141: Blood Puppet

The second round of competition finally drew to a close as dusk fell.

After a full day of intense battles, the fifty qualifiers were halved once more, finally determining the top eight of this Martial Examination.

The names of the top eight were announced one by one on a massive wooden board on the east side of the Drill Ground, the cinnabar characters standing out sharply in the afterglow of the setting sun:

Group A: Yan Chen (Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall)

Group B: Mu Qingxue (Qiushui Sword Sect)

group c: Chen Linsheng (Yangwei Martial Arts Hall), Han Tie (Northern Border Army)

Group D: Yu Linfeng (Prefectural Governors Mansion)

Group E: Lin Yueru (Lin Family)

Group F: Xu Wangshu (Tingtao Academy)

Group G: Nangong Lie (Nangong Noble House, who defeated several strong enemies with his overbearing Flaming Dragon Palm, becoming one of this year's biggest dark horses)

Group H: Liu Suifeng (Heavenly Wind Sect, his Movement Technique is eerie, and he is skilled in using a pair of water-parting spikes to target joints and vital points, making his attacks sinister and difficult to defend against)

As soon as the eight names appeared, the entire venue broke into an uproar.

"As expected, Yan Chen, Mu Qingxue, Chen Linsheng, and Han Tie are all there!"

"Yu Linfeng and Lin Yueru are no surprise either; after all, they are Geniuses fully cultivated by the Prefectural Governors Mansion and the Lin Family."

"Xu Wangshu actually qualified too! I heard his literary exam scores were extremely high, but he never showed much in the martial exam. It turns out he was hiding his strength!"

"Nangong Lie and Liu Suifeng are the real dark horses! One has a palm technique as overbearing as fire, and the other has a Movement Technique as eerie as the wind. The top eight battles will be a great show!"

The betting odds at the various gambling dens in the prefectural city were quickly updated after the top eight list was announced.

Yan Chen, with his consistently overbearing performance and the strength shown after his seclusion in the Earth Fire Cave, remained at the top of the list with odds of 1 to 1.2.

Mu Qingxue, with her Clear Sword Heart, defeated her enemies in three moves and decided the outcome with a single sword; her odds were 1 to 1.5, following closely behind.

As for Chen Linsheng, due to the solid Foundation, steady Heart-Nature, and exquisite control he displayed in the two rounds of competition, his odds surged from the middle tier to third place at 1 to 2.5.

The odds for Han Tie, Yu Linfeng, Lin Yueru, and the others were between 3 and 5, while Nangong Lie and Liu Suifeng, as the new dark horses, had the highest odds at 1 to 6 and 1 to 7, respectively.

"Bet on Chen Linsheng! I think he can make it into the top three!"

"Yan Chen is truly invincible! I'm betting everything on him!"

"Mu Qingxue's swordplay is so beautiful; I'm betting on her!"

The gambling dens were bustling with noise, and copper coins and banknotes were piled like mountains. The Martial Examination was not only a stepping stone for young Martial Artists but had also become a carnival for the entire city's people... Late at night, at the end of the Boar hour.

In the southern suburbs of the prefectural city, there was an abandoned mansion that had been deserted for many years.

The house was covered in spiderwebs, the beams and pillars were decaying, and moonlight spilled through the broken window frames, illuminating the dust and weeds covering the floor.

Two figures, completely shrouded in black robes, stood quietly before a broken screen in the main hall.

"The top eight list has been finalized." The black-robed figure on the left spoke with a raspy voice, like iron rubbing against stone. "In three days, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final battle will all take place on the central arena of the Drill Ground. That will be our best opportunity."

The black-robed figure on the right nodded slightly, and a thin, withered hand with eerily greenish-black nails emerged from his sleeve, making a few gestures in the air. "The 'seeds' have already been mixed in among the Drill Ground servants, twelve people in total, distributed at key locations such as around the arena, weapon racks, and water stations. The improved version of the heart-bewitching powder in their bodies has completely integrated and can be triggered at any time."

"What about the Blood Puppets?" the figure on the left asked.

"They are ready." The figure on the right chuckled, his laughter carrying an unsettling coldness. "Thirty Blood Puppets, all made from missing Martial Arts Hall Disciples and sturdy men among the refugees, soaked in 'sacred blood' for a hundred days before being implanted with 'Heart-Devouring Gu.' For an ordinary Jiaojin Realm Martial Artist, three Blood Puppets can keep them occupied for a while. With thirty of them appearing at once, combined with the chaos triggered by the heart-bewitching powder, it will be enough to turn the Drill Ground into a living hell."

