Chapter 845: Colluding with the Emperor Demons (6000 Words)

Chapter 845: Colluding with the Emperor Demons (6000 Words)



"Lingering issues?"

Seeing the National Teacher's face, which seemed to expect to see hesitation and tension on his own, Hu Ma was slightly taken aback.

Theoretically, he should indeed be feeling immense pressure at this moment.

In this world, things were already unbearable, and now the sudden emergence of the Nether Palace as a formidable force weighed heavily on everyone's minds. They couldn't help but wish to ignore this place.

After all, Elder Lord Eyebrow and Dragon Well Scholar, with their ingenious tactics, had defeated a powerful enemy without resorting to warfare. Now, as the great slaughter raged in the mortal realm, they shouldn't have to seek additional trouble.

But when Hu Ma heard him mention the Nether Palace, he had already made up his mind.

His face didn't show much change, and he coldly laughed, "What's there to fear or not fear?"

"What's so special about the ten emperors of the Nether Palace? They're probably just a bunch of ghosts who once tried to sell out the world and stole the incense flame. Not to mention asking a few questions, but even if it's something to be resolved, it's better to deal with it sooner rather than later."

This time, when Red Wine Lady came to Tiger Pass, apart from triggering this great slaughter and defeating the Unchanging Li Family, her most important task was to bring a warning to Iron Guanyin:

Don't think you can change the heavens and earth on a whim. Don't compromise, and don't settle for less.

If they were going to resolve this, they should aim to solve all the problems.

They should even be prepared for the remaining clans to destroy this mortal realm if they see no chance of victory.

Those people had the means to bring the Celestial Age into the mortal realm ahead of time, which was terrifying. Compared to that, what were the ghosts in the so-called Nether Palace?

"You..."

Hu Ma's straightforward response caught the National Teacher off guard, causing him to pause momentarily.

Not only did he not see fear in Hu Ma's face, but this boldness also stirred a peculiar feeling within the National Teacher. After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice, "You truly have no reverence for this world..."

"No wonder you dared to bring this great slaughter to the mortal realm..."

Seeing the National Teacher's expression, Hu Ma suddenly felt that this person wasn't as unapproachable as he had thought.

When the National Teacher was in the capital, he was like a celestial scholar, with an otherworldly appearance. His actions were hard to agree with, but one couldn't help but admire his abilities and acknowledge his bold vision for the White Jade Capital.

He should have been the one who understood the group of reincarnators the best before Hu Ma. But now it seemed that his understanding was far from sufficient.

He had no idea just how immense the reincarnators' determination could be once they got serious.

Elder Lord Eyebrow and his group had discovered the truth too late, so they had to make tough decisions when necessary and use clever strategies. Without hesitation, they fulfilled their responsibilities and then passed on the remaining tasks to the next generation of reincarnators.

Over the past twenty years, the ten clans believed they had suppressed the reincarnators and even looked down upon them.

However, it turned out that the reincarnators needed those twenty years.

With that time, the reincarnators had formed an unbreakable bond with this world. After realizing their origins, they also gained the determination to bring about a great revolution.

This was an unimaginable power, and it was why Hu Ma entrusted the matter of challenging the Celestial Age to them.

It was clear that the National Teacher asked this question to make things difficult for Hu Ma, but Hu Ma's response caught him off guard. After asking this question, the National Teacher became noticeably quieter.

He led Hu Ma up a few steps to a stone grotto surrounded by a pile of rocks. Here, there was a pond hidden by gray flames, which seemed out of place.

Most importantly, Hu Ma seemed to see some peculiar traces on the pond.

It was as if an invisible arrow had once shot through it.

This immediately piqued Hu Ma's curiosity, "Could this have been one of Dragon Well Scholar's targets?"

Dragon Well Scholar had fired seven arrows from the City of Wrongful Deaths towards the mortal realm, and Hu Ma knew the locations of some, but others remained a mystery.

