Under duress, Zhang Chengling tumbled to the side. Out of solutions, he raised his leg and kicked at the youth’s crotch. The youth was surprised and enraged, but could only turn sideways to dodge it.

All those present could not help the odd expressions on their faces.

Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing exchanged a glance, and said at the same time, with the same this-has-nothing-to-do-with me attitude, “What sort of disciple have you produced?”

Wen Kexing glared, and said, “He is clearly your disciple.”

Zhou Zishu said as though he was in the right, “Bullshit, how can I possibly produce such a disciple who doesn’t know anything apart from cheap, despicable tricks? He is clearly of your sort.”

Zhang Chengling leapt up, treading the Nine Palaces Formation at full steam, letting that beautiful youth chase him along the walls. He heard the Scorpion continue with a smile, after his bout of surprise, “What a child, refusing to be confined to a particular form--I’ll be honest, the one who killed your father, the one who caused the death of the Taishan Sect Leader, the one who assassinated the clan leader of the Shen clan, the one who shifted the blame and bounty to Hero Gao, are all one person.

Zhang Chengling asked loudly, “Who is it?”

The Scorpion asked in reply, “Who do you think it is? At present, who can possess the Lapis Armour in unscrupulous secrecy, while righteously summoning all the heroes under the sky to surround the Ghost Valley, and eliminate all witnesses before bringing the Ghost Valley’s ‘key’ and the Lapis Armour together?”

Zhou Zishu let out an “ah”, looked at Wen Kexing, and said meaningfully, “The Ghost Valley’s key--no wonder...what Long Que had said was new to all of us, but only the Valley Master was calm and not the slightest bit astonished.”

Wen Kexing said, “You’re not surprised.”

Zhou Zishu smiled and said, “I have nothing to be surprised about--the Ghost Valley has been dormant for many years. Why would a traitor surface out of the blue, and set his sights on the Lapis Armour? He’s taking such a big risk; if he is trying to trap a prized predator without bait, that is far too abnormal.”

Wen Kexing hesitated for a long moment, then explained in low tones, “Indeed, the ten abominable Ghosts of the Valley are locked in an unending struggle, with Sun Ding and Xue Fang in the lead. Before this, the Delighted Mourning Ghost used some unknown method to sway the allegiances of most Ghosts towards himself, employing the power of the masses to suppress the weak. In the Valley, the party that does not have the might that others possess must die, so Xue Fang took the risky path...or, he had been planning such a day since a long time ago, to steal the ‘key’.”

Zhou Zishu nodded, and said, dragging out the words, “Oh, ‘some unknown method--’”