Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 162 - 162 161 People Change Extra for Alliance Hierarch Youmi Porridge

162: Chapter 161: People Change [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Youmi Porridge] 162: Chapter 161: People Change [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Youmi Porridge] The cavalry team galloped freely until they abruptly reined in their horses in front of the group stationed at Yinling.

The direction of the wind was not right, and the huge cloud of dust they kicked up drifted straight towards the crowd.

It was a good thing that everyone had their Protective Gang, or that single gust would have buried them up to their necks in dirt.

It was quite impolite, but the Yinling assembly couldn’t do anything about it, for among the newcomers were Upper Cultivators they couldn’t afford to offend—three of them, no less.

One from the Mu Shuai’s office, one from the Anhe Daoist Sect, and one from the Huncheng Sect—it seemed they were the leading masters.

With them at the helm, dealing with a bunch of miserable folks whose highest Realm was merely Bridge Connection, there wasn’t much room for respect.

The seven Cultivators of the Town Government lineage bowed deeply in greeting while a few from the Patrol lineage remained indifferent.

Cautious individuals like Feng Yaochen and Hou Niao Yao He knew to clasp their hands in salute, but the rest—Li Jingxi, Dou Gong, Xu Geng, and Tu Xiu—didn’t move an inch, as if they hadn’t seen a thing.

Those who came here to make a living were all hot-tempered types, the least able to tolerate any sort of contempt; otherwise, they wouldn’t have sunk to such straits.

They didn’t have any obligation to line up and welcome the guests—it was just something the governor requested, an action approved by the Inspector.

But right after meeting, they got a mouthful of dust, leaving each of them feeling indignant.

It was only because there was a Master Uncle from the Quanzhen Sect present that they hadn’t already started cussing.

Expecting them to bow and scrape?

How could that be possible?

Even if they did bow, would that make the others remember them?

Better to get it out and feel relieved!

Xiang Zhiwen looked at his subordinates and sighed inwardly.

He too was of the reformed faction, theoretically aligned with the Mu Shuai’s office; he should have shown more respect for the Master Uncle from the Mu Shuai’s office, but since his brothers had chosen not to salute, he wouldn’t either!

This was exactly why Xiang Zhiwen, despite having a different ideology, was still beloved by his brothers.

He couldn’t bring himself to flatter and fawn without restraint.

The Cultivators from the Anhe Daoist Sect and the Huncheng Sect watched the scene with interest, thinking to themselves that every family indeed has its own difficult scripture to recite; if not for the Quanzhen Sect’s Upper Envoy leading the way from the Mu Shuai’s office, they certainly would not have behaved so rudely in front of their hosts.

But if the Envoy decided to wield his authority, that would be another story.

Quanzhen Sect had a strict hierarchy, but what could he possibly do to a group of hopeless ruffians—cripple them with his power?

The Capital Commandant’s office within the Quanzhen Sect wasn’t there for decoration, it was truly ruthless and unfeeling.

This Envoy, named Zheng Shixie, had developed an air of arrogance from spending too long in Jin City.

Since he managed some of the promotions and transfers of the Quanzhen disciples, people often flattered him senselessly.

Especially after leaving Jin City, wasn’t every town’s Cultivators overly ingratiating and eager to curry favor?

Yet here in Yinling, this group didn’t know to welcome them from afar, wait on them attentively, and just foolishly stood there waiting—so he rode at them directly to teach them a lesson, making a cloud of dust to show them what’s what.

But he forgot that those exiled here were hardly the gentle sort.

The Patrol were openly defiant, while those under the Town Government were sly and shifty.

Believing them would only lead to unknowingly committing some treachery.

His previously good mood was completely ruined by these wretches.

“We are off to West Mang Mountain.

Governor, where is our guide?”

The governor of the Town Government mustered a gracious smile, “Why the rush, Master Uncle?

There’s some simple wine prepared in the castle.

Why not partake and rest for the night before we leave?”

The envoy Zheng Shixie snorted disdainfully, “Important matters come first.

Does a Cultivator care about such trifling hardship?”

The Town Government governor feigned regret.

It actually suited him just fine to avoid the expense.

Although they were both part of the Mu Shuai’s lineage, within it, there was also a mixture of people with their own agendas, some closer than others, treated with distinction.

