https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-102-Capturing-the-Demon-Outside-the-City/12553944/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-104-Pingkang-Mountain-s-Great-Prison/12553946/
Chapter 103: Unscathed by Tribulations, Attaining the Dharma Body
Chapter 103: Unscathed by Tribulations, Attaining the Dharma Body
The moonlight draped the land like a silken veil.
A broad-shouldered figure stood atop the roof tiles, silently observing over a hundred demon horses rushing out of Qingzhou City in perfect unison.
"So, someone is willing to accompany him outside the city," remarked Jiang Chengyun, withdrawing his gaze to look at Ah Qian beside him.
Both of them were demon hunters, and the news that had rung out from the bell naturally reached them here.
The matriarch had been invited back to temporarily take up the role of the commander, and with such a huge disturbance tonight, she couldn't possibly ignore it.
Ah Qian stretched lazily, a hint of fatigue in her voice as she said, "After being out there for so long, I've neglected these aristocratic sects and clans."
Jiang Chengyun remained silent for a moment before speaking, "You've been secretly following the Howling Moon Demon King for hundreds of years. How could you possibly pay attention to these trivial matters?"
The strength of a Golden Core cultivator depended on whom they were compared to.
Regardless of the various subdivisions of the cultivation realm, whether it was the Embracing Core, Nurturing Core, or Shattering Core stages, it was ultimately just the Golden Core realm.
In the face of a demon king equivalent to a Chaotic Origin Sect Master, they were as weak as infants.
However, Qingzhou had to keep a constant watch on its movements, and with the commander needing to preside over the main city, this task could only be entrusted to the three Golden Bell demon hunters.
"The Howling Moon Demon King and the commander have been at a stalemate for countless years, with the twelve counties of Qingzhou as the boundary, never overstepping each other's boundaries."
"What worries me is that little demon. Its growth rate is staggering, and its ambitions are laid bare. When it becomes the demon king... It already dares to call itself the Little Demon King, bold and cunning. Our attempts to assassinate it have failed time and again. When it fully matures, and with two demon kings present, Qingzhou will be in peril."
"The commander's three requests for aid have all returned fruitless. It seems that the situation in other places isn't much better than in Qingzhou."
Having spent years secretly tracking the demon king, Ah Qian always tried to release her suppressed emotions whenever she returned to the mortal world. She would cry if she felt like crying and laugh if she wanted to laugh, like a true innocent child.
But at this moment, her face was filled with gravity.
Jiang Chengyun furrowed his brows slightly and advised, "We have Jiang Qiuluan, and who knows who will emerge victorious when the time comes."
At the mention of this name, a rare glint of respect flashed in Ah Qian's eyes. "Jiang Qiuluan... She actually came back once. After reading Lin Baiwei's letter and looking through the case files brought back from Bo Yun County, she casually gave me two tasks. Without even a moment's rest, she rushed off to Linjiang County."
All twelve Demon Suppression Generals took shortcuts, cultivating their spiritual power through incense aspiration, meant to guard against rather than initiate attacks.
The only exception was the one who took the place of the deceased general from Yushan County, and she walked the true path of a Chaotic Origin Sect Master.
A single state couldn't nurture two Martial Celestials.
The commander gathered the aspirations of Qingzhou to become a Martial Celestial, employing cunning means.
But with a fragile physical body, there needed to be someone to stand before him, blocking one or even two demon kings.
After late autumn comes the bitter winter.
Amidst this winter, there was one who would turn the tide.
From the moment the commander took her in as a disciple and gave her a new name, she was destined to become that solitary figure, standing against the hordes of demons outside the twelve counties of Qingzhou.
"... "
Jiang Chengyun put away the admiration in his eyes and turned his gaze back to the city gate. "So, am I just going to take action directly?"
"They're doing a favor for Qingzhou, and you're always thinking about stealing credit from newcomers. Can't you just follow the rules for once?" Ah Qian said calmly.
"Heh, following the rules," Jiang Chengyun said with an unperturbed expression, his eyebrows raised. "Which rules? The rules of the Demon Suppression Bureau? What do I have to do with that? If we're talking about the rules of demon hunters, he neither asked for my help nor reported any information. Clearly, he intends to handle this himself. As a fellow Silver Bell demon hunter, how could I dare to touch his prey?"
He turned his head, his honest-looking face showing a hint of confusion. "I just don't know... Matriarch, does he have the ability?"
