My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Chapter 102 The Grandmaster Expert Makes Their First Appearance

It turned out that after An Jing executed the Sword Control Flying Immortal technique, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was unceasingly pouring its nature’s spiritual energy into the Evil Suppressing Sword.

“What a cunning swordsman!” Ling Yuhua couldn’t help but curse.

Xi Jikui’s face turned extremely grim, especially as he saw that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was gradually dissipating, shrinking by a layer in just a moment.

Above the sky, the giant sword spanned across the heavens, with its sword intent soaring to the skies.

Meanwhile, the combined Inner Strength of the other ten First Grade Experts stirred up enormous waves, shaking the entirety of Three Temple Mountain, nearly submerging it into the furious oceanic tides.

“Too powerful!”

Looking up at the battle above, Fa Wu and the distant Dai Ling both went blank in their minds, feeling as if the swordsman before them was not of the same breed, but rather a Sword Immortal who could turn the world upside down and stir the wind and clouds.

“Any one of these ten First Grade Experts is a famous master in the Jianghu, and even a master in the Half-step Master Realm would be crushed by their boundless Inner Strength.”

“Who exactly is this swordsman!? What is his background!?”

“I’ve only heard of the five great Sword Immortals in the Jianghu, but from today onwards, there might appear a sixth Sword Immortal in Jianghu.”

…..

Everyone present was tremendously shaken, speculating the identity of the swordsman.

“Why can this swordsman burn Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!?” Li Yue frowned tightly, thinking to herself.

Only a master in the Grandmaster Realm could harness nature’s spiritual energy, and Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is the quintessence of that spiritual energy, such that even ordinary Grandmasters would find it difficult to burn and utilize directly.

“This swordsman’s identity is too mysterious, and his strength is extremely formidable; he will certainly become a Half-step Master in the future. If he could join the Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly enhance our sect’s prestige,” Li Fuzhou thought to himself as he watched the awe-inspiring swordsman before him.

“We can’t continue fighting like this. If we keep going, it will only lead to mutual destruction, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence will be depleted by that swordsman.”

Liu Qingshan said with furrowed brows.

Even if they were to win in the end, there wouldn’t be much of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left.

The rest of the masters also nodded in agreement, clearly concurring with Liu Qingshan’s words.

“Clang!”

Upon hearing this, Xi Jikui turned the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands, and the previously deadlocked situation suddenly changed.

A tremendous sound of metal clashing echoed forth, and immediately after the giant sword came to an abrupt halt, the other masters swiftly retreated.

The giant sword transformed into a streak of light across the heaven and earth and then flew towards the night sky before finally dispersing.

An Jing quickly retracted his Qi Mechanism, but a domineering rebound of force came through, causing his body to plummet like a kite with a broken string, eventually smashing into the walls of the hall, where he was finally able to arrest his momentum. After that, he felt a sweet taste in his mouth, followed by blood still trickling down the corner of his lips.

“No good, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is about to scatter.”

Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence gathered from nature’s spiritual energy and was originally refined by Grandmaster level masters. After being left for a long time, it would dissipate into nothingness.

Nature’s spiritual energy could still be harnessed into the Dantian, but the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was so pure that if absorbed into the Dantian, it would require a tremendous amount of Inner Strength to suppress the essence, limiting one’s strength to only fifty percent. This was undoubtedly akin to becoming a lamb to the slaughter.

Naturally, An Jing would not do such a foolish thing.

The ten great masters, too, were shaken by the aftershock of the giant sword and retreated backward, each with a particularly ugly expression on their faces.

Good opportunity!

When they saw An Jing spitting out blood, a glint appeared in everyone’s eyes.

“Since you all want this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, I’ll give it to you.”

An Jing tossed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his hand.

“Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!”

Seeing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, everyone’s eyes lit up, and they rushed towards it.

“Slash!”

In the next moment, a ruthless sword light slashed down, targeting the Spirit Essence.

This sword light shot through heaven and earth!

The one who drew the sword was An Jing himself.

The sword light was incredibly fast, falling in an instant, and before anyone could react, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence directly shattered, turning into several faint, tiny sparks.

The swordsman actually destroyed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!

Such a malicious swordsman!

What an unscrupulous swordsman!

The collective masters were shocked and angry!

“Thief….”

Just as Tian Cansou was about to curse in anger, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

He saw that as the sword struck, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence instantly split, turning into six fine streaks of blue light.

Nature’s spiritual energy!

The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was split by a single sword strike, not dissipating directly, but transforming into six streams of nature’s spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy began to spread out, drifting toward the night sky, seemingly ready to vanish into the cosmos.

The numerous masters present, like madmen, rushed towards the spiritual energy.

Liu Qingshan, Li Fuzhou, Xi Jikui, Tian Liu, and Guo Yuchun were among those who caught up with three of the streams, while Ling Yuhua, Li Yue, and Gu Renwo chased after one of them.

An Jing was taken aback by this as well. He had wanted to obliterate the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, but to his surprise, it had split apart. With a swift movement, he rushed towards the nearest piece of nature’s spiritual energy.

