Eternal Saber

Chapter 599 - 20: Human Skin Murals

After leaving Gumo Country, it took another two days to reach Yumi Country.

What puzzled Chen Tang was that the Yin Demon, who had been traveling in the same carriage with him, suddenly changed to another carriage these past two days.

Moreover, during these two days, the Yin Demon had become much more reserved, no longer as enthusiastic as before.

Occasionally, his glance carried a hint of the strange.

Chen Tang didn’t pay it much attention.

There was still a day’s journey to Yumi Capital.

During dinner, Chen Tang, the Yin Demon, and the Death Demon sat at the same table.

While eating, Chen Tang listened to Luo Sha explain the local customs and culture to him.

According to Luo Sha, the status of the Esoteric Sect was above the royal power in Yumi Country.

This point was somewhat similar to that in Beiqian.

Chen Tang asked: "Has the Esoteric Sect Leader ever thought about becoming the King of Yumi Country himself?"

"Haha!"

The Yin Demon laughed: "Junior Brother, you may not know, but the way the Esoteric Sect operates is actually more secure like this. The Esoteric Sect wants to captivate people’s hearts, not only using some methods that appear mystical but also keeping a distance from the masses to maintain a sense of mystery."

"Only in this way can they remain high above and control everything."

"If anything happens in Yumi Country, people will only blame the king, perhaps change the king, but it won’t affect the Esoteric Sect itself."

Chen Tang pondered.

Explains why the Profound Celestial Sect Leader did not become Emperor Beiqian, it might be for the same reason.

Allowing the Profound Celestial Sect to hide behind the scenes, preserving its divinity.

The Yin Demon said: "Speaking of which, there’s not much treasure in Yumi Country, women are just so-so, but the Esoteric Sect has some good stuff."

"What?"

Chen Tang asked casually.

With a hint of mystery, the Yin Demon asked: "Heard of the Mahayana Murals?"

Chen Tang shook his head.

"Hehe."

The Yin Demon let out a peculiar laugh: "In the Esoteric Sect’s temple in Yumi Capital, named Mahayana Buddha Palace, majestic and magnificent, it rivals our Huazizai Palace."

"On the walls of this Mahayana Buddha Palace, they are covered with exquisitely crafted and stunning murals, you will definitely be amazed, Junior Brother!"

Chen Tang felt the Yin Demon’s smile was somewhat sinister and inexplicably eerie.

"What’s so great about a mural?" Chen Tang intentionally said.

"Junior Brother, you might not know."

The Yin Demon smiled: "The craftsmanship of the murals is secondary; the most special part is the way these murals are made, which you could never imagine."

Chen Tang said: "I would like to hear more."

The Yin Demon said: "Telling you in advance is no harm, helps you prepare mentally."

"Though nominally called murals, they are actually not painted on the wall but hung on the wall, and each mural is made of human skin!"

Chen Tang felt a chill in his heart as he frowned and asked: "Human skin?"

"Yes, and it’s not made from dead human skin; only living human skin counts as top-grade murals!"

The Yin Demon laughed: "The finest murals are peeled alive from the backs of teenage girls, only using the skin from the back. Only a girl’s skin is the finest and taut, I have several top-grade murals gifted by the Esoteric Sect hanging in my bedroom..."

Chen Tang remained expressionless, putting down his bowl and chopsticks.

"Junior Brother, what’s wrong, finding it uncomfortable to listen?"

Noticing Chen Tang’s abnormal reaction, the Yin Demon smiled: "You’ll get used to it; it’s an Esoteric Sect custom, a tradition of Yumi Country, not for us to interfere."

Chen Tang remained silent, showing no significant emotional fluctuations.

The Yin Demon nodded quietly.

He intentionally revealed this matter, also with the intention to test, to see what Chen Tang’s reaction would be upon hearing it.

Judging by the situation, this Junior Brother seemed to have changed quite a bit over the month-long journey.

