https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-329-A-Lifetime-of-Pain-10-000-Words-Part-2-/12980389/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-330-The-Guardian-s-Execution-Order-Part-2-/12980391/
Chapter 330: The Guardian's Execution Order (Part 1)
Chapter 330: The Guardian's Execution Order (Part 1)
In the early morning, Fang Che rose early, his face glowing with vitality and his spirit refreshed. A friendly smile, tinged with the sentiment of parting, adorned his countenance.
Mu Lin Yuan and the others carefully observed Fang Che's demeanor, and they were relieved to see his improved state.
It seemed that the Instructor's guidance last night had taken effect, and the Night Demon had overcome this psychological hurdle.
It was truly remarkable.
Yin Shengong was a bit surprised, his eyes scanning Fang Che's face, and he smiled, "Oh, you've figured it out?"
Fang Che smiled sheepishly, "Master, please don't make fun of me. Our positions are inherently at odds, and we are mortal enemies. If I were to fall into their hands, they would torture me in a thousand ways. There's nothing to figure out or not figure out; I shouldn't even think about it."
Yin Shengong smiled faintly, "That's good."
His expression was calm, but he felt relieved inside.
Fang Che said, "I'm still young and prone to letting my emotions get the better of me. In the future, if I make any mistakes, I hope Master will remind me again. Don't worry about my feelings; looking back now, I realize I was too immature."
Yin Shengong nodded slowly, "Good."
Mu Lin Yuan smiled and said, "You understand things better than anyone else. Why remind you?"
Fang Che chuckled, "How do you know I'm just being cute, Second Master?"
The four of them laughed together, "We've all been through what you're going through. Do you think we don't know what you're thinking? Do you think we've lived this long and don't understand how young people think?"
Fang Che smiled awkwardly, "Impressive, impressive. The old ones are the spiciest."
Then he said, "Master, please wait. I'll go and get the things."
He turned and entered the study.
Mu Lin Yuan was perplexed, "What things?"
Yin Shengong stroked his beard, "This kid, in preparation for our arrival, extorted and blackmailed the young masters of those headquarters families. He said he wanted to give us gifts."
The three of them burst into laughter, "He's pulling off such a stunt?"
As they spoke, Fang Che came out, his face beaming, holding four large packages.
"A small token of my gratitude, please accept it, Master, Second Master, Third Master, and Fourth Master."
Yin Shengong and the others didn't even look at the packages before taking them, and they laughed, "Then we'll take them."
For the four of them, it didn't matter what was inside; it was a gesture from their disciple.
Immediately, Yin Shengong earnestly instructed, "You must manage the branch office well. The headquarters' inspection is very likely to happen this month, or next month at the latest, but no later than three months."
"It could be an open inspection or a secret visit, but they will definitely come!"
"So, no matter what, you must be cautious in the next three months! You must ensure that nothing goes wrong!"
Fang Che readily agreed.
The four old demons finally departed.
...
The four old demons soon left White Cloud Continent and ventured into the wilderness, feeling invigorated.
Mu Lin Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief and said to Yin Shengong, "Instructor, this time, it was truly intense."
Now that the matter was over, Yin Shengong no longer maintained his stern demeanor and nodded, "Indeed, it was a bit excessive."
"Fortunately, the Night Demon has strong resilience; otherwise, if he couldn't turn this corner, it would be..."
Hou Fang said, "For an ordinary follower, a Martial Marquis is not a big deal. But for the Night Demon, who is like our child, this kind of pressure is a bit too much."
Qian Sanjiang nodded repeatedly, "Exactly."
Yin Shengong sighed, "After forcing him to kill, I felt a bit regretful. Especially when I heard that it was his trusted subordinate, I felt even more regretful. But regret is useless; the person is already dead."
Mu Lin Yuan worriedly said, "Instructor, you must not suspect people without reason in the future..."
Yin Shengong's expression changed, "What do you mean by suspecting without reason? This was a test, and it's an inevitable step in the Night Demon's path. No matter what, he will have to take this step. It's a necessary hurdle, not a matter of suspicion."