Another person was after the same target, and that was Zhang Shuang.

Relying on the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing brandished his longsword, forcing Zhang Shuang to hastily retreat.

He grasped the strand of nature’s spiritual energy in his hand and then directly channeled it into his Dantian.

“You!”

Seeing this, Zhang Shuang’s face immediately changed dramatically.

“If we join forces now, he is heavily injured and relying on the damaged Evil Suppressing Sword, he might not be a match for the two of us.”

Just then, Gan Yue spoke from the side.

Since An Jing had been able to fight against a number of higher-ups just before, it was clear that he relied on the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Now that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was gone, and he had taken a heavy hit, it was an excellent opportunity.

“Good!”

After speaking, the two of them charged towards An Jing.

“It’s nature’s will for rain to fall and for a woman to marry, since you seek death, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

An Jing’s eyes were like torches, and his longsword slashed out in his hand.

The Nine-character Sword Technique! The Lin Character Secret!

With the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, its sword light was unmatched in sharpness.

Gan Yue’s fist force was split in two, and his body was forced to retreat again and again.

Zhang Shuang swung her long whip in her hands, the sound of the wind howling forth, a cold gleam thrusting straight at An Jing’s eyebrow. Just at that critical moment, An Jing leapt, avoiding the whip shadow.

“Bang!”

The tip of the whip struck the ground fiercely, and the ground exploded open.

Gan Yue advanced with large steps once again, this time his moves were not as fierce and overbearing, but instead contained a bit of cunning, clearly aiming to evade the sword light of An Jing’s Evil Suppressing Sword.

Both of these Great Heavenly Gang members were at the Human Flower Realm, with cultivation just a notch below An Jing’s, but their combined forces made it difficult for the injured An Jing wielding the Evil Suppressing Sword to overcome them.

“Gentlemen, stay calm and don’t be rash. Zhang is here to lend you a hand.”

Just as the fight among the three became indistinguishable, a figure dashed forward.

This person was none other than Tian Cansou.

An Jing had seen it clearly before; the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence had turned into six strands of nature’s spiritual energy, and Tian Cansou, with his swift movement skills, had already claimed one of those strands first.

Among such a fierce combat of many high-level experts, it was already extremely difficult to seize one strand of nature’s spiritual energy.

Yet, having obtained a strand and not leaving evidently showed that he still coveted the strand of nature’s spiritual energy that An Jing held.

Although Tian Cansou spoke in such a way, he clearly had no intention of making a move, obviously waiting for An Jing and the other two to injure each other seriously before he would strike.

Facing the two of them, An Jing advanced instead of retreating, the cold light from the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand flaring in all directions.

“Go away!”

Seeing this, Zhang Shuang’s long whip swept out, like the vast Yellow River, its momentum fierce and overwhelming.

“Sss!”

The sword light shifted, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword was incredibly sharp, wielded by An Jing to extremes. Zhang Shuang’s whip was instantly cut into several pieces.

At this moment, behind An Jing, the Human Flower and Earth Flower emerged, swaying in the night sky.

“Not good!”

Zhang Shuang’s face showed panic, and she quickly retreated towards the distance.

“The Earth Flower Realm, did he break through just now?” Gan Yue was also taken aback.

No one had expected that, although the swordsman was indeed injured, with the help of the traveling Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within his body, his cultivation had broken through to the Earth Flower Realm.

The peak of the Human Flower and Earth Flower, though seemingly just a step apart, represent an immeasurable increase in cultivation. Add to that the swordsman’s exquisite swordsmanship and the exceptional Evil Suppressing Sword in hand.

“It’s too late to retreat now!”

An Jing sneered coldly, the Evil Suppressing Sword pointing forward.

“Shiick!”

The sword light was extremely fast, its edge so sharp it seemed it could pierce the air itself.

“Gurgle–!”

Zhang Shuang’s body faltered, the Evil Suppressing Sword piercing her chest, then with a “thud!” she fell to the ground.

“Run quickly!”

Seeing this, Gan Yue felt a chill rush to the top of his head.

“You can’t escape!”

An Jing’s Qi Force turned in his hand, and the Evil Suppressing Sword flew out straight away.

The sword light surged, tearing a rift in the night sky, light and darkness intertwining, creating a sense of confusion.

The Sword Control Technique!

The sword light charged forward, the world fell silent, as if only the longsword reverberated in the air.

“Pfft!”

The Evil Suppressing Sword penetrated Gan Yue’s body.

In an instant, two Great Heavenly Gang members lay deceased.

“Two Great Heavenly Gang members are dead!”

The Gold Constables who were still intending to rush forward all halted, each gasping in cold air.

Great Heavenly Gang! Those were the Xuanyi Guard’s Jade Constables, almost the very top warriors of the Xuanyi Guard. Usually, losing one Great Heavenly Gang member required a death notice to be sent out to the whole world, but now two had been lost within a few breaths.

“Run fast!”

The high-level experts of the Xuanyi Guard, fearing that the swordsman’s point would turn on them next, each fled toward the distant forest, like startled birds.

