Urban Martial Saint

”Demon!?”

Ye Qing widened his eyes, staring at Yin Xianzi in astonishment, and said, ”This... does a real demon exist in this world?”

”This demon is not the same as that demon!” Yin Xianzi shook her head and explained, ”Actually, the so-called demon is also a person. It’s just that they follow the Demon Path, which is why they’re called demons.”

”Demon Path?” Ye Qing was even more perplexed, having heard of such things for the first time.

”The so-called Demon Path is relative,” Yin Xianzi said. ”This matter is quite complex, so let me simplify it for you. In fact, since ancient times, people have pursued immortality. Qin Shi Huang crafted the Elixir of Life, and subsequent emperors and nobility sought alchemy for immortality—all in pursuit of eternal life. However, real immortality isn’t so simple; it can’t be achieved through external means. No one from ancient times to today has ever been known to become an immortal or achieve eternal life. Immortality and becoming an immortal are like a flower in the mirror or the moon in water—forever pursued but never reached. The only possibility is to get closer to it.”

”Though the ancients never found a way to live forever, they did discover many methods to increase lifespan. Simply put, the average lifespan in ancient times gradually increased—from just over twenty years initially, later rising to over thirty, then over forty, over fifty, and now centenarians are not uncommon. Although this extension in lifespan is due to improved living conditions and medical care, it does show that people have indeed extended their lifespan—these are some achievements in their quest for longevity.”

”In reality, increasing lifespan through living conditions and medical care is still a divergent path. The real methods to increase lifespan were discovered in ancient times. However, these methods were divided into several kinds, and among them, the methods of the Taoist Sect and Buddhist Sect were the most orthodox. These methods sought the Unity of Heaven and Man, an imperishable Golden Body, following the laws of nature without relying on external means. Yet, some methods found by other people were quite sinister. For instance, the Southeast Asian Sorcery Sect, whose ancestor Corpse Ghost Dragon, preserved his life by turning people into witchcraft puppets—this is quite sinister. However, the most sinister are what I call demons!”

”The Demon Path’s so-called Art of Longevity is rather brutal and bloodthirsty. They use a special method to devour others’ lives to increase their lifespan. That’s the main reason they’re called demons. Compared to the orthodox methods of the Taoist Sect and Buddhist Sect, this method is far too cruel and sinister, so people use ’demon’ to describe this Art of Longevity. Anyone who uses this method to increase their lifespan is considered part of the Demon Cult!”

”I see!” Ye Qing finally understood and was even more amazed. He had heard before that Shijia might have lived over two hundred years, which he found surprising at the time. Now, after hearing Yin Xianzi’s explanation, he finally understood how Shijia could live so long. It seems Shijia mastered the Buddhist Sect’s method of extending life.

”Since both the Buddhist Sect and Taoist Sect methods can extend life, why don’t people choose them and instead follow the Demon Path?” Ye Qing asked.

”Because the Buddhist and Taoist methods have many restrictions, and throughout history, among the many people in both sects, very few have extended their lifespan using these methods,” Yin Xianzi said. ”The Demon Path, on the other hand, has a very low threshold. As long as you’re cruel enough and willing to kill, you might extend your life. Imagine, in such a situation, whether people are willing to pursue the low-probability Buddhist and Taoist methods or the Demon Path?”

Ye Qing sighed, knowing human nature well. Undoubtedly, many would choose the Demon Path, as it promises longevity much more easily than the Buddhist and Taoist ways.

”But why haven’t we heard of the Demon Path anymore?” Ye Qing asked.

”Hmph, something so sinister existing for a while is already remarkable; could it exist forever?” Yin Xianzi said coldly. ”When the Demon Path first emerged, the world was shocked. Many people rushed to join, seeking the chance to extend their lifespan. For a time, Jianghu was filled with bloody storms, with numerous killings, leaving the people in misery. Eventually, this situation angered both the Buddhist and Taoist sects. The two major sects joined forces, assembling most of Jianghu’s forces to exterminate the Demon Path. Thus, the Demon Path’s appearance was short-lived and soon vanished again. It’s normal you haven’t heard of it. In fact, very few people truly know about the Demon Path; I only heard of it from the Heavenly Master.”

Ye Qing slowly nodded, pondering for a while, and said, ”But what’s the connection between the Demon Path and Beimang Mountain?”

Yin Xianzi took a deep breath and said seriously, ”Beimang Mountain is where the Great Demon King, who founded the Demon Path, finally perished!”

”Ah?” Ye Qing froze for a moment, surprised to learn about such history tied to Beimang Mountain—it was truly shocking.

