Chapter 39: The Thirty-Ninth Day as Cult Leader

“—Oh? You all keep saying that our cult’s disciples framed the Yantian Sect. Then I would like to ask: what evidence do you have?”

A contemptuous scoff came from behind the crowd. The people still ganging up on the Demonic Cult all instinctively looked back and saw a young man in green robes walking forward at an unhurried pace, one hand held behind his back, his expression calm.

It was as if there were no one around him at all. Every move he made radiated a deep arrogance.

Someone immediately took offense at his manner and was just about to rebuke him, only to sharply notice that Yin Hongwen and Yu Yu, who had been so confident and assured only a moment ago, had suddenly gone pale with shock. Their expressions turned flustered, and their hands even dropped to the weapons at their waists, as if they were facing a mortal enemy.

The Demonic Cult disciples, however, all had shining eyes. Every one of them looked at that man with trust, then uniformly dropped to one knee and saluted.

“Greetings, Cult Leader!”

That loud call shocked the surrounding people who had no idea what was happening. At the same time, they fearfully took a step back and swiftly sized up the man in green.

The man’s appearance was excessively young, yet every movement he made was filled with steadiness and calm. In particular, his dark eyes seemed to conceal a deep killing intent. Anyone who met his gaze could feel a needle-like chill, as if thorns were pricking at their back.

This was the enemy that the martial world now universally acknowledged—the Demonic Cult’s newly appointed Cult Leader?

The demon said to be able to defeat the Blood Blade Sect’s sect master with ease?

He had actually appeared here all of a sudden?!

Everyone was shocked and afraid. They could only keep a close watch on the demon’s every move and no longer dared to continue shouting or acting recklessly.

Thus, the demon stood at the very front of the Demonic Cult. After giving the disciples a faint nod, his gaze naturally landed on Yin Hongwen across from him.

“We meet again. Can you answer my question?”

“…”

Yin Hongwen immediately felt the pressure on him multiply. Originally, he had five jianghu heroes beside him, along with plenty of people supporting and cheering them on. He had felt victory was assured and there was nothing to fear. But at this very moment, merely because one person had stepped in front of the Demonic Cult, Yin Hongwen instantly realized how slim their hope was, and felt that their current situation had become extremely difficult.

Even if all of them attacked together, there was absolutely no possibility of defeating the Demonic Cult’s Cult Leader. They would merely be throwing their lives away.

What should he do?

He could only take a deep breath and argue as reasonably as possible. “Everyone present saw your cult’s disciples detain our sect’s disciple. Even I saw it with my own eyes. What need is there for evidence?”

Yet the demon before him was neither panicked nor hurried. He merely asked calmly in return, “What I want to ask is this: why are you so certain that our cult’s disciples imprisoned him by force, rather than the Yantian Sect’s disciple receiving what he deserved?”

Yin Hongwen hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. The Demonic Cult’s Cult Leader instead added, “Do not tell me nonsense like the Demonic Cult is wrong, so the Yantian Sect must be right. Everything must be decided by evidence. Otherwise…”

He gave a cold laugh. “I will let strength do the talking. Which option do you want to choose?”

Blocked by those decisive words, and with that boundless killing intent suddenly released, Yin Hongwen could not help turning pale. He pressed his lips tightly together and, for a while, did not know how to speak.

In any case, fighting was impossible. Let alone him, not a single hero or champion present dared to start fighting. After looking at one another, they ultimately remained silent.

Qin Ming, meanwhile, swept a faint gaze around the area. Suddenly, he said in a clear voice, “I imagine that many of you present do not understand the cause and effect of what happened. Why not first calm down and listen to the entire sequence of events?”

No one refuted his proposal. Rather, with the great demon of the age standing right before them, someone who might start killing at any time if he became even slightly displeased, there was not a single person present who wanted to die.

So Qin Ming gave Chen Lue a look. Chen Lue consciously took one step forward and used his internal force to carefully introduce the events that had happened recently.

“Seven days ago, our cult’s disciple went down the mountain to purchase supplies and vanished under mysterious circumstances. Three days ago, our cult disciple’s corpse was fished out of the Qi River, with his heart missing. One day ago, our cult searched along the riverbank for clues and then found the corpses of countless missing people one after another. Parts of their bodies were all incomplete. And those sneaking around nearby were Yantian Sect disciples…”

After listening cleanly and efficiently to the whole course of events, most of the people who had not known what was happening finally came to a sudden realization and began whispering among themselves.

“I did hear about cases of people going missing. They were actually fished out of the river?”

“What does ‘incomplete bodies’ mean? Did someone use their bodies to do something?”

“…Was this cruel business really not done by the Demonic Cult? That’s far too suspicious!”

“They’re deciding the other side did it just because the Yantian Sect is suspicious?”

“Impossible. The Yantian Sect is one of the Five Great Sects. The pills they refine are highly sought after throughout the jianghu. How could they do something like this?”

