Chapter 319: All Arrive

Chapter 319: Everyone Arrives

His taunt was blatant—he was outright calling the black-robed man a dog.

Whether accustomed to insults or not, the black-robed man paid no attention and merely shook his head with a laugh:

"Even now, you’ve got the gall to stay this stubborn. Gotta admit, I respect that.

Whatever. Even if he had the greatest abilities, getting out of this Endless Prison would still be next to impossible.

I might as well have some fun with you."

As he spoke, he walked to a nearby wall and pressed a hidden mechanism. Gears clanked as the iron cage suspended in midair slowly descended.

The young man’s eyes snapped open, glaring coldly at the black-robed man.

The black-robed man just smirked, unfazed, and said to the man covered in hooks:

"Guess who this kid is?"

"Your long-lost son?"

The hook-covered man chuckled. "You’ve got ice in your veins. Hacking your own kid to bits wouldn’t even faze you."

"Hahahaha!"

The black-robed man burst into laughter. "Big players don’t get hung up on details. Who cares if it’s a son or daughter? I’m not too old to knock up some woman and make another. No skin off my back.

But if this person were to be killed by me, I doubt you could handle it."

"Oh?"

The hook-covered man’s grin widened.

"So you’re saying he’s my son?"

The caged young man’s brow furrowed and instinctively glanced at him.

The man hesitated, then exploded: "Jun Luo!

How many times will you pull this damn stunt?

You drag young men before me, claiming they’re my sons.

But what’s the truth?

Just another one of your sick lies!

You actually think I’d buy that?

Total bullshit!

Oh, he’s my son? Then what’s his damn name?"

Wan? [*referring to himself*]

The young man was startled upon hearing this.

Though imprisoned here, he had more than once wanted to speak with the strange man bristling with hooks and claws.

Unfortunately, the other had never uttered a word, always on high alert.

This was the first time he had heard him speak so much...

And he said his surname was Wan?

Without waiting for the black-robed man to speak, he immediately said,

"Senior... So we share the same lineage—I am also surnamed Wan."

"Hmm?"

The man trained his single remaining eye coldly on the young man:

"Of course you do. Everyone brought here claims to be surnamed Wan.

"But... what is your name?"

"I am Wan Zangxin."

"..."

The man bristling with hooks and claws went quiet.

The black-robed man remained wordless, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

After a long moment, the man with hooks and claws gave a slight shake of his head:

"You know my past, you know Qingshui Lake, you know Lan Gu... and Qingmei.

"In that case, it’s entirely possible you could have learned my son’s name...

"Such a thing is not impossible..."

As he spoke, he chose his words carefully.

Yet with each sentence, Wan Zangxin felt his heart pound.

But just then, the man suddenly lifted his gaze and looked at the black-robed man:

"But Jun Luo...

"Since you know all this, you would never allow him to remain alive in this world.

"Whether it’s you or that vicious woman from the Western Borderlands...

"My son would only become the biggest roadblock to your ambitions.

"Even if he truly were still... still alive!

"You would have long hauled him before me, forcing out the secret you so desperately seek!

"Yet what a pity—even if you truly found him, even if you put him through every torture before my eyes...

"This secret, handed down through generations of Wusheng Hall, known solely to the Hall Master—I'd never in a million years tell you!"

"I suggest you drop this hopeless idea. Don’t throw away another good life."

"Indeed."

Jun Luo nodded lightly:

"Hall Master Wan speaks the truth. We know way too much."

"If we hadn’t known all this, who could have imagined that the former Hall Master Wan once had such a scandalous love affair in East City?"

"Wan Renshan… what a piece of work."

"At this point, I’ll be straight with you."

"Back then, that so-called 'western shrew' intercepted all the letters you wrote to your Qingmei."

"Then, she went to great lengths to bribe Lan Gu."

"You believed they were in good hands, not knowing she’d stopped looking after them ages ago."

"Your Qingmei, who went through hell to have your child, never recovered because no one tended to her."

"A few years later, she was gone."

"Only the kid was left, with nothing and no one."

"And at that time... you were still in Wusheng Hall, still dreaming of bringing them home to play happy family."

"Later, I usurped your position and ended up in bed with that western shrew."

"Only then did I learn that the two of you had always been a marriage on paper."

"After playing mind games with her forever, I finally uncovered these truths."

"By the time I stabilized Wusheng Hall and sent people to search, your child had already vanished."

"Over the years, I’ve sent plenty of fakes to trick you."

"But later, I realized you wouldn’t budge, so I abandoned the plan."

"Until recently, a young man named Wan Zangxin appeared in Wusheng Hall, dumb enough to fall for my daughter."

"At first, it seemed easy to brush off."

"Yet unexpectedly, this boy had serious fighting chops."

"After escaping Wusheng Hall, he returned to East City and suddenly became the last disciple of the legendary Sword God of Heavenly Spring."

"He even challenged Liu Suifeng of Jade Willow Villa to a duel in Tianqu City."

"The whole thing blew up into this huge spectacle, almost everyone knew about it."

"Turns out the whole thing was a setup."

