88: Chapter 88 The Opportunity to Enter the Dark Force Realm

The night was as dark as ink in the corner of the black market.

Constable Lie Ming, like a rat scurrying in the night, once again found that familiar stall hidden behind broken walls and ruins.

The Black-Robed Man sat as still as a stubborn stone, his pale mask gleaming with a cold luster under the faint light of the sky.

"Envoy!" Constable Lie Ming stepped forward quickly, lowering his voice. His tone was hurried, carrying a trace of undisguised panic and hatred. "Jinyiwei Centurion Shen Lian is seriously injured but not dead! That brat Lin Tian also returned alive! My brother... I fear he has met with misfortune! How should we proceed now? I ask the Envoy for instructions!"

The Black-Robed Man slowly raised his head. The deep, blood-colored eyes behind the mask looked at Constable Lie Ming quietly for a moment. That gaze seemed to pierce through his skin and see through the fear, hatred, and restless anxiety for revenge churning within his heart.

A hoarse voice sounded, devoid of any ripple: "Take me to see your Hall Revered Master, Hall Master Lie Fentian."

"See... see the Hall Revered Master?" Constable Lie Ming was stunned, countless thoughts racing through his mind. Did the Hall Revered Master know he was connected to the Demonic Cult? No, he shouldn't know yet.

Did the Envoy want to see the Hall Revered Master to... drag the Hall Revered Master into this? Or was there another scheme? But he dared not ask more. Now he was deep in the mire, and besides clinging tightly to this "thigh" of the Demonic Cult, he had no other choice.

"Yes, please follow me, Envoy." Constable Lie Ming gritted his teeth and nodded, leading the way. The two followed one after another, like two ghostly shadows merging into the night, avoiding the patrolling soldiers and night watchmen. They silently slipped back to Liehuo Martial Arts Hall and went straight to the private residence in the backyard where Hall Master Lie Fentian lived alone.

The candles were bright. Hall Master Lie Fentian was flipping through a fist manual. Hearing the knock on the door, he frowned slightly: "Come in."

Constable Lie Ming pushed the door open and entered, followed by the figure shrouded in a black robe and wearing a pale mask.

"Revered Master." Constable Lie Ming bowed, his tone somewhat dry.

Hall Master Lie Fentian's gaze swept over Constable Lie Ming and landed on The Black-Robed Man behind him, whose aura was strange and extremely unsettling. A look of vigilance and displeasure instantly appeared on his crimson face: "Constable Lie Ming, who is this? Why bring a stranger here in the middle of the night?"

Before Constable Lie Ming could explain, The Black-Robed Man had already stepped forward. His hoarse voice, like metal grinding, sounded exceptionally harsh in the quiet room: "Hall Revered Master Lie, I have long admired you. This seat is a Deacon of the Outer Hall of the Sacred Sect—the 'Blood God Sect'."

"Demonic Cult Martial Artist?!" Hall Master Lie Fentian's pupils shrank suddenly, as if watched by a poisonous snake. His muscles tightened instantly, and a scorching, violent aura erupted!

Without a second thought, his right palm, crimson like a branding iron, struck directly at The Black-Robed Man's chest, carrying a scorching palm wind capable of burning gold and melting stone! It was the signature technique of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall—the Fire Sand Palm!

The attack was a lethal move, clearly intended to kill this Demonic Cult monster who dared to sneak into the martial arts hall on the spot to avoid future trouble!

"Hmph!" The Black-Robed Man snorted coldly, his figure neither dodging nor evading. He just tilted slightly like a phantom, and that swift, fierce palm strike brushed past his lapel, hitting empty air. It shattered a hardwood chair behind him into pieces, wood chips flying everywhere, and the scorching force attached to it even burned a scorched mark on the floor.

"Good palm power." The Black-Robed Man evaluated hoarsely, but his tone carried a trace of disdain. "However, I advise Hall Revered Master Lie, it would be better not to make a move."

"Monster! Trespassing into my Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, and daring to speak such wild words! Stay here today!" Hall Master Lie Fentian, having missed his strike, was even more alarmed. The opponent's movement technique was strange and swift, far exceeding his expectations.

But as a Rank 3 Martial Artist and a Hall Revered Master, how could he fear battle? With an angry roar, he prepared to strike again.

