Internal Traitor, Betrayal

"Wusheng Laomu above, today we bestow blessings upon all living beings!"

The old Taoist priest spoke indifferently. His voice wasn't piercing or earth-shattering, yet it easily drowned out the noise of the crowd, carrying a sense of peace.

As soon as he spoke, the scene fell silent.

"Wusheng Laomu above, we seek the Holy Master's blessings. I am willing to spend all my wealth to worship Laomu and the Holy Master, just please save my son!"

A burly man broke the silence, holding his coughing son as he knelt and kowtowed.

The child was only five or six years old, his face pale. His father covered his mouth to stop him from coughing, his little face turning red from the effort.

"With Wusheng Laomu's protection, your son will surely be alright."

The old Taoist priest smiled and said, "Bestow blessings!"

"Yes."

A Taiping Sect follower beside him flicked his finger, and a talisman burned into existence in the air. He threw the burning talisman into a wooden bucket, and it continued to burn.

After a while, the Taiping Sect follower scooped a ladle of talisman water. The burly man tossed a bag of silver into a bamboo basket and raised the porcelain bowl high, "We request the Holy Master's blessings!"

"Blessings~~~~"

The Taiping Sect follower sang out, stretching his neck.

The burly man poured a bowl of talisman water into the child. The child, who had been coughing, immediately felt much better. In just over ten seconds, he stopped coughing, and color returned to his pale face.

Seeing this miraculous scene, even the half-believers began to believe.

"Thank you, Holy Master, for your blessings!"

The burly man was filled with gratitude.

Fueled by this event, more and more people rushed to request the Holy Master's blessings, pushing the fervor of the scene to a climax.

The common folk worshipped the Holy Master as a deity.

"I just don't understand. This so-called Holy Master is clearly deceiving people, so why aren't the authorities doing anything?"

Lu Yuan heard someone complaining near his ear. He followed the sound and saw several government yamen runners standing together and talking.

"If you ask me, they should arrest these charlatans!"

Someone said indignantly.

"Shh, keep your voice down. It doesn't matter what we think; what matters is what the officials think. If they don't care, what good is it for us to care?"

"Exactly. I think the officials have taken bribes. As long as they don't rebel, they'll turn a blind eye."

"It's better not to meddle. You might get yourself in trouble later."

Lu Yuan shook his head and stopped watching the spectacle.

This Great Sheng is truly declining. Fortunately, he didn't agree to join the Six Doors.

The Taiping Sect was openly inciting people, expanding its faith, and deceiving the masses. Even if the authorities were blind, they would see it.

Yet, so far, from Lingbao County to Ziyun County, he had seen no action from the officials.

Were they truly afraid to act?

Unwilling to act?

Or colluding with the Taiping Sect?

Whatever the reason, it was terrifying. It proved that the Great Sheng's foundations, at least at the county level, were rotten to the core.

If the roots were so rotten, was there any hope for the Great Sheng?

He stayed at an inn for one night, and nothing eventful happened.

Early the next morning, Lu Yuan mounted his horse and continued his journey. Just as he exited the city gates, he saw Xu Ziyi again. He seemed to be tracking someone.

Upon closer inspection, the person being tracked was the old Taoist priest he had seen yesterday.

However, today he had no beard under his chin, and his hair had turned black.

If Lu Yuan weren't so perceptive, it would have been difficult to see through his disguise.

"The Six Doors are tracking people from the Taiping Sect? What are Xu Ziyi and the others planning?"

Lu Yuan initially didn't intend to get involved, but curiosity got the better of him, and he followed.

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

It was like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Lu Yuan saw Xu Ziyi tracking the target and leaving markings along the roadside as he went.

Realizing that Xu Ziyi had many companions, Lu Yuan stopped tracking and waited for a while. Sure enough, light footsteps followed the markings.

Lu Yuan then followed behind them.

Weaving through the forest, a village could be vaguely seen in the distance. Watching the people ahead enter the village, Xu Ziyi's spirits lifted. "Finally found it!! Once Lord Pang and the others arrive, we can make our move!"

Not long after, over a dozen Six Doors constables arrived. The leader was a burly man in black. He was tall and strong, exuding a sense of power. Although he looked like a large bear, his footsteps only left shallow prints in the mud, clearly indicating profound martial arts skills.

"Lord Pang."

Xu Ziyi strode forward.

Pang Tianlong nodded. "Did you see Huo Jian go in?"

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Good! Follow me!"

Pang Tianlong took a deep breath, drew his saber, and led over a dozen Six Doors constables straight toward the village.

But they had only taken a dozen steps when Huo Jian emerged from the village entrance with a large group of people, smiling and waving. "Lord Pang, long time no see."

Pang Tianlong glared fiercely at Xu Ziyi, who immediately shook his head. "Lord Pang, I'm not the mole!!"

"Did I say you were the mole? I said your tracking was discovered!"

Pang Tianlong said angrily.

"I've prepared a gift for you. I hope you like it."

Huo Jian clapped his hands. On both sides of the Six Doors, large teams emerged, each holding swords and drawing their sabers.

Pang Tianlong's expression sank. He muttered to himself, "It's over. I'm going to die here today."

"Lord Pang, do you like this gift? I prepared it for quite some time. I was really afraid you wouldn't come," Huo Jian said with a laugh.

Pang Tianlong narrowed his eyes. "Huo Jian, since you've got me cornered, can you grant me one wish before I die?"

"What wish?"

"Can you tell me where your Yin Yang Pills come from?"

Huo Jian scoffed. "Pang Tianlong, do I look like an idiot? Your intention in asking is too obvious."

Pang Tianlong said innocently, "You have fifty or sixty men, and we only have a dozen or so. Are you afraid we'll escape? Can't you let me die with understanding?"

Huo Jian said calmly, "Lord Pang, don't waste your breath. I know you, Pang Tianlong, have escaped death three times. You've faced even more dangerous situations than this. You're a lucky general. I don't have absolute confidence in controlling you. What if your luck suddenly increases and I have nowhere to cry?"

"Boss, hurry up and use your powers!"

One of the constables laughed.

"Get lost, you bastard! If I could use powers to increase my luck, would I have fallen for this trap?" Pang Tianlong cursed with a laugh. He looked around and took a deep breath.

"Brothers, if we make it out alive, I'll treat you all to drinks!! Charge!"

Swoosh!

A chill ran down Pang Tianlong's spine. At the critical moment, he twisted with all his might, dodging a sword thrust from behind.

But the sword still pierced straight through his back, emerging from the center of his chest.

The attacker immediately flew towards Huo Jian after the strike.

"Ye Hua!!!"

"Ye Hua, are you crazy!!"

"Ye Hua, you dare betray the boss! You heartless cur!"

The Six Doors men were first disbelieving, then erupted in a furious uproar, cursing loudly.

Pang Tianlong clutched his chest, slowly looked down at the sword tip protruding and the drops of blood falling, his face pale. He looked up at Ye Hua. "Why, Ye Hua, tell me, why?"

Ye Hua's face twitched. He said shamefully, "Betrayal? Beast? Treacherous intentions? I'll accept whatever insults you throw at me. I am a beast."

"Boss Pang, I'm most sorry to you, but they captured my wife and children. I had no choice but to be their mole and pass information to them. You already suspected there was a mole among us. I knew I would be exposed sooner or later..."