Chapter 597: The Zixiao Sect |
"Everyone, I already told you last night, you haven't forgotten, right?"
Lei Shan looked at his men and asked in a deep voice.
"No."
......
The group answered one after another,
"Good, then we'll act according to the plan."
Lei Shan nodded, then focused his gaze on Ning Qi: "Brother Ning, today we'll show our faces, find a sect and make an example of them."
"Let them learn what we're capable of."
"Oh? How does this tie into our plan?"
"It does. This is to make me appear more active, so those spies they've secretly planted among us will notice me."
"Then when you disguise yourself as me to go to the Realm Sea Battlefield, no one will suspect a thing."
"After this mission, we can finish our trip and head straight for the Realm Sea Battlefield."
Lei Shan nodded and continued.
"Can we set off now?"
Hearing that, Ning Qi couldn't help but grow interested.
"Yes, we have to prepare our arrangements before their next muster."
Lei Shan nodded forcefully and said in a low voice, "Otherwise, if they all get ready, we'll be in trouble."
"I see."
Ning Qi listened and finally understood what was going on.
"Master, so they already knew about the Immortal Realm's movements."
Pill Spirit analyzed inside his dantian and said.
"That's right. They've had tacit understanding for a long time. You could say that over the years, through mutual raids, they've come to know each other's actions."
Ning Qi responded to Pill Spirit's words.
"Alright, today's operation is about to start. This time you all follow Brother Ning's lead."
"But remember, from now on he is me."
"And I am one of his subordinates. Understand?"
Lei Shan looked at his men and instructed them word by word.
"Understood."
His subordinates responded after hearing him.
"Brother Ning, when can you disguise yourself as me?"
Only then did Lei Shan turn his attention to Ning Qi.
"Oh?"
Ning Qi reacted — after yesterday's experiment he had already reverted to his own appearance.
After replying once, he continued: "Then I'll change into your appearance right now."
"Good."
Lei Shan nodded, curious to see how Ning Qi would take his form.
Not only him, his subordinates leaned in to watch, eager to observe the disguise.
"Then I'll use your appearance first, Lei brother, don't take offense."
Ning Qi smiled and prepared to disguise himself.
"Don't be polite, go ahead and use it!"
Lei Shan laughed, showing a carefree expression.
"Alright, I'm starting."
Ning Qi nodded, then began to circulate his mind-method.
At first his aura shifted, then his soul gradually altered.
Slowly, he became exactly like Lei Shan.
The process left Lei Shan and his men gawking.
"This... it's really amazing."
"Incredible."
Everyone started praising one after another.
"So, can we set off now?"
Ning Qi smiled and looked at the group.
"Pfft, truly impressive."
Lei Shan gave a thumbs-up and kept praising: "This is clearly the work of Master Li."
"Is that so? Then can we move?"
Ning Qi turned around to examine his reflection.
He did resemble Lei Shan very closely, even the voice was similar.
"Since that's the case, let's move."
Lei Shan said as he put on a mask.
Once the mask was on, his appearance shifted as well.
He looked like a completely different person.
"This... changed too."
Ning Qi looked at him and remarked.
"Exactly. I can change as well."
Lei Shan smiled, but shook his head: "Alas, mine is aided by external tools, not as covert as yours."
"But it's enough. No one will have a chance to get close enough to figure things out."
"When we finish the mission and return, I'll disappear for a while."
"Lei brother, you'll have to hide then."
Ning Qi cupped his fist and said politely.
"Make sure to bring back some resources for me."
Lei Shan joked.
"Of course."
Ning Qi took him seriously.
"Brother Ning, don't take it too seriously. Just make sure you return safely."
Lei Shan shook his head.
"As brothers, we share fortune and hardship. When you go out, naturally bring back some good things for your brothers."
Ning Qi waved his hand: "Shouldn't we be leaving now?"
"Alright. We'll split into two teams. You and I will each lead a squad."
Lei Shan agreed.
"Split up?"
Ning Qi frowned, "I'm not familiar with this area."
"What's difficult about that? Zhao Shilin."
Lei Shan said and gestured.
"Present."
A youth immediately rushed out from the crowd.
His eyes were full of lively spirit, clearly nimble.
"You assist Brother Ning in the operation, guide him on the route."
"If any problems arise, handle them."
Lei Shan looked at him and said seriously, "We're splitting into two teams. Brother Ning, this side is relying on you."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Zhao Shilin nodded and then politely said, "Young Master Ning, please."
"Alright, let's go."
Ning Qi nodded and left with Zhao Shilin.
Ten-odd people went with him, and Lei Shan took another dozen or so and set off.
"Young Master Ning, we're headed to a place called Wen Family Slope."
"This is a branch of one of the top three sects in this realm."
Zhao Shilin began explaining to Ning Qi.
"Oh, that sect?"
Ning Qi asked when he heard that.
"Young Master Ning, this is the Purple Dawn Sect's branch."
Zhao Shilin replied: "Their sect master is called Wen Wanru. She only assumed the position in the past few hundred years."
"Her mother, Wen Guling, has been in seclusion for centuries. Rumor says she is about to reach Golden Immortal strength."
"However, that's just hearsay. If she does break seclusion, then the top sect in this realm would be Purple Dawn Sect."
"Oh? That powerful?"
Ning Qi frowned upon hearing this: "Then why provoke them at all? Wouldn't the Myriad Swords Sect be an easier target?"
"The Myriad Swords Sect is tricky. We sent many people to deal with them and all failed."
