Chapter 286: Your Room Was Empty Too

When Zhu Yuyan was about to kill Bian Bufu, Bian Bufu felt there was still room to maneuver—after all, among the Demon Cult, infighting, backstabbing, and forming alliances through mutual betrayal were common—but when he heard the Yin Hou call Gu Qing "Father," he knew he was dead.

This was a topic he wasn't meant to hear.

So as Gu Qing and the Yin Hou reached their agreement, Bian Bufu vanished in a flash, darting into the dense forest.

Zhu Yuyan's eyes turned icy; she instantly gave chase. Just as she reached the thicket, Bian Bufu suddenly appeared, pulling a ring from his sleeve—a series of linked rings, clinking together, striking toward Zhu Yuyan.

This was Bian Bufu's signature technique: the Demon Heart Linked Rings—fluid, continuous, relentless, its storm-like assault embodying the Demon Cult's principle of harming others to benefit oneself, using the opponent's force against them—truly extraordinary.

But Bian Bufu faced the Yin Hou, the top-ranked among the Eight Demon Cult Elders; after mastering the Dao Heart Seed Demon Art, Zhu Yuyan's martial arts had advanced another step—her penetrating spiritual force merged seamlessly with the Heavenly Demon Art, making Bian Bufu feel as if the Yin Hou had gracefully retreated.

Seeing this, Bian Bufu rejoiced and immediately turned to attack Shan Wanjing.

Turning to flee and striking back in the same motion—everything Bian Bufu did was a desperate bid for survival; in this situation, his only chance to live was to take Shan Wanjing hostage.

"Bang!"

Qi surged and exploded against his chest.

Bian Bufu, bewildered, collapsed to the ground. When he regained his senses, the Yin Hou still stood where she had been—yet her sleeve had swept past his vital points.

"Puff!"

Bian Bufu spat a mouthful of blood; the twin rings slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground.

Zhu Yuyan glanced at the twin rings and felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. She reached out, and under the influence of the Heavenly Demon Force Field, the rings floated naturally into her hands. Then, with calm precision, she wielded them—steady, balanced—and the wounded Bian Bufu felt an unusual pressure.

The Demon Seed transmits martial experience; in the chaos of the Turning Clouds and Turning Rain, Chi Zunxin sacrificed himself to empower Han Bai, and Han Bai inherited Chi Zunxin's mastery of weapons, naturally understanding all forms of weaponry.

Gu Qing's combat experience and martial insight surpassed anyone alive today, and these martial insights were transferred to Zhu Yuyan through the Demon Seed.

Now, Zhu Yuyan was wielding the Dragon and Phoenix Twin Rings.

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

Already wounded, Bian Bufu could only endure the assault of the Dragon and Phoenix Twin Rings. Zhu Yuyan struck three times, shattered his tendons and bones, and left him sprawled on the ground, utterly unable to resist.

Shan Wanjing stepped forward, looked at Bian Bufu's pitiful state, drew her sword, and swung it down toward his head!

"Clang!"

Shan Wanjing's sword fell before Bian Bufu could even beg for mercy—his head severed cleanly.

"Mother, I've avenged you."

After the head hit the ground, Shan Wanjing felt a wave of relief, her body going limp as she sat down.

Zhu Yuyan stared at Bian Bufu's corpse, truly sensing the complex changes within herself since acquiring the Demon Seed—and the astonishing progress in her martial arts.

So this was it: with supreme martial power, those who obey me flourish; those who defy me perish!

"I'll inform my mother."

Shan Wanjing packed up Bian Bufu's head. After years of hatred avenged, she felt boundless satisfaction, turning to Gu Qing with grateful eyes.

"Master Gu, I will honor our agreement!"

Shan Wanjing said.

On the Yangtze River, Shan Wanjing had said that if Gu Qing helped kill Bian Bufu, she would belong to him.

Now, with the old promise revived, Zhu Yuyan flashed forward, standing before Shan Wanjing. Shan Wanjing gave a light sniff, holding Bian Bufu's head, and walked calmly past Zhu Yuyan. After days of close association, she knew the Yin Hou had no concept of kinship—but would never strike her.

