062: The Yin Ghost Sect Makes a Move! The Fish Leave Their Nest! Cast the Net and Catch the Big Fish!

"I know you have a special constitution. Your unease just now must mean you sensed something. Come, sense it more carefully."

Inside the inn room, Chen Dengming picked up the array plate, preparing to continue questioning and investigating the cause of the unease.

The Little Array Spirit is a spiritual being with extraordinary perception, making it extremely sensitive.

This keen perception had helped him avoid trouble on many occasions at crucial moments; otherwise, he wouldn't have frequently conducted combat training in the Brocade Workshop wilderness.

If there is a feeling, there must be a reason for it; it cannot be based on mere speculation.

The wind cannot be held back, nor can a shadow be caught.

But the rumors that some people hear are not mere speculation.

When Xu Ning was far away in the Gathering Place, heard this rumor, he had already sent people to investigate the authenticity of its source.

Now, the people he sent have successfully brought him good news—the booming Gu Creatures market in Brocade Workshop is indeed run by Master Hu, and Master Hu does indeed have a partner who knows how to make Gu.

Upon hearing this news, Xu Ning knew that he had finally found the person he had been searching for for so long.

However, to his displeasure, the other party had actually partnered with Master Hu.

They live a very comfortable life now, making a fortune by selling Gu Creatures. Although it's not as large-scale as the several Gu refining fields they had back in the Gathering Place, they are still quite wealthy.

However, by the time he received this news, he already had a well-thought-out plan.

This plan had already taken root and sprouted the moment it got bogged down in the mire.

Until half a month ago, when he inadvertently learned of a deal between the Zhu Family and a mysterious person, the weeds that had sprouted in his heart grew wildly and uncontrollably.

But now that he's in his current position, it's difficult for him to leave the Gathering Place easily.

Even with an excellent plan, there's no excuse to implement it.

But now, he has an excuse.

The young master of the Zhu Family has excellent judgment; he has always been interested in the art of Gu poison.

I suspect that interest still exists.

This will be his perfect opportunity to escape the quagmire of the Gathering Place, get away from the meat grinder of the Ten Thousand Mile Frontier, and leave.

Chen Dengming, on the other hand, will become the prey and sacrifice in his plan.

Inside the inn, Chen Dengming frowned, put down the array plate, and after a moment of contemplation, continued his telepathic communication with the Little Array Spirit.

"So, your ominous feeling just now was just a sudden premonition?"

"Yes, yes, it's more like an ominous premonition. It's like... it's like a scene from my past life flashed through my mind. Okay, it seems to be related to the Yin Ghost Sect cultivator who refined me into a spirit array, but... but I can't grasp it."

"Scenes from before his death? Are they related to the Yin Ghost Sect cultivators?"

Chen Dengming pondered for a moment, then walked to the window, opened it, and looked down at the bustling street below.

"Could it be that a cultivator from the Yin Ghost Sect has come to Brocade Workshop, and some peculiar aura has agitated the Little Array Spirit, causing her to be uneasy?"

This is the only reasonable explanation Chen Dengming can offer for now.

If that's the case, then it's alright.

Even if a cultivator from the Yin Ghost Sect were to pass by Brocade Workshop, they wouldn't inexplicably become his enemy.

However, cultivators from these sects might have a way to detect spirits and ghosts, so he needs to cultivate discreetly for a while and hide the Little Array Spirit well, lest someone snatch this precious gem away.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

Startled, the Little Array Spirit darted into the array plate, peeking out with only its two eyes peeking out.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Master Hu asked me to tell you that the fish have come out of their nests because they smelled fish. Are you ready to kill them? If not, you should probably avoid them for now."

"The fish have left their nests? That's quite fast."

"The tiger is asking me how big my throat is now, so I can decide whether to eat the fish or avoid it to prevent getting a fishbone stuck in my throat."

Chen Dengming dismissed the messenger, a smile playing on his lips, while his eyes revealed a thoughtful and sharp glint.

The code seemed somewhat inexplicable, but he naturally understood its meaning and had even anticipated it, so he was not surprised at all.

The specific reasons for this can be traced back to the conditions promised to each other when he and Master Hu initially established their cooperative relationship at Yunlai Inn.

As early as when he decided to cooperate with Master Hu in selling Gu Creatures at Brocade Workshop, Chen Dengming had already planned ahead, foreseeing that the booming Gu Creatures market at Brocade Workshop would attract the attention of Xu Ning in the Gathering Place.

After all, Qian Yuan only opened some small workshops to sell pirated Gu Creatures, and the news had already spread to the Gathering Place.

The even more heated market for genuine Gu Creatures could not possibly be contained.

