Chapter 134: Each with Their Own Plans

“Master, we’ve been practicing day in and day out. When are we finally going after the Wenshang Sect? I’m still on official duty, you know.”

“Foolish boy, what fun is there in wiping out the Wenshang Sect? It’s dangerous and brings no benefit. Better to avoid it if possible.”

“But Master, didn’t you say that inviting Lord and Lady Shi here was precisely to prepare for a strike against the Wenshang Sect?”

“Little fox, I let them take revenge because they had their own grudge with the Wenshang Sect. The Wenshang Sect hasn’t wronged you personally. Your wife even stole their precious cauldron and cooked it for you, and then you still talk about silencing them permanently—how can you feel comfortable about that?”

Mei Qing, having learned a few techniques, always felt a longing to go out and display his prowess. After all, previously he mostly went out with a group of hired thugs, mainly observing from a seat. Now that he finally had defensive talismans and offensive charms, he couldn’t help feeling eager, often having the impulse to command a chariot in the middle of the night.

But Zhang Shisan showed no urgency at all, and Master Ku was even more the compassionate type, advocating non-violence. As for Shi Mengzhu—just looking at the old scholar’s frail body, there was no need to trouble him with battlefield matters.

“The problem is, we’ve already confronted them at the palace, and Bi Zhen stole their cauldron. Even a fool would know to start searching everywhere. If they can’t find it locally and eventually think of this port town, won’t we be at a disadvantage when they come knocking on our door?” Mei Qing presented his argument with facts and logic, earnestly explaining to Zhang Shisan.

“Hehe, okay okay, my foolish boy isn’t completely clueless after all,” Zhang Shisan chuckled with narrowed eyes. “What you said does make some sense. Actually, it’s not that I don’t want to eliminate them. The problem is, they’ve been behaving themselves, merely crafting a few paper horses and soldiers. Since they haven’t wronged us, why should we go charging in with accusations? You’re an official of the court. If things go wrong, just send a message to the authorities to handle their investigation. That’s how mundane affairs should be handled, not through cultivation world methods.”

“But what about their harmful soul-cultivation practices? Surely such evil techniques deserve to be eradicated?” Mei Qing raised his voice slightly, seeing Zhang Shisan’s indifferent expression.

“Which of your eyes saw them harming anyone? Did you catch them in the act of soul-cultivation?” Zhang Shisan snorted. “You need evidence to catch a thief, and witnesses to catch an adulterer. Just because your wife followed someone to Changchun Dian, you conclude the Wenshang Sect is harming people through soul-cultivation?”

“Then why did you have Lord Shi and others prepare at all? Why did you make all those arrangements in the first place?” Mei Qing was confused. “If we can’t attack the Wenshang Sect, why did you bring those two people here? Isn’t Lady Shi also part of the cultivation world?”

“Foolish boy, why can’t you understand? If we initiate an attack, we’d be the ones causing trouble, which is unacceptable. But as you said, they will definitely come after us. Then they’ll be the aggressors, and we’d be forced to retaliate—that’s when we can strike. Hehe…” Zhang Shisan let out a raspy, sinister chuckle.

“Ah…Master, you really are…” Mei Qing didn’t know what to say.

“Hehe, foolish boy, don’t think the cultivation world is some pristine paradise. It’s probably even murkier than the mundane world,” Zhang Shisan sneered. “In the mundane world, there are authorities and courts—whether true or false, at least there’s a place to seek justice. In the cultivation world, it’s all about power. That’s why Zhang Liusun could just gather forces and wipe out the Shenxiao Sect back then. Now, as master and apprentice, with only a few mouths to feed and no weapons to speak of, we must stay alert and avoid unnecessary troubles.”

“Master, we practice in silence every day. When are we going to deal with the Fragrance Sect? I still have official duties to attend to.”

“Foolish boy, what’s so fun about destroying the Fragrance Sect? It’s dangerous and brings no benefits. It’s better not to go.”

“But didn’t you say that inviting Master Shi and his wife was to prepare for an attack on the Fragrance Sect?”

“That little fox has a grudge against the Fragrance Sect, so I let them settle their scores. The Fragrance Sect hasn’t wronged you. Your wife even stole their precious cauldron for you to consume, and now you talk about killing them to silence them—do you have no shame?”

