“Since we’re all here, let’s begin. I’ve invited all of you to discuss the disappearance of the entire upper rank of the She Lin Society,” Prefect Li Zhenyi said, his voice low and weighty.
“Regarding this matter, I’ve already dispatched capable experts to gather intelligence and conduct a thorough investigation,” Army Superintendent Yuan Xu declared. “I swear to bring the murderer to justice!”
“I fear the murderer may not be human,” Taoist Bai Feng said slowly. His gaze swept across the hall before settling on Lu Sheng. “With that in mind, let’s hear about the thorny issues from External Head Lu. Crimson Whale Sect dominates the Northern Lands. Even the She Lin Society bows to it. Surely you have leads.”
“So what if it’s human? And so what if it’s not?” Lu Sheng replied, his tone flat and unreadable.
“If it’s human, it falls under my jurisdiction as Army Superintendent. If it’s not, then it belongs to the Intelligence Agency. And the Intelligence Agency has recently welcomed several extraordinarily skilled experts,” Yuan Xu said with a quiet chuckle.
Taoist Bai Feng didn’t bother denying it. He simply fixed his eyes on Lu Sheng, waiting for his answer.
Lu Sheng’s gaze narrowed, a blade-thin slit as his thoughts drifted to the Zhen Family’s earlier orders. The Intelligence Agency’s sudden involvement… it reeked of meddling from the other Noble Families. Likely they were probing, testing the Zhen Family’s stance and gauging their reaction.
“This junior is but a brute. I’ve no idea what’s been going on. The Old Sect Master has been handling these matters personally,” he said, choosing to deflect.
“If even External Head Lu isn’t clear, then who is?” Yuan Xu’s tone sharpened, edging into confrontation.
“In any case, we’ve received no information on this matter. If the Intelligence Agency wishes to dig deeper, we will fully cooperate,” Lu Sheng said with an easy chuckle. “Should any clues surface, please inform us as soon as possible so we can make preparations.”
“Isn’t it all because of the She Lin Society’s business conflict with the Crimson Whale Sect in the past…” an elder seated in a lower-ranking position muttered under his breath.
“Eh?” Lu Sheng’s eyes snapped open in a fierce glare, freezing the elder in place. The man instantly bowed his head, trembling, not daring to utter another word.
Crimson Whale Sect’s title as the King of the Underworld was not earned through mercy. It was seized through blood and steel. Every underworld faction in Mountain-Edge City bowed beneath Lu Sheng’s shadow; his word carried a weight second only to Prefect Li Zhenyi. That alone was enough for the yamen to summon him personally.
“This Prefect has invited External Head Lu for two reasons. First—External Head Lu is the Number One expert in Mountain-Edge City. Your prowess is unmatched,” Li Zhenyi said. At those words, Taoist Bai Feng’s lips curled into an indistinct smirk.
“Second, I wish to request External Head Lu’s assistance in the She Lin Society case,” Li Zhenyi continued, along with the others who pretended not to notice Bai Feng’s expression.
“Naturally, I will provide my assistance, but…”
“NEWS!!!”
A sharp cry cut through the hall as a messenger burst inside, halting Lu Sheng mid-sentence.
“Your Excellency! All seventy-two members of the Three Surplus Clan south of the city have been slaughtered. Their corpses were found in a well in the courtyard!”
“WHAT?!” Li Zhenyi shot to his feet, his face draining of color.
Lu Sheng’s heart tightened. Though not large, the Three Surplus Clan was a vassal of the Zhen Family—just like the Crimson Whale Sect—and renowned for their intelligence-gathering skills. Their significance ranked just below his own sect. And now…
“Looks like your sect is about to get in trouble,” Taoist Bai Feng said, eyeing Lu Sheng with a thin smile.
“Whether or not we get in trouble is none of your concern,” Lu Sheng replied coldly. By now, he had a clear guess about the factions backing Bai Feng. Whatever hope he once held in the court had utterly crumbled.
Crimson Whale Sect was a ship on the verge of capsizing. The storm had already struck, and every major force wanted a piece of the wreckage.
“Three Surplus Clan is an ally of our sect. Since something has happened to them, this junior must investigate. Farewell,” Lu Sheng said as he rose without hesitation. With no support coming from the court, there was no reason to linger.
“If External Head Lu is interested, you may consider joining our Intelligence Agency. Perhaps you may find a way out for yourself,” Taoist Bai Feng called after him.
Ignoring Taoist Bai Feng entirely, Lu Sheng strode out. From that final remark, he could already tell—the Intelligence Agency had long sensed the dire situation Crimson Whale Sect was slipping into.
If the Scarlet District truly launched a full assault, someone of his standing would be the first to die. He had slain countless of their ghosts, burned one of their pleasure boats, and forged a bloody enmity they would never forget. This so-called offer of protection was nothing but empty words.
‘They probably couldn’t confirm whether the Zhen Family had left. But now, after the massacre of the Three Surplus Clan… they have their answer.’ Lu Sheng understood clearly: the court had no intention of intervening. They were content to watch from a distance. Expecting their aid was wishful thinking—Crimson Whale Sect should consider itself fortunate if the court did not strike while they were already sinking.
