Frankly, Wang Xiu was starting to panic. It wasn’t just because he was about to go undercover and face a myriad of unknown risks, but also because if he returned to the Ghost King Sect as Daimon Qianmian, he would undoubtedly get tangled up with that lustful snake, Snake Ji.
This won’t do! I have to change my persona! This new identity can’t be too low-ranking; being bossed around would be a huge hassle. But it can’t be too high-profile either, not with a host of people watching my every move. It would be too difficult to operate! The best option would be someone like Daimon Qianmian, a protector of no great importance.
Who should he choose?
Wang Xiu searched the memories he had absorbed from Daimon Qianmian and the Seventh Elder of the Ghost King Sect, trying to find a suitable candidate.
Suddenly, Daimon Qianmian’s Communication Token chimed. A message appeared.
Daimon Youling: "Qianmian, is that you?"
Daimon Youling: "Turn around!"
Wang Xiu paused, stunned, then turned to see a Demon Cultivator staring at him, a Communication Token in his hand. The man’s face was pale, his features carrying a certain demonic handsomeness. Seeing Wang Xiu turn, he immediately strode over, clapped him on the shoulder, and laughed heartily. "It really is you!"
This was Daimon Youling, a protector of the Ghost King Sect at the sixth layer of the Golden Core Stage. He and Daimon Qianmian had formed a deep bond after they were once summoned to Snake Ji’s boudoir at the same time. One could consider them friends.
He was quite familiar with Daimon Qianmian, but due to the bizarre nature of the Thousand Faces Demonic Technique, every time they met, it was like seeing a complete stranger. He had only ventured a guess this time because of the clothes Wang Xiu was currently manifesting. The style and fabric of the black robes seemed unremarkable at first glance, but they were a gift from the Red Enchanting Snake Princess. He wasn’t the only one who had a set; many of the Elders and protectors on good terms with her did as well. Most of them rarely wore the robes, however, largely out of pride.
Only Daimon Qianmian was different; he had plenty of faces to spare. Furthermore, being able to brazenly cling to a powerful patron was a good thing in his eyes, something not to be hidden. Thus, he wore the robes frequently.
Even so, Daimon Youling wasn’t certain. Perhaps someone else had just decided to wear the outfit today. That’s why he had used the Communication Token to test the waters.
There was another reason. Ever since Daimon Qianmian had appeared on the scene, Daimon Youling had fallen out of favor. Aside from that one-time encounter with multiple partners, the Red Enchanting Snake Princess had never summoned him again. Recently, whenever she looked at him, her eyes held a complete lack of carnal desire.
Emmm... if he had observed more closely, he would have realized it wasn’t just him. The Red Enchanting Snake Princess had lost all interest in every last one of her former male favorites.
In any case, subconsciously, he wanted to get on Daimon Qianmian’s good side. He hoped that when Qianmian was next serving Lady Snake Ji, he might put in a good word for him.
Wang Xiu felt a headache coming on. He had planned to quietly dispose of a protector and assume his identity, but he had been recognized almost immediately—and by a former lover of the Red Enchanting Snake Princess, no less. If "Daimon Qianmian" returned to the Ghost King Sect only to vanish without a trace, it would surely arouse her suspicions. Any resulting chain reaction could put Wang Xiu in a very precarious situation.
As he thought of this, his gaze toward Daimon Youling filled with a trace of silent pity.
I have no choice! You’re the one who blundered right into me. It’ll have to be you!
"When did you get back?" Daimon Youling asked with a smile.
"Just arrived!" Wang Xiu replied.
Daimon Youling’s face twisted into a wicked grin. "You rascal, you were gone for so long! Lady Snake Ji has missed you terribly! How about tonight..."
"That can wait! We’ll talk about it later," Wang Xiu interrupted hastily. "You’re just in time. I have something urgent to discuss with you!"
Daimon Youling was taken aback. "What is it?"
"It’s about the Great Demonic Sacrifice!"
Wang Xiu glanced around before sending a private voice transmission, "This isn’t the place. Let’s go to your room!"
Hearing the words "Great Demonic Sacrifice," the smile on Daimon Youling’s face slowly vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. He nodded. He knew Daimon Qianmian was deeply favored by Snake Ji, so it was only natural for him to be privy to secrets others were not.
