Martial Arts World Assassin

Chapter 346 The Secret Trace of the Demon
When it gets dark.

The bloody turmoil caused by "Fang Jianding" finally came to an end, and the four major bandit lairs also returned to peace.

The turmoil caused the deaths of three to four thousand bandits, but there was no sad atmosphere in the lair. Instead, laughter and joy could be heard everywhere.

The reason was that almost all the bandits who died were subordinates of the second in command 'Mao Zao' and the third in command 'Fang Jianding'. After they were all killed, the money, food and women that originally belonged to them were all pocketed by the subordinates of the two in command Cao Yinglong and Xiang Batian.

This was equivalent to a firefight, and the four major bandits became two major bandits. Cao Yinglong, Xiang Batian and their subordinates became the biggest beneficiaries. No wonder they were so happy.

They happily collected the corpses and repaired the damaged buildings of their old nest.

Cao Yinglong and Xiang Batian stayed in the Juyi Hall to discuss the redistribution of money, food and women.

The two were so immersed in the joy of their sudden increase in treasure that they didn't notice at all that there were two uninvited guests on the roof of the Juyi Hall.

Huang Sixi and Kankan hid under the eaves, eavesdropping on the conversation between the two.

Cao Yinglong's nickname is 'Ghosts Crying and Gods Howling', and his every move reveals his ferocity.

He had a pair of big protruding ears, deep wrinkles on his forehead, sunken cheeks and high cheekbones, and his eyes were narrowed into lines with sparkling gleams of light, giving people the feeling that he was a man of great sophistication.

Next to him was an iron spear made of fine steel, which looked to weigh at least forty or fifty kilograms.

He has always been serious.

Xiang Batian, who was sitting across the coffee table, had a completely different temperament from him.

Xiang Batian is a short fat man with a big belly that looks like a big meatball. He has two silver steel rings with sharp teeth on his wrists.

It was with the help of this pair of 'deadly tooth rings' that Xiang Batian made it onto the list of extraordinary achievements and unique skills.

"The second and third brothers were at odds with each other, we brothers cannot make the same mistake again!" Xiang Batian was frank and open with Cao Yinglong:

"The loot we brothers have saved is enough to last for more than a decade. There's no need to fight over it. If you feel you got too little, you can just ask for more next time. Everything can be discussed. There's no need to kill and have rivers of blood flow! After a person dies, the treasure can't be spent, and women can't enjoy it. Why bother?"

Cao Yinglong held his chin and analyzed in a deep voice: "This matter is very strange. Based on my understanding of the Third Brother, he would never kill the Second Brother without knowing the truth. He might be controlled by someone and is deliberately trying to stir up internal strife among the four bandits!"

When Huang Sixi and Kan Kan heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other. They both thought that Cao Yinglong had some strategies and should be the think tank among the four major bandits.

Cao Yinglong paused for a moment, then pointed to the door again: "If my hunch is correct, there should be a powerful enemy lurking outside who is targeting us!"

Xiang Batian did not agree with his opinion. He snorted and said, "The third brother is lustful. He would do anything for a woman. The second brother has a noble lady by his side. He must be greedy for beauty. That's why he shamelessly murdered his brothers!"

Seeing that Xiang Batian didn't care, Cao Yinglong continued to warn: "News came from Liyang that the assassin Jianglong killed the leader of the Jianghuai Army, Du Fuwei, on the river. Even the Tiele Grandmaster Qu Ao died at the hands of Jianglong!"

After hearing this, Kanan tilted her pretty face slightly and her beautiful eyes drifted towards Huang Sixi, but she did not see any change in Huang Sixi's mood.

Huang Sixi noticed her gaze and turned to look at her.

She naturally stretched out her delicate hands to help Huang Sixi adjust his hat and raincoat. Her expression was extremely delicate and gentle, and she whispered, "Who knows when this rain will stop?"

Huang Sixi replied: "Don't be distracted!"

She smiled faintly and continued to listen attentively.

Xiang Batian was not intimidated: "No matter how powerful he is, what does he have to do with us four bandits? Why should we be afraid of him?"

