Chapter 1503: Water Prison Sect and Demon Suppression Division
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Chapter 1501: Water Prison Sect and Demon Suppression Division
Yu Cangming’s emotions surged violently, his gaze icy, the killing intent around him as profound as the deep sea.
The atmosphere in the room was stifling to the extreme.
This was the killing intent of a Peak Golden Core, even Half-Step Feathered Ascension, enough to make the giants of the Demonic Path pale.
Yet under such intense killing intent, Mo Hua sat to the side, as if nothing were amiss, leisurely picking up his teacup and taking a slow sip.
He seemed certain that Yu Cangming would not strike him down. Or perhaps he simply wasn’t afraid of this deputy chief of the Demon Suppression Division, an expert in assassination, making a move against him.
Mo Hua’s demeanor was so composed that Yu Cangming’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
He realized his own tense, aggressive emotions were somewhat excessive and forcibly suppressed his killing intent, his expression returning to calm.
Mo Hua glanced at Yu Cangming, seeing that his emotions had settled, then slowly set down his teacup.
He personally poured a cup of tea for Yu Cangming and said gently, “Chief Yu, have a sip of tea. We’re just chatting casually, no need for such a strong reaction…”
Yu Cangming stared at the tea in the cup but did not take it.
Instead, he looked up at Mo Hua, his gaze profound, and asked once more, “Young Master Mo, just who are you?”
Mo Hua replied, “Doesn’t Chief Yu already know? I’m merely an ordinary, unremarkable disciple of the Great Void Sect.”
Yu Cangming’s expression remained cold, clearly not believing a single word.
Mo Hua said, “Truly, I’m not lying to you.”
Yu Cangming gave a faint, cold smile.
After a moment, he finally asked, “Young Master Mo, why would you mention—”
He paused, thought for a moment, then uttered the three words he hadn’t mentioned in a long time: “Water Prison Sect.”
Mo Hua glanced at Yu Cangming and replied calmly, “Chief Yu, there’s no need to overthink it. I was just a little curious and asked in passing, nothing more.”
“In passing?” Yu Cangming frowned.
“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded. “Back when I was studying at the Great Void Sect in the Qianxue Prefecture realm, I came across a spell manual in the scripture repository called… the Water Prison Technique.”
Upon hearing the words “Water Prison Technique,” Yu Cangming’s pupils contracted slightly, but he said nothing.
“Coincidentally,” Mo Hua mused, “before that, when I was still young, I eliminated a group of Criminal Cultivators in Li Province and obtained a manual for the Water Prison Technique from them.”
“This Water Prison Technique is obscure and niche, but it’s incredibly useful.”
For a long time, Mo Hua’s primary method of attack had relied on the Water Prison Technique to annoy his opponents.
He continued, “Later, I grew curious about the origins of the Water Prison Technique and looked up some information within the Great Void Sect. Naturally, I ended up researching…”
Mo Hua looked at Yu Cangming and said slowly, “the affairs of the Water Prison Sect.”
Yu Cangming’s gaze trembled. “How much does Young Master Mo know?”
“Not much, really,” Mo Hua thought for a moment.
“I only know that a thousand years ago, the Water Prison Sect was prominent for a time, ranking among the twelve major schools of Qianxue. They specialized in control, imprisonment, and punishment-type water-based Dao Arts. Their water-based Dao Arts were unparalleled in the world. Most of their disciples, after graduation, entered the Dao Court Division, overseeing punishments, many of them becoming harsh officials, so their reputation wasn’t particularly good.”
“It’s just that the Water Prison Sect’s Cultivation Method seemed to have some flaws, causing disciples who cultivated it deeply to become prone to cruel and ruthless tendencies.”
“Later, rumors spread that the Water Prison Sect had fallen into the Demonic Path. The Dao Court was furious and launched a siege against the Water Prison Sect.”
“As a result, the Water Prison Sect was destroyed, with many disciples killed or imprisoned. Its core heritage was sealed away, while fragmented techniques like the ‘Water Prison Technique’ scattered throughout the Cultivation World…”
Mo Hua recounted the information he had gathered back then.
Upon hearing this, Yu Cangming’s brow twitched. You call this ‘not much’? Even some intelligence brokers from major factions might not know as much as you…
“So,” Yu Cangming said coldly, “Young Master Mo followed the clues and came looking for me?”
Mo Hua shook his head. “Why would I look for you? I just came to Kun Province on business and happened to run into you.”
Yu Cangming frowned, clearly unconvinced.
Those who worked in the Demon Suppression Division were cautious, suspicious, and not easily trusting.
