Chapter 252 – Changes in Liang, The Plague

Chapter 252 – Changes in Liang, Plague of Plagues

Both of their expressions were a bit grave.

As soon as Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan saw them like this, they knew that something should have happened during the time they had left.

So Jiang Chengxuan directly opened his mouth and asked, “Renyi, Linglong, did you encounter something?”

Jiang Renyi and Liu Linglong looked at each other.

Then they saw Jiang Renyi nodded and said, “Reporting back to uncle, during this period of time, within our Liang Kingdom, there has indeed been some situation.”

“Hmm, what exactly is going on? You tell us carefully.”

Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan’s faces couldn’t help but both bring on a few moments of solemnity.

They knew that if the matter wasn’t serious, with Jiang Renyi and Liu Linglong’s character, it would never be like that.

At this moment, they heard Jiang Renyi say, “Not long after Uncle Gong and you guys left Liang that day, a plague appeared within our Liang’s Sangming County.”

“Plague?”

Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan both frowned.

“Yes.” Jiang Renyi nodded and said, “This plague is very overbearing, once a mortal is infected, in a short period of half a day, or three days, their entire body will fester and die.

At first, this plague was only effective on mortals, but it didn’t take long before even cultivators in the middle to early stages of Qi Refining were infected.

At the later stage, even cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining and even the early stage of Foundation Establishment had difficulty resisting this plague.”

“What did you say?”

Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan couldn’t help but both be taken aback.

Having just heard Jiang Renyi say that a plague had appeared, Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan hadn’t felt anything.

After all, the world they were living in nowadays wasn’t an ordinary ancient time, but rather the Immortal Cultivation World with its Immortal Cultivation heritage.

In the hands of an immortal cultivator, the so-called plague wasn’t something that could be solved at will?
However, hearing this now, the two of them no longer dared to have the slightest bit of contempt in their hearts for this matter.

A plague that even Foundation Establishment cultivators would be infected with, was that still an ordinary plague?
The answer was definitely no.

Moreover, listening to Jiang Renyi’s description just now, this plague was progressing extremely fast.

From only being effective on mortals, to being effective on cultivators in the middle and early stages of Qi Refining, and finally threatening cultivators in the late stages of Qi Refining and early stages of Foundation Establishment, this process didn’t last too long.

At this rate, whether it would spread to mid- and late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators by then was something that could not be said.

“What exactly is probably the situation now?”

Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t help but speak in a deep voice.

“If I remember correctly, within Sang Ming County, there are two major Purple Mansion forces, the Illusory Water Sect and the Li Family, right?

Don’t they have any good solutions to this?”

Then he saw Jiang Renyi and Liu Linglong all shook their heads.

Only to hear Liu Linglong speak, “The Purple Mansion cultivators of the Illusory Water Sect and the Li Family are said to have exhausted all of their methods, but there is still nothing they can do about that plague.

Even on the side of the Bishui Sword Pavilion, since most of the cultivators in their sect are good at fighting, they are not proficient in the lineage of spiritual medicine.

Currently, they hadn’t found any effective way to eliminate the plague, and could only temporarily utilize a large formation to blockade the entire Sang Ming County.

But just yesterday, the nearest county to Sangming County, Blue Maple County, was said to have infected mortals.

Right now, one can only hope that on the side of the Tian Yue Sect, there will be cultivators who are proficient in the lineage of spiritual medicine.”

The Spirit Healer lineage that Liu Linglong mentioned here belonged to one of the hundred arts of Immortal Cultivation.

It was only because the profession of Alchemist, and the Spiritual Medicine vein, had a few points of similarity.

And no matter the income or status, it is also higher than the spiritual doctor, so most of the people who have the talent of both, will only choose the profession of alchemist, and will not choose the profession of spiritual doctor.

In addition, the difficulty of taking the path of spiritual medicine is not at all lower than the difficulty of taking the path of alchemist.

This also led to the fact that there were very few cultivators who studied Spirit Medicine.

Even fewer were proficient.

At this moment, Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan both realized that this matter before them, if not handled properly, could potentially turn into a national disaster.

At that time, countless mortals as well as cultivators below the Purple Mansion, I’m afraid that large swathes of them would die.

Once something like that really happened, it would inevitably shake the foundation of the entire Liang Immortal Cultivation World.

At that time, even a Jindan level power like their Jiang Family, the Bishui Sword Pavilion, and the Tian Yue Sect would not be able to be spared at all, and would even be in danger of extinction.

Because no matter if it was a family or a clan, mortals and low-ranked cultivators would always be the most important base plate.

Without this basic disk, it is like cutting off the fresh blood, the natural distance from extinction is not far away.

So.

Right now this matter, although it has not yet jeopardized their Qi’an County, as well as their Jiang family, their Jiang family, all must take action in advance.

Fortunately, Jiang Renyi and Liu Linglong did not let them down.

Before this, they had already monitored all the cultivators entering and leaving Qi’an County.

Especially the cultivators coming from the direction of Sang Ming County and Blue Maple County, they were strictly forbidden to enter.

