Chapter 100: Shockwaves Across All Sides
Eunuch Ye led the delegation in helping to clean up the aftermath, then took the corpses of the four Demonic Sect Heavenly Human experts and departed.
Meanwhile, the Butcher had not yet received orders to leave. He smiled at Dragon Mountain Daoist, then returned to True Martial City.
Some True Martial Disciples recognized his identity and secretly exclaimed in astonishment.
They knew he was in True Martial City selling pork, and even a very few had the fortune to chat with him, though they had never known he was actually a Heavenly Human expert hidden by the Imperial Court.
Ye Qinghe widened her eyes. She remembered that day she and her little junior brother had bought pork at this Butcher’s stall.
“What fate!”
She sighed in her heart.
Then she suddenly froze. Where was her little junior brother?
She searched everywhere, but could not find Ning Qi’s figure. Her heart became flustered. Could it be that he was injured in the aftermath just now?
Ye Qinghe hurriedly reported to Dragon Mountain Daoist:
“Master, little junior brother is missing!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist paused, then smiled:
“No need to worry. I just telepathically told Tian Sheng to hide with Little Nine.”
Ye Qinghe immediately felt relieved.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Ye Qinghe’s appearance and secretly sighed in his heart. However, the news that Ning Qi was Heavenly Sword True Person should still be kept secret for now; the fewer people who knew, the less risk.
If the Demonic Sect learned that the esteemed Heavenly Sword True Person was not an elder nearing his end, but an eight-year-old child, they would probably be unable to eat or sleep in peace.
Even.
The Great Yan Dynasty might not tolerate Ning Qi.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before.
Ning Qi’s figure reappeared. His disheveled, dirt-covered appearance made Ye Qinghe burst into laughter. Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist’s gazes met, and they smiled slightly, their tacit understanding unspoken.
…
The news of True Martial Sect being attacked by five Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans spread from True Martial City throughout Qingzhou.
Five Heavenly Humans attacked, one of whom was no less than a Heavenly Human Ranking master.
But King Zhenbei happened to visit, and with a flip of his hand, he slaughtered four Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans. The Demonic Sect Heavenly Human no less than a Heavenly Human Ranking expert was scared shitless.
Qingzhou was in an uproar for a time.
King Zhenbei’s prestige rose yet another level.
As details were revealed, the congregation learned that before King Zhenbei appeared, Heavenly Sword True Person had struck again, resisting the strongest Demonic Sect Heavenly Human. His Heavenly Human Ranking strength was on full display. Some swordsmen were fanatically excited, claiming Heavenly Sword True Person would surely enter the Heavenly Human Ranking next time.
The Martial World chased fame and fortune. On the Heavenly Human Ranking, those who used blades or swords were all watched. Among martial artists who used weapons, eight or nine out of ten were blade or sword users.
And thus.
If the number of swordsmen on the Heavenly Human Ranking exceeded swordsmen, those sword users would share in the glory.
Currently, swordsmen and swordsmen on the Heavenly Human Ranking were equal, and the last one was a blade user.
If Heavenly Sword True Person could make the list and displace the last one, it would mean the number of swordsmen on the Heavenly Human Ranking would surpass swordsmen. Thus, Heavenly Sword True Person’s battle achievements were highly watched.
Regarding this.
Ning Qi felt somewhat helpless.
He only wanted to cultivate low-key and pursue the path of longevity.
And at the same time.
Not only did the True Martial Mountain attack cause a sensation in Qingzhou; on the same night, the Wang Clan also suffered an attack from the Demonic Sect!
But unlike True Martial Mountain, where King Zhenbei happened to be.
The Wang Clan did not have such good luck.
Although the Imperial Court valued the Wang Clan even more, with three Heavenly Human Realm experts stationed there, Ghost Face Deputy Sect Master struck, also bringing four Heavenly Human Realm experts. The outcome was predictable.
The newly rebuilt Wang Clan main mansion was razed to the ground again, even more thoroughly this time.
The Imperial Court’s three Heavenly Human Realm experts were beheaded.
Wang Family Old Ancestor was nowhere to be found.
