A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 176 Cleansing Up the Remaining Evil

Upon Shao Lingxiao's death, the Empress immediately invited Gu Lanxiang to accompany her into the inner palace to find the Emperor.

The palace is vast and deep. When it was built, a master of Qimen Dunjia (a form of divination) left some arrangements to disrupt and prevent those experts from hearing and sensing.

When the Empress found the Emperor, the Taoist Su Mu had not yet arrived. Perhaps realizing that he had missed his chance, the Yin Qi spirit that had been standing on the centipede flying sword never reappeared.

Outside the palace, operations to house the wounded and to hunt down the remnants of the demonic cult had already begun simultaneously.

The fact that all the members and retainers of the Lu family had transformed into demons naturally attracted everyone's attention. Under the interrogation of Abbot Wangsheng and Minister Jiang, they finally learned the reason and immediately led everyone to the Lu family dungeon.

The result was naturally that the prison was empty. For Abbot Wangsheng, who had witnessed the magic of those sorcerers many times, it was not strange that Jinghong was able to escape without a trace, since the secret passages, mechanisms, and locked doors were all intact.

In the early hours of the morning, An Feiyu led the people from outside the city into Chang'an. After everyone dispersed and the wounded were treated, he went to find Guan Luoyang on his own.

When they found him, Guan Luoyang was in a pile of ruins, helping everyone boil water. With a flick of his finger, flames flew out and ignited the "firewood" that had been brought over from the building wreckage.

Many wounded imperial guards and civilians in Chang'an had their wounds cleaned, treated, and bandaged with boiled water that had been cooled slightly.

The army's medical officers and doctors from various clinics in Chang'an were all summoned and busy in the surrounding area.

"I heard you're seriously injured. Shouldn't you get treatment as soon as possible?"

Anfei sat down next to Guan Luoyang, with a door panel lying on the rubble beneath him, just knee-high.

After sitting down, An Feiyu gently patted her knees and breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he was not injured, the ability to activate the contract required him to consume his own vitality. In order for the arrows filled with high-purity true energy to fly dozens of miles to kill demons, he was now weak all over, and every joint ached after he relaxed.

While carrying their seriously wounded comrade, the soldier tripped over a broken brick, cried out in surprise, and was about to fall when suddenly he felt light all over. The person they were carrying and their own bodies floated up and slightly off the ground.

After they had steadied themselves, they gratefully bowed to Guan Luoyang, who had his back to them, and then hurriedly left.

Guan Luoyang withdrew the finger that was pointing behind his back, coughed lightly, and said slowly, "It's just a little effort, it won't affect my healing. There's no need to find a secluded place to recuperate."

To break through the realm of "Taking God from the Void," seven to nine techniques are the best choice. However, even with all nine techniques gathered, the success rate is only about 60%.

Guan Luoyang currently only possesses six types of power, the one originating from the Wuwei True Scripture, which is not even fully mature yet. This failed breakthrough can be said to have been premeditated, and can also be considered as accumulating some experience for himself.

The injuries he sustained were naturally far less severe than the backlash he inflicted on Shao Lingxiao.

Seeing that he didn't seem to be putting on a brave face, An Feiyu felt relieved, which at least meant that his injury was unlikely to be life-threatening.

"So, all that's left are just some low-level thugs?"

Guan Luoyang said, "There should still be two people in the enemy squad hiding."

"But the influence they can gain from local figures is practically nonexistent, while we are at the peak of our local power, where all the best talents are gathered."

An Feiyu stretched, his bones cracking, and said, "The best option for them is probably to give up on the mission objective of fighting us to the death in Chang'an City and just wait until the mission ends."

"If you're still not satisfied and want revenge, Chang'an is only so big. No matter which one of us you launch a surprise attack on, there will be enough people to rush over and help. This will give us a chance to raise the mission completion rate even higher."

Anyway, no matter what, there's nothing to be afraid of.

………………

In Chang'an, the damage to houses and the casualties among the people became the top priorities for the court in the coming period. The fact that the culprit had been completely wiped out was also publicized in detail as a strategy to appease the people.

Gu Lanxiang became the busiest member of Guan Luoyang's team because she had to urge the government officials to collect all the remains of the Abyss People and those demons, and even shovel away the places where blood had seeped through.

After all, while those demons were terrifying, their vitality was also visibly strong. This martial arts world has never lacked people who want to take risks and are incredibly audacious. Whether it's the government or the figures in the Guanzhong martial arts world, they all have to be wary. If they hide something, they might cause another disaster.

