CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 154 NOTES OF DEMON CULTIVATOR HOU

Yan Hanyan headed straight to the Imperial Palace’s National Master Hall without a moment’s delay after obtaining the handscroll.

"State Preceptor, this is the ancestral handscroll. It mainly records the appearances of Fierce Beasts, and some parts are concealed by Secret Techniques beyond our vision," Yan Hanyan said respectfully as she presented the handscroll.

After carefully sensing it for a moment, he confirmed the handscroll indeed bore the aura of Senior Brother Yan Wen; it should be authentic.

"Is there anything else?" Chen Jiuge asked, looking down at Yan Hanyan, who was already kneeling.

After some internal struggle, Yan Hanyan said, "State Preceptor, I wish to stay here and cultivate with you for some time."

"Stay here? Aren’t you a member of the Yan Family?" Chen Jiuge squinted, scrutinizing her.

Subsequently, Yan Hanyan recounted a very melodramatic story. In essence, her parents had died young, and she had always suffered humiliation from her family. Due to her beauty, she was originally supposed to be sent off in an arranged marriage upon reaching adulthood. Fortunately, Chen Jiuge had become the State Preceptor, and she was assigned the task of getting close to him. If Chen Jiuge hadn’t been a man of such unshakeable integrity, it would be hard to say which of the two fates—the marriage or this task—would have been worse for her.

It sounds very much like a protagonist’s template, Chen Jiuge thought to himself.

"You may stay, but you can only cultivate in a side hall. Someone will bring you your daily meals. Just don’t wander around unnecessarily," Chen Jiuge decided. He felt this young lady had the potential of a Child of Destiny. Besides, the National Master Hall was vast; one more person wouldn’t make a difference.

「...」

Indeed, numerous parts of the handscroll were obscured by Yan Wen using a simple Secret Technique from the Myriad Beasts Sect. As a fellow Disciple of the Myriad Beasts Sect, Chen Jiuge naturally knew this technique as well.

After removing all the concealed sections, Chen Jiuge began to read the handscroll.

"Greetings, Junior Brother. I am Yan Wen. By the time you are reading this handscroll, I should already be gone, and you will have become the new State Preceptor."

"Here, I must first apologize. Your Senior Brother is merely an ordinary Mahayana cultivator whose potential has been exhausted—just an old man who indulges in pleasures. All I can leave for you is some information."

"Having acquired this handscroll, I believe you must be curious about the Fierce Beast that once ravaged this land, Junior Brother. I can tell you straightforwardly: that Fierce Beast is indeed one of the Ten Fiercest, the Hou."

"There are no records of that period in the Imperial Palace. Even if some exist, they would be vague. I’ve discovered that the current Imperial Family, the Cai clan, may not be descendants of Elder Cai of Xuanwu Peak. I am unclear about what transpired, but it’s highly probable that a significant event occurred around the time an Immortal descended to slay the Fierce Beast."

He skipped over the other unimportant information in the handscroll.

"In my last thirty years in office, I’ve uncovered numerous problems. There are at least two Mahayana Demon Cultivators present within the Imperial City."

"A hundred years ago, before the downfall of the Triple Sect, many of its sleeper agents were left behind in the Great Cheng Dynasty. They have now become abandoned pawns. I do not know if they have colluded with the Demon Cultivators. This is something you will need to investigate, Junior Brother."

"The Yan Family also has issues. But, after all, they are my own descendants. I can only rely on you, Junior Brother, to take action. I hope you can spare some innocent bloodlines."

"Lastly, there’s something amiss with the Imperial Cai clan. It’s highly possible that Hou’s soul essence is in their hands. I suspect the Cai clan may have even mastered how to use it; I just don’t know to what extent."

"Junior Brother, please be extremely careful."

So, these parts concealed by Secret Techniques were meant to pass information to me?

Chen Jiuge was speechless. If Senior Brother had discovered something was wrong, couldn’t he have just reported it directly to the Sect?

