Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 312 The Second Relic

Xu Long and Shen Tong both had a misconception.

How did such a peaceful martial arts world come to be filled with so many ferocious beasts and monsters?
How did a monk turn into the Qiongqi monster?

Is this still the damn Ming Dynasty?
Shen Tong naturally mentioned that someone had notified him to retreat, and that it was that senior expert. But Xu Long asked him, "Where is that person?"

Shen Tong couldn't explain it clearly.

The man with Han Tiange had a similar build to that senior, but that man had an exposed neck without any charred marks.

Moreover, Han Tiange and his companion are likely members of the Demonic Sect. Since Wang An has already exposed their identities, they will most likely not be able to escape and will die there.

The Imperial Guards can leave, but Shen Tong doesn't believe Wang An will let Han Tiange and the other person go, and even the demonized Fang Sheng won't let them go.

Regardless of who wins or loses, both of them are almost certain to die.

As for the "ferocious beast" that finally appeared at the foot of Yunqi Mountain, Shen Tong had no clue.

"Dangdangdang~"

A knock sounded at the door, and someone outside reported it. Shen Tong went out, took the item, and returned to the secret room.

"Sir, two picture book scrolls have been delivered."

The flickering candlelight in the secluded room cast a dim yellow glow on the two picture books on the table.

Xu Long raised his hand, picked up the scroll sent by the Eastern Depot, and slowly unfurled it.

The ferocious beasts on the paper are lifelike. The red and black dog's fur is clearly visible, the tiger's claws are sharp and hooked, the bear's back is broad and thick, and its long tail is strong and powerful. The human face that is vaguely visible is shrouded in red mist. Although the face cannot be seen clearly, it exudes an aura of domineering majesty, which is exactly the same as the descriptions given by the foreigners.

Xu Long traced the red hair on the scroll with his fingertips, his brows furrowed: "The Eastern Depot's agent's painting skills are quite lifelike, actually conveying a fierce aura."

Seeing this, Shen Tong unfolded another picture book.

This painting is completely different from those of the Eastern Depot. The ferocious beast in the painting has a slender body, its entire body is covered with pitch-black ink, its eye sockets are empty, black ink flows down its cheeks, its limbs are thin but covered with barbs, and its body is surrounded by sinister blood light.

It was Fang Sheng after he turned into a demon that day.

“My lord,” Shen Tong said, pointing to the two paintings for comparison. “The beast painted by the Eastern Depot has thick red fur, is majestic and fierce, and looks more like the ancient ferocious beast Taotie recorded in ancient books; while the demon that Fang Sheng transformed into is thin and withered, covered in ink, and has a sinister aura, clearly the appearance of the Qiongqi demon.”

He pointed his finger at the image of Qiongqi Demon: "The brothers who were there that day saw it clearly. After Fang Sheng lost control, his body stretched to nearly ten feet long. His movements were as swift as a ghost. The black liquid he spat out when he bit could corrode clothes and flesh, just like in this painting."

"The ferocious beast described by the Eastern Depot agents is far more powerful and majestic; the two are definitely not the same kind."

Xu Long bent down for a closer look, and the differences in appearance, fur color, and imposing presence between the two ferocious beasts were immediately apparent.
He nodded slowly: "You're right, these are indeed two completely different ferocious beasts. But how could such legendary beasts as Qiongqi and Taotie suddenly appear in this peaceful world for a hundred years?"

Xu Long thought to himself, "I've seen a lot and have been in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years. I've seen quite a few evil martial arts and strange skills, but I've never heard of anyone being able to transform into an ancient ferocious beast, let alone two of them appearing at the same time."

"I am also completely baffled,"

Shen Tong said in a deep voice, "Abbot Xuan Kong said that Fang Sheng was cultivating the demonic sect's technique 'Qiongqi Demon Body,' which is why he lost control and transformed into the Qiongqi Demon. That Taotie beast had neither the aura of the demonic sect nor did it massacre the people of the Eastern Depot. It really seemed like a strange beast that had been resurrected from ancient times."

Xu Long straightened up, his gaze sharp as a knife: "You've reminded me, you also arrested Xuan Kong, how's the interrogation going?"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard did indeed arrest Xuan Kong. Xuan Kong released Fang Sheng, who then went berserk and massacred people from the Eastern Depot and the Buddhist sect, thus violating the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

The entire Guangyuan Temple is implicated.

Of course, there are hardly any people left at Guangyuan Temple now, so Abbot Xuankong is naturally guilty.

Upon hearing this, Shen Tong's expression turned serious, and he bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, Xuan Kong has told you everything."

He paused and continued, "According to Xuan Kong's confession, Fang Sheng was originally a Shaolin disciple a hundred years ago. He obtained this demonic skill during the siege of Blackwood Cliff a hundred years ago. Forty-five years ago, when his lifespan was about to end, he decided to cultivate the demonic skill in order to prolong his life. He hunted strange beasts and drank human blood to cultivate. He succeeded in prolonging his life, but after that, he would lose control once every few years and barely suppressed his ferocity for decades."

"It requires the help of the vital energy and blood in the Buddha's relic to cultivate the demonic art. Therefore, in order to seize the Buddha's relic, Fang Sheng forcibly activated the technique, and was severely injured. His mind and spirit were lost, and he was completely transformed into the Qiongqi Demon."

The candlelight crackled in the secret room. Xu Long remained silent for a moment, then tapped his fingertips on the table and said in a deep voice, "So, the Buddha's relics in Guangyuan Temple were revealed by Xuan Kong? And he orchestrated this whole incident?"

Shen Tong shook his head. "Xuan Kong admits that he did have the intention of using this matter to help Fang Sheng eliminate hidden dangers, but it was just a coincidence and not a deliberate scheme. Including obtaining the relic, it was not something Fang Sheng actively took."

