Chapter Ninety-Nine: Exorcising the Demons of the Spirit Realm

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Huang Tian held Ye Sansi in high regard. Whether it was the recommendation from Elder Wu or their brief conversation just now, he felt Sansi was trustworthy enough to be entrusted with an important task.

Seeing Huang Tian remained silent, Ye Sansi had no choice but to ask, "Chief Huang, may I ask why you summoned me?"

"Young hero Ye, please sit first, and I will explain everything to you slowly."

With a wave of his hand, several tea cups appeared on the table in front of them, the tea already brewed. Ye Sansi sat down as Huang Tian began, "Are you aware of a place within Lingzhou where demons gather?"

Ye Sansi picked up a teacup, took a small sip, then put it down, frowning as he replied, "Lingzhou? I have been there before, but I have never heard of any demon gathering place." In his mind, he thought: Perhaps this chief is referring to the Demon Realm. Peng Xian helped me eradicate the demon plague in Lingzhou; the demons there are kind-hearted toward me. I must not let the Sword God Sect act against them.

Feigning disbelief, Ye Sansi said, "How extraordinary that some demons live so peacefully, even controlling themselves so as not to harm ordinary people. Chief, what does this matter have to do with the demon gathering place you mentioned?"

"Young hero Ye, our sect learned by chance that beyond the human world lies a Demon Realm. To eliminate the remaining aberrant demons, they plan to dispatch a large demon army to invade the human world, targeting that demon gathering place. Our sect wishes to help but is bound by sect rules forbidding involvement in conflicts among immortals, gods, demons, and monsters. Although the demons invade the human realm, their target is demons, not mortals. Thus, we cannot intervene directly. Therefore, we seek someone outside the sect to deliver this message so those demons can prepare accordingly."

"Is it really that simple?"

Huang Tian sat beside Ye Sansi and said softly, "This is a secret, Young hero Ye. You must not let others know, lest anyone harm those demons."

Hearing this, Ye Sansi understood Huang Tian’s position but did not take it lightly and asked deliberately, "What do you mean? What harm could come to those demons? Shouldn't evil demons be eradicated?"

Huang Tian waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head. "Young hero Ye, you do not know. I have observed these demons for decades, paying special attention. Though they number many, large demons make up the majority, possessing great power, yet they have never committed cruel or unjust acts. Like ordinary people, they engage in commerce and farming, living in peace and harmony."

Ye Sansi clasped his fists and responded, "Chief, please rest assured. Sansi will not fail this mission. I will surely convey this message."

Huang Tian smiled. "Good, good. I won’t be long-winded. You are going alone on this journey; our Sword God Sect cannot assist you. Be very careful." With that, he waved his sleeve, and a sword materialized. "Young hero Ye, this is the Canghua Sword, a gift to you. I hope it will aid you greatly."

Ye Sansi repeatedly declined. "Chief, how can I accept such a precious treasure? I am grateful for your kindness, but I absolutely cannot take the Canghua Sword."

"Young hero Ye, do not underestimate the danger. Though these demons do not harm mortals, you are an immortal cultivator carrying a sharp sword. They may mistake you for an invading enemy before you speak a word. Therefore, you must use your words to convince them. If you are surrounded by these demons, we will be unable to save you."

Ye Sansi stood up and bowed respectfully. "Chief Huang, since you say these demons are kind-hearted and harmless to the world, and the Demon Realm is sending troops to eradicate them, we must do our utmost to save them. Delivering this message is no great task; I shall go and ensure it reaches them."

Huang Tian nodded and smiled. "Young hero Ye, you are truly brave and righteous, but be extremely cautious. Our sect will send members to delay the Demon Realm’s army, but only to slow them down. If they declare that they will not attack the human world and only intend to eliminate aberrant demons, we will have no reason to stop them and must let them pass. Hopefully, by then, you will have delivered the message and those demons will have prepared accordingly."

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Examining the sword carefully, Ye Sansi became entranced. He thought: Uncle said the Tiannu sword is a cursed weapon; if misused, the consequences are unimaginable and could disturb the wielder’s mind. This Canghua Sword is pure and emits a soft warm glow, the opposite of Tiannu. If I wield both together, they should complement each other perfectly.

Since Huang Tian insisted on giving him the Canghua Sword and Sansi liked it greatly, he bowed again. "Thank you, Chief. I promise to use this sword to slay evil and never let it lie idle."

"Good. I shall remember those words—'never let it lie idle.' I hope you keep your promise." Huang Tian then took a thin map from the shelf and handed it to Ye Sansi. "This is the guide to the demon gathering place. Follow it until you reach a large lake. These demons are kind-hearted, and their barrier is only an illusion. Descend directly, and you will enter the barrier."

