Chapter 375: Between Truth and Illusion

A dilapidated carriage was moving sluggishly along West Street.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and there were only a few scattered people at the breakfast stalls along the street. Seeing that dilapidated carriage and the young man in felt clothes driving it, people did not pay much attention. Because whether it was the young man, or the old horse and broken carriage, everything was too ordinary.

The young man in felt clothes let out a "whoa," and stopped the dilapidated carriage at the mounting stone beside the main gate of the County Office.

The hem of the dilapidated carriage's curtain was already covered in filth. At this moment, the curtain was lifted, and two figures, one burly and one slender, stepped out of the carriage one after the other.

Both men looked to be about forty years old.

The burly man had a square face, brown skin, and wore a deep blue silk robe; his expression was calm and serene, and at first glance, he looked like a well-traveled and experienced merchant. This person was Wei Ziyang, one of the five Total Altar Dharma Envoys of the Filthy Blood Sect.

The other slender man wore a moon-white silk gown; his complexion was slightly sinister, and the sharp light in his eyes was restrained. Judging by his attire, he had the air of a scholar. This person was Ge Qinglei, the Hall Master of the Yuanyang Hall of the Filthy Blood Sect.

Before dawn, Duan Rong had already hunkered down in an alley entrance not far from the County Office. He knew that Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei would arrive today.

But he still did not move, nor did he go to the city gate to investigate, because Duan Rong had used his Divine Sense to probe clearly that at this moment, Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan were in the flower hall in the Back Courtyard of the County Government Office, both of them looking nervous and rubbing their hands from time to time.

That Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan were clearly waiting for the arrival of Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei. He only needed to keep watch on these two.

When that carriage passed by, Duan Rong had also scanned it with his Divine Sense, but he did not pay it any mind. It was just an ordinary old horse and a broken carriage; Duan Rong was not so nervous that he had to use his Divine Sense to pierce through and inspect every passing carriage.

But this carriage still aroused Duan Rong's vigilance, because he soon discovered that the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang was actually riding a horse half a zhang behind this carriage, following slowly.

And not long after, this carriage stopped beside the main gate of the County Office.

If it were truly an ordinary carriage, why would the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang be following it? That night, at the banquet in the Secret Chamber Mandala of the old Wei Yutian residence, the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang had been present as well.

Furthermore, why would such a broken carriage pulled by an old horse stop at the entrance of the County Office for no reason?

Just as Duan Rong became suspicious, a clerk waiting at the main gate of the County Office, upon seeing two people step down from the dilapidated carriage and seeing the Temple Keeper Xu Dongyang standing by his horse not far away, immediately walked over quickly and, with great respect, said to the two men: "Mr. Wei! Mr. Ge! The County Magistrate is waiting in the flower hall; please follow me to the flower hall to meet him!"

Duan Rong huddled there, feigning sleep, and under the cover of his Divine Sense, he "heard" the clerk's words clearly.

His heart stirred.

Mr. Wei? Mr. Ge?

It seemed the big fish had arrived!

Duan Rong lifted his head slightly and glanced at the sky, which was already brightening.

He felt a bit worried, wondering if the people from the Sect would be able to arrive in time.

Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei had already followed the clerk into the main gate of the County Office.

Duan Rong withdrew his gaze from the blue sky and refocused his attention on Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei, who were stepping into the County Office gate.

Duan Rong's Divine Sense instantly pierced through the bodies of the two men.

Soon, he saw clearly the mass of True Qi coiled within their dantian.

Wei Ziyang was at the True Qi Realm Great Perfection.

Ge Qinglei seemed to still be lacking a bit to reach True Qi Realm Great Perfection, but he was at least at the True Qi Realm Fourth Layer.

After confirming their cultivation realms, Duan Rong felt slightly disappointed.

Ge Qinglei was one thing. As the Hall Master of the Filthy Blood Sect's Yuanyang Hall, being at the True Qi Realm Fourth Layer was not bad. According to what Duan Rong knew, the Prefecture Master of Yuanyang Prefecture seemed to only be at the True Qi Realm Third Layer.

By this calculation, Ge Qinglei was even slightly superior.

But Wei Ziyang was one of the five Dharma Envoys of the Filthy Blood Sect! His status was second only to the Sect Leader Fu Yi. The Filthy Blood Sect Leader Fu Yi practiced the Filthy Blood Divine Art and had cultivated a personal Blood Infant, known as the number one person in the Dongming Realm. Below the Nascent Soul, no one could hold him back!