Some said they personally saw Wang Family Old Ancestor ground to dust, his corpse completely gone. Others said they saw Demonic Sect experts take Wang Family Old Ancestor away. Still others said Wang Family Old Ancestor used a secret technique to escape.
After hearing this.
Ning Qi’s expression was calm.
Heaven’s wrath cannot be survived; why get involved in the struggle of such a colossal entity? One could only say Wang Family Old Ancestor underestimated the Demonic Sect’s vengeful nature. Even with the Imperial Court’s protection, what then? They couldn’t protect him forever.
Ning Qi guessed that perhaps last time, after being assaulted at his door by his master’s junior, Wang Family Old Ancestor, nearing his end, had gambled everything to bind the Wang Clan to the Great Yan Dynasty’s warship.
After all, the Wang Clan had made many enemies over the years. If Wang Family Old Ancestor fell without a new Heavenly Human, being nibbled away by all sides and heading toward extinction was inevitable.
Better to gamble.
Unfortunately, he lost.
The Wang Clan, glorious in Qingzhou for hundreds of years, vanished into thin air from then on. Even the few remaining branch clans or lucky survivors from the two disasters would have to live incognito from now on.
As for whether Wang Family Old Ancestor was really dead, Ning Qi did not dwell on it.
Even if he wasn’t dead, if he appeared in the future, Ning Qi could deal with him conveniently then.
Ning Qi lay on the rattan chair, comfortably shifting positions. He felt the Enlightenment Tea Tree Seed underground was clearly much more active than before, with vitality surging.
Elder Wang’s corpse lay below, providing nourishment to the seed.
Ning Qi couldn’t help but sigh:
“A Heavenly Human Realm body is truly excellent.”
Thinking this, he felt somewhat regretful.
The other four Demonic Sect Heavenly Human corpses had all been taken away earlier.
If Wang Family Old Ancestor were still around, he could borrow his body for use.
In that case, the Enlightenment Tea Tree might sprout from the soil soon.
…
The two Heavenly Human battles at True Martial Sect and the Wang Clan shocked and stunned everyone, while also gradually stirring unease.
Too frequent!
In normal times, battles between Heavenly Human Realm experts were rare, yet now Heavenly Human Realm were falling one after another.
If Heavenly Human Realm were like this, what about others?
Weren’t they just cannon fodder?
Some flipped through records and found this situation similar to a hundred years ago. That time, the Demonic Sect was equally aggressive, until Great Yan Martial Saint struck, suppressing the Demonic Sect’s supreme expert. The Demonic Sect vanished from then on, and now it seemed they were making a comeback.
Others carefully noted that the current omens seemed even more ferocious than a hundred years ago.
Many began to act cautiously, avoiding involvement.
After all, even if Great Yan Martial Saint struck in the end, who knew how many would die in the process.
But some anticipated it, even quietly taking sides.
Heroes emerge in chaotic times; fortune is sought in danger. The more chaotic Great Yan became, the more opportunities, accelerating growth.
The Great Yan Martial World gradually descended into chaos.
Regardless of how the Martial World viewed the matter.
Both sides were extremely angry.
Great Yan felt that although both sides lost four Heavenly Human Realm, the Demonic Sect had exterminated the Wang Clan; they had suffered a loss.
The Demonic Sect felt they had lost five Heavenly Humans outright, plus a powerful elder like Elder Wang—practically vomiting blood from the loss.
Demonic Sect underground palace.
The atmosphere was utterly oppressive.
Ghost Face sat on the highest throne without speaking, but everyone could imagine the ashen, water-like gloom under the bronze mask. No one dared make a sound.
After a moment.
Ghost Face’s cold voice rang out:
“Elder Wang still hasn’t returned?”
“Reporting to Vice Sect Master, not… not yet.”
“It’s been several days. It seems Elder Wang has indeed fallen.” Ghost Face stood tall.
“This subordinate secretly investigated and found traces of a battle, suspected to be between Elder Wang and an unknown expert. Elder Wang suffered a one-sided slaughter and ultimately vanished. The person used fist technique, with shades of Heaven Suppressing Fist—most likely King Zhenbei, though not ruling out an imposter.”
