Chapter 611: Understanding the Times

He Caifei's eyes brightened; the old fellow voluntarily brought this up—could he be dissatisfied with Feng Yue's arrangement?

Seeing Mo Dengqing here, He Caifei suspected they had previously discussed something, which led to Yan Buji's behavior.

Of course, it doesn't rule out that the two did it on purpose.

"Daoist friend Yan, it's not that I doubt your strength, but the sect's rules are clear—if you become Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang without being recorded, many will feel aggrieved."

"Indeed," Yan Buji nodded.

Mo Dengqing couldn't hold back and said, "Daoist friend He, don't speak recklessly! Hall Master Yan's matter will naturally be handled by Elder Feng; the Inner Gate's review is nearly approved, so what's wrong with letting him assume the position now?"

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about? Giving someone a foothold?"

But well said!

Yan Buji let out a cold laugh in secret, seeing a chance to scheme.

He Caifei smiled, "Fairy Mo, nothing in this world holds together without rules; once a precedent is set and others follow, isn't that a sign of the system's collapse? Do you truly trust Elder Feng to resolve Daoist friend Yan's identity issue? Even aside from that, now Yan has overstepped to become Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang—how many behind the scenes claim you are colluding in secret for personal gain!"

"You!" Mo Dengqing realized she misspoke, her lips quivered for a moment, but she could not utter a word.

Indeed, as long as the Inner Gate does not issue a disciple order to the Miscellaneous Hall for registration, Yan Buji and even those of Paolong Sacred Land are not.

This appointment that made him Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang was entirely Feng Yue's handiwork, even deliberately so, aiming to control the Lian Dan Tang.

But the identity issue is something Feng Yue and Yan Buji cannot resolve, and Yan Buji knows that.

Thus he must prepare in advance!

Yan Buji looked at He Caifei, his face bitter, "So I'm still not considered a person of Paolong Sacred Land."

"Hall Master Yan need not heed his nonsense; just trust Elder Feng."

He Caifei laughed beside, "If Elder Feng truly wishes to win over Daoist friend Yan, why not prepare everything and cut the tangled rope with a swift blade?"

He Caifei's meaning was clear: Yan Buji is merely a puppet placed by Feng Yue to temporarily take over the Lian Dan Tang; if he can't even realize that, no one can blame him when he later meets his end.

Bang!

Mo Dengqing slammed the table, glaring at He Caifei, "What exactly are you here for? Hall Master Yan's matter will naturally be handled by Elder Feng; it's not your place to comment, is it?"

He Caifei smiled, rose, and bowed, "That's all I have to say. Since Fairy Mo does not welcome me, I shall depart. Daoist friend Yan, you might consider what to do next."

"I'll see Daoist friend He off."

Yan Buji stood, and Mo Dengqing followed to escort him out of the Lian Dan Tang.

Returned to the main hall.

Mo Dengqing looked at Yan Buji, frowned, "You really believe that guy, don't you?"

Yan Buji's expression was calm, "If the Fairy doesn't utter so many words detrimental to us, the situation would probably be better."

"Huh? What do you mean!" Mo Dengqing was taken aback, glaring at Yan Buji.

Although she knew she misspoke, one cannot flatter the enemy, right?

Yan Buji sighed, "Fairy Mo, why not go find Daoist friend Yang or Elder Feng and recount the matter here? They will naturally know my intentions. However, it's best to send a message; you yourself should not leave this place. Now, I shall go to the alchemy work."

Mo Dengqing lowered her head, thought carefully, and still didn't grasp what Yan Buji meant.

But she recalled her mission; she could not leave before receiving a message, so she wrote down the events and sent them to Yang Yunshu.

After a while, Yang Yunshu sent a message, informing her of the details.

"Is that really what we have to do?"

Yang Yunshu's message explained that the crux is Yan Buji knows his identity is problematic, but even if he knows, what can he do?

Thus the other side pre‑arranged people to approach, not to confront him, but to use him against Elder Feng.

"Then he simply went along with the other's words, giving the impression that he too was dissatisfied with his identity issue, allowing He Caifei to observe their next move," Mo Dengqing realized.

Can one infer so much from those few sentences?

Senior brother truly remains impressive.

But thinking of this, Mo Dengqing suddenly felt something was off.

"Then why does he want me to stay here? Even if I don't leave, as long as the message gets out, isn't that the same? What purpose does my staying serve?"

Is it to prevent He Caifei and the Yao Wen behind him from becoming suspicious?

Mo Dengqing couldn't figure it out for a moment.

On the other side.

After He Caifei relayed the events to Yao Wen, Yao Wen sat inside the room and thought carefully.

"This Yan Buji is interesting; he tries to involve all of us in his scheming," Yao Wen said with a sudden laugh.

He Caifei was stunned, questioning, "No way—though his bringing up his identity issue might be Feng Yue's ploy to have Mo Dengqing interact with him, what can Feng Yue do even if we make a fuss over this?"

"What Feng Yue does is irrelevant, but have you considered one thing."

"What?"

"When a hall's master assumes office, shouldn't the Internal Affairs Hall post notices throughout the Outer Gate or announce it at the Outer Gate assembly for it to be official?" Yao Wen said.

He Caifei's eyes widened, he thumped his thigh, "Exactly! That old Feng never made a public announcement, so even if we attack him with this, it will fizzle out!"

"So I say this wasn't orchestrated by Feng, but Yan Buji is sending us a message."

"But now Mo Dengqing is in the Lian Dan Tang; if Yan Buji does anything, Feng Yue would also learn of it immediately."

"Did the people you placed notice Mo Dengqing leaving the Lian Dan Tang?" Yao Wen retorted.

He Caifei shook his head, "The disciples I placed near the Lian Dan Tang would certainly relay any news."

"So, Mo Dengqing must have told Feng Yue your conversation. Feng will assume Yan handled it himself, aiming to see our next move, letting them act calmly. Thus, as long as Feng doesn't make a blunder, we have no way to deal with him!"

"Then what does this have to do with Yan? Is his thinking important?"

"It can be important." Yao Wen suddenly smiled, "Since he was promoted by Feng as an outsider, he can only rely on Feng within the Outer Gate, so he won't leave Feng's carriage. Therefore, we should secretly win over this person, elevate his status to that of a true Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang, and then use him to pierce Feng's heart!"

He Caifei was stunned, "Would he willingly be commanded by us?"

"No one won't betray; it's just a matter of insufficient benefit. As long as he knows his position isn't secured by Feng, he'll be easy to corrupt."

Moreover, being able to be favored by Feng Yue and promoted to the position of Hall Master of Lian Dan Tang, I think he won't be bad; this person is very smart.

Smart people always keep an escape route for themselves; they know the times and when to advance or retreat.