“Strictly speaking, that place isn’t considered a sect.” Stout shook his head. “Heartbreak Valley is a melting pot, with people from all walks of life. It’s more like a sanctuary where many people from the martial world go to escape vendettas. Initially, there were many righteous individuals who entered Heartbreak Valley just to avoid their enemies temporarily.
“However, as time passed, especially in recent years, Heartbreak Valley gradually transformed into a haven for the corrupt. Out of ten people who go to Heartbreak Valley, at least seven or eight are individuals with blood on their hands, unforgivable and deserving of death!
“With so many evildoers gathering in one place, doesn’t that create chaos?” Soul Chaser couldn’t help but curse.
“Soul Chaser, you underestimate Heartbreak Valley!” Stout continued. “Although people from all walks of life enter Heartbreak Valley, once inside, they must abide by the rules, or the consequences will be worse than facing their enemies outside.
“A few years ago, there was a powerful God-Emperor Realm expert who entered the valley to escape pursuit. Despite his formidable skills, he disregarded the rules of Heartbreak Valley within three days, violating several prohibitions. On the fourth morning, he was found with his hands and feet severed, his cultivation destroyed, dying in agony on a bed in the inn. On the wall of that room, there was a message: ‘Those who don’t follow the rules will be mercilessly killed!’
“Oh?” Soul Chaser was slightly stunned.
“If I’m guessing correctly, there’s likely a complete War God-Emperor Realm expert presiding over Heartbreak Valley!” Stout nodded in response.
“Do you know the address of Heartbreak Valley?” Billy asked after hearing this.
“I don’t know for now,” Stout shook his head. “But it should be easy to find out. Many people are aware of the existence of Heartbreak Valley.”
“Good!” Billy nodded slightly.
Then, he turned to Magnus Douglas and said, “I hope you haven’t lied to me. Otherwise, you should be aware of the consequences.”
“I guarantee with the lives of thousands of people in the Douglas family, with absolutely no deception!” Magnus Douglas bowed slightly.
“Great. Farewell!” Billy said, then turned and walked toward the entrance of the estate. Stout, Soul Chaser, and the others followed closely.
“Farewell, Commander Gardner! Safe travels.” Magnus Douglas saw off the grim reaper and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
All the other members of the Douglas family also bowed slightly. Like Magnus Douglas, relief and a sense of surviving a calamity appeared on everyone’s faces.
“Sir, I’m afraid that Silent Mirage Sect and Hundred Flowers Sect won’t let this go easily. Do you think we should…” Erasmus Douglas tried to suggest after Billy’s group left.
“Escort her back!” Magnus Douglas interrupted him, pointing at the unconscious Salena on the ground. “And, personally call the heads of the two major sects and inform them of the incident.”
“Alright!” Erasmus Douglas responded and took out his phone to make a call.
Half an hour later, Billy and his group returned to SHADOW.
“Rowan, tell me about yourself!” After settling in the first-floor hall, Billy looked at Rowan Wheatly and spoke lightly.
Although Rowan Wheatly concealed it well, his unusual behavior in the Douglas family estate didn’t escape Billy’s keen eyes. From the beginning, Billy knew there was something about this kid.
“What… what do you mean?” Rowan Wheatly was slightly stunned.
“Hmm?” Soul Chaser also looked puzzled. However, without much hesitation, he drew his Cold Moon Saber and pointed it at Rowan Wheatly. “You brat, are you hiding something from us? Who are you? If you don’t confess honestly, I’ll cut you down!”
Although he didn’t know why Billy suddenly asked this, based on his understanding of Billy, he wouldn’t make groundless accusations. If Billy suspected something, it meant Rowan Wheatly definitely had an issue.
“Commander Gardner, are you mistaken? I’m just an ordinary…” Rowan Wheatly started to reply after swallowing his saliva.
“You showed up at the Douglas household today, you were not with the intention of participating in the martial arts competition for marriage, right?” Billy interrupted him.
“You should be well aware that, although your cultivation is decent, compared to some of the exceptionally talented peers in the ancient martial world, you are still far behind.”
“Since the Douglas family openly arranged a martial arts competition for marriage, they would undoubtedly invite some outstanding talents to grace the occasion. You didn’t stand a chance.”
“Moreover, on that arena earlier, you knew very well that you weren’t a match for Silent Mirage Duke, yet you stubbornly refused to admit defeat!”
“You were trying to attract the attention of the Douglas family, right?”
“Commander Gardner, I…” Rowan Wheatly swallowed nervously before speaking.
“I haven’t finished speaking!” Billy interrupted him.
“Earlier, when Magnus Douglas mentioned Heartbreak Valley, although you concealed it well, there was a slight disturbance in your aura. Clearly, you are sensitive to the name, ‘Heartbreak Valley,’ or rather, you are from Heartbreak Valley yourself!”
“Am I right?”
Hearing Billy’s words, Stout cursed under his breath. Then, he looked at Rowan Wheatly and mocked, “You’re willing to risk your life just to get the Douglas’s attention? Not bad, kid!”
“He probably wants them to take action to save him!” Soul Chaser realized.
Upon hearing this, Rowan Wheatly knelt directly in front of Billy.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Commander Gardner. I didn’t mean to conceal anything. I’m so sorry.”
“Are you ready to talk?” Billy lifted his teacup and took a sip.
“I… I do come from Heartbreak Valley.” Rowan Wheatly took a deep breath before continuing. “When I was in my teens, my parents were killed by enemies. In their dying moments, to prevent our enemies from finding me and my sister, Buck took us to Heartbreak Valley.”
“Since then, the three of us settled down in Heartbreak Valley, and Buck opened a pharmacy to make a living.”
“A few years ago, that scoundrel Ruthless Lordling went to Heartbreak Valley. My sister fell in love with him at first sight, and they eventually became lovers. During that time, my sister was the happiest.”
“But good times didn’t last. Ruthless Lordling, that scoundrel, for the sake of currying favor with a powerful figure in Heartbreak Valley, sacrificed my sister as a ‘gift’. In the end, she committed suicide.”
“To avenge my sister, Buck was also killed by him. At that time, I had taken a task assigned by Heartbreak Valley and was out. When I received the news and rushed back to Heartbreak Valley, that scoundrel Ruthless Lordling had already left.”
“In these years, I’ve been practicing day and night just to avenge my sister. Although I heard some time ago that Commander Gardner had killed Ruthless Lordling in the capital, the hatred in my heart hasn’t diminished at all.”
“I went to the Douglas’s house to gain their attention through a martial arts competition and join them, waiting for an opportunity to take revenge!”
Billy interrupted him with a raised hand.