Chapter 220: Clues

Chapter 220: Clues

Su Mo looked at the box, then turned to Li Zhengyuan.

His eyes were filled with slight confusion.

Duan Song had retrieved this box from the Purple Sun Escort Agency, and according to the letter from Su Tianyang, it had actually been entrusted to him by the Purple Sun Sect for safekeeping.

The answers to Su Mo's questions were not contained within this box.

Li Zhengyuan smiled and asked Su Mo to sit down first, before sitting down opposite him.

"Do you know where this box came from?"

The first sentence Li Zhengyuan said after sitting down left Su Mo speechless.

He shook his head. "Please enlighten me, Grandmaster."

"This box... was found by your great-grandfather, Su Chengyu," Li Zhengyuan said without beating around the bush. "This box contains a significant secret, including the mystery of the snake-head sword.

"Despite years of effort, even your great-grandfather couldn't unlock this secret box.

"In the end, it has been entrusted to your Su family, passed down from generation to generation.

"It was first passed to your grandfather, and later to your father.

"Now... this box should actually be handed over to you."

Su Mo looked at the secret box as Li Zhengyuan slid it across the table, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Uncle Fu had once mentioned that everyone in the Su family had their own secrets.

Could it be that all their secrets were tied to this secret box?

"What kind of secret is hidden inside this secret box? And what about the snake-head sword?"

Su Mo couldn't help but look at Li Zhengyuan.

Li Zhengyuan sighed:

"This matter goes way back. Your great-grandfather, Su Chengyu, was brought back by my great master.

"My great master was known in the jianghu as the Iron Sun Hero.

"The 'Iron' referred to his impartiality, and 'Sun' described his martial arts, while also subtly hinting at his origins.

"He was a man of integrity, both carefree and unyielding in his principles.

"His martial arts were unmatched in the Eastern Wilderness. Although I wouldn't dare say he was invincible, there were very few who could defeat him.

"The only thing was that he loved to travel the world. Whether it was the northern lands with their miles of ice, or the southern seas, he had set foot in them all.

"He wanted to single-handedly eradicate all injustices in the world.

"However, this task was as challenging as reaching the heavens."

"But he enjoyed it immensely, spending more than half of the year traveling throughout the realm.

"However, every New Year's Eve, he would return on time.

"He would also carefully prepare some gifts for my master and the various junior masters.

"But one year, he failed to return on time...

"However, since he was highly skilled in martial prowess, the people in the sect were not worried about his safety.

"They just thought he was held up by something and temporarily unable to return.

"Unexpectedly, three months after the year-end, one night, he suddenly returned to the Purple Sun Sect covered in blood.

"Only then did everyone know that for these three months, he had been entangled with a group of mysterious individuals.

"These people had extremely high martial prowess, ruthless hearts, and their methods were devious and unpredictable.

"The clothes they wore had an emblem of a snake-headed sword.

"When the great master first encountered them, he rescued a child from their hands, thus beginning a three-month-long entanglement.

"During this period, no one knew the various dangers he experienced, as the great master did not speak of it at the time. However, later, when my master was preparing the great master's body, he discovered that over the three months, the great master had suffered, both visibly and invisibly, more than a hundred injuries.

"No one knew what strength of will had driven him to return to the sect, despite his injuries.

"It was only known that before he passed away, he instructed that the child he had saved be taken in and taught under his guidance.

"Unfortunately, as his time was running out, he could not personally teach the child, so he asked my master to teach on his behalf.

"And this child... was your great-grandfather, Su Chengyu."

"So... it was to save my great-grandfather?"

Su Mo looked up in astonishment.

Li Zhengyuan nodded slightly. "This was a burden that weighed heavily on your great-grandfather's heart throughout his life.

"Although my master had said more than once that the great master acted not for any other reason but to be clear in his heart and uphold the path of chivalry.

"Seeing a child in danger, if he did not save them, his martial skills would be for naught.

"Therefore, he never harbored any resentment towards Su Chengyu.

