He didn't know if Mu Canglong was a traitor, but considering the kindness Mu had shown him by passing on techniques, even if he were a traitor, Wen Jiu felt he still owed him a debt of gratitude. However, judging by the current situation, Mu Canglong was likely just another pawn of Gong Chi—much like the Elder of the Spirit Farmer Division. That elder had been a traitor, yet those under him had all been "loyal subjects."

After exchanging a few more words, Wen Jiu headed straight for the Night Patrol Division, while also having his Three Fiends Walking Corpse keep a close watch on the remains of Xuemosanqian inside the Corpse Nourishing Coffin.

Among Xuemosanqian's remains, Wen Jiu had left behind a ghostly imprint that had no direct connection to him. It was incredibly well-hidden. Since it hadn't been erased yet, it meant that not even the Supervisors of the Supervision Hall had discovered it. Under the perception of his Three Fiends Walking Corpse, Xuemosanqian's body was still at the main peak and hadn't been moved.

…

Before long, Wen Jiu arrived at the Night Patrol Division.

He hadn't originally planned on coming here, as he didn't want to see Gong Chi for the time being. But he had no choice. He owed too much to Mu Canglong.

Upon inquiring, he learned that Mu Canglong was recovering at Liu Xiao's residence. Without hesitation, Wen Jiu rushed over.

When he finally saw Mu Canglong again, his aura was no longer as fierce and dominant as before, but it was still stable. Clearly, he hadn't suffered any severe injuries.

"Brother Mu."

Wen Jiu stepped inside and respectfully saluted.

Mu Canglong's expression, which had been tense, softened the moment he saw Wen Jiu. A faint smile flickered across his lips, but it quickly faded as he sighed. "You brat… why did you suddenly take Elder Gong as your master?"

"It's nothing, Brother Mu. Following Elder Gong's teachings might even make me stronger than those at the main peak," Wen Jiu replied with the same prepared response.

But Mu Canglong didn't believe him. "Elder Gong isn't a heretical cultivator—how could he possibly teach you? And do you really think joining the main peak is as simple as acknowledging a master? You cultivate the Yinzhou Corpse Nourishing Method. If you want to live longer, the only path is to go to the main peak. My father regretted countless times not staying at the main peak as a disciple and instead choosing to be an elder at a side peak… If he had stayed at the main peak as a disciple, he wouldn't have died still stuck in the mid-stage of Qi Refinement."

With those words, Mu Canglong made up his mind to go to the Night Patrol Division.

No matter what, he had to make Elder Gong give up on accepting Wen Jiu as his disciple. Fortunately, the official apprenticeship ceremony hadn't been held yet, so everything was still reversible.

Just as he was about to leave, Wen Jiu raised a hand to stop him and transmitted a message through divine sense, revealing part of the truth while mixing in some falsehoods. "I appreciate your concern, Brother Mu, but sometimes, life doesn't leave us with many choices… Besides, staying in the Night Patrol Division isn't so bad. Maybe in the future, I can even become a steward or something."

Mu Canglong halted mid-step.

He understood the meaning behind Wen Jiu's words and found himself momentarily at a loss. He had previously heard that Wen Jiu had voluntarily sought out Elder Gong to become his disciple.

At this moment, Liu Xiao also sent a voice transmission: "Elder Gong asked him directly in front of us and his sister, Wen Ya."

The implication was clear—it had been a threat.

Mu Canglong froze.

He glanced at Wen Jiu, then at Liu Xiao, and suddenly, his perception of Elder Gong changed completely.

He couldn't understand why Elder Gong would force Wen Jiu to become his disciple, cutting off his path to the main peak. Such suppression—such behavior—was simply too cruel.

"Brother Mu, don't worry. I just came to check on you. Now that I see you're fine, I can rest easy."

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Wen Jiu cupped his hands in farewell, preparing to leave.

He still had to get ready for what was coming next. The so-called Tian Zuo Alliance and the Blood Robe Tower would surely make their move soon. There was no way they would allow Xuemosanqian's remains to be sent to the main peak—otherwise, all their previous schemes would be ruined. They were bound to strike before the main peak's people arrived.

Mu Canglong wanted to say more, but Liu Xiao stopped him.

Mu Canglong might not fully grasp Wen Jiu's situation, but Liu Xiao understood it well. Wen Jiu had deliberately released Xuemosanqian's body—he must have had a plan. He had a gut feeling that Feixian Peak wouldn't be able to contain Wen Jiu, this hidden dragon.

Wen Jiu was destined to make a name for himself at the main peak.

