Secret Records of the Leader of the Beichen Sword Sect-Chapter 24 Dongzhen Palace

"Ancestor! I beg you to intervene! Stand up for the Shi family!"

A group of men and women, clad in mourning garb, knelt before a mountain gate, knocking their heads against the ground—these were indeed the Shi family, nearly wiped out by a rival clan.

Each of them, tears streaming, grief-stricken as if torn apart, it was unclear if they wept for the women back home or mourned the destruction of their large garden and the sweeping away of their generations' family fortune.

But the matter this time could not be easily resolved.

In the past, a prominent Immortal Gate like the Shi family would definitely lodge a petition to the Three Constellations, asking the Immortal Palace to intervene. Armies would be assembled, preparing for revenge.

However, their stance recently was awkward, dragging them into the internal strife of the Capital, having sided with the wrong faction, offending the eunuchs in the palace. Not only did their old disciples and acquaintances dare not help, enemies of the Dui Country took the opportunity to strike, proclaiming that General Shi should return home to collect corpses instead of guarding the frontier, even withholding the Capital Commandant's seal and the Tiger Talisman.

Yet, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse; outside the court, within Jianghu, the Shi family still had quite a few friends.

Thus, at this moment, they came to plead at the mountain gate, seeking aid from powerful allies.

And the powerful ally before them was the Immortal Sect of 'Jiuning Cave True Void Heaven.' In front of them lay a dense forest and blooming wildflowers along the path. As they ascended the steps, they saw a landscape of mountains and rivers, misty willows, white deer treading through the clear springs, yellow orioles leaping among the treetops. The scenery was splendid, revealing pavilions, towers, and temples amidst the lush greenery—a truly mystical lair, a Lang Yuan Immortal Palace.

"Hum! Yanzi Cave! How dare they!"

An elder with a youthful visage, clad in a white robe, akin to an immortal, slammed his hand on the table, shattering it, his wrath echoing within the temple,

"When that Chen Tianku sought residence at Guangxia Mountain, I said then! Their Sword Sect is not to be trifled with; left unchecked, they will cause problems! Yet none of you listened! Look now! Look now!"

A little child in a red bellyband sat on the central couch, munching a fire crystal persimmon, rolling his eyes,

"Useless drivel, that Chen Tianku is so bloodthirsty, I just reincarnated; which of you could contend with him."

Sitting on a meditation mat, a Taoist in a purple robe, with an immortal garment and crane's crown, solemnly sat straight, stroking his beard and calculating,

"There's no point saying much; having lost the fourth junior brother and the Gold-plated Drunken Immortal Goblet, the master will surely be angry. You two senior brothers should make a decision soon.

Do we stand for the Shi family and confront Yanzi Cave? Or just withdraw and step back..."

"Withdraw!? You said withdraw! Say it again!"

The elder was furious, jumping up with wide eyes and blowing his beard.

The Taoist in the purple robe remained calm, explaining,

"Senior Brother, though the Shi family was your kindred clan before you emerged into the world, the cause and effect have long been resolved.

They're caught in the Immortal Palace's succession strife, sheltering Marquis Mansion's remnants, offending the Ziwei Constellation's master, and will inevitably be settled with sooner or later.

Now they are destined to fall, their family's annihilation being the repayment of karma, and it has nothing to do with us. There is still time to withdraw right now."

"What kind of talk is that! Withdraw! Let's not mention my relationship; how much tribute did the Shi family pay our Dongzhen Palace! How much have you eaten! How much have you taken! Can you just walk away!"

The old man was enraged.

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Yet the Taoist remained unhurried and calm,

"Why can't we walk away? Didn't the Shi people come to us themselves? Just take their heads and offer them to the Immortal Palace."

"You!"

"Enough, we're all brothers, what's the use of quarreling."

The little child finished the persimmon, licking his fingers and rolling his eyes,

"Here's what we'll do: Bai Yun, you first comfort the Shi family, keep them in the temple for use. Ziyun, you go to Guangxia Mountain, retrieve the Drunken Immortal Goblet no matter what, and we'll discuss other matters later."

