After sending Bai Yin and the other three away, Sang Mo weighed his options for a long time. In the end, he decided to approach Cha Po and Cha Ge first. He knew that he and his four Golden Core Late Stage guardians, even working together, might not be able to stand against Yun Ce, who was in the Void-Piercing Realm. Only by winning over Cha Po and Cha Ge, the two deputy cave masters, and making use of their status and influence could he gather enough strength to face Yun Ce head-on.
That evening, Sang Mo avoided the patrolling guards and quietly made his way to Cha Po's cave abode. Cha Po was sitting inside, admiring the Heaven-Burning Flame Phoenix Claw Yun Ce had given him. His face was full of satisfaction. The power of a High-Grade Spirit Artifact far surpassed that of the Mid-Grade Spirit Artifact he had used before. Even the loss of his five hundred personal guards had long since been eclipsed by this windfall.
"Guardian Sang Mo, what brings you here today?" Cha Po looked up at him, his tone indifferent and far from welcoming. He knew Sang Mo was cruel and ambitious, and had never wanted much to do with him.
Sang Mo forced a fawning smile and stepped forward. "Deputy Cave Master Cha Po, I've come today because there's something important I'd like to discuss with you and Deputy Cave Master Cha Ge. It concerns our standing in the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion."
Cha Po's interest was piqued. He set down the Heaven-Burning Flame Phoenix Claw and said coolly, "Oh? What is it? Speak plainly."
Sang Mo glanced around to make sure they were alone, then lowered his voice. "Deputy Cave Master, Yun Ce is just an outsider. As soon as he arrived, he took away your guards and Deputy Cave Master Cha Ge's, and was even appointed Grand Guardian, placing him above us. Now he's reorganizing the guards and winning people over. If things go on like this, before long he'll control most of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. By then, you and Deputy Cave Master Cha Ge may well be pushed aside!"
He paused, then continued to sow discord. "I've already joined forces with Bai Yin, Ran Lan, Mu Xu, and Zhuang Zhong. If you and Deputy Cave Master Cha Ge agree to join us, together we can pressure the cave master to rein Yun Ce in and reclaim your guards and position. We might even drive Yun Ce out of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion!"
Cha Po showed no reaction. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Guardian Sang Mo, you're worrying over nothing. Yun Ce was personally appointed Grand Guardian by my elder brother. He's powerful and has brought strength to the cave mansion. It's only natural that the cave master trusts him. As for the guards, they're no more than worldly possessions. With this High-Grade Spirit Artifact, the Heaven-Burning Flame Phoenix Claw, my strength has increased greatly. What does it matter whether I have guards or not?"
Sang Mo's heart sank. He hadn't expected Cha Po to be so unmoved. He hurriedly said, "Deputy Cave Master, how can you be so foolish? Yun Ce's origins are unknown, and he's throwing money around. He must have some hidden agenda. Once he controls the cave mansion, he certainly won't spare those of us who've served here for years!"
"Enough." Cha Po's tone grew cold as he waved a hand. "Guardian Sang Mo, I won't take part in this, so there's no need to try to persuade me. Grand Guardian Yun Ce is powerful; we're no match for him. Better to keep our heads down than to court death. Take care of yourself."
Sang Mo was unwilling to give up, but didn't dare say more. He could only leave Cha Po's cave abode in disappointment and head for Cha Ge's residence instead. He had assumed Cha Ge would be resentful after losing his guards and would surely agree to join forces. He hadn't expected Cha Ge to be even more resolute than Cha Po.
Cha Ge was admiring the Lieshan Black Turtle Shield, unable to put it down. After hearing Sang Mo's proposal, he let out a cold laugh. "Sang Mo, don't try to drag me into this! Senior Yun Ce is powerful, and he even gave me such a precious High-Grade Spirit Artifact. I can't curry favor with him fast enough—why would I join you in opposing him? Besides, my elder brother trusts him. If you dare move against him, you'll be making an enemy of my elder brother. I won't take that risk!"
With that, Cha Ge showed him the door and had him thrown out of the cave abode. Outside, Sang Mo's face darkened with rage, and his resentment and indignation grew more intense. His attempt to win over Cha Po and Cha Ge had failed. With only Bai Yin and the other three, he was no match for Yun Ce. Yet he couldn't bring himself to give up. As he pondered, a vicious plan quietly took shape in his mind.
Yun Ce was powerful, and Sang Mo was no match for him. But Qin Yu and Black Feather, his subordinates, were only at the Golden Core Mid Stage. If Sang Mo secretly set a trap and eliminated the two of them, he could strike at Yun Ce's confidence and leave him isolated. He might even take the opportunity to drive a wedge between Yun Ce and Cha Hong. It would accomplish several things at once.
That night, Sang Mo secretly summoned Bai Yin, Ran Lan, Mu Xu, and Zhuang Zhong, and told them his plan. Although the four were apprehensive, they couldn't resist Sang Mo's goading or their fear of Yun Ce. In the end, they agreed.
