Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 47 The Joyous Union Sect? The Ghost King Sect

Half a month later, at the Cloud Sea Square on Tongtian Peak, four streams of light shot into the sky, disappeared into the clouds, and flew down the mountain.

Mount Qingyun stands majestically, dominating the Central Plains. To its shady side flows the mighty Hongchuan River, while to its sunny side lies the important town of Heyang, which commands the vital passage between heaven and earth.

As the sun began to set, Zhang Xiaofan landed in a forest outside Heyang City. Upon seeing this, Lu Xueqi frowned slightly and couldn't help but ask softly.

"Junior Brother Zhang, why don't we just land inside the city?"

The group consisted of four people. Although Qi Hao was the most senior, Zhang Xiaofan, the martial arts champion, was the leader.

“Senior Sister Lu, if what our Sect Leader Uncle said is true, the Demonic Sect is probably planning to make a comeback. As the leader of the righteous path, and with Heyang City located at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, it’s impossible for the Demonic Sect not to send people to investigate the city. Entering the city by flying on a sword is too conspicuous.”

Zhang Xiaofan explained softly that he suspected that the encounter between the Ghost King Sect and the Qingyun Sect in Heyang City was not a coincidence at all, but rather that they were deliberately waiting for them in the city.

Do you remember that Biyao of the Ghost King Sect, led by the Vermilion Bird Saint Envoy, had her goal of finding the Blood-Dripping Cave at the bottom of the Dead Spirit Abyss within the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Cave?

In recent days, Zhang Xiaofan has carefully studied some of the records of Qingyun Sect, and with the help of his own memories, he guessed that there should be an entrance to the Dripping Blood Cave above the Dead Spirit Abyss.

However, after the death of the Black-Hearted Old Man, the Blood Refining Hall fell into decline, and it is likely that no one knows where the entrance is anymore. But for the Ghost King Sect, to be on the safe side, it is naturally more in their interest to let these righteous disciples fight against the Blood Refining Hall and drag down the Blood Refining Hall's members.

Furthermore, besides the Ghost King Sect, there might be spies from other demonic sects within Heyang City, so it's best to be cautious when entering the city.

“Junior Brother Zhang is right. The Demonic Sect is showing signs of making a comeback, so we should be careful.”

Qi Hao nodded in agreement, but was also quite surprised. He hadn't expected that Zhang Xiaofan, the youngest of the four, would be the most composed and meticulous.

Zhang Xiaofan turned to look at Zeng Shushu, who was standing to the side. Among the four, he was the only one whose clothes did not have obvious Qingyun Sect markings, and he often came down the mountain to play. He chuckled and said.

"Senior Brother Zeng, we'll have to rely on you to go into town and buy some new clothes for Senior Brother Qi and me. As for Senior Sister Lu, how about you wear a straw hat to cover up? We can buy the clothes after we get into town, okay?"

Lu Xueqi met Zhang Xiaofan's probing gaze and nodded slightly, but Zeng Shushu's face fell and he sighed.

"Hey, Xiao Fan, aren't you bullying an honest person?"

"Is that so? But I've heard that Senior Brother Zeng often goes down the mountain to travel. I wonder how he should report back to all the senior masters when he returns."

Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help but smile and said softly. Zeng Shushu's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he quickly replied with a smile.

"Junior Brother Zhang, rest assured, I will do my duty without hesitation!"

As Zeng Shushu was about to leave, Zhang Xiaofan pulled him aside and said something before he left.

About half an hour later, Zeng Shushu, who had changed into a new purple outfit, returned carrying a package. Zhang Xiaofan and Qi Hao took the clothes and went into the woods to change.

Lu Xueqi put on a bamboo hat with a light veil, which covered her entire face, but the hazy effect, combined with her cool and aloof temperament, made her look like a fairy.

A moment later, Zhang Xiaofan, who had changed into a light blue (Qionghua blue) long robe, and Qi Hao, who was wearing a dark blue long robe, walked out of the forest.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan change out of his gray-white long gown, Zeng Shushu's eyes lit up. He quickly stepped forward and hugged Zhang Xiaofan's shoulders.

