Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 96 - 92: State Preceptor Strangling!

Chapter 96: Chapter 92: State Preceptor Strangling!

"You are being honest and telling me the truth—are you saying the State Preceptor is someone who cultivates both Buddhist and Taoist practices?"

"Exactly."

"Let me ask you another question, does the sudden attack by the mages under the State Preceptor suggest that the State Preceptor is nearby?"

At this question, Zuo Qianhu attracted the attention of everyone present. Under their gaze, he replied somewhat embarrassingly:

"That’s right! The State Preceptor is nearby! With his divine mana, you cannot escape... I’m sorry... I cannot let you go..."

"I don’t believe it, shall we escape now?!"

Xiao Wangba had hated the State Preceptor for a long time, his eyes blinded by hatred. In his eyes, the State Preceptor was a demon daoist, not to be feared if not for the deep trust of the Emperor, even though those under the State Preceptor had already demonstrated their terrifying ability to kill.

"It’s too late..."

Li Ping’an, using Divine Power: Insight into the Hidden, looked towards the path through the Eastern Forest with great tension and said:

"The person... is already here..."

As everyone followed the direction Li Ping’an was looking, they saw a Taoist wearing a monk’s robe casually approaching. In the blink of an eye, afterimages multiplied, reaching a position a hundred meters in front of them. Another blink, and the afterimages merged; the State Preceptor now stood ten meters away from the group.

"Immeasurable Life Buddha, Savior Heavenly Venerate, greetings to you all," the State Preceptor said with a salute.

It was then that Li Ping’an, Yiye Zhiqiu, and the others saw the true appearance of the State Preceptor:

He had a kind face, was clean-shaven, and had palms pressed together. At first glance, he looked like any other cultivator of both Buddhism and Taoism. Upon closer inspection, though, a sense of evil emanated from him, an aura that was frightening to behold. Yet his appearance and attire were dignified and solemn, epitomizing both righteousness and evil.

It was this very feeling of being both righteous and evil that sent chills down one’s spine; even though he was merely performing a normal salutation, every move, every action seemed to bear the grim intent of a grim reaper.

As soon as the State Preceptor finished speaking, the eight nuns hovering in the sky gracefully descended, with four on each side, becoming one with him.

"How strange! How very strange to encounter such a situation!"

As the eight nuns returned to the State Preceptor’s side, Li Ping’an could clearly see through Divine Power: Insight into the Hidden that while they previously showed no cultivation or attributes, now they seemed to have no cultivation at all, and it was the State Preceptor who had become like what they were before:

Cultivation: Unknown, Attributes: Unknown

What most puzzled and unsettled Li Ping’an was that the State Preceptor, along with the eight nuns, seemed to be harboring something within their bodies, as if their physical forms were just disguises, and the real power lay within. Especially with the State Preceptor, the power hidden inside was completely immeasurable, indicating that the State Preceptor’s real strength was at least three to four realms higher than Li Ping’an’s!

"State Preceptor, you demon daoist! How dare you show your face to me?"

Seeing the enemy so clearly was especially infuriating. Far from being intimidated by the State Preceptor’s methods, Xiao Wangba angrily rebuked the State Preceptor.

"Imperial Censor Lord Xiao, the sea of suffering is boundless; turning back is the shore, do not continue your obsession!"

The State Preceptor replied expressionlessly.

"Bah!"

Xiao Wangba grew more and more agitated, pointing directly at the State Preceptor and cursing:

"You beast, deceiving the Emperor, framing loyal officials, committing indiscriminate murder, colluding with the Prime Minister, betraying the world, your sins are unforgivable. I hate that I cannot consume your flesh and sleep on your hide!"

"That’s enough, that’s enough, since you are deluded, I can only capture you and bring you back to Chang’an for the Emperor to decide."

The State Preceptor shook his head sorrowfully, then turned to look at Li Ping’an and the others:

"Are you all intending to remain as deluded as the Imperial Censor?"

"Demon Daoist! I can tell you’re up to no good; you’re not a good person!"

