A Full Accounting

Xuanwei City - Governor's Mansion

Zhu Tong stared blankly at the news of the fall of the Hongyi Sect in Ding Prefecture for a long time, then, after a while, he burst out laughing in anger.

A trusted aide who was attending to him carefully came over to brew tea, but Zhu Tong waved it away and asked again, "Have you asked some of the Lord's close attendants when the Lord will emerge from seclusion?"

The confidant immediately replied, "I visit those gentlemen every day, but I haven't received any news from them yet."

"Okay, go down." Zhu Tong nodded, put down her teacup, and picked up the Jade Slip on the table that recorded the victory report, scanning it with her narrow eyes.

After scanning it several more times, he still couldn't help but mutter to himself about a few key areas:

"The Holy Maiden Yue Hongguo of Ye Prefecture Yang Household Five Old Mothers Mountain persuaded Yang Yongcheng and Yang Baoshan, two Golden Core from the Yang family of Yezhou, to be loyal to the king and personally lead their clan's troops to Ding Prefecture. Tie Liuyun, the Vice Commander of the Demon Correction Office Division, made a meritorious deployment, leading the Xiezhi Dao Soldiers and the Bingzhou government's troops, along with various righteous followers from the Stone Mountain Sect in Pu Prefecture, and greatly defeated Hongyi Sect."

With a "bang," the Jade Slip fell to the ground, scattering bamboo slips everywhere. A cold smile appeared on Zhu Tong's face.

"Ha, 'major defeat'? These earth cultivators are truly shameless. Neither side's Golden Core have even participated, and several False Core Hongyi Sect have survived. Most of the Foundation Establishment from various factions have retreated. Rather than calling this a major defeat, it's more accurate to say that they listened to the Two Instruments Sect and temporarily relinquished this place of practice."

Regardless of how angry he was, anyone with eyes could see that this time the Capital Region Faction had lost face.

Zhu Tong personally led his team into the arena, and even the Jingnan Yuan Household, who only had a False Core cultivator in charge, couldn't do anything about it. Regardless of the Hongyi Sect's plans, Tie Liuyun genuinely led his troops into this Dao of Alchemy.

Comparing the two, even without anyone saying a word, Zhu Tong herself felt ashamed.

Upon entering officialdom, he immediately became a disciple of the chief disciple of the Chancellor Gui Minister Gui, serving as an Inspector of the Secretariat, thus becoming a new blood in the faction of the prime ministers. When he was transferred to a post outside the capital, he served as the Chief Seal of the Imperial City, earning high praise from officials. Only then could he use this as a stepping stone to advance his career and establish a marriage alliance with a powerful family.

I wasn't exactly unremarkable back in the capital, so why am I facing such a humiliating situation in this border region?

Zhu Tong closed her eyes, sighing inwardly:

"It's a wonder that after all the effort I've put into winning over the direct descendants of the Ye Prefecture Yang Household for so long, they've ended up siding with the Yue Household? And when did you arrange for that Yue Household daughter to be sent to Five Old Mothers Mountain North Circuit, sir?"

His family's True Person is slightly inferior in combat skills but is skilled in illusion techniques, yet he is still a legitimate Nascent Soul Grandmaster with a lineage spanning thousands of years.

However, it makes sense. The previous head of the Ye Prefecture Yang Household was from Five Old Mothers Mountain, so this Yue Household girl certainly gained a lot by using incense and affection.

Although she possesses Single Spirit Root, she is merely a Green Leaf Foundation Establishment. Why would Five Old Mothers Mountain accept her as a Holy Maiden? Doesn't that mean they will cultivate and arrange for her to reach the Core Formation in the future?

This matter arose because the True Person Moon Hidden of Five Old Mothers Mountain and His Highness the Prince of Prince of the South had always been close, so out of consideration for the latter, he did the Earl of Nan'an a favor?

Regarding the matter of Lord Bo's Core Formation, True Person Moon Hidden is much more optimistic than the other True Person, so he placed a heavy bet in advance?!

