Chapter 5

“This subordinate is incompetent and deserves ten thousand deaths. Will Cult Master please allow this subordinate to atone for his sin and deal with the matter?” Azure Dragon 5 knelt on one knee and said in an agonized tone.

Chen Luoyang tapped his finger on the armrest gently and calmly. “Then let’s go and take a look.”

After speaking, Chen Luoyang stood up and walked out first.

His body’s current situation definitely wasn’t good. There was a common saying that stated, “a noble should stand under a dangerous wall.” However, now wasn’t the time to show weakness; instead, he should be bold.

Azure Dragon 5 quickly followed behind.

“Tell me the specific details.” While Chen Luoyang was walking, he asked in a seemingly casual tone.

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“Reporting to Cult Master. Not long ago, a few individuals rushed to the manor. They claimed that our Divine Cult members had exterminated their clan and were pursuing them. It was why they sought safety with Dragon Claw 11.” Azure Dragon 5 continued to explain, “Dragon Claw 11 allowed them to enter without batting an eyelid. As expected, someone did come chasing over. Dragon Claw 11 verified their identity as our cult members and simply seized them first.”

Chen Luoyang’s mouth was twitching a little while sighing in his heart:

My subordinates are truly a group of competent individuals…

Dragon Claw 11 had created an extremely great image to the public within the range of a thousand miles. It wasn’t strange for the victims that were being pursued to seek assistance from the righteous Amrita Manor Owner, Hero Wan, who upheld justice. However, wasn’t it the same as escaping from the tiger’s den and voluntarily jumping into the wolf’s lair?

Seeing how skillful Dragon Claw 11 was, this was probably not the first time someone walked right in the Amrita Manor’s trap.

Chen Luoyang could roughly guess Dragon Claw 11’s routine.

Before making a move, he would first extract information through trickery. If no one on the outside knew that they came to Amrita Manor, then these people would simply vanish without a trace. If there were people who knew these people came to Amrita Manor for help, Dragon Claw 11 would put on a show that he was upholding justice and escorting these victims to leave the manor before making a move. He would make it as though the victims met experts from none other than the Demon Cult and pretend that he wasn’t skillful enough to protect them, allowing the Demon Cult experts to seize the victims.

With other experts in the cult to coordinate with the act, the aftermath would have been dealt with appropriately.

As such, no one had ever suspected Manor Owner Wan who was supremely honorable and righteous, and also viewed evil with a vengeance.

“Is it his turn to step into another person’s schemes this time?” Chen Luoyang asked in a calm tone.

Azure Dragon 5 smiled embarrassedly and replied, “Cult Master is brilliant. It is exactly the case. When Dragon Claw 11 turned hostile and made his move, the enemy waited and ambushed from behind. Both parties are now in a confrontation at the front courtyard.”

“Cult Master doesn’t have to worry. With Sir Vajra overseeing the place, the enemy will not be able to do anything significant.”

Sir… Vajra… A gorilla

1

? I wonder what kind of person that is…

Chen Luoyang ridiculed inwardly.

His expression remained composed as he asked, “Is there a problem with the cult members that were originally pursuing these people?”

“It seems like they don’t know anything, but more investigation has to be done to see if they are traitors or spies,” Azure Dragon 5 answered factually.

Chen Luoyang said indifferently, “Let’s go and have a look.”

They climbed up a small bamboo structure. A burly man was already standing inside and looking out of the window.

When he turned around to see Chen Luoyang coming over, he immediately knelt on one knee and greeted respectfully, “Long live Cult Master.”

“At ease.” Chen Luoyang arrived by the window and looked outside. Right in front, he could see people that were in a confrontation.

The burly man’s face was showing nothing but a flattering smile. He pulled a chair over to a place by the window and said, “Cult Master doesn’t have to worry. I have been observing them. No accidents will happen.”

Chen Luoyang took a glance at the burly man:

This man is that… Vajra?

While thinking to himself, Chen Luoyang sat down on the chair and looked outside the window. Below the bamboo structure, Dragon Claw 11 and his group were confronting another group of individuals.

