Chapter 298
Chapter 298: Two Bald Heads
Wang Jie was astonished. [They caught someone?] Without hesitation, he followed Wu Yuan and the others to see.
There, he saw a pale-faced youth.
Surrounded and restrained by members of various clubs, the youth struggled desperately against their star force, but to no avail. His face twisted with bitter resentment.
When Wang Jie arrived, the youth’s glare grew even colder.
Wu Yuan asked, “Who is he? Why are you certain he was the one secretly leaking information?”
Ke Mu Sheng explained calmly, “Wang Jie needed more of the Crimson Moon technique. If the hidden informant also wanted to enter the Nan family, he would surely leak more details. All we had to do was watch the secret corners capable of spreading information, and we found him. You could call it a calculated move.”
“He thought we were waiting only for the next part of Crimson Moon, unaware that our true aim was to capture him.”
Wang Jie observed the youth thoughtfully. [So this was your method all along.] Clearly, this youth wasn’t truly from the Nan family. He must have been sent forward intentionally by the real descendant to inform Wang Jie about the Crimson Moon technique. That explained the hostile look in his eyes—after all, Wang Jie himself had forced him into the open.
The various clubs weren’t fools; they’d woven an elaborate net to catch their prey, yet the hidden figure had been equally cunning.
Through this subtle game, each side had gained something they desired. Only the youth ended up imprisoned.
Wang Jie asked curiously, “Did he say why he revealed the Crimson Moon’s location, or how he knew of the Nan family’s destruction?”
Yuan Qiao Qiao replied coldly, “His ancestor witnessed the destruction personally and fled by luck, but never learned who the culprit was. He leaked information hoping to retrieve belongings rightfully belonging to his lineage from the Nan family. But he’s too weak to go alone—he needs outside assistance.”
“Wasn’t using the club channels too high-profile?”
Lady Candle Shadow spoke with a gentle elegance, “That’s precisely his cleverness. Had he revealed it privately, any sect or clan could sweep everything away with ease. A mere Star Refining Realm cultivator would suffice, and he’d get nothing. But through the clubs, it’s different. The strongest among them is only Hundred Star Realm. He believes that with his knowledge of formations and the Nan family’s territory, he could seize an opportunity.”
Yu Zhi praised softly, “He’s clever indeed, though he underestimated the clubs.”
Someone asked, “Who destroyed the Nan family?”
The youth stared coldly back. “How would I know? The Nan family deserved their fate, but since they’re gone, all their possessions should belong to me.”
“What was your status in the Nan family?”
“Second son of a branch family, Nan Ling.”
Questions poured forth, and Nan Ling answered each flawlessly, leaving no gaps. He truly seemed like the legitimate branch son. But only Wang Jie understood—these answers came from the true Nan descendant. If his status were truly real, he’d never willingly risk death for another.
With answers given by a genuine Nan descendant, how could anyone find a flaw?
Wang Jie interrupted calmly, “Everyone, regardless of his motives, our goal remains the Nan family. It’s time he led the way.”
Nan Ling retorted bitterly, “If I could guide you, why leak information at all?” Then he mocked Wang Jie openly, “You’re a fool.”
Wang Jie remained unbothered, meeting his gaze. “Perhaps you can’t guide us, but the technique can. Having hidden in the shadows and seen it all, you surely know that only I can locate Crimson Moon. Stop wasting time. Give us the next part of the Crimson Moon technique.”
Nan Ling glared fiercely at Wang Jie. “Now that you’ve captured me, why should I talk? At worst, I’ll die. None of you will ever obtain anything from the Nan family.”
Wang Jie turned around to leave. “Then I’ll leave him to all of you.”
He didn’t have the patience for this performance.
This youth had intentionally let himself be caught to deliver the Crimson Moon’s next part, but he couldn’t reveal it directly—that would seem too staged. Thus, what followed would surely be threats, deals, or even torture.
