Chapter 83 Personal Intervention
The illusion gradually dissipated, and under the intense stimulation of fear, fragments of memories surged in Fang Ji’s mind.
He was indeed an operative of the Siye Society.
About half a month ago, the Pestilence Taijie attacked the quarantined area, causing considerable damage. He formed a five-member team with operatives from surrounding cities to participate in the restoration work.
At that time, a point of destruction was located deep within the quarantine zone, making it extremely risky to repair, and no one was willing to go. Only their five-member team volunteered to delve into the quarantine zone for repairs.
Some things need to be done by someone.
What happened afterward remained a blur to him. He only remembered waking up in the quarantine zone, with only himself left from the team, severely injured and on the brink of d*ath.
Then…
He encountered a figure wrapped in golden light, just like him, who was also left with half a life.
That figure extended an invitation to him, inviting him to share life, and afterward, he inexplicably found himself in Qiuchun Town.
The question “Who am I?” that had lingered in Fang Ji’s heart for so long was finally unraveled, yet more questions, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, began to emerge in his mind.
What is the Sacred Relic?
What conspiracy lurks behind it?
After sharing life with that figure, why do I feel inexplicably close to Luxianbei?
The torment of fear, the pain brought on by the surge of fragmented memories, and a myriad of questions swirling in his thoughts… Soon, Fang Ji couldn’t hold on any longer and fell into unconsciousness again.
————
6:37 AM, Behind the Dachunyang Palace.
The morning breeze had swept away the haze accumulated overnight, revealing the exquisite mountains. The green hills were lush, azure clouds piled high, and the sky was tinged with the unique, indistinct gray of dawn.
Though it was already early summer, the day dawned a bit earlier, yet since the night had become prolonged, even in summer, one would have to wait until at least 7:30 AM to see full daylight.
Inside Moon Cave, the candlelight that had flickered all night had already extinguished.
Zhang Hainan propped his head on one hand at his desk; the murky light before dawn fell upon the long-silent Zhipianxian. He frowned, feeling troubled.
Why treat an elder this way!
I’m really about to get angry!
At that moment, someone walked up the winding mountain path from outside the back mountain cave toward Moon Cave. The light footsteps brushed against the grass beside the mountain path, and dew fell into the soil.
From quite a distance away, Zhang Hainan keenly caught the faint sounds coming from that direction. He slightly frowned, and a few seconds later, he heard a copper ring being knocked outside the Moon Cave.
“Ding ding ding—!”
“Disciple Qing Xiazi, respectfully greets Chief Priest, I have urgent matters to report.”
Qing Xiazi? Zhang Hainan glanced at the cave entrance, straightened up, and calmly said, “Hmm, since it’s urgent, come in and explain in detail!”
Saying this, he reached for the Zhipianxian on the table and casually tucked it into the broad sleeves of his robe. Just then, he suddenly noticed the scattered phones, snacks, and soft drinks on the table, and his aged eyes trembled.
“Wait…” Zhang Hainan nervously called towards the cave entrance, but it was too late.
Qing Xiazi had already entered Moon Cave.
The air conditioning blew vigorously, and within the cave were luxurious massage chairs, high-end computers, several phones, and a mountain of novels, comics, diverse snacks, and half-drunk soft drinks… Everything was laid before her eyes in an instant.
She stood stunned at the cave entrance, seeing the scene in this not-so-big cave, she was momentarily shocked, followed by a feeling of bewilderment.
It had been over five years since she last visited Moon Cave, and she hadn’t expected such drastic changes during that time.
No wonder the Chief Priest has been increasingly fond of seclusion recently!
While Qing Xiazi was pondering, the humidity around her suddenly thickened, followed by a strong suction that instantly pulled her beside Zhang Hainan.
“Qingmei, I haven’t treated you poorly, have I?”
Upon hearing Zhang Hainan directly call her by name, Qing Xiazi instantly realized the seriousness of the situation and hurriedly said, “Rest assured, Chief Priest, I will never mention today’s sights to anyone!”
“Hey, don’t be nervous!” Zhang Hainan turned to look at Qing Xiazi, squinting with a smile, “You know the results of my previous divinations regarding the Secret Society. These things were merely for my fleeting curiosity, to study.”
“However, you’re right about one thing; such trivial matters shouldn’t be spoken of outside!”
Please let me not be nervous; you should first dispel the Spirit Energy Fluctuation you’re imposing on me! Qing Xiazi thought, calming herself and bowing to Zhang Hainan, redirecting the topic.
“Chief Priest, the urgent matter I mentioned earlier is indeed related to the Secret Society.”
“Oh?” Zhang Hainan’s squinted eyes suddenly opened, a hint of unusual brilliance flickered in them, pressing for more, “Continue.”
“Yes!” Qing Xiazi replied, then recounted the detailed contents of the information Huasang had sent her to Zhang Hainan.
“…That’s how things have unfolded. Elder Wang, who is stationed at Chenyi Inn, has already gone for a field investigation. The situation is relatively stable; I have organized a group of disciples on standby and will soon lead them to the scene.”
“You mean, Luxianbei is trapped inside?” Zhang Hainan inquired.
“Uh, yes, but that’s just Huasang’s guess and hasn’t been confirmed yet,” Qing Xiazi responded.
