Shocked Mo Yi! The Whereabouts of the Shennong Cauldron!

The moment Xiahou Jinxuan called out his identity, panic appeared on Mo Yi’s face for the first time in nineteen years.

Even if Xiahou Jinxuan had overheard his conversation with Long Ming earlier, he should not have known his true name.

Mo Yi shifted his gaze to Mu Changlan.

She should not know either…

"What Ku Mu? What Mo Yi? Jinxuan, what are you talking about? I don’t understand." Mo Yi, occupying Xiahou Tao’s body, slowly shook his head and said with a profound look, "You’ve made quite a few friends of unknown origins along the way. Don’t trust people so easily."

Mu Changlan sneered. "What a fine way to turn the tables. You call others suspicious, but how could any of them compare to the Grand Elder of Yaksa Kingdom?"

Mo Yi’s expression turned cold, and a faint killing intent seeped into his words. "Miss, this is the Xiahou Family. Watch your words, or you will pay a price you cannot afford."

Xiahou Jinxuan shook his head in disappointment. "You made another mistake. My second uncle is usually generous and open-minded. He would never turn hostile over a few words…"

Mo Yi immediately fell silent.

Seeing that he was still refusing to admit it, Xie Cangxing chuckled. "The Shu Mountain Sect Leader told us who you are. He also told us about the dried-up water veins in the demon realm and your plan to move Yaksa Kingdom into the human realm."

With his plans exposed, Mo Yi stood stunned for a long while before letting out a sorrowful sigh. "I thought myself meticulous in my actions. I planned for nearly twenty years without a single flaw, yet this Sect Leader Chu possesses truly unfathomable methods. No wonder he can associate with someone as esteemed as the Demon Lord…"

"Young Master, your fake second uncle is pretty good at flattering people too. Did you learn from him?" Xie Cangxing grinned and teased Xiahou Jinxuan.

Xiahou Jinxuan looked helpless. If he had not grown accustomed to Xie Cangxing’s unrestrained mouth, most people would have turned against him long ago.

"You big idiot, if you can’t talk properly, then shut up!"

"Brother Xie, no one will take you for a mute if you don’t speak!"

Xia and Mu Changlan glared at Xie Cangxing with hostile expressions.

"Why are you getting so worked up? Fine, I won’t say another word." Xie Cangxing hurriedly admitted fault. He could provoke anyone except a woman in a bad mood.

There was no longer any point in playing dumb. A scheme arose in Mo Yi’s mind, and he said to Jiang Cheng with ill intent, "You should not be with them. We are the same kind. Your true identity is…"

Before Mo Yi could finish, Jiang Cheng immediately said, "A descendant of Chi You, right? If you want to use that to drive a wedge between us, there’s no need. They all know that half the blood in my body belongs to the demon race."

Another card had been guessed in advance. Mo Yi’s face turned ashen, and his whole body trembled with rage. "Was it that Sect Leader Chu again who told you?"

Xie Cangxing mocked, "Not bad, not bad. You’ve even learned to draw inferences from one example. Your time as Grand Elder wasn’t wasted after all."

Mo Yi had never met that mysterious Shu Mountain Sect Leader, but at this moment, he felt as if he were being toyed with in someone’s palm. Mo Yi considered himself no less intelligent than anyone else, and he found this situation impossible to accept.

"Who exactly is he? Why does he know so much?" Mo Yi demanded through gritted teeth.

Xia said coldly, "Sect Leader Chu’s abilities are beyond anything you can imagine. Put away those petty schemes of yours and sit down obediently. Explain everything you should explain!"

Xie Cangxing smacked his lips and muttered, "Just now you were scolding me for claiming connections, and now you’re calling him senior brother yourself…"

Seeing this, Mo Yi stopped pretending. Demonic energy poured from his body like a tidal wave, and he seemed to become an entirely different person as he said in a low voice, "You think the few of you can make me surrender without a fight?"

On the other side, everyone except Xiahou Jinxuan drew their weapons and faced him.

Xia said uneasily, "The Sect Leader sent us here to discuss cooperation. Wouldn’t it be bad if we started fighting like this?"

Xiahou Jinxuan shook his head. "Cooperation not built upon strength is not stable. They are demons and believe in the law of the strong devouring the weak. If we are the weaker side, he can tear up this so-called alliance at any time."

Jiang Cheng nodded as well. "Miss Xia, Young Master Xiahou is right."

Mo Yi, who had been preparing to strike, paused when he heard their conversation. Doubt rose in his heart. What did they mean by cooperation?

