Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

"How are your injuries?" Chen Yu asked, looking towards Song Yu and Wang Yan.

"My lord, we're no longer troubled by them," replied Song Yu and Wang Yan, saluting with their fists.

Chen Yu nodded and said, "There's a mission that I need the three of you to undertake."

"Please, my lord, speak," they said.

Chen Yu said, "Before long, the Sunset Sword Sect will hold its martial arts tournament. The Jing Tian Department dispatches people to oversee the event every year, and this year, the task falls to us. Therefore, I'm sending the three of you."

The Sunset Sword Sect, considering itself the leading swordsmanship authority in the martial world, conducts a martial arts tournament annually. It invites sword sects across the realm to partake — in reality, though, the tournament is just a stage for the younger disciples of the Sunset Sword Sect to showcase their prowess and promote their sect's fame.

Almost without exception, the first prize at each year's tournament has always gone to a disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect.

It also serves as an occasion for the Sunset Sword Sect to display its strength; the victors of each tournament receive rewards from the sect.

Although the other factions in the martial world know that their disciples are merely going through the motions, they are compelled to attend, because to do otherwise would be to disrespect the Sunset Sword Sect.

Once, a sect who received an invitation from the Sunset Sword Sect chose not to participate. Within a month, the sect leader died an untimely death, and the whole sect disintegrated.

With such a lesson from history, no one dares to slight the Sunset Sword Sect, one of the most formidable powers in the nine provinces.

Because the Sunset Sword Sect's event gathers various players from the martial world, the Jing Tian Department dispatches people every year to deter any possible disturbances.

"That is one task; there's another. You are to eliminate Qi Changyun of the Canghai Sect. According to our investigations, this man is akin to Zheng Jinan, a remnant of the nefarious Evil Heart Sect. Here is his dossier; take a look," Chen Yu said.

Gu Chen and his companions picked up the scroll beside them, detailing Qi Changyun's comprehensive profile.

"Qi Changyun, male, 45 years old, of the External Qi Realm, serves the Canghai Sect as an officer but is in truth a remnant of the Evil Heart Sect, a subsidiary of the demonic cult. Originally named Lu Ou, he once roamed the martial world in his youth, committing arson, murder, and robbery, an embodiment of evil, having over a hundred lives on his hands.

Twenty years ago, he assumed the name Qi Changyun and joined the Canghai Sect as an external disciple."

A hint of coldness flashed in Chen Yu's eyes as he said, "Qi Changyun has remained well hidden over the years, but his mistake was harboring thoughts of instigating trouble between Da Xia and the Canghai Sect, most likely as instructed by the Evil Heart Sect, which led to his complete exposure."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen felt a surge of astonishment in his heart. He had not expected the Jing Tian Department to have such extensive intelligence, even within the Canghai Sect.

Chen Yu, seemingly perceiving what was on Gu Chen's mind, smiled and said, "The Canghai Sect has been weakening over the years. Although it is still ranked among the major sects, it exists in name only. It's not difficult to infiltrate it with a few people, but placing our eyes and ears into the Sunset Sword Sect would be significantly more challenging."

After pondering for a moment, he continued, "The demonic cult has lain dormant for a long time, and Qi Changyun is surely but one of their many spies. It is quite possible other factions are experiencing similar infiltration. During this mission, be wary of everything."

Gu Chen nodded, indicating he understood. Chen Yu was right; the demonic cult had been obliterated over three hundred years ago and its sudden resurgence now undoubtedly signified a premeditated scheme. Ever since the current emperor subjugated the martial world, Da Xia had long suppressed the various factions.

Although these factions held resentment, they had been relatively compliant due to the emperor and the Jing Tian Department. Now, with the cult's spies risking exposure to stir trouble between the factions and the state, there had to be some larger conspiracy at play, perhaps to instigate chaos in the martial world and benefit amidst the turmoil.

The timing was also sensitive. The emperor had been in seclusion for twenty-three years without any news. If he were to emerge, the entire land would settle down.

Even the domineering Sunset Sword Sect had been reprimanded by the current emperor, forced into submission and dared not to disobey.

Not even the Great Founder of Da Xia had accomplished this.

In this world, the imperial court and the martial world were clearly divided, never encroaching on one another. The court turned a blind eye to the factions. No emperor before in any dynasty had managed to suppress the world's heroes as the current emperor had, truly commanding the respect of all under heaven.

With these thoughts, Gu Chen became even more intrigued by the Da Xia emperor responsible for the empire's revival.

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"There's one more thing." At this point, Chen Yu set his gaze upon Gu Chen.

Gu Chen said, "My lord, please speak."

With his handsome features and extraordinary demeanor, Chen Yu smiled slightly from his seat at the head and said, "I want you to defeat Yu Qiushi of the Canghai Sect."

At these words, Gu Chen's eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yu Qiushi is the hope of the Canghai Sect, held in high regard. Originally, your eighth place on the star ranking belonged to him, but now you have displaced him to the ninth position. He will certainly hold a grudge because of this. Moreover, as you attempt to deal with Qi Changyun, he will not stand idly by.

If you confront him, you must win this battle; defeat is not an option," said Chen Yu with gravity.

"Understood!" Gu Chen responded, bowing with clasped fists.

Song Yu and Wang Yan exchanged glances, their expressions revealing their surprise. They hadn't been out on a mission from Tiandu for some time and weren't aware of recent developments in the martial world. They had not expected Gu Chen to have knocked Yu Qiushi of the Canghai Sect down to ninth place on the Diancang Pavilion's star ranking.

Seeing Gu Chen accept the task, a smile appeared on Chen Yu's face as he said, "If you win, I will personally give you a reward upon your return."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen quickly stood up, saying, "Thank you, my lord."

As a commander in the Jing Tian Department, anything given by Chen Yu was bound to be substantial— at the very least, a high-quality martial arts technique.

"Both of you are at the Meridian Opening Realm, not far from breaking through to the External Qi Realm. On this mission, follow Gu Chen's lead. The three of you together should have no issue taking down Qi Changyun," Chen Yu evidently said to Song Yu and Wang Yan.

Song Yu and Wang Yan nodded. On this point, they had no objections.

"If there's nothing else, you should set out without delay," Chen Yu said.

This year, the Sunset Sword Sect had chosen to hold the martial arts tournament at Phoenix Crying Mountain in Anyang County of the Qiongtian Mansion, over six thousand li away from Tiandu.

After leaving the Jing Tian Department, Gu Chen and his companions went home to pack, taking some changes of clothes with them. They then mounted their swift horses and headed towards Phoenix Crying Mountain in Anyang County.