Volume One: City Under the Clouds Chapter 28: Someone Knows

The Yuan Kingdom, second among the Seven Ancient Kingdoms and surpassed only by the Great Yan Dynasty, was said to be home to a peerless cultivator in the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Whether this was fact or mere legend, outsiders could not determine, but it nonetheless testified to Yuan’s formidable strength. The distance between Yuan and Liu was measured in hundreds of millions of miles; if not for the imminent opening of the Dragon Burial Abyss, it was unlikely anyone from Yuan would have come at all.

Now things had grown complicated, everyone thought to themselves.

Because the Zhang family was entangled with the Dragon Burial Abyss, they had recently made a point to investigate the family’s history. It was said that the two who once entered the Abyss were Zhang Qingyu of the Liu South City Zhang family, and another named Yuan Qiuling, who most likely hailed from the Great Yuan Dynasty.

If those from Yuan chose to support the Zhang family, then even Liu Tianqing and the others would find themselves unable to press the Zhangs any further.

The middle-aged man from Yuan was at most a first or second stage Sky Origin cultivator—formidable, but their combined strength could withstand him. However, the two elderly figures who followed in his wake, despite exuding no spiritual power at all, were not likely to be weak. The fact that their cultivation was utterly unreadable only meant it vastly exceeded their own.

Liu Tianqing rose to receive them. After all, as the younger brother of Liu Tiannan, Emperor of the Liu Kingdom, he could not afford to neglect proper etiquette.

“Honored guests from Yuan, on behalf of the Liu Kingdom, I welcome you. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” Liu Tianqing greeted them, fists cupped respectfully.

“So, you are the famed number one in Liu,” the lead middle-aged man from Yuan strode forward, his expression arrogant and mocking. “I’ve long heard of you.”

Liu Tianqing felt a flash of anger but kept it hidden—this man clearly looked down on the Liu Kingdom. Still, given Yuan’s strength, he dared not risk open conflict.

He attempted to speak further, but the man cut him off, casting a cold-eyed glance at the assembled crowd. With a sneer, he said, “You needn’t worry. My purpose here is the same as yours—we all seek the Dragon Burial Abyss. I won’t trouble you further.”

Though displeased, the crowd was relieved; dealing with Yuan was truly no simple matter.

Then the Yuan leader turned toward Zhang Lie and his kin, his voice thunderous: “You petty thieves, mere ants, yet one among you dared deceive a princess of Yuan. Such a crime merits death a thousand times over. By rights, I should destroy you where you stand. However, if you reveal the secrets of the Dragon Burial Abyss, I might let you live.”

At these words, everyone was shocked—this man was a prince of Yuan! No wonder he possessed such an extraordinary bearing. So Yuan Qiuling was a princess of Yuan? None had anticipated this.

After all, the Zhang family was of the lowest standing, unlikely to have any contact with a princess of Yuan.

Seeing the surprise on their faces, the prince smiled arrogantly.

It was said Zhang Qingyu and Yuan Qiuling had been pursued by forces from Yuan and, in desperation, entered the Dragon Burial Abyss. This now seemed credible. The Yuan Kingdom would never tolerate anyone who brought shame to their name.

To the Zhangs, the prince’s accusation was a death sentence. Surrounded first by Liu Tianqing and his men, escape was already impossible; now, with Yuan’s involvement, their doom was sealed. Yuan would never let them go.

All for the so-called secret of the Dragon Burial Abyss, these gathered powers were ready to eradicate the Zhang family. Yet the truth was, they knew nothing. When Zhang Qingyu and Yuan Qiuling returned from the Abyss, they spoke little of what transpired within—claiming only that they had been swept by spatial turbulence to a place of safety. No one pressed for details. Thus, the rumor of some great secret was nothing but nonsense. But their accusers would never believe it, for Zhang Qingyu and his wife had indeed returned alive from the Abyss.

Zhang Qingcang suppressed his fury and faced the prince of Yuan and Liu Tianqing.

“Your Highness, Prince of Yuan, Lord of the South, and all present—my father spoke the truth. The Zhang family truly knows nothing of any secret within the Dragon Burial Abyss. If today you mean to destroy us, we have no words. But we will not bear the blame for hiding the mysteries of the Immortal Cultivation Continent.”

Today the Zhangs were doomed; there was no point in begging.

“Hahaha, ignorance is to be expected,” the prince laughed rather than taking offense. “Such a world-shaking secret—those two would hardly have told you. But someone does know. Why not invite him to speak?”

What? There really is someone who knows? The crowd was overjoyed; they had come with little hope.

If the Zhangs truly possessed the secret, allowing them to enter the Abyss at will, they would have long since gone to seek their fortune. How could they remain a lowly family?

In truth, had it not been for this entanglement with the Dragon Burial Abyss, most here would never have known or cared about the Zhangs.

“Hand over the one who knows the secret!”

“Zhang family wretches, are you still trying to shield him?”

“Hurry and bring him out—you will not be able to protect him for long!” the crowd echoed the prince’s demand.

The prince would not allow the dignity of Yuan to be tarnished. If he said someone knew, then someone did, and so the crowd’s excitement only grew.

Zhang Qingcang fixed the prince with a frosty stare. “If Your Highness claims someone knows, go and find him yourself. Why come to the Zhang family? We possess no such secrets.” Since they would not be spared, Zhang Qingcang no longer spoke with deference.

At his words, the prince suddenly strode toward the Zhangs, and Zhang Qingcang, alarmed, summoned his spiritual power—even if it was as futile as a mayfly shaking a tree, he would not submit meekly.

Ten feet from Zhang Qingcang, the prince halted and said with a playful air, “Very well, hand over Zhang Heng.”

At this, Liu Tianqing, Lin Ye, and the others finally realized—indeed, the Zhang family might know nothing, but Zhang Heng was the sole descendant of those two. He might well hold the secret. And even if he knew nothing, as long as they had Zhang Heng, Zhang Qingyu and Yuan Qiuling would surely show themselves.

“Damn, how could I have overlooked that?” Liu Tianqing cursed inwardly. Had he thought of Zhang Heng sooner, he might have had more leverage. Now, with more and more powerful figures arriving—even some from Yuan—any benefit would likely slip from his grasp. He clenched his fists in frustration.

“Yes, hand over that little thief, Zhang Heng!”

“Zhang Heng, are you still hiding? If you don’t show yourself, don’t blame us for being ruthless!”

They shouted incessantly, demanding the Zhangs give up Zhang Heng, as if he had committed some unforgivable crime.

Ironically, most of them didn’t even know who Zhang Heng was.

Tension mounted; if not for the prince of Yuan standing before the Zhangs, many would have stormed in to seize Zhang Heng themselves.