Chapter 192: Exposed |
Just then, two figures rushed over rapidly from the distance.
Everyone's gazes turned toward the hall entrance.
They saw Chen Qing supporting Du Lingchuan, whose face was as pale as paper and whose aura was extremely weak, as they quickly entered the hall.
Xuanjia Gate's elder Shi Zhenyue saw Du Lingchuan being supported by Chen Qing and was immediately overjoyed, hurriedly coming forward, "Senior Brother Du! It's so good that you're alright! How are your injuries?"
Du Lingchuan waved his hand. His breathing was weak yet urgent as he said, "Junior Brother Shi, I'm fine!"
Chen Qing took advantage of this opportunity to quickly lock his gaze on He Yuzhou in the main seat and transmitted a message to him, "Sect Master, Feng Shuhao ambushed this disciple and was killed in counterattack. Before dying, he confessed that the demon arts he cultivated were inherited from Zhou Nianchu! Zhou Nianchu is very likely a Demon Sect insider, possibly even Heart Devourer himself!"
He Yuzhou's seated figure trembled almost imperceptibly. Shock and tumultuous waves instantly swept through the depths of his eyes, but having long occupied the position of Sect Master, his composure was extremely deep. His face remained expressionless, only the fingers holding his teacup tightened slightly.
He had already harbored suspicions in his heart.
Feng Shuhao's breakthrough speed, Zhou Nianchu's occasional abnormalities revealed in recent years, and the Demon Sect's repeated ability to avoid encirclement at just the right moments...
Upon hearing this, Zhou Nianchu's heart suddenly became alert, but his face showed humility as he said, "Sect Master He flatters me too much. That boy Shuhao just had better luck. Some time ago while in closed-door cultivation at the back mountain, he had some insights and felt something in his heart, which allowed him to break through fortunately. Where is there any unique secret method? It's nothing more than diligent cultivation without rest, a natural outcome when conditions are ripe."
He spoke lightly, but deep down he was growing suspicious and his wariness greatly increased.
Feng Shuhao's breakthrough was extremely secret. He had strictly ordered it kept confidential, but somehow it had leaked out.
Afterward, he had secretly investigated but gained nothing.
This matter had always been a source of concern.
Now He Yuzhou suddenly brought it up, which seemed far from simple.
"Oh?"
Just then, Leng Qianqiu beside them suddenly snorted coldly and spoke, "Diligent cultivation? Natural outcome? I'm afraid not necessarily."
"Manor Lord Zhou, my Hanyu Valley recently confirmed that Elder Qian, a consecrate of the Liu family, mysteriously died last month. Someone saw Nephew Feng's figure appearing around him! How does Manor Lord Zhou explain this matter?"
In fact, after investigating this matter, Leng Qianqiu had begun to suspect Qixia Manor, but this matter was of great importance. Without solid evidence, it would undoubtedly affect the four-sect alliance.
As soon as these words came out, the hall immediately erupted in commotion!
"The Liu family's Elder Qian? Wasn't the rumor that he was killed by the Demon Sect?"
"How could this be connected to Feng Shuhao?"
"Could it be..."
Everyone's gazes swept back and forth between Zhou Nianchu and Leng Qianqiu with shock and suspicion.
Zhou Nianchu's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm on the surface and flatly denied, "What does Valley Master Leng mean by this? Elder Qian's death also deeply pains me, but this matter was done by Demon Sect evildoers. How could it possibly be related to Shuhao?"
As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously swept toward outside the hall, and his figure imperceptibly shifted half a step backward.
Leng Qianqiu slowly stood up from her seat. Her steps moved lightly, appearing casual but precisely blocking one path leading outside the hall. She looked at Zhou Nianchu, "Oh? Is that so? Then why has Feng Shuhao's cultivation progress been so strange? And why was his whereabouts unknown precisely during the period when Elder Qian was killed? Manor Lord Zhou, if you have a clear conscience, why not let us verify where Feng Shuhao is right now and whether the True Aura he cultivates is truly orthodox?"