Yiye Zhiqiu, indeed a practitioner of cultivation, sensed something odd and pointed accusingly.

"I have lived and died with my father!"

The Xiao Family Sisters stood resolutely, one to the left and one to the right of Xiao Wangba.

"I’m just passing by, I don’t know anyone here!"

Li Ping’an immediately raised his hands to show he was uninvolved, and aside from Yiye Zhiqiu’s minor displeasure, the Members of the Xiao Family did not think much of it, since Li Ping’an had not sworn to live and die with them. The decision to assassinate the State Preceptor was theirs alone and had nothing to do with others.

"You are indeed cunning..."

The State Preceptor nodded approvingly at Li Ping’an, the only one who showed any sign of submission.

"Zuo Qianhu, your lack of competence in handling this matter, what punishment do you deserve?"

The State Preceptor shifted his target to Zuo Qianhu, who, understanding the hint from the State Preceptor, hastily bowed to Li Ping’an apologetically, saying:

"With the State Preceptor here, I have no say, I am sorry."

Ashamed, Zuo Qianhu walked over and upon reaching the State Preceptor, suddenly knelt and pleaded:

"State Preceptor, I see the Imperial Censor as a loyal and righteous official. If he has sent someone to assassinate you, he must have been deceived by a traitor. There must be some misunderstanding, I implore you to investigate thoroughly!"

"Very well, very well, I shall ask him again."

The State Preceptor, in good spirits, actively helped Zuo Qianhu up and then turned, looking at Xiao Wangba with a cheerful expression:

"Lord Xiao, would you be willing to return to the capital city to clarify the situation? I, the State Preceptor, will ensure justice is served without wrongful accusations. The Imperial Edict Office will certainly restore your honor."

"Demon Daoist! Do you think me naive as a three-year-old child? How could there be a way to survive once I return with you to Chang’an and enter the Imperial Edict Office? If you want to kill, then kill. Right now, let me rid the world’s common folk of you, demon!"

Xiao Wangba, truly a loyal and patriotic man, was not only unafraid but also unsheathed the sword from Xiao Qingfeng’s waist, aiming to kill the State Preceptor, yet he was firmly stopped by his daughters.

"Zuo Qianhu, you see? Since he refuses to return to the right path, there’s only an endless sea of suffering! All of you must die today!"

"Even me, a mere passerby, you want to kill? Aren’t you excessively cruel? What kind of Buddhism are you practicing? What kind of law are you cultivating? What kind of vegetarian diet are you following?"

"Colluding with Rebels merits death. How pitiful that you were raised by your parents only to die at my hands. How tragic."

The State Preceptor merely shook his head in resignation, reluctant to make a move.

"It’s over! What I feared has come to pass. I’ve been dragged into this courtly strife! But I can’t compete with him – what should I do?"

Beneath his covered face, Li Ping’an was extremely nervous, constantly biting his lip, pondering how to escape with his life while protecting the Members of the Xiao Family!

Hence, he set his sights on Yiye Zhiqiu again, planning for Yiye Zhiqiu to test the depth of the State Preceptor first, then he himself would make a full effort to escape. In this way, they all could have a way out!

Having decided on his plan, Li Ping’an quietly stood behind Yiye Zhiqiu, and just as he was about to lift his foot and kick Yiye Zhiqiu’s backside, Yiye Zhiqiu, who had suffered under Li Ping’an’s tricks before, seemed to anticipate Li Ping’an’s next move and instantly turned his head, saying:

"Senior, no need to kick. If you want me to go first, just say it... "

"So what are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

Urged by Li Ping’an, Yiye Zhiqiu drew his sword and fearlessly declared:

"Demon Daoist, do you recognize me, the Kunlun Sorcerer Yiye Zhiqiu?"

"I’m well aware of the Kunlun Sect, albeit quite ordinary, and I’ve never heard of you, this junior."

"Good, today you shall witness the might of our Kunlun Sect! Thunder Wind and Earth Movement Command!"