"The so-called 'Wan Zangxin' was merely a fabrication by the Night Lord of Eternal Night Valley. The real Wan Zangxin appeared in Tianqu City and called out the fake in front of everyone."

"Only then did he recount his past in detail."

"Others might not think much of it, but to my ears, it hit differently."

"In this account of the past, he mentioned Wusheng Hall, albeit briefly, but how could it escape my notice?

"Only then did I realize that Night Monarch's schemes ran deep, stretching back to those early days.

"The letters you wrote to your Qingmei were intercepted by that fierce woman from the western frontier, and within Wusheng Hall, Night Monarch already had his own agents.

"They probably even found clues about your son from this.

"After searching tirelessly, they finally found him.

"Later, they arranged for him to study swordsmanship under Tianquan Elder—just to steal the Tianquan Heart-Cleansing Sword.

"Then, they sent him to Wusheng Hall to get him to fall for Wan Yilan.

"Ren Xiongfei within Wusheng Hall was Night Monarch’s eyes and ears here. I’d had my eye on this guy for years.

"But I didn’t think much of him.

"After all, take out one spy, another pops up.

"A known traitor’s no threat—in fact, they can be of great use. That’s why I left him untouched.

"Even put him to good use!

"Yet I never expected he would seize this chance to play matchmaker between Wan Zangxin and Wan Yilan.

"Allowing the two to develop a secret romance.

"Guess why?"

Jun Luo burst out laughing after saying all this:

"Night Monarch truly lives up to his name—no one’s better at mocking people.

"I imagine he set up Wan Zangxin and Wan Yilan, then revealed Wan Zangxin’s true origins to him.

"So he’d believe he had engaged in an incestuous relationship with his own sister.

"That’s why he bolted from Wusheng Hall in panic.

"Why? To use this as leverage against Wusheng Hall.

"After all, if such a scandal were exposed, how would Wusheng Hall keep its rep?

"Most importantly, how could the hall master possibly live this down?

"Unfortunately, his plan died before it took off—he got killed by Su Mo.

"And Wan Zangxin, who was dead set on dying at the Tianquan Duel, somehow survived and reappeared in Wusheng Hall.

"If I’m not mistaken… Young Hero Wan, you’ve come here to dig into your past, haven’t you?"

"……"

Wan Zangxin ignored his question. His gaze remained fixed on the man hooked all over, his eyes filled with an unreadable mix of emotions.

"Young Hero Wan, don’t bother looking. Even after all I’ve said, he still won’t believe you’re his son."

By now, I've long stopped listening to this man. The only reason I haven't killed him is just out of spite.

"Today, Young Hero Wan, you’ll die first by my hand...

"Hmph, I know why you’re still so calm, Young Hero Wan—likely because that Eastern Wasteland’s Number One is also here in the Wusheng Hall, isn’t he?

"Since you didn’t die, it proves that when he killed you that day, it was all just an act for the world.

"However, this place is cut off by the Endless Prison. Whether he knows of it or not, even if he does, getting in won’t be so simple.

"I'll kill you first, then capture that little weasel. Once I achieve my ultimate mystic power, then we’ll see who’s really the Eastern Wasteland’s Number One—or if I’m the one who reigns supreme!"

As he spoke, his sleeve snapped with a clang, and the iron cage swung open.

Wan Zangxin abruptly raised his head, fingers forming a sword, and invisible sword energy lashed toward Jun Luo’s pressure points.

Jun Luo laughed heartily, splaying his fingers and snatching forward—layer upon layer of sword energy vanished into thin air.

"The Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra indeed has its merits."

Even as he spoke, he had Wan Zangxin in his clutches.

With a casual hold on his throat, he turned to Wan Hall Master:

"Hall Master Wan, your son will lead the way. If fate allows in the next life, you may be father and son again!

"Hmm, Young Hero Wan, any final words?"

"..."

Wan Zangxin mustered his inner energy but found himself unable to break free, realizing this man’s skills were leagues beyond his own.

He was probably Night Monarch’s equal.

With a sigh, he looked at Wan Hall Master:

"No matter who you are, no matter who I am, I just want to ask you one thing...

"Did Wan Renshan ever really mean to bring his wife and child to his side?"

"...Hahaha."

Wan Hall Master laughed loudly: "Kid, why bother pretending now?

"But... why not tell you?

"I thought about it... I even dreamed of it..."

Wan Zangxin also smiled faintly:

"Fine, fine...

"At least I know you were really trapped."

"Good. Now that all is said, safe travels, Young Hero Wan."

As he spoke, he raised his palm, poised to crush Wan Zangxin’s life.

Witnessing this, how could Xu Lu just watch?

He hadn't acted earlier because he knew he couldn't win the fight.

Now, seeing Wan Zangxin on the verge of death and hearing their conversation, which revealed Wan Zangxin's important connection to his own master, how could he just let him die?

A thought flashed through his mind—he could release Yu Youniang from her pressure points, allowing her to escape on her own, while he relied on his agility to hold off that scoundrel Jun Luo.

If he could give Wan Zangxin time to recover, perhaps there was still a chance?

The thought flashed through his mind, and he swiftly released Yu Youniang’s pressure points. Just as he was about to leap into action, a thunderous blast resounded.

