Category: I, The Man Who’ll Conquer Both the Immortal Venerable and the Demon Empress

Chapter 65: They’re All Hooligans

Shi Hao had a dream.

He dreamt he was passing through the wall and making love to Xu Xiaoyan in the next room.

He knew it was a dream, but he couldn’t control himself.

He knew he shouldn’t be having such a dream. His relationship with Xiaoyan was more like friendship, camaraderie, a partnership in crime, but not romantic.

Yet, in this dream, he couldn’t resist taking advantage of her, violating her.

The dream shifted, and Du Yuejiao appeared.

She joined them, and the three of them intertwined, their bodies writhing.

The dream became chaotic and uncontrollable, like a snowball rolling down a hill, gathering momentum, threatening to engulf his consciousness.

Suddenly, a wave of pure energy washed over him, and the dream shattered.

Shi Hao sat up in bed, gasping for breath.

The Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique and the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art were out of balance within him.

The Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, as if stimulated by some unknown force, was swirling rapidly, unusually active.

His Daoist and demonic energies were always circulating, even in his sleep.

This was the reason for his rapid progress in cultivation.

Because the two energies were so different, constantly stimulating and opposing each other, maintaining a delicate balance, they flowed and interacted like the yin and yang of a taiji symbol.

But just now, for a brief moment, some external demonic energy had entered his dream, disrupting the balance, stimulating the Daoist energy of the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique.

This demonic energy was formless and colorless, its origin unknown. If he hadn’t been circulating his Daoist true energy even in his sleep, he might have been more deeply affected.

Shi Hao turned and looked at the doll.

It sat on the book box, motionless.

Its black gemstone eyes seemed dull and lifeless.

He sighed softly in relief, got out of bed, and left the room.

The abandoned manor had a garden with a small pond fed by a stream.

The moon, waning with each passing night, was now a thin crescent in the sky.

The stars were also dim, obscured by wispy clouds, a sign of bad weather to come.

Shi Hao undressed and jumped into the cold pond.

The chilling water calmed his mind.

He tried to recall his dream. He had dreamt of passing through the wall to Xu Xiaoyan’s room. Although passing through walls was clearly impossible, the rest of the dream had felt incredibly real.

He had done things to Xiaoyan that he shouldn’t have, and then Yuejiao, who shouldn’t have been there, had also appeared.

The dream had then spiraled into chaos, threatening to consume his consciousness… until the surge of Daoist true energy within him had disrupted it.

He was increasingly convinced that the doll was responsible.

Was it using his dreams to peer into his mind?

This thing was truly creepy. Perhaps he really should try the dog’s blood.

“Ah!” A scream came from the other side of the pond.

Shi Hao turned and saw Xu Xiaoyan standing there. She hadn’t been there a moment ago.

She screamed again, covering her eyes with her hands, then spreading her fingers slightly.

Shi Hao was submerged in the water; she couldn’t possibly see anything.

But he still felt she was up to no good.

“I knew someone was here,” Xu Xiaoyan said, “What are you doing taking a bath in the middle of the night?”

Shi Hao smiled, “You’re the one who should be leaving. You knew I was bathing here.”

Xu Xiaoyan snorted, “This isn’t your property.”

Shi Hao thought, I’m here to calm my mind. And I need to calm my mind because I did something inappropriate to you in my dream. So please don’t provoke me while I’m trying to calm down.

Xu Xiaoyan peeked through her fingers, looking past him, “It seems you’re quite attached to that doll. Even bringing it with you to bathe.”

Shi Hao turned around. The doll sat on a rock by the pond, its gaze directed downwards, as if looking at something.

Shi Hao instinctively covered himself… Where are you looking?

He felt like he was surrounded by hooligans.

---

The next day, they continued their journey.

Shi Hao carried the book box, leaving the doll on the table… It would follow them anyway.

As they walked away from the manor, Xu Xiaoyan kept glancing back.

So, it was following them, as expected.

He also looked back. The doll sat on top of his book box, its back to him.

After traveling for half a day, they reached a town filled with smoke and fire, several houses ablaze.

People were crying and screaming, and several corpses lay on the streets. The town’s main street was in chaos.

Some people were trying to put out the fires, while others knelt beside the corpses, weeping.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances. Xu Xiaoyan approached an elderly man sitting on a bench, sighing, and asked, “Old sir, what happened here?”

The old man said with a mournful face, “A group of bandits attacked. They claimed to be rebels from the Changbai Mountains, here to fight for the people against the court. They forced everyone to hand over their money and food. Those who refused were killed, and their houses burned.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Rebels from the Changbai Mountains? The Changbai Mountains are far from here. And the imperial army is suppressing the rebellion. How could they reach this place?”

The old man sighed, “That’s what they said. Who knows who they really are? Someone went to inform the authorities, but no one has come yet. Alas, we were already struggling to survive. Now that our food and money are gone, we’ll have to sell our land, our children… It’s a tragedy.”

Shi Hao approached the old man, “Sir, are you alone?”

The old man said, “My eldest son was conscripted to work on the canal last year and hasn’t returned. And my younger son was taken by the army a few days ago. I’m all alone now. Alas!”

Xu Xiaoyan tilted her head, “I remember this town is called Fang Family Town. Most people here are surnamed Fang, right?”

The old man said, “That’s right. We’re all relatives here.”

Xu Xiaoyan glanced at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao asked, “What is it?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Nothing.”

They helped tend to the injured.

Then, they continued on their journey, carrying their book box and medicine chest.

Leaving the town, they saw fields of trampled wheat. Xu Xiaoyan snorted.

Shi Hao asked, “What are you thinking?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I’m thinking their methods never change.”

They crossed a mountain path and reached a dirt road. Suddenly, the sound of galloping horses echoed in the distance. A group of over thirty bandits, armed with swords and spears, emerged from around the bend.

Seeing them, the bandits laughed. The leader turned his horse and circled them.

Shi Hao put down his book box and said coldly, “What do you want?”

One of the bandits shouted, “We’re followers of Hero Fu! We’re rebels from the Changbai Mountains! You two look like you’re from poor families. Join us and fight against the court!”

Xu Xiaoyan sneered, “The ‘court’? You mean the barbarian court?”

One of the bandits chuckled, “That girl has a sweet voice.” He spurred his horse forward, intending to grab her.

Swish! A flash of sword light, and the bandit screamed. His horse continued forward, but his arm fell to the ground, blood splattering.

The other bandits stared in shock as the seemingly gentle and frail scholar, now wielding a bloodstained sword, stood there, his aura radiating killing intent.

Their leader roared furiously, “You brat! Get him! Kill this traitor who dares oppose the righteous army!”

A chaotic battle erupted, blades flashing, blood spraying.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan moved through the bandits like phantoms. There were two ninth-rank martial artists among the bandits, but the rest were unranked, and none possessed supernatural abilities. They were no match for Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan.

The bandits had clearly underestimated them. If Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan had been dressed in martial attire, looking like seasoned fighters, they wouldn’t have been so careless.

But both of them cultivated Daoist internal energy techniques, their appearances ordinary, disguised as a scholar and a physician’s assistant. Seeing Xu Xiaoyan’s beauty and assuming she was just a village girl, they had tried to abduct her.

Even if Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan were eighth or ninth-rank, they believed their numbers would give them an advantage.

But they were wrong. The seemingly frail scholar and the delicate-looking girl were far more powerful than they appeared.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan showed no mercy.

Shi Hao’s sword danced, the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes flowing seamlessly, his movements like lightning.

Xu Xiaoyan’s footwork was light and agile, like a willow branch in the wind. A soft sword, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, materialized in her hand.

Shi Hao had seen her use a whip before. Now, it was a sword, and her style was completely different, clearly indicating she had two different sets of techniques, one for her disguised persona and one for her true self.

Soon, corpses littered the ground around them…

Chapter 64: A Change of Mood

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan approached the town. At the outskirts, Xu Xiaoyan entered alone.

Half an hour later, she returned with a scholar’s book box and a physician’s medicine chest.

They divided the Minor Restoration Pills between the two containers and destroyed the original crate, Shi Hao burning it to eliminate any traces.

He placed the sword he had borrowed from Daoist Tie Yu inside the book box.

Since he had chosen a relatively short and narrow sword, it fit easily.

He placed the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit in his book box, while Xu Xiaoyan put the Blue Frost Moon Essence Shoot and the Blazing Sky Leaves in her medicine chest.

The medicine chest, a square box with leather straps, she carried on her back.

Although the pills were quite heavy, with her seventh-rank foundation, she carried the chest effortlessly.

During her trip into town, she had changed into a simple dress. Now, she looked like a physician’s daughter, gathering herbs for her father.

Shi Hao carried the book box, a traditional scholar’s case, on his back. Two bamboo rods extended from the back, supporting a small canopy above his head to shield him from the sun or rain.

Having been a scholar in Small Han Mountain City, and now, although a martial artist, his Daoist and demonic cultivation wasn’t outwardly apparent.

Carrying the book box, he looked exactly like a traveling scholar.

The barbarian court did have a civil service examination system. Although scholars weren’t as valued in this world of martial arts and supernatural abilities, they still commanded a certain degree of respect.

After all, governing and strategizing required educated minds. Even a gang like the Shu Tiger Gang needed a literate accountant.

They placed the doll on the grass.

After a brief discussion, they separated, each choosing a different path, and ran as fast as they could.

The doll sat on the grass, motionless.

Shi Hao ran for over ten li, carrying the book box.

He even used the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps to cross a wide river.

Entering a forest, he rubbed his face, returning to his original appearance.

If he didn’t undo the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique soon, his face would become permanently stiff.

He ran for a few more li, glancing back, but he saw nothing.

He stopped, took off the book box, and was about to open it when he saw the doll sitting on top of the canopy.

The same lifelike face, black gemstone eyes, pink and white rainbow robe, and embroidered shoes.

“She” sat there, her legs straight, her small hands clasped in her lap, like a well-behaved little lady.

Shi Hao thought, So it’s following me.

He had the sudden urge to find some dog’s blood and pour it over the doll, just to see what would happen.

But he sighed and, resigned, put the book box back on his back and continued walking.

He reached a drum-shaped mountain.

After circling it halfway, he found an octagonal stone pavilion on the mountainside, their prearranged meeting point.

He climbed the winding, cobblestone path towards the pavilion.

Passing a bamboo grove, he saw Xu Xiaoyan, also back in her original appearance, sitting in the pavilion, swinging her legs, the medicine chest beside her.

