He Xiu, the “Cold-Faced Soul-Collecting Enforcer,” inspected every part of the Yun residence, guiding the array formations into the water to prevent infiltration by the Blue-Blooded People.
Suddenly, a servant came to report that a child had arrived with a letter.
He Xiu, with his cold and stern demeanor, showed no change in expression upon hearing this. He walked out of the He residence with a slight sense of curiosity and met an ordinary-looking child.
He cautiously accepted the letter, finding nothing unusual about it, and immediately unfolded it to skim its contents:
“Please inform about the whereabouts of Wu Hengjian (the Sword of Black Waters).”
“The Zhujia secretly pledged allegiance to Yun Jiu.”
“Yun Jiu colluded with members of the Su Maiden Sect, who are hiding in the backyard of Zhujia.”
“Yun Shisan maintains contact with the Su Maiden Sect, deliberately leaking information to arrange for the Su sect’s guest expert, the Poisonous-Hand Demon Sovereign, to assassinate Wu Hengjian, creating a false impression of a silenced witness and taking advantage of the chaos.”
“The Su Maiden Sect appears unrelated to the Blue-Blooded People.”
One request and several pieces of information made He Xiu’s expression grow even colder.
These were extremely confidential pieces of intelligence, detailed and precise—certainly not fabricated!
His eyes moved downward to the end, where there was a drawing of an eye resembling a droplet, deep and chaotic.
“Yuanshi Tianzun (Primordial Celestial Venerable)!” he muttered inwardly, narrowing his eyes sharply.
The insignia was correct, the symbolism was correct—this source was trustworthy!
Suddenly, He Xiu’s right hand emitted numerous fine sword qi, silently puncturing many tiny holes in the letter before handing it back to the child, instructing him to return it to its original location.
Shortly thereafter, Meng Qi, hiding among the crowd on the street, received the reply and gave the child a small piece of silver.
Disguised as a scholar with a book chest on his back, Meng Qi quietly opened a book on the bustling street, the letter hidden inside. With a sweep of his hand, the tiny holes connected into text:
“Wu Hengjian suspects that the one who leaked his location is either Master Yun Shisan, Miss Yun Qī, or Chen Xiang, the Hall Leader of the Linhai Boat Gang.”
“He wants to uncover the truth behind this.”
Meng Qi slowly walked forward, smiling as he crumpled the letter in his right hand, then opened his palm—ashes scattered into the wind.
Without revealing himself, he would definitely do his best to disrupt the Su Maiden Sect!
And he could also obtain information about Wu Hengjian from the “Changsheng Xianzun (Immortal Lord of Eternal Life)”!
…
As dawn approached, an orange-yellow light spilled across the sparkling sea surface, undulating with the waves as it carried large ships.
Inside an unremarkable vessel, the White-Clad Gentleman, the Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign, sat at the main seat like a still mountain, surveying his subordinates and the dark sect experts who had come to assist.
“Everyone, I have received confirmed intelligence—the boy is hiding in a grain shop at the Linhai New Street entrance. This time, we must set up an inescapable net and ensure he doesn’t escape again. Your rewards will be generous upon success!” the Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign declared solemnly.
One of the dark sect experts frowned and asked, “Is the intelligence truly reliable?”
“Of course,” the Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign sneered. “He was betrayed by his most trusted friend!”
“Ah, I see…” The demonic experts no longer questioned—betrayal was commonplace among them.
“Demon Sovereign, with dawn approaching, acting rashly might alert the Yun family, especially with a Grandmaster from the Eastern Sea Sword Manor inside!” another dark sect expert felt the timing was inappropriate.
The Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign instinctively mimicked the Poisonous-Hand Demon Sovereign’s calmness, smiling faintly, “No problem. With so many experts among us, we can send people ahead to set up formations, confining the aftermath to the shop area and masking all disturbances. According to my information, the Yun family will likely decide on their new patriarch today, embroiled in internal conflicts—no time to concern themselves with us!”
“Therefore, though it’s daytime, it’s better than the dead of night!”
After the discussion, the dark sect experts stealthily departed, with the Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign remaining behind as commander.
In the nearby large ship, a man in his early thirties paced back and forth, frequently glancing toward the Linhai New Street entrance.
