The baleful energy spread like a roaring tsunami, flooding in from every direction.
There was nowhere for Yin Huaichen to evade.
An overwhelming force struck him.
His body completely lost control as he was hurled backward through the air.
Beside him, Li Mingrui was swept up as well.
The two of them were bundled together by the baleful energy like pigs trussed up for slaughter, carried effortlessly by the enormous hand formed from murky energy until they were deposited directly before the old man and Hu Tianlu.
“It’s you?!”
Hu Tianlu’s eyes widened in shock.
He recognized the young man instantly.
This was the thief who had stolen his belongings.
Delight immediately appeared on his face.
“Excellent!”
“I was just worrying about how to find you.”
“And yet you’ve delivered yourself right to my doorstep!”
Yin Huaichen ignored him.
The invisible baleful energy was still crushing his throat.
He couldn’t utter a single word.
The information returned by his Appraisal Skill, however, sent an even greater chill through his heart.
Valley of Nether Remains, Chu Sha: Lv.64
Damn it…
A Sixth Rank?!
Even Hu Tianlu, a mere Third Rank, could kill him several times over.
Yet this old man called Chu Sha…
Was actually a Sixth Rank expert.
Before someone like him…
Yin Huaichen truly was no different from an insignificant speck of dust.
More importantly…
The old man wasn’t an ordinary Sixth Rank.
He possessed a Boss Template.
Half of Yin Huaichen’s heart instantly went cold.
Had he known a Sixth Rank monster was hiding here…
He never would have waded into this mess.
“A mere insect….not even worthy of entering the ranks.”
Chu Sha’s murky eyes slowly examined Yin Huaichen.
“But…..you certainly have courage.”
“Ugh-“
Yin Huaichen’s mind raced frantically.
The suffocating pressure around his neck grew stronger and stronger.
The overwhelming baleful energy surrounding him made one thing painfully obvious.
This time…
There was no escape.
Chu Sha couldn’t even be bothered wasting words on him.
To someone as insignificant as Yin Huaichen, saying even one extra sentence was already a waste of time.
The old man merely waved his hand casually.
The endless baleful energy condensed into two sharp spikes.
One shot toward Yin Huaichen.
The other flew directly toward Li Mingrui.
At that critical moment, with death only an instant away, Yin Huaichen’s mind became extraordinarily clear.
He struggled with every ounce of strength he possessed.
Just before the baleful spike pierced through his heart…
He finally managed to suck in a single desperate breath.
Then, gathering every bit of strength left in his body, he shouted at the top of his lungs,
“Young Master! Is it really you?!”
Boom!
Chu Sha’s pupils suddenly contracted.
His finger twitched.
The two spikes of baleful energy abruptly changed direction, brushing past Yin Huaichen’s body before smashing into the wall behind him.
A massive hole was blasted clean through it.
Li Mingrui stared at Yin Huaichen with wide eyes, completely bewildered.
“What…..did you just call me?”
Chu Sha took a step forward.
His sinister eyes locked firmly onto Yin Huaichen.
Then he reached out and seized Yin Huaichen’s wrist.
“Cough… cough…”
The invisible grip around his throat gradually loosened.
Yin Huaichen coughed violently.
For several moments, he couldn’t force out a single coherent sentence.
Chu Sha’s withered hand resembled the talons of an eagle.
His fingers dug so deeply into Yin Huaichen’s wrist that they seemed ready to pierce straight through the flesh.
Pain twisted across Yin Huaichen’s face.
This old monster…
Why is he so unbelievably strong?
Only after struggling to catch his breath did he finally recover enough to speak.
“Young Master!”
Yin Huaichen unleashed the finest acting performance of his entire life.
His eyes instantly reddened with tears.
Disbelief…
Excitement…
Ecstatic joy…
Every emotion was vividly displayed across his face.
“Could it really be you…”
“…Young Master Chu Sha?”
“W… Who exactly are you?”
Shock and confusion filled Chu Sha’s eyes.
“My master…..is Chu Guangqiao.”
Yin Huaichen didn’t dare reveal even the slightest flaw.
Looking directly into Chu Sha’s eyes, he enunciated every word clearly.
Back when Yin Huaichen had still lived within the Palace of Impermanence in his previous life, he had rarely left its grounds.
Whenever he had spare time, he loved reading the countless records and anecdotes about the martial world preserved within the palace archives.
Valley of Nether Remains.
The Chu surname.
A black earring…
The instant he appraised Chu Sha’s identity, a piece of gossip he had once read immediately resurfaced in his memory.
It had spread throughout the jianghu only after the Valley of Nether Remains joined the Rakshasa Alliance.
The story concerned the former Young Valley Master…
Chu Guangqiao.
