Chapter 118: Chapter 111: “Sword Master” Fate Grid, Wind and Thunder, Blade Rushing the Heavens

The Gua Cheng before him immediately caught Lu Mingyuan’s attention.

’The “walls have ears” part means I’ve been followed ever since I left Prince Jin’s Mansion. According to the current Gua Cheng, if I agree to Hu Susu’s proposal, I can get out of this jam. I’ll gain the help of Qingqiu Temple to fight Prince Jin’s Mansion together, but I’ll also have to explain why I lied. The Gua Cheng suggests I have to invent a story about a Saintly True Monarch?’

’It’s easy to make up a story, but this Saintly True Monarch could become a hidden danger later on. Forget it. I’ll deal with problems as they arise. I’ll solve the current trouble first and worry about the future later.’

At his side, Hu Susu tried to use her Spiritual Sense to see what the man behind the Bronze Mask looked like and discern his thoughts. However, an invisible power shrouding his body blocked her Spiritual Sense.

This left her quite surprised.

’Didn’t this Yang Family’s Second Son only display Grandmaster Cultivation?’

’There are only two explanations.’

’Either he has a treasure that conceals his aura…’

’…or someone has obscured the Celestial Secret for him.’

’It’s just as I thought. This person deliberately lied about his location and identity. He clearly has ulterior motives.’

’Lady Qingqiu said that Qingming Taomiao Daojun is a reclusive cultivator from the Taoist Sect who has transcended the mortal world. He hasn’t been seen in three hundred years, but the incense of his followers still burns strong in the Ba and Shu Region. He is someone we absolutely cannot afford to provoke.’

“I didn’t expect you to find out.”

Facing Hu Susu’s questioning, Lu Mingyuan had already thought of a reply and gave a calm, composed smile.

“So you’re a Temple Priest serving under Qingming Taomiao Daojun?”

Hu Susu remained skeptical.

“Is the True Monarch’s name something you can utter so casually?”

Lu Mingyuan said faintly, a reminiscent look in his eyes.

“The True Monarch has not returned to the temple for many years. However, I recently received a telepathic message from him, entrusting me to come to the Imperial Capital and see which Prince would be a suitable choice for our temple’s patronage.”

Hu Susu was not easily convinced and continued to probe, “During Qingming Taomiao Daojun’s absence, did he leave any instructions? And what did he go off to do?”

Lu Mingyuan’s eyes shifted slightly as he feigned contemplation. “The Shu Chuan region is rife with poisonous miasma and towering mountains. The Daoist Monarch protects the common people and once sent us to assist them in searching the mountains to subdue demons, slay flood dragons, and capture serpents. Our contributions are no less than those of your Lady Qingqiu of Beiyue, I’d say. After he left, he continued to uphold this principle. As for what my master has gone to do, how would I know?”

Seeing how convincing he was, with every sentence full of detail, Hu Susu was at last half-convinced.

She gave a charming smile. “So Young Master Yang truly is a Temple Priest under the True Monarch. I have been presumptuous. I hope Young Master Yang will not take offense.”

Lu Mingyuan turned the question back on her, his tone firm. “You went to such great lengths to find me. Is this Lady Qingqiu’s will, or Miss Suxuan’s?”

“Both,” Hu Susu said with a faint smile.

“It’s a long story. I can only tell Young Master Yang that neither the Second Prince nor the Fourth Prince is a suitable choice for the True Monarch’s patronage.”

“Oh?”

Lu Mingyuan feigned doubt, his brow furrowed.

“I am still observing the Second Prince. But why do you have such an aversion to the Fourth Prince?”

Before answering, Hu Susu exhaled a puff of purple smoke from her cherry-like lips.

In that instant, Lu Mingyuan sensed four hidden auras around them.

They were clearly the eavesdroppers.

But now, those four had been controlled by Hu Susu’s Illusion Technique.

’I’ve experienced her Fox Fragrance Illusion Skill firsthand. If I didn’t have my Zen Heart, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to overcome it.’

After doing this, Hu Susu continued, “The Second Prince is ruthless and cruel, and the Fourth Prince is no different. Both of them are sanctimonious hypocrites who commit filthy deeds in secret. The former killed my sister, and the latter actually uses the Yin Yang Replenishing Method, keeping women in pens to use for his Alchemy.”

“The Yin Yang Replenishing Method?”

Lu Mingyuan genuinely had no idea what the Fourth Prince did in his mansion all day. This was the first he had heard of it, and from Hu Susu’s own lips.

“That’s right.” Hu Susu explained, “There is an extremely ancient Secret Technique within the Taoist Sect called the Yang Supplement and Ascension Method. This Secret Technique is almost entirely lost, making it very obscure; most people have never even heard of it. This technique works in a similar way to cultivating a Tripod Furnace, but its effects are even better. Ultimately, however, it’s a form of Yin Yang Replenishment—extremely sinister and against the harmony of heaven. It is regarded as a Forbidden Technique by the Taoist Sect, but it does exist.”

