Chapter 177: Dangmo Cuts Down Donghua(Eastern Radiance)!

Yun Qin had originally used the method taught by that black-clothed uncle to evade the Heavenly Officials who had come searching for her, and came alone to this place—an extremely remote and quiet location unknown to others, at least for those belonging to the Star Officials. Her purpose was simply to slip away from today’s “Grand Rite”— 

They said it was to summon the various departments of the Heavenly Court, and then, as expected, it would be those high-ranking figures like the various Emperors issuing orders, delivering stern admonitions, and the like. 

The things discussed were both abstruse and difficult to understand, and they would also emphasize all sorts of rules. 

The procedures of the rite were complicated and tedious, exceedingly dull. 

At her level of cultivation, she only belonged to the ranks of Heavenly Maidens, at most standing off to the side with her father and Uncle Niu, watching that boring rite. So when she heard the beginning, she quietly slipped away, thinking to see if she could avoid the matter. But now, the young girl looked at the blood-colored long river that had been almost completely overturned by that single sword. 

Then she raised her head and saw the battle armor—clearly of a standard at least on the same level as her father’s—armor used in True Lord–level rites.

She saw that the True Lord wore dark-gold chainmail, a sword at his waist, and over it a battle robe of the Seven Mansions of the Black Tortoise.

And he had even called out her name. 

This scene, this level of action— 

The girl stood there dumbfounded, her eyes wide, her mind blank. The twig she held in her hand fell to the ground as she muttered: 

“I… I only skipped a rite once, and dozed off a few times during cultivation.” 

“T-there’s no need to send a True Lord personally to arrest me, right…” 

In an instant, the girl became obedient. 

Just like children in the mortal world trying to skip class in secret— 

Only to discover that a first-rank, nation-protecting, mighty general had come personally with a weapon to block the door, their minds immediately went blank. She stammered: “Ah, um, True Lord senior, I—I was just here looking at the scenery, I didn’t do anything bad. And I—I didn’t want to skip the rite either, I’m actually on my way to this Heavenly Punishment Rite, ahem, senior, senior, please believe me.” 

The young Daoist raised his hand and pressed against his faceplate. 

In truth, beneath that faceplate, his own identity was also concealed from heavenly calculation, just like the other members of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court. This time, having come here as Dangmo, bearing a sword to cut down an Emperor, his identity absolutely could not be revealed. Otherwise, it would violate the laws of the Northern Emperor. The so-called code name was only to be used when carrying out the Exorcism Court’s orders. 

It must not be casually disclosed. Those who knew such a title were mostly bound by oaths upon their Primordial Spirit, along with many other methods to prevent leakage. 

And those capable of uncovering the true identity of a war general of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court were, for the most part, ruthless figures. 

To know the identity of a member of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court was, for ghosts and gods within and beyond the Six Realms, a troublesome matter. 

There were no benefits—speaking carelessly might bring great disaster, and one might even be targeted by certain madmen seeking revenge against the Exorcism Court. 

Some things—knowing more—this is called broad knowledge and learned talent; 

Some things—knowing too much—that is like a longevity star jumping into a river of blood, courting death. 

At this moment, seeing the girl’s appearance as though she had been caught skipping lessons, the young Daoist subconsciously pressed down his faceplate. Upon this armor—which could be worn even by the Primordial Spirit—there were naturally divine abilities; his voice changed, low and calm, as he said indifferently: “I did not come for you.” 

“Ah? Ah! Oh!” 

“So… not here to catch me…” 

“Huu.” 

The girl quite obviously let out a breath of relief, raising her hand to wipe away cold sweat that did not exist, and said: “So that’s how it is. It seems this junior has disturbed senior. It appears this blood river is connected to senior’s sword. It is I who has intruded here and disturbed you. Senior, please proceed as you wish—this junior will not trouble you further.” 

Yun Qin gave a slight bow, tossed out a flowing ribbon, and was about to ride the air away. 

She still could not roam freely within this star river beyond the heavens. This object was a weapon her mother had used in her youth. 

It was the source of clouds and rosy clouds; all clouds and rosy clouds manifested from this single ribbon. The colorful clouds now hanging at the horizon were merely later Heavenly Maidens weaving clouds and light together. An innate object like this was indeed a rather rare immortal treasure. Yet the moment she moved, it naturally stirred the qi. That blood river seemed to be provoked, suddenly surging violently, coiling like a beast roaring, directly lunging to kill the girl.

