Chapter Forty-Five: Explanation!

As everyone was talking, Fang Qingyan let out a soft moan from the bed, seeming to wake up. Yang Nan hurried forward, raised her up, and called out, "Qingyan... How are you feeling?"

Everyone by the bedside fell silent together, all wearing expressions of deep concern as they stared fixedly at her. Fang Qingyan gently raised her slender hand, placed it softly against Yang Nan's cheek, and whispered, "My husband, it is all my fault... I am causing you trouble yet again... I... I am truly ashamed beyond measure..."

Yang Nan spoke in a gentle voice, "Silly girl, since we are husband and wife, how can there be any talk of troubling one another? Rest assured, even if I have to search the ends of the earth, I will find the antidote! You will be fine."

Fang Qingyan gently shook her head, sighed desolately, and murmured, "Heaven does not protect us, and it is simply a matter of fate after all; in the end, I have still failed to carry on the Yang family lineage... My husband, if I die, you must remarry. You must not... you must not let down our grandfather's dying wish..." A look of profound sorrow flashed across her hair-darkened face, and her voice grew increasingly faint.

Seeing that she was in such a state and yet still wholeheartedly preoccupied with the continuation of the Yang family, Yang Nan felt an unbearable ache in his heart. He softly said, "Silly girl, what does continuing the lineage matter? If you die, I shall never marry again for the rest of my life! You are not going to die; another day, I still expect you to bear me a plump son..."

Fang Qingyan's eyes dimmed, a trace of sorrow surfacing on her haggard, jade-like face. She whispered, "Husband... these past few days I have known that I cannot recover... You were originally a being of the immortals, and I should never have presumed to seek this marriage. This is also fate... What Zhu Ding said... has truly come to pass after all..." When it came to renowned physicians, she was herself one of the foremost healers in the world; how could she not be clear about her own condition?

Dark clouds pressing down upon the crown, her soul like unraveling threads!

This unprovoked disaster had struck out of nowhere, truly catching them utterly unprepared!

Yang Nan closed his eyes slightly. The terrifying sight of his beloved wife gravely wounded and haggard made his heart burn with a furious rage! Gentle, resolute, and naturally averse to contention, Qingyan already knew there was little hope of recovery. This soul-devouring orchid had spread throughout her entire meridians and physical body; even her soul and magical power were tainted with soul venom. How could this possibly be saved?

Apart from a true deity of this world, trying to save Qingyan was as difficult as ascending to the heavens!

Zhu Ding had already issued a warning, yet Fang Qingyan had gone to the Western Continent as if possessed by madness. It was clear that this was decreed by fate, and even with Yang Nan by her side, this tribulation would have been hard to avert!

"You are not allowed to talk nonsense. Rest properly; I am going right now to find medicine for you!" Yang Nan extended his palm and gently brushed away a stray strand of disheveled dark hair from her forehead. In his heart, he suddenly realized that this woman, betrothed to him since childhood and who had traveled thousands of miles to seek her husband, had embedded herself so deeply into his soul that she could never be dislodged again...

Fang Qingyan lowered her eyelids, her voice growing fainter and fainter: "Husband... Your wife is about to let go and depart... I hope my husband will not grieve... The love between husband and wife... let us continue it... in the next life..."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, barely audible. Her head suddenly drooped, and she lapsed into unconsciousness once more. A great pain wrenched Yang Nan's heart. He gently rocked her body and called out, "Qingyan! Qingyan!"

As Fang Qingyan slipped back into unconsciousness, Fang Da sighed desolately, "For the past few days, she has been drifting in and out of consciousness like this. The times she wakes up are becoming fewer and fewer. We have given her countless spiritual elixirs to no avail. I am afraid..."

Yang Nan gently laid Qingyan down and stood up. A flash of cold light appeared in his eyes as he turned to look at Old Crab. His silent, water-like expression was like a pool of ten-thousand-year-old abyss water, radiating a terrifying chill!