Having learned a few skills, Mei Qing always yearned to go out and make a name for himself. After all, he used to lead a group of thugs, mostly observing from the sidelines. Now, armed with magical tools and talismans, he felt the itch to command and take action, often fantasizing about leading a charge in the dead of night.

But Zhang Shisan showed no urgency, and Master Ku maintained a compassionate stance against violence. As for Shi Mengzhu—given the old scholar’s frail physique, it was best not to involve him in battles.

“The problem is, we’ve already crossed paths with them at the palace, and Bi Zhen took their cauldron. Even a fool would know to search everywhere. If they can’t find it locally, they’ll surely think of coming here. If we wait for them to attack, won’t we be at a disadvantage?” Mei Qing laid out his reasoning earnestly to Zhang Shisan.

“Ha, ha, the boy isn’t completely without wit,” Zhang Shisan chuckled, squinting. “There’s some logic to what you say. It’s not that I don’t want to destroy them, but they’ve been keeping to themselves, just crafting paper figures and horses without offending us. Why should we storm in accusing them? You’re an official; if things look bad, inform the authorities and let them investigate. The world of cultivation doesn’t operate that way.”

“But what about their harmful practices? Shouldn’t such evil arts be eradicated?” Mei Qing’s voice rose in frustration at Zhang Shisan’s indifferent demeanor.

“Have you seen them harm anyone? Did you catch them in the act?” Zhang Shisan snorted. “To catch a thief, you need evidence; to catch adultery, you need both parties. Just because your wife followed someone to Changchun Lake, you conclude the Fragrance Sect is harming people?”

“Then why did you have Master Shi and his wife prepare? What was your plan? If we can’t move against the Fragrance Sect, why did you involve them? Isn’t Mrs. Shi also part of the cultivation world?”

“Why can’t you understand, foolish boy? If we attack them first, we’re the ones causing trouble. But as you said, they’ll come to us. Then it’s they who are causing trouble, and we’re forced to act. That’s when we… heh heh…” Zhang Shisan let out a hoarse, sinister laugh.

“Ah… Master, you’re really…” Mei Qing was at a loss for words.

“Heh heh, foolish boy, don’t think that entering the cultivation world means entering a clear pond. It’s likely even murkier than the outside world,” Zhang Shisan sneered. “Outside, there are authorities and courts, whether fair or not, there’s a place to appeal. In the cultivation world, strength dictates everything. That’s why Zhang Liusun could destroy the Shenxiao Sect without consequence. Now, with just a few of us, we need to be cautious, lest we provoke trouble and suffer.”

“So we just sit here waiting for doom?” Mei Qing said with a hint of resentment. “Isn’t that too passive?”

“What do you mean ‘waiting for doom’?” Zhang Shisan rolled his eyes. “We’re sitting comfortably, waiting for those fools to take the bait. But this time, I won’t intervene. Your bald master will likely settle old scores with that smiling Buddha. When the time comes, you’ll have to fend for yourself.”

“Ah…” Hearing this, Mei Qing suddenly felt less confident. “Actually, I’m not particularly eager for a fight. A harmonious society is better…”

While Mei Qing and his master were strategizing on how to take the moral high ground, dozens of miles away in the largest mansion in Changchun Lake Town, Liu Liu, the second leader of the Fragrance Sect, was sweating profusely under the gaze of two elders, struggling to speak.

“Leader Liu,” the dry, white-haired elder on the left spoke coldly, with little respect despite the title. “You say the item is lost. It’s been several days now. Even if we two old men don’t say anything, if ‘that one’ asks, the consequences… hmph…”

The chilling tone of his “hmph” sent shivers down Liu Liu’s spine, and he stammered, “Left… Left Protector. Please give me a few more days. I will, I will…”

“Enough,” the smiling monk beside the white-haired elder said. “You can squeeze him dry, but it’s still just a few drops of oil. But Old Yuan, doesn’t this seem strange? The formation was set by ‘that one’ years ago, and this place has been peaceful since, without any signs of trouble. How is it that just when we both stepped out for a moment, the item was lost? Could there be a traitor in the sect?”

The white-haired elder slowly shook his head. “All the sect members are here, and you’ve seen them too. I don’t believe anything could escape our eyes. That item… even in our hands, unless placed in that formation, its aura would be hard to conceal. How could it disappear without a trace?”

The monk’s smile widened. “Could it just be a coincidence? Liu Liu, have you checked the surrounding areas? Any leads on those strangers you mentioned a few days ago?”

