Demonic King of the Metropolis - Chapter 93 - Encountering a Barrier

“You mean there’s a group of masters heading to Lifedeath Cliff for treasure hunting?” Tang Jie’s eyes lit up as he heard Uncle Zhao’s words. He hadn’t even asked, and the matter seemed to come knocking on his door.

“That’s right, and I also know this time the treasure hunters aren’t just ancient martial artists. There are people from the external world too!” Uncle Zhao took a sip of his coffee, his expression serious as he spoke to Tang Jie.

People from the external world? As in those not from the ancient martial arts world? Tang Jie felt some confusion upon hearing this. Why would people from the external world get involved? Could it really be a treasure of immeasurable value?

“I just recently heard about this. Someone has spread the word that there’s a once-in-a-millennium treasure at Lifedeath Cliff. Whoever obtains it will be able to dominate the world, become invincible, and even amass a fortune to rival nations.”

“Is the information reliable?” Tang Jie felt a strange sense of unease as he listened to Uncle Zhao. It seemed as though someone might have intentionally let this out. But then he immediately thought back to how last time, Lifedeath Cliff had drawn so many ancient martial arts masters into a bloody battle. That suggested there could be some truth to it.

“I don’t know if it’s reliable, but I do know several ancient martial arts families are involved this time. Also, Mr. Chen seems interested in the treasure and specifically asked me to find out if you know anything about it.”

Tang Jie stared at Uncle Zhao, wondering why Chen Jiankai had suddenly taken an interest in this. Asking Uncle Zhao to inquire with him could only mean Chen wanted him to participate in the treasure hunt. However, since this information remained unverified, nobody could draw any definite conclusions just yet. Moreover, as Uncle Zhao mentioned the ancient martial arts families, Tang Jie speculated that the Chen family and Wang Qianya’s parents would likely be involved. If the news proved trustworthy, he was certain these two families wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“Tang, what do you think?” Seeing Tang Jie deep in thought, Uncle Zhao sought his opinion.

After pondering for a moment, Tang Jie replied, “I don’t have much of an opinion. Right now, my only focus is on protecting the young miss. As for this matter, I’ll wait until the information has been confirmed to make any decisions.”

Hearing Tang Jie’s response, Uncle Zhao nodded in agreement. He approved of Tang Jie’s cautious approach. Lately, Chen Jiankai’s group had been facing covert attacks from unknown forces. Now, with this news spreading in the ancient martial arts world and drawing the attention of several major groups, it felt as though there might be some underlying connection between all these events.

Years ago, Uncle Zhao still remembers the duel at Lifedeath Cliff. Many masters from the ancient martial arts world were there, and though they didn’t find the legendary treasure, they ended up with heavy casualties. Clearly, someone had taken advantage of the situation, and it might very well have been a trap.

“By the way, Uncle Zhao, there’s something else I wanted to ask you.” Tang Jie brought up his inability to improve his skills.

After listening, Uncle Zhao pondered for a moment, then looked at Tang and said, “Tang, it seems you’re missing some opportunity, or maybe you’ve hit a barrier. Don’t worry, next time I meet someone relevant, I’ll definitely ask around for you.”

Just as Tang Jie was about to inquire about the blind man who gave him the iron piece, and where he might find him to ask more about it, Chen Shuran came out after taking a shower.

“What are you guys talking about?” Chen Shuran asked, stepping out in clean, light clothing, her face graced with a cunning smile.

“Heh, nothing much. Miss, you’re getting more beautiful by the day,” Uncle Zhao said warmly, looking at her.

“You’re just teasing me again,” Chen Shuran replied as she sat down next to Tang Jie. Uncle Zhao looked at her relaxed demeanor, not a bit awkward, and gave Tang Jie a meaningful smile.

“Alright, I’ll leave you young folks alone then. Young people should have their own space,” Uncle Zhao said, checking the time and laughing softly as he stood up to say goodbye.

