Chapter 129: The Ruthless Lineage Returns, Sweeping the Land

A few months ago, Yang Zhu helped him escape the Ruthless Lineage, placed him in the Jade Pool, and gave him a jade pendant.

If anything happens, crushing the jade pendant will let Yang Zhu sense it.

Half a month ago, while Yang Zhu was in seclusion, he felt the jade pendant break, surmising that Hua Yunfei had something to discuss with him.

"He found me half a month ago; it seems he had something to discuss..."

According to the Jade Pool's saintess, Hua Yunfei had previously approached her to ask about Yang Zhu's whereabouts; upon learning she didn't know, he left the Jade Pool.

"Young Master Hua returned to the Grand Mystery Sect and asked me to tell you, when I see you again, that they've come back."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhu immediately understood that Hua Yunfei meant the Ruthless Lineage, and they were heading for the Grand Mystery Sect.

"The God King has returned; Ye Fan released all those he had suppressed, among them is Fluctuating Light..."

Yang Zhu muttered to himself, the Holy Child of Fluctuating Light, as inheritor of the Indestructible Heavenly Technique, likely knows of Hua Yunfei's existence as this "pawn".

Then the person who informed them caused the Ruthless Lineage to seek out Hua Yunfei again.

The Jade Pool folk naturally wouldn't dare act, but the Ruthless Lineage knows that any move against the Grand Mystery Sect will surely drive Hua Yunfei away.

"Fluctuating Light... if it's really you, I'll cut you down in a single strike."

Yang Zhu immediately had the Black Emperor set up a domain gate to cross over to the Grand Mystery Sect.

Without stopping midway, they spent over ten days before reaching the Southern Territory.

"Finally here, this emperor is exhausted."

The four were only a few hundred li from the Grand Mystery Sect when the Big Black Dog finally relaxed.

"The Ruthless Lineage is truly terrifying..."

Along the way, Yang Zhu revealed many secrets of the Ruthless Lineage's light, and the others were all shocked upon hearing.

"The so-called Ruthless Lineage is merely after the Ruthless Person became emperor, leaving her scriptures to the village where she once lived, hoping to repay those who helped her."

"But as time passed, some began to try deviant paths, their nature changed, and over time it devolved into today's aberrant state."

Having said that, Yang Zhu felt a slight regret; originally it was a good intention, who could have imagined it would become like this.

By cultivating and controlling many pawns to become nourishment for true heirs, how many innocent geniuses have been harmed?

Star Peak, the main peak of the One Hundred and Eight Peaks, is where Hua Yunfei's lineage resides; after entering the Grand Mystery Sect, they headed straight for Star Peak.

"Who are you, and whom have you come to see?"

Two disciples stepped forward, seeing that Yang Zhu and his companions bore extraordinary demeanor, they dared not delay and politely inquired.

"Is Hua Yunfei here?"

"Ah, you're looking for Senior Brother Hua; follow me."

Having said that, the two disciples led the way, and shortly brought the group to a mountain valley.

Here the mountains are beautiful, the scenery lovely, thin mist like smoke swirls around the peaks, while at the base the stream murmurs, ancient trees entwined with old vines, making it exceedingly tranquil.

"Ding ding dong dong"

Among them, a blue-clothed man was playing the zither, his hands fluttering like butterflies, giving a sense of agility and lightness.

As his fingers glided over the strings, the music was beautiful and moving, calming the mind, though within the pleasant melody lay a hint of sorrow.

Beside him sat a woman, namely Li Xiaoman.

Perhaps he was too absorbed; when the final string sounded, Hua Yunfei only then noticed several people had appeared nearby at some point.

"Yang Zhu... you've come."

Upon seeing Yang Zhu, Hua Yunfei's eyes flashed with a sharp light, he quickly stepped forward to greet them, then invited each to take a seat.

"What happened?" Yang Zhu nodded and immediately got to the point. "They..." Hua Yunfei glanced over Duan De and the others, seeming somewhat wary.

"There are no outsiders here; speak freely."

"Good." Upon hearing Yang Zhu's words, Hua Yunfei lowered his guard.

"The Ruthless Lineage's people have found me again; as for the reason..."

According to Hua Yunfei's account, about half a month earlier, while he was cultivating in seclusion within the Jade Pool, a Jade Pool disciple suddenly informed him that outsiders claiming to be from the Grand Mystery Sect were looking for him outside.

Only when he went out did he discover they were not from the Grand Mystery Sect at all, but the Ruthless Lineage.

Those who previously knew his identity were all slain by Yang Zhu, and he has no idea how that group managed to find him again.

As for whether Fluctuating Light is the cause, he suspects it might be, but cannot be certain.

After listening, Yang Zhu did not speak right away, but turned his gaze to Li Xiaoman.

"I am Li Xiaoman; I have met you all."

Under Yang Zhu's stare, Li Xiaoman's body trembled, an inexplicable timidity rose in her heart, as if her very person and soul had been laid bare.

"Brother Yang, what's wrong with Junior Sister Xiaoman?"

Hua Yunfei was puzzled; he had known Li Xiaoman for many years, she had constantly accompanied him and often helped him.

"What is your name?"

Yang Zhu acted as if he hadn't heard, asking with interest.

"Li Xiaoman, I already said that..." Li Xiaoman blinked, not understanding Yang Zhu's meaning.

The Black Emperor, Duan De, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, equally clueless about what was happening.

"Li Xiaoman?" Yang Zhu lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and said slowly, "Rather than Li Xiaoman, you might as well be called the Crocodile Ancestor."

Upon hearing the words "Crocodile Ancestor," Li Xiaoman's pupils contracted, her body began to tremble uncontrollably; she tried to move, but found herself immobilized by an invisible force.

"Don't move recklessly; if you move again I'll slay you." Yang Zhu's voice was soft, yet once spoken it resonated with the Great Dao, carrying supreme authority.

"What Crocodile Ancestor, Brother Yang, what's going on?"

Hua Yunfei froze; he knew Yang Zhu's methods, and this was no random act.

"Ye Fan comes from the other end of the starry sky; this is no secret, people more or less know a bit about it." Yang Zhu explained.

"Along the way, when they passed through a certain place, they encountered the Ancient Crocodile Ancestor, and at that moment her soul was corroded, amounting to half a corpse."

After those words, everyone shivered; they had been under control for several years, yet could act like ordinary people—just thinking about it sends a chill down one's back.

"Junior Sister Xiao Man, this is really……"

Hua Yunfei took a few deep breaths, momentarily unable to react; just as he was about to ask, he noticed that Xiao Man's pupils had at some point turned into golden vertical slits.

Those eyes were clearly not human; they brimmed with cruelty and ferocity, as sharp as a dagger, and utterly icy and indifferent.

"My goodness, it's exactly as Yang Zhu said."

The unscrupulous Daoist stood up, circling Xiao Man a few times; with Yang Zhu present, he wasn't worried at all.

Leaving aside how formidable Yang Zhu's cultivation is, just from what he knows, Yang Zhu definitely has at least two Imperial Weapons in his hands! What does having two Imperial Weapons mean? If he wishes, even a holy land would have to endure two slaps from him, let alone a wisp of evil spirit! "It's simple—just cut it down along with the soul."

The Black Emperor isn't acquainted with Xiao Man, and couldn't care less whether she lives or dies.

"How do you want to handle this?"

Yang Zhu looked at Hua Yunfei; his relationship with Xiao Man was not shallow, so the decision on how to handle it rests with him.

(End of chapter)