Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover -
Chapter 256 - 256 255 Unraveling the Cocoon
256: Chapter 255: Unraveling the Cocoon 256: Chapter 255: Unraveling the Cocoon Hou Niao looked faintly at the monk, “To break the situation, one desires divine power, first harboring a Bodhisattva’s heart.
Xionger mournfully hears the crane’s call, Lai Water desolately raises the dragon’s chant.
Xionger bears many grievances, yet you, as a monk, just stand by idly, indifferent?
Tideng Monk stared intensely at him, countless thoughts spinning through his mind.
Like Hou Niao, he was also a restless man, demoted to Yun Platform.
He was not willing to, like Daoist Zhi Sun, spend his life here until its end; he could not accept it.
He had been pondering how to break the situation, but had not expected this madman to touch upon the core of this no-man’s land so directly, fearless of burning himself!
Hou Niao looked at him playfully, “Go big or go home, act strong when you act, only then can you shake the mountain to frighten the tiger, kill the chicken to scare the monkey; always thinking of small tricks and gradual progress, in the end, you gain nothing.
Can’t solve the problem, can’t intimidate others, nor gain any benefits for oneself, then better do nothing at all.
You’ve been busy these days, monk.
You haven’t been to Jianjia Temple just a few times, have you?
So, found anything interesting?
Tideng Monk exhaled, “Master Nanneng of Jianjia Temple is a friend from my Buddhist sect.
My visits were merely for reminiscing, nothing else.
On this, I dare swear before Buddha.
You want to investigate, I don’t oppose it, but why specifically target Jianjia Temple?
Are you trying to ruin my reputation?
Hou Niao replied nonchalantly, “Ruin your reputation?
Forgive my frankness, but in my eyes, you don’t really have much face to lose.
Why choose Jianjia Temple?
It wasn’t my choice, but the will of heaven.
If the first complainer had pointed towards Quanzhen Sect, I would have been equally ruthless.
You know why I was demoted here, so believe my words are true.”
He tossed over a Jade Scroll, “Look at this, what can you add?
Tideng Monk’s expression changed unpredictably.
He disagreed with the sword cultivator in two aspects, one being the chosen direction for the breakthrough, the other the turmoil it may cause.
Upon careful examination, he found the contents of the Jade Scroll extremely professional, perfectly fitting the profession of his cultivation days.
After he finished reading it, Hou Niao raised his doubts, “There are three suspicious points in this case.
First, the victims were physically unharmed.
I visited Scholar Qian and although he was thin, it was due to irregular eating and immense stress, not because of essence depletion from being exploited through yin and yang harvesting.
Second, Qian Scholar hails from a scholarly family.
While not exceedingly wealthy, they are well-off.
According to neighbors, he seems honest and decent, but that’s only a facade before his mother.
In truth, he has also dabbled in debauchery.
His classmates have revealed that he often lingered in pleasure quarters.
This pattern isn’t unique; several victims had similar lifestyles.
These two suspicious points are contradictory to each other.”
Tideng Monk nodded, “Your deductions are good.
Indeed, a Demon Fox frequents Jianjia Temple, but it’s a male fox, without a pack, just one injured and brought back by Host Nanneng to be raised freely.
It has begun to understand human nature and knows etiquette, surely it couldn’t do such immoral acts.
Even if it sought to replenish itself, it would target human females, not males.
That’s why I find your choice of this case unstable.”
“Numerous members of the Demon Clan roam freely across the continent, leaking into the three neighbouring countries.
How can you pinpoint the Demon Fox and direct all suspicions toward Jianjia Temple?”
Hou Niao chuckled.
The monk was still resistant, but unknowingly, he had already engaged in debating the case with him—this was a change.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t assume the perpetrator, nor can anyone prove it was the Demon Fox’s doing.
But likewise, no one can prove it wasn’t.
Since we need to start somewhere, why not start with it?
I must remind you, do not underestimate the intelligence of ordinary mortals.
Their lack of cultivation doesn’t necessarily mean they’re fools.
Why do the rumors specifically point to the Demon Fox and not others?”
“To catch a thief, find the stolen goods; to catch an adulterer, catch the pair.
The reality is that we cannot possibly catch this creature at the scene, so a proactive visit is necessary.
No one wants this case to drag on for a year and a half.”
Hou Niao asserted without doubt, “Tomorrow I will visit your fellow disciple and good friend, Master Nanneng, and while I’m there, I’ll also meet that Demon Fox.”
Tideng Monk pointed out sharply, “You hope the culprit is the Demon Fox because it would save a lot of trouble.”
Hou Niao retorted, “You hope it’s not the Demon Fox because its master is someone you know well.”
Their gazes intertwined in the air, as if swords clashing, sparking flames.
Tideng Monk sneered, “Hou Niao, I know you.
You’ve never been an upright person.
If you were, I’d help you without hesitation; but you’re not.
You’re a demon pursuing personal goals, merely cloaking your deeds in a veil of hypocrisy.”
Hou Niao didn’t deny it, “So what?
At least I know to wear a coat that looks bright on the surface.
If I can maintain this throughout my life, I’m a saint!
Much better than those who let nature take its course and tolerate evil.”
Tideng Monk asserted powerfully, “I’ll accompany you tomorrow to prevent you from using underhand tactics to frame innocent people.”
He couldn’t just stand by and watch Hou Niao target Jianjia Temple, knowing that Master Nanneng was someone who may appear modest and amiable but was fiercely protective, not just of his disciples but of his nurtured Demon Beast too.
He feared a deadlock between the two sides could provoke unforeseen risks; Master Nanneng was a God Sensing Upper Cultivator, but Hou Niao was backed by the entire Quanzhen Sect.
Either outcome would be disastrous for both parties, so his presence was needed to mitigate the situation.
The mere thought of Hou Niao stirring trouble daily, with him having no choice but to stand by and help smooth things over, tremendously frustrated him, yet he was helpless.
The night passed without words, despite the rampant rumors about the Demon Fox that filled the city like a storm.
The Taihao Sect’s Zhi Sun Daoist remained indifferent, not even bothering to inquire about it.
After morning prayers, they set off together.
Jianjia Temple was situated fifty miles west of the town, nestled in a scenic area not suitable for agriculture, so the surrounding population was sparse.
They galloped on horses, and within a little over an hour, Tideng Monk, acting as the guide and familiar with the route, led the way.
From a distance, a medium-sized temple with red bricks, green tiles, and white walls came into their view.
The temple grounds were dotted sporadically with patches of farmland, irregularly placed, resembling a patched monks’ robe.
A few monks were sitting by the gate, basking in the sunlight, presenting a serene and peaceful scene.
The two men dismounted and walked inside.
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