Chapter 366: Ten Years Past (15/15, Autumn Subscription)

Ma Tiejiang didn't buy it; he sneered: "The Wu Yu clan—the supreme ancient first lineage, the rightful heirs of the Deceit Curse bloodline—how could they die so easily!"

"You must've been temporarily spared by the young mistress, which is why you managed to crawl back here!"

This guy… seems a bit off, has this weird blind faith in the Wu Yu clan.

Fang Yue mused: of all the Wu Yu he'd seen, none were crushed so thoroughly by Mo Cun's ancient array.

"Think what you want—the fact that Ma Ling'er died by my hand won't change because of your words. And now, if you don't answer my questions, you'll join Ma Ling'er right away!"

His expression turned icy; the Ningtai Ring on his right hand began clicking and popping, flames flickering as if ready to erupt.

Fang Yue thought those words would intimidate Ma Tiejiang, but the man only glared at him, teeth gritted: "None of us Wu Yu fear death! If you've got the guts, kill me!"

"Is that so?"

Fang Yue raised his hand without expression.

A flash of fire.

Ma Tiejiang's right hand flew high into the air.

The motion was too smooth.

It happened too fast.

Fang Yue's decisiveness and action left not just Ma Tiejiang, but even his own companions stunned.

For some reason, Lin Ling always felt that after returning from that trip, Fang Yue had changed—seemed… more like a Captain.

Only as his arm fell did Ma Tiejiang's scream finally erupt.

He rolled on the ground, clutching his severed arm, while Fang Yue calmly said: "I'm not good at killing. I'm good at making people wish they were dead. You lived in Gu Yue Cun for ten years? Then I'll make you live another ten—every day, tormented, unable to die, unable to live!"

Squatting, Fang Yue placed his fingers on Ma Tiejiang's chest; his fingers grew hot, turned red, concentrated intense heat, then slowly pressed down.

Sssss!

The smell of roasting meat rose at once, thick with charred stench.

The searing pain made Ma Tiejiang's veins bulge, his body arching, trembling in agony.

"But… I don't think you want to die? After learning I'd returned to the village and that your secret was exposed, your first instinct was to flee—this overwhelming will to live doesn't look like someone willing to sacrifice themselves for some trivial secret. Come on, tell me what you know. I'll spare your life."

Ma Tiejiang, barely conscious from pain, whispered: "... You really will let me go?"

"Of course I will!"

Fang Yue withdrew his fingers, stood, and looked down at Ma Tiejiang: "I keep my word. Once spoken, even four horses can't pull it back. Now, tell me everything you know."

Ma Tiejiang clearly wrestled with his thoughts, face twisted in pain, doubt, hesitation—then he took a deep breath.

"Fine! I'll trust you once!"

He struggled to sit up, clutching his stump, and spoke slowly.

"It happened ten years ago. A secret internal rebellion broke out among the Deceit Curse clan—led by the royal faction of the young mistress. The coup failed. All rebels were executed. Only the young mistress, a bastard daughter with diluted royal blood, was punished by exile for ten years."

Through the help of family and allies, she was sent to Gu Yue Cun.

For ten years, I and the young mistress lived quietly, never caused trouble, faithfully accepted our punishment.

Now, the ten years are up. I simply arranged for the young mistress to return to the Wu Yu clan—that's all! We meant no harm!"

Wu Yu clan? Royal family? Bastard daughter?

Fang Yue listened, confused, barely grasping the gist.

The others seemed just as lost.

One thing Fang Yue was certain of:

That claim of "no ill intent" was a lie.

Ma Ling'er was hunting me to kill me—do you think I'm blind?

After digesting Ma Tiejiang's words, Fang Yue asked grimly: "If Ma Ling'er never returned to the Wu Yu clan, what will their reaction be?"

"No reaction! If the young mistress truly died, the Wu Yu clan won't move. Because, in a sense, she's been forgotten. Only by reclaiming her royal status can she rise above all, become the true Wu Yu royal!"

"... And if she does return?"

"Return?"

Ma Tiejiang snapped his head up, eyes flashing with many emotions—then quickly suppressed them, lowering his gaze: "If the young mistress returns safely to the Wu Yu clan, the forgotten royal line will be re-crowned. She must harness the Wu Yu clan's power to sever her humanity, purge impurities, purify her soul, complete the Trial, and become the true Wu Yu royal!"

"What does that mean?"

"... You can think of it as the young mistress needing to complete a Trial to reclaim her royal status."

"What's the Trial?"

"... I don't know. Each royal's Trial Mission is given by the 【Wu Xin】. No two are ever the same."

"What is 【Wu Xin】? Will Ma Ling'er come back for revenge?"

"I don't know what 【Wu Xin】 is. My knowledge is limited. And… the young mistress is dead, isn't she?"

Ma Tiejiang looked up, eyes fixed on Fang Yue.

Fang Yue paused: "Yes. She's dead."

"Then there's no problem. Let me go. We part ways. I swear on my life—we'll never cross paths again!"

Ma Tiejiang said firmly, but Fang Yue ignored him and asked more questions—Ma Tiejiang refused to answer.

Fang Yue's face darkened; he gave a command to the Hunter beside him.

"Take him back to the village and lock him up. Guard him tightly."

"Understood."

Everyone now had a rough idea of what had happened, though the Wu Yu clan's power remained vague, incomprehensible.

"Xiao Ye—is Ma Ling'er still alive?"

"... Yes. She escaped, back in Mo Cun."

There was no need to hide the truth from his own people.

Fang Yue briefly told Lin Ling and Hua Wuye about what had happened with Ma Ling'er.

When they heard that Captain Wu, a Second-rate Realm martial artist, had nearly died at the hands of Hei Da of the Crow Rain Tribe, their faces instantly darkened.

This kind of gap in strength was simply beyond what they could handle.

If Ma Ling'er truly came back for revenge, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Xiao Ye, what do you plan to do?"

On the way back, Lin Ling could not help but ask.

"I want to see Lord Han."

"Lord Han? But Lord Han is in closed-door cultivation and not seeing anyone…"

"If it's me, Lord Han should be willing to see me!"

That's right—if it was him, someone who might be a descendant of the Night Moon Tribe, Lord Han should give him that courtesy.

(End of Chapter)