Chapter 246: The Demon Clan's Thoughts, Qianhe's Secret Methods (4K)

Zheng Fa looked at the True Person Qian before him.

In his impression, this person had a slightly chubby build, but now his face had grown a full circle thinner, looking as though he had not been doing well these past few days.

The disciples behind him showed no visible injuries on the surface, yet their expressions were extremely terrified, clearly having suffered a calamity.

He glanced around; some disciples of the Jiushan Sect were already watching from a distance. Since these disciples were originally unaware of the demon clan's attack on the mountain, it was naturally inappropriate to discuss this in public.

Zheng Fa helped the True Person Qian in front of him up and said, "True Person Qian, please come inside to speak!"

The group walked into Zheng Fa's courtyard.

After True Person Qian washed and groomed himself, his expression had stabilized somewhat.

Only then did Zheng Fa ask in detail, "The Qianhe Sect was attacked by the demon clan? How have I not heard of this matter?"

True Person Qian let out a bitter laugh, "That is because everyone in our Qianhe Sect, from top to bottom, except for us, has no survivors left! Who could have transmitted the information out?"

Zheng Fa's expression tightened slightly; he exchanged a glance with Shijie Zhang, and both saw worry in the other's eyes.

"When did this happen?"

"Just two days ago," True Person Qian recounted. "The day before yesterday, True Person Fufeng of the Yuling Sect came to visit our sect, saying he wanted to purchase some Huang Ya rice..."

"Yuling Sect?" Zheng Fa frowned slightly, "Have you not heard that the Yuling Sect might be colluding with the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect?"

"I have heard... but, didn't everyone just do nothing about it?" True Person Qian said with a bitter smile, "Moreover, the Yuling Sect is after all a Nascent Soul sect, while our Qianhe Sect is just a small, insignificant one..."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa fell silent as well.

This was yet another drawback of the Baixian Alliance system—

Although the Jiushan Sect had long ago notified all sects and schools that the Xuan Gui Shangren of the Yuling Sect was a spy for the Demon Gate,

the Yuling Sect immediately performed a righteous cut—they declared they were also victims!

Moreover, Demon Gate spies indeed appeared frequently; it was just that the Yuling Sect happened to be doing a bit better.

Whether people believed it or not was actually unimportant; the problem was that everyone was unwilling to offend the Yuling Sect, after all, Xuan Gui Shangren only scammed the Jiushan Sect, didn't he?

Ultimately, it was because Tongming Shangren usually did not manage affairs, and each sect of the Baixian Alliance had its own thoughts, unwilling to be the one to stick its head out.

"Actually... I also advised the Sect Master," True Person Qian said with a bitter smile, "but the Sect Master said, our Qianhe Sect is a small, insignificant one, we only know how to farm, our warehouse is so poor it rings like a bell, what would the Demon Gate want from us?"

"..."

These words actually sounded somewhat reasonable.

"And then?"

"Later, Shangren Fufeng, by some means or other, figured out the key points of our Qianhe Sect's great formation, and with the demon clan as inside and outside allies, attacked our sect..." Speaking here, True Person Qian let out a bitter laugh, "It is not me belittling myself, but I actually saw a Nascent Soul Demon King... our Qianhe Sect's highest cultivation was only Jin Dan; for them to expend such effort and energy was truly..."

"What did they want?"

Zheng Fa also felt some sympathy in his heart; this was truly dying without knowing why.

"And then?"

"I am only at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, so I could only lead these disciples to flee; on the way, we did not encounter any great demons..."

"How did you know that no one remained in your sect?"

"Our Qianhe Sect originally had several hidden places; if disaster struck, everyone would gather there... I went around, but I didn't see a single person."

Zheng Fa nodded lightly; he still had some doubts about the extermination of the Qianhe Sect, but at this moment he did not ask about that again, instead saying:

"Then, True Person Qian, why have you come to find me?"

True Person Qian knelt before Zheng Fa with a thud; his eyes were red, his voice choked, and he spoke with a crying tone:

"Our Qianhe Sect has suffered such a great calamity; I hope your sect, seeing that we are fellow members of the Baixian Alliance, will avenge the lives of over a hundred people of our sect and reclaim our ancestral lands!"

As he spoke, two clear streams of tears flowed from True Person Qian's eyes.

"Our Qianhe Sect, from top to bottom, has always been cautious in conduct, fearing to offend powerful enemies we could not resist; who knew that in a single day only I and these disciples remained, truly..."

He seemed unable to continue speaking and broke into wailing sobs.

Zheng Fa felt unwilling to see this in his heart, and there was another layer of apology in his heart—mainly because he suspected this matter might be related to the Jiushan Sect.

But...

"True Person Qian, this matter is truly significant; it is not something I alone can decide," Zheng Fa said frankly, "Please allow me to discuss it with Shijie and Shushu first; you may rest in my courtyard for a while. I wonder, True Person Qian, what do you think?"

