CHAPTER 279: CHAPTER 274: HEROINE AND DEMONESS

At the crucial moment, Lin Shuanghua made her move, pursuing Leng Zhao Yue like a nimble green bird.

Yin Shaochen was hit by a palm from Yin Tianhe during the day, and the significant disparity in strength between the two quickly determined the outcome, with Yin Tianhe immediately giving chase as well.

Fearing that Leng Zhao Yue might be in danger, Yin Shaochen, disregarding his injuries, chased after his father; in the blink of an eye, only Ye Qiu was left in the entire main courtyard besides the servants.

What a spectacle! Ye Qiu, in high spirits, returned to the Purple Maple Courtyard, determined that the Demon Sect would never again attempt to take down the martial arts sects one by one through Chongjian Manor.

"Where is everyone?" When Yin Tianhe arrived, seeing his wife standing alone on the street, a bad premonition arose.

Lin Shuanghua’s expression was equally grim; she, the wielder of the Frost Flower Sword, was outmatched by a junior! From where exactly did this Leng Zhao Yue come?

"I lost her."

The couple returned to the manor with gloomy faces, summoned the servants for questioning, and indeed, it turned out as they expected—all the servants from the Bishui Pavilion had been sedated.

"Issue my orders, the entire manor must exert all efforts to kill Leng Zhao Yue. Distribute her portrait throughout the world; if anyone from Jianghu can deliver her head, they can collect one hundred gold coins from my Chongjian Manor," Yin Tianhe announced frantically. He had built his reputation in the Jianghu since his youth, and he had never been this humiliated.

"Yes!"

"Where is Shaochen?" Lin Shuanghua waited for a while but did not see her son return, anxiously asking Yin Tianhe, "He wouldn’t have chased out after that Leng Zhao Yue, would he?"

Considering his recent attitude towards Leng Zhao Yue, it was entirely possible, which darkened Yin Tianhe’s expression even more.

"Continue issuing orders — bring back the Young Manor Lord no matter what."

"Yes!"

The commotion caused by Chongjian Manor this time was grand. By the time Ye Qiu left Yunzhou City and arrived in Jiangning City, almost the entire martial world had heard about the kill order from Chongjian Manor.

Whether it was masters ashamed of their poverty or factions intending to get on good terms with Chongjian Manor, all were mobilized to search for a woman named Leng Zhao Yue.

This course of action wasn’t without effect; at least several hidden forces of the Demon Sect were uncovered. Coupled with Ye Qiu stirring things up secretly, the entire Jianghu soon became extremely nervous, gradually revealing the Demon Sect’s arrangements in the Central Plains over the years.

Why hadn’t anyone noticed the Demon Sect’s actions for so many years? What exactly does the Demon Sect intend by going through such great lengths?

No one believed the Demon Sect was merely engaging in business in the Central Plains. Thinking about the extraordinary individuals gradually disappearing from the martial arts world over the years, could it be the Demon Sect’s doing as well?

Suddenly, everyone in the Jianghu felt endangered, and the major sects also autonomously organized to eliminate the forces of the Demon Sect.

This campaign was much bigger than one eight years ago; gradually, people also found traces of Leng Zhao Yue, discovering her close connections with the Demon Sect.

But every time she faced danger, Gentlemen Sword Yin Shaochen was always there to save her.

With Leng Zhao Yue confirmed as a Demoness of the Demon Sect and Yin Shaochen as the Young Manor Lord of Chongjian Manor, whose side was he really on?

Soon, the people of Jianghu shifted their focus toward Chongjian Manor, keeping Yin Tianhe busy all day long.

Finally, he had no choice but to clear Young Master Yin’s personal actions from being associated with Chongjian Manor. Even to maintain his long-standing image in the martial arts world, he dispatched more than half of Chongjian Manor’s forces in a stance that seemed determined to fight the Demon Sect to the end.

