Chapter 417 - 417: The One Who Erected the Monument
Hong Yuye was silent for a moment. She didn’t immediately give her opinion on the matter. Then, she said, “Go on.”
“Recently, there have been rumors within the sect concerning the Blood Wish Path, and the central figure in these rumors is Jiang Hao. It’s being said that he’s practicing the Blood Wish Path, ” Baizhi said.
“What’s the truth?” Hong Yuye asked.
“He is definitely not practicing the Blood Wish Path. However, he hasn’t offered any explanation or response to these rumors. I suspect that he didn’t spread the rumors, but he might have intended to use the rumors to his advantage to justify his advancement. If he does that, then no one would notice the person behind him,” Baizhi said.
Hong yuye poured nerselt a cup ot tea. “Wnat else”‘
“This situation might actually benefit us, so we’ve been waiting for it to be more evident. We might find some flaws in his actions, and it might lead us to the person behind him,” Baizhi said.
“Then, is he a traitor or a spy?” asked Hong Yuye.
“We’re still suspicious. He hasn’t betrayed the sect so far in any aspect. He seems to be a decent person and isn’t reckless or impatient. It’s not without reason that someone powerful would take a fancy to him,” said Baizhi.
“What about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?” Hong Yuye asked as she put down her teacup.
“Apart from Zhuang Yuzhen, no one has meddled with the flower,” Baizhi said. She then hesitated. “The person behind Jiang Hao remains hidden in the shadows. It’s not out of the question that he might also have his sights on the
Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.”
“Continue the investigation,” Hong Yuye said.
Baizhi nodded.
She understood that the Sect Master intended to uncover the person behind all of this. Once Jiang Hao’s accomplice was exposed, he would find it hard to leave the Heavenly Note Sect. And there was no need for him to do so.
After that, Baizhi briefed Hong Yuye about The End of All Things.
“According to the information so far, they seem to be plotting something on a small island using the Earth Extreme Heart Devouring Pearl. But we’re still uncertain about the person in contact with Azure Mountain. The investigation is ongoing.”
“The team heading to the Bright Moon Sect has already arrived in the eastern region and is on their way to the sect.”
She then went on to explain some other matters.
After Baizhi finished her report, the Sect Master didn’t immediately respond.
Baizhi felt puzzled. When she looked up, she realized that the Sect Master’s mind wasn’t focused on their conversation.
However, it didn’t take long for Hong Yuye to snap back to the present. “Who was it that erected the monument in the Sea Fog Cave back then?”
“It was Lady Qing Yu,” Baizhi said. “Ah, her…” Hong Yuye’s tone softened.
Baizhi understood why.
This was because the Sect Master was brought into the sect by Lady Qing Yu from the outside world.
It was said that Lady Qing Yu had only a short time left to live back then. She was merely in the early stage of the Primordial Spirit Realm. Although she was strong, she was getting old.
Her position within the sect wasn’t high, but no one dared to provoke her.
At that time, she had brought back a young girl during one of her trips outside. That young girl was the current Sect Master.
The event had occurred over a hundred years ago. Nobody in the sect dared to disrespect Lady Qing Yu, even though she had passed away nearly a hundred years ago.
“Keep an eye on those who practice the Blood Wish Path within the sect, especially those close to the Sea Fog Cave,” Hong Yuye said.
“Understood.”
Then, she recounted the earlier matters once again.
With that, she left the Hundred Flowers Lake.
She needed to make arrangements.
“The depths of the Sea Fog Cave must hide something, so we need to be careful.”
“As for Jiang Hao, we can give him some more time. The Sect Master wants him to be investigated further, but she also doesn’t want to restrict him.”
“The sect currently needs to recuperate and can’t afford to deploy too many people. However, based on the Sect Master’s intentions, even if there are issues within the Sea Fog Cave, it wouldn’t be a problem. Someone is trying to achieve their goal by using others. It’s important to involve as few people as necessary for this.”
Once these things were settled, Baizhi knew what to do next.
Jiang Hao completed his mission but still felt uneasy.
