Chapter 575: Heir of Time and Space
Of course, the talent Zhang Ruochen displayed also alarmed the saints of the Black Market, who deeply feared that once he grew to his full potential, the Eastern Domain would produce another Sword Saint. Please search for the complete version online for the fastest updates.
It was precisely for this reason that the Black Market resolved to eliminate Zhang Ruochen. At the same time, they sought to use this opportunity to revive their prestige and reclaim their lost face and dignity.
Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao glanced at Zhang Ruochen and chuckled, "Little junior brother, your face is truly impressive. You've even drawn the Nine Nether Sword Saint to the Eastern Domain Sacred City. Even I, your second senior brother, can't compare to you."
Third Senior Brother Wan Ke shook his head, analyzing, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. The Black Market's true goal is likely to use this matter to damage the relationship between the Saint Academy and the Eastern Domain Sacred Prince Manor. Think about it—our master has placed great hopes in little junior brother. If he were killed by the Black Market while at the Chen family, given our master's temper, wouldn't he hold a grudge against the Chen family? Once the Saint Academy and the Eastern Domain Sacred Prince Manor break ties, the Black Market will have an easier time operating in the Eastern Domain from now on."
Zhang Ruochen frowned and said, "Since the Black Market dares to come to the Eastern Domain Sacred City, they must have made thorough preparations in advance. Even our master leaving the Saint Academy to handle matters might have been part of their plan."
Indeed, Xuanji Sword Saint had left the Eastern Domain Sacred City half a month ago, only stating that he had an important matter to attend to and would definitely return before Zhang Ruochen's wedding.
At the time, Zhu Hongtao and Wan Ke hadn't found anything unusual, but after Zhang Ruochen pointed it out, they realized it was highly likely a setup by the Black Market.
Since the Black Market could arrange to lure Xuanji Sword Saint away, they could also arrange to restrain other experts in the Eastern Domain Sacred City.
They might even have set up a scheme within the Chen family itself; otherwise, the Chen family's city-protecting grand formation wouldn't have activated so slowly.
Wan Ke patted Zhang Ruochen's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. The Eastern Domain Sacred City is still the Chen family's territory after all. They've managed it for countless generations and can handle any crisis or upheaval. Even if the Nine Nether Sword Saint comes in person, he can't shake the Chen family."
The arrival of the Nine Nether Sword Saint indeed intimidated many.
The name of the Three Sword Saints thundered like thunder, far surpassing mere Ghost Saints and Hammer Saints.
However, Chen Wutian faced the Nine Nether Sword Saint without changing his expression, letting out a long laugh: "Sword Saint, are you joking? In the Eastern Domain Sacred City, you, an elder, want to take someone from our Sacred Prince Manor? That won't be easy."
The Nine Nether Sword Saint said, "Oh? You don't believe me?"
Chen Wutian countered sharply, full of confidence, "Of course not. Let me offer you some advice, senior: this is the Eastern Domain Sacred Prince Manor, not the Nine Nether City. Leave quickly, or you might not be able to get away."
From the sky above, a laugh rang out: "Shang Jiuyou, it seems you've truly grown old, to the point where even the young don't fear you."
Chen Wutian's expression turned serious again as he looked up.
In the clouds, a massive black city hovered.
The laughter had come from that black city.
Only Chen Wutian could see the black city and hear the laughter; others could only guess that another Black Market expert had yet to reveal themselves.
Third Senior Brother Wan Ke's face darkened, "Damn it. It seems besides the Nine Nether Sword Saint, the Hall Master of the Black Market's First-Class Hall might also be here, hiding in the shadows."
"How can you tell?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Among the heretical experts, there are only a few who dare to address the Nine Nether Sword Saint by his name. It's not hard to guess," Third Senior Brother Wan Ke said.
The Nine Nether Sword Saint still wore a faint smile, staring at Chen Wutian across from him, "You're the first to dare threaten me. Not bad, truly not bad. With that courage alone, you deserve to be called a young hero."
Even Chen Wutian's age was considered young in the eyes of the Nine Nether Sword Saint.
Chen Wutian stood straight, proud and unyielding, "Sword Saint, the one in control now is me. Do you believe I can kill the Ghost Saint right now?"
"Swish!"
The Fangtian Painted Halberd was nearly thrust into the Ghost Saint's chest, the light at its tip growing brighter, casting a ghastly pallor over the Ghost Saint's face.
The Nine Nether Sword Saint laughed, "You have a hostage, and so does the Black Market."
As soon as the Nine Nether Sword Saint finished speaking, two figures emerged from the darkness.
They were two old men, one in green and one in white, floating in the void. Their hands clutched their necks tightly, their feet kicking desperately, and muffled sounds came from their mouths, as if invisible ropes were hanging them by the neck.
But anyone with eyes could see that there was nothing around their necks.
Thus, the scene was eerily bizarre.
The two old men were Chen Xican and Chen Tiankun, both vein masters of the Chen family.
Zhang Ruochen stared in their direction, "Such a superb illusion technique, even a Half-Saint has fallen for it."