Could the two sides still cooperate under these circumstances? Or were these brats deliberately saying it for him to hear in order to keep him in place?

Mo Yi leaned more toward the latter possibility. He attacked decisively, targeting Xiahou Jinxuan and the others. Jiang Cheng was the strongest among them. If he could take Jiang Cheng down first, the rest would be nothing to fear.

Having already made his stance clear, Jiang Cheng had lost all value in Mo Yi’s eyes. What use was a descendant of Chi You who could not open the seal between the two realms?

Demonic energy surged like rolling waves, erupting with a terrifying suction force aimed directly at Jiang Cheng.

The battle-hardened Jiang Cheng had already been on guard. As his body was pulled by the demonic energy, true essence gathered in his fists, and he punched forward. Purple true essence collided with the demonic energy, creating a powerful impact.

Using the force of that impact, Jiang Cheng steadied himself. Rather than retreating, he advanced and launched a counterattack at the first opportunity.

Surprise flashed through Mo Yi’s eyes. He had thought that the conflict between demonic energy and true essence within Jiang Cheng’s body would make him suffer Qi Deviation the moment he was provoked. Yet Jiang Cheng showed no abnormality at all.

"You accepted this power? You accepted your identity as a demon?"

"Who gave you the courage?"

While Mo Yi was still shocked, Jiang Cheng had already closed in.

A skyful of fist shadows crashed down like an endless flood, their force terrifying.

Vast, mist-like demonic energy blocked Jiang Cheng’s fists, preventing him from advancing even an inch. At the same time, Jiang Cheng’s answer reached Mo Yi’s ears.

"They accepted me, so I accepted myself as well. Sect Leader Chu told me that humans and demons are not judged as good or evil by their identities. Whether I do good or evil is for me to decide!"

Humans and demons are not judged as good or evil by their identities!

Those words exploded beside Mo Yi’s ears like thunder!

They had come from the mouth of the Shu Mountain Sect Leader. From the perspective of the world, they were utterly heretical!

How many people in the world would dare say that there were kind and good demons?

Mo Yi’s mind fell into chaos, and his expression became dazed. Even the demonic energy winding around his body weakened as he murmured, "Did he truly say that?"

Mu Changlan sneered. "How could you, a coward who hides his head and shows his tail, possibly imagine Sect Leader Chu’s magnanimity?"

Mo Yi shook his head and took a deep breath, returning to his former cold demeanor. "You almost fooled me, you little brats. How could the dignified Shu Mountain Sect Leader say such a thing? The Demon Imprisonment Tower holds who knows how many demons. If Shu Mountain cannot even tolerate demons, how could it tolerate the demon race?"

Terrifying, suffocating demonic energy filled the entire room. Everyone’s expressions changed drastically as they realized Mo Yi was about to fight seriously.

At that moment, a reassuring voice rang out.

"First, let me correct two of your mistakes. The demons within the Demon Imprisonment Tower were not captured at random. Every one of them bears blood debts, without exception. As for demons who have never harmed anyone, Shu Mountain will establish new rules to deal with them in the future."

"Second, humans and demons are indeed not judged as good or evil by their identities. I said that myself. In fact, I believe that all living beings within the Six Realms are the same."

Chu Yang stepped into the room and waved his hand. The demonic energy filling the air vanished. In contrast, Mo Yi’s face suddenly turned pale, as if he had suffered a heavy blow, and his aura became disordered.

The Chu Yang who had appeared at the Xiahou Family was his true body.

The Shadow Clone that had followed them back earlier had dispersed after being struck by demonic energy. Sensing the situation, Chu Yang had immediately used Apparition to arrive here.

As the enemies he encountered became stronger and stronger, the Shadow Clone’s margin for error had diminished. Now, it could only serve as a marker.

Chu Yang felt it was time to develop a new ability to replace the Shadow Clone’s function.

The demonic energy around Mo Yi’s body seemed to have been brutally shoved back into him by a pair of giant hands, causing him intense pain.

Seeing Chu Yang silently staring at him, he considered cutting off his tail to survive.

If he abandoned this body, he would no longer be able to spend decades laying out a new plan. But if this unfathomable Sect Leader Chu followed the trail back and injured his true body, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Just as Mo Yi was about to act, Chu Yang guessed his intentions first and said with a smile, "The dignified Grand Elder of Yaksa Kingdom is so easily frightened? You do not even have the courage to speak with me and already wish to abandon this shell?"

