Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 570 Another Great Merit
Hualong Island.

Supervisory Hall.

Liang Jin's knuckles tapped against the rosewood table, producing a dull sound.

Xie Wuwei knelt on the ground, his collar soaked with cold sweat from the back of his neck.

He dared not look up, but he could feel Liang Jin's gaze like a knife, scraping his scalp inch by inch.

"what?!"

After listening to Xie Wuwei's report, Liang Jin's face darkened:
"Li Xueqing is still alive? And there's a mysterious expert behind her?"

"Have you found out any information about that mysterious expert?"

Liang Jin originally thought that sending Xie Wuwei with the War Puppet Huangxingzi to deal with Li Xueqing was a sure thing.

As long as Li Xueqing dies, and the cause of her death is blamed on the imperial court, no one will suspect Liang Jin.

Unexpectedly, a mysterious expert appeared and rescued Li Xueqing at the crucial moment.

This unexpected appearance of a master completely disrupted Liang Jin's plans.

Xie Wuwei was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt on the ground:

"Senior brother, it's my fault that I deserve to die!"

"I have failed in my duties, please punish me, senior brother!"

"But please, senior brother, don't abandon me. I... I'm still useful!"

"My subordinates have brought back these 'Defense Maps of the Five Southeastern Provinces' in their entirety. They might be of great use to you, Senior Brother!"

As he spoke, Xie Wuwei hurriedly opened the box next to him.

It was filled with all sorts of blueprints and documents.

Xie Wuwei knew that if Li Xueqing successfully returned to Hualong Island alive, she might not be able to do anything to Liang Jin for the time being, but she would definitely kill him first.

Liang Jin was well aware of Xie Wuwei's thoughts, and he said calmly:

"Don't be nervous. Since you're one of my people, I'll naturally protect you."

"Since a master has intervened this time, it is indeed beyond your ability to resolve."

There is only one situation where even the War Puppet Desolate Child could not keep a martial artist, and that is a second-grade martial artist!
If it were a first-grade martial artist, then the War Puppet Huang Xingzi would probably have already been destroyed.

Although Liang Jin's battle puppets can now directly confront second-rank martial artists, if a second-rank martial artist is determined to escape, a single battle puppet will find it difficult to stop them.

Back then, Liang Jin's clone in the Green Robe Tower made Zhan Kui leave behind an injured Bei Huan, yet Bei Huan still managed to escape easily.

Upon hearing this, Xie Wuwei hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude:

"Thank you, senior brother!"

"From now on, I will obey your every command, Senior Brother, and I will be eternally grateful to you!"

A murderous intent flickered in Liang Jin's eyes:

"Since there are experts here, I will personally take action this time!"

"I want to see just how powerful this mysterious expert is!"

"We must not let Li Xueqing come back alive!"

Since we've already taken drastic measures against someone, we must eliminate them completely to prevent future troubles.

The worst thing you can do is to kill someone without being decisive, giving the other party a chance to retaliate.

Liang Jin personally went to resolve this matter. With himself and two battle puppets, even the most powerful second-rank martial artist would be defeated.

"Let me find out where she's hiding first."

Liang Jin immediately asked the main body to help use [Thousand Mile Tracking] to investigate Li Xueqing's hiding place.

No matter where Li Xueqing hides or how well she hides, she will have nowhere to hide under the 【Thousand-Mile Tracking】.

But upon closer inspection, Liang Jin frowned:

"Run that far?"

"It seems she already guessed I would hunt her down. Is this woman really that wary?"

The map in the "Thousand Mile Tracking" app shows that Li Xueqing has already left the Dongzhou territory and is heading northwest.

This is more troublesome.

If Li Xueqing is still hiding in Dongzhou to heal her wounds, then Liang Jin can chase after her and kill her.

However, if she escapes Dongzhou and ventures deep into the heart of Daqian, it will take Liang Jin a great deal of time to hunt her down.

After all, Liang Jin is no longer alone; he is now attached to the behemoth that is the Transformation Dragon Gate, and he still has many things to do within the gate.

Yu Linglong needed him in many ways, which made it impossible for him to leave the sect for too long.

Liang Jin could only observe the map display of [Thousand-Mile Tracking] while pondering.

Ultimately, Liang Jin used the capital city as his anchor point.

If Li Xueqing goes south of the capital, the Taiping Dao clone can deal with her; if she goes west of the capital, the Qingyi Lou clone can deal with her; if she goes north of the capital, then the Yanshan Village clone can deal with her.

