Chapter 392: Chapter 143: Eerie Shadow in the Stone Forest, the Blood Curse Strikes; The Zhang Family Conspires in Qing Province, Burial Immortal Valley Stirs Up Turmoil

One rune flew in the direction Baili Bing had gone.

The other rune shot straight toward Chu Fan.

Chu Fan, who had already fled a great distance, suddenly shivered for no reason.

It wasn’t an ordinary cold, but a sinister chill that seeped into his bones, as if something terrifying had its eyes on him.

He subconsciously looked back. The Chaotic Stone Forest was long out of sight, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

Chu Fan frowned but didn’t dwell on it.

He had been chased by that woman from Medicine King Valley for a day and two nights, and now he had no idea where he was.

He looked around. Mountains stretched upon mountains, and ancient trees grew taller than a man.

Chu Fan composed himself, got his bearings, and decided to head straight north.

The terrain to the north gradually sloped downward, so he should be able to get out of this forest sooner.

Once he found signs of civilization, he could ask for the way to Qing Province.

...

Within Qing Province City, deep inside the Zhang Mansion, there was a secret, windowless chamber.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating several grim faces.

The scent of sandalwood drifted through the air, mixed with an indescribable, oppressive weight that seemed to dim even the candlelight itself.

The Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Yanzong, sat in the main seat, his expression as heavy as a stone in water.

He appeared to be around fifty, but in truth, he was well over a hundred. A sharp light glinted in his eyes with every blink, and he radiated an effortless authority.

To his left and right sat six Zhang Family Elders. Each possessed an aura as deep as a dark spring, and they were all clearly individuals of profound cultivation.

"He’s coming."

Zhang Yanzong spoke slowly. His voice wasn’t loud, yet his words struck everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer.

The secret chamber fell silent, the only sound the occasional CRACKLE of the candle flame.

"Chu Fan..."

Second Elder Zhang Chengyuan sneered, spitting out the name. "A mere Demon Suppression Guard, yet he dares to show our Zhang Family such disrespect!"

"Killing Zhang Yunpeng for colluding with the Moon Worship Sect is one thing, but to slaughter our entire family branch in Cyan Yang City!"

Third Elder Zhang Chenghe added with a cold snort, "Zhang Yunpeng may have been from a side branch, but he was still a kinsman of the Zhang Family! Now, word of what happened in Cyan Yang has spread throughout Qing Province. Everyone knows some junior has trampled on the Zhang Family’s honor. Are we just supposed to tolerate this?"

"Easy for you to say," Fourth Elder Zhang Chenghai said coldly. "Chu Fan is now part of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Killing him would be an open act of defiance against the Bureau. Do you have any idea what that means?"

"So we should just let it go?" Fifth Elder Zhang Chengfeng raised an eyebrow. "Our Zhang Family has stood in Qing Province for centuries. When have we ever suffered such a humiliation? The entire province is laughing at our expense!"

Zhang Yanzong’s gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Sixth Elder Zhang Chenglin, who had kept his head lowered in silence.

"Chenglin, Zhang Yunpeng was from your branch of the family. What do you have to say?"

Zhang Chenglin trembled, and fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He stood and gave a deep bow to the others.

"Patriarch, fellow Elders, although Zhang Yunpeng came from my branch, he left Qing Province twenty years ago. He has had little contact with the main family over the years. Who could have possibly known he would dare to collude with the Moon Worship Sect and commit an atrocity like the Blood Sacrifice of an entire city..."

His voice grew quieter and quieter, and sweat had already soaked his collar.

"Are you saying that what Zhang Yunpeng did has nothing to do with your branch of the family?"

Zhang Chengyuan sneered.

"It truly has nothing to do with us!"

Zhang Chenglin said frantically, "If I had known he’d joined the Moon Worship Sect, I would have personally cleaned house! Why would I have let him cause such a disaster in Cyan Yang County and disgrace the family!"

Zhang Chenghai snorted. "It’s too late for that now..."

"The Demon Suppression Bureau has its eyes on the Zhang Family now. That is the real problem."

"You all know that while the Demon Suppression Bureau may be in decline, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. With them watching us, we’ll have to be much more restrained in everything we do!"

The secret chamber fell silent once more.

Everyone knew what it meant to be targeted by the Demon Suppression Bureau.

It was the most terrifying institution in the Great Yan Dynasty, specializing in hunting demons and heretics. Their authority was immense; even the imperial clan and the major sects had to give them a wide berth.

"Perhaps..."

A sinister chuckle rumbled in Zhang Chengfeng’s throat. He unconsciously stroked the embroidered patterns on his cuff, his gaze dark enough to drip ink. "We could hire an expert from the Demon Dao to eliminate that Chu Fan... covertly."

"Foolish!"

Zhang Chenghai slammed his hand on the table. The force of the blow made the candlelight stutter violently, and a few drops of tea splashed from a cup.

He roared, "If Chu Fan is assassinated right after his clash with our Zhang Family, who do you think the Demon Suppression Bureau will suspect first? Are you trying to push our entire family into a fiery pit?"

He took a breath, his tone growing heavier. "Besides, what good would killing one Chu Fan do?"

"Would killing him restore the family’s honor? What a joke!"

"For you to be a Zhang Family Elder with a brain like that... it seems the Zhang Family is truly out of capable men!"

"Then what do you propose we do?!" Zhang Chengfeng’s fists clenched inside his sleeves, a vein throbbing at his temple. "Just stand by and watch that punk run rampant across Qing Province, letting the entire world laugh at the Zhang Family?"

"Zhang Yunpeng colluded with the Moon Worship Sect; he deserved to die!" another Elder interjected, his voice edged with urgency. "When Chu Fan killed him, he was delivering justice!"

"If we were to retaliate, wouldn’t we be admitting to having ties with the Moon Worship Sect?"

The Elders argued back and forth, their faces flushing red with agitation.

Some slammed the table in fury, some bowed their heads in contemplation, and others simply stared into the candle flame, each lost in their own private counsel.

Throughout it all, Zhang Yanzong remained in the main seat, his fingers tracing the ancient carvings on the armrest, not uttering a single word.

The argument continued for some time before finally ending on a sour note.

Angry, worried, or sighing, the Elders rose and left one after another, until only Zhang Yanzong and Zhang Chengyuan remained in the secret chamber.

With a RUMBLE, the last man stepped through the stone doorway. The heavy door slid shut on its own, completely sealing off the faint light from the outside world.