Yet Wei Ziyang, as one of the five Dharma Envoys, was merely at the True Qi Realm Great Perfection; he had not even achieved the Qi Refining Realm, let alone the Qi Cyclone Realm or the Dongming Realm!

It seemed that although the Filthy Blood Sect Leader Fu Yi possessed some rather strange Supernatural Abilities, the rank and file members, under the powerful suppression of the Sect and due to a lack of resources, did not have high cultivation levels.

Although Wei Ziyang's cultivation level was not profound, Duan Rong did not dare to underestimate him.

Because there was still the Filthy Blood Divine Art! The Filthy Blood Divine Art that Duan Rong had experienced was only the first and second layers, but its power was already quite mysterious and unfathomable.

As a Total Altar Dharma Envoy, Duan Rong had no way of knowing to what level Wei Ziyang had achieved in the Filthy Blood Divine Art.

The Filthy Blood Divine Art, like the Womb Treasury Sutra, belonged to the category of Divine Soul techniques; Divine Sense probing could only enter the body, not the Divine Sense Space.

After Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei were led by the clerk into the County Office gate, Xu Dongyang rode away.

As for the dilapidated carriage parked beside the County Office gate, a young man in felt clothes sat on it; he leaned his back against the carriage frame, took a handful of melon seeds from his pocket, and while basking in the sun, slowly cracked the seeds.

He cracked them very slowly, eyes half-closed, appearing to be enjoying himself greatly.

Duan Rong noticed this young man, and his Divine Sense instantly pierced through the young man's body.

Under the cover of dirty, greasy hair, Duan Rong's brows furrowed slightly. The young man driving the carriage was actually at the True Qi Realm Third Layer.

The flower hall in the Back Courtyard of the County Government Office.

As soon as Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei walked through the door, the clerk closed the flower hall door behind them, and he himself stood guard by the door to prevent anyone from entering to disturb them.

The moment the flower hall door closed, Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan knelt and threw themselves down before the two men at the door, performing the full prostration ritual!

"Subordinates pay respects to the Dharma Envoy!"

"Pay respects to Hall Master Ge!"

Wei Ziyang said: "The two of you, please rise!"

Ge Qinglei stood there, silent. According to the Sect's protocol, he was only a Hall Master and was not qualified to receive such a great ritual. This ritual from Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan was, in reality, performed for Wei Ziyang.

All Filthy Blood Sect members, upon seeing one of the five Total Altar Dharma Envoys, were to treat it as if seeing the Sect Leader in person; hence, only Wei Ziyang was qualified to receive this ritual.

Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan remained prostrate on the ground, shouting: "Greetings to the Dharma Envoy! Greetings to the Sect Leader! May our Divine Sect's incense burn forever, and may its grace cover all living beings!"

After Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan finished shouting, they kowtowed three times before rising!

As soon as the two rose, Wei Ziyang smiled and said: "You are Sun Qian?"

Sun Qian was thin, with high cheekbones, and immediately said: "I am indeed!"

Wei Ziyang patted Sun Qian on the shoulder and said: "No need for such formalities! Although the Sect has strict rules, this is not the Total Altar, so we can be more casual."

Sun Qian was slightly stunned, but seeing Wei Ziyang's smile, which was like a spring breeze, he realized he had no airs at all.

But Sun Qian glanced at the sinister-looking Ge Qinglei beside him, and still respectfully invited the two to be seated.

Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei each sat in a grand armchair, while Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan stood in the center of the flower hall.

Wei Ziyang looked at the ginseng tea served in a silver cup on the side table, picked up a cup directly, took a sip, looked at Sun Qian, and smiled: "Some time ago, you submitted a report to the Hall. Hall Master Ge sent that report, along with his comments, to the Total Altar."

Upon hearing this, Sun Qian looked at Ge Qinglei with a grateful expression.

"The Total Altar Dharma Envoys attach great importance to that proposal, as well as this stronghold in Xiangu County. I have come this time to gain a more detailed understanding of the situation in Xiangu County and the direction for development and consolidation over the next few years."

After finishing his opening remarks, Wei Ziyang went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Sun Qian immediately spread out a scroll of blueprints on the side table next to Wei Ziyang.

This scroll of blueprints had been specially prepared for the inspection by the Total Altar Dharma Envoys. Sun Qian had specifically found three scribes to work day and night, and only managed to finish it with great difficulty the day before.