Zhu Tong was so annoyed that he almost smashed the low table in front of him with his left knuckles. The series of sounds made him even more irritable, forcing him to open his eyes and exhale softly.

"After this incident, it will be very difficult to stop the Yue Household daughter from entering the Lord's harem. Even if she becomes the principal wife, it is still too shocking. But if she becomes a concubine, even after she has Core Formation, the Lord may not take a principal wife again. As a result, there are many frightening complications that cannot be ignored."

I need to write a letter to Fei Nanying. He's about to return to Ying Prefecture, and this is a good opportunity to let everyone know about this matter. If the position of concubine were to fall into the hands of a poor family in a border state, it would truly disrupt the established order and etiquette, and disgrace the Immortal Dynasty."

Zhu Tong's anxiety about the affairs of Kuang Liuting's household was not without reason, because since the founding emperor of this dynasty returned from his studies at Bitter Spirit Mountain and established his dynasty.

Regardless of how many women the Emperor of Wei of the past had, the positions of concubines in the harem were always occupied by various prominent families and wealthy clans in the Capital Circuit.

It is true that the Kuang Household clan is declining, but even a broken ship has three thousand nails. After these powerful families divided up the positions of the emperor's concubines, they had their own set of benefits, which is why they always regarded these positions as their exclusive domain.

Not to mention that the Yue Household, a prominent family in the prefecture, was not to be trifled with, even the Prime Chancellor Gui, who was the current prime minister, was unable to send his eldest daughter to the palace because his family came from Liaoyuan Circuit.

Of course, if the Liaoyuan Gui Household, with three True Person, were truly willing to pay the price of offending most of the powerful Aristocratic Clan in the court, they could certainly put up a fight. However, the pros and cons of this would require careful consideration by discerning individuals.

"The Imperial Clan Court previously rejected all discussions about the Yue Household's daughter, which is understandable. Although they are members of the imperial clan, they have intricate connections with various powerful Aristocratic Clan. Even the Left and Right Clan Courts might not be willing to make an exception on this matter."

"But the Earl of Nan'an is extremely insistent on this matter, and now he's even using the connection with True Person Moon Hidden, which is truly strange."

Zhu Tong murmured for a while, then his voice became much lower. "Could the Imperial Clan Court have been using this as a smokescreen with Kuang Liuting? Is the Kuang Household trying to bypass the families in the capital region and develop allies in other regions?"

He paused, then scoffed inwardly. "Do the Kuang Household really think they're the only ones doing this, putting on a show for the world? I hope they're not. Who doesn't know how callous and ungrateful they are?"

"Could it be that the families in the capital region are truly unprepared? If things really come to light, even Liaoyuan Circuit, which is somewhat close to them, won't choose to side with them."

Zhu Tong paused, setting aside all thoughts of these worldly affairs, and picked up a Jade Slip recording the events that had just occurred in Tanggu County. After reading it aloud for a while, he pondered it in his mind.

"It's not hard to find out that Gui Xiang killed Kang Dabao's chief disciple. The Yue Household probably already knew, but they kept this mediocre talent, who was nominally their son-in-law, in the dark."

It's possible that the junior who assassinated Gui Xiang was informed by the Yue Household, who deliberately lured him into action;

Moreover, the Demon Correction Office to arrest someone actually resulted in Ming Hun, a mere early-stage cultivator from the Ming Household, managing to abduct the person.

Knowing full well that the Hongyi Sect was no match for the direct line of the Yang Household and would most likely only flee, Tie Liuyun was willing to abandon the easy victory he had gained by transferring Tie Xishui and leading men back from the Ding Prefecture camp to besiege the Ming Household's Learning Forest Mountain;

Kang Dabao's junior brothers are not without brains, but as soon as the incident occurred, they disregarded the Lord's prohibition, killed officials and kidnapped people, and did not even know that I and Fei Household's Linghu You the lessons of the past. Even if they were brainless, they should not have been so bold.

