Zheng Zhaoling sat back down, but her expression remained cold, her gaze slightly vigilant as she asked:
"I wonder what else Fellow Daoist Chu has to say. Could it be that you want to claim there are demons in Yunmeng Marsh of Northern Julu Continent and that our Yunmeng Pavilion is unaware?"
Chu Xingchen smiled lightly. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, as Yunmeng Pavilion's current core disciple, do you know the situation inside Yunmeng Marsh?"
"Naturally I do." Zheng Zhaoling glanced away. "Within the core of Yunmeng Marsh, there are Yunmeng Pavilion cultivators maintaining order and handling affairs."
Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding. "Then do you know that Yunmeng Marsh is overrun with demons?"
Zheng Zhaoling did not answer at these words. Instead, she looked at Chu Xingchen calmly.
Even though she couldn't see through Chu Xingchen's true nature, she understood that this person was highly capable and would be like Bai Xuanling in the future. But on matters where she couldn't back down, she simply couldn't back down.
Of course she knew Yunmeng Marsh was overrun with demons.
Yunmeng Pavilion's origins in Yunmeng Marsh—actually, that wasn't entirely accurate. Yunmeng Pavilion's predecessor was a flourishing immortal sect in Northern Julu Continent.
Back when the spirit veins had not yet been severed, Yunmeng Marsh was one of the main channels through which Central Province's spirit veins flowed.
Yunmeng stretched for three thousand li, marsh within marsh, endless.
It was a top-tier blessed land, a continuous blessed land spanning thousands of li of mountains.
Yunmeng Marsh had been overrun with demons even in its early days. This had nothing to do with Yunmeng Pavilion—it was determined by geography and spirit veins.
After the spirit veins were severed from Northern Julu Continent, the blessed land stretching three thousand li naturally dissipated and vanished.
The current Yunmeng Marsh was already the core within the core, with no connection to the original Yunmeng Pavilion.
The current connection was actually a transaction from back then.
The human race had successfully weathered the tribulation and was flourishing. But the world was only so large, and fortune was only so much.
If the human race dominated, then demons would inevitably be weak.
The great demons of Yunmeng Marsh, although proud, could also see reality clearly. Famous demon mountains across the land had been flattened by the human race.
Yet it all traced back to when Xuanqing Heavenly Sect monopolized the spirit veins.
Where there was one, there would be a second. Where a second person did it, countless others would follow.
Naturally, Yunmeng Pavilion also had to compete.
The great demons of Yunmeng Marsh proactively contacted Yunmeng Pavilion, willing to fight for spirit veins on their behalf. They only asked that in the future, a wisp of spiritual energy and an inch of land be left for the Yunmeng demons to rest.
They guaranteed they would not provoke conflict, would not harm humans, and could even be supervised by Yunmeng Pavilion.
They only asked for a place where the demon race could survive.
Whether the great demons of Yunmeng Marsh had seen the path ahead and made this move out of helplessness—
In the eyes of Yunmeng Pavilion back then, it was essentially a free helper delivered to their door.
After all, once they truly entered Central Province and occupied one of the spirit veins, Yunmeng Marsh would naturally no longer count as a blessed land. Besides, with the human race flourishing, the demons wouldn't be so unrealistic as to try to claim the final fruits.
Things developed without surprise. The demons of Yunmeng Marsh did indeed contribute greatly to Yunmeng Pavilion.
Yunmeng Pavilion also kept their promise. Under tremendous pressure, they directly governed Yunmeng Marsh, honoring their commitment to the great demons who had helped them.
Others might not know the reasons, but the eighteen immortal sects certainly understood clearly.
Naturally there were demons in Yunmeng Marsh, perhaps even great demons hiding within.
These days, people turned pale at the mention of demons. But Yunmeng Marsh still remembered the past help and agreements.
But to use this matter as leverage, Yunmeng Pavilion naturally would not back down.
Zheng Zhaoling's tone was firm and resonant:
"Is Fellow Daoist Chu asking what he already knows? Haven't you looked into Yunmeng Marsh's affairs?"
"Naturally I have." Chu Xingchen nodded gently. "Having demons isn't strange. But them running rampant is somewhat strange."
