novelraw Chapter 68 : The Umbrella of Protection, the Demon Suppression King Returns Early
Chapter 68 : The Umbrella of Protection, the Demon Suppression King Returns Early
Chapter 68: The Umbrella of Protection, the Demon Suppression King Returns Early
Although he had yet to truly begin cultivation, he had already gained a faint understanding. After further exploration, he should be able to learn it. By then, when a crucial moment arose, it would serve its purpose.
Aside from this secret art, Shen Yanzhou also requested from Lin Qingcang a defensive martial technique focused on fortifying the body. Its name was simple—Immovable as the Mountain Art.
As the name implied, once it was activated, the body would become unmoving as a mountain, indestructible and unshakable—even Lin Qingcang held it in high regard.
In addition, there was also an offensive technique named Dragon-Seizing Force.
Throughout the journey, Shen Yanzhou had been engrossed in studying these high-grade martial arts, any of which, if placed in an external martial sect, could easily be enshrined at the highest level of their scripture hall.
As for the Daoist arts, Lin Qingcang did not delve much into that field, so Shen Yanzhou did not trouble him for any of those.
“The most crucial one is still that movement technique called Taixu Invocation...”
Initially, Shen Yanzhou had no intention of spending too much effort searching for a suitable movement art.
But he could not resist the vivid description Lin Qingcang had given—one’s body becoming as the Great Void, traversing through time and space.
If he could obtain such a technique, it would mean that whenever danger arose, he could freely escape into the void itself—this was a true life-preserving art.
In this world, to literally break through the void and cross within it, without the protection of a treasure, one’s body must be strong enough to withstand the fierce spatial gales and chaotic currents—at the very least, reaching the Second Rank, the pinnacle of this era.
Yet even those at the pinnacle could not easily conceal themselves within the void.
“I must get that movement art,” Shen Yanzhou thought.
At present, he held two trump cards in his hand.
The first was the obsession-made incarnation of the Late Martial God Lin Qingcang.
The second was the Human Dao Soul of Tantai Yuxian, a peerless expert of this age—enough for him to take a great gamble.
“Senior, stop sleeping…” He tapped lightly on the White Jade Ring in his hand.
……
Just as Shen Yanzhou returned and caused a great stir before the gates of the Prince’s Mansion, drawing the attention of the entire Imperial Capital—
At the highest level of the grandest building in the Chilin Guards’ headquarters—
Wu Ruyue stood before an old eunuch with a pale face and a slightly hunched figure, her whole demeanor a bit restrained.
The old eunuch wore a robe embroidered with sunflower emblems upon the chest, a black gauze hat upon his head, and a belt of horn and jade around his waist. His appearance was soft and aged, yet no one in the hall dared show the slightest disrespect.
For this was none other than one of the most powerful figures within the Imperial Palace—Chief Eunuch Wei Gong, Emperor Mingde’s personal attendant who had served by his side since childhood.
He bore another identity as well—the Chief Commander of the Chilin Guards.
“Miss Wu, you need not be so tense. You accomplished great merit by rescuing Heir Shen this time. Though this was originally the duty of the Chilin Guards, it ended up being achieved entirely by your hand.”
“Whatever reward you desire, just tell me,” Wei Gong said, his tone soft but his expression kind. He lifted a white porcelain teacup—the surface of the tea shimmered with green ripples, faint dragon patterns visible beneath, and a refreshing fragrance reminiscent of rainfall upon empty mountains filled the air, easing the very pores.
Wu Ruyue kept her head lowered. She recognized this tea.
It was the Ancient Dragon Heart Tea, a treasure nearly impossible to obtain in the Imperial Capital, plucked from the highest peak of Northern Desert Prefecture. It was said that the mountain had once been soaked in the blood of a demon dragon, birthing the unique Ancient Dragon Heart Trees that grew only there.
The annual yield was less than three catties, most of which entered the palace treasury. When Emperor Mingde favored a minister, he would occasionally bestow a few taels as a reward.
Her father, Wu Hong, had once looked on in envy, saying that if he could taste even a single sip of the Ancient Dragon Heart Tea, his life would be complete.
“The Demon Suppression King has shown kindness to Ruyue. Rescuing Heir Shen was only my duty—I do not seek any further reward.”
She quickly dismissed her wandering thoughts and replied.
Wu Ruyue did not know why, but after entering this place, her mind seemed to drift uncontrollably—memories and unrelated thoughts kept surfacing.
Suddenly, she was struck with alarm, cold sweat soaking her back. Could it be some kind of formation in the Chilin Guards’ headquarters affecting her mind?
Perhaps it was a subtle form of interrogation—an unseen method to influence a person’s mental state.
