by Shian Jeen
Hit by three powerful attacks from Huwang Xiao, Jiang Tianhua, and Chen Xiaotian, Hu Han was in an awkward state; disheveled hair, blood blotches staining his brocade robe, a far cry from his usual domineering image of an expert, the majestic Castellan of Black Demon City!
Hu Han wobbled as he stood, looking as if he was about to fall anytime. Despite that, he smiled as he watched the four people attacking him, then Huwang Xiao, the Sky Magi Sect and Blood Swallow School’s experts. An empty, hollow smile.
“Father!” Hu Sheng cried out.
Hu Han smiled sadly at his son, “I’m sorry Sheng’er, this time Father cannot protect you!”
Hu Sheng cried, grief-stricken.
Hu Han turned to look at Huwang Xiao, saying, “I hope you can spare my son.”
“Do you think that’s possible?” Huwang Xiao questioned in return.
Hu Han looked to the sky and sighed, the logic of cutting troubles at their roots, how could he not understand, he was carrying a slim glimmer of hope, in case…
At last, Hu Han stood staring at Su Meimei for a full minute in silence. As if no one was around, Hu Han roared with rage, unwillingness as he stood there, blood-line cracks started to appear on his chest, spreading out like a spider web, and in the next moment, his chest exploded! Then his limbs and other parts of Hu Han’s body.
Hu Han’s blood splattered over the grand hall’s stone pillars.
Hu Han actually chose to blow up his Qi Sea, death by exploding all his meridians! Everyone present was surprised at Hu Han’s choice, even Huwang Xiao.
“Father!” Hu Sheng wailed, his face lost all colors in them.
Huwang Xiao looked at Hu Han’s body, “Bring it away, handle the funeral properly for the Black Demon City’s Castellan.” Huwang Xiao’s meaning was clear, Hu Han’s body to be accorded the respect at par with Black Demon City’s Castellan. Jiang Tianhua, Chen Xiaotian, and the Elders answered in unison.
As for Hu Sheng, Huwang Xiao gestured a killing signal to Jiang Tianhua, seeing Huwang Xiao’s motion, Jiang Tianhua raised a sword in his hand and went to Hu Sheng, ending his life with a single sword.
Hu Han and Hu Sheng, father and son, death!
When things on the other side were settled, Huwang Xiao shifted his attention onto Su Meimei. Su Meimei lowered her head as she approached Huwang Xiao, kneeling in front of him, Su Meimei saluted: “Su Meimei greets Young Lord!”
Huwang Xiao nodded, Su Meimei willing to submit was best favorable outcome, otherwise, he could only kill her. According to what Chen Xiaotian reported, Hu Han harbored feelings for this Su Meimei, but that was no longer important. After he branded Su Meimei’s soul sea with a soul mark, he need not worry about her hiding ill-intentions.
Huwang Xiao ordered Su Meimei and the remaining three Nine Fiend Sect Elders to release their soul sea. After half an hour, Huwang Xiao finally breathed easy after all four people were marked.
Now, all three major forces in Black Demon City―Sky Magi Sect, Blood Swallow School, and Nine Fiend Sect―were all under Huwang Xiao’s control. Black Demon City was now his territory, his foothold in the Bedlam Lands!
Of course, having a foothold didn't mean that Huwang Xiao could be a lord. In the Bedlams, a city could change owner anytime in the day, sieged and taken over. However, taking control of Black Demon City, Huwang Xiao could use it his base, slowly encroaching to neighboring cities until he was a force to be reckoned with in the Bedlam Lands!
Despite having all three forces in his grasp, Huwang Xiao did not plan to have his identity made known, he appointed Jiang Tianhua to be the new Black Demon City Castellan while he directed things from the shadows.
The next morning, Hu Han’s death spread to every corner of Black Demon City, setting off an uproar at the abruptness of their Castellan’s death. Riding on the wave, the news quickly reached nearby cities.
...
Blood River City, several thousand miles from Black Demon City.
At this time, sitting in Blood River Castellan’s main hall were five middle-aged men, each one of them had palms two times larger than normal people. Moreover, all five people’s palms and nails were black.
These five people were the five temple chiefs of the Five Poison Cult that controlled Blood River City. Sitting in the middle was the Big bro, Liu Minghai.
The grand hall was heavy with silence.
