Chapter 374: Brother Yin, Save Me! (Part 1)
Chapter 374: Brother Yin, Save Me! (Part 1)
"You guys can clean up here," said Frostblade Sword, her mind already formulating a plan. It seemed that Fang Che's guess was correct, and the Nightmare Demon must still be in the White Cloud Continent.
With this confirmation, she had a clear goal and plan in mind.
Instantly, she regained her cool demeanor and spoke with an icy tone, "I'm leaving too!"
In a flash, she disappeared.
It was only then that Yuan Jingjiang and the others recovered from their shock and stammered, "Senior Sword... left?"
"He's gone," Fang Che replied with a frown.
He still felt regretful and a bit unwilling to accept the situation.
It was just an avatar.
The Nightmare Demon wasn't dead.
Yuan Jingjiang stammered, "What should we do now?"
"What should we do?"
Fang Che snapped, "You're the Hall Master!"
Yuan Jingjiang was at a loss, his mind blank as if he was about to cry. "My mind is completely blank right now..."
"..."
Fang Che turned and walked away.
"You guys clean up. I'll go check on Tang Zheng. Let's transport them back to the Guardian Palace."
His voice was low as he finished the sentence and walked into the neighboring courtyard without looking back.
He gathered all of Xiao Mei's makeup and dressing supplies and packed them up.
Then, he placed Tang Zheng's body on the bed, picked her up, and carried her out. He requested a horse-drawn carriage, placed Xiao Mei inside, and sat down beside her. With a flick of the whip, he shouted, "Giddy up!"
And just like that, he was off.
Yuan Jingjiang also wanted to follow, but there were still matters to attend to here. He took one last look and immediately started giving orders.
Without anyone to rely on, he had to take charge and get things done.
Fang Che drove the carriage, heading straight for Tang Zheng's body.
Over there, a Guardian Palace priest had already arrived and was standing guard. The area was cordoned off.
Tang Zheng's body lay there, covered in a Gold Star Clerk Robe, his face calm and serene, wearing a faint smile as if he were at peace.
"Go buy a bride's wedding gown, with a phoenix crown and crimson robe," Fang Che instructed Jing Xiuyun. "The best quality!"
"Yes," Jing Xiuyun replied, tears welling up in her eyes as she turned and left. As she walked, she wiped away her tears.
"You go ahead and inform the Inner Needs, and get a full set of Silver Star Clerk Robes. Remember, a complete set!" Fang Che instructed Zhao Ying'er. "Hurry!"
"Yes," Zhao Ying'er replied. She bowed to Tang Zheng in respect and farewell before swiftly leaving.
"Tang Zheng, I want to tell you that your neighbor's Three Demons have been taken care of by us," Fang Che said as he slowly approached Tang Zheng's body and looked at his face, speaking softly.
Tang Zheng lay there, his face peaceful and smiling. It seemed he was content.
Fang Che's voice lowered, "Do you know? You've made a great contribution! It was because of your intelligence that we were able to eliminate one of the Nightmare Demon's avatars. This is considered a great achievement for the Guardian Palace, and even in the Guardian ranks, it's a huge accomplishment!"
"So, your promotion to Silver Star is unquestionable," Fang Che continued. "If only your cultivation was higher, this achievement would have been worthy of a Gold Star."
"Tang Zheng..." Fang Che sighed. "I've brought Xiao Mei to you as well. I'll take you both back to the Guardian Palace!"
"I wish you both eternal happiness in this life and the next, never to be parted!" Fang Che said solemnly, bowing his head in silence for a moment.
Then, he leaned over and picked up Tang Zheng, whose face still held a proud smile, and placed him in the carriage.
Hong Er Crip wanted to help, but Fang Che refused his offer.
He arranged Tang Zheng and Xiao Mei to lie side by side.
Fang Che climbed into the carriage and shouted, "To the Guardian Palace! To the Priest Hall!"
With a gentle flick of the whip, the carriage slowly started moving, the journey smooth and steady.
Fang Che sat on the carriage, his face stern, and his eyes deep and focused.
The night deepened, and the wind suddenly picked up, causing his hair and clothes to flutter. The sky seemed to wail, as if in sorrow.
The sound of the horse's hooves was clear as they slowly moved forward.
Hong Er Crip and the other Guardian Palace priests formed a neat line behind the carriage, silently following.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the bodies of Tang Zheng and his wife in the carriage, and then they looked at Fang Che, sitting straight-backed on the carriage.
They didn't even know what they were thinking.
They only knew that they were following that straight-backed figure, moving forward no matter what lay ahead, whether it was darkness or any other challenge.
...
After Frostblade left, she said, "Brother Nine, your predictions are like divine insights! As soon as I arrived, I took out two Nightmare Guards and the Nightmare Demon's avatar!"
Over there, Dongfang Sansan was surprised and even stunned for a moment.
So fast? In Dongfang Sansan's imagination, Frostblade would first intimidate the enemy, then work with the Guardian Palace to stabilize the situation, and then the southeast and Guardian forces would launch a strike.
They would target the four major sects, gradually exposing the Divine Deity Sect's involvement, and focus their attacks.
