247: Secret Talks at Zuixianlou

The morning mist over Qingzhou City had not yet dispersed, but the waiters at the Drunken Immortal Tower had already begun wiping the doors and windows.

In the private room on the third floor overlooking the window, Jun Xiaoyao sat upright. The blue porcelain tea set before him steamed, and the aroma of the tea mingled with the cold air from the snow outside, creating a sense of leisure.

He lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the bustling street below—where The Net's hidden operatives, disguised as vendors and peddlers, were spreading news. The “truth” about the destruction of the Black Wind Stockade had already spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Everyone claimed that the Hundred Herbs Hall and the Black Wind Stockade had developed a feud over the blood bodhi, which ultimately ended in a deadly clash.

“Young Lord, the Shopkeeper of Hundred Herbs Hall is almost here,” Zhao Gao whispered as he entered from outside the door.

“As you instructed, the Luowang Assassinss surrounding the private room have been replaced with new faces, all recently transferred from the Northern Territory. No one recognizes them.”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip. “What about Great Hero Linghu?”

“He's drinking in the adjacent private room, saying he'll come over after our discussion is finished,” Zhao Gao added. “He mentioned that he’s had some recent insights into the Nine Swords of Dugu and is using the mundane atmosphere of Qingzhou to ponder them.”

Just as he spoke, steady footsteps sounded on the stairs. Iron Abacus, the Shopkeeper of Hundred Herbs Hall, dressed in brocade robes and accompanied by two sturdy guards, walked in. Seeing Jun Xiaoyao, he forced a warm smile: “This must be the Young Lord of Beyond Heaven? I have long admired your name. I am Iron Abacus.”

Jun Xiaoyao put down his teacup but did not rise. “Shopkeeper Qian, please sit. Are you satisfied with how the Black Wind Stockade matter was handled?”

Iron Abacus rubbed his hands and sat down, a trace of awe flashing in his eyes: “Satisfied, extremely satisfied! The Net’s methods truly live up to their reputation. That Black Fiend had formidable internal hardening Cultivation Technique, yet he was taken care of by your people...” He swallowed the rest of his words, knowing he shouldn't inquire about the assassins' methods.

“Shopkeeper Qian, you didn't spend three thousand taels of gold for his life just because of the blood bodhi, did you?” Jun Xiaoyao's tone was calm but carried an undeniable penetrative force. “The secret vault of the Black Wind Stockade hid many medicinal herbs smuggled from the Western Regions. Those are what you truly desire.”

Iron Abacus’s expression changed slightly, then he gave a bitter smile: “The Young Lord sees everything clearly. To be frank, Black Fiend has recently been snatching our Hundred Herbs Hall's Western Regions medicinal herb business, and he even colluded with the remnants of the Myriad Bone Grotto to refine medicine using living people...”

“Myriad Bone Grotto?” Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. “What kind of medicine are they refining?”

“I heard it’s the Bone-Corroding Pill, which can forcibly boost Cultivation Technique at the cost of sacrificing one's Lifespan,” Iron Abacus lowered his voice. “Black Fiend had the Myriad Bone Grotto’s pill refining secret formula, and I was hoping...”

“The secret formula can be yours,” Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, “but I want thirty percent of the Hundred Herbs Hall's profits, lasting for three years.”

Iron Abacus's face froze: “Thirty percent? That’s too much! Hundred Herbs Hall has to pay tribute to the City Lord of Qingzhou every year and also bribe various forces...”

“The remnants of the Myriad Bone Grotto are not easy to provoke.” Jun Xiaoyao drew a skull on the table with his fingertip. “Black Fiend is dead. They will come looking for trouble sooner or later. At that time, do you think the City Lord of Qingzhou will protect you, or push you out to take the blame?”

Iron Abacus fell silent. He knew Jun Xiaoyao was telling the truth. The Myriad Bone Grotto acted ruthlessly, daring to provoke even the Xuantian Holy Land. Hundred Herbs Hall was utterly powerless to resist them.

“I agree,” Iron Abacus gritted his teeth. “But the Young Lord must guarantee that when the Myriad Bone Grotto people come, The Net will step in to help.”

“I can do that,” Jun Xiaoyao nodded. “But extra assistance requires extra payment.”