Chen Shuran felt a bit embarrassed by Uncle Zhao’s words but didn’t say anything in response. She stood up with Tang Jie to see Uncle Zhao out.

As Tang Jie escorted Uncle Zhao downstairs, Uncle Zhao said, “Tang, if you’re planning to visit Lifedeath Cliff, make sure to let me know in advance. I’ll inform you about the terrain there.”

Seeing Tang Jie’s intent, Uncle Zhao gave him a serious piece of advice. Tang Jie nodded appreciatively.

“Then head back, and remember to call if you need anything,” Uncle Zhao said, no longer lingering. He got into his car and drove away.

Tang Jie turned around to go back inside where Chen Shuran was still sitting in the living room. Seeing him return, she looked puzzled, “What were you and Uncle Zhao discussing? It all seemed so secretive.”

While she was bathing, Chen Shuran had overheard some of Tang Jie’s conversation with Uncle Zhao but couldn’t make out much. Noticing Uncle Zhao’s cautiousness, she hadn’t asked at the time.

“It’s nothing important, just stuff you wouldn’t find interesting. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained,” Tang Jie replied briefly, choosing not to share his thoughts about visiting Lifedeath Cliff or the plans to spread news within the ancient martial arts world with Chen Shuran.

“By the way, Qianya hasn’t called you, has she? I wonder if she’s made it back yet?” Chen Shuran’s casual question triggered Tang Jie’s memory. Wang Qianya had mentioned she was investigating the theft of the Wang family’s ancestral secret manual. How could he have forgotten? Could she have gone looking for it on her own?

The thought unsettled Tang Jie. A pang of worry for Wang Qianya crept into his heart, and he couldn’t help but regret yelling at her that night in a fit of frustration. It was his impulsiveness that had pushed her away. If not for that outburst, she might still be here with them.

After a brief hesitation, Tang Jie took out his phone and dialed Wang Qianya’s number. The phone rang and rang, but no one picked up. His concern deepened. He tried calling two more times but still got no response. Just as his anxiety reached its peak, his phone lit up with an incoming call-Wang Qianya.

“Where are you?” Tang Jie’s voice practically burst with relief, unable to hide his excitement. Beside him, Chen Shuran heard the joy in his tone and couldn’t help revealing a faint trace of jealousy on her face.

On the other end of the line, Wang Qianya explained that she had been tracking a mysterious ancient martial arts master who might be connected to the stolen manual. Unfortunately, just when she thought she was close to uncovering something, the trail went cold.

Without thinking, Tang Jie blurted out, “Let me come help you!” But Wang Qianya hesitated for a brief moment before dismissing the idea. She told him not to come since she wasn’t in G City but rather deep in the mountains.

What? The mountains? Tang Jie’s heart nearly stopped. A young woman alone in the wilderness-if something went wrong, it’d be almost impossible for him to get to her in time. His voice hardened with urgency, leaving no room for negotiation. “Come back immediately!”

On the other end, Wang Qianya paused, seemingly taken aback by Tang Jie’s commanding tone. Then, unexpectedly, a soft laugh bubbled through the receiver. It was the kind of laugh that carried warmth, and Tang Jie felt a sense of relief knowing she appreciated his concern. She agreed to head back right away, and only then did Tang Jie hang up the phone.

As he turned around, he found Chen Shuran staring at him, her delicate face clouded with frustration. She shot him a deadly glare before storming off to her room and slamming the door behind her with a loud bang.

Despite the sudden chill in the air, Tang Jie couldn’t help but chuckle. Her jealousy was endearing in its own way. If she was jealous, it meant she cared. All things considered, it wasn’t a bad sign. He mused to himself, I might be more charming than I thought.

“Thump!” A soft, fluffy pillow flew straight at Tang Jie, hitting him square in the face and interrupting his moment of smugness. Standing in the doorway of her room, Chen Shuran looked on with a mischievous grin, clearly satisfied with her aim. Her earlier frustration had melted into playful schadenfreude.

