Chapter 11: He Has Not Changed

Outside the side room.

Min Ning’s lips were bitten raw, and the hilt of the knife at his waist was slick with sweat.

This man… hadn’t changed…

He was truly untrustworthy, someone not to be trusted or closely associated with.

Recalling Chen Yi’s actions over the past month—his corruption, blatant disregard for the laws of Greater Yu—

And just yesterday, Min Ning had thought he was merely pretending to be a dissolute playboy, secretly holding back. But now it seemed that man was only acting on a whim, putting on a show, when in truth he intended to…

Thinking back to Chen Yi’s words from yesterday, Min Ning shuddered with revulsion.

Rumor had it that the man had a fondness for women, but who would have imagined that this alleged indulgence was just a façade? In reality, what he sought was his own superior.

Now, for such a shameless purpose, he was threatening her sister here…

Min Ning longed to burst in and sever his head with a single stroke.

But she could not.

That man was a captain of the Western Depot…

If a captain died in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, the Western Depot would not remain indifferent; they would launch a thorough investigation. When that happened, not only would she be implicated, but her sister as well, with their fates uncertain.

A bitter expression gathered on her valiant face. Clenching the knife hilt in reluctant defiance, she whispered,

“What should… I do now…”

[Min Ming negative emotion reward: three years of true energy; Min Ning negative emotion reward: five years of true energy.]

Seeing the eight years of true energy added to the stats panel, Chen Yi tapped his index finger with interest.

These two sisters truly were united in heart and spirit, worthy of the Min family bank.

Whenever short on true energy, just come here to “boost goodwill”—they were practically perfect cultivation partners for the Resentment Yin-Yang Technique. The “Heavens Beyond” could be replaced, but the Min sisters were indispensable.

Min Ming adjusted the broken strings of her zither, her fingertips trembling despite her efforts to remain calm. The man stood right before her; no matter what, she couldn’t settle her nerves.

Seeing her silence, Chen Yi spoke,

“How much silver have you earned over the years, Miss Min? Is it enough for your redemption?”

Min Ming exhaled sharply, her voice trembling as she asked,

“What if it’s not enough?”

“I have never possessed much wealth; I’m afraid it won’t suffice for my redemption.”

Chen Yi pulled something from his pocket.

Min Ming looked, expecting a silver note, but to her surprise, it was a pen and paper.

Chen Yi pushed the pen and paper toward her earnestly.

“If it’s not enough, you can write an IOU here. Remember to repay it—with an annual interest of fifty per mille.”

Outside, Min Ning heard this and her embroidered spring knife slipped almost inch by inch from its sheath.

That bastard—

He wanted to force her sister into concubinage,

And then expect her sister to redeem herself? He was freeloading?!

Just as she was about to storm in, Min Ning stopped herself. She thought of her own helplessness and her sister’s endurance in seeking survival. Her eyes grew moist, reddened.

[Min Ming negative emotion reward: five years of true energy; Min Ning negative emotion reward: five years of true energy.]

Chen Yi suppressed the faint curl of his lips.

Min Ming was startled by his shameless words; her delicate face turned pale.

She strove to calm herself and looked at Chen Yi, attempting to threaten,

“You know that behind me is Wuyong Pavilion.

Wuyong Pavilion has operated in the capital for some time. Surely, they would not tolerate a single captain acting recklessly.”

As Min Ming spoke, Chen Yi keenly listened for any subtle movements outside the door.

[Negative emotion: 95]

Seeing such a high index, Chen Yi realized that if he continued to provoke her, Min Ning might lose control and kill.

He could not allow her to ruin his plan now.

“Miss Min, I’m not afraid of Wuyong Pavilion. You have Wuyong Pavilion behind you; I have the Lin faction behind me.

Speaking of my purpose here, besides persuading you to redeem yourself, I also wish to cooperate slightly with Wuyong Pavilion.”

Chen Yi explained slowly.

Min Ming’s expression softened somewhat upon hearing this.

When she spoke those words, she was uncertain—uncertain whether Wuyong Pavilion would risk offending a Western Depot captain for her sake, especially since he was part of the Lin faction.

