Chapter 192
Chapter 192: Display
Old Crone slowly raised her murky yellow eyes to look at Li Mu Sheng. With a quiet nod, she rasped: “Of course, there’s no problem. But you should understand why this old woman revealed everything to you—it’s so you know the reasons behind our actions. Moreover, we divine-born people never truly wished to be your enemies. By telling you all of this, we hope to clear up previous misunderstandings.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An and the others exchanged looks of sudden understanding.
The old woman made her intentions clear. Tonight, they had been intentionally led here and had been told so much, all because of one person: Li Mu Sheng. Clearly, they had discovered by some unknown means that Li Mu Sheng’s martial dao skills were powerful—so powerful that it compelled them to willingly back down.
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng studied the old crone thoughtfully before gently nodding and responding calmly: “Rest assured, we’ve heard your explanations. Hurry up and show us your power. Don’t keep us waiting.”
Old Crone’s mouth twitched slightly, and she slowly spoke again: “Before I use my ability, I still have one more question for you. From the Heavenly Brocade Guard of Sheng Province, we’ve learned that the Great Li Imperial Capital’s commander recently ordered them toward Lan Province. Is this action directed at Fallen God Peak?”
Hu Rui An furrowed his brows slightly and glanced quickly at Li Mu Sheng, who merely shook his head and gazed steadily at the old crone: “Does that even need asking? Isn’t it obvious?”
Upon hearing this, Old Crone’s eyes flashed with disbelief: “The Great Li Court actually dares to move against Fallen God Peak? How is that even possible?”
Hu Rui An’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he responded: “Nothing is impossible. If you truly are divine-born people and hold an irreparable grudge against Fallen God Peak, then perhaps this is your only chance for revenge.”
Old Crone turned toward Hu Rui An, her expression uncertain, clearly trying to discern the truth of his words.
Li Mu Sheng glanced at Hu Rui An, raising an eyebrow as he remarked lightly: “Lord Hu, you truly haven’t forgotten your loyalties. Even now, you try your hardest to find allies for Heavenly Brocade Guard. Yet, by doing so, aren’t you showing that you have little faith in me?”
Hu Rui An instantly panicked, hastily explaining himself: “Your Highness misunderstands! This subordinate is merely being cautious. The more allies we have, the better our chances against Fallen God Peak.”
Li Mu Sheng chuckled softly, evidently unbothered.
Old Crone swept her gaze between them and spoke once more: “Even a prince of Great Li has arrived. Perhaps this matter truly isn’t a mere deception? Yet this old woman still doesn’t understand—where does Great Li find the courage to attack Fallen God Peak?”
Her eyes finally settled on Li Mu Sheng. Judging by their conversation, Heavenly Brocade Guard seemed to place their hopes entirely on this Great Li prince. His martial dao cultivation was indeed terrifying, but could one man alone truly defeat the colossal force of Fallen God Peak?
Old Crone slowly shook her head, clearly doubtful, and continued speaking: “This matter undoubtedly involves Great Li’s imperial secrets. This old woman knows you wouldn’t answer directly. Since you wish to see the divine-born people’s abilities, I’ll satisfy your curiosity so you don’t mistake me for a fraud.”
“Watch closely!”
Without any further warning, Old Crone suddenly rolled her eyes upward, straightened her legs, and fell backward stiffly. Her body slammed heavily onto the damp, moldy dungeon floor, completely lifeless.
Hu Rui An and the others froze in shock, only recovering after a stunned pause.
“What happened? Didn’t she say she was going to demonstrate an innate divine ability? Why did she suddenly die right in front of us?” Wu Shang exclaimed in disbelief.
Hu Rui An knitted his brows deeply and turned to look at Li Mu Sheng, who thoughtfully rubbed his chin. Li Mu Sheng turned toward him and said calmly: “Divine-born people certainly are interesting. She likely wasn’t lying about her identity. Still, her ability isn’t particularly impressive.”
Hu Rui An immediately cupped his hands, intrigued, and asked: “Your Highness, were you able to clearly see her ability?”
Li Mu Sheng nodded slowly. At the moment Old Crone collapsed, he had clearly sensed a hidden yet pure force drifting from her body, rising up from the dungeon and vanishing swiftly into the night sky. This force was clearly different from martial arts inner qi or normal spiritual energies—a unique energy somewhat like Qilin blood or Azure Dragon Qi, but still distinct.
[It seems there are indeed many mysterious things hidden in this world beyond martial dao], Li Mu Sheng pondered quietly. However, he chose not to explain these details to Hu Rui An.
The old woman’s ability appeared to involve controlling others or corpses through her soul or consciousness—a technique somewhat similar to “borrowing corpses to return the soul.” Ordinary people wouldn’t notice unless they reached the pinnacle of martial dao, returning to simplicity, or mastered special methods.
At that moment, Wu Shang thoughtfully spoke up: “Since divine-born people truly exist, perhaps what Old Crone said earlier wasn’t a lie either.”
Hu Rui An shook his head slowly: “Her background is unclear. Even if she’s indeed divine-born, we can’t fully trust her. We need to confirm everything ourselves.”
Cheng Zhong nodded in agreement: “Even close confidants sometimes lie, let alone strangers like her. Still, I feel she might be telling the truth about Sheng Province’s Mei Family and Heavenly Brocade Guard collaborating with Fallen God Peak.”
Hu Rui An pondered deeply for a moment, then said: “We must consider this carefully. If Fallen God Peak truly colludes with the Mei Family, the implications behind this are severe. For now, our primary task is moving Sheng Province’s Heavenly Brocade Guard toward Lan Province. Other matters can wait until Fallen God Peak’s issue is settled.”
Clearly, Hu Rui An had already begun to suspect something deeper, yet he knew well that this wasn’t something he could manage alone. With the urgency of time, he had no room to intervene further.
Turning to Li Mu Sheng, Hu Rui An cupped his hands respectfully: “The haunting within Heavenly Brocade Guard was thankfully clarified due to Your Highness’s assistance. Tomorrow, after I resolve the dispatch orders, we’ll be able to continue our journey.”
Hu Rui An then turned to Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong: “Prepare a clean room in the residence for His Highness. Tonight we’ll make do here, and deal with Heavenly Brocade Guard matters tomorrow.”
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong nodded obediently and prepared to leave. However, Li Mu Sheng suddenly spoke: “No need to wait for tomorrow. Let’s finish everything tonight.”