الشطرنج الخالد - Book 08 Chapter 067:

Book 08 Chapter 067: Essence Genesis’s Inquiry

Even on the brink of death, you are still defiant. This is not the Hungry Ghost Path Secret Realm, you know,” Ji Dihong said coldly.

“Indeed. Essence Genesis was not there,” Gu Hai retorted with a cold smile.

“Huh?” Ji Dihong raised his eyebrows, sensing something was wrong.

Then Ji Dihong raised his head.

Whoosh!

A white-robed man had appeared above Blood Maple Forest at some point in time. This man simply stood in the air expressionlessly, looking down at Gu Hai and Ji Dihong coldly.

“Essence Genesis?” Ji Dihong’s face sank.

Nearby, Fengbo and Limu gaped. They did not understand why Essence Genesis had appeared here.

Everyone was uncertain of how strong exactly Essence Genesis was. However, the Six Paths Immortal had returned with nothing to show for his efforts when he fought Essence Genesis. Essence Genesis seemed as strong as Long Zhanguo back then. Before the Six Paths Immortal came out of seclusion, Essence Genesis could do as he pleased.

Essence Genesis watched coldly with narrowed eyes as Gu Hai and Ji Dihong confronted each other.

Just standing in the air, Essence Genesis put intense pressure on everyone.

——

Far away, Cangjie previously thought Gu Hai was being reckless, willing to clash with Ji Dihong for Chiyou’s head. When he saw Essence Genesis, he fell back onto his stone stool.

Cangjie now understood Gu Hai’s plan; Gu Hai had found Ji Dihong’s weakness.

“How could Gu Hai have known? How could he have known?” Cangjie said in disbelief.

“If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it. Mister Cangjie, the cat’s in the bag,” Gu Han said.

“Haha! The cat’s in the bag?” Cangjie appeared slightly bitter.

——

Outside Xuanyuan City:

Essence Genesis slowly landed beside the two. The earlier tension had already vanished, and Ji Dihong put on a calm front as he faced Essence Genesis. Gu Hai warily looked at Essence Genesis.

This was because Essence Genesis was simply too cold-blooded—rather, emotionless. His only obsession might be Sect Master Heavenly Access. Unfortunately, Sect Master Heavenly Access had died.

“Essence Genesis, why did you come to our Xuanyuan City?” Ji Dihong asked.

However, Essence Genesis coldly eyed Gu Hai.

“The facts are as such, Essence Genesis. The culprit behind Sect Master Heavenly Access’s death is right before your eyes. Yes, we are thinking of using you to deal with Ji Dihong. However, we’re the only one who found out the truth for you. We are the one who made sure Sect Master Heavenly Access did not die in vain. He did not even know who caused his death!” Gu Hai said gravely.

“Gu Hai, what did you say? Sect Master Heavenly Access’s killer? Are you trying to frame us?” Ji Dihong glared.

Essence Genesis gave Gu Hai a deep look as he recalled everything Gu Hai had done. Of course, this recollection covered only the memories related to him. He did not care about Gu Hai’s other deeds.

In his memory, Gu Hai had rescued Sect Master Heavenly Access eight hundred thousand years ago. Back then, Sect Master Supreme Ascendant had been extremely protective of Gu Hai, even secretly ordering Sha to protect Gu Hai. Not too long ago, in the Southern Sea, Gu Hai had done his best to rescue Sect Master Heavenly Access. Unfortunately, he was not strong enough and failed.

In summary, Gu Hai had always stood on Sect Master Heavenly Access’s side. Furthermore, he had been straightforward in wanting to use Essence Genesis to kill Ji Dihong rather than using some underhanded trick. This left a somewhat good impression on Essence Genesis.

Since Gu Hai claimed that, he naturally had to investigate.

Essence Genesis turned his gaze to Ji Dihong.

Ji Dihong’s heart sank, but he said seriously, “Essence Genesis, we have an enmity with Gu Hai; even he said he was using you to kill us. Surely, you aren’t going to just do what he wants, right?”

“Hah! I will investigate the truth!” Essence Genesis said coldly.

However, Ji Dihong said, “Well, go do your investigation, but don’t get in the way of my enmity with Gu Hai.”

Since Essence Genesis did not find out before, he could not simply take Gu Hai’s words as evidence. Ji Dihong said this to preempt Essence Genesis. Then Ji Dihong would kill Gu Hai before dealing with this.