The three of them nodded with a bitter smile, their hearts silently lamenting.
If you weren't suspicious, why did you create this situation?
If you weren't suspicious, we would have stopped you from testing him!
But the three of them also felt that Yin Shengong's suspicions about Fang Che had completely dissipated.
So, the three of them also felt relieved and decided not to bring up the matter again.
Unlike Mu Lin Yuan and the others, who didn't subject Fang Che to such scrutiny, Yin Shengong's strictness stemmed from his concern for Fang Che's identity as his disciple.
Aside from genuinely liking the Night Demon, they believed he could be the next generation's leader of Yi Xin Jiao, meaning the three of them would be assisting their future master.
"It's only natural that our mindset would be different."
"Why are you all so quiet?" Yin Shengong asked with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Regarding this matter, we'll have to wait and see how it plays out," said Mu Lin Yuan cautiously. "Night Demon is currently young and arrogant, and he has connections with the headquarters, so it's natural that his aspirations are high. He doesn't want to be a subordinate sect leader; he wants to climb to the top of the headquarters and enjoy the view. It's only reasonable."
Yin Shengong slowly nodded in agreement.
"What's more, he has exceptional talent and is a proud genius. It's only natural that he's confident about his future."
Mu Lin Yuan continued, "However, things might not always go according to plan. The future is full of unpredictable twists and turns. No one can predict how far Night Demon will ultimately go."
Yin Shengong silently nodded in acknowledgment.
"In other words, if Night Demon puts in countless efforts but still fails to reach the headquarters, then at that time, Yi Xin Jiao will be the backup plan you prepared for him."
"By then, he might even come to challenge your position as the sect leader," Mu Lin Yuan chuckled.
Yin Shengong touched his nose and hummed in response.
"But if Night Demon succeeds in climbing up, then Yi Xin Jiao will be his support. At that time, you might have to stay as the sect leader of Yi Xin Jiao for a few more years and put in more effort for your disciple," Mu Lin Yuan laughed.
Mu Lin Yuan's laughter filled the air.
Yin Shengong couldn't help but join in the laughter, saying, "Damn, are you guys actually hoping for this guy to become my superior?"
Then, he paused and said, "...I hope that day will come."
Mu Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Sect Leader, I have something to say that might not be pleasant, but I'm not sure if I should say it or not."
"Go ahead," Yin Shengong replied, feeling great at the moment.
"Let's speak frankly among ourselves. Sect Leader, you've already reached your peak. The most you can achieve is to develop Yi Xin Jiao into a first-rank sect, and there's nowhere higher to go. The best you can hope for is a minor position at the headquarters or a deputy role in some hall. That's all there is to it. But even then, it's better to remain as the sect leader of Yi Xin Jiao."
Mu Lin Yuan's words caused Yin Shengong's face to darken, but he didn't refute them.
This was something he had been pondering for years.
He knew that Mu Lin Yuan was right.
"And regarding your connections at the headquarters, including your sect and your ancestors... I have to be blunt, but they don't seem to value you much. The fact that they haven't spoken up for us after the incident with Ren Zhongyuan Beiming and the long period of confinement for our sect's Incubation to Immortality Plan shows that their support is more of a hindrance than a help."
Mu Lin Yuan's words made Yin Shengong slowly nod, his expression turning grim.
These were the two biggest thorns in his heart! For hundreds of years, he had given gifts and piled up mountains of presents, yet there was no response or reciprocation. Not even a peep during the most difficult times.
Even when he knew he was about to be removed from power, there wasn't a single warning.
Yin Shengong's frustration was about to explode.
"But Night Demon is currently... well-connected with the granddaughter of Vice Sect Leader Yan and the descendant of Vice Sect Leader Chen. His future achievements are limitless. It's better for you to use Yi Xin Jiao's resources to push Night Demon up. Even if he wants to become the sect leader of Yi Xin Jiao, as long as there's still hope for the headquarters, we can't let him do it!"
