The Scam (1)

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"Who were the individuals that attacked Ning Fengzhi?"

Surrounded by the lush vegetation around the Spirit City was Qian Xunji who gazed at Redstar calmly.

"The new initiate by the name of Dugu Bo. He's only a step away before becoming a Titled Douluo and is simultaneously assisting Tang Jinluo to solidify his seat as the Eighth Elder of the Clear Sky Clan."

"And you're certain that this Dugu Bo wouldn't be traced by the Bone Douluo? I'm told that the man has amazing tracking and teleportation skills," Xunji bent to pick one of the leaves around him and played with it while leaning against a tree.

"Dugu Bo led a Spirit Emperor specialized in spatial skills. Using an entire rank of his cultivation, the Spirit Master utilized his sixth skill and locked Bone Douluo in a shackle. Of course, this great skill cannot be used many times. But your father's disciple stopped Dugu Bo from achieving determined objectives."

Narrowing his eyes, Redstar continued, "Why wasn't I informed that he would be there?"

"It was a sudden request," Qian Xunji replied, "I'd wager that his departure has something to do with Bibi Dong's and her teammates' great breakthroughs. I'm researching the situation and am getting closer to the truth. Now tell me about Ka-ul."

"He chased after the group," Redstar shrugged, "Han Ku, the Spatial Spirit Master I told you about brought Ka-ul and himself into the real Slaughter City and their fates are unknown to me. The chase itself continued for a day. With my blood connection, I do know that Han Ku is still alive. While the other members had dispersed from the slaughter city itself. According to Dugu Bo, Ka-ul seems to be extremely resistant to poison."

"You should have kept your members in control," Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes, "Although he has refused to make any comments, Father is still extremely displeased."

"It is all within the rules set by Angel Douluo." Pointing at the sky with a calm smile, Redstar continued, "Had his promises been refuted, his domain would have alerted him, too."

Revealing a thoughtful expression, Qian Xunji hummed softly and expressed his indifference to the matter, "Anyway, Ka-ul and Ah Yin are father's disciples. Staying away from Ka-ul would serve to straighten Bibi Dong's priorities."

"Oh, and what might those be, O'honorable master?" Redstar had a rare look of mockery on his face while Qian Xunji replied with an unbothered look, "Her priorities to the Spirit Hall, of course."

---

"Slaughter City is a training ground," Bibi Dong looked at her teammates, "and the success of the training is marked by obtaining a domain for your Martial Soul."

"What?" Everyone was stunned. Bibi Dong frowned and gestured them to stay calm and silent, "My memories of Slaughter City are not something I want to relive. Interrupt my explanation again and kiss your doubts goodbye."

The group grew silent and Bibi Dong continued, "In reality, Slaughter City on the surface holds wanted spirit masters. But those spirit masters are waiting to enter the real Slaughter City. There are two ways to enter the real Slaughter City. First, wait for the ambassador of the city to announce a killing competition. Only 100 surviving spirit masters are allowed to enter the slaughter city. The second method is to enter by recommendation, something that I used. With Grandmaster's recommendation, I was able to enter Slaughter City. Anything else is considered breaking the rules."

Doubt bubbled in her teammates' minds and Bibi Dong was aware of it, "I know. Why would Spirit Hall be able to hold such a reputation in a city filled with vile spirit masters? Simple. Mutual Benefit. Slaughter City needs Spirit Masters willing to do anything for their goals but are too pressed into a corner by the Spirit Hall to demonstrate their strength. Spirit Hall wants to reduce the number of the Continent's evil spirit masters and we employ various methods. Making the rogue spirit masters choose factions, setting out bounties for some greater threats, and stuff like that.

So, Slaughter City absorbing these Evil Spirit Masters is a good thing for us. So good that the Spirit Hall would let out the information of the Slaughter City in regular intervals.

If anybody is thinking why it is good for all good-for-nothing spirit masters to collect in a single point... well, those who enter the real Slaughter City cannot leave unless they successfully complete all the trials."

Bibi Dong took a breather and let everyone digest the information. Ah Yin finally looked at Bibi Dong and gestured for her to continue.

"The significance of the Slaughter City is great in the continent. Many orthodox factions send a younger generation to train there. The absolute best kind. From Spirit Hall, I'm the second one to have succeeded in completing all the trials and gain the Deathgod Domain. From the Clear Sky Clan, Yuehua's elder brother, Tang Hao is the second one, too, to have gained the Deathgod Domain. The number of 'Death Gods' in the continued can be counted by the fingers.