The one who was responsible for presiding over this matter was none other than Jiang Rendao, who possessed a mid Zifu cultivation.

As well as some of the rest of the Purple Mansion cultivators located within Qi’an County.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chengxuan immediately said to Jiang Renyi and Liu Linglong:

“Renyi, Linglong, you guys are doing a great job now, continue to maintain high intensity surveillance.

I intend to personally make a trip to the Bishui Sword Pavilion to find out the exact truth.”

Saying this, Jiang Chengxuan turned to Shen Ruyan and said:
“You, ma’am, will stay in the family this time and preside over the general situation in case of any mishaps.

I suspect that this time, I’m afraid that the matter is not as simple as it seems.”

“Hm? Husband, what do you mean ……?”

Shen Ruyan also seemed to have thought of something at this time, and her beautiful eyes couldn’t help but be slightly condensed.

“Not bad.”

Jiang Chengxuan nodded with a grave expression.

“Looking at the intensity of this plague, as well as its development trend, it’s likely that it’s not a natural disaster, but a man-made one.

But we still lack specific information right now, and we’ll have to wait until I go to the Bishui Sword Pavilion to find out exactly how it is.”

And so it was.

Shen Ruyan was responsible for staying at Tai Xuan Mountain in case something untoward might happen.

Jiang Chengxuan, on the other hand, rode the recluse alone and swept towards the direction of the Bishui Sword Pavilion.

With his current Jindan realm cultivation, it only took him half a day to arrive at the mountain gate of the Bishui Sword Pavilion.

He sent a transmission into the Bishui Sword Pavilion.

Not a moment later, two silhouettes appeared in front of Jiang Chengxuan.

They were both acquaintances of Jiang Chengxuan.

Hou Dongbai and Hua Mengyue.

Upon seeing Jiang Chengxuan, Hou Dongbai immediately spoke out in congratulations:

“So it’s you, Daoist Jiang, in person.

I haven’t seen you for some time, but I didn’t expect that Fellow Daoist Jiang had already successfully condensed the Jindan.

I think that your wife, Daoist Shen, should also have condensed the Jindan just like you, right?
It’s really congratulatory.”

For himself and Shen Ruyan’s cultivation, Jiang Chengxuan didn’t do anything to hide, and when he heard that, he immediately made some polite conversation with Hou Dongbai.

On the contrary, it was Hua Mengyue who was beside him, after seeing Jiang Chengxuan, her mood was so complicated, but she still went forward to greet him and said:

“Meng Yu has met senior Jiang, congratulations to senior Jiang on his success in conjugating the dan, the future avenue is promising.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chengxuan instantly waved his hand at Hua Mengyue and said:

“Fellow Daoist Flower don’t say that, you and I have always been friends with a very good relationship, in the future let’s continue to refer to each other as fellow Daoists.”

Jiang Chengxuan’s tone was very sincere when he said this.

This caused Hua Mengyue’s heart to warm up for no reason, and she immediately nodded and said:

“In that case, then I won’t be polite with you, Fellow Daoist Jiang.”

At the side, Hou Dongbai’s heart was also quite appreciative of Jiang Chengxuan’s performance.

Although it was said in the Immortal Cultivation World that the one who achieves is the first, many cultivators would place themselves in the position of a predecessor after breaking through a great realm and facing their past fellow disciples and friends.

Everyone had also long been surprised by such a situation, and even felt that it was very normal and that this was how it should be.

But whether it was Jiang Chengxuan or Shen Ruyan, it was clear that neither was that kind of person.

At the moment, the two sides simply chatted.

Hou Dongbai and Hua Mengyue led Jiang Chengxuan to the Bishui Sword Pavilion’s hall of hospitality.

Only after both parties were seated did Jiang Chengxuan explain the purpose of his visit.

It was also about the matter of the plague.

This caused Hou Dongbai’s and Hua Mengyue’s faces to take on a hint of gravity right away.

Only to hear Hou Dongbai say, ”Truth be told, this plague has already caused extremely serious losses to the entire Sang Ming County.

Currently, the number of mortal deaths in Sang Ming County has reached over six million.

Even the Qi Refining cultivators, the deaths have reached over three thousand.

There were also more than ten people in the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, according to Daoist Wen from the Tian Yue Sect, in order to truly solve this plague, a spiritual healer who had reached the fourth rank would have to step in.

Otherwise, at best, it can only be temporarily suppressed, and there’s no way to truly eradicate it.”

The Daoist Friend Wen that Hou Dongbai mentioned here was none other than that Ice Fairy of the Tian Yue Sect, Wen Shujun.

This woman was also the only cultivator in Liang who also practiced the Spiritual Medicine lineage.

However, her attainments in the Spiritual Medicine vein are only at the third level, and she is unable to completely eradicate this plague.

“A fourth-order spirit doctor?”

Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t help but frown at that moment as well.

As far as he knew, over in the Cloud Country, it seemed like there were no fourth-order spirit doctors either.

He wasn’t sure what the situation was in Yan Country.

But if there was, I’m afraid Hou Dongbai and the others would have already invited him here by now.

