Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 221 Lotus Theory, Organizing Gatherings

"In such an alliance, everyone has their own interests and demands."

A shadow appeared on Yi Jifeng's handsome face.

This made his face look somewhat gloomy.

"The three major families, led by the Zhu family, want to challenge the Murong family's dominance in Jiangnan, while the family led by the Wang family wants to further expand the Murong family's dominance."

As for me, I am pursuing the position of leader of the alliance and want to restore the prestige of Mingjian Manor!
how about you?
Surely a big shot from a mysterious organization wouldn't just come here for a chat?

"of course not!"

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "Of course I also have my own interests to pursue. For example, right now, I want you to become the leader of this alliance?"

"What?" Yi Jifeng was taken aback, but immediately understood: "You want me to cooperate with the Sun Moon Cult's actions?"

"No, to be precise, we cooperate with each other! You must always remember that your interest is to revitalize Mingjian Manor, not to protect this alliance."

If a choice could greatly enhance the reputation of Mingjian Manor, but would result in a minor loss of benefits for the alliance, what should you do?

"I……"

Yi Jifeng's eyes flickered.

Two different thoughts were intertwined in my mind.

The concept of justice cultivated from childhood to adulthood.

And the profit-driven ideology that has been force-fed into us today.

Before Jin Jiu could figure it out himself, he manipulated Jin Jiu's body, making him look directly into the hall at the scene of the three powerful family leaders chatting happily.

"What you need to do now is not to grow into a lotus flower, but to become a lotus root. Since you're going to draw strength from the mud, why not learn from them!"

Looking at the three of them, Yi Jifeng felt as if he had gained the support of a belief.

"I...I will choose Mingjian Villa!"

"That's right! Everyone is pursuing their own interests; you simply made a choice that aligns with everyone's thinking!"

As Jin Jiu was speaking, he suddenly changed the subject: "But you must also remember that you are different from them. They want to draw more nutrients from that mud, and they have no other desires, so it doesn't matter how much mud they get into."

But your goal is to draw nourishment from the mud, grow straight branches, and then bloom a noble flower on the mud!
Even if... even if you don't finish it in your generation, you should still lay a foundation so that your descendants don't have to struggle in the mud, but can simply blossom.

Ideally, it would be Murong Longcheng, the ancestor of the Murong family, just like Murong Fu now!

"Gudu..."

Yi Jifeng swallowed hard and said, "That's right, I'm different from them!"

"very good……"

Jin Jiu took out a wooden plaque and handed it to Yi Jifeng: "If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can discuss it with me. If there are any plans that require cooperation, you can contact Dongfang Bubai. Believe me, as long as we treat each other with sincerity and join forces, we will definitely be able to create a win-win-win situation."

Yi Jifeng paused for a moment, then reached out and took the wooden plaque.

"You really have a knack for ruining people!"

Qingxi County.

Dongfang Bubai didn't care why Jin Jiu, who was standing beside her at this moment and watching the light screen with her, would appear next to Yi Jifeng at the same time.

Looking at Yi Jifeng, who seemed to have been completely fooled, he couldn't help but sneer: "If your lotus theory were to spread, I'm afraid countless people would be misled!"

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "If they can be misled by this theory, it only means that such desires exist in their hearts. So-called theories are just an excuse for people to find psychological support for their desires."

From the ancient theory of bloodline, to the theory of the Son of Heaven spread by the Zhou king, to the later theory of the unity of heaven and man.

Rulers use all sorts of theories to package themselves, just to tell the world the legitimacy of their rule.

Beneath this grand theory, there are various smaller theories, each born from the mouth of an individual.

Undeniably, there were indeed some virtuous saints among them who created their own theories, all in an effort to make this time better.

However, there are also many selfish individuals who use a set of theories that satisfy their own desires to deceive others.

Clearly, Jinjiu's lotus theory was specifically designed to fool Yi Jifeng.

But whatever the theory, in the end, it's nothing more than words.

If there were no selfish desires in people's hearts, how could mere words be able to sway them?

But then again, the human heart is like Schrödinger's cat; as long as it's still in the box, no one knows whether it's alive or dead, good or evil.

The impact of words is like opening a box.

The cat, whose state was uncertain, was transformed into a real and visible state.

Therefore, the role of speech is naturally there.

For example, right now, if you think Yi Jifeng was misled, it's because he himself harbored selfish motives.

Then, without a doubt, you've been misled by this set of theories about human nature.

"So what should we do next? Put on a show and make that guy the leader?"

