Chapter 79: Black Heart Enchantress
Xu Xiaoyan gasped, “It really is?”
Her surprise attracted the attention of the others.
She muttered, “But that’s impossible. One is jade, the other a doll. They’re completely different. And if it really was the Emerald Beauty, why didn’t the Snake Charmer recognize it?
“I would have given it to her if she had asked.”
The woman in the black floral dress said, “Because back then, no one knew the Emerald Beauty was not only alive but also capable of transformation.
“It was Grandmaster Shuiyue of the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion who discovered this. The Emerald Beauty was in the possession of the Black Lotus Realm, who were trying to unlock its secrets and claim the Demon Empress’s treasure for themselves. Even our Moon Lotus Pavilion and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion weren’t aware of this.”
“But there was a spy from the Ghost Extreme Sect within the Black Lotus Realm. After learning about the Emerald Beauty, the Ghost Extreme Sect broke the demonic pact, attacking the Black Lotus Realm. The Black Lotus Realm suffered heavy losses, and even their leader, ‘Immaculate Holy Lotus,’ was severely injured. And the Emerald Beauty disappeared during the chaos.”
Xu Xiaoyan said sadly, “The Ghost Extreme Sect is too powerful. None of the three Evil Lotus factions can defeat them alone.”
The woman in the black floral dress said, “Exactly! The Black Lotus Realm, left with no other choice, set aside their past grievances and approached both the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion and our Moon Lotus Pavilion. Although the three factions have been fighting for two hundred years, times have changed. Firstly, the Emerald Beauty belongs to us, the three Evil Lotus factions. It cannot fall into the hands of outsiders.
“Secondly, this is the perfect opportunity to reshape the martial world. Everyone can see that the barbarian court’s reign is nearing its end. If we continue our infighting, we’ll not only miss this golden opportunity but also be destroyed in the ensuing chaos. Therefore, Grandmaster Shuiyue proposed an alliance between the three factions to fight against the Ghost Extreme Sect and retrieve the Emerald Beauty, unlocking the secrets of the Demon Empress’s legacy.”
“And after the Snake Charmer reported encountering you, Grandmaster Shuiyue consulted ancient texts and confirmed that the doll is likely the Emerald Beauty.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “But a doll is a doll, and jade is jade…”
The woman in the black floral dress said, “The Jade Corpse Technique is a unique and ancient secret art of the Evil Lotus Sect. The practitioner can transform into jade, their body harder than steel, impervious even to high-grade weapons. This technique requires a very special kind of demonic essence.”
“Since the division of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures, no one has practiced this technique. Although it’s recorded in the scriptures, it’s in the most secretive section. Unless the complete scriptures are restored, no one can learn it. That’s why the Snake Charmer didn’t realize it.”
Xu Xiaoyan murmured, “So, that doll is a practitioner of the Jade Corpse Technique?”
The woman in the black floral dress looked at her intently, “Precisely.”
Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “Aunt Ting, don’t look at me like that. I don’t know where it is now. It left on its own.”
The woman said calmly, “Even if we believe you, we have to convince the Ghost Extreme Sect as well.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “The Ghost Extreme Sect?”
The woman said, “I told you, there’s a spy from the Ghost Extreme Sect within the Black Lotus Realm. Before contacting you, we had already identified her. She held a high position within the Black Lotus Realm and was plotting to usurp the leadership with the help of the Ghost Extreme Sect.
“Although Immaculate Holy Lotus managed to eliminate her, she had already betrayed us. Now, the Ghost Extreme Sect is also looking for you.”
Xu Xiaoyan and Shi Hao exchanged glances. This was becoming a headache.
The woman said, “Only our Moon Lotus Pavilion can help you now. The Ghost Extreme Sect is after you. Without our protection, you won’t be able to hide for long.”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Aunt Ting, if you and the Black Lotus Realm and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion truly want to cooperate, you should focus on restoring the complete Night Charm Demonic scriptures, not finding this Emerald Beauty. Once the scriptures are complete, your strength will naturally increase.”
The woman shook her head, “You still don’t understand. The Emerald Beauty is part of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures.”
Xu Xiaoyan asked in surprise, “How is that possible?”
The woman said, “I can’t reveal the details, but you must understand, we have to retrieve the Emerald Beauty. I came here hoping you would hand it over willingly. Otherwise, the three factions will have to capture you. I’m sure you’re familiar with our interrogation methods.”
Xu Xiaoyan glanced at Shi Hao, then sighed, “Although you won’t believe us, we have to say it again… we don’t have it. It left on its own. We don’t know where it went.”
