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chapter 33
“Lord Jianling seems to have an extraordinary mind, at least. He can rival people from the Zhege family in terms of intellect.”
Jianling and his party, having descended from Zhengho Mountain, were returning to Guangzhou. Late at night, they arrived in the region of Guangning and were resting for a day at an inn.
“I think so too. And I suspect he might have mastered martial arts as well.”
Leng Yueshe shared with Zhi Huaming the observations she had made about Jianling, and Zhi Huaming echoed her impressions.
“Even in Osal’s case…”
“Yes. But there’s no trace anywhere that he has learned martial arts…”
“That’s what puzzles me. He claims to be the greatest master in the world, but is he truly skilled enough to elude even Master Taishang’s notice?”
The danger of fixed notions lies here: people rarely believe what they haven’t experienced firsthand.
In a martial world where yesterday’s ally can be tomorrow’s enemy, and where those who smile while swinging swords lurk like grains of sand along the rivers, trust is fragile.
Leng Yueshe was one of the top 100 martial artists, having already established herself through martial arts. If she could not discern someone’s level, then that person had to be at least two tiers higher—but neither Zhi Huaming nor Leng Yueshe imagined Jianling had reached such a level.
“Nevertheless…”
Some doubts remained.
“They say geniuses have eccentric traits. Perhaps young Lord Jianling is like that.”
Leng Yueshe nodded.
Geniuses are different from ordinary talented individuals. Many people are quick to label anyone slightly clever as a “genius,” but true geniuses surpass ordinary understanding.
Zhi Huaming thought Jianling might be one of those extraordinary people.
“In any case, he was immensely helpful against the demons. Perhaps, as Lord Jianling said, there is indeed a Dao Seal for those who have mastered demonic arts.”
Since they knew the Dao Seal of those who had mastered amplified demonic arts was the Gogeol Bloodline, Leng Yueshe considered it possible that other demonic arts also possessed a Dao Seal.
“It would be best to send people to Zhengho Mountain at daybreak.”
Securing the corpses was a priority. They needed to trace the movements of those who had mastered demonic arts and their victims before formulating a plan.
“I’ve notified the Kaibang. They’ll arrive soon.”
On the way to the inn, they had met Kaibang members, revealed their identities, and asked Buntaju to come to their location.
“If those who mastered demonic arts possess a Dao Seal, then it’s not a major concern, right?”
“That’s not true.”
Hearing the voice behind them, the two turned. Jianling had emerged from the room, walking toward them, with Zhen Asel holding his hand beside him.
Though drowsy, fear was visible in Zhen Asel’s expression.
“It’s late—aren’t you going to sleep?”
Leng Yueshe asked kindly.
“I want to sleep with Master.”
Zhen Asel moved closer to Leng Yueshe. She was still a child. Considering that she had witnessed corpses and demons, her fear was understandable, and Leng Yueshe realized she had been somewhat inattentive to her.
Leng Yueshe lifted Zhen Asel onto her lap.
“All right. We’ll sleep together shortly, but for now, there’s someone we must wait for.”
“Yes!”
“But why do you think that way?”
Jianling asked.
“Do you not see? Those who stir chaos in the world with demonic arts today are not the demons from thirty years ago that stained the martial world with blood, but ordinary martial artists or civilians.”
“Hmm…”
“Since demonic arts are incomplete martial techniques, if it becomes known that they have a Dao Seal, those who are not fools will surely devise some method to counter it.”
Jianling’s observation was not wrong.
“But if they find out, won’t it make it easier to confront them with proper defenses?”
“Perhaps. But first, they’ll likely try to destroy the Dao Seal. That could lead to the creation of new demonic arts.”
“New demonic arts? That’s impossible. Do you think martial arts can be created so easily?”
Zhi Huaming scoffed. Creating martial arts was incredibly difficult. Only those of the Master rank could attempt it; otherwise, it was virtually impossible.
“Didn’t I tell you? Demonic arts are incomplete martial arts. Creating perfect martial arts is extremely difficult, but incomplete ones are not so hard. The only difference is in their power.”
Leng Yueshe nodded, acknowledging Jianling’s words.
Even as one of the top 100 martial artists, creating new martial arts was beyond her abilities. She could improve existing ones, but producing entirely new techniques was impossible. However, untested, incomplete martial arts were feasible.
“Demonic arts are formed by combining incomplete martial arts with the will to die.”
“Hmm…”
“So we shouldn’t reveal the existence of a Dao Seal?”
“That’s not necessary. Only a few leaders need to know. And there’s no need to search for the Dao Seal unnecessarily; just eliminate the target. Only a few capable of fighting demons need to know. If they find the Dao Seal while fighting, so much the better.”
Both nodded, impressed by Jianling’s sharp thinking despite his occasional exaggerations.
At that moment, men in rags approached.
“We heard you were looking for us, Lord!”