“Stop!” 

The young Daoist instinctively stepped forward—his mind had already moved. 

That sword let out a sharp cry, transforming into sword-light. In but an instant, it violently circled once around the girl. 

Sword cries surged, raising an endless storm of sword qi, like a barrier. 

The blood river that came to kill was forcibly driven back under that sword-light of the same origin. Yun Qin raised her head, gripping the ribbon tightly in her hand, only to see the Black Tortoise Seven Mansions battle robe stir slightly. The armored figure—the True Lord with graying temples—stood before her, his faceplate cold, his eyes seeming to ripple faintly. Around him, blood-colored sword-light suddenly surged, transforming into a stream of light that flew into the sleeve of that True Lord. 

The Blood River seemed somewhat exhausted, crashing down heavily, blood qi surging as the river rushed along, its sound booming like thunder. 

It lingered only nearby. 

Yun Qin was clearly startled by this blood river, which had not undergone such changes for thousands of years. Then she heard that low voice say: “Are you unharmed?” 

“Ah? N-no, I’m fine.” 

Yun Qin took a step back, widening the distance. Only then did she respectfully bow and say: 

“This junior, Yun Qin of the Black Tortoise Mansion, thanks senior.” 

The young Daoist held his sword and said: “There is a disturbance in this place. I fear it is no longer safe.” 

“Do not remain here for long.” 

“Many thanks for senior’s concern. This junior understands.” 

“Where do you intend to go?” 

“Ah? Me?” Yun Qin thought for a moment. She certainly did not want to go participate in that time-consuming and utterly uninteresting rite. But if she returned to the Black Tortoise Mansion, she would definitely be caught for ‘skipping the rite’. For a moment, her brows knit together, as if hesitating. Suddenly, the jade pendant hanging at her waist lit up. 

Yun Qin glanced at it, and her eyes immediately brightened. She said: “Ah, I’m also going to the place of the rite!” 

“Uncle Niu said that the level of this rite seems to be very high this time, and Mother will also return.” 

“So I want to go take a look.” 

The girl’s eyes shone as she changed her mind and said with a smile: “My mother—senior should know her. The battle robe you’re wearing was woven by my mother, using starlight and rosy clouds as the medium. It can serve as a divine ability and also as a divine weapon. Before, I thought Mother wouldn’t return, but now it works out perfectly.” 

“Weaving Maiden Star Lord?” 

“Mm. I tried learning to weave things from clouds and rosy clouds to give to friends, but I can never do it well.” 

“I came here today to clear my mind.” 

“Now I can ask Mother how to do it.” 

“If I always ask using the Round Light Manifestation Technique, it’s simply too slow.”

“Hehe, if I hand it over to Wuhuo afterward, he’ll definitely be deeply moved, and in his heart think that I, Yun Qin, Fairy Maiden of the Black Tortoise Constellation Mansion, am truly, genuinely a very good friend of his!” 

The girl clasped her hands behind her back, growing somewhat pleased with herself for a moment. 

Only then did she realize there was still a Star Lord beside her, and she hurriedly restrained her temperament. The young Daoist slightly lowered his eyes and said: “If you go on your own, it will already be too late. Come with me.” 

Yun Qin had always been somewhat free-spirited by nature, and besides, having a senior of the same Black Tortoise Mansion take her along for part of the way was a fine chance to slack off. 

With the influence of the blood sword gone, the guiding divine ability left earlier by the welcoming Heavenly Official once again took effect. 

That sword was formed from half of the blood river’s essence. After undergoing many karmic entanglements in the mortal world, it finally became a sword embryo. The Blood River Sword Sect had already perished, and only then was this sword forged. Yet it was unwilling to have its accumulated fortune shattered by that other half of the blood river, reverting into a river driven only by instinct. After the earlier bout of slaughter, it had drunk its fill; now, blood-colored light flowed over the blade, and for a short time it could no longer seize the blood river’s foundation. 

Yun Qin cast out her flowing ribbon, relying on its pulling force, making the journey extremely effortless. 