The figure on the left was silent for a moment. "The Master's orders are clear—the primary target is Chen Linsheng. This boy possesses the Hunyuan Martial Dao Legacy, and the thickness of his Foundation is rare. If he is allowed to grow, he will surely become a major threat to our Holy Cult. We must use this chaos to either let him 'accidentally' perish within it or force him to expose all his hidden cards so the court and various powers can see his value... At that time, there will naturally be those who cannot tolerate him."

"As for the other Geniuses..." The figure on the right licked his dry lips. "Mu Qingxue, Yan Chen, and Han Tie are all excellent Materials. If we can capture one or two amidst the chaos and offer them to the Master, it would be a great achievement."

"Do not be greedy for merit," the figure on the left warned. "The primary goal is Chen Linsheng, creating chaos and panic to focus the court's eyes here and tie down the forces of Ling Feng and Army Breaker Manor. Our truly 'great matter' is still to come."

"Understood." The figure on the right bowed. "The Formation has already been buried beneath the Drill Ground, using thirty-six 'Yin Fiend Bone Beads' as the base. Once detonated, it can form a 'Yin Fiend Soul-Confusing Formation' covering a hundred feet. Combined with the heart-bewitching powder, all Martial Artists below the Jiaojin Realm will lose their minds and kill each other. Even those in the Jiaojin Realm will have their combat power greatly reduced."

"Very good," the figure on the left said slowly. "In three days, at the start of the Dragon hour, the top eight battles will begin. At the third mark of the Snake hour, the Formation will activate, and the Blood Puppets will erupt. Let us... add some fuel to the fire of this Jiuqu Prefecture Martial Examination."

The moonlight shifted, shining on the slightly raised face of the black-robed figure on the left—it was a pale, bloodless middle-aged face with a prominent black mole below his right eye.

If Ling Feng were here, he would certainly recognize this person as the former deputy commander of the city's garrison who was executed six months ago for "embezzling military pay"—Zhang Biao!

But he was clearly dead, and his body had been claimed and buried by his family.

At this moment, he stood here very much alive, with eerie and fanatical ghostly green flames flickering in his eyes... At the same time, in the western district of the city, at the temporary residence of the supervising Eunuch Cao.

This was a three-entry courtyard, originally the residence of a retired official, now temporarily requisitioned. The guards in the courtyard were all Inner Court Imperial Guards brought by Eunuch Cao from the capital; their Qi was deep, and their gazes were sharp, keeping the entire courtyard tightly secured.

In the backyard study, the lights were brightly lit.

Eunuch Cao sat in a red sandalwood armchair, still fiddling with that string of black jade prayer beads, resting with his eyes closed.

*Knock, knock.*

A very soft knocking sound was heard, three long and two short.

"Enter." Eunuch Cao did not open his eyes.

The door opened silently, and a figure dressed in an ordinary green-gray scholar's robe and wearing a square headscarf slipped in, then closed the door behind him with light and agile movements.

The newcomer was about forty years old, with a lean face and a three-strand beard; it was Wang Yunwen, the Grain and Forage Steward who had served in the Prefectural Governors Mansion, was later secretly suspected of being involved with the White Lotus Sect, and then seemed to be under surveillance!

But at this moment, Wang Yunwen's eyes were clear and sharp, and his steps were steady, a world away from his previous slightly pedantic and often panicked appearance.

He walked to a spot three steps before the desk, bowed, and lowered his voice significantly: "This official, Wang Yunwen, greets Eunuch Cao."

Eunuch Cao slowly opened his eyes, his narrow gaze falling on Wang Yunwen. After observing for a moment, he nodded slightly. "Steward Wang, you have worked hard."

"To serve the court, I dare not speak of hardship." Wang Yunwen's expression was solemn.

"Sit." Eunuch Cao pointed to the chair below him.

Wang Yunwen sat down as told, his back straight, clearly having undergone rigorous training.

"Tell me, what have you discovered over these past few months?" Eunuch Cao's tone was flat, yet it carried an invisible pressure.

Wang Yunwen took a deep breath and said softly, "Reporting to Eunuch, the White Lotus Sect's penetration of Jiuqu Prefecture is even deeper than we initially anticipated. They have not only controlled some low-level officials, merchants, and Martial Arts Hall Disciples but have also secretly constructed several secret passages underground in the city, connecting to multiple strongholds outside."

