Chapter 76 - 75: For Ingratitude, Kill
"Never heard of the Profound Celestial Temple? I suppose ungrateful people tend to have poor memories."
Chen Yuan gently shook his head, looking at the Cyan Yang Master with a faint, unreadable smile.
The Qingyang Palace of Linyuan City didn’t have a very long history—only a mere thirty-some years. Its founder was none other than the Cyan Yang Master standing before him.
In his youth, this Cyan Yang Master was just a little Daoist whose master had died young, leaving him to wander the Jianghu. While traveling through the Central Plains, he met and befriended Xuan Cheng Master, the heir to the Profound Celestial Temple.
The Profound Celestial Temple was not a particularly large branch of the Daoist Sect, nor did it possess a Divine Artifact, so it was not counted among the Four Daoist Courts.
However, the Profound Celestial Temple was still considered quite respectable among the many branches of the Daoist Sect. It had some powerful, secret Cultivation Techniques, but the requirements to learn them were steep, so disciples were few, with only a handful in each generation.
The Cyan Yang Master then traveled the Central Plains with Xuan Cheng Master. With Xuan Cheng Master’s help, he managed to build up some resources before returning to his hometown of Linyuan City to establish the first iteration of Qingyang Palace.
Then, a little over ten years ago, the Profound Celestial Temple became entangled in a Jianghu feud, and its lineage was wiped out.
Before his death, the Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple, Xuan Cheng Master, entrusted a portion of the Spiritual Jade containing his sect’s Cultivation Techniques to his youngest disciple, telling him to seek refuge in Linyuan City with his old friend.
But who could have known that the Cyan Yang Master, overcome by greed, would betray his old friend? He coveted the Profound Celestial Temple’s legacy, so he killed his friend’s disciple, intending to seize the inheritance for himself.
Unfortunately, he had overestimated himself.
The reason the Profound Celestial Temple had so few members was that its Cultivation Techniques were incredibly difficult to master.
Over the years, despite his constant study of the techniques, the Cyan Yang Master only managed to learn some superficial Dual Cultivation Techniques.
But the Cyan Yang Master was impatient for quick results and corrupted the Dual Cultivation Technique into a Replenishing Technique. Although it could still enhance his Cultivation, it was a wicked path, something unseemly and depraved.
"If I say I haven’t heard of it, I haven’t. Lord Chen, please leave. As for what’s right or wrong, I will explain myself to Inspector Qi Yuanming in due time!"
The Cyan Yang Master flicked his sleeve, his expression as dark as a stormy sea. At the same time, his heart was pounding in his chest.
’He didn’t know how Chen Yuan could possibly have found out about what happened back then. He had been so secretive that not even his own disciples knew of this past affair.’
’But giving up the Spiritual Jade with the Cultivation Techniques was even more impossible.’
’How could he possibly surrender the techniques he’d obtained by betraying his friend and benefactor and murdering his disciple?’
’Besides, if he handed it over, wouldn’t that be an admission that he was that very same treacherous man?’
"There’s a saying where I’m from: ’Since you’ve made the trip, how can you leave empty-handed?’"
Chen Yuan shook his head with a smile.
The next moment, with a resonant CLANG, the Cyan Dragon Blood Drink was unsheathed.
"Qingyang Palace is resisting a search. They must be hiding something! Attack! Surround and eliminate Qingyang Palace!"
As his voice fell, a flash of blade light, wrapped in overwhelming Demonic Qi, slashed down toward the Cyan Yang Master.
Lu Wenxing and the other three Captains exchanged a look, then gritted their teeth and charged in with the rest of the White Tiger Guards.
In any case, Chen Yuan was the Guardian Envoy. If the sky fell, he would be the one to hold it up.
Seeing Chen Yuan attack without another word, the Cyan Yang Master instantly understood that Chen Yuan had no intention of playing by the rules!
"You dare to be so arrogant as a mere Qi Casting Realm cultivator? Did you really think I was afraid of you? I was only being polite because you’re the Guardian Envoy of Zhenwu Hall!"
