https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-723-Forcefully-Slashing-Three-Peers/13466003/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-728-The-Desperate-Situation-in-the-South-Continent/13466005/
Chapter 727: One Person's Actions, One Person's Responsibility
Chapter 727: One Person’s Actions, One Person’s Responsibility
Chapter 727: One Person’s Actions, One Person’s Responsibility
In the Divine Dynasty, Jianyang Manor.
The long-deserted residence finally welcomed a familiar figure at its gate.
Master Zhi Kong pushed open the door, his face lighting up with surprise. "Lord Shen has returned."
Since their parting at Southern Sumeru, he had returned to the Shen residence in Jianyang, ensuring that if anyone came seeking General Nanyang, there would be someone to provide information, unlike in the past when the place was completely deserted.
But even he, upon learning of the Bodhi Sect’s plans, was filled with worry.
Seeing the familiar black robes again, he finally felt a sense of relief.
"How is the situation?"
"..."
Shen Yi slowly walked into the manor, shaking his head slightly.
Seeing this, the smile on Master Zhi Kong’s face gradually faded. Lord Shen, whether on his way to Southern Sumeru or rushing to the Eight Extremes Valley, had always dealt with beings of the rank of Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables. The dangers were evident, but Lord Shen had always remained calm and composed. The current solemn expression was rare.
"Is there no hope left?"
Master Zhi Kong forced a smile.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the cultivation world would have known that once the Three Teachings decided to move against the Divine Dynasty, the outcome would be difficult to change. The Three Teachings were as good as the Heavenly Court, and their will could be seen as the will of heaven.
The will of heaven cannot be defied.
"That’s not the case."
Shen Yi walked into the courtyard, exhaling a deep breath.
This trip to the Seven Saints Marsh had at least provided insight into the formidable array the major sects had prepared to break through the Southern Continent.
Third-Rank powerhouses already possessed the strength to stir up chaos across the world.
Once, a Seven Treasures Bodhisattva had boldly entered Crane Mountain, and despite the combined efforts of the Southern Continent Demon Slayer Bureau and the mobilization of Imperial Qi, they were unable to stop it. The Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva had personally visited Xishan Manor, severely injuring General Yan Lanting, and then casually left.
The Elderspirit Venerable of Shen Xu also had the ability to enter the Divine Dynasty silently and assassinate him, the newly appointed General Zhennan.
Of course, there were differences among Third-Rank powerhouses. Not every Demon Venerable possessed the strength of these Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables... but the issue was that without an equal rank to counter them, the various manors of the Divine Dynasty would face the same level of threat.
Whether newly ascended to Third Rank or having undergone several transformations, ordinary cultivators were mere ants in their presence.
According to the original plan of the Bodhi Sect, they had prepared eight such formidable demons!
Among them was the Southern Emperor, who had reached the pinnacle of the Ninety-Nine Transformations.
Under such an assault, the Pillar Stones Shen Yi had set up in the Great Southern Continent were virtually useless. They couldn’t even detect the arrival of these Demon Venerables, let alone stop them.
But this trip wasn’t entirely in vain.
At least two spies had been successfully sent in.
"..."
Shen Yi clenched his fists slightly. Gaining control of information was just the first step. Even with a thorough understanding of the demon race’s offensive plans, the real challenge would be to back it up with force.
He closed his eyes, the image of the indigo flesh mountain floating in his mind.
Despite his dismissive attitude toward the Southern Emperor when he left, Shen Yi knew that a demon who had survived for so long wouldn’t be the type to turn against the Bodhi Sect over a matter of face.
What the Southern Emperor feared was the Bodhi Sect, the Great Freedom Bodhisattva in Southern Sumeru, and the lofty True Buddhas, not him, the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Bodhisattva.
Without the status of a Bodhisattva, Shen Yi couldn’t think of any way to deal with such a formidable demon.
"No wonder..."
Shen Yi opened his eyes.
The Bodhi Sect dared to move against a True Deity because they were certain their plan would breach the Great Southern Continent.
Given this, seeking aid from the imperial capital was likely a futile effort, and the situation in the other continents of the Divine Dynasty was probably even worse.
"Has anyone visited here recently?" Shen Yi turned to look at Master Zhi Kong.
"General Yanlan came by, but he didn’t inquire about Lord Shen’s situation. He only briefly mentioned that the Great Southern Continent was relatively stable and that you needn’t worry."
Master Zhi Kong smiled bitterly. If not for following Lord Shen and witnessing so many inside secrets, he too would have believed that the situation was improving.
