121: Chapter 121 Tianxin Manor

Tianxin Villa is located on the main peak of "Qixia Mountain," where the Spiritual Veins are most abundant on the east side of Taikang Island. Spanning a thousand acres and built against the mountain, its pavilions and towers are hidden among the lush greenery. When viewed through the swirling mist, it resembles the residence of immortals.

Deep within the villa, inside a Green Tile Hall built against a cliff, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

Hall Master Zeng Guan reclined on a red sandalwood couch covered in sable fur, fiddling with a warm mutton-fat white jade thumb ring. He listened to the report from a green-clad Disciple below him, his expression calm, though his narrow eyes squinted slightly, showing a hint of contemplation.

"...That's all the news from the Prodigal Society. Jiang Tao returned to Nanwan Wharf three days ago, claiming there was a traitor in the society who colluded with outsiders to plunder the Dragon Abyss Palace's fishing grounds, and that he had cleaned house. Vice President Chen San and twenty elites were all lost there, and the fast boat was destroyed. Currently, the Prodigal Society is undergoing an internal reorganization, with Qin Wen personally overseeing it, weeding out seven or eight who were close to Chen San and promoting several newcomers."

After the green-clad Disciple finished speaking, he stood with his hands down, waiting for orders.

Zeng Guan slowly sat up straight, slid the white jade ring back onto his thumb, and lightly tapped the edge of the couch with his fingertips.

"Cleaning house..." he repeated in a low voice, a mysterious cold smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That old loach Jiang Tao is certainly ruthless. Chen San followed him for over a decade, and he killed him just like that. Twenty elites... How much foundation does the Prodigal Society even have? This blow has severely damaged their Origin Qi."

"Hall Master, this Disciple feels there is something fishy about this," the green-clad Disciple looked up and said cautiously. "Chen San and the others went to receive the Spirit Fish. According to the plan, a batch of Silver-Scaled Saberfish was supposed to 'accidentally' go missing, and the Prodigal Society's outer perimeter would receive and quickly transfer them. Even if they failed, it shouldn't have resulted in a total wipeout, to the point where even Jiang Tao had to return personally to reorganize society affairs. Could it be... that Dragon Abyss Palace noticed?"

"If Dragon Abyss Palace had noticed," Zeng Guan shook his head, "the ones coming would be the 'Black Scale Guards' from the Law Enforcement Hall, or at least an Inner Sect Elder coming to personally demand accountability. Jiang Tao is a mere Early Stage Primal Form Realm; in the eyes of Dragon Abyss Palace, he's just a slightly larger ant. If there were truly solid evidence, it would be impossible for him to return to Taikang Island alive, let alone reorganize internally with such composure."

He stood up and paced to the window, looking towards Nanwan Wharf, which was faintly visible beneath the churning sea of clouds.

"I've dealt with Jiang Tao for many years. He seems boisterous, but he's actually as meticulous as a hair, values his life above all, and understands how to judge the situation. That he dares to come back and even flagrantly clean house implies only two possibilities."

"Please enlighten me, Hall Master."

"First, Dragon Abyss Palace indeed noticed something, but the evidence was insufficient, or for some reason, they temporarily refrained from moving against him. Jiang Tao's sense of smell is keen; he preemptively cut the clues, killed the witnesses, and put on a show of 'sacrificing family for justice' to gain Dragon Abyss Palace's tolerance, or at least a temporary reprieve," Zeng Guan said slowly.

"And the second?"

"Second," Zeng Guan turned around, a sharp glint in his eyes, "he found a bigger backer, or... greater interests. Enough to make him willing to risk offending my Heavenly Heart Sect, or even Young Master Zhao of Black Jade Mansion, just to wash his hands clean and completely abandon his previous shady dealings."

The green-clad Disciple gasped: "A bigger backer? In this Star Continent Anchorage, besides Dragon Abyss Palace and Black Jade Mansion, who else could..."

"The world is vast, full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Star Continent Anchorage seems like a wrestling ground for Dragon Abyss Palace and Black Jade Mansion, but in the undercurrents, who knows what's hidden?" Zeng Guan interrupted him, his tone grim. "Don't forget, the merchant groups of the Western Nations, the Great Qi's Sea Quelling Department, or even those elusive Loose Cultivator eccentrics... all are possible."

He walked back to the couch, sat down again, and took a sip of the Spirit Tea at his side, which was at the perfect temperature.

"Jiang Tao suddenly cutting ties with us must mean he has some scheme or something to rely on. Does he think that by cutting contact and killing a few people, he can toss my Heavenly Heart Sect aside like a rag?"

Zeng Guan sneered and slammed the teacup heavily onto the table.

"My Heavenly Heart Sect's ability to stand tall on Taikang Island isn't just based on our Alchemy and array-making skills. Whatever Jiang Tao swallowed, he'll have to spit it out sooner or later, with interest!"

Before he finished speaking, footsteps came from outside the hall. A blue-clad Disciple entered quickly and bowed: "Reporting to Hall Master, the Prodigal Society has sent an invitation."

"Oh?" Zeng Guan raised an eyebrow. "Bring it up."

The blue-clad Disciple presented a gold-stamped invitation with a black background. Zeng Guan took it, scanned it, and a playful look appeared on his Face.

"Taikang Tower, Heaven-grade Private Room... Jiang Tao is hosting and invites me for a meeting at the third quarter of the Shen hour." His fingertips rubbed the fine texture of the invitation's edge. "He also says... there are greater interests to discuss?"

The two Disciples below the hall looked at each other.

They were just analyzing that Jiang Tao might have found a new backer to cut ties, and in the blink of an eye, the invitation arrived, even mentioning "greater interests"?

"Hall Master, I fear this might be a trap," the green-clad Disciple couldn't help but advise. "Jiang Tao just finished cleaning house and immediately invites you to meet; it's too much of a coincidence. Although Taikang Tower is a public place..."

"But he is a Primal Form Realm Cultivator; I cannot refuse this invitation." Zeng Guan closed the invitation, his expression returning to calm. "If I don't go, it makes me look guilty, as if I'm afraid of Jiang Tao. It would also make outsiders think that my Heavenly Heart Sect doesn't even dare to give the President of the Prodigal Society any Face. Moreover..."

A sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"I am also very curious about what this 'greater interest' of his actually is. Is it truly immense wealth, or... a poisonous bait to lure me into a trap?"

"Hall Master, then your meaning is?"

"Go, of course I'll go." Zeng Guan stood up and straightened his robes. "However, I won't go alone. Notify the 'Shadow Guards' to follow in secret. Also, send people to keep a close eye on the Langtao Warehouse and all the Prodigal Society's properties at Nanwan Wharf to see if there have been any unusual movements lately. Additionally, check who Jiang Tao has been in contact with since returning from Dragon Abyss Palace."

"Yes!" The two Disciples took their orders and hurried away.

Silence returned to the hall.