Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 646 - 646 645 Taking the Initiative

646: Chapter 645: Taking the Initiative 646: Chapter 645: Taking the Initiative “What news have our spy networks gathered?”

Hou Niao looked at Li Shipeng, who had hurried back.

There must be some valuable information; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a rush.

Li Shipeng licked his lips, “Our insiders in the Anhe Daoist Sect, as well as in North An and some Daoists inclined towards the Shan Sect, including those Daoist you mentioned, have all reported a gathering of cultivators within Anhe Country’s borders.

More than half are from the Wu Sect, along with some lackeys from South An and certain merchant forces involved with the Geng Ore.

They are now gathered at White Fungus Mountain on the Anhe side of Boundary River, but we can’t confirm when they will move out.

Perhaps they are still missing personnel and are waiting for more support?”

“How many have gathered?”

“More than fifty, and cultivators continue to arrive.

My judgment is that within a month they will definitely take action; outwardly, they claim to be exterminating the Dragon River Water Demon’s stronghold, but it could also be a smoke screen?”

Hou Niao shook his head, “Always dragging their feet, that’s the way of the Daoist Sect, until they feel certain of victory; but I do think their target is definitely the Dragon River Water Demon’s stronghold, as they don’t have any other subjects for retaliation.

Coming to the Capital Commandant’s Mansion in Zhongqing City?

They don’t have the guts for that.”

Li Shipeng was still very cautious, “Shouldn’t we take some precautions?

If these people really attack the Commandant’s Mansion, wouldn’t we lose all face?”

Hou Niao chuckled, “Lose face?

What’s that?

I couldn’t care less if they took the Commandant’s Mansion!

What I want are lives!

With the Mu Shuai Mansion as the foundation, Zhongqing City won’t descend into chaos.

Open the gates wide, so no one can accuse us of pettiness.

As for the Dragon River Water Clan, those water demons who came to their aid have long since left.

The remaining forces of the Water Clan are not strong; go inform them to seek refuge with relatives and not to come back for now.”

Li Shipeng was stunned, “Aren’t we sending anyone to protect them?”

Hou Niao waved his hand dismissively, “Protect what?

I’m most annoyed with having to protect others.

A person who has learned a trade must take responsibility, one who takes Geng Ore must pay the price.

You might protect them temporarily, but can you protect them forever?

This is a precedent we should not set.

We need to give our Water Clan friends a bit more pressure to survive, so they can grow strong.”

Li Shipeng was sweating profusely at this ruthless perspective on growth, “Then what about us?”

Hou Niao gave a cold smile, “The Commandant’s Mansion’s entire force will move out; we’re heading to White Fungus Mountain!”

Li Shipeng felt a chill, “Commandant, that’s crossing the line.”

Hou Niao chuckled, “If we don’t cross the line, are we still Sword Cultivators?

Talking sense is a waste for Quanzhen!”

“Commandant, the Commandant’s Mansion may have the spirit but its strength is quite average.

Many of the transferred cultivators have not yet arrived; right now, we have less than thirty people in the mansion…

Um, will Brother Fang Yazi and the others be joining as well?”

Hou Niao shook his head, “Those bandits have long gone.

Keeping them here is not proper, don’t worry about this, there will always be people…”

Li Shipeng was somewhat dumbfounded.

He hadn’t expected such a plan; it was bold, almost mad, and could lead to countless issues later on.

But once the Commandant had made a decision, execution was the only option.

That evening, the Capital Commandant’s mansion emptied out.

All twenty-eight cultivators, including Su Lingyun and Li Shipeng, took to the skies and headed towards the Water Demon’s palace in Dragon River.

Midway, they veered south, and at that moment, another dozen sword cultivators joined them.

Li Shipeng secretly observed them.

Each face was unfamiliar, but in their demeanor, each one was fierce and brutal.

Where on earth had the Capital Commandant found this bunch?

An hour later, the group stopped several dozen miles outside White Fungus Mountain in Anhe territory.

Only then did Hou Niao explain their mission,

“Ahead lies White Fungus Mountain.

How many Daoist Sect cultivators are there, I do not know!

How strong they are, I do not know!

What their intentions are, I do not know!

I will say only this: kill them all, rob them all, regardless of life and death.”

…White Fungus Mountain resembled a giant mushroom, with a shape like a mushroom cap, devoid of any significant constructions, just scattered with a few simple pavilions.

An unremarkable place, chosen for its remote and tranquil location, it was often where cultivators gathered to demonstrate their magic, with little fear of causing harm.

In recent times, White Fungus Mountain had started teeming with life as cultivators from all walks gathered.

Their origins were complex, with many factions represented, but most were sternly organized, primarily from the Wu Sect and cultivators from South An, thus order was maintained.

Li Laixiang stood in a pavilion atop one of the hills, his mood complex.

Two months prior, he had been a powerful and influential Mansion Master in Pingliang State’s central military, but now, he was nothing more than a deserter at his wits’ end.

After the battle at the Water Demon’s palace in Dragon River, even someone as slow as he could recognize who was behind the mischief, but frustratingly, he had no solid evidence.

The raiders had vanished without a trace, and both Mu Shuai’s mansion and the Capital Commandant’s office had incurred losses.

At least on the surface, it all appeared to be the ill-consequences of his Central Army Mansion making a rash move with a lack of information on the enemy.

Zhongqing City was no longer safe for him.

Capital Commandant Hou, that ungrateful wretch, had fully shown his true colors.

Unaware of what awaited him should he return, Li Laixiang chose to flee alone and seek aid in Divine City.

Only at times like these did he realize how awkward his position truly was: he was neither part of the Ancient Langzhong Sect nor the Shan Sect; he was not even really from the Wu Sect or Anhe Daoist Sect.

He was merely a businessman with some achievements and broad connections within the Daoist community.

When times were good, everyone fawned over him.

The moment disaster struck, he realized, he was less valued than a dog.

Because he had no true master.

This return to Divine City brought an especially profound experience.

The warmth and coldness of human relations, people’s true natures revealed.

Once he lost his value, he found he had nothing at all.

Former friends quickly distanced themselves, as if he carried a contagious disease; he knew he was being discarded.

The Capital Commandant’s office in Zhongqing City’s extreme measures sent a clear message: all power was to be returned to the Shan Sect, and they would no longer allow the Central Army Mansion to be manipulated by businessmen like him.

Following news confirmed this turn of events, even Mu Shuai’s mansion had to bow their heads, submitting to the oppressive control of the Capital Commandant’s office.

The Ancient Langzhong Sect had several Golden Core Upper Cultivators, yet they didn’t put up a fight, much to everyone’s disappointment.

Li Laixiang knew he was wrong; he had thought that Mu Shuai’s mansion would at least be a staunch ally if not a close confidant, but the reality turned out to be:

The lips and teeth depended on each other, that was true, but his Central Army Mansion was only the beard…

The major powers behind him were still in wait-and-see mode, deliberating on how to regain control of the Geng Essence mining trade route.

They were indifferent about who would clean up the mess in the end, as no doubt someone would take command.

The business world didn’t lack such capable individuals, but it was sure not going to be Li Laixiang.

After all, the Capital Commandant’s office in Zhongqing City would no longer trust him.

Under the weight of interests, an individual’s significance was minor, not worth mentioning.

He had thought himself important within the Daoist community, but the brutal reality taught him that without the backing of a powerful system, he was nothing.

He was a disposable piece, one that could be cast aside at any moment.

While struggling and wrestling with his plight in Divine City, feeling as though the days dragged on endlessly, the visit of several Daoists brought him new hope.