Chapter 601: The Composed Lord of Wan Yao Dian

"Oh, now you're already protecting him like this?"

Senior Zi Xian rolled her eyes with a hint of jealousy; given her age, calling Shen Yi 'kid' was more than warranted.

The other party wasn't Qin Jiaoyang, the true head of the Nanhongqi Sect, just a young junior — how could she not be allowed to tease him even once?

"Be serious, we're discussing business."

Ji Jingxi helplessly chided her old friend.

Senior Zi Xian probably couldn't fully understand what lofty status Shen Yi now held in Nanhong; not to mention others, if Zhu Shixiong Ye heard someone treat him with such contempt, he would absolutely not let it slide with a laugh.

But there was no way to explain this openly.

Ji Jingxi skipped right past the topic: "Since the West Long Gong is already guarding against you to this extent... why not go back?"

Although it was Shen Yi who asked her to come over to fish for information, this was actually something she was also rather worried about.

The East Long Gong's forces were vast, that was true, but if they truly provoked the West Long Wang, Senior Zi Xian was on his turf, in a strange land — not to mention any life-threatening danger, being detained for over a hundred thousand years was entirely possible.

"..."

Hearing this, Senior Zi Xian fell silent for a moment: "It's actually nothing, you can't even protect yourselves right now, there's really no need to worry about this."

But under Ji Jingxi's moist-eyed gaze, she bit her lip, as if making some kind of decision, and finally sighed softly: "My father plans to file a complaint against the Immortals."

"Hiss."

Ji Jingxi's fingertips trembled slightly, and she instinctively looked toward the door.

What on earth was happening with Hongze now, that someone had set their sights on the Immortals again... wait, why did she say 'again'.

Thinking of this, the Qingyue Sect master's face showed a hint of lament.

Sure enough, she really couldn't pretend she hadn't noticed — back in the General Nanyang treasure land, just from Li Xuanqing's complicated expression, she had already vaguely guessed in her heart.

Given Shen Yi's character, he must have promised Li Xuanqing certain things.

And those things were already terrifying to the point that even Li Xuanqing — who could drink and chat happily with the East Long Wang, look down on his peers in Northern Hong, and had seen many great scenes — felt his heart tremble.

The reason Ji Jingxi didn't speak was that she worried about scaring her senior brothers, and there was no point anyway.

After all, judging from what had happened so far, no one could shake Shen Yi's heart; this seemingly young cultivator's resolve was firmer and steadier than any cultivator she had ever seen.

She turned her gaze back to Senior Zi Xian: "What do you plan to do?"

"Hmm?"

Senior Zi Xian looked over curiously; in her expectations, Ji Jingxi shouldn't have appeared so calm.

But since she'd already said it, she didn't intend to hide it anymore, and said directly: "It's actually very simple, my father married me off to West Hong to use the East Palace's foundation to buy people's hearts, supporting Qi Zhaoyi to become Crown Prince... why is your face so strange?"

"No, nothing, go on."

Hearing the name Qi Zhaoyi, Ji Jingxi's expression turned slightly awkward, and she quickly waved her hand.

Almost forgot — this dragon son was nominally her old friend's husband.

To put it bluntly, the current Senior Zi Xian had already been turned into a widow by Shen Yi.

"Once this matter is done, I can take advantage of the momentum to take control of the West Palace Dragon Seal, and then with my east and west sides as boundaries, block Northern Hong, and together with your Qi Sect surround the South Long Gong in the middle, find a way to nibble it away, and smoothly take control of three Dragon Seals."

Senior Zi Xian took a deep breath and said in a low voice: "Led by my father, in the name of all living beings of Hongze, write an immortal petition, asking the Immortal Court to adjudicate this killing tribulation of Hongze."

After listening quietly, Ji Jingxi fell silent.

The Dragon Seal thing, actually, couldn't really be considered anything proper, and wasn't recognized by the Immortal Court.

In the eyes of the Immortal Court, the Four Hong Dragon Palaces were at most similar to local gentry.

But if three Hong Dragon Seals were gathered, it could indeed represent the opinions of most living beings of Hongze.

Then again.

If that Immortal from Northern Hong were even slightly normal, how could Hongze possibly have stirred up such great killing karma; even now, there would absolutely not be a situation where forces of the magnitude of the South Long Gong and the Qi Sect fought each other with no one paying attention at all.

The East Long Wang's plan sounded, at the very least, far more reliable than what Ji Jingxi had guessed Shen Yi was thinking.

"And now look."

Senior Zi Xian clapped her hands, grinding her teeth in anger: "An out-of-nowhere Wan Yao Dian directly turned everything into a complete mess, really, don't let my East Long Gong find them, otherwise we'll definitely have to ask my father to act!"

"Still not a single clue?" Ji Jingxi also looked over with some surprise.

Mobilizing the entire West Hong, they couldn't find any trace of Wan Yao Dian at all — this sounded a bit too absurd.

Senior Zi Xian sat down beside her dejectedly: "Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore, leave it to fate, so that kid... the Nanyong Sect master didn't come with you?"