The figure he saw in the Sea Fog Cave and the feeling of being watched didn’t seem like mere illusions.
‘Should I inform Elder Baizhi about this?’
When he was reporting the completion of the mission, the senior had asked him about it. But he hadn’t dared to say anything.
There was a danger if these things were revealed recklessly.
It might not be safe for him to make any noise regarding the figure in the cave.
He felt helpless when considering the female disciple who was on his team.
She had caught up with him yesterday and offered her blood to be used for his Blood Wish Path in exchange for saving her life.
‘She seems to think that I’m practicing the Blood Wish Path and that I saved her only to get blood from her.’
He had thanked her for her goodwill and then politely declined.
After he did that, she seemed relieved.
That was to be expected. Those who weren’t involved with the Blood Vow Path wouldn’t understand what it was all about. It could potentially impact their cultivation or other aspects.
Jiang Hao didn’t know how this would play out because he had never seen the techniques of the Blood Wish Path.
Putting these thoughts aside, he began to consider how to pass the message to Elder Baizhi.
Then, he went to the Lawless Tower.
Inside the tower, he met the black-robed woman.
“It’s been a while since you visited, Junior Brother Jiang,” she said.
Jiang Hao smiled. “Yes. I was on a mission at the Sea Fog Cave. It’s strange, but once when I was in the white mist, I thought… I saw someone. However, no one was there the next second. I don’t know if it was just an illusion or if the poisonous fog was to blame.”
“You saw a figure?” asked the black-robed woman in surprise. “What did it look like?”
“I don’t know…” Jiang Hao shook his head.
“I’ve recently received an assignment from Elder Baizhi to investigate the Sea Fog Cave. Junior Brother Jiang, please let me know if you have any unusual experiences,” the black-robed woman said.
“Investigate the Sea Fog Cave?” Jiang Hao was taken aback.
It seemed that Elder Baizhi had already caught wind of something.
At that moment, he felt even more uneasy. It appeared that the figure he encountered was indeed unusual.
“Besides the figure, I also felt as if I was being observed. I can’t pinpoint it, but I just felt like we needed to leave the cave as soon as possible,” he said awkwardly. “I apologize if it sounds silly.”
“No, Junior Brother Jiang. You’ve done well. This is very important information. If you ever have any doubts, feel free to come and ask me,” the black-robed woman said.
Jiang Hao nodded in gratitude. He was relieved that his words were taken seriously. He wouldn’t have said anything if it hadn’t felt unusual to him.
After that, Jiang Hao went to find Zhuang Yuzhen.
Without Mi Lingyue, the place was much quieter.
Zhuang Yuzhen rarely spoke. Even when King Hai Luo wanted to engage in conversation, there was no response.
So, Jiang Hao talked casually with them. He discussed topics related to the
northern region, overseas matters, and even the Blood Wish Path.
It appeared that the Blood Wish Path was mainly practiced in the southern region. There were no practitioners elsewhere, but there were similar cultivation methods.
Three and a half months later, it was already early May.
While watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao sensed the activation of the communication talisman. It was the spirit beast and Xiao Li’s talisman.
‘It seems they’ve arrived.’
He headed to the Task Hall.
“Senior Sister, do you have any new missions?” Jiang Hao looked at the familiar face of the senior.
“We do,” said the Senior Sister eagerly when she recognized him.
“There are two missions. One is to recruit a disciple who our sect initially showed interest in, but was snatched away by the Blackheaven Sect. So, the task is to bring him back. The other is to track down a Golden Core Realm traitor. Both of these missions are suitable for you, Junior Brother Jiang.” “What if I fail?” Jiang Hao asked.
“The compensation is two thousand five hundred spirit stones,” said the Senior Sister with a chuckle. “With more people taking on missions lately, we’ve been under more pressure. That’s why we’ve increased the price. But don’t worry, Junior Brother Jiang, there’s still a five-year deadline. Fifty spirit stones per month should be enough to pay the fine. The first five months are interest-free. Only the later period will incur an interest.”
Jiang Hao was speechless..