In this way, Fang Che's side would not be exposed at all.
They could smoothly proceed with their plan, first dealing a blow to the Divine Deity Sect, and ultimately, their goal was to eliminate the Nightmare Demon or its avatar.
This was a well-thought-out process.
But Frostblade, after arriving, didn't even rest. She directly eliminated the Nightmare Demon's avatar in one fell swoop! She completed the final step without hesitation.
Dongfang Sansan calculated the time and was a bit surprised.
This meant that Frostblade rushed over, and after arriving at the White Cloud Continent, she didn't even pause. She went straight for the Nightmare Demon's avatar and the two Nightmare Guards!
individuals on the White Cloud Continent.
What a coincidence!
"What happened?" Dongfang Sansan asked.
"When I arrived and searched, I actually found this guy, Fang Che, strutting around like an official, going door to door..." Frostblade said, causing Dongfang Sansan to frown.
"Then I went down, and these guys were so bold! They actually found the Nightmare Demon's avatar's residence, and they dared to go and capture it..." Frostblade boasted.
"If it weren't for me, these guys would have become food for the Nightmare Demon," Frostblade said proudly.
Dongfang Sansan snorted.
If they hadn't sensed your presence, they probably wouldn't have even moved! You're taking credit to the point of gilding your own lily!
"Then this guy, Fang Che, actually stabbed a Nightmare Guard with his knife. His timing was good, but... he didn't even pierce the skin. I almost died laughing, and then I stepped in."
The Frostblade Sword recalled the scene where Fang Zhe stabbed the Nightmare Guard in the back, sending her flying, and couldn't help but laugh.
"So, you took her down with just one move?" asked Dong Fang Sansan.
"Yes, but something strange happened. After the Nightmare's clone died, it indeed transformed into a shadow, and my sword had no effect on it. But when the shadow flew up, something unknown happened, and it was devoured alive."
The Frostblade Sword said, "Brother Nine, think about it. What's going on? Is there a ghost?"
Dong Fang Sansan replied, "Yes, there's a ghost!"
"What kind of ghost?"
"A ghost that devours shadows."
"Yeah, I know. I'm asking, what's the reason behind it?" The Frostblade Sword persisted.
"There's a ghost!"
"I know there's a ghost, but what kind of ghost is it?"
"..."
After a moment, Dong Fang Sansan rubbed her temples and asked, "Are you Xue Fuxiao or Rui Qianshan?"
The Frostblade Sword was puzzled, "Brother Nine, are you feeling alright?"
Dong Fang Sansan began massaging her temples.
This is too much!
"From now on, you'll stay in White Cloud Continent, within the city. Don't leave, no matter how bad things get in the southeast. Until the Nightmare is dead, you must not take a single step outside White Cloud Continent. Do you understand?"
"I understand. Brother Nine, what kind of ghost is it?"
Dong Fang Sansan placed the communication jade token on the table and remained silent.
...
In the northern part of White Cloud Continent, within a magnificent courtyard.
Dressed in luxurious clothing, with a benevolent expression, stood the Divine Deity Sect Leader, Kou Yifang.
At this moment, he looked anxious.
He had just entered to pay his respects to the Old Ancestor. Although the Old Ancestor was still somewhat unwell, with the collection of Dream Spirit Essence increasing, his complexion was improving.
Just then, as they were talking, the Old Ancestor's expression changed abruptly, and a mouthful of blood erupted from his mouth in a frenzied manner, splattering all over Kou Yifang's head and face.
Then, the Old Ancestor collapsed onto the bed, stiff as a board.
A loud boom sounded from his body, as if something had exploded within him.
Countless, endless tiny bubbles emerged from the Old Ancestor's body, rising into the air. When they met the wind, they burst, and in an instant, they all vanished.
The already thin Old Ancestor withered away in a flash, becoming emaciated.
He lay on the bed, his body rigidly propped up.
With each prop, a mouthful of blood spilled out; with the next, another mouthful followed.
Witnessing this, Kou Yifang inexplicably recalled two words: Propped Corpse! It truly resembled one.
Six Nightmare Guards rushed in simultaneously, one of them carefully lifting the Old Ancestor's head to feed him a bowl of medicine.
But it was spat out with a 'puh' sound.
"Go get... the Dream Soul Pill..."
The Nightmare, his eyes fixed intently, urged, "Quick... the Dream Soul Pill..."
The Dream Soul Pill was fetched, and he hastily consumed it. Finally, his condition stabilized.
However, he truly lay on the bed, unable to get up.
His complexion was ashen, and a faint aura of death emanated from him. His breath was faint.
He resembled a critically ill patient barely clinging to life.
After a long while, he managed to catch a breath, his weakness making even breathing difficult. He murmured, "The clone... is destroyed."
"What?"
Everyone was shocked.
"There's a hidden... additionally, report to the Main Hall, urgently need... the Reviving Pill."
The Nightmare, with difficulty, finished speaking a few words before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
This time, the clone's destruction, though not as severe as the previous backlash, had an even more fatal appearance than the last time.
Several Nightmare Guards hurriedly began making arrangements and reporting.
