Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 180 - 180 179 Return to Tranquility

180: Chapter 179 Return to Tranquility 180: Chapter 179 Return to Tranquility The Soul Ghosts of Yinling were quickly wiped out.

The Demon Beasts did a splendid job, discovering over a thousand Soul Ghosts, not only those that had escaped during this incident but even including the lone ghosts that had earlier adapted to life in the wilderness.

They made a contribution to the safety of the people of Yinling.

It was perfect.

News finally came from Jin City, detailing the final outcomes of the upheaval at West Mang Mountain.

Mu Shuai You Sunzhi, as the chief officer, personally took a penalty of one year’s salary, and other related officials from the three offices were disciplined, though it was primarily for show.

There was really only one person who was punished, Zheng Shixie, Uncle Zheng; there had to be someone to take the fall to help everyone through this crisis and to provide an account to both Anhe Daoist Sect and Huncheng Sect.

Uncle Zheng was stripped of his current position, sent home for introspection behind closed doors, and barred from employment for ten years—it was a severe punishment.

There were also rewards, such as a collective merit awarded to the Yinling Patrol and Xiang Zhiwen’s supervisory merits for their contributions to the safety of the people of Yinling; this was very beneficial for his forthcoming transfer back to Jin City.

But Xiang Zhiwen was furious when he received the news and immediately started for Jin City, only to be intercepted by Hou Niao on the way, which stopped his impulsive return.

Hou Niao knew why he was angry; he was actually defending him.

After a long talk, he dissuaded him from returning to the city.

“Are you saying this was all Uncle Yu’s idea?” Xiang Zhiwen glared at him.

Even though he knew that a year ago, he had gone on a killing spree in West Mang Mountain, he still thought that his merits outweighed his faults.

Hou Niao nodded, “Of course, it was during that time when you threw me down from the Mooncrest Wall, we were even supposed to have a meal together…”

Xiang Zhiwen looked at him as if he was looking at a fool, “Have a meal, my ass!

Was it a last meal?

Do you even know who Uncle Yu is?

You dare to board his boat?

Aren’t you afraid of not coming back alive?”

Hou Niao was somewhat baffled, “Brother, what do you mean?

What’s wrong with Uncle Yu?

Isn’t he just guarding Miao Gao Town?

With his God Sensing Realm cultivation and astounding sword techniques, what could be the problem?”

Xiang Zhiwen sighed deeply, knowing that he couldn’t blame him.

A cultivator from outside the country with no real ties to the Quanzhen Sect and unaware of the faint mysterious rumors inside the Quanzhen Sect was quite normal.

Even someone like him, who had been mingling in the Quanzhen Sect for years, only gradually got to know some things over the past few years.

“I heard it too, but there are some things in the world that aren’t merely rumors without a basis; if it’s spoken about, there’s definitely some evidence.

Many people are deeply cautious about it, and I also see…”

Hou Niao had to interrupt him, “Brother, just speak plainly.

There’s no need for all these roundabout hints.

I’m grown enough and have seen my fair share of big scenes.

Even if Uncle Yu were a monster, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.”

Xiang Zhiwen rebuked, “What are you talking about?

What monster or not?

Uncle Yu is an upright human being; why would you connect him with monsters?

You really have no respect for your seniors.

Here’s the thing, within the Quanzhen Sect lies a mysterious organization.

Nobody knows who founded it, who the members are, or what their purpose is.

They spread out within the government of the Quanzhen Sect and hide themselves so deeply, never showing themselves…”

Hou Niao was very surprised; it was the first time he’d heard of such a thing.

Amazing!

“A sect within a sect?

A faction within the faction?

Such an organization would not even be tolerated by the lax standards of the Daoist Sect, right?

This isn’t just forming cliques but practically establishing an independent kingdom!

Would the high ranks of Quanzhen tolerate this?

I don’t believe it.”

Xiang Zhiwen responded gravely, “You’re right.

But what if this organization never competes for power or causes trouble?

What if they’re scattered throughout all levels of Quanzhen?

What if they are all elites within the sect?

What if offending these people meant upsetting more than half of the core sword cultivators, as calculated by the Sect Hierarch?”

A bit excited, he stood up and paced a few steps, “They are the true demonized ones in the Quanzhen Sect!

They harbor great ambitions, not like those brutal savages in the central military mansion!

No one knows what they are thinking; no one at all!

They don’t even have a fixed name; that’s why they’re even more frightening!

Fearing they might lead the Quanzhen Sect into the abyss!”

Pointing at Hou Niao, he stopped him from interjecting, “I know what you want to say.

Are you about to say, ‘Maybe they are leading us to glory’?”

He realized his own agitation, and Zhiwen paused, calming his emotions slightly.

He genuinely did not want the promising youth before him to walk that path.

The Quanzhen Sect needed iron-blooded resolve but even more so wisdom.

“These are all suspicions, with no solid proof.

No one can prove it, and no one dares to prove it!”

Disciples below the Tongxuan Realm have no connection with this organization because they lack even the basic capabilities, but once they reach the Tongxuan Realm and achieve Sword Consciousness, this becomes a possibility.

I am also suspicious that Uncle Master is a person of this organization, because of his ways, which are so different from ordinary people.

When he takes a liking to a disciple, he will train that disciple ruthlessly, sending them to the most dangerous places to undertake the most perilous missions; in fact, they are essentially trained to death!

Thus, you are in great danger now.

Saying that we had dinner together is nonsense, but I can hear from that his appreciation for you, yet such recognition could be lethal.

Do you understand?”

Hou Niao had clearly understood completely, feeling somewhat touched for this was Zhiwen looking out for him, but there’s a kind of awkward favor in this world, which is captured in ‘I’m doing this for your own good!’

After Zhiwen had completely calmed down, he gently said, “Brother, thank you for your concern.

I don’t have many friends in the Quanzhen Sect, but you are one of them, truly considering my best interests!

But, you don’t really understand me!”

With a confident smile, “I will not change for anyone.

If I must change, it will be because I myself think I should change!

So, you needn’t worry about those crazed influences affecting me; I have my own beliefs, the most precious thing I’ve had for over twenty years!

No one can change that.

They can’t, and neither can you!”

As he poured Zhiwen a cup of tea, “I will choose, but I won’t choose based on others’ opinions.

If I decide to become demonized, even if the Quanzhen Sect is full of people like you, I would still become demonized!

If I don’t want to become demonized, even if the Quanzhen Sect is full of people like Uncle Master, I would still break away from the Quanzhen Sect!”

Leisurely, “You are too agitated, this is something that will happen in the future, and we have plenty of time to think about it, to weigh our options, not something to rush.”

Moreover, in dealing with these kinds of issues, our philosophies are different.

You avoid these people, but I am different; I will confront them.

If I am dissatisfied, then I will change them, rather than letting them change me.

Since it exists, let’s face it.

So for me, what kind of person Uncle Master is doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that if he wants to train me, I need to bite off a piece from him first.

For now, I am really strapped for cash!”

Zhiwen shook his head, “The Jinxiu Continent’s situation is changing, revealing signs of instability.

Aren’t you a bit worried about our Quanzhen Sect?”

Hou Niao raised his head, “A bird never worries about the branch breaking beneath its feet; not because it believes the branch is sturdy, but because it trusts its own wings!”