Chapter 87: The Blood Lotus Sect Master

At that moment, the people from the distant insect boat hurried down and rushed to Chu Youcai’s side. Yun Cuixian gripped Chu Youcai’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears.

Earlier, an intimidating force had radiated from Yan Nantian and Chu Yuwei, sealing off everything for a hundred feet around them. No one in their group could advance, and only now had they managed to reach his side. The scene from moments before was deeply etched in their minds. Yun Cuixian and the others had witnessed Chu Youcai’s humiliation and his life hanging by a thread; their hearts had burned with the wish to take his place.

But the force restraining them had been too strong—even Shangguan Wanru couldn’t break it and was instead knocked unconscious.

Seeing Chu Yuwei’s vile conduct, the gratitude in everyone’s eyes slowly turned to cold fury. They felt their own smallness at this moment, and a fierce determination rose within them to cultivate bravely and diligently.

The magistrate, who had been standing aside, now wore a resolute expression. He had heard tales of Chu Yuwei’s genius, the so-called Dragon of Yanzhou, but witnessing his conduct today had left him thoroughly disappointed in the young man's character. He stepped forward to express his gratitude to Chu Youcai and promised that should Chu Youcai face any obstacles in the future, the city of Yanzhou would stand firmly behind him.

In the magistrate’s eyes, the one who pressed forward while facing innumerable foes, who fought the locust demon in blood and fire—Chu Youcai—was the true Dragon of Yanzhou!

Hearing these words, Chu Youcai repeatedly expressed his thanks, feeling deeply warmed inside. He realized that the battle with the locust demon was not only a test of his own perseverance, but also a pillar of hope for many others.

A boundless confidence welled up within him. Chu Yuwei had only begun cultivating ten years before him, yet he possessed the Dragon Mountain and River Pearl and now had eleven years’ worth of vital energy. If he could master the Daoist arts and use the Pearl’s ability to train within its pocket world, a great breakthrough might be within reach!

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At that moment, Second Madame gazed at Chu Youcai in astonishment. She was a renowned heroine of the Blood Lotus Sect and had encountered countless men of character, yet very few could compare to Chu Youcai’s bearing.

Just moments ago, before Yan Nantian, she herself could only bow her head and await death. She had practiced demonic arts for thirty years and braved many perils, yet at a mere glance from Yan Nantian, she found herself utterly powerless.

And yet Chu Youcai, who had not even mastered Daoist techniques, could fight to such an extent. She could not fathom what sort of powerful soul was housed within such a body!

What tempered such iron will? Lofty as the heavens themselves—he was born for greatness!

Second Madame quietly walked over to Chu Youcai and solemnly said, “Young Master Chu, I too believe in your talent. If you grow to your potential, you will surely surpass Chu Yuwei. But there are only three months left; even if you have a stroke of fortune and learn the Daoist arts, even if you obtain a time-curse talisman to accelerate your cultivation, you could not reach twenty years’ worth of Daoist power in just three months. And if you tried, your foundation would be dangerously unstable! In these three months, I will do all I can to persuade my sect leader to intervene and see that the matter of the Life and Death Tribunal is resolved.”

Gratitude filled Chu Youcai’s heart. The Blood Lotus Sect was despised across the land, and many sought to kill its leader, Xu Hongru. Yet Second Madame was willing to risk everything to persuade her master to help him.

He replied, “Second Madame, I am confident in this matter and know my own limits—please don’t worry. If it hadn’t been for your guidance, I would never have laid the foundation for Daoist arts. Should you ever need me, no matter the distance, I will come without hesitation!”

Second Madame was moved, seeing that Chu Youcai cared nothing for her sect’s notorious reputation and was willing to befriend her so sincerely. A smile blossomed on her face, bright and unburdened by sorrow. “Your heart is set on the light, your actions are righteous. I believe your future achievements will far outshine Chu Yuwei’s and may even rival those of an old friend of mine.”

At their first meeting, Chu Youcai had heard her speak of this friend—noble and upright, a paragon of virtue. He could not help but ask, “May I know who this friend of yours is?”

“His name is Ding Ziyang,” Second Madame replied with a gentle smile. “He was my childhood companion…”

As she spoke, her smile faded, and she seemed to drift into memories. “My parents followed the Blood Lotus Sect from the start, and I too studied under the sect leader. Because of my talent, I was much favored. But as time passed, I discovered many within the sect harbored sinister motives, and others tarnished our reputation. Eventually, the sect leader had no choice but to rebel, leading to a campaign of suppression from the imperial court.”

Chu Youcai and the others listened intently.

Second Madame continued, “The Blood Lotus Sect declined further, its members growing ever more selfish. By then, I was grown and felt I must leave the sect. Ding Ziyang and I tried to persuade my parents to come with us, but they refused.”

“At that time, civil strife erupted within the sect and many were slaughtered. My parents and I fled, only to be pursued by imperial troops. The sect leader fought desperately and saved us, but suffered a grave injury to his spirit, halving his cultivation.”

“After that, the sect splintered even more.”

“My parents revered the sect leader all the more, while I realized that though he appeared strict, he was exceedingly compassionate to those close to him. When he learned of my wish to leave, he told me I was free to go and would never be stopped.”

Her gaze hardened with resolve. “Because of my parents, I ultimately stayed with the Blood Lotus Sect. The sect leader entrusted me with a heavy responsibility, making me head of the Blood Tribunal. If anyone ever harmed the common people, I had the authority to execute them—even high-ranking sect members, even the sect leader himself, if they committed crimes! My real name is Zhao Xiao’er, but over time, I made a name for myself, and everyone calls me Second Madame.”

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a deep respect for her. None had expected the Blood Lotus Sect’s leader to be such a man.

Second Madame sighed. “Yet, though the Blood Lotus Sect treats the people well, our aim is to overthrow the court, and so the authorities blacken our name everywhere. The more we are maligned, the more reckless our members become. I have killed many who defied our tenets, but I have never been able to reverse the sect’s decline.”

In that instant, Chu Youcai truly understood the pain in Second Madame’s heart.

Her sorrow was not for being a member of the Blood Lotus Sect, but for her inability to keep the sect true to its path.

Who could understand such anguish, except those who truly knew her?

Second Madame turned to Chu Youcai, speaking earnestly. “Later, Ding Ziyang was also granted authority over punishment. In the north, he is known as Master Ziyang, spreading kindness and helping the suffering. I have heard that for the sake of a single sick refugee, he traveled thousands of miles in search of medicine, braving death more than once. If you ever meet him, I’m sure you will become close friends.”

Chu Youcai nodded, making note of the name Master Ziyang.

At that moment, Second Madame’s gaze grew grave. “One more thing: Chu Yuwei is deeply scheming, and his Daoist arts are extremely refined. I also sense a strange bloodline within him—if activated, it would rival a cursed artifact. Defeating him will be very difficult! If you must fight him, never let him awaken the power within his blood.”

Chu Youcai was startled. It seemed Chu Yuwei’s depths were far greater than he had guessed.

His eyes sharpened, and he thanked her loudly, “Thank you for your guidance!”

“No need for such formality between friends,” Second Madame replied. She surveyed the group, her voice low and steady. “Now that the matter of the locust demon is settled, I must return to the Blood Lotus Sect. Farewell, everyone. Though the mountains are high and the road long, we shall meet again.”

Everyone paid their respects, even the magistrate bowing with clear admiration in his eyes.

Second Madame’s figure shimmered, and she transformed into a paper crane, soaring away into the sky until she vanished from sight.