Chapter 423: [Grand Demonic Seeding Art] (Part 1)

Even now Hu Xiaotian had never doubted that Wen Ya was Mount Sumeru; he merely inferred from various clues that Wen Ya and Mount Sumeru were inevitably related, and in his memory the coiled dragon jade pendant on Wen Ya's chest should prove her connection to Le Yao. Fragmented memories could never be pieced into a complete image, so Hu Xiaotian could only cleverly use Li Yuncong to obtain more information.

Hu Xiaotian then recounted how he had met Le Yao while serving as an official in Qingyun, how Le Yao and Wen Ya looked exactly alike, and finally mentioned the Juexi Pill Le Yao used to kill Wan Tingguang.

The more Li Yuncong listened, the more startled he became; after hearing Hu Xiaotian's account of the past, he remained silent for a long time before saying: "In that case, Le Yao is Wen Ya, and Wen Ya is Mount Sumeru."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I also suspect that, but there's one thing I can't figure out—how could Mount Sumeru disguise herself so young?" Speaking indirectly and probing deeper, even Li Yuncong's seasoned experience unknowingly fell into Hu Xiaotian's trap.

At this point Li Yuncong's face showed not a trace of a smile; his voice solemn, he asked: "Have you heard of the Grand Demonic Seeding Art?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Li Yuncong said: "The so-called Grand Demonic Seeding Art is the most heretical martial art in the world." He raised his head, his gaze appearing empty and illusory: "You must know that no matter how high one's martial arts or how great one's power, one will eventually face death, and after death inevitably become a handful of loess. Yet one who cultivates the Grand Demonic Seeding Art, before death finds a suitable body and forcibly injects his martial arts consciousness into it."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian exclaimed: "Isn't this almost the same as the martial arts Quan De'an passed on to me?"

Li Yuncong knew what he was worrying about and smiled faintly: "You need not fear. Quan De'an does not possess this art."

Hu Xiaotian smiled.

Li Yuncong continued: "The terror of the Grand Demonic Seeding Art lies in that the person implanted with the demonic fetus initially behaves normally, but as the demonic fetus grows within, the invading consciousness forcibly occupies this body, becoming its master."

Hu Xiaotian blinked, feeling this utterly absurd and completely contrary to scientific reason.

Li Yuncong said: "Every martial arts method has its flaws, and the Grand Demonic Seeding Art is no exception. Although it allows one's consciousness to never perish, the revival of the demonic fetus requires a considerably long process, just like human gestation—it needs ten months of pregnancy, and the recovery of martial arts and consciousness takes even longer."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Are you saying Mount Sumeru implanted the demonic fetus into Wen Ya's body?"

Li Yuncong replied: "Very likely."

Hu Xiaotian wondered: "If she is doing well, why would she give her own cultivation to another?"

Li Yuncong said: "Zajia just said that every martial arts method has its flaws; although the Grand Demonic Seeding Art is powerful, its greatest flaw is that even if the seeding succeeds, the demonized body can live at most twenty years. When Mount Sumeru gained fame in the jianghu, she was already twenty-two; counting from now, it's about twenty years. According to your scenario, she must have chosen Wen Ya as the seeding target, implanting the demonic fetus into Wen Ya's body."

Hu Xiaotian's medical knowledge was completely overturned by Li Yuncong; he had performed organ transplants before, but never consciousness transplantation. Yet there exists a martial art that can transfer one's consciousness and internal energy into another's body, prolonging one's life—amazing. But upon reflection, this wasn't really worth great astonishment; after all, he himself was another form of demonic seeding, otherwise how could he have come dazedly from the chaotic modern society into this tumultuous era?

Seeing Hu Xiaotian stare blankly, Li Yuncong whispered: "What's wrong with you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm just wondering whether Mount Sumeru will return." In his mind he replayed the intimate scenes with Wen Ya, good heavens! If the Grand Demonic Seeding Art truly existed, if Wen Ya were Mount Sumeru, if every scattered point in his memory were facts—had he actually killed this vicious, poisonous supreme poison master? This matter had blown up catastrophically; he had pierced a huge hole in the sky. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel a chill; if it were true, Mount Sumeru would surely return, and she would certainly come to settle scores with him. If her Grand Demonic Seeding Art were perfected and she returned for revenge, who in the world could still protect his life?

Li Yuncong said: "Even if she truly is Mount Sumeru, her martial arts cannot recover to peak condition in the short term; the demonic fetus must undergo a period of growth before it can fully exert its power."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Lord Li, why then would she willingly come into the palace to become a concubine for the Emperor?"

Li Yuncong replied: "She must have some motive."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "What grudge does she bear against Ji Feihua? Why would she scheme to harm him?"

Li Yuncong slowly shook his head: "Some things, even Zajia cannot fathom; in short, Mount Sumeru's temperament is eccentric, she is extremely devoted to martial arts and medicine, but not greedy for power; her coming to the palace perhaps hides another secret."

Although Hu Xiaotian could not confirm that Wen Ya was Mount Sumeru, his heart remained uneasy.

