My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 377 - 277 Sunset Ending

Chapter 377: Chapter 277: Sunset Ending

Chapter 377: Chapter 277: Sunset Ending

Demon Sect stronghold, courtyard.

Autumn leaves withered, dry branches fell, the cool breeze took away the last of the fallen leaves.

An Jing sat on a stone chair, in front of him was a thick, ancient sword box.

He stretched out his hand and quietly caressed the Evil Suppressing Sword, the stark white blade covered with a captivating layer of white light.

Tap tap tap…

The sound of footsteps arose as a middle-aged man quickly walked in.

This man was none other than Shui Zhongyue, one of the Guardians of the Human Sect.

After several major upheavals, the Human Sect had suffered heavy losses, but then, with vigorous expansion and the recruitment of many experts, the sect had revived its vitality. Shui Zhongyue, who had always been diligent, had become the second in command of the Human Sect without realizing it.

Shui Zhongyue bowed deeply and said, “An Tributor, I’ve searched the entire Yujing City but haven’t found Tan Yun. According to the intelligence received, the last place she disappeared was outside the city in the Parasol Tree Forest, but there are no clues in the forest.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing put down the sword box, “The one who took her is an expert in disguise, this action was meticulous, and a Four Qi Grandmaster even lured away Jin Wuwang, indicating that the purpose of the perpetrator is not simple.”

Shui Zhongyue, a bit anxious, asked, “An Tributor, what should we do now?”

Tan Yun, previously in the Demon Sect’s Human Sect, was the sole disciple of Li Fuzhou and also enjoyed the status of one of the sect’s Guardians. Lively, lovable, and innocent, she was dearly protected by the Human Sect’s experts.

Now that Tan Yun had been kidnapped by a mysterious expert, how could Shui Zhongyue not be anxious?

Li Fuzhou had even personally led the Human Sect’s spies to search throughout Yujing City, inside and out.

An Jing stored away the Evil Suppressing Sword and spoke softly, “The reason they kidnapped Tan Yun is to use her as leverage, and the fact they haven’t shown up yet is because they want us to be anxious. This will wear down our patience, make us lose our reason, while increasing their own bargaining chips.”

“You now go and activate the Jianghu mobilization order, search for Tan Yun with all your might.”

Upon hearing this, Shui Zhongyue embraced his fists and said, “Yes, I’ll go now.”

Having said this, Shui Zhongyue quickly walked towards the courtyard exit.

“Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, huh?”

An Jing narrowed his eyes, took out two pieces of white paper from the table beside him, which clearly recorded all the information about the experts of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, including the three Five Qi Grandmasters and a rumored Grandmaster Realm expert.

The two papers were highly consistent with no significant discrepancies, one was an investigation by the Demon Sect’s Human Sect, the other had been sent by the Xuanyi Guard at the behest of the Emperor of Yong’an.

The appearance of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace’s experts in Yujing City, and the coincidental disappearance of Tan Yun at this time, definitely suggested the involvement of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace.

Previously, An Jing had killed an expert of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace’s Heavenly Blade Alliance, and had long been at odds with them; hence, their retaliation was within expectation.

In Yujing City, the likelihood of launching an attack on An Jing was almost non-existent.

For one, An Jing himself was among the top talents of his age, and even an expert of the Grandmaster Realm might not necessarily be able to kill him. Moreover, with the Imperial Jade Seal in his possession, his awe-inspiring influence, and the Royal Family’s experts within Yujing City, anyone targeting An Jing would have to think twice.

Therefore, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace opted for a secondary target, attacking someone close to An Jing which was not too much of a surprise.

And the fact that the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace managed to arrange their plan in Yujing City so meticulously and strictly might also have had the backing and support of Houjin.

After all, with the imminent battle between Zongzheng Huachun and An Jing, if they could strike a blow to An Jing before the battle, it would most certainly affect his mindset, which would be very advantageous for Houjin.

“Came all this way just to deliver their own heads?”

An Jing picked up the two pieces of paper and then clenched his fist tightly.

The once pristine sheets instantly turned to shreds, disappearing with the autumn wind.