"If Fellow Daoist Chu says it that way…" Zheng Zhaoling paused, then spoke slowly, "Has Fellow Daoist Chu already been to Yunmeng Marsh, or sent someone there?"
Chu Xingchen smiled but didn't answer, instead looking at Zheng Zhaoling calmly.
Zheng Zhaoling saw Chu Xingchen's leisurely, unbothered expression. It was clear he felt no burden about entering Yunmeng Marsh without notifying Yunmeng Pavilion.
As for what Chu Xingchen meant by "running rampant"…
Zheng Zhaoling roughly understood. She thought for a moment and said:
"The Incense Divine Path is a way to supplement spiritual energy. It has existed in Yunmeng Marsh for a thousand years and is under our jurisdiction."
Only then did Chu Xingchen nod with understanding:
"So the debts you owe can be paid by the people of Yunmeng Marsh? The people of Yunmeng Marsh owe you, Yunmeng Pavilion?"
Zheng Zhaoling replied calmly: "Inside Yunmeng Marsh, the weather is favorable and the harvests are good. The great demons protect the people. It's far better than the constant warfare, disasters, and people trading children for food outside Yunmeng Marsh."
"In the mortal world, temples are everywhere. But how many truly protect? Although Yunmeng Marsh is ruled by demons, they still operate by rules."
"Isn't that much better than those who only consume incense offerings but do nothing in return?"
"Yunmeng Marsh has always allowed mortals to leave. But most of those who leave eventually return."
"Admittedly, everything has pros and cons. But seeing only the cons, ignoring the benefits, and only criticizing the downsides—isn't that somewhat out of touch with the mortal world?"
"Fellow Daoist Chu, has your cultivation path been so smooth that you only remember the Celestial Demon catastrophe and have forgotten the suffering of the mortal world?"
Chu Xingchen did not answer that question. Instead, he asked:
"So it seems you've seen quite a bit of mortal suffering?"
Zheng Zhaoling looked directly at Chu Xingchen. "I am originally from Northern Julu Continent. The hunger and cold of my childhood—I still dare not forget them to this day."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen sighed lightly. Then he stood up, bowed to Zheng Zhaoling with cupped fists:
"My earlier words were too extreme and perhaps somewhat inappropriate. I hope you can forgive me."
Zheng Zhaoling took two deep breaths and ultimately reached out to help Chu Xingchen up:
"It's good that Fellow Daoist Chu understands."
"Indeed, the world's prodigies include Fellow Daoist Zheng." Chu Xingchen's expression suddenly became extremely sincere. "Some things are clearer when I hear them directly from you. I can better understand the difficulties involved."
"However, what I've heard about Yunmeng Marsh seems more severe than what you've described."
"Actually, I also understand that Yunmeng Marsh's internal affairs are not for me to interfere with. But as you said, the hunger and cold of childhood cannot be forgotten."
"Put yourself in others' shoes. All under heaven are one family."
"I originally thought Yunmeng Pavilion was deliberately indulging the situation. Now hearing you, it seems that may not be the case. Perhaps there are some misunderstandings."
Zheng Zhaoling did not answer, her expression growing slightly silent as she looked at Chu Xingchen.
Pretty words were useless.
Seeing Zheng Zhaoling's guarded expression, Chu Xingchen sighed lightly and said:
"I suppose Fellow Daoist Zheng won't easily trust me, thinking I have ulterior motives."
"How about this—Fellow Daoist Zheng, go to Yunmeng Marsh in Northern Julu Continent for me personally. Investigate the situation there for three months."
"If something is wrong, please set things right. If I spoke wrongly—
"After three months, the three of us will apologize to you again, right here."
Zheng Zhaoling narrowed her eyes:
"You trust me?"
Chu Xingchen nodded solemnly:
"On the words 'hunger and cold,' I cannot but trust. I am willing to trust you."
"I only hope Fellow Daoist Zheng does not let down those two words—hunger and cold."
Zheng Zhaoling said nothing. She simply nodded gently, then turned and left.
Only the three of them remained in the courtyard.
Xu Jin's voice came faintly:
"Do I need to apologize too?"
Chu Xingchen nodded easily:
"Yes. That's what brothers are for."
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