136: Danger lurks everywhere

Deep within the Tianwaitian Headquarters' secret chamber, the flickering candlelight reflected off Jun Xiaoyao's indifferent profile.

His fingertips pinched a white jade chess piece, gently placing it on the sandalwood chessboard, forming a standoff with the "Empty" square opposite it.

Zhao Gao stood to the side with his head bowed, holding a newly drafted list of Luowang Assassins in his hands, the edges of the paper gleaming with a cold white light.

"Is there any news from The Unruly?" Jun Xiaoyao's voice was not loud, yet it carried a power that pierced through the heart; the chess pieces on the board seemed to tremble slightly at this inquiry.

Zhao Gao bowed and handed over the list: "Reporting to the Young Lord, the Marshal of the Unruly has already followed your instructions and planted eighteen secret outposts within the Seven Great Sacred Lands. This is the latest record of unusual activity.

The abbot of the Vajra Temple held a secret meeting yesterday with an Elder of the Xuantian Sect, seemingly discussing ways to break our The Net assassination formation; the Ziyang Sect has sent Disciples toward Zhongnan Mountain, likely intending to ask the Quanzhen Sect to step in and mediate."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the chessboard, his gaze landing on the chess piece at the "Li" position—that black jade piece representing Qiao Feng, which was emitting a faint glow.

"The Quanzhen Sect? If they dare to interfere, then we shall clear them out along with the others."

He suddenly raised his hand, his fingertip rubbing over the three characters for "Vajra Temple" on the list. "This Huogong Toutuo is quite the fish that slipped through The Net."

The entry for "Huogong Toutuo" on the list was marked: Innate Realm Late Stage, skilled in Iron Sand Palm, currently lurking in the Vajra Temple kitchen, responsible for guarding the side door of the Scripture Pavilion. A small line of text was attached to the side: Three years ago, he slaughtered the entire Hengshan Sect and framed The Net for it.

Zhao Gao understood: "This subordinate will immediately send orders to Lin Pingzhi to have him 'clean up' this trouble."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head and placed a new white jade chess piece at the "Kan" position. "Keep him; he is useful. Let Shi Qian go watch him and see the content of his secret meeting with the Vajra Temple abbot."

As soon as he finished speaking, the summoning array in the center of the secret chamber suddenly lit up with a pale golden light, runes flowing like water across the floor, weaving into a dense web.

The System notification sounded in Jun Xiaoyao's mind: [Detected that the Host has accumulated sufficient Kill Value, triggering a random summoning—]

A figure gradually emerged from the light, dressed in straightforward green robes, with a rusted iron sword hanging at his waist, his face gaunt, yet his eyes as sharp as cold stars.

When the light faded, the man raised his hand and stroked the sword's body; the copper bell on the sword tassel swayed gently, emitting a crisp sound.

[Character Panel automatically expanded: Name: Linghu Chong, From World: "the smiling, proud wanderer", Realm: Grandmaster Realm Early Stage, Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. "Nine Swords of Dugu": Breaks all martial arts in the world, becomes stronger when encountering the strong, no move wins over having a move. 2. "Star Absorbing Great Technique": Can absorb others' Internal Energy for one's own use, requires "Muscle Tendon Changing Classic" to neutralize backlash. 3. "Huashan Sword Technique": Basic sword technique, solid and agile, concealing mysteries. Additional Items: mysterious iron sword (reforged version), "Muscle Tendon Changing Classic" handwritten copy, Loyalty: 100% (System forced binding)]

Linghu Chong cupped his hands toward Jun Xiaoyao, his voice carrying a touch of carefree spirit: "Linghu Chong greets the Young Lord."

His gaze swept across the chessboard, and he suddenly smiled, "The Young Lord's chess game actually has a touch of the "Nine Swords of Dugu" to it."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on the chessboard: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"The 'Li' position is rigid and fierce, like the Dragon Subduing Palm technique; the 'Kan' position is agile, like a ghostly movement technique; and this empty piece..." Linghu Chong pointed to the "Central Palace", "It seems to be nothing, yet it can influence the entire situation; it must be a master who hides their true strength."

