The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (60)

 

Breakdown

 

It was a dark underground room.

 

As if prepared just for me, there was a table placed in the center, and someone was sitting there.

 

“You came faster than I expected.”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord, it was that bastard.

 

I entered inside together with Mu Ying.

 

“Come on in.”

 

He smiled broadly like a madman.

 

His pupils, split vertically like a snake’s, were utterly eerie.

 

I sat in front of him.

 

Mu Ying stayed close by my side, tensed up.

 

“You don’t need to be so tense. Let’s just have a little chat.”

 

“At this point?”

 

“Hehe, you’ve seen me, and I’ve seen you too, so shouldn’t we be able to have a conversation by now?”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord’s tongue was cunning.

 

I had to stay sharp to avoid getting caught up in his rhetoric.

 

“Looking at you up close like this, you’re younger than I thought? Ha, to think I was tracked down by such a brat?”

 

“Get straight to the point. You’re the one who openly laid out the board for me to chase you.”

 

“Keke, you noticed that too?”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord burst into loud laughter as if he found it truly amusing.

 

“Don’t waste time and just get to the main point.”

 

I knew that the person in front of me wasn’t Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord.

 

The real Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord wasn’t here right now.

 

The reason I came here despite knowing this was because his demonic arts, the Soul-Destroying Emotion Technique, could only be cast within a certain distance.

 

In other words, Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord existed somewhere nearby anyway.

 

“How exactly did you figure me out?”

 

“It was too obvious. It wasn’t particularly difficult.”

 

The moment one’s mind is dominated by the Soul-Destroying Emotion Technique, the opponent’s eyes turn red.

 

“It was obvious? That can’t be. There’s nothing wrong with my demonic arts.”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord frowned and tilted his head.

 

In fact, the reason he wanted to see me was because of his pride.

 

He was a perverted bastard who felt a strange pleasure in hiding in the darkness and manipulating people.

 

But his demonic arts had been properly seen through.

 

He had the kind of temperament that wouldn’t be satisfied until he resolved that curiosity.

 

“When the characteristics are so obviously revealed like that, would I be blind not to notice?”

 

“Char… acteristics?”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord’s expression twisted.

 

It seemed he wasn’t aware of it himself.

 

“Let’s say that’s true. Then the second question. What exactly is that demonic energy? Have you learned demonic arts?”

 

“Well, it would be convenient for you to think so.”

 

“Hmm. A righteous path martial artist who has learned demonic arts. And a direct descendant of the Zhu Family at that…”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord was grinning, showing his teeth as if he found this situation very amusing.

 

In fact, what he was most deeply interested in was precisely this matter related to demonic energy.

 

Usually, having demonic energy is only possible by learning demonic arts.

 

That’s common knowledge.

 

Learning demonic arts is completely different from the usual methods of righteous path martial artists.

 

It’s not something that a noble family’s heir who grew up like a greenhouse flower could learn.

 

“How about joining hands with me?”

 

“…”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord’s eyes gleamed.

 

“The Zhu Family will completely wash their hands of me. Not only that, but the Zhu Family will promise never to touch me in the future. In exchange…”

 

“Destroy the other Five Great Families and Nine Great Sects?”

 

“Kekeke, that’s right. How about it? Tempting, isn’t it? The Zhu Family standing tall and ruling over Jianghu. Think about it. Everyone looking up to the Zhu Family that you lead.”

 

“The Zhu Family that I lead?”

 

“That’s right, you should lead it. I can give you enough help. Keke.”

 

Was this why this bastard approached Second Young Master?

 

It seemed he was properly interfering with the succession structure of the next generation’s Zhu Family.

 

Then was Second Young Master’s rise to the Young Family Head position in my previous life all because of this bastard?

 

“I see. So that’s why you approached Sang Jin.”

 

“Sang Jin? Ah, you mean that dim-witted second son of the Zhu Family?”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord shook his head as if he found him pathetic.

 

“That guy was a bit dangerous. Easy to handle, but his maternal family happened to be the Namgung Family. The risk was high, but he still had enough authority to challenge for the next Family Head position.”

