“Meng Chuan, you are too reckless. There are rules for everything,” roared Marquis Gong Xu through a voice transmission.
“Uncle-Master.” Through a voice transmission, Meng Chuan said, “I know that there are rules for everything, but this matter concerns my father’s innocence and life! I can only be willful in regard to this matter. When I arrive at Archean Mountain, I’ll personally beg Master for forgiveness! However, my father’s case has to be investigated clearly. If my father really colluded with the demons, he deserves death. If my father is innocent, I will definitely clear my father’s name!
“Uncle-Master, it’s my fault. After this matter is settled, I’ll definitely come and apologize personally.”
Swoosh.
Meng Chuan immediately transformed into a bolt of lightning and disappeared into the horizon with his father in tow.
Frustrated and helpless, Marquis Gong Xu stood on top of the city wall as he watched them leave. What could he do? He could not catch up!
Chapter 225 - Clearing His Name
Meng Chuan grabbed his father’s arm and transformed into lightning as he rushed towards Archean Mountain.
After crossing rivers and mountains, the scenery quickly changed. The father-son duo traveled at high speed.
“Chuan’er.” Meng Dajiang sensed his son’s speed. From the side, he could tell how impressive his son was! He was much faster than Marquis Gong Xu despite carrying him. “Chuan’er, there’s really no need to go to Archean Mountain. I don’t wish to embarrass you,” said Meng Dajiang.
Meng Chuan looked at his father before continuing to look ahead with slightly red eyes. He did not want to argue with his father. He was certain of his father’s innocence. He wanted Archean Mountain to clear his father’s name.
I-if father really colluded with the Skydemon Sect, what should I do? With this in mind, Meng Chuan felt a heart-wrenching pain. He didn’t believe his father had committed those crimes.
He must have been framed. My father must be innocent.
…
He and his father traveled 5,000 kilometers. Meng Chuan had a clouded mind the entire journey. Too many distracting thoughts collided with each other, but he soon arrived at Archean Mountain.
“Senior Brother Meng.” The Godfiends guarding the mountain immediately greeted Meng Chuan warmly when they saw him.
“Mmm.” Meng Chuan responded neutrally and rushed towards Grotto-Heaven Pavilion like lightning with his father.
Grotto-Heaven Pavilion’s old steward was already waiting. He took the initiative to lead the duo into Grotto-Heaven Pavilion and to a pavilion in the back garden. Supremacy Qin Wu—whose long hair draped over his shoulders—was sitting there drinking tea and reading.
Meng Chuan fell to his knees with a thud. He kowtowed and solemnly said, “I forcefully brought Father from Wu State Capital’s dungeon to Archean Mountain. I know of my crime and am willing to be punished. I only seek Master’s pity. As a son, please investigate the truth behind my father’s collusion with the Skydemon Sect! I only wish for the truth!”
By the side, Meng Dajiang could not help but feel heartache and self-reproach when he saw his son kneel and beg.
“Silly child.” When Supremacy Qin Wu saw this, he sighed gently. “You have protected nearly an entire state for the human race. You have killed countless demons and saved countless people. You have done a great service to all of humanity. How can I allow your father to be sentenced to death for no good reason? Your concern has made you lose your mind.”
“Yes.” Meng Chuan lowered his head.
“You rashly took someone to Archean Mountain. On account of your hard work over the years and how deep your relationship is with your father, the punishment will be waived.” Qin Wu looked at Meng Chuan. “You can’t be this rash again in the future. If you’re really worried, just report the matter to me. Don’t tell me you don’t trust me?”
Meng Chuan immediately said, “Of course I trust you, Master.”
Qin Wu looked at Meng Dajiang and said to Meng Chuan, “Wu State has also submitted the evidence of this case. From the evidence, there’s indeed no problem. What do you think of this case?”
“My father-in-law and my father are life-and-death friends. They have known each other for 30 years, and he believes that my father would never collude with the Skydemon Sect,” said Meng Chuan. “My father brought me up. I carefully recalled my childhood, and it only makes me conclude that my father isn’t that kind of person. Now that my father has admitted it… I can only suspect that it’s a result of someone controlling my father’s heart or altering his memories.”
