So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 268 Both the melon and the millstone are needed

After Jiang Mu successfully seized the star position.

Suddenly, a golden lotus phantom appeared around Master Miaofa.

Golden Lotus spun in the air, releasing a dazzling Buddhist light that enveloped her figure.

Her body rapidly faded within the pillar of light emanating from the lotus heart.

It's as if someone is wiping a painting away from the canvas bit by bit.

"Trying to run away?"

Jiang Mu kept her eyes fixed on the old nun.

His disgusting, fake compassionate remarks just now were so repulsive that he wanted to beat him up a long time ago.

He moved swiftly, closing in on the golden lotus phantom in an instant.

The blade of light drew a straight arc and slashed down at the fading golden figure!

However, when the blade struck the Buddha's light, it was as if it had cut into a wisp of smoke.

The golden light flickered only slightly.

"This is the unique secret technique of the Liuli Zen Heart Sect, the Golden Lotus Body Crossing Technique."

Ling Ye transmitted his voice, "This method uses the power of incense and vows as a guide and the natal Buddhist beads as an anchor. Once activated, it will transfer the true body into the realm of vow power. Although she is still in front of you at this moment, she is no longer in this world."

With her cultivation level, even if she couldn't defeat the three of us combined in a direct confrontation, and with her sole focus on escaping, we still couldn't stop her.

Shui Miaozheng's telepathic message followed immediately:

"Little Jiang, the practice methods of the Liuli Chanxin Sect are different from those of secular sects."

Miaofa is a Dharma protector disciple, and his status is extraordinary.

If she dies here, the Samsara Buddha Lamp of the Lapis Lazuli Zen Heart Sect will immediately sense it, and the Buddha Mother will be able to pinpoint this location in an instant.

If there were a garrison commander stationed in Huzhou or the capital, we wouldn't need to worry.

But here, once the Buddha Mother descends, no one will benefit. Otherwise, I would have already taken action.

Jiang Mu frowned: "Is it that troublesome?"

The figure of Master Miaofa had faded to a mere outline.

She looked at Jiang Mu with cold eyes and said indifferently:

"Benefactor, we will meet again someday. I will remember your kindness today."

Jiang Mu stared at the dissipating golden Buddhist light and suddenly pulled out a bronze Buddhist lamp from his storage space.

"I don't care if you're some kind of Buddha Mother or not. Even if you get away, I'll still skin you alive first."

Jiang Mu snorted coldly and tilted the Buddha lamp.

"Tick-tock".

A drop of golden lamp oil fell onto the fading lotus phantom.

The lamp oil contained in this Buddha lamp is refined repeatedly in the demonic trough using the power of incense and the demonic energy obtained from slaying demons.

The method of escape based on willpower is subject to restraint.

"boom!"

As the lamp oil dripped into contact with the lotus, the phantom image was instantly ignited.

It transformed into a blazing golden flame.

The flames pierced through her protective aura of Buddha, through the blessing of her vows, and directly burned her soul, which was about to enter the realm of vows. "Ah!"

The arrogant Master Miaofa, who had been all smiles just a moment ago, let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

His face was distorted and deformed by the burning Buddhist fire, filled with horror and pain.

She never expected that this young man would possess such a treasure that could specifically counter the spiritual essence of Buddhist monks!

"Who...who are you?!"

Miaofa angrily questioned.

Jiang Mu said calmly, "Next time, just don't let me run into you."

Amidst the agonizing screams, the Buddha's light shattered.

The nun's figure then disappeared.

Although Miaofa eventually escaped, that attack had severely damaged her soul.

Even if this old nun manages to escape back to her sect alive, it will take her at least three to five years to recover her strength.

It's even possible that the star position is unstable.

Duanmu Hanshan couldn't help but gasp as he watched this scene unfold.

"That kid really goes all out."

He turned his gaze away from Jiang Mu and towards Shen Hufei's head, which lay scattered among the broken bricks on the ground.

He stared at that face for a long time, his expression dazed.

It's like flipping through an old account book, turning to the last page, only to find that although the accounts are balanced, you're not the one who's settling the score.

It felt good, but also empty.

"So be it... He's dead now, and my child can rest in peace in the afterlife."

Duanmu Hanshan sighed deeply.

He walked up to Jiang Mu, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said:

"Young brother, thank you for your help today. I, Duanmu Hanshan, will remember this kindness. If we have the chance to meet again another day, I'll treat you to a drink." With that, he waved his hand, picked up Shen Hufei's head from the ground, and put it into a cloth bag.

Then he grabbed the still-dazed Yang Zheng and was about to leave.

"Senior Duanmu, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave."

Jiang Mu spoke calmly.

Duanmu Hanshan paused, turned around and smiled, "It can't be that I, Duanmu Hanshan, have offended you too, can it?"

Jiang Mu said calmly, "Senior has misunderstood. May I speak with you in private?"

