Chapter 378
Chapter 378
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Sword Pavilion, Ye Family Intrigue
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sword Pavilion, Ye Family Mansion.
Cloud seas swirled around, palace halls gleaming brightly. These days, the Ye Family stood as the foremost clan in Sword Pavilion, not just because of the True Lord, but more so because of Perfected Being Demon-Quelling.
After all, with the various True Lords in seclusion, peak Foundation Establishment was the pinnacle of strength.
And among those at peak Foundation Establishment, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling led by a chasm-like margin. The Ye Family had borrowed his prestige to reap no small benefits in Sword Pavilion over the past decade.
At that moment, a flying letter talisman arrived.
Inside the grand hall, a handsome young man wearing an ornate crown extended his hand and caught the talisman. His divine sense swept over it, and a smile bloomed on his face.
"Family Head, the Myriad Poison Sect has been destroyed!"
At those words, Ye Shaoying, who had been meditating in the seat of honor at the front of the hall, abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of satisfaction in them.
"Is what you say true, Cheng'er?"
"Absolutely true!"
Ye Cheng affirmed confidently. "This was all arranged by me personally. This letter came from a friend of mine in the Southern Frontier—there's no falsehood in it whatsoever!"
"Good!"
Ye Shaoying nodded then, his voice filled with relish. "With Demon-Quelling making a personal trip to the Southern Frontier, that Lu Yang from the Myriad Poison Sect must have perished by now!"
Ye Cheng nodded with a smile. "Family Head is wise. Cleverly using the spies the Myriad Poison Sect planted among the Qi Refining disciples to lay this heavenly net—that mere loose cultivator Lu Yang had no way to escape. In the end, he owed our Ye Family a karmic debt, and his death is simply his fate."
"You speak wisely, Cheng'er."
Ye Shaoying nodded. His daughter Ye Guyue had died so inexplicably inside the [South Heaven Gate], and he'd harbored resentment for years.
Thus, he had long been displeased with Lu Yang.
The reason was simple: My daughter is dead—why are you still alive?
Did you have something to do with it?
Not to mention his original plan had been for his daughter Ye Guyue to inherit Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's mantle and learn his [Sword Intent], only for it all to fall apart.
And yet Lu Yang had been taken as Demon-Quelling's disciple.
What if the two hit it off, and Demon-Quelling passed his [Sword Intent] to Lu Yang? What would become of the Ye Family? This was something Ye Shaoying could not tolerate.
In his view, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling was one of the Ye Family.
Thus, Demon-Quelling's [Sword Intent] rightfully belonged to the Ye Family!
How could an outsider lay hands on it?
So whether for public or private reasons, he didn't want Lu Yang to keep living. And if he did, best he never reach Foundation Establishment in his lifetime.
"Come on."
With that thought, Ye Shaoying rose to his feet and smiled faintly at Ye Cheng. "Come with me, Cheng'er. We'll go pay a visit to Demon-Quelling and offer some consolation."
He then patted Ye Cheng's shoulder, his tone earnest. "You are now the most outstanding young talent in our Ye Family. This time, I'll recommend you as a disciple under Demon-Quelling. Train hard. With Guyue gone, my successor as Family Head remains undecided—you must strive accordingly."
"Nephew understands!"
Ye Cheng's face lit up with excitement at the words. If he could claim the Family Head position, late Foundation Establishment would practically be assured in the future!
Soon, two streaks of escaping light shot out from the Ye Family mansion.
They flew straight to Extreme Heaven Cliff.
The moment they approached, Ye Shaoying composed his expression and said gravely, "Guangji, I know how hard it is to lose a beloved disciple, but you still must..."
His voice cut off abruptly.
The words of condolence unsaid, Ye Shaoying laid eyes on Lu Yang, standing calmly beside Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, who now turned to look at him.
Not dead!?
Ye Shaoying whipped his head back to Ye Cheng, only to see the same stunned look on his face—clearly, he hadn't anticipated this either, baffled as to why Lu Yang was still alive.
'Could Demon-Quelling have sensed something amiss and rushed there in time?'
'Otherwise, even the Myriad Poison Sect's Sect Master Longyue is a late Foundation Establishment great cultivator. How could she fail against a newly established junior?'
Ye Shaoying pondered.