The example of Lu Gu'an and his ilk, who nearly wiped out their own family, serves as a cautionary tale.

However, Gu Lanxiang represented Guan Luoyang and the others' attitude. The Abbot of the Palace, the Empress, General Feng, and the others also agreed that these things should not be left behind. Even if some people had ulterior motives, they did not dare to take action.

The remains of the Abyss People and the Demons were transported to an open area outside the city. Gu Lanxiang lit the first fire with her wine, then took out the relic and set up a magic-suppressing barrier, waiting for all the flesh and blood to lose their vitality and turn into charcoal after being burned and roasted by the flames.

After carefully inspecting the pile of charcoal, Gu Lanxiang sighed, "What a pity, I used all my wine to start the fire. Otherwise, with this success, we should at least have a drink to celebrate."

Yan Miaoqing smiled and said, "Chang'an is not lacking in famous wines and fine wines. They are made using ancient recipes from the eight rivers of Chang'an, and are transported from Lingnan and even beyond the Great Wall. Brother Ju is also well-versed in this art. Why don't we have him invite us to taste them?"

Ju Buyong, with a calm expression, nodded in agreement and led everyone back to the city, where they found a winery in the East Market.

His pipa-like weapon was inside his body, but when his slender, clean hands touched the wine glass, it was as if he were gently touching the strings of a zither, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

Gu Lanxiang could tell that he was a true lover of wine. The tavern owner also mentioned that they had brewed a new wine, so he naturally drank even more to his heart's content. When he was quite drunk, he became mischievous and even sent someone to ask Abbot Wangsheng if he wanted to try some as well.

The young woman in the emerald green silk skirt, shaded by a paper umbrella, also carried a pot of wine. She left through the back door of the wine shop, crossed two streets, and turned into the mansion of a wealthy merchant with blue bricks and black tiles.

Zhu Linlang was waiting inside the hall. As soon as she saw her return, she asked, "Did you succeed?"

Qiu Ruzui, now in disguise, put down the wine pot with a sharp, resounding thud as it hit the table. She said, "A bunch of drunkards. Getting them drunk is really not difficult."

Zhu Linlang frowned: "Were you this careless when you went? Not to mention they possessed divine weapons, and that woman was even a Grandmaster. Even with the Heavenly Mirror of Secrets to conceal it, you should have been extremely careful if you were to poison their wine."

"The wine was poisonous to begin with. I didn't poison it at all; I just made it more mellow."

Qiu Ru poured herself a cup of wine and smiled as she offered it to the white-haired woman sitting at the head of the table, saying, "I have no intention of killing them, and the poison I used is not lethal. What is there to be afraid of? If you are timid and hesitant, you will attract their attention more easily."

Jinghong, who originally looked like an old woman, now looked only around thirty years old, except for her white hair. She took the wine cup, took a sip, and silently savored it for a moment before praising, "Your talent in using medicine is truly outstanding. Alas, it's a pity that the sect leader failed. Otherwise, we could now freely use this Tang Dynasty as a testing ground for medicine. I still have many brilliant ideas that I can discuss with Miss Fu and you."

"However, I've heard that you were originally a disciple of the righteous path, but after joining the Fire Luo Path, you've become less willing to use those deadly poisons. Doesn't that mean you've been limiting your talents?"

Qiu Ruzui scoffed, "Where did this rumor come from? Back then, I did regret that incident for a while, but I don't care anymore. I just don't want to use poison that I can't concoct an antidote for."

"After all, if you kill someone with a knife, you can cut them ten times or three times; you can kill them or take care of them. But if you kill someone with that kind of poison, even if I wanted them to live a little longer, I couldn't. That wouldn't be fun."

Jing Hong's eyes gleamed with a strange light as he said, "So that's how it is. You want to be able to kill them and bring them back to life, and you always have the power to make a second choice. You turn living people into playthings by your side. With this kind of personality, it's no wonder the leader values ​​you so much."

Qiu Ruzui laughed and said, "Isn't Elder Jinghong also using such methods? Although we have suffered too many defeats, we have not been completely defeated yet."

Jing Hong said listlessly, "The patricide, natural disasters, famine, and the plague we are responsible for—these are the complete plan. If the leader hadn't been so willful and had waited until we had arranged the plague before taking action, he wouldn't have ended up on a dead end no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Linlang's brows furrowed slightly, and she asked, "Could it be that the poisons the elder has been spreading throughout the city these past few days have a way to counteract them?"