Back then, Chu Guangqiao had fundamentally disagreed with the old Valley Master’s decision to join the Rakshasa Alliance.
He had opposed it with every fiber of his being.
During one of his journeys through the martial world, Chu Guangqiao fell deeply in love with a young woman.
All he wanted was a peaceful life with her, free from endless conflict.
After completely falling out with the Valley of Nether Remains, he abandoned his position as Young Valley Master.
He even crippled his own martial arts.
Changing both his name and identity, he eloped with the woman he loved.
Incidentally…
That young woman came from no ordinary background either.
She was the daughter of the Great Elder of the Tianshui Sword Sect, one of the great righteous sects.
Incidentally, the Thirteen Swords of Tianshui that Yin Huaichen had previously used was one of the Tianshui Sword Sect’s signature sword arts.
A forbidden romance between the righteous and demonic paths.
Risking everything for love.
Abandoning darkness to embrace the light.
Choosing one another despite the fierce opposition of both the martial world and their own sects.
Naturally, such a legendary romance had shaken the entire jianghu.
Its story spread far and wide.
Countless storytellers embroidered the tale with ever more moving and heart wrenching details.
Back then…
Yin Huaichen had practically treated it like a romance novel whenever he read it.
The Palace of Impermanence possessed intelligence networks throughout the world.
As a result, Yin Huaichen knew considerably more than the average gossip enthusiast.
The elopement had indeed happened.
But the story didn’t end there.
After abandoning their identities and living in seclusion, Chu Guangqiao and his wife eventually had a son.
Originally, theirs should have been a peaceful and idyllic life.
Unfortunately…
The child born from their love turned out to be rebellious from an early age.
Not only did he dislike such a secluded existence…
He actually admired and identified with the ideals of the Valley of Nether Remains.
He longed to accomplish something truly great.
When he finally reached adulthood…
The old Valley Master happened to pass away.
At the same time, the great war between the righteous and demonic factions had erupted.
The Valley of Nether Remains desperately needed a new leader.
Encouraged by the valley’s remaining followers…
The young man left home.
He returned to the Valley of Nether Remains…
And ascended to the position of Valley Master.
The black earring hanging from the old man’s ear…
Was the symbol of the Valley Master’s identity.
It was also the mark of his inheritance.
Yin Huaichen was gambling.
After all…
At worst, he was going to die anyway.
There was no loss in trying.
Cultivators generally enjoyed exceptionally long lifespans.
After reaching the Fifth Rank, the aging process slowed dramatically.
Since Chu Sha was a Sixth Rank expert…
By Yin Huaichen’s estimate, he should be somewhere between one hundred and one hundred and thirty years old.
If he truly was Chu Guangqiao’s son…
Then the timeline matched remarkably well.
Judging by Chu Sha’s reaction…
Yin Huaichen had a strong feeling…
He had won the gamble.
“You’re no more than seventeen or eighteen years old.”
“How could you possibly be Chu Guangqiao’s disciple?”
Naturally, Chu Sha wasn’t foolish enough to accept Yin Huaichen’s words at face value.
After his initial excitement subsided, he immediately noticed the inconsistency.
His expression darkened as he questioned him.
“I cultivate…”
“…the Valley of Nether Remains’ Soul Seizing Art.”
Yin Huaichen’s expression remained perfectly composed.
“After the Rakshasa Alliance fell apart, Master and the others were implicated as well. They were relentlessly hunted down by the righteous sects. I spent decades hiding from pursuit, using the Soul Seizing Art to possess one body after another. Only recently did I finally find a suitable vessel. It took an enormous amount of effort before I successfully completed the possession…”
The Valley of Nether Remains possessed many secret arts and the Soul Seizing Art was one of them.
Because it demanded exceptionally strict requirements regarding both talent and the physical body, this particular lineage was also extremely niche even within the Valley of Nether Remains itself. Very few people knew of its existence.
Chu Sha frowned.
The suspicion in his eyes had not entirely disappeared but his expression softened noticeably.
With the age and experience this young man appeared to possess, it would have been impossible for him to know about the Valley of Nether Remains’ Soul Seizing Art.
This explanation…
Actually sounded quite reasonable.
Seizing the opportunity while the iron was still hot, Yin Huaichen continued,
“After taking over this body, I heard about the recent incidents involving baleful energy around Qianji City. The methods sounded remarkably similar to those once employed by the Rakshasa Alliance, so I volunteered to come here and investigate.”
As he spoke, he glanced toward Hu Tianlu standing nearby.
“Then, after seeing the Bloodfiend Remnant Token in his possession, I became even more certain of my suspicions.”
“That’s why I returned.”
“I wanted to confirm whether it truly belonged to you, Young Master.”
