Chapter 42: The Prince of Pingnan and the Conspiracy with the Demon Clan

Struck by heavenly lightning and transformed into an immortal cultivator, Qin Lang was undoubtedly the first in all of history—an event so rare it could only be called a miracle or a wonder of the world! Even Liu Man and Su Momo, standing nearby, stared at each other in shock, their hearts full of disbelief, unable to accept what they saw.

Yet, upon reflection, something felt amiss. There was no reason for Qin Lang to become a cultivator out of nowhere. But remembering how he was struck by a tribulation lightning last night and then awoke with permanent cultivation, their skepticism only deepened.

Qin Lang felt utterly helpless. “Believe it or not, every word I speak is true. Ever since I was struck by tribulation lightning last night, I’ve felt a surge of power throughout my body, as if I had been completely remade.”

He desperately hoped everyone would trust him—only then could he reveal the memories concerning the Prince of Pingnan. If they didn’t believe him, the crime of deceiving the sovereign would surely descend upon him, and he’d lose his head for certain.

Liu Man and the others fell silent, their gazes fixed on Qin Lang. It wasn’t that they distrusted him, but their hearts were conflicted. Although it was indeed tribulation lightning that struck Qin Lang, this phenomenon…

He beckoned them outside the cave. Liu Man asked calmly, “Brother Qin, if you possess the Prince of Pingnan Liu An’s memories, can you tell us what scheme they have with the demon clan?”

Prince Mo also turned his eyes to Qin Lang, awaiting a satisfactory answer. If he truly had Liu An’s memories, could he spell out the plan between the Prince of Pingnan and the demons? Otherwise, how could they determine whether his words were true or false?

Seeing their lingering doubts, Qin Lang could only explain with a grave expression, “The conspiracy between Prince of Pingnan Liu An and the demon clan is to transform the three million immortal soldiers of the Southeastern Six Divisions into demonized beings—turning them into half-humans, half-demons, and making them mindless killing machines.”

“What?” The two of them were utterly stunned, staring at Qin Lang in disbelief.

If what he said was true, then the three million soldiers of the Southeastern Six Divisions faced an unimaginable danger. As members of a special agency of the Immortal Dynasty, they knew that if immortal soldiers were demonized, they would become a blight upon the land. Still, they never imagined the conspiracy could be so mad: to turn three million elite soldiers into human-demon hybrids.

Suppressing his unease, Liu Man fixed his gaze on Qin Lang and asked solemnly, “Brother Qin, are you telling the truth? Is the conspiracy between the demon clan and the Prince of Pingnan truly as you say?”

“Brother Liu, every word is true. In three months, the demon clan will move. Even if the Prince of Pingnan is eliminated, the plan will proceed as scheduled, and it might even be moved up.” Qin Lang’s expression was blank as he spoke.

Liu Man regarded him quietly. “Brother Qin, what makes you so sure the demon clan will stick to the plan? Don’t they know the Prince of Pingnan has been exposed, and that could jeopardize everything?”

“They’ve spent five full years preparing for this scheme. Now that success is at hand, they will not turn back.” Qin Lang shook his head. “Moreover, there are traitors within the Southeastern Six Divisions who’ve pledged themselves to the demon clan and can assist them in demonizing the immortal soldiers at any time.”

The two, who at first doubted, now sat uneasily. Better to err on the side of caution. If Qin Lang spoke true, then at any moment, the three million soldiers could be turned into monsters. Should such formidable warriors be transformed, the consequences would be catastrophic. They had to admit—the demon clan’s plan was mad enough to upend the entire southeastern region of the Xia Dynasty.

Frowning deeply, Liu Man took a blood-red stone from his storage ring and, without hesitation, poured his true essence into it. As the energy infused the stone, he placed it atop a nearby rock, and instantly, a human figure was projected before them.

On closer inspection, wasn’t that Wang Kai?

“Chief!” Liu Man cupped his fists respectfully at the projected figure, and Prince Mo did the same. Qin Lang, meanwhile, stared in astonishment.

What kind of sorcery was this? High technology? How could the world of cultivation have such technology—even projection technology? But then he realized, this world could not have such things; the cultivators were merely using special skills to project images.

Wang Kai nodded slightly, his hands clasped behind his back. “Tell me, what’s so urgent that you needed to contact me like this? Are you about to let them escape again?”

“No,” Liu Man shook his head and continued, “Chief, we contacted you with such urgency and even used the Spirit Shadow Stone to inform you that after being struck by tribulation lightning last night, Brother Qin became an immortal cultivator overnight. Not only that, but his memory loss has been cured, and he now remembers the Prince of Pingnan and the demon clan’s plan.”

“Is that so?” Wang Kai’s brow furrowed as he turned to Qin Lang.

According to the report Liu Man sent last night, Wang Kai knew Qin Lang had been struck down by tribulation lightning. But he never imagined that, after such an ordeal, Qin Lang would acquire the aptitude for immortality and become a cultivator overnight.

“Brother Qin, is what Liu Man said true? After being struck by lightning last night, has your memory loss truly been cured?”

Qin Lang nodded slightly. “Chief Wang, Brother Liu speaks true. My memory loss is gone, and I am now a cultivator.”

“Then can you tell me what the Prince of Pingnan and the demon clan are plotting? What do they plan to do in the southeastern region of our Xia Immortal Dynasty?” Wang Kai asked, expressionless.

Qin Lang got straight to the point, explaining everything. Though he had lied about parts of his past, he spoke nothing but the truth about the plot between the Prince of Pingnan and the demon clan. They were indeed conspiring in secret, ready at any moment to demonize the three million soldiers of the Southeastern Six Divisions.

As Wang Kai listened, his face grew grimmer, his brows gathering a murderous air, fists clenching as his aura billowed like a storm. He had doubted at first, but seeing Qin Lang’s sincerity, along with Liu Man’s confirmation, left him with no choice but to believe.

No matter whether the information was true or false, he had to report it up the chain. If it was false, at worst he’d be reprimanded; but if it was true, they’d all be risking their lives.

After the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, Wang Kai stared intently at Qin Lang. “Brother Qin, I’ll immediately report all that you’ve said to the Heavenly Emperor. If your information is true, you’ll surely be rewarded with high rank and honors. But if it’s false—do not blame me for being unable to save your life.”