Winds Rise, Clouds Surge (3)

"Senior Chang, I think there are two possibilities." Yan Zhuixing slowly walked up to him and said, "First, someone wants to use the hero's name to cause trouble and sow discord between us. Second, it's also possible that there really is someone or an organization with the same name as the hero. Senior Chang, what do you think?"

"That's possible." Chang Mandong gave a noncommittal reply and turned to leave Wuji Palace.

The others gradually dispersed as well, and no one expressed any objection. They all, like Chang Mandong, clearly agreed with Yan Zhuixing's assessment. Regardless of its importance, this news needed to be relayed back to their respective countries.

As the people in the main hall gradually left, Yan Bugui gave his son a wink. As soon as the two of them entered the secret chamber in the inner palace, Yan Bugui couldn't wait to ask, "Xing'er, what's wrong? The real heroes are clearly not us..." He himself was stunned by his own words, as if he were saying that he and his son were not the real heroes.

"What I mean is, why do you have to take the blame for that hero?" Yan Bugui explained.

"What crime should we be charged with?" Yan Zhuixing said calmly, "As far as the Huaxia Cultivation World is concerned, whether we are heroes or not is of little importance. Do we think we are afraid of their retaliation now? We are going to fight to the death anyway, so it doesn't matter. As for the Great Yang Kingdom, what do their heroes have to do with us?"

"There's no need to say we're the heroes. I don't understand what you mean. Do you have some other plans?" Yan Bugui asked.

"Father, if I say it wasn't us, do you think we can clear ourselves of all suspicion with those people so easily? Admitting it directly would only clear us of any involvement with the Great Yang Kingdom." Yan Zhuixing narrowed his eyes and said, "Also, Father, have you noticed something very interesting?"

Yan Bugui silently, acknowledging his son's earlier statement. Upon hearing the latter part, he paused slightly and asked, "What interesting thing did you discover?"

After a moment's thought, Yan Zhuixing said, "I recently received news that Yue Qianchou led a few hundred men to kill more than a thousand people from the Daluo Sect, and Yue Qianchou himself even defeated two experts at the late Tribulation Transcendence stage Realm. To be honest, I was shocked when I heard this news."

"That's right, this news is confirmed. I've heard it too." Yan Bugui nodded and said, "I also heard that Yue Qianchou has left the Cultivation Alliance and is now missing."

"That's the problem." Yan Zhuixing sneered, "Father, don't you find it strange? Yue Qianchou just disappeared from China, and a 'hero' appeared in the Great Yang Kingdom. Isn't that a bit too coincidental?"

"Uh..." Yan Bugui said in surprise, "You mean, Yue Qianchou is that mysterious hero? Impossible. I heard that Yin Baikang is a master at the late Spirit Transformation stage, and his forces are extremely powerful. I believe Yue Qianchou would not dare to provoke him."

"Although I don't know why Yue Qianchou provoked Yin Baikang, I heard that when Yue Qianchou left the Cultivation Alliance, all the Rogue Cultivator he led were dressed in black and masked, just like the heroes of yesteryear. And..."

Yan Zhuixing's eyes flickered as he said, "Father, do you remember how Yue Qianchou desperately piled all sorts of crimes against the hero onto us back then? Others didn't know he was lying, but my father and I knew it all perfectly well. Unfortunately, that kid was sharp-tongued, and we had already incurred public wrath and couldn't defend ourselves. In fact, based on what we did back then, everyone wanted to kill my father and me, but why did he insist on making us take all the blame for the hero's crimes?"

Hearing this, Yan Bugui understood his son's meaning and slowly nodded, saying, "He wants the fake hero to bear all the blame while the real hero goes unpunished. What a ruthless fellow. After Xing'er's analysis, there's no doubt that even if that kid isn't a hero, he must be related to one."

"Wait a minute?" Yan Bugui immediately realized and said, "Since you guessed it was that kid, why didn't you expose him in public just now? He would have been hunted down everywhere in the foreign Cultivation World, with nowhere to hide, and would have been dead without a doubt. It would have been a good opportunity to avenge us all at once."

"That kid is already disliked in the Huaxia Cultivation World, and now he's gone to a foreign Cultivation World to take such a risk. If he dies by accident, that's fine, but if he doesn't... that kid is very cunning, he probably won't die so easily. He might even make a name for himself." Yan Zhuixing turned around and smiled, "Father, don't you think that the fact that we have something that can kill that kid might be useful to us in the future?"

"You mean, if that guy really does become quite successful in the Cultivation World outside of China, we can use that as leverage to blackmail him at a crucial moment?" Yan Bugui finally understood.

"That's right. I don't believe he dares to go against such a powerful force as Yin Baikang. With this leverage in our hands, he'll have to obey us whether in the Huaxia Cultivation World or the foreign Cultivation World." Yan Zhuixing said with a smug smile, "So why should I expose Yue Qianchou's secrets now? What good would that do us? Keeping leverage over Yue Qianchou is the most advantageous thing for us."

Yan Bugui looked at his son and nodded with satisfaction, as if he had no other desires but to have such a son.

The father and son, hiding in the secret room, meticulously planned everything, but they wondered if these strategies would truly be effective when they actually faced Yue Qianchou. After all, man proposes, God disposes, and life is unpredictable...

