Eternal Love Within A Smile - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
“Brother, have you ever heard when the Soul Sect first appeared?” Xu Manman asked.
Demon Lord Lang Yin replied indifferently, “I can’t quite remember. I heard someone mention it about four or five hundred years ago.”
The Tianlu Palace recorded ten thousand years of history. It was impossible for her to start searching from the beginning, so she had to narrow down the scope first and then expand it.
In this world, all sects, when establishing themselves, must be registered in Tiandu City with the Daoist Alliance for inspection.
Otherwise, they would be deemed heretical. Since Xu Manman became the Daozun, she had reviewed all the records of the Daoist Alliance and was certain she had never seen the name Soul Sect.
In the eyes of orthodox Daoists, any sect involving blood, flesh, soul, or spirit was forbidden.
Orthodox cultivation drew on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for one’s use, while heretical practices involved seizing others’ lives, using cruel and despicable methods.
Although the Daoist Alliance had many prohibitions, they couldn’t control every corner. There were always evil cultivators attempting shortcuts, committing heinous deeds.
Especially in the wildlands, some evil cultivators would deceive the ignorant populace, establishing fake sects and exploiting them for wealth and lives.
These misdeeds and rumors were all recorded in the Heavenly Punishment Scroll.
The Heavenly Punishment Scroll was categorized by time, and Demon Lord Lang Yin directed Xu Manman to begin searching from four hundred years ago.
Xu Manman glanced at Demon Lord Lang Yin, smiling flatteringly, “Brother, help me flip through the books.”
Demon Lord Lang Yin frowned slightly, lifted a finger, and with a flick, a green light shot to the ground, rapidly sprouting long leaves.
It quickly grew to half a man’s height, its two long leaves waving joyfully like arms, its thin body swaying side to side.
“Leaf, help her flip the book,” Demon Lord Lang Yin said.
The leaf gave him a deep bow, then happily bounced over to Xu Manman’s side, waving its leaves at her.
Although the leaf had no face, Xu Manman clearly felt its cheerful and eager energy.
This was unlike Demon Lord Lang Yin’s usual style… nor like Immortal Lang Yin’s leaves…
Xu Manman floated to sit opposite Demon Lord Lang Yin by the glazed pearl lamp. The leaf obediently followed her, extending its thin green leaves to help her move and flip through the books.
Demon Lord Lang Yin lazily propped his chin with his hand as he flipped through a book.
He glanced briefly at Xu Manman, then lowered his head again to read the Heavenly Punishment Scroll.
Xu Manman couldn’t help but wonder—why was Demon Lord Lang Yin so interested in the Soul Sect?
But she didn’t have time to think further because the leaf had already opened the pages of the Heavenly Punishment Scroll, Volume 13,700.
Xu Manman skimmed through its contents at lightning speed.
-Year 2,873 of the Hongdao Era: A sacrificial case at Bin City of Qing state, 108 boys and girls were burdened with heavy stones and thrown into the river to pray for rain. It was confirmed to be the work of the Tongling Sect…”
-Year 2,872 of the Hongdao Era: In Fan city of Wei state, 56 young men went missing and were later found with their internal organs hollowed out, their corpses abandoned in the wilderness. It was confirmed to be the work of the Heart-Eating Sect…”
-Year 2,872 of the Hongdao Era: In Liang state, 49 young women were brutally murdered. It was confirmed to be done by their parents under the influence of the Yin-Yang Sect…”
-Year 2,872 of the Hongdao Era: In Shu state, a hundred elderly men immolated themselves in their homes. It was confirmed…”
Thin pages, heavy with the weight of countless lost souls and grievances.
The more Xu Manman read, the more shocked she became, her brow furrowing deeply.
Years ago, while wandering the human world, she witnessed many evil acts by heretical cultivators.
But in such a vast world, how many people could she alone save?
After a long conversation with Xu Shenzhi, lasting three days, they reached many agreements, from the reform of the Daoist Alliance to the well-being of all under heaven.
The most important point was…
“Whether by the strength of one or many, what we can do is always too little.”
