Jin'ao Alley, the former residence of Prince Yong.
In the hands of Prince Lu, a wish drifted and slowly dissipated. His expression was grim as he learned about some of the events that had transpired in Jiaxiang County, Jining Prefecture.
His money house had been destroyed, and the guards stationed there had all been killed by the intruders. Although this incident stemmed from Milong's greed, in this world of bright sunlight, who dared to show him such blatant disrespect?
To kill so readily felt like a direct slap in the face.
"Even a dog looks at its master before being kicked. Milong was a loyal subordinate, so it seems the other party was formidable, which is why he didn't reveal his name."
If the other party had been someone easily bought off, Milong would have certainly announced his master's name to intimidate them. But the wish only contained Milong's apology... Was an apology useful now?
How desperate must he have been not to reveal his name?
It seemed the person who killed him was extremely powerful and unreasonable.
More importantly, the message conveyed by Milong's final wish was that the opponent would use Yellow Heaven Cult magic to destroy his Buddhist dharma, leading to his ultimate demise.
The situation had become increasingly mysterious.
"The leader of the Yellow Heaven Cult is under my command. Could Milong have encountered the Tiger-Eyed Chan Master? This is preposterous! I must ask Lord Huo about this Yellow Heaven Cult magic!"
Prince Lu was about to use his massive golden wheel to contact Lord Huo when his body trembled, and his face showed surprise.
"The Huiji Vajra Hell Imprint has also been erased?"
"What exactly happened on my territory?"
The Huiji Vajra Hell Imprint was not Prince Lu's, but he could sense its existence. He immediately began using the golden wheel to send messages to the demons and monsters in the Jining region, ordering them to investigate the situation.
Not long after, some demons and monsters reported back. Upon learning the local conditions, Prince Lu was stunned, and then a wave of anger surged from his heart and lungs, threatening to erupt from his seven orifices like a raging fire. His face changed, gradually transforming into that of a wrathful, fanged deity.
"The followers of the Eastern Mahayana Sect have all been captured by the authorities of the neighboring county, and before that, a large-scale massacre occurred in the county town, with even the local magistrate being killed by these cultists?"
"That magistrate was my man! They dared to kill my man!"
The magistrate was an important means for him to control the local area. Milong's casino had finally managed to turn the magistrate into a gambling addict, and with his cover, they had plundered all the local wealth and treasures. Moreover, the wishes of those gamblers were of great use. The Hell Imprint hidden beneath the Eastern Mahayana temple was a preparation for this major event.
Before he could discard the Eastern Mahayana temple after its usefulness, these cultists had made their move first!
Furthermore, what infuriated Prince Lu even more was the appearance of the Yellow Heaven Cult's true form. In many places of murder and brawls, the blood inscription "Puzhao Bodhisattva Lord Huo" and the Yellow Heaven Cult's slogan "Taiyin Gives Birth to Light, Puzhao Sacred Fire" were found.
The demons and monsters had investigated the local situation thoroughly. Traces of large-scale arson were everywhere, which indeed bore a striking resemblance to the actions of the Yellow Heaven Cult.
Rumors about the burning of the Forbidden City had begun to spread in some northern regions, especially within the circles of demons and monsters. Lord Huo's reputation had also soared within their demonic circles.
A true warrior dared to charge into the Forbidden City and set it ablaze. Regardless of anything else, since the founding of the Great Ming, Lord Huo was the first cultivator, or rather, demon, to possess such power. Most importantly, this young woman's cultivation was not high at all.
Many demons lamented, realizing how weak the defenses of the Forbidden City were now. If they had known, they would have joined the charge, chopped up Emperor Wanli, and eaten him. They wondered if eating the emperor would increase their cultivation.
Prince Lu did not care about the conversations of these demons and monsters. He cursed a few times, and they immediately fell silent.
Prince Lu also pondered whether the Eastern Mahayana Sect was merely the Yellow Heaven Cult in disguise. Were they also trying to use him, playing this game?
Why were they so arrogant?
Who had they pledged allegiance to?
Speaking of which, the sect's background had always been unclear. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing!
"Very well, Xu Hongru, you are already dead. Although this person destroyed my money house, they also killed your Yellow Heaven Cult rebels. Since I cannot vent my anger on you, I can vent it on your master!"
"Lord Huo! It seems your father is not dead yet!"
...
Wucheng County. Lord Huo was about to depart when she received a message from Prince Lu. A crestfallen young man was by her side.
Prince Lie Jie had killed the villagers of Wucheng County and, according to Lord Huo's instructions, refined them into a great pill of flesh and blood. This had greatly advanced his cultivation, even transforming him from a ghost deity to a human deity. This meant he had completely transformed, transcending the path of ghost immortality and could now cultivate beyond human immortality.