Inside the Biyuan Kingdom's embassy, Wen Youyuan received two pieces of news, one good and one bad. The bad news was that the Great Yang Kingdom, due to the disappearance of its prime minister, had decided to postpone the martial arts competition to select the prince consort, meaning everyone would have to stay longer.

Fortunately, news came from the Biyuan Kingdom, instructing him to treat Mr. Nongzhu well. The Holy Sect, which the royal family relied on, had sent a cultivator at the early Spirit Transformation stage to pay his respects to Mr. Nongzhu. Upon hearing this news, Wen Youyuan was immediately invigorated. To be able to meet a top expert from the Holy Sect was an opportunity he desperately wanted; he might even receive a spiritual pill as a reward.

He had initially considered telling Yue Qianchou about this beforehand, but then felt it would be too naive of him. Mr. Nongzhu was a contemporary of the Old Ancestor; why would he care about a mere expert from the Holy Sect? Telling him might make Mr. Nongzhu wait, and might displease him. After much deliberation, Wen Youyuan decided it was best not to say anything. However, this self-righteous decision later caused Yue Qianchou trouble...

At Guangzhao Peak, where Huo Zongming was located, many of the top experts in the Cultivation World had gathered. Guangzhao Peak had never been so lively before, with over a hundred Spirit Transformation stage experts present. Just entertaining them kept the junior disciples on the mountain quite busy. Actually, there was no other way; since everyone had come to Huo Zongming's territory, they naturally had to pay their respects to their host first.

After these people arrived one after another, everyone thought that was about it, but then an unexpected figure arrived... Yin Baikang, the Dharma Master, made a personal appearance.

As soon as Yin Baikang entered the Great Bright Hall and saw this group of demons and monsters, his face turned ashen. Needless to say, they were all there to see him make a fool of himself; otherwise, Huo Zongming's Guangzhao Peak wouldn't have the influence to attract so many Spirit Transformation stage experts to chat and boast at the same time.

"You all certainly have a refined taste. I never imagined that my Yin Baikang could attract so many people," Yin Baikang said with a cold laugh as he looked around.

That was a rather harsh remark. It was clearly an insult to the entire group. However, this old man was incredibly powerful, and none of the others who had reached the late Spirit Transformation stage had come. No one could suppress this old man, so everyone could only pretend they hadn't heard it.

Huo Zongming shook his head and smiled wryly, just about to invite him to take a seat. Suddenly, he heard someone outside laugh and say, "Yin Baikang, you really have a thick skin. You have so many grandsons, who cares about them all! We are all eager to see the hero who kidnapped your grandson. How can we not see such a hero?"

Everyone was taken aback at first upon hearing the voice; there weren't many people in the Cultivation World who dared to speak so bluntly to Yin Baikang. Then, from the familiar tone, they immediately recognized who it was. Shu Xin from the Daughter Kingdom even stood up abruptly, saying with radiant excitement, "It's Nong Zhu!"

Everyone followed Yin Baikang and turned around to look. They saw Nong Zhu walk in with a smile and bow to the surroundings.

"Haha..." Laughter erupted in the hall, and most people stood up, greeting each other, "Nong Zhu is here!"

The scene was worlds apart from Ruoyun one when Yin Baikang entered. It was clear that Nong Zhu was quite popular in the Cultivation World. Yin Baikang sneered, "Why aren't you staying in your South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest? What are you doing here causing trouble?"

"Yin Caishen, this is Guangzhao Peak, not your God of Wealth Peak. Besides, I have my own legs, and I can go wherever I want. What's it to you?" Nong Zhu flicked his sleeves and disdainfully blended into the crowd, laughing and joking with everyone.

Yin Baikang was speechless after being confronted by Nong Zhu. If it were anyone else, he would have already made a move. The key was that the guy behind Nong Zhu was too powerful, and anyone would have to think twice before acting.

"It's nothing, don't get angry. Come, please take a seat." Huo Zongming wasn't like Nong Zhu, who had such a powerful backer. He still had to honestly fulfill his duties as host.

"No need. Now that I've paid my respects to the host, I'll take my leave." Yin Baikang flicked his sleeves and left. Before leaving, he gave Nong Zhu a deep look, thinking to himself, "I'll deal with you after Bi Changchun goes to the Eastern Pole Sacred Land. Let's see how long you can be so arrogant."

Huo Zongming walked back speechlessly, pointed at Nong Zhu in the crowd and shook his head, saying, "You! You! Why do you have to lower yourself to his level? Just deal with it casually, why make such a grudge? I wonder what you'll do after Bi Changchun goes to the Eastern Pole Sacred Land?"

"Hehe! I don't believe that the Cultivation World is Yin Baikang's alone. If he really dares to bully me, I'll have to ask Wen Lanfeng to come out of seclusion and get rid of this old guy first." Nong Zhu said nonchalantly.

Everyone fell silent for a moment, then remembered that besides having a good relationship with the Number One Expert Under Heaven in the world, this guy had also saved the life of Wen Lanfeng, the number two expert. If Wen Lanfeng were to step in and support him, Yin Baikang would probably have to think twice about the consequences of messing with Nong Zhu.

"That's well said. If Mr. Nongzhu had too many concerns, he wouldn't be the carefree Mr. Nongzhu." A sweet voice rang out as Shu Xin approached, holding a cup of wine, and gently pushed it towards Nong Zhu...

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