“This swordsman has been promoted to the Earth Flower Realm, his strength is comparable to mine, and with the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, he is certainly not my match.”

Tian Cansou felt as if his heart were about to leap out upon seeing this scene.

He had originally thought of taking advantage of the chaos to gain another strand of nature’s spiritual energy, but now it seemed completely like a fool’s dream.

With that thought, Tian Cansou retreated towards the back.

“Zhang Zhixing, I need your head for a moment!”

Tian Cansou just thought of escaping, but Li Fuzhou had already rushed over, blocking his path.

“`

The Sect Hierarch has decreed that Tian Cansou cannot leave Yu State City alive.

An Jing also stood, sword in hand, behind him, his gaze icy cold, not speaking but emitting an aura of murderous intent.

“Both of you have already obtained nature’s spiritual energy, why make things difficult for me?”

Tian Cansou laughed softly.

“Then why not obtain a bit more if we can?”

An Jing said indifferently.

Just now, when Zhang Shuang and Gan Yue were attacking him together, if he had shown any weakness, Tian Cansou would surely have dealt him a fatal blow.

“You must die,” Li Fuzhou said calmly.

“Good, very good!”

Tian Cansou laughed in furious mockery, “Since you both insist on pushing me to a dead end, then Zhang will dispense with the pleasantries.”

With that, Tian Cansou stomped his foot and a leg lashed out fiercely towards An Jing.

An Jing raised his Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, and the sword light became chaotic.

Unexpectedly, Tian Cansou’s attack was a feint, and as he withdrew his attack, he turned and fled into the distance.

“You think you can escape!?”

An Jing was slightly startled, then quickly sprang after him in pursuit.

Tian Cansou relied on his leg technique, hence his movement technique was also excellent, extremely fast; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to take away that wisp of nature’s spiritual energy amidst the earlier chaos.

Li Fuzhou also hurried in pursuit, as the Sect Hierarch had said that this man must not be allowed to leave Yu State City.

“Great Elder!”

Just then, a figure appeared ahead.

It was Dai Ling.

“Quick, run!”

Seeing Dai Ling suddenly appear, Tian Cansou quickly shouted.

Upon hearing this, Dai Ling tensed up and, without any carelessness, followed Tian Cansou and leaped towards the distance.

“Where do you think you’re going!?”

Li Fuzhou sneered, and a palm struck towards Dai Ling.

Compared to Tian Cansou, Dai Ling’s speed was without a doubt much slower.

Seeing this, Tian Cansou had no choice but to turn back and meet Li Fuzhou’s palm head-on.

“Thud!”

The collision unleashed violent forces all around.

Tian Cansou staggered backward, then suddenly kicked Dai Ling away, “This is the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, you must go.”

He forced out the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from within his dantian and infused it into Dai Ling’s body.

“What about you, Great Elder?” Dai Ling frowned and asked.

“Go! Don’t worry about me!”

Tian Cansou shouted lowly.

“He can’t escape!”

“Whoosh!”

Just then, An Jing’s sword light arrived with the wind.

Tian Cansou could only meet An Jing again, his legs moving in a blur like a whirlwind.

“Great Elder…”

“Run!”

Tian Cansou bellowed.

“She can’t escape…”

Li Fuzhou’s gaze carried an intent to kill. Killing the daughter of Dai Danshu, Dai Danshu would probably go mad, right?

He wanted to see what it would look like when Dai Danshu lost his mind.

With that thought, he dashed forward with large strides, his palm mercilessly striking towards Dai Ling.

Tian Cansou was still unsteady but managed to step forward, blocking the way in front of Dai Ling.

“Bang!”

Li Fuzhou’s palm hit Tian Cansou squarely on the body.

“Great Elder!” Dai Ling’s heart trembled.

“Go…quickly…”

Blood streamed from Tian Cansou’s mouth as he spoke.

With tears in her eyes, Dai Ling clenched her teeth and dashed off into the distance.

An Jing wanted to follow and eliminate the roots, but Tian Cansou fought with desperate strength, launching a leg attack at him.

“Seeking death!”

Both An Jing and Li Fuzhou were entangled by him; even a few sword marks on their bodies didn’t make them retreat.

“Then I’ll grant you your death wish,” An Jing declared, his eyes filled with murderous intent, as his Evil Suppressing Sword swept forward.

Tian Cansou had just engaged Li Fuzhou and had no opportunity to block this swift strike.

“Pffft!”

Tian Cansou’s body was split in two, severed at the waist, blood soaking through the skewed floorboards.

“`

“`

“Gurgle… gurgle…”

“Go… go…”

“`

Tian Cansou lay on the ground, his pupils wide open, staring fixedly at Dai Ling’s disappearing figure, with half of his body struggling incessantly as if trying to rise again.

In the end, he couldn’t muster the strength to breathe, and his life extinguished completely.

“Chi!” Li Fuzhou extended a finger, and a streak of black-and-white light shot out.

The finger light pierced through heaven and earth, aiming straight for Dai Ling’s back.

“Wow!”

