The organization of men in black had all sorts: Han, Mengshe Zhao, Turk, Western Regioner, Tibetan, Arab… They had subordinates in almost every country of the continent. It wasn’t strange for his master and the Wushang Village Chief to mingle in with them.
The only weakness was that the men in black had many secret code phrases that his master and the Wushang Village Chief knew nothing about, making them easily exposed. But considering the methods available to them, this had clearly not posed much of a problem to them.
“The Village Chief and I spent a long time following them in their operations, traveling with them from the Turkic Steppe in the north all the way to the Eastern Sea,” the Demonic Emperor Old Man said.
“The Eastern Sea?”
Wang Chong was taken aback. Many campaigns had taken place in the northeast lately, including the Youzhou war and An Yaluoshan’s war of the northeast against Goguryeo.
Wang Chong had never imagined that his master and the Wushang Village Chief had been in the area.
And it seemed that they had been in the region at the same time as Genesis Supreme. Fortunately, Wang Chong believed that Genesis Supreme had not met his master and the Wushang Village Chief, so he had not discovered them. Even so, the northeast was extremely dangerous.
“Master and Senior Village Chief, did you discover anything at the Eastern Sea?” Wang Chong asked. He was well aware that his master would not have mentioned it unless he had found something.
“This is what we were about to speak to you about. There is a small island in the Eastern Sea, and we discovered a secret base of theirs that had many men in black. Unlike their other bases, they had completely excavated that small island and moved in many strange machines, ones that we’ve never seen before.
“These machines are capable of producing lightning, things that don’t belong to this era!” the Demonic Emperor Old Man said.
At this time, the Wushang Village Chief began to speak. “They hadn’t transported all those machines over at the time, but we saw them modifying those machines, and placing the machines into separate groups. And it doesn’t seem like these machines were being used for battle, but for pure destruction.
“They put some of the machines together, and they produced a beam of light that blasted apart the toughest of rock and steel, penetrating several hundred, even several thousand meters into the ground. And when they were adjusting the machines, they would draw immense amounts of energy from the ground.
“The island originally had many lush trees and grasses planted upon it to serve as a disguise, but once those machines got to work, all those grasses and mighty trees swiftly died, turning as black as coal.
“Not only that, all the fish and water grass for a distance of several dozen li around the island turned into powder. We investigated afterward and found that the entire region, particularly the seabed, had been severely damaged.”
The Wushang Village Chief and Demonic Emperor Old Man still felt some lingering fear from the sight.
“It’s normal for martial artists to fight to the death, and it wouldn’t be strange at all if these people wanted to rule the world. But your master and I sense that these men in black are not looking for something as simple as ruling the world. They do not care about imperial authority, but are instead conspiring to destroy the entire world. Those strange machines are completely capable of this deed, and there’s no telling how many of these bases and machines they have.”
Their hearts were heavy as they spoke.
Wang Chong said nothing, his brow creasing.
In his last life, Wang Chong had become the Supreme Marshal of the realm very late. By that time, the situation had already been settled and the otherworldly invaders had appeared. Thus, Wang Chong had no inkling of many of the things that had happened. But now that he thought about it, it seemed like the men in black, the Celestial God Organization, were inextricably tied to this matter.
Wang Chong felt like he was slowly getting closer to the truth from back then.
“And after that?” Wang Chong asked, knowing that something else had to have happened.
“After that, we tried to capture one of the leaders and read his memories, but we made an error, alarming the leader in charge of the region. The Wushang Village Chief and I had to go through great lengths to successfully kill him and then destroy that base.
“But the most surprising part of all this was that when we ambushed that leader, we discovered that he could use the Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art, and at an even greater level than me!” the Demonic Emperor Old Man said.
“What?!”
Wang Chong shuddered in shock.
How could this be possible?!
Everyone knew that the Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art was the supreme art of the evil path, and it was an art that only Wang Chong and the Demonic Emperor Old Man could use to its fullest.
In terms of proficiency, his master probably had an even profounder understanding of the art, but he was now saying that there was a black-clothed expert who was somehow even more skilled in this art!
Wang Chong would have treated these words as a joke if anyone else had said them, but as it was his master, the Demonic Emperor Old Man, who made this claim, Wang Chong had to believe it.
“When we first discovered this, I was just as shocked as you, but the facts were right in front of my face, so I was forced to believe it. Moreover, when we clashed, I could tell that his art was extremely ancient and seemed to reach an even higher level. I even sensed that the Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art we cultivate could have originated from that art!” the Demonic Emperor Old Man gravely said.
Wang Chong said nothing, but the thought of the Origin Immortal Lord and the Origin Immortal Art appeared in his mind.
It was known that the Origin Immortal Art was the supreme art of the Central Plains, but very few people knew that the Origin Immortal Art’s creator, the Origin Immortal Lord, was inextricably connected to the men in black.
“Thus, Master, you’re saying that our Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art was actually created by the men in black!”
