Chapter 42: The Demonic Sect

The next day.

Early in the morning, Ning Qi went to pay his respects to Daoist Longshan.

"Xiao Jiu, what is it?"

Daoist Longshan felt an inexplicable tightening in his chest; Ning Qi rarely chose to visit at this hour.

Ning Qi said softly, "It is about Eighth Senior Brother."

He slowly recounted the events of the previous night, including the various abnormalities in Qin Yun's behavior and his own suspicions.

He had originally intended to seek out Daoist Longshan last night, but on second thought, approaching Qin Yun immediately might have been awkward. Thus, he waited until the second day.

As he listened, Daoist Longshan's expression grew increasingly solemn.

"He actually snuck into your quarters under the cover of night? This won't do. We must go check on him immediately. I originally thought Eighth was merely experiencing the onset of an obsession, but I didn't expect his inner demons to be so deep—it is even possible he has been influenced by an external force."

Ning Qi was also startled.

The two of them activated their movement techniques and rushed toward Qin Yun's residence.

They happened to run into Song Cheng, who was rushing out of Qin Yun's quarters in a panic. Seeing Daoist Longshan, he cried out urgently, "Master, something is wrong!"

"I came by this morning hoping to chat with Eighth Junior Brother, but I found he has vanished. I discovered two letters on his desk."

Daoist Longshan's spirit jolted. He took the letters from Song Cheng.

One of them was addressed: *To my Master, for your private reading.*

Daoist Longshan opened it quickly, scanning the lines rapidly. As he read whatever Qin Yun had written, his expression shifted unpredictably, and he could not help but sigh.

Ning Qi watched from the side.

He saw Song Cheng hand over the other letter. "Xiao Jiu, there is another letter for you."

Ning Qi froze. He took the stationery, which was addressed: *To Xiao Jiu, for your private reading.*

He opened it.

The paper was covered in heavy, messy scribbles and corrections, revealing the chaotic state of the writer's mind. Ultimately, only a few lines remained.

*"Xiao Jiu, I know you love reading. I have collected a batch of classics in my room over the past few years. If you do not find them beneath you, please take them."*

Ning Qi's gaze was complex.

He seemed to see the high-spirited youth from years ago, when he had first arrived at Mount Zhenwu, declaring with vigor that the Nine Disciples of Zhenwu were finally gathered.

Just by reading his own letter, he could roughly guess what was written in the letter held by Daoist Longshan.

He feared... Eighth Senior Brother would not be coming back.

He could sense the conflict and complexity within Qin Yun's heart; perhaps the evil thoughts in his mind were something even he could not control, leading him to choose exile.

At that moment, the other true disciples arrived upon hearing the news.

"Master, what exactly happened to Eighth?" Luo Wentian asked, voicing what was on everyone's minds.

Daoist Longshan put down the letters and remained silent, offering no explanation. Finally, he spoke slowly, "Wentian, pay more attention to the sect's affairs during this period. I must descend the mountain for a journey."

As he spoke, he patted Ning Qi's head and descended the mountain immediately, without even packing his belongings.

Everyone sensed that something was wrong and felt a sense of unease.

"Xiao Jiu, do you know why?"

Eyes turned toward Ning Qi.

After a moment of contemplation, Ning Qi said, "Perhaps, it is related to Eighth Senior Brother's inner demons."

He did not speak too clearly, but the others had already guessed the gist of it. Their expressions darkened. They looked toward the direction where Daoist Longshan had departed, hoping only that everything would go well.

***

Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.

Ning Qi let out a long breath.

A pile of precious classics lay before him. Among them were medical texts and miscellaneous studies, but most were martial arts manuals. Several were high-grade internal energy cultivation methods that were not even available in the Scripture Pavilion.

"It seems Eighth Senior Brother truly had a fortuitous encounter. Could he have obtained some kind of inheritance?" Ning Qi speculated.

To be honest, these classics were quite useful to him.

He then sighed. Although Eighth Senior Brother's inner demons were caused by him, he had never harmed him over the years and had even treated him quite well.

