Undying Life

Chapter 904: Redemption

Underworld, Great Dazhen Holy Court, Changjing!

Within the prison.

Zhong Shan arrived with Liu Wushuang. As they reached the entrance, the jailers immediately fell to their knees at the sight of Zhong Shan.

Liu Wushuang swiftly waved his hand, clearing out the numerous jailers.

Following Liu Wushuang, Zhong Shan entered a grand and brightly lit hall. Two individuals stood at the entrance.

Zhong Shan sat at the main seat of the hall. He extended a hand and pointed, causing a faint green light to appear in the void. Inside this light was Luo Xingchen!

Luo Xingchen sat cross-legged, appearing indifferent. However, Zhong Shan noticed from the trembling of Luo Xingchen's eyelashes that he was deeply concerned.

"Watch carefully. I, Zhong Shan, will keep my word," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

As he spoke, Zhong Shan pointed, and the blue light gradually faded as if it had never existed.

Liu Wushuang widened his eyes in curiosity. He was extremely curious about how the Holy King intended to give Chen Xiaoqian's heart to Luo Xingchen. How would he achieve such a miraculous feat?

"Bring Chen Xiaoqian up!" Zhong Shan ordered.

Liu Wushuang waved his hand, and a jailer immediately nodded and left quickly. Before long, Chen Xiaoqian was brought in.

Chen Xiaoqian had no shackles on her, but her cultivation was sealed. Her lover had died, a fate worse than any physical restraint, leaving her utterly haggard.

She was led to the hall in a daze.

On the side, Luo Xingchen suddenly stood up, showing a look of pity. However, due to Zhong Shan's presence, his words were unheard by the outside world, and his presence was invisible to others.

Chen Xiaoqian glanced at Zhong Shan with a numb expression.

"Bring Chen Zihao up!" Zhong Shan commanded again.

"Yes!"

Soon, Chen Zihao was also brought into the hall. His brows were furrowed, and his face was heavy with concern.

Upon entering the hall and seeing Zhong Shan, he was slightly taken aback, a flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

"Brother Hao!" Chen Xiaoqian's numb eyes lit up upon seeing Chen Zihao.

She immediately rushed towards him.

"Brother Hao, you were captured too?" Chen Xiaoqian burst into tears.

Chen Zihao, still maintaining his composure, saw Chen Xiaoqian and his expression changed. He embraced her tightly.

It was a scene of two star-crossed lovers suffering together.

"It's okay, I'm here," Chen Zihao comforted her.

Chen Xiaoqian seemed to find a pillar of support, her tears flowing uncontrollably. The initial fear and panic seemed to lessen significantly.

Liu Wushuang watched the scene curiously. How would the Holy King separate them and give Chen Xiaoqian's heart to Luo Xingchen? Was it even possible?

Regardless of the possibility, Liu Wushuang was sure that witnessing this scene must have broken Luo Xingchen's heart.

Zhong Shan remained calm, gently tapping the armrest of his chair, waiting for the pair to express their heartfelt emotions.

After a stick of incense, Chen Zihao had finally comforted Chen Xiaoqian and turned his gaze to Zhong Shan.

"Great Dazhen Holy King, Zhong Shan?" Chen Zihao said heavily.

"Vice Leader of the Time and Space Dojo, Chen Zihao?" Zhong Shan responded.

"Time and Space Dojo? Is there even a Time and Space Dojo left? It has been destroyed, the leader killed. Why do you still capture us? What is your conspiracy?" Chen Zihao questioned.

"You tell me," Zhong Shan replied calmly.

"How would I know what schemes you have? Whatever it is, just get it over with. Let me know if it's life or death!" Chen Zihao shouted.

"A scheme? It's not about my scheme; it's about the fear of your scheme. After the battle between Great Dazhen and the Time and Space Dojo, with Luo Xingchen's fall, a grudge was born between me and the Time and Space Dojo. Shouldn't I be cautious about future revenge from the Time and Space Dojo? What if you, Chen Zihao, seek revenge against Great Dazhen? That's why I had to capture you," Zhong Shan shook his head.

