Plain Maiden was interested in me—or rather, in the "Sixfold Azure Dragon."
Likewise, White Deer Grotto Academy had plotted against me because of this "Sixfold Azure Dragon," leading to that almost absurdly vile act by my previous self.
So the pressing matter was to figure out what this so-called "Sixfold Azure Dragon" actually was.
Su Che sat quietly in his seat, listening to the others converse.
"Is the information accurate?"
Plain Maiden still seemed unwilling to let it go.
It seemed she placed great importance on the Destiny Pattern of the Sixfold Azure Dragon.
"I dug it out of the Great Liang Censorate's case files last night. If you don't believe me, you can ask Gushe to verify it again."
Wu Zhiqi seemed to be mocking Gushe.
Clearly, Gushe was someone of standing within Great Liang, while Wu Zhiqi held no fondness for Great Liang.
But this man was formidable indeed. He had actually broken into the Censorate and rifled through its archives.
Su Che knew that the Great Liang Censorate could be called one of the gathering places of the dynasty's foremost fighting power. There was no shortage of experts among the Circuit Inspectors and Embroidered Uniform Envoys.
The Imperial Demon Hunters, the Censorate, and the imperial inner court formed the pillars of Great Liang Dynasty's rule.
Wu Zhiqi had actually broken into the Censorate and read through their files. Just how strong was he?
"Be careful. The Censorate has already dispatched three Circuit Inspectors. Their leader possesses cultivation above the Fifth Grade." Gushe seemed to offer the reminder in kindness. "One of them is a Sword Cultivator from the Sword Repository Studio of the East Sea Sword Palace. Sword Cultivators restrain Demon Cultivators most severely. Even if your Eight-Nine Primordial Art has countless transformations, you must still take extra care."
"Heh heh, thank you for the reminder, Gushe. But calamities live for a thousand years. Three mere Fifth Grades can do nothing to me."
Wu Zhiqi looked bold and unrestrained. "Besides, we now have Lord Dongwang among us. He is surely an extraordinary man of formidable methods. If Old Wu cannot hold them off, I'll seek out kith and kin and ask you all for a hand."
"Wu Zhiqi, do you know where Su Che is now?"
Plain Maiden continued to press the matter relentlessly.
"I don't remember. Now that you have a name, investigate it yourself properly. Heh heh, speaking of deep pockets, none of us put together can compare to Lord Zhongyuan."
Mm, I'm actually standing right in front of you.
Zhongyuan struck the jade chime once more, bringing the discussion to an end.
"I have already confirmed that person's remains are indeed within Mystic Mountain's heartland."
The corpse left behind by any great expert who had cultivated to the Third Grade could be called remains. Their cultivated bodies possessed unique marvels as well, often representing the Dao Path of their entire lives and carrying all manner of extraordinary uses.
"At the next gathering, you will need to go to Mystic Mountain's heartland and investigate."
Explore Mystic Mountain's heartland and confront the corpse of that great power from the West?
"Lord Zhongyuan, I have something to say."
Gushe, who had been rather active throughout, spoke up.
"Please."
"Mystic Mountain's heartland should be the lair of the Black Mountain Freak. According to the relevant case files, this Demon King broke through to the Fifth Grade many years ago and has roamed the world for over two centuries. Lord Zhongyuan, are you certain that the few of us can stand against him?"
Su Che caught an important piece of information.
Gushe was very certain that none of the Mount Zhong Association members present possessed cultivation beyond the Fifth Grade.
In other words, even Wu Zhiqi, who had previously broken into the Great Liang Censorate, had not reached the Fifth Grade.
What did all this mean?
It meant that these people of the Mount Zhong Association might not be high in cultivation, but every one of them possessed startling combat strength and audacity beyond measure.
They were a band of desperadoes through and through.
"Since Lord Zhongyuan has ordered us to go, he naturally has his reasons for sending us."
Yuqiang, who had scarcely spoken at all, said, "Lord Zhongyuan's divine calculations and unfathomable schemes are beyond our ability to fathom. All we must do is obey."
Damn it, he got there first.
Such thoughts rose in Lord Dongwang's and Wu Zhiqi's hearts, and they could not help feeling somewhat vexed.
Zhongyuan said only one sentence.
"Since I am sending you, I naturally have my reasons for doing so. Though nine deaths and one life are perilous, they are also an opportunity for breakthrough."
"Do you have any further questions?"
Silence fell over the long bench.
"No, none."
Wu Zhiqi hurriedly answered.
"Lord Zhongyuan, I have one more question."
Gushe showed every sign of refusing to let the matter rest.
"Speak."
"May I ask, Lord Zhongyuan, whether the Metropolitan City God of Jiankang has truly reached the point where his oil is spent and his lamp has run dry?"
"Not only Jiankang. The Metropolitan City God of Luoyang is not faring well either. In this age of great contention, how many on the Divine Path can sit steady as a fisherman on the terrace?"
Zhongyuan looked at Gushe. "If you have been plotting that matter all this while, I think you would do better to wait."
"May I ask why?"
"The answer lies in Mystic Mountain's heartland. See for yourself when the time comes."
Zhongyuan looked over the people before him.
"Today's gathering ends here. Please return."
With that, he lightly struck the jade chime before him.
At the soft chime, Su Che felt the sword intent nurtured within his brow constantly stirring.
The divine mountain beyond the reach of sun and moon, the giant dragon holding candlefire in its mouth, the orchids radiating dim light as they sprang forth from beneath jade, even those lifelike statues floating in the air.
All of it vanished before his eyes like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows.
The last thing Su Che saw was Zhongyuan raising his bronze-masked face to gaze at the statues hovering in the air.
There was no longer the passage of ten thousand years in his eyes, only longing for the past.
The rise and fall of eternity, the grief and laughter of a thousand years—he took them all in at a glance.
If the Mount Zhong Association was filled with disappointed souls and avengers, then whom did Zhongyuan seek to avenge himself upon?
As that thought arose, another world appeared before his eyes.
Bright moon, ancient pines, a ruined temple, and scattered insect cries amid the desolation.
Several blue-green ghostfires prowled between stone pillars, while faint nether eyes flashed past among the broken walls.
The place before him was clearly the first place he had stopped after entering Shanyin County.
Withered Forest Chan Temple.
Why had this Zhongyuan sent him here?
Su Che's heart immediately grew uneasy.
The Sword Case and his other treasures were all at his residence in the Shanyin County Office. If he encountered that one-eyed Wood Wraith again now, who knew what fate awaited him?
He calmed his heart and settled his breath, then looked toward the bright moon overhead.
Su Che activated the heart-calming secret art contained within the Heaven-Supporting Jun Sword, cutting down the chaotic thoughts in his mind one by one.
Sever the Dao and see the self—only then was it the true character of a Sword Cultivator.
What kind of man feared and hesitated?
Su Che raised his eyes and looked around, recalling the layout of this place from memory as he searched for a path down the mountain.
Yet he distinctly heard someone muttering nearby.
"Qiu Sheng, Wencai, be careful. Shanyin is unlike our Guobei. There are more demons than ghosts here. Judging by the terrain, the foul aura is dark and extinguished. You must take extra care."
"Rest assured, Master."
"Aiya, we know, Master."
He saw a Daoist wearing a Heaven-Reaching Crown and a yellow Eight Trigrams robe, gripping a bronze mirror in his left hand, carrying a small yellow bundle on his back, and leading two disciples as they charged headlong in his direction.