Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1261: Maintaining Moral Purity

Translator: CinderTL

"Your reasoning is sound," Jing Bei conceded. "Mi Man is motivated by personal gain. Had she truly intended to offer herself, she would have never chosen a wandering cultivator like you."

Both Fu Hongwen and Fu Kaiyu found themselves agreeing with Song Wen's assertion, mirroring Jing Bei's conviction.

Fu Hongwen's expression softened considerably as he looked at Song Wen, a trace of guilt coloring his features.

Jing Bei then turned his gaze towards Mi Man.

"Your talent for deceit is truly remarkable. I nearly fell for your fabrication and wrongly accused Fellow Daoist Lei Yue. However, since you are unwilling to submit to me, I cannot compel you. Nevertheless, some repercussions are necessary—if only to satisfy Fellow Daoist Fu Hongwen."

As he uttered these words, a menacing aura suddenly surged from his body, directed squarely at Mi Man.

Mi Man felt an overwhelming pressure, as if a mountain had descended, her legs crumbling beneath her as she sank to her knees.

"Jing Bei, what are you doing? I am a disciple of the Spirit Jade Palace! If you dare to harm me, you will never depart Great Tan City alive!" Mi Man shrieked in alarm.

"As I said, I am merely inflicting a small measure of suffering upon you."

Jing Bei calmly stood and approached Mi Man, looking down upon her.

"Your visage is indeed striking—eyes like painted landscapes, skin fairer than driven snow, so delicate it seems it might shatter with a mere touch. It would be quite… interesting to witness a permanent, disfiguring mark marring such perfection."

He knelt, extending his right index finger to lightly trace a line across Mi Man's cheek, which appeared so tender it might weep.

His fingernail, nearly an inch long, was sharp and pointed, resembling a tiny blade.

Mi Man's eyes widened in absolute terror. She could distinctly feel the icy chill left by Jing Bei's nail as it brushed against her skin.

The prospect of a grotesque, unfixable scar forever marring her face plunged her into profound despair.

Her captivating beauty had always been her most potent weapon, the very foundation upon which she had achieved the Divine Transformation Stage within a mere few centuries. Its loss would not only cripple her future cultivation journey but also expose her to unending mockery and scorn.

"Senior Jing Bei, I implore you, please refrain..."

Song Wen, observing from a short distance, noted the sharp fingernail on Jing Bei's digit, his pupils constricting momentarily.

While Mi Man might have been oblivious, Song Wen detected an incredibly familiar aura emanating from Jing Bei.

It was the aura of the Corpse Dao!

Coupled with the Orthodox Path aura Jing Bei had exuded since his arrival, Song Wen became certain: Jing Bei was practicing the Corpse King's Rebirth Art!

Jing Bei was affiliated with the Divine Blood Gate, and moreover, a core disciple!

Song Wen's curiosity surged. What exactly was Jing Bei orchestrating this night?

What advantage could be gained by targeting Mi Man?

Why would a member of the Divine Blood Gate openly appear within Great Tan City? What was his objective?

As Song Wen wrestled with these questions, Jing Bei rose, ceasing his torment of Mi Man. He had apparently heeded her status, refraining from inflicting a lasting scar.

"Little friend Mi Man, our paths shall converge once more! When that time arrives, you will not possess the option to refuse me."

With these parting words, Jing Bei proceeded towards the exit.

Fu Kaiyu, pulling Fu Hongwen along, hastened to follow.

"Fellow Daoist Mi Man, are you unharmed?" Song Wen inquired solicitously once the trio had departed the private chamber.

Mi Man remained collapsed on the floor, her face ashen from residual fear, disregarding Song Wen's disingenuous concern.

Song Wen continued, "It is not that I shy away from peril, but Jing Bei and Fu Kaiyu are both cultivators at the Void Refinement Stage. In their presence, you and I are as insignificant as ants. I truly dare not intervene to assist you, fellow daoist. I trust you can comprehend. Though we are outmatched, the Spirit Jade Palace stands behind you. Should you report this matter to your sect, they will undoubtedly seek retribution on your behalf."