The next morning, at Yun Ce's instructions, Qin Yu took Black Feather to patrol the outskirts of the Crimson Blood Territory. Yun Ce wanted Qin Yu to familiarize himself with the area and sharpen his ability to react, so he had specifically told Black Feather to accompany him as a bodyguard. The two thought nothing of it. They maintained the aura of the Golden Core Mid Stage, used the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual to disguise themselves as ordinary demon cultivators, and headed toward the outskirts of the Crimson Blood Territory.
They didn't know that Sang Mo had already brought Bai Yin and the others to set a trap in a secluded rocky gorge on the outskirts of the Crimson Blood Territory. He had also mobilized twenty elite guards under his command, who were lying in wait on either side of the gorge, ready for Qin Yu and Black Feather to walk into their snare.
Before long, Qin Yu and Black Feather entered the rocky gorge. It was dark and damp, with jagged rocks all around and a faint smell of blood in the air. Qin Yu immediately grew wary and sent a voice transmission to Black Feather. "Xiao Hei, be careful. Something's wrong here. There may be an ambush."
Black Feather grew alert as well, his keen eyes sweeping over the rocks around them. He was about to respond when a shout rang out: "Attack!"
As soon as the words fell, Sang Mo and the other four leaped out from behind the rocks, while the twenty elite guards appeared and surrounded Qin Yu and Black Feather. Standing not far away, Sang Mo wore a vicious smile. "Qin Yu, Black Feather, today is the day you die!"
Qin Yu's expression darkened. He stepped in front of Black Feather, circulated his Nebula True Qi, and said coldly, "Sang Mo, you dared to attack us. Aren't you afraid the Grand Guardian will hold you accountable?"
"Hold me accountable?" Sang Mo sneered. "Once I've killed you, I'll say you were slain by demon beasts on the outskirts of the Crimson Blood Territory. Even if Yun Ce suspects me, he'll have no proof! Besides, he's just an outsider. Even if he comes after us, he can't do anything against me and the four guardians working together!"
With that, Sang Mo waved to the others. "Kill them!"
Bai Yin and the other three immediately circulated their demonic power and rushed at Qin Yu and Black Feather. The twenty guards also raised their weapons and attacked. Qin Yu and Black Feather were only at the Golden Core Mid Stage, but Qin Yu's Nebula True Qi was immensely powerful, and Black Feather was a divine beast. Even with part of his strength concealed, he was no easy opponent.
Qin Yu wielded a High-Grade Spirit Artifact longsword and circulated his Nebula True Qi. His sword flashed, instantly blocking the attacks of Bai Yin and Ran Lan. Black Feather spread his wings, dark light glimmering across them. His sharp claws raked through the air, and one guard failed to dodge in time. Black Feather's claws tore into him, and he fell to the ground with a cry.
But Sang Mo and the four guardians, together with the twenty guards, had the advantage in numbers. Qin Yu and Black Feather gradually fell behind, and both suffered several wounds. Just as Sang Mo seized the opportunity to strike and tried to kill Qin Yu with a single blow, a cold voice suddenly came from the gorge's entrance. "Sang Mo, how dare you!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. Yun Ce stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back, his eyes as cold as ice and the formidable pressure of the Void-Piercing Realm radiating from him. Dragon Rock Lion and Red Phoenix followed behind him, both releasing a hint of their aura and making their powerful presence felt.
As it turned out, Yun Ce had already noticed Sang Mo's movements. After Qin Yu and Black Feather set out, he had quietly followed them in case anything went wrong. He hadn't expected Sang Mo to actually set a trap and attack them.
Sang Mo stiffened, his heart in turmoil. The viciousness vanished from his face, replaced by fear. "Y-Yun Ce, Grand Guardian... how are you here?"
"If I hadn't come, would I have stood by and watched a little scoundrel like you harm my companions?" Yun Ce said coldly. He walked toward Sang Mo one step at a time, the pressure around him growing stronger. Sang Mo, the four guardians, and the guards trembled all over, even finding it difficult to breathe.
"Grand Guardian, spare me! I was momentarily confused, and that's why I did such a thing. Please, have mercy!" Sang Mo hurriedly dropped to his knees and begged, his face full of terror. His earlier arrogance was gone. Bai Yin and the other three also fell to their knees and pleaded, not daring to resist.
Yun Ce's gaze was cold, without a hint of pity. "You secretly plotted with the guardians to rebel, then set a trap and tried to kill my companions. You deserve death. Today, I'll purge the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion of traitors!"
As he spoke, Yun Ce raised a hand and swept it outward. Five streaks of fierce spiritual light flashed past, striking Sang Mo, Bai Yin, Ran Lan, Mu Xu, and Zhuang Zhong. They couldn't even cry out before the light shattered their demon cores. They died on the spot, their souls extinguished.
The twenty guards were terrified out of their wits. They dropped to their knees and begged for their lives. Yun Ce's gaze remained cold, and he didn't hesitate. With a sweep of his sleeve, several more streaks of spiritual light flashed past, killing all twenty guards. Not one survived.
