Chapter 380 - 371: Hiding Objects in Shadow, Fingertips Humming

Chapter 380: Chapter 371: Hiding Objects in Shadow, Fingertips Humming

"What?"

Fu Juemin looked at Panxiang and blinked.

Panxiang turned her face away, as if she couldn’t bear to look at him. Feigning impatience, she replied, "It’s for the road."

Fu Juemin smiled and reached out to take it.

He waited for her to say more, but Panxiang simply turned and walked away.

After a couple of steps, she suddenly spun around and nervously warned him, "I made it myself... You have to eat it, especially the bottom layer!"

With that, she scurried away in a trot.

"Lingyi—"

Wei Jie called out as Panxiang left, but she paid him no mind.

He stood there awkwardly, a smile frozen on his face. Once Panxiang’s figure had vanished from sight, his expression immediately darkened.

His gaze fell on Fu Juemin. He sneered, then turned and spat out a single word: "Move!" With that, he was the first to board the train.

Fu Juemin casually handed the food box from Panxiang to Hong Huan. Once the members of the Nine Banners had trickled onto the train, he found a random car and boarded as well.

This train was chartered exclusively for the Nine Banners, bound directly for the station closest to Lu Mountain—a journey of just under two days.

Every car was filled with exquisitely decorated special seats—uniform deep-red velvet seats, brass handrails, tasseled curtains on the windows, and even the aisles were lined with patterned carpets.

There were of course better and worse compartments, but the difference was not significant.

Fu Juemin randomly chose a compartment, happening to run into a young man from the Gray Banner wearing a jade earring, who was just about to enter with his servants and guards.

Fu Juemin shot him a glance. The young man’s expression changed instantly, and without a word, he sullenly turned and walked away.

Inside the train compartment, Fu Juemin ordered Hong Huan to stand guard outside. He sat down by the window and casually opened the food box from Panxiang.

The top layer was neatly packed with exquisitely shaped pastries, which looked like the same kind he had eaten at Panxiang Temple.

As for the bottom layer Panxiang had made a point to mention, it contained a small, pink cloth pouch. He opened it to find a neatly folded piece of Talisman Paper inscribed with the two characters for "Peace."

Looking at the crude stitching on the sachet, which was clearly Panxiang’s own handiwork, Fu Juemin couldn’t help but smile.

Ever since he had inadvertently saved her during the Demon Calamity, Panxiang’s feelings for him had become increasingly obvious. Every few days, she would find a different excuse to see him.

Sometimes she brought pastries, other times tea. Sometimes she brought nothing at all, merely lingering in his presence for a moment, saying a few random things before leaving.

Her intentions were so clear, only a fool could fail to see them.

At that moment, the train began to slowly pull away, the platform outside the window receding into the distance.

Fu Juemin idly toyed with the crudely made sachet. The small pouch vanished and reappeared in his hand as if by magic—a truly strange sight.

This was a new ability, "Hiding Objects in Shadow," that Fu Juemin had acquired after his Shadow Control Talent underwent a secondary evolution upon his entry into the Flood Dragon Level.

When activated, the upgraded Shadow Control created a more flexible and stable Shadow Space, allowing Fu Juemin to hide small objects within his own shadow.

Things like his Exorcism Saber, or a change of clothes.

This was an immense convenience for his daily travels. Now, when he transformed into his Demon Body, he no longer had to worry about ending up stark naked after a fight.

’At my current level, I should be able to hold my own against the Great Demons of the Demon Capital’s Top Four Banners,’ he thought. ’All of them, that is, except for that Supreme Grade Golden Crow Egg.’

’But if any two of them team up on me, I’ll be in deep trouble.’

’The best way to take down these top-tier First and Second Grade Great Demons is to pick them off one by one.’

’However, from past experience, the Purple Banner’s Demon Deer Tributor and the Red Banner’s Kuiniu Tributor seem to obey the Royal Banner’s Blood Bat. The three Demons are practically a single entity. If I fight any one of them, the other two will likely arrive as backup almost immediately.’

’But it’s not hopeless,’ he mused. ’The Profound Banner’s Ghost Flood Dragon is my chance...’

On the day of the Demon Calamity, the Profound Banner’s Ghost Flood King had not participated in the "hunt" for him. Perhaps it didn’t want the Royal Banner to succeed and gain another Demon, which would only fuel the Royal Banner’s influence.

