Volume 5 Chapter 46

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Volume 5 Chapter 46: The Old Monster

"Hong" already had a gloomy aura that made people fearful, but this person in the black robe was infinitely more menacing. Though small in stature, there was an air of authority about him, his whole body wrapped in a faint black mist that seemed to draw the soul from anyone who gazed at it for too long, like a messenger from the underworld, bringing only terror and death to the world.

Even though the person in the black robe stood there silently, no one but "Hong" dared to come within a hundred feet, for anyone who had approached was reduced to bones.

"Hong" stood trembling behind the black-robed figure, barely daring to breathe, head bowed and hands lowered, sneaking glances at the old man in front of him, even though he knew he wouldn’t uncover anything, he felt slightly calmer by looking.

"Hong" thought this would help, but in reality, seeing the frail yet imposing back covered in a hood and mist, his unease grew.

Occasionally, "Hong’s" eyes would dart briefly to the green staff in the black-robed man’s hand, resembling a spine. The black-robed man cherished this staff more than life itself and would not hesitate to kill "Hong" if he suspected even the slightest interest in it.

In fact, for the black-robed man, killing "Hong" would be no more difficult than killing a stray cat or dog.

In the "Ming" organization, over the years, due to "Huang’s" unpredictable moods, "Xuan," who seemingly harmonizes well with "Huang," occasionally intervenes as well. Moreover, because the various actions of the "Ming" organization carry great danger, to eliminate suspicion from the Righteous Alliance, members are often wiped out to sever ties with "Ming." Therefore, aside from Tian, "Di," "Xuan," and "Huang," the other twelve members frequently change.

Outsiders believed the "Dark" organization had sixteen core members, but in truth, only Tian and Di, the two elders, were truly core. The others were expendable at any moment. There were many powerful evil cultivators and fallen righteous cultivators in the cultivation world eager to join "Ming." After all, the benefits of joining "Ming" far outweighed the dangers.

However, "Xuan" and "Huang" were so powerful that even "Tian" and "Di" did not dare to easily abandon them. They were given the task of eliminating any members who might expose the existence of the "Ming" organization. This is why "Ming" has not been discovered by the righteous path of the cultivation world for so many years.

Among the sixteen core members, "Hong" was an exception. He had been part of the "Ming" organization for five hundred years, while other members had completely changed many times. Yet, he had always faced no disasters or difficulties. Even if "Hong" failed at a task that could expose "Ming," Tian and "Di" would only send other members to take the blame. Even the extremely arrogant "Huang" never considered targeting "Hong."

This was partly because "Hong" was a cautious person, rarely making mistakes while completing tasks, and he would never try to eliminate "Huang" out of fear like other "Ming" members. Most importantly, both the two elders, Tian and Di, as well as "Huang," knew that behind him stood a figure in a black robe. Out of respect for this figure, even these three would never easily harm him.

"Hong" was one of the eight master-level experts in the Mahayana Stage within the "Ming" organization. After joining "Ming," he became quite knowledgeable. In "Hong’s" view, only Tian and "Di" might barely defeat this black-robed figure, while "Xuan" was likely at a slight disadvantage. As for "Huang," before mastering the ultimate technique, he was definitely no match for the black-robed man. Now, after retrieving his heart and becoming a great cultivator, it was hard to say.

In the cultivation world, only a handful of individuals, no more than five, could rival this mysterious black-robed person, including those legendary cultivators whose status was unknown.

The world believed Zhong Ling was the most prominent figure in the Zhong family’s corpse-driving lineage. However, few knew that Zhong Ling had a son, whose talents and genius were even more outstanding. The "Purgatory Staff" was his son’s concept, and by the time Zhong Ling passed, his son’s cultivation had far surpassed his father’s. He became the first Zhong family member to reach the Mahayana Stage. When various cultivation sects oppressed the Zhong family, it was this person who led the family into seclusion.

