Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 425: Chapter 192: Exposed

The scene fell deathly silent.

The once-roaring plaza was now filled with only the mournful cry of the cold wind sweeping through the ruins.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the severed head and the frozen, headless corpse, their faces a mixture of shock and other complex emotions.

Leng Qianqiu slowly withdrew her palm, the frosty aura around her gradually receding. She let out a long breath; clearly, their joint attack had taken a significant toll on her.

She looked at Zhou Nianchu’s body. "We’ve finally eliminated this great menace! The Yunlin Sub-Pavilion is, from this day forth, no more!"

"Heart Devourer... is finally dead."

He Yuzhou said slowly, his gaze on the severed head.

Although he had his suspicions, seeing with his own eyes that Zhou Nianchu—one of the Four Sect Leaders, a peer of his own—was actually the deeply hidden Heart Devourer was still a sobering sight.

However, Heart Devourer’s execution was exactly what he wanted. The grand plan that had been brewing in his mind for so long could finally be set in motion.

A faint, sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Chen Qing sighed to himself. ’The power of an Outer Astral expert is far beyond what an Inner Astral can match.’

’There’s still a huge gap between me and the two sect leaders.’

In the distance, Peng Zhen, Tan Yang, and Du Lingchuan, who was being supported by his disciples, all heaved a great sigh of relief at the sight, their faces showing immense reprieve.

The dark cloud that had hung over the Righteous Path of Yunlin Prefecture for years seemed to finally begin dissipating with the death of Heart Devourer.

The crowd’s gazes involuntarily shifted to the side of the plaza, where Second Manor Master He Yueting of Qixia Manor and his subordinates stood, their faces pale, still lost in immense shock and confusion.

A cold glint flashed through He Yueting’s eyes. His face was a mask of shock, his lips moving but no sound coming out.

Facts speak louder than words. The pure, terrifying Demon Skill that Zhou Nianchu had unleashed before his death, and his execution at the hands of the two sect leaders, was ironclad proof. There was no room for argument.

Leng Qianqiu’s gaze turned to He Yueting, her tone returning to its usual iciness. "Second Manor Master He, Zhou Nianchu cultivated a Demon Skill and became Heart Devourer. This matter... was Qixia Manor aware of it?"

According to Feng Shuhao’s deathbed confession, this kind of Demon Skill wasn’t likely to be spread on a large scale. Nevertheless, a necessary investigation and a firm warning were essential.

Hearing this, He Yueting shuddered violently, snapping out of his shock. He hurriedly bowed. "Valley Master Leng, please see the truth! I and my subordinates were completely unaware of this! If we had known that the Great Manor Master... that Zhou Nianchu was a Demon, how could we have allowed him to bring chaos to our manor and harm Yunlin? I implore you, the two sect leaders, and everyone here to investigate thoroughly! We are willing to submit to any inspection!"

Leng Qianqiu shot a look at Granny Hanzhuang beside her.

Granny Hanzhuang understood. She took a few steps forward, her withered palm sweeping through the air toward He Yueting and several Core Disciples behind him.

A cold, probing stream of qi swept over their bodies, carefully sensing the attribute of the True Astral within them.

A moment later, Granny Hanzhuang withdrew her hand and shook her head slightly at Leng Qianqiu. "Valley Master, the True Qi of Second Manor Master He and the others I inspected all follows the orthodox style of Qixia Manor—yang and scorching hot. There is no residual trace of sinister Demonic Qi."

Leng Qianqiu nodded slightly, her expression softening a little, but her tone toward He Yueting remained cautionary. "My Cold Jade Valley and the Wutai Sect will investigate this matter in detail and report it to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. During this time, Qixia Manor is to seal its gates, rectify its internal affairs, and await the Upper Sect’s decree."

"Yes, yes, of course! I understand! I will certainly restrain my disciples and cooperate fully with the investigation!"

He Yueting hastily agreed. He hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to cup his fists and say, "Sect Leader He, Valley Master Leng, Zhou Nianchu... was, after all, the Great Manor Master of Qixia Manor. With death, his crimes are absolved... I have an impudent request. Might you permit us to take his body back to the manor for burial? It would be... a final show of respect."

Before He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu could speak, Elder Shi Zhenyue, the acting Steward of the Xuanjia Sect, roared in anger, "Absolutely not! Zhou Nianchu became Heart Devourer, slaughtered my Xuanjia Sect’s disciples, and destroyed my sect’s foundation! His crimes are monstrous! His corpse should be hung outside our sect gates to appease the spirits of my Xuanjia Sect’s brutally murdered disciples in heaven! How can we let you just take him away?"

The other members of the Xuanjia Sect were also incensed, shouting their objections.

Seeing this, He Yueting’s expression became even more awkward. He knew his request was impossible to grant, so he could only let out a long sigh and say no more.

He Yuzhou saw this and waved his hand, saying in a deep voice, "Enough. Let the Xuanjia Sect handle the body. Second Manor Master He, you and your people may leave. Go back and make your preparations."

As if granted amnesty, He Yueting didn’t dare to linger. He gave He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu a deep bow, then turned and departed in a sorry state with the still-shocked and chaotic crowd from Qixia Manor.

Every moment they remained was unbearably awkward and oppressive.

......