Eternal Love Within A Smile - Chapter 39
Chapter 39
The once-arrogant Fate-Defyingt Envoy was repeatedly eroded by the Jushuang Sword. As its blood qi gradually waned and its silhouette grew increasingly illusory, it found it even harder to resist Demon Lord Langyin’s onslaught, helplessly allowing itself to become nourishment for the Demon Lord.
It uttered an unwilling howl and a piercing, agonizing shriek.
“Since you are of the Demon Race, why are you helping the Daoist Alliance!”
“My actions are none of anyone’s business!” Demon Lord Langyin declared with a cold face, shattering its remnant soul with a single sword strike. The blood mist, swirling with dark energy, was absorbed into the Jushuang Sword. The blade trembled, issuing a hum, immediately after which a blood-red secret pattern materialized, resembling a blood curse rune.
Within the Shennong Temple, only a dead silence remained. Everyone stared in daze as two evil spirits slaughtered each other, while they, the righteous figures, could only stand aside, experiencing an unreal sense of absurdity.
“Immortal Lord Langyin, what is the meaning of this?” Mingxiao frowned slightly, looking at Demon Lord Langyin in confusion.
“Why… are you of a half-demon physique?”
Immortal Venerable Langyin had lived for three thousand years and was renowned far and wide. The world knew him as the Immortal of Flowers, possessing primordial chaos qi, a terrestrial deity devoid of emotion and desire. It was only today that they witnessed his form as a Demon Lord. Having seen the process of his transformation with their own eyes, everyone guessed that he was not a pure demon, but rather possessed a half-demon physique.
Having absorbed the Fate-Defying Envoy, Demon Lord Langyin carried an even stronger sinister aura, a faint red light flashing within his eyes. Hovering proudly in midair, he looked down at Mingxiao and said coldly, “So what if I am of a half-demon physique?”
A figure stepped out from behind Mingxiao—it was none other than Sea Emperor Ao Xiu.
“Three thousand years ago, a great war erupted between the Immortal Alliance and the Demon Race at Mount Liangjie. The new Demon Sovereign was born from the Void Sea, reorganizing the order and restraining the Demon Race from entering the Human Realm without permission. Although we have never heard of a half-demon physique in this world before, since you are a demon, you should be subject to the Demon Sovereign’s restraint. Immortal Venerable Langyin’s unauthorized entry into the Human Realm violates both the Demon Race regulations and encroaches upon human territory. An explanation is surely due,” Ao Xiu said eloquently.
Demon Lord Langyin gave a cold smile and said with disdain.
“What status do you hold to dare demand an explanation from me?”
Ao Xiu’s expression darkened as he said, “Although I am not of the Human Race, I am the Sea Emperor who commands tens of thousands of aquatic clans. Is Immortal Lord Langyin’s verbal insult meant as contempt for all the aquatic clans under heaven?”
“I do not hold contempt for all the aquatic clans under heaven.”
Demon Lord Langyin curled his thin lips slightly, the Jushuang Sword tracing a beautiful arc in the air, its tip pointing straight at Ao Xiu as he mocked.
“I merely hold contempt for you.”
Ao Xiu’s face turned ashen. Turning to Mingxiao, he said,”Immortal Lord Langyin’s behavior is eccentric and his words hostile; I fear he may also be involved with the Blood Sect.”
Mingxiao shook his head.
“Had Immortal Lord Langyin not stepped in, none of us would have been able to eliminate the Fate-Defying Envoy.”
Ao Xiu smiled meaningfully.
“That is precisely why it is too coincidental, making it impossible not to overthink. Immortal Lorf Langyin suddenly fell into demonhood and saved the Daoist Alliance from peril—what are his motives? Is that Fate-Defying Envoy truly the Fate-Defying Envoy? And is this Immortal Lord Langyin truly Immortal Lord Langyin?”
Qianluo looked at Immortal Lord Langyin with some confusion, then looked at Qunyu beside him, asking in a low voice.
“Qunyu Fangzun, do you know why Immortal Lord Langyin is being so strange?”
Qunyu’s eyes flickered slightly as she said softly, “Perhaps… it is because of an inner demon…”
She was merely inferring based on her own experiences, unable to guess the true reality of the matter.
“Regardless of whether Demon Lord Langyin is connected to the Blood Sect, as long as he is a demon, he is an enemy of the Daoist Alliance,” Ao Xiu said.
