Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 397 - 397 396 Good Advice

397: Chapter 396: Good Advice 397: Chapter 396: Good Advice Hou Niao strode in through the main entrance of the Jiedu Mansion.

People who were just there for the excitement wouldn’t pay attention to a cultivator coming and going, but for the parties involved, he was one of the most important figures.

As he was also a stakeholder in the Bai family’s firm, as well as a registered Island Master of the Outer Sea under the Jiedu Mansion, his status was far superior to the fugitive Fang Yazi.

His appearance was meant to show everyone that he had come back to solve the problems.

Here, he was a familiar face, having given gifts and caused trouble; for Jiedu Mansion, he was the kind of troublesome figure who should be avoided at all costs because once involved, one would be smeared with an indelible mess.

Yet, he felt no unease, having an excellent opinion of himself as he entered confidently and headed to find the familiar Zhu Changwen.

Before he even got close to the Respect Room, a group of cultivators suddenly came filing out, including the old acquaintance Zhu Changwen, his head bowed…

Hou Niao, with his sharp eyes, spotted him in the crowd and grabbed him,

“What’s this?

Pretending not to recognize me, wanting to set boundaries now?”

Struggling to free himself from the grip akin to iron tongs, Zhu Changwen realized that the troublemaker’s realm seemed different from before.

Was it God Sensing or natural?

He couldn’t quite tell.

Such a restless person fast in cultivation truly made him sigh that times of chaos were approaching, with demons and ghosts appearing frequently.

“Brother Hou, why are you pulling me?

In front of so many people, what kind of dignity is this?

Let go, let go, I’m not leaving.”

Hou Niao did not persist, “I’m here to discuss matters, to solve problems, and here the Jiedu Mansion hides away as if seeking leisure?

I’m not here to trouble you.

Tell me, who should I look for?”

Zhu Changwen sighed, “Still, look for Wang Chuquan, Uncle Master Wang.

He manages the near sea and the three realms of Tongtian, but I must warn you to be careful.

This murder is different from your last; last time it was for revenge, and everyone could understand.

This time it went too far, totally unreasonable.”

He paused, glanced around, and spoke in a low voice, “Lately, Uncle Master Wang has been in a sour mood.

It looks like he’s leaning towards strict and severe punishment.

Mind your words, and don’t block your own escape route right from the start.”

Hou Niao nodded, feigning a reach into his gourd, which frightened Zhu Changwen significantly; he pressed down on his hand immediately,

“Brother Hou, if you pull that stunt again, don’t blame me for not treating you as a brother in the future.

Our friendship stands here, there’s no need for those conventional gifts.”

Hou Niao smiled slightly, “Old Zhu, then I’ll be frank with you from now on.”

Watching his departing figure, Zhu Changwen sighed to himself, not because he suddenly stopped loving resources, but because in the Cultivation World, there were things more important than resources; in the path of cultivation, Tongxuan cultivators were numerous, but many were spawned through certain methods with no promising future.

To discern whether a cultivator had a future, one only needed to see if he could advance another step in the three realms of Tongtian; succeeding meant countless possibilities; failing meant stagnation for life.

For a Sword Cultivator like this, reaching Tongxuan in his thirties and God Sensing in his forties, such cultivation speed was undeniably fast, holding boundless possibilities for the future and ample time to challenge the Upper Realm, or at the very least, to secure the final realm of Tongtian, which was already rather formidable among cultivators.

To know such a person was the greatest resource; why bother collecting his wealth and thereby estranging the relationship?

Having spent decades amidst Mirage, he understood this quite clearly.

A friend from the Shan Sect was valuable indeed.

Hou Niao continued to stride to the entrance of Zhiwei Hall in Jiedu Mansion, the hall exclusively used by Deputy Mansion Master Wang Chuquan, having visited once before.

“Shan Sect’s Hou Niao seeks an audience with the Mansion Master.”

There was no response inside; probably Mansion Master Wang was deliberately leaving him to cool his heels, to dampen the spirit of the Shan Sect, even if they were allies, for not causing such disturbances in Mirage.

