Chapter 82: Exposed—The Archdemon from Beyond the Realm

They entered the county town, rented a courtyard, and paused briefly to rest.

“Master, this is the finest Cloud Mist Snow Lotus tea. One sip soothes the throat, two clear the mind, and three will make you feel cool and refreshed throughout. Would you like to try it?” Yunshuang played her role as an attentive handmaid flawlessly.

This made Yan Hongyi’s eyelids twitch, while Liuli’s eyes brimmed with curiosity.

“Not bad!” Jiang Ming took up the teacup and sipped. He had to admit, the taste was truly exquisite. He casually inquired, “Do you know about the Mirror of Tranquility, the Golden Crow Visualization, and the Human Emperor’s Sword?”

“Of course I do!” Yunshuang moved behind him, her slender jade-like fingers kneading his shoulders gently as she spoke in a soft, delicate voice. “The Mirror of Tranquility is the supreme treasure of the Profound Heart Sect. It’s said to be an ancient relic, and it is because of this mirror that the Profound Heart Sect holds its place as the leader of the orthodox path.”

“They say the Mirror of Tranquility is the nemesis of spirits. Once illuminated by it, spirits are imprisoned and can be manipulated at will.”

“It is also the bane of ghosts.”

“Moreover, legend has it that the Mirror can reveal the true forms of shape-shifting demons.”

“It’s truly marvelous.”

“Master, would you like to seize it for yourself?” Yunshuang’s tone carried a hint of enchantment.

Yan Hongyi’s gaze flickered: Is she trying to lead Jiang into trouble? She may well reap what she sows.

“If there’s an opportunity, I’ll retrieve it and bring you along,” Jiang Ming replied nonchalantly.

Yunshuang’s hands trembled slightly, but she seemed not to notice and continued, “The Human Emperor’s Sword is a royal treasure, suppressing the fortunes of the imperial court. It’s also said to be an ancient artifact, only to be wielded by the emperor blessed with imperial destiny.”

“It possesses unparalleled sharpness.”

“With the sword in hand, one can split mountains and cut through peaks.”

“Even demon kings and ghost kings dare not face its edge—it is the foremost killing weapon of the age.”

“As for the Golden Crow Visualization? That is the exclusive scripture of the Pure Yang Palace, which directly counters our Lunar Palace’s Immortal Sutra.”

“Our two sects have always been at odds.”

“The old bald-headed monks of Pure Yang Palace are the most detestable, always scheming to create trouble for us.”

“Hmph!” Yunshuang snorted in annoyance.

Jiang Ming continued his inquiries.

Clearly, this woman knew far more than Yan Hongyi, answering everything freely and without reservation.

Among the supreme powers of the world, the Demon Suppression Division boasts one in the imperial city, deterring all demons and monsters. The Profound Heart Sect has one, and so does the Pure Yang Palace. As for the Vajra Temple? Yunshuang was uncertain. The Demon King Sect likely has one as well. Then there are the demon kings and ghost kings.

“Our Lunar Palace has fallen on hard times,” Yunshuang sighed. “The Palace Master once had a chance to ascend to the highest realm, but fate intervened. Our eldest senior brother, brilliant beyond compare, also failed to go beyond the grandmaster’s peak and now lives in seclusion in White Cloud City.”

Through Yunshuang’s words, Jiang Ming gained a thorough understanding of this world.

In short, it could be summed up in one sentence: At the end of the dynasty, ghosts and gods reign.

The next day, after preparing food and supplies, the group set out again.

The coachman was steady, and the carriage was spacious.

Jiang Ming sat cross-legged, meditating on his cultivation technique. Yunshuang sat beside him, massaging his legs, while Yan Hongyi and Liuli nestled together.

Suddenly, Jiang Ming’s spirit form leapt out, rising above his head and transforming into the image of a great sun, completely ethereal and invisible to ordinary eyes.

“Under the blazing sun, he dares to let his spirit roam so freely,” Yunshuang muttered, her brow twitching in astonishment.

Above the carriage, a great sun hung high, within which a Golden Crow resided. As time passed, the sunlight here seemed to twist and be drawn into the apparition.