"However, Uncle Su felt a deep sense of guilt toward the great master, and from a young age, this burdened him with a constant sense of melancholy.

"By the time he reached adulthood, his martial prowess and intellect were so formidable that even my master couldn't last more than three moves against him.

"Afterward, he repeatedly contributed to the sect.

"At that time, the dark forces were rising, and the battle between good and evil was constant.

"On three separate occasions, your great-grandfather single-handedly turned the tide, saving the sect from certain ruin.

"Because of this, the sect leader wanted to appoint him as the next leader, intending for him to take on the responsibility of the Purple Sun Sect.

"But Uncle Su was unwilling, and after the battle between good and evil subsided, he left the Purple Sun Sect without hesitation.

"In Sunset City, he opened the Purple Sun Bureau of Protection."

To him, the escort agency wasn't important. He just wanted to use its resources to track down those people.

"However, no one could have expected.

"Years later, the Purple Sun Sect's reputation soared, and its influence extended across much of the Eastern Wilderness."

Li Zhengyuan couldn't help but shake his head and smile when he said this:

"This is probably something your great-grandfather never expected back then."

Su Mo nodded lightly: "What happened after that?"

"After that..."

Li Zhengyuan furrowed his brow: "Your great-grandfather's identity was special, so the Purple Sun Sect naturally paid extra attention to him.

"But... he went missing for half a year, right under everyone's noses.

"During that time, the Purple Sun Sect searched frantically but couldn't find any trace of him.

"Until half a year later, he suddenly appeared in the Pure Yang Hall.

"Covered in wounds, he was barely alive!

"The scene was eerily similar to what happened to our grandmaster back then.

"Yet, even in such a state, he was smiling..."

Li Zhengyuan's eyes seemed to have traveled back to a time long past:

"At that time, I was still a junior, following behind my master, looking at this legendary figure in the sect.

"He sat slumped in the chair of the Pure Yang Hall, looking utterly disheveled, a far cry from his former elegance.

"But despite his condition, his face bore a look of profound satisfaction.

"It was a sense of fulfillment I had never witnessed in him before.

"He frankly said that he had risked his life for this box. The places he ventured into were like a living nightmare.

"If this box could be opened, it would reveal the origins of those who wield the snake-headed swords.

"And it would unveil a secret of immense importance!

"Moreover, he said that the roots and influence of these people were far deeper and more extensive than imagined, far beyond just a small part of the Eastern Wilderness!

"However... they didn't dare to act openly; they had their fears and restraints.

"Otherwise, no sect or power in the world could have withstood them.

"But... what exactly they feared, even today, I do not know."

After saying this, Li Zhengyuan let out a long breath and looked at Su Mo:

"Your great-grandfather ultimately passed away in the Pure Yang Hall.

"Before he died, he instructed that if no one could open the box, it should be given to your grandfather.

"If your grandfather couldn't open the box, it should then be passed to your father..."

"Now, I can't open this box either, so... Mo'er, do you want it?"

He pushed the secret box towards Su Mo.

Su Mo looked at the box but fell into deep thought.

Glancing up at Li Zhengyuan, he asked, "Great Master, is there a connection between the Three Extremes Sect and the snake-headed sword as well?"

"Yes."

Li Zhengyuan nodded slightly. "They likely originated from the same source."

"The same source?"

Su Mo gave Li Zhengyuan a surprised look. He had had vague guesses about this but didn't expect Li Zhengyuan to confirm it so definitively.

"The same source... might not be accurate," Li Zhengyuan added, shaking his head. "It should be said that the Three Extremes Sect belongs to this origin."

Su Mo pondered this for a moment.

The Three Extremes Sect must have another origin.

On that day, Scholar Liu Yun had spoken with the Patriarch of the Man Sect, during which the term 'headquarters' was mentioned.

Later, when he and Yang Yizhi reviewed this matter, they speculated that this sect likely had a significant background.

However, Yang Yizhi knew little about the origins of the snake-headed sword.

But if what Li Zhengyuan said was correct, had his grandfather's mission back then also involved these people?