These events, if occurring individually, could perhaps be considered coincidences, but given how they've come together, I simply don't believe that the Yue Household wasn't involved in some kind of scheme.

Zhu Tong put away the Jade Slip without looking at it, and instead turned to stare at the flickering lamplight on the table, lost in thought.

"What the Yue Household wants is simply for Yue Household daughter to enter the Earl's household and eventually secure a higher rank as a concubine. But aren't they being a bit too hasty?"

Fei Nanying had only just formed Middle-Grade Golden Core, and the Fei Household had even sent their elders and the Ying Mountain Army to garrison him. Why were the Yue Household unwilling to endure any longer, choosing instead to temporarily avoid the limelight and observe the situation?

But what methods did Yue Lin use to lure Chongming Sect into this trap? It should be noted that regardless of Jiang Qing and the others' motives for their angry attack, Chongming Sect is now in a deadly predicament.

Although Fei Household's Na Juntian Bird is powerful, it is neither reasonable nor morally right to protect this sect that has killed officials and rebelled.

The Marquis of Earl of Nan'an had already demonstrated his trustworthiness by killing Linghu You over a mere Qi Refining Qi Refinement; he would certainly not show favoritism in this matter again.

The Kuang Household is known for its meanness and ingratitude. No matter how much he values Kang Dabao and the Daoist Black Shoes, he is unwilling to tarnish the reputation he has worked so hard to cultivate.

At most, Kang Dabao would be severely demoted on the surface, but privately he would be reinstated as before. In this way, it would be called punishment, but in reality, it would be a form of protection.

Therefore, the disciples of the Chongming Sect were almost certainly doomed. The Fei Household and our old friends in the capital region had first lost Jingnan and then lost a finger, which was extremely unpleasant on the surface.

If the Yue Household brings up the matter of the Yue Household's female status again later, the Marquis of Earl of Nan'an will eventually be willing to agree, and we will have no face to persuade him otherwise.

Once the Earl of Nan'an has Core Formation, the Yue Household could even encourage him to disregard the sentiments of us old comrades in the capital and forcefully push through this matter. If that happens, things will become extremely ugly."

Zhu Tong was a worldly person after all; despite not leaving home, she had already deduced about 70-80% of the situation.

Just as he was about to head out to the Fei Household, he stopped halfway, clenching his fists and silently chanting, "I need to stay calm, I need to stay calm! After all, this happened suddenly, and even if there are some minor disagreements, I need to observe the situation first. I should tell the Fei Household Fei Household these things first; they must be more anxious than I am. It's better to wait."

----Outside Learning Forest Mountain, within the Chongming Sect's formation

Under the protection of several magical shields, Pei Yi examined the injuries of Kang Rongquan and Kuai En. He first prepared medicinal water and then applied herbs, but after a while, he felt that the effect was minimal.

This made his already ashen face even paler, and in the end he had no choice but to take out two more life-saving Yang-Restoring Pill pills and give them to the two of them before he could feel a little relieved.

He was about to put away his needle pouch and reactivate his Bright Light Spike to fight on the front lines when he saw Kang Rongquan, whose injuries were slightly less severe, open his eyes and softly say, "Master, Master, you've come. You've come."

"Here he comes! Here he comes!" Pei Yi was a tough-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside person. Even though he was usually so strict, seeing Kang Rongquan like this, he couldn't bring himself to say a harsh word.

Kang Rongquan felt excruciating pain all over his body, as if he were on fire. He could only force himself to speak with difficulty, "Only now does your disciple realize... this time, I'm afraid I've been tricked by someone with ulterior motives..."

Pei Yi's expression hardened, and his already hesitant doubts deepened. He immediately fed his disciple another half bottle of spiritual liquid, prompting the latter to explain clearly so that he could report back to Yuan Jin for further consideration.

On one side, Jiang Qing was still under Gu Honglang's fierce attack and his situation was like a pile of eggs. On the other side, Yuan Jin raised the flag Double Brightness led the local soldiers of Ping and Jin counties, along with the Mingmen disciples, to fight the troops led by Tie Xishui in a fierce battle.

