Chapter 341 - 313: Demonic Traces and an Invitation

Chapter 341: Chapter 313: Demonic Traces and an Invitation

"Fellow Daoist, have you come to the Chu Capital to take up a post?"

Chu Mu didn’t answer, instead asking a question of his own.

"Hall Master of the Chu Capital’s Law Enforcement Hall."

Xu Changqing did not deny it, nodding as he spoke.

Chu Mu glanced at the Waist Token on Xu Changqing’s hip and understood.

"The Chu Capital might not be peaceful for a while. Fellow Daoist, if you have no urgent business, it would be best to leave as soon as possible."

Before Chu Mu could say a word, Xu Changqing added seriously.

Chu Mu’s brows twitched. With that single sentence, his suspicions were all but confirmed.

’The Chu Capital... even setting aside its symbolic importance as the capital of Great Chu, with its Inner City built on a Tier Three Spirit Vein and its location in Da Chu’s hinterland, how could it possibly be allowed to become... "not peaceful"?’

After a moment of thought, Chu Mu couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it. No matter what, if the sky fell, there would be taller people to hold it up.

The Chu Capital wasn’t too far from the Longevity Mountain Range.

If something really happened that Xu Changqing couldn’t handle, there were the Golden Core True Masters of the Longevity Sect. And if the Golden Core True Masters couldn’t handle it, there were still the lofty Nascent Soul Great Powers above them.

It had little to do with him, a Foundation Establishment cultivator who was still wanted by the Longevity Sect.

"Regarding what I mentioned last time, Fellow Daoist, have you given it any thought?"

Just then, Xu Changqing abruptly changed the subject and looked at Chu Mu.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Fellow Daoist, but I am used to my freedom and cannot bear being restrained."

Chu Mu refused decisively, a trace of wariness growing in his heart.

"What a pity..."

Xu Changqing shook his head and sighed softly. He was about to say something more, but then, as if sensing something, his gaze sharpened like a sword.

The next second, the ring of a sword echoed as a flash of light streaked across the sky. Xu Changqing was gone.

"Urgent matters have come up; I must take my leave. Please reconsider my suggestion, Fellow Daoist."

At that moment, the Sound Transmission Order in his robes suddenly vibrated, and Xu Changqing’s voice came from it.

Chu Mu toyed with the Sound Transmission Order in his hand, his gaze distant as he contemplated something unknown.

He then looked back at the shop behind him, pondered for a moment, and stepped inside again. After pressing the Shopkeeper and receiving a guarantee that the items would be ready within two days, he finally walked out of the shop once more.

This time, he didn’t linger in the Inner City. Instead, he went straight to the outer city and found a mundane inn to stay in for the time being.

With Xu Changqing’s warning and his own suspicions, he naturally wouldn’t place himself in a dangerous situation.

Even if he was only staying for two days.

By staying in the outer city, he was unlikely to be caught up in any trouble.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The Chu Capital remained calm and peaceful, with no apparent disturbances.

Chu Mu couldn’t be bothered to waste his energy investigating what had happened. It was none of his business, so he paid it no mind.

He went to the designated shop in the Inner City, collected the Spirit Medicines he had purchased, and left for the city gates without a moment’s hesitation, not even contacting Xu Changqing.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait."

Just as he reached the gates of the outer city, a voice called out from afar, causing Chu Mu to stop in his tracks.

He turned to look. A flash of sword light flickered in the sky, and in an instant, Xu Changqing had descended from above.

The sword’s edge flowed back into its sheath as Xu Changqing landed and strode forward quickly.

Chu Mu was wary, but also a little puzzled.

’The other day, Xu Changqing, as the Hall Master of the Chu Capital’s Law Enforcement Hall, completely ignored the fact that I’m wanted by the Longevity Sect. Now that I’m trying to leave, he suddenly chases after me. What for?’

He asked tentatively, "You came in such a hurry, Fellow Daoist. Is something urgent?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Xu Changqing got straight to the point. "I have a matter I hope you can assist me with, Fellow Daoist."

Chu Mu frowned. ’My relationship with this Xu Changqing isn’t that close, is it...?’

Before Chu Mu could refuse, Xu Changqing immediately added:

"If you are willing to help me, Fellow Daoist, I can report to the Sect and have the Wanted Order against you rescinded."

Chu Mu fell silent, swallowing the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue.

He wasn’t afraid of the Longevity Sect’s Wanted Order, but it always attracted a lot of flies, which was a real nuisance.

In the years since his Foundation Establishment, the cause of almost all his battles with others was this Wanted Order from the Longevity Sect.

The Cultivation Immortal Realm was never short of those blinded by greed.

And the Longevity Sect’s constantly increasing bounty on him was indeed tempting enough to stir people’s hearts.

If he remembered correctly, the reward for his capture had now been raised by the Longevity Sect to thirty thousand Longevity Contributions and one Top Grade Spiritual Artifact.

With a reward like that, if not for his powerful techniques, he would have probably had his soul extracted and his blood refined back in Jingmen.

If he could get it rescinded, it would naturally be a good thing.

After all, there was always a chance of something unexpected happening.

For example, after the incident in Jingmen, he had barely escaped with his life, only to be ambushed and attacked by several colleagues from the Righteous Alliance.

And the sole reason for it was the Longevity Sect’s Wanted Order.

After a moment, Chu Mu slowly spoke, "What is this matter you speak of, Fellow Daoist?"

"This is not the place to talk in detail."

Xu Changqing glanced around and pointed to a nearby mundane restaurant. "Follow me, Fellow Daoist."

Chu Mu nodded and followed close behind.

After they were seated in a private room at the restaurant, Xu Changqing flicked his hand, sending out several rays of light that instantly sealed them off from the noise outside.