No one believed this was done by the Yantian Sect. Yin Hongwen felt even more as though he had been insulted, and said furiously, “That is all the reason you have?”

He had just been about to unleash a torrent of abuse and mockery, but Qin Ming revealed a faint smile one step ahead of him, blocking his output.

“What if I say that I have other evidence?”

“…”

Yin Hongwen was speechless for a moment. He could only forcefully suppress his anger, raise his brows, and say, “What evidence? If you are only relying on suspicion, Your Excellency had best not speak recklessly.”

“As the saying goes, what one hears may be false, but what one sees is true. Since none of you trust us, why not follow me and see for yourselves?” Facing their furious gazes, Qin Ming seemed not to see them and merely answered, “As it happens, I have already traced the clues. I am about to gather my people and expose this sin so monstrous it reaches the heavens. When the time comes, all of you will know what the truth is.”

Upon hearing that they would have to act together with the Demonic Cult, Yin Hongwen and the others instantly hesitated. Yu Yu, even more straightforwardly, asked, “What if this is just a scam you are using to secretly silence us?”

Qin Ming was disdainful. “All the jianghu people present are witnesses. If none of you return afterward, then everyone under heaven will know the truth. What sort of scam would that be? If you are afraid of our cult and do not dare to go, then so be it. But this person, we must take away!”

Anyone in the jianghu could be afraid of the Demonic Cult in their heart, but they absolutely could not express it openly. Therefore, Qin Ming’s provocation instantly changed everyone’s expressions, and they all shouted loudly.

“What kind of talk is that? What kind of talk is that? Who’s afraid?”

“Fine, fine, fine, we will go with you at once! If you cannot produce evidence, we will definitely gather members of the Five Great Sects to crusade against your Demonic Cult. Just you wait and see!”

Hearing Yin Hongwen and the others agree, Qin Ming’s tense heart finally relaxed… Thankfully, they had not started fighting with the righteous sects. He had successfully made it through the crisis. Once all the truth came to light, the dirty water splashed onto the Demonic Cult would naturally be washed clean. That could be considered killing two birds with one stone.

Mission Objective: Calm Everyone’s Anger. Completed.

Mission Reward: Jianghu reputation increased. Obtained one bottle of Muscle-Regrowing Pills!

Qin Ming casually glanced at the System reward and did not take it to heart, because Chen Lue suddenly proposed, “It is already late today. Why not invite everyone to rest at an inn tonight, then set off tomorrow morning?”

As he spoke, Chen Lue’s gaze finally landed on him, and he actually blinked slightly.

Qin Ming froze. …Eye cramp?

But when he thought about how they had indeed been traveling all day and were tired, Qin Ming naturally accepted this suggestion.

“Handle it as you see fit.”

“Hand that Yantian Sect disciple over to Yin Hongwen. If he lets the man escape while in his hands, then he can pay for the crime with his life.” Qin Ming casually waved a hand, which could be considered easing the relationship between the two forces.

Sure enough, Yin Hongwen’s expression finally improved somewhat. He even politely cupped his fists in salute toward him.

“That is only proper. Many thanks.”

…

When Qin Ming came alone to a quiet upper room, he drank down a mouthful of tea and finally let out a weary breath, shedding all his composure and killing intent.

…Ah, he was dead tired. He even had to pretend to be the Demonic Cult’s Cult Leader in front of so many jianghu people. This was probably the most unforgettable part of his transmigration career.

Fortunately, everything had been resolved smoothly.

Heh. He had not expected Chen Lue to be quite so thoughtful, knowing he was tired and deliberately requesting to stay the night. Not bad at all.

He just did not know why it seemed a little noisy outside.

Qin Ming tilted his head in confusion to listen to the clamor outside the window, then helplessly shook his head. Even so, he no longer wanted to pay attention to it.

However, he did not know that at this very moment, the Yantian Sect disciple who had originally been watched by Yin Hongwen was stealthily taking advantage of the moonlight to flee through the inn’s back courtyard. It was not until he saw countless Demonic Cult disciples waiting in front of him, along with his senior brother Yin Hongwen, that his face went deathly pale. He fell sitting to the ground and did not dare raise his head to meet Yin Hongwen’s pained gaze.

“Junior Brother… Why did you run? If this wasn’t done by our sect, then why did you run?”

Yin Hongwen was incomparably shocked. When he had been heading to the inn, he had accidentally been bumped by that Demonic Cult disciple named Chen Lue, and in the next moment, a paper slip had been stuffed into his hand.

He had opened it vigilantly and, with one look, his expression had abruptly shaken. Written on it was a poem that only Yantian Sect disciples would know.

Capturing metal essence secures the root of life; the sun soul lies east while moonlight westward lies.Within, the medicine of long life is refined; once taken, one stands equal with heaven and earth.Come to the back courtyard today at midnight for a talk.

Yin Hongwen had tossed and turned, not knowing why the other party would know the content of this Poem of the Great Elixir. After pondering for a long while, he had still gone to the meeting.

