Volume 3 Chapter 47
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Volume 3 Chapter 47: End of the Road
In this world, at any time, in any corner, there will always be people plotting for various reasons. Their purpose may be to protect their own interests or to gain the benefits of others. They are at peace with this and need no justification or excuses, nor any scruples.
Just as Zhou Huahai unexpectedly came to visit Master Xu Heng, Qinglingzi, and Zeng Lianxian, in another corner of Zhantai, Man Tian, the hall master of Eight Wilderness Hall, and Sect Master Taoist Jiuze of Liuhe Gate, sat together in another hut. Between them was a chessboard, a teapot, and two teacups.
Thus, the two chatted, sipped tea, and played chess, appearing quite leisurely.
If one only looked at their expressions, others would never imagine these two esteemed sect leaders were actually plotting a division of spoils at that moment.
"So, it’s settled. When Jiuhua Gate loses its Holy Land status, the spiritual veins of Jiuhua Mountain and its Holy Land status will belong to my Liuhe Gate, while the low-ranking disciples and centuries of savings from Jiuhua Gate will all go to your Eight Wilderness Hall."
Taoist Jiuze gently placed a white stone on the board, and a clear and crisp sound echoed as the pieces met.
At this moment, the black and white sides on the board were in a deadlock, fiercely entangled like two dragons tightly gripping each other on the small board.
However, it was clear that Taoist Jiuze’s mind was not on the game; though his hand moved his pieces, his eyes were fixed on Man Tian as he spoke seriously.
Unlike Taoist Jiuze, Man Tian’s rugged appearance contrasted with his calm demeanor, his gaze steady on the board. Hearing Taoist Jiuze, he smiled slightly and said quietly, "Naturally, after the extinction of the Jiuhua Mountain sect, our entire faction will support the Liuhe Gate as the new Holy Land. Liuhe Gate has stood for thousands of years, longer than Penance Valley, and has flourished without decline. In your hands, it will grow even stronger, making it deserving of the Holy Land title."
Hearing Man Tian’s gentle words, Taoist Jiuze still seemed unsure, keeping his eyes locked on Man Tian’s until he was reassured of his sincerity, then smiled and said, "If Man Tian does not contest me, the Holy Land title surely belongs to Liuhe Gate."
Continuing, Taoist Jiuze, still not convinced, asked, "Once we gain the Holy Land title, we will be respected by all cultivators and supported by the other Five Holy Lands. Unless internal problems arise, holding the Holy Land title ensures prosperity for ten thousand years. Does this not tempt you, Man Tian?"
Man Tian smiled faintly, thought for a long time, and finally placed a black stone, cutting off a forming dragon on Taoist Jiuze’s board. Then he looked at Taoist Jiuze and said calmly, "Of course I’m tempted, but you know, becoming a new Holy Land requires recognition from the other Five Holy Lands. Xu Heng and those old fellows have never been very trusting of my Eight Wilderness Hall. While becoming a Holy Land is not impossible, the chances are slim. Rather than vying for the unlikely title, getting tangible resources and disciples is more realistic. Jiuzetaoist friend, you know my Eight Wilderness Hall is newly established and in a remote location, so we lack resources and disciples. Our cooperation meets both our needs."
Hearing Man Tian’s words, Taoist Jiuze was finally at ease, smiling as he said, "Then, it’s settled."
"Naturally," Man Tian replied with an unchanged expression, in stark contrast to Taoist Jiuze’s joyful demeanor.
For Taoist Jiuze, if Jiuhua Gate is expelled from the cultivation world due to the Huandao Island incident, the extra Holy Land qualification would definitely be contested between the strongest Liuhe Gate and Eight Wilderness Hall. Taoist Jiuze has always been wary of the powerful and mysterious Eight Wilderness Hall, and he is not very confident that his own sect can surpass them.
Now that Man Tian has personally assured him that the Eight Wilderness Hall won’t compete with his sect for the Holy Land qualification, Taoist Jiuze is naturally overjoyed.
Seeing the undisguised delight in Taoist Jiuze’s eyes, a flash of contempt quickly crossed Man Tian’s eyes. He frowned slightly and gently reminded, "Friend Jiuzetaoist, Jiuhua Gate hasn’t been stripped of the Holy Land qualification yet; the ‘Xuanwu Token’ is merely being temporarily kept by Qinglingzi. If Zhang Hualing can find evidence to prove that the Jiuhua Gate wasn’t responsible for what happened on Huandao Island, Jiuhua Gate will remain one of the Holy Lands, and their status will be unshakeable. No matter how detailed our plans are, they won’t come to fruition."
