Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 395 A Man, Deeply in Love with the Demonic Path
In order to obtain the relics of the realm of consciousness.

Qingsheng Temple and its allies did not hesitate to unite and launch a massive war between the armies of two dynasties.

Therefore, among all those dispatched this time, there must be a few of the most trusted experts who have the power to contact their backers and report messages in a timely manner.

As long as the message is sent back, no matter where those powerful masters are in the Northern or Southern Dynasties, they will be able to reach this place within a day.

In reality, some people are even more concerned about the treasure-refining event at the start of this war than Chu Tianshu estimated.

Within the borders of Heze and Caozhou, there are numerous bodies of water, some belonging to the Yellow River system and others to the Huai River system.

The area where the Yellow River and the Huai River meet has a vast expanse of water, as boundless as a great lake. As far as the eye can see, there is only flat, misty water, and the water color is only slightly yellow.

Several warships, which appeared to have been used to transport troops, were in the middle of the floodwaters.

Xiao Zhenru and Hou Tianyuan were the heads of two great families in the Southern Dynasty.

Also present was the Northern Dynasty's Grand General Dugu Jue, who was on the same warship at that moment.

The moment that ray of colorful light shot into the sky, it caught the attention of the three of them.

When the colorful light changes, it forms that line of characters.

With their sharp eyesight, the three of them could see it very clearly.

"who is it?!"

Dugu Jue was thin and strong, with thin eyebrows and long eyes, black hair and beard, skin like bronze, and slightly large ears, each with a gold ring the size of a bull's eye hanging from its earlobe.

In the Northern Dynasties, such handsome features would have made him look like a natural-born divine general.

He was hosting a banquet on his own boat today, so he naturally took the seat of honor. In front of him was a low table laden with sizzling mutton, grilled fish, a small knife for cutting meat, various fresh fruits, and plenty of fine wine.

Witnessing that ray of colorful light shooting into the sky, he left a message challenging others to a duel.

Although there was shock in Dugu Jue's eyes, his hands remained steady as he picked up a piece of mutton that had been cut off and put it into his mouth.

Xiao Zhenru, with his tall hat and wide sleeves, long beard and elegant demeanor, and prayer beads wrapped around his hand, looked at the scene and his face darkened. He said, "I'm afraid it's Xiao Liang again."

"Hahaha, it seems Xiao Liang is really going to fight your Xiao family to the death."

Hou Tianyuan wore a black gauze hat, his face was as black as gold, and his short beard was yellowish. When he laughed, his voice was like thunder. He hadn't touched the mutton and grilled fish in front of him much.

In his large hand, he held only a golden cauldron the size of an earthenware bowl. The emerald green wine, made with medicinal powder, bubbled and emitted a smell like sulfur and cinnabar.

The recipe used here is "Dingjia Water Essence," a genuine Taoist Kongtong School formula for wine.

It is used to sprinkle around a dwelling to repel poisonous substances, or to feed to a dying person to ensure that the person does not turn into a corpse after death, but that the body is difficult to decompose.

After the rise of demonic arts, the recipe for this magic wine was improved several times. When top-tier masters with profound demonic skills took it, it had a great effect on refreshing their minds and regulating their qi.

But someone like Shen Minglai can only drink a gourd the size of a fist every half month.

Hou Tianyuan had already drunk more than Shen Minglai had consumed in four months' worth of alcohol at the banquet, and he was slightly tipsy.

"Judging from this situation, Xiao Liang has obtained at least four or five relics at the Consciousness Realm. I'm afraid the number he's taken is less than the number that has been sent to us..."

As Hou Tianyuan spoke, his drunkenness intensified, his eyes narrowed as if he were about to drift off to sleep, yet his words carried even greater weight.

"This is too unusual! Can Xiao Liang really do this all by himself?!"

Dozens of eagles spread their wings and soared into the sky atop the ship, leaving the ship deserted for a moment.

All that remained were the sounds of Xiao Zhenru turning her prayer beads and Dugu Jue eating heartily.

A moment later, a Hu monk from the Northern Dynasty army, carrying a bronze mirror, came over, knelt in front of Dugu Jue, and spoke in a string of gibberish.

The royal family of the Northern Dynasties was originally the Xianbei Tuoba clan, but as the country grew stronger, they vigorously promoted Han culture and customs in order to demonstrate their legitimacy.

For example, in the imperial court, the use of foreign languages ​​was gradually banned, torture was reduced, customs were changed, intermarriage within the same clan was prohibited, and schools were established, etc.

Furthermore, some changed the Tuoba clan to the Yuan clan, the Baba clan to the Changsun clan, and the Dugu clan to the Liu clan.