“How sinister.”

Lu Mingyuan was slightly stunned after hearing this.

He never would have imagined that this was what Lu Guangren was doing every day in his Prince Mansion.

“So, Miss Suxuan, you want the True Monarch Temple to join forces with Qingqiu Temple to deal with the Second Prince?”

Hu Susu shook her head. “There’s no need to trouble the True Monarch. We only need Young Master Yang to remain in Prince Jin’s Mansion and secretly cooperate with us. After all, my identity has already been exposed. When the time is right, Lady Qingqiu will personally take action.”

Lu Mingyuan quickly understood the crux of the matter and asked probingly, “And if I refuse, you’ll tell the Second Prince about this, use his hand to eliminate me, and thus achieve your goal of putting the True Monarch Temple in opposition to the Second Prince?”

Hu Susu gave a light smile, not spelling it out, but said with a pitiful and lovely demeanor, “Now that we’ve said this much, I believe Young Master Yang is a smart man.”

Lu Mingyuan sighed and waved his hand. “Fine, fine. From what I’ve seen, the Second Prince is no good man either. I’ll just consider this ridding the world of a pest. However, this matter absolutely cannot involve the True Monarch.”

Hu Susu nodded. “Of course. And after this is done, Qingqiu Temple will not treat you unfairly, Young Master.”

Lu Mingyuan raised an eyebrow. “So, what does Miss Suxuan plan to do now?”

Hu Susu gestured with her slender hand. “These four can’t be wasted. They’ve already been brainwashed by my Fox Fragrance and have lost consciousness. Before long, Prince Jin’s Mansion will send people to investigate. As long as you return heavily injured and report my presence, you will surely be highly valued by the Prince Mansion. Meanwhile, I will shift the blame for this conflict onto Prince Zhuang’s Mansion. I trust in your character, Young Master. You can accomplish this and will not disappoint Qingqiu Temple.”

Lu Mingyuan suddenly understood. She was using him as bait to help him rise in rank, to make the Fourth Prince aware of the Second Prince’s actions, and thus achieve the goal of making the two princes fight amongst themselves.

’It aligns perfectly with my own plans.’

’I can definitely do this. I’ll do it boldly.’

In just a moment, Lu Mingyuan felt several auras approaching.

“They’ll be here any second. Are you ready, Young Master?”

Lu Mingyuan took a light breath. Standing in the alley with his hand on his blade, he said, “Bring it on.”

Hu Susu’s eyes were already filled with keen interest. She looked at Lu Mingyuan’s Martial Robe fluttering in the wind, at the Primordial True Flame burning brightly within his body. Even at over a hundred years old, she still felt in her heart that this Young Master Yang was truly a dauntless man.

…

The wind howled and panic filled the air as a fierce gale blew through the alley.

A group of experts and hidden sentinels from the Infinite Faction arrived—more than ten Level C Experts, among them a B-Grade Tributor, who was none other than the White-bearded Daoist from the other day.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to the end of the alley, where they saw a burly man in a Bronze Mask fighting, drenched in blood.

Lu Mingyuan gripped his blade. With a flick of his fingers, eight blade hums shot out in an instant. Primordial Qi, as vigorous as the sun, invaded the bodies of the four Grandmasters before him, creating ripples of Martial Dao Primordial Qi.

“What’s going on?”

The arriving crowd hadn’t yet figured out what was happening.

Lu Mingyuan gritted his teeth and shouted, “These four have been bewitched by a Fox Demon’s Illusion Technique! Help me defeat the enemy, quickly!”

Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and rushed to attack.

The leading White-bearded Daoist said coldly to Hu Susu, “Hmph! His Highness let you live, yet you came running back on your own. You’re really courting death!”

Hu Susu’s expression was indifferent. Without a word, her four tails regenerated to their original state, and her fox pupils constricted, revealing an eerie purple light.

The expressions of all the Cultivators in the Lower Seven Realms present turned vacant. They could only babble incoherently and drool.

They all swung their weapons and charged at the White-bearded Daoist.

But they were sent flying by a single sweep of the White-bearded Daoist’s Duster.

The situation suddenly seemed much more grim.

Seeing this, Lu Mingyuan knew it was his turn to act. ’This is a good opportunity to reap some experience.’ A fiery-red Saber Astral coated his blade as he tightened his five fingers around the hilt and recited silently in his heart.

’Celestial Spirit Hidden Dragon.’

In an instant, his aura changed dramatically. Two Saber Astrals erupted from his body like two fiery True Dragons swimming on a river’s surface. The Saber Qi was imposing and utterly domineering.

The Saber Qi circled once, its power increasing. The Saber Astral grew denser, and the leaves throughout the alley began to RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE.

