Chapter 100 - Mortals Drown (Part IV) (Patreon)

Seven rats fled the East Bo Merchant Chamber’s mansion in different directions while the mastermind behind their movements remained deep in thought.

If I hadn’t advanced, I wouldn’t have been able to control Bo Huang’s mind, Lucian analyzed inwardly, recalling the resistance he had encountered after sending the two rats inside.

From the beginning, his intention had been simple. Enter, kill Bo Huang, pick up a few things, and leave. He had not expected to encounter a cultivator who could detect the rats. It was also unlucky of him to meet someone proficient in divination techniques and mental protection methods.

Qi never fails to surprise me, he thought, suddenly recalling another detail. Someone also cleansed several of my mental seeds. The Rune of Lust will not be nearly as useful in the future if so many countermeasures exist. This is... Interesting.

Despite those thoughts, Lucian was not discouraged. The more powerful and versatile cultivators proved themselves to be, the more determined he became to walk the same path.

While reflecting, two rats separated from the main group, and the remaining five headed toward the inn where Lucian’s other rats were hidden.

The separated duo of rats each carried a small trinket in their mouth. Stopping inside random commoner households, the rats briefly controlled one occupant from each home, forcing them to take the trinkets and follow specific instructions.

Afterward, the two rats regrouped with the others.

Tidal Church, don’t disappoint me, Lucian thought, commanding the rats hidden throughout the inn to return to his room.

Meanwhile, throughout Three Feathers City, the riots worsened. Warehouses and shops were looted, people murdered one another over trivial disputes, and ships were either stolen or destroyed. Although Lucian had ignited the last spark, the inferno consuming the city was not solely his doing.

Minor gangs, rogue smugglers, and criminal syndicates, frustrated by the worsening economy and lack of opportunity, had begun moving behind the scenes. They fanned the flames of chaos to secure small benefits. And while the major factions scrambled to suppress the chaos, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide stepped out of the Feathered Serpent Castle's main gates, rage burning in her eyes.

Circulating her Qi, she vanished into a blur accompanied by a wrathful roar. At the spot she had just left behind, a woman with long white hair and a green parasol stood with a small smile.

“Do you think he was the one responsible?” she asked softly, her pale skin glowing beneath the moonlight.

Although no one stood nearby, an ordinary-looking cultivator suddenly materialized beside her, wearing plain robes.

“My Lady, he has remained inside the inn since yesterday,” Wei Zhang answered, kneeling on one knee. “This servant has not yet found the true culprit.”

“I hope you never do,” she replied, slowly rotating her parasol.

Wei Zhang blinked in confusion. “My Lady?”

“If you can find the culprit, Second Sister can do the same,” she said, turning back toward the castle. 

Wei Zhang remained stunned for a brief moment before bowing his head in acknowledgment. When Vice Lord Verdant Creek disappeared back into the castle, his own figure faded from sight once more.

Moments after, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide reached her destination, expending a tremendous amount of Qi to move as fast as she could. Waiting before her were the three Elders of the Tidal Church alongside dozens of wooden coffins pulsing with Qi.

Everyone had gathered within the secured church grounds, where multiple defensive techniques blocked entry and isolated the area from outside observation.

Then, unleashing the pressure of her Quasi-Core Formation cultivation, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide sealed the entire place.  Next, a dragon's roar echoed outward, forcing nearby spies to flee immediately.

Scowling coldly, she spoke with rage barely restrained beneath her voice. “Explain yourself.”

Kneeling on the ground, Elder Black Scale shouted immediately, “Grand Elder, I know who did this!”

Meanwhile, Elder Yellow Scale and Elder White Scale remained bowed in silence. They feared any misspoken word would cause their bodies to explode.

“Who?” Grand Elder Vermilion Tide asked while narrowing her eyes.

“It’s a man named Lu Xian,” Elder Black Scale said hurriedly. “The West Bo Merchant Chamber sent me information about him. They said he was responsible for the warehouse massacre, and that he could control commoners through strange techniques!”

Frowning, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide asked, “Are you certain?”

Gnashing his teeth, Elder Black Scale lowered his head further. “Almost, yes!”

“Almost?” she repeated.

An invisible force slammed Elder Black Scale violently against the ground.

“Almost?!”

She screamed the word, lashing her hand sideways. The entire side wall of the church exploded apart. Invisible Qi upheld the ceiling while the Grand Elder spoke coldly. “Where is this culprit whom you are almost certain of?”