Zhao Shilin sighed and continued: "We later sent agents to investigate, but nothing came of it. Nobody knows what really happened."
"Oh? Even this?"
Ning Qi frowned. In truth, he knew very well this matter was his doing.
"Master, he’s talking about us."
Pill Spirit reacted inside his dantian: "If they knew their enemy was right in front of them, what would they do?"
"They'd definitely fight us to the death."
Ning Qi said after hearing him: "But they can't possibly know."
"Master, ask them about their operational plan so we can arrange accordingly."
Pill Spirit inside his dantian reminded him.
"Alright, don't rush. I'll see what else he can say."
Ning Qi replied and continued hurrying along.
"Young Master Ning, we're going to strike the city under their branch's control."
Zhao Shilin spoke up again.
"Oh, a whole city. Can the few of us succeed?"
Ning Qi heard that and immediately looked serious.
"We're not attacking the city, just assassinating."
Zhao Shilin smiled and continued: "Then we'll capture their Sacred Maiden."
"Oh? Sacred Maiden, what's that about?"
Ning Qi asked curiously.
"I heard the Purple Dawn Sect's Sacred Maiden just returned from the Immortal Realm."
"She happened to be staying here. We're going to seize her and take her back."
Zhao Shilin lowered his voice and said: "Commander Lei leads his team to attack the branch to draw attention."
"We sneak into the city, abduct the person, and by the time they realize our plan, we'll have taken her away."
"I see."
Ning Qi finally understood.
"Master, these people are really wicked."
Pill Spirit complained inside his dantian.
"They're not wicked, just on different sides."
"If given the chance, do you think Purple Dawn Sect would let their enemy live?"
"I doubt anyone would miss this opportunity."
Ning Qi responded in his mind to Pill Spirit, then focused ahead: "How much further?"
"Over this ridge and we'll be there."
Zhao Shilin pointed to the mountains ahead.
"What about Lei brother's team?"
Ning Qi asked.
"Their team went to the eastern branch. The two places are more than fifty li apart."
"If they try to support, it won't be in time."
"By the time either side arrives, we'll already have completed the job and left safely."
Zhao Shilin pointed in a direction and told Ning Qi.
"Alright, let's go scout the place."
Ning Qi nodded and continued pressing forward.
"Be careful."
Zhao Shilin waved to his men behind them to follow.
"Yes!"
The men answered and trailed behind closely.
They went up the mountain, Ning Qi following them.
"Master, we need a way to inform Miss Xu and the others."
Pill Spirit thought and reminded within Ning Qi's dantian.
"This matter shouldn't be told to them."
"If she finds out, Lei Shan might not come back alive."
"Then my plan would be ruined."
Ning Qi shook his head and objected.
"But they're going to attack Purple Dawn Sect. If they succeed, won't it threaten this realm's safety?"
Pill Spirit frowned and spoke seriously.
"I don't think they'll succeed."
"Remember, this is the Purple Dawn Sect's Sacred Maiden; she can't possibly be without protection."
"If we go, we just need to avoid going all out."
Ning Qi replied mentally to Pill Spirit.
"Ah? But then these people will be in danger."
Pill Spirit worried upon hearing Ning Qi.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Ning Qi retorted: "You remember, follow me and your only concern is my safety."
"As for anyone who is not my person, anyone can become an enemy one day."
"Yes, understood, Master!"
Pill Spirit understood immediately.
Indeed, these people belonged to different factions. Even if they got along when there was no conflict, once interests clashed they would become enemies.
There was no need to mind them.
"Young Master Ning, we've arrived."
While they spoke, they had already crossed the ridge and reached the mountainside.
From here they could see an official road leading straight ahead.
Directly in front of them was a city.
The city did not look very large, at most equivalent to a dozen small towns.
"This city exists to correspond with Violet Cloud City."
Zhao Shilin explained to Ning Qi: "It's only twenty li from Violet Cloud City."
"I see."
Ning Qi understood. This place was essentially a transit hub.
"To the west from here is the Fang Sword Sect's branch, though it's already been destroyed."
"To the north is the Flowing Cloud Sect's branch. Our people were ambushed there last time and suffered total annihilation."
"We'll make them pay when we get the chance."
Zhao Shilin gritted his teeth and told Ning Qi: "And to the east is the Purple Dawn Sect's branch."
"Yes, so this little city is an important junction linking the three branches."
"That's why it developed."
Ning Qi finally grasped the situation.
"Indeed."
Zhao Shilin pointed at the city ahead: "Young Master Ning, let's go. There are people inside ready to assist."
"Alright, let's go."
Ning Qi nodded and followed him down the mountain.
When they descended, there were already carriages waiting.
Upon seeing them, the coachman came over and helped several people board the carriages.
They rode on, traveling onward.
After about half an hour, their convoy arrived at the city gates where people were coming and going.
"Should we disperse and go in separately?"
Ning Qi looked forward and asked in a low voice.
"No need. The gatekeepers are on our payroll too!"
Zhao Shilin smiled and waved the coachman to continue.
When they passed the gate, a few soldiers came to ask a couple of perfunctory questions, then let them through.
"See? No problem."
Zhao Shilin seemed proud as he spoke to Ning Qi.
"Indeed, I didn't expect your people to be so deeply embedded."
Ning Qi praised.
"These are people we've painstakingly placed inside."
Zhao Shilin nodded and lowered his voice: "Let's go to the tavern."
"Oh? We have a tavern?"
Ning Qi asked when he heard that.
"Yes, we have quite a few people there."
Zhao Shilin replied again.