51: Double Act, a Clever Tactic to Catch All (Part 2)

At a broken cliff about thirty li from Yin Wind Cave, ‘Second Brother Lin’ squinted at the two black-and-white robed elders in front of him, both with blooming lotus flowers embroidered on their clothes.

“How about it, do the two Honored Envoys agree to the Wu Family’s conditions?”

“Why does the Wu Family choose to cooperate with us?” White Lotus Senior Envoy mused.

“The current Qian Country imperial court is weak, the aristocratic families are in chaos, the country is on the verge of collapse, like a sinking ship.”

“Our Wu Family naturally cannot wait for death, and must play both sides. The White Lotus Sect’s rules are unique and their actions are strict, so I believe there is a chance for success.”

“Therefore, the Second Master specifically sent me here to seek cooperation. As long as the two of you agree to help the Second Master obtain the Mountain Spirit, from now on, the White Lotus Sect and our Wu Family will share weal and woe. How about it?”

Wu Xing, disguised by Chen Cuo and wearing Second Brother Lin’s human skin mask, was speaking eloquently, proposing cooperation with the White Lotus Sect and supporting their rebellion.

Since its gathering, the White Lotus Sect had been active in the southern barbarian territories of Qian Country, seizing opportunities in various rural areas and recruiting many followers, gradually becoming a force to be reckoned with, but they had never had an opportunity to infiltrate the State City.

At this moment, ‘Wu Xing’ came forward to extend an olive branch to them. As Advanced special envoys of the White Lotus Sect, they were naturally moved by the cooperation terms, but they also suspected if there was some conspiracy involved.

“The two Honored Envoys need not worry. What I just said comes from the bottom of our Wu Family’s heart. You also know that our Wu Family’s business in the State City involves ironware. If you are to undertake a great endeavor in the future, then in terms of weaponry…”

With words already spoken to this extent, what reason did the two have not to agree? As for the Mountain Spirit, for the Cultivation Technique of the White Lotus Sect’s Legacy, even if the Sect Leader wanted to Breakthrough to Innate, the Mountain Spirit could only be icing on the cake, playing no critical role.

Furthermore, the Sect Leader was still young, and there was still a great possibility for him to break into the Innate Realm on his own, extending his lifespan by a hundred years.

“Good, we agree!” White Lotus Senior Envoy and Black Lotus Elder said in unison, a look of relief flashing across all three of their faces.

…

“Old Ghost Wu, where exactly did you hide the Mountain Spirit? The person has already been handed over to you. For the sake of our genuine cooperation, I didn’t even take the treasure from this kid, considering it a favor to you. Now, it’s time to take the Young Master to retrieve the Mountain Spirit, isn’t it!”

The one speaking now was Yuan Biao. After the three of them found Chang Shi, they immediately attacked him. With three Acquired masters besieging him, even if Chang Shi’s methods were sharp, he had no chance of survival.

Wu Tianqi looked at the dying Chang Shi, revealing a strangely inexplicable smile.

Then his expression instantly froze, his killing intent surging, and he immediately used a ruthless hand, twisting the other party’s neck.

He searched Chang Shi’s body and took out a smooth, round white stone from a cloth pouch on his chest. The white stone emitted a calming and peaceful aura. Wu Tianqi picked up the stone, silently circulated his Internal Energy, and then put it away with an unchanged expression.

“This must be the Heavenly Dragon Relic that the Chang Family has inherited for many years. Congratulations to the Wu Family, you can now add another Acquired combat master,” Han Lin said coldly, his face gloomy.

This time, Yuan Long and the others, in their attempt to capture Chang Shi, caused Yuan Hu to be seriously injured by Chang Shi’s desperate struggle, and he was still recuperating.

Wu Tianqi couldn’t help but shake his head, taking out the compass from Chang Shi’s body without changing his expression: “Young Master Lin, there’s no need for jokes. I’ll take Young Master Lin to retrieve the treasure now.”

