Chen Jinzhao stood up and gave Su Xiao a solemn military salute.
There had indeed been many suspicious points regarding the incident back then. It was only after Su Xiao's reminder that Chen Jinzhao suddenly realized Su Xiao was the one most worthy of respect.
He was still his elder brother.
Su Xiao returned the salute. After lowering his arm, he let out a bitter smile, "It's been many years since I last saluted. I've become rusty and almost forgot how."
Chen Jinzhao felt a pang of heartache.
Su Xiao was still serving the country but bore the infamy of a traitor, forcing his wife and daughter to endure hardships beyond imagination.
Was this situation normal?
"Brother Su, since you're not a traitor, why have you let them live such a difficult life? Even if you spoke to Elder Xu, their living conditions could be better," Chen Jinzhao said. Su Xiao's smile vanished, and he sighed, "I've never done anything to wrong others in my life, except for them."
Chen Jinzhao knew Su Xiao had more to say, so he waited patiently.
Su Xiao said with guilt, "Elder Xu told me he could improve their living standards, but I refused. The Black Blood organization might not trust me that much. If they knew Elder Xu was specifically taking care of them, it might reveal my cover."
"That's why I say I've wronged them."
Chen Jinzhao felt a surge of respect, but also sighed inwardly.
To complete this mission, Su Xiao had paid too much and borne too much.
"It would have been better if they hated me, but they are so understanding, which makes me feel even more guilty," Su Xiao shook his head and sighed.
"Yu Qing is a good child," Chen Jinzhao recalled the scene at the school gate.
Su Xiao nodded in agreement.
The more understanding his wife and daughter were, the more he felt he had wronged them.
This was an unsolvable dilemma.
Su Xiao had thought of giving up countless times, but thinking of his wife and daughter's unconditional support, he gritted his teeth and persevered. Now that the plan was half successful, perhaps in another five or six years, he could return to his wife and daughter, and their family could be reunited.
Why not?
Chen Jinzhao pondered for a moment and then said, "How about this? From now on, I'll find time to look after your sister-in-law and Yu Qing for you."
"Brother Su, you don't need to rush to refuse me."
"To put it arrogantly, even the people from the Black Blood organization know that my weakness is my deep sense of loyalty and righteousness. It is only reasonable for me to take on this task."
Su Xiao was speechless, his eyes turning slightly red as he said, "Brother, I'll have to trouble you then."
"It's just because you trust me, Brother Su," Chen Jinzhao replied.
After discussing past and future matters, they talked about last night's events. Su Xiao said, "When you were cornered last night, I was about to signal you to join forces and kill Ling Nan. I didn't expect Ding Ling from Xuan Tian Temple to descend from the sky."
"That bastard is truly strong."
Chen Jinzhao also recalled that Su Xiao had indeed signaled him last night, but Ding Ling had already appeared before him, so he hadn't thought much about it.
Mentioning Xuan Tian Temple, Chen Jinzhao looked up at Su Xiao.
Su Xiao said gravely, "I know what you want to ask, and I can tell you everything. Ding Ling's strength is far above yours and mine, and this Xuan Tian Temple is also extremely bizarre. Xuan Tian Temple is located beneath the continuous mountains in the far north, a place that was once permeated with a nauseating smell of blood. It's no exaggeration to say that Xuan Tian Temple is a living hell."
He described the internal structure of Xuan Tian Temple to Chen Jinzhao and mentioned that they would sever the tendons and sinews of strong individuals and keep them captive, specifically to extract their blood.
"I thought Elder Xu had forgotten me at that moment. Fortunately, after Ding Ling knocked those people unconscious, he sent me out of Xuan Tian Temple," Su Xiao said with lingering fear.
Even recalling that place sent shivers down his spine.
"Since Ding Ling let you out, it means Elder Li and Elder Xu both know about such a place. The fact that they haven't interfered with each other for so many years speaks volumes. However, if what Brother Su says is true, then Xuan Tian Temple is indeed very evil. They extract the blood of strong individuals, possibly to research something or to prolong their lives," Chen Jinzhao guessed.
Su Xiao nodded, "I suspect the same."
"However, Xuan Tian Temple's scale is too large. I estimate there are forty to fifty S-class and one to two hundred A-class individuals imprisoned there."
"Combined with the many disciples of Xuan Tian Temple, the power of this faction is terrifying."
Chen Jinzhao felt a sense of oppression.
They had just dealt with a Divine Kingdom research institute, and now these hidden forces were popping up one after another. It was a series of endless troubles.
He always felt that every event and every faction was not isolated, as if there was a point connecting them all.
What was this point?
"Chen Jinzhao, you need to be careful too. If Xuan Tian Temple needs to use the blood of strong individuals to prolong others' lives, the stronger you are, the more likely you are to be targeted," Su Xiao warned.
Chen Jinzhao was slightly startled.
If that were the case, he would be no match for Ding Ling.
"Thank you for the warning, Brother Su. I will be careful," Chen Jinzhao said solemnly.
"By the way, there's one more thing I want to ask."
Su Xiao glanced at Chen Jinzhao and asked with a smile, "Are you wondering if that Life Crystal truly exists?"
Chen Jinzhao chuckled sheepishly, "Brother Su understands me best."
Su Xiao narrowed his eyes and tapped his finger on the table, saying, "I can tell you with certainty that the Life Crystal is real. It is said that several leaders of the Black Blood organization have seen it, which is why they went mad and sent their entire Asia-Pacific headquarters. Not to mention the major powers from Japan, Silla, and Southeast Asia who came to fight over it. Do you really think they are all fools?"
"This is indeed a lure, but the lure must be real for the fish to bite."
Chen Jinzhao suddenly understood.
This was exactly the same as his guess. Now he finally understood the common thread among these organizations and events—
It was that some old powerhouses wanted to defy fate and achieve immortality.
The reason the Black Blood organization could recruit influential figures in China was undoubtedly by promising them extended lifespans. Otherwise, these elders would not have been tempted.
"Yes..."
"I should have thought of this long ago. People with immense power desire immortality, leading to countless calamities of eternal life."
"Both Xuan Tian Temple and the Divine Kingdom research institute serve this purpose."
Chen Jinzhao scoffed, "It's truly laughable. How can fate be defied? I fear that all their efforts will be in vain."
Su Xiao, however, said with a bitter smile, "But if an opportunity for eternal life were presented to you, who in the world could resist the temptation? Let alone those old men, even I couldn't. Chen Jinzhao, do you think you could resist such a great temptation?"
"I..."
Chen Jinzhao was about to say he didn't care about such things.
Then he thought of his own limited time. If a chance for eternal life were placed before him, he would likely be tempted.
This made him also let out a bitter smile.
"It seems I am also a vulgar person, unable to escape these vulgar thoughts."