Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
Great Yu decides to eliminate the Stone Race, mobilizing its forces under Duke Yuan. Chen Xuan visits Chief Eunuch Liu Sheng, who is stressed by the military movements and the potential threat of the Stone Race, particularly Li Mu. Chen Xuan offers Liu Sheng tea enhanced with a drop of rare spiritual liquid, which calms him and improves his mood. Chen Xuan then questions Liu Sheng about the sudden mobilization, hinting that Duke Yuan might be the cause.
"It is him!"
Liu Sheng appeared like a wronged elder at this moment. "So selfish! To ensure his chosen one's advancement, he even resorts to acting with the Three Dukes to initiate this war!"
"Chosen one? Who?" Chen Xuan inquired.
"Guan Yao!"
"Why must it be this way?" Chen Xuan asked, questioning if extreme measures were necessary even for honing battle experience.
"Path of Slaughter!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan's brow furrowed. "What is that?"
Knowing Chen Xuan's confusion, Liu Sheng explained, "It's similar to a rule, yet not quite. The Path of Slaughter is an ancient method, and thus far, only Duke Yuan has achieved success in cultivating it."
"Cultivating this path demands endless slaughter!"
"In essence, it's about cultivating through killing, and it must be fueled by genuine killing intent. This is precisely why he is adamant about attacking the Stone Race!"
"What a sinister method!" Chen Xuan murmured, finding the concept of cultivating through killing rather wicked.
"It's more than just sinister! If a cultivator's will falters and they lose their senses, they risk becoming a mere puppet of slaughter!"
"So, if this Guan Yao fails, all his efforts will be in vain?"
"That is one of the reasons I am attempting to prevent it," Liu Sheng admitted. He felt the endeavor was excessively perilous. Over the years, only Duke Yuan had succeeded; all others who attempted it devolved into puppets consumed by killing intent, becoming walking corpses, only to be ultimately eliminated by Duke Yuan himself without exception.
"Hiss—" Chen Xuan gasped, impressed by Duke Yuan's ruthlessness.
"Phew—" Liu Sheng took a deep breath. "Enough! His Majesty has consented. Even if I disagree, there's nothing I can do. Let them have their way!"
He had stated his piece and done all he could. Just as the young man had mentioned earlier, one should do their best and leave the rest to fate.
Liu Sheng couldn't help but gaze at Chen Xuan, surprised that the young man's arrival not only lifted his spirits but also provided him with a clearer perspective on the matter.
"What is it, Chief Eunuch?" Chen Xuan asked, noticing Liu Sheng's prolonged stare with curiosity.
"Oh, why have you come to Zhan Tian?"
"I came to consult Elder Zhan regarding questions about cultivating the Sacred Body, but he is currently in seclusion with Xiaoqi!"
"Are there problems?" Liu Sheng immediately grew anxious. This was not only because the Burial Grounds required his presence but also because he genuinely regarded Chen Xuan as part of his trusted inner circle for cultivation.
Seeing Liu Sheng's concern, Chen Xuan's heart warmed, and he quickly reassured him, "No issues, Chief Eunuch. Please don't worry. I merely have some minor doubts."
"That's good!" Liu Sheng felt relieved upon hearing Chen Xuan's words.
"By the way, I wanted to ask you something, Chief Eunuch," Chen Xuan added, suddenly recalling his deductions from the previous day. Many were aware of the event but lacked knowledge of the specifics.
"Speak!"
"Was Qin Tiandao involved when Marquis Ning was assassinated by the Southern King?"
Liu Sheng's expression froze at the question before he slowly inquired, "Where did you obtain this information?"
"Then it is true!" From Liu Sheng's reaction, Chen Xuan knew his deduction was accurate.
"The Southern King sought the Ten Thousand Beasts Technique; I can comprehend that. But Qin Tiandao, at that time? He had no stake in it, correct?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng fell silent.
Chen Xuan did not press further, quietly awaiting Liu Sheng's response.
"Sigh!" Liu Sheng finally emitted a heavy sigh.
"This matter implicates the Imperial Family. His Majesty once decreed that the details were not to be disclosed. I can only tell you that Marquis Ning had acquired a treasure, a treasure that would drive the entire Eastern Continent into a frenzy. However, this treasure was ultimately hidden by Marquis Ning, and its whereabouts remain unknown."
"Consequently, Qin Tiandao became involved. All of Marquis Ning's descendants survived solely for this treasure!"
"Hmm!" Liu Sheng slowly nodded. "This affair involved more than just Qin Tiandao; numerous Princes were implicated. Otherwise, considering Marquis Ning's strength, even with the Southern King's ambush, he couldn't have been killed!"
He even harbored suspicions that His Majesty might have personally orchestrated events from behind the scenes. However, this was merely his conjecture.
"Hehe!" Chen Xuan chuckled coldly. "So, the righteous Prince in Great Yu's eyes is quite the character!"
"It's merely a facade. Those young ones are most skilled at deception," Liu Sheng replied with a light laugh.
Abruptly, Chen Xuan recalled something and quickly interjected,
"But wait, wasn't it said that the Southern King couldn't open the treasure, and Your Majesty placed it in the Burial Grounds?"
"That is, in fact, the key to opening the treasure!"
"Key?"
Chen Xuan arched an eyebrow, could it be....
He realized in an instant why the box remained stubbornly shut; the crucial key was absent.
Marquis Ning had concealed the treasure, keeping the key for himself.
Perhaps he should have anticipated this?
But who would have guessed the Southern King would orchestrate his assassination!
"What does this key look like?"
If it were indeed the key to unlock the box, then acquiring it was paramount. He was deeply curious about this so-called treasure!
It was enough to tempt Qin Tiandao into taking such immense risks to hunt down Marquis Ning.
Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng's expression shifted subtly, his brows knitting together slightly.
Yet, Chen Xuan, with a gentle smile, inquired with perfect calm, "What is it?"
"Nothing!"
Liu Sheng considered voicing his reservations but ultimately decided against it. Everyone harbored their own secrets.
He had journeyed this far, and with the exception of this Stone Cave, he had always relied solely on himself.
There had to be a grand opportunity intricately linked to all of this.
"It's a sealed array diagram."
Liu Sheng finally decided to confide in him.
"An array diagram?"
Chen Xuan mused, recalling the array etched onto the box. Despite his profound mastery, he had been utterly baffled, indicating the problem indeed lay here.
