[A.B.P.P.E.] Bk 2 - Chapter 68 - Righteous Bloc Finally

Yin Hu forced the group to increase their pace until they finally broke through the final stretches of the Bleak Forests and into a new world entirely. They stepped out of the thick foliage into a clearing that was identical to the one they had passed when entering from the Demonic Bloc’s side. Ten meters wide and stretched over the entire border until it dipped past the horizon.

The ambience of the air, trees, plants, and everything else made the difference crystal clear to anyone that was looking. Everything felt less vibrant and darker. 

Yin Hu stepped forward with Zhong Da by his side. 

Jun and the rest had come to a final decision about their plan moving forward. One that fit perfectly with what he had wanted out of it. 

First and foremost, they were wandering cultivators and merchants, common within the Neutral Bloc turned Righteous Bloc based on Zhong Da’s suggestion. Yet, the twist came with who would act as the party leader. Yin Hu would take a back seat and allow another member to meet and deal with all of the bootlicking, ‘Yes Men’, and cultivators they met along the way. 

He had considered making Jun do it, but decided to let the team pick. 

It had been made very clear that she was still too new and raw of a leadership prospect. They would need time to build up not only her confidence, but also power level to match who she would be leading in the future. There were hidden requisite strengths that every leader needed. Something his ancient being persona seemed to take care of unintentionally. It also helped that his rice bag had miraculous items that could make him look much stronger and more capable than he might have been. 

Upgrading Zhong Da’s and Wui Xui’s Spiritual Roots and physical body an entire realm above what they had been was an unintended effect of the healing potion he had them drink last time. Both of which were nigh impossible if Rong was to be believed. 

Zhong Da stepped forward and surveyed the area, stepping into the role of pseudo-patriarch as though he had vast experience in the field, but Yin Hu could see the hesitation in his decisions. Almost as though he was trying to learn something new that he was very uncomfortable with. Maybe it was the style of leadership? The situation with having an Ancient Being as the true patriarch and you representing him?

The decision had been between him and his wife. 

Da Ruis was a ghost and could not be acting patriarch due to obvious reasons and Wu Xui was weaker and very submissive toward Zhong Da even unintentionally. She was the perfect wife and he was the perfect husband to her. 

The love birds couldn’t have been separated with a chainsaw.

Zhong Da gave Yin Hu a surreptitious glance asking for permission to start. Yin Hu nodded back at him. They had no clue who may or may not be watching ever since they got close enough to be sensed from the Bleak Forests.

“Where’s the closest city?” Da Ruis floated next to Yin Hu. 

Zhong Da pointed to the far left. Clearly familiar with the place more than he let on. “We best go the other way,” he said, only proving Yin Hu’s suspicion. “The war front is not a place for peace and tranquility. The exact opposite. Best we head toward the next closest city in the other direction.”

“You’re very familiar with this area,” Yin Hu asked as they all began to move in the direction Zhong Da had pointed. 

The one armed man nodded with a sad expression. “Yeah. Old Zhong territory a long time ago.”

“Weren’t your kith and kin the very frontlines against Zi Zhen and the Demonic Bloc?” Rong said, the plan had been to separate at the first road to throw off anyone that may be watching them. 

Zhong Da nodded. “Yes, though I never participated back then. Our base was much deeper into Righteous Territory within the highest mountains. Impossible to siege and even more impossible to conquer. Not even Zi Zhen had ever made the attempt lest he wanted to crush the base of his hegemony and power. He would need to sacrifice his entire Dark Palace Gate if he so wished to destroy us.”

Zi Zhen? Dark Palace Gate? These names sound so familiar.

“I fought with one of your ancestors during the First Calamity’s war,” Rong said. “Zhong Yun. A mighty warrior with a cultivation so pure it shone brightly even upon the battlefield. Sadly only he survived from his family and clan back then. It is good to know that you weren't just a random man with the Zhong surname, but a true member of his revitalization of the Zhong Clan.”

Zhong Da turned bright red and stumbled as he kept his head down. Wu Xui had patted his back for him to regain his color. “Not anymore. Things happened. Life changes when the world goes to catastrophe.”

Rong, Da Ruis, and the rest of the party all give Yin Hu the side eye, though he never noticed. 

“It must not have been easy, but you don’t need to worry about any of that now. You’re part of my Hu Clan. Today and forever from now too.” Yin Hu said from a few steps behind him. 

“Thank you, Patriarch. Your magnanimity knows no bounds.” 

It took about an hour before the group felt comfortable to bring up anything at all after the way Zhong Da reacted to being reminded of his original clan. Mostly Jun and Shui discussing about the differences they noticed between the Bleak Forests and the one they were currently in.

Wait a minute!

“Zi Zhen,” Yin Hu said out loud, remembering the name. 

Zhong Da, Wu Xui, and even Rong paused to stare at Yin Hu suddenly blurting out the name.

“He’s the patriarch of the Black Door something sect? I met one of his elders along the way before meeting most of you guys.” Yin Hu tapped his chin for a few seconds. “Ah! I remember the old fart’s name! Cai Xuefang! Jun beat up his disciple and sent them packing!”

Jun preened at the praise and the cheering from Shui, the dragon hatchlings, and even the Warg that knew better than to not follow its mistresses directives when given a stern look. 

The other three paled.

“I tell you. Worst tea brewer and treat maker I’ve ever met. Absolutely disgusting,” Yin Hu sneered as he remembered the mud and sludge he had put in his mouth. Just the thought of having any of those terrible, but amazing looking treats made a shiver run down his back. “He mentioned this Zi Zhen guy. Talked him up to be some big bad monster. Sad to see such posers acting like they are anything special. Duping an entire faction too? Isn’t that what you said Rong? Leading the Demonic Bloc? 

Ha! Can’t believe they let someone like them fool everyone, no wonder they haven’t won anything even though the Righteous Bloc has been hiding for so long. Why’d they hide anyway? Seems strange just to pack their bags and vanish like that…”

Rong’s and Zhong Da’s gaze met for a brief instance, beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads.