Chapter 744: Vermilion Bird Arrives

Chapter 744: The Vermilion Bird Arrives

If Yue Hongling had known that this scoundrel would so soon encounter such a terrifying opponent, she would surely regret not rushing to meet him. How could Zhao Changhe fight such a foe alone?

But even if she were here, would it only mean one more person to die in vain?

Zhao Changhe gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a countermeasure.

Perhaps it wouldn't necessarily be a sacrifice...

Although he had fought many divine demons of the Imperial Realm, none had been at their peak—like Huangyang and Feng Yin, still in desiccated corpse form, or Yin Kui, better off but reeking of sinister ghostly aura. Earlier still, they had been so weak they dared not show themselves, fearing death at the hands of this world's strong.

So had Jiuyou truly recovered to her former strength?

Jiuyou appeared fair-skinned and beautiful, merely pale, looking far more restored than those wastes like Huangyang and Feng Yin, and more human than the eerie Yin Kui. But that didn't mean she had fully regained the level of the Imperial Realm's third tier.

Jiuyou was the embodiment of chaos and darkness. If she had recovered to the third tier, she would have long since killed Xia Longyuan, plunging the world into turmoil. Yet just three months ago, with Xia Longyuan stationed in the capital, everyone harbored rebellious thoughts but dared not act—including Jiuyou.

Xia Longyuan was only at the second tier of the Imperial Realm, possibly mid-to-late stage, but certainly not the third. Three months ago, Jiuyou lacked the confidence to join the Sea Emperor's battle to take down Xia Long, showing she was still far from that level. In just three months, Jiuyou had at most recovered to Old Xia's level, likely not even that.

Moreover, the Blind One had previously been unwilling to let the Dao Lord take the Heavenly Book, even intervening, indicating she wouldn't allow the ancient gods and demons to seize it. Jiuyou's status seemed even greater than the Dao Lord's—would the Blind One let Jiuyou kill him and take six pages of the Heavenly Book? Surely not. That's why she had been warning him in the Spirit Clan to be careful with Jiuyou.

So would the Blind One act directly?

Perhaps if he could put up a decent fight, the Blind One might intervene discreetly, as long as it wasn't too conspicuous. Likely so!

Regardless of whether the Blind One acted, he had to fight for his life. The opponent seemed unaware he was Zhao Changhe, or she would have crushed his head long ago. Since she didn't know, he could exploit that information gap.

Zhao Changhe gasped, watching the hand extended toward him, slowly lowering his head as if to kiss it.

If you let your guard down and show submission, you'll gradually become a slave of the night, a dog at her command. But in truth, she wouldn't let you kiss her—the more you chase, the deeper you sink, lost in a waking nightmare.

Yet Zhao Changhe's mind grew clearer. The Ice Heart Technique taught by Wan Zhuang long ago kept his thoughts still as water; the Diamond Sutra he'd recently practiced made his heart firm as metal.

Sure enough, no matter how close he seemed to the delicate hand, he could never kiss it. The hand lowered further, guiding him to kneel.

Zhao Changhe trembled, reaching out as if struggling to grasp the hand. A mocking smile curled on Jiuyou's lips as the surrounding darkness, seizing the moment of his "lost focus," brazenly invaded his spiritual platform.

The shadows entering his mind collided with a radiant Buddha light. Jiuyou was startled, and in that instant, Zhao Changhe's actor-like trembling hands suddenly erupted, viciously thrusting forward.

The sea and sky roared, waves surging to shake the heavens!

Jiuyou chuckled, unbothered by the strike. The delicate hand near Zhao Changhe's mouth moved to slap him.

But the darkness behind her twisted, and a divine sword flew through the air, carrying a faint Taiji shadow, aimed at her back.

Yuxu!

This was an unexpected ally Zhao Changhe hadn't anticipated. It seemed Yuxu, having warned of Jiuyou's presence, wouldn't stand idly by. Knowing Zhao Changhe couldn't handle this, he came to help!

And that wasn't all.

The hand Jiuyou raised to slap Zhao Changhe was suddenly restrained by a strange force for a moment, moving only slightly, hovering less than half an inch from his mouth. She could even feel his breath.

The Blind One was secretly meddling.

Zhao Changhe shamelessly pursed his lips, brushing them against the hand in a kiss.

And as the scoundrel kissed, his palm, meant to shake the heavens, slammed viciously into Jiuyou's chest and abdomen!

As expected, the strike had almost no effect, as if hitting an endless void, the energy dissipating without a trace. Meanwhile, Yuxu's sword reached Jiuyou's nape. She casually flicked her other hand back, dispelling the Taiji. Yuxu retreated two steps, standing with Zhao Changhe, trapping Jiuyou between them.

Jiuyou took a deep breath. Instead of looking at Yuxu or "Qin Jiu," she first raised her hand to glance at the kissed spot, her chest heaving with rage.

She hadn't detected the source of the restraining force, assuming it was this Qin Jiu's own doing. You have such power, and you use it just to restrain my hand for a kiss? What a degenerate!

Zhao Changhe: "..."

There seemed to be a misunderstanding. Or maybe not. He had pursed his lips himself—who told you to put your hand so close to my mouth!

