251: Bai Xiaosheng pledges allegiance

The bronze lamps in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace flickered with a ghostly light, and Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips against the secret letter on the desk, the edges of the paper yellowed with age.

It was filled with Jianghu secrets written in tiny, neat script—this was the "pledge of allegiance" sent by Inquirer of All Matters from Luoyang, and the most eye-catching item among them.

It concerned the internal factional strife within the Xuantian Holy Land: the Sect Head, Mysterious Mechanism Master, and the Law Enforcement Elder, Mysterious Dust Master, had disagreed on "whether to win over Beyond Heaven," and they had not discussed matters together for three months.

"Young Lord, Inquirer of All Matters is waiting outside the valley, saying he wishes to see you in person."

Zhao Gao stood bowed at the side of the desk, his voice kept extremely low, "The people from The Net have checked; he brought no tails behind him, only a young boy holding a 'Heavenly Mystery Box'."

Jun Xiaoyao pushed the secret letter aside and tapped his fingertips on the crystal panel to bring up the profile of Inquirer of All Matters: "This person is proficient in the arts of disguise and tracking, and the 'Jianghu Spectrum' in his hands records nearly thirty years of grievances and grudges; he is indeed a rare talent."

He raised his eyes to look at the entrance of the underground palace, "Let him in, but no weapons."

I. The "Sincerity" of Inquirer of All Matters

A moment later, an old man dressed in a green shirt with a gaunt face walked slowly into the underground palace, three wisps of short beard under his chin, holding a folding fan in his hand—it was Inquirer of All Matters.

The young boy behind him held an ebony box, which was carved with intricate star charts, exuding a touch of mystery.

"I have long heard that the Young Master of Tianwaitian is a master strategist; seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved."

Inquirer of All Matters bowed and smiled, his folding fan "swished" open, with the four characters "Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy" written on the fan surface, "This 'Heavenly Mystery Box' contains the secret archives I have collected throughout my life, from the mountain-protecting Formation maps of the major Holy Lands to the hidden treasure maps of the Imperial Dynasty—everything is here, considered a greeting gift for the Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao did not look at the box, his gaze falling on the folding fan of Inquirer of All Matters: "Mr. Inquirer, you are asking for five hundred taels of gold per month just to trade for an identity in The Net?"

Inquirer of All Matters lightly shook his folding fan, his smile unchanged: "Young Lord, you are joking. I am over fifty, and I have long since stopped wanting to wade into the murky waters of Jianghu, but..."

He changed the subject, a trace of trepidation flashing in his eyes, "Elder Mysterious Dust Master of the Xuantian Holy Land sent people to burn down my library last month, saying that I was 'recklessly discussing the Holy Land.' If I don't find a backer, I fear I won't live past next year."

Jun Xiaoyao drew a circle on the desk with his fingertip: "In your 'Jianghu Spectrum,' is there a defense layout map of the Myriad Bone Grotto main altar?"

A gleam of light flashed in the eyes of Inquirer of All Matters: "What a coincidence; I happened to trade for half a volume from a retired Myriad Bone Grotto Protector, but..."

He paused, "That Protector said that the core area of the main altar is guarded by a 'Bone God Phantom,' and no one below the Void Shattering Realm can approach it."

"Bone God Phantom?" Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, and a notification suddenly popped up on the crystal panel: [Critical information detected, unlocking deep data on the Myriad Bone Grotto main altar].

He looked at Inquirer of All Matters, "How much is this half-volume of the defense map worth?"

"It's worthless," Inquirer of All Matters closed his folding fan, "If the Young Lord is willing to take me in, I will present this map with both hands, only asking that The Net can protect my old residence in Luoyang."

II. New Sounds from the summoning array

Just as Inquirer of All Matters handed over the defense map, the summoning array in the depths of the underground palace suddenly lit up with purple-gold light, thicker and heavier than any time before.

From within the light came sounds of horse hooves, as if thousands of troops and horses were shattering the Void Realm.

As the light gradually faded, a figure in golden armor stood in the array, holding the Li Quan Spear, with a resolute face—it was Yue Fei from "the complete story of yue fei."