Seeing the doll sitting on top of his book box canopy, the girl chuckled, “I checked halfway and didn’t see it, so I knew it must be following you. Haha!”

She sounded relieved.

Shi Hao, however, sighed.

The girl picked up the medicine chest and gracefully jumped down, her true energy flowing like water, creating a gust of wind as she landed softly.

Her skirt fluttered, revealing a flash of her grey trousers.

Xu Xiaoyan looked at him, “It’s a long way to the Changbai Mountains. A scholar and a physician’s assistant traveling together… it’s too suspicious.”

Shi Hao nodded, “You’re right.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “It would be better if we traveled separately. If one of us is caught, the other can still succeed.”

Shi Hao said, “That makes sense.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Then let’s part ways here.”

Shi Hao said, “Alright.”

Xu Xiaoyan put on the medicine chest and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, she stopped.

Shi Hao asked, “What’s wrong?”

She turned back, a look of annoyance on her face, although he couldn’t tell if it was directed at herself or at him.

“Since we came together, we’ll leave together!” Xu Xiaoyan said, her face grim. “Let’s go!”

Shi Hao said, “But…”

Xu Xiaoyan came back, took his hand, and said, “Let’s go, let’s go!” She pulled him down the mountain.

They took a different path, not the cobblestone one he had used earlier.

Xu Xiaoyan, leading the way, said, “Maybe it’s not an evil thing. Maybe it really is the Emerald Beauty, just… transformed somehow?”

“If we keep it with us, maybe we can find the Demon Empress’s treasure, or some secret manual, and become rich and powerful!”

“Or maybe, even if it’s not the Emerald Beauty, it holds some other secret, perhaps a clue left behind by some ancient expert… What do you think?”

Xu Xiaoyan turned around, and the doll was right before her eyes.

She screamed and jumped back, then turned and kicked Shi Hao repeatedly, “I was just trying to reassure you, and you used it to scare me?! How could you?!” She kicked him hard.

Shi Hao, holding the doll, dodged her attacks, laughing, “What’s meant to be will be. There are so many mysteries in this world, one more won’t make a difference. If it wants to follow us, let it. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Shi Hao, as a transmigrator, wasn’t particularly concerned about dolls.

But Xu Xiaoyan, having grown up in this world, believed dolls were ominous and cursed objects.

He had used the doll to scare her, hoping to lighten the mood.

It worked… she was now furious.

And his leg was throbbing…

---

They continued east, and nothing unusual happened.

However, the unrest in the region was palpable.

From the news they heard along the way, the rebellion against the barbarian court was spreading. In Liaoyang, Jiangzhe, and Chu Yin Provinces, people were heeding Fu Shiyuan’s call and rising up in arms.

Although these rebellions were scattered and facing a still-powerful barbarian army, their resistance was relentless, wave after wave.

The barbarian court’s oppression of the local populace intensified, some towns even requiring permits for gathering firewood.

And the royal families and wealthy landowners became even more brazen, exploiting the situation for profit. Although the barbarian Chancellor issued decrees to curb their excesses, the situation only worsened.

The decrees had no effect on the powerful, while the restrictions on the common people, enforced by corrupt officials and merchants, became another burden.

Checkpoints and inspections became more frequent.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan had to travel through the mountains, avoiding the main roads. After all, they couldn’t risk having their Minor Restoration Pills discovered.

Transporting any kind of medicine, even ordinary herbs, towards the Changbai Mountains was forbidden.

Fortunately, with their seventh-rank cultivation, traveling through the mountains wasn’t a problem.

That night, they rested in an abandoned manor. It seemed to have been a summer retreat for a wealthy family, now deserted due to its remote location and the growing unrest.

The servants had been dismissed, the valuables removed, and some of the buildings burned.

It wouldn’t be long before bandits occupied the place.

Shi Hao chose a room and settled in.

Xu Xiaoyan, resourceful as always, using rice they had bought along the way and meat from animals they had hunted, prepared a surprisingly good meal in the manor’s kitchen.

Later that night, Shi Hao lay on the empty rosewood bed in his room.

He turned his head. Outside, the window was dark, and the room was unlit.

The doll, placed on the book box, its eyes, usually black, seemed to glow in the darkness.

He felt its gaze on him, unsettling him.

He told himself it was just his imagination… probably.

He turned away from the doll and stared at the ceiling, regulating his breathing, trying to fall asleep.

He wouldn’t let a creepy doll exhaust him.

As the night deepened, the doll’s gaze intensified.

A shadowy figure seemed to emerge from its eyes, seeping into the young man’s dreams…

Chapter 63: “You’re Not Worthy!”

The Snake Charmer, looking at the young man with the hooked nose and then at Xu Xiaoyan, hesitated.

Her mind raced. This girl called him “Young Master,” and she mentioned a “Madam.” Could this young man be the Madam’s son? And does this Madam not only possess techniques from all three Evil Lotus factions but also the power to destroy the Black Lotus Realm?

If she hadn’t witnessed the young man’s display of the three factions’ techniques, she wouldn’t have believed it.

But now, having seen it with her own eyes, she couldn’t deny it.

This young man was so young; he must have learned those techniques from someone else.

He clearly had a powerful background, and this “Madam” was likely not a fabrication.

Shi Hao’s display of power and Xu Xiaoyan’s threats were deliberate.

They knew the Black Lotus Realm and the Ghost Extreme Sect had just clashed, and the conflict likely wasn’t over.

Although the Black Lotus Realm was weaker than the Ghost Extreme Sect, they still had powerful experts. The fact that their leader and other top experts weren’t here meant they were likely still dealing with the Ghost Extreme Sect.

Facing a stronger opponent like the Ghost Extreme Sect, the Black Lotus Realm wouldn’t dare provoke another powerful enemy.

A mysterious young man possessing techniques from all three Evil Lotus factions, possibly with a powerful backing… Unless the Snake Charmer was a fool, she wouldn’t act rashly.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Young Master, please wait over there. I think this is just a misunderstanding. I’ll talk to them and see if we can resolve this peacefully.”

The young man with the hooked nose glanced at her and snorted, “If they insist on fighting, there’s no need to be polite. We’ll see how they handle it.”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Don’t worry, Young Master. I know what to do.” She led him to a spot further away and then returned, facing the Snake Charmer. Although she lowered her voice, her tone was slightly sharp, “Why are you causing trouble?”

The Snake Charmer, looking at her deliberately plain face, frowned, “You’re the former Pavilion Lord’s daughter, aren’t you? Although you’re not a demonic cultivator, you grew up in the demonic sects. Why are you colluding with outsiders and harming the demonic sects?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “What are you talking about? Who’s harming the demonic sects?”

The Snake Charmer said, “You deliberately provoked the Ghost Extreme Sect to attack us, instigating infighting, so you could steal the Emerald Beauty, didn’t you?”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. A few days ago, someone from the Ghost Extreme Sect did try to cause trouble. That guy with the Heavenly Speed Star ability was easily defeated by my Young Master and barely escaped. My Young Master never claimed to be from the Black Lotus Realm. Frankly, you’re not worthy of him joining your ranks!”

The Snake Charmer’s mind raced. It was understandable that the Ghost Extreme Sect, seeing someone use techniques from the Night Charm Demonic scriptures, especially a man, would suspect the Black Lotus Realm.

And the Ghost Extreme Sect, wanting the Emerald Beauty, was already looking for an excuse to start a conflict. Even without this incident, they would have found another reason.

The Snake Charmer said, “The Emerald Beauty disappeared during our fight with the Ghost Extreme Sect. And you were the only ones who passed through the battlefield…”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I’ve also heard of the Emerald Beauty. It’s not something easily hidden. We definitely don’t have it. You’ve been following us; you should know we have nowhere to hide it.”

The Snake Charmer looked towards the temple.

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “If you don’t believe me, you can search the temple. But if you still insist on causing trouble after that, hmph, let me tell you, if my Young Master had wanted to kill you just now, you’d be dead. Even if your sect leader came, if you provoke my Madam, even she won’t be able to save you.

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

The Snake Charmer gritted her teeth, “Fine, let’s search the temple.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Let’s go!” She turned and entered the temple, unafraid of being attacked from behind.

The Snake Charmer gestured to a few of her men, and they followed her inside, searching the temple thoroughly. Finding nothing, they looked at the crate.

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “My Young Master is kind-hearted. He wants to send these Minor Restoration Pills to the Changbai Mountains. Feel free to check.”

The Snake Charmer waved her hand, and two martial artists cautiously approached and opened the crate.

Everyone looked inside, and Xu Xiaoyan gasped.

The doll was lying inside.

Besides the pills, there were also the jade boxes containing the Blue Frost Moon Essence Shoot, the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit, and the Blazing Sky Leaves they had stolen from Jing’an Monastery.

But now, the jade boxes had been moved to the side, the pills shifted, and the doll, with its morning cloud near fragrance bun and rainbow robe, lay in the space between them, motionless.

Xu Xiaoyan felt a chill run down her spine… She and Shi Hao hadn’t opened the crate at all along the way.

How did the doll get inside?

Suddenly, a thought struck her… Could this doll actually be the Emerald Beauty?

She looked at the Snake Charmer, who picked up the jade boxes, examined the ingredients, returned them, then picked up the doll, a puzzled look on her face.

“This… looks like the Emerald Beauty, but it’s a doll?” she muttered, glancing at Xu Xiaoyan.

Xu Xiaoyan, forcing herself to remain calm, chuckled, “You can’t be serious. Are you trying to steal these pills by making me laugh so hard I drop dead?”

Her mocking tone made the Snake Charmer snort. She handed the doll back to Xu Xiaoyan and continued searching the crate.

Xu Xiaoyan held the smooth, silk-clad doll, her heart pounding… This thing was truly unsettling.

The Snake Charmer, finding nothing else, gave up. She placed the pills and the jade boxes back inside the crate, then couldn’t resist another glance at the doll in Xu Xiaoyan’s hands.

Xu Xiaoyan offered it to her, “Do you like it? You can have it.”

The Snake Charmer said indifferently, “No, thank you.” She pushed the doll back.

Xu Xiaoyan, seeing she wouldn’t take it, placed the doll back in the crate.

They left the temple. The Snake Charmer pulled Xu Xiaoyan aside, glanced at the young man sitting calmly in the distance, and whispered, “What’s his background? And who is this ‘Madam’ you mentioned?”

Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

The Snake Charmer leaned in, listening intently, only to hear the girl whisper, “You want to know? You’re not worthy!”

