Chapter 516 - 289: Heaven-Reaching Manor (Part 2)
Chapter 516: Chapter 289: Heaven-Reaching Manor (Part 2)
Killing him could cause trouble in the future...
But given Luo Wushuang’s actions, Chu Qing felt no psychological burden in killing him.
Avenging his father seemed only right, but Qi Luo is covered with filth, his father being so pathetic, and the son seeking revenge indiscriminately, not discerning right from wrong—doesn’t this make him someone who can’t distinguish between good and evil?
Ordinary people might be unable to discern right from wrong, but as a disciple of the Martial Emperor, he has mastered his Martial Arts.
If such people can’t distinguish between good and evil, the consequences will be terrifying.
Moreover, he even killed his own brother Guan Changying.
Later, he went so far as to join forces with Prince Xue...
A person with no basic moral bottom line like this, given another chance, Chu Qing would certainly kill him.
What’s more, from the information he currently has, even Li Juechen the Martial Emperor might have issues.
Even if he doesn’t pursue me, I’ll seek him out when the time is right.
These thoughts turned in Chu Qing’s heart as he softly laughed:
"Thank you for the reminder. May I ask who your esteemed father is?"
"Her name is Gu Ling’Er, the second daughter of my mentor."
’Zhong Kui’ smiled wryly, introducing her to Chu Qing.
Chu Qing and the others were all taken aback; Ghost Emperor Modo’s daughter? Her surname is Gu?
Seeing that Chu Qing and the others were puzzled, ’Zhong Kui’ explained:
"Modo is not my master’s real name, Gu is his original surname."
"I see."
Chu Qing nodded in realization.
Then ’Zhong Kui’ said:
"Earlier incidents were just me accompanying the junior sister in her antics, we meant no offense.
"Who would have thought, it was the arrival of the third son...
"Now, since it’s getting late, why don’t you three come with us to rest for the night?
"I have some matters to discuss with the third son, and I also need your assistance."
Chu Qing furrowed his brows, half of the earlier conversation was left unfinished, and if they stay overnight, it will delay their schedule:
"We are heading to Lingbei for urgent matters... Within Heaven-Reaching Ridge, the mystical ghosts are confusing, and we need the night to discern directions. If we abandon our course, we’ll waste far too much time...
"So, I appreciate the offer in spirit."
"I see, the third son is unaware.
"There are three ways to pass through Heaven-Reaching Ridge, one is as the third son mentioned, using the night to navigate, resting during the day, ensuring you won’t lose your way.
"The second method is to acquire our Ghost Emperor Palace’s Secret Compass, unaffected by Heaven-Reaching Ridge’s conditions.
"The last method..."
"The last method is letting us guide you out."
Gu Ling’Er chimed in:
"If we guide you out, it will take at most two days to reach Lingbei from here.
"But if you continue to travel at night, the mountain paths will be difficult, taking four to five days to reach the other side."
"Exactly."
’Zhong Kui’ nodded:
"Third son, perhaps you’d consider returning with us for a good night’s rest, and tomorrow morning, my junior sister and I will personally escort you through Heaven-Reaching Ridge."
Chu Qing heard this, glancing at Wu Qianhuan and Gentle.
Seeing both nod simultaneously...
Chu Qing momentarily fell silent; he saw through their intention. They didn’t care about resting or being guided.
They were simply curious to see the legendary Ghost Emperor Palace.
At this thought, Chu Qing clasped his hands to ’Zhong Kui’:
"In that case, I must trouble both of you."
"What are you saying? There’s an old phrase about welcoming friends from afar... what was it again?"
Gu Ling’Er looked at ’Zhong Kui’, but before ’Zhong Kui’ could speak, she muttered to herself:
"My sister clearly taught me before... How could I forget?"
Not pursuing the answer further, she merrily approached Wu Qianhuan, asking about the Martial Arts she used, marveling at the fierce sword technique...
’Zhong Kui’, ready to respond, found himself silent, only sighing.
Chu Qing listened, surprised that the Ghost Emperor had another daughter...
Yet he didn’t ask further; prying into the Ghost Emperor’s private matters was inappropriate.
With ’Zhong Kui’ guiding them, traversing Heaven-Reaching Ridge felt like a leisurely stroll.
Chatting along the way, Chu Qing discovered the reason they hadn’t been detected was due to these people’s strange Breath Concealment Technique.
According to ’Zhong Kui’, this was the most basic skill of Ghost Emperor Palace members.
Given Modo’s claim as Ghost Emperor, his disciples naturally excelled in stealth, even if their Martial Arts were not as formidable.
Their breathing and pulse faint, heartbeats almost unheard.
It became an unexpected tactic.
Moving subtly like phantoms, when used expertly, they could conquer without battle.
Chu Qing looked at Wu Qianhuan, agreeing that such a method could backfire if overused...
Like Wu Qianhuan... Fear turned to anger in the end.
This was clearly a failed example.
During further conversations, Chu Qing learned ’Zhong Kui’s real name was Gongyang Chou.
Coincidentally, he was also third in line, the third disciple of the Ghost Emperor.
According to him, the Ghost Emperor had six disciples, each learning one path of Ghost Emperor’s Secret Technique, the eldest brother being the most skilled, far superior to others.
He was the most promising to inherit Ghost Emperor’s mantle.
Yet during the conversation, he hesitated, implying more hidden details.
Their obstruction here was because they suspected the Ghost Emperor’s disappearance involved the Celestial Evil Cult.
Hence, they guarded against members of the Evil Cult travelling freely in Heaven-Reaching Ridge.
If they found anyone trying to cross, they would investigate, testing and confirming intentions.
Outside their sects, Martial World wanderers and loners were of no concern.
As for Chu Qing, the situation was peculiar.
He controlled the Blazing Hall and Ding’an Hall, yet wasn’t the Hall Master, rising in the Martial World within a year, possessing the sect’s token, thus avoiding obstruction.
The conversation was mainly Gongyang Chou speaking, Chu Qing listening.
Ultimately, their destination was disappointing; Gongyang Chou and Gu Ling’Er led them not to the Ghost Emperor Palace.
But to a manor named ’Heaven-Reaching Manor’.
In line with the eerie nature of Ghost Emperor’s people, the manor was also shrouded in ghostly ambiance.
The lanterns by the door burned in unnatural hues, and those guarding the entrance weren’t typical servants or guards.
One was dressed in black, the other in white, wielding a Mourning Stick and Soul Hooking Claw, respectively, wearing high hats labeled ’Welcome, Finally’ and ’Searching for You’.
They personified Black and White Impermanence.
Upon seeing Gongyang Chou and Gu Ling’Er, they bowed slightly, then resumed standing still.
As for Chu Qing and his companions, they didn’t even cast a glance.
Entering through the door, moving from yard to yard, Gongyang Chou told Chu Qing the manor was built here for its comfortable hot spring.
And suggested Chu Qing and his group relax in the hot spring before chatting in the front hall.
Chu Qing was indifferent either way but secretly warned Wu Qianhuan and Gentle to shout for him if anything arises.
Both women nodded; Wu Qianhuan inquired about the pool locations, and the maid didn’t hide anything.
Immersed in the hot spring, Chu Qing felt a sense of surrealism.
From scrambling in the woods without a rest, now soaking in a hot spring?
He closed his eyes gently, hearing footsteps approaching, then opened one eye in surprise, pondering if Gongyang Chou arranged someone to scrub for him?
But with one glance, he froze as if struck with acupuncture.
In front of him, wrapped tightly in white cloth... was Wu Qianhuan!