Marry the Demon Sect Girl with No Bride Price

Chapter 594: Chapter 254: There’s Something Off About He Zhiqiu and Ruo Mei

Zhenyang Sect.

Danxia Peak, Peak Master Hall.

The four—Jian Yue, Chun Ningzhi, Zhang Zheng, and Chen Yunfeng—walked into the hall and paid their respects to Tantai Mingyue sitting in the upper seat:

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Tantai."

The four, leading a group of Zhenyang Sect disciples, had just returned from the South Demon’s territory and immediately came to report to Tantai Mingyue, the Deputy Sect Leader.

Tantai Mingyue looked over the travel-worn group and gently said, "You’ve worked hard. Commanding Disciples stay, the others can go and rest first. This time, everyone’s contributed and each peak will reward accordingly."

The disciples exchanged glances, their faces filled with anxiety. After all, they had abandoned Tantai Mingyue’s most valued disciples—what merits could there possibly be?

Not daring to speak further, they quickly bowed and left.

Only Cheng Qingyu remained calm, turning around and walking out directly.

Just before leaving, Lin Qingchou glanced at the back of Chun Ningzhi, a trace of resolute determination flashing in her eyes, before she lowered her head and left.

Now, only the four Commanding Disciples were left in the hall. Tantai Mingyue maintained a gentle demeanor, her voice steady:

"Have you investigated the cause of death and the culprits for Elders Shi Shuhong and Wei Shouyuan?"

Tantai Mingyue did not ask about Su Xin; the first issue she addressed was a major one for the sect.

The deaths of Shi and Wei had a massive impact on Zhenyang Sect, which publicly claimed the two Elders were in seclusion trying to breakthrough to the Divinity Transformation Realm.

But how long this could be concealed was unknown.

Finding the murderers quickly was crucial so that when the Elders’ deaths were revealed, the sect’s morale could be stabilized.

This was one of the reasons disciples were dispatched to the South Demon’s territory.

Zhang Zheng, Chun Ningzhi, and Chen Yunfeng were prepared to be rebuked by the Deputy Sect Leader. They exchanged glances, while Jian Yue remained cold and replied calmly:

"The two Senior Uncles died in the rear mountain of Cyan Lotus Mountain, beneath the Ten Thousand Swords Array."

Tantai Mingyue’s eyes lowered, and she sighed, "It was indeed the Ten Thousand Swords Array, and it was indeed Cyan Lotus Mountain."

After a moment of silence, she asked the four, "Did you find any clues about the murderer?"

Jian Yue said, "Senior Sister Su Xin suspects it’s Xia Qinglian resurrected."

With these words, the expressions of the other three changed, especially Chen Yunfeng, whose body tensed and veins bulged on his hands—a mere name made him exceedingly tense.

Tantai Mingyue’s expression changed slightly, and she asked Jian Yue, "Xiyue, you know Xia Qinglian the best. Do you think it’s her?"

Jian Yue remained cold, "No one else in the world aside from Xia Qinglian can utilize the Ten Thousand Swords Array."

Tantai Mingyue frowned deeply; Chun Ningzhi and the others lowered their heads—not sure if Xia Qinglian’s name made them nervous or if they were guilty and ashamed, unable to meet Tantai Mingyue’s gaze.

After some time, Tantai Mingyue spoke, "You’ve worked hard, go and rest... Xiyue, please stay."

The three of them sighed in relief, quickly bowing and leaving. Chun Ningzhi looked worriedly at Jian Yue, but Jian Yue did not even glance at him, making Chun Ningzhi turn away dejectedly.

"Wait."

Tantai Mingyue’s voice came from behind, and the three stopped, turning slowly. Tantai Mingyue said softly:

"Your decision was correct; you can’t sacrifice all the sect’s elites for one person."

The three quickly bowed, "Thank you, Martial Uncle, for understanding."

Tantai Mingyue waved her hand tiredly, and the three dared not linger, quickly leaving the hall.

