In the underground hall.
A hunchbacked man was seated in a lotus position. A faint green fog covered his entire body, and his eyes were filled with a terrifying green light.
There was another female corpse to his side. There was a hole in the female corpse’s chest, and it was clear that her heart had been dug out.
Chi! Chi! Chi! The hunchbacked man’s long right fingernails held a heart. However, the heart was now very dry.
Phew~
Whoosh~
Green mist entered the hunchbacked man’s body from his nose before he spat it out after some time.
Knock! Knock! Knock! A series of knocking sounded from outside.
“Oh?” The hunchbacked man’s expression changed slightly as he said coldly, “What is it?” How dare his subordinates disturb him when he was cultivating?
“My lord, there are a few young men and a woman outside, as well as an old man. They are from Jadesun Palace, and among them is Meng Chuan from the Meng family. They say they are here to rescue a child’s sister,” the person outside the hall said softly.
“Then return the child’s sister to them,” said the hunchbacked man with a frown. “I’m at a critical point in my cultivation. There’s no need to provoke the five Godfiend clans or Jadesun Palace.”
“What if they want to search the entire Idle Stone Garden? I’m afraid some secrets will be uncovered,” said the person outside the hall.
“Forbid them from searching!” The hunchbacked man said calmly. “If you really can’t stop them, we’re destined to be exposed. Kill them and give up on this place. That will be a warning to the five Godfiend family clans and Jadesun Palace.”
“Yes,” the person outside the hall replied respectfully.
The hunchbacked man looked at the female corpse on the ground and said in a low voice, “I really can’t bear to give up such a good place for cultivation that provides me virgins often.”
Chapter 27
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
In Idle Stone Garden, the seven women’s words left Meng Chuan, Yan Jin, and Liu Qiyue slightly stunned.
“Let all the women in these buildings come out,” Yan Jin said sternly. He refused to believe it.
When he was young, the maidservant that had treated him exceptionally well was tortured to death in such a place.
“Bring them all out.” The colorful-robed elder smiled as he instructed. More than thirty women were brought and gathered together.
“Young Master Meng?”
“It’s the Meng family’s Meng Chuan!” Many women’s eyes lit up when they saw Meng Chuan!
Countless people were envious and jealous of Eastcalm Prefecture’s geniuses. Meng Chuan often traveled between Meng Manor and Mirror Lake Dao Academy. Many people had seen him over the years.
“If you were abducted, you can say it out loud. You don’t have to worry about the Black Wolf Gang’s revenge,” said Meng Chuan. “They don’t have the guts.”
“Young Master Meng, although some of us were crying and wailing when we came, it has nothing to do with the Black Wolf Gang. I came here on my own accord because of my brother’s marriage. The sisters beside me all have their sad stories, but we were all willing,” said a woman with a smile.
“Young Master Meng…” These women were all very willing to tell Meng Chuan.
As Meng Chuan, Liu Qiyue, and Yan Jin listened, the three became more confused. They could tell that these women didn’t have any resentment towards the Black Wolf Gang. They were even shocked when they heard the women talk about their hardships.
They had known that life was difficult for ordinary people due to the rules set by the imperial government—those who didn’t reach the Marrow Cleansing realm had to serve in the military otherwise the jobs available to them would be limited. But, those who opened small businesses and worked some odd jobs could still fill their stomachs. But today, they found out that there were people who lived more miserable lives amongst ordinary people. Those who were seriously ill or had families with gambling addicts. Those who went through famine or had their hometowns destroyed by demons…
These women were pretty, so they had this path to take. If they didn’t have the prerequisite beauty, this path wouldn’t have worked out.
“Sis!” Ironborn—who was standing by the side—called out in excitement, his eyes widening suddenly. He didn’t feel anything when he heard the women complaining because his father was a gambling addict. If it weren’t for his sister working as a servant in a large family clan, his family would have been finished.