True Person Qian hurriedly said, "Of course! As long as True Person Zheng does not find our presence troublesome."

Zheng Fa led the few people to the guest rooms to settle them, then gave a glance to Shijie Zhang and Shushu Huang; the three walked silently into Shijie Zhang's courtyard.

Shijie Zhang threw out several Silence Talismans, isolating the sounds inside and outside the courtyard.

Shushu Huang spoke directly, "We cannot go! This matter is aimed at us."

Her scheming ability was not poor; she just did not understand the new theories of Zheng Fa and Shijie Zhang.

At this time, she could naturally see the strangeness within this.

Zheng Fa also nodded and spoke:

"Just as True Person Qian said, their Qianhe Sect was not worth such elaborate schemes; what the demon clan did felt like using an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken."

"On the other hand, those people were so cautious, yet they simply failed to notice that this group of them had escaped?"

Since Zheng Fa's divine sense had advanced further, he knew how strong the perception ability of cultivators after Jin Dan was.

Without being modest, it was unlikely that True Person Qian and these people could escape in front of him.

Moreover, there was a Nascent Soul Demon King?

What kind of joke was that?

"They must have known that our Jiushan Sect and the Qianhe Sect are currently on good terms, and also knew that True Person Qian is the person in charge among them; if he requested aid, it was most likely to come to our Jiushan Sect."

Zheng Fa said.

The other two also nodded, obviously having thought of this layer long ago.

"There is another matter," Shijie Zhang said slowly, "Two days ago, True Person Fufeng went to the Qianhe Sect; that day was also the day Shushu Pang met with Shangren Tongming."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa was somewhat speechless, and only after a long while did he say resentfully: "... This Baixian Alliance is like a sieve!"

Huang Shishu was stunned: "Are you two saying this matter is directed at Tongming Shangren?"

"Very likely..." Zheng Fa sighed, "Before Tongming Shangren even descended the mountain, the Qianhe Sect was annihilated, and there were shadows of the Yuling Sect involved... Previously, we went to great lengths to secretly capture that demon beast and kept it hidden for so long, yet the news somehow leaked through Tongming Mountain..."

Zhang Shijie's face also looked very bad.

Before, they had a small advantage: they had captured that demon beast and learned of the Qingyun Dasheng's plan to attack the mountain.

The demon beasts and the Mo Sect probably did not know about this matter.

Yet as soon as Pang Shishu ascended Tongming Mountain, the enemy made their move.

This can only mean there are people on Tongming Mountain who cannot be trusted, and this person might even have access to Tongming Shangren...

"Moreover, Tongming Shangren is the Tongming Shangren of the entire Baixian Alliance, not just of our Jiushan Sect..."

Huang Shishu understood.

"You are afraid that other sects will be in a state of panic and also seek aid from Tongming Shangren?"

"Putting aside other things, how to handle the Yuling Sect... is enough to give Tongming Shangren a headache," Zheng Fa said, shaking his head.

He had a feeling... this time the Jiushan Sect had pushed the Zizaimo Sect to the brink.

Not only did they invite the Qingyun Dasheng.

They also directly caused the Yuling Sect to turn against them...

Regardless of whether the Yuling Sect are traitors or not, they are a Nascent Soul sect of some size, one of the nine great upper sects of the Baixian Alliance, with intricate connections within the Baixian Alliance.

Their spirit beast business has been thriving; over so many years, they have sold countless spirit beasts and established countless tangled connections through them.

Previously, everyone tolerated them, which was not without the meaning of fearing to strike the rat for fear of breaking the vase... Now that the other party has truly stopped acting, Tongming Shangren must feel extremely troubled.

"An open scheme..." Zhang Shijie shook her head, "Whether we go to the Qianhe Sect or not, this news cannot be hidden from Tongming Shangren and the other sects of the Baixian Alliance..."

Zheng Fa was also helpless: "In the end, this matter is because our Jiushan Sect lacks strength and does not have our own Soul Transformation."

"Therefore, we must not be led by the nose!"

Zhang Shijie looked at Zheng Fa seriously.

"Shijie, I understand..." Zheng Fa chuckled, "Shijie, you are perhaps thinking too highly of me..."

"She is afraid you will do something foolish!"

Huang Shishu, standing nearby, pouted.

"True Person Qian, this matter is something our Jiushan Sect should apologize to you for!" As soon as he saw True Person Qian, Zheng Fa bowed deeply and said, "Your Qianhe Sect has suffered such a great calamity, which was likely caused by our Jiushan Sect!"

"Ah?"

True Person Qian was stunned.

Behind them, True Person Huang rolled his Bai Yan, obviously thinking his own disciple was right; this Zheng Fa was indeed a bit foolish.

"This... where do I even start?"

True Person Qian looked somewhat bewildered.

Since Zheng Fa had spoken the words, he naturally did not hide the matter of the Qingyun Dasheng.

