Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 196: 128, Undercurrent

Shengxin Residence, third floor

Three hours had passed since Yan Sannu was killed. Dawn was breaking, and in an elegantly furnished room on the east side, Lian Ningxue in her pale green dress leaned against the window, holding a cup of wine, her gaze ethereal as she looked towards the north.

Suddenly, a breeze brushed by, and Lian Ningxue withdrew her gaze, turning to look behind her. In the room that had been empty, there now stood a gaunt middle-aged swordsman, none other than Zhang Yuning of the Peaceful Heaven Sword.

Zhang Yuning's expression was slightly unwell. He picked up a cup of wine from the table and took a small sip, speaking in a low voice, "Those three went their separate ways as soon as they left the city. I followed Fang Longxiang, but after less than ten miles, he disappeared right under my nose!"

Lian Ningxue's face revealed a trace of surprise upon hearing this, "A grandmaster of the heavenly rank disappearing right under your watch?"

Zhang Yuning himself found it inconceivable. His cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm; tracking a grandmaster of the heavenly rank should have been more than manageable for him. Yet the scene he had just witnessed was undeniably true.

"It's indeed hard to believe, but that Fang Longxiang's methods are truly bizarre. He had his men split up, most likely because he knew someone was following him. I was hanging back about a hundred meters, close enough to observe with the naked eye. After following him for ten miles, he paused for three breaths and turned into a wisp of blue smoke and vanished. I've never seen such a strange person!"

After pondering for a moment, as if struck by a thought, a sharp light flashed in Lian Ningxue's eyes. She said softly, "They may not necessarily be human."

Zhang Yuning was startled, "Demons? Unlikely, they don't have the aura of demons. Besides, to my knowledge, this isn't their first time. In Wanyang County, Yinling County, including Tongling, they have struck before and never left any traces of demons. They are just a murderous organization driven by greed, at most, they are only working with demons…"

Zhang Yuning paused, a hint of doubt crossing his face, apparently realizing the reasonableness in Lian Ningxue's words.

"It's quite normal for those conspiring with a tiger for its skin to mix in demons, isn't it? There are quite a few artifacts in the world capable of concealing demonic aura. The Blood Demon killed so many martial arts masters over 1300 years ago and had countless treasures in hand. It's not surprising for him to have artifacts that can mask auras."

Zhang Yuning nodded, "That's a possibility. So you're saying there are demons within the Qinglong Association, and they intentionally came to Shengxin Residence to commit murder and leave the token, but for what?"

Lian Ningxue chuckled, "We're staying at Shengxin Residence, and the Blood Demon surely knows that. She probably bet that we wouldn't join forces so soon. Killing someone right before us would not only enhance the influence of the Qinglong Token and lure more martial artists here but also serve as a warning and show of power to us. It's killing two birds with one stone."

Zhang Yuning's eyes sharpened with anger, "Hmph, it's only because the Demon Sect is incompetent that such demons can thrive. In the previous dynasty, these demons wouldn't dare to be so audacious!"

Seeming to know his words lacked substance, Zhang Yuning shook his head slightly. After calming down, with a troubled look, he said, "With the news of the golden Qinglong Token spreading, more martial artists will come for the Rakshasa Festival in four days. Isn't this exactly what the Blood Demon wants? If she devours so many martial artists and regains her strength, it would truly be disastrous for all living beings."

Lian Ningxue shook her head and looked at Zhang Yuning, speaking softly, "Brother Zhang, a single Blood Demon won't cause too much trouble. But if Bailu Academy gets their way and Xuzhou openly attacks Yongzhou, seizing Tongling and breaking the covenant with Jin Land, a new sacred war will start. That... would truly spell disaster for all living beings."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuning's expression froze, and then he also remembered the true purpose of his journey, his face showing agreement.

A glint of malice flashed in Lian Ningxue's eyes, "Master Fanyin doesn't make a move himself, letting us take the lead while he preserves his strength, wishing to protect Tongling for the Demon Sect. His calculations seem a bit too optimistic. The Holy Church of Rakshasa is in turmoil internally and externally, yet they still wish to hold onto every inch of land. It's nothing but a fool's dream!"

Not willing to let Xuzhou seize Tongling, yet unwilling to let the Demon Sect keep it, Lian Ningxue's words seemed somewhat contradictory. But as Zhang Yuning listened, his face showed no confusion, instead nodding slightly and glancing at a room to the west, his expression turning somber.

"Leiyin Temple holds the name of a Quasi-Holy Land, and it has been suppressed quite severely by Qinjian Villa in Jizhou. Now they have traveled all the way to Jiaozhou to ask for help from the Ziqing Holy Sect. They must be determined to obtain Tongling."

"Once they take over Tongling and have the justification of The Righteous Path, plus the situation becomes a fait accompli, Wanjian Holy Sect and Bailu Academy would have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill. Given those bald monks' domineering ways, the southeast region of Yongzhou could fall quickly. And if the Demon Sect loses such a big chunk of territory, do you think Sikong Xingzhou will fight to the death with those monks..."

Lian Ningxue's voice carried a tone of ill intent. Zhang Yuning felt a chill down his spine; while he was indeed not adept at these political machinations, it didn't mean he couldn't understand the implications.

Not wanting the Demon Sect to keep Tongling and not wanting Xuzhou to take it either, the solution was simple: let Leiyin Temple take it.

For one, the Wanjian Holy Sect of Xuzhou was backed by Bailu Academy. Both the Great Yu Holy Dynasty and Haoran Holy Sect were at odds with Bailu Academy and certainly didn't want to see either grow stronger.