Chapter 9

The atmosphere in the tomb became deathly quiet once more. Only the flickering light of the oil lamp illuminated their faces, casting alternating shades of light and shadow. Ethan Moore stared intently at the woman, his eagerness growing stronger. He desperately wanted to know the cause of his eldest brother’s death, to uncover the secrets the old man had hidden.

After a long while, the woman finally spoke, her voice low and carrying an indescribable sense of weariness: “He died from poison.”

“Poison?!”

Ethan Moore was stunned as if struck by lightning. He staggered back, his face filled with disbelief. His elder brother had been poisoned? Who could be so cruel? Why kill his brother? What was their motive behind this?

Countless questions rushed into his mind in an instant, leaving him completely confused. He stared at the woman and said urgently, “Who is it? Who poisoned my elder brother? Tell me! I want to avenge my brother!”

The woman shook her head, her tone calm: “That’s the cause of your elder brother’s death. That’s all I can say. I can’t reveal anything else.”

“Why can’t I say it?” Ethan Moore was emotional. “He’s my elder brother, the legitimate heir of the Moore family. He died under suspicious circumstances. I have the right to know the truth!”

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but you’re not yet ready to know.” The woman looked at him with a serious expression. “When you turn twenty-five, have achieved something in your studies, and have mastered the power of the Yin-Yang Pearl, as well as integrating the secrets of the Muur family with the art of Yin-Yang magic, then I will tell you everything. Telling you now would be of no benefit to you. In fact, it could bring about your death, and even harm the entire Muur family.”

Ethan Moore was stunned. Looking into the woman’s serious eyes, he knew she wasn’t lying. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The excitement in his heart gradually subsided. He knew there must be a reason behind her actions. Instead of pressing her for answers, it would be better to focus on self-cultivation. By the time he turned twenty-five, he would uncover all the truths himself.

“Mm.” Ethan Moore replied indifferently, his tone carrying a hint of resignation and determination. “I understand. I’ll train hard. By the time I turn twenty-five, I’ll definitely find out what caused my brother’s death and avenge him.”

The woman nodded, a barely noticeable hint of relief appearing on her face. “Very well. Do not come back to this place until you’re twenty-five years old.”

Ethan Moore was taken aback: “Why?”

“This isn’t a good place at all. There’s too much danger here. You’re not strong enough right now. Coming here recklessly will only lead to your death.” The woman said this, then slowly stood up and walked toward the entrance of the tomb. “Remember my words. Don’t come back here again.”

Upon reaching the entrance to the tomb, the woman seemed to remember something. She stopped in her tracks and turned to Ethan Moore. “Also, don’t tell anyone about those corpses in the ancient temple, not even your father. There’s a reason behind my actions. Don’t worry, I won’t harm the Moore family. Additionally, you must read carefully the secret manual of yin-yang magic I gave you. Practice it diligently—it’s crucial for you.”

With that, the woman didn’t stay any longer. In a flash, she disappeared into the darkness outside the tomb, as if she had never been there at all.

Inside the tomb, only Ethan Moore was left, along with that pitch-black coffin. He slowly approached the coffin, his gaze filled with complexity as he looked at it. His heart was filled with sorrow and longing. “Big brother, is that really you inside?”

He reached out his hand and gently touched the surface of the coffin. The cold sensation sent a pang of pain through his heart. “Big brother, I miss you so much. All these years, I never believed you were that kind of person. It turns out, you were poisoned. Don’t worry, I’ll uncover the truth and avenge you. I won’t let you die in vain.”

As he spoke, tears involuntarily streamed down from the corners of his eyes, dropping onto the coffin and leaving small wet spots. Suppressing his sorrow, he gently pressed his face against the coffin, feeling the faint breath emanating from within—it was a familiar scent, one that was connected to his own. It was the essence of the Muir family.

Just then, he seemed to hear a faint call. The voice was familiar and gentle—it was his elder brother’s voice. From inside the coffin, his brother was softly calling his name: “Ethan… Ethan…”

Ethan Moore was shocked. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with astonishment and excitement. “Big brother? Is that you? Are you still alive?”

All that could respond to him was the silence of the tomb and the crackling sound of the oil lamp. He listened carefully, but heard no more calls from within. It seemed as though everything that had happened was merely his imagination.

Just as he was puzzled, a rustling sound came from outside the tomb. The sound was faint, yet carried an eerie undertone. Ethan Moore’s heart tightened with alarm. His hands instinctively formed seals, and his spiritual energy began to flow within him, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

He followed the sound and saw a white figure sneaking in silently. It was that eerie white cat! Its eyes were blood-red, and thick black drool flowed from its mouth. Its gaze was filled with greed as it stared intently at the book of yin-yang magic in Ethan Moore’s hands, as if it were the most delicious food in the world.