"Once Night Demon succeeds, after he solidifies his position, Yi Xin Jiao... at that time, for you..." Mu Lin Yuan trailed off with a smirk.
Yin Shengong fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he said, "Let's take things one step at a time."
Mu Lin Yuan knew that his words had hit home.
He smiled and didn't continue the conversation.
Since Yin Shengong agreed, Mu Lin Yuan didn't need to say the rest of his lengthy speech.
Yin Shengong laughed and said, "Let's see what gifts Night Demon has prepared for us."
He took the lead in opening the package.
The other three also laughed and began examining their gifts.
Yin Shengong flipped through the package and exclaimed, "Night Demon has put in some effort. These are unique resources from various major clans, not necessarily precious, but they're things we don't usually see. They're exclusive to those families."
Mu Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Our gifts are more ordinary, just some tea and such, but each of us has a Cloud Pill."
He took out a small jade bottle with a pill inside. Mist swirled within the bottle.
Qian Sanjiang and Hou Fang also had a pill, and their faces were filled with awe.
They felt deeply gratified.
"I don't have one," Yin Shengong sighed and shook his head, pretending to be upset. "This kid is showing favoritism."
The three of them chuckled coldly.
The sect leader was so full of himself that he was almost flying. You're already a high-level Venerable, and this pill is of no use to you.
But deep down, they felt warm: "Night Demon is thoughtful."
Hou Fang sighed, "This person has given us a great gift."
The Cloud Pill was a precious resource usually only available at the headquarters, and even Yin Shengong didn't have it. Even when it was awarded, it was only one pill at most.
For Venerables, they needed Venerable-level Spirit Pills, but Yin Shengong had never seen a Venerable-level Cloud Pill...
So, the three of them cherished and carefully stored their pills away.
They looked content.
Yin Shengong felt a bit annoyed for no apparent reason.
These three old guys were taking too much credit for his disciple's achievements! He hummed and said with a dark face, "Don't get too full of yourselves. Let's go!"
"The sect leader is jealous! Hahaha..."
The three of them laughed heartily and flew into the air, following Yin Shengong on their journey.
"Sect Leader, that congratulations for the Night Demon's wedding you sent, it truly startled me." Mu Lin Yuan spoke.
Yin Shengong: "This kid, in the end, did not let me down."
Didn't let him down?
Mu Lin Yuan was all smiles, filled with joy, but upon hearing these words, his heart suddenly trembled, and a chill rose within him.
However, he said nothing and followed Yin Shengong into the forest with a smile.
...
Scholar's Residence.
After seeing the four of them disappear without a trace as soon as they exited the gate, Fang Che's longing expression remained unchanged.
He gazed longingly for a while before turning back to his study.
He took out a book and quietly began reading.
Half a bell later, his smile gradually stiffened.
The crisis had passed.
Yin Shengong and the others had truly left.
They were far away now.
Fang Che's entire body slumped as if his bones had turned to jelly.
While Yin Shengong was here, he couldn't even feel sad.
He had known this day would come, and he had prepared for it, but when it actually happened, he still couldn't accept it.
In that situation, Zuo Guanglie and the other nine were undoubtedly dead.
They had already been captured by Yin Shengong.
Whether Fang Che acted or not, there was no hope for Zuo Guanglie and the others to survive.
Fang Che understood this.
But he still couldn't accept the fact that he had killed them with his own hands.
Countless reasons couldn't hide the guilt in his heart, and a million excuses couldn't soothe his discomfort.
"Ah..."
Fang Che sighed deeply, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Ye Meng cautiously entered the room and walked up to Fang Che's side, asking with concern, "What's wrong?"
She reached out to massage his temples, gently rubbing them.
Fang Che extended his hand, pulling her soft body into his embrace, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies, and only then did he feel like he was truly alive.
Just now, while with Yin Shengong and the others, even though it was bright and sunny, Fang Che felt as if he were in a ghostly abyss.
He gently buried his face in Ye Meng's hair, sighing softly, "I... I killed someone."