Zhou Nianchu's face suddenly darkened, "Valley Master Leng! What do you mean by this? Elder Qian's matter will have its own public judgment. How can you suspect my disciple Shuhao based on some groundless traces? He is after all my only disciple. Which martial artist doesn't have their own secrets? How can you verify him just because you say so?"
His tone grew increasingly agitated, "Questioning Shuhao is questioning me, Zhou Nianchu! Questioning my entire Qixia Manor! I received the call for aid and personally led everyone to provide support at the first moment without stopping for an instant! Now with the demon menace not yet pacified and Heart Devourer still at large, instead of thinking together to pursue and eliminate the chief culprit, you're here suspecting allies? Is this the so-called four-sect alliance, united as one? What an enormous joke!"
His gaze swept over He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu, carrying undisguised disappointment and anger, "If you all harbor doubts and feel my Qixia Manor is connected to the Demon Sect, then there's no point in me, Zhou Nianchu, staying here. I'll take my leave! When Heart Devourer is captured in the future, my innocence will naturally be proven!"
Having said this, he made as if to fling his sleeves and leave, his attitude extremely forceful.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense. The Qixia Manor people also changed color and stood behind Zhou Nianchu.
"Manor Lord Zhou, wait a moment."
Just then, He Yuzhou's steady voice rang out. He slowly stood up, "What Valley Master Leng said is not without basis. As for Nephew Feng..."
He paused slightly, his gaze turning to Chen Qing at the hall entrance, "Chen Qing! Present what you just said and the 'evidence' you witnessed. Let Manor Lord Zhou, and let everyone, see it clearly!"
Chen Qing responded from outside, "Yes!"
Soon, two Five Terraces Sect disciples carried Feng Shuhao's corpse into the hall and placed it on the ground.
Feng Shuhao's face was ashen gray, completely devoid of breath.
He Yuzhou pointed at the corpse, his gaze sharp as a torch as he looked at Zhou Nianchu and said in a deep voice, "Manor Lord Zhou, look carefully! Feng Shuhao just ambushed my sect's Chen Qing using sinister demon arts and was killed in counterattack! The True Aura attribute within his body is absolutely not Qixia Manor's orthodox tradition! As his teaching master, how do you explain this? You absolutely cannot be unaware of this matter!"
"Whoosh!"
The hall instantly completely exploded!
The experts present changed color dramatically, almost unable to believe their own ears. Their gazes instantly all focused on Zhou Nianchu, filled with incredulous shock!
The atmosphere in the venue instantly tightened to the extreme!
Zhou Nianchu knew his identity had been exposed. Immediately, his body leaped up and rushed outward.
Leng Qianqiu extended a finger. An extremely condensed icy finger wind burst through the air!
The finger wind was soundless yet faster than lightning. Wherever it passed, the air froze, leaving a clear trail of frost as it stabbed directly at Zhou Nianchu's brow!
Zhou Nianchu cried out strangely. The True Aura within his body instinctively surged out. His crimson palm hastily swept upward, attempting to disperse this deadly ice finger force.
Hiss!
Ice and fire aura violently collided, producing a piercing sound.
Zhou Nianchu's figure swayed slightly. He was actually forced to slide back half a step by the force of this single finger, and the green tiles beneath his feet instantly filled with cracks.
Almost at the same time Leng Qianqiu struck, He Yuzhou had already pounced forward like a fierce tiger. His incomparably pure Gengjin True Aura exploded explosively. His entire person seemed to transform into an unsheathed peerless sword, sharp and exposed!
Without the slightest hesitation, his first move was the Five Terraces Sect's supreme inherited technique, the most lethal Mountain-Shattering Form from the Vajra Armor-Breaking Fist!
Golden light blazed brilliantly on his fist edge, supremely strong and fierce. The invincible fist momentum locked onto Zhou Nianchu.
Facing the sudden attack by two sect master-level experts, Zhou Nianchu could no longer disguise himself.
He roared and thrust out both palms. His True Aura surged madly as he forcefully received He Yuzhou's earth-shattering punch.
Boom!!!
Fist and palm solidly collided together!