While chatting idly—something seniors tended to enjoy—she pointed at the scenery along the way and said: “Senior, look, this Fragrant Pavilion Hall is still just like it was back then. I remember when I was little, Uncle Niu even brought me here before. The Jade Maiden in charge of the hall here is very beautiful!” 

“Later, when Uncle Niu no longer had time to come here, I would always fuss and insist on coming.” 

“Hehe, because the spirit honey brewed from a hundred flowers by the Jade Maiden here is really delicious.” 

“The hundred-flower cakes are delicious too.” 

“Later, when I made a fuss, one day it just so happened that Uncle Kui Mulang of the Western White Tiger Seven Mansions came to see my father. When he heard I wanted to come to the Fragrant Pavilion Hall, he seemed very happy, laughing loudly and saying he would bring me. He would often come ask me if I wanted to go to the Fragrant Pavilion Hall. But later, I grew this big and wasn’t so fond of eating spirit honey anymore.” 

“And he still came to ask me if I wanted to go to the Fragrant Pavilion Hall.” 

“I could already go by myself.” 

Yun Qin said: “Uncle Kui Mulang? He has a very good temperament. It’s said his strength is among the top within the Twenty-Eight Lodges. He always hopes I’ll call him Big Brother Kui Mulang, saying that since I call the Jade Maiden of the Fragrant Pavilion Hall ‘older sister’, calling him ‘uncle’ makes him seem a whole generation older.” 

“And also, over here is where the Western White Tiger Supervising War Deity resides.” 

“The baleful qi of the Heavenly Court’s troops and weapons are all managed by that deity, and he also faintly oversees the Star Lords of the Western Seven Mansions.” 

“His status is quite high.” 

“Meticulous to the extreme, yet his relationship with Uncle Niu seems inexplicably very good?” 

“It seems Uncle Niu once helped him.” 

“And over here…” 

The guiding starlight transformed into clouds and rosy clouds. The divine general clad in dark-gold chainmail stood there quietly, his right hand resting on the sword hanging at his side. Two strands of white hair fell by his temples. Wearing a faceplate, he was cold and unfathomable, faintly carrying an awe-inspiring killing intent. Ahead, the young girl wore green robes with white garments, her hands clasped behind her back, occasionally speaking of the various great palaces in the heavens, lively and charming. 

Of course, out of respect for a senior, she restrained herself somewhat. 

Auspicious clouds billowed as they swept across the firmament, arriving at the site of this rite. But even Yun Qin sensed something was wrong—the aura of slaughter had already spread out, solemn to the point of terrifying. The girl slowly raised her head, counting upward, murmuring: “First tier of jade steps, second tier, third tier…” 

“Thirty-third tier…” 

“The Thirty-Three Heavens? Aside from the upper three heavens where the Three Pure Ones reside, have all the immortals and gods arrived?” 

“Th-this is…” 

“Ah, Yun Qin, why have you arrived already?! Hahaha, brothers among the Heavenly soldiers, make way, make way.” 

“Hahaha, many thanks, many thanks—let’s have a drink together when there’s a chance!” 

Old Yellow Ox had also taken on the appearance of a True Lord this time, imposing and renowned, coming to find Yun Qin. He laughed and said: “Eh? Yun Qin, you came quite early. Could it be that before Uncle Niu sent you the message, you were already heading this way? Otherwise, with your methods, by the time you arrived, the rite would probably be nearly over.” 

“Ah? No, a senior brought me here.” 

“Oh? A senior? Hahahaha, you must introduce him to me—everywhere under heaven, who isn’t a friend!” 

“Come, come, whoever helped my Yun Qin is a good friend of mine, Old Niu!” 

Old Yellow Ox laughed loudly. 

Yun Qin said: “Senior, please come over. The sides of these jade steps are where we should stand. We must not offend the Jade Ordinance and Golden Palace—we cannot linger here…” 

But Old Yellow Ox, still smiling, lifted his gaze—and when he saw that specially fashioned armor and battle robe, especially when he saw that white-haired True Lord raise his hand and place a waist token beneath the shoulder guard—his expression changed abruptly. 

He grabbed Yun Qin and quickly retreated, absolutely unwilling to be implicated in the slightest. 

