Chapter 161 : Secret Truths
Chapter 161: Secret Truths
After Chen Ming finished listening to what Yu Haitang said, he remained silent for a long time before finally asking a crucial question, “Why are you telling me all this, Miss?”
That day, when he and Su Zhi Ning barged into the Sea-Calming King’s Mansion, Shang Jianfei and Su Zhi Ning’s master each gave him an item. Moreover, Su Zhi Ning was instructed to stay by his side under the pretense of protection, but in truth, it was surveillance. From that, he had already guessed that the 《Blazing Sun Divine Art》 he cultivated was highly significant.
He had received such a huge benefit, yet the only price required was that, after breaking through to Fourth Grade, he would need to help Shang Jianfei with a task.
He knew something was very wrong here. Therefore, after the “Azure Cloud Ranking” battle, even though his experience points had already accumulated enough to elevate the 《True Art of Two Principles》 to the sixth layer and break through to Fourth Grade, he held back.
Since he was well aware that the matter Shang Jianfei wanted him to handle was surely dangerous, he naturally needed to delay.
Now, hearing what Yu Haitang just revealed, the two sides corroborated each other. He felt that her words had a high degree of credibility.
Even if she had concealed some key details, the matter concerning the death of the Sea-Calming King and the 《Primordial Fire True Art》 were likely true.
What puzzled Chen Ming was, why would she divulge such a significant secret to him?
What was her motive?
Yu Haitang looked at the wary and guarded expression on his face and seemed to find it amusing. She smiled and said, “Do you think I covet the False Tomb of the Eternal Life Emperor?”
He countered, “Isn’t that the case?”
“I do have some self-awareness. Every time the False Tomb of the Eternal Life Emperor appears, it attracts countless Divine Repository Realm experts to compete, even those old monsters who haven’t shown themselves for centuries. Anyone below the Divine Repository Realm has no qualification to vie for it.”
Chen Ming really wanted to ask her, It couldn’t be that you’re into me, right? But thinking of how ruthless this woman was—even her personal maid who had served her since childhood had her leg broken without hesitation—he merely entertained the thought in his mind.
Seeing the suspicion on his face, Yu Haitang said, “My goal is very simple, just to muddy the waters.”
At that moment, the tea had already gone cold. Two maids came over to help them change the tea.
After the maids left, she continued, “You must have looked into my identity by now, right?”
Immediately, she saw the answer on the man’s face before her and spoke softly, “The influence of the Yu Family is beyond your imagination. Even after Aunt took me to hide in Jiangzhou, the Yu Family did not let us go. When I was fifteen, Pan Zhiyuan had just been transferred to Jiangzhou and conveyed a message to my aunt—ordering that I must not break through to Third Grade. He said it was the will of the Yu Family.”
“……”
Chen Ming knew that Pan Zhiyuan was the name of the First Grade Inspector of the Six Doors Authority in Jiangzhou.
For a First Grade expert, a regional high official to deliver such a message personally, showed just how terrifying the Yu Family’s influence was.
When Yu Haitang spoke up to this point, a trace of ferocity flashed in her eyes. “That old bastard dared to threaten me? Then I’ll overturn the skies of Jiangzhou and ensure he has no grave to rest in.”
Seeing her so murderous, Chen Ming felt a bit of admiration.
Ordinary people, when threatened by such a powerful figure, would likely be scared out of their wits. She, however, was not afraid and only thought about how to retaliate.
She was certainly courageous.
Moreover, if everything she said was true, it was indeed possible for her to shake Jiangzhou to its core. When that time came, if all the top-tier experts emerged at once, Pan Zhiyuan as a lone First Grade would not be able to hold the line.
If he intervened, he might die on the spot.
If he didn’t, the imperial court would question him afterward, and he still wouldn’t escape punishment.
Chen Ming suddenly said, “There’s something I don’t understand.”
Once she looked over, he asked, “Isn’t it just a False Tomb? Why would all those top-tier experts scramble to seize it?”
Yu Haitang, upon hearing the question, sized him up for a moment as if puzzled. “Your master didn’t tell you any of this?”
Master? Only if I had one.
Chen Ming felt rather helpless. Lately, many people seemed to assume he had a mysterious master behind him, which explained his rapid cultivation progress.
The difference was, everyone imagined this mysterious master a bit differently.
He shook his head. “No.”
Of course, this kind of assumption was beneficial to him, so he certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to deny it.
If everyone believed he had a powerful master behind him, they would hesitate to act against him. They wouldn’t dare to kill him lightly.
