The mountain gate of the Red Fire Sect stood tall amidst the year-round red dust and haze of the Flowing Fire Prefecture. While it was not particularly grand, it projected a deliberate, almost ostentatious “majesty.”
When Yun Heng’s gong-and-drum dharma tool slowly landed on the Welcoming Terrace, what greeted him was not the usual dry heat and hostility of the Flowing Fire Prefecture, but a gust of clear, cool wind—the spiritual flow of the “Songfeng Dust-cleansing Array.”
Its grade was not high, but the cost to keep it running every month was roughly equivalent to one day of income for the Yun family.
“Young Master Yun! You have come from afar, and I have failed to welcome you properly!”
Before the person arrived, his voice reached them first.
Sect Master Wu Kui of the Red Fire Sect led seven or eight elders, hurrying out from the mountain gate to greet them personally.
He had a burly build and a flushed, red face. He smiled so wide his eyes were nearly invisible. Taking a few steps toward Yun Heng, he grabbed the young man’s hand without a word and shook it vigorously.
“I have long heard that the eldest young master of the Changsheng Yun family is a man of noble character and a heavenly talent!”
“Seeing you today, it is not just a case of hearing being inferior to seeing. It is simply… uh, it is simply… right, like the bright moon in the sky, bringing light to my humble dwelling!”
Wu Kui’s wording bore obvious signs of memorization. He even got stuck halfway through, and it was only thanks to a pale-faced elder behind him whispering a reminder that he was able to continue smoothly.
“The Sect Master is too kind,” Yun Heng said with a smile. He allowed the other man to hold his hand while his gaze seemingly drifted over the elders behind Wu Kui.
Although he was technically a “fugitive” in Xuan Sun’s heart, he was not on any wanted poster, so there was no need to act too secretively. He had sent word to Wu Kui before arriving at the Red Fire Sect.
“This is Elder Liu, who manages the sect’s internal affairs. He is most meticulous and thoughtful. This is Elder Li…”
Following Yun Heng’s gaze, Wu Kui gave an enthusiastic introduction before turning toward Jiang Keke and A Xiang behind Yun Heng. His smile widened further.
“These two must be the famous Miss Jiang and… uh, the little fairy who accompanies Young Master Yun! It has been a long journey!”
“Please, come inside! A banquet has already been prepared. I hope Young Master Yun and the two ladies can forgive its simplicity!”
Despite calling it “simple,” two rows of spiritual, shimmering “Path-guiding Crystal Lotuses” slowly rose along both sides of the jade path leading to the main hall as soon as he finished speaking. They were genuine Level 4 dharma tools.
A Xiang hid behind Yun Heng, her small hand clutching the corner of his robe. Her nose twitched slightly as she muttered in a low voice, “The others… they smell.”
It was not malice, but a mixture of anxiety, calculation, and a trace of “sin” that was very faint but impossible to completely hide.
Yun Heng seemed to notice nothing and followed Wu Kui onto the jade path. The light from the crystal lotuses flickered across his face.
The banquet was held in the Chixia Hall. The interior was as cool as spring, with spiritual delicacies and treasures filling the long tables.
Among them were several “Ice Jade Marrows” and “Frost-patterned Fruits” that were rare even in the middle three continents. They looked particularly conspicuous in this land of fire poison.
The sound of flutes and strings was soft, and the dancers moved gracefully. Wu Kui enthusiastically urged them to eat and personally poured wine for Yun Heng.
The conversation drifted from strange anecdotes of the cultivation world to the local customs of the Flowing Fire Prefecture, before eventually veering toward Yun Heng’s “specific plans” for this trip. His tone was warm and welcoming.
Yun Heng responded with a smile throughout, only sipping his wine and keeping his words air-tight. As the banquet reached its midpoint, Yun Heng’s gaze grew increasingly clear. He noticed several details:
First, the Sect Master. Wu Kui’s displayed cultivation was at the Deity Transformation stage, but the aura of this Deity Transformation was a bit too hollow.
Unless it was some special technique that Yun Heng had never seen in his 10,000 years of experience, it was inevitably a “castle in the sky” constructed by some illusory formation.
Second, the coolness in the hall was unnatural. The fire poison and miasma of the Flowing Fire Prefecture were forces of nature; maintaining this level of coolness required a significant number of spirit stones.
Combined with the earlier welcoming array and spiritual lotuses… although the Red Fire Sect monopolized the mines, such extravagance suggested they either had something critical to hide or were so guilty that they needed grand displays to bolster their courage.
Third, A Xiang’s unease was intensifying. This little girl actually had a huge appetite, but today, faced with a table full of delicacies, she showed no interest.
