Chapter 93: Encounter with Kong Bing, An Intense Pursuit - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 93: Encounter with Kong Bing, An Intense Pursuit "You left Jiuhua Mountain and found the bamboo hut at the foot of the mountain, where you often spent time with Fei Lingxue, completely dismantled." "It was as if nothing had ever transpired." "Reflecting on past times, you felt deceived, as if everything had been a cruel jest." "You felt like a toy, manipulated skillfully by Fei Lingxue." "A sudden cough interrupted your thoughts, and upon looking down, you saw a bloodstain on the grass." "Only now did you realize that extreme heartbreak could indeed cause one to cough up blood." "That damn woman!" "Your mind became a chaotic mess." "Lost, unsure of your next move." "The Blood Garb Tower." "Your gaze hardened. It was time to confront Fei Lingxue face-to-face at the main base of the Blood Garb Tower." "You remembered the way back." "You began your journey westward." "Following the exact path you'd taken when you first left the Blood Garb Tower's stronghold." "When you returned to the Blood Garb Tower three days later, the place was deserted." "You hadn't paused even for a moment on the journey." "But you arrived too late." "The stronghold was utterly abandoned, devoid of any trace of life." "You searched every corner but found not a single soul." "In the room you once occupied, you retrieved the Frost Sword, the Chasing Wind Sword, the Cold Autumn Sword, and the Black Iron Token." "Seeing the untouched Frost Sword filled you with an indescribable sense of loss." "A new sense of aimlessness overcame you." "With no choice but to wander the martial world, seeking traces of the Blood Garb Tower." "Yet it seemed to have vanished; a year of searching yielded no information." "Left with no alternative, you approached members of the Misty Rain Pavilion, presenting them with the Black Iron Token." "When the last Black Iron Token appeared, the master of Misty Rain Pavilion, Lu Zhaoming, personally came to see you." "Yan Prefecture—a place of strategic significance, comprising thirteen counties." "Within its borders lies Mount Tai, the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains, bearing countless centuries of cultural heritage. Many emperors have performed ceremonies here." "Standing alone at Jade Emperor Peak, with the Frost Sword in your arms, you surveyed the rolling sea of clouds." "You clenched the Black Iron Token, quietly awaiting Lu Zhaoming." "After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Zhaoming arrived alone." "His walking seemed slow, yet his movements were surprisingly swift." "Lu Zhaoming, in his fifties, wore a green robe, with a deep vertical scar between his brows that was striking." "In his early years, he was hailed as the world's greatest assassin." "His targets included both the wicked and the good; he saw himself neither as virtuous nor evil, but as a man of faith." "Trustworthiness and keeping promises were the reasons he continued to exist." "Upon hearing that the last Black Iron Token he had distributed was with you, he arrived without delay." "To him, retrieving all nine Black Iron Tokens symbolized the laying down of a heavy, promise-bound stone." "Young friend, are you the one who acquired the Black Iron Token?" "You turned slowly upon hearing Lu Zhaoming's words." "Yes." "I am the one who acquired the Black Iron Token." "Saying this, you tossed the Black Iron Token, which landed steadily in Lu Zhaoming's hand." "Lu Zhaoming exhaled deeply upon receiving the long-lost token." "What request do you have? Tell me." "As long as it’s within my power, I will fulfill it." "Hearing this, you did not hesitate." "Find the headquarters of the Blood Garb Tower; just give me the location, and I'll handle the rest." "For you, as the master of this pavilion, it shouldn't pose much difficulty." "Lu Zhaoming's brow furrowed deeper upon hearing your request." "The Blood Garb Tower." "Is it emerging into the martial world again?" "No wonder so many peculiar events have occurred recently." "Even the major sects have felt its impact." "Even Shaolin’s Master Kongjian fell victim to an unsolvable drug on an excursion." "Your heart sank upon hearing Lu Zhaoming’s words. Could it be that even the Misty Rain Pavilion cannot discern the Blood Garb Tower's movements?" "Master Lu, do you know the origins of the Blood Garb Tower?" "Lu Zhaoming nodded slowly." "Yes, I do." "It has been nearly a century since the Blood Garb Tower surfaced." "Back then, it provoked the collective wrath of the martial world, and various sects united to obliterate it." "Yet, surprisingly, the Blood Garb Tower was not eradicated and has reemerged after a hundred years." "The kind of storm it will unleash on the martial world this time is unimaginable." "After pondering, Lu Zhaoming promised you." "In that case, I will deploy members of the Misty Rain Pavilion to locate the Blood Garb Tower." "But I must caution you." "The members of the Blood Garb Tower are extremely dangerous, wielding many martial arts long lost to the world." "The successive leaders of the Blood Garb Tower have mastered a powerful skill called 'Ten Revolving Dust Hearts.' In former times, it claimed the lives of numerous renowned martial artists." "Those who mastered it could attain immortality and understand the universe’s mysteries." "Should you find the Blood Garb Tower's members, on your own..." "Lu Zhaoming did not finish his sentence, yet you understood his implication." "You remained silent, a wave of your