Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Zhu Jinchen spread his hand, and the memory mirrors from the tree branch and the Treasure Hall fell into his palm.

The memory mirror was only palm-sized, yet it could store nearly ten days of content. One only needed to say the time they wanted to see.

Zhu Jinchen spoke the time, and the moment he finished speaking, a layer of white mist appeared on the mirror's surface. The mist gradually dissipated, revealing the scene from that moment.

He raised his hand, projecting the image from the memory mirror into mid-air so others could see clearly.

In the dead of night, Qiu Shui entered the Treasure Hall alone. She seemed normal, except her eyes showed an eerie dark red.

This was a characteristic of being possessed by a demon.

At that moment, Liu Nanzhou pushed the door open and walked in. "Qiu Shui" immediately withdrew her hand. He asked, "Miss, still up so late?"

"Qiu Shui" turned around and, without saying a word, raised her sword to attack Liu Nanzhou.

He had only come out for some air, and besides, his sword had broken in the illusion realm, so he hadn't brought one. He had no choice but to randomly grab a sword from the rack to fight Qiu Shui.

The artifacts in the Golden Que Valley's Treasure Hall were all valuable items, many of them magical instruments crafted by the master artificer Chu Yunliu, priceless and hard to come by.

Some artifacts had their own temperaments. Those with bad tempers, if they didn't recognize their wielder, wouldn't even allow their scabbard to be drawn. Unfortunately, the one Liu Nanzhou randomly picked had quite a temper.

He couldn't draw the sword, so he could only fight with the scabbard. Qiu Shui was no match and was sent flying by a palm strike from Liu Nanzhou, coincidentally crashing into Zheng Linghao who had followed.

The whole story was now clear.

Yao Shuning examined Qiu Shui's corpse. Her face showed no issues. Yao Shuning checked her pulse and, her heart sinking, pursed her lips and said, "This sister was likely possessed by a demon. After discovering the demon's cultivation was above hers and she couldn't expel it, and would instead be controlled by it, she probably realized while still lucid that a major mistake had been made. So, taking advantage of the demon fighting with junior brother, she destroyed her own spiritual meridians and sealed the demon within her body."

Zhuang Yanming handed the sword to Luo Xia, signaling her to return it to its place, then said, "As things stand, first take Qiu Shui away. Everyone else, you can all head out for now. I'll need the sect leaders and elders to accompany me to the council hall."

Qi Wuyu said, "It's getting late. Xiao Zhou, you take Xiao Ning back first."

Liu Nanzhou nodded: "Alright."

Several people arrived at the council hall and watched the footage from the memory mirror a few more times.

Si Muyun asked, "...What is he looking for?"

Zhuang Yanming frowned deeply: "The Treasure Hall holds numerous treasures, but he doesn't seem interested in any of them." He said, "I've also had people check. Nothing is missing from the Treasure Hall, and nothing seems amiss."

Qi Wuyu's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table: "Could it be... he wasn't looking for something?"

Everyone looked at him.

"I don't know much about demonic arts, but it looks to me like he was investigating some location?"

Qi Wuyu leaned back in his chair, pondering. This demon possessed Qiu Shui and tampered with the illusion realm, causing the disciples of the righteous path to die within it.

Since he tampered with the illusion realm, the demon had likely infiltrated the Golden Que Valley for quite some time.

Feng Cong couldn't figure it out: "What exactly did he infiltrate to do?"

Si Muyun said, "The Qingmang Conference is an exchange among the younger generation. These children represent the future of the righteous path. To deal us a heavy blow, targeting them would be a good method."

Qi Wuyu asked, "Was anything found during the investigation of the illusion realm?"

Zhuang Yanming's expression turned grave: "I was just about to mention that." He took out a pitch-black pearl. "We found Demon Seeds within the replicated demon beasts in the illusion realm."

"To think they were infected by Demon Seeds, no wonder..."

Zhuang Yanming: "Qiu Shui was responsible for replicating the demon beasts in the illusion realm. The Demon Seeds were likely planted by the demon possessing her." He slammed the table. "How outrageous!"

At that moment, Zhu Jinchen walked in: "Valley Master, Qiu Shui... no, the demon inside Qiu Shui, has awakened."

The seated individuals exchanged glances. Zhuang Yanming stood up and said, "Let's all go take a look."