“There is no eternal sun. The night will eventually fall.”
“We only need to light the lamps in people’s hearts, and they will walk into the night fearlessly.”
The original fourteen Cardinal towers were merely torches.
She and Xu Shenzhi had envisioned ninety-nine such towers, thinking they would have a thousand years to complete them.
But midway, they had to stop.
Fortunately, Xu Shenzhi and Ning Xi were there, giving her some peace of mind.
She only hoped that this insignificant spark could one day become a wildfire, dispelling the darkness that shrouded the continent.
“Hmm? This is strange…” Demon Lord Lang Yin suddenly spoke, as if something caught his attention.
Xu Manman raised her head to look across the room and heard Demon Lord Lang Yin read aloud: “Year 2,662 of the Hongdao Era: A massacre occurred in Tiandu City. Thirty-six people from the Prince Mo residence were killed in one night. Prince Mo and his consort were decapitated, and thirty-four guards were brutally murdered, including four Nascent Soul cultivators and thirty Golden Core cultivators…”
Xu Manman was startled.
“To kill so many cultivators in a single night, and in Tiandu City no less, this couldn’t have been done by an ordinary heretical sect. If it wasn’t a powerful force, then it must have been a Dharma Aspect.”
Most heretical sects only dared to act in remote areas to avoid detection by the Daoist Alliance.
However, Tiandu City was the emperor’s city, filled with the powerful and influential. Not only were there elders with Dharma Aspect, but Nascent Soul cultivators were also everywhere.
Ordinary forces wouldn’t dare stir up trouble there, let alone attack a royal residence.
Before Demon Lord Lang Yin could finish, Xu Manman floated over to his side to read the record for herself.
“According to an informant, Prince Mo fell out with a woman, leading to her revenge. Upon investigation, this woman was found to be from the Blood Sect.”
A figure flashed in Xu Manman’s mind.
She blurted out, “Could it be the soul-reaping envoy?”
Among the high-ranking female cultivators of the Blood Sect, she only knew of this one.
If the Soul Reaping had been involved, with her level of cultivation, killing four Nascent Souls and thirty golden cores in one night wouldn’t have been difficult.
“No,” Xu Manman quickly dismissed her own guess.
“If it were the soul-reaping envoy, she wouldn’t have left behind those thirty-six corpses, especially with four Nascent Soul cultivators among them. She would have turned them into puppets.”
The Blood Sect always had a clear purpose for their actions and never committed unnecessary killings. Even if they were seeking revenge, they wouldn’t have left the bodies behind. Demon Lord Lang Yin’s suspicion matched Xu Manman’s—it didn’t align with the Blood Sect’s usual behavior.
Xu Manman examined the scroll closely, saying, “The autopsy of the 36 bodies is clear. They all engaged in fierce combat with the killer before they died. The wounds are identical, indicating there was only one assailant. For one person to kill thirty-six others, even if they weren’t a Dharma Aspect, they must have been close to it. With such power, they wouldn’t remain unknown. If this wasn’t the work of the Blood Sect, then who framed them? And who was the real culprit?”
Demon Lord Lang Yin said, “This case is over four hundred years old. Back then, the Blood Sect was already notorious as a heretical sect in the Daoist Alliance. If they couldn’t find the real culprit, they simply blamed the Blood Sect. It wasn’t uncommon.”
“After four hundred years, perhaps some witnesses are still alive. It’s worth investigating,” Xu Manman mused.
“To live for more than four hundred years, they would have to be at least a Nascent Soul cultivator. Prince Mo’s residence might have some connection with the Tiandu royal family. There might still be elders in the imperial city who know about the old events, but they may not be willing to speak about it,” Demon Lord Lang Yin said.
“If brother personally asks, they wouldn’t dare hide anything!” Xu Manman smiled flatteringly, turning her head toward Demon Lord Lang Yin.
Their eyes met, and Xu Manman realized her soul had somehow passed through Demon Lord Lang Yin’s arm, and she was now encircled in his embrace.
When she turned her head, she was so close that her lips almost brushed against his.