After all, the Divine Dynasty had recently issued the Demon Slayer Edict, and the strength of the Demon Slayer Bureau had increased several times over. The demons had suffered consecutive setbacks and had been quiet for some time.
"Please, Master, deliver this letter to General Yan."
Shen Yi took out a sealed letter from his ring and handed it over, whispering softly.
No matter what, it was always better to have everyone prepared in advance.
"Understood."
Zhi Kong Monk carefully placed the letter in his robe and immediately left the Shen residence without a moment's delay.
He had been a mendicant for many years, his cultivation largely owed to the common people. He couldn't understand why his fellow disciples, who also relied on the Divine Dynasty for their cultivation, could be so heartless as to sacrifice the lives of innocent people to achieve their own so-called great path.
...
At Songfeng Manor.
Yang Mingli sat high above, diligently reviewing the reports from his subordinates.
Feng Xi and Yan Lanting were seated on either side. Despite the old man's pretense of being asleep with his eyes closed, he at least didn't make any more trouble.
For a moment, the Southern Continent Demon Slayer Bureau seemed to have returned to its former harmonious state.
"Phew."
After a long while, Yang Mingli rubbed his eyes, and a rare smile appeared on his aged face.
The reports on the table were all good news. There was no sign of demon trouble, not even the slightest hint, as if the three great demons and the original demons of the Divine Dynasty had all vanished.
Seeing this, the Sealed Rank Generals, who had been inactive for a long time, became lively again.
"The battle at Songfeng Manor has earned the Divine Dynasty's General Nanyang a fearsome reputation, enough to deter those beasts' ambitions. The Three Teachings are in constant internal strife, severely weakened. The Divine Dynasty has a good chance of stabilizing the realm!"
Hearing the discussion below, the old man Yan Lanting finally lifted his eyelids.
After being out of seclusion for so long, he had a fairly good grasp of Shen Yi's deeds.
The young man he had met by chance back then had become a renowned figure in the Southern Continent. Among the younger generation, only the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Bodhisattva and the Venerable of the Emptiness Heavens could rival him.
But both of these figures had gone missing during the Transmission of Teachings and were still unaccounted for.
Thus, Shen Yi was undoubtedly the foremost figure among the younger generation.
Such strength, of course, couldn't intimidate the Third Rank Powerhouses, but who among those who had achieved the Third Rank would risk becoming a vanguard for others?
According to common sense, this crisis should have subsided.
The reports on the table seemed to confirm everyone's thoughts.
"Even if I don't like you, I have to admit that the Southern Continent's stability is indeed thanks to you."
Yang Mingli directed his gaze to the right.
Yan Lanting gave a faint glance, not bothering to respond.
Recognizing his keen insight only now is too late!
"..."
Seeing the old man's proud demeanor, Yang Mingli shook his head lightly, not bothering to argue further. After all, he was giving face to General Nanyang.
"By the way, has he returned?"
Feng Xi, noticing the slight easing of tension between the two old rivals, couldn't help but ask with a smile.
"Unclear. We should focus on our own tasks."
Yang Mingli replied softly. During their last meeting at Jianyang Manor, he had already considered handing over his authority to General Nanyang, but the other party had refused.
However, in his heart, he still regarded the other as a reliable peer, not just a junior.
Therefore, when Nanyang requested absolute autonomy, Yang Mingli complied, even writing a report to the court on his behalf.
At that moment, a Sealed Rank General called out from the doorway, "A monk has arrived, bringing a confidential letter for General Nanyang to be reviewed by Lord Yan!"
Upon hearing this, Yue Lan, who had been silent, suddenly turned her head, and her tightly clenched fingers relaxed slightly.
He's finally back...
"Bring him in quickly."
Feng Xi stood up directly. In the current situation, a monk's identity was extremely sensitive, but the mention of Nanyang changed everything.
Soon, under the guidance of the Sealed Rank General, Zhi Kong Monk quickly entered the hall.
Facing Yang Mingli's outstretched hand, he bowed deeply and then walked to the old man on the right, taking out the letter and handing it over, "Please, my lord, review it."
"Hmph."
Yan Lanting raised an eyebrow triumphantly at Yang Mingli before reaching out to take the letter.
Seeing the old man's childish behavior, Yang Mingli awkwardly withdrew his hand, not angry, but closely watching the letter.
The other members of the Demon Slayer Bureau, including Feng Xi, also looked on with anticipation.
They wondered what kind of surprise this powerful General Nanyang would bring to the Southern Continent this time.
Only Yue Lan's expression changed slightly.
Knowing Shen Yi as she did, he was a very contradictory person. In official matters, the new General Zhennan was busy to the point of seeming to have no rest, but in certain things, he could be extremely lazy.
