Chapter 455: Meddling in Everything

The more rumors Yang Qiyuan heard on her journey, the less certain she became about whether this “Xu Sanyan” was the same Xu Sanyan she knew.

The Xu Sanyan she remembered was gentle and devoted, never caring about her then-ugly appearance, never uttering a single complaint, and never attracting unwanted attention. He had been completely devoted to her.

Yang Qiyuan had almost believed she had found her destined soulmate, her heart overflowing with happiness and longing, until her father personally brought it all to an end.

After that, she came to the Central Region and never saw her husband again. In truth, she and Xu Sanyan hadn’t spent much time together; even after their marriage, they had only lived as husband and wife for a few months. Yet those months remained her most precious and cherished memories.

But now, this infamous Xu Sanyan was a bloodthirsty demon lord who slaughtered without blinking, committed unspeakable atrocities, and massacred five cities to perform blood sacrifices on tens of thousands of innocent people for his own selfish desires. He was utterly detestable, a complete antithesis to the man she remembered.

Yang Qiyuan both hoped this Xu Sanyan was the man she knew, so they could meet again, yet also dreaded the possibility, unwilling to confront the truth that her husband was a demonic path demonfolk.

Torn by these conflicting emotions, Yang Qiyuan arrived in the Qian Kingdom’s capital, determined to track down Xu Sanyan’s whereabouts. Her casual inquiry to Tang Huanhuan was just one of countless questions she had asked along the way.

She hadn’t expected that the person she asked would actually know Xu Sanyan—and not just know him, but share a bond akin to the legendary friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya.

A friendship as deep as Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya’s!

Tang Huanhuan keenly sensed the woman’s unusual expression. Could she be another innocent girl who suffered at Xu Sanyan’s hands?

“I might know where Xu Sanyan is…” Tang Huanhuan whispered telepathically, avoiding the ears of those nearby.

“Where?” Yang Qiyuan’s head snapped up, her gaze burning into Tang Huanhuan’s.

“The Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect!”

“The Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect?” Yang Qiyuan frowned.

“Yes, the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect,” Tang Huanhuan confirmed with a nod.

Based on her deductions, Xu Sanyan, having committed such heinous crimes, would undoubtedly seek refuge somewhere to evade the Qian Kingdom’s pursuit. After careful consideration, no place seemed more suitable than the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect.

Moreover, Xu Sanyan was the holy son of the demonic sect, making it highly likely he had returned there.

The fact that Xu Sanyan was the holy son of the demonic sect was no longer a secret, his infamy having spread far and wide.

Yang Qiyuan lowered her head, silent. With her current strength, entering the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect’s territory would be tantamount to suicide.

“Thank you,” she murmured, bowing her head to sip her tea, lost in thought.

Tang Huanhuan’s eyes flickered with calculation as she carried her wine jug to Yang Qiyuan’s table, striking up a casual conversation.

Through her deliberate flattery and probing, she gradually coaxed out more and more information about Yang Qiyuan.

Within the Qian Kingdom’s imperial palace, Emperor Qian stood alone in his study, his brow furrowed as he gazed at the map before him. The map depicted the Qian Kingdom’s fourteen prefectures and over a hundred cities.

Four prefectures were shrouded in Mist, their populations scattered in panicked flight. Yet many more were likely trapped within the Mist, their fates uncertain.

Another prefecture had been ravaged by demonic path demonfolk, resulting in significant casualties.

Emperor Qian struggled to manage the overall situation, coordinate disaster relief, and track down the demonic path demonfolk, leaving him overwhelmed and distracted.

Just days ago, the Mist Sea had breached its containment barriers, engulfing an entire prefecture before finally slowing its advance, though it continued to spread relentlessly.

Emperor Qian had long exhausted all his options. He had urgently contacted the Heaven’s Will Demon Subduing Temple and the Source Worship Sect, but received no response, as if they intended to stand by and watch the Qian Kingdom fall.

If this continued, the Qian Kingdom might truly face annihilation…

Xu Sanyan had been sitting on Crimson Dragon Mountain for five days, completely absorbed in the jade slip, his understanding of the heavenly dao deepening with each passing moment.

Though he had refined a heavenly dao, this didn’t mean he had fully mastered it. Many crucial aspects still required his gradual comprehension. Perhaps the day he completely mastered this heavenly dao would be the day he broke through the Mirror to Attain Sagehood.

During this time, no one dared disturb him. Even those who passed by moved with utmost caution, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Despite Xu Sanyan’s long absence, the Sect Leader had neither summoned him nor acknowledged his return, treating him as if he were mere air.

“Holy Son!”

A joyful cry rang out from beyond the door. Xu Sanyan’s lips curled into a smile; he recognized the voice instantly.

Xiang Tan had returned.

A figure leaped into his arms, and Xu Sanyan caught her by the waist. The air filled with her fragrant scent, his fingers sinking into her soft, smooth skin. Xiang Tan was dressed in revealing attire: a long strip of cloth wrapped around her chest, leaving her waist bare, and short shorts that exposed her thighs—the perfect Demoness look.

“Holy Son, this servant has missed you to death,” Xiang Tan murmured, burying her face against his chest and rubbing against him like an affectionate kitten. Her arms tightened around his waist, as if afraid he might leave again.

“How have you been these past few days? Has anyone been bullying you?” Xu Sanyan asked with a smile, stroking her smooth hair as if teasing a pet.

“No one’s been bullying me. Out of respect for you, all the elders have been treating me with extra care.”

“Heh, that’s good.” Xu Sanyan nodded, glancing toward the entrance. A disheveled figure strode into the great hall, the gourd in his hand emitting a strong aroma of wine—undoubtedly the Mad Daoist.

However, the Mad Daoist seemed unwell. His pale face lacked its usual vitality, and his unsteady breathing suggested he had just emerged from a fierce battle. Now that he had returned, Venerable He Yu’s death was likely inevitable.

Xu Sanyan gently pushed Xiang Tan aside and whispered, “Go home and wait for me.”

“Mm~” Xiang Tan glanced back excitedly as she left, leaving only the Mad Daoist and Xu Sanyan in the great hall.

“You’re back.” The Mad Daoist leaned against the doorframe, slowly sliding down until he collapsed onto the ground.

“Yes, I’m back.” Xu Sanyan took a few steps closer, scrutinizing him more closely. “What happened to you?”

The Mad Daoist took a large gulp of wine, shook his head, and chuckled, “Heh… It’s been so long since I’ve fought, I’m a bit rusty. Luckily, young Qi is strong, or He Yu would have escaped.”

The Mad Daoist’s gaze turned probing. “I heard you pulled off something big. Emperor Qian must be searching the world for you by now.”

Xu Sanyan remained unfazed. “As demonic path demonfolk, we should act accordingly. That’s what the world expects of us, after all.”

What else would demonic path demonfolk do? Help the poor and do good deeds?

Of course, he had done his fair share of good deeds too.

“Heh…”

The Mad Daoist chuckled, abandoning the pretense. “You must have another reason for returning this time, right?”

“I have a question for the Hall Master.”

“You want to ask about Breaking the Mirror to Attain Sagehood?” The Mad Daoist had already guessed.

“Yes. I humbly request the Hall Master’s guidance.”

The Mad Daoist fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. “I advise you to abandon this pursuit. Attaining Sagehood isn’t as glorious as you imagine…”

“How so?”

“The heavenly dao’s restraints. Sages cannot act freely. Look at the calamity in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains—it’s been raging for so long, yet has a single sage intervened?”

“The heavenly dao’s restraints…?”

Why does this damn heavenly dao meddle in everything?

(End of the Chapter)