If Li Xueqing is too far from the capital, then Liang Jin can only let her live for the time being and look for another opportunity to reconsider.

"I refuse to believe she won't return to the Dragon Transformation Gate!"

A chill flashed in Liang Jin's eyes.

Li Xueqing is utterly loyal to the Hualong Sect, and she is destined to return to it.

As soon as Liang Jin discovers that she has returned to Dongzhou, it will be her death day!
After thinking it over, Liang Jin turned his gaze to the "Defense Map of the Five Southeastern States" in the box.

He took out a few drawings, looked at them for a while, and his face showed surprise and confusion.

Afterwards, Liang Jin took out some other drawings and looked at them for a while.

Finally, he turned to Xie Wuwei and asked:

"Are these deployment maps okay?"

Xie Wuwei assured:

"Don't worry, senior brother, there won't be any problem!"

“I obtained them personally from Liu Lixian, and just in case, I even tortured Liu Lixian to confirm that these blueprints were genuine!”

Liang Jin then threw all the blueprints back into the box.

He already had some plans in mind.

To gain a higher status and greater power within the Dragon Transformation Sect, one undoubtedly needs to do more and be responsible for more projects.

Once Liang Jin takes charge of more projects, he will be able to reap greater benefits from them.

"Take them with you to the main hall."

"It will come in handy at today's morning meeting."

Liang Jin ordered.

Immediately, Xie Wuwei arranged for people to carry the box containing the "Map of the Defense of the Five Southeast States" and follow Liang Jin toward the main hall.

The daily morning meeting of Hualongmen soon began.

in the hall.

Sect Master Yu Linglong sat high on the gilded throne in the center.

She wore a flowing white dress, her face was stunningly beautiful, and her temperament was as aloof as a fairy from the moon palace. However, when her deep eyes swept down, they carried an air of domineering majesty.

She possessed unparalleled elegance and a profound, oppressive aura.

"When there is something to do, we will start to act, but when there is nothing to do, we will retreat."

Yu Linglong's voice was clear and melodious, like jade striking jade, and it clearly resonated in every corner of the hall, carrying an indifference that left no room for argument.

Inside the main hall, all the elders and hall masters couldn't help but focus their gazes on Liang Jin.

They saw Liang Jin send someone to carry a large wooden box to the main hall.

It was obvious that Liang Jin had something to say.

really.

Liang Jin, with a calm expression, stepped forward from the crowd and bowed respectfully to the throne:

"Sect Master, I have good news and bad news."

Yu Linglong said impatiently:
"Stop keeping me in suspense, let me tell you the bad news first."

Liang Jin raised his head to meet Yu Linglong's gaze, his tone carrying just the right amount of seriousness:
"Disciple has received intelligence that Elder Li Xueqing of the Hualong Sect was attacked by government officials while she was keeping vigil for the Tan family in Dongzhou City."

"Those involved in the attack included the commander of the Six Doors of Dongzhou and many constables, as well as the garrison troops, and the military expert, Silver Wing Marquis Shi Danqin."

Upon hearing this, a suppressed gasp filled the hall!
They all knew that Li Xueqing had gone to Dongzhou City because of the Tan family's affairs, but they didn't expect that she would still cause trouble.

Yu Linglong sat upright on her throne, her expression remaining largely unchanged upon hearing the words, though a faint glint of sharpness flashed in the depths of her cool eyes.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice remaining calm, yet carrying absolute trust in Li Xueqing's abilities:
"Elder Li's poison skills are almost profound."

"Within the territory of Dongzhou, no one can match him. That Silver Wing Marquis Shi Danqin is nothing but a brute, no match for Elder Li."

She had a very high opinion of Li Xueqing's strength; below the second rank, she was rarely matched—except, of course, Liang Jin, who was an exception.

As for the government's attack?
The Great Qian Dynasty was an enemy of the Hualongmen, and the government officials dared to attack Li Xueqing. Their deaths would be in vain.

Liang Jin continued:

"The sect leader is right. These people were all defeated by Elder Li, and he even almost killed Silver Wing Marquis Shi Danqin."

"But then an unknown expert from the government appeared. He not only saved Shi Danqin, but also seriously injured Elder Li."

Upon hearing this, the elders' expressions all changed.

Yu Linglong finally couldn't help but stand up:
"what?"

"Are there such experts in Dongzhou?"

Immediately, Yu Linglong was about to ask for details.

Liang Jin continued:
"But then, another mysterious expert appeared."

"That mysterious expert repelled all the government's martial artists and rescued Elder Li. His whereabouts are unknown."