Chen Zihao felt a sudden urge to vomit blood. So, just to prevent him from avenging Luo Xingchen, Zhong Shan destroyed the Time and Space Dojo and captured them? Did Zhong Shan think he, Chen Zihao, had nothing better to do than avenge Luo Xingchen? He wished Luo Xingchen had died sooner.

Chen Zihao was extremely frustrated. What kind of undeserved disaster was this? Had he shown too much loyalty to Luo Xingchen in the past, making everyone believe it?

"I, Chen Zihao, swear to the heavens that I will never avenge Luo Xingchen, never! If I ever have the thought of avenging Luo Xingchen, may I be tormented by a million heart-devouring demons," Chen Zihao swore fervently.

Having suffered enough in the two years of imprisonment, Chen Zihao was desperate.

Shaking his head, Zhong Shan said calmly, "I don't believe in oaths. You're not a curse speaker. How could I take it seriously?"

This made Chen Zihao anxious. If Zhong Shan didn't believe him, what could he do? An idea struck him.

He grabbed Chen Xiaoqian and said, "You recognize her, right, Holy King Zhong?"

In his desperation, Chen Zihao immediately addressed Zhong Shan with respect.

"Chen Xiaoqian, Luo Xingchen's dao companion, your own sister!" Zhong Shan nodded.

"We're not siblings at all. She's my childhood sweetheart, my dao companion since we were young. She has always been my woman," Chen Zihao quickly explained.

"Oh?"

"We have always been deeply in love, but later we met Luo Xingchen, that despicable man. He forcibly separated us and took Xiaoqian for himself. I only joined the Time and Space Dojo for Xiaoqian's sake. Every time I saw Luo Xingchen forcing Xiaoqian to do things she hated, my heart ached. I never respected Luo Xingchen; I only endured for Xiaoqian. Now that Luo Xingchen is dead, I am overjoyed. How could I possibly avenge him? Holy King Zhong, I should thank you. It was you who killed Luo Xingchen and finally freed Xiaoqian," Chen Zihao said immediately.

Beside him, Chen Xiaoqian frowned, wanting to refute, but seeing Chen Zihao's continuous hints, she bit her lip and said nothing, tears streaming from her eyes.

The truth was not as Chen Zihao said. Luo Xingchen had not separated them; it was Chen Zihao who had manipulated Chen Xiaoqian into seducing Luo Xingchen to gain control of the Time and Space Dojo.

"Is that so?" Zhong Shan said calmly.

"Yes, I can find people to prove it. Some elders of the Wolf Clan know that Xiaoqian and I have been together since childhood. Every word I say is true!" Chen Zihao said anxiously.

"I'm not asking you. I'm asking Chen Xiaoqian. Is that true?" Zhong Shan looked at Chen Xiaoqian.

Chen Xiaoqian looked at Zhong Shan, while Chen Zihao kept signaling her. Luo Xingchen, a despicable man? Chen Xiaoqian bit her lip, feeling a pang in her heart. Was that blockhead really despicable?

"You fool, asking you to fetch a South Sea pearl, and you brought a mountain pearl!"

"I'll fetch it again, wait for me!"

For some reason, memories of that "dead man" kept resurfacing. He was dead, so why smear him? Chen Xiaoqian wanted to shake her head.

But Chen Zihao's desperate gaze made her realize that shaking her head would be futile. She could only nod against her conscience. However, this nod felt like a sharp knife stabbing her heart, echoing in her mind: "Chen Xiaoqian, you bad woman."

At this moment, Chen Zihao eagerly looked at Zhong Shan.

"Holy King Zhong, we couldn't wait to skin Luo Xingchen alive, strip his bones, and drink his blood. How could we possibly avenge him? We should be thanking you," Chen Zihao said immediately.