"Of course, if we ourselves lack the means to exercise restraint, how can we expect to turn these civilians and soldiers into weapons in our hands?"

Jinghong gripped the corner of the table and said, "Only when the situation escalates and our followers have the power to decide their lives can we use these people as our foundation and revive the religion."

Zhu Linlang's brows relaxed, and she was overjoyed. In fact, after Shao Lingxiao died, she felt that the situation was hopeless. At this time, to stay here and spread poison everywhere was just a dying struggle. But now it seems that they really have a chance to turn the tide.

After all, no matter how skilled Guan Luoyang and his group were in martial arts, they couldn't do anything about the plague. When the lives of the people of Chang'an were in their hands, how could they not back down?

"In that case," Zhu Linlang recalled something, "Master Su Mu shouldn't be in such a hurry to act. Why don't we persuade him to wait a while?"

"These two matters are not comparable," Jing Hong shook his head. "The person who killed the cult leader is still seriously injured. If we wait any longer, there may be no hope of killing him. At this time, it is all the better that Su Mu is willing to take the risk himself. We just need to provide some assistance and wait for him to give his result."

"Anyway, even he doesn't know where we are right now, so even if we lose, it won't affect our plans."

Zhu Linlang couldn't help but ask, "Then aren't we going to avenge the leader and the vice-leader?"

Jinghong was silent for a moment: "Of course we want to, but we've done all we can in this regard right now. Letting Gu Lanxiang get drunk and letting the monk Wangsheng think he's found the whereabouts of his ancestors' bodies in the temple—any more would be too much."

"Why be so pessimistic? I think there's at least one more thing you can do."

A voice came from outside, startling the three of them.

Guan Luoyang, looking sickly, stepped over the threshold and said, "Why don't you come and challenge me yourself?"

………………

In Minister Jiang's residence, servants brought today's meal to his room.

Guan Luoyang, who had been sitting cross-legged to heal his injuries, opened his eyes, walked to the table, and after taking a sip of soup, asked, "Do you know how my senior brother's condition is at the Imperial Hospital?"

The servant replied respectfully, "Master specifically ordered us to keep an eye on the news. We heard that the foreign object in Master An's abdomen is still difficult to remove, but thanks to the skillful hands of the renowned doctors, his weight has been brought under control and he is no longer gaining weight."

Guan Luoyang nodded, drank a few sips of soup, and started eating. Then he asked in a muffled voice, "By the way, I'm already so fat, and you still bring me food with added ingredients. Isn't that a bit heartless?"

The servant suddenly looked up, his once healthy face instantly turning blue, and black droplets of yin energy flowing from his eyes.

His ghostly face met a face that had suddenly become fat, with fleshy cheeks, full as a full moon, and eyes squeezed so small they were barely slits.

The Thousand Illusion Robe, disguised by the transformation, slipped off Anfeiyu's head, revealing his true form, now "indigestion" and "exploding with vitality."

boom!!!

The entire house came to life, transforming into a dinosaur-like maw, with haphazardly hanging timbers above and protruding bricks and stones below, like fangs, suddenly closing and chewing.

But the next moment, a surge of yin energy appeared, and the centipede-shaped flying sword circled around, cutting the entire deformed house into seven or eight pieces.

Su Mu knew he had fallen into a trap, but after this exchange, he could see that An Feiyu's life force was indeed swollen and disordered, which greatly affected his ability. His eyes turned cold, and he decided to make the best of a bad situation and use his centipede flying sword to kill this person first.

But at that moment, a bamboo stick came crashing down from the sky.

"It's you! How could this be..."

"No way, no way, no one really thinks that just because I'm wearing a green martial arts uniform, carrying a stick, and picking up a gourd, that's me, right?"

Dressed as a maid, Gu Lanxiang's blows grew stronger with each strike. To maintain her disguise, she even temporarily lent the relic to someone else and taught them how to use it. "I'm afraid you don't know, but the Right Commander of the Inner Guard is also very skilled in disguise."

Anfei sat on the ground, waved his sleeves, and the air behind him rippled like a vertical surface of water. From the center of each ripple, a long, winged snake flew out at the speed of a cannonball.

These animated flying snakes, which are both dense air and contain a large amount of intense sunlight, fly around and obstruct the divine soul that controls the centipede flying sword.

An Feiyu may have outwardly shown contempt for his enemies, but he was never truly at ease. Guan Luoyang went even further than him.