However, since she was just a soul, without a physical body, neither of them felt anything, leaving them staring at each other.
Demon Lord Lang Yin stiffened momentarily before opening his lips slightly and blowing a breath of immortal energy, sending Xu Manman’s soul flying far away.
“Brother, I-I-I was wrong…” Xu Manman felt her face flush, floating back with an apologetic expression.
Demon Lord Lang Yin propped his chin up, coldly gazing at her, “Are you harboring improper thoughts about me?”
Xu Manman’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly replied, “Absolutely not! My heart belongs to Manman!”
Demon Lord Lang Yin let out a cold laugh.
“If you weren’t still useful, I would’ve blown your soul to oblivion just now.”
Xu Manman was about to say something flattering when she suddenly sensed a disturbance outside. Her heart raced, and she hurriedly floated behind Demon Lord Lang Yiin.
“Brother, someone’s coming!” Xu Manman said.
“They’re not strong enough to see you,” Demon Lord Lang Yin replied indifferently, his gaze turning toward the door.
Footsteps approached, and soon a long, slender shadow stretched across the ground.
Moments later, a figure appeared from behind the bookshelf.
It was a man who appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a handsome, refined face.
He was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon—a garment that only one person could wear in the entire world.
“The Emperor Chengxuan,” Demon Lord Lang Yin raised an eyebrow and called out the man’s identity.
Emperor Chengxuan smiled and nodded slightly toward him.
“I’ve heard that Immortal Lord Lang Yin visited Tianlu Palace at night. I apologize for not greeting you sooner and beg your forgiveness.”
Though he was the emperor of the human race, Emperor Chengxuan exuded no aura of regal authority.
Instead, he had the air of a scholarly, gentle, and approachable man.
“No need for formalities. I’m just here to consult a few texts and will leave shortly,” Demon Lord Lang Yin replied coolly.
Emperor Chengxuan remained unoffended by his coldness and continued to smile.
“May I ask what texts the Immortal Lord seeks? I’ve spent centuries idling away in the Tianlu Palace’s archives and might be able to assist you.”
Xu Manman stood beside Lan Yin Demon Lord, scrutinizing Emperor Chengxuan carefully.
In her three hundred years of life, Xu Manman had only visited Tiandu City twice and met Emperor Chengxuan on both occasions.
Yet she had little impression of him.
He was, after all, a puppet emperor.
Despite his position, he had no say in state affairs, as the kings of the seven nations held all the power.
He sat high on his throne, his face hidden behind layers of beaded curtains, as silent and shadow-like as a ghost.
The kings of the seven nations didn’t want him to have much contact with the outside world, seemingly afraid he would build up power and harbor thoughts of restoring his dynasty.
The grand Daxing Palace, magnificent as it was, was nothing more than a larger prison.
Emperor Chengxuan had ruled for five hundred years, yet had no empress, no heirs.
It seemed the kings of the seven nations didn’t want him to have children.
After all, once a man has descendants, he has hope.
And hope, to the seven kings, meant potential rebellion.
So, Emperor Chengxuan wasn’t even allowed the luxury of indulgence.
In the vast Daxing Palace, the only place where he had any freedom was this Tianlu Palace.
His body might be imprisoned, but his mind was boundless.
Recently, however, this confinement seemed to have loosened somewhat, possibly because Emperor Chengxuan had a Nascent Soul body with a lifespan of five hundred years.
But calculating it out, he didn’t have many years left to live.
Xu Manman calculated the year of the Prince Mo’s case and realized that Emperor Chengxuan would have been a teenager at the time, so perhaps he knew something.
Demon Lord Lang Yin, seemingly aware of her thoughts, spoke before she could ask: “Your Majesty, have you heard of thePrince Mo case?”
Emperor Chengxuan appeared slightly surprised, his expression momentarily dazed.
After a brief pause, he smiled and said, “So the Immortal Lord is investigating that matter… It happened so long ago, it feels like a lifetime ago. I was only nineteen then, and Prince Mo… was my elder brother.”