After a long while, seeing that there was no sign of impatience from those outside, a lazy voice finally projected,

“A distinguished disciple from the Shan Sect deigns to visit; truly a light in my humble abode.”

Hou Niao smiled slightly, pushed open the door, and before he could speak, Wang Chuquan, sitting high across the room, set his face,

“Hou Niao, what brings you here?

The regulations regarding Fang Yazi at the Jiedu Mansion have been set, there’s no need for further discussion!”

Hou Niao, however, didn’t pick up on that cue.

“Mansion Master, the massive demonstrations outside have been ongoing for several days.

What do you think of this?”

Wang Chuquan snorted, disregarding his attempt to change the subject.

Hou Niao continued, “One might think that outsiders witnessing this would surely praise Linhai Mirage for its freedom of spirit, its unrestrained public opinion, and its courage to speak openly and without restraint.

Everyone likes such an atmosphere because as long as one has the power, they can do what they like, sway public opinion, and exploit the overwhelming public sentiment.

But I wonder, where do these people place the Jiedu Mansion?”

Wang Chuquan looked at him, quite intrigued, “I know what you’re trying to say, you’re reminding me that the Wu Sect has gone too far, trying to coerce the Jiedu Mansion into committing a fault;

I admit you have a point.

The master of Mirage is from Linhai Wo Sect, not Wu Sect or Shan Sect.

But what I want to ask is, what fundamentally differentiates what your Shan Sect does from what Wu Sect does?

I can’t see any.”

Hou Niao, word for word, “No, therein lies a significant difference!

My Shan Sect acts passionately and directly, which may make the Jiedu Mansion uncomfortable, lose face, and find it hard to step down, but we have never shaken the foundation of Wo Sect.

We do not exaggerate, spread, incite, or stir up public sentiment.

It’s a matter of style, not about altering the foundational public sentiment of Wo Sect!

Because we have no desire to interfere with Linhai, but what about the Daoist Sect?

More than half the city of Mirage has participated in this rally, right?

Mansion Master, sitting up there, don’t you feel your chair becoming unsteady?”

Wang Chuquan’s eyes narrowed into a slit, a dangerous glint flashing through them.

Hou Niao, seemingly oblivious, “I have a few points to make, and I seek your guidance, Mansion Master.

Bai’s enterprise has my stake, which you decreed personally, not fiction; then, is there any problem with my fellow disciple coming to retrieve my belongings?

The ownership of Bai’s might be unclear, but for now, the head of Bai’s is Bai Qingqian, not Bai Lingzhong, so the plaintiff’s stand is very peculiar.

Whom exactly do Bai Lingzhong and his son represent?

Fang Yazi came to trade with the head of Bai’s at my behest; it’s sensible, lawful, and does not violate trade rules or affect others.

So, is such a transaction not protected by the Jiedu Mansion?

The incident occurred at the headquarter of Bai’s, and my fellow disciple had already declared his intention to retrieve his holdings the next day; what then was the meaning of those cultivators suddenly appearing during a protected commercial transaction?

If one must find who intruded upon the business uninvited, is it my fellow disciple, Fang Yazi, or those who appeared out of nowhere?”

Hou Niao inclined his head in a bow, “Invading a business and hindering a transaction with ulterior motives is unjustifiable anywhere.

If one does take action, it’s entirely excusable.

My fellow disciple is younger, and his hand might slip, but isn’t it unfair to blame him entirely?”

Standing up straight, “Mansion Master, the Wu Sect holds significant influence and continues to expand in the Southwest region, a fact visible to all!

Not just in Mirage, but also over the seas, these anomalies are too significant for the Jiedu Mansion to remain oblivious, are they not?

Endure one step, and countless more will follow until the Jiedu Mansion becomes a puppet to the Wu Sect; even if it’s necessary to sell out, to fetch a good price, one must display some distinct qualities, right?

Therefore, I believe we absolutely must not yield this step.

Hou Niao is here to take Fang Yazi out, and we shall use the front door to demonstrate our resolve.

We are allies, and this is no time to show weakness.”