Chapter 1125 - 934: Maybe Yes, Maybe No (2)

Bai Sheng blinked several times, not believing it either. However, he knew that when his superiors spoke such words to their subordinates, there was likely a big pit waiting for them.

But he couldn't expose it and replied with an appreciative gesture, "Thank you for your favor, Sir!"

Shi Chun waved his hand and said, "Old Chai, let's cut the pretense. I know you don't believe a word of it, thinking it's nothing but nonsense to fool the gullible. Old Chai, I've always observed your dedication to me. I may not have mentioned it, but I've always noticed it silently. Frankly, among the lot, each harbors their own motives, but truly keeping me in their hearts—it's only you. I know this well. I haven't publicized it because I don't want envy to harm you. Old Chai, do you know why I appointed you to handle the introduction of industries?"

Bai Sheng cursed inwardly. Having just arrived and not knowing Chai Wenwu long, he knew none of this. Yet, sensing something about to be revealed and wanting to probe further, he respectfully replied, "I am slow-witted and willing to hear your guidance, Sir."

Shi Chun continued pacing back and forth in the narrow passage, "As for the matter of population introduction for the three provinces, meeting the required number shouldn't be a problem. We did it quite cleverly, but afterwards, we'll surely face two major challenges—one is how to fill the huge deficit of the Dingxi and Dingbei provinces, and the second is the issue of maintaining tax revenue for the three provinces' operations. These two points are what the powers behind our competitors are watching eagerly, ready to strike once the time comes. So, these two things are of utmost importance."

He turned and stopped in front of Bai Sheng who was staring at him in confusion, "Therefore, the introduction of industries is a matter of life and death for us! Out of all my subordinates, not talking about strength or ability, just those close to me, logically speaking, such a life-or-death matter shouldn't fall on you."

Listening to this, Bai Sheng immediately grew curious—it was indeed the case. He had heard reports of Chai Wenwu's situation on Shi Chun's side and was curious why Shi Chun assigned the crucial task of industrial introduction to someone not originally from Mingshan Sect, rather than the more established members.

Shi Chun continued, "Now it seems, you did not disappoint me. You do have some ability. Never mind the motives of those Demon Kings, but you still need to keep up the good work in this matter."

Bai Sheng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trust, Sir. I will do my utmost to repay your kindness."

He said this but still felt puzzled inside, not understanding why the other party trusted Chai Wenwu with such a critical task.

Shi Chun, once again, released a hand from behind and gestured, "No need for such dedication. I don't have many people I can trust now—I need you for more useful tasks ahead."

As he said this, his tone shifted lightly, "You just mentioned you've gathered information on Bai Sheng's purpose for coming here?"

Bai Sheng was pleased to hear this and was about to steer the conversation back to this topic when Shi Chun brought it up himself. Seizing the opportunity, he answered, "To figure out why Feng Xi, Bi Dao, and Luo Xian'er have come here."

Shi Chun waved his hand again, "It's not that he wants to know the purpose of those three old monsters, but that he and Bi Dao, Luo Xian'er want to figure out Feng Xi's real intentions in coming here."

Bai Sheng grit his teeth and asked straightforwardly, "Has Feng Xi come here with hidden motives?"

Shi Chun nodded, "Naturally, otherwise given his status and position, how could he cling to us tirelessly?"

Bai Sheng took advantage of the trust Shi Chun had expressed in Chai Wenwu and cautiously asked, "May I know why that is, Sir?"

If he couldn't find out, he'd have to resort to forcefully capturing someone to pry open their mouth, uncertain if such measures would work.

Since Shi Chun had come personally, how could he give Bai Sheng such an opportunity so easily? His purpose here was to bind the other's hands and force his loyalty, therefore he once again put his hands behind his back and started pacing, "The matter originated from the Battle of Great Pardon. You went to the Extreme Abyss with us but didn't know some secrets then. We actually discovered some Demon Path relics where we found my mount San's location—relics left from the ancient Demon Ancestor era…"

At these words, Bai Sheng was stunned and eagerly listened.

