Tang Dynasty: Inherit the Evil Sword Immortal and destroy gods and demons with one thought!
Chapter 23 - Qing Shi’s Rebirth! Li Shimin’s Heart Sank

Chapter 23: Qing Shi’s Rebirth! Li Shimin’s Heart Sank

In the Purple Palace Hall, Li Chunfeng hurried in, bowing. “Your Majesty, we’ve uncovered the Demon’s purpose!” The Emperor’s eyes lit up. “Li, tell us!” Ministers leaned in, eager. The Demon’s chaos had paralysed them. The News renewed their hope.

Li Chunfeng frowned. “Your Majesty, our observations reveal the Ten Demons seek rare opportunities. I couldn’t pinpoint what, but if they succeed, their power will surge!” Silence fell. The Demons were already a menace; stronger, they’d be catastrophic. The Emperor’s heart sank. His worst fears had been realised.

Fang Xuanling, Star of Right Support, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the Demons were dormant, yet now act in unison. I suspect guidance—perhaps the Heavenly Demon orchestrates this!” The Emperor nodded. The elusive Demon could be scheming, granting these opportunities. But why not claim them himself? Is another mastermind at play?

In Youzhou, storm clouds churned, lightning flashing. The True Martial Emperor Temple’s ten-li radius lay in ruins as the battle neared its end. Qing Shi, battered and bloodied, burned with unyielding resolve. The True Martial’s divine will, though outwardly unchanged, flickered near transparency, its divine power nearly spent. A mere wisp, not the deity himself, it would soon dissipate.

The divine will’s gaze hardened. “I cannot stop you today. If you persist, tell me—who is the Demon Ancestor?” Qing Shi sneered, “Why should I?” Truthfully, he knew nothing of the Demon Ancestor’s identity. The divine will fell silent, fading completely after a final glance.

Thud! Qing Shi collapsed, his power draining. As Manjusri Bodhisattva’s former mount, his demonic strength was tied to Buddhist fate. Now, his centuries of cultivation were gone. Yet, he smiled, liberated. “I won… the bald monks’ power? I don’t need it! Following the Demon Ancestor is my true path!” Grinning, he dragged his weary body to the temple’s crypt, where a grey-green orb pulsed.

Outside Youzhou, Qin Qiong arrived with 300,000 Crimson Sky troops, beholding the ruined temple. A scout reported, “Commander Qin, the temple’s destroyed. The Demon and divine will are gone!” Qin Qiong’s brow furrowed. “Too late…” Then, five streaks of light descended—Chunyang’s Five Disciples. Qin Qiong’s eyes brightened. “Immortal Li!” His past heroics had forged ties with sects, including Chunyang.

Sect Leader Li Wangsheng stroked his beard. “General Qin, here for the Demon?” Qin Qiong bowed. “If you know anything, please share.” Li Wangsheng replied, “We arrived as the divine will vanished. Qing Shi, nearly spent, fell into the temple, his fate unknown.” Qin Qiong’s hope flared—perhaps the demon and deity perished together, a boon for the Emperor. “Excellent!” He ordered his son, Qin Huaiyu, “Take ten thousand men, search for the Demon. If alive, report, don’t engage!”

“Got it, Dad!” Qin Huaiyu chirped, eager for glory. Qin Qiong saluted Li Wangsheng. “Immortal Li, duty calls. I’ll visit Chunyang Mountain soon.” Li smiled, “Go, General. We’ll take our leave—”

A scream cut through. “Dad! The Demon’s alive, he—” Qin Huaiyu’s cry halted as a deafening boom shook the sky. Lightning flared, winds howled, and the earth quaked as soldiers stumbled. Qin Qiong’s gaze snapped to the source. The ground split, sand swirling, as a hundred-zhang cyan lion emerged, its demonic aura a tempest. Horses knelt, soldiers buckled under the crushing pressure.

Qin Qiong’s heart raced. Was this Qing Shi? The beast, grey and towering, dwarfed its former self. Its limbs were like sky-piercing pillars. Its starry eyes glowed with divine light. Shock, terror, awe—emotions swirled, dwarfed by a sense of mortal insignificance. “What… is this?!” Qin Qiong roared.