Mo Hua didn’t blame him and instead asked, “So, does this ‘Yu’ of yours really come from the Water Prison Sect’s ‘Yu (于)’?”
Yu Cangming asked indifferently, “Young Master Mo… how did you know I am connected to the Water Prison Sect?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and replied, “That day at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, I saw you, Chief Yu, use the Boundless Water Heart-Slaying Sword. The structure of that Dao Art felt very familiar, seemingly sharing similarities with the legacy of the Water Prison Sect from years past.”
“Is that all?” Yu Cangming’s gaze sharpened.
“That’s all,” Mo Hua said.
Upon hearing this, Yu Cangming frowned and asked, “Young Master Mo, are you truly so well-versed in the legacy of the Water Prison Sect?”
The Water Prison Sect was an old sect that had long been forgotten, and few could accurately trace its origins through the traces of Dao Arts—unless one was already proficient in the Water Prison Sect’s legacy.
Mo Hua, however, shook his head. “I wouldn’t call it proficiency. I only know one Water Prison Technique.”
Of course, Mo Hua wasn’t telling the truth.
Besides the Water Prison Technique, he had also learned the Water Shadow Phantom Body and the Seven-Soul Blood Prison Pupil.
Even the Water Prison Sect’s Water Prison Forbidden Casket was currently lying in his Storage Ring.
The legacy of the Water Prison Sect was strictly hierarchical, with higher ranks dominating lower ones. If the Water Prison Sect still existed, given the depth of his inheritance, he would at least be a ‘candidate for sect leader.’
Mo Hua felt too embarrassed to boast about himself, so he told a ‘well-intentioned’ lie.
Of course, the main reason was that Chief Yu didn’t seem to have the best temper.
Mo Hua didn’t know whether, if he told the truth, Chief Yu, constrained by sectarian biases, might directly try to kill him.
Upon hearing this, Yu Cangming didn’t think much of it at the moment.
It never crossed his mind that the long-lost foundational legacy of the Water Prison Sect, along with the research manuscripts of its Forbidden Arts, were in the hands of this Young Master Mo before him.
These were things that descendants of the Water Prison Sect like him had spent their entire lives seeking in vain.
In his estimation, they should at least be hidden in the hands of some ‘old monster.’
However, upon hearing that Mo Hua knew the Water Prison Technique, Yu Cangming’s feelings were quite complicated.
Although it was just an obscure Spell, easy to learn but difficult to master, it was still part of his Water Prison Sect’s Dao lineage.
Now that the sect had been destroyed, its descendants scattered, and its legacy dispersed across the Nine Provinces, falling into the hands of others—how could one not sigh in lament?
Yu Cangming’s expression grew somewhat somber.
Mo Hua, observing his demeanor, asked, “So, you truly are a descendant of the Water Prison Sect?”
Yu Cangming instinctively wanted to deny it, but after glancing at Mo Hua, he felt that there was no point in hiding the truth. In front of someone as clever as Young Master Mo, telling such lies would be too lowly.
Yu Cangming nodded and said, “Indeed. I sought refuge in Kun Province, intending to change my name and surname, but I couldn’t bear to completely discard my family name. So, I changed the character Yu(于) to Yu(余). Though the character changed, the pronunciation remained the same, serving as a small comfort.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Hua felt a moment of admiration, then couldn’t help but ask, “Can Kun Province truly serve as a refuge from disaster?”
Since the topic had come up, there was no need to hold back.
Yu Cangming pondered for a moment before replying, “Kun Province is vast in influence, with numerous cultivators and a mix of all kinds, making it easy to hide among them.”
“Moreover, Kun Province’s Houtu City and the Qianxue Prefecture realm are far apart. As long as I don’t involve myself with Qian Province, few would be willing to travel such a great distance just to trouble me.”
“The case of the Water Prison Sect happened nearly a thousand years ago. If I don’t mention it, few would know.”
“Of course, the most important thing is…” Yu Cangming’s gaze sharpened, “I am now affiliated with the Demon Suppression Division, holding the position of Deputy Chief, with considerable cultivation and authority. I’m not afraid of harassment from ordinary troublemakers.”
Mo Hua nodded, then asked curiously, “Chief Yu, what exactly does the Demon Suppression Division do?”
“I’m very familiar with the Dao Court Division, and I’ve had heard of the Inspection Bureau, but I’ve hardly ever encountered anyone from the Demon Suppression Division before. Are there very few regions in the Nine Provinces that have established Demon Suppression Divisions?”
Yu Cangming wasn’t sure whether Mo Hua was genuinely curious or had other intentions.
After a moment of thought, he explained, “As the name suggests, the Demon Suppression Division is a specialized institution of the Dao Court dedicated to suppressing the Demonic Path and hunting Demonic Cultivators.”