Wang Jie had no interest in participating.
Nan Ling stared, stunned, as Wang Jie departed, leaving behind club members whose gazes grew increasingly menacing.
Wang Jie returned directly to his residence at Accompanying Lake.
Following closely was Mo, the bald-headed cultivator from Three Chan Heaven.
“Over ten years apart, Brother Wang, yet you remain as radiant as ever. Congratulations.”
Wang Jie looked at him, smiling slightly. “Brother Mo flatters me. You’re the remarkable one—after so many years, you haven’t changed at all. Admirable.”
Mo entered casually and took a seat opposite Wang Jie. “My cultivation method keeps appearances unchanged, but if I achieve a breakthrough, my looks will change overnight.” He studied Wang Jie closely, asking, “Didn’t Brother Wang die?”
“Not completely. I came back.”
“How did you manage that?” Mo questioned immediately, then quickly amended, “If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to say.”
Thinking of Chen Song, Wang Jie grew wary of Three Chan Heaven’s people. Mo seemed honest and reserved, never displaying cunning during the Blue Star trial, yet precisely such quietness increased Wang Jie’s caution. “My master saved me.”
“Master?”
“Yes, I had a master even during the Blue Star trials. Didn’t I mention it back then?”
Mo recalled briefly—indeed, Wang Jie had mentioned it casually, but nobody took it seriously, especially since they believed him dead. Now, it seemed it could have been true.
This man had defeated Shu Mu Night. Armor One Sect would never abandon him unless they were sure he was dead or completely crippled.
On Blue Star, no one was capable of saving him.
Unless he truly had an unfathomable master.
Mo nodded thoughtfully, “Brother Wang survived such disaster—fortune surely awaits. Achieving Six Dao Wanderer Realm directly from Lock Forceful Star Realm is unprecedented. Remarkable indeed.”
Wang Jie chatted with him a while longer.
Mo gave him the impression that matched his name—silent and taciturn. During the Blue Star trials, he’d barely spoken a word. Yet clearly, time changed everyone.
Qi Xue Yin was like that, and now Mo too had become so.
Wang Jie wondered how Wen Zhao and Insect Ruo Ruo were doing, as well as Bai Yuan, Zuo Tian, and the others.
After a short while, Mo left quietly.
One bald figure departed, and another bald figure arrived.
Wang Jie studied this newcomer closely. He appeared younger than Mo and bore a strange name—Wu Ming, meaning “nameless.” A peculiar choice, seemingly unafraid of cursing himself.
“You are quite special,” Wu Ming spoke first.
Meeting his gaze, Wang Jie replied evenly, “You are special as well.”
Wu Ming continued calmly, “I’ve trapped myself in a cage made of insight, while you’ve trapped yourself in one made of battle strength.”
Wang Jie did not understand fully but recalled a scene he’d once witnessed—Wu Ming helping more than ten people break through into the Wandering Star Realm. Feeling intrigued, he straightened slightly, saying, “Speak a little more clearly.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“What do you wish to say?”
Wu Ming regarded Wang Jie deeply, shook his head slowly, and then turned away. As he left, he spoke a parting remark, “At the Starry Martial Meet, perhaps you’ll be my greatest opponent.”
Watching his retreating figure, Wang Jie pondered silently, [Greatest opponent?]
A short while later, Yu Zhi came to summon Wang Jie. Nan Ling had finally decided to speak.
Wang Jie stepped out.
At this moment, Nan Ling looked utterly worn, as if he’d suffered greatly. The gazes surrounding him carried traces of fear.
Wang Jie was speechless, thinking, [He brought this upon himself.]
Wu Yuan explained, “He agreed to reveal part of the Red Moon Art’s follow-up, but only to you alone.”
“You agreed to this?” Wang Jie asked in surprise.
Nan Ling glared at Wang Jie fiercely, thinking furiously, [This bastard! At this point, what more nonsense do you want? Isn’t it better that only you hear it? Fool.]