Liu Liu quickly replied, “Right Protector, I’ve sent all my men out to inquire in nearby villages. We should have news by tomorrow.”

“Good, good, no rush,” the monk said with a smile. “We trust you. But we can’t just stay here. I think we should send more people to the surrounding counties. Think about it—are there any places nearby where someone could hide? Neither Protector Yuan nor I are familiar with this area. To get things done, we need you, the local snake.”

As he spoke, the monk chuckled, his fat cheeks jiggling.

Liu Liu nodded repeatedly, thanking the two protectors before backing out of the room and scurrying away.

Watching Liu Liu disappear, the monk’s smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. “These idiots! They can’t do anything right!”

The white-haired elder’s face darkened. “Brother Xiao, what should we do now?”

The monk’s chubby face twitched with anger. “What can we do at this point? If ‘that one’ finds out the cauldron is lost, we’re dead. We can only hope this kid is useful. In the next couple of days, let’s not sit idle. Let’s go out and look around ourselves. Relying on these fools is hopeless.”

The white-haired elder lowered his voice. “But what if we can’t find it? You know ‘that one’s’ temper. The recent messages have been urgent, as if things aren’t going well in the capital. After all these years of preparation, to have this happen at the last moment—if we’re blamed…”

At this, the white-haired elder shuddered, unable to continue.

“Ah…” the monk sighed. “At this point, we can only take it one step at a time.” With that, he closed his eyes and fell silent.

The white-haired elder’s face grew even darker, his eyes flickering as he too fell silent.

As night fell over the courtyard, the tall elm leaves began to show signs of aging, looking even more desolate in the dim light. The returning birds had already nestled in the branches, too lazy to chirp.

Liu Liu paced back and forth in his room. Though the weather was turning cold, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

A faint light suddenly illuminated the dark room, revealing the face of a charming woman in her twenties, her beauty tinged with fear. She set down the oil lamp and hesitated before softly calling, “Master…”

“What are you calling for!?” Liu Liu snapped without turning around. “I feed and clothe you, and in times of crisis, all you do is put on a pitiful face for whom? Get out! Get out! Stop playing the victim in front of me!”

With that, Liu Liu’s voice rose in a suppressed roar. He slapped the woman across the face and kicked her twice, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Watching the terrified woman scramble out of the room, Liu Liu’s anger subsided slightly. He turned his gaze to the dark side courtyard, recalling the helpless and fearful expressions of his men as they reported no findings, and the increasingly grim faces of the two protectors. He sighed deeply, feeling the chill in the air.

Only the reports from the southern routes are still pending… Liu Liu thought. If there’s no news from there, those strangers might truly be lost. Even if they are found, can we be sure they stole the cauldron? Liu Liu remembered the scene—just a few flashes of light. Especially the last one, which didn’t even pause when he activated those strange bones in desperation. Such skill likely has a formidable background.

“Leader, leader!” A hoarse voice filled with excitement called from outside the room. “We’ve found traces of those people!”

“What do you mean by waiting for disaster?” Zhang Shisan rolled his eyes. “We’re calmly fishing from a stable platform, waiting for those fools to take the bait. But foolish boy, this time I won’t be intervening. Your bald master probably has old scores to settle with that laughing Maitreya. When the time comes, you’ll have to take care of yourself.”

“Ah…” Hearing this sudden news, Mei Qing’s confidence dropped significantly. “Well, actually, I’m not particularly eager for bloodshed. A harmonious society is better after all…”

As Mei Qing and his master were at Shi’s residence strategizing how to gain the moral high ground, dozens of miles away in the largest mansion of Changchun Dian town, Liu Liu, the second leader of the Wenshang Sect, was standing under the gaze of two elderly men, sweating profusely and stammering incoherently.

“Leader Liu,” the dry, white-haired elder on the left spoke coldly. Though he used the title “leader,” there was little respect in his tone. “You say the item is lost, and several days have passed. Hehe, even if we two old men say nothing, if that other person asks about it, the consequences, hmm…”

That series of ominous hums sounded like they came from the depths of hell, instantly making Liu Liu, who stood with his hands lowered, shiver all over. He hurriedly replied with a trembling voice, “Elder Left Guardian, please grant me a few more days. I will definitely, definitely…”

“Enough,” the white-haired elder beside him, a smiling, fat monk, interrupted. “Even if you squeeze him dry, he won’t produce much oil. But old Yuan, don’t you think this matter seems a bit suspicious? That place was originally set up by that person long ago. It’s been peaceful all these years, hidden and unremarkable. How could it be so coincidental that the item was lost precisely when both of us were away for a short while? Perhaps there’s a traitor within the sect?”