Now the terrifying pressure had lessened enough for him to observe Jiuyou's features. Earlier, he'd been fixated on her desolate eyes. Now he saw—she wasn't just a larger version of Xinghe; her facial features even resembled the Blind One's.

The nose, the mouth... except the Blind One had short hair, while Jiuyou had long. A pity he couldn't see the Blind One's eyes. He longed to.

"Hey, Blind One..."

The Blind One knew what he wanted to ask but didn't respond.

Jiuyou spoke: "That radiant Buddha light—you must be from the Buddhist sect. But even Yuancheng doesn't have your cultivation. How so?"

Her voice was cold and ethereal, much like the Blind One's early tone, though the Blind One had always hidden a hint of sardonic mischief. Now she was more human, laughing and cursing. This voice held no emotion at all.

Yet she still hadn't seen through his identity, thinking he was from the Buddhist sect. How much had the Blind One concealed? Zhao Changhe's mind raced as he replied, "Excellence surpassing the master is nothing strange. You're too fixated, miss."

Jiuyou turned to Yuxu. "So this is a collaboration between the Daoists and the Buddhists?"

Yuxu smiled faintly. "Kong Shi has issues... but Yuancheng, despite our years of rivalry, I trust his character."

Jiuyou nodded, naturally assuming this was the orthodox Buddhist sect detecting the invasion of Papiyan and cooperating with Yuxu to deal with the demon. This Qin Jiu was the elite sent by the Buddhists for this task—consistent with what she'd seen today, including his deliberate stay near the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. She said coldly, "A Buddhist disciple so lecherous—what kind of Buddhism is that? What character?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Yuxu: "..." Why did the old Daoist find nothing strange? Wasn't this his usual behavior? Oh, this is Zhao Changhe—never mind.

"Originally, as a Buddhist disciple, you might have lived..." Jiuyou's face twisted with malice. "But what you've done today makes death your only fate. Yuxu can't protect you!"

Before she finished, Zhao Changhe felt an icy, deathly stillness envelop him, his consciousness beginning to scatter.

Life turning to death—the power of annihilation, the Imperial Realm of life and death!

If not for the Blind One's urging, if he hadn't spent days and nights in the Spirit Clan's graveyard studying death energy, he would have been taken in one blow, dying without knowing how.

Zhao Changhe silently thanked the Blind One, guarding the essence of life within, unmoving as a mountain. He couldn't perform the life-death transition himself, but he understood the principle and could see the changes—so he couldn't be taken by such a distant conversion.

You'd have to hit me first!

In Jiuyou's eyes, this man radiated brilliant Buddha light, with a phantom lotus platform appearing faintly behind him, bursting with infinite vitality.

Even Zhao Changhe didn't know his Buddhist essence ran so deep. He'd been practicing the Great Bliss and Ultimate Joy since early in his journey—it was genuine Buddhist dharma. He'd cultivated it so long it nearly rivaled his Blood Fiend Art as a foundational method. That's why Yuancheng and Yuanxing always felt that aside from women, he was a true Buddha's child.

Thus, Jiuyou's life-to-death conversion had no effect. Yuxu, sensing the covert struggle, shouted and raised his sword again, attacking Jiuyou's back to share the burden.

Jiuyou blocked Yuxu's sword with one hand and struck at Zhao Changhe with the other. Zhao Changhe roared, his palm howling with wind and thunder, meeting her blow.

Two clashes rang out. Jiuyou, fighting two alone, stood firm as a mountain.

Just then, flames streaked across the sky.

A massive Vermilion Bird shadow descended with a phoenix cry, raining fiery meteors over the ever-lit Chang'an, spilling into the dark alley. The desolate night seemed to blaze as a pair of jade hands, filled with murderous intent, viciously slammed toward Jiuyou's crown.

For the first time, Jiuyou's heart trembled. The Vermilion Bird of the Four Symbols Sect!

When had she infiltrated Chang'an?

A single Yuxu was troublesome enough. She could still kill this Qin Jiu before Yuxu's eyes, but adding another Imperial Realm venerable made it uncertain. She didn't want to draw too much attention. This fight couldn't continue.

Jiuyou withdrew from the battle, exchanging a palm strike with the Vermilion Bird, then swiftly retreated.

Before leaving, she cast a meaningful glance at the Vermilion Bird. "Vermilion Bird Venerable dares to come to Chang'an alone—truly bold. We shall meet again. Do not die too easily, Venerable..."

Her voice faded as she vanished into the night.

The Vermilion Bird blinked. I came to help my man—why does she seem more hostile toward me, as if I've suddenly become the main target? Who are you? Do I know you? What mistress is this?

Her gaze fell on Zhao Changhe's face, murderous intent blazing. Her voice came through gritted teeth: "Who is that woman!"

Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded: "Huh?"

No, Jiuyou's hostility toward you isn't born of jealousy—it's because her "divine office" clashes with yours, a rivalry stretching back to the last epoch. In her eyes, you truly are the protagonist! What are you thinking with that expression on your face?