For example, sending a greeting to reassure everyone upon his return doesn’t seem like Shen Yi’s style.
Before he left, he was even cautious enough to hand over the Demon Slayer Edict for safekeeping.
Sure enough, as the sealed letter was opened,
Yan Lanting carefully read through its contents, and the proud expression on his old face visibly darkened.
Sweat even broke out on his forehead.
"What’s going on?"
Yang Mingli sensed something was wrong and quickly stepped out from behind his desk.
"..."
After seeing Shen Yi’s trust in him to handle the matter, Yan Lanting fell silent for a long time before passing the letter to the other person.
The General Zhennan is among the most powerful figures in the Great Southern Continent, responsible for the safety of an entire region comprising twenty-seven manors.
Yet, a single letter now had both of these Generals Zhennan displaying the same look of shock.
Yang Mingli’s fingers trembled as he held the letter: "This is a joke, how is this possible!"
"Speak up!" Feng Xi snapped. No matter how serious the matter, there was no need to scare themselves, especially when all the Sealed Rank Generals below them were visibly shaken.
"Eight Third Rank demon lords... even if the Bodhi Sect and San Xian Jiao were incredibly powerful, where could they possibly gather so many supreme demons?"
Yang Mingli turned around, his voice sharp.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust General Nanyang, but the content of the letter was just too bizarre and absurd.
Even if they counted all the retired demon lords in the Great Southern Continent, there wouldn’t be such a terrifying number.
"Hiss!"
Feng Xi bit her lip, her face turning pale.
After hesitating for a long time, she suddenly said, "There aren’t that many active ones, but what if we include the others?"
At this, Yang Mingli and Yan Lanting both looked at her sharply.
The "others" referred to the extremely evil lands guarded by the True Deities.
"Impossible. The True Deities are embodiments of Heavenly Order; how could they possibly collude with the other two sects to do something so against the laws of heaven?"
Yang Mingli immediately dismissed the idea, coldly adding, "Unless they’ve gone mad, they wouldn’t dare meddle under the watchful eyes of the True Deities."
"Then how do you explain the contents of this letter?" Feng Xi frowned.
"The letter... even with General Nanyang’s unparalleled talent, he’s still young and might have misjudged the situation."
Yang Mingli, though seemingly stubborn, genuinely believed this made no sense: "It’s just a loss of some young disciples. Even if they don’t give up, there are many ways to handle it gradually. Why take such a huge risk?"
"What’s the reason?!"
The words echoed through the hall.
Yang Mingli suddenly noticed a change in the expressions of a few people, including Yan Lanting, Yue Lan, and the young monk in the hall.
Old Yan lowered his head, tightly gripping his palms.
He suddenly remembered the Black Dog he had seen at Jianyang Manor.
Yue Lan, on the other hand, recalled the Old Ancestor of Shen Xu Mountain who had been crushed under the Golden Vajra.
Perhaps... these things were the reason that puzzled Yang Mingli.
But both remained silent.
They both knew that once this information was revealed, Shen Yi could go from being the greatest hero of the Great Southern Continent to the one who unleashed a massacre.
"You... you’re still hiding this from me?"
Yang Mingli extended his index finger, his whole body trembling: "I may have been harsh at times, but my loyalty to the Divine Dynasty has never wavered. As your colleagues, have you ever trusted me even a little?"
Hearing this, Yan Lanting gritted his teeth. Despite their years of rivalry, he knew how devastating it was for a General Zhennan to be distrusted by his peers, a wound even worse than death.
But after much hesitation, he still turned his face away.
Yue Lan, meanwhile, gripped the Demon Slayer Edict at her waist tightly.
"You..."
Yang Mingli stumbled backward, bumping into a table, his eyes bloodshot.
At this moment, among the stunned Demon Slayer Bureau officials,
Zhi Kong Monk took a few steps forward.
Recalling the instructions Shen Yi had given him before he left,
He sighed, slowly raising his gaze: "General Nanyang once killed the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva of the Bodhi Sect outside the Great Southern Continent, and in Jianyang Manor, he destroyed the Dao body of the Old Ancestor of Shen Xu Mountain."
"These are likely the reasons that have puzzled Lord Yang."
"The contents of the letter are entirely true. Please stop arguing and prepare yourselves."
With that, facing Yan Lanting’s deathly glare and Yue Lan’s hand on her sword hilt, Zhi Kong Monk clasped his hands together and bowed again.
These were Shen Yi’s instructions.
A man who, upon entering the Divine Dynasty, could guard twenty-seven manors, had never thought of shirking responsibility.
(End of Chapter)
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