Chapter 1146 - 947: Prudence

After handling Bai Sheng and sending him away, Wu Jinliang from Yuling Mountain also appeared, coming alongside Huang Yingying to Shi Chun's side.

Looking at the foot of the mountain, Wu Jinliang sighed, "He's really like Old Chai, feels even more powerful than Old Huang's Demon Eyes. Even people watching from afar can be affected by his Illusion Technique."

The reason behind this, Shi Chun could see with his Right Eye Superpower. He saw a certain fluctuation emanating from Bai Sheng and affecting the surroundings. But he didn't want to elaborate too much in front of Huang Yingying, still discussing the matter straightforwardly, "So we must be cautious of this old monster. Since we've already started dealings with him, who knows when he'll turn against you. You must be more careful in the future. Ensure proper communication up and down, especially with the elders of the Mingshan Sect."

Wu Jinliang nodded slightly, then asked after some thought, "I've heard that an elder from the Qiankun Sect is waiting at your place?"

Shi Chun: "It's something expected. I've mentioned that the Beidou Refusal Array was snatched from Zhe Yuren, and it would be strange if Qiankun Sect didn't send someone to verify it. He comes as he pleases, whether I see him or not depends on my mood."

Beside them, Huang Yingying laughed awkwardly. To him, that person is an elder of the Qiankun Sect, an elder of the world's foremost Great Sect in Array formations. This Master indeed dismisses others' power while boosting his own confidence.

Wu Jinliang hesitated, "You can't hide forever. As long as Qiankun Sect exists, whether it's the Beidou Refusal Array or not, they'll definitely want an answer."

Shi Chun: "An answer? If it weren't for owing Qiankun Sect money, he wouldn't have even gotten into my mountain gate. Treating him as an esteemed guest is already swallowing anger and giving face to Qiankun Sect. I haven't settled the score for the Battle of Great Pardon where they sent people to kill me. What does it matter if it's the Beidou Refusal Array unless Zhe Yuren comes back to life to prove I lied? What's the worst they can do?"

Seeing his confidence, Wu Jinliang felt reassured, standing at the cave entrance and taking in the sky view.

He also deeply felt that ever since fighting in the Battle of Great Pardon and gaining a legitimate status, things were different than before. Previously, he couldn't have ignored a Qiankun Sect elder.

And accompanying them back secretly from Dingbei Prefecture was Young Master Nan, currently hiding in the central area of Dingnan Prefecture, intending to stay at Shi Chun's place until things settled down.

For Young Master Nan now, there's nowhere safer than here.

Even hiding in the East Victory Right Minister's Mansion raised fears of being sold out, but staying at Shi Chun's house didn't worry him. Even Shi Chun's superiors must endure Shi Chun within the game rules, while the Gong family hasn't extended its reach here yet and can't forcefully do so at the Dingnan Prefecture Commander Mansion.

However, Young Master Nan wasn't idle, arranging secret contact with partners from Wuyu Trading House and inviting them secretly.

The hungry Mo Yao and Ye Shang also arrived one after another, with Young Master Nan, following Shi Chun's intentions, meticulously separating out industries related to Beiju Mutual Market Junior Supervisor Liang Mian and Thunder Sound Sect to distribute among those partners.

It was actually prepared earlier, this time merely bringing out reserves.

There was a distinction in what could be borrowed and what couldn't. Private industries directly under Liang Mian were to be avoided carefully, as private enterprise had stricter risk management, revealing anything out of the ordinary could be quickly detected.

The partners who received the target quietly departed…

Meanwhile, Chai Wenwu, hiding somewhere in the Heavenly Capital, received a summons from "Shi Chun," arranging a secret meeting.

Chai Wenwu could understand the sneaky behavior of "Shi Chun," since, of course, he knew the Lord Commander had been in hiding lately.

He took Xu You and quietly went to the meeting.

After meeting, there wasn't much more to discuss; fake Shi Chun conveyed the secret capture mission assigned by real Shi Chun to real Chai Wenwu, demanding completion in five days.

Chai Wenwu, fearless in ignorance, took on the task eagerly without regard for legality, accepting the order before questioning the identity and cultivation of the target.

Fake Shi Chun did not disclose anything, telling them to investigate themselves and to consult more with Xu You.

After fake Shi Chun left, Chai Wenwu began to ponder, "What's the deal with sending us to capture someone of unknown origins in Nanshan?"

Xu You explained, "There are too many people watching back home; by moving around, possibly making a move is more convenient for us."

Chai Wenwu glanced at him skeptically. He wasn't a fool; he found this explanation unconvincing, thinking that the easiest one to make a move should be the Lord Commander himself, given ability, strength, and stealth from recent hiding, much more suited than Chai Wenwu.

However, he wouldn't express this thought or disobey orders, trusting there's a reason for the leader's actions, accepting the mission without protest.

But worry remained as he hesitated, "If the target is simple, that's fine; but if not, our identities would cause big trouble if moving in Nanshan Royal City and being exposed. Any incident could implicate the leader too."

Xu You reassured, "It's simple, I have channels to hire for the dirty work, pay upon completion."

Chai Wenwu's eyes brightened, "That's a good approach, but is it reliable?"

Xu You patted his chest in assurance, "Not entirely, but probably reliable. We can disguise identities without exposing real faces, even if it fails, they won't trace back to us."

