Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 419 – Exposed, Subdued

Grandmaster Yao’s return and his massive acquisition of spirit plant materials caused storms and clouds to change within the Black Demon Sect. For a time, he could be said to be in an unprecedented limelight, an extremely dazzling existence. But, such an incredible change made one feel as if this were an illusion. With Grandmaster Yao keeping such a high profile at the moment, could he have obtained great harvests during his seclusion?

The several stewards of the dungeon gathered again once more. They soon drew a conclusion. Although Grandmaster Yao hadn’t asked them for any people, as good workers they should at least take the initiative to do things. The grandmaster might not have asked, but they could still send people over. Not only would they send people, they would make sure these were people of the highest quality.

“Steward Xu Sheng, we will leave this matter for you to process. You must keep Grandmaster Yao satisfied.” The chief steward smiled as he spoke, revealing stained yellow teeth.

Xu Sheng frowned inwardly but he maintained a light and free expression on the outside. “Yes, I will process this matter.”

The chief steward stood up. “That is everything for today. Disperse.”

Xu Sheng was the last to leave. His subordinate outside had a nervous expression. “Steward, how could you have been left to deal with this? Grandmaster Yao is not easy to serve. A bit of carelessness could lead to an accident.”

Xu Sheng smiled. “That old fellow has always found me displeasing to the eyes and has been looking for a chance to knock me down. Do you think I can refuse?” He rubbed his temples, a bit of helplessness on his face. “Let’s go. Rather than complain here, we might as well go and choose some people. If we can satisfy Grandmaster Yao, we can smoothly accomplish our task.”

The next day, Xu Sheng had some cultivators from the dungeon bring out 12 unconscious criminals. These criminals were all high quality goods, and each one of them had a considerable cultivation. Two of them were even at the Divine Soul realm.

“Greetings, fellow daoists.” I am Steward Xu Sheng from the dungeon. Today I brought a group of criminals for Grandmaster Yao to use in experimentation. Please relay the message.” Xu Sheng smiled and cupped his hands together.

Tuba hesitated for a moment. “Steward Xu, please wait a moment, I will pass on the message to the grandmaster.” At this moment, a black-robed figure walked out from the main hall. Tuba fell down to his knees and respectfully said, “Grandmaster, Steward Xu Sheng is here to see you.”

Xu Sheng’s expression was filled with respect. “Xu Sheng greets grandmaster!”

Qin Yu’s eyebrow arched up. He didn’t think he would see this person again. He glanced at the unconscious criminals behind him and a cold light flashed in his eyes as he realized this person’s purpose for coming here. He lightly said, “Steward Xu is quite thoughtful.”

Xu Sheng hurriedly said, “Not at all, this is what the dungeon should do to begin with. These people deserve to die, so to help grandmaster test pills before their death is their honor.” As this time, this person’s expression stiffened and his pupils widened a little with shock. But in the next moment, he recovered as if nothing happened.

“Grandmaster surely has many affairs to deal with, so I won’t disturb you anymore. If grandmaster has any other requests in the future, simply pass on a message to the dungeon.” As Xu Sheng spoke, he respectfully bowed and turned around.

Qin Yu suddenly said, “Wait a moment.” His gaze fell on Xu Sheng. “It just so happens that there are some questions I would like to ask Steward Xu. Since you came today, we might as well enter the palace to speak in further detail.”

A cold sweat immediately formed on Xu Sheng’s forehead. It was like a mountain was pressing down upon his thoughts; he couldn’t even utter a single word of rejection.

Qin Yu turned and walked back into the main hall. Xu Sheng hesitated for a moment, bemoaning the situation in his heart before he gritted his teeth and followed behind.

Behind him, the cultivators from the dungeon were all surprised. They had no idea why Steward Xu Sheng would want to entangle himself with that old freak Yao. But, since Xu Sheng had agreed, they didn’t dare to say anything. They fell back and waited.

Deep in the main hall, Qin Yu stopped walking. He turned, his eyes icy cold, as if he could completely see through a person’s thoughts.

Xu Sheng braced himself and cupped his hands together. “I wonder what orders grandmaster has? As long as I can achieve it, I will not refuse at all.”

Qin Yu coldly sneered. “It seems I underestimated Steward Xu. You actually have some method to discover my identity.”

Steward Xu stiffened. He squeezed out a smile. “Grandmaster, what do you mean? I don’t understand at all.”

Qin Yu lifted his hand and pulled back his hood. His bones began to crack and creak as he was restored to his original height. “Steward Xu, do you understand me now?”

A cold sweat streamed down Xu Sheng’s back and his face paled. Qin Yu’s actions had pushed this situation into a completely irrecoverable state. He clenched his teeth and forcibly suppressed his fear. He ferociously said, “There are people from the dungeon just on the other side of the door. If you kill me, you will not be able to conceal it. You will be placed under suspicion!