An icy aura instantly filled the entire hall.
“This seat has never heard of King Zhenbei teaching Heaven Suppressing Fist to anyone else.”
“King Zhenbei, good, very good!”
Anger rose in everyone’s eyes.
The world rumored that this time their Demonic Sect and the Imperial Court each lost four Heavenly Humans, evenly matched. But only they knew the truth: their side had lost five Heavenly Humans, while the Imperial Court lost only three Heavenly Human Realm.
Not to mention losing an existence comparable to the Heavenly Human Ranking like Elder Wang.
“King Zhenbei is inhuman!”
“One day, we must make King Zhenbei pay in blood!”
“Rumors say King Zhenbei and Great Yan Emperor are at odds inwardly despite outward harmony. We once thought to pull him over, but now it seems this thief was just acting!”
Curses rang out one after another.
One voice filled with killing intent:
“True Martial Sect has repeatedly caused our Sacred Sect to lose Heavenly Humans. Though this sect is weak, it blocks our Sacred Sect’s rise. This subordinate suggests Vice Sect Master lead us to exterminate True Martial Sect!”
Everyone’s gazes paused, turning to Ghost Face.
Ghost Face pondered, his gaze flicking to the bowing Qin Yun.
“Qin Yun, what do you think?”
Qin Yun’s body trembled slightly. He raised his head, gaze calm:
“This subordinate believes… it cannot be done.”
Immediately, the previous speaker’s sarcastic voice came from behind:
“I’ve heard Qin Protector came from True Martial Sect. Now blocking our Sacred Sect from exterminating True Martial—could it be lingering loyalty to his old sect?”
Sardonic and doubting gazes fell on Qin Yun.
Qin Yun closed his mouth, not refuting.
Ghost Face stared at him:
“Give me an explanation.”
Qin Yun slowly spoke:
“Our Sacred Sect has fought repeatedly, already losing ten Heavenly Humans. Continuing major conflicts is disadvantageous for the future. Better to rest and recuperate for now.”
“True Martial Sect is weak but has Dragon Mountain True Person and Heavenly Sword True Person, two Heavenly Humans. If we send more, falling into an Imperial Court ambush would cause heavy losses to our Sacred Sect.”
“You’re letting Vice Sect Master go personally. If the Imperial Court has laid a dragnet, wouldn’t that put Vice Sect Master in danger!”
“I ask, what are your intentions?”
His words were calm, sharp beneath, rendering the man speechless, face ashen.
“You! I am loyal to Vice Sect Master—how dare a brat like you speculate! How could a mere True Martial Sect warrant such Imperial Court attention?”
Qin Yun calmly countered:
“Then how do you explain King Zhenbei earlier? Are you telling me it was mere coincidence? Would you disregard Vice Sect Master’s safety for this ‘coincidence’?”
Ghost Face’s gaze sharpened slightly.
The man broke out in cold sweat, kneeling:
“This subordinate has no such intent! This Qin Yun clearly still harbors feelings for True Martial Sect!”
Qin Yun bowed with clasped fists to Ghost Face:
“Vice Sect Master, this subordinate merely thinks True Martial Sect is but ants—how could they block our Sacred Sect? It’s laughable. No need to fixate now at this critical juncture. Even if exterminating True Martial Sect, wait a few years after the storm passes, when Imperial Court attention shifts elsewhere, our Sacred Sect can destroy them effortlessly.”
“At that time, Qin Yun is willing to be the vanguard and personally take Old Daoist Dragon Mountain’s head.”
His gaze was flat, as if stating something trivial.
Ghost Face laughed, his gaze somewhat cruel and cold.
“Well said. I’ll give you three years. Then you lead the team personally to exterminate True Martial Sect—how about that?”
Qin Yun’s heart jolted, but he finally took a deep breath:
“This subordinate accepts the order.”
“But this subordinate feels his strength insufficient and has one request.”
“Speak.”
“This subordinate wishes to enter the Blood Demon Pool.”
The hall fell silent. Shocked gazes turned to Qin Yun.
This guy… mad?
Ghost Face’s pupils contracted slightly, then he laughed loudly:
“This seat approves!
