The Creators: From Night City

Page 359

So he quickened his pace.

At the center of the Temple of Death is an altar, a proper stone altar, a place used by the Tritheistic Church to offer sacrifices to Hell.

However, this is also the most comfortable space in the entire Temple of Death.

The altar was meticulously leveled, and the entire sacrificial space was quite spacious. It was unclear what principle was used, but sunlight streamed in from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space.

This place is also a convergence point of magic, and the numerous sacrificial rituals that have taken place here have imbued it with a faint aura of evil, which is what the Claw Vipers, corrupted by dark magic, value most.

The clawed viper resembles an upright snake-man, except that it has no legs.

The origin of this race has long been a mystery. Some say they originated from a curse of a powerful wizard, while others say they are simply the result of the evolution of hellish creatures that were once summoned to the sanctuary.

But no matter what, it doesn't change the fact that they possess intelligence, cunning, and cruelty.

As soon as Rasma entered, he saw Jiang Bing fighting a viper.

This is a very beautiful viper. Unlike its grayish-brown counterparts, it has beautiful scales that are interwoven with gold and gray. Its robust body is half a head taller than that of ordinary spiky vipers, and its long, sharp claws gleam with a dazzling interweaving of emerald green and sapphire blue.

That was the magical power of poison and ice.

However, this ferocious beast, which was capable of killing an entire caravan in a short time, was being brutally beaten by Jiang Bing by its tail.

Jiang Bing grabbed the viper by the tip of its tail and used its heavy body as a meteor hammer, slamming it into the ground again and again. Despite his henchmen acting as cushions, the powerful leader was still vomiting large mouthfuls of blood.

It tried to fight back, but even though its sharp claws dug six deep trenches in the ground, it still couldn't wrest control of its body from Jiang Bing. With each impact, its consciousness dissipated, and it succumbed to death.

But before it died completely, it felt a sudden lightness all over its body and was inexplicably thrown out by that terrifying enemy.

The target was a mysterious person wearing a black cloak.

Rasma deftly sidestepped the living cannonball, letting it crash into the wall, causing the bricks to rattle and countless tiny grains of sand to fall from the ceiling.

"It seems you came here specifically to see me." Jiang Bing abandoned his examination of the Triune God statue behind the altar and turned to look at the uninvited guest who had appeared at the cave entrance.

Golden eyes met Rasmar's gaze, the burning intensity of which seemed to scorch his soul, causing this genuine Nephalem to instinctively avoid eye contact.

Even for just a moment, he vaguely 'saw' a sun constantly radiating light and heat.

Jiang Bing saw nothing but death.

Rasma covered himself completely with a black robe, but the aura of death he had accumulated from his long-term exposure to the realm of the dead was undeniable.

The dying spiky viper struggled to its feet and extended its claws at him, but he stopped it with a glare. Then, a large number of white bone spikes rose from the ground, piercing the viper's body and lifting it into the air.

"A powerful Rasmar priest, how rare." Combining the other party's methods, Jiang Bing concluded that the visitor was a necromancer.

"No," Rasmar said, removing his hood to reveal his handsome face and full head of white hair.

“I am Rasmar.”

After consuming Andariel's soul, Jiang Bing had imagined that someone would come to his door to open the box, but he didn't expect that day to come so soon.

"Why have you come, Rasmar?"

"Of course, it's humans," the other person replied without hesitation.

"I learned of your great achievements from several Tritheistic cult cultists, Sabur. Because of you, Hell is in complete chaos."

Jiang Bing wasn't surprised at all that the other party knew his name. This was an ancient relic who had lived since the founding of Sanctuary, the first Nephalem in history. It would be surprising if the other party didn't know his name.

"I only made some minor contributions."

“I’m not praising you. In fact, your behavior was foolish and reckless.” Rasma’s words were venomous and unfriendly.

“Friend, it’s not polite to curse at someone as soon as you meet them.” Jiang Bing was already a little unhappy.

"I am simply making an objective assessment of the facts. Your rash disruption of the balance will only bring greater turmoil to the sanctuary."

Chapter 737 Business is negotiable

Rasmar gazed at the corpses scattered on the ground, reflecting on what he had seen and heard along the way, and continued his criticism: "Now it's not just the demons who are looking for you, the High Heavens have also focused their attention on you."

“The Sanctuary could be engulfed in another war of original sin at any moment.”

“I am not Udi Xian.” Jiang Bing’s words made Rasma frown. He was very surprised to hear this name from Jiang Bing.

"If you're just here to argue with me about these things, then you can leave."