The Duster in the Cyan Yang Master’s hand slammed down. Empowered by True Qi, its thousands of silver threads became like a long whip, sweeping toward Chen Yuan’s saber.
He had already made up his mind: he would cripple Chen Yuan directly, then heavily bribe Inspector Qi Yuanming.
With Qi Yuanming pulling strings for him, not only could he save Qingyang Palace, but this Chen Yuan would also be severely punished.
But the moment they clashed, the Cyan Yang Master felt that something was wrong.
’How is this guy’s power so immense? His foundation is incredibly profound, too. Is he really a Qi Casting Realm Martial Artist?’
The bitingly sharp Sword Aura tore through the Duster, sending a flurry of silver threads scattering through the air.
The tyrannical Demonic Qi ripped apart the Cyan Yang Master’s True Qi, sending a chill down his spine.
The Cyan Yang Master roared, and a slender Long Sword shot out from his sleeve. In an instant, its shadow multiplied into thousands of images that swept toward Chen Yuan.
But Chen Yuan simply slashed down, unleashing a vast tide of Demonic Qi that crashed forward like a tidal wave.
The Demon Blade Slash fell, and the thousands of sword images instantly shattered.
Then the blade flashed, as swift and startling as a fleeting shadow. In the instant the saber hummed through the air, its edge was already before the Cyan Yang Master’s eyes!
’Such a fast saber!’
The Cyan Yang Master’s expression changed drastically.
True Qi surged within him. With a whistling roar of explosive energy, his figure blurred, and he dodged Chen Yuan’s strike at incredible speed.
The next moment, the Cyan Yang Master straightened his fingers like a sword. His True Qi erupted, and a powerful Finger Force shot toward Chen Yuan with a piercing whistle.
Chen Yuan formed a Seal Technique with his hands, and a radiant Buddha Light bloomed around him.
Pure Glaze, Vajra Indestructible!
The Finger Strength slammed into Chen Yuan, extinguishing a portion of the Buddha Light, but it was still unable to break through his defense.
"Even the Profound Celestial Temple’s Profound Celestial Finger seems petty and small when you use it. These Cultivation Techniques are wasted in your hands, simply gathering dust!"
Chen Yuan laughed heartily. The next moment, the Killing Intent Origin entered his body, and a boundless Blood Fiend Power erupted from him!
Sensing this incomparably strong and tyrannical power, the Cyan Yang Master’s face changed dramatically once more.
The next moment, the overwhelming Blood Fiend merged with the Demonic Qi. He slashed down, and his attack transformed into a boundless black-red abyss that sought to devour the Cyan Yang Master.
The Cyan Yang Master let out a furious roar, instantly draining nearly all the True Qi from his Reincarnation Sea.
He thrust a finger forward, his True Qi and Dao Essence surging, but it still felt like it was lacking something.
Under Chen Yuan’s Blood Demon Devouring the Sun, the power of this finger strike was instantly devoured and obliterated.
The Cyan Yang Master retreated rapidly, but he was still caught by the Blood Demon Devouring Sun Power. His wide Daoist Robe was torn to shreds, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The next moment, the Cyan Yang Master looked forward in absolute horror.
Chen Yuan brought a palm down. He condensed the Blood Fiend and manifested the Killing Tribulation. A massive Palm Seal formed in midair—the Blood Killing Heaven-Seizing Hand—and smashed down with enough force to nearly shatter the entire Qingyang Palace!
’I can’t block it!’
The Cyan Yang Master’s face was a mask of terror.
"Don’t kill me! I’m willing to hand over the Cultivation Techniques! Everything in Qingyang Palace is yours to command, my lord!"
But no matter how much the Cyan Yang Master begged for his life, Chen Yuan’s palm continued to fall.
The Cyan Yang Master roared, his Qi Blood surging and burning throughout his body.
Although he was no longer young, he had practiced the Replenishing Technique, so his Qi Blood was strong and abundant—even more vigorous than that of a younger Martial Artist at the same realm.
