Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 106 A Sword (Extra 600, subscribe please!)

Chapter 106: Chapter 106 A Sword (Extra 600, subscribe please!)

Zhong Shenxiu found a spot to sit down, not partaking in the spiritual tea offered here, and upon hearing the discussion about Zhang Taiyi next to him, he couldn’t help but smile to himself.

They still want to find this person, but they’re probably going to have to die once before they do.

"No matter what, Zhang Taiyi still comes from the orthodox path, and as long as one doesn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t kill without cause. Although the Fufeng Protectorate is remote, it is indeed a peaceful haven."

An old man puffing on a dry pipe exhaled a ring of smoke that transformed into shapes of white cranes, dragons and tigers, flora and fauna, before he suddenly sighed.

"Alas... it’s true, things haven’t been peaceful in Central Earth lately, with the emergence of the Yellow Spring Demon Sect, one of the six paths of the Demon Sects. Now that it has reappeared, the other five paths won’t be too far behind... This world is going to descend into chaos."

"We’re just a small state in Luo State, but lately there have been a number of disturbances, like that Black Lotus Sect!" a swordsman in blue lowly voiced.

"The storm is coming... But when that time really comes, at worst we can seek refuge with the authorities, become a Daoist Official. It imposes some restrictions, but at least there’s a support structure. Just afraid that after joining, we’ll be treated as cannon fodder..."

The old man’s words made everyone nod in agreement.

Listening to this conversation, Zhong Shenxiu’s mind conjured up an official document.

"The summer of the sixth year of Wucheng in the Fufeng Protectorate, a demon bewitched and killed seventeen of a family, leaving behind only a Black Lotus Seal... The Daoist Official investigated and discovered the real culprit had fled into Sky Locking Pass and ordered a pursuit..."

This was the mission he had received, said to be related to a sect branch that had emerged from a Demon Sect.

It wasn’t a death sentence; he was merely tasked to gather some information.

Now, this Black Lotus Sect seemed to match up perfectly.

Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes watched his nose, his nose watched his heart; he showed no intention of seeking advice.

"Now, to chase down the lead and complete the mission for a return? I’m not stupid; of course, I’d drag it out as long as I can... Even if I did complete it, I wouldn’t hand in the mission."

"Besides, there might be deep pits hidden within such sects; better not get buried alive. Better to act as if I haven’t heard anything..."

He quietly sat, watching everyone boast and posture.

Eventually, the voices in Half Moon Hall gradually fell silent.

The smoking elder glanced at Zhong Shenxiu and chuckled, "This fellow Daoist seems a bit fresh-faced here. I am Water Smoke Guest, considered half a host in these parts. May I ask who the fellow Daoist is?"

"Hua Wu, a Loose Cultivator, hoping to barter for some Gang Sha Qi," Zhong Shenxiu politely replied.

"Ha ha... The reason everyone organizes this gathering is to exchange what we have. If we don’t refine Gang Sha Qi and rely solely on our own cultivation, it is indeed exceedingly difficult..."

Water Smoke Guest took a drag from his pipe: "May I enquire which kind of Evil Qi the fellow Daoist wishes to exchange for?"

"Dragon and Tiger Mixed Evil!"

Zhong Shenxiu voiced what he most desired.

"Sss... that kind of Evil Qi is indeed somewhat hard to find."

Water Smoke Guest narrowed his eyes: "This old man does know of a place where such Evil Qi might be found in the earth’s veins. May I ask what the fellow Daoist is willing to offer in exchange?"

"Oh? Is there really such a place?"

Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes shined as he waved his hand, producing three gourds: "Here are two streams of Xuanyin Sha Qi and one stream of Nine Heavens Gang Qi. If the fellow Daoist’s information is true, you may choose one."

"Click, click!"

Water Smoke Guest’s eyes brightened, and many Loose Cultivators around cast enigmatic glances.

"Fellow Daoist has quite a fortune; Xuanyin Sha is extremely rare, and Nine Heavens Gang Qi is even found high in the sky, unreachable without significant cultivation." He emphasized deliberately on the last part: "It appears that the fellow Daoist’s sect elders’ Divine Skills are extraordinary."

A hint for others that this Hua Wu seemed to have quite the backing, cautioning them not to be blinded by greed.

"Merely obtained by fortunate coincidence."