Dai Ling’s body stumbled, rolling forward before struggling to her feet and desperately running away into the distance.

In the blink of an eye, she had already covered several dozen feet.

Li Fuzhou’s brows deeply furrowed; he pondered for a moment but did not pursue her.

“Inner Armor is indeed a good thing, saving her life twice.”

An Jing did not chase after Dai Ling. His Inner Strength was nearly depleted, and his repeated intense battles had left him seriously injured. Most likely, he wouldn’t catch up; with this in mind, he turned his attention to Li Fuzhou.

The person before him was certainly a hidden threat!

“Now, it’s your turn.”

Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow, “My good sir, we bear no grudges against each other, yes? Besides, I helped you block that Zhang…”

“There was none before, but there is now.”

An Jing shouted coldly, his longsword swiping towards Li Fuzhou.

Even with little Inner Strength left, the Evil Suppressing Sword’s edge was unmatched, terrifyingly formidable.

Li Fuzhou could only retreat repeatedly. Since when had he made an enemy of this swordsman? Was it during the struggle for the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence just now?

“My good sir, think carefully. You’ve killed a Xuanyi Guard’s expert and now seek to make an enemy of my Demon Sect. This is an extremely unwise choice.”

The two men, one after the other, with Li Fuzhou having absorbed nature’s spiritual energy, did not wish to entangle with the swordsman at the moment and simply dodged the strikes of the Evil Suppressing Sword.

An Jing paid no heed to anything else, his only desire at the moment was to eliminate this hidden threat within his house.

“Bang bang bang bang!”

Under the night sky, there were only the sounds of the two figures crossing and their Inner Strength clashing.

Li Fuzhou, intimidated by An Jing’s Evil Suppressing Sword, felt his Inner Strength bottoming out after repeated intense battles and became somewhat timid.

Unwittingly, the two had fought their way to the front of Vilu Hall.

“Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Just then, a dark shadow flashed by rapidly.

Fast!

Too fast!

The shadow stopped over the dried cadaver, leaving behind a string of afterimages.

“That person!?”

Both An Jing and Li Fuzhou were shaken; neither could see the shadow clearly.

To elude the vision of both men, this shadow must belong to a grandmaster.

Both paused their fight, but in the blink of an eye, the shadow had already reached the dried corpse, lifted the sinister body filled with evil energy, and soared away into the distance.

It all happened in a flash!

Nearly in the blink of an eye, neither man had recovered from the shock.

“Grandmaster…?” An Jing’s heart skipped a beat.

The fleeting figure had moved so quickly that even he failed to capture its shadow, it must have been a grandmaster of the Jianghu, the only one capable of such power.

Had there been a grandmaster lurking around this whole time?

What was the intention of this grandmaster?

An Jing’s mind swirled with chaos and confusion.

Li Fuzhou, too, felt a chill in his heart. To think such a formidable figure was hiding nearby was terrifying. But why did this person not take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence but instead took the cadaver filled with evil energy?

Questions flooded their minds.

Their hearts surged, unable to calm down.

“My good sir, we shall meet again.”

Li Fuzhou, having realized something, no longer tangled with An Jing. He leaped away, swiftly vanishing above Vilu Hall.

“It’s best to leave this place quickly.”

An Jing glanced at the direction where the dark shadow disappeared, then looked at the way Li Fuzhou left. Carrying the Evil Suppressing Sword, he hurriedly departed.

…

The night deepened over the path outside Yu State City.

An Jing, in his dark green robe, sailed through the trees, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the Chaotic Tomb Mound to the north of the city.

“Clang!”

The Evil Suppressing Sword, under the moonlight, revealed a stream of silvery light, with a torrent of sword intent flowing gently.

This was no ordinary sword. An Jing could not possibly hide it inside the medicine box compartment, and after realizing Li Fuzhou’s identity, he was even less likely to keep the Evil Suppressing Sword at home.

Therefore, he decided to find a place to bury the Evil Suppressing Sword.

Chaotic Tomb Mound was undoubtedly the best place, as hardly anyone came here.

After an intense struggle for possession, An Jing realized the true worth of the Evil Suppressing Sword.

To think that the piece he held was only one of six incomplete blades but allowed his power to visibly increase so markedly. What terror would the complete Evil Suppressing Sword wield?

“There’s still fresh blood on the sword…”

“`

At this moment, An Jing noticed there was still fresh blood on the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword. “Could it be left from earlier?”

Thinking of this, his Inner Strength vibrated, converging like a tide onto the blade, attempting to shake off the blood on it.

“Buzz! Buzz!”

When the Inner Strength was infused into the sword, the Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a crisp sound of sword singing. However, the blood on it did not show the slightest ripple.

“Hmm!?”

An Jing looked at the blood on the blade.

At this glance, he immediately frowned deeply.

The blood on the blade was blackish-red, and at this moment, not only did it not scatter, but it instead clung to the blade, flowing incessantly.

It was as if parasitic on the blade.

“This blood is odd…”

An Jing stared at the blackish-red blood on the blade, his fingers involuntarily touching it.

