I Reborn on the Night I Divorced the Sword Deity, My Childhood Friend - Chapter 38

The Nine Nether Demon Lord was stunned. A deathly silence fell over the area.

Although Shen Junyu’s tone was peaceful and gentle, those two sentences landed on the Nine Nether Demon Lord’s ears like two direct slaps to the face. His cheeks felt hot and stinging. As he gradually regained his composure, the Demon Lord’s gaze turned as cold as ice. Proud as he was, how could he endure such a misunderstanding?

He finally could not hold back and said in a deep voice, “I am not the kind of person you think I am. In truth, I am”

Before he could finish, a sharp, brilliant light streaked across the sky, shooting straight toward them.

“Careful,” Shen Junyu said sharply.

The Nine Nether Demon Lord pressed his lips together and flicked his sleeve to brush away the blue sword light. With a grim expression, he led Shen Junyu in a rapid flight toward the Demonic Realm.

That sword light had only been a probe. Now that the two had revealed their positions, over ten different streaks of light from Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation stage cultivators rose from all directions, closing in on them. The Nine Nether Demon Lord flew at an incredible speed. The fierce wind whipped through his and Shen Junyu’s robes. His face was a mask of cold frost, carrying a piercing chill.

It was unclear whether this was because of the earlier misunderstanding or the pursuit of these powerful cultivators. However, Shen Junyu knew in his heart that it must be the former. His mind was filled with doubts, and he desperately wanted to know the second half of the sentence the Nine Nether Demon Lord had left unfinished. Yet, under the pursuit of these experts, now was not the time for such thoughts.

After a moment, Shen Junyu forced himself to suppress his racing thoughts. He lowered his eyes and began to calculate the most suitable escape route in his mind. After a few moments of calculation, Shen Junyu detected something wrong. He snapped back to reality and said to the Nine Nether Demon Lord, “Demon Lord, we cannot take the shortcut. There is an ambush on the direct path to the Demonic Realm. We must go around.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord stared coldly ahead, saying nothing. He did not even spare Shen Junyu a glance. Seeing this, Shen Junyu assumed he was still sulking. He could not help but urge in a low voice, “Demon Lord.”

In the next instant, the Nine Nether Demon Lord expressionlessly changed direction. Shen Junyu went silent, feeling somewhat speechless. After a moment, while continuing his calculations, he explained, “If I misunderstood the Demon Lord just now, I apologize.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord still ignored him. Fortunately, Shen Junyu was not the type to dwell on such things. Seeing that the Demon Lord had not yet let go of his anger, he stopped speaking. He exhaled softly, calmed his mind completely, and continued to calculate the potential paths back to the Demonic Realm.

Suddenly, a voice spoke. “Once we return to the Demonic Realm, I will explain everything clearly to you.”

Shen Junyu was slightly startled and looked up silently at the Nine Nether Demon Lord. The Demon Lord still did not look back, showing only a sharp, cold, and beautiful jawline. He said indifferently, “I can only say that I am not the unfaithful, fickle person you imagine. This matter cannot be explained in a few words, and since this is a critical moment, I do not wish to disturb my mind over it.”

“Then let us not mention it,” Shen Junyu said softly. “I know the Demon Lord is a person of integrity. I believe you.”

Hearing this, the Nine Nether Demon Lord paused for a split second. A smile that was neither joy nor anger flickered at the corner of his mouth. After a long silence, he said, “At last, you have said something sensible.”

Shen Junyu sensed that the Nine Nether Demon Lord’s mood had improved, and his own state of mind lightened. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a Soul Transformation stage cultivator approaching from behind. The cultivator was acting stealthily, holding something in his hand, clearly preparing for a sneak attack.

The Nine Nether Demon Lord kept his eyes forward. He was obviously aware but did not intend to pay it much mind. The supreme sword qi in his body had not been fully dissolved; every time he acted, it would consume his strength. Unless absolutely necessary, there was no need to strike.

Shen Junyu understood the Demon Lord’s condition. Without a word, he quietly retrieved a Heaven-grade demonic soul weapon from his storage ring. As the Soul Transformation stage cultivator drew closer, the weapon in his hand began to reveal its power. Shen Junyu acted decisively, throwing the Heaven-grade demonic soul weapon directly at him.