After all, no matter how capable she was, she was merely a humble courtesan, now without any true energy left.

“What does the captain want?”

Min Ming lifted her head, adopting a coquettish tone.

“To spread a message.”

Chen Yi said mildly,

“Compose a ballad: ‘The Lord of the Eastern Depot of the Illuminated Dark Sect, the Sacred Maiden of the Demonic Sect protected by the Eastern Depot.’

Say that the Eastern Depot colludes with the Demonic Sect, aiding their escape from the capital.

And that they intend to protect the Sacred Maiden’s birth for the Demonic Sect.”

Min Ming lowered her delicate head, deep in thought.

He was targeting the Eastern Depot?

Wasn’t this man usually aimless and corrupt? Shouldn’t he be in cahoots with the Eastern Depot?

Thinking this, Min Ming was momentarily dazed.

Could it be that his so-called aimlessness and corruption were all an act?

Just to one day topple the Eastern Depot and serve the country with cunning…

How many people had been deceived by him?

That night, she had dared to personally test such a man…

A chill ran down Min Ming’s spine.

If that was the case, should she… sabotage him?

Chen Yi saw through her thoughts at once and smiled,

“Miss Min, don’t try any tricks inside.

Min Captain’s future is still in my hands.

Besides, do you think I don’t know Wuyong Pavilion won’t risk offending me for you? Or I wouldn’t dare offend the Lin faction for them?”

At these words, Min Ming felt as if a soft spot in her heart had been touched; a slight numbness crept over her scalp.

Chen Yi slowly stood.

“Miss Min, my mind won’t change.

Write the IOU in advance,

Because when the time comes, you might just beg me.”

Having said that, Chen Yi walked toward the door, paused briefly, then opened it.

Min Ning was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Yi sighed and slowly descended the stairs.

Shortly after, a figure clad in brocade uniform stepped into the side room. Her palms were sweaty, eyes red-rimmed, on the verge of tears.

As soon as she entered, she threw herself into Min Ming’s arms, disheveled and distressed, curled up like a wounded wolf, muffling a groan. Silent tears fell, wetting her sister’s clothes.

After a long moment, she whispered in a low voice,

“Sis, don’t be afraid. I’ll find a chance… to kill him.”

…

Two days later, during a day of rest.

Chen Yi strolled leisurely down the street.

Faintly, he heard intermittent footsteps behind him.

Someone was following him…

Who else could it be?

After overhearing that conversation outside, Min Ning would surely take action.

And with her personality, she definitely wouldn’t inform the Eastern Depot, betraying her intent to confront them.

Not to mention the involvement of her sister, the old foxes there might not even trust the captain himself.

Chen Yi first went to the Eastern Depot, securing a uniform worn by a squad leader, pinned on the badge, then headed toward the outskirts of the capital.

To rescue the Sacred Maiden, there were certainly more than one group of Demonic Sect remnants still in the capital.

If he recalled correctly, there was a temporary Demonic Sect base in the suburban area.

The farther he moved toward the capital’s edge, the fewer pedestrians there were; the air was thick with a killing intent.

Chen Yi slipped into a narrow alley and sensed many hostile gazes.

He had come to the right place.

By the way, Min Ning had hidden quite well.

Chen Yi glanced back.

The leaves rustled slightly; she was likely seeking an opportunity to kill him covertly.

Chen Yi smiled and proceeded straight toward a half-abandoned tavern.

The main door was tightly shut, seemingly locked.

Chen Yi recalled the proper code, then knocked five times firmly, followed by four lighter taps—the first five symbolizing the Demonic Sect’s fivefold Bright Sanctuaries, the latter four representing the Four Sacred Maidens.

After a long wait, the door cracked open, revealing an old eye staring at him, asking,

“Who… are you?”

Chen Yi did not answer directly.

Though the question seemed to demand a name, giving it truthfully here would mean death the next moment.

He had learned this through repeated saves and reloads.

“The Enlightened Buddha of the Great Ming shall appear, surely restoring… the world of ignorance.”

The elderly eye blinked at the official’s uniform, then the door slowly opened.