Once they left, Tantai Mingyue asked Jian Yue, "Xiyue, have you heard from Junior Sister Wei or the others these days?"

She was asking about those who turned back to save Su Xin.

Jian Yue coldly laughed in her heart, isn’t it your precious disciple you’re concerned about?

She still hides it, truly hypocritical. Ye Xiyue, see how uninteresting your Zhenyang Sect is!

Yet Jian Yue maintained her cold demeanor, replying softly, "No."

Tantai Mingyue was silent again, sighing slightly, "My Sound Transmission Talisman has not received a reply either."

Jian Yue looked at her, "Rest assured, Junior Sister Wei and Junior Brother He will certainly rescue Senior Sister Su Xin."

Tantai Mingyue didn’t continue the topic, her voice shifting slightly, "Did you have any results on the other matter I asked you to investigate?"

When the disciples set out, Tantai Mingyue specifically told Jian Yue, Su Xin, and Wei Wan to investigate the identities of Ruo Mei and He Zhiqiu.

Now that Su Xin and Wei Wan hadn’t returned, she could only ask Jian Yue.

"Junior Brother He and Junior Sister Ruo have no issues."

Tantai Mingyue nodded, "Xiyue, you should rest as well."

Jian Yue left, leaving Tantai Mingyue alone in the hall.

Her dignified and elegant posture instantly changed, falling back into the chair, eyes misting over.

"Xin’Er, where have you gone? Why aren’t you answering my messages?"

"My lady, it’s my fault for not protecting my sister."

Suddenly, a cold figure in a Purple Sun Brocade Robe slowly walked out—Cheng Qingyu, returning unexpectedly.

A complex smile played on her lips as she looked at Tantai Mingyue, yet her words were confounding.

Tantai Mingyue did not seem surprised by her appearance, showing a bitter smile:

"Your father and I have no official relationship. Your mother is his lawful wife, why call me ’my lady’?"

Cheng Qingyu came before Tantai Mingyue, bowing gracefully with a smile:

"Mother instructed that though my lady had affection for the former Crown Prince of the West Imperial Dynasty, she was pure, and only after mutual affection with my father, was my sister born."

"To aid my father securing his Sect Leader position, my lady bore humiliation, eschewing even the name, unable to recognize your daughter."

"Mother always admired my lady."

Tantai Mingyue’s voice cooled, "Cheng Qingyu, Senior Brother did not marry your mother as Sect Leader. Never mention this in Zhenyang Sect again!"

Cheng Qingyu bowed, "I was thoughtless; forgive me, my lady."

"Do not call me ’my lady’ again."

"Understood."

Tantai Mingyue seated majestically as Sect Leader, gazing at Cheng Qingyu below but seemed unable to fathom her, asking:

"Why did you come to me?"

Cheng Qingyu looked up, wearing an enigmatic smile, "Deputy Sect Leader, Senior Sister Ye lied, there are issues with He Zhiqiu and Ruo Mei."

...

Yunling Town.

Divine Maiden Temple.

Late at night.

Zhao Yi, Qian Er, and Sun San were cleaning the temple.

The flood of daytime worshipers had left many objects scattered, and the three cleaned nightly to keep the Divine Maiden’s statue pristine.

They didn’t mind the hard work, in fact they were filled with anticipation.

Because as they cleaned, they could gaze at the Divine Maiden’s unparalleled beauty, even as a statue, which was great joy.

As they focused on cleaning, a gust of wind sounded outside, and a tall, burly figure appeared.

Zhao Yi turned back, "Come to offer incense tomorrow."

The towering man entered, looking at the Divine Maiden’s statue, and shook his head slightly:

"Not quite the same."

Sun San asked curiously, "What did you say?"

The tall man chuckled and asked the three, "Did you build this temple?"

Qian Er nodded, "Fellow Daoist, the Divine Maiden Temple was indeed built by us. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Divine Maiden? It’s a fitting name."

The burly man carefully pulled out a red veil from his pocket and asked the three:

"Do you recognize this object?"