"Bastard."
I cursed immediately, the memory and the voice overlapping in my mind. It was indeed that bastard Huang Mingfa, the fake Taoist, the true culprit behind Cao Wanzhi's tragic fate.
"Don't say that, Ethan Zhang. Times have changed, haven't they? What's past is past, right? There's no such thing as eternal friends or eternal enemies, don't you agree? That's just how it is."
"Bullshit."
I spat out the words, glaring fiercely at Huang Mingfa. He just chuckled.
"Let me tell you something while I still can. Whatever they implanted in me has already severed its connection to my mind. Curious, aren't you? It's about the Immortality Society."
I stared wide-eyed at Huang Mingfa, my eyes darting rapidly as I tried to process his words.
"That guy, once he's asleep, he'll be out for hours. For now, it's safe."
I glanced around. Why was Huang Mingfa the only one still conscious? It made no sense to me—especially since even the Blue-Faced Man, who was stronger, couldn't move.
"I've been screwed over by this bunch, you know that. I'm not ambitious—I just want a comfortable life with a bit of money. What happened with Old Cao, well, I was forced into it. Four words, Ethan Zhang: let bygones be bygones. If we make it out, I'll get down and beg your forgiveness. I'll even beg Old Cao for forgiveness."
I ignored Henry Huang's rambling. No matter how this guy changes, he's rotten to the core—a moldy fruit, a wretch. There's nothing worth saying to him.
"Speak. What do you know?"
I thought carefully before asking, but this guy only just became a Red Mask Agent—I doubt he knows much.
"Well, I'll tell you then, Ethan Zhang. They gave us some bullshit assignment, said we had to go down to Hell. I didn't even want to come, but look at us now—total annihilation."
"Cut the crap. Why are you still able to move and talk?"
I asked, and Henry Huang just laughed.
"When I was about to be frozen, I deliberately puffed up my body a bit. The guy didn't notice. Just as I was about to be locked in, I shrank back to normal, so I ended up with some room to move. It's uncomfortable, though—can't breathe, suffered for days before I got used to it. As for my consciousness, right before I was frozen, I let the Deathbane Ghost out to relay intel. He got frozen in my place."
I was honestly surprised. Such a little trick actually worked—and it let him survive.
"I don't know the details, but they're after that Jade Medallion."
"You don't need to say the obvious."
I said coldly. Henry Huang just laughed.
"Ethan Zhang, you want to know how the Immortality Society is structured, right? I can tell you."
Henry Huang's words immediately piqued my interest, but seeing the cunning flash in his eyes, I kept my composure and stared at him.
"Go ahead."
"I can talk, but I'm taking a huge risk here. Naturally, I need something of equal value in return."
"Let you out?"
Henry Huang burst out laughing.
"Of course I want out. I don't want to spend my whole life in a place like this. I want to leave the Immortality Society—I need a sanctuary."
I looked at Henry Huang in surprise.
"Don't look at me like that, Ethan Zhang. A weakling like me surviving this long—I’ve been through hell. I’m done with these lunatics, it’s like a cult. I’m not interested in any of it. From now on, I just want to live in peace, no more risks."
"Tell me everything you know."
I ordered, and Henry Huang immediately fell silent. His eyes stopped moving, and he didn't dare make a sound.
"Didn't sleep well today. So, have you decided, kid? Will you let me out or not? If you don't, I'll make sure you spend centuries inside that pillar. By then, you'll want to talk."
"You froze me. Even if ten thousand years pass, to me, it'll feel like the blink of an eye."
As I spoke, I suddenly pulled the Blood Jade closer. The ice block floated up, the pale blue glow on the Blood Jade flickering as if it were pondering something.
"That is a real problem, but it doesn't matter. I can freeze only your limbs, not your mind. In that case, it won't be a blink of an eye—it'll be endless suffering."
"Why are you so sure I can let you out?"
I muttered, and the Blood Jade let out a hoarse laugh.
"Someone told me. He said a kid would be coming soon, and he'd be able to let me out."
My heart jolted—I looked around. Maybe Henry Huang knew something, since he was still conscious.