Kou Yifang was stunned on the spot.
The Nightmare Leader... was immobilized again...
This time, to support the Nightmare Leader, the Divine Deity Sect had dispatched all its elite members!
The most critical part was that while the Nightmare Leader was immobilized, the Frostblade Sword arrived! And right now, above White Cloud Continent, his sword aura dominated the skies.
Leave? That was absolutely impossible!
Kou Yifang felt his legs tremble with fear every moment.
He constantly felt like his head might bolt away from his body at any second.
But with things having come this far, there was no turning back.
Having volunteered for this task, welcoming the Old Ancestor to the southeast to collect the Dream Spirit, was to increase his bargaining chips.
How could he gain favor with the Old Ancestor and rise in the southeast without this?
The Yin Shen Palace had the Night Demon, and completing the task was best; it was already a soaring success, and he couldn't compare.
Sea Wicked Male was finished.
But he had to at least surpass Guan Shan Du and Gu Feng Shan's room was higher.
"Wealth and honor are sought in peril!"
Kou Yifang gritted his teeth, making a firm decision.
Having reached this point, regret was useless. He could only brace himself and continue. Once this hurdle was crossed, and the Old Ancestor recovered with his help, his position within the sect would be firmly established.
The six Nightmare Guards were busy, clearly unable to attend to their subordinate sect leader. But in the current situation, what was the best course of action?
He pondered.
Taking out the communication jade, he communicated with the Five Spirit Toad and contacted the Yin Shen Palace.
"Yin Sect Leader, I have a request for assistance."
Yin Shen Palace was surprised that Kou Yifang had come seeking help again. "Brother Kou, don't be polite. Just speak frankly."
"I'm currently in White Cloud Continent, facing difficulties, and I fear exposure at any moment. I only hope to align with Brother Yin first, and if I truly reach a desperate situation, I seek your assistance."
"Kou Yifang kept a low profile.
Yin Shengong was in high spirits, but he didn't give a direct answer. "Brother Kou, regarding your request, I'd naturally be more than willing to help. However, I'm not in White Apple Continent."
Seeing Yin Shengong feigning ignorance, Kou Yifang clarified, "Brother Yin, I'm being straightforward. Your branch's reward is common knowledge to us."
Yin Shengong asked, "Oh?"
"We're also aware of the Starlight Commander's situation," Kou Yifang said.
Yin Shengong narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Kou Yifang clenched his teeth but maintained a humble attitude for the negotiation. "I only hope that in times of crisis, your esteemed branch can lend a helping hand."
Yin Shengong's expression turned cold. "Brother Kou, you know very well that the branch has already caught the attention of the Deputy Sect Master. Even I myself am in a position where I can't make any moves! You understand the magnitude of the situation!"
"That's why I didn't dare to ask for immediate assistance."
Kou Yifang said, "But when the crisis arrives, if I can't transfer to a safe location, I fear that even Nightmare Lord will perish here. Brother Yin, you can't just watch and do nothing. Moreover, there's a possibility that things might not escalate to that point, but I'm just giving you a heads-up."
Yin Shengong replied, "Brother Kou, we're not playing games here. If it comes to a life-or-death situation for you, it means you've already been exposed. If the Starlight branch gets involved, can it still survive? Wouldn't that directly implicate and jeopardize the entire operation?"
Kou Yifang said, "I swear by the Celestial Scorpion Deity, I won't implicate the branch. Moreover, Nightmare Lord is here. Brother Yin, if you won't help, are you also ignoring Nightmare Lord?"
Yin Shengong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother Kou, I'm not trying to shirk responsibility, but I genuinely don't have the authority to promise you. How about I ask Deputy Sect Master Yan on your behalf?"
Kou Yifang was taken aback. For such a minor matter, he had to consult Deputy Sect Master Yan? It seemed like they weren't willing to help at all.
Kou Yifang held his breath and said, "Go ahead and ask."
The communication was abruptly cut off. Yin Shengong's expression shifted, and Kou Yifang cursed inwardly. Can you even contact Deputy Sect Master Yan? If you don't want to help, just say it! Not only do you refuse to help, but you also put on an act in front of me... You're not a decent person at all.
On the other side, Yin Shengong dared not slack off.
He sensed the crisis; it was one thing that he hadn't given a direct answer. But since Kou Yifang knew about the branch's situation, in a critical moment, he would definitely go.
This was beyond doubt.
With his life on the line, what else did Kou Yifang have to lose? Therefore, the Night Demon Sect was about to face a life-or-death crisis! This was a major event!
He immediately reported it to Yan Nan.
"Reporting to Deputy Sect Master Yan, your subordinate, Yin Shengong of the Southeast One Heart Sect, informs you that the Night Demon Sect is facing an unprecedented crisis. The Heavenly Deity Sect's leader, Kou Yifang, is trapped in White Cloud Continent..."
He explained the situation in detail, reviewing it several times to ensure completeness before sending it out.
At that moment, Yan Nan was in the flower-covered pavilion at the Southeast Headquarters, sipping tea and watching Yan Beihan practicing her spear under Duan Xiyang's guidance.
(End of Chapter)
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