My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult Chapter 366

Chapter 366: Chapter 266: The Evil King Emerges with Blood Lighting the Sky Chapter 366: Chapter 266: The Evil King Emerges with Blood Lighting the Sky Zhao Chongyin burst into laughter a few times, perhaps tired of laughing, he looked at Zhao Xuening and said, “Then tell me, why should Father Emperor do this?”

Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, “Everything Father Emperor has done is to protect you.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin immediately sneered, “Protect me! To let Zhao Mengtai and me vie for the throne, to protect me by planning to depose me?”

He completely dismissed Zhao Xuening's words with scoffing disdain.

“Exactly, Father Emperor did all this to protect you. It's pitiful that you always pride yourself on being smart, but you're so confused in the face of this matter. That must be why Father Emperor is disappointed in you.”

Zhao Xuening stared straight at Zhao Chongyin and asked, “Do you know how Empress Ci Ning initially died?”

Empress Ci Ning, the first empress of Zhao Zhiwu and the mother of Zhao Chongyin, had supposedly died of illness. Her death had caused quite a stir throughout the Great Yan Dynasty, and not long after her death, a son she had borne also died of illness.

This deceased princely heir was Zhao Chongyin's elder imperial brother.

Zhao Chongyin snorted lightly and said, “Mother was ill, what is there to talk about?”

Zhao Xuening shook his head and said, “Empress Ci Ning didn't die of illness; she was murdered.”

Zhao Chongyin furrowed his brow and asked, “Who killed her?”

Zhao Xuening said, “Father Emperor killed her.”

A flicker of astonishment flashed through Zhao Chongyin's eyes, “Father Emperor!?”

Zhao Zhiwu actually killed his own mother?

Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and began to explain, “Empress Ci Ning was a top spy planted by the Black Ice Platform beside Father Emperor, but her identity was accidentally exposed. At that time, for the safety of the Great Yan Imperial Family, Father Emperor interrogated Empress Ci Ning, and when she said nothing, ashamed to the core, she hanged herself in the palace. To prevent the news from leaking, and to silence anyone else, Father Emperor killed all the eunuchs and palace maids in the empress's chambers at that time.”

Upon hearing Zhao Xuening's words, Zhao Chongyin was shocked as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

His own mother was actually a spy implanted in the Great Yan Imperial Family by the Black Ice Platform, an incredibly shocking and unbelievable revelation.

If it were someone else, they might not believe Zhao Xuening's words. However, as Zhao Chongyin thought over the years, he found some occurrences and hints that matched up perfectly with what Zhao Xuening said, and some of his doubts were thus resolved.

After a long while, Zhao Chongyin finally came to his senses, his eyebrows knitting as he looked at Zhao Xuening and asked, “How do you know all this?”

Zhao Xuening said, “Father Emperor told me.”

Zhao Chongyin, puzzled, asked, “Then what does Father Emperor mean by protecting me?”

Zhao Xuening slowly said, “Father Emperor alienates you partly because he doesn't want to see you assassinated by foreign masters. You should know how many outstanding princes of the Great Yan Royal Family have been assassinated. Empress Ci Ning's first-born, your own biological brother, died by assassination. On the other hand, it's a test for you because of your special identity. To obtain the throne of our Great Yan Imperial Family, you not only need his approval but also the approval of our ancient Zhao ancestors.”

Zhao Chongyin was rather astonished, “A test?”

“Exactly.”

Zhao Xuening nodded and said, “Father Emperor not only gave you a test, but he also set a test for your second brother, Zhao Mengtai. It seems you really don't understand Father Emperor. Survival of the fittest is the standard Father Emperor uses to choose his successor.”

“Just like the Gu insects raised by the Southern Barbarians, the true Gu insect is the one that survives numerous battles and remains alive at the end. The throne of our Great Yan is the same.”

Zhao Chongyin thought of something and asked, “So, had I died at Zhong Mountain, the position of Crown Prince might have gone to Zhao Mengtai? The future Great Yan Emperor could be him?”

Zhao Xuening shook his head and said, “Second Brother's temperament isn't suited for sitting on this imperial throne. Father Emperor doesn't want him to ascend to this great position; that's just a simple test for him. Should he want to use it as a means to inherit Father Emperor's throne, he naturally needs to overthrow Father Emperor.”