Chen Yi stepped inside.

Within the derelict tavern sat a group of Demonic Sect members. The interrogator was the Sect’s Punishment Elder, gray-haired, radiating powerful true energy.

“Who are you? Why have we never seen you before? And you’re… a brocade guard?!”

A muscular Demonic Sect member eyed him suspiciously.

“We have many spies; we can’t know them all… but he is definitely unfamiliar.”

Another spoke up.

All eyes turned to Chen Yi, who showed no sign of nervousness.

The Punishment Elder returned to his seat, looking down at Chen Yi calmly.

“State your name.”

At that moment, several members instinctively gripped their weapons; the tavern’s atmosphere grew tense.

A single glance could have this man torn to pieces.

“Stars shift, heavens clear, light and dark realms, two sects, three boundaries…”

The Punishment Elder’s face suddenly changed, startled.

Could it be…

The Star Absorption Technique?!

This was a sacred protective technique, a foundational art of the sect, known to only a few even within the Demonic Sect.

The elder’s gaze lingered on the young man’s face, where sincere tears had appeared unnoticed.

“Elder, three years and three years, three years and three years… I have lived incognito in the capital for nine years.”

“Do you know how I survived these nine years?”

Chen Yi clasped his fists with tears, bowing,

“I am Song Shengbao, returning to the sect today.”

Song Shengbao…

Upon hearing this name, the elder’s pupils contracted slightly.

He was the most important spy the Illuminated Dark Sect had planted in the Eastern Depot nine years ago!

To prevent betrayal, except for the sect leader, only a few knew his identity and appearance.

Chen Yi’s voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough to reach the tavern’s second floor.

Min Ning, silently observing from above, was stunned.

He was… part of the Demonic Sect?

So he had used the Star Absorption Technique to steal her sister’s true energy…

But why did he use Song Shengbao’s name, and why attack the Demonic Sect…

Min Ning recalled the details of that day.

Chen Yi had left no survivors.

Normally, some would be spared; perhaps to avoid leaks?

He killed the Demonic Sect only to better conceal himself!

And his use of Song Shengbao’s name was likely a ploy for inside cooperation—a shadow puppet of Chen Yi, not the real Song Shengbao!

In her mind, Min Ning pictured those three Demonic Sect members zealously sacrificing themselves to hide the truth.

Such cold-blooded methods! For what end?

Soon, Min Ning overheard more.

“Elder, now the Eastern Depot and the sect have fallen out.”

“Do you think we are still cooperating with the Eastern Depot? No, they are merely waiting for the right moment, feigning weakness.

They wait only to capture us all at once and be promoted to third rank.”

“A few days ago, Eastern Depot agents came to the Western Depot, ordering them to intercept and kill our sect brothers—they’re using others to do their dirty work!”

“If we continue trusting the Eastern Depot, the Sacred Maiden may be lost. They’ve already heard of her birth. Elder, please covertly send word to verify my claims.”

…

Min Ning grew increasingly alarmed.

Who would have thought that that arrogant Western Depot captain was actually a spy planted by the Demonic Sect in the capital!

Had she not tried to assassinate him, all might have gone according to the sect’s plans!

And that Sacred Maiden…

Who exactly was the Sacred Maiden he spoke of?

Right—she remembered he had taken a maid from the Prince Xiang’s mansion.

No matter what, she could not let him succeed!

Inside the tavern, as the words fell, the Demonic Sect members slowly lowered their weapons.

The tense, murderous atmosphere eased abruptly.

“Seems it really is you,”

The Punishment Elder composed himself, looking at Chen Yi, then suddenly challenged,

“Show me the technique you brought.”

The atmosphere tightened again.

Chen Yi smoothly pulled a manual from his pocket.

The elder glanced briefly,

It matched perfectly…

Eastern Depot squad leader, code name, Star Absorption Technique, and the accompanying Eagle Descent skill… this was undeniably Song Shengbao!

“The situation is dire. Please forgive my probing.”

The elder returned the Eagle Descent manual.

