Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 312 Night Search for Tianxue, Cooperation Achieved

That night, a figure quietly entered the Imperial Sword Manor and arrived at Yin Tianxue's residence.

After silently entering, he revealed a sharp edge in his palm and slowly approached the sleeping Yin Tianxue, step by step.

Just as the figure arrived at the bedside and raised the sharp blade in his hand, Yin Tianxue, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes and struck out with her palm.

The figure reacted extremely quickly, as if it had been prepared, and immediately dodged and retreated.

Yin Tianxue wasn't about to let her escape. She immediately got up and gave chase, her figure flashing like a ghost. In an instant, she arrived behind the figure and struck out with the speed of the wind.

Such speed was unexpected by the figure, who was struck by a palm and fell to the ground.

"What superb lightness skill! No wonder you were able to deliver that letter to the Three Flowers Pavilion without anyone noticing!"

"Ok?"

Yin Tianxue was taken aback. She lit the lamp and looked at the figure again. It was Zhao Yun, the leader of the three sisters of Sanhuafang.

"It's you!"

Zhao Yun stood up: "That's right, it's me. I never expected that the one who hired us to steal the Blood Ruyi, a treasure passed down through generations, from Yujian Manor, would actually be you, the young lady of Yujian Manor!"

Yin Tianxue sneered: "You haven't completed my request, yet you dare to come looking for me?"

Zhao Yun's eyes flickered: "So, you admit it?"

Yin Tianxue said confidently, "So what if I admit it? Do you think you can use this to threaten me?"

Zhao Yun said, "That's not the case. Someone wants to cooperate with Miss, but the prerequisite is to confirm whether Miss is the one who issued the commission. This cooperation is related to the Blood Jade, and only after confirming this can we continue the discussion."

"It's related to the Blood Ruyi..."

Yin Tianxue's eyes flickered slightly: "Who wants to cooperate with me?"

"He's right outside the door. Why don't we let him talk to you in person?"

Yin Tianxue chuckled and said, "Since we're already outside the door, wouldn't it be a waste of their sincerity if I refused?"

Although she is young, she claims to have gone mad and lost all her martial arts skills, but in reality, her strange illness does not affect her growth in strength.

It's clear from his fight with Zhao Yun that, despite his illness, his strength is far superior to Zhao Yun's.

With such strength, she is also the eldest daughter of the Imperial Sword Manor. Her status in the ancient Shu Kingdom is no less noble than that of a royal princess. She has been living a life of luxury since childhood, with countless people serving her.

Growing up like this naturally instills a sense of pride in one's heart.

The reason he could so readily admit his identity was due to his arrogance; he didn't care about Zhao Yun at all, nor did he bother to hide it.

At this moment, they naturally have no fear of that unknown collaborator.

Moreover, this place is the Imperial Sword Manor, and the Iron Guards patrol the area at all times. If anything unexpected happens, as long as one shouts, the Iron Guards will surely rush to the rescue.

What are you afraid of?
Zhao Yun, however, disapproved of her arrogance and said, "Miss, is this how you dress to meet outsiders?"

Yin Tianxue was stunned for a moment, then realized that she was only wearing a thin nightgown, and her cheeks immediately turned red.

A young lady like her would naturally not reside in a small room, but in a small building, which would also include a reception room.

After changing her clothes, Yin Tianxue met Tong Bo in the reception room.

There's no need to worry about being discovered by the patrolling guards, as the small building is situated in a courtyard and is surrounded by walls.

Even if the patrolling guards discovered that the young lady's attic was lit with candlelight in the middle of the night, they dared not say a word.

Who are you? What kind of cooperation do you want to discuss with me?

"My name is Tong Bo. As for cooperation... please take a look at this first, Miss."

Tong Bo took out an ancient book, the very book that Zhao Yun had used to record the story of the two Blood Ruyi when he was investigating them.

Although the items are well-preserved and date back several hundred years, the scrolls are also quite old and worn.

Yin Tianxue examined the book carefully, afraid that she might accidentally shatter it into pieces in her hands.

After reading the information, her expression was uncertain.

"Two Blood Ruyi Scepters?!"

She, as the eldest daughter of the Imperial Sword Manor, was unaware of this information.

And it's not just that.

This book is a travelogue. The original author was a martial arts master who enjoyed traveling around the world and recording his experiences.

In his later years, he came to the ancient Shu Kingdom to live temporarily, and became friends with the Imperial Sword Manor. He once witnessed two Blood Ruyi healing a seriously injured and dying person.

This shows that at that time, the matter of the two Blood Ruyi Scepters was not a top secret at all. Although it was not to the point that everyone could take a look, the relationship with the Imperial Sword Manor was good enough that the Imperial Sword Manor would not deliberately hide it.

