Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 55 Suspicion and Trust (Combined Chapter, Chapters 1 and 2)
That night, the caravan finally entered the Treasure Pavilion.

Luo Fanchen deliberately let Qiu Yun absorb his essence blood once. The girl waved her hands repeatedly to refuse, fearing that too many times would harm Uncle Luo. However, she soon could not resist the temptation and sucked his neck full of plum blossom lip marks.

Throughout the entire time, Mo Xue huddled in a corner with her arms wrapped around her knees, burying her face in her knees and withdrawing into herself.

"almost."

After a while, Luo Fanchen looked at himself in the mirror and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

His lips were pale, and his cheeks were slightly sunken, clearly indicating a lack of vital energy and blood.

This description fits the state of chronic poisoning quite well, and this image should be enough to dispel Miaoyin's suspicions.

The carriages slowly drove into the backyard of Jubaoge in batches. Many low-ranking stewards came to unload the goods. Luo Fanchen was half invited and half escorted by Chief Escort Yun as he stepped off the carriage. He couldn't help but stretch his body, his face showing emotion.

Finally back.

"Chief Yun, the Pavilion Master sent me to greet you, sir."

Yunmo was waiting inside the Treasure Pavilion. Upon seeing Luo Fanchen, he quickly approached him and presented the imperial edict to take him away.

Yun Biaotou's expression was solemn. He pulled Yun Mo aside and whispered for a long time, reiterating his suspicion of Luo Fanchen and the tragic deaths of Qinghe Sect and Jubao Pavilion disciples along the way.

"This matter concerns the reputation of my Jubao Pavilion and also involves the Qinghe Sect. If we report it and make a big fuss, it will definitely give them a reason to interfere in my Jubao Pavilion's affairs."

"Among them, Ling Wudao is the most suspicious. Does Deacon Yunmo know the seriousness of the matter?"

"If there's anything you need to say, go and talk to the Pavilion Master."

Yunmo snorted softly, showing no sign of backing down, but his heart grew increasingly uneasy.

At a time when the Qinghe and Yimu sects are locked in a standoff, with small-scale conflicts constantly occurring and a major war possible at any moment, the Qinghe sect has long coveted the Jubao Pavilion due to a shortage of resources.

If given a reason, Jubaoge will definitely be forced to take a huge cut.

"I hope the Pavilion Master hasn't misjudged you."

Yun Biaotou channeled his true essence into his body, his blood and qi like a furnace. He stared at Yun Mo for a long time until sweat appeared on her forehead, then slowly withdrew his oppressive aura.

"Take it with you. Remember, if anything goes wrong, your entire family will be wiped out, and even that won't be enough to quell this disaster."

After saying this, Chief Biao Yun glared fiercely at Luo Fanchen, no longer maintaining the facade of politeness, and turned to leave.

In his eyes, Luo Fanchen was the culprit who orchestrated and acted out the whole thing.

He examined the corpses of several disciples in detail, but they had long since been destroyed and no trace of possession could be found.

On the contrary, the fatal wounds on the corpses were all left by Luo Fanchen, and the memories of the mortals who were interrogated were also stuck at the time of their rescue.

Furthermore, Ling Wudao was surrounded by an extremely strong murderous aura. Although it was not karma, it could be determined that he had killed many people recently and was very likely to possess a demonic treasure.

All the evidence points to Luo Fanchen being the demonic cultivator who swept through the Jubaoge trade route.

Jubao Pavilion only distributed the complete map of the trade routes to Luo Fanchen, so this scoundrel is at least 80% suspected.

He repeatedly emphasized the importance of the message, and Yunmo, that woman, acted as if she were possessed, forcibly protecting this person. The Pavilion Master is thousands of miles away; he has probably misjudged the situation this time.

"My lord, please follow me."

Yunmo's pretty face looked a little tired, clearly indicating that she had been overworked these past few days.

"Alright, I also have something I need you to deliver to the Pavilion Master."

Luo Fanchen nodded slightly. Now that he was at the Treasure Pavilion and his life was safe, he was no longer afraid of Miaoyin.

Yun Mo forced a tired smile onto her pretty face and led Luo Fanchen into the Treasure Pavilion through the back door. It's worth noting that this time the two stopped on the second floor, and in a side room at that.

The two entered the innermost room, which was simply furnished, elegant, and much smaller than the original three-story private room.

