: Too Many Clues

2024-07-31 Author: Gu Zhenren

: Too Many Clues

So, send Ning Zhuo to recruit Yuan Dasheng?

The success rate is almost zero.

The four major factions can pressure others with their influence, but Ning Zhuo cannot. He's only at the third level of Qi Refining and is a marginal figure in the Ning family.

The Monkey Head Gang itself has nearly ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with a dominant presence like Yuan Dasheng. Why would they be recruited by Ning Zhuo?

Cooperation?

Same logic. With Ning Zhuo's insignificant stature, what qualifications does he have to discuss cooperation with the Monkey Head Gang and Yuan Dasheng?

Reveal the Buddha Heart Demon Seal and show his true advantage?

In Ning Zhuo's view: This is an absolutely stupid move!

Once he does this, he's betting his life on the kindness of others.

Are the Monkey Head Gang and Yuan Dasheng kind?

A gang that prioritizes profit, and a self-made monkey who fought his way up—kind?

All sorts of intelligence are in Ning Zhuo's hands.

It can be said that Yuan Yi and Yuan Dasheng's experiences are inspirational, but they absolutely cannot be judged as kind! In fact, quite the opposite.

The situation is very dangerous for Ning Zhuo.

He clearly understands that he's like walking on the edge of a cliff. One more step, and he'll plunge into the abyss of failure.

"I must secretly eliminate Yuan Dasheng!"

This is the only solution Ning Zhuo could think of.

But how to kill him?

Zheng Family.

Two Zheng Family Golden Core cultivators appeared simultaneously to entertain Zhu Xuanji.

Chi Dun accompanied them.

Zhu Xuanji studied the medicine bottle in his hand.

The bottle was almost completely transparent, allowing a view of the black smoke inside from the outside.

Zhu Xuanji's eyes flickered with golden light for a moment: "This is made from fire poison."

Although Zheng Shuang Gou's battle with the shadowy demon cultivator ended with the latter's escape, he managed to collect some things. For instance, this peculiar black smoke, which could seal spiritual sense during combat, caused Zheng Shuang Gou significant trouble.

Zheng Shuang Gou absorbed some and stored it away specifically for research and countermeasures, preparing to gain an advantage in their next encounter.

With Zhu Xuanji's arrival, Zheng Shuang Gou naturally didn't dare hide it and handed it over directly.

Zheng Shuang Gou said, "To be precise, it's Heart-Burning Fire Poison."

"Five years ago, a Golden Core cultivator from the Sacred Ape Sect came to Fire Persimmon Immortal City. While residing here, he suffered a Qi deviation, causing his soul to fuse with his spiritual pet, the Rage Heart Ape."

"We joined forces and killed him in the Crimson Flame Demon Molten Cave. However, before dying, the Rage Heart Ape still caused massive damage to Fire Persimmon Mountain."

"Many, many demon beasts, spiritual plants, as well as geothermal heat, earth flames, fire poison, and malignant energy became tainted with rage, undergoing various degrees of mutation."

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly and put down the medicine bottle.

Since arriving, he had examined many items but hadn't found any good leads.

"It seems I must enter Fire Persimmon Mountain," Zhu Xuanji said. "Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuang Gou, please take me to the previous battle site."

Zheng Shuang Gou wore a troubled expression: "This... Divine Constable Zhu, is that necessary?"

"The Molten Immortal Palace has already emerged, and the former Crimson Flame Demon Molten Cave is destroyed. Although new ones will form, these newly formed tunnels and caves are very unstable."

"Especially since the Molten Immortal Palace occasionally erupts. Each eruption causes mountain tremors, rolling lava, and destroys most of the new tunnels."

"To get there, we'd have to dig our own tunnels and face endless geothermal heat, earth flames, and lava. Even more troublesome, some native demon beasts won't leave us alone."

Zhu Xuanji: "No matter how difficult, we must take a look. Fellow Daoist Chi Dun will also assist me."

Chi Dun frowned but nodded nonetheless.

Zheng Shuang Gou sighed. As the person involved, he couldn't refuse and had to brace himself: "Alright, I'll accompany Divine Constable Zhu on this trip."

Ning Zhuo came to see Sun Lingtong.

"Here's the latest intelligence you wanted on the Monkey Head Gang and Yuan Dasheng," Sun Lingtong tossed a jade slip to the youth, Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo's voice was hoarse: "Thank you."