The Golden Crow grew more lively.

Abruptly, it let out a piercing cry.

All three within the carriage shuddered, their hearts pounding, feeling as if their blood were ignited.

Instinctively, they looked toward Jiang Ming.

“He’s had a revelation!” Yunshuang ground her teeth, then looked at Yan Hongyi. “You’re famed as the sect’s foremost prodigy, unrivaled in the world. How do you compare?”

Her voice was low.

“If I am a prodigy of this era, he is unmatched through the ages,” Yan Hongyi replied, her voice even softer.

Their journey was uneventful, with only minor interruptions.

One day, they encountered a group of mountain bandits ahead. Without hesitation, Yunshuang unleashed her flying needle artifact, turning dozens of bandits into human sieves.

It was a satisfying little reprisal.

Jiang Ming shot her a sidelong glance, and Yunshuang quickly gave him a sweet, gentle smile.

Along the way, they met several more groups of bandits.

Besides the ordinary bandits, there were also powerful killers lying in ambush. Jiang Ming slew over a dozen at the Qi Condensation level, including some masters.

At sunset, a sudden, overwhelming aura swept over them, vast and unstoppable as if the heavens were collapsing, the seas surging.

“What a terrifying presence!” Yunshuang exclaimed in shock.

Yan Hongyi grew wary.

The horses reared and shrieked.

“Aren’t you supposed to be powerful? Go on, then!” Jiang Ming, unfazed, turned to Yunshuang with a smile.

“Well, these two auras are obviously at the grandmaster level, and it’s broad daylight—I wouldn’t stand a chance,” Yunshuang replied awkwardly, sidling up to him. “Master, these newcomers are clearly up to no good. They’re after your little sweetheart!”

Yan Hongyi was startled, her face flushing as she lowered her head.

Jiang Ming’s gaze turned cold.

Yunshuang immediately grew serious, lowering her voice, “One aura reeks of savage blood and has the unique demonic energy of a demon—clearly a great demon. The other is chilling, dark, and bloodthirsty, with murderous intent surging—it must be someone from the Demon King Sect. Most likely, the Deputy Palace Mistress secretly sent word to lure them here.”

Jiang Ming suddenly darted outside to the carriage roof, raising a hand to shatter the incoming attack.

They were at a crossroads on a slope, with distant mountains looming and a bamboo grove nearby.

By the roadside stood a teahouse. A black-robed figure sat inside, sipping tea. The air was thick with the scent of blood; besides the owner, a middle-aged couple lay slain.

On a large tree nearby stood a towering figure, tiger-headed with a human body, wielding a massive axe—a powerful member of the demon race.

It had just attacked.

“One man, one demon—so humans and demons are colluding,” Yunshuang said as she stepped out, narrowing her eyes at the two. “Elder Rama of the Demon King Sect—never thought you’d show yourself. And you, Tiger Dali of the demon clan, dare to come here.”

She couldn’t help but tremble.

“Yunshuang of the Lunar Palace,” Rama said, rising and crushing his teacup. “Everyone says you’ve colluded with outsiders, framed the Palace Mistress, and kidnapped the Young Mistress. Seems it’s all true!”

“I colluded with outsiders, framed the Palace Mistress, and kidnapped the Young Mistress?” Yunshuang exploded in anger. “Who says so?”

“Everyone in the Lunar Palace says so!” Rama sneered.

“Yunlu—she’s that wretch, framing me,” Yunshuang immediately realized what had happened. They must have discovered Liuli survived.

Despite repeated assassination attempts, she had protected Liuli, but with her present, to avoid her own secrets being exposed, this story was concocted.

First, a false accusation to sway opinion—once such rumors spread, few would believe her version.

Rama ignored her, turning instead to Jiang Ming, his eyes narrowing with a strange light. “Our Demon King Sect’s intelligence network is second only to the Demon Suppression Division. Yet when we investigated you, it was as if you sprang from stone, with no history—too clean, as if you never existed. It’s highly suspicious.”

“With strength like yours—slaying inborn experts and masters alike—how could you be unknown? Your name is Jiang Ming, isn’t it? With such power, how could you be so obscure?”

