Chapter 122: The Capture of Taishu Yong

As they chatted and laughed, Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan walked in with quick strides. Liu Junhuai looked at Xiao Qingtian and said, "See that, Uncle Xiao? These two seniors must have followed the scent of the wine!"

Before Fang Keyin and his companion had even sat down, they took out their own wine cups and began to pour for themselves. Xiao Qingtian was so amused that he kept winking at Liu Junhuai.

Liu Junhuai stood up and said to Xiao Qingtian, "These two are now the Supreme Elders of my Myriad Phenomena Sect. This is Senior Bian Yanshan, and this is Senior Bian Rongjin. Both are reclusive masters; their names are rarely heard in the cultivation world."

Although this was their second meeting, Xiao Qingtian had never had the chance to be introduced. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to the two.

Liu Junhuai said, "Uncle Xiao, let's drink and talk! Taishu Yong must be very active at the Heavenly Secret Sect, right? Does he know about the incident with Pamo Ji?"

Xiao Qingtian replied, "He certainly knows. That day at the martial arts arena, countless people saw you kill Pamo Ji. This is also why Taishu Yong felt at ease; he hasn't realized that we have already grasped the truth about him. His visit to the Heavenly Secret Sect this time was mainly to gather intelligence on the Sect Alliance, showing particular concern for the spies captured by the Alliance. He also expressed deep apologies for the Meteor Mansion producing a member of the Blood-Slaying Alliance like Pamo Ji, stating that the Mansion Master sent him to compensate for the losses caused by Pamo Ji and that they are willing to actively cooperate with the Sect Alliance to strike hard against the Blood-Slaying Alliance."

Liu Junhuai sneered, "Words are cheaper than singing. Including Taishu Yong, the Meteor Mansion has produced two spies for the Blood-Slaying Alliance, both of whom were high-ranking members. The internal management of the Meteor Mansion is on par with the Yanfu Palace. I even suspect that there may be even bigger spies from the Blood-Slaying Alliance within the Meteor Mansion!"

Bian Yanshan said, "Junhuai's suspicion is very likely. The internal situation of the Meteor Mansion is strikingly similar to the Yanfu Palace. Also, Sect Master Xiao should closely monitor the sects joining from the Mengze Kingdom and carefully investigate their connections to the Meteor Mansion. Once a sect associated with the Blood-Slaying Alliance infiltrates the Sect Alliance, the future of the Alliance will be in a very difficult position."

Xiao Qingtian nodded in agreement. Liu Junhuai asked, "Uncle Xiao, have you found out the background of Gonghu Changkong yet?"

Xiao Qingtian replied, "Not yet. I vaguely remember the name being very familiar, but I just can't place it."

Liu Junhuai said, "The lead on Gonghu Changkong is crucial. Don't worry, Uncle Xiao, perhaps you will remember at some point. Also, as soon as Taishu Yong departs from the Heavenly Secret Sect, send me a message immediately." Liu Junhuai turned to look at Fang Keyin. "Taishu Yong is a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator. When the time comes, I will have to trouble both Supreme Elders to take action. This person is critical; do not get entangled with him, do not take his life, just cripple his cultivation."

The group talked until noon, at which point Xiao Qingtian rose to bid farewell and returned to the Heavenly Secret Sect.

With the Myriad Phenomena Sect just established, trivial matters were endless. Wu Yaohan and Bian Jijin were almost too busy to stop. Liu Junhuai pulled Mo Sitong into the intense work as well, and even the two little girls, Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini, were running back and forth delivering messages.

Palace Master Fang had already transferred to the Juechen Palace, and it was agreed that they would set off once the date for the grand ceremony was finalized.

In the midst of the bustle, a day passed quickly. The next day, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Xiao Qingtian's message talisman arrived, stating that the group from the Meteor Mansion had already set off.

Gathering everyone, Liu Junhuai briefly explained the situation regarding the Meteor Mansion and made specific arrangements before everyone went back to their tasks.

