Chapter 49: The Demonic Sect

Seeing this, the Great Eunuch Sun Changyu waved his hand and said

"Young Master Li, there is no need for concern. Your current situation is somewhat unique; this is merely a sleight of hand I am using to avoid any accidents. It is considered standard procedure within the Tianjin Guard."

Hearing this, Li Musheng said nothing. He raised his head and glanced at the sky through the window.

The originally clear blue sky had turned somber at some unknown moment.

The air was heavy, and the horizon was gray.

In the distance, clouds rolled in, pressing lower and lower, as if they were about to crush the entire Imperial Capital.

Li Musheng rubbed his chin and said faintly

"Looking at this weather, it seems it is going to rain."

As if to verify his words, a dull roll of thunder echoed from within the thick clouds, reverberating endlessly.

...

Aurora Pavilion.

Outside a hall serving as a temporary base for the Tianjin Guard, several armored soldiers were escorting a young gentleman dressed in purple robes, walking briskly.

"How dare you! My eldest uncle is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue! How dare you arrest me?"

Zhang He struggled violently, trying to break free from the soldiers' grip, but all he received in return was a heavy blow from the butt of a soldier's blade against his back.

"Hiss!"

The intense pain from the strike caused Zhang He to grimace and cry out, sharply inhaling a breath of air.

He glared fiercely at the soldier who had struck him, his mouth opening to curse.

But by then, the soldiers had already ushered him into the hall. A man reported in a low voice

"My Lord, following Eunuch Sun's instructions, we searched the vicinity of the Aurora Pavilion and found this individual acting suspiciously. It is possible he is a member of the Demonic Path."

Upon hearing this, Zhang He immediately screamed

"You'd better speak clearly! Who is a member of the Demonic Path? My eldest uncle is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a high official of the imperial court! You lowly soldier isn't even worthy of carrying my shoes!"

Seeing this, Song Shanyue, the Commandery Assistant sitting behind the desk, glanced at Zhang He and then waved his hand.

"He is merely a profligate youth. Take him down for interrogation first."

The soldier was not surprised by this. He immediately complied and prepared to lead Zhang He away.

However, at that moment, Song Shanyue spoke abruptly again

"Forget it. This matter involves a potential member of the Demonic Path and cannot be taken lightly. Leave him here; I will conduct the interrogation personally."

The soldiers were momentarily stunned, but they said nothing. After pinning Zhang He to the ground, they bowed in unison and withdrew.

With a creak, the hall doors were slowly closed.

Silence fell over the hall for a moment before Song Shanyue's voice rang out

"What is your position within the Six Desires Demon Sect?"

Hearing this, Zhang He, who had been thrown to the floor, suppressed the murderous glint in his eyes. He twisted his body to sit up and signaled

"I request that Lord Song untie my ropes; only then will it be convenient for me to speak with you."

Song Shanyue gave a cold snort. As his martial qi spread with his vocal technique, the ropes binding Zhang He were instantly shattered into dust.

Zhang He rubbed his wrists and climbed up from the ground. The arrogance and fury from before had vanished from his face, replaced instead by a faint, sinister smile

"The Saintess sends her regards to the Commandery Assistant. It seems you are as healthy as ever."

Upon hearing this, Song Shanyue's half-white hair fluttered without wind, the veins in his neck bulged, and killing intent surged in his eyes, as if he were struggling with an uncontrollable rage.

Nevertheless, he exerted great effort to suppress his emotions, spitting out the words almost through gritted teeth

"What did she send you here for?"

Zhang He acted as if he hadn't noticed Song Shanyue's murderous expression, merely scratching his head and smiling

"The Saintess doesn't have any specific instructions for you for the time being. Actually, it was I who wanted to find you, to ask you to help me kill someone."

Hearing this, Song Shanyue laughed instead of being angry

"You dare to give me orders!"

As soon as the words fell, a terrifying, invisible sonic wave erupted, sending Zhang He flying. He slammed heavily into a pillar of the hall and tumbled across the floor, only coming to a stop after several rolls.

Immediately following, a fit of violent coughing echoed through the quiet hall. Zhang He clutched his chest, coughing up blood continuously.

"Lord Song truly has a temper. If you strike again, I will trigger the Demon Heart Seed within your body..."

He spoke hurriedly while struggling to climb up from the ground.

Then, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at the bewildered and suspicious Song Shanyue, a mocking glint appearing in his eyes

"Do not doubt my words, Lord Song. Before you can kill me, I have more than enough power to trigger the Demon Heart and turn you into a great demon that everyone will hunt down."

As he spoke, Zhang He's nostrils flared, and he began muttering something rapidly.

In the next moment, he took a sudden, deep breath.

Instantly, the scattered droplets of blood and bits of viscera on the floor atomized, turning into wisps of crimson blood mist that were sucked into his body in an instant.

At the same time, Zhang He said with a chuckle

"Besides, whether or not you can actually kill me remains to be seen."

Song Shanyue's pupils constricted. He could clearly see that Zhang He's injuries had healed as if they had never happened, as if he hadn't been injured by his sonic technique at all.

For a moment, Song Shanyue's expression shifted erratically. He stared fixedly at Zhang He for a long time before finally closing his eyes and saying

"That wench said that if I performed three tasks for the Six Desires Demon Sect, she would release the Demon Heart Seed within me and allow Yun'er to return."

"There are only two tasks left. Does this matter you speak of count as one of them?"

Hearing this, Zhang He nodded and smiled meaningfully

"Rest assured, Lord Song. Every task you perform for the Holy Sect counts. Furthermore, the Saintess and I share a close bond; my words are entirely worthy of your trust."

Song Shanyue glanced at him. After a long silence, he spoke in a voice as cold as ice

"Speak. Who do you want me to help you kill?"

Zhang He cupped his hands and said sinisterly

"Naturally, I am asking Lord Song to step forth and kill that true Seventh Prince."

"The Great Li Imperial Court has murdered more than a thousand of our Holy Sect's sons, leaving countless elders to bury their children. I want Emperor Yuanwu to taste the pain of losing a son as well."

Song Shanyue narrowed his eyes and sneered

"You think too much. The Imperial Family is heartless. It is nearly impossible for you to make His Majesty suffer from the loss of a son."

Zhang He thought for a moment, gave a light laugh, and said

"Fine, it doesn't matter whether that dog emperor suffers or not. Killing his son and leaving him in impotent rage will suffice."

"Besides, this is a rare opportunity. The other princes and princesses are protected by experts, both openly and secretly. This person's identity has not yet been confirmed, making him an exception. Killing him will be much simpler than the others."

However, Song Shanyue slowly shook his head and said

"The person you wish to kill is likely not simple."

(End of Chapter)