In reality, this Nine Heavens Gang Qi was a byproduct of extracting Clear Spirit Wind Sha, but Water Smoke Guest’s thoughts weren’t entirely wrong.

Being able to obtain such Heavenly Gang Qi would indeed suggest a connection to Divine Power Practitioners through some means or another, indicative of a strong background—messing with that would surely lead to trouble.

"The old man is rather taken with this stream of Nine Heavens Gang Qi."

Water Smoke Guest stood up and pocketed his pipe: "It’s just a piece of information that might not be worth much, so I’ll only be able to accompany the fellow Daoist on this venture."

"That place sounds somewhat dangerous?" Zhong Shenxiu understood.

"Indeed, within the Mangdang Mountain, there is a ley line known as the Tiger Flood Dragon Cave. Once, a tiger demon held sway there but ended up perishing alongside a snake demon, creating a death zone. The area since has nurtured quite a few spiritual objects. Later, it was taken over by a crow spirit, notorious for its elusive flight, making it quite difficult to deal with."

Water Smoke Guest laughed, "However, chasing it away temporarily to let fellow Daoist collect the merged evil qi of the dragon and tiger—that shouldn’t be a problem."

"Then, I’m much obliged."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded and, together with Water Smoke Guest, stepped out of the market area.

His robes billowing, he soared into the sky, while Water Smoke Guest marveled and, with a grin, produced a gourd, seated himself upon it, and took the lead.

...

Outside the Tiger Flood Dragon Cave.

A group of mundane martial artists, wearing straw hats and sprinkled with medicinal powder, were carefully concealed a few miles away.

In front of them was a trap.

"Big brother, will the spiritual fox really come out? This feels dangerous... If the spiritual fox were easy to catch, it would have been captured long ago; it would never be our turn."

A man dressed in black crawled a few steps forward to join another, speaking in a hushed tone.

"I know, but to impress the Immortal Master, only this creature will do."

The man, wearing a resolute expression and somewhat resembling Xu Shaoling—probably his father—continued, "After my thorough investigation, I discovered that the spiritual fox has sought refuge with a demon beast. Its lair is just ahead, so we must not go and capture it ourselves. We can only lay a trap and hope to lure the fox out."

"If we’re even slightly careless and attract the demon beast, we’re done for."

The man in black looked solemn: "But for the sake of Shaoling, we need to risk it all—huh?"

His keen eyes caught a flash of white in the distance. A small white fox was circling around the trap. It was unmistakably a spiritual fox.

"Be alert."

The man leading the group lowered his voice, hiding even deeper, heart full of anticipation.

Boom!

Just then, a thunderous noise burst forth from the high sky.

The startled fox bolted away like the wind, vanishing without a trace.

"No!"

The man in black let out a wail of despair, ready to leap after the fox, but his elder brother firmly held him back.

"Look!"

Following his brother’s pointing finger, he looked up to the sky, stunned.

There, in mid-air, stood two figures—one hovering, the other sitting on a gourd—both obviously cultivators.

"Greetings to the Immortal Master."

They immediately dropped to a half-kneel to pay respects, yet the two above paid them no heed.

"Fellow Daoist, look—that’s the demon beast."

Water Smoke Guest pointed at the Tiger Flood Dragon Cave. Out of the cave flew a huge black demon bird, its wings stretching nearly ten feet wide, emanating rolling evil qi, its ferocity palpable.

"This demon is a crow that has transformed into a spirit, adept in flying and equipped with fiery feathers, making it very tricky to deal with. This humble one may not be much, but I can hold it off for the time it takes to burn three sticks of incense. Whether or not you can get the evil qi will be up to you."

Water Smoke Guest stroked his beard, preparing to take action.

Puff!

At that moment, he saw Hua Wu raise his hand and release a sword light.

The sword light was sharp and unforgiving, like a white rainbow piercing through the crow spirit.

The crow let out a wretched scream, its fiery feathers unable to block the merest shred. The sword light moved too quickly for it to escape, and it was struck dead in an instant, tumbling down.

Water Smoke Guest stood dumbfounded for a moment, then turned woodenly to look at Zhong Shenxiu.

"Was that the bird demon you mentioned? Isn’t it more convenient to just kill it and then take what we need?"

With a light laugh, Zhong Shenxiu summoned the Poison Dragon Sword back to his hand and replied.