A fierce wind arose. The blast wave from the fire dragons formed a tornado, sucking in everything from all directions. Nothing could escape as the vortex swept through, wiping out all those bewitched by the Fox Demon.

’Celestial Spirit Hidden Dragon at the Mastery level is truly extraordinary.’

’Being unbeatable in the Lower Seven Realms isn’t just an empty boast.’

Seeing Lu Mingyuan act so decisively, Hu Susu knew her goal was achieved. She acted personally, lashing out with a fox tail and sending him flying, causing him to spit up blood.

Her other three tails attacked the White-bearded Daoist.

The White-bearded Daoist extended his white Duster, forming a round shield to block. A moment later, Hu Susu delivered a harsh parting shot:

“Prince Jin’s Mansion, remember this! I will be back!”

With that said, she vanished.

The White-bearded Daoist’s expression was ugly. When he looked up again, only Tributor Yang, bathed in blood, was still alive.

…

「A moment later, at Prince Jin’s Mansion.」

Lu Mingyuan took a Spring Nourishing Pill and finished tending to his injuries. He then went to the rear courtyard to meet the Second Prince, Lu Guangjing, and report on the matter of the Fox Demon.

“That Fox Demon is incredibly cunning. She actually tried to charm your subordinate. Fortunately, four of my colleagues intervened in time, preventing a disaster. It is a pity they had to sacrifice themselves.”

Lu Guangjing listened to the whole story with a deadpan expression and said faintly:

“You have done well.”

“You are dismissed.”

“Yes.”

Lu Mingyuan didn’t know if the other party was suspicious, so he could only take his leave.

At the side, Gongyang Hu watched Lu Mingyuan’s retreating back and cupped his hands.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid there are many suspicious things about this man.”

“Setting aside how he was the only one among the many Tributors to survive without being affected by the Fox Demon’s Charm Skill, the very fact that his identity is false is highly suspicious.”

Lu Guangjing rested his chin on his hand. “In my eyes, there are no suspicious people, only people I can use and people I can’t. In the Endless Pavilion, there are plenty who use anonymous or fake identities, and plenty more who have their own agendas. But don’t they all still have to obediently follow my orders? Besides, everyone who enters this Prince Mansion has a Heart Demon Seed planted in their Flesh Body. What kind of trouble can they possibly stir up?”

“It’s just… for Qingqiu Temple to dare send someone to the Capital City, they’re undoubtedly seeking revenge against me. They’re deliberately trying to incite conflict between myself and my fourth brother. A good move, indeed.”

He saw through their objective at a glance, but instead of being flustered, he seemed eager to take on the challenge.

“Does Your Highness intend to act personally?” Gongyang Hu guessed.

Lu Guangjing shook his head. “There is no need for me to act. Having consumed the Palace Blood that contains a deeply hidden Heart Demon Seed, it won’t be long before Old Fourth’s body and soul are annihilated. He poses no threat at all. Only Qingqiu Temple has piqued my interest. Since Lady Qingqiu is so vengeful, I shall play along with her.”

…

「Meanwhile.」

As Lu Mingyuan left Prince Jin’s Mansion, a series of notifications appeared before his eyes.

[Gua Cheng, Moderately Auspicious]

[Trait Triggered (Dragon Raising Its Head). You can obtain one Purple Opportunity.]

[Fluorescent Green Life Grid – Swordsman, has been promoted to Deep Blue Destiny – Blade Master.]

[Azure Life Chart (Sword Master): The stars follow my turn; the sun and moon shine in succession. My Saber Qi pierces the Bullfighting Mansion; drinking blood, I can slay gods. I am the Sword Master; who dares call themselves venerable.]

[Refinement Level has reached 5%. Unlocked Life Trait – Blade Sect (Basic Level).]

[Blade Sect (Basic Level): Wind and Thunder Slash Martial Artist, Brahma Sun Slaying Primordial Spirit. Slightly increases Sword Dao aptitude. Saber Momentum and Sword Intent cultivation efficiency increased by three times.]

’It not only improved my comprehension of the blade from the “Swordsman” Fate Grid, but also increased my comprehension of Saber Momentum and Sword Intent.’

’Both the upper and lower limits have been raised.’

Lu Mingyuan was delighted to have obtained the new “Sword Master” Fate Grid.

’This means I can go even further on the path of the Sword Dao!’

At the same time, he took out the Snow Ginseng Nourishing Acupoints Ointment and mulled things over.

’Next, with the Snow Ginseng Nourishing Acupoints Ointment, breaking through to one thousand and eighty acupoints and opening the Sea Gazing Acupoint shouldn’t be a problem.’

’Coupled with the “Sword Master” Fate Grid, my strength will increase even more.’

’Breaking through to the Middle Fifth Grade is just around the corner.’

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep