Chapter 1950: Chapter 1947: Threat?
"It seems Jiang Chen’s body is truly sinister, even in death it’s imposing." Lin Tian glanced at the sealing jars around; no evil spirit dared make a sound.
"More than just sinister, once it absorbs the power of the great barrier and releases everything suppressed by the Spirit Suppressing Tower, it will be a disaster." Zhang Ruyan said coldly.
While speaking, the three had already passed through the sealing jars and arrived at the staircase leading to the first floor, where the "light net" still filled the stairs. Lin Tian adjusted the bag on his shoulder, pondering how to get through it when Zhang Lingyu spoke.
"On the second floor, we can temporarily disable the first floor’s restriction, but only for a few seconds, so we must pass quickly, understood?" Zhang Lingyu spoke to Lin Tian, as Zhang Ruyan also knew of this restriction.
After speaking, she tapped the wall beside her, and for unknown reasons, the light net flickered and disappeared, and the three almost rushed out simultaneously.
But the first to reach the safety zone on the first floor was Lin Tian, followed by Zhang Lingyu and Zhang Ruyan; even carrying Jiang Chen’s body, his speed was faster than the two women.
Not long after the three descended, the first floor and staircase flashed, and the light net resumed. Naturally, without special glasses, Lin Tian couldn’t see the red lines.
Again opening the stone gate, Lin Tian finally exited the Spirit Suppressing Tower. Outside, the moon was still high, the night not yet over, and all was silent.
As the stone gate closed again with a crunching sound, it announced the night’s operation was basically over. Although there were some setbacks, it was relatively smooth; as long as Jiang Chen’s body was sent out of the Zhang Family, things would be complete.
"Let’s go, we can’t leave through the main entrance, we’ll have to go through the back mountain." Zhang Ruyan frowned, glancing around, seeming a bit uneasy.
"Who’s there? Come out!" Lin Tian suddenly shouted towards the distant cliff, where seemingly there was nothing, but he was fixated on a protruding stone.
On the surface, it looked just like a stone, but at Lin Tian’s call, the stone moved on its own, turning into a living person after a ripple of water. A black-clad figure leapt down from the cliff, appearing before the three.
"Zhang Zhicheng!" Zhang Lingyu and Zhang Ruyan squinted their eyes, flashes of cold light within their disgust.
The black-clad figure was indeed Zhang Zhicheng. He clapped his hands, looking smug: "The Great Elder’s talisman really is useful, not even you noticed my presence."
Why Zhang Zhicheng has been able to act as he pleases all along is not only due to the Great Elder’s backing, but also because he uses high-level talismans like they cost nothing, a benefit of having a powerful supporter.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. At midnight, what are the three of you doing at the Spirit Suppressing Tower? Don’t tell me, let me guess, a rendezvous? An adventure? Or stealing something?" Zhang Zhicheng arrogantly gloated, seeming to have the three in his grasp.
"If I’m not mistaken, you all are here to steal Jiang Chen’s body, right?" Zhang Zhicheng squinted, showing a cunning smile.
"So what if we are, so what if we’re not?" Zhang Lingyu replied coldly.
Upon hearing Zhang Lingyu’s words, Zhang Zhicheng laughed again, feigning a heartbroken look: "From your words, did I guess right? Lingyu, Lingyu, you’re the Heavenly Master’s successor, how could you do such a thing?"
"No, your past performance is evident to the clan, you’re an outstanding person, surely Lin Tian influenced you, right? If you obediently come over and identify Lin Tian, I can testify for you, ensuring you’re unharmed."
"Of course, you can’t be mischievous anymore, you must listen to me." Zhang Zhicheng glanced sideways at Lin Tian, his eyes flashing with malice, yet feeling relieved thinking he had caught Lin Tian’s weak spot.
Such a weak spot is enough to plunge Lin Tian into an abyss, perhaps even force Zhang Lingyu to submit.
I told you, one day I would destroy you, Lin Tian! Now, let’s see how you die, and Lingyu will belong to me too! Hahaha... Zhang Zhicheng laughed with dark satisfaction internally but feigned magnanimity outwardly.
After speaking, he found the three looking at him as if he were a fool, not at all frightened or yielding as he imagined.
Zhang Zhicheng looked at Zhang Lingyu, then at Zhang Ruyan, squinting: "Aunt, I don’t know why you’ve involved yourself in this, but if you and Lingyu stand on this side and testify against Lin Tian, I can pretend nothing happened, you remain an aunt, Lingyu remains the Heavenly Master’s successor, just minus Lin Tian, nothing changed."
"Heh..." Lin Tian raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly: "Last time someone threatened me like this, their grave has grown three meters high with grass."
"What? You want to commit murder to silence me?" Zhang Zhicheng snorted disdainfully: "Perhaps you haven’t understood your situation, this is the Zhang Family, not your playground."
"And I’ll tell you something hopeless, even if you kill me, it won’t matter; the Great Elder will surely find my soul in the Netherworld, then your deeds will be exposed, forcing all three of you to accompany me in the tomb!" Zhang Zhicheng glared at Lin Tian, his eyes fierce.
Zhang Lingyu and Zhang Ruyan exchanged glances, both frowning, knowing full well that Zhang Zhicheng wasn’t lying. Typically, when someone dies, it ends, earthly matters no longer concern them, everything dissipates.
But, Demon Exorcists differ from ordinary people; mastering Demon Exorcism Skills, understanding Yin Yang, and knowing the Netherworld. If Zhang Zhicheng dies, the Great Elder can enter the Netherworld to find his soul and investigate the cause of death.
Being the Great Elder of the Zhang Family, he’s surely interacted with the Netherworld more than once, gaining some favor there. Because the Netherworld has tasks considered difficult in the human world, relying on the Zhang Family’s Demon Exorcists, thus the Zhang Family holds certain status in the Netherworld.
Additionally, the two women know Zhang Zhicheng omitted something; if a member of the Zhang Family dies unnaturally, their soul imprisoned in the Netherworld won’t immediately cross Naihe Bridge or drink Mengpo Soup.
Since drinking Mengpo Soup erases all memories, before this, the Netherworld will dispatch Ghost Messengers to inform the Zhang Family, allowing investigating the clan member’s cause of death.
It’s a mutual benefit: the Zhang Family assists the Netherworld, and the Netherworld reciprocates, a privilege not afforded to ordinary people.
Seeing the women’s change of expression, Zhang Zhicheng exhaled, relieved he also didn’t want to die; the world still has much beauty. Simultaneously, he felt smug that his words were effective, intimidating the women, making Lin Tian insignificant—a strategic move.
By then, as long as the women jointly testify against Lin Tian, he’s doomed, intruding into the Spirit Suppressing Tower, stealing prohibited items, utterly helpless.
Removing Lin Tian and making Zhang Lingyu submit in one fell swoop, Zhang Zhicheng couldn’t help but admire himself, thinking that afterward, Zhang Lingyu would obediently follow him, doing whatever he asked, his heart stirred with excitement.
