Demonic Cult Remnant, Surrender Now!

Mount Heng, Damaoling.

Under the autumn sun of October, the mountains were shrouded in mist. Jianxing Peak, five to six li away, was half-hidden in the clouds, exuding an air of detachment from the mundane world.

From the hour of chen (7-9 AM), the sounds of shouting and killing echoed through the mountain range.

A scholar in green leaped up from the slope below. His long sword flashed, a cold glint, and four Blue-robed Cultists fell to the ground, dead.

He then swung his sword towards the Sun Moon flag with a blue background and wave pattern. If this flag fell, the Demonic Cult would be completely demoralized.

But when the tip of his sword was still three inches from the flagpole, it stopped.

The scholar sheathed his sword, the purple energy on his cheeks receding. He looked down the ridge again. The Demonic Cult's Incense Masters and Flag Masters had all fallen in battle. Only a few stragglers were still resisting.

"The people of the Demonic Cult have always done evil. Dying here is their own fault. It's just a shame they've defiled this sacred Buddhist land."

Before long, another red-robed, long-faced man led his troops from the east, killing their way up the ridge. He bypassed the scholar and unleashed his palm strike, swift and powerful. The flagpole in the center exploded into countless splinters, and the banner slowly drifted down the slope.

"Those who lay down their weapons will be spared!" he roared, channeling his internal energy, his voice echoing through the valley.

The scholar in green saw the half-broken flagpole stuck in the ground smoking, as if it had been burned. He thought to himself, the Mount Song Sect had many experts. Besides Sect Leader Zuo Lengchan, the Thirteen Protectors were also famous in the martial arts world. It was a pity that after the Qi Sword Dispute, Mount Hua's talent had withered, leaving him no choice but to lie low for now.

He took two steps back, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Senior Brother Fei's Great Song Yang Hand has reached the peak of perfection."

"It's still not as good as Sect Leader Yue's. His Purple Cloud Divine Skill has long been renowned throughout the martial arts world."

The two men exchanged a smile.

Fighting and killing were the martial arts world, and flattery was also the martial arts world.

Nearly a thousand corpses of Blue-robed Cultists lay scattered across the mountain range, their blood forming trickling streams.

The last eighty-odd people who laid down their weapons and surrendered were also all killed.

The Five Great Sword Sects and the Sun Moon Divine Cult had a century-long enmity, with countless friends and relatives killed by the other side. They had already been blinded by rage.

The long-faced man said, "Sect Leader Yue, annihilating the Demonic Cult's Cloud Water Hall this time is truly a great achievement."

"It's all thanks to your Sect Leader Zuo's meticulous planning. We knew the exact time, number of people, and route of the Demonic Cult's attack on Mount Heng half a month ago."

"Haha, with such thorough planning, the Hall Master of Cloud Water Hall still managed to escape."

"Wu Lianjiang is a renowned expert of the Demonic Cult, known in the martial arts world as the Flying Cloud Divine Ape. His Qinggong is exceptionally skilled. However, he was struck by two of my swords. As long as we send more men to search the route carefully, I doubt he can escape back to Blackwood Cliff."

The long-faced man chuckled again, "Sect Leader Yue speaks wisely. I will lead the Mount Song disciples to pursue eastward. Could you trouble yourself to search southward?"

Blackwood Cliff, the main headquarters, was east of Mount Heng, over three hundred li away. For martial arts experts, it was only a day's journey.

Yue Buqun's eyes turned slightly cold, but he still smiled, "Then I'll follow Senior Brother Fei's arrangements."

These two men were renowned experts in the martial arts world.

The long-faced man, Fei Bin, was the junior brother of Mount Song's Sect Leader Zuo Lengchan. His palm strikes were powerful enough to break wood and crack stones. He was nicknamed "Great Song Yang Hand."

The scholar in green was the Sect Leader of Mount Hua of this generation. He was humble and refined, and his actions were righteous and awe-inspiring. He was publicly recognized in the martial arts world as Mister Yue, the Gentleman Sword.

After the two men left, the disciples of the Five Great Sword Sects withdrew from Damaoling.

Another two hours passed. As dusk approached, the smell of blood attracted flocks of crows circling overhead, their caws filling the sky.

Zhang Yu opened his eyes. The iron saber by his hand was still sheathed, unstained by blood. Half of a blue Sun Moon flag covered him, and a corpse lay on his leg.

"Six months. I've been in this world for six months, and I'm still a Deputy Flag Master of the Demonic Cult who survives by feigning death."

Deputy Flag Master, a nice-sounding title, but his status was only slightly higher than ordinary grunts.

He was originally a university student majoring in Chinese Language and Literature. After graduation, besides delivering takeout, he enjoyed reading wuxia novels in his spare time. After being the top delivery driver for three consecutive months, he suddenly fainted and transmigrated.

