Chapter 157 - The Truth Dyed in Red (Part II) (Patreon)

After entering the castle and passing by countless buildings and gates, Lucian approached the nine-story pagoda at the center of the Feathered Serpent Castle, somewhat surprised by the structure.

It's different from the castles I built, he thought, observing the numerous walls and pavilions. He could tell there were officials' residences, warehouses, and various crafting buildings mixed inside.

The closer they came to the center, to the pagoda itself, the more important the people living and walking there were. Their group of nearly twenty cultivators walked unimpeded, as orders had already reached every sentry, granting them free passage.

A few minutes after passing through the last gate, they arrived at the pagoda.

Each of its nine stories rested upon vermilion pillars, while verdant beams and glazed tiles ran beneath sweeping obsidian-black eaves crowning every tier. It should have been a masterpiece of imperial architecture, yet the longer one looked, the more unsettling it became, as though something about the pagoda was subtly out of place.

“They were used for religious purposes in the past,” Zhi Jian whispered to Lucian as they passed through the pagoda's front gate. “But after discovering that pagodas naturally withstand powerful attacks, and that defensive formations built around circular structures are stronger, whether defending from inside or outside, many rulers chose to make pagodas the center of their residences.”

Lucian hummed in acknowledgment, neither wishing to engage in conversation nor dismiss Zhi Jian entirely. Thinking about what Zhi Jian said, however, he wished to have redesigned many of his own castles for better defense. After all, he had lost more than one residence because people had been too eager to fight indoors.

The pagoda also had a central opening, like an invisible pillar reaching toward the heavens. It connected every floor, while staircases spiraled upward to facilitate people's movement.

If he were honest, Lucian had expected them to climb to the top floor. Instead, the group ignored the stairs and continued forward, entering the main hall on the ground floor.

As soon as they crossed the inner gate, Lucian noticed the absence of scent.

Some barrier, he thought, glancing at Madame Ching. She had something similar in her chambers aboard the flagship. Well, Zhi Jian told me about defensive formations, so this could be it.

After that thought, he looked ahead.

And his heart skipped a beat.

A faint dark rune flickered within his brain as four black fingers pressed his neck, almost fully forming before fading away.

That was close, Lucian thought, his heart beating quickly. I couldn't predict this, however.

Before him stretched an enormous hall decorated with red, green, and black banners, illuminated by luminous artifacts that filled the room with vibrant colors.

Opposite the entrance stood a throne five times the size of an ordinary man. Upon it sat a figure glowing with white light, calmly watching them. Despite the enormous throne, the glowing figure was human-sized.

Lucian barely spared the figure a glance.

His attention was entirely drawn to the woman standing below the throne.

She wore black ornamental robes and dark purple makeup, her attire exposing much of her legs and cleavage. Her long black hair drifted gently in an unfelt breeze as she regarded the newcomers with a cold expression, as though they were nothing more than insects.

Her beauty and temperament are so extraordinary that they almost activated the Curse of Lust, Lucian thought, inwardly sighing in relief. Good thing she's too aloof. Never thought I would meet a woman like this so soon in this world. Killing her would be hard.

Amidst his thoughts, he and the others heard a sneer.

City Lord Kun Fei Xing waved his right hand, circulating his True Core and unleashing an overwhelming pressure throughout the hall.

A weight far beyond what Lucian could endure descended upon him, forcing him to one knee as his body trembled beneath the immense mass of solidified Qi emanating from the City Lord.

Grandmaster Miao, Madame Ching, and the others also knelt, though most endured the pressure more easily by relying on their cultivation.

I can fight it, Lucian thought, mobilizing his Blood Essence and remaining Qi to reinforce his body and stop the trembling.

A second passed, and another pressure descended. While this was worse for others, it became easier for Lucian.

What is this? He frowned. A kind of soul pressure?

Lucian felt a slight disturbance against his soul, but it was like throwing a pebble into the ocean, and the sensation barely registered.

The others, however, could not dismiss it so easily.

Grandmaster Miao gritted his teeth, his eyes turning bloodshot as the Dantian in his upper abdomen strengthened his Qi flow. Simultaneously, he circulated both a breathing technique and a spiritual technique to withstand the City Lord's spiritual might.

