Chapter 189

“Very well, then tell me how you intend to investigate this matter,” she said, casting a disdainful glance at the Maitreya monks behind Chen Yuan, with a hint of disdain in her eyes. These two monks were the very instigators of the religious dispute in the previous life, which set off the turmoil in the Xia dynasty, leading to the future entanglement of the Xia dynasty in war. It is very likely that they were also involved in this. If she had not just awakened the true meaning of the Phoenix and had not yet received the blessing of the country's fortune to become a powerful cultivator in the future, she would definitely have taken direct action to slay these two evil cultists right here! She hated the monk causing calamity to the country and the official who lived off the fat of the land the more she looked at them. “Could it be that Mister Chen is once again intending to rely on a few monks to solve this demonic case, just like the incident of the demonic creature harming people?” she sneered. “I never expected the renowned Demon Suppression Bureau to stoop to such a state, truly eye-opening for this princess.” Faced with her sarcasm, Chen Yuan merely smiled, displaying his refined skills of flattery in the political arena. “Princess, you misunderstand. The Demon Suppression Bureau has always focused on results rather than so-called dignity. As long as we can solve the case, why should we be confined by the identity of the other party?” “If the masters are willing to help the Demon Suppression Bureau solve the case, I couldn’t be more grateful,” he said, introducing them to the people present, "These two are the masters of the Maitreya Sect, I believe both your highnesses must have heard of them." In line with his introduction, the older monk made a gesture of greeting. “Amitabha, I am Du Ku, and I have met the princesses and princes.” “This is my junior brother, Du Ruo. We have come here precisely to assist the Demon Suppression Bureau in interrogating that fiend.” Du Ku's voice was steady and peaceful, with a compassionate expression, which gave the impression of a kind-hearted master. However, whether it was Bai Lian or Xiao Wei Yang, they both knew very well the ruthless heart hidden behind his facade of benevolence. Xiao Wei Yang clenched her fists in hatred. Bai Lian could clearly feel the small hand in her grasp tighten, and she understood Xiao Wei Yang's resentment towards the brothers Du Ku and Du Ruo. However, it was not the time to confront them yet, so she spoke, “Since the two masters are here to question Shi Xin Yao, please proceed.” She pulled Xiao Wei Yang aside and revealed Shi Xin Yao behind her. Shi Xin Yao, exposed to Du Ku's gaze, couldn't help but shrink back into a corner. Apparently, she was much more vigilant towards Du Ku and Du Ruo compared to Bai Lian, who at least looked beautiful on the surface. Even when the two of them entered the room, she had put away her rosary and retreated back into the dark corner. Observing this scene, Bai Lian had some understanding in her heart, but she remained silent. “Amitabha.” Du Ku walked up to Shi Xin Yao, and his originally gentle expression suddenly turned cold. “You harmful creature, confess now, or don't blame me for being ruthless!” His righteous appearance carried a hint of exorcising and upholding justice, especially the faint, almost invisible Buddhist light on him. Had it not been for the fact that Bai Lian knew their true identities, she might have been swayed. In fact, in the game, she had almost been deceived by these two hypocritical monks. After all, they did not reveal their blood meter in the early stage of the game, and it was fortunate that there were guides. With Du Ruo's angry shout, the sounds of the Buddhist chants echoed in the room, and Shi Xin Yao's face quickly showed a pained expression. She gritted her teeth, her body trembling slightly, and the form she had barely gathered once again dissipated, turning into a human-shaped black mist. She was currently at a critical juncture of transformation, but being interrupted by Bai Lian, she suffered serious internal and external injuries, barely sustaining herself with the Buddhist beads within her. Now, being oppressed by Du Ruo's Buddhist chants, she was obviously in great pain. If her form was completely dispersed by the Buddhist chants, she would probably die instantly. Shi Xin Yao glared at Du Ku with resentment, gritted her teeth, and said with difficulty, "I don't know anything." "Hmph." Du Ku snorted, "Even if you don't talk, I have ways to make you speak." He was not a righteous person to begin with, and coming here was only by someone's order. He had no intention of wasting time with Shi Xin Yao. Seeing that Shi Xin Yao was unlikely to say anything, he also didn't want to waste time. Immediately, he clasped his hands together, and a gentle Buddhist light shone between his palms, which should have been noble and righteous, but at that moment, it seemed to harbor a seductive evil nature. Bai Lian's pupils shrank. No matter how Du Ku disguised it, she could tell that it was a soul-searching technique, comparable to the bewitching pattern, one of the most hated evil arts among the majority of cultivators. Because soul-searching techniques invaded the consciousness of cultivators in a very violent way, extracting their memories. Yet, how fragile was the consciousness? Cultivators whose consciousness was invaded by soul-searching techniques, would either become mentally disabled or die. Furthermore, their own memories would become accomplices to the malicious acts of the evil cult, harming their family and friends. For cultivators, this was even more painful than death. Now Du Ku actually intended to use the soul-searching technique to deal with Shi Xin Yao. If he went through with it, Shi Xin Yao would probably die on the spot. Bai Lian had a thought to speak up and stop it, but an unexpected incident occurred. Just as Du Ku raised his palm to strike Shi Xin Yao, a flash of Buddhist light suddenly appeared on her chest. Du Ku immediately became wary and instinctively struck Shi Xin Yao's chest! However, what he didn't expect was that just as his palm connected with the Buddhist light, the light paused for a moment and then instantly flew towards Shi Xin Yao. This all happened in the blink of an eye, and almost no one in the room noticed it, thinking that Du Ku had taken the initiative to kill Shi Xin Yao on the spot. Realizing what had happened, Du Ku also recognized it, and his face changed drastically. He changed his palm strike into a grab, trying to retrieve the Buddhist light. But it was too late for him. A dazzling moonlight flew towards the Buddhist light around Shi Xin Yao, shattering it instantly into ordinary Buddhist beads which scattered to the ground. Du Ku looked at the ground covered with Buddhist beads, and instantly understood that he was about to be framed. He was just about to explain, but Xiao Chengyin angrily shouted, “You treacherous scoundrel, you came to interrogate Shi Xin Yao, but actually planned to take the opportunity to kill her!” “Huber, stop him!” "At your command," a hoarse voice rang out, and a hunched, diminutive figure slowly appeared beside Du Ku. Du Ku's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he peered warily at the hunchbacked old man by his side, instinctively tensing up. An accomplished practitioner of the art of murder, an advanced cultivator. If this old man wanted to kill him, he would probably have no chance to resist. The plan was now at a critical juncture, and with the Diamond Vajra not yet descended, he could not afford to make any mistakes. His thoughts raced, pushing down his anger at being wronged, and he relaxed his body. "Amitabha, Your Highness, please listen to my explanation," he said, full of grievances.