Here, he saw the mark of one of those arrows and became very interested.

"Wait here for me, I'll go in and get something."

The National Teacher briefly instructed and then bowed, entering the stone grotto. Soon, there was no more movement.

Hu Ma didn't know what he was after, so he could only wait. He glanced at Senior Abacus, who was also examining the surroundings with a look of curiosity on his face. Hu Ma didn't expect much from him, so he just held Little Red Tang's hand and sat on a nearby stone bench, thinking to himself.

He wondered what Little Red Tang's black mansion or the Nether Palace was like, and why, after so many years, she still had an innate resistance and fear towards it.

"Hello, I'm doing well..."

As he was thinking, footsteps approached, and Hu Ma knew who it was without looking. The person spoke with clenched teeth, filled with hatred.

Senior Abacus was surprised and turned to see three to five men dressed in fine silk but dirty and disheveled, their hair in disarray. They glared at Hu Ma with gritted teeth, "You're also a descendant of the ten clans, a leader of ghosts! You destroyed the White Jade Capital and severed the foundation and reputation of the Immortal Wang Family. Now, you openly collude with malevolent spirits, ruin our world's fortune, and initiate this great slaughter!"

"The heavens and earth are weeping, and the killing intent fills the sky! All of this is because of you!"

Hu Ma had already guessed that these were members of the Wang Family before they approached.

The Wang Family's Head and Young Master, along with two hall officials, had followed the National Teacher after losing the battle in the capital.

They used to live a luxurious life, but now, on Great Sorrow Mountain, they had money but nowhere to spend it, and skills but no chance to use them. After months of rough living, they looked like beggars. Seeing Hu Ma, they couldn't help but feel angry.

As for the great slaughter, their spiritual insight allowed them to perceive it.

They also felt fear.

"Malevolent spirits?"

Hu Ma was too lazy to argue with these good-for-nothing people. Instead, he frowned at the words they used.

He replied indifferently, "Have any of your relatives in the capital been put into a millstone and ground to death?"

"Or have any of them been killed and their heads hung on the city gates?"

These words made the angry faces of the Wang Family members falter. The foundation of the Immortal Wang Family had already been taken over by the reincarnators when they captured the capital. However, the Head of the Fate Master was now White Wine Lady, and none of the Wang Family members had been intentionally killed, except for those who were supposed to die but were forcibly kept alive.

The Li Family, known for their unchanging nature, had to surrender and admit defeat, and even then, they only lost their cultivation base, avoiding further complications.

Compared to the actions of the Ten Clans towards the reincarnators in the past, this was like complaining with virtue.

Of course, it wasn't that the reincarnators lacked courage, but when they took action, their determination was even greater, far surpassing that grudge.

However, regardless of their methods, the Wang Family couldn't bring themselves to call the Hu Family 'malevolent spirits'.

"What about this great slaughter of Heaven and Earth?"

The Wang Family Head's expression turned stern. "The fortune of Heaven and Earth has already declined and decayed. Now that the slaughter has begun, how many noble families will be dragged into this bloody storm?"

Hu Ma frowned as he listened, and seeing their disheveled appearances and teeth-gritting expressions, he couldn't be bothered to speak to them.

The Ten Clans were supposed to be the most knowledgeable among the common people, but now that the reincarnators had truly entered the fray, they couldn't even be considered shortsighted.

Perhaps only the Unchanging Li Family, who had honestly admitted defeat, could have their wisdom restored by thoroughly recognizing their own shortcomings.

"Why are you being so arrogant, Hu Family's eldest brother?"

Seeing that Hu Ma didn't even bother to glance at them, the Wang Family Head and the Saber Master beside him felt stifled.

The young and mature Wang Zisheng, the Wang Family's heir, was already feeling indignant. He raised his voice and said, "Don't assume that because we, the Wang Family, willingly left the capital, we are helpless. If we had truly been ruthless and performed that grand ritual, the outcome of this battle would still be uncertain..."

