Arc 5: Chapter 38
Demon Lord?!
The disciples in the Grand Hall were shocked into silence.
Accusing a Pure Jade Palace disciple of being the Demon Lord was ridiculous, but everyone knew that a figure as important as the Heaven Abyss Sword Sect’s Patriarch wouldn’t falsely accuse someone without evidence.
Most of the people subconsciously believed it, and many disciples took several steps back away from Yu Sui’an.
All eyes of the peak masters and the elders of hundreds of other immortal sects turned to Xie Hanzhou, whose snow-white robes hadn’t moved even a centimeter.
If Yu Sui’an was really the Demon Lord, then wouldn’t Xie Hanzhou know? Or could Yu Sui’an have deceived Xie Hanzhou too?
The Heaven Abyss Sword Sect’s Patriarch, the Sword Saint, voiced their questions. He stared at Xie Hanzhou with a sharp gaze, like a sword that could pierce straight through him: “Pure Jade Sect Master, did you truly not know that the Demon Lord was one of your disciples? Or are there some unspeakable reasons behind why you concealed this matter from all of us for so long?”
The peak masters of Pure Jade Palace all watched Xie Hanzhou grow up. Though they didn’t know why the Demon Lord was here, they trusted Xie Hanzhou. They believed that Xie Hanzhou would never do anything to betray Pure Jade Palace or put them at harm.
Daoist Danyang immediately rebuked: “Before the truth is found, the Sword Saint should not speak recklessly.”
The other peak masters defended similarly:
“You have not shown any evidence, how dare you accuse our Sect Master so casually?! Our Pure Jade Palace is not so easy to bully!”
“That’s right, Sword Saint, watch your words!”
The Sword Saint ignored all of them and single-mindedly asked Xie Hanzhou: “Sect Master Xie, did you know or not?”
The other sects also gave pressure: “Sect Master Xie, explain what’s going on.”
“Is what the Sword Saint said true? Is your disciple really the Demon Lord? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Xie Hanzhou looked indifferent, his gaze was as clear as the wind and moon, and his eyes were as cold as a frozen glacier. There was no emotion on his face, as if he was a finely carved statue.
Suddenly, Yu Sui’an took a step forward, and at the same time, all of the cultivators were shaken by a heavy invisible pressure, and they were forced to retreat a few steps.
“Demon Lord?” Yu Sui’an lazily raised his eyes, his stunning face carried a slight smile, but his eyes were extremely indifferent: “Since you’ve called me such, then where are your manners?”
These words alone confirmed his identity.
As the Demon Lord, sovereign of all demonic creatures, when he exuded pressure, all of the demons in a ten-thousand mile radius had to bow at his feet. And regardless of the deep-rooted grudge between demons and humans, before him, no one had the right to remain seated.
Xie Hanzhou stood up expressionlessly.
The peak masters of Yuqing Palace, though shaken to their core, also rose to their feet.
The sect leaders of the other immortal sects followed suit.
The oppressive atmosphere within the grand hall was suffocating, as heavy as death itself.
As Yu Sui’an scanned the room, the smile on his face gradually faded. He looked at the Sword Saint and sneered: “Sword Saint, who told you that the Grand Bright Hall has been without a master for many years? As long as I live, that will never happen. The person who told you this must be very ambitious, are they waiting for my demise so they can seize my throne?”
The Sword Saint said: “Are you implying I have ties to the demon clan? I just happened to hear about this. Instead, why are you disguised as a disciple of the righteous faction?”
Yu Sui’an scoffed: “I don’t need to explain my actions to anyone. Why don’t you stop beating around the bush if you have something to say? Bringing all of these righteous immortals to Pure Jade Palace, claiming to discuss the demon clan, and then pointing fingers at me, what is your goal?”
Indeed, the Sword Saint wanted to expose a truth that would shock heaven and earth in front of all of the righteous sects. But looking at Yu Sui’an and Xie Hanzhou’s calm demeanor, he instinctively felt a dangerous premonition.
But the truth still had to be said.
The Sword Saint’s voice resounded loudly: “Since the Demon Lord is frank, then I won’t continue to beat around the bush. It’s inconceivable that the Demon Lord has stayed in Pure Jade Palace for so many years without anyone knowing. We all know that the Demon Lord and Sect Master Xie are of similar cultivation realms, therefore, Sect Master Xie must have known about the Demon Lord’s true identity. As for why the Demon Lord was able to hide for centuries, there is only one possibility—Sect Master Xie helped you."
At this, the Sword Saint turned to Xie Hanzhou and said: “The righteous sects have always stood against the demon clan, yet Sect Leader Xie tolerated the Demon Lord’s presence under his nose for so many years, there also must be a reason.”
