novelapdf Chapter 136 The Arrival of Black Mountain
Chapter 136 The Arrival of Black Mountain
In fact, Jiang Mu didn't even realize what she was doing.
This was entirely a habit he developed while living in Lady Peach Blossom's grotto-heaven.
After drastically altering Shangguan Luoxue's grotto-heaven Dao Mansion to his own shape last time, he developed a kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
At this moment, I sensed Si Rumeng's demon core...
Finding it somewhat familiar, he subconsciously manipulated his demonic energy to remove impurities and begin to modify it.
The main selling point is "easy renovation".
At this moment, the tree spirit was doing its best to maintain the opening of the space and had no time to resist. It could only curse Jiang Mu in its heart while gritting its teeth and silently enduring the strange feeling.
To her utter surprise, as Jiang Mu's demonic energy continued to transform and refine her, complex and mysterious golden patterns slowly appeared on the surface of her demon core.
Dao patterns!
Only human cultivators can condense the Daoist patterns.
Demons cultivate their physical bodies and demonic power, making it extremely difficult for them to comprehend the Dao, let alone develop Dao patterns.
However, once it possesses Dao patterns, it means that this demon has a body that is "close to the Dao".
Not only does it double the speed of cultivation, but it also allows one to suppress one's demonic aura. When attaining a star level, the rejection from the Heavenly Dao will be greatly reduced.
This is an opportunity that countless powerful demons have been dreaming of!
As time went by, the golden light emanating from Si Rumeng's lower abdomen became increasingly dazzling. The Dao patterns not only contained profound Daoist charm, but also carried a trace of the righteous incense smoke brought by the Buddhist lamp.
at the same time……
Si Rumeng also developed lines on the outer side of her lower abdomen.
If someone were to look closely, they would discover that in the very center of those sacred Dao patterns, a domineering "Jiang" character was twisted and coiled. It was as if a private seal had been arbitrarily stamped on her body.
The mark is deep and will never be erased.
It asserts sovereignty.
at last.
A soft sound.
With their joint efforts, the simple little world was finally created.
A beam of light flashed, and the Meiruo Temple, which had been standing in the wilderness, vanished into thin air, along with its foundation and the surrounding forest.
It was as if a giant hand had cut and pasted it into that new space.
Jiang Mu stood still, a thought flickering in her mind.
"Rip!"
The air in front of me parted like a crack in a cloth, revealing a quiet and profound corner of the temple inside.
"It's done!"
Jiang Mu nodded in satisfaction and withdrew his hand. "This base is indeed quite good."
On the other hand, Si Rumeng was completely exhausted.
He was panting heavily, his clothes soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his body and revealing exaggerated curves.
She was so angry that she felt like her lungs were about to explode, looking at the spatial entrance that posed no obstacle to her but was completely controlled by Jiang Mu's will.
After working hard for most of the day, using both demonic power and technical skills, it all ended up benefiting someone else!
What is this?
Bring your own food and work as a long-term laborer for a landlord?
"What exactly did you do?!"
Si Rumeng raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with anger, and questioned through gritted teeth.
Jiang Mu looked completely innocent: "I'm helping you repair it. Can't you feel how strong your demon core is now?"
"I'm asking about this small world; why did you try to take control of it?!"
Si Rumeng was so angry that her chest heaved.
Jiang Mu said:
"I saw you were about to give up, so I helped you out. I never expected to become the master myself."
"But it's okay, I've left you a tracking number so you can come and go as you please. It's practically the same as you controlling it yourself."
"Same my foot!!"
Si Rumeng almost swore.
Can a homeowner and a tenant be considered the same?
But just as she was about to explode, she suddenly sensed something unusual about the demon core inside her body.
That Daoist aura flowing throughout the body.
That unprecedented sense of affinity with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth...
She was stunned.
"This is... the Daoist rhythm?"
With these Daoist principles and spiritual energy supporting her, her chances of success in "casting a golden body of a Bodhisattva" would increase several times over. For a moment, the woman's emotions were extremely complex.
She both hated the man's domineering and shameless behavior, yet she had no choice but to accept this enormous favor.
He wanted to curse, but couldn't open his mouth, so he could only puff out his cheeks in frustration.
"Alright, stop glaring at me."
Jiang Mu patted the dust off his clothes.
"You all stay here and rest and recuperate. I've been out for too long and have important business to attend to, so I can't stay any longer. I'll come back to find you after I've finished dealing with things in Yancheng."