The cultivator had thought the two had not noticed him. Seeing Shen Junyu suddenly strike, he was startled. However, when he saw that it was merely a Heaven-grade demonic soul weapon with very average spiritual power remaining on it, he gave a disdainful smile. He actually increased his speed, reaching out to grab the weapon. He intended to take the demonic soul weapon for his own use. After all, the materials for such a weapon were extremely precious. If the demonic aura could be erased and the item refined anew, it would become a Heaven-grade spiritual treasure. It seemed like a massive bargain.

But the moment he struck, he never expected that a tiny, microscopic trace of demonic qi remained on the weapon. When his hand gripped it, the qi triggered the weapon, and it exploded violently. In an instant, the cultivator’s arm was blown off. He screamed and plummeted from the sky.

Seeing this, the other Soul Transformation stage cultivators who were preparing to move in were horrified. They silently pulled back, creating distance between themselves and the duo. After all, the Sword Sect’s main forces had not yet arrived. They had only sent messages to these nearby experts to act as a vanguard. They had hoped to find an opportunity to profit. Now it seemed they should wait for the Sword Sect experts; they could not handle this themselves.

Seeing Shen Junyu’s move, the Nine Nether Demon Lord asked, “Where did you get a Heaven-grade demonic soul weapon?”

Shen Junyu looked at him. “The Young Marquis shared them with me after our bet that day.”

Only then did the Nine Nether Demon Lord remember the previous events. A trace of a smile finally appeared in his cold, heavy eyes. “You truly are quite clever.”

Shen Junyu smiled faintly. “If I were not clever, how could I serve as the Demon Lord’s strategist? The Sword Sect people have arrived.”

Hearing those last few words, the Nine Nether Demon Lord’s expression turned solemn. Without a word, he continued to accelerate his flight. Shen Junyu, meanwhile, took out several blank talismans from his storage ring and began to draw on them. As he finished one, he threw it out.

These talismans were strange. Once they flew into the wind, they did not disappear but turned into tiny, eerie red streams of light, slowly circling around Shen Junyu and the Nine Nether Demon Lord. Gradually, the red lights increased in number. The experts from before could not decipher the nature of these red talismans. Having just witnessed Shen Junyu’s bizarre methods, they did not dare to step forward.

Finally, the Sword Sect Elders appeared. This time, six of them arrived. They looked with disdain at the red light talismans Shen Junyu had summoned. The six quickly formed a formation, their brilliance erupting as a magnificent and domineering Ten Thousand Sword Killing Array manifested in the air. Countless sword beams revolved tirelessly around the array, pointing straight at the Nine Nether Demon Lord.

Seeing this formation, the Demon Lord’s expression grew heavy. The Sword Sect’s arrays were their ultimate trump card. A nine-person array was a Sovereign-grade array, said to be capable of slaying even Great Transcendent stage experts. A six-person array was a Heaven-grade array; no Soul Transformation stage cultivator could escape it.

The Sword Sect only had ten elders in total. Over half had been deployed, and these six were among the most powerful. It was clear they were dead-set on killing the Nine Nether Demon Lord. As the array gradually solidified, the Nine Nether Demon Lord’s hand silently pressed onto Shen Junyu’s shoulder. He sent a deep voice through a mental transmission: “In a moment, I will send you out. Do not look back.”

Hearing this, Shen Junyu looked at the familiar sword array in the distance and gave a slight smirk. He suddenly spoke aloud. “Since they have delivered themselves to us, would it not be a pity not to kill a few?”

Shen Junyu deliberately infused his voice with pressure. Although his voice was not loud, it instantly spread through the area, reaching every pursuing cultivator.

The Nine Nether Demon Lord was confused. The other cultivators were stunned. Such arrogance! They all thought Shen Junyu had surely lost his mind. The six elders, their faces cold as frost, shouted in unison, “Arrogant brat!”

With that, the six of them manipulated the array together, hurling it straight at the Nine Nether Demon Lord and Shen Junyu. In an instant, ten thousand sword beams were released, a rainbow of light filling the sky. They carried the weight of a mountain, pressing down toward the heads of the two men. The sword beams were so dense they were practically seamless. If a single one hit, thousands more would follow. It was a death sentence.

But at that exact moment, Shen Junyu whispered something to the Nine Nether Demon Lord. After a very short moment of silence, the Nine Nether Demon Lord moved. He soared upward, his figure like a bolt of lightning, charging directly into the sword beams.