Taoist Jiuze dismissed this with a cold laugh, "Friend Man Tiantaoist, do you really believe Jiuhua Gate can make a comeback this time? They couldn’t find evidence to prove their innocence on Huandao Island, so how could they possibly find it upon returning to Jiuhua Mountain? This time, the disaster for Jiuhua Mountain is inevitable."
Man Tian didn’t affirm nor deny Taoist Jiuze’s words but simply asked, "Friend Jiuzetaoist, do you truly believe Jiuhua Mountain is behind the Huandao Island affair?"
Hearing Man Tian’s question, Taoist Jiuze pondered briefly and slowly replied, "We have had considerable dealings with Zhang Hualing over the centuries and know he is very cautious and meticulous. It’s hard to imagine him committing such an act. Therefore, it’s unlikely the Jiuhua Gate is responsible for this; at least, Zhang Hualing wasn’t aware of it."
"So, you also think Jiuhua Gate is being framed this time?" Man Tian said softly, "Clearly, the events on Huandao Island are a scheme set up against Jiuhua Mountain. But every scheme has its flaws, and with Zhang Hualing’s shrewdness, it’s not impossible for him to find these flaws."
Hearing Man Tian’s words, a trace of worry appeared on Taoist Jiuze’s face. After a while, he asked, "Friend Man Tiantaoist, your point is…"
Man Tian smiled slightly and said, "Since others can set traps for Jiuhua Mountain, why can’t we do the same?"
Taoist Jiuze’s eyes lit up with a bright twinkle and he was just about to speak when he heard the clear, melodious chimes of the bell ringing on Zhantai. It was the "Immortal Summoning Bell" used to gather cultivators.
Hearing the "Immortal Summoning Bell" sound nine times, Taoist Jiuze said in confusion, "When the ‘Immortal Summoning Bell’ rings, there must be something important happening. Could it be that Xu Heng and those old fellows have discovered something again?"
Man Tian also showed a hint of doubt in his eyes upon hearing the bell and replied in a deep voice, "We’ll know by taking a look."
Seeing Taoist Jiuze nod slightly in agreement, Man Tian stood up first, walked out of the hut, and, together with Taoist Jiuze, quickly flew on a cloud towards the jade platform to the south of Zhantai.
When the two arrived at the jade platform on Zhantai, they found that most of the cultivators were already gathered under it, and all the sect leaders and elders had also rushed over. They were sitting calmly in their seats, looking as puzzled as the two of them.
At the very front of the jade platform stood six individuals, five of whom were Master Xu Heng of Mercy Cloud Temple, Sect Leader Qinglingzi of Qingxu Gate, Sect Master Zeng Lianxian of Five Elements Sect, Palace Master Li Tianying of White Lady Palace, and Venerable Xuan Jian from Penance Valley.
The other person was Zhou Huahai, the Supreme Protector of Jiuhua Gate, who remained on Huandao Island as a hostage.
At this moment, the six of them looked solemn, seemingly indicating that something significant had indeed happened in the cultivation world.
Once all the cultivators had gathered on Zhantai, Xu Heng and the others exchanged glances and nodded silently. Then Zeng Lianxian stepped forward, bowed slightly to the cultivators present, and raised his voice, "I believe everyone is already aware of what happened on Huandao Island. Due to numerous doubts at that time, to prevent innocent people from being wrongly blamed, the leaders of the Holy Land sects and I decided together that Zhang Hualing and others should return to Jiuhua Mountain to gather evidence, to prove that this incident was not the doing of Jiuhua Gate."
At this point, Zeng Lianxian’s expression became more serious. After a slight pause, he continued, "But we have all been deceived by Zhang Hualing. After much consideration, Jiuhua Gate’s Supreme Protector Zhou Huahai has finally revealed the truth to us. Everything that happened on Huandao Island was orchestrated by Zhang Hualing and a few elders from Jiuhua Gate. They returned to Jiuhua Mountain to destroy evidence and create false proof."
As these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar.
Taoist Jiuze and Man Tian couldn’t help but exchange glances. Joy was evident in Taoist Jiuze’s eyes, while a hint of suspicion flickered in Man Tian’s.