However, as the imperial family declined and could only rely on marriage ties with Qingsheng Temple to maintain its authority, a new situation emerged in the world.

Apart from a few, such as the Changsun family, who preferred their own Han surname.

Many aristocratic families changed back to their original Xianbei surnames.

Dugu Jue was even more ruthless in his actions. He not only advocated that all families change back to the surname Hu, but also encouraged all ethnic groups to maintain their original language, writing system and customs. Those ethnic groups without their own writing system could simply create one.

Therefore, those who worked under him often spoke in a foreign language when reporting to him.

Even disciples of Qingsheng Temple receive the same treatment under him, and outsiders rarely understand what they are saying.

Hou Tianyuan was naturally a knowledgeable person and understood deeply that this was the mindset of the demonic path.

Since they couldn't understand each other's languages ​​or scripts, it would be easier for the Northern Dynasties to split up in the future, each establishing its own independent regime and deepening their hatred. Whether they invaded the Southern Dynasties or the Southern Dynasties acted according to the situation, it would be something that Dugu Jue would be happy to see.

People like Hou Tianyuan and even Qing Sheng, although they attained enlightenment through demonic arts, in their early years they only wanted to use demonic arts to seize power. After they took a high position, they still had some desire to maintain stability.

Although this war has broken out, it is only because it is time to use up these people.

Dugu Jue, on the other hand, had cultivated demonic arts since childhood and was fond of chaos and merriment, just like his nature.

Even without the existence of the relic of the realm of consciousness, he would probably cause a big stir sooner or later.

"is it?"

Dugu Jue stopped wielding his dagger and said in a deep voice, "This bronze mirror official just conveyed the message from the two masters."

"In the eighth realm of consciousness, they sensed that the number of monks of the generation who should be chanting mantras and performing rituals to guide the power of the treasure was decreasing rapidly."

"Moreover, it was the relic that lost its balance and was destroyed first, and the monk perished afterward."

Xiao Zhenru's expression shifted, and she said, "How could this be?!"

"Before we formed the alliance, we all saw the finished product of the Relic of the Realm of Consciousness. It was indeed a rare treasure. How could it possibly have been destroyed before the monks of the Sheng generation?"

Qingsheng Temple, located within the territory of the Northern Dynasty, had already employed similar methods on a small scale, resulting in one or two successful cases.

All three people present were aware of the quality of the treasure.

They were worried about the share of the relics that would ultimately go to them, which is why they personally went to the battlefield and drifted on the water.

Only when the relics are received can we observe the situation of the other families nearby.

"Hehehe! This definitely wasn't done by Xiao Liang!"

Hou Tianyuan took a sip of wine and laughed unusually.

"Destroying that relic with physical strength alone is indeed difficult, but it is a creation of the mind. The demonic path manipulates the mind and is good at transformation. But if they encounter someone who has also studied the mind and intention very deeply."

"It's not impossible that they won't be able to hit the nail on the head, destroy the treasure, or kill someone."

Hou Tianyuan looked up at the colorful light.

"Xiao Liang may seem generous, but he is actually quite aloof and cold-hearted. This is his biggest weakness. He despises the demonic path and never touches it." "And this person, even if he doesn't cultivate the demonic path, probably understands it no less than us, which is why he can arrange these methods."

At this moment, eagles and falcons began to fly back into the sky and perch on the top of the ship.

As soon as Dugu Jue closed his eyes, all the eagles closed their eyes at the same time.

“I sent Eagle to contact the assassins and scouts, and learned that recently, many people have indeed appeared on the battlefield and defeated the chaotic troops.”

"Among them were swordsmen from Pengcheng, nameless individuals, and also... retainers from Denglai Mountain Gathering and Shutian Manor."

Xiao Zhenru lowered her eyebrows: "It really was him!"

When he heard Hou mention that he might be someone who didn't agree with the demonic path but was extremely knowledgeable about it, he immediately thought of Chu Tianshu.

This person has a mysterious origin and killed three great cultivators in one battle, including two demonic practitioners.

It must be because he also studied the demonic path that he was able to prevent someone like Fa Wendao from escaping.

"It seems that Tong Shouxian's trap was ineffective against him."

Hou Tianyuan chuckled and drank the magic wine in succession. "That bronze figure has no demonic or evil arts whatsoever. It is purely a record of a branch of the Taoist mystic arts, tempting people to waste their time."

"This person must have been well-versed in Taoist teachings. Otherwise, even if he was wary beforehand, once he explored the area with his internal energy and developed a new curiosity, he would eventually be unable to resist becoming engrossed in it."

Xiao Zhenru silently twirled her prayer beads.

