Chapter 89: The Changes in the Rakshasa Cult

The world-shaking battle has already drawn to a close.

Ye Gucheng lost.

Not only did Ye Gucheng lose, but many who had staked their fortunes on him also lost everything.

Where there are losers, there are naturally winners.

A big winner was lying on a delicately crafted lounge chair, basking warmly in the sun.

A very cute little girl ran over to this winner in a flurry, excitement on her small face, and grabbed Yu Liancheng's arm to shake it: "Half-master, guess how much money we made from this gamble."

Yu Liancheng said lazily: "I won't guess."

Although his half-master was very dismissive, Shangguan Xueer still shouted excitedly: "Four million taels, a full four million taels, we've struck it rich."

Yu Liancheng yawned: "Sometimes, having too much silver is also quite meaningless."

This statement was not false.

In the past, to maintain the Green Clothes Tower, he had squeezed Huo Xiu dry and hunted for Jin Jiuling's stolen goods...

But as the money grew more and more, he felt bored instead, unable to find a goal.

"It's only meaningless when there is no silver," Shangguan Xueer said with a grin: "Oh right, half-master, how did you know Ximen Chuixue would win?"

Yu Liancheng said: "I just felt his odds of winning were a bit higher; even if he had lost to the White Cloud City Lord, it would have been perfectly normal."

This was the truth.

The difference between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng was merely a hair's breadth; no one could truly predict the outcome between them.

But Ye Gucheng did not lose unjustly.

He had fulfilled his wish to kill the young Emperor.

That was the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler.

Upon killing the Emperor, Ye Gucheng was able to clarify his soul, sever the shackles of the mundane world, and his spiritual realm ascended to a higher level as he had wished.

But in this palace struggle, he first killed the Yu brothers, then exchanged a sword strike with Gong Jiu, and finally stabbed the Emperor.

His killing intent, True Qi, physical strength, and even his spirit were all depleted.

Especially when stabbing the Emperor, his mind was also under immense pressure, for the person he killed was the supreme ruler; after that pressure came endless fatigue.

Yet Ximen Chuixue was like a full-moon bow, poised and ready, in his peak state.

A tiny gap was enough to decide the outcome between two peerless swordsmen.

What's more, Ye Gucheng's heart had also been a little unsettled.

As for why it was unsettled, Yu Liancheng guessed it might have had to do with Ximen Chuixue's words.

Although Ye Gucheng believed a swordsman only needed to be sincere to his sword, and not necessarily sincere to people.

Yet a pure duel between swordsmen was merely one link in a chain of conspiracies.

Was this not a lack of respect for the other swordsman?

Was this not a lack of sincerity toward the sword?

How could someone who is not even sincere to the sword achieve victory in swordsmanship?

Shangguan Xueer asked in surprise: "Ah, then what if we lose?"

Yu Liancheng chuckled: "If we lose, we lose. Who would dare come to the Green Clothes Tower to demand silver? Are they tired of living?"

Shangguan Xueer opened her eyes wide, seemingly unable to believe that someone like her master would say such a rogue-like thing, then suddenly giggled: "So we master and apprentice are of the same mind."

Her plans were exactly the same as Yu Liancheng's; one could only say "like master, like apprentice."

Just then, another graceful figure walked over, gorgeous and noble, a beauty who could topple cities, it was none other than Gongsun Lan. She had not worn a mask for a long time, and her sword technique had improved once again.

Gongsun Lan's beautiful eyes looked at Yu Liancheng and said: "A piece of news has come from beyond the passes, very important news."

Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow: "It wouldn't be that my father has passed away, would it?"

His father, naturally, was Yu Luosha.

Gongsun Lan said in surprise: "You have already received the news."

"No, I just guessed it randomly," Yu Liancheng shook his head, then sneered: "I was wondering why I hadn't heard from him since arriving in the Central Plains; so he was planning to play this game. Good, good, good, I am a filial son, I don't mind playing along with the old man."

Gongsun Lan and Shangguan Xueer exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with curiosity and confusion.