It wasn't until he heard the fanatical shouts of the cult members around him, "Holy Cult Master, virtuous and martial, may he reign for ten thousand years and unite the martial arts world," that Zhang Yu confirmed he had transmigrated into the world of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

At this time, nine years had passed since the disappearance of the former Cult Master Ren Woxing. His successor, Dongfang Bubai, was obsessed with martial arts cultivation, and the great power of the cult had fallen into Yang Lianting's hands.

Zhang Yu, who loved wuxia novels in his past life, had also read "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" twice.

He knew that Ren Woxing was ambushed by Dongfang Bubai and secretly imprisoned in the Water Prison of Plum Manor by West Lake. Three years later, he was rescued by Xiang Wentian, Linghu Chong, and others.

He knew that Feng Qingyang lived in seclusion on Mount Hua, and that there were secret caves and stone carvings recording the martial arts of various sects.

He even knew that the top martial art, the Bixie Sword Manual, was hidden in the Buddhist hall of the old Lin Family residence in Xiangyang Alley, Fuzhou, which later led to the martial arts legend of the "Four Sisters of Mount Hua, daughter-in-law and son-in-law in red attire."

What good was knowing all this?

As a mere Deputy Flag Master, he had no authority. He couldn't even descend Blackwood Cliff, which was hundreds of feet high. The Sun Chasing Saber Technique he had diligently practiced for half a year was also a common skill. He didn't even know what his internal energy was.

Anyway, when combat broke out, as soon as the Incense Master gave the order, he would have to charge forward, yelling and screaming like the minor demons in "Journey to the West."

This kind of life, in a novel, would be that of a nameless passerby, a bandit B, a villain C, a corpse D, a minor NPC used to showcase the protagonist's brilliance.

"I don't want to be a passerby!"

Zhang Yu picked up his iron saber and pushed away the corpse pinning his leg. When the corpse's face turned over, he found it was an acquaintance.

Wang Liyu, a Flag Master of Cloud Water Hall, was half a rank above him and managed over twenty people.

They came from the same village as the original owner. They had ventured into the martial arts world together, submitting applications to various righteous sects, dreaming of becoming heroes who roamed the land with swords in hand, clad in white. In the end, they had both joined the Demonic Cult, despised by the righteous path.

There was a bloody palm print on his chest. Judging by the depth of the indentation, his internal organs were already shattered.

After a short fight, Zhang Yu found an opportunity to lie down and feign death. He didn't know when Wang Liyu had died, or at whose hands.

"Rest in peace."

Zhang Yu cut off three strands of hair, closed the eyes of the deceased, "Hair is where the soul resides; I will send you home."

Night had fallen, and a bright moon rose over Jianxing Peak, casting long, clear rays of light.

Zhang Yu glanced back, then turned and walked into the darkness.

Besides the Sun Moon Divine Cult, he seemed to have nowhere else to go if he still wanted to remain in this Jianghu.

Even experts and renowned figures like Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng were not masters of their own fate, let alone a mere soldier of the Demonic Cult.

"The Jianghu has always been beyond one's control."

"And people of the Jianghu are like gamblers with red eyes; they won't leave the table until they've lost everything!"

These were the words Wang Liyu had drunkenly said to Zhang Yu the night before he joined the Sun Moon Divine Cult.

The Sun Moon Divine Cult's main altar, Blackwood Cliff, was east of Mount Heng, within the borders of Pingding Prefecture, Hebei.

Zhang Yu chose to descend the mountain from the southern slope and then circle back east to Blackwood Cliff. It would only add half a day to his journey. He was being cautious precisely to guard against pursuit and assassination by people from the Five Great Sword Sects.

Clop, clop, clop~

The sound of hooves came from behind him.

Zhang Yu quickly jumped into a dirt pit by the roadside, covered himself with fallen leaves, and observed the situation outside through the gaps.

Two riders approached under the moonlight.

The leading rider was clad in a green robe, wearing a scholar's cap, with a three-strand beard under his chin and a long sword at his waist.

"It's Yue Buqun."

Zhang Yu inwardly cursed his bad luck.

His hiding spot was only five or six meters from the mountain path. Yue Buqun was a master of internal energy; if he heard Zhang Yu's breathing, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Fortunately, I have this thumb ring."

Zhang Yu took out a green jade thumb ring from his embrace, putting it on his right thumb. A sharp pain immediately shot through him, as if the ring was digging into his flesh.

Then, his breathing gradually slowed, from once every three seconds to once every nine seconds.

His mind became clear, and his senses of sight, hearing, and smell became exceptionally acute.

This was something he had bought from a street vendor with returned takeout orders from customers. It was the only thing he had brought with him after transmigrating.