“Actually, Father Emperor is well aware of your private actions, all too clear and thorough.”

Zhao Mengtai died, merely as a young Gu being raised, it should be known that he was Zhao Zhiwu's most favored prince.

After all, Zhao Zhiwu remains that same cold-hearted and ruthless Zhao Zhiwu.

Zhao Xuening made one mistake, Zhao Chongyin doesn't misunderstand Zhao Zhiwu, he understands him very well, only he didn't comprehend the depth of Zhao Zhiwu's intentions.

Zhao Chongyin pondered for a moment and then shook his head, “I'm not interested in these things you're telling me; what are you really trying to say?”

“Big brother, oh big brother, don't you understand?”

Zhao Xuening whispered, “Right now, to you, I am a test, and to me, you are also a test. To obtain Father Emperor's throne, clearing all obstacles ahead is naturally the way forward.”

Zhao Chongyin's gaze turned icy, “So, you're saying you're my obstacle.”

“Brother, you're right.”

Zhao Xuening slowly stood up, patted the Dragon Throne and said, “Kill me, and you can sit upon this Dragon Throne.”

The experts behind Zhao Chongyin, upon hearing this, all flashed a hint of chill in their eyes.

These people included not only the Jianghu masters Zhao Chongyin had recruited but also the top experts from the Heavenly Prison, among them even one who was imprisoned in the deepest part of the Heavenly Prison, whom even Zhao Zhiwu was quite wary of.

Zhao Chongyin calmly said, “I want her dead!”

As the words fell, a fresh, boiling blood light accompanied by a foul smell emerged in the Taihe Palace.

Following the blood light, a black river of blood surged out from among the crowd, the viscous blood flowing like a great river, twisting and turning, filled with a brutal and ferocious aura, chilling to the bone.

One of the old palace maids upon seeing this felt a chill in her heart and said, “Your Highness Princess, they are all top experts from the Heavenly Prison, and that blood light is the infamous Evil King Meng Hao.”

Zhao Xuening's eyebrows were furrowed tightly. She was well aware that Heavenly Prison held many grandmasters, some of whom the Royal Family intended to recruit for their loyalty, while others were imprisoned because they could not be killed.

The name of Evil King Meng Hao was indeed famous throughout the world, having caused massive slaughter in Zhao Country and subsequently pursued by the Black Ice Platform. Initially, the Black Ice Platform had dispatched three Three Qi Grandmasters, two Four Qi Grandmasters, and one Five Qi Grandmaster. Despite such a formidable force, they failed to kill him, severely injuring him, but he still managed to escape from the territory of Zhao Country.

Likewise, when he later arrived in Yan Country, his hands were again stained with blood. Royal martial experts, the Mystical Sect Sect Leader Ye Ding, and Outer Heaven Jun Qinglin, among many other masters, surrounded him, yet he ultimately vanished into Jianghu.

Some said he died surrounded by many masters, others said he had retired from Jianghu, but nobody knew that this famous Evil King was actually imprisoned in the Great Yan Heavenly Prison.

“Princess, quickly leave!”

The two elderly maids saw this and hurriedly shielded Zhao Xuening behind them, fully aware that they might not stand a chance, yet still they protected Zhao Xuening.

Zhao Chongyin also had a cold smile on his lips. What could the Imperial Guards possibly account for in front of Heavenly Prison masters?

And not all the Royal martial experts would necessarily stand by Zhao Xuening's side. These Royal martial experts served the Royal Family, not individuals, and considering he was the Crown Prince, they would have to think carefully.

“Do not worry, Princess.”

Just then, a voice sounded, and a young man in white appeared outside the palace with a sword in his hand.

When Zhao Xuening saw who had arrived, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

He had never let anyone down.

“Ghost Swordsman!?”

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhao Chongyin's brows immediately furrowed.

Taihe Palace had a great formation for protection, but he could still sense the battle outside. Now that the Ghost Swordsman had come in so composedly, it indicated that Xiao Qianqiu had been defeated.

This confident, unparalleled State Preceptor had been defeated by this young man.

A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Zhao Chongyin's mind, followed by an even stronger intent to kill.

Such a Ghost Swordsman, if he couldn't control, should not be allowed to remain in this world.

