CHAPTER 70: A BIG CONSPIRACY

Zhu Lianhua was furious. "Tearing up my visiting card and selling it on the marketplace! What does this mean?! They aren’t taking me seriously! They are looking down on Bright Palace!"

He’d never suffered such an insult before!

Wang Shuang also felt a little embarrassed. The Divine Radiance Sect really didn’t know how to handle matters. He knew Zhu Lianhua had sent a visiting card to the Seven-Colored Peak, but he hadn’t expected this development.

After thinking carefully, Wang Shuang said, "I've long heard that the chief disciple of the Seven-Colored Peak is crazy and eccentric, acting in ways unlike others. I'm afraid it was him who sold this card!"

He avoided mentioning the peak master, trying to shift the blame to Qi Yuan. The peak master was suspected to be at late-stage Nascent Soul realm, whereas Qi Yuan was a mere Qi Refinement realm disciple. If Zhu Lianhua lost his temper and fought, the better opponent was obvious.

Zhu Lianhua sent a voice transmission, his expression already calm. "Hmph, without that slut Ruan Yixi's permission, would her disciple dare to sell my card?"

If Jiang Lingsu heard it, she’d definitely say yes.

Wang Shuang responded, "Daoist Zhu, mind your words, this is the marketplace under the Divine Radiance Sect!"

Zhu Lianhua transmitted. "Hmph, we're only voice-transmitting, what's there to fear!"

Wang Shuang inwardly despised him even more. You are afraid, that’s why you didn’t dare to curse openly. Why act so arrogant?

Then, he probed cautiously. "Shall we still go to the Divine Radiance Sect? Do you want to demand justice from them?"

He watched Zhu Lianhua nervously, afraid he’d go berserk and cause a scene in the Divine Radiance Sect. If that happened, Wang Shuang would surely find an excuse to step out. He’d probably even claim a concubine from the thirteenth branch was in difficult labor just to slip away.

Zhu Lianhua, appearing slightly conflicted, finally said, "Going there now would be bringing humiliation upon myself! But I will remember today's humiliation. You’ve insulted me today, Divine Radiance Sect! When I step into the Nascent Soul realm in the future, I’ll make sure your sect knows no peace! Let’s go!"

Zhu Lianhua chose to endure for now. Completing the mission his master gave him was of utmost priority.

Wang Shuang was secretly delighted. "That’s wise. Ruan Yixi's cultivation is unfathomable, we cannot provoke her. But her disciple is merely at the Qi Refinement realm. Once he leaves the sect, I'll find a pretext to abduct him and let you vent your anger!"

***

Not too far away, the fully cloaked figure—Qi Yuan—scratched his face anxiously. He’d sneaked down the mountain and sold that invitation card just earlier. Who would have thought he'd stumble upon people from the Bright Palace right after? Truly, enemies were destined to meet on narrow paths.

Hence, he’d concealed his presence and tailed them, allowing him to overhear some infuriating information. Zhu Lianhua wanted to seize the Divine Radiance Sect's supreme treasure! And what—or who—was that supreme treasure? Wasn’t it him, Qi Yuan?

Seize me? How could I endure that!

Furthermore, when those people bought the card, the way they gnashed their teeth, constantly engaging in voice transmissions... Qi Yuan felt they were clearly brewing some huge conspiracy.

If only I could eavesdrop on their thoughts directly, I'd know all about their scheme! Right now, they must be plotting how to overthrow our Divine Radiance Sect! Such wolfish ambition! Unfortunately, I have no evidence. If I report this to the sect, it’d probably end up like the time I exposed the sect master as a spy and ended up confined instead! I cannot just stand by. I must take action for the sect! If the sect is in peril today and I don't act, who will save me when I'm in peril tomorrow? Besides, he definitely also harbors ill will toward my master. Such people shouldn't even be allowed to live in this world!

Just like Zhu Lianhua, Qi Yuan also gnashed his teeth.

Zhu Lianhua is truly narrow-minded. Always thinking about exterminating whole families! Why can't people trust each other more? What if the card had simply been stolen by a thief and sold by accident? At worst, maybe it was just because I am too poor to afford food, and had no choice but to sell it! Couldn't Zhu Lianhua show a little understanding?

Just then, a delicate white hand patted his shoulder. "Senior Brother."

A woman in a black cloak sat across from Qi Yuan. It was Jiang Lingsu.

Qi Yuan jumped, "I'm not your senior brother, I don't know who Qi Yuan is!"

"Don't pretend, Senior Brother!" Jiang Lingsu leaned close, lowering her voice, "Do you have opinions about those people from the Bright Palace?"

Qi Yuan said excitedly, "I just went out to gather herbs and overheard their conspiracy. They want to overthrow the Divine Radiance Sect and the Great Shang!"

Jiang Lingsu was rendered speechless. She stole a glance at Zhu Lianhua and Wang Shuang. They’re twenty meters away and are voice-transmitting, yet you claim to have overheard them?