Terrifying three-colored gold, blue, and red aura like an out-of-control flood explosively erupted, madly pouring out in all directions!
The first to bear the brunt was this council hall!
Several massive beams supporting the hall emitted groans of being unable to bear the load, instantly torn apart and destroyed by the rampaging aura!
Carved doors and windows, tables and chairs were torn to pieces like paper, then pulverized into dust by even more violent air waves!
Roof tiles fell like a rainstorm with rustling sounds. Then the entire roof structure lost its support and with an earth-shattering roar, collapsed thunderously!
"Retreat quickly!"
"Leave here!"
The other experts in the hall, whether Five Terraces Sect or Hanyu Valley elders, or Qixia Manor's He Yueting and Xuanjia Gate people, were all shocked and pale. They all circulated their True Aura to protect themselves and fled in disarray outside the hall at the fastest speed.
True Aura expert duels were already extremely dangerous. When External Aura realm experts fought to the death, their destructive power was even more astonishing.
The entire council hall, in just one or two breaths, transformed into ruins amid deafening roars and clouds of dust filling the sky!
Through the billowing dust, three figures shot skyward and landed on the plaza outside the ruins, forming a triangular confrontation.
He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu had grave expressions. The True Aura around their bodies surged powerfully. Their True Aura radiance interplayed as their momentum firmly locked onto Zhou Nianchu in the center.
Zhou Nianchu appeared somewhat disheveled at this moment. His hair was in disarray, his robes stained with dust, his breathing slightly rapid. Receiving the combined strike of the two had obviously consumed considerable energy.
His gaze swept over He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu with sinister coldness. The last trace of disguise on his face was completely torn away.
"Good! Good! Good! He Yuzhou! Leng Qianqiu! So you're determined to oppose me!"
He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Since you won't give me a way to live, then don't blame me... for being ruthless and merciless!"
Before his words fell, the aura within Zhou Nianchu's body suddenly changed dramatically!
A force far more domineering than before, pitch-black True Aura like a slumbering fierce beast suddenly awakening, explosively burst forth from within his body!
The originally crimson True Aura instantly transformed into a black-red color.
The aura around his body turned cold and sinister. The ground beneath his feet rapidly became scorched black and withered.
A far exceeding before spread out. He had clearly reached the realm of True Aura perfection!
"Whoosh!"
The crowd observing from afar erupted in commotion, all shocked and pale!
"Demon arts! It really is demon arts!"
"True Aura perfection! Manor Lord Zhou he... he actually..."
"Great Manor Lord!"
He Yueting cried out in shock, filled with incredulous shock and bewilderment. Behind him, the Qixia Manor people looked at each other even more helplessly, completely stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Their own Great Manor Lord was actually a demon hidden so deeply?!
"Heart Devourer!"
Leng Qianqiu's eyes were ice-cold to the bone as she said in a cold voice, "It really is you! You hid so deeply!"
Within the Yunlin branch, who else besides Heart Devourer could have such cultivation?
"Today we absolutely cannot let you, this menace, escape!"
He Yuzhou's voice was cold as a knife, his killing intent decided.
Zhou Nianchu, or rather "Heart Devourer," snorted coldly upon hearing this, "I am not Heart Devourer! Even if I say more now, it's useless!"
Chen Qing in the distant crowd also felt tremendous shock in his heart.
Although he had already suspected it, seeing it with his own eyes was still quite shocking.
Qixia Manor's Great Manor Lord was the Demon Sect altar master Heart Devourer?
He was actually a sect master! This kind of identity disguise truly played the concept of hiding in plain sight to the extreme, hidden far too deeply!
The great battle completely erupted!
"Heart Devourer" took the initiative to attack. He knew deeply that he must fight quickly, otherwise once the two sects' experts surrounded him, the consequences would be unimaginable.
His figure flickered, transforming into a ghostly black smoke. He actually abandoned He Yuzhou and charged straight at Leng Qianqiu!
He thrust out both palms. The palm centers were black as an abyss. Two incomparably condensed black fiend palm prints carried mournful wind sounds like weeping ghosts and howling wolves as they struck at Leng Qianqiu's vital points—the Nine Nether Soul-Eroding Hand!
