Chapter 434

Chapter 434: The Strategy Behind the Scenes

In the top-floor room of the Yao Chi Pavilion, Hong Xiu remained dressed in that flirtatious manner, with large patches of snow-white skin exposed, making anyone who saw it feel their hearts flutter.

She leaned back on the chair, one long leg crossed over the other, those slender, snowy legs smooth and rounded, stirring restlessness in the mind.

A faint smile appeared on her face, her beautiful eyes glinting with a lustful gleam as if trying to lure out one’s soul.

"Pill Master Zhou, here to buy information again?"

A seductive voice rang out in the room, light and whispery, like someone murmuring in your ear, full of temptation.

No matter what gesture this woman made or what words she spoke, it was deeply alluring and sparked wild imaginations.

Zhou Luo’s heart remained calm, as if he was used to her tactics. He sat down unhurriedly opposite her.

"Friend Hong Xiu, I want to know who stands behind the Chimagong Sect?"

He stared into those soul-catching beautiful eyes, his expression unruffled, his voice steady and without a trace of fluctuation.

Such a straightforward question caused Hong Xiu to pause in her smile, though soon it returned. She teased, "I never imagined Pill Master Zhou—who rarely steps foot outside—would care about such things?"

From what she knew of him, he normally wouldn’t show interest in such matters. Had the sun risen from the west today?

Zhou Luo said earnestly, "My children are all in the Qinyuan Sect. Now that The Great Battle approaches, a father naturally must protect them."

If possible, he preferred not to get involved in this great conflict.

If not for his children or his plan, he could have simply hidden away in the Qinyuan Sect to weather the storm.

After all, even if the Chimagong Sect won, given his status, they likely wouldn’t trouble him.

It would just mean a different ruler taking over, with little real impact on ordinary folk like them.

Hong Xiu felt a chill, recognizing the truth in his words.

Back when she first discovered he was unlike her expectations, and over the years as he repeatedly bought information, she gradually sensed a unique charm in this man.

He was steady and cautious yet not fearful; when it mattered, he acted decisively.

Moreover, he handled affairs resolutely, giving every matter thorough consideration.

All these years, he had quietly secured his footing in the Tian Xia Pavilion, gaining control of nearly all its power, while his industries flourished under his guidance.

Behind this seeming simplicity lay all his strategic planning.

Hong Xiu admired him greatly. Leaning back on her chair, she met his gaze with a smile: "Pill Master Zhou truly is a good father."

"So, the information?" Zhou Luo countered.

Whether he was a good father or not could wait—he needed to know who backed the Chimagong Sect first.

If that force was powerful enough, he might even have his wives, concubines, and children defect to their side.

After all, he had no grudge against them—unless they found out about him killing Qi Chuan back then.

Thinking here, Zhou Luo remembered Shangguan Qianxue, who’d helped conceal the truth years ago.

Since that ruin incident, Shangguan Qianxue had gained her master’s trust. Now, she too was at late-stage Foundation Establishment, serving as an inner sect elder with far higher status than Zhou Chang Le and the others.

If they joined the Chimagong Sect, eliminating this hidden threat was necessary.

An idea flashed through Zhou Luo’s mind.

"Of course there is, but Pill Master Zhou must offer something of equivalent value." Hong Xiu gazed at him with a smile.

Though she held him in esteem, business was business; such matters required clear accounting.

Without hesitation, Zhou Luo retrieved a storage ring: "What’s inside should be sufficient for two pieces of information."

He was, quite literally, rolling in wealth now—rich enough to rival an entire city. A small fee for information was easily covered.

Hong Xiu’s index finger twitched slightly, and the storage ring floated before her. After scanning it with her mental strength, her smile instantly brightened.

"Behind the Chimagong Sect stands the Ninth Prince, or so it’s said. I cannot guarantee this information is one hundred percent accurate, but it is highly probable he provides their backing."

"Now, Pill Master Zhou, what is your second inquiry?"

Clearly, Yao Chi Pavilion behind Hong Xiu had already deduced Zhou Luo’s most pressing question through its own means.

Hearing this answer, Zhou Luo’s expression froze, a heaviness settling in his heart.

Ninth Prince Long Yu?

Why would he suddenly support Chimagong Sect’s attack on Qinyuan Sect? With his current power and status, why meddle in such affairs?

Instantly, fresh waves of doubt surged within him. The revelation of Ninth Prince’s support for Chimagong Sect landed with tremendous shock.

No wonder Chimagong Sect is so resolutely committed to fighting Qinyuan Sect to the end. Yet if Hong Xiu knew this, Qinyuan Sect certainly must know too. What, then, could they possibly be planning?

Lost in these thoughts, Zhou Luo looked at Hong Xiu before him and posed his second question.

"Where does Qinyuan Sect draw its confidence?"

Hearing this, Hong Xiu’s eyebrows lifted. She had anticipated him exploring angles closer to the Ninth Prince, not questioning Qinyuan Sect’s own position.

Admittedly, his question was remarkably shrewd. Given Qinyuan Sect’s decision to fight even knowing Chimagong’s royal backing, they must possess another source of strength. Understanding this point would guide better choices.

Facing Zhou Luo’s query, Hong Xiu offered a helpless smile: "Just who backs Qinyuan Sect remains unknown at present. But indeed, as you surmise, they surely have some strategy."

Dissatisfied, Zhou Luo pressed, his voice low, "That doesn’t count as actionable intelligence."

Qinyuan Sect wouldn’t reveal its trump card lightly; deeper machinations likely lurked behind their stand.

"Naturally, you may ask further," Hong Xiu replied calmly.

"Is Long Yunshuang in Qinyuan Sect? And Long Yunting?" Zhou Luo asked another critical question.

After finally attaining the position of Ninth Prince, Long Yu wouldn’t mobilize forces so openly to instigate a sect war across a region without significant motive. What urgency drove him to attack Qinyuan Sect?

Zhou Luo could think only of the princess and prince, Long Yunshuang and Long Yunting. Evidently, the siblings harbored secrets Long Yu feared—secrets forcing his hand with such haste.

A flicker passed through Hong Xiu’s eyes; suddenly, a serious expression settled on her face. She sat up straight, no longer lounging with crossed legs, and fixed Zhou Luo with an intense gaze.

"You are certain you wish to ask this? Have you considered it might bring you deadly disaster?"

Once Long Yu learned Zhou Luo probed the Long Yunshuang and Long Yunting affair, matters would escalate dangerously. A Prince’s fury was a force even Qinyuan Sect might struggle to withstand, let alone Pill Master Zhou alone.

Yet Zhou Luo declared, unwavering, "I am certain."