There were two individuals from the two groups that were contesting with their martial skills, instead of starting an all-out fight immediately. It was possible that the enemy wanted to surround the entire Amrita Manor and sneak into the back courtyard before launching a two-pronged attack. Therefore, they weren’t in a hurry.

Chen Luoyang looked at the two individuals that were fighting. He could only see them moving rapidly as their figures were like shadows and afterimages. By using regular eyesight, let alone seeing their moves and stances, it was even difficult to see their silhouettes.

Chen Luoyang recalled his earlier experiences when activating the jade scrolls. He silently pondered on how to use the powers and abilities contained within this body. After using the manual to start up the machine, Chen Luoyang gradually practiced and had some initial proficiency. This machine might be damaged, but it still allowed Chen Luoyang to have an eye-opener.

Everything within his vision had suddenly become very clear. The two figures that he couldn’t see clearly earlier were now moving slowly. It was so slow that it looked like they were in slow motion. Chen Luoyang was able to contemplate while observing.

These two individuals have an excessively large difference in cultivation stage when compared to me. That is why the effects are so obvious. However, there are many individuals that are stronger than them…

Chen Luoyang pondered.

According to the general knowledge introduced in the , the Divine Province’s martial dao stages were separated by a large threshold every three stages.

1st stage, Body Tempering Stage.

2nd stage, Meridian Unblocking Stage.

3rd stage, Qi Sea Stage.

Martial artists at the first three stages were also known as “posterior martial artists”, allowing them to have overwhelming strength and be able to split rocks.

4th stage, Connate Stage.

5th stage, Soul Conduit Stage.

6th stage, Union Stage.

Martial artists in these three stages were known as “connate martial experts”.

Connate martial experts were able to ignore weight and lift objects without effort. They could use leaves and flowers as throwing weapons or use branches as swords to hurt enemies. If they were aggressive and attacked with all their strength, the power they could exhibit would be much more dreadful than that of posterior martial artists.

Further up, when the cultivation reached the 7th stage, Core Embrace Stage, one would be known as a “martial master”, which also meant that one was a martial dao master.

Next was the 8th stage, Seat Illumination Stage.

9th stage, Clear Void Stage.

Those who reached the 10th stage, Intent Congealing Stage, would be known as “martial kings”, also known as grandmasters.

Then it was the 11th stage, Apotheosis Stage.

12th stage, Nourishment Stage.

After reaching Nourishment Stage, if the martial artist broke through further, it was a step into the martial emperor level.

It was also the same level as the current Divine Province’s Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

The two individuals fighting outside the bamboo structure were connate martial experts.

Despite the case, Chen Luoyang was still watching with great pleasure. He was like a sponge that was constantly absorbing new knowledge. However, on the surface, he had an emotionless face and seemed to be rather bored, as though he didn’t bother about the fight at all.

Azure Dragon 5 stood by the side and said softly, “Cult Master, this subordinate will go and deal with them as quickly as possible…”

Azure Dragon 5, Ding Chen, might be considered an administrative and logistics talent in the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, but he didn’t excel in martial strength: he was still at the 8th stage, Seat Illusion stage.

Outside of the Demon Cult, he would be a proper martial master. If he was to establish a faction, he would be the leader of a B-class faction.

Chen Luoyang recalled the description in the :

“When a martial master makes a move, at minimal, iron would turn into sweat just with a slight grip; crushing rocks into powder is merely a trivial matter.

When serious, it wouldn’t be difficult for a single attack to cover at least ten meters.”

The aftermath of the confrontation between two connate martial experts was already enough to tear down houses. When sword qi was released, patches of bamboo forest would be cut down in a neat manner.

Even with such destructive power, a martial dao master like Azure Dragon 5 would only need a casual attack to end the battle.

Just as Azure Dragon 5 was seeking approval from Chen Luoyang, a voice suddenly echoed from far away. “Amrita Manor is considered reputable in Cloud Martial County. I didn’t expect it to be shabby and ruined on the inside, while the Manor Owner is simply a hypocrite.”