Hu Ma's expression turned slightly cold as he heard these words. "What grand ritual?"

The young master of the Wang Family, facing his gaze, felt a bit of pressure. It was the Wang Family Head who suddenly sighed and said, "Mr. Hu, your actions in the Evil Suppression Mansion are ruthless and domineering, but you should still have some reverence for Heaven and Earth."

"In the Nether Palace, the Duyi Ten Former Emperors, each of them once held the fate of an era, and were the only ones favored by the Celestial Age. In life, they had mighty generals protecting them, and the nation's fortune was upon them. In death, they had tens of thousands of people buried with them, and ghosts and spirits followed them."

"For the past twenty years, the Ten Clans have suppressed the chaos of the commoners in the mortal world, and in the Nether Palace, they have blocked the Emperor Ghosts from peering into the mortal realm. Even if they haven't achieved any merit, they have endured hardships. Now, seeing one after another of them in a pitiful state, it's truly unbearable..."

"If we had truly been infuriated and performed that ritual..."

"..."

Hu Ma frowned as he listened to their words. Interrupting their stammering, he asked, "Then why didn't you do it?"

"We..."

This question caused the Wang Family members to blush in embarrassment.

When they had followed the State Tutor to leave the capital and arrived at Great Sorrow Mountain, they had also considered various plans the State Tutor might propose, including the possibility of leading the Wang Family back to victory.

In their rage, some had even thought of using the Nether Palace as a means.

But after a long time in Great Sorrow Mountain, the State Tutor hadn't taken any action. He merely sat idly, stared into space, burned incense, and bowed, becoming like an exiled immortal.

They had considered using the Nether Palace, but ultimately felt it was inappropriate. With the State Tutor not responding, they had no choice but to give up.

Now, the Wang Family felt a mix of resentment and frustration, facing Hu Ma's questioning, unable to find the words to express their feelings.

Hu Ma simply watched them coldly, then turned to the Wang Family Head and said, "By the way, if you hadn't come, I wouldn't have remembered."

"But in the capital, I saw your technique that could bring the dead back to life from twenty years ago. It was quite interesting. Hand it over!"

"?"

This statement left the Wang Family members stunned.

Even the young master of the Wang Family, Wang Zisheng, was amused and laughed. "Even when asking for a technique, one should have some manners."

"My Wang Family isn't stingy. If the Hu Family wants to learn, we can certainly discuss and exchange. But you don't even say something nice and expect us to hand over our technique."

Hu Ma glanced at him and suddenly smiled. "If you don't hand it over, I'll kill you all!"

"Is that a nice thing to say?"

The smile reflected in the eyes of the Wang Family members, making them feel an invisible pressure that forced them to take a step back.

Especially Wang Zisheng, his face turned pale. In his life, he had never imagined that someone would treat him so rudely.

It was clear from their gazes that they unconsciously glanced at the stone cave. Hu Ma understood their intention and raised his hand, looking at his fingertips with a faintly subdued expression. "Don't count on the State Tutor to protect you."

"Perhaps my abilities are not as great as his, but if I want to kill someone in front of him, he can't stop me..."

This blatant threat weighed heavily on the hearts of the Wang Family members.

Just then, a figure flashed within the stone cave, and it was the State Tutor, holding a wrapped box in his arms.

Seeing everyone's gaze upon him, he shook his head slightly and said, "There's no need to look at me. If he wants to kill, I can't stop him."

"..."

The Wang Family members froze, their expressions contorted, bodies trembling, and filled with a sense of defeat.

The Wang Family, one of the Ten Clans and the Immortal Wang Family, was being threatened to their faces by the Heir of the Hu Family...

"Law Attendant, have them explain clearly, not leaving out a single word."