“Controlling heart and altering memories?” Qin Wu nodded slightly. “Your father is a Godfiend. If the other party wanted to do this, they had to have reached the Realm of Dao with illusions at the very least. Seeing through these illusions are even harder. There aren’t even five Godfiends on Archean Mountain that can investigate such foul play.”
Meng Chuan understood. Even Marquis Godfiends—that specialized in illusions—might not be able to discover the truth.
“Now, powerful Godfiends are stationed everywhere,” said Qin Wu. “I can give it a try, but I only have 70 to 80 percent confidence. If I fail, I’ll send you both to look for King Desire Redemption. King Desire Redemption is the best at illusions in Archean Mountain.”
“Thank you, Master.” Meng Chuan was extremely grateful.
After all, his master was a Creation Supremacy. He had a long lifespan and a powerful Essence Soul. He had reached an extremely high and profound level in his cultivation of mystic techniques. If his master said that he was 70 to 80 percent confident, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Qin Wu looked at Meng Dajiang and smiled. “Sit.”
Meng Dajiang smiled and immediately sat on the stool opposite him. Clearly, he was being controlled by Qin Wu.
“Meng Chuan, I need to read your father’s memories to investigate. You won’t mind, right?” asked Qin Wu.
“I don’t mind.” Meng Chuan nodded. Whether it was his master or King Desire Redemption, any investigation of such foul play required going through his father’s memories.
“Even if he finds his memories blurry, they will remain clear amidst the soul.” Qin Wu began scouring through Meng Dajiang’s memories.
Scenes of memories, voices, and images appeared.
Day after day, month after month, year after year… It was a massive endeavor.
Qin Wu diverted his attention as he smiled and said, “Memories are extremely delicate. The events that happened three years ago will often be recalled for the next three years, fusing with other memories. Therefore, if one has a tampered memory, just looking through their memories might reveal a discrepancy.”
Oh? Qin Wu exclaimed in surprise. “Your mother is still alive? Grand Yin Holy Maiden, Bai Nianyun?”
“Yes.” Meng Chuan nodded. “I just learned of it. I don’t even dare to believe it completely.”
“You can believe it.” Qin Wu looked at Meng Dajiang and skimmed through his memories. “Your father and your mother were together for eight years. They have deep feelings for each other, and he has been thinking about her. These memories span decades. It’s impossible for the other party to change all his memories because they need to do it flawlessly. Besides, according to what I know, Bai Nianyun left the mountain and traveled for quite a long time. She also lost contact with Black Sand Grotto-Heaven during that period of time. Black Sand Grotto-Heaven had tried all means to track Bai Nianyun’s whereabouts. There was also a demon invasion when you were six. It was indeed a Grand Yin Holy Maiden who slew the demon monarchs.”
Having read every demon invasion record, Qin Wu naturally remembered it clearly.
My mom, Bai Nianyun? Meng Chuan’s heart trembled.
His master’s words had confirmed the truth.
From the intelligence, Bai Nianyun was only a Marquis Godfiend from Black Sand Grotto-Heaven. In his memories, his mother was a gentle woman.
Meng Chuan held his breath.
After ten minutes, Qin Wu closed his eyes. He then opened his eyes and looked at Meng Chuan. “It’s been confirmed.”
Confirmed? Meng Chuan’s eyes lit up as his heart raced.
“Your father’s memories have indeed been tampered with,” said Qin Wu. “The method used is very brilliant. Back when your mother left, your father tried his best to become stronger. He was even willing to become a Demon Annihilation Guild assassin. The person inserted memories of your father colluding with the Skydemon Sect during this period…
“Furthermore, that person made Meng Dajiang think that he regretted such actions and would not do such a thing again in the future. From then on, Meng Dajiang hid this secret at the bottom of his heart and didn’t wish to mention it to others. He didn’t even want to recall it again! As such, it’s only natural that he seldom recalls such memories. Thus, Meng Dajiang subconsciously believes that he doesn’t want to bring this matter up because he doesn’t wish to recall this unbearable memory.”
