When Zhou Wanqian mentioned the Third Prince of the Immortal Dynasty, the oppressive atmosphere within the grand hall lightened considerably. The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves, and upon careful consideration, they all felt that Eldest Young Master Zhou Wanqian's words made a great deal of sense.
Indeed.
With the Third Prince of the Immortal Dynasty backing them, what could even the true Monarch's return accomplish?
He, Gu Tianlang, had managed to overthrow the Immortal Dynasty in the Ancient Times, but in the Present-Ancient Era, even ten or a hundred Gu Tianlangs would stand no chance against the Immortal Dynasty.
Thinking this, the hearts of those who had been fearful eased somewhat.
Just then, two figures suddenly appeared within the grand hall.
One was a middle-aged man who seemed somewhat inscrutable, and the other was a hunchbacked elder.
Seeing these two, everyone in the hall was startled, for the middle-aged man was none other than Blackhearted Lord Zhou Taihe, while the hunchbacked elder was also a master of unfathomable cultivation and strength, known as Elder Heng.
No one had expected Zhou Taihe to appear so suddenly. The crowd was momentarily stunned, but not daring to show any disrespect, they immediately bowed in greeting. Zhou Wansheng, his voice choked with emotion, cried out, "Father! You must seek justice for Ting'er!"
Before his words had even finished, Zhou Taihe suddenly struck, raising his hand and delivering a vicious slap across Zhou Wansheng's face. The blow was so fierce it sent Zhou Wansheng sprawling to the ground. Clutching his swollen cheek, Zhou Wansheng stared at his father in disbelief and incomprehension. He couldn't understand why his father would strike him without a single word of explanation.
"I warned you all not to go looking for that man! Why didn't you listen to me!"
"Father, it was Ting'er himself who..." Once again, Zhou Wansheng's words were cut short as Zhou Taihe raised his hand for another slap, berating him, "What kind of father are you? Why didn't you discipline Ting'er properly!"
"I..." Zhou Wansheng dared say no more, fearing another beating.
Within the grand hall, whether they were members of the Zhou family, those ancient experts, or even the Chixiao People, all exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to even breathe too loudly. They all knew Zhou Taihe's temper and were even more aware of his methods. Deep down, they all held a certain fear of him.
Zhou Taihe's face was dark, his eyes filled with killing intent as his gaze swept over each person present. He barked, "I'll say this one more time: this matter ends here! From now on, no one is to go looking for that man again!"
The people in the hall looked at each other, wide-eyed, wanting to speak but holding their tongues.
Previously, when Tan Tong and over a dozen other Chixiao People had been beaten half to death, Blackhearted Lord had said the same thing.
Now, with Shi Lingkai and Zhou Ting beaten half to death, Blackhearted Lord was saying it again.
Why?
Could it be that Blackhearted Lord feared that man was the true Monarch?
Otherwise, why would he forbid anyone from pursuing the matter, even when his most beloved grandson had been beaten half to death, his condition unknown, and even his Minor Heavenly Destiny had been stripped away?
"Father, why? What exactly..." Zhou Wanqian finally couldn't hold back and wanted to ask the reason, but as soon as he opened his mouth and met Zhou Taihe's sharp gaze, he didn't dare continue.
"The Temple Fair is of utmost importance to us. Not a single mistake can be tolerated. Proceed according to plan. As for that man who calls himself Gu Tianlang, the Immortal Dynasty will deal with him."
"But..."
"No buts!"
Having his words cut off so sharply, Zhou Wanqian didn't dare speak again.
"All of you, return and prepare."
Since Zhou Taihe had spoken thus, no one else dared say anything more. They all began to leave—the Zhou family members, the ancient experts, and the Chixiao People alike.
After everyone else had departed, only Senior Huang Yuan remained standing in the grand hall. He looked at Zhou Taihe, sighed, and said, "Zhou Taihe, have you truly thought this through?"
Zhou Taihe stood in the hall, his back to him, eyes closed, remaining silent.
"If you turn back now, there's still time. If you sincerely repent, given the Monarch's regard for past affections, I imagine he wouldn't make things too difficult for you. If the Monarch truly demands your life, this old man will certainly step forward to bear the punishment in your stead."
"Elder Huang! You worry too much. That man is not, and cannot be, him!"
"But what if, by chance, he truly is the Monarch?"
"There is no 'what if'! I've said that man cannot be him. Even if he really is Gu Tianlang, I, Zhou Taihe, am not afraid!"
Huang Yuan shook his head slightly and sighed again. "Not afraid? Taihe, oh Taihe... You can deceive others, but you cannot deceive these old eyes. Though your mouth keeps saying you're not afraid, deep in your heart, how could you not be?"
"If you weren't afraid, why have you been hiding in the shadows all these years?"
"If you weren't afraid, why have you been desperately cultivating this external incarnation all these years?"
"If you weren't afraid, why, upon hearing that Tan Tong and the others had their Bloodfiend Dragon-Elephant Spirits stripped, did you not dare even mention the matter again?"
"You are not unafraid. You are terrified—so terrified you don't even have the courage to verify whether that man is the true Monarch!"
"You are too afraid. Afraid that man is the true Monarch."
Zhou Taihe remained standing with his hands behind his back, eyes closed. Though his face showed no expression, his heart was trembling violently.
The truth was exactly as Huang Yuan had said.
He wasn't unafraid. He was terrified!
This fear had never ceased. Every time he heard news of the Monarch's possible return, his mind would become unsettled.
It was precisely because of fear that he had hidden in the shadows all these years, not daring to show his face.
It was precisely because of fear that he had been cultivating this external incarnation.
It was precisely because of fear that he dared not verify the truth.
He was afraid!
Afraid it was the true Monarch!
He understood better than anyone that if the true Monarch returned, everything he had built over the years would be finished—including his life.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his frantic heart.
Unfortunately, it was useless.
At this moment, his mind simply could not find peace, nor could it settle down. Only after a long while did he finally speak. "Whether that man is truly Gu Tianlang or not, I do not know, nor do I wish to know. But one thing is certain: whether he is Gu Tianlang or not, the Immortal Dynasty will not let him go."
"Heh... the Immortal Dynasty..." Huang Yuan shook his head with a bitter laugh. "This old man admits the Immortal Dynasty of the Present-Ancient Era is not something the Ancient Times version could compare to. I also know that the Third Prince of the Immortal Dynasty you follow is a remarkable, heaven-blessed individual. But this old man knows even better that if the Monarch wishes to kill you, not even the King of Heaven himself could save you."
"The might of the Immortal Dynasty is beyond your imagination. What kind of person the Third Prince is far surpasses your understanding as well."
Huang Yuan wanted to say more, but he was cut off by Zhou Taihe's sharp shout. "Enough! I know what you want to say, but I don't wish to hear it now."
"Since that is the case, then take care of yourself."
Huang Yuan said no more. He sighed and turned to leave.