"I apologize for my neglect of your honor, sir."

After Yunmo respectfully performed a curtsy, he led him to the main seat, poured him a pot of fragrant tea, and then hurriedly tidied up the interior.

During this time, Luo Fanchen saw many of his daughter's private belongings, as well as the furniture and furnishings she used daily.

"I am currently suspended from my duties."

Luo Fanchen frowned slightly, puzzled, when Yunmo gently offered his explanation.

Beside her, Mo Xue slowly sipped her tea, and after discovering that it was just ordinary bitter tea leaves, she clicked her tongue and put down her cup.

"Is it because of me? Miaoyin is turning the tables on me?"

Luo Fanchen scoffed, while Yun Mo silently shook her head and calmly said, "My affairs are insignificant. Please tell me your important matters, my lord."

"Can you make the decision?"

"No, but I can pass the information directly to the Pavilion Master."

Luo Fanchen looked at Yun Mo suspiciously. Judging from the fairy's situation, she had clearly lost the pavilion master's trust.

"The Pavilion Master did not take back my token, but by the time she returns, even if I wanted to send a message for the Lord, I will have no chance."

Yunmo sighed inwardly. The intelligence brought back by Miaoyin and Yun Biaotou was very unfavorable to Lord Ling and her.

First of all, Miaoyin came from a rural background and was an experienced rogue cultivator. After observing him day and night for several days, she reported to the Pavilion Master with her life as a guarantee that Ling Wudao's words and actions were similar to those of a rogue cultivator, but also extremely close to those of a demonic cultivator.

Adding to the trouble caused by the Jubao Pavilion trade route, and the partial testimony of Chief Escort Yun, Lord Ling was immediately placed in an extremely dangerous situation.

The suspicion is too high. It's hard to imagine that a mere cultivator could possess a sect disciple without anyone noticing.

This trade route has been used at least five times in the past six months without any abnormalities being detected. How could it have been infiltrated by the Jiexiu?

Similarly, the most crucial point is possession, but there is no evidence of that.

Yun Biaotou also examined the soul of Deacon Miaoyin using the Soul Cleansing Stone, a unique item from the Treasure Pavilion. The soul was intact and original, with no abnormalities.

The interrogation by the Heart Talisman revealed no flaws, and it could be confirmed with 100% certainty that it was indeed the deacon himself.

"Okay, three things."

Luo Fanchen wasn't annoyed; he had long known that this move would arouse suspicion.

However, the Master of Jubao Pavilion would never take action until he personally confirmed the technique. Instead, he would deal with all the trivial matters related to him as soon as he returned to Feiyunfang.

With the Foundation Establishment cultivation level of the Pavilion Master, he could easily discover clues to corroborate what he said.

In addition, he will be given special care during the Pavilion Master's return, so there is no need to worry about his safety.

"Sir, please speak."

"First, there is a traitor in the Qinghe Sect, who should be a powerful inner disciple of the Feiyun or Chongxiao Sects."

"Secondly, they used the blood sacrifice and soul-locking method to refine evil pills on the Jubao Pavilion trade route."

"Third, the traitors of the Qinghe Sect colluded with the Shuibo Gang to seize the bodies of the disciples stationed in the Qinghe Sect and Jubaoge, and used the name of Jubaoge as a cover to continue refining the evil pills."

After saying that, Luo Fanchen stroked his chin and added, "That Deacon Miaoyin has an extra soul in his soul. It must have been the work of the Water Margin Gang. If it were just the Soul Cleansing Stone and the Heart-Questioning Talisman, we wouldn't be able to find any clues."

The Soul Cleansing Stone is a top-grade first-level earth treasure that can check the integrity of the soul. Wearing it for a long time can nourish the soul and is worth ten spirit stones.

The Heart-Questioning Talisman is also a first-grade high-quality talisman. It can capture the cultivator's mind and make them speak without reservation, but it requires the other party's cooperation. If they struggle even slightly, the talisman will be broken.

"Sha Dan. Traitor? But how could a traitor from the Water Margin possibly possess a sect disciple's body?"

"The Water Margin Gang is called a bandit gang, but in reality they are secret agents of the Yimu Sect. Their leader, He Chun, is an inner disciple of the Yimu Sect."

Yunmo was breathing rapidly and pacing back and forth, already somewhat disoriented.