Chen Yi waved his hand,

“For the sect’s great cause, probing is no issue. What’s truly urgent are those Eastern Depot scoundrels.”

“Elder, we can’t delay. I believe they are feigning cordiality. The Eastern Depot has begun investigating the Sacred Maiden.”

Chen Yi spoke seriously.

The elder’s face twitched, frowning.

“We had an agreement with the Eastern Depot…”

Before he finished, Chen Yi interrupted,

“A few days ago, the Eastern Depot severed contact with many of us.

Moreover, rumors now circulate that the Eastern Depot protects the birth of the Sacred Maiden…”

At this, the elder was slightly taken aback, and the other sect members stiffened, their killing intent rising.

“You mean…”

Chen Yi sneered,

“Those rumors were probably deliberately spread by the Eastern Depot!

They use this to deceive sect brothers, biding their time to stab us in the back.

Those Eastern Depot people… they love saying one thing and doing another.”

Hiss—

It felt like he was insulting himself.

Listening to Chen Yi, the elder remained thoughtful, brow furrowed.

He knew the man spoke truth: if the Eastern Depot knew about the Sacred Maiden, they would not aid the sect. Their relationship was unstable, founded only on mutual benefit, lacking trust. If the stakes were high enough or the crisis severe, the Eastern Depot would surely abandon the sect.

If things continued, not only would the sect members be wiped out in the capital, but the Sacred Maiden would be lost.

But to break ties with the Eastern Depot…

“The Eastern Depot is powerful. Severing ties is a risky move.”

Saying this, the elder sighed deeply.

Just as he thought Chen Yi might object, the youth instead laughed coldly.

“Elder, a risky move?

For the Sacred Maiden, what’s wrong with risking everything?!”

Chen Yi’s voice grew stronger, a hint of passion,

“In the sixteenth year of Qingying, Jiang Yong suffered a great drought; the governor’s office was corrupt, seizing imperial relief grain. For miles, not a single rooster crowed. The sect gave me food, cured me with the Sacred Fire talisman water, and told me that now Greater Yu is ruled by treacherous men who have lost Heaven’s virtue. One day, the Enlightened Buddha of the Great Ming will appear, restoring the world of ignorance!”

His words struck like thunder. The elder paused, seeing in Chen Yi’s eyes unhidden fanaticism and a sorrow for unawakened potential.

He was moved.

“The Sacred Maiden is one of the four great dignitaries of the Enlightened Buddha, not something to be abandoned lightly. If the Sacred Maiden is harmed, is that not harm to the Enlightened Buddha?”

The more Chen Yi spoke, the more impassioned he became, occasionally breaking into bitter laughter, then falling silent before choking on a few sobs.

“If the Buddha is harmed, then who will guard the fivefold Bright Sanctuaries of the Enlightened Realm from the five kinds of demons—resentment, hatred, wrath, ignorance, desire—that plague the world?

Who will save the world from the demon lord of resentment?!”

Not only the elder, but the other sect members gasped in unison.

This man…

How could he understand the Illuminated Dark Sect better than they did?

The elder’s gaze grew complicated. Though he was the Punishment Elder, he came from humble origins. His homeland had suffered famine; only through aid from the Illuminated Dark Sect had he survived. In this youth, he saw a reflection of his former self.

The elder’s thoughts were tangled, wanting to speak, but the youth rose in disappointment.

“The matter stands thus; you all… do as you will.”

The assembly lowered their heads, choking on sighs that would not come, shaken to the core.

What they did not see was that, standing at the door ready to leave, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on the youth’s face.

Min Ning, seeing him about to leave, shifted her steps, but in the next moment accidentally stepped on a thin wire.

A bottle of high-quality Soft Tendon Powder toppled, drifting into her nostrils.

A bell rang out sharply!

“Intruder!”

With a shout, the Demonic Sect members in the tavern rose instantly.

Min Ning was stunned. Drawing her knife, she turned, ready to charge out.

But suddenly her legs weakened; her strength drained.

She saw the bottle of Soft Tendon Powder rolling in the corridor.

Facing the Demonic Sect members raising their weapons to strike, Min Ning’s eyes filled with terror.