With the child's command, the elder and the Taoist both bowed,

"Yes, Senior Brother." "By your command."

And so Bai Yun went to the mountain to welcome and comfort the Shi family. Meanwhile, Ziyun Taoist adorned himself with his horsetail whisk, rode clouds and mist, and headed straight to Guangxia Mountain.

He was quite particular about etiquette; when he reached the maple forest at the foot of the mountain, he flicked a visiting card with his fingers and, after dismounting from the cloud, waited patiently at the gate.

It wasn't long before today's mountain patrol, Zhou Feng, came to greet him.

"Disciple Zhou Feng of Guangxia Mountain, pays respects to the True Monarch. My master is away on a Demon Extermination mission, not in the mountain.

Please forgive the disciple for being young and inexperienced, not knowing which sect this True Monarch hails from, and what brings you here today."

Ziyun Taoist responded with a gentle smile,

"This humble Taoist, with the Taoist name Ziyun, is cultivated at Jiuning Mountain Cave True Palace, listed on the Immortal Palace record, and serves as a tribute guardian of the Dui Country, safeguarding Liangzhou. Inform Immortal Chen, and he will understand. "

Zhou Feng was startled to hear this: the officially recognized Immortal leader of the region, recorded by the Immortal Palace as Liangzhou's Guardian Master? Moreover, Jiuning Mountain being a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, this person must be instead a legitimate inheritor of an ancient sect!

"Had I known the Guardian Master was visiting..."

Ziyun Taoist, with benevolent eyebrows and kind looks,

"It's not a big matter, I simply lost a Divinity Transformation Sixth Grade magic treasure from my sect, called the Gold-plated Drunken Immortal Goblet. If it isn't found, my sect will hold me accountable.

This humble one's Daoist skill is inadequate, yet my calculations indicate that this treasure is somewhat related to your sect, possibly acquired by your mountain, hence my daring visit. If it can be retrieved, it'd establish a good cause, and if Immortal Tianku has any requests, he may freely ask."

Zhou Feng understood.

So, it's a debt collection visit.

"I see. When my master returns to the mountain, I will report to him..."

Ziyun Taoist smiled warmly,

"As it should be."

And then he stood still at the mountain gate.

Zhou Feng opened his mouth, and ultimately, without saying anything more, turned and went back up the mountain.

An envoy of the Guardian Master himself comes to demand a treasure, which is already quite respectful, so there wasn't much he could say. He had to return to discuss with his fellow disciples.

"I felt there was something off about the mixed cultivator; sure enough, their sect has now come seeking us.

But we only picked up some gold, where would we find any goblet? Did you find a goblet?"

Yue Peng, confused, called for Tie Dan to inquire.

Although a month had passed, those gold blocks, tainted with mixed Spiritual Qi, were still being refined in the sword pool.

Thus, Tie Dan was still in an almost Foundation Establishment like state.

"No. Oh,"

Tie Dan thought for a moment,

"There was a jug, discarded it."

Yue Peng and Zhou Feng looked at him,

"Jug?" "Where did you throw it?"

Tie Dan, "Burial mound."

Yue Peng felt a headache coming,

"Still in Liangzhou? So much time has passed, how could we find it now?"

Zhou Feng shook his head, "They are blocking the mountain gate, here with bad intentions, if they don't get what they came for, they likely won't just go away."

Tie Dan suggested, "Gold essence is still simmering in the furnace, why not return it to him?"

Liu Xiaoliu, while holding a rice bowl, glanced at each of them, and finally couldn't resist asking,

"Tie Dan, this is a Divinity Transformation Sixth Grade treasure, why did you discard it?"

Yue Peng, Zhou Feng also looked over.

Tie Dan, "That jug could talk."

The three exchanged glances without saying anything.

Xiao Liu, "... ah? That's it?"

Tie Dan, "..."

Xiao Liu, "Wait, so, you discarded a Divinity Transformation Sixth Grade magic treasure... just because you didn't want to talk to it?"

Tie Dan, "..."

Xiao Liu, "Oh, my goodness..."

Yue Peng, "Alright, since we didn't take it, we should speak plainly and explain."

