After hearing that Ying Qingqing was traveling with the Sword Pavilion disciples, Chen Luoyang didn't have any change in expression. This made the apprehensive Vajra relax a little.
"Apart from the Sword Pavilion disciples, is she traveling with anyone else?" Chen Luoyang asked.
Vajra answered, "From the information sent back by Elder Fu, it seems like there is also the Great Xia Empire's Sixth Prince. As for the identities of the other companions, it is still unclear."
"Did she participate in battle?" Chen Luoyang asked.
"She didn't." Vajra shook his head and said, "Young Lady Qingqing didn't make things difficult for our cult members. She is just watching from the sidelines and marching south with them."
Chen Luoyang tapped his finger on the armrest, while his mind was rapidly processing many thoughts.
Did Ying Qingqing really lose her memories or is she faking it? Did she regain her memories after visiting the Sword Pavilion? Did she meet the Sword Sovereign? What relationship does she have with the Sword Sovereign? Why is she marching south along with the alliance army? Who exactly is she? Chen Luoyang's heart was filled with doubts.
He originally planned to make use of this woman's Clear Sky Sword Qi to help with his recuperation. From the look of things now, the level of uncertainty seemed to be higher. Should he still take this risk?
After pondering for a moment, Chen Luoyang asked, "Where are Elder Shou and Elder Lu?"
"The latest news is that Elder Lu is returning to the sacred domain by detouring around the East Sea. He is preparing to land on the shore of Xiang Prefecture's southern sea. He will then travel north and return to Cult Master for your next order." Vajra then continued saying, "Elder Shou is traveling south through Er Prefecture and Hunan Prefecture. He is almost at Xiang Prefecture."
Chen Luoyang was still not very clear about the details of Fu, Lu, and
"Relay This Seat's orders. Elder Fu doesn't have to rush down south. He should instead follow Ying Qinqqing and the others." He contemplated for a short moment and said, "There isn't a need for him to rendezvous with Elder Fu, and he doesn't need to know of Elder Fu's existence. The two of them shall act independently."
Vajra acknowledged the orders and exited the room.
Chen Luoyang then called for Azure Dragon 3 again and said, "Find out more details on the situation of the enemy group at the west and report back quickly."
"Yes, Cult Master." Azure Dragon 3 immediately acknowledged his orders.
When the room was only left with Chen Luoyang, he let go of his composed expression and frowned. After a long while later, his frown gradually relaxed.
This might be a great opportunity. Chen Luoyang let out a faint smile and didn't continue thinking about this matter. He shifted his attention to his practice of concoction skills.
Soon enough, new information was relayed back. This time, Vajra's expression was even stranger than before.
"Reporting to Cult Master, Elder Fu sent a report." The burly man hesitated before speaking, "The latest information revealed that Young Lady Qingqing is seemingly being confined by the Great Xia Empire and the Sword Pavilion."
Chen Luoyang looked through the scroll and asked without lifting his head. "Reason?"
"It is due to the fact that she had close contact with our cult and is suspected to be a spy," Vajra stated.
Chen Luoyang closed the scroll and lifted his head.
There were two possibilities.
Firstly, it might be a trap to use against Chen Luoyang and the Demon Cult.
Secondly, Ying Qingqing might truly be confined.
Of course, it was possible that both were true.
The idea to confine Ying Qingqing was probably made by the members of the Great Xia Empire. Their target was probably not just the Demon Cult but also the Sword Pavilion. Of course, they weren't trying to fall out with the Sword Pavilion; it was to contest for the main authority.
In the Central Province, the current Xia Emperor was actually in an awkward situation. As the supreme dictator of the empire that nominally ruled over the Central Province, he was supposed to be the most respected person; however, the number one expert of the Central Province was someone else. It wasn't the Xia Emperor, but the man who stood on the same pinnacle as the Saber Sovereign in the north and the Demon Sovereign in the south: the Sword Sovereign.
To the public, the two parties naturally stood together and would advance or retreat together. However, internally, there was certainly a conflict of who was the main holder of the authority and who was the follower.
Now that the Sword Sovereign had been injured after that decisive battle with the Demon Sovereign, it was a rare opportunity for the Xia Emperor. As such, it allowed the Xia Emperor to gather all the factions to unite and conquer the Demon Domain.
In light of that, Ying Qingqing might just be being used as a chess piece to cut down the prestige of the Sword Pavilion.
According to the situation, the Sword Pavilion wasn't able to explain Ying Qingqing's origin either… It is just as I have predicted previously. This might be the opportunity of a lifetime, and someone is providing divine assistance. However, it might also be a trap. It just happens that I have a method to verify things, and I have prepared it in advance for it to be used at any time. I have been reserving it just for this moment, right?
"Check on their exact whereabouts," Chen Luoyang had a calm and composed expression as he instructed Vajra. "Afterwards, deliver a gift to them on behalf of This Seat."
...
Between the borders of the Hunan Prefecture and the Xiang Prefecture, there were the Dragon Desolate Mountains.
A large number of martial artists were active in this area. These martial artists came from the northern Central Province. They marched south and invaded the South Desolate Millions Mountains and then continued their advance towards the south. Their target was the Demon Cult Shrine.
In one of the tents, Ying Qingqing was quietly meditating with crossed legs. Seated opposite to her were two individuals; one of them was the Sword Sovereign's third disciple, Flying Sword Nie Hua. He was currently looking at Ying Qingqing with a helpless expression and said, "Young Lady Ying, you… are truly too honest."
"I am merely stating what I saw and heard when I was in the Ancient Divine Cult," Ying Qingqing said. "I am truly apologetic for giving trouble to you two sirs."