Yun Qin asked curiously: “Ah? Uncle Niu?!” 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Senior hasn’t come over yet… he…” She was about to continue, but saw that the surrounding divine soldiers and generals all had their expressions drastically change, becoming solemn, with a hint of fear. All of them composed themselves, gripping their swords in a guarding stance. And in the next moment— that senior who had brought her here, who had seemed to have such a good temperament, stepped forward— and directly stepped onto the Heavenly Steps! 

A thunderous drumbeat suddenly resounded. Clouds violently scattered to either side, the battle robe whipping fiercely in the wind. Old Yellow Ox paid no heed to anything else, directly pulling the girl toward the twenty-eighth tier of jade steps. Every thirty heavenly steps formed one jade tier. The jade tiers were vast, spreading outward, seeming to rise straight into the firmament. Clouds drifted and spread, and all the gods stood among them—every deity solemn, all emotions restrained. 

The young Daoist stepped forward and stood at the very bottom. 

From the heavens above, waves of proclamations could already be heard. The great sun was about to reach its highest point when a deep voice suddenly spoke: 

“Central Heaven, Northern Pole—where is Dangmo!” 

The young Daoist raised his eyes and slowly stepped onto the jade steps. 

His battle robe stirred slightly, his right hand resting on his sword. Under the gaze of countless eyes, he advanced step by step. On both sides all was solemn—mighty warriors glaring, Celestial Lords lowering their gaze. To the left, the Orthodox Fortune and Prosperity Heavenly Lord stood holding a sword; to the right, in the Heavenly Palace, Yuhui Primordial Lord held flowers. The Revered Deity Ma Wang of Qingcheng Baishan held a demon-subduing battle axe; from the Judicial Office, the giant spirit Po Jun Heavenly General stood with head raised, eyes blazing in fury. 

Within the Dan Heaven Wind-Fire Court, the Four Great Marshals each held divine weapons. 

The Four Great Celestial Masters formed hand seals; the Big Dipper Star Lords leaned upon their swords. The Penglai Department revealed the solemnity of the Water Official; the Heavenly Pivot Academy displayed the full inheritance of the Daoist path. 

The Thirty-Six Thunder Generals all glared in anger; the Twenty-Eight Mansions displayed their divine abilities. 

Beyond the Thirtieth Heaven, the Taiyi Salvation Heavenly Venerable lowered his gaze; the Kaiyuan Universal Salvation Heavenly Venerable stroked his beard. 

The Southern Pole Longevity Great Emperor let out a sigh. 

The Buddhas of the Buddhist sect recited compassion; the Cihang Daoist stood upon the twenty-seventh layer of the heavens. 

And beyond these Thirty-Three Heavens, there were still seventy-seven layers of golden palaces. The Four Great Emperors had arrived; the Heavenly Emperor lowered his gaze. 

Step by step, he ascended the heavenly gates. 

With a sharp, ringing cry, the long sword was in his hand. His white hair lifted slightly as he said: 

“Dangmo is here.” 

At the side, the Tianyou Great True Lord glanced at him, then withdrew his gaze and said indifferently: 

“Donghua Emperor has brought chaos to the Six Realms, seeking his Dao yet throwing Heaven and Earth into disorder. You shall judge and carry out the execution—Dangmo.” 

The Tianyou Great True Lord returned to the heavenly steps belonging to the Northern Pole Exorcism Court. 

In this place, there remained only the war general clad in the Black Tortoise battle robe— and that Donghua Emperor.

The white-haired True Lord held a command sword in his right hand, looking at that powerful figure who—even now—kept his eyes closed, faintly exuding the majesty of an Emperor. Though he had already been stripped of his immortal bones by the Northern Pole Exorcism Court, his Yang Spirit shattered, the Three Flowers atop his head severed, the Five Qi within his chest cut away—he still remained unyielding, cold and composed. 

From afar, Tianyou watched the young Daoist. The latter, in a daze, seemed to return once more to the moment he had proclaimed the execution of the Old Dragon King, looking at him. 

Grace, resentment, cause, effect. 

Seven full years—there should be a conclusion. 

The command sword in his hand fell as he said: 

“Execute!” 

“I receive the decree!” 