The soul essence of one of the Ten Fiercest... Senior Brother Yan probably coveted it himself. It’s a pity that the last thirty years were too short for him to plan, especially since the Cai clan might control the soul essence. Senior Brother Yan likely didn’t dare to take the risk. As for reporting to the Sect, there was probably no need. The reward would have been insignificant compared to granting a favor to his successor, he mused.

"Truly an old fox of a cultivator," Chen Jiuge said with a hint of mockery.

His potential exhausted, he didn’t dare to take a gamble. Upon discovering that the Cai clan might possess the soul essence of one of the Ten Fiercest, Senior Brother Yan had backed off. He was indeed cautious.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t try, Chen Jiuge pondered.

「...」

「A year had passed since he obtained the handscroll.」

During that year, the Great Cheng Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity. The few Demon Cultivators who dared to cause trouble were swiftly eliminated by the National Protection Army brought by Chen Jiuge.

However, Chen Jiuge’s order to search for Exotic Beasts caused considerable turmoil among his subordinates, though the situation began to normalize under the iron hooves of the National Protection Army.

「In a secluded side hall of the National Master Hall, filled with Arrays.」

The third kind of Exotic Beast, but still no sign of Hou’s Bloodline, Chen Jiuge felt somewhat disappointed.

Over the year, Chen Jiuge had only discovered three types of Exotic Beasts. Due to the insufficient Spiritual Energy in the area, these Exotic Beasts could not evolve into Spiritual Beasts, nor had they completely lost their spiritual nature to become Fierce Beasts.

Forget it. With some effort, I can still create a Divinity Transformation Stage Spiritual Beast. It would be a usable combat force, he thought.

He casually extracted a Bloodline and injected it into one of the Spiritual Beasts. A Divine Transformation Spiritual Beast materialized in the side hall.

Patting the large head of the lion-like Spiritual Beast, Chen Jiuge said casually, "Go play, but don’t hurt anyone without reason."

The large lion vanished in the blink of an eye.

「...」

「Concubine Su’s Palace.」

Seeing the Blood Sea Elder appear again, Su Mei asked warily, "What are you here for this time?"

"Noble Concubine Su, have you made your decision?" the Blood Sea Elder asked sinisterly.

"What’s there to consider? I refuse to cooperate with you vermin who lurk in the shadows. Rather than living in darkness forever, ending my days here isn’t so bad," Su Mei said with some resignation.

This past year, I practically threw myself at Chen Jiuge, short of stripping naked and climbing into his bed, yet he remained completely indifferent to my charms. He doesn’t even look that old! Could he have already overcome the trials of worldly beauty at such a young age? That’s too incredible!

"Cooperate with us. Once everything is settled, you can safely leave this Mortal World and return to a proper place for Cultivation. Moreover, no one will discover that you’re a Demon Cultivator. You can live peacefully as a Loose Cultivator," the Blood Sea Elder said, unhurried.

For Su Mei, who currently had no way out, this was the best possible outcome. To change her identity and live as a Loose Cultivator—perhaps with enough effort, she might even have a chance to achieve immortality.

Su Mei hesitated for a moment. Just as she was about to say, "Let me think about it," a rabbit covered in bulging muscles appeared between them.

Yue Li looked impatiently at the Blood Sea Elder before him and said, "So it’s you, old fart! You’re the one who made this grandpa wait here for a whole year. You finally showed yourself!"

"Are you going to surrender, or does this grandpa have to beat you into submission?"

The Blood Sea Elder was so amused he almost laughed. What is this? A rabbit threatening me? Even if its muscles are admittedly impressive.

"You’re courting death!"

A blood-red palm print shot towards Yue Li. To avoid detection by the new State Preceptor, the Blood Sea Elder had limited the power of his palm strike to barely reach the Returning to Void stage, but it was extremely stealthy, without the slightest fluctuation.

Looking at the miniature palm print before him, Yue Li casually slapped it, dispersing it.

"Mahayana realm?" The Blood Sea Elder discerned Yue Li’s Cultivation level.

I definitely can’t take down this rabbit quickly. I better run. Once the new State Preceptor notices, I’ll likely be finished, he thought.

"Blood Escape!"

The Blood Sea Elder transformed into a bloody figure and, like a diver, leaped, aiming headfirst for the ground as he attempted to flee using his escape technique.