As long as Xu Ning and the Zhu Family remain interested in Gu Creatures and Gu-making techniques, they are likely to try their luck again.

At that time, whether the other party intends to continue seeking cooperation or has other motives, they will take action.

Chen Dengming's consideration at the time was that no matter what the Zhu Family and Xu Ning planned, he would never cooperate with them again to avoid getting involved in the troublesome vortex of Lineage disputes.

As long as he stays in Brocade Workshop, with the support of the Merchant Alliance and the benefits of the Gu Creatures, even the Zhu Family will be powerless to deal with him.

Of course, this is under the condition that the Zhu Family will not exert too much effort.

But anyone with a modicum of common sense would know that the Zhu Family wouldn't go to such lengths for such a small amount of resources.

Only Xu Ning.

In Chen Dengming's conjecture, if someone in the Zhu Family was indeed interested in refining Gu poison, Xu Ning was the most likely person to come looking for him as a lackey.

After all, other cultivators at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refining might not have been able to defeat him, as evidenced by the failure of the Iron Forest Hall's previous operation.

A month ago, Chen Dengming had anticipated this situation and had already prepared a contingency plan with Master Hu.

Xu Ning had repeatedly betrayed and exploited him.

If they still covet his Gu-refining technique, it's not a solution for him to keep avoiding it.

If we have sufficient strength, we must devise a plan to eliminate this threat once and for all; only in this way can we remove the malignant tumor and nip the threat in the bud.

But this happened much faster than expected.

In Chen Dengming's perfect plan, Xu Ning would only discover the situation at Brocade Workshop and prepare to take action against him twenty days later, when he broke through to the Qi Cultivation Sixth Level.

However, such a perfect scenario can never be realized exactly as one wishes.

"Xu Ning is indeed a big fish, but my throat isn't small either. The fishing net I've been preparing for over a month is now sturdy. I'm taking advantage of his unpreparedness... If he really comes, I'll have to prepare to eat him."

Chen Dengming stretched out his palm, and the Ice Spirit Blade hummed as it flew into his hand, radiating a chilling aura. Its blade light flowed, filling the small room.

At the same time, another magical Law Artifact resembling a golden gong flew out of the Storage Bag, hovered in front of him, and emitted a hazy spiritual light.

This is a mid-grade defensive magic Law Artifact— [Geng Jin Luo]—that he purchased from the Dark Market half a month ago for thirty-five Low-grade Spirit Stone.

As a defensive magical Law Artifact crafted from metal-type Spiritual Material, it was naturally easy for him to wield with his High-grade Spiritual Root.

He waved his hand, put away the Law Artifact, and left the room to inform Jiang Qiang to prepare fish.

Once the plan to hunt down Xu Ning, this big fish, is implemented, the Formation set up by Jiang Qiang will be of paramount importance.

The Formation can trap the fish, making it difficult for them to escape, and can also act as a restraint when the fish are in danger of retreating.

Chen Dengming either doesn't act at all, or once he does, he makes full use of all available advantages to ensure absolute success.

Four days passed quickly.

In one of the elegantly decorated shops under the Merchant Alliance, Master Hu, feigning a heroic air, puffed on his pipe, laughed heartily, and picked up a wine bowl to entertain the distinguished guests who had come from afar.

"Master Xu has come from afar, and I, Lei Laohu, have hastily come to welcome you. If there has been any inadequacy in our hospitality, please forgive me. I will drink this cup of wine in advance as a sign of my respect!"

After saying this, he raised his wine bowl and drank it all down to the bottom. Then he raised his sleeve, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, and laughed heartily. Immediately, a beautiful maidservant stepped forward to pour wine for Xu Ning.

"Why--"

Xu Ning smiled and raised his hand to stop him, turning the wine bowl upside down on the table. Facing Master Hu's furrowed brows, he explained.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, I have come here with important matters to discuss with you. If we reach an agreement, we can drink together later."

"Oh?"

Master Hu's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he laughed, "What urgent matter does Master Xu have? Please speak freely. As long as it is something I, Lei Laohu, can help with, I will do my utmost to assist you."

After saying this, he waved his hand, and the beautiful maids and servants around him obediently withdrew from the hall.

Xu Ning smiled faintly, took out a Storage Bag and placed it on the table, saying, "I have long heard that the Gu Creatures market here at Brocade Workshop is suddenly booming. Why do you pretend to be deaf and dumb with me, Fellow Daoist Lei?"

If you're willing to cooperate with me as before, wouldn't our combined strength be better than you working with some nobody with no connections or influence?

I have come here to express the sincerity of the fourth young master of the Zhu Family."

As he spoke, he pushed the Storage Bag forward.

