Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Something Feels Wrong
Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Something Feels Wrong
Zhu Xuanji let out a cold snort, “You dare to suspect me first!”
“I used my Golden Eyes to inspect, seeing through any barriers. Do you think mere flames can hide anything from me?”
“I saw that the old monkey had cultivated deeply in magical powers but never used them. He rather sacrificed his own life to protect his master.”
“Such loyalty and righteousness!”
“If it were us humans, how many of us could do the same?”
“Moved by this, I didn’t want him to die and decided to save him.”
At this, Zhu Xuanji’s tone grew heavier, “But because I personally treated him, not only using my Golden Eyes but also infused mana into his body. Hence, I am certain that apart from his severe injuries, there is absolutely no presence of any Black Shadow Demon Cultivator hidden within!”
The crowd saw Zhu Xuanji’s firm assertion and fell silent again.
If this was true, then there were no doubts left.
The more likely scenario was that someone secretly released the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator in advance.
Fei Si gradually frowned, opening his mouth to speak before closing it again.
The Zhou Family’s elder also frowned but continued to ask, “Lord Zhu, forgive my boldness, are you absolutely certain?”
“Is there no other spell, divine skill, or something else in this world that can hide from your Golden Eyes and mana inspection?”
Zhu Xuanji let out a cold laugh, “What you’re saying is meaningless.”
“Who can guarantee absolute certainty?”
“In this world, there are countless talents, endless prodigies, innumerable spells, divine skills, and magical treasures. How can we know them all?”
“I can only tell you that my Golden Eyes talent is close to divine skill. Joining the Divine Hunter Office for over a decade, I have encountered only three Golden Core Cultivators who could resist my Golden Eye Insight. Below the Golden Core level, no living being has ever escaped my sight.”
The crowd fell silent once more.
Zhu Xuanji, eager to clear his own doubts, suggested, “Since there are those who do not trust me, it’s fine. Let’s go find that old monkey now and have everyone inspect him. How about that?”
“That makes sense!” Chi Dun nodded.
“Indeed,” the Zhou Family elder agreed too.
Fei Si felt a sudden chill in his heart.
He thought again of Ning Zhuo.
Earlier, Ning Zhuo proactively suggested convincing Yuan Er to surrender, through threats and persuasion, to kill that old monkey.
How far had that plan gone?
Thinking about the token in Ning Zhuo’s possession, Fei Si grew anxious.
He maintained a calm exterior, “I also have my doubts. Witnessing it with my own eyes would be better.”
“Chi Dun, you stay here to maintain order and continue the search with the other Golden Core Cultivators. The underground might still hide someone. Don’t let anyone slip through!”
Fei Si then invited the Zhou Family elder and Zhu Xuanji, along with himself, to search for Yuan Dasheng.
Chi Dun grumbled, “Why must I stay here? You’re in charge?”
Fei Si’s reply left no room for argument, “The City Lord appointed me to oversee the Fire Persimmon Festival. Are you challenging my authority?”
Chi Dun snorted but had to comply.
The three Golden Core Cultivators then flew to the Monkey Head Gang’s headquarters.
Yuan Er was still kneeling by the bed, his expression dazed and eyes lifeless.
Suddenly, the three Golden Core Cultivators descended from the sky, shattering the roof and looking down at him.
Yuan Er shuddered in fear.
“Where is that old monkey of yours?” Zhu Xuanji used his divine sense to scan the courtyard, his heart filling with foreboding.
Yuan Er’s face turned pale, and he wept bitterly, “Dead. My Uncle Monkey is dead!”
Zhu Xuanji’s eyes gleamed with golden light as he sternly questioned, “I gave you the Late Autumn Life-Saving Pill. How did the old monkey die?”
Yuan Er shivered like a leaf, not daring to hide anything, trembling as he recounted everything.
Zhu Xuanji’s face turned pale with anger as he pointed at Yuan Er, “You ungrateful wretch!”
He then turned to Fei Si, “Well done, Fei Si. You’ve really played your hand well.”
