Colluding with Devils? How Could That Be?

Cangsongzi, the Grand Elder of the Cangwu Sect, has reached the Dao Union Perfection and is in charge of the Criminal Law Hall of the Cangwu Sect. He is highly respected among the righteous sects.

No one knew that he was a hidden pawn planted by the demonic path within the righteous path for five hundred years.

But this piece will be sacrificed today.

"Your Majesty, Cangsongzi has been lying low for five hundred years. Isn't it a pity to give up like this?" Devil General Blood Baleful Intent with some reluctance.

"Moreover, once he's exposed, it will be even more difficult for us to plant people in the upper echelons of the legitimate world."

"What a pity?" Yan Tianjin scoffed. "Pawns are meant to be sacrificed. One hidden mole can cause internal discord within the righteous path, mutual suspicion among the major sects, a significant drop in their morale, and a 30% increase in our chances of seizing the fruit. This deal is worthwhile."

He paused, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Besides, with Cangsongzi exposed, everyone else is safe. The most crucial piece is our real killing move."

The demon generals felt a chill run down their spines.

They all knew that the Demon Emperor had planted a hidden pawn deep within the righteous path, but apart from the Demon Emperor himself, no one knew who that pawn was.

Even an undercover agent of Cangsongzi's caliber wouldn't be able to access that level.

"Pass down the order," Yan Tianjin commanded. "Proceed according to plan in three days."

After Cangsongzi was exposed, he was instructed to falsely accuse the Purple Yang Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect, claiming that these two sects had long been secretly colluding with us and wanted to use the struggle over the Dao Fruit to eliminate dissidents.

The evidence must be presented convincingly; letters, tokens, secret agreements—nothing can be omitted.

"As you command." The Old Devil Bone Spirit bowed and replied.

"And..." the Demon Emperor added, "When making Cangsongzi undergo torture, accidentally let slip half a sentence, saying that people from the Pill Cauldron Sect were also involved, the more people involved the better."

The deeper the old grudges between sects, the easier it is to sow discord.

"This old minister understands."

Yan Tianjin turned around again, looking towards the direction of the Origin Zone, his voice low and deep. "Zhang Jianchen, Zhang Jianchen, aren't you good at winning people's hearts? I'd like to see how you're going to unite this disorganized Righteous Dao Alliance."

"Once you've finished your infighting, your Dao Fruit should be ripe by now."

Meanwhile, the righteous camp was still basking in the exhilaration of having exposed several traitors.

No one expected that the Daozhen had only just begun.

Three days later, the righteous path's main camp, the Law Enforcement Hall.

Huangfu Chenyin has not yet returned from Supreme Unity Divine Mountain, so the Law Enforcement Hall is temporarily being presided over by Deputy Hall Master Bai Yuan.

The old man was dressed in a black robe, with a stern face. He was extremely impartial and had been in charge of criminal law in the Law Enforcement Hall for many years, handling many major cases.

Early that morning, a disciple rushed into the hall, his expression panicked. "Elder Bai! Something's happened! We found Elder Cangsongzi of the Cangwu Sect's mark in the intercepted demonic communication talisman!"

"What?!"

Bai Yuan suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically. "Explain yourself!"

"This morning, while patrolling the eastern defense line, I happened to encounter a Devil Cultivator's communication light. After intercepting it, I discovered that the communication talisman bore Elder Cangsongzi's exclusive spiritual seal."

The disciple presented a torn piece of blue talisman with both hands.

"The inscription on the talisman is incomplete, but the words 'midnight,' 'supply route,' and 'rescue' can be discerned, as if it were conveying a message about our army's supply lines to the demonic path."

Bai Yuan picked up the talisman, channeling spiritual energy into it through his fingertips, and carefully examined it.

In the corner of the talisman, a faint pine tree mark was faintly visible.

Cangsongzi's unique spiritual seal, the Pine Pattern Seal.

It can't be wrong.

"Cangsongzi..." Bai Yuan's face was ashen. "He is the Grand Elder of the Cangwu Sect, a righteous elder, how could he..."

He dared not be careless.

It's better to believe something is true than to believe it isn't.

