Chapter 935: Chapter 667: Gatekeeper
The discovery instantly sent a chill down Yang Xiao’s spine. He had previously heard from the Dean of Ru Lin Academy that the Daoist robe old ghost had a junior disciple.
In their heyday, the two had roamed the world of martial arts as the feared Taoist Double Killers. Countless renowned experts met their ends at their hands, and even the father of the Dean, strong as he was, could only avoid their blades and trap the Daoist robe old ghost alone in the Contemplation Pavilion of the Academy to kill him.
After the death of the Great Demon, Er Mo vanished from the martial world. Years had passed, and Yang Xiao had thought that Er Mo had long been dead... yet he had unexpectedly encountered him here!
Yang Xiao’s mind raced. He immediately realized that it was because he had used the ability of the Daoist robe old ghost in the previous battle that Er Mo had detected his presence, exposing him.
The situation was now troublesome. This Er Mo before him was no ordinary figure, a senior practitioner from an older generation, even more senior than the Dean. The Dean had held him in high esteem, once stating that if Er Mo were still alive, he would have surely reached the Netherworld Realm by now.
Yang Xiao had experienced the ferocity of a Netherworld-level Apostle, and killing him was like stepping on an ant. Even with the help of the good sister in a drama robe, it would be difficult for him to escape.
Last time, at the end of the covert contest, he had taken advantage of the mutual injuries sustained by the Dean and the Daoist robe old ghost, allowing him to profit from the situation.
All these thoughts flashed through Yang Xiao’s mind in an instant, but in reality, only a few seconds had passed. Yang Xiao felt a heavy gaze upon him, and it was as if he had been locked on by some force in that moment.
"Do you know me?" A hoarse voice from behind the screen sent shivers down one’s spine.
"You mustn’t lie in front of your master. Answer honestly, the elder will not make things difficult for a junior like you," Daoist Qingfeng suddenly spoke from behind.
Yang Xiao caught on; although Daoist Qingfeng seemed to be scolding him, he was actually giving him a heads-up, indicating that if he confessed honestly, today might not be a death sentence after all.
If he continued to speak nonsense, Yang Xiao knew he would have a hard time getting out today. Thus, he honestly recounted everything that had happened at Ru Lin Academy, with the exception of the drama robe incident – he spared no details in the rest.
Because he spoke only the truth, there were naturally no significant discrepancies. The waiting was excruciating. The figure behind the screen didn’t speak, and Yang Xiao didn’t dare to move. Whether he would live or die was entirely at this person’s whim.
The more Yang Xiao thought about it, the more panic set in. After all, Er Mo had accrued a massive blood debt in the martial world. If he were to leave and reveal the secret that Er Mo was hiding in the Peace Hotel, countless people would come seeking vengeance in the future. Even as a Netherworld-level Apostle, it would be difficult to cope with such an onslaught.
"Senior Er Mo, you can rest assured. Having seen your abilities, I will not divulge your whereabouts upon my departure. If you do not trust me, I would take that stick and hit my own head with it, erasing my memory," Yang Xiao knew that if he didn’t speak now, he might not get another chance. He had just been promoted, poised to enjoy power, wealth, and the company of beauties. He was not ready to die.
However, the figure in front of him was as silent as the grave, making no sound at all. Yang Xiao lifted his trembling head to peer behind the curtain, only to see the withered figure with his head bowed, holding a tattered half-sleeve robe in his hands, paying no further heed to him.
After calming down, Yang Xiao noticed that the figure was quivering slightly as if suppressing some extreme emotion.
"Cough..."
A very light cough came from behind him.
Yang Xiao immediately understood and bowed his head, "Master," as Daoist Qingfeng gently reminded the person behind the curtain.
"My brother and I were deluded by the Heart Demon, roamed the world of martial arts and slaughtered the innocent, truly deserving death. My brother’s demise is no one else’s fault," a sigh came from behind the curtain. "You have obtained his Magic Artifact and his mantle by a twist of fate, making you his half-disciple."
"Uncle Master above, please accept this junior’s salute!" Yang Xiao’s knees went soft and he knelt with a thud, giving three kowtows without waiting for a response.
The fat monk standing in front of the copper furnace, like a protector, twitched at the corner of his mouth upon seeing this, thinking that such shameless characters were rare indeed.
After the three kowtows, Yang Xiao continued to kneel. Without a word from the other party, he dared not stand up. His life and death hinged on this moment.
"Stand up. Since you have inherited my brother’s mantle, it’s not inappropriate to call me Uncle Master, but you are too cunning to belong to our Taoist path."
"Thank you for the instruction, Uncle Master," Yang Xiao thanked him with another bow before daring to stand. He exhaled a long sigh of relief, knowing he had survived this ordeal.
Considering the other’s identity, there was no need for him to play riddles with Yang Xiao. If he wanted to kill him, he would have just done so outright.
The figure behind the curtain waved a hand dismissively, and the big monk beside him stepped forward, bringing out the large copper plate that held Yang Xiao’s Magic Artifacts. All seven artifacts were there, not one missing. Yang Xiao’s excitement calmed slightly, thinking that the Uncle Master hadn’t seen through the details of the drama robe.
But the next second, a hoarse voice tightened Yang Xiao’s already relaxed heartstrings again, "We share a fate. I see two of my old friends in you."
One of the old friends was of course his senior brother, the Great Demon. But who was the second old friend? Could it be the good sister in the drama robe?
Flooded with resurfacing memories, Yang Xiao recalled his first meeting with Daoist Qingfeng, who had come to his aid and left him with words that lingered with him to this day.