“Hu Han’s death, what are your opinions?” Liu Minghai looked at the other four people and asked, his voice sounded slightly hoarse.
“Big bro, now that Hu Han is dead, the Black Demon City is definitely unstable internally. This is a good opportunity for us to take over Black Demon City!” The Fourth bro, Liu Guang said.
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“That’s right, Big Bro, Black Demon City must be in a mess right now, it is our most opportune time to attack and capture Black Demon City as ours!” Second Bro Liu Ding echoed the same thoughts.
Liu Minghai’s brows scrunched together as he turned to the side looking at Third Bro Liu Wu, “Who is Black Demon City’s new Castellan?”
“It is the Blood Swallow School’s Doyen, Jiang Tianhua. The word around is, Jiang Tianhua and Chen Xiaotian allied themselves, launching a surprise attack on the Nine Fiend Sect when they least expected, killing Hu Han.” Third Bro Liu Wu replied.
Liu Minghai fell into a pensive ponder. Seeing this, the other four people kept silent.
A brief moment later, Liu Minghai looked up asking, “Did Su Meimei submit to Jiang Tianhua?”
“That’s right, Big bro.” Third Bro Liu Wu confirmed, but he paused for a second before adding, “I don’t know what method this Jiang Tianhua used, to be able to persuade Chen Xiaotian to ally with him, even successfully steering Su Meimei into betraying Hu Han, swearing allegiance to him! Other than Su Meimei, other Nine Fiend Sect Elders also submitted to Jiang Tianhua, and because of this, Jiang Tianhua and Chen Xiaotian could join hands, easily killing off Hu Han!”
Liu Minghai shook his head, saying: “I’m afraid this matter may not be as simple.” The other four people were surprised.
“Big bro, are you saying there is another force behind Jiang Tianhua?” A thought flashed in Third Bro Liu Wu’s mind.
Liu Minghai nodded, “If my guess is right, it should be so. Otherwise, Jiang Tianhua could not have persuaded Chen Xiaotian to ally with him in such a short time and make Su Meimei and the Elders betray Hu Han.” The four people exchanged a glance between themselves.
“Big bro, then what should we do now?” Second bro Liu Ding asked openly.
Liu Minghai said in a solemn voice, “Send people to investigate, confirm if there is any other force supporting Jiang Tianhua. If the answer is yes, the other side would have subsequent moves, therefore we must be vigilant and prepare in advance. If there is none…!” At this point, a bloodlust light gleamed in Liu Minghai’s eyes, “We must make our move before other cities take action, capture Black Demon City firsthand!”
“Yes, Big bro!” All four others answered at once.
“Apart from that, pay attention to Ghost Shadow Sect’s Patriarch, lately, they have been very close with people from Tornado Valley. If Ghost Shadow Sect harbor any intentions, annihilate them!” Liu Mingbai sentenced with a hard edge in his voice.
The four others answered affirmatively.
The scene happening in Blood River City took place with little difference in the cities surrounding Black Demon City. Even though Hu Han was dead, no one acted recklessly, instead, sending their people out to investigate clearly if there was another force supporting Jiang Tianhua in the shadows, and which Bedlams force it was.
…
Within the walls of Black Demon City’s Castellan Mansion, Huwang Xiao was listening to Jiang Tianhua, Chen Xiaotian, and Su Meimei’s report about the neighboring cities’ actions and response after getting news of Hu Han’s death, nodding his head.
There were a total of six cities spreading out inside a ten thousand miles area and each city’s forces w
ere more or less at the same level as Black Demon City, some were marginally stronger, some weaker. After listening to the trio’s report, Huwang Xiao inquired about the power distribution and the related forces in those six cities.
All three reported to the best of their knowledge. Several hours later, Huwang Xiao had a much clearer idea about these six neighboring cities.
“Blood River City.” Huwang Xiao repeated to himself. Having an understanding of the forces in the surrounding cities, Huwang Xiao decided that his next goal would be Blood River City, for the situation in Blood River City was similar to Black Demon City.
In Black Demon City, there were Nine Fiend Sect, Blood Swallow School and Sky Magi Sect, three forces coexisting, whereas in Blood River City there were the Five Poison Cult, Ghost Shadow Sect, and Tornado Valley, three major forces, with Five Poison Cult at the helm.