Meng Chuan nodded immediately. His father had been wronged! He had been wronged!
“I’ve carefully checked your father’s memories of the past few days. I’ve also compared them to your father’s detailed memories,” said Qin Wu with a smile. “Although the person made your father forget it, the soul isn’t that simple. The person’s illusion skill has probably just reached the Realm of Dao. His understanding of the soul isn’t that deep, so I was still able to find your father’s true memories from recent times.
“I found the person’s appearance.” Qin Wu waved his hand as an illusory figure appeared in front of him. It was an ordinary-looking, gray-robed, middle-aged man.
Meng Chuan stared carefully. It was this person?
“More than a month ago, he met your father and secretly attacked him. Don’t just stare at him like a fool. He definitely changed his appearance,” said Qin Wu with a smile. “However, with your father’s soul watching, it’s as though he saw him with his own eyes. He has already formed some connection with him. This way, I can pry into the heavenly secrets to deduce his identity.”
Chapter 226 - Black Sand Grotto-Heaven
Meng Chuan was shocked.
With just a glance at a soul’s memories, he could pry into heavenly secrets to deduce somebody’s identity?
Regis Godfiends have all kinds of magical skills. A Creation Supremacy’s techniques are even more unfathomable. With his current strength and status, Meng Chuan only knew about the various skills of Regis Godfiends. He knew very little about Creation Supremacies.
When Qin Wu saw Meng Chuan’s shocked expression, he couldn’t help but smile. “Even I need a precious treasure to pry into heavenly secrets.” With that said, he flipped his hand, and an ancient bronze mirror appeared in his hand. He placed it on the table, closed his eyes as colorful light emitted from his body. Waves of light entered the bronze mirror.
After a while, an image surfaced on the bronze mirror.
“Oh?” Meng Chuan looked in surprise.
Qin Wu opened his eyes and looked at the bronze mirror. An old man with white hair appeared on the bronze mirror. He had a kind expression, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable.
“He’s the one responsible for it,” said Qin Wu. “Black Sand Grotto-Heaven’s Great Solar Godfiend—Chunyu Mu.”
“Chunyu Mu?” Meng Chuan was shocked. “If I recall correctly, Chunyu Mu should be 178 years old this year! He’s not far from the end of his life. His reputation is also very good. He’s an extremely accomplished Mirage Fiend.”
“Yes.” Qin Wu nodded. “He reached the Realm of Dao when he was 136 years old. He condensed an Essence Soul at the age of 152. Now, his illusions are even more profound and intricate. In the past few years, he has contributed greatly in regards to dealing with demon monarchs.”
Meng Chuan nodded. It was extremely difficult to reach the Realm of Dao and condense an Essence Soul at a young age. That was why Marquis Godfiends were rare. However, past 100 years of age, the number of Godfiends that had reached the Realm of Dao was more than the number of Marquis Godfiends. Zhang Yunfeng, Yang Fang, and Chunyu Mu were examples.
These three were in their 170s and 180s. As an expert that had reached the Realm of Dao with illusions, Chunyu Mu was more useful than Yang Fang.
“Why did he attack my father?” asked Meng Chuan.
“He never knew your father. He’s not related to him, so there’s naturally no reason for him to act,” said Qin Wu. “He’s a Godfiend from Black Sand Grotto-Heaven. Someone with a rather high status in Black Sand Grotto-Heaven likely got Chunyu Mu to take action.”
“A mastermind…” Meng Chuan frowned.
He did not know much about Black Sand Grotto-Heaven.
“Your mother, Bai Nianyun, is one of the Bai family’s three Marquis Godfiends. She is also one of the five Grand Yin Holy Maidens. There are too many grudges and disputes amongst them,” said Qin Wu. “Black Sand Grotto-Heaven once split because of internal strife. Even Imperial Lord Black Sand died as a result. Although they are now united against the demons, there is still competition among the factions.