After listening, True Person Qian's face turned pale: "We were deliberately let go?"

"Very likely..." Zheng Fa said, "Those demon beasts were probably originally targeting our Jiushan Sect."

True Person Qian's expression shifted, as if digesting these matters.

To be honest, Zheng Fa was willing to be so honest mainly because he could not hide it—would the demon beasts keep secrets for the Jiushan Sect?

In the future, as the conflict intensifies, these matters will naturally become known to these people.

It is better to lay everything out on the table from the start.

"Then... how does your sect plan to proceed?"

True Person Qian's tone was somewhat low.

"I apologize... this is not only a great calamity for the Qianhe Sect, but also a life-or-death calamity for our Jiushan Sect... I cannot act rashly," Zheng Fa said, "But regarding this matter, I will send a message to Pang Shishu to inform Tongming Shangren."

"Tongming Shangren..." A glimmer of hope appeared on True Person Qian's face, but then he shook his head, seeming depressed, "Tongming Shangren probably will not take us people into account..."

These words sounded like giving up, but they were indeed correct.

True Person Qian thought back and forth, then suddenly knelt down again, holding up a jade slip in his hand and presenting it before Zheng Fa, saying: "Inside this are various secret methods for cultivating spirit plants of our Qianhe Sect; I am willing to offer them to your sect!"

"Hmm?"

Zheng Fa was stunned, not knowing what he intended to do.

"I only ask that you find a place for me and my disciples to settle and live."

"True Person, are you saying?"

"I hope your sect will take us in!"

Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, not expecting this person to make such a request.

To be honest—he was quite interested in the Qianhe Sect's secret methods, but the request made by True Person Qian was indeed somewhat abrupt.

"Just that request?"

"There is one more thing..." True Person Qian suddenly raised his head, looking at Zheng Fa, "I know that you, True Person Zheng, possess extraordinary talent; in the future, if you achieve the Great Dao, could you avenge this grievance for everyone in my Qianhe Sect?"

This sounded much more reasonable.

True Person Qian and the others were also settled near the residence of the Jiushan Sect disciples; since they had just escaped death and were all like startled birds, Zheng Fa simply had them live in one courtyard.

At night.

While True Person Qian was cultivating to heal his injuries, one of his disciples finally could not hold back and spoke:

"Shizun... we just gave away the secret methods like that?"

"Hm?"

Master Qian looked up at the disciple, then glanced at the others; their faces all bore expressions of confusion.

"Do you think I gave it away too easily?"

"And isn't this just like the Jiushan Sect…"

"Be silent!" Master Qian barked, his face cold. "If you still harbor such thoughts, I'd rather kill you myself than let you get us all killed!"

"But…"

"What has the Jiushan Sect ever done to us? It's the demon race that betrayed us!" Master Qian snapped. "You dare not fight the demon race, yet you blame the Jiushan Sect?"

"But…"

"Who are we? Our sect was destroyed, we carry secret arts—others might think we took relics from our old sect…"

"So that's why Master has been avoiding everyone?"

"Of course. I'm just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator—what big figures could I possibly know? Zheng Fa is already the highest branch… If you think this place is unsuitable, you're free to leave!"

"Disciples dare not!"

Seeing their submission, Master Qian softened his tone: "I didn't pick this place randomly. Ever since that Jiushan Sect drama first came out, I've been thinking…"

"…"

"Back then, I had attachments—behind me were the Sect Master and my senior and junior brothers…"

"…"

The disciples exchanged glances—was he implying they should thank the demon race?

"Now think: though we lost our secret arts, we've transformed ourselves from Qianhe Sect disciples into Jiushan Sect disciples! Only your master has this connection—and luckily, those demon race are Jiushan Sect's enemies too. Otherwise, how could it be this easy?"

After being scolded, the disciples began to understand. They told him, "Master, we understand. From now on, we'll treat ourselves as Jiushan Sect disciples!"

"No…" Master Qian's face darkened with frustration. "You must learn from me today: outwardly, act like a loyal Jiushan Sect disciple—but never forget, in your words, to vow revenge for the Qianhe Sect. The angrier, the more tragic, the better…"

"Master?"

"Remember: a widow who can't forget her dead husband is most alluring… cough, everyone admires loyalty and righteousness," Master Qian warned.

"…Disciples will remember!"

…

"Do you like widows?"

"Huh?"

Zheng Fa snapped his head up—he had been discussing the newly acquired Qianhe secret arts with Zhang Shijie, when she suddenly asked this, leaving him baffled.

Zhang Shijie shook her head and added, "That man named Qian has some hidden motives, but they're harmless."

Zheng Fa finally understood—Zhang Shijie was uneasy about that group.

But what did this have to do with widows?

Did anyone from the Qianhe Sect still live?

Was this widow wealthy? Did she have other secret arts?

(End of Chapter)