Chapter 623: Joy and Sorrow

The Sun family.

The footage of Seeing Qing Chi slaying the wandering Ghost General, followed by the Qingjiao Army garrisoning the city walls and slaughtering the ghosts until they dared not approach, was played once again before the Sun family's high command.

This was already the fourteenth time.

Combining the various intelligence reports they had gathered, the Sun family's cultivators had already studied the Qingjiao Army over twenty times.

"There is no mistake, this is a cultivation army!"

"Although Seeing Qing Chi is a genius with Golden Core combat power at the Foundation Establishment stage, her final strike clearly exceeded her past limits. This is the amplification of military power!"

"What should we do?"

The Sun family's high command fell into silence.

A massive change had occurred in reality, presenting them with a dilemma they had not previously anticipated.

Someone broke the silence and asked, "What is the current status of our clansman Sun Tiesheng?"

"The Spirit Contract Treasure-Refining Array in the Virility Pavilion is still operating, and there are no signs of the Jin Yan Fork acknowledging a master."

"What about Jiao Ma?"

"Ever since he successfully argued his innocence that one time, he has caught the City Lord's eye. He has consistently neglected his performance in the treasure-refining array, frequently leaves the Virility Pavilion, and shows no concern for the Jin Yan Fork."

The group fell into silence once more.

Sun Tiesheng's father spoke up: "We cannot underestimate Jiao Ma! Perhaps this is just a strategy by the Jiao family to confuse the enemy; that is very possible."

"Look at how they created this new army; the Jiao family kept a low profile the entire time. Suddenly, they joined forces with the Ghost clan's Qing family and created a cultivation army!"

A Sun family elder sighed: "A cultivation army, I never thought they would actually succeed in building one. How many times did our White Paper Xiancheng try?"

Another elder shook his head and said: "You cannot calculate it that way."

"Many times in history, White Paper Xiancheng had hope for success, but it was always secretly sabotaged."

"Upon deeper investigation afterward, it was discovered that it was the shadow of super sects like the Wanxiang Sect and the Soul-Devouring Sect. The relevant investigations would then come to an abrupt end."

"This time, they were able to succeed because the timing was truly right, and all parties were supporting them with full effort."

Upon hearing this, the Sun family patriarch nodded slightly: "Correct."

"First, there is this Demon cultivator, Lord Li Xiangshang. His talent is peerless, and he was actually able to assist in building the army;

it was truly hard to predict."

"Second, the White Paper City Lord is generous and bold, repeatedly allocating funds without any regard for the future landscape, as if not worried at all that this army might become too big to control. The scale of her actions is astonishing."

"Third, this girl Seeing Qing Chi, although young, has outstanding talent, and having fought valiantly before, she has already gathered military morale. Looking at it now, she is actually able to transform military morale into military types; her performance is stunning and repeatedly exceeds expectations."

"Fourth, the Qing and Jiao families supported them with their entire clans, emptying their family foundations and pulling out their elites to form the army."

"Finally, super sects like the Wanxiang Sect and the Soul-Devouring Sect were wary of this ghost tide and the army of Yin soldiers, so they allowed the new army to be established."

Speaking of which, the relationship between these super sects and White Paper Xiancheng is quite complex.

They are both the protective umbrella of White Paper Xiancheng and an obstacle to its development.

In normal times, they do not want White Paper Xiancheng to be too powerful, monopolizing all the resources of the entire Yin Tide Black Wet Swamp.

The phenomenon of the ghost tide must be viewed from two aspects.

On one hand, it indeed brings White Paper Xiancheng immense suffering and challenges; on the other hand, it is actually a surging tide of resources. Although ghosts are dangerous, after they are exterminated, what remains are high-quality cultivation resources.

These resources are common in the Underworld, but in the Yang world, they are relatively difficult to collect in one place, and some are quite rare.

Everyone agreed with the Sun family patriarch's analysis.

Without even one of these links, this new army could not have been established!

Creating a cultivation army is truly too difficult.

It was only in the present moment, with the right time, the right place, and the right people—all factors converging—that this matter was facilitated.

