After Chen Chuan and Xu Mutang emerged from the main hall, they found that the sky was no longer dim and gloomy. Instead, it had grown bright and clear, conveying a vibrant sense of burgeoning vitality.
Chen Chuan glanced up and saw a great sun rising from the east. This was no illusion, but reality. The area had been shrouded year-round in anomalies and rituals, leaving it perpetually gloomy and overcast.
The crux of the matter had likely rested with Emperor Ying and Xuan Daoist Wuwei. With Emperor Ying eliminated and whatever the Daoist had sought presumably fulfilled, the master of the ritual was gone, and the ritual here naturally began to dissolve.
Xu Mutang also took in the sight, and his chest felt noticeably lighter. Having spent most of the night in such an eerie, treacherous place and suffered corruption to boot, he had inevitably felt stifled and miserable. Now, facing the rising morning sun, the pent-up gloom dispersed all at once.
Just then, a faint noise sounded. A black hound nearly the size of a lion or tiger bounded toward them. Its coat was as sleek and glossy as brocade. Externally, it merely looked like an exceptionally large canine, but Chen Chuan could tell at a glance that it was a bio-modified creature.
When the black hound reached Xu Mutang, it immediately came forward, leaping and nuzzling against him. Stroking the large hound's head, Xu Mutang said, "His name is Xiaoye. A portion of my own mutated tissue was implanted into him. He has always been clever and reliable, understands human speech, and is no slouch in combat either."
The black hound seemed to truly understand its master's praise. It let out several cheerful barks, a remarkably human look of smugness on its canine face, and then barked urgently at Xu Mutang several times.
From the barks, Chen Chuan could sense that the hound was conveying something urgent.
Xu Mutang looked ahead and said gravely, "Section Chief Chen, quite a few people who came in earlier are trapped here. I must go search for them first."
Chen Chuan said, "Let us go together, then."
Xu Mutang agreed and patted the black hound. The creature wheeled around nimbly and sprinted off in a certain direction, pausing every few paces to look back and bark.
The two followed behind. After descending the highland and covering some distance, they arrived before a forest where towering, ancient trees over a millennium old stood thick. Here, the black hound suddenly began pacing in circles, turning back to bark at them.
Xu Mutang frowned. "Xiaoye says the scent trail suddenly became jumbled here."
Chen Chuan observed their surroundings and remarked, "This is likely the result of the ritual's disturbance. Your hound remembers the previous scents, Chief Inspector Xu. Now that the ritual is broken, things have fallen into disarray."
Just then, a sharp chirp echoed from the sky. Xu Mutang looked up and spotted a creature of medium build with vibrant plumage circling overhead. It was neither purely bird nor lizard, and it seemed to be signaling something to them.
"What is—?" he began.
Chen Chuan smiled faintly. "That is Chaoming, whom I brought along. It is showing us the way. We need only follow."
Xu Mutang watched in mild surprise. Chaoming's flight posture made it clear at a glance that it was supported by internal mutated tissue. Furthermore, it did not appear bio-modified; the rhythm and coordination of its movements were exceptionally fluid and natural.
Unfamiliar with such a creature, he could not help asking, "Section Chief Chen, your little companion is remarkably intelligent. Does it hail from the Melded Lands?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Not quite. It was originally a gift I obtained from the Secret Snake Cult. It has no extraordinary traits, save that it is fairly bright and capable of practicing breathing techniques on its own."
Xu Mutang fell silent for a moment. He glanced down at the black hound still pacing in circles. Sensing its master's gaze, the hound stopped and looked up at him with pitiful, longing eyes.
Quietly noting the name "Secret Snake Cult," Xu Mutang walked alongside Chen Chuan in the direction Chaoming indicated. Roughly ten minutes later, a clearing appeared in the woods, revealing thick bronze torture pillars standing upright.
Two or three people hung from each pillar. A rough glance suggested around two hundred individuals in all, dressed either in tactical suits or combat dojo uniforms. They were likely the ones who had entered earlier alongside his grandnephew.
Chen Chuan swept his gaze across them and saw that although these people were unconscious, they were still breathing and suffered no severe bodily harm. This was hardly out of benevolence on the urban legend's part; rather, it was likely waiting for an auspicious hour to sacrifice them all together.
One could tell that all of them possessed a foundation as fighters, having at least begun training. As for those slaughtered outside, they had all been ordinary mortals, lacking even the qualification to be sacrificed, and had thus been summarily beheaded.
Xu Mutang stepped forward. As he passed each bronze pillar, the figures attached fell away and landed on the ground. Before long, they began to regain consciousness, though every one of them was limp and feeble, unable even to crawl—the result of severe mental and energetic depletion.
After asking a few questions, Xu Mutang instructed them to take their own medicine. Seeing that they were out of danger, he turned to Chen Chuan. "Section Chief Chen, it seems there is no longer any danger here. I need to head back first to confer with the Government Affairs Department. Would you care to come along?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I will pass. I arrived by airship this time, which is not far from here, so I will head there first."
