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Chapter 794: Internal Strife

No one knew Yang Haoran's true strength, except for Xu Meijing. At least among the living, no one knew, and the Old Crone who had just been slain was, of course, no exception.

The Old Crone's strength could only be considered average among Black Talisman Masters. She was much stronger than Wang Yiming, who had only recently broken through to the Black Talisman Master realm, but she was significantly weaker than Wang Yiming's master, Zhang Changqing.

Yang Haoran didn't even spare a glance for Zhang Changqing's strength, so how could he possibly take her seriously? The tragedy was that she knew none of this. She even believed Yang Haoran was weaker than her. The result was that in a single encounter, Yang Haoran tore her into a pile of mangled limbs, and he had only used a fraction of his power.

After collecting the Old Crone's soul, Yang Haoran approached Wang Yiming and Jiang Die. At this moment, both their physical bodies were still held by Immobilization Talismans, and they were also bound by several coils of ropes formed from Talisman Spirit Power.

The two lay on the ground, unable to move or speak, yet they could see, hear, and their consciousness remained clear. Thus, they were well aware of everything that had just transpired.

The two had originally believed they were doomed, but they never expected such a massive reversal. This left them utterly astonished. Even as Yang Haoran stood before them, they had not yet recovered from their shock.

Yang Haoran waved a hand, and a surge of Spirit Power roared forth, transforming into fist-sized skulls that bit through the Talisman Spirit Power ropes entwining them. These skulls then dissolved into their bodies, dispersing the Immobilization Talisman's power from the inside out. Only then did the two, who had been utterly motionless, regain their freedom.

The technique Yang Haoran employed at that moment was, of course, no Ghost Art; it was merely a manifestation of Spirit Power. While its might couldn't compare to a Ghost Art, it was more than sufficient to break the shackles binding them.

With their bodies free, the two finally snapped out of their shock. Yang Haoran knelt down and helped Wang Yiming to his feet. As for Jiang Die, he paid her no mind. If that woman could stand, she could stand on her own; if not, sitting on the ground to cool her heels was fine too.

"Brother Yang, I just thought. . ."

Wang Yiming, whom Yang Haoran had helped up, looked utterly ashamed.

Yang Haoran knew what he wanted to say. To spare Wang Yiming embarrassment, he cut him off, not allowing Wang Yiming to continue speaking.

"Save your words until we're inside."

Wang Yiming nodded. Jiang Die, at this moment, also struggled to her feet from the ground.

"You two go in. I'll wait outside."

Jiang Die wiped away the dried blood at the corner of her mouth, her face grim as she spoke.

Although the situation had reversed dramatically, and Yang Haoran was not, as she had thought, conspiring with the Old Crone, her resentment towards Yang Haoran had not completely vanished.

Yang Haoran initially didn't want to bother with this woman, but considering Wang Yiming, he decided to try and persuade her. If, after persuasion, she still insisted on going her own way, then he would simply let her be.

"Since you're already here, why dwell on so much? In your current state, if you remain outside and pursuers happen to arrive, I can't guarantee I'll be able to save you immediately."

Yang Haoran said with a faint smile, trying to convince Jiang Die.

"Martial Aunt, listen to Brother Yang. It really is too dangerous to stay outside."

Wang Yiming was aware of the minor friction between Yang Haoran and Jiang Die, but in his opinion, those small disagreements were nothing. They were in the past and there was no need to dwell on them.

Moreover, he felt that Yang Haoran made a lot of sense. In Jiang Die's current state, staying outside was indeed very dangerous. If pursuers truly arrived, Jiang Die would have no ability to contend with them.

Jiang Die remained silent. She hesitated briefly, then nodded slightly at Wang Yiming.

Led by Yang Haoran, the two entered the villa. Xiujuan swiftly prepared tea for the three of them.

In the living room, Yang Haoran smoked a cigarette and drank tea while asking Wang Yiming what exactly had happened. He wanted to know why he and Jiang Die, both Black Talisman Masters of the Lecheng Talisman Order, were being hunted by another Black Talisman Master and even accused of being traitors.

Wang Yiming did not conceal anything, recounting the entire incident in full detail.

