Incense Fragrance Sect

The two family heads, already displeased, relaxed at this.

They exchanged a look, seeing a flicker of emotion in each other's eyes.

"What method?" they asked in unison, unable to help themselves.

They had been suffering under the county magistrate for so long, they wished they could break free on the spot.

Gao Huaiyi smiled, the scar on his face contorting like a coiled centipede, making him look even more ferocious.

"We can send people to guard your two mansions for a year, and in addition, we'll gift you a martial art that can reach the Inner-Qi Realm, plus a large amount of medicinal herbs. What do you say?"

At his words, their breathing quickened.

Neither of their families possessed an Inner-Qi Realm martial art.

There wasn't a single person in all of Changfeng County who had reached the Inner-Qi Realm.

Receiving one could potentially change their destiny and secure their position as the foremost power in Changfeng County!

What did reaching the Inner-Qi Realm prove?

From then on, they wouldn't have to kowtow to anyone!

This was precisely why Huang He had been so enraged upon learning that the Fifth Young Master was about to bring back an Inner-Qi Realm martial art, only for him to die.

Hearing again that they could obtain an Inner-Qi Realm martial art, it was impossible for the two family heads not to be tempted!

However, having experts from the Incense Fragrance Sect guard their mansions for a year did give them some pause.

Wang Ju frowned, cutting straight to the chase: "We are indeed tempted by the Inner-Qi Realm martial art and the Incense Fragrance Sect's martial resources."

"But having people guard our mansions..."

Gao Huaiyi's smile didn't diminish as he patiently explained, "You two misunderstand. The guards won't interfere with anything in your mansions; things will proceed as usual."

"Then you wouldn't be sending experts to Changfeng County just to help us, would you?" Wang Ju's eyes darted around, an idea forming in his mind.

Huang He also remained silent, contemplating.

The Incense Fragrance Sect's influence extended to the areas surrounding Qingfeng Prefecture, boasting a renowned reputation and immense influence.

Changfeng County, on the other hand, was one of the few regions not yet under their sway.

Therefore, was the Incense Fragrance Sect's true objective to spread their teachings in Changfeng County?

It was already a chaotic era, with people in turmoil. The Incense Fragrance Sect stirring up trouble in Qingfeng Prefecture clearly had ulterior motives!

For a moment, they found themselves wavering and struggling with their decision.

As if sensing their thoughts, Gao Huaiyi didn't conceal anything and nodded in acknowledgment.

He then enticed them, "Gentlemen, for the mere cost of a few commoners, you can break free from your cage and regain your freedom. This is a very profitable deal for you."

Huang He and Wang Ju exchanged glances, their eyes finally gleaming as they communicated their thoughts.

They were controlled by the county magistrate, unable to act of their own accord, and had done countless unsavory deeds for him, harboring deep resentment.

However, they were powerless to do anything about it.

Now, the opportunity to break free from the magistrate and regain their freedom was rare.

They weren't afraid of the Incense Fragrance Sect abandoning them after they served their purpose.

Firstly, the Incense Fragrance Sect was too large and would be closely watched, their actions constantly constrained. Experts beyond the Inner-Qi Realm would absolutely not be dispatched.

If the Incense Fragrance Sect broke their promise, they could simply unite to resist and falsely accuse them.

Huang He's eyes showed determination as he decided, "This is indeed a profitable deal. In that case, we thank the Incense Fragrance Sect for their consideration."

"I, Wang Ju, agree."

Gao Huaiyi rose and raised his cup, smiling, "In that case, I'll toast with tea to our successful cooperation."

After a while, Gao Huaiyi and Wang Tianlong left the Huang Mansion and went to an inn.

"Brother Gao, are we really not going to find the mastermind and just kill some commoners to report back?"

"What if they come to cause trouble again during our proselytizing?" Wang Tianlong couldn't help but worry.

Gao Huaiyi shook his head and sighed, "You, you just don't know how to adapt."

"If this person truly comes to cause trouble, who would dare say it was the same person?"

