Eternal Saber

Chapter 597 - 18: Nights of Song and Revelry

Another plan has failed.

Chen Tang gnashed his teeth slightly, maintaining a calm expression and said with a smile, "What a coincidence, Third Senior Brother also came out to relieve himself?"

The Death Demon kept silent, merely sneering in his heart.

Coming out to relieve himself and bringing a woman along?

The Death Demon did not wish to speak, too lazy to expose Chen Tang.

After Chen Tang had relieved himself against the wall, he took Luo Sha back to the room.

Luo Sha smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness, maybe it’s better to let it go."

"Hmm, let’s sleep first."

Chen Tang pulled out the Qiuzi maiden again and placed her on a table beside him, then lay comfortably on the large bed.

This elusive Death Demon certainly presents a tricky problem.

It’s unclear what kind of cultivation technique this person has practiced; his life signs are almost non-existent, standing as still as a lifeless stone.

Unless you see him with your eyes, it’s impossible to detect his presence.

With such a Grandmaster keeping watch, Chen Tang definitely has no chance to leave.

Of course, tonight he was merely testing.

If he couldn’t leave, he’d have to try another tactic.

Luo Sha whispered, "She is the Princess of Qiuzi Country, sent by King Chuzi to be a concubine. Are you not tempted, Your Highness?"

Chen Tang replied, "She’s far inferior to you."

Luo Sha laughed and said, "Your Highness loves to joke. How can I compare to a princess? She has a good background, can sing and dance, and is quite beautiful."

"Not interested."

Chen Tang muttered and said, "I’ll send her away tomorrow."

"That might not be appropriate."

Luo Sha hesitated and said, "Actually, King Chuzi sent his daughter here hoping she could stay by Your Highness’s side, to establish some connection between Your Highness and the Demon Sect."

"If Your Highness sends her back, she will likely be punished. Since there aren’t many people serving around you, let her stay for now."

"Alright then."

Chen Tang responded perfunctorily, not wishing to dwell on the matter, before drifting off into a deep sleep.

This journey has been exhausting; he needs to rejuvenate.

Early the next morning, Chen Tang woke up.

The Qiuzi maiden gradually awoke, twisting her sore neck, her expression somewhat dazed, asking, "Why am I sleeping here, Your Highness?"

"You were too tired yesterday and fell asleep on the table as soon as you came in."

Chen Tang casually made up an excuse.

"Ah?"

The Qiuzi maiden was startled.

Is that so?

She looked at her neatly dressed clothes, unable to recall much of last night.

Chen Tang didn’t give her time to think, asking, "What’s your name?"

"Bai Pu."

The Qiuzi maiden answered.

Chen Tang asked again, "I heard that Qiuzi is famous for producing ironware. Where in the city can one find first-rate weapons?"

’Eternal’ was left at Lijiang Inn.

After advancing to the Third Grade, the Flood Dragon Bow was not very useful to him, and he left it in Nanxia.

He needs to get himself a suitable weapon first.

"There’s a place in the west of the city."

Bai Pu said, "Is Your Highness going there?"

"Going to have a look."

The three of them washed up simply, and as soon as they stepped out, they saw the Yin Demon approaching with a smile, asking, "Little Junior Brother, where are you headed?"

One clingy spirit and one elusive ghost, Chen Tang has grown accustomed to them.

Never mind that the Death Demon doesn’t show himself now.

It’s unpredictable when he might appear.

"Going to the west of the city for a look."

Chen Tang invited proactively, "Second Senior Brother, join us."

The Yin Demon smiled, "Sure, just the chance to explore Qiuzi City. Let’s not rush leaving, we can stay a few more days."

Chen Tang’s group headed towards the west of the city.

The streets of Qiuzi City are quite spacious, but after leaving the palace and arriving at the streets, there was not a single figure in sight, only empty and desolate.

Some stalls were scattered on the roadside, not fully cleared away.

Shops on either side of the street were closed, and every ten zhang, a city guard stood there.

"What’s going on?"

Chen Tang asked with a frown.

