Apocalypse: I Have One More Keyword Than Others-Chapter 57 - 0 Role Model and Bravery_1

Chapter 57: 057 Role Model and Bravery_1

Chapter 57: 057 Role Model and Bravery_1

Hua Mountain Sect and Mount Tai Sect are two of the greatest sword factions in the Central Plains, renowned the world over for their swordsmanship.

There are over a thousand disciples in Hua Mountain Sect, which may seem fewer compared to the three thousand members of the Iron Palm Gang.

However, the quality of the Iron Palm Gang’s three thousand members is uneven, and among them, no more than five hundred possess real martial prowess, while every single one of the thousand disciples of Hua Mountain Sect has genuine martial arts abilities passed down through generations.

The Sect Leader of Hua Mountain Sect, named Zong Gui, who was in his forties, had swordsmanship skills that were transcendent and divine.

Since the sword he carried naturally had golden patterns on its blade, when in battle, its light shone as brilliant and dazzling as the morning glow; hence, he was nicknamed “Golden Rosy Cloud Sword Guest.”

…

Only a two days’ journey from Luyang City, Zong Gui was the first to be informed of the news from the city.

The first time he heard of the Heavenly Demon was when a disciple who had betrayed his own master Nie Nong and fled, swore earnestly that he had witnessed Gluttony with his own eyes, Zong Gui didn’t believe it.

After all, the matter of gods, ghosts, demons, and monsters was too bizarre, and anyone who hadn’t seen it for themselves would hardly believe it—let alone Zong Gui, who was the leader of a sect.

He stubbornly believed that the so-called Heavenly Demon and Gluttony were merely tricks played by swindlers in the martial world.

The Peacekeeping Gang was just a faction similar to the Lotus Sect, using some low-level, sinister tactics to deceive the people by faking divine and ghostly actions. Nie Nong of Luyang City had been lured into making the foolish act of besieging the outpost of Divine Fist Gate.

Before the disciple who had brought back the dire news from Luyang City could despair, Zong Gui sent only two disciples to Luyang City to awaken Nie Nong and also to inspect the situation with the Peacekeeping Gang and consider how to apologize to the Divine Fist Gate;

Afterwards, the merchants traveling between Luyang City and Hua Mountain spread the news of the Heavenly Demon far and wide, and even among the disciples of Hua Mountain Sect, the rumors began to spread.

They got so detailed as to allege that a Heavenly Demon had truly appeared in a certain village, that an individual gravely ill had suddenly recovered and undergone a complete change in temperament; discovered by the villagers, this person displayed great strength, injuring dozens by himself, an aberration compared to ordinary people, and had eventually been beaten to death by the frantic villagers with clubs;

Zong Gui began to waver in his belief regarding the existence of the Heavenly Demon.

Subsequently, he received a letter from Feng Zhong; after reading Feng Zhong’s letter, Zong Gui summoned the disciple who had returned from Luyang City to inquire in detail about Gluttony and the Heavenly Demon, before initiating a large-scale internal investigation for the Heavenly Demon within Hua Mountain Sect.

Upon investigation, indeed there were issues found.

To be exact, it wasn’t so much that they found the problems as the Heavenly Demon revealed themselves.

…

Lotus Peak, Qingxu Temple.

Zong Gui and many of the elders had convened in the great hall, scrutinizing two third-generation disciples before them.

Zong Gui asked, “Are you what the world calls ‘Heavenly Demons that take possession by force’?”

“Yes,” one of the two disciples glanced at the other before responding, “Sect Leader, it’s true that we are Heavenly Demons that have taken possession, but we are not as dangerous to the world as Feng Qi claims. We came to this realm simply seeking a peaceful life and never intended to harm anyone.”

“Yes, Sect Leader,” the other disciple added, “the real ones causing harm, stirring up disturbances in the world, are Feng Qi and his associates. Feng Qi, under the pretext of maintaining order, has created chaos in Luyang City, and the protector Heavenly Demon by his side finds joy in manipulating dead bodies. Judging by his words and actions, he is no righteous Heavenly Demon. The populace of Luyang City is blinded by their interests and thus fervently supports the so-called Peacekeeping Gang. Sect Leader, only by eliminating Feng Qi and his group will the real threat of turmoil in the world be averted!”

These two were backed into a corner and had no choice but to expose their identities.

In the simulation arena, the number of contestants was visibly dwindling at a rapid pace, and the news of the Heavenly Demon was spreading like wildfire within Hua Mountain Sect, with many disciples starting to look at them askance.

Severely injured, then taken possession of, suddenly healed, temperament changed…

The methods Feng Qi disseminated for identifying Heavenly Demons—they almost checked all the boxes.

After all, during their first possession, most would choose to take over bodies that are weak or sick to ensure stability, so even the lowest-profile candidates, for their own physical well-being, had to use keywords for healing and recovery from injuries.

Unless one was exceptionally lucky, and the random keywords matched the host’s personality, their true identity wouldn’t be exposed.

But it was already quite good to be allocated a suitable keyword, how could one also be so lucky that even the host’s personality matches the keyword?