“So long as Mingxiao Fazun puts away the Wanxiang Compass, we will naturally be able to tell whether Immortal Lord Langyin is friend or foe.”
Li Ying frowned and said, “How can we repay kindness with enmity like this?”
The blazing sun could dispel all demonic qi. Even the Demon Sovereign would be weakened under the scorching sun, enduring the pain of burning masculine qi.
Hearing these words, Demon Lord Langyin’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, his gaze falling onto the trembling Jushuang Sword in his hand. Unbeknownst to others, he clearly understood in his heart that although he had just absorbed the Fate-Defying Envoy, he had failed to completely eradicate its will. At this moment, he had to divide his focus to suppress the envoy’s will within the Jushuang Sword; only by wiping out that will could he fully absorb the other’s energy for his own use. Caught in a bind where he could neither focus entirely nor change back into Immortal Lord Langyin, if Mingxiao withdrew the Wanxiang Compass and exposed him to the sunlight, his situation would become extremely perilous.
However, Demon Lord Langyin was wild and unyielding by nature, refusing to lower his head or offer explanations.
Seeing Mingxiao hesitate, Ao Xiu added fuel to the fire.
“Fazun, think back to that day in the Xianyun Hall—Immortal Lord Langyin claimed to have wiped out the Burning Heaven Division, but who can testify that his words were true? When Lianyue Daozun fell, only Immortal Lord Langyin was by her side. The Daozun’s remains are unaccounted for and remain missing to this day. Is not Immortal Lord Langyin the primary suspect? Having observed for many days, I have long harbored suspicions about Immortal Lord Langyin. Were the Daozun’s remains truly inside the coffin that day, or was it all a misdirection set up by Immortal Lord Langyin, and the remains have been in his hands all along?”
Mingxiao’s brows knitted together as he looked gravely at Immortal Lord Langyin.
“His Majesty the Sea Emperor’s words are not without reason. May I ask the Immortal Lord, do you know the whereabouts of the Daozun’s remains?”
Demon Lord Langyin pursed his thin lips with a tight frown, his right hand gripping the Jushuang Sword so hard that his well-defined, slender fingers turned slightly pale. As he devoted seventy percent of his focus to suppressing the Fate-Defying Envoy within the blade, the purple-black aura surrounding the Jushuang Sword intensified, overflowing with murderous intent. Ignorant of the truth, the onlookers thought Demon Lord Langyin had harbored lethal intent, and they could not help but assume guarded expressions.
Ao Xiu said, “Demon Lord Langyin refuses to answer, which surely indicates a guilty conscience. We must capture him first before questioning his soul.”
Mingxiao let out a light sigh, “Immortal Lord Langyin, pardon my offense.”
With that, he prepared to withdraw the Wanxiang Compass.
“Wait!”
At that moment, a female voice rang out—it was Ning Xi who spoke.
Everyone looked toward Ning Xi. The young cultivator, who had just ascended to the position of Sect Master of the Siyi Sect and held the Daozun Token, displayed an unquestionable majesty as she said in a deep voice.
“Immortal Lord Langyin belongs to the Siyi Sect. Although he has a half-demon physique, he has never done anything to harm the interests of the Human Race. Today, he even eliminated a formidable enemy for the Daoist Alliance. How can we repay kindness with enmity and lose all sense of right and wrong based on a few instigating words from an outsider!”
Ao Xiu looked at Ning Xi in surprise, suspicion creeping into his eyes.
“Regarding the fall of Daoist Lord Lianyue, Venerable Xihe can actually remain indifferent? Heh, it is said that Venerable Xihe and Lianyue Daozun shared a deep master-disciple bond, but it seems the rumors might not be true. How could master-disciple affection compare to the position of Sect Master and the Daozun’s personal decree?”
Ao Xiu spoke with deliberate sarcasm, but how could those present fail to hear the underlying implication? He was blatantly hinting that Ning Xi had participated in murdering Lianyue Daozun for the sake of the Sect Master position. Every word hit deep, painting human nature in the most sinister light while appearing logical and well-founded, making it difficult to refute.
