Tang Dynasty: Inherit the Evil Sword Immortal and destroy gods and demons with one thought!
Chapter 20 - The Situation Spirals Out of Control! Li Shimin’s Midnight Summons!

Chapter 20: The Situation Spirals Out of Control! Li Shimin’s Midnight Summons!

At Shu Mountain, Xu Changqing wavered over awakening the ancient ancestor when a disciple rushed in. “Senior Brother! An old Taoist seeks you, claiming to be Taibai Jinxing!” Xu froze. Taibai Jinxing, a celestial immortal of great renown, visiting Shu Mountain? “Invite the Immortal Lord to the hall!” he ordered, straightening his robes to greet the guest.

In the Infinity Hall, Taibai Jinxing stood with a benevolent air. Xu Changqing bowed deeply. “Shu Mountain disciple Xu Changqing greets Immortal Lord Taibai!” Taibai eyed him, smiling warmly. “A true immortal seedling,” he praised, stroking his beard. Xu’s potential, long rumoured, shone brightly. “You flatter me, Immortal Lord. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” Xu inquired, ushering Taibai to a seat.

Taibai smiled kindly, plucking a whisker from his duster and placing it on the table. “Xu Changqing, your devotion to cultivation and demon-slaying has earned great merit. I’ve come for the Heavenly Demon Emperor, but I also bring you a strand of immortal fate.” Stunned, Xu bowed in gratitude. “Changqing thanks the Immortal Lord!” As Taibai departed, Xu clutched the whisker, heart racing. With Huang Mei nearing Yangzhou, this timely gift was a lifeline.

The Ten Demon Kings’ upheaval rippled widely, alarming other factions. In Nanzhao, at the Moon-Worshipping Sect’s headquarters, the Sect Leader paced, sweat streaming down his neck. “Why does Jinchi Dapeng target my sect?” he growled. Half an hour earlier, reports confirmed the Golden-Winged Roc had seized a branch altar. A top-tier Demon King, he was beyond mortal resistance. The Sect Leader ordered an evacuation, ceding the altar. But he wondered why Jinchi Dapeng would leave Tang to trouble them.

A subordinate reported, “Sect Leader, after taking the altar, the Demon King entered Pure Moon Pool and hasn’t emerged.” The Sect Leader frowned. Pure Moon Pool, a spiritually rich spring, had drawn him to build the altar there. Is Jinchi Dapeng after its energy? Unlikely. Baffled, he declared, “Summon the three priests. We’re heading to the altar to investigate!”

In Chang’an’s Daming Palace, within the Hall of Nurturing Heart, Li Shimin toiled under lamplight, buried in memorials. Recent events—demons, mysterious hands, and cosmic omens—left him exhausted, sleepless for days. Taibai Jinxing’s karmic thread haunted him: an enemy, a peerless master, who resided in the Prince of Qin’s Mansion for over a year. Despite Zhangsun Wuji’s theory of a former retainer, the Shadow Dragon Guards found no leads.

A guard announced, “Your Majesty, Star Minister of Heavenly Kui seeks an audience!” Li Shimin’s eyes lit up, hoping for news. “Summon him!” Zhangsun Wuji entered, but his words dashed hopes. “No news yet, Your Majesty.” Worse followed: “Reports confirm the Ten Demon Kings are stirring again, appearing at the True Martial Emperor’s Temple, Yangzhou, the East Sea, and Nanzhao.” Li Shimin’s brush fell with a clatter. Rampant again? Misfortune piled upon misfortune. Reeling from the mysterious hand, he now faced this new threat. “The True Martial Emperor’s Temple, Yangzhou, the East Sea…” he muttered, brow furrowed. “Any cause uncovered?” Zhangsun Wuji replied, “We’re investigating, but it seems they’re searching for something.”

Searching? Li Shimin was perplexed. What in Tang are they pursuing? Do these places share a connection? The last Demon King uprising birthed the Heavenly Demon Emperor, now lurking, poised for chaos. Another crisis could be catastrophic. “No!” Li Shimin stood, voice tense. The situation was slipping beyond control. “Summon General Qin Qiong! Summon Li Chunfeng! And call the Fourth Prince!” His orders rang out, summoning two ministers and a prince.

That night, the briefly calm palace erupted anew. In Chang’an, those with keen ears sensed an impending storm.