Even so, the new army has not yet been truly established; it is still going through the two links of military supplies and military systems. Furthermore, there are subsequent steps.

The Sun family's high command continued to discuss, one after another.

"This brat Jiao Ma is quite cunning; he is very likely disguising himself, secretly plotting for the Jin Yan Fork."

"Even if he hasn't done so, we must act as if he has. The Jin Yan Fork is too important to our Sun family."

"He himself has decent cultivation talent; otherwise, he wouldn't have been selected by the Jiao family as a male consort."

"Now, he also has the Qingjiao Army to bolster his momentum. I don't know about others, but if the situation were the same, if I were the City Lord, I would definitely abandon Sun Tiesheng and choose Jiao Ma. After all, the relationship between Jiao Ma and Seeing Qing Chi is quite good."

The sensation caused by the Qingjiao Army was too great; regardless of friend or foe, everyone was studying them.

The pasts of Jiao Ma, Seeing Qing Chi, and others were not actively hidden, so they were investigated thoroughly; everyone knew that Jiao Ma and Seeing Qing Chi were childhood sweethearts, and their relationship was extremely close.

"You say—" Reaching this point in the discussion, a Sun family elder had a flash of inspiration and made a suggestion, "Can we work on this point?"

The eyes of the elders lit up instantly.

Thus, very quickly, under the promotion of the Sun family, rumors became rampant throughout the entire Xiancheng.

"Jiao Ma (Unlike Ning Zhuo), as a male consort, is not self-respecting and is having an affair with Seeing Qing Chi!"

"The White Paper City Lord, deceived by the poor state of her true body, is wearing a green hat without knowing it, and is fully supporting Seeing Qing Chi in building the new army."

"The White Paper City Lord is constrained by the situation and forced into a corner, desperately needing a cultivation army, so even though she knows she is wearing a green hat, she still grits her teeth and supports the army-building, and there will definitely be retaliation in the future!"

"Seeing Qing Chi is ambitious; she wants both the handsome Jiao Ma and the position of White Paper City Lord."

Various rumors pointed directly at Seeing Qing Chi; who else was more in the limelight than her?

Although Unlike Ning Zhuo had already been keeping a low profile and deliberately restraining himself, not exposing the secret that he was the deputy commander of the Qingjiao Army, he was still dragged into this storm of public opinion because his relationship with Seeing Qing Chi was too close.

Matters concerning the gossip and private affairs of the White Paper City Lord were even more talked about, to the point that the rumors spread extremely rapidly.

Rumors can also kill!

Many forces and powerhouses were closely watching the White Paper City Lord's reaction.

Under the eyes of the public, the White Paper City Lord summoned Jiao Ma with great fanfare. The doors were shut tight, and only after a full hour did Jiao Ma take his leave.

While the outside world was guessing what kind of interrogation or reprimand Jiao Ma had received, he was leisurely drinking tea.

The White Paper City Lord's clone personally hosted him, praising him: He is worthy of being the savior in the prophecies! Last time he saved the Paper Giant Statue, and this time he facilitated the establishment of the new army. The entire crisis is changing because of Jiao Ma.

All of this made the White Paper City Lord add even more expectations.

As for those rumors, it had already been verified that they were the work of the Sun family. As long as Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, the White Paper City Lord would immediately issue a City Lord's decree to make the entire Sun family disappear directly.

These people actually dared to sow discord between the City Lord and the savior, just for the sake of their own family's private interests; their motives were sinister,

and their hearts deserved to be punished!

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head immediately: "No need for that. At present, inside and outside the Xiancheng, crises are everywhere; the Sun family is ultimately still usable. Who doesn't have selfish motives? It is still forgivable."

"Moreover, once a clan is rashly slaughtered, the methods are too cruel, and it is very easy for the enemy to take advantage. Who exactly the mole is has still not been investigated."

The White Paper City Lord's clone immediately praised Unlike Ning Zhuo, calling his capacity for tolerance vast, and that his high-mindedness for the sake of the big picture was incomparable to ordinary people.