She looked up with some worry: "The West Long Gong hasn't been able to find Wan Yao Dian for a long time, which shows this force does have some real strength, and he's rash by nature, you must look after him more."

Back when Shen Yi had snatched that Azure Phoenix from Wan Yao Dian's hands, given those great demons' ruthless ways, they would very likely come back for revenge.

Hearing this, Ji Jingxi just covered her lips with a light laugh: "You say that to me, aren't you also quite concerned about him?"

"Tch."

Senior Zi Xian clicked her tongue and smiled: "If it weren't for you being there, actually this kid is quite likeable."

The matter with An Tingfeng last time, he had given her quite a bit of face; such a capable young man who often gave pleasant surprises, apart from being a bit cold in personality, could hardly find any fault with — it was only natural to feel a sense of appreciation.

Ji Jingxi shook her head, put away her smile, and sighed: "I don't know where he went either."

Compared to Zhu Shixiong Qin who took charge of the big picture, Shen Yi seemed more used to acting alone.

"Don't get into any trouble, the current West Hong isn't like before." Senior Zi Xian reminded with a solemn expression.

The West Long Wang's entire nerves were taut; beneath the seemingly calm exterior, his whole body was brimming with killing intent and rage — at this time he was like a firecracker, igniting at the slightest spark, the Nanhongqi Sect really had no need to poke at his bad luck at this moment.

Hearing this, Ji Jingxi's eyes flickered as she looked toward the door, and said softly: "You don't understand him, he's far steadier than he looks."

West Hong, Banshan Sect.

Between towering pillars-like mountains, water rippled, transforming into cloud shapes, carrying two rows of elite aquatic guards.

Dragon grandson Qi Jiu stood at the front, casually flipping through a register, then raised his eyes to look ahead.

Facing Yan Chongzhang, the Banshan Sect's Dao Son whose cultivation was far higher than his own, he appeared utterly at ease, even carrying a hint of looking down from above.

"Won't you invite us in for a seat?" Qi Jiu tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Recently the sect's affairs have been busy, it's not convenient to receive—" Yan Chongzhang swept a glance at this dragon grandson, frowning slightly. Before he could finish, he was already cut off.

Snap!

Qi Jiu neatly closed the booklet, his smile widening: "My apologies, but what we're investigating is exactly what you've been busy with."

Having said that, he waved his hand, tossed the booklet to the soldiers behind him, and ordered: "What are you gawking at? Enter the Rubanshan Sect. From elders to disciples, interrogate each and every one. If even one is missed, don't blame this seat for taking your heads."

"As for your esteemed sect's Sect Master and Dao Child."

Qi Jiu meticulously cupped his fist and bowed in a salute, yet his gaze grew increasingly cold: "Then I'll have to trouble you few to keep Qi Jiu company for a chat… a chat about why, today, you've been sending disciples to patrol the surroundings day and night without rest—what are you looking for."

Having said that, his large hand trembled as he clutched an imperial decree and leaned toward Yan Chongzhang, nearly pressing it against the other's face.

Upon it, the three large characters "Qi Zhaowen" gleamed like gilded gold, dazzling to the eye, causing Yan Chongzhang to slowly narrow his eyes.

The Second Prince of the West Long Gong—years ago his strength already rivaled a terrifying dragon demon at mid Heavenly Realm. Given the other's talent and comprehension, who knew how much he had advanced over these years.

Even placed among the older generation, he was a renowned existence.

With that one person alone, annihilating the entire Banshan Sect would be a trivial matter.

Moreover, even setting aside Lady Yushan Dragon Consort and the West Long Wang, the West Long Gong currently had a full four Heavenly Realm Dragon Princes stationed there. In contrast, the Banshan Sect, with only two Earthly Realm Sect Masters, was clearly insufficient before these great demons.

Yan Chongzhang turned his head to avoid the decree, saying in a low voice: "After you."

"That's more like it. Be sensible, don't make things difficult for everyone."

Qi Jiu smiled as he rolled up the decree, stepping forward first toward the Gaoshan.

Yan Chongzhang accompanied them into the Rubanshan Sect. Beneath his seemingly suppressed expression, his eyes instantly cleared considerably.

Ever since Master returned from Nanhong, the entire Banshan Sect knew how thick a thigh they had latched onto—this was merely temporary grievance.

In Master's words, Shen Zongzhu was a great roc about to soar, but his wings were still shallow, trapped in a confined-dragon situation.

Even if only one person survived in the sect, based on the effort now exerted for Shen Zongzhu, once the other broke free from his predicament, the future of the Banshan Sect would be utterly incomparable to now.

What they needed to do now was guard the information for him and stabilize the situation.

That was all.

By comparison, what was a little grievance? Far more cost-effective than losing one's life.

"…"

Yan Chongzhang quietly exchanged a glance with the Grand Elder, confirming that the other was already prepared.

After all, having been interrogated by the Liangdaohuang Sect once before, they had gained experience; this time shouldn't cause any major problems either.

"Escort them in. Interrogate one by one."

The moment Qi Jiu spoke, the difference between a local snake and an invading dragon was revealed.

No matter how massive the Liangdaohuang Sect was, having come to Xihong, at the very least the face-work had to be done properly.