Fu Juemin had a rough idea of Helu’s plan. He likely wanted to sabotage the Magic Sacrifice, causing the Royal Banner to lose power, while simultaneously capturing the Demon Officials of the Five Banners as blood sacrifices to strengthen the Ghost Flood King.

But Fu Juemin had "disrupted" that plan, leaving Helu’s grand rebellion just short of the final push it needed.

As long as the Ghost Flood King lacked the power to definitively crush the Thousand-eyed Blood Bat, Helu would not have the courage to formally raise the flag of rebellion.

’So, if I want the Profound Banner to help me pin down the other two Great Demons, I first have to show Helu that his rebellion has a chance of success...’

The Demon Calamity had been a blessing in disguise in that regard. After it occurred, Fu Juemin had met Helu and could clearly tell he was in a much better mood.

The Royal Banner’s people were scouring the land, searching for any trace of Fu Juemin, this new Great Demon. In truth, the Profound Banner’s forces were also looking for him.

If Fu Juemin could just find an opportunity to send Helu a few "friendly" signals, it would probably boost the man’s confidence significantly.

But as for the specific operational details... Fu Juemin hadn’t figured those out yet.

"And then there’s..."

Fu Juemin watched the scenery speeding past the window, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table before him. He murmured a name aloud: "The National Preceptor, Sang Luo."

He had never really given much thought to Sang Luo.

After all, the gap in martial power between a normal person and a Demon Fiend was simply too vast.

Even if that person was a Grandmaster who had undergone implantation, he was still completely unqualified to even think about challenging a top-tier Great Demon Fiend.

But on the day of the Demon Calamity, he had personally witnessed Sang Luo sitting calmly atop the head of the Thousand-eyed Blood Bat, his posture relaxed, almost as if he were the one giving the orders.

How could a First Grade Great Demon allow itself to be ordered around by a human?

He just couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Unless...

A glint appeared in Fu Juemin’s eyes. He subconsciously rubbed his fingers together. The sachet Panxiang had given him burst into flames, burning to nothing in his palm in an instant.

Fu Juemin flicked the black ash from his fingers, his mind settling once more.

Instigating the Profound Banner was a key step, but increasing his own strength was even more critical.

He had only just entered the Flood Dragon Level. He could hold his own against the First and Second Grade Great Demons of the Demon Capital, but whether he could actually defeat and kill them was another question entirely.

’On this trip to Lu Mountain, I’ll find the Bodhi Golden Body Technique. Once I’ve mastered it, both my Dharma Form and my Martial Body should see a significant boost.’

’Building on that, I’ll try to integrate more Demon Soul Talents to elevate my strength beyond the initial stage of the Flood Dragon Level. Once I’m strong enough to guarantee I can kill a Great Demon, things should be fine...’

Fu Juemin’s path forward was quite clear: upgrade his Dharma Form, fuse Talents, and further strengthen his Demon Body.

Then, upon the foundation of the Martial Dao, he would attempt to comprehend "Dharma." Demon and Martial—he would walk both paths at once!

After Panxiang’s farewell at the station, Fu Juemin had expected Wei Jie of the Purple Banner to find some way to cause him trouble on the road, but it never happened.

And if Wei Jie didn’t make a move, the Nine Banner Prodigals under his command certainly didn’t have the courage to try anything.

The journey was surprisingly peaceful.

「Two days passed in a flash.」 The train, carrying a host of remnants from the former dynasty, finally came to a slow stop at Xunyang Station.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Hong Huan, who had been standing guard at the door for two days and one night, heard what sounded like the clash of countless weapons coming from inside the compartment. With a respectful expression, he knocked gently on the door.

"My lord."

The clangor of metal from within the compartment instantly ceased. Moments later, the door slid open, and a placid Fu Juemin stepped out.

Behind him, the furnishings in the luxurious train compartment were undisturbed. Yet the almost stagnant air seemed to pulse with an endless, sharp killing intent.

The moment the door opened, this aura leaked out, its cutting edge pressing right between Hong Huan’s eyes.

Hong Huan’s face went pale. He stumbled back a few steps as translucent black tendrils shot out from his back and armpits—the commotion had even "scared" his implanted Ghost Dragon Beard right out of him!

"Let’s go."

