Chapter 28: Desire for Zhi Fan! Descending into Darkness
Chapter 28: Desire for Zhi Fan! Descending into Darkness
In the Star Pavilion of Zhenhai City.
The Governor of the South Sea, Li Shiyun, looked at Zhi Fan, and his gaze grew intense.
The two of them had grown up together, but Li Shiyun was introverted, while Zhi Fan back then shone brightly and had countless secret admirers.
Li Shiyun had always silently watched over her.
In his heart, he always regarded Zhi Fan as his only wife in this life.
Around the age of seventeen, Li Shiyun’s family fell into decline, and his entire clan relocated away from their hometown.
When he heard the news of Zhi Fan’s marriage, Li Shiyun felt as if his heart was being scorched. He almost gave up his studies to come and steal the bride.
But soon, he heard another piece of news.
Shen Wuque had abandoned the wedding and left the bride Zhi Fan standing alone at the scene.
While Li Shiyun was filled with anger, he also felt a sense of relief. From then on, he worked hard and made a stunning success.
He achieved second place in the Palace Examination and soared to great heights.
Now, he had become a pillar of the Empire, shining brilliantly.
Zhi Fan also did not disappoint him. Abandoned at the wedding, she did not wallow in self-pity. Instead, she strived diligently, achieved great things, and became the Master of the Star Pavilion.
Today’s Zhi Fan was even more beautiful than before.
Stunningly gorgeous, yet carrying an air of aloofness and pride.
She was probably the woman who best matched the aesthetic of a scholar-official: peerlessly beautiful yet restrained and cold.
Gazing at the flawless and beautiful Zhi Fan, Li Shiyun spoke gently, “I’m sorry, Sister Zhi Fan, I came too late!”
“Sit,” Zhi Fan said as she walked to the main seat and gracefully took her place.
Even covered by a brocade gown, the curves of her figure were breathtaking.
Li Shiyun said, “Tonight, I will visit Shen Gong’ao and have Shen Wuque divorce you, restoring your freedom.”
…
On a lone mountain by the sea.
Jiumogang floated down like a paper kite, grabbing onto the cliff walls whenever his descent became too fast.
Moments later, he landed on the sea surface, boarded a small boat, and pushed off, speeding away.
Jiumogang rowed at the front, while Wuque gazed at the green sea water.
This Martial Arts master before him was from a different ethnic group and a beneficiary of the Scholarium’s Reformist Faction. But for some reason, when alone with him, Wuque felt a deep sadness emanating from this man.
This was a man with a story.
Wuque suddenly asked, “Master Jiumogang, each of you has a special skill and is a master-level figure. Mountain Master Wen Daozi doesn’t seem to excel in any one particular area. Why is he your leader?”
Jiumogang said, “You think he isn’t strong?”
Wuque said, “In essays, he is not as good as Fu Baoshi and Xu Enzheng. In Martial Arts, he is not as good as you. In Arithmetic, in Alchemy, he is not as good as Mr. Jingyu and Master Menjif. In Martial Arts theory, he is not as good as Master Mo Zhong. In which aspect is he strong? Wisdom?”
Jiumogang said, “What you mentioned are not the rarest things in this world. His strength is unparalleled, but ordinary people cannot see it. Perhaps one day you will see it.”
Wuque said, “What do you mean?”
Jiumogang said, “Because some things can only be grasped by members of the Xuecheng Committee; they represent the most core strength of Sky Scholar City.”
Really? What kind of power? So mysterious?
…
The small boat sailed for dozens of miles. Ahead, there was a small island.
Once on the island, Jiumogang led the way.
The island was full of rugged rocks, with little vegetation. The strange rocks were jagged and startling.
He led Wuque toward the center of the island.
“We’re here!”
Wuque looked ahead and saw a bottomless chasm cave.
“This is the Demon Prison. It holds the Great Demon Xiang Wentian, currently the only known person to have successfully practiced the Star-Draining Art,” Jiumogang said.
The cave was bottomless, and almost no sound came from within.
“I’ll say it again: Xiang Wentian is a demon, a madman, bloodthirsty and murderous, who killed his wife and child. Are you sure you want to go down?” Jiumogang asked once more.
“Yes,” Wuque said.
Jiumogang grabbed Wuque’s wrist and jumped down.
They fell dozens of meters before finally reaching the bottom of the cave.
Was this the so-called Demon Prison?
A huge metal cage hung in mid-air, inside which was a prisoner who looked like a fierce ghost.
Over a dozen special chains pierced through the prisoner’s body; one was even tied directly to his chest, over his heart.
Below the cage was an underground river with various large fish swimming in it.
Inside the prison, there were countless fish bones. Clearly, this prisoner survived by eating fish.