"Because," The Black-Robed Man's blood-colored eyes looked at him coldly through the mask. His voice was unhurried, yet every word was like an ice pick piercing into Hall Master Lie Fentian's ears, "your Liehuo Martial Arts Hall... has a 'nail' planted by our Sacred Sect.

"If this matter blows up and spreads, how do you think the Imperial Court, especially the Imperial Guard who currently hates the Demonic Cult to the bone, will view your Liehuo Martial Arts Hall? At that time, one of the three major martial arts halls? Heh, I fear that in an instant, it will be wiped out, leaving not even a chicken or dog alive!"

"You lie!" Hall Master Lie Fentian laughed in extreme anger, his red hair seeming to stand on end. "My Liehuo Martial Arts Hall has a Legacy of a hundred years. My Disciples are all strictly screened and loyal to the hall. How could there be a Demonic Cult spy?! Monster, stop spreading rumors and confusing my mind!"

"Is that so?" The Black-Robed Man laughed lowly, his laughter full of mockery. He slowly raised his hand and pointed to Constable Lie Ming, who was pale and trembling slightly on the side. "He, Constable Lie Ming, your good Disciple, is the first 'nail' our Sacred Sect buried by your side."

"What?!" Hall Master Lie Fentian was struck by lightning. He turned his head abruptly and stared fixedly at Constable Lie Ming, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock, rage, and a trace of the pain of betrayal. "Constable Lie Ming! What he said... is it true?!"

"Ma... Revered Master..." Constable Lie Ming knelt down with a thud, his face bloodless. He kowtowed like pounding garlic, his voice trembling. "Disciple... Disciple was confused for a moment, seduced by the Demonic Cult monster, took their Medicinal Pill, and was forced to work for them... But I have absolutely no disloyalty to the martial arts hall or to you, Revered Master! It's just... just that I couldn't help myself..."

"Beast! You wicked obstacle!!" Hall Master Lie Fentian's chest heaved violently, the muscles on his crimson face twisted, and a mouthful of blood almost spurted out. He pointed at Constable Lie Ming, his fingers trembling.

He was one of his most valued Disciples, the future pillar of the martial arts hall, yet he had actually defected to the Demonic Cult in secret and become a spy! This was simply a great humiliation, and it was putting the entire Liehuo Martial Arts Hall on the fire to be roasted!

"I did not come here today to fight you to the death," The Black-Robed Man spoke at the right moment, his voice carrying a calm composure of controlling the situation. "But to invite Hall Revered Master Lie to join our Sacred Sect, to participate in the great undertaking, and to complete the next big plan. As long as the Hall Revered Master cooperates, I can ensure the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall remains safe, and even... afterwards, I can bestow upon the Hall Revered Master a tremendous opportunity."

"Join the Demonic Cult? You're dreaming!" Hall Master Lie Fentian roared, the killing intent in his eyes growing stronger, but it was mixed with an unspeakable panic. Constable Lie Ming was a spy; if this matter leaked, the martial arts hall would be wiped out in an instant!

He truly had a feeling of despair at this moment, riding a tiger and unable to get off, trapped in a dilemma.

"Dreaming?" The Black-Robed Man sneered. "Hall Revered Master Lie, do you think you have any way out? Constable Lie Ming is your martial arts hall's Disciple, and furthermore, your direct Disciple!

He assisted our Sacred Sect in luring Jinyiwei Centurion Shen Lian into a trap, causing him to be seriously injured and near death. If this matter is uncovered, do you think the Imperial Court, the Imperial Guard, will believe you were 'unaware'? Will they believe your Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is 'innocent'?

By then, let alone your position as Hall Revered Master, even your entire Lie family, and even the hundreds of people in the martial arts hall, every single one of them will have to be buried with Centurion Shen Lian!"

"Centurion Shen Lian's serious injury... was that a trap you set? Constable Lie Ming participated?!" Hall Master Lie Fentian's vision went black, he stumbled, and almost fell.

Centurion Shen Lian's serious injury was a major event that shook Heishan City! If this matter really had anything to do with Constable Lie Ming and Liehuo Martial Arts Hall... then it would be truly impossible to defend oneself, and it would mean eternal damnation!

"Revered Master! Join them!" Constable Lie Ming also threw caution to the wind at this moment. He raised his head, his face carrying a kind of desperate madness and longing. "After this battle, the Imperial Guard has suffered a great loss of vitality. Centurion Shen Lian's life or death is unknown. Who in Heishan City can withstand the Divine Might of the Sacred Sect?

