Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 242 - 208: Beautiful Lady’s Invitation _1

Chapter 242: Chapter 208: Beautiful Lady’s Invitation _1

Indeed, the Fumo Zongguan had upgraded the reward for slaying the ’Winged Devil’, apart from the twenty merit points, and a medium-grade magical implement, an opportunity for ’Consecration’ was added.

This time, the person who would perform the Consecration for Li Xuan was a retired half-heavenly level figure, not the Fumo Zongguan himself.

Qiu Qianqiu didn’t specifically mention who it would be, but mentioned the ceremony would be held within the next three months, the direction being Ice Style martial arts.

This left Li Xuan immensely thrilled, feeling that his heart, full of scars, had healed considerably because of this.

Undoubtedly, this was the most valuable and attractive reward that the Six Paths Bureau could offer at present, aside from those top-grade magical implements and elixirs.

The previous Consecration provided by the Fumo Zongguan had greatly elevated Li Xuan’s martial cultivation.

On this occasion, with his foundation in martial arts even more robust, he was sure to make substantial progress.

However, it was unknown whether these additional rewards were added as additional compensation for Li Xuan’s involvement in the recent incidents or as advance payment for his forthcoming ’sacrifice’.

With a grim determination, Li Xuan bid farewell Qiu Qianqiu, and then collected the seventh piece of his "Sacrifice" suit from the Treasure Tower.

It was a forehead adornment made entirely of deep purple Thunder Stone, rimmed with gold. It could be attached to the forehead and looked both noble and elegant.

Its original owner was a commendable lady which is why its style leaned towards delicate femininity, but if men were thick-skinned enough, they could also use it.

Before Li Xuan left, the curator of the Treasure Tower solemnly advised him, "Next time, try to exchange your rewards together for a top-grade magical implement. Medium-grade magical implements are almost like this. Unless something on your body is damaged, I won’t be able to find anything else to accumulate for you."

Expectantly patting Li Xuan’s shoulder, he said, "In the accumulation of the Six Paths Bureau over thousands of years, even among top-grade magical implements, there are a few rare collections, which so far, few people have been able to use. I am really looking forward to them shining bright in your hands."

Li Xuan’s face twitched, thinking whether he meant to encourage him to upgrade his medium-grade ’Sacrifice’ suit to a top-grade "Sacrifice" suit as soon as possible?

It was undoubtedly good to be able to replace the magical instruments with a more powerful one, but would that not make him ’sacrifice’ faster?

He was barely able to control the current suit of armor he wore.

Just as he resolved to follow the example of ostriches, and decide to hide for a few days in the barracks of Zhuque Hall, Li Dalu ran hurriedly to Zhuque Hall, delivering Mother Liu’s decree.

Succinctly summed up, it was - Li Xuan, if you do not come home today, then you would never come back!

Left with no choice, Li Xuan had to cover his face with a piece of cloth and slink back to Earl Chengyi’s mansion.

He thought he would face a torrent of scolding from Mother Liu and then listen to her sobbing and persuading him all night.

Unexpectedly, when he returned home, he heard Mother Liu reprimanding Li Yan from afar.

"This is a matter you can joke about? You just love fanning the flames, spreading panic, grudging your younger brother’s success. I was puzzled, how could Xuan, that child, take a liking to men? It’s a relief that Uncle Qiu and the Fumo Zongguan took the initiative to explain the truth with a flying symbol, otherwise, I would have truly believed your wicked words!"

Li Xuan’s spirits lifted, wondering why he had not thought of this trick.

He mental gave a thumbs up to Qiu Qianqiu, promptly walked into the room, and then saw Li Yan, who had adopted a nonchalant attitude, sitting listlessly on a chair nearby.

After Li Xuan came in, he triumphantly raised an eyebrow at him.

If all past grudges had been written off, then now, it was the beginning of a new feud!

Li Yan turned his head with a sneer, looking away.

"Mother!" Li Xuan bowed to Mother Liu, "Child doesn’t know why mother called him home, is there something mom needs?"

"Originally, it was because I heard about the Qinhuai River affair from your brother and wanted to scold you."

There was a kindly smile on Mother Liu’s face as she pulled Li Xuan to sit down next to her, "But the Fumo Zongguan explained in his letter that you and that Luo Yan were able to kill the Winged Devil thanks to a special magical instrument from their hall, not because you have a peculiar interest in men.

He said they will also clarify this misunderstanding to the public. Ah, I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard that. You don’t know how worried I was before that."

Li Xuan’s mood brightened immediately, and wondered how he hadn’t thought of this method.

At this point, he had just more than praised Fumo Zongguan and Uncle Qiu in his mind, he felt deeply grateful, and even wanted to bow in respect.

Uncle Qiu should have told him earlier, making him worry for half the day.

"Who am I? Don’t you know, mother? How could I possibly have an interest in men? You don’t even have to think about it, someone must be spreading false rumors, slandering me."