Huang Tian smiled. "I have carried the Canghua Sword for decades. Now that I am old and dwell in this underground chamber, I no longer engage in battles. The sword has no purpose, and I sense its loneliness and boredom. As a sword, not being able to fight and go bloodless for years is a terrible pain. From now on, with you, it will kill evil demons and villains. It will surely be happy. Sansi, you will fulfill the sword’s wishes, won’t you?"

Ye Sansi accepted the Canghua Sword, holding it carefully and inspecting it. To his surprise, it radiated a warm aura and resonated with him. Seeing this, Huang Tian smiled, "Sansi, look! The Canghua is delighted and has regained its fighting spirit in your hands. I hope you won’t disappoint it."

Looking at the Canghua Sword, Ye Sansi felt it carried a pure and righteous energy, a weapon of utmost goodness and justice.

Despite receiving a palm strike, Ye Sansi felt no pain. He stumbled forward a few steps, then turned to ask Huang Tian why he had done this. Unexpectedly, he saw Huang Tian holding a glowing golden formation in one hand. With a gentle finger, the array dissolved.

Huang Tian said, "It seems Young hero Ye is constantly being watched. I just extracted this formation from your back; it is a spiritual talisman. It’s powerful. If I hadn’t paid special attention, it would have been hard to detect."

"Chief, do you know who placed this talisman on me?"

"Yes, Chief. Sansi has noted it."

Huang Tian nodded. Having said all he needed, he waved his hand. "It’s getting late; you must set out soon. I fear if we delay, the Demon Realm army will arrive before the demons have devised a response."

Ye Sansi clasped his fists and turned to leave. Huang Tian seemed to notice something and struck a palm behind Sansi. The Tiannu sword flew out. Sansi tried to block and evade, but Huang Tian’s palm strike was so swift that it struck his back in an instant.

Afterward, Long Xian grabbed Ye Sansi’s clothes, leapt up, and flew out over the lake, carrying Ye Sansi with her. She then landed on the shore, released him, and turned to leave, saying, "Young hero Ye, the mission entrusted by the chief rests entirely on you alone..." Before she finished, Long Xian disappeared without a trace.

Ye Sansi shook his head with a smile and murmured, "Ah, Elder Long is truly amusing. As Ling Shuang said, he is like a child—impatient and hasty. Fortunately, the clothes Ling Shuang prepared for me are sturdy; otherwise, Elder Long would have torn them."

Focusing on the task, Ye Sansi quickly opened the thin map given by Huang Tian. He was already quite familiar with the location of the Demon Realm, and just a glance at the map told him which direction to take.

"It is difficult to detect. That is truly troublesome. If the hidden location of our Sword God Sect’s main hall is revealed to the world, it would be disastrous. Sansi, you should handle this urgent matter first. Leave the matter of the talisman to me. When you exit the hall and cross the bridge, Long Xian will be waiting outside. Follow her out of the lake, then proceed to the demon gathering place on your own. Remember, be cautious in all things."

"Understood."

Ye Sansi turned and exited the hall. From a distance, he once again saw the grand underground palace—irregular yet majestic. The soldiers clad in black armor standing silently on both sides of the bridge were motionless, their heartbeats barely audible.

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Ye Sansi hurried across the bridge and indeed saw Long Xian waiting for him. As he was about to bow, Long Xian quickly pulled him back. "Don’t waste time. I must hurry to escort you out. After that, whatever comes next will be up to you."

Calculating the journey, it would take about an hour from the Sword God Sect’s main hall to the Demon Realm. Along the way, Ye Sansi worried deeply about the safety of the Demon Realm. After all, these demons had helped him and the people of Lingzhou; they were about to suffer, and he could not stand idly by.

...

"Chief, Young hero Ye has already set out."

Just as Ye Sansi was about to leave, the Tiannu sword immediately flew out, blocking in front of him. Sansi laughed, "You, you’re afraid I’ll stop using you now that I have another sword? You’re like a child, even trying to steal credit. Ha ha ha."

Though he joked, Ye Sansi was not yet comfortable wielding any sword other than Tiannu. In unstable air currents, he would wobble. Using the Canghua Sword did not yet match the harmony he had with Tiannu. He only smiled, leapt onto Tiannu, and soared into the sky.

Looking down at the large lake below, Ye Sansi murmured, "No surprises at all. Both the Sword God Sect and the Demon Realm use the lake as a shield and illusion. Their palaces are built underground. How strange. Yet this method has truly protected their peace for hundreds of years."

"Yes, Chief, I was just asking casually. What orders do you have next?"

"Ha ha ha, Lao San, you will come with me this time."

"What are you afraid of? This Ye Sansi was recommended by Elder Wu. I have tested him; he is vigilant, understands righteousness deeply, knows these demons are kind, and will assist them fearlessly. Such a person would not have trouble."

"Mm, understood."

"Chief, Ye Sansi is going alone to the demon gathering place. Won’t something happen? I promised a young lady that I would send Sansi back in two months. I worry..."

"Where to?"

"Liu family in Lingzhou..."

[End of excerpt]