The group from the Meteor Mansion arrived later than Liu Junhuai had expected; it was not until after noon that their figures appeared.

Taishu Yong led the way, walking in front with an aggressive air, followed by two Gold Core mid-stage and two Gold Core early-stage cultivators, with several Foundation Establishment cultivators trailing behind.

Instructions had already been given at the gate of the Myriad Phenomena Sect. After Taishu Yong's group arrived, the guards stepped forward to block them. Seeing that Taishu Yong intended to force his way in, the guards abandoned the gate and ran inside in a panic, shouting for help.

The Myriad Phenomena Sect's forces were already waiting in front of the main hall. A Gold Core mid-stage cultivator behind Taishu Yong shouted loudly, "Call your sect master out! Have you gone mad? How dare you detain people from our Meteor Mansion! You have half a stick of incense's time—the detained cultivators must be released, and your sect master must cut off one of his own arms!"

Liu Junhuai laughed, "Meteor Mansion? That is a major sect, indeed. Are people from your major sect here to bully us small, weak sects? Our Myriad Phenomena Sect has joined the Sect Alliance. Are you not afraid that the Alliance will come to trouble your Meteor Mansion?"

The Gold Core mid-stage cultivator sneered, "What kind of damn Alliance? It's just jumping around in this backwater of the Western Regions. It's not in the eyes of my Meteor Mansion."

Liu Junhuai said, "Are you here to rescue Bao Yunxian and Mao Xiaoyun? They attempted to murder this sect master; that is no minor crime. I was just about to hand them over to the Sect Alliance! We can't afford to offend the Meteor Mansion, so if you have any issues, go find the Sect Alliance!"

The Gold Core mid-stage cultivator raged, "What kind of damn sect master? Just a little brat! My Meteor Mansion says we kill him, we kill him. Hurry up! Quite a bit of time has passed already."

Liu Junhuai said, "Damn sect master? Interesting. Do you all speak like that in the Meteor Mansion? Is there anyone with a higher rank than him? This servant from the Meteor Mansion speaks too horribly. Call your leader out to speak!"

The Gold Core mid-stage cultivator was furious, a fierce look flashing in his eyes as he prepared to attack.

Taishu Yong, who stood behind him, spoke up: "Are you that little sect master? Hand over the people and cut off an arm, and we shall part ways today. Otherwise, I will wipe out your Myriad Phenomena Sect today!"

Liu Junhuai laughed, "So you are the leader today? The mistake you've made is even more serious than that of Bao Yunxian and Mao Xiaoyun. Those two only wanted to kill me, but you, old man, actually want to wipe out our Myriad Phenomena Sect. You truly deserve to die! How about this: today I will execute them—wait, let me count: one, two, three... today I will execute all seven of them, and leave you, this old man, to be sent back to the Meteor Mansion. You are a major sect, and we, the Myriad Phenomena Sect, cannot afford to offend you."

The anger Taishu Yong had been suppressing erupted like a volcano. His teeth ground together with a "clacking" sound, and his eyes flashed with uncontrollable fury. Like an enraged lion, he lunged toward Liu Junhuai.

Liu Junhuai stood motionless. Behind him, Fang Keyin flashed out, his Nascent Soul late-stage aura bursting forth. With a fist that tore through the void with a whistling sound, he struck directly at Taishu Yong's face.

Taishu Yong trembled, his face turning ashen. Beads of sweat immediately rolled down his forehead, and his mind went blank. It was only after being sent flying over a dozen yards by Fang Keyin's punch that he felt the intense pain coursing through his entire body.

Fang Keyin’s figure swooped down beside Taishu Yong like a great bird, striking his dantian with a punch. Taishu Yong let out a miserable scream; his cultivation was completely gone.