Vermilion Tide bled from her nose as golden scales manifested across her body, seemingly protecting her soul and bearing the brunt of the pressure.

Meanwhile, Zhi Jian became surrounded by a surge of battle intent. His eyes closed as one hand gently rested upon the hilt of his sword. Aside from Lucian, he appeared the least affected.

Lastly, Madame Ching's eyes turned completely black as shadows flooded them, her Dantian pulsing as she relied on her breathing technique. Her face paled, and the two floating captives, Tie Qiu and Shuang Tai, crashed onto the floor as she couldn't focus on them.

Everyone else, whether from Grandmaster Miao's faction or Madame Ching's, collapsed unconscious, vomiting blood. Mei Huo, in particular, was showing signs of Qi deviation and would need immediate assistance.

But it wasn't over.

After another second, a third wave of pressure descended upon them, this one carrying a mystical feeling that challenged their very selves.

What!? Lucian's eyes widened as he felt his Seven Curses shimmer for a brief moment. They acted to disperse the pressure before settling down. How is this possible? How could he make them move?

Quickly, he observed the others, attempting to understand what was happening.

Vermilion Tide seemed to be the first to overcome the pressure. The faint image of a red bird appeared behind her as her eyes rolled back before she gradually steadied herself.

Madame Ching, meanwhile, held her breath. A circular halo shimmered behind her, causing her figure to vanish for an instant before the pressure disappeared.

Zhi Jian was much more straightforward. A sharp whistle split the air, accompanied by a flash of white light that shattered the pressure around him.

Then there was Grandmaster Miao. His Qi Lines connected directly to the pressure, and the image of a great wheel appeared behind him. It turned once, and the pressure was completely absorbed into his body.

Lucian and the other four held on for a final second before the pressure dissipated.

Next, City Lord Kun Fei Xing spoke through intent, transferring meaning directly into their minds, his voice dreamlike and otherworldly.

"Juniors, you may rise."

Everyone except those who had passed out obeyed. The remaining four stole glances at Lucian before focusing on the white figure seated upon the throne. They couldn't hide their surprise.

"This Seat does not wish to be known as one who bullies his juniors and loyal subjects," the City Lord said, his voice carrying the weight of countless years. "Give me a reason to spare your lives."

As soon as he finished speaking, Madame Ching and Grandmaster Miao stepped forward, bowed with cupped hands, and said in unison, "This lowly citizen greets City Lord Feathered Serpent."

Kun Fei Xing nodded, gesturing for them to continue.

Madame Ching spoke first, finding no time for courtesy toward Grandmaster Miao. Normally, they would look to one another to see who would go last, but a mere glance at Lucian made her take haste!

"Senior, this one is but the captain of a minor fleet. Upon witnessing injustice unfolding at your very doorstep, I acted out of righteous indignation and intervened. I beg your pardon."

Lucian wanted to laugh, but only sneered inwardly.

"I have deep ties with Vice-Lord Vermilion Tide, and when I learned she had been framed for the massacre of innocent children from noble and cultivation families who followed my lord, I could not remain idle," Madame Ching continued, lowering her head.

Grandmaster Miao remained silent, carefully studying her. He was waiting for the true explanation so he could adapt his own story accordingly. Inwardly, he was surprised that Madame Ching was going first. Of course, for now, he had to wait for her to finish bullshiting.

Interrupting her would mean disrupting the report before the City Lord. Which was courting death.

Madame Ching sighed sorrowfully as she glanced at Lucian, her mouth moving nonstop. She saw him standing upright without the slightest concern, coldly staring back at her. Then, her eyes moved toward Vermilion Tide. Seeing the saddened expression, Madame Ching subtly changed her plans.

When she finished her previous sentence, she cupped her hands beneath her sleeves and manipulated her Qi, bringing Tie Qiu and Shuang Tai forward.

"That is why I allied myself with the Bo Merchant Chamber to apprehend these infiltrators," Madame Ching said. "They are four radicalized members of the Tidal Church and the true culprits behind the Tidal Massacre. Two have already died, but I brought these remaining two here for interrogation."