According to the customary practice among demon hunters, unless one party voluntarily gives up part of their harvest and requests assistance, or acknowledges their inadequacy and willingly withdraws, others must not interfere.
Whether life or harvest is more important is a judgment that needs to be made in advance.
If one lacks even this judgment, it's better to hand over the bell early on.
Ah Qian stretched lazily. "I may have just arrived in Qingzhou and am not skilled at being a general, but this happened right under our noses. To avoid the commander's blame, just consider it a favor for me. I know you've had your eye on my Golden Bell for a long time, but you don't need this particular achievement."
She rose and jumped off the roof, leaving behind only the crisp sound of her voice. "I'll make an exception this once. If he really misjudges the situation, it will be a good lesson for him."
"... "
Jiang Chengyun stood alone on the roof, slowly clasping his hands behind his back.
There was no way the commander would blame the matriarch for something like this, especially since demon hunters weren't under the jurisdiction of the Demon Suppression Bureau anyway. It was just an excuse.
Hesitation! Hesitation!
Exception! Exception!
I'm getting old; I'm no different from Chen Qiankun.
I still need that sharp sword of Qingzhou to lead this new blood and completely replace these old fogies!
As he thought of that coldly handsome face, admiration, and even fervor, filled Jiang Chengyun's eyes once more.
...
Qingzhou, Pingkang Mountain.
Over a hundred men in black uniforms pulled hard on their reins, their muscular demon horses rearing up proudly, an awe-inspiring sight.
Hong Lei dismounted and joined the other two deputy commanders by Shen Yi's side.
This time, they had brought along the elite troops. The two deputy commanders from the inner camp were even more senior than Hong Lei, both possessing late Jade Liquid Realm cultivation.
One hundred and twenty squad leaders, every one of them with three stripes.
Even Hong Lei hadn't expected that they could gather almost the strongest squad of deputy commanders in all of Qingzhou with just a casual assembly.
This wasn't something that could be achieved solely with Commander Chen's reputation.
The old man might have a lofty reputation, but he was based in Linjiang County and usually wouldn't interfere in matters concerning Qingzhou City.
These men had all come here of their own volition.
A large part of the reason was Shen Yi himself.
The private rumors, coupled with what they had witnessed in the Diamond Gate, made his position as a personal deputy commander all the more convincing.
"Seal off the mountain immediately. No one is allowed to leave."
The deputy commanders quickly gave their orders, and although the squad leaders came from different commanders, they acted in a disciplined manner, needing only a glance to divide up their routes.
Shen Yi lifted his eyes to the mountain before him.
White clouds surrounded the peak, with pine and cypress trees dotting the landscape.
It did indeed seem like a place blessed with spiritual energy.
A golden light flashed in his eyes as he cast the far-seeing spirit technique, and his vision turned gray, revealing clusters of white mist and occasional flashes of gold, but there was no trace of demonic energy.
"... "
Shen Yi withdrew his technique, not feeling any suspicion.
If there had been demons and evil spirits everywhere, the Vajra Sect wouldn't have been able to hide until now.
Soon, only thirty or so inner camp squad leaders remained, responsible for subduing demons and capturing evil spirits. They marched in an orderly fashion towards the mountain.
The rugged mountain path was like flat ground to these martial artists.
They quickly reached the summit, where a simple and unadorned grand hall stood before them.
As they drew near, they could hear the low chanting of sutras.
"Extinguish my inverted thoughts of billions of tribulations, and attain the Dharma body without going through the path of the monk."
"May I now attain the fruit of the treasure king and save as many sentient beings as there are in the Ganges sand."
In front of the door, two disciples held Buddhist beads, their peripheral vision catching the sight of the numerous black-clad figures rushing up the mountain road. Their thumbs paused slightly...
They turned instinctively, but before they could make any move, two flying chains wrapped around their necks, pulling them back forcefully.
"Be good and stay put."
The two inner camp squad leaders who had made their move pinned them to the ground, and Hong Lei quickly stepped forward, kicking the hall door open!
Bang!
Contrary to Shen Yi's expectations, there was no violent struggle inside.
The slightly dim hall was filled with smoke, and there was no one guarding it except for a clay statue of the Buddha with its head bowed.
Countless pious believers sat on meditation cushions, their faces aged and withered, yet calm. The chanting of sutras continued uninterrupted.
Occasionally, they twitched their noses, and a hint of joy appeared in their cloudy eyes.
"Compassion... compassion..."
(End of Chapter)
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