Chapter 175
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Chapter 175: Xin Ming Zhu
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi, both seasoned in the art of cunning schemes and intrigue, were acutely sensitive to the gazes of others. Without even turning around, they could sense the icy, bloodthirsty look from Shi Cheng Sui behind them—a gaze filled with hidden intentions.
As the top disciple of the Left Envoy and a member of the demon royal family, what could he possibly want from her and Qin Chu Yi?
Ming He curled her lips into a mocking smile, unbothered, as she and Qin Chu Yi stepped into the carriage prepared by the Shura Hall.
The black curtains fell, shielding them from prying eyes. Ming He glanced around the interior and couldn’t help but click her tongue. The Shura Hall’s carriage was a stark contrast to Yan Situ’s—one exuded opulence and extravagance, while the other was merely functional.
She instinctively nestled closer to Qin Chu Yi, wrapping her arms around her neck and extending her spiritual senses outward.
Mo City, the royal city of the demon race, was a place of unparalleled grandeur and wealth. Towering buildings and overlapping palaces lined the streets, bustling with shops and crowds. The air was thick with demonic energy, creating an imposing atmosphere that rivaled even Tianwu City.
Qin Chu Yi held Ming He close, her warmth a comforting presence. She remained silent, her gaze soft as she looked at Ming He.
While all cultivators possessed spiritual senses, their strength varied with their cultivation levels. Ming He, who practiced the ancient methods of soul mastery, had a spiritual perception that surpassed Qin Chu Yi’s, despite the latter’s higher cultivation in the spiritual path.
Inside the carriage, they felt no jolts or swaying, not because the carriage moved slowly, but because Black Whirlwind’s driving skills were impeccable, making the ride as smooth as walking on flat ground.
In no time, the towering, majestic palaces came into Ming He’s spiritual range.
The Shura Hall was not just a single palace but the heart of Mo City—a sprawling complex of palatial structures belonging to the demon royal family and central powers.
The Left Envoy, second only to the Demon Lord and equal in rank to the Right Envoy, held a position of utmost prestige within the demon race. Naturally, he resided within the Shura Hall.
As Shi Cheng Sui was the Left Envoy’s top disciple and the presumed successor, he too lived within the Shura Hall.
The place where he was escorting Ming He and Qin Chu Yi was also within the Shura Hall, though it was a guest area on the outskirts.
Ming He had been here before.
On the day Yóu Lìng captured her, shattering her heart and severing her tendons at Mu Qian’s hands, she had fallen into despair. Yóu Lìng had intended to hand her over to Mu Xuan Ye, to be turned into a puppet of the demon path. Mu Xuan Ye had once brought her to the Shura Hall, into the Left Envoy’s sleeping quarters.
Thousands of years had passed since then, and she wondered if the Left Envoy’s quarters had changed.
Not wanting to alert the high-ranking demon cultivators, Ming He withdrew her spiritual senses and rested her head on Qin Chu Yi’s shoulder, her expression tinged with melancholy. “Senior Sister, let’s see what the Left Envoy Young Master is truly like tonight.”
They needed to confirm whether the Left Envoy Young Master, the closed-door disciple of the Left Envoy, was indeed Xin Ming Zhu.
Though Ming He already had a strong suspicion, given that he was a closed-door disciple, she still needed to be certain.
In the vast ancient realm of cause and effect of the mortal world, if their fate was tied to Xin Ming Zhu, they could not escape her if they hoped to leave this place through the Ancient Realm Trial.
The battlefield was ever-changing. Ming He, the young leader of the human race, Qin Chu Yi, the Young Master of the Qin Clan, and Nineteen, the master of the Ancient Formation of Heaven, held crucial positions within the human race. Their sudden disappearance was deeply concerning, and the sooner they resolved this, the better.
Qin Chu Yi nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a hint of confusion but no fear. With Ming He by her side, she felt no need to worry.
Shi Cheng Sui’s gentle voice echoed from outside. He stood tall, his dark robes immaculate, exuding a refined demeanor. Yet, a shadow of gloom lingered in his expression, betraying his youthful inability to fully conceal his emotions.
