NOVEL NEXT Chapter 140: Change Again_2
Shangguan Yun pondered, "You mean Peace Path and the Xu Family had some sort of transaction? They've handed over the Mountain-Lifting Palm to Peace Path?"
Sui You replied, "It's not impossible."
Shangguan Yun considered, "Is that so? Then why would Yao Wensu brazenly use the Mountain-Lifting Palm to kill people from the Ancient Elephant Sect?"
"This..." Sui You trailed off, then added, "calls for the County Magistrate to have his people thoroughly investigate."
「Time quickly advanced to the next day.」
Blade King Wang Yixian, as the head of the three divisions in Baojiao County, swiftly delivered the clues he had gathered in a short time to Shangguan Yun.
"Hmm? Zhao Yuyan came here looking for her brother? And she suspects her brother joined Peace Path?" Shangguan Yun noted, looking at the analysis in the report. He couldn't help but stroke his beard.
"My Lord, two individuals from the Ancient Elephant Sect died last night. This morning, a few men dispatched earlier by Zhao Yuyan returned. Upon learning of this matter, they were furious," Wang Yixian faithfully reported. "They threatened to return to Prefecture City to bring everyone from the Ancient Elephant Sect, asking the County Magistrate for assistance to join them in eliminating Peace Path in the mountains."
Shangguan Yun inquired, "Is that so? I would be very willing."
Counselor Sui You, standing aside, also showed a smile upon hearing this.
After last night, the Lord had already harbored deeper suspicions toward Peace Path. Just the World-Surpassing Level Mountain-Lifting Palm alone was enough reason for the Lord to take action against Peace Path. If they could also have the Ancient Elephant Sect as free mercenaries, that was even more reason to be pleased.
"However, my Lord, there is another minor matter," Wang Yixian did not forget this crucial point. "According to them, Zhao Yuyan dispatched three groups of people yesterday. One of them, an elder from the Ancient Elephant Sect named Yan Longhao, was responsible for tracking and investigating Medicine King Hall's Chen Ku, whom she suspected was also connected to her brother. But... this Yan Longhao has not yet returned and seems to have disappeared as well."
"The county office is now aware."
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Watching Wang Yixian leave, Shangguan Yun turned to Sui You, saying, "If I remember correctly, Qingfang is acquainted with this Chen Ku. How does she evaluate him? Could there be issues with him as well?"
"My Lord, my daughter holds Chen Ku in high regard; the young man truly possesses extraordinary talent," Sui You answered Shangguan Yun's query. "Just yesterday, my daughter received news that Chen Ku had achieved the Mystic Barrier Realm in his cultivation, a mere half year after joining Medicine King Hall. Such talent, even in Prefecture City, would qualify him as one of the Outstanding. He can certainly be considered the most promising young individual in our Baojiao County this year, closely following in the footsteps of Thirteen Young Master Xie Qingfeng."
Shangguan Yun's expression remained calm as he asked, "I want to know, Mr. Sui, do you think this young man could be implicated in this matter?"
"If my Lord is asking about Yan Longhao, perhaps there is suspicion," Sui You pondered, analyzing while standing with his hands behind his back. "Yang Luochen sees this young man as a treasure, and Medicine King Hall has even appointed him 'Young Shopkeeper.' If it were discovered that someone was following him... based on our understanding of Yang Luochen, it would be quite normal for him to act against Yan Longhao."
He continued, "But to claim this young man has a connection to the Xu Family and the Mountain-Lifting Palm... that would be far-fetched. He comes from a clean background, having grown up in Snake Fish Town, and his family currently lives in the city. His only contact with the Xu Family was during the recent incident at the execution ground, where Medicine King Hall helped eliminate Xu Ao, the Xu Family Head; this young man was merely present at the time."
Shangguan Yun muttered to himself, "That is indeed the case."
Sui You said, "In a few days, this young man will be attending the guild conference. My Lord, if you are curious, you might want to observe him then."
Shangguan Yun instructed, "First, prepare to mobilize against Peace Path and find that Yao Wensu."
