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Chapter 50: The Dependable Brothers From The Criminal World

On the platform, two individuals sat opposite each other on the ground. To the left, there was an elderly man with wrinkles and lines on his face, a small and slender figure, dressed in plain gray-brown attire.

On the right, a tall figure donned a black cloak and wore a bronze mask strangely adorned with patterns on his face. It was the very individual who had made an appearance in the Hidden Forest Mountain—the divine envoy.

At that moment, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve and slid it across the ground toward the elderly man.

"I've heard that the Elder of the Black Mountain Village is in the fifth realm of cultivation. Please accept this modest gift as a token of my respect," the demon's divine envoy said with courtesy.

When the elder opened the brocade box, he discovered a slightly withered black lotus flower. However, three golden lines on the lotus body were particularly striking, emitting a radiant glow.

"The Nethersea Golden Lotus..." the old man mused with a chuckle. "Divine envoy, it seems you've gone to great lengths for this small gift."

"I happened upon it by chance and thought it would be a suitable present. It was a convenient choice," replied the divine envoy nonchalantly.

He didn't concern himself with the number of lives that might have been lost as a result of his convenient decisions.

"I will personally present this gift to the Elder, and I'm certain the Elder will appreciate it," the old man nodded and continued, "However, due to your recent actions, Kaoshan City is now under strict lockdown. I won't be able to return for a while. Nonetheless, as long as I remain here, even if the officials conduct a thorough search of the city, they won't find me. Divine envoy, you need not worry about this."

"I was quite surprised by this development. Initially, I had arranged for a scapegoat that could temporarily mislead the officials. It was truly unexpected that it didn't work."

The divine envoy chuckled and remarked, "Nevertheless, the city won't remain under lockdown for long. Kaoshan City is home to many merchants, and they will surely open the gates within seven days at the most. It won't have any significant impact."

"Divine envoy, let me be honest with you. Life in the Southern Regions is getting more and more difficult for us, the malevolent shamans. Acquiring resources to aid us in reaching the fifth realm of cultivation has become exceptionally rare. We haven't seen an Eminent shaman in the sixth realm for so many years," the old man said. He paused and sighed, then continued with a sense of urgency, "I'm here representing the seventeen united malevolent shaman villages in the Southern Regions, hoping to find a way for us to survive."

Upon hearing these words, the divine envoy let out a soft sigh and spoke with a touch of dejection, "Those who lived during the reign of the shaman god in his prime would never have imagined the hardships his descendants would face in later times."

The old man, upon hearing this, could only force a bitter smile.

The era of the shaman god was a distant legend, dating back tens of thousands of years, if not longer.

The shaman clan, as humans, had significantly shorter lifespans than the demon race, and few remembered the glorious era of the god of shamans.

"We only want to survive," he said, shaking his head as he continued, "Not only are we in conflict with the light shamans' villages, but the Valley of the Three Absolutes has also been hunting us down more and more relentlessly. If not for that, we might not have considered forming an alliance with your demon race. However, even so, many village elders remain concerned..."

"Concerned about what?" the divine envoy asked.

"They are concerned because you all are, after all, demons," the elderly man replied. "What if your plans come to fruition? Would that mean the extermination of all human races?"

The divine envoy chuckled and said, "In the era when humans reigned, were we demons ever exterminated? Even if our god were to return, the human race would still exist. By then, we would still need humans to rule over humans."

"Obviously, we have to obliterate all the sects in the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten. The human race... should be called the shaman race instead."

"The seven demon kings all agreed that the friends who helped us before the return of our god will be granted a new world after our god return," the divine envoy declared, his arms outstretched as if he was welcoming an illusory new world.

The elderly man remained composed, clearly not fully convinced by the divine envoy's words. He listened calmly and said, "The second concern of the village elders is..."

The elderly man paused and continued, "They are worried that your god is a fabricated existence."

...

[Fiend]: "Nethersea Golden Lotus?"

[Fifty-Eighth]: "Yes. Based on my investigation, it was taken by the divine envoy of the demons... However, I am...unable to find more clues on where it is right now."

[Fiend]: "Securing the Nethersea Golden Lotus will be my key to breaking through to the third level in the Realm of the Five Elements! I'll inquire with the others to see if there's any assistance available near Kaoshan City."

[Fifty-Eighth]: "I'll do my utmost as your subordinate."

[Fifty-Ninth]: "What? A Nethersea Golden Lotus! Senior, it's incredible that you found a creature from the Nethersea within just a few days. You're truly remarkable!"

The individual named Fifty-Ninth appeared again, but Chu Liang chose to ignore him.

He patiently awaited Fiend's response.

This decision to inquire through the interdimensional soul domain was made after careful consideration.

Since the Nethersea Golden Lotus was primarily used in alchemy, medicine refinement, and aiding cultivation, it wasn't particularly valuable to demons.

Since the divine envoy of the demons had committed a significant crime by forcefully seizing this item, it was unlikely that it had been taken just for amusement.

Those who required this item for their cultivation were most likely practitioners of dark arts, witchcraft, poison, or other nefarious paths.

Given the divine envoy's journey, behavior, and habits, it seemed likely that he aimed to manipulate and bribe people with this stolen item.

It seemed that the demons from foreign lands were accustomed to giving away the items they had stolen.

While the divine envoy's whereabouts were untraceable, the people he communicated with were likely traceable. Even in the shadows, they had their own network of connections.

It didn't take long to receive a response from Fiend.

[Fiend]: "I asked other fellow disciples, and there is indeed someone near Taotie City, but he can't provide you with direct assistance. He's also not familiar with this matter. However, he provided some information. If you want to gather information in Taotie City, you can go to Second Madam Gu's tavern."

Just as he had expected.

His brothers from the criminal world are the reliable ones.

Although he had only been given a way to gather information, this was much better than having no clues at all.

[Fifty-Eighth]: Second Madam Gu's tavern? Alright. I will head there right now to investigate this.

[Fiend]: "You have gone through so much trouble for this matter. When I achieve my breakthrough, you will undoubtedly receive your share of benefits. Whether this matter succeeds or not, I appreciate your efforts."

[Fifty-Eighth]: "Honored Fiend, you need not be courteous. This is what a subordinate should do."

[Fifty-Ninth]: "Wowowow."

Chu Liang put the Soul Subjugator away and immediately notified Yun Chaoxian.

"I have to go see someone to gather information. Just wait for me here."

The situation at the tavern was unclear, and it would be unwise to bring Yun Chaoxian along. If Chu Liang had accidentally exposed something related to the Dark King Sect, it would be challenging to clear things up.

Out of curiosity, Yun Chaoxian asked, "To gather information? Where?"

Chu Liang answered, "A friend of mine has provided me with some discreet leads. It's better if I go alone."

"Alright." Yun Chaoxian nodded. He then added, "Make sure to thank your friend properly."

Chu Liang smiled.

No need.

He was thanking me earlier.