If this is true, the supply lines will be cut off, and the army of hundreds of thousands will be cut off.

"Guards!" Bai Yuan decisively ordered, "Come with me to the Cangwu Sect's camp. We need to invite Elder Cangsongzi over for questioning."

Remember, be courteous; do not act recklessly without evidence.

"Yes!"

Half an hour later, Cangsongzi was invited to the Law Enforcement Hall.

The old man was dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe, had three long wisps of beard, a square face, and looked righteous.

He entered the hall and saw Bai Yuan's solemn expression. Instead of panicking, he frowned and said, "Elder Bai, why have you summoned me so early in the morning? Has the Law Enforcement Hall discovered some spy and needs my cooperation?"

Bai Yuan stared into his eyes and slowly pushed the communication talisman towards him. "Cangsongzi, do you recognize this talisman?"

Cangsongzi picked up the talisman, glanced at it, and his expression changed drastically.

"This... this is my spirit seal?!" He looked up abruptly, both shocked and furious. "Elder Bai, what do you mean? Someone forged my spirit seal and framed me!"

"Whether it's a frame-up or not, an investigation will tell." Bai Yuan said calmly, "Cangsongzi, the recent deployment of supplies along the grain route is a top secret. Apart from a few core elders, no one knows about it."

However, the demonic communication talisman precisely mentioned the location of the supply route.

It just so happens that your spirit imprint is on the talisman. If you don't give an explanation, it wouldn't be right."

"Absurd!" Cangsongzi slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "As the Grand Elder of the Cangwu Sect, I have served the righteous path for generations. How could I possibly be in league with demons? This is clearly a demonic scheme to sow discord! Elder Bai, you mustn't fall into the demonic trap!"

"Whether it's a trap or not, we'll know once we investigate." Bai Yuan remained unmoved.

"Guards, escort Elder Cangsong down to guard this place carefully. No one is allowed to visit without the Alliance Leader's order."

"How dare you!" Cangsongzi's eyes widened in anger. "I am an elder of the righteous path. You dare to detain me without any evidence? The Cangwu Sect will not allow it!"

"Whether there's evidence or not, we'll find out once we investigate." Bai Yuan waved his hand. "Take him away."

The disciples in charge of enforcement stepped forward, intending to take Cangsongzi away.

Cangsongzi wanted to resist, but Bai Yuan kept staring at him.

Furthermore, since this place was the stronghold of the righteous path, Cangsongzi could only suppress his anger and let the law enforcement disciples take him away.

He continued to curse and shout his innocence until his voice faded into the distance.

Bai Yuan sat in the hall, his brows furrowed.

He wasn't really sure himself.

Cangsongzi has been famous for many years and has always been upright; he doesn't seem like someone who would communicate with demons.

But the spirit seal couldn't be faked, and the leak of information about the grain supply was too suspicious.

"Search!" Bai Yuan ordered. "Go to Cangsongzi's residence and search thoroughly. Bring back any letters, Jade Slip, or storage Law Artifact."

"Yes!"

Two hours later, the disciples who had been searching returned.

"Elder Bai! We've found him!"

The disciple held up a black wooden box, his expression excited. "This was found in a hidden compartment in Elder Cangsong's bed."

Inside were demonic communication bone talismans and three secret letters, all signed by the Devil General Blood Baleful Intent! The letters detailed the cooperation between the inside and outside, and promised that if the deed was done, the Cangwu Sect would receive the territory of the three Northern Domain states of the demonic realm!

Bai Yuan opened the wooden box.

Three blood-stained letters, the handwriting grotesque, the contents detailed, including time, place, and coded messages.

There was also a black bone talisman, its demonic energy pure and definitely not a fake.

There are both witnesses and physical evidence.

Bai Yuan's face darkened completely.

"I never expected... it really was him."

He dared not delay and immediately took all the evidence and headed straight for the central command tent to see Alliance Leader Zhang Jianchen.

Zhang Jianchen was discussing defense arrangements with several elders when, after listening to Bai Yuan's report and examining the evidence, his brows furrowed instantly.

"Cangsongzi a demon?"