Chapter 187: 49: Deceiving the Kind Judge, Bewitching Jiang the Witch

At Mount Wutai’s Chaoyang Cave, names of various individuals were densely inscribed upon the rocky walls.

Every so often, bits of rock would trickle down as a name disappeared—signifying yet another target had been harvested and killed.

Wei Dongliu looked carefully and saw not only Qiu Changtian’s name but also Xu Yinglian’s, as well as Lin Duanshan, Duan Fenhai, Guan Shanyue, and An Zhisu.

By focusing on a name for a moment, the corresponding bounty information would emerge in one’s mind.

The bounties of others stayed within the normal range, but the bounty on Qiu Changtian… it even gave Wei Dongliu the impulse to “kill myself” and then go claim the reward.

Jiang Liyan was also staring at the rock wall, but the corner of her eye was secretly peeking at Wei Dongliu, observing the expressions on his face.

Why is this guy looking at the bounty wall? Could it be that he intends to take on a bounty?

Jiang the Witch followed his gaze, trying to lock onto the focal point of his vision, and said with a smile:

“Does Brother Wei have a preferred target in mind?”

“No particular target, just casually looking,” Wei Dongliu responded nonchalantly.

Unwilling to let me know, huh? Jiang the Witch’s thoughts sank slightly.

If she could figure out his criteria for selecting bounties, perhaps she could arrange one for Sister Ai…

With her covert motives silently turning, she suddenly heard a somewhat magnetic and hoarse male voice coming from the distance:

“Eh, isn’t that Brother Jiang?”

Wen Yang had arrived!

Jiang Liyan quickly controlled all the muscles in her face, turning around in feigned surprise:

“Eh, Brother Wen?”

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.” Wen Yang descended with the sword light and stepped onto the ground, then turned his gaze to Wei Dongliu and asked, “And this is…”

“Wei Dongliu, a newcomer to the Mortal Life Path,” Jiang Liyan said with a slight smile.

“Brother Wei, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Wen Yang lazily. “I am Judge Wen Yang of the Nether Ghost Path.”

Wei Dongliu bowed in greeting, suddenly recognizing this individual before him as the leader of the Nether Ghost Demonic cultivators whom Qiu Changtian had encountered in the Earth Vein ruins on the western side of Long Mountain.

He had left a profound impression on Qiu Changtian as a beauty dressed in women’s clothing but with a man’s voice.

Yet at that time, the other party was only at the Marrow Cleansing Rank, and now it seemed he had already promoted to the Refining Mansion Rank.

The Demon Cult’s Six Paths were full of various quick-success Cultivation Techniques that could forcefully hurry one’s progress, rapidly advancing one’s Cultivation Realm—the only drawback being the emotion-stirring pass rate of the Heavenly Tribulation.

“The Myriad Laws Mystic Profound Sect, Wei Dongliu.” He introduced himself, noticing Wen Yang’s gaze lingering on the wrapped sword on his back for a moment.

“From which sect does Brother Wei inherit his Daoist magic?” Wen Yang asked with a smile.

His own attire was flamboyant, with dark green robe sleeves, silver trimmed edges, and a turquoise hairpin elegantly holding up his long hair that was as dark as ink. If not for his voice, one would never perceive him to be a man.

“Myriad Laws Mystic Profound Sect,” Wei Dongliu said gravely.

“The Daoist heritage of the Tai Yi Mystic Profound Real Person of Myriad Laws?” Wen Yang showed a trace of curiosity.

“Brother Wen is also familiar with this name?” Jiang Liyan asked with a radiant smile, yet unsurprised.

After all, the Heavenly Demon Path and the Nether Ghost Path retained the most complete collections of the Intercepting Cult’s ancient texts and materials.

“I have heard a little,” Wen Yang said with a slight smile. “I’ve heard that the Real Person was versed in all laws, particularly good at innovation, and possessed unrivaled Sword Casting Techniques; many famous swords came from his hand.”

“I won’t hide it from you, I have always loved observing swords, and I regret not having been born in the era of the Real Person, to discuss the art of famous swords with him.”

“By the way, I’ve been wanting to ask since earlier: the sword on Brother Wei’s back, to what extent does its sharpness exceed, that it couldn’t be contained in a scabbard or sword box, prompting you to wrap it in cloth?”

Jiang the Witch maintained her smile on the side, but her heart was already in turmoil, immediately devising at least thirteen methods to flee on the spot.

“Although it is abrupt, may I ask Brother Wei to lend me that Flying Sword to observe in my hand?” Wen Yang continued to smile, but a chill was gradually appearing in his eyes.