"Your power must not be lost, or Heaven and Hell will destroy it in a frenzy, just as they once did to suppress the Nephalem."

Rasma's stance has always been consistent; he has always viewed the issue from the perspective of the Sanctuary.

The problem is that Jiang Bing doesn't belong to Heaven, Hell, or Sanctuary; he belongs to the fourth party, forming his own faction, so he is completely unable to empathize with Rasma.

"What do you intend to do, Rasmar?"

“I know a place where you can hide and neither angels nor demons can find you. Once things have calmed down, we can discuss everything in more detail.”

The place Rasmar was referring to was naturally the realm of the Star Dragon Targoo, a sub-plane that was subordinate to Sanctuary.

"Cowardice breeds timidity, and timidity breeds defeat and destruction." Escaping is not a good solution.

A golden flame ignited in Jiang Bing's hand, making Rasma extremely envious.

"Besides, I don't trust you, Rasmar. You just appeared out of nowhere, spouting these alarmist words. I don't know how much of it is true or what your intentions are."

"I can't trust you, Rasma."

If it weren't for the necromancer order's long-standing good reputation, Jiang Bing would have already taken action.

"I don't want to fight you." Rasmar stared at the flames, suppressing his excitement. He knew that his opponent was a ruthless character who had charged straight into the Burning Hell and single-handedly destroyed the King of Pain. He wasn't confident of victory.

He didn't want to resort to violence, as that would only escalate the conflict.

"I just want to know whether this power can be passed down, learned, or differentiated."

I have no obligation to answer you.

Jiang Bing's refusal was as decisive and straightforward as ever.

The other party's assertive attitude was entirely within Rasma's expectations; his observations along the way had already revealed Jiang Bing's character to him.

Domineering, autocratic, and ruthless.

The necromancer looked up at the three statues behind Jiang Bing and revealed his long-planned scheme.

"You've come here to find the Horadric Cube, haven't you? If you crave knowledge or power, I think we can make a deal."

"A transaction?" Boss Jiang, who considered himself a respectable businessman, immediately became interested.

"The Horadric Cube is actually a replica of a certain artifact..."

“I know,” Jiang Bing interrupted, “The Magic Box, a work by Jotun Kooler.”

Rasmar was not surprised that Jiang Bing knew this secret.

“That’s right, so you should also know that the ‘Phantom Box’ was later secretly hidden by the Horadrim.”

The necromancer's words made Jiang Bing's eyes gleam.

"Do you know the whereabouts of the 'Magic Box'?"

Rasmar did not know the whereabouts of the 'Phantom Box', but the Star Dragon Targoo, who had been silently observing and protecting Sanctuary, did.

In fact, this hidden guardian is present at all major events that occur in Sanctuary, but it never intervenes proactively.

“One answer for one answer,” Rasma said with a smile.

Looking at this powerful Nephalem, Jiang Bing weighed the gains and losses in his mind, and decisively extinguished the Aether Fire with a fist.

"make a deal"

…………

After the monster that had been lurking in the Lu Gholein sewers was eliminated, the streets finally regained some of their liveliness.

When Jiang Bing found Deeka Kane, the old man was chatting idly with a fit female blacksmith.

Of course, it could also be said that Academician Dekah Kane is researching the local ecological and political environment.

"Lord Sabur, you're back. How did it go? Did you find the item?"

Upon meeting, Deckard Kane was as eager as a model kit enthusiast waiting for his new model to arrive.

“Of course,” Jiang Bing tossed a palm-sized box to Deckard Kane, looking completely unconcerned.

In fact, the Horadric Cube had already completed its mission with Jiang Bing. All the knowledge contained within it had been analyzed and mastered by the 'craftsman' through his professional instinct of 'quantum speed reading'. With this knowledge, the Cube's inherent alchemical functions such as combination, refinement, and transformation were utterly insignificant in front of Jiang Bing, the 'craftsman'.

But Deckard Kane treated it like a treasure, holding it in his arms as if afraid of dropping it and breaking it.

"Who is this?" After holding his ancestor's treasure tightly, Deka Kane finally had a chance to notice the mysterious man in black robes next to Jiang Bing.

“A business partner will be with us for a while to investigate; don’t worry about him.” Jiang Bing was very perfunctory and didn’t even introduce Rasma’s identity.

"The last surviving Horadrim member, hello, just call me Valkyrie." Rasma cast a probing gaze from deep within his ever-present cloak, as if trying to dissect the essence of Deckard Cain, the last Horadrim member, from soul to body.

Rasmar did not place much trust in this organization established by Archangel Tyrael.