"Oh? Then how did the relic come about?" Xu Long thought he had found the culprit, but he didn't expect there to be another surprise.

"What Xuan Kong said was that after Wen Yuheng entered the temple, he was chased by men in black. Before he died, he hid the relic in Guangyuan Temple, which was later discovered by Xuan Kong."

"Did you use torture? The old monk wouldn't be lying to us, would he?" Xu Long asked.

"Rest assured, my lord, Xuan Kong was not lying. Guangyuan Temple is gone, so he has no reason to lie."

"Who leaked the news about the relic?"

Shen Tong and Xu Long exchanged a glance, said nothing, and then glanced eastward.

"You suspect the Eastern Depot?" Xu Long asked. "It's not suspicion, only Chief Supervisor Wang has the courage and audacity; he's at the Profound Realm," Shen Tong bowed and replied.

Shen Tong and Xu Long were well aware that releasing news of the relic would inevitably lead to chaos and conflict between the Demonic Sect and other martial arts factions.
To control the situation, the Innate Realm is not enough!

"But he's dead."

"A master of the Profound Realm has died just like that," Xu Long murmured.

Xu Long's gaze fell on the picture book of ferocious beasts on the table, his fingertips still unconsciously tapping the tabletop, his tone revealing neither regret nor excitement: "Masters of the Profound Realm are few and far between in the world. Wang An managed the Eastern Depot for decades, with a deep foundation, yet he ended up like this, which is truly lamentable."

Shen Tong bowed and nodded, then changed the subject, his expression becoming serious: "My lord, there is still something I can't figure out."

"Speak freely." Xu Long looked up at him, gesturing for him to continue.

"According to Xuan Kong's confession, Fang Sheng seized the relic in order to cultivate the Qiongqi Demon Body. The other martial arts masters and remnants of the Demonic Cult all came for the relic. This relic is such a precious thing."

"Such precious items, how could Chief Eunuch Wang be willing to part with them?"

Shen Tong frowned and slowly said, "If I may be so bold as to ask, if you, sir, possessed such a relic, would you handle it in such a risky manner?"

He paused, then explained further: "Although those at the Tongxuan realm are powerful, they are not gods. If the situation gets out of control, the relic could very well fall into the hands of others, or even be damaged."

"Members of the Demonic Sect have always acted eccentrically. If they were to actually seize the relic, they would most likely squander it recklessly, wasting a precious resource. Given Wang An's character, how could he do something so counterproductive?"

"And that is indeed the case. The relic was obtained by both the Soul-Slaying Dharma King and the Demonized Fang Sheng. No one knows how much of its power has been absorbed or how much is left."

Upon hearing this, Xu Long abruptly stopped tapping on the table, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes. He stared at Shen Tong, his tone turning serious: "You mean Wang An might have more than one relic?"

"Exactly!"

Shen Tong nodded emphatically, his tone resolute: "Wang An captured the Soul-Slaying Dharma King and another member of the Demonic Sect, but his subordinates dared not keep them for long. After inquiring, they learned that after Wang An's death, the Eastern Depot agents were attacked on their way back, and the Demonic Sect members they had captured were also abducted."

The candlelight in the secret room flickered, casting flickering light on and off the faces of the two people.

Xu Long remained silent for a long time, then slowly raised his hand to pick up the teacup on the table, but did not drink it. He just stared at the tea swirling in the cup, lost in thought.

"What Wang An wants is the method to activate the relics."

Xu Long revealed Shen Tong's guess, and the two of them almost reconstructed everything that had happened regarding the Buddha's relic over the past few days.

One has to admire Wang Anhao's cunning.

But all these calculations came to naught, because Wang An died.

The only remaining mystery and variable is who ultimately killed Wang An.

"It's a pity Wang An is dead and didn't leave any clues," Xu Long murmured.

"My lord, if you were to set up this scheme, would you carry the other relic with you?" Shen Tong asked with a smile.

Xu Long turned to look at him, remained silent for a moment, then burst into laughter: "No way! That's right, you're really good, so all we need to do is find the other relic and wait for it to come to us!"

After saying that, he stood up and said, "Shen Tong, take my transfer order and go to the North and South Garrison Commands to gather troops."

Shen Tong also stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes."

The night was as dark as ink, but the offices of the Northern and Southern Garrison Commands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were brightly lit, with candlelight illuminating the corridors as if it were daytime.

In recent days, due to the Guangyuan Temple case and the emperor's strict orders, the entire department has been on high alert, with all holidays canceled and the imperial guards dressed in flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives at their waists, all ready to be deployed.

Holding Xu Long's order, Shen Tong strode through the corridor, his footsteps echoing clearly in the quiet government office: "By order of the commander, assemble the elite cavalry of the North and South Garrison Commands immediately!"

Upon hearing the commotion, the imperial guards moved swiftly and without the slightest hesitation, and in a short while they were lined up in the training ground.

The garrison commander, Li Song, strode forward, his face showing a mixture of confusion and seriousness.

Mobilizing a large number of imperial guards in the capital city late at night is no small matter.

"Commander Shen, what urgent matter could you be making by mobilizing troops so late at night?"

Shen Tong remained expressionless and uttered only three words: "Go to the Eastern Depot."

Li Song was startled, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

The Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have always been rivals. Their arrival with troops late at night... what does this mean?

He wanted to ask more, but then he saw a troop of cavalry galloping towards him in the distance. The leader was Xu Long, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, wearing a black cloak and carrying the Seven Star Sword bestowed by the emperor at his waist. His expression was as cold as ice.

Xu Long's gaze swept over the elite guards who were fully prepared for battle at the training ground. Without uttering a single unnecessary word, he said in a deep voice, "Let's go!"

(End of this chapter)