Chapter 16: Masters Can Be a Trap

Many troubles stem from greed.

Zuo Meng didn’t consider himself greedy – he merely wanted to become the world’s greatest martial artist. Once his master’s and junior sister’s problematic luck stopped affecting him, he could finally live peacefully.

“Heifeng Fort?”

Through three months of investigation involving shady methods, Zuo Meng had followed clues westward beyond Liuhe Sect’s territory to Jiang’an City. Here, he adopted extreme caution, swapping his sect robes for a wandering warrior’s disguise.

“I used every trick available,” he muttered, “and all roads lead here.”

The information broker was a greasy man with curled mustache called Earth Rat, known for underground knowledge and rat-like cunning. Though prone to exaggeration, his reliability had proven true throughout Zuo Meng’s journey – though his prices demanded multiple “borrowed” funds along the way.

“What connects Heifeng Fort to Heifeng Zhai?”

Zuo Meng recalled his near-disastrous encounter at Liuhe City’s Heifeng Zhai. The naming similarity felt ominous.

“Both answer to Senior Black Wind,” Earth Rat whispered, the name making him hunch instinctively. “Since you’ve paid well, free advice: avoid anything involving Black Wind. Lives end that way.”

Black Wind?

The name meant nothing to Zuo Meng. His former life as a martial arts mediocrity left little time for worldly affairs beyond his junior sister’s antics and clan gossip.

“Powerful?”

Zuo Meng’s knowledge barely extended beyond Liuhe Sect’s six-clan origins. Faction territories and power structures remained mysteries.

“Know the Three Great Lords?”

The blank response made Earth Rat chuckle. “Greenhorn! They tower above all factions – solitary sovereigns earning their title through might.”

“That strong?”

Zuo Meng scoffed internally. How fearsome could martial artists be? His golden finger could match century-old cultivators soon enough. These “Lords” just seemed aged hoarders. Energy sources mattered more than titles – “borrowing” plans remained unchanged.

“Respect demands power!” Earth Rat hissed. “Ordinary experts are men; the Lords are gods! Rumors say they cultivate immortal essence, not mere qi – seekers of eternal life, not mere martial artists!”

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Immortal Cultivators?

Zuo Meng’s eye twitched. This changed calculations.

Memories surfaced of his Dream World’s second era – even with restricted laws, entities like Ancestor Dragon and era protagonist Huang had emerged. If real-world equivalents existed…

“Actual Immortal Cultivators?”

The world suddenly felt deadlier. His luck-blessed master and junior sister might drag Liuhe Sect into catastrophe – he’d heard enough “avenging sole survivor” tales.

“Just rumors,” Earth Rat shrugged. “But their legends span two centuries – far beyond ordinary martial artists.”

Two hundred years?

If that’s true, the Three Great Lords might not be ordinary people after all. I’d need to rethink all my plans.

“Black Wind is one of the Three Great Lords—the Human Respect, a curse master.”

Human Respect, Earthly Lord, Heavenly Lord!

Those are the titles of the Three Great Lords.

“Any way to get into Heifeng Fort?”

Zuo Meng decided to switch tactics. Maybe he could get closer to the Black Wind Lord first—steal some dust powder or learn his cultivation method.

“None.”

Earth Rat sneered.

“Half the world wants to join the Three Great Lords. You’re not special.”

“No backdoor methods?”

“There’s one, but you’d never manage it.”

True to his trade, Earth Rat spilled secrets without being asked. “The Lords aren’t hermits. Each controls territories. Top-tier clans under them can recommend disciples. Get recommended, and you’re in.”

He took a loud slurp of tea.

“Heard of Liuhe Sect?”

Liuhe Sect?

Zuo Meng began connecting dots about the six merged clans.

“Used to be six second-rate sects. To gain recommendation rights, Zuo Han Sheng of Taiyuan Sword Sect and Wu Tianchuan of Mountain Sect ambushed and murdered the other four Headmasters. Forced a merger. Got their recommendation tickets to Earthly Lord’s faction.” Earth Rat shook his head. “Made them infamous overnight. Those two became the poster boys for betrayal—and the six Headmasters had been sworn brothers!”

“Wait—who?”

“Zuo Han Sheng and Wu Tianchuan.” Earth Rat eyed Zuo Meng. “You know them?”

Oh hell.

Zuo Han Sheng—that was his backstabbing master!

Now Zuo Meng understood why those people had tried so hard to kill him last time.