Chapter 96: Generous Rewards
The Ghost Mask’s voice echoed in the underground palace.
One by one, gazes gradually became excited.
This was going against the flow. Nowadays, everyone thought the Demonic Sect would clash head-on with the Divine Feather Great General and the Great Yan Dynasty at that point, but suddenly turning to the Wang Clan and True Martial Sect would surely catch them off guard.
“Qingzhou’s Wang Clan is the Imperial Court’s lapdog and must be ruthlessly suppressed. Otherwise, those martial arts sects will taste the sweetness and all oppose our Sacred Sect in the future!”
“I’ll handle the Wang Clan side personally.”
The Ghost Mask’s eyes were utterly cold.
This momentum had to be nipped in the bud.
The Demonic Sect was already hidden in the shadows, at a disadvantage. If other martial arts sects still leaned toward the Imperial Court, there would be no hope of changing the world.
“As for True Martial Sect, though they were forced into this, Elder Lin’s death is inextricably linked to them. Elder Wang, I’ll have to trouble you to make a move this time.”
“In a few days, the Imperial Court’s rewards to True Martial Sect should arrive. That will be the best time to strike—kill those people while we’re at it!”
The Ghost Mask looked toward a short elder, who stood at the very front. Though quite respectful to the Ghost Mask, he was not as reverent and fearful as the others.
“Your subordinate obeys.”
Elder Wang nodded calmly.
Though True Martial Sect’s Heavenly Sword True Person had severely wounded Elder Lin with one sword, making his name resound.
But they all knew it was because Elder Lin had been heavily injured by Divine Feather and Green Ox Swordsman together, then chased and killed by that bastard Divine Feather for a day and night, and finally wounded by the sudden Heavenly Sword strike due to carelessness.
Elder Wang’s strength was no less than Elder Lin’s.
With preparation this time, not to mention killing Heavenly Sword True Person, at least defeating him would be no problem, and the rest would make True Martial Sect pay a heavy price.
With arrangements settled, killing intent eager to strike appeared in everyone’s eyes.
Only one person.
Was panicking inside, heart gripped tight by something.
The white-haired youth kept his head lowered, concealing his slightly pale face, preparing to leave with the congregation.
The Ghost Mask’s voice suddenly rang out:
“Qin Yun, you don’t need to participate in this operation. Stay in the underground palace and cultivate.”
Everyone’s figures paused together, then gazes turned slightly oddly toward the white-haired youth. Some just realized Qin Yun had been True Martial Sect’s Dragon Mountain True Person’s Eighth True Disciple, only joining the Sacred Sect two years ago.
Now, with plans to assault True Martial Sect, yet the Vice Sect Master told Qin Yun not to participate, clearly still not fully trusted.
A few gazes showed mockery. Qin Yun had outstanding talent, always favored by the Vice Sect Master, rumored to have been taught a peerless secret technique, even groomed as a Holy Son candidate, but now it seemed mere rumor.
Qin Yun’s eyes paused, then he lifted his head, expression utterly calm:
“I will follow the Vice Sect Master’s arrangements.”
But in his heart, faint anxiety rose.
Originally, he had thought if he participated, perhaps he could quietly leak this news to True Martial Sect through some channel, giving them advance preparation, but now he could only hope that Heavenly Sword True Person was strong enough.
Qin Yun’s figure disappeared into the underground palace.
He thought of his master Dragon Mountain Daoist, his senior brother Luo Wentian, his junior brother Ning Qi.
Finally.
He let out a long sigh in his heart.
…
Time slowly passed.
The True Martial Peach Tree outside Seeker’s Courtyard had sprouted, more vibrant than in previous years. The Enlightenment Tea Tree Seed buried in the courtyard was also slowly strengthening in spirituality, but showed no sign of breaking soil.
Ning Qi waited silently.
Since returning from True Martial City and learning most of the Imperial Court lurkers had withdrawn, Ning Qi had secretly raised his vigilance.
While cultivating, he would occasionally quiet his mind to perceive True Martial Mountain.
Thus, a few more days passed.
A group of special guests arrived at the foot of True Martial Mountain.
The group appeared leisurely, with powerful auras, calm gazes subtly carrying arrogance. The leader and several others had pale faces without beards. In the middle of the team were a boy and a girl; the boy about seven or eight, the girl a bit older, around ten. Both had extraordinary demeanor, clearly not from ordinary families.
“Is this True Martial Mountain? Looks decent.” The boy critiqued with hands behind his back, like a little adult.
The girl agreed:
“Brother Ling, look—True Martial Mountain pierces the clouds like a divine sword. No wonder it produced a powerful swordsman like Heavenly Sword True Person.”
The boy’s eyes lit up:
“Sister Qingyue makes sense. Looking closely, this mountain really flies like a divine sword. I wonder if Heavenly Sword True Person is as powerful as rumored, and if we’ll see him this trip.”