"etc."
Si Rumeng called out to him.
She turned her face away and said in a muffled voice:
"If you encounter any trouble outside that you can't handle, you can summon me through the Buddha lamp. As long as the distance isn't too far, I can sense it." Jiang Mu smiled and nodded, "Okay, then I'll be going."
With that, he vanished into the night.
After the man left.
Si Rumeng immediately flashed into the temple's side room within the small world.
She loosened the sash around her waist, took off her skirt, and looked down at her body.
There, a faint golden light pattern shone through.
It really is a Dao pattern!
The woman's pretty face lit up with joy.
But when she looked closely and saw that there was a large "Jiang" character in the center of the Dao pattern, she was completely dumbfounded.
Si Rumeng's vision went black, and she almost fainted.
"Jiang Mu, you beast!!"
Feeling the powerful Daoist rhythm flowing within the Dao patterns and that strange, righteous energy, she fell silent again.
Although this mark was like a shackle, it also gave her an unprecedented opportunity.
For a moment, I was filled with conflicting and indescribable emotions.
"Achoo!"
Jiang Mu rubbed her nose and sneezed loudly.
When he rushed back to the small courtyard that Tian Wenjing had previously used as his command post, the sun was already setting.
The golden afterglow shone on the blue bricks and gray tiles, adding a touch of warmth.
Inside the room, Yan Fenghuo, Xu Fu, and others were gathered around an open map, discussing something.
"Old Jiang, you're finally back!"
Xu Fu, with his sharp eyes, spotted Jiang Mu first, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
Yan Fenghuo also turned around, a smile appearing on his face:
"Xu Fu said that you turned the tide again and solved a big problem? Well done, Lao Jiang! Next time there's a tough battle like this, let me accompany you. I promise I won't be like some people who just hold you back."
"Hey, Yan the Madman, how dare you talk like that?"
Xu Fu immediately bristled, pointing at Yan Feng's nose and cursing, "Who's holding us back? I'm just providing strategic support from the outside."
Jiang Mu ignored their bickering, walked to the table, picked up the sword he had left there, and asked:
"Where is Old Tian?"
"Back in Yancheng."
Yan Fenghuo stopped arguing with Xu Fu and said seriously, "He said there is urgent military information over there, and he needs to go back to discuss it."
Jiang Mu felt slightly disappointed.
He had originally intended to discuss his findings with Elder Tian, especially his speculations about "Black Mountain" and "Buddha's Lamp Light." After a moment's thought, he suddenly asked:
"How much do you know about the garrison commander of Yancheng?"
"The garrison commander?"
Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Yan Fenghuo frowned and thought for a moment, then said:
"The garrison commander of Yancheng is named Yuan Qianfan, and he is a true master of the eleventh realm."
Although he was in the city when Yancheng rebelled, you know the ironclad rule of the imperial court: the garrison commander is only responsible for suppressing demons. He has no right or obligation to intervene in the affairs of mortal rebels unless they involve major demons causing trouble.
However, I heard that about a year ago, Yancheng was attacked by a powerful demon. Yuan Qianfan seemed to have been slightly injured, but it didn't seem serious, and he has been in seclusion ever since to heal.
At this point, he looked at Jiang Mu with a puzzled expression:
"Old Jiang, why did you suddenly ask him that? Do you want to ask the garrison commander for help?"
Forget about it. Unless a truly devastating demon capable of destroying cities and nations appears, those important figures won't easily show themselves.
Jiang Mu didn't explain, but instead pressed for an answer:
"Do you know what the sixty-year cycle destiny artifact that Yuan Qianfan used to forge his Dao foundation is?"
Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu both shook their heads in bewilderment.
Jiang Mu nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
In fact, he had an extremely bold, even somewhat crazy, guess in his mind.
The mysterious man "Black Mountain" who uses demons to harm the people and enjoys the blessings of incense offerings is very likely the garrison commander of Yancheng, Yuan Qianfan.
But he also felt that the guess was too absurd.
A dignified garrison commander, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, is revered by the people and blessed by the nation's fortunes; he is a pillar of the righteous path.
How could I possibly do something like raising ghosts to harm people?
This is completely illogical.
Aside from someone of the garrison commander's caliber, Jiang Mu couldn't think of anyone else in Yancheng who was qualified or capable of legitimately enjoying the blessings and prayers of the people.