I. New Visitor to the summoning array

The deal was struck. Just as Iron Abacus left the Drunken Immortal Tower, an anomaly occurred in the summoning array in the underground palace. When Jun Xiaoyao rushed back to the Hanyue Valley, the array was emitting a dazzling golden light, within which a Dragon shadow vaguely circled. Once the light dissipated, a figure clad in a dragon robe appeared in the array. His face was majestic, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle's. It was Li Shimin from the Tales of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Li Shimin]

[Origin: World of Tales of the Sui and Tang Dynasties]

[Realm: Late Heaven-Man Realm]

[Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:]

1. Emperor's Art of the Mind (Perfection) — Insight into human nature, skilled in strategic planning and manipulation, capable of causing opponents to collapse without a fight.

2. Black Armor Military Formation (Major Achievement) — The supreme Formation for commanding cavalry, capable of unleashing combat power where one plus one is greater than two.

3. Dragon Phoenix Blade Technique (Minor Achievement) — A secret imperial blade technique, combining strength and grace, containing Dragon might.

[Loyalty: 90%]

“Li Shimin greets the Young Lord.” Li Shimin bowed respectfully. Although he was in the underground palace, the twelve imperial symbols embroidered on his dragon robe still exuded an imperial aura.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the information on the system panel, a hint of surprise in his eyes—this man was not just a Martial Artist, but an emperor talented in strategic planning. “Brother Li, you came at the perfect time. I have acquired the Qingzhou Military Prefecture's defense map, and I happen to lack someone who understands Formations.”

Li Shimin took the defense map and, after just a glance, pointed out three flaws: “The troop deployment here is too scattered; they will surely be defeated if attacked suddenly. The granary defense is strict, but there is no retreat route; if surrounded, it’s a dead end. Also, the mechanism for the city gate’s drawbridge is designed backward; it will jam in an emergency.”

Jun Xiaoyao secretly praised him; he was indeed a talented commander. “General Zhou Kui of the Qingzhou Army will 'accidentally die' within three days. We will need someone to take over the defense then. Is Brother Li interested?”

Li Shimin smiled: “The Young Lord wishes for me to help you control the Qingzhou Army?”

“More than just the Qingzhou Army,” Jun Xiaoyao said. “I want the entire defense of Qingzhou to belong to 'Beyond Heaven.'”

II. The “Accident” of Zhou Kui's Death

Three days later, at the Qingzhou Military Prefecture's training ground. Zhou Kui was personally drilling the soldiers. He was burly, and his internal hardening Cultivation Technique was said to have reached the Grandmaster Realm, making him impervious to ordinary swords and blades. Suddenly, the flagpole on the side of the field fell without warning, aiming directly for Zhou Kui’s head.

“General, watch out!” A personal guard shouted in alarm.

Zhou Kui snorted and punched the flagpole. Unexpectedly, the middle section of the flagpole suddenly split open, shooting out three poisoned darts aimed at his face, throat, and heart. The change was too fast. Although Zhou Kui avoided the vital points, one dart struck his shoulder, and the poison instantly spread. He staggered backward, right into the stable at the edge of the training ground.

Even more “unexpectedly,” the warhorses in the stable were startled, broke their reins, and charged forward. A hoof landed squarely on Zhou Kui's chest. With a crisp 'crack,' several of Zhou Kui’s ribs broke, and he died on the spot.

The entire process was seamless. It seemed like a series of accidents, but it was actually the perfect cooperation between The Net and The Unruly—Li Yan fired the poisoned darts, The Unruly tampered with the flagpole, and Linghu Chong startled the horses. Afterward, the authorities investigated but could only classify it as an “accidental death.”

When the news reached Hanyue Valley, Jun Xiaoyao was listening to Li Shimin analyze the factions within the Qingzhou Army: “After Zhou Kui's death, three men will vie for the position. Deputy General Zhang is Prince of Zhenbei’s man, Colonel Wang is an operative planted by the Xuantian Holy Land, and Adjutant Chen is from a humble background—no connections, but capable.”

“Then let Adjutant Chen take the position,” Jun Xiaoyao said. “Give him some 'assistance.'”

Li Shimin nodded: “I will have The Unruly spread rumors linking Deputy General Zhang to Zhou Kui's death, and then have Adjutant Chen 'accidentally' discover evidence that Colonel Wang is colluding with the Myriad Bone Grotto.”

III. Hundred Herbs Hall's Pledge of Allegiance

On the third day after Zhou Kui's death, Iron Abacus rushed to Hanyue Valley with urgent news: “Bone Fiend, the Head Enforcer of the Myriad Bone Grotto, has brought fifty men and is refining Bone-Corroding Pills in a ruined temple outside the city, using medicinal herbs stolen from the Black Wind Stockade!”