“They had no choice. If they refused, I would kill myself. Family techniques can never be leaked openly.”
Wang Jie nodded lightly, feeling this drama had reached its climax. “Fine, tell me then.”
Nan Ling told Wang Jie the method.
“That’s it?” Wang Jie asked, disappointed.
Nan Ling refused to say more.
Turning to Wu Yuan, Wang Jie said, “Elder, he says just this much won’t help.”
“It will!” Nan Ling shouted angrily, “It’s enough to locate the Red Moon!”
Wang Jie shook his head, “If I say it’s not enough, it isn’t.”
“You’re just trying to get the entire technique from me. Impossible!” Nan Ling spat furiously, turning to glare at the surrounding club members, “This person wants to monopolize the Red Moon Art! Even if you join my family later, you won’t get as much as him!”
The crowd regarded Wang Jie with questioning eyes.
Helplessly, Wang Jie relented, “Alright then, I’ll give it a try.”
He merely wanted to test whether more could be extracted from Nan Ling. Yet it seemed clear that the man truly knew nothing else. Perhaps the Nan family hidden in the shadows had given him only this much.
If that was true, further pressure was pointless—merely a waste of time.
Wu Ming’s mention of the Starry Martial Meet filled Wang Jie with urgency. He, too, wanted desperately to increase his strength.
Under the watchful gaze of everyone present, Wang Jie began cultivating the Red Moon Art, blending in the follow-up method. The sensation of lock force forming grew stronger. At the same time, far off in the distance, an outline gradually began to emerge.
He sensed it clearly.
Rising abruptly, he pointed, “Over there.”
Wu Yuan immediately led him toward the starry expanse.
Among those present, aside from Wang Jie, Wu Ming, Qing Kong, and Mo, everyone else belonged to the Wandering Star Realm. They all quickly stepped into the stars to follow along.
Within mere moments, the skies above Imperial Star emptied.
Jun Hua watched everyone depart, finally breathing a sigh of relief. She feared even a single strike from these experts would devastate Imperial Star itself.
Only clubs overseen by Hundred Star Realm experts could participate in interrogating Nan Ling, but many other club members left as well, keeping their distance, including those from Ornate Jade Gate.
Yan Long stared intensely toward the distant stars.
[Once you enter the Nan family, life and death become a matter of fate.]
Beneath the deep, boundless heavens, Wang Jie resumed cultivation. At this moment, all eyes were fixed on the vague outline ahead. Dark red in color, the emerging shape exuded overwhelming, oppressive star force.
Whoever created this Red Moon clearly exceeded the Hundred Star Realm.
Wang Jie continued cultivating.
The outline sharpened slowly.
Nan Ling stared intently, thinking inwardly, [Miss, at last, it’s done. You can return. Take everything back—take back what belongs to you.]
“That’s as far as I can go,” Wang Jie suddenly stopped, causing the outline to fade away.
All eyes turned to him.
Helpless, Wang Jie admitted, “This is the limit.”
“Impossible!” Nan Ling roared, glaring fiercely at Wang Jie. “You can absolutely make the Red Moon fully appear, then receive the coordinates my Nan family left within it!”
Wang Jie sighed, “This is lock force. Unless you let me cultivate here for another half a year?”
Everyone exchanged uncertain glances. If Wang Jie had been a normal lock force cultivator, they would have simply threatened him. But Wang Jie was different. Black White Heaven supported him fully, and many behind the scenes warned them not to trouble him too harshly.
Once again, everyone’s attention returned to Nan Ling.
Nan Ling nearly ground his teeth to dust.
He’d been imprisoned, tortured, and forced into sharing part of his family’s secret art, yet this shameless man dared to demand even more. He wished he could spit blood straight into Wang Jie’s face.
Wang Jie regarded Nan Ling calmly, “See? Either wait or give me a bit more? I’m not asking for the whole thing.”