Both were somewhat expectant.
Whether the boy or girl, both loved sword techniques. Upon hearing of Heavenly Sword True Person, they came along.
Eunuch Ye at the lead chuckled:
“The Heir Apparent and Princess may not know—this True Martial Mountain wasn’t originally called that, but Divine Sword Mountain. It was once the secluded grounds of an elder named Divine Sword Elder. Later, he bet with Dragon Mountain True Person and lost Divine Sword Mountain to him.”
“Afterward, Dragon Mountain True Person founded the sect here, establishing True Martial, and Divine Sword Mountain was renamed True Martial Mountain.”
“As for Heavenly Sword True Person, nine times out of ten he came with Dragon Mountain True Person later.”
The boy Li Ling quickly asked:
“Was that Divine Sword Elder also strong? Why have I never heard of him?”
Eunuch Ye shook his head with a smile:
“Divine Sword Elder was merely Core Elixir Realm.”
Both boy and girl were disappointed, suddenly seeing True Martial Mountain without the filter.
Core Elixir Realm was still an expert, but they had seen plenty of Heavenly Human Realm experts. Only Heavenly Human Ranking level could inspire their yearning.
“Eunuch Ye, if I summon Heavenly Sword True Person, will he come?” Girl Li Qingyue asked.
Eunuch Ye’s heart jumped, and he quickly said:
“My Princess, once on the mountain, you absolutely must not say such words.”
“Heavenly Sword True Person is suspected to have top Heavenly Human Ranking strength. Even Divine Feather Great General failed to meet him before. Such hermits cannot be forced. If fated, you will meet. This visit rewards True Martial Sect’s merit in exterminating the Demonic Sect—do not act rashly.”
Princess Li Qingyue nodded:
“Don’t worry, Eunuch Ye. I know. Brother Ling and I came this time just to try our luck, at most stay longer at True Martial Sect. We won’t delay your official business.”
Eunuch Ye smiled bitterly inside.
With his Heavenly Human Realm strength, he shouldn’t be here for such rewards—True Martial Sect wasn’t worthy. But because these two little ancestors wanted to come, he was sent along.
Li Qingyue was a quite favored princess, while Li Ling was the honored young son of King Zhenbei, both of noble status.
He only hoped to escort them back soon to complete his duty, lest any mishap occur that he couldn’t bear.
Eunuch Ye looked at the figures faintly appearing ahead on the mountain and immediately said:
“Princess, Heir Apparent, Dragon Mountain True Person and the others have come.”
Everyone’s expressions turned serious at once.
Laughter from Dragon Mountain Daoist already came from afar:
“Honored envoys have come from afar—welcome!”
His complexion now looked much better than before. He’d been in seclusion, not even appearing for True Profound Sect’s visit, but for the Imperial Court’s rewards, he had to show.
Eunuch Ye also laughed heartily:
“Dragon Mountain True Person is too polite. Your sect’s merit in exterminating demons is well-deserved.”
Both sides were politely courteous, while sizing each other up.
Seeing Dragon Mountain True Person and the true disciples behind him with such demeanor, Eunuch Ye nodded inwardly, thinking the rumors true—True Martial Sect indeed had extraordinary potential. These people would likely become experts in the future.
Li Qingyue and Li Ling’s gazes lingered briefly on Dragon Mountain True Person before looking around.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was also secretly shocked.
This leading eunuch’s aura was unmasked, solidly Heavenly Human Realm. Sending one for mere rewards seemed excessive.
Then, his gaze fell on the looking-around boy and girl, and he understood.
Eunuch Ye didn’t conceal, introducing them:
“This is Princess Qingyue, and this is His Highness the Prince of Zhenbei.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist realized, and the disciples behind him saluted at once.
“We have seen Princess, Your Highness.”
Li Qingyue and Li Ling were not arrogant, returning the courtesy. Their initial impression of True Martial Sect was not bad.
The group entered the sect gate.
Eunuch Ye cleared his throat lightly and raised his voice:
“True Martial Sect, receive the decree!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s expression turned solemn, bowing slightly in a daoist salute. The many True Martial Sect disciples already gathered behind did the same, though with even lower posture.
Eunuch Ye continued:
“By His Majesty’s decree: True Martial Sect has merit in exterminating demons, serving as model for all daoist sects under heaven. Specially granted one Daoist Jade Plaque. True Martial City is granted to True Martial Sect. Additionally, Dragon Mountain True Person was injured exterminating demons—granted one Blood Sun Ganoderma!”
“Thus decreed!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist was briefly stunned, then joy surged.
The Imperial Court’s rewards were unexpectedly generous.
“True Martial Sect thanks His Majesty!” Dragon Mountain Daoist led everyone in thanks.
