All Heavenly destiny reduced to ashes
Chapter 423 - 66 The Ancient Immortal Remnants (2/3)

Chapter 423: Chapter 66 The Ancient Immortal Remnants (2/3)

"The important magic artifact was lost, leading to the direct obliteration of the Black Market, but Luofu still hasn’t found it; it’s highly probable that someone from another group has gotten their hands on it."

"Coincidentally, during this time, your friend An Xuan arrived in Xuanye City. After some maneuvering, you bought a house in Chonggang Town."

"Similarly, not long after, the ancient immortal ruins in Chonggang Town emerged—honestly, it’s almost impossible for this to be a coincidence."

Huo Qing understood Iron Hand’s implications and also said in a deep voice, "Uncle, do you mean... An Jing is a spy sent by other big factions, disguised as a person from the Wilderness?"

Honestly, Huo Qing thought this was far-fetched because he had really been travelling for a long time with An Jing, who had not been in the Tianyuan Realm for long; he knew very clearly that An Jing’s ignorance about Xuanye City was definitely not an act.

"Ha, your imagination is too weak."

Iron Hand revealed an odd smile: "Huo Qing, think about it, take a wild guess. Could it be possible..."

"—that there might also be a group of ancient immortal remnants surviving within the ancient immortal ruins?"

Huo Qing was stunned.

—Could there possibly be remnants in the ancient immortal ruins?

Yes, yes indeed... An Jing clearly possessed exceptional cultivation knowledge yet knew nothing of Xuanye City, completely misunderstanding common knowledge; however, he quickly adapted to life in Xuanye City and wasn’t the slightest bit curious about high-tech creations like Water Mirror, instead taking them for granted... Yes, this attitude, it simply didn’t seem like a true person from the Wilderness!

Moreover, An Jing’s system of cultivation was indeed completely different from the mainstream in Xuanye City, even the entire current Tianyuan Realm—his own learning of the Imperial Heaven and Houtu Method, let alone the idea of using formations for Body Refinement, seemed vastly different from today’s path of Qi Refining Cultivation.

Huo Qing had wondered about this before, but he was not good at doubting his friends. Even if An Jing showed some strange aspects, he wouldn’t think too deeply about them.

But after Iron Hand pointed this out, he couldn’t help but look back and found An Jing’s identity even more peculiar.

Not only that... Miss You and the old lady he met last time also seemed very well cultured but clueless about Xuanye City... It might be forgivable for young people, but how could an old lady be like that?

"Could it be that..."

Noticing Huo Qing deep in thought, Iron Hand smiled: "How about it, have you noticed it?"

"... What does the Guiyi Army plan to do with An Jing?"

Huo Qing sat back on the sofa; he stared at the floor as his face disappeared into shadows: "Have they issued any missions?"

"No," Iron Hand said calmly: "This is a discovery of my own."

"I think, An Xuan from the very beginning never really hid—leaving aside everything else, disappearing every three days isn’t something that people from the Wilderness do; perhaps it’s some kind of special restriction."

"Anyway, he’s not aware of this. When An Xuan comes next time, tell him to hide more carefully so he won’t be discovered for real."

Huo Qing looked up, somewhat stunned at Iron Hand: "Why, why is that?"

Iron Hand lifted his hand and slapped the back of Huo Qing’s head, cursing: "You lad, you just had the thought ’how do I keep my mouth shut and not tell the Guiyi Army about An Jing’s real identity’ flash through your brain, didn’t you? Damn, too bold!"

"But that’s good. Having loyalty to your brothers, it’s normal to have such thoughts in your head. We’re all human, and I trust you won’t act on it, but remember to hide it better next time."

"I... just thought about changing your mind, Uncle..." Huo Qing’s face turned red; he didn’t know how to explain his sudden impulse, which rarely occurred in his life, but Iron Hand truly didn’t mind—having been a spy for so many years, he himself had countless times thought about betraying his brothers and the Guiyi Army, but as long as he didn’t act, to ’think’ wasn’t illegal.

