“Though there’s no concrete proof, the source of the information is reliable.” Qing Feng flipped his palm, putting away the image-recording stone. “Originally, we could have played along and lured Hu Ji Peak into the trap, but out of consideration for Immortal Han Zhang’s reputation, I specifically came to ask for Senior Sister’s decision.”
Fairy Su Yan closed her eyes and held her breath, recovering her clarity when she opened them again: “Follow me to see Han Zhang.” With a flick of her jade fingers, the mountain-protecting array opened in response, leading Qing Feng through layers of restrictions.
Half an incense stick later, Fairy Su Yan emerged from the inner room with a cold expression, a shattered communication jade slip clutched between her fingers: “What a meticulous scheme. Should we apprehend them immediately or…?”
“Making a move now might alert them.” A phantom image of a map appeared in Qing Feng’s palm. “Lin Qian is merely a pawn; the mastermind, Zhang Gao, is still in the shadows. If Senior Sister trusts me, I have a plan to make him walk into his own trap.”
Fairy Su Yan gazed at the Nine Curves Pond marked on the map, then suddenly chuckled: “Since we’re catching the thief with the goods, why not add a bit more drama?” As she spoke, she pulled out a Qingluan hairpin from her hair and drew several spiritual patterns on the map.
“This scheme can be set in four steps.” Fairy Su Yan lightly tapped the jade table with her slender finger. “The first priority is to establish a romantic connection with Immortal Han Zhang, setting up an ambush during her bath at the Nine Curves Pond.
Next, we’ll forge a letter from your Senior Sister to lure us into the trap; third, we’ll make a swift arrest during the bathing dispute; finally, we’ll arrange with the Law Enforcement Hall for a severe punishment.”
Qing Feng clapped his hands and chuckled: “The first step is already set in stone and hard to trace back to its source, but the remaining three steps can be countered. If they can forge Senior Sister’s letter, why can’t we forge Lin Qian’s secret letter? As for the Law Enforcement Hall connection…”
A cunning glint flashed in his eyes as he took out a black jade token from his Qiankun bag.
Seeing Su Yan’s dawning realization, Qing Feng continued: “The most urgent task is to get Immortal Han Zhang to cooperate with the act. At that time, Senior Sister will also need to move to the Nine Curves Pond to ensure Immortal Han Zhang’s clothes are intact. Although the cultivation world isn’t as strict with minor details as the mortal world, a maiden’s reputation is ultimately important.”
“As for Senior Uncle Yun…” Su Yan began, but her words were cut short.
“Why trouble a mighty cultivator with such a small matter?” Qing Feng toyed with the rim of his teacup. “If we involve Senior Yun, it might be overdoing it and reveal flaws.” The two deliberated for another half an incense stick’s time, until the clear cry of a crane came from outside the window, at which point they rose to bid farewell.
The outer disciples of Chen Ming Peak saw Qing Feng emerge from the Yixian Palace’s side courtyard, and several newly initiated female cultivators couldn’t help but whisper.
Qing Feng, in his green robe and jade crown, looked exactly like a banished immortal from a storybook.
“These Senior Sisters in Senior Sister’s palace, they probably haven’t even left the mountain gate, have they?” Qing Feng glanced at the blushing girls under the corridor, jokingly saying, “With such pure hearts, wouldn’t they be abducted and used as cauldrons if they went down the mountain?”
Su Yan feigned anger and lightly patted the stone railing: “If you fancy anyone, this Immortal Maiden can play matchmaker.”
“Please spare me!” Qing Feng waved his hands repeatedly. “Beauties are like flowers separated by clouds, good for distant admiration, but if we were truly together day and night…” He exaggeratedly yawned, “I’m afraid even my nap time would be nagged about.”
Seeing Su Yan about to press further, Qing Feng suddenly became serious: “If I must choose a partner, I should seek a cold, taciturn Great Ascension Venerable — protecting my slumber during the day, and quietly cultivating enlightenment at night. That would be a truly suitable match.”
“Dream on!” Su Yan laughed in exasperation, tossing her waist pouch. “There are only a handful of Great Ascension cultivators in this world, and you want them to be your bodyguard?”
Qing Feng caught the sachet and laughed heartily as he departed, leaving behind a courtyard full of bell-like chiding. As the clouds and mist swept over the mountain gate, the hidden pieces by the Nine Curves Pond were quietly laid out.
