279: Plotting against the Golden Knife Sect

Jun Xiaoyao sat in the shadows of Beyond Heaven's Core Hall, his fingertip casually tracing the water mirror before him.

The mirror reflected the figures of Luowang Assassinss moving through the Qingzhou Black Market—they wore uniform black night clothes, their cuffs embroidered with silver spiderweb patterns, marking them as the 'Shadow Group' newly trained by Zhao Gao.

"Young Lord, news came from the Black Market. The Third Boss of the Golden Blade Alliance refused to pay protection fees and even threatened to dismantle our stronghold." Zhao Gao's voice came from the shadows. He had just rushed back from The Net stronghold, his black robe stained with fresh blood. "The Shadow Group has 'dealt' with him. This is his blade."

A gold-inlaid scimitar was placed on the table, its blade still bearing dark red residue. The water mirror simultaneously displayed the Golden Blade Alliance's information: [Golden Blade Alliance, a third-rate faction in Qingzhou, controls the black market trade south of the city. The Alliance Master is at the Middle Stage Grandmaster Realm, commanding three hundred bladesmen].

Jun Xiaoyao didn't look at the blade, only raising his eyes to the Shadow Group Leader in the water mirror who was counting the spoils—it was Lin Pingzhi, whom Zhao Gao had just 'pulled' out of the death row. He was currently using his incredibly Fast Sword, which left only afterimages, to nail the Golden Blade Alliance's ledger to the wall.

[The panel displays Lin Pingzhi's information:

Name: Lin Pingzhi

Origin: The world of "the smiling, proud wanderer"

Realm: Late Master Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Bixie Sword Technique (Major Achievement)—Fast Sword like lightning, specializing in surprise attacks, sword moves vicious and unmatched.

2. The Net Secret Art (Beginner)—Concealing aura, tracking, and assassination techniques.

Loyalty: 98%]

"Have him incorporate the Golden Blade Alliance's territory into ours." Jun Xiaoyao's voice was faint but carried undeniable authority. "Also, tell Lin Pingzhi to take over the casino in the west of the city next week. The dice ghost there is cheating, ruining our business."

"Yes." Zhao Gao bowed in response and handed over another secret report. "This was investigated by Marshal of the Unruly: The Third Young Master of the City Lord of Qingzhou's Residence has secretly contacted Ten Thousand Poisons Valley, intending to use their poison techniques against us."

The water mirror immediately switched to the City Lord's Residence scene: Third Young Master Zhao Heng was secretly handing a brocade box to the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley messenger. Inside the box was a map of Beyond Heaven's distribution in the Black Market. Marshal of the Unruly's figure was hidden in the corner's shadow, his hat brim pulled low. Only his sharp eyes were fixed intently on the brocade box.

[The panel updates Marshal of the Unruly's information:

Name: Yuan Tiangang

Origin: The world of The Unruly

Realm: Early Stage Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Tiangang Art (Perfection)—Profound internal Qi, capable of shaking the Heavenly Human Realm head-on.

2. The Unruly Secret Agent Technique (Perfection)—Tracking, stealth, and disguise, mastering all of them.

3. Divination (Major Achievement)—Capable of predicting dangers within three days.]

"Although Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's poison techniques are sinister, their Valley Master is a paper tiger."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped the water mirror with his fingertip, bringing up Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's weakness: [The 'Heart-Eating Flower' worshipped in the Valley requires irrigation with the vital blood of living people. On the fifteenth of every month, they send people outside the city to abduct commoners]. "Have the Shadow Group 'pass by' the abduction route on the fifteenth and 'rescue' the people."

A flash of understanding crossed Zhao Gao's eyes: "Young Lord, do you intend to use the mouths of these commoners to ruin Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's reputation in Qingzhou?"

"More than that." Jun Xiaoyao chuckled softly. The water mirror suddenly switched to the summoning array scene—a pale golden light was illuminating the array. As the runes flowed, a white-robed figure gradually materialized. The person held a long sword and had a cold, clear face. It was West Gate Blows Snow, who had just been summoned.

