https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-389-Consuming-the-Dark-Empyrean-Third-Watch-/12918688/
Chapter 390: One Coin Sect
Chapter 390: One Coin Sect
"It's right ahead in the mineral vein, and I've already sealed it."
The sudden appearance of this group of people startled the meat carvers and the unaware Old Abacus, who were all working in the mine. They exchanged glances, quietly retreated, and dared not even breathe.
However, the one-armed Zhuang Erchang, the chief miner, was extremely excited, paying no attention to his severed arm.
He glanced at the Wu Gong Clan Leader, then led his two disciples in bowing respectfully to the elder on horseback. After getting up, he greeted the others and explained with a smile, "It was indeed a laborious journey for you, Master."
"I had already suspected that these sorcerers were up to no good, and I couldn't trust the Red Lantern Society either. Naturally, seeking help from the sect is the most reliable option. However, my request for your assistance wasn't solely because of these sorcerers' mischief."
"As it happens, I discovered something unusual within that mineral vein. It might be the legendary Skeleton Head. Just as I made this discovery, the manager of the Red Lantern Society arrived. I engaged him in a hand-to-hand combat but was no match for him. I was worried about what he might uncover."
"If he insisted on exploring the mineral vein, I feared he might notice something suspicious. So, I pretended that there was something amiss in the vein and scared him off from opening it."
"It was just then that the sorcerers arrived. Although I knew they had ulterior motives, it was also an opportunity for them and the manager to be wary of each other. I could wait for your arrival, Master, while they fought each other."
"..."
"Oh?"
The elder on horseback, appearing to be in his fifties or sixties, was tall and robust, likely a martial artist. However, his attire was exceptionally luxurious, and he had developed some fat on his face, giving him the air of a wealthy gentleman.
As he listened to Zhuang Erchang's report, he nodded, dismounted, and straightened his brocade robe, which had become slightly wrinkled during the journey. Then, he clasped his hands behind his back and scanned the area, exuding an air of dignity.
"Hehe, you've done well. As soon as we received your message, we hurried here without delay."
As he spoke, he glanced at Wu Gong Clan Leader, letting out a cold laugh, showing no respect. Instead, he turned to Zhuang Erchang and asked, "I taught you all my skills, yet you lost to him in a hand-to-hand combat? That's quite rare..."
"Where is the manager of the Red Lantern Society, and who is his master?"
"..."
Wu Gong Clan Leader, along with Wu Ya and the young sorcerer named Nengneng, stood by, but he seemed to pay them no mind. He opened his mouth to speak to Hu Ma.
"It's said that the master is Old Yin Mountain Lord Zhou."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Erchang hurriedly replied, "His skills are impressive, but he's not very old. He's still a young man with no facial hair."
As he spoke, he hesitated slightly, then smiled and added, "And because he's young, he's naive in his actions. Just now, the sorcerers caused trouble, coordinating inside and out, releasing the Golden Silk Worm Curse to create chaos. This was done to disrupt the atmosphere and facilitate the nurturing of the curse. But the Golden Silk Worm is formidable; even I had to flee for my life."
"Yet this young man relied on his cultivation to suppress the Golden Silk Worm Curse. How could he be so accommodating?"
"The Golden Silk Worm constantly caused trouble, and every time it roared, he had to rely on his cultivation to endure. He barely made it until the Golden Silk Worm Curse was broken, and he doesn't know how much strength he has left. He hasn't shown himself since the beginning, and we don't know how much longer he can last."
"..."
"Old Yin Mountain Lord Zhou?"
The elder in the brocade robe frowned slightly at this information and thought hard. "I haven't heard of him either. Perhaps he's a hidden master, but that's not important now. Since he's a Blood Xiu Guardian, I'll go and meet this junior."
Zhuang Erchang laughed and pointed to the wooden house where Hu Ma was located, leading the way.
"..."
Upon hearing his words, Zhou Datong and the others were startled, regardless of anything else. They hurriedly surrounded him, not knowing what was happening or if Hu Ma was truly in trouble, as he hadn't come out for so long.
But just by looking at the situation, they could tell that the chief miner, Zhuang, had ill intentions. Hearing his reference to the Blood Xiu Guardian as his master, they realized he had invited the guardian over.
His words about meeting the junior were merely a polite excuse. Clearly, he intended to go and take a look, restrain the guardian, or even kill him directly to prevent any interference with their plans.
However, the sorcerers were cultivating the curse for the sake of the objects within the mineral vein.
And Zhuang Erchang, the chief miner who was nominally under the Red Lantern Society's control, had gone too far by selling the mine. He was worried about the capabilities of the elder in the brocade robe and wondered if he and his men could withstand them.
"Get out of the way!"
The people who had dismounted behind the elder in the brocade robe all had fierce expressions. Seeing the audacity of these young men blocking the path, one of them with a short temper even took off a chain whip.
They were also Blood Xiu Guardians, and the imposing aura of the elder in the brocade robe made Zhou Datong and the others secretly lament, their legs trembling.
