Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Descent Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Descent Editor: Atlas Studios Inside that stone chamber, the person sighing with despair was none other than Liu Qingkong, the great steward of Yuliu Manor.
He was identical to ‘Liu Qingkong’ who is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Monk Jing Kong from Heavenly Buddha Temple and Ling Hongxia with her Blood Mandarin Duck Saber outside.
The three exchanged glances, carefully scanned the surroundings, and confirmed that no one else was approaching.
It was clear that within this distance, only ‘they’ were the ones patrolling.
Immediately, Su Mo snapped his fingers, sending a gust of wind brushing past Liu Qingkong’s hair.
Startled, Liu Qingkong looked up abruptly, but his expression turned into one of confusion: “You… you still want to toy with me…”
His voice trailed off, a hint of confusion evident in his eyes:
“Who are you?”
Su Mo nodded thoughtfully, “Housekeeper Liu doesn’t recognize us?”
“You…”
Liu Qingkong was initially puzzled; these people from Youquan Sect before him seemed different from the past.
Suddenly, realization dawned on him, and he stood up sharply, opening his mouth as if to say something, but then fell silent. Eventually, he spoke in a very low voice, repressing his excited emotions: “You… you aren’t with Youquan Sect?”
“Housekeeper Liu has such a short memory.”
Luo Zhen gave a cold smile: “Today, it was Housekeeper Liu who personally welcomed me into Yuliu Manor; how could you not recognize me now?”
“…I, I personally guided you…”
Liu Qingkong hastily shook his head: “I’ve been locked up here for nearly two months, how could I have led you into Yuliu Manor?”
“Indeed so.”
Luo Zhen wasn’t surprised: “Disguises and biding one’s time, these are the moves of the Body Seizing Order among the Six Orders of Youquan Sect.”
“Body Seizing Order?”
Su Mo glanced at Luo Zhen, slightly surprised—this man seemed to know too much about Youquan Sect?
“The so-called Body Seizing Order, naturally doesn’t involve actual body seizing. Instead, the practitioner of this order typically selects a target, observes them closely, learns their daily habits, movement details, and their entire social network, then trains someone to imitate everything perfectly. When the time is right, they secretly kill the target, then use disguise to take their place. This is the so-called Body Seizing.”
Luo Zhen explained, “However, the ‘Liu Qingkong’ outside who performed the Blood Transformation Divine Skill belongs to the Blood Transformation Order, and all his actions tonight don’t match the modus operandi of someone from the Body Seizing Order… It’s likely that he was disguised by someone from the Body Seizing Order, with a bit of pretense.”
Su Mo nodded lightly and looking at the somewhat bewildered Liu Qingkong, he said: “May I ask Housekeeper Liu, what exactly has happened inside Yuliu Manor? And how did Youquan Sect manage to find its way here? Where exactly is Yu Liu Sword Heart Liu Suifeng now?”
The last question was of utmost importance to Su Mo.
It concerned his escort mission.
Liu Qingkong was also greatly shocked, coming forward to scrutinize the contract. After quickly scanning through it, he was at a loss for words: “This…this, thank you Lord Su, the Chief Escort, for going to such lengths to deliver the escort mission…”
Su Mo waved his hand dismissively: “A man’s promise is worth its weight in gold; it is only right. Housekeeper Liu, let’s not dwell on pleasantries for now. It was not easy for us three to sneak here, so please tell us the truth, what exactly is going on with Yuliu Manor? How was Youquan Sect able to come knocking? And where in the world is Yu Liu Sword Heart Liu Suifeng currently?”
His escort duties were at stake.
But Liu Qingkong was forthright; after understanding Su Mo’s background, he no longer cared about maintaining secrecy and flat out spoke:
“This matter needs to be traced back to two months ago…”
As Liu Qingkong gradually unfolded the story, Su Mo and the others finally gained a complete understanding of the affairs concerning Yuliu Manor.
Two months earlier, Liu Suifeng returned from outside, severely wounded.
He claimed to have encountered a master from the Youquan Sect. After a bout, each wielded a final move against the other.
Liu Suifeng was hit by a Youquan Demon Technique, while the Youquan Sect master was struck by Liu Suifeng’s sword at the Middle Extreme Acupoint.
However, both were already too weak to continue, and he immediately returned to Yuliu Manor, sending an urgent letter to Xuanji Valley for Master Cang Ming that very night.
The letter detailed his encounter with the master from the Youquan Sect and warned Master Cang Ming to be wary of upheavals in Jianghu.
Meanwhile, he was recuperating at home.
Yet, the Youquan Demon Technique was so bizarre and unfathomable that, despite staying indoors for half a month, Liu Suifeng was unable to fully recover.
At that time, Master Cang Ming suddenly paid a visit.
Although Liu Suifeng had been somewhat disinterested in worldly affairs in recent years, Master Cang Ming was not someone he could take lightly.
Considering Liu Suifeng’s serious injuries, he invited Master Cang Ming and his disciple into his room for a detailed discussion.
While Liu Qingkong was outside the room at that time, he was quite unaware of the changes within.
Because during the conversation of the three, the Youquan Sect suddenly mounted an attack.
Liu Qingkong went out to confront the enemy but was captured by mistake.
In one night, Yuliu Manor was breached, and everyone inside was imprisoned in this underground refuge.
Just as Luo Zhen had mentioned, this place was established by the ancestors of Yuliu Manor.
It was a strategic shelter for times of turmoil in Jianghu.
Initially, Sword Tasting Tower housed various fine swords.
If enemies came for the treasure swords, it would be unlikely for anyone to consider whether there might be any secrets beneath Sword Tasting Tower.
They bet on the idea that ‘the most dangerous place is the safest’.
In truth, this refuge had always been secure over the years.
However, the Youquan Sect had somehow found out about it, knowing every detail.
They transformed this refuge, with some minor modifications, into the Blood Pool Demon Cave for the Youquan Sect.
Liu Qingkong spoke earnestly up to this point:
“I truly don’t know where the manor master is at present, but I suspect he might be here too.
“Occasionally, I can overhear people from the Youquan Sect mentioning that deep within this place, there seems to be an important person guarding something.
“Yet I do not know whether it’s our manor master.
“Moreover, I’ve heard them say that in the past month or so, using the news of the manor master’s grave injuries, they have attracted quite a few excellent cultivation materials…
“Some of these people are also detained in the depths.
“If you three wish to venture further, please be extremely careful.
“And… if possible, I beg you to rescue our manor master—Liu Qingkong would be forever grateful!”
Saying this, he knelt to the ground with a thud and kowtowed three times.
With people inside and outside the room, no one could intervene, and only after receiving this deep show of gratitude did Su Mo ask:
“Housekeeper Liu, do you have knowledge of the layout of this place?”