Ming He smirked inwardly as she stepped out of the carriage, keeping her head low and her presence subdued. She played the part of the innocent little Junior Sister, a naïve noble lady from the demon race, timidly trailing behind Qin Chu Yi.
As expected, Shi Cheng Sui’s gaze swept over her, lingering briefly on her rabbit ears with a flicker of disdain before focusing intently on Qin Chu Yi.
Dealing with the schemes and suspicions of others was Qin Chu Yi’s forte.
Shi Cheng Sui led them to a waterside pavilion on the outskirts of the Shura Hall. The place was serene, with beautiful scenery and a gentle spring, though it was perpetually shrouded in a heavy mist. It was quiet, secluded, and elegantly mysterious, perfectly suited to their status as envoys of the Demon Race.
After some polite exchanges, Shi Cheng Sui confirmed their identities as envoys of the Demon Race. When he heard that they had lost their carriage and attendants after being pursued by enemies from the Demon Race, the faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes was almost impossible to hide.
Soon after, he excused himself, citing pressing matters, and promised to host a banquet to welcome them once he had some free time in a few days. With that, he hastily turned and departed, his steps betraying a sense of urgency and eagerness.
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi exchanged glances, their eyes filled with thoughtful contemplation.
Effective conversations always yield mutual benefits, and given that they were now in the demon territory thousands of miles away, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi, though not deeply versed in the internal affairs of the demon race, had a general understanding of the power dynamics.
The current Demon Lord was the father of the young Demon Lord, who had ascended to the throne at a tender age. Initially stripped of power, the young Demon Lord had gradually reclaimed his authority through patience and cunning.
However, compared to his daughter’s intelligence and restraint, this Demon Lord fell far short. Despite his lofty position, he was forced to remain subordinate to two others.
The Left Envoy of the demon race, Qiu Sheng Tian, and the Right Envoy, Gui Jing Yao, had joined forces to marginalize the Demon Lord, seizing most of the power for themselves. The Demon Lord, left with no choice, retreated into seclusion, preserving his last shred of dignity.
As for the young leader of the demon race, he was likely secluded deep within the Shura Hall, diligently practicing the demonic arts and learning the ways of leadership, uninvolved in worldly affairs.
The Right Envoy of the demon race did not take disciples and was wholly devoted to his cultivation, showing little interest in power compared to the Left Envoy, which made him less prominent.
Meanwhile, the Left Envoy was currently absent from the Shura Hall, occupied with important political matters, and was even away from Mo City.
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi were unsure whether this was mere coincidence or a result of the Vast Ancient Realm’s influence.
However, with his absence, there was one less person in the vast Shura Hall capable of detecting Ming He’s spiritual presence, reducing the threat, which was undoubtedly favorable.
Thus, the person currently in charge of the Shura Hall was Shi Cheng Sui, the Left Envoy’s top disciple.
As for the Left Envoy Young Master, Qiu Sheng Tian’s closed-door disciple and Shi Cheng Sui’s little Junior Sister, it was said she was meticulously preparing for her coming of age ceremony in five days.
She resided within the inner sanctum of the Shura Hall and rarely appeared to meet guests, her name seldom mentioned, making it impossible for Ming He and Qin Chu Yi to confirm if she was indeed Xin Ming Zhu.
In five days, the Left Envoy Young Master’s coming of age ceremony would take place, during which she would naturally appear in the main hall of the Shura Hall to receive tributes and reverence from all sides.
As envoys of the Demon Race, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi would certainly have the opportunity to meet her, thereby confirming her identity and seeking a way to resolve the cause and effect of the mortal world.
Yet, they lacked the patience to wait for five days. By then, Qiu Sheng Tian would also return; every moment delayed brought more uncertainty, so they had to seize every opportunity.
Ming He did not abandon her plans. As night fell, she and Qin Chu Yi donned dark attire and covered their faces with black veils. After ensuring there were no prying eyes around the waterside pavilion, they moved stealthily into the depths of the Shura Hall.
Though the spiritual energy was turbulent and chaotic, Qin Chu Yi fared much better than Ming He, allowing her to utilize spiritual energy. Meanwhile, Ming He’s spiritual senses extended widely, and having mastered spirit-sensing techniques, she moved effortlessly without encountering obstacles.