"Don't worry about him."

"Hmm?" Dongfang Bubai was taken aback: "But judging from the current situation, even with the support of those three families, he probably won't become the leader of the alliance, right?"

The purpose of the three families, including the Zhu family, joining forces was to shake the rule of the Murong family.

Note: Shake!
Two words are enough to illustrate the difference in strength between the two sides.

"The rumors circulating in the martial arts world right now cannot shake Murong Fu's position!"

"Of course I know."

Jin Jiu said, "But what if Murong Fu is unable to show himself at all?"

"What? You're planning to send someone to kill him?"

"No need to bother, Murong Fu is busy."

Jin Jiu said, "You just need to do your own thing. However, even if Murong Fu cannot show up in the short term, this alliance has already been formed. With the limited strength of the Sun Moon Divine Sect that you separated from, you can't defeat them."

"What should we do?"

Dongfang Bubai stared at Jin Jiu with his big, bright eyes: "Although I have recruited some new people, with the group split in two, we can't possibly resist the alliance of the six powerful clans."

"Don't look at me like that. Even if you don't say anything, I'm already planning to send a team over. Besides helping you, I also need to settle an old matter."

As Jin Jiu spoke, the light screen in front of him suddenly changed.

It revealed an ordinary courtyard.

In the courtyard, a woman in blue is sewing cloth shoes.

Suddenly the courtyard gate opened, and a man and a woman walked in.

"Zeng Jing, it's the Lunar New Year, why are you still busy at home all by yourself? Come out with us for a stroll."

Zeng Jing stood up and said with a smile, "I had this idea for a while, but I was afraid it would spoil Brother Ding and Sister Ling's fun!"

"Oh, not at all."

A moment later, the three of them walked out of the courtyard together and toured Suzhou during the Spring Festival.

They looked like three ordinary civilians.

Dongfang Bubai leaned closer: "These three... seem quite extraordinary!"

"of course."

Jin Jiu put away the light screen and said, "On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, the organization will hold a conference on Nameless Island that only formal members can participate in. Remember to attend."

"Huh? A tournament? Nameless Island? Even if you want me to participate, at least tell me where it is and how to get there!"

"You'll find out when the time comes!"

new Year.

Even the Ming Cult would take a few days off.

It will only be a few days.

After the happy days ended, I was back to work.

As the leader of the cult, especially an entrepreneurial one, Dongfang Bubai was even busier than any of his followers.

Ordinary followers only need to handle their daily tasks, but as the leader, in addition to her daily duties, she also needs to diligently practice martial arts to ensure her strength improves, study the Six Secret Teachings of Martial Arts, and contemplate future development.

Her busy schedule meant that she could only take half a day off on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

And this half-day holiday was wasted on gin.

"The 18th of the first lunar month? That guy, he's not going to have a holiday until this day before he starts working, is he?!"

Whenever he thought of this possibility, Dongfang Bubai couldn't help but grit his teeth.

"So, how do we get to that wretched, nameless island?!" Before they knew it, it was the eighteenth day of the first lunar month.

Having just finished breakfast, Dongfang Bubai was preparing to handle his official duties when he suddenly felt the Heavenly Secrets Tablet in his arms tremble.

He then took out a silver plaque and channeled his inner energy into it.

[The organization has sent out invitations for official membership. Will you accept?]

【Yes】

【agree】

【accept】

Dongfang Bubai was speechless and randomly picked one.

The next instant, golden, ripple-like things suddenly appeared before her eyes, and in just two or three breaths, they transformed into a circular gate, seemingly welcoming her in.

"This...this is..."

Unknown island.

Although it has only been a few months of construction, the entire island can be said to have been completely transformed.

Residential area, canteen, factory, martial arts training ground, library, dock... everything is available.

The island is populated by a diverse mix of people.

Elite members of the Giant Whale Gang.

The Prince of Nanping's loyal followers.

Members of the Invisible Man.

However, since they have been sent to this island, which can be said to be the core area of ​​the organization at present, they are basically all loyal.

Outposts were generally established on the other small islands surrounding the main island.

Sailboats patrol the area regularly.

A dense net was formed in the nearby sea area.

Even for a master-level expert, the possibility of infiltrating it is extremely slim.

At this moment, many formal members gathered in the training ground.

They formed two small groups, led by Mu Daoren and A Gui respectively.

Wu Ming stood on the other side, looking all alone and rather pitiful.