“That’s what you get for being so full of yourself!” she teased before retreating back into her room with a small laugh, leaving Tang Jie holding the pillow she had thrown. It carried a faint jasmine-like fragrance, probably from her perfume. He inhaled it deeply, and a warm, contented feeling spread through him.

“Living with a beauty has got to be one of the greatest joys in life,” Tang Jie murmured to himself, tilting his head back to gaze at the ceiling with a blissful smile.

After nightfall, the sky stretched wide and empty, with not a single star visible. The absence of clouds, however, soon gave way to a light, misty drizzle. A black SUV cruised along the wet roads, its windshield wipers slicing rhythmically through the rain. Behind the wheel sat a stunning young woman whose beauty bordered on ethereal. She wore a low-brimmed baseball cap, partially concealing a face as cold and distant as an iceberg but undeniably captivating.

The vehicle veered off toward the suburb, eventually pulling up outside the abandoned factory where Tang Jie had once rescued Qin Haozhong. Li Feifei stepped out of the vehicle without so much as glancing for an umbrella. The light drizzle dotted her hat and shoulders as she walked resolutely toward the entrance.

“Your progress on the task I assigned you seems… underwhelming.” A cold, male voice rang out from one of the factory’s shadowy corners. It sounded young, but its tone carried an unsettling weight of darkness and cruelty.

Li Feifei came to a stop in the middle of the empty factory floor, a distance of no more than ten meters separating her from the figure cloaked in shadow. Her expression remained impassive beneath the brim of her cap, staring silently in the direction of the voice. She made no move to defend herself, letting the man’s reprimands hang heavily in the damp, chilly air.

“If you want your father’s condition to improve, you’ll have to use those charms of yours to win people over. One more week. If I don’t see results by then, well… your father can forget about getting better for the rest of his life.”

The voice resounded again, sharp and cutting, each word slicing through the stillness of the factory. Li Feifei’s lips trembled slightly as she bit down on them, her concealed struggle flickering for only a moment. After several tense seconds, she gave a minute nod of compliance.

“Leave,” the shadowy figure commanded, his tone icy and matter-of-fact. “Remember, if you need assistance, I’ll assign people to you. All you have to do is call.”

The man’s cold, penetrating gaze locked onto Li Feifei, as if attempting to bore through her very soul. Feeling an involuntary chill run up her spine, she turned on her heel and made her way toward the door, her footsteps echoing faintly in the vast, empty space.

“Follow her. Keep her under surveillance for the next few days. Report anything unusual to me immediately,” the man instructed someone nearby as the factory door clicked shut behind Li Feifei. One of his subordinates, standing a few steps away, gave a quick nod before disappearing into the rain-soaked night.

“Can a single female student really be the key to accomplishing our plan?” Another man stepped forward from the shadows, his words laced with skepticism and a subtle chill.

“If she can’t, we’ll find someone else,” the first man responded matter-of-factly, his tone as sharp as a steel blade. A cruel smirk appeared faintly on his pallid face, his features barely illuminated in the dim light. “Don’t forget-she needs me to cure her father. With that leverage, you think she’d dare disobey me?”

The pale man’s cold laugh echoed faintly, dripping with malice. His eyes, hollow yet burning with venomous hatred, glinted faintly in the dim surroundings-a sinister mix of ruthless determination and unchecked envy.

“The Chen family won’t disappoint you,” the second man remarked, stepping closer. His gaze lingered momentarily on the doorway, where the faint rumble of an engine starting could be heard from outside. “As for your promised return… we’ll be watching closely.”

“Don’t worry,” the first man sneered, his voice low and venomous, as though it crawled up from the depths of hell itself. “As long as you help me get rid of that boy, I’ll keep my promise every single word.”

His final words hung heavily in the air, venom dripping from each syllable. It was a voice saturated with hatred, resentment, and the searing rage of a ghost coming back for vengeance. A voice that made the factory seem even darker, as if the very shadows recoiled from its chilling intent.