An Jing clenched the Dulu Sword in his hand and swept it horizontally, instantly vanishing in a flash.

A line of Sword Qi tore through the blood Qi engulfing the front, and the ripples of Qi energy echoed back and forth throughout the grand hall, unable to merge for a long time.

This sword easily split the blood light in front into two.

The next moment, a figure slid out of the blood light, gliding backward more than ten yards, with fresh blood pouring over him, gradually forming a river of blood on the ground.

This scene was weird and chilling.

Looking toward the figure, An Jing could not discern his face or age; the blood light also obscured his clothing and appearance, as if he were a creature made entirely of blood.

After the blood river was split in two, it bizarrely did not disperse but instead gathered like countless rivers returning to the sea, reforming at the feet of the man into a pool of blood.

“Gulp!” “Gulp!”

The river of blood that was like a great river ultimately transformed into a blood pool three yards across, constantly bubbling.

An Jing slowly spoke, “I have heard of a cultivation technique in the world that involves peeling off one's skin completely, leaving only flesh and blood. It is extremely cruel, only those with great will can cultivate it. However, once cultivated successfully, it is profoundly mysterious, allowing one to transform into a streak of blood, formless and intangible, capable of ascension and descent, omnipotent, and can even increase one's cultivation by killing others and absorbing their Essence Blood. I thought such evil techniques had been lost for many years, yet today I have the chance to see it.”

The masters detained in Heavenly Prison were numerous, and they were forced to consume Elixirs daily that dissipated their True Qi. Even Five Qi Grandmasters obediently allowed themselves to be imprisoned within Heavenly Prison.

And then there were some whom even the Great Yan Royal Family found difficult to kill – they were truly terrifying.

The man before him had a more ferocious and brutal reputation than Jiang Shang.

Unlike Jiang Shang, who killed out of passion, the man claiming to be Evil King Meng Hao killed solely to enhance his own strength and cultivation.

Amidst the blood light, Meng Hao let out a weird laugh when he heard An Jing's words, his voice was sharp and piercing, “Young lad, despite your young age, you are quite knowledgeable, not only is your strength astonishing, but your Qi mechanism is also very profound. I can't determine what path or school you belong to.”

An Jing did not respond, but the Dulu Sword in his hand was directly pointing at Meng Hao.

The chill of the World's First Sword would have already frightened any ordinary grandmaster, but Meng Hao showed no fear and laughed, “I recognize this sword, it's the World's First Sword, the Dulu Sword.”

A slight smile appeared on An Jing's lips, “Since you recognize this sword, that's good.”

“Demon Sect!? No, Zhenyi Sect! No, there's also a Buddhist aura, who exactly are you?”

Meng Hao scrutinized An Jing's Qi closely, but the more he felt it, the more shocked he became, because he could sense the best characteristics of various families within An Jing, which greatly shocked him.

Zhao Chongyin remarked, “He is a Demon Sect master, currently the World's First Swordsman.”

“The World's First Swordsman!?”

Meng Hao looked at An Jing and slowly said, “I did not expect someone as young as you, barely thirty, could become the World's First Swordsman. It seems you are a disciple or grand-disciple of Jun Qinglin.”

Meng Hao knew, better than anyone, what it meant to be such a young World's First Swordsman, especially at the current verge of the Age of Dharma Decline.

Thinking of this, a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Knowing that Jun Qinglin had once severely wounded him was the reason he had been ultimately detained by the Great Yan Royal Family in Heavenly Prison.

An Jing said indifferently, “Whether you know who I am is not important because you will not live to leave this place.”

“Hahahaha, even Jun Qinglin wouldn't dare to speak so boldly in front of me.”

Meng Hao's laughter, like rolling thunder, echoed throughout the Taihe Palace and resounded across the Imperial City, filled with madness and ferocity.

The instant he finished speaking, he fiercely charged forward, his arms bulging like twisting pythons, dark with the hue of blood Qi swirling around his entire arm.

His arm, mountainous in its strength, furiously struck out with a palm, its overwhelming Force Qi transforming into streaks of black smoke, whipping up a wild storm that spread out and continuously generated waves of impact, rushing fiercely towards An Jing.