Irritation flashed in the Snake Charmer’s eyes. She snorted and said, “Let’s go!”

This arrogant young man with the unknown background and possibly powerful connections…

With the ongoing conflict between the Black Lotus Realm and the Ghost Extreme Sect, she didn’t dare provoke another powerful enemy.

Despite her annoyance, she could only leave.

After the Snake Charmer and her men left, Xu Xiaoyan pulled Shi Hao back into the temple.

The crate was still open. Xu Xiaoyan pointed at the doll inside.

Shi Hao’s scalp tingled, “When did it get back in there?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I don’t know! I’m guessing it must have gotten back in shortly after we abandoned the carriage.”

Shi Hao pulled Xu Xiaoyan aside and whispered, “Could this thing actually be the Emerald Beauty?”

Xu Xiaoyan looked back and whispered, “But the Snake Charmer has clearly seen the real Emerald Beauty. It was in the possession of the Black Lotus Realm, and the Ghost Extreme Sect knew about it, using it as an excuse to attack them.”

“If they weren’t certain it was the real Emerald Beauty, why would they start a war? They’re not fools!”

She lowered her voice again, “But the Snake Charmer also said this thing looks like the Emerald Beauty, but it’s a doll…”

She looked at Shi Hao, “What should we do with it?”

Shi Hao said, “You’re the clever one. What do you think?”

“This thing is creepy,” Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “Should we get some dog’s blood and splash it on it? Maybe that will dispel the evil.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Shi Hao thought her idea was even more outlandish. “If it’s really alive and can appear and disappear like that, it must be powerful. If you anger it with dog’s blood, can you handle the consequences?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “That’s why you should do it.”

Shi Hao: “…” You’ve already thought of that?

He pondered for a moment, “It seems we can’t get rid of it for now. In that case, we might as well keep it and see what it does.”

He had a feeling this doll was somehow connected to the Emerald Beauty.

The Emerald Beauty, a remnant of the Demon Empress, was supposedly left behind by Su Mei. He could ask her about it during the next full moon.

Unfortunately, the next full moon was still some time away.

Xu Xiaoyan sighed softly, “I guess that’s our only option. Keeping it with us is better than having it appear and disappear randomly, giving us heart attacks. I have a bad feeling about this.”

Her eyes flickered, and she whispered, “There are two of us. Who do you think it’s following, you or me?”

Shi Hao looked back, “Hard to say.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I think we should test it.”

Shi Hao asked, “How?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Let’s leave this place and go to that small town in the east. And we have to get rid of this crate. It’s clearly government property, used by Jing’an Monastery to transport pills for the barbarian army. It’s too conspicuous. We need a different crate.”

Shi Hao nodded. They returned to the crate, closed it, and carried it out of the temple, heading east.

Chapter 62: Remnants of the Demon Empress, the Emerald Beauty

Xu Xiaoyan continued, “Although it’s said that ‘When the Dao rises one foot, the Demon rises ten feet,’ that only refers to the demonic sects’ resourcefulness and cunning. In reality, in the martial world, the Daoist sects usually have the upper hand.

“After all, the Daoist sects are relatively united, while the demonic sects are prone to infighting. Demonic cultivators are mostly selfish and ambitious, making unity difficult.”

“So, in terms of techniques, martial arts, and even the number of experts, the demonic sects are not inferior to the Daoist sects. But often, the Daoist sects are still more powerful.

“The Taisu Immortal Pavilion, for example, holds a supreme position in the martial world. When they act, the entire righteous path follows. But the demonic sects have to subdue the various factions of the dark path before they can achieve unity.”

Shi Hao nodded, “Indeed.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “But this Demon Empress achieved the impossible, uniting the demonic sects and leading the dark path. Unfortunately, I heard their final battle ended in mutual destruction. The Demon Empress and the Holy Jade Immortal of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion perished together. Soon after, the Evil Lotus Sect, the most powerful demonic sect at the time, splintered.”

“The three resulting factions each possess an incomplete version of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures, weakening them significantly. Although they’ve been fighting amongst themselves, trying to surpass each other and restore the complete scriptures, none have succeeded.”

Shi Hao asked, puzzled, “But what does this have to do with the Emerald Beauty?”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “I haven’t finished yet! The Emerald Beauty is a legend among the demonic sects. When the Demon Empress united the demonic sects and ruled the dark path, all the factions paid tribute to her, amassing a vast fortune.”

“It’s said that this fortune is hidden in a secret treasure vault, filled with countless gold, silver, jewels, and incredible martial arts manuals. And the Emerald Beauty is the key to finding and opening this vault. Of course, that’s just a rumor. I’ve never seen the Emerald Beauty myself.”

“There’s also another rumor that the Demon Empress’s treasure vault contains secrets related to the Demonic Realm, and whoever finds it can unite the demonic sects once more. And the Emerald Beauty itself is a powerful artifact that can greatly enhance one’s cultivation.”

“Now, the legends surrounding the Emerald Beauty have become remnants of the Demon Empress’s legacy, and many believe that whoever obtains it will become the next Demon Lord.”

Shi Hao said, “When a legend reaches that point, the truth no longer matters. The legend itself holds power.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Exactly! The Emerald Beauty has become a sort of ‘Mandate of Heaven’ for the demonic sects. But it’s just a legend. No one has ever actually found it.”

Shi Hao asked, “Why do they think we have the Emerald Beauty?”

Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “They’re probably delusional.”

Shi Hao analyzed the situation, “We passed through the battlefield, and the Emerald Beauty disappeared. They found our abandoned carriage and followed us here. Hmm…”

He lowered his voice, “Could that doll be…?”

Xu Xiaoyan, understanding his thoughts, also whispered, “But according to the legend, the Emerald Beauty is a statue of a beautiful woman carved from jade, the most perfect jade in the world. I’ve never heard of it being a doll.

“If it’s a doll, why call it the ‘Emerald Beauty’? Shouldn’t it be the ‘Beautiful Doll’?”

They were both puzzled but knew they were in serious trouble.

They picked up the crate and quickly left the forest.

After crossing two mountains, they found a dilapidated old temple.

They hid inside, resting for a while.

Shi Hao searched the temple thoroughly. Not finding the doll, he finally relaxed.

Xu Xiaoyan waved her hand, and a gentle yet powerful force swept through the air, clearing the dust from a stone bench. She sat down.

Shi Hao noticed that her true energy flowed like water, as if she had actually washed the bench.

Such a unique technique was unusual.

But Shi Hao wasn’t familiar with the various martial arts sects. He could only tell it was Daoist true energy, but he couldn’t identify its origin.

“Where to now?” he asked.

Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “Don’t ask me. I’m not sure. I know the main roads and some smuggling routes, but I’m lost in this wilderness.

“And now we don’t even have a carriage. Carrying this crate is exhausting.”

Shi Hao chuckled, “I thought you… hmm.” He quickly glanced at the entrance, “It seems we’ve been found again.”

Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “Demonic sects have countless tracking methods. It’s not easy to shake them off.”

The sound of rushing wind came from outside. Using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Shi Hao sensed that the temple was surrounded.

They looked out and saw a woman in her thirties, her hair styled in a “spirit snake bun,” a snake-headed soft sword coiled around her waist.

Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “That’s ‘Snake Charmer’ from the Black Lotus Realm. A sixth-rank expert. Escaping her won’t be easy.”

Shi Hao’s mind raced, “Let’s face them.” He stepped out of the temple, his hands clasped behind his back.

He knew escaping this time would be even more difficult.

And the Black Lotus Realm clearly had ways of tracking them. Running through the forest was pointless.

He quickly circulated the Mysterious Charm Technique and the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique simultaneously.

The Snake Charmer looked at the young man emerging from the temple. His features were sharp and menacing, his aura radiating a fiery dominance.

The Mysterious Charm Technique was an eighth-rank demonic technique, not particularly impressive in the eyes of a sixth-rank expert like the Snake Charmer.

But the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, taught by the Holy Jade Immortal, was a powerful tool for “building momentum.”

Now, combined with the demonic technique, the burning aura of the Mysterious Charm Technique, amplified by the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, radiated outwards invisibly.

To the Snake Charmer, the young man’s aura was overwhelming, his presence mysterious and unpredictable, the air around him growing unnaturally hot.

She narrowed her eyes, recognizing the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique.

But the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique was a secret of the Moon Lotus Pavilion. Why would a man know it? She was puzzled.

She gripped her soft sword and demanded, “Who are you?”

Shi Hao said calmly, “My name is Hao. Hao Xinghua.”

The Snake Charmer, not recognizing the name, snorted, “You’re a demonic cultivator. Which sect do you belong to?”

Shi Hao sneered, his hands behind his back, “Do you really want to know? Do you dare to know? Are you not afraid to know?”

He took a step forward with each question.

The Snake Charmer’s face first showed anger, then a flicker of surprise, followed by a chill that made her involuntarily step back.

With each step the young man took, his aura intensified, his imposing figure looming over her like a mountain.

She sensed a demonic energy similar to the eighth-rank Mysterious Charm Technique, but the terrifying aura, like a tidal wave of fire, was far more powerful, clearly a far more advanced demonic art!

As he took three steps forward, she felt that if she didn’t retreat, he would attack.

Her confidence wavered. She felt that if he attacked, she wouldn’t stand a chance… She instinctively took a step back, trying to avoid a confrontation.

This retreat weakened her aura even further. The martial artists surrounding the temple also involuntarily stepped back, their hesitation evident.

Although she had retreated, the Snake Charmer was still defiant, “Why shouldn’t I know?”

The young man with the hooked nose said coldly, “You can… guess.”

In a flash, he appeared behind her, his sword slashing down.

The Snake Charmer, startled by his impossible speed, as if she herself had pulled him there, leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow.

Although the sword hadn’t touched her, she felt a powerful force pulling her towards it, as if trying to make her impale herself on the blade.

She landed several feet away, her face pale, “Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, Violet Vortex Blade Technique… how… how is this possible? The Soul Chasing Locking Steps belong to the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion, the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art to the Moon Lotus Pavilion, and the Violet Vortex Blade Technique to my Black Lotus Realm. You… how can you know techniques from all three factions? And you’re…”

…a man!

Of the three Evil Lotus factions, only the Black Lotus Realm had male members, but they were all outer disciples, not allowed to learn the techniques from the Night Charm Demonic scriptures.

And the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion and the Moon Lotus Pavilion, following the ancient traditions of the Evil Lotus Sect, didn’t accept male disciples at all.