The five paths of righteous cultivation in the world were heaven, earth, human, and ghost. Heaven, earth, and human were progressive stages, while ghost immortality was the most difficult to achieve the Great Dao, considered the lowest path of cultivation.
By abandoning the path of ghost immortality, one escaped the cycle of the Taiyin and entered the cycle of the Yang. This should have been a good thing.
Prince Lie Jie also thought so in his heart.
At least the flesh and blood of the villagers lived on within him.
He was lost in thought, while Lord Huo was berating him fiercely.
"My father? My father is dead... No, what are you talking about? How could my father be resurrected? His cultivation isn't even higher than mine. If he could be resurrected, he would have done so long ago..."
Prince Lu's voice came from the spiritual talisman:
"Are you afraid your father will come back and snatch your position as cult leader! Who doesn't know your cruel intentions, yet you're still trying to shift blame with me! I'm telling you now, your father is alive, and he set fire and killed people on my territory. That Eastern Mahayana temple... Forget it, I doubt you even know about it! What do you know? You're just a pawn! A puppet manipulated by others! You're a dog that's ordered around!"
"This matter cannot be let go. And I have one question for you, you only need to answer yes or no!"
"No heaven, no earth, no self, no others, infinite transformation, before the sound of power, after emptiness! Is this sentence from your Yellow Heaven Cult scriptures and magic?"
Lord Huo was stunned on the spot. Prince Lu's scolding continued from the spiritual talisman.
But her mind was in chaos, as if struck by lightning, utterly bewildered, and a great sense of fear spread throughout her being!
"This is indeed Yellow Heaven Cult magic..."
"Damn it, it's really your magic..."
"But, I only just created this magic."
"Hmm?"
Prince Lu's voice clearly held a question, awaiting Lord Huo's explanation.
Lord Huo quickly said, "This magic is a new technique I created not long ago. It hasn't been compiled into scriptures or doctrines yet. It's tentatively named the 'Imperial Power Soundless Heavenly Scroll,' containing twelve types of magic. This is a technique for reversing the four phases, capable of transforming merit into karma..."
"This is a new technique I created by referencing the 'Sutra of Dharma Annihilation.' I haven't even mastered it myself, and sometimes it damages my own merit, turning it into karmic fire that harms my cultivation. How could anyone else possibly use it!"
The scene fell into an eerie silence. Prince Lu's voice paused for a long time, but he still believed Lord Huo was making excuses:
"You haven't shown this magic to anyone else? You don't have any drafts? You haven't discussed similar ideas with your father? In short, this magic appeared there, and it was the message Milong conveyed to me before his death, even the wording is identical. You wouldn't say that one of your followers, thousands of miles away, had a sudden enlightenment of the new technique you just wrote, would you!"
"I know enlightenment is an unreasonable thing; sometimes, with a flash of inspiration, one understands certain magic. But can your Yellow Heaven Cult's evil arts also be enlightened? I have your scripture, and I will try it. If I can't enlighten myself, I will tear your three souls apart!"
"Since you say this is a new technique you wrote, then immediately, right now, give me a reasonable explanation!"
Lord Huo was speechless. How could she know what was going on? She only felt that since her revival, she had encountered nothing but misfortune. The utilization by Li Shanhe and the guidance of the Song court had turned her past series of grand achievements into something as ridiculous as a Persian clown. Resentment filled her heart, and she couldn't help but retort:
"Prince Lu! We are merely in a cooperative relationship, at most your guest minister! How can you speak to me in this tone! Would I lie to you? What benefit would I gain from lying to you!"
"If my people were the ones who destroyed your money house and burned and killed in your territory, why would I continue to work for you? Aren't I afraid you'll cause trouble for me! Why don't you think about it properly!"
From the spiritual talisman, Prince Lu's cold laughter came: "So, of course, I've thought about these things. It's precisely because I can't figure it out, can't understand it, that I'm asking you!"
Lord Huo was again rendered speechless. Prince Lu, seemingly having vented his anger, calmed down a bit and told Lord Huo to quickly take Prince Lie Jie to the designated location, as something big was about to happen.
"On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, there will be a grand lantern festival on the Qinhuai River, attended by gods, humans, demons, and ghosts. You must go to the Qinhuai River before that evening... This is my arrangement; you cannot mess up my affairs again. Regarding the incident in Jining Prefecture, I will attribute it to your father for now. When I find your father another day..."
"I will help you kill him!"
With that, the light on the spiritual talisman disappeared, signifying the end of the call.
Lord Huo was also filled with anger. She fiercely cursed her father, whose whereabouts were unknown, and couldn't help but think that if she had the means now, why would she have to obey the orders of those from Li Shanhe and be subservient to this prince? She had initially thought he was a good boss, but now he seemed like a volatile brute!
"Serves you right that your money house was burned down! Damn it, good job burning it! I burned the Forbidden City, and I'll burn your Jin'ao Alley to the ground one day!"