They were members of the Kaibang. One of them seemed to be Buntaju, the local Kaibang leader.
“I have urgent news.”
“Urgent news?”
“Do you know Zhengho Mountain?”
“Yes.”
“Then you must also know there are several hunter and farming villages there.”
“Yes. I know there are ten villages with about 350 people in total.”
Upon hearing “350 people,” Leng Yueshe and Zhi Huaming frowned.
“They’ve suffered greatly.”
They assumed all had fallen to the Guiying Osal.
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“Demons appeared in Zhengho Mountain and killed them all. At the hunter village mid-mountain, you’ll find the corpses of demons and the dead.”
The Kaibang members’ eyes widened in shock.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. We fought and defeated them. You must go to Zhengho Mountain immediately, secure the bodies, and inform the Kaibang General to check the situation of those living in remote mountains and valleys of Central Plains.”
Such events were not restricted to Zhengho Mountain alone.
“Understood. We will report quickly.”
“Whatever happens, ensure the safety of those who mastered demonic arts.”
Securing them was crucial for holding the mastermind accountable.
“Understood. We’ll go at once. We are leaving for the Xinchang Guild in Guangzhou early tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir!”
The Kaibang members hurried out of the inn. Once the Kaibang mobilized, word would soon spread throughout the Central Plains.
“The calm martial world will soon face upheaval.”
Zhi Huaming spoke with concern; blood would be shed if the martial world stirred.
“If the pain must be endured, better to face it quickly. At least we can prepare now.”
“You are right. We can prepare for it. You must rest now; tomorrow, we travel quickly to Guangzhou.”
Before dawn, Jianling and his party left the inn in haste.
Zhen Asel was still sleepy, but there was no choice; they had to move quickly.
“Zhen Asel! Get on my back.”
Jianling turned, and Zhen Asel nodded and climbed onto his back.
“Shall we go?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll rest on your back; I didn’t sleep much last night.”
Zhen Asel closed her eyes, preparing to catch up on her rest.
They moved swiftly through the streets. Leng Yueshe, though concerned for Jianling carrying Zhen Asel, managed to keep up.
―“Let’s increase the pace a bit.”
Leng Yueshe sent a secret message to Zhi Huaming.
―“The pace?”
Zhi Huaming glanced at Jianling, puzzled.
―“Yes. Let’s see if Lord Jianling has truly mastered martial arts.”
―“Understood.”
Jianling smiled, knowing they did not suspect he had heard their message.
The two increased their pace, but Jianling walked steadily, keeping the same distance from them.
―“Strange. Increase it a bit more.”
Leng Yueshe sent another message. Zhi Huaming sped up further, yet Jianling’s steps remained unchanged.
They did not realize Jianling was using space-folding techniques. Though walking at the same pace, the distance he covered per step allowed him to maintain his position relative to them.
“Let’s rest briefly.”
Leng Yueshe suggested, and they paused.
“Are you tired?”
Leng Yueshe asked Jianling. Carrying Zhen Asel while pursuing them was no easy task, especially when later employing spatial techniques.
―“It seems young Lord Jianling has indeed mastered martial arts.”
Zhi Huaming messaged Leng Yueshe first.
―“I agree, but there’s no trace of it… odd indeed.”
Neither expected the young Jianling to surpass them in skill.
―“There are many martial arts in the world. Perhaps he hasn’t mastered martial arts, but through special training, he enhanced his physical abilities.”
One need not learn only martial arts.
―“Perhaps. He truly is an enigmatic child.”
During the rest, Jianling stood holding the sleeping Zhen Asel.
“Lord Jianling, let Asel rest properly.”
“No. We have a long way to go. If Asel is awake, our travel will be slower. Let her sleep today.”
“Then you must bear the burden a bit longer.”
Though they had sent the Kaibang to Zhengho Mountain, it was more urgent to verify in Guangzhou whether the mastermind was truly a puppet of the demons.
If the mastermind were a minor sect, they could handle it alone, but it was a massive sect controlling the minor sects of Guangdong alongside Mingsha Sect.
No single person could handle them, so they sought the Xinchang Guild’s assistance.
“Don’t worry.”
Jianling smiled faintly, thinking, They don’t trust me and are testing me in every way. Once I show them, they won’t doubt me again.
―“Martial arts are not for showing off. If that is your intent, stop learning.”
This advice came from the lonely demon master Tian Nanyan. Ghost Master Gu Yingcheol and Zhenmo Yabing echoed similar sentiments.
―“The world is vast. Many surpass you in talent. Don’t become arrogant; strive harder.”
―“Become the best not to show strength, but to remain humble. Don’t think yourself high; lower yourself, and others will elevate you.”
Jianling knew their words would guide him throughout his life in the martial world.
“All right. Let’s depart after resting.”
Leng Yueshe spoke, and Zhi Huaming and Jianling resumed their journey toward Guangzhou.