Su Mo had already had some guesses about this, but they had been hard to substantiate.

Back then, Su Tianyang had first discovered Su Mo's grandfather, and it was clear that they had just been through a fierce battle.

On the way back, they encountered Shouxuan.

Weren't these two incidents a bit too coincidental?

However, both parties involved had long since passed away, leaving these guesses as rootless and baseless.

Afterward, Su Tianyang investigated the origin of that mission and found it to be legitimate, with the goods already delivered. Both the person who entrusted the goods and the person who received them had no issues.

Moreover, Shouxuan had encountered the Three Extremes Sect, while Su Mo's grandfather had encountered the snake-headed sword.

If these two events couldn't be connected, Su Mo could only remain confused about his grandfather's encounter.

Now, Su Mo couldn't help but wonder. After his grandfather had delivered the goods, could it be that he had encountered those with the snake-headed sword attacking Shouxuan?

As a courier, one should generally avoid getting involved in other people's affairs while traveling the martial world.

However, by that time, the goods had already been delivered, and the snake-headed sword incident was likely directly connected to the death of Su Chengyu and his master.

As a son, if he hadn't seen it, it would be one thing. But if he had witnessed it, how could he have remained indifferent?

In the chaotic battle, Shouxuan was severely injured, and Su Mo's grandfather, along with everyone else from the escort agency, was killed.

When Su Tianyang found Su Mo's grandfather, he only had time to entrust him with the seal of the snake-head sword.

He was to send it to the Purple Sun Sect.

After that, he happened to encounter Shouxuan...

At that time, Shouxuan was severely injured and did not see the body of Su Mo's grandfather.

Therefore, it is possible that these two incidents were never connected and pondered together.

Now, with Li Zhengyuan's words, Su Mo was barely able to form a rough hypothesis about the situation.

However, trying to verify the details now would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.

So, after a brief pondering, he couldn't help but shift his gaze to Li Zhengyuan:

"Great Master, after obtaining the seal of the snake-head sword back then, what actions did you take?"

A laugh escaped him, his palm gently striking the table.

"In my entire life, I have never married, nor do I have any children.

"In my youth, I once admired a female warrior from the Cold Moon Palace, but we were destined not to be together.

"In the end, we could only gaze at each other across the towering Tonglu Mountain.

"And your father... is my only disciple.

"To me, he is no less than a son.

"As for your grandfather, due to your great grandfather's influence, he did not stay long within the Purple Sun Sect.

"Yet, he was still my fellow disciple.

"Moreover, your great grandfather saved the Purple Sun Sect from danger three times.

"Without his efforts, even if the Purple Sun Sect had not perished, it would have fallen to a third-rate status.

"His family and disciples are under the protection of our Purple Sun Sect!

"Now, if they want to deal with you, they will have to ask whether our Purple Sun Sect will allow it!

"The owner of the snake-head sword harmed my brother.

"The Three Extremes Sect wanted to kill my disciple.

"At that time, I was already the leader of the Purple Sun Sect. I could not stand by and let them act so recklessly.

"So... I did take an action back then.

"Your father, along with Yang Yizhi and a fellow clansman, entered the Purple Sun Sect to explain the situation.

"On one hand, I calmed your father and the others, allowing them to stay in the sect.

"On the other hand, I secretly set up defenses outside the gate to see if anyone dared to covet our Purple Sun Sect."

"And at that time... although I told your father there was nothing, it wasn't actually the case!"

"There were people after all?"

Su Mo's expression changed slightly.

After rescuing Li Siyun, Yang Yizhi and the others feigned openness and went straight to the Purple Sun Sect.

On one hand, they wanted to use the sect as a base of operations, and on the other hand, they wanted to see if there were any further consequences to deal with.

In the end, it seemed no one was spying on them.

At the time, Su Mo thought things had gone suspiciously smoothly, but Yang Yizhi later said that there had been a disturbance within the Three Extremes Sect at that time.

They were too preoccupied to pay attention to them.

This explanation temporarily put Su Mo's doubts to rest.

