329: Zhan Wanbaolou

The water mirror in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace rippled, clearly reflecting the night view of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower in Qingzhou.

Just after the third watch drum sounded, the glazed tiles on the eaves of the building gleamed coldly under the moonlight. The footsteps of the patrolling guards on the bluestone slabs approached from afar, the reflection of their scabbards resembling dormant snakes.

Jun Xiaoyao leaned against the profound iron couch, turning the spirit communication stone between his fingers. The spiritual light on the stone surface flickered, echoing the spiritual power fluctuations in the underground secret chamber of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

In front of the couch, Zhao Gao held a newly deciphered secret letter. The handwriting was made with the unique 'Blood Sand Ink' of the Western Regions, which would turn to ash if not handled carefully.

"Young Lord, West Gate Blows Snow has rendezvoused with Poison Scorpion, and Duan Yu has set up a reception Formation outside the building," Zhao Gao's voice was extremely low. "The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower's mechanism map shows that there are three secret doors in the underground chamber, two of which are hidden beneath the jade Buddha statues in the 'Treasures Pavilion'."

The water mirror switched scenes. West Gate Blows Snow's white figure, as if melting into the moonlight, landed silently on the flying eaves of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

His long sword remained in its scabbard; he merely tapped the tiles with his fingertips to ascertain the spiritual power distribution within the building—three Grandmaster Realm guards were stationed in the east and west wing rooms and the top floor of the pavilion, respectively, while Iron Abacus was in the study counting ledgers, his fingers repeatedly caressing a red sandalwood box, which was the container for the secret chamber key.

"Move," Jun Xiaoyao whispered into the message talisman.

In the water mirror, West Gate Blows Snow's figure flickered, drifting like a kite with a broken string. The moment his toes touched the window lattice on the second floor, he had already knocked out the guard by the window with his sword sheath. Simultaneously, Duan Yu executed Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves to its extreme behind the building, his figure transforming into a series of afterimages, leading the patrolling guards towards the alley entrance. The Six Meridians Divine Sword Qi he left along the way precisely struck the lanterns, extinguishing the flames one after another, plunging the entire Ten Thousand Treasures Tower into darkness.

"Assassin!" Iron Abacus shouted in alarm from the study, pressing the red sandalwood box firmly under the table. The Grandmaster Realm guard stationed outside the door burst in, his long saber slicing through the air towards the shadow—which was West Gate Blows Snow's hiding place.

"Clang!"

The sword sheath collided with the saber. The guard felt a subtle force, and his long saber nearly flew out of his hand. Before he could change his move, a cold light flashed, and the sword's edge was already pressed against his throat. West Gate Blows Snow's voice was colder than the blade: "The key."

Cold sweat poured down the guard's forehead, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to speak. Suddenly, Poison Scorpion's low laugh came from outside the window. A poison needle silently shot into the guard's back neck. He trembled, collapsed to the ground, and before his eyes glazed over, he only saw West Gate Blows Snow reach into his embrace and retrieve a bronze key.

"The first one," West Gate Blows Snow tossed the key to Duan Yu outside the window and turned to walk towards the Treasures Pavilion where the jade Buddha was located.

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched this scene and said to Zhao Gao, "The Xuan Character Camp still hasn't made a move?"

"The Heaven Group detected that their hidden stake is ambushing in the teahouse opposite the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, and 'Shadow' wearing a bronze mask is among them," Zhao Gao pointed to a dark figure in the corner of the water mirror. "They seem to be waiting for us to succeed, hoping to reap the benefits."

The spirit communication stone in Jun Xiaoyao's hand suddenly became hot, and its surface reflected the scene of the Treasures Pavilion—the secret door under the jade Buddha statue had been opened by Duan Yu using Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves in conjunction with Six Meridians Divine Sword, and indeed, another key was hidden inside. At this moment, 'Shadow' in the teahouse suddenly stood up, and more than ten Xuan Character Camp experts darted out like civet cats, heading straight for the back alley of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.