"Oh~~"

Master Hu raised an eyebrow, a troubled look on his face. "Master Xu, as you know, I, Tiger, have always been known for my loyalty in this Gathering Place. Fellow Daoist Chen has been traveling and wandering around, and since he is willing to come to me for help, it means he recognizes my loyalty."

You're not asking me to betray Fellow Daoist Chen, you're asking me to abandon the concept of loyalty!

"Hmm?" Xu Ning's eyes turned cold, his face ashen, and he suddenly laughed, "It seems that I, Xu, have underestimated you, Fellow Daoist Lei. Are you truly unwilling to give Young Master Zhu any face?"

"Hahahaha." Master Hu suddenly burst into laughter, shaking his head and saying, "It's not that I'm unwilling to give it, but this word 'righteousness' is the foundation upon which I, Lei Laohu, stand in the business world. If Fellow Daoist Xu wants to buy this word 'righteousness,' then so be it."

He rubbed two fingers together, his seemingly rough and rugged face revealing a cunning and shrewdness that belied his appearance.

"Add more money!"

Xu Ning narrowed his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing across them, but inwardly he sneered.

Just as he had predicted, Lei Laohu appeared to be a bold, straightforward, and righteous man, but in reality, he was treacherous, cunning, and greedy.

But this is for the best; it puts him at ease.

If the other party didn't appear so greedy and readily agreed to cooperate, he would have harbored doubts.

What do you want? Name your terms.

"You should say, it's about what you want. You arranged to meet Fellow Daoist Chen outside the city, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't need to go through me."

"Clever. I know your methods, Fellow Daoist Lei. Money makes the world go round. Although Fellow Daoist Chen is extremely cautious, he is also a greedy person. You must have a way to make him obediently come to see me outside the city."

"Since you trust me so much, I will certainly try my best, but I cannot guarantee success. I will personally escort him to the city gate and then watch your meeting from beginning to end, so that he will feel at ease."

"Why don't you personally escort him out of the city? Perhaps he'll agree more easily that way."

"I, Lei Laohu, am just a businessman and don't want to get involved in any troublesome matters that have nothing to do with money."

"Good!"

Xu Ning's last doubts vanished. He gave Lei Laohu a deep look, smiled in agreement, and picked up the inverted wine bowl.

He didn't want Lei Laohu to escort Chen Dengming out of the city, because he also had other plans, and all the benefits he promised Lei Laohu were just verbal promises.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Lei Laohu smiled and personally poured wine for Xu Ning.

Only after the drinks are consumed can the matter be considered settled, and the mutual defenses that both sides have built up can be dissolved with a single gulp of alcohol.

Things were progressing even more smoothly than Xu Ning had imagined.

He believes that as long as the money is right, anything can be done quickly.

What Xu Ning didn't know was that Chen Dengming had already anticipated that he might come to Brocade Workshop to cause trouble a month ago, and had already discussed with Master Hu about how to deal with him.

This method of being prepared for any eventuality, anticipating the enemy's actions a month in advance, and setting traps to scheme against people in advance, has recently become increasingly effective, making Master Hu, one of the participants, feel a chill in his heart.

For several nights, Master Hu couldn't sleep, tossing and turning.

I feel that making enemies with someone like Chen Dengming is truly terrifying and extremely unwise.

This fishmonger must have thoroughly studied military strategy; he probably already knew how to deal with him if the fishmonger dared to rebel and cooperate with Xu Ning.

Whenever he imagined this, Master Hu felt even more apprehensive, realizing that his two nurturing partners, whom he had hidden in the east of the city, were not safe.

Therefore, as soon as Xu Ning finished negotiating with him with an air of certainty of victory, Master Hu immediately labeled Xu Ning as an idiot and betrayed him.

As instructed by Chen Dengming, he told Xu Ning that he would arrange to meet Chen Dengming near the Qihe River in the countryside outside Brocade Workshop, and he could not guarantee whether Chen Dengming would bring one or two subordinates.

Qihe River is not far from the north gate of Brocade Workshop, only two li away.

Standing atop the north gate, one can see the riverbank from afar.

The river's channel leads directly to the underground river system of Mingyun Mountain, with numerous interconnected channels and hidden currents.

Chen Dengming chose to meet Xu Ning in this vicinity because he considered that if things went wrong, this would be an excellent route for a quick escape.

Even if the enemy wanted to pursue him, they would easily lose him because he was not familiar with the route.

Plan your retreat before the battle even begins.

By carefully planning and figuring out all the safety issues and evacuation routes, he could ensure his invincibility. This was a fishing net he had meticulously woven for his enemy over a month during actual combat training.

(Yesterday I updated with over 30,000 words, and today I've updated with 8,500 words! Please vote for me, my fellow monthly pass readers! I'll add more tonight if I get enough votes!)