But under the Blood Killing Heaven-Seizing Hand, all power was extinguished by the terrifying Killing Tribulation Power.
The Cyan Yang Master had never practiced a Body Refining Technique. When the vast Blood Fiend Power flooded his body, he was instantly blown apart into a pile of gore and mangled flesh!
Blood and chunks of flesh splattered across the interior of Qingyang Palace. The once-gleaming golden statue of the Daoist Ancestor was now stained with blood and gore, taking on a sinister appearance.
An eerie silence fell over Qingyang Palace.
With their master blown to pieces by a single palm strike, the Daoists of Qingyang Palace were scared witless, their courage to resist completely gone.
The White Tiger Guards from Linyuan City, on the other hand, had never imagined that their new Guardian Envoy’s strength would be so terrifying.
The Cyan Yang Master had been considered a top expert in the area around Linyuan City.
And yet, before Chen Yuan, he had been utterly powerless to fight back. He was easily crushed, and in the end, blown to bits with a single palm.
’How could that be the power of the Qi Casting Realm? How could someone in the Qi Casting Realm possess such might?’
But after their moment of shock, the White Tiger Guards began to fight with even greater ferocity.
Chen Yuan had only just taken up his post, so they didn’t know his personality or temperament.
But having a powerful superior was always a good thing—certainly better than having one who was a spineless weakling.
Once the shock wore off, the morale of the Zhenwu Hall forces soared, and the battle turned into a one-sided slaughter.
A short while later, every Daoist from Qingyang Palace who resisted had been killed. A few others had obediently dropped their weapons and surrendered.
Among them was the Cyan Yang Master’s personal disciple, the handsome Little Daoist with the rosy lips and white teeth.
"Sir, what should we do with those who surrendered?"
Chen Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Their master is dead, yet instead of fighting to the death for revenge, they surrender. What use are such ungrateful cowards? Kill them."
The Little Daoist was instantly stunned. He struggled, about to say something, but a young White Tiger Guard behind him swung his saber fiercely, lopping off his head.
Chen Yuan looked at the White Tiger Guard with great interest. The young man was in his early twenties and had a Cultivation at the Blood Movement Realm Early Stage.
The moment the word "kill" left his mouth, the guard had struck. This decisiveness immediately reminded Chen Yuan of Zhang Xiaoyi.
"What’s your name?"
The young White Tiger Guard wiped the blood splattered on his face and said excitedly, "This subordinate is Lu Li."
Standing to the side, Lu Wenxing gave an awkward laugh. "My lord, please forgive him. This is my unworthy son."
"Your son is good. Very good."
Chen Yuan clapped Lu Wenxing on the shoulder. "Have your men start searching Qingyang Palace. Dig three feet deep if you have to. Don’t miss a thing."
Lu Wenxing was filled with complex emotions, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
’Having his son valued by his superior was definitely a good thing.’
’But this superior was a bit of a madman. Huo Tianying’s body was still lying in the Linyuan Town Garrison Mansion; that whole affair wasn’t over yet.’
For now, Lu Wenxing couldn’t afford to overthink it. He could only lead his men to begin searching Qingyang Palace.
But when they searched the back halls of Qingyang Palace and saw the traces left in the rooms, the tools used for certain bedroom arts, and the records kept by the Daoists, everyone present instantly went into an uproar.
No wonder everyone said praying for a son at Qingyang Palace was effective. It wasn’t the Daoist Ancestor who was effective, but this group of young Daoists.
Heaven knows how many children in the families of Linyuan City over the years were actually the offspring of these Qingyang Palace Daoists.
Now Lu Wenxing finally understood why Chen Yuan had said the Daoists of Qingyang Palace were courting death.
This bunch really deserved to die!
They’d been preying on the married women and young wives of Linyuan City every day. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were like a new groom every night.
At this thought, some of the White Tiger Guards’ eyes turned red with envy.
Even though these Daoists were dead, they had enjoyed themselves for so many years that it was more than worth it.
Some of the disgruntled White Tiger Guards even stabbed the Daoists’ corpses a few more times, aiming for some rather pointed locations.