"With Mount Longhu and Mount Mao, the two paramount sects, leading the way, they gathered Feng Shui masters from all over the land. At the cost of losing a Heavenly Master from Mount Longhu, they finally managed to suppress the true zombie lord. However, that zombie lord was also cunning. On the verge of death, it directly abandoned the flesh that zombies rely on for survival. Using a treasure, it transformed its essence into a soul form, thus managing to escape with its life."
Li Zuquan looked at me and asked, "Do you know who this person is?"
I felt a surge of disdain in my heart. He just wanted to say that person was the Fifth Prince, why was he being so indirect?
But I still played along and thought for a moment, replying with a hint of surprise, "Are you referring to the Fifth Prince of the Yin Realm?"
Li Zuquan nodded, "A promising student..."
I secretly grumbled, "Old geezer, keep up your act. Let's see how long you can maintain it."
"Mount Longhu, having lost a Heavenly Master, naturally flew into a rage and vowed to raze the True Dragon Tomb on Qingfeng Mountain to appease the soul of the Heavenly Master. Just as everyone was preparing to act, a mysterious person intervened, asking them to spare the tomb's occupant. As long as he didn't wreak havoc on the human world, he could do as he pleased in the eight hundred li of Qingfeng Mountain.
Mount Longhu naturally disagreed, but under the persuasion of the mysterious person, they finally agreed. However, they stipulated one condition: the soul of the true lord must be sealed within the tomb, never to leave for eternity.
But who would have thought that twelve years ago, a mountain flood erupted again, coincidentally washing out the tomb of that true lord. Although the true lord emerged this time, he did not cause chaos. Instead, he gathered a group of followers, established an administration, and lived a proper life.
Upon learning this news, Mount Longhu organized several expeditions to suppress the zombie lord, but all were in vain. Either they failed to locate the true lord, or they were killed by him. Both sides suffered losses, and it wasn't until the mysterious person intervened to mediate that the matter was settled."
Li Zuquan paused here, taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat and allowing us to digest his words.
From his account, I could tell that his story largely aligned with what Old Madam Wang had said – the coffin was unearthed due to a mountain flood. Old Madam Wang hadn't mentioned the disputes within the Feng Shui world, which was understandable as she was just an ordinary person.
"It wasn't until ten years ago that the mysterious person reappeared and found me, along with your father and over a dozen others, instructing me to go to the Yin Realm to find something. Although we were well-prepared, the Yin Realm back then was not what you see now. It was a chaotic mix of various demons and monsters. After entering, our group suffered heavy losses due to various special circumstances, resulting in a complete annihilation. I, for some special reason, disguised myself as General Zuo Quan and only managed to escape a few days ago."
Li Zuquan spoke with tears streaming down his face, sighing with emotion. However, I detected something amiss in his words.
Why was it that none of the people who accompanied him met a good end, while he managed to disguise himself as General Zuo Quan and infiltrate the Fifth Prince's mansion? I wouldn't believe there was no foul play involved if I were to die.
I don't know what the Fifth Prince was like ten years ago, but he was certainly much stronger than he is now. How could he not have discovered that his subordinate, General Zuo Quan, was a living person in disguise?
If he hadn't discovered it, then the Fifth Prince deserved to suffer for so many years. But if he had discovered it and said nothing, it would imply that there was some unspeakable secret between them, or perhaps a deal had been struck.
Although I now knew why my father had come to Molu Village, one thing still puzzled me: why did that mysterious person specifically seek out my father, a Feng Shui master?
My father, while somewhat known in the north, was still far from being a true Feng Shui master, merely a second-rate one. That mysterious person, who could command the respect of major sects like Mount Longhu and Mount Mao, why wouldn't they seek them out to find something in the Yin Realm?
Moreover, Fifth Princess had mentioned an agreement with my father ten years ago, implying that my father must have encountered irreversible difficulties or dangers when entering the Yin Realm, which led to the ten-year pact with Fifth Princess.
Judging by all the evidence, Li Zuquan's words were likely false. Looking at Li Zuquan, who was sitting in his wheelchair and sipping tea, if I had to choose between believing him and Fifth Princess, I would lean towards believing Fifth Princess.
If Fang Yuan hadn't discovered the peculiar destiny of the person she was marrying when I first arrived in Molu Village, perhaps I would still believe their words. But now, who knows how much I truly believe.
"Who is that mysterious person? And what were you looking for in the Yin Realm?"
Li Zuquan smiled and shook his head. "The identity of the mysterious person cannot be revealed. I can only tell you that he is a powerful figure from the capital. As for what we were looking for, I can tell you it was a seal."
The capital?
These two words instantly made me think of something. Since ancient times, the capital has been the seat of the emperor, a royal stronghold, and a gathering place for the powerful and influential. There's a saying: you don't know how insignificant you are until you reach the capital, where throwing a stone might hit several influential figures. This suggests that the mysterious person was likely someone from the government.
As for figures from the capital, they are beyond the reach of a small fry like me. A single sneeze from those titans could blow me away.
"A seal? What kind of seal would make you so dedicated to finding it, and even lead you to infiltrate the Fifth Prince's mansion for ten years?"
"It's a treasure that allows free passage into and out of the Yin Realm. Whoever possesses it becomes the true master of the Yin Realm and can live forever. Do you think it's a treasure?" Li Zuquan paused here, looking at me with a half-smile. "Haven't you handled that treasure before?"
My heart leaped. Damn it, Li Zuquan was talking about the Hu Kui Seal! But wasn't that the personal seal the Fifth Prince wore when he was alive? How did it become a magical artifact to control the Yin Realm?
I chuckled, "Old Li, you jest. How could I possibly have the chance to witness such a treasure..."
Li Zuquan smiled and interrupted my attempt to continue speaking. "You don't need to quibble. I've been lurking in the Fifth Prince's mansion for ten years, pressuring him for ten years, and even personally forced him into the death chamber. Yet, even then, I couldn't pry open his mouth. But somehow, someone took advantage of my inattention and locked you in. By the time I discovered it, the Fifth Prince had already escaped my control. How do you think he got out?"
I shook my head like a rolling wave. "I don't know about that. If you hadn't mentioned that person was the Fifth Prince, I wouldn't even know his identity."
Could I admit to this? I absolutely could not admit to this, no matter what!
I knew very well how the Fifth Prince had escaped, because it was I who had helped him leave.
Seeing Li Zuquan clearly intending to settle accounts, admitting to it would mean no good outcome for me.
As long as I denied it, even if he suspected me, it would only be suspicion. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said so much to me; he would have simply killed me on the spot.
Seeing my persistent denial, Li Zuquan didn't say much more. Instead, he smiled and said, "I've told you all the information you wanted to know. Now, we should discuss business."
Seeing his sly smile, I had a bad premonition and quickly said, "Old Li, after talking for so long, I imagine you must be tired. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave. Thank you for the tea." After speaking, I gave Zhang Dabiao a look to hurry him along.
"Heh heh... Interesting, very interesting. Trying to play tricks on me? You've come to the wrong place..."
As Li Zuquan's words fell, I felt something flash before my eyes. When I saw what had suddenly appeared on my body, I froze in place. Damn it, had this old fellow gone mad?