Chapter 82: Has Shen Tian Lost His Mind?
“Even you can’t find out what’s going on with him?”
“How could his temperament suddenly change so drastically?”
In the Southern Border, on a vast plain adjacent to the Hundred-Thousand Deep Mountains, rows upon rows of military tents were pitched—dark mushrooms sprouting from the mist-laden ground, flourishing amid the drifting miasma.
Inside the central military tent, Shen Jingxiao frowned as he looked at Shen Tian, who had just been brought in. After personally examining him, he found nothing abnormal.
Yet, he knew Shen Tian’s temperament well. The Shen Tian he knew would never rush in yelling and roaring, full of arrogance and fury—let alone shout “Father” at him so brazenly.
Before today, the two had never openly acknowledged their true relationship. Even in perilous moments, Shen Tian had always addressed him as his adoptive father, calm and composed despite any crisis.
So why was he acting like this today?
Could it be that he had suffered inhumane torment in the Southern Border—or perhaps someone had tampered with him?
“Perhaps his soul was injured, leading to some problems with his mind. He might need rest. We could invite someone from Medicine King Valley to take a look.”
Ge Qixing, also skilled in the arts of medicine, had examined Shen Tian as well. He only faintly sensed that Shen Tian’s soul was unstable, as if startled by some great fright.
The soul was the foundation of one’s being. If unstable, it could reject the body, manifesting as dullness, madness, or even delirium.
However, Shen Tian’s soul appeared intact.
“Injured his brain?”
Shen Jingxiao’s brows furrowed tightly as his cold gaze lingered on the now-unconscious Shen Tian.
“He must have suffered a great blow—perhaps a mental wound. Still, we cannot rule out the cunning and bizarre methods used in the Southern Border,” Ge Qixing added.
Shen Jingxiao’s face darkened. He had thought that once the hostage exchange went smoothly, he could reunite with Shen Tian in peace.
But now, Shen Tian’s arrogance, defiance, and fury reminded him uncomfortably of Shen Yanzhou’s shadow.
An instinctive disgust welled up in him—though he could clearly feel the undeniable connection of blood between them.
“Luofu Cloud Cavern? One day, I, Shen, will level it to the ground.”
Shen Jingxiao’s eyes glinted with killing intent, and with one palm strike, he shattered the desk beside him into splinters.
“Your Highness, for now, we should return to the Imperial Capital,” Ge Qixing urged.
“Everything will proceed according to the plan. Those hidden sects of the Southern Border—none of them will escape.”
“As for the Young Lord’s condition, I’ll send a disciple to Seven Wonders Mountain to find the Elder of Seven Wonders. His attainments in matters of the soul are unmatched—he may discover the cause. Once that’s done, we can send the Young Lord back to the capital.”
Shen Jingxiao took a deep breath, realizing he couldn’t stay here long.
Beneath his study lay a secret teleportation passage—a network he had constructed in secret years ago. During the campaign to purge a beast lair in the Southern Border, he had stumbled upon an ancient ruin.
Within it, he had found a portable ancient teleportation array.
He later hired masters deeply versed in formations to dismantle and reconstruct it piece by piece beneath his own study—a process that took nearly ten years.
Though it seemed he had remained stationed in the Southern Border all these years, in truth, he occasionally returned to the Imperial Capital via the teleportation array, assuming a different identity each time.
Because of that, even when great incidents shook the capital—those in which he had played a hidden role—he always possessed an unshakable alibi.
Like the great fire twenty years ago, when the princess consort gave birth.
——
Urgent news from the Southern Border soon reached the Great Qian Imperial Capital through special communication crystals: the outbreak of a beast tide.
The monstrous tide surged across the skies, pouring from the foreign lands of the Demonic Beasts. To the southwest of Yao Pass, Changyang Pass held for only half a day before falling.
Countless beasts poured into Great Qian’s borders—many were powerful beast generals clad in armor, exuding overwhelming demonic might as they led their legions toward nearby Changyang City.
Scouts even reported sensing the faint presence of a Monster King within the horde—a pressure so immense that it oppressed the heavens themselves, suffocating common soldiers and adventurers alike.
Though other strongholds along Yao Pass quickly dispatched troops to resist, it was already too late.
The Monster King struck, wielding a colossal demonic weapon brimming with boundless energy. Like a dragon, its surge of demonic qi ripped apart more than six hundred defensive formations at Changyang Pass.
Changyang City was destroyed. The garrison and stranded adventurers fought desperately, but in the end, they were devoured by the beasts.
The land flowed with rivers of blood.
The beast tide pressed further northward.
When the message reached the Imperial Capital, it caused an uproar.
No one had expected that mere days after the Demon Suppression King’s recall to the capital, such a catastrophe would befall the Southern Border.
