Duanmubei glanced around cautiously and transmitted his voice with prudence, “Let’s go inside before we talk.”
Having incurred the wrath of both righteous and evil factions, as well as the neutral Beggars’ Sect, the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch could truly be called an enemy of all. If Duanmubei hadn’t been suspicious of his motives, he might have simply subdued him and traded the information to a major faction for favors. Yet, even so, he didn’t want too many people to see Mengqi, lest he end up in trouble without gaining anything in return.
Mengqi stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in flowing robes, following leisurely, occasionally glancing around appreciatively at the spring blossoms, appearing relaxed and composed.
Upon entering the ten-zhang radius of the vermilion and purple pavilion, he suddenly felt something strange, as if a danger around him was receding like the ebbing tide. Once he entered the pavilion, however, it surged back like a flood, enveloping the area. Throughout this, it felt as though countless eyes were watching him, with a damp sensation seeping into his Primordial Unity, clinging to his body, subtly swaying imperceptibly.
In response, Mengqi, who had been secretly holding the Wheel-turning Talisman, quietly exhaled in relief. The Iron Garment Hall’s formation indeed had the ability to discern disguises and concealment, but it was still somewhat lacking when it came to the transformative techniques of the Eight-Ninths Primordial Art, which defied the natural order. The core function of the formation was to kill all living beings not led inside, thus creating a barrier.
Smiling slightly, Mengqi calmly took a step forward and entered a room on the first floor of the vermilion and purple pavilion.
“Heh, times have changed. Do you really think you can rival both the righteous and the evil factions now that you’ve solidified your dharma body?” As the door closed, Duanmubei turned around sarcastically.
Once the door was shut, the room became extremely quiet, with no sound penetrating from outside, nor even a whisper of wind, as if it were isolated from the world. After the formation identified them, Duanmubei’s attitude toward Mengqi became more familiar, seemingly having let down his suspicions.
In terms of seniority, the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch and Duanmubei were roughly on par, but back in the martial arts world, the Devil Monarch had always been more renowned and formidable, regarded as a promising strongman among the unorthodox sects. The title “Devil Monarch” in his nickname alone revealed much—there are only wrongly named people, never wrongly given epithets!
However, over the years, the genuine Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch remained stagnant at the third heavenly stage and ultimately perished in the Worry-Free Valley. In contrast, Duanmubei had arduously surmounted the first heavenly ladder six years prior, ascending to the position of master of the Jiangdong Pavilion within the Iron Garment Hall. Now, he had even advanced to the fifth heavenly stage, a level formidable enough to command dominance over an entire region.
All of this could be attributed to the Devil Monarch’s own arrogance and cruelty, which stemmed partly from his demonic cultivation techniques and partly from his inherent nature. Around twenty years ago, in an attempt to break through the first heavenly tribulation, he massacred an entire city in the southwestern region of the Great Jin Dynasty. This atrocity provoked the fury of various sects and noble families, who dispatched their elite forces to track his whereabouts and hunt him down.
Relying on his formidable strength and latent potential, he sought refuge under the Heaven-Annihilating Sect to evade the ensuing storm. However, driven by greed for a certain treasure, he ultimately betrayed them, turning against the joint forces of the Heaven-Annihilating Sect, the Luo Sect, and the Beggar Sect. This act sealed his fate, leaving him a fugitive with nowhere to hide. Severely wounded, he fled into the Bomi region, marking the beginning of his desperate exile.
Mengqi had long been aware of all these past events from the records of the Six Ministries. Upon hearing Duanmubei’s words, he didn’t get angry. Instead, he leisurely dusted off the chair and slowly sat down.
The Heaven-Annihilating Sect has been universally denounced due to the recent incident involving the Demon Master’s collusion with the demonic race, forcing them into hiding, too fearful to show their faces. Influenced by them, sects such as the Luo Sect, the Su Nu Dao, and the Life-and-Death Unpredictable Sect have also grown more restrained. As for the pursuit by the righteous factions and the Beggars’ Sect, their fervor has long since faded. As long as I refrain from exposing myself and rely on fellow practitioners to operate covertly, who would still be keeping an eye on this old man?
Which unorthodox or evil figure hadn’t been pursued by the righteous sects? It’s just that the scale of the pursuit wasn’t as grand as before, and everyone had their own secret ways of acting covertly!
