Chapter 677: Great Demon 40

These Great Demons were absolutely united when it came to matters concerning the survival of their clan. But as soon as there was no common enemy, any sense of camaraderie vanished. On a normal day, they’d jump at any chance to kick someone while they were down.

Looking at it, out of the entire Demon Clan, only Tan You truly valued friendship. As for the plant demon tribe, Cang Long never even gave them a second thought.

Yes, he, Cang Long, was just that arrogant, rude, and contemptuous of everyone—and he would never change!

Tan You gave a helpless smile. She had already given up on reasoning with these Great Demons. It was pointless, truly pointless. She’d rather spend that time improving herself.

Her gaze swept over the former half-demons, and Tan You suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Qing Ming, you should come with us. I have a feeling this trip will yield an unexpected discovery."

Qing Ming replied respectfully, "Yes. I’ll go pack my things right away."

The Nine-tailed Fox nudged Bai Ze’s elbow. "Why is Jin Huan talking more and more cryptically these days? Is this what happens when you contemplate the Great Dao of Karma? It’s all so vague."

Bai Ze shrugged. "I don’t know. Or maybe it’s because Jin Huan is the master of the Demon Market, so she can sense everything that happens there?"

The Nine-tailed Fox said, "Perhaps. I need to go out and resolve some of my own karma this time, too. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly."

The Great Demons were all impulsive by nature. The decision was made in the morning, and by noon, they had all appeared outside the Ten Directions Mountains. Having arrived in cultivator territory, the Great Demons, with a single accord, transformed into their human forms.

The Nine-colored Deer shook its head, clearly not used to the change. "Without my antlers, it just feels strange."

Tan You glanced at the Nine-colored Deer. "Whether you have antlers or not, you’re still you."

The Nine-colored Deer froze for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. "The Nine-tailed Fox was right, Jin Huan. You really are speaking in riddles these days. I think you’d have plenty to talk about with those Buddhist cultivators."

Tan You shrugged. "Am I? All I mean is that no matter your outward appearance, I still see all of you for who you are. As for Buddhist cultivators, forget it. I don’t know anything about Buddhist Law."

Seeing the teasing looks on all the Great Demons’ faces, Tan You clamped her mouth shut. ’From this day on, I’m not saying a word. If I so much as open my mouth, these Great Demons will probably just use it as another excuse to tease me about karma.’

Excluding their leader Tan You, Qing Ming was the youngest and had the lowest cultivation level in the group. Therefore, he was perceptive enough to act as an errand boy, serving the Great Demons tea and water along the way.

Although Tan You was only at the tenth rank, she was the master of the Demon Market. Add to that the fact she now wielded karma as an ultimate weapon, and not a single Great Demon dared to order her around. They were all afraid she’d just quit on them halfway through.

And so, after the group entered a tavern, Qing Ming began taking their orders. He had already cultivated to the eighth rank, and in his human form, he looked like a gentle, cheerful young man.

The Peacock waved his fan. "Qing Ming’s appearance is so deceptive. He looks completely harmless, with such a kind face, but he’s actually tough as nails and can really take a beating. The contrast is jarring."

Bai Ze poured Tan Yue a cup of tea, then paused as he was about to pour his own. "’A kind face’... isn’t that an odd choice of words? The library has no shortage of books. After all these years, haven’t you absorbed any scholarly grace at all?"

The Peacock grinned cheekily. "You’re the eloquent one, you tell me. But I really do think that Qing Ming’s human form doesn’t look much like one of the Demon Clan. He’s more like... like..."

The Peacock couldn’t find the words. Tan You took a sip of her plain tea. "Like a Son of Buddha, here to bring salvation to the masses?"

The Cold Dragon’s hand trembled, knocking his teacup onto the table and spilling tea everywhere. In the next instant, the liquid flowed backward, returning perfectly to the cup. The Cold Dragon, struggling to remain calm, picked up the cup and asked in a low, tense voice, "A Son of Buddha?"

Qing Ming froze as well, his eyes fixed on Tan You with a burning intensity.

Tan You gazed toward the southwest, where the faint sound of Buddhist chanting seemed to drift from. She nodded slightly. "There is a resemblance. Qing Ming has a karmic tie to the Buddhist path."

The Peacock stopped waving his fan, leaning in so his face was nearly in front of Tan You’s. "He used to be just a minor half-demon. As far as connections go, he was only ever linked to Shi Miao and the Qing Ming Snakes. How did the Buddhist sects get involved?"

Qing Ming nodded as well. "My Lady, I’ve never met a Buddhist cultivator. As for my father... I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him."

Tan You simply cradled her teacup. "We’ll find out when we get to the Buddhist Sect."

Cang Long was displeased. "A bunch of old bald donkeys. What’s there to see? Jin Huan—"

Tan You raised her hand. "Several thousand years ago, you were out traveling when you happened upon a group of cultivators. They coveted your flesh and bone, so you killed them in retaliation. However, you got caught up in the thrill of the kill and lost control, causing a small nearby mountain to collapse."

"The mountain collapsed, and having vented your anger, you simply left. But at the foot of that very mountain lived a village of mortals. The people of that village lost their lives because of you, an innocent people. Do you truly believe you did nothing wrong?"

Cang Long’s mouth hung open. He couldn’t believe it. Tan You had just dredged up an incident from so long ago—something he himself hadn’t even been aware of. She knew the details even more clearly than he did, as if she had seen it with her own eyes.

Tan You calmly continued, "I chose the Buddhist Sect as our first stop for Qing Ming’s sake, naturally. But the more important reason concerns you. I may not be fond of their whole ’let it go’ philosophy, but their Cultivation Technique of Reincarnation is quite interesting."

Cang Long fell silent. His gaze toward Tan You was now unconsciously tinged with awe and fear. ’Good thing I’m on decent terms with her,’ he thought. ’If she were my enemy... yes, if we were enemies, she would be the very first one I’d have to eliminate!’

Bai Ze couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "So, Cang Long, you have quite a history, don’t you?"

Cang Long exclaimed, "I didn’t even know about it myself! Jin Huan, you’re terrifying. Does this mean no one who stands before you can have any secrets?"

Tan You replied nonchalantly, "It’s just because I happened to see your karma. I’m very respectful of others’ privacy. I don’t just go around staring at people’s karmic threads. Ultimately, if it weren’t for our many years of friendship, what would your karma have to do with me?"

Cang Long was somewhat relieved, but his eyes couldn’t help but keep darting toward Tan You. She found it amusing. "Relax. I’m not a gossip. I won’t go around spreading tales of your romantic escapades."

"Oh...?" The Peacock started waving his fan again, turning to tease Cang Long. "Romantic escapades? Just how romantic are we talking?"

The Cold Dragon chuckled. "They always say dragons are naturally... well, you know. Seeing Cang Long like this, I bet he’s left a string of lovers all over the place, hasn’t he?"

Tan You just smiled without saying a word. Cang Long, for once, looked embarrassed. "You have the nerve to talk about me? Aren’t snakes known for being the same way?"

Tan You hadn’t expected the tables to be turned on her and she froze for a second. "Me? I’m very proper."

At this point, Cang Long decided he had nothing left to lose. "Seriously, Jin Huan, sometimes I think you’re far too self-restrained. Are you even a snake? From what I’ve seen, the other snake demons in the mountains basically never take a break. You’re the only exception..."