Many ministers now realized that the Southern Border was never truly pacified—and could not afford to lose the Demon Suppression King’s presence.
The Monster King dared to strike likely because he knew that the Demon Suppression King could not return swiftly to command the Demon Suppression Army in defense.
Within the Golden Luan Hall, Emperor Mingde did not appear; instead, he had the Crown Prince act as regent.
Though Xia Chongming faced such a crisis for the first time, he did not panic. He first summoned the Demon Suppression King to court, ordered scouts along the borders to monitor the beast tide closely, and then sought counsel from the assembled ministers.
“The northern plains are vast. Once the beasts enter, they will rampage unchecked, causing countless casualties and devastation.”
“The various Demon Suppression Armies have already been dispatched to seal off the breached Changyang Gate, to stem the source and prevent further disaster.”
“These beasts are difficult to eradicate. Should there be great demons among them, adept in the art of transformation, they could hide within human cities for decades, spreading chaos unnoticed.”
“That Monster King who struck the gates is indeed powerful—but our armies hold many grandmasters of the martial path and numerous Daoist adepts. Once the battle formations are deployed, they can be slain. What we truly fear are the countless lesser beasts that cannot all be hunted down…”
“In the end, all of this happened too suddenly. Changyang Pass fell far too quickly.”
The court was in uproar.
Ministers offered suggestions one after another. Some unfolded deployment maps of Yao Pass; others presented geomantic charts of the Southern Border, tracing the likely routes of the beasts’ northward advance.
Many of their expressions darkened—for the fiefs of their noble clans lay perilously close to those paths.
This invading tide numbered in the tens of thousands, and in mere half a day, it had breached deep into the borders, with many formidable beast generals among them.
If the tide reached their estates, the losses would be unimaginable.
“These beasts must be stopped. If they are allowed to charge north unchecked, the destruction of cities, farmlands, and villages will be a calamity ordained by the heavens.”
“At worst, we can just drive those beasts toward the southwest. That region borders the Hundred-Thousand Mountains. Even if the beasts cause harm, it won’t reach the territory of our Great Qian Dynasty,” a minister proposed.
“That’s true. There are quite a few hidden sects within the Hundred-Thousand Mountains. For years, our Great Qian has maintained Yao Pass to fend off beasts, which has indirectly spared them from the same devastation.”
“This time, with the beasts breaching the border, it’s only right they do their part. Your Highness, why not issue an order for all reinforcement troops to form defensive lines along the beasts’ northward route and drive them southwest instead…” several other ministers agreed.
Shen Jingxiao had just stepped into the hall when he heard their proposals.
His eyes darkened slightly, but no change showed on his face. He simply cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness, it is the thawing early spring in the Southern Border, the very season beasts are most prone to mating. Changyang Pass has long been in disrepair. The last time, a Monster King rammed into it, destroying itself in an attempt to breach the gate. That might be the reason this time Changyang Pass fell…”
Though Xia Chongming and Shen Jingxiao usually didn’t get along, at this moment, he didn’t rebuke him further. The urgent matter now was to find a way to exterminate the invading beasts and minimize losses.
He spoke up, “Though the Demon Suppression King bears some fault, considering the unique situation of Yao Pass—and the fact that he has now been summoned back to the capital and cannot personally guard it—it is understandable. Ministers, what do you think would minimize the loss?”
Shen Jingxiao replied, “The Demon Suppression Army is strict in discipline. They have already ordered the evacuation of villages that might be attacked along the route, to prevent further civilian casualties.”
“Rescue teams have also been dispatched to Changyang City to search for survivors and bring them out.”
“But judging from the beasts’ pace, it won’t be long before they reach Penghu Commandery.”
At the mention of “Penghu Commandery,” one minister’s face changed. He quickly stepped forward, “Your Highness, it’s best to adopt the earlier plan—drive the beasts southwest. If we try to hunt them down, I’m afraid there won’t be enough time.”
If they tried to kill the beasts outright, time would be wasted, and the beasts would scatter. Should they reach his Penghu Commandery, who would bear the consequences of such loss? He would have to grit his teeth and swallow it alone.
Shen Jingxiao cast him a glance, pondered briefly, and said, “Driving them southwest is indeed a fine idea. As long as we slow their northward advance, once I return to the Southern Border and lead the army in pursuit, we can encircle and annihilate them one by one, minimizing the losses.”
“However, such an act might stir discontent among those hidden sects within the Hundred-Thousand Mountains.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Crown Prince Xia Chongming waved his hand and said, “Those hidden sects that refuse imperial registration and reject civil order—why should we care? Dissatisfied or not, they’ll have to endure it. The urgent matter now is ensuring the citizens of our Great Qian suffer no harm. They are not our subjects—their lives and deaths are none of our concern.”
The other ministers said nothing in response.