“They are divided according to the different cultivation systems. Black Sand Grotto-Heaven can be divided into the Black Sand faction, the Grand Yin Holy Hall faction, and the Halberd Holy Hall faction. It’s mainly a competition between family clans as they compete for the rights to control Grand Yin Holy Hall and Halberd Holy Hall,” said Qin Wu.
“Rights to control Grand Yin Holy Hall and Halberd Holy Hall? Is it very important?” Meng Chuan was puzzled.
“The Grand Yin Holy Hall Master and Halberd Holy Hall Master will almost definitely become Creation Supremacies.” Qin Wu looked at Meng Chuan. “Do you think it’s important?”
Meng Chuan was shocked.
“There are quite a number of Grand Yin Holy Maiden candidates. One batch after another is eliminated, and now, there are only five left. Your mother is one of them. The last one to be eliminated from the five will become Grand Yin Holy Hall Master,” said Qin Wu. “Therefore, there are too many possible masterminds behind your father’s attack.
“For example… the other Grand Yin Holy Maidens who have a grudge with your mother or knew about the matter between your mother and father. They wanted to take revenge; thus, attacking your father. Or after your mother became a Marquis Godfiend, the Bai family felt that the matter with your father is a stain on their reputation. They wanted to kill your father, but they didn’t want to be too direct and anger Bai Nianyun. Therefore, they indirectly made Archean Mountain take action.
“Your mother, as the Grand Yin Holy Maiden, has many suitors. Some might’ve learned the secret and, out of hate, ordered the attack on your father.” Qin Wu shook his head and said, “The internal politics of Black Sand Grotto-Heaven is a mess. I really can’t figure out who did it. The easiest way is to capture Chunyu Mu and interrogate him.”
“Capture Chunyu Mu?” Meng Chuan’s heart stirred.
“No.” Qin Wu shook his head. “The Godfiends of each sect are under the jurisdiction of their respective factions. We cannot directly capture them. This is an agreement between the three sects.”
“Can we make Black Sand Grotto-Heaven investigate?” asked Meng Chuan.
“Investigate?” Qin Wu shook his head. “Black Sand Grotto-Heaven will definitely side with their Godfiend. Without sufficient evidence, it’s useless.”
“But, Master, you have already deduced his identity by prying into heavenly secrets.” Meng Chuan looked at the bronze mirror.
“Identifying a person by prying into heavenly secrets? There are only three people in the world who can do this. I only managed to do it with the help of a treasure,” said Qin Wu. “It’s mysterious and profound. Without sufficient evidence, Black Sand Grotto-Heaven will only write it off as our Archean
Mountain being a troublemaker.”
Meng Chuan nodded slightly.
“The three sects joined forces to fight the demons. However, there is still internal strife between our sects. How can the three sects be completely harmonious?” Qin Wu said, “We are united on major matters, but divided on trivial matters.”
“I understand.” Meng Chuan nodded.
“Besides, every Godfiend is very important now. Chunyu Mu is an important piece in their combat force,” said Qin Wu. “They won’t even give up on Chunyu Mu, much less the mastermind who has even higher status.”
Meng Chuan understood. Now that he knew about Chunyu Mu, the mysterious mastermind behind him was most likely from Black Sand Grotto-Heaven.
“It’s fine for us to reach this conclusion. When you are strong enough in the future, and Black Sand Grotto-Heaven wishes to seek your help, you will naturally be able to resolve this matter easily,” said Qin Wu.
“Black Sand Grotto-Heaven will seek my help?” Meng Chuan was surprised.
Amongst the three great sects, Black Sand Grotto-Heaven was on par with Archean Mountain. Both sides were even competing against each other in the demon monarch kill tally. The entire sect would seek the help of a Godfiend from the opposing side?
“Once your Essence Soul reaches the seventh level. They will definitely seek your help,” said Qin Wu.
“Seventh-level Essence Soul?” Meng Chuan felt a little embarrassed. “I’m still far from that.”
“You are still young. There’s hope,” said Qin Wu with a smile. “Let’s put this matter aside for now. I’ll write a letter to Black Sand Grotto-Heaven to pursue this matter. As for you, prepare well because… a large number of demon monarchs will enter the human world soon.”
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