Chapter 51

A hint of awkward yet polite amusement crossed Sui Heng’s face. She subtly sized up Yan Zhichuan, reassessing her and refining her vague first impression.

Zhan Yujie adjusted her mask. Her expression was hidden behind the ferocious beast visage, but a touch of helplessness flickered in her exposed eyes. Pretending to stay calm, she asked, “What do you mean?”

The words were already out. She could only hope Yan Zhichuan’s rotten idea wasn’t too awful.

Whether Zhan Yujie asked or not, Yan Zhichuan was going to say it anyway. But getting some agreement made her feel a bit better. Her eyes lit up animatedly as she looked at Zhan Yujie. “There are so many names on that list—start with the rich merchant who bought the pills. Chongxuan Sect is too far away for backup in time. If he’s got people behind him, they’re bound to be nearby. After the Foundation Establishment Pills get robbed, they’ll definitely show up.”

“What if he’s just well-connected all over the world? It might not even be about the pills,” Sui Heng frowned.

“You said it yourself—it’s an ‘if,’ just one possibility. We’ll only know if we try.” Yan Zhichuan’s eyes gleamed. “If we get the wrong guy, just give the Foundation Establishment Pills back. No need for a fight even. Once that group shows up, I can get answers from the system.“

Sui Heng glanced at Zhan Yujie. She had to admit Yan Zhichuan’s words held some logic, but if word got out, it wouldn’t look good. Could they really do that?

Zhan Yujie pondered for a moment before saying, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Her standards were gradually being pulled down by Yan Zhichuan. It’s a bit shady, she thought, but as long as we don’t hurt any innocents, it doesn’t count as evil.

Sui Heng still hesitated. Yan Zhichuan stared at her for several moments, then sighed in admiration. “Does White Jade Capital’s Hidden Dragon Division really have such high morals?”

White Jade Capital’s Peaceful Melody Division under Peace Workshop played demon-subduing music for Daoists—great virtuous folks. But Hidden Dragon Division? Snooping around for intel everywhere, digging into everyone’s family secrets. How could they possibly stay squeaky clean? And she’d heard Hidden Dragon Division not only got news fast but excelled at interrogations. No way they’d never forced a confession.

Sui Heng: “…” A lump formed in her chest. She eyed that deer-antler mask, a sudden urge to punch rising within her. After exhaling a turbid breath, she said, “As we agreed earlier, White Jade Capital only provides leads. The rest is on you—unless we confirm that person’s tied to Demon Cultivators.”

Zhan Yujie murmured an “Mm,” her expression turning serious. “Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Sui.”

Handing over the guest list for Nine Clouds Pavilion’s Foundation Establishment Pill auction somewhat tarnished White Jade Capital’s reputation.

Though it was already pretty bad. Maintain it as long as possible.

This was more than enough.

The regular market allowed free entry and exit, but the black market was special. Daoists who entered couldn’t leave until it closed the next day.

While inside Nine Clouds Pavilion, White Jade Capital could keep watch. Yan Zhichuan and the others didn’t need to tail everyone—just lock onto that rich merchant.

“Can’t we just do the deal inside Nine Clouds Pavilion? Save us the chase.” Yan Zhichuan’s face fell at the impending work, letting out a long sigh. Her moods came and went fast. Without Zhan Yujie saying a word, she was bouncing with energy again, her sly eyes darting about. Rubbing her hands eagerly, she said, “I’ve never been a bandit before.”

Zhan Yujie lowered her gaze, words caught in her throat.

Is being a bandit something to be proud of?

Yan Zhichuan slapped her forehead. “Will they recognize the Sword of Nine Abyss if we use it?”

Zhan Yujie replied coolly, “Does Junior Sister still care about being recognized?”

Yan Zhichuan “Mm”ed. “I’m fine—nobody in the world knows me anyway. But Senior Sister, your reputation is famous. Can’t let it get tarnished.”

Zhan Yujie choked, staring at Yan Zhichuan for a long moment before saying, “Thanks for thinking of me like that, Junior Sister.”

Yan Zhichuan beamed, utterly sincere. “No need to thank me. It’s what I should do.”

Zhan Yujie’s gaze turned peculiar.

In that moment, she could see the genuine warmth deep in Yan Zhichuan’s smiling eyes—impossible not to be touched. She got along well with her sect sisters, but few were as affectionately clingy as Junior Sister Yan… Like a ball of warm sunshine, hard to push away.

But somehow, she sensed a faint pressure, and an ominous premonition from who-knows-where.

Yan Zhichuan gazed at Zhan Yujie expectantly.

Even without overflowing gratitude, at least a ‘thanks’? Junior Sisters like me are rare. And this isn’t even for the mission.

But Zhan Yujie just casually shifted her eyes, feigning nonchalance. “No need for Junior Sister to worry. We’re not using the Sword of Nine Abyss anyway.”

Yan Zhichuan tilted her head. “But they could still tell it’s Nine Abyss Sect style, right? Senior Sister learned all her swordplay in Nine Abyss Sect.”

Zhan Yujie said flatly, “Not necessarily Nine Abyss Sect.”

Yan Zhichuan blinked, then had a sudden epiphany moments later.

Nine Abyss Sect and Chongxu Sect shared the same founding ancestor, same Dao scriptures. Even after splitting, some basic sword forms were practiced by both sects.

Oh ho, Senior Sister’s already prepared to frame Chongxu Sect!

She actually thought it sounded satisfying, but a chirping cheep-cheep rang in her ears. Yan Zhichuan snapped alert. Staring at Zhan Yujie, her eyes shifted repeatedly before she sighed wearily, speaking earnestly, “Senior Sister, be a good person.”

