Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 478 - 478 477 Where Hope Lies

478: Chapter 477: Where Hope Lies 478: Chapter 477: Where Hope Lies Dugu Lan let out an exasperated sigh, “These fellows, how dare they disregard the Prince Manor of King Wucheng as if it were nothing?

The Jiedu Mansion of Lihai, well, that’s an outsider from the Outer Path, so it’s not to be counted on; but even the merchants from Shan Country, though they speak well, actually just pay lip service, which is intolerable.

Aren’t they afraid of the manor’s reproach?”

Continuing to look at her hands, Xiao Qiang grew increasingly aloof since marrying into the Prince Manor of King Wucheng.

She acted as if nothing mattered anymore, benefiting only her clan—she was merely a tool.

Thus, she was indifferent to this failure too.

When they had been attacked on the sea vessel, she was the first to give up, as if what was being seized wasn’t hers.

In this regard, the difference between the two sisters was significant.

“Sister is worrying too much.

The Shan Sect is not only about King Wucheng’s family; there are thirteen elders in the Nascent Transformation of Quanzhen.

Moreover, the factions are opposed, the Three Divisions obstruct each other.

Even if the Prince Manor of King Wucheng wants to do something, it might not go as planned at all,”

“As far as I know, the Prince Manor of King Wucheng is firmly a faction of integration, just for that reason alone, the Situ and Sikong Manors won’t give them any face.

So, talk of reproach?

It’s the manor’s own private affairs; why should others be reprimanded for it?”

Dugu Lan was left breathless with frustration, “Are you saying we should cover this hole ourselves?”

Xiao Qiang sneered, “Can we even cover it?

Scouring the house might just barely make it possible, but what do you think they sent us into the manor for?

To throw in Spirit Stone?”

Furthermore, the manor isn’t lacking in Spirit Stones; what they’re lacking are Elixirs!

Even if we could gather that many Spirit Stones, where would we buy the same herbs?

The herb share of the Three Immortals Island is fixed, and the island refuses responsibility— who would cede theirs?”

“You ask me, we’re doomed to bear the blame anyway, rather than patching things up, might as well be a dead pig unfazed by boiling water…”

Their initial plan was to gather forces in Mirage City quickly, and reclaim the herbs before they were used.

But now, it was clear that was not the case.

Dugu Lan pressed on, “Qiang, how did your contact with the local chieftains go?”

Unable to find or contact the Sword Cultivator groups of the Shan Sect, they had no choice but to see if they could recruit some local Loose Cultivators to go instead.

Xiao Qiang replied with a bitter smile, “They’re demanding an outrageous sum!

This is just the nature of Linhai people, especially to customers unfamiliar with these parts—they seem to want to gobble up an entire year’s income in one bite.

“Afterwards, when I mentioned going after the Chasing Wind Bandits, more than half of the people who showed up left immediately.

Those who remained not only demanded twice the usual commission but also set various absurd conditions, such as not going if the number of people is too few, not going if the Realm is too low, not going if the Jiedu Mansion of Lihai doesn’t provide support…”

“If I had that kind of power, why would I seek their help?

Forget it, sister, among the three major pirate groups in the Lizhi Sea, the Chasing Wind Bandits are the strongest.

From what these people say, teams fewer than a hundred, they dare not set sail at all!”

“With these prices, we could sell the entire cargo and still not be able to afford them, let alone, where would the Spirit Stones come from?

With just our little private funds?”

After several days of investigation, they had gained a general understanding of the power distribution in the Lizhi Sea.

However, the more they understood, the colder their hearts felt.

The most reliable was still their own sect’s power, but gathering these people would take a long time.

Moreover, whether these people would listen to them was also a big question; even if some were genuinely loyal to the Prince Manor of King Wucheng, they were in the minority.

Most Sword Cultivators belonged to the Three Divisions.

How many could they gather?

After all, this was a private matter, not an official affair of the sect, so they could not use the name of the Quanzhen of Shan Sect, as those were the rules.

Therefore, they pinned their hopes on the local Loose Cultivators.

However, as soon as these people heard the name of the one initiating the action, everyone backed out, unwilling to risk their lives.

In the Lizhi Sea, there were three bandit groups with the largest influence and notorious reputations; the leader among them was the Chasing Wind Bandits.

Their actions were consistently ruthless yet stable, rarely meddling with the personal goods of those undergoing Nascent Transformation in Great Cultivation.

Why had they suddenly changed this time?

The one ranked second was the Tiger Tooth Bandits, whose strength was also exceptionally formidable; the third was the Cang Sea Pirate Group.

They were the up-and-comers of the maritime forces.

It was said that in the recent decades of clashes, they had subtly surpassed the Tiger Tooth Bandits, significantly expanding their territory, forcing the Tiger Tooth Bandits to withdraw from many of their traditional areas of influence.

So, the current real ranking was the Chasing Wind Bandits at the top, followed by the Cang Sea Bandits, with the Tiger Tooth Bandits in last place.

Such power, of course, was not something ordinary people dared contend with.

Not to mention the scattered sea faring cultivators, even the Lihai Jiedu Mansion turned a blind eye, because behind these bandit groups were the shadows of major continental Daoist forces.

Were they that easy to eradicate?

This outing had truly made them realize their own status.

In Yujing in Shan Country, bearing the name of the King Wucheng Manor, they could do as they pleased.

But once outside their sphere of influence, their true form was revealed.

Xiao Qiang sighed, “It’s not our own power, after all; it can’t be relied upon.

King Wucheng’s Manor still can’t cover the sky with one hand across the continent.

What more is there to say?”

Dugu Lan frowned, “This won’t work, that won’t do.

Could it be that we sisters can only repay the manor like this, sitting and waiting for death?”

Xiao Qiang sadly said, “It’s not that there are no gains.

An old Shopkeeper from a business privately admitted to owing favors to the manor before.

He secretly mentioned to me—go to the small lodge in the west of the city, there should be something to be gained…”

Dugu Lan was somewhat disdainful, “So stealthy, it’s like acting like thieves.

When has King Wucheng’s Manor fallen to such a level?”

Xiao Qiang gave her a meaningful look, “Lan Sister, you’re too immersed in the role!

It’s not our King Wucheng’s Manor; it’s his King Wucheng’s Manor.

If you can’t differentiate, you’ll definitely be the one to suffer in the end!”

As for what the Shopkeeper said, we would be like deaf and blind in Mirage, unable to confirm unless we actually go there.

Since Lan Sister is unwilling, let’s consider that I never mentioned it.”

The silence resumed between the two.

After marrying into King Wucheng’s Manor, although they remained outwardly the same, both felt an inexplicable rift emerge between them.

They both understood where the rift stemmed from—Xiao Qiang was resigned and reckless, Dugu Lan was stronger, still wanting to struggle.

Hence, they had different attitudes towards King Wucheng’s Manor.

Xiao Qiang always saw herself as an outsider, a tool, and built a fence in her heart, unwilling to blend in; whereas Dugu Lan immersed herself in such a role and reveled in fighting with the other concubines.

The sisters had lived and cultivated together from childhood, sharing meals, lodging, and journeys, but they had never anticipated that such a divergence would occur after marrying into the same family.

Ultimately, each person had their independent thoughts, and no one could replace or influence anyone else.

After a long silence, Dugu Lan broke the calm, “I heard from the sailors on the boat that there is a know-it-all in Mirage City who knows everything about astronomy and geography, past and future, and especially matters of Cultivation.

Why don’t we spend some Spirit Stones to seek a solution from him?

It’d probably be better than troubling over it here.”