Yuxu twitched the corner of his mouth. You've stirred up trouble, haven't you? Did you forget that little hand of yours just now? But he couldn't be bothered to say it, sighing instead: "Vermilion Bird Venerable, appearing openly in Chang'an like this makes things very difficult for this old Daoist."

"Then don't bother with it." Vermilion Bird's gaze finally shifted from Zhao Changhe's face, casting a look that said "I'll settle accounts with you later," then turned to Yuxu, smiling lightly: "Wouldn't it be rather nice to let Chang'an think the True Man is colluding with my Four Symbols Sect?"

Yuxu was caught between laughter and tears: "This old Daoist would indeed face such suspicion, but they may not dare to offend me lightly, and I need not explain my actions to anyone. Even if I were to strike at you, the doubt would be cleared. But if word spreads that you're here, it might provoke a siege, and you've made such a grand spectacle..."

Vermilion Bird sneered: "What Chang'an calls a den of tigers and dragons is nothing in my eyes. I come and go as I please—who can stop me?"

With that, she glanced again at Zhao Changhe's disguised face and added: "This young brother of the Buddhist path, I have words for you. Would you care to speak a few?"

Zhao Changhe had no choice but to reply: "Since the Venerable invites me, I would go even if knives fell from the sky."

Vermilion Bird flicked her fiery red cloak, turned, and walked into the alley's end: "Then follow me."

Yuxu watched the two putting on airs, shook his head, and soared away.

Yuxu had long known that Jiuyou was behind the Buddhist-Daoist strife. When Zhao Changhe helped Kong Shi during the challenge, he might have become a thorn in Jiuyou's side, and this "rootless master" could be targeted for recruitment. Jiuyou coming after "Qin Jiu" was foreseeable.

This trouble arose for Yuxu's sake, so Yuxu owed a repayment. That's why he warned Zhao Changhe about Jiuyou from the start—but the warning fell on deaf ears, or even if understood, it was useless; alone, he'd always get beaten. The small wooden token Yuxu gave was actually a battle sensor; if Zhao Changhe met with mishap, he'd rush over immediately.

Was this repayment now? Partly, partly not. If Jiuyou kept harassing Qin Jiu, should he keep intervening? If so, that meant a full break with Jiuyou—was he prepared for that? What did the Dao Ancestor think?

More troublesome was Vermilion Bird's appearance in Chang'an, deliberately making a stir. As she said, if the factions of Chang'an believed he, Yuxu, was colluding with the Four Symbols Sect, what would unfold?

What a headache... Ancient demon lords, present-day demonic sects, plus a bandit-turned-Asura King—none with clean hearts. A Daoist recluse truly loathes such whirlpools.

Yuxu looked back. In the pitch-black alley, Zhao Changhe and Vermilion Bird had vanished... Yet secretly, Yuxu felt a flicker of anticipation. Chang'an's chaos had always left him passive; he wondered how many more variables Zhao Changhe, a man of gathered fortune, might bring.

Speaking of which, his wind-riding ability came from Old Ye, didn't it? That old man would only teach his trump card if his years were few.

Old friends wither one by one; this world has grown so alien it's nearly unrecognizable...

Over there, Vermilion Bird led Zhao Changhe through winding dark alleys. Before long, they reached the back of an ordinary shop, vaulted over, and entered. Several guards patrolling behind were startled at their arrival, then quickly knelt on one knee: "Greetings, Venerable."

—The Four Symbols Sect's secret stronghold in Chang'an, overseen by Gui Jin Yang, directly under Vermilion Bird.

As a demonic sect that had long operated in hiding, the Four Symbols Sect once had outposts even in Kunlun; naturally, Chang'an couldn't be without one. But no one knew Zhao Changhe would inexplicably come to Chang'an, so this place hadn't been arranged in advance, and Zhao Changhe didn't know its location. Now that Vermilion Bird had arrived, it became their headquarters.

Vermilion Bird waved a hand to dismiss the formalities: "Open the door."

A guard immediately triggered some mechanism, revealing a pitch-black passage in the rear courtyard. Vermilion Bird nodded and descended into it.

Zhao Changhe followed inside. The passage sealed behind them, while within, the soft glow of night pearls lit the way.

Inside, Gui Jin Yang was sorting materials. When he saw the two enter, he was dumbfounded: "Venerable? Why didn't you announce yourself first?"

Vermilion Bird said flatly: "Does one announce a tryst?"

Gui Jin Yang: "???"

Vermilion Bird glanced at the materials in his hand: "Any new intelligence?"

Gui Jin Yang shook his head: "None. Still the Buddhist-Daoist strife, plus some undercurrents among the Guanlong families. Internal power struggles are routine—nothing particularly special."

Vermilion Bird said: "There's a woman, all in black gauze, face very pale, eyes very dark, a fox-like pointed chin, putting on an air of frigid aloofness, thinking herself cold but actually like a corpse—who is that bitch?"

Zhao Changhe couldn't bear to look, and had to cover the shaking Star River in his ring: "Little Star River, be good. Aunt Vermilion Bird isn't cursing you. At least you don't have a pointed chin—yours is round. The corpse isn't you, not you. See, you've got quite a temper, haven't you..."