“Ironborn.” The woman who had been brought out by the Black Wolf Gang immediately ran over.
“Haha…” The elderly man laughed. “We found her. What happened? How did this woman get brought to our Idle Stone Garden? How was I not aware of this?”
“Guardian,” said the gang members respectfully. “The father of this woman named Red Rain owes us Black Wolf Gang 300 taels of silver. That’s why our subordinates brought the man’s daughter to hide here temporarily. It’s to force her father to raise the money.”
When the elder heard, he immediately glared at the Boss Wei trio and shouted, “Why didn’t you tell me you were hiding her here for your debt recollection?”
Boss Wei immediately came to a realization and said with a fawning smile, “Guardian, how would we dare to alarm you with such a trivial matter? We only planned to hide her here for a few days to scare that gambler.”
Meng Chuan and company frowned when they heard this.
When a debt reached a significant amount, debtors who temporarily impounded other family members to force the family to return the debt would only be punished with fines at the court. Unless the abducted woman was forced to become a prostitute, be severely injured, or killed, would a heavy punishment be meted out.
As for Ironborn’s sister, Red Rain, she clearly wasn’t injured.
“Sis, did they bully you?” Ironborn hugged his sister and asked immediately.
“No, they just locked me up in a room.” Red Rain shook her head.
“Could we have made a mistake?” Liu Qiyue whispered when she saw this.
Yan Jin frowned.
Meng Chuan looked at the group of women. Every single one of them had their stories, but none of them were forced. What he experienced today had indeed allowed him to see the other side of this world.
“Young Master.” The old servant stood beside Yan Jin and chuckled. “If it’s illegal, the Black Wolf Gang will not let us see it easily.”
Yan Jin’s eyes lit up.
“This Red Rain was taken away by force without a doubt. Furthermore, the Black Wolf Gang didn’t have an indenture contract for her. Since there’s a precedent, it can’t be only this once,” said the old servant with a smile. “Furthermore, the place where Red Rain was imprisoned is in the back of the compound. I’m quite sure there are other pitiful women in those places.”
These words caused the Black Wolf Gang members’ faces to change. The elderly man in colorful robes had an ugly look on his face.
“Yes, shady matters need to be hidden more carefully,” said Yan Jin coldly. “Uncle Wang, check this compound carefully. I want to see how bold a small gang like this can be.”
“Haven’t you gone overboard?”
The elder’s face darkened as he took a few steps forward. His subordinates behind him also took a few steps forward, blocking the path in front of them. The colorful-robed elder said in a low voice, “The person you wish to save is now with you. Are you not giving us an out by continuing to force us?”
“Move aside,” said Yan Jin coldly.
“This is the Black Wolf Gang’s territory, and also the Bai family’s territory.” The elder laughed coldly. “Do you all intend to fall out with us?”
“Haha, you are quite bold as a Guardian,” said the old servant with a laugh. “Is there anyone who dares to threaten Jadesun Palace in Eastcalm Prefecture?”
In Eastcalm Prefectu
re, the Jadesun Palace held the highest status, and it represented Archean Mountain.
“If you dare to obstruct Jadesun Palace’s operations, I can kill you directly. Your Black Wolf Gang should know the rules.” The old servant took out the Jadesun Palace’s token, and the color in the faces of the gang members immediately drained. They couldn’t help but retreat. The Jadesun Palace’s reputation was too great! It was said that the Imperial Court was in charge of mortal affairs while Jadesun Palace was in charge of all other matters.
If one offended the Jadesun Palace, they would die for nothing.
“Guardian, don’t fight with the Jadesun Palace.”
“Bear with it.”
“Let’s report this to the gang. We won’t be able to block them,” the gang members said hurriedly. Even if it were a serious crime to abduct women, with so many people from the Black Wolf Gang, the Imperial Court’s punishments would probably not reach them even if they did mete out punishments.
Under the night sky.
