Chapter Eighty-Four: Demon-Suppressing Sword Technique, Shadow of the Heavenly Sword Demon

“Hero Han, allow me to make introductions. This is Daoist Baofu, an old friend of mine, well-versed in the art of talisman-making—his charms can ward off ghosts and evil spirits. It is thanks to the exorcism talismans he painted that our manor has remained safe.”

Han Chong cupped his fists in greeting.

“Come, let us go inside and discuss matters in detail.”

...

“Young hero, I am deeply grateful that you have come to aid my manor in its hour of need. Yet, in truth, we are doomed to disaster. I have already persuaded hundreds of swordmasters to turn back, and I must ask you, too, to leave at dawn.”

The old man sighed, his voice heavy.

“Oh? Esteemed elder, what do you mean by this? I am not one to shrink from danger. Besides, at present, there is only one grand Tenfold Demon Array outside the manor, and I have already broken one of its cores. While the demon spirits remain formidable, your wounds are under control for now, and with Daoist Baofu and so many skilled fighters, why say we are beyond hope?”

Han Chong asked in confusion.

“Alas, to tell you the truth, the calamity of Heavenly Sword Manor does not lie outside, but within. The siege of demons and ghosts is not solely because our swordmasters opposed the Iron Shark Gang—there are other reasons as well.”

“Oh? Then I have all the more reason to stay. I have always been one to meddle in others’ affairs and am quite curious by nature. I would like to hear the full story.”

“Well then, so be it.

Decades ago, I was but an ordinary swordsman who chanced upon this island. Here, I discovered a secret cavern, ten fathoms deep, at its heart a hexagonal array. From six dragon pillars, wrought iron chains extended to bind a massive stone sword, a yard high.

The sword’s surface was smooth as jade, black as an ancient stele. Upon it was engraved a sword manual called the ‘Heavenly Sword of Demon Subjugation.’ When I practiced the techniques, my swordsmanship advanced by leaps and bounds, which is why I took the name ‘Mi Heavenly Sword’ and built this manor on the island.

Yet ten years ago, I discovered demonic energy seeping from the sword. Both I and my descendants were tainted by it as we studied the manual. One day, a demonic apparition emerged from the sword, threatening us, demanding that we shatter the six dragon pillars to release it. If we refused, the demonic energy would consume us from within, and sooner or later we would die a violent death.

Since then, I forbade my clan from practicing the sword manual and used my inner strength to restrain the demon’s power within us.

But as time passed, we realized the demonic energy was not suppressed, but instead gnawed away at our vitality, growing ever stronger.

Months ago, the Iron Shark Gang swept through Qiongzhou. Our swordmasters could not bear the suffering of the people and ventured forth to slay the bandits. We did not expect that the gang was not only full of experts but also aided by demonic creatures. Some of our disciples were captured and tortured, revealing the secret of the Heavenly Sword. The Iron Shark Gang, already seeing us as a thorn in their side, sent three of their mightiest leaders and an army of demons to besiege us.”

I called on swordmasters from all corners to aid us. With the aid of traps and Daoist Baofu’s talismans, we managed to repel the fiends for a time, but they set up a great formation outside, plotting in secret.

That, in itself, would not have been insurmountable. But then, the demon within the sword sensed the evil spirits outside and began to struggle violently, releasing its energy from the secret cave and spreading it throughout the manor.

Now, every one of our people is tainted by the demon’s curse and must constantly suppress it, greatly diminishing our strength. Thus, I had no choice but to turn away the swordmasters who came to our aid. We are resolved to fight the demons to the death with the strength that remains to us alone!”

As the old master finished his tale, all the Mi clan’s warriors fell silent in gloom, realizing it was the Heavenly Sword that had both made and doomed them.

“Oh? So if we could subdue the demon within the sword, the crisis would be resolved.”

“Indeed. But even the Daoist’s celestial talismans cannot seal its energy, let alone suppress it. Tell me—do you, young hero, have a method for overcoming the demon?”

“There may be a way. With Abbot Mingzhen’s Buddhist powers to counter the evil, we should be able to hold the demon at bay for some time.”

The members of the Mi clan exchanged glances, hope flickering in their eyes. They had all witnessed the power of Buddhist teachings against demonic forces.

“Very well. I will go with you, Daoist Baofu, and Abbot Mingzhen to the secret cave. Let the heavens decide our fate.

Pengju, while I am gone, you will lead our disciples in guarding the manor. Do not let a single demon or fiend enter, but do not launch any attacks either. Remember this.”

“I understand, Father. You, Daoist, and Hero Han must also take care. If things go awry, retreat at once and reconsider our options.”

The old master, accompanied by Daoist Baofu and Han Chong, found Mingzhen, and together they made their way to the gorge at the heart of the manor grounds.

The ravine grew ever deeper as they advanced, yellow talismans plastered everywhere, yet threads of demonic energy still seeped through the thick rock, as if the place were a pit from the netherworld.

At the end of their descent, on a slanting cliff face, a chessboard pattern was carved. At the old master’s touch, a dozen holes in the pattern sank in with a click, and the cliff rumbled open, revealing a tunnel billowing with black smoke and demonic air.

The four slipped inside, and the stone wall sealed behind them.

Daoist Baofu produced a talisman, which ignited spontaneously, illuminating the passage as they wound downward. Along the way, the old master triggered more than ten hidden mechanisms in the stone walls.

The deeper they went, the thicker the demonic energy became. The old master released a shield of true energy to fend it off, while Daoist Baofu placed two talismans on himself, emitting a faint yellow glow for protection.

Mingzhen pressed one palm to his chest and chanted a Buddhist prayer, holding his alms bowl in the other hand. The demonic energy was kept a foot away from his body, unable to penetrate.

Yet Han Chong seemed most at ease. The power of merit flowed naturally within him, shrouding him in a soft golden light. Where the demonic energy touched him, it melted like snow.

“Benefactor Han, what is that golden light about you? It is neither martial, Buddhist, nor Daoist—I have never seen its like,” Daoist Baofu exclaimed in surprise.

“It is nothing special, merely the power of merit. It operates on its own, yet is exceedingly difficult to summon.”

“I see. Benefactor Han, you must truly be a person of great virtue and fortune; otherwise, how could you possess such a force?”

The old Daoist and the master exchanged shocked glances. In all their seventy or eighty years, it was the first time they had seen the legendary golden light of merit. They could not help but speculate further about Han Chong’s origins.

At last, they reached the bottom of the mountain—a damp cavern where the sound of water could be faintly heard beyond the stone walls.

And there, as the old master had described, stood a giant sword as black as a stele, a yard tall, plunged into the ground, bound by six dragon pillars with argent iron chains. Black demonic energy rose in wisps from its surface.

“Jie jie jie—you old fool, you do not know what is best for you. If you submit to me, I could grant you another century or two of life, even help you attain the highest heavenly realm. And yet, over the last ten years, you have brought more than thirty people here, all hoping to subdue me. You mere mortals—whether monk or Daoist—how could you possibly harm me?”

A vast, chilling voice echoed forth. On the surface of the black sword, a demonic apparition took shape—horned and fierce, clad in armor, hands on hips, cackling madly.

“Hmph! Fiend, you were sealed here by the mighty elders of ages past. If I were to release you, countless lives would be lost and I would be damned for all eternity!”

“Old fool, you court death!”

The demon raised its hands, sending a long shadow of demonic energy spinning like a blade toward the old master. The four leaped aside, each unleashing their powers as they launched their assault upon the fiend.