"They're here," Jun Xiaoyao sneered. "Have Poison Scorpion activate the 'Barbed Array'."

The bluestone slabs in the back alley of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower suddenly flipped over, revealing sharp spikes hidden underground. The vanguard of the Xuan Character Camp was caught off guard and instantly had their feet pierced. Poison Scorpion, leading the Earth Group assassins, leaped down from the rooftops on both sides, their poison needles and crossbow bolts forming a net, trapping the Xuan Character Camp members in the alley.

'Shadow' saw the unfavorable situation, took out a flare from his embrace, and a red light shot into the sky—this was a signal to summon reinforcements. However, West Gate Blows Snow had already obtained the third key and said to Duan Yu, "Let's go."

As the two rushed out of the Treasures Pavilion, they saw Iron Abacus blocking the stairs with the remaining guards. In his hand, he held a zhuge repeating crossbow, its arrowheads gleaming with a dark blue light: "You scum of The Net, leave the key behind!"

West Gate Blows Snow moved with his sword, and the sword light cascaded like a waterfall, cutting down all the crossbow bolts. Duan Yu seized the opportunity to use Subtle Steps of the Rippling Waves to circle behind Iron Abacus. The 'Shangyang Sword' of Six Meridians Divine Sword struck his left wrist. Iron Abacus screamed, the repeating crossbow fell from his hand, and his left hand had a bone-deep wound from the Sword Qi—exactly the 'severed hand' requested by the Salt Gang.

"Mission accomplished," West Gate Blows Snow, holding the key, leaped out of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower with Duan Yu, blending into the night.

In the water mirror, 'Shadow' watched them disappear, not giving chase, but coldly ordered: "Retreat." The Xuan Character Camp members receded like a tide, leaving behind a ground full of corpses and wailing wounded.

Jun Xiaoyao turned off the water mirror, and the light from the spirit communication stone gradually subsided. Zhao Gao handed over a newly received secret report: "The Salt Gang has deposited three million taels into the black market account as agreed. 'Shadow' of the Xuan Character Camp was shot and injured by Poison Scorpion during the retreat, leaving behind a token with the character 'Xuan' on it."

"Give me the token," Jun Xiaoyao took the token, his fingertips caressing the patterns on it. "This is the Xuan Character Camp commander's insignia; it seems 'Shadow' holds a significant position." He looked at the summoning array; the spiritual power in its core had increased to 82% due to the success in Qingzhou, and a new list of summonable characters appeared on the light screen.

[Summonable Character: Hong Qigong]

[From: the legend of the condor heroes World]

[Realm: Middle Celestial Realm]

[Martial Skill: Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms (Major Achievement), Dog Beating Staff Technique (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Tracking and foraging, rich Jianghu experience]

[Summoning Cost: 70% Spiritual Power]

[Summonable Character: from The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber]

[From: the heaven sword and dragon saber World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Hun Tian Gong (Minor Achievement)]

[Specialty: Extraordinary intelligence, skilled in strategy]

[Summoning Cost: 50% Spiritual Power]

[Summonable Character: Old Urchin]

[From: the legend of the condor heroes World]

[Realm: Early Earthly Immortal Realm]

[Martial Skill: Empty Mind Fist (Perfection), Reciprocal Combat Skill (Major Achievement)]

[Specialty: Breaking Formations, disrupting enemy camps]

[Summoning Cost: 80% Spiritual Power]

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip paused on 'Zhao Min's' name: "The struggle between the Xuan Character Camp and the Third Prince requires someone skilled in scheming to orchestrate it." He infused spiritual power, and the summoning array suddenly lit up with purple-gold light, runes arranging themselves like a chess game.

In the light, a figure in a princess's luxurious dress slowly materialized, her face radiant, her eyes sharp, it was indeed Zhao Min. When she looked at Jun Xiaoyao, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, then she curtsied, her voice clear: "Zhao Min greets Young Lord."

