Chapter 262: Enigma

Body possession!

These two words pierced into Su Hongli's heart like a sharp blade, causing a long-buried memory to uncontrollably surge up from the depths of his heart.

It made him slightly lose control, and his face became unusually gloomy.

The old man in Daoist robes beside him felt surprised. He hadn't expected that his mere speculation would elicit such a strong reaction from Su Hongli.

After some contemplation, the old man softly said, "Friend, I was only speculating. Perhaps there's another mystery at play."

Su Hongli remained silent for a moment, gradually calming his expression and returning to a state of tranquility. His gaze turned indifferent as he said, "No, my thoughts align with yours. Even if this wretch hasn't been possessed, there must be hidden secrets within him. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to possess such strength in such a short time."

Having said that, he stood up tall, looked into the distance under the night sky, and said, "I've known for a long time that the descendant of Ye Yufei cannot be allowed to live. Unfortunately, over these years, I couldn't bear to take decisive action, knowing that his veins carry the blood of Su Hongli..."

As he spoke, his tone became somber, accompanied by an unrestrainable chill. "So much so that now, abnormal things have indeed occurred in that wretch."

The old man in Daoist robes was moved and asked, "Did you anticipate such an event years ago, friend?"

A tinge of gloom appeared between Su Hongli's brows, and he sighed lightly. "Brother Dao, you don't understand. All of this... is related to that woman, Ye Yufei..."

"Forget it, let's not dwell on past events. In any case, after this incident, I'm even more determined to exterminate this wretch."

By the end of his words, his voice had become indifferent and cold, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.

The old man in Daoist robes sighed. "This time, Su Yi has caused an enormous disaster. Originally, it was meant to teach him a lesson and allow him to repent, to start anew. But now... the entire Great Zhou is probably waiting to see how the Su Family will handle this."

Su Hongli sat back in his chair, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Those mundane people have no understanding of what true cultivators are. Whether they want to spectate or have other intentions, I simply don't care."

With that, he sat up straight, his gaze sharp as lightning. "So what if I bear the name of a son-slayer? If I can't sever even this matter, then what am I, Su Hongli, cultivating for?"

The old man in Daoist robes trembled inwardly and asked, "Are you planning to take action personally, friend?"

Su Hongli replied indifferently, "I've said before that I would give him some time to consider. The deadline is the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and naturally, I won't go back on my word."

Just then, an old servant hurriedly arrived, presenting a sealed bronze box.

"Master, this was sent by Marquis Yun Guang, Shen Jiusong. He said it's a letter from Young Master Su Yi to you, written by the late Marquis Leying, Le Qingsheng."

Su Hongli took the bronze box and opened it, taking out a piece of blood-stained paper—a letter.

On the white paper, written with blood as ink, was a passage of text.

After reading it, Su Hongli couldn't help but sneer and casually handed the letter to the Daoist-robed old man beside him, saying, "Brother Dao, take a look."

The Daoist-robed old man finished reading and furrowed his brows slightly. "He came to Yujing City before the fourth day of the fourth lunar month, came to the Su Family for offerings before the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, and will visit his mother's grave on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month? Does he truly believe that possessing the power to kill a Precelestial Martial Ancestor with a sword allows him to act recklessly?"

Su Hongli calmly said, "Perhaps this wretch has some other reliance."

The old man in Daoist robes shook his head. "There are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in Yujing City. Which influential figure doesn't have some reliance? Not to mention the current Emperor and the National Teacher, Hong Canshang. I'm afraid they won't just stand by and watch him cause trouble."

In his eyes, Su Yi's actions were treated as mere "troublemaking," indicating his disdain for the matter.

"Or perhaps, in his eyes, he regards the friend as one of the ten Precelestial Martial Ancestors, thinking that he can compete with the friend," the old man in Daoist robes said, unable to contain his laughter.

Only he understood most clearly how terrifying Su Hongli had become.

"Discussing these matters is pointless. He boldly writes a letter to me, setting a one-month deadline, undoubtedly intending to challenge the Su Family here in Yujing City, to see how many means Su Hongli possesses to deal with him."

Su Hongli's eyes were filled with disdain. "It's just a little trick."

The old man in Daoist robes pondered for a moment and asked, "How do you plan to respond, friend?"

Su Hongli casually replied, "Previously, I gave that wretch some time to consider. Now, he has given me a month. What do you think I should do?"

The old man in Daoist robes shook his head. "Friend, your thoughts are as deep as the sea, beyond my understanding."

Su Hongli smiled and said, "He has his intentions, and I have my principles. I will let him stir up trouble in Yujing City until the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Even if he comes to the Su Family on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month to make a scene, I won't kill him."

He paused, his eyes turning cold, and his tone carried a hint of murderous intent. "But on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, I will bring this matter to an end!"

The underlying meaning of his words was that when he said he would kill him on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, he would do so without fail, neither earlier nor later.

This was an attitude of absolute confidence and dominance, as well as Su Hongli's guiding principle in his actions throughout his life.

The old man in Daoist robes naturally understood the implications, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise. The fifth day of the fifth lunar month...

