Plans, All Different
Zhang Jianchen glanced at the crowd around him and then said, "Apart from Sect Leader Zhang, everyone else may leave for now and await my summons."
The people present all looked at each other in bewilderment.
However, seeing Zhang Jianchen's serious expression, they had no choice but to comply.
Apart from Zhou Ziyang, everyone else was out, including the two Loose Immortal ancestors.
Zhang Jianchen looked at Zhou Ziyang and then said, "Sect Leader Zhou, I trust you, so listen carefully to what I'm about to say: Three days from now at midnight, you will lead the elite of the Purple Yang Sect to outflank the Demonic Path from the eastern rift valley and launch a surprise attack on their rear camp."
This matter is top secret. No one except members of the Purple Yang Sect should know about it. If it is leaked, don't blame me for punishing the Purple Yang Sect according to the laws of the Immortal Alliance."
Zhou Ziyang's expression turned serious, and he nodded solemnly. "Alliance Leader, rest assured, I'm very tight-lipped."
Zhang Jianchen nodded and then said, "Alright, go ahead and get busy. Call Sect Leader Ling in."
Zhou Ziyang bowed respectfully and then left.
Shortly after, Ling Yue walked in.
After Ling Yue bowed, Zhang Jianchen said, "Sect Leader Ling, you are the person I trust the most. You must listen carefully to what I am about to say: Three days from now, at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), you will lead the sword cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect to sneak in from the western underground river. The Old Devil Bone Spirit is there. Kill him, and our pressure will be greatly reduced."
Remember, this matter must not be leaked. It must not be revealed to anyone outside your Heavenly Sword Sect, or else this Alliance Leader will punish the Heavenly Sword Sect according to the laws of the Immortal Alliance.
Ling Yue's expression was serious. "Alliance Leader, rest assured, I will absolutely keep quiet."
But soon, Ling Yue asked the question that had been on his mind.
"Leader, what does this have to do with finding the traitor?"
Zhang Jianchen said, "I have my own way, just do as I say."
Ling Yue was very puzzled, but seeing Zhang Jianchen's expression, he didn't dare to ask.
"You may leave now. Bring Sect Leader Ge in," Zhang Jianchen said.
After Ling Yue bowed and left, Ge Changyun walked in.
Following the same method, Zhang Jianchen confessed a very important matter to Ge Changyun.
Immediately after Ge Changyun left, Zhang Jianchen met with the others one by one and instructed them on an extremely important matter.
Everyone receives a different plan, with different timelines, routes, and goals.
He also instructed these people to keep it absolutely secret and not to reveal it.
The last one to be summoned was Lu Tianji, the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Evolution Sect.
Only two people remained inside the tent.
Zhang Jianchen sat behind the desk, calmly looking at Lu Tianji, and slowly said, "Elder Lu Tianji, you are proficient in divination and skilled in fortune-telling. Three days from now, at dawn, you will lead the Heavenly Evolution Sect to advance from the northern Misty Forest, using divination techniques to break through the demonic path's warning formation and clear the way for the army. I entrust this matter to you."
Lu Tianji bowed respectfully, his tone composed. "This humble Daoist obeys your command and will certainly not fail in my mission."
His expression was calm, his eyes open and honest, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Zhang Jianchen stared at him for a few seconds, but couldn't find anything wrong, so he waved his hand and said, "Go. Remember, keep it a secret."
"I understand."
After Lu Tianji left, the two Loose Immortal ancestors entered.
Zhang Jianchen looked at the two Loose Immortal Ancestors and then said, "Ancestors, we must keep a close eye on what these people do next."
Xuanjizi nodded. "Okay."
Yunyouzi asked with a puzzled look, "Little Zhang, what's your plan?"
Zhang Jianchen slowly opened his mouth and laid out his plan in its entirety:
"A traitor from the demonic path is lurking among us, his purpose is to pass on intelligence, so we'll give him the intelligence."
"Just now, I summoned those people separately, as well as several core elders of the Immortal Alliance. Each of them received a different top-secret battle plan."
