Chapter 57 How did the Demon Cult survive to this day? (Please read and collect)

In the name of Zuo Lengchan, Li Anran asked Li Kang to prepare a map from Zhending County to Heimu Cliff and the mechanisms on Heimu Cliff, and to deliver it tomorrow night.

He went to Tong Baixiong's residence overnight.

Tong Baixiong was proud of the fact that he had saved Dongfang Bubai's life and had a close friendship with Dongfang Bubai, so he never took Yang Lianting seriously.

Two months ago, Tong Baixiong had a big quarrel with Yang Lianting in public because Yang Lianting had denounced a meritorious official in the reform of the cult. As a result, Dongfang Bubai removed him from his post of guarding the main temple at Heimu Cliff and demoted him to the cult's branch temple in Pingding County.

Tong Baixiong did not restrain himself because of this. Instead, he became more unscrupulous. Every day, apart from drinking with his subordinates, he would curse Yang Lianting.

When Li Anran arrived outside Tong Baixiong's residence, Tong Baixiong was already drunk and acting crazy, cursing Yang Lianting and throwing things in the house.

He was so angry that he even hit the cypress tree in the yard with his fists.

These cypress trees in the yard have obviously suffered a lot from his destruction during this period. Most of the leaves have turned yellow and fallen, and the trunks are covered with fist marks and cracks.

Li Anran hid in the dark, took a look, then turned around and went back to the inn.

Tong Baixiong is indeed taking a tough and vigorous approach, but he is still far from being extremely tough and masculine.

Li Anran didn't want to alert the enemy and was not planning to touch him for the time being.

The next night, Li Kang brought over the hand-drawn map of Blackwood Cliff.

Li Kang's parents both died at the hands of the Demon Cult. He was a disciple of Zuo Lengchan, and his only surviving sister was also in Songshan. Without knowing that Zuo Lengchan had been defeated and imprisoned, the possibility of his betrayal was extremely small.

However, to be on the safe side, Li Anran decided to go and take a look in person.

After getting the map, we left Zhending County and headed northwest for more than 40 miles. We saw rocks as red as blood, a long beach, and fast-flowing water. This was the Xingxing Beach marked on the map.

When we got here, we were already close to the Demon Cult's headquarters.

Even in the dead of night, there are cult members patrolling with torches.

Li Anran also took some effort to avoid them and pass through the Orangutan Beach.

But, he had to stop before he had gone far.

The Iron Wall Valley behind the Orangutan Beach has stone walls on both sides, with only a stone path about five feet wide in the middle.

The key point is that the entrance to the valley was blocked by a pass. Nearly a hundred members of the Demon Cult stood on the stone wall several feet high, and a large number of braziers lit up the valley entrance as bright as day.

What these evil cult members have beside them are not the swords, spears, and halberds commonly seen in the martial arts world, but bows and arrows!

There are also big drums and gongs on the observation deck at the back.

The message can be passed to the rear at any time.

"Is this demonic cult planning to rebel?"

Li Anran began to murmur.

He observed for a long time and finally agreed with Zuo Lengchan's judgment that the Black Wood Cliff could only be breached by using internal help.

If they wanted to attack by force, not to mention the Five Mountains Sword Sects which had less than 2,000 men in total, even a regular army of 100,000 might not be able to take them down.

Li Anran returned to Zhending County and found someone to exchange some copper coins.

In an environment like Blackwood Cliff that is easy to defend but difficult to attack, it is not realistic to rush forward to fight. It is more useful to throw hidden weapons from a long distance.

Three days passed in a flash.

Li Kang arrived as promised, accompanied by more than twenty gangsters, both men and women, young and old.

Yang Lianting was determined to replace the Demon Cult's original veteran heroes and ministers with his own confidants. Since he came to power, he has been promoting and recruiting new people on a large scale.

As Yang Lianting's confidant, Li Kang naturally had to win over the hearts of the people for Yang Lianting.

Among these twenty-odd people, there are newcomers who have not yet made it in the Demon Cult, as well as underworld masters who want to join the Demon Cult.

Walking into the house, Li Kang saw that Li Anran had prepared a black felt straight-brimmed hat to cover his face, so he stepped forward to stop him and whispered, "The person who sent you here was because he liked your face! If you cover it up, what advantage do you have over others!"

Li Anran: “…”

Only then did Li Anran understand why Li Kang's eyes lit up and he nodded frequently when he first saw him.

He originally thought that this was the joy of the undercover agent when he finally met his own people, but he didn't expect that it was because of his appearance.

Li Anran couldn't help but ask, "Yang Lianting got to the position by relying on Dongfang Bubai's favor. Isn't he afraid that someone else will take his position?"

