Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1167 - 1167 0679 Increasing the Stakes_1

Chapter 1167: Chapter 0679: Increasing the Stakes_1 Chapter 1167: Chapter 0679: Increasing the Stakes_1 Chapter 0679: Escalating Demands

Emperor Jianwu’s visibly furious expression did not elicit the slightest apology from the Gold Core Realm cultivator who was interrogating him. Still adopting a condescending tone, he said, “Lord Jianwu, one of my companions named Shen Ziyu has been missing for many days. Our manager sent me to ask you, where have you hidden him?”

Emperor Jianwu said, “Are you asking the wrong person? Since he is your companion, you should be well aware of his whereabouts. Why are you turning to me instead? Isn’t this like climbing a tree to catch fish?”

The Gold Core Realm cultivator sneered and said, “Lord Jianwu, don’t try to sugarcoat your words with me; it’s utterly useless. The reason I’m here to inquire about my companion’s whereabouts is because I have already gathered ample evidence to prove his disappearance is greatly related to you. Our manager does not wish to sour the relationship between our two parties, which is why he sent me to ask for a clear response. I hope you will consider carefully before you answer my question anew?”

Despite feeling aggrieved, Emperor Jianwu could not afford to fall out with the man in front of eyes, so he could only look up at the Gold Core Realm cultivator, who was still standing with his feet on a flying sword, and said, “Your companion’s disappearance really has nothing to do with us. How am I supposed to explain this to you?”

The Gold Core Realm cultivator said, “Lord Jianwu, I had thought you were someone who understood the gravity of the situation. But now it seems to me that you cannot distinguish good from bad, or know when to avoid danger and seek advantage. Do you think I have come here to question you without good reason? I’m not afraid to tell you that we have already gathered sufficient evidence, and it was you who caused Shen Ziyu’s death.”

Emperor Jianwu shook his head and said, “You are mistaken; I indeed did not kill Shen Ziyu.”

The Gold Core Realm cultivator replied disdainfully, “To kill Shen Ziyu, you would need the ability, and no disrespect to you, Lord Jianwu, but even ten of you combined would not be a match for him. However, just because you couldn’t kill Shen Ziyu doesn’t mean that his murderer isn’t among those around you. Now, I give you an ultimatum: Hand over Shen Ziyu’s killer immediately. If you do so, I can assure you that only the mastermind will be punished, and no further inquiries will be made. But if you dare to ignore my advice, continue in your delusion and protect the murderer, then don’t blame me for not showing mercy.”

Emperor Jianwu said, “You are being completely unreasonable. I’ve already told you that Shen Ziyu wasn’t killed by me or any of my companions. If you want to find his whereabouts, feel free to search, but don’t falsely accuse us of being the cause of his death.”

The Gold Core Realm cultivator’s expression shifted slightly as he said, “Even now, you continue to quibble here. Lord Jianwu, just a few days ago, Manager Chen, out of concern that you might encounter danger inside the Saint’s Tomb, sent Shen Ziyu to dissuade and prevent you from entering the tomb to meet your demise. It was an act of sincere goodwill from Manager Chen, a display of concern for you, our neighbors. However, after Shen Ziyu obeyed Manager Chen’s orders and left, he never returned. Can you explain to me where Shen Ziyu went? Surely you’re not going to tell me that Shen Ziyu was so moved by your imperial grace that he joined your forces, are you? Does Lord Jianwu possess such allure?”

Emperor Jianwu’s expression was a tumult of different emotions. He really wanted to confront the other party, to question how their despicable act of intercepting and preventing them from entering the Saint’s Tomb could sound so righteous and sympathetic coming from his mouth. What kind of character Manager Chen was, he refused to believe the other party did not know. Despite knowing the truth, they could still tell such outrageous lies with such thick skin, the likes of which he had seldom seen in his life.

However, Emperor Jianwu only dared to voice these thoughts inside his own head, not aloud. He said, “Maybe Shen Ziyu encountered something and left on his own, or perhaps Shen Ziyu stumbled upon some fortuitous event and secretly took the opportunity to hide. Ah, what a revelation upon analysis. Don’t blame me for not warning you, for inside the Saint’s Tomb lies danger at every turn, but also opportunities hidden everywhere. These chances do not discriminate by gender, age, or cultivation level; they’re all about luck. With good fortune, anyone can obtain them. It might be that Shen Ziyu is a person of extreme luck, who accidentally received a wonderful opportunity. With such an opportunity, he might just jump up to become a Nascent Soul Master overnight. Ask yourself this, if you were to come across such a fortune, would you secretly keep it to use for yourself, or would you turn it over to Manager Chen? I think Shen Ziyu might have run off with the opportunity. Once he reappears, he might have already successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage and become a Nascent Soul Master, whom even we would have to respectfully address.”

The facial muscles of the Gold Core Realm cultivator twitched violently. He couldn’t deny the plausibility in what Emperor Jianwu was suggesting. Without solid evidence, he might indeed have been swayed by Emperor Jianwu’s words. However, the reason he came here was by Manager Chen’s direct command. Manager Chen had assured him vehemently that Shen Ziyu was dead and had even produced Shen Ziyu’s life token, which he had left at Manager Chen’s place, showing him that it had shattered into seven or eight pieces, impossible to piece back together.