Chapter 176 (1/2)

Chapter 176: Underground Palace

Slowly, the stone door opened. Inside a white-haired old man was drinking tea at a stone table. Next to him stood the owner of the tea house who had brought them here.

The owner ducked his head and smiled at Jun Huang and Nan Xun in greeting. Jun Huang gave the room a once-over without a word.

This room was more brightly lit than the tunnel. Nan Xun had been worried that Jun Huang was hurt. With the brighter light condition, he could see her pale face. ”What's wrong?” he asked quietly, his eyebrows knitted together. ”Are you hurt?”

Jun Huang shook her head and walked up to the old man, who put down his tea cup and invited them to have a seat. He gave the teahouse owner a pointed look. The owner nodded and walked away, leaving the three of them alone.

Jun Huang took a deep breath and said, ”I don't know who the gentleman is, but you must be someone important in the House of Heavenly Fiends. We have now pa.s.sed your test. I hope the gentleman will honor your promise and help me find my family.”

The old man looked at Jun Huang, then at Nan Xun. ”Do you know the history of the House of Heavenly Fiends?”

Jun Huang frowned and shared a look with Nan Xun. ”What does that have to do with my request?”

”The House of Heavenly Fiends got its name from the thirty-six Heavenly Spirits and seventy-two Earthly Fiends1, and is divided into two divisions accordingly. Each division is led by a chief director. The two chief directors must trust each other unconditionally, and both have to be intelligent as well as competent in fighting. Only those who pa.s.sed the trial of the hidden building are qualified to inherit the House of Heavenly Fiends.”

”What are you saying?” Jun Huang was even more confused. Why would the old man tell them this?

A veil lifted up from her mind. She widened her eyes at the old man. ”You can possibly mean – ”

”That's right,” the old man said slowly. His tone was dull and deliberate, but it inspired trust in the listeners. ”You've pa.s.sed the first trial and earned my approval. If you are willing to take over the House of Heavenly Fiends, you'll need to go through another trial to get the Token of Heavenly Fiends. Then you will become the new leaders of this organization.”

Nan Xun and Jun Huang couldn't believe their ears. There was no such thing as a free lunch. They were both practical people. They never imagined that one day, they would be given the opportunity to become the leaders of such powerful organization.

Jun Huang had reverted back to her usual calm self. She stared at the old man with eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything. Anyone with an ulterior motive would not be able to stand her scrutiny. The old man, however, didn't faze at all. The white robe he wore gave him an air of n.o.bility.

Jun Huang smiled. ”The gentleman must know that there are many more talented people in the world. We can't be the only ones who can escape the hidden building. And yet you have picked us. May this gentleman ask why and what for?”

The old man poured himself a cup of tea and shook his cup gently with his eyes on Jun Huang. ”I'll be honest with you,” he said slowly. ”Ji Bo was the one who recommended you. Otherwise I wouldn't have come to watch you take on the trial. I was thinking that there must be something different about you two for him to give you a recommendation. It turns out that I was right.”

Jun Huang shared a look with Nan Xun. They had notified Ji Bo of their trip to Yun Town. He must have correctly predicted that they were going to ask the House of Heavenly Fiends for help. He had sent someone to talk to the man in charge beforehand.

”Of course, if you're not willing to, I won't force you,” the old man said. ”Ji Bo has put in a lot of good words for you. It would be a shame if the House of Heavenly Fiends couldn't acquire your talent. Still, personal choices are personal. You two have the final say.”

With that, he went back to savoring his tea, paying no attention to Jun Huang and Nan Xun.

There was a current of emotions in Jun Huang's eyes. Nan Xun knew that she was worried. She wanted to try, but she didn't want her impending death to impact the House of Heavenly Fiends if she got the position.

Nan Xun also knew that Jun Huang was capable enough for the job. She was a rare talent of the generation – born in a chaotic time, but cared deeply about the world. She was as ambitious as any men.

Nan Xun hesitated. He didn't want Jun Huang's talent to go unnoticed. He didn't want her to forever be a strategist hidden away from the public.

”Perhaps we should give it a try,” Nan Xun said while Jun Huang was agonizing over the issue.

Her head snapped up. Nan Xun gave her a smile and said seriously, ”Mister Ji Bo must have a reason for recommending us. Why don't we try? Besides, I believe that you are capable of taking on the responsibility.”