Chapter 167: The Apostles of the Zhao Ming Assembly

Chu Danqing finally understood that not only Yang Wenju had joined the Zhao Ming Society, but also Bai Xiaohé had done so.

The reason was simple: both sought revenge.

Secondly, they were already entangled in it and had no chance of staying out of it.

The Zhao Ming Society recruited them because they were valuable; otherwise, they wouldn't have even noticed them.

They claimed to have joined, but in reality, they had no choice.

Bai Xiaohé had severed ties with her in-laws and had no family to return to, while Yang Wenju's assets had been seized and he had made countless enemies.

Their only option was to join the Zhao Ming Society and gain protection from Liu Bai.

"Master Chu, I actually have some questions," Chen Jiunan asked.

After concluding official business and dismissing the banquet, they gathered in a courtyard within Liu's residence to admire the moon and chat.

"You're so young—how did you become a commander of the Blue Robe Guards?" Chen Jiunan couldn't fathom it.

The late emperor passed away five years ago, and since Chu Danqing served as his personal attendant, that tenure must stretch back even further—at least ten years.

Back then, Chu Danqing was just a child—how could he have risen so high?

"Luck," Chu Danqing replied calmly with just four words; in truth, he had no idea how it happened—his identity was assigned by the Paradise.

If pressed to explain, Chu Danqing wouldn't know how to respond.

"That's not something luck alone can explain," Chen Jiunan said, seeing Chu Danqing wouldn't elaborate, and changed the subject.

"What about Da Bao? Why is he so monstrously strong?" Chen Jiunan greatly admired Da Bao's prowess.

He had tried repeatedly to recruit him during the banquet.

Chu Danqing was hard to recruit into the Zhao Ming Society, but Da Bao, with his simple mind, might be a possibility.

"Born that way," Chu Danqing replied with three dismissive words—he knew Chen Jiunan's ulterior motives.

"Stop scheming so much. Da Bao is just a child who stays with me; without me, he might become something else entirely," Chu Danqing warned.

He possesses Summoning and Command fundamentals; Da Bao is only a five-year-old child.

Without him, Da Bao would become a brutal beast driven purely by instinct to kill and hunt.

Chen Jiunan fell into thought, but his reverie was soon interrupted.

"Master, Miss Lianyun has arrived," a servant announced, leading in someone Chu Danqing recognized.

This Lianyun was the Black Robe Adept who had descended into this trial world alongside Chu Danqing.

Previously, she had been completely wrapped up, making her gender impossible to discern.

"I see. You may leave," Liu Bai said, dismissing the servant, then added: "Miss Lianyun is a shamaness from the Western Regions."

"I've long heard of Miss Lianyun's name—today I see you are truly extraordinary," Chen Jiunan rose and bowed.

Chu Danqing guessed she had already joined the Zhao Ming Society and held considerable prestige or influence.

Chen Jiunan's words didn't sound like flattery—given her strength, achieving such things wouldn't be difficult.

"I dare not claim that," Lianyun said softly.

Her voice was exquisite; everyone present except Chu Danqing, Da Bao, and the Beast-Mask Guards felt their spirits momentarily stunned.

Even Bai Xiaohé, a woman, and the previously clad red-robed woman were affected.

This made Chu Danqing wary.

It was a passive charm ability, using voice as its medium.

Or perhaps it was an active skill.

Her gaze settled on Chu Danqing—he and Da Bao remembered her clearly; how could they forget so soon?

Moreover, Chu Danqing's recent activities in Lin Yuan City made it impossible for anyone to remain unaware.

"Surely this must be the former commander of the Blue Robe Guards," Lianyun suddenly shifted the topic to Chu Danqing.

Da Bao sensed Lianyun's hostility and extended his claws.

Chu Danqing knew the source of her hostility—it was purely about interests.

Lianyun had joined the Zhao Ming Society precisely because she didn't want another Adept to share the spoils.

"That's me," Chu Danqing replied, then added: "I'm not a member of the Zhao Ming Society—don't try to intimidate me."

His words were not just a warning—they also made clear he had not joined their faction.

"Master Chu misunderstands," Chen Jiunan interjected. "Miss Lianyun was merely asking a question—how could that be intimidation?"

Hearing this tone, Lianyun relaxed inwardly—it meant Chu Danqing truly hadn't joined the Zhao Ming Society.

She had no desire to confront him.

"I hope so," Chu Danqing muttered, thinking beauty certainly had its advantages.

Lianyun was no longer fully wrapped as before—she now dressed in a rather alluring manner.

"It's getting late," Chu Danqing said, rising. "I'll arrive punctually in three days."

He left immediately; though Lianyun's hostility had faded, Chu Danqing could tell she wasn't giving up.

