[This is a broadcast solely for the Demon Clan—]
Li Yuan stood personally in front of the transmission crystal.
In his hand, he held a severed head, and not far away, there lay a corpse dressed in official robes.
Li Yuan picked up the brilliant yellow silk Imperial Edict from the corpse’s hand, using it like a rag to wipe the bloodstains from the corpse’s face, then tossed it aside.
Every Demon Clan member watching the crystal broadcast was petrified with shock.
Desecrating the Imperial Edict, executing a Grand Historian…
What is His Excellency Li Yuan doing? Has he gone mad?!
I have fought by Emperor Jing’s side for many years, always considering myself loyal to the core, making countless contributions to the defense of the Great Sima Nation’s borders, never owing anyone anything.
Yet now, Emperor Jing sends Imperial Censorate Guards to bestow poisoned wine upon me, wishing for my nine generations to be wiped out…
Our Wolf Tribe kin, Lord Yang Xuangan, was executed three days ago, not a single member of his family spared.
Last night, all thirty-seven Demon Clan officials in court were dismissed and assassinated in prison.
Now, throughout the entire court of the Great Sima Nation, there is not a single Demon Clan voice left.]
Li Yuan paused here, then raised his head and spoke calmly:
[I, Li Yuan, am rebelling.]
[All Demon Clan cultivators of the fourth rank and above who wish to live, come with me to the Taiming Sect to rescue our people.]
[Jiang Ke’er is still alive.]
The world was thrown into chaos at those words.
Within the palace walls, in the empty Great Hall, came a long, drawn-out sigh. “Li Yuan, why do you not understand my good intentions? It seems that Shenzhou will lose yet another race. Boring, truly boring…”
The people outside the hall understood immediately what was to be done.
“Assemble the Imperial Army at once and head for the Taiming Sect! Annihilate the Rebel Faction: Li Yuan and Jiang Ke’er!”
The White Jade Sword Platform, usually crowded with students for morning lessons, was now in shambles.
Yiqin stood alone in the middle of the Sword Platform, watching as rampaging spells and sword-lights wantonly destroyed everything in Lingyin Valley.
“Jiang Ke’er is hiding somewhere in this Lingyin Valley. I can smell her scent,” Lord Zuo took several deep sniffs at the air, his expression excited.
“It’s so strong. She comes here every day… Clearly, she is one of your Lingyin Valley disciples.”
Yiqin remained silent.
“You know who she is, don’t you?”
“No,” Yiqin shook her head,
“I don’t know who she is. Lingyin Valley has trained at least three hundred outstanding Demon Clan disciples.”
“And the most outstanding one?” Lord Zuo turned his back, hands behind him, and asked coldly.
“All my disciples are outstanding,” Yiqin smiled,
“Everyone knows Lingyin Valley’s Medical Arts are the finest in the world, and that is thanks to every disciple’s efforts… including those from the Demon Clan. They are diligent and studious, each one remarkable. I don’t know who you’re referring to.”
“You intend to betray the Human Clan?” Lord Zuo’s voice began to carry a murderous edge.
“The Human Clan doesn’t need you to speak for it,” Yiqin sneered dismissively,
“Even the lowest-ranking disciples of Lingyin Valley know that the only physiological difference between transformed Demon Clan members and humans are the ears and tail. Their cerebral cortex is no less developed than ours—in fact, their amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, and lateral prefrontal cortex are even more advanced, giving them heightened emotional perception and empathy… On the contrary, many humans’ brain development is closer to that of primitive, untamed beasts.”
“What are you trying to say?” Lord Zuo’s tone grew ever more dangerous.
“I’m only trying to let you ignorant people see that there’s no real difference between transformed Demon Clan and the Human Clan,” Yiqin gave him a look as if he were an idiot,
“Just as humans from the four major continents have different skin colors, so are our differences no more than that…”
“Your Human Clan’s Supreme Primate Doctrine is, in my eyes, laughable! Even their brain structure suggests that they can better integrate into human society and even adjust their empathy to lessen violent conflicts between the great sects…”
“That is why our Taiming Sect dares to accept Demon Clan disciples and train them! We trust the truth revealed by our own research, while you blind and arrogant lot will never see it!”
Lord Zuo could no longer maintain his composure.
With a sweep of his horsetail whisk, now hard as steel with infused spiritual power, he tightly wound it around Yiqin’s neck.
“I’ll give you one last chance. Forget everything you just said.” Lord Zuo spoke coldly,
“The Tribulation Immortal Hall does not wish to see Lingyin Valley’s talents wasted. If you agree to forget, I can ensure that everyone in Lingyin Valley survives and won’t be dragged off by those Dan Sect Alliance scum to be humiliated.”
“Heh,” Yiqin’s eyes were still filled with mockery as she forced out her words,
“You don’t have to worry. Most of my Taiming Sect’s disciples have already escaped to all corners of the Nine Provinces… I stayed behind only to stall for time. By now, they are safe.”
“Then you should also consider your own fate,” Lord Zuo tightened his whisk,
“The seat of the Jiu Xi, the personally appointed disciple representing the Tribulation Immortal Hall in the mortal realm, is now vacant… We are willing to offer it to you. Yiqin, you are the greatest medical genius born in Shenzhou in ten thousand years. We respect you, and we’re willing to give you this opportunity.”
“I’m no great genius,” Yiqin closed her eyes, lips curving up, “She is…”
“My patience has limits,” Lord Zuo hoisted Yiqin high by her neck with the whisk,
“Forget your ideas and tell me where Jiang Ke’er is!”
“Give up,” even as she was lifted, Yiqin’s gaze remained proud, looking down on Lord Zuo,
“We disciples of Lingyin Valley study Medical Arts to understand what kind of beings we are, to uncover the truths the ignorant cannot see… If you ask me to forget all that, it’s the same as asking me to forget the very foundation of Medical Arts.”
Lord Zuo was completely enraged by Yiqin’s gaze.
Even at death’s door, the calm in her eyes was as if… she were looking down on a lower lifeform.
How could a mighty immortal like himself be regarded as inferior by a frail, powerless healer?!
“Enough,” Lord Zuo forcibly suppressed his anger for the moment, a sense of powerlessness rising in his heart,
“Tell me where Jiang Ke’er is and I can guarantee the Dan Sect Alliance will withdraw, and grant your Taiming Sect a century of peace.”
“You’d better just kill me,” Yiqin resolutely closed her eyes,
“I’m proud of her. I’m proud of every disciple in Lingyin Valley… Just kill me. If you don’t, I’ll do it myself.”
“You…”
Lord Zuo was dumbfounded. Never before had he met such a troublesome woman.
She looked gentle and kind, but her resolve was firm; she would never yield, not even in the face of death!
Sensing that Yiqin was about to force a self-destruction with swelling spiritual power, Lord Zuo immediately struck and crippled her meridians.
“Dying won’t be so easy. Once you reach the Tribulation Immortal Hall, there will be those who can search your soul.”
As he spoke, Lord Zuo prepared to take Yiqin away.
A gust of scorching wind swept up burning dead leaves, carrying them onto the White Jade Sword Platform.
In the flames and ashes, there came the desolate sound of a flute.
Jiang Ke’er sat atop the treetop, legs crossed. Flames had already licked up to her ankles, yet she reclined in the fire as if completely unaware.