Duanmu Hanshan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

A moment later, the group arrived at a secluded place.

Duanmu Hanshan tossed Yang Zheng aside and looked at Jiang Mu warily, saying, "What do you want to say to me, sir?"

Jiang Mu stated bluntly, "We are people of the imperial court."

Duanmu Hanshan's expression changed, and his eyes narrowed:

"So you're from the imperial court, no wonder. It seems I, Duanmu Hanshan, really can't leave today."

Jiang Mu reached up and wiped her face.

They tore off the two fake mustaches and disguise mask.

He smiled at Duanmu Hanshan:

"Senior, please don't be nervous. Let me introduce myself. I am Jiang Mu, the head of the Demon Slaying Division of Daqing."

"Jiang Mu!?"

Before Duanmu Hanshan could react, Yang Zheng jumped up and slammed the back of his head against a protruding brick wall behind him. He winced in pain but didn't even have time to rub it.

"You...you are Jiang Mu?"

Jiang Mu took out his identity token and waved it: "Genuine."

Yang Zheng's jaw nearly dropped to his crotch, his head buzzing.

Just now at the banquet, he was boasting to the other party about Jiang Mutianjiao's deeds, and then the other party appeared right in front of him.

Duanmu Hanshan was equally astonished.

He looked at Jiang Mu with the eyes of someone looking at a monster, his face full of disbelief:

"You're that young prodigy who broke through five realms in a single year? No, you're at the sixth realm now—no, you're already at the seventh realm," Jiang Mu said modestly.

"That's me. I was just lucky, that's why my breakthrough was faster."

Duanmu Hanshan stood there dumbfounded for a long time before finally spitting out three words through gritted teeth: "Not human..."

Jiang Mu went straight to the point:

"Senior Duanmu, your daughter is currently at my home."

üの」

In an instant, a powerful killing intent surged forth from Duanmu Hanshan's body.

His eyes were bloodshot: "What did you do to my daughter?!"

Jiang Mu said hurriedly:

"Senior, please don't misunderstand. Ah Li is doing very well in my home. In a way, I saved her, and she is now a member of the Demon Slayer Division. If you don't believe me, you can go to the Jiang family in Huzhou City to check for yourself at any time."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Hanshan's murderous aura subsided slightly, but he still stared at Jiang Mu with suspicion:

"You mean you took Ah Li in?"

"right."

Duanmu Hanshan let out a sneer through his nose:

"Given that girl's stubborn nature, how could she possibly be willing to live under someone else's roof and serve your imperial court?"

Jiang Mu took out a booklet from her personal storage space and handed it over:

"This is a copy of the Blood Frenzy Blade Technique that your daughter wrote for me herself. You should be able to recognize this handwriting, right?"

Moreover, given your daughter's personality, do you think I would force her to write down this family's secret martial arts technique if she didn't do it willingly?" Duanmu Hanshan was initially skeptical.

But when he saw the familiar, neat handwriting, he was stunned.

That is indeed Ah Li's handwriting.

After a long while, he raised his head and looked at Jiang Mu with a complicated expression.

His gaze inadvertently shifted downwards, landing on the Blood Frenzy Blade at Jiang Mu's waist, and he murmured to himself:

"No wonder...no wonder your sword looked familiar when you drew it earlier. Where did you get this sword?"

"Stolen from a demon."

Jiang Mu didn't elaborate, only giving a general reply.

Duanmu Hanshan did not ask any further questions.

He looked into Jiang Mu's eyes and asked, word by word, "I want to know, why is A-Li willing to follow you?"

Jiang Mu said softly, "Because of Tang Guixin, Aunt Tang."

Duanmu Hanshan was stunned.

He seemed to have been frozen in place, his breathing becoming rapid.

Jiang Mu recounted the whole story.

Looking at the unkempt, bearded man in front of her, Jiang Mu sighed softly:

"Senior Duanmu, judging from your current appearance, you must have already learned of her passing."

Duanmu Hanshan's lips trembled, but no sound came out.

Jiang Mu guessed correctly.

Under pressure, he disbanded the Heavenly Blade Sect and rushed to Fazhou City immediately.

I want to see Tang Guixin.

However, on the way, they learned of the other person's death.

During that period, Duanmu Hanshan was utterly despondent and spent his days drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

He lived a muddled, aimless life, like a ghost.

Later, he accidentally discovered the whole truth about his son's murder and learned that Shen Hufei was also one of the murderers.

Only then did he force himself to pull himself together and trace the trail all the way to Xiyun Town.

Duanmu Hanshan turned around, his back to the crowd.

After a long while, his hoarse voice finally drifted through the night breeze:

"Yes... I understand."

Actually, from the moment she joined the Demon Slayer Division, I knew in my heart that this day would come sooner or later.

It's simply a matter of sooner or later.

Although he spoke casually, his body was trembling slightly.

