Chapter 207: Opening the Tomb, Wrath, and the Fall of the Zheng Family

"Xian Tian Jing cultivators truly aren’t so easily defeated."

High atop a towering tree in a forest a li away from the battlefield, Lu Qing sat cross-legged, calmly regulating his breath. The clash with the Refined Elder had not been as effortless as it appeared. In truth, his internal organs had suffered some shock, but thanks to his formidable spiritual control, he had completely suppressed the injury.

After all, the Refined Elder was nothing like Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po. That old woman had already been mortally wounded, her lifespan nearly ended, her spirit and vitality far from their peak. He had severed one of her arms beforehand, leaving her strength barely half of what it once was. Her death had been inevitable.

But the Refined Elder was different. Though advanced in age, his cultivation of qi was exceptionally refined—his spirit, vitality, and strength remained at their peak. A Xian Tian Early Stage Peak cultivator of such caliber was no easy foe for Lu Qing to overcome.

Only through psychological pressure—using words to provoke the man into taking his strike head-on—had Lu Qing managed to gain the upper hand. Otherwise, even if he had won, he would have had to pay a steep price. Only by unleashing all his secret trump cards without restraint could he have achieved a true one-shot kill.

After a short while, Lu Qing’s recovery was complete. His injuries were far lighter than those of the Refined Elder. Jin Gang Da Li Fu didn’t just amplify his strength—it doubled his defensive prowess, making him no less protected than a Xian Tian Jing warrior with his aura barrier. Combined with his youth, robust constitution, and abundant life force, he recovered rapidly—no healing herbs needed. Simply through the natural flow of his blood and qi, his body mended itself.

"Hmm? Those people are leaving?"

As soon as he finished healing, Lu Qing sensed several Xian Tian Jing cultivators swiftly moving away, heading toward Zhou Fu Cheng. This was the true power of his refined Shen Hun Fu Lu—his spiritual sensing ability had become vastly superior to that of ordinary Xian Tian cultivators. With his ability to conceal his presence completely, he could track their movements while remaining undetected.

Seeing them depart, Lu Qing immediately set off. Arriving at the previous location, he found Zheng Jia Lao Fu Ren’s corpse had already been taken. Only dark, dried bloodstains remained on the ground—evidence of a brutal battle.

Gazing in the direction the group had gone, Lu Qing followed without hesitation.

There was still one matter he hadn’t finished.

Carrying Zheng Jia Lao Fu Ren’s body, the Refined Elder and his companions returned to Zhou Fu Cheng. First, they arranged the corpse with care, then proceeded directly to Zheng Fu.

At that moment, the Zheng family members were anxiously waiting. Their Ancestor had gone to hunt down the villain who had destroyed the second young master Guan Guo and desecrated the corpse—but she had not returned. Fear gnawed at their hearts.

When the Refined Elder and the others arrived, but the mother was missing, Zheng Jia Zhu felt an ominous chill.

"Lin Shu, City Lord—what brings you here? Did you come to visit my mother? She stepped out not long ago and hasn’t returned yet."

Seeing several Xian Tian Jing cultivators arrive together, Zheng Jia Zhu felt his heart leap. He quickly stepped forward, trying to maintain composure. He invoked his mother’s name, hoping to gain some protection.

But the response chilled him.

As he spoke, he saw the Xian Tian Jing cultivators exchange strange glances. The City Lord and Baoshu wore pity in their eyes. And the ever-hostile Cheng Zuchang wore a smirk of grim satisfaction.

"Lin Shu… could it be… Mother… is it true she’s… gone?" Zheng Jia Zhu stammered, dread growing in his chest.

The Refined Elder sighed. "My dear nephew, your mother… has passed."

"Impossible!" Zheng Jia Zhu froze, as if struck by lightning. "Mother is a Xian Tian Jing cultivator! Her cultivation is profound—how could anyone kill her?"

The other Zheng family members gasped in horror.

"Hmph. Does that mean Xian Tian Jing cultivators can’t be killed? Look at your mother—she was already half-dead. Was it surprising she was butchered?"

The Middle-aged Man with face like white jade sneered coldly.

Hearing such insults to his mother, Zheng Jia Zhu’s fury flared. He was about to shout back—but the Refined Elder raised a hand, stopping him.

"My nephew, your mother is indeed dead. Her body has been brought back. It lies outside. You’ll see for yourself soon."

The Refined Elder didn’t want Zheng Jia Zhu to provoke the Middle-aged Man now. The Zheng and Cheng families had long been at odds. Only Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po’s presence had kept the peace. Now that she was gone, the balance had shifted. If Zheng Jia Zhu provoked the man now, the consequences would be dire.

Zheng Jia Zhu didn’t hesitate. He bolted outside, followed by other Zheng family members.

There, on a stretcher, lay the corpse of their Ancestor—limbs and head severed, lifeless for some time.

"Mother!" Zheng Jia Zhu screamed, his eyes bloodshot with grief.

The other Zheng family members stood frozen, terror etched across their faces—like the sky itself was collapsing.

"Lin Shu… who did this? Who dared to torture and humiliate my mother like this?"

Zheng Jia Zhu turned, eyes blazing with rage.

"Leave it be," the Refined Elder said gravely. "The one who killed your mother is immensely powerful. You Zheng family cannot afford to provoke him."

He recalled the sheer force of Lu Qing’s earlier strike—his fingers trembled slightly.

Zheng Jia Zhu froze, but before he could speak, the Middle-aged Man laughed.

"Stop dreaming of revenge. You should pray harder—whether your Zheng family survives the next moment."

Zheng Jia Zhu shuddered, eyes narrowing. "Cheng Zuchang… what do you mean by that?"

"I mean this: Did your family ever perform the Living Human Sacrifice ritual—a cursed burial practice?"

"Absolutely not!" Zheng Jia Zhu’s heart skipped a beat, but his voice remained firm. "That’s just slander from outsiders! Our family has never committed such a monstrous act!"

He was honest. He knew his mother had considered it—but her grief over Yu Er’s death had delayed the plan. The families of the guards, still alive and unharmed in the dungeon, proved it.

"Really? Then it’s perfect. Come with us. We’ll open the tomb and verify it."

"Open the tomb?"

Zheng Jia Zhu was confused. Yu Er hadn’t even been buried. Her corpse had been destroyed. Where was there even a tomb?

But the next words froze his blood.

"Yes. We’re going to open Zheng Shihao’s tomb."

"What? You’re going to open my elder brother’s tomb?"

"Reports say your family performed the Living Human Sacrifice at the time of Zheng Shihao’s burial. We must investigate."

"Preposterous! My brother has been dead for over twenty years. How can you prove something from that long ago? Cheng Zuchang, this is clearly a malicious slander! Our family is honorable—how could we commit such a deed that would anger heaven and mankind?"

Zheng Jia Zhu trembled inside, but his expression remained defiant.

"Whether it’s slander or truth—we’ll know when the tomb is opened. If the ritual was performed, there will be clay statues of the victims inside. Once the tomb is opened, the truth will be clear. Or… are you afraid? Afraid we’ll find proof?"

The Middle-aged Man’s voice was icy.

"Of course not—but—"

Before Zheng Jia Zhu could argue further, the man’s patience snapped.

His aura surged violently, locking eyes with Zheng Jia Zhu. "Zheng Shijie. Don’t be foolish. Do you still think you have the right to refuse?"

The overwhelming Xian Tian Jing pressure crushed Zheng Jia Zhu’s chest. His breath grew shallow, his limbs heavy.

He was consumed by grief. If his mother were alive, no one would dare tread on their land like this.

He knew the truth: if they opened the tomb, the consequences would be catastrophic.

He glanced around, but the City Lord and the White-haired and Rosy-faced Elder remained expressionless—indicating they supported the decision.

With no choice, he turned to the Refined Elder, pleading: "Lin Shu…"

But his desperate reaction had already raised suspicion among the other Xian Tian Jing cultivators.

Even the Refined Elder could not intervene. He only sighed. "Then… open the tomb."

Seeing even his ally refuse to stand with him, Zheng Jia Zhu’s shoulders slumped. His spirit broke. He knew the end had come.

The others saw it too. Their suspicions solidified.

Half an hour later, at the Zheng family cemetery—before Zheng Shihao’s tomb—the Refined Elder and the others stood in silence. Behind them, a vast number of powerful cultivators had gathered.

The City Lord had invited the heads of every major family and faction in Zhou Fu Cheng, ensuring fairness.

At first, they were confused. When they learned Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po was dead, they were shocked. Now, hearing they were to open Zheng Shihao’s tomb, they were utterly bewildered.

But seeing the City Lord and the Refined Elder’s solemn expressions, no one dared ask.

These figures rarely appeared in public. Some minor family heads had only heard their names—never seen them.

Now, all of them had come together. Whatever this was about, it was clearly of great importance.

"Open the tomb!"

With the City Lord’s command, Cheng Zhu Fu’s officials stepped forward, wielding iron picks and shovels. They began digging.

Soon, the tomb door was exposed.

One of the special tomb-explorers—recruited by Cheng Zhu Fu for his expertise in ancient tombs—entered first.

Zheng Shihao had been beloved by Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po, so his tomb was no ordinary grave. It was vast, with multiple chambers and intricate traps designed to deter tomb raiders.

But these traps were meaningless to the expert.

Soon, the man emerged, carrying a clay statue.

"City Lord, the tomb below is grand and ornate. In the main chamber, there’s a luxurious coffin flanked by two kneeling clay statues. This one is the central figure."

All eyes turned to the statue.

It was a kneeling figure—clearly a young girl, faintly beautiful in silhouette. Yet her face was twisted in agony and hatred, a terrifying blend of beauty and malice.

The moment the City Lord and the others saw it, their expressions darkened.

Even the seasoned experts among them paled.

The Refined Elder murmured, "No… how could she become so cruel? How…?"

The City Lord gently brushed his hand over the statue. It shattered instantly, black smoke pouring out—and beneath it, a skeleton.

"Living Human Sacrifice. The victim was sealed underground, their soul trapped in this clay for eternity—doomed to suffer forever. This old woman… how dare she! How dare your Zheng family!"

The City Lord’s face turned ashen. His aura radiated cold fury, ready to explode.

"What? Living Human Sacrifice?!" The others gasped, finally recognizing the horror.

They remembered the rumors spreading through the city lately—thought to be slander. But now, it was real. Twenty years ago, the Zheng family had truly committed this abomination.

"City Lord! I swear I knew nothing! My brother’s tomb was built entirely under my mother’s direction. I had no idea she secretly performed this ritual! If I had known, I would have stopped her! Please, honor me with your judgment!" Zheng Jia Zhu dropped to his knees, sobbing.

But the City Lord showed no mercy.

"You claim ignorance? Then why did you resist opening the tomb so many times? Zheng Jia Zhu, do you truly think I’m a fool?"

The cold words struck Zheng Jia Zhu like a blade. He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

He knew—his family was finished.

Seeing his broken state, the onlookers understood: his pleas were just desperation.

The once-proud, invincible Zheng family head—now begging for mercy, like a dog.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Just as the crowd looked down in disdain, a deafening roar shook the earth.

From unseen directions, massive energy blasts struck Zheng Shihao’s tomb—ripping through the ground with terrifying force.

The tombstone exploded into dust. The underground chambers were torn apart by gaping holes.

One blast, swift and deadly, pierced straight through Zheng Jia Zhu’s chest.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end