Chapter 218 : A Sudden Idea
Chapter 218: A Sudden Idea
“Those other two’s life-bound artifacts… even this person doesn’t know. They’ve hidden it deep enough.”
Chen Ming searched through this man’s memories, yet found no information about his master and martial uncle’s life-bound artifacts. Clearly, this man didn’t know either.
However, since the eldest brother’s was the Mirage Pearl, the other two’s life-bound artifacts could hardly be ordinary.
The Nine Nether Grand Art was indeed a mystical cultivation method—the stronger the life-bound artifact, the stronger the cultivator’s power. If one used a peerless divine weapon as their life-bound artifact, once they reached First Grade, it was hard to imagine just how terrifying their strength would become.
“According to their plan, one goes to intercept Hong Yuze. The other heads into the prison to meet up with that First Grade who infiltrated earlier. Together, they’ll open the third level and take out that Demonic Sword.”
From this man’s memories, Chen Ming had pieced together the entire cause and effect.
It turned out that yesterday they had found Ruan Caihong drunk, so they struck decisively, capturing both Ruan Caihong and Zhou Yilan, forcing out the location of the keys.
That was why they acted in advance.
And that was why Zhou Yilan had been unable to warn him.
The two Third Grades’ masters had gone to fetch the keys.
Chen Ming thought, “If I go out now, I’ll likely run into that First Grade fetching the keys…”
To tell the truth, the Nine Nether Sect trying to seize the Demonic Sword suppressed on the third floor had nothing to do with him. He wasn’t part of the Six Doors Authority. He was only wearing this disguise to hide in prison and grind some experience points.
Who would have expected such a coincidence, dragging him into this mess?
He had originally thought that as long as he informed Su Zhi Ning and let her contact the Six Doors Authority, they could easily wipe out these Nine Nether Sect members.
In the end, the Six Doors proved utterly useless—just two First Grades and two Third Grades had slaughtered their way into headquarters, leaving rivers of blood.
And now he was stuck in the middle of danger.
To face two First Grades of the Nine Nether Sect, both carrying life-bound artifacts—he really had no confidence at all.
What to do?
Chen Ming’s mind raced furiously. Suddenly, he looked at the corpse on the ground, and a bold idea flashed into his mind…
…
After successfully obtaining the key, Zhou You led Zhou Yilan toward the prison. The two of them carried the token given by Ruan Caihong, and although the guards at the prison gate felt something was strange, they still allowed them in.
The Great Jin Dynasty had enjoyed peace for a long time, and the Six Doors Authority was riddled with irregularities that everyone was used to.
By rule, outsiders were not allowed into the prison. But since they carried the warden’s token, if the guards refused entry, they’d only suffer retaliation later.
The two entered the prison, and soon, the heavy doors closed again.
Zhou You, dressed as a guard, walked at the front, while Zhou Yilan followed like a walking corpse.
Through the long, dark passage, they occasionally saw corpses lying on the ground.
Zhou You’s two disciples had acted quickly, slaughtering all the jailers here without alerting the guards outside.
Those guards could never have imagined that the two captains of the Six Doors, carrying the warden’s token, were actually members of the Cult of Eternal Life. Once inside, they would suddenly strike and massacre all the jailers.
Zhou Yilan suddenly asked faintly, “Where is Eldest Senior Brother? Why has he not come? With his strength, killing Hong Yuze would be as easy as flipping his hand.”
Zhou You said, “Eldest Senior Brother is keeping Zhong Danyang occupied outside. He cannot be allowed to sense anything amiss.”
But Zhou Yilan knew he was lying.
In the past, the three senior brothers might have been inseparable, but as their cultivation grew and they reached First Grade, they were no longer the same hot-blooded youths.
That Demonic Sword being suppressed here was one of the Nine Nether Sect’s three great Demonic Artifacts. Whoever obtained it would be the future Demon Venerable.
Would Eldest Senior Brother really hand over such a supreme treasure to his two juniors?
Perhaps in the past, but the Eldest Senior Brother now was not the same man as before.
“What is Eldest Senior Brother truly plotting?”
Zhou Yilan pondered for a long time, but still could not figure it out.
Since she had married Ruan Caihong, she had had little contact with her three senior brothers. Back then, to avenge her father, they had annihilated several enemy clans, ending up on the Six Doors’ wanted list.
Over the past decade, she knew little of their affairs. When they found her again years later, she realized all three had changed.
Their eyes, like many martial artists, now burned with ambition for the peak of martial arts, and with ruthless cruelty, willing to do anything to achieve their goals.
Soon, under Zhou You’s lead, she reached the second floor.
Not far in, they saw a man hacking at a corpse with his sword.
Zhou You shouted, “Xiao Qi, what are you doing?”