The two sat facing each other, Xu Changqing’s expression somewhat grave.

"I must ask you to keep this matter confidential, Fellow Daoist."

"Agreed."

Chu Mu nodded and, under Xu Changqing’s gaze, made a Dao Heart Oath.

Only after the oath was made did Xu Changqing speak again. "Fellow Daoist, do you know of... Demons?"

"Demons?"

Chu Mu was startled. Almost subconsciously, he thought of the surging black fog and the boundless, dead silence in the East Lake Secret Realm!

And...

...the chaos and evil he had sensed on the street that day.

"What are Demons?"

Chu Mu took a deep breath and asked in a low voice.

Xu Changqing waved his hand, and a wisp of black mist materialized, hovering over the table.

"This is Demonic Qi, the source of Demon Cultivators."

His expression was grave. "Unlike the gentle nature of Spiritual Qi, Demonic Qi is extremely chaotic and evil. It not only erodes a person’s consciousness but also twists their mind, infinitely amplifying malicious thoughts while erasing benevolent ones."

"Furthermore, Demonic Qi possesses a highly corrosive nature. A single wisp like this, if left unchecked, can corrupt dozens of units of Spiritual Qi, turning an area into a forbidden zone!"

"In such an environment, all life vanishes, and not even a blade of grass can grow. Mortals who enter it will be turned into Demon Corpses. As for Cultivators, even one at the Foundation Establishment Realm could have their mind twisted and fall into the Demon Dao if they are not careful."

Chu Mu sensed the "Demonic Qi," and the familiar chaos and evil registered clearly in his perception.

But...

’This wisp of Demonic Qi... seems different from the clumps of Demonic Qi I’ve kept?’

Chu Mu was puzzled. Upon closer inspection, the difference seemed obvious.

’To use an analogy, this wisp of Demonic Qi is like something that has been diluted countless times, while the clumps of black fog I possess are... condensed and concentrated... essence!’

Thinking back to the Spatial Rift that had existed for countless years and that dead, desolate world, Chu Mu became lost in thought.

Chu Mu asked, "Are you saying that... Demon Cultivators have appeared in Chu Capital City?"

"Yes."

Xu Changqing nodded affirmatively, his face grim.

"Demonic Qi is terrifying and evil, and the Demon Dao is the sworn enemy of the Immortal Dao!"

"The Cultivation Immortal Realm has long reached a consensus: Demon Cultivators are to be killed on sight!"

"This time, I came to the Chu Capital to take up my post under a Sect Decree, and I discovered traces of demons by chance."

"After extensive investigation, I’ve found some initial clues. I have already reported this to the Sect, and a Golden Core senior has been dispatched to the Chu Capital to prevent any unforeseen disasters."

Chu Mu asked, "Then... what do you need me to do, Fellow Daoist?"

Xu Changqing asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you practice a Supreme Yang and Firm Method?"

Chu Mu nodded, not denying it.

It wasn’t hard to notice. His Magical Power was the clearest evidence—besides the sharpness of his Sword Intent, it possessed the searing heat of Supreme Yang and Firmness.

Xu Changqing had fought him before; it was impossible for him not to have noticed.

"Supreme Yang and Firmness is the natural enemy of Demonic Qi and other evils. Your perception of them must be exceptionally sharp."

"And since you are also an Artifact Refining Master, I have prepared several schematics for artifacts designed to detect Demonic Qi. Combined with your Supreme Yang and Firm Method, it would be like giving a tiger wings..."

Xu Changqing’s face lit up with joy as he spoke eagerly.

Chu Mu, however, hesitated. He waited until Xu Changqing finished speaking and looked at him with anticipation before slowly saying, "You mean, you need me to help you track down Demon Cultivators, and even fight against them?"

"You would only be responsible for tracking, Fellow Daoist. I will handle the rest. And if I can’t handle it, there is still the Golden Core senior from my Sect..."

Chu Mu fell silent, clasping his hands, a thoughtful look on his face.

’The situation isn’t complicated.’

’Based on what Xu Changqing just said, he must have discovered traces of Demon Cultivators after coming to the Chu Capital to take charge of the Law Enforcement Hall. Then, he must have uncovered some terrifying clues, which prompted the arrival of a Golden Core True Master.’

’Otherwise, if it were just an ordinary Demon Cultivator—given Xu Changqing’s cultivation and abilities, even against someone at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment or even Perfection...’

’Here in Chu Capital City, with the help of the Grand Array, Xu Changqing wouldn’t have requested a Golden Core True Master to come and oversee things before he even had a clear picture of the situation.’

’In other words, there’s likely some terror in Chu Capital City that surpasses the Foundation Establishment Realm.’

’And this terror involves the mortal enemy of Cultivators... Demons!’

’Whether Demons themselves are terrifying, I don’t know.’

’But that Black Fog Energy is terrifying. Incredibly so!’

’The mere fact that it can corrode Spiritual Qi and change its nature is a cataclysmic terror great enough to extinguish the entire Cultivation Immortal Civilization!’

’Here in Chu Capital City, the signs of such a great terror have already appeared.’

’And Xu Changqing... is inviting me to help, to drag me into this great terror...’

’The choice is undoubtedly clear.’

Finally, under Xu Changqing’s expectant gaze, Chu Mu slowly shook his head.

This time, however, before Chu Mu could even speak, Xu Changqing seemed to sense his intention to refuse and quickly added, "Help me, Fellow Daoist, and I will have the Wanted Order rescinded. In addition, I can recommend you for one visit to my Sect’s Scripture Pavilion. You may choose any two secret manuals or Magic Techniques from the pavilion’s collection, excluding only my Sect’s True Inheritor methods."

...