Killed someone? Ye Meng was stunned. Don't you kill people every day?
"I killed ten people from the Guardian Pavilion, people I was with every day!"
Fang Che's body trembled slightly, "Ten people..."
Ye Meng froze for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Was last night's trembling and today's gloom because of this?
Her heart suddenly became very complicated.
After a long while, she spoke, "I don't know what to say..."
"You don't need to say anything."
Fang Che closed his eyes wearily, murmuring, "I'm just a demon, killing Guardians is normal."
...
On this day, Fang Che didn't go on duty.
He stayed home and slept with his head covered for an entire day.
Countless times, he woke up from his dreams, drenched in cold sweat.
Countless times, Zuo Guanglie appeared in his dreams, asking him, "Why did you kill me?"
Fang Che remained silent in his dreams.
I'm a spy.
I'm on your side.
I did it for the future.
I did it for all of humanity, for the entire continent...
You were caught by Yin Shengong, so you wouldn't have survived anyway.
He didn't say a single word of these reasons, nor did he make any excuses for himself.
Even in his dreams, he couldn't reveal anything.
What if he talked in his sleep?
Moreover, even a billion reasons are still just reasons.
Reasons can't cover up the facts.
He was tormented, suffering, and feeling guilty...
Suddenly, he desperately wanted to talk to Dong Fang Sansan, very much so.
He wanted to tell him about his feelings, to chat and share his emotions.
He wanted to tell him about his pain and despair.
He could only share these things with Dong Fang Sansan; no one else would do!
Although Ye Meng was also a Guardian, and currently his bedmate, he still couldn't confide in her.
He wanted to question Dong Fang Sansan: Didn't you say you'd give me a list of people to kill?
Why haven't you given it to me yet?
Fang Che had never imagined he would feel so miserable. From the start, he had decided to walk this path, but at this moment, he felt a twinge of regret.
Killing his own people! This feeling drove him crazy!
Finally, Fang Che stopped dreaming of Zuo Guanglie and had a different dream.
In his dream, he became a lone wolf.
In the vast desert, the boundless sea of snow, the endless forest, and the snowy plains, he was alone, walking on the vast and desolate land.
From birth to death, the only thing that followed him was his own shadow.
He ran, fought, and licked his wounds in solitude.
"So lonely..."
He heard himself sighing.
The sigh quickly dissipated in the wind, unheard by anyone.
...
The Night Demon appeared in the White Cloud Continent and killed ten Guardians on his first move!
Ten Clerks, including a Golden Star Clerk, were slain by a single sword.
This news spread like wings, flying out.
The Guardian Pavilion of the Southeast Seventeen Continents, the Southeast Headquarters, and even the Guardian Headquarters learned of this news.
Instantly, it stirred up a huge commotion.
The death of Guardians wasn't unusual; countless people died in battle every day. But what was unusual was that the killer was the Night Demon.
The Night Demon was recognized by all as the top demon of the younger generation in the Only Righteous Sect.
His actions represented his true start of targeting the Guardians.
Regular members of the demon sect didn't have such destructive power, but the Night Demon's growth posed a significant threat!
The orders were unanimous: Kill the Night Demon!
Headquarters.
Dong Fang Sansan looked at the intelligence and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Three pieces of news.
Yin Shengong entered the Southeast.
The Night Demon killed ten Guardians.
The Yin Shengong left White Cloud Continent.
"Finally, has it come to this? Being forced to kill your own people, how uncomfortable is that?"
He walked slowly to the window, his eyes gazing out towards the direction of White Cloud Continent.
His eyes were filled with worry.
"Don't blame me for not sending someone to kill him for you."
Dong Fang Sansan murmured, "Because... this is a hurdle you must overcome. This hurdle is crucial for you and for the continent."
"If you find a spy and kill him, you'll pass this hurdle easily, but it will only make things harder in the future. Now you're forced to kill, and your struggle and pain in front of Yin Shengong are genuine. That's the most important thing!"
"They are old demons and experienced in the underworld.
(End of Chapter)
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