"Never mind, let's ask Old Tian when he gets back."
Jiang Mu suppressed her doubts.
He turned to Yan Fenghuo and asked, "Have all the monsters in your assigned area been cleared out?"
"It's clean now."
Yan Fenghuo nodded, his tone tinged with regret.
"I was planning to wait for you to come back so we brothers could go and finish off the rest of the places together."
Upon hearing Xu Fu's report that you had resolved a major problem, Elder Tian sent Wenhe with men to clean up the mess.
Old Tian also wanted me to go, but I really didn't want to work with that coward Wenhe; just looking at him annoyed me, so I simply came back first. Anyway, the rest are just some insignificant little demons; it'll be good for them to practice on."
Jiang Mu nodded and waved his hand, saying:
"Okay, I'll go take a nap in the next room. Remember to call me when Old Tian comes back."
After saying that, he turned around and went into a nearby vacant hut, where he lay down and fell asleep.
After a whole day and night of this, I'm really exhausted.
I slept very soundly.
In a daze, Jiang Mu felt himself floating in the darkness for a long time until a strange chill startled him awake.
He opened his eyes; the room was pitch black.
The moonlight outside the window was cold and frosty, casting the windowpane's shadow on the ground, forming twisted fence-like patterns.
Jiang Mu sat up, rubbed her temples, got out of bed and splashed cold water on her face.
Pushing open the door, I found the courtyard eerily quiet.
All the lights in the main room were out, and the side room where Yan Fenghuo, Xu Fu and the others had been was also pitch black, with not a single person in sight.
"Old Xu? Crazy Yan?"
Jiang Mu called out twice, but no one answered.
The entire courtyard was empty.
Even the guards who were usually on night watch have disappeared.
"Have they all gone on missions?"
Jiang Mu felt something was amiss and instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of the knife at his waist.
Just then, he suddenly noticed a person standing at the gate of the courtyard.
The person's face was somewhat blurry.
But the silhouette of the figure made Jiang Mu feel a strange sense of familiarity.
Jiang Mu held her breath and slowly walked over.
When he got closer and saw the man's face clearly, his pupils suddenly contracted, and the hairs on his body stood on end!
That face...
She looks exactly like him.
Even more terrifying was the huge bloody hole in "Jiang Mu's" chest.
The heart has been hollowed out.
Only the empty chest remained, appearing particularly eerie under the moonlight.
And that "Jiang Mu" was tilting her head, a strange smile on her lips, staring intently at him.
"An illusion!?"
Jiang Mu was startled and almost instinctively activated the "Cold Moon Ice Heart Technique".
"Buzz"
The surrounding space rippled like water, like silk being wrinkled by the wind, twisting and folding.
However, when the ripples subsided, the scene before us did not disappear.
That heartless "self" still stood there, smiling eerily.
Jiang Mu frowned, put two fingers together, and quickly pointed them at the center of her forehead.
He attempted to forcibly break free from consciousness and enter Shangguan Luoxue's grotto-heaven to drink the [stream water] to dispel the illusion.
But………
Useless!
His finger touched his brow, but his consciousness was firmly locked inside this body, unable to escape.
"Dream?"
Jiang Mu realized what was happening.
He must be dreaming right now.
But the enemy infiltrated his dream, creating this incredibly realistic illusionary prison.
In this dream, he was unable to escape consciousness.
"Playing tricks!"
Without further hesitation, Jiang Mu drew his sword and slashed swiftly.
The blade flashed like snow, cleaving the "self" opposite in two.
Strangely, the severed body did not fall down; instead, it writhed and merged like liquid, returning to its original state in the blink of an eye.
The hollowed-out heart remains empty.
Her smile, however, only grew more irritating.
Jiang Mu unleashed a series of swift strikes, the blade flashing like a net, chopping his opponent into pieces.
But in the blink of an eye, the fragments pieced themselves back together, standing perfectly intact in place, with only the hole in the chest remaining.
Jiang Mu stopped what she was doing and stared coldly at the other person:
"Who exactly are you?"
He recalled the nightmarish monster he'd encountered at the Han residence; though eerie, it had only taken a few stabs from him. But this one before him…
It gave him a sense of unfathomable depth.
To be able to invade his dreams without him noticing, and even block his consciousness, this person is definitely a master.
"Jiang Mu".
Finally, "Jiang Mu" on the other side spoke.