It's almost an open secret that the Water Margin Gang has powerful backers. Anyone with a bit of status can guess that it's the Yimu Sect that's providing support, in order to create chaos and delay the Qinghe and Chongxiao Sects' reinforcements.

"My lord, there seems to be some flaw in your words." "Speak."

"Inner disciples are already the backbone of the Qinghe Sect, and they will all become powerful figures in the future. Why would they betray the sect?"

Yunmo's pretty face gradually turned serious. What Luo Fanchen said was completely contrary to the logic of reality.

The Yimu Sect is hundreds of thousands of miles away, and the inner disciples' clans are all within the Qinghe Sect, so they have no motive to betray the sect.

"Although the Demon Elixir is a supreme treasure, it has many drawbacks. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, one is extremely vulnerable to backlash from inner demons, leading to death and the dissipation of one's cultivation."

"Does Your Excellency know that all disciples of the Qinghe Sect who advance to the inner sect and reach the ninth level of Qi Refining will receive an opportunity to consume a Foundation Establishment spiritual item and comprehend the sect's cultivation scrolls?"

"What they think is none of my business. I'm just stating the facts."

Luo Fanchen clicked his tongue in astonishment. He knew that there were too many omissions in the intelligence and that it was illogical.

But reality is often so absurd that it doesn't require logic.

In addition, his source of information was also problematic. If it weren't for the Soul Banner directly searching souls, relying solely on interrogation, it would probably take the Qinghe Sect more than a year to piece together the general information.

He was too lazy to argue and casually said, "I have my own evidence, but can I trust you?"

As soon as he said it, Luo Fanchen felt stupid. So he threw out a second-rate pill and secretly had Qiu Yun add soul poison to it. He handed it to Yun Mo and said calmly, "Swallow it, and I'll show you the evidence."

"I"

Yunmo was slightly taken aback, naturally knowing what swallowing the pill meant.

If Ling Wudao is truly a demonic cultivator, she might lose her soul and freedom after swallowing this pill.

Thinking of the Jubaoge Pavilion and the Qinghe Sect's disciples who died with their eyes wide open, as well as the prime suspect pointed to by all the evidence, Yunmo wavered for a moment.

If she swallows the pill, there's a 90% chance she'll suffer a fate worse than death.

"Send me out. I risked my life today to deliver information to your Treasure Pavilion, which can be considered as repaying your previous kindness. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. You know where I live, so please don't bother me in the future."

After Luo Fanchen finished speaking, he got up and was about to leave, which immediately made Yun Mo panic.

Now that she has lost power, her only hope lies with this Lord Ling. If she loses contact with him, she will have no chance of making a comeback.

Yunmo pursed his lips tightly. In his haste, he didn't have time to think anymore and snatched the pills from the table.

When she came to her senses, she had already swallowed it, the bitterness spreading in her mouth. She belatedly realized she wanted to spit it out, but there was no sign of the pill. She could only hang her head, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, her eyes already red.

"Please, sir, don't go! I beg you!"

Now that things have come to this, she has no way out.

You really dare to eat that!

Luo Fanchen was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Yun Mo to be so reckless in trusting him, and thought to himself that this woman was incredibly bold.

After a moment's thought, he stopped in his tracks, stepped into the Seven Fiends Stance, positioned himself as the central figure, and used the Illusionary Array of Fireflies to isolate the room's array monitoring. He then summoned the Soul Banner directly in front of Yun Mo.

Fortunately, Yunmo was dismissed from his post, and the surveillance array on the second floor was somewhat weak, only a mid-grade first-level array, which the Soul Banner could easily shield.

The soul banner appeared, its surface covered in chaotic ghostly patterns. Yunmo's pupils instantly shrank to the size of wheat awns, her pretty face scrunched up, and she almost burst into tears.

"Hunhun banner?"

Yunmo's voice trembled, and he cried out in his heart, "The Pavilion Master was right, Lord Ling Wudao is indeed a true disciple of the Xuanmen sect."

However, this Xuanmen is the Xuanmen of the demonic path, and this Soul Banner technique must undoubtedly be of orthodox demonic cultivation.

"The presence of the Sha Dan is sufficient to corroborate my intelligence."

Ignoring Yun Mo, whose mind was on the verge of collapse, Luo Fanchen opened the Soul Banner, and an irregular dark black pill emerged from within, causing the entire room to suddenly turn icy cold.