“It’s you!” Ethan Moore was shocked. He never expected that this white cat would follow him here.

The white cat ignored him and stepped toward the coffin. Its scarlet eyes flickered between the coffin and the tome in Ethan Moore’s hands. Its gaze was eerie and greedy. Suddenly, the white cat let out a sharp meow. In a flash, it transformed into nine black shadows. Along with a chilling gust of wind, these shadows rushed at Ethan Moore at incredible speed, leaving him no time to react.

Ethan Moore felt a pang of fear. He quickly tried to dodge backward, but the shadow was too fast. He was too slow by one step. The shadow brushed against his arm, leaving a deep wound. A burning pain spread from the wound, and a cold, sinister energy seeped into his body through the wound.

“What a powerful evil energy!” Ethan Moore was shocked inwardly. He didn’t dare to be careless in the slightest. He quickly formed seals with his hands and recited the incantations of Yin-Yang magic. A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body. A faint blue light surrounded him, protecting him from the attacks of the dark shadows.

“Woof—”

The white cat let out a shrill cry. The nine black shadows merged together once more, transforming back into the form of a white cat. Its eyes grew increasingly red, and the sinister energy surrounding it grew more intense. The temperature throughout the entire tomb dropped several degrees in an instant.

Ethan Moore knew things were bad. He didn’t dare delay. The speed at which he formed the seals with his hands increased rapidly. The power of the Yin-Yang beads within his body also began to circulate. The dark red seals in his eyes grew ever clearer. “With my power, I will shatter the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth!”

With a furious shout, Ethan Moore fired a dazzling blue beam from his hand, aiming straight at the white cat. Wherever the beam passed, the evil energy was instantly dispelled, accompanied by a hissing sound.

The white cat seemed to sense the danger and quickly tried to dodge. But the blue beam was too fast, and it hit the cat’s shoulder anyway. With a loud “bang!” the white cat let out a painful cry. It flew backward and crashed heavily against the wall of the tomb. Black blood sprayed onto the wall, emitting a foul, putrid smell.

Ethan Moore stood there, sweating profusely on his forehead, gasping for breath. The attack he had just suffered had nearly depleted all of his spiritual energy. The white cat struggled to get up from the ground, its eyes filled with hatred as it stared intently at Ethan Moore. Yet, it didn’t dare to approach again. After hesitating for a moment, the cat turned around and disappeared into the darkness outside the tomb.

Ethan Moore stared in the direction where the white cat had disappeared, filled with confusion. What exactly was this white cat? Why was it so desperate for the secrets of yin-yang magic? What connection did it have to his brother’s death and the Harrison family’s schemes?

At the same time, inside the Harrison family’s mansion, the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive. The man in green stood beside Leo Harrison, with his head down, whispering some words. Leo Harrison’s expression became increasingly grim, and the murderous intent in his eyes seemed to be about to burst out.

“What did you say? Everyone sent to the Moore family has disappeared without a trace?” Leo Harrison’s voice was icy and harsh. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turning pale. “Ethan Moore, it’s you again! As I thought!”

He had long suspected that the loss of the Yin-Yang Pearl was related to Ethan Moore. Now that all the spies he’d sent to the Moore family had gone missing, his suspicions were confirmed. “My Harrison family and your Moore family can never coexist!”

“Young Master Shen, I’ve already sent people to investigate further. We’ll definitely find out where Ethan Moore is, as well as the whereabouts of the Yin-Yang Pearl,” said the man in the green robe in a low voice.

“No need.” Leo Harrison waved his hand dismissively, his tone cold. “You may go back now. I have my own plans.”

The man in the green shirt didn’t dare say much. He nodded and left the room. Leo Harrison walked over to the window, stared at the pitch-black night outside, and a cruel glint appeared in his eyes. A sinister smile crossed his lips.

“Ethan Moore, do you really think that by swallowing the Yin-Yang Pearl, you’ll be safe from danger? Do you think that by getting rid of my spies, you can hide your actions from everyone?” Leo Harrison muttered to himself, his voice filled with murderous intent. “Wait until I get my chance. I’ll make you pay for this. I’ll take back the Yin-Yang Pearl with my own hands, and I’ll ensure that your Moore family is completely destroyed!”

A ruthless plan took shape in his mind. He would arrange a “Hongmen Banquet” to lure Ethan Moore out, then eliminate him personally and reclaim the Yin-Yang Pearl, avenging his past humiliations.