CHAPTER 789: CHAPTER 794: ENDURING IN SILENCE

Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

After hanging up the phone with Ling Chen, Su Mei left her room and, accompanied by several confidants, promptly made her way to Yangxin Pavilion.

When Su Mei arrived, Du Kang, having received the notification, was already there.

"Pavilion Master," greeted Du Kang, "What is the matter that you needed to see me for?"

"Elder Du, back in the day, my grandfather captured someone and locked him up in Yangxin Pavilion for many years now, which is common knowledge. However, apart from my grandfather, it seems no one knows the true identity of this person."

Du Kang nodded, "That’s correct. I once asked your grandfather about it. He only mentioned that the person had committed heinous crimes, practiced deviant martial arts, and harmed many innocents. Out of compassion, instead of executing the Assassin, your grandfather chose to imprison him in Yangxin Pavilion with the hope that he would end his remaining years here."

"Not too long ago, Ling Chen called me, revealing the identity of that person. He is Chen Quan, the elder brother of Song Mingzhe, and thus, Zhu Hong’s current backer. Zhu Hong’s support from Song Mingzhe and others is all because of him. Elder Du, you may recall when we confronted Liang Tian, he feigned ignorance. Moreover, he told us that after he took Zhu Hong as a disciple, Zhu Hong disappeared and his whereabouts were unknown. Now it seems likely that Zhu Hong encountered Chen Quan here in Yangxin Pavilion, which is how he got his help."

"This is news to me," Du Kang said with some surprise. "As far as I know, when your grandfather first captured that man, he had lost his senses due to demonic cultivation backfiring; he didn’t even know who he was. Over the years, I’ve occasionally checked on him. He had completely lost his reason. Not to mention carrying a normal conversation, he couldn’t even speak clearly."

"Chen Quan might have just been pretending in order to deceive us, to avoid raising any suspicion. Elder Du, all this is speculation. In my opinion, let’s go and see for ourselves. Once we see the person, all will be clear."

"Alright, let’s go."

Led by Du Kang, the group went straight to the place where Chen Quan was imprisoned.

Before long, they arrived at a peak located in the middle of the forest. The peak was not tall, being only about twenty meters from the base to the summit; calling it a peak seemed somewhat exaggerated. Below the peak, four chains thick as arms were embedded into the mountain, with the other ends tied to a strange man.

This man was dressed in rags, with disheveled hair, and his body and face were filthy. It was impossible to see his features or discern his age.

As the group approached, the strange man instantly went mad like a crazed dog that had lost its Control, mouth agape and emitting a terrifying, strident sound from his throat.

Du Kang and Su Mei observed him from a distance, maintaining about five or six meters between them and not getting too close.

"Pavilion Master, step back a bit. You guys, ensure the Pavilion Master’s safety." After instructing, Du Kang then stepped in front of the strange man. This action immediately provoked a fierce roar from the man. If not for the chains restraining him, he would have pounced on Du Kang.

"Chen Quan, stop the act." Du Kang spoke indifferently. "I know your identity, as well as the tricks you’ve been playing with Zhu Hong, so it’s better for us to speak frankly." After a pause, he continued, "To be honest, I am quite impressed with you. You’ve restored your sanity many years ago, yet you’ve been feigning madness and stupidity before us all this time; it can’t have been easy."

Upon hearing these words, Chen Quan clamped his once wide-open mouth shut, his murky eyes flashing a sharp coldness; they were not the eyes of someone who had lost his clarity of mind.

"You’ve all found out?" Chen Quan lifted the corners of his mouth, perhaps due to years of silence, his voice sounded somewhat raspy.

Seeing that Chen Quan could converse normally, Du Kang shifted slightly, extending his right hand forward, ready to strike at any moment. Should Chen Quan make any unruly movement, Du Kang would show no mercy.

After all, Chen Quan’s limbs were bound in chains, and with Du Kang’s Heavenly List strength, it shouldn’t be difficult to deal with Chen Quan.

Noticing Du Kang’s actions, Chen Quan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a peculiar smile seemed to form on his face. However, his visage was so filthy that his skin tone was obscured, making the smile hard to detect.

"Chen Quan, what exactly is the deal you made with Zhu Hong? Why are you helping him?" Du Kang asked.

"Zhu Hong?" Chen Quan chuckled coldly. "Are you referring to my Registered Disciple? He is going to be my disciple, so naturally, I must help him. Don’t think too little of him; indeed, he has proven to be somewhat useful. Without his assistance, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to escape from here."

"Escape?" Du Kang looked around, shaking the wine gourd in his hand as he spoke, "Aren’t you still trapped here?"

Chen Quan laughed heartily. "I was planning to stay a bit longer since there aren’t many places left suitable for martial arts practice that are as tranquil as this. But since you’ve discovered me, there’s no further reason for me to remain."

As soon as his words ended, Chen Quan violently raised his arms, and his whole body shook. In an instant, ’clang clang’ resounded as the chains binding his limbs abruptly snapped.

Seeing this, Du Kang’s face turned pale with shock.

Such formidable martial arts!

Du Kang was inwardly astounded. Those chains were as thick as an arm, yet Chen Quan had easily broken free from them, which was not something an average expert could achieve.

Yes!

Du Kang suddenly remembered something. Though Su He did not reveal Chen Quan’s identity back then, he did mention the deeds Chen Quan committed. According to Su He, Chen Quan delved into deviant martial arts in order to seek revenge on a Heavenly List expert. Therefore, one must not regard Chen Quan as an ordinary expert; he must be treated as a Heavenly List master.

Moreover, Chen Quan had been locked up here for many years, and since regaining his sanity, he likely had been secretly practicing martial arts. It was evident that his skills were now stronger than before.

With this in mind, Du Kang turned and called out, "Quickly take the Pavilion Master away from here."

After speaking, Du Kang lightly tapped his toes on the ground, leaning forward, rushing toward Chen Quan.

Before reaching his target, a formidable aura burst forth from Du Kang’s body, pressing down on Chen Quan like a towering mountain.

Feeling the pressure from Du Kang, Chen Quan sneered, grabbing a chain from the ground and flinging it with a strong arm swing.

Suddenly, the other end of the chain was violently yanked out of the mountain, hurtling towards Du Kang, who was charging forward.

Seeing this, Du Kang stopped his advance, spinning on his toes and swiftly moving aside, narrowly avoiding the chain’s assault.

Without giving Du Kang another chance to react, Chen Quan swiftly retreated and ran straight towards the forest outside.