 

“Then why are you extending your hand to me now?”

 

“Because you’re not ordinary. Just coming to Black Pavilion to catch me… it seems like you know something.”

 

He suddenly leaned his upper body forward toward me.

 

His two pupils came into view even closer.

 

“How about it? It shouldn’t be a bad proposal for you either.”

 

“Hehe, then after the Five Great Families and Nine Great Sects are finished? Who will stop your Demonic Cult?”

 

“…”

 

At those words, Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord’s expression hardened.

 

“Among the Twelve Demon Emperors, you’re called Four-Eyed Demon Prince, aren’t you?”

 

“You… what exactly are you.”

 

At my words, Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord’s expression properly twisted.

 

This was probably the first time he was flustered.

 

He was an extremely arrogant bastard who thought he could control every situation.

 

“Confused? I’m not done talking yet.”

 

I grabbed Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord by the collar.

 

“It’s not something you can decide anyway. The Heavenly Demon. Do you think that bastard would spare the Zhu Family?”

 

“…!”

 

As soon as the name Heavenly Demon came out, his hands began to tremble.

 

Just the thought alone was terrifying.

 

However, that was only for a moment.

 

Soon he completely changed his expression and smiled leisurely.

 

“Is it a breakdown?”

 

“It’s a breakdown.”

 

“That’s unfortunate. Then you’ll have to die here.”

 

“…”

 

At the same time, his two eyes turned red.

 

But I didn’t let go of his collar.

 

In an instant, his expression twisted again.

 

“Why? Doesn’t it work?”

 

I laughed as if I found it amusing.

 

The Soul-Destroying Emotion Technique that bastard deployed.

 

It doesn’t work on me at all.

 

The reason would be.

 

Because I’ve awakened to a great enough realm to overcome that bastard’s mind control.

 

Belatedly realizing the situation was strange, Mu Ying drew his sword.

 

Then he launched a sword strike directly at Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord.

 

However, Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord leisurely dodged the sword force he deployed and positioned himself at a distance.

 

“You’re truly a strange fellow. There’s no opening to exploit. Are you… really human?”

 

“…Who knows.”

 

At those words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

“I think I used to be human. But now, I’m not so sure.”

 

“…We’ll meet again soon. From now on, you’re number one on my priority list.”

 

“Sure. Anytime.”

 

I gave him a grin, then released my grip on his collar.

 

At the same time, black smoke erupted around Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord, and he scattered like mist.

 

“Young Master. Was it alright to let him go like that?”

 

“That was a fake. He just parasitized someone else’s body to come to me.”

 

I stood up from where I was.

 

And stared directly at Mu Ying.

 

Why?

 

Why did he react so late?

 

Come to think of it, it was strange.

 

Mu Ying had shown odd behavior, responding somewhat slowly even when Second Young Master acted strangely.

 

‘Could it be…’

 

With a suspicion in mind, I asked.

 

“Did you see that bastard’s eyes just now? How they turned red?”

 

“Huh? Eyes turning red? Whose?”

 

“…”

 

Huh, no way.

 

Those red eyes.

 

Can only I see them?

 

This wasn’t something I could see because I possessed demonic energy.

 

Even in my past life, I had discovered that Demon People’s eyes turned distinctly red when they manifested their demonic arts.

 

That’s how I was able to hunt down and kill Demon People wherever I saw them.

 

Perhaps, just perhaps.

 

I might naturally possess eyes that can distinguish Demon People.

 

I needed to seriously consider how this ability itself could be helpful.

 

​

 

* * *

 

​

 

“You let him escape? Damn it.”

 

Dark Lord muttered with a disappointed expression.

 

“But there’s no need to be disheartened. That bastard will choose to retreat for now.”

 

“Why? Half of Black Pavilion has already been split apart.”

 

“There are detoxification pills that can properly restore their minds. I’ll send those to you separately.”

 

At those words, Dark Lord laughed helplessly.

 

“Ha, really. Then we gained nothing from this?”

 

“Why nothing? You gained detoxification pills and drove out the spy.”

 

“That bastard will come back to Black Pavilion…”

 

“He can’t. The detoxification pills are definitely effective. He’ll never be able to use demonic arts again.”