The voice was exactly the same as Jiang Mu's usual tone of voice, only with a coldness to it.
"Do you think... all the demons in this world can be eradicated?"
Jiang Mu stared at him and said calmly:
"Whether or not I can kill them all is not up to me. Besides, I have never said that I want to kill all the demons in the world."
Not all demons deserve to die, nor do all people deserve to live. Good and evil reside in the heart, not in the physical body.
The man opposite him forced a stiff smile:
"You are a rare talent, it's a waste of your abilities to stay in the Demon Slayer Division."
He slowly raised his head, gazing at the cold, solitary moon in the sky, his voice becoming somewhat faint:
"The path of the Demon Slayer Division may seem bright, but it actually leads to an abyss. If you stay there too long, you will gradually lose your true self and eventually... become the person you see now."
He pointed to his empty chest.
Jiang Mu's heart skipped a beat.
He squinted and asked tentatively:
"Yuan Qianfan?"
The man opposite him neither denied nor admitted it.
He simply gazed at the moon in silence for a long time before letting out a soft sigh:
People generally believe that there is only one road, and you must keep going forward, even if you get hurt and bleed, you can't turn back.
Little did they know, the sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore.
Sometimes, looking back... is another path leading to the great road.
Jiang Mu smiled:
"Anyone can spout grand theories, but I don't understand what you're saying. I just want to know, are you... moving forward or looking back?" The man opposite him remained silent.
After a long while, he looked deeply at Jiang Mu, and his figure began to fade away.
I won't kill you, at least not for now.
I admire you. Perhaps... in the near future, you will become someone like me.
As soon as he finished speaking, the heartless "Jiang Mu" vanished completely into thin air.
"call!"
Jiang Mu opened her eyes and sat up abruptly in bed.
I found myself still in that simple little house, with the moon shining brightly outside the window and insects chirping.
He pinched his thigh hard.
hiss!
It hurts.
"Is it really Yuan Qianfan?"
Jiang Mu wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and muttered to herself.
That mysterious person who could so easily invade his dreams, yet inexplicably lecture him, was truly terrifying. That power, that tone…
He couldn't think of a second person besides that unfathomable garrison commander.
But what exactly did he mean by those words?
"Old Jiang!"
Xu Fu's urgent shouts from outside the door interrupted Jiang Mu's thoughts.
"They're here!"
Jiang Mu responded, got out of bed, and opened the door.
Xu Fu was standing at the door, yawning and looking exhausted. He said, "Hurry up, Old Tian is back. He wants you to come over. It's urgent." Jiang Mu nodded, washed her face to clear her head, and followed Xu Fu into the main room.
inside the house.
Tian Wenjing was sitting in a chair, holding a cup of tea, his brows furrowed and his face showing signs of exhaustion.
Yan Fenghuo and the other hall masters also stood aside, their expressions solemn.
Seeing Jiang Mu enter, Tian Wenjing put down his teacup, raised his head, and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone's here. I have some bad news for you."
"We have obtained accurate intelligence."
The demon race is amassing a large army. Perhaps in seven or eight days, they will launch a full-scale attack on Yan City!
"How many demons?" Jiang Mu asked.
Tian Wenjing held up three fingers: "At least thirty thousand."
"hiss"
A collective gasp filled the room.
Thirty thousand?!
This number is simply staggering.
You should know that back in Black Wind Valley, five hundred monsters had already made even a ruthless person like Yan Fenghuo feel despair.
Now 30,000 have arrived?
Is this a massacre of the entire city?!
Xu Fu swallowed hard and said dryly:
"Old Tian, isn't this a bit too exaggerated? Where did these 30,000 demons come from?"
Could it be that some low-level race, like the Earth Demon, which can reproduce wildly, gave birth to a litter of trash to make up the numbers?
If that's the case, then there's no need to worry too much...
Tian Wenjing shook his head, shattering his illusion:
No, this time is different.
According to intelligence, among these 30,000 demon soldiers, there are not only a large number of low-level demons, but also countless mid- to high-level demons!
There were even several seventh and eighth-tier powerful demons guarding the area!
Old Tian paused for a moment, then said:
"We have now developed an emergency plan."
The plan is to establish two lines of defense.
The first line of defense is set up outside the city in the areas under the jurisdiction of our various halls. We will use the terrain to set up a large number of talisman traps and formations to deplete the demon army's manpower as much as possible.
The second line of defense is located within the city.