Bai Pu explained, "It must be that Father received news that Your Highness wanted to stroll around, so he arranged people to block and clear the road, lest the servants who don’t know the rules clash with Your Highness."

The Yin Demon chuckled, "Little Junior Brother, this is the grandeur of our Demon Sect, get used to it."

Chen Tang was silent.

He’s not used to it, nor does he wish to get used to it.

Nor does he find anything to boast about in this affair.

Before long, Chen Tang and his party arrived at the west of the city and saw the blacksmith shop Bai Pu mentioned.

The shop was filled with a variety of weapons: swords, spears, axes, hooks, and forks, along with some exotic weapons.

Yet the shop was empty.

The fire in the furnace was blazing fiercely.

Chen Tang went straight to the row of long swords, picking them up one by one to test the feel.

Then he picked up a long sword and asked, "How much is this sword?"

The Yin Demon shook his head and laughed, "Little Junior Brother, if you’re interested, just take it, no need to ask the price."

Bai Pu quickly added, "Yes, Your Highness, it’s fine."

The silver notes from Nanxia were still with Chen Tang.

Silver notes aren’t used in Xiling, but gold and silver are universal currency.

Chen Tang took out a ten-tael silver ingot and placed it in the shop before turning to leave.

"Your Highness, isn’t that a bit much?"

Luo Sha softly reminded.

Chen Tang said, "The sword looks good, fairly handy."

Returning to the palace, King Chuzi had already prepared a banquet and extended a warm invitation.

Chen Tang and his companions attended the feast.

Again, it was a display of songs and dancing, a scene of indulgence and revelry.

For the following days, it was the same.

If it were his past life, Chen Tang surely would have been caught up in this life of nightly revelry and debauchery, unable to extricate himself.

Life’s greatest pursuit would be nothing more than this.

Moreover, this feeling of being above everything, controlling everything, possessing everything, is indeed addictive.

No wonder, so many emperors in past lives were wanton and indulgent, reveling in sensual pleasure.

People want to do good, but it’s not easy; falling into depravity is just a whim away.

However, in these three years of cultivation here, Chen Tang has been growing rapidly.

He clearly knows that everything before him is merely brought about by the identity of Demon Monarch.

Like a tree without roots, like a duckweed without water.

The Demon Venerable can give him this identity and can also revoke it, plunging him into an abyss!

Moreover, in these few days, he has learned about the enmity between the Demon Venerable and Emperor Wu.

The Demon Venerable arranged for the Yin Demon and the Death Demon to watch over him, essentially confining him in Xiling.

Regardless of whether the Demon Venerable finds Emperor Wu, or doesn’t find him, or defeats Emperor Wu, or is defeated once more by him, once the Demon Venerable returns, his situation will not be favorable.

Relying on others is ultimately not a long-term strategy.

Only by continuously cultivating and enhancing his own strength is the correct path.

Besides, his Sword Intent is just in its formative stage, and such temptations hardly shake his Dao Heart.

After five days in Qiuzi, Chen Tang and his party set off, passing through Ronglu Country.

Ronglu Country is much smaller than Qiuzi, with limited territory and scarce resources.

A day was spent there before continuing the journey.

Two days later, they arrived at West Night Country.

West Night Country is rich in jade, extremely affluent.

Upon hearing of the Demon Venerable’s newly accepted closed-door disciple, and the arrival of three Demon Sect scions, the King of Xiyue was eager to extend hospitality, offering generous treatments once more.

Before leaving, there were beauties to see them off.

Afterward, they passed through Kang Country, Qu Yue, Pishan, and other countries, staying briefly from one to two days, to three to five days at most.

Throughout the journey, countless gold, silver, and jewels were given to Chen Tang by various countries.

Carriages filled with beauties multiplied several times.

Throughout a month, to avoid arousing suspicion from the Yin Demon and the Death Demon, Chen Tang was quite compliant, exhibiting no attempts to escape.

Regarding the arrangements made by the Yin Demon, he didn’t show much resistance, mostly accepting as they came, seemingly already getting used to it.

Chen Tang had studied the map; they were nearing Yumi Country.

The Xiling Secret Sect is located here.