Chapter 140: Cleaning Up
Chapter 140: Cleaning Up
The quiet valley was in disarray, permeated with the pungent scent of blood.
Cleanse, the Taoist, crouched by the Jade Pool, observing the water that had been dyed red by demonic blood. He casually rinsed the soil from his hands.
That old man, Pure Yang, had insisted on burying the body himself, and had even tried to stab Yan Xingkong earlier. Now, he put on a show of deep contemplation.
With these thoughts, Cleanse turned his head towards the distant grave mound, a sense of emotion flashing in his eyes.
Seeing Yan Xingkong's wife's tragic state had made him more understanding of this thief's actions. If someone close to him had been treated so cruelly, he might have lost his rationality as well.
Unfortunately, understanding is one thing, but the strict rules of the Demon Suppression Force are there to prevent more similar tragedies. Qingzhou is not the only one with a wife like Yan Xingkong.
Fortunately, she was able to see her enemy killed before her very eyes at the moment of her death. This is a beautiful thing that many in the martial world would not be able to exchange even their lives for.
She was even able to be buried with her husband after death. No wonder he had smiled so contentedly earlier.
"It should be about done."
Pure Yang carefully carved the name onto the tombstone. He had promised someone, and even though it was a dead person, it had almost cost him his life. This old man would not be perfunctory in the slightest.
He deeply embedded the tombstone into the grave and clapped his hands, "Alright, let's go back. When we return, I must go into seclusion again. I will strive to break through the true meaning of the Two Instruments to greatness before my lifespan runs out, fulfilling a long-held wish."
Upon hearing this, Cleanse nodded deeply in agreement.
After staying in the mountains for a long time, constantly feeling the reverent gazes of his disciples, one can't help but become lax.
Thinking that he had mastered profound true meanings and could be considered a prominent figure in all of Qingzhou, he was content.
But who knew that there were people beyond people and mountains beyond mountains? An unknown demon hiding in the depths of the mountains with a formation had rendered him so helpless.
Young Master Shen appeared silent and low-key, but his decisive and ruthless manner in dealing with demons was truly awe-inspiring.
Such a powerful expert was unknown to the Baiyun Sect.
Could he be a secret trump card cultivated by the General?
With this thought, Cleanse's reverence for the Demon Suppression Force deepened. If it had been the White Cloud Sect, they would have boasted about having such a young generation to the entire Qingzhou, let alone keeping it hidden.
"However... To suddenly reveal this trump card, could it be that Qingzhou is about to face a major problem?"
Cleanse shook his head, dried his hands, and stood up, walking towards their previous location.
Xiao Qiangu had already dealt with all the valuable demon goods, and she held four long feathers in her hand, half green and half red.
Sensing the profound mystery within them, her eyes couldn't help but flash with excitement.
Even after all these years as a demon catcher, it was rare to come across such precious treasures. Unfortunately, they were innate abilities of demons, and forcibly activating them with Inner Dan's energy could only elicit a fraction of their original power.
"Miss Xiao, we should hurry back to Qingzhou." The two Taoists forcibly averted their gazes from the feathers.
"Okay." Xiao Qiangu infused her energy into the silver bell, and soon received a response.
She gave a self-deprecating smile. If she hadn't been so flustered earlier, she wouldn't have made such a blunder. After entering this breath-hiding formation, even Shen Yi couldn't contact her.
A moment later, the youth in ink-colored robes appeared in the distance.
Xiao Qiangu hadn't sensed anything amiss, but the two old Taoists' eyes widened in surprise.
The so-called Daoist law of nature, Shen Yi's seemingly unhurried pace, actually carried a hint of integration with nature.
But the next moment, they sensed a hint of displeasure in Shen Yi's gaze towards them... as if there was a faint hint of resentment.
Although he didn't know where he had offended the other party, it would be better to be careful. Shen Yi's palm could crush Kong Jing's skull, and his old bones were not something that could withstand such treatment.
Shen Yi quickly adjusted his emotions and nodded to the group. "Let's go once you're done cleaning up."
In the emptiness of his vision, the panel displayed new changes.
[Condensing Dan: Two Instruments True Intent: Perfection]
[Remaining Demon Lifespan: 1,429 years]
On a palm-sized golden page, there were no more than two hundred inscribed characters.
These old Taoists were afraid that writing in detail would not highlight the subtleties of their martial arts, so they came up with these fancy things.
Using up a total of 1,200 years of demon lifespan, he wondered if these Taoists could live that long?
He had originally planned to take out a thousand years of condensed demon treasure crystals and try to introduce another demon martial art, but now it seemed insufficient.
"Take these few feather plumes first. I'll hand over the rest of the fragments, and I'll convert them into Martial Temple refinement for you." Xiao Qiangu explained carefully, concerned that the other party would think she was greedy and had made no gains.
Shen Yi glanced at the green and red feather plumes, seemingly uninterested.
Immediately after, his words left the group stunned, "You can divide the spoils according to the rules for demon catchers. I'll just take one share."
"I know you're a Tempering Warrior..." Xiao Qiangu worried that he didn't understand, so she quickly added, "...but with the Red Feather Plume, if you keep it on you, it will also have the effect of nourishing your body and healing your injuries."
"I know," Shen Yi nodded slightly, but he still didn't change his mind.
This time, the two Taoist priests' eyes finally lit up with fervor as they turned their gazes to the place they had been forcibly restraining themselves from looking at. The four long feather plumes swayed gently, emitting a faint glow.
It was already a pleasant surprise to be able to obtain martial arts, but they never expected that they would also get a share of the demon spoils?
"Master Shen," Pure Yang gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, his sleeve fluttering powerless. "I cannot accept such a gift without contributing anything in return. People will laugh at me."
Cleanse did not stop him, he could only sigh.
In addition to the Two Instruments True Intent, the White Cloud Sect was also skilled in refining treasures. Such precious demon materials were like a treasure tree to a carpenter or a fat chicken to a chef; they couldn't help but want to tinker with them.
"It's a gift from Master Shen, how can you refuse?" Xiao Qiangu's eyebrows arched slightly, and she handed over all four feather plumes at once. "Don't waste such good things. Craft them into treasures, keep one for yourselves, and send the rest to the Demon Affairs Office in Qingzhou Town, saying it's for Elder Chen's subordinate, Shen Jiang."
Upon hearing this, Pure Yang's sleeve, which had just fallen, trembled, and his palm hesitated before reaching out again, "Thank you for your gift, Master Shen."
Soon, a smile bloomed on the old man's face, his face as youthful as a child's.
"... "
Shen Yi was indeed a little puzzled. It seemed like they could get it for free, but now it had turned into working for someone else, and they were still so happy?
If his colleagues from his previous life were like this, the boss would probably soon get a younger sister-in-law for the employees.
He rubbed his temples and turned to walk out of the valley.
The benefit of the Tempering Body Art was that when he was interpreting it, he wouldn't experience any negative emotions.
However, interpreting these martial arts and techniques brought about a surge of intense emotions: confusion, despair, exhaustion, and finally, enlightenment. It would take some time for these feelings to dissipate.
(End of Chapter)
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