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Yue Fei]

[From: the complete story of yue fei world]

[Realm: Middle Celestial Realm]

[Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: 1. Li Quan Spear Technique (Perfection) — The spear thrust is like a Dragon, capable of breaking through thousands of troops 2. Yue's Art of War (Major Achievement) — Strict in governing the army, versatile in Formations, skilled in large-scale warfare 3. Righteous Qi Formula (Perfection) — Inner strength is upright and firm, capable of breaking evil spirits]

[Loyalty: 95%]

"Your subordinate, Yue Fei, greets the Young Lord!"

Yue Fei knelt on one knee, his voice like a great bell, and the clashing of gold and iron from his armor made the candles in the underground palace shake violently.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "General Yue, you have come at the right time. The Black Armor Elite Soldiers of the Qingzhou Army have just been formed, and they are lacking a good general to lead them."

When Yue Fei stood up, his gaze swept over Inquirer of All Matters, and his brows furrowed slightly—he hated opportunistic people most in his life; seeing the flickering eyes of Inquirer of All Matters, he knew that this person was not a good sort.

Inquirer of All Matters, however, did not care at all, and instead bowed and smiled: "General Yue's fame is widespread. The great victory at Zhuxian Town back then, where you knocked down the Fourth Prince of the Jin Kingdom with a single spear, was truly satisfying!"

Yue Fei snorted coldly and did not respond, only saying to Jun Xiaoyao: "If the Young Lord trusts your subordinate, within three days, I will surely make the Black Armor Elite Soldiers undergo a transformation!"

III. Unusual Movements in the Myriad Bone Grotto

Three days later, the Qingzhou Army camp.

Yue Fei was personally drilling the Black Armor Elite Soldiers. Fifty carefully selected Luowang Assassins were wearing black iron armor, changing Formations according to his command flag, sometimes like a copper wall and iron fortress, sometimes like a sharp knife breaking through a Formation.

Adjutant Chen stood outside the tent, watching the flying spear shadows in the army Formation, and couldn't help but click his tongue: "General Yue's method of training soldiers is even more impressive than General Li's Black Armor Army Formation!"

"It's just a show," Yue Fei finished giving orders and returned to the camp, his voice steady, "A truly strong army must have seen blood and been on the battlefield to count."

He pointed to "Soul-Severing Ravine" on the sand table, "The secret report sent by Inquirer of All Matters says that Bone Wuchang, the Punishment Enforcer of the Myriad Bone Grotto, has brought two hundred death soldiers and is refining 'Blood Soul Pills' there, using the common people from nearby villages."

Adjutant Chen's expression changed slightly: "Then should we..."

"Prepare the troops." Yue Fei interrupted him and drew a line on the sand table, "A surprise attack tonight; I want to see them alive if they are alive, and dead if they are dead."

At nightfall, fire soared into the sky in the mountain hollow of Soul-Severing Ravine. The death soldiers of the Myriad Bone Grotto were pushing unconscious commoners into the medicine refining furnace. Bone Wuchang stood by the furnace, his black robe stained with blood, his bone staff lightly tapping, and blood-colored mist suddenly rose inside the furnace.

"It's almost done; with thirty more young boys and girls, the Blood Soul Pill will be completed!" Bone Wuchang grinned hideously, completely unaware that the Black Armor Elite Soldiers had already crept close.

Yue Fei gave an order, and the fifty elite soldiers were like fierce tigers descending the mountain. The black iron spear Formation unfolded, the spear tips reflecting the moonlight, instantly surrounding the death soldiers in the center.

Bone Wuchang was greatly alarmed, his bone staff sweeping across, and several bone blades shot towards the elite soldiers, but they were deflected by the black iron armor.

"Yue's Spear Technique, Break Evil!" Yue Fei shook the Li Quan Spear, the spear tip carrying awe-inspiring righteousness, thrusting straight at Bone Wuchang's heart.

Bone Wuchang hurriedly used his bone staff to block, but he was knocked flying by the firm strength on the spear, crashing into the medicine refining furnace. The furnace body exploded with a roar, and the scalding medicinal juice splashed all over him.

"Take him alive!" Yue Fei ordered, and the Black Armor Elite Soldiers swarmed up, iron chains locking Bone Wuchang's collarbones, and no matter how he struggled, he could not move.

