Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 187 - 178: Heart’s Intent Settled: Severing Ties for the Pursuit of the Dao (Part 2)

Yi Beidou visited the Modu Special Security Bureau branch late at night, demanding to see evidence related to Yao Lingfeng. He then instantly knocked out the accompanying personnel, forcefully took the Breath-Concealing Jade Pendant, and abducted the person in charge, Zheng Yuan, as a hostage. He had nearly come to a direct confrontation with the guards.

When Wei Cheng heard this news, his hair practically stood on end.

Yi Beidou had defeated the formidable enemies from various nations for Donghua. The smooth progress and immense success of the Martial Hero Conference were, in large part, thanks to his considerable contributions.

Now, his name was known throughout the country and even among the upper echelons of various nations. He was subtly being called the number one figure of the new generation.

He held a position of great importance, both among the common people and within Donghua’s leadership.

Fortunately, there had been no direct conflict, and so far, no casualties. Otherwise, the situation would have been impossible to resolve peacefully.

’What in the world is that guy trying to do!’

Wei Cheng’s expression was grim as he clenched his jaw.

All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind.

Japan, Yao Lingfeng, the Jade Pendant, the Pioneer Group...

As the keywords flashed through his mind one by one, he quickly began to form a theory about the cause of the incident.

’That guy...’

’I originally thought he’d temporarily given up on the lead in Japan, but I never expected him to pull a stunt like this.’

Wei Cheng already understood Yi Beidou’s intentions.

If Yi Beidou went to Japan, it would undoubtedly stir up all sorts of trouble, making bloodshed difficult to avoid. Given his status, the matter would inevitably escalate to the level of international relations, causing a massive impact and even sparking various international conflicts.

This incident was nothing like the one in Nanyang.

Back then, although Yi Beidou had acted recklessly, it was because he had been attacked first. It was targeted retaliation with a clear target and reason. Even if the other party sought to hold them accountable, Donghua held the moral high ground.

But things were different now. They had no concrete evidence; the location of the Pioneer Group’s East Asia Headquarters was merely a guess. Their actions would lack proper justification. Coupled with the fact that Japan’s status was different from Nanyang’s, it would be difficult to de-escalate the situation.

That was why Yi Beidou had chosen this method.

Forcibly breaking into a special department, kidnapping a key official, stealing classified items...

These actions were enough to have him labeled a traitor.

Under these circumstances, any trouble he caused by going to Japan would have nothing to do with Donghua.

Donghua could even say to Japan with perfect justification, "We are also hunting this man. If necessary, we can dispatch personnel to act alongside you." The other side wouldn’t even be able to utter a single word of blame.

’This would indeed sever all ties completely, but is it worth it? By doing this, you can never stand in the light in Donghua again. Even if you come back, you’ll be forced to walk in the shadows.’

’All this for the Pioneer Group’s East Asia Headquarters?! Yi Beidou, what are you really thinking?!’

Although Wei Cheng’s experience allowed him to see through Yi Beidou’s objective in an instant, he still couldn’t truly grasp his real intentions.

Only by meeting him face-to-face and talking could he figure everything out.

"Prep the helicopter! Take me to Wusong Port immediately!"

Wei Cheng immediately ordered his assistant from the Special Security Bureau.

"Yes, sir!"

The assistant nodded with a solemn expression.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Wei Cheng stopped him again. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Hold on. Have the helicopter on standby. Right now, Lushan Zhong Ang and Elder Kui of Yin Mountain are still in Modu. In my name, invite the two of them to come for a talk."

He had to be fully prepared.

Given Yi Beidou’s current strength, he wasn’t confident he could face him alone.

The young people these days were simply too fierce. Even he had to call for backup.

「Wusong Port.」

One of Modu’s most important seaports, a key hub for international trade.

At this very moment, a plaza area stacked with various shipping containers had been quietly and temporarily sealed off. No outsiders could enter.

In the shadows, fully armed Warriors had taken up positions in various areas among the containers, completely surrounding an open plaza in the center.

Every Warrior’s expression was incredibly grave. None dared to let their guard down as they stared intently at the lone figure in the plaza.

That person had, not long ago, crushed invading foreign enemies, bolstered Donghua’s prestige, and thwarted the plans of those with ulterior motives. He had rendered a great service to the nation.