"But I've kept you imprisoned for two years," Zhong Shan smiled.

"We don't mind, not at all!" Chen Zihao responded quickly.

Zhong Shan appeared to ponder for a moment, while Chen Zihao waited quietly.

After a while, Zhong Shan's eyes seemed to light up as he looked at the two of them. "You may not mind, but Great Dazhen sacrificed a lot to capture you. Moreover, the jailers have been guarding you every day for the past two years, which also cost us a lot. I can release you, but you must provide sufficient compensation for your release. Do you have anything of value?"

"Compensation?" Chen Zihao's face lit up with joy.

Compensation? Could they use treasures to buy their freedom?

"Yes, do you have anything valuable enough to secure your release?" Zhong Shan asked.

"I do, but Holy King Zhong, what if we provide the items and you still...?" Chen Zihao frowned.

"A gentleman's word is his bond. I, Zhong Shan, will honor my words. Besides, I don't lack your paltry treasures. Your items are merely compensation for the families of those who perished at the Time and Space Dojo. If I wanted to kill you, would I need to use such a method?" Zhong Shan said disdainfully.

"Of course, the Great Dazhen Holy Court has vast resources and wouldn't deceive us," Chen Zihao said.

"Bring forth enough items, and I will immediately unseal your cultivation and let you leave Changjing. I don't have much time to waste on you," Zhong Shan said calmly.

"Yes!" Chen Zihao responded quickly.

Chen Zihao believed Zhong Shan, but even if he didn't, what choice did he have? Zhong Shan could kill him and search his body for treasures without all this hassle.

Suddenly, Chen Zihao realized his storage bracelet was gone.

Was it destroyed during the battle? He looked at Chen Xiaoqian and frowned, "Where's your storage bracelet?"

"I don't know. I've been in a daze these past days and don't know where it went," Chen Xiaoqian said blankly.

Chen Zihao's expression kept changing, growing more frustrated. Compensation? How could they provide compensation without their treasures?

After thinking for a moment and glancing at Zhong Shan, Chen Zihao gritted his teeth, and with a thought, a green long sword appeared in his palm.

However, despite having the divine sword, he couldn't wield it due to his sealed cultivation.

"This is my life-bound treasure, a celestial weapon. I offer it in exchange for my freedom," Chen Zihao said.

Liu Wushuang immediately took it and handed it to Zhong Shan. Zhong Shan grasped the sword, tapped it, shook his head, and said, "Not enough."

"Not enough?" Chen Zihao grew anxious.

Indeed, was his life worth only a celestial weapon? But he had no other treasures left. This was his only one.

"Xiaoqian, what about you?" Chen Zihao asked hurriedly.

"I... I have nothing!" Chen Xiaoqian shook her head quickly.

"That's not true. You have the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl," Chen Zihao said immediately.

"But that was a gift from Xingchen!" Chen Xiaoqian showed a look of reluctance.

"Luo Xingchen? He's dead. Why keep the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl? Give it to me, and I'll find you ten more once we're out!" Chen Zihao urged.

Chen Xiaoqian bit her lip, feeling a heavy weight in her heart. This was the last memento Luo Xingchen left her.

"Hurry! Quickly!" Chen Zihao shouted, noticing the impatience on Zhong Shan's face.

Under Chen Zihao's urging, Chen Xiaoqian reluctantly took out the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl.

Chen Zihao grabbed it immediately and handed it to Liu Wushuang, who then passed it to Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan held the pearl in one hand and the sword in the other, examining them before saying, "Not bad. This pearl is of higher quality than the sword. These two treasures are sufficient."

"Sufficient!" Chen Zihao's face showed a hint of joy.

"But only sufficient to redeem one person," Zhong Shan said, returning the sword and pearl.

Chen Zihao took back the sword, and Chen Xiaoqian held the pearl. The two of them stood there in shock.

Only enough for one person?