Chapter 121: The Perfect Lie

The moment the words “Great Calamity Scripture” slipped from her lips, the elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect all changed color simultaneously, as if what had been spoken was not the name of a peerless martial art but some formidable curse.

Originally, Hong Jian had prepared herself for the possibility that these reclusive fiends, secluded for so many years, might never have heard of the “Great Calamity Scripture.” But judging by their reaction, it was clear they had. This only strengthened her resolve, allowing her to carry herself with even greater composure in her speech and manner.

“The Ji clan’s ‘Great Calamity Scripture’—legend has it that it can foresee destiny and glimpse the heavens. Hmph, how could we not know of such a technique among the Dao cultivators?” Elder Cheng’s face darkened considerably.

Hong Jian narrowed her eyes slightly. It seemed the ancestors of this sect had indeed suffered greatly at the hands of this technique, and this fear had been passed down through generations, so much so that even now it cast a heavy shadow of intimidation over these demon cultivators.

Her fingers gently stroked the small black object hidden within her sleeve as she spoke with measured ease: “When Dai Mingchi took me as his disciple, I too doubted why a Dao God-level cultivator would choose a Qi-stage apprentice like me. It was only after more than a year that I understood—when three Dao Gods combine their power, they can temporarily break through the ‘Heavenly Veil.’ Dai Mingchi took advantage of this, cooperating briefly with Jin Donglou and Xing Wuyai to send us beyond the ‘Heavenly Veil’…”

This secret was indeed true. Yet as Hong Jian recounted it, the Qi Xiuning who had been sent into the demon realm was transformed into herself.

The elders of the Heavenly Demon Sect couldn’t detect this subtlety. All they knew was that if this female cultivator’s claims were baseless and fabricated, they could never be so bizarre yet provoke such a sudden realization: “So that’s how it was!”

Elder Cheng immediately decided to hear her out.

Not for any other reason, but simply because the mention of the “Great Calamity Scripture” alone demanded their full attention, listening closely to every word.

When the “Heavenly Veil” had suddenly descended years ago, the Cheng family had no time to retreat and were forced into hiding. The bitter tales of their ancestors were passed down through the Cheng clan. Though these secluded demon cultivators did not know how formidable the current Dao Gods Dai Mingchi and Xing Wuyai had become, they still turned pale at the mere mention of Shang Qingzui and the Ji clan’s “Great Calamity Scripture.”

Elder Cheng firmly remembered his father’s words: because of the existence of the “Great Calamity Scripture,” Shang Qingzui was like an insurmountable mountain blocking the path of the major demon sects. They could neither avoid him nor outwit him; every crucial moment he would appear, causing countless sects to be ruined by his hand. Fortunately, their Heavenly Demon Sect’s secret arts had greatly enhanced their divine awareness, barely holding the line. As long as the Ji clan survived, even without the emergence of the Shrine, the Dao-Demon conflict would ultimately end in a decisive victory for the Dao cultivators.

Hence, the sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect had painstakingly sought an opportunity—to kill Ji Lan.

It seemed quite easy to deceive these demon cultivators. A slight smile curved on Hong Jian’s lips as she continued, “Back when Shang Qingzui entered the Mirage Shrine, the Ji clan ancestor who practiced the ‘Great Calamity Scripture’ was ambushed and killed. The assailant stole half of the scripture, leaving the Ji descendants unable to learn the complete technique. Dai Mingchi and the others were entrusted by the Ji descendants to search for the lost half. This is how I came to have the opportunity to enter the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

Hong Jian paused, noticing the eager gazes of the Cheng elders. She placed both hands behind her back, her slender figure standing as straight as bamboo, chin slightly raised, and asked Elder Cheng, “Elder, shall we continue standing here, speaking as if on the verge of battle?”

Elder Cheng softened, chuckling heartily. “You’re right. No matter who you are, since you have come to us, we cannot treat you coldly. Please.”

Upon his invitation, a path was cleared before Hong Jian. None of the elders objected, and even the elder with the birthmark forced a faint smile.

Ignoring them, Hong Jian walked alongside Elder Cheng deeper into the residence.

It was apparent the hideout had been arranged hastily. Along the path breached by magical power, scattered rubble lay everywhere. Hong Jian remarked, “I didn’t expect you all to move into a valley so soon after visiting the Demon Refinement Prison. Elder, you are indeed cautious!”

Elder Cheng spoke with a hint of meaning, “The other side cultivates the ‘Great Calamity Scripture.’ If we weren’t cautious, how could we have a chance of survival? Even so, I worry they might trace us here.”

Hong Jian smiled warmly, “Don’t worry, Elder. The Ji descendant, Ji Youyun, is currently embroiled in trouble and too occupied to seek revenge.”

The Cheng elders had no intention of inviting Hong Jian further into the valley. After walking a short distance along the path, it suddenly opened into a space carpeted with red felt, where a few simple chairs were arranged, resembling a council chamber. Elder Cheng waved for Hong Jian to take a seat, accompanying her in the main seat, and said, “Miss Qi, you haven’t finished your story yet. What happened after you crossed to the other side of the ‘Heavenly Veil’? How did you become entangled with our Heavenly Demon Sect?”