Li Yuncong was also troubled by the information Hu Xiaotian provided, to the point of neglecting to take Hu Xiaotian's pulse; if he did, he would surely detect the changes in Hu Xiaotian's body and infer that this boy had not told him the whole truth.

Seeing Li Yuncong's suspicion of him dissipate, Hu Xiaotian seized the moment to ask for leave; Li Yuncong had no intention of retaining him, waved his sleeve, indicating he could depart on his own.

Hu Xiaotian had just crawled out of the underground cell of Cangshuge when he saw the entrance above covered; Li Yuncong's martial arts were truly formidable, moving that heavy Confucian saint statue as if it were nothing. Yet he did not know who would gain the upper hand if Ji Feihua and he fought.

Reaching the fork in the secret passage, Hu Xiaotian sat down heavily, as if facing a crossroads in life, wondering where he should go.

The truth behind the fire at Mingyue Palace was that Wen Ya had set it; she chose to set fire and escape because she realized her identity had been exposed, and Ji Feihua had developed murderous intent toward her. Recalling the former gentle and lovely widow Le Yao, now her consciousness had vanished, likely occupied by Mount Sumeru's demonic fetus, Hu Xiaotian felt a pang of sorrow. In the palace, wolves surrounded him; a slight misstep might leave him with nothing but bones and flesh gone; Hu Xiaotian wished he could flee this place at once. Yet thinking of the pure and kind Long Xi Yue, recalling her many kindnesses toward him, he suddenly had a reason to stay; he gazed at the middle passage leading to Zilan Palace, his heart filled with myriad emotions; it was already the second watch, and he did not know whether Princess Anping had already fallen asleep.

Thinking of Long Xi Yue's unparalleled lovely appearance, Hu Xiaotian's heart surged with an urgent longing; he wished he could appear before Long Xi Yue at once, hold her tightly, confide his innermost feelings, tell her of all the ups and downs and dangers of these days, and then cherish her deeply to ease his longing.

In the end reason prevailed, and he obediently returned to the wine cellar to sleep soundly.

Hu Xiaotian knew that lately it was best to keep a low profile; aside from regularly going to change the Emperor's medicine, he was merely tallying accounts in the Imperial Gardens Bureau, and even when going out to purchase goods he entrusted everything to Shi Xuedong and the others, not doing it himself. These days Ji Feihua had not summoned him either; hearing that he had been ordered by the Emperor to leave the palace on business.

Since the Emperor's sudden illness, Quan De'an had not actively sought Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian was glad for the quiet, and during this idle time he practiced the Formless Divine Skill, feeling his energy improve day by day. Although his understanding of martial arts was shallow, he also knew his martial arts had unknowingly risen to a new realm. As for Baobao, he had someone send a message to Lin Wan at Lingyudian, hinting that if Lin Wan dared to harm Baobao, he would turn against her; after the Mingyue Palace incident, Hu Xiaotian could retreat unscathed, and he guessed Lin Wan would not dare to overstep with Baobao; Lin Wan also sent word back that Baobao was recuperating with her, and once healed they would naturally arrange a meeting. This time Lin Wan appeared very cooperative, probably because she felt guilty.

Finally came the day the Emperor's sutures were to be removed; Hu Xiaotian arrived early at Xuanweigong, and upon reaching the door he encountered the little eunuch Yin Zheng, who, while guiding him in, whispered: "The Empress and the Eldest Prince, Third Prince have both arrived."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Entering Xuanweigong, he saw Empress Jian accompanying the Emperor, Eldest Prince Long Tingsheng and Third Prince Long Tingzhen also there to keep the Emperor company.

Because Long Yelin's condition had improved, his mood had also brightened considerably; facing Empress Jian, his face showed a smile as well; seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, he cheerfully waved and said: "Little Tian, come over quickly!" Everyone could see the Emperor favored this little eunuch greatly.

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, shouted "Long live!", and prepared to kneel and salute, but before he could kneel, Long Yelin said: "No need to kneel, you came to treat my illness, no ceremony!"

Empress Jian's gaze toward Hu Xiaotian no longer held past hostility; the corner of her mouth even revealed a hint of a smile, and she said softly: "Hu Xiaotian, didn't you hear the Emperor's words? Or hurry up and help the Emperor remove the sutures." This old lady had also learned some medical terms; her change in attitude was entirely due to the influence of Eldest Prince Long Tingsheng, and she began to realize Hu Xiaotian was no ordinary person; in the court she still tried to avoid making enemies as much as possible.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then greeted Eldest Prince Long Tingsheng with a smile, after which he also smiled at Third Prince Long Tingzhen, though he received no response.

Long Yelin lay on the bed, lifted his clothes, Hu Xiaotian first examined the wound; the wound was healing well, Hu Xiaotian then opened the instrument case, took out the suture scissors and tweezers, and said to Long Yelin: "Your Majesty, removing the sutures will cause a little pain; please endure."

Long Yelin nodded and said: "I can bear it!" (To be continued~^~)