After speaking, he stepped out first, with the others following behind. Qiu Shui lay on the bed, her hands bound to the bedposts, her eyes blood-red, her expression full of disdain.

"Well, the treatment's not bad. I even get a bed to lie on."

Zhu Jinchen, furious, stepped forward: "Don't flatter yourself! If you weren't occupying my junior sister's body, you'd have been tied to the execution platform long ago!"

"Qiu Shui" curled one corner of her mouth in a sneer. She originally had a bright and beautiful appearance, often wearing a gentle smile, and was usually very kind to others. People in the valley liked her very much. Yet, with the same face but a different core, the feeling she gave was completely different. Zhu Jinchen had never seen such a sinister expression on Qiu Shui's face before. For a moment, he even felt he didn't recognize this face.

"Oh, you mean this girl." Her hand twitched, as if wanting to touch this face. Finding herself bound, she struggled a couple of times and muttered quietly, "Tied up quite tightly."

Giving up the struggle, she said, "What, you still think she can come back? I advise you not to hope. This girl is already dead."

"What did you say!"

Just as Zhu Jinchen was about to draw his sword, Zhuang Yanming pressed down on his wrist.

"You killed her?" Zhuang Yanming asked.

"Who told her to overestimate herself, foolishly trying to resist me with her Divine Sense? But she was quite ruthless to herself too, actually willing to destroy her own spiritual meridians. But what use was it?"

Zhuang Yanming raised his hand and flicked it. "Qiu Shui" was dragged up. Two faintly glowing golden rings appeared in the air, clamping around her wrists and hoisting her arms, forcing her to kneel on the ground.

He couldn't break free. Although he had killed Qiu Shui's Divine Sense, he had also suffered considerable injuries. Before dying, Qiu Shui had also sealed him within her body, further restricting his movements.

The inner rims of the rings had needle-like protrusions that pierced his wrists, causing thin trails of blood to seep out.

Zhuang Yanming said, "Bold demon, how dare you trespass into the Golden Que Valley and harm a disciple of my valley." His eyes were filled with rage as he summoned the Xiangzhi Sword. The sword emitted a spiritual glow, hovering in the air and pointing directly at "Qiu Shui's" brow. "What is your purpose?"

"Qiu Shui" looked up without changing expression: "What do you think?"

Zhuang Yanming frowned slightly, and the Xiangzhi Sword pressed another fraction closer to "Qiu Shui."

"Was the demon in Jingtao Town also you?" Qi Wuyu asked.

"Qiu Shui" looked him up and down: "You look very familiar."

Qi Wuyu smiled: "Although I know I'm quite good-looking, and you can try to get chummy with me if you want, I advise you to tell the truth instead."

"Qiu Shui" clearly didn't expect this person to have such a thick skin and said disdainfully, "It was me."

But Qi Wuyu shook his head: "Liar."

"Qiu Shui" was stunned, only hearing Qi Wuyu say: "From Jingtao Town to the Golden Que Valley, it only took us a day. Could you infiltrate here within a day, possess Qiu Shui, and also tamper with the illusion realm?" Qi Wuyu asked him with a smile, "What's the matter, is your day different from ours? Not twelve hours, but thirty-six?"

"Qiu Shui's" expression changed. Qi Wuyu continued: "But there's one question I'd really like to ask. Do you demons all have appearances that are inconvenient to show? Otherwise, why do you all like other people's bodies so much?"

"You!"

Qi Wuyu put away his playful smile and asked in a deep voice: "Where is your accomplice?"

"Qiu Shui" seemed to have heard a joke, flatly denying it: "I have no accomplice. Believe it or not."

After that, he suddenly clammed up, refusing to open his mouth no matter what he was asked. Moreover, relying on the fact that he was currently using Qiu Shui's body, he was certain these people wouldn't subject him to extreme torture, growing increasingly brazen, and his attitude was downright punchable.

Zhuang Yanming didn't bother wasting any more time on him and had him locked away. Feng Cong asked, “Does he really have no accomplices?”

Zhuang Yanming replied, “We’ve thoroughly searched the entire Golden Que Valley and found no trace of other demons. All the Demon Seeds have been purged. Whether there are accomplices or not is hard to say.”