He happened to be one of the less favored, spending three years in Yinling and exhausting many favors and gifts in hopes of being transferred elsewhere.

He even curried favor with this very Master Uncle Zheng, yet in the end, he was still assigned to stand guard in Yinling for another three years, becoming a permanent fixture like Xiang Zhiwen.

The reason was his poor performance in dealing with beeswax, becoming the laughingstock of Yinling and losing face for the Quanzhen Sect.

Xiang Zhiwen was tough and odious, thrown here and left uncared for six years between the two realms—it was understandable.

But for someone like him, who tried every trick in the book, to end up with the same fate—how could he swallow such humiliation?

Therefore, he had deliberately refrained from welcoming them from afar, staging a sham welcome in front of Fang Family’s Castle, summoning these Patrols not really to boost morale, but knowing they feared neither heaven nor earth, to add problems for the Upper Envoy Zheng.

As a result, the Patrols proved their mettle, while his own subordinates groveled.

“The Upper Envoy is selfless and tireless.

My disciples greatly admire that.

It’s truly a pity that not even a cup of tea can be offered, leaving us feeling deeply guilty for the lack of hospitality,” he said with shame.

He sat here, offering nothing but empty politeness.

As a cultivator, was it that difficult to prepare a few pots of tea on the spot?

Was it that troublesome to get some hot meals ready?

It was clear he was doing it on purpose to disgust others.

In Uncle Zheng’s eyes, disdain was apparent.

These creatures, who knew neither advance nor retreat, deserved to spend their entire lives suffering in the Yinling Wilderness.

As long as he held the position of Inspector, these people could forget about moving an inch.

“Who is the guide?

Come out at once, do not waste our time.”

Hou Niao stepped forward and bowed, “Disciple Hou Niao, at your service to guide Uncle Zheng.”

His conduct within the Patrol branch was relatively respectful.

It wasn’t that he lacked backbone, but rather he couldn’t afford to be too resistant since he was to guide them all the way; most importantly, if relations weren’t too strained, perhaps he could still make some constructive suggestions regarding the Soul Ghosts on West Mang Mountain?

Personal likes and dislikes should be set aside when the lives of common people were at stake.

Needless to say, it’s best to avoid the anomaly of the Soul Ghosts rather than truly stoking the flames.

Uncle Zheng was somewhat dissatisfied, “Why is there only one person?”

The Town Government’s Guo, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, responded, “Recently, there have been disturbances on the grounds of Yinling, the Demon Clan is restless, and Fang Family’s Castle is unstable.

All these require manpower…

Hou Patrol, Hou Niao specifically, was originally in charge of the West Mang Mountain area, well-acquainted with the terrain and environment.

Having him as a guide could not be more suitable.”

Uncle Zheng simply couldn’t be bothered to quarrel with these petty officials.

Once he returned to Jin City, there would be methods plenty to deal with these vile characters.

Turning to the two fellow cultivators from Anhe Daoist Sect and Huncheng Sect, “Gentlemen, shall we make haste through the night?

By early morning, we should arrive at Yinling, select a site during the day, and commence officially by tomorrow night?”

Both upper cultivators bowed in agreement, “It should be so.

We cultivators do not fear the night.

By your command, to travel through Yinling at night would also make for a fine tale.”

Uncle Zheng nodded, then turned to the junior cultivator, “Why have you not left?

Do you need me to find a sedan chair to carry you?”

Hou Niao bowed again, “As a disciple who has patrolled near West Mang Mountain for a long time, I have a deeper understanding of the movements of the Soul Ghosts there.

I believe these Soul Ghosts have recently been quite unstable, and perhaps they are not the most suitable trial targets.

I urge Uncle Zheng to investigate further.”

Uncle Zheng was furious.

These Yinling Patrols, one after another, were truly courting death.

Was this kind of matter something you could get involved in?

“Do you have evidence?”

“I don’t.”

“Is there a precedent?”

“There isn’t.”

“Then you, a mere Patrol with no rank at all, dare to question the decision of the three governments?

Who gave you such audacity?”

Hou Niao swung himself onto his horse, “Uncle Zheng should see clearly, as a guide and a West Mang Mountain Patrol, it is my responsibility to provide a warning.

Whether or not to go in the end is, of course, up to you to decide.”

He spurred his horse forward and galloped away.