The man turned. He was around thirty, his face still twisted with ferocity. After bowing, he said, “Master, this disciple was careless and got injured by this brat. It made me furious, so I hacked him up…”
Zhou Yilan had never seen this man and did not know when Second Senior Brother had taken him as a disciple.
Zhou You scolded, “Time is short. Don’t waste effort on unnecessary things.”
Xiao Qi quickly bowed his head, admitting, “Disciple knows his mistake.”
“Where is Xiao Jiu?”
“He went ahead to find Martial Uncle.”
“Lead the way.”
“Yes.”
That so-called Xiao Qi led the way.
Suddenly, Zhou Yilan noticed the two swords hanging at Xiao Qi’s waist. Her eyes narrowed—she recognized them. They were Gu Xianyu’s swords.
And one of them was the Demonic Sword filled with terrifying demonic qi.
Could it be… that the corpse was actually Gu Xianyu?
Instinctively, she glanced at the body on the ground.
No.
That was not Gu Xianyu’s corpse!
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed in her mind. She lifted her gaze toward “Xiao Qi,” a faint realization dawning.
Gu Xianyu wielded a Demonic Sword. Though only a Third Grade, if he unleashed the sword’s power, he could fight against a First Grade.
How could he be killed so easily?
Yet Zhou Yilan still felt doubtful. “Strange… why can’t I sense the demonic qi of that sword anymore?”
…
Before long, they passed through another gate into a new area.
This place was even more sinister. The walls were built of Xuan-gold stone, impossibly hard—even a First Grade expert could hardly pierce it.
The prison bars were made of Black Yuan Iron, ten times harder than normal steel, each bar as thick as a grown man’s arm. Even a First Grade’s qi force would take much effort to break them.
This was specifically for imprisoning First and Second Grades.
They saw Xiao Jiu hacking wildly at a cell door with his saber, sparks flying.
Zhou You’s forehead bulged with veins. He barked, “Xiao Jiu, what are you doing?”
These two disciples were too troublesome—first one, now the other losing control.
“Master!”
Xiao Jiu turned, angered face lighting up in relief. “Finally, you’ve come! The jailers locked themselves inside the cell. The doors are too strong, disciple couldn’t break them. The keys are with the jailers…”
He quickly explained.
Zhou You glanced at the cell but saw no one. From the breathing, they must have hidden in the corner near the wall.
These rats were cunning indeed.
Zhou You said, “Don’t waste time here. Forget them. We need to find your Martial Uncle.”
Xiao Jiu had wanted to suggest using his Senior Brother’s newly obtained divine weapon, but with those words, he dared not argue. “Yes.”
At that moment, “Xiao Qi” spoke, “Master, disciple will stay here and guard, lest they escape and send word.”
Zhou You cast him an approving look. “Good.”
He then led his junior sister and disciple deeper inside.
This section was for Second Grades. The First Grade cells were at the deepest part.
Once Zhou You and the others had left, “Xiao Qi” stood before the door and said coldly, “Throw out the keys to the three cells, and I’ll spare your lives.”
No response came.
“Hmph!”
He snorted, and the Phoenix Cry Sword slid from its scabbard, slipping into the food slot. “Three breaths to decide. Three… two—”
“Wait!”
“Spare us!”
“Here are the keys…”
…
Moments later, the Phoenix Cry Sword floated back out, carrying three keys.
Xiao Qi—no, Chen Ming—pocketed the keys and strode toward the nearest cell holding a Second Grade prisoner.
Just moments ago, inspiration had struck him. He had thought of a brilliant method: use Disguise Technique to take on the form of this so-called Xiao Qi, swap clothes, and trick everyone.
Risky, yes—but he had no choice but to gamble.
And he had won.
Zhou You had not noticed a thing. Zhou Yilan, however, had given him a few strange looks—she might have guessed something.
That woman had sharp eyes. She had noticed the problem with the Phoenix Cry Sword. It wasn’t surprising she might see through him.
For now, though, she seemed coerced and had not exposed him, meaning they were still on the same boat.
“No matter what, let’s grab some experience first.”
Chen Ming unlocked the cell door and peered inside.
There, a white-haired old man hung in midair, shackled by five thick chains, arms stretched in a great cross.
This prisoner was a gang leader. The files stated he had colluded with pirates, abducted many boys and girls, and sold them off. He had committed heinous crimes and deserved death.
Chen Ming took out the key and pushed open the massive door.
The old man’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Are you here to break the prison? Free me, and I’ll aid you!”
Clearly, he had heard the chaos outside and guessed what was happening.
Chen Ming said nothing. He simply drew the Phoenix Cry Sword.
Shhh!
The sword pierced the old man’s heart. His face froze with shock and disbelief. Even as he died, he could not understand—why had this man killed him?
Why?!
【You have slain an LV82 enemy, gained 1,000,000 experience points.】