Not to mention him, even the Red-clothed Woman pretending to doze in the mansion woke up surprised, involuntarily rolled her eyes, unable to believe he was telling Bai Sheng the truth.

"Some paintings were carved on those relics; one looked like the battlefield where the Demon Ancestor battled Jin Zhan from the Demon Realm. At the time, we didn't understand those things and didn't pay attention due to the focus on the Battle of Great Pardon. Later, during a casual chat, I mentioned it to the Golden-haired Rat Clan, thinking it was small talk, but they got excited and urged me to recall where the Demon Ancestor and Jin Zhan fought, saying the battlefield might be where Jin Zhan was buried, and finding Jin Zhan's grave could lead us to some cultivation method suitable for the Demon Clan…"

Upon hearing this, Bai Sheng was shocked to the core, his eyes widened, and his breathing slightly accelerated, showing a hint of urgency in his eyes.

The Red-clothed Woman pretending to sleep in the mansion showed her eyes under closed lids darting restlessly.

"But that's ancient history; it's become a far-off tale. Finding that cultivation method from history's dust is sheer wishful thinking. Moreover, even if we found it, Demon Clan's cultivation methods are useless to us. But considering the Golden-haired Rat Clan's request, I couldn't ignore it and arranged for someone to investigate the conjoined Extreme Abyss, to excavate the relics carefully, yet strangely…"

Shi Chun paused at this point.

Bai Sheng eagerly asked, "What happened?"

Shi Chun snorted, "A vast area of relics actually disappeared. I went down personally; the location was unmistakable, but the artifacts were gone. Finding this unusual, I secretly tasked someone to investigate, then I intentionally leaked some corresponding news internally, saying that I had discovered some clues from those Demon Path relics…"

Bai Sheng mused, "Do you suspect an internal leak?"

Shi Chun laughed, "After that, Feng Xi came here. What do you think he came for?"

Bai Sheng's gaze flickered.

Shi Chun further pressed, "Who can tell me who around me leaked the information?"

"That…" Bai Sheng mumbled absent-mindedly.

Shi Chun continued, "Who can I believe? The introduction of industries is a matter of life and death for us—who can I entrust with it? I don't know who the leak is," pointing at Bai Sheng, "but it certainly isn't you because you had no prior knowledge."

The implication was, he trusted nobody else around him.

Bai Sheng realized internally that it was due to a lack of available people, leading Chai Wenwu to take charge of the industry introduction. However, he was not concerned about that and continued asking, "About the disappearance of the relic's carvings—has the secret investigation yielded any results?"

Shi Chun pondered, "Perhaps there are, perhaps there aren't."

Bai Sheng was taken aback, confused—what did he mean by 'perhaps'?

After mulling over it, he ventured, "What do you mean?"

Shi Chun resumed pacing, "To facilitate the secret investigation, I asked Young Master Nan for one of his tokens, enabling the undercover to seek help from the local Wuyu Trading House if needed. Recently, someone anonymously dropped that token into the Wuyu Trading House at Refining Heaven City in Yan State, attached with the words 'Return to the Owner'. Before long, Young Master Nan, holding the token, wanted to know what it meant from me. I didn't tell him, but I speculate the investigator encountered some trouble. After dispatching people to Yan State's Refining Heaven City, the investigator can no longer be reached; the city is in a turbulent state, unclear about what happened there, apparently looking to capture someone. The person sent shouldn't have stirred up trouble, so I suspect he might have uncovered something over there. To this day, whether he's alive or not is unknown. If he's still alive, he will eventually contact me with an answer."

Turning back, he added, "I've become increasingly interested in this matter, but I trust no one else with it… For now, let's see your capability on the industry introduction task. Should it prove suitable, the relic-related matters, with so few insiders, might also fully fall under your covert management. The matters within the city turf I'll have Feng Chi oversee with you, but your primary focus must remain on the introduction of industries. Once you secure territories in the Heavenly Domain and get the land under our control, only then can we proceed to excavate the Extreme Abyss. Due to the Battle of Great Pardon's haste, a detailed investigation of the Extreme Abyss was never conducted; a thorough exploration might yield other related clues. This task may eventually also rest upon you."