Bang!
With a loud explosion, the steel-cast gate of the Platinum Tower burst open. The iron-faced man charged forward with his hands protecting his head, but the anticipated ambush explosion did not occur. The entire first floor was quiet and dim, with tall bookshelves casting long shadows from the wall lamps, resembling both guards and tombstones.
The gunfire outside temporarily halted, and the attackers quickly rushed inside the Platinum Tower to regroup. As they approached the entrance, the gunmen guarding the main door had already dispersed, and the attackers had no intention of pursuing them—their mission objective was right in front of them, and they knew what was important.
Clap!
As the steel-cast gate slammed shut, the Grand Steward casually pulled a book from the shelf and lit his lighter for a glance: "A Guide to Ancient Dragon Breeds? Quite a rare treasure, but the dragons recorded here are likely very few now, after decades, perhaps no one even believes in the existence of ancient dragon breeds... Useless to keep."
He set the book on fire and shoved it back into the shelf. During the dry mid-autumn season, the bookshelf quickly ignited, and the roaring flames engulfed the entire shelf, illuminating the dark first-floor hall.
"Are there any casualties?" the Grand Steward asked.
"Two dead," someone from the Brotherhood replied. "One was your man, the other was our 'Reveler'. He couldn't dodge in time, took a bullet to the head, and fainted on the ground."
Outside, there were Wei Guard and Yan Command operatives; getting shot in the head and fainting pretty much sealed the outcome.
Le Yu scanned around, noticing the Curse Hunter, who had his Achilles tendon severed and his tailbone severely injured by Chanchan, being dragged in. He was surrounded by other Curse Hunters, seemingly receiving emergency treatment. Before long, this hunter with a cane regained his combat ability.
Despite being anticipated, Le Yu couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed.
Only two dead!
He laid down traps meticulously, played mysterious acts, organized an extensive 'Net of Karmic Redemption', even utilized the vicious Yan Command operatives, expending tremendous effort for his meticulously plotted 'Road to Netherworld', yet only managed to kill two of them!
The fighting strength remains intact, with strength to spare!
Terrifying indeed!
These people absolutely cannot be left alive!
"So only one died," the Grand Steward calmly said.
The others were taken aback. They had seen the iron-faced man named 'Number Two' beheaded by the Imperial Academy teacher. Didn't that count? Or perhaps the National Relief Association didn't consider people as people, so it didn't count as a death?
Clap!
Suddenly, a corpse was thrown out—it was the headless body of Number Two. Earlier, no one looked closely, but now upon inspection, everyone's expressions changed—the neck wound had not bled!
Another iron-faced man approached, holding a head, and placed Number Two's head onto the neck stump like fitting furniture with a mortise and tenon joint, making a sound akin to cogwheels meshing.
Though hard to believe, witnessing their condition, everyone held their breath, eyes unblinking, staring intently at Number Two's corpse!
"Number Two has the strongest combat ability. We can't do without him." The Grand Steward sighed, taking out a box from his pocket. Inside was a square piece of ice, within which glimmered a golden-red gem, as if it were blood in gold!
He brought the ice near the burning bookshelf. The ice quickly melted, revealing the golden-red gem inside. Then he placed the gem into Number Two's mouth. The next second, blood-red markings erupted all over Number Two's body, and suddenly blood gushed from the neck!
Crack, crack, crack!
Number Two twisted his neck as he stood up, the neck emitting a spine-chilling bone-crunching sound, then stood behind the Grand Steward as if nothing happened!
Everyone was left dumbstruck, filled with doubt, surprise, greed, and above all, fear!
"Very good, let's proceed," the Grand Steward patted Number Two's shoulder in satisfaction. Suddenly noticing everyone's expressions, his ugly face showing surprise: "What's wrong? Don't look at me. I only have one Blood Essence Stone. If more people die, they'll truly be dead."
"Blood Essence Stone?" A disciple of Three Guns slightly frowned: "Is it an Extreme Divine Weapon? Illusion Divine Weapon? Or Divine Weapon?"