The Innate True Qi cultivated by Qin Shan was extremely domineering, and although the Blood True Qi cultivated by Meng Hao could not match the domineering nature of the Innate True Qi, it was more ruthless, eerie, unpredictable, and hard to guard against.

At this moment, the palm print carried waves of blood Qi that surged like a tide, truly leaving one unable to guard against it.

In the blink of an eye, An Jing's eyes were like dry wells, and he slashed out with the Dulu Sword, his radiant light illuminating the Great Hall.

An Jing stood tall like a mountain, light golden Qi flowing constantly from his arms, making it seem as if stars were shining behind him, his aura majestic and boundless, causing nearly everyone present to hold their breath.

This was indeed the domineering power of the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique.

Boom!

Immediately, an infinite Qi Mechanism burst forth, and it seemed as if a crack appeared above them. From that crack, a cold Sword Light surged forth, effortlessly scattering the surrounding blood Qi.

The handprint and the Sword Light then collided fiercely, instantly fracturing the heavens, altering the winds and clouds; countless waves of True Qi surged toward the distance, spreading and sweeping through.

“This child cannot be spared!”

Meng Hao watched his own trembling hand, not only trembling at the palms but also bleeding profusely at the base of the thumb, his intention to kill intensifying. He then leapt, lunging directly towards An Jing.

Nine Yang Divine Finger! Phoenix Facing Phoenix!

Using his finger as a sword, An Jing pointed ahead, surrounded by towering flames, as if a phoenix bathed in fire was soaring.

Instantly, the temperature in the entire Great Hall was rapidly rising.

The scorching finger light burned the vast blood Qi completely clean, leaving none behind.

Afterward, Meng Hao leaped out above the Taihe Palace.

An Jing immediately followed in pursuit.

An old nursemaid beside Zhao Xuening whispered, “Princess, the Ghost Swordsman has been through two battles and may be exhausted. Zhao Chongyin has colluded with the masters of the Heavenly Prison, we better leave quickly.”

An Jing was highly capable, but having already fought a battle against Xiao Qianqiu, as long as Meng Hao could hold him off, the Ghost Swordsman would undoubtedly lose, hence her worry.

“I'm not leaving.”

Zhao Xuening glanced at the Dragon Throne and then at An Jing, her tone firm.

Seeing the fierce battle, Zhao Chongyin's heart also turned cold, he waved his hand and said, “Take down Zhao Xuening.”

The masters behind him, armed with swords and spears, all robust in Qi Mechanism, now looked at Zhao Xuening like wolves eyeing their food, their eyes filled with cruelty and ferocity.

Just then, a mass of purple True Dragon Qi emerged within the Imperial Palace.

This True Dragon Qi surged directly towards the several masters rushing at Zhao Xuening, turning them into mists of blood,
“Quickly leave! This is the True Dragon Qi of the Great Yan Royal Family.”

“Only those protected by the True Dragon Qi remain unharmed. We must leave Taihe Palace now!”

Seeing this scene, all the masters present frantically fled toward the exterior of the Taihe Palace.

Even the two old nursemaids were hit by the True Dragon Qi entering their bodies, and had they not reacted swiftly, they might have died there in the Taihe Palace.

Taihe Palace was a river of blood, yet it soon regained a moment of peace.

Only Zhao Xuening and Zhao Chongyin, both protected by the True Dragon Qi of the Zhao family, remained.

Atop Taihe Palace, the battle was raging.

The royal masters hiding at a distance silently watched the spectacle.

An Jing suddenly raised his arm, and his Dulu Sword seemed to spew endless flames, then he slashed toward Meng Hao's back.

Without needing to see with his eyes, the searing heat on his back alarmed Meng Hao. He extended his hand forward, and a blood-colored chain appeared in his hand.

Clang clang clang!

The crisp sound accompanied by the flowing of Blood True Qi further stimulated the senses.

This was indeed Meng Hao's famed weapon, the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain.

“Go!”

Meng Hao swung his arm, then that blood-colored long chain, carrying a chilling murderous aura like a wild giant snake, swung from the flank and fiercely rushed towards An Jing's body.

Boom!

The monstrous blood-colored chains swept through the air, causing the air to scatter away and the true qi to be horribly compressed, producing deafening noises.

An Jing seemed unperturbed by the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain on his left, continuing his assault towards Meng Hao.

