Free Web NovelChapter 139: Chapter 139: Blood Sun’s Broken Hook
Xue Rong learned of the broken hook before sunset.
The recall seed vanished from his tracking plate with a sharp crack.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the broken plate.
Then he laughed.
The laugh was soft, almost admiring.
"They removed it."
A subordinate knelt nearby, trembling.
"Envoy, should we punish the Zhao channel?"
"The Zhao channel is already exposed."
"Then Zhao Tianyu is useless?"
Xue Rong looked at the cracked plate.
"No. A broken hook can still leave a scar."
Zhao Tianyu no longer served as a hidden tool, but the event had revealed something important.
Qin Yuheng could cut blood-law threads.
Not always.
Not completely.
But enough.
That confirmed the reward-path abnormality was not merely multiplication or luck. It had purification, law interaction, or some form of origin-level correction.
Xue Rong could not prove it.
But he believed it.
He sent a new report upward.
Subject Qin Yuheng demonstrated ability to identify and sever delayed blood-law class contamination.
Vessel value increased.
Direct contamination strategies ineffective.
Recommend observation until higher-level containment resource is available.
The reply came hours later.
Approved.
Do not engage directly.
Prepare Crimson Eclipse trace recovery.
Qin Zhengyuan memory may become active.
Xue Rong’s eyes sharpened.
Crimson Eclipse.
So the higher branch had noticed Qin Zhengyuan’s recovery signs too.
The game was widening.
At Heavenly Gate Academy, Zhao Tianyu entered recovery seclusion.
The Zhao family was furious, divided, and humiliated. Some elders wanted to accuse the Qin family of injuring him during "treatment." Zhao Lan stopped them by presenting academy-sealed evidence of Blood Sun contamination.
Yu Qingmei supported the evidence.
The Zhao elders shut their mouths.
Not because they became reasonable.
Because Blood Sun involvement was dangerous to deny publicly.
Zhao Lan’s position inside the family changed overnight. Some hated her. Some feared her. Some began to respect her.
Zhao Tianyu’s status became uncertain.
He retained his S grade class, but weakened. His future depended on whether he could stabilize his class without Blood Sun’s hidden support.
Qin Yuheng did not visit him again.
There was no need.
In the Qin Estate, Qin Wanshan listened to the report of the removal process.
"You helped him under academy supervision. Good."
Mu Qinglan said, "Blood Sun now knows you can cut some of their threads."
"Yes," Qin Yuheng said.
Qin Zhengyuan looked at him.
"They likely suspected before. Now they know enough to change methods."
Gu Tianhe’s expression was heavy.
"Direct hooks will decrease. Higher-grade containment may appear."
Qin Mo, sitting nearby, groaned.
"Every time we solve one problem, it evolves."
Qin Yuheng looked at him.
"That is what enemies do."
Qin Mo pointed at him.
"That is also what you do."
The room became quiet.
Then Qin Wanshan laughed.
Even Mu Qinglan smiled faintly.
Qin Yuheng accepted the point.
The next floor file arrived during this tense calm.
[Floor 26: Silent Ash Monastery]
Type:
Monastery ruin / vow spirits / silence law / inner discipline.
Known features:
Silent monks, oath tablets, ash bells, forbidden speech zones.
Warning:
Words spoken carelessly may become binding.] freewebnσvel.cøm
Qin Mo stared at the warning.
"No."
Qin Lian read it again.
"Forbidden speech zones."
Qin Yuchen said, "We will need communication jades."
Qin Mo shook his head.
"No, you do not understand. Words spoken carelessly may become binding. This floor was designed to punish me."
Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.
"Then speak less."
Qin Mo looked wounded.
"That is also punishment."
Silent Ash Monastery required preparation against oaths, silence laws, and binding speech. Fortunately, Ashen Market City and Zhao Tianyu’s treatment had given them tools: Law-Thread Severing Eye, Contract-Breaking Law Crystal, Lawful Trade Seal principles, and Blood Contract Resistance Crystal.
Before entry, Yu Qingmei gave them one warning.
"Do not promise anything inside. Not even casually. Do not say ’I will’ unless you mean it."
Qin Mo covered his mouth with a cloth.
"I am ready."
The Tower gate opened.
Floor 26 began in gray silence.
The team appeared before a monastery covered in ash. Tall stone walls surrounded silent courtyards. Bells hung from wooden beams, but none moved. At the entrance, a stone tablet read:
Speak only truth.
Promise only burden.
Break no vow.
Wake no bell before judgment.
The mission panel appeared.
[Floor 26: Silent Ash Monastery]
[Main Mission]
Pass the three vow courtyards and ring the Ash Judgment Bell.
[Sub-Missions]
1. Avoid false vows.
2. Free 3 bound vow spirits.
3. Keep silence law backlash below 30%.
4. Discover why the monastery fell.
[Warning]
Careless speech may create binding vow threads.]
Qin Mo pointed at his covered mouth and gave a thumbs-up.
Qin Yuheng sent a silent jade pulse.
No unnecessary speech.
The monastery gate opened.
Inside, rows of ash-covered monks knelt in silence.
Their heads turned as one.
The first courtyard waited.