Even the fearless Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao showed a hint of caution, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, "It must be the Illusion Saint who has arrived. That enchantress's strength is terrifying—like a ghost, everywhere and nowhere, hard to guard against. We need to be careful."
With both the Black Market and the Chen family holding hostages, a stalemate ensued, and they began to confront each other.
Bu Qianfan stepped forward, standing at the center of the battlefield, "Since the seniors aren't acting for now, let me, a junior, first settle my grudge with Zhang Ruochen."
Bu Qianfan's form and features gradually changed, eventually fully transforming into Di Yi.
Di Yi clasped his hands behind his back, staring at the distant Zhang Ruochen, waving his hand with a smile, "Bring it out. This betrothal gift should have been delivered long ago."
Two glazed knights rode barbarian beasts out from behind Di Yi.
Between the two beasts, a six-foot-tall iron cage was dragged, scraping against the ground, sending up sparks.
Inside the cage, a disheveled woman was locked. Her wrists were pierced by steel nails, pinned to the iron bars. Drops of blood flowed down her arms, dyeing her sleeves and robes red.
Though the woman had fainted, Zhang Ruochen recognized her at once—it was his mother, Lin Fei.
A vein bulged on Zhang Ruochen's forehead, his eyes turning bloodshot as he charged forward, "Di Yi, you're asking for death!"
Di Yi raised his arm and made a gesture.
"Pfft!"
The two glazed knights, their eyes cold, raised dragon bone spears and thrust them from left and right, piercing Lin Fei's left and right shoulders.
Lin Fei woke in pain, letting out a scream.
Blood gushed from her shoulders like a fountain.
"Zhang Ruochen, if you take another step forward, your mother will die right before your eyes," Di Yi said with a smile.
That seemingly bright and sunny smile was eerily sinister.
Zhang Ruochen stopped, his fists clenched, his whole body trembling, "What does my mother have to do with this? Why... why did you drag her into this?"
Huang Yanchen immediately caught up, standing beside Zhang Ruochen.
Seeing Lin Fei in the cage, she was also filled with grief and resentment, "Warriors fight without harming family. You saints of the Black Market have no bottom line at all, do you?"
Zhang Ruochen's Half-Saint mansion already had powerful defenses, with Fifth Senior Sister stationed there. Unless a Saint intervened, who could break through?
Di Yi chuckled, "This has nothing to do with the saints. I invited your mother here only to clarify one question. I'm curious: in Zhang Ruochen's heart, which is more important—his mother or his fiancée?"
"This is a question many can't answer. But I know Zhang Ruochen is very clever, and he'll surely give me an accurate answer."
"Zhang Ruochen, I'll give you two choices."
"First: hand over your fiancée to me, let her marry me, and I'll release your mother."
"Second: you can continue with your wedding, but before that, you must hold a funeral for your mother."
"This is a tough question, isn't it? Zhang Ruochen, I'll give you the time it takes to burn one incense stick. That should be enough, right?"
Second Senior Brother Zhu Hongtao and Third Senior Brother Wan Ke rushed forward, standing on either side of Zhang Ruochen.
Di Yi glanced at them and immediately said, "Seniors, don't even think about rescuing her. Killing is always faster than saving. If your recklessness causes Zhang Ruochen's mother to die here, he might hate you for life."
Zhu Hongtao wanted to rush up and smash Di Yi's head, but he held back, not acting impulsively.
Wan Ke looked at Zhang Ruochen with deep concern, "Junior brother, don't believe him. Even if you hand over Miss Yanchen, he won't let your mother go. Their target is you; the one they truly want to kill is you."
Huang Yanchen understood Zhang Ruochen's dilemma well, "Let me go. Once Di Yi releases Lady Lin Fei, I'll take my own life. He won't get to humiliate me. Trading my life for Lady Lin Fei's is worth it."
With a resolute look, Huang Yanchen stepped forward. But before she could take a single step, Zhang Ruochen grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"You go back. I'll handle this."
Zhang Ruochen looked up, gradually calming down, but his eyes still burned with murderous intent, "Di Yi, do you think you've already taken full control?"
Di Yi spread his hands and smiled, "Isn't it obvious?"
"Swish!"
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen vanished from his spot.
None of the saints present could see his figure; they only felt a ripple in space.
The moment Zhang Ruochen disappeared, another Zhang Ruochen appeared above the cage imprisoning Lin Fei. He executed the Time Sword Art, striking out twice in quick succession.
"Pfft!"
The heads of the two glazed knights flew off almost simultaneously.
"Space Teleportation, Time Sword. Has the Heir of Time and Space appeared again?"
The Nine Nether Sword Saint's aged eyes sharpened, his gaze transforming into overwhelming sword qi.
In that moment, Zhang Ruochen's secret of controlling time and space was finally exposed to the world.
From now on, he would inevitably face endless killing calamities. But he had no regrets, for this was his only choice.
Only by using the power of space and time could he kill the two glazed knights and rescue his mother before the Black Market's saints could react.