Was the scene of a father and son facing off in a life-and-death battle about to unfold?

No, according to the contents of the letter, Su Yi would come to the Su Family for offerings early in the morning on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month. At that time, it was destined to trigger the scene of a father and son confronting each other.

However, since Su Hongli stated that he would settle this matter on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, it meant that he wouldn't make a move on the fourth day.

At this realization, the old man in Daoist robes couldn't help but speak up, "Friend, don't you think Su Yi and you share some similarities?"

Su Hongli was taken aback. "What do you mean by that, Dao brother?"

After considering his words carefully, the old man in Daoist robes replied, "Both you and your son have astonishing similarities in your actions. You each have your own principles and openly communicate your decisions to each other. Both of you are extremely strong-willed and unwilling to abide by the other's principles."

"How can that wretch be compared to me?" Su Hongli sneered after listening.

However, his brows slightly furrowed. "Dao brother, let's not discuss these matters anymore. I have already given him a chance, but unfortunately, he doesn't cherish it. Even if he kneels before me and repents, I won't show any mercy on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month."

Clearly, he believed that the words of the old man in Daoist robes were an attempt to persuade him, based on their father-son relationship, to show mercy.

Seeing this, the old man in Daoist robes couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head, not saying anything further.

...

Yujing City, the imperial palace.

Under the same night sky.

Inside a magnificent golden palace, Grand Preceptor Hong Canshang of the Great Zhou Empire stood tall in a gray robe.

He had a unique appearance, with long hair tied up with a jade hairpin. His face was gentle and clean, and his upright figure stood as straight as a lone pine on a steep cliff.

What stood out most were his pair of eyes, which appeared a faint golden color. Within his gaze, there was an extremely compelling power, as if capable of peering into the secrets of the human heart.

"Your Majesty, this matter is no longer just a simple internal affair of the Su Family. In my opinion, it is necessary to dispatch experts to investigate the secrets of this Su Yi," Hong Canshang spoke, his voice resounding through the palace like a morning bell and evening drum.

On the central dragon throne in the hall, sat a man dressed in a black robe with wide sleeves. His long hair flowed down, and his face was regal and youthful, yet when his gaze shifted, it carried a trace of the weight of years.

He was the current Emperor of the Great Zhou Empire!

Sitting leisurely on the throne, he chuckled and sighed, "Of the nine kings from outside the royal family in our Great Zhou, we now have only seven, and of the eighteen marquises from outside the royal family, we now have fifteen. This Su Yi, previously unknown, has now become renowned through this battle, enough to astonish the world and be known by martial artists everywhere. Truly, he was silent before, but now his fame resounds!"

Apologies for the mix-up. Continuing from where we left off:

Hong Canshang said, "The Great Zhou Empire may not have spiritual cultivators, but that doesn't mean they don't exist elsewhere. Your Majesty, do not forget that the true hegemony of the Cyan-Blue Continent is the Great Xia Empire. There must be spiritual cultivators within the Great Xia Empire!"

Great Xia!

The Emperor's pupils suddenly sharpened like a hawk's.

In the Cyan-Blue Continent, there were hundreds of nations!

Among them, the most prosperous and powerful nation was undoubtedly the Great Xia Empire!

The Great Xia Empire was the unquestionable hegemon of the Cyan-Blue Continent, controlling fifty vassal states alone.

Its influence spanned half of the Cyan-Blue Continent!

According to rumors, the Great Xia Imperial Family was a true cultivation force, possessing enough strength to intimidate the entire Cyan-Blue Continent.

As the ruler of the Great Zhou Empire, the Emperor was well aware of the power and might of the Great Xia Empire.

Both the Great Zhou Empire and its neighboring nations, such as Great Wei and Great Qin, were like insignificant vassal states in front of the Great Xia Empire.

If it weren't for the fact that the Great Zhou Empire's territory was situated in a remote corner, far from the Great Xia Empire, it might have long been swallowed up by the Great Xia Empire.

"However, the spiritual cultivators of the Great Xia Empire would probably disdain seizing the body of a young man from our Great Zhou Empire. In my opinion, there is something peculiar about Su Yi," Hong Canshang continued, "If we can investigate and uncover the truth, perhaps we will understand what kind of power Su Yi has gained to possess the strength of a Sword-Killing Martial Prodigy in less than two months."

The Emperor's gaze became subtle, and he said, "Grand Preceptor, do you still remember how Su Hongli obtained great opportunities from the 'Dark Demon Mountain' when he was young, which propelled him forward on the path of cultivation?"

As he said this, he looked at Hong Canshang and whispered, "Why do I feel that this child, Su Yi, has a similar experience to his father?"

Hong Canshang's expression became slightly unusual.

Before he could speak, the Emperor made a decision, "Su Hongli will take care of this matter."

Pausing for a moment, the Emperor smiled and said, "And I believe that Su Hongli will give me a satisfactory answer."

Hong Canshang remained silent.

Although he held a different opinion, he understood that once the Emperor made a decision, no one could change his will.