Chapter 274: Sorcery Murder
"Murder! Murder!"
A steward rushed to report to the Grand Sacrificial Official, Gu Linuan, shouting, "Terrible news! Imperial Academy Doctor Qin Mu has killed again!"
In the Imperial Academy hall, Gu Linuan was sipping tea, unconcerned. He laughed, "What's all the fuss about? He's the Celestial Demon Cult Leader. Is killing someone worth such panic? It would be strange if he didn't kill anyone. Who did he kill this time?"
The steward, gasping for breath, said, "He killed two emissaries from the Man Di Kingdom!"
*Crack!*
The teacup in Gu Linuan's hand shattered into pieces. His face changed dramatically, and he blurted out, "Emissaries from the Man Di Kingdom? And he killed two? No, no—I already played the gracious host. Why is he still making trouble for me?"
He quickly stood up, intending to rush out of the hall, but suddenly stopped and paced back and forth. "He's the Celestial Demon Cult Leader, the head of the foremost demonic sacred land. If I go over there to confront him, that's like an old man hanging himself—asking for a short life. This matter should first be reported to the Crown Prince."
Bashan Sacrificial Officer stood not far away, observing Bancuocuo and Qin Mu. Seeing this scene, he felt his brain buzzing and throbbing with pain, truly overwhelmed. "Junior brother, I only asked you to test Bancuocuo's depth. Who told you to kill the Man Di envoys as well?"
The Man Di emissaries were sent by the Man Di Khan, led by Bancuocuo, with over a dozen members. Qin Mu had directly killed two of them right in the Imperial Academy.
This matter absolutely could not be resolved peacefully!
The Luan Di Khan of the Man Di Kingdom was a grassland overlord, a man of great talent and bold vision. He had annexed other grassland khanates, forging a grassland empire that rivaled the Yan Kang Kingdom.
He even studied Yan Kang's culture, absorbing its strengths to develop the Man Di Kingdom and reform its internal affairs. The Man Di court's structure mirrored Yan Kang's, and he established schools across the land.
At present, he had not yet unified the grassland, so he couldn't fully confront Yan Kang. But once he did, he would concentrate all his forces against Yan Kang.
Now, after two calamities, Yan Kang's national strength had severely declined. The Luan Di Khan's main purpose in sending emissaries was not only to learn but also to assess how weakened Yan Kang had become.
He was an eagle circling the grassland skies, ready to invade the east at any moment. Given the chance, he would lead his grassland iron cavalry in a blazing raid, pointing his whip toward the Central Plains.
But clearly, Qin Mu didn't care about any of this. He had directly killed two emissaries.
This act could very well provoke war between the two nations!
With the aftermath of natural disasters still lingering and Yan Kang in a weakened state, if the Luan Di Khan seized the opportunity to attack, disaster would surely follow!
Bashan Sacrificial Officer regretted asking Qin Mu to test Bancuocuo. Clearly, this junior brother who had emerged from the Great Ruins was lawless and bold. After killing the emissaries, he could simply pat his backside and return to the Great Ruins, but he would leave a mess of trouble behind.
"Now that the Crown Prince is overseeing the state, let's see how Yushu the Crown Prince handles this."
Bashan Sacrificial Officer couldn't help but feel a headache coming on for Ling Yushu. Since becoming Crown Prince and overseeing the state, Ling Yushu had been doing well—issuing a self-critical edict, praying for forgiveness at the Heavenly Altar, handling the abrogation of treaties, reclaiming land, and continuing disaster relief. He had done quite well and won popular support.
But now, he likely faced his first major challenge since taking office.
Bancuocuo's gaze fell on Qin Mu, devoid of much emotion. It seemed that no matter how Qin Mu provoked or goaded him, it wouldn't shake his composure.
Bancuocuo said indifferently, "The Celestial Demon Cult Leader naturally has skill. There may be some misunderstanding between us. If the Leader doesn't mind, I'll host a banquet at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion in the capital tomorrow to apologize. What do you think, Cult Leader Qin?"
