Chapter 62: Shen Yanzhou Is a False Heir
The people of the Chilin Guards were the first to arrive, with Zhou Yang and the other Hundred-Household Captains closely following behind.
The rest of the Bureau of Immortal Inspection officials also hurried over upon hearing the news. When they learned that Shen Yanzhou was still alive, everyone was utterly shocked.
A few days earlier, the demonic beasts within Hidden Moon Mountain had gone completely mad, charging at anyone they saw as if in a frenzy, desperate to tear apart every living creature.
It was only by the late hours of last night that the chaos had gradually subsided.
Early this morning, they entered the mountain to carefully search for survivors—but all they found were several mangled corpses.
The Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion’s offering, Elder Mo, stepped forward to identify them. As soon as he recognized the bodies, he collapsed onto them in tears, clutching at the tattered clothing and shattered weapons as he wailed, naming each deceased offering and retainer of the mansion. His grief was palpable.
The surrounding Chilin Guards, moved by his anguish, remembered their fallen comrades with whom they had shared drinks and meals not long ago, and their eyes too began to redden.
At last, one of the Chilin Guards’ Hundred-Household Captains stepped forward, helping Elder Mo to his feet and covering the bodies with white cloth.
Several officials of the Bureau of Immortal Inspection came to examine the remains, but the corpses were far too mutilated—barely distinguishable from scraps of fabric. After a brief inspection, they could only conclude that the victims had likely been devoured by demonic beasts.
Because of this, a heavy gloom settled over everyone’s hearts. They all thought that the chances of Shen Yanzhou’s survival were slim.
“Your Lordship…”
“Thank heavens, you’re alive!”
The moment they saw Shen Yanzhou standing before them—alive and well—Elder Mo was so shocked that his eyes turned red. He rushed forward to grasp Shen Yanzhou’s arm, intending to check his condition.
“What’s this?”
“Would you only be happy if this heir were dead?” Shen Yanzhou scolded with a faint smile.
“How could that be? As long as Your Lordship is safe, this old servant’s heart is at ease. Heaven truly blesses Your Lordship; your fortune is boundless.” Elder Mo wiped at his reddened eyes, though worry still lingered deep within.
This time, his young master had survived by sheer luck—but what about the next?
Though it appeared the mansion’s offerings had died at the claws of demonic beasts, Elder Mo knew the truth.
Leaves that could slice like blades—it had to be the work of a mysterious expert hidden within Hidden Moon Mountain.
But what if such a protector hadn’t been there?
He had even wondered if the Demon Suppression Princess Consort had secretly sent someone to protect the young lord.
Zhou Yang and the other Chilin Captains were equally astonished. They had never even encountered the ones who had kidnapped Shen Yanzhou—yet here he was, returning whole and unscathed.
“Miss Wu, what exactly happened?”
“How did the Young Heir end up with you?” Zhou Yang couldn’t help but ask, noticing that Wu Ruyue was wearing a man’s robe—clearly Shen Yanzhou’s.
“It’s a long story,” Wu Ruyue replied, shaking her head. “But this matter can only be reported to the Supervisor and the National Preceptor after we return to the capital.”
The inheritance of the Martial God was a matter of great consequence—something that could not be disclosed lightly.
“So, Miss Wu encountered some other fortuitous chance here in Hidden Moon Mountain?”
Gu Ruoxi’s charming face carried a faint smile. Her starry eyes flickered as she studied Wu Ruyue, sensing the great change in her aura—she was far stronger than before.
Wu Ruyue simply nodded, unwilling to elaborate.
“I had planned to wait for True Person Yin Han to arrive before entering the mountain’s inner region,” said Daoist Ziyang, the senior Immortal Officer. “But now it seems there’s no longer any need. The demon king within has also ceased its rampage.”
He was clearly eager to leave this place.
The others agreed—the most urgent task now was to escort Shen Yanzhou back to the capital to report in.
Elder Mo, however, grew anxious upon hearing this. Grabbing Shen Yanzhou’s arm, he said hastily, “My Lord, perhaps we should wait a bit longer.”
He knew well the relationship between True Person Yin Han and Shen Jingxiao, the Demon Suppression King.
Though Yin Han claimed to have come to subdue the demon king, there was no telling what other intentions he might harbor.