The next instant, a shiver ran through him—his [Sword Heart] warning him. He instinctively looked up, just as his gaze met Lu Yang's.
"Clang clang!"
In a daze, a clear, resonant sword hum rang in Ye Shaoying's ears. The Lu Yang before him lost all human form, transforming into a blazing, majestic sword qi too brilliant to behold! Just one glance, and it rivaled a great cultivator!
"My apologies."
Lu Yang smiled apologetically. "My current state is rather special—my sword qi is hard to restrain. Please don't take offense, fellow Daoists."
Even as he spoke, Lu Yang's sword qi showed no sign of retracting. Instead, it flared even more boldly.
Damn it, can't take on the World Honored One? Can't I at least handle you?
Among those present, Ye Cheng had the weakest cultivation, just entering mid Foundation Establishment. Under the pressure of Lu Yang's sword qi, he spat blood and staggered back a step.
'How is this possible?'
This time, Ye Shaoying's expression truly changed. His poise as Family Head shattered in an instant as he stared incredulously at Lu Yang before him.
'Late Foundation Establishment!? A great cultivator!?'
What a joke!
'This man's foundations and heritage are so profound? What is his true origin? Reincarnated for barely a decade, and he's already at late Foundation Establishment?'
If it were anyone else, Ye Shaoying would have immediately accused Lu Yang of being a spy from another sect. But Lu Yang's case was different—he had burned incense at the Induction Hall, which meant his past life's memories had been thoroughly cleansed. Even if he'd been a spy before, he couldn't be now.
But Ye Shaoying was, after all, the Ye Family Head.
"...No matter."
In a flash, he regained his composure. "I came here today precisely to bring this disgrace from my family to apologize to you, fellow Daoist."
Ye Cheng: "???"
Before Ye Cheng could react, Ye Shaoying slapped a hand on him, sealing his divine sense, then shoved him forward.
"It was this man who secretly colluded with the Myriad Poison Sect and betrayed Sword Pavilion's interests."
"The evidence is ironclad. If you still harbor doubts, fellow Daoist, you can soul-search the several Qi Refining disciples he communicated with—they're Myriad Poison Sect spies as well."
Ye Shaoying spoke with righteous fervor.
Lu Yang listened in utter admiration.
'As expected of a once-in-a-generation sword seed.'
Why had Demon-Quelling suddenly rushed to the Southern Frontier? Because he'd uncovered Ye Cheng's little scheme. Yet Ye Shaoying had chosen to sacrifice a pawn to save the carriage.
And Ye Shaoying saw nothing wrong with it.
Compared to before, his mindset had completely shifted. After all, a great cultivator's worth far surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment True Lord.
Where once he'd schemed to eliminate Lu Yang,
Now, he'd changed tack: 'If I can arrange a marriage alliance and pull a great cultivator into the Ye Family, that wouldn't be a bad thing at all.'
With that thought, Ye Shaoying opened his mouth to speak.
But at that moment—
"Enough."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling suddenly cut him off, his voice heavy. "Haven't you lost enough face? Go back. Take Ye Cheng with you."
"Put him in secluded meditation—make him sit still for a century."
"...Very well."
Ye Shaoying nodded decisively, understanding this matter needed long-term planning. He grabbed Ye Cheng and departed Extreme Heaven Cliff with noticeable haste.
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed helplessly at the sight, then turned to Lu Yang.
"For my sake, don't make things hard for them."
Lu Yang bowed hastily. "This disciple wouldn't dare."
At that, Demon-Quelling nodded, then unfastened the [Non-Killing Sword] from his waist and handed it to Lu Yang.
"Consider this my amends on their behalf."
"You've reached the stage to comprehend [Sword Intent]. Borrow this sword for a look—study it carefully. It'll aid your current cultivation somewhat."
"Many thanks, Master!"
Lu Yang bowed again, not refusing, and took hold of the [Non-Killing Sword]. A chill and mountain-like weight immediately pressed into his palms.
Truth be told, even without Demon-Quelling's words, he had no time now to trouble the Ye Family. At most, he'd keep it in mind.
He had more important matters.
'Hongyun's memories!'
Previously, the heavens had secretly interfered, preventing him from delving deeper. Clearly, there was some secret tied to the heavens involved—he was determined to see what it was!