"Holy Daughter, what is your sin?" Inside a secret hall of the Demon Sect in the Central Plains, the Demon Sect Leader, his face covered with a ferocious mask, gripped Leng Zhao Yue’s chin malevolently.

Leng Zhao Yue knelt on the ground, her face pale: "It is Zhaoyue who failed to handle matters efficiently, please punish me, Sect Leader."

The only visible eye of the Demon Sect Leader gently closed, releasing the grip on Leng Zhao Yue’s hands, he said calmly, "Holy Daughter, you have greatly disappointed me."

"Zhaoyue acknowledges her mistake." But the more calm he was, the more frightened Leng Zhao Yue felt. Once cold and noble, she now sprawled on the ground like a bereaved dog, surrounded by sect members, none of whom pleaded for her.

"Go to the Punishment Hall to receive your punishment yourself. If you survive, find Yin Shaochen; that boy still has some utility."

Upon hearing this, Leng Zhao Yue’s complexion grew even paler, yet she could only respond with "Yes".

A month later, when Yin Shaochen saw Leng Zhao Yue again, she was being hunted by a group of Jianghu people, her body covered in wounds, looking like she could collapse at any moment.

"Zhaoyue!" Yin Shaochen was shocked and hurriedly flew to her rescue.

"You came." Leng Zhao Yue gave him a weak smile, then stumbled a bit.

Yin Shaochen stood in front of her, his expression resolute: "Zhaoyue, rest assured, I will protect you. Even if the whole world disbelieves you, I will always stand behind you."

The Jianghu people opposing Yin Shaochen grew angry, mocking sharply: "Young Master Yin, are you really willing to make enemies with the entire Central Plains martial arts world for this Demoness? Are you not afraid of sullying the reputation of Chongjian Manor?"

Yin Shaochen frowned but remained unmoved, his expression filled with righteousness: "Zhaoyue is not a Demoness. This must be a misunderstanding; I will investigate this matter thoroughly myself."

"Your father personally issued the assassination order, it’s well known that the Demoness is involved with the Demon Sect. Young Master Yin, it would be better if you step aside, otherwise, don’t blame us for getting rough." The speaker was a female disciple from Qingyi Pavilion, whose elder never returned after leaving the pavilion two years ago, and now after investigation, the Demon Sect couldn’t be unlinked. Hence, the Demon Sect Demoness must die today!

"That matter was a misunderstanding by my father. Honorable warriors, please grant me some face; give me two months and I, Yin Shaochen will definitely provide an explanation to everyone," stated Yin Shaochen with a grave expression.

"Explanation? Then how do you account for the people from Qingyi Pavilion who were killed by the Demoness these past few days?"

"I..." Yin Shaochen glanced at Leng Zhao Yue uncomfortably, unprepared for these events.

"I am not killing her just to wait for her to kill me?" Leng Zhao Yue coldly stated, "I do not trouble others unless they trouble me first. If someone offends me, I shall offend them."

"Zhaoyue..." Yin Shaochen looked troubled, yet still firmly protected her.

"You spout unjustified arguments, Demoness! Even if Yin Shaochen shields you today, I will definitely sever your head," shouted a voice.

"Kill!"

"Zhaoyue, you go first, I’ll cover our retreat," Yin Shaochen hurriedly said.

Leng Zhao Yue, seriously injured, knew staying would only hinder Yin Shaochen’s retreat. After making a gesture that only the two of them understood, she leaped away.

With no further concerns, Yin Shaochen’s martial arts moves became even faster.

He had made a name for himself in the Jianghu world starting two years ago; now he ranked first on the Newcomer List, known throughout as the Gentleman Sword. Among his peers, none could match him.

Though he was protecting Leng Zhao Yue, he was still the Young Manor Lord of Chongjian Manor; these people dared not strike fatally. Once Leng Zhao Yue had escaped far enough, Yin Shaochen successfully extricated himself as well.