“At that time, the former emperor was gravely ill, with only two sons left—myself and Prince Mo. Prince Mo was valiant and wise, the most suitable candidate for the crown prince, and the former emperor also intended to appoint him as the heir. However, certain lords harbored ambitions and sent assassins to kill Prince Mo. Prince Mo was gravely wounded but was saved by a woman. Unexpectedly, this woman demanded that Prince Mo marry her as repayment. Prince Mo, already betrothed to another, rejected her unreasonable request, offering a mountain of gold instead. Little did he know that the woman, highly skilled and vengeful, struck on the night of Prince Mo’s wedding, killing him and his consort in their bridal chamber. The guards of the mansion pursued her, but none survived…”
Emperor Chengxuan recounted the past, revealing a portion of the truth.
Xu Manman instinctively felt that the situation was far more complicated than it seemed.
“What evidence is there that this was the work of the Blood Sect?” Xu Manman asked.
Demon Lord Lang Yin glanced at her and repeated her question.
Emperor Chengxuan replied, “This matter concerned the royal family’s reputation, so after it occurred, the former emperor ordered the city to be sealed, silencing all witnesses and assigning the investigation to the imperial guards. As for the truth, only the former emperor would have known, because those tasked with the investigation soon died mysteriously as well.”
Xu Manman felt a chill in her heart.
Just to keep a secret, the emperor’s word could bring death to countless people…
“Is the Immortal Lord investigating this because you believe there’s more to the story?” Emperor Chengxuan asked.
“Perhaps,” Lan Yin Demon Lord said, standing up.
“I must go. Your Majesty need not see me out.”
With that, Lan Yin Demon Lord strode towards the exit, and Xu Manman hurriedly followed.
“Brother, wait for me!”
Emperor Chengxuan watched them leave, and only after a long time did he lower his gaze to the scattered volumes of the Heavenly Punishment Scroll on the ground, one of which lay open, detailing the Prince Mo case.
“Brother…” he murmured softly.
Demon Lord Lang Yin then absorbed Xu Manman’s soul back into his spiritual orifice and swiftly headed towards her courtyard.
“Once you return to your body, write out the cultivation technique immediately. There are still two hours until dawn, which should be enough for you to finish,” Demon Lord Lang Yin transmitted to her.
Sitting cross-legged on a petal, Xu Manman hesitated.
“Of course, I’ll hand over the technique. It’s just that… there’s a small issue. It’s not quite suitable for others to cultivate.”
“Hmm?” Demon Lord Lang Yin raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious.
Xu Manman explained, “After my soul left my body, I couldn’t return unless I was attacked from the outside.”
Demon Lord Lang Yin relaxed his furrowed brow, contemplating. “So, last time you stayed motionless because your soul had left your body, and you only returned when you were attacked. And just now, you willingly accepted punishment for the same reason, right?”
Xu Manman let out a nervous laugh.
“Brother, you’re so clever. You figured it out right away…”
Demon Lord Lang Yin gave a cold laugh.
“You didn’t mention this before, and only brought it up after visiting the Tianlu Palace. You’re blatantly using me!”
“Brother, you’re wise! If I had any ill intentions towards you, I wouldn’t have told you this.”
Xu Manman quickly defended herself.
But Demon Lord Lang Yin was not swayed by her excuses.
The petals around her suddenly closed in, pressing down on her.
Xu Manman, unable to dodge, found herself pinned, her face turning red from the pressure.
A leaf extended and poked her on the head, and she realized what to do.
“Leafy, help me!” she pleaded.
The leaf tilted slightly but did nothing.
A cold laugh came from above.
“That leaf belongs to me. Why would it listen to you?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the leaf pressed against the petals, reducing the pressure on Xu Manman.
She breathed a sigh of relief and rolled out from between the petals.
The leaf gave her a little push on the back, and she tumbled out of Demon Lord Lang Yin’s spiritual orifice.
She looked up at Demon Lord Lang Yin’s icy gaze and forced a smile.
“Brother, don’t be mad…”
Demon Lord Lang Yin responded, “Do you think just rolling out of there makes everything fine?”
