Chapter 157: The True Secret of the Smith Family
After successfully regaining control of the situation, Elder Seville was in high spirits.
Leading the way with Irving and Vicky, the other members of the Night Blades were tasked with keeping an eye on Benjamin and Anna.
The group continued along the path Elder Seville had chosen, delving deeper into the Smith family mansion.
As they moved forward, Irving couldn't help but ask Elder Seville, "Do you really believe that you will find the treasure you seek within the Smith family mansion? Isn't the treasure of the Smith family mansion related to chaotic energy?"
From what Irving had observed in the previous battle with the ancestors of the Smith family, Elder Seville should have realized that controlling chaotic energy was extremely difficult.
And full control posed the threat of resurrecting the Smith family ancestor within one's own body. So why was Elder Seville so intent on finding the treasure of the Smith family mansion?
Elder Seville must be privy to crucial information that Irving was not aware of yet.
Irving hoped to coax this vital information out of him by probing indirectly.
"Chaotic energy is indeed a powerful force. But acquiring chaotic energy was just a fortunate byproduct. the real treasure of the Smith family isn't the chaotic energy."
Elder Seville simply responded and then fell silent.
With Elder Seville not speaking further, Irving was left with no choice but to remain silent as well. Thus, the group continued their eerie progress through the Smith family mansion.
Eventually, they arrived in front of a massive building. Elder Seville stopped, turned back to look at the group.
"Ahead of us lies the most critical location of our mission. The treasure of the Smith family is hidden inside that building. Would anyone volunteer to enter it first?"
No one stepped forward to volunteer, as it was clear to everyone that entering the building would be tremendously dangerous.
"While there is some risk in entering the building, I am also prepared to offer a reward. Anyone who dares to enter first will be promoted by three ranks within the Night Blades."
Elder Seville chose not to forcibly assign anyone.
He knowed that even if someone were coerced into going and managed to gather some information, they might not share it with him.
Despite using a tactic of enticement, no member of the Night Blades took the bait.
"If none of you is willing to go voluntarily, then I will have to pick someone at random to send in."
Elder Seville was visibly annoyed.
He scanned the faces of the many Night Blades members, and finally, his gaze locked onto a squad leader.
"You, I'm talking to you! Go into that building."
Upon hearing Elder Seville's command, the expression of the Night Blades' squad leader turned to one of sheer panic.
"My strength isn't great! Elder, please find someone stronger!"
"Enough talk! Now that I have chosen you to go into that building, your job is to quickly carry out my command." Elder Seville's gaze was stern and unyielding.
Although the squad leader of the Night Blades was extremely reluctant, he found himself without any other option.
Under the pressure from Elder Seville, he could only slowly approach the building.
"What are you dawdling for?! Since you're already at the edge of the building, just go in!"
Elder Seville urged him on.
The squad leader looked back at the group before finally entering the building.
The moment he stepped inside, the entire building emitted a burst of white light.
After letting out a dreadful scream, the squad leader fell silent.
Elder Seville's expression darkened upon witnessing this.
"I hadn't anticipated that this building would be so dangerous. It seems I should send someone stronger inside."
After saying this, Elder Seville's gaze turned toward Irving.
"The true secret of the Smith family mansion is hidden within this building. Weren't you asking earlier about the treasure I seek from the Smith family mansion? Just enter this building, and you will find all the answers to your questions."
Elder Seville's intentions were clear.
He hoped Irving would enter the building.
As among all those present, only he and Irving possessed top-tier strength.
Elder Seville certainly did not want to take a significant risk himself.
No sooner had Elder Seville finished speaking than Vicky immediately spoke out in opposition. "Irving, you absolutely must not listen to him! You aren't the one seeking the Smith family's treasure. He should be the one to take the risk."
Vicky's words were met with an angry glare from Elder Seville.
"Glaring at me won't help. I absolutely will not agree to your plan."
Vicky showed no fear.