The story of bringing the dead back to life and restoring flesh to bones is not just a legend.

"But why is it like this now..." Yin Tianxue murmured to herself.

In order to investigate the matter of the Blood Ruyi, she searched for a lot of information, including an ancient book from three hundred years ago, but she did not find any information about two Blood Ruyi.

This proves that, at least three hundred years ago, in the general public's understanding, there was only one Blood Jade Scepter left...

As for the Blood Ruyi healing technique, it has become nothing more than a legend.

This matter is either something that the Imperial Sword Manor deliberately concealed.

Or... one of the Blood Jade Scepters really is missing!
Yin Tianxue put down the ancient book and said, "You want to cooperate with me because you want to find that Blood Ruyi?"

"No!"

Tong Bo shook his head: "I want to ask Miss to cooperate with me to deal with someone."

"Who?"

"Yin Zhong!"

"Humph!"

Yin Tianxue had actually anticipated this, after all, she had noticed Yin Zhong's abnormality long ago, and the Blood Ruyi was indeed stolen on the day of the succession ceremony.

This matter was not spread outside, but Yin Tianxue naturally knew about it.

However, because Yin Zhong quickly took out the Blood Ruyi and completed the succession ceremony, and because Yin Hao later used the secret technique inherited from the Imperial Sword Manor, it was confirmed that the Blood Ruyi was genuine.

Therefore, everyone assumed that Yin Zhong had managed to snatch the Blood Ruyi from the thieves in a short period of time.

Therefore, not many people care about this matter.

Even Yin Tianxue thought so.

After all, she knew that there were three sisters in Sanhuafang, but DouDou had disappeared for several days.

During those few days, she really believed that Dou Dou had been killed by Yin Zhong.

But DouDou's reappearance later changed her mind.

The whole thing was basically handled by Yin Zhong alone.

Therefore, she was not surprised by Tong Bo's answer.

He still snorted coldly and said, "You want to cooperate with me, but you want to go against my second uncle? Are you kidding me?"

Tong Bo said, "How could I joke with you, Miss? Yin Zhong's true identity is not simple, and he is not your second uncle!"

Yin Tianxue's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? So, you know his true identity?"

For many years, she has been investigating Yin Zhong's background.

I never expected this intelligence to come to me like this.

Tong Bo said, "Yin Zhong's true identity is incredibly astonishing. Please do not question what I am about to say, Miss..."

Then he briefly explained the matter.

However, due to the seclusion principle of Shuiyue Cave, he did not reveal the true information about the Tong clan, but rather withheld it slightly. Yin Tianxue listened carefully, her expression growing increasingly grim, and shock gradually revealed in her eyes.

"So, Yin Zhong is actually a severely injured Celestial Realm expert?"

"You can understand it that way, Miss."

"My real second uncle was abducted by him when I was a child, and I don't know what happened to him now?"

"Yes."

Yin Tianxue fell silent.

She never imagined that Yin Zhong's true identity would be so astonishing.

As for the possibility that the other party lied to her... it's not very likely.

On the one hand, this claim is too outlandish and would be hard to believe under normal circumstances, making it less likely to be false.

In addition, there was the strange illness she developed from secretly learning Yin Zhong's martial arts.

It should be noted that the excuse of "going into a demonic state" was just that—an excuse. She had consulted many people about her strange illness, including many medical masters, but none of them could find the cause of her illness, let alone cure her.

The sheer horror of this strange illness, in turn, serves as proof of the extraordinary and powerful nature of Yin Zhong's martial arts.

The realm of "celestial being" might be a bit too high.

But there must be some Grandmasters.

"I'll take your explanation as true for now, but what does that have to do with the Blood Jade Bracelet?"

“Miss Yin, that Blood Ruyi was indeed stolen, and I can confirm that it was genuine. However, in a very short time, Yin Zhong produced a second one… I don’t believe that he prepared a fake Blood Ruyi beforehand. That one should also be genuine, the very one that the Imperial Sword Manor has lost for hundreds of years.”

It had always been in Yin Zhong's possession; it was only because of this crisis that Yin Zhong suddenly took it out.

After thinking for a moment, Yin Tianxue revealed some information: "The Imperial Sword Manor also has a secret technique inheritance, so it can be confirmed that the Blood Ruyi is real."

Tong Bo nodded: "In that case, it further proves that the second Blood Ruyi has always been in Yin Zhong's hands."

Although I don't know what he intends to do with this Blood Jade Scepter, he is my enemy, and I must stop all his plans. That's why I want to cooperate with the young lady to take that Blood Jade Scepter.

Besides that, there's another selfish reason: I also need to use this Blood Ruyi at least once.

Yin Tianxue frowned and began to think.

There was no reply for a long time.

Tong Bo waited patiently.