Clad in black, they blended seamlessly into the night, their footsteps so light they seemed like flickering shadows, swiftly entering the inner sanctum of the Shura Hall.
The Shura Hall was situated in a vast expanse, and even within the inner area, there were hundreds of palaces. Besides the royal bloodline of the demon race, it also housed the Left and Right Envoys and their disciples, as well as other subjects of the demon race.
Having previously entered Mu Xuan Ye’s sleeping quarters, Ming He had a general sense of direction. However, even so, locating the sleeping quarters of the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple among dozens of palaces was no easy task.
The sky grew darker, but they still had ample time.
However, Ming He and Qin Chu Yi did not wish to risk searching on a second night. After all, by normal logic, as newcomers, they would be inclined to observe first before taking action, reserving their plans for the future.
Thus, for them, the first night was indeed the best opportunity.
After another fruitless search, Ming He furrowed her brow and discussed with Qin Chu Yi the option of splitting up. They decided to explore in the directions Ming He remembered, planning to notify each other once they gathered any information.
Bonded by a Spirit Contract, they shared an innate understanding. Communicating through the contract was not difficult.
Qin Chu Yi hesitated for a moment, meeting Ming He’s bright and confident gaze before nodding in agreement and turning to begin her search in the designated direction.
Ming He nimbly vaulted over a palace. Drawing from her experiences at Qin Huang Mountain, she was now returning to her old profession, her skill having improved to the point of surpassing Qin Chu Yi.
She hooked her toes on the palace eaves, suspending her body upside down. Extending her spiritual senses first, she confirmed there was no one within sight who could detect her presence before cautiously peering out, her gaze scanning the palace’s interior.
Through conversations with Yan Situ and Shi Cheng Sui, they had already confirmed that the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple was a girl, appearing no older than sixteen or seventeen in human years, with a striking beauty. Having apprenticed from a young age, her noble identity bestowed upon her an air of refinement and grace that should make her easy to recognize.
Holding onto this understanding, Ming He quickly dismissed the male figures in the palaces if their age or demeanor didn’t match, moving swiftly without delay.
Though the Shura Hall was a crucial stronghold teeming with experts, it was still part of the demon race’s territory from thousands of years ago. Ming He, a high-level practitioner at the Human King stage, and Qin Chu Yi, an Earth Emperor Realm cultivator, possessed cultivation levels that ranked among the finest across the Tianwu Continent. Their ability to conceal their tracks allowed them to navigate the heavily guarded demon territory as if it were an empty expanse.
They arrived at a palace nestled in a remote corner, exuding a gloomy and oppressive aura. It wasn’t shrouded in magical mist but rather cloaked in darkness, making it far from an ideal place for cultivation.
The Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple was highly favored, so it seemed unlikely she would reside in such a second-rate palace. However, adhering to her cautious nature, Ming He hung upside down, ensuring no guards were present before peering into the great hall.
A girl in white silk robes sat at a black jade table, engrossed in ancient texts. Her brows were slightly furrowed, her features sharp and refined, and an air of cold seriousness surrounded her.
Despite her youth, she carried an imposing presence, sitting upright like a mountain even in solitude.
Could she be the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple?
Ming He had seen a portrait of Xin Ming Zhu and knew that Xin Ming Zhu’s appearance didn’t blend coldness with beauty in this way. Moreover, the ages didn’t align.
The Left Envoy’s disciple was said to be a teenage girl of sixteen or seventeen, while the girl before her, despite her poised posture, appeared far too young—more like an eleven or twelve-year-old child.
Not the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple, yet she resided within the Shura Hall’s inner sanctum, in such a damp and shadowy palace, devoid of guards or attendants.
Ming He quietly deduced her identity, sighed softly, and prepared to leave.
"Who?" A cold, low voice pierced the silence of the hall.
The young girl in dark-colored silk robes, seated at the table, seemed to sense something. She raised her eyes from the darkness, gazing directly toward Ming He’s hiding spot.
Her eyes narrowed with a sharp, piercing glare as she extinguished the dim light in the hall, vanishing completely into the shadows without a trace.
No wonder, despite her precarious position, she could hold the Left and Right Envoys in check after ascending to power, neither retreating nor acting rashly, but steadily consolidating the Demon Lord’s authority, like slowly boiling a frog in warm water.