Sun Qian said, "Dharma Envoy! Hall Master Ge! Please take a look, this is the layout map of Xiangu County!"

Wei Ziyang's gaze shifted to the scroll, and he saw a detailed sketch, densely packed and strictly regulated, marking out all the major streets and buildings of Xiangu County.

Sun Qian immediately pointed to the blueprint and began to introduce it to Wei Ziyang.

"This here is the Weapon Shop of Xiangu County; it originally belonged to the Tao family, and the current Principal is Xu Dian!"

Sun Qian spoke in great detail, mentioning almost every major force one by one. When they reached certain areas, he would let Ruan Fengshan take over. After all, this stronghold had been built by the two of them together, and they had a division of labor in some areas.

As Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan spoke, Wei Ziyang would ask questions from time to time.

The Chunfeng-like smile on Wei Ziyang's face had disappeared; at this moment, his eyes flashed with a deep, contemplative light, and his face was as stiff and motionless as if carved from stone.

After nearly two hours, Sun Qian had given Wei Ziyang a detailed introduction to the entire situation in Xiangu County.

Looking at the blueprint, Wei Ziyang suddenly raised his head and smiled: "Let's go, take me to see the secret passage you mentioned!"

Sun Qian and Ruan Fengshan exchanged a glance; they had not expected Wei Ziyang to want to see the secret passage first upon arrival. Bai Rong's corpse was still in the secret passage.

Seeing their expressions, Wei Ziyang said, "What? Is it inconvenient?"

"No. It is convenient!" Sun Qian said, "My lords, please!"

As Sun Qian spoke, he gave Ruan Fengshan a wink. Ruan Fengshan understood and immediately pretended to open the door for the two of them, while he slipped out first.

Wei Ziyang naturally saw this, but he did not mind; he was here to inspect the situation of the Xiangu stronghold, not to pry into his subordinates' secrets.

When Sun Qian led Wei Ziyang and Ge Qinglei from his usual sleeping quarters into the Secret Chamber, Ruan Fengshan had already hidden Bai Rong's corpse.

As the four walked through the secret passage, Wei Ziyang looked around from time to time.

They followed the secret passage first to the Secret Chamber Mandala next to the Sealed Treasury of the Yuanshun Escort Agency. Wei Ziyang saw the statue of the Five-Passage God, which was vivid and lifelike, possessing great charm, and he immediately praised it highly!

Next, the four walked from that Secret Chamber Mandala to the old residence of Wei Yutian.

Previously, Sun Qian had already pointed out the start and end points of this secret passage to Wei Ziyang on the map.

After the four walked out from the stone door by the Rockery, Wei Ziyang looked at the secluded residence before him, and his evaluation of the Xiangu stronghold rose by another First Tier.

He felt that the experience of Xiangu could be replicated everywhere!

Turning one stronghold into a land filled with the smoke of war!

Wei Ziyang was in a great mood and said, "It is getting late, I think it is time for lunch!"

Sun Qian said, "This subordinate has already prepared a banquet at the County Government Office, just in time to welcome the two lords!"

"No need!" Wei Ziyang waved his hand and said, "We will just eat something by the roadside!"

Sun Qian was slightly stunned and said, "Dharma Envoy, how can that be?!"

Wei Ziyang smiled slightly and said, "Eating a meal, why make it so complicated!"

The four of them actually sat down at a street-side stall. Wei Ziyang ordered two bowls of beef noodles and three sesame flatbreads.

The other three walked to Wei Ziyang's side with somewhat awkward expressions; Sun Qian had been in Xiangu for three years and had never eaten by the roadside.

Wei Ziyang suddenly said, "Right! My young attendant Wei Tian who drives the carriage, trouble you to call him over to eat a bowl of noodles as well."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Fengshan immediately stood up, beckoned, and someone came before him. Ruan Fengshan whispered to the person for a moment, and that person darted away.

Wei Tian was still cracking melon seeds on the carriage not far from the County Office gate. By now, the sun had shifted, and he was already getting impatient. Suddenly, a figure stopped in front of him; it was a short, small youth.

The youth said, "It's noon. Go eat a bowl of beef noodles!"

Wei Tian glanced at the youth, feeling that he was somewhat inexplicable.

Seeing that Wei Tian did not react, the youth said, "Aren't you hungry?"

