AZI Volume 4 Chapter 22

"I see. Well then, feel free to take what you need. However, I have a favor to ask after."

Receiving the go-ahead from Wang Bei Mu, Qing Yue and Yu Ji are the first to take what they can, whereas Ye Chen says—

"I'm more interested in the exit."

Towards Ye Chen's remark, Wang Bei Mu answers—

"It's buried beneath all these treasures. I can't recall the exact location."

"I see."

As everyone begins to dig around, Long Hua looks to the caskets, while thinking—

(22 caskets… He called this place Myriad Tribe City; is that the name of the abandoned city? Regardless, if it's a city with more than one tribe residing in it…)

The first thought to appear in Long Hua's mind was the idea of it not making any sense for there to be a single individual to rule over the city. Each tribe should have a representative—to act as their voice when important decisions are to be made.

(…22 representatives, an even number? What happens if they need a tie breaker? Shouldn't an odd number of representatives be ideal?)

As Long Hua thought of these things, Wang Bei Mu kept a close eye on Tian Cheng—wishing that she'd come closer to his casket.

However, the person in question seems more interested in the young man beside her, who isn't moving like the others.

(*-laoban, there's a few items in this mess that can grant you 20 rolls.)

Gesturing for the Tai Xuan Emperor to continue, Long Hua presses his right ear.

(Three items in total. One is a necklace with a green gemstone. Second is a silver-colored ore. Third is a black ingot.)

Looking to Tian Cheng, Long Hua says—

"Grab the silver ore."

Receiving a nod from Tian Cheng, Long Hua goes after the necklace with the green gemstone, along with the black ingot.

Eventually, Wang Bei Mu projects his voice outwards again, and says—

"Young man in the fur-hooded coat, you seem to have some questions in mind. I may be able to answer them for you."

Towards Wang Bei Mu's words, Long Hua smiles while storing the two items away, and replies—

"I do. First, you call this place Myriad Tribe City, I assume each tribe has a voice in managing the city's affairs, right?"

"Indeed."

"And these caskets, they were meant to store the bodies of those who had acted as each tribe's voice?"

"Correct."

"Then, why is there an even number of caskets?"

"…That is because there was a traitor among us. Originally, we had 23 representatives. But…"

Raising a sigh that seems to have been caused by heartache, Wang Bei Mu adds—

"That person's betrayal ended up costing us a great deal of comrades. It was unanimously decided that we won't have him buried here."

For the average person, the brief pause that Wang Bei Mu had taken prior to giving his answer wouldn't be noticeable, and even if they had noticed it, they might have considered the topic that had just been brought up to be a difficult one to talk about; hence, the need to give a minor pause before answering.

However, being the selfish person that he is, Long Hua's mindset from the very beginning had been one of great distrust.

Folding his arms, Long Hua gestures with his chin, and says—

"Let's hear the full story then."

(The hell kind of attitude is this?! Didn't the thought of this being a difficult topic to talk about even cross his mind?! Where has the idea of respecting the old gone with this lunatic?!)

Cursing inside of his mind, Wang Bei Mu heaves out a heavy sigh to regain his composure. Even if he is someone who has lived for well over 1,000 years, being asked to come up with a detailed story in such an abrupt manner is still a challenge.

"Surnamed Long, this guy must have been through quite a bit over the years."

Storing away a lavishly decorated chalice into her storage pouch, Li Xue continues to suggest—

"I think, you really shouldn't be forcing them to talk about such an unpleasant topic…"

Towards Li Xue, Long Hua bats her an odd glance, prior to sweeping a look around the vicinity.

Seemingly, every person is stuffing their storage device with as many treasures as possible.

"Ai."

Heaving a sigh, Long Hua asks aloud—

"Have you people forgotten about the potential of this ruin being a place that is meant to seal something?"

"…"

"…"

Simultaneously, Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning stopped moving prior to turning towards Long Hua, with the former asking—

"Surnamed Long, you mean…?"

"This other surnamed Wang might be an Immortal."

"…"

Rather quickly, everyone stopped what they were doing, and turned to the casket with a light of wariness in their eyes.

(Screw this lunatic! Has he ever heard that being too smart for one's own good is a bad thing?!)

Maintaining his composure through outward silence, while spewing out an ocean's worth of curses in his mind, Wang Bei Mu glares at Long Hua from within the casket, and asks—

"Young man… If I am an Immortal, how could you possibly understand what it is that I am saying?"

Normally, this would be an effective argument, but Long Hua asks back—

"There's already a precedent, so what's wrong with one more?"

Recalling the two Immortals in black, everyone puts on an expression of vigilance.

(Which dumbass son of a bitch clansman of mine broke the rules?! What the hell happened in the outside world while I was stuck here?!)

Under ordinary circumstances, the presence of the Gears of Descension, "the Soul Cage," as it is properly called by the Ling Yuan family—looms over the skies of the Leng Bing Realm, preventing the words spoken by practitioners from being understood by the denizens of this world; hence, the need for Wang Bei Mu to use his divine senses to convey his words.

With an impatient tone, Long Hua says—

"Surnamed Wang, start explaining, who are you really?"

(This lunatic is called surnamed Long by the others; his personality rating in their eyes probably isn't that high.)

Thinking of this, Wang Bei Mu retorts with—

"Young man… No, they call you surnamed Long; you're also hiding some secrets yourself, are you not? Answer me, surnamed Long, are you an Immortal?"

Immediately, everyone turns their wary eyes towards Long Hua.