But in Spirit Hall, there is a record stating that those who have an innate domain may try to gain the domain but chances of ultimate demise are great. Domains represent a great affinity. Two opposing domains can rip the spirit master apart. The only way to get past this situation is by having twin martial souls where one of the martial souls does not have a domain."

Bibi Dong discreetly glanced at Ah Yin to confirm her suspicions. She was in a relationship with Ja Sun and knew him the longest so in Bibi Dong's mind, chances were the Ah Yin was well aware of Ja Sun's second martial soul, too. However, Ah Yin didn't let anything out through her expression and looked intrigued only.

"Now we have discussed the significance of the Slaughter City. Let me explain about the situation in the City," Bibi Dong began, "It is an underground city where Spirit Masters cannot use Spirit Skills and Spirit Bones. But they may use the Martial Soul itself. However, an individual may only spirit transform or summon a tool spirit. Rare martial souls who can activate a spirit skill from the beginning are unusable, too.

The Slaughter City is divided into outer and inner sections of the city. There are few more rules but that is not my place to explain. Any individual who has the guts to train there must understand those rules by themselves.

What I want to tell you is that Slaughter City is a location with no rules. Or precisely that there is only one rule— Anything goes. You can be killed, raped, or even eaten. I, too, was almost killed, raped, and eaten."

Bibi Dong smiled coldly, "You four remember my situation when you first met me, right? How my killing intent oozed? It was the effect of the Slaughter City. It makes one's killing intent physical and that is why Hu Lana's charm skills can be blocked by my killing intent."

"May I ask something?" Xie Xan spoke up.

Bibi Dong nodded.

"Can I enter Slaughter City?"

Hu Lana bit her lips momentarily while Bibi Dong frowned.

"As I said before. I intended to let you, Ka-ul, and Erlong decide it for yourself. Ka-ul because... in my opinion, he has the highest chance of survival in that location. You, because of your martial soul and its probable affinity with the Slaughter City. And Erlong because she loves slaughter. In fact, the Asura Sight Technique can be practiced to a great achievement in that location because that is one place where you can kill without any problems and human blood will be present in an outstanding volume."

Xie Xan looked at Hu Lana and his gaze inadvertently fell on her stomach. There still wasn't any apparent change because she was in her first trimester but...

"Why do you want to enter that location? If it is to help Ka-ul... then think. Does he really need it?" Ah Yin spoke up.

Xie Xan looked at her and his expression eased.

"It's not about being of use in the end. I don't believe you two helped me just because I am 'usable.' So... I guess, I want to say that if there is a chance that he is enjoying himself or might even die, I want to be present there just to cheer for it..."

He cackled weirdly, "Sorry, but I cannot participate in the competition either. I want to enter Slaughter City. I want a domain for myself, and I want to begin training the Asura Sight Technique."

However, unlike Xie Xan's ease, the group grew a little gloomy.

"Fuck," Liu Erlong cursed.

"Enough," Bibi Dong frowned, "If you want to enter that location, I will ask Grandmaster's assistance. But this will leave us with a great void in our overall capabilities."

Leaning back on her seat, Bibi Dong sighed deeply.

Just when everything was going great for their team.

---

"Amazing, right? My mind, I mean. I created the blood clone and always kept it within the city away from Slaughter King's eyes."

Redstar and Ja Sun were surrounded by a crimson domain.

"I understand the situation for the most part. This is the only location where the Seraphim's strength weakens for some reason and you can defy your orders... and I get the situation regarding Qian Xunji, too. But you still haven't told me what he's trying to achieve now," Ja Sun inquired while sitting on the ground. He held a pendant in his hand that opened to reveal the image of a beautiful child. Seeing the image, Ja Sun couldn't help but smile.

"I don't know the Supreme Pontiff's goal myself," Redstar sighed, "But aren't you blessed with fortune. Ground Devil was a valuable member of my organization."

"If you have more of these individuals, send them in my direction in the future," Ja Sun continued, "Now, let's talk my compensation. You sent Dugu Bo saying that you wished to employ me. What services do you require and what would I get in return?"