Xiao Liu, "They probably won't believe us..."

"Humph! You juniors are mocking the poor and humble Taoist!"

Ziyun Taoist indeed did not believe them, but he maintained his composure, not bullying the young with his strength, nor striking in anger, only giving a long look at Yue Peng and another at Tie Dan.

This made it easy to identify, the four disciples before him each refined a different sword energy: Purple Mist, Xuanming, Divine Gang, and Sun. He had seen his junior brother's corpse, and now he knew at a glance who was responsible for killing him.

"Well, Immortal Tianku taught some good disciples. My junior brother Huang Yun, having reincarnated twice, and you two barely Foundation Establishment juniors were able to kill him; it seems it was his destiny. His skill was lacking, can't blame anyone else."

Ziyun Taoist took out a jade pendant from his sleeve and tossed it to Yue Peng.

"West of Liangzhou City, there's a Spirit Communication Secret Realm, leading directly to the Demon Cave and Demon Domain, where an Ancient Demon is sealed by the Immortal Palace's Demon Suppression Platform. Only Golden Core Realm cultivators and below can enter.

This secret realm opens once every ten years. When it does, the various Immortal Sects of the Dui Country must send Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realm disciples into the realm to subdue demons and devils, maintain the Sealing God Seal, and prevent a demon tide from breaking through the barrier and endangering the common people.

By the calendar, it's about time for the barrier to open. Guarded by my junior brother Huang Yun, since he was killed by you, this karma naturally falls to you to bear."

Though he seemed reasonable, everyone found it odd. Such secret realms, despite being dangerous, are resource points for hunting demons and collect spiritual materials, long divided among various sects and factions; why freely give it away, especially to enemies?

Could it be, there's a plan to ambush them in the secret realm to exact revenge...

Ziyun Taoist sneered,

"No need to overthink; I am a Guardian Master, guided by the Investiture of the Gods, duty-bound to our lands, not to delay official duties. The secret realm is full of countless demons, extremely perilous, and without knowing the key points inside, death is commonplace.

If you're truly blessed by destiny, with flourishing fortune, such a little demon lair shouldn't trouble you. Suppressing the Demon Domain first, we can settle our accounts later. If you happen to perish in there, hehe..."

Yue Peng nodded, pocketing the jade pendant,

"Then it shows our skills are lacking and Sword Sect can't blame your noble mountain for it either.

Rest assured, True Man, we at Guangxia Mountain will fulfill your command."

Tie Dan suddenly spoke,

"The goblet was swallowed by the Wolf Demon, how could it be linked to me?"

"Humph!"

Ziyun Taoist gave him a glare, then departed in a huff.

Seeing such a formidable opponent retreat without making a move, the four senior and junior brothers gathered around to examine the jade pendant.

Yue Peng probed it with his Divine Sense, nodded,

"It's genuine, the secret realm is indeed a hundred miles west of Liangzhou City. This jade pendant can open the seal and allow entry to the barrier for adventure.

I reckon that mixed cultivator held many Magic Artifacts in hand; presumably, the materials were gained from this location."

Zhou Feng introduced to the two younger ones,

"According to Daoist texts, the Spirit Communication Secret Realm is a shattered Cave Heaven Blessed Land from Ancient Times, containing a Sumeru World, Mustard Qiankun, possibly harboring many mystical beasts and treasures that became extinct in the Taiji World, with countless opportunities."

Xiao Liu swallowed a gulp of saliva,

"Opportunities... senior, senior brother, can I go along? For these days, with Senior Brother Zhou's guidance, I've opened the three Yang meridians of the foot, able to hop on one leg faster than a rabbit, ensuring I won't be a burden to you."

Yue Peng smiled and patted his shoulder,

"What are you thinking? Shared fortune, shared adversity, how could we possibly leave you behind? Even if you were reluctant, I would drag you there."

Zhou Feng also nodded, "I'll take Xiao Liu."

Xiao Liu was touched, "Senior brother..."

Tie Dan, "He won't seal the secret realm on us once we enter, right."

The three of them turned to glare at him.

Either he doesn't speak, or when he does, it's a jinx... but surely... it won't happen, right...