Mother Liu also nodded vigorously: "Exactly, as the saying goes, ’a leopard can’t change its spots,’ A dog can’t stop eating shit - um, you used to be so lustful, how could you change in such a short period of time?"

Li Xuan didn’t know how he should respond upon hearing this. Should he agree, or should he defend himself indignantly, stating that he truly has reformed?

Then he saw Mrs. Liu, who pulled out an envelope, "Oh right, this is a letter that was delivered by Miss Xue’s handmaid. She wanted me to give it to you."

Li Xuan opened the envelope and saw a single sentence on the plain white paper, "Meet me under Jiming Mountain at the Hour of You tonight."

After thinking about it carefully, Li Xuan understood that today was the birthday of the City God, and a temple fair would usually be held there.

So did Xue Yunrou want to meet him at Jiming Temple?

Li Xuan’s heart suddenly began to beat uncontrollably.

※※※※

In the Zhuque Hall, on the third floor of the Demon Tower.

The jail door opened with a clanging sound, and Qiu Qianqiu and Lei Yun entered the damp, dimly lit cell one after another.

As the light from outside shone in, a figure with disheveled hair, covered in blood, chained to a giant pillar, suddenly looked up at the newcomers.

Once his eyes adjusted to the light and he recognized those who had entered, he scoffed and offered a toothy grin, "What, is it time for torture again? It seems a little early today, doesn’t it? What method are we using today - the Hundred Needles or the Blood Worms devouring the bones? Bring it on."

His pupils, however, were slightly constricting.

The intimidating presence of Qiu Qianqiu, the Immortal Master Fumo, was decidedly different from others.

In the past, while serving in the Baihu Hall, he was known for being ruthless and had a notorious reputation in the western frontier.

"You sound quite brave, and your complexion is also quite good. Seems like you’re in high spirits."

Striding up to Shenhui, Qiu Qianqiu studied him closely, "So, it sounds like this Master Shenhui hasn’t confessed to anything so far, is that correct?"

"Indeed, he has not revealed a single word." The prison head sighed bitterly, "As you can see, we’ve exhausted all methods of punishment. This man is incredibly resilient, refusing to confess even when he’s unconscious."

"It’s because you’re not using the right methods!"

Qiu Qianqiu scoffed, "Take him to the Black Water Prison and pour in three thousand Blood Flea Fish. Keep him in there for ten days and nights, and don’t let him out until he spills everything we need to know."

The prison head by his side hesitated, "Blood Flea Fish? Vice lord, I’m afraid that might not be appropriate."

These creatures were similar to piranhas found overseas. They were extremely small fishes with sharp teeth and violent tendencies, known to attack prey en masse.

Being subjected to Blood Flea Fish was not particularly painful; at most it was equivalent to the standard slow execution. For those who cultivated, it was nothing much.

However, after being locked up with them for ten days, Master Shenhui likely wouldn’t have any bones left.

"There is nothing inappropriate! He does not fear pain, but he does fear death!"

With a smirk, Qiu Qianqiu continued, "If he confesses, spare his life. If he doesn’t, we’ll open the door after ten days."

Lei Yun was hesitant, "But vice lord, Master Shenhui holds a high position in Lin Ziyang’s army and was once promised the position of the State Preceptor by Lin Ziyang himself. He is a crucial witness in Lin Ziyang’s rebellion. He not only knows many of Lin Ziyang’s and Maitreya Teaching’s secrets, but he may also be the only one who knows the identity of the Maitreya Buddha’s Son. The Ministry of Punishments expressed their interest in him."

He intentionally used a secret transmission spell to make sure the man chained to the Zhenhun Pillar didn’t hear anything.

Yet Qiu Qianqiu was unconcerned, "A witness who won’t confess is worthless. What’s the use of letting him live? If anyone has anything to say, they can come find me directly."

He remembered something else and asked with a smirk, "Speaking of which, Xue Wuya didn’t confess either, did he?"

The prison head by his side, who already had a premonition of the grim fate that would befall these prisoners, replied impassively, "We have interrogated Xue Wuya five times with severe torture methods within just these seven days."

"Then throw him into the Black Water Prison too, do as I said. Such heinous criminals are a waste of food even if they stay alive."

Brushing his robe sleeve, Qiu Qianqiu walked straight out the door, "Not just them, treat all the prisoners involved in the Maitreya Teaching and Lin Ziyang’s rebellion the same way. They can live only if they confess to everything. Also, try to separate the prisoners as much as possible, there should be more than one Black Water Prison here.

In the next few days, intensify patrol within the tower, add two more Six Paths Bureau Colonels to keep guard each day. The reason these prisoners resist confessing is because they’re harboring hope, believing someone outside can help them."

At that moment, cold sweat broke out on Master Shenhui’s forehead.

His pupils flashed with fear, as the words of vice lord Qiu hit his weak spot.

He looked at one of the other men in the room pleadingly, but the man remained calm and emotionless, walking out of the cell door with Qiu Qianqiu.