Zhan Yujie: “?”

The next day.

A flash of green light erupted atop Nine Clouds Tower, then burst into a ten-thousand-zhang radiance, like a great sun rising into the sky.

Bell and chime tones echoed from street start to end. Daoists still haggling in Nine Clouds Pavilion froze, then dropped everything, transforming into escaping lights and racing out one after another.

Yan Zhichuan half-suspected that leaving outside the time limit meant being forever trapped, their essence nourishing the Dao treasure’s spirit. Only after escaping and seeing slower Daoists get dumped by Nine Clouds Pavilion—like dumplings plummeting into the vast, endless lake—did she let out a startled “Eek.”

She opened the Heaven-Penetrating Treasure Mirror and quickly found footage uploaded by busybodies.

After the market closed, masks turned to light smoke and drifted away. This “dumpling feast” was too spectacular; face-saving cultivators had already asked the uploaders to erase their figures.

In less than a quarter-hour, every “dumpling” on the Heaven-Penetrating Treasure Mirror vanished, busybodies raking in a fortune.

Yan Zhichuan: “…” You can make money like that?

Zhan Yujie urged her. “Junior Sister, let’s go.”

She’s staring at the lakeside Daoists, lost in thought. Wonder what bad idea she’s brewing.

Yan Zhichuan reluctantly pulled back her gaze. She reached up to touch her face—no hard, cold mask edges. Softly, she said, “Senior Sister, the mask…”

Zhan Yujie hummed and handed her a ghost mask bought in the black market, then took out a green Form-Concealing Leaf from Sui Heng to mask their tracks.

Last night, White Jade Capital’s monitored Daoists showed no anomalies, no contacts. Zhan Yujie could only stick to the plan: prioritize the rich merchant who got the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The Heavenly Dao System kept chirping: “Is this right?”

Yan Zhichuan puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Heavenly Dao System: “…” Everything’s wrong! They’re off to rob, yet acting like they’re on a scenic tour?

Yan Zhichuan: “We’re just testing. Don’t stress—Senior Sister hasn’t fallen to the demons, has she?”

Heavenly Dao System wanted to cry.

Zhan Yujie hadn’t fallen, but Yan Zhichuan was a huge Demon Seed, bound to lead her astray eventually.

The rich merchant kept a low profile, bringing only two Golden Core First Layer servants.

Leaving Nine Clouds Pavilion, he boarded a carriage that sped along the wide road, seemingly heading home.

But at a fork, the galloping carriage veered onto a side path, traveling several li to a wooded grove. Amid the trees, a hidden cave dwelling faintly appeared.

The cave had bluestone floors, swept impeccably clean. Two child attendants at the wooden doors bowed to the merchant, calling “The True Person is back,” before welcoming him in. He pushed the door, took two steps—then his aura vanished entirely.

Zhan Yujie’s eyes sharpened. She and Yan Zhichuan hurried after.

The courtyard was neat, wooden huts built against the mountain. Passing the open door led into an endless cavern. Stalactites hung like stone pillars, dripping water tinkling like plucked strings. Two glowing lamps embedded in the walls cast a soft halo, illuminating a medicine cauldron wafting herbal fragrance in the stone chamber. Opposite was a dim passage, destination unknown.

The passage started wide enough for several abreast but narrowed, ending single-file. Moss clustered on the stone steps, but footprints were fresh.

Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan squeezed through single-file. Suddenly, it opened wide. Rich grass-and-wood scents wafted; Yan Zhichuan sniffed, oddly hungry.

They were out of the cavern now, daylight bright. Ahead, pretty green mountains loomed faintly through drifting clouds.

The rich merchant appeared ahead, plus a white-haired Daoist at Golden Core realm. Her azure robes were distinctive, a medicine gourd at her waist—Miracle Hand Sect garb.

“I’ve got the Foundation Establishment Pill, but not sure if it’s real.” The merchant hesitated. White Jade Capital had authenticated it, but White Jade Capital Daoist was an outsider. Could a lost Foundation Establishment Pill truly reappear?

The white-haired Daoist took out a jade box with another Foundation Establishment Pill inside. “True Person has studied it long, achieved partial success, yet still feels it doesn’t fully recreate the ancient formula. If this one is truly as White Jade Capital claims—” Her words cut off as she keenly glanced toward Zhan Yujie and Yan Zhichuan’s hiding spot, shouting sharply, “Who’s there!”

The merchant jolted. He’d sensed no tail the whole way.

Answering the Miracle Hand Sect Daoist was a barrage of sword light, like raging storm winds.

The sword hummed, shattering the wilds’ silence. Herbs in the medicine field sliced by the blade glow ignited like falling into fire, burning to ash in an instant.

The merchant panicked, scanning wildly. Spotting the two sudden figures, he flicked his sleeve to unleash his Dharma sword straight ahead! But from a small sect, cultivation neglected after slim breakthrough hopes, he was no match for Zhan Yujie. Moments later, his sword was shredded by fierce sword radiance, snapped in two.

The white-haired Miracle Hand Sect Daoist’s face turned icy. Gritting her teeth, she uncorked her medicine gourd. The plug fell, and frenzied snake-like flames erupted from within.

Yan Zhichuan poked her head out.

Seeing the Daoist no match for Zhan Yujie, she relaxed and went to pluck nearby herbs.

This Miracle Hand Sect wasn’t Demon Cultivators, but she’d mentioned the Foundation Establishment Pill—proof it came from their sect.

Doesn’t mean Miracle Hand Sect is innocent!