”But so what?” Ye Qing scratched his head and said, ”Isn’t the Great Demon King already dead? And after so many years, he’d be at most a skeleton now; there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

”On the contrary,” Yin Xianzi shook her head, ”that Great Demon King, having created the Demon Path, devoured countless lives, gaining immense power—extremely terrifying. However, because of this, he also amassed endless Vital Energy. He was finally crippled by both the Buddhist and Taoist hands, his body shattering and falling into Beimang Mountain. Yet, the Vital Energy within him dispersed into Beimang Mountain’s soil. Due to the abundance of deathly energy from so many people within him and the numerous graves in Beimang Mountain, a very peculiar vine, known as the Devouring Demon Flower, sprouted there!”

”Devouring Demon Flower?” Ye Qing froze for a moment. Why does this name sound so strange? What exactly is it?

”The Devouring Demon Flower is a unique vine of Beimang Mountain. Its flower is huge, capable of enveloping an ox. The most dangerous part of this Devouring Demon Flower is its ability to consume people...” Yin Xianzi looked at Ye Qing and said seriously, ”just like some of the Man-Eating Flowers among the American Tribes!”

”Isn’t that just a Man-Eating Flower?” Ye Qing said in surprise.

”Not the same!” Yin Xianzi shook her head, ”When a Man-Eating Flower swallows you, you can still escape by cutting it open with a sharp weapon. But with the Devouring Demon Flower, once you’re inside, there’s no getting out!”

”Why?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

”Because no tool can break open the flower of a Devouring Demon Flower!” Yin Xianzi paused and said seriously, ”Even a Famed Instrument can’t break open a Devouring Demon Flower!”

”A Famed Instrument can’t break it open?” Ye Qing’s eyes widened, a Famed Instrument could cut through steel, yet it can’t break a Devouring Demon Flower? What material is this Devouring Demon Flower made of?

”This is why Beimang Mountain is the most dangerous place,” Yin Xianzi said seriously, ”Once swallowed by the Devouring Demon Flower, whether you’re a Peak Master or wield a powerful Famed Instrument, the result is the same. You’ll be trapped inside until you perish, ultimately becoming fertilizer for the Devouring Demon Flower. This is why I don’t want you to go to Beimang Mountain. Once consumed by the Devouring Demon Flower, no one in this world can save you!”

”Is there really nothing that can break a Devouring Demon Flower?” Ye Qing asked in amazement.

”Not quite...” Yin Xianzi shook her head, ”Perhaps the legendary Xuanyuan Sword, the world’s foremost Famed Instrument, and the Minghong Knife, made of the same material, can break open a Devouring Demon Flower. After all, Xuanyuan Sword and Minghong Knife are indestructible!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing’s longing for Xuanyuan Sword and Minghong Knife intensified. He had recently heard much about these two peerless weapons, which are truly top Famed Instruments. Compared to these two, other Famed Instruments are utterly worthless. If anyone could wield them, the power dynamics in this world might drastically change again!

”So, the most crucial thing on this trip to Beimang Mountain is to guard against the Devouring Demon Flower!” Ye Qing said slowly. ”Once you’re swallowed by the Devouring Demon Flower, whether you’re a human or a fairy, you can’t get out.”

Yin Xianzi nodded slowly. ”Indeed. But you’re less likely to guard against the toxic mists on the Devouring Demon Flower’s vines. Once these mists enter your body, they paralyze you completely, strip you of feeling, make you unable to move, and leave you at the Devouring Demon Flower’s mercy,” she said. ”Otherwise, how do you think the Devouring Demon Flower drags people in?”

Ye Qing took a deep breath, surprised to hear this. He hadn’t expected that in addition to the physical danger of the Devouring Demon Flower, one also had to think about the noxious mists on its vines. He wondered if Mu Ling could withstand the toxic mists.

After thinking for a moment, Ye Qing suddenly asked, ”With something like that in Beimang Mountain, how come I’ve never heard about it before? If this were known, it would surely have been a widespread rumor by now.”

”Hmph, you know as well as I do that if this matter were to spread, it would indeed cause quite a stir. Now, if you were the government, how would you handle it?” Yin Xianzi asked Ye Qing, looking at him, ”Would you block the news and keep people from knowing? Or would you let it spread as it wishes?”

Ye Qing nodded after thinking for a moment and said, ”You mean the government has blocked the news?”

”Not only that...” Yin Xianzi said seriously, ”They’ve also sealed off the most critical area of Beimang Mountain.”