“Otherwise…”
“This body I’m using is nothing more than an unranked martial artist.”
“Why would I willingly come here just to throw my life away?”
As he finished speaking, he reached into his backpack and produced the Bloodfiend Remnant Token as proof.
Under the suppression of the Formless Impermanence Art, that all powerful “cheat”, the Bloodfiend Remnant Token, which ordinarily radiated a corrosive force merely from being held, now lay quietly in his palm without the slightest reaction.
It looked no different from an ordinary token.
Only after seeing this did Chu Sha believe roughly seventy to eighty percent of Yin Huaichen’s story.
The Bloodfiend Remnant Token was a sacred relic forged through the secret techniques of the Valley of Nether Remains.
Only cultivation methods belonging to the Valley of Nether Remains could suppress its violent power.
The fact that the young man could hold it so casually was sufficient proof that he truly belonged to their lineage.
Chu Sha lowered his hand before slowly rising to his feet.
His voice remained cold.
“If you are truly Chu Guangqiao’s disciple…”
“…then you should know that I severed all ties with that old man long ago.”
“So why…”
“…do you still address me as Young Master?”
Good.
I wasn’t afraid you wouldn’t believe me.
I was only afraid you wouldn’t continue the conversation.
Yin Huaichen quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
A helpless expression spread across his face.
“Young Master…”
“So many years have already passed.”
“Master has long since left this world.”
“Why continue holding onto the resentment from back then?”
“I’m the one holding onto resentment?”
Chu Sha let out a cold laugh.
“It was he who said it himself.”
“If I ever stepped out that door…”
“…if I ever returned to the Valley of Nether Remains…”
“…then he would no longer acknowledge me as his son.”
“So how exactly has this become my obsession?”
Yin Huaichen carefully observed his expression before letting out a quiet sigh.
“Master has always been someone whose words never matched his heart.”
“What he said back then…”
“…was merely spoken in anger.”
“You were father and son.”
“Your blood was the same.”
“How could he ever truly let you go?”
Chu Sha’s brows trembled ever so slightly.
The words seemed to strike something deep within him.
“When you left all those years ago…”
“…Master neither ate nor drank for several days.”
“Later, I once asked him about you…”
“And what did he say?”
Chu Sha’s lips moved unconsciously as he hurriedly asked.
Yin Huaichen lowered his eyes.
Another sigh escaped him.
“At first…”
“Whenever I mentioned your name…”
“…Master would fly into a furious rage.”
“He forbade me from ever bringing you up again.”
“But one time…”
“…after he’d become drunk…”
“…he finally spoke.”
“He said…”
“…the person he worried about most…”
“…was you.”
“He said you were different from him.”
“You possessed lofty ambitions.”
“You were never willing to spend your life hidden away in the mountains.”
“And since that was the case…”
“…it would be better to let you pursue your own path.”
“Master also warned us…”
“…that no matter what happened…”
“…you would always remain his son.”
“And forever…”
“…the Young Master of the Valley of Nether Remains.”
Chu Sha slowly closed his eyes.
Only after a long silence did he let out a self mocking laugh.
“That stubborn old fool…”
“He never did know how to speak honestly.”
Yin Huaichen wisely said nothing more.
Everything he had just said was a careful blend of truth and fabrication.
Part of it had been improvised entirely on the spot after observing Chu Sha’s reactions.
Back then, Chu Sha had broken ties with Chu Guangqiao because he wanted to leave and accomplish something great.
According to basic psychology…
At that age, he had been in the middle of adolescence.
On the surface, he despised Chu Guangqiao’s detached way of life.
But deep inside…
Hadn’t he always longed for his father’s approval?
Yin Huaichen deliberately stopped there.
The rest…
He left entirely to Chu Sha’s own imagination.
His words had been sincere.
His emotions convincing.
Combined with the Bloodfiend Remnant Token as evidence…
By this point, Chu Sha had already accepted his story.
“Young Master.”
Taking advantage of the moment, Yin Huaichen respectfully presented the Bloodfiend Remnant Token with both hands.
“I know this sacred relic belongs to our Valley of Nether Remains.”
“It’s fortunate that I was the one who found it.”
“If it had fallen into the hands of outsiders…”
“…I’m afraid it might have ruined your plans.”
He paused deliberately.
Then glanced toward Hu Tianlu beside them.
“You should keep it safe.”
“And be careful not to place your trust in the wrong people.”
Hu Tianlu’s face shifted between green and white.
Who exactly are you implying?
Chu Sha’s expression softened noticeably.
When he looked at Yin Huaichen again, there was now considerably more warmth in his eyes.
More than a century had passed since the Rakshasa Alliance’s defeat and dissolution.
Everything had changed.