Moreover, nearly twenty years have passed since those events. The children of that time have become the mainstays of the martial arts world, and the young talents have grown into pillars of the community. Except for those directly involved, who would still remember clearly?
Duanmubei sat at the upper seat, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch. In theory, given the harsh environment and limited resources of Bomi, he should have made slow progress after fleeing there with severe injuries, unable to cross the first heavenly stage. Yet now, his aura was restrained, profound, and obscure, making it difficult to gauge his depth, thus commanding respect.
“These are merely temporary matters. Even if the Heaven-Annihilating Sect is universally condemned, the Luo Sect will eventually recover. If you expose yourself even slightly, both the righteous and the evil will come after you, and it will be hard to end well! Don’t you dare guarantee that the fellow practitioners you contact are definitely not agents or emissaries of the Luo Sect?” Duanmubei sneered.
The agents and emissaries of the Luo Sect often had other identities, mingling among the unorthodox sects, making them hard to distinguish.
Mengqi remained calm and smiled, saying, “Bomi has changed. It won’t be long before it can no longer hide me. This old man can’t just sit and wait for death. I must seize this opportunity to make another breakthrough. After that, I might not be unable to negotiate peace with them.”
Peace? Duanmubei’s breathing became heavier. The Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch gently stroked the armrest, showing not a hint of panic or desperation typical of a fugitive. His words were unhurried, and his demeanor was composed, fully displaying his strong confidence.
To what level had his strength reached?
Dare he claim that after another breakthrough, he could negotiate peace with the Luo Sect?
“Brother Venomous, you are so confident. It seems you have indeed achieved something,” Duanmubei had originally intended to extract information, but seeing Mengqi sitting leisurely, smiling without answering, he could only change the subject, “I wonder what business you have with this old man?”
Mengqi lightly tapped the armrest with his right hand, smiling, “First of all, this old man has been out of the martial arts world for a long time and doesn’t recognize the new generation of rising stars. I need to find an opportunity to get acquainted, so I don’t lose my bearings. Secondly, I heard your ‘business’ is quite extensive, and I’d like to purchase something from you.”
Twenty years per generation, the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch had already been in his fifties or sixties when he fled to Bomi, so he could naturally refer to the newly emerged evil sects’ strongmen as juniors.
“What item?” Since it was a familiar person and a notorious evil figure, Duanmubei didn’t hide his curiosity and asked directly.
Mengqi raised his hand to touch his frosty temples, “A female Outer Scene practitioner with abundant Yin essence, and who possesses the technique to transform Yin to nourish Yang.”
“Are you mad? Is this something easy to obtain?” Duanmubei exclaimed in shock. The Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch was still as arrogant as ever, not knowing the limits of heaven and earth!
Each major faction had only dozens of Outer Scene practitioners, none of whom were willing to suffer unnecessary losses. Unless it was a fortuitous opportunity, even if one could obtain such a person, one wouldn’t escape the subsequent pursuit via soul lamps. Was he courting death?
Moreover, the wandering cultivators who could become Outer Scene practitioners were all experienced and adept at preserving their lives. Killing them might be possible, but capturing them would be quite difficult!
“Hehe, this old man has a secret technique and wants to use it to break through,” Mengqi’s smile didn’t fade, “If an Outer Scene practitioner is not feasible, at least a half-step one, and she must be a virgin who possesses the technique to transform Yin to nourish Yang.”
With the latter requirement, it was almost within the “business scope” of the Su Nu Dao!
“Half-step Outer Scene, transforming Yin to nourish Yang…” Duanmubei, who had previously lost his composure, regained his calm and began to ponder.
After a while, he finally spoke, “Such women are priceless. What can you offer in exchange?”
This old man’s favored concubine, who had just opened her spiritual aperture with the internal charm technique, was still far from being a half-step Outer Scene practitioner. How could this fellow Venomous directly dream of a half-step Outer Scene practitioner? This wasn’t something easy to cultivate!
Mengqi touched his slightly stubbled chin, smiling ambiguously, “That depends on what the other party desires.”
If he were to quote a direct price, it would then follow the normal business process. Once the transaction was completed, there would be no further ties, making it impossible to trace back.
Upon hearing this, Duanmubei fixed his gaze on Mengqi’s eyes, his eyes sharp, while Mengqi’s gaze did not waver, remaining restrained and profound, without the slightest fluctuation.
