Way of the Devil - Chapter 67

Chapter 67
"It’s an incomplete skill called Black Fury Skill," Lu Sheng did not attempt to conceal it . After all, it was a skill that he had acquired from an auction . Though it might have been mysterious to the average person, it shouldn’t be considered any sort of secret to those in the know .


Indeed, upon hearing the name of this skill, Li Shunxi’s brows scrunched up .
"Isn’t Black Fury Skill a body tempering skill? I’ve heard that it indeed has fire poison effects . But just that fire poison itself should merely be enough to burn boils out of a person’s skin . How much inner force would it take to have power like Brother Lu--enough to slay a Soul of the Dead?"
As the words left his mouth, Lu Sheng instantly recalled the difference between himself and other inner force experts .
Hesitant, he asked softly, "May I know how many strikes Brother Li can execute at full strength?"
"At full strength? One strike of course, isn’t it?" Lu Shunxi cast Lu Sheng a weird look . "Mustering inner force from the entire body and putting it all into one strike… of course that would consume the entire body’s inner force . Any strike after that will have to wait till Qi recovers . Isn’t that basic common sense?"
Lu Sheng was stunned .
"Then how long does it take for your Qi to recover, Brother Li?"
"Probably about an hour of meditation . Why? Isn’t it like that for everyone?" Li Shunxi replied casually .
It dawned on Lu Sheng how different he was from others .
Ever since he achieved full-mastery of several inner force skills at the same time, inner force had flowed ceaselessly within him, cycling without end . Even at full strength, he could strike over ten times continuously before needing to recover Qi . And he even had Yin Yang Attraction to replenish inner Qi too .
As a result, the depth and thickness of his inner Qi was several times that of other experts in the same level .
Moreover, after Black Fury Skill had evolved into Blood Fury Skill, his inner Qi became even denser, by more than a fold .
As a result, his strikes were accompanied by a sweeping force that was unimaginable by the average cultivator’s standards .
"I’d like to ask a question," Lu Sheng ventured after his realization . "If one was powerful enough to resist an Anomaly’s assault, is there a chance that one can thoroughly eliminate it?"
Li Shunxi stared at him with a peculiar expression, dumbfounded .
By the time he slowly replied, Lu Sheng was even getting slightly impatient .
"Anomalies cannot die . No matter how many times you kill it, it will easily reappear again . Perhaps Noble Families have methods to deal with them, but not us .


Besides, as time passes, Anomalies will grow stronger and stronger . We should count ourselves lucky to have met a recently formed Anomaly . If we were trapped in those Anomalies that have been formed decades, even centuries ago, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking now . "
A recollection seemed to come upon Li Shunxi all of a sudden . His face turned dark and ugly once again .
Lu Sheng guessed that he had recalled the Anomaly his master had encountered previously and so fell into silence as well .
The two of them sat in silence for a moment before Lu Sheng spoke again . "Brother Li, do you mind explaining about all the supernatural beings that you’ve encountered before for me? So that I can understand the danger involved . "
He had just saved Li Shunxi’s skin . Naturally, Li Shunxi readily agreed to such a small request .
He chuckled, "Earlier, I misunderstood Brother Lu . So of course, this is not a problem . "
Immediately, he explained more than ten different types of ghosts he had encountered to Lu Sheng in detail . According to him, he had not seen the same type of ghost twice . Ghosts came in different shapes and forms; their abilities differed from each other as well .
The demonic ghosts that Lu Sheng had seen, for instance, were something he had never heard of .
After the exchange, both of them were rather satisfied with what they had learned .
From Li Shunxi, Lu Sheng had obtained plenty of data on other ghosts . Li Shunxi, too, had some gaps in his understanding of ghosts filled by Lu Sheng . Furthermore, he was very glad to be of help to Lu Sheng in a small repayment of Lu Sheng’s grace .
The two of them sat till dusk before returning to Mountain-Edge City together .
Li Shunxi bade Lu Sheng farewell and left his apartment . Lu Sheng gave instructions to all the men under him to start building a path towards the iron mine that bypassed Song Manor .
After several days’ effort, a new route was established from scratch . Lu Sheng guaranteed that they would be safe as long as they avoided Song Manor .
As a result, work in the iron mine resumed . Massive numbers of miners were recruited and dispatched into the mine . Lu Sheng also posted his men to guard and supervise the mining work .
Everything fell into order .
After two days of mining operations continuing without any mishap, Lu Sheng headed to Crimson Whale Sect headquarters once again and presented a conclusive report on the present situation .
He was still awaiting being granted full legitimacy in his position so that he could enter Martial Proclamation Library .


***
In Crimson Whale Sect headquarters .
It was still the same titanic ship . But, many of the upper echelons of the sect were out on missions this time round .
Only the Sect Master and two Deputy Sect Masters--Gongsun Zhanglan and Chen Ying--as well as two Internal Affairs Emissaries were present .