Wei Tian said, "I am waiting for my master."

"Your master is eating noodles over there, and he asked me to call you. You are Wei Tian, right?"

Seeing that the youth called out his name in one breath, Wei Tian flipped down from the carriage. His eyes moved, and he thought that there might be a secret passage in the County Government Office.

Subsequently, Wei Tian followed the youth to the somewhat remote noodle stall and indeed saw his master sitting there.

Wei Tian sat silently by Wei Ziyang's side without changing his expression.

Seeing the blister on the corner of Wei Tian's mouth, Wei Ziyang said, "Eat fewer melon seeds when you have nothing to do!"

"Mm."

Not long after Wei Tian sat down, the shopkeeper brought over the two bowls of noodles and three sesame flatbreads that Wei Ziyang had ordered.

For the two bowls of noodles, Wei Ziyang and Wei Tian each had one. Of the three sesame flatbreads, Wei Tian ate two by himself.

Wei Tian just buried his head in eating, while Wei Ziyang ate while paying attention to the passing pedestrians, the contemplative look in his eyes growing more and more intense.

After the few finished their meal, Wei Ziyang stood up and said he wanted to go to the city wall to take a look.

Sun Qian and the others had no choice but to accompany him.

Not long after the group set off, a shivering little beggar walked out from three alleyways away from the noodle stall.

It was precisely Duan Rong, who had been following them the whole way.

After Wei Ziyang and the others entered the secret passage, Duan Rong had followed them all the way to the old residence of Wei Yutian, and then to this street-side noodle stall.

Duan Rong maintained a sufficient distance, as long as Wei Ziyang and the others were within the range of his Divine Sense exploration.

Because Duan Rong discovered that there were many secret agents nearby, and the dozen or so people who participated in the banquet that night were also disguised and following nearby.

Duan Rong watched from afar as Wei Ziyang and the others climbed the city wall. He glanced at the sun above the city wall and sighed slightly in his heart.

Wei Ziyang had been in the city for so long, yet the people from the Sect had still not arrived!

If the people from the Sect had not arrived by the time Wei Ziyang wanted to leave, should he take action to intercept Wei Ziyang and the others? Or should he wait until they left, and then shoot and kill the remaining Tainted Blood Remnant in the city?

Duan Rong was speechless for a moment. The person at the contact point had even sworn to him, "Do you think the Office of Transmission is a pushover?"

Wei Ziyang stood on the city wall, looking at the mountains surrounding Xiangu County, and sighed, "Mountains and rivers forming a natural barrier, this is truly a uniquely gifted place for defense!"

As Wei Ziyang spoke, he suddenly turned his head to look at Ge Qinglei beside him and said, "Qinglei! You say, if we build a mountain stronghold in these mountains to echo with the city here! If the encirclement and suppression are too severe, then we retreat into the mountains! When the garrison is weak, we attack back into the city; between this void and reality, wouldn't there be even more room to maneuver?"

Ge Qinglei's brows were tightly locked as he looked at the rolling mountains all around, his heart filled with astonishment; he had to admit that what Wei Ziyang said was a masterstroke of offense and defense.

Ge Qinglei pondered for a long time before saying in a deep voice, "Lord Dharma Envoy, these words are like a thunderclap!"

Sun Qian was also shocked in his heart, pondering Wei Ziyang's words, unable to speak for a long time.

After Ruan Fengshan left the old residence of Wei Yutian, he felt uneasy; several days had passed, and Duan Rong and Xiao Yu had vanished as if they had evaporated from the world, so how could he not be afraid? However, he noticed that all the brothers were disguised and following nearby, guarding Lord Dharma Envoy, so his heart felt slightly more at ease.

Wei Tian was also following far behind the group; he had absolutely no interest in what they were chatting about, and if it weren't for Wei Ziyang telling him to eat fewer melon seeds during their meal just now, he would have already been cracking them by now.

As Wei Tian walked, he leaned boredly against the crenel of the city wall, looked left and right, and was suddenly slightly stunned.

He saw a cowering little beggar at the mouth of an alley a few zhang away. He remembered that he seemed to have seen this little beggar not far from the County Government Office as well.

Wei Tian's heart stirred; he carefully recalled and confirmed that the little beggar had not followed him over, because when he left the gate of the County Government Office, the little beggar was already no longer there.

Wei Tian withdrew his head, sighing inwardly that perhaps it was just a coincidence!

(End of this chapter)