"I have instructed the disciples of each hall, as well as the spies in various places, to track down Elder Li's whereabouts and to bring him back safely."

After listening, Yu Linglong slowly sat back on her throne, but her hands, which were gripping the armrests tightly and whose knuckles were slightly white, betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

Li Xueqing is seriously injured and missing!
Life and death are unknown!

The news struck her like a heavy hammer.

Although she had disagreements with Li Xueqing on matters within the sect, Li Xueqing was an indispensable top combat force for her Hualong Sect, and also an old friend she had known for many years.

She absolutely did not want to see anything happen to Li Xueqing.

"This matter..."

Yu Linglong's voice was like an ice bead falling to the ground, carrying a power that pierced the heart:

Is it true? What are the details?

"Xiong Ba, do you have any evidence to corroborate your intelligence?"

When she looked at Liang Jin, her gaze was undeniably sharp.

Yu Linglong knew very well that the person who wanted Li Xueqing dead the most right now was none other than Liang Jin.

So when Li Xueqing went to handle the Tan family's funeral arrangements, Yu Linglong ordered Liang Jin not to leave the island during this period. She originally thought that by keeping Liang Jin there, Li Xueqing would be safe, but unexpectedly, trouble still occurred.

This made Yu Linglong wonder if this matter was related to Liang Jin.

Liang Jin replied:

"It was Xie Wuwei, a candidate deacon in the Disciple's Supervisory Hall, who witnessed it with his own eyes!"

"He is currently outside the palace and can be questioned by the sect leader at any time."

Without hesitation, Yu Linglong's clear, cold voice resounded throughout the hall:
"I thank you without hesitation!"

Soon, Xie Wuwei was brought before Yu Linglong.

Yu Linglong immediately inquired about what Xie Wuwei had seen at the time.

Xie Wuwei remained calm and composed, having already discussed countermeasures with Liang Jin.

Immediately, Xie Wuwei recounted the battle situation he had witnessed.

He told the truth in most battles.

When it came to the situation of the War Puppet Huang Xingzi, he spoke vaguely, only saying that the impact was so great that he couldn't see it very clearly.

Yu Linglong listened intently, her delicate brows furrowing more and more tightly.

After Xie Wuwei finished speaking, she remained silent for a moment, then turned her gaze back to Liang Jin, her eyes filled with deep inquiry:
"Xiongba, that masked, sword-wielding government expert... Your spies are all over the world, have you found out his identity and background?"

Liang Jin was prepared and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Reporting to the sect leader, after receiving the intelligence, I immediately used all the files and intelligence to compare and investigate. There are indeed not many masters in the imperial court who habitually wear metal masks, do not show their true faces, and are burly and powerful in their moves."

He paused briefly, his tone becoming more resolute:

"After careful selection, I believe the most likely candidate is Zhen Lei, the leader of the Four Great Constables of the Six Doors!"

“Zhen Lei is a mysterious figure who always wears a special masked armor and is extremely tall! His style of doing things is exactly the same as the characteristics of the government expert described by Xie Wuwei!”

"If it weren't for this person, I really wouldn't be able to find a more suitable target for the time being."

After directing the criticism towards Zhen Lei, Liang Jin subtly shifted his tone, his gaze shifting to Yu Linglong with a perfectly balanced mix of curiosity and worry:
"Compared to that masked expert, I am more concerned about the mysterious person who ultimately rescued Elder Li."

"The person who could appear at such a critical moment and precisely save Elder Li, could it be some reclusive senior from our sect? Or... someone with a very deep connection to Elder Li?"

He raised this question not only to test Yu Linglong's reaction, but also to take the opportunity to find out the details of that mysterious expert!

Liang Jin once suspected that Yu Linglong had rescued Li Xueqing.

However, Yu Linglong was on Hualong Island at the time and could not spare the time to rescue her.

The other elders on the island also lacked the strength to easily defeat the war puppet Huang Xingzi.

This really piqued Liang Jin's curiosity.

He needed to find out exactly what kind of helpers Li Xueqing had around her.

A second-rank expert capable of repelling a battle puppet is a huge variable that must be understood!

Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were lost in some kind of memory.

Her pale fingers unconsciously caressed the armrest of the throne, her voice carrying a hint of ethereal uncertainty:
“I have someone in mind… If we’re talking about who is most likely and capable of rescuing Elder Li in that situation, it has to be her.”

"But……"

She gently shook her head, a hint of confusion and sadness appearing on her exquisite face:

“That person… according to common sense, should have been dead long ago…”

Her words came to an abrupt halt, clearly indicating that she was also unsure of her own conjecture.