Even the Valley of Nether Remains itself had completely fallen apart, disappearing from the martial world.
To Chu Sha…
Compared to someone like Hu Tianlu, a subordinate who had submitted only out of fear,
Yin Huaichen, who supposedly shared the same roots and lineage…
Naturally felt far closer.
“What about him?”
Taking the Bloodfiend Remnant Token, Chu Sha looked toward the utterly dumbfounded Li Mingrui standing behind Yin Huaichen.
Yin Huaichen immediately realized that Chu Sha intended to silence the witness.
He hurriedly explained,
“The body I possessed belongs to a disciple of the Cangming Sword Sect.”
“During these past days, I’ve already established a firm foothold within the sect.”
“If you kill him…”
“…I’ll have a difficult time explaining things after I return.”
Chu Sha studied him silently for a long moment.
Finally…
He nodded.
“Very well.”
Yin Huaichen had barely breathed a sigh of relief when, in the next instant, Chu Sha casually waved his hand.
Two streaks of black light shot from his fingertips.
One entered Yin Huaichen’s body.
The other disappeared into Li Mingrui.
You have been afflicted with the Bloodfiend Gu Poison.
A bright red debuff immediately appeared within his status panel.
Beneath it was another line.
Cannot be removed after death.
Yin Huaichen: “…”
“If you truly belong to the Valley of Nether Remains…”
“…then you should understand the effects of the Bloodfiend Gu Poison.”
Chu Sha spoke calmly.
“I have spent many years arranging this plan.”
“I cannot tolerate even the slightest mistake.”
“Since you have pledged your loyalty to me…”
“…remain here during these coming days.”
“You may serve as another helping hand.”
By nature, Chu Sha was an extremely suspicious man.
Although he now believed Yin Huaichen’s identity…
That didn’t necessarily mean he trusted his loyalty.
Once the Bloodfiend Gu Poison took effect, there was no antidote.
Even if Yin Huaichen fled to the ends of the earth…
Eventually, he would have no choice but to crawl back, begging Chu Sha for the medicine.
This had always been the Valley of Nether Remains’ preferred method of controlling their subordinates.
Forcing a smile onto his face, Yin Huaichen replied,
“Being able to shoulder Your Young Master’s burdens is naturally my duty.”
…
This old bastard really is unbelievably cautious.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The chapter has ended. The coffee propaganda begins.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Remember to keep a positive moodChapter 2 · Have fun playing the gameChapter 3 · Skill completion rateChapter 4 · Strange and malevolent creatures roam outside the cityChapter 5 · 90% complete!Chapter 6 · Serving the sect is my dutyChapter 7 · First meetingChapter 8 · Fang LecangChapter 9 · A prestigious and righteous sect!Chapter 10 · Kill Chi BantuChapter 11 · Spoils of warChapter 12 · We’ve made a fortune!Chapter 13 · Thunder and fire extinguish goldChapter 14 · You found it?Chapter 15 · The so called degree of freedomChapter 16 · The secrets of life and deathChapter 17 · A minor leader of the first rank.Chapter 18 · What kind of luck do you have?Chapter 19 · Let’s Do itChapter 20 · The BOSS escapedChapter 21 · “A wound to the heart is also a wound.”Chapter 22 · Good people are always blessed.Chapter 23 · The Old Man of the Valley of BonesChapter 24 · It’s me, young master!Chapter 25 · Take it slow and steadyChapter 26 · The older they get, the stingier they becomeChapter 27 · You know this person tooChapter 28 · I saw Wei Wanzhou againChapter 29 · You’d better keep having this kind of luckChapter 30 · “Password lock” crackedChapter 31 · We’ve come to punish you!Chapter 32 · A boorish country bumpkin who knows no manners.Chapter 33 · You have crossed the lineChapter 34 · Now that we’re here, do you think we can leave?Chapter 35 · A trivial skillChapter 36 · Actually, I was just kiddingChapter 37 · Upgrade mission complete, rating: SSS!Chapter 38 · AwardChapter 39 · I have always been law-abiding and law-abidingChapter 40 · Are you coming back for dinner tonight?Chapter 41 · Purple Lightning Square Seal.Chapter 42 · A money-grubberChapter 43 · BetChapter 44 · Four Continents Chamber of CommerceChapter 45 · This was my third meeting with Wei WanzhouChapter 46 · Oh, you want to hit on me.Chapter 47 · The angry drizzle has stoppedChapter 48 · Thunder SpearChapter 49 · “Are you a devil?”Chapter 50 · The Impermanent Lord!?Chapter 51 · Loot everywhere..Chapter 52 · His identity remains a mystery.Chapter 53 · Why not show yourself?Chapter 54 · He confronted Li Mingrui.Chapter 55 · Auction