Chapter 141: A Secret Message, the Strong Bullying the Weak

“Oh? You’re not leaving?”

“No. I was once forced by the Lord of the Vengeful Spirits to swallow corpse-controlling demonic insects. Outside, I was nothing more than his hound. Only by remaining here can I escape his control.”

“What? You’re one of the Vengeful Spirits?”

“That is correct. I am the Fourth Moon Spirit.”

Han Chong suddenly understood. No wonder this woman’s strength was so extraordinary—she was actually the Fourth Vengeful Spirit. It was a pity that neither the Spider Spirit nor the Flute Spirit had discovered her identity before their deaths.

He gave a slight nod and turned back toward Ouyang and the others.

The two men and the demon had already divided the remaining spirit milk among themselves. They were looking thoughtfully at Han Chong and the masked woman, clearly suspecting something between them, yet when they saw him approaching, they all pretended not to notice.

“Brother Han, should we destroy this dragon corpse, lest the Dark Moon Dynasty rise again from the ashes?”

Han Chong shook his head slightly.

“This dragon vein accumulated the spirit milk for our benefit, so we have received its kindness. We should not be so ruthless. Once we leave, we can simply seal this place away.”

“Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Han is truly noble. I also believe that sealing it would be best.”

The three men and the demon burst through the opening in the roof of the palace, then worked together to use the remains of the Locust Mother to close it.

“Brother Mo, Brother Ouyang, the masked woman is an acquaintance of mine. Once we return, I ask that you refrain from telling anyone about the entrance to this place.”

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han. I, Mo, will never reveal it.”

Ouyang, however, showed a trace of hesitation before nodding in agreement.

Mo Xiaoyao and Little Gray went their separate ways, while Han Chong and Ouyang began retracing their route.

“Brother Han, do you truly trust Mo Xiaoyao and that dog demon so completely?” Ouyang could not help asking.

“Heh heh. Mo Xiaoyao regards even high office and generous rewards as dung. He should not commit such a dishonorable act. As for that dog demon, it is my servant and would not dare do so.

“On the contrary, there is something I wish to ask you, Brother Ouyang.”

...

“Do you wish to ask whether I knew about the insect tide in the northwestern desert?

“That is correct. The Prince of Ying and I knew long ago that the Demon-Slaying Battalion’s expedition to the northwest was intended to annihilate an entire city.

“But besides that, what other means could there be for Brother Han to evade the pursuit of the Crown Prince and the other princes?

“Of course, if Brother Han were willing to place himself under the Prince of Ying, matters would be entirely different. The prince would certainly spare no expense to vouch for you, and I would also gladly place myself at your command.”

“Not at all. What I wish to ask, Brother Ouyang, is why you conspired with the two demon spirits of the Flute Spirit’s faction to slaughter so many experts here.”

“Brother Han, how can you say such a thing? What benefit would I gain from slaughtering all those experts?”

Ouyang asked in astonishment.

“Heh heh. You sent secret messages to the Flute Spirit several times. Did you truly think I knew nothing of it?”

From the moment the two Flute Spirits first appeared, the old demon in Han Chong’s mind had already informed him that Ouyang had been communicating with them in secret. The three had worked in concert, searching for the dragon vein and attempting to lure the strongest figures present into becoming stepping stones.

Although the old demon no longer possessed its former magical power, its realm was far higher than that of anyone present. Peering into the secret messages exchanged by those two was effortless.

Ouyang’s expression changed several times upon hearing this. He stopped and stood at a distance from Han Chong, never having imagined that Han Chong could detect their secret communications.

“Brother Han, I find you more and more unfathomable. Ever since we first met, you have successively displayed such secret arts as changing your form, becoming invisible, burrowing through the earth, entering water, and even drinking water. And now you can actually perceive secret transmissions as well.

“It is true that the Flute Spirit had contacted the Prince of Ying long ago. I did conspire with him during this search for the dragon vein, but only to seek the opportunities hidden within it. I had no intention of making an enemy of you.

“Indeed, it was thanks to your covert assistance that we were able to kill the Locust Mother of Mount Yin. And you gained the greatest benefit of all, breaking through to the Celestial Apex Realm.”

“Heh heh. When you and I first climbed Mount Vulture, before the Golden Meditation Temple, you told me that you had no intention of entering public service and wished only to remain an idle apprentice at the Imperial Observatory, quietly studying astronomy, the calendar, divination, and the arcane arts.