She simply lay on Yun Heng’s back, covering her nose and mouth tightly while wrinkling the corner of his robe with her grip.
Fourth, the hand of a disciple serving wine. When the young disciple poured wine for Yun Heng, his sleeve rolled up slightly, revealing a deep purple, partially healed burn mark on his wrist.
It was not a fire poison burn; it looked more like a scar left behind after some insidious demon energy had eroded the skin and was then forcibly pushed back by a solar-attribute elixir.
When the disciple met Yun Heng’s gaze, he hurriedly pulled down his sleeve, his face turning deathly pale.
Yun Heng lowered his eyes, his fingertip lightly brushing the rim of his teacup.
‘The Red Fire Sect has a problem—a big one.’
It was true that demons ran rampant in the Flowing Fire Prefecture, but the kind of demon energy that could leave such a mark was no ordinary monster.
It looked more like the result of long-term contact with the demon race.
‘Is the Red Fire Sect secretly raising the demon race? No, the risk is too high. It is more likely some level of “contact” or “trade” with them.’
The minerals of the Flowing Fire Prefecture were beneficial for the cultivation of certain demons, and the materials held by the demon race might be what the Red Fire Sect needed. Grey market deals where each party got what they wanted were not rare in the cultivation world.
“I heard that Young Master Yun recently received an official position in the Demon Inspection Department? I wonder what brings you to our remote backwater this time…” Wu Kui raised his wine glass with a beaming smile, probing for Yun Heng’s purpose for the umpteenth time.
“Senior is joking.” Yun Heng pulled his thoughts back and looked up, his smile still gentle.
“The world knows that I am but a scholar who enjoys mountains and rivers. I have come this time, just as stated in my visiting card, to find an old friend in Shidong Village, which is under your sect’s jurisdiction.”
A powerful dragon does not suppress a local snake. No matter where Yun Heng was, he was used to visiting the local authorities first to avoid being interrupted by petty people or minor matters during his travels.
His brief moment of reflection also allowed him to understand the reason for Wu Kui’s flattery. A sect involved with the demon race… if he, a “newly appointed member of the Demon Inspection Department,” discovered something, they would likely lose a layer of skin even if they didn’t die.
However, what Yun Heng couldn’t understand was that the Red Fire Sect was far too careless. It was lucky that he was the one who came—someone with no interest in auditing these grey industries.
If it had been any other official from the Demon Inspection Department, that one clumsy disciple alone would have been enough to convict the Red Fire Sect.
“Shidong Village… right, uh… right, Shidong Village! Hahaha, look at my memory. I’m getting older and I forgot about that.”
Wu Kui laughed loudly, but fine beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. This was despite the hall being very cool.
Yun Heng shook his head. Instead of picking up his wine glass, he signaled Jiang Keke to pull A Xiang off his back and set her aside. Then, he stood up and cupped his hands.
“Sect Master Wu’s hospitality is something I am deeply grateful for. Unfortunately, I have been worried about my old friend for many days. If the Sect Master has no other matters to invite me for, I shall take my leave.”
“Ah… well, Young Master Yun’s concern for his old friend truly makes us envious!” Wu Kui quickly adjusted, putting on a look of worry.
“It is just that… Shidong Village just experienced a demonic disaster 3 days ago. The scene… is quite tragic. I fear it might offend the eyes of the Young Master and the two ladies.”
“Furthermore, I fear the residual demon energy might be problematic. Why not wait for 2 days and let my sect’s disciples perform a thorough cleansing first?”
Speaking of this, Wu Kui hurriedly added another sentence.
“However, that demon has already been taken care of by an official from the Demon Inspection Department who was passing through.”
“Although that official did not state his name, from the descriptions of the villagers, he is likely one of the Seventy-two Seats. So, there will certainly be no remnants left behind. Please rest assured on that point, Young Master Yun.”
At this point, let alone the sect elders, even Jiang Keke couldn’t take it anymore.
She shook her head and covered her forehead, thinking to herself, ‘The Young Master already provided such a perfect way out for you. How can you, an old monster at the Deity Transformation stage, insist on running straight into the blade?’
If Wu Kui had simply said nothing and let Yun Heng go, Yun Heng would have had no reason to get involved. But by pointing these things out so defensively, he was practically roasting Yun Heng over a fire!
“…Since I hold a position in the Demon Inspection Department and happen to be traveling through this area, then, by both reason and law, I should go and investigate.”
“One must be thorough in exterminating demons to prevent future trouble. This is also the responsibility of the Demon Inspection Department.”
Yun Heng sighed softly, and the gaze he directed at Wu Kui turned cold. “I wonder if the Sect Master could do me a favor and send a disciple familiar with the path to lead the way?”
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