Only a few Grand Scholars shook their heads slightly, thinking that diverting calamity eastward like this went against the Heavenly Virtue and diminished national prestige.
“Your Highness is wise.”
“Then this humble official shall issue orders for the Demon Suppression Army to drive the beasts southwest as much as possible.”
Shen Jingxiao cupped his hands again. His eyes remained calm, as he rarely did, he even flattered Xia Chongming a little.
Xia Chongming was rather surprised. Shen Jingxiao, who always disagreed with him, was praising him?
A few keen-eyed ministers narrowed their eyes slightly, sensing that things might not be as simple as they appeared.
……
“Have Li Hu, Wang Bao, Sun Ning, and other generals lead the Demon Suppression Army to the southwest.”
“If they encounter any Southern Border sects, kill them without mercy—treat them as beasts.”
Back at the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, the first thing Shen Jingxiao did was pick up his Transmission Jade Talisman and relay the court’s order.
It was the Crown Prince Xia Chongming’s decree, nothing to do with him personally.
The beast tide invaded, and the Great Qian officials, seeking self-preservation, drove the beasts southwest. And he, Shen Jingxiao, was ordered to subdue the beasts—sending the Demon Suppression Army into the Hundred-Thousand Mountains—wasn’t that only natural?
……
After parting ways at the Chilin Guards headquarters, Shen Yanzhou and Wu Ruyue returned to their residence. He naturally had already heard about the day’s events.
“As expected, I knew Shen Jingxiao’s temper. After suffering such a loss, there’s no way he’d let it go so easily.”
He shook his head, already guessing at Shen Jingxiao’s methods.
Shen Tian had likely been retrieved by now.
Otherwise, Shen Jingxiao would never have allowed the beasts to enter the border. This whole staged performance was meant to justify his crusade against the Hundred-Thousand Mountains, to make those hidden sects like Luofu Cloud Cavern suffer dearly.
Shen Yanzhou glanced outside the window, extended his divine sense slightly to ensure Yu Chenyu wasn’t in the pavilion outside, then took a Transmission Jade Talisman out from his Sumeru Ring.
Since parting at Hidden Moon Mountain, he and Fu Yuying had scarcely contacted each other.
To Shen Yanzhou, if there was no need, he wouldn’t reach out to anyone. This time, he merely wanted to warn Fu Yuying.
After all, they had shared a “life-and-death bond.” When facing Shen Jingxiao later, Fu Yuying might be able to help him somewhat.
Moments later, Fu Yuying’s slightly cool and ethereal voice came from the other end of the talisman, “Young Master Shen?”
“Shen Jingxiao intends to deal with you,” Shen Yanzhou said bluntly.
Inside Luofu Cloud Cavern, within a simple Meditation Chamber draped with silken curtains.
Fu Yuying sat cross-legged on a jade bed, wearing a light gauze robe. Her graceful figure was elegant and alluring, her delicate skin smooth as ivory, glowing faintly with a jade-like sheen.
Beside her, in a jade pool steaming with heat, Chu Xiuer was sprinkling flower petals from a basket into the water.
Fu Yuying had just been preparing to bathe when her Transmission Jade Talisman suddenly lit up—it was Shen Yanzhou, who hadn’t contacted her in a long time.
Her lips curved with a faint smile as she prepared to ask what he wanted. But upon hearing his words, the curve at her lips vanished instantly.
She was unaware of the events that had occurred in the Imperial Capital.
The eyes and ears of Luofu Cloud Cavern were not yet capable of infiltrating the palace itself.
“Young Master Shen, please explain in detail,” Fu Yuying said, her expression turning grave.
“Yao Pass in the Southern Border has fallen. Countless beasts have entered the border. They will likely be driven toward the Hundred-Thousand Mountains.”
“Shen Jingxiao will be ordered to lead the Demon Suppression Army into the mountains to hunt beasts. If he has any dealings with the beast clans, then this army and the beasts themselves will be striking directly at your Southern Border sects,” Shen Yanzhou said.
Fu Yuying froze, her slender hand clutching the Transmission Jade Talisman tightly.
She had heard that beasts had breached Yao Pass but hadn’t thought deeply on it—never imagining this was one of Shen Jingxiao’s schemes.
The beasts were deliberately released by him?
“Shen Jingxiao is truly ruthless—sacrificing all of Changyang City, tens of thousands of lives, not to mention all other losses.”
“Thank you for the warning, Young Master Shen. I will immediately fortify our defenses and alert the sects to prepare.”
Fu Yuying drew a deep breath. She didn’t even have time to bathe, hastily rising to change her robes.
If they didn’t prepare properly, for the many hidden sects in the Southern Border, this would be a catastrophe.
When the time came, would the hidden sects of the Southern Border perish under the beast tide—or at the hands of the Demon Suppression Army?
No one could say for sure.