The more people a swordsman kills, the more fearsome the sword skill he accumulates.

And these experts from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, he was determined to kill them!

……

Yujing City, a tea house in the outer city.

The tea house was bustling with people coming and going, just like a noisy market.

Ordinary citizens seldom came here for tea because this place was a gathering point for those in the Jianghu, known in the capital for trading and spreading news.

Usually, this place was very quiet; why was it so busy today?

“Did you hear? The Demon Sect issued a Jianghu summoning order?”

“Who hasn’t heard? It’s been the talk of the town already.”

“Even the Zhenyi Sect has sent disciples down the mountain.”

“The new masters of the Seven Sects, Yun Valley Peak, and Xuanshuang Pavilion have responded to the call and sent out all their disciples to help the Demon Sect search.”

“With just one order from the Demon Sect, the entire Jianghu is in an uproar.”

“Who wouldn’t show face to a summon issued by the Ghost Swordsman himself? Who would dare not?”

“Stop mentioning it; since last night, I’ve been searching everywhere, but haven’t even seen a shadow.”

…….

Everyone was buzzing, their expressions filled with both eagerness and excitement.

Now in the Great Yan Martial World, the Demon Sect had overshadowed the Zhenyi Sect, even if the Zhenyi Sect still held the prestigious title of the National Religion, the real power seemed to belong to Outer Heaven.

The Ghost Swordsman, alone with his sword, had carved out a remarkable reputation in Jianghu. Not to mention his glorious battles from before, he had recently slain Taiyin Kui of the Houjin, who was a Five Qi Grandmaster, as well as the traitor from the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang, Evil King Meng Hao in the Heavenly Prison, thwarted the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, and was now set to engage in a pinnacle battle with the Holy Master of Houjin that concerned the world’s fate.

Some said that this battle between the Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun could be the most significant in the last three hundred years.

This battle was enough to establish a turbulent situation in the world.

The name Ghost Swordsman resonated throughout the world; nobody was unfamiliar with him. His name kept spreading throughout Jianghu, which brought many to either fear or revere him, especially among the younger generation of Great Yan Martial World, where they nearly idolized him.

In the distance, a young male and female pair, each wearing a conical bamboo hat, had indiscernible faces.

The man was dressed in coarse cloth, with a delicate treasure sword at his waist, while the woman beside him wore a tight suit, slim and graceful, with exposed arms that were strong and filled with a powerful beauty.

These two were none other than Jia Meixian and Yang Chong from the Four Symbols Sect.

Biting her lower lip, Jia Meixian said, “Brother, by taking this opportunity, we might be able to submit our pledge and join the Demon Sect.”

Back in the North Field, they had considered joining the Demon Sect, but then the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain occurred. An Jing, in the end, left with the injured Nangong Weiping, causing them to miss the perfect opportunity.

Yang Chong shook his head, expressing his concern, “The Demon Sect is being searched for by the court without any news of their Guardian. Trying to find him would be as hard as reaching heaven; moreover, abducting the Guardian of a Grandmaster-level Human Sect isn’t something the two of us…”

Hearing Yang Chong’s words, Jia Meixian sighed deeply. “Brother, what should we do, then?”

Yang Chong scratched his head and said, “It’s not hard for us two to join the Demon Sect; just find a Demon Sect master and lay it out straight. Tell them that you once saved their Ghost Swordsman, who owes you his life. How could they not let us join the Demon Sect?”

At this, Jia Meixian’s eyes suddenly widened. “Brother!”

“Hahaha, I’m just saying,” Yang Chong chuckled dryly and then somewhat resentfully added, “Back then, this Ghost Swordsman really tricked us badly. He hasn’t even greeted us once, even though we’re his lifesavers.”

In reality, Yang Chong was just speaking off hand; after all, previously the Demon Sect teemed with dangers, and An Jing had countless enemies. Establishing ties with the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect might not have been a good move.

Moreover, when An Jing left, he left behind the Four Symbols Sword Sticker—a rare treasure of the Four Symbols Sect. If not for him, this treasure might still be gathering dust.

What was more important was that the wooden sword An Jing left had once saved both their lives, already repaying their day’s grace.

