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Chapter 138: Seeking Peace at a High Price
Mingshi Yin said, “What’s the relationship between your lady and Wei Zhuoyan?” He could tell from Wu Sheng and Wu Guan’s tone that Wei Zhuoyan and Mo Li did not seem to be on friendly terms.
“Uh…” Wu Sheng stammered and did not dare to say anything.
“You said the incident at Measure Heaven River has nothing to do with your lady, and yet, there was a Grand Witchcraft Formation at the jetty where they fished for the corpses. An elite, Chen Zhu, was also guarding that place. Do you think I’m stupid?”
Thud!
Wu Sheng and Wu Guan fell to their knees without any hesitation. Their foreheads broke out in sweat and said, “Lady Mo Li was only acting on orders. The activity at the jetty has been going on before the Formation was laid. The Fish Dragon Village incident truly has nothing to do with my lady. If there’s half a lie in my words, I’ll die a gruesome death!”
No matter what they said, Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng were determined not to believe them.
The atmosphere tensed.
Just when the two of them were about to get up, Pan Zhong, who had remained silent from the beginning, said, “Why does the mistress of the Ten Shamans’ descendants have the name Mo Li?”
Wu Sheng and Wu Guan were slightly stunned. They turned to look at Pan Zhong. If this had been under any other circumstances, it would have been a great offense for Pan Zhong to mention Mo Li’s name directly. However, this was the Evil Sky Pavilion. No matter how scathing their words were, they could only endure them.
“Anyone can cultivate witchcraft. Lady Mo Li’s cultivation base is profound, and we’re willing to follow her.”
Pan Zhong said again, “Since ancient times, the Ten Shamans were experts respected and feared by all. They were skilled in medical skills and divination. They had also reached great heights with white witchcraft. Since you’re descendants of the Ten Shamans, why would you lower yourself and become the lackeys of these people?”
‘Lackeys?’ Wu Sheng and Wu Guan had sour expressions on their faces. They studied Pan Zhong for a moment. They did their research before coming to the Evil Sky Pavilion. They did not recall there being such a person in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
“Dear sir, you are?”
Pan Zhong spoke frankly, “A man of character is proud of himself and stands by his actions. I was from the Clarity Sect but am now a member of the Evil Sky Pavilion. The Evil Sky Pavilion’s problem is my problem.”
Wu Sheng cupped his fists and said, “Nice to meet you, Brother Pan… Being a descendant of the Ten Shamans isn’t something to be bragged about. So long as we’re serving the Imperial court, we’ll be able to bring happiness to the common folks.”
“Well said,” Pan Zhong said as he clapped his hands, “I spoke to Mister Fourth about it. It seems the Grand Witchcraft Formation isn’t the only thing near Measure Heaven River. For 100 miles along the river, there were witchcraft traps as well. Even an expert such as Mister Fourth fell prey to it, let alone the common folks. When I was still with the Clarity Sect, I frequently heard reports about civilians dying gruesome deaths near the river. How do you explain that?”
Wu Sheng’s expression changed slightly. He was speechless from Pan Zhong’s rebuttal.
At this moment, Lu Zhou just silently watched as though this had nothing to do with him.
Wu Sheng spoke respectfully, “Cultivators frequently got near Measure Heaven River and harassed the local people. With the Grand Witchcraft Formation in place, such incidents have decreased considerably. There are always two sides to every story. Your words are slightly unfair, Brother Pan.”
“Even so… Inside the Grand Witchcraft Formation, the salvaged bodies were piled up in a warehouse. A dead person should be treated with the utmost respect, and yet, look at how you disrespected them. Aren’t you worried that you’d be struck dead by lightning when you go out?”
Wu Sheng and Wu Guan took a step back. Pan Zhong’s words had shocked them.
“After this, we’ll surely employ the services of a Buddhist grandmaster to conduct a ceremony for the deceased. We’ll pray that they find peace and happiness in the afterlife,” Wu Sheng said weakly. His words held no conviction. In fact, he seemed uncomfortable.
Pan Zhong laughed and said, “A witchcraft cultivator wants to employ a Buddhist grandmaster to chant sutras. If the Ten Shamans hear this, I think they would be so infuriated that they would come back to life!”
“You –”
Hit a person, but not his face. Pan Zhong might have gone slightly overboard.
Wu Sheng and Wu Guan regarded the Ten Shamans with reverence. How could they endure the people they revered being insulted?
Wu Guan had taken half a step forward, but he was forcibly restrained by Wu Sheng.
