Chapter Fifty-Eight: Conspiracy (Second Update! Still Seeking Votes!)

Gravity Chamber.

Shi Yan pulled out the dark yellow fragmentary map from the corner of his backpack and handed it casually to Shi Jian, saying, “Here, this is the one.”

Shi Jian, Zuo Xu, and Zuo Shi all wore expressions of skepticism mixed with curiosity.

Shi Jian took the map, carefully rubbing it, and his eyes gradually brightened. “Indeed, this map doesn’t seem fake. The paper has clearly aged, and the patterns are somewhat blurred.”

“Let me see!” Zuo Xu, impatient, snatched the map from Shi Jian’s hands. He merely felt it before exclaiming, “This is absolutely genuine! Our Zuo family has similar paper; it’s made from the soft belly skin of an ancient demon beast—impervious to water and fire, extremely durable.”

“Tell me in detail how you encountered Karu. Who else knows about this?” Shi Jian’s face was solemn, his breath deep with excitement.

“You’re a strange one, truly curious,” Zuo Shi’s beautiful eyes remained fixed on Shi Yan, her interest in him growing.

“It happened like this…”

From the words of Shi Jian and Zuo Xu, Shi Yan realized the map fragment was of immense importance and so did not hide the circumstances of obtaining it. He quickly recounted how he left the ancient cave and what transpired.

“The Mo family knows as well?” Zuo Xu’s face changed, pausing before sneering, “No wonder the Mo family has lingered in Silent Town. They must have been searching for you all this time.”

“The Mo family!” Shi Jian snorted angrily, “Luckily Shi Yan is unharmed. If the Mo family had hurt him, I would risk my life to bring Mo Tuo down with me! Their claws are getting longer and longer. If we don’t teach them a lesson, they’ll think the Shi family is powerless!”

“Mu Yudie and Di Yalan were taken away by Beiming Ce. Do these two know your true identity?” Zuo Xu pondered before asking again.

“Neither Mu Yudie, Di Yalan, nor the Mo family know who I am. To Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, I gave the false name ‘Ding Yan’.”

“Smart boy, good thing you were cautious. Otherwise, this would have been much harder!” Zuo Xu praised.

“Since we now have half the treasure map, we must get the other half!” Shi Jian’s eyes flashed with determination as he addressed Zuo Xu, “Brother Zuo, we can risk it for this! As long as we secure the other half from the Ethereal Pavilion, our two families can open the ‘Heaven Gate’ and venture into the ‘Divine Realm’ in search of divine treasures!”

Zuo Xu narrowed his eyes, strange lights flickering in his pupils. After a moment’s thought, he said, “The Ethereal Pavilion is full of experts. To force the map from them, we’ll need careful planning.”

He hesitated, then added, “I’ll write a letter immediately, have a messenger eagle deliver it to the Cloud Mist Mountains, and inform Chixiao. Chixiao is a master at the Heavenly level; with him on our side, we’ll be assured of success. After all, Beiming Shang is also coveting the treasure map, becoming restless and targeting the Ethereal Pavilion.”

“Excellent! With Chixiao here, our chances are even better!” Shi Jian was delighted.

Chixiao, Zuo Shi’s master, was closely allied with the Zuo family and a Heavenly-level powerhouse. Once he arrived in Tianyun City, Shi and Zuo combined would not fear even the Beiming family.

He didn’t worry that Chixiao would claim the ‘Heaven Gate’ secret for himself. The gate to the ‘Divine Realm’ held untold mysteries and treasures, but also unpredictable dangers. Having a Heavenly-level expert along would make the journey much safer.

Most importantly—Chixiao was just one man!

No matter how greedy, he couldn’t claim all divine treasures for himself, unlike the Beiming family, a large clan that would surely seek to monopolize everything.

“Boy, you’d better not participate in the Martial Tournament,” Zuo Xu pondered, then said, “The Mo family knows you. If you show your face, they’ll realize the map is with our two families. Should the Ethereal Pavilion’s map be stolen, they’ll suspect us, and we may become the target of all.”

“Um…” Shi Jian hesitated, but finally nodded, sighing helplessly, “For the Heaven Gate, it seems this is necessary.”

“Not necessarily. Just change his appearance, and he can still compete. The Mo family has never seen him before—just a bit of disguise, and no one will connect him to Karu’s killer,” Zuo Shi’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she suggested with a smile.

“Ah! That’s a good idea,” Shi Jian’s eyes lit up, scrutinizing Shi Yan. “He’s changed quite a bit these months. With a little work, the Mo family won’t recognize him.”

“If you’re going after the Ethereal Pavilion’s map, the best time is during the Martial Tournament. I heard from Han Zhong that the pavilion will send people to oversee the tournament. In the midst of the contest, with experts and Chixiao present, you can strike and perhaps avoid suspicion.”

Shi Yan considered, then offered his own thoughts.

“Strike during the tournament…” Zuo Xu murmured, then suddenly exclaimed, “Great idea! We act during the contest! With us there, if anything happens at the Ethereal Pavilion, we can deflect suspicion. Who would guess it was us? As long as Chixiao acts and our families unite, I’m eighty percent confident we’ll get the map fragment.”

“Will Chixiao act?” Shi Jian asked doubtfully.

