Ch. 24 - The Hell-Suppressing Pearl

“Idle gossip from the streets, how could that be trusted?” Chang Tianxiong laughed. “It’s true our ancestor acquired some cultivation techniques, but he was born into a noble clan. There’s no way he was just a mountain villager.” “But I heard,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile, “that your ancestor didn’t just obtain a few cultivation methods.” Chang Tianxiong, who was lifting his wine cup, suddenly paused. He forced a laugh. “Rumors always grow more exaggerated the more they're passed around, not worth believing.” “I heard your ancestor also obtained a divine pearl,” Xu Zimo said lightly. “Since I dared to bring it up, I must have my reasons.” At those words, Chang Tianxiong’s mind snapped into clarity. Xu Zimo had come for the pearl. But that was something from centuries ago, how could he possibly know? Only the head of each generation of the Chang Clan was privy to that secret. Their ancestor had left behind a clan edict stating that hundreds of years later, a destined one would appear. When that day came, the Chang Clan was to hand over the pearl to him and pledge their allegiance. That person would one day ascend to the throne of Grand Emperor, and the Chang Clan would rise to glory under his era. But Chang Tianxiong wasn’t sure whether Xu Zimo was really that destined one. In fact, he had a gut feeling that he wasn’t. “What is this pearl that Young Master Xu speaks of? I truly have no idea,” Chang Tianxiong replied, shaking his head. “There’s no need to be so stubborn, Lord Chang,” Xu Zimo said with a chuckle. “The pearl may be a fine treasure, but only if you're lucky enough to keep it. You don’t want to risk your Clan's entire foundation over something so trivial.” “What’s the meaning of this, young man?” the Grand Elder of the Chang Clan snapped. “Is the True Martial Sacred Ground really going to destroy our entire clan over some made-up story about a pearl? We’ve always supported the sect. If this is what we get in return, punished on a baseless charge, then I will make this injustice known to the world! Or perhaps… this has nothing to do with the sect, and you’re just pursuing personal gain?” Xu Zimo understood clearly now: since he didn’t have an official reason for this visit, the Chang Clan felt emboldened. They wanted to hide behind “righteousness” and public opinion as a shield. “You’ve misunderstood,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Our sect governs the entire Western Region, spanning millions of miles. All who dwell in this land are citizens of the True Martial Sacred Ground. We do our best to protect you. Why would we harm you?” “Then what exactly were you implying just now?” Chang Tianxiong asked, his voice darkening. “Oh, nothing,” Xu Zimo replied casually. He raised his wine cup and drank it in one go. “But have you ever considered this scenario, Lord Chang? Today, I visit your Clan. We share a wonderful conversation. Then I leave. That night, a mysterious man in black appears… and slaughters your entire clan. He takes that divine pearl. That wouldn’t have anything to do with the sect, would it? If someone accuses me of orchestrating it, they’d better have proof. Otherwise, it’s slander. Later, I catch this man in black and retrieve that divine pearl. So in the end, the pearl is still mine, just a bit of a messy process, that’s all.” Chang Tianxiong’s face darkened. What he feared wasn’t hypocrites or obvious villains, it was people like this. Someone who held power, but refused to play by the rules. It was a blatant threat. Naked intimidation. If he didn’t hand over the divine pearl today, the whole clan would be gone by morning. He hadn’t expected Xu Zimo to just say it out loud like that, and yet he couldn’t accuse him of anything concrete. A man who would stop at nothing, and was shamelessly confident about it. That was the impression Chang Tianxiong now had of Xu Zimo. “What are you saying, Young Master Xu?” Chang Tianxiong asked, face stiff with tension. “Oh, nothing at all,” Xu Zimo said as he stood up, smiling. “Thanks for the hospitality. I’m full, it’s time to go.” Then he turned to Feng Buyu. “Senior Brother Feng, notify the City Lord’s Mansion: No one leaves Skysword City tonight. Lock down the gates. We’ll talk again in the morning.” As Xu Zimo made to leave, Chang Tianxiong panicked. He jumped to his feet. “Young Master Xu! I just remembered, we do have a round pearl in our collection. I don’t know if it’s what you’re looking for, but if you’d like it, I’ll retrieve it immediately.” “Oh?” Xu Zimo turned, still smiling. “There’s no need to force yourself. I wouldn’t dream of taking something you love.” “Not at all, not at all. Please wait, I’ll go get it right now!” Chang Tianxiong said quickly and rushed out. His heart was pounding. As Xu Zimo turned to leave, he suddenly had the sense that disaster was looming. The ancestral edict was important, but he couldn’t let the Chang Clan perish under his watch. If that happened, he’d be the greatest sinner in the Clan’s history. It didn’t take long for Chang Tianxiong to return, holding a small box. The box looked ancient, with a depiction of armor painted on its surface. It was a deep black in color. He handed it to Xu Zimo and said, “Please, take a look and see if this is the item you seek.” Xu Zimo opened the box. Inside was a dull yellow pearl, its surface etched with a chaotic web of intricate markings. Lin Ruhu looked at it curiously. “Why does this pearl look so familiar? I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.” Xu Zimo didn’t answer. He just smiled and pocketed the pearl. Of course it looked familiar. This was none other than the Hell-Suppressing Pearl. Back in the Gravity Tower, Xu Zimo had taken the first such pearl from Cui Yuan. Now he had the second. Xu Zimo nodded, smiling. “In that case, many thanks to Lord Chang.” “Think nothing of it,” Chang Tianxiong said, shaking his head quickly. “This thing has been in our Clan for hundreds of years, and no one’s ever figured out what it’s for. Now that it’s in your hands, maybe it will finally shine.” Xu Zimo then took his leave, departing the Chang estate with his group. Chang Tianxiong watched their retreating figures with a storm brewing in his heart. With a furious slam, he struck the nearby table, splintering it to pieces. Teacups shattered across the floor. His face was dark and grim. Leaving the Chang estate, Xu Zimo was in excellent spirits. This item was vital to him, and he was now that much closer to completing the set. He turned to Dark Thirteen and said calmly: “By the time the sun rises tomorrow, I don’t want to see the Chang Clan standing.” Everyone around him froze in shock. “Junior Brother Xu,” Guan Zhenhai hesitated, “didn’t they already give you the pearl? Why exterminate the entire Chang Clan?”