Chapter 39

"You know Master's strength—he will surely investigate to the end if he learns of this heinous act; no matter how far you flee, you will die! Do you truly wish to end up disgraced and without even a grave to bury you?"

He tried both persuasion and threats, hoping to awaken a shred of conscience in them, or make them reconsider out of fear of Huang Yaoshi's reputation.

Yet Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng had long been blinded by greed for the Nine Yin Manual; they could not hear a word of counsel.

In their eyes, once they obtained the Nine Yin Manual and mastered its divine art, they would be invincible under heaven—what was Huang Yaoshi then?

They ignored Qu Lingfeng's words, exchanged a glance, and turned to dart deep into the island's interior—clearly searching for the Nine Yin Manual's whereabouts.

Qu Lingfeng and the others helplessly watched their retreating backs, filled with powerlessness and despair.

They had planned for years, knew the terrain of Taohuadao inside out, and understood Huang Yaoshi's habits perfectly.

Carefully avoiding possible traps and mechanisms, they soon infiltrated the study where Huang Yaoshi usually read and cultivated.

After a thorough search of the study, Chen Xuanfeng finally found a box wrapped in precious brocade hidden within a concealed compartment.

Inside the box lay an ancient, yellowed manuscript, its cover bearing four ancient, elegant characters: "Nine Yin Manual!"

Nine Yin Manual!

Instantly, their eyes blazed with ecstatic joy; their breathing grew rapid as they eagerly opened and flipped through it.

But after a hurried glance, their smiles froze—replaced by boundless shock, rage, and disappointment.

This… this was only the lower volume!

The manuscript contained only exquisite martial techniques: Nine Yin White Bone Claw, Crushing Heart Palm, White Python Whip Technique, and others—each devastatingly powerful.

But it lacked the Internal Energy Cultivation Method of the upper volume, let alone the crucial General Outline!

"How could this be?!" Chen Xuanfeng roared, nearly tearing the manuscript apart—he could not believe his eyes. After all the scheming, the immense risk—he had only obtained a Fragment?

Mei Chaofeng's face turned ashen, her heart filled with bitter resentment. They knew well: without the upper volume's Internal Energy Cultivation Method as foundation, practicing only the lower volume's techniques would drastically weaken their power—and might even cause qi deviation from impure internal energy, leading to shattered meridians!

"Master… Master only left the lower volume!" Mei Chaofeng spat through clenched teeth. She had assumed Huang Yaoshi would keep the complete Nine Yin Manual hidden—but this was the outcome?

Unwilling to accept it, they hastily stuffed the lower volume into their robes, anxious and desperate, and returned to the courtyard where they had poisoned the others.

Their gazes, like starving wolves, locked onto Huang Rong, still collapsed on the ground.

They knew Huang Rong was Huang Yaoshi's only daughter, deeply cherished—perhaps she knew the whereabouts of the complete Nine Yin Manual!

"Little sister!" Chen Xuanfeng said coldly, his eyes filled with threat. "You must know where the complete Nine Yin Manual is. Tell us now—or don't blame us for breaking old sect bonds and using force on you!"

Though frightened and pale, Huang Rong's innate stubbornness and wit forced her to steady herself.

She spat: "Pah! You two heartless traitors! I know nothing! Even if I did, I'd never tell you!"

Her eyes darted, and she seized the moment: "Father knew your hearts were corrupt and that you coveted his Nine Yin Manual! So he long ago hid the true Nine Yin Manual on a nameless, uninhabited island deep in the Eastern Sea! Kill me if you want—you'll never find it!"

Hearing this, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng were furious, teeth grinding.

They knew Huang Rong was brilliant and cunning—this was likely a lie—but they couldn't rule out a grain of truth.

"Fine! Fine, little girl! You've got a stubborn mouth!" Chen Xuanfeng sneered. "Since you won't speak, we'll take you with us off Taohuadao! I don't believe we can't pry the truth from you with time and methods!"

Mei Chaofeng added coldly: "Little sister, best cooperate willingly. Or you'll suffer pain. Our patience is limited."

Hearing this, Huang Rong's heart tightened; her small hands clenched involuntarily.

She wasn't afraid of death—but falling into the hands of these ruthless traitors? What torment awaited her?

She forced calmness, trying to buy time: "If you take me, you'll be too conspicuous. Before you even leave the Eastern Sea, Father will learn of it and come to tear you into pieces! Think carefully!"

"Hmph! Once we master the Nine Yin Manual and attain divine power, even Master won't be our match!" Chen Xuanfeng declared arrogantly—clearly blinded by greed.

Qu Lingfeng and the others, seeing this, were beyond rage, shouting curses in desperate attempts to stop them.

But their bodies were weak and numb; they couldn't even stand, forced to watch helplessly as Mei Chaofeng stepped closer to Huang Rong, eyes filled with despair.

Just as Mei Chaofeng was about to seize Huang Rong—

Sudden change!

Ning Chuan, who had lain motionless on the ground, suddenly opened his half-closed serpent eyes!

Cold!

Fierce!

Radiating a terrifying killing intent that made souls tremble!

A slightly rough, yet immensely majestic, icy voice rang clear through the courtyard like a wind from the deepest abyss:

"Die!"

Before the words faded, his thick, iron-forged serpent tail, wielding the force of Lei Tingwanjun, slashed through the air with a piercing shriek and lashed violently toward Mei Chaofeng!