Then, BAM! The bewildered Blood Sea Elder stared at the Runes that had appeared on the ground and exclaimed, "An Array!"

"Otherwise, why do you think I waited for you to talk for so long before I showed up?" Behind Yue Li, a giant rabbit Dharma Image materialized, a ferocious grin spreading across his face as he spoke.

"I think... perhaps we can negotiate," the Blood Sea Elder said, sensing the overwhelming pressure from the powerful aura.

"Then let me beat you up first!"

Fearing she would be caught in the crossfire, Su Mei huddled in a corner, witnessing the entire brutal beatdown.

An hour later, the Blood Sea Elder was beaten beyond recognition.

Yue Li dragged the Blood Sea Elder by one leg over to Su Mei and asked expectantly, "Are you going to resist?"

Looking at the Violent Rabbit before her, Su Mei wisely raised her hands and said, "I surrender."

"What a pity. Follow me," Yue Li said, sounding somewhat disappointed.

Su Mei followed, cold sweat trickling down her back. This rabbit is too violent!

「...」

"You brought them back?" Chen Jiuge looked at Yue Li, then at the trembling Su Mei and the figure so battered it was unrecognizable.

"Master, next time, please don’t give me any more stakeout missions. They’re boring me to death!" Yue Li grumbled. I’m not cut out for ambushes; this kind of mission is more suited for my second brother.

"Alright, I’ll try," Chen Jiuge waved his hand dismissively.

After Yue Li received a bag of Spirit Stones and an Elixir to replenish his Spiritual Power, he hopped away cheerfully.

"Speak. What’s going on?" Chen Jiuge looked at Su Mei.

Su Mei still wanted to resist. "I don’t know, State Preceptor, I..."

"Enough. Triple Sect," Chen Jiuge interrupted impatiently.

Hearing this, Su Mei’s heart sank, a chill of fear creeping through her. My identity is exposed! Am I going to die?

"Start by telling me what happened."

Su Mei’s face alternated between pale and red, her mind in turmoil.

"You’ve all become abandoned pawns. Don’t tell me you’re still loyal to your Sect?" Chen Jiuge looked at the silent Su Mei in surprise.

The Triple Sect has been completely eradicated from the Heavenly Realm. Does Su Mei still refuse to talk?

"Speak honestly, and I can give you a chance to live," Chen Jiuge said, suddenly realizing, Could it be that Su Mei is also afraid of death?

Hearing Chen Jiuge’s promise, Su Mei clung to it like a drowning person to a lifeline and slowly began to recount her story.

In summary: although the Triple Sect had previously been at war with the Moluo Clan, they had generally held the upper hand on the battlefield. Consequently, those in the lower ranks began to plot an expansion of their territory.

The people of the Galaxy Sacred Land were too arrogant. Trying to take advantage of them would provoke a fierce retaliation; it wasn’t worth the risk.

The internal strife between the two Sects in the San Guang Domain was intense. Any outside interference would cause them to unite against the common enemy, making them fight even more fiercely. They were not to be trifled with.

Regions further away were too distant. The only relatively close targets were the Desolate World and the Myriad Beasts Domain.

The Desolate World was out of the question. With so many Divine Beast races residing there, they could obliterate the Triple Sect, scattering their ashes to the winds. After much deliberation, they decided they had to find a way to scheme against the stronger Myriad Beasts Sect.

"So, why did the Triple Sect think it could target our Myriad Beasts Sect’s territory?" Chen Jiuge was baffled. The Myriad Beasts Sect’s strength should be considerably greater than that of the Galaxy Sacred Land. How did they arrive at such a conclusion?

"Perhaps... perhaps the Elders in the Sect thought that the people of the Myriad Beasts Sect were somewhat more... amicable," Su Mei cautiously ventured.

Chen Jiuge looked at Su Mei incredulously. This woman’s intelligence seems to be entirely concentrated in her chest. How could inter-Sect aggression be based on such a reason? If the entire Triple Sect was that foolish, they would have been wiped out long ago.

Then again, the Triple Sect was indeed wiped out.