"The Granary Deficit Case was indeed their doing. Their purpose was not just to embezzle money and grain, but to use it as a cover to bring large quantities of raw Materials for heart-bewitching powder into the city via water transport. I was ordered to 'be recruited by them' and play along; I have now gained some of their trust and learned that they have a major move planned for the near future."

The fingers Eunuch Cao used to move the prayer beads paused slightly. "A major move? Targeted at the Martial Examination?"

"Exactly." Wang Yunwen nodded. "They plan to create large-scale chaos at the Drill Ground on the day of the top eight battles. Their targets are several outstanding young Geniuses, especially... Chen Linsheng of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall."

A cold light flashed in Eunuch Cao's eyes. "The reason?"

"According to them, Chen Linsheng possesses the 'Hunyuan Martial Dao' Legacy, and his potential is too great; he must be eliminated or controlled as early as possible. Furthermore, creating the panic of fallen Geniuses can also greatly damage the court's prestige, preparing the way for subsequent incitement of civil unrest." Wang Yunwen paused and added, "They also mentioned 'Blood Puppets,' 'Yin Fiend Formations,' and other terms. My rank was not high enough to learn the specific details."

"Blood Puppets... Yin Fiend Formations..." Eunuch Cao slowly repeated these words, a cold arc curling at the corner of his mouth. "Truly those underhanded methods. Is there any information on the leaders involved in this matter?"

"Yes." Wang Yunwen took out a folded piece of silk paper from his robe and presented it with both hands. "These are portraits of several people I drew in secret. One of them, Eunuch, you might recognize."

Eunuch Cao took the silk paper and unfolded it.

Three portraits were sketched in charcoal on the paper; though slightly rough, the features were distinct.

The first was a middle-aged man with a black mole below his right eye.

Eunuch Cao's gaze fixed on this man's face, his pupils shrinking slightly. "Zhang Biao? Isn't he dead?"

"I couldn't believe it at first either," Wang Yunwen said deeply. "But I have seen him twice with my own eyes; it is undoubtedly him. Observing his words and behavior, he seems no longer the original Zhang Biao. His eyes are fanatical, and he becomes almost frenzied when mentioning the 'Holy Cult' and the 'Master.' He should have been completely mind-controlled or underwent Rebirth through some evil technique."

Eunuch Cao was silent for a moment before putting the silk paper away. "Anything else?"

"Of the other two, one is skilled in using poison and has greenish-black nails; he should be a 'Poison Master' in the White Lotus Sect specializing in 'poison Gu.' The other has a cold aura and extremely high light-body skills, appearing to be a 'Shadow Guard' leader." Wang Yunwen said, "In addition, they mentioned that 'seeds' have already infiltrated the Drill Ground servants, but the specific number and locations are unknown."

"Drill Ground servants..." Eunuch Cao stood up and paced to the window, looking out at the heavy night. "The Martial Examination is a major ceremony for the court to select talent, and there are heavy guards both inside and outside the Drill Ground. For them to be able to infiltrate people to this extent... I'm afraid there are their spies in the Prefectural Governors Mansion, Army Breaker Manor, and even among the guards I brought."

He turned and looked at Wang Yunwen. "Continue your undercover work and try your best to find out the identities of the 'seeds' and the placement points of the 'Yin Fiend Soul-Confusing Formation.' But remember, safety first. If something cannot be done, withdraw immediately."

"Yes." Wang Yunwen rose and bowed. "Then on the day of the Martial Examination..."

"We will turn their own plot against them." A light as sharp as a blade flashed in Eunuch Cao's eyes. "They want to create chaos, so we will give them 'chaos.' Only, the outcome of this chaos will not be for them to control."

He walked back behind the desk, quickly wrote a note, sealed it into a small copper tube, and handed it to Wang Yunwen. "Tomorrow at the Snake hour, at the old place, give this letter to Ling Feng. He knows what to do."

Wang Yunwen solemnly took the copper tube and tucked it close to his body. "I understand."

"Go now, and act with caution."

Wang Yunwen bowed again and quietly withdrew, his figure melting into the night as if he had never appeared.

Silence returned to the study.

Eunuch Cao stood alone under the lamp, the black jade prayer beads slowly turning between his fingers, reflecting the flickering candlelight and shimmering with a deep, inscrutable luster.