“Don’t worry, he will. The old man has always been curious about the Heaven Gate. Once he hears, he’ll rush from the Cloud Mist Mountains. I know him too well—nothing excites him like the unknown,” Zuo Shi replied confidently.

“It’s settled then!” Shi Jian felt reassured, snatched the map fragment from Zuo Xu, stuffed it into his belt bag, and laughed, “Brother Zuo, you go prepare. I’ll wait for Chixiao to bring his piece so we can combine them.”

“Alright!” Zuo Xu nodded, satisfied, tugged at Zuo Shi, “Let’s go, time to make arrangements.”

“I’ll guard the treasure map. You focus on training! Tomorrow, I’ll find a disguise expert to alter your appearance. During the tournament, you must teach those Mo brats a lesson!” Shi Jian commanded.

“Mm.”

…

Mo family.

Mo Tuo paced restlessly in the Thunder God Hall, his face dark. Beside him stood Mo Chaoge and Mo Yanyu.

Mo Yanyu’s lovely face was full of bitterness, and Mo Chaoge hung his head in dejection.

“Why haven’t you found him yet? Are you all useless? All this time, you can’t locate a boy with no background? We’ve raised so many agents in every city, and all you do is waste family resources!” Mo Tuo roared, pointing at Mo Chaoge and Mo Yanyu, “You two! You were to bring someone back, but instead caused so much trouble. Keeping you is a waste of food!”

“Father, I’ve been sending people, no slack in Silent Town. But the merchant league is vast—who knows where that boy went? I really tried!”

“Useless! All of you!” Mo Tuo cursed for ten minutes before finally sighing, “Looks like I’ll have to visit the Beiming family myself.”

“Father, if Beiming Shang finds out, will we benefit?”

“Do you have a better idea?” Mo Tuo’s face was murderous, “You think I want to? If you hadn’t lost him, would I need Beiming Shang? Only Mu Yudie knows the origin of Karu’s killer—only her! If you weren’t incompetent, would I need to act myself? Useless!”

“Father, I was wrong.” Mo Chaoge pleaded, then turned to glare at Mo Yanyu, “If you don’t win at the tournament, not even Father can save you!”

Mo Yanyu’s face was full of fright, nodding quickly.

…

Beiming family.

In the center of a clear lake, a small island stood dotted with bamboo lodges.

In the courtyard of one lodge, Mu Yudie’s dark hair fluttered in the breeze as she played the zither with focused grace. The melodious music drifted over the water, drawing swans to gather outside her courtyard.

Di Yalan was in another courtyard’s training ground, wielding a blazing longsword and practicing martial techniques. Her fiery, alluring figure glowed under the sun, radiating a captivating charm.

Around the lake, Beiming family warriors paused whenever they passed, their passionate gazes fixed on the island, faces mesmerized.

“Lan, how is this Fire Cloud Sword?” Mu Yudie finished her piece, smiling as she approached Di Yalan. “The Beiming family is famous for their craftsmanship—our Fire Empire doesn’t have many who match them.”

“The Fire Cloud Sword is a profound-grade weapon. With the Fire Cloud Art, I can fully exploit its power, especially since it withstands Blue Demon Flame. Truly a fine weapon,” Di Yalan nodded, clearly pleased.

“Do you regret coming with me now?”

“Sigh…” Di Yalan shook her head, the shadow in her mind resurfacing. Her smile was a bit forced. “Does saying so now matter? I fear I’ll never see him again. For revenge and family revival, I had no choice. But… but my heart…”

“Can’t let go?”

“Mm.”

“…Sometimes, I think of him too,” Mu Yudie sighed quietly, “I feel indebted to him, but what can we do? We’re just two girls without family protection, burdened with deep hatred. Reality forces us to choose ambition. Otherwise, we’d have to forget everything, settle down as modest wives, and live an ordinary life with a common man.”

“He’s anything but ordinary! Sometimes, I think he’s far more terrifying than Beiming Ce. Given the chance, he’d surpass others!”

“Sadly, fate didn’t give him that chance. Without a powerful clan behind him, he must rise step by step. We… can’t wait that long.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here, not wandering with him.”

…

“Miss Mu, the Patriarch asks you and Miss Di Yalan to come to the Ice Pavilion—urgent matters to discuss!” On a boat in the lake’s center, a Beiming family warrior called loudly.

“Coming,” Mu Yudie replied, her mind full of doubts, brows furrowed. “Why does Beiming Shang want us? Since coming here, he’s never appeared. This sudden invitation is strange…”

“Maybe he wants to discuss your marriage to Beiming Ce?” Di Yalan guessed.

“If the Beiming family won’t help me avenge my family, I’ll never marry Beiming Ce!” Mu Yudie snorted, “I’m here to use their power for revenge. I feel nothing for Beiming Ce. Even if I did, if they don’t meet my terms, I’ll leave sooner or later—hmph!”

…

ps: Last week’s votes were amazing—brothers and sisters, you’re incredible!

Thank you all! This is the second update! Another chapter tonight! I’ll keep my promise—as long as I stay on the rankings, I’ll push for three updates a day! Brothers and sisters, please keep up your support! Xiao Ni needs your strength! Please!