Old Sect Master’s face looked pale, as if he had gotten weaker again .
"So does that mean that the supernatural being was behind the Song Manor incident?" He coughed as he looked at Lu Sheng, seated beneath the podium .
"Indeed," Lu Sheng replied calmly . "When I investigated further, I met the legendary indestructible Soul of the Dead . After exchanging a few blows with it, I was just barely able to get out of the fight unscathed . This Song Manor has indeed turned into a haunted zone . Even a blazing fire couldn’t raze it down . "
The old Sect Master coughed again, then shut his eyes and remained quiet .
Deputy Sect Master Chen Ying cleared his throat and was about to speak .
"In other words, this matter’s still left unresolved? Right?" Abruptly, Gongsun Zhanglan asked .
"If Deputy Sect Master Gongsun is confident, you may go try it yourself," Lu Sheng’s face was unflinching .
"Just answer my question: has this matter been resolved?" Gongsun Zhanglan smiled, then asked gravely .
Lu Sheng turned his gaze towards him and stared at him for a few seconds, before replying,
"Indeed, as Deputy Sect Master said, it’s unresolved . However…"
"There is no ‘however’ . If it’s done, then it’s done . If it’s not, then it’s not," Gongsun Zhanglan smiled . "Since it isn't, then Wu San’s estate should not be inherited by you . Am I right?"
Lu Sheng was speechless .
Even Chen Ying had no idea how to speak up for him, except to simmer in rage .
The old Sect Master fell into thought silently . The ambience in the hall turned heavy and tense .
"News!!!"
Suddenly, a guard rushed into the hall, interrupting the tense silence . He knelt on one knee before the old Sect Master .
"Sect Master, External Affairs Emissary Zhang has returned from Jie Long City!"
"He’s returned?! Quick, admit him!" The old Sect Master’s countenance lifted visibly as he rose and shouted .
Lu Sheng had also heard about this External Affairs Emissary Zhang from those around him in the past few days . He was considered the strongest expert among the present External Affairs Emissaries .
Before long, a muscular man, who was covered in blood all over and whose face looked drained of color, walked into the hall at a slow pace, a guard trailing behind him .
"Greetings to Sect Master, Deputy Sect Masters," he clasped his hands together . As he spoke, it was clear that he was suffering from over-exhaustion of blood and Qi . He looked no different from a weather-beaten old man .
"Thankfully, I’ve not failed in my mission . This time, we’re finally clear about the movement patterns of that powerful ghost blocking our path . "
"It’s been hard on you, External Affairs Emissary Zhang," the old Sect Master went over to support him .
"This ghost is no joke . It’s not something that the average man can touch . It’s already no mean feat for External Affairs Emissary Zhang to be able to come out of it safely . "
"Sect Master…!"
"You, on the other hand, External Affairs Emissary Lu, returned with no results to show . External Affairs Emissary Zhang came back with a body of wounds, blood-soaked robes, and a clear understanding of the ghost’s movement patterns . How about you? What right or merit do you have to lay claim on the position of an External Affairs Emissary?" Gongsun Zhanglan exclaimed .
"Zhanglan, you talk too much crap! Brother Lu was able to go in and come out of Song Manor unscathed . That just goes to demonstrate his outstanding strength . Don’t tell me that all our men have got to return with wounds for them to be considered brave?" Chen Ying replied coldly, unable to hold his peace anymore .
"That’s not what I said," Gongsun Zhanglan smiled and looked at Lu Sheng . Had it not been for the sudden emergence of this brat, this position ought to have gone to his niece . It was a pity that because of this man, the opportunity that his niece had been longing for had once again passed her by .
"Enough . Although Brother Lu did not fully succeed in his case, the Manor is extremely dangerous . From today onwards, it shall be listed as a forbidden zone . Put up the signs, lest people enter it and come to be harmed," the old Sect Master commanded . "This case is closed . Brother Lu has proven his strength . So many of our men have witnessed the eccentricity and terror of that Manor . Brother Lu rightfully deserves the position of External Affairs Emissary .
With that settled, let’s discuss the situation in Jie Long City . White Sands Sect and Green Star Sect have struck an alliance . Establishing a route this time is not so easy . Moreover, there’s that ghost intercepting along the route…"
With old Sect Master’s word, the dust had settled on Lu Sheng’s matter .
More than a hundred sect disciples had personally witnessed Lu Sheng sending the girl-ghost flying backwards with a single strike of his saber . They had also seen how he led Duan Meng’an and Ning San out unharmed .
While those jealous of him may still be trying to find faults with him, most of the sect was convinced of his abilities .
The topic presently shifted to the conflict between Crimson Whale Sect and the two other sects in the direction of the Central Plains--White Sands Sect and Green Star Sect .
Lu Sheng was clueless about this matter and so could only play the role of a listener .
Although Crimson Whale Sect lorded over the Northern lands and had innumerable connections with the authorities, its influence had not extended to the factions in the Central Plains .
Furthermore, the distance was considerable . Even someone from the top ranks like External Affairs Emissary Zhang was barely able to come back alive . That went to show how prickly the issue was .
The meeting lasted all the way till noon before dispersing .
Lu Sheng was asked to stay by the old Sect Master for a lunch together .
After lunch, he took Lu Sheng on a stroll in the garden at the back of the headquarters . A large number of flora and fauna was kept on the deck in the rear of the massive Crimson Whale .
The two strolled along in the garden leisurely . Through the foliage, the noon sun rays fell on the ground in blotches . The ground was damp and covered in a layer of soft lawn .
The old Sect Master walked in front, hands behind his back, sighing without a turn of his head .
"Brother Lu . Do you know why Deputy Sect Master Gongsun is so against you?"
Trailing behind him, Lu Sheng nodded in reply, "I’ve heard rumors . Probably because his niece wanted my position . Neither of them expected that I’d show up and take it all of a sudden . "
"You’re an honest one to speak your mind," the old Sect Master paused, turned his head and laughed .
"What’s there to hide? I entered Crimson Whale Sect precisely to find stronger experts to learn through exchange . If Gongsun Zhanglan ever picks a fight with me, it’d make my day," Lu Sheng said without a care .
"You’re different from the others indeed…" old Sect Master Hong Mingzi chuckled . "I’ve heard about Brother Lu’s extraordinary strength from Elder Ouyang and the rest . But we’re all members of the same sect after all, and we’re bound to run into each other one way or another . There’s no need to make things difficult . "
"Since old Sect Master has spoken, if that Gongsun Zhanglan ever makes a move on me, I’ll save him some face," Lu Sheng replied nonchalantly .