“Essence Genesis, Fengbo over there knows the truth. He is Ji Dihong’s official and will not bear false witness on my behalf,” Gu Hai said.

Fengbo?

The distant Fengbo’s expression suddenly changed, as did Ji Dihong’s. Naturally, Fengbo knew about the matter. In fact, he had pulled the strings behind this matter.

Fengbo wanted to flee, but fleeing would be as good as an admission of guilt. However, Essence Genesis’s deathly stare inspired a terrible dread in him.

Fengbo looked at Ji Dihong.

Ji Dihong was about to speak, but Essence Genesis suddenly nodded. “Since that is the case, this can’t be better. Ji Dihong, this Limu is your official, right?”

Hou Yi’s divine arrow had shattered Limu’s right arm, inflicting severe injuries.

“That’s right, Essence Genesis. Gu Hai is making unfounded statements. Don’t be fooled by him!” Ji Dihong said with an unsightly expression.

“Limu and Fengbo are both your officials, so that makes things easy. As I ask Fengbo a few questions, I will help heal Limu’s injuries,” Essence Genesis said seriously.

“There’s no need. This is a matter of our nation. We will deal with it ourself,” Ji Dihong said.

Essence Genesis smirked. “I’m not saying this to ask for your opinion but telling you. I’m giving you face; wise up and accept it graciously.”

Ji Dihong’s face sank at the fearless tone.

Essence Genesis moved instantly and stretched out his hand, tapping on a spot. Surging purple energy suddenly appeared out of nowhere in space and rushed into Limu’s body.

“Ah!”

Limu immediately felt a tingling sensation in his right arm. Then, his right arm grew at a visible speed, growing out fully in just a while.

Essence Genesis fixed Limu’s arm?

Ji Dihong’s face sank.

Then Essence Genesis’s other arm reached out to grab Fengbo.

“Your Holy Eminence, save me!” The horrified Fengbo tried to flee.

How could Fengbo compare to the powerful Essence Genesis? Essence Genesis simply stepped forward, and he captured Fengbo. Merely pressing down with his hand prevented Fengbo from moving.

“No!” Ji Dihong’s expression changed.

Limu knew things were bad. He shouted, “Essence Genesis, I don’t need your help. Take this right arm back!”

Limu immediately slapped his left hand on his right arm. His right arm exploded with a loud report, leaving him with an injury even worse than before.

“Essence Genesis, I did not ask for your help. Let go of Fengbo!” Limu said anxiously.

Essence Genesis smiled coldly. “Your destroying your right arm is your problem. I never take back what I have given.”

“Essence Genesis, if you keep humiliating my officials, don’t blame us for our actions!” Ji Dihong glared furiously.

Fengbo revealed an expression of despair, as he knew everything. Once it got discovered, not only would he die, but he would also implicate his emperor. Everyone would die with him, so he might as well…

“Your Holy Eminence, take care!” Fengbo shouted with red eyes.

“Fengbo, no!” Ji Dihong’s expression changed.

“Trying to self-detonate? Hah! Let’s see who will do that in front of me!” Essence Genesis’s expression suddenly turned frosty.

Then he tapped Fengbo’s forehead.

Ding!

A melodious sound came from Fengbo’s forehead. He trembled intensely, appearing delirious, and his thoughts turned chaotic; he could do nothing at all.

“At first, I was just suspicious. Judging from the current situation, it is no longer as simple as suspicion anymore. Ji Dihong?” Essence Genesis looked at Ji Dihong coldly.

Although Gu Hai spoke the truth, Essence Genesis might not believe it. Why did he take the action of saving one and suppressing one? It was to discover the truth.

Essence Genesis did not want Gu Hai to use him. Even if Gu Hai had no malicious intentions, that was out of the question.

Essence Genesis did not care about the consequences when he killed. However, there seemed to be a compulsion within him to avoid letting himself get used, so he put in more effort this time.

However, Limu’s struggles and Fengbo’s attempt at self-detonation to destroy the evidence all proved Gu Hai’s words.

Essence Genesis’s expression turned ice-cold as he gazed at Ji Dihong.

“Essence Genesis, release our official. Otherwise, don’t blame us for our actions!” Ji Dihong said haughtily.

Essence Genesis glanced at Ji Dihong coldly, then completely ignored him to tap on Fengbo’s forehead again.