But as for what Wen Jiu was plotting exactly, Liu Xiao had no idea. His mind simply wasn't sharp enough to figure it out.

Right now, his only concern was asking Mu Canglong for some spirit stones. After all, he had lost an arm for the Night Patrol Division.

As for his damaged dantian, that was a different story.

Wen Jiu had already helped him take care of that.

But for his severed arm? He was definitely getting some compensation.

…

By evening, within the main hall.

Gong Chi stood with his back straight, bowing slightly. In front of him stood three Inspectors from the Hall of Supervision.

"I have failed in my judgment of people and my ability to discern loyalty. I am unfit to hold the position of Elder in the Night Patrol Division. I request the three Inspectors to administer severe punishment as deemed necessary." As he spoke, Gong Chi's expression darkened. He bowed again, then slowly removed his elder's robe.

Feng Xuan exchanged glances with the other two, momentarily unsure of how to proceed—because they had found nothing incriminating.

Gong Chi's background was clean.

His rise to his current position was well-documented, and he had always been diligent and impartial. He had even earned great merit in the battle against the Blood-Clad Tower. No matter how they investigated, Gong Chi did not resemble the Elder of the Spirit Farmer Division.

As for the matter of Ye Luo…

It hardly seemed fair to blame him.

However, there had indeed been a traitor among his subordinates, one who had leaked the news of the three thousand Blood Ink corpses from Fei Xian Peak.

For that, Gong Chi could not evade responsibility.

"Elder Gong, under these circumstances, we have no choice but to temporarily confine you. Rest assured, justice will be served in the end," said Elder Ye Chen. Though he did not trust Gong Chi, Feng Xuan found little reason to suspect him.

In truth, he even admired Gong Chi.

Gong Chi let out a bitter chuckle and replied, "Honorable Inspectors, my failure to recognize deception is my own fault. Any punishment is well deserved—there is no question of injustice here."

Feng Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then signaled to the disciples of the Hall of Supervision standing nearby. "Take Gong Chi to the Night Patrol Division's dungeon. We will await the Elder's decision upon his arrival."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

All four of them bowed in unison.

However, before the three guards could step forward, Gong Chi turned and walked away on his own, leaving behind his elder's token and robe.

And just as he turned, a faint, sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips—an expression of success.

Now, he had cleared himself. The matter of Ye Luo would not implicate him. And as for the position of Night Patrol Elder? It would still be his in the future.

After all, he had no intention of taking action in the struggle for the three thousand Blood Ink corpses.

As long as he did not act, who could accuse him of being the traitor?

Yet even in his moment of triumph, his thoughts drifted to the mysterious ghost cultivator lurking within Fei Xian Peak.

Senior Yin Yang Chen's fate-arts should not be wrong. That meant the ghost cultivator had to be someone from Fei Xian Peak.

But why had they suddenly revealed the existence of the three thousand Blood Ink corpses?

It made no sense.

They could have continued hiding it.

Wait.

Could it be that the body they revealed was merely an empty corpse—without the Yin Fiend Blood Curse Body?

The realization struck Gong Chi like a thunderclap.

And he knew that if the Alliance Leader learned of this, he would come to the same conclusion. Yet the Alliance Leader and his people would not dare to gamble on it.

They had no choice but to assume that the Yin Fiend Blood Curse Body was still present.

After all, this was their last chance.

"This is a conspiracy… against the Blood-Clad Tower. Against the Tianzuo Alliance!"

A storm of realization roiled in Gong Chi's mind.

Who was this mysterious ghost cultivator?

How deep did their schemes run?

——

Not long after Gong Chi departed, a shadowy figure appeared in the corridor outside the building.

Sensing their presence, Feng Xuan immediately dismissed everyone else.

Opening the door at the edge of the corridor, he was met with the sight of Ye Chen.

Feng Xuan bowed at once, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. "Elder, you've finally arrived."

With Elder Ye Chen here, his worries were put to rest. Even if Ye Luo had carried the news to the Tianzuo Alliance, it would be too late. With Ye Chen present, they would not have time to gather forces and reach Fei Xian Peak.

By the time they arrived, Elder Ye Chen would likely have already returned to the Main Peak.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, Ye Chen gazed at Fei Xian Peak with interest. He showed no intention of taking the three thousand Blood Ink corpses away. "Continue gathering forces from the surrounding subsidiary peaks. Act as though I was never here."

Feng Xuan's expression hardened at those words.

Impatiently, Ye Chen explained, "I don't have time to meddle in your affairs. Since I'm already here, I may as well deal with everything at once. Let them come. However many arrive, I will kill that many."

"Understood!"

Feng Xuan nodded, deeply shaken.