Qin Yu smiled. “Grandmaster Yao doesn’t seem to have an ordinary status within the Black Demon Sect. I killed Fei Jin and the others and no one came to investigate. Steward Xu, do you think I should bet on my luck? If you die here, do you think anyone will care about you?”

Xu Sheng paled even further. He fell to his knees, “Fellow daoist, please forgive me! I promise that I will not reveal your status to anyone, otherwise the heavens will strike me down like a dog!”

Qin Yu shook his head, “If promises were useful, this world would be at peace.” He pointed a finger, purple light shining on the tip. “Do not resist. Otherwise, you should be aware that I have full confidence to instantly kill you.”

Shua –

He flicked his finger and a purple light shot into Xu Sheng’s body. He violently shivered as a purple light appeared in his soul space. Within this purple light, the faint phantom of a moon appeared.

Xu Sheng was filled with bitterness but his movements were quick. He quickly bowed down. “Subordinate greets master!”

Qin Yu sneered. “I’m not killing you now, but that doesn’t mean you can continue living. First, tell me how you discovered my identity.”

Xu Sheng’s body trembled. He hurriedly said, “Reporting to master, long ago in my early years I experienced a stroke of good fortune and inadvertently awakened my bloodline, giving birth to an extremely keen sense for auras. At the dungeon, I had a deep memory of master’s aura and just now I smelled the same aura, thus I became a little suspicious.”

“Humph! If I didn’t detect this, would you have turned around and betrayed me to the Black Demon Sect?”

Xu Sheng began to sweat, “This…this…”

Qin Yu’s eyes were cold. It was unknown what he was thinking, but he furrowed his eyebrows and dispersed his killing intent. “Remember, if you even dare to say half a word, I can extinguish your soul with a single thought!” He dismissively waved his hand.

Xu Sheng repeatedly bowed. He crawled back several steps, stood up, and left in a hurry.

Qin Yu watched him leave, a bit helpless about the situation. This Xu Sheng was cruel and merciless and he had killed countless people. Qin Yu originally wanted to kill him, but this Xu Sheng could be considered a reasonably important character in the Black Demon Sect. In addition with Fei Jin and the others who died, if he were to kill Xu Sheng too, he might arouse suspicion…in any case, it was better to let this person live a little bit longer and then quietly kill him in the future.

Xu Sheng left the main hall. Without a single word, he brought his subordinates back towards the dungeon. His face was dark and depressed. He never imagined that in sending some criminals here to use as experiment materials, he had brought himself to the door of that person. In particular, as he thought about how he had taken the initiative to do this, Xu Sheng’s heart filled with lament. He cursed that person’s ancestors so much that it could have filled dozens of pages.

“This is bad. I can feel that this Ning fellow’s killing intent towards me hasn’t disappeared. He must be afraid of stirring up unnecessary trouble so he has decided to temporarily forgive me just so he can find a chance to kill me off in the future! I cannot just wait for death! I have to save myself!”

Xu Sheng was undecided. Then, a fierce look crossed his face. “You want me to die? I will expose you first and then ask the sect masters to save my life! I don’t believe that they can’t break whatever seal you placed on me!” Just as he thought this, he couldn’t help but cry out pitifully. His complexion instantly paled and his body wavered several times before he fell down.

“Steward, are you alright?” The several subordinates were shocked.

Xu Sheng had a look of fear. “I’m fine, you can all go. I’m going to rest today, so no one disturb me!” He turned and let in a hurry, the horror growing in his heart.

Just now he had only thought about exposing that Ning fellow and the purple light had shrouded his soul. Even though it was only a minor contact, it had corroded his soul, causing a tearing pain that shot straight into the depths of his being!

With this, Steward Xu truly believed that if he dared to try anything, his soul would be erased before he could even open his mouth!

No wonder that Ning fellow had allowed him to leave. It was because he had absolute confidence in himself! Damn it!

Hum –

The purple light in Xu Sheng’s soul space trembled, frightening him so badly that he quickly scattered his thoughts. He discovered that he couldn’t even curse and began to cry without tears.

“If I cannot expose him, I can only flatter him. I need that Ning fellow to understand that I am loyal and devoted to him. Only then will there be a chance for me to live on!

“But that Ning fellow’s cultivation is high and his methods are ruthless. Even that old freak Yao perished beneath him and all of his lifetime of work fell into his hands. What do I have that can move him?”

Xu Sheng’s thoughts raced. It was unknown what he thought of, but there was a brief trace of hesitation before his eyes became firm. “I don’t have much time remaining. No matter how slim this chance is, I have to risk it!”