Everyone watching thought that the Nine Nether Demon Lord, like Shen Junyu, had gone mad. To do this was certain death. Yet, contrary to their expectations, the Nine Nether Demon Lord was not turned into a pincushion by the magnificent sword beams. Instead, like a fish in water, he darted through the gaps between the sword beams at high speed. Within a few breaths, his tall and elegant figure stood unharmed before the six elders.

The entire field went silent. The six elders, relying on the array in their hands, gritted their teeth and prepared to activate it again. But at that moment, Shen Junyu said another sentence. Hearing this, the Nine Nether Demon Lord’s lips curled into a faint smile. He struck out with a palm toward the elder with the lowest cultivation. His strike was aimed directly at the elder’s vital point!

Demonic light erupted. Caught off guard, the elder spat out blood and was sent flying. With that, the sword array was completely shattered. The other five elders, remembering what Shen Junyu had just said, were horrified. They did not even stop for their heavily injured companion, immediately fleeing in all directions.

The other powerful cultivators nearby were so terrified they did not even dare to watch further, turning and running as fast as they could. The Nine Nether Demon Lord had succeeded in one strike and did not linger. He cast a glance at the fleeing cowards, then soared into the sky with Shen Junyu, continuing their flight toward the Demonic Realm.

Sword Sect

Meeting Hall

The Sword Sovereign sat behind a curtain. Several elders and Yuan Muzhou knelt below. The atmosphere was incredibly heavy and cold. After the five elders returned with their heavily injured companion, they all pointed their fingers at Yuan Muzhou. The vital points of their members and the weaknesses of the Sword Sect’s arrays were known only to the Sword Sovereign and Yuan Muzhou.

The Sword Sovereign had been in secluded cultivation for years and was busy with many affairs; he naturally would not have told Shen Junyu these secrets. The only possibility was the infatuated Yuan Muzhou. The elders were indignant, saying one after another, “Sect Master, with the Young Sect Master’s current temperament, how can we trust the Sword Sect to him in the future? Now that the Sword Sect’s secrets are in Shen Junyu’s hands and the target has been lost, if the Demonic Realm finds out, the future of our Sword Sect is truly in jeopardy!”

The Sword Sovereign remained silent for a moment, then looked at Yuan Muzhou, who was kneeling with lowered eyes and a complex expression, yet remained silent. He asked, “Muzhou, do you have anything to say?”

Hearing the Sword Sovereign’s words, Yuan Muzhou finally slowly came back to his senses. His face was slightly pale. After a long silence, he suddenly brought his two fingers together and swore to the heavens. “Sect Master, I swear that I never told Junyu the secrets of the Sword Sect. If I have told a single lie, let heaven’s lightning strike me!”

Yuan Muzhou’s gesture was the mark of a Heavenly Oath. After he finished, there was indeed no reaction from the heavens. Seeing this, the elders looked at each other. Soon, someone shouted, “Then that boy must have stolen the information while he was visiting the Young Sect Master! Such an insidious person must be killed at all costs!”

The Sword Sovereign said, “Killing him is natural. But who will take action?”

The elders suddenly went silent. They wanted the Sword Sovereign to act. However, if the Sword Sovereign acted, it would provide the Demonic Realm with an excuse to declare war. This matter involved the safety of millions of humans in the Central Plains. Therefore, they could not suggest this directly.

The atmosphere in the meeting hall grew still. Just then, someone outside came to report. “Sect Master, Young Master Shen, the brother of that traitor is outside seeking an audience. He says he has a way to find Shen Junyu and restrain him.”

Upon hearing those words, Yuan Muzhou unconsciously clenched his fists, his expression turning extremely dark. But this time, he did not open his mouth to say a single word for Shen Junyu. The elders in the hall, hearing this, had their expressions change. They could not help but say, “This boy is also highly suspicious. His words cannot be trusted. It is better to take him in for questioning and see how much the Yuhang Sect knows about this matter.”

“Indeed, this boy must know some secrets as well.”

The Sword Sovereign remained silent throughout.

Just as the disciple, seeing the situation, prepared to withdraw and place Shen Siyuan under guard, the Sword Sovereign suddenly spoke. “Let him in.”

Yuan Muzhou’s heart jolted violently, and his pupils constricted slightly, but ultimately, he kept his head bowed.

Shen Siyuan was brought into the hall. He sat in a wheelchair, looking like a mere skeleton of a person, but within his large eyes, there now flickered a light that was both manic and intensely bright.

