278: Obtain the Feign Death Pill

Jun Xiaoyao sat on the Profound Iron chair in the Heavenly Outer Palace, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingertip, his gaze fixed on the suspended panel before him.

On the panel, the words “The Net Reputation Value +500” had not yet faded, and the progress bar for the hidden quest “Take Control of Qingzhou’s Cultural Lineage” had jumped to 30%. Jiang Jing held the ledger, stood on his tiptoes to peer at the panel, and clacked his abacus beads loudly.

“Young Lord, as you instructed, the merchants’ children have gone to the Confucius Temple to ‘atone for their sins,’ and the people for copying the classics have been arranged. However...” Jiang Jing paused, glancing up secretly at Jun Xiaoyao.

“After the old scholars of Haoran Academy were paraded through the streets, Qingzhou’s literati collectively wrote an ‘Edict Against Beyond Heaven,’ posting it everywhere, saying we ‘disgraced the cultured.’ ”

Jun Xiaoyao slightly lifted his eyelids, his voice calm and steady: “Let Zhao Gao handle it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a black shadow silently appeared in the hall—it was Zhao Gao, the Director-General of The Net. He bowed, his black robe sweeping the floor, bringing a slightly cool breeze: “Young Lord, the edicts have been torn down. The scholars who wrote them are currently ‘having tea’ at The Net’s stronghold.”

[Panel displays Zhao Gao’s profile card:

Name: Zhao Gao

Origin: Late Qin Historical World

Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Shady Snake Hand (Perfection) — Vicious finger strength, capable of breaking metal and splitting stone, specializes in sneak attacks.

2. The Net Secret Records (Major Achievement) — The art of controlling the deployment of Luowang Assassinss, proficient in intelligence networks.

3. Hypocrisy Art (Perfection) — Gentle on the surface, concealing killing intent, specializes in disguise.]

“Well done.” Jun Xiaoyao swiped his finger across the panel, bringing up Longhu Mountain’s movements. “After Zhang Xuansu returned, what actions has Longhu Mountain taken?”

Zhao Gao handed over a secret report: “The Sect Head of Longhu Mountain, Celestial Master Zhang, has dispatched his eldest Disciple, Daoist Qingfeng, to lead a team of twelve experts from the Celestial Master’s Residence. They will arrive in Qingzhou tomorrow at noon, claiming it’s a ‘visit,’ but their momentum is aggressive.”

At this moment, the summoning array in the center of the underground palace suddenly lit up with a faint glow. As the Formation patterns flowed, a faint sound of Sword Intent emerged. Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: “Did a random summon trigger?”

The light in the array gradually intensified, and a white-robed figure slowly materialized, standing with a sword on his back. It was Xie Xiaofeng, summoned three days ago. The Sword Intent surrounding him was restrained but palpable, making the air in the hall feel slightly solidified.

[Panel updates Xie Xiaofeng’s status:

Status: Ready to Strike

Current Mission: Handle the Longhu Mountain arrivals]

Xie Xiaofeng cupped his hands: “Young Lord, this old man knows a thing or two about Longhu Mountain’s sword techniques. Daoist Qingfeng’s ‘Thirteen Flowing Cloud Forms’ appears graceful, but the flaw is hidden in the concluding posture of the seventh form, ‘Cloud Severing Return Path.’ Your subordinate will handle it when the time comes.”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, turning his gaze to Hundred Herbs Elder on the other side. The Old Medicine Immortal was squatting beside the Pill Furnace, using a silver needle to probe the Formation patterns on the furnace wall. The faint light of the Spirit Gathering Array flowed between his fingers. “Hundred Herbs Elder, how is the refinement of the feigned death pill Formula progressing?”