World-Surpassing Level Mountain-Lifting Palm. If the person who left the message was indeed Yao Wensu of Peace Path, then he must possess the Xu Family's secrets. He cannot be allowed to live. For my grand plan, the entire Peace Path is a huge hidden danger; they are very likely to compete with me for the treasure.
And so, with a single word from this city leader, the acclaimed protector of one hundred thousand households, the Official Residence's City Defense Forces and numerous constables began to search the countryside for members of Peace Path on the eleventh day of the Lunar New Year.
「In the mountains of Snake Fish Town.」
When Yao Wensu heard this news, he was in a cave, cursing loudly in anger:
"Slander! This is pure slander! This is outrageous! Who is framing me!"
"Incense Master!" a Taoist in his Incense Altar spoke, infuriated. "Do we even need to guess? The government and Ji Ting have pulled this stunt countless times! Every time there's trouble, they just throw mud on our name. It was like this last time, and it's the same this time! I believe those blood characters on the wall were orchestrated by the government themselves, just to frame us and give the public a false narrative!"
"Right! Damn it! These damn officials do the same thing every time!"
"This time, it's just another trap aimed at us, trying to falsely justify their campaign against us!"
"Afraid of them? No way! Our leader possesses boundless mana, the Helmsmen have World-Surpassing Divine Skills, and the Incense Master is Impervious to Swords and Spears! Let those government lackeys come! It's just the insignificant Baojiao County government office. If the time were right, we'd have stormed it long ago!"
"Right, it's time for a showdown! Let them find out just how deep the waters of Peace Path run! It'll give them a big scare!"
...
While the members of Peace Path were in an uproar and Shangguan Yun was deploying troops to suppress the bandits.
「After daybreak, Chen Ku carefully examined the Transformation Diagram.」
He exhaled slowly.
Actually, when I killed Yan Longhao, I knew that if he disappeared, it would increase the suspicion on me. So, even though I left the name of the Peace Path Incense Master, I still worried the government would suspect me. But, after a night passed, surprisingly, there was no alert from the Transformation Diagram. To prevent any mishaps, it's better to transform into Yan Longhao, take a stroll outside to create a diversion, and prove to everyone that he's still alive. That should clear me of all suspicion.
Chen Ku looked at Yan Longhao's Evil Qi.
He calculated again. More than a day had passed. That Second Realm Fire Evil Qi had now digested fifteen threads of Second Realm Fire Evil Qi.
Although I can't create an Incarnation yet, I can transform into Yan Longhao now.
Thus, he equipped Yan Longhao's Evil Qi.
[Yan Longhao Transformation!]
[Yan Longhao Transform·Shapeshifting]
[Transformation Part: "Nine Dragons Union" Great Achievement]
Chen Ku's eyes brightened slightly.
Nine Dragons Union at Great Achievement. Not bad at all. Zhao Chuanzu's Nine Dragons Union was only at Minor Achievement. If it were the Nine Dragons Union at Great Achievement level, the Mountain Roar Tsunami Seal it produced would definitely be more formidable. But what I'm most concerned about is Yan Longhao's 'Mystic Barrier Peak' cultivation. Especially the brain's reactive secret ability from the Third Layer 'Mystic Gate' realm, and the sensations of the Second Layer Death Gate. Because if I equipped Yan Longhao's Mystic Barrier Peak realm in advance, it would be like following a clear map. It's similar to an Immortal Emperor being reincarnated as a shepherd boy. Even though he'd have to start cultivating from scratch, possessing his previous realm's understanding would make cultivation as simple as eating and drinking, with no obstacles. Although this description might be a bit exaggerated, the principle of cultivating with someone else's realm equipped is the same. If I could equip Yan Longhao's Mystic Barrier Peak realm, I reckon even the 'Death Gate'—a pass extremely dangerous for others—wouldn't be perilous for me.
He already had enough Second Realm Evil Qi.
[Inject me with nine threads of Second Realm Fire Beak Pot Evil Qi, upgrade Yan Longhao Transformation to Transformation Level]
[Yan Longhao Transformation! Transform!]
Instantly, Chen Ku felt all of Yan Longhao's martial arts experience, talent, and his entire Mystic Barrier Third Layer Peak cultivation realm added to him!