Leng Qianqiu showed no fear. She snorted coldly. The ground beneath her feet instantly condensed thick frost.
The Langyue True Aura and Profound Ice True Aura operated simultaneously. Her delicate jade fingers gracefully pointed out. Her fingertips bloomed with cold moonlight and extreme freezing qi, transforming into layers upon layers of ice crystal finger shadows that precisely pointed at those Soul-Eroding palm prints.
This was precisely Hanyu Valley's supreme technique—the Profound Ice God-Sealing Finger!
Hiss hiss hiss...!
The supremely cold and supremely evil auras madly collided and eroded, producing violent sounds. Within several zhang around the two people, the temperature plummeted.
How could He Yuzhou allow "Heart Devourer" to focus his attack on one person?
His figure flashed like lightning into the battle formation. His Gengjin True Aura urged to its peak. Fist, palm, and finger were all incomparably sharp killing moves, attacking "Heart Devourer's" flanks and back like a violent storm.
The Vajra Armor-Breaking Fist force tore through the air, producing thunder-like explosive sounds, forcing "Heart Devourer" to divert his attention to respond.
"Heart Devourer" fought one against two, but relying on his formidable demon arts, for a time he actually showed no signs of defeat.
His movement technique was as strange as smoke, appearing and disappearing under the shroud of black-red True Aura. The Nine Nether Soul-Eroding Hand was even more cunning and vicious.
On the plaza, three figures moved at high speed, shifting and dodging.
Completely different True Auras madly collided, annihilated, and exploded. The scattered force tore deep gullies in the plaza surface. The surrounding broken walls and ruins suffered even more, continuously shattered and sent flying.
Boom!
He Yuzhou's heavy punch was cleverly deflected by "Heart Devourer" and smashed into the ground, immediately blasting out a pit over a zhang deep, earth and stone flying.
Crack!
Leng Qianqiu's finger missed and struck half a broken pillar nearby. That hard stone pillar was instantly completely frozen, then swept by a passing black fiend palm wind and exploded into countless ice powder!
The battle situation was extremely intense and extremely dangerous!
Every exchange contained terrifying force!
The crowd watching from afar felt their hearts in their throats, not daring to breathe. They truly witnessed the terrifying scene of Yunlin Prefecture's top combat power fighting to the death.
Chen Qing's gaze was sharp, closely following the battle situation.
He discovered that although "Heart Devourer" was formidable, under the increasingly coordinated encirclement by the two Sect Masters He and Leng, he was gradually falling into a disadvantage, defending more and attacking less.
Firstly, although "Heart Devourer" had cultivated to True Aura perfection, he didn't have the solid foundation of breaking through on his own. Secondly, He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu both had profound strength and seemed to have also reached the perfection realm.
Seeing this, Chen Qing pondered silently.
Indeed, after several dozen moves, "Heart Devourer" failed to respond in time and was swept in the waist by one of He Yuzhou's cunning side kicks.
Although protected by his body-protecting demon aura, he was still torn through his defense by that incomparably sharp Gengjin True Aura. His waist robe instantly shattered, leaving a shallow bloody mark, and his figure staggered.
Leng Qianqiu seized the opportunity. Her Profound Ice God-Sealing Finger swiftly pointed out, directly targeting his right shoulder's Jianjing acupoint!
"Heart Devourer" hurriedly twisted to dodge. The finger wind grazed past his shoulder. The ice-cold aura instantly invaded. His entire right arm immediately covered with a layer of thin ice, and his movements suddenly became half a beat slower!
"Right now!"
He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu's eyes turned fierce, killing intent surging. Their True Aura erupted without reservation, preparing to execute killing moves!
"Go!"
"Heart Devourer" fiercely bit his tongue tip and spat out a mouthful of essence blood!
The essence blood ignited in the wind, transforming into a mass of thick black-red evil fog that instantly merged into the demon aura around his body.
The aura around his body suddenly surged another level. Blood vessels bulged and coiled on his skin surface. His face became incomparably ferocious, his eyes blood-red!
