Tang Dynasty: Inherit the Evil Sword Immortal and destroy gods and demons with one thought!
Chapter 22 - The Demon Ancestor’s Grace! What Does It Matter to Abandon Buddhist Fate?

Chapter 22: The Demon Ancestor’s Grace! What Does It Matter to Abandon Buddhist Fate?

The True Martial Emperor, also known as the Mysterious Warrior Emperor or Mysterious Heavenly Supreme, reigns as the supreme deity of the Northern Celestial Realm, second only to the Jade Emperor. Before ascending, he lingered in Youzhou, earning the city the title of True Martial Emperor City. A grand temple there houses a “Calamity Eye,” suppressing disasters and ensuring prosperity.

On this day, Youzhou darkened under roiling clouds, howling winds, and torrential rain. A thunderous voice boomed, “Hahaha! The Demon Ancestor’s guidance is flawless! I sense it—the power perfectly suited to me! With it, I’ll be reborn!” Qing Shi Demon King’s bell-like eyes blazed with greed. The Demon Ancestor’s directive pointed to the True Martial Emperor Temple—specifically, the Calamity Eye beneath it. Laden with catastrophic energy and malevolent qi, consuming it would grant him dominion over natural disasters: earthquakes, floods, tsunamis at his whim. Such power, such glory! Qing Shi’s reverence for the Demon Ancestor deepened. Without this guidance, he’d never have conceived such a path.

Eager to act, he faced a formidable obstacle. Whoosh! A teal beam shot from the North Emperor Temple, revealing a gallant man in black robes. Qing Shi’s gaze hardened. “True Martial Emperor…” It was a wisp of the Emperor’s divine will, yet its presence daunted even a Demon King. As a near-peer to the Jade Emperor, this fragment demanded respect.

The divine will, hands clasped behind, eyed Qing Shi. “A minor demon from Western Buddhism? Retreat, and for Manjusri Bodhisattva’s sake, I’ll spare you.” Qing Shi felt the weight of those words, the Emperor piercing his origins instantly. But retreat wasn’t an option. This was his sole chance for transformation, granted by the Demon Ancestor. “True Martial Emperor, forgive my offence!” Qing Shi roared, yellow fur bristling, demonic aura erupting. A seven-zhang silver-ringed blade slashed forth.

The divine will, unflinching, raised a hand, effortlessly blocking the strike. Clang! Qing Shi’s arms numbed. His grip and will weakened. A mere wisp, yet so formidable! “No choice but to risk it all!” he growled, igniting a Buddhist flame within. The fire blazed, surging his power exponentially. The divine will frowned. Qing Shi was burning his Buddhist fate—an irreversible act. His strength soared temporarily, but once extinguished, his centuries of Buddhist cultivation would vanish, severing all ties to Buddhism.

“Why do this?” the divine will sighed, pitying the demon’s self-destruction despite his Taoist roots. Qing Shi, muscles bulging, laughed savagely. “Buddhism never treated me as equal—just a beast to ride. The Demon Ancestor grants me the supreme opportunity to transcend! Why does Buddhism matter?” With a bellow, he lunged, his assault fiercer, now a threat to the divine will.

Bang! Bang! God and demon clashed hundreds of times, evenly matched, their battle shaking Youzhou like crashing waves. Terrified residents barricaded doors, trembling. In the city lord’s mansion, Governor Li Xiaogong, sweating profusely, scrawled furiously. Slamming his brush down, he thrust the letter forward. “Deliver this to His Majesty! Use the three-thousand-mile cloud-treading steed! No delays!” The aide snatched the letter and bolted.

Li Xiaogong’s fingers clawed the desk, knuckles white, teeth clenched in panic. “Urgent! Critical!” Qing Shi Demon King’s invasion of Youzhou demanded an immediate report to the Emperor.

Youzhou’s turmoil was the first domino, triggering a cascade of reactions. At Chunyang Sect, Youzhou’s premier faction founded by Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, Sect Leader Li Wangsheng jolted awake from meditation. His gaze pierced ten li to Youzhou’s skies. “Trouble! Youzhou is in peril!” Rising swiftly, he played the Chunyang Flute, its melodic notes echoing through the mountains.

Soon, four figures converged at the Chunyang Temple—Chunyang’s Five Disciples assembled. Lü Dongbin’s fourth disciple, Qi Jin, spoke gravely, “Sect Leader, is this summons for Youzhou’s unrest?” The city’s commotion was undeniable. Li Wangsheng nodded. “Indeed! I sensed the True Martial Emperor’s divine will battling a demon; the fight was fierce!” The disciples’ hearts sank. The Emperor, a supreme Northern deity, wields a divine will capable of quelling realms. What demon can match it?

Yu Rui, Lü Dongbin’s radiant fourth disciple, declared, “Sect Leader, we must descend to aid the Emperor and slay the demon!” Li Wangsheng affirmed, “So be it! The Five Disciples stand with Youzhou!” They transformed into five streaks of light, speeding toward the city.

In Chang’an, a steed thundered down the official road, hooves pounding like rain. The rider shouted, “Three-thousand-li urgent dispatch! Demon King invades, Youzhou in crisis!” The cry echoed, the horse covering ninety feet per second.

In the Purple Palace Hall, Li Shimin conferred with ministers when a frantic report interrupted. “Your Majesty! Urgent news from Youzhou—Demon King invasion!” Li Shimin snapped, “Bring him in!” A messenger dashed in, kneeling to present a memorial. “Fuji!” Li Shimin signalled Zhangsun Wuji, who read aloud: “Your servant Li Xiaogong reports. Qing Shi Demon King invades Youzhou, battling the True Martial Emperor’s divine will. The situation is dire! I beseech Your Majesty for reinforcements!”

The brief missive hit like a thunderbolt. Li Shimin’s brows furrowed. Qing Shi fighting the True Martial Emperor’s will? Could the Demon Kings’ quarry involve the Emperor? His mind reeled, but action took precedence. “Fuji, has General Qin departed?” Zhangsun Wuji replied, “He’s reached Luoyang, Your Majesty.” Li Shimin ordered, “Command Qin Qiong to divert 300,000 troops to Youzhou immediately!” “As you decree,” Zhangsun responded, hastening to relay the order, his face grim. Li Shimin’s heart remained taut. The Demon Kings’ motives were elusive. As anxiety gripped him, Li Chunfeng burst in, breathless. “Your Majesty! We’ve uncovered the Demon Kings’ purpose!