Chapter 1769: Lineage (Part 1)

Hu Xiaotian can unite man and sword, while Ren Tianqing can likewise merge with the Lone Moon Slash; the Lone Moon Slash's rotating blade aura continually expands, spinning rapidly around Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian consecutively strikes it twice with his light sword, each impact sharply reducing the sword's energy—one wanes as the other waxes, yet the Lone Moon Slash's blade aura surges after contact.

Hu Xiaotian already realized that Ren Tianqing was the strongest opponent among those present; if he were alone he could probably escape, but he still had Xi Yan with him, making escape from their encirclement hopeless.

A muffled grunt sounded from behind; the giant lizard's tail swept across Shadow Granny's shoulder, sending her body flying like a severed kite. Madam Meizhuang seized the opportunity, flung out a pellet that exploded before Shadow Granny, turning into a golden mist that enveloped her.

Shadow Granny let out a piercing shriek and hurled herself straight into the bat cave she had just left.

Hu Xiaotian had almost the same thought—since breaking through their encirclement was impossible, staying here was less safe than returning to the bat cave; he feinted a sword strike and quickly followed Shadow Granny's steps inside.

Ren Tianqing would not let him escape before his eyes, pursuing at full speed. Hu Xiaotian pulled something from his waist and tossed it toward Madam Meizhuang, shouting loudly, 'Heaven-Man Myriad Phenomena Chart!'

Hearing 'Heaven-Man Myriad Phenomena Chart,' Ren Tianqing's heart skipped a beat; although he suspected Hu Xiaotian was bluffing, his mind was still disturbed, his steps naturally pausing for a moment—for Hu Xiaotian, that brief hesitation gave him ample opportunity.

Hu Xiaotian successfully escaped Ren Tianqing's grasp, carrying Xi Yan as he retreated back into the bat cave.

Although this was the headquarters of the Wuxian Sect and Madam Meizhuang was the sect leader, she could not know every corner of it; she knew of the bat cave but did not realize it connected to the Crimson Flame Cave, nor had she ever entered it. Staring at the dark bat cave, she gritted her teeth and snapped, 'That old wretch, dare to betray me!'

Ren Tianqing silently picked up the thing Hu Xiaotian had just dropped—it was indeed a painting; unfolding it revealed a landscape, certainly not the Heaven-Man Myriad Phenomena Chart. He felt equal parts laughter and tears; knowing Hu Xiaotian was deceiving him, he still ended up affected—this brat was truly crafty.

Madam Meizhuang said, 'The bat cave should connect to the Crimson Flame Cave; that old wretch has been poisoned with the Golden Exterior, Rotten Interior toxin—she won't live long. As for Hu Xiaotian, unfamiliar with this place, as long as we hold the Crimson Flame Cave and here, he will surely be unable to flee, even with wings.'

Ren Tianqing replied calmly, 'Nothing is absolute; perhaps the Crimson Flame Cave has another exit we don't know about.'

Madam Meizhuang knew Ren Tianqing's confidence in her was wavering; speaking, she couldn't help but add a hint of anger: 'If you don't trust me, go check yourself.'

Ren Tianqing gave a slight smile; he knew this junior sister's wayward temperament well, realizing his remark had made her overthink. His gaze fell on the giant lizard, and he said softly, 'I thought this creature had long been extinct.'

Madam Meizhuang said, 'Its lifespan far exceeds that of humans; it's a pity only one remains in this world, and it cannot leave offspring.' Her words were full of regret. She turned to Rong Shi and said, 'Rong Shi!'

'Disciple present!'

'Lead people to seal the cave entrance and bury them alive inside.'

'Yes!' Rong Shi accepted the order and hurried to make arrangements.

Ren Tianqing furrowed his brows and couldn't help but say, 'Junior sister, you're acting too hastily.'

Madam Meizhuang snorted coldly, 'Senior brother, do you still hope to obtain the Heaven-Man Myriad Phenomena Chart from Hu Xiaotian's hands? This brat is extremely cunning; even if you released him, he would never feel grateful, and besides, he certainly doesn't have such a chart—he's merely using that excuse to make us wary.'

Ren Tianqing slowly nodded and said in a low voice, 'Just where did he find that skull?'

Hu Xiaotian entered the bat cave, only to see Shadow Granny crawling on the ground, hands covering her face, trembling from extreme pain.

Hu Xiaotian was about to go help when he heard Shadow Granny say, 'Don't come over, don't come over… I've been poisoned with that wretch's Golden Exterior, Rotten Interior toxin.' This poison is one of the Wuxian Sect's strange toxins; only the sect leader, Madam Meizhuang, has mastered its method. Victims' skin turns golden while their internal organs slowly rot, hence the name.

Hu Xiaotian asked, 'Is there any way to detoxify?'