“That’s not all. You once talked about the ten great arts of the Central Plains. I feel that it’s not just our Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art and the Origin Immortal Art. There’s a high chance that the majority of the ten great arts originated from the men in black,” the Demonic Emperor Old Man sternly said.
“Considering how long their organization has existed, with ancient existences from the Spring and Autumn Period like the Origin Immortal Lord being part of them, your master and I believe that this chance is very high,” the Wushang Village Chief added, his heart heavy.
It had always been said that the arts of the Central Plains had been passed down through the generations, and the Wushang Village Chief and Demonic Emperor Old Man had also subscribed to this school of thought.
But as they interacted with those mysterious men in black, they found their deeply-rooted beliefs to suddenly be on very shaky ground.
The existence of this organization had completely altered their understanding of the martial arts of the Central Plains and how they were passed down.
Wang Chong turned pensive.
He understood what the two of them were implying. If it was really as they believed, then the men in black were stronger than he had imagined. At the very least, Wang Chong had yet to meet those people who were masters of the ten great arts.
Perhaps they were in hiding, or perhaps, like the man his master and the Village Chief had encountered, they had special statuses in the organization and were tasked with special missions.
“Let’s put the matter of succession to the side for now. Those secret plans of the men in black make me extremely uneasy. They’re almost entirely unknown to the world at this time, and we still don’t know what their objective is. Why are they doing this? Why are they destroying the foundation of the world? What sort of advantage would this bring them?
“If we don’t answer
these questions, everything we do, including wars between countries, is meaningless. This was why the Village Chief and I, despite knowing that you needed our help, did not come over right away.
“On this matter, we could only trust in you, believe that you could resolve these problems on your own. And in the end, you did not disappoint us.”
The Demonic Emperor Old Man gave Wang Chong a sentimental glance, one that was brimming with relief and admiration.
Chapter 2026 - A Change in the 'Dragon Pearl'!
Chapter 2026: A Change in the ‘Dragon Pearl’!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
In the Demonic Emperor Old Man’s first meeting with Wang Chong, Wang Chong had only been a sixteen-year-old child, but he was now a hero venerated by the masses.
And it was precisely because of Wang Chong’s outstanding and unique character that he trusted in him so much.
The Demonic Emperor Old Man and Wushang Village Chief quickly left.
They had only discovered a small corner of the matter regarding the men in black. They needed to continue seeking the truth and dig up more of this hidden conspiracy.
All fell quiet once the two of them left, the candles and torches flickering uneasily.
Wang Chong stood motionless in the room, his entire being immersed in deep thought.
Far too many things had happened today.
He had battled with An Yaluoshan, his mortal foe, at the feast of all countries, and then a new black-clothed expert in Genesis Supreme had appeared, and then there was the news brought back by his master… He needed time to digest all of this!
Peace and prosperity were celebrated with song and dance, but danger was already lurking in the darkness.
Even though he was already devoting his full strength, he still felt lacking and incapable. But even so, he would not give up, much less passively wait.
Stealing Dragon Qi is truly audacious! It seems he can no longer restrain himself. I’ll have to move up my plans to deal with him, Wang Chong mentally noted, his eyes glinting.
An Yaluoshan’s operation tonight could no longer be described as simple boldness, but a complete lack of restraint. Alas, he had the mysterious ‘Genesis Supreme’ backing him, or else he would have already been dead.
Wang Chong recalled the Sage Emperor and the ‘dragon pearl’ An Yaluoshan had gifted him!
This was clearly a ‘dragon pearl’ that had been prepared by the men in black for An Yaluoshan to offer.
When ‘Third Son Xuan’ obtained the dragon pearl, his energy and consciousness clearly grew stronger. In contrast, the real Sage Emperor’s will was suppressed even more harshly. This was an ill omen for the Great Tang!
Wang Chong placed his hands behind his back and called out, “Zhang Que!”
“Your Highness!”
The doors opened, and Zhang Que came inside and bowed.
“Find a way to get in touch with Young Master Qingyang and Sword Dragon! I need to know what progress they’ve made!” Wang Chong said.
“Yes!”
Zhang Que left with the order.
The Rainbow Glass Divine Grass!
This was the only way he could think of to restore the Sage Emperor’s will to its strongest level.
The Great Tang could not continue with this chaos!
……
The sky gradually brightened.
With the passing of the night, the raucous feast of all countries came to an end.
The streets were still chattering with conversation about the brilliant performances put on by the various countries, the show put on by the new Andong Protector-General, the conflicts that took place in the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, and the final act of the Sage Emperor walking up to the edge of the Pavilion and joining the consorts in showering the crowd with millions of coins.
This feast would probably be a conversation topic of the capital for the next several decades.
And once the storm had passed, An Yaluoshan and Gao Shang had swiftly returned to Youzhou. Meanwhile, the King of Foreign Lands Residence also began to slowly calm down. But deep within the Imperial Palace, a certain imposing figure within Taiji Palace had had a sleepless night.
“Hahaha, a good treasure! Truly a good treasure!”
