Chapter 108: The Oath of the Gu Path Illustrated

“Hahaha, children, what are you waiting for? Leave none of them alive!”

The Black Giant Spirit seemed to have anticipated this; he was not surprised at all by Chu Qian’s performance and immediately gave the order to attack with a wave of his arm.

At the same time, Hu San noticed that the elderly man in white beside him had a very strange expression—sometimes angry, sometimes showing a hint of pleasure, then hesitating, as if some grave matter hung in the balance.

In a moment, the sounds of slaughter erupted all around. Within mere breaths, more than a dozen wandering swordsmen fell under the brutal onslaught of the Black Evil Army.

As chaos gradually spread, and the white-robed elder’s expression grew ever more resolute, Hu San suddenly noticed that the cluster of Black Evil Army experts at the edge of the encirclement were being flung aside like straw by a single sleeve. Even the Skeleton God Lord, who had previously engaged in combat, was driven back. A bright moonlight slowly rose from the sky, and the pitch-black skull head vanished completely before it could take effect.

“The Bright Moon Blade?”

At this sight, not only did the white-robed elder’s attitude suddenly change, but even the once calm Black Giant Spirit and Chu Qian grew solemn. The various martial heroes around, each harboring their own schemes, seemed to find a rallying point and swiftly gathered toward that side.

To avoid attracting undue attention, Hu San and the white-robed elder naturally followed suit and joined the group.

“The Heavenly Horizon Bright Moon Blade?”

The moonlight flickered briefly in the void before transforming into a radiant figure: a tall, distinguished man in white robes, gripping a curved blade that gleamed like a crescent moon.

“So it’s Shen Fang, the Northern Recluse! Who else could it be? What brings you here, Brother Shen? Are you also interested in the Infinite Scripture?”

Black Giant Spirit stepped forward cautiously, showing no sign of relaxation despite facing an ordinary middle-aged man in white.

“Alas! My wife’s illness worsens day by day. Having tried all means without success, I can only pin my hopes on this legendary supreme treasure—the Infinite Scripture,” Shen Fang said gently, his tone matching his refined bearing, naturally inspiring trust.

“If today I have offended you, Brother Giant Spirit and Brother Chu, I beg your pardon.”

“As for these people, I humbly ask Brother Giant Spirit to spare them. If my guess is correct, the Lingfeng Mountain sect and the Martial Alliance will arrive soon. When that happens, this matter will be known far and wide. Why create unnecessary bloodshed here?”

“Good, good! When time permits, I, the Giant Spirit, will definitely seek to learn the Heavenly Horizon Bright Moon Blade,” Black Giant Spirit said with a sudden laugh after a moment of fluctuating expression, then ordered the Black Evil Army to stand down.

Having heard Shen Fang’s words, the previously composed Chu Qian seemed somewhat unsettled. But before they could make a move, two other groups came into view.

Hu San noticed that Zitong, whom he had once met briefly, was among a group of women, walking behind a lady clad in apricot-yellow robes. The ill-intentioned swordsmen he had seen earlier in the inn were in the other group, following a stern-looking burly man.

These two factions appeared well aware of the situation here and naturally took up positions on either side, forming a five-way standoff. They showed only slight surprise at Shen Fang’s arrival; everything else proceeded quite naturally.

“So it is Feng Fairy of Lingfeng Mountain and Lord Zhou, head of the Martial Alliance. Pray, what brings you here?”

Chu Qian’s expression darkened slightly before he composed himself and stepped forward with a respectful salute.

“Heh, Brother Chu, why ask what you already know? News of the Infinite Scripture has spread throughout the realm. To avoid unnecessary troubles, please guide us swiftly. The world is full of hidden monsters; though your cultivation is formidable, it is always better to be cautious,” said a commanding man with a calm yet authoritative voice. He was no other than Zhou Ba, the lord of Wucheng City and the Martial Alliance leader of the Thirty-Six Connected Cities. Behind him stood the Black Snake Gang’s chief and others.

“Lord Zhou speaks wisely. Even Brother Giant Spirit has been roused. Please, Brother Chu, do not deceive us. It’s best to locate the Infinite Cavern early. Young Jiang has only obtained the Infinite Bone Dissolution Chart, which can only unlock the Infinite Treasure. The Infinite Scripture itself remains beyond reach. To avoid complications, we should act promptly,” Feng Fairy, clad in pale yellow, said crisply, though her words were harsh.

Indeed, upon hearing this, Black Giant Spirit and Lord Zhou exchanged glances confirming their suspicions, while the few insiders on Chu Shan Men’s side turned pale.

At this moment, Chu Qian knew the truth could no longer be concealed. He forced a grim smile and said, “Feng Fairy, your insight is truly remarkable. May I ask how you came to know of this?”