"Heart Devourer" punched out. The tremendous blood-black demon aura actually temporarily pushed back the combined offensive of He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu.
But he didn't linger in battle. Borrowing the counter-shock force, his figure transformed into a blood-black flowing light, fleeing madly outside the mountain gate at far greater speed than before!
"Heart Devourer" knew he was no match for the two joining forces.
"Where do you think you're going!"
How could He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu allow this chief culprit who had brought chaos to Yunlin Prefecture for many years to escape?
Their momentum instantly climbed to its peak. Their True Aura poured out without reservation. Like two arrows released from bowstrings, they overtook from behind, instantly intercepting that blood-black flowing light attempting to flee!
He Yuzhou urged his Gengjin True Aura to the extreme. The sharp aura around his body seemed capable of cutting through heaven and earth. He pointed his fingers together like a sword and made a cutting motion in the air—not a fist or palm, but an incomparably condensed golden sword aura that shot forth from his hand!
This sword aura was only about a chi long, yet contained the ultimate sharpness that could break through anything. It was the manifestation of highly condensed Gengjin True Aura. Its speed was as fast as rushing thunder as it directly slashed at "Heart Devourer's" back neck!
Leng Qianqiu struck almost simultaneously. She pressed both palms forward in a void gesture. The air temperature before her plummeted to absolute freezing point. Countless fine ice crystals instantly appeared and condensed, transforming into a giant ice palm print that seemed substantial!
On the palm print, moonlight and cold qi intertwined and flowed, carrying extreme cold as it pressed down on "Heart Devourer's" head!
"Heart Devourer" sensed those two potentially fatal attacks behind him. All the power gained from burning essence blood was poured into his body-protecting demon aura. The black-red qi blazed brightly as he tried to withstand them.
However, He Yuzhou's golden sword aura was sharp to the extreme, the full-power strike of his External Aura perfection cultivation, specifically designed to break through various body-protecting auras.
Only a "ripping" tearing sound was heard. That seemingly thick black-red demon aura was actually torn apart as easily as a hot knife through butter!
The sword aura passed through without obstruction!
Leng Qianqiu's Profound Ice Demon-Suppressing Palm also thunderously pressed down almost at the same instant!
"Puff!"
Blood light burst forth!
Zhou Nianchu's wildly running figure suddenly stiffened. A head with an expression of incredulous shock flew skyward. The neck's severed edge was already frozen by extreme cold qi, with no blood spurting out.
The headless corpse was solidly struck by the Profound Ice palm print following close behind.
"Crack... boom!"
The sound of shattering bones was chilling. The headless corpse was fiercely smashed into the ground like a broken sack, deeply embedded. Its surface instantly covered with a thick layer of solid ice, frozen into a strange ice sculpture.
That flying head rolled to the ground. The crazed expression on the face was frozen, eyes wide open. It was precisely Zhou Nianchu's features.
The scene fell into deathly silence for a moment.
The plaza that had been fiercely roaring just moments ago now only had the wailing sound of cold wind sweeping through the ruins.
Everyone's gazes focused on that head and the frozen headless corpse, their faces showing shock and a trace of complex emotions.
Leng Qianqiu slowly withdrew her palms. The cold qi around her body gradually receded. She let out a long breath, clearly having consumed considerable energy from that combined strike.
She looked at Zhou Nianchu's corpse, "Finally resolved this mortal threat! The Yunlin branch is hereby completely eliminated!"
"Heart Devourer... is finally dead."
He Yuzhou gazed at the head and spoke slowly.
Although he had harbored suspicions before, seeing with his own eyes that Zhou Nianchu, who was ranked among the four sect masters alongside him, was actually the most deeply hidden Heart Devourer, he still felt quite emotional.
However, Heart Devourer's execution suited his intentions perfectly. The grand plan that had occupied his mind for so long could finally be gradually implemented.
In the depths of his eyes, a trace of hard-to-detect brilliant light passed.
Chen Qing also sighed inwardly. The power of External Aura far exceeded Internal Aura.
Compared to the two Sect Masters, he still had quite a gap.