The Tie Household brothers were not mediocre, and Tie Liuyun was one of the top military strategists in the surrounding provinces. Tie Xishui and Tie Xishan, having been valued and trained by him, were not easy opponents.

Yuan Jin's main force was at a disadvantage, while the Demon Correction Office had a large and powerful army. If it weren't for the Chongming Sect prestige of Emperor Chongming and the gratitude for Kang Dabao's good policies in recent years, the local militia of Ping and Jin counties might not have been able to hold out until now.

Not long after the battle, Duan Anle, covered in blood, rode his old donkey back from the front lines. He rushed to Yuan Jin and whispered, "Second Uncle, Uncle Ye sent me back to ask you, do you also think we've been tricked by them this time?"

Ye Zhengwen was only at the Foundation Establishment, and he was already struggling to fight against opponents of the same level on the battlefield. The fact that he was distracted by sending Duan Anle over to ask questions must have been extremely strange to him.

"Hmm," Yuan Jin said, his hand holding the flagpole was red. Hearing Duan Anle's words, his expression did not change. After nodding, he said in a low voice, "When Uncle Black Shoes told the Third that we should not concern ourselves with other matters and should act freely, Senior Brothers Pei and Ye told me that this matter needed to be considered carefully."

I thought so too before, but we couldn't get in touch with our eldest brother for a long time, and the Fei Household didn't send any news either. However, the Third said that Uncle Black Shoes had come to urge us again, so we finally made the trip. Now it seems that there are quite a few strange things going on in this matter.

However, regretting it now is useless. It's better to win this battle and then make further plans.

Although Yuan Jin admitted in his words that his family had been deceived, he didn't seem too panicked. His eyes were fixed on the bloody battle, yet he still managed to spare a bit of energy to ask Duan Anle:

"Anle, you've always been the kind of person who can't be fooled. To be honest, have you really not told anyone else about Yundao's death at Gui Xiang's hands?"

Duan Anle grabbed the old donkey he was riding and told it to turn around, while replying, "Second Uncle, this was instructed by Master himself, how dare any of us brothers disobey?!"

"Whether something exists or not is not the same as whether someone dares to do it!"

"Definitely not!"

"Then we must have been tricked this time. No matter, let's win this battle first, then we'll think of another way." Yuan Jin gripped the banner in his hand even tighter and urged Duan Anle to return to the formation.

Pei Yi, his face gloomy, squeezed next to Yuan Jin. He was about to tell the latter what he had memorized beforehand when he asked where Kang Rongquan had gotten the news, but Yuan Jin interrupted him.

He kept his eyes fixed on the battle formation, ignoring the details of what had happened, and asked with concern, "Has Rongquan told his senior brother why he didn't inform the sect's masters about such an important matter?"

Pei Yi sighed softly and said in a low voice, "This kid knows that we are secretly plotting to avenge Yundao, but he also knows that the Yue Household is powerful. According to the headmaster's personality, he thinks that this matter will probably take many more years to be accomplished. Therefore, he not only does not want to discuss it with us, but he also keeps it a secret from his own brothers."

He believed that his Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivation was nearing perfection, and he only needed to refine and solidify it for another three to five years before he could attempt Foundation Establishment. He also used the excuse of wanting me to save face, exchange for resources, and then attempt Foundation Establishment to persuade Kuai En to help him.

Kuai En was indeed more reliable than him. He even disguised himself and went to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion to hire a seductive cultivator. He also took Spirit Stone from Rongquan and went to the underground ghost market to exchange them for Second Tier witchcraft to blend into the seductive cultivator's rouge, so as to make a body fragrance.

They were so confident that they even had three plans for how to dispose of the body after the deed was done.

Yuan Jin wasn't angry; instead, a slight smile played on his lips, "It's quite appropriate."