Upon seeing the Sword Sovereign and the elders, he immediately struggled to kneel, staggering as he did so. “Greetings to the Sword Sovereign and the esteemed elders.”

Several elders watched him with cold, furrowed brows.

Only the Sword Sovereign spoke in a flat tone. “You say you have a method to find and restrain Shen Junyu?”

Shen Siyuan nodded, his expression resolute. “The Yuhang Sect possesses a secret technique that can trace the origin of blood relatives within three generations. He and I are brothers; if my blood is used to seek him out, he will inevitably be found. It is much easier than using a soul lamp.”

He paused, and fearing the Sword Sovereign might not believe him, he continued. “If the Sovereign fears I am lying, I can hand over the secret technique. Let those in the sect with siblings test it first so that you need not fear me interfering.”

“Once he is found, I can use a bloodline curse to restrict his state. At that point, the elders may do as they wish with him.”

As soon as Shen Siyuan spoke these words, the hall fell into a silence so profound it was eerie. Even the elders looked at him with strange expressions. After all, the Central Plains held filial piety and sibling affection in high regard; Shen Siyuan’s suggestion was so sinister that it felt somewhat unnatural.

Finally, the Sword Sovereign asked, “He is your elder brother. Do you not regret doing this?”

At those words, Shen Siyuan’s eyes finally reddened. He kowtowed sharply toward the high platform and said in a hoarse voice, “Previously, he colluded with demonic cultivators and indirectly caused my Golden Core to be shattered. He has long ceased to be my brother. I still understand the meaning of the greater righteousness.”

At this, the crowd fell silent. Previously, they had felt that the shattering of Shen Siyuan’s Golden Core was not Shen Junyu’s fault, but seeing how deeply Shen Junyu was now colluding with the demons, how could they not believe it? They even felt a touch of sympathy for Shen Siyuan.

Only Yuan Muzhou clenched his fists again, his nails piercing into his palms, yet he still did not utter a single word.

Thus, the Sword Sovereign agreed to Shen Siyuan’s proposal. He ordered an elder to take Shen Siyuan away and nourish his health in preparation for the search.

As he left, Shen Siyuan, his eyes still red, cast a silent glance at Yuan Muzhou. Yuan Muzhou never looked up.

Daylight broke as the faint shadow of the moon set in the distance, and pale red sunlight began to ripple across the river’s surface. The Demonic Realm was visible at the end of the current.

After a night of life-threatening flight, the Nine Nether Demon Lord, who had barely spoken, finally began to relax. He turned his gaze toward Shen Junyu and asked the question that had been on his mind.

“Did Yuan Muzhou tell you about the vital points of the Sword Sect elders and the weaknesses of their sword array?”

Shen Junyu remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. “It was someone else.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord was surprised for a moment, feeling curious, but Shen Junyu continued indifferently. “Even if he had told me, what of it? I am already a demonic cultivator. If I do not side with the Demon Lord, should I side with them?”

The Demon Lord was stunned for a second. Then, he nodded and laughed. “You truly do have a bit of a demonic streak in you now.”

Shen Junyu gave a faint smirk. “I am simply following the local customs.”

As they spoke, Shen Junyu’s brows gradually furrowed. He raised his hand with a light flick, and a red light talisman flew into his palm. Originally red, the talisman had now turned a deep crimson.

Seeing this, the Nine Nether Demon Lord asked, “What is it?”

Shen Junyu gazed at the deep red talisman in his hand. “This talisman can sense the strength of surrounding spiritual energy while simultaneously absorbing it. When it reaches its limit, it can be detonated.”

The Demon Lord went quiet for a moment and said in a heavy voice, “An ambush.”

“One step too late.”

Shen Junyu raised his hand, and the talisman slowly drifted away to continue circling the two of them. “It is likely the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord. Demon Lord, be careful. I cannot tell you the weaknesses as precisely this time.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord laughed with composure. “No matter. If it is only Heavenly Desolation, I could easily fight ten of him.”

Hearing this, Shen Junyu felt a sudden, subtle sense of familiarity, yet he still could not pin down where it came from.

As he was pondering, a magnificent white jade bridge came into view. The four characters for “God-Given Divine Realm” glowed with golden light. However, behind that white jade bridge sat a towering figure.

On the bridge stood a massive crossbow, three people high and jet-black, swirling with intense demonic energy, pointed directly at them.

