Immediately, the Red Mask Agent looked at Zhang Anle.
Adam Dale ran over, and Winona Wu raised a hand.
Adam Dale, just stand aside and watch. I'll need you to collect the old Taoist's corpse later. I can handle this myself.
Winona Wu stood up, the wound on her chest already healed. At this moment, Zachary Justice awoke as if from a long dream, came to his senses, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
So that's it. Not a trace of darkness. Interesting.
Winona Wu was completely embroiled in a bitter struggle, attacking relentlessly. Yet whether on the surface or deep within, it was useless against Zachary Justice. The golden radiance on his body was like armor, impenetrable.
A few hundred meters away, the Red Mask Agent and the painted-face Taoist stood together, and beside them was another person—Zhang Anle.
Your master is truly formidable, to force Lady Winona Wu to go all out.
Zhang Anle replied expressionlessly.
With a whoosh, Winona Wu's short blade slashed over. This time, Zachary Justice saw it coming and directly blocked her sword with his Radiant Starblade. Then, stepping forward, his whole body erupted in golden light. At the corner of his eye, he saw his disciple Zhang Anle rushing over, clutching something.
Immediately, the red-faced man looked at Zhang Anle.
"It seems you know how to break it?"
Zhang Anle nodded and began to explain the method to break it in detail to the two men.
"From now on, we're on the same side, little Taoist. Rest assured, the Immortality Society will never treat you unfairly. And what you're searching for—you'll find it with us."
Zhang Anle nodded.
Wu was completely embroiled in a bitter struggle, attacking relentlessly. Yet whether on the surface or deep within, it was useless against Zachary Justice. The golden radiance on his body was like armor, impenetrable.
"Taoist, you're about to collapse, aren't you?"
Zachary Justice laughed, breathing heavily.
"If you haven't fallen, how could I collapse?"
With a whoosh, Wu's short blade slashed over. This time, Zachary Justice saw it coming and directly blocked Wu's sword with his Radiant Starblade. Then, stepping forward, his whole body erupted in golden light. At the corner of his eye, he saw his disciple Zhang Anle rushing over, clutching something.
"Anle, what are you doing?"
Zachary Justice feigned surprise. With a splatter, a basin of fresh blood was thrown, drenching Zachary Justice and instantly dispelling the golden radiance from his body.
With a hiss, Wu's short blade pierced Zachary Justice's heart. He pressed a hand on Zhang Anle's shoulder, smiled and nodded, then suddenly turned his head, glaring angrily at Wu.
"What did you do..."
Wu's eyes widened. She released the short sword and clutched her chest. A golden, translucent figure emerged from Zachary Justice—it was his primordial spirit.
"Those with an evil heart cannot escape it."
With a slap, Zachary Justice struck Zhang Anle's chest. Blood spurted from his mouth as he flew backward, crashing to the ground. But Zhang Anle's eyes were full of sorrow—his heart felt as if pierced by knives, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
In an instant, golden light swept across, slicing through Wu's body. She screamed, eyes wide, and collapsed limply. Ada caught Wu at once, then gripped Zachary Justice's head, twisting it off with a crunch.
Everyone was stunned by the brutality of the moment—except Zhang Anle, who had long known the outcome. But it came too quickly. A flash of red: Zachary Justice retrieved a red ghost thread, and a tear slid from his eye.
"Master, I'm hungry."
"Alright, I know, we're almost there. You'll have food soon. Don't worry, you won't starve."
From childhood to adulthood, Zhang Anle had grown up staring at his master's back. Though he disliked his master's strict nature—and his equally stern senior brother—at this moment, the journey of the three master and disciples flashed through Zhang Anle's mind.
"It's over, Master. Our journey. From now on, I'll walk my own path."
The wind howled, rain poured down. Elder Peach ran desperately through the storm, heading for one destination—Jiangnan. Three days and nights without rest, barely eating or drinking, he had just received word of Master Zhiqing's death. The entire Taoist community was shaken.
"Why is it that good people never meet a good end? Why does evil triumph over righteousness in this world? Oh, Heaven..."
Overcome with grief and anger, Elder Peach knelt on the ground, pounding the earth in madness. Once again, he faced such tragedy. The only reason he could endure was Zachary Justice's ten years of guidance and support.
"John Chou..."
Meanwhile, in a town outside Jiangnan, Master Zachary Wu sobbed, clutching John Chou's collar, pulling helplessly, while the other Ghost Sovereigns watched silently.
"You evil ghosts—if you have the power, why don't you go kill them? Why don't you go..."
John Chou stared coldly into the distance. Lord Shenyan walked over, pulled Master Zachary Wu aside, and raised his sword.
"Ah, we will remember this kindness. We'll take care of those people ourselves."
Gradually, Master Zachary Wu stood up, turning his head weakly.
"Although Master always said you evil ghosts aren't truly evil, black is black, white is white. Humans are humans, ghosts are ghosts..."
In the pouring rain, Master Zachary Wu looked up, his face a mix of tears and laughter, slowly walking away through the mud.
"Now all we need to do is wait quietly. Be ready—the agreement with the Underworld has worked."
The red-haired man chuckled and brushed back his hair.
"He's truly a persistent Taoist. I can't help but admire him a little."
Lord Shenyan shook his head.
"Integrity of the heart—no matter the era or the world, it should always be praised."
John Chou stared quietly at the brilliant Starshard Radiance in his palm, smiling as he spoke.
"Old friend, you truly want this integrity to be passed on, don't you? I understand. Someday, I'll place your Dao heart in the hands of the right person. Rest easy!"
Thunder roared. At that moment, Elder Peach's eyes widened as he stared at the golden, radiant primordial spirit of Zachary Justice before him.
"Master Zhiqing, who are you, really—who..."
"To keep it short, did you remember the method I taught you? Seal me within this talisman. Someday, when someone worthy of inheriting the Starshard Radiance appears, give this talisman to them."
Elder Peach nodded slightly.
Years later, on a desolate mountain peak, a silver-haired Taoist sat quietly with eyes closed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and gazed into the distance.
With a whoosh, seven beams of colored light fell upon the mountaintop.
"Behind this place lies the Immortality Society's lair. John Chou, I've fulfilled the promise I made to Master all those years ago. Now it's your turn."
Before him, Zhang Anle had already become an old man. In his eyes was a hint of emotion as John Chou smiled and looked up.
"I didn't expect so much time to pass. But in the end, it was all worth it."