Chapter 190
Chapter 190: Divine Born People
“A death list?” Behind them, Wu Shang voiced his confusion, while Li Mu Sheng merely raised a brow slightly.
Hu Rui An gazed at the blood-stained paper scroll and began to explain: “This death list isn’t like ordinary ones. It doesn’t record individual names. Instead, it lists entire regions—from small villages to large towns—all marked for slaughter and eradication.”
Scanning the book again briefly, Hu Rui An continued, “The list precisely notes locations and times across Sheng Province over the past five years, nearly thirty entries in total. All have already been marked as eliminated, and those responsible were experts from the Sheng Province branch of the Heavenly Brocade Guard.”
As soon as these words left his mouth, peculiar expressions appeared on the faces of Wu Shang and the others. Cheng Zhong spoke thoughtfully: “Could these villages and towns targeted by the Heavenly Brocade Guard be bases for forces rebelling against the imperial court or hideouts for Martial World bandits?”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An nodded gently, casting a glance toward Li Mu Sheng before responding: “I shared the same thought. However, what puzzles me now is why this list was hidden. If these were ordinary missions for the Heavenly Brocade Guard, that would be understandable. But I fear it might hide some shady secrets.” As he spoke, his gaze briefly shifted to the big cat in the corner and the old crone within the prison cell.
At that very moment, the old crone suddenly let out a harsh, grating laugh, like wind wheezing through a broken bellows, breaking everyone’s thoughtful silence. “Indeed, you’ve misunderstood. What’s written there isn’t some official affair, but dark deeds that cannot bear the light.” Her voice was rough and raspy as she slowly turned her hunched body around to face them fully.
Although her posture appeared more normal now, her grotesque face remained difficult to gaze upon directly. However, Hu Rui An didn’t seem bothered by her ghastly appearance, staring intently at her instead. “Your Excellency, given that you’re locked up in the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s provincial branch, you’re clearly no ordinary prisoner. Previously, you denied playing tricks, yet now you claim there’s something amiss with this death list. You’ve piqued my curiosity about your true identity.”
The old crone’s clouded eyes moved sluggishly as she glanced briefly at Hu Rui An. “I’m nothing but a pitiful old woman. What identity could I possibly possess?” Abruptly changing her tone, she continued in her sandpaper-like voice: “But you don’t seem like bad people. If you truly wish to know the hidden truths, I wouldn’t mind sharing a bit of what I know.”
As she spoke, her gaze settled pointedly on the bloodstained scroll in Hu Rui An’s hand.
Seeing this, Hu Rui An studied her deeply before silently seeking Li Mu Sheng’s opinion with a glance.
“Well, since we’ve already come, we might as well hear her out,” Li Mu Sheng responded casually, though his attention wasn’t directed toward Hu Rui An. Instead, he teasingly beckoned to the big black cat crouched in the corner.
The giant cat stood up, meowed softly, and licked its paw, its green eyes flickering hesitantly. After a moment’s hesitation, it slowly padded toward Li Mu Sheng, brushing its dog-sized body against his robes. Settling comfortably at his feet, it lazily stretched and gave a wide yawn.
The old crone’s eyelid twitched imperceptibly as she watched the scene unfold, yet she revealed no further reaction, simply resuming in her gravelly voice: “All the people killed by the Heavenly Brocade Guard on that list were innocent folk, just like this old woman.” Her eyes swept slowly over everyone as she spoke.
“I know what you must be thinking—why would the Heavenly Brocade Guard target ordinary people?”
Hu Rui An remained silent, waiting patiently for her to continue.
Suddenly, the crone released another disturbing cackle, her laughter grating harshly on the ears: “Hehe… Naturally, it’s because among these ordinary humans, there might have been those who were not ordinary at all. The Heavenly Brocade Guard’s true targets were these extraordinary individuals. To ensure none of these potential threats survived, they had no choice but to slaughter everyone.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Rui An furrowed his brow deeply. “I don’t recall the Great Li Heavenly Brocade Guard ever having such tasks as you describe.”
The old crone merely shook her head, not addressing his statement. Instead, she stared directly at Hu Rui An. “Then, have you ever heard of a group known as the ‘Divine Born People’?”
Hu Rui An’s brow deepened in confusion as he pondered for a moment before answering truthfully: “Never heard of them.” Wu Shang, Shen An Ran, and the others similarly displayed puzzled expressions, clearly unfamiliar with the concept.
The crone withdrew her gaze and chuckled hoarsely from her damp cell. “Then let me ask another question. Have you heard of Fallen God Peak? And do you know the origin of its name?”
Wu Shang promptly nodded. “Fallen God Peak is one of the Martial World’s four supreme sects. Who hasn’t heard of it? As for its name’s origin, I’ve heard a story. Once, there was a legendary martial expert known as the Martial God. He was the sworn enemy of Fallen God Peak’s founder before the founder rose to prominence. The two fought a decisive battle atop a peak, and the founder of Fallen God Peak defeated and killed the Martial God, becoming famed throughout the Martial World. Hence, the mountain was named ‘Fallen God Peak,’ meaning ‘the place where the Martial God fell.’ Later, it became the foundation of their sect.”
Yet upon hearing Wu Shang’s explanation, the old crone sneered dismissively. “And you believe such hearsay? But I suppose I cannot blame you. Even among the disciples of Fallen God Peak, only a rare few know the truth.”
She shook her head slowly, glancing once more at the big black cat nestled at Li Mu Sheng’s feet, and continued quietly: “The name ‘Fallen God’ actually refers to these Divine Born People. The founder of Fallen God Peak was a martial artist of supreme skill who stood at the pinnacle of martial dao. However, he deeply believed in fate. Wanting his sect to flourish eternally, he forced the elder of the Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion to read the future of his newly founded sect. Under pressure and at great cost to his own lifespan, the elder glimpsed heaven’s secrets and revealed that the sect would ultimately be destroyed by ‘Divine Born People.’”
“For this reason, the founder named his sect ‘Fallen God Peak,’ leaving behind a commandment: to eradicate every Divine Born Person in the world. He believed that by doing so, his sect would endure forever.”
Li Mu Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly at her explanation. He was the first to break the silence, saying skeptically: “Why do I find your version even less credible than Wu Shang’s rumors?”