Li Kang shook his head, "No. Yang Lianting is favored by Dongfang Bubai alone, and he doesn't worry about other people at all. He likes handsome people the most, and there is no ugly person who can serve as his attendant and personal guard. I can gain his trust because of this face." As he said, he handed the package in his hand to Li Anran and walked out the door, saying as he walked, "Put this on. I bet that in three months at most, your status in the sect will definitely surpass mine, and it is not impossible for you to become the deputy hall master."

Li Anran: “???”

How did the Demon Cult survive until now?
Li Anran was speechless, but did not want to cause any more trouble, so he opened the package. Inside was a complete set of dark cloud pattern robes and a pair of short boots, which looked very valuable.

Li Anran's appearance and demeanor were already extremely outstanding, and after putting on this dress, it was even more perfect, with a touch of heroism in his elegance.

When he walked out, everyone present felt their eyes brighten, as if all the colors in the world gathered on Li Anran, and everything around him seemed dull and dim.

"Good good!"

Li Kang nodded repeatedly, pondered for a moment, then picked up the black felt straight-brimmed hat beside him and handed it to Li Anran, saying, "Put this on first. When you get to the headquarters and meet Chief Steward Yang, you can take this hat off and it will surely amaze everyone."

Li Anran: “…”

Li Anran wanted to kill someone.

Li Kang's subordinates were flattering him and praising him for his cleverness. They said that since he had made great contributions this time, he would definitely be able to remove the word "deputy" in front of the title of incense master.

As soon as Li Anran put on his black felt straight-brimmed hat, everyone could not wait to head to Blackwood Cliff.

Yang Lianting has been domineering in the Demon Cult in recent years. Except for Tong Baixiong, even the ten elders have to give him some distance.

In addition, Heimu Cliff is the headquarters of the Demon Cult, and is home to many experts. No one thought that anyone would dare to cause trouble at Heimu Cliff.

As Yang Lianting's confidant, Li Kang just made a few adjustments along the way and brought Li Anran to Heimu Cliff smoothly.

Those mechanical traps, natural barriers and guarding soldiers seemed like a joke and were of no use at all.

We climbed to the top of the Blackwood Cliff on a bamboo basket. It was already evening. The light shone on a huge white marble archway on the top of the cliff. Four large golden characters "Benefiting the Common People" were shining brightly.

"Compared to Zuo Lengchan, Dongfang Bubai is the one who truly thinks of himself as the emperor!"

Li Anran thought about the journey he had taken, all the achievements in literature and martial arts, benevolence, righteousness and wisdom, and the imperial decree read out in front of the yellow cloth, and he couldn't help but curl his lips.

However, he also had to admit that the number of cult members he met along the way was at least several thousand, and many of them were well-trained and more like soldiers than martial artists.

If the dynasty were to be in turmoil, this evil cult might really become a separatist force.

Li Kang said in a clear voice: "I am Li Kang, the deputy incense master of the White Tiger Hall, and I have come to see the general manager."

Four people came out of a small stone house on the right. They were all wearing purple robes and had good looks.

The leader asked, "Brother Li, didn't you just come down the mountain? How come you're back so soon?"

Li Kang walked forward with a flattering smile, stuffed a silver note into the man's sleeve, and said mysteriously: "Brother, look." His eyes pointed at Li Anran.

Li Anran wore a black felt straight-brimmed hat, revealing only half of his face, but even so, the man's eyes were dazed. After he came to his senses, he stuffed the banknote back into Li Kang's hand and said, "Brother Li, what is our relationship? There's no need to be so polite! You have made a great contribution this time! Don't forget me, your brother, in the future!"

Li Kang said: "Without you saying good things to the steward, I wouldn't be where I am today! Don't worry, brother!"

When the man heard the promise, he immediately smiled and personally led Li Kang and Li Anran into the gate and came to the back hall. He first ordered the servants to serve tea and snacks, and then he quickly walked to the back hall to report the matter to Yang Lianting.

Soon, there was a sound of footsteps.

The four purple-robed men from before came over, following one person.

The man had a weak lower body and little internal strength. He coughed and walked out from behind the screen.

Li Anran looked up and saw that the man was less than thirty years old, wearing a maroon satin leather robe, with a burly figure, a full beard, and an extremely strong and majestic appearance.

It was Yang Lianting, Dongfang Bubai's male favorite and the chief of the Demon Cult.

Yang Lianting didn't even look at Li Kang, but stared at Li Anran and said, "Raise your head and let..."

Before he could finish his words, Yang Lianting suddenly felt a chill and a sharp pain in his neck.

Look down.

I saw a thin ice crystal as thin as a needle pressing against his throat and piercing his skin.

The bright red blood was flowing down along the ice crystals.

The other end of the ice crystal was held in Li Anran's hand.

"Take me to see Dongfang Bubai!"

　There is another one in the evening~
　　You must order some~
　　Although I only update twice, the number of words is still very impressive~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)