"From what you've said, he's incredibly knowledgeable, has an exceptional character, astonishing combat power, and mysterious methods. We've had our big plan ruined by him, so we can only endure his sharp edge and deal with it another day?"

Xiao Zhenru's eyes narrowed, and her brows relaxed. With these words, it seemed that her desire to fight had vanished.

"Brother Xiao, what Brother Hou means is, since Chu Tianshu is such a person, how can we... possibly wait any longer?"

Dugu Jue threw away the dagger in his hand, took a brocade handkerchief to wipe his hands, and looked up into the distance.

"How long will it take before we have another group of monks of the 'Sheng' generation to assist in refining treasures? Besides this method, how long will it take us to create a new path of advancement?"

"And Chu Tianshu, who dares to say how much stronger he can become?"

Xiao Zhenru said calmly, "Let him be strong as he may..."

Dugu Jue: "Are aristocratic families willing to be subservient to others?"

Xiao Zhenru paused, her eyes hardening.

Having been in charge of the Xiao family for many years, he could certainly see through the scheme of flattery that Qingsheng Temple had previously employed to kill him.

But what's frightening is that if things continue like this, in a few years, Chu Tianshu's excessively elevated reputation might very well turn into real fame.

The number one in the world, suppressing all the powerful families and factions of the Northern and Southern Dynasties!

Not the best swordsman in the world, nor the best sect in the world.

He is the true number one in the world, and a ruthless man who acts without restraint and has already made enemies of all the major clans and sects in just a few months.

Xiao Zhenru said, "Going like this isn't safe enough. The Chen family is also a prominent family..."

Hou Tianyuan said, "After Chen Zhuangzhi broke through to the Dao, the first thing he did was to harm his grandfather. In order to secure his position as the head of the family, he went into seclusion in Jiangzuo and could not be invited back."

Dugu Jue also said, "The Northern Celestial Master has retired to the deep mountains, and Old Lady Gao would never want to get involved in this mess. If we use her remaining clansmen to force her to come, it will definitely backfire."

Xiao Zhenru: "Two masters..."

"Of course they will go, they will definitely go."

Dugu Jue looked at Xiao Zhenru with a gentle expression, "Brother Xiao, you have just switched from Buddhism to the demonic path, so you may not understand it yet."

“We, the demonic path, are not like the Buddhist path, which is ambiguous, full of different opinions, and like a weather vane.”

"If you are still a Buddhist practitioner, your indecisiveness will not affect your ability to exert your power in battle."

"But since you have entered the demonic path, if you cannot clearly articulate and discern your innermost thoughts, you will not be able to unleash your full combat power even if you enter the battlefield."

Xiao Zhenru's expression changed as she looked at the two powerful demonic cultivators before her.

These two people look completely different from him, and their temperaments are even more distinct.

But he suddenly felt that these two people seemed to reflect a certain aspect of his own heart.

"So, all that you two have said was to help me clarify my true intentions?"

"It's also helping ourselves."

Dugu Jue slowly rose to his feet, and the eagles behind him spread their wings and soared into the sky, one after another, flock after flock.

"The demonic path is unsettled and cannot unleash its full combat power, but if it is truly settled, it is not impossible to unleash eleven, or even twelve or thirteen percent of its combat power."

"This is something your Buddhist teachings cannot compare to!"

He openly called himself a demon, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy or pretense.

"This is the brilliance of our demonic path: free from the constraints of benevolent people, the aloofness of the mystical sects, and the wavering of Buddhist teachings, we unleash the potential within our hearts to the fullest extent possible."

"Ultimately, we must weave the world in our hearts into this real world."

"Neither bound by the path of good nor the path of evil, free from all worries, roaming freely!"

Large flocks of eagles and falcons are still spreading their wings and taking to the sky, calling out and circling.

Fifty falcons, one hundred eagles, one hundred and eighty birds of prey...

There should never have been so many falcons roosting on the top of the ship.

But now they are flying more and more, seemingly endless!

Even with just her eyes, Xiao Zhenru couldn't tell which eagles were real and which were fake.

"What a magnificent eagle!"

Hou Tianyuan laughed heartily, then floated sideways and lay down among the flock of black eagles.

A look of eagerness appeared in Xiao Zhenru's eyes.

From the moment he chose to cultivate demonic arts, he had already uncontrollably slid towards this path, his love for the demonic path growing wildly day by day, and he took a step off the deck.

An eagle flew in from nowhere and suddenly appeared at his feet, lifting his entire body up.

Without Xiao Zhenru exerting any effort herself, it's hard to say whether Dugu Jue needed to use his true energy.

The flock of eagles, darkening the sky, has already swept across the vast waters.

Fly to the horizon!

(End of this chapter)