The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 511 - 296: Pointing to the Path of Life
"Of course, it can only be used once," she said sympathetically to the old man, "If I’m not mistaken, the moment you press that mechanism, no one in this study will survive, including yourself. If the person who set it up was even more ruthless, it might even blow up the entire Wu Mansion. Heh, isn’t it only meant for one-time use?"
Mr. Wu was shocked, as if he had thought of something, his face turned pale, but he stubbornly said: "How could it be?"
"Why couldn’t it be? Haven’t you seen the methods of the Immortal?" She sneered, "If a Cultivator sneaks in here, your life might be a minor matter, but the intelligence in your hands must not be leaked, especially not to Fengtian Prefecture about the activities of Fire Worship Valley. If this study room is threatened, blowing it up with a thunder would perfectly destroy any evidence or clues."
"Why don’t you go press that mechanism and see?"
Hearing this, how could Mr. Wu dare to press it? He broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as if his spirit was being drained, and whispered: "Immortal, save me." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
However, Ning Xiaoxian did not agree to his request, but instead asked him to describe the entanglement between the Wu Family and Fire Worship Valley.
Originally, when the Wu Family moved here 600 years ago, they were merely a moderately wealthy household. One day an Immortal visited and asked them to build a large house in a depression to the northwest of the city, covering the entrance to a cave, which the family members were forbidden to explore. The Wu family followed the instructions, and the Immortal then promised them 300 years of safety.
With the Immortal’s blessing, the Wu family’s business flourished increasingly over those 300 years, becoming one of the local wealthy magnates with a thriving family.
Likewise, when the Immortal visited again, they demanded the Wu Family to gather intelligence from the public, secretly investigating the activities of various Immortal Sects and Demon Sects in the mortal world, reporting even trivial matters. Of particular focus was monitoring Fengtian Prefecture.
This time, the Wu family felt troubled, as going against Immortal Sects was akin to dancing on a knife’s edge; a single misstep would lead to being tragically punished. However, they couldn’t defy the decrees of Fire Worship Valley, moreover, the Immortals had promised that as long as the Wu family contributed, they would ensure that the Wu Family’s future generations would prosper.
Over the years, Fire Worship Valley indeed honored their promise. The Wu family excelled in silk and fabric businesses, and even when they had competitors in the early years, Fire Worship Valley helped suppress them, committing several sensational clan extermination killings in this state.
In exchange, Mr. Wu had to deliver the collected intelligence to the Immortal dispatched by Fire Worship Valley every month.
"When will the ’Immortal’ come?"
"Every fifth day of the lunar month. He’s already visited this month, he will come again next month on the fifth, which is thirteen days away." Mr. Wu sneaked a glance at her, seeing no anger on her face, then pleaded, "Immortal, please save the Wu Family!"
The more he worked in espionage, the more he felt danger lurking, whether it was from Fire Worship Valley or Fengtian Prefecture, both were not to be trifled with; continuing this suicide mission, his day of demise was bound to come. Yet, he had no better solutions.
"Xiao Xian, are you feeling sympathetic again?" Changtian knew her too well. Being earnestly pleaded by a man in his fifties or sixties, it would be odd if she wasn’t moved.
"Yes. This man hasn’t wronged us, let’s save him. Consider it forming a good karma," she thought for a moment and then said: "I do have a way to save you. It depends on whether you’re willing to let go of this vast family business."
Mr. Wu bitterly smiled: "If I lose my life, what use is the family wealth?" He was over fifty, many things he had long seen through, mostly caring not to end the Wu family’s lineage in his generation, otherwise, how could he face his ancestors a hundred years later?
"Good." Ning Xiaoxian said, "Isn’t Fire Worship Valley planning to blow up your Wu Mansion to the skies? Then let it blow up. "
Mr. Wu was startled, then seemed to realize something: "What do you mean, Immortal...?"
She gave a slight smile: "You start by preparing to escape secretly; within ten days, someone will come to collect this book of intelligence, hand it over to them. Then, you should escape. For the safety of your family, you can only take your wife and children, your gold and silver valuables, you must abandon this estate. After you leave, someone will help you trigger the mechanism in the study room, leveling this place to the ground."
Mr. Wu thought it over thoroughly and felt more convinced of its feasibility, bursting with joy. Ning Xiaoxian warned him: "Remember, only after handing over the book of intelligence can you leave, and only then will someone help you clean up the aftermath. Otherwise, you’ll face the dual pursuit of Fire Worship Valley and Fengtian Prefecture in the future. Being a mere mortal, you won’t get far."