Ning Xi had spoken out earlier entirely because Xu Manman had transmitted a voice message to her in secret. No one knew the cause of her own death better than Xu Manman herself. She naturally knew she wasn’t killed by Immortal Lord Langyin. Even though her remains were hidden by Immortal Lord Langyin for reasons still unknown, she was willing to believe in his genuine affection for her, completely devoid of malice. Since she couldn’t reveal her identity to testify for him, she could only have Ning Xi step forward to defend him.
Unexpectedly, Ao Xiu countered with a swift flurry of attacks, dragging Ning Xi down with them and smearing their master-disciple affection. Such scheming and sharp-tongued eloquence forced even Xu Manman to sigh in self-deprecation.
Ning Xi’s expression turned cold.
“His Majesty the Sea Emperor has repeatedly meddled in the affairs of the Daoist Alliance over the past few days, sowing discord with every word and making baseless accusations. What exactly are your intentions?”
Ao Xiu smiled faintly.
“I was Lianyue Daozun’s Dao partner in life, so I naturally must thoroughly investigate the cause of her death and find the true killer. Furthermore, the Blood Sect’s move against Fuyue Shenzun makes them an enemy of the entire Daoist Alliance, and even an enemy of those with Divine Lineages. Reasonably and emotionally, I cannot stand idly by or remain indifferent.”
Just as Ning Xi, her face flushed with anger, was about to retort, she heard laughter beside her.
“Hahaha…”
Xu Manman seemed to have heard the grandest joke, laughing uncontrollably. Everyone watched in confusion as she looked at Ao Xiu with a mocking, half-smile.
“His Majesty the Sea Emperor is truly eloquent, spinning everyone around his fingers. You suspect everyone else—have you ever suspected yourself?”
Ao Xiu looked at Xu Manman with a dark face.
“I act openly and uprightly and have no ties to the Daoist Alliance. What is there to suspect?”
Xu Manman smiled faintly.
“There is something I would like you to explain. That day when His Majesty claimed to be Lianyue Daozun’s Dao partner, I sent people to the Boundless Sea Domain to investigate you. As far as I know, successive Sea Emperors have had numerous offspring, and the struggle for the Sea Emperor title is fierce and brutal. You were outstanding neither in cultivation nor in bloodline, so how were you able to surpass your fellow clan members to become the master of the Dragon Palace and Emperor of the Four Seas?”
Ao Xiu’s gaze sharpened, yet he remained calm and composed.
“Bloodline and cultivation are certainly important, but wisdom and fortune are equally indispensable.”
Xu Manman clapped her hands in admiration.
“Your Majesty is indeed deeply scheming, far surpassing others in intellect. Back then, you were bullied by your fellow clan members and nearly lost your life. It was Lianyue Daozun who saved you. However, your eye apertures were completely destroyed at the time, and you claimed you were returning to the Fobo Hall to find the Chongming Pearl to restore your eyes. Is this true?”
Ao Xiu hesitated slightly, remaining silent without answering.
Xu Manman continued, “However, the person who went to the Dragon Palace to investigate reported back that you did return to steal the Chongming Pearl, only to be caught red-handed by Ao Cang. The Chongming Pearl was destroyed right then and there. So, Your Majesty, tell me—what exactly is fitted inside your eye sockets now?”
Hearing this, everyone was stunned, suspicion arising in their hearts as they looked at Ao Xiu’s eyes.
Those eyes faintly glowed with the phosphorescence of the green sea, the unique signature of the Yun Jiao.
Had Xu Manman not mentioned it, no one would have ever thought that those eyes originally did not belong to Ao Xiu.
Ao Xiu slowly clenched his hands, half-closing his eyes, but his trembling eyelashes betrayed his emotional turmoil.
“The Boundless Sea Domain possesses countless treasures. What can restore sight is far more than just the Chongming Pearl,” Ao Xiu said indifferently.
Xu Manman let out a light laugh.
“I originally held that thought as well, so I had people make thorough inquiries. Yet no such rumors had ever been heard within the Dragon Palace. When even the noble elders of the Dragon Palace did not know of any treasure that could regenerate eye apertures, how could you, occupying a humble position at the time, find a treasure that even Ao Cang did not possess?”
Ao Xiu pursed his lips slightly, his breathing unconsciously turning erratic.
“But later I recalled another matter—regrowing severed limbs and reconstructing physical bodies happen to be the subjects the Blood Sect’s Fate-Defying Division researches most deeply. If it were them, perhaps they might have a way to restore eye apertures?”