He had already decided that this woman’s background was complicated. Even if she truly had some connection to the sect, with the sect leader having passed away and no news of the ‘Heavenly Veil’ dispersing, no other disciples would have come here. If she was alone, he would not easily pledge his life and the clan’s to her cause.

But hearing her experiences and understanding the outside situation was worthwhile.

Hong Jian took her seat gracefully and spoke without haste, “Six of us crossed the ‘Heavenly Veil’ together, and I was the only woman. Beyond the Veil lies the Endless Sea, a perilous environment where survival is difficult. Not long after arriving, the six of us quarreled, leading to infighting and attacks by monstrous beasts. Nearly half perished. I was gravely injured and lost consciousness. Fortunately, when we set out, Dai Mingchi placed a fragment of his primordial spirit within me, which protected me until it was entirely consumed.”

Had it not been for nearly twenty years of confinement with Ji Youfeng and the influence he exerted on her, Hong Jian would not have had such insight. She wove an intricate tale of the demon realm she had never seen, fooling those demon cultivators who had never set foot there.

The mysteries of this world are indeed profound. Hong Jian did not wish to lose or change destiny but was powerless to alter the course of fate. Yet the unintended gains she gathered served her purpose at just the right moments.

“...The sect elders hunted beasts at sea and found me, bringing me back to the Heavenly Demon Sect. After Xiuning recovered, I was fortunate to be personally taught by the sect leader and accepted as a disciple... only then did I decide to contribute to the sect.”

The elder with the birthmark sneered, “Lies. Such words could only fool a child. Let me ask you this: if you were cultivating within the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Foundation Establishment and claim to be the sect leader’s direct disciple, why is it that your foundation is Dao-based? Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Though he smiled, his gaze was sharp as a blade, as if ready to leap up and turn hostile. Not only him, but even Elder Cheng’s expression turned cold.

“I had great respect for the elders hiding in the Dao cultivator’s heartland before coming here, but to my surprise, you all are so impatient,” Hong Jian sighed regretfully. “Even if I had established a demon foundation and cultivated the ‘Three-Eyed Soul Severance Scripture,’ what use would it be? Do I think I could surpass any of you in a mere few decades? The sect leader chose me because I could cultivate the ‘Great Calamity Scripture.’ For thousands of years, half of that scripture lay buried in the Heavenly Demon Sect, inaccessible to anyone. Unexpectedly, Xiuning had a profound connection with it. The sect leader was overjoyed and took me as his direct disciple, passing that half of the scripture to me.”

“You actually learned the ‘Great Calamity Scripture’?”

“What? The sect even possesses the ‘Great Calamity Scripture’? So Ji Lan really was killed by our Heavenly Demon Sect back then? Haha!”

The old men could no longer maintain their composure and burst into a clamor of voices.

The elder clad in earthy yellow suddenly spoke up, “If the Dao cultivator named Ji and Dai Mingchi sent you there to retrieve the scripture, haven’t they achieved their goal? If the Ji clan obtains the complete ‘Great Calamity Scripture,’ won’t we be at their mercy? I refuse to believe the sect leader would be so foolish.”

As soon as he spoke, he noticed the other elders all staring at him with strange looks. “Qi Xiuning” even gave him a mocking smile, as if looking at a fool.

Hong Jian felt this trip was going far too smoothly. With such people around, she dared to speak her mind plainly: “If I could not cultivate the ‘Great Calamity Scripture,’ it would be one thing. But now, even if I wished to return to the Dao cultivators’ side, Ji Youyun would never allow me to live. Being locked away in his Demon Refinement Prison until death would be a mercy. Only the two of us have each learned half of the ‘Great Calamity Scripture.’ He has the Dao half, I the demon half. He is strong, I am weak. He is in the light, I in the dark. It is fate that we are destined enemies.”

Hearing this, the elder in earthy yellow blushed, while the others appeared increasingly excited.

Elder Cheng applauded softly, “Miss Qi, I understand your meaning. So it must have been you who located the Demon Refinement Prison earlier. When did you return, and how did you deceive the Ji descendants? What are your intentions in coming to us?”

Though he applauded, he was far from willing to risk himself or his clan to fight alongside this “Qi Xiuning” against the Dao cultivators.

Hong Jian’s eyes gleamed with confident mastery. She knew that carrying so many secrets and coincidences with her, persuading these demon cultivators to believe in her was not as difficult as it seemed.

What makes a perfect lie?

The cooperation of Jing Xiaoyun, the suitably chosen identity Hong Jian could impersonate, the curiosity of all for the legendary “Great Calamity Scripture,” the mixture of truth and falsehood in her story, and the fervent desire among these Heavenly Demon Sect descendants for turmoil to once again engulf the Dao cultivator continent.

Most crucially, these heirs of the Heavenly Demon Sect knew nothing of the “Great Calamity Scripture” having been split long ago. They had never heard of Ji Youfeng and thus could never imagine that this “Qi Xiuning” before them had never set foot in the demon realm at all. She had learned the “Great Calamity Scripture” within the very Demon Refinement Prison they had just captured.