Jun Xiaoyao looked at Li Shimin: “Brother Li, do you think this is an opportunity?”

Li Shimin pondered: “Bone Fiend is a Late Stage Great Grandmaster, and he has five Grandmasters under him. A direct confrontation will result in losses. But if...” He leaned in and whispered a few words to Jun Xiaoyao.

After listening, Jun Xiaoyao told Iron Abacus: “Go send Bone Fiend a message. Tell him that Hundred Herbs Hall is willing to cooperate with him and provide the medicinal herbs for refining, and arrange a transaction at the ruined temple tomorrow at noon.”

Iron Abacus was stunned: “Young Lord, this...”

“Just do it,” Jun Xiaoyao said. “This is your pledge of allegiance.”

Iron Abacus gritted his teeth and agreed. He knew this was Beyond Heaven testing his loyalty.

IV. The Ambush at the Ruined Temple

The next day at noon, the cold wind howled outside the ruined temple. Bone Fiend waited with his subordinates. He wore black robes and a white bone mask, emanating a strong smell of blood. Iron Abacus entered, carrying medicinal herbs with two assistants, his smile somewhat strained: “Lord Bone Fiend, the medicinal herbs are here.”

Bone Fiend snorted, ignoring the herbs, and stared at Iron Abacus: “Black Fiend died. Was it your doing?”

Iron Abacus's heart tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm: “Lord, you jest. How could I possess such ability? He stole the blood bodhi and was killed by his enemies.”

Just then, the doors and windows of the ruined temple were suddenly sealed shut, and the sound of orderly footsteps came from outside—it was Li Shimin leading The Unruly, setting up a siege. The Black Armor Military Formation unfolded, completely surrounding the ruined temple.

“No good! An ambush!” Bone Fiend roared. He flicked his black robe, and several bone needles shot toward Iron Abacus.

Iron Abacus was prepared. He threw a smoke bomb and used the cover to hide behind the divine statue.

Li Yan, leading the Luowang Assassinss, leaped down from the rafters, their poisoned weapons aimed directly at Bone Fiend's subordinates. Linghu Chong guarded the temple entrance, unleashing the Nine Swords of Dugu, breaking all of Bone Fiend's bone poison attacks.

Sensing danger, Bone Fiend turned to break through the back wall, but he was blocked by a figure—it was Li Shimin. He wielded the Dragon Phoenix Blade, and the momentum of the blade carried Dragon might, actually causing Bone Fiend's movements to momentarily falter.

“Just you?” Bone Fiend sneered, lunging his white bone claw toward Li Shimin's face.

Li Shimin did not engage in a direct clash. His footwork shifted, leading Bone Fiend in circles around the ruined temple, precisely guiding him into The Net's trap.

Li Yan and the others cooperated flawlessly, constantly harassing Bone Fiend with poisoned darts, draining his Internal Energy.

Half an hour later, Bone Fiend was at the end of his rope. Most of his Internal Energy had been neutralized by Linghu Chong's Nine Swords of Dugu, and he had sustained several poison wounds.

Li Shimin seized the opportunity, bringing the Dragon Phoenix Blade straight down. The blade light seemed to roar with a Dragon shadow, and with a single strike, it severed Bone Fiend's head.

Outside the ruined temple, Iron Abacus looked at the corpses being carried out. His face was pale, but he also breathed a sigh of relief—his pledge of allegiance had finally been delivered.

V. The Territory of Beyond Heaven

In the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the new records on the system panel:

[Qingzhou Army Control +1]

[Hundred Herbs Hall becomes a subsidiary force of Beyond Heaven]

[Myriad Bone Grotto remnants cleared: 50 people]

[Summoning Points +8000]

Li Shimin walked in and presented the new defense map for the Qingzhou Army: “Adjutant Chen has taken office. The troublemakers in the army have been cleared out. Now, everyone in the Qingzhou Army only recognizes our token.”

Linghu Chong, carrying his sword, his wine gourd sloshing, said: “That Bone Fiend's Internal Energy was quite pure. I absorbed it using the Star Absorbing Great Technique. It's a good supplement.”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded, his gaze falling on the summoning array—the light in the array was brighter than ever, seemingly portending the imminent arrival of a new powerhouse.

He knew that Qingzhou was just the starting point, and soon, more parts of this continent's territory would bear the banner of “Beyond Heaven.”