Hundred Herbs Elder didn’t raise his head. Holding a Purple Leaf Orchid in his hand, he added some powder to the Pill Furnace: “Reporting to Young Lord, after replacing the nether flower with the Purple Leaf Orchid,

the medicinal effect is undiminished and the side effects are gone, but the refining time requires an extra half hour.” He took a few glistening white Medicinal Pills from his medicine basket: “These are the first batch of finished medicine, please take a look.”

[Panel displays new item: Improved feigned death pill

Effect: After consumption, breathing ceases for three hours, appearing dead. Upon waking, there is no damage to the Foundation.

Usage: A Sharp Weapon for Luowang Assassinss to escape danger.]

“Distribute them, and let the Luowang Assassinss familiarize themselves with their usage.” Jun Xiaoyao took the Medicinal Pills and handed them to Zhao Gao, “Especially ensure those monitoring Longhu Mountain have them ready.”

Just as he was speaking, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. The Marshal of the Unruly lifted the curtain and entered, his armor still damp with morning dew—he had just rushed back from The Net’s stronghold.

[Panel displays Marshal of the Unruly’s profile card:

Name: Yuan Tiangang

Origin: Great Tang Unruly World

Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:

1. Tiangang Art (Perfection) — Profound internal breath, capable of directly confronting the Initial Heaven Human Realm.

2. The Unruly Secret Agent Technique (Major Achievement) — Tracking and stealth techniques are unparalleled in the world.

3. Divination (Major Achievement) — Can deduce fortune and misfortune, and predict opponent’s movements.]

“Young Lord, we just intercepted a message talisman from Longhu Mountain. Among the people Daoist Qingfeng brought, there is a young Daoist boy named Xuan Zhen. He is the personal grandson of Celestial Master Zhang. Although his Realm is only Late Innate Realm, he holds the Celestial Master’s Residence’s Mountain Suppressing Treasure, the ‘Heaven and Earth Mirror,’ which is said to be able to illuminate all disguises.” The Marshal of the Unruly knelt on one knee, his voice carrying some gravity. “This mirror will likely be considerable trouble for The Net’s stealth techniques.”

Jun Xiaoyao lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertip, pondering for a moment: “Have Xie Xiaofeng face Daoist Qingfeng. Zhao Gao, you take three Net Death Warriors and tie up Xuan Zhen. Don’t let him randomly use the Heaven and Earth Mirror.”

Zhao Gao accepted the order: “Your subordinate will select the ‘Shadow,’ ‘Wind,’ and ‘Thunder’ trio. They specialize in binding techniques and will surely be able to restrain that Young Daoist Boy.”

“Also,” Jun Xiaoyao added, “have Jiang Jing calculate the assets and backgrounds of the Longhu Mountain visitors—which connections can be exploited, and who are the die-hards. Make a list.”

Jiang Jing immediately opened the ledger, clacking the abacus quickly: “Daoist Qingfeng is Celestial Master Zhang’s Junior Brother, managing the Celestial Master’s Residence’s punishments, and is highly protective of his own. Xuan Zhen is Celestial Master Zhang’s beloved grandson, and he reportedly received a Magic Treasure, the ‘Demon Locking Rope,’ last year. Among the twelve accompanying people, three are children of local Qingzhou gentry families, and the Li family among them has business dealings with us...”

He calculated and recited simultaneously. The ledger was quickly filled with dense handwriting, clearly marking everyone’s preferences and weaknesses—for instance, Daoist Qingfeng loves tea but is allergic to overnight tea; Young Daoist Boy Xuan Zhen treasures his snow-white Spirit Dog “Snowball” the most.

“Very good.” Jun Xiaoyao looked at Xie Xiaofeng, “Daoist Qingfeng loves tea. When you fight tomorrow, you can first treat him with tea, and break his move while he is distracted.”

A hint of a smile flashed in Xie Xiaofeng’s eyes: “Young Lord’s brilliant plan. This old man happens to have brought some ‘Pre-Rain Longjing’ tea, treasured from last year. I will offer it as a gift tomorrow.”