"Actually, it doesn't count as even a Divine Weapon," the Grand Steward chuckled. "It's merely an artificially crafted superb natural treasure. Hmm, it makes sense you're unaware; it's an exclusive resource of the Chairman, never circulated."
"Don't be so surprised; believe in knowledge. In this world, resurrection from death is impossible, but reviving the newly deceased isn't entirely out of the question. Hasn't the Chief Medical Officer also had multiple 'Living Dead' cases? The Blood Essence Stone is akin to a Peak of Perfection physician's full-effort intervention, allowing those with intact brains to rapidly regain consciousness."
"If the National Relief Association agreed to sell this item, no matter the price, the Storm Army would surely gather the sum!" the Brotherhood immediately declared.
"While merchants may sell even their parents for a fair price, the Blood Essence Stone is ineffective for outsiders; only those 'cultivated' by the Chairman can absorb its energy… Plus, now isn't the opportune moment for business talks." The Grand Steward surveyed the hall and smiled.
With that said, the others didn't ask more questions, but there was a strange gleam in their eyes.
Even with many prerequisites, this is an item that can bring people back to life. Who wouldn't be tempted? Even if it's not for sale, having a squad of such extraordinary strength that can be resurrected is enough for the National Relief Association to have their backing forces reassess this partner's power.
Le Yu thought deeper: If reality was as they wished, with Cha Huan dead and Qin Le Yin's hand severed, the subsequent sword-seeking and throne contest would no longer be fair, moving directly into a money-spending competition and live-action combat phase. At that moment, if the National Relief Association suddenly showcased their strength, with an extraordinary squad and items that could bring the dead back to life... After this event, the National Relief Association would become a player on the board, participating in the struggle for supreme power!
More importantly, the weakened morale was uplifted once again!
After witnessing the 'miracle', the remaining attackers were more confident about what lay ahead, and they had already entered the Platinum Tower. In this closed environment, those ragged opponents couldn't possibly compete with them!
"Although I always thought it was unlikely, I didn't expect something this miraculous..." The Grand Steward gazed at the walls of the Platinum Tower and sighed, "I can only execute the second plan now."
"What was the first plan?" someone asked.
"The first plan was to directly blow up the Platinum Tower on the first floor with gunpowder, and then slowly search after it collapsed."
Everyone's eyes lit up—a great idea! Because the Platinum Tower is truly grand, and it's a symbol of the Imperial Academy, these thugs accustomed to murder and arson hadn't considered the option of destroying it, but now that they've broken into the Platinum Tower, why should they care about chivalry?
The Grand Steward said, "But the walls of the Platinum Tower are not only solid stone, but it's also been tampered with by previous principals. They've used the power of the Sea of Consciousness to connect each brick and floor, making the Platinum Tower a whole—even if we pile all the gunpowder together and detonate it, the explosive power will be dispersed through the entire Platinum Tower, not even blowing a hole!"
"Is there such mystical stuff?" someone from the Brotherhood questioned, "If this technique were applied to city defenses, wouldn't it be an indestructible fortress? But—"
"Talking about toxicity without dosage is just playing rogue," said the Grand Steward calmly. "Through the years, most of the principals of the Imperial Academy were fighters; even so, they could only build such a Platinum Tower. If you were to connect the walls of the entire city, how many fighters do you think would be needed to lay the bricks? If you don't believe it, you can try to make a dent in the walls."
A Curse Hunter, named 'Bone-chilling', immediately drew a butchering knife and slashed at the ground forcefully, only to produce sparks, with the knife's teeth curling up, unable to even mark it.
Seeing this, everyone had to believe it, looking at the Grand Steward in admiration, though some were puzzled and asked, "You didn't test it just now, and could tell with the naked eye?"
"I tested it before," said the Grand Steward. "But I previously thought it was the sunlight during the day enhancing the Platinum Tower's defense. Now re-entering it at midnight, I finally confirmed it's not the sunlight defense, but rather a holistic defense."