"Killing a few commoners is all it takes to easily report back and get the job done. Why wouldn't we do it?"

"As for spreading our teachings..."

"Heh, we go out there risking our lives, while they just flap their gums and get showered with praise, and they're the ones who get the biggest cut."

"Bah!" Gao Huaiyi spat, a look of disdain on his face. "They get all the good things!"

Zhang Tianlong scratched his head and thought about it. He realized it made sense, but he was still a little worried. "But..."

Before he could finish, Gao Huaiyi interrupted him, "Tch, we have internal divisions and conflicts; we're not a united front."

"The Cult Master hasn't been seen in ages, and hasn't taken charge of anything. How can anything significant be accomplished like this?"

"Eat what you want, drink what you want, and just drift through life."

"The world is fraught with danger; just staying alive is good enough, let alone living as comfortably as we do."

"What, do you actually want to start a rebellion?"

He glanced at Zhang Tianlong, his eyes deep as if he had already seen through everything. "Not to mention whether such a thing could even succeed."

"If we truly rebelled, the battlefield would be riddled with crises. The imperial court has countless experts and a profound foundation; even those in the Inner-Qi Realm risk death, let alone us, who are merely in the Tendon-Refining Realm?"

"Just think of those herb gatherers living at the bottom of society—they wouldn't even know how they died!"

Zhang Tianlong pondered for a moment and sighed, "Brother Gao, you really have the right perspective."

With the Cult Leader not showing his face, everyone was feeling uneasy, and rumors were flying everywhere.

Some said the Cult Leader had suffered a cultivation deviation and lost most of his power.

Some said the Cult Leader had been captured by the imperial court and was being tortured.

Some said the Cult Leader had absconded with the treasury and vanished into the martial arts world.

Better to stabilize one's own situation first.

Gao Huaiyi patted Zhang Tianlong on the shoulder. "We've already been targeted, so we must move quickly."

"The assassins from the Wind and Rain Pavilion will likely come again."

When you're in a cult, offending people is inevitable.

On this trip, they had already been ambushed by assassins from the Wind and Rain Pavilion.

If not for their solid strength, they would have already become wandering ghosts.

Lu Li had left the Huang Family early to find Hu Niu and knew nothing of this.

He rode Hu Niu, who moved through the woods like a bolt of white lightning.

In the blink of an eye, she was gone again.

Although he had practiced the Flying Swallow Step, when it came to speed and adapting to the complex terrain of dense forests, demons were still superior.

Lu Li braved the whistling wind, picked up the map to identify his location, and used his extraordinary eyesight to scan the undulating terrain around him.

"Almost there. In another hour, I'll reach the Wind and Rain Pavilion."

The location of the Wind and Rain Pavilion was the exact opposite of the Black Market.

The Black Market was in the east, while the Wind and Rain Pavilion was in the west.

However, both had chosen to be built within valleys.

Following the markings on the map, he finally arrived at an inconspicuous valley where a tall tower had been erected.

Lu Li had Hu Niu wait in the distance and walked toward the tower alone.

People were moving in and out of the tower.

They were all dressed in night-traveling clothes, revealing only their sharp eyes.

They sized Lu Li up.

Lu Li felt their gazes piercing toward him like sharp swords, exerting immense pressure.

Lu Li was secretly startled; as expected of the Wind and Rain Pavilion, it was truly filled with experts.

However, he was at least a match for a martial artist in the Organ-Refining Realm. While these people gave him a sense of oppression, that was all it was.

If they really were to fight, the outcome would be anyone's guess.

He stepped into the tower.

The interior was spacious, with only an old man in green clothes sitting at the counter.

The old man had a gaunt face and white hair.

But his eyes were bright and spirited, showing no signs of his advanced age.

Lu Li stepped forward and bowed to the old man in green.

"May I ask, are you Elder Qing?"

The map had thoughtfully noted that to accept a mission, one had to find an old man named Qing Yi.

The old man in green nodded.

Lu Li explained that he had been referred by Black Hawk, which caused the old man's expression to shift.