As the "aggrieved party," the White Paper City Lord had not the slightest air of a Nascent Soul-level expert, actually praising Jiao Ma (Unlike Ning Zhuo) for his magnanimity; if this were told, I fear no one in the whole city would believe it.

The White Paper City Lord also summoned Seeing Qing Chi, Qing Yan, and Jiao Ma's biological father.

The three were terrified, but the White Paper City Lord's clone's attitude toward them was much colder. She only listened to the three report one after another in the early stage, then called for a paper puppet to serve tea, and she herself withdrew first.

The three drank several rounds of tea in the hall, ate some pastries from the Dark Cuisine faction, and stayed for a full hour before being allowed to leave.

Standing from the perspective of the White Paper Xiancheng's City Lord, she had long ago discovered that Jiao Ma was Unlike Ning Zhuo in disguise, so naturally, she was not worried about the emotional connection between Jiao Ma and

Seeing Qing Chi, and was even quite at ease.

Because she grasped this secret, once it was exposed, a huge rift would immediately appear between Jiao Ma and the Qingjiao Army.

She would not do this; at least in the current situation, having "Jiao Ma" and Seeing Qing Chi be inseparable was more beneficial to White Paper Xiancheng.

The White Paper City Lord's two instances of handling things lightly and letting them go thoroughly indicated her attitude, allowing both friend and foe, and the various forces within the Xiancheng, to quickly recognize the situation.

That night, at least six forces secretly found Qing Yan.

Although Qing Yan was a Golden Core cultivator, he was ultimately of the Ghost clan and considered inferior.

Jiao Ma's father, however, was a Human Golden Core cultivator, and he received over a dozen invitations; more than ten forces visited his door late at night regardless of the hour.

Even at Unlike Ning Zhuo's place, someone came knocking.

Most were politely declined by Unlike Ning Zhuo; he had no patience to engage in hypocrisy with these forces that swayed with the wind, wasting his own cultivation time for nothing.

Speaking of which, Seeing Qing Chi's realization of the military system had slightly stimulated Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Seeing Qing Chi had not been exposed to military strategy in her daily life, but Unlike Ning Zhuo had the accumulation from the Great War of the Two Nations, as well as two great military treasures. These were the "High Victory Last Testament" and the "Soldiers in the Same Helmet."

He had the intention to use these two treasures to assist himself, but regretfully, his previous "Sturdy Earth Return Technique" had not been thoroughly comprehended.

Only by comprehending it thoroughly could he use the "Soldiers in the Same Helmet."

Sun Lingtong could do it, but he had more important things to do at the moment. Just staying among the enemy army,

providing military intelligence to Unlike Ning Zhuo, this role was already quite huge and irreplaceable.

"I don't believe it." Just as Unlike Ning Zhuo was vigorously studying military books, a "friend" came to visit, forcing him to interrupt his cultivation to host the person.

It was none other than Yang Weida.

Unlike Ning Zhuo led him into the reception room, and Yang Weida immediately knelt and bowed, expressing his intention to defect.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was taken aback and hurriedly helped him up: "Brother Yang, why go to such lengths?"

Yang Weida showed a bitter smile: "Brother Jiao, you are usually elusive, and I have waited for many days, finally waiting for Brother Jiao to return to the Virility Pavilion."

"Please, Brother Jiao, do not worry; I come to defect this time with full sincerity."

Following this, Yang Weida demonstrated his sincerity.

He handed Unlike Ning Zhuo a heavy storage bag, which contained almost his entire net worth.

"I have been in business for many years and have a little bit of wealth. Hearing that the new army is being created and still needs military funds, although it is just a drop in the bucket, I would like to contribute a little bit of effort. I hope Brother Jiao will accept it by all means."

Unlike Ning Zhuo fell silent.

The assets in this storage bag already exceeded those of most Foundation Establishment cultivators. And among them was a precious material called "Space-Piercing Shuttle Iron," which reached the Nascent Soul grade, and crucially, it was very rare on the market.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was somewhat puzzled and looked up at Yang Weida: "Other forces come from the local area of the Xiancheng, which I can still understand.

You are an outsider, why go to such lengths?"

Yang Weida let out a long sigh, his face filled with bitterness.