Beside Nie Hua was a white-clothed youth who looked around the age of 16 or 17 and was seemingly of a similar age to Ying Qingqing. He said calmly, "Young Lady Ying, please forgive me for being blunt. Whatever you saw or heard might not be true. It might be a false image that the Demon Cult was using to trick you."
Ying Qingqing nodded and answered truthfully, "It is possible. On this journey to the south with all of you, I have witnessed some of the Ancient Divine Cult's branches and halls in Hunan Prefecture. They indeed reveal another side of the Ancient Divine Cult. However — forgive me for being blunt again — if what I saw and heard in the Ancient Divine Cult was all a false image, wouldn't that also be possible for what you are showing me?"
She lifted her head and looked at the white-clothed youth calmly. "On this trip to the south, I have witnessed plenty of doings by the Great Xia Empire's members. Apart from Third Sir, Fifth Sir, and a few of the upright individuals, the rest of the people couldn't be considered righteous or orthodox."
The white-clothed youth said, "When putting the two matters in comparison, it is hard to find a difference."
Ying Qingqing nodded. "That's why I wish to visit more places and see more before I make a judgment. However, it is a pity that I cannot do that now."
"We are the ones that have been disrespectful," the white-clothed youth said. "Will Young Lady Ying please forgive us. Your current situation isn't just about a single individual. This might affect the entire world."
He then said softly, "If the Demon Sovereign is merely seeking a
"At least Cult Master Chen never locked me up and stopped me from leaving," Ying Qingqing stated.
"That's because you have to do it voluntarily, and he has to pretend everything is going well to trick you." The white-clothed youth asked softly, "If he was to directly ask for your help, would you do it?"
Ying Qingqing carefully contemplated before answering, "I don't know. He saved my life, and it is natural for me to repay the debt. However, I don't know if that will result in a bad consequence. Therefore, I couldn't make my decision. The reason for my departure was to stand further away to see things clearly."
"The Shu Prefecture incident should be enough for you to see his true colors," Nie Hua spoke from the side.
Ying Qingqing then replied, "According to the information I heard from you, the plan of the alliance army marching south and Cult Master Chen's expedition to the Shu Prefecture were basically started at the same time."
"How can that be the same?" Nie Hua patted his forehead and said, "The Demon Cult has innumerable crimes… Uh. It is normal for you to think so with your limited knowledge."
He sighed involuntarily, and so did Ying Qingqing.
The white-clothed youth then asked, "As for the things before, is Young Lady Ying still not able to recall anything?"
"After making contact with the sword intent left behind at the Sword Pavilion by the Sword Pavilion Lord, I did have some feeling, but there wasn't any substantial gain." Ying Qingqing shook her head and asked, "I wonder if I can meet with the Pavilion Lord?"
Nie Hua answered, "My master's current whereabouts are unknown even to us disciples. I truly do not have the intention to deceive you. Please forgive me."
"It doesn't matter," Ying Qingqing responded. "I wonder, what are you planning to do with me? Are you going to continue bringing me to the south, or are you going to send me to the Great Xia Empire's imperial capital?"
The white-clothed youth said, "Young Lady Ying is too serious. Be it us or Sixth Highness and his men, we merely hope that you will not land in the hands of the Demon Sovereign. That's why we are looking out for you while traveling together. If you don't wish to continue south, you can return to our pavilion to have a temporary rest. Once our master returns, he will be able to resolve your doubts. How can there be any reason for you to go over to the Great Xia Empire?"
Ying Qingqing nodded. "I thank Fifth Sir for looking out for me. Without the two of you, I would probably not have been able to sit here peacefully."
Immediately after, she turned to thank Nie Hua. "Thank you, Third Sir."
Nie Hua smiled bitterly. "Don't speak like this. I am not worthy of your thanks. It is already more than sufficient that you didn't scold me and my junior. Young Lady Ying might have ties with the Demon Sovereign, but since we've come to know each other, everyone is able to trust your character. But for the sake of our master's reputation, we can only violate the rules for treating a guest. We can only compensate you in the future."
"However, we also wish that Young Lady Ying can see through the true colors of the Demon Cult and not be tricked before stepping in too deep," the white-clothed youth commented.
Just as the three were having a conversation, someone suddenly knocked from outside. Immediately after, a group of people entered. The leader was wearing bright yellow clothes and giving off the aura of an imperial clansman. He was handsome and young, but his presence was imposing.
Nie Hua's brows lifted after seeing the man. "Sixth Highness…"
After speaking, his eyes suddenly turned stiff. The white-clothed youth's eyes also looked at the sheathed longsword in the hands of the prince.
"It seems like the two sirs are already mentally prepared." The youth in the imperial robes laughed and said, "This Prince brought good news and bad news to the two sirs."
He raised the longsword in his hand and said, "The good news is as the two sirs can see. Your honored pavilion's Fourth Sir might still be alive."
Nie Hua and the white-clothed youth took deep breaths. That was the personal sword of the Sword Sovereign's fourth disciple, Extinction Sword Xie Xingmang!
The youth in the imperial robes revealed a smile before looking at Ying Qingqing. "The bad news is that your esteemed guest might have a deeper relationship with the Demon Cult than we imagined."
Nie Hua asked, "Why does Sixth Highness say so?"
"Along with the sword, there is also a letter." The youth in the imperial robes gestured for his attendant to present the letter.
Nie Hua took the letter and opened it to read it along with the white-clothed youth.
It was a very short letter, and there were only ten words: "A person for a person, a life for a life."