Jiang Lingsu asked, "Are you plotting something against them?"

"Yes!" Qi Yuan said righteously. "I will fight for the sect and kill those villains!"

Hearing this, Jiang Lingsu felt relieved that she had come to ask. Had Senior Brother rushed at them in a moment of passion, he’d have been killed, ultimately ruining her plan.

Jiang Lingsu carefully worded her response. "Senior Brother, those two are despicable indeed. I also want to kill them, but they’re too powerful. We may not be their match."

She had her own scheme to kill Zhu Lianhua. However, it was best if she didn’t tell her senior brother. "Senior Brother, follow me later and listen to my plan. Let’s eradicate them together."

Qi Yuan hesitated. "But our strength is too weak. What if we can't beat them?"

Jiang Lingsu smiled bitterly. So you do know you're weak.

Now she was absolutely sure if she hadn't come, he would’ve caused trouble for those two. After all, Senior Brother was different from ordinary people. With his bizarre way of thinking, the unexpected was to be expected.

She handed him three talismans. "Don't worry. I have a treasure that can ensure their death. Senior Brother, just follow me later and obey my arrangement, or accidents will occur. These are the Concealment Talisman, Bronze Armor Talisman, and Water Escape Talisman. They allow you to hide your aura, protect yourself, and escape."

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Junior Sister!"

"Senior Brother, use the Concealment and Bronze Armor talismans. We'll follow them."

Though reluctant, Qi Yuan still did as he was told. "Alright."

Activating the talismans, the two walked through the marketplace. The surroundings didn’t seem to notice their existence at all. The two followed Zhu Lianhua and Wang Shuang out of the market.

Jiang Lingsu whispered, "Senior Brother, stay close to me."

She was afraid if he strayed too far, she wouldn't be able to protect him during battle.

Qi Yuan moved closer. "Alright."

Now the distance between them was so small that Jiang Lingsu could feel his nervous breathing. Her face flushed slightly. It was her first time being so close to a man.

Still, thinking about Senior Brother's safety, she stopped fussing and held his hand. "Senior Brother, if things get dangerous, stay behind me."

Qi Yuan gripped her hand. "Okay, I’ve got your back!"

After about the time of one incense stick, they entered a forest. It was a secluded area, rarely visited by anyone.

Jiang Lingsu remained calm, but Qi Yuan seemed nervous. He breathed heavily, which stirred strange ripples in her heart.

"Senior Brother, when the time is right, we'll strike and kill them."

"Attacking without honor? Got it!"

Jiang Lingsu emphasized. "Yes, follow my lead."

Zhu Lianhua and Wang Shuang were at mid-stage Foundation Establishment and Peak Foundation Establishment realms. With her own cultivation, Jiang Lingsu stood no chance against them. However, she had so many treasures that she could drown them in magic artifacts.

Silently, they crept deeper into the forest.

Suddenly, Zhu Lianhua and Wang Shuang stopped, seemingly conversing.

Qi Yuan cried, "Junior Sister, now's the best chance! Watch me sneak an attack!"

He rushed out with a vegetable knife. Jiang Lingsu froze. She also thought this was a good chance for a sneak attack, but she still needed time to activate her treasures.

She had planned to prepare first, then tell Senior Brother to stay behind her. Who knew he would charge in so rashly! Charging with a knife?! You’re just a Qi Refinement realm cultivator! Know your position! Also, you call flailing a knife while shouting sneak attack?!

There was no time to think. Since Senior Brother had acted, she had no choice but to speed up her preparations. If he died here, she would regret it forever.

Meanwhile, Zhu Lianhua was stunned.

Even Wang Shuang was utterly shocked. "He's the Seven-Colored Peak's Chief Disciple, Qi Yuan!"

Zhu Lianhua felt a bad premonition. "What?"

A mere Qi Refinement realm cultivator is attacking two Foundation Establishment realm cultivators? With a vegetable knife, at that?! This must be a trap!

"Quick, run!"

Without thinking, the two fled.

Jiang Lingsu understood their thoughts and sighed in relief. She decided not to act. If she forced the fight, Senior Brother could get hurt. Let those two escape this time!

She stared at Senior Brother with a faint sense of disappointment.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan saw them trying to run and shouted, "Where are you going?!"

Out of nowhere, his speed surged, surpassing the fleeing cultivators.

"You want to annihilate my entire Divine Radiance Sect? Time to die!"

With one slash, Zhu Lianhua's head rolled, his eyes still wide in disbelief.

"You deserve death for helping evil!"

The knife's momentum didn't stop, cutting Wang Shuang in half.

The two Foundation Establishment realm cultivators died in one stroke. They died believing they’d been roped into some great conspiracy.

Looking down at the corpses, Qi Yuan clapped his hands, shouting, "Junior Sister, quick, come! These two old men were useless—a dirty sneak attack finished them off in no time!”

In the distance, Jiang Lingsu blinked.

Isn’t this development a bit strange?