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to reach out and invite him to sit, then took out tea to host him.

Yang Weida sat upright and sipped the tea in small mouthfuls, placing himself entirely in a low position, with no trace of the brotherly attitude from before.

He put down the cup and instead brought up another topic: "Does Brother Jiao know that Sun Tiesheng has already agreed to Lord Li Xiangshang's request to accept the Golden Nest Demon Seed?"

"Oh?" Regarding this matter, Unlike Ning Zhuo had also heard something. At this moment, he looked at Yang Weida: "Your intelligence is quite comprehensive."

Yang Weida smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Brother Jiao, I mentioned before that my elder brother is Yang Sanyan, who is a true disciple of the Wanxiang Sect. The reason I am well-informed is simply by borrowing the power of the Wanxiang Sect's branch here; it is not worth mentioning."

Although he said it was not worth mentioning, he carefully brought up Yang Sanyan again.

Yang Weida stared at Unlike Ning Zhuo: "According to the momentum of the Qingjiao Army and the weight Brother Jiao holds in the City Lord's heart,

I know you already knew about this, Brother Jiao, but you have made no moves, seemingly intending to sit by and watch Sun Tiesheng succeed?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded.

For him, the Jin Yan Fork was never the main point. Instead, whether he could use this matter to provoke the mole into exposing themselves was what Unlike Ning Zhuo was more interested in.

The mere Jin Yan Fork, in itself, did not have much effect on the big picture.

Unlike Ning Zhuo once again expressed his heart, telling Yang Weida directly: "I was frank with Brother Yang before, and I told the truth. I have no real designs on the Jin Yan Fork."

Yang Weida's expression became even more complex; for a moment, he just stared at Unlike Ning Zhuo, falling into silence.

After a long while, he sighed bitterly: "Sometimes, people cannot be compared. The things we rack our brains to plot for are things that Brother Jiao doesn't care about at all."

"Sigh, even though I already knew, the emotions at this moment still make me feel extremely dejected!"

"With the Qingjiao Army, Brother Jiao's status does not need to be fought for by yourself; it will definitely be as stable as Mount Tai in the future!"

"Compared to you, we—"

Yang Weida shook his head and smiled bitterly, his expression quite lonely.

Unlike Ning Zhuo felt Yang Weida's emotions and was speechless for a moment.

Yang Weida: "Do you know that Sun Tiesheng cried for a whole night?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows: "There is such a thing?"

Yang Weida's expression was heavy, and he nodded: "Lord Li Xiangshang fostered the Qingjiao Army and also revealed his intention

to choose you, Brother Jiao, to compete for the Jin Yan Fork."

"As a result, the Sun family was forced into a corner and had no choice but to change their previous measures, forcing Sun Tiesheng to bow his head and use the Golden Nest Demon Seed."

"From then on, Sun Tiesheng is half-human and half-demon, which is equivalent to cutting off his cultivation path."

"Although he is an illegitimate son, he has always been self-improving. Unfortunately, the situation forced him, leaving him no choice but to submit."

"He cried for a whole night because of this; I understand very well. If it were me, I would be even more sad and lose my composure."

"However—"

"Even his treatment is something most male consorts can only look up to, wishing they could replace him."

"I won't hide it from you, Brother Jiao, I am one of them!"

Yang Weida pointed to himself: "My talent is not good, and I cannot join the Wanxiang Sect. I am also unwilling to accept this, always wanting to make a name for myself."

"I have been in business for many years, traveling north and south, suffering a lot, and many times my life hung by a thread."

"Coming to White Paper Xiancheng this time is because I value the opportunities here. For people like us, we can only seek wealth in danger."

"Only in such a dangerous place can the opportunities contained within reach people like us."

"I originally wanted to use the identity of a male consort to gain opportunities and a high position. Now it seems, Brother Jiao, you are not competing,

and the Jin Yan Fork is almost already in Sun Tiesheng's pocket."

"As a male consort of the Virility Pavilion, the situation has become very awkward."

"My future is bleak, so naturally, I want to find another way out."

Yang Weida stated his intention.