A man possessing techniques from all three factions’ scriptures… How was that possible?

The young man with the hooked nose slowly sheathed his sword, “You want to know? Heh!”

He sneered, his hands behind his back, “You’re not worthy! Perhaps your sect leader is.”

The Snake Charmer stared at him, a mixture of shock and confusion in her eyes.

What she had just witnessed was too much for her to process.

The surrounding martial artists also exchanged glances, bewildered.

Just then, Xu Xiaoyan gracefully emerged from the temple, bowed to the young man with the hooked nose, and whispered, “Young Master, revealing techniques from all three factions… if Madam finds out, she’ll be angry. And if she’s angry, although she might only punish you out of affection, no one here will survive, not even the entire Black Lotus Realm…”

Her face was filled with feigned terror, her voice low, “Young Master, these people were just being rude. They don’t deserve to die!”

Chapter 61: So It Was Her

Shi Hao took Xu Xiaoyan’s hand and cautiously circled the carriage, approaching from the rear.

He channeled the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Finger, a flame flickering at his fingertip.

He sliced open the canvas at the back of the carriage. They each grabbed a handle of the crate and lifted it out.

The doll still sat motionless in the driver’s seat, its back to them.

Shi Hao retrieved his sword and their discarded black outfits. They turned and ran, carrying the crate, glancing back occasionally to see if the doll was following them.

They naturally wouldn’t go back to the mass grave.

After running for two li, they changed direction, crossing the abandoned fields and entering the forest.

They continued glancing back, but the doll didn’t appear.

“That thing is creepy!” Xu Xiaoyan said, “Was it alive or not?”

Shi Hao pondered, “Hard to say. After all, there are living swords and talking foxes in this world. A living doll wouldn’t be that surprising.”

“Oh!” Xu Xiaoyan covered her slightly crooked mouth with her hand, “I revealed that fox’s secret. If she finds out, I’m doomed.”

She stuck out her tongue, a playful look on her face.

Although she was still disguised, her expression was strangely endearing.

They carried the crate through the mountains. Suddenly, they felt a rush of wind and, knowing something was wrong, broke into a run, the sound of pursuit growing louder, shadowy figures flickering on either side.

Two surges of energy erupted ahead of them.

They stopped. Two men stepped out of the forest, blocking their path.

Numerous martial artists, dressed as woodcutters, scholars, and other commoners, but all radiating a strange aura, surrounded them.

The two men before them, one tall and thin with a black headband and a spear, the other short and stocky with a large axe, stared at them.

The tall, thin man snorted, “You’re both in disguise. Who are you?”

Xu Xiaoyan suddenly smiled, “So it’s the Black Lotus Realm.”

Shi Hao was surprised that their disguises had been so easily seen through.

But now that he knew these were members of the Black Lotus Realm, it wasn’t that strange.

He had learned from Xu Xiaoyan that after the Night Charm Demonic scriptures were divided, the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique became a secret of the Moon Lotus Pavilion.

However, the Black Lotus Realm and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion, both originating from the Evil Lotus Sect, weren’t completely unfamiliar with the technique.

If Shi Hao were a woman, like Xu Xiaoyan, they would have assumed they were from the Moon Lotus Pavilion.

But since he was a man, they hesitated… because the Moon Lotus Pavilion didn’t accept male disciples.

The stocky man with the axe looked at Xu Xiaoyan and suddenly said, “I recognize you. You’re that brat Xiao Yan, the former Pavilion Lord’s illegitimate daughter.”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “I also know you two: Xiang Zhong, the ‘Tyrant Spear,’ and Ban Hou, the ‘Serpent Axe,’ both seventh-rank experts of the Black Lotus Realm. I heard the Ghost Extreme Sect is causing you trouble. You have time to bother with us?”

Xiang Zhong, the “Tyrant Spear,” glared, “Hand over the Emerald Beauty!”

“Emerald Beauty?” Xu Xiaoyan’s voice rose in surprise, “The legendary Emerald Beauty of the demonic sects? How could we possibly have such a thing?”

Ban Hou, the “Serpent Axe,” gritted his teeth, “Denial is useless. The Ghost Extreme Sect made up a story about a young man with a hooked nose, claiming he’s one of ours, trying to break the demonic pact and steal… a hooked nose?”

He looked at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao’s expression remained unchanged… Why are you looking at me?

“It’s you, isn’t it, kid?” Ban Hou raised his axe, his voice filled with hatred, “Disguising yourself as one of ours, provoking the Ghost Extreme Sect, trying to start a war between us so you can steal the Emerald Beauty?”

Shi Hao’s expression remained impassive, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Xiang Zhong shouted, “There’s definitely something wrong with these two. Capture them!”

The crate suddenly flew towards them.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan, acting in perfect unison, had decided to strike first.

The crate slammed towards Xiang Zhong and Ban Hou, who quickly dodged.

Shi Hao drew his sword, his figure a blur, and slashed at Ban Hou.

His strike seemed ordinary, almost clumsy, not even a proper sword technique, just a simple, direct slash.

Ban Hou sneered, his axe flashing.

Despite its size and weight, the axe moved like a snake in his hands, its movements unpredictable.

His skill with such a heavy weapon was truly impressive, living up to his name, the “Serpent Axe.”

Shi Hao’s sword suddenly twisted slightly. Ban Hou, expecting him to avoid a direct clash with his axe, wasn’t surprised by the change in trajectory. He was even prepared to capitalize on the opening and split the young man’s skull.

But the young man’s simple slash somehow redirected his axe.

“What…?” Ban Hou exclaimed. His axe, now out of his control, was heading straight for Xiang Zhong.

“What are you doing?!” Xiang Zhong was forced to dodge, his spear deflecting the axe with a clang.

Xu Xiaoyan’s attack arrived. A thin, long whip shot out from her sleeve, coiling around Xiang Zhong’s neck.

At the same time, Shi Hao’s sword thrust towards Ban Hou’s chest.

The two, startled, dropped their weapons and rolled to the side, narrowly escaping.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan leaped into the air, caught the falling crate, and ran.

The other martial artists pursued them, but they hadn’t expected the “Tyrant Spear” and the “Serpent Axe,” two skilled experts, to be defeated so easily. Despite their numbers, they couldn’t catch up.

And the two thieves, carrying a large crate, were incredibly fast, quickly leaving them behind.

Xiang Zhong glared at Ban Hou, “Are you working with them? Did you deliberately attack me?!”

Ban Hou, knowing they had escaped so easily because he had been manipulated by the young man, quickly defended himself, “How could I be working with them? It’s that kid! He used… he used…”

“The Violet Vortex Blade Technique? You used the Violet Vortex Blade Technique?” Xu Xiaoyan, as they ran, looked back at him incredulously.

Shi Hao, using the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique to maintain his composure, said calmly, “Is that so surprising?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “It’s not just surprising, it’s impossible. No one in this world should know the true Violet Vortex Blade Technique.”

Shi Hao looked at her, “Why is that?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Didn’t I tell you? The Night Charm Demonic scriptures were divided into three parts. The Violet Vortex Blade Technique requires the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, but the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art is in the portion held by the Moon Lotus Pavilion, while the Violet Vortex Blade Technique is in the Black Lotus Realm’s portion.

“The Moon Lotus Pavilion has the energy cultivation method but not the corresponding blade technique, while the Black Lotus Realm has the technique but not the method. The Black Lotus Realm has tried using other techniques to replicate the Violet Vortex Blade Technique, but the results are far inferior, only suitable for low-level, ninth-rank martial artists.

“But your technique just now, without any warning, without any visible demonic energy, created an invisible vortex that disrupted the enemy’s internal energy flow. That’s the true Violet Vortex Blade Technique, something no one else can achieve.”

Shi Hao now understood why she had said it was impossible for anyone to know the true Violet Vortex Blade Technique.

Having learned it himself, he understood its intricacies.

The Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, taught by the Holy Jade Immortal, allowed him to manifest his true energy externally.

The Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, taught by Su Mei, created an internal vortex, containing the energy within his body, making it invisible.

Because there was no external manifestation of energy, it was impossible to detect.

That’s why Ban Hou, the Serpent Axe, hadn’t been able to defend himself. And this internal vortex could change in size and direction during combat, making it unpredictable.

The Violet Vortex Blade Technique was truly a unique and powerful martial art.

Using other cultivation methods to force the Violet Vortex Blade Technique would inevitably result in energy leakage, revealing the flow of internal energy, allowing the opponent to anticipate and counter the attack.

This significantly reduced the technique’s effectiveness.

Without the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, the Violet Vortex Blade Technique was just an empty shell.

The division of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures had indeed severely weakened the Evil Lotus Sect.

No wonder the once-powerful sect, capable of rivaling the Taisu Immortal Pavilion three hundred years ago, had splintered into hidden factions, now being bullied by the Ghost Extreme Sect.

Shi Hao looked at Xu Xiaoyan, “What is this ‘Emerald Beauty’? Why are the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Black Lotus Realm fighting over it? And why were you so surprised when you heard the name?”

Xu Xiaoyan’s eyes sparkled, “The Emerald Beauty is a legend among the demonic sects.”

“Do you know that three hundred years ago, a remarkable woman emerged from the demonic sects? She was the greatest genius in the history of the Evil Lotus Sect, and one of the few who united the demonic sects, a legendary figure.

“Not only did she unite the demonic sects, but she also successfully led the entire dark path. Even Lie Zunyi, the Supreme Emperor of the barbarian court, was defeated by her. As long as she lived, he didn’t dare set foot in the Central Plains. Her name was ‘Enchanting Fire Witch.’ She was revered as the ‘Demon Empress’ by the demonic sects, a mythical figure who stood at the peak of the demonic path.”

Shi Hao nodded slightly… So it was her…

I slept with her!

Chapter 60: The Mysterious Doll

The carriage moved forward, Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan careful not to make too much noise.

As they passed through a sparse section of forest, the sounds of fighting echoed from the other side of the hill – angry shouts and screams.

A loud crash resonated as a stone peak exploded in the distance. Judging by the commotion, it was likely a battle between sixth-rank, or even fifth-rank, experts.

The scent of blood hung heavy in the air.

They continued further, passing a stone forest where another fierce battle raged.

A cold voice sneered, “This is a mess of your Black Lotus Realm’s making. Don’t blame us.”

An angry voice retorted, “You came for ‘her’! Don’t try to shift the blame by inventing a non-existent person!”