"Protected by four grandmasters! Accompanied by thousands of demon soldiers! You certainly guarded her well! Truly worthy of being my good confidants!!!" Yang Nan's gaze froze into ice, his cold and gloomy eyes fixed straight upon Old Crab and the others. At this moment, his eyes were frosty as ice, and his words were like steel daggers piercing straight into people's hearts!

"Qingyan has already reached this state, could it be that you still do not know who did this?"

Yang Nan was not one to vent his anger blindly on others, but at this moment, the killing intent raging in his heart was immense. That biting chill was as piercing as an icy wind, causing the crowd of demon soldiers to fall into a terrified silence, their faces burning with shame and humiliation as they wished they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into!

After a long while, Old Crab stepped forward timidly, trembling as he said, "Young Master, the origin of the demonic orchid is unknown, but someone from the Heavenly Demon Sect came to pass along a message. They said that if we permanently withdraw from the Southern Continent territory, they will step out and cure the mistress. If not... they will make us taste the agony of the Soul-Devouring Orchid once again!"

"The Heavenly Demon Sect?" Yang Nan abruptly stood up, his sleeve sweeping out to smash a gold-threaded sandalwood table into powder. The chill in his eyes intensified, and a grim, cold smile curved the corners of his lips as he said, "Very well. Did they say how they would cure Qingyan?"

Regardless of whether the Heavenly Demon Sect was responsible, based solely on those few words, if he did not uproot the Heavenly Demon Sect entirely, how could Yang Nan have the face to stand between heaven and earth?

Old Crab nodded and said angrily, "They said that besides the Profound Ice Thread-Drawing Fruit, their Myriad Phenomena Heavenly Demon Technique can also refine and neutralize the venom of the Soul-Devouring Orchid. However, they said that after imparting this Myriad Phenomena Blood Demon Technique to the mistress, she would have to become a saintess of their sect! From then on, she would have nothing more to do with the Taoist sects!"

The Myriad Phenomena Heavenly Demon Technique! It was one of the ten closely guarded secret manuals of the demonic path. Cultivating it to the end would transform one into a demonic body, turning one into an ancient divine demon. If Fang Qingyan were to cultivate this technique, her temperament would likewise become sinister, violent, bloodthirsty, and murderous. How would that be any different from turning into a demonic creature of the netherworld after being afflicted by the Soul-Devouring Orchid?

The Heavenly Demon Sect certainly calculated well...

The fierce expression in Yang Nan's eyes grew even denser as he turned and asked, "Where is the Heavenly Demon Sect currently staying?"

Old Crab spoke in a deep voice, "They and the Heavenly Talisman Sect attacked several times, but we repelled them all. Right now, they are in the Heavenly Square Prefecture of the Western Continent, dreaming their sweet dreams of attaining the supreme golden body!"

A trace of a cold smile surfaced on Yang Nan's face. He nodded gently, looked at Fang Da, and said in a deep voice, "Father-in-law, Qingyan's matter will be left to me to handle. I bear an inescapable responsibility for this, and even if I must search the ends of the earth, I will find the Ice Heart Thread-Drawing Fruit to save Qingyan! I will set out immediately to find the immortal medicine to heal her, so I must ask my father-in-law and mother-in-law not to worry."

Fang Da's face revealed deep sorrow as he nodded and said, "Once Qingyan married into your Yang family, she became a person of the Yang family. My son-in-law, feel free to act decisively. Although this old man is untalented, I am not someone to be bullied at will. Since the Heavenly Demon Sect dares to be so audacious, I will surely shatter their dream of the supreme golden body into nothingness!"

When a beloved daughter is on the verge of turning into a demonic creature before one's eyes, even a clay figurine would generate a towering, nameless fire—let alone the Iron Marquis, who had always been accustomed to merciless slaughter? Here in the Southern Continent territory, it was the domain of the Iron Marquis. A strong dragon does not suppress the local snake, and even major Taoist sects had to show him a measure of respect!

If not for his sole preoccupation with his beloved daughter's safety, Fang Da would have long since led his troops into the Western Continent to slaughter both sects clean!