Wei Gong seemed to notice the change in her expression. He smiled faintly, unconcerned, sipping his tea as he said, “Miss Wu truly is a pillar of Great Qian, so selfless in merit.”
“Since you do not seek reward, let us set that aside for now.”
“Tell me—this matter about you receiving the Martial God’s inheritance in Hidden Moon Mountain—is it true?”
At these words, even his tone became more serious.
“I dare not conceal it from you, Commander.”
Wu Ruyue nodded. It was the very first thing she had reported upon arriving at the Chilin Guards’ headquarters.
An event of such magnitude could not possibly be hidden from those in power.
“Then, use all your strength and strike me with your strongest blow,” Wei Gong said after a moment’s thought, setting his teacup down.
Wu Ruyue nodded, taking a deep breath.
During the return journey, apart from ensuring Shen Yanzhou’s safety, she had spent all her remaining time studying the Martial God’s Secret Scripture. By now, she had made some progress.
In the next instant, her will stirred. True Qi surged throughout her body like a revolving current, forming a faint nebula within her—a Martial Star Nebula as recorded in the Secret Scripture, visualizing oneself as a tiny star within the vast cosmos, observing the transformations of celestial bodies to awaken infinite potential.
Boom!!!
Without hesitation, she struck with all her strength.
The commander before her possessed unfathomable cultivation, one who had long guarded Emperor Mingde’s safety within the palace—there was no way she could harm him.
Hence, she unleashed her full might, her palm landing squarely on Wei Gong’s shoulder.
“This power…”
“It is indeed… extraordinary.”
Wei Gong’s frown slowly eased. His shoulder trembled slightly before steadying once again.
He gazed at the withdrawn Wu Ruyue, a glimmer of intrigue flashing in his eyes.
“Commander…” Wu Ruyue asked softly, slightly anxious.
Wei Gong laughed, the wrinkles on his face spreading like a blooming chrysanthemum.
“You need not worry. The strength of that strike of yours has far surpassed that of ordinary Sixth-Rank martial artists—it has reached a level that may be called transcendent. Across the world, there are few who could stand beside you.”
“His Majesty once gathered all the martial arts under heaven to forge the Martial Treasury. I have had the fortune to read countless martial manuals at his side, yet the profundity of your technique is wondrous, strange, and truly awe-inspiring—worthy indeed of being called the Inheritance of the Martial God.”
“Even the First Rank martial arts unseen by the outside world could not refine your True Qi to such a pure and condensed level in so short a time.”
His praise was heartfelt.
Only then did Wu Ruyue finally exhale in relief.
Wei Gong’s eyes were full of admiration. Such an inheritance, falling into the hands of a prodigy of Great Qian—perhaps after a number of years, might truly shatter that ancient shackle and give rise to another Martial God in the world.
He silently thought: Heaven bless Great Qian.
But such news was of the utmost importance and could not be leaked carelessly.
Seeing Wu Ruyue’s hesitant expression, he smiled. “Miss Wu, do you still have other concerns?”
“The matter of the Martial God’s inheritance is no small thing. I will report it to His Majesty soon and explain everything. You need not worry further—since the inheritance has fallen into your hands, it is your destined opportunity.”
“Since the founding of Great Qian, which of our emperors has not been magnanimous and broad-minded? Naturally, none would covet what you have received. Rest assured.”
Hearing this, Wu Ruyue thought for a moment, then decided to mention Shen Yanzhou and fight for a chance on his behalf.
After all, her receiving the Martial God’s inheritance could not be separated from Shen Yanzhou.
In a way, she herself would now be protected by the Chilin Guards and even the royal family because of this inheritance.
But Shen Yanzhou…
At present, the scandal of the “false heir” was raging throughout the capital. Everyone knew of it. What should have been his chance to defy fate had turned into a lost opportunity.
Shen Yanzhou’s future situation would only grow more difficult.
“Commander, it’s like this—actually, I wasn’t the only one who received the Martial God’s inheritance. There’s another share, in someone else’s hands…”
Wu Ruyue took a deep breath and said all that she had carefully prepared in her heart.
She had already considered this matter on her way back to the capital.
If the Chilin Guards had shown any intention of monopolizing the inheritance, then they could not be trusted, and she would never have extended this protection to Shen Yanzhou.
But now—it seemed the headquarters of the Chilin Guards was much clearer in conduct than she had imagined.
“What?”
“You’re saying the Demon Suppression King’s heir, Shen Yanzhou, also received part of the inheritance?”
Wei Gong, who had thought it to be a trivial matter, was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
After all, Shen Yanzhou’s current identity was far too sensitive.
Almost the entire Imperial Capital knew that he might be a false heir, not the biological son of Shen Jingxiao.
