Chapter Fifty-Nine: Identity

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The final day of the new book's release period—please add it to your collection!

In the great hall of the Gan family, Wu Luohua finally began to reveal the truth bit by bit. When he uttered the name Gan Sen, countless people were left utterly speechless, unable even to close their gaping mouths.

Gan Ying could no longer contain the fury burning within him. With a flick of his wrist, his treasured sword shot forth a stream of spiritual energy that followed the blade as he lunged at Wu Luohua. Yet Wu Luohua stood perfectly still, unmoving. Just as the sword seemed about to pierce his chest, a sudden surge of spiritual force struck. Gan Ying felt an overwhelming pressure, and with a crash, both he and his sword were blasted several meters backward, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Jun Bulang's expression shifted; he muttered a spiritual incantation, transforming into a streak of crimson light that shot straight for Wu Luohua. Suddenly, from behind Wu Luohua, a streak of blue light also burst forth. The two surges of spiritual energy collided fiercely in midair, and a thunderous explosion echoed through the hall, causing the villagers to cry out to the heavens. Jun Bulang's face was ashen. "I never imagined there would be such masters hidden here." He looked up to see the young man standing behind Wu Luohua, as gentle as a spring breeze, as elusive as a dream.

The young man smiled faintly. "For a man of your renown, one of the Eleven Prodigies of Fallen Leaves, you shouldn't lose your composure so easily. My brother here hasn't even finished his story."

Jun Bulang gazed coldly at him, shaking out his sleeves. "May I ask your honorable name?"

Unconsciously, the young man touched the scar at the corner of his left eyebrow. "I am Mo Bai."

Jun Bulang was momentarily stunned. Clearly, he had never heard of such a figure on the Linglong Continent, but that display of power had more than proven his strength. "Very well, for the sake of Hero Mo, I'll listen to what else the Wu family's boy has to say. Let us see what other shocking revelations you have." With that, he produced a porcelain vial from his robes and took out a pill, instructing a servant to give it to Gan Ying. Seeing Gan Ying's complexion improve somewhat, Jun Bulang returned to the seat of honor among the guests.

Wu Luohua gave Mo Bai a grateful smile. "There is no need for alarm, everyone. I said Gan Sen was a demon, and I have evidence. But it all began with the loss of my jade pendant. That day, several of us arrived at Gan Fortress, intending only to stop briefly before continuing on our way elsewhere. Unexpectedly, we became entangled in a conflict with the Haikun Gang. Just then, Young Master Gan appeared and argued forcefully with the Haikun Gang on our behalf. Yet in the chaos, my jade pendant vanished. Young Master Gan, with the utmost courtesy, invited us into Gan Fortress and promised to help us retrieve it. However, things were not so simple. It turned out that Young Master Gan had his eye on one of my sisters. Seeing her beauty, he intended to use his family's influence here to force a marriage. Unfortunately, my sister had no interest in him at all. Enraged by rejection, he drew his sword and attacked." Here, he swept his gaze around the hall.

Naturally, the villagers turned their eyes to Gan Ying. His face flushed a deep red; they all knew that what Wu Luohua said must be true. A few began to whisper, "It seems Young Master Gan really suffered a serious setback this time."

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Wu Luohua continued, "Just as the sword was about to strike me, the Gan family's young lady suddenly stepped in front of me to shield me. At that crucial moment, my elder brother used extraordinary spiritual power, not only thwarting Gan Ying's attack but injuring him as well. At that moment, Miss Gan returned my jade pendant to me. Only then did I realize she herself was the thief. Yet I was deeply puzzled. As Mr. Jun said, what kind of thief would be so foolish as to return what she had stolen, and so openly at that? There can be only one explanation." Wu Luohua paused, then went on, "Miss Gan never intended to steal my jade pendant. She used it as a pretext to convey a message to us."

At this point, Gan Yu removed her bridal veil, revealing a face so serenely beautiful it could drive any man mad with longing. She had adorned herself with a touch of rouge that day, making her elegance all the more striking. Meeting the questioning gazes of the villagers, she nodded gently. A collective gasp arose, though most remained utterly perplexed.

Wu Luohua nodded to Miss Gan and continued, "Recalling the conversation between my sister and Miss Gan earlier, we began to sense something was wrong and decided to investigate thoroughly. Finally, we uncovered the truth—Gan Sen is indeed the demon!"

Gan Ying, having somewhat recovered, looked at his sister in shock, as if he too was now at a loss. He thought of his father, still bedridden, and could not reconcile him with one of the nine ancient devils of two decades past. He demanded, "What evidence do you have?"

Wu Luohua replied slowly, "Very well, let me tell you. First: when you tried to stab me from behind, your father, Gan Sen, who had never cultivated spiritual energy, appeared instantly at your side. I don't believe that was a reflex to protect you. Rather, it was to conceal a tremendous secret."

Gan Ying suddenly recalled that there had been some distance between himself and his father that day. Especially as he had launched a sudden attack, rushing dozens of feet ahead—how could his father have arrived at his side so quickly?

Before Gan Ying could think further, Wu Luohua added, "Second: if he truly is Gan Sen, then why, when you and Miss Gan were wounded, did your sister show no sorrow, nor come over to comfort you? She may have disdained your attack from behind, but she would never be so cold to her own father—unless Gan Sen is not your father at all, but your enemy!"

At these words, tears streamed down Miss Gan's face, washing over her features. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably. It seemed she had kept this secret locked inside her heart for far too long, and today, at last, someone had spoken it for her.

Gan Ying slowly walked up to Gan Yu, clutching her shoulders, staring anxiously into his sister's face. "Sister, what is going on?"

Gan Yu, trembling, replied, "Brother, why are you so disappointing? Before she died, Mother told me the truth. Why did she make me, a girl, bear this agony alone for so many years?"

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Gan Ying stood there in a daze. Gan Yu continued, "Do you know why Gan Sen sent you to the Fallen Leaves Sect to learn the spiritual arts? Did you really think it was for your future? He wanted to send you away, to keep you from growing suspicious. By the time you returned from your studies, he had already had ample time to make everyone believe he was Gan Sen. Our real father was killed by him long ago."

Gan Ying staggered back two steps, his voice hollow. "Impossible, that's impossible. Sister, did they give you some sort of drug? What's wrong with you? What's happened?"

Wu Luohua sighed. "Gan Ying, are you still blind to the truth? Do you remember who was your father's closest friend? Do you remember Tian Huashan?"

Gan Ying replied woodenly, "The leader of the Haikun Gang."

Wu Luohua pressed on, "Yes, but do you remember what he was to you when you were a child?"

A tear traced down Gan Ying's cheek. "He was Uncle Tian. But my father said he only befriended us for money, that he was not a good man."

Wu Luohua pressed closer. "Why is this place called Gan Fortress?"

Gan Ying was taken aback. Wu Luohua continued, "Because since your grandfather's time, your family has done good works here. The Gan family has never cared for wealth. How could your real father, the true Master Gan, abandon a friend for worldly gain?"

Gan Ying stood there, stunned. "Then the only explanation is... he is not my father." Now, at last, everyone understood the truth. No one had imagined that, twenty years ago, Gan Sen had already been replaced, that he was in fact that demon—one of the nine ancient devils!