Their gazes kept glancing at the wooden house, hoping for Hu Ma to appear, but there was no movement inside, which only increased their worry.
"This group of Year-End Guardians is not bad. Although they are a bit domineering, they are quite chivalrous. They have learned some skills, but it's a pity they joined the Red Lantern Society."
Zhuang Erchang, the Chief of the Mine, saw the expressions of Zhou Datong and the others, and he couldn't help but sigh. He seemed to secretly admire the Old Yin Mountain Lord Zhou, who was skilled in teaching disciples. The manager named Hu had impressive abilities, and these disciples also had their unique talents.
That was not all; the most crucial thing was that they were fearless and loyal when it came to matters.
With their skills, unique talents, and this kind of character, even he couldn't help but wonder if he should take them under his wing. As he spoke, there was a hint of protective intent in his words.
"Worshipping the Red Lantern Goddess, a rural deity, is not as upright and honorable as joining the One Coin Sect."
The elder, whom Zhuang Erchang called 'Master', smiled. He could sense the meaning behind his disciple's words. He narrowed his eyes and scanned Zhou Datong and the others, paying particular attention to Zhao Zhu. "Don't be so impolite. I am Sun San, the Iron Bridge of Liu County. Later, I'll go to Old Yin Mountain to ask about your master, Zhou Er Ye. Perhaps he knows me."
"Since we are of the same Year-End Guardian lineage, he will likely show some consideration. I won't make things difficult for your senior brother, nor for you younger ones. But first, call him out to pay his respects to me. If he is sensible, I won't harm anyone, and I'll even recommend a good place for you all."
"..."
As he spoke, his expression carried a hint of pride. He turned to Zhuang Erchang on the side and said, "Nothing else matters. I've already reported the letter you sent to the Sect Leader. He was overjoyed upon hearing it."
"If that thing is indeed a Skeleton Head, you will have made a great contribution to the sect. If you are willing to join, you will be promoted directly to a Guardian."
"If you are unwilling to join, you can still invite the Sect's Incense Fire. During these chaotic times, it will protect you. In the future, when we achieve great things, I can grant you a fief without hesitation."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Erchang managed to force a smile. In his heart, he thought, "Ever since my master joined the One Coin Sect, he has been spouting all sorts of mystical nonsense. He doesn't eat beef, worships some grandmaster, and wants to forge armor and rebel against the government."
"I would usually avoid him, but now, with the mine's resources, I can't protect them on my own. I have to choose this master as my teacher."
"Although the One Coin Sect seems unorthodox, they have quite a reputation for conquering cities, driving out officials, collecting taxes, and gathering provisions."
"With this opportunity, if I can offer the Skeleton Head and bring these Year-End Guardians into the sect, my contribution will be enough to save me from the hardships I've endured so far..."
"..."
Listening to their conversation, Zhou Datong and the others exchanged glances, unsure of how to handle the situation. Instinctively, they wanted to look at Old Abacus, but they found him rolling his eyes, deep in thought.
Before Zhou Datong and the others could react, the elder, Mr. Sun, grew impatient. He nodded to the man holding a nine-section whip beside him and said, "Go inside and check on their injuries. If they're severe, give them a Blood Pellet. If not, make their injuries more severe."
"Make sure they understand the situation and don't interfere with our important matters later..."
"Try not to hurt anyone."
"..."
Upon seeing this, Zhou Datong and the others were startled. They quickly grabbed their weapons and stood ready. However, the man with the nine-section whip was already smiling as he jumped off his horse, preparing to take action.
After giving his instructions, Mr. Sun no longer paid attention to them. Instead, he turned to Zhuang Erchang and said, "Lead the way. Let's see what's most important in the mine."
"If it's truly a Skeleton Head, it proves that Heaven's Mandate is with the One Coin Sect!"
Zhuang Erchang quickly looked ahead at the mine sealed with red cloth and smiled. "It's right ahead. I've never seen such a thing before, but it resembles the descriptions in the records. Knowing I couldn't protect it, I immediately sent a letter to you, Master."
"But whether it is or isn't, my eyesight isn't as sharp as yours, so I need you to examine it to make a decision."
"..."
The elder in the brocade robe smiled. "Don't worry, I haven't seen it either. But I've invited a Dharma King from the sect to come with us. He will certainly be able to identify it."
As he spoke, a woman in a plain cloth cloak, who looked rather ordinary and resembled a rural woman, lifted her cloak slightly and nodded to Zhuang Erchang. They began to walk towards the sealed mine.
"You Xia people, with your destruction of our holy artifacts, harm to our clansmen, and killing of our venomous bugs, are you always so domineering?"
Just as they were about to take a step forward, a voice filled with anger sounded from the side. It was the Wu Gong Clan Leader, who had just finished cultivating the venomous bugs.
Upon hearing the Wu Gong Clan Leader's words, Zhuang Erchang and the man who had followed his master both couldn't help but smile, their previous respect gone, replaced by contempt in their eyes.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