From the moment An Feiyu said, "There's nothing to be afraid of," Guan Luoyang kept Gu Lanxiang by his side until the mission deadline ended.

From that moment on, the real Guan Luoyang concealed his presence and wandered around Chang'an City, never appearing in the public eye again, only communicating through communication jade tokens.

Even though the strongest enemy had been eliminated, Guan Luoyang seemed more cautious and focused than before.

Just moments before, he found the person he was looking for.

………………

When the loud noise came from Minister Jiang's residence, the mansion that originally belonged to a wealthy merchant also collapsed.

Amidst the crumbling walls and tiles, Guan Luoyang stood with Zhu Linlang, bleeding from all seven orifices, beneath his feet, his right hand raised, locking Qiu Ruzui's throat.

The force of wind and thunder shattered 70% of Qiu Ruzui's meridians and knocked a jade mirror she had hidden in the lining of her sleeve off her body.

After being thrown to the ground, Qiu Ruzui coughed up blood as she stared at the jade mirror, her voice strained, "How did you find us?"

"The Heavenly Jade Mirror can be used to deceive our senses, but you can't deceive Chang'an."

Guan Luoyang's attempt to break through the void and obtain the divine power, although unsuccessful, created a strange connection with many buildings in Chang'an.

This connection was extremely vague, far from sufficient for full-area high-definition monitoring. However, based solely on the vague distinction between "malice" and "malice," he could travel day and night, slowly wandering through Chang'an City, searching place by place, which was enough to pinpoint the final location.

"Given the examples of demonic mutations, how can I feel at ease until I find people like you?"

Guan Luoyang looked at Jing Hong, his face pale and lips slightly dry, and said weakly, "Aren't you going to make a move?"

Jinghong involuntarily took a half step back.

This person was just as weak as before, fighting fist to fist, hand to hand against knife, and with one move he broke both of Zhu Linlang's arms and smashed her to the ground. He cut Qiu Ruzui's precious knife in half with his palm, and just as he was about to cut off her head, he changed to a throat lock. The process was so slow, yet it was impossible for anyone to avoid it.

"Oh!"

Jing Hong sneered, "If I die here, three days later, at least 100,000 people in Chang'an will suddenly fall ill with a strange disease. They will be afraid of light, vomit, gradually become delirious, and even be burned by ordinary sunlight, their bodies will swell up, and they will bite and devour the blood of living people."

"The food they touch, the people they bite, and the animals they scratch will all contract the same disease, and Chang'an will soon become the source of chaos and demons."

Guan Luoyang coughed, covered his mouth, frowned, and lowered his gaze.

Jinghong wanted just that moment when he was in a state of confusion.

In the blink of an eye, the white-haired woman transformed into dozens of figures, some leaping and bounding away, others drifting away in different directions.

Each figure was incredibly fast, and each movement was accompanied by the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind, as if they were real.

Although her bloodline concentration was one level lower than that of her creator, she was highly skilled in martial arts and knowledge. She used vampire magic to promote the original demonic sect's techniques, and the magic of her transformations surpassed both martial arts and Fuchs's magic.

She was confident that as long as she took the first half step, even the world's masters could not catch up with her.

But the scenery before her suddenly distorted, as if it had transformed into a dragon that had suddenly sprung up. The moment the dragon reached this point, it abruptly spread its wings and cried out as it pierced through the clouds.

The monstrous shadow, which was indistinguishable as a dragon or something else, eventually transformed into a hand crackling with electricity and slammed down on Jinghong's head.

"Comparing speed? Even Shao Lingxiao wouldn't dare to compete with me in that."

Guan Luoyang pressed Jing Hong down to the ground with one hand, then increased the pressure with his palm, causing her knees to hit the ground. It was indistinguishable whether the sound was from bones or stone bricks shattering.

"Ah! Wait a minute..."

"I don't need to listen to your threats."

Guan Luoyang blinked, his eyes filled with electric light, his hair twisting and turning in the flashing electric field. The current formed by his mental power surged from his head to his arms and then poured into Jing Hong's brain.

The roar of the dragon and the cries of the ferocious bird filled her mind. Although the breakthrough had failed, the six forces that were already showing signs of fusion transformed into surging waves of thunder, sweeping over this mind that had killed countless people with poison techniques.

Jinghong's screams quickly turned into hoarse sounds, his thoughts being whipped and forced to work only in the depths of his mind.

"Tell me the antidote!"

(End of this chapter)