Chapter 28

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Chapter 28: Shadow Heart-Questioning Dagger

Fang Lie chose not to reveal his undying nature to Zhou the Skinflint. Unwilling to waste breath on such a vile man, he cut straight to the chase: "Enough blabber. You’re coming today whether you like it or not. If you refuse, I might not last two days, but you won’t survive this one!"

Fang Lie assumed Zhou the Skinflint—a coward who preyed on the weak—would crumble under the threat of death. Once subdued, tossing him into the Ancestral Hall would spark a satisfying clash of traitors.

But Fang Lie underestimated Zhou. Surviving this corrupt environment required more than opportunism—it demanded ruthlessness.

Zhou’s face twisted with desperation as he lurched to his feet, snarling, "Bastard! If I die, you die too! I’ll end you here and now!"

"You? Kill me?" Fang Lie barked a bitter laugh. "Think you’re stronger than those Red-Robed Immortals? That you can finish what they couldn’t?"

"However you escaped last time, no tricks will save you here!" Zhou spat. "Gentle Breeze Tower holds the sect’s spirit stones and pills—its defenses could humble even a Nascent Soul True Immortal!"

Watching Zhou’s near-deranged state, Fang Lie gave a resigned smile and sent a message via his true spirit seed: "Old Bird, brace yourself. I’m going again."

Convinced escape was impossible, Fang Lie prepared for death. But Old Bird only chuckled. "Joking? You’re at the Formation core eye of the protective array. Death here’s impossible."

"Explain," Fang Lie pressed. "Zhou controls this floor. Even without restrictions, I can’t defeat him."

"Fool!" Old Bird scoffed. "Since claiming me in the Cycle of Fire, you became the Benevolence Token’s candidate Lord. Even unofficially, this rank grants the sect’s highest protections. Kill a candidate Lord under the array’s watch? The entire Mo Sect would become a laughingstock!"

"Zhou’s cleverness betrays him. In the wilds, beyond the array’s full reach, he might’ve succeeded. But here?" Old Bird snorted. "Not even the three main Token Lords could touch you without cause. The array blocks all attacks."

"So I’m invincible here?" Fang Lie brightened.

"Anywhere under sect control," Old Bird confirmed. "Dying’s become inconvenient for you."

"Perfect!" Fang Lie grinned. "Let’s see Zhou try his worst."

As they communicated, Zhou made a final plea: "Take the bribe, leave me be, and walk free. Everyone wins. Refuse, and we perish together!"

"Fang Family rules forbid compromises," Fang Lie said flatly. "You know this."

"Curse your stubborn bloodline!" Zhou howled. "Your father suppressed my schemes, and now you continue his nuisance! I’ll bury your line today!"

Zhou whipped out a foot-long black dagger—the Shadow Heart-Questioning Dagger. Channeling spiritual energy, he hurled it silently.

This second-rank treasure excelled in stealth attacks, leaving no spiritual pressure trail. Barely visible even in daylight, its value surpassed third-tier magical items—a luxury only a profiteer like Zhou could afford.

Fang Lie stood motionless, smirking as the blade froze a hair’s breadth from his forehead.

"Why?!" Zhou roared. "I control this floor!"

"Delusions," Fang Lie jeered. "Gentle Breeze Tower belongs to the sect. Your lowly permissions can’t override the array guarding an Ancestral Hall-listed candidate Lord."

Zhou staggered as if thunderstruck.

"Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers!" Fang Lie called.

Four golden-armored figures materialized. "Charges verified. Arrest confirmed."

They restrained Zhou, nullifying his cultivation. Fang Lie snatched the dagger, effortlessly overwriting Zhou’s weak Soul Imprint with his own—a feat impossible without the array’s aid.

"Sect rules grant victims compensation," Fang Lie declared, brandishing the dagger. "This’ll do."

"Approved," the soldiers intoned.

Zhou nearly collapsed. The dagger had cost him fifty thousand spirit stones and countless favors. Yet his greater terror was losing his life.

As soldiers dragged him away, Zhou shrieked to bystanders: "Help! Fang Lie defiles Gentle Breeze Tower!"