Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 222 High-Ranking Officials Appear, Ancient Forces

Undercover?

Upon hearing these two words, some people couldn't help but feel a chill.

One of them, Teja, remained silent, his eyes closed and his mind blank.

Fortunately, he wasn't idle during this time. He trained in acting, and Master Zhang spent three months creating a method for calming his mind, which enabled him to maintain inner peace even in such situations.

If it were him six months ago, in such a public and crowded setting, he might have actually revealed some flaws.

The others, however, all turned their attention to Guihai Yidao.

Now everyone knows that Guihai Yidao is actually an undercover agent sent in by the Dragon Guard Manor.

But they've already cleared their name... no, they've been blackened.

Guihai Yidao held the demonic sword tightly, his eyes closed, completely oblivious to everything around him.

"Intelligence...Root?!"

The Wood Taoist was more concerned with what the masked man was saying.

Having been a member of this organization for more than half a year, what impressed him most was not the organization's various magical methods, but its terrifying intelligence capabilities.

The upheaval of the Giant Whale Gang.

The untold story behind the scenes at the Forbidden City.

An opportunity for the Prince of Nanping's mansion.

The organization demonstrated its immense influence in events such as the campaign against the demon by the eighteen heroes and the siege of Bright Peak by the six major sects.

Under this influence lies a seemingly insignificant but actually ubiquitous and even more terrifying intelligence capability!

But looking at myself, my colleagues, and even everyone I've seen in the organization, none of their duties involve intelligence.

All the information seemed to be obtained through that small Heavenly Secret Card!
You should know that he had even met one of the researchers involved in the organization's true secrets, namely the Huangliang Dan that could restore youth.

We didn't see a single intelligence agent!
This demonstrates the importance this organization places on intelligence.

It's the same today.

At this general meeting where all the official members gathered, everyone revealed their faces... whether they were real or not.

But this intelligence officer was the only one who put on a mask.

The meaning behind his words is quite intriguing.

He was worried because there were moles among the members recruited from outside... Does that mean that the masked man wasn't recruited from outside, but rather an existing member of the organization?

Despite thinking this, Mu Daoren did not go over to greet the other party.

Not only him, but everyone else in the room was the same.

After all, given what the other party just said, approaching them now would inevitably raise suspicions of being an "undercover agent" or "deliberately gathering intelligence."

Then, one figure after another emerged from the golden gate.

Some people are dressed in fine clothes, exuding an air of nobility, but their style of dress is quite different from that of the locals.

Someone in the crowd recognized that this was the clothing style of the Qin state.

Some people, dressed in tiger skins and fur coats, took off their heavy clothing after coming out, feeling very uncomfortable.

Some had long beards and blue eyes, dressed in light clothing, clearly from the Western Regions.

Similarly, there were also 'Root' intelligence agents dressed in black and wearing masks, completely concealing their identities.

These people weren't standing together; they were scattered here and there, quite out of place.

one after another.

There were already hundreds of people standing in the entire training ground!
It should be noted that everyone who is able to come here right now is a formal member of the organization.

According to Mu Daoren's understanding, the standard for a formal member is either to lead a force or to hold a very important position in a large force.

According to this standard, the hundreds of people in the martial arts arena represent hundreds of forces.

Moreover, none of them are ordinary forces!

The wooden Taoist couldn't help but think of a legend in the martial arts world... the Azure Dragon Society!

Legend has it that the Azure Dragon Society existed in the world even before the martial arts world existed.

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes.

Wherever there is a martial arts world, there is the Green Dragon Society!

This legend sounds very sensational, but Mu Daoren knows that it is not entirely false; there is some truth to it.

Although the Azure Dragon Society is not as powerful as rumored, it is indeed one of the top forces in the world in terms of influence.

The "world" mentioned here refers not only to the Ming Dynasty.

It's the entire land of Kyushu and the four seas!

But the organization's power is probably no less than that of the Azure Dragon Society, which led Mu Daoren to suddenly have a thought... Is it possible that the organization is the legendary Azure Dragon Society?

Just then, five more figures emerged from the golden light gate.

As these five people appeared, the shimmering golden light gate vanished instantly.

Everyone immediately realized that these five people were high-ranking members of the organization.

