Chapter 92 - 87: The ’Saint Master’ Appears
The madams all said this wealthy patron certainly knew how to enjoy himself.
They figured he wouldn’t be getting out of bed today.
But before long, not only had the courtesans’ delicate moans from inside the room fallen silent, but the pungent stench of blood began to drift out!
And what kind of place was the Misty Rain Tower?
The Misty Rain Tower was the largest entertainment establishment in all of Jiangnan Prefecture, and perhaps even in the entire Song Country.
It was an enterprise jointly operated by many of Jiangzhou’s top Martial Arts Powers! There were even rumors that the Mansion Master, Hong Ying, also had a stake in it.
Thus, even in a mere house of pleasure, there were over five hidden expert guards at the Bone Refining Realm!
Immediately, some Bone Refining Realm experts sensed that something was wrong and charged into the room together.
The guards pushed open the door to find a dozen or so courtesans disemboweled, their bodies ripped open, while a disciple of the Gluttony Demon Sect was feasting with great relish.
Without a word, the two sides immediately engaged in a life-or-death struggle.
The Gluttony Demon Sect disciple was truly formidable. He held his own against five opponents, and in the end, he let out a great laugh before leaping into the lake and vanishing, just moments before the Gold Medal Chief Constables from the Prefectural Yamen arrived.
This battle informed all of Jiangzhou that the Demon Dao fiend had not yet left Jiangzhou Prefecture City.
It also revealed the extent of the fiend’s power.
The guards from the Misty Rain Tower who had intervened consisted of one at the Bone Refining Fifth Layer, one at the Bone Refining Fourth Layer, and three at the Bone Refining Third Layer.
The fact that the Gluttony Demon Sect disciple could fight one against five indicated his strength was at least at the Bone Refining Fifth Layer, and he was likely a powerful combatant even within that layer.
Furthermore, the disciple of the Gluttony Demon Sect had arrogantly left behind his name: Lin Ye, a disciple of the Gluttony Demon Sect under the Saint Demon Sect.
...
"Lin Ye?"
"Here in Jiangzhou, wasn’t there a Lin Family, a Martial Arts Family, that was wiped out decades ago? They left behind a single missing orphan, also named Lin Ye, didn’t they?"
Inside the Prince’s Mansion, Mansion Master Hong Ying spoke with keen interest.
The silver-haired old man beside Hong Ying replied flatteringly, "Your Highness the Prince truly has an excellent memory. That is indeed the case. Shall I have the files brought over?"
Hong Ying waved his hand. "Bring them. Let me take a look."
The silver-haired old man turned to leave and quickly returned with the files.
Hong Ying reviewed the files and confirmed, "It must be him."
"To think that after he disappeared, he was taken in by the Gluttony Demon Sect."
"The ones who annihilated the Lin Family back then were the Sikong Family and the Lan Family, weren’t they?"
Hong Ying thought for a moment. "Send someone to both families. Tell them each to dispatch men to cooperate with the Gold Medal Chief Constables’ operation."
"The Mansion Master is wise! It shall be done." The silver-haired old man turned, accepted the order, and departed.
...
Changle Martial Arts Hall.
Lu Changfeng was bare-chested, powerfully swinging an eight-hundred-pound long saber.
His Heroic Spirit Root gathered the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy around him, combining with his Saber Aura to create a bizarre training phenomenon.
"Hah!"
With a fierce roar, Lu Changfeng felt his internal Qi Blood Power achieve another breakthrough.
’The Eighth Layer of the Fengtian Forging Body Saber Skill is finally at Perfection.’
Lu Changfeng tossed aside the eight-hundred-pound long saber and gripped the Thousand-Pound Long Saber that he had prepared nearby.
Now, he just needed to cultivate the Ninth Layer of the Fengtian Forging Body Saber Skill to Perfection. Then, Lu Changfeng would naturally break through to the Blood Forging Ninth Layer.
From there, he could use the power of the Blood Forging Ninth Layer to condense his Inner Strength and become a true Martial Artist!