[The panel displays West Gate Blows Snow's information:

Name: West Gate Blows Snow

Origin: The world of legend of lu xiaofeng

Realm: Mid-Stage Grandmaster Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens (Perfection)—The sword strike is like a meteor, reaching the extreme of speed, unstoppable.

2. Aloof Sword Intent (Major Achievement)—Condensing Sword Intent with one's own arrogance to intimidate opponents.

Loyalty: 95%]

As West Gate Blows Snow stabilized his stance, he slightly nodded toward Jun Xiaoyao: "Your subordinate greets Young Lord." His voice was like ice beads dropping onto a jade plate, carrying the chill of a blade.

"The Valley Master of Ten Thousand Poisons Valley is most arrogant about his sword technique," Jun Xiaoyao said, looking at West Gate Blows Snow. "Have him meet the Valley Master, and just say... someone is unconvinced by his 'Poison Sword'."

West Gate Blows Snow's sword-like eyebrows slightly lifted, and his fingertip gently traced the scabbard: "My sword does not strike nameless people."

"Then let him become famous." Jun Xiaoyao looked at the portrait of the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley Master in the water mirror—that man was boasting to his Disciples that his Poison Sword was number one under heaven. "Zhao Gao, go spread the news. Say that a sword expert has arrived in Qingzhou, claiming he can break the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley's Poison Sword in three moves."

Zhao Gao immediately understood: "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately, ensuring that all of Qingzhou knows."

At this moment, Marshal of the Unruly in the water mirror moved—he silently approached Zhao Heng's study, using a silver thread as fine as hair to hook out another ledger from the window crack. The ledger recorded Zhao Heng's collusion with other factions, and surprisingly, it bore the mark of "Qingyun Sect."

[Panel Notification: Side Quest Triggered—Eliminate the City Lord's Residence's Hidden Line. Reward: Qingzhou City Defense Map]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the mark, a cold curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. Qingyun Sect is a second-rate Sect in Qingzhou. Its Sect Master is at the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and they have always viewed Beyond Heaven as a thorn in their side.

"West Gate Blows Snow."

"Your subordinate is present."

"After dealing with Ten Thousand Poisons Valley, go meet the Law Enforcement Elder of Qingyun Sect." Jun Xiaoyao tapped the water mirror with his fingertip, where the Law Enforcement Elder's information was displayed—this person particularly liked to secretly use poison during martial arts competitions. "Use your sword to tell them that people of Beyond Heaven are not to be touched by just anyone."

West Gate Blows Snow nodded slightly, and his long sword hummed, seemingly in response.

Zhao Gao looked at the continuously rising 'Beyond Heaven Reputation Value' in the water mirror and whispered, "Young Lord, our sphere of influence now covers sixty percent of Qingzhou's black market. Should we..."

"No rush." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, his gaze falling upon a youth practicing boxing in the corner of the water mirror—that was Yang Guo, whom The Net had just picked up from a pile of beggars.

He was currently learning basic sword technique from Lin Pingzhi. The injuries on his fists hadn't healed, yet he was striking vigorously. "We will make a move on the City Lord's Residence after Yang Guo achieves Minor Achievement in the Xuantie Sword Technique."

[The panel displays Yang Guo's information:

Name: Yang Guo

Origin: The world of the return of the condor heroes

Realm: Innate Realm

Martial Skill:

1. Xuantie Sword Technique (Minor Achievement)—Heavy sword without edge, powerful enough to lift a tripod.

2. The Net Basic Boxing (Beginner)

Loyalty: 99%]

In the water mirror, the Shadow Group had taken over the Golden Blade Alliance's territory, and Lin Pingzhi was distributing new mission tokens to his subordinates;

Marshal of the Unruly hid the ledger inside a secret letter and handed it to a carrier pigeon; West Gate Blows Snow had already walked out of the summoning array, preparing to keep the "Sword Appointment" with Ten Thousand Poisons Valley.

Jun Xiaoyao leaned back in his chair, watching all of this. The shadows obscured his expression, with only his fingertip occasionally tapping the water mirror, as if playing a silent tune.

Qingzhou's night grew deeper due to The Nets quietly being woven.

[Panel Notification: Beyond Heaven Faction Value +1200. Current Rank: Qingzhou Second-Rate Faction (Advancing)]