Inside Idle Stone Garden, the women watched nervously. The members of the Black Wolf Gang also retreated. The Boss Wei trio didn’t dare say a word.
Only the elder’s expression darkened. He stood in the way. “Are we really going to fall out with each other?”
“Do you think you are worthy of that?” The old servant chuckled softly. In terms of background, his family clan was far beyond what any of the five Godfiend clans in Eastcalm Prefecture were capable of.
“Make way!” Yan Jin’s eyes were cold. The thought of women being tortured to the point of death triggered his killing intent.
“Haha, alright. I’ll make way. Make way. Let them investigate!” The elder laughed, causing the old servant’s expression to change.
At this moment…
A person walked out from a distant corridor.
His back hunched, but he remained tall. His hair was disheveled, and he walked over with a smile as he looked at Meng Chuan, Yan Jin, Liu Qiyue, and the old servant.
Upon seeing this person’s aura limited to an ordinary person’s, Meng Chuan could vaguely sense an extremely terrifying threat approaching! It was as though a terrifying monster was approaching him.
“I heard that you are going to investigate this place?” The hunchbacked man smiled. “So many paths lead to life, but you had to choose the one that leads to death.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a rich green aura suddenly erupted from his body as his eyes glowed green. His entire body became larger and muscular; his fingernails grew longer as well. Reaching out his hand, he sent pebbles on the ground flying into the air and into his hands.
“I’ll send you on your way.” The hunchbacked man waved his sharp claws.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of stones flew out. A green aura enveloped every stone, and their speed was terrifying.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Easily causing large holes, some stones passed through the wooden pillars while others passed through the rockery.
“Ahhh!” Following the stone trajectories, three gang members and two innocent women were pierced through by stones. Blood splattered everywhere as they died on the spot.
“Be careful.” Meng Chuan jolted to attention as he stepped in front of Qiyue and instantly unsheathed his saber at his waist. Liu Qiyue immediately pulled the siblings behind her.
“Skydemon Sect? Release of demonic aura?” The old servant’s expression drastically changed as he brandished a soft sword. “Young Master, be careful.”
Yan Jin pulled out both his swords from his back. He immediately tried his best to block the attacks with both blades.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dozens of terrifying rocks enveloped with green aura instantly struck them. Meng Chuan, the old servant, and Yan Jin used their full strength to block the lethal stones. Every stone felt extremely heavy. They were stronger than arrows shot by an expert at the Mortal Shedding realm. The stones were even more terrifying than 100 Mortal Shedding realm warriors shooting arrows simultaneously.
Chapter 28
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
Boom! The white-robed Yan Jin wielded a sword in each hand. He stood in front as his two swords transformed into the symbol for Yin and Yang—forming a vortex to block the stones.
Yan Jin blocked almost half of the stones covered in the green aura.
Flanking Yan Jin, the old servant—who was at the Seamless realm—and Meng Chuan blocked the remaining stones.
We blocked them! Meng Chuan cultivated a Lightning Divine Body, and his speed was extraordinarily fast. His saber instantly transformed into a blur as he blocked multiple rocks, but he still found it extremely demanding on his body. The old servant who used a soft sword had power at the Seamless realm, but even he was struggling as well. In contrast, Yan Jin’s every single strike was incomparably powerful, and he hadn’t seemed to use any effort to block half the stones alone.
Liu Qiyue—who was protected in the rear—did not hesitate to take out a distress flare and quickly activated it.
Boom!
With a loud bang, the flare flew into the sky with great speed.
“Quick, retreat!” Meng Chuan hurriedly roared because the hunchbacked man—who had casually tossed the stones—had already charged over.
Liu Qiyue held Ironborn with one hand and carried the other girl with the other as she charged out.
“Hahaha, to have such strength at the Mortal Shedding realm? It looks like I’ve caught a big one!” The hunchbacked man’s laughter echoed in Idle Stone Garden. He had already charged straight for Yan Jin! He was clearly the strongest, considering how he had blocked dozens of stones.