The night was deep. Zhuang Yanming raised a hand. “You’ve all had a long day. Head back and get some rest for now. That demon isn’t going anywhere. We can discuss the rest tomorrow.”

The others went their separate ways. Qi Wuyu walked Si Muyun back to her quarters.

“Haven’t seen you down the mountain in ages, and I haven’t heard a peep from you either.”

Qi Wuyu gave a slight smile. “Indeed. In recent years, I’ve been reluctant to move around, practically putting down roots on Rifu Mountain.”

“What brought you down this time? Worried about your little disciple?” Si Muyun still found it surprising. “I thought given your current situation, you’d be tending your farm and living out your retirement at the Tianyao Sect. Who knew you'd have time to take on a disciple?”

Qi Wuyu: “Hmm... call it fate.” He continued, “But I’ve often heard your name mentioned. You’ve really made a name for yourself, Little Green Bamboo.”

Si Muyun was startled. “It’s been a long time since anyone called me that.” She sighed. “Just a lot of running around, really. Things finally settled down a bit in recent years, but now with the sudden demon unrest, I’m afraid we won't have a moment's peace again. If it becomes like a hundred years ago...”

Qi Wuyu comforted her. “It won’t. The Demon-Subduing Formation is intact; things won’t reach that point again.”

Si Muyun nodded. “Let’s hope so.”

After a moment of silence, the two suddenly locked eyes and said in unison: “The Demon-Subduing Formation.”

Si Muyun said, “The Demon-Subduing Formation connects the Four Major Sects, with each sect maintaining a Four Symbols Formation. Could what they’re looking for be the Four Symbols Formation?”

“Highly likely.”

Realizing this, the two immediately went back to find Zhuang Yanming.

After hearing them out, Zhuang Yanming agreed wholeheartedly and promptly went to check on the Four Symbols Formation. He only relaxed after seeing it was untouched.

“It seems they haven’t found it.”

“That’s good.”

After the inspection, Si Muyun and Qi Wuyu left.

The bluestone reflected the moonlight like water, shimmering with a soft glow. Returning to the courtyard, Qi Wuyu noticed Liu Nanzhou’s room was still lit and, wondering why, went to knock on the door.

Soon, the door opened.

“What are you doing up so late?” Qi Wuyu asked as he entered. “I saw blood on your arm earlier. Did you reopen your wound fighting? Let me see.”

Liu Nanzhou extended his arm. “I’m fine. I’ve already re-bandaged it.”

Seeing that he had indeed re-bandaged it, Qi Wuyu felt relieved. “What were you doing out so late at night?”

“Couldn’t sleep.”

“Something on your mind?”

Liu Nanzhou paused, then shook his head.

“Then why can’t you sleep? Go to bed now. I’ll watch you sleep.” Without a second thought, Qi Wuyu pushed Liu Nanzhou toward the bed, made him lie down, and sat beside him. With a wave of his hand, he dimmed the lights, leaving only a faint glimmer.

“With it this bright, no wonder you can’t sleep.”

Liu Nanzhou was at a loss for words, feeling like Qi Wuyu still treated him like a child.

“Enough talk. Close your eyes.” As he spoke, he covered Liu Nanzhou’s eyes with his hand. His palm was slightly cool, and a faint scent of sandalwood drifted from his sleeve.

This was the same fragrance Liu Nanzhou had smelled on Qi Wuyu the very first day he arrived at the Tianyao Sect. Back then, he didn’t know what this scent was, only that it felt like being enveloped by something, incredibly soothing.

He had intended to ask Qi Wuyu about news of the demon, but breathing in this fragrance made his entire body feel languid, too lazy to even move his mouth.

Qi Wuyu’s hand blocked the only remaining light, leaving him in complete darkness. Slowly, he drifted into sleep, lulled by the intoxicating scent.

Feeling Liu Nanzhou’s breathing become steady and deep, Qi Wuyu tucked the blanket around him, quietly extinguished the lamp, and smiled silently in the darkness—this brat, still needing someone to coax him to sleep at his age. Claiming he couldn’t sleep? He fell asleep pretty quickly, didn’t he?

Author's Note:

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Qi Wuyu, a custom calming incense exclusively for Liu Nanzhou [thumbs up]

Sweet [perked-ear bunny emoji][perked-ear bunny emoji]