The sounds of battle still echoed in his ears, but Yuan Jin's eyes remained largely expressionless. Instead, Pei Yi's words piqued his interest, and he asked softly, "Senior Brother Pei, how did they do it?"

The latter, without changing his tone, briefly stated. "There's nothing new. When Rongquan saw Gui Xiang's entourage, he used Gui Xiang's ever-present 'family friendship' as an excuse to strike up a conversation and invite him to stay at the Kuai Household's place again on his return journey. At that time, he would first reveal his identity as Master Jia to lower the fellow's guard, and then have Kuai En do some humiliating things so that he could use flattery to entertain him."

Yuan Jin didn't ask any further questions after hearing this. It was nothing new; it was just a common trick used to harm people. Yuan Jin had seen and heard many of these kinds of things when he traveled with Sect Leader Kang Da a merchant.

Kang Rongquan and Kuai En, two inexperienced young men, were perhaps even smug, believing their plan to be meticulous, thorough, and flawless. However, Gui Xiang, a seasoned veteran, must have sensed something amiss and immediately made his escape, causing Kang and Kuai's plan to fail.

What's done is done, and there's no point in lamenting. Yuan Jin felt even less resentment towards Kang Rongquan for his actions. He could only watch as streams of fresh blood were spilled onto the ground, only to be covered by even more scalding blood in an instant.

"This Tie Xishui is indeed skilled, but it won't be easy for him to defeat me quickly."

Yuan Jin showed no fear. He then looked at Jiang Qing, who was far away outside the battlefield. Jiang Qing seemed to be having difficulty holding his flying sword and was struggling more and more with Gu Honglang.

Only then did Yuan Jin's face show a hint of worry. "What exactly happened on Uncle Black Shoes' side?"

--- Jade Toad cave abode

After a long silence between the Daoist Black Shoes and the long-lost senior master Yue Lin, they sat down and began to discuss Swordsmanship.

The latter is a top figure among the pseudo-elixir masters. He has been immersed in swordsmanship for over two hundred years. His skill is so high that he is considered first-rate among the most renowned swordsmen in the surrounding provinces.

He is a character who can truly sit down and discuss the Dao with ordinary Golden Core on equal terms, and what he says are indeed golden words of wisdom on the Dao of the Sword.

The former has become increasingly formidable in recent years thanks to his Swordsmanship. With only a mid-stage cultivation level, he is no less powerful than an ordinary False Core cultivator. Although his skills are far from being astonishing as Kuang Liuting's, he is still one of the rising stars in Shannan Circuit, almost on par with the Daoist Star-Picking Pavilion of Zhaixing Tower, the leader of Mountain South.

Even though his training period was still short, his understanding of swordsmanship amazed Yue Lin. He even forgot that the two were now on opposing sides and had not yet fought to the death, which was truly rare.

However, the Daoist Black Shoes's mental fortitude was ultimately lacking. He had only discussed the Dao for half the time when he could no longer calm down, so he stopped and asked, "Senior Yue, is this matter truly beyond redemption?"

The old cultivator's expression turned solemn, and he said softly, "Whether my Yue Household can produce a True Core and be promoted to the 'wealthy family' rank depends on this battle. How can we change our fate?"

The Daoist Black Shoes also changed color. "With your status, senior, scheming against a mere minor sect? If the news gets out, wouldn't you become a laughingstock?"

Yue Lin shook his head and said softly, "My family has been planning this for a long time, and it's not just targeting Chongming Sect. Yue Household 've made plans for all the sects, large and small, Lineage, near and far, that are close to and affiliated with the Fei Household. If any of them take the bait, the Fei Household will lose face. It's just that my family has to put more effort into the Chongming Sect, and your disciples are particularly susceptible to provocation, so things have gone much more smoothly than we expected."

The Daoist Black Shoes's eyes narrowed, and he was about to speak again when suddenly he saw a Daoist with the same appearance, demeanor, and movements as himself step into the cave.

