The Rust-Armored Thing held up the God-Destroying Pearl. His two white eyes had no pupils, but the direction of his gaze was clear: straight at Fang Mo.
"Boy, Taizu forged three of these back then. He used one to suppress the Heaven Devouring Hou, and one to blast open the gates of the royal city in the Northern Border's Demon Realm. This last one was meant to prolong the imperial family's life."
His voice sounded like chewing iron, hoarse from three hundred years without seeing daylight.
"Forcing me to bring it out-that's an accomplishment."
Fang Mo stood where he was, the beast blood covering him gradually congealing in the night wind, sticking to the surface of the Silkworm Silk Inner Armor and giving off a strong, bloody stench.
He watched the increasingly bright light shining through the cracks on the black pearl's surface and spoke.
"If you detonate that, you'll die too."
"I've been dead for three hundred years already." The Rust-Armored Thing chuckled twice. "Dying once more is no loss. Taking you down with me makes it worth it."
The White-Haired Thing stood farther away, making no move to intervene. He merely watched the Rust-Armored Thing, his paper-like face showing no intention of dissuading him.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the instant the God-Destroying Pearl exploded. Fang Mo would have to devote everything to defense, and then he would strike from the flank and try to reclaim the Heaven Devouring Hou's spinal tendon.
Fang Mo saw through their coordination.
"Old Yan, retreat into the Heavenly Prison."
Old Yan hesitated for a breath.
"Boss, you alone..."
"Just retreat when I tell you to. Cut the crap."
Old Yan gritted his teeth, tucked the Boning Knife behind his waist, and turned to run toward the Heavenly Prison's gates.
The Rust-Armored Thing