“I...” Elder Black Scale forced out while his face was ground against the floor. “I... can... bring... him...to...you.”

The pressure vanished, letting him breathe. Then, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide made a pulling gesture, dragging Elder Black Scale’s body through the air before seizing him by the throat.  As her golden robes fluttered violently around her, she spoke with cold eyes.

“Bring him to me. You are free to act. The City Lord has authorized the use of force. I spoke to his projection.”

Elder Black Scale’s eyes gleamed fiercely, and he nodded immediately.

The moment Grand Elder Vermilion Tide released him, he unleashed a wave of Purple Qi and shot outside, floating above the streets while violet waters trailed behind him.

Turning toward the remaining two elders, the Grand Elder asked coldly, “What did you discover?”

Still kneeling and channeling Qi into the pulsating wooden cocoons restraining the teenagers, Elder White Scale answered, “Nothing. There is no Qi residue, nor any lingering connection indicating what kind of technique was used or who cast it.”

“However, Grand Elder,” Elder Yellow Scale said. “Most of the affected were teenagers. I suspect they may have been targeted through some ritualistic demonic technique connected to their age.”

Grand Elder Vermilion Tide muttered, “Investigate it. Determine whether they touched demonic artifacts or gathered in suspicious locations over the past weeks.”

Elder Yellow Scale nodded and prepared to leave using a movement technique before a startled gasp interrupted her. Turning quickly, she saw Elder White Scale stumble backward twice. Also noticing it, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide immediately frowned.

“What happened? I sensed a Qi wave. Did you receive some information?”

Stunned for a moment, Elder White Scale slowly nodded, blinking repeatedly as though trying to dispel his shock. When he regained his composure, he said in a trembling voice, “Bo Huang is dead.”

Grand Elder Vermilion Tide merely raised an eyebrow, appearing almost indifferent. Compared to the catastrophe engulfing the Tidal Church, the death of another faction leader barely moved her. It would be even better if she could share this good feeling with others!

“That is good news,” Elder Yellow Scale said cautiously. “Isn’t it? At least we won’t be the single target of the City Lord’s fury.”

The uncertainty in her tone came from the bitter smile lingering on Elder White Scale’s face. Feeling both gazes pressing upon him, he sighed deeply before continuing.

“Two men carrying items from the East Bo Merchant Chamber are spreading the word that Chairman Bo Huang was sacrificed to the Three-Headed Serpent God.”

Elder Yellow Scale paled instantly, feeling her chest tighten.

And after a moment, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide burst into furious laughter.

“Good news,” she said in rage. “Indeed, this is excellent news.”

The two elders stared at her in confusion.

Scoffing, she said, “What? Isn’t it obvious? Who would benefit from Bo Huang’s death? Who fed Elder Black Scale information about some mysterious troublemaker? Who was supposed to have died already, yet became greedy enough to bite off more than they could chew?”

Behind her, the image of a horned golden serpent manifested and roared furiously.

“Miao Long! Bo Qing!” Her voice shook the church grounds. “You both are courting death!”

Listening to the Grand Elder and trembling beneath her roar, the two Elders understood the deeper meaning behind her words. It was obvious this was the West Bo Merchant Chamber’s doing.

So obvious that it was certainly a trap.

But so what?

The Tidal Church could not endure such humiliation quietly. They had to retaliate, even if they were dancing to someone else’s tune.

Finding the true culprits was secondary. The real goal was to save face!

And now that someone had cornered them against a precipice, leaving no other path forward, they had no choice but to follow along.

Behind Elder Yellow Scale, the image of a Winged Lion appeared, infused with sharp lines of yellow and silver Qi. Next, behind Elder White Scale, the image of a Jade Clam materialized, its shell slowly opening to reveal glistening flesh and a radiant pearl.

Though the images emitted no sound, streams of colored Qi flowed from them into the Elders’ bodies.

Observing their actions, Grand Elder Vermilion Tide nodded slightly. She commanded the horned serpent behind her to merge into her body, and  began to shine with golden light. The crimson makeup around her eyes deepened, and golden scales spread across her skin.

Without another word, she activated a movement technique and vanished. The two Elders immediately felt a pulling force, as though invisible claws had seized them. Neither resisted, allowing themselves to be dragged along as they phased away. As soon as they disappeared, the ceiling of the Tidal Church branch collapsed.

The teenagers, released from the wooden, were crushed beneath the falling structure.

Not a single one survived.