Fu Juemin didn’t even look at him, issuing the quiet command.

Hong Huan acknowledged and hurried to keep up, his reverence growing as he watched Fu Juemin’s back.

Inside the compartment, Fu Juemin had been mentally reliving his battle with Xie Mingzhi, using the memory to comprehend the path of "Military Calamity," one of the Five Calamities of the Five Aggregates Muddy World Saber. He had gained some insight, but he was still a long way from reaching the Entry Level.

’It’s hard to create something from nothing without using Skill Points,’ he thought.

With military conflicts raging, droughts, floods, and all manner of other disasters constantly occurring, Fu Juemin mused that to truly create his "Five Calamities," he would probably have to travel to these places and experience them for himself. Perhaps that would bring him greater inspiration.

His "isolation" continued, as no one had even bothered to inform Fu Juemin that they had arrived.

By the time he and Hong Huan got off the train, Wei Jie and his entourage were already at the station entrance, enjoying a grand welcome from Xunyang’s local officials and martial sects.

Xunyang County was technically under the jurisdiction of the Xin Republic’s Government. However, the Xin Republic was currently busy fighting the Southwest Fire Cloud Army while also dealing with periodic "incursions" from the North. As a result, they had little time to spare for their own territories.

It was common knowledge that the Nine Banners scions from Yingjing were both wealthy and obsessed with saving face.

Therefore, after learning that the Nine Banners were coming to Lu Mountain for the "Qiling," the local powers in Xunyang had naturally made preparations well in advance.

Publicly, of course, they had to fawn over these "Masters with Braids." But as for whether they secretly wanted to join this unprecedented "grave-digging" party and get a piece of the pie... only heaven knew.

The two groups, each with their own ulterior motives, now had to find a place to exchange pleasantries.

Naturally, Fu Juemin was not invited.

He didn’t mind this "isolation." He had only brought Hong Huan along on this trip and had already planned for what would come next. Every last one of them would never return to Yingjing; the Qianming Armory would be their final resting place.

’The Lotus Walker is merciful,’ he thought. ’I never quibble with those who are about to die. Before sending them on to their Rebirth, I even allow them a few more days to indulge their mortal cravings.’

Amitabha!

Fu Juemin ordered Hong Huan to find a carriage. He had a map with the location of the Qianming Armory.

Rather than wait here, he might as well head there directly and take in the Lu Mountain scenery first.

...

"This way, Young Master Wei..."

The pot-bellied Xunyang County Magistrate, clad in a Western suit, obsequiously led the Nine Banners contingent to a line of pre-arranged cars and carriages.

As their leader, Wei Jie was the center of attention, radiant with success. He subconsciously searched for Fu Juemin, wanting to reclaim some sense of superiority over him.

But he only saw Fu Juemin’s solitary figure walking away. He couldn’t help but sneer, and promptly put the man out of his mind.

What Wei Jie failed to notice was that the moment their group stepped off the train, a figure who had been waiting at the station entrance had hurried away.

The figure wound through the narrow streets of Xunyang County, finally stepping into an unremarkable farmhouse courtyard.

The yard was filled with sturdy men with piercing gazes. They exuded a murderous aura, the kind one earns by wading through mountains of corpses and seas of blood—the clear mark of military veterans.

The figure crossed the courtyard without stopping, walking directly to a thatched pavilion in the back.

Inside the pavilion sat a middle-aged man with ruddy, purplish skin, who looked like an old farmer. He was using a cloth to slowly and meticulously polish the edge of an enormous ring blade.

A crimson light, like fresh blood, flowed along the blade’s edge.

"Marshal Ming!"

The messenger reached the pavilion and dropped to one knee before the steps.

Without looking up, Xie Mingzhi asked faintly, "Have they arrived?"

"They have."

"Is *he* here as well?"

"He is."

"Good."

Xie Mingzhi looked up, his eyes shimmering as if something were burning within them.

He spoke softly, "Then, according to the plan, go and welcome Marshal Huo into the mountains at once."

"Yes, sir."

The messenger stood and departed in a rush.

Xie Mingzhi picked up the ring blade he had polished countless times. He felt a sense of déjà vu, once again recalling his battle with that man in Yingjing half a month ago.

Unconsciously, he tightened his grip.

His fingertips pressed into the blade, and it trembled, emitting a low hum...