Chapter 123 - Blood Lair!
The building before him was a few times larger than the Turquoise Willow Residence. Despite being called the Blood Lair, it was a beautiful structure with elegant pavilions and landscaping. It looked like the residence of a wealthy family or a well-read scholar.
Long Chen stood at the entrance and observed for a while. Together with Ling Xi’s sensing abilities, he quickly figured out the method to enter the place. It was simple. All he had to do was show his Blood Token and declare the Protector whom he was under the jurisdiction of. “Huang Tian, under the jurisdiction of Protector Zhou Tai?”
The four guards at the entrance were at the peak of the Ninth Draconic Stage. Although Long Chen was infinitely stronger than them, he dared not act recklessly.
The man nodded, then one of them gave the Blood Token back to him and Long Chen was allowed into the Blood Lair. The guards are probably on rotation, that’s why they don’t know Huang Tian. However, there’s likely going to be people in the Blood Saints who know Huang Tian, so I need to be careful.
Long Chen then walked into the massive Blood Lair, trying his best to fit in.
Due to the all-important Sanguine Sacrificial Ceremony, many followers had made their way to the Blood Lair over the past few days to bear witness to the grand moment. That was why the place was busy.
It was obvious that only vicious, violent people with darkness in their hearts would join the Blood Saints. That was why people weren’t friendly with each other despite it being a busy place. This was convenient for Long Chen.
He walked around the Blood Lair calmly, searching for information about the underground city, but he learned nothing. Looks like I need to be bolder.
Although the Blood Lair was huge, Long Chen had almost finished touring the place after a short while. He had stopped at the Great Blood Hall when a huge, muscular man walked by him, eyed him suspiciously, then asked, “Hey, kid, I haven’t seen you here before. Are you new?”
Long Chen was already mentally prepared for this situation. Huang Tian had also joined recently, so he answered without hesitation, “It’s been less than a month since I joined.”
The man chuckled. “I don’t think you’ve gotten the chance to enjoy the greatness of a blood bath yet, have you? The feeling you get when you cultivate in the blood bath—oh, how I miss it! But you got lucky, kid, to have the privilege of experiencing it right after joining!”
The man patted Long Chen’s shoulder heavily, saw Long Chen’s pained expression, then laughed and left.
But when he left, Long Chen’s pained expression disappeared instantly. It’s basically useless for me to loiter around now. I’ll wait until nighttime to investigate; it’ll be more effective then. Sticking my nose everywhere now will just make it easier for someone to find me out.
Everyone had their own quarters in the Blood Lair. However, Long Chen didn’t return to Huang Tian’s quarters. As the sky darkened, he found a corner where he could hide himself. Night was quickly approaching, and there were fewer people around. The Grand Priest lives in a place called the Blood House. I think I need to get inside the Blood House to learn about the underground city. I’m guessing that the entrance will also be in the Blood House.
After making his decision, Long Chen headed towards the Blood House.
The Blood House was at the center of the Blood Lair, with a sealed courtyard. He had heard that only important members of the Blood Saints were usually allowed entry. That was why the number of people decreased as he neared the place.
Very soon, Long Chen saw a completely red building. From far, it seemed to radiate hostility and killing intent. The Grand Priest is at the Earthly Core Realm. If I rush in recklessly, it’ll be difficult to retreat unharmed, and I might even harm Lingqing. I need to find a way.
Long Chen hid in a corner, watching the red building silently with his brows furrowed. “There is indeed an Earthly Core Realm cultivator within that building. There are also five more late Human Core Realm cultivators inside,” Ling Xi said worriedly.
One Earthly Core Realm cultivator and five late Human Core Realm cultivators. Long Chen was only at the mid Human Core Realm, plus he needed to save Yang Lingqing. It was a delicate task. “Damn it! The moment I have you all in the palm of my hands, you all will be dead!” cursed Long Chen darkly.
“Someone’s coming ...” After Ling Xi’s whispered reminder, he quickly hid himself. Very soon, he spotted three others sneaking towards the Blood House. Based on their figures, they seemed to be a woman and two men.
“Long Chen, they probably infiltrated the Blood Saints too ...”
Long Chen didn’t need Ling Xi to tell him. Plus, the Blood Saints’ operations had been large-scale in recent times, and they had kidnapped a large number of girls. Therefore, they had definitely made many enemies.
