C76 Confinement

Throughout my life, whenever I mentioned my foster father, Half Immortal Zhao, people would treat me with the utmost respect and politeness, often showering me with compliments. But the reaction I received from Boss Wu was startlingly different.

"Kid, do you really think your foster father is some kind of honorable man? Anyone in the Supernatural World knows that Half Immortal Zhao is a traitor to the Heaven Connecting Palace, expelled from his sect seventeen years ago," Boss Wu declared.

I was taken aback. I had never heard my foster father mention any of this, not even in his final moments before passing away. He had kept it all to himself.

Boss Wu, noticing my shock, scoffed and added, "Rumor has it that Half Immortal Zhao stole the Heaven Connecting Palace's sacred treasure and was stripped of his powers by his own master. That's why I'm convinced that the wooden box was pilfered by your dad!"

"This... This can't be true..." I struggled to accept his words. If they were indeed true, why would my foster father have sent me to the Heaven Dao Palace on Wuling Mountain with the Blood Jade? It would be like walking straight into a trap.

"Hmph, whether you believe it or not is irrelevant. You're not leaving here with your arm today!" Boss Wu commanded, gesturing for his henchman to proceed.

I fought back desperately, but Boss Wu ignored my pleas, instead pressing his henchman, "Get on with it, I need to get to the hospital quickly."

The muscular man pinned my head down, and a chill ran through me. It was futile to resist now. I gritted my teeth and shut my eyes tightly.

The man let out a bellow and swung his knife down. I could distinctly hear the whoosh of the blade and braced for the agony of it slicing into my arm.

I cried out, expecting pain, but the room fell silent, save for the sound of the knife clattering to the floor.

Something was off. I felt no pain. Opening my eyes, I saw the three onlookers staring at my arm, their faces a picture of astonishment.

Glancing down, I saw no blood, no severed limb. My arm was intact.

What had just happened?

I glanced at the machete lying on the ground, snapped in half, and felt a sense of clarity wash over me. I flipped my right hand over and, as expected, the black rune mark had reappeared in the center of my palm!

"You... Who exactly are you? Is your body made of iron or something? Could it be a spell from the Heaven Connecting Palace?" Boss Wu was visibly astonished, and perhaps a bit panicked. After all, I had just mentioned my father was from the Heaven Connecting Palace, and he might have assumed my foster father passed down some formidable spells to me.

But in reality, my foster father hadn't passed down any spells to me; he had only taught me a few Feng Shui taboos and how to make paper charms.

Worried they might go after my other arm, I put on a show of confidence and blustered, "Hmph, now you've seen just how formidable the spells of the Heaven Connecting Palace can be. You might have numbers and wealth with Lei's Brand, but when compared to the enigmatic Heaven Connecting Palace... Hehe..."

Boss Wu's complexion fluctuated between pale and flushed. It seemed my ruse had worked; he was cowed and no longer dared to lay a hand on me. Instead, he huffed dismissively, "Hmph, stop trying to intimidate me with the Heaven Connecting Palace. You've merely picked up a few odd spells from a renegade. Even if I don't personally deal with you, I have other means to handle you."

"I suggest you release me quickly. My dad has extensive connections, and experts from all over will come to my rescue!" I yelled. Boss Wu, however, just gave a cold laugh and, with his two henchmen, exited the room.

"Hey, where are you going?" I called out after them, but there was no reply—only the sound of the heavy iron door slamming shut.

Once again, I found myself in solitary confinement. I had braced myself for days without sunlight or food, but to my surprise, the iron door opened again that evening, and someone was pushed inside.

It was too dark to make out who it was, but I saw the figure stumble and fall to the ground. A voice from the doorway barked, "The two of you better stay put. Boss Wu will be here first thing in the morning!"

With those final words, the door shut, plunging the room into darkness. I couldn't see the newcomer's face, but as the door clanged shut, I recognized who it was...

In shock, I exclaimed, "How is it you?"