The Yin Hou's fury, finally, was all directed at Gu Qing. Ignoring the wilderness, Zhu Yuyan shoved Gu Qing to the ground, and under the night sky came her relentless questioning: "What's so special about that little brat? What kind of agreement? Will you keep it? Will you keep it… Father~"

Song Family Mountain City.

Gu Qing and Song Que sat facing each other beneath a tree before the Whetstone Hall—the ancient trees towered overhead, the architecture arranged with elegant order; sitting quietly, sipping tea, admiring the misty scenery, it held its own quiet charm.

"My ancestor was Song Beifeng, who once followed Liu Yu and fought against Sun En."

Song Que, sipping tea, recounted past events to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing looked at Song Que and suddenly asked: "Did your ancestor leave behind any legends of Yan Fei?"

Yan Fei, the Hermit, the Peerless Sword Saint.

Upon hearing Gu Qing mention this, Song Que immediately ordered his household to bring the book *The Legend of the Borderlands*. This text, passed down in the family, recorded many tales of Yan Fei—but most seemed absurd, especially the claim that Yan Fei defeated Murong Chui with a single strike, which Song Que found utterly ridiculous.

"And these legends of the Immortal Gate."

Song Que shook his head at the book's descriptions of the Immortal Gate.

!

Gu Qing took the *Legend of the Borderlands*, studied Zhu Kuangsheng's entries, and said: "This novel contains many hidden meanings. Back then, the Celestial Master Sun En had perfected the Yellow Heaven Great Art to the peak of pure yang, his qi merging seamlessly with heaven and earth, his energy endless—but Sun En alone could not shatter the void, completing the final step of martial cultivation."

"Yan Fei helped Sun En."

Gu Qing revealed the events of that time.

Song Que's eyes gleamed as he listened, asking: "So the martial art with which Yan Fei defeated Murong Chui… was his own creation—the Immortal Gate Sword Art…"

"It is a martial art that directly points toward shattering the void."

Gu Qing said: "Since the dawn of martial tradition, those who shattered the void did so alone. But Yan Fei's Immortal Gate Sword Art carried two beloved wives beyond this world—such an achievement can never be matched by later generations."

Yan Fei truly had extraordinary celestial fortune.

Hearing Gu Qing recount those events, Song Que bowed deeply to him. He now understood: the highest secret of martial arts had been casually revealed to him—like a beacon in the sea of suffering, instantly showing him his path forward.

Gu Qing watched Song Que lost in thought, drained his tea, rose, and left. As he strolled, he found himself before Shi Feixuan's room. He sensed the interior, opened the door, and saw Du Gu Feng holding the Se Kong Sword, seated on Shi Feixuan's bed, meditating.

"Where's Feixuan?"

Gu Qing asked.

"She went to see Song Yuhua."

Du Gu Feng answered immediately, then pulled Gu Qing onto the bed and said: "There's something in the Se Kong Sword I don't understand, Master—please help me examine it."

The Se Kong Sword, after its battle with Song Que, had been infused with Gu Qing's spirit—its essence, energy, and spirit had undergone profound change; Du Gu Feng had gained much from this insight, yet still had unresolved questions.

Gu Qing sat down at once, holding the Se Kong Sword, and through his perception, explained to Du Gu Feng the choices made during that battle.

Unaware, the sun had already dipped westward.

Shi Feixuan returned from outside, entered the room, and saw Gu Qing and Du Gu Feng sitting close together, holding the Se Kong Sword, speaking softly. Even with her 【Heart-to-Heart Connection】 cultivation, she felt as if her mind had shattered.

Why are you in my room, holding my Se Kong Sword, and cuddling with my man…

Shi Feixuan recalled how, during Gu Qing's duel with Song Que, Du Gu Feng had kept saying how lucky she was—yet now, in an instant, Du Gu Feng had stolen her fortune.

"This…"

Du Gu Feng's face flushed slightly. "When I came, your room was empty."

(End of Chapter)