Martial artists had to register before entering Center City. Furthermore, he held an official post; formal protocol would be unavoidable for both him and the local officials. Rather than deal with that hassle, he preferred to wait for news aboard his airship.
Xu Mutang understood the situation well and did not press the matter. Apologizing briefly and promising to send word as soon as possible, he led the large hound and departed in haste.
Making his way out of the Secret Snow zone, he reached the outside and found Young Master Xu and Mr. Qiao waiting there. Teacher Fan was also present, remarkably unscathed.
Young Master Xu had been sitting, but upon spotting his granduncle, he scrambled to his feet and said delightedly, "Granduncle!"
Xu Mutang frowned. "Since you made it out, why haven't you returned? Do you really think this place is a playground?"
Young Master Xu said hurriedly, "No, Granduncle! Many people came with me, and I couldn't just abandon them, could I? Where would I hide my face? Besides, someone rescued me earlier. I was terrified at the time and didn't dare ask much, but now that I've collected myself, I wanted to inquire about their name and background so I can prepare a generous gift to thank them properly later. Otherwise, wouldn't people say our Xu family lacks breeding and manners?"
Hearing this, Xu Mutang questioned him briefly. Realizing it was Chen Chuan who had saved him, Xu Mutang mentally noted yet another debt of gratitude. He said, "All right. I know who that was. You did the right thing here. I will handle the follow-up. Head back first."
Hearing those words, Young Master Xu felt thoroughly flattered and astonished. He held immense reverence and fear toward this granduncle, who had never given him or his peers a pleasant look. For him to say he did the right thing today—wouldn't this furnish bragging rights before the entire family for days?
After finishing, Xu Mutang swept his eyes across Mr. Qiao and Teacher Fan without sparing them another word. Walking away briskly, he boarded his airship and returned directly to Longyou Dao Center City.
By the time he entered the city, daylight was fully ablaze. Longyou Dao Center City was built atop the ancient capital of successive dynasties. Although reshaped over many years, it still preserved numerous historical relics, resulting in an overlapping blend of ancient and modern architecture.
Flanking the soaring skyscrapers were blue bricks, dark tiles, antique houses, and narrow old lanes. Bizarre, dazzling neon glows spilled from mottled city walls and massive timber structures.
The airship touched down on the rooftop platform of the Yunxiao Building, the tallest structure in the city. Reaching over six hundred meters into the clouds, it commanded a bird's-eye view of the entire Center City. Stepping off the airship, Xu Mutang stood near the edge, looked down, and tapped his boundary credential.
After a brief wait, the call connected. He spoke: "I went to the secret hoard. Yes, I found the things. It was perilous this time. If I hadn't crossed paths with a martial artist from the Purist Faction, I might have lost my life there... You know him—that Section Chief Chen from Jibei Dao Center City... Yes, precisely him. Seeing is indeed believing; his strength far exceeds the rumors... At least, I am no match for him. The details are hard to say; I lost consciousness at the time. Yes, it was a close call."
His expression turned solemn. "No, I inspected every part of the secret hoard and found nothing resembling what you described. I suspect Emperor Ying's demise came too abruptly for any arrangements to be made. Even if it existed, Xuan Daoist Wuwei might have taken it. Yes, I am certain..."
Just then, he suddenly recalled the empty lacquer box on the long table. He paused briefly, yet continued, "Indeed, there was nothing."
A pause lingered on the other end before a voice replied, "If it's not there, so be it. Regarding the disposal of the secret hoard, what is Section Chief Chen's view?"
Xu Mutang said, "I came out precisely to discuss this matter with the Government Affairs Department." He conveyed what Chen Chuan had said earlier.
The other party sighed with admiration. "This Section Chief Chen is remarkably principled in his conduct. Brother Xu, what is your view?"
Xu Mutang replied, "Without Section Chief Chen, I wouldn't have made it out alive either. My thought is that we should take a step back and avoid haggling over these gains. Compared to such objects, establishing a connection with Section Chief Chen and fostering good ties with Jibei Dao is far more important."
The person on the other end agreed: "Indeed. Tremendous upheaval looms before us, and a dependable ally is vastly better than someone offering mere lip service. Jibei Dao broke precedent this time, demonstrating tremendous resolve from top to bottom. From what I see, they will soon push forward with the Skyline Project, and we cannot afford to fall too far behind. Chief Inspector Xu, you must be prepared. Certain people will certainly refuse to surrender their interests tamely."
Xu Mutang remarked, "No one would be willing. If I were in their shoes, neither would I. An internal shakeup is inevitable; I only wonder if I can see it through as Section Chief Chen did."
The voice on the other end assured him, "Rest easy, Brother Xu. The faction will back you. Only by concentrating more resources and information can we achieve greater technological advancement. I have one request this time: cultivate a good rapport with Section Chief Chen. At a critical juncture, we might even need to ask him for a helping hand."
Xu Mutang nodded. "I will."
Chapter 968