Another explosion echoed as two surges of energy spiraled upwards and collided.

Xu Xiaoyan cracked her whip, urging the horses forward, quickly leaving the battlefield behind.

As they moved further away from the mass grave, they reached a dirt road connecting several villages.

Cart tracks crisscrossed the road, fields of wheat stretched out beside them, and the sounds of woodcutters echoed from the nearby mountains.

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “We’re quite lucky.”

Shi Hao also smiled, “Indeed.” He hadn’t expected their escape to be so smooth.

Perhaps he wasn’t destined to be the kind of “protagonist” who attracted trouble wherever he went, turning minor incidents into major catastrophes.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “We should change our clothes. We can’t be driving around in black outfits in broad daylight. It’s too suspicious.”

They turned to look inside the carriage… and froze.

Instinctively, they recoiled, staring into the carriage with apprehension.

Xu Xiaoyan had carefully chosen this carriage for its speed.

Although it had two horses, the carriage itself wasn’t very large. The grey canvas roof was arched, and the crate they had stolen barely fit inside horizontally.

There were two narrow benches on either side. To sit comfortably, one had to lean back against the arched roof, their legs cramped.

If two people sat facing each other, their knees would constantly bump.

This carriage was designed for transporting small amounts of cargo quickly.

The crate of pills lay horizontally in the carriage, their bags containing their clothes and Shi Hao’s sword placed on the benches.

But there was something else.

A small figure sat on top of the crate.

It was a doll, a female doll.

It had an elaborate hairstyle, a perfect “morning cloud near fragrance” bun, with a long wooden hairpin.

Its face, made of an unknown material, was lifelike, its two eyes, black gemstones, gleaming faintly in the dim light of the carriage.

It was this faint gleam that had startled them.

For a moment, they even thought it might be a shrunken girl.

“She” wore a beautiful, feather-light “rainbow robe,” woven from the finest silk, pink and white, spotless.

The rainbow robe wasn’t traditional Chinese attire, but the imagined clothing of celestial beings, often used in dances.

Beautiful, noble women would wear it, their graceful movements resembling celestial maidens.

“She” sat there, facing them, her small feet clad in blue and red embroidered shoes.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances… They had no idea who had placed this doll in their carriage.

In Chinese tradition, there were no toys like “dolls.”

Dolls were often associated with witchcraft and curses.

Finding a doll in someone’s room often meant they were cursing someone.

Even in Shi Hao’s previous world, the tradition of “clay figurines” hadn’t appeared until the Qing Dynasty, much later than most people thought.

Before that, children didn’t play with dolls.

In this era, dolls were considered cursed and ominous objects by ordinary people.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan, being martial artists, weren’t superstitious.

This didn’t mean they didn’t believe in the supernatural, but they had encountered things like supernatural abilities and demonic essence.

These so-called ominous objects held no fear for them.

But now, such a delicate and beautiful “ominous object” had mysteriously appeared in their carriage.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Who… who put it there?”

Shi Hao instinctively stood up and looked around.

Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the sparse, sickly crops in the fields. Some fields were overgrown with weeds, seemingly abandoned.

There was no one in sight… And Shi Hao realized this was pointless.

They had no idea when the doll had been placed there. They were certain it hadn’t been there when they loaded the crate into the carriage after escaping Jing’an Monastery.

But they hadn’t looked back since then.

And the carriage, designed for transporting goods, had no windows. Theoretically, it would have been difficult for anyone to place the doll inside without them noticing.

Could it be some kind of supernatural ability?

But who would be so bored as to place a beautiful doll in their carriage?

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I… I have a bad feeling about this. It feels like it’s watching me.”

Shi Hao stared at the doll and said thoughtfully, “I feel like it’s watching me.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Just throw it away. It’s creepy.”

Shi Hao reached out, feeling the doll’s gaze on him, sending shivers down his spine.

He picked it up. Beneath the beautiful rainbow robe, its skin felt smooth and delicate. He wondered what it was made of.

He stepped out of the carriage and placed the doll on a rock by the roadside.

The doll sat there, motionless.

“Let’s go!” Xu Xiaoyan cracked her whip, and the carriage sped away.

“Wait for me!” Shi Hao shouted, using his light-foot skills to catch up and climb back onto the carriage.

Xu Xiaoyan whipped the horses again, urging them to go faster.

After several li, they slowed down.

If they continued at that pace, the horses would collapse from exhaustion.

They stopped in the shade of a tree. Xu Xiaoyan said, “I’m going to change. Don’t look back.”

She climbed into the carriage, “Don’t peek!”

Shi Hao said, “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

The rustling sounds from behind him were tempting.

But Shi Hao, being a gentleman, naturally wouldn’t peek.

After a while, Xu Xiaoyan emerged, still disguised with the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique but now wearing her simple dress and without the mask.

Shi Hao climbed into the carriage, “Don’t peek either.”

Xu Xiaoyan snorted, “As if I’d want to look at you.”

The carriage was small, and with the large crate inside, it was difficult for Shi Hao to change his clothes.

He glanced over his shoulder and saw Xu Xiaoyan, her fingers spread over her eyes, peeking at him.

Realizing he had caught her, she quickly turned away.

Shi Hao thought, Completely untrustworthy.

He changed his clothes, keeping his disguised appearance, just like Xu Xiaoyan.

They sat side by side. He asked, “Where are we going now?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “There’s a town up ahead. Once we reach it, we can find a boat and continue to Chang…”

She trailed off, a sense of unease washing over her.

Shi Hao also felt something was wrong.

They both turned and looked at the space between them.

The doll sat there, prim and proper.

They jumped out of the carriage and stared at the doll.

The same morning cloud near fragrance bun, with the long wooden hairpin.

The same spotless pink and white rainbow robe.

The same blue and red embroidered shoes.

It was the same doll they had just left by the roadside.

The only difference was that before, its legs had been straight, and it had been sitting on the crate.

Now, its legs were bent, like a well-behaved little girl, sitting in the driver’s seat.

They had no idea when it had gotten back into the carriage.

A chill ran down their spines as they cautiously approached the carriage.

Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “What is this doll? Is it… alive?”

Shi Hao whispered back, “Can dolls be alive?”

Xu Xiaoyan muttered, “I don’t know. I know there are foxes that can talk. Maybe there are also dolls that are alive. Although I’ve traveled all over, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Shi Hao couldn’t help but look at her, “Foxes that can talk?” He thought, Is she talking about fox spirits?

Xu Xiaoyan, clearly unnerved by the doll, didn’t bother hiding anything, “Don’t tell anyone, but the organizer of the Red Hill Gathering… yes, the one behind the veil… she’s a fox.”

Shi Hao thought, Are there really fox spirits in this world?

Xu Xiaoyan, staring at the motionless doll, shivered, “How do we get rid of it?”

Chapter 59: Demonic Sect Infighting

“Look here!” Xu Xiaoyan whispered, a triumphant note in her voice.

Shi Hao quickly joined her. She had found a hidden compartment.

It was beneath a stone table against the wall. He didn’t know how she had found it, let alone opened it so quickly.

He was increasingly convinced… she was a born thief!

Inside the compartment were several immortal ingredients: a brocade box containing nine Blazing Sky Leaves, and two jade boxes, one containing a blue, bamboo shoot-shaped crystal, and the other a translucent, glowing fruit.

Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “Blue Frost Moon Essence Shoot and Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit.”

Shi Hao’s heart skipped a beat… Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit was one of the four immortal ingredients he needed.

He looked at Xu Xiaoyan and asked, “Did you plan to come here looking for immortal ingredients all along?”

He recalled that she had proposed this “big heist” right after he mentioned needing ingredients for his next breakthrough.

And a Chongxian Sect temple was indeed the most likely place to find them.

Xu Xiaoyan waved her hand dismissively and giggled, “Just lucky, I guess. Who knew you’d be so fortunate?”

She pocketed the three boxes, “You can keep the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit. I’ll sell the Blue Frost Moon Essence Shoot and the Blazing Sky Leaves at the next Red Hill Gathering. As agreed, we’ll split the profits after deducting the cost of your fruit.”

Shi Hao smiled, “Alright.” Then he asked, “How are we getting out of here?”

The Night Wanderer Talisman’s effect had worn off. And even if it hadn’t, carrying such a large crate undetected would be impossible.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “We’ll leave the same way we came in. Let’s go!”

They each grabbed one side of the crate and carried it out.

Outside, under the moonlight, a voice from the watchtower shouted, “Who’s there?”

The sudden shout alerted the other patrolling Daoists.

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan leaped onto the roof. Soon, they were surrounded.

Xu Xiaoyan, undeterred, smiled, “Thanks for the gifts! We’ll be going now!” She flicked her wrist, and a brick-shaped magical weapon appeared in her hand.

She threw the brick forward. Shi Hao saw a grey path open up before them.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Quickly!”

They jumped forward, carrying the crate, disappearing before the astonished Daoists’ eyes.

Soon, alerted by the commotion, the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital, the abbot, Zhuo Mulan, and others arrived.

The abbot demanded, “What happened?”

A disciple said, “Two thieves stole something from the alchemy hall.”

The abbot’s expression changed. He rushed into the brightly lit alchemy hall with his disciples.

Moments later, he emerged. The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital asked, “What was stolen?”

The abbot said, “A whole crate of Minor Restoration Pills meant for the army tomorrow, a Blue Frost Moon Essence Shoot, an Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit, and nine Blazing Sky Leaves… They were well-hidden.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital turned to the patrolling disciples, “What did the thieves look like?”

A disciple replied, “Both wore masks, a man and a woman. The woman was petite, with a flower in her hair…”

Zhuo Mulan said, “It seems it’s that female thief from Ming Kun Monastery again.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital asked, “And the man?”

The disciple said, “He had a high forehead, but I couldn’t see anything else.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital snorted angrily, “Carrying such a large crate, they can’t be far. Search the surrounding area, and inform the Six Gates. Set up checkpoints. Do they really think our Chongxian Sect is so easy to bully?”

The abbot shouted, “What are you waiting for?! Go!”

The disciples hurried off. Du Yuejiao arrived, “Master, what happened?”

Zhuo Mulan whispered, “It’s that female thief again. We couldn’t catch her last time, and now she’s come here to steal!”

Du Yuejiao, her voice sharp with anger, gritted her teeth, “How dare she! I’ll catch her and skin her alive!”

---

Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan drove the carriage through the forest.

Xu Xiaoyan, clearly having planned their escape route, didn’t waste any time, whipping the horses and urging them forward.