Wang Liyu's gamble had cost him only his life; Zhang Yu had gained this green jade thumb ring.

Seeing the green jade thumb ring working, Zhang Yu felt a little relieved.

"Could this beautiful woman be Ning Zhongze? She doesn't look like she's ever given birth."

"To guard such a beautiful wife, yet castrate himself to become a eunuch. Could it be that besides 'Bucun' (uncommon/unparalleled), he also...?"

The rider behind was a female swordswoman in plain clothes, carrying the Jade Maiden Sword on her back. Her hair was adorned with flowers, her face was beautiful, and her demeanor was dignified. Although dressed as a married woman, her eyes retained their heroic spirit, possessing an inviolable noble bearing.

"This is going too far! Fei Bin is chasing eastward himself, yet he's sending Senior Brother south. It's clear he wants to claim all the credit for capturing the Demonic Cult's leader. We rushed here from Mount Hua immediately after receiving the Alliance Leader's order to assist."

"Exterminating demons and upholding righteousness is the duty of the Mount Hua Sect. Besides, I never intended to compete with Alliance Leader Zuo for anything."

"Senior Brother, you don't compete. Can Zuo Lengchan not compete? He's been recruiting experts from the underworld and instigating infighting among the various sects these past two years. I fear he's not satisfied with being the Alliance Leader of the Five Great Sword Sects, but intends to absorb our four sects."

Yue Buqun whispered, "The Jianghu ultimately respects strength. Let's not talk about this anymore. Where are Chong'er and the others?"

"Chong'er took Lingshan and Dayou ahead. He said he would wait at the Mountain God Temple at the foot of Mount Heng."

Yue Buqun frowned, "Why didn't they travel together? What trick is he up to again? As the senior disciple of Mount Hua, he's always acting rashly, associating with all sorts of people regardless of his status, drinking and fighting, being impetuous and flighty. How can he shoulder the important responsibilities of the sect?"

Ning Zhongze chuckled, "Young people are bound to be a bit wild. Besides, Chong'er's nature is pure and kind. With you, his master, the 'Gentleman Sword,' to guide him, he certainly won't fall into evil ways."

"Junior Sister, you always make excuses for him..."

Yue Buqun's expression soured. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly reined in his horse and looked towards the woods.

Ning Zhongze quickly reined in her horse and asked, "Senior Brother, what is it?"

Yue Buqun scanned the woods, "It's nothing, perhaps I misheard."

Zhang Yu, huddled in the pile of dead leaves, held his breath. He felt that compared to a turtle, he could only breathe half an extra breath. When would he be able to roam the Jianghu freely with a horse and a sword?

"Let's go."

The two spurred their horses and departed.

Zhang Yu didn't get up immediately. In the past six months, his other skills hadn't improved, but his experience points in feigning death and escaping had been maxed out.

As expected.

Not long after, the sound of hooves returned.

Yue Buqun shouted into the woods, "Come out, I saw you long ago."

Zhang Yu's heart sank.

"A dignified elder of the Demonic Cult, the Flying Cloud Divine Ape. If you die, you die. Why stoop to the level of a thief?"

He's trying to trick me!

Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Yue Buqun waited for a moment, muttering to himself, "Did I really hear wrong?"

He looked around, then patted his horse and left.

"He truly is the most devious person in 'Smiling Proud Wanderer'!"

The autumn cold of October had arrived, and the frost was heavy at night.

Zhang Yu's body went limp, and he felt cold sweat pouring down his back. Just as he was about to get up, he suddenly became suspicious. What if Yue Buqun decided to double back?

Ten minutes later.

Yue Buqun rode his horse back, looked around, and left without saying a word this time.

"Yue Buqun, I'll curse your ancestors!"

Zhang Yu cursed in his heart but still didn't dare to get up.

He lay in the pile of dead leaves for half the night, afraid he might snore, so he didn't dare to truly fall asleep. He endured the cold frost and dew, and the bites of mosquitoes and insects, concentrating intensely. The suffering was no less than torture.

At midnight, the moon set and crows cried.

"I don't believe Yue Buqun is still lurking around."

"If that's the case, then I'll accept my fate!"

He climbed out of the pit and stood in the woods, waiting for a sword thrust from an unknown direction.

After a long while, there was no movement.

Zhang Yu let out a long sigh of relief. He forcefully took off his jade thumb ring and groped his way forward along the mountain forest by the roadside. How many times he fell, and how many bloody scratches he got from thorns and vines, goes without saying.

He didn't get down the mountain until dawn was approaching.

Through the forest ahead, he would be out of Mount Heng's territory.

Just as Zhang Yu began to relax slightly, a voice came from behind him.

"Remnant of the Demonic Cult, I've been waiting for you. Surrender now!"