“I can think of only one possibility.”

“You are an Extraterrestrial Demon, come to wreak havoc upon the world.”

“Jiang Ming—am I right?”

His voice suddenly rose, echoing like thunder, so loud that even the distant mountains reverberated.

The commotion startled countless birds, some of which, flying closer, exploded into clouds of blood.

“Extraterrestrial Demon?” Yunshuang gasped, her eyes flickering with shock and a dawning realization.

Clearly, she had heard of such beings.

“Impossible!” Yan Hongyi immediately refuted. “Brother Jiang was discovered by my master, who found his extraordinary talent and took him as a disciple, nurturing him in secret so that he could amaze the world one day. But before she could bring him to the palace, disaster struck, and I sought his protection.”

“I’ve read about Extraterrestrial Demons. Legend says that whenever they appear, calamity befalls the world.”

“A hundred years ago, one appeared and destroyed the once-glorious Formless Temple.”

“But whether a century ago or in older records, Extraterrestrial Demons always arrive as adults. Yet Brother Jiang was raised by my master from childhood and taught in secret. He cannot be an Extraterrestrial Demon.”

Yan Hongyi spoke with conviction.

Yet in her heart, a storm raged.

She had read about Extraterrestrial Demons and understood some of it, though she’d never taken it seriously—or associated Jiang Ming with such a being.

Now, with careful thought, she realized there were too many oddities: his unfathomable cultivation, his indestructible body, his astonishing achievements in the spiritual path, and most unbelievably, his spirit could manifest the sun and moon.

Such divine techniques didn’t exist in this world.

Thus, he really could be an Extraterrestrial Demon.

But now, at this moment, he must not be. He must not be an Extraterrestrial Demon.

He could only be Brother Jiang—her senior.

Jiang Ming was surprised.

This world actually had records of Extraterrestrial Demons. Upon reflection, it made sense—every secret realm would have outsiders descend for trials.

But within the same era, only one would appear per world. Once they left, their traces remained.

Over time, these traces became legend.

This left later arrivals at a disadvantage.

It seemed there were many records about Extraterrestrial Demons.

Although Yunshuang and Yan Hongyi hadn’t considered this before, once Rama raised it, Yunshuang immediately suspected it, clearly having heard or read about it.

Yan Hongyi knew as well.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have reacted so quickly and decisively to fabricate an identity for him—if he died, likely, so would both of them.

Her quick wit and decisiveness even earned his admiration.

“Demons and monsters, colluding to ambush us, and now you claim I’m a great demon? What a joke,” Jiang Ming sneered coldly. “That excuse is utterly clumsy.”

But in his heart, he sighed: After today, whether he was an Extraterrestrial Demon or not, others would mark him as such.

The Lunar Palace wanted him dead.

The Demon King Sect and the demon clan wanted him dead.

Those seeking the Immortal Sutra, and even the Demon Suppression Division, wanted him dead.

So he could only be the Extraterrestrial Demon—even if he wasn’t, he would be treated as such.

Yan Hongyi’s face darkened—clearly, she’d thought of this too.

Yunshuang, however, was uncertain.

“Big brother is a good man, my mother’s disciple, and my kind senior!” Liuli insisted stubbornly.

Jiang Ming felt a measure of comfort, but also sighed inwardly: “I once held some pity and merely wished to travel on, yet I’ve been drawn into so much trouble. So be it—if I must stand against the world sooner, then let the heavens be overturned and the earth sundered.”

Even if a grandmaster came, he had the confidence to fight one to the death.

“Demons and monsters, you beguile the people and threaten the world—perish!” Jiang Ming had no patience for further words. He sprang into the air, his left hand pressing down to unleash the Great Yin-Yang Millstone, erasing all in its path toward Rama; his right hand formed a sword from condensed energy, slashing down with the third form, Nine Suns Incinerate Rivers.

With one palm, he blotted out the sky; with one sword, he summoned nine blazing suns.

Another chapter is coming. I’ll nap at noon and continue this afternoon.

For the sake of righteousness in the human world, fellow cultivators, please support me!

(End of this chapter)