Mi Man, having regained some composure from her initial panic, rose to her feet. "Jing Bei inflicted no actual harm upon me. Even if I were to report this to the sect, they would not penalize Jing Bei or Fu Kaiyu. After all, the Fu Clan is a subsidiary family of the Spirit Jade Palace, and both men are Void Refinement Stage cultivators, while I am merely at the Divine Transformation Stage. Furthermore, if this incident were to become public, it would irreparably damage my reputation. Lei Yue, let us set this matter aside today and maintain silence."

With that declaration, she exited the private room.

Observing Mi Man's receding figure vanish around a bend in the corridor, Song Wen gave a slight shake of his head.

He had harbored hopes of leveraging the Spirit Jade Palace to confront Jing Bei and ascertain his intentions within Great Tan City.

However, with Mi Man unwilling to provoke Jing Bei and Fu Kaiyu, he would be compelled to proceed independently.

To take action against Jing Bei and Fu Kaiyu, Song Wen recognized he could not do so within the confines of Great Tan City.

Constant vigilance was required to ascertain their departure time, demanding an unwavering focus on their every action.

However, achieving such a feat presented significant challenges.

Firstly, despite Song Wen's possession of the shadow void ability, the divine senses of many cultivators within Great Tan City surpassed its capabilities. A careless application of the shadow void for reconnaissance could easily reveal its existence.

Secondly, Great Tan City was permeated with formations designed to obstruct the shadow void's perception. Should the duo conceal themselves within such a formation, the shadow void would be rendered incapable of tracking their movements.

Once Song Wen confirmed that Jing Bei's group and Mi Man had departed the tavern, he swiftly assumed the guise of a nascent soul cultivator and followed them.

The night was utterly black. All establishments, with the exception of taverns and brothels, had shuttered their doors. The streets, once teeming with activity, were now eerily deserted, with only a sporadic few figures traversing them.

Catching sight of the candlelight emanating from a distant inn, Song Wen observed the street stretching westward.

Upon exiting the tavern, he had specifically inquired with the waiter about the direction Jing Bei's group had taken. Although they had indeed moved in this direction, no trace of them could be seen.

Fearful of alerting the city's potent cultivators or awakening Jing Bei's suspicions, Song Wen refrained from unleashing his divine sense for a thorough investigation.

Song Wen activated his Dreamfloat True Eye. A crimson luminescence suffused his eyes as he meticulously scanned the street where the trio had vanished.

Immediately, three faint trails materialized into his view.

Fortunately, the street was devoid of passersby, which had preserved the trio's tracks. Had there been others, even the Dreamfloat True Eye would have struggled to follow them.

In pursuit of these faint trails, Song Wen navigated through the city's labyrinthine streets and narrow alleys, eventually arriving before an inn.

Jing Bei and his companions had entered this very inn.

The architectural design of this inn bore a striking resemblance to that of the Jade Cauldron Pavilion, the brothel they had visited earlier.

Before Song Wen stood a grand pavilion, serving solely as the inn's reception area. The actual lodging quarters were comprised of individual courtyards situated behind this main structure.

As Song Wen stepped into the reception hall, a maid, identified as being in the Foundation Establishment Stage, promptly approached him.

"Senior, have you come to stay?" the maid inquired with utmost respect.

Song Wen offered a simple nod, withholding any further verbal response.

Perceiving his disinclination for conversation, the maid maintained her diligent attentiveness. She swiftly guided him towards the registration desk to finalize the check-in procedures.

Following this, she escorted him to the rear section of the inn, ultimately leading him to a secluded courtyard.

"Senior, this is your assigned courtyard. I shall take my leave now," the maid stated, offering a slight bow before preparing to depart.

However, Song Wen suddenly spoke, halting her retreat.

"Come inside with me."

Song Wen produced the token that had been presented to him by the innkeepers. After channeling a subtle current of spiritual power into it, the courtyard's gate creaked open automatically.

Without awaiting her response, he strode through the opened gate, entering the courtyard.

"Senior, the inn upholds stringent rules. We are explicitly forbidden from overstepping our boundaries with guests. I trust Senior will understand," the maid said, lingering hesitantly outside the gate.

Song Wen pivoted abruptly, his gaze sweeping over the maid's unassuming appearance, his expression hardening slightly.

I have always conducted myself with honor. How dare they presume I am some sort of lecherous simpleton?

(End of the Chapter)

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