The two men were at the mid Human Core Realm, while the woman was at the late Human Core Realm.
Very soon, they arrived at a spot not far from Long Chen. Watching the Blood House from the shadows, the woman asked, “Brothers, the entrance to the underground city is in the Blood House. But that devil Grand Priest is also inside. I am no match for him. Do you guys have a plan?”
One of the men said, “Why don’t the two of us lead the Grand Priest away while you, Sister Li, enter the underground city to rescue your younger sister?”
Sister Li shook her head. “No way, you guys will die for sure. Also, there are five Sect Elders inside, making a total of six people, all of whom are stronger than us. How many of them would you be able to distract?”
All three of them frowned deeply. “Sister Li, I’m ready for this. I have watched the Blood Saints hurt countless people throughout the years. Now they have gotten their paws on your sister! I will make them suffer even if I have to die!”
“Stop that! We’re not strong enough, so we must find another way. Don’t be rash, you’ll just hurt everyone!” After the woman’s reprimand, the other two men quietened down.
“Those three are decently strong. Working with them might be helpful.”
While the three were at a loss for what to do, Long Chen appeared. To prevent misunderstanding, he stated his intentions the moment he appeared. “Hi, I’m not part of the Blood Saints and I have the same objective as you guys. May I speak with you all?”
The three were initially startled by his appearance and were about to attack him. When they heard him state his intentions, they heaved sighs of relief. As they eyed him, they were a little speechless because he was so young. The kid looks pretty young, but he’s bold to have infiltrated the Blood Saints alone. Whatever, since we aren’t coming up with any ideas hiding here, might as well find a place for a proper discussion!
With that thought, the lady called Sister Li nodded. “Just as he said, let’s find a place to speak.”
Long Chen followed the lady around the Blood Lair, finally arriving in a small room after a few turns. He was surprised to see that the three had a room and still weren’t being suspected.
“Don’t be shocked, Brother. The three of us have been planning to remove this malignant tumor that is the Blood Saints for years. However, one must enter the tiger’s cave to kill the tiger. That is why we joined the Blood Saints more than a month ago—so our movements here wouldn’t attract suspicion.”
It was no wonder that these three were so familiar with the Blood Lair.
All four of them were united with a common purpose. They sat at a round table, and Long Chen looked at the tall, muscular woman, as well as the two similar-looking middle-aged men. He introduced himself first. “My name is Long Chen. How should I address you all?”
The woman said straightforwardly, “I’m Li Jing. These two are Li Peng and Li Cheng. Long Chen, why are you here?”
“Like you, my cousin, whom I see as my own sister, was kidnapped by the Blood Saints. So, I’m here to save her.”
The three of them looked at each other. Li Jing said, “My younger sister was also a victim. But ... While I’m impressed by your courage, seeing as you’re so young, the Blood Saints are extremely dangerous. We’re walking on extremely thin ice being here...”
“Everyone, may I ask if you have any information about the underground city?” Long Chen ignored her remark and cut straight to the chase.
Li Jing froze, then said, “There are a total of ten tunnels in the underground city, all of the entryways located in the Blood House. However, entering is difficult. Exiting is even more difficult. The Grand Priest and the five Sect Elders are in the Blood House. Even if we can force our way into the underground city, we won’t make it out ...”
“Is that so?” Long Chen’s brows were tightly knitted.
Li Peng and Li Cheng sighed. Looking at Long Chen’s young face, one of them said, “Hey, kid, we’re very impressed that you have a strong sense of justice at such a young age. However, the strength of the Blood Saints is truly beyond your imagination.”
“That’s right. I think you should leave while you still can. You can take your revenge when you succeed in your cultivation. Don’t sacrifice yourself for nothing here. All three of us view death as coming home, so even if we can’t save Sister Li’s sister, we will still make these monsters pay!”
They saw that Long Chen was young and had a bright future ahead. They were offering advice out of kindness.
Long Chen understood this, though that didn’t mean he agreed. “Everyone, my cousin is very important to me. I must save her even if I must risk my life!”
Seeing as Long Chen was so stubborn, all three looked at each other and sighed, about to speak when there was a loud boom outside. “There’s a mole!”
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