“The reason can only be… because Sect Leader Xie and the Demon Lord are originally one and the same. The current ruler of the Demon Realm is none other than Xie Hanzhou’s inner demon, created using a forbidden technique.”
The hall erupted into an uproar.
Daoist Danyang shouted furiourly: “Sword Saint! You are spouting nonsense! My junior brother is noble and just, how could he possibly have an inner demon?”
The disciples of Pure Jade Palace also refused to believe it. One by one, they drew their swords, pointing them at the Sword Saint. Hundreds of frosty sword intent condensed, making the atmosphere as cold and fierce as the arctic winds.
At this moment, Daoist Ziyuan* suddenly stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Xie Hanzhou: “Sect Master, is it true? Please clarify.” *t/n someone in Chu Yao's harem from last chapter
Daoist Danyang gritted his teeth: “Junior Brother, how can you listen to an outsider’s nonsense and question our sect master?”
Daoist Ziyuan frowned slightly: “Senior Brother, think rationally. With our sect master’s cultivation level, it would’ve been impossible for the Demon Lord to deceive him. Isn’t this matter very doubtful?”
Daoist Danyang was momentarily speechless. Of course he had doubts too, but he refused to believe that the junior brother he had watched grow up would collude with the Demon Lord.
The Sword Saint stepped in: “Everyone must all have the same doubts. Why did Pure Jade Palace’s Sect Master conceal the Demon Lord’s identity? Sect Master Xie, please provide an explanation.”
“Sect Master Xie, please provide an explanation.”
“Sect Master Xie, please provide an explanation…”
The entire immortal sect community, apart from Pure Jade Palace, questioned together with imposing and aggressive voices.
Xie Hanzhou had anticipated this situation three years ago. His Dao heart remained as calm and undisturbed as a frozen lake.
He descended from the sect master’s seat, seemingly riding the wind and stepping on clouds, and walked in front of the accusers.
His cold eyes looked indifferently at the Sword Saint, Daoist Ziyuan, and the rest of the righteous immortals. Then he smiled softly at Daoist Danyang: “Senior Brother, sorry, Hanzhou has let you down.”
This sentence was the same as admitting to the accusations.
Daoist Danyang felt as if he had just been struck by lightning and couldn’t believe what he had heard. His voice trembled: “Junior Brother, are you joking with me? How could you have such a strong inner demon?”
Xie Hanzhou said calmly: “Why not? Did Senior Brother forget? I am the sole survivor of Frost City. Even if centuries pass, I can’t forget the place I was born and raised, nor can I forget how the righteous sects abandoned the lives of 400,000 people.”
“Frost City was destroyed, but I never blamed any person, nor did I seek revenge. I think about the world and justice, but I also remember Frost City’s tragedy. To have an inner demon is only human.”
Few people still remembered what happened to Frost City, but Xie Hanzhou’s few words were enough to outline the general idea for everyone.
A familiar story of sacrificing the few for the greater good, something that had happened countless times throughout history.
Daoist Ziyuan seemed as if he couldn’t accept this reality. He suppressed his emotions and said angrily: “Junior Brother, you are confused! If you had an inner demon, you should’ve told us and we would’ve helped you face it. How could you separate your inner demon from your body?”
“Now it has cultivated to the same realm as you and became the leader of the demon race, he is the greatest enemy of our righteous sects. One moment of weakness has made you a sinner for all eternity…”
The Sword Saint agreed and said: “Daoist Ziyuan speaks righteously. Sect Master Xie, you have already made a mistake, and you must not continue to do so. An inner demon is bound to the owner’s life and death, if the original body dies, then the inner demon dies as well.”
He bowed deeply to Xie Hanzhou, and his voice was calm yet ruthless: “For the sake of all living beings, I ask Sect Master Xie to destroy your inner demon and eliminate the Demon Lord.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the other sect leaders followed suit: “For the sake of all living beings, we ask Sect Master Xie to destroy your inner demon and eliminate the Demon Lord.”
Lin Yuan wanted to step forward for a long time, but Yu Sui’an’s gaze had held him back. Now, he couldn’t restrain himself any longer.
He looked at Chu Yao, who was standing among the Pure Jade disciples. Chu Yao’s expression was excited, twisted in a mixture of anticipation and madness.
Lin Yuan hid his aura and breath, and approached Chu Yao. By the time Chu Yao noticed him, Lin Yuan’s blade had already threatened to pierce his neck.
“Who!”
Lin Yuan couldn’t be bothered to hear any nonsense, and said directly: “Shut up.”
Standing on either side of Chu Yao, Mu Chengfeng and the junior disciple only realized that Chu Yao was taken hostage when they heard his voice.
Before they reacted, Lin Yuan had already brought Chu Yao in front of everyone, blocking Xie Hanzhou and Yu Sui’an behind him.
“If you want my Master and Senior Brother dead, then this disciple will be buried with them.”