Chapter 92: Schemes, an open stratagem
The West Depot and the Wudang Sect: one was the Ming emperor's personal force, wielding power over court and country and the authority to execute first and report afterward; the other was the Ming's state religion, the Mount Tai and Northern Dipper of Wulin.
A battle between them could all but determine the course of the Ming Wulin: whether it would be suppressed by the Imperial Court or continue to hold its head high.
Thus, when word spread that the West Depot was ascending Wudang Mountain, numerous factions sent scouts rushing there, all hoping to obtain firsthand intelligence.
Some factions, however, had their leaders come in person.
Beneath the setting sun, dark figures stood throughout Wudang Mountain's forests, watching the movements on the mountain.
On a cliff to Wudang's left, with a clear view of the mountain gate, Dongfang Bubai stood in crimson brocade with his hands behind his back.
The dark red afterglow shone on his fair, peerlessly beautiful face, radiant yet heroic, with an undisguisable air of dominance between his brows.
Watching the dense procession gradually ascend toward Wudang, a trace of puzzlement surfaced in his eyes.
"Was the message passed to Yu Huatian?"
A black-clad figure standing close against the cliff seemed to have merged with the dark rock. At this, he answered respectfully:
"I have already passed the message to the West Depot's men. Though it contained only the words 'Green Dragon Society,' with Yu Huatian's intelligence, he will surely understand what you wished to convey, Cult Leader: the people who attacked Wudang's outposts and splashed dirty water on the West Depot were from the Green Dragon Society."
"Then why has he come to Wudang Mountain first instead of investigating the Green Dragon Society?" Dongfang Bubai was even more puzzled.