It was the truth. Previously, only a small team would have been sent to go after Ning Fengzhi. A special spatial master would sacrifice a great deal to stop Bone Douluo for a few moments and then Ning Fengzhi would be used to gain a few things from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. However, Redstar sent Dugu Bo after knowing that Ja Sun was within the Gengxin City, too.

While Qian Xunji was stumped with answers for Bibi Dong's and her teammates' growth, Redstar already had an answer in his mind. It should be related to the garden the duo had looted from Dugu Bo.

"If you properly explain everything that I said to Bibi Dong, I will let you have Dugu Bo's garden. I've come to understand that location has a great affinity with Ah Yin with how she is raising various Blue Silver Grass in that area."

"You can't give me what is already mine," Ja Sun shook his head, "I can kill Dugu Bo and snatch it. That location is up for grabs based on power, not title. So, no deal. You aren't entitled to trade that location in the first place."

Ja Sun gazed at Dugu Bo standing behind him and smiled, "Isn't that right? You tried to poison me and I almost took your hand. Next, I'll remove your entire lower half."

The man only glared coldly at Ja Sun.

"Do you enjoy information? To relay the information I have just given you, I will reveal a location of great value to you. Of course, the 'value' can only be exploited when you're a Titled Douluo and by that, I don't mean your combat strength. That location... holds beasts stronger than Ground Devil and even my real body would be cautious."

"If there is such a location then I can ask master himself," Ja Sun shrugged.

"Oh, but he will never tell you that. After all, he has kept the specific location hidden from Qian Xunji himself. I'm the one who inadvertently let the Supreme Pontiff wary of this particular location.

"How would you know that?" Ja Sun inquired.

"According to the Supreme Pontiff, the Angel Douluo— your master— consider his promises a set of rules. The preceding promises are always given priority.

His promise to not let any Titled Douluo harm you or his other Disciple is the latest one and he does take it seriously. Before this, he promised Qian Xunji to give him free reigns in accomplishing his goals, which remain hidden even to me. In the event that the two promises clash, Qian Daoliu would give the preceding 'rule' his priority only when it doesn't directly disobey his future priorities.

For instance, Ground Devil attacking you was endured because he was a Beasttaken. Of course, this also allowed Qian Daoliu and I to realize that killing you was never Qian Xunji's main objective since he is unaware of the fact that Ground Devil was a Beasttaken and could actually kill you. If I have to speculate, Qian Xunji wished for Qian Daoliu to kill Ground Devil or hold him captive to use it as a negotiation piece against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

But this is only an example.

One of Qian Daoliu's earlier promises was to his father's grave. According to Xunji, Daoliu promised to never let anyone related to him know of this particular location.

Of course, after finding out this spot in the Star Dou Great Forest, Qian Xunji confronted his father and came to know that the inhabitants of this location were the cause of his grandfather's death.

You understand now, don't you? The value of a location filled with opponents that could kill a Rank 99 Spirit Master."

Ja Sun inquired, "How can I verify your information?"

With a pensive stare, Redstar remarked, "There probably isn't any way for you to verify it. You said yourself that you want to stay in this location so I can't smuggle you out against your will."

"How about a more substantial and tangible trade then?" Ja Sun smiled and compressed his voice.

Redstar's expression changed before he smiled widely.

"Leave us. And you will forget everything about your previous home. Help Tang Jinluo in gaining more control of the Clear Sky Clan from now on."

Redstar snapped his fingers and a bloody vortex opened behind Dugu Bo. Redstar's abilities allowed him to smuggle individuals inside the Slaughter City and his domain was a godsend due to its need and direct relationship with blood as a factor.

Dugu Bo entered a trance before nodding mechanically and he entered the vortex.

Ja Sun had observed everything and realized that Dugu Bo had lost his own will for a moment.

"It's a more complicated skill but every member of the Hint of Evil is a willing one. I would love to find a good place for you under my ranks," Redstar offered and Ja Sun shook his head with a smile.

"Alright then. You said you have a few things to trade. First, why don't I steal them from you?" Redstar inquired curiously and Ja Sun looked confused.

"Are you not settling your affairs?" He questioned, "Giving me this pendant, describing the past and always remaining inside the Slaughter City shows that you've always prepared for a possibility that your real body might not survive. At least, that's what your actions suggest at this point. According to you, Bibi Dong passed through this location and you didn't contact her directly. This means that even if the restriction on you is lowered, they haven't disappeared. And given that you are Qian Xunji's bitch in all but name, you want to create a few troubles before ultimately passing on as depicted by the fact that the 100000-year-old bone fell into my lap instead of his.