"Fine."
Qin Mu was very casual, smiling. "Your two attendants were incredibly audacious, daring to attack me. As their master, you really should host a banquet to apologize."
Bancuocuo's eye twitched, and he turned to leave.
Qin Mu's gaze remained fixed on his back, murderous intent palpable. But Bancuocuo walked steadily, seemingly unaware and unbothered. However, his steps were slightly disordered, and he walked with a slight limp.
"This guy..."
Qin Mu drew a cold breath, deeply feeling Bancuocuo's difficulty and menace.
He had repeatedly provoked him, even slapping him in the face, humiliating him, and killing his attendants right in front of him. Yet this man still showed no emotion. And now, with Qin Mu's murderous intent directly targeting him, he could still walk so steadily, only slightly limping—truly a fearsome figure.
To say nothing else, if it were someone like the Dao Son or Buddha Son, being locked onto by Qin Mu's gaze with murderous intent aimed at their backs, they wouldn't dare move a single step. Any movement would expose a flaw.
If someone with deeper cultivation and skill than the Dao Son or Buddha Son were targeted like this, they would either walk with a limp or slowly retreat while facing him.
The reason for the limp was that they shifted their body to avoid any possible attack from Qin Mu, so they couldn't walk in a straight line and even had to vary their height.
Thus, Bancuocuo's walking posture looked strange, like a limp, but in reality, he revealed no flaw and gave Qin Mu no opportunity!
The most terrifying part was that Bancuocuo only limped slightly, not severely, indicating his extremely high cultivation and skill!
Bashan Sacrificial Officer hurried over to Qin Mu's side, only to see Qin Mu still staring at Bancuocuo's retreating figure.
"Senior Brother Bashan, you've given me a tough job."
Qin Mu exhaled a turbid breath, looking at Bashan Sacrificial Officer, and said solemnly, "This Bancuocuo is the most formidable existence I've encountered among my peers! Even stronger than Lin Xuan, the Dao Son! If he isn't that old monster who has reincarnated eighteen times, then he must be a Tyrant Body like me!"
Bashan Sacrificial Officer's expression darkened. "So you killed two emissaries?"
Qin Mu was stunned, then stammered, "You never said I couldn't kill anyone. Besides, didn't we kill many great shamans from the Loulan Golden Palace out on the frontier? Killing just two this time is a bargain."
Bashan Sacrificial Officer laughed angrily. "Is that the same? Last time, I took you and the princess to block their gate using the identity of Martial Khan, which had nothing to do with Yan Kang. This time, they're emissaries representing the Man Di Kingdom! Killing two of their envoys is a slap in the face to the Man Di Kingdom. Do you think they'll let it go?"
Qin Mu said honestly, "You didn't say... They're dead now, and we can't bring them back."
Bashan Sacrificial Officer's head throbbed with pain, and he also exhaled a turbid breath. "Now you wait for the Crown Prince to summon you... He's probably heard about this by now and is definitely more troubled than I am. You're the Celestial Demon Cult Leader and a meritorious official. He even owes his position as Crown Prince to you. He can't scold or punish you... And another thing!"
His face grew grave, and he said solemnly, "If Bancuocuo is that old monster, then you need to be careful tonight. That old monster, knowing your name, can use sorcery to kill you! After you meet with the Crown Prince, come to my room tonight!"
Qin Mu nodded. Someone who could make even the Butcher hide his real name was indeed not to be underestimated!
As Bashan Sacrificial Officer had predicted, in the afternoon, Crown Prince Ling Yushu sought out Qin Mu. But contrary to Bashan's guess, Ling Yushu didn't summon Qin Mu; instead, he came directly to the Imperial Academy to see him in person.
"Your Highness honors me with a personal visit. I am deeply flattered." Qin Mu bowed in greeting.
