Chapter 240 - 234: Overlord of the Turbid World, Found

Chapter 240: Chapter 234: Overlord of the Turbid World, Found

"The Zhu Yan is born from the essence of military calamity. As long as war rages throughout the land..."

"It can’t die?"

"Not undying, exactly. Just incredibly hard to kill."

Gu Shouyu shook his head. "An ordinary person would find it nearly impossible to kill it for good. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless its killer is the paramount ruler of the age, one who possesses the power to end all military calamity and bring order to this chaotic world..."

Gu Shouyu scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "This is all just stuff I read in the ancient texts at the Astronomical Bureau. With modern learning so prevalent these days, I can’t say for sure if these old theories about destiny and fortune are still to be believed..."

A glint appeared in Fu Juemin’s eyes, but he remained noncommittal.

A moment later, his expression returned to its usual calm.

"Let’s start the search for the demons."

Fu Juemin sent all his men out to meticulously search the designated zones of the vast marshland formed by the Du Mountain Reservoir’s collapse.

The only exception was Gu Shouyu, whose poor stamina relegated him to the role of "technical advisor."

Fu Juemin sat on a relatively dry rock, gazing at the vast, murky, and gradually calming waters before him.

At this moment, not a single drop of Innate Primordial Qi remained in his body; even his Qi Blood was depleted. He didn’t know how long it would take to recover. He would be damned if he let the two demons escape after he had paid such a heavy price.

Still, the hunt hadn’t been a complete waste of effort.

While comprehending the Infinite Seal Technique, his proficiency with the Six Great Seal Techniques of Dragon and Elephant had reached the Adept level. He then used one Skill Point to raise it to "Mastery." It was only because of this accumulated foundation that he was able to grasp the "Sumeru Seal Technique" amidst the raging, muddy torrent.

Born from the Six Great Seal Techniques of Dragon and Elephant, [Sumeru Incline] was a killing blow of Fu Juemin’s own creation, one perfectly adapted for his Demon Body state. It had even been recorded by his character panel, which meant that in the future, [Sumeru Incline] could also be upgraded with points, relying on the panel’s functions to help him perfect it further.

As Fu Juemin was lost in thought, Gu Shouyu, who had been fiddling with a camera and notebook off to the side for a good while, suddenly walked over, looking hesitant and like he had something to say but couldn’t get the words out.

Fu Juemin didn’t even raise his eyelids. "Speak."

Gu Shouyu said, a bit embarrassed, "I... I’ve been planning to systematically organize and summarize all the material I have on Demon Fiends, to compile a new compendium dedicated to chronicling them..."

"A Demon Monster Grand Ceremony?"

Fu Juemin listened to Gu Shouyu’s first few words, then nodded in appraisal. "Not a bad idea."

Gu Shouyu’s spirits lifted at Fu Juemin’s approval. He quickly added, "I’d like to ask you for a favor."

"Do you need money or men?"

"No, no, no..."

Gu Shouyu shook his head vigorously. "I want to create a brand-new, unprecedented... new category, separate from the existing classifications of Demon Fiends. Using you as the prime example."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Fu Juemin’s interest was piqued. He couldn’t help but laugh. "Are you trying to make my name go down in history? What do you plan on calling this new category?"

His ability to transform into a Demon Fiend was hardly a secret among his men anymore, so it was only natural that Gu Shouyu would come up with such an idea.

Seeing that Fu Juemin didn’t object, Gu Shouyu’s face lit up, and the words tumbled out of him. "You’re human, but you can also wield Demon Power, a fusion of the two! So, I plan to name the category ’Human-D—’"

"Get out!"

Fu Juemin’s face was already dark before Gu Shouyu could even finish.

"Change the name! Or I’m burning your manuscript!"

Gu Shouyu stood there, mouth agape, completely stunned. He had no idea why Fu Juemin, who had been in a perfectly good mood a moment ago, had suddenly exploded with rage.

He didn’t dare ask why, so he just ducked his head and shuffled back to the side, muttering to himself.

’The name... seemed pretty fitting, though...’

Ignoring Gu Shouyu, Fu Juemin waited another hour before Shen Yijun arrived with a large retinue.

Just as Fu Juemin had expected, the man was incredibly enthusiastic upon hearing that it was a big score involving two Demons.

After briefly confirming the physical descriptions of the two Demons—the Old Turtle and the water monkey—with Fu Juemin, Shen Yijun waved a grand hand and ordered the men he’d brought, "Teams of five, spread out and search! Whoever finds them first will be handsomely rewarded by this Young Master!"

At his command, his hundred or so men descended upon the downstream marsh like a pack of wolves and tigers. Some took to boats, others to horseback. Each small squad was well-equipped and moved with coordination, spreading out like a great net being cast over the water.

Once his men were deployed, Shen Yijun sauntered back with a grin to make small talk with Fu Juemin.

He glanced at the collapsed mountainside in the distance and couldn’t help but sigh, "Young Master Fu, you certainly don’t do things by halves. To think you blew up the entire Du Mountain Reservoir."

Fu Juemin didn’t rise to the bait. Though they had worked together more than once, he still held no particular fondness for Shen Yijun.

He shot Shen Yijun a look and reminded him coolly, "Young Master Shen, if you have any special tricks up your sleeve, I suggest you use them soon. Those two Demons are cunning. If we drag this out, they might just get away..."

Shen Yijun, however, looked completely confident, smiling as he said, "You can rest easy on that front. This Demon Hunting Team of mine might not compare to your elite Ghost Camp, but they’re professionals all the same.

With our two teams working together, unless those two Demons can sprout wings and fly to the heavens or tunnel deep into the earth, there’s absolutely no escape for them."

"Let’s hope you’re right."

Fu Juemin’s eyes twitched as he caught the three words Shen Yijun had used: "Demon Hunting Team." "It seems you’re really planning to make this Demon Fiend business a long-term venture, even raising a dedicated team for it..."

Shen Yijun nodded and sighed softly. "Other businesses are tough these days.

In a little while, I’ll be leaving for Yingjing.

Thanks to those Demon Corpses you sold me, I’ve managed to get my foot in the door with a certain crowd there. I’ll likely be doing business in Yingjing for the next few years...

This might very well be the last time you and I work together in Shenghai..."

Fu Juemin’s gaze deepened at his words. He said slowly, "I’m afraid I’m not the only one you have to thank. There are also those Westerners with their labs in the Concession, and... Commander Luo Zhengxiong, I presume?"

Shen Yijun gave a dry laugh but offered no reply, deftly changing the subject instead.

Shen Yijun’s attendants found a dry, flat patch of ground by the edge of the marsh and quickly erected a temporary pavilion. It was fully furnished with all manner of supplies; they had even prepared a bed.

He invited Fu Juemin inside, and Fu Juemin did not refuse.

It had already been afternoon when Xu Hengjiang and his men blew up the reservoir. After all the subsequent commotion, the sky quickly grew dark.

Neither team showed any sign of resting, racing against time as they searched by torchlight. Fu Juemin and Shen Yijun waited in the tent, with no plans to return for the night.

At the first light of dawn the next day, a man soaked to the bone suddenly burst into the tent where the two were resting. His face was flushed with a joy he couldn’t contain as he urgently reported, "Young Master! We’ve found them!"

Shen Yijun, who had stayed up all night smoking opium while resting his head in a maid’s lap, instantly perked up at the news.

He shot to his feet. He was about to call out to Fu Juemin, but when he turned, he saw that Fu Juemin was already striding out of the tent.

"Hey, Brother Lingjun!

Wait for me..."