He understood that he could not get ahead on his own, but he could achieve his goal of standing out by attaching himself to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

If he cannot make it himself, he will attach himself to the strong.

This is also a way of survival for cultivators!

Unlike Ning Zhuo frowned slightly, somewhat suspicious: "Brother Yang, instead of defecting to me, an outsider, wouldn't it be better to defect to your own brother?"

Yang Weida smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I mentioned to you last time that my own brother has a special status in the Wanxiang Sect. Things like protecting one's own kin cannot happen to him. This is for his protection."

Unlike Ning Zhuo pondered for a while, nodded, and accepted the assets into his pocket: "Understood, I accept these assets, and I also guarantee you a future!"

He thought to himself: Even if he is not the real Jiao Ma, as the savior of White Paper Xiancheng and the Deputy City Lord, it is still possible to secure a space for Yang Weida to develop.

Unlike Ning Zhuo is short of money.

To be precise, at this stage, military supplies are in great need of various assets, and the more the better!

The Virility Pavilion fell into turmoil.

The reason most male consorts were promoted to this point was for the Jin Yan Fork. As long as one refines this treasure, one can provide long-term, huge help to the White Paper City Lord, which is equivalent to securing a very high position of power.

But now, the Jin Yan Fork is about to have a master, and many male consorts, like Yang Weida, are looking for other ways out.

One day later.

"Hahaha—" Sun Tiesheng held the Jin Yan Fork high.

He succeeded.

The Jin Yan Fork emitted a warm golden light, sprinkling over Sun Tiesheng's entire body.

At this moment, Sun Tiesheng's appearance had also changed; he was no longer a pure human, but had narrow, long eyes and golden eyebrows.

People around him praised and congratulated him.

Yet Sun Tiesheng, while laughing, shed tears.

He was in the limelight, instantly overshadowing the previous Qingjiao Army, and like a sparrow climbing a branch, he had turned into a phoenix. As long as he held the Jin Yan Fork for one day, he would be a solid member of the high command in White Paper Xiancheng.

He was happy, but also sad.

He was helpless, but also resentful.

He was forced into it; it was the family that needed him to do this. He had no choice but to do so; this had already been decided when he accepted the family's cultivation.

Any gain comes with a corresponding price.

"Alright, Tiesheng, the family has not treated you unfairly, and I hope you do not hold a grudge against the family."

"The family originally wanted to protect your cultivation path, but who let the Qingjiao Army emerge so suddenly?"

"We all know that there is Li Xiangshang's calculation in this. But—time and fate, we can only blame your fate for being this way."

Sun Tiesheng closed his eyes and slowly opened them again, his expression having become calm: "I understand."

His father patted him on the shoulder and clapped his hands: "Alright, Tiesheng has mastered the Jin Yan Fork; this is a joyous occasion. Not just for Tiesheng, but for our entire Sun clan."

"A joyous occasion should be celebrated joyously, what do you think?"

"Of course!" An elder echoed directly.

"We must take this opportunity to greatly boost our Sun family's reputation!"

"Celebrate it well; with the Jin Yan Fork, our Sun family will leap to a higher level and become fixed dignitaries of White Paper Xiancheng."

The Sun family's high command reached a consensus on the spot.

In fact, they had long been preparing for a celebratory banquet.

That night, they invited many guests, and the Sun family was full of friends; even the Virility Pavilion became a venue for celebrating Sun Tiesheng.

Many male consorts, some having found a way out, others having simply defected to the Sun family, basically all participated, congratulating the transformed Sun Tiesheng with complex emotions.

Since they saw each other every day, they all hoped to build a good relationship with the Sun family.

The banquet lasted all night, and the noise and liveliness caught the attention of countless forces and powerhouses.

The next morning.

"People are dead, people are dead!"

"They are all dead, it's all over!!"

"My God, the Virility Pavilion is finished!!"

The male consorts who participated in the banquet had all lost their lives, and the one who bore the brunt was Sun Tiesheng.

Unlike Ning Zhuo heard the news and rushed to the scene urgently.

In a corner of the banquet hall, he discovered Yang Weida's corpse. ===== CHAPTER 624 =====