The Yin Demon continued: "In fact, the murals are nothing much, but if you have a chance to see the making process, that’s what’s truly thrilling."

"I’ve heard, it’s a kind of sacrificial ritual, they cut a few small openings on a girl’s skull, pour mercury along the cracks, then pat the whole body, allowing the skin to separate from the flesh and bone!"

"The most wonderful part is, it’s said after taking the skin, the person still survives. Unfortunately, despite visiting Yumi Country several times, never had the chance to witness first-hand."

Speaking of this, the Yin Demon licked his lips, showing a regretful expression.

Chen Tang suppressed his discomfort, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

Originally, he just intended to use the Esoteric Sect’s power to hold off the Yin Demon and Death Demon, and slip away himself.

But now, he’s changed his mind.

Here, human lives are as insignificant as grass.

Human nature is fundamentally evil!

Cannibalism! Cannibalism!

The words of the Demon Venerable suddenly echoed in his mind.

Intense killing intent surged from deep within.

The Heart Demon rises again!

This time, Chen Tang did not control it.

"Besides the Mahayana Murals, the monk-made Human Bone Dharma Artifacts are nice too."

The Yin Demon said: "It’s said that the Kasaya worn by Monk Fa Qing is stitched together from the brow bones of over a thousand people, the treasure of Mahayana Buddha Palace."

Luo Sha said: "Master Fa Qing has a special hall filled with various Human Bone Dharma Artifacts. So dazzling, last time when following Demon Venerable Lord, I caught a glimpse once, it was quite shocking."

The Yin Demon waved his hand: "The monk is very stingy, but at that time, you could ask the few Vajras for some Human Bone Dharma Artifacts, for Junior Brother to collect."

Chen Tang asked: "What is the cultivation of the remaining four Vajras of the Esoteric Sect?"

The Yin Demon said: "Great Virtuous Vajra and Time Wheel Vajra are the highest in cultivation, both Second Grade Innate Realm; Miji Vajra and Joyful Vajra should still be Third Grade, the only Fourth Grade Vajra of Supreme Joy was killed by you."

The Yin Demon patted Chen Tang’s shoulder, speaking with deep meaning: "Junior Brother, once at the Esoteric Sect, you can just watch by the side; leave everything to me."

In fact, he speculated a possible scenario.

The Junior Brother might want to drive the tiger to swallow the wolf, and shed his shell like the Golden Cicada.

But things are not so simple.

Firstly, Monk Fa Qing’s status differs from various kings and princes; unless the Demon Venerable himself arrives, he may not even show up.

Secondly, facing the four major Vajras, Chen Tang is unlikely to have a chance.

Thirdly, they are there watching, ready to control the situation at any moment, keeping control of the dynamics.

The news of the three Demon Sect princes traveling across nations had already spread in Yumi Country early on.

When Chen Tang and his entourage arrived at Yumi Capital, the King of Yumi, along with his ministers, personally left the city to welcome them, the ceremony was grand, offering enough respect.

"It’s an honor to have the presence of the three princes, my lesser self did not receive you from afar, I hope the three princes can forgive this."

King of Yumi, with a rotund belly, swollen face, smiled showing piles of flesh on his cheeks.

After a brief chat, everyone entered the city.

King of Yumi said: "The three Dharma Protector Vajras have prepared a feast in Mahayana Palace, shall I accompany the three princes there?"

"Aren’t there four Dharma Protector Vajras, which one isn’t here?"

Chen Tang asked.

King of Yumi said: "Joyful Vajra is not here."

The group proceeded majestically toward Mahayana Buddha Palace, with many Yumi Country locals curiously peeking at them from the streets.

Shortly after, they arrived at the foot of Mahayana Peak.

Looking up, one could see a stone stairway rising step by step, disappearing into the clouds.

Mahayana Buddha Palace was built along the mountain; splendid and majestic.

Chen Tang looked up, feeling an eerie chill, shivers down his spine.