"Hall Master, that fiend has shown himself."
Xuansha’s figure appeared in the courtyard.
Hearing this, Lu Changfeng slowly lowered the Thousand-Pound Long Saber.
"Tell me everything."
Xuansha recounted what had happened.
By the time he had arrived on the scene, the Gold Medal Chief Constables from the Prefectural Yamen were already there in full force. He had no choice but to retreat for the moment and report the situation to Lu Changfeng first.
Lu Changfeng closed his eyes and contemplated for a moment, a plan forming in his mind. ’Since he’s coming for me, then I’ll let him find me.’
Lu Changfeng summoned Teng Xiaofan to the rear courtyard.
"I have an exciting job for you. Are you up for it?"
Teng Xiaofan, holding a broom, looked curious. "What kind of job?"
"Impersonate the Saint Demon Sect Master. Leave a trail within Jiangzhou Prefecture to draw out the Gluttony Demon Sect disciple, Lin Ye."
Teng Xiaofan dropped his broom. "Shit, Lin Ye? He’s an expert at the Bone Refining Fifth Layer!"
"But to impersonate the Saint Demon Sect Master..."
"Something this exciting? Of course I’ll do it!"
Lu Changfeng glanced at Xuansha and gave a slight nod.
Lu Changfeng then pulled Teng Xiaofan aside to work on the ’Saint Master’s’ appearance.
This was crucial, as Lu Changfeng himself would eventually need to operate using the ’Saint Master’s’ appearance. Details like height and facial features had to be perfect.
Under Lu Changfeng’s direction, Teng Xiaofan activated his Disguise and Transformation ability, leaving everyone present, including Xuansha, utterly amazed.
"No, the nose is a little too flat... Hmm, now it’s too high..."
"Don’t make him too tall, just a bit over six-foot-three will do. Make the build more proportioned."
"The facial features need to be more commanding, the aura colder and more aloof. Make him unforgettable."
Following Lu Changfeng’s commands, Teng Xiaofan finally transformed into the image of the young Saint Demon Sect Master: a figure with a piercing aura, clad in a purple robe, with commanding features and a cascade of long black hair that fell casually over his shoulders and back.
"Amitabha Buddha," Xuansha praised, his palms pressed together. "Donor Teng, your ability is extraordinary. This appearance is indeed a perfect fit for the Saint Master’s persona."
"Hehehe," Teng Xiaofan chuckled, then asked with a hint of worry, "You guys don’t think the real Saint Demon Sect Master will come after me for this, do you?"
Sikong Jue shook his head firmly. "Rest assured, the real Saint Master absolutely will not cause you any trouble."
Meanwhile, the real Saint Master, Lu Changfeng, was admiring his own masterpiece with satisfaction.
Lu Changfeng memorized the details of Teng Xiaofan’s Disguise and Transformation. The next time he needed to transform himself, he could perfectly replicate this appearance.
"Go!"
"Be conspicuous. Make sure Lin Ye finds you as soon as possible!"
The ’Saint Master’ nodded and soared away. The Lightweight Skill he displayed made Xuansha’s eyes brighten, and Xuansha moved to follow close behind him.
That night, inside a bustling tavern in Jiangzhou, the main hall was filled with guests gathered around a storyteller, sipping fine wine and listening to his tales.
The storyteller was recounting tales about none other than the Saint Demon Sect Master.
The stories were fabricated, of course.
In these tales, the Saint Master was naturally cast as a villain hated by all—brutal, but not particularly bright.
The guests, however, were listening with great amusement.
Suddenly, the tavern doors were thrust open.
A tall young man in a purple robe, exuding a commanding presence, slowly stepped inside.
The young man’s features and bearing were so extraordinary that it was impossible to ignore his presence.
What was even more terrifying, however, were the words he spoke next.
"I wasn’t aware I was supposed to be so foolish."
In an instant, the cheerful laughter in the main hall died away, leaving the crowd of guests completely silent.