Wu Ruyue glanced over, her expression shifting slightly. “Is it the Yin Han from Purple Cloud Monastery in Lei Prefecture?” she asked.
Elder Mo nodded. “Miss Wu, you know of him?”
The Chilin Captains were puzzled by Elder Mo’s insistence on waiting. Wouldn’t traveling with Yin Han ensure their safety on the way back to the capital?
Wu Ruyue’s brows furrowed. She could sense Elder Mo’s concern—he feared that Yin Han might be a threat to Shen Yanzhou.
Back in the Southern Border, Yin Han’s two disciples had gone there for training, befriending many, including herself.
Especially Shen Tian.
She remembered clearly that someone in the army had mentioned that the prince had instructed special care be given to those two disciples.
It seemed Yin Han indeed had a close relationship with the Demon Suppression King.
The internal affairs of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion were far more complex than she had imagined. That those who wished Shen Yanzhou dead even included a Daoist True Person was something she hadn’t expected.
She sighed inwardly.
If Shen Yanzhou truly inherited the Martial God’s legacy, at least he would have greater power to protect himself amidst the coming storm.
“Rest assured,” she said to Elder Mo, “I will remain by Shen Yanzhou’s side and protect him.”
Elder Mo doubted Wu Ruyue’s ability to keep such a promise, but he said nothing more. He could only silently pray that the mysterious expert was still watching over them.
Zhou Yang, Gu Ruoxi, and the others sensed that something was off, but they were not fools. They had already guessed that Shen Yanzhou’s kidnapping might have been a staged act orchestrated by the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion itself.
Now, they wisely kept their suspicions to themselves, pretending not to notice anything.
No one questioned Shen Yanzhou about his abduction, and he, in turn, offered no explanation—saving him the trouble.
He gently rubbed the white jade ring on his finger.
Everything was unfolding just as he had anticipated. The arrival of Yin Han proved Shen Jingxiao’s compromise.
However, by now, Shen Jingxiao likely knew that Shen Tian had gone missing.
Yin Han’s arrival here must have another purpose as well.
Whether Yin Han intended to harm him or not, Shen Yanzhou felt no fear.
Shen Jingxiao was no fool. The Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion was already under scrutiny, many suspecting that the kidnapping had been staged.
At such a time, even if he had to hold his nose, Shen Jingxiao would be forced to ensure Shen Yanzhou’s safety.
Of course, Shen Yanzhou had another “gift” prepared for him.
——
Not long after, the sound of wind stirred above them. In the distance, a massive white celestial crane appeared, wings spreading several meters wide, gliding slowly through the clouds with ethereal grace.
“True Person Yin Han has arrived.”
Daoist Ziyang was the first to notice. His usually calm face lit with genuine joy as he respectfully bowed toward the approaching figure.
The other Immortal Officers followed suit, bowing low despite their official status.
To be addressed as “True Person” was to have reached the Fourth Rank—Nascent Soul Realm in the Daoist path, one qualified to establish a sect.
“Greetings, True Person.”
A middle-aged man in a flowing robe of misty clouds and a golden crown stood atop the crane.
His temples were touched with white, his gaze deep and serene. With his hands behind his back and long beard fluttering in the wind, he exuded an unworldly grace.
Beside him stood a young man and woman. The man was a handsome Daoist with a wooden hairpin, while the girl, dressed as a Daoist nun, was lively and bright-eyed, with skin pale as snow.
“No need for ceremony.”
True Person Yin Han lightly waved his hand, and a gentle breeze lifted all those bowing, setting them back on their feet.
Zhou Yang and the Chilin Captains did not bow but saluted respectfully.
“So the Young Heir Shen is here as well? It seems this visit was unnecessary after all.”
Yin Han stepped down from the crane, walking through the air as if on invisible steps. Ripples formed beneath each step, Daoist energy swirling around him as he descended with unearthly composure.
His eyes fell upon Shen Yanzhou—mildly surprised.
Shen Yanzhou smiled. “Then I’ve troubled True Person Yin to make a wasted trip.”
Yin Han’s brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
His two disciples landed behind him, both surprised. The young man studied Shen Yanzhou with a faint frown, while the Daoist nun smiled warmly.
“Miss Wu, long time no see.”
“Miss Wu.”
The two greeted her politely—Xu Fan and Yu Meng.