The moment his finger touched the blood, it was as if there was a sound in his brain, and An Jing felt violence, cruelty, terror, malevolence, fear…

These evil, negative emotions surged like tumultuous waves, violently crashing in, as if trying to fill his mind.

The next moment, the Daluo Heart Method operated, and a cool breath reached his mind.

It took a good while before he came to his senses, afterward staring solemnly at the blackish-red blood on the sword.

“What exactly is this blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword? Why can’t it be expelled, and why does it bring such severe negative emotions…”

Under the moonlight, the blackish-red blood appeared eerie and seductively charming.

Although the Evil Suppressing Sword possessed supreme sharpness, it seemed to also harbor an unknown terror.

When he pulled out the Evil Suppressing Sword, what was that roaring sound that could evoke an instinctive fear in him?

And who was that dried corpse?

And who was the master expert that appeared at the end?

What was the purpose of the master expert taking away the dried corpse? Considering a master expert’s involvement, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence would have nothing to do with those present on the scene. Could it be that the dried corpse was more precious than the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence?

“Forget it, don’t think about it now.”

An Jing pondered for a moment, finding that he hardly had any clues.

He suppressed the doubts in his heart and came to a locust tree in the Chaotic Burial Ground, quickly dug a small hole, and buried the Evil Suppressing Sword.

Three feet in front of the tree, the famous sword is hidden here.

If it proves useful one day, it will be unearthed then.

“I don’t know if this Evil Suppressing Sword is a blessing or a curse; I hope there won’t be a chance to use it in the future.”

An Jing sighed softly, “However, that spiritual energy of heaven and earth is indeed a good thing. Once I completely absorb this spiritual energy, the Earth Flower Realm should be able to stabilize completely.”

As the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence circulated into the Evil Suppressing Sword, it had also traveled through his body once, and the residual presence helped him condense his Earth Flower.

Although the Earth Flower was already condensed, it was not yet stable.

After all, it usually took others years or even decades of cultivation to reach the Earth Flower Realm, to polish and then stabilize it.

But a wisp of spiritual energy from heaven and earth could save many years of effort, indeed a rare treasure.

……

Outside Wuyang Tavern.

Shui Zhongyue leaned on the eaves in the distance, holding a jug of fine wine bought from the tavern, looking indescribably carefree and relaxed.

“This young doctor and the arrest officer can really hold their liquor. They are not so drunk as to be insensible, are they?” Shui Zhongyue sipped the wine while murmuring to herself.

As an expert of the Human Sect, specifically responsible for inspection, tracking, and thievery, they naturally have techniques for concealing their presence. In addition to this, they possess extremely strong minds and willpower.

Therefore, there are not many experts in the Human Sect, but every one of them is an elite of the elite.

Especially Shui Zhongyue and Huo Zhongyun, they are the elite of the elite within the Human Sect—raised by the Demon Sect since childhood, growing up in the Demon Sect Main Hall, not only are their strengths profound, but their loyalty to the Demon Sect is also absolute.

“Forget it, why should I care about such trivial matters? Just keep an eye on this young doctor.” Shui Zhongyue muttered to herself, then raised her head for another swig of wine.

The moment she tilted her head back, a figure silently slipped into the private room.

The room was a mess.

Han Wenxin lay sprawled across the table, mumbling incoherently, unclear as to what he was saying.

An Jing picked up the medicine box, planning to place the medical cape into it.

“Brother An!?”

At that moment, Han Wenxin abruptly sat upright, looking at An Jing with bleary, confused eyes.

An Jing blinked, somewhat astonished as he looked at the now wide-eyed Han Wenxin.

Could it be that the boy had awoken at this time?

Did he realize something?

“Give me change… change… This young master is not short of money… thunk.”

Han Wenxin’s words trailed off as his head once again heavily fell onto the table.

An Jing breathed a sigh of relief, then took off his robe, and patted Han Wenxin’s cheek, “Brother Han? Brother Han, wake up.”

Han Wenxin lay there like a dead pig, without the slightest response.

“It seems I’m overly concerned.” An Jing shook his head, then jokingly said, “Brother Han, I treated you to a meal? It shouldn’t be a problem for you to pay, right?”

As he spoke, his hand reached out to take Han Wenxin’s money bag.

Though the prices at Wuyang Tavern were relatively fair, the two had drunk at least five jin of liquor today, plus the delicious meals on the table.

When An Jing offered to treat, Han Wenxin did not hesitate in the least; he ordered all of Wuyang Tavern’s signature dishes, especially the sautéed kidney slices for which he called for three plates…

Calculating all these together, that would surely require quite a bit of silver.

The moment An Jing picked up his purse, he immediately felt something was amiss. Then, he stretched out his hand and turned the purse upside down.

“Clatter! Clatter!”

A few dozen copper coins fell into his palm, not even amounting to one tael of silver.

“Fuck! This is me not lacking money?!”

Angrily, An Jing flung the purse at Han Wenxin’s head.

…..

Yu State City, Mazi Lane.

The entire Yu State City had fallen into slumber, immersed in silence.