Leaving through the yamen’s back gate, he was met by Xu Chui and Ning San waiting anxiously.
“External Head, where to now?”
“You two return to the sect,” Lu Sheng said calmly. “I’m going to find someone.”
“My lord, do you require our company?” Ning San asked.
“Not necessary,” Lu Sheng replied with a dismissive wave. The Scarlet District’s pressure was mounting by the moment—he needed to move quickly.
With a swift motion, he mounted a nearby horse and instructed Xu Chui and Ning San to secure a carriage for themselves. Riding alone, he headed straight toward the Three Surplus Clan’s territory.
Located within the city, the clan’s headquarters occupied a sizable estate. Now, a ring of soldiers and officials surrounded the grounds, blocking any attempt at entry.
From a distance, Lu Sheng halted. A choking, rotten stench drifted from the compound—laced with faint threads of Yin Qi that pricked at his senses.
‘It’s those things, without a doubt…’ His expression darkened.
‘So the Scarlet District wasn’t sure if the Zhen Family had truly withdrawn—they were testing the waters. Afraid of retaliation, they started with the vassals, slowly clipping away at the wings.’
In that case, his time was running out.
Lu Sheng gave the Three Surplus Clan’s headquarters one last look, then turned and left.
Within the city, he first sought out Chen Jiaorong and borrowed his jade pendant for a short while. In secret, he let a drop of blood fall onto its surface and quietly drew out the Yin Qi within.
After that, he made another trip to Fine Treasures Hall, but like before, not a single Yin-infused artifact could be found. In the end, he had no choice but to reach out to Zhuo Wenyu.
Unfortunately, Zhuo Wenyu never appeared—not even after he burned the special piece of flesh meant to summon her.
Lu Sheng waited at the designated spot for two full hours before returning in silence, his efforts wasted.
The jade pendant remained his only reliable source of Yin Qi. Fortunately, the amount stored within it was enough to raise two levels of a Strength Proficiency hard-body skill—though still far from sufficient to advance the Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill.
Realizing that the Crimson Whale Sect would soon be targeted and that escape was impossible, Lu Sheng devoted the following days wholly to cultivating Jewel Pillar Skill.
At the same time, he continued receiving reports from Jade Lotus.
A branch of the Crimson Whale Sect in a small city had been struck: dozens killed or gravely injured. Only those members who had been away on missions survived by sheer coincidence and brought back the news.
Not long after, contact was lost with another stronghold in a mining region. The sect dispatched an External Affairs Emissary along with thirteen experts to investigate. But like stones sinking into the sea, none of them ever returned.
Lu Sheng had only been cultivating in the casino for ten days, and already the situation had begun to collapse uncontrollably.
Any Crimson Whale Sect disciple who ventured more than a few dozen miles away from the Crimson Whale vanished without a trace. The surrounding area had become a silent, deadly forbidden zone.
Two days later, after he had secured his family’s safety and forbidden them from leaving the city, Lu Sheng received Hong Mingzi’s summons. Responding at once, he gathered his men and set out toward the Crimson Whale.
…………
White smoke rose in a thin, unwavering line from the incense furnace. On the mahogany bed, Hong Mingzi reclined weakly against a pillow, the sharp scent of medicine heavy around him.
A man and a woman stood at his bedside—both in their thirties or forties, both bearing Hong Mingzi’s features. The weight they carried in their expressions revealed their status: the last two surviving children of Hong Mingzi.
Lu Sheng sat before the bed, watching his frail senior apprentice brother, quietly waiting for him to speak.
Supported by his daughter, Hong Mingzi took a sip of medicine and coughed harshly. Turning toward Lu Sheng, he managed between labored breaths, “Junior Apprentice Brother… I’ve called you here to entrust you with something.”
“Please speak, Senior Apprentice Brother,” Lu Sheng replied earnestly. Hong Mingzi had exhausted himself over these last days—watching half a lifetime of achievements crumble before him had taken an unbearable toll. His health had always been poor; now his body had finally given in.
“I’ve grown old… Whether it’s the Crimson Sun Sect or the Crimson Whale Sect… I no longer have the strength to lead them…” Hong Mingzi coughed, voice trembling.
“From this day onward, I confer upon you the position of Chief of Crimson Sun Sect. As for the Sect Master position of Crimson Whale Sect… if you want it, I’ll grant it to you. If not, so be it—I’ll pass it to Chen Ying.”
“Daddy!” His son and daughter both cried out in protest, anger flashing across their faces.
“Do not interrupt!” Hong Mingzi snapped. Even in his weakened state, his authority struck them like a whip—they fell silent immediately, trembling.
With his children subdued, he turned back to Lu Sheng. “Junior Apprentice Brother, what do you think?”
Lu Sheng paused, thinking for a moment. Then he asked, “Is the Zhen Family truly gone?”
“Indeed. They’ve packed up and left. Not a single one stayed behind,” Hong Mingzi said with a bitter laugh.
His two children paled, the blood draining from their faces. Before they could utter a word, Lu Sheng spoke, his voice steady and calm.
“Alright. I’ll take up the position of Chief. As for the Sect Master position—I’ll take that as well.”