This seclusion lasted for a full two thousand three hundred years.

"Hong" didn’t know if the black-robed figure was Zhong Ling’s son. But when "Hong" joined the Zhong family, this person was already a Mahayana Stage master. Ages had passed, and even the Zhong family was unsure of his exact lineage, referring to him only as "Old Ancestor." According to "Hong’s" teacher, a direct disciple of the Zhong family, when he was born, this black-robed figure was already as unfathomable as he is now.

This was why "Hong" held such deep respect for the black-robed figure.

As one of the only Mahayana Stage masters among Zhong family disciples, apart from the black-robed figure and the current family master, "Hong" should have had nothing to fear. However, at this moment, "Hong’s" heart was filled with fear because he knew he had truly angered the black-robed figure this time.

A moment later, the man leading the group dressed in black searching the ruins of the "Treasure Pavilion" hurriedly approached the man in the black robe after hearing reports from the others. However, he stopped a hundred steps away, as if something terrifying would happen if he came any closer.

"Ancestor, the sacred relic is not in these ruins; perhaps it was taken by those who searched here before us."

Perhaps it’s the nature of the Zhong family, but this man’s voice was filled with reverence and fear, yet it still sounded gloomy.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the report, before the man in the black robe said anything, "Hong" felt a tremor in his heart. The last bit of hope vanished, and without a word, he knelt in front of the black-robed figure, his head buried deep in the ground, completely disregarding the dignity of a grandmaster.

A long sigh filled with the weight of the ages echoed softly, the voice hoarse and still gloomy.

Then, an incredibly ancient voice emerged from beneath the black robe.

"Do you remember what I told you when I had you join the ‘Nether’ organization back then?"

The voice was without joy or anger, but "Hong’s" body began to tremble. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice, and after a long pause, he replied, "I remember. You said that our Zhong family had hidden in the Valley of the Dead for too long. Although our strength had grown, we had no eyes and ears outside the valley. And with the ‘Tian’ and ‘Di’ two elders of ‘Nether’ inviting the Zhong family to join, we couldn’t refuse. So you asked me to participate as the family’s representative and use the ‘Nether’ organization’s power to find our lost sacred relic."

Upon hearing "Hong’s" response, the figure in the black robe remained neither joyful nor angry, merely asking, "How many years has it been since then?"

Hong’s voice, which had only just steadied, began to tremble again under the weight of this simple question.

"It’s been five hundred years…"

"Yes, five hundred years indeed. You’ve finally made some progress here. You found out that the sacred relic ended up at the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ two hundred years ago. I remember ‘Treasure Pavilion’ was also under ‘Ming’s control, wasn’t it? You’re a core member of ‘Ming’, yet it took you two hundred years to learn this news and only after ‘Treasure Pavilion’ was destroyed did you inform me. Quite impressive, indeed."

Just as Hong was about to explain, the man in the black robe asked again, "What did I tell you two hundred years ago when I sent Little Thirteen to infiltrate ‘Ming’?"

Hong’s voice trembled even more severely as he slowly spoke, "You said Little Thirteen is a rare genius of our clan. Although he made use of the ‘Great Method of Spiritual Transformation’ from the ‘Spirit Purging Cult’, he is, besides you, the only member of the Zhong family capable of merging with a refined corpse. He possesses sharp intelligence and is the perfect candidate to lead the Zhong family in the future. But the resources in the Valley of the Lost are scarce, so by having Little Thirteen join ‘Ming’, even though he’s only a substitute member under the core, it would broaden his horizons and quickly increase his abilities. You instructed me to take good care of Little Thirteen and ensure nothing happens to him."

This time, the man in the black robe’s voice carried a trace of amusement, yet it only heightened Hong’s already tense state to its breaking point.

"So, where is my Little Thirteen now?"

"He was killed by a rogue cultivator named Xu Fan."

Although the man in the black robe already knew the answer, Hong had no choice but to repeat it once more.