Upon hearing Yu Linglong's words, several highly senior elders in the main hall exchanged meaningful glances.

They all clearly guessed who Yu Linglong was referring to, and their faces showed a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

Yu Linglong no longer dwelled on this matter; her gaze, like an icicle, once again pierced Xie Wuwei, who was kneeling before her.
"Xie Wuwei, you are neither Elder Li's follower nor were you sent to Dongzhou City to deal with the Tan family's affairs."

Why are you there?

This is the key point! His motive for being at the crime scene!
Xie Wuwei's heart pounded, but the lines he had prepared were already memorized.

He immediately bowed down and answered seriously:

"Reporting to the sect leader, this disciple was ordered by Senior Brother Xiong Ba to seize the 'Southeast Five Provinces Defense Map'."

"After completing the mission, the disciple should have immediately returned to Hualong Island to report back."

"However, at this very moment, an extremely strange message came from the spies I had planted in Dongzhou City!"

Xie Wuwei's voice carried a hint of lingering fear and surprise:

"They say that someone in the city looks almost exactly like me! I'm horrified and suspect that someone is using advanced disguise techniques to impersonate me and plot something sinister!"

"This matter is of utmost importance, and I dared not neglect it. That is why I changed my plans at the last minute and risked sneaking into Dongzhou City to investigate. And it was precisely because of this... that I happened to witness the shocking attack on Elder Li!"

"Every word I have said is true, without the slightest falsehood! Please, Sect Master, investigate thoroughly!"

Yu Linglong's gaze was sharp as a knife, scanning Xie Wuwei's face back and forth, trying to find any flaw.

A moment later, her gaze turned to Liang Jin, carrying a silent question.

Liang Jin pointed to the large box next to him and explained:
“I have received intelligence from a spy that Liu Yu, the Prince of Zhongshan, a non-royal prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, has been executed along with his entire family by the court. His heir, Liu Lixian, has managed to escape, and he is attempting to defect from the Great Qian Dynasty with the ‘Map of the Defense of the Five Southeast Prefectures’.”

"I believe that this 'Map of the Defense of the Five Southeast States' is of great significance to our sect, which is why I specifically ordered Xie Wuwei to go and seize it."

"And as I expected, there were indeed important clues in this 'Map of the Defense Deployment of the Five Southeastern States'."

"The sect leader will know at a glance."

Seeing that she couldn't get any more clues out of Xie Wuwei for the time being, and that Liang Jin was confidently emphasizing the value of the defense map, Yu Linglong temporarily suppressed her doubts, waved her hand, and signaled the enforcement disciples to take Xie Wuwei away.

After Xie Wuwei left the main hall, the oppressive atmosphere eased slightly.

All eyes were focused on the wooden box.

Yu Linglong nodded slightly.

Immediately, a disciple stepped forward and carefully took out rolls of yellowed parchment drawings and documents from the box, which exuded the scent of old ink, and respectfully presented them to Yu Linglong.

Yu Linglong extended her slender fingers and casually unfolded one of the defense maps marked "Southern Border of Dongzhou".

Her gaze swept quickly over the dense markings of garrison troops, fortress locations, supply lines, and the strength of the passes... The level of detail was beyond what an ordinary spy could possibly discern!
However, as they looked, an increasingly deep sense of...doubt appeared on Yu Linglong's exquisitely beautiful face!
"Judging from this defense map... the defenses of the five southeastern states are surprisingly weak?"

"Is this set of defense maps genuine?"

She looked up at Liang Jin with an incredulous expression in her eyes.

Logically speaking, the five southeastern states are all prosperous lands, and their defense should be of paramount importance.

However, Yu Linglong was surprised to find from the "Defense Map of the Five Southeastern States" that the defenses of the five southeastern states had been reduced in recent years, especially after the Great Qian Dynasty went to war with the Black Dragon Dynasty, a large number of troops were transferred from the five southeastern states.

Currently, the defenses of the five southeastern states are only relatively strong along the coast, while their interiors are quite vulnerable.

Liang Jin's eyes were piercing:

"Sect Master, this disciple believes these defense maps to be credible!"

"The treasury of the Great Qian Dynasty has been empty for more than just one or two years. In recent years, even the Imperial Guards have been reduced, so you can imagine what the situation is like in other places."

"The five southeastern states have always been peaceful, with only pirates as a minor threat, so the reduction of garrison troops is inevitable."

"The greatest enemy of the Great Qian Dynasty is the Black Dragon Dynasty in the north, followed by the Sihali Kingdom on the other side of the Western Desert."