Zhao Gao added from the side: "The Central Palace is a position reserved by the Young Lord, waiting for the right character to be summoned before placing the piece."

A trace of surprise flashed in Linghu Chong's eyes, and he immediately laughed heartily: "Tianwaitian is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; Brother Chong has certainly come to the right place!"

*** Three days later, Vajra Temple Scripture Pavilion.

Huogong Toutuo, with his back hunched, stuffed an oilcloth package into the window crack of the abbot's meditation room. Inside the package were three iron bodhi beads coated with deadly poison, with a note attached: "At 9:45 PM, see me at the Scripture Pavilion, bring the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" copy."

In the shadows, Shi Qian clung to the beams like a civet cat, clutching a copper coin between his fingers—this was his method for marking targets.

He watched Huogong Toutuo's departing back, suddenly catching a glimpse of half a jade pendant exposed at the man's waist; its shape perfectly matched the fragments left behind at the scene of the Hengshan Sect massacre three years ago.

"It really is this old thief." Shi Qian gave a silent, cold sneer, his figure flickering and disappearing behind the beams, leaving only that copper coin embedded in the window lattice, reflecting the moonlight.

At the same moment, inside the Xuantian Sect's council hall, the envoys of the Seven Great Sacred Lands were arguing around a map.

"In my opinion, we should infiltrate from the secret passage on the east side; the guards there are mostly novices from The Net." The Vajra Temple abbot tapped the red dot on the map, his tone firm.

The Ziyang Sect envoy shook his head: "Unwise. The east side is a formation set up personally by the Marshal of the Unruly; entering it is a dead end. It would be better to go around from the herb garden on the west side; there is only one guarding general there, and it is said to be a woman."

"A woman?" The Hundred Flowers Valley Master frowned, "Could it be Cheng Lingsu? That woman's poison arts are even more refined than mine; we cannot go there."

While everyone was arguing endlessly, a sound of sword humming suddenly came from outside the door, clear and resonant like a dragon's roar.

Linghu Chong leaned against the doorframe, dragging the mysterious iron sword along the ground, creating a trail of sparks: "Everyone, no need to argue. The Young Lord said, if you want to scheme against Tianwaitian, you must first pass me."

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed abruptly. The Vajra Temple abbot shouted angrily: "Yellow-mouthed child, how dare you be so presumptuous!" Having said that, he struck out with his palm; the Iron Sand Palm carried a whistling wind, and before the palm print even arrived, the ground had already cracked with several fine lines.

Linghu Chong did not retreat but advanced instead, his figure drifting like willow catkins, the mysterious iron sword flicking seemingly at random, landing precisely at the weakest point of the palm wind.

With a "clang", the abbot's palm power was actually deflected to the side, slamming into the pillar behind him, sending wood chips flying.

"Nine Swords of Dugu, Palm Breaking Stance!" Someone recognized the style of this sword strike, their exclamation filled with disbelief.

Linghu Chong's sword momentum did not stop; as his wrist turned, the sword shadows woven like a tapestry, tearing an opening in the Seven Envoys' encirclement: "The Young Lord said, those who do not wish to die, rolling away now is still in time."

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao was still placing pieces on the chessboard. Zhao Gao hurried in: "Young Lord, Linghu Chong has already held up the Seven Great Sacred Lands' envoys, and Lin Pingzhi has sent back word that the secret talk between Huogong Toutuo and the Vajra Temple abbot has been recorded."

A jade-quality phonograph was placed on the table, and as the crank turned, a raspy conversation was heard—

"...Did you actually bring the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" or not?" (Huogong Toutuo's voice)

"What's the rush? Once we get Jun Xiaoyao's head, not to mention the Marrow Cleansing Classic, all the Secret Manuals of Tianwaitian will be ours..." (Vajra Temple abbot's voice)

"Hmph, if the matter of the Hengshan Sect from back then is exposed, both you and I are finished..."