The more timid guests, recalling Lin Ye’s recent atrocities, feared they would be the next ones to be skinned alive and devoured. Some were so terrified they wet their trousers.
The young man sat at the nearest table and poured himself a cup of wine.
The harsh rice wine slid down his throat. The young man let out a slow sigh. "There will not be a next time."
The young man rose, walked out of the tavern, and vanished into the night.
Only long after the young man had departed did anyone in the tavern dare to move.
"Was that really the Saint Demon Sect Master?"
"He had to be! That look, that presence... so commanding and ruthless. You could tell at a glance he was a hegemon of the Demon Dao!"
"Who would dare impersonate the Saint Demon Sect Master these days? Even if the other Demons didn’t come after him, the Mansion Master’s own Chief Constables would never let it slide!"
"Son of a bitch! I saw the Saint Demon Sect Master today and I’m still alive! I’ve got bragging rights for life now!"
"Bragging rights, my ass! There are countless Demons under the Saint Demon Sect. You’ve got that heart-gouging Demon Buddha, and now this man-eating Lin Ye. Go on and brag if you’ve got a death wish!"
Amid the chatter, the guests noticed the storyteller in their midst was frantically packing his belongings, his face pale with panic.
Seeing this, everyone cast sympathetic glances his way.
After all, wasn’t it his fabricated stories that had attracted the Saint Demon Sect Master here today?
An acquaintance called out, "Old Li, you should lie low for a few days! If that man-eater Lin Ye finds you, you’re finished."
It was hard to say if the words were meant as genuine comfort.
Someone else, unable to watch, chimed in, "Didn’t I hear that Lin Ye and the Demon Sect Saint Master don’t see eye to eye? Don’t worry, Old Li. Maybe when Lin Ye hears about this, he’ll come back to thank you."
The storyteller, Old Li, finished packing his bags and shook his head. "Say no more. I’m leaving Jiangzhou tonight. I beg all of you, please don’t spread word of this. I thank you all."
With that, Old Li’s figure swiftly vanished into the night.
The storyteller, Old Li, was gone.
The remaining guests, still shaken with fear, quickly filed out as well.
The tavern also closed its doors early for the night.
As the guests dispersed, news of the Saint Demon Sect Master’s appearance in a tavern spread like wildfire throughout Jiangzhou City.
Among the various powers in Jiangzhou Prefecture, there was no shortage of clever strategists. They immediately deduced that the Saint Demon Sect Master’s actions were aimed squarely at Lin Ye.
Consequently, they all chose to hold back their forces, instead sending out spies to watch the impending internal conflict between the Saint Demon Sect Master and Lin Ye unfold.
...
Carrying his satchel, the storyteller Old Li arrived at a wharf.
He hadn’t been joking when he said he would leave Jiangzhou that very night. He was alone in the world, with no ties to hold him back, free to leave as he pleased.
The wharf was much quieter at night, but boats still came and went, among them several passenger vessels.
Old Li was about to hail a passenger boat.
Suddenly, he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
It rested there lightly, yet it held the weight of a mountain, pinning him so he couldn’t move an inch.
As realization dawned, a chilling dread washed over Old Li, as if he’d been plunged into an ice pit.
"I heard you were disrespectful to the Saint Master of my Holy Sect."
"Even if the Saint Master is truly unworthy of his position, it’s not the place of scum like you to badmouth him."
"So, die."
The man’s other hand shot out, plunging into Old Li’s back and tearing straight through his abdomen.
He casually grabbed a handful of organs and stuffed them into his mouth.
In the moonlight, the attacker’s gloomy face was revealed, his bangs obscuring his features. It was none other than Lin Ye, the disciple of the Gluttony Demon Sect.
Lin Ye casually wiped his bloody hands on his red robes.
The robes were made of a special material that seemed to actively absorb the blood, leaving his hands clean once more.
"So you’ve finally shown your face, Saint Master," Lin Ye muttered. "Let’s see what you’re made of."
"Let’s see if you are truly worthy of commanding my sister."
Lin Ye’s figure flickered, and he vanished from the wharf.