If we go with the flow, not only can we preserve the martial arts hall, but we can also perform a great service! The Sacred Sect Envoy has promised that as long as we do well, he can help us break through our Bottleneck, and there is even hope... to touch that legendary Rank 4 'Dark Energy' Realm!"

"'Dark Energy'?" Hall Master Lie Fentian's breathing hitched. A Rank 3 Martial Artist practices "Bright Energy," which is the power of muscles, bones, and skin, and the art of moving Qi and blood.

And the Rank 4 "Dark Energy" is inner refinement of the internal organs. The power turns from bright to dark, penetrating the body to injure others. It is incomparably mysterious, and its power is not comparable to Bright Energy. This is the Realm that all Rank 3 Martial Artists in Heishan City dream of!

But the cultivation of Dark Energy requires the guidance of a "Fundamental Diagram," and the "Fundamental Diagram" is a supreme treasure that is kept secret by various sects and even the Imperial Court. In a border land like Heishan City, it has long been lost for many years!

"Correct, Dark Energy." The Black-Robed Man said hoarsely, slowly taking out a scroll that looked ancient and worn, made of some unknown animal skin, from his bosom, and slowly unfolding a corner in front of Hall Master Lie Fentian.

On the scroll, there were no words, but complex and profound diagrams of human meridians and internal organ operation, as if containing the ultimate truths of heaven and earth! The lines flowed, the aura was vivid, and an obscure yet powerful implication faintly permeated!

Although it was only an incomplete corner, that unique Dao rhyme and profundity were definitely not something ordinary martial arts could possess!

"Fun... Fundamental Diagram?!' Hall Master Lie Fentian's pupils contracted to the size of needle points, staring fixedly at the scroll, his voice distorted by extreme shock and desire.

As a Rank 3 Martial Artist, his desire for a higher Realm was deep in his bones. Although he had never seen a complete Fundamental Diagram, the mysteries described in some ancient incomplete texts faintly matched the aura emanating from the scroll before him! This Demonic Cult Envoy actually carried the Fundamental Diagram with him?!

Even if it was just an Incomplete Manual, its value was immeasurable!

"This is the upper Incomplete Manual of the 'Blood Flame True Qi Diagram,' which records part of the key points for breaking through from the Peak of Bright Energy to Dark Energy and the method of quenching internal organs."

The Black-Robed Man slowly rolled up the animal skin, his voice full of temptation. "As long as Hall Revered Master Lie sincerely defects and helps our Sacred Sect complete the plan in Heishan City, after the matter is accomplished, I can make the decision to gift the complete 'Blood Flame True Qi Diagram' to the Hall Revered Master. By then, the Hall Revered Master's Breakthrough to Rank 4 will be just around the corner. Heishan City... will also respect the Hall Revered Master as the supreme."

Hall Master Lie Fentian stood where he was, his chest heaving violently, his face changing uncertainly, as if a dye vat had been overturned.

Anger, fear, unwillingness, responsibility for the martial arts hall's Legacy, heartache over his Disciple's betrayal, burning desire for the Fundamental Diagram, fear of the Demonic Cult's ruthless methods... all kinds of emotions were frantically battling in his heart.

He knew that from the moment Constable Lie Ming became a Demonic Cult spy, the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall had already been dragged into the water, and there was no way back.

If he didn't join, the Demonic Cult could immediately "expose" Constable Lie Ming. At that time, the martial arts hall would be a rebel party colluding with the Demonic Cult and murdering Imperial Court officials, and they would all be executed, with absolutely no chance of survival.

Joining... although it is like asking a tiger for its skin, a risky gamble, at least he could preserve the martial arts hall for now, and even more, obtain the dream-desired Fundamental Diagram, with hope to break through to a higher martial arts Realm!

On one side is immediate destruction, on the other is surviving in danger, and perhaps even ascending to heaven in one step...

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, blood dripping down drop by drop. For a long time, he seemed to have exhausted all his strength, squeezing a few words out through his teeth, his voice hoarse and resolute:

"Fine... I agree to you."

As the words fell, he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, but the crimson light in his eyes, which burst out after being forced to a desperate situation, mixed with ambition and madness, became even more scorching.

At this point, the Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, one of the three major martial arts halls in Heishan City, completely fell to the Demonic Cult. A bloody storm that would sweep through the whole city was already imminent.