“The second watch of the Hai hour, close your doors and windows to prevent theft.”

At this moment, the sound of the night watchman’s gong echoed through the lane.

“Yo, isn’t this young Doctor An?”

The night watchman spotted An Jing carrying Han Wenxin on his back and hurriedly greeted him.

The manpower of Yu State Prefecture was generally divided into three shifts, a crude categorization.

Station shift attendants: Maintain vigilance and order, stand at both sides of the hall during trials to uphold discipline, escort criminals, and execute torture and flogging punishments.

Arrest shift constables: Briefly known as constables, they mainly rush about on the orders of the county officials, conducting secret investigations, patrolling at night, and carrying out summons and arrests during incidents, with the constable shift often filled by people who are alert and quick on their feet.

Han Wenxin was a constable and even among them an arresting officer, a position in the middle hierarchy.

Labor shift workers: Responsible for guarding city gates, government offices, warehouses, prisons, and other critical locations.

Forensic doctors who inspect bodies and injuries, night watchmen who patrol, winnowers who guard the warehouses, timekeeping drummers, coachmen who care for horses, cooks who prepare meals, and other various servants of the government office are all referred to as government officials.

“Has Lord Han gotten drunk again?” The night watchman glanced at Han Wenxin on An Jing’s back, seeming to have long become accustomed to such events.

“Yes, I’m taking him home now.” An Jing nodded, then asked, “Isn’t it the Hai hour yet?”

An Jing had been delayed on Three Temple Mountain for at least an hour or two. By rights, it should have been past the Hai hour by now.

“The Hai hour is almost over.” The night watchman chuckled heh-heh, guiltily adding, “Old Jiang from the Sima Supervision was just chatting and shooting the breeze with me, which caused the delay.”

An Jing nodded slightly, but inwardly he cursed: Damn, the Hai hour is almost over.

Thinking this, he called out and then hurriedly made his way toward Han Wenxin’s home.

After crossing Mazi Lane and reaching Tianxiang Street, An Jing came to Han Wenxin’s home and knocked on the door.

“Thump thump!”

“You little bastard, you still know to come back?”

The door slowly opened, revealing a man around fifty years old, clad in an overcoat, stepping out.

The man was tall and burly, with two tufts of white at his temples, and his facial features bore a seventy percent resemblance to Han Wenxin’s.

This was Han Wenxin’s father, Han Ju.

Han Ju was a retired arresting officer from Yu State City, and it was said that at the time of his retirement he was at the peak of the Fifth Grade. Han Wenxin was able to become an arresting officer of Yu State City at such a young age partly because of his own competence and partly because of his father.

Wang He’s cultivation was also Fifth Grade, but he was younger than Han Ju and had a glimmer of a chance to advance to the Fourth Grade. Moreover, since Han Ju had retired and lost his power, Wang Zhiping was not afraid of Han Wenxin.

“Uncle Han.”

Upon seeing Han Ju step out, An Jing set Han Wenxin down from his back, “Today, Brother Han drank a bit too much…”

“Oh, it’s young Doctor An, I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Han Ju’s brows relaxed slightly, then he looked reproachfully at Han Wenxin, scolding him, “This damnable brat thinks of nothing but frolicking every day, never diligent in his cultivation. I might as well have splattered him against the wall back then…”

As he spoke, Han Ju picked up Han Wenxin as easily as one would a chick.

An Jing chuckled dryly on the side.

Ever since An Jing helped Han Wenxin treat the horse of the Sima Supervision, he not only became friendly with Han Wenxin, but the Han Family also took good care of him.

In both the marketplace and the jianghu, as well as in the corridors of power, a doctor with superior medical skills is always in demand.

Of course, that is provided one doesn’t flip the table.

Once the table is flipped, it all comes down to fists.

Connections are often intangible; when useful, connections can reach the heavens, but when useless, they are truly of no use at all.

An Jing was familiar with Han Ju and was not surprised that he could say such things.

“It’s no trouble at all, the hour is late, Uncle Han, I should head back now.” An Jing bowed and prepared to leave.

After all, the Hai hour was almost over, and it was very late.

“Wait a moment.”

Han Ju hesitated for a while and eventually couldn’t help but call out.

“Uncle Han, is there something else?”

An Jing turned back to look at Han Ju, who seemed hesitant to speak.

Han Ju chuckled lightly, “Young Doctor An, I’ve heard from that rascal that you have a certain medicine that’s quite good. I have a friend…”

A friend!?

An Jing immediately understood, “Uncle Han, don’t worry, I’ll prepare it for you by tomorrow. Then you can send someone to my pharmacy to pick it up.”

“Good, good, then I’ll trouble you with that.”

Han Ju’s face glowed with delight upon hearing this.

…….

Jishi Hall, the candlelight flickered, casting a faint glow.

By the light of the candles, Zhao Qingmei’s delicate hands worked with needle and thread, sewing winter clothing.

Tan Yun walked in, “Miss, the master has obtained the nature’s spiritual energy and is now looking for a place to retreat and recover from his injuries.”