In a way, this person could be considered an idol they revered.

But now, he had chosen to stand in opposition to them all.

This filled them with complicated feelings.

Yi Beidou was currently sitting cross-legged in an open space in the container plaza, meditating with his eyes closed. He paid no mind to the dark muzzles of the guns aimed at him from all sides.

Beside him, Zheng Yuan was sleeping soundly.

The man had been conscious at first, but he had talked too much along the way, constantly trying to probe for information and persuade him. Yi Beidou found him too noisy, so he sent him off to dreamland.

Time passed, second by second. Suddenly, the sound of a propeller engine echoed from the sky as a helicopter rapidly approached from the distance.

Yi Beidou, who had been sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet.

The helicopter hovered above the plaza, and then three figures leaped down from it.

TAP. TAP. TAP!

One was Wei Cheng, dressed in simple, loose-fitting casual clothes, looking like an old farmer.

Another was the Lushan Sect Leader, Zhong Ang, who wore a gray Daoist Robe and had a full beard, giving him a very rugged appearance.

The last was a withered-looking old man with a gaunt figure, dressed in a Zhongshan suit.

He was the Yin Mountain Sect Leader, Kui Jiuyin, nicknamed "Old Ghost Kui."

"The young people nowadays are getting stronger and stronger, but they’re also getting better and better at causing trouble."

Old Ghost Kui watched Yi Beidou, unable to stop himself from shaking his head and sighing softly.

"I’m sorry to have troubled you all to make this trip," Yi Beidou said to them.

"You know you’ve troubled us? We’re just a bunch of old bones. Can’t you spare us some trouble? Spit it out. What’s this stunt you’re pulling this time?"

"Do you really intend to sever your ties with Donghua and become a man without a country or a home? If this is all just for the Pioneer Group’s East Asia Headquarters, your actions are too extreme. That’s not enough to convince us."

Wei Cheng said in a low voice.

If there was a genuine reason, he couldn’t really blame Yi Beidou. He had certainly looked out for the young man, but Yi Beidou had also performed great deeds for Donghua. They didn’t owe each other anything.

"Of course, it’s not as simple as being just about the Pioneer Group’s East Asia Headquarters. Or rather, that is merely one of my objectives."

"You all should be well aware that I was born a demon, yet I have attained freedom. Sages have the Dao of sages, and a Free Celestial Demon has the Dao of a Free Celestial Demon."

"A while ago, I had just achieved Ascension, and I had no martial arts skills to speak of, which is why I studied martial arts everywhere. Now, I have made achievements, and my Demon Body is complete. If I remain in Donghua, it will be difficult to make further progress. Instead, I will face many restrictions. Severing my ties is simply a way to better seek the Dao."

Yi Beidou replied calmly.

"What Dao do you seek?"

Hearing this, Wei Cheng’s expression flickered, and he finally asked.

He had discussed the Dao with this man before and knew that Yi Beidou’s ambition was vast, aiming to surpass the limits of all time. But what did that have to do with his current actions?

"The Dao of a sage is to establish a sect, to enlighten the masses, to bring wisdom to the world, and to have thousands of disciples. I am ill-suited for that. The Dao of a Celestial Demon, however, is to bring tribulation upon the world. Those who overcome it may achieve Ascension on the spot, reach a higher level, or die, their dao dissipating, unable to escape their fated doom."

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. People can die because of a tribulation, but they can also be made by it. For Donghua, the recent invasion of foreign Martial Artists was a tribulation. We overcame that tribulation not only without suffering damage, but our Great Trend reached a new level. Everyone gained something, and from the conference, four Sages were born."

"You should know that I have a technique called the Destruction Killing Tribulation. Now, I intend to become that tribulation incarnate, to travel the Seven Continents and Hundred Countries, and to test all living beings in the world. If a true method is born from this tribulation, it will become my sustenance. This is the path I must walk."

Yi Beidou said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the three men changed drastically.

To become a worldwide tribulation by his own power, testing all under heaven—to either perish in the tribulation or rise from it.

Even as veterans of the Martial Arts Dao who had lived for nearly a century and witnessed the countless changes of the world, they could never have imagined that Yi Beidou would attempt such an earth-shattering feat.

This was truly something no one had ever done since the dawn of time!