Yang Nan collected his thoughts, immediately recounted the agreement made with Prince Pure Li Hao in the Azure Serenity Mountains, and finally said, "I must first go and find the Ten-Thousand-Year Purple Ice Coffin to freeze the spread of Qingyan's soul venom. These matters will be left to Big Brother Chiyang to handle on my behalf. Big Brother Chiyang can lead Old Crab, Great Roc, and General Octopus to guard the territory of the Southern Continent first. I will immediately return to Kunlun Mountain to mobilize tens of thousands of demon soldiers, determined to sweep away all Taoist forces across the Nine Continents!"

Yang Nan had originally intended to sweep away the Taoist forces across the ten continents of Da yuan and then assist Prince Pure in seizing the throne to fulfill the Venerable One's grand aspiration. However, now that Fang Qingyan had suddenly been afflicted with the soul venom and her life or death was uncertain, all his plans had been disrupted. With his wife gravely wounded and incurable, how could he remain indifferent?

The affairs of these ten continents would have to rely on his subordinates to complete!

Chiyang hesitated and said, "Ah Nan, there are no one knows how many Taoist forces lingering across the Nine Continents. Relying solely on the few of us, I fear we will not be able to accomplish it."

Failure to protect Yang Nan's wife had already filled Chiyang with a sense of guilt, but upon hearing that Yang Nan wanted to subjugate all Taoist forces, Chiyang felt even heavier at heart.

Yang Nan said solemnly, "Big Brother, rest assured. You only need to guard the Southern Continent first. Once I return to Kunlun, I will ask the sect master to dispatch various junior and senior brothers to come and assist. With the four demon kings, tens of thousands of demon soldiers, and the grandmaster-level experts of the inner sect, as long as no figures of the Venerable tier appear, sweeping away these small fry should be effortless. The Southern Continent currently has my father-in-law leading his troops to assist, so self-preservation will be worry-free."

Figures of the Venerable tier generally did not manifest in the mortal world. Most of those attempting to achieve a holy body through the supreme golden body technique were merely individuals whose paths in Taoism had stalled. A Venerable was only a single step away from being a saint; why would they bother with such superfluous pursuits?

Chiyang nodded and said, "If we can have the assistance of Kunlun experts, clearing everything out within a few years will not be a problem. However, the Kunlun Sect has never interfered in mortal conflicts. How do you plan to persuade Sect Master Xuanxu?"

Yang Nan indifferently said, "I have long since devised a plan for this, Big Brother need not worry. The Iron-Blood Token can summon three hundred grandmaster martial artists, the Three Mountains Token can summon three major sects to assist, and the Demon Valley Thunder Token can command the four demon kings and tens of thousands of demon soldiers. All of these are now entrusted to Big Brother's discretion. I do not know how many years it will be before I return from this journey, so I must trouble Big Brother with everything."

With the three tokens issued simultaneously, an overwhelming army charging out together would be enough to flatten even a major immortal cultivation sect!

Dealing with minor sects whose experts were at most Grandmasters, how could it not be easily accomplished?

Having obtained these experts, Chiyang did not decline further and stated, "Ah Nan, go ahead and act boldly. Even without the assistance of these experts, I will do my utmost to carry this out. If Chiyang fails again, I will bring my head to see you!"

Yang Nan turned his face and looked coldly at Old Crab, saying, "After I leave, if any demon dares to disobey Big Brother Chiyang's orders, I will certainly make them wish they were dead! Old Crab, you lead two thousand personal guards and watch them well for me! Uphold my rules and act according to law. If anyone dares to ruin my reputation, you can bring your own head to see me!"

Seeing that the mistress was afflicted with soul threads and her life or death was unknown, and that his master was now brimming with murderous intent, Old Crab had long since been trembling with dread. He answered solemnly, "Young Master, rest assured! As long as Old Crab has a breath left in me, I will never let those little brutes disrupt Young Master's laws! Even if Old Crab makes a mistake himself, I shall submit to the law just the same!"

Yang Nan nodded and resolutely said, "Under the four-beheading decree, even if the four commanders commit an offense, they shall be beheaded without fail. I will give instructions after I return to the mountain. You all stay in the Southern Continent to keep a good watch and take no action until the experts gather. If these ten continents can be cleared, clear them; if not, wait until I return with the medicine before making further plans."