The news of the Human Sect spread very quickly, especially around Jiangnan Dao. By now, Li Fuzhou’s network had been gradually set up.

Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, then continued sewing the clothes. “The qi mechanism on Three Temple Mountain is violently fluctuating; it seems there are many experts on the mountain tonight. We’ll talk about it when Third Master returns tomorrow morning.”

She wasn’t surprised that Li Fuzhou had obtained that heaven and earth spiritual energy.

Tan Yun hesitated, then bit her lip and said, “Miss, the young master has run off to drink again. You might as well rest early today.”

The young master dared to deceive the miss and run off to drink; his courage is getting bigger and fatter…

“Him?”

Zhao Qingmei chuckled softly and whispered, “Let him go out to drink if he wants to. He might have something on his mind. I’ll ask him when he comes back.”

In her heart, Tan Yun scorned, What worries could that stinking young master have? I see he’s happy every day. Anyway, I don’t know what he thinks about all day long.

After an unknown period, Zhao Qingmei finally raised her head. “Alright, you go back and rest.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Tan Yun stuck out her tongue playfully, then picked up the little black pup from the ground and headed to the back courtyard.

Time passed, and footsteps were heard from outside the door.

“Tap tap tap…”

A glint of light flashed in Zhao Qingmei’s eyes, and she put down the winter clothes in her hands.

“Madam, I’m back.”

An Jing walked in through the side door carrying a medicine chest, exhaling deeply, “The weather is getting colder and colder.”

He knew that, even so late, Zhao Qingmei was still not resting and waiting for him.

“Why are you so late today? Are you hungry?”

Zhao Qingmei took An Jing’s medicine chest and said, “I’ll go cook a bowl of noodles for you.”

An Jing nodded and smiled, “Sure, put more lard in it.”

“Mhm, got it.”

Zhao Qingmei smiled, then headed to the kitchen.

Watching Zhao Qingmei’s retreating figure, a tinge of guilt rose in An Jing’s heart, “I really shouldn’t have come back so late and made Qingmei worry…”

……

Jishi Hall, bedroom.

An Jing sat at the desk, engrossed in a book he was holding.

“Husband, the noodles are ready.”

Soon after, a crisp voice sounded, and Zhao Qingmei walked in with a bowl of noodles.

The noodles steamed hotly, mixed with lard shining on top, and two poached eggs on the side.

“Smells delicious.”

An Jing smiled, took the chopsticks, and couldn’t help but feel his mouth water.

“Go ahead and eat.” Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei felt a surge of satisfaction.

“Slurp… Madam, have you noticed, Third Master is quite strange?” After taking a bite of the noodles, An Jing casually remarked.

“What’s strange about Third Master?”

Zhao Qingmei’s heart stirred slightly, but she kept a calm face as she spoke.

Could it be that the husband has discovered something?

But that shouldn’t be possible. Li Fuzhou, the Sect Master of the Human Sect, would absolutely not make such a small mistake to let the husband see through him.

“Hmm…”

An Jing paused, “He always goes out at night. Do you think an old man can handle that?”

Recently, Li Fuzhou was going out more and more frequently, even more than Zhou Xianming did when he was around.

Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a glare, “Why do you care about him so much.”

“I’m concerned about him. Look, he’s no longer young, but he keeps carousing—it’s not good.”

An Jing laughed and then continued to probe, “By the way, you said Third Master used to be the accountant in your family. How long had he been there?”

Zhao Qingmei once mentioned that Li Fuzhou had been an accountant in her family, and she told him they weren’t very familiar with each other.

For the Sect Master of the Demon Sect to hide in a common household, could there be some purpose behind it?

Zhao Qingmei’s beautiful eyes blinked and she said, “As I’ve told you before, I’m not too familiar with him, it wasn’t for long, just a bit over a year.”

Indeed, she hadn’t been the Sect Hierarch for long, and Li Fuzhou had been working for her for about the same amount of time.

An Jing nodded nonchalantly, but his brows furrowed in thought.

It seems the Demon Sect experts following me these days are acting on Li Fuzhou’s orders.

Judging by tonight, Li Fuzhou definitely doesn’t know my true identity.

So, what could be the reason he’s tracking me?

To monitor me?

The Sect Master of the Demon Sect, doing menial jobs right in my own house—if this were to be told, nobody would believe it.

It’s just too absurd!

For An Jing, this is definitely a huge hidden danger.

He just wants to live an ordinary life, at least until his Life Fate fully takes root. He doesn’t want to stir up too much trouble, and Li Fuzhou is a big problem even if he does nothing at all.

And that Tan Yun, does she know anything?

“Husband, what are you thinking about?”

Seeing An Jing lost in thought with his noodle eating paused, Zhao Qingmei couldn’t help but ask.

An Jing laughed heartily, “It’s nothing. I just think it’s so late now, Third Master definitely won’t be coming back tonight.”

“You know as well as I do that Third Master is just like that,” Zhao Qingmei peeled garlic as she spoke, “I heard he was quite the charmer when he was young.”

An Jing nodded but his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.