Hundred Herbs Elder suddenly spoke up: “Young Lord, the people from Longhu Mountain habitually use Talisman Water. Your subordinate has prepared some pills to neutralize Talisman Water, which The Net’s personnel can take in advance.” He handed over a porcelain bottle containing vermillion pills. “This medicine can neutralize the spiritual energy in the Talisman Water. Even if hit by a ‘Body Fixing Talisman,’ it can be resolved within half an hour.”

[Panel adds new item: Talisman Breaking Pill

Effect: Neutralizes the effects of various low-level Talisman Water and Talismanic Incantations.

Refiner: Hundred Herbs Elder]

Zhao Gao took the porcelain bottle and was about to turn to distribute them, but Jun Xiaoyao stopped him: “Wait. Have the Marshal of the Unruly first scout Daoist Qingfeng’s lodging to see if they will act early tonight.”

The Marshal of the Unruly accepted the order: “Your subordinate will go now and return with information within half an hour.” With that, his figure flashed and disappeared outside the hall.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the faint clinking of Hundred Herbs Elder handling the Pill Furnace and Jiang Jing’s abacus sounds checking the accounts. Xie Xiaofeng stood beside the summoning array with his hands behind his back, his white robes shining with a soft luster in the faint light, his Sword Intent growing increasingly condensed; Zhao Gao, meanwhile, was inspecting the equipment of the Luowang Assassinss, distributing the Talisman Breaking Pills one by one to the ‘Shadow,’ ‘Wind,’ and ‘Thunder’ trio.

About the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, the Marshal of the Unruly returned, bringing back startling news: “The Longhu Mountain people didn’t stay at an inn; they moved directly into the backyard of Haoran Academy—that old stubborn Kong Xiu actually let them use the academy as a stronghold!”

Jiang Jing clicked his tongue: “Kong Xiu previously cursed us for disgracing the cultured, but then immediately turned around and gave the academy to Longhu Mountain as a den? His face changes faster than flipping a book.”

A cold arc curved at the corner of Jun Xiaoyao’s mouth: “As expected. Kong Xiu hates us for destroying Haoran Academy’s reputation, so naturally, he wants to take revenge using Longhu Mountain’s power.”

He looked at Xie Xiaofeng, “Tomorrow at noon, right outside Haoran Academy, we’ll let them see what ‘disgracing the cultured’ truly means.”

Xie Xiaofeng clapped his hands and chuckled softly: “That suits me perfectly. Your subordinate will now go prepare the tea set. Tomorrow, right outside the academy gate, I will ‘discuss the sword over tea’ with Daoist Qingfeng.”

Zhao Gao bowed: “Your subordinate has already sent the ‘Shadow’ group to infiltrate the academy backyard and ascertain the location of Young Daoist Boy Xuan Zhen’s room. His Spirit Dog, ‘Snowball,’ might ‘go missing’ tonight.”

Hundred Herbs Elder added: “This old man will prepare some dog-bewildering medicine to ensure the little dog stays quiet and doesn’t ruin the plan.”

Jiang Jing added a line to the ledger: “Estimated loss for tomorrow: One catty of Pre-Rain Longjing.

One portion of Dog-Bewildering Medicine, three portions of rations for Net Death Warriors... Revenue: Longhu Mountain’s reputation is ruined, Qingzhou gentry’s apprehension value towards Beyond Heaven +200.”

Jun Xiaoyao said nothing more, merely watching the “Influence Value” slowly rising on the panel, approaching “Heavenly Human Realm Influence (Intermediate)” from “Heavenly Human Realm Influence (Elementary).”

The night outside the hall deepened, and the lights of Qingzhou City extinguished one by one. Only the summoning array of the Heavenly Outer Palace still shone with a faint light, as if brewing an approaching storm.

[Panel notification: Tomorrow at noon, outside Haoran Academy in Qingzhou, Beyond Heaven vs. Longhu Mountain, battle imminent.]