You must succeed!
Or I will face endless troubles!
…
In the mourning hall, the Yun family gathered, their expressions solemn.
Regarding the Blue-Blooded People, they were skeptical but still took precautions with the “Water-Killing” ritual. However, opening the coffin for inspection involved the dignity of the late patriarch and required careful deliberation!
—The coffin of such a Grandmaster was undoubtedly made of rare materials that obscured spiritual detection. Without Meng Qi’s karmic connection, it would have been impossible to discern the truth!
Yun Jiu, Yun Feiyang, entered the mourning hall with his attendants, his mind racing with thoughts of his conversation with Madame Hundred Flowers and Yingning the previous night.
They had kept emphasizing one question: Who benefited most from the death of the old patriarch?
Had the old man lived another ten years, Yun Liù would have likely become a Grandmaster, and Yun Shisan, managing household affairs, would have grown increasingly entrenched. As for himself and Yun Er, unless they encountered extraordinary fortune, they stood no chance against them!
In other words, without identifying the true mastermind, he and Yun Er would be the most suspicious candidates. Under the premise of caution and the urgent need to determine the new patriarch, they were practically eliminated!
Damn bastard! The old man was clearly nearing the end of his life—why would someone kill him off a year or half earlier? Yun Jiu inwardly cursed the culprit, casting a slightly hostile glance at Yun Er.
Since he himself was innocent, it must be him!
Unfortunately, the Blue-Blooded People incident erupted too suddenly and too early. With a little more time, using the fabricated cover-up and the Su Maiden Sect’s demons, he could have smoothly framed Yun Er and Yun Liu. As for Yun Shisan, his foundation was not yet firm, and his connections were not as strong as his own—he would have had the advantage!
Frustrated and regretful, Yun Jiu suddenly locked eyes with the tall, composed Yun Shisan. Both concealed their thoughts deeply, revealing nothing in their gazes.
Yun Shisan had always been skilled in schemes—what preparations had he made this time? Yun Jiu frowned slightly, instinctively recalling his own “plan.”
Standing before the coffin were several elder Yuns and three representatives from the Eastern Sea Sword Manor. Beside the coffin stood an elderly man, frail and grief-stricken—Yan Bo, the old patriarch’s personal bodyguard for nearly two centuries, a top-tier expert at the Fifth Heaven, whose presence was often equated with that of the patriarch himself.
He Jiu scanned the crowd, about to speak, when suddenly a voice announced:
“Ruan Chengde of the Langya Ruan Clan has arrived to pay respects!”
Ruan San has come?
The timing is off!
The Yun family exchanged puzzled glances. Rumors had already spread that today would decide the new patriarch—who would choose this moment to pay a condolence visit?
Could this be an ally someone has brought in? Yun Jiu glanced at the other three. Each bore a different expression—Yun Er lowered his head, deep in thought; Yun Liu looked toward He Jiu; Yun Shisan remained calm and composed, showing no abnormalities.
Since he had already arrived and was from the Langya Ruans, the Yun family did not block him, respectfully welcoming Ruan San inside.
Ruan San inherited the Ruan family’s traits—youthful in appearance, refined and elegant, dressed in snow-white robes, exuding a celestial aura, like an immortal descended to the mortal world.
However, his body appeared slightly frail, as if a gust of wind could topple him.
“A figure who entered the Earth List before forty—truly impressive…” For a moment, the Yun family couldn’t help but stare.
Unfortunately, after his spiritual deviation, he had been removed from the Earth List.
Ruan San bowed respectfully toward the coffin, then turned to the crowd, speaking calmly and elegantly, “The Ruan family brings no material offerings, only a piece of music to accompany Master Yun on his journey beyond. Please do not take offense.”
It was perfectly normal for the Ruan family to offer music as a condolence. Yun Shisan, who was overseeing the ceremony, glanced at his brothers and nodded in agreement.
Ruan San casually sat cross-legged on the floor, exuding a carefree demeanor. A zither floated before him, and beside it, an incense burner emitted a thin wisp of sandalwood.
His wide sleeves spread, both hands hovering over the zither strings.
