Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 437 - 437 436 Task Reward Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket

437: Chapter 436: Task Reward [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket] 437: Chapter 436: Task Reward [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket] Hou Niao reappeared in the northern courtyard garden of the heavy gate residence, precisely where he had slapped the talisman and left.

Twelve days had passed, yet the space had not changed; such is the charm of dimension space.

Alas, one cannot comprehend its profound theories without reaching Nascent Transformation.

He reflected carefully on his performance during this Ghost Festival.

It was hard to say whether his mission could be considered perfectly completed or hastily done.

But no matter how ugly the bride is, one cannot avoid the scrutiny of the in-laws.

Upon returning to Sikong Mansion and finding Assistant Li’s office, he felt uneasy.

Would this Mr.

Li make things difficult for him?

Inside the room, Li Chuping was holding the Spiritual Book, immersed in his reading, a scene so familiar as if it were their first meeting; it also made him understand where the true strength of a cultivator lies—in ceaseless self-improvement, in constantly enriching oneself.

On his journey thus far, he had been carefree, perhaps a bit too much so.

The room fell into a brief silence until Li Chuping’s indifferent voice sounded,

“Regarding the chaos of the Ghost Festival, how do you think you did?”

Hou Niao pondered seriously, “Marginally satisfactory.

Perhaps there were other options than killing the Ghost Messengers?

Now, I’ve been used by the Daoist Sect as a pawn.”

Li Chuping nodded, “That you realize this means you’re not beyond help.

The abnormalities with the Soul Ghosts of the Underworld started hundreds of years ago.

It didn’t happen abruptly, but gradually and stealthily, step by step; it might be part of some plot, but it could also be a natural change over time.

A perfect system exists only in the ideal; it inevitably deteriorates over time until order collapses, and then new rules must be established.

Such is the cycle of the Heavenly Dao, like the cycles of life and death in nature, splendor and desolation, flourishing and hibernation; there is no such thing as immortality.

The Underworld is like this, and isn’t the Jinxiu Continent viewed the same in the eyes of the Ghost Messengers?”

Hou Niao bowed his head to take in the lesson.

What Li Chuping said came from an understanding at the level of the Heavenly Dao, not implying that he was entirely wrong, but that after broadening his horizons, he would find that there isn’t just one path in this world.

“You’re not wrong, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re correct either.

From different perspectives, in different eras, there will be different answers.

If you focus only on the present, you will lose your sense of direction and become a rash person manipulated by impulses, lost in the tide.

If you look only to the future, you lose the courage to act.

Without handling the present well, what future is there to speak of?

Therefore, I can’t judge whether you’re right or wrong.

The outcome of this mission can only be verified with time.

What I want to discuss is the root of your propensity for indiscriminate slaughter.”

Hou Niao sat up with a serious expression, “Please enlighten me.”

Li Chuping thought for a moment, “Rats never think the food they eat is stolen, flies don’t feel dirty, bats don’t believe they carry poison…

In the world of crows, all swans are guilty…

It’s impossible to discuss ice with summer insects, and it’s futile to speak of the sea to a frog in a well…”

“When thoughts are not on the same level, there’s no need to conquer each other.

You may not believe in Buddha, yet there’s never a lack of people offering incense in the temples.

So, falling into devilish ways is not about slaughter, and killing cannot solve all problems.

If you understand that, you might find there are ways other than killing to resolve issues?”

Watching the young man in front of him meditating in silence, Li Chuping nodded in satisfaction.

He didn’t expect to change him completely all at once; that wasn’t necessary nor appropriate.

What he pointed out were the flaws in the young man’s character, but his character also had many redeeming qualities.

Being able to contemplate deeply was promising, unlike simply nodding and agreeing, which would be superficial flattery.

This young man had potential, a kind he couldn’t see through.

He hoped that the Shan Sect would have more people he couldn’t see through; only then would the sect have a future.

If he could see through them all, their achievements would be limited.