"I also want monkeys. On one hand, buy more wild monkeys! On the other hand, continue hiring people to kill the Monkey Head Gang's monkey pets. The more killed, the higher the bounty I'll pay." Ning Zhuo threw out a storage bag filled with spirit stones.

"Understood," Sun Lingtong chuckled. "Little brother, well done!"

"Right now, the entire Monkey Head Gang is on edge."

"The fire persimmon picking business is extremely profitable. Replacing the Monkey Head Gang, you'll make a fortune every year."

"Striking first is a style that suits my taste perfectly. You're really suited to join our Bukong Sect."

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, showing no hint of joy: "As long as Yuan Dasheng remains, the Monkey Head Gang cannot be underestimated."

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Sun Lingtong's chubby childlike face. He made a cutting motion with his hand: "I say, why don't we hire some demon cultivators, join forces, find a time when Yuan Dasheng is alone, and take him out!"

"We need to plan this carefully!" Ning Zhuo immediately shook his head. "Yuan Dasheng is battle-hardened and far from simple. Various clues indicate he has powerful hidden cards."

Sun Lingtong raised his chin, speaking boldly: "How will we know if we don't try? We can recruit some demon cultivators as cannon fodder. Even if we fail, we can test what cards he has."

Ning Zhuo frowned deeply, feeling uneasy about Sun Lingtong's attitude: "If it were that easy to force out his hidden cards, why has no one succeeded all these years?"

"Let me give you some confirmed intelligence."

"On the surface, Yuan Dasheng has no cultivation, but in reality, he practices demonic arts, and his cultivation is definitely not low!"

Sun Lingtong was visibly shocked.

Yuan Dasheng is originally a Fire-Melting Demon Ape, widely known for his strong close-combat martial prowess. If he reveals his demonic arts, his combat power would likely skyrocket over tenfold.

"The Monkey Head Gang also has Fei Si's permission to participate in the Fire Persimmon Festival. If we act too boldly, the City Lord's Mansion might target us first," Ning Zhuo added.

Sun Lingtong smacked his lips and waved his hand: "Then forget it."

Unexpectedly, Ning Zhuo said: "We won't deal with Yuan Dasheng, but we can assassinate Yuan Er. Before the assassination, send him a warning letter. The assassination must fail; it cannot succeed."

Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes: "Little brother, what are you trying to do?"

Fire Persimmon Mountain.

"Hurry, I can't hold on much longer!" Zheng Shuang Gou strained to maintain the temporary passage.

Chi Dun, bleeding profusely, silently held off several enraged demon beasts.

"Wait a bit longer, almost there," Zhu Xuanji's eyes blazed with golden light as he continuously formed hand seals.

Zheng Shuang Gou nearly vomited blood upon hearing this, because Zhu Xuanji had said the same thing half an incense stick ago.

Chi Dun actually spat out a mouthful of blood, revealing an opening.

A Fire-Striding Snake, seeing this, immediately charged with its horn.

This Fire-Striding Snake was practically a fire dragon, with horns on its head. If Chi Dun were hit, he would be seriously injured, possibly even fatally.

But the next moment, Zhu Xuanji finally finished. He activated a talisman, transforming into a rainbow with the two Golden Core cultivators and flying away.

Within a few breaths, the three had escaped the volcano.

"We're safe!" Zheng Shuang Gou let out a sigh of relief.

Chi Dun began silently healing his wounds.

Zheng Shuang Gou looked at Zhu Xuanji: "Divine Constable Zhu, any gains?"

Zhu Xuanji showed a slight smile: "Great gains. Using the Tracing Roots to Sources Art, I saw that what bombarded the Immortal Palace was a thousand-catty fire essence. The one that launched the fire essence was a monkey mechanism."

"Once I return to Fire Persimmon Immortal City and use the Tracing Roots to Sources Art again, I will definitely find the related people and objects. Capturing the culprit is not far off."

Zheng Shuang Gou and Chi Dun both looked at him in surprise.

Zhu Xuanji looked up at the sky: "Under my Golden Eyes, the true culprit will have nowhere to hide!"

A short while later.

Zhu Xuanji activated the Tracing Roots to Sources Art, using his Heavenly Fund Golden Eyes, staring blankly at the numerous mechanism monkeys glowing red scattered throughout the city in his special vision.

"Divine Constable Zhu, why have you stopped?" Zheng Shuang Gou asked, puzzled.

Zhu Xuanji: ...

(End of )