“When we met in the capital last time, you said that the Eighth Prince was quiet, uncompetitive, and mild of temperament.

“Why, then, have you now resorted to every possible means to assist the Eighth Prince and secretly seize the opportunity hidden within the dragon vein?”

Han Chong asked the question calmly.

“It is true that I have no wish to become an official, and the Prince of Ying is not a man covetous of wealth or power. Yet regardless of the temperament of the princes, none of them can escape the desire for the throne.

“The prince showed me great recognition and favor. He even treated me as a brother. A gentleman dies for the one who truly understands him. I would willingly risk my life to give him my aid!”

“Brother Ouyang is certainly selective in his compassion. For the sake of one man’s kindness, you were willing to slaughter everyone who stood in his way.

“More than twenty experts died or were wounded in this search for the dragon vein. Truly, when one general achieves success, ten thousand bones lie beneath his feet.”

Han Chong shook his head and sighed.

“Why resort to mockery, Brother Han? Everyone has his own aspirations. If I am not mistaken, you too will soon be drawn inevitably into the struggle among the princes.

“But the First Prince is headstrong, arrogant, and jealous of the capable. His Highness the Crown Prince is imperious and holds himself above all others. The Third and Fourth Princes are mediocre and petty, while the Sixth and Seventh Princes are greedy, corrupt, vicious, and ruthless.

“Only the Prince of Ying can be called benevolent, compassionate toward the people, broad-minded, and forgiving.

“If Brother Han must choose one of them to serve, I fear the Prince of Ying would be the best choice.”

“Heh heh. As a prince, he conspires with demons and employs every unscrupulous means to slaughter his rivals. Can such a man truly be called a wise ruler?

“Enough. Brother Ouyang and I walk different paths and cannot work together. I shall take my leave.”

“Brother Han!”

Watching Han Chong stride rapidly away, Ouyang let out a soft sigh.

This Brother Han possessed strange arts, extraordinary intelligence, and formidable strength. Yet he was also cold and detached by nature, fond of traveling alone. Truly, Ouyang could not fathom what he ultimately sought.

That very night, after Han Chong returned to the capital, the moon reached its fullest. Silver radiance blazed across the skies above the Nether Spring and Mount Yin, gathering like a vast tide toward the dragon vein. From deep within the mountains came the faint, joyous sound of a dragon’s cry.

Though the phenomenon lasted less than five hours, the pool of Nether Spring within the dragon vein had already filled once more. A naked woman sat cross-legged within it, her entire body gleaming as though cast from silver.

...

The following day, Han Chong had only just arrived at the Demon-Slaying Office to report for duty when he was summoned by the four Mighty Generals. Only then did he learn that he had been appointed a Mounted Patrol General of the capital. He was presented with silver armor and an official seal, and from that day onward was permitted to take up residence in the southern outer city.

“General Han, I hear that you performed one extraordinary deed after another during your expedition to the northwest, slaying more than a million enemy troops and completely turning the tide of battle. You have brought great honor to our Demon-Slaying Office, and have made this general look good as well. Excellent—truly excellent! Ha ha ha!”

Niu Jimeng laughed heartily, casting sidelong glances at the other three Mighty Generals.

“Hmph. Is General Niu mocking us for our inability to recognize and employ talent?” asked the slightly thin, smiling-faced general.

“Heh heh. General Niu’s words are indeed somewhat exaggerated. Though the First Prince submitted the recommendation, I still find it difficult to believe.

“For General Han to have single-handedly slain a million enemy troops—surely there is no one in the entire court capable of such a feat.”

The round-faced, slightly plump general shook his head and chuckled.

“Exactly! At the very least, I certainly could never accomplish such a thing. Why not let me exchange a few moves with General Han and see what virtue or ability this young man truly possesses?”

The broad-faced general gazed at Han Chong with blazing eyes, visibly eager for a fight.

“General Sun, do you intend to bully someone younger and weaker than yourself?” Niu Jimeng sneered contemptuously.

“An exchange of moves, stopping at the proper moment—how could that count as bullying? Plenty of Mounted Patrol Generals beg this old Sun to spar with them, and I am the one who refuses!”

“Good! Interesting, interesting. I approve of this proposal!”

“Indeed. Within the Demon-Slaying Office, seniority and strength are equally important. If someone’s reputation does not match his actual ability, would he not merely be occupying a position without earning it?”