“Since you recognize it’s abrupt, why propose such a request?” Wei Dongliu asked indifferently.

“Because I’m irresistibly curious,” Wen Yang nestled his hands in his sleeves, giving the impression that he was forming hand seals for a spell, still with a smile on his face, “I trust Brother Wei won’t embarrass me.”

Wei Dongliu silently observed him, while Wen Yang responded with a smile, the two thus staring at each other for a long while.

“Alright then,” Wei Dongliu reached out to touch the long sword on his back, while Wen Yang slightly narrowed his eyes.

However, the other party did not launch an attack but rather calmly took down the sword from his back and tossed it over casually.

Wen Yang caught it firmly, and the smile on his face quickly faded, solemnly unwrapping the cloth layer by layer to reveal the dark purple, almost black sword beneath.

Hmm…

Although it was indeed close to pitch black, there were too many swords with this kind of luster, and no wailing of myriad ghosts when the cloth was unwrapped.

Wen Yang ran his slender fingers over the spine of the sword, feeling a chilling coolness, but it was merely the coolness of the metal surface and not the cold that would displace a soul.

Indeed, it was not the Myriad Demons Evil Spirit Sword…

As his thoughts whirled, a smile reappeared on his face, and he said,

“What a fine sword.”

Who are you calling a fool? Wei Dongliu’s eyebrows jumped.

“Water System?” Wen Yang asked.

“Water System Tenth Rank,” Wei Dongliu answered.

“Does the sword contain Daoist Magic or Forbidden Technique?” Wen Yang continued to probe.

“What is a Forbidden Technique?” Wei Dongliu didn’t fall for the bait, “Please enlighten me, Brother Wen.”

“You jest, Brother Wei,” Wen Yang returned the Immortal Sword to him and then took out an Elixir Bottle from his sleeve, “Soul Cleansing Pill, it can slightly increase the speed of your Refining Mansion but carries a trace amount of toxicity, so it must not be consumed excessively.”

“Thank you,” Wei Dongliu re-slung the Immortal Sword on his back.

“Don’t mention it,” Wen Yang bowed with hands clasped together and saluted the two, “I have matters to attend to and must be going.”

He rode off on his Sword Light and disappeared into the horizon.

Jiang the Witch turned her head, her beautiful eyes swirling with curiosity.

When Wen Yang had unwrapped the cloth earlier, she saw clearly that it was definitely the Myriad Demons Evil Spirit Sword sold by the old ghost Yan last time!

The question was, why didn’t Wen Yang recognize it after he’d handled it?

If Judge Wen Yang had gone blind, that was clearly nonsense; to say that she “saw it wrong” seemed even more unlikely.

Just how many secrets was this guy hiding?

With these thoughts in mind, Jiang the Witch found her eyes almost unable to leave Wei Dongliu.

In response to her displayed curiosity and thirst for knowledge, Wei Dongliu simply smiled without a word, feeling secretly thrilled.

The key to deceiving Wen Yang lay in the Mirror Flower Water Moon Illusion Technique cast by the Kunlun Mirror, a secret Jiang Liyan would never guess.

Because of this, the Synchronization Value of his mysterious persona was once again soaring… Surely, to boost the Synchronization Value of such a persona, one must find someone as clever, quick-witted, and brimming with curiosity as Jiang the Witch.

On reflection, he realized that beside each persona he had, there always seemed to be an opportune target for harvesting Synchronization Value.

For Qiu Changtian’s Invincible Character Setting, which required showing off, there was Xu Yinglian, a proud and strong junior sister.

For Ling Yunpo’s indomitable persona, which thrived on struggle, there was An Zhisu, a senior sister with enemies wherever she looked.

For Luo Yan’s Falsehood persona, which demanded deceit, there was Shi Liuli, a naive and innocent young lady.

Now, for Wei Dongliu’s persona of mystery which required suspense, encountering someone like Jiang Liyan who was inquisitive yet cautious was extremely fortunate.

Being prone to overthinking meant paying attention to the many mysteries about Wei Dongliu;

Being vigilant prevented her from asking directly, instead pondering repeatedly in her mind—there came the Synchronization Value!

“Brother Jiang,” Wei Dongliu held back his joy and said indifferently, “As neighbors, we should indeed visit each other more often.”

Jiang Liyan: ?

This guy… he couldn’t possibly be coveting my beauty, could he?

With a sense of wariness rising inside, she responded with a sweet smile and a soft voice,

“Of course, we must visit each other often indeed.”