Shi Hao asked, “What kind of magical weapon was that? It transported us instantly.”

He and Xu Xiaoyan had jumped forward, carrying the crate, and then suddenly found themselves outside the monastery walls.

Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “The Void Traversing Brick. The divine crystal inside is the ‘Path Opener.’”

Shi Hao said, impressed, “With these two magical weapons, you’re practically invincible as a thief.”

They continued traveling until daybreak, far from Jing’an Monastery.

Although dawn had broken, the forest was shrouded in mist.

Tombstones dotted the landscape, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Shi Hao asked, “Where are we?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “The mass grave of Shu Chong Manor. There used to be a wealthy family here, but they were eradicated by the barbarian court, and their bodies were buried here haphazardly. Later, more and more refugees were buried here, and it became a mass grave.

“There’s a road here that bypasses the main road, and it’s faster. And since it’s a mass grave, it’s often overlooked, so it’s safer.”

Shi Hao said, “Are you sure it’s safe? This place feels… unsettling.”

Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “Are you afraid of ghosts? We didn’t kill these people. Even if they became ghosts, they wouldn’t bother us… uh.”

The carriage slowed down.

As they passed through the mass grave, the trees thinned, but the surroundings grew darker, despite the rising sun.

Corpses lay scattered on the ground, their deaths recent, judging by the bloodstains, their postures strange and contorted.

“A feud between martial artists?” Xu Xiaoyan muttered, “And a rather large one, it seems.”

She stopped the carriage, jumped down, and examined a corpse. The man, dressed in black, his face contorted in a grimace, clutched a blade in his left hand, his eyes wide open.

She searched his body and found a small, black wooden tag attached to his waist. The tag was blank, but she seemed to recognize it, “Ghost Extreme Sect.”

Shi Hao marveled at her knowledge.

Xu Xiaoyan walked to a nearby tree, its trunk snapped in two, covered in blade marks. A large, disheveled corpse with a thick beard lay beneath it.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “I recognize this one.”

Shi Hao asked, “Who is he?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Zhao Pitou, the ‘Disheveled Blade’ of the Black Lotus Realm. An eighth-rank expert. I’ve seen him a couple of times. He’s quite distinctive, so I remember him.”

Shi Hao said, “Black Lotus Realm? One of the three Evil Lotus factions?”

Xu Xiaoyan climbed back onto the carriage, “That’s right. The demonic sects have been relatively peaceful these past few years, until…” She looked at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao, wearing his mask, tried to look innocent, “It wasn’t me.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “This is bad. I didn’t expect to run into a fight between the Ghost Extreme Sect and the Black Lotus Realm here. Should we go through or turn back?”

Shi Hao pondered, “Is there another way?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “No, or rather, even if there is, it’s too late to turn back now. Jing’an Monastery must have alerted the Six Gates. The main roads will be blocked.”

Shi Hao said, “I’ve been wondering about something. You said the Evil Lotus Sect split into three factions: the Black Lotus Realm, the Moon Lotus Pavilion, and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion. And as far as I know, the Evil Lotus Sect obtains its demonic essence from the Night Enchanting Heaven in the Third Heaven of the Demonic Realm, and their advancement rituals are for women.

“Why are there men in the Black Lotus Realm?”

Shi Hao remembered that when he used the demonic ritual taught by Su Mei to obtain the Azure Origin Demonic Source, the female Yin Demon from the Night Enchanting Heaven had said, “It’s usually performed by women,” and “A handsome young man today.”

It seemed he was the first man to use an Evil Lotus Sect ritual to obtain demonic essence from the Night Enchanting Heaven.

Although the Yin Demon might have been lying, since demons were known for their deceptions, Xu Xiaoyan said, “You don’t know much about the demonic sects. When the Night Charm Demonic scriptures were divided, each faction received a portion. The Moon Lotus Pavilion and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion obtained the largest and most diverse portions, with many techniques for their disciples to cultivate. That’s why these two factions are composed entirely of women.

“The Black Lotus Realm received a smaller portion, but it contained some of the most powerful techniques, only suitable for a select few. Therefore, although the higher-ups of the Black Lotus Realm are all women, they’ve collected various demonic techniques from other sources for their lower-ranking disciples.

“So, the Black Lotus Realm’s techniques are the most diverse. Although the leaders are all women, there are many men among their lower ranks, but their demonic cultivation has nothing to do with the Night Enchanting Heaven. However, this isn’t widely known outside the three Evil Lotus factions.”

Shi Hao said, “I see.” He paused, “What should we do now?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Don’t ask me. You’re the man; you decide.”

Shi Hao chuckled, “You were the one who came up with this plan. And now you want me to take charge?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Hmph, who’s ‘we’?” Her eyes flickered, “Perhaps they’re already gone. Maybe the fight is over.”

Shi Hao said, “That’s possible.”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “And even if it isn’t, it’s a big forest. We might not run into them.”

Shi Hao said, “That’s true.”

Xu Xiaoyan whipped the horses, “Let’s go! I don’t believe we’re that unlucky!”

Chapter 58: The Defected Perfected One

Shi Hao, hidden above, listened intently.

He guessed that the authoritative voice belonged to Luo Yichen, the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital, one of the Chongxian Sect’s Twelve Perfected Ones.

The lower voice was likely that of Jing’an Monastery’s abbot, whose status within the Chongxian Sect was lower than the Twelve Perfected Ones.

And the two women were Zhuo Mulan and Du Yuejiao.

He heard Zhuo Mulan whisper, “Senior Brother Lan Ke… has defected!”

The abbot’s voice was filled with disbelief, “Senior Brother Lan Ke? Defected?!” The news was so shocking that he almost roared, his voice laced with internal energy.

Even Shi Hao was stunned… Daoist Lan Ke had betrayed the Chongxian Sect?

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said solemnly, “Although Lan Ke dislikes interfering in worldly affairs and doesn’t always agree with the sect’s decisions, he’s always been peaceful and has few connections in the martial world. This defection… someone must have influenced him. Yuejiao, tell me, who did he meet before this?”

Du Yuejiao stammered, “Well, that…”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said coldly, “If you continue to hide information, even you and your master will be implicated.”

Zhuo Mulan said softly, “Yuejiao, tell us everything.”

Du Yuejiao said hesitantly, “That day, when Uncle and I were gathering herbs on the back mountain, someone appeared…”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital asked, “What kind of person?”

Du Yuejiao said, “An old man, slightly hunched, looking frail. But the moment Uncle saw him, he shielded me, looking very nervous. And the old man emerged from the forest, appearing almost instantly before us. He must be a powerful expert.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital asked, “What did he say?”

Du Yuejiao shook her head, “I don’t know. He told Uncle he meant no harm and just wanted to talk. Then, Uncle sent me away.

“From a distance, I saw them talking. The old man sat on the grass, while Uncle paced back and forth, looking agitated.”

Zhuo Mulan asked in surprise, “Yuejiao, why didn’t you tell us this before?”

Du Yuejiao said, “Uncle specifically told me not to tell anyone.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital pondered, “Did this old man have any distinguishing features?”

Du Yuejiao thought for a moment, “He looked like an ordinary old man, but he carried a sword.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital asked, “What kind of sword?”

Du Yuejiao said, “It looked like a wooden sword, slightly thick, with some patterns carved on it…”

The abbot of Jing’an Monastery’s expression changed, “An old man, slightly hunched, carrying a wooden sword… could it be…?”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said grimly, “It seems we have our answer… Zhao Gucheng, the ‘Sword King!’”

Zhuo Mulan gasped, “The Sword King? Number six on the Blacklist, the one who was once known as the greatest swordsman in the world?”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said, “It must be him. Eight years ago, he attacked the capital, attempting to assassinate the current Emperor. Fortunately, the Supreme Emperor intervened, severely injuring him, but he escaped.

“We thought he had gone into hiding to recover, but recently, a rebellious organization called ‘Dark Thunder’ has emerged, and even Fu Shiyuan, the Heroic Iron Eagle, is one of them. According to the sect’s investigation, Zhao Gucheng is their leader.”

The abbot frowned, “The ‘Dark Thunder’ that attacked the transport at Civilian Martial Ridge? These rebels are like a silent thunderclap. Now, with unrest spreading everywhere, this is becoming quite troublesome.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital pondered, “If Lan Ke was persuaded by Zhao Gucheng to join Dark Thunder, that is indeed a problem for the sect. But there’s no need to worry. The sect has sent someone to deal with Zhao Gucheng.”

“Zhao Gucheng is still recovering from his injuries, and this person knows him well. This time, Zhao Gucheng will surely die.”

He paused, “Ming Kun Monastery reported that Lan Ke had an outer disciple named Shi Hao, who stayed at the monastery for a few days. Shortly after he left, the incident at Civilian Martial Ridge occurred…”

Du Yuejiao said quickly, “Brother Shi… Shi Hao is just an outer disciple. He doesn’t know anything. Uncle just met him in the mountains last year and taught him some techniques.”

Zhuo Mulan sighed softly, “I think you’re overthinking this, Senior Brother. Shi Hao’s background is easily verifiable. And Senior Brother Lan Ke has always been unpredictable. It’s not surprising that he would take on an outer disciple.”

“But he couldn’t possibly know about the God-Sealing Stones. And Senior Brother Lan Ke was approached by Zhao Gucheng after the Civilian Martial Ridge incident. Before that, he probably hadn’t even considered betraying the sect.”

“Besides, that mysterious female thief infiltrated Ming Kun Monastery and stole the information about the God-Sealing Stones before that. She’s probably the one working for Dark Thunder.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said, “Hmm… our priority now is finding Lan Ke. The Six Gates have placed him on the Blacklist, which is detrimental to the sect’s reputation. If you have any information about him, report it to the sect immediately.”

Zhuo Mulan and Du Yuejiao said, “Yes, Senior Brother.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital said, “You may leave now.”

After the two women left, only the Perfected One of the Mystic Capital and the abbot remained.

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital’s voice turned cold, “Tell your men to restrain themselves. I usually don’t interfere with your management, but these are extraordinary times. Don’t cause any more trouble for the sect. Look at the kind of people you’ve recruited, bullying and exploiting the common people. Our Chongxian Sect is supposed to be the orthodox leader of the Daoist sects, but our reputation is declining because of people like you.”

The abbot said nervously, “You’re right, Senior Brother. I’ll keep a closer eye on them.”

