219: Chapter 219 Refining a Grade Seven Pill! Preparing a Surprise

"It really was good luck."

Gu Han still maintained a calm and composed expression.

"They say that within seven steps of a poison, there must be an antidote. I found these things in the same place I obtained the life-devouring pill formula and the Spirit Medicines. It truly was just luck."

"..." The four people present were rendered silent, though their heavy moods lightened considerably.

At the very least, the death sentence of the life-devouring pill after three years had been extended, and by ten years at that.

With thirteen years, Xiao Yan was confident he could help Xiao Li reach the Dou Huang level.

Just then, Bai Qishan's voice came from outside the door: "Grand Elder, someone from the Rakshasa Gate requests an audience."

"Rakshasa Gate?" Xiao Yan's gaze narrowed.

He hadn't forgotten that the people who ambushed him and Zi Yan not long ago claimed to be from the Rakshasa Gate.

Although Gu Han had seen through the disguise of the Demon Flame Valley members, he still remained wary of the Rakshasa Gate.

"What a coincidence." A look of contemplation flashed through Gu Han's eyes as he spoke, "Bring them in."

As his voice fell, the door was pushed open by Dou Qi.

Bai Qishan walked in leading a person clad in full black armor, whose figure appeared more like that of a woman.

"Ghost One, a Rakshasa Ghost under the Sect Leader of the Rakshasa Gate, greets the Sect Master of Yunlan Sect and the Grand Elder." The black-clad person cupped their fists in greeting.

"A Rakshasa Ghost. I've heard they are Su Mei's direct subordinates, having made significant contributions when she established herself in the Black-Corner Region, with a record of successfully assassinating a Dou Huang." Gu Han set down his teacup, his voice deepening slightly. "Have you come to the Cloud Mist Sect's territory to flaunt your power, or to see if your assassination plot succeeded?"

*Swish!*

Bai Qishan immediately cast a wary look at Ghost One.

Ghost One: ?

"Grand Elder Gu, when has my Rakshasa Gate ever conducted an assassination?" Enveloped in a wave of chill, cold sweat broke out on Ghost One's forehead as she immediately lowered her head and cupped her fists to ask.

"Hmph." Gu Han casually tossed a corpse onto the ground. "This person was lying in wait outside Yunmu City to assassinate a guest of my Cloud Mist Sect. Before dying, he claimed to be from the Rakshasa Gate and warned this Elder that if I dared to kill him, I should be wary of Su Mei's retaliation. What do you say to that?"

Ghost One was so startled she dropped to one knee. Her gaze swept over the corpse's face, and she hurriedly said, "The Rakshasa Gate has no such person."

"Where is the evidence?" Gu Han countered.

Ghost One: "..."

How was she supposed to prove that?

Xiao Yan thought to himself that he had learned something new; this was called trapping the opponent in a self-justification trap and occupying the moral high ground.

"You have no evidence to prove he isn't. He was a Dou Wang who claimed to be from the Rakshasa Gate before he died. You can't expect this Elder to go looking for evidence that he belongs to another faction, can you?" Dou Qi surged within Gu Han's body, and a layer of frost covered the surface of Ghost One's body.

"It seems my Cloud Mist Sect's 'killing the chicken to warn the monkey' wasn't enough. Does the Rakshasa Gate also wish to become the second Blood Sect?"

"No, the Rakshasa Gate has no such intention." Ghost One cursed the person who secretly framed them to death in her heart. In her panic, she decided to reveal her hand directly. "Although I have no evidence to prove this person is not from the Rakshasa Gate, I can prove the Sect Leader's innocence."

"My purpose in coming here was to ask about the Cloud Mist Sect's future plans and arrangements after entering the Black-Corner Region."

"If you still plan to expand, the Sect Leader is willing to lead the clean members of the Rakshasa Gate to join and serve you."

"Oh?" Gu Han felt a hint of surprise.

