Chapter 71

According to Mu Miefeng, Xue Yao and the others, they had parted ways with the Liang Yi Sect, the Long Jian Sect, and other sects in a small western town. There, they learned that someone had discovered clues about Di Mang in a place called Xi Longzhou.

In Xi Longzhou, there was a sect known as the Sha Yin Sect, rumored to be based in the most sinister location in the region. Though the sect had not been established for many years, and its name suggested something malevolent, it was surprisingly well-respected by the locals. Some even claimed that the sect's leader had personally described Di Mang's appearance to his disciples. The story seemed a mix of truth and fabrication, but with no other leads, the sects decided to investigate Xi Longzhou. After all, they had spent the past year scouring the western regions without success.

The Sha Yin Sect…

Su Ran frowned, his fingers tapping absently against the table. The Demonic Cult had its own forces in the west, yet he had never heard of the Sha Yin Sect. Its sudden appearance in such a malevolent place, coupled with its conspicuous name, was undeniably strange. When he had eavesdropped on Ouyang Yixun from the rooftop, the man had described it as the most wicked and dangerous place in the west.

Despite his suspicions, Su Ran shared the same urgency as the other sect leaders. This was the first clear lead on Di Mang's whereabouts—they couldn't afford to miss it. If not for his damned stomach, he would have set off immediately. He couldn't help but wonder: where were all the Demonic Cult disciples he had sent out? Had they grown lax, failing to report back for so long?

"Do you know where Xi Longzhou is?" Su Ran asked, turning to Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao.

"It's a remote town near the border between our dynasty and the Hejing Kingdom," Mu Miefeng replied, sensing the Demonic Sect leader's impatience. "As for the Sha Yin Sect, every local knows of it."

Currently, the Liang Yi Sect held the upper hand in Xi Longzhou. The other sects had either failed to receive the news or had suffered heavy casualties. Over the past year, only a handful of fighters had reached Xi Longzhou. If Di Mang were truly found, the Liang Yi Sect would be the sole beneficiary. Though the Long Jian Sect was formidable, it seemed weakened for the moment.

After traveling together, they had all come to understand the kind of person Sect Leader Ye was. The Master of Yisheng Valley had declared they would not compete for Di Mang, only assisting in its discovery—and, if necessary, ensuring its destruction. But as things stood, Mu Miefeng and his Shidi couldn't counterbalance the martial world's orthodox factions alone. They had to rely on Ji Chun and the Demonic Cult Leader.

Their purpose in coming here was twofold: first, to help Ji Chun save Su Ran, and second, to journey to Xi Longzhou and prevent the orthodox sects from obtaining Di Mang. The combined might of the Demonic Cult and Shaolin was not to be underestimated.

Yet, deep down, Mu Miefeng couldn't shake the feeling that they had walked into someone's trap. But no matter how much he turned it over in his mind, he couldn't pinpoint what was amiss. For now, they could only take things step by step.

After the meal, Ji Chun had Mu Meifeng Xue Yao and the others rested in the east room while he and Su Ran retreated to the inner chamber. Though unspoken, the nature of their relationship was understood between them.

Su Ran lay on his side, facing Ji Chun. He draped an arm over Ji Chun's lower abdomen and asked quietly, a trace of unease in his voice, "Why haven't the men I sent out returned with any news for so long?"

Ji Chun turned toward him, his palm resting gently on Su Ran's rounded belly. "Do they even know you're here?"

"Before we came up the mountain, I ordered them to gather intelligence on Di Mang and report back with any developments," Su Ran muttered, frowning. "They sent word a few months ago, but since then—nothing. Could something have gone wrong in the sect while I've been away?"

His mind was torn between two worries: that Di Mang might fall into the hands of the orthodox factions, or that the Demonic Cult itself was in turmoil. He couldn't let things spiral out of control—not after six months of absence.

Every Demonic Cult disciple who had seen him in this state had been poisoned to ensure silence. The drug was foolproof—so what had gone wrong?

"Don't fret," Ji Chun soothed, unwilling to see Su Ran distressed. "The martial world is in chaos right now. Di Mang won't be claimed so easily. Besides, this place is far from the west—travel takes time, and keeping tabs on the sects' movements would cause further delays. It's only natural they haven't returned yet."

Su Ran's frown deepened, but he said nothing more. Words wouldn't change anything. All he could do now was focus on delivering the child as soon as possible—then hurry to Xi Longzhou and see the truth for himself.