But now, hearing Li Zhengyuan's words, Su Mo realized that there were indeed consequences, which Li Zhengyuan had secretly handled.

"Exactly!"

Li Zhengyuan nodded:

"Indeed, there were people spying in secret...

"I knew what your father's goal was, so I didn't alert them to our awareness.

"I needed to figure out what they thought about your father.

"Did they believe your father was involved in this?

"Or was it just suspicion?

"From the intercepted letters, it was clear they only suspected your father, but didn't fully believe he was involved.

"Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief.

"After that, I followed this lead to conduct an investigation.

"But this matter was actually extremely difficult to pursue.

"These people hid very deeply, and those involved were highly vigilant!

"I had to hold onto the lead without letting them notice, otherwise, if they escaped at the first sign of trouble, it would be one thing.

"But if they were to rekindle their suspicions about your father and secretly strike again, wouldn't that be adding fuel to the fire?

"Because of this, the investigation was extremely difficult, with several leads breaking off and barely reconnecting.

"But we did uncover a connection between the Three Extremes Sect and the snake-headed sword.

"In the intercepted letters, the mark of the snake-headed sword appeared, and they referred to themselves as the 'Shocking Dragon Society.'

"Apart from this name, there was only one other lead..."

"What lead?"

Su Mo quickly turned to look at Li Zhengyuan.

"Chimei Forest."

Li Zhengyuan sighed, "Just as I was preparing to investigate the Chimei Forest, the Three Great Demon Sects of East City suddenly launched a surprise attack, advancing on Tianqu City.

"Around that time, your father came to see me again, asking about this matter.

"When it comes to martial prowess, there are only two people in your Su family who are unrivaled geniuses in the world—you and your great grandfather.

"However, when it comes to intelligence, few people could rival your father.

"He had already seen through my intentions but chose not to say anything.

"When he came to the Purple Sun Sect, it was because he had obtained new information from elsewhere and wanted to know how my investigation was progressing.

"Knowing I couldn't hide it from him, I decided to tell him the truth.

"After that, your father secretly went to the Chimei Forest.

"By the time I realized what he had done and tried to assist him, he had already come back.

"At that time, his expression was unusually grave.

"No matter how much I pressed him, he remained silent.

"You ask why, in recent years, the Purple Sun Sect has kept its disciples from venturing into the world.

"That was because of your father's request.

"After returning from the Chimei Forest, he didn't reveal what he had discovered.

"He only told me that he had a plan and needed my help.

"The task was very simple; I just needed to ensure that the Purple Sun Sect's disciples stayed away from the jianghu at a specific time.

"To focus on cultivating talents in seclusion.

"Unless it's a significant event, they shouldn't leave the mountain lightly!"

"...Did you agree?"

Even to Su Mo, this request seemed incredibly unreasonable.

Even though Su Tianyang knew Li Zhengyuan cared deeply for him, how could he have made such a demand?

Even more absurdly, Li Zhengyuan actually agreed.

"Yes," Li Zhengyuan nodded, "But I never expected that the 'specific time' he mentioned would be... after his death..."

Hearing this, Su Mo suddenly looked up at Li Zhengyuan.

Lost in his grief, the old man didn't notice Su Mo's gaze.

Su Mo gently closed his eyes and, upon opening them again, softly sighed, "Great master, please don't grieve so much..."

"Sigh..."

Li Zhengyuan sighed and said, "After Tianyang passed away, a message came saying that if his descendants were unable to take on the responsibility of guarding the secret container, someone should go to the Ziyang Escort Agency to retrieve the item.

"After much deliberation, I eventually sent Duan Song on this mission, but I didn't expect... Yang Yizhi, that despicable little scoundrel, is truly hateful!"

Su Mo was momentarily at a loss for words. Li Zhengyuan clearly still held a grudge against Yang Yizhi.

At this point, he glanced at Li Zhengyuan:

"Great master... I need to report on the recent movements of the East City cult and Chimeilin. I have some important matters to report to you."

Li Zhengyuan gave Su Mo a puzzled look. "Uh-huh?"