Chapter 92. The Beginning of the Pashun Festival (1)

Pashun Festival.

It refers to the sacrifice offered to Mara, the sole deity of the Heavenly Horse Religion and the lord of the Sixth Heaven of the Desire Realm.

In the past, it is said that human sacrifices were actually made to Pashun. This was the period when the Heavenly Horse Religion began to be called a demonic sect and gained a notorious reputation.

However, the current Pashun Festival is different.

There are doctrines and scriptures, but the Heavenly Horse Religion is not ignorant of the ways of the world.

Furthermore, due to the numerous incorporations of outsiders over several hundred years, it naturally began to accept the customs and common sense of the Central Plains.

In the end, the current Pashun Festival is not only a sacrifice to the deity but also a festival for the martial arts community of the demonic path.

People who hadn't met for a long time would share their camaraderie, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and invite traveling troupes to perform.

At this point, the festival is nominally a sacrifice, but it should be seen as just a banquet or a feast.

Indeed, many people have built families after meeting at the Pashun Festival, and it's not uncommon for long-lost relatives to reunite.

'Hmm, the memories are coming back.'

When Madongbi told him about the Pashun Festival in the past.

At that time, Xiliang was able to shed many of his preconceptions about the Heavenly Horse Religion. After all, just listening to the story, it didn't seem much different from any other festival in the Central Plains.

But!

"Help me? Me?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand why you need help, but it's quite surprising. From what I remember, we weren't exactly friends or collaborators."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Huh?"

"Although we had our own conflicts, they were merely due to our different positions, and there was no deep-seated grudge."

I see.

"There's no deep-seated grudge, but that doesn't mean there's no awkwardness, right?"

"You're not wrong."

Damn!

"Speaking frankly leaves me speechless."

Gogu nodded.

"My thoughts haven't changed. The Third Young Master is a dangerous person."

"Dangerous to you, perhaps."

"At the same time, I have this thought. A double-edged sword is inherently dangerous. If mishandled, it can cut me, but if wielded properly, it can cut the enemy."

Xiliang frowned.

"You want to wield me?"

"That's not what I mean. I just thought that if a common enemy arises, I might be able to receive help."

"You talk well. In the end, you see me as a useful card, don't you?"

"Thoughts are free. I just express my thoughts and will through words; the interpretation is up to the Third Young Master."

"Alright, what do you mean by a common enemy? And why do you need my help? What exactly do you need help with?"

Although he asked three questions at once, they essentially boil down to one.

Gogu glanced at Madongbi.

Madongbi was still meditating, his usually calm expression now furrowed in intense concentration.

"Before I answer, I'll ask you this. What does the Third Young Master truly desire?"

Freedom!

Xiliang coughed involuntarily, almost letting his inner thoughts slip out.

This guy, his interrogation skills haven't diminished. He didn't become the head of the Criminal Law Hall for nothing.

"What do successors want? The next leadership, of course."

"Does the Third Young Master definitely want that?"

"Why? Do you think otherwise?"

Although he answered nonchalantly, the slight shift in his eyes was obviously awkward.

After staring at Xiliang for a moment, Gogu nodded.

"Regardless, it would be beneficial for the Third Young Master to win the succession battle."

"So what?"

"What I hope for is to have one of the successors imprisoned in the Criminal Law Hall's dungeon."

"……?"

This time, he was genuinely surprised.

Xiliang asked seriously.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course."

"No, why exactly?"

"Of course, I have no intention of touching the current seven, or rather, six. Not until they commit treason or interfere with the Criminal Law Hall's investigations or other major crimes."

That makes sense.

"Besides the remaining six, was there another successor?"

"Yes. To be precise, a successor who has been designated will arrive at the main temple for the Pashun Festival."

"Who is it?"

Gogu's eyes flashed with a sinister light.

"The eldest son of the Ma Jian family."

The Ma Jian family is one of the Seven Great Families of the demonic path, a family that represents the Seven Great Families.

At least in terms of swordsmanship, it is the best in the demonic martial arts world.

The Ma Jian family is so prestigious that even experts who have mastered the orthodox magical arts of the new religion occasionally go there to listen to lectures on swordsmanship.

'They must be on par with the Nan Gong family of the righteous path.'

Xiliang nodded inwardly and scratched his head.

"The eldest son of the Ma Jian family is one of the successor candidates? Why didn't I hear about it?"

"It's normal not to know. Unless you stir things up like the Fourth Young Master, who was ruined by the Third Young Master."

He talks quite cleverly. I'd like to tell this to the strict Hongweimen directly.

"Why do you want to imprison him? Has he done something wrong?"

"Yes."

"What did he do wrong?"

"If the Third Young Master accepts my proposal, I'll tell you then."

"Damn, you're being unreasonable. How can I be moved to help if I don't know what crime he committed?"

"I came to the Third Young Master first among the other successors. But if you reject this proposal, I'll go to another successor."

Xiliang blinked.

"Then go to them."

"……"

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"Is there any reason to be upset? If I'm not interested, you can ask another successor. You should be worried about your own feet being cold."

Gogu's eyebrows twitched.

'He's a hard one to understand.'

When they were talking in the Criminal Law Hall, he thought the Third Young Master was a very cunning person.