Yunmo's forearm hairs stood on end, and the cries of infants filled her ears. A strong aura of menace swept over her, almost taking her mind away.

"This is undoubtedly the genuine Sha Dan."

It took Yunmo a long time to come to her senses. She mustered her courage and examined it for a while, and soon confirmed that it was the Demon Pill itself.

At the same time, it also eliminates the suspicion that Ling Wudao is a person who refines pills.

There's no other reason than that this pill is only a preliminary one, with less than half the potency of a fully formed pill. If it were refined by Lord Ling, he would definitely wait until the complete pill is finished before taking it.

“I believe what you say, sir. There must be a traitor in the Qinghe Sect.”

Yunmo pondered for a long time, then nodded gratefully to Luo Fanchen. After calming down, she realized that although this person was wielding the Soul Banner, he did not have any menacing aura that made him difficult to approach, and he was clearly not burdened by karma.

The lord is not a man of indiscriminate killing; perhaps there is another hidden story behind the Soul Banner?

The Demonic Sect cannot cultivate such a balanced and peaceful true essence.

"Since you can control the Soul Banner, you must be able to detect the clues of Miaoyin's soul. It is our Treasure Pavilion that has been presumptuous of you."

Yunmo gratefully performed a deep curtsy.

The Soul Banner is considered one of the top-tier magical artifacts for the soul. Despite being only a mid-grade first-level artifact, it far surpasses the Soul Cleansing Stone in its ability to perceive and utilize the soul, and can be used to discern the soul of any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Tell your master to make plans early. Although Feiyunfang and Jubaoge are unlikely to be breached, keeping these traitors around is a potential threat."

"Sir, you seized the pill from the traitor and the Water Margin Gang, which may incur their wrath. Do you need our protection?"

"Ha, do you still have the ability to mobilize your guards?"

Luo Fanchen sneered; Yun Mo was clearly already in dire straits.

After she took the Soul Pill, Luo Fanchen reluctantly began to treat her as half of his own.

Of course, it's only half of it. The soul poison that Yunmo took will actively disintegrate his soul when his soul is searched, achieving the effect of his soul being scattered.

As long as Yunmo doesn't leak his information, the traitors and the Water Margin Gang will never suspect him.

"They can't do anything to me, nor can they suspect me. You should report to the Pavilion Master immediately. Once she returns to Feiyunfang, you will be able to regain power."

After Luo Fanchen finished speaking, he took out the miscellaneous gains from this trip and exchanged them all for spirit stones from Yunmo.

There are fourteen in total, which, combined with my original savings, makes a total of twenty-four spirit stones.

"I need a few offensive techniques and some mid-grade first-tier talismans. Do you have any recommendations?"

"I have now been dismissed from my post, and I paid for all the spirit stones myself."

"As for cultivation techniques, I am really unable to help you with the transaction, but my family has recorded two kinds of first-grade mid-level talismans, and I myself have mastered a few offensive techniques. If Mo Xue does not mind my clumsy skills, I can give them to you for free. Thank you for your help."

Yunmo tried to hide her excitement; she had finally truly recognized Lord Ling's extraordinary nature.

A rogue cultivator from the countryside? What kind of rogue cultivator from the countryside can wield a soul banner? The Water Margin gang's thieving cultivator is truly despicable, actually turning the tables on us.

Now she has finally truly climbed onto the high branch of the Lord. Although she has lost power now, she will definitely be able to rely on the Lord to become a powerful figure in the Treasure Pavilion when she makes a comeback. She can also sit on the position of Vice Pavilion Master when she advances to the late stage of Qi Refining!
"Thank you very much."

Luo Fanchen nodded slightly, took the jade slip, put away the soul banner, and led Mo Xue away slowly through the back door.

The girl remained silent throughout, staring intently at Yun Mo with her almond-shaped eyes, her wariness evident.

When leaving the pavilion, Yunmo and Yun Biaotou had another fierce argument. This time, Yunmo did not back down and insisted on letting Luo Fanchen leave based on the pavilion master's personal order.

"If there are any problems, I will take full responsibility. If the Pavilion Master blames her, she can come to me."

Yun Mo was unusually assertive, seemingly disregarding even the Pavilion Master, leaving Yun the镖头 (bodyguard) with no choice but to give up.

Yunmo has only been dismissed from his post, and the jade tablet bestowed upon him by the Pavilion Master has not been taken back.

(End of this chapter)