…

“They’re here. Are the two Honored Envoys ready?” Chen Cuo casually played with a black dagger. The White Lotus Sect had no contact with the State City, so they naturally didn’t know any information about the Wu Family, nor did they recognize anyone from the Wu Family. Although they had heard that the Wu Family had a shadow assassin, they had never seen him, so how could they know that the Wu Xing in front of them was not the real person?

“Don’t worry, with the help of the wood essence crystal, our White Lotus Sect’s White Lotus Concealment is even better. There will be absolutely no problem in deceiving everyone’s eyes and ears.”

White Lotus Senior Envoy sighed, truly not expecting that the Wu Family’s unique wood essence crystal could resonate with a secret technique of the White Lotus Sect, greatly enhancing the power of this concealment method.

In future cooperation, perhaps they could use this to deepen their relationship.

He actually didn’t want to get involved in the dispute between the Wu Family and the Martial Alliance, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. They couldn’t get benefits without bearing any burden.

The White Lotus Sect’s aspirations were for the entire world, not just a mere Wuya Prefecture. With the Wu Family’s support, they could take the first step.

As for the Sect Leader, with his heaven-defying talent, he was only one step away from Breakthrough to Innate, and with the sect’s secret techniques and Legacy, he was not very afraid of the Martial Alliance Leader.

Thinking of the Sect Leader, White Lotus Senior Envoy couldn’t help but feel both surprised and delighted.

“Yin Wind Cave, good for you, Old Ghost Wu! Playing a trick on us, huh!” Yuan Biao said boldly, mocking Wu Tianqi.

Just as White Lotus Senior Envoy was pondering, he suddenly heard Yuan Biao’s voice, immediately reined in his aura, and lay prostrate in the valley. Turning his head, he saw Chen Cuo, completely prone on the ground, right beside him, without showing any aura.

This made the slightest doubts he had originally harbored disappear completely.

“Young Master Lin, the Mountain Spirit is in the cave. I will go and retrieve it,” Wu Tianqi said unhurriedly, his expression completely unchanged.

“That’s excellent!”

Han Lin looked at Wu Tianqi with a half-smile, then gestured for Yuan Long to approach the cave entrance.

Yuan Long understood, immediately went to Wu Tianqi’s side, put his hand on Wu Tianqi’s shoulder, and said, “Old Ghost Wu, I’ll go in with you. I’m familiar with the inside too. Don’t wear out your old bones.”

Wu Tianqi remained silent, quickening his steps. The two entered the cave one after another, leaving those outside anxiously waiting.

Boom! Bang, bang, bang!

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a violent explosion suddenly occurred inside the cave, causing the ground to shake twice.

“Attack first and kill these scoundrels!” Yuan Biao heard the sound from inside the cave, realizing something was wrong. His face filled with rage, and he immediately ordered his subordinates to attack the Wu Family members.

In an instant, two figures emerged from the cave, one fleeing and one pursuing. The one fleeing was Yuan Long, but his appearance was extremely miserable. His right eye was completely rotten, bloody and mangled, and his left leg was severed at the knee, with even the bone fragments clearly visible inside.

“Big Brother!” Yuan Biao roared and rushed forward to meet him.

“Young Master, be careful! That old fellow is crazy. He used a Wuchang Bullet in the cave, and that strange beast is with him!”

Wu Tianqi followed closely, his expression utterly frantic, his whole body tattered, his entire chest pitch black, and his hands completely wooden, his movements extremely stiff.

His expression was cold and wild, and he shouted fiercely, swinging his fist. He was only a meter or two away from Yuan Long, and with one punch, he intended to kill him.

“Bastard! You deserve to die, and your Wu Family deserves to die!” Han Lin’s fury soared to the sky, and blood-red killing intent appeared in his eyes.

However, he was very calm and did not rush forward. He immediately drew his precious sword, and his entire person seemed to have changed. His demeanor was cold and clear, his spirit extraordinary. He vibrated his sword, and his Internal Energy surged out, making the atmosphere stern and murderous.