In fact, he has the ability to read people's minds, and he has already used it on Deckard Kane.

However, Deckard Kane's attention was entirely focused on the Horadric jewel in his arms. After a brief greeting to Rasmar, he led the two towards their temporary lodging.

The caravan had long since left the 'Desert Rain' Inn, and the Blind Sisters had dispatched a second caravan today, which had caught up with Rut Gholein from the west.

This caravan not only brought a large amount of supplies, but also support. With many people and lots of luggage, the group simply moved out of the hotel and stayed in an open area near the dock for the convenience of their movement.

"The leader of this support team is a real Amazon, Sabur. She's been waiting for you at the camp. I hope you won't be too surprised when you meet her," Deka Kane quickly added, as if he had just remembered something.

After the incident at the monastery, the Blind Sisters immediately sought support from the Amazonian ancestral lands on the southern islands. However, due to limitations in communication and transportation, by the time the reinforcements sent by several Amazonian clans reached a consensus and arrived at the original site of the East Gate Fortress, they found that Andariel had been destroyed and the East Gate Fortress had become a bustling construction site.

The most outstanding Amazon warrior, after handing over the reins to Akara, followed in the footsteps of the heroes all the way to Ru Gholein.

Chapter 738 Sultan Jehain

The area around Lu Gholein's docks should have been a distribution center full of goods, but the current demonic rampage has rendered the docks physically empty, enough to run a horse across.

In this open space, a temporary camp built with caravans and tents is already taking shape.

As soon as the three arrived at the door, a strong and dashing woman came to greet them.

Needless to say, she is the Amazon that Dekae Kane was referring to.

This Amazon is dressed in high-topped brass leg armor, with a very tight-fitting metal-leather armor on his upper body. He wears a gold headband in the traditional Amazonian style, red battle scars painted on his cheeks, and his hair is tied into a high ponytail, making him very recognizable.

Contrary to the Rogues of the Blind Sisters, this Amazon is not an archer, but a very rare Amazon who specializes in close combat.

Holding a long javelin in one hand and a shield in the other, she instantly spotted the main target in the crowd.

"Lord Sabur, thank you for extending a helping hand to the sisters of the Blind Sisterhood. I am Cassia, an Amazon warrior." This warrior, whose height was also far greater than that of an ordinary woman, kept looking at Jiang Bing's 'refined' appearance, finding it hard to imagine how the rumors she had heard from the sisters matched him.

"Welcome to the righteous army that resists the evil forces of hell," Jiang Bing said politely.

Fortunately, Amazon simply wanted to get to know Jiang Bing, this 'hero,' and did not forget his main purpose for waiting there.

"The Sultan has arrived and has been waiting for you at the camp for some time."

The caravan was nominally owned by Varif, but Jiang Bing was the actual controller.

After all, he has a large family business and a powerful fist.

The title "Sultan" is an honorific for the rulers of Rughayin. The current Sultan's name was Jehain, and he was considered a wise and virtuous monarch.

Compared to other rulers who were arrogant, licentious, and cruel, indulging in debauchery and sensual pleasures all day long, his few minor flaws were insignificant.

He likes to visit prostitutes.

Yes, he likes to connect with women who are skilled in technology; this is common knowledge throughout Lu Gauin.

Fortunately, although Jehain was promiscuous, he always believed in mutual consent, so at most he could be considered a womanizer, which did not diminish his virtue.

After all, the people's expectations of their rulers have never been high throughout history; as long as they don't cause any trouble, they can be considered a wise and benevolent ruler.

Jehain's governance of the city was so skillful that it brought Rugh'in great glory. During his reign, there was never any tyranny or extortion. Even though the city has recently declined, it is only due to problems in the overall environment and has nothing to do with the personal conduct of this ruler.

"Greetings, Lord Sabur. I am Jehein, King of Ru Gholein, and I first extend my greetings to you for coming to my port city."

The manner in which Jehain, the ruler of Rughauin, greeted people was not at all condescending, but rather showed a friendly and approachable nature.

After all, power in this world isn't as high as one might imagine. In an environment where great power resides within oneself, ruthless individuals are everywhere, and the title of king doesn't hold much sway in the eyes of many powerful figures.

For example, Rasmar, who was silently following behind Jiang Bing, was someone who, let alone the ruler of the city of Lu Ghein, would be someone who, even if the emperor of the largest empire in the Eastern Continent, Hakan the Great II of Kegistein, stood in front of him, would hardly earn his respect.

As an excellent ruler, Jehain was well aware of this ecological niche status quo and was also very self-aware.