Fei Si inwardly gloated, “I didn’t expect Ning Zhuo to act so swiftly. Well done!”
Feeling pleased, he narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, “Thank you, Lord Zhu, for the praise.”
“I did this for the sake of Fire Persimmon Immortal City.”
“After all, always using the monkey pets to pick fire persimmons is rather cruel. The Three Ancestral Masters were compassionate. If not for him leaving behind the Magma Fairy Palace, Fire Persimmon Mountain wouldn’t be the blessing it is today.”
“As successors, we must understand the spirit of the Three Ancestral Masters, spare these monkeys, and use mechanism artifacts instead. It is an act of mercy and benevolence for all.”
Fei Si feigned ignorance, pretending he missed the irony in Zhu Xuanji’s tone, and praised himself profusely.
Zhu Xuanji’s breath became labored, and his face turned pale blue with anger.
Fei Si felt even more satisfied.
This was not merely an issue of face.
Conflicts between righteous cultivators were not as direct and bloody as those with demon cultivators.
These regulated confrontations were indicators of a cultivator’s strength.
Fame often led to real benefits.
Fei Si, being publicly pressured by Zhu Xuanji into revealing the array, showed weakness that might sway future loyalty towards Zhu Xuanji, damaging Fei Si’s authority and influence.
In essence, it also reduced the influence of the City Lord’s Mansion and the current City Lord, Meng Kui.
Zhu Xuanji represented the royal family and the Divine Hunter Office, inherently at odds with Meng Kui’s faction.
If Fei Si didn’t counteract and properly retaliate within the rules, it would disappoint Meng Kui.
Now, having regained some footing, relieved the prior negative impact, Fei Si felt at ease.
The Zhou Family elder, frowning on the side, had no desire to get entangled in the rivalry between Fei Si and Zhu Xuanji. As a third party, it was too early to take a side.
He was more interested in resolving the issue with the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator, stating, “Since the old monkey has been taken away, why remain here?”
“Brother Fei, where is your messenger now?” the Zhou Family elder asked Fei Si.
The Immortal City Great Array greatly suppressed divine senses, but Fei Si used his privileges, expanding his divine sense with the array’s help, sensing the token.
“Follow me!” Fei Si led the way, departing the Monkey Head Gang.
Zhu Xuanji and the Zhou Family elder followed close behind.
Three streaks of light crossed the sky, landing at the flying disc workshop.
Zhu Xuanji gestured with a hand, and an invisible force lifted the roof, revealing Ning Zhuo and Chen Cha.
On the mechanical platform lay the old monkey, its essence blood drained, about to be dismembered.
“Stop immediately!” the Zhou Family elder commanded.
Ning Zhuo and Chen Cha, faces full of surprise, hurriedly greeted them.
The three Golden Core Cultivators ignored them, spreading their divine senses to inspect Yuan Dasheng’s corpse.
No trace of a hidden demon cultivator was found.
“Indeed, he had cultivated demonic powers, seemingly quite advanced,” the Zhou Family elder noted.
Zhu Xuanji reverified his earlier findings, casting a regretful glance at the old monkey’s body before turning to Ning Zhuo, “You, boy, have a sharp tongue. Yuan Er is a fool, easily swayed by you.”
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, nervously saying, “Lord Zhu, please reconsider. My collaboration with Yuan Er was mutually beneficial! I sought to make money, Yuan Er to maintain his position as leader.”
“Please forgive my boldness, but Lord, you acted with compassion, saving the old monkey. But was it truly in its best interest? Given its loyalty, it would rather not be a burden to its master, would it?”
“Hmph, sharp-tongued!” Zhu Xuanji’s opinion of Ning Zhuo plummeted.
Fei Si, stroking his beard, found himself increasingly admiring Ning Zhuo.
Finding no suspicious traces, the three Golden Core Cultivators departed swiftly.
Fei Si returned to the Fire Persimmon Forest, but Zhu Xuanji paused midway.
He furrowed his brows, deep in thought, “There’s something that doesn’t feel right!”