The white-haired elder slowly shook his head. “Everyone in the sect is here, and you’ve already inspected them all. I don’t believe anyone could escape our notice. As for that item… even if it were in our hands, outside of that formation, its aura would be hard to completely conceal. How could there be absolutely no sign of disturbance?”

The monk’s smile deepened. “Maybe it was just a coincidence? Liu Liu, have you checked the nearby villages? Have you found any trace of those unfamiliar faces you mentioned a few days ago?”

Liu Liu quickly replied, “Right Guardian, I’ve already dispatched all my men to investigate the nearby villages. I expect to have news by tomorrow.”

“Good, good. Don’t rush,” the monk smiled amiably. “Brother Yuan and I do trust you. However, we shouldn’t confine our search to this immediate area. I suggest we also deploy more personnel to the surrounding counties and towns. Think about any possible hiding places nearby. Brother Yuan and I aren’t familiar with this region, so we really need your local knowledge.”

As he spoke, the monk chuckled, his jowls quivering with each laugh.

Upon hearing this, Liu Liu hurriedly nodded in agreement, repeatedly thanking the two guardians before backing slowly toward the door and then turning to flee in haste.

Watching Liu Liu disappear beyond the courtyard gate, the monk’s smile gradually faded, replaced by a look of resentment. “These pigs! Can’t do anything right!”

The white-haired elder’s face darkened. “Brother Xiao, what should we do now given the situation?”

The monk’s fat face twitched slightly as he hissed, “What else can we do now? If that person finds out the cauldron is lost, there won’t be any of us left alive! We can only hope this kid proves useful. Starting tomorrow, we brothers can’t stay idle either—we should go out and investigate ourselves. Relying solely on these useless pigs, there’s little hope.”

The white-haired elder lowered his voice. “But what if we can’t find it? You know that person’s temper. The letters of inquiry have been coming more frequently lately, as if things in the capital aren’t going smoothly either. We’ve been preparing for years, and right when the moment comes, this happens. If blame falls on us…”

At this, the white-haired elder seemed to recall something terrifying, shuddered involuntarily, and said no more.

“Ai…” the monk sighed deeply. “At this point, we can only take one step at a time.” With that, he closed his eyes and fell silent.

The white-haired elder’s expression grew even darker, his eyes flickering ominously as he too fell silent.

As night gradually enveloped the courtyard, the tall elm tree’s leaves were already showing signs of aging. Under the dim night sky, they looked even more withered and desolate. The returning cold birds had already nestled themselves among the branches, seeming too weary to utter even a single cry.

Inside the room, Liu Liu paced back and forth restlessly. Though the weather was turning cold, sweat poured from his forehead.

Suddenly, a dim light flickered in the dark room, illuminating the face of a young woman in her twenties, her beauty enhanced by the soft glow. Yet, behind her alluring charm lay obvious fear and anxiety. She set down the oil lamp she was holding, hesitated for a moment, and then softly called out, “My lord…”

“Shouting for what!?” Liu Liu snapped without turning around. “You’ve been living off me, eating and drinking at my expense. When trouble comes, all you can do is show a sorrowful face. Get out! Get out! Don’t stand there making me sick!”

With that, Liu Liu’s voice erupted in suppressed rage. He slapped the woman across the face and then kicked her twice, sending her sprawling to the ground in stunned terror.

Watching the woman, her face pale with fright, scramble out of the room in panic, Liu Liu’s anger eased slightly. He turned his gaze toward the dark side yard, recalling the helpless and fearful expressions of his subordinates as they reported no findings, and the increasingly gloomy expressions of the two guardians. He let out a long sigh, feeling as though the weather had grown colder.

Only a few messages from the southern routes had yet to return… Liu Liu calculated in his mind. If no news came from there either, those strangers were probably gone for good. Then again, even if they were found, could he be sure they were the ones who had stolen the cauldron? Thinking back to what he had seen—just a few flashes of light. Especially the last one, which hadn’t been slowed in the least by the strange bones he had desperately unleashed. Such cultivation skills—surely they must belong to someone formidable?

“Leader! Leader!” Suddenly, a hoarse voice filled with excitement came from outside the room. “We found them! We found the trail of those people!”