Return of the Celestial King

Only then did Qin Tuo finally understand. Zeng Changkong was truly in a helpless situation.

He knew full well that Yan Hongliang wanted to kill him, yet he was forced to continue developing and strengthening the Face Reading Technique.

The more formidable the Face Reading Technique appeared, the more reluctant Yan Hongliang would be to get rid of him.

And only if Zeng Changkong remained alive would Yan Hongliang have a chance to learn the Face Reading Technique.

Therefore, what Zeng Changkong was doing was, in reality, a desperate measure to save his own life.

Then, Zeng Changkong answered Qin Tuo’s second question.

”Mr. Qin, you may not know this, but the main reason I couldn’t read that vile disciple’s features back then was because when he sought to become my apprentice, he had already deliberately disfigured his own face!”

Qin Tuo was utterly astonished. He hadn’t expected Yan Hongliang to be so vicious, even toward himself.

Thinking of this, Qin Tuo couldn’t help but remark:

”This Yan Hongliang... he’s a truly ruthless man.”

At that, Qin Tuo grew even more cautious, knowing that eradicating the Blood Moon Pavilion would be no simple task.

Zeng Changkong nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing.

If Yan Hongliang weren’t such a ruthless man, how could Zeng Changkong, the former Old Pavilion Master of the Blood Moon Pavilion himself, have fallen to such a state?

But it was useless to talk about that now. Zeng Changkong only wanted to save his daughter’s life.

At this thought, Zeng Changkong said with a tormented expression:

”Mr. Qin, I recently discovered that my daughter’s features have taken on a dark cast. I performed a detailed reading and... I foresaw that she will soon die at the hands of the Blood Moon Pavilion!”

As he said this, his voice was laced with profound sorrow.

He never imagined that after using the Face Reading Technique to escape the Blood Moon Pavilion’s assassins, his own daughter was still fated to die at their hands.

How unfair fate was to him. Most importantly, even though he possessed a method to peer into destiny, he was still powerless to change this outcome!

Qin Tuo felt a sense of helplessness as he listened. ’Is such a beautiful and graceful girl really about to die?’

Zeng Changkong looked at Qin Tuo and said in an impassioned voice:

”Mr. Qin, I thought my daughter was truly beyond saving, but then I met you today—a noble benefactor whose own destiny is inscrutable! Most importantly, you happen to be a mortal enemy of the Blood Moon Pavilion. All of this proves it... Heaven must have sent you to save my daughter!”

At this point, he was overcome with emotion and broke down, wailing loudly.

For days, no one knew how many nights he had wept in sorrow for his daughter.

Now, upon seeing Qin Tuo, a flame of hope had finally been ignited deep within his heart.

’Even if it costs me everything, I must convince Qin Tuo to save Zeng Kemeng’s life!’

When Qin Tuo didn’t answer right away, Zeng Changkong instantly grew nervous.

Fearing Qin Tuo would refuse, he immediately said:

”Mr. Qin, if you can intervene and help my daughter escape this calamity, I, Zeng Changkong, swear to the heavens I will gift you the Face Reading Technique. If I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning! What do you say?”

In Zeng Changkong’s eyes, Qin Tuo was the only one who could save his daughter’s life.

As long as Qin Tuo could save Zeng Kemeng, he would be willing to give him not just the Face Reading Technique, but the entire Zeng Family.

Seeing Zeng Changkong’s solemn, pleading expression, Qin Tuo could very much understand his feelings.

So, Qin Tuo simply waved his hand and said:

”Mr. Zeng, there’s no need for such formalities. I don’t want the Face Reading Technique!”

Zeng Changkong’s face fell instantly, and his heart sank into despair.

He took this as a veiled refusal. ’I thought Zeng Kemeng finally had a chance,’ he thought, ’but now, at the most critical moment, is this path also closed to me?’

Zeng Changkong shook his head, a wretched smile on his face, momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his reaction, Qin Tuo was taken aback for a moment before realizing that Zeng Changkong had misunderstood him.

So Qin Tuo smiled and continued to explain,

”Mr. Zeng, you’re overthinking things. Your daughter and I are friends; it’s only right that I help save her. I absolutely cannot accept the Face Reading Technique. Besides, I’m not particularly interested in that art.”

Only then did Zeng Changkong’s eyes widen as he realized he had misunderstood Qin Tuo’s intentions.

And Qin Tuo was willing to help for free, asking for nothing in return.

Even the Face Reading Technique, which the Blood Moon Pavilion Master Yan Hongliang had schemed tirelessly to obtain, held no temptation for Qin Tuo...

Thinking of this, Zeng Changkong felt that Qin Tuo truly was a transcendent master sent by the heavens to save his daughter.

However, deep down, Zeng Changkong felt extremely guilty, as if he were taking advantage of Qin Tuo.

Thus, he said with great insistence:

”Mr. Qin, you don’t understand. I don’t have many days left to live. Before I die, I must find someone to inherit this Face Reading Technique, or it will be lost forever!”

Qin Tuo was surprised and quickly asked,

”Oh? Mr. Zeng, why do you say that?”

In Qin Tuo’s eyes, Zeng Changkong appeared healthy and free from misfortune. His voice was strong and resonant; he didn’t seem like someone who was fated to die young.

But to his surprise, Zeng Changkong explained with a look of resignation,

”Because I have spent my life peering into too many heavenly secrets, I have accumulated the wrath of the Heavenly Dao. Soon, I will face divine retribution. When that time comes, not even a Daluo Golden Immortal could save me!”

Hearing this, Qin Tuo fell silent.

He knew that Jianghu Warlocks like him, skilled in the art of divination, constantly had to peer into heavenly secrets.

And the more secrets they uncovered, the greater the backlash they would suffer. When that power finally erupted, they would indeed be beyond saving.

Zeng Changkong managed to force a smile and continued,

”This Face Reading Technique is indeed miraculous and can be used to divine heavenly secrets, but it also carries a tremendous drawback. I believe that perhaps only someone like you, Mr. Qin, a man whose fate defies the heavens, can inherit it. Don’t you agree?”

As he looked at Qin Tuo, a fervent fire burned in Zeng Changkong’s eyes.

This Face Reading Technique was the treasure of his life’s work, and he couldn’t bear to see the lineage end with him.

Moreover, if Qin Tuo were to inherit it, he might be able to avoid the same tragedy. It was, one might say, a win-win situation.

Qin Tuo hesitated for a moment, then said,

”Mr. Zeng, perhaps you should find another worthy person to pass this art on to.”

Zeng Changkong quickly shook his head and said in a pleading tone,

”Mr. Qin, in this entire world, there is no one more suitable to inherit this art than you. Are you really going to let me die with such a heavy regret?”