mountain Driving’. The Bellowing Gold Gate rarely has a True Person appear, but they cultivate the ‘Carved Gold Stone’ method. Finally, there’s the True Person from the Purple Mist Gate, who cultivates ‘Circling Eastern Mountain’.” Xiao Xian took a sip of wine. He explained, “These True Persons all had worldly experiences before reaching the Violet Palace realm, leaving many traces. I searched through our family library for a long time to find their immortal foundations one by one.”

“Thank you, brother!” Li Yuanping acknowledged him, silently committing the information to memory. Xiao Xian didn’t know why Li Yuanping was inquiring about these matters but was tactful enough not to ask.

“Brother, you have an impressive capacity for drink, but I’m afraid I’ve had enough…” The two exchanged several toasts. Since they were drinking spirit wine, Xiao Xian, whose cultivation was not high, was already slightly dizzy and, with a wry smile, prepared to take his leave.

Having obtained the information he wanted, Li Yuanping no longer detained him. He watched as the Xiao family servants helped Xiao Xian out. He then moved his cup, which had all along contained clear tea. Having drunk with Xiao Xian for so long, he was naturally not intoxicated.

Li Yuanping cleared the items from the table, spread out writing implements, and took up a brush. He carefully noted down each piece of information, folded the paper neatly, and handed it to a trusted subordinate at the lower end of the table. He said gently, “Give this to my elder brother.”

Li Yuanping and Li Yuanxiu were both born to Madam Dou. Influenced by her, the grassroots ruthlessness inherited from the Li family’s ancestors had significantly faded, replaced by a straightforward assertiveness.

Dou Yi at the lower end received it. Li Yuanping glanced at him. Before Dou Yi’s eyes, the three-inch jade armor stained with balsam flowers reappeared. Yet, Li Yuanping chuckled and asked, “Did you deliver Mother’s slap to your master?”

Dou Yi nodded quickly. He stammered, “Yes, young master, I did! I did! Master himself knelt in the courtyard. This humble one conveyed it to him exactly as it was, without missing a single word, and even the force was calculated precisely, leaving a red mark on one side of his face…”

“Hahaha.” Li Yuanping laughed three times, shaking his head unceremoniously. He said grandly, “You people only fear power and do not appreciate kindness. My elder brother indulged him repeatedly out of respect for Mother, yet he showed no restraint. Now he has lost face and damaged our friendship; he brought it upon himself!”

Dou Yi dared not say anything, only timidly assenting. Li Yuanping stared at the small letter in his hand, frightening him into running off like a wisp of smoke. Only then did Li Yuanping shift his gaze back to the table. He murmured, “I just don’t know which Dao’s cultivation method this ‘Cavern Spring Pure Qi Immortal Foundation’s ‘Cavern Spring Sound’ refers to…”

He flipped through the wooden slips on the table twice more. Only then did Li Yuanping frown and say, “The Three Sects and Seven Gates control things too strictly. For our family to have a future, we must gain some intelligence within the sect. We cannot delay any longer!”

Li Yuanping gazed at the flickering candlelight, recalling the secret talks he had with his elder brother Li Yuanjiao night after night by the bed when they were young, and the shimmering Coiling Dragonwood sword that Li Tongya had personally handed down. His face grew a shade paler. He murmured, “The Xiao family is an outsider clan after all. Xiao Chuting is cunning and calculating; I don’t know what he’s plotting. He’s certainly not easy to deal with, yet our family has to rely on him. For now, we can only take one step at a time and see how things unfold…”