The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 172 - The Turmoil of the Past
Xue Zhan stepped quietly in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Feng Empire city, trying not to attract anyone's attention. They were on an important mission to find out the truth behind Kang Jian's death, the massacre of dozens of colleges, and other problems that had arisen in Diqiu Empire. It would be fatal to have to get into trouble with another Empire person.
Xue Zhan was walking in the middle of the Feng Empire city, busy paying attention to the direction of the road to take in order to reach his destination. The city was bustling with merchants and tourists making it feel a little difficult to move. And suddenly a large and burly swordsman with a long sword hit him quite strongly.
The swordsman had a rough face and was full of scars, he frowned his eyebrows tight and added a fierce impression on him. Xue Zhan immediately realized that the swordsman had decent martial arts skills and had great strength. He could instantly read that without going through the fight. Even so, Xue Zhan was not at all afraid of his bluff and immediately let out a resolute voice.
"Who are you?" xue Zhan asked, trying to calm himself down.
"Hua Lian, what do you want to hit me? Find dead?" answer the warrior with a shrill voice.
Xue Zhan realized that dealing with that person in the middle of the city made him and Xiang Yi Bai the center of attention, he retorted cautiously, "I'm not looking for trouble here, I'm not looking for trouble here, I'll go first."
Hua Lian looked at Xue Zhan with a sharp look and pulled her shoulders, "I heard you were looking for Yue Linghe, the founder of the Purple Centipede. What's your business with him?" Although she looked haphazard, while speaking that Hua Lian slightly whispered cautiously.
Xue Zhan was surprised to hear that name. He had never expected that their movements were already visible to the people of Feng Empire.
Hua Lian seemed to have already known their purpose. Xue Zhan and Xiang Yi Bai were surprised by that because they had never met Hua Lian before and did not know how she could know their purpose.
"You're kidding. We don't know what you mean and don't know who Yue Linghe is. I have no business with you, so please stop blocking the way."
The man drew a meaningful smile. "I heard your chat while at the inn if you want to know," he explained which immediately made Xue Zhan look around anxiously. His brows were linked, trying to think of the right answer to answer the man. He did not want their information exposed, but this man seemed to already know a lot about them.
"If you go look for Xinghua, you'll have a hard time. The man shut himself into the bowels of the earth, even if the ground could talk even once, they could not answer where the woman was."
"What do you want to say?"Xiang Yi Bai finally let out a voice, he was unable to ascertain how the character of the man was. Seeming fierce and sometimes suspicious like a thief, her narrow eyes continued to intimidate Hua Lian until the man was seen often dodging her gaze.
"I know where the man you're looking for is."
Xue Zhan hesitated, "You know where he is?"
Hua Lian chuckled, "Of course I know where she is. My grandfather fought with him ten years ago."
For a moment Xue Zhan glanced towards Xiang Yi Bai, the man still thought twice. The student whispered a little.
"How's Teacher? Do you think he can be trusted?"
"If he betrays us we will kill him," Xue Zhan whispered as he looked coldly at Hua Lian.
The man stomped his sword to the ground, still with a gaze continuously watching the two.
Xue Zhan smiled forcefully, "Alright. Since I need your help, we're actually figuring out the truth behind Kang Jian's death and the other college massacre. We need information about the Purple Centipede, and Yue Linghe is the only person who can give us that information."
His face was bright. "The right decision, you trust the right person."
Hua Lian nodded twice then extended her hand as a sign of agreement, "i'll give you a clue as to where Yue Linghe is and as a payment you gave me 5000 gold pieces. Hows it? Agreed?"
For a moment Xue Zhan thought about it, the money was quite a lot and could be used for two years of living in the countryside. But because Xue Zhan already did not want to cancel it. He still kept some money given by Emperor Ziran to make up for that price, Xue Zhan immediately shook back Hua Lian saying, "Agreed."
"But be careful, the Purple Centipede is a very dangerous group, and they will stop at nothing to protect their secrets."
Two hours passed, Hua Lian carried Xiang Yi Bai and Xue Zhan over a high and steep hill. They passed through vast grasslands and lush green forests. The wind blew and the sun shone brightly. All around them were the sounds of insects and wild animals roaming about.
This beautiful and tranquil natural scenery momentarily made them forget all the difficulties and dangers for a moment. Xue Zhan had no idea where Hua Lian would take them, he was just always on standby for any possibilities. After the events of 5 years ago Xue Zhan learned many things, that not all humans can be trusted.
The moment they arrived at the gate of the college, Xue Zhan saw two guards standing firmly in front. They saluted Hua Lian and called her Big Brother. Xue Zhan had never previously imagined that Hua Lian was a student of this college and possessed such great strength.
The gate was wide open and they entered a spacious courtyard full of white rocks.
In that courtyard, there were some disciples who were practicing martial arts. Some of them wore simple white clothes, while others wore deep black clothes. They stopped the practice and stood up straight, looking towards Xiang Yi Bai, Xue Zhan, and Hua Lian and saluted before continuing the practice.
They were then escorted into the grand main hall. Inside the hall, there were several old and young people gathered, with sharp eyes and attentive gazes. Everything seemed focused as he stared at the three past the room and into a more enclosed room in the opposite building.
Hua Lian brought Xue Zhan and Xiang Yi Bai to an old building in the middle of the college complex. The building looked ancient, but it was still well preserved.
Hua Lian intended to introduce Xiang Yi Bai and Xue Zhan to an old man named Hua Du-grandfather who was an elder at the Golden Hill college, and explain the purpose of their arrival.
Hua Lian knocked on the door and an elderly grandfather opened it. "Grandfather, I brought a guest for you, this is very important. They want to see you," Hua Lian said while in a respectful tone. Someone in there replied calmly, "Let them in."