Jun Xiaoyao pinched the chess piece representing Huogong Toutuo and gently placed it in the "Death Gate" position: "The evidence is complete." He looked toward the summoning array, "Zhao Gao, summon one more person."

The pale golden light lit up again. The figure that appeared this time was wearing monk robes, holding a convenient spade, with a charitable expression; it was none other than Lu Zhishen.

[Character Panel automatically expanded: Name: Lu Zhishen, From World: "water margin", Realm: Grandmaster Realm Middle Stage, Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. "Mad Demon Zen Staff Technique": Strength capable of lifting a tripod, staff technique is rigid and fierce without equal, can sweep across an army. 2. "Arhat Fist": Basic Buddhist fist technique, seemingly simple, yet actually contains Zen meaning. Additional Items: Water-polished Zen staff (weighing sixty-two catties), Loyalty: 100% (System forced binding)]

As soon as Lu Zhishen entered the door, he started shouting: "Which blind fool dares to provoke my Young Lord? Watch me flatten him with one strike of my Zen staff!"

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the phonograph: "Master, listen to this."

After listening to the recording, Lu Zhishen's eyes widened in anger, and he grabbed his Zen staff: "Good bald donkey, daring to impersonate a Buddhist Disciple and do such filthy things! Young Lord, let me go tear down his Vajra Temple!"

"No rush." Jun Xiaoyao placed a white chess piece at the "Life Gate", echoing Lu Zhishen's piece. "Let Qiao Feng accompany the Master on this trip. Remember, 'make a big commotion'."

*** At 9:45 PM, Vajra Temple Scripture Pavilion.

Huogong Toutuo held the poison bodhi beads, waiting for the abbot to bring the "Marrow Cleansing Classic", when he suddenly heard a deafening roar from outside the courtyard: "Thieving bald donkey, surrender your life!"

He poked his head out to look and saw a burly man brandishing a Zen staff, smashing the temple gate into fragments, followed by a man in green robes who used the Dragon Subduing Palm technique with such force that it roared like a tiger; the glazed tiles of the Scripture Pavilion were swept away by the palm wind, shattering into a ground full of flowing light.

"It's Qiao Feng! And... Lu Zhishen?!" Huogong Toutuo's Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, turning around to escape through the back window, but he was blocked by a cold sword light.

Linghu Chong's sword tip pointed at his throat: "Huogong Toutuo, the debt from the Hengshan Sect three years ago, it is time to settle it."

At the same time, inside the Xuantian Sect's council hall, the seven envoys heard the loud noise from the direction of the Vajra Temple, and their faces all turned pale. The Ziyang Sect envoy trembled: "They... they actually dared to attack the Vajra Temple?"

"Not good!" Someone realized, "We have fallen for a lure-the-tiger-away-from-the-mountain strategy! Quickly return to your respective Sacred Lands!"

But when they rushed out of the council hall, they saw that The Net's assassins had already swarmed up like a tide, with Lin Pingzhi in the lead, his sword tip dripping with blood, and behind him were smoke bombs thrown by Shi Qian, enveloping the entire Xuantian Sect in a vast white mist.

*** In the secret chamber, Jun Xiaoyao placed the last chess piece in the Central Palace, which happened to be Linghu Chong's position. Black and white intertwined on the chessboard; the killing game was set, with no room for reversal.

Zhao Gao said in a low voice: "Young Lord, the main forces of the Seven Great Sacred Lands have been held back, and The Net is currently clearing out the peripheral strongholds."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the "Life Gate" on the chessboard, which was empty—it was a position left for the next summoner. He tapped his fingertips on the table, his voice flat yet carrying an unquestionable power: "Tell the Marshal of the Unruly, after tonight, there will be no more Seven Great Sacred Lands in the Jianghu."

The candlelight flickered, reflecting off the full board of chess pieces, each one shining with cold light, like those falling lives. And Jun Xiaoyao's gaze had already turned to a more distant place—that Central Plains land controlled by the Imperial Dynasty and noble families.