When the commoners in the mountain hollow were rescued, they were all sallow and emaciated. Adjutant Chen looked at the white bones all over the ground, a trace of intolerance flashing in his eyes: "General, these commoners..."

"Send them back to Qingzhou City and let the people from the Hundred Herbs Hall treat them." Yue Fei's gaze swept over the remains of the medicine refining furnace, "Tell Iron Abacus to use the best medicinal materials, and put the bill on Beyond Heaven."

IV. Probing by the Xuantian Holy Land

When the news of the great victory at Soul-Severing Ravine reached the Xuantian Holy Land, Mysterious Dust Master was discussing matters with several Elders.

He slammed the secret report on the desk, his face livid: "A newly emerged Beyond Heaven actually dares to repeatedly move against people from the Myriad Bone Grotto; this is not taking our Holy Land seriously at all!"

The white-bearded Elder sitting below stroked his beard and said: "Law Enforcement Elder, please calm your anger. I heard that Yue Fei is extremely strict in governing his army, and the Black Armor Elite Soldiers have extraordinary combat power. If we fight hard, I fear we won't get any benefits."

"So what?" Mysterious Dust Master snorted coldly, "Pass on my order: have the Disciples of the Qingzhou Branch go to the Hundred Herbs Hall to 'visit.' Just say that the Holy Land is lacking some medicinal materials for healing, and tell Iron Abacus to send them within three days."

A trace of viciousness flashed in his eyes, "I want to see if Beyond Heaven will fall out with us over a medicine shop."

At this time, in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao was listening to the report from Inquirer of All Matters.

"Mysterious Dust Master is probing our bottom line." Inquirer of All Matters tapped his palm with his folding fan, "He knows that the Hundred Herbs Hall is our money bag; robbing medicinal materials is hitting us in the face."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the crystal panel to bring up the profile of the Qingzhou Branch: "The Branch Leader is a Personal Disciple of Mysterious Dust Master, at the Late Grandmaster Realm, with twenty skilled fighters in his hands."

He looked at Yue Fei, "General Yue, the blades of the Qingzhou Army should be sharpened."

Yue Fei bowed: "Your subordinate understands. Tonight, I will go 'visit' the branch and let them know what things should be taken, and what things cannot be touched."

V. Layout Beneath the Undercurrent

At the third watch of the night, the gate of the Qingzhou Branch was suddenly kicked open. Yue Fei led ten Black Armor Elite Soldiers and rushed in, their spear tips pointing directly at the Branch Leader who was preparing to leave.

"Black Armor Elite Soldiers' Yue Fei has come specifically to 'ask for advice' on the Branch Leader's high-level skills." Yue Fei shook the Li Quan Spear, the spear tassel flying, "I heard you are going to the Hundred Herbs Hall to 'borrow' medicinal materials?"

The Branch Leader's face changed suddenly; he did not expect that people from Beyond Heaven would come so quickly: "You... what do you want to do? This is the territory of the Xuantian Holy Land!"

"From tonight on, it is not." Before Yue Fei's voice fell, the Black Armor Elite Soldiers had already pounced. The spear shadows were like a forest; in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the twenty Disciples of the branch were tied up tightly.

Yue Fei looked at the smashed branch plaque and said to the elite soldiers behind him: "Tell the people of Qingzhou City that the branch of the Xuantian Holy Land was bullying others by relying on its power and has been banned by us. From now on, whoever dares to use the name of the Holy Land to do evil again will face the same fate."

In the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the news of "Qingzhou Branch Banned" on the crystal panel and said to Inquirer of All Matters: "Your 'Jianghu Spectrum' should add new content."

Inquirer of All Matters opened his folding fan, his smile filled with a bit more awe: "Young Lord, rest assured, 'General Yue of Beyond Heaven breaks the Xuantian Branch at night' will spread throughout the Jianghu tomorrow morning."

Jun Xiaoyao looked towards the direction of the summoning array, where the light was brighter than ever before, seemingly predicting that a new storm was coming.

He knew that the confrontation with the Xuantian Holy Land had just begun, and what he had to do was to make every move count, making the name of Beyond Heaven a presence that no force would dare to underestimate.