Chapter 1048: Sacred Saintess Temple; Revealing the Reason Behind the Attack

Mr. Wang shook his head, "I couldn’t identify them but they should be from the Upper City."

"Mm." Chu Liangxing nodded in agreement and muttered, "Do you think they were sent by him?"

Mr. Wang’s expression turned a hint colder. After a moment, he said, "That shouldn’t be the case since you haven’t given him any chance to doubt your determination to find the Golden Book for him."

As he said this, he looked at Chu Liangxing, who shook his head, "Apart from the usual reluctance, I haven’t."

"This means there are other forces or... demons like him who are after the book." He muttered, his expression grim. "This City... doesn’t have much time left."

The demons had been humanity’s number one enemy for the longest time because they seemed to be hell bent on destroying them. Whenever and wherever they appeared, countless humans would die and on several occasions throughout the history, the human race had come very close to annihilating them.

Fortunately, humanity’s strongest power, the mysterious Sacred Saintess Temple, came to their rescue every time and prevented that. At the same time, the Temple had issued the stern warning that if any human was found colluding with the demons, he and his entire family and factions would be annihilated. On the contrary, if someone killed a demon, they would be granted rewards.

Because of this, no human dared to collude with the demons no matter how tempting offers the ever deceitful demons gave and would instead do everything in their power to them.

Mr. Wang knew what he was thinking but he didn’t say anything and silently stood beside him.

"I really hope Gu Chen can have that Entity save Qin’er. Otherwise... I’ll have contributed to this city’s destruction and would have no face to show to my ancestors in the afterlife." Chu Liangxing said, pain flickering in his eyes.

"I hope the same." Mr. Wang nodded.

Ha!

Chu Liangxing took a deep breath and began walking out of the alley. Mr. Wang followed after him.

...

Early in the morning, as sun arose in the east, the Seven late stage Bone Tempering realm cultivators from the Judicial Office approached Max, who was leaning against his residence’s door with his eyes closed.

Sensing them approaching, he opened his eyes.

"Patriarch Gu, it’s already morning. We shall take our leave now." Said Milo.

"Mm. Thanks for your help." Max nodded. Then he glanced at the cloaked corpses whose masks had been removed already and said, "Please take them to the Judicial Office and tell the Judicial Officer that I want his help to find their identities."

"This.." Milo hesitated. To do this, he first needed Chu Liangxing’s permission but under Max’s passive gaze, he found himself nodding, "Alright, Patriarch Gu. I... will send people to transport to the office."

"Mm." Max nodded and saw them off to the main gate, Zhao Ziyan, Gu Ruolan and the Second and Third Elder, who had kept Max company throughout the night despite him trying to make them leave and go rest, accompanied them.

After they left, The Third Elder looked at Max and slowly asked, his expression solemn, "Patriarch, are we safe now?"

Zhao Ziyan, Gu Ruolan and the Second Elder also looked at Max, also wanting to know the answer.

Max glanced at them and said, "I won’t lie to you, we aren’t safe and I doubt we’ll ever be either unless, of course, we can reach the Sky Ascension, Golden Core or maybe even the Nascent realm or higher."

His answer made their expressions freeze, then they stared at him in astonishment.

The Second and Third Elders opened their mouths several times to ask something but they hesitated every time.

Max knew what they wanted to ask and seeing both Zhao Ziyan and Gu Ruolan were also curious, he said, "It’s just as you have guessed, we are or rather I am being targeted because I have something they want."

Noticing the shift in their expressions, he added, "Even if I want to relinquish it, I can’t because it has fused with me."

Zhao Ziyan and Gu Ruolan nodded in understanding while the Second and the Third Elders also realized something and the Third Elder asked, "You are able to progress so rapidly because of this item, Patriarch?"

"You can say that." Max nodded, not wanting to explain.

"We understand." The Third Elder, who Max had thought wouldn’t like his answers, said as while nodding heavily. He then bowed and requested, "Patriarch, please focus on becoming strong enough so the family no longer have to be fearful of anything. Also, if it’s possible, please select a few people with good enough potential and nurture them so they could help you, no matter how little."

"Yes, Patriarch." The Second Elder hurriedly bowed after him.

Gu Ruolan was also about to follow their lead but Zhao Ziyan stopped her, giving her a look that said, ’They are anxious because if they don’t say it, Chen’er might never help them due to them being people from branch families. Why are you anxious? He will definitely help you.’

Gu Ruolan took a deep breath and gave Zhao Ziyan a moved look which made Zhao Ziyan smile and silently nod in acknowledgement.

...

Max stared at the Elder duo in silence for a few moments.

Just as the Elders were starting to lose hope, he nodded, "Alright. I’ll do my best."

The Elders’ faces lit up and they bowed even deeper, "Thank you very much Patriarch!"

They were aware that due to their ages, they probably wouldn’t be among the talents he would nurture but as long as there was some hope, they were happy.

"Alright. Let’s go and eat something, then rest for a while. You all must be hungry and tired." Zhao Ziyan said, stepping forward and taking Max’s hand in hers as if to support him.

The Elders nodded and opened their mouths to excuse themselves when she looked at them and said, "Elders, please allow me to host you today."

The Elders hesitated and glanced at Max, who nodded, "Since Mother has asked you, just join us."

His words put a beautiful smile on Zhao Ziyan’s face.