Ling Yushu glanced at him and sighed. "I don't see any flattery on your face. Instead, you look very calm. Cult Leader Qin, this matter today has given me a headache—a massive headache. I've thought about it all noon and still can't figure out how to explain it. You always have ideas. Teach me how to handle this."
Qin Mu smiled. "Simple. Write a letter to the Luan Di Khan. Say that the two Man Di emissaries were unteachable and wild-natured, daring to attempt murder in a sacred place like the Imperial Academy, targeting the Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat. This Palace Attendant is none other than Cult Leader Qin of the foremost demonic sacred land in Yan Kang. Enraged, Cult Leader Qin has already killed the two emissaries. Then say that Cult Leader Qin's anger has not subsided, and the Luan Di Khan must apologize and make amends, or the consequences will be dire!"
Ling Yushu was dumbfounded.
After a moment, he exhaled a turbid breath and sighed. "Fine. I'll write it that way. If the Luan Di Khan flies into a rage and brings his troops to attack, you'll lead the vanguard and charge headfirst with your head on the line."
Qin Mu's face darkened.
Ling Yushu laughed. "Even the Celestial Demon Cult Leader has his fears? Enough, let's not talk about this. Cult Leader, I think staying in the Imperial Academy is boring for you. There are three to five hundred foreign envoys here. If you get another whim and kill a few more, will I, as the Crown Prince overseeing the state, have any time for other business? Writing letters to other countries' emperors to clean up after you would keep me busy all day."
Qin Mu said sheepishly, "I don't kill often. This was a special circumstance."
Ling Yushu smiled. "You're now a Divine Ability Practitioner with high skills. My father once appointed you as Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat, but it was just an honorary title with no real power. How about this: I'll give you a real position. My father and the National Teacher have woken up. In a few days, I won't need to manage state affairs and will definitely go out to oversee disaster relief. Come with me. On this trip, I'll also bring some officials from the Ministry of Works and some scholars from the Imperial Academy."
He was genuinely uneasy about leaving Qin Mu here, fearing he would stir up more trouble. So it was better to keep him close.
Qin Mu thought it over. Staying in the Imperial Academy was indeed boring—no fighting, no killing, too many restrictions. It might be better to travel with the Crown Prince.
Ling Yushu walked side by side with him and suddenly said, "I heard my sister slept at your place last night?"
Qin Mu jolted and said seriously, "Your Highness, absolutely not. Don't listen to slander from petty people that would ruin the princess's and my reputation!"
Ling Yushu looked at his face and, seeing no deception, relaxed and sighed. "I believe you. Alright, I'll handle the matter of killing the emissaries. I'll swallow my pride and write a letter to the Luan Di Khan. You should also prepare. In a few days, you'll leave the capital with me."
Qin Mu watched him leave. Bashan Sacrificial Officer approached, looking mysterious, and said, "I overheard the Crown Prince saying that Sixth Princess Ling Yuxiu slept at your place last night? Speaking of which, I did see Sixth Princess and two palace maids carrying lanterns down the mountain this morning. Did you two..."
Qin Mu's head ached, and he cut him off firmly. "Absolutely not! Senior Brother, it's because your mouth is too big that Grandpa Butcher runs away every time he sees you, afraid to meet as master and disciple. Restrain yourself and don't believe every rumor you hear!"
Bashan Sacrificial Officer stammered, "I was just curious. Don't worry, I'm tight-lipped, not like that broke Duke Weiguo who shouts everything at the top of his lungs... If Bancuocuo is that old monster, you're in danger tonight. Let's share a room tonight for mutual protection. When you sleep, stay alert and don't sleep too deeply."
That night.
Bashan Sacrificial Officer snored like thunder. He slept on the floor, while Qin Mu lay on the bed. The snores shook the bed with a buzzing hum, vibrating Qin Mu's body until it went numb. He didn't sleep a wink all night.
Nothing unusual happened until the fourth watch, when suddenly a gust of yin wind blew in, pushing open the two window shutters.