“Brother!”

After a moment of thought, Jia Meixian said, “Everyone’s searching now; let’s join them. Maybe we can discover some clues.”

“Sigh!”

Yang Chong heaved a long sigh on hearing this.

At times, he truly couldn’t understand why his junior sister was so keen on joining the Demon Sect; why not just speak directly to the Demon Sect’s disciples? Given their previous deed of saving An Jing, along with their current strength, wouldn’t joining the Demon Sect be as easy as flipping one’s hand? Why go through so much effort?

“Let’s get going.”

Jia Meixian picked up the treasure sword from the table and hurriedly walked out of the teahouse.

“Here we go.”

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Yang Chong paid for the tea, then quickly followed her.

The Lv Sect held considerable prestige in the court, but it possessed little influence in Jianghu. With the issuing of the summoning by the Demon Sect, it stirred up enormous waves across Jianghu, urging numerous sects and martial artists to respond.

Subsequently, the whole Great Yan Martial World was bustling with activity, especially the martial artists of Capital Road who seemed eager to overturn the very ground if it meant uncovering any clue to ingratiate themselves with the Demon Sect.

……

You Mountain.

Cold mountain winds brushed unimpeded, a soft whispering among the pine forests scattered across the hills.

An autumn rain fell upon this majestic and secluded mountain range.

Rain like fog, fog like rain, winding mountain paths obscured, indistinct figures moving along.

The towering pines, proud and desolate, deeply rooted in the rocky soil, cool raindrops occasionally tumbling from the tips of the pines.

At the top of You Mountain, inside an elegant and tranquil chamber,

“Sect Hierarch!”

Two Demon Sect masters stood at the entrance of the chamber. On seeing Zhao Qingmei approaching, they quickly kneeled on one knee and greeted her.

Zhao Qingmei spoke emotionlessly, “You may step back now.”

“Yes.”

The two bowed slightly and retreated backward.

After they had left, Zhao Qingmei finally took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the door to enter.

The room was very quiet, filled with a faint fragrance.

Nangong Weiping was sitting in the chair, appearing to be dozing off. The wrinkles on her face looked like they were carved with a knife, her complexion was very pale, and her hair was as dry as straw.

Zhao Qingmei whispered, “Elder Nangong.”

In a daze, upon hearing Zhao Qingmei’s voice, Nangong Weiping slowly opened her eyes, a spark of light flashing through her cloudy eyes, “You are here.”

Zhao Qingmei approached Nangong Weiping and gently grasped her dry hand, “Elder Nangong, how are you feeling now?”

As she spoke, her true Qi slowly flowed from Zhao Qingmei into Nangong Weiping’s body.

Through the flow of true Qi, Zhao Qingmei could sense that Nangong Weiping’s internal organs, meridians, and bones were all severely aged—a sign her life span was exhausted and her end was near; it meant that Nangong Weiping’s life would soon be over.

Nangong Weiping waved her hand, “There’s no need to waste your energy, I know my own body well.”

Zhao Qingmei felt a pang of regret and said, “Elder Nangong, it is my incompetence that I couldn’t bring you the blood of Chenghuang.”

This grandmaster of the Demon Sect, once a formidable figure in the Jianghu, was now nearing the end of her days, her life fading like a burnt-out lamp.

She still remembered when Nangong Weiping had first emerged from the Sealing Demon Well, how carefree and unrestrained she had been, heading north to the Great Snow Mountain to directly steal Zongzheng Huachun’s Snow Lotus, and heading south to the Black Ice Platform to duel with the immortal Xiao Qianqiu.

It was precisely because Xiao Qianqiu grievously wounded her that her primordial energy was greatly damaged, consuming much of her life force.

“The blood of Chenghuang would only extend life for a year or two,”

spoke Nangong Weiping lightly: “I have fought with that immortal Xiao Qianqiu and even the Buddha. My life can be considered complete. How many in this world can say they have dueled with both?”

Nangong Weiping’s words were very composed, just as she mentioned.

Not to mention other grandmasters from ancient times, within those of the Grandmaster Realm, how many have had the opportunity to confront these two?

Zhao Qingmei gently said, “If Elder Nangong were in her prime, she might not be inferior to those two.”

Upon hearing this, Nangong Weiping chuckled, “You rarely flatter people, young lady.”

Zhao Qingmei earnestly replied, “Is it not true? Elder, when you emerged from the Sealing Demon Well, you were already in a state of great injury.”

Nangong Weiping shook her head and sighed, “You are half right. I confronted them not at my prime, but neither were they at theirs. Xiao Qianqiu was also severely injured, unable to display his full strength, and that Xi Hafu had just broken through to the Grandmaster Realm; his foundation was not stable, his strength now is probably much stronger than back on Yulong Snow Mountain.”

“Moreover, I am very clear that even in my prime, I was no match for them. Their abilities are among the top in history, especially that Xiao Qianqiu. Who knows how many secrets his body harbors? If it weren’t for his injuries, I believe his power would have reached a terrifying level.”

Zhao Qingmei furrowed her brows slightly, “Indeed, their strength is very high.”

Whether it was Xiao Qianqiu from the Yun Tower or the Xi Hafu from Buddhism, she had seen both with her own eyes, especially this time at the Yun Tower, where despite Xi Hafu’s restrained aura, she could still feel its vastness and immensity.

That kind of oppression, steady as a mountain, devastating when triggered.

As for Xiao Qianqiu, he was even more mysteriously powerful and formidable.

Nangong Weiping took a deep breath and slowly said, “When the Earth Vein Spirit is completely unsealed, it will be a sign of great changes between heaven and earth. Then, both visible and hidden Grandmaster-level experts will make their moves, and you and that young man will likely face some conflicts.”

“Moreover, the nature of the evil spirits is still unknown. If the Earth Vein Spirit is fully tainted by evil spirits, it may become malformed, likely plunging the world into chaos. You two should try to find a way to slay the Earth Vein Spirit beforehand. This could not only help you breakthrough limitations in cultivation but would also thwart others’ sinister intentions.”

“Elder….”

“How to sever this Earth Vein Spirit is not so simple. It seems both ephemeral and real. Since ancient times, countless Grandmasters have tried to sever it without success. I’ve pondered deeply but still have no clue; it all depends on your own exploration now.”

Nangong Weiping voiced her worries one by one, as if she were entrusting her final affairs to a junior, her tone was so serene, without any ripple.

Zhao Qingmei nodded heavily, “I understand.”

The evil spirits had tainted the Earth Vein Spirit, which was sure to cause transformations in it. At this time, integrating the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself would essentially be inviting the evil spirits in as well.

So, for An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, severing the Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well was the most feasible action.

However, severing the Earth Vein Spirit was no simple task, perhaps even more difficult than integrating the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself.

Nangong Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and chuckled, “Seeing you here, young girl, alleviates any other regrets I might have had.”

Zhao Qingmei felt a warm surge through her heart.

After her parents had died, she was taken to Dongluo Pass by Jiang Shang. Although just a young girl, due to Jiang Shang, the martial experts of the Demon Sect treated Zhao Qingmei with great respect. Jiang Shang taught her some martial arts before going into seclusion, and Jiang Renyi occasionally gave her some guidance, so she hardly received much care like that from an elder.

Nangong Weiping took out a wooden comb and handed it to Zhao Qingmei, “Come, help comb my hair.”

“Okay.”

Zhao Qingmei took the wooden comb, then gently placed it on Nangong Weiping’s dry hair.

The first time she had combed Nangong Weiping’s hair was within the Sealing Demon Well, back when Nangong Weiping’s hair had not been combed for a long time.

The wooden comb gently stroked downward through her silver-white hair, as if time itself had slowed considerably.

Gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Nangong Weiping felt her eyelids incredibly heavy, as though they weighed a thousand pounds. No matter how hard she tried to summon her energy, she remained indifferent and eventually could not help leaning on the chair and dozing off again.

She did not know how long had passed when she felt Zhao Qingmei stop her movements. She slowly opened her eyes.

Zhao Qingmei, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a peach wood hairpin and began tying up her hair.