Yu Haitang said, “Throughout his life, the Eternal Life Emperor was obsessed with exploring the path to immortality. It’s said that before his disappearance, he had discovered a total of nine methods for achieving immortality. However, each of these nine methods had major flaws, so he sealed them away separately.”
At this point, she glanced at Chen Ming across the table and nodded. “That’s right, the places where those nine methods were sealed are the so-called False Tombs. The ignorant masses believe they’re mausoleums built by the Eternal Life Emperor, but in fact, they are sites of sealing.”
“So that’s it.”
Chen Ming inhaled sharply, finally realizing the true value of the Eternal Life Emperor’s False Tombs—within them were sealed the methods of immortality.
No wonder those top-tier experts were willing to risk everything to seize them.
Even with tremendous flaws, the lure of immortality was enough to drive those nearing the end of their lives into madness.
This was truly troublesome.
His 《Primordial Fire True Art》 seemed to be a very crucial element. Whether he liked it or not, he would be drawn into this vortex.
Chen Ming felt a headache coming on.
After a while, he thought of something else and asked, “Now that five of the False Tombs have already emerged, who obtained the items inside?”
Yu Haitang shook her head. “I don’t know who acquired them initially. But I do know where those immortality methods are now.”
“Where?”
“With the Demon Lords of the Cult of Eternal Life.”
“Huh?”
That answer was too unexpected. Chen Ming was momentarily stunned.
It turned out to be the Cult of Eternal Life?
Yu Haitang seemed to enjoy watching his shocked expression, her eyes curling into a smile. “Otherwise, where do you think the name ‘Cult of Eternal Life’ came from? When the Eternal Life Emperor’s first False Tomb was opened, the person who obtained one of the immortality methods founded the Cult of Eternal Life—to perfect that method.
“Afterward, whenever a False Tomb was revealed, it would attract countless experts to fight over it. Those who managed to acquire a method of immortality, without exception, all joined the Cult of Eternal Life. Each time, the cult would gain a new Demon Lord.
“For thousands of years, those Demon Lords of the Cult of Eternal Life were either suppressed or killed. Yet they never truly died out. Every few centuries, a new Demon Lord would reappear. That’s precisely why those old monsters pay so much attention to the False Tombs. The moment one appears, they will fight for it—to seek eternal life.”
Well then.
So the Cult of Eternal Life was the enemy of the world because they possessed methods of immortality, and others wanted to steal them. That’s why they were branded a demonic cult, hunted by all.
Of course, the Cult of Eternal Life wasn’t exactly innocent either. With factions like the Blood Demon Sect within it, being labeled as heretics wasn’t entirely unjustified.
This showed that some of those methods of immortality were extremely twisted.
Judging from the techniques of the Blood Demon Sect, it was clearly a path of consuming others for longevity. The other methods were probably just as bad. No wonder the Eternal Life Emperor chose to seal them away.
To learn all these secrets today truly made this visit worthwhile.
Chen Ming looked at the dazzlingly beautiful woman before him and asked, “Thank you, Miss, for telling me all this. I wonder what you would like me to do?”
Yu Haitang picked up her teacup, took a sip, and smiled. “I don’t need you to do anything for me. Just inform me before you break through to Fourth Grade.”
“Just that?”
“Just that.”
“Alright.”
Chen Ming agreed readily and said sincerely, “When the time comes, I will be sure to inform you in advance.”
Yu Haitang set down her teacup and said, “The tea has gone cold.”
Chen Ming picked up the tea and drank it in one gulp, then got up to take his leave.
……
After Chen Ming left, Yu Haitang remained seated in the courtyard, as if waiting for someone.
After a while, a woman wearing a veiled hat walked over gracefully and stood beside her. “You told him all these things—aren’t you afraid he’ll sell you out?”
Yu Haitang smiled. “He won’t.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“He’s not like you all. He’s a good man.”
The woman wearing the veiled hat was stunned. “A good man?”
That reason was far too absurd.
Yu Haitang said softly, “In this world, people like him who still possess kindness in their hearts, a sense of compassion, and repay even the smallest kindness with great gratitude—such good men are few and far between. I also want to see if someone like him, when caught in a deathtrap, can still remain a good man……”
……
When Chen Ming returned to the Feng Residence, Feng Siyuan had already come home and was there enjoying a bowl of lotus seed soup. Seeing him return, he winked and said, “The steward said you came back last night. Afraid that Miss Zhao would be unhappy?”
He didn’t want to take the bait and asked instead, “Where are Brother Zhou and Brother Gu?”
“They went back long ago. Unlike me, their families have high expectations for them. They came here with elders and wouldn’t dare spend the night in a brothel.”