Lucian frowned, noticing Grandmaster Miao's smiling eyes, Zhi Jian's curious expression, and Vermilion Tide's utterly defeated look.

Without waiting for the City Lord's command, Vice-Lord Obsidian Sea harrumphed.

Then, there was a flash of black light, and the two cultivators disappeared, their bodies and souls erased completely.

Observing this, Lucian thought, Dangerous and interesting. This explains why the Curse of Lust almost activated.

No one commented on the fact that Obsidian Sea had murdered the culprits without interrogating them.

Still bowing, Madame Ching stepped back without raising her head, allowing Grandmaster Miao to step forward.

With a solemn expression, he walked ahead and cupped his hands.

"This lowly rogue cultivator merely assisted Young Master Bo Xian, son of my friend Chairman Bo Qing, in serving as bait for the radicalized members of the Tidal Church. He was the one who partnered with Madame Ching. His courage and filial piety are unmatched, so this old man naturally had to help."

Lucian was half convinced Grandmaster Miao was inwardly begging him to be silent, though he couldn't be certain. He didn't know what he could say, so he waited for an opportunity.

After Grandmaster Miao spoke, he returned to his position, moving the same way Madame Ching did.

The City Lord said nothing, resting his chin upon his fist. It was Obsidian Sea who answered them through intent.

"The True Feathered Serpent commands you all to reimburse the Three Feathers City for the destruction caused by your actions. You shall repopulate our city with both cultivators and mortals to provide labor, and you shall rebuild the destroyed district. Let's use it for the festival."

Madame Ching, Grandmaster Miao, and Zhi Jian cupped their hands.

Lucian and the pale Vermilion Tide followed shortly afterward, both reacting late for different reasons.

Casting Lucian a displeased glance before looking at the others, Obsidian Sea continued, "The festival will proceed in two weeks. The Heavens have granted you the chance to redeem yourselves. Cherish it."

Wait, Lucian thought, narrowing his eyes. Did they destroy the Broken Maze under her orders to clear space for the festival grounds? This can't be it. And do I have anything to do with it?

He almost couldn't believe in his theory. Merciless as he was, it was hard to accept that tens of thousands of lives had been sacrificed simply so Feathered Serpent Castle wouldn't need to relocate the district and spend additional resources. 

It was too wasteful! They could have become his hunting ground!

Just as Lucian was dissatisfied and thought they were about to be dismissed, the City Lord spoke through intent.

"You all withstood This Seat's might. Therefore, you shall be evaluated."

Lucian bowed alongside the others. He didn't mind bowing. His Curse of Pride was about this kind of act.

"Second Concubine," the City Lord said, slowly shaking his head. "After all these years, you still have not assimilated the inheritance. I am displeased."

It was as though a heavy blow had struck Vermilion Tide. She swallowed the blood rising in her throat, her body trembling as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

“You can either rise or become a stepping stone for others,” he concluded, his gaze lingering on Lucian for a brief moment before turning to Zhi Jian.

Feeling the attention on him, Zhi Jian smiled.

“Such a waste,” the City Lord said. “You would have made a fine vessel to bear Vestiges. Choosing a path beside the Sword Dao simply because you fear death is shameless, childish, and selfish.”

Zhi Jian merely nodded, saying nothing, maintaining his clear eyes and friendly smile.

Lucian felt the air thicken and narrowed his eyes, feeling that the City Lord sounded genuinely displeased.

“If you two hadn't come to see This Seat, nor been able to withstand this little test, I would have killed both.” The City Lord waved his hand. “Leave with the other bugs.”

With a flash of green light, only Lucian, Madame Ching, Grandmaster Miao, Obsidian Sea, and the City Lord remained in the great hall as the massive doors slowly closed.

Space manipulation, Lucian thought, controlling his expression. I'm not strong enough to perceive spatial boundaries yet, but that was clearly teleportation. He can teleport people as easily as breathing.

There was a moment of silence. Then, the intent infused in the room seemed to settle and dissipate.

“Your grandfather was a good man,” the City Lord said, no longer speaking through intent, but with his voice infused with Qi. He had turned his attention toward Madame Ching. “A shame he failed his tribulation.”