Was she the young Demon Lord who later succeeded the throne?
Unfortunately, there was no way to uncover her whereabouts now.
Ming He blinked and withdrew her gaze. Just as she was about to rise and search the next palace, she felt the Star Lock at her chest grow warm. The Spirit Contract relayed Qin Chu Yi’s words: she had found the location of the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple.
It was in the exact opposite direction of the young Demon Lord’s palace.
Ming He chuckled softly, her figure gliding through the endless darkness. She met Qin Chu Yi at the side of the palace eaves, and together they peered into the shadows, where only darkness awaited.
The palace below showed no sign of light; its gloomy doors blended seamlessly with the night, making it impossible to spot the Left Envoy Young Master.
Had she already retired for the night?
Ming He glanced at Qin Chu Yi, who silently conveyed through her lips that she had gathered information from the Shura Hall’s servants and followed them here.
Thus, the identity of the palace’s occupant was beyond doubt.
But if the Left Envoy’s disciple had indeed gone to sleep, their efforts tonight would be in vain, and they would have to return the following night.
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi exchanged resigned glances, already holding hands as they prepared to leave.
Unexpectedly, the hall door creaked open, and a light footstep echoed clearly in the silence.
The dark door opened a crack, revealing a girl clad entirely in black, much like them, stepping cautiously out. She skillfully avoided the patrolling guards and darted swiftly toward the Shura Hall’s exit.
"She’s the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple, the main figure in the Left Envoy Young Master’s coming-of-age ceremony," Qin Chu Yi whispered softly into Ming He’s ear, her breath warm and tickling, making Ming He’s heart flutter.
Ming He leaned down to catch a glimpse, but in the darkness, the girl’s face was obscured, and her tightly wrapped form made it impossible to confirm if she was Xin Ming Zhu.
However, the Left Envoy Young Master sneaking out in the dead of night without alerting the demon race’s guards was suspicious in itself.
Ming He and Qin Chu Yi exchanged knowing glances, their hands intertwined as they leisurely followed the shadow, their demeanor as casual as if they were out for a moonlit stroll.
Shi Cheng Sui was currently in charge of the Shura Hall. As the Left Envoy’s top disciple, his cultivation had only reached the nine levels of the Heaven Origin Realm, still a crucial step away from the Human King stage.
The shadow, being Shi Cheng Sui’s little Junior Sister, naturally possessed far inferior cultivation. With Ming He and Qin Chu Yi’s current abilities, trailing her discreetly was a trivial task, allowing them to move with ease.
The moon in the land of the demon race was veiled by magical mist, its light sparse and faint, casting a lonely, cool glow over the vast darkness.
Ming He held Qin Chu Yi’s hand gently, following the shadow at a relaxed pace until they reached a crumbling cliff, overgrown with sparse weeds and rotting wood—a truly excellent place for killing and disposing of bodies!
She guided Qin Chu Yi toward a hidden ancient tree at the cliff’s edge, using its sprawling branches and leaves to conceal their presence while they observed from above.
The shadow turned to face them, slowly removing the veil from her face. She revealed a strikingly beautiful visage, her eyebrows slightly raised and her eyes bright—a face that could easily be called attractive.
But it was not the face of Xin Ming Zhu.
Ming He was momentarily stunned. She had assumed this girl was the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple, as rumors suggested Xin Ming Zhu’s master was the Left Envoy. Yet, the current closed-door disciple was clearly not Xin Ming Zhu.
Moreover, it was known that the Left Envoy had no disciple named Xin Ming Zhu.
This was indeed intriguing.
And even more interesting developments were yet to come.
The girl who had removed her veil smiled brightly and called out, “Ming Zhu, I’m here! Where are you?”
"I’m right here."
A soft, clear voice emerged from beneath the tree where Ming He and Qin Chu Yi were hidden, startling Ming He. Her spiritual senses had failed to detect another presence.
Seemingly unaware of their existence, the shadow called out softly and happily approached the Left Envoy’s closed-door disciple. The moonlight illuminated her profile, her sharp features softened by the warmth in her eyes.
Though younger and more innocent, she bore an unmistakable resemblance to Xin Ming Zhu from Ming He’s memories.