[Character Panel: Zhao Min]

[Status: Scrutinizing]

[Loyalty: 75%]

[Current thought: This person is unfathomable, even harder to grasp than the Two Elders of Xuanming]

Jun Xiaoyao threw her the Xuan Character Camp token: "The Crown Prince and the Third Prince in the Imperial City are currently in a fierce struggle. Go stir things up and make them shift their attention away from The Net."

Zhao Min caught the token, her fingertips lightly tapping the 'Xuan' character on it: "Young Lord intends for me to use the Xuan Character Camp's name to frame the Third Prince?"

"Clever," Jun Xiaoyao nodded. "Use the Salt Gang's ledger as bait to make the Crown Prince believe the Third Prince is colluding with Jianghu forces, and then make the Third Prince believe the Crown Prince wants to monopolize the book of wumu."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Min's eyes: "Your subordinate understands. Just one forged secret letter will make them turn on each other." She turned and stepped into the teleportation array. "Within three days, the Imperial City will be in chaos."

The light of the teleportation array extinguished. Jun Xiaoyao looked at another water mirror—outside the Demon Suppressing Pagoda in the Western Regions, Never Seeking Defeat was nourishing the stone gate with Sword Intent. Shi Potian's blood poison had been cleared by Xu Zhu, and he was attempting to open the stone gate again with the Tai Xuan Scripture. Master of Profundity's trace appeared a hundred li away, clearly waiting for an opportunity.

"Have Senior Dugu guard for another five days," Jun Xiaoyao said into the message talisman. "After five days, if Master of Profundity still doesn't appear, return to Cold Moon Valley."

The message talisman lit up with Never Seeking Defeat's reply: "Understood."

Zhao Gao then presented another scroll: "Young Lord, the key to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower's underground secret chamber has opened the first door. Inside, as expected, was half a rubbing of the book of wumu, and a map marked 'Dragon's Lair'."

"Dragon's Lair?" Jun Xiaoyao took the map, its marker pointing to a snow mountain in the Northern Territory. "It seems this is what the Xuan Character Camp truly wants." He folded the map. "Give it to Yue Fei, and have his trained cavalry pay attention to movements in the Northern Territory snow mountain."

"Yes."

The underground palace returned to silence, only the runes of the summoning array still slowly flowing. Jun Xiaoyao leaned on the profound iron couch, looking at the 82% spiritual power gauge, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the edge of the couch. The gains from Qingzhou far exceeded expectations; not only did they obtain star marrow and ledgers, but they also learned the details of the Xuan Character Camp. Zhao Min's addition would further muddy the waters in the Imperial City, perfectly buying time for Beyond Heaven to develop.

The night wind of Cold Moon Valley passed through the cracks in the underground palace, carrying the scent of gunpowder from Qingzhou and the snowy air of the Western Regions.

Jun Xiaoyao knew that with the appearance of the book of wumu and the "Dragon's Lair," the situation on the continent would become even more turbulent, but this was exactly what he wanted—in chaos, it was easier to plunder resources and strengthen Beyond Heaven.

He looked at the continental map hanging on the stone wall; The Net's markings were mostly circled in cinnabar, with only a few remote Holy Lands and Sects untouched.

But Jun Xiaoyao was not in a hurry; he had plenty of patience, just like The Net weaving its web, he only needed to wait quietly, and prey would always fall into the trap.

At this moment, the message talisman suddenly vibrated; it was news from Zhao Min in the Imperial City: [Secret letter forged. The Crown Prince and Third Prince will "accidentally meet" tomorrow in the Imperial Garden. The show begins.]

Jun Xiaoyao's lips curled into a cold arc, and he put away the message talisman. The chess game belonging to Beyond Heaven had just entered the mid-game, and he, the hidden chess player, was enjoying the pleasure of controlling everything.

Those forces attempting to oppose Beyond Heaven would eventually understand that provoking them was the biggest mistake of their lives.