Each With Their Own Scheme, None Escaping Their Fate

"Yan Chixia arrived in the capital yesterday at noon, accompanied by Kunlun disciple Zhiqiu Yiye, Ning Caichen, a Swordsman Xiahou, and more than forty others, who should mostly be users."

"I've already spent money to have it resold twice, and I've used connections to indirectly get the brokerage to arrange for a group of refugees to plant many informants at the city gate and other key locations. This confirmed that early this morning, an old monk and a young monk followed a group of people through the city gate."

"Those people practically surrounded the two monks, making it impossible to see their faces clearly, but according to some detailed reports from their informants, there was this tactic of trying to cover it up—"

"I highly suspect that was the White Cloud Monk disciples from A Chinese Ghost Story 3, who had already cultivated their Golden Blood. And most of the people who came with them were probably users as well."

Several people sat in the courtyard, watching "Yang Three" holding a charcoal pencil, scribbling and drawing on the pile of white paper in front of him in a manner reminiscent of a primary school student scribbling.

Compared to the writing brushes commonly used by ancient scholars, these coarse charcoal pencils were more convenient for them.

"According to the information we received from Fu Tianchou's users, Zuo Qianhu seems to have taken some of their advice to heart and didn't immediately return to report. However, he cannot be found and is currently classified as missing."

The three characters "Zuo Qianhu" on the paper were circled and marked with a question mark.

"That White Cloud Monk very important, but according to our informants, the young monk is just a teenager. I can't be sure if he's really one of the two people we've identified."

"So, Chen Four, I'd like to trouble you to go and follow the clues to take a look. It would be best if you could confirm their identities. If the users on the other end attack you directly, try to remain calm and tell them that you'll wait for someone to come over to discuss the cooperation."

The four characters "White Cloud Monk" were also circled with a question mark, but unlike the others, this question mark was drawn with a red cinnabar brush.

"As for Yan Chixia's side, Chen Four used a spy bug to chase after them last night and eavesdrop on their situation. However, there must be some experts on their side. When the spy bug flew within three meters of one of them, it shattered. Only after they left did Old Chen dare to manipulate the spy bug to reassemble."

"We basically have to negotiate in person, so Li Two, I'll trouble you to go. Theoretically, with Yan Chixia present, the other side will most likely not consider attacking you directly. This is one of the most crucial development paths, and we must find a way to get into this main line no matter what."

"In particular, we must first confirm whether that thing is actually in the sword box on Yan Chixia's back."

Turning to a new page, "Yan Chixia" and "Sword Box" were connected by a single stroke, both marked with red ink, but with three question marks next to them!

"Also, Li Two, you could remind Yan Chixia and the others to quietly move. An experienced spies told me they discovered someone else was tracking Yan Chixia during the day; we're probably not the only ones following this route—"

"Most importantly, I also got some information from the brokerage yesterday: it seems that someone in the imperial court is secretly searching for the whereabouts of 'Swordsman Yan Chixia,' and the reward is quite high—"

At this point, Yang Three suddenly paused, and even the pen in his hand visibly stopped.

"What's wrong, Old Yang?"

Seeing his reaction, the people around him asked him what was wrong.

The speed of "Cihang Pudu" has accelerated again—there are still people in the imperial court searching for Yan Chixia's whereabouts—

For some reason, Yang Three frowned deeply.

"Everyone, a question suddenly occurred to me. What if the people in the imperial court investigating Yan Chixia aren't the shrewd individuals I previously suspected, like Fu Tianchou, who want to use Yan Chixia's power to subdue demons?"

"But rather—it's about Cihang Pudu?"

"The Main God only requires us to participate in the main storyline as much as possible, without any other restrictions. So, is it possible that some users might do the opposite, going crazy and choosing to join the camp of that old centipede that eats people?"

Coincidentally, in the Cihang Hall, a "place of quiet cultivation" designated by the reigning emperor himself for the Imperial Preceptor Cihang Pudu within the palace.

The figure, draped in a white robe with gold thread and wearing a tall hat, still appeared to be sitting calmly on a lotus throne.

However, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that at this moment, this "high monk," who was even moving the prayer beads in his hand faster and faster, was probably not so calm at all.

"I have already received news that Yan Chixia, the nemesis you mentioned," arrived in the capital yesterday and is currently searching for Fu Tianchou.

"But those who came with him were not only the Kunlun disciples whom I had sent people to search for, but also dozens of Otherworlder."

"In that case, why doesn't Abbot strike first? Why not kill Yan Chixia a few days earlier? Without the help of the Heavenly Hound Devouring the Moon, he certainly can't match you with just those men."

Seated on a futon below, a figure wearing a gray-white mask and with a high-pitched voice clasped his hands together in a disciple's salute, seemingly offering a "suggestion" with feigned respect.

The monk on the lotus platform didn't even look up, only a faint Buddhist light emanating from his body. "You strange beings, your cultivation is shallow, your path is uncertain, and you ultimately do not understand the will of Heaven."

"The right time and place are crucial for cultivation. The Heavenly Hound Devouring the Moon creates an extreme yin energy, which, while disrupting the vital energy and suppressing the physical body, is also necessary for me to shed my old form. This tribulation is also an opportunity."

"If Yan Chixia is truly the tribulation that will shape my transformation, since I already knew this beforehand, keeping him alive is actually the best course of action."

"I have absorbed the dynasty's destiny to nourish my true body. Although I was able to conceal myself with dragon energy before, now that I am about to succeed, my presence will inevitably be revealed. Under such circumstances, I will also face a backlash and calamity. This is not merely a coincidence, but a backlash from the destiny of Humanity that I cannot avoid in the end."

"Killing that swordsman now wouldn't be difficult, but I wonder what kind of trouble the 'human tribulation' that will bring when I undergo my tribulation will be."

"I see! Abbot, you are indeed far-sighted and wise!"

The masked figure seated below also tactfully added a few words of praise.

"Enough of this idle talk. Where is the extraordinary person this humble monk seeks?"

Suddenly opening his eyes, Cihang Pudu, who always wore a smile, was now, for some reason, referring to himself as "this humble monk."

"Abbot, I have lured over twenty more people here in the past two days. I have already arranged for my companions to do some tampering at the Longliu Inn of the city. Abbot, you will send someone to collect the goods tonight." However, there are still a few foreigners among them. I hope the Grand Preceptor will not find them offensive.

"It's alright, but this number is still insufficient. I will bring more of these special people here; they will be of use to me."

"Of course, you'll get your share of the benefits afterward."

"Thank you, Abbot."

The masked figure bowed obsequiously, "I have no other request, only a few complete cultivation manuals from those Daoist practitioners, and the sword from Yan Chixia's body."

"This humble monk understands; you may leave now."

"Yes, then I will not disturb the abbot's meditation any longer. I will take my leave."

The words had barely left his mouth.

The figure suddenly tilted his head, his whole body went limp, and he collapsed weakly from the prayer mat. The strange mask also came off his face, revealing an ordinary person who looked like a eunuch.

Unfazed, Cihang Pudu simply swept past with a faint giant shadow beneath him, carefully collecting the gray-white mask and swallowing the eunuch, who was actually used for "sound transmission," along with it.

"There are still three or four days left. We don't know what exactly happened in the Underworld, but a 'Earth Sovereign' who is definitely not the true Black Mountain— "

"Now that the retreat route to the Wrongful-Death City is cut off, I have no choice but to make this choice."

The face still wore a compassionate smile, but the tone of voice was strange, and soon, faint chanting of scriptures began to rise again in the hall.