When Mu Daoren looked at them, he was surprised to find that he knew three of the five people.

One person wearing golden armor is Jinjiu.

One of them was a little girl of only eight or nine years old, expressionless, naturally drinking sherry.

A man dressed in rich clothes, with a youthful appearance, holding a crimson divine sword, was none other than Pei Ju's adopted son, Zhou Ming!
He wasn't the only one in the room who recognized Zhou Ming.

Everyone was quite surprised to see him.

But in such situations, one naturally wouldn't speak casually.

The last two were complete strangers to everyone.

A man dressed in a white Confucian robe looked like a scholar. He had a kind face and a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, as if he was always smiling.

He held a folding fan in his hand; it was made of black sandalwood and adorned with a purple jade pendant.

It complements his personal temperament perfectly.

The word "gentleman" seems to be fully embodied in this person.

The other person, a stout man, held a crystal-clear sword in his hand. He casually surveyed the scene, but his eyes flashed with a sharpness that made people afraid to look directly at him.

Mu Daoren exchanged a glance, as if he saw a sharp sword thrusting straight at him. Even with his current cultivation level, he felt a deadly threat.

Fortunately, that gaze passed by in a flash.

"This guy is... a Grandmaster at the second level!"

As someone who had actually fought Zhang Sanfeng, Mu Daoren instantly recognized the man's terrifying strength.

I was horrified.

The organization's strength is truly unfathomable; its depths can never be fully fathomed.

Despite the vastness of the land, Grandmaster-level experts are still extremely rare.

And most of these very few are at the first level of Grandmaster cultivation.

I've only heard of a few people in Zhongzhou who have reached the second realm.

The Qin state, with its long history, should naturally have one as well.

However, in the eastern part of Kyushu, due to the constant wars over the years, it was only after the establishment of the Ming and Song dynasties that there was a period of relative peace for more than a hundred years. Compared with the central and western regions, martial arts naturally declined.

Therefore, after Zhang Sanfeng demonstrated his ability to easily suppress Mu Daoren, many people believed that he had reached the legendary realm of heaven and man.

In reality, he was only at the second level of the Grandmaster realm. However, in the eastern region, there are countless people who have never even seen a Grandmaster make a move, let alone a Grandmaster at the second level.

This is why such a misjudgment occurred.

The fat swordsman's intimidating gaze was directed not only at Mu Daoren, but at everyone present.

Faced with his Grandmaster Level 2 strength, the crowd, already shocked by the organization's powerful abilities, became even more obedient.

"The construction here is quite good."

The scholar chuckled, "However, as a place where we first met, it's rather shabby. Jinjiu!"

"clear."

Gin snapped his fingers.

In an instant, a golden light spread out, bright but not dazzling.

Under this golden light, the blue bricks paving the ground transformed into smooth, black tiles with unique patterns, and the surrounding walls quickly turned white, with vermilion pillars standing tall.

In the blink of an eye, it transformed from an ordinary martial arts arena into a magnificent palace with carved beams and painted rafters.

Several rows of long tables suddenly appeared out of nowhere, covered with brocade tablecloths, and various delicacies were spread out on the tables.

At first glance, it looks like a grand banquet being held by some dynasty.

"Please make yourself at home, everyone."

Jin Jiu said, "Although it is an illusion, there is nothing wrong with it. Most importantly, you can eat and drink as much as you want without getting full or drunk, and the taste will not be compromised in the slightest."

"Thank you Lord Gin!"

Someone quickly clasped their hands in a fist salute, immediately took a seat, grabbed a roast chicken from the table, twisted off the chicken leg, and stuffed it into their mouth.

Her eyes widened immediately: "Delicious! So delicious!"

His exaggerated behavior made it hard to tell whether he genuinely thought it was delicious or was simply trying to flatter the gin.

However, under his leadership, everyone clasped their hands in thanks and then took their seats.

Some people were drinking alcohol, while others were picking up food.

But whether it's fine wine or delicious food, their taste never disappoints them.

"Is this an illusion?"

The wooden Taoist reached out and tapped the table. The feel of the solid wood and the smoothness of the embroidered tablecloth on it told him that it was all real.

However, he witnessed firsthand how this place transformed from a training ground into a palace in the blink of an eye.