Among the six pieces of Opportunity intelligence he obtained yesterday, there was no mention of Su Mei wanting to defect to them.

But if this woman was smart enough, having such a thought was quite normal.

Whether the Cloud Mist Sect wanted to occupy the entire Black-Corner Region was hard to say, but in the north, they certainly wanted to be the absolute authority, just like the Demon Flame Valley in the west and the Jia Nan Academy in the center.

The destruction or absorption of the Rakshasa Gate was only a matter of time. By taking the initiative, Su Mei could still bargain for a better price and gain more benefits.

"This Elder doesn't care whether what you say is true or false," Gu Han said indifferently. "Within three days, have Su Mei come to Yunmu City herself to discuss the details of submission with me."

"If it's true, then the task of finding out which faction is behind this corpse will be the first assignment given to her."

"If it's false, my Cloud Mist Sect consists of righteous people and won't just believe in brute force like others in the Black-Corner Region. As long as you find evidence within three days that the corpse is not from your Rakshasa Gate, we can let you go."

After saying this, Ghost One found the frost on her body melting, and she regained her ability to move.

"I shall take my leave." Dou Qi Wings sprouted from Ghost One's back as she fled the place.

"Your subordinate shall also take his leave." Bai Qishan, being very perceptive, bowed his head and withdrew.

With no outsiders present, Yun Yun asked with interest, "Do you think Su Mei will come?"

"If you were Su Mei, would you come?" Gu Han countered.

"She definitely will." Yun Yun felt there was no need to doubt it.

Either die, or join a developing faction with several Dou Zongs—any fool would know how to choose.

"That's fine too. From now on, the northern part of the Black-Corner Region will be under the Cloud Mist Sect's control." A look of contemplation appeared in Gu Han's eyes. "However, do not incorporate it into the territory of the Jia Ma Empire; let it exist independently."

Having the Jia Ma Empire occupy the territories of the Izumo Empire, Luo Yan Empire, and Mu Lan Empire was for the sake of unifying laws and systems for easier management; the Cloud Mist Sect only needed to receive tribute from the Jia Ma Empire.

But the Cloud Mist Sect couldn't always carry the Jia Ma Empire along. The policy for surrounding Empires like the Maple Leaf Empire would be to have their royal families also send tribute, becoming subordinate Empires directly under the Cloud Mist Sect.

This can't be done right now because these surrounding Empires are either vassals of top-tier factions in the Northwest Continent or border Empires controlled by such factions. If pressured, they might choose to defect to them.

Only after the Cloud Mist Sect and the Jia Ma Empire have digested their current territories and raised their overall strength will the Cloud Mist Sect consider expanding its influence, using a strategy of seeking peace through war.

As for the Black-Corner Region, its greatest use is to serve as a platform for trading intelligence, resources, and everything else; direct rule is not a good option.

"I understand. At that time, this area will be fully managed by Yunmu City, independent of the Jia Ma Empire. We only need to ensure the higher-ups are Cloud Mist Sect members."

Speaking of this, Yun Yun looked at Xiao Li. "When the time comes, I'll leave this place to Elder Xiao Li."

"Xiao Li will certainly do his utmost for the Sect and manage Yunmu City well." Xiao Li immediately stood up to state his position.

Afterward, the group chatted for a while longer, and Gu Han had Xiao Li arrange a room for Xiao Yan to stay in.

Once Yao Lao was ready, they would begin refining the seventh-grade pill.

A seventh-grade pill would attract Pill Lightning, and the resulting phenomena and fluctuations in world energy would surely catch the attention of experts throughout the Black-Corner Region.

"A seventh-grade pill will attract many wolves and tigers; we need to make some preparations." A strange glint flashed in Gu Han's eyes. "When the time comes, perhaps we can give Senior Yao Lao a surprise."

"A surprise?" Yun Yun stepped forward, hugged Gu Han's arm, and asked as she leaned against him, "What kind of surprise?"