Peng Zhen, Tan Yang, and Du Lingchuan being supported by disciples in the distance, upon seeing this scene, all breathed great sighs of relief, their faces showing expressions of being unburdened.
The dark cloud that had pressed on the heads of all righteous path in Yunlin Prefecture for many years seemed to truly begin dispersing with Heart Devourer's death.
Everyone's gazes involuntarily turned to Qixia Manor's Second Manor Lord He Yueting and his subordinates standing at the side with pale faces, still in tremendous shock and bewilderment.
A cold light flashed through He Yueting's eyes. His face showed extreme shock. His lips moved but couldn't produce any sound.
Facts spoke louder than eloquence. The pure and terrifying demon arts that Zhou Nianchu had erupted before death, along with the two Sect Masters' combined execution, were irrefutable evidence with no room for sophistry.
Leng Qianqiu's gaze turned to He Yueting. Her tone recovered its usual coldness, "Second Manor Lord He, Zhou Nianchu cultivated demon arts and transformed into Heart Devourer. This matter... was your Qixia Manor aware?"
Although according to Feng Shuhao's confession before death, such demon arts shouldn't be spread on a large scale, necessary verification and warning absolutely couldn't be omitted.
Hearing this, He Yueting gave a great start and came to his senses. He hurriedly bowed, "Valley Master Leng, please see clearly! This He and all our subordinates absolutely had no knowledge of this! If we had known early on that the Great Manor Lord... that Zhou Nianchu was actually a demon, how could we have allowed him to bring chaos to the manor and harm Yunlin? Please investigate clearly, both Sect Masters and all present! We are willing to accept any verification!"
Leng Qianqiu gave Granny Lingshuang beside her a look.
Granny Lingshuang understood. She stepped forward several paces. Her withered hand swept through the air past He Yueting and several core disciples behind him.
A cold probing qi swept over everyone's bodies, carefully sensing the True Aura attributes within them.
A moment later, Granny Lingshuang withdrew her hand and shook her head slightly at Leng Qianqiu, "Valley Master, Second Manor Lord He and those I examined all have True Qi belonging to Qixia Manor's orthodox tradition, yang strong and scorching, with no evil demon qi remaining."
Leng Qianqiu nodded slightly. Her expression eased somewhat, but her tone toward He Yueting still carried warning, "This matter, my Hanyu Valley and the Five Terraces Sect will naturally investigate in detail and report to Tianbao Upper Sect. During this period, Qixia Manor must close its mountain gate, reorganize internally, and quietly await the Upper Sect's decree for disposition."
"Yes, yes, yes! This He understands! We will certainly restrain our subordinates and fully cooperate with the investigation!"
He Yueting hurriedly agreed. He hesitated, then braced himself and cupped his fists, "Sect Master He, Valley Master Leng, Zhou Nianchu... after all was once my Qixia Manor's Great Manor Lord. When a person dies, their crimes are absolved... This He has a humble request. Could you permit us to take his corpse back to the manor for burial? Consider it... fulfilling the last bit of sentiment."
Before He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu could speak, Xuanjia Gate's elder Shi Zhenyue temporarily managing affairs already said angrily, "Absolutely not! Zhou Nianchu transformed into Heart Devourer, slaughtered my Xuanjia Gate disciples, destroyed our mountain gate foundation. His sins are monstrous! His corpse should be hung outside the mountain gate to comfort the spirits of my Xuanjia Gate disciples who died tragically! How can we let you easily take him away?"
The other Xuanjia Gate people were also indignant, voicing their opposition one after another.
Seeing this, He Yueting's expression became even more awkward. He also knew this request was difficult to achieve and could only let out a long sigh without saying more.
Seeing this, He Yuzhou waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Enough. The corpse will be disposed of by Xuanjia Gate. Second Manor Lord He, you should leave first and return to make early preparations."
He Yueting felt as if granted amnesty. Not daring to stay any longer, he led the still-shocked and confused Qixia Manor people, bowed deeply to He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu, and awkwardly turned to leave.
Continuing to stay here, every moment felt incomparably awkward and oppressive.