He just picked up his tea with that prosthetic limb and took a sip, saying: "To tell the truth, the Guiyi Army is also rife with factions."

"Our squad hasn’t made much progress in our missions, and so far, there haven’t been any significant achievements, which is why there’s been little resources invested in us these past few years."

"This is also a good thing; without resources, we weren’t discovered, not even during the recent Great Purge, where we didn’t reveal any flaws—coincidentally, it seems we’ve developed some sort of relationship with An Xuan, who is connected to the Ancient Immortal Ruins."

"Even if we take a step back and say that An Xuan is just a mysterious guest from the Wilderness with no ties to the Ancient Immortal Ruins... your warehouse is in Chonggang Town."

"I will manage to prevent your warehouse from being taken away. When the time comes, all you’ll need to do is continue operating that warehouse and any potential business—tell An Jing about this, and if he is willing to cooperate, then we can discuss the details."

"If he isn’t willing, then we’ll talk further. In any case, as the only child of your parents, even if you don’t want to, you already have a file in the Guiyi Army, and your warehouse in Chonggang Town is considered a vital accomplishment for us. In my report, you are a meritorious person who has been undercover for many years, taking advantage of the legacy your parents left to secure a strategic location in Chonggang Town, obtaining a frontier base."

"As long as we can keep it secret, even if it’s temporarily unusable, it doesn’t matter—your concealment is of utmost importance."

Huo Qing understood; Iron Hand’s candidness was also a move of necessity—how could Iron Hand willingly involve Huo Qing in the various operations of the Guiyi Army? But because of his and An Jing’s warehouse property in Chonggang Town, the Guiyi Army couldn’t possibly overlook him.

Instead of being targeted by other factions within the Guiyi Army, Iron Hand felt it was better to support Huo Qing as a spokesperson for Chonggang Town, backing him in the name of his own faction.

Only then did Huo Qing have the chance to choose how to act.

"..."

"I understand."

After thinking for a long time, Huo Qing looked up and earnestly said to Iron Hand, "I will convey these speculations to him—honestly, our ideas are just part of it; if An Xuan doesn’t cooperate, there’s no point in discussing any plans."

"If we are to truly cooperate, we can’t hide things from each other; we need to be open and honest."

"All of this is up to you." After Iron Hand had said all this, his posture relaxed considerably, "I don’t mind, I’m just worried that you’ll unwittingly be dragged into all sorts of conspiracies... Honestly, as long as you keep following that young man, you’re destined to be involved in heaven knows how many bizarre and significant events."

"Indeed."

And Huo Qing, after learning about so many momentous pieces of news, unexpectedly lay back on the sofa, his expression becoming much more relaxed, "Thank you, Uncle, for letting me know these things in advance, so I can prepare."

"This way, I’m actually not afraid anymore."

"You truly are fearless," said Iron Hand as he stood up. "Damn it, if I had known about your resilience earlier, perhaps I should have told you all of this sooner."

"No, the past me would have been overwhelmed. But not now."

And Huo Qing also stood up, smiling as he made eye contact with his elder, "The past me was a shrinking turtle, only thinking of retreating to satisfy others... Faced with such big events, I would have been fearful, retreating step by step into the abyss."

"But now, I can face these crises head-on. Uncle, what I fear most is knowing nothing, blindly stepping into darkness."

"But if you tell me there’s danger ahead, I don’t mind challenging it."

"After all, it comes down to the same thing."

His gaze shining and his expression natural, Huo Qing spoke without a trace of fear, "I’ve already died once, I’ve already accepted death in the wastelands of the Floating Dust Plains; I’m not afraid of it."

"What I despise is ignorance, knowing nothing, blindly stepping into nothingness and confusion... slowly stepping into darkness."

"So this time, in my second life, no matter the outcome—even if that outcome is death."

"I want to make my own decisions."

The exchange between Huo Qing and Iron Hand reached a conclusion.

On the other side, armed with a Great Void Magical Instrument, fertilizer and Spiritual Material for the Dragon Storing Bottle, as well as an evolved Little Cangwei, An Jing returned to the Embracing the Void realm.