Mo Hua asked, “But… the Dao Court Division also arrests Demonic Cultivators. What’s the difference between the two?”
Yu Cangming replied slowly, “Exterminating demons and eliminating evil is the duty of the righteous path, whether it’s the Dao Court Division, the Inspection Bureau, or the Demon Suppression Division—they all share this responsibility.”
“However, each has its specialization. The Dao Court Division has a wide range of duties, dealing not only with Demonic Cultivators but also other Criminal Cultivators, bandit cultivators, and even matters of public security and administration.”
“The Demon Suppression Division, on the other hand, is solely responsible for killing Demonic Cultivators, especially when it comes to surrounding and exterminating particularly vicious and powerful Demonic Path overlords.”
“When the Dao Court Division encounters the Demonic Path, they kill if they can; if they cannot, they report to the Dao Court and mobilize the Demon Suppression Division for severe suppression and extermination.”
“The Dao Court Division has room to retreat, but the Demon Suppression Division does not. Suppressing and killing demons is their sole purpose—it’s a life-or-death struggle.”
“Twenty thousand years ago, the Demon Suppression Division was spread across all nine provinces of the Dao Court, its might shaking the four directions, its influence immense, striking fear into the hearts of Demonic Cultivators.”
Mo Hua felt a chill in his heart and asked, “What about now?”
“Now…” Yu Cangming sighed deeply, “Times have changed. The Demon Suppression Division today has long declined, lacking the glory of its past.”
Mo Hua pondered briefly before saying slowly, “When the cunning rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are cooked; when the flying birds are gone, the good bows are stored away.”
“With the Dao Court enjoying peace for ten thousand years, most of the Demonic Path lies dormant, afraid to show themselves… So the Demon Suppression Division, with no demons to eliminate, has gradually declined?”
Yu Cangming glanced at Mo Hua with surprise, then nodded. “Exactly. The Demon Suppression Division exists to suppress demons. If there are no demons left in the world, the Demon Suppression Division naturally loses its great purpose.”
“That’s why, across the Nine Provinces today, only a handful of Prefecture Realms still have Demon Suppression Divisions.”
“Most Demon Suppression Divisions have been abolished.”
“Aside from a very few stationed in chaotic regions, where they engage in constant battles and retain a certain degree of authority, the remaining Demon Suppression Divisions have grown increasingly inconspicuous, almost invisible…”
Mo Hua glanced around. When he first entered, he hadn’t noticed.
But after hearing Chief Yu’s words and surveying his surroundings, he realized that Houtu City was a fifth-grade grand immortal city.
Logically, its Demon Suppression Division should be a major force. Yet the territory of the Demon Suppression Division before him was rather shabby.
Moreover, there weren’t many personnel, only a few Archive Officers and Enforcement Officers coming and going. If not for being told, Mo Hua would have thought this was just a special office of the Dao Court Division responsible for punishments.
Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “Archive Officer Yu, is it also true that hardly anyone is willing to join the Demon Suppression Division?”
Though the question was somewhat piercing, Yu Cangming did not shy away from it, nodding as he replied, “Naturally.”
“The Demon Suppression Division is almost the most dangerous institution.”
“Opposing the cruel and bloodthirsty Demonic Cultivators, the more brave and fearless one is, charging at the forefront, the faster they die.”
“Many young cultivators with ideals and ambitions enter the Demon Suppression Division, only to die, become disabled, suffer severe mental trauma, or have their Dao Heart shattered within a few years. Some even go mad from cultivation deviation, falling into the Demonic Path.”
“Moreover, as the Demon Suppression Division declines day by day, its authority diminishes, and it faces exclusion from various factions, its situation naturally grows increasingly difficult.”
“Joining the Demon Suppression Division is almost equivalent to having no future for a lifetime. Thus, fewer and fewer people are willing to enter the Demon Suppression Division.”
“There is an even more severe problem…” Yu Cangming looked at Mo Hua and asked, “Young Master Mo, you must come from a major sect, right?”
Mo Hua nodded, “You could say so.”
The Great Void Sect was indeed the foremost major sect in the Qianxue Prefecture realm.
Yu Cangming said, “The disciples accepted by major sects, are they… almost all from aristocratic families?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded.
“That’s it,” Yu Cangming said. “Originally, major sects would also accept some impoverished disciples. These disciples, coming from humble backgrounds and hating evil as their enemy, would, after graduation, have some who considered joining the Demon Suppression Division, risking their lives to kill Demonic Cultivators and restore clarity to the world.”
