Chapter 049
Chapter 49: The Demon Sect
Seeing this, the grand eunuch Sun Chang Yu simply waved his hand and said calmly, “Young Master Li, you need not worry. Your current situation is rather special. This is merely a small illusion set up by me, your humble servant, to avoid accidents. It’s a routine operation within the Heavenly Brocade Guard.”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng did not respond but raised his gaze toward the sky through the window.
The clear blue sky had somehow become dark and gloomy.
The air felt heavy, the horizon gray.
In the distance, clouds rolled in fiercely, pressing lower and lower, as if threatening to crush the entire Imperial Capital beneath their weight.
Li Mu Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully and murmured softly, “Judging by this weather, it seems rain is on its way.”
As if to confirm his words, thunder rumbled deeply through the thick clouds, echoing endlessly.
…
At Aurora Pavilion.
Outside a hall temporarily serving as a base for the Heavenly Brocade Guard, several armored guards holding their swords quickly approached, dragging along a young master dressed in purple robes.
“You’re truly audacious! My maternal uncle is the Vice Minister of Revenue—how dare you capture me!” Zhang He twisted and struggled, desperately trying to free himself from the armored guards’ grasp. But all he got was a fierce strike from the back of a guard’s sword.
“Hiss!”
The sharp pain shot through Zhang He’s back, causing him to gasp and grimace. Eyes blazing with fury, he glared at the guard who struck him and was about to curse.
At that moment, however, the armored guards had already dragged him into the hall. One of them stepped forward and reported solemnly, “My Lord, as instructed by Eunuch Sun, we searched the area around Aurora Pavilion. We found this man sneaking around suspiciously—he may belong to the Demon Sect.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang He immediately shouted, “You’d best watch your tongue! Who are you calling a demon? My maternal uncle is the Vice Minister of Revenue—a high-ranking official! You, a mere foot soldier, aren’t even worthy to shine my shoes!”
Song Shan Yue, the Commanding Commissioner seated behind the table, glanced briefly at Zhang He and waved his hand dismissively. “Just another spoiled noble brat. Take him away for interrogation first.”
The armored guard was not surprised by this and acknowledged quickly, preparing to drag Zhang He away.
However, at that very moment, Song Shan Yue suddenly spoke up again, “Never mind. This involves the Demon Sect and cannot be taken lightly. Leave him here; I will interrogate him myself.”
The armored guards paused for a moment, slightly confused, but they said nothing. After pushing Zhang He down roughly, they saluted respectfully and left the hall.
With a slow creak, the heavy hall doors closed, and silence filled the chamber.
After a long pause, Song Shan Yue’s voice finally echoed, cold and deep:
“Who exactly are you within the Six Desires Demon Sect?”
At these words, Zhang He, who had been lying on the ground, quickly concealed the bloody gleam in his eyes. Twisting his body upright, he indicated calmly, “Please untie these ropes, Lord Song. Then we can speak properly.”
Song Shan Yue snorted coldly, his martial Qi surging through the air, instantly shredding the ropes binding Zhang He to dust.
Zhang He rubbed his wrists and stood up from the floor. Gone now was his former arrogance and anger; instead, a faint, sinister smile appeared on his face. “The Holy Maiden sends her regards, Commanding Commissioner. I see your health remains as robust as ever.”
Hearing these words, Song Shan Yue’s half-gray hair fluttered wildly, veins throbbing visibly along his neck. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes, betraying the immense rage barely restrained within him. Yet he forced down his fury and spat out words between clenched teeth, “What did she send you here for?”
Zhang He ignored the murderous glare from Song Shan Yue and simply scratched his head with a casual smile. “The Holy Maiden doesn’t have any commands for you at the moment. Actually, I’m the one who needs your help—I want you to kill someone.”
Song Shan Yue’s anger transformed into a harsh laugh. “You think you have the authority to order me?”
The moment his words ended, an invisible wave of sound blasted forth, hurling Zhang He violently through the air. Zhang He crashed into a pillar and rolled painfully across the ground, finally stopping after several turns.
Immediately afterward, the silent hall echoed with Zhang He’s violent coughing. Blood spilled continuously from his mouth as he clutched his chest.
“Lord Song truly has quite the temper. But if you strike again, I’ll trigger the Demonic Heart Seed within your body…”
He spoke hurriedly, struggling to get back up from the floor.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Zhang He looked at Song Shan Yue, whose expression wavered between suspicion and fear, and sneered mockingly. “Lord Song, don’t doubt my words. Before you kill me, I could easily activate your Demon Heart and turn you into a demon that everyone would hunt down.”
Then, Zhang He twitched his nose slightly and began murmuring rapidly. Suddenly, he drew in a deep, powerful breath.
In an instant, the drops of blood and scattered bits of his internal organs on the floor vaporized, turning into wisps of crimson mist swiftly inhaled into his body.
At the same moment, Zhang He chuckled lightly, “Besides, whether you can actually kill me is another question entirely.”
Song Shan Yue’s eyes narrowed sharply. Clearly, he saw Zhang He’s injuries had completely healed, as if he’d never been struck by the powerful sound wave at all.
For a long time, Song Shan Yue stared silently at Zhang He. Finally, he closed his eyes slowly and said, “That wretched woman promised me that if I completed three tasks for the Six Desires Demon Sect, she’d remove the Demonic Heart Seed within me and release Yun’er. Only two tasks remain undone. Does your request count as one of them?”
Zhang He nodded, his smile deep and meaningful. “Rest assured, Lord Song. Every task you perform for the Holy Sect counts. Furthermore, the Holy Maiden and I are exceptionally close. You can trust my words fully.”
Song Shan Yue looked at him for a long, cold moment before asking in an icy voice, “Then speak. Who is it you want me to kill?”
Zhang He cupped his hands together, a dark smile appearing on his face. “Of course, I want Lord Song to kill the real Seventh Prince.”
“The Great Li court has slaughtered countless disciples of our Holy Sect—elders have watched helplessly as younger ones were buried first. I want Emperor Yuan Wu to experience the agony of losing his son.”
Song Shan Yue’s eyes narrowed further, and he laughed coldly, “You’re deluded. The imperial family is utterly heartless. Expecting His Majesty to grieve deeply over losing just one son is nearly impossible.”
Zhang He pondered this briefly before chuckling softly, “No matter. Whether that dog emperor feels pain or not is irrelevant. Killing his son to provoke helpless rage is enough.”
“Besides, this opportunity is rare. All other princes and princesses have strong guardians hidden around them. This one’s identity remains unconfirmed—he’s different, far easier to kill.”
Yet Song Shan Yue shook his head slowly, speaking gravely, “The person you wish to kill may not be as simple as you imagine.”