He sounded like a young adult, no more than thirty, yet the power behind his voice betrayed countless years.

Madame Ching nodded and bowed deeply, staying silent.

“The Authority you're trying to comprehend is dangerous,” he continued. “It is connected not only to the Dao of Shadows, but also to other, stranger Daos. Some would even call it taboo.”

Madame Ching lowered herself further, muttering, “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

With a flash of red light, she disappeared.

Why not green like the others? Lucian frowned, glancing at her previous location before shifting his gaze back to the City Lord. He said something about rewards. This could be it.

The City Lord was now looking at Grandmaster Miao, lightly tapping the armrest of his throne.

“Good, good, good,” he said. “It seems this generation has produced a few worthy seeds. Very good. Too bad your talent and physique are wasted. Reaching the Core Formation realm is but a pipe dream for you. Unless you are prepared for the torment ahead.”

The hall fell silent for a moment before Grandmaster Miao bowed deeply and said, “I am prepared.”

City Lord Kun Fei Xing chuckled and shook his head. “Not enough. Research more. Cultivate less.”

Frowning, Grandmaster Miao lowered himself until his forehead touched the floor. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

A flash of red light enveloped him, and he disappeared as well, leaving only Lucian, Obsidian Sea, and City Lord Kun Fei Xing.

The woman dressed in black kept her eyes lowered, seemingly unconcerned with everyone else, content to stand beside the man she loved. She knew nothing could move him, so nothing would move her.

So, her eyes widened in surprise when the City Lord rose from his throne.

“I was in secluded cultivation,” he said to Lucian, casually waving a hand at Obsidian Sea to calm her. “The First Concubine had no choice but to seek outsiders to awaken my awareness. She's too young, having only recently advanced. And my projection couldn't awaken me alone.”

Lucian remained expressionless.

Was that something you were supposed to tell me? Why should I care—Wait, all of this trouble was to summon the Azure Magpie to wake you?!

“I've already reprimanded her, but I hope you understand how women can be,” the City Lord continued, speaking more like a crude man than an exalted ruler. “She's eager to be touched for the first time. A bit of chaos was just foreplay for her.”

Obsidian Sea blushed deeply, lowering her head even more.

Seeing the City Lord fall silent as he slowly approached, Lucian calmly replied, “I understand.”

“Then I'm relieved."

Stopping only a few steps away, his figure bathed in white light, the City Lord cupped his hands for a brief moment, making the Vice-Lord Obsidian Sea tremble.

Expressionless, Lucian cupped his hands back and rested them at his sides.

The two stared at one another in silence for a long moment before the City Lord chuckled.

“Very well. I won't take any more of Fellow Daoist's time.”

The great doors slowly opened. Contrary to what he did to the others, he didn't teleport Lucian away.

Glancing at the others, Lucian looked at the powerful City Lord for another moment before cupping his hands and bowing slightly as everyone else had done. Then he turned around and walked away.

His thoughts were a complete mess, of course. Lucian needed to leave this place before he could begin piecing together everything that had happened.

As the doors closed behind him, Obsidian Sea was already kneeling before the City Lord.

“What are your orders, Lord Husband?” she asked meekly.

“If you didn’t have other uses, I would have killed you,” he replied, gnashing his teeth.

Obsidian Sea crashed to the floor as blood flowed from her seven orifices. A powerful pressure had descended on her with enough force to explode a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

“Be grateful he did not ask for your head. Don't forget, I could wait for one of the other two to ascend and proceed with my plans to seize the Feathered Dragon’s inheritance,” he said in a colder tone. “Do not favor or oppose him. Unless he works against my plans, ignore him!”

As the City Lord's figure slowly dissipated, Obsidian Sea trembled violently and muttered with pain, “But... who... who is he...?”

“He must be a split soul of one of the Nine Ancestors, placed within a vessel carefully crafted through Yin and Yang energies. I believe this vessel was created with the blood and Qi of a descendant of the long-dead Blood Devil Ancestor.”

After those words, the City Lord vanished completely, leaving Obsidian Sea alone, blood staining the floor beneath her.

Then his final words were infused into her mind.

“He is bad news, but let's not make him our bad news.”