Seeing the massive crossbow, Shen Junyu’s eyelids twitched. He said in a low voice, “The Wrath of God and Demon.”

In his memory of his previous life, that was the innate treasure that had killed the Demon Sovereign. He had not expected the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord to bring out such a weapon just to deal with the Nine Nether Demon Lord.

The Nine Nether Demon Lord also fell silent upon seeing the weapon. He looked down at Shen Junyu in his arms and asked candidly, “It seems I was careless this time. Little Strategist, do you have a plan?”

Shen Junyu thought for a moment and said, “If we cannot win, we can only run.”

The Demon Lord nodded. “I had the same thought.”

Before his words had even finished, he suddenly turned and streaked away as a flash of light in the opposite direction of the Demonic Realm.

The Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord had already seen them. He leaped onto the white jade bridge, gathered his demonic energy, and drew the Wrath of God and Demon, aiming straight for them.

As the innate treasure was triggered, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth rioted. Thunder rumbled, the river surged, and the forests shook. The bow was drawn to its limit, and a cold smile appeared in the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord’s eyes.

Right then, Shen Junyu looked back at him. It was a very ordinary, calm look, his glazed eyes bright and clear. There was no technique or charm infused within it, yet it made the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord freeze for a split second.

In that single instant, the red talismans circling Shen Junyu and the Nine Nether Demon Lord exploded!

Spiritual light scattered everywhere, completely obscuring the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord’s vision. His expression changed as he tried to control the great bow, but the Wrath of God and Demon was an innate treasure; once drawn, there was no turning back.

In that heartbeat, a black-red bolt of demonic light, thick as a dragon, roared out!

The demonic light tore through space and slammed into the river. The water surged instantly, raising massive waves. Stones flew and trees were shattered along the banks. Gale winds and thunder churned the weather as they fell.

Behind them, the enraged and frantic roars of the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord echoed.

The Nine Nether Demon Lord had avoided the direct hit, but he could not entirely escape the aftershock and was injured again. He spat out blood but said nothing, shielding Shen Junyu tightly in his arms. Ignoring the curses of the Heavenly Desolation Demon Lord behind them, he continued to speed forward without looking back.

Shen Junyu’s expression was grim. He immediately grabbed the Demon Lord’s wrist to transfer demonic energy to him.

Feeling Shen Junyu’s concern, the Demon Lord recovered his senses and wiped the blood from his lips. As he continued to fly, he laughed carelessly. “To survive a shot from the Wrath of God and Demon, I suppose I have some skill after all.”

However, the smile faded slightly as he looked down at Shen Junyu. “But our luck seems quite poor today. Calculate for me, where is it best for us to go next?”

Shen Junyu felt much the same, but since this matter had started because of him, he could not complain. He lowered his eyes and began to calculate.

After a long while of recalculating, his expression gradually grew serious.

“The results are poor?” the Demon Lord asked.

Shen Junyu exhaled softly. “There are two paths, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.”

“Which two?”

“Return to the Demonic Realm, or go to the East Sea.”

“What are the outcomes?”

“There are more ambushes in the Demonic Realm,” Shen Junyu said. “If we fight our way back, the chance of success is only twenty percent, and the future holds hidden dangers. It is extremely perilous.”

The Demon Lord frowned. “And the East Sea?”

“The East Sea is several times more dangerous than the Demonic Realm,” Shen Junyu replied. “The chance of success is invisible, a mere thread. But if we fight through it, the sky will be high and the sea wide. The future will be boundless.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord suddenly fell quiet.

After a long time, he looked at Shen Junyu and asked in a low voice, “If I had not insisted on coming along, they likely would not have targeted you like this. Do you resent me?”

Shen Junyu paused, then looked up. The wind blew through the Demon Lord’s robes and hair, his handsome face looking extremely calm. Seeing those cyan-gold eyes, which were candid and held a trace of tenderness, Shen Junyu smiled faintly.

“If you had not come for me, you would not be in such danger yourself,” Shen Junyu said candidly. “Why should I resent you?”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord also smiled. “Good.”

He looked straight ahead. “Since there is no resentment, there is no harm in taking a risk. This time, let us bet on it.”

Shen Junyu’s expression did not change. “Alright.”

The Nine Nether Demon Lord turned directly toward the East Sea.

At the same time, a flying ship from the Sword Sect sailed out from the moat. On the prow stood Yuan Muzhou and Shen Siyuan.