“Master,” said Master Shihe, “the organization’s higher-ups arrived today, but we didn’t greet them at the dock. Could it be that none of the higher-ups came by boat?”

Master Mu shook his head: "I don't know how the higher-ups came. I just talked to Jin Jiu, and he told me to gather here."

"I see... I noticed that Jin Jiu usually travels by golden boat. Could it be that the high-ranking officials who are going to appear today will also descend from the sky?"

"Do not speak recklessly."

In fact, this curiosity is not unique to them; others also harbor it.

And then, the answer will be revealed to them.

A golden ripple suddenly appeared on the wall directly in front of the martial arts hall.

At first it was inconspicuous, but in just a few breaths it had transformed into a golden circular gate.

Immediately afterwards, several figures walked out from the gate.

The person in front of me has a full head of white hair and an extraordinary demeanor.

"This person is..."

The wooden Taoist felt that the man looked somewhat familiar, so he stepped forward and asked, "You came out of this gate of light, may I ask what your identity is?"

The visitor said, "I am Yin Tianzheng of the Ming Cult!"

Yin Tianzheng!
The wooden Taoist's eyes flickered slightly.

The vodka beside him trembled, but he quickly suppressed his excitement and pretended to be completely indifferent.

Master Mu laughed: "No wonder you look familiar. Master Yin looks much younger than before!"

"Who is your Excellency?"

"Master Mu... no, according to the organization's rules, he should be called... Qin Jiu!"

"It's you!"

A hint of hatred flashed in Yin Tianzheng's eyes. He flicked his sleeve and simply walked to the other side, ignoring him.

The crowd behind them naturally followed closely.

A fierce glint flashed in Mu Daoren's eyes. He snorted coldly, thinking to himself: So he still cares about his daughter. It's not like she died at my hands...

When he heard that there was an organized force behind the Ming Cult's unification, he thought of the possibilities that led to this.

He had hoped to make peace with the other party, since Yin Tianzheng's daughter could only be said to have died indirectly at his hands.

He didn't want to either.

But since that's their attitude, there's nothing more to say.

From the corner, Wu Ming clearly saw this scene, and his eyes flickered.

After this incident, everyone understood what the suddenly appearing golden circular ripples were.

"I heard they were still with the Ming Cult just moments ago!"

"So close, yet worlds apart!"

"The organization's methods are truly unpredictable!"

People discussed it in hushed tones, their voices filled with awe.

They had considered that the organization's higher-ups would fly over, but they never imagined that they would use such a seemingly insurmountable means to descend directly from thousands of miles away to this nameless island.

Those with quick wits immediately realized the terrifying nature of this tactic—troop transport!
If any faction belonging to the organization were to suddenly rebel, the organization could mobilize a large number of people to suppress them in an instant.

Coupled with the Heavenly Secret Token, which travels thousands of miles and delivers messages in an instant...

terror!
With such measures in place, anyone with even the slightest ulterior motive would probably have to think twice before acting.

Of course, it's more likely that... he didn't even think about it!

Under such horrific suppression, no one dared to rebel.

Dressed in red, Dongfang Bubai, disguised as a woman, then strode in.

Those in the crowd who recognized him couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

She was also horrified by this mysterious method.

At this moment, there were also many familiar faces in the training ground.

A chilling coldness came from behind.

Dongfang Bubai turned his head and saw a man in black holding a knife slowly walking out, his face cold and his eyes indifferent.

"Guihai Yidao?!"

Someone revealed his identity.

Compared to Dongfang Bubai, who has been away from the Ming Dynasty for many days, this person is clearly the top figure in the Ming Dynasty today!

"Is this the guy who took over Blackwood Cliff behind me?"

Dongfang Bubai couldn't help but glance at Guihai Yidao twice.

Guihai Yidao was naturally aware of this, but he didn't care at all. He walked to a corner of the arena and ignored everyone.

Someone else walked in.

Upon closer inspection, everyone saw a person dressed in black, but wearing a mask.

"Oh? So many people? That's a bit beyond my expectations..."

The masked man sighed and then walked into the arena.

“Friend, we are all from the same organization, so why hide your faces?” Master Shihe asked.

The masked man laughed and said, "Although we belong to the same organization, I am different from you all. I am a member of the intelligence department 'Root,' and I must keep my identity absolutely secret!"

After all, nobody knows which of the other members of the organization, especially those recruited from outside, are actually spies from other forces!

As he spoke, his eyes, hidden beneath the mask, seemed to sweep over everyone, sending a chill through them.

(End of this chapter)