Long Ba looked like he was facing a mortal enemy.
Long Qi tensed up in that instant, his expression grave. From the overwhelming aura, he knew a peerless master had arrived outside.
But as members of the Forbidden City, they couldn’t back down, no matter how strong the opponent. It was a matter of the Forbidden City’s pride.
“Who dares act arrogantly in our Forbidden City?”
Long Qi slammed the table, rising with a surge of his own formidable aura.
Long Ba stood too, fists clenched, eyes like daggers fixed on the door.
Soon, a figure appeared at the entrance of the meeting hall.
The man was five feet tall, round-faced, a bit stout, dressed in a dark robe. His white hair was full, and his white beard nearly reached his chest.
“Fifth Brother!”
Long Qi and Long Ba were stunned.
They hadn’t expected the sudden arrival of such a powerhouse to be Long Wu.
Long Wu flickered forward, reaching the center of the hall. His gaze fell on Long Liu’s body, his beard trembling slightly.
“Fifth Brother, weren’t you in seclusion? Why’d you come out early?” Long Ba asked.
Slap!
Long Wu suddenly struck, his palm connecting with Long Ba’s face.
Long Ba flew back over ten meters, crashing into the wall before slamming into the ground.
Blood spurted from his mouth.
“Fifth Brother, calm down—”
Before Long Qi could finish, another slap landed on his face. Like Long Ba, he was sent flying.
“Tell me, what happened here?”
“Old Sixth just came out of seclusion—how did he die?”
“And Old Ninth—how did he die?”
Long Wu roared, his fury uncontainable.
Long Qi climbed to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. “Fifth Brother, here’s what happened…”
He recounted the deaths of Long Jiu and Long Liu in full detail.
After hearing it, Long Wu slapped both Long Qi and Long Ba again.
“You two useless fools couldn’t even protect your own brothers, letting Ye Wudi butcher Old Ninth. What have you been doing all these years in seclusion?” Long Wu said. “This has reached Big Brother.”
“What? Big Brother knows?”
Long Qi and Long Ba paled with fear.
“Why else would I break seclusion early?” Long Wu said. “Not long ago, Old Ninth’s life lamp went out. Today, Old Sixth’s did too.”
“This has enraged Big Brother.”
“He wanted to handle it himself, but he’s at a critical point in his breakthrough and can’t be distracted. That’s why he ordered me to come out early.”
Long Wu crouched, carefully examining the fatal wounds on Long Liu’s body.
“A close-range kill?”
“From the wounds, Old Sixth must have fought the killer.”
“But the fight was brief.”
A trace of concern flashed in Long Wu’s eyes. “Old Sixth made great strides during seclusion. Who could kill him so quickly?”
“Fifth Brother, Old Eighth and I were just discussing this. We think it’s tied to Ye Qiu,” Long Ba said.
“Who’s Ye Qiu?” Long Wu asked.
Long Qi explained Ye Qiu’s background.
Long Wu’s face grew serious. “You suspect Ye Wushuang isn’t dead? And this Ye Qiu kid is his son?”
“Exactly,” Long Ba said. “I even think the one who killed Sixth Brother might be Ye Wushuang.”
Long Qi added, “Besides Ye Wushuang, I can’t think of anyone else capable.”
“Where’s Ye Qiu now?” Long Wu asked.
“Dali, at Tianlong Temple,” Long Qi said. “He went to meet Master Kong Jian.”
Long Ba chimed in, “Sixth Brother left the capital to kill Ye Qiu in Dali, but he didn’t even make it out of the city before…”
“No matter what, Old Sixth died because of Ye Qiu. This is definitely connected to him. I’m heading to Dali to slaughter that kid.”
Long Wu reached out, gently closing Long Liu’s eyelids, then stood. “It’s been a while since I saw that old monk Kong Jian. If I can take him out too, all the better.”
“Big Brother, the killer’s still out there. Is it safe to leave the capital now?” Long Ba asked, concerned.
Long Qi said, “Fifth Brother, why don’t Old Eighth and I go with you?”
“No need,” Long Wu said. “Big Brother and the others haven’t emerged yet. The Forbidden City needs someone to hold the fort.”
“If we all leave and the killer who took Old Sixth storms in, disrupting Big Brother’s breakthrough, it’ll be trouble.”
“But I doubt the killer would dare wreak havoc here.”
“Old Seventh, Old Eighth, keep a sharp eye.”
“I’m leaving now.”
Long Wu strode toward the door.
At the threshold, he paused and turned back. “Where’s Ye Wudi?”
Long Qi replied, “The top leader’s on a foreign visit. Ye Wudi’s at his side.”
“Hmph. After I deal with Ye Qiu, I’ll take out Ye Wudi to avenge Old Ninth.”
Long Wu snorted coldly.
“Fifth Brother, how long until Big Brother and the others come out?” Long Ba asked.
“Three months at least, six at most.”
With that, Long Wu vanished from the doorway, heading straight for Dali’s Tianlong Temple.
…
Tianlong Temple.
Tower of Enlightenment, first floor.
Master Du E knelt before Master Kong Jian. “Master, you’re skilled in physiognomy. What of Benefactor Ye’s visage?”
“Destined for greatness,” Kong Jian said.
Du E pressed, “And his fate?”
“Unfathomable,” Kong Jian said. “Benefactor Ye’s aura of fortune is too dense—I cannot see through it.”
Du E was stunned.
Kong Jian added, “Du E, my time is near.”
What?
Du E’s nose stung, tears nearly falling. “Master, you can’t abandon your disciple!”
“You should rejoice for me. After a lifetime of practice, I’ll soon reach the Western Paradise. This is a blessing for Buddhism and for me.”
“But…”
“Du E, when I ascend, you must find a worthy disciple. Tianlong Temple’s legacy must not end.”
“Master, rest assured. I’ve found a suitable candidate.”
“Oh?” Kong Jian was surprised.
“He’s at the temple gate now,” Du E said. “Benefactor Ye’s cousin, the grandson of the great scholar Qian Siyuan.”
“Amitabha, blessings indeed!”
Kong Jian proclaimed a Buddhist chant. “Benefactor Ye has been on the second floor for hours. I wonder when he’ll grasp the second sword?”
“Master, don’t worry. Benefactor Ye’s martial talent is exceptional. It should take only a few days to master the second sword…”
Whoosh!
A sharp sword aura suddenly burst from the second floor of the Tower of Enlightenment.