It turned out that after Wang Yiming left Yang Haoran that day, he immediately rushed back to the Talisman Order to handle his master Zhang Changqing's funeral arrangements.

When news of Zhang Changqing's death reached the Talisman Order, it immediately shook the Lecheng Talisman Order. After all, Zhang Changqing was the head of the Lecheng Talisman Order, and his sudden death made it difficult for the Lecheng Talisman Order not to be shaken. It also allowed some people to see an opportunity.

According to the Talisman Order's rules, if the head of any region died, the high command had to be notified immediately. The high command would send people to handle the matter and re-select a new head to take over the previous one's duties.

Wang Yiming had intended to follow the proper procedure, but he was obstructed by the Old Crone. The Old Crone's reasoning at the time was simple: without seeing Zhang Changqing's body, it couldn't be confirmed that he was dead. If the matter were reported, and then Zhang Changqing somehow reappeared when the higher-ups sent people down, it would definitely provoke strong displeasure from them and affect their entire Lecheng Talisman Order.

The Old Crone's argument gained the support of many Talisman Masters, as Zhang Changqing's death was merely Wang Yiming's sole testimony. Besides Wang Yiming, there was no one else to prove that Zhang Changqing had died.

Wang Yiming, of course, was well aware of whether Zhang Changqing was truly dead. Besides him, a few others also knew. To prove that Zhang Changqing had indeed died, Wang Yiming prepared to find other witnesses to confirm his death, so he could quickly and honorably handle his master's funeral arrangements, considering it his final act of filial piety as a disciple.

However, before he could even set off, he was imprisoned by the Old Crone, on the grounds that he was spreading seditious rumors and harboring ulterior motives. Until the matter was thoroughly investigated, he couldn't go anywhere and could only remain imprisoned within the Talisman Order.

After the Old Crone imprisoned Wang Yiming, she ostensibly investigated the matter, but secretly, she was purging opponents and strengthening her own faction's power.

Where there are people, there will be struggle; even within the same organization, this holds true. If there is someone strong presiding, it is fine, but without a powerful leader in command, conflicts are very likely to arise due to differing interests or ideas.

Before Zhang Changqing died, he presided over the entire Lecheng Talisman Order, and his strength was also the greatest among all Talisman Masters in the Lecheng Talisman Order, so no one else dared to act rashly.

However, with his death, power struggles and infighting emerged, and the Old Crone became the leader.

Wang Yiming had recounted the process of Zhang Changqing's death in great detail, and the Old Crone had listened very carefully, also meticulously observing Wang Yiming's expressions. Thus, she had immediately determined that Wang Yiming was not lying, and Zhang Changqing had surely died as Wang Yiming said.

The reason she denied Zhang Changqing's death was to buy herself time, to give herself enough time to prepare. To prevent Wang Yiming from influencing her during this period, she simply labeled Wang Yiming and imprisoned him.

While the Old Crone was purging opponents, some other Talisman Masters also realized something was amiss. Some even understood exactly what was happening. A few chose sides, but most remained in a wait-and-see state, daring not to randomly take sides.

Jiang Die had always been part of Zhang Changqing's faction. Understanding the situation, she secretly contacted those within their faction and began to plan Wang Yiming's rescue.

An open and covert struggle then began. Wang Yiming was successfully rescued by Jiang Die, but both of them were then labeled as traitors. The Old Crone also admitted Zhang Changqing's death, but to achieve her own goals, she directly blamed Wang Yiming and Jiang Die for Zhang Changqing's death, publicly announcing that the two had conspired to murder Zhang Changqing in order to control the entire Lecheng Talisman Order.

The two were no match for the Old Crone, and eventually fled here to seek help from Yang Haoran. What followed was what Yang Haoran had witnessed.

The Old Crone did not immediately kill them. Her sole focus was to bring them back to the Talisman Order for a public trial, find a way to firmly establish their guilt, and then execute them. Only after all of this was done would she report Zhang Changqing's death.

By then, when the higher-ups arrived, the entire Talisman Order would already be under her control, and the deceased Wang Yiming and Jiang Die would have shouldered the blame. The re-selection of a new head would naturally fall to her.