Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 146 The Past of the Demonic Sect

At the end of the third year of the Zhenguan era, Emperor Taizong of Tang appointed Li Jing, Duke of Wei, as commander-in-chief, leading an army of 100,000 to launch a multi-pronged attack on the Eastern Turks.

After several defeats, Khagan Jieli led tens of thousands of his remaining troops to retreat to Tieshan. Li Jing acted decisively, leading 10,000 elite cavalry in a surprise attack, and ordering Su Lie, who would later become the Duke of Xing, to lead 200 cavalry as the vanguard.

Before Li Jing even arrived, Su Lie had already turned the entire Turkic camp upside down with his superhuman strength. The Turkic national teacher Bi Xuan, along with Zhao Deyan, the leader of the Demonic Appearance Sect of the Six Paths of the Demonic Sect, nicknamed "Demon General," joined forces to fight Su Lie. However, Su Lie charged at them on horseback, spear in hand, and after more than twenty rounds of combat, killed them on the spot.

After slaying the two powerful figures, Su Lie rode his horse with unparalleled speed, cutting down countless Turkic soldiers as easily as mowing grass. His knights followed him with equal courage, like celestial warriors descended to earth.

Bi Xuan was one of the three great masters of the world at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and Zhao Deyan was the third master of the Demonic Sect, second only to "Evil King" Shi Zhixuan and "Empress of Yin" Zhu Yuyan.

This battle is famous because Li Jing conquered the Eastern Turks and captured the Khan, Jieli. However, the bravery displayed by Su Lie and Su Dingfang in this battle was also praised as being no less than that of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Chu.

Neither Ning Daoqi, the foremost of the three grandmasters, nor Shi Zhixuan, the "Evil King," were considered by the world to be as skilled in martial arts as Su Lie.

This battle greatly deterred the Demonic Sect, which had been cooperating closely with the Turks. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, Duke Xing, Su Lie, with an army of over ten thousand, decisively defeated Ashina Helu's 100,000 iron cavalry, annihilating the Western Turks in one fell swoop and driving the Demonic Sect to the western regions.

Li Jing and Su Lie are considered by modern scholars to be the two strongest among the six great war gods of the Tang Dynasty. Shi Xiong, the former military governor of Fengxiang and the acting commander of the Ministry of Works, who was also the teacher of the four generals, is also among them and is known as "the last war god of the Tang Dynasty".

"Judging from this, You Di is either Qiao Beiming's grand-disciple or great-grand-disciple," Yang Xingmi said, revealing the Flower King's real name.

Youdi, a delicate and alluring beauty, truly lives up to her name—provided one doesn't know the witch-like nature beneath her appearance.

Zhu Wen said, "Forty years ago, in order to establish his authority, Qiao Beiming challenged and killed the leaders of five sects: Shaolin Temple, Shangqing Sect, Cangjian Villa, Tang Sect, and Wenyuan Pavilion. He incurred a great deal of hatred. No wonder this woman has never dared to reveal her identity."

The Demonic Sect had been gone from the Central Plains for two hundred years, and Zhu Wen didn't really know much about these sneaky fellows. He only knew that the Demonic Sect had many powerful figures in its history, but they were ruthless and selfish, obsessed with internal strife, so their attempts to stir up trouble always failed. After the Turks, the people they relied on, died, they also ended up fleeing to the west.

Furthermore, Zhu Wen's Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword was seized from Qiao Beiming by Wang Xianzhi and then presented to Zhu Wen by Huang Chao through a similar arrangement.

King Helian Bobo, who forged the precious sword, was also a demon lord in the history of the Demonic Sect. During the chaos of the Five Barbarian Tribes, he defeated the troops left behind by Liu Yu's Northern Expeditionary Army to guard Guanzhong, seized Guanzhong, and brazenly declared himself emperor, establishing the Great Xia Kingdom. The kingdom lasted for two or three generations before being destroyed by the Northern Wei Dynasty. He can be considered one of the most successful demon lords in history.

Yang Xingmi glanced at the Dragon Sparrow Sword still glowing red on Zhu Wen's back: "What a coincidence, my Ink Soul Sword was also forged by a demon lord in history."

As Yang Xingmi said, both of them had karmic connections with the Demonic Sect.

Zhu Wen released Tian Jun's arm, lit incense on the mountaintop, and offered sacrifices to Alliance Leader Wang Xianzhi.

Yang Xingmi also lit incense, but it was to pay tribute to the previous master of Cangjian Manor, who was also his grandmaster who died at the hands of the Demon Lord Qiao Beiming.