“Nothing special. Actually, Young Jiang snatched the Infinite Bone Dissolution Chart from my apprentice that day. He made a slight mistake when trying to silence her,” Feng Fairy replied, nodding toward a sword-wielding woman among her entourage, her face marked with scars resembling centipedes.

The martial experts present, especially sensitive to mental cues, could perceive the overwhelming hatred in the woman’s eyes directed at Jiang Nansheng.

“What a fool!” Chu Qian cursed silently. Unable to conceal the truth any longer, he sighed and said, “To be honest, although the boy carries the Infinite Bone Dissolution Chart, he has barely deciphered it. He cannot fully unravel the Infinite Divine Treasure Map. We only know the Infinite Cavern lies near Wucheng, but the exact location requires further study.”

“Now that the boy suffers from the Black Giant Spirit’s Black Absolute Palm, if we do not act swiftly, his life will be in jeopardy, much less help us seek the treasure,” Chu Qian added.

“Heh heh, Brother Chu, if you had handed the boy over earlier to share, I wouldn’t have stood by and watched. Rest assured, once we make an agreement not to attack each other before finding the Infinite Cavern, I will immediately help remove the Black Absolute Palm’s affliction. I guarantee he’ll be lively and well in no time,” Black Giant Spirit said with a gleam in his eye.

Among the five factions present, only he truly belonged to the demonic path. Chu Shan Men and Lingfeng Mountain were the leading orthodox sects. Shen Fang’s group of martial heroes was diverse but had incurred enmity with him through prior bloodshed. Lord Zhou’s faction remained neutral but might lean toward the orthodox. Thus, Black Giant Spirit sought to establish clear rules first.

Though confident that none present could match him in combat, he understood the wisdom of facing many opponents cautiously.

Being well aware of the orthodox sects’ nature, he would not trust mere words alone. Soon, he produced a pitch-black parchment from his bosom. On it, a dark energy twisted and surged, exuding a chilling aura—the infamous Gu Path Oath Map of the martial world!

“Heh, Brother Giant Spirit truly has clever means. I didn’t expect you could obtain such a legendary oath map. Very well, let today’s business end here!”

Chu Qian cast a cold glance at Black Giant Spirit, then at Jiang Nansheng’s face shrouded in dark energy, and brusquely shook his sleeve.

“Brother Giant Spirit, you are thoughtful. Very well, I, Zhou, agree!”

Zhou Ba chuckled, appearing indifferent.

“I have no objection either!”

After Feng Fairy’s consent, Shen Fang nodded. Each of the five pressed a fingertip to the Gu Path Oath Map, letting their blood drip onto it. Instantly, the dark energy divided into five streams, flowing into their bodies before the map itself vanished in smoke.

Seeing the dark energy, Hu San’s brow twitched, sensing it resembled somewhat the black aura on his own black sword, though upon reflection, there were subtle differences.

“Could there be a connection? I should pay more attention in the future.”

With the oath map gone, Hu San would have to find another opportunity to study it. Judging by the others’ expressions, however, it seemed not easily obtainable.

While Hu San pondered this, the five had sworn their pact, and Black Giant Spirit promptly lifted the curse of the Black Absolute Palm from Jiang Nansheng.

At that moment, two figures from the Black Evil Army approached and whispered urgently into Black Giant Spirit’s ear.

Though they did not use secret sound transmission, their proximity allowed their words to be conveyed in a tight line of sound, unheard by the other experts.

These two were none other than the male and female members who, along with the White Bone Scholar, had intercepted the kingdom’s elite at the Heaven Net Village. They belonged to the Yin and Yang Guards of the organization, both at the peak of the eighth heaven cultivation—a top-tier role serving as messengers and occasionally undertaking combat missions.

The softer-looking Yang Guard was Black Giant Spirit’s introducer, the reason he had been admitted to the organization, creating a subtle indebtedness.

This matter was serious. The two had portraits of members from the four breakout teams from Heaven Net Village. Disregarding the other three, they clearly remembered the appearance of Hu San’s group.

Among the chaotic crowd of martial heroes, Hu San had escaped their notice, but Zitong, following Feng Fairy, was not so fortunate.

Judging by their demeanor, it seemed they had already discovered Zitong’s presence.

Upon hearing their report, Black Giant Spirit frowned deeply. Though arrogant, he dared not defy the organization’s supreme leaders. He had intended to finish his own business before helping search, but unexpectedly encountered one of them here, causing hesitation.

In truth, Black Giant Spirit knew little about the organization’s inner affairs and was unaware of the events at Heaven Net Village. But with both Yin and Yang Guards issuing orders, the situation was critical and inevitable. Yet, having sworn the oath, any breach might quickly turn even his high cultivation into mere bones.

Unaccustomed to worry, the usually carefree Black Giant Spirit found himself troubled.