The moment the Daoist priest spoke, the astonishment on the Daoist Black Shoes's face deepened. "Even the voice and aura are exactly the same!" In an instant, he understood why the disciples of the Chongming Sect had been so reckless, based on the news from the outside world.

"Fellow Daoist Peng, how did you get in?" Yue Lin looked slightly surprised.

But the "Daoist Black Shoes" opposite him did not answer. Instead, he immediately dispelled his illusion and transformed into a beautiful woman with her shoulders partially exposed, revealing her False Core cultivation. She bowed gracefully to the Daoist Black Shoes and said, "Peng Xingyu, First-Class Deacon of the Illusion Hall of Five Old Mothers Mountain, greets Fellow Daoist Black Shoes. Please forgive my rudeness beforehand."

"Five Old Mothers Mountain??" The Daoist Black Shoes's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise. Yue Lin's eyes also showed dissatisfaction, but it quickly disappeared.

Only after the greetings were finished did Peng Xingyu turn to Yue Lin to speak, her tone sweet and gentle. "The Hongyi Sect has already sent two senior cultivators from the direct line of the Yang Household family to Ding Prefecture. Elders from my Five Old Mothers Mountain will also be arriving soon. I suppose at this time, Fellow Black Shoes will no longer want to make a move and defy the general trend, right? I came from the Mountain North Circuit, and have always admired Fellow Black Shoes's elegance. I came here specifically to pay my respects. I wonder if I have been impolite in any way?"

Putting aside the teasing remarks of the female cultivator, the Daoist Black Shoes pondered for a long time, only to find that the situation was not difficult to understand.

The Yue Household has clearly gained the upper hand in this round, and they don't think they have the ability to change Kuang Liuting's mind and pull any of the Double Brightness disciples out of the vortex, except for Kang Dabao.

Perhaps protecting Kang Dabao and preventing him from getting further into the vortex is the only thing he can do now.

"Brother, I am indeed cruel and ungrateful! I am indeed cruel and ungrateful!" The Daoist Black Shoes felt blood welling up inside him, but he remained silent.

Just then, Yue Lin received another letter. He and Peng Xingyu read it together, and their reactions differed.

Yue Lin's brows furrowed in surprise, while Peng Xingyu scoffed, his disdain barely concealed. He murmured, "Fool, how utterly foolish!"

Yue Lin was much more generous than the Daoist Black Shoes had imagined. As he handed the talisman to the latter for inspection, he also said softly:

"Unexpectedly, this minor sect leader is a man of honor. Upon learning the news halfway through his journey, he abandoned his chance to meet Fei Ye Shui in Ying Prefecture, turned back midway, and rushed to the Learning Forest Mountain."

Peng Xingyu sighed, "These good men who value loyalty all die young. If he doesn't go back, Kuang Liuting will have to protect him for Fei Ye Shui's sake."

Not to mention how rare an opportunity is with someone like Fei Ye Shui; even ordinary cultivators would flock to it. If this kid survives, he'll probably regret it for the rest of his life. Black Shoes, what are you going to do about it?!

For the first time since entering the cave abode, Yue Lin's expression changed drastically. His fierce exterior masked his inner weakness, and he could only force a roar, "Black Shoes, don't make a mistake!"

But it was useless. After only a few breaths, the entire Jade Toad cave abode seemed to be filled with spiritual light.

Yue and Peng were even more shocked. Not only did the latter feel that he was unlikely to survive, but the former's previous aura that could rival that of a superior cultivator had also vanished. They felt that they would die here at any moment!

But the Daoist Black Shoes's eyes were now bloodshot. He simply abandoned his flying sword, took out something from his robes, and clenched it tightly in his hand. With such a treasure in hand, he no longer cared about the cost! He let out a low shout, it was unclear whether he was speaking to someone else or to himself.

"My elder brother's disciples, not one of you wants to stay with me! Very well! Fine! Then forget it! If you don't want to die, then come with me to Kuang Liuting, and we'll have a proper talk!!"

(I really tried my best; let's finish this part as soon as possible.)