A section of the stone wall in another area had been smashed apart by someone.

Amid the flying debris, a group of people emerged.

Leading them was none other than Madam Wan.

Her eyes scanned the area before settling on the figures present.

She frowned slightly.

"So this person really exists?"

"You hide your face and identity—who exactly are you?"

"Master's wife," a voice came from behind Madam Wan, "you don’t know, but this man is the one who kidnapped me and my junior sister..."

Meanwhile, Yu Youniang, now released from her pressure points, froze at the sight of the speaker and whispered,

"Shixiong..."

Xu Lu, looking at Yu Youniang in shock, instantly felt bewildered.

He had never met Madam Wan before, but he recognized the men beside her—Qin Yuren, Wen Zhongtai, and Rong Zhantang.

These three were all hallmasters of Wusheng Hall.

For them to accompany this woman now indicated her high status.

And her shixiong had just addressed this woman as "Master's wife"...

Clearly, the identity of the girl beside him was anything but ordinary.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Jun Luo let out a loud laugh.

"Madam, you’ve arrived just in time. I was about to send this father and son to meet in hell. I had hoped to invite you to witness it, but you got here before I could ask."

"...Madam?"

Madam Wan was taken aback. "Who exactly are you?"

"Hmm? We slept together for over two years and even had a daughter together. Yet today, you claim not to know me?"

"Isn’t that tragic for me?"

Jun Luo called it tragic, but sounded amused.

"That can't be..."

Madam Wan's face paled: "You clearly had one arm crippled by Su Mo and were being pursued by Li Zhongming and his men. How could you possibly appear here? This is absolutely impossible!!!"

The nearby Wen Zhongtai, Qin Yuren, and others were completely lost by their exchange.

Unable to hold back, they asked:

"Madam... who exactly is this man?"

Their back-and-forth had thoroughly bewildered everyone.

Madam Wan's expression darkened:

"No matter who he is, seize him first."

Upon hearing this, though Wen Zhongtai, Qin Yuren, and Rong Zhantang were filled with bewilderment, they immediately obeyed.

They lunged forward in a flash, charging at Jun Luo, followed by dozens of martial arts masters from Wusheng Hall.

Their sudden attack was a sight to behold.

Jun Luo roared with laughter, as if these fighters meant nothing to him.

With one hand holding Wan Zangxin and the other suddenly raising a palm,

the three Hall Masters mid-air and the martial arts masters behind them found themselves frozen mid-motion, unable to budge even slightly.

Moreover, a sickly gray pallor crept across their skin in the blink of an eye.

The three men went deathly pale:

"The Great Transformation Transcendence Sutra!?"

"So it really is you??"

Seeing this, Madam Wan's patience snapped. With a swift movement, she was already mid-air, sending a ribbon of red silk snaking toward Jun Luo.

From the void, a haunting, unearthly melody clawed at one's sanity upon hearing.

Jun Luo roared with laughter, suddenly tossing Wan Zangxin back into the cage. The cage door snapped shut with a metallic click.

The next moment, Jun Luo sprang into action, grabbing the red silk in his palm.

The two then clashed in a contest of inner power using the red silk as a bridge.

Yet, with just one clash, the red silk shattered abruptly.

Madam Wan's expression darkened, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. But in the next instant, the woman spread her arms, and crimson silk erupted from her sleeves like a tidal wave, enveloping Jun Luo in the blink of an eye.

Phantom women materialized upon the red silk,

undulating in suggestive dances, stirring base desires.

The hypnotic music pounded incessantly, eroding all mental defenses.

Xu Lu observed the scene with icy detachment, recognizing his moment to strike.

Wasting no time, he said to Yu Youniang:

"Fetch your senior brother—now!"

After speaking, he vanished in a flash.

With the full exertion of his Ethereal Celestial Chronicles lightfoot technique, he arrived before the iron cage imprisoning Wan Zangxin in mere moments.

With a flick of his hand, a silver wire materialized in his hand.

Inserting it into the keyhole, he gave it a twist, and the cage door swung open instantly.

Wan Zangxin gaped in astonishment and couldn’t help but ask,

"Who are you?"

Before Xu Lu could answer, someone else appeared beside him.

Turning his head, he saw it was none other than Yu Youniang.

"Didn’t I tell you to find your senior brother?"

Xu Lu was taken aback, only to realize Yu Youniang wasn’t even looking his way.

Her gaze was entirely fixed on Wan Zangxin.

And after asking his question, Wan Zangxin made no move to wait for an answer either.

All his attention was also wholly focused on Yu Youniang.

The two of them gazed at each other, and for a moment, the world around them melted away, as if nothing else existed but each other.

Xu Lu slapped his forehead. As he moved to free Wan Yutang from the grappling hooks, he said,

"You’re not Yu Youniang at all—you’re Wan Yilan!"

Only then did Wan Yilan give Xu Lu a sheepish smile and say,

"My apologies, Young Hero. In such a dangerous situation, I had no choice. Besides, you never mentioned either that you’re a disciple of Chief Escort Su?"

With that, "Your acupoint-sealing technique is identical."