Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 223 - 182: Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master!

Chapter 223: Chapter 182: Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master!

"So, subordinate believes that among those who fought a great spell battle at the Fallen Dragon Pit, Pei Yuanjing must have been one of them. As for the other being Li Ping’an, I am still not certain, but Li Ping’an is probably not as formidable as Pei Yuanjing. Hence, Li Ping’an should be the third person, the one lurking in the shadows."

"I finally understand what you mean."

Lord Yang Kun, stroking his horse’s mane, said leisurely:

"You mean that the method used to kill Cen Fuda was the Flame Cloud Sect’s Fire Element Technique, and this Li Ping’an does not know the Fire Element Technique, is that so?"

"Exactly!"

Muqiang Baoshan explained on the street:

"According to the investigation during my first visit to the Fallen Dragon Pit, I discovered that only one person was capable of the Fire Element Technique. Another person likely used the Kunlun Sect’s Thunder Magic Talisman, and there was a third person secretly watching. Thus, I wouldn’t want to wrongly accuse an innocent person."

Lord Yang Kun looked at Muqiang Baoshan with amusement and said:

"You aren’t thinking of arresting Pei Yuanjing of the Flame Cloud Sect for questioning, are you? Would that old Zhuge Junchen agree to it?"

Muqiang Baoshan, looking up at Lord Yang Kun, suggested:

"Arresting him might be too much, but we can certainly question him, especially since all evidence now points to Pei Yuanjing rather than Li Ping’an."

"So, I just mention it and you really want to pin this on Flame Cloud Sect’s Pei Yuanjing?"

"Subordinate merely offers a suggestion. I will follow your commands in all things!"

"It’s apparent you want to repay Li Ping’an by absolving him. I can’t disregard your face, after all you are my confidant. Yet, I’ve already given my word to Cen Wenjin, hence..."

Lord Yang Kun suddenly turned towards the direction of the Flame Cloud Taoist Temple and pondered:

"I’ve heard that this Zhuge Junchen has a lot of treasures. If we use this matter to blackmail him, to protect Pei Yuanjing, he will surely offer some treasures to shut me up. Therefore, don’t investigate Pei Yuanjing yet and don’t arrest Li Ping’an. Tomorrow at the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, test Pei Yuanjing’s reaction first. If Cen Fuda was indeed killed by him, then we can profit from both sides!"

"Subordinate understands."

Muqiang Baoshan didn’t expect his superior, Lord Yang Kun, to become increasingly greedy, hardly resembling a Cultivator at all but more like a corrupt official. Yet, to repay the life-saving grace of Li Ping’an, he boldly asked:

"What about Li Ping’an then?"

"Simple!"

Lord Yang Kun, grabbing the reins in preparation to leave, instructed before departing:

"If that Li Ping’an is the bandit who once saved you, for now, do not touch him. Send someone to secretly surveil him. If it isn’t the same person who saved you, arrest him immediately. I’m counting on him to make my fortune!"

"Yes, Lord Yang!"

"To The Night Traveler’s Bureau, Cen Fuda’s death is but a minor issue. The Buddha Bone Temple mission given by the Emperor is what’s truly important. You must catch the one who killed Master Yongxin! I will surely promote you handsomely for that!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"I’m going back to the residence to rest. You should also return to The Night Traveler’s Bureau and rest. There’s a lot to do tomorrow."

After giving his instructions, Lord Yang Kun rode away.

Muqiang Baoshan and the other four Night Travelers watched as Lord Yang Kun departed, among them three sighed helplessly at their lord’s receding figure:

"Our lord is getting greedier by the day!"

"Indeed, I heard he recently took another concubine. That makes thirteen women."

"Lord Yang used to be a cultivation prodigy. Who would have thought that since becoming Chief of The Night Traveler’s Bureau, he’s become more and more like a corrupt official."

"This time he even squeezed Cen Wenjin for two thousand taels of silver. What on earth does he want so much money for?"

"It was he who had us swear to protect the people of the Great Tang, to exorcise demons and defend the Dao, and maintain peace in the world. It’s only been a few short years, and now he’s been corrupted by wealth!"

"Yeah, that money is too scary. It’s even scarier than demons and ghosts!"

"Enough, enough, be careful with your words. Let’s hurry back to The Night Traveler’s Bureau and rest up. There’s plenty to do tomorrow."

Although Muqiang Baoshan felt the same, as their leader, he had to prevent his subordinates from criticizing their superior. On his way back, he couldn’t help but recall the scenes of the great battle against the Six Demons at Five Finger Mountain and Five Finger Peaks with Zixia and Li Ping’an.

However, he could not remember exactly how Li Ping’an saved him, so in order to repay the favor, he hoped that the person involved in this matter would turn out to be merely a namesake of Supreme Treasure, otherwise, he would be offending both sides caught in the middle.

...

At Cen Residence, Cen Wenjin was so distraught upon learning of Cen Fuda’s death that he nearly fainted. Ultimately, it was the butler Cen San and other family members’ consolation that eased his grief significantly.

"Old butler, tomorrow is the day the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master is held, is it not?"

Butler Cen San replied to the groaning Cen Wenjin, who had his eyes closed:

"Master, tomorrow is indeed the once-a-decade Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master!"

"Good..."

With his eyes still closed, Cen Wenjin thought for a moment, then instructed:

"If The Night Traveler’s Bureau fails to apprehend Li Ping’an tomorrow, write a letter on my behalf and deliver it to Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect, asking him to kill Li Ping’an for me!"

Butler Cen San said in surprise:

"Master, haven’t we already sought the help of Chief Yang Kun of The Night Traveler’s Bureau?"

"No, no, no!"

Cen Wenjin shook his head and said:

"I would not be foolish enough to put all my eggs in one basket. Have you ever considered what if that swindler Yang Kun fails to deliver?"

"This..."

Butler Cen San dared not answer.

"Therefore, whoever first captures Li Ping’an for me or kills him has the right to claim my money!"

"I understand. We will wait until midday tomorrow. If there is no word from The Night Traveler’s Bureau, then I, on your behalf, will seek out Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect!"