Since Huwang Xiao decided on his next target, he instructed Jiang Tianhua, Chen Xiaotian, and Su Meimei to watch Five Poison Cult, Ghost Shadow Sect, and Tornado Valley’s movements and seek an opportunity to take action.
After instructing them with that task, Huwang Xiao looked at Jiang Tianhua, “Find out if there are any cities in the Bedlam Lands auctioning grade one spirit stones.”
“Grade one spirit stones…” Though Jiang Tianhua was curious why Huwang Xiao was looking for grade one spirit stones, he dared not show his curiosity, only answering ‘yes’ with respect.
Huwang Xiao waved his hand and the trio withdrew away.
When they left, Huwang Xiao once again entered the Xumi Temple hall to cultivate.
Recently, his spiritual force improved tremendously and he hoped to reach the second level of the Ancient Puppetry Art at the earliest possible. At that time, it would greatly help him, whether it was against his enemies or people he wanted to rein in, expanding his forces. And Huwang Xiao’s Body Metamorphose Scripture had reached the final stage, Hanging Tail Form.
It wouldn't be long before Huwang Xiao completed the entire twelve stages, entering minor perfection stage to form an inner core in his body. The inner core births true essence energy by absorbing spiritual energy at all times, and the true essence energy was brimming with vitality, never dissipating. With the presence of true essence energy, Huwang Xiao’s cultivation speed became faster. Therefore, most of his time and effort were spent on practicing the Ancient Puppetry Art and sometimes the Asura Sword Skill other than the main Godly Xumi Art and Body Metamorphose Scripture.
On some occasion, Huwang Xiao would make time to return to the battlefield he was at when he first arrived in the Bedlam Lands to practice the Asura Demon Claw by absorbing the dead spirits cloud accumulated in the sky above. During this time, Huwang Xiao’s Asura Demon Claw’s first move, Lament of Thousands of Demons, improved more than it had in these past few years.
Half a month went by.
On this day, Jiang Tianhua came in to report, “Young Lord, this subordinate found out that one month later, there’s an auction in the City of Myriad Gods offering grade one spirit stones.”
“Oh, City of Myriad Gods.” Huwang Xiao repeated the name.
The City of Myriad Gods was one of the ten largest cities in the Bedlam Lands, ranked in the second place, right below Sin City.
The City of Myriad Gods was an old city left behind by the ancient races and God Tribes, one of the ten hegemony existences in the Bedlams. No one knew the city’s real strength, only that its Castellan became a Saint realm expert many years ago.
“Yes, Young Lord. Other than grade one spirit stones, I heard the City of Myriad Gods auction will also be offering a Heaven rank cultivation technique and a battle skill.” Jiang Tianhua continued with his report.
“Heaven rank cultivation technique and battle skill.” Huwang Xiao was surprised.
Jiang Tianhua added, “Moreover, they are mid-grade Heaven rank cultivation skill and battle skill. The cultivation technique seemed to be called Great Thousand Technique, and the battle skill’s name is Peerless Wind Breaking Finger.”
Great Thousand Technique? Peerless Wind Breaking Finger? Huwang Xiao nodded. He had heard Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu mention these two techniques before.
It was going to be very lively at the City of Myriad Gods with the auction of these much coveted Heaven ranked cultivation technique and battle skill.
“Make the preparations, I will set off to the City of Myriad Gods in two days.” Huwang Xiao pondered briefly and ordered Jiang Tianhua.
From Black Demon City to the City of Myriad Gods, with Huwang Xiao’s current speed, he still needed a month’s time to arrive, at least.
Jiang Tianhua nodded and continued to report the recent movements of Blood River City’s Five Poison Cult, Ghost Shadow Sect, and Tornado Valley.
Huwang Xiao nodded, reminding Jiang Tianhua to defend Black Demon City well in the time that he’s not around, paying close attention to the surrounding cities’ movements.
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Two days later Huwang Xiao departed for the City of Myriad Gods, alone. He left Jiang Tianhua, Chen Xiaotian, and Su Meimei behind to defend Black Demon City, should the circumstances arise.
Not long after Huwang Xiao left Black Demon City, in the void several thousand li from Black Demon City, space fluctuated as a figure appeared. This person was none other than Yao Family’s Yao Fei.
Yao Fei stood in the air, muttering to himself, “According to Deities Templar’s information, that bastard entered the Bedlam Lands, but the Bedlam Lands stretch endlessly for tens of thousands of miles, it won’t be easy to find that him.”
