Leaving the Sect, Subduing Demons

"Have Zhao Zheng take on an outer-county mission, find a few people from the Flying Smoke Society to accompany him, and remember: do not let him register his name at the Internal Affairs Hall." Fang Jiming slowly rose to his feet. "You all, go and accept an outside mission as well."

He walked to the stone table, picked up his precious sword, held it horizontally before his eyes, scanned it slowly, and finally sheathed it.

I have waited a whole year for this opportunity!

As long as Yu Xiu remained alive, the incident where his younger brother Fang Jibai broke through his cultivation realm using evil arts would never truly fade away.

As long as someone saw Yu Xiu, they would be reminded that he was the brother of Fang Jibai, and the matter would be brought up time and time again.

It was also because of this incident that he had remained in the Inner Court.

Entering the Main Sect required sufficiently brilliant merits.

He actually already possessed such merits, but because of Fang Jibai—and because Yu Xiu had caught Fang Jibai using evil arts to break through—his previous promotion to the Main Sect had failed.

Therefore, he had been waiting for an opportunity.

Fang Jibai was already dead.

Then, how could Yu Xiu be allowed to live!

Once Yu Xiu was dead, this matter would fade away with time, and he would eventually be able to be promoted to the Main Sect and advance further.

As expected, not long after Yu Xiu returned to his Bamboo Cottage, Zhao Zheng appeared. "I heard Brother Yu was looking for me?"

He really came. Watching Zhao Zheng appear, Yu Xiu was already half-certain that the latter was connected to Fang Jiming.

Normally, even if he had asked for Zhao Zheng's residence, the latter could have appeared, but he shouldn't have appeared so quickly—even if the Flying Smoke Society truly wanted to recruit him.

"Recently, Zhao Hong, Xu Rou, and a few others who joined the sect with me have often spoken of taking on missions to go out and subdue demons to earn contribution points, so I've developed an interest in doing the same. I wonder if Senior Brother Zhao would be willing to guide me?" Yu Xiu seemed a bit hesitant, but he said it nonetheless.

Zhao Zheng laughed. "A genius like Brother Yu will surely enter the Four Great Passes and be promoted to the Main Sect in the future. I am more than happy to lend Brother Yu a hand, only hoping that when you enter the Main Sect, you won't forget to pull me up as well."

"Many thanks, Senior Brother Zhao." Yu Xiu was overjoyed. "I wonder when we can head out to subdue demons?"

Zhao Zheng replied, "It's a coincidence; I just accepted a decent mission to slay a Qi Sea realm Shadow Demon. It's just that the journey is a bit far, and we need to use the sect's flying boat. However, Brother Yu, rest assured—I can lend you the contribution points for the flying boat first."

Yu Xiu pressed, "Which mission is it? When do we depart? I need to go to the Internal Affairs Hall to register."

Only after registering a mission and completing the handover could one be awarded contribution points.

Zhao Zheng waved his hand. "No need for the trouble. Once it's done, I will directly divide the contribution points and give them to you. Time is tight, and several other senior brothers are already prepared; they are just waiting for you to arrive so we can board the flying boat. We have a Life Spring realm senior brother leading the team, so it is safe and secure. Whatever you need to prepare, Brother Yu, pack it up quickly."

He won't even let me register at the Internal Affairs Hall; he is in such a rush to take my life!

Yu Xiu understood clearly, but he quickly replied, "How could I let the senior brothers wait? I have nothing to prepare and can depart at any time."

He turned back to grab his long sword and locked his door.

A flash of conflict appeared in Zhao Zheng's expression, but he finally sighed inwardly, I'm sorry, Junior Brother Yu. Fang Jiming is paying too much!

After this, it was unlikely that Yu Xiu would ever have the chance to return to the sect.

Before long, the two arrived at the flying boat dock on the peak of the Inner Court. The sect rented out flying boats there; as long as you had enough contribution points or money, these boats could send you to any corner of the world with incredible speed.

However, the Inner Court's flying boats were small, capable of carrying only seven people at a time.

Furthermore, the boats were piloted by the sect's ferrymen, who only concerned themselves with transport and nothing else, leaving as soon as the passengers were dropped off.