"Wait a minute, so, if they just block the main entrance, could they keep us outside?" someone suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "But earlier, the main entrance opened easily..."
"There's no main entrance, then there are windows. Moreover, the main entrance is frequently closed; it can't possibly be connected holistically, and explosives could certainly blast it open. But their giving up on using the main entrance to delay us also means..."
The Grand Steward looked towards the spiral staircase adhering to the tower wall in front of them, "There are still many good shows waiting for us ahead."
A Weed Eliminator Agent gritted his teeth and said, "They'll regret it!"
"You will regret it."
Suddenly, an empty voice echoed in the hall, startling everyone, including Le Yu.
"Who is it!?" The Curse Hunter shouted, jumping onto the bookshelf to observe the whole hall, "Do you think you can hide!?"
"I'm not hiding."
The Grand Steward frowned slightly, then suddenly said, "Number One, count the numbers again!"
"Two Weed Eliminator Agents, four Curse Hunters, two Three Guns disciples, one Hidden Sword Assassin, five Brotherhood members, six guards, in total twenty." Number One replied.
The Grand Steward nodded, then asked, "How many were there at the start?"
"Twenty-three."
After Number One coldly replied, everyone was dumbfounded.
They also remembered that there were twenty-three when they set off from the courtyard.
But along the way, first, one black-robed Three Guns disciple, two Weed Eliminator Agents, and one Brotherhood death warrior died, totaling four.
Theoretically, there should only be nineteen left!
Why are there twenty!?
"Each faction checks your members, report your names!" The Grand Steward shouted, "Count again!"
"Grass Cutter, Break Flow, Break Fire!"
"Curse Hunter, Piercing Bone, Crippled Leg, Frozen Heart, Unheard!"
"Three Gun Disciple, Wang Xin, Fu Jun Yuan."
"Brotherhood, Wei Shui, Angry Addition..."
Everyone declared their names honestly, including Le Yu, who announced the nickname 'Hidden Yin Sound', but the number remained twenty!
There was still one extra!
Many looked terrified, and some even fell to the ground!
Anyone participating in this mission is sharp-witted, having secretly counted the number of people from other factions when they set off, confirming there were precisely twenty-three people!
Even if someone joined midway, they would definitely notice one more person from other factions. But recalling their departure, they realized they counted the dead, totaling twenty-four!
One side, memory confirmed, only twenty-three;
On the other, unmistakable reality, truly twenty-four!
Was memory faulty, or reality mistaken?
"I've heard."
The Grand Steward suddenly spoke, "Hundreds of years ago, the northern grass barbarians exhausted their millennial accumulation and launched their greatest southward invasion in winter, known as the 'White Disaster'. They moved like a torrent, almost penetrating all of Yanyun, reaching near Yanjing's outskirts. The reigning Emperor MuZong decisively wielded the Holy Sword ShenYao, cleaving thousands of miles, leaving northern barbarian heads everywhere. But due to excessive life depletion, he passed away a year later."
Everyone knew this history well, as it was the most recent record of the Holy Sword ShenYao's use in modern times, but couldn't fathom why the Grand Steward was mentioning it now.
"The grass barbarians penetrated Youyun not because they were remarkably powerful, but due to the unguarded fortress line in Youyun District, opening doors upon their arrival, almost surrendering."
"Impossible!" Grass Cutter instinctively shouted, "Youyun folks could never collude with barbarians!"
The Grand Steward ignored him and continued, "Even after Emperor MuZong's death, the Imperial Court investigated Youyun for five years, heads rolling, reducing Youyun families to less than one percent and all officials changed, but found no clue. It's unknown why the court ceased the investigation, destroying and obscuring records of the 'White Disaster,' leaving no one aware of this shameful history of Youyun welcoming the enemy."
"However, the imperial envoys who investigated the Youyun mutation hid that secret in diaries that have been passed down. Because the secret was too strange, they risked decapitation to preserve these mysteries from extinction in history!"