He turned around and rushed away, quickly overtaking his subordinates. Ignoring their questioning looks, he soared straight towards the dungeon.

An hour later, Xu Sheng arrived outside the main hall. Behind him was a young criminal. This person had a dazed look, with saliva leaking out the corner of his mouth, as if he had suffered some traumatic brain injury.

Tuba and Tutou had learned about Xu Sheng from Qin Yu. Contempt flashed in their eyes as they said, “Steward Xu has returned so soon. Is there some problem?”

Xu Sheng greeted them with a smile. “There is an important matter that I urgently need to see the grandmaster about. Please relay the message for me.”

Tutou sneered. “The grandmaster is very busy; where does he have the time to casually see anyone? We will report this matter to him; you can leave first!”

He could see that Qin Yu didn’t like Xu Sheng at all. Qin Yu might even kill this person in a few days, or perhaps even tomorrow. If so, there was no need to even bother with him.

Xu Sheng anxiously replied, “This really is something important. It will be greatly advantageous to the grandmaster!”

Tuba lifted his hand to prevent Tutou from speaking. He said, “Is Steward Xu speaking the truth?”

Xu Sheng hesitated for a moment and then nodded!

From how things seemed, this Ning fellow didn’t want to see him anymore. This definitely wasn’t something good.

He could only rely on his luck!

Tuba nodded. “Then, Steward Xu can wait here momentarily. I will go and notify the grandmaster.”

Soon, Tuba walked back out from the main hall. Beneath Xu Sheng’s anticipatory gaze, he nodded, “Grandmaster has allowed you to enter. Steward Xu, please.”

Xu Sheng was overjoyed. “Many thanks, fellow daoist!”

He led the dementia-like criminal into the main hall and soon vanished from sight.

Tutou curled his lips. “Why help him pass on a message. This person has definitely come to His Highness to beg for mercy!”

Tuba shouted out loud. “Shut up! Don’t forget where we are. If we provoke some trouble for His Highness, a hundred deaths will not redeem you!”

Tutou’s complexion changed. He cautiously looked around his surroundings. After discovering nothing was wrong, he relaxed and dryly smiled, “I was negligent. There won’t be a second time!”

“Humph!” Tuba’s complexion softened. “I think that Xu Sheng really has something important to discuss. You and I are only the grandmaster’s servants; we cannot make his decisions for him, lest we delay something important.”

Tutou didn’t reply. But from his complexion, it was clear he was thinking otherwise.

Somewhere else –

Qin Yu looked at the feeble-minded criminal behind Xu Sheng and frowned. He had thought that Xu Sheng had come here to show his loyalty, but was he wrong? As soon as this thought flashed he coldly said, “Xu Sheng, what are you doing?”

Xu Sheng respectfully kneeled, “Master, this subordinate has come to deliver this person to you.”

Qin Yu was stunned, a bit perplexed. If this Xu Sheng delivered him some beautiful women or items, he could understand that. But sending him such a fool?

Was it possible that Xu Sheng was probing him?

Qin Yu’s complexion sank. He coldly said, “My time is precious; I don’t have any spare to waste on you. Clearly state your purpose for coming here, otherwise you will be left suffering!”

Xu Sheng was frightened. “Master, please appease your anger! This cultivator is a scum from the Giant Monster Sect…uh…he’s a cultivator from the Giant Monster Sect…” As he spoke, he carefully looked up. Seeing that Qin Yu didn’t seem to care, he let out a breath of relief and continued, “Master should be clear that the reason the Black Demon Sect went to war against the Giant Monster Sect and completely ruined them was all in order to obtain the Monster Raising Mystic Art. And this subordinate suspects that the Monster Raising Mystic Art is on this person!”

Qin Yu’s complexion changed. “What nonsense are you spouting? The Black Demon Sect has clearly already found the Monster Raising Mystic Art!”

Xu Sheng hurriedly said, “This subordinate knows. But, I suspect that what the Black Demon Sect obtained is a fake Monster Raising Mystic Art. The real one is here!”

Qin Yu frowned. “What evidence do you have?”

Xu Sheng gulped. “This subordinate hasn’t obtained true evidence yet, but with master’s profound strength, you simply need to examine this person’s condition to tell that there is something wrong.”

Qin Yu glanced at Xu Sheng; this person shouldn’t dare to lie to him. His divine sense swept over this drooling fool. Then, several breaths later, his expression changed. He walked forward and placed a finger between the person’s eyebrows.

Next, that feeble-minded person’s blank eyes suddenly revealed a look of fear. But in the blink of an eye, that fear disappeared, turning into a cold and ruthless look. A tyrannical divine sense erupted from his body and snuck into Qin Yu’s.

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