Elder Hyuk Musang (赫武相) stood before the Sect Leader, drenched in cold sweat.
The reason? A failed operation.
“Despite feeding so much information to the Beggars’ Sect (丐幫) and the Shadowless Sect (無影門), why have we heard nothing?”
The Sect Leader’s voice was laced with displeasure.
Hyuk Musang hesitated before answering.
“Well… it appears that the old witch of the Shadowless Sect is scheming something.”
“Scheming?”
“We’ve been steadily leaking small amounts of intelligence to the Beggars’ Sect while carefully monitoring the Shadowless Sect. Additionally, we have been keeping a close eye on the Martial Alliance (武林盟) and the major righteous sects.”
The Sect Leader remained silent, prompting Hyuk Musang to continue.
“They have detected movements from the Asura Blood Sect (阿修血敎).
Particularly, the Shadowless Sect seems to have uncovered significant details.
In some respects, their intelligence network even surpasses ours.
Unlike us, nearly all of their martial artists are trained in espionage.
So, without a doubt, they must have realized something.”
“And yet?”
“Strangely enough, they have not reacted.
Neither the Martial Alliance nor the major sects have made any moves.
It is difficult to believe that the Asura Blood Sect has already infiltrated them.”
“Could that not be a possibility? Investigate at once.”
“Understood.”
The Sect Leader’s gaze grew sharper.
“The Shaolin Temple (小林寺) is considered the pinnacle of the righteous sects.
Their influence is immense.
Is there a sect led by one of Shaolin’s secular disciples?
Preferably one with strong ties to them?”
Hyuk Musang immediately responded.
“Though it is not widely known, there is the Huanglong Sect (黃龍門).
Its leader, Huanglong Grand Sword (黃龍太劍) Yi Mun-hak (李文鶴),
was once the secular disciple of Dharma Master Seoksan (石山).
They still maintain close relations.”
“How large is the Huanglong Sect?”
“It is not a major force,
but they have around ten highly skilled warriors, including their leader,
who himself is a formidable martial artist.”
“Then use them to spread word of the Asura Blood Sect’s movements.
It will naturally reach Shaolin from there.”
“An excellent plan, my lord.
In fact, an idea just occurred to me—
may I present it?”
“Speak.”
Hyuk Musang leaned in and whispered the details.
The Sect Leader’s eyes gleamed.
“Hah… an excellent stratagem.
Implement it immediately!”
“However, my lord,
I will need your assistance with one matter.”
“And that is?”
Once again, Hyuk Musang whispered.
“……….”
The Sect Leader nodded.
“Very well. I shall request the Vice-Sect Leader’s aid.
As for the necessary items,
I will have Heavenly Demon Treasury (天魔寶庫) prepare them.
Retrieve them tomorrow.”
“Understood.
And my lord, I have yet to report this—
but the recent infiltration operation was a success.”
“Oh? Is that so?
What have we learned?”
Once again, Hyuk Musang conveyed his report in a whisper.
“………..”
The Sect Leader’s expression twisted.
“What? Five thousand corpses?”
“………..”
“And new developments?”
“………..”
“Missing martial artists?!”
“……………..”
The Sect Leader exhaled deeply.
“This is not something I can decide alone.
Summon the top nine-ranked elders to the Dark Chamber (暗黑小室).
We must hold a secret council.”
“By your command.”
In the dimly lit chamber, nine of the most powerful figures in the sect sat around a round table.
Each emanated a suffocating aura of dark energy (魔氣).
After listening to Hyuk Musang’s report, the first to speak was Chief Elder (首席長老) Ye Ji-go (黎志高).
“To think that our enemies would resort to such heinous methods…
I must say, I did not expect this.
Are you certain there are five thousand Jiangshi (강시; reanimated corpses)?”
Hyuk Musang nodded grimly.
“Yes, my lord.
However, what is even more concerning is the two hundred newly created Jiangshi.
Their capabilities are yet unknown,
but we estimate that they are at least three times stronger than conventional ones.”
“Is that facility solely dedicated to Jiangshi production?”
“It appears so.
The enemy’s defenses were too tight for us to investigate further.
However, we also observed large numbers of women being taken captive.
Whether they are meant to be turned into Jiangshi
or used for the Essence Absorption Technique (吸精大法),
we do not yet know.
If it is the latter, then they may also be training martial artists there.”
“Sect Leader, should we gather our forces and strike first?”
Another elder shook his head.
“That would be too great a risk.
Approximately thirty percent of the Jiangshi are already battle-ready.
If we attack now, it will escalate into all-out war.”
“I concur.
If this were their only Jiangshi facility,
it might be worth the risk.
But if they have others, a premature assault would be pointless.”
“Then what do you propose, Elder Hyuk?”
“I am still devising a strategy…
However, we could use the Shadowless Sect’s Jade Blossom Martial Emperor (玉花武帝).
We would disguise our involvement and request her assistance
in tracking a certain individual.”
“Whom do you have in mind?”
“According to our spies,
Blood-Handed Demon Seal (血手魔印) Gongson (孔孫)
was spotted among the Jiangshi.
He was seen near Mount Daemang.
If we claim to be searching for him,
the Shadowless Sect will inevitably uncover the Asura Blood Sect’s plans.
Given the urgency, the righteous sects will likely strike first.”
The elders exchanged glances and slowly nodded in approval.
“A brilliant plan.
Sect Leader, what is your decision?”
The Sect Leader remained pensive.
“There is a chance they may not fall for it.
We attempted a similar tactic before,
feeding information to both the Beggars’ Sect and the Shadowless Sect
about the Asura Blood Sect’s activities.
Yet we have still heard nothing.”
“That may be because they have not yet pinpointed the Asura Blood Sect’s main headquarters.”
At this, the Vice-Sect Leader spoke for the first time.
“Even if they suspect something,
there should be some noticeable movement.
Yet there has been none whatsoever.
It is truly… puzzling.”
“That is why we have already begun Phase Two.
There is no need for concern.”
Another elder, Serpent-Blood Celestial (蛇血天神) Ho Gye-ak (胡戒惡), raised an eyebrow.
“Phase Two? And what exactly does that entail?”
“That is classified.
You will be informed in due time.”
The discussion continued, with intricate plots unfolding.
A war of information and deception was in full motion.