While the voice echoed, it was far away. However, before the statement finished, the speaker was already in front of everyone.

It was a middle-aged man who was wearing magnificent clothes. He had three strands of long beard that reached below his neck and an awe-inspiring face. After him were more people who arrived together.

Amrita Manor was now surrounded, and no one was able to leave.

Dragon Claw 11 answered in a calm tone, “It seems I’ve been exposed. Lord Chu, please. This humble Wan has been loyal in his duties to the Divine Cult. I have already put aside matters of personal reputation and safety.”

The man wearing the magnificent clothes shook his head and said, “Since this humble Chu is here, your life and death isn’t for you to decide. I shall slowly interrogate you after seizing you. It will allow me to sever and break the claws and fangs of the Demon Cult in my Shu Prefecture with a single swoop.”

Inside the bamboo structure, Azure Dragon 5 gave an introduction to Chen Luoyang. “Reporting to Cult Master. That person is the Great Xia Empire’s newly appointed Prefecture Governor of the Shu Prefecture. He has just succeeded in the role two months ago.”

According to the customs of the Demon Cult’s Azure Dragon Hall, factions of the world were separated into four classes.

The so-called A-class faction would at least have a martial king, who was also a grandmaster, as a leader.

B-class factions would have a martial master to oversee it.

C-class factions would have connate martial experts to lead them.

D-class factions were filled with posterior martial artists and were considered to have no class.

However, the Great Xia Empire, the Sword Pavilion, and the Other Tribe were massive factions that were of the same class as the Demon Cult. They were transcending factions that were above the A-class.

The Great Xia Empire’s County Protector would always be an elite 6th stage connate martial expert who achieved the Union Stage of spirit and flesh.

Prefecture Governors were all martial masters, and their lowest cultivation stage would be the 8th stage, Seat Illumination Stage.

The Shu Prefecture was strategically located in the southwest of the Central Divine Province. It would face the direct pressure from the Southern Desolate Demon Domain. At the same time, there were native A-class factions that were close to forming independent nations.

The regional affairs for the Prefecture Governor at the Shu Prefecture were very tough. No one would be able to take up the role unless they had great martial strength.

“Reporting to Cult Master, Dragon Claw 11 will not be able to deal with that person. This subordinate will go and handle it,” Azure Dragon 5 quickly said to Chen Luoyang.

He then revealed an ashamed expression. “This subordinate is incompetent. I might not fear this person with the clan name of Chu, but he brought along plenty of experts. There aren’t enough cult members in the Amrita Manor, and I fear that we will not be able to stop them.

“If any of the scoundrels are missed and disturbed our great Cult Master, this subordinate would not be able to compensate for his sins even if he died ten thousand times. Therefore, I wish to request for Sir Vajra to assist me in the confrontation.”

Chen Luoyang looked at the burly man beside him in response. The burly man laughed and bowed to Chen Luoyang before saying, “Cult Master, leave this matter to me.”

He then chuckled and said, “In my impression, this person with the clan name of Chu seems to be a pinnacle martial master who is at the 9th stage, Clear Void Stage. He is one stage higher than Ding Chen in terms of cultivation. Ding Chen might be the Divine Cult’s direct-line disciple and might not fear him, but it would still be rather troublesome. Why not let me handle this matter?”

Chen Luoyang had yet to find out who exactly was this Vajra that had been standing beside him. He was actually rather curious.

As such, Chen Luoyang gave an “mm” before saying nonchalantly, “Carry on.”

Vajra bowed. “Yes, Cult Master.”

Azure Dragon 5 Ding Chen said, “Thank you, Cult Master. Thank you, Sir Vajra.”

After Vajra bowed, he didn’t leave the bamboo structure immediately. His body suddenly appeared with faint radiance. The radiance then congealed into a 20-meter-tall figure outside of the bamboo structure.

When the humanoid figure appeared, it shocked the Prefecture Governor and his men who were planning to raze Amrita Manor.

The Shu Prefecture Governor yelled out, “Who is that?!”

“Coachman.” Vajra chuckled and said from the bamboo structure, “I serve as a coachman for my Cult Master.”