“Young Master!” The old servant slashed his sword forward, the soft sword curved and stabbed at the hunched man’s eyes.
The hunched man’s body blurred slightly. The strike only hit the hunchbacked man’s back. It barely pierced his skin before his muscles blocked it.
Whoosh. The hunchbacked man struck out with his claw that was covered with a thick green demonic aura. Unable to dodge in time, Yan Jin had no choice but to hold up both swords to block.
The claw struck the two swords.
Boom!
A terrifying power Yan Jin had no way of withstanding, surged into him from his swords.
Even though he was good at redirecting power and had the Icefire Divine Body—which was good at using the Yin-Yang Deflection—the strength difference was too great! He was sent flying backward by the strike, slamming into the wall behind him. The Idle Stone Garden walls were instantly smashed apart, causing Yan Jin to fall onto the streets. He was covered in rubble. One of his swords was flung into the air.
The hunchbacked man didn’t care about the others as he only stared at Yan Jin in a bid to kill him.
Yan Jin felt pain all over his body. His bones were fractured in several areas, and he had lost feeling in his arms. He wanted to get up, but he couldn’t control his body.
Too powerful! The difference was too great!
“Hahaha…” The hunchbacked man gave an ear-piercing laugh and charged over.
“Young Master.” The old servant wanted to catch up, but his speed was ultimately slower. His eyes couldn’t help but show anger.
“Cough, cough.” Yan Jin coughed out blood.
Am I going to die here? I really can’t accept this. Yan Jin’s vision was a little blurry. As he watched the hunchbacked man charge over, an even faster blur shot out from the side. A saber formed a beautiful arc, and the hunchbacked man was unable to dodge.
Saber technique—Swaying Moonfall!
In terms of Godfiend foundations, Yan Jin’s foundation was just on par with Meng Chuan’s even though he was born with tremendous strength, and had consumed rare, treasured herbs while cultivating his Godfiend body. They were simply skilled in different aspects.
Meng Chuan, who cultivated a Lightning Divine Body, focused on his movement techniques and swift saber. His advantag
e was in speed! He was faster than most Seamless realm experts, and he was even faster than the hunchbacked man.
Human traitor from the Skydemon Sect! A murderous look flashed in Meng Chuan’s eyes. His blood boiled as lightning flowed through his body, increasing his astonishing speed even further. Meng Chuan knew very well that he was unable to deal with this terrifying Skydemon Sect expert! Therefore, he had slashed at his opponent’s leg. He wanted to injure his opponent’s leg to slow him down. Only then would they have a chance of escaping.
“Swift saber arts and ingenious moves. As expected of a genius from the Meng family.” The hunchbacked man finally slowed down as his left hand swiped out.
Clang!
His strike was bizarre and fast, easily blocking the saber beam.
Seeing the situation turning south, Meng Chuan immediately retreated—an arc beam streaking out from his saber as he did so. There was a cold look in the hunchbacked man’s eyes. “You are even more dangerous than that white-robed youth. Have a taste of my Finger of Extermination.” He suddenly flicked his right hand. One of his fingernails blasted out and shot towards the fleeing Meng Chuan.
“Commendable movement techniques, but you will still die.” The hunchbacked man was very confident. His fingernails were his most powerful weapon. It would take a month for him to regenerate one of them. However, once he unleashed his full power, it would be extremely terrifying. This move was enough to kill ordinary Seamless realm experts.
No good.
The black fingernail—covered with green mist—was simply too fast.
Meng Chuan could only use his sword to block it by instinct—honed from blocking arrows every day. When facing death, the unity of his body, mind, and technique allowed him to use more of his potential.
His saber blocked the black fingernail. The moment they collided, a terrifying demonic aura contained within the black fingernail exploded out! This exquisite saber move had shifted the black fingernail’s trajectory, diverting most of the demonic aura away.
Archean Eon Art c1-766 Page 19