0134 The Vanished Seed of Clarified Mind

This was an incredibly high appraisal. It meant that one day, even if people in this world had never heard the name Hua Su, they would certainly know the name Jiang Feng.

One had to realize that Hua Su was a Martial Emperor of the Intent-Illumination Realm, while Jiang Feng was still just a youth in the Dawn Realm. A gap of five tiers was something the vast majority of people could never overcome in their entire lives. Yet, as Hua Su spoke these words, although the examinees were astonished, not a single one felt the urge to refute him. A youth in the Dawn Realm could already accomplish so much today; did it even need to be said what he would achieve in the future?

Jiang Feng smiled faintly. Hua Su handed him the silver Amaterasu Token, then suddenly took a step back and bowed to him. He said solemnly, "I must entrust the matter of the Chain-Illumination Method to you."

Jiang Feng returned the gesture with equal gravity: "I will do my utmost!"

The Chain-Illumination Method concerned the safety of Taicang City, as well as every veteran of the Demon-Suppression Army. They had once sacrificed their youth in the northern deserts, and now they were prepared to sacrifice their lives for Taicang City. If Jiang Feng could improve the Chain-Illumination Method and save their lives, Hua Su would be willing to die right then and there. He had once advised Jiang Feng to keep his secrets hidden, but now, faced with the lives of so many comrades, he had hesitated.

Unable to find the words, he waved his hand heavily, turned, and walked to the edge of the parade platform, leaping down. Without looking back, he said, "I will wait for you at Thousand Lions Bridge!" He soared into the sky, seemingly unable to face the situation and choosing to escape in advance.

Jiang Feng smiled, put away the Amaterasu Token, and was just about to turn away when he happened to glance at Wan Si Yu and let out a soft sound of surprise. Wang Xuandi and the others, who were still on the platform, followed his gaze and also let out sounds of surprise.

Wan Si Yu was a large man with a massive belly and a chest even fuller than most women's. Now, a large hole was clearly sunken into his chest, from which fresh blood was pouring out. Wang Xuandi knelt down, tore open his clothes, and was shocked to discover a gaping hole where his heart should have been; peering through the opening, it was clear that his heart had vanished!

With his heart gone, Wan Si Yu was, of course, dead. His final expression was one of fury. Indeed, he was still looking up, staring intensely straight ahead. That was the spot where Hua Su had just been standing. Even in death, he had been glaring angrily at Hua Su, completely unaware of the strange event that had transpired in his own body. It was not just him; Hua Su, a Martial Emperor of the Intent-Illumination Realm, and Wang Xuandi, a Martial Grandmaster of the Heart-Illumination Realm, along with so many other experts standing right there, had failed to notice this happening right under their noses!

"How could this be...?" Wang Xuandi muttered to himself. Jiang Feng, frowning, bent down to examine the body. The examinees below, unaware of what had occurred, were slightly restless. Other officials glanced over, turned pale with shock, and immediately took action, finding excuses to calm the examinees down.

Jiang Feng realized what had happened. He whispered, "He didn't just lose his heart..."

Wang Xuandi said "Hmm" and looked at him.

Jiang Feng’s expression was grave, his voice lowered to a whisper: "His Mind-Illumination Seed is gone!"

...

The examinees had come to Taicang City primarily for the Yushui Grand Examination. Now that the examination had concluded, in principle, they were free to leave. However, more than half of the examinees decided to stay and help defend the city. Some were naturally courageous and had fought side-by-side with the city guards for several days, forging deep bonds. Others, moved by the atmosphere at the parade ground and encouraged by the hope of holding the city, decided to return and join the battle.

Wang Xuandi could find no clues regarding the incident with Wan Si Yu and could only send people to continue the investigation while reporting the news to those who needed to know, warning them of potential trouble ahead.

Jiang Feng put away the Amaterasu Token and returned to Thousand Lions Bridge. The time between the Prefecture Examination and the Provincial Examination was very short—a mere month. But Jiang Feng was not thinking about the future at all; his entire focus was on Taicang City.

The most critical matter now was the Chain-Illumination Method!

The Chain-Illumination Method of the Demon-Suppression Army had severe side effects, which were even more pronounced for these veterans who had suffered grave injuries. It had existed for so many years that Jiang Feng had no absolute confidence in improving it, but he had to try regardless. The Heavenly Mystery Cube had been able to repair Hua Su’s internal energy circulation; it was not impossible for it to succeed when applied to the Chain-Illumination Method. Even a slight improvement, one that could alleviate the burden on the veterans and extend their lives, would be a monumental merit!

Hua Su was waiting for him there. He had regained his composure and, as soon as Jiang Feng arrived, introduced him to two people.

"This is Jiang Feng, my disciple. He has immense talent in martial arts and calculations. Not long ago, he acquired some consciousness from the Unity Demon Tribe, so he has the deepest understanding of the demons among us. Regarding the Chain-Illumination Method and sealing the demonic vortex, I believe we should listen to his opinions."

Now that Hua Su was a Martial Emperor of the Intent-Illumination Realm, having regained his strength and rejoined the Demon-Suppression Army as an active Colonel, his words carried great weight. Because he introduced Jiang Feng with such solemnity, the two men opposite them also became serious, not looking down on Jiang Feng’s age, and greeted him as they would an equal.