With a flick of his sleeve, he sent Xu Manman flying, a gust of wind scattering leaves all around.
Just then, a door creaked open, and a streak of red light flashed by, landing in front of Demon Lord Lang Yin.
Li Que, with a guarded expression, relaxed upon seeing Demon Lord Lang Yin, but still asked warily, “Immortal Lord, what brings you here so late at night?”
Demon Lord Lang Yin, still angry, cast a cold glance at him.
“Do I need to report my actions to you?”
Li Que was taken aback and his handsome face darkened.
He could clearly sense the hostility emanating from Demon Lord Lang Yin.
“I don’t know how I might have offended the Immortal Lord, but for the Immortal Lord to be crashing into trees outside my door in the middle of the night…” Li Que glanced at the bare tree nearby and the scattered leaves on the ground.
Demon Lord Lang Yin, uninterested in responding, strode past him without a word.
Li Que’s temper flared.
As the young lord of the Di Luan Clan, why should he endure such disrespect? Just because someone was more powerful, did that give them the right to disrupt his sleep?
“What exactly does the Immortal Lord mean by this? The Radiant Vermillion isn’t a place where anyone can be insulted!”
Li Que took a few steps forward, matching Demon Lord Lang Yin’s aura, only to see the latter forcefully push open a door.
When Li Que looked up, he realized it was Xu Manman’s room.
Puzzled, Li Que asked, “What are you doing in Xu Yanyue’s room?”
“Beating someone up,” Demon Lord Lang Yin replied coldly.
Li Que was momentarily stunned, but Demon Lord Lang Yin had already shoved him aside and pushed open the door.
Li Que quickly caught up and blocked his way, incredulous.
“The renowned Immortal Lord of the Three Realms, bullying an unconscious woman—aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?”
Already annoyed, Demon Lord Lang Yin’s temper grew worse after being repeatedly provoked by Li Que.
He didn’t feel like explaining, nor could he.
His anger surged as he scowled and coldly said, “Move aside!”
Li Que, as the young lord of the Di Luan Clan and leader of the feathered tribes, only ever yielded to Li Ying.
Even to Immortal Lord Lang Yin, his politeness was merely out of respect, not submission.
“Ha! The Immortal Lord is too arrogant,” Li Que said, his eyes aflame.
“Xu Yanyue may be shameless and full of schemes, but she’s done nothing deserving of death. Today, I won’t let you harm her!”
—You’re trying to save people then save people, do you have to insult me while you’re at it?—
Xu Manman, floating behind Demon Lord Lang Yin, was so touched she almost knelt in gratitude.
But she knew Li Que held no feelings for Xu Yanyue.
He was just too proud to back down.
Judging by his tone, he probably wanted to hit her more than Demon Lord Lang Yin did…
It was a twisted fate that two people with the same idea were now on the brink of a fight.
However, Li Que’s cultivation level was clearly far below Immortal Lord Lang Yin’s, as he hadn’t even sensed Xu Manman’s soul nearby.
Demon Lord Lang Yin sneered at him.
“A mere bird with only 400 years of cultivation dares to act up in front of me?”
Li Que’s pupils contracted, and fiery wings suddenly spread wide behind him, shielding the unconscious person on the bed.
“The Di Luan Clan would rather die than bow to others. If I give it my all, I doubt even the Immortal Lord could walk away unscathed,” Li Que said proudly.
Demon Lord Lang Yin, uninterested in talking further, struck out with a palm.
Li Que brought his wings forward to block the attack, absorbing its energy into his fiery feathers, which flared up even brighter.
Demon Lord Lang Yin finally gave him a serious look, his interest piqued.
“The power of a divine bloodline—interesting.”
The two began a fierce battle in the room.
Xu Manman, terrified that her soul would be caught in the crossfire and disintegrate, fled to a corner, crying out, “Stop fighting! If you want to hit someone, hit me!”
But of course, they didn’t hit her!
What kind of logic was this?
The one person who wanted to be hit couldn’t even get a single blow!