Amidst the sea of clouds at the mountain peak, Fairy Su Yan’s robes fluttered: “When it comes to choosing a partner, one naturally seeks a highly cultivated Dao Protector. I, at the Nascent Soul Realm, can already defeat Spirit Transformation cultivators beyond my level, and after future advancements, I can even contend with Cave Profound cultivators. A Dao Companion must at least be a Reversion to Void mighty cultivator to be truly secure.”
Ice crystal sword intent condensed at her fingertips, and she sighed lightly: “If there were no True Immortals in this era, this Immortal Maiden would even want to find an immortal as a Dao Companion.”
Luo Tianjue watched the two receding figures, lightly chuckling as he held a chess piece: “Su Yan’s heart has long been set on Chen Ming Peak; she definitely won’t go all out during the sect’s sparring matches. But that Qing Feng, I hear he’s ruined quite a few good things for Dragon Yang Peak?”
The purple-robed cultivator sitting opposite him placed a piece in response: “How about we find an excuse…”
“Stop!” Luo Tianjue’s black chess piece turned to dust between his fingers. “What do Luo Tianyi’s messy affairs have to do with me? The higher-ups want us to instigate internal strife within Changyang and have Su Yan marry into Hu Ji Peak. Just follow the instructions.”
He picked up his spiritual tea and sneered: “What benefit do we gain from the internal conflict of the Beast Taming Sect? If it succeeds, the credit is all theirs; if it fails, the blame is all ours. Why should we eagerly risk our lives?”
Zhang Gao respectfully presented a jade slip: “Master, Lin Qian has gained Lu Ran’s trust. Once she leads Lu Ran to mistakenly trespass into the Yixian Palace’s forbidden area, and then publicly accuses him of multiple acts of indecency, Chen Ming Peak will undoubtedly suffer a heavy blow.”
Qi Yuancheng closed his eyes and calculated: “Is this woman reliable?”
“Her mother is in our hands. Although the intelligence she has passed on over the years is irrelevant, if it were made public…” Zhang Gao smiled chillingly, “Chen Ming Peak would never tolerate a traitor.”
“What about the Law Enforcement Hall?”
“Senior Zhao Leng has already made arrangements. Once the deed is done, Lu Ran will be charged with a crime of lewdness.” A cold light flickered in Zhang Gao’s eyes. “At that time, Qing Feng will also be implicated, Chen Ming Peak’s reputation will be ruined, and the Changyang Sword Debate will surely be won by our peak.”
In the shadows, bamboo rustled slightly. Han Su Fairy crushed a communication stone and turned, disappearing into the night: “It’s just as you predicted. That hidden piece, Zhao Leng, should be removed.”
On Dragon Yang Peak, the selection for the Huijun Mystic Realm had long since changed. Using money and connections to replace selected candidates had become a common practice.
Jun Ya Peak was even more outrageous, with underground gambling dens and snowballing debts crushing the Disciples.
As for Meng Lian Peak, even the severance pay of those returned Disciples was skimmed off.
“Han Su Fairy fiddled with a newly acquired Sun Wukong clay figurine, her fingertips tracing the Great Sage Equaling Heaven’s golden staff.” The profits these three families reaped, 20% of which were offered to the Law Enforcement Hall annually, allowed them to turn a blind eye.
“Beside the stone table under the thatched roof, Leng An frowned, holding his Ice Soul Sword. Frost condensed on his dark robe.”
Later, the Bixi Supervisory Team was established, with Qi Lin from Hu Ji Peak holding the title of supervisor.
As a result, the three peaks added another 10% in offerings, and those people immediately feigned deafness and dumbness. “Han Su Fairy said, leaning back on the stone stool, her black hair falling and startling a few fireflies.
Qing Feng lightly chuckled as he stirred the foam in his teacup: “Water that is too clear has no fish. Wasn’t it because some people had guilty consciences that the establishment of the supervisory team caused such a commotion?”
“Most of Han Ming Peak’s Disciples can maintain their Dao hearts.” Leng An’s voice carried a hint of ice, and the frost on his sword thickened by another third.
“Someone like Senior Leng is naturally one in ten thousand. Otherwise, why would Han Ming Peak have been chosen as the main supervisory force? Among the seven pulse, you are the toughest.” Qing Feng tapped the stone table with his fingertips, startling the tea to ripple.
Leng An turned his face to gaze at the bamboo forest, the moonlight carving distinct lines of light and shadow on his chiseled profile.
As Yuan Qing True Lord’s first Disciple, his Ice Soul Sword had cut down countless villains, yet at this moment, it seemed as if something was caught in his throat.
“The most ironic thing is that supervisor from Hu Ji Peak, who is colluding with those people from the Law Enforcement Hall.”