“Well?” Hu Yanzhuo asked again.
Li Changtian and Lu Ming’er nodded simultaneously and said, “We came to help City Lord Hu Yan in the first place, so we have no objections.”
“What about you, Young Master Xu?” Hu Yanzhuo turned to Xu Zimo and asked again.
“I don’t really mind,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “But who exactly is this Suspended Elder? I’ve never heard of him.”
“The Suspended Elder is quite well-known in the Ninelands Region,” Li Changtian explained on the side. “His own cultivation isn’t high, but he’s proficient in beast control. He commands a vast number of demonic beasts and often experiments with their mutations. Those Essence-Devouring Eagles earlier were one of his creations, and he’s the only one who can produce them.”
“Then let’s go take a look at the bottom of the valley,” Xu Zimo said.
Since the Suspended Elder was attacking Order City, he definitely had a purpose, it wouldn’t be without reason.
“Then I’ll be counting on everyone,” Hu Yanzhuo bowed deeply to the group.
Everyone continued descending to the valley floor.
Along the way, they were intermittently blocked by various mutated beasts.
There were eight-legged centipedes, blue-flower snakes, and giant geckos.
“This place is basically a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den,” Li Changtian said in awe.
They killed what they could, and for beasts too troublesome to deal with, they simply ignored them and rushed down as fast as possible.
“That guy probably wants to delay us with these beasts while he makes his escape,” Hu Yanzhuo snorted. “Let’s all reach the bottom first.”
Everyone charged downward. The deeper they went, the more lush the Western King Flowers became. Their fragrance filled the valley and covered the paths ahead.
Finally, after half an hour, the group leapt down from the cliff and landed inside the valley.
Before them stood ten massive Bull Demons.
These demons had their eyes closed, as if undergoing some sort of metamorphic experiment.
A man in black robes was walking around them, seemingly admiring his work.
“Suspended Elder,” Hu Yanzhuo shouted as he saw the robed man.
The man turned, pulling back his hood to reveal a round, ruddy face.
He removed his black robe, revealing a fat monk.
He wore a kasaya, a prayer bead necklace around his neck, and a burlap sack at his waist.
“When did the Suspended Elder become a monk?” Hu Yanzhuo said coldly upon seeing the outfit. “Even someone like you can enter the Buddhist path?”
“You’re mistaken, benefactor. As long as Buddha is in one’s heart, all under heaven is Buddhist land,” the Suspended Elder replied with a smile.
“Enough nonsense. Everyone, attack!” Hu Yanzhuo snorted, golden spiritual energy flashing around him as he threw a punch toward the Suspended Elder.
“Amitabha,” the Suspended Elder said, forming a Buddhist salute. The sack at his waist flew out and enveloped Hu Yanzhuo.
Inside the sack was total darkness.
Suddenly, a giant python emerged from it, biting toward Hu Yanzhuo.
“Everyone, help!” Hu Yanzhuo shouted in surprise.
Li Changtian and the others were just about to join the attack when the Suspended Elder chuckled and said, “I’ve heard that City Lord Hu Yan’s swordsmanship is unmatched, perfectly inheriting the Western King’s essence. Why not show it now?”
Upon hearing this, Li Changtian and Lu Ming’er frowned.
“Western King Sword Technique? Does City Lord Hu Yan have some connection to the Western King?”
They both sensed something was off, Hu Yanzhuo was clearly hiding something.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand,” Hu Yanzhuo replied quickly.
“Everyone, don’t listen to his nonsense, he’s just trying to divide us.”
“Nonsense?” The Suspended Elder chuckled. “You know better than anyone what I’m after. Why do you think I attacked Order City? Why has Supreme Order turned against you? The Nine Cities of the Ninelands Region have always stood united, so why is no one intervening now?”
“Then why don’t you tell us?” Xu Zimo asked from the side.
“My advice is that you all stay out of this. I’m just the vanguard. The person behind all this cherishes their reputation and can’t appear publicly,” the Suspended Elder said calmly. “If you really anger them, they’re not someone you can afford to offend.”
“Suspended Elder, stop spouting nonsense. I don’t understand a word of what you’re saying,” Hu Yanzhuo shouted.
He fought the giant python evenly, but was growing anxious inside.
“City Lord Hu Yan, it’s time to tell the truth. Otherwise, how can we continue helping you in good faith?” Li Changtian said from the side.
“What is there to say? I don’t understand his words and have nothing to hide from you,” Hu Yanzhuo said flatly.
“Then you, fat monk, explain. What’s going on?” Li Changtian asked.
“Otherwise, we’ll have to take you down and force the truth out.”
The Suspended Elder’s gaze sharpened, but then he laughed lightly. “Fine, I’ll tell you. It’s not like that thing is fated to be mine anyway.”
“Shut up!” Hu Yanzhuo roared in fury. A flexible sword coiled at his waist gleamed brilliantly and slashed the python into pieces before charging at the Suspended Elder.
“City Lord Hu Yan, what’s the rush? Let him speak,” Xu Zimo’s voice rang out.
With a flick of his finger, countless shadows split off from the flexible sword, forcing Hu Yanzhuo back.
Hu Yanzhuo steadied himself and looked at Xu Zimo grimly.
“I really underestimated you,” the Suspended Elder said, still a bit rattled.
He added, “You don’t want to hear it, but I’m going to tell them anyway. All of this is about the Western King’s inheritance.”
“The Western King’s inheritance?” Li Changtian frowned slightly.
“So the rumors are true, that the Western King buried himself in this valley in his later years?”
“I don’t know if that’s true,” the Suspended Elder said, “but I do know the Hu Clan are his descendants.”
“The Western King’s descendants?” Everyone gasped and turned in shock to look at Hu Yanzhuo.
Hu Yanzhuo took a deep breath and closed his eyes slightly.
“City Lord Hu Yan, care to explain?” the Suspended Elder asked with a schadenfreude-filled grin.
“There’s nothing to explain. The Western King’s inheritance is mine, I won’t give it to anyone,” Hu Yanzhuo replied. “He was my ancestor. Why should I hand it over to others?”
“So the fallout with Supreme Order was over the Western King’s inheritance,” Xu Zimo said.
“Yes,” Hu Yanzhuo nodded. He looked at the Suspended Elder and said, “I also know, you were sent by Supreme Order, right?”
“Order City is one of the Nine Cities and a core of Supreme Order,” the Suspended Elder nodded. “The Hu Clan has ruled Order City for generations and holds immense influence. If Supreme Order were to seize the inheritance by force, the consequences and backlash would be enormous.”