“What if what they desire is something you don’t possess?” He withdrew his gaze and spoke gravely.
Mengqi still wore the same expression, “This old man will go and exchange for it, go and obtain it. No need for you to worry. If they have any inconvenient matters, this old man can also handle them on their behalf.”
After revealing the key points, he patted his clothes and slowly stood up, as if preparing to take his leave.
Duanmubei furrowed his brows, “This old man will relay the message.”
From the moment they met, the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch had displayed the demeanor of a Grandmaster!
After seeing Mengqi off, he turned and went upstairs, entering another secret room where a middle-aged man was seated, cloaked in a black robe, his aura faint yet discernible, exuding a cold chill.
“Who was that just now?” When Mengqi appeared outside the Jiangdong Pavilion, the black-robed man was discussing matters with Duanmubei, hence the question.
He was Shen Yue, the enforcement elder of the “Shadow Reflection Sect,” an unorthodox sect, who had become an Outer Scene practitioner less than a decade ago and had come secretly today to conduct a transaction.
The “Shadow Reflection Sect” wasn’t a major sect, but its influence was considerable, and it was rumored to have secretly pledged allegiance to some unknown faction. Therefore, Duanmubei didn’t take him lightly and casually replied, “The Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch.”
“The Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch?” The cold Shen Yue was momentarily stunned before recalling who that was, “Isn’t that old monster hiding in Bomi? How dare he show up here in broad daylight—isn’t he afraid of being hunted down?”
When he was born, the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch was already somewhat famous in the martial arts world. While he himself was still struggling to open his spiritual aperture, the Devil Monarch’s fame had reached its peak, and he had already retreated into Bomi. To Shen Yue, there was no doubt that he was an old monster.
Duanmubei briefly explained a few things without revealing Mengqi’s purpose.
Shen Yue stood up and walked to the window, looking at the place where Mengqi had just appeared, sighing, “In the past, how extraordinary the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch was! He was hailed as having the potential to enter the Earth Ranking and the Black Ranking, destined to become a great figure among the unorthodox sects. But after hiding in Bomi for nearly twenty years, I’m afraid everything has been ruined, making it difficult for him to break through again. This contrasts sharply with you, Lord Duanmu!”
Back then, one was considered to have the potential for the Earth Ranking and the Black Ranking, destined to become a future giant among the unorthodox sects, while the other was merely an ordinary Outer Scene practitioner. Now, their situations have completely reversed, how could he not feel a sense of melancholy?
Duanmubei furrowed his brows but didn’t share his feelings about the Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch: hard to fathom his depth!
Shen Yue didn’t notice his abnormality and continued with a smile, “Lord Duanmu, didn’t the ‘Soul-Hunting Devil Monarch’ come to Jiangdong a few days ago?”
“Yes,” Duanmubei nodded.
“Hehe, they both have the title of Devil Monarch and are enemies, often competing with each other. Now one has wasted twenty years, while the other, although having suffered hardships, was accepted by some unknown faction and still managed to cross the first heavenly stage, greatly enhancing his strength. If they meet again in Jiangdong, who knows what kind of fun it might bring?” Shen Yue, like many in the demonic sects, had a nature of enjoying others’ misfortunes without benefiting himself.
Upon hearing this, Duanmubei’s mind stirred, and he then steered the conversation into the transaction matters.
After the transaction was completed, Shen Yue secretly left the vermilion and purple pavilion, continuously changing directions and cautiously exiting the city of Ying.
As he flew silently, he suddenly had a bad feeling, as if someone was following him!
He cast his escape technique once more, projecting his shadow into the underworld, dashing hundreds of miles before emerging from some shadows.
Just as he appeared, his gaze tightened, and his heart rate suddenly increased. Standing not far ahead was a refined middle-aged man in a green robe, his features deep, his temples frosty, exuding an air of vicissitude, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the setting sun.
Even with all his skills, he could still be followed!
“The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, but it’s just near dusk. Do you agree, young friend?” He didn’t turn around, still looking at the vast sky.
Shen Yue’s expression darkened as he recognized the person: “The Venomous-Handed Devil Monarch!”
He felt that the other’s voice was deep and magnetic, with an indescribable charm in his casual talk.
Mengqi slowly turned his head, half-smiling, “This old man hasn’t set foot in the martial arts world for many years. Most of what I see are unfamiliar faces. Seeing the young friend passing by, I specially came to get acquainted.”
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