"That old woman is a descendant of the Demon Lord Qiao Beiming, and also an enemy of your sect." Zhu Wen asked, "Does Young Master Yang still intend to remain friends with her?"

“People today should not be bound by the hatred of the past.” Yang Xingmi replied calmly: “I have not failed my old friend, nor have I been ashamed of my conscience.”

Yang Xingmi could certainly face Heaven without shame and face humanity without guilt.

If Yang Xingmi hadn't given a warning beforehand, Zhu Wen would have undoubtedly died in the face of Baihuaxiu's sudden attack after she overturned the table.

Listening to the two talking, Tian Jun thought that if Yang Xingmi hadn't suddenly appeared, she and Zhu Lang would probably be experiencing their first kiss on this mountaintop right now, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

However, Yang Xingmi's advance warning saved Zhu Wen's life in no way.

Moreover, this man was exceptionally handsome and possessed an extraordinary demeanor, so Tian Jun couldn't bring herself to harbor any ill will towards him. "Brother Yang, why do you think this woman, You Di, would target me?" Zhu Wen asked with a playful smile.

Yang Xingmi replied without hesitation: "People from the Demonic Sect are fond of causing chaos and gloating; they wouldn't really want to help the imperial court."

"I've heard they have a habit of seeking out exceptional individuals as their agents, but they've never succeeded," Zhu Wen sighed. "Their judgment is truly appalling!"

Yang Xingmi said, "Therefore, the person You Di chose, hoping to replace Li Tang, must be a military governor in the south."

Huang Chao's main force of rebel army has now reached Xuzhou and is engaged in fierce fighting with Zhi Xiang, the military governor of Ganhua Army. Zhi Xiang has suffered repeated defeats and heavy losses, and can only retreat into the city. The fields and estates of Xuzhou's wealthy people have been plundered by the rebel army, and they are full of complaints and curses against Military Governor Zhi Xiang.

Next, Huang Chao will definitely lead his army into the south, where the imperial forces are relatively weak, in order to establish a long-term base.

The person chosen by Youdi is very likely to be attacked by the Grass Army.

"This is why that old woman first tried to prevent the Five Peaks Incense Gathering from winning at Mount Tai, attempting to weaken the Grass Army's financial resources. After her plan failed, she directly tried to kill Zhu and eliminate the Grass Army's strategist."

“You Di is already seriously injured and will not recover for at least two or three months. Brother Zhu, you don’t need to worry.”

Zhu Wen laughed and said, "Although that woman is skilled at seduction, she must be an old maid. With your looks and character, Brother Yang, didn't she try to offer herself to you?"

Yang Xingmi calmly replied, "I am not interested in anything bigger than myself."

When Pang Xun raised his army ten years ago, You Di was already the Flower Queen of the Ming Cult. Although she looks only in her early twenties, she is probably around thirty years old in real life.

Zhu Wen showed an approving expression: "True character."

Yang Xingmi readily accepted Zhu Wen's praise, and suddenly drew the Ink Soul Sword from behind his back.

"I, Yang, have come here today hoping to lend a hand to Brother Zhu."

Yang Xingmi spoke very politely, but his icy tone carried an air of unyielding authority.

Zhu Wen understood Yang Xingmi's meaning: if he was too weak and was killed by Yang Xingmi with a single sword, then Zhu Wen would not have the qualifications to compete with Yang Xingmi for supremacy in the Central Plains in the future.

As a descendant of a prestigious martial arts school, Yang Xingmi received systematic martial arts education over a long period of time, making him far superior to Zhu Wen, who came from a wandering knight-errant background.

Zhu Wen had only joined Huang Chao's ranks a little over a year ago. Although he had received a few pointers from Wang Xianzhi, the greatest martial arts master in the land, it wasn't much.

This proposal doesn't seem fair.

“Zhu Lang is injured.” Tian Jun suddenly rolled up Zhu Wen’s sleeve, revealing the numerous wounds Zhu Wen had inflicted with the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword to suppress his lust: “Yang Xingmi, I, Tian Si Niang, will compete with you.”

Yang Xingmi turned his gaze to this fit and free-spirited northern beauty.

"It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about." Zhu Wen didn't care at all, ignoring Tian Jun's dissuading gaze: "With a friend like Brother Yang, it's worth risking my life to accompany you!"

The Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword was drawn from its sheath and pointed diagonally upwards at Yang Xingmi's face, instantly assuming a fighting stance.

(End of this chapter)