"Therefore, with the national treasury empty, the Great Qian will inevitably reduce its internal garrison forces and place its main military forces in the west and north."

"And this will also be our opportunity!"

After hearing this, Yu Linglong waved to the group of elders.

With permission, the elders immediately stepped forward to examine the "Map of the Defense Deployment of the Five Southeastern States".

With just a glance, the elders' breathing could be clearly heard—the locations of the garrison camps, granaries, and fortifications marked in thick ink on those yellowed blueprints were all secrets that Hualongmen had long coveted.

After they finished reading it, a look of astonishment appeared on their faces.

These elders all had some knowledge of the garrison situation in Dongzhou.

However, the information they possessed was obtained through their own investigations, which were biased, outdated, and limited, and certainly not as comprehensive and detailed as the information provided by the imperial court.

However, when they compared the intelligence they possessed with the "Map of Defense Deployment in the Five Southeastern States," they were surprised to find that they were basically consistent.

This is the best proof that the "Map of Defense Deployment in the Five Southeastern Provinces" is highly credible!
This delighted the elders, who began to discuss it animatedly:

"Here! Look at the sign at Qing Shi Pass! The garrison is less than three thousand? Three years ago, our men reported eight thousand elite troops!"

"That's not all! Look at the defenses along this river! The number of water fortresses has decreased by 40%! Most of the garrisons along the grain route have also been abolished or merged!"

"Eagle Beak Cliff! It really is Eagle Beak Cliff! The garrison camp, the outpost positions, the rotation time... everything is exactly as described! This is absolutely real!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Xiong Ba has performed an extraordinary feat this time!"

"Sect Leader! With this map in hand, the biggest obstacle to our sect's advance into the mainland has been removed! No matter how strong the coastal fortresses are, as long as we avoid their main force and launch surprise attacks on these poorly defended inland strongholds, Dongzhou will surely be ours in a month or three!"

"Not just Dongzhou! Using this map as a basis, we will contact those Jianghu forces and border towns who are also dissatisfied with the Great Qian Dynasty, offer them great benefits, and join us in this grand undertaking! The prestige and power of my Hualong Sect will surely soar to new heights!"

……

The elders' faces were filled with barely concealed excitement.

They were all extremely eager to maximize the role of the "Map of Defense Deployment in the Five Southeastern States" before the imperial court adjusted its deployment.

Even if the imperial court knew the blueprints had been stolen, did it really want to adjust this defense system that spanned five provinces and had been in operation for decades?
That's easier said than done!
The military deployment locations in the five states today have all been carefully selected, and some have even been tested in actual combat.

Especially in some naturally dangerous places, fortresses and passes have already been built on them, making it impossible to change them easily.

If adjustments are made suddenly, the barracks reconstruction, the relocation of supply lines, the change of control of strategic passes, and logistical support will all require a huge amount of manpower, financial resources, and material resources.

Most importantly, it takes a lot of time.

Now that Liang Jin has obtained this deployment map, it will undoubtedly bring the most important military intelligence to Hualongmen in the next few years.

So the elders were so excited that their faces turned red, they spat as they spoke, and their eyes gleamed with undisguised greed and fanaticism.

Their initial plan was only for Dongzhou.

Now they discover that the vast and prosperous five southeastern states may also be within their grasp.

Their gazes toward Liang Jin were filled with praise, admiration, and appreciation.

This is a huge achievement!

Yu Linglong, however, showed little interest in this.

Who would have thought that Liang Jin, even while on the island, could bring another important opportunity to the Hualongmen?

Yu Linglong felt somewhat tired of this.
After the murmurs subsided, Yu Linglong's clear, cool voice rang out again, like an icy spring flowing over scalding rocks, instantly silencing the clamor in the hall:
"After you've finished discussing the deployment map, give me a conclusion."

"Xiong Ba has made great contributions, so you should discuss how to reward him."

"Besides that, the most important thing is to find Elder Li's whereabouts."

At this point, Yu Linglong glanced at Liang Jin, then looked away.

Her gaze finally settled on the Privy Council Elder:

"You, Elder Privy Councilor, shall have full authority to investigate this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin sneered inwardly.

It seems that Yu Linglong is still afraid that if she finds out Li Xueqing's whereabouts, it will be detrimental to Li Xueqing.

Unless Li Xueqing never comes back, she is destined to die at Liang Jin's hands!

However, Liang Jin now wants to seize the opportunity to gain even greater power within the Dragon Transformation Sect...

(End of this chapter)