“Wentian,” Jiumogang said slowly.
The Great Demon inside the cage opened his eyes.
What kind of eyes were those? Like an owl, like a wolf, glowing green.
“Heh heh heh… Master Jiumogang…” Xiang Wentian grinned, revealing his teeth.
They were terrifying, disgusting teeth.
A row of teeth, spaced apart with gaps, each tooth sharpened to a point, with dried blood on them.
His hair had mostly fallen out; most of his head was bald. The little hair left was several meters long and completely white.
His hair had fallen out, but his body was covered in white fur.
His appearance was almost as ugly as Yingque’s when he had no skin back then.
“I have fine wine here. Do you want some?” Jiumogang took out a jug of wine.
Xiang Wentian’s eyes immediately lit up. He was a heavy drinker and hadn’t had a drop in ten years.
“Yes, yes, yes. Give it to me, give it to me, give it to me,” Xiang Wentian hissed.
Jiumogang said, “Agree to one request, and I’ll bring you wine every day from now on.”
“What request?”
Jiumogang said, “Teach the Star-Draining Art.”
“Hahahaha…” Xiang Wentian burst into wild laughter. The sound seemed to pierce clouds and crack walls. Wuque felt a sharp pain in his eardrums, as if he would go deaf instantly.
Immediately, a powerful force surged from Jiumogang, protecting Wuque.
Only then did Wuque’s eardrums not shatter, but he had constant ringing in his ears and could hardly hear anything.
“Jiumogang, I thought only someone like me would betray justice and learn the evil arts of the Dark Academy. I never expected someone with thick eyebrows and big eyes like you to rebel too,” Xiang Wentian laughed. “Truly, the world is unpredictable. How can you face me now? Ten years ago, what right did Wen Daozi have to lead dozens of people to capture me?”
Jiumogang said, “It’s not for me to learn, but for him.”
Xiang Wentian looked at Wuque and said, “And who is this pretty boy?”
“That’s not for you to worry about,” Jiumogang said. “Just tell me: will you teach it or not?”
Xiang Wentian said, “I’ll teach.”
So straightforward?
Xiang Wentian said, “Leave the wine. You go out. He stays. I’ll teach him.”
Jiumogang immediately became suspicious.
Xiang Wentian said, “Even if you don’t tell me, I know. This pretty boy is Shen Gong’ao’s son. He looks so much like his mother. I had quite a connection with his mother.”
Jiumogang said, “What connection?”
Xiang Wentian said, “My wife was his mother’s senior sister. His mother called me brother-in-law.”
Then, he turned to Jiumogang. “Go on. Are you thinking of eavesdropping from the side?”
Jiumogang was, of course, uneasy. “I’ll stay right here, covering my ears and closing my eyes.”
Xiang Wentian said, “No. This is an evil art of the Dark Academy. If I pass it to Wuque, it’s like finding an heir. No outsiders can be present.”
Jiumogang said, “What if you plan to kill him?”
Xiang Wentian said, “If I kill him, you will kill me. Don’t I want to leave an heir? If no one learns it, the Star-Draining Art will be lost forever.”
Jiumogang said, “No, I must stay here.”
Xiang Wentian said, “Then I won’t teach. Please leave.”
Thus, they stood at an impasse.
Wuque suddenly said, “Master Jiumogang, please go up. It’s okay if I’m alone here.”
Jiumogang said, “No. He’s a madman who holds a deep grudge against us, a murderous psychopath.”
Hearing Jiumogang’s description, Xiang Wentian didn’t care and just chuckled.
Wuque said, “I have confidence, absolute confidence. Please go up.”
Jiumogang asked, “Are you sure?”
Wuque said, “I’m sure.”
Jiumogang said to Xiang Wentian, “If you harm a single hair on his head, I will tear you to pieces.”
Then, Jiumogang quickly climbed and left the cave.
…
As soon as Jiumogang was completely gone,
the next second, a terrible suction force erupted from Xiang Wentian’s body. Instantly, Wuque was pulled tight against the cage.
Then, Xiang Wentian lowered his head, his sharp teeth brushing against Wuque’s neck. He said slowly, “Strange, strange. The smell of your flesh is different from others, especially fragrant. It’s been so, so long since I’ve eaten any. I’m starving for it, absolutely starving.”
“That fool Jiumogang actually believed me? The Star-Draining Art is so powerful; I’d rather take it to my grave. Why would I think about finding an heir? I’m going to tear you to pieces and eat you bit by bit.”
“Hahahaha…”
He was indeed a psychopath. Opening his bloody maw wide, he was about to bite down hard on Wuque’s neck.
If bitten, it would almost certainly be fatal; half his neck would be torn off.
…