Chapter 110: Do You Wish to Die?

The Black Demon Sect specializes in poisons and hidden weapons. This black mist appeared ordinary but was laced with deadly venom. Coupled with the news of the tomb, Jun Zhantian instantly deduced the enemy’s origin.

"Heh heh, never thought a mere city lord would have such insight," came the eerie laughter, shifting from near to far, echoing from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint its source—an incredibly vexing tactic.

“Chief, flee quickly!” urged an elder, shielding Jun Zhantian and urging him to escape. As long as Jun Zhantian lived, the Jun family would not fall. But if he died, the Jun family would be utterly destroyed.

"Trying to run? None of you will escape before me!" The sinister laughter remained unhurried, as if controlling everything.

At that moment, the black mist surged, flooding in from all sides, encircling the entire courtyard. One by one, the Jun family guards were poisoned by the mist, collapsing and succumbing to the venom in moments, their lives extinguished. This black fog was terrifying, utterly unstoppable.

Jun Zhantian could only watch helplessly as his guards perished from poison.

“Stop! If you have a grievance, take it out on me—do not harm my people!” Jun Zhantian shouted urgently. He refused to witness the annihilation of his entire clan.

"Some spirit you have!" The strange laughter rang out again.

From within the black mist emerged a shadow. It gradually became clear, revealing a young man dressed entirely in black. He wore a black trench coat and a hat, his facial features twisted and crowded together like a grimacing cat. His smile was especially chilling.

This youth was not only a disciple of the Black Demon Sect but also a formidable powerhouse at the ninth level of the Celestial Realm. It was precisely because of his strength that he dared to appear openly. The Black Demon Sect excelled in covert assassinations using poison and hidden weapons; direct combat was their weakness.

Yet this youth’s power far exceeded Jun Zhantian’s, giving him absolute confidence even in a straightforward fight.

“Who are you?” Jun Zhantian faced him squarely, showing no trace of fear. He knew he was no match, but if he were to die, he would do so standing.

“My name is Nightowl. Remember it well, for it will become your nightmare!”

Nightowl grinned creepily, ignoring everyone but fixing his gaze on Jun Zhantian.

“I’m here for one thing only.”

“What do you know about that tomb?”

“Don’t try to lie to me, or I’ll make you understand what true misery means!”

Nightowl was a disciple of the Black Demon Sect and part of the team set to explore the tomb. However, with Jiangning City surrounded by the Great Qian Dynasty’s army, they could not enter before the appointed day. Seeking early intelligence, Nightowl targeted Jun Zhantian.

Before arriving, he had investigated. The Jun family had lived in Jiangning City for generations, and Jun Zhantian was the city lord. Perhaps he held some secret knowledge.

With the tomb adventure imminent, the more they knew, the greater the advantage.

“I don’t know much about the tomb. I’m afraid I can’t offer you anything useful,” Jun Zhantian said gravely. He had guessed Nightowl’s purpose but truly knew little. Without the emperor’s decree, he hadn’t even known of the tomb beneath Jiangning City. Now, he was completely in the dark about its contents.

“Looks like you’d rather drink the bitter wine than the sweet!” Nightowl sneered, clearly refusing to believe him.

“As far as I know, your son Jun Wushuang was once crippled, his royal body destroyed, becoming a useless cripple.”

“But somehow he recovered mysteriously and rose again, even stronger than before.”

“Jiangning City is but a remote town with sparse spiritual energy and no opportunities. How could your son possibly have risen again?”

“I suspect he entered the tomb and gained some significant boon.”

Nightowl was no fool. He had not only investigated the Jun family but had focused particularly on Jun Wushuang—a crippled man who had risen to prominence against all odds.

No one would believe such a turnaround without some extraordinary encounter.

And the only extraordinary encounter in Jiangning City was the tomb of the Netherworld Poison Emperor.

Thus, Nightowl was certain Jun Wushuang had obtained some fortune from within the tomb, explaining his resurgence.

As Jun Wushuang’s father, Jun Zhantian must know something. That was the real reason Nightowl came for him.

Hearing Nightowl’s words, Jun Zhantian’s heart skipped a beat. To be honest, he had his suspicions about his son’s revival but never dared to ask since Jun Wushuang never spoke of it.

Now, hearing it out loud, he thought perhaps his son truly had gained something from the tomb. But Jun Wushuang was his flesh and blood; he would never betray him.

“My son gained no such boon. He was Jiangning City’s top genius all along. After the setback, he rebuilt himself. His resurgence is nothing extraordinary.”

“As for that tomb, I truly don’t know anything,” Jun Zhantian insisted firmly, unwilling to let Nightowl trouble Jun Wushuang.

“Seems I’ve been too kind, making you think I’m easy to fool!” Nightowl’s grin grew even more sinister.

With a swift gesture, black mist surged forth, enveloping a Jun family elder.

In the next moment, the elder clutched his throat, eyes bulging in agony, and collapsed. Moments later, this elder, a master of the Myriad Phenomena Realm, lay cold and lifeless.

“Jun Zhantian, my patience is limited. You have only two choices.”

Nightowl stared coldly at Jun Zhantian, his words chilling to the bone.

“First, you can tell me everything you know honestly, and I might show mercy and spare your life.”

“Second, I will kill every one of your family members one by one, then kill you, and finally hunt down Jun Wushuang so that you two can reunite in the afterlife.”

Jun Zhantian’s face darkened. Neither choice was acceptable.

“Ah!” A scream rang out as another elder was poisoned to death by the black mist.

“If you want to fight, come at me!” Jun Zhantian’s eyes blazed red as he stood defiantly before Nightowl.

“You really don’t learn until you see the coffin. Fine, I’ll let you taste the venom that devours the heart!” Nightowl sneered, raising his right hand, blackened and dripping with lethal poison.

With a swipe of his clawed hand, he aimed to plunge Jun Zhantian into agonizing torment.

Suddenly—

A figure shot in from outside, moving faster than lightning, appearing before Nightowl.

Smack!

A slap landed, sending Nightowl flying backward.

“Touch my father, and you’ll wish you were dead,” a fierce voice growled.