But what is this now? Is he stupid or just indifferent? It's impossible to tell.

"Of course, even if you help with this, the Criminal Law Hall will handle matters as fairly and impartially as before."

"Bullshit."

"But I, as an individual, will owe a debt to whoever helps me with this."

"Ah, so don't miss this golden opportunity?"

"Even if you interpret it with a bit of sarcasm, that's what I mean."

Xiliang nodded.

"It's not a very attractive proposal."

To treat the opportunity to owe a debt to the head of the Criminal Law Hall as less valuable than a stone on the road is quite astonishing. Gogu was inwardly amazed.

"You're asking for help without explaining the reason or bringing any proper trade items? That's ridiculous."

"……"

"Go negotiate elsewhere. I'm not interested."

Xiliang turned his body.

He wasn't just pretending; he was genuinely uninterested. Gogu could read Xiliang's annoyance from his firm action.

Gogu sighed as he watched Xiliang's back.

"He is a criminal."

"Sure."

"He raped and murdered seven believers of the main temple and pinned the blame on the innocent Ma Yin."

Xiliang's steps faltered for a moment.

Gogu continued slowly.

"In other words, the main temple made a huge mistake. In the end, the major criminal survived and is still living a luxurious life, while Ma Yin, who dedicated his soul to the religion, was unjustly executed."

"……"

"Ma Yin prayed to the High Priest until his last breath. Even now, thinking about that scene makes my heart heavy."

Gogu's sincerity was felt. Regardless of his personality or tendencies, he seemed to have a clear sense of responsibility as the head of the Criminal Law Hall.

"I don't want to reveal the main temple's secrets to others. It's embarrassing. But I must catch this guy, even if it means swallowing my pride.

I must bring this guy to the family of Ma Yin, who died unjustly."

"……"

"That's all I want."

"And?"

"……I don't understand what you mean."

"Is that it?"

"……?"

"Instead of a vague promise of owing a debt, put something concrete on the table. Then I'll consider it."

Gogu smiled coldly.

"You're not much different, after all."

"I don't understand what you mean by 'not much different,' but there's no reason for me to be different. You were the one who proposed helping."

"……I misspoke. Indeed, I prefer a deal over a request."

"Then what's the trade item?"

"If you accept the proposal, the accepting party should put forward the desired item."

"Sounds good."

Xiliang turned around.

Gogu, who had been glaring at him, flinched for a moment.

"The trade item I want is the dismissal of a few people."

"……"

"Why? Don't like it?"

"Does that include me?"

"Scared, are you?"

"Before being scared, it's impossible. It's not that I don't want to, but if I step down, the Criminal Law Hall……"

"Don't worry. I don't want you to step down."

"Then what?"

"The members who conducted the investigation at the time. Dismiss all of them."

"……"

"I'd like to cut off all their heads, but I don't want to put human lives on the table as trade items.

A dismissal should make a pretty picture."

Gogu's eyes deepened.

'What is this?'

Is he serious? Is he really willing to make this one-sided deal?

Xiliang snorted.

"Don't like it? Wouldn't getting rid of those guys be good for you? You can get rid of incompetent people and bring in enthusiastic newcomers to create a more beautiful Criminal Law……"

"I've already dismissed them all."

"……?"

"There's a limit to mistakes. I am stricter with the members of the main temple than with the believers within the religion."

"……"

"……"

"Ha! Pretending to be cool is quite difficult."

"You did a good job. I also understood your sincerity."

"Damn, hearing that from you is just embarrassing."

Xiliang scratched his head.

"Alright, I'll help with this, whether it's a debt or anything else."

"Thank you."

"Alright, so how do you plan to catch him?"

"I don't know."

"……?"

"……"

"Did I hear that wrong? You don't know?"

"Yes."

"Are you kidding?"

"That's why I came to the Third Young Master first.

Given your boldness and cleverness, which bypassed expectations, I thought you might find a way."

Xiliang sighed deeply.

"Bringing an unsolvable problem and asking for help? A debt? You really live a carefree life, don't you?"

"Is there any other way?"

"Is there?!"

"……"

"……Are you calling me incompetent right now?"

"No."

"Your voice is trembling."

"Don't make me feel guilty with your unwarranted self-esteem."

"Damn."

After mumbling to himself for a while, Xiliang said.

"Isn't there a law code?"

"Yes."

"Bring a good-looking one."

"Why……?"

"I won't use it as a pot stand. Hand it over. I need to know something about the law to either frame or exonerate the guy."

"……Understood. Do you need anything else?"

"I'll tell you if I need it. When is the Pashun Festival?"

"In five days."

"Tight schedule. Got it."

"Manpower? Do you need any help?"

"I'm sufficient."

"Can you do it alone?"

"Alone? I'm not alone, am I?"

"Hmm?"

At that moment.

Sssss.

Madongbi, emitting a white mist, slowly rose.

The talismans on his body had almost all fallen off. Taking a deep breath, his face was filled with a clear sense of joy.

Gogu's eyes wavered. The demonic aura emanating from Madongbi was beyond imagination.

"How is it?"

He turned to Xiliang.

Xiliang winked.

"You're the best resource, even if you gave me a hundred of your members, I wouldn't trade you."