Chapter 42: Ruthless (Sixth Update)

“Only someone like Young Master Chen, a sage removed from the mundane world, could possess such incomparable serenity of mind.”

Mu Wanqing, Bai Li Song, Elder Hua, Huangfu Meng, and Nangong Ba were all filled with deep admiration. From the painting bestowed upon Bing Muer alone, one could sense the extraordinary state of mind of Young Master Chen.

“It is indeed a fine painting!”

The Demon Emperor lifted his head to gaze at it, then shook his head and sneered, “But do you really think this painting alone can bring about my demise? How laughable! Watch as I destroy it first.”

He soared into the sky, swinging his fist directly at the painting.

But suddenly, countless divine rays burst forth from the artwork, radiating a sanctity beyond compare. The sound of the Great Dao echoed like a thunderous bell and resounding drum.

“Ah!”

“The divine radiance is overwhelming!”

Cries of astonishment rang out as none present could bear the brilliance emanating from the painting; hastily, they shut their eyes tight.

Yet the sound of the Great Dao continued to reverberate in their ears, inescapable.

In the blink of an eye, blood spurted from the seven orifices of the assembled crowd, their bodies convulsing in agony.

Boom, boom, boom...

Those with weaker cultivation exploded outright, shattered by the vast resonance of the Great Dao, their forms reduced to bloody mist.

“This painting…”

At this moment, even Nalan Ruoshui was coughing blood from every orifice, her appearance tragic beyond words.

To think that a single painting could contain such terrifying resonance of the Great Dao—what kind of saintly existence was the artist, Young Master Chen?

“Ah, I’m about to shatter!”

The crowd knelt, clutching their ears in despair, howling in pain.

The Sound of the Dao, originally the voice of orthodoxy, would be a supreme fortune to hear even a fraction. Yet the resonance from this painting was far too vast for their mortal bodies to endure.

Suddenly, the dazzling divine radiance vanished.

The terrifying resonance of the Great Dao also faded away.

“Whew…”

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had narrowly escaped death.

Slowly, they opened their bloodied eyes, only to see Bing Muer holding the painting aloft, standing proudly in her fluttering white dress, like an immortal exiled from the heavens.

“Where is the Demon Emperor?”

Someone whispered in awe.

It was true—the Demon Emperor, who had moments before stood supreme and invincible, had vanished without a trace.

The last thing they remembered was the Demon Emperor striking at the painting, yet now he was gone.

“Young… Young Lady, where has the Demon Emperor gone?”

Nalan Ruoshui now looked at Bing Muer with utmost reverence, her voice trembling. Only now did she realize that the terrifying power of Young Master Chen far exceeded her wildest imagination.

“The Demon Emperor has been sealed within this painting. From this day forth, there will be no Demon Emperor in this world.”

Bing Muer gently shook the scroll in her hand and spoke indifferently.

Mu Wanqing, Elder Hua, Bai Li Song, and the others wore expressions blending pride with admiration.

Indeed, everything had been within Young Master Chen’s grasp.

He had foreseen the resurrection of the Demon Emperor, which was why he had bestowed this painting upon the young lady—its true purpose was for her to bring it to the Demon Emperor’s tomb and seal him away.

“What? The Demon Emperor has been sealed within the painting?”

None present could believe their ears.

A supreme figure who had once dominated the world had been sealed away by a single painting.

What kind of miraculous, heaven-defying artifact was the painting in Bing Muer’s hand?

They could not even begin to imagine.

Now, every gaze toward Bing Muer brimmed with awe—just the thought of Young Master Chen behind her made their hearts tremble uncontrollably.

“Thank you, young lady, for your intervention. Otherwise, everyone here today would have become fodder for the demon beasts.”

Nalan Ruoshui, an elder of the Sacred Sword Sect, held an exalted status and terrifying strength, yet now her manner was humble to the extreme.

“It’s nothing,” Bing Muer replied with a wave of her hand. Then her gaze swept the crowd and finally settled on Bing Miaoguo and Elder Mu.

“Ah…”

Both Bing Miaoguo and Elder Mu gasped, their bodies trembling as if facing a dire foe.

Earlier, not only had they insulted Bing Muer, but had even shown clear murderous intent.

What made Bing Muer most furious was that Bing Miaoguo, that wretched woman, had dared to profane Young Master Chen. Even before the Demon Emperor’s resurrection, Bing Muer had already resolved to kill her.

However—

At that moment—

“Ah, Elder Mu, you—!”

Bing Miaoguo shrieked.

Elder Mu beside her suddenly struck, his five fingers like steel claws plunging into Bing Miaoguo’s skull.

Blood burst forth from his fingers in a sudden torrent.

The abruptness of it caused everyone present to gasp in horror.

This Elder Mu was utterly ruthless, turning on Bing Miaoguo in an instant.

And Bing Miaoguo was the grand princess of the Southern Domain's county city!

Bing Muer herself had not expected this turn of events; her face froze in shock, then grew even colder.

“You lowly dog, Elder Mu! How dare you strike me? My father will have you torn to pieces!”

Bing Miaoguo screamed, her face twisted in agony, her body shaking violently.

“Princess, forgive me. I was blind to serve you so loyally in the past. Only today have I seen the truth—in comparison to the young lady, you’re nothing but dog filth. Rest in peace; the prince will never know it was I who killed you.”

Elder Mu grinned wickedly, then turned to Bing Muer, his manner abjectly respectful. “Young lady, before I was ignorant and offended you many times. I beg you, be magnanimous and do not hold it against a worthless wretch like me.

I know how much you loathe the grand princess. Now that I have killed her for you, may this atone for my past sins?”

He had debased himself to the utmost, groveling in the dust.

“You despicable dog! How dare you call me filth? You’ll rot in the eighteenth hells!”

Bing Miaoguo roared, shaking with rage.

“Enough!”

Elder Mu barked coldly, murderous intent blazing in his once-clouded eyes.

He clenched his hand.

Crack!

Bing Miaoguo’s head burst like a watermelon, brains splattering across Elder Mu.

Her headless body collapsed to the ground in silence.

The grand princess of the Southern Domain’s county city—dead by Elder Mu’s own hand.

All present were stunned, frozen in disbelief.

A moment ago, Elder Mu had been utterly loyal to Bing Miaoguo; in the blink of an eye, in order to curry favor with Bing Muer, he had murdered her with his own hands.

Such venom—it chilled the very soul.

How grotesque could human nature become?

Bing Muer’s beautiful face was icy as frost, watching in silence with cold indifference.

She had already resolved to kill Bing Miaoguo; even if Elder Mu hadn’t done it, she would have.

“Young lady, I have killed the grand princess.”

A fawning smile appeared on Elder Mu’s face. “From now on, I am willing to serve you loyally, to go east at your word and never west.”

“That is unnecessary.”

Bing Muer shook her head lightly. “Kill yourself.”

With that, she didn’t even spare Elder Mu a glance, but slowly turned away.