Xu Manman’s bright, clever eyes seemed to see through everything, staring intently at Ao Xiu as she uttered word by word.
“Ao Xiu, fitted inside your eye sockets are Ao Cang’s eyes, aren’t they?”
Upon hearing this, Ao Xiu’s face instantly turned deathly pale, unable to maintain his composure any longer.
Li Que looked at Ao Xiu in disbelief.
“He killed his own elder brother, gouged out his eyes, and fitted them into his own eye sockets…”
Sharing a deep affection with his sister Li Ying, he could not comprehend the cold family ties among the Yun Jiao, much less accept brotherly fratricide.
“What elder brother?”
Ao Xiu’s voice became extremely cold, his ice-blue eyes no longer concealing their ferocity and murderous intent.
“He destroyed everything I had, trampled on my dignity as a Yun Jiao, severed my dragon tendons, peeled my dragon scales raw, and even gouged out my eyes. He crushed the Chongming Pearl before my very eyes, snatching away my last hope. At that moment, I swore that every single one of those who humiliated me and owed me would repay me one by one!”
“So you took the initiative to surrender to the Blood Sect, trading the betrayal of the Yun Jiao for their support to ascend to the throne of Sea Emperor,” Xu Manman said coldly.
“Those who lost and died in the battle for the throne all became captives of the Blood Sect, didn’t they? It was from those Yun Jiao that the Blood Sect extracted Divine Lineages. Perhaps because the power of the Yun Jiao’ Divine Lineages was weak, they shifted their target to Fuyue Shenzun. Fuyue Shenzun met with disaster on an island—you likely contributed to that as well.”
Ao Xiu sneered.
“It’s as if you witnessed it with your own eyes; your words are spot on without a single mistake.”
Xu Manman said, “Earlier Jing Wuye said that the Fate-Defying Division was in Chaisang. We all assumed it was inside Chaisang City, but forgot one point—Chaisang borders the sea. The Fate-Defying Division, nowhere to be found, is likely hidden beneath the deep sea. With the Sea Emperor’s cover, no wonder they were so fearless.”
Ao Xiu looked at Xu Manman coldly.
“No wonder the Blood Venerable said Tuntian Shenzun could be spared, but you must be captured. The Soul-Reap[ing Envoy and the Fate-Defying Envoy, counting them up, both perished by your three-inch tongue.”
Xu Manman chuckled.
“You flatter me; it was all thanks to Immortal Lord Langyin’s efforts.”
In her heart, Xu Manman thought that the Burning Heaven Division had actually perished due to the combined efforts of herself and Immortal Lord Langyin.
She originally hadn’t intended to expose Ao Xiu’s identity today, as keeping an open card by her side offered more opportunities to exploit.
However, Ao Xiu’s mouth was simply too repulsive; Xu Manman had even come to understand the rage and helplessness the Soul-Reaping Envoy felt toward her. She could have endured it, but since he aggressively sought to harm Immortal Lord Langyin, she had no choice but to lay this card flat on the table.
Mingxiao said coldly.
“Since Your Highness the Sea Emperor admits to siding with the Blood Sect, you are an enemy of the Daoist Alliance.”
Tearing off his mask, Ao Xiu dropped his pretense and smiled faintly.
“So what if I am your enemy? I am the Emperor of the Four Seas, the leader of all aquatic clans under heaven. What can even the Daoist Alliance do to me?”
Li Que said disdainfully,”Truly shameless beyond belief.”
Li Ying said indifferently, “The Di Luan Clan scorns to share a reputation with the Yun Jiao.”
Xu Manman smiled.
“What is everyone afraid of? Just as Immortal Lord Langyin said, our target is merely Ao Xiu, not all the aquatic clans under heaven. It is normal for the master of the Dragon Palace to change every ten years. Ao Xiu has yet to secure his throne firmly and human heart is divided—does he really think the aquatic clans of the Four Seas would declare war on the Daoist Alliance for a dead former Sea Emperor?”
Hearing this, Ao Xiu glared at Xu Manman, murderous intent flaring in his eyes. Before anyone could react, he launched an attack toward her.
Seeing his spiritual energy surging like boundless giant waves, unstoppable in force, Li Que realized that this man had been hiding his true strength all along.