Chen Ming then asked, “When do you plan to return?”
Feng Siyuan scratched his ear. “Didn’t I tell you? I’m not going back this time. My father wants me to take care of affairs in Jiangzhou City. And to get the marriage done.”
“Marriage?”
“Someone like me, naturally had an engagement arranged early on. The wedding was set last year—it’ll be in six months. You’d better come and have a cup of wedding wine.”
“Of course.”
After finishing the lotus seed soup, Feng Siyuan yawned, patted Chen Ming on the shoulder, and said with a mischievous grin, “Brother Chen, news of you spending the night at the National Beauty Courtyard has probably already spread throughout Jiangzhou City. These kinds of romantic tales are hard to keep secret. You’d better think about how to apologize to Miss Zhao. I’m off to bed now, won’t keep you company.”
With that, he ran off.
Chen Ming didn’t care much about it. He was about to return to his courtyard to read when he saw the steward approaching. “Young Master Chen, several guests arrived early and have been waiting in the front hall.”
“Who are they?”
“The leading woman is surnamed Xiao, claiming to be a disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect.”
Ah, the Xiaoshui Sect—indeed an old acquaintance.
He smiled. “Indeed, familiar faces. Please let them in.”
……
In the front hall of the Feng Residence, several young and beautiful female disciples were seated.
The tea had already been changed several times.
One of the female disciples had grown impatient. “What’s taking so long? Isn’t this a bit too much of an attitude? Senior Sister Huo, aren’t you an old acquaintance of this Chen Ming?”
This young female disciple had only recently joined the sect. Her surname was Sun, and her family had some connections. She had grown up domineering and hadn’t changed after joining the sect.
Before Huo Qianqian could speak, Lu Minci, who usually got along well with her, interjected, “Junior Sister Sun, please be patient. Young Master Chen is now listed on the Azure Cloud Ranking—he’s not who he used to be. Just wait a little longer.”
The disciple surnamed Sun muttered something under her breath but said no more.
Lu Minci raised her eyebrows—truly, no manners at all. She couldn’t help but glance at the Senior Sister seated at the head, only to see her still absent-minded.
Normally, at times like this, Senior Sister would have already spoken up to reprimand this unruly Junior Sister. But today, she was acting quite out of character.
Lu Minci sighed inwardly. In truth, ever since Senior Sister entered Jiangzhou City, she had been like this.
As for the reason, she knew it all too well.
Back then, she had accompanied Senior Sister to Qingfeng City. She had personally witnessed the interactions between Senior Sister and Chen Ming.
Senior Sister had initially thought very highly of Chen Ming—an ordinary background, outstanding talent, and a good reputation. The problem was, the daughter of Inspector Zhao had also taken a liking to him.
Lu Minci knew that when Senior Sister chose to give him up, her heart had been full of conflict. But there was nothing to be done. How could she possibly compete with Zhao Xiyan?
But who could have expected that in just over a year, Chen Ming, who had only been somewhat well-known in Qinghe City, had now become ranked sixth on the Azure Cloud Ranking, famed throughout Jiangzhou City.
They had journeyed all the way from Yujie County. On the road, some unexpected incidents delayed them, so they missed the battle for the Azure Cloud Ranking.
Along the way, they heard scattered bits of news—rumors that Chen Ming’s name had appeared in the Azure Cloud Ranking battle. Everyone assumed it was someone with the same name.
But as they drew closer to Jiangzhou City, the news became more frequent. They realized that the one who had performed brilliantly in the Azure Cloud Ranking battle was indeed the same Chen Ming they knew.
Yesterday, they finally arrived in Jiangzhou City and saw with their own eyes the latest Azure Cloud Ranking. The name in sixth place was none other than Chen Ming.
Those who had gone to Qinghe City together back then were all utterly shocked.
Lu Minci didn’t know how Senior Sister felt at that moment, whether she regretted giving up on that man.
All she knew was that when their master heard about it, he immediately instructed them to visit Chen Ming. At the time, Senior Sister’s face had been pale, without a trace of blood.
Senior Sister must be feeling terribly humiliated at this moment.
Lu Minci glanced again at Huo Qianqian beside her and sighed once more in her heart.
Others didn’t know, but she was the closest to this Junior Sister—how could she not guess Huo Junior Sister’s feelings?
However, Chen Ming had already soared into the sky, becoming someone they could only look up to from afar. Even the courtesan of Tianxiang Tower had fallen for him...
“Apologies, Chen has come late.”
With a clear voice coming from outside the door, Chen Ming’s tall figure appeared at the entrance, a warm smile on his face—just like before.