Upon hearing that, Mo Yi silently calmed the surging Magic Power within him. He looked up at Chu Yang, his usual composure returning.

Chu Yang clapped his hands and nodded in praise. "Not bad."

"Your methods have thoroughly convinced me. The winner is king and the loser is a bandit. There is nothing more to say." Mo Yi’s eyes were gloomy as he asked with a dark expression, "What advice does Sect Leader Chu have for me?"

"I would not dare call it advice. I merely came to bear witness." Chu Yang turned toward Jiang Cheng. "You can speak with him from here. Say whatever you wish."

A trace of curiosity appeared on Mo Yi’s face.

Were they truly going to cooperate with me to save the demon realm’s dried-up water veins? But what did they stand to gain?

And what was the Shu Mountain Sect Leader doing this for?

Jiang Cheng answered Mo Yi’s doubts with action. He took out the Water Spirit Orb he had received from Chu Yang. "The Water Spirit Orb you seek is here. Take it and use it to restore the water veins of the demon realm. Return it to Shu Mountain afterward."

The Water Spirit Orb slowly floated in the air, radiating abundant water spirit energy. Mo Yi stared blankly for a moment before asking in disbelief, "You are truly willing to give me the Water Spirit Orb?"

Jiang Cheng frowned. "Believe it or not, we are not so bored that we would take such a great risk just to fool you."

The shock in Mo Yi’s eyes did not fade in the slightest. "Why? What benefit is there in this for you or for Shu Mountain?"

Xiahou Jinxuan shook his head. "There is naturally no benefit for us. We must even bear the risk of losing the Water Spirit Orb. Even so, we wish to do something for the people of Yaksa Kingdom. They have done nothing wrong in this matter, yet they must suffer such a calamity. Shouldn’t we help them?"

Mo Yi had imagined countless possible reasons, but he never expected the words that reached his ears to be so simple and pure.

Those words seemed to possess some kind of magic, draining Mo Yi’s spirit. Still unable to believe it, he asked, "What are you doing this for?"

Xia said impatiently, "We explained it, but you refuse to believe us. What a nuisance! The reason is simple. If everyone over there were like you, we definitely would not save them. But if there are people like Brother Jiang, how could we possibly refuse to help?"

Xie Cangxing gave Xia a thumbs-up and praised her. "That was well put, girl. Even I understood it."

Mo Yi lowered his head and murmured, "So the problem could have been solved so simply. Then what exactly have I been doing all these years?"

"This is not simple…" Jiang Cheng sighed. "If Sect Leader Chu had not supported me with all his strength, I would never have had the courage to face my identity. Perhaps… I would have become estranged from everyone, just as you originally planned. I would never have been able to sit here and speak with you openly."

Mo Yi was silent for a long time. Perhaps moved by Jiang Cheng and the others’ sincerity, the coldness on his face gradually softened.

"As expected of the Shu Mountain Sect Leader. Mo Yi has learned his lesson." Mo Yi bowed deeply to Chu Yang with wholehearted conviction. "No one in this world would pay the price of a Water Spirit Orb just to deceive an insignificant villain like me."

Xiahou Jinxuan also let out a breath of relief. "Since you are willing to believe us, explain Yaksa Kingdom’s situation clearly. Tell us everything we do not know as well."

Mo Yi hesitated before saying, "The commotion earlier has already alerted the people in the residence. Why don’t we leave first? Then I can explain everything in detail."

Chu Yang smiled. "I have set up a barrier here with my magic. No one outside can hear anything, so there is no need to worry."

Xie Cangxing suddenly understood. "No wonder no one came over after all this time. I thought the Xiahou Estate had no guards on duty."

With his last concern gone, Mo Yi told them everything about Yaksa Kingdom, including the plans he had made over the years.

He had considered keeping something hidden and concealing part of the truth, but when facing the unfathomable Chu Yang, he simply did not have the courage.

This person was like an unpredictable riddle. Mo Yi could not gamble on how much he knew. If he made even the slightest mistake, he would personally ruin the excellent situation before him.

The risk was simply too great. There was no need to take it.

After hearing the more detailed truth from Mo Yi, everyone finally felt somewhat at ease. It was largely consistent with what Chu Yang had told them earlier, proving that Mo Yi truly intended to cooperate.

Chu Yang reminded him, "As for the Shennong Cauldron, I can tell you clearly that it is not in Shu Mountain. You should think of another way."

Mo Yi nodded. "I only received news just now that the Shennong Cauldron is indeed not in Shu Mountain. It is not even in the Central Plains, but on another continent beyond the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."