“Arrogant!”

Meng Hao could tell, An Jing was clearly aiming for a mutual downfall, intent on injuring both himself and Meng Hao, but how could his Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain be an ordinary weapon? It could almost be considered an exotic treasure.

The moment it would come into contact with An Jing, he could almost imagine An Jing being minced into pieces of shattered bones.

However, at that instant, An Jing's body exuded a domineering aura that seemed to solidify.

Meng Hao's prized Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain was immediately scattered by the shock, as if it had encountered something extremely terrifying that did not dare to encroach even slightly.

Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique!

This was a cultivation technique that surpassed the Heavenly Martial Level Martial Arts, and with An Jing having perfected it, its power was naturally staggering.

Even for Meng Hao, who had ascended to the status of a Five Qi Grandmaster, the possibility of approaching An Jing relying solely on his Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain was virtually nonexistent.

Swoosh!

At that moment, An Jing's sword slashed down, creating waves of true qi that frantically dispersed to the sides as the blade passed.

Meng Hao watched An Jing, resembling a Sword Immortal with his imposing giant sword, his pupils shrinking suddenly. Unknowingly, a terror spread through his heart.

Ding ding ding ding!!!

A series of dazzling sparks burst forth, followed by the sound of a metal clash tearing through the air.

An Jing's sword struck directly upon the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain, which coiled and twisted like a seized snake, writhing frantically.

Swish! Swish!

By this time, An Jing had already closed in on Meng Hao at close quarters, his arm turning as the sword light slashed directly down at Meng Hao.

Fast!

Too fast!

At that moment, Meng Hao was completely unprepared. Seeing An Jing suddenly rush over, he instinctively gathered all his true qi in front of him.

Splat!

An Jing's heavy sword came chopping down, and the true qi Meng Hao had just set up seemed to be split by the sword, as if it had melted, then split right into two.

“Rip!”

Meng Hao's body retreated again and again, his clothes torn by the sword light, his body swaying with the wind as if he could fall at any moment.

“I don't believe it, I can't take down a junior today,”
the once glorious Evil King roared lowly.

The next moment, the blood pool underfoot suddenly trembled violently, and a horrifying scene unfolded. Nine immense blood pythons emerged from the pool like nine long whips, wildly striking the Dulu Sword Qi.

An Jing twisted his wrist, sending waves of sword qi toward Meng Hao like a storm.

Blood qi against sword qi, the two frantically rubbing, hissing, and burning made countless blood-colored fumes rise, then the fumes turned into blood rain, raining down from the sky. For a moment, the scene above the Taihe Palace was truly a violent storm of blood. Any area touched by the blood rain was corroded, leaving ravines crisscrossed and a sight of complete desolation.

The blood mist around Meng Hao gradually dissipated, his face intermittently visible, though covered and enveloped in blood water, still vaguely revealing the shape of his facial features, continuously distorting, extremely ferocious.

An Jing had never seen a ghost, but at this moment, looking at Meng Hao, he felt that this man was neither human nor ghost, even no less than any evil spirit.

This was a true descent into demonic possession, irrational.

Meng Hao continuously uttered nonsensical ramblings, his steps retreating continuously.

An Jing did not waste any more time with him. With a wave of his hand, several flying swords transformed into an overwhelming surge of sword qi sweeping out.

Meng Hao stepped on the blood pool, the blood pool transforming into nine blood pythons violently fierce, baring fangs and claws as they rushed towards An Jing. As these nine blood pythons approached An Jing, they turned into clouds of blood mist, continuously infiltrating An Jing's body and the true qi around him.

His true qi, although not domineering, was exceedingly strange.

Infiltrating others' qi mechanism, flesh, bones, and even internal organs, it could even affect the minds of others.

This move by Meng Hao had been unbeatable in the past; he had encountered many experts, even those of the same realm as him, whom he had easily killed by infiltrating their systems with this blood qi.

But his opponent today was An Jing, a master who possessed both the incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture and the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, even the Qi of a hundred thousand shadow soldiers could hardly wear him down.

“Huff~!”

An Jing operated the Nameless Heart Scripture and then exhaled a breath of stale air, the blood stains on his body condensing into chunks and shattering off him.

Chapter end