# Chapter 41: A Thousand Miles to Deliver One's Head
Father unexpectedly showed candor, or rather, this was a stage requiring sincere cooperation. Once the Sun Gate was opened, what would happen afterward was anyone's guess.
There was no doubt that anyone who could hold one of the five keys would not be weak.
Su Xiao had very little information. He only knew that the five keys were related to the "Ganglu Dynasty," and nothing else beyond that.
Regarding the Dark Mask that Father mentioned, it was likely not a lie. A contractor from the Apocalypse Paradise named Philosopher had provided a photo showing the engraved image of five "keys."
Above the engraving of the five "keys" was a mask with a hole in its forehead, from which black blood dripped.
What purpose the Dark Mask served was impossible to learn from Father. No matter how candid this old bastard appeared now, he remained tight-lipped about the secrets of the five keys, the location of the Sun Gate, or what lay beyond it.
Among the old yinbis, Father counted as one, and the never-met Guild Leader Rogash was no better. Therefore, the remaining two key holders would need to be carefully chosen—strong enough, but not old yinbis. Otherwise, things would get far too lively.
"Bai Ye, I have a proposal. You, me, and Rogash temporarily ally. After finding the other two keys, the key holders will be selected by the three of us."
Clearly, Father was also worried about the prospect of five old yinbis gathering together. That would truly be unplayable. Once the Sun Gate was opened, it would be heaven-cracking and earth-shattering.
"Not a bad proposal."
Su Xiao finished speaking and leaned back in his seat to rest. The train sped along, soon arriving at "Baida City."
The silver moon hung high in the sky. Before them on Truth Avenue in Baida City stood a magnificent building.
This was a tall structure in the Romanesque style, having stood here for many years. As the headquarters of the Magic Association, the surrounding buildings were related to municipal affairs, academia, mystical academies, and the like.
Su Xiao ascended the steps before the Magic Association headquarters. Entering inside, he found the security was not strict. Due to the nighttime hour, the spacious hall was empty.
This scene was somewhat unusual. Either something had happened to the Magic Association, or Guild Leader Rogash had deliberately arranged it this way, not wanting too many secret mages to know that Su Xiao and the others had visited.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
A figure sat in the darkness, moonlight from the window casting upon him, revealing his appearance—it was Masked Man Bas.
"Father, you didn't bring your 'lambs' this time?"
Masked Man Bas's gaze was unfriendly. Just two nights ago, Father had led people to attack the Magic Association headquarters. Later, for some unknown reason, both sides had ceased hostilities and even allied.
"Last time was a misunderstanding."
Father walked across the cracked marble floor. Examining the cracks closely, one could see bloodstains that hadn't been cleaned yet.
"Misunderstanding?"
Masked Man Bas stood up, a distorted phantom appearing behind him. Suddenly, a giant hand formed of iron-sand-like energy materialized behind him, crushing the phantom.
Masked Man Bas's figure swayed, the pupils in his eyes trembling.
"I was rude. My apologies, Guild Leader."
Wiping the blood seeping from beneath his mask's lower edge, Bas tilted his head, signaling Su Xiao and the others to follow.
Ascending the stairs, Su Xiao reached the library on the twelfth floor.
A man dressed in white, with black hair falling to his knees, stood barefoot before a bookshelf. He was earnestly reading a book in his hands. His hair was glossy black, the tips sharp as needles.
This was Magic Association Guild Leader Rogash. He didn't appear cold and ruthless, but those who knew him regarded him with both reverence and fear.
Seemingly due to Su Xiao's arrival, Guild Leader Rogash turned his head to look. His gaze was calm, yet also extremely cold.
Guild Leader Rogash's hair curled around the book in his hands, returning it to its original position, even inserting a bookmark between the pages.
"Father, there's news about the Heart Flame. It's over at the Black Tower."
Guild Leader Rogash's voice had a unique charm. As he walked, the candle flames along his path were drawn toward him, eventually being extinguished.
"The Black Tower? That's somewhat troublesome."
Father sat at a small round table. Su Xiao also took a seat, taking out a Soul Crystal (Small) and tossing it into his mouth to chew.