Liu Junhuai, Bian Jijin, and Wu Yaohan charged into the Meteor Mansion's ranks simultaneously. After a few exchanges, the two Gold Core mid-stage cultivators had been slain by Liu Junhuai under his Ghost-Eye Blood Blade.

By the time Fang Keyin walked back dragging Taishu Yong's body, the battle was over. All seven disciples of the Meteor Mansion had been hacked to death.

Liu Junhuai looked at Taishu Yong, who had been tossed onto the ground by Fang Keyin, and said with a smile, "How about that, old man? We small sects have masters, too. It only took one punch to take down a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator like you, right? Next time you go around shouting about killing people, please, I beg you, investigate clearly first, will you? Being as reckless as you are, I am truly amazed at your luck for having survived in the cultivation world for so long!"

At this moment, Taishu Yong felt aggrieved but had no one to complain to. Recklessness has nothing to do with age!

He was filled with regret. Bao Yunxian was a Gold Core late-stage cultivator; the fact that he could be captured alive should have alerted him, but instead, it had only stirred up a heart full of rage. It was his own pride and arrogance that had blurred his vision.

Liu Junhuai crouched down and said, "Did you think you could do whatever you wanted by relying on the Blood-Slaying Alliance? I have my people in the Heavenly Secret Sect; your every move was in my hands. The reason I didn't kill Bao Yunxian and Mao Xiaoyun was precisely to lure you out. You foolish old man, you have helped the Blood-Slaying Alliance harm so many cultivators; you never expected to end up like this today, did you?"

As Liu Junhuai spoke, Taishu Yong felt more and more terrified; the hairs on his entire body stood on end.

So, everything he had done was already known to them! How ridiculous that he had tried every means to persuade the Mansion Master to send him to the Heavenly Secret Sect to gather intelligence. Thinking of his own self-righteous behavior at the Heavenly Secret Sect, perhaps others were looking at him like a clown!

The surrounding disciples were fired up by this battle. Four Gold Core cultivators and one Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator—the entire fight, from start to finish, had taken only a dozen breaths of time.

When would they be able to slay Gold Core cultivators as easily as chopping melons and vegetables like them?

Liu Junhuai pried Taishu Yong's mouth open, and with a flick of his finger, the poison tooth in Taishu Yong's mouth fell out.

With a few quick movements, he intercepted the seals on his body and said, "Will you tell me about the Blood-Slaying Alliance now, or should I hand you over to the Heavenly Secret Sect? They have techniques to plant parasite worms in your consciousness; you will suffer greatly then."

Taishu Yong sighed and said, "You might as well ask whatever you want to ask. My dantian is shattered; living is worse than being dead."

Liu Junhuai asked, "Who else in your Meteor Mansion is a member of your Blood-Slaying Alliance?"

Taishu Yong replied, "A Vice Mansion Master named Huo Shaoying, a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator, and six Foundation Establishment cultivators. I will write down the list for you in a moment. No one knows exactly what position this Huo Shaoying holds within the Blood-Slaying Alliance, but I do know he is from the Chu family of the Northern Region. Does the Sect Master know about the relationship between the Chu family and the Blood-Slaying Alliance?"

Liu Junhuai said, "I know a little. Isn't the Chu family responsible for the Blood-Slaying Alliance's financial management?"

Taishu Yong said, "Yes, what I know is about the same as you, but I always feel there is something I don't know hidden within it. The Chu family must have a great secret!"

Liu Junhuai asked, "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

Taishu Yong was silent for a moment before saying, "There is one more person I suspect has a very mysterious connection to the Blood-Slaying Alliance, but I want to save my own life."

Liu Junhuai frowned and said, "What do you want me to do to save your life? You must know that as far as I am aware, the Sect Alliance is using you as bait for a bigger fish. If I let you go, they might not."

Taishu Yong said, "I know. That is why I want to meet with Sect Master Xiao of the Heavenly Secret Sect. It is better that you do not know this piece of information; that person is very dangerous!"