A hearty laugh came from the throne. On his throne, ‘Third Son Xuan’ excitedly fondled the ‘dragon pearl’ An Yaluoshan had given him, his entire body feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Once the feast was over, he had come back to this place with the ‘dragon pearl’ and played around with it again and again, never growing tired.
“Li Taiyi, you probably didn’t think that even you would have a day like this!
“You damn outsider! Sleep eternally! Experience that pain of imprisonment that I felt for so many years!”
‘Third Son Xuan’ had a chilly gaze as he smugly muttered to himself.
“And that An Yaluoshan is truly an incredible person. Not only is he so understanding as to send Us so many beauties, he even gifted Us such an important object!
“Dragon pearl? Hmph! Do they really think We are a child? How can a dragon pearl actually exist in this world? But it does not matter whether this is a dragon pearl. It’s fine so long as it can suppress Li Taiyi! Truly a case of wearing out one’s shoes in search for a solution delivered to one’s doorstep! I went to such great lengths to try and suppress Li Taiyi, never expecting that it would be so easy!”
Third Son Xuan heartily laughed.
After so many years, he had finally emerged as the final victor!
And that dog slave Gao Lishi dared to betray him and pledge fealty to that bastard Li Taiyi! But did he really think that giving him a few pots of medicine would be enough?
In the end, nothing could stop him!
Buzz!
Suddenly, some hidden existence seemed to reply to Third Son Xuan’s words, and the fabric of space in the hall trembled.
“Dragon Qi?”
Third Son Xuan seemed to hear the reply, and he laughed.
“What does Dragon Qi have to do with me? As long as it can suppress you, We do not care. We are the Son of Heaven selected by the Mandate of Heaven, the ruler of the Divine Land. No one can shake Us. Do you really think that chubby Hu is capable of such a thing?
“If absorbing a little Dragon Qi could shake the Great Tang, wouldn’t the Central Plains have fallen long ago?
“Be at ease. Once We finish off you and become the real Sage Emperor, I’ll reconsolidate this realm. As for the rest, you don’t need to worry about that! Hahaha…”
It was some time until the contented laughter began to fade away.
Buzz!
After some time, that large dragon pearl in Third Son Xuan’s hand suddenly flashed with light, and it began to project a model of the Central Plains into the hall.
“This is…?”
Third Son Xuan’s pupils constricted as he looked up at the projection in surprise.
But that model was still shifting. The northwestern corner of the model was expanded, swiftly taking up the entirety of the model.
Depicted here was a massive mountain range, its sides steep and smooth, grandiose and majestic.
The peaks of the mountains were wrapped in clouds, making them seem ancient and mysterious.
“The Kunlun Mountains!”
Third Son Xuan immediately recognized them.
This dragon pearl was from An Yaluoshan, and Third Son Xuan already knew it could project a model of the Central Plains. But this would only happen when external energy was applied.
Yet now, without any sort of external energy stimulating the dragon pearl, it had still projected an image of the Kunlun Mountains. Third Son Xuan did not know what this meant.
The hall was so quiet that Third Son Xuan could hear his own breathing as he stared at the Kunlun Mountains.
From above, the steep peaks looked like a coiled, awe-inspiringly gigantic dragon.
Whoosh!
&
nbsp; Suddenly, a gust blew over the mountains, causing the clouds coiled around the peaks to surge and billow. Before Third Son Xuan could react, the mists parted, revealing a grove of green trees atop one of the peaks, and in the middle of this little grove was a little wooden house.
A blurry figure wearing a Daoist robe sat in front of the wooden house, a hand holding a horsetail whisk as they meditated.
As Third Son Xuan looked through the dragon pearl at him, that man on the mountain also seemed to sense something, his body trembling as he opened his eyes.
Those eyes were deep and clear. When they opened, Third Son Xuan felt as if the sea of stars had opened up before him.
Not only that, those eyes were so bright and profound that Third Son Xuan sensed that the man’s gaze pierced through the void, staring at him all the way from the Kunlun Mountains.
Whoooah!
A moment later, the robed figure stood up and respectfully kowtowed in Third Son Xuan’s direction.
Third Son Xuan was still trying to understand what was going on, but another gust swept in, and that figure in front of the wooden house disappeared together with the Kunlun Mountains.
The dragon pearl swiftly returned to normal.
“What is going on here?”
The Sage Emperor was speechless.
What did this change in the dragon pearl mean?
And who was that ascetic cultivating in the Kunlun Mountains?
Why had he performed a kowtow to him?
Could it be… that he could see him and had realized who he was?
Third Son Xuan fell into deep thought.
……
At the same time, in the northwest of the Great Tang, atop the soaring Kunlun Mountains, engulfed year-round in clouds, a figure in a Daoist robe slowly got to his feet.
This man was lean, and carried a transcendent aura. He seemed completely different from the martial artists of the Central Plains or the Western Regions, and he had an ancient and simple air about him.
“The face of the true dragon, all manifestations of nature returning to oneness! It finally arrived! The best and only chance for the lineage of sorcerers to rise has finally come!” the man muttered, his words containing a shocking piece of information!
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 1226