Hu Ma, however, was already disinclined to speak to them. With a cold expression, he instructed, "Don't play tricks. I also have countless talented individuals by my side, including experts from the Fate Master's sect. Hand over the technique, and I'll first show it to her. If there's a single lie, I'll kill one of you."

The Senior Abacus was stunned for a moment before realizing he was being addressed. With a bitter expression, he stepped forward to negotiate with the Wang Family.

At the age of seventy-three, he had become a Law Attendant...

In theory, he had risen in status, from a member of the martial arts community to a Law Attendant by the High Priest's side, but this title...

...It didn't matter anymore!

Seeing Hu Ma's cold attitude, the Wang Family members' faces turned ashen. The young master of the Wang Family was so furious that his face turned red, wanting to speak up, but the Wang Family Head suddenly shouted, "Give it to him!"

The people beside them were shocked.

The Wang Family Head had just been extremely angry and didn't hide his dissatisfaction, but now he coldly said, "The Wang Family isn't afraid of death, but we fear the loss of our technique. If the Hu Family wants it, then give it to them."

"Whether he wants to kill after obtaining the technique is up to him!"

"..."

The young master of the Wang Family was still a bit confused, but upon hearing these words, he felt a sense of tragic heroism.

The Saber Master and Inquirer, the two grand officials beside them, suddenly understood the Wang Family Head's intentions. They heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that their lives had been spared.

"Are the preparations ready?"

Hu Ma ignored them and turned to the State Tutor, his gaze falling on the box in his hand, "What's this?"

"It's the bone staff of the Grand Dharmic Religion, passed down by the Supreme Priests of each generation."

The State Tutor slowly lifted his head and looked straight at Hu Ma, "You came to me to inquire about the Return to Homeland, but did you come up with this idea yourself, or did someone else teach you?"

Hu Ma furrowed his brows slightly, looking at him, "Does it matter?"

Unexpectedly, the State Tutor slowly nodded, his voice low as he spoke, "It makes a difference to me, whether it's you or them."

Hu Ma remained noncommittal, just staring at the State Tutor. After a while, he slowly said, "Just now, the Wang family mentioned that when you left the Capital City, you also had the chance to teach us a powerful lesson?"

"Yes."

Listening to his words, the State Tutor paused for a long time before heaving a sigh and calmly said, "When I was in the Capital City, I knew about the cooperation between your Hu family's ancestors and the Elder Lord Eyebrow, and I was caught off guard. At that time, I was expelled from the Grand Dharmic Religion and became a laughingstock in the eyes of the world."

"In my heart, I actually harbored some resentment, and I even once thought about asking the entities of the Nether Palace, who were essentially imprisoned, to teach you a lesson..."

He paused slightly, and then continued with a chilling tone, "To let you taste the bitterness of defeat."

Hu Ma listened, feeling a bit surprised, and said indifferently, "It's normal to want to flip the table after losing."

"But if you've thought about it, why didn't you do it?"

"..."

The State Tutor seemed to want to say something but then stopped.

After a long while, he could only sigh and say, "I didn't think about the significance of doing this."

Having spoken this far, there was an unexpected sense of calmness, and he sighed, "If you lose, you lose. I may be unwilling, but I have to accept it."

"If you lose, you should do everything possible to bring out the Nether Palace, just to vent your anger for a moment. It's like acting like a foolish villager."

"Even in defeat, one should maintain dignity."

"So, I'm ashamed of this thought, and I just want to see what you will do, to see if you can handle it."

"..."

Hu Ma found his demeanor interesting; it seemed like he had lost a battle and was becoming more and more human.

"But I can't do such a thing."

At this moment, the State Tutor slowly spoke, his gaze deep and profound, "That doesn't mean others won't."

Hu Ma listened, and his eyes suddenly focused as he looked towards the members of the Wang family.

"It's not them."

The State Tutor slowly shook his head and said softly, "The Wang family doesn't have the qualifications. In Du Yi, the Wang family only belonged to the line of imperial physicians, and they didn't have the status to be looked upon by the entities of the Nether Palace."