"They discovered that indeed, someone opened the city gate to invite grass barbarians, even assassinating fellow superior officers and betraying ShenYao!"
"These traitors, while many survivors knew them, couldn't name them, knew nothing of their past, not even their office, background, relatives, or deeds!"
"The final investigation discovered those traitors were actually grass barbarians! But the barbarians used a secret technique causing everyone who met them to unconsciously view them as comrades, never doubting their authenticity!"
Everyone felt chills, Curse Hunter said, "There's such an eerie art in the world? Why weren't the barbarians exterminated if they came again—"
"After reading this secret, I also had such concerns," Grand Steward said, "But thinking deeply, the imperial envoys fell for it."
"Why would they know it's a barbarian secret technique, rather than bribery?"
"How could they be certain traitors were barbarians, not Youyun folks?"
"How dare they submit such preposterous reports without fearing the Emperor's wrath?"
The truth is, the envoys uncovered the truth because of 'comrades' guidance, the Grand Steward stated calmly, "If I'm right, the barbarian tribe mastering this technique was utterly wiped out, so the court ceased investigation."
"Right, Sword Holder."
The hall fell silent until the eerie voice emerged:
"Three Cold Crows."
"The greatest, strongest, wisest sage in barbarian history, his name spans twenty-six syllables, translated to Three Cold Crows."
"The spiritual combat technique he developed is unparalleled to this day."
"Named 'Brother'."
"Their tribe was annihilated 563 years ago, all records obliterated."
Many felt as if plunging into an abyss, even more terrified than encountering ghosts.
Because ghosts might not kill them.
But the Sword Holder... even their estimation of the Sword Holder proved too low.
The Sword Holder hadn't moved, yet openly mingled among them, unnoticed, merely because he used an unheard combat technique—'Brother'!
How can one fight him?
The enemy stands before you, yet you consider them a companion, so how to fight?
"Such an invincible technique simply used for lurking is a pity." The Grand Steward smiled.
"There are only invincible individuals, not invincible techniques. Wu Zhu's spiritual cultivation is as solid as a rock, invulnerable to external demonic intrusion, rendering the 'Brother' secret technique ineffective, potentially fostering vigilance. Unfortunately, there's no Wu Zhu here… at least for now."
What do you mean, does the Sword Holder think someone might suddenly evolve to Wu Zhu?
"Then won't you act?" The Grand Steward said, "With your ability, killing us wouldn't require such disguising, just act directly!"
Everyone held their breath.
Le Yu prepared to shout 'I'm undercover'.
"...You haven't violated my rules, I have no reason to act."
"Then why appear?" The Grand Steward was fearless.
"Because I know who your behind-the-scenes person is, I hope you retreat… I don't want to be enemies with him."
What!?
The Sword Holder wielding Holy Sword ShenYao shows a touch of fear towards the National Relief Association's president?
Moreover, listening to the tone, the Sword Holder likely knows that president, even if sought out, he chooses to retreat!
The Grand Steward refused to concede, "But unfortunately, the president instructed me to reach the highest level of the Platinum Tower, capture Zither Le Yin, search for Holy Sword ShenYao."
"Then let's play a game. Between you and Zither Le Yin."
"If you complete the mission, I'll send your surviving members away, along with those corpses."
"If you fail, then no one else leaves alive."
"So, the game begins."
No room for negotiation, the Sword Holder directly declared the start.
"A game..." The Grand Steward seemed unsurprised, "Everyone heard, let's go, as long as the mission is completed, retreat isn't a concern."
"But will the Sword Holder keep his word?" The Brotherhood's diehard asked, "Won't he toy with us, then intervene at the end—"
"He will." The Grand Steward said, "Seeking swords, contesting positions, academy games all mean he only finds entertainment from such games. And even if he doesn't abide, what can we do?"
"I've never seen a strong person bound by rules…" Three Gun Disciple muttered.
"Because strong people are human, naturally using all means for gain."
The Grand Steward glanced at them, "But if the president is correct, this Sword Holder…"
"Considers himself a god."
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