She was very aware that, at least under the current circumstances, Elder Seville would not easily kill her.
Although Elder Seville was visibly angry, he merely glanced at Vicky.
"What do you think? Have you decided?"
Elder Seville turned his attention back to Irving and asked.
Irving nodded.
"I have made up my mind, and I think what you're saying makes a lot of sense."
Irving's response surprised everyone.
Vicky's face was a picture of shock, while Elder Seville's expression was one of delighted surprise. "Excellent! I knew you would understand my meaning!"
Just as Elder Seville finished speaking, Irving interjected.
"I haven't finished speaking yet. Don't be so quick to interrupt me." This statement from Irving drew everyone's attention back to him.
"I could indeed enter this building, but you must make certain promises in return." Irving stated.
"What kind of promises do you want?" Elder Seville asked, his tone slightly guarded.
In Elder Seville's view, the promises Irving was asking him to make were certainly difficult to fulfill. Irving might be using this tactic to place Elder Seville in a dilemma, forcing him into a position where he had no easy way out.
"The promises I require are actually quite straightforward," Irving explained. "First, you must ensure the safety of my companions. Second, you must provide me with information related to the treasure of the Smith family mansion."
After hearing Irving's conditions, Elder Seville breathed a sigh of relief.
These demands didn't seem too challenging for him to agree to.
"I can immediately agree to the first promise. However, the second promise can only be fulfilled after you enter the building and return."
Though Elder Seville believed he could fulfill these promises immediately.
But he was not ready to agree without some reservation.
Irving, hearing this, smiled wryly.
"I feel you lack sincerity. If you were truly sincere, you would readily agree to both promises. Since you are not, I see no reason to enter the building."
Elder Seville felt a twinge of regret at Irving's response.
And quickly said.
"I can guarantee the safety of your companions, but the information related to the treasure of the Smith family mansion, I can only share with you alone."
Elder Seville was cautious, not only towards Irving but towards everyone else as well.
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Even if he were compelled to divulge information about the treasure.
He did not want too many people to know about it.
Irving nodded.
"You can tell me alone."
Elder Seville and Irving then isolated themselves.
Ensuring that no one else could overhear. Once confident that their conversation would remain private, Elder Seville began to speak.
"The real treasure of the Smith family is actually a clue to an artifact. The ancestors of the Smith family once possessed an extremely powerful weapon long ago, which they used to defeat all potential enemies. Normally, the Smith family's ancestor could have used this artifact to establish an empire, but for some unknown reason, the possession of this artifact drove the ancestor to madness.
Eventually, the Smith family's ancestor hid the artifact and passed on clues to his descendants. I learned this from other members of the Smith family. This artifact is crucial for us, the Night Blades, so I must obtain it. As for the chaotic energy that the Smith family possesses, if you really want it, I will give it all to you."
Elder Seville revealed all the information he knew.
After hearing this, Irving fell into deep thought.
Normally, he would not fully trust Elder Seville, but he could not detect any deception in his words.
An artifact indeed warranted the Night Blades' utmost effort.
However, Irving did not believe that Elder Seville would hand over all of the chaotic energy to him. Elder Seville was someone deeply obsessed with power.
Undoubtedly, he would attempt to consolidate all of the power solely within himself.
After some contemplation, Irving finally understood.
The chaotic energy was generated by the Smith family's ancestor using that artifact.
If the Night Blades controlled the artifact, they would also control all the chaotic energy. Thus, even if the chaotic energy was currently under Irving's control, the Night Blades could reclaim it.
Realizing the trap in Elder Seville's words, Irving nodded with a smile.
"Since you have fulfilled your promise, I will fulfill mine as well. I will enter that building."
After making this declaration, Irving walked briskly toward the building.
All eyes fixed on him as he moved forward. Everyone's thoughts varied.
Irving's companions naturally hoped for his safe return, while Elder Seville and the members of the Night Blades merely hoped that Irving would gather some useful information this time.