Having sparred with him several times without using full power, beneath his seemingly enraged exterior lay an intellect far beyond Li Que’s reach.
Xu Manman had already prepared for his strike when she exposed his true colors.
Thus, seeing Ao Xiu’s gaze shift over, she immediately grew alert and darted behind Tuntun to hide.
Despite her tiny stature, chubby cheeks, and big, clear eyes, Tuntun faced the crashing giant waves without fear.
Shouting in a deep voice, she threw a punch toward the overwhelming waves.
With a loud “BOOM—”, the terrifying spiritual pressure of collapsing mountains and roaring tsunamis exploded with a deafening noise. Had it not been blocked by the spell array barrier, it would likely have been clearly heard for a hundred miles around.
Ning Xi manipulated the spell array to protect the sleeping mortals, preventing their divine souls from being injured by the lingering spiritual pressure. Though a Dharma Aspect cultivator, her foundation was not as deep as the others’, and controlling the array for so long had drained her spiritual energy. Suffering from the wave of spiritual pressure now, she felt a sharp pain in her divine aperture and a metallic sweetness rising in her throat.
Fearing Xu Manman would notice, she forced down the discomfort and swallowed it back.
Tuntian was the king of the land. People often forgot how terrifying she originally was because of her adorable appearance. Now, having transformed into a little girl, she unleashed such an earth-shattering punch. Beyond making everyone’s divine apertures hum, it left them feeling dazed, as if the scene before them was unreal.
Ao Xiu had devoured countless dragon cores to gain powerful strength that didn’t originally belong to him, but the land was not his battlefield, and he held no advantage against Tuntun. The result of the head-on clash was that he suffered minor injuries as well.
However, since he dared to expose his identity, he had already come prepared.
He retreated immediately after the clash with Tuntun. While everyone was dazed, he darted behind Ning Xi, struck her back with a palm, and seized the core position of the array eye.
Seeing Ning Xi spit out blood, Xu Manman’s face changed instantly, and she sprinted over to catch her.
However, Ao Xiu had already taken the upper hand and become the master of the spell array.
Forming rapid hand seals with a cold glare, he shouted, “Trap!”
As his voice fell, golden cages materialized once more, trapping everyone within individual cages.
Mingxiao and Qianluo had both held back their strength, so these cages could only trap them for a short moment.
Yet that short moment was more than enough for Ao Xiu to snatch Xu Manman away.
The golden cage tightened, binding Xu Manman securely. Ao Xiu extended his hand toward her, and Xu Manman flew toward him against her will.
Prepared for this, Xu Manman decided right then to launch a surprise attack on Ao Xiu with her divine soul.
Seeing Xu Manman in imminent danger, Tuntun’s little face flushed with anger.
Letting out a loud shout, she smashed open the cage with a single punch. Her soft little dress fluttering, she sprinted toward Xu Manman, yelling at the top of her lungs.
“Put Manman down!”
Xu Manman froze instantly.
Ao Xiu was also taken aback, his hand clutching Xu Manman trembling slightly.
“Manman?”
Mingxiao’s movements stiffened as he looked at Xu Manman, muttering in confusion.
“Manman?”
Li Que asked in a daze, “Isn’t Manman the original name of Lianyue Daozun?”
Li Ying said thoughtfully,”Tuntian Shenzun can see everyone’s unique fortune…”
Qianluo asked in confusion, “What does that mean? She is Lianyue Daozun?”
Qunyu’s beautiful eyes flickered, “So that’s why… no wonder…”
Tuntun suddenly gasped, realizing she had misspoke.
Remembering that Manman had told her to keep her identity a secret, she hurriedly tried to cover it up.
Xu Manman was equally stunned, her mind spinning rapidly as she tried to think of a way to talk her way out of it.
Xu Manman, “I…”
Tuntun asked softly in a hesitant voice, “Manman, what is your name now…”
Xu Manman felt completely numb. She instinctively looked toward Demon Lord Langyin, only to meet a pair of deep, dark eyes swirling with demonic qi.
The corners of Demon Lord Langyin’s lips curled up slightly, as if letting out a low chuckle.
Gripping the Jushuang Sword tight, he shattered his cage with a single strike and charged straight toward Xu Manman.
Xu Manman closed her eyes.
How could a person die twice in a single day?
Some people were dead, yet she was still alive.
Some people were alive, yet she would rather be dead…