As for the explanation, Shen Jingxiao was still on his way to the capital to make his report—no one yet knew the truth.
“Yes. Back then, we encountered danger and accidentally fell into a karst cave, which led to the events where we obtained the inheritance…”
By now, Wu Ruyue could lie without the slightest change of expression—something she could never have done before.
Wei Gong frowned deeply, clearly not having anticipated such a development.
“The matter of Hidden Moon Mountain indeed involves many things. If it concerns your secrets, you may conceal or avoid speaking of them. Should the Demon Suppression King come to question you, present this identity token in my name—he will back down.”
“As for the affairs regarding Heir Shen, it would be improper for me to interfere, but I shall report this to His Majesty and let him personally decide how to proceed.”
As he spoke, he took from his waist a token engraved with mountains and cranes, the back bearing the character “Wei,” and handed it to Wu Ruyue.
“Thank you, Commander.”
Wu Ruyue was slightly stunned but immediately received it with respectful obedience.
……
“Never heard of this place called Jiwu Mountain.”
“But then again, after the changes of ages, the Jiwu Mountain you know, Senior, probably goes by another name now.”
Within the courtyard of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, Shen Yanzhou lightly tapped the table, thoughtful expression on his face.
“Aren’t you supposed to know everything? With your background from that side, investigating the location of Jiwu Mountain shouldn’t be difficult,” came Lin Qingcang’s impatient voice from within the Sumeru Ring.
He had always believed Shen Yanzhou to be someone from “that side,” perhaps even a reincarnated old monster.
Although Shen Yanzhou had never admitted it outright, he always answered vaguely.
“It’s not that easy,” Shen Yanzhou shook his head.
The Taixu Invocation movement art originated from the so-called Time Clan, an extremely mysterious race that generally never appeared in the mortal world, dwelling instead in secret realms and dimensions unknown to most.
According to Lin Qingcang, the last time he encountered the Time Clan was on Jiwu Mountain.
He had made a trade with one of their elders, giving what the other wanted. At the time, Lin Qingcang was at his peak and had no great needs, so he requested to glimpse the Taixu Invocation. The elder agreed, but Lin Qingcang, after seeing it, did not cultivate it.
The Time Clan elder, being a forthright person, refused to owe him a debt and gave him a favor in return.
If Lin Qingcang ever needed something in the future, he could go to Jiwu Mountain and exchange it with the descendants of the Time Clan.
“Even you don’t know? Then you can ask the one in your hand,” Lin Qingcang said.
Shen Yanzhou was already thinking the same thing.
A place like Jiwu Mountain—never even mentioned in the original chronicles—how could he possibly know?
With that thought, he lifted the spiritual barrier of his perception, and at once sensed the presence of Tantai Yuxian within his palm clearly.
“What do you intend to do?”
The Human Dao Soul of Tantai Yuxian opened her cold, clear eyes at the same moment, her tone frosty as ice.
“The Sword Immortal speaks in quite the tone—have you forgotten the oath between us?” Shen Yanzhou raised an eyebrow lightly, not allowing her to manifest.
“If you have something to say, just say it directly—why circle around?” Tantai Yuxian said coldly.
“Does the Sword Immortal know of Jiwu Mountain?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
Tantai Yuxian’s expression shifted slightly, not knowing why he suddenly asked that, but replied, “I know.”
This time, it was Shen Yanzhou’s turn to be surprised.
“Where is it?”
“Within Beiyu,” Tantai Yuxian said concisely, as if each word was precious.
“In Beiyu?” Shen Yanzhou frowned.
Beiyu and Great Qian had long been mortal enemies—conflicts and wars between them continued even in recent years.
In the early days of Great Qian’s founding, the human orthodoxy of the world had always belonged to Beiyu.
However, Beiyu had always revered the cultivation of the Shamanic Path above all else, treating the Martial, Confucian, and Daoist systems as lesser branches.
Of course, this had to do with Beiyu’s lineage—its ancestral spirits practiced the Path of Communion with the Netherworld. In ancient times, it had been the human orthodoxy, and after the Great Calamity of demons, the Shaman Gods preached to preserve the last breath of humanity.
Shen Yanzhou naturally could not go to Beiyu now. With his identity as the Heir of the Demon Suppression King—even if it was false—once he crossed the border, he would surely be imprisoned as a spy.
Just then, the hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Shen Yanzhou looked up.
Chunchao pushed open the gate and rushed in, her anxious words full of worry:
“It’s bad, My Lord—the Prince has arrived in the capital ahead of schedule and is already in the palace meeting His Majesty.”
“Heir, please prepare yourself—the Prince will likely return to the mansion by noon…”