Wu Ruyue recognized them immediately and returned the greeting. They had once trained together in the Southern Border—alongside Shen Tian.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here again,” Yu Meng said cheerfully, placing a friendly hand on Wu Ruyue’s shoulder.
Xu Fan smiled. “I still remember when we worked together to destroy that great demon’s lair. Without your and Brother Shen Tian’s help, it would have cost us dearly.”
Wu Ruyue’s expression shifted slightly at the mention of Shen Tian. She instinctively glanced toward Shen Yanzhou, but he appeared calm and unaffected.
“This was long ago,” she said softly. “Back then, we were simply fulfilling our duty.”
“The next time I see Brother Shen Tian, I must share a drink with him,” Xu Fan said, then added with a faint smile, “Though perhaps, next time, it won’t be right to call him simply ‘Brother Shen Tian.’”
He cast a deliberate glance at Shen Yanzhou.
As Shen Tian’s close friend, Xu Fan knew more than he let on—but this was not the time to reveal it.
“Mind your tongue,” Yin Han warned his disciple.
“Since the Young Heir Shen is unharmed, I can rest easy. The journey back to the capital may be perilous, so my two disciples will escort you. As for me, I’ll personally confront the demon king lurking in this mountain to ensure it causes no more trouble.”
With that, he paid the crowd no further heed. His robe flared as he rose upon a swirl of mist, transforming into a streak of rainbow light that shot deep into the heart of Hidden Moon Mountain.
Everyone was taken aback—none had expected Yin Han to act so straightforwardly. Did he truly mean to subdue the demon king?
Only Shen Yanzhou narrowed his eyes knowingly.
Yin Han’s supposed “meeting” with the demon king was merely an excuse—to investigate on Shen Jingxiao’s orders, and to search for traces of Shen Tian.
Given Shen Jingxiao’s ability, he must have already deduced that Shen Tian’s last known location was within this mountain.
Shen Yanzhou smiled faintly and dismissed the thought.
“Since True Person Yin Han said so, let us depart for the capital,” Daoist Ziyang said, ordering the Moon-Chasing Vessel prepared for departure.
The Chilin Guards began to pack up.
——
“Seems I won’t need to make an appearance after all.”
On a distant peak stood a tall man dressed in white, hair pale as snow, his eyes bright and sharp. A sword case rested upon his back, invisible sword intent coiling around him, stilling even the wind and snow. His presence was vast and immovable.
Two child attendants stood beside him, both dressed in white and holding swords.
“To think Master came all this way just because of that wastrel,” the little girl muttered, clearly displeased.
“Since it was at Senior Sister Yu’s request, I came,” the man said calmly, his gaze lingering on Shen Yanzhou in the distance.
After a moment, he murmured, “He doesn’t seem like her child.”
The girl’s black eyes gleamed. “Master, you mean Shen Yanzhou isn’t Senior Sister Yu’s real son?”
The man was silent for a while before replying, “He doesn’t resemble her.”
“But Master, you haven’t seen Senior Sister Yu for nearly twenty years! How can you be sure just by looking once?”
“Surely the Demon Suppression King can tell, can’t he?”
The man answered simply, “He can.”
The girl fell silent.
——
Meanwhile, as the group from Hidden Moon Mountain took flight on their cloud vessel back to the capital—
A shocking rumor was spreading like wildfire through the streets and alleys of the Great Qian Dynasty’s imperial capital, stirring immense uproar.
“What…”
“The Demon Suppression King deceived the court, hiding the true heir—Shen Yanzhou is merely a false heir?”
Within every grand mansion, countless important figures were thrown into chaos. Upon hearing the news, they immediately dispatched servants to verify its authenticity.
Within the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, several clan elders turned pale with terror, their very souls seeming to scatter.
“Who—who dares spread such audacious lies?”
“Find out immediately!”
Shen Zhigao’s face twisted in fury as he crushed the fine porcelain teacup in his hand.
Inside a modest inn, Song Tiemu and Zhu Chansi, both in disguise, sat by the window, sipping wine and nibbling on peanuts.
“There’s no need for anything complicated,” Song Tiemu said with a grin. “To spread rumors, just find some hungry beggars at a temple, threaten or bribe them with a few copper coins and steamed buns…”
“Master Shen will surely be pleased.”
Zhu Chansi gave him a speechless look. “Aren’t you afraid the Nether Cult will trace the source and find you?”