Cao Yinglong pointed out: "Jiang Long once slaughtered the Jiangnan Iron Cavalry Society. The Iron Cavalry Society does exactly the same business as our four bandits. There is no guarantee that Jiang Long will not attack our four bandits!"

Xiang Batian was stunned for a moment and became a little worried.

But he thought for a moment and regained his composure: "There is a flood outside the mountain right now. No matter whether Jiang Long has any ill intentions towards us four bandits, he will definitely not be able to get through!"

Cao Yinglong immediately reminded: "I have received accurate information that Jianglong headed west after leaving Liyang! Calculating his journey, if he was trapped by the flood, he is likely to settle near our Bieshan Mountain!"

Xiang Batian frowned: "If Jianglong really comes to Bieshan, what should we do?"

Cao Yinglong suggested: "The martial arts masters are no match for him, let alone us. Let's seal up the granary and vaults, and you, Lao Xiang, lead the brothers to retreat to the Central Plains overnight!"

"What about you?"

"I'll stay and wait for someone!"

"Who are you waiting for?"

"It's not convenient to disclose!"

"Ugh!" Xiang Batian slammed the table and stood up: "Send me away first, and then you stay to take all the treasures for yourself, you are really dreaming! Even if I leave, I will take the money and food with me!"

Cao Yinglong advised: "There are more than one group of bandits in the mountains. This journey is hundreds of miles to the Central Plains. If you take treasures with you, they will definitely be robbed!"

The more Xiang Batian listened, the more annoyed he became: "I just won't leave! I have thousands of brothers in my hands. If I give away all the treasures, there will definitely be loyal men under the heavy reward. I may not be unable to defeat Jiang Long!"

He was already wary of Cao Yinglong, and judged that Cao Yinglong brought up Jianglong to deliberately scare him, and was actually trying to rob his fellow thieves. He was unwilling to continue the conversation with Cao Yinglong and strode out of the Juyi Hall.

Cao Yinglong looked at his back, shook his head and sighed, then stood up and returned to his residence.

Huang Sixi and Kan Kan immediately followed Cao Yinglong.

It was midnight and it was raining heavily.

Cao Yinglong shuttled through two valleys in his lair until he returned to his attic on the top of the mountain, but he never sensed any trace of the pursuers behind him.

Until a strong wind blew open his bedroom window.

He was keenly aware of the abnormal wind speed and was about to break through the door to escape, but several thin streams of energy shot from the air. When they hit his body, they suddenly softened and wrapped around his limbs like a silk net, pinning him to the spot.

His pupils shrank suddenly. He could transform his energy into soft silk. His use of internal force must have reached the extraordinary level. He knew that he was no match for the man with hair, and he opened his mouth to call for the guards outside.

Unexpectedly, a finger force followed closely behind the qi thread and accurately hit his mute point.

He could neither move nor speak, but his vision was still not blocked. He saw Huang Sixi and Kan Kan escape into the room through the window.

Before he could take a look at the two men's faces, Huang Sixi grabbed him and broke out through the window.

We traveled more than ten miles in the rainy night.

Huang Sixi and Kankan took Cao Yinglong to a stone cave in a barren mountain.

Just now, Cao Yinglong mentioned to Xiang Batian that he had received reliable information that Huang Sixi went westward after leaving Liyang. Huang Sixi wanted to find out from whom Cao Yinglong received the reliable information. Only Shen Luoyan knew about Huang Sixi's journey westward to find Zhu Can.

Therefore, Huang Sixi did not kill Cao Yinglong on the spot, but captured him for interrogation.

As soon as he untied Cao Yinglong's mute point, Cao Yinglong asked in panic, "Are you the assassin Jianglong?"

Huang Sixi said expressionlessly: "How do you know that I came to Bieshan on my journey to the west?"

"I guessed!" Cao Yinglong quickly corrected: "No, no! To be exact, it was my master who guessed your itinerary!"

"Your master?" Huang Sixi walked to the stone next to him, sat down and asked, "Who is your master?"

"He is the Evil King Shi Zhixuan!" Cao Yinglong called out a name that was feared by the world.

Huang Sixi didn't react when he heard the name, but Qianqian was the first to speak: "Are you the disciple of the Evil King?"