…
Chen Xiang, the incense master of the Boat Gang, paced back and forth, his expression hinting at tension and impatience, frequently glancing toward the Linhai New Street entrance.
Brother, don’t blame me—wealth tempts the heart, and power thins blood ties. Since we’ve been friends, help me climb higher!
Suddenly, he felt a tight grip around his ankle, an icy chill seeping in, swiftly sealing his spiritual acupoints.
“You!” His only movable eye looked down to see two pitch-black, terrifying hands tightly gripping his ankle, and a familiar aura approaching.
Demon Qi corroded the deck as a shadow slowly rose, lifting Chen Xiang in its grip—it was Wu Hengjian.
“Heh, you must be surprised to see me here,” Wu Hengjian’s gaze was cold.
“You arranged a hidden place for me that turned out to be a trap!” Chen Xiang, familiar with Wu Hengjian, suddenly understood, overwhelmed with fear.
Wu Hengjian slowly nodded. “Yes, each of you knows different hiding spots. I wanted to find out who betrayed me—I didn’t expect it to be you! Have you forgotten how you became the Boat Gang’s Hall Leader?”
Chen Xiang suddenly wept bitterly, pleading, “I didn’t want to, Hengjian! I was blinded by greed…”
“Blinded? You said ‘a momentary lapse’ twice—do you think I’m an idiot?” Wu Hengjian roared in anger, his demonic Qi surging. Chen Xiang didn’t even scream before his entire body was corroded, his blood and essence flowing into Wu Hengjian’s palm.
Clap, clap, clap—a round of applause echoed, accompanied by a cold, mocking voice: “Impressive! You killed him without hesitation—truly ruthless. No wonder I once admired you.”
Wu Hengjian froze, attempting to flee but discovering dark light rising from all directions, sealing the ship. A white-clad gentleman approached leisurely.
“Zhuihun Mōjūn (Soul-Hunting Demon Sovereign)!” Wu Hengjian was shocked—wasn’t it supposed to be Dushou Mōjūn (Poisonous-Hand Demon Sovereign)?
If he had known this mission was led by Zhuihun Mōjūn, he wouldn’t have used this strategy—he had suffered losses at his hands before and would certainly have prepared countermeasures!
Aren’t Zhuihun and Dushou sworn enemies?
He had only glimpsed from afar that dark sect experts were heading to the New Street entrance and immediately rushed to kill, without verifying the enemy’s identity!
Zhuihun Mōjūn, his mood lifted, laughed heartily, “Live and learn! Would I not anticipate your tactics of luring the tiger from the mountain and feinting east while attacking west? Wu kid, your luck has run out—today is your doom!”
Despair gripped Wu Hengjian once more. Trapped in the formation and facing Zhuihun Mōjūn, who had already witnessed his ultimate technique, the Demon Scar, escape was impossible!
He resolved to fight to the death, embracing a fearless resolve.
At that moment, a light hum resonated within the ship—soft yet distinct, familiar to the ears.
It was Dushou Mōjūn’s hum! Wu Hengjian immediately recognized the approaching figure!
Dushou! Zhuihun Mōjūn’s expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, his eyes flared with strange light, a wave of icy Qi sweeping him into the sea, vanishing instantly—startled into fleeing by a mere hum!
The psychological shadow and vulnerabilities Meng Qi had left in him were evident!
Wu Hengjian had no time to react, watching helplessly as Zhuihun Mōjūn fled in panic, seeing the cabin door open to reveal a refined middle-aged man in a green robe, his temples slightly gray, bearing a calm, indifferent gaze.
It was truly Dushou Mōjūn!
What immense demonic might!
…
Inside the mourning hall, Ruan San plucked the zither strings, producing a high, distant sound.
Note after note filled the air, as if accumulating mist.
Just as He Jiu slightly furrowed his brow, a sudden explosion echoed from afar. Sensing it, he found the pond in Tie Mansion erupting with deep blue!
Within the underground river, the port’s ocean, responding to the zither’s melody, surged with deep blue waves.
A zither specifically targeting the Blue-Blooded People?! Huang Taichong was shocked, observing the unaffected humans around him.
Whoosh—the sea suddenly surged, waves rising into the clouds, vibrant with deep blue!
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