Since there wasn’t, then on Yan’s side, I’m afraid that there was a high probability that there were no spirit doctors of the fourth rank.

As for Zheng and Shu.

The relationship between the two countries and their three countries was already very tense at this time.

Both sides had even withdrawn all the cultivators and industries in their territories on their own.

It was conceivable that once they waited until the ten-year rest period had passed, a great war would inevitably break out between their three countries and Zheng State Shu State.

Under such circumstances, I’m afraid that even if the two countries had fourth-ranked spirit doctors, they wouldn’t come to their Liang country to help.

Even if they did, they would still be eager for more people to die on Liang’s side.

It would be even better if they could make all the mortals and low-ranked cultivators in Liang die out.

Therefore.

If they wanted to seek the help of a fourth-ranked spirit doctor, after doing some math, they might only be able to make a trip to the relatively distant Yu State.

Yu Prefecture, as a large northern border state, had a total of three YuanYing level forces within it.

They were the Hidden Sword Palace, the YuanYing Immortal Clan’s Cao Family, and the Ming Zhen Sect.

The Jindan and Purple Mansion forces under them were even far more than the sum of their five Cangnan states.

Under these circumstances, even though the number of fourth-order spirit doctors wouldn’t be too many, they could definitely be found.

The only problem was the long distance between Yuzhou and their Cangnan Five Countries.

Even with their Jindan realm cultivation, I’m afraid that a round trip would take them the better part of a year.

During this half year’s time, what the state of affairs would ultimately develop into, that was something that could not be said.

Moreover, if they wanted to invite a fourth-order spirit doctor to come all the way to Liang, the price they would have to pay would not be small.

“Is there no other way?”

Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t help but ask again.

This time, Hou Dongbai was the one who nodded.

“There is, but compared to searching for a fourth-order spirit doctor, this method may be even less easy.”

“What method is it? Pavilion Master Hou might as well tell us about it.”

Jiang Chengxuan continued to pursue the question.

Then he heard Hou Dongbai say, “That is to find a treasure that can restrain the plague.

It is said that the Cao Family in Yuzhou, has a treasure called the Heavenly Harmony Treasure Pearl, which can restrain all poisonous mists and plagues below the fifth rank, and even for poisonous mists above the fifth rank, it has a not insignificant suppression effect.

But as you know, to get your hands on such a treasure, that’s exactly how uncomplicated it is.”

“I see.”

Jiang Chengxuan nodded in understanding.

At this point, he was basically certain that this plague that had broken out in Sang Ming County should have originated from a man-made disaster.

It was just that he didn’t know where this poisonous snake hidden in the shadows was currently.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chengxuan once again asked Hou Dongbai this question.

After Hou Dongbai heard this, his face also took on a touch of moroseness.

Only to hear him say in an icy tone, ”You guessed correctly, fellow Daoist Jiang, this time, there is indeed a great possibility that this incident is man-made.

We even have reason to suspect that this matter, between that Marquis Ding Yuan’s residence, cannot be separated from each other.”

“Marquis Ding Yuan Mansion?”

This time, Jiang Chengxuan was truly a bit surprised.

It was really hard for him to imagine how the Marquis Dingyuan Mansion, which was far away in Zheng, could possibly have the ability to do such a thing.

As if he had read Jiang Chengxuan’s mind, Hou Dongbai suddenly was opening his mouth to inquire:

“Fellow Daoist Jiang, I don’t know if you’ve heard of this person, Plague Demon, before?”

“Plague Demon?”

Jiang Chengxuan was instantly stunned, and then he shook his head.

“I haven’t really heard of this one, I only know that amongst their demonic cultivators, there is the Hidden Demon and Illusory Demon lineage.

But for the Plague Demon you mentioned, it’s really the first time I’ve heard of it.”

Hou Dongbai nodded.

“You, Daoist Jiang, have always stayed over in the Cloud Kingdom before, right, so it’s no wonder that you haven’t heard of this demon.”

Then, Hou Dongbai carefully explained this demon’s situation to Jiang Chengxuan.

As it turned out, this devil’s most active range in the past was in their Liang Kingdom and Yan Kingdom generation.

Three hundred years ago.

A Jindan cultivator from the Yan Kingdom happened to run into this devil, and a great battle broke out with him.

In that battle, this devil was heavily injured by the Jindan cultivator from Yan, and then it disappeared into obscurity until more than a hundred years ago, when he only occasionally heard of this devil’s traces.

Nowadays, although the other party still hasn’t appeared.

But from the current situation in Sangming County and Blue Maple County, the only one who can cause the plague to be this powerful is the legendary Plague Demon.

“Do you know what this devil his real name is called?”

At this time, Hou Dongbai looked at Jiang Chengxuan again and opened his mouth to ask.

Only this time, Hou Dongbai didn’t wait for Jiang Chengxuan to answer, so he answered himself:

“This devil’s name, Shangguan Quanhong, is a member of a clan that was expelled by the Dingyuan Marquis’ House hundreds of years ago.

As for the reason, I think you should be able to guess it even if I don’t say it now.

That’s right, it is precisely because this person secretly practiced demonic skills in secret.”

(End of chapter)