She didn't believe it. "The Huajian Sect, which is ruled by the Evil King, is a one-line sect. He only accepted the amorous young man Hou Xibai as his disciple. How can a scoundrel like you worship under the Evil King?"

Cao Yinglong glanced at Kankan and said calmly, "Young lady, you still don't know enough about the Evil King. He is the leader of the Huajian Sect and the Butian Sect. In addition to Hou Xibai, he also accepted me and the 'Shadow Assassin' Yang Xuyan as his disciples. He actually has three disciples!"

Kanan was even more surprised. She had almost all the information about the Demon Sect's characters, but she had no idea that Cao Yinglong and Yang Xuyan were both disciples of Shi Zhixuan.

During the past hundred years, the world has been in turmoil, and several outstanding figures have emerged in the Demon Sect.

The most prominent among them are the 'Evil Queen' Zhu Yuyan, the 'Evil Emperor' Xiang Yutian and the 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan.

If we talk about fame alone, Zhu Yuyan is the most prominent, ranking first among the eight masters of the Demon Sect.

If we compare their martial arts skills, Xiang Yutian is undoubtedly the strongest. After all, he is a living immortal. He once competed with martial arts masters such as Yan Fei, Murong Chui, and Sun En during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and he has lived for two or three hundred years and is still alive.

But when it comes to far-sightedness, meticulous actions, changeable identities, and superb skills in influencing the world situation, Shi Zhixuan must be the first choice.

Shi Zhixuan was an elusive figure who had used many different identities in the world, and the most famous one was Pei Ju, a favorite of Yang Guang. As early as 20 years ago, Shi Zhixuan used the pseudonym Pei Ju to manage the Western Regions, causing the Turks to attack each other, resulting in casualties everywhere.

Yang Guang's three expeditions to Korea were also instigated by Shi Zhixuan in order to undermine the government.

Because Shi Zhixuan acted in secret, neither the government nor the underworld knew that Shi Zhixuan was the mastermind behind the unrest. His recruitment of Cao Yinglong and Yang Xuyan as disciples was also a secret, and even other sects of the Demon Sect did not obtain the corresponding intelligence.

This is also the reason why Kanan was unaware of this.

"Yang Xuyan is actually the grandson of Yang Jian, the son of Yang Yong, and the nephew of Yang Guang. He was adopted by the evil king and taught martial arts since he was young. He wanted to force Yang Guang to abdicate, support Yang Xuyan's restoration, and then control the government of the Sui court! Only the evil king and I know this identity in the world!"

Cao Yinglong was once severely warned by Shi Zhixuan not to publicize these secrets, but he revealed them to Huang Sixi. Naturally, he wanted to use Shi Zhixuan as an excuse and hope that Huang Sixi would be cautious and spare his life.

He also revealed to Huang Sixi: "Yang Xuyan died on the Liyang River Road. After hearing the news, the evil king returned to the martial arts world and planned to meet Jianglong. However, he did not wait for Jianglong to pass by in the north. When he learned that Jianglong was heading west, he sent a message to me, saying that he would rush to Bieshan to meet me! Due to the sudden flood, he may have been delayed and has not arrived yet!"

When Wan Wan heard that Shi Zhixuan was tracking Huang Sixi, a hint of worry surfaced on her calm face: "It seems that Yang Xuyan was killed by Du Fuwei and Chang Shumou. It has nothing to do with Lord Jiang Long. Why is the evil king tracking Lord Jiang Long?"

Cao Yinglong immediately smiled and said, "The Evil King is a martial arts master. He has always admired martial arts geniuses like Jianglong. He may be going to meet him and make friends with him. This time he is heading south from Luoshui. He will definitely reach Bieshan in two days at the latest. Cao is willing to introduce him to you!"

He looked at Huang Sixi with anticipation.

Huang Sixi asked him coldly, "Did you become a bandit in the other mountains at the order of the evil king?"

He hesitated.

In his early years, he discovered by chance that when Shi Zhixuan accepted him as a disciple, he sent people to kill his parents, brothers and sisters. This is also a common practice in the Demon Sect to "sever worldly ties."

This made Cao Yinglong hate Shi Zhixuan to the core, but Shi Zhixuan's magic skills were invincible, so he didn't dare to resist, let alone take revenge. He vented his anger in looting and killing, and formed the Four Great Bandits with Xiang Batian, Mao Zao, and Fang Jianding.