“HAHAHAH!! Great, great, great!” Hong Mingzi burst into laughter, overwhelmed with relief. He could no longer gauge the true depth of Lu Sheng’s power—Lu Sheng had clearly surpassed him. Perhaps, under his leadership, the Crimson Whale Sect might still carve out a path of survival.
“I’ve already prepared the team. Junior Apprentice Brother, all you need to do is disguise yourself and escort these two unfilial children of mine to the Central Plains. I’ve arranged thirteen groups to depart simultaneously—”
“Senior Apprentice Brother, just call for a Grand Assembly,” Lu Sheng interrupted firmly. “There’s no point. Fleeing now will only make the situation collapse even faster.”
Hong Mingzi fell silent, his voice stopping as though frozen in mid-air.
…………
“From this day forward, I hereby confer the position of Sect Master upon my Junior Apprentice Brother—the External Head, Lu Sheng.”
In the vast hall of the Crimson Whale, Hong Mingzi’s voice rang out, strengthened by inner force despite his coughing.
Lu Sheng sat upon the Sect Master’s throne, expression composed, quietly listening as the old Sect Master recited the ancient rules of the sect. Line by line, the pledges—written at the sect’s founding—filled the hall with their weight.
Below the throne, the upper ranks erupted in startled whispers. Murmurs rippled through the hall. A man rose, intending to object, but hesitated—the recent string of tragedies swiftly silencing his courage.
Standing to the side, Chen Ying wore an inexplicable look of concern.
The Master of Ceremony stepped forward, presenting the red jadeite short sword—the symbol of the Sect Master’s authority. Hong Mingzi drew the blade and, gripping it by the hilt, offered it to Lu Sheng.
As the ritual proceeded, the noise slowly ebbed away.
Soon, every gaze fixed itself upon Lu Sheng seated atop the highest seat.
“The meaning of the crimson whale is courage, compassion, righteousness, and serenity. For nine generations, the Sect Masters have declared: ‘Evildoers will always lurk under the heavens…’”
KA-CHA.
A sharp, sudden crack sounded from outside the hall.
At once, the entire upper echelon—Internal Affairs Emissaries, Elders, and more—turned toward the entrance. A guard’s expression darkened as he stepped out to investigate.
The Master of Ceremony hesitated only briefly before continuing.
“…persistent as metal and stone. The Crimson Whale roams the frozen sea, unstoppable and unchallenged. Hundreds of feet wide, clear as jade…”
KA-CHA.
Another piercing crack split the air.
“Men! Go investigate what’s going on!” Chen Ying snapped, his face cold. As head of defense, the responsibility fell squarely on him.
“Where’s Ren Tao, the one who just stepped out!?” he barked.
The guards exchanged uncertain looks.
Chen Ying amplified his voice with inner force. Under normal circumstances, the sentries outside would have heard him instantly, rushing in to respond.
But outside the doors—there was nothing. Not a single sound. Not even a breath.
“Guards! WHERE ARE THE GUARDS!?” Chen Ying roared.
Silence answered him.
“This…”
Fear twisted across the faces of the upper ranks. For days they had lived with a blade hanging over their heads. The smarter ones had already sensed that disaster was inevitable—but none imagined that even the Sect Master Succession Ceremony would face interruption.
“A few of you, go out and take a look,” Chen Ying ordered, his expression turning grim.
KA-CHA!
Another sharp crack split through the tension.
The entire hall fell utterly silent. Every eye fixed on the stone doors.
An Elder with a notoriously short temper snorted, stood, and strode toward the side door. Three others followed behind him.
And then… nothing.
They had scarcely stepped outside for a few breaths before all traces of them disappeared. No footsteps. No voices.
Someone called out from the doorway—but there was no reply.
The air hung still for a heartbeat.
Then the hall erupted into chaos. Panic swept through the upper ranks as people screamed and unsheathed weapons.
“Silence! SILENCE!!” Chen Ying bellowed, but his attempts to control the frenzy were useless. Terror was etched onto every face.
“Everyone… listen to this old man for a moment…” Hong Mingzi stepped forward unsteadily, trying to calm them, but his trembling voice only added to the confusion.
The Master of Ceremony had gone pale. In his shaking hands, the Sect Master’s shoulder armor quivered, nearly slipping from his grip.
On the main seat, Lu Sheng remained still, expression unreadable, allowing the Master of Ceremony to fasten the armor onto him.
The ornate red jadeite shoulder piece was placed again and again on his left shoulder, only to slide off each time.
KA-CHA!
At the third crack, the giant doors of the hall began to swing open—slowly.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.
“Heeheeheehee…”
A strange, shrill giggle echoed from the pitch-black gap of the slowly opened door.
PA.
Lu Sheng reached out, firmly gripping the Master of Ceremony’s trembling hand, pressing the fiery red shoulder armor into place himself.
A single red shoe stepped through the gap.
Slowly, Lu Sheng rose from his throne.
----
[Editor’s Note:] If you'd like to support the series and unlock more chapters, visit Patreon for early access and exclusive content.
https://www.patreon.com/taleriareads
ns216.73.216.23da2
and then Add to home screen.