Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 136 Wu Song, just a decoy? The court's true purpose
"The information is still being verified, but... it's pretty much true."

Situ Qianhu nodded silently, his expression somber.

It seems the news has been leaked!

I don't know where the oversight went, could it be...?

Cai Baimao had some doubts, but lacked evidence, and sighed:
"I never thought that after acting for so long, I still couldn't hide it from them..."

These words elicited subtle reactions from everyone present.

Xie Bao fell silent, remaining tight-lipped, as if he knew the inside story.

The monks of Deyun Temple, Chixiazi, and other martial arts figures were completely baffled and looked at each other in confusion.

The Azure Crane Ghost's eyes flickered, and it suddenly spoke:
“My lords, keeping us in the dark is not the way to cooperate.”

Chixiazi immediately nodded and spoke up in support:
"Indeed, we are honored by General Xie's invitation and hope to speak frankly and openly."

The monk Deyun chanted a Buddhist prayer, and although he didn't say anything, he had already made his stance clear.

"It was not my intention to deceive you."

Xie Bao gave a wry smile, exchanged glances with Commander Situ and Cai Baimao, and hesitated before saying:
"In Qingyuan Cave, there is a rare treasure that the imperial court must obtain."

However, the Prince of Jin had been governing the prefecture for half a century, and his spies were spread throughout every prefecture and county.

He has everything under his control, big or small, and even the slightest disturbance.

Therefore, the imperial court set up a scheme.

That is to say-

The imperial court coveted a treasure in Qingyuan Cave, but fearing that Prince Jin would find out, they mobilized troops to stage a play in an attempt to deceive him.

As a result, the performance was a disaster.

The King of Jin now knows about this and has made preparations for a counterattack.

The monks from Deyun Temple were all cunning old foxes; they immediately understood the imperial court's scheme.

Chixiazi stroked his long beard and said leisurely:

"So, you mean that vicious man Wu Song was intentionally... lured to Black Wind Mountain by you?"

"Then they took the opportunity to create momentum, making it known throughout the world, causing the imperial court to lose face."

The troop deployment was completed smoothly, with 300,000 troops forming a blockade and the eight demon-slaying generals searching the mountains.

On the surface, it was a siege to capture Wu Song and prevent his escape, but in reality, it was a preparation for...

If things go wrong, this can be used to repel the Jin army of the King of Jin!

The Azure Crane Ghost took over the conversation and revealed the truth in just a few words.

He lived to be over a hundred years old, a seasoned veteran who had seen countless conspiracies and tricks, and was no stranger to them.

"Amitabha!"

Deyun chanted a Buddhist prayer, his face showing displeasure. He stared at Xie Bao and said in a low voice:
"General Xie, did you lure this old monk here just to put on a show?"

"No, no, no!"

Xie Bao vehemently denied it, lightly slapped the table, and said in a deep voice:
"If we want to take the relics and treasures, then we must kill Wu Song too!"

Seeing that some people didn't believe him, he hesitated for a moment, then softened his tone:

"This is... the Grand Commandant's intention."

Grand Commandant?

That man, who supposedly spent nights in the inner palace, had an ambiguous relationship with the Empress Dowager, and reigned supreme for twenty years, at the height of his power...

Grand Commandant of the Court, Prince of the Same Rank, Chief Secretary of the Cabinet—

Song Yingtian?!

The courtroom fell completely silent; even breathing became lighter.

"Sure?"

After a long silence, Monk Deyun spoke, his voice hoarse:
"Is this really Grand Commandant Song's intention?"

"Does the master remember... the Grand Commandant's handwritten letter?"

"Amitabha!"

The monk Deyun chanted a Buddhist prayer, then fell silent and offered no further objections.

Chixiazi also shrank back and took the initiative to say:

"If this is what Grand Commandant Song means, then this old Taoist will do his utmost to help."

"The Five Crane Gate follows the lead of these few lords."

Upon seeing this, Qinghe Changgui immediately expressed his opinion, decisively and without any hesitation.

However, remembering Liu Sheng's instructions, he then conveniently brought up his "former employer," further muddying the waters:

"However, the White Lotus Sect has been making frequent unusual moves. Recently, they even discovered White Lotus Army soldiers and Lei Zhong's mount in Black Wind Mountain. Could they also be after the Qingyuan Cave ruins?"