"For example, I would tell Sect Leader Zhou that we will launch a surprise attack on the demonic path's supply route from the eastern rift valley in three days, and tell Sect Leader Ling that we will take the western underground river..."
"Then, we don't need to do anything; we just need to observe the demonic forces' defenses."
"The fact that the demonic path is focusing its defenses on a particular route indicates that the corresponding person has leaked the information."
"It's obvious who the mole is."
After he finished speaking, the tent fell silent.
Xuanjizi and Yunyouzi looked at each other, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
This plan... is both insidious and precise.
Everyone receives exclusive information; once leaked, it's easily investigated and there's no way to deny it.
"Great plan!" Yunyouzi slapped his thigh. "Let's do it! We'll find out who the traitor is with a simple investigation!"
"But..." Xuanjizi smiled, "Little Zhang, do we have to be tested on both of us too?"
"Naturally, it's unpredictable." Zhang Jianchen shook his head with a smile. "If the two patriarchs were traitors, the righteous path would have been finished long ago. What's the use of testing them?"
He paused, then added, "This was a last resort; otherwise, the influence of the traitor would be too great."
Once the real traitor is found, the suspicions against those others will naturally be cleared. I hope it will be successful.
Xuanjizi and Yunyouzi exchanged a glance and nodded.
Indeed, only a thorough investigation can completely quell the rumors.
Otherwise, Cangsongzi's confession would be like a thorn, forever stuck in his heart.
Yunyouzi said coldly, "I hope it goes smoothly. It'll be good to see who's really betraying us. If they find out, I'll personally chop them down."
At the Heavenly Evolution Sect camp, Lu Tianji walked in slowly with a smile on his face. Upon returning to his tent, the smile on Lu Tianji's face immediately disappeared.
A barely perceptible glint flashed in his lowered eyes.
Recalling Zhang Jianchen's words, Lu Tianji sneered inwardly.
North side maze?
Break through the alert formation?
Zhang Jianchen, Zhang Jianchen, you think you can test me with such paltry tricks?
The terrain of the dense forest to the north is complex and rife with miasma, making it completely unsuitable for a large army to advance.
The idea of breaking the warning array is utter nonsense. The demonic path's warning array is already set up all around, so there's no need to specifically break it.
This plan was a lie from the very beginning.
"Trying to trick me into spreading false information, and then follow the trail?" Lu Tianji thought to himself, "Too naive."
After dismissing his attendants, Lu Tianji sat on a futon and closed his eyes to rest.
Message?
That's impossible.
Spreading this obviously fake news, which is clearly a trap, will only expose your own actions.
Not only will he not pass on the information, but he will also pretend that he knows nothing and obediently remain inactive.
He even deliberately showed that he valued the plan, gathering his disciples to deduce the terrain of the northern forest, making it seem like he was making serious preparations.
"Zhang Jianchen, you want to investigate? I'll play along with you." Lu Tianji's lips curled into a faint smile. "I'd like to see how long you can keep this up."
He knew very well that it was precisely in times like these that he needed to remain calm and composed.
We've waited seven hundred years, a few more days won't make a difference.
At this moment, inside the central command tent, Zhang Jianchen stood in front of the sand table, his gaze fixed on the location representing the northern maze forest, his brows slightly furrowed.
Wang Heng walked in and saw Zhang Jianchen's gaze fixed on the dense forest to the north. He immediately asked curiously, "Alliance Leader, is there a problem with Elder Lu Tianji?"
"It's hard to say." Zhang Jianchen slowly shook his head. "He was too calm. When he heard about the plan, he showed no surprise or doubt whatsoever, and accepted it entirely."
Either he completely trusts me, or... he saw right through it all.
Wang Heng's heart skipped a beat. "Does the alliance leader suspect him?"
"My intuition tells me that Lu Tianji has a problem, but that's all. I can't trust my intuition," Zhang Jianchen said calmly.
"Without evidence, anyone could be at play. Pass down the order: everyone keep a close watch, and report immediately any movement from the demonic path."
"Yes."