Without another word, he followed him.
Back in Daimon Youling’s room, Wang Xiu waved his sleeve, sealing the door and windows. The room instantly grew dark.
Daimon Youling frowned slightly. "Alright, what’s this all about?"
"Not yet," Wang Xiu said, surveying the room. "Let me set up a few things first, to prevent prying ears."
He circled the room, then took out a formation plate. As his hand seals shifted, a wave of Demonic Light spread out, enveloping the room. The plate contained a complete Demonic Path array that was simple to operate; one only needed to activate it. It was a one-time-use item, of which there were plenty in the Space Rings of the Ghost King Sect’s Elders. It could effectively block any probing with Divine Sense.
Watching Wang Xiu’s movements, Daimon Youling’s frown deepened.
What on earth is going on? Why all this caution? A faint sense of unease crept into his heart. Could it be... this guy Qianmian is planning to do something to me?
But he quickly dismissed the thought. Even Demon Cultivators are mostly rational. They don’t just kill people for no reason. There has to be a motive, and there’s no conflict of interest between Qianmian and me. Even with the Red Enchanting Snake Princess, he’s the favored one. There’s absolutely no reason for him to move against me. I must be overthinking things.
Once everything was set, Daimon Youling asked again, "Can you tell me now?"
Wang Xiu nodded and slowly reached into his robes with a mysterious air. "Come closer. I’m going to show you a treasure!"
Daimon Youling paused, then instinctively leaned in for a look.
The next moment, a flash of crimson sword light illuminated the room.
Same Life as Heaven and Earth!
Hundreds of Pig Spirits instantly combusted!
Daimon Youling’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sword light had already slashed across his neck. In an instant, his head tumbled to the floor, his eyes still wide with utter disbelief.
"Don’t blame me," Wang Xiu shook his head, skillfully destroying the body and erasing all traces. "If you must blame someone... blame your own bad luck."
He had to be so cautious because this was one of the Ghost King Sect’s largest branches. It was teeming with experts. The slightest unusual disturbance could attract attention, so he had to strike with decisive speed. Fortunately, Daimon Youling’s strength was unremarkable and his guard was down. Otherwise, if Wang Xiu had been forced to use Thousand Executions or another of his ultimate techniques, concealing the commotion would have been far more difficult. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nove1Fire.net
First, Wang Xiu used the Ming Emperor’s Soul-Reading Technique to plunder his memories. After learning about the man’s current circumstances, his eyes lit up. He sighed inwardly at how perfectly suitable his target was. His status wasn’t too low, but not particularly high either. Even his former patron no longer favored him. This was a much better identity than Daimon Qianmian!
He then decisively used the Ten Thousand Demonic Transformations Art to assume Daimon Youling’s appearance. Sealing Daimon Qianmian’s Communication Token, he tossed it into his Space Ring and strode brazenly out the door.
「Meanwhile, at the Red Enchanting Snake Princess’s residence.」
Snake Ji was lounging listlessly on her red gauze bed, toying with a Communication Token. Listening to the steady beeping from within, she couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow. "What’s wrong with Qianmian now? He’s not even answering my calls?"
At her bedside, an Attending Maid asked solicitously, "Madam, if you are anxious, should I call someone else to keep you company?"
Snake Ji licked her lips, a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Who’s available?"
"Aside from the Seventh Elder, the other eight Elders are all here at present!" the maid replied.
The Red Enchanting Snake Princess said, "Those eight old geezers are a bit lacking in firepower. Do we have anyone younger?"
The Attending Maid thought for a moment. "A few of the younger ones died out in the field a few days ago... Oh, but Daimon Youling is here!"
The Red Enchanting Snake Princess rolled her eyes in distaste. "Forget him. He’s so common; I got tired of him long ago!"
"Then... shall I find someone new for you?" the Attending Maid asked.
A look of boredom crossed the Red Enchanting Snake Princess’s face. "Never mind. At a critical time , it won’t be easy. Finding someone with just average skills would be a bigger letdown than just having you."
Hearing this, the Attending Maid immediately understood her mistress’s meaning. A bashful blush rose on her cheeks.