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“Pan Zhong is from the Clarity Sect. He only learned the Three Yin Styles. When he was kicked out of the Daoist Societies, he was afflicted by a bitter cold. He went around looking for a cure. White witchcraft could treat the bitter cold, but he was denied treatment. He bore a grudge against witchcraft ever since. However, I didn’t expect him to join the Evil Sky Pavilion,” Wu Sheng said.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be at peace if I don’t kill this man.”
“Let’s report this first. Pan Zhong… will die in due time.” Wu Sheng glanced at the Evil Sky Pavilion again. He gave an order, and the dozens of red-robed cultivators proceeded toward Tangzi Town.
The 3,000 mounted soldiers felt like they were headless flies as they followed the cultivators around. Although they were well-trained soldiers, they were still third-rate fighters compared to these cultivators.
Wu Sheng knew that Wei Zhuoyan was merely humoring them. Therefore, he did not care if these men had real combat skills.
Halfway through their journey, the cultivators, led by Wu Sheng and Wu Guan, flew toward the flatlands. “Wait here.”
The 3,000 mounted soldiers had to stop and wait. The military officer eyed them suspiciously.
“What are they doing?”
“Who knows. They’re a mysterious bunch… As long as we don’t have to go to the Evil Sky Pavilion, I’ll do anything!”
“Yeah, you can bravely enter the Evil Sky Pavilion, but you won’t be able to leave with your life intact.”
While they were talking, the 30 red-robed cultivators vanished. At this moment, they were gathered at a spacious spot. They moved about on crooked paths. This went on for about two hours before Wu Sheng raised his hand and said, “Assemble.”
“Big brother, the Communication Formation is completed.”
“Mhm. Let’s begin.”
“Understood.”
At this moment, a faint purplish circle appeared under Wu Sheng’s feet.
The other red-robed cultivators surrounded Wu Sheng.
Bzzt!
A witchcraft Formation appeared.
Under the support of the 30 cultivators, the Formation seemed to have been activated instantly.
Wu Sheng looked at the witchcraft circle. It quickly flew into the air and formed a dome over everyone present on the scene.
Wu Sheng fell to one knee. “Lady Mo.”
A voice rang from the witchcraft circle.
“What’s the situation?”
“I have two things to report. First, Lord Chen Zhu is killed by the Evil Sky Pavilion…”
“What did you say?!”
The witchcraft circle shook.
“Ji Tiandao has admitted it himself. It’s true,” Wu Sheng answered in a trembling voice.
A deep laugh rang from the witchcraft circle. One could not tell if the person was laughing in joy or anger.
Wu Sheng did not seem surprised. It seemed like he was used to Lady Mo Li’s mood swings. Instead, he continued to say, “Second, I discovered that Ye Tianxin, the Evil Sky Pavilion’s sixth disciple, is a Bai!”
“Very good.”
“Third, I told the Evil Sky Pavilion about the secret of Cheng Huang as an offer to make peace.”
There was no angry rebuttal. Instead, the voice said indifferently, “You’ve always been cautious. Continue.”
“Ji Tiandao’s life is almost up. If he learns about Cheng Huang, he’ll certainly search for it frantically. This information is extremely valuable to him. I’m sure Ji Tiandao will believe your sincerity in wanting to make peace, my lady,” Wu Sheng said.
“As expected, you didn’t disappoint me.”
“We’ve laid the groundwork for a Grand Formation five miles north of Tangzi Town. We’ll be able to complete it soon,” Wu Sheng said.
“In that case, proceed with the original plan.”
“Understood.”
“We must avenge Chen Zhu.”
“Understood.”
“Lastly… I hope Wei Zhuoyan can be the scapegoat.”
“Understood.”
Wu Sheng kept acknowledging the orders.
After the three instructions, the witchcraft circle dissipated.
The 30 red-robed cultivators’ feet left the ground, and they hovered in a row.
Wu Sheng looked around at the deserted surroundings. “Continue to lay the Formation.”
“Understood.”
…
Meanwhile, Wei Zhuoyan’s 3,000 mounted soldiers had no idea these red-robed cultivators had no intention of returning to the Divine Capital. They kept waiting at this spot, pacing back and forth. It felt as though they had to stay here forever.
…
In a faraway forest.
The green-clad swordsman, Yu Shangrong, smiled faintly and mumbled to himself, “Interesting.” Then, he vanished.
…
Meanwhile, in the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou’s expression remained indifferent.
“Master, they are descendants of the Ten Shamans. I’m worried they have ulterior motives!” Mingshi Yin said.
Pan Zhong nodded and said, “They’re extremely daring to beard the lion in his den.”
“Fourth Junior Brother is right,” Duanmu Sheng interjected.
When Little Yuan’er saw her master deep in thought, she spoke contemptuously, “Master, we shouldn’t have let them leave. We should’ve captured them and interrogate them under torture like what we did to Fan Xiuwen. I don’t think they can keep their mouths shut at that time!”
“…”
“Why is everyone looking at me? Did I say something wrong?” Little Yuan’er asked innocently.
“You’re absolutely right, Miss Ninth!” Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng nodded at the same time.
“Master, didn’t I improve a lot?”
Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er calmly and said, “Of course, I know they intentionally disclosed that information. Chen Zhu was one of the Divine Capital’s Three Godly Archers. He was a true Six-leaf elite. Chen Zhu’s death has dealt a great blow to Mo Li. She won’t let this matter rest. Besides, we’ve already incurred hatred with what happened to Zhao Yue.” Although they had never met in person through their previous fights, he could tell from his opponent’s methods that she was not a benevolent person who would actually bury the hatchet and make peace.
“In that case, why did you let them go, master?”
“With them around, Wei Zhuoyan won’t feel at ease… I believe that although they serve the same master, they’re now like water and fire, by the looks of things. The snipe fights the clam, and the fisherman catches them both,” Lu Zhou said.
“… That’s brilliant, master!” Duanmu Sheng said earnestly.
Zhao Yue decided to stay out of this. After all, she had made a mistake before. She could not bring herself to offer such low-level flattery no matter what.
Lu Zhou looked around and discovered Hua Wudao was missing. In the current Evil Sky Pavilion, he needed a talented person such as Hua Wudao to offer some useful opinions.
“Where’s Elder Hua?”
“Elder Hua has been exhausted recently. He’s resting in the west pavilion,” Duanmu Sheng said.
“Very well.”
Lu Zhou waved his arm and stood up. “Mingshi Yin.”
“Yes, master.”
“Remember to retrieve the box on time,” Lu Zhou said calmly.
“Master… The box should be in Old Seventh’s hands now. If all goes well, Old Seventh should’ve gone looking for Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. With my strength and cultivation base, even if I’m a match for them, they might not be willing to unlock the box.” Mingshi Yin scratched his head awkwardly.
Lu Zhou said, “Old Seventh is an intelligent person…”
“An intelligent person will be able to open the box?”
“Intelligent people have one thing in common… They believe that they’re infallible,” Lu Zhou said.
Mingshi Yin gulped and lowered his head. When he analyzed Lu Zhou’s words, he thought to himself, ‘Is master deliberately showing his strength to warn for me?’
Duanmu Sheng said, “You have a point, master. I think so too.”
“…” Mingshi Yin chimed in, “You have a point, master… Once the seven days are up, I’ll visit Old Eighth and retrieve the box.”
…
Two days passed by in a blink of an eye. Above the mountains near Tiger Ridge, a massive flying chariot emerged slowly.