 

At those words, Dark Lord had to reluctantly nod, though he remained suspicious.

 

There wasn’t really any other option for now.

 

“If I’d known this would happen, I should have gone to catch him myself. Damn.”

 

“Even if Dark Lord had moved personally, you wouldn’t have caught him.”

 

“Hahaha! That’s the most amusing thing I’ve heard. How dare you say that to me…”

 

“Even our Family Head couldn’t catch him. That bastard wasn’t real.”

 

Only when Sword Master was mentioned did Dark Lord finally shut his mouth.

 

Even among the Ten Great Masters of the Martial World, there were clear differences in power levels.

 

Among them, Sword Master Ju Tae-seong was a supreme expert at the top even among the Ten Great Masters, with only two others who could match him as equals.

 

“Then did you gain nothing either?”

 

“No. I did gain something.”

 

I smiled with satisfaction.

 

Then I headed straight to where the warehouse had originally been.

 

The wreckage of the exploded carriage still remained there.

 

I picked up one of those fragments.

 

“Why are you picking up that trash?”

 

“To take it with me.”

 

“That thing? Why? For what reason?”

 

Dark Lord seemed to have many questions.

 

“This wood used to make the carriage. And this technique for carving and shaping the wood. I need to trace back from here.”

 

Actually, it was strange from the beginning.

 

When I approached the carriage, the mechanism device inside the carriage activated.

 

The problem was its explosion radius.

 

It wasn’t meant for killing.

 

Precisely, it was meant to destroy the carriage.

 

‘Since he’s thorough, it’s certain.’

 

Most of it was broken and shattered, but I picked up a relatively intact piece and put it in my pocket.

 

Starting with this, I planned to track down the Ghost Merchant Group that Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord had spread out, and his traces.

 

‘This is just the beginning.’

 

Whatever Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord might do, the real fight with him was starting now.

 

​

 

* * *

 

​

 

After returning to Black Pavilion.

 

Dark Lord summoned me to his personal quarters.​

 

Black Hall.

 

It was Dark Lord’s personal quarters and also served as his office.

 

“I’ve been thinking.”

 

“Yes. Please speak.”

 

“No one talks so boldly in front of me. Even those bastards called Black Pavilion’s Elders all bow their heads before me.”

 

“Mm, yes.”

 

“But it’s strange, you see? You show absolutely no fear, terror, or any such emotions toward me.”

 

I tilted my head.

 

“Should I be afraid?”

 

“Normally, yes. Normally. No matter how much you’re direct line of the Zhu Family and Sword Master Elder Brother’s bloodline.”

 

Dark Lord growled menacingly.

 

“It’s strange. Usually, coming alone into enemy territory like this and talking about internal strife, yet you show no trembling at all.”

 

“Well, I was telling the truth.”

 

I had no idea what he was trying to say.

 

“Right. Now I’m starting to believe your words a little. So then, who are those bastards?”

 

Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord.

 

He was asking about his identity.

 

“Demon People.”

 

“…”

 

At those words, Dark Lord fell silent.

 

He instinctively realized I wasn’t just talking about ordinary Demon People.

 

“Precisely, Demon People of the Demonic Cult. They’ve started moving again.”

 

“…Does Sword Master Elder Brother also know this fact?”

 

“He doesn’t know.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I didn’t tell him.”

 

At those words, Dark Lord tilted his head.

 

“Then, are you the only one who knows that the Demonic Cult is moving again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I decided to tell Dark Lord the truth.

 

The reason was that he was a man with deeper thoughts than expected.

 

He wasn’t the type to blabber everywhere and stick his hand out like I had worried.

 

“Ha, so you’ve been fighting that lonely battle all by yourself? Why?”

 

“Because we’re not ready.”

 

“The Zhu Family?”

 

“The entire Righteous Path.”

 

At those words, Dark Lord’s expression turned cold.

 

I had to correct my words again.

 

“No. The entire Martial World isn’t ready to prepare for the Demonic Cult yet.”

 

With that single statement, Dark Lord understood everything.

 

The fact that the situation was more serious than he thought.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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