Chapter 168: Arriving Outside the Small Courtyard...
Bie Tianxin died due to the schemes of the Western Continent.
Whether it was that Western Continent Imperial Uncle or Mu Jiushi, their actions had clearly been approved, or tacitly permitted, by Madam Mu.
Bie Yanghong and Wuqiong Bi came to White Emperor City to avenge their son, which was perfectly normal. But Chen Changsheng had not expected that after leaving Saintess Peak, they would embark on their revenge journey without even waiting for their injuries to fully heal.
The black clouds and the prohibitions had isolated the world for hundreds of li on both sides of the Red River from this realm. When that sacred battle shook all of White Emperor City and set the Red River ablaze for an entire night, Chen Changsheng was on the back of a white crane, bathed in starlight, pondering how to transform the Southern Creek Nunnery Sword Formation into his own technique. So until this moment, he knew nothing of these events. Meanwhile, the capital had received confirmed news as early as last night.
Luoluo spoke quickly and softly, recounting the events before and after the Grand Selection Ceremony—such as the sacred blood-fire that fell from the sky that day—and finally mentioned that Xuan Yuan Po, in his attempt to prevent the Demon Lord from winning the Grand Selection, was now severely injured and still unconscious.
Only then did Chen Changsheng realize that in the few short days since he had left the Luling Prince’s residence, so many things had happened.
He was very worried about Xuan Yuan Po’s safety, and even more worried about Bie Yanghong, because from Madam Mu’s tone, it seemed Bie Yanghong was already dead.
Back when he left Cold Mountain, he occasionally caught a glimpse of that flash of red in the distant wilderness from the carriage of the Southern Creek Nunnery. Later, he had also seen Bie Yanghong in front of the Heavenly Book Mausoleum, but they had never spoken seriously. It wasn’t until a few days ago at Southern Creek Nunnery that they met again—this time as enemies.
Chen Changsheng and Bie Yanghong were not really close, and he and his wife Wuqiong Bi were even more mutually repulsed. But he genuinely liked Bie Yanghong.
Just like the former Heavenly Sea Saint Empress, Wang Zhice, Wang Po, and everyone else who had ever interacted with Bie Yanghong.
Bie Yanghong was a gentleman, a good man. Completely opposite to Su Li, he always harbored an indelible goodwill toward this world. Even though his long path of cultivation and the Dao companion by his side were both so difficult and so prone to discouragement.
On Saintess Peak, Chen Changsheng had clearly felt Bie Yanghong’s goodwill toward him. Because even when all the evidence pointed to him, Bie Yanghong was still willing to give him a chance to explain. That trust was heavy and made him deeply respect the man.
This respected elder had just lost his only son in grief, and now he had died in a distant foreign land?
Chen Changsheng’s hand, gripping his sword, trembled slightly.
The hundreds of swords in the sky also trembled, emitting a low hum, like a storm about to break.
A chilling sword intent enveloped the viewing platform, incredibly sharp, with a very clear target.
It was aimed at Madam Mu, whom Chen Changsheng was now staring at.
“So the demon race is already prepared for war.”
Hearing this seemingly calm yet fiercely combative statement, the viewing platform erupted in uproar.
But no one could dissuade Chen Changsheng—not the chieftains of the Bear Clan or the Scholar Clan, nor the Prime Minister.
Because the thread of this matter was too clear; even if one wanted to explain, it couldn’t be clarified.
The Western Continent Imperial Uncle and Mu Jiushi killed Bie Tianxin to frame Chen Changsheng. After their plan failed, Mu Jiushi fled back to White Emperor City. To protect her, Madam Mu orchestrated the killing of Bie Yanghong and Wuqiong Bi in White Emperor City, brazenly turning against the human race and allying with the demon race.
That was the truth. There might be minor discrepancies in details, but the gist was this.
Chen Changsheng said, “That demon race expert you invited? Black Robe or the Demon Marshal?”
Madam Mu did not answer his question. She said calmly, “I did not strike the blow.”
Chen Changsheng said, “But you activated the prohibitions to prevent them from sending messages or calling for help.”
“I didn’t want to answer this question at first, because it feels as ridiculous as children bickering. But I suddenly think you should understand a bit more.”
Madam Mu sneered. “Even if I hadn’t activated the prohibitions, do you think anyone would have come? Have you considered that the news of my decision to ally with Snow Old City spread last night, yet no one has appeared until now?”