The woman stood up, “In that case, good luck.”
She turned and left. After she was gone, Xu Xiaoyan looked at Shi Hao and said sadly, “This is bad. They didn’t want it when we offered it, and now that we don’t have it, they’re after us.”
Shi Hao said coldly, “It’s not our problem. And even if we did have it, why should we give it to them?”
Xu Xiaoyan sighed, “The good news is, since the Chongxian Sect has a main temple in Dàxīng City, the demonic sects can’t operate openly here. The bad news is, although the Ghost Extreme Sect and the three Evil Lotus factions can’t openly operate here, such an important city must have their hidden agents.”
Shi Hao asked, “Who was that woman just now?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Huan Tingting, the ‘Black Heart Enchantress’ of the Moon Lotus Pavilion. She was my mother’s junior sister, so I call her Aunt Ting. She used to be quite kind to me, but in the demonic sects, relationships are fragile. When it comes to profit, there’s no such thing as sentiment.
“And with something as important as the Emerald Beauty… we’re in trouble now!”
She looked at Shi Hao, “Now I really hope you’re some powerful young master with a mysterious and incredibly powerful ‘Madam’ who can wipe out all three factions, even the Ghost Extreme Sect, with a flick of her wrist.”
She clasped her hands together, looked up at the ceiling, and said with mock piety, “Although I made it up, I pray to the Heavenly Venerable that my wish comes true!”
She lowered her hands and looked at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling, as if saying, “Tell me, tell me, did my wish come true?”
Shi Hao said thoughtfully, “If we can make it to the next full moon, I might have a solution.”
Xu Xiaoyan asked, surprised, “Really?”
Shi Hao said solemnly, “Perhaps I can find out what the Emerald Beauty truly is by then.”
Xu Xiaoyan jumped up and grabbed his hand, “Let’s go!”
Shi Hao looked at the news bulletins on the table, “These…”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “You can’t take them with you. They’re only for reading here.”
They quickly left “The Dregs” and walked through a deserted alley.
Shi Hao glanced back and saw a head quickly disappear around a corner.
He whispered, “We’re being followed.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “If Aunt Ting could find us, so can the Ghost Extreme Sect. Let’s go!”
They ran, and soon, they heard the sound of pursuing wind.
Shi Hao used the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, sensing the surrounding energy flows. He pulled Xu Xiaoyan along, “This way!” They turned a corner and entered a dead end, stopping.
As Xu Xiaoyan looked at him, puzzled, he grabbed her and leaped over the wall, landing on the other side.
Moments later, a figure leaped onto the wall, looking around. He moved gracefully, searching the rooftops. Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan had crossed the wall just as he landed.
Using the Soul Chasing Locking Steps, Shi Hao quickly lost their pursuers, merging into the crowds on a busy street. Along the way, they undid the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique. They saw disguised martial artists searching the crowd, some glancing at them but not recognizing them.
Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “That must be the Ghost Extreme Sect. The three Evil Lotus factions know about the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique. Seeing our similar builds, they would be suspicious. And the Moon Lotus Pavilion knows my true face. Only the Ghost Extreme Sect, seeing our completely different appearances, wouldn’t suspect us.”
Shi Hao, holding her hand, walked slowly through the crowd, “The good news is, Dàxīng City isn’t the Ghost Extreme Sect or the Evil Lotus factions’ territory, and they’re fighting each other. This is our opportunity. The bad news is, the Emerald Beauty is a significant matter. It might attract many experts from both sides.”
Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “It seems the Evil Lotus factions’ experts haven’t arrived yet. Aunt Ting was probably warning us about the Ghost Extreme Sect. But they’re fast. There were quite a few of them just now… hmm.”
Shi Hao looked at her, “What is it?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “The demonic sects prefer operating in the shadows, controlling the gangs and factions on the surface. Many of the gangs in Dàxīng City are probably controlled by the Ghost Extreme Sect. I wouldn’t even be surprised if one of the three gangs and six societies is entirely their creation.”
She giggled, “We’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest without even getting the honey. We don’t even have the Emerald Beauty. It’s strange. It was following you. Where did it go?”
Shi Hao, seeing her cheerful demeanor, her beauty even more striking now that her disguise was gone, thought, She’s still smiling after all this. She has a strong heart.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping horses echoed from ahead. A group of barbarian soldiers cleared the street, pushing the crowd to the sides. Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan stepped onto the steps of a nearby shop.
A group of people, escorted by soldiers, passed by. Shi Hao looked at them and froze… What’s she doing here?
Dàxīng City was becoming more and more interesting.
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