CHAPTER 405: CHAPTER 404 INTO THE DEMON _1

"Is it you?"

Ling Chen glanced at the figure across from him. Seated before him was indeed a stunningly beautiful woman.

Her cherry lips were slightly parted, her skin fairer than snow. She exuded a captivating elegance and noble aura. However, her demeanor also carried a soul-hooking charm, making it impossible not to be drawn to her.

If it wasn’t Xia Yunxin, who else could it be?

"Why, aren’t you pleased to see me?"

Xia Yunxin stared at Ling Chen, a flirtatious smile on her face.

Ling Chen chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Now that I’ve become a sinner to the Righteous Path, I suppose only you, a Demonic Woman, would come and have a drink with me."

"What’s wrong with being a Demonic Woman?"

Xia Yunxin still had a smile on her face. "Once you’ve entered the Demon Way, you can do as you please. Everything is determined by strength. You can do whatever you want without being constrained by so many pedantic rules. Isn’t that great?"

"Moreover, as you’ve seen, the so-called Righteous Martial World is nothing more than a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites. Their methods are far dirtier and more despicable than ours."

"So, are you inviting me to join the Demon Way?"

Ling Chen remained impassive, taking another sip of wine.

"Why, aren’t you willing?"

Xia Yunxin raised an eyebrow. "You’re now hunted by the entire Martial World. Besides joining us, you have no other choice. Are you planning to change your name, erase your existence, and disappear from Jianghu forever?"

"If I join the Demon Way, what about those who still believed in me? What would they do?"

Ling Chen shook his head. He might be rejected by the Righteous Martial World, but he was, after all, framed by Shentu Yan. Ling Yin, Xiao Muyu, Zi Yun True Immortal, the Great Elder... all these people had believed in him from start to finish.

If he were to join the Demonic Sects, he would be betraying everyone’s trust.

Former friends would likely become enemies.

"Besides, if I join the Demonic Sect, Yan’er... I’m afraid she’ll never forgive me."

Ling Chen thought of Xu Ruoyan. She already had a deep misunderstanding of him. If he were to join the Demonic Sect now, it would probably make this misunderstanding completely irresolvable.

"A true man never worries about finding a wife." Xia Yunxin’s pretty face turned considerably colder. "You, Ling Chen, are the top genius in the Martial World today. You’re destined to step into the Sky Apex Realm, perhaps even challenge the Saint Path. How could you let yourself be shackled by a mere woman?"

She continued, "Furthermore, do you really think that if you keep hiding, after a while, your little lover will forgive you? Let me tell you, that’s impossible! Unless you can rely on your own strength to personally drag out that old fellow Shentu Yan and force him to admit he framed you. But, can you do that with your current strength?"

"In this world, without strength, no one will believe anything you say. But if you possess absolute power, no one will dare to disbelieve you, much less dare to frame you."

"You’ve ended up like this for one fundamental reason: you’re too weak."

Xia Yunxin spoke bluntly, her words piercing, causing Ling Chen’s expression to gradually grow solemn.

"You certainly don’t mince your words."

Ling Chen seemed to ponder for a moment, then a slight smile touched the corners of his lips, and a sharp light gleamed in his eyes. "I accept your invitation."

He had come to the border of the Earth Country precisely to head for the Demon Way’s territory. For him, in his current situation, that was the safest place. He hadn’t expected to meet Xia Yunxin here, so joining directly was the logical step. Ling Chen felt no burden in his heart about joining the Demon Way. He had already thought it all through. Right or wrong, it was merely a matter of one’s own conviction. As for which camp he belonged to, what did it matter?

"Oh?"

Even Xia Yunxin was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected Ling Chen to agree so readily. She had originally thought it would take a great deal of effort to persuade him.

"You should have done this sooner. When are you ready to accompany me back to the Holy Church?" A smile curved Xia Yunxin’s lips.

"We’ll leave after I finish this jar of wine."

Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged. He picked up the wine jar again and drank deeply.

Just then, four or five Jianghu martial artists walked over, surrounding Ling Chen and Xia Yunxin.

All four were Great Master Level Powerhouses, evidently quite renowned in this area.

"Hey, you two are Demon Martial Artists, right?"

A burly Jianghu martial artist eyed them, a chilling glint in his eyes.

"Hehe, indeed we are, sirs. What can we do for you?"

Xia Yunxin put on a frail and vulnerable act, as if terrified.

"What do you think we want to do?"

The burly martial artist’s gaze lingered on Xia Yunxin’s curvaceous body, a fiery lust flashing in his eyes. "We certainly want to... engage in some pleasant activities with you."

"Oh, you’re terrible! Please, spare me, sirs."

Xia Yunxin covered her ample bosom with her hands, feigning shyness.

"Haha, Demonic Woman! Everyone has a duty to eliminate you. How could we let you go!"

"Serve us four brothers well, and we might just show mercy and spare your life!"

The four burly martial artists roared with laughter, the heat in their eyes intensifying. Just as one of them lunged forward to grab her, a sharp rebuke, like a bucket of icy water, doused him.

"Get lost!"

The shout was like thunder, incredibly piercing, startling all four men.

"Kid, meddling in other people’s business? Are you looking to die?"

The burly martial artist shifted his glare to Ling Chen, his face darkening.

"If you don’t get lost now, you won’t get another chance."

Ling Chen’s expression was cold and indifferent.

"You’re courting death!"

One of the four, a short, stout martial artist, stepped forward, drew the treasure sword from his waist, and lunged, aiming to behead Ling Chen.

"Wait!"

The hulking martial artist suddenly reached out and stopped him. A glint appeared in his eyes. "Look at this kid. Doesn’t he resemble that Ling Chen who’s wanted by the entire Martial World?"

Hearing this, the other three were startled. They scrutinized Ling Chen carefully, and then their eyes lit up. "That’s right, it’s him!"

Posters of Ling Chen were plastered everywhere. The Martial World’s top genius colluding with the Demon Cult and betraying his Sect—this was a major event that had shocked the entire Martial World.

Even if they hadn’t known Ling Chen before, they certainly recognized him now.

"This kid really is in cahoots with the Demon Cult! We four brothers caught him red-handed today!"

"There are still many in the Martial World who think Ling Chen was just temporarily confused and bewitched by some evil demon. Quick, spread the word! Let more people see this kid’s true colors!"

"Why bother spreading the word? Let’s just kill him! Not only can we claim a hefty reward, but we’ll also make a name for ourselves!"

Staring intently at Ling Chen, all four men radiated killing intent.

The next moment, they attacked, launching their assaults on Ling Chen almost simultaneously.

CLANK!

The sound of swords being unsheathed echoed as the four charged Ling Chen. However, though Ling Chen moved a fraction later, the speed of his attack was in a completely different league.

A flash of sword light arced through the air, and the four martial artists froze abruptly. Terror swiftly filled their faces.

SPURT! SPURT! SPURT! SPURT!

The necks of the four men suddenly burst open—the sound of arteries rupturing—and blood sprayed violently. One after another, they collapsed, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"A good kill." Xia Yunxin gazed at the four corpses on the ground, a captivating smile gracing her pretty face. "To join the Holy Church, one needs the heads of Righteous Path members as a pledge of allegiance. These four should suffice."

"Let’s go."

Without the slightest hesitation, Ling Chen swung his Thunder Shadow Sword. Four heads detached cleanly and rolled away. He collected them all into a bag, then sheathed his sword and strode towards the inn’s entrance.

This undoubtedly marked Ling Chen’s complete and utter break from the Righteous Martial World. From this day forward, he was a Demon Martial Artist. All past burdens would be cast aside; nothing could constrain him now.