Wu Sheng said, “Brother Pan, we’re here to genuinely seek peace! We have no intention of making another enemy! If we have offended the Evil Sky Pavilion in any way, we’re willing to atone for it!” He was smart. He bowed at Lu Zhou directly.
Making peace or discussing the truth aside, the brothers, and their Lady Mo Li, did not expect that the Evil Sky Pavilion was the one who killed Chen Zhu. Chen Zhu was Mo Li’s trusted general. Could Mo Li accept this?
The great hall was silent.
Creak.
There was a creaking sound from where Ye Tianxin was.
Wu Sheng and Wu Guan looked at Ye Tianxin. A hint of shock appeared in their eyes!
Mingshi Yin turned to look at his master, who was deep in thought, and said, “Bring her back.”
“Understood.”
Ye Tianxin was still unconscious. It was meaningless for her to remain here.
The female cultivators brought Ye Tianxin away.
Lu Zhou stood up slowly and descended the stairs. “It’s not impossible to make peace.”
“We are endlessly grateful for your magnanimity, Pavilion Master!” Wu Sheng bowed respectfully.
“I’m curious… can the bones of the Bai people extend the limit of one’s life?” Lu Zhou suddenly asked.
“Uh…” Wu Sheng was caught off guard by this sudden inquiry. He stammered and struggled with himself before saying, “For now, it’s not possible.”
“Why are the bodies still being fished out of the river, then?”
“This is a palace secret! Pavilion Master…”
“My master is giving you a way out, and you’re not taking it. Forget about your secrets… Just spill it!” Little Yuan’er waved her fist.
Lu Zhou said indifferently, “You can choose to keep it to yourselves. You can even leave the Evil Sky Pavilion safely. I’ve never forced another person to do something against their will…”
When he heard this, Wu Sheng shook his head. He cupped his fists and said, “Although this is a secret, there have been no breakthroughs after 10 years. Forget it… It’s rumored that the bones of the Bai people can be used to attain longevity. That’s not true, and the palace has wasted 10 years before they discovered this. It’s the Bai people’s Cheng Huang that can extend one’s life limit.”
“The Bai people’s Cheng Huang?
“Cheng Huang has the appearance of a fox with horns on its back. Anyone who rides it will live for 2,000 years,” Wu Sheng said.
Everyone was suitably shocked when they heard this.
Mingshi Yin said with a frown, “It’s the name of a beast?”
“That’s right,” Wu Sheng sighed and said, “At the battle of Measure Heaven River many years ago, Wei Zhuoyan and the Black Knights’ Fan Xiuwen wiped out the Other Tribes near the river. Their true objective was to search for the bones of the Bai people. Then, their target changed to Cheng Huang. Not even Wei Zhuoyan and Fan Xiuwen themselves know about this. The palace suspects that Cheng Huang had sunk to the bottom of the river along with the bones of the Bai people in that battle.”
“So, the palace is really fishing for Cheng Huang? And, it hasn’t been found after all these years?” Pan Zhong interrupted.
Wu Sheng shook his head and said, “If it had been found, we wouldn’t have this misunderstanding today.” When he finished speaking, he glanced at Lu Zhou who looked indifferent. He bowed and said, “I’ve told you what I know truthfully… Pavilion Master, does your offer remain?”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “I’ve always stayed true to my words.”
“Thank you, lord Pavilion Master!” The two of them hastily bowed.
“See our guests off.”
“Understood.”
Since Lu Zhou was the one who said this, the others, naturally, did not oppose it.
They looked on as Wu Sheng and Wu Guan left the Evil Sky Pavilion.
…
Shortly after, Wu Sheng and Wu Guan exited Golden Court Mountain’s barrier. When they stepped out of its bounds, they sighed in relief.
“Brother, the Evil Sky Pavilion killed Chen Zhu. What should we do? How should we tell Lady Mo about this?” Wu Guan asked worriedly.
“I know what to do… If we don’t pay a great price, we wouldn’t be able to make the Evil Sky Pavilion lower their guard. The secret of Cheng Huang must’ve been impactful. Everyone knows that Ji Tiandao’s time’s almost up. Now that he learns about this, what do you think he’ll do?” Wu Sheng said.
“That’s brilliant, big brother.” Wu Guan was hit with a sudden realization.
“I’ll explain this to Lady Mo.”
“What about Pan Zhong? I didn’t expect that brigand to side with the Evil Sky Pavilion. He had spoken rudely and insulted the Ten Shamans! That’s abominable!”