Given time to grow, transformations in personality and a great increase in power would slowly cover all abnormalities, ultimately allowing them to blend perfectly into this world.

However, Feng Qi’s speed in overturning the table was too fast, so swift that it caught people off guard…

By the time the Hua Mountain Sect began to investigate the Heavenly Demon, the two knew they could no longer hide; it was better to confess voluntarily than to be unearthed, gaining some initiative in the process.

…

The matter of the Heavenly Demon was actually true!

Several elders inside the Lotus Hall looked at the two third-generation disciples, pointing and commenting with expressions of surprise.

Zong Gui suppressed the shock in his heart and asked, “What are your names?”

The first disciple to speak said, “Replying to Sect Leader, this disciple is named Tan Hongsheng.”

The second disciple said, “This disciple is called Gao Hongqiao.”

Zong Gui asked, “I mean your names as Heavenly Demons?”

The two exchanged a look and said in unison, “Sect Leader, Heavenly Demons do not have names. Upon descending to this world, whatever name the host has is what we go by.”

Zong Gui paused for a moment, then asked, “Feng Qi said that every Heavenly Demon has their own attribute. What are your attributes? It’s best you answer truthfully. There are methods in the world to discern Heavenly Demons. If one’s acts fit their attributes, their power will increase; otherwise, it will weaken. Such things can be determined with a simple test.”

That damned Feng Qi, not leaving anyone a way out, forcing everyone to play their cards openly…

The two cursed Feng Qi in their hearts.

Fortunately, they had already thought of how to disguise themselves on the way here.

Tan Hongsheng said, “Replying to Sect Leader, my attribute is ‘role model.’ As long as I become the object of others’ admiration or emulation, I will continuously grow stronger.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Gao Hongqiao said with an unchanging expression, “My attribute is ‘courage.’ Facing danger without shrinking back or showing fear allows me to continuously grow stronger…”

“Really?” Zong Gui inquired.

“Sect Leader can find someone to verify,” Tan Hongsheng replied. “Ever since this disciple has taken over the body, I have routinely practiced Inner Strength exercises until late at night, rising at the crow of the rooster. I rush to perform the sect’s affairs, fearing falling behind others even by a step. Even the fellow disciples around me have become as diligent as myself. This is known to all. Sect Leader, my attribute does no harm to others. On the contrary, keeping this disciple in the sect can foster a good atmosphere within, inspiring fellow disciples to grow together…”

“And you?” Zong Gui interrupted him, turning to Gao Hongqiao and asking, “How do you prove your claim?”

“A courageous person does not fear hardship and dares to face any failure,” Gao Hongqiao declared. “Sect Leader, this disciple once went alone into the back mountain a few days ago, and fought a fierce tiger unarmed; the tiger’s carcass is still there. I have also bravely challenged the elder who taught us, never shrinking back due to our great disparity in strength; yesterday, I climbed the dangerous cliff of Hua Mountain’s rear peak with bare hands. If Sect Leader does not believe me, I am willing to do it again.”

“You call this courage?” Zong Gui frowned.

“Sect Leader, a brave person knows no fear,” Gao Hongqiao puffed out his chest. “With me at Hua Mountain, this disciple will always be at the forefront of every affair. I can ascend the mountain of swords and descend into the sea of flames. This disciple can assure Sect Leader that, no matter what dangers Hua Mountain faces, I will always stand in the front line to shield Hua Mountain from difficulties.”

Zong Gui looked at the two and fell into silence. After a moment, he waved his hand, “The two of you go to the side hall first. Once we have discussed it, we will decide what to do with you.”

Tan Hongsheng did not leave, but instead took a step forward, “Sect Leader, Heavenly Demons grow at an extremely fast pace. We don’t know what Feng Qi’s true attribute is, but since he has established the Peacekeeping Gang in Luyang City, controlling hundreds of thousands of people there, his attribute must be incredibly high. He has already exposed himself; to secure his position, he will undoubtedly accelerate his expansion without restraint and eliminate other Heavenly Demons under various pretexts to achieve his sole dominance.

“Luyang City is the closest to the Hua Mountain Sect, and Feng Qi’s next target could well be Hua Mountain. A single misstep leads to many; we can’t hesitate any longer. We should strike first and kill Feng Qi to eliminate the threat,” Tan Hongsheng continued.

Gao Hongqiao chimed in, “Sect Leader, Elder Brother Tan is right. Feng Qi’s deeds prove his attribute is not ‘peacemaking’—it is likely ‘absorbing,’ ‘chaos,’ or something similar. If not stopped in time and allowed to continue growing, it won’t be long before no one can contain him. With Elder Brother Tan’s role model and my courage, Hua Mountain’s growth is just around the corner. It’s not impossible for us to become the leader among the three sects and five gates.”

“Sect Leader, you’ve seen Feng Qi’s capabilities for yourself. Now that the matter of the Heavenly Demons has spread, other sects are surely seeking Heavenly Demons for their own use. The future martial world will belong to Heavenly Demons. Hua Mountain needs to have its own Heavenly Demon. Sect Leader, you must think this through carefully!” Tan Hongsheng urged.