“…”
No wonder Gu Qiqi hasn’t responded to me for so long; it must be because Luxianbei ran into trouble, and she went to assist, which makes sense!
Presumably, those two should now be trapped together…
Speaking of which, that kid Luxianbei managed to create such a big news story in just one night? Truly deserving of being Senior Brother Qing Ji’s descendant!
Thinking thus, Zhang Hainan nodded, stood up, and told Qing Xiazi, “Qingmei, let the disciples disperse, will you?”
“They practiced all day yesterday, and it’s quite exhausting for them to make such a trip early in the morning.”
Upon hearing this, Qing Xiazi showed a puzzled expression, “But, Chief Priest…”
“Don’t worry!” Zhang Hainan smiled, patting Qing Xiazi’s shoulder. “I plan to go personally!”
“An energy attack event caused by a being with a Spirit Energy Fluctuation level of at least A+, suspected of controlling the God Realm; ordinary disciples wouldn’t be of much help, and might even be in danger.”
“Later, when the disciples have rested well after morning class and breakfast, you can take them over to deal with follow-up matters.”
On hearing Zhang Hainan say this, Qing Xiazi breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and said, “Understood!”
The Black Emperor, Zhang Hainan, the strongest spiritual ability user of the Siye Society, personally intervening—how could there be any room for petty thieves? Qing Xiazi thought.
——————
On the other side, deep within Chi Li Hall, inside an independent studio designated for Gu He, or Hu Chuan’s use.
The room was unlit, and the alchemical devices on the operating table glimmered with various colors, casting a bizarre hue over the dimly lit space.
In the depths of the room, Hu Chuan knelt before a giant floor mirror with his upper body bare, his expression twisted in pain, his body convulsing as low moans escaped his lips.
On his chest, a scar shaped like a human face wriggled and struggled, its mouth opening to emit a soundless scream. With each movement, his chest skin gradually tore, bl**d oozing, as if something were about to break free from his body at any moment.
The hostile energies, laden with intense negative emotions, intertwined and rolled within him, transforming into the most primitive anguish, continuously tormenting his consciousness.
That face had elongated cheeks and a murderous aura; indeed, Luxianbei would recognize it well—this face bear similarities to Zhang Shuo.
Yes, just as he told Luxianbei, Zhang Shuo had not truly died but was transformed into an “item,” sealed within him.
Only then could he establish a connection with Zhang Shuo’s consciousness, always feeling Zhang Shuo still alive and vividly sensing Zhang Shuo’s suffering endlessly, relishing immensely in this process.
Moreover, doing so allowed him to fully control the six Spirit Patterns possessed by Zhang Shuo.
Indeed, Zhang Shuo held six Spirit Patterns, not the four described in the information held by the Urban Legends Chat Group.
In truth, Zhang Shuo had been on the verge of obtaining a seventh or even more Spirit Patterns, just needing a little more if he could find the unformed Spirit Patterns hidden away by that treacherous Siye Society operative from years ago.
Unfortunately, he encountered an accident with Hu Chuan.
Hu Chuan lied during his exchange with Luxianbei; it wasn’t because he was being hunted by Zhang Shuo that he repeatedly infiltrated various energy organizations but because he was sent to continuously search for the unformed Spirit Patterns that Zhang Shuo accidentally lost long ago.
However, Zhang Shuo never imagined that while controlling Hu Chuan to infiltrate various spiritual ability organizations to look for that unformed Spirit Pattern, Hu Chuan would seize the opportunity to complete a counterattack.
For a long time after being turned into an “item,” Zhang Shuo’s remaining consciousness lay dormant. Yet prior connections Hu Chuan made with “Gu Qiqi” seemed to show him a glimmer of hope for liberation or the end of life, sparking unprecedented struggles.
“Ha ha, ha ha ha…” Amidst the continuous onslaught of pain, Hu Chuan suddenly laughed, a trace of enjoyment evident in his laughter. “Zhang Shuo, after all this time, you still haven’t given up?”
“Struggle, continue to struggle! The longer you wait to give up, the more torment you endure; the happier I will be… Ha, ha ha!”
“You think Gu Qiqi will become your lifeline? No, no one in this world can save you!”
After a long while, Zhang Shuo’s remaining consciousness seemed finally to relinquish its struggle, and the human face on Hu Chuan’s chest ceased its writhing.
Clearly sensing the despair and anger communicated from Zhang Shuo’s remaining consciousness, Hu Chuan sneered, “Heh, is this the end? I thought this time you could give me more joy; what a pity!”
“But rest assured, as long as I’m alive, you will never find liberation.”
As he spoke, he reached for a cloth from the operating table beside him and carelessly wiped away the bl**d pouring from the torn scar on his chest, throwing it aside as he prepared to continue observing the progress of those Secret Society members ambushing “Gu Qiqi” through the items.
At that moment, he suddenly noticed the information sent by An Qi. After reading it, he closed his eyes, sensing her presence through the “item” held by the girl with the ring, and his expression darkened.
“A bunch of fools! Do I have to personally intervene in such matters!”
As the words fell, he willed it, and all items in the residential area were awakened, ready to unleash a hunt…