Only after dealing with Sang Mo and his group did Yun Ce walk over to Qin Yu and Black Feather. His voice softened. "Xiao Yu, Xiao Hei, are you both all right?"
Qin Yu shook his head and bowed. "I'm all right, Master. Thank you for arriving in time. Otherwise, Xiao Hei and I might have died here today." Black Feather nodded too, a trace of coldness still in his keen eyes.
Yun Ce nodded and glanced at the corpses on the ground, his voice cold. "Sang Mo was ambitious and would have remained a threat. This was a good chance to eliminate him and the others all at once."
The news that Sang Mo and the four guardians had been killed, along with all twenty guards, quickly spread through the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. When Cha Po and Cha Ge heard, their expressions immediately darkened, and they were deeply displeased. Sang Mo might have been at odds with them, but he was still a guardian of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. Yun Ce had killed five guardians and twenty guards without Cha Hong's permission. It was far too overbearing, as though he didn't regard the two deputy cave masters at all.
The two immediately went to Cha Hong's cave abode to report the matter and ask him to punish Yun Ce. But when they reached the entrance, the guards stopped them. "Deputy Cave Masters, the cave master is in seclusion. He ordered that no one disturb him, no matter what happens."
"In seclusion?" Cha Po furrowed his brows. "Why would my elder brother go into seclusion at a time like this? Yun Ce killed five guardians without permission and disrupted order in the cave mansion. This is no small matter. My elder brother needs to know!"
"Sorry, Deputy Cave Masters. The cave master gave strict orders that no one is to disturb his seclusion. The consequences will be yours to bear if you disobey."
Cha Po and Cha Ge were displeased, but they didn't dare force their way in. They knew Cha Hong's temper, and that he would punish them severely if they interrupted his seclusion. They could only leave in frustration. Their resentment toward Yun Ce grew, but there was nothing they could do, so they had to endure it for the time being.
What they didn't know was that, deep within Cha Hong's cave abode, he was sitting cross-legged in a secret chamber. A black Jade Box floated before him, plain and unadorned, with a faint spiritual glow surrounding it. It was the Dust-Removing Restriction set by Immortal Emperor Ni Yang.
The black Jade Box was the key to the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion, which Cha Hong had obtained by chance. Inside was a small Jade Sword, one of the keys to opening the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion. Cha Hong had possessed the box for nearly a hundred years. For most of that time, he had been in seclusion, trying to break the Dust-Removing Restriction on the box, retrieve the Jade Sword inside, locate the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion, and obtain Immortal Emperor Ni Yang's opportunity.
A dense demonic aura radiated from Cha Hong as he poured all his strength into attacking the restriction on the Jade Box. The Dust-Removing Restriction was exceptionally profound, set by Immortal Emperor Ni Yang himself. Even though Cha Hong had reached the early stage of the Void-Piercing Realm, he had been unable to break it. After a hundred years of refining it, the restriction was finally showing signs of giving way, but it would still take quite some time to break it completely.
Cha Hong had long known about the fighting in the cave mansion. Although his divine sense hadn't spread throughout the entire area, he could still sense major disturbances. But he was wholly focused on breaking the restriction, and had no time to concern himself with the struggle between Sang Mo and Yun Ce. To him, the conflict between the guardians was a minor matter. Obtaining the opportunity in the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion and increasing his strength were what mattered most.
Meanwhile, Yun Ce stood inside his own cave abode, his gaze directed toward Cha Hong's. A faint smile curved his lips. He had already sensed what was happening in Cha Hong's secret chamber through his divine sense, and knew the black Jade Box was the key to the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion. In the original story, Cha Hong had brought disaster upon himself because of this Jade Sword, ultimately dying and having his soul scattered.
Cha Hong has spent a hundred years in seclusion, all to break the Dust-Removing Restriction and obtain the key to the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion. What a pity. In the end, all his efforts will come to nothing. Yun Ce mused to himself. Once he breaks the restriction and retrieves the Jade Sword, that will be my chance to take it. Until then, I only need to secure my position in the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, take control of its forces, and wait for the right moment.
Qin Yu entered the cave abode and studied Yun Ce's expression before asking quietly, "Master, Cave Master Cha Hong has been in seclusion this whole time, and everyone knows Cha Po and Cha Ge are unhappy with us. What should we do next? Should we just fall out with them?"
Yun Ce smiled faintly. His tone was gentle, but carried an air of certainty. "Don't be hasty. We don't need to worry about them for now. They're just unwilling to accept things, but they don't dare to truly make an enemy of us. Next, we'll take over the forces of Sang Mo and the four guardians, gather their guards and resources, and bring most of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion under our control. For every day Cha Hong remains in seclusion, we'll grow stronger. By the time he comes out, the entire Crimson Blood Cave Mansion will already be ours."
Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix all nodded, their eyes filled with resolve. A power vacuum had opened in the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, and a new reshuffling of its forces was quietly beginning.
Before you continue