"The three branches of the White Lotus sect, mainly the Maitreya lineage, are active in the Shanxi, Gansu, and Liangzhou areas."

Commander Situ picked up the conversation, glanced at the Green Crane Ghost, and spoke sparingly:

"They are stirring up trouble here in order to cover up... the ritual for the ascension of Buddhist disciples in the southeast."

The ten disciples of the White Lotus Sect, who use the names of Heaven and Earth and the eight directions, are the candidates for the next sect leader, lineage leader, and Dharma King.

Xie Bao waved his hand confidently:
"The demonic sect is nothing more than a minor itch; the Grand Commandant already has a plan to deal with it, so there's no need to pay it any mind."

Once they can't resist jumping out, then use overwhelming force to surround and wipe them out in one fell swoop.

What a brilliant plan! Unfortunately, he was too arrogant!
As everyone knows...

A ghostly glint flashed in Qinghe Changgui's eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Now that the Prince of Jin has noticed, we no longer need to hold back and should act without restraint..."

Cai Baimao exchanged a glance with Situ Qianhu and Xie Bao, then looked away and slowly said:
"Aside from that treasure, each sect only needs to hand over 40% of the other cultivation techniques, magical artifacts, elixirs, rare treasures, and talismans in Qingyuan Cave. The rest can be disposed of by the sects themselves."

At this point, he looked at Monk Deyun, Chixiazi, and Qinghe Changgui, and said softly:
"You may inform your respective sects or invite your fellow practitioners. Anyone who abides by the rules is welcome to come, but there are limited spots available. We may have to hold a ceremony at that time."

Having failed in their attempt to steal a chicken, they're now planning to send men to confront the Prince of Jin's mansion head-on!

Moreover, only the elite should be selected; those who try to take advantage of the situation should be excluded.

The next few days.

Shanyang County suddenly became lively.

Thousands of martial arts masters rushed over from all directions.

Every day, figures appear, some male, some female, seemingly stepping through the air, their presence astonishing.

These are all experts at the Qi Refining level, top figures from various sects. They will be picked up and entertained by people from the county government or the Demon Suppression Bureau.

……

Cliffs, Hehuan Cave.

Liu Sheng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and the illusory "whoosh" of swords whistling in his ears was now barely audible.

The injury to the soul is almost completely healed; in another two days, it should be fully recovered.

These past few days, I've been living in a paradise of comfort, with everything done for me, and all sorts of wonderful things happening to me. It couldn't be more enjoyable.

"Good sir, my junior sister Xiao possesses a rare treasure called 'Four Seasons Jade Vortex,' you mustn't miss out on it..."

Lady Caiyu raised her head, her face full of exhaustion, and began to act as a persuader.

Even with her extensive experience and knowledge of countless people, she felt a sense of fear at this moment.

Horrible, terrible!

This is not a human being, it is clearly a beast in human skin!
Even livestock can't compare to him.

There are only exhausted oxen, not fields that are over-plowed.

But this guy is definitely an exception.

Even she herself, a Qi Refiner and an elder of the Hehuan Sect, was defeated in her strongest area and suffered severe losses.

I had no choice but to ask my junior sister to share the burden.

"However, Junior Brother Qin also came with Junior Sister Xiao."

Lady Caiyu changed the subject, covering her mouth and chuckling:

“My junior brother Qin is born with both yin and yang qualities, and is bisexual. I’m afraid he might develop improper thoughts about you.”

Did she develop inappropriate thoughts about me?
One swipe and it's dead!

Liu Sheng sneered inwardly, then realized what was happening and asked suspiciously:

"Why are there Qi Refining cultivators from your Hehuan Sect again?"

Lady Caiyu shook her head and sighed:

"The imperial court and the Prince of Jin's mansion are vying for Qingyuan Cave. Our Hehuan Sect has bet on the imperial court, so naturally we have to increase our stake..."

It turns out it's a battle between a newcomer and a local bully; no wonder so many waves have been stirred up.

Liu Sheng suddenly realized.

However, this makes the competition for a spot in Qingyuan Cave even fiercer.

There are new variables on the Hehuan Sect's side, and we cannot guarantee a sure win.

I need to go find Qinghe Changgui and ask about the Five Crane Sect.

I've always loved peace, and I hope—

No need to kill anyone!
(End of this chapter)