"The people there call it the Divine Land."

Xiahou Jinxuan, Jiang Cheng, and Mu Changlan all showed surprised expressions. When they had been at Shu Mountain, they had not come into contact with the three Qingyun Sect factions, so they did not know about this.

Xia and Xie Cangxing looked thoughtful. It was clear that they had already heard the news from their respective masters.

Chu Yang continued, "Do you have more detailed information?"

Mo Yi pondered for a moment. "Regarding the Divine Land, I think it would be better for His Majesty Long Ming to explain it to you personally."

Chu Yang smiled. "After silently listening for so long, I imagine he has been unable to resist speaking for quite some time."

The moment his words fell, a hearty laugh rang out.

"Sect Leader Chu, you are truly interesting. Did you know all along that I had been listening to your conversation?"

Long Ming’s voice echoed through the room, but it was impossible to tell which direction it came from.

"Probably when Jiang Cheng voluntarily handed over the Water Spirit Orb. The secret voice transmission technique between you resumed then. Since His Majesty Long Ming has listened for so long, I assume I need not explain further?"

"Long Ming thanks you all on behalf of the people of Yaksa Kingdom."

"Business first. There is no need for excessive courtesy."

"I came to the Shenzhou Continent several months ago. Based on the intelligence I gathered, I found the place where the Shennong Cauldron is sealed. However, someone with yin-yang eyes appeared midway and ruined my plans."

"Was that person holding a golden sword?"

"Eh? Sect Leader Chu knows that man as well?"

Chu Yang closed his eyes and let out a long breath. At this point, he could basically confirm that the person Long Ming had encountered was one of the protagonists of Xuanyuan Sword.

Yuwen Tuo.

In the stories of the Xuanyuan Sword series, ancient divine artifacts were an unavoidable and vital element, much like the Five Spirit Orbs in the stories of the Immortal Sword.

The most important among them was naturally the Xuanyuan Sword. After all, the entire series was named after this divine artifact, which showed just how powerful Yuwen Tuo, the wielder of the Xuanyuan Sword, was.

It would not be an exaggeration to call him the peak of human-realm combat power.

He was even somewhat stronger than Qing Wei and the Dugu Sword Saint. It was perfectly normal that Long Ming had been unable to defeat him.

Chu Yang pondered for a moment before saying, "If he is truly the person I am thinking of, then we must consider this matter carefully."

Xia’s eyes widened in surprise. "Is he that powerful?"

Chu Yang nodded. "He is powerful, but the sword in his hand is even more powerful."

Everyone looked at him curiously.

Chu Yang continued, "That sword is called the Xuanyuan Sword, also known as the Xuanyuan Xia Yu Sword. It is a divine artifact forged by Emperor Xuanyuan during his battle against Chi You at Zhuolu. With this sword, he defeated Chi You in a single stroke and established humanity’s standing. After Chi You was defeated, he sent his remaining people into what is now the demon realm before his death."

"One side of the Xuanyuan Sword’s blade is carved with the sun, moon, and stars, while the other bears mountains, rivers, plants, and trees. One side of the hilt records the arts of farming and animal husbandry, while the other records the strategy for uniting the Four Seas. It contains unfathomable power and ranks among the greatest of all ancient divine artifacts."

Once they heard that it was Emperor Xuanyuan’s personal sword, everyone immediately understood the Xuanyuan Sword’s might.

Long Ming sighed. "So that is why. No wonder I could not even last twenty exchanges against him. He was actually the master of the Xuanyuan Sword."

Chu Yang said, "There are very few people in this world who can retreat unscathed from Yuwen Tuo. His Majesty Long Ming has every reason to be proud."

"What is there to be proud of for one who lost?" Long Ming sighed softly, his voice echoing through the room. "Sect Leader Chu may simply call me Long Ming. I do not even know how I can repay all of you for this kindness."

Xia said, "You do not need to repay us. We only hope that you will stop harboring hostility toward humans in the future. We also hope that one day, people in this world will no longer hate and fear Half-Demons who remain in the human realm, people like Brother Jiang."

"What the young lady says is true." Long Ming paused slightly, and his breathing suddenly grew heavy. As if making an enormous decision, he said, "I wish to form an alliance with all of you in my capacity as the ruler of Yaksa Kingdom."

"If this matter proceeds smoothly, Yaksa Kingdom will guard the passage between the two realms for the human realm from now on. I, Long Ming, can guarantee that as long as I live, not a single demon will be able to enter the human realm through this passage."