"Great job, Xiao Fan. If you had worn this outfit during the Grand Examination, I don't know how many junior sisters from Xiaozhu Peak you would have charmed."

As soon as Zeng Shushu finished speaking, he felt a cold gaze fall upon him, and he immediately gave an embarrassed smile. Zhang Xiaofan also reached out and patted Zeng Shushu lightly, saying in a low voice.

"Senior Brother Zeng, let's not mention the events on the mountain anymore. Now, our identities are—well, members of the Hehuan Sect, one of the four major sects."

"Hehuan Sect?"

Qi Hao was stunned for a moment, and even Lu Xueqi stared at Zhang Xiaofan strangely. Zeng Shushu looked at Lu Xueqi's sky-blue robe, then at Zhang Xiaofan's clothes, chuckled, and then explained softly.

"Hehe, where in ordinary sects can you find a peerless beauty like Senior Sister Lu? Besides, the three of us are all handsome and dashing, so it's quite plausible for us to pretend to be members of the Hehuan Sect."

After noticing Zeng Shushu's gaze, Zhang Xiaofan gently shook his head. The reason he wanted this color was not because it matched Lu Xueqi's clothes, but simply because his former mentor wore the same outfit.

"Let's go into the city. Before we reach Kongsang Mountain, try not to reveal our identities."

After saying this softly, Zhang Xiaofan took the lead and headed towards Heyang City.

The group of four—three handsome young men and a stunningly beautiful woman with an ethereal air, wearing a bamboo hat and a light veil covering her face—entered the city through the gate, naturally causing quite a stir.

However, Zhang Xiaofan's cold and aloof face, which resembled the demeanor of the Demonic Sect, instilled fear in the surrounding people, and no one dared to stare at them.

After successfully entering the city, Zhang Xiaofan, Zeng Shushu, and the other three went directly to the best inn in Heyang City—Shanhaiyuan.

Since it was Zhang Xiaofan's first time descending the mountain, he was unfamiliar with the area, so Qi Hao arranged for him to stay at an inn. Qingyun Sect was not short of money, so he naturally stayed in the best back garden of Shanhaiyuan.

After checking into their accommodations, Zhang Xiaofan and his companions went to the VIP room on the third floor of the Shanhaiyuan Hotel. The VIP room on the third floor was quite deserted, and its decor was antique, elegant, and refined, unlike the opulent and magnificent second floor.

"Sirs, what would you like to eat?"

The waiter stood beside Zhang Xiaofan and said with some fear, "I have no intention of intimidating you, but for the safety of myself and my fellow disciples when we're out and about, I'll keep a cold face, glance at the waiter, and say something as concise as gold."

"Your signature dish."

"Yes, please wait a moment, sirs, we'll be right there."

After noting it down, the waiter fled as if he were running away, determined to have the kitchen serve this table's dishes first, and not to anger the guests at this table.

While Zhang Xiaofan and his group were talking, two women at the next table were also glancing at Zhang Xiaofan and his group of four.

The two women, one of whom exuded a mature aura, had her face veiled, obscuring her features. She wore a light purple dress, revealing exceptionally fair skin, which added to her mysterious elegance and captivating charm.

The other was a girl who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old. She was dressed in a light green dress and had a very beautiful face with delicate eyebrows, fair skin, and very bright eyes. Her appearance was not much different from Lu Xueqi's.

At the same table with the two women were six men dressed in yellow, who exuded an imposing aura.

When Zeng Shushu saw Zhang Xiaofan ordering food so extravagantly, he was taken aback. He was about to make a joke, but the next moment, after noticing the gaze coming from the side, his expression turned slightly serious, and he exchanged a glance with Qi Hao.

Lu Xueqi frowned slightly and tightened her grip on her sword, but Zhang Xiaofan stopped her with his hand. Turning her head to the side, a fierce look flashed across Zhang Xiaofan's cold face as he spoke in a cold voice.