Hua Su gestured to the two men and introduced them: "This is Master Gan Fuxing, a third-rank treasure craftsman. He is responsible for creating the artifacts that suppress demons. Although you are not yet a true treasure craftsman, you can propose any ideas you have to him."

Previously, Hua Su had spoken of having Jiang Feng assist Gan Fuxing, but now he had changed his phrasing, which leaned more toward a partnership. Gan Fuxing had a pleasant temperament; he only smiled upon hearing this and said nothing more.

"This is Martial Venerable Lu Bainian, a former Centurion of the Demon-Suppression Army. He was once a Martial Grandmaster of the Heart-Illumination Realm, but his rank dropped due to injuries sustained from using the Chain-Illumination Method. Feel free to consult him about anything regarding the method."

Lu Bainian had a long, horse-like face, a thin frame, and a sickly complexion, looking much like a down-and-out scholar. Yet, when his eyes occasionally flashed, the raw courage born of blood and fire was unmistakable. He laughed heartily at Jiang Feng: "I’ve heard about your exploits—controlling a school-level demon and making them slaughter each other! Hahaha, well done!"

Gan Fuxing and Lu Bainian were experts personally invited by Hua Su. If not for the chance encounter that made Hua Su his teacher, and the special circumstances in Taicang City, Jiang Feng would never have had the opportunity to interact with them, let alone on such equal footing. These two, along with Hua Su, would form the core of the entire demon-suppression operation. Nearly two hundred veterans, as well as Martial Grandmasters like Wang Xuandi and Fan Gensheng who had come to assist, would follow their arrangements.

After the brief introductions, Hua Su asked, "Where would you like to start? The artifacts or the Chain-Illumination Method?"

Jiang Feng pondered for a moment and said, "Since this is about suppressing demons, the two should be integrated. I think we should start simultaneously. However, I know nothing about the Chain-Illumination Method, so I would like to understand it first."

Hua Su nodded: "Very well. Bainian, you explain it to him."

Lu Bainian nodded and led Jiang Feng to the side. As Jiang Feng turned, he heard a very low voice from the other side: "Hmph, a Dawn Realm cultivator, just lucky enough to have a good teacher..."

He turned his head and locked eyes with someone. It was a fair-skinned, handsome youth, almost delicate, about eighteen or nineteen, with a trace of childishness still on his face. Most noticeably, there was a pattern on his shoulder—a pale gold thread that looked unremarkable but clearly indicated that, at such a young age, he was already a first-rank treasure craftsman!

Seeing him stop, Lu Bainian called out, "Jiang Feng?"

Jiang Feng immediately regained his composure, pulled his gaze away, and followed Lu Bainian out of the pavilion to the bridge. Lu Bainian glanced at him with a smile, his expression very gentle: "That boy is called Bai Guo, Master Gan’s disciple. He is an eighteen-year-old first-rank treasure craftsman. It is natural for him to be a bit proud; don’t take it to heart."

Jiang Feng laughed dismissively: "He is just a child."

Lu Bainian was startled, then suddenly laughed. Eighteen-year-old Bai Guo was actually slightly older than Jiang Feng, yet Jiang Feng spoke as if he were an elder addressing a junior. Thinking about it, his own comment hadn't been very appropriate either. Jiang Feng was younger than Bai Guo; why should he not take offense if the other party provoked him?

Lu Bainian waved his hand: "Do as you please. Often, children have to suffer a bit before they learn their lesson!"

As they exchanged smiles, Jiang Feng suddenly asked, "Are you very familiar with Teacher Hua?"

Lu Bainian countered, "Is it that obvious? But you are right. Colonel Hua was my old superior. When I was in the Demon-Suppression Army, I served under him. I never expected that after retiring for so long, I would be able to follow him into battle once more!" His eyes were shining, filled with excitement.

Jiang Feng recalled what Pingluan Mountain had said and suddenly asked, "Is a peaceful life not good? You have a hometown and a family, don't you?"

Lu Bainian leaned against the bridge railing, the wind blowing through his hair. The demonic vortex at the Changchuan River had been temporarily sealed, and the area around Thousand Lions Bridge enjoyed a rare, clear brightness. Sunlight poured down from the sky, bathing the surroundings in a golden glow.

Lu Bainian looked up at the sun, squinting comfortably, and said softly, "Of course I do. After being away for over a decade, my home has changed, but some of the old neighbors and relatives are still there, and they still recognize me. When I first returned home, they came to visit me and brought me many things. Every needle and thread in my house was something they helped me acquire."

He lowered his head and stared at his hands. His hands were covered in scars, including a deep one extending from the web of his thumb to his wrist. If that wound hadn't been treated in time back then, he would have lost half his palm.

Lu Bainian asked, "But do you know what I did most often after returning home?"

Jiang Feng ventured, "Socializing with relatives and neighbors?"

Lu Bainian shook his head: "No, I spent my time staring blankly." He laughed, his expression free of any gloom. "I would sit in the courtyard day after day, staring at the sunlight above. I kept feeling that at any moment, it would be obscured by demonic energy. I would often wake up in the middle of the night, terrified, feeling as if demons were lurking beneath my window, ready to rush into the village at any second and slaughter everyone!"