These rows of tables and the food on them all appeared out of thin air.

"Is there really such a thing as illusion magic, capable of achieving this level of skill?"

Mu Daoren was shocked: "Jin Jiu... this guy, I seem to have never really figured him out! With such strength, he's probably not an ordinary cadre in the organization!"

In fact, this is certainly not an illusion.

It's a projection!

As for Jin Jiu's identity, he was indeed an organization cadre before this, but after this, it's not necessarily the case.

Zhou Ming has decided to elevate the status of this pseudonym within the organization.

"Gin, Chōraku shochu, come here."

Jin Jiu gestured for the two to sit at the head of the table, while Zhou Ming and Shirley Jiu had somehow slipped away to the lower level.

"Everyone!"

The scholar spoke: "Although you have been brought into the organization and done a lot for it, many people are still confused about the organization's origins. The reason I have gathered you all here today is to clear up your doubts."

Please take your time eating, and let me explain slowly.

But naturally, no one would be foolish enough to continue eating at a time like this.

“Gin, you all should know him. I am called ‘Aizen’, and the man next to me is named ‘Kengetsu’.”

Aizen said, "We come from an ancient power, so ancient that it can be traced back to the ancient era of gods and demons."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

Ancient times?

An era of gods and demons?

For people all over the world, these are things like myths and legends.

However, some argue that their history can be traced back to that era…

If it were anyone else, they would probably be kicked out as a scammer in an instant.

But now, it is a high-ranking figure from this mysterious and massive organization who is speaking.

It makes people believe it to some extent from the start.

Aizen continued, "All forces in the world will become stubborn, corrupt, and stagnant over time!"
We are no exception, but fortunately, the youthful vigor has not been changed because of this.

Many years ago, a group of young people secretly accumulated power and gradually gained control of the discourse within the organization, suppressing the stubborn conservatives.

We can call them... the new generation.

Unlike the conservatives who are stuck in their ways, content to stay within their own little world and arrogantly look down on everyone else, the new generation is more willing to use this power passed down from ancient times to explore other places.

The Wood Taoist listened, pondering to himself.

In short, it's about an old and conservative force that has a group of ambitious young people who are unwilling to stick to the old ways, and who then start to expand outwards by relying on their own power.

No wonder that gin company is recruiting everywhere.

The good news is that he must have joined relatively early, and because of his Grandmaster level of strength, he could become a high-ranking member of the organization.

The bad news is that there are still conservatives within this ancient power.

Having been recruited by the new generation, he naturally found himself on the opposite side of the conservatives.

but……

This might not be bad news!

As the saying goes, "One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand," and "Great generals are always made in times of chaos."

For a general, war is the only good opportunity to make merits. If there is peace for all time, even if he is exceptionally talented, he will probably have to work his way up step by step.

He is now a general.

He longed for war more than peace!
Therefore, the current situation of the organization cannot be considered entirely bad news for him.

Where there is opposition, there is conflict.

Conflict presents an opportunity to make a contribution!
Once you've made a contribution, a reward will naturally follow!

"A power that has existed since ancient times must possess a way to break through to the second or even third Grandmaster realm..."

Successfully break through to the Grandmaster level and enjoy a lifespan of three hundred years!
Therefore, the Yellow Millet Pill, which promises rejuvenation, held little appeal for the Wood Taoist.

However, the humiliation of being crushed and defeated by Zhang Sanfeng at the foot of Wudang Mountain remained in his heart.

Even now, as a Grandmaster-level expert, he can only control the Giant Whale Gang in secret.

Because the Giant Whale Gang rose to prominence so quickly, they even had to find an invisible person's alias to conceal themselves.

And all of this is because of Zhang Sanfeng!
If it weren't for Zhang Sanfeng, why would he need to hide?
As a grandmaster, wouldn't it be better to openly build your own power, suppress the world, and make even the emperor bow down to you?
Therefore, whether it was to avenge his previous humiliation or to appear in front of others openly and honestly, defeating Zhang Sanfeng was something he had to do.

To defeat your opponent, you must at least have the same level of cultivation as them.

Therefore, breaking through to the second level of the Grandmaster realm has become Mu Daoren's greatest pursuit!

(End of this chapter)