The slight trembling of his shoulders cast a shadow that flickered in and out of focus, illuminated by the moonlight.

It speaks of the deepest pain in a man's heart.

As Shui Miaozheng watched this scene, a hint of guilt and sorrow flashed in her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, gently removed the veil covering her face, and said apologetically:

"Sect Leader Duanmu, I'm sorry, it's my fault, I failed to protect Sister Tang."

Upon seeing Qing Shui Miao Zheng's appearance, Duanmu Hanshan was startled and blurted out:

"Water Master!?"

Shui Miaozheng lowered her eyes sadly, her eyes slightly red:

"After Sister Tang avenged herself, I couldn't bear to see her leave and tried to persuade her to stay. If I hadn't kept her, perhaps she would have returned to the Heavenly Blade Sect, back to you and Ah Li's side..."

Duanmu Hanshan was silent for a moment, then shook his head bitterly and said, "No, with her personality, she won't come back."

He forcefully pushed back the tears welling up in his eyes.

Turning to look at Jiang Mu, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone filled with gratitude:

"Master Jiang, thank you for helping my daughter, and thank you for avenging us. Duanmu Hanshan will never be able to repay this kindness. Even if it means facing mountains of knives or seas of fire in the future, just say the word."

Jiang Mu understood the implication in his words and frowned, asking, "Senior, aren't you planning to see Ah Li?"

Duanmu Hanshan shook his head:

"No. Right now, the Imperial Guards and those scoundrels in the martial world who covet my Heavenly Blade Sect's secret treasures are all looking for me."

If I rashly go to see her, I'll only bring danger to her. Besides, I still have some old grudges to settle. Master Jiang, I'll trouble you to take good care of that girl for me.

That girl can be a bit headstrong at times, so please bear with her, Hall Master Jiang.

Jiang Mu nodded solemnly:

"Don't worry, Senior Duanmu. Ah Li will never suffer any injustice in my Jiang family."

"I'm relieved to hear that."

Duanmu Hanshan handed the "Blood Frenzy Blade Technique" booklet back to Jiang Mu.

His finger lingered on the edge of the booklet for a moment, as if making a decision, then he suddenly looked up and asked:

"What does Hall Master Jiang think of this Blood Frenzy Blade Technique?"

Jiang Mu made an "uh" sound, and without hiding anything, told the truth:

"To be honest, senior, this sword technique is extremely easy to master in the early stages. As long as you drink blood, you can stack its power."

But the further I went, the more restricted my sword intent felt; it always felt like something was missing.

Duanmu Hanshan laughed:

"The sword technique that girl wrote for you is certainly correct, but it's missing a part."

You must know, this "Blood Frenzy Blade Technique" was a peerless sword technique that my father painstakingly crafted specifically for that person. How could it be so mediocre?

As he spoke, Duanmu Hanshan took out a jade slip and handed it to Jiang Mu:

"Take it; this is the complete 'Blood Frenzy Blade Technique.' Whether you can grasp its essence depends on your own fate and destiny."

If you can master it... hehe, a big surprise awaits you!

"Thank you so much for your kind gift, senior!"

Jiang Mu was overjoyed and quickly took the jade slip with both hands, carefully putting it away.

"Alright, let's part ways here."

Duanmu Hanshan didn't delay. He cupped his hands in a respectful greeting to Shui Miaozheng and Ling Ye, then turned and grabbed the still-dazed Yang Zheng, pulling him outside. "Sect Leader, where are we going now?"

Yang Zheng, who was being dragged along, came to his senses and hurriedly asked.

Duanmu Hanshan said, "Go to Muliu Lane."

"Huh? What are we going there for?" Yang Zheng was completely confused.

Duanmu Hanshan retorted irritably:

"You like that widow, don't you? I'll act as matchmaker for you, and get you engaged before she remarries. That way, you won't be sneaking into her yard all the time."

"Huh? But I want to cultivate myself, I don't want to get married..."

"Cultivation my ass! With your aptitude, you should just go back home, get married, and have kids. Remember, there's only one Jiang Mu in the world, but there are countless versions of you."

Their voices faded into the night.

Watching their disappearing figures, Shui Miaozheng sighed softly and said wistfully, "He still loves Sister Tang very much. If it weren't for fate playing tricks on them, the three of them should have been very happy."

Jiang Mu nodded in deep agreement:

"That's for sure. But I heard from Aunt Tang that this guy married a new wife, right? Could she be dead too?"

"Alright, alright, let's not gossip anymore."

Jiang Mu snapped out of his thoughts, turned to look at the two stunningly beautiful women beside him, and said:

"Let's go back to the inn first."

The star position in the Seven Realms has been successfully secured.

Shen Hufei was also killed, and the matter of Duanmu Hanshan was also resolved.

So, what's next...?

Isn't it time for the much-anticipated moment of sleeping together under the same blanket?

I want to eat the watermelon, and I want to push the millstone too.

All.