Besides, I already know why you brought me specifically," Ja Sun smiled and untied the black bandages that Daoliu had gifted him.

"You... and possibly Master already do know about my identity, right?" Ja Sun waved his right hand as Redstar frowned.

"Keep it hidden," the man scowled, "You, or her, for that matter do not know the importance of the Evil Attribute. Even Supreme Pontiff doesn't and maybe, just maybe, Daoliu does."

Ja Sun smiled and shrugged, "When did you find out?"

"During your battle against Ground Devil. When she used her second martial soul, the signature of the attribute from your body was too distinct to have been hidden."

"Why didn't Master make a move then?" Ja Sun questioned and Redstar shook his head, "Why don't you survive Slaughter City and ask him yourself?"

"Now, about our trade..." Redstar narrowed his eyes while Ja Sun smiled, entering the negotiation while setting objectives.

Outside the Slaughter City, connected to his Death Astral Combatant that controlled his clone chatting with the unsuspecting Redstar, Ja Sun began setting up the mission.

He wouldn't enter a location just out of whim and his Clone was entirely him. With the addition of the Death Astral Combatant, his clone had the same life energy signature, spirit signature, and mental signature. This time, Ja Sun hadn't lent his clone the Sigh of Immortal since the opponent was told to be a Titled Douluo, and a strong one to the boot.

Redstar had allowed him to finally link up the missing pieces. But he wasn't in a hurry at the moment. To the world, by now, he would be inside the Slaughter City. With his opponent inside being Redstar's clone, Ja Sun was sure that the real entity had reported back to Xunji about the situation as the clone had proclaimed.

The fact that his identity was hidden from Qian Xunji also made Ja Sun sure that Redstar never planned to go down and his lack of refusal on the matter revealed that for the most part, Redstar had accepted his fate. But after all these revelations, Ja Sun wasn't planning on simply staying put. The Slaughter City was a great place of fortune and he needed to reap the benefits but his abilities also allowed him to multitask.

The first thing he had to do was to try and complete the objective.

"Set Mission."

[Set Perimeters.]

"Scam Redstar Douluo."

[Objective: Successfully Scam Redstar Douluo.

Mission Rank: Based on the accomplished objective.

Mission Rewards: Based on Mission Rank.

Time Limit: 24 Hours]

Meanwhile, within the Slaughter City, Ja Sun began to vie for more benefits. Even if the clone is killed and the Death Astral Combatant is somehow damaged, Ja Sun by himself would remain safe and would only lose the set of bandages that Qian Daoliu had gifted him.

He could only hope that the benefits provided by the Immortal Herbs were great enough for the group because Ja Sun would be quite busy.

Redstar had a member in almost all the influential clans and because of that, his ability to mobilize his members was quite low. They were in important positions that would not allow them to make simple mistakes and Dugu Bo had relatively high freedom because he was new in the Clear Sky Clan and had the position of the Honorable Elder instead of the clan elder.

But this also proved that Redstar's knowledge of every Clan's situation was the highest in the continent which made him extremely useful. For a single 100000-year-old Spirit Bone, Ja Sun was learning about various things and treasures dispersed in the continent. He came to find out about the true lord of the Star Dou Great Forest who killed Daoliu's father and might possibly be the teacher Violet was talking about.

He understood the greater intricacies of herbs actually being discovered within the Attack Clan under the giant umbrella that is the Clear Sky Clan.

Not only that, Redstar had many things to speak about the two Imperial Clans of the Empires and a few of their secrets and treasures. Some of them were simply not useful to Ja Sun while others attracted his attention.

Meanwhile, this allowed him to understand the desire that a 100000-year-old spirit bone represented to Redstar. He was willing to trade an item for similar value and also point out the individuals who had such items. By now, it was clear to Ja Sun that Redstar was, in fact, doing him a favor discreetly.

The things Redstar began to 'offer' in the category of information already had a value equivalent to the 100000-year-old bone which was shocking in itself but this made Ja Sun question Redstar's objectives, too. Even a dying man is a selfish one. Why would he go to such great lengths to simply 'impart' everything he knew? At least, the more important things he knew.

***

Sorry for the late update. My schedule got messed up since I went to watch no way home.