Incense was placed on the small round table, a strange fragrance spreading. Guild Leader Rogash also sat at the small round table. The three of them said nothing.
Masked Man Bas stood by the library door. In such an empty room, deathly silence reigned, coupled with three faint auras, causing cold sweat to seep from beneath Bas's mask.
Masked Man Bas swallowed. He was startled to find that his hand was trembling involuntarily.
"Bai Ye."
Su Xiao broke the silence, introducing himself in the simplest, quickest way.
"Rogash."
Guild Leader Rogash nodded to Su Xiao. The mutual probing of auras moments ago had already let him know that the collaborator Father had mentioned would be fine before opening the Sun Gate. But afterward, this was a great enemy—one requiring everything to be staked against.
Guild Leader Rogash picked up a book from the table. He seemed very enthusiastic about learning various kinds of knowledge, even if this knowledge had no direct relation to Soul Energy or Holy Seals.
"Rogash, since the Heart Flame is at the Black Tower, let's go seize it directly? That's the fastest way. Our time is running out."
Father appeared very steady, but when it was time to act, he was extremely ruthless and decisive.
"The owner of the Heart Flame will deliver it here. Within about an hour. His name is Xiusiluo. He's my offspring—a disappointing one."
Guild Leader Rogash continued reading earnestly, as if he had already arranged everything and was simply waiting for someone to deliver themselves.
Hurried footsteps came from outside the door. The library door was pushed open a crack, and a girl with a fishbone braid peeked in. There was a small black mole at the corner of her eye, giving her a youthful vitality.
"Father, are you in there?"
...
Eastern Continent, on an endless wilderness, a man and woman were walking quickly. Suddenly, the short-haired woman among them stopped.
"I need to piss. Right now."
"Huh?"
The man walking ahead had a strange expression. He clenched his fist, hesitated for a moment, then punched the woman in the lower abdomen.
"Don't use that face to say such vulgar things!"
Xiusiluo sent the short-haired woman flying more than ten meters with one punch.
"That's your command."
The short-haired woman got up from the ground, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.
"You should say... should say... expel excess moisture from the body? Yes, say it like that."
"Then I need to expel excess moisture from my body."
"I'll give you 30 seconds. Go behind that rock. And don't think about escaping."
Xiusiluo turned his back, crossed his arms, and tapped the ground with his heel as he waited. Soon, 30 seconds passed.
"Are you done?"
"..."
"Hey, say something."
Xiusiluo hesitated for a moment, cursed under his breath, and slowly turned his head to look back. In the moonlight, Xiusiluo saw a figure running into the distance.
"Heh."
Xiusiluo was angered into laughter. He came to the giant rock, easily lifted it, and hurled it into the distance. A muffled grunt followed, and the distant figure fell to the ground, legs kicked up from the impact.
"You'd better get in the bag."
Xiusiluo pulled out a large cloth sack he carried with him and skillfully stuffed the short-haired woman inside.
Before the sack's mouth was tied, the short-haired woman inside asked, "Are you going to sell me?"
"Of course I'm going to sell you. The Eastern Continent has better prices."
Xiusiluo looked at the female secret mage inside the large cloth sack. Moonlight shone on her face. With that face, how could Xiusiluo possibly sell her? He couldn't do it, no matter what—even knowing she was a secret mage.
Xiusiluo didn't believe this was a coincidence. This female secret mage looked exactly like his deceased younger sister, even the position of the black mole at the corner of her eye was identical.
"Rogash... I've found your weakness."
Xiusiluo pulled out a stone pillar about ten centimeters long and fist-thick from his bosom. The center of this stone pillar was blazing red. This was the "Heart Flame," and also the reason Xiusiluo had joined the Black Tower.
Xiusiluo's gaze turned to the large cloth sack. He was going to go ask Rogash personally what was going on with this female secret mage, even if it cost him his life.
Tucking the "Heart Flame" into his bosom, Xiusiluo hoisted the sack onto his shoulder and strode forward. Ahead was Baida City, where the Magic Association headquarters was located.