“Were you involved in Sect Master Heavenly Access’s death?” Essence Genesis asked.

Fengbo trembled, showing a struggle on his face. It seemed like his three spiritual souls were delirious and his memories were in disarray. When someone asked a question, it served to give direction to his memories.

Memories of Sect Master Heavenly Access immediately surfaced, and Fengbo instinctively answered.

“Yes!” Fengbo said dazedly.

Nearby, Ji Dihong’s expression changed.

“Essence Genesis, you are asking for it!” Ji Dihong snarled ferociously.

As Ji Dihong roared, he threw a palm strike at Essence Genesis’s back.

Whoosh!

Essence Genesis suddenly turned around, so quickly that Gu Hai did not see it clearly.

Essence Genesis counterpunched wordlessly.

Boom!

A loud report rang out. A large tear in space appeared in the region covered by the Blood Maple Forest’s laws. The fact that the Tenth Cycle failed to tear space earlier showed how powerful this punch was.

The immense force made Limu shudder. He felt that if this attack had landed on him, he would have instantly exploded.

Even Gu Hai, who stood at the side, sensed how horrifying the force behind this attack was.

Ji Dihong had used his full power but failed to shift Essence Genesis.

After the shock wave passed, ten law blood maples in Blood Maple Forest exploded. Ji Dihong had to take ten steps back before he could stabilize his footing.

“What a sturdy physical body! Hah! You are much more powerful than when you were in the void previously,” Essence Genesis said icily.

“Humph! Essence Genesis, you are not unparalleled in this world yet. You cannot touch our officials!” Ji Dihong charged forward again with a stony expression.

A chill light filled Essence Genesis’s eyes as he waved his hand, and an enormous manifested sword shot down, instantly slicing past Ji Dihong’s body.

Boom!

Ji Dihong flew back over three hundred meters before stabilizing his footing. His clothes were tattered, and many faint marks appeared on his skin.

Just one strand of sword qi knocked me back?

Ji Dihong made an ugly face. Essence Genesis was too horrifyingly strong.

Essence Genesis narrowed his eyes. “Indeed, your physical body is pretty powerful to be able to block a strand of my primal chaos sword qi. However, it is not time for me to settle scores with you yet. I want to hear the full truth. I’ll take my time dealing with you after I have clarified the situation, Ji Dihong.”

“One strand of primal chaos sword qi? Well, try again, then!” Ji Dihong immediately charged over.

“Humph!” Essence Genesis’s expression hardened as he waved.

Whoosh!

A black pennant appeared out of nowhere, curled around Ji Dihong, and wrapped him up like a dumpling. Only his head, wearing a horrified expression, remained visible.

Ji Dihong struggled within the black pennant, making it bulge in areas and twist. However, it firmly contained him, preventing him from escaping.

“The fourteenth-ranked of the top sixteen ancient treasures, the Essence Genesis Pennant?” Gu Hai’s face sank.

“My Essence Genesis Pennant is very flexible. You can’t break it. Humph!” Essence Genesis snorted coldly.

He turned back to the delirious Fengbo.

“Go on. Tell me, how did Sect Master Heavenly Access die?” Essence Genesis asked coldly.

Ji Dihong grimaced in rage. The Essence Genesis Pennant? If I still had my Xuanyuan Sword, how could the Essence Genesis Pennant trap me? No! There must be a way to get out. So what if it is flexible? No matter how flexible it is, it will be useless when my strength surpasses it. I still have some strength available to me.

“Huang Heavenly Dynasty citizens, listen to us! We are Ji Dihong. We are suffering from the attack of an external enemy. Please raise your right hand and lend your energy to us to help us defeat the enemy!” Ji Dihong roared.

“Roar!”

A roar came from the blessings cloud sea overhead.

Limu charged forward, cradling the stump of his right arm, to protect Ji Dihong while Ji Dihong drove the power of his nation in case Gu Hai attacked.

However, Gu Hai did not rush over. When he saw Ji Dihong being restrained, he suddenly looked towards Chiyou’s head.

“First Brother, Ji Dihong has already been restrained. Can I trouble you to take back the energy of your Spiritual Progenitor deity king? Take away Ji Dihong’s impenetrable body!” Gu Hai said gravely.

Buzz! Chiyou’s head suddenly gave off a black light.