“But now, major sects are filled entirely with pampered aristocratic disciples, living in comfort and luxury. Their thoughts are all focused on their own futures. How many are willing to risk their lives to work in the Demon Suppression Division, to give their all and slay demons?”
As Yu Cangming spoke these words, he was not impassioned but rather calm. The injustices of reality were something he had long grown accustomed to.
“Precisely because of this,” Yu Cangming sighed again, “Archive Officers like Magistrate Gu, who come from aristocratic families, possess superior innate talent, yet disregard danger, lead by example, and oppose Demonic Cultivators, are the ones I respect.”
“It’s just that such people are becoming fewer and fewer in this world.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Hua also nodded.
Although Uncle Gù was a bit of a fool, his upright character and principles were truly rare and commendable.
Mo Hua then asked, “The existence of Demonic Cultivators gives rise to the Demon Suppression Division. So, if the Demonic Sect were to rise from the ashes in this world, wouldn’t that mean the Demon Suppression Division would have a purpose again?”
Yu Cangming shook his head. “It’s not that simple.”
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. “Is that not the case?”
Yu Cangming sighed. “The Demon Suppression Division and the Demonic Sect are mortal enemies.”
“If the Demonic Sect were to rise again, they naturally wouldn’t want the Demon Suppression Division to flourish.”
“But aside from the Demonic Sect, the aristocratic families and sects across the Nine Provinces already hold most of the power and benefits. They, too, would be unwilling to see the Demon Suppression Division grow strong again.”
“Because once the Demon Suppression Division gains power, it would inevitably affect their interests and even suppress their actions.”
“Even the central Dao Court doesn’t wish to see the name ‘Demon Suppression Division'”
Mo Hua was taken aback. “Why?”
Yu Cangming said gravely, “The problem lies in the words ‘suppressing demons’…”
“If the Demon Suppression Division grows strong, wouldn’t that imply there are many Demonic Cultivators? And if there are many Demonic Cultivators, wouldn’t that suggest the Dao Court’s governance is inadequate, causing turmoil in the Nine Provinces? One could even say this reflects on the Dao Court…”
Yu Cangming’s heart tightened, and he didn’t finish the sentence.
But Mo Hua could roughly guess that Chief Yu might have wanted to say the phrase “the Dao Court has lost the Dao Mandate.”
If the Dao Court, which represents the Dao, loses the Dao, the problem would be extremely serious.
This would almost be equivalent to rebellious words that defy the natural order.
From this perspective, the Demon Suppression Division finds itself in a situation where the Dao Court shows no favor, various factions suppress it, and it faces persecution from the Demonic Path.
In such circumstances, merely surviving is already an achievement.
Mo Hua sighed.
Yu Cangming also sighed, but as soon as he finished sighing, his eyes widened as he realized he had spoken too much.
He had said what he should, and nearly said what he shouldn’t.
He looked at Mo Hua in disbelief.
Sensing Chief Yu’s gaze, Mo Hua was puzzled and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Yu Cangming shook his head, pursed his lips, and said nothing.
Mo Hua suddenly thought of something and asked, “Chief Yu, how many people are currently in the Houtu City Demon Suppression Division?”
Yu Cangming restrained himself and only uttered two words: “Not many.”
Mo Hua asked, “Does the Earth Sect target the Demon Suppression Division?”
Yu Cangming replied, “Somewhat.”
Mo Hua asked, “What about the major aristocratic families?”
Yu Cangming: “Mm.”
Mo Hua pressed further, “Was there more to the downfall of the Water Prison Sect back then?”
Yu Cangming was even less likely to answer this, saying only, “I don’t know.”
Mo Hua frowned, feeling greatly disappointed, and wondered why such a talkative person as Chief Yu had suddenly fallen silent.
Mo Hua was tactful and could only sigh, “Then I won’t disturb Chief Yu any further. I’ll take my leave.”
To his surprise, Yu Cangming felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve and nodded, saying, “I’ll have someone escort Young Master Mo.”
With that, Yu Cangming called for an officer and said, “See Young Master Mo out.”
Mo Hua cupped his hands and said, “Chief Yu, farewell.”
Yu Cangming returned the gesture, “Young Master Mo, take care.”
Afterward, the officer led Mo Hua out of the central chamber of the Demon Suppression Division.
After Mo Hua left, Yu Cangming sat alone, his brow tightly furrowed.
He took a deep, cold breath: “Just who is this Young Master Mo…”
“He appears simple, yet is profoundly cunning; he seems upright, yet carries a sinister air; he looks weak, yet seems incredibly strong…”
“He even influenced my state of mind, making me reveal my innermost thoughts…”
“When something is abnormal, there must be something sinister at play. This Young Master Mo is probably… not a good person…”