"Take care of your eyes!"

His voice was very cold, and his tone was extremely ruthless, making him look exactly like a murderer. Zeng Shushu and Qi Hao's eyebrows twitched as they watched.

If they hadn't spent the last two weeks together and become quite familiar with Zhang Xiaofan, and if they hadn't known that Zhang Xiaofan possessed a deadly sword, they would have almost thought that the person in front of them was truly a ruthless demon from the Demonic Sect.

The mature woman sitting next to him frowned slightly, clearly also stunned by Zhang Xiaofan's demeanor. She wondered which faction of the Holy Sect had produced such a cold-blooded swordsman.

After stopping the girl in green, the woman in purple smiled and bowed to Zhang Xiaofan and his companions. Zhang Xiaofan's expression did not change at all, but he still returned the bow quite casually.

"Junior brother, who are they?"

Zeng Shushu said in a low voice, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry. Qi Hao and Lu Xueqi also stared intently at Zhang Xiaofan. Zhang Xiaofan hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly and replied in a soft voice, still as sparing with words as ever.

"perhaps."

Based on Zhang Xiaofan's guess, this attire should belong to Biyao, the sect leader of the Ghost King Sect and daughter of Wanrenwang, as well as Youji, the Vermilion Bird Saint Envoy, one of the four great saints of the Demonic Sect.

However, Zhang Xiaofan wasn't entirely sure, since he hadn't seen the real person, so he could only give an uncertain answer.

Although it was an uncertain answer, Zeng Shushu, Qi Hao, and Lu Xueqi instantly became vigilant, and at the same time, they admired Zhang Xiaofan even more.

Previously, the group had all felt to some extent that Zhang Xiaofan might be making a mountain out of a molehill and being overly cautious; even Qi Hao thought so.

After all, Qi Hao had followed his master, Daoist Cangsong, down the mountain many times to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path. He believed he had a better understanding of the Demonic Sect and knew that now that the Demonic Sect had retreated and was at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, he couldn't help but feel a little contempt for it.

However, they had just entered the city when they encountered the demonic cultists, which immediately served as a warning to Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu, and made them even more convinced of Zhang Xiaofan's abilities.

At another table, Biyao, dressed in green, stared at Youji with curiosity. After glancing at Zhang Xiaofan, who was carrying the Fenji sword, she asked in a low voice.

"Aunt You, those guys..."

Before Biyao could finish speaking, Youji pulled her aside, interrupting her.

When he entered the city, Zhang Xiaofan only carried the Burning Sword on his back. He hid the Ink Snow Sword in his clothes and placed it in his room after moving into the Mountain and Sea Garden.

Mo Xue is different from Fen Ji. Mo Xue was once a possession of the Demonic Sect. It was seized by Qing Yun during the war between the righteous and the demonic sects a hundred years ago. If it were seen, it would be easy for the person to be recognized. Therefore, Zhang Xiaofan did not carry it on his back to avoid being exposed and causing trouble for himself.

Fenji had never appeared before, and no one could recognize it. Moreover, it was Zhang Xiaofan's other body, and Zhang Xiaofan could control its aura at will.

Under Zhang Xiaofan's control, even a powerful figure from the Demonic Sect like You Ji could immediately sense the malevolent aura within the Burning Sword, which was definitely no less than that of the Nine Heavens Divine Weapon.

Youji glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and the others again, her gaze lingering on the Burning Sword for a moment, before she spoke to Biyao with a serious expression.

"Biyao, don't act rashly. Those people are not simple, especially the seemingly youngest youth. Not only is his cultivation profound, but the vicious sword on his back is also extremely ferocious, no less than the legendary Bloodthirsty Bead."

"The fact that our four sects are discussing important matters today might mean that the elite disciples from one of the other three sects have been sent to scout ahead. It would be bad if we accidentally alerted the Qingyun Sect."

As she spoke, Youji felt a sense of unease. She had a feeling that these people probably shared the same goal as them.

(End of this chapter)