The Perfected One of the Mystic Capital snorted and left. The abbot wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed in relief.

After a while, several disciples entered and whispered, “Master…”

The abbot scolded, “You fools! Inform everyone to behave themselves while Senior Brother Xuandu is here.”

The disciples hurriedly replied, “Yes, Master!”

The abbot paused and muttered, “I also need to prepare a generous gift for Senior Brother Xuandu. Hmm, I’ll think about it myself… I remember he doesn’t care for mundane things but prefers jewelry, paintings, and calligraphy…”

The disciples left, taking the torches with them.

The room was plunged into darkness as the sound of their footsteps faded away.

Xu Xiaoyan, still clinging to Shi Hao’s back, whispered in his ear, “Is that ‘Yuejiao’ girl your lover?”

Shi Hao said, “No.”

“Don’t lie,” Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “She looked quite worried when that Xuandu guy suspected you. She didn’t even look that worried when her uncle betrayed the sect.”

Shi Hao remained silent, thinking.

Xu Xiaoyan continued teasingly, “So, you seduced her to get information about the God-Sealing Stones, and now you’re abandoning her?”

Shi Hao said, “I didn’t seduce her…”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “You men are all the same, acting all virtuous after stealing a girl’s heart.”

Shi Hao whispered, “She and I are not the same kind of people. I can’t stay at a place like the Chongxian Sect for her. And I’m destined to oppose the barbarian court and the Chongxian Sect. It’s a dangerous path, and I don’t want to drag her down with me.”

Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment, “That’s true. If you actually joined the Chongxian Sect, or even served the barbarian court, for a woman, I would be disgusted. The more time I spend in the shadows of the martial world, the more I realize that both the barbarian court and the Chongxian Sect deserve to be destroyed.

“Even if there are a few good people among them, what’s the point? If the head is rotten, the body is diseased, even if a few parts still look healthy, it’s still a rotten person.”

She pushed off Shi Hao’s back and gracefully floated down.

Shi Hao jumped down after her.

Xu Xiaoyan took out a bamboo tube from her robe.

Shi Hao thought it was a fire starter, but when she opened it, a soft light emanated from within.

It contained Night Fragrance Grass, the seemingly bamboo exterior actually made of jade to preserve the herb.

Xu Xiaoyan went to the crate, broke the seal, and as they opened it together, she said, “It’s surprising that Zhao Gucheng is the leader of Dark Thunder. He’s the only person in the past century who survived an attack by the barbarian Supreme Emperor Lie Zunyi.

“But it makes sense. Who else could unite so many righteous martial artists across the land?”

They opened the crate, revealing layers of cloth protecting numerous small pills. Xu Xiaoyan picked one up, examined it closely, and glanced at Shi Hao, “Your nose is quite good. These are indeed Minor Restoration Pills.”

She closed the crate and, using the glowing jade tube, began searching the room.

Shi Hao asked, “What are you looking for?”

Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “Anything valuable and easy to carry. We might as well take as much as we can, in case this ‘big heist’ doesn’t pay off.”

Shi Hao thought, that’s true, and joined her search.

After all, the chances of this operation being profitable were slim, or rather… it was practically guaranteed to be a loss.

Stealing a crate of pills and delivering them to rebels surrounded by the barbarian army… it would be a miracle if they made a profit.

Anyone who thought they could get rich from this was a fool, and anyone who joined them was also a fool.

They knew it was foolish, but they did it anyway!

Because some things, even if they resulted in a loss… had to be done!

Chapter 57: Night Prowling, Night Thievery

When Xu Xiaoyan said she was going to steal a carriage, she meant it. She wasn’t about to spend a single coin.

As evening approached, they hid the stolen carriage in the forest. She sat on the driver’s seat, undid her fallen horse bun, and hummed a tune as she combed her hair.

Shi Hao stood beside her, watching… He had to admit, it was quite a pleasant sight.

Although she wore a simple village girl’s dress, she was just as beautiful as Du Yuejiao.

Her oval face, rosy cheeks, delicate features, and captivating aura… perhaps because she seemed more like a kindred spirit, Shi Hao even found her slightly more attractive than Du Yuejiao.

Of course, that was purely subjective.

Objectively, Du Yuejiao was also undeniably beautiful.

Xu Xiaoyan finished combing her hair and styled it into a “hundred flowers bun.”

“No peeking!” she said, climbing into the carriage. After a while, she emerged, now dressed in a form-fitting black outfit, a five-petaled flower tucked into her hair.

“Here,” she tossed a set of black men’s clothing to Shi Hao.

“You really came prepared,” Shi Hao said, impressed.

He changed into the black outfit in the forest.

It fit reasonably well, although a bit loose in some places… Since Xu Xiaoyan didn’t know his exact measurements, she had erred on the side of caution.

But the outfit had straps to tighten the sleeves and waist, so it wasn’t a problem.

As darkness fell, Xu Xiaoyan carefully drove the carriage to a hidden spot near Jing’an Monastery.

They then used the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique. Shi Hao became “Hao Xinghua” again, and Xu Xiaoyan became the “plain-looking girl” he had seen on the river.

This was one of the limitations of the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique. Although it was incredibly convenient, allowing them to change their appearance on the fly without any preparation, the number of facial muscles they could control was limited.

To create a drastically different appearance, the number of possible transformations was restricted.

No one who saw “Hao Xinghua” would connect him to Shi Hao; they looked completely different.

Altering every feature created a distinct persona. But changing only some features might give people a sense of familiarity, causing unnecessary trouble.

Xu Xiaoyan’s transformation was even more dramatic. Her nose became larger, her mouth crooked, her face rounder, and a small, but noticeable, bump appeared on her forehead, making her look… plain.

“Am I ugly enough?” she giggled, pushing her face close to his.

Shi Hao looked at her seriously, “No… you look quite… charming.”

Xu Xiaoyan snorted and glanced at him sideways, “You’re just saying that because you know what I really look like. Trying to flatter me.”

Shi Hao smiled, “I genuinely think you look… interesting.”

He watched as she put on a black mask, covering her face, and asked, “Why bother with a mask if you’ve already changed your appearance? And if you’re wearing a mask, why bother changing your appearance?”

Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “Because masks aren’t foolproof. Some people, seeing a masked female thief, might think she’s a beauty hiding beneath the mask and try to capture her alive or remove her mask.

“And when the mask comes off, and they see my ‘ugly’ face, they’ll be so disappointed and disgusted that I can easily escape. And seeing it’s just a plain-looking girl, they won’t bother chasing me.”

Shi Hao said, impressed, “That’s clever.”

“And you,” Xu Xiaoyan, wearing the mask, approached him and looked at him in the dim moonlight, “You actually look like a real assassin with those sharp features and that menacing look. Perhaps after this heist, we can take on some assassination jobs. They pay well.”

Shi Hao recalled the Demon Spirit Assassination Order from the Red Hill Gathering. Two or three hundred taels per kill, even after the organization’s cut, still left a hefty profit.

Seven or eight kills, and he would have over a thousand taels. He had to admit… he was tempted to join the assassin organization.

Shi Hao also put on a black mask and asked, “How are we getting in?”

Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “Getting in is easy. Getting out is the tricky part.”

She took his hand, “Hold on tight, and don’t let go! Let’s go!” She floated towards Jing’an Monastery.

Shi Hao followed her, quickly approaching the monastery walls. They would be spotted if they went any further.

Xu Xiaoyan took out an object, and with a flash of light, they were enveloped in a black mist and floated upwards.

They drifted over the high walls, past the watchtowers and patrolling Daoists, undetected.

Shi Hao wondered what kind of powerful magic this was.

As if sensing his thoughts, Xu Xiaoyan leaned closer, her body pressing against his, and whispered in his ear, “This is the effect of the Night Wanderer Talisman. The divine crystal inside is the ‘Night Wanderer.’”

Shi Hao wasn’t very familiar with divine crystals. Those he had heard of before all ended with “Star,” like the Earth Dog Star, Heavenly Speed Star, Chopping Block Star, and so on.

This was the first time he had encountered a magical weapon named after a “god.”

He thought to himself, “If there’s a ‘Night Wanderer’ divine crystal, is there also a ‘Day Wanderer’?”

He felt like he was grasping something important.

Magical weapons had limited uses, but supernatural ability users didn’t have to worry about that. However, the power granted by the Night Wanderer clearly had limitations. It was useful as a magical weapon, but as a supernatural ability, it was too restrictive.

One couldn’t live their life in reverse, only going out at night, becoming a thief.

Since the talisman’s effect was temporary, Xu Xiaoyan didn’t waste any time, pulling him along as they quickly moved through the monastery.

There were at least hundreds of people within the monastery, and despite the late hour, patrolling disciples and Daoists could be seen everywhere.

They drifted past these patrols undetected.

When they encountered walls or buildings, they simply floated over them, effortlessly. This must be the “wandering” aspect of the “Night Wanderer” ability.

Xu Xiaoyan, a true master thief, quickly located the main alchemy room after a few passes.

The alchemy room wasn’t locked. They slipped inside, hand in hand, and began searching.

“Here!” Shi Hao, having learned alchemy from Daoist Lan Ke, quickly located a large crate based on the scent of medicinal herbs.

A seal was affixed to the crate. Normally, there was no need to seal crates of ingredients or elixirs used within the monastery. This sealed crate was clearly meant for the barbarian army.

Shi Hao sniffed the crate and whispered, “Minor Restoration Pills.”

Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “Are you sure?”

Shi Hao said, “I’ve refined these pills myself. I can recognize the scent.”

Xu Xiaoyan wasn’t entirely convinced. She didn’t want to carry it out only to discover it was something else.

She took out a small knife to cut the seal and check.

Just then, voices came from outside.

They exchanged glances, realizing they were in trouble.

They hadn’t expected anyone to come here in the middle of the night. Although the Night Wanderer Talisman’s effect was still active, it wouldn’t last much longer.

Xu Xiaoyan pointed upwards.

They silently floated up to the rafters, using their remaining invisibility.

But the rafters weren’t safe. If anyone looked up, they would be easily spotted.

Xu Xiaoyan, however, had already anticipated this and pointed to a partially enclosed area above the door. They quickly moved there and hid.

The space was narrow, and Shi Hao felt a soft weight against his back as Xu Xiaoyan pressed against him.

They were now completely hidden in a blind spot. Unless someone entered the alchemy room, walked all the way to the back, and then looked up, they wouldn’t be discovered.

Only someone who had spent years as a thief could find such a hiding spot so quickly.