hand sliced through two distant wild geese, which exploded mid-air." "Seeing your mighty skill, Lu Zhaoming was stunned." "He refrained from any further warnings against your quest." "Lu Zhaoming left, but not before you instructed him to send any news about the Blood Garb Tower to the Su residence in Qingyang County." "Meanwhile, your goal was to restore the Su residence." "To resurrect the banner of the Su family in the martial world." "You swiftly returned to the ruins of the Su residence in Qingyang County. Although the Su family had been destroyed and their enterprises seized, many old friends in the martial world remained." "Moreover, as the last surviving son, still on the run, nobody dared to occupy the Su household." "In the rear hills of the Su residence, you found the entire Su clan buried there, marked with tombstones indicating who lay beneath." "Though you did not know who had done this, you felt a deep gratitude toward them." "As you prepared to hire craftsmen for the restoration, a faint sound reached your ears." "Who's there?" "A flick of your finger resulted in a cry of pain from the rooftop." "Oh no!" "Reaching the rooftop, you found a young girl dressed as a constable, writhing in pain. The impact from your internal force had numbed half her body." "Your earlier flick had struck her shoulder, soaking her clothes in blood." "Upon closely inspecting her, you were taken aback." "Miss Kong Bing?" "The suffering Kong Bing looked up at your words, realizing she didn't recognize you." "Who are you?" "What business do you have at the Su estate?" "You chuckled at her question." "Shouldn't I ask you the same question?" "This is my home. I come and go as I please." "Kong Bing seemed to realize something at your response." "Are you the recently celebrated Su Mo of the martial world?" "You nodded." "Yes, that’s me." "But let me treat your wound first." "You're bleeding badly." "Without further ado, you placed your hand on her shoulder, ignoring her protests." "Your Empress Divine Art had developed many miraculous abilities, making healing others a simple task." "Under your mystical energy, Kong Bing’s shoulder wound quickly stopped bleeding and new skin grew." "Seeing the strength of your martial arts, Kong Bing offered no further resistance." "She tied a simple knot over the tear in her clothing, revealing a bit of pale skin, and bowed to you." "Thank you, Master Su." "It was my teacher, Li Dingtian, who sent me." "He said many things had been missing from the Su estate recently, suspecting thieves, so he sent me to investigate." "The name Li Dingtian struck a note of familiarity." "You suddenly recalled—Li Dingtian was a close friend of your father, Su Tai. Could he be the one responsible for erecting these grave markers?" You instantly felt a surge of gratitude towards Li Dingtian, and even Kong Bing appeared more pleasing to the eye—a fresh and gentle beauty, like a delicate flower mirrored in water. "Is your master the renowned 'Divine Dragon of the Clouds,' Li Dingtian?" "Yes, he is my master." "Where can I find your master? I must personally thank him." "My master is currently handling a major case in the northwest. It’s said to involve an ancient power, so he cannot leave at the moment." The mention of an "ancient power" piqued your interest. Could it possibly be connected to the Blood Garb Tower? However, since this involved confidential matters of the Divine Detective Sect, you refrained from inquiring further. Glancing at Kong Bing’s torn clothes due to your earlier attack, you promptly suggested, "Let me take you to the city to buy some new clothes and accessories." "Think of it as my apology to you." Upon hearing your offer to purchase clothes and jewelry, Kong Bing hurriedly declined. "I'm used to wearing this attire; there's no need for you to trouble yourself, Young Master Su." "Why be so courteous with me?" Ignoring Kong Bing’s refusal, you took her to the largest market in Qingyang Prefecture. Before long, you had purchased numerous items for Kong Bing—clothes, jewelry, shoes, and cosmetics—all of the finest quality available. Under your insistence, Kong Bing changed out of her dull constable uniform into the new garments you selected. Clad in a moon-white gown adorned with peony embroidery, her delicate brows slightly arched, eyes clear as autumn waters, nose finely sculpted, complexion like jade, and hair elegantly arranged with a golden hairpin, she truly resembled a celestial maiden. The former sternness of her uniform was replaced by a radiant smile, leaving her utterly delighted with the new attire and accessories. Looking at you, she couldn't help but show a hint of girlish charm. Seeing this, you couldn’t resist gently taking Kong Bing’s soft hand. "Miss Kong looks exceptionally beautiful in this attire." With your already striking looks and the aura enhanced by your cultivation of the Empress Divine Art, your charm was undeniable. Startled by your gesture, Kong Bing quickly withdrew her hand, her face now a rosy pink with shyness. "Young Master Su!" Hearing her playful scolding, you laughed heartily. "It's because Miss Kong is truly enchanting." You then deftly shifted the conversation. "I'm planning to renovate the Su residence, giving it a complete makeover. Could I count on your assistance?" "I hardly know anyone here." Kong Bing found no reason to refuse your request. "Certainly, I happen to know some skilled craftsmen from the local authorities. Their craftsmanship is excellent, and reasonably priced." "I'll go find them for you." (End of Chapter)