"But I'm also certain that among the Ten Clans, there's someone who has been secretly working hard to reopen the Nether Palace and bring out the things inside. It's possible that they've already reached a critical stage."

"Inside the Nether Palace, there are only ordinary people, not something that can be easily shaken."

"So, after the Elder Lord Eyebrow and others cut off their foundation, no one bothered with them anymore. Even in normal times, they tried to avoid thinking about them."

"After all, they are too terrifying. Even if you think about them when there's nothing else to do, they might slowly infiltrate the human world bit by bit. This is also the reason why the Nether Palace has become less known."

"For certain entities, as long as someone knows about them, unimaginable consequences will follow."

"But just as I was considering whether to open the Nether Palace and let you experience their might, I felt that someone in the Nether Palace wanted to speak to me, and even I, who never dreamed, started having frequent dreams, dreaming of the Ten Emperor Demons..."

"I'm certain that this is because someone has been trying to find a way to communicate with the Nether Palace. That door, which has been closed for twenty-four years, is starting to loosen again."

"Once the Duyi Emperor Demons from the Nether Palace escape, no matter if you're fighting for heavenly fate or facing a human world slaughter tribulation, it will all become a mirage. This world will return to twenty-four years ago, when Duyi sat on the imperial throne."

"..."

Hearing this, Hu Ma's expression became solemn.

Among the Ten Clans, there was someone who wanted to reopen the Nether Palace and release the things inside? Duyi was the signer of the contract with the Celestial Master, and he was the source of all this chaos. If they were allowed to escape, who knows what the world would become? But who was it?

Even the State Tutor and the Wang family, who were forced to leave the Capital City, didn't think of attacking the Nether Palace in a fit of anger. Yet, those who were still comfortably sitting in high positions had already harbored such intentions? And from the timing, they had planned to attack the Nether Palace even before this human world slaughter tribulation.

Could it be that on the surface, the Ten Clans seemed to have contributed to Duyi's downfall, but in reality, there were still those among the Ten Clans who were secretly loyal to Duyi?

It was time to take drastic measures.

In the face of this slaughter tribulation, there would be countless casualties, but not everyone had to be killed. For example, the Unchanging Li Family, as long as they handed over everything they had as agreed, and the Ten Clans were removed from power, this slaughter tribulation could be spared, and they could even be absorbed.

But those who colluded with the Nether Palace and wanted to stop the slaughter tribulation must be exterminated, leaving none alive.

"Who is it?"

After a long silence, Hu Ma suddenly asked.

"It could be the Zhou, Zhu, Sun, Zhao, or Chen clans."

The State Tutor spoke softly, "After you start this great slaughter tribulation, the answer will no longer be important."

"I understand why this slaughter tribulation has come about, and I can even empathize, but the Ten Clans won't. They will only see it as a devastating disaster and a heavenly grudge."

"If one of the clans secretly colludes with the Nether Palace, just as a backup plan, then after facing this slaughter tribulation, they will suddenly come forward and openly cooperate with the Nether Palace. I wouldn't be surprised..."

"The Duyi Nether Palace is where heaven and earth converge, and only the emperors of each generation can enter. Once they enter, they will govern for several decades, and their destiny is so heavy that once they appear in the world, they will affect heavenly fate, and heaven and earth will surely undergo great changes. Whether it's a slaughter tribulation or heavenly fate, it will all become a joke. How will you resist?"

"..."

It was clear that the State Tutor was questioning, even with a hint of testing.

Hu Ma had come to ask questions, but the State Tutor's words made him feel a sense of crisis and danger, weighing him down, as if he had no solution.

As the State Tutor's gaze fell on his face, Hu Ma seemed to have gone through a long period of contemplation, or perhaps he had found an answer, and he casually said with a smile, "What's the difficulty?"

"Just send me into the Nether Palace before it opens, and that will be fine."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end