I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Douluo: Martial Soul Heavenly Flame, Flame Emperor'
----------------------
Soon after altering his consciousness and interrogating him, Chu Chengzhou spared She Long.
It made sense—even today, sixteen years later, this fellow was still a weakling. Sixteen years ago, She Long's strength must have been even weaker, undoubtedly the weakest of the weak.
Setting aside whether he could have defeated the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect elder who was assassinated alongside Ning Rongrong's mother, the mere fact that the killer left no traces after the assassination was something She Long—this weakling—could never have accomplished.
Moreover, calculating by timeline—when his second mother-in-law was assassinated, She Long was already one of Qian Renxue's bodyguards. The Spirit Hall was rich in talent—they wouldn't have made She Long work as both bodyguard and assassin simultaneously.
Afterward, Chu Chengzhou restrained his power and delivered a spiritual shock to She Long, knocking him unconscious. This prevented the man from disturbing his hunt for the assassin tonight once his consciousness recovered.
As for after tonight?
Once he found the killer tonight, he'd simply leave. He wouldn't care about the aftermath!
'Hmm~ eyes off the goods... Wait, Elder Ling Yuan's figure isn't bad! Her... treasures seem no smaller than Zhu Zhuqing's…'
Through his spiritual perception, Chu Chengzhou glimpsed Spirit Kite Douluo Ling Yuan meditating in her bedroom wearing only inner garments. He instinctively covered his eyes.
Fortunately, Ling Yuan wasn't his type—otherwise, he'd have seriously considered "weighing her down."
You say covering eyes doesn't block spiritual perception?
Chu Chengzhou: All interpretation rights are reserved by me!
Half an hour later, after individually interrogating and knocking out over a dozen Titled Elders through Void Illusion Realm, Chu Chengzhou still hadn't found the killer. A trace of helplessness flashed through his heart.
Could it be that the assassin wasn't in Spirit City tonight—out on a mission?
'Speak! Who are you? Sixteen years ago, when the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect Sect Master's wife was assassinated—was it your doing?'
Void Illusion Realm activated again. Chu Chengzhou controlled a slender Level 94 Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall—currently meditating—and questioned him as usual.
'Great Almighty God, your devout follower's name is Xue Sha (Blood Kill). Martial soul: Blood Shadow Dagger. Title: Blood Shadow. I am the Spirit Hall's Eleventh Elder. Sect Master Ning Fengzhi's wife—I assassinated her sixteen years ago by the former Pope's order.'
Blood Shadow Douluo Xue Sha replied with devout sincerity.
'Damn it—finally found you! Go wait for me outside the North Gate!'
Cursing inwardly, Chu Chengzhou transmitted his order.
'Yes, Great Almighty God!'
Bloodkill didn't know why Chu Chengzhou ordered him to the North City Gate—but since it was the Almighty God's command, his duty as a devout follower was simple obedience.
Immediately, Bloodkill left his residence and headed for the North Gate of Spirit City.
Meanwhile, Chu Chengzhou transmitted orders to the Palace Guard Knights outside the Pope's Palace and Hall of Offerings. After asking them to relay his message, he too left the city.
As a junior, leaving without notice was impolite.
But avenging his second mother-in-law undoubtedly harmed the Spirit Hall's interests. To avoid disturbing the elders' nighttime rest, it was better to have the message delivered tomorrow.
---
The next morning, in his bedroom:
She Long opened his slightly hazy eyes.
"No good!"
Rubbing his aching head and regaining clarity, he recalled what happened before his blackout last night. His face paled drastically.
Chu Chengzhou had asked if he killed Ning Fengzhi's wife?
Immediately, She Long left his residence and hurried toward the Hall of Offerings.
Though Chu Chengzhou was just a young man, She Long knew this youth struck ruthlessly—he'd crippled the mighty Star Luo Empire.
Ning Fengzhi's wife had been assassinated years ago, the killer was never found. She Long knew this well.
After all, due to Qian Renxue, he'd collected plenty of intelligence on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
If Chu Chengzhou somehow concluded he was the killer—if that youth came knocking one day—he might not get a chance to clear the misunderstanding. Better to find a powerful protector first—one who'd grant him the opportunity to explain!
---
Outside the Hall of Offerings
"Respect to the Elder!"
"Report to the Grand Worship—She Long requests an audience."
Waving his hand, She Long instructed the Palace Guard Knights stationed outside.
"The Grand Worship has instructed—all elders arriving today may enter directly."
The guards exchanged glances. Their captain stepped forward to reply.
'What's going on? Why are these elusive elders—all showing up to see the Grand Worship this morning?'
"Have other elders arrived before me?"
After a pause, She Long asked.
'Could it be... I wasn't the only one knocked out last night?'
"Reporting to Elder—before you, nine elders have already arrived."
The captain replied.
She Long: "..."
---
Inside the hall
When She Long entered, he found nine colleagues already standing within.
Watching She Long slip in unnoticed, Qian Daoliu's lips twitched slightly. Good heavens—ten elders have been knocked out... no, fourteen! He wondered if more would come.
Probably not. She Long was the weakest—likely the last to wake after being ambushed.
The count was fourteen, not ten, because four others had gone to the Pope's Palace.
It had to be said—after years in power, Bibi Dong's influence within the Spirit Hall was significant. At least four Titled Elders had aligned with her.
"Respect to the Grand Worship!"
She Long bowed to Qian Daoliu.
"Hmm. Wait here—I've already sent someone to investigate."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand.
Soon after, a crimson-robed bishop entered the hall.
"Reporting to Grand Worship! After reviewing the archives, I've uncovered the truth."
"Seventeen years ago, the former Pope signed an assassination order. This operation was completed sixteen years ago by the Eleventh Elder—Blood Shadow Douluo."
As the report concluded, Qian Daoliu extended his spiritual power to scan the entire Spirit City.
A moment later—finding no trace of the Eleventh Elder Blood Shadow—Qian Daoliu felt a vein throb on his forehead.
Good heavens—Spirit Hall Elders are being kidnapped within Spirit City?!
"Enough. This matter ends here. Never speak of it again—as if it never happened."
After a moment's thought, Qian Daoliu addressed the assembly.
He felt helpless. The kidnapper was his own grandson-in-law. Ultimately, it was a Spirit Hall elder who'd assassinated the man's mother-in-law first. As an elder, he couldn't—shouldn't—pursue the matter.
After all, when weighing loyalties—a disposable subordinate could never compare to a grandson-in-law.
"Yes, Grand Worship!"
The assembly rose in response.
None dared—or would—resent Qian Daoliu's handling of the matter. That Chu Chengzhou could silently ambush them all proved his strength far exceeded theirs.
Such power in one so young—who'd dare offend him? They'd rather hide from him!
Their urgent visit to Qian Daoliu was merely for peace of mind—and to clear the potentially deadly misunderstanding: "Are you the one who killed my so-and-so?"
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)