But once the West Long Gong got serious, it was the true Hou Tu Huang Di of this stretch of land and water—under heaven all were servants, naturally no need for courtesy.

Facing a group of Return-to-Void Realm demon soldiers, and being hot-tempered themselves, the Banshan Sect cultivators naturally could not submit.

Had the Grand Elder not reiterated orders repeatedly, some would already have been unable to restrain themselves from stirring.

"Your grandpa can walk on his own."

An elder had his arm seized by a demon soldier and instinctively flung it off.

But before he could continue speaking, he saw several degrees of cold intent added to the smile on Qi Jiu's face, who casually waved the decree in his palm: "Hmm? Don't like having someone help you walk? Then tie them up."

"…"

The elder clenched his teeth, gave a cold snort, and shifted his gaze away.

The demon soldier expressionlessly produced a silver cord, neatly and decisively binding it to the elder's wrist, and rebuked sharply: "Move!"

The remaining demon soldiers followed suit one after another.

"Isn't this going a bit far?"

Yan Chongzhang silently watched the demon soldiers' actions around him, glancing sideways.

Even if the West Long Gong truly meant to act, they had to give a reason.

Qi Jiu withdrew his smile, lightly patted Yan Chongzhang's back with the decree, and said flatly: "Gone too far? If you keep hooking up with the Nanhongqi Sect, next time it won't be a junior like me who comes."

"Have some self-awareness. Whose household's rice are you eating?"

Qi Jiu brought his face close to Yan Chongzhang's ear, saying with sinister malice: "A dog that betrays its master doesn't meet a good end."

"…"

Yan Chongzhang closed his eyes, knowing this was the leak of the last visit by several Nanhong Dao Children. It seemed today's dragon grandson had come specifically to pick a fight.

The more it was such a moment, the more he had to endure his temper.

If he drew the West Long Gong's attention over, the matter of Nanhong could no longer be concealed.

He absolutely could not cause trouble for Shen Zongzhu.

"Search whatever you want—"

He adjusted his breathing, reopened his eyes, but his words abruptly cut off.

Yan Chongzhang stared dumbfounded at the figure in ink robes walking calmly through the formation; had his temperament not been so steady, he would have nearly blurted out the other's name.

No! The Banshan Sect was seriously helping to cover up information here, so why did Shen Zongzhu just swagger right up to the door himself!

He hadn't even given a heads-up before coming—how were they supposed to explain the other's identity?

"…"

Grand Elder Yang Yunheng was also somewhat dumbfounded at this moment.

Not to mention the other elders and disciples who had seen Shen Yi—after a brief moment of astonishment, they all rather deliberately shifted their gazes away, inwardly crying out in distress.

"Oh? There are still guests?"

Qi Jiu took in the reactions of everyone around him, then slowly turned to look at the ink-robed youth.

"Perfect. I'll check them all at once."

As he spoke, he walked toward the young man, then a flicker of doubt rose in his eyes. "Wait… haven't I seen you somewhere before?"

The face didn't match, but that expression and those clothes — the more he looked, the more they seemed like the loose cultivator he had personally received at Lady Yushan's Dragon Consort's birthday banquet last time?

Watching the two of them draw closer and closer.

Added to Qi Jiu's words, Yan Chongzhang's heart leapt straight to his throat, and he began racking his brain for an excuse.

"Halt!"

As if he had finally remembered something, Qi Jiu flung open the imperial edict in his palm with a jerk, about to press some question—

But before the three great characters "Qi Zhaowen" could fully shine forth, the edict was cleanly torn apart. A Bai Xi hand pierced straight through the edict, and five long-fingered, clearly defined knuckles locked firmly around Qi Jiu's throat.

In an instant, under Qi Jiu's horrified gaze with features twisted in terror, a wisp of black cloud surged from the young man's sleeve and swallowed him whole.

The black cloud swelled against the wind, howling forward like a vicious, raging ghost, and in a flash enveloped the bodies of every demon soldier.

From start to finish, it took no more than a single breath.

The sky that had just darkened returned to clarity. The sweeping black cloud vanished without a trace, and along with it, every aquatic demon soldier disappeared as well.

The torn edict drifted down and landed just in front of a pair of long boots.

Shen Yi withdrew his hand with an offhand air and looked ahead. "How did things go?"

"Uh—"

Yan Chongzhang and Yang Yunheng stood dumbfounded for a long while, staring at the edict on the ground, unsure how to respond.

Shen Yi seemed to read their thoughts. With a casual wave, the thumb ring on his fingertip flickered, and immediately a thick stack of edicts was tossed out, piling on the ground together with the tattered one. They were stained with blood, even still carrying a faint warmth — enough to make one's mouth go dry.

"It's fine, speak without worry."

Shen Yi gave a slight nod of his chin and stepped right over that pile of edicts.

Yang Yunheng and Yan Chongzhang exchanged a glance, both wearing mournful faces, pupils contracted. They truly didn't quite understand — the reason Shen Zongzhu had asked Banshan Sect to help seal the news… was it because he was worried about scaring the West Long Gong?

(End of chapter)