The door creaked open, followed by flickering torchlight. Several disciples entered, placing torches in the wall sconces, illuminating the room.

“Leave us,” a low voice commanded.

The disciples bowed and left. The low voice spoke again, “Rest assured, Senior Brother Xuandu. The God-Sealing Stone has been sent away and will reach the sect soon. And the medicinal pills for the army are also ready… Senior Brother Xuandu?”

Another voice, deep and authoritative, said, “We’ll discuss that later.”

The low voice asked, “Senior Brother Xuandu, Junior Sister Zhuo, what happened?”

A woman’s voice said hesitantly, “Well…”

Shi Hao, hidden above, peeked through a crack in the wood. He didn’t see the woman who had spoken, but a young woman in a red Daoist robe.

It looked like a Daoist robe, but it was actually a brightly colored dress.

The authoritative voice said again, “Neither of you noticed anything unusual about him? Such a serious matter, and no one noticed anything beforehand? Yuejiao, you’re closest to him. You speak first.”

The girl in the red dress stammered, “We just… knew he wasn’t feeling well those few days. We didn’t see anything else. No one expected him… him to betray the sect.”

The low voice was filled with surprise, “Who are you talking about? Who betrayed the sect?”

Chapter 56: An Even More Powerful Sword Technique

Daoist Tie Yu grabbed the Blood Slaughter Sword, walked to the furnace, and tossed it in.

A dark shadow emerged from the sword as it entered the flames, accompanied by a faint, almost childlike shriek, a disturbing sound.

Xu Xiaoyan said, “Uncle Yan, are you just going to destroy it?”

Daoist Tie Yu said, “A demonic sword like this will only cause harm. Why should I keep it?”

Xu Xiaoyan looked pained, “It’s still a famous sword. We could sell it for a good price. Besides, a sword is just a sword. It’s the wielder who determines whether it’s good or evil. A kitchen knife can also kill; we can’t blame the knife, can we?”

Daoist Tie Yu’s expression turned serious, “Don’t think that way. An evil weapon like this is different from an ordinary sword. It’s alive. People always think they can resist temptation, but few actually can.”

“Some temptations are best avoided. Some evil things shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

“The Daoist path emphasizes cultivating one’s character, unlike those demonic cultivators who resort to all sorts of heinous acts to obtain demonic essence. Don’t use what you shouldn’t, and don’t touch what you shouldn’t.”

Xu Xiaoyan stuck out her tongue, “Alright, alright, I understand.”

Daoist Tie Yu turned to Shi Hao, “You brought me the Blood Slaughter Sword. As promised, I’ll forge something for you. What do you want?”

Shi Hao said, “A sword. I want a high-quality sword.”

Daoist Tie Yu asked, “Any specific requirements?”

Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, “It should be easily concealed, preferably not too long or wide. And…”

Swish! Before he could finish, Daoist Tie Yu swung his hammer, and a red-hot sword spun through the air towards Shi Hao.

Shi Hao quickly drew his sword and deflected the glowing blade with a clang.

Daoist Tie Yu said admiringly, “Excellent swordsmanship! I understand. Come back in half a month to collect your sword.”

Shi Hao said, “But I also…”

Daoist Tie Yu said, “I said I understand! Now go, go! Don’t disturb my work!”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “He was so polite before we got the Blood Slaughter Sword. Now that he has what he wants, he’s kicking us out. How ungrateful.”

Daoist Tie Yu chuckled, “Girl, you wouldn’t stay here anyway. It makes no difference whether I chase you away or not.”

Xu Xiaoyan snorted, “Of course it makes a difference! It’s the principle of the thing.” She tugged at Shi Hao’s arm, “Let’s go. Don’t bother with this old fool.”

Daoist Tie Yu called out, “Wait! That sword you’re carrying… you borrowed it. You have to pay for it…”

Xu Xiaoyan, pulling Shi Hao away, called back without turning around, “Let him use it for now. We’ll return it when we come back for the new sword in half a month.”

Daoist Tie Yu shouted, “You two… stop! Come back here…”

---

Dawn broke, painting the eastern sky with streaks of light.

The barbarian youth, Shi Tu Xiong, stumbled out of the forest and reached the riverbank.

A middle-aged man sat cross-legged on a rock by the river, his figure seemingly blending with the earth. A bird that had landed beside him took flight as the barbarian approached.

The man sat facing the river, his eyes closed, a sword with a black scabbard lying across his lap.

“You lost?” the man asked without turning around.

Shi Tu Xiong gritted his teeth, “I lost. I lost to him!”

The middle-aged man asked, “Where’s the Blood Slaughter Sword?”

Shi Tu Xiong turned away, “He took it.”

The middle-aged man asked, “His power surpasses yours?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “We’re both seventh-rank, but his internal energy is weaker than mine.”

The middle-aged man asked, “Did he have a better sword than the Blood Slaughter Sword?”

Shi Tu Xiong shook his head, “No… just an ordinary sword, mid-grade at best.”

The middle-aged man asked, “Did he use some underhanded trick?”

Shi Tu Xiong gritted his teeth, “No!”

The middle-aged man finally opened his eyes.

As he did, his entire being seemed to transform into a sword, his sword intent so powerful that the river flow momentarily stopped before resuming its course.

The middle-aged man said, “So, he defeated you with pure swordsmanship?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “Yes!”

The middle-aged man asked, “Did you use the Blood Palace Massacre technique I taught you?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “I did… but I still lost.”

The middle-aged man asked, “What’s his name?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “Shi Hao… he said his name is Shi Hao.”

“I’ve never heard of him. A new face in the sword world, it seems.” The middle-aged man closed his eyes again.

Shi Tu Xiong looked at the motionless figure, “Teach me a more powerful sword technique. Next time, I’ll defeat him. Next time… next time I won’t lose!”

“It’s useless,” the middle-aged man said slowly, “The Blood Palace Massacre is the strongest technique you can currently use, and even that requires the Blood Slaughter Sword. I do have more powerful techniques, but you can’t learn them.”

Shi Tu Xiong said angrily, “Teach me a more powerful sword technique! I have to defeat him! Next time, I will win!”

The middle-aged man said calmly, “I told you, even if I taught you, you couldn’t learn them. You don’t have the strength.”

Shi Tu Xiong’s face contorted, his body swaying, “His power is weaker than mine. His sword is inferior to mine. But I still lost, lost in swordsmanship. The techniques you taught me are no match for his. So, it’s not just me who lost, but you as well. Number ten on the Blacklist, the ‘Sword Demon’… just like when you lost to Zhao Gucheng, he is the true number one swordsman in the world.

“And you… you’re nothing!”

The middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes again, “You’re that desperate to learn a more powerful technique?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “I want to defeat him, defeat him fairly. Next time… next time I will win!”

A mocking smile appeared on the middle-aged man’s lips, “With your current abilities, I can’t teach you anything stronger, and no one in the mortal world can either. If you truly desire power, I can teach you a demonic ritual. You can learn a more powerful sword technique that way, a technique that shouldn’t exist in this world… Do you really want to learn it?”

Shi Tu Xiong said, “Tell me how. I have to win. I will win!”

“Hmm,” the mocking smile faded from the middle-aged man’s face, “I admire your desire for strength, but it’s a pity. If you were patient, with your talent, you could become a truly exceptional swordsman. But you’re too impatient. I’ll ask you one last time. Do you truly desire power… the fastest way possible?”

“I want power! I want to learn a more powerful sword technique! I have to win… next time, I will win!”

---

“These are all Jing’an Monastery’s fields?” Shi Hao stood on a cliff, looking at the vast expanse of wheat fields, “All of this?”

“What did you expect?” Xu Xiaoyan said, “Those damned Daoists, with the backing of the barbarian court, they can do as they please. They use the barbarian court’s policies, natural disasters, bandit attacks, and wars to force the local farmers to sell their land and even their children, expanding their wealth and influence.”

“This isn’t like West Shu. West Shu is remote, and the smaller landowners band together, forcing the barbarians and the wealthy to show some restraint. But here, even a small landowner with a few dozen mu of land can’t resist the encroachment of the barbarian families and the Chongxian Sect. They can be ruined in an instant.”

Shi Hao shook his head… No wonder there were so many refugees.

Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.

But as the “royalty” and their allies used such simple methods to ruin countless families, they were also unknowingly walking towards their own destruction.

Like a gluttonous beast, they devoured everything around them, their insatiable hunger driving them forward, unable to stop.

That’s why Fu Shiyuan’s rebellion in the Changbai Mountains had shaken the land, unsettling both the court and the common people.

On one side, the rebel army grew stronger with every passing day, while on the other, the barbarian court and its allies desperately tried to suppress the uprising.

“That’s Jing’an Monastery!” Xu Xiaoyan pointed, “The Chongxian Sect has temples in every prefecture of the eight provinces, but their size varies. In places like Chu Yin and Lingnan, where the barbarian court’s control is weak, the temples are smaller and fewer. But here, it’s different.”

Shi Hao looked at the sprawling, opulent temple complex and shook his head, “It’s at least three times larger than Ming Kun Monastery in Jin Prefecture.”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Even so, the layout of all Chongxian Sect temples is similar. According to my investigation, the medicinal pills Jing’an Monastery supplies to the barbarian army are usually transported in crates, each containing at least ten thousand pills. A single carriage can carry two or three crates.

“We don’t need much, just one crate. That would be worth at least a thousand taels of silver, even if we sell them cheaply. The elixirs refined by the Chongxian Sect aren’t always available on the market.”

Shi Hao said, “But there’s a problem. The Chongxian Sect claims to be the orthodox leader of all Daoist sects. Even this Jing’an Monastery must have several sixth and seventh-rank experts, and probably twenty or thirty eighth and ninth-rank martial artists, plus a large number of outer disciples who act as guards.

“Do we really have a chance of sneaking in, let alone stealing a crate of pills?”

Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Don’t forget, I infiltrated even Ming Kun Monastery and stole important documents.”

Shi Hao said, “Don’t forget, Jing’an Monastery is even larger than Ming Kun Monastery.”

Xu Xiaoyan giggled and tugged at his arm, “That’s why I have you now. If something goes wrong, to ensure the success of this heist, you’ll have to cover my escape.”

Shi Hao said, “So, if we’re discovered, I’ll hold them off while you run away?”

Xu Xiaoyan pulled him along, “Let’s go!”

Shi Hao asked, “Where are we going?”

Xu Xiaoyan said, “To steal a carriage. We’ll need it tonight.”