Shadow Granny shook her head: 'Unless I die!' She took a jade bottle from her waist, poured out a black pill, crushed it in her mouth and swallowed it. The pill had analgesic effects; after taking it, her pain began to ease, but a sound came from above, as if a heavy object had fallen.

Hu Xiaotian and Shadow Granny hurried into a side opening; they had just hidden there when they heard the thud of falling rocks, one after another. The bat flock panicked and screeched as the stones rained down. Hu Xiaotian heard it clearly and muttered lowly, 'Damn, they're trying to fill the entrance.'

Shadow Granny lifted her head; her face had turned golden, eyes tightly shut as she said, 'Meizhuang, that wretch is truly vicious.'

Hu Xiaotian's concern wasn't whether Meizhuang was vicious, but how to escape from here.

Shadow Granny said, 'The Crimson Flame Cave is surely blocked as well; following the Wuxian Sect's usual method, they first plug the entrance with stones, then pour in molten iron to fuse it into a solid mass—no divine weapons could dig it out.'

Hearing this, Hu Xiaotian sucked in a cold breath; being buried alive here was unacceptable. He said lowly, 'Shadow Granny, it seems we have no choice but to force our way through.'

Shadow Granny slowly shook her head: 'I'm too old to break out; you still had a chance, but with this burden, you probably have none either.'

Hu Xiaotian untied Xi Yan and held her in his arms, gazing at her delicate pretty face, recalling her past kindnesses; tender feelings welled up, and he whispered, 'She is not my burden; she is my wife.'

Shadow Granny sighed deeply, 'You're truly a sentimentalist—though flirtatious, you're sincere with every girl. Not to mention, at a life-and-death juncture, not being willing to leave her is something few men can manage.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Shadow Granny, there must be another passage here, right?'

Shadow Granny didn't answer his question but instead asked, 'Do you know where Mu Yuming… no, Li Yuncong is?'

Hu Xiaotian looked at Shadow Granny's state, knowing she wouldn't live long; even on her deathbed she still yearned for Li Yuncong, showing her deep affection. He hesitated to tell her the truth, then said softly, 'Shadow Granny, I once ate the inner core of the Five-Colored Spider King; my blood should be able to detoxify—how about…'

Shadow Granny cut him off: 'Useless, answer me! Is Mu Yuming dead?'

Hu Xiaotian pursed his lips, finally resolved, and spoke of how Li Yuncong and Monk Bu Wu had perished together.

Upon hearing the news, Shadow Granny first burst into tears, then broke into hysterical laughter, seeming mad. Hu Xiaotian watched from the side, feeling a chill; he thought it would have been better to keep this to himself than to upset her so.

After a while, Shadow Granny's emotions settled; she sighed, 'Either way, I at last know his whereabouts, but I will never be able to see him again.'

Hu Xiaotian comforted her, 'Actually, nothing in this world is perfect—take me, for example, young as I am, I too must die someday.'

Shadow Granny said, 'You won't die; you just asked me if there are other passages here—there are!'

Hu Xiaotian's heart leapt with joy upon hearing that.

Shadow Granny added, 'However, once this passage is opened, the entire Wuxian Sect headquarters will face annihilation.' Her voice was full of reluctance.

Hu Xiaotian thought, having come to this point, preserving his own life was paramount; even destroying the Wuxian Sect headquarters would be no matter—but of course such thoughts could only be kept to himself, never spoken to Shadow Granny, for she was an elder of the Wuxian Sect with deep feelings for it, and he could see she was still hesitating.

Shadow Granny said, 'Can you promise me one thing?'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, 'As long as it's within my power as a junior, I will do it personally.'

Shadow Granny asked, 'Do you know a person named Mu Rongzhan?'

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'I do!' He wondered why, on her deathbed, she would bring up that person.

Shadow Granny said, 'I want you to promise me that you will do your utmost to ensure his family's safety.'

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian suddenly understood: he recalled telling Li Yuncong, during his life-and-death struggle with Monk Bu Wu, that he had a child—could Mu Rongzhan be the illegitimate son of Li Yuncong and Shadow Granny? Thinking this, his scalp tightened; if so, Shadow Granny would be the grandmother of Murong Feiyan, making her a relative of his as well.

Seeing his lack of response, Shadow Granny couldn't help but press, 'Will you promise or not?'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Mu Rongzhan's martial arts are formidable; he probably doesn't need my protection!'

Shadow Granny replied, 'I'm only worried that Ren Tianqing will learn of his origins.'

Hu Xiaotian began, 'He is the grandmother's…' but stopped, for delving into Shadow Granny's privacy would embarrass her if spoken too plainly.

Shadow Granny, however, showed remarkable openness, nodding and saying, 'Quite right, he is my and Mu Yuming's son!'

I've been traveling with my son these past two days; updates will resume normally the day after tomorrow! (To be continued~^~)