It was that time at the Sealing Demon Well when Zhao Qingmei combed her hair that a sliver of light appeared in the abyss of her dim heart. It was also then that Nangong Weiping had resolved to plant her own demon seed in Zhao Qingmei, passing on all her cultivation to her.

Nangong Weiping couldn’t help but smile, “It looks really nice.”

Zhao Qingmei softly said, “I’m sure Senior Nangong must have been a great beauty in her youth.”

“Your mouth has suddenly turned so sweet, this isn’t like you.”

Nangong Weiping glanced outside the window, “The rain has stopped, help this old body to see the sunset.”

“I’m speaking the truth, Senior Nangong must have been a great beauty.”

Zhao Qingmei nodded and helped Nangong Weiping up.

The twilight in the mountains came quickly and silently, so much so that inadvertently, the pines stood majestic, rocks dimmed, and shadows swayed.

The two walked slowly to an open area on the mountaintop, where stars were indiscernible and the post-rain mist mingled with distant hills and ridges, while a gentle breeze swept through the pine forest, like a faint roar of the waves.

Beneath their feet, autumn insects whispered, and unknown birds occasionally spoke loudly among the trees.

The sky collected the colors of summer, the leaves moved with the sounds of autumn.

Nangong Weiping gazed at the distant sunset and softly said, “The sunset, dyeing the world blood-red, the ultimate destiny of the sun. How many more times can I witness it?”

The world shifts and changes, once sketching bright pasts that flicker by in an instant, leaving no trace.

The days gone by cannot be touched by reaching out, with only lingering thoughts that grow increasingly vague over time.

Zhao Qingmei, hearing Nangong Weiping’s words, couldn’t help feeling a bit sad.

Since ancient times, the decline of heroes has always been a cause for sorrow. Once standing proudly at the peak, overlooking all, yet now can only stand at the foot of the mountain, swaying alone.

Nangong Weiping watched the sunset ahead, the scene she had longed to see during her dreams beneath the Sealing Demon Well.

Having spent most of her life in the Sealing Demon Well, she cherished the seemingly ordinary mountains, days, and sunsets more than anyone.

Nangong Weiping’s murky eyes gazed intensely at the allure, wishing she could imprint the sunset within her eyes, her mind, and the deepest of her memories, to remember it forever.

She continued to watch the sunset like this, and Zhao Qingmei said nothing but simply accompanied her.

Possibly tired from standing, Nangong Weiping slowly sat down, “I’d like to sit for a while.”

Zhao Qingmei, supporting Nangong Weiping’s body, said, “Senior Nangong, I’ll go get some tea.”

Nangong Weiping smiled and nodded, “Go ahead, make sure it’s tea from the well, I won’t drink it if it’s not.”

“I got it!”

Zhao Qingmei saw the slightly rosier complexion of Nangong Weiping and smiled slightly as she quickly walked toward the quarters.

Nangong Weiping sat cross-legged atop the cliff, letting the mountain breeze brush her face, while her eyes calmly watched the orange clouds ahead.

Nangong Weiping began to laugh, her laughter growing louder.

At her age and with her circumstances, she had long ceased to care deeply about love, and held no attachments towards life and death.

Her only belief in living—if one must live, then one must live well.

After all, when one dies, people should have some memories to hold on to.

Nangong Weiping gently closed her eyes, “A hundred years beneath the Sealing Demon Well flashed by in an instant, a thousand years fleeting by, this old body has not lived this human life in vain.”

Even in the dark, silent depths of the Sealing Demon Well, her heart had never been as calm as this.

But at this moment, her heart was utterly serene.

And her life ultimately crystallized in this calmness.

In a haze, Nangong Weiping saw herself at sixteen—when she was full of youthful beauty, everything so wonderful…….

Zhao Qingmei, hurrying from the quarters, suddenly halted.

She then quietly watched the solitary figure of Nangong Weiping, head bowed, seemingly merging with the sunset in the sky.

Everything changes, people turn forlorn, events grow bleak, life’s brilliance flares in the sunset, burning into the embrace of night, completing yet another cycle of noisy blooms and curtains.

…..