In the end, the other side had said nothing and only told him to wait in the back courtyard, where he would be able to see the truth. Then he saw the junior brother he had trusted and wanted to rescue actually attempting to flee in the middle of the night.

If the Yantian Sect had been wronged, then why would his junior brother run? This truth crashed against Yin Hongwen, making him suffer greatly. He was unwilling to believe any of it, and could only stare fixedly at his junior brother as he waited for the other man’s response.

But that Yantian Sect disciple only looked at him in despair. Then his lips moved with difficulty, and he said in a low voice, “I’m sorry, Senior Brother…”

With that, black-red blood unexpectedly spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Yin Hongwen was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to check on him, only to see that this man had long since taken poison and died.

“Cult Leader!”

And so, just as Qin Ming was leisurely enjoying his tea and preparing to go to bed, Zhou Ji suddenly hurried over. He saluted him in admiration.

“Cult Leader truly predicts everything like a god. That Yantian Sect disciple fled and was caught by our people at exactly the right moment. Even Yin Hongwen personally witnessed the truth. Now he already believes that the Yantian Sect is not innocent. He has even taken the initiative and wants to go investigate the truth with us.”

After saying all that in one breath, Zhou Ji restrained the excitement in his heart and said worshipfully, “As expected of the Cult Leader. This plan was flawless! This subordinate is in awe!”

Qin Ming, who was drinking tea: …

Huh? What? What plan? Where did this plan come from?

In a daze, Qin Ming finally understood. It turned out that Chen Lue had requested that they stay the night in order to set a trap and invite the prey in. In the end, that Yantian Sect disciple really had been afraid the matter would be exposed and had wanted to hurry back to his sect to warn everyone, only to be caught red-handed.

“…This was Chen Lue’s plan. It has nothing to do with me.” Qin Ming rarely told the truth.

But Chen Lue shook his head and likewise looked at him with admiration. “If not for Cult Leader handing the Yantian Sect disciple over to Yin Hongwen and his party, this subordinate would never have been able to think of Cult Leader’s purpose. Cult Leader’s wisdom and farsighted strategy are things this subordinate cannot reach even one tenth of. I would not dare take credit!”

Chen Lue bowed deeply, while Qin Ming was rendered speechless.

…No, how did you also learn this from Shen Fubai!

Was this what they meant by, “stay near cinnabar and you turn red, stay near ink and you turn black”? Besides, he had only wanted to ease relations with Yin Hongwen and his group. What strategy was there?

Qin Ming sighed deeply inside and could only be forced to accept everyone’s praise.

“You truly are subordinates I trust. You understand the thoughts in my heart.”

“Cult Leader flatters us!” The Demonic Cult disciples instantly floated with delight from being praised, joy showing on their faces.

Congratulations. You have obtained a large amount of worship from Demonic Cult disciples. Four out of five.

Mission Objective changed to: In the presence of the other righteous sect disciples, expose the truth behind Zhao Tong’s death.

Mission Reward changed to: One hundred thousand merit points, as well as a large increase in jianghu reputation.

At this moment, Zhou Ji looked at the full moon outside the window and reminded him, “Cult Leader, it is getting late.”

Qin Ming could not help nodding as well. He was indeed a little sleepy. It was time to sleep.

Chen Lue nodded likewise. “Indeed, it is late. We should set out.”

Qin Ming: …Wait, set out?

The Demonic Cult disciples all nodded one after another. “When the moon is dark and the wind is high, it is the perfect time to travel. This matter brooks no delay. Let us set off at once!”

“We can reach You Rui’s residence by early tomorrow morning,” Chen Lue calculated. “By dusk, we can smoothly arrive at the Yantian Sect. At that time, even if the Yantian Sect discovers that their disciple has not returned and grows suspicious, they will absolutely have no time to escape. Catching them with both culprit and evidence will be our victory!”

Seeing the calculating light flickering in his eyes, almost presenting a vicious scheme right before him in plain sight, then connecting it with his previous strategy against the Yantian Sect disciple, Qin Ming could not help shuddering. He increasingly felt that Chen Lue’s scheming mind was terrifyingly deep.

As expected of the calamity in the Demonic Cult who actually had a brain. His villain level had risen another floor!

Come to think of it, their Demonic Cult still had an undercover agent, didn’t it? By now, that person was probably also acting carefully with their tail tucked between their legs, not daring to appear. Hopefully, they had not yet been persecuted by ruthless characters like Chen Lue and Shen Fubai.

Qin Ming sighed. He kept feeling that this undercover agent seemed to have already gone cold. Otherwise, why had that person still not formed a heart-to-heart connection with him so they could huddle together for warmth?

Forget it, forget it. Before, he had thought having a like-minded companion would be quite nice. Now, he had already given up hope and gone fully Buddhist about it. His main focus was letting things happen by fate.

Gazing at the bright moonlight outside the window, Qin Ming could not help thinking of those wandering souls still drifting in the Qi River. He stood up and said in a deep voice, “Let’s go. It is time to expose the truth.”

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