Zhao Yun gradually grew impatient and suddenly said, "What are you still hesitating for, Miss? If this succeeds, Yujian Manor will once again possess two Blood Ruyi, which can not only cure your strange illness, but also prevent your mother's situation from happening again!"

Yin Tianxue raised an eyebrow.

These words may not be pleasant to hear, but they are certainly provocative.

Yin Tianxue received too much information in a short period of time and was not able to process it all.

Reminded by her, he suddenly remembered that his father had watched his mother die and later watched him suffer from strange illnesses due to qi deviation, yet he was unwilling to take out the Blood Ruyi. This was probably not because of ancestral rules, but more because a single Blood Ruyi had no curative effect.

She is now suffering from a strange illness, which can be said to be self-inflicted.

But the death of his mother back then could be entirely blamed on Yin Zhong!
"Okay, I can cooperate with you!"

Yin Tianxue gritted her teeth and said.

Tong Bo's face lit up with joy, and he then solemnly said, "Let's make a vow with a high five, and we can't break our promise!"

"nature!"

The two raised their hands and struck each other three times.

Yin Tianxue said, "The blood-red ruyi that Yin Zhong took out was given to my father after the succession ceremony and hidden in a top-secret place."

Zhao Yun said, "If Yin Zhong has any use for that Blood Ruyi, I'm afraid it won't be long before he steals it too."

Yin Tianxue thought so too.

If Yin Zhong were a Celestial Realm expert who had been severely injured, he would probably live for many more years. After his father died of old age, he would definitely be able to obtain the Blood Ruyi.

It's even quite possible that we won't have to wait until then.

Because the current owner of the manor is Yin Tianqi.

This foolish older brother, even after becoming the head of the manor, still hasn't realized how immense the power Yin Zhong wields, and continues to trust him completely.

Moreover, as the new head of the manor, Yin Hao entrusted many matters to Yin Tianqi.

The result was... well, it was unbearable to look at.

Yin Tianxue was almost certain that if Yin Zhongruo wanted to seize power, he wouldn't even need to use any tricks; Yin Tianqi would simply make a foolish mistake and hand over his prestige and power to someone else.

"I have an idea."

Yin Tianxue said, "I can leave with you, pretending to be kidnapped, and then send a letter to Yujian Manor, asking them to exchange the Blood Ruyi. Perhaps this will make them hand over the Blood Ruyi willingly."

Otherwise, it would be completely impossible for us to find the Blood Jade on our own.

“This plan…” Tong Bo hesitated.

Yin Tianxue frowned: "What? You think it won't work?"

“No,” Tong Bo shook his head, “Since Miss Yin is willing, I naturally will not refuse.”

Yin Tianxue then nodded.

In fact, this plan was not something she came up with on a whim, but rather something she had planned long ago.

Previously, she had been commissioned to steal the Blood Ruyi, but the Blood Ruyi was ultimately the heirloom of the Imperial Sword Manor and an ancestral item necessary for the succession ceremony.

Yin Tianxue wouldn't stoop so low as to hide her family's heirloom.

In her mind, once she received treatment, she would still have to find a way to return the Blood Ruyi to the Imperial Sword Manor.

Therefore, she came up with this plan: to stage a kidnapping, pretend that she had been kidnapped, and then return the Blood Ruyi after she had recovered.

But all of this is contingent on her obtaining the Blood Ruyi and healing herself.

Clearly, this premise was not met, and therefore the plan did not take place.

In this way, it came in handy.

"Ms. Yin, when do you think would be a good time to start implementing this plan?"

"The sooner the better. However, today is far too early. How about tomorrow afternoon, when I leave Yujian Manor and cooperate with you in this charade?"

"Naturally."

Tong Bo nodded and said, "Miss Yin, do you know that there is a hidden place beneath the Imperial Sword Manor?"

"You actually knew?!" Yin Tianxue exclaimed in surprise.

Tong Bo was also taken aback when he heard this: "You actually knew?"

Yin Tianxue nodded: "I stumbled upon that place by accident."

Tong Bo hurriedly asked, "What's the situation inside?"

Yin Tianxue said, "Although that place is underground, it is very well constructed and has a vast area with different rooms, like an underground city. At the very core is a mercury pool... However, this underground city is protected by a strange blood python, whose strength is formidable and no less than that of a grandmaster!"

Tong Bo said, "To be honest, I have a younger brother who was captured by Yin Zhong and might be hiding there. So, I want to go in and investigate."

Yin Tianxue frowned: "There is a blood python guarding that place for a long time, and Yin Zhong also goes there from time to time. I'm afraid it won't be easy for you to investigate."

"Thanks for the reminder, but my brother is likely locked up there, so I have to go."

Tong Bo said firmly.

(End of this chapter)