Chapter 112: The Subterranean World

"How did you know I was not Chu Yun? I have only been in contact with you for a very short time; how could you see through me so quickly?"

Following the icy man's definitive words, although Tianming was puzzled as to how he had discerned the truth, he knew his identity could no longer be hidden. He simply stopped pretending and frankly admitted his false identity.

"Intuition, and careful observation." The icy man replied naturally.

"Damn, that's impressive! Brother Kuang Zhen, had you figured it out all along?" Yi Sha walked over and asked.

It was not just Yi Sha; Xin Yixue and the others also looked at Kuang Zhen with great curiosity. They could hardly believe that while this person had been standing right in front of them, they had failed to realize Chu Yun was an impostor. It was truly a series of strange occurrences.

"That is correct." The icy man nodded and fixed his gaze on Tianming once more. "Actually, I had been wondering for a long time: how could a young master of the Chu family, known to have no talent for cultivation, reach the strength of the Void Spirit Realm in such a short period?"

"When you were able to identify everyone here one by one, and your speech and demeanor completely lacked the arrogance expected of a Chu family young master, I became certain that you were definitely not Chu Yun." Looking directly at the youth in the fine silk robes, Kuang Zhen’s calm eyes revealed a sharp edge.

"Clever, very clever. Then, please take another guess: am I an enemy or a friend? And since I am posing as Chu Yun, what is my true identity? Also, where has the original Chu family young master gone?" Tianming praised him with a nod and asked with a smile.

"That is exactly what I am most curious about. Judging by your aura and appearance, you and the Chu family young master seem to be carved from the same mold; I cannot find a single flaw. As for whether you are an enemy or a friend, based on your previous actions and conduct, you should not be an enemy." Kuang Zhen shook his head, musing to himself as he scrutinized Tianming.

"Being able to guess that much is already quite good. As for my identity, you will naturally come to know it in the future; it is not convenient for me to say more. You only need to know that I am doing something highly beneficial for this continent and all living beings." Tianming turned around, his back to Kuang Zhen and the others, and spoke in a low voice.

"You are quite noble, sir. But what about her?" Xin Yixue, who had been listening quietly, furrowed her delicate brows and pointed to the young girl in green robes lying nearby, her face showing a hint of confusion.

"Her? You can rest assured. She is merely a personal maid of Chu Yun; she does not know my true identity. Furthermore, you can examine the jade pendant she is wearing; I believe you will be able to recognize it!" Tianming shook his head with a smile and pointed toward the object on the girl's neck.

"Hmm?"

Hearing Tianming’s words, Yi Sha, Le Shi, and the two women, Xin Yixue and the others, all cast their eyes toward the girl's neck. Aside from Kuang Zhen, who looked away with a sense of awkwardness, the others were all visibly astonished.

"Is that really a treasure? Why can't I tell?" Le Shi stared for a long time but found nothing. He scratched his head and looked at Yi Sha and the others with a dull, frustrated expression.

"Indeed, isn't this just an ordinary jade pendant? Don't tell me you're trying to trick us, kid!" Yi Sha also looked up, hands on his hips, and shouted at Tianming with a feigned look of anger.

"Wait!"

"This is... the Hongling Heart-Cleansing Jade? A legendary supreme treasure of the Hongling! I never expected to see it worn by a young girl today! May I ask, sir, do you know where this pendant came from? Would I have the honor of knowing?"

At that moment, Xin Yixue suddenly stepped forward, shock flickering in her gray-blue eyes, and she bowed deeply to Tianming.

"Ah!"

Yi Sha and the others, who had been struggling to figure it out, stared at Xin Yixue in disbelief. They never expected her to display such submissive behavior before this strange youth; it was not at all like her usual style.

"Sister Xue, there is no need for that. In truth, I do not know where this pendant came from either. I only hope you can keep the secret of this pendant! It is because of this piece that this girl has not had her soul corrupted by the Black Demon Clan!" Tianming spread his hands with a smile and said earnestly to the group.

"Hahaha... that goes without saying. Don't worry, little brother; we aren't the type to gossip." Le Shi patted his chest and responded heartily. Shortly after Le Shi spoke, Xin Yixue and the others nodded in agreement.

"That's good. By the way, we've been talking for so long, but I still don't know why you brought me here? And what is this place?" Tianming nodded at Le Shi, then looked around, asking curiously.

"I will answer that question. As you said just now, this young girl was spared thanks to the jade pendant. However, on this continent, many others who cannot resist are being corrupted by the evil arts of the Black Demon Clan, and our duty is to secretly bring them here and purge the evil elements from them." Before Xin Yixue could answer, Kuang Zhen stepped in to explain.

"So, that scene earlier was something you orchestrated?" Recalling the situation, Tianming suddenly realized.

"Correct. If someone was willing to offer me a helping hand back then, it meant their conscience had not been entirely extinguished. For us, that significantly increased the chances of a successful rescue and avoided unnecessary risks." Kuang Zhen smiled faintly, his expression calm as he watched Tianming.

"I see! But where do those who are successfully saved go? You surely wouldn't just send them back out into this continent or expose your own tracks, would you?" Tianming nodded to himself, looked up at Kuang Zhen, and asked.

*Cough, cough.*

"Of course not. Those people are currently living in the underground world beneath our feet. To be honest, I envy them quite a bit—being able to live a carefree life, detached from the secular world." Yi Sha sighed, shook his head, and pointed to the ground beneath them, a trace of sorrow in his eyes before he smiled.

"That sounds quite like an underground resistance! But... it is pitch black down there without the light of the sun or moon, and there are no changing seasons. I wonder how you manage to let these people live normally?" Tianming rested his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment, and looked at Kuang Zhen with curiosity.

"That is a matter of confidentiality. Forgive us, but we cannot answer that question!" Seeing Tianming look at him, Kuang Zhen refused decisively. Xin Yixue and the others also nodded in agreement with his stance.