That old man Li Fuzhou was too good at pretending. From his words tonight, it seemed he also had a dubious relationship with Ling Yuhua.

This old man was not only ugly, but also a player!

It seemed that Zhao Qingmei was completely in the dark now, hoodwinked, although Li Fuzhou hadn’t made any dangerous moves yet.

Likely, Li Fuzhou was just using this identity to hide in the market streets of Great Yan, facilitating his actions in the shadows. Perhaps his trip to Yu State City also involved some other unspeakable secrets.

But if his cover was blown, then An Jing and Zhao Qingmei might end up being labeled as remnants of the Demon Sect…

Demon Sect remnants… They would have to spend their lives hiding and running all over Great Yan.

The more An Jing thought about it, the more frightened he felt, thinking to himself, “Tan Yun won’t leave until after the new year. I should find him in the next few days to ask about the situation since he is well-informed. Then, I’ll probe into that old man Li Fuzhou.”

“My husband.”

Just then, Zhao Qingmei pulled out a jar of wine from under the bed.

“My lady, this is…?”

An Jing looked at the jar of wine before him, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes.

Zhao Qingmei opened up the seal on the jar, her fair face flushing red as she said, “Since we had the wedding wine, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a drink together.”

With that, she placed a jar of wine across from An Jing.

“That’s true.”

An Jing subconsciously nodded. Aside from medicinal wine, he seldom drank.

Zhao Qingmei broke open the seal and then sat opposite An Jing, her eyes full of tender affection: “Husband, today I shall join you for a good drink and to talk about some recent troubles.”

“Alright.”

An Jing took the wine jar from Zhao Qingmei and filled the cups to the brim.

Zhao Qingmei’s red lips touched the cup’s edge, and she tilted her pale neck back, letting the wine flow smoothly down her throat in a way that held a certain heroic air, afterwards, her cheeks turned slightly red.

An Jing gave a thumbs up, “You truly are magnanimous, heroine.”

“I don’t want to be a heroine; I only want to be your wife,” Zhao Qingmei said petulantly, “It’s your turn to drink.”

“Alright.”

An Jing raised his cup to Zhao Qingmei, gave a toast, and then drank it all in one gulp.

In the dim glow of the candles, the couple sipped and exchanged cups, chatting quietly now and then, with Zhao Qingmei bursting into laughter at An Jing’s jokes.

It was as if even the night had taken on a more wonderful hue.

“Husband, are you worried about something?”

Zhao Qingmei casually asked as she poured another two cups.

An Jing paused mid-gesture, but quickly smoothed his expression and said beamingly, “What could I possibly be worried about? Being able to marry such a flower-like wife is the fortune of eight lifetimes for me.”

Zhao Qingmei’s eyes were watery as she looked at An Jing, “Is that so? I feel like you’re always hiding something from me.”

“Not at all.”

An Jing, feeling guilty, immediately emptied his cup in one gulp.

“Is that so?”

“Truly, I haven’t lied to you.”

“If you ever have any troubles, remember to tell me.”

Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly, unconcerned about An Jing having gone out with Han Wenxin for drinks. After all, they hadn’t been drinking flower wine.

“I really don’t have any troubles.”

An Jing poured two more small cups and then stood up, looking out the window with a sense of longing, “When spring comes next year, I’m going to plant the whole yard with chrysanthemums, which should bloom by summer time.”

Zhao Qingmei came over to An Jing’s side, filled with aspiration, “A yard full of chrysanthemums would be so beautiful.”

“If we plant red roses around them, it would be even prettier.”

“Why plant red roses, they have so many thorns.”

“You don’t understand, red roses have other meanings.”

“I don’t understand, but you can tell me.”

……..

The moonlight was hazy, and the two of them kept pouring drinks for each other, one after another.

“My lady, you truly are a good drinker…”

An Jing also felt slightly tipsy, leaning against the chair, a little lightheaded.

The wine Zhao Qingmei had brought out felt incredibly potent, even stronger than the Fire Blade wine from the Wuyang Restaurant by three degrees—and that was after already having several drinks with Han Wenxin.

“Brother, why aren’t you drinking?” Zhao Qingmei poured another two cups and then came over to An Jing, smiling as she said.

“I can’t drink anymore…”

An Jing shook his head, as drinking any more would mean using his inner strength to expel the alcohol.

“Brother, if you ever want to drink to relieve your worries, Qingmei is available anytime, anywhere,” said Zhao Qingmei, her cheeks flushed red like the clouds at sunset, sitting on An Jing’s thigh, her seductive eyes shimmering, “I don’t want to be your red rose, I just want to be your wild grass, that which cannot be burned away and sprouts anew upon the wind…”

As she spoke, her red lips gently moved to An Jing’s ear, a warm breeze wafting with them.

“Is that so? My wild grass?”

An Jing felt a flame ignite in his heart, and then he wrapped his arms around that slender waist. Zhao Qingmei let out a soft moan, and soon closed her watery eyes.

Indeed, the warmth of the wine deepened as spring thoughts stirred, and the loving couple turned the red quilt into rolling waves.

…..