They had long known that Yu Liancheng was Yu Tianbao, the son of Yu Luosha and the Young Cult Master of the Western Rakshasa Cult.

But looking at Yu Liancheng's situation, he didn't look like someone whose father had died at all.

Could it be that the affection between father and son had faded to this extent?

Or was there some other hidden story?

Yu Liancheng said: "He is dead; what is the situation in the Rakshasa Cult now?"

Gongsun Lan said: "Due to the sudden passing of the Sect Leader, and because you, Young Master, are not in the Rakshasa Cult, the Guardian Elders, Hall Masters, and Deacons have decided to gather all important disciples of the cult at the 'Great Brightness Realm' of Kunlun Shan on the seventh day of the first lunar month, the 'Day of Man'."

"Whoever can arrive at that place on that day with the 'Rakshasa Tablet' will be the new Sect Leader of the Demon Sect, and they will immediately become the most powerful and wealthiest person beyond the passes."

"Rakshasa Tablet," Yu Liancheng muttered to himself, flipping his palm to reveal a jade tablet: "I imagine this news will spread very soon, and this tablet will become something everyone wants to obtain."

Gongsun Lan chuckled, charming in every way: "Since it is in your hands, those who want to come and snatch it will have to weigh their options; after all, not everyone is unafraid of death."

"Heh," Yu Liancheng chuckled: "Have the Three Friends of Winter made any moves?"

Gongsun Lan said: "I was just about to report to you, Young Master. The Three Friends of Winter have already set off and are heading toward the Central Plains; I imagine they are coming to find you. Since your reputation resounds throughout the world, they naturally know of it. At their pace, I fear they will reach the Capital before long."

Yu Liancheng laughed: "Good, I haven't seen them for a long time either."

After late autumn, all flowers wither, leaving only the pine, bamboo, and plum blossom, which do not fade; these are the Three Friends of Winter.

And the Three Friends of Winter in Gongsun Lan's words were the three experts known as Gusong, Kuzhu, and Cold Plum.

In their youth, the three had made a great name for themselves in the martial arts world, and in terms of martial arts, they were by no means inferior to the leaders of the Seven Great Sects. Later, weary of the martial arts world, they lived in seclusion for twenty years at the peak of Kunlun, in the Great Brightness Realm, at the Small Heavenly Dragon Cave, ignoring worldly affairs and living the lives of reclusive experts.

Later, Yu Luosha personally went to the Small Heavenly Dragon Cave and invited the "Three Friends of Winter" three times, finally convincing them to become the Guardian Elders of the Rakshasa Cult.

The reason the Rakshasa Cult was able to develop and grow, dominating beyond the passes, was inseparable from these three.

Their status within the Rakshasa Cult was equally high and powerful, second only to Yu Luosha.

These three were undoubtedly experts; before entering the pass, although Yu Liancheng could spot the flaws in their martial arts, he lacked combat experience and might not have been able to defeat any one of the three.

As for now.

Yu Liancheng suddenly let out a cold laugh.

That smile seemed to carry an indescribable sense of mockery.

"The Jade of the West, eternal between heaven and earth."

Following this, Yu Liancheng's expression turned solemn again as he thought of that person who seemed forever shrouded in mist.

He could be very certain that Yu Luosha was not dead, but hiding in the shadows, ready at any moment to weed the tares out from the wheat.

Without a doubt, Yu Liancheng was the tare, and perhaps even the largest one at that.

Therefore, Yu Liancheng would certainly encounter Yu Luosha, and the two would certainly have a battle.

Although he had undergone a complete transformation compared to before he entered the pass.

Yet, facing the unfathomable Yu Luosha, he had no certainty of victory.

"Some in the Edo rank me alongside him as the Twin Jades of East and West. I wonder, when these two jades clash, which one will shatter?"

On Yu Liancheng's calm face, there was not a hint of timidity; instead, a trace of eager fighting spirit appeared.

He had been waiting a long time for this battle.

My father, do not let me down.

……

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