“Forget it, since that punk is sure to be here, I don’t believe he can slip through my fingers this time!”
Yao Fei’s silhouette flickered away, whistling through the air, and before long, he arrived at the same battlefield Huwang Xiao did.
“Such a dense dead spirits cloud!” Even Yao Fei couldn’t help exclaiming as he came across the dark red clouds gathering in the sky. However, in the next moment, joy lit up his eyes. A dark light flashed behind him and a giant figure that emanated a fiendish aura, tyranny, and darkness appearedㅡthe top grade twelve martial spirit, Dark Malevolent Sovereign.
When the Dark Malevolent Sovereign appeared, its mouth opened wide and sucked in just like a whale devoured water, the dead spirits cloud spiraled like a twister into its body.
The originally pure black body gradually gained a tint of blood-red glow, making the Dark Malevolent Sovereign look even more fiendish, even more tyrannical and domineering.
It was half a day later when Yao Fei stopped, recalling the Dark Malevolent Sovereign back.
“If it wasn’t for the fact I need to search for that little bastard, I could stay and practice in this battlefield and after three years I could break through the Saint realm.” An intense, murderous light glinted in Yao Fei’s eyes, “But it’s not too late to find and kill that little bastard first, and then come back here to practice!” As his sentence ended, his body flickered into a blur, flying in the Black Demon City’s direction.
Two hours later, Yao Fei reached Black Demon City.
After entering Black Demon City, Yao Fei simply chose an inn and went in. When he sat down and was about to eat, he heard the people at the table next to him talking.
“I heard that this time, the City of Myriad God’s auction will be auctioning a Heaven rank cultivation technique and battle skill!” A middle-aged man wearing a black robe with a skull exclaimed.
“Heaven rank cultivation technique and battle skill?!” The person beside him was amazed.
“That’s right, these Heaven rank cultivation technique and battle skill are the Great Thousand Technique and Peerless Wind Breaking Finger!”
“It’s actually the Great Thousand Technique? The Great Thousand Technique was the cultivation technique of Holiness Great Thousand Tuo that he cultivated three hundred years ago! It was said that once one cultivated the Great Thousand Technique, they will have the power of Buddhism protecting their body, that’s pr
actically comparable to being immortal. That Peerless Wind Breaking Finger was Holiness Great Thousand Tuo’s strongest battle skill. A few hundred years ago, numerous Saint realm experts met their ends before Holiness Great Thousand Tuo’s Peerless Wind Breaking Finger!”
Listening in on the discussion on the next table, Yao Fei was severely tempted; City of Myriad Gods auction? Great Thousand Technique! Peerless Wind Breaking Finger!
Yao Fei stood up and walked over to the next table, staring at the skull black-robed middle-aged man, asking, “When is the auction at City of Myriad Gods being held?”
The skull black-robe middle-aged man looked at Yao Fei and snorted, “Kid, what did you say? I didn’t quite hear you...”
Before he could finish his sentence, Yao Fei pinched his throat, lifting him up from the seat.
“You didn’t hear me clearly?” Yao Fei inquired icily.
“HeaㅡI heard, heard you clearly… there are another twenty-eight days until the City of Myriad Gods auction.” Dread filled the middle-aged man’s eyes as he stammered the information Yao Fei wanted.
Waiting until the man finished, Yao Fei exerted pressure in his hand. With the twist of his wrist came the sound of bones breaking. Yao Fei threw the middle-aged man’s body to a corner of the inn, his neck looping to the side with no signs of breathing. Evidently, his neck was broken.
Yao Fei glanced at the four people that shared the same table with the middle-aged man. Facing Yao Fei, the four of them retreated hastily in panic, but Yao Fei lost interest in them after killing the middle-aged man, instead, he turned around, disappearing in a flicker. Leaving Black Demon City’s gates in seconds, his goal was the City of Myriad Gods.
“Great Thousand Technique.” Sparks of black flames danced briefly in Yao Fei’s eyes. According to his knowledge, the person who created this Great Thousand Technique three hundred years ago, the Holiness Great Thousand Tuo also possessed a dark element martial spirit. With this Great Thousand Technique, his battle qi cultivation would enhance with the speed of ten thousand li in a single leap, the day he breaks through to the Saint realm was just around the corner.