Chen Changsheng remained silent.
“Wang Po is said to have suffered serious injuries; it’s understandable that he didn’t come. But what about the Prince of Xiang? What about the Sect Master of Lishan Sword Sect? I’m already surprised you showed up—did no one stop you on the road? More importantly, with such a major event, why hasn’t your teacher appeared?”
Madam Mu said with pity and mockery, “Your Holiness the Pope, you are still too young after all.”
Because he was young, he was prone to hot blood, and thus impulsive. Was that why he stood here alone and isolated?
Was that the meaning?
Chen Changsheng thought of the letter he had received at the Luling Prince’s residence and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.
When he received that letter, he hadn’t thought twice and had ridden the crane westward.
Riding the crane westward—wasn’t that a bit melancholy?
But then again, wasn’t he the Human Race Pope? Hadn’t he chosen today himself?
If so, how could he afford to be tired? How could he have time for melancholy?
With a soft click, the Stainless Sword separated from the Hidden Edge Sheath. The hundreds of swords in the sky whistled down, all returning to the sheath.
Many major figures of the demon race were seeing such a scene for the first time and felt their minds shaken.
Chen Changsheng ignored Madam Mu and directly asked, “Does anyone have any leads?”
Luoluo and the Bear Clan chieftain shook their heads.
Suddenly, a commotion arose from the direction of the Whale Fall Platform, followed by hurried footsteps.
The Western Wilderness Dao Hall Archbishop, along with dozens of priests, as well as those Great Zhou officials, Tang Clan stewards, and Southern Heaven cultivators, walked up the stone steps.
The Red River demon guards responsible for guarding the imperial city had enough strength to stop them, but today the situation in the imperial city was extremely chaotic. Many demon supervisors had disappeared, and with the deliberate connivance of demon guards from the Bear Clan and Scholar Clan, they managed to break through.
Seeing Chen Changsheng’s figure, the Archbishop quickly led everyone in kneeling and bowing, then had the severely injured Xuan Yuan Po carried to the front.
Unbuttoning Xuan Yuan Po’s clothes and looking at the gruesome wounds, Chen Changsheng’s expression did not change. He removed the golden needles from between his fingers and began treating him.
Time passed slowly. He never looked up, focused entirely on treating the wounds.
Luoluo stayed crouched beside him, occasionally wiping the sweat from his face with a handkerchief.
The viewing platform was completely silent; no one dared make a sound.
No one knew how long it had been when Chen Changsheng finally raised his head.
Luoluo’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “How is he?”
She had seen clearly just now that Chen Changsheng had forcibly sent two pills into Xuan Yuan Po’s mouth using his true essence.
From his cautious expression, those two pills should have been the legendary Cinnabar Pills.
But even so, Xuan Yuan Po still hadn’t woken up.
Luoluo felt a panic rising in her heart.
“If he can wake up, he’ll be fine. If not…”
Chen Changsheng didn’t finish that sentence. He looked up at the streets of White Emperor City and fell silent.
Xuan Yuan Po was right beside him.
Bie Yanghong should be hiding somewhere in the city now.
No one knew if he could survive.
Had he really come too late?
…
…
A stray cat walked through the middle of the street, warily watching its surroundings, yet also somewhat bewildered.
Why was Pine Town so quiet today?
It didn’t know that the owner and workers of Hu’s Bun Shop, along with all those laborers, had gone to the imperial city today. They wanted to watch the excitement of the Grand Selection Ceremony, and even more, they wanted to witness the pride of the Lower City—Xuan Yuan Po’s victory.
Why had the sun risen so long ago, yet suddenly fog appeared on the street?
It didn’t know that the Demon Lord was fighting at that moment, and a terrifying abyss seemed to have come from the far northern snow plains to this place.
Suddenly, the stray cat lowered its tail and scurried away.
A young girl appeared in the fog in the middle of the street.
The scene was dreamlike.
Just like her face.
Too beautiful, so it seemed unreal.
The girl walked into an alley called Sanheli, accompanied by the deep bell of the Heavenly Tree Temple, and arrived at that small courtyard.
Looking at the tightly closed wooden door, she flared her nostrils slightly, cautious and cute.
Then she smelled a scent.
“So stinky.” (To be continued.)