Shi Zhixuan was not aware of the time when he lived in seclusion in another mountain. At that time, Shi Zhixuan had already hidden himself from the underworld. However, he was addicted to robbery and killing. After the four bandits became notorious, they could not hide from Shi Zhixuan.

He knew that Huang Sixi had slaughtered the Iron Cavalry Society because he was very likely disgusted with a bandit like him, so he lamented to Huang Sixi, "Cao has long been tired of the killings in the martial arts world. If it weren't for the evil king's order, Cao would have retired from the martial arts world long ago. Cao has no choice, alas!"

Little did he know that Huang Sixi actually knew all his background.

From the moment he captured him, Huang Sixi had no intention of letting this murderer with blood on his hands live any longer: "What is Shi Zhixuan's intention in placing you in Bieshan? Do you have any secret mission?"

Cao Yinglong said: "The evil king has no special request. He just wants me to rob more government offices and stir up chaos in the world. Only then will he have a chance to complete his imperial plan of unifying the world with the Holy Sect."

Huang Sixi nodded at him: "Very good, you can die now!"

Cao Yinglong sensed the energy fluctuations at Huang Sixi's fingertips and shouted hurriedly, "The Evil King has really gone south and may be in Bieshan now. I didn't lie to you!"

"He can come here at will. Not to mention him, even if the 'Evil Emperor' Xiang Yutian and the 'Empress of Yin' Zhu Yuyan join forces, they can't save you!"

Huang Sixi pointed at the vital point and Cao Yinglong died instantly.

Kanan was very afraid of Shi Zhixuan and wanted to persuade Huang Sixi to be careful, but after hearing what Huang Sixi said, she kept silent.

Huang Sixi turned around and asked her, "Have you heard of the Demon Sect's supreme magic book, "The Heavenly Demon Strategy"?"

Kankan thought to herself, not only have I heard about it, I've also practiced it.

"My dear, do you want to know more about Shi Zhixuan's martial arts? He created a profound magic skill called 'Immortal Seal' through the fragments of the 'Heavenly Demon Strategy' inherited by the Huajian School and the Butian Dao!" Wan Wan introduced with a smile:
"This seal is derived from the absorption power of the Heavenly Demon Strategy. When he attacks others, his true qi is deadly. When others attack him, no matter how strong their true qi is, it will be gone without return. It will be absorbed into his body and used by him. The name 'Immortal' also comes from this!"

Huang Sixi thought that the 'Immortal Seal' was obviously similar to the 'Six Dragons'.

Huang Sixi did not ask more about Shi Zhixuan: "Do you know which sect the original volume of "Heavenly Demon Strategy" is kept in?"

"There is no original volume of "The Heavenly Demon Strategy"! The original volume has been lost hundreds of years ago. Only the magic skills in the volume have been passed down, and they have developed into two schools and six paths, each of which is independent!" The voice of Kanan is soft and pleasant, but very firm:
"The two sects are the Yin Gui Sect and the Hua Jian Sect. The six paths are Xie Ji, Mie Qing, Zhen Chuan, Bu Tian, Tian Lian, and Mo Xiang. Among them, Zhen Chuan Dao is divided into two, Dao Zu Zhen Chuan and Lao Jun Guan. Among so many sects, there has never been any trace of the original volume of "Tian Mo Ce". There is not even any written record!"

Huang Sixi muttered to himself: "So, the original volume was destroyed?"

Wan Wan blinked her beautiful eyes, which were as beautiful as rippling autumn water: "No one knows! The original volume of "Heavenly Demon Strategy" has never appeared in the two sects and six paths, so it has naturally never been destroyed! But I heard that..."

"What did you hear?"

"The Demon Sect has had a relic of the Evil Emperor since ancient times. Its history is as long as the original volume of "Heavenly Demon Strategy". If we can find the relic of the Evil Emperor, we may be able to find clues to the original volume of "Heavenly Demon Strategy"!"

This is just a possibility.

Huang Sixi happened to know where the evil emperor's relics were hidden, and after he finished dealing with the flood, he set out to take the relics out.

(End of this chapter)