Chapter 341: Chapter 341, Bizarre
Xu Hui didn’t hide anything and candidly revealed all the matters concerning the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. At the end, he earnestly said, "As long as Master Chu can help my elder brother, once he ascends to the position of Great Village Chief, he will undoubtedly assist you in eliminating the Demonic Organization."
Standing beside Chu Ming, Wang Qi’s eyes flashed with a hint of joy. A bold idea flashed in his mind, especially since Chu Ming had tasked him with secretly collecting the Eagle Claw Technique a month ago. However, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to say it out loud, even if it had to rot in his stomach.
"This... "
Chu Ming furrowed his brow, showing a troubled expression and hesitation in his eyes. Seeing this, Wang Qi grew extremely anxious, realizing this was a golden opportunity to ally with the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. If they missed this chance, who knows when they could eliminate the Demonic Organization again?
"Master Chu, speak your mind."
Although Xu Hui originated from a bandit background, he was far from silly; in fact, he was incredibly astute. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been dispatched to Snow Peak by Xu Nian. Chu Ming didn’t outright refuse, signifying room for negotiation. His troubled look simply suggested he wanted to gain some benefits.
"Since you put it that way, I’ll be straightforward. I’ve heard that the other half of the Burning Fire Battleship is within the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. That would be the bargaining chip."
Chu Ming got straight to the point. After eliminating the Demonic Organization, he intended to leave the Great Yan Kingdom. Although the Chu Family had the protection of Snow Peak and the Cyan Yang Sect, he still felt a bit worried. The Burning Fire Battleship was meant for the Chu Family.
"Agreed!"
Xu Hui pondered briefly and nodded in agreement. The other half of the Burning Fire Battleship had been seized from Burning Fire Valley and stored in the Taihang Mountain Stronghold’s warehouse. In terms of power, the Stronghold possessed weapons far more potent, rendering the Battleship redundant.
"Wang Qi, go and summon Elder Ku and Elder Yun!"
Chu Ming didn’t fear the Stronghold’s regret and directed Wang Qi with a backward glance.
"Yes, Master!"
Wang Qi bowed with both fists and respectfully exited the grand hall.
At Snow Peak, there were three Guiyuan Realm Fifth Layer experts: Elder Ku Bu Rong, Yun Hai from the Martial Saint Sect, and Shi Huan from the Blue Sea Sect.
Within less than an incense stick’s time, two figures casually hurried from outside the grand hall. Elder Ku, still dressed in black, looked elderly but energetic due to the Life-extending Grass.
"Master Chu!"
The Martial Saint Sect was the foremost sect in the Yu Jing Kingdom, and Yun Hai was its Supreme Elder. He wore white attire, with white hair and a ruddy complexion. As he moved, soft sword hums could be faintly heard. He was a swordsman.
"Come with me to Taihang Mountain Stronghold!"
Chu Ming said calmly. His primary target this time was Zhi Buyou, while eliminating the Demonic Organization needed to be done step by step.
"No problem!"
Elder Ku and Yun Hai showed indifferent expressions. Zhi Buyou’s battle power was on par with each of them individually, but together, their victory chances were over ninety percent.
.....
Chu Ming rode on the Sky Eagle, followed closely by Elder Ku, Yun Hai, and Xu Hui. A day later, they arrived at Taihang Mountain Stronghold. With a mission, they naturally kept a low profile.
Chu Ming released the Sky Eagle into the sky. The group quietly infiltrated the Stronghold. As soon as they stepped into the Xu Family’s courtyard, Xu Nian greeted them with a smile, followed closely by Lone Wolf and Iron Tiger.
"Master Chu!"
Xu Nian’s gaze passed over Chu Ming and landed on Elder Ku and Yun Hai. His eyelids twitched. His sharp eyes could clearly sense the vast spiritual power within the two, hinting that even the surrounding spiritual power revolved around them.
Guiyuan Realm Fifth Layer experts!
"Hmm!"
Chu Ming nodded lightly and glanced at Lone Wolf and Iron Tiger, silently admiring the stronghold’s formidable strength. In other sects, Guiyuan Realm Fourth Layer experts could be pillars; the Stronghold had five.
The group proceeded to the main hall and sat down. Xu Nian began to speak.
"Master Chu, this time..."
Xu Nian’s gaze was full of inquiry. Despite Chu Ming’s arrival, he still felt a bit unsettled.
"Rest assured, we will help you deal with Zhi Buyou. As for the others, you’ll have to handle them with your techniques."
Chu Ming said calmly.
"Don’t worry, Master. The others are not a concern."
With Chu Ming’s assurance, Xu Nian felt much more at ease.
Regarding the other members of the Taihang Mountain Stronghold, Xu Nian had managed to win over seventy to eighty percent through inducement over the years. Solving Zhi Buyou would secure the stronghold firmly in his hands.
"Hmm!"
Chu Ming nodded, but he was contemplating. Zhi Hua was dead, and Zhi Buyou’s calmness for five consecutive days seemed extremely unusual.
The loss of his son, yet Zhi Buyou had endured thus far. He was not a simple character.
At night, with no light from the heavens, even the Taihang Mountain Stronghold appeared eerily obscure under the darkness, except for one quietly glowing lamp.
Three shadows leaped out from the Xu residence, sneaking towards the Prefect’s manor.
These three were naturally Chu Ming, Elder Ku, and Yun Hai.
Swoosh!
Soon, the trio stealthily entered the Prefect’s manor. The entire manor was exceedingly silent, except for a single lit area in the main hall.
As he glanced around, Chu Ming’s brow furrowed. For some reason, he felt a sense of horror. The manor’s eerie calm was frightening.
This was too unusual; the trio hadn’t seen a single servant or maid along the way, causing Chu Ming a growing unease.
"The entire manor is shrouded in death, likely because many people have died here."
At this moment, Yun Hai slightly narrowed his eyes and commented.
"Moreover, wisps of resentment linger in the air, suggesting these deaths weren’t peaceful."
Elder Ku and Yun Hai weren’t ordinary; as Guiyuan Realm cultivators, common ghosts and spirits couldn’t escape their eyes.
"Could Zhi Buyou have gone mad and killed everyone in the Prefect’s manor?"
The thought shocked Chu Ming’s mind, causing him to gasp in disbelief.
"Whether it’s true, we’ll know after checking."
Yun Hai’s body flew towards the main hall.
The main hall was the only lit place in the manor. Zhi Buyou was likely there.
The trio reached the hall outside and were about to peer through the window cracks when a grim laugh suddenly erupted from behind them.
"Hehehe, Yun Hai Daoist, you left your Martial Saint Sect retirement to come to Taihang Mountain Stronghold and court death. How foolish you are!"
The eerie voice made the trio swiftly turn around, their gazes aiming at the source.
A figure emerged from the darkness, outlined by the hall’s lamplight—a face with extreme gauntness.