Seeing that his master was about to embark on a distant journey, Old Crab felt a reluctant pang of attachment and said, "When the Young Master goes to save the mistress, why not take Old Crab along? Although Old Crab is of little use, I am not one to cling blindly to life and fear death!"

Seeing Old Crab's steadfast loyalty, Yang Nan's face softened a fraction. He sighed and said, "Qingyan's injury has thrown my mind and soul into turmoil. My journey to the ends of the earth to seek medicine holds unknown fortune and misfortune. Great Roc's loyalty is unpredictable, and Octopus has only recently submitted while the minor demons remain wild and untamed. You, Old Crab, are my most trusted confidant. If you are not here to watch over them, once they turn to wreaking havoc among mortals, wouldn't that add infinitely to my sins?"

Hearing his master's comforting words, Old Crab was moved to tears of gratitude. He knelt down, kowtowed, and said sorrowfully, "Old Crab is incompetent and caused the mistress to meet with disaster. The Young Master not such only refrains from blaming me, but even entrusts such a heavy responsibility to Old Crab. Young Master, please rest assured, unless Old Crab dies, these thousands of personal soldiers will definitely sweep away the demonic atmosphere across the Divine Continent and contribute a helping hand to Young Master's wish!"

Yang Nan nodded and reached out to help his personal guard general to his feet. Although Old Crab lacked great magical power and fell far short of demons like Great Roc, his rare loyalty and freedom from ingratitude meant that the heavy burden of supervising the demons had to fall upon him.

At the side, Dieyi stepped forward and softly said, "Young Master, this humble maid once heard Princess Longyao mention that beneath the Western Sea Dragon Palace lies a Ten-Thousand-Year Purple Ice Coffin. If the Young Master wishes to find the ice coffin first, he can head toward the Western Sea. This humble maid failed in her duty and is willing to perform meritorious service to redeem herself, following alongside the mistress to wait upon her."

The mistress was poisoned, and the two maidservants bore inescapable responsibility. Both Lian and Die felt heartache and grief, and even deeper self-reproach. Seeing that their master was about to go search for medicine, they wished to follow along to atone for their past misdeeds.

Yang Nan indifferently said, "That is fine as well. You two will enter my River and Mountain Ring to cultivate diligently. Until you reach the Grandmaster realm, you need not come out again!"

Seeing the resolute and determined expression on Yang Nan's face, which differed greatly from his usual demeanor—presumably because the mistress was injured and the master blamed them in his heart!

Filled with bitter sorrow, the two maidservants could only lower their heads and assent. Yang Nan casually swept Fang Qingyan and the two maidservants into the River and Mountain Ring. Seeing that both his daughter and son-in-law were about to leave, Fang Da's eyes revealed a look of sorrow. Yang Nan spoke warmly, "Father-in-law, the struggle for the imperial throne concerns the fortune of the realm. Your son-in-law has boldly chosen Prince Pure Li Hao, and I hope father-in-law will lend much assistance."

Fang Da nodded and said, "Since you and I are now a family, Ah Xuan has already inherited the legacy of the Old Duke, and two of the three Confucian sects support Prince Pure. This old man will help out in the military, hoping to do a bit of good for the common people."

Seeing his father-in-law's approval, a trace of joy flashed across Yang Nan's face. He said, "Since that is so, I can set my mind at ease to seek the Profound Ice Thread-Drawing Fruit. Everything is entrusted to father-in-law and Big Brother Chiyang."

Chiyang spoke in a deep voice, "Ah Nan, are you returning to Kunlun Mountain right now?"

Yang Nan shook his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he said, "I will first go to the Heavenly Square Prefecture in the Western Continent to collect some interest, and when I have leisure another day, I will recover the principal with interest!" The white flower in his palm instantly turned into fine powder and fell away in a rustle!

His beloved wife was gravely injured; even if he could not find the one truly responsible, the two sects would definitely have to pay a painful price!

The Heavenly Demon Sect! The Heavenly Talisman Sect!

Without exterminating their entire gates, how could Yang Nan dispel the hatred in his heart?