Hearing Long Ming’s promise, Mo Yi cried out, "Your Majesty, you must not! How will Yaksa Kingdom survive in the demon realm afterward?"

Mo Yi’s panic was understandable. Once this alliance was formed, Yaksa Kingdom would become a target for everyone in the demon realm. Its future could easily be imagined.

Chu Yang asked, "Have you thought this through?"

Long Ming’s voice became even firmer. "The truth is quite simple. Even without this alliance, the war in the demon realm will not end easily. Yaksa Kingdom will still be caught between enemies on both sides. Our enemies will remain our enemies. Nothing will change…"

"Besides, I have nothing else with which to repay everyone. Whether viewed as a transaction or cooperation, this would be unfair."

Xiahou Jinxuan shook his head. "Brother Long, that is not right. We are doing this entirely for the innocent people of Yaksa Kingdom."

Long Ming smiled. "Then I must not let you suffer a loss. Otherwise, how could I face my people in the future?"

Mo Yi sensed Long Ming’s resolute attitude and knew he could not change his mind. He could only sigh worriedly.

But Long Ming was right about one thing.

The war in the demon realm had already reached a fever pitch. Even if the water veins were restored and living conditions improved, the war might not stop. It was even more likely to end with the complete destruction of some nations.

Abandoning fantasies and making preparations early was the proper course.

Once Chu Yang confirmed Long Ming’s resolve, he said, "Very well. In my capacity as the Shu Mountain Sect Leader, I will make this alliance with you. I hope you will not break your word in the future."

Long Ming smiled. "Rest assured, Sect Leader Chu. I am not foolish enough to do such a thing."

Xie Cangxing laughed. "I say, Grand Elder, don’t worry too much. Since we’re allies, if Yaksa Kingdom really runs into trouble, we can just help you fight a few battles when the time comes."

Mu Changlan rolled her eyes at him speechlessly. "I did not know Brother Xie had the ability to travel through the Six Realms. Why not teach everyone?"

"Oh, right, I forgot about that." Xie Cangxing scratched his head awkwardly, then immediately lowered his eyes and kept quiet.

After the two finished bickering, Chu Yang continued, "I know a little about Yuwen Tuo’s character. He probably did not take the Shennong Cauldron out of greed for a divine artifact. Let us wait and see what he intends to do."

Long Ming said helplessly, "For now, that is all we can do."

Mo Yi suddenly said, "All my arrangements in the Central Plains have been completely dismantled by Sect Leader Chu. There is no point in remaining here. I might as well go to the Divine Land and lend His Majesty a hand."

Xiahou Jinxuan said anxiously, "You cannot!"

Mo Yi looked at him with a complicated expression. This was a child he had raised personally. Though his identity had been false, every moment they had shared over so many years had been real beyond doubt.

Xiahou Jinxuan explained, "If you leave, how will we explain it to Father?"

Mo Yi pondered. "This body was already frail. Even if he were to suddenly die of illness, it would not be unusual."

Xiahou Jinxuan stared at Mo Yi. "Whether Second Uncle dies or simply vanishes, Father will be heartbroken. He is already old and cannot withstand such a blow."

Mo Yi fell silent.

Xia whispered into Xiahou Jinxuan’s ear, "Bookworm, do you really want him to keep acting? Isn’t this a little…"

Xiahou Jinxuan could not make sense of his true feelings. He could only stubbornly brush it off with an excuse. "Second Uncle absolutely cannot suddenly pass away right now. Father needs time to accept it."

Jiang Cheng gave Xiahou Jinxuan a long look, as though he had guessed what he was thinking.

Xie Cangxing, the oldest and most experienced among them, could not help shaking his head, a trace of wistfulness in his eyes.

The room gradually fell quiet, and the atmosphere became strange.

Just then, Long Ming spoke. "Grand Elder Mo Yi, even if you go there, the situation will not improve in any way. We have no means of taking the Shennong Cauldron from Yuwen Tuo, nor are we qualified to bargain with him. If the identity of the demon race is exposed, it may even lead to a more intense conflict."

Hearing this, Mo Yi could only abandon the idea of going to the Divine Land.

Chu Yang said, "Please be patient, you two. Before long, the route between the Central Plains and the Divine Land will be opened. It will not be too late to plan your next move then."

Long Ming was immediately startled. "Sect Leader Chu, is that true? The Ten Thousand Great Mountains are boundless. They are not something human strength can traverse."

Chu Yang smiled. "It’s all right. We’ll travel by air."