After a while, he asked in a low voice, “You’ve been frequently visiting me these past few days, which is not your style.

Speak up.

Do you have any requests?

Is there any trap you want me to fall into?”

Hou Niao knew that he couldn’t fool this head of intelligence; this man had a meticulous grasp of human nature and he didn’t want to hide anything.

“I’d like to go to the underground storage of the Sword Storage Tower to look for some Quanzhen ancient swordsmanship which should help with my current level of swordsmanship, but I’m unable to enter right now…”

Li Chuping nodded, “Granted!

Generally, cultivators within the sect go there to search for items after reaching the Golden Core in the Upper Realm, not only to gain something but to seek proof.

With the heart and mind firmly stable at the Golden Core stage, there is no fear of being led astray by those Strange Skills.

I’m not surprised by your intent, and your heart realm is not easy to change.”

Hmm, there’s no need to find several Golden Core cultivators to join hands and recommend me, tiring myself with the debt of favors; since you are now an assistant to Sikong Mansion, just use the investigation as an excuse, and take Sikong Mansion’s order to look for clues.”

Hou Niao nodded in agreement, having an organization really made a difference, with all the bureaucratic maneuvers in play, any and all rules had been punctured with gaping holes.

He thought Li Chuping’s words made sense, but didn’t feel that he needed to change anything;

Always choosing the most correct, the most direct, the most predictable path is a mistake, a big mistake!

The most valuable part of a cultivator’s growth is in making mistakes, in falling down repeatedly, and finally forging iron bones and steel muscles from the falls.

It’s all about measure, how to fall?

To what extent?

There’s no perfect cultivation, only perpetual correction.

Constant self-examination, not being blinded by immediate achievements, is what he should focus on now.

With Sikong Mansion’s order in hand, everything became much simpler.

The nature of his visit to the underground vault had fundamentally changed, it was no longer about learning, but investigating, a substantial distinction.

No need to search everywhere anymore, it would come effortlessly.

He displayed the order in front of the Tower Guarding Golden Pill Cultivator at the Sword Storage Tower, confirmed his identity, and without any issues, the Tower Guarding Golden Pill opened the grand array to the vault’s door.

“How much time do you think you will need?”

Hou Niao answered honestly, “If it goes well, perhaps a few hours; if the clues are unclear, then it may take several days.”

The Golden Core Cultivator gave him a meaningful look, “Investigating?

Looking for Swordsmanship?”

Hou Niao gave a wry smile, “I would like to observe the Ancient Sword Skill of Quanzhen…”

The Golden Core harrumphed, “I knew it, people from within the three mansions always use these tricks, but since you’re being honest, go on in.”

This was an unspoken game.

As Hou Niao entered the vault, it was as if he stepped into an underground Sword Storage Tower.

If he wished, countless historical mysteries could unfold before him, but his mind was undistracted, unwaveringly fixed on proceeding to the section containing Ancient Sword Skills, blind to other temptations.

He didn’t waste any time, and right there, at the spot where remnants of Swordsmanship were most evident, a series of Ancient Scrolls were remarkably arrayed; among them were nine Black Scrolls:

From atop Lin Gao, humanity first appeared small; facing the distance, aware that the world of color is empty…

These are the words at the top of the first Black Scroll, and in sequence below:

The sword’s edge sweeps across the universe, a vow to never cease the battle!

The Dou shifts with the tides of power, the passing of time turns to emptiness.

At the hundred-foot pole, to advance is to see the elephant, to retreat is to vanish without a trace.

All are separated by life and death, sharing glory and disgrace together.

The Array lies still, connected to the hidden River Diagram underneath.

The Lie displays the changing winds and clouds, yet I stand alone and indifferent.

No ancient person in sight ahead, and no comers seen from behind.

Do not follow the path, do not comply with the common way.

…

The nine Ancient Scrolls, when their headers are combined, actually form a sentence:

Confronting the soldiers and the Dou, all are Arrays lined up before advancing!

…

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