Seeing this, Liu Bai could only escort Chu Danqing out, and upon returning, remained baffled.

Chu Danqing and Lianyun had never met—how had they come to clash?

But Chu Danqing was an external collaborator, while Lianyun was one of their own—he naturally favored her.

"Miss Lianyun, do you know Master Chu?" Chen Jiunan asked before Liu Bai could.

"I've heard of her—don't say I know her," Lianyun replied with a pouty tone, her naturally alluring appearance amplifying the contrast, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

But Liu Bai quickly recovered, frowning: "You'd better use your Western seduction arts less often."

"With your beauty and this technique, you can easily sway ordinary people—but against skilled cultivators, it may backfire on you."

Though Chen Jiunan and others weren't as strong as Liu Bai, they were martial practitioners and recovered instantly.

Bai Xiaohé and Yang Wenju, being ordinary civilians, remained dazed until roused.

This left Lianyun frustrated—she had failed to influence the higher-ups.

Chu Danqing's arrival had created urgency, forcing her to act.

She hadn't expected them to resist her charm—no wonder the A-rank trial was so difficult.

She realized she had only made things worse.

"It's my fault—I was born beautiful, not trying to seduce anyone; it's just my natural charm," Lianyun offered an excuse, subtly implanting psychological suggestion.

She excelled at influencing minds, altering or controlling behavior.

Her primary tool was her beauty.

It worked wonders on lecherous men, but had little effect on people like Liu Bai or Chen Jiunan.

Unnoticed, her psychological suggestion took hold, and Liu Bai let the matter drop, shifting the topic.

"How did things go?" Liu Bai's expression softened as he asked.

"You can trust my work," Lianyun quickly continued. "The steward of the Governor's mansion told me everything—he said."

Meanwhile, Chu Danqing had returned to his residence.

On the way, he had already been considering how to further sever ties with the Zhao Ming Society.

With Lianyun, another Adept, already embedded, it would be harder to leverage the Society's resources going forward.

She naturally held a positional advantage—otherwise, why would she have invested so much effort to join?

Fortunately, Chu Danqing was merely a collaborator; otherwise, things would've been far more complicated.

As for joining them now? Too late.

"One inside the Governor's mansion, one inside the Zhao Ming Society."

"For now, it's roughly even," Chu Danqing muttered as he entered his residence.

Upon returning, a servant reported that Wei Chuyi had waited for him all night.

Chu Danqing was puzzled—what could Wei Chuyi possibly want?

In recent days, Chu Danqing had hired a private tutor to teach Wei Chuyi reading and writing.

Wei Chuyi had been diligent and studied hard.

As for vengeance, Wei Chuyi had already settled it.

The Qinglong Society had been wiped out, Yichun Pavilion shut down, and every thug, pimp, and madam involved had been imprisoned.

Whether any of them would survive their incarceration remained uncertain.

"What's wrong? Why are you still awake waiting for me so late?" Chu Danqing asked.

Wei Chuyi had been deeply absorbed in reading and didn't notice Chu Danqing's arrival—he jumped when spoken to.

"Big Brother Chu, you're back," Wei Chuyi said, then added: "Today I heard news—Jia Simiao's scoundrel seems to be contacting someone."

Chu Danqing understood the first part, but the second carried heavy implications.

"Wait—where did you get this information?" Chu Danqing was momentarily stunned.

He hadn't closely monitored Wei Chuyi lately—just checked his progress and studies occasionally at night.

He didn't know what Wei Chuyi did during his free time.

Wei Chuyi had his own freedom after lessons; Chu Danqing had no reason to interfere.

"It's thanks to the pocket money you give me every day," Wei Chuyi said sheepishly. "After class, I hang out with my old friends."

"Then my tutor taught me—"

He realized that while reading, he noticed his friends didn't just speak eloquently—they each possessed unique talents.

With the generous allowance Chu Danqing provided, he had the initial capital.

Over time, this developed into a rudimentary, crude network.

And under Wei Chuyi's deliberate control, he had planted informants even within the Governor's mansion.

Although it doesn't involve highly classified intelligence gathering, most of it is trivial, petty business.

Yet if even one useful piece of information is obtained, it's worth more than a thousand gold.

Chu Danqing fell silent; truly, every man has his use.

Most people are not without ability, merely lacking a platform to apply it.

Guo Ming is like this, Xiong Mou is like this, and Wei Chu is no different.

"Big Brother Chu, it'll take time to find out exactly who Jia Simou is in contact with," Wei Chu patted his chest and said, "Rest assured, I'll have it wrapped up in at most two days."

Chu Danqing sighed: "This is too dangerous—stop now."

"I can handle the rest."

Wei Chu is young, and so are the members of his intelligence network.

(End of Chapter)