The flying boat looked like a small vessel with a low-rise structure on top for resting—though calling it a "low-rise" was generous, as it was only about the size of a pavilion.

At this moment, there were three others on the boat. According to Zhao Zheng's introduction, there were two women and one man. The man was not tall but had a handsome appearance; his name was Qin Shu, the Life Spring realm senior brother Zhao Zheng had mentioned.

Yu Xiu could see that Qin Shu was at the second level of the Life Spring realm, making him the strongest person present besides himself.

The two young female disciples included one who was slightly plump with an ordinary face, though her eyes always seemed to carry a sense of kindness; her name was Zhang Yun.

The other was a tall, thin female disciple with a gaunt face that looked somewhat sharp; her name was Ruan Fei.

Yu Xiu himself used his Sword Heart, "Hidden Edge," to mask his strength at the first level of the Qi Sea realm.

"Since this is Brother Yu's first time going out to subdue demons, just follow along and don't be nervous," the Life Spring realm senior brother, Qin Shu, said quite amiably.

"Brother Yu has exceptional talent, entering the Inner Court after only three years of cultivation. You are far stronger than any of us. You will surely become a big shot in the Main Sect one day, so don't forget us 'poor relatives' when that time comes," joked the tall, thin, and sharp-looking Ruan Fei, which helped dissipate some of the awkward atmosphere.

The slightly plump Zhang Yun, meanwhile, kept her mouth moving as if chewing on something, looking quite intoxicated, though she only smiled at Yu Xiu without speaking.

"Many thanks to Senior Brother Qin, Senior Brother Zhao, and both senior sisters for the guidance. I understand," Yu Xiu smiled slightly and thanked them one by one.

Seeing Yu Xiu's attitude, the group exchanged subtle glances before quickly looking away.

He has talent and knows his place, but it's a pity Fang Jiming wants him dead! Qin Shu sighed inwardly, then quickly felt a surge of excitement. Fang Jiming has promised me a Gan-Gold Herb once we kill Yu Xiu. By then, my Gold Entanglement Sword will surely approach perfection, or perhaps even reach it completely.

He's so handsome and has such good talent, why did he have to offend Senior Brother Fang! Zhang Yun shook her head to herself and continued to snack on the treats hidden in her sleeves.

To reach the Qi Sea realm in three years—he might truly make a name for himself in the Main Sect one day, if only he weren't about to die! the gaunt-faced Ruan Fei thought to himself.

Zhao Zheng took up the conversation: "The mission we've accepted this time is in Guiping County, Donghe Prefecture. It borders our own Wuyang Prefecture. According to the mission details released by the sect, a Shadow Demon at the sixth or seventh level of the Qi Sea realm has appeared there. It shows itself from time to time to feed on human yang energy, but with Senior Brother Qin here, this Shadow Demon is nothing to worry about."

Yu Xiu asked with some curiosity: "Is this Shadow Demon one formed from a cultivator's failed breakthrough, or was it born naturally?"

Zhao Zheng laughed: "Brother Yu, you may not know this, but whether a Shadow Demon is formed from a failed breakthrough or born naturally from the heavens and earth, it makes no difference to the sect."

"The sect only cares about the result. If there is a Shadow Demon, we simply eradicate it. Therefore, no one cares about the specifics of these demons; we only look at their strength."

That was true.

The Qingwei Sword Sect stood tall in Yan Province, and the eight prefectures of Yan Province were all under the protection and jurisdiction of the Qingwei Sword Sect.

In each of the eight prefectures, experts from the Qingwei Sword Sect served as prefectural governors, and the defensive forces within the prefectures were all disciples of the Qingwei Sword Sect, including the various sub-prefectures and counties, which were also controlled by members of the Qingwei Sword Sect.

It could be said that the Qingwei Sword Sect was the sovereign of Yan Province, and naturally, it would not tolerate demons running amok.

Yu Xiu nodded to show he understood, though in his heart he was thinking, Should I kill Zhao Zheng, Qin Shu, and the others?

Or rather, I should just kill them all!

If they truly conspired with Fang Jiming to set a trap for him, then there would be no reason to consider them wronged!