16. Huang Dongshan’s Madness

"Dr. Qi, can you believe it? That Lin Fan is actually able to get out of bed and walk now. It’s truly incredible," said a girl named Ning Fang from the research team.

Ning Fang was a student of Elder Yang, usually working as an assistant and not very prominent within the institute.

Currently, the research team was divided—half following Huang Dongshan and the other half following Qi Lingshan, split into two laboratories: 701 and 702.

Laboratory 701 belonged to Huang Dongshan and his group. They were relentlessly searching for the Pure Yang Sword, believing that finding it was the key to returning to Earth.

On the other hand, Laboratory 702, led by Qi Lingshan, focused on solving the massive challenges they faced, like the food shortage and analyzing the Golden Crow Blood.

The research team had fractured; the unity of their hearts was broken, as expected.

"Yes, I’m quite surprised too. Given the severity of his injuries, it should have taken at least a month before scabs formed. Yet here he is, lively and well—truly a medical miracle!"

In the past, scientists held steadfast beliefs, but after enduring so much and witnessing countless inexplicable events, their faith in the divine had long since collapsed.

"Perhaps it’s related to his internal cultivation techniques!" Fan Yijun said thoughtfully. "Could it be that he drank the Golden Crow Blood we gave him? That’s why he recovered so quickly. I’ll go ask him about it tonight."

"Dr. Qi, what should we do if Huang Dongshan continues to pressure us?" Ning Fang’s brow furrowed with mild worry. Huang Dongshan had been increasingly urging them to join his side in the search for the Pure Yang Sword, growing bolder to the point of threats.

"Ugh, Huang Dongshan is a beast," Pu Qingyue said with a sob, tears moistening her lashes at the thought of Elder Yang, who had been imprisoned by him. Elder Yang was kind to them, yet they were powerless to help.

Yang Jinsong treated them not just as disciples but almost like family. That was why they had agreed to join this mission.

The only misjudgment Elder Yang had made was with Huang Dongshan. Back on Changbai Mountain, Elder Yang had taught Huang Dongshan everything as if he were his own son.

But once aboard the Netherworld Ghost Ship, Huang Dongshan’s true nature emerged—he committed heinous acts, beating and imprisoning without mercy.

No one could have imagined that the once courteous Huang Dongshan would become less than a beast.

"And his brother, Huang Qiushan, is no better. He fed that guy named Ma to the lost souls!" Ning Fang gritted her teeth as she spoke, horrified at the depths of their inhumanity and fearful of what madness might come next.

"Sigh," Qi Lingshan sighed inwardly. The matter of Elder Yang weighed heavily on her heart. She busied herself to distract from the pain of thinking about him.

But despite their best efforts at composure, none could maintain their facade for long.

"We must accelerate our progress—to analyze the Golden Crow Blood down to one ten-thousandth. That way, we’ll have leverage to negotiate with Huang Dongshan!"

"Yes, crying won’t solve our problems," Fan Yijun nodded. Her words, along with Qi Lingshan’s, had a calming effect.

Ning Fang and Pu Qingyue wiped the tears from their eyes...

...

On the sixth level of the ancient ship, it resembled a dungeon where prisoners were held—dark and gloomy, filled with spiderwebs, and thick with the scent of decay and dust.

The floor bore patches of dark red blood mixed with soil, the age indiscernible. Towering three to five meters high were skeletal remains resembling dragons or serpents, their bones unweathered, relics from ancient times.

There was also an execution chamber here, filled with weapons—knives, halberds, swords, spears, and more.

At the deepest part was a disheveled man, eyes hollow and legs shackled. His shoulder blades bore wounds, and his body was covered in dozens of sharp cuts, blood staining his clothes.

He was Elder Yang, imprisoned by Huang Dongshan, clearly having endured severe torture in recent days.

Elder Yang lay on the ground, his condition uncertain—alive or dead.

"Old man, you sure are stubborn, knowing the truth but refusing to tell me!" A low voice echoed in the dim chamber. Huang Dongshan, dressed sharply in a suit, approached holding a stale steamed bun.

Wearing a smile like spring sunshine, he offered the bun to Elder Yang. "Eat up. You’ve been hungry for two days."

"Heh heh," Elder Yang rasped out a hoarse laugh, like metal scraping against metal.

He was still alive—at least for now.

"You beast! How dare you treat our teacher like this! You will be punished in the afterlife!"

Tu Lixian and Yan Zhichen shouted furiously. Both were students of Elder Yang and refused to yield, even as Huang Dongshan kept them imprisoned here.

"Our teacher never blamed me. What’s the rush on your part?" Huang Dongshan’s smile never wavered. He ignored their futile rage and turned away.

...

"Old Yang, you want me to starve you to death so you can be free? Think back—how have I treated you on Changbai Mountain? Wasn’t I always respectful? Yet you hide secrets from me?"

"You definitely know where the relics are, don’t you? Why won’t you hand them over? After all these years, can’t you see my capabilities?" Huang Dongshan’s voice grew louder until he was shouting like a mad lion, grabbing Elder Yang by the collar and lifting his frail body.

"Heh, the only mistake I ever made was taking in a white-eyed wolf like you!"

"The relics and the Pure Yang Sword—I threw them off the ancient ship. Want them? Jump down and get them yourself," Elder Yang sneered, letting himself be held without resistance, as if resigned to fate.

"Bang!"

Huang Dongshan released him, and Elder Yang fell heavily to the ground.

Rage surged within Huang Dongshan, but killing Elder Yang now would play right into the old man’s hands.

"Brother Dong, Lin Fan can already get out of bed and walk!"

At that moment, Huang Qiushan’s voice came through. He had just seen Lin Fan on the eighth level, apparently nearly healed.

"Oh? That’s great news. Once he recovers fully, he’ll definitely go after the Pure Yang Sword. Keep a close watch on him!"

Lin Fan’s recovery was excellent news for Huang Dongshan. He didn’t believe Elder Yang had thrown the relics away—the old man wouldn’t discard something so vital.

"Brother Dong, why don’t we act now? Capture Lin Fan and torture him, and that beauty Qi Lingshan—I’ve been holding back for too long." Since entering the ancient ship, Huang Qiushan had wanted to possess Qi Lingshan, but lacked Huang Dongshan’s orders to act.

"Do you understand a single thing I’m saying? Stop thinking about possession. Women are mere playthings! Playthings! If you distract me from the main mission, I’ll have you fed to the lost souls!" Huang Dongshan scolded him harshly, frustrated at his foolishness.

"As long as we find that sword and the relics, we’ll have everything we need, right?" Huang Qiushan was startled. He hadn’t seen his cousin this angry in a long time and quickly replied, "I’ll start watching him right away!"

"Elder Yang, my patience lasts only three more days. When the time’s up, it will end with bloodshed."

With that, Huang Dongshan stood, crushing the stale bun beneath his foot, and his imposing figure vanished into the dungeon.