"It is his nature; sometimes even one cannot control oneself. The *Yazi Pillar* is merely a pillar-style martial art; it shouldn't have led to this. One can only say that when Eighth Senior Brother chose this technique years ago, there was a hint of destiny involved. However, perhaps the seeds of this inner demon were planted back when I first learned the pillar technique."

"I only hope Master can bring Eighth Senior Brother back. Once my cultivation is deeper in the future, I will try to remove his inner demons for him."

Shaking his head, Ning Qi did not dwell on it further. Even if he had gone to find Qin Yun last night, the result might not have been different. The key lay with Qin Yun himself. If Qin Yun wanted to return, he would return; if he did not, he would eventually find a way to descend the mountain, unless he were locked up like a prisoner.

Adjusting his emotions and casting aside distracting thoughts, Ning Qi entered a state of cultivation. His comprehension of the *Force-Shifting Method* had reached a critical juncture, and Qin Yun's collection of martial arts manuals was quite helpful.

Time passed leisurely.

Half a month later.

Daoist Longshan returned to the mountain alone. The disciples gathered at the Mingwu Pavilion.

"Master, where is Eighth Junior Brother?"

Daoist Longshan spoke slowly, his voice somewhat dry. "Qin Yun... has joined a demonic sect."

His eyes were complicated.

In the letter, Qin Yun had explained many things, allowing Daoist Longshan to finally understand the state of his eighth disciple's heart over these years. Not long after descending the mountain, he had found Qin Yun's trail.

But Qin Yun refused to return to the sect. He had even knelt beneath Daoist Longshan's palms, willing to accept death. He felt he had failed his Master and his fellow disciples.

That night, master and disciple stood still like statues. Ultimately, Daoist Longshan waved his hand wearily and allowed Qin Yun to leave.

Afterward, he heard news that Qin Yun was suspected to have been scouted by a Heaven-Man expert within a demonic sect and had joined them. He was now filled with regret, but after a clash with the demonic practitioners, he could only return to the mountain in resignation.

"A demonic sect?"

The disciples were incredulous. That sunny youth from before had actually joined a demonic sect? This demonic sect was rumored to be connected to the previous dynasty and had been increasingly active in recent years; associating with them was nothing good.

"Master, you..."

Daoist Longshan waved his hand. "Go. From now on, there is no longer a person named Qin Yun in the Zhenwu Sect. None of you are permitted to interfere in this matter. I am tired and need rest."

The disciples withdrew in silence.

Once outside the Mingwu Pavilion, they all sighed. The fifth disciple, Jiang Baishan, snorted coldly, "If I ever meet that traitor, I will demand an explanation and give him a hard slap. Has Master's years of nurturing been fed to the dogs?" He strode away.

The others could only smile bitterly. Luo Wentian whispered to Ning Qi, "Xiao Jiu, this has nothing to do with you. Do not overthink it."

Ning Qi nodded silently. That Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun would ultimately join a demonic sect was something he had not expected. The course of the world is not governed by man. Even an invincible Martial Saint has things they are powerless to change. However, he thought that if the opportunity arose in the future, he would try to lend Qin Yun a hand.

Late at night.

Daoist Longshan quietly arrived at the Seeking Dao Courtyard. He found Ning Qi standing silently under the moonlight.

"Xiao Jiu, Qin Yun's matter was his own choice. It is his nature; it has nothing to do with you."

Ning Qi turned to look at Daoist Longshan. He could sense that the man seemed somewhat despondent; Daoist Longshan had been hit the hardest by Qin Yun's actions.

"Master, I have never blamed Eighth Senior Brother. If one day I can create a secret technique to remove inner demons, please give it to him."

Daoist Longshan's body stiffened, and a flash of gratification seemed to pass through his eyes. Then, he shook his head. "We shall speak of that later. Xiao Jiu, from now on, you do not even need to tell me of your cultivation progress. This is the key to the Zhenwu Sect's treasury. If you need anything, take it yourself."

Leaving the treasury key behind, Daoist Longshan's figure drifted away.

When he went down the mountain to find Qin Yun, he had heard him mention the "foundation of the Zhenwu Sect," but how could he not know what that foundation was? He knew that his young disciple's strength had likely reached an extremely powerful realm.

The fewer people who knew, the better—it would be best if even he did not know.

Ning Qi only let out a faint sigh.