A powerful executioner stepped forward, holding the blade of the Immortal-Slaying Platform, advancing step by step, killing intent surging. This blade had slain countless immortals and carried its own baleful aura, capable of breaking through the protective bodies of immortals. Responding to the order, he roared, manifesting his Dharma Image behind him, raising the blade and slashing down with a furious howl! 

His momentum was vast and overwhelming. The young Daoist stepped back several paces, descending to the next tier of heavenly steps, standing solemnly with his sword in hand. 

Yet within that flowing light, it was as though he saw the flames of Jinzhou again, saw the calamity of the Central Plains, saw countless lives and deaths. 

But in that instant, a sudden change occurred— 

Upon the Immortal-Slaying Platform, that blade—whose status was in no way inferior to the platform itself—shattered on the spot under the residual aura of the Emperor. The executing Heavenly General spat out blood and was sent flying backward. Donghua suddenly rose to his feet, shaking off the Immortal-Binding Rope and the Supreme Immortal-Sealing Technique. Opening his eyes, though his cultivation had been crippled, in that instant his aura was enough to shock all: 

“Hahaha! Do not speak to me of justice, nor of order!” 

“Ask yourselves—what fault did we have? What fault did we have! The only fault was that I was too impatient, giving the Northern Pole Exorcism Court an excuse to act!” 

“In the end, it is nothing more than the strong above and the weak below. I sought the Dao and died for it—I bear no resentment.” 

Donghua Emperor lowered his eyes and said calmly: “However, you should not have humiliated this Emperor in such a way!” 

“Jade Emperor—today I am willing to die beneath your sword. Come!” 

Donghua Emperor burst into loud laughter and rose abruptly. Even among the many immortals and gods, a trace of sympathy arose—thinking that a dignified Heavenly Emperor, second only to the Four Great Emperors, dying upon the Immortal-Slaying Platform did not match his status. That a being like the great sun should die by the hand of the Jade Emperor would be fitting of the name Donghua. 

But in that instant, a sword cry rang out. 

Almost by instinct, Qi Wuhuo stepped forward. 

The baleful fury within his heart surged. The blood sword suddenly roared. 

Having devoured the accumulation of the blood river over countless years, radiant light flowed over the blade. Though it held little spiritual power, the sword’s own foundation and sharpness were enough. With a single thrust, it pierced from behind through that Donghua Emperor—who, though at the end of his road, still retained his bearing. Having lost all cultivation and endured the Immortal-Slaying Blade, already at his limit, Donghua had only sought to die beneath the Jade Emperor’s hand—yet was pierced through the knee by this sword. 

His body staggered—and he was forced to his knees. 

Donghua Emperor’s eyes split with fury. 

A battle boot had already stepped upon his back. 

Blood-colored sword light erupted violently, as though the blood river of old had reappeared in the heavens, obscuring the great sun. Donghua Emperor attempted to turn his head, only to see upon the blade three large characters— [Refining Yang(Lianyang) Sword]: I am the Great Sun… and you wield Refining Yang… 

Donghua Emperor murmured for an instant. In that fleeting moment, a change arose in his heart and the blood sword struck across his neck. 

Its greed for the blood of an Emperor caused it to unleash its full power. 

The blade screamed. The distant blood river echoed in response, blotting out the sun. 

With a single sword— 

beheading! 

Golden blood splattered upon the Black Tortoise battle robe. 

Boundless silence fell—suppressed to the extreme. Beneath that silence lay solemnity. 

Footsteps sounded, calm and steady. 

That divine general—with white hair at his temples, clad in dark-gold chainmail, wearing golden-thread cloud-walking boots, hair bound with a jade crown, faceplate cold—extended his hand, lifted the unwilling head, then released it, letting it roll down from the thirty-three layers of heavenly steps, rolling before the gathered immortals and gods, falling to the lowest point, facing the mortal world, filled with unwillingness. 

Within the silence, a calm voice sounded: 

“Judgement. Execution.” 

“The duty has been fulfilled.” 

He truly… had slain him. 

Only silence remained. 

This was the first time that this white-haired, armored, masked divine general clad in the Black Tortoise battle robe had appeared before the gods. 

His name shook the Thirty-Three Heavenly Steps and spread through the Seventy-Seven Golden Palaces! 

Northern Pole Exorcism Court—Dangmo True Lord!