Chai Wenwu paced and weighed the options, ultimately agreeing given Xu You was sent by Shi Chun, deciding not to outright refuse, replying, "Alright, let's first investigate the target's situation."

Green Rong Manor, just sitting openly in Nanshan Royal City, Manor Master Mu Anchang's identity is public, researching it is easy.

The day Chai Wenwu secretly arrived in Nanshan Royal City, he learned about Green Rong Manor's general situation, noting the target's substantial wealth, supposedly the Manor Master's cultivation had reached Earth Immortal Great Success Realm long ago, with Heavenly Immortal Small Success Realm worshippers stationed there.

Hearing this, Chai Wenwu was truly alarmed, thinking if capturing with official identity, they might not resist, making it negotiable, but secretly capturing such a powerful target is no joke. They were bound to resist; how could their shrimp-like strength compare to Heavenly Immortal cultivators? A slap could sweep them all away.

The only way is to outsmart them in secret, but this requires time to plan and prepare. At the very least, we need to figure out the opponent's travel routes and patterns, but the higher-ups have only given us five days. How is that possible?

In the end, based on Xu You's suggestion, Chai Wenwu still placed his hopes on hiring someone for the dirty work, spending money to hire people.

As long as the mission assigned by the Commander can be completed, spending some money is not a big deal.

As for the money, as long as it's not too excessive, he's not too worried. He's now someone authorized to use public funds, and the funds he carries for introducing industries are substantial enough. This expense, he naturally has a way to account in on the public account.

Xu You's efficiency in handling matters was high, and that evening he took Chai Wenwu to meet those doing the dirty work.

The one doing the dirty work was none other than the Illusion Demon King Bai Sheng.

Late at night, in a shadowy corner of a bustling area, both parties were heavily disguised, bargaining there, and finally settled on a price of eight million.

A three-million advance payment first, with the remaining five to be paid upon completion. If the task is not accomplished, the advance is non-refundable.

Everything else was negotiable, it was just this last term that was a bit of a stretch; not refunding if the task is not done—what's that about?

However, the other party's attitude was clear: that's the rule, take it or leave it, and if you're afraid of being scammed, you're not forced.

Strangely enough, this haughty attitude further boosted Chai Wenwu's confidence, coupled with Xu You's whispering hints that the other party's credibility was likely not an issue.

So Chai Wenwu agreed, gritting his teeth to advance the three million in Sandalwood Gold.

Mainly because, nowadays, three million doesn't mean much to him, since introducing industries spends that much on "smoothing over" the process anyway.

Once the advance was made, Chai Wenwu entered into a state of anxiety waiting for news. Money aside, what he truly feared was the task not being completed.

As for the Illusion Demon King Bai Sheng himself, he didn't care for the mere few million in Sandalwood Gold, but since he was the one who navigated this course, he had to see it through.

While Chai Wenwu and his team were previously probing target information, the general situation of Green Rong Manor had already reached Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng dismissed the overall strength of the target, but he didn't get complacent; otherwise, he wouldn't bother to take action himself.

From Shi Chun's general description, this Green Rong Manor is far from simple, secretly connecting with people from Yan State, even alarming the Refining Heaven Sect to find an excuse to capture and spy, involving clues to ruins under the Extreme Abyss—hardly simple.

The current situation also seems to confirm several matters: after the upheaval in Refining Heaven City, the Mushang Master barely showed up, mostly hiding within Green Rong Manor—an unlikely coincidence.

Thus, he refrained from acting rashly.

Although he had Mushang's general appearance outlines and portraits, for caution's sake, he returned to the Western Continent...

In the depths of the dazzling palace of the Western Ox King City, the Queen sat dressed in luxurious black palace attire, listening to reports from men and women standing around.

Dao Zhen, standing not far on one side of the Queen, turned over the information on the Mother-child Talisman after waiting for the conversation to end, and the relevant personnel withdrew, he reported to the Queen via telepathic message as she got up. "Your Highness, Bai Sheng came to the Royal Court to borrow a Heavenly Mirror, saying he wants to survey the terrain of his dominions."

He had this piece of news because the Queen had instructed him to keep an eye on Bai Sheng.

The Queen paused as she was about to step away, whispering doubtfully, "Surveying the terrain..."

If it weren't for knowing that Bai Sheng had inappropriate dealings with Shi Chun, this reason might not seem problematic, but because she knew, the reason sounded abrupt. Instinctively, she suspected something shady, likely connected to Shi Chun.

She turned to look at Dao Zhen.

Though she said nothing, Dao Zhen seemed to understand her thoughts and replied, "Anyone else is one thing, but Bai Sheng is indeed difficult to track."

At the Right Minister Mansion in Nanshan Royal City, a clean black-robed, slightly aged appearance of the major domo, Liu Guang, entered the Right Minister's study, quietly walking up to the desk where Gong Youxiang reviewed documents, placing a stack of papers on the table.

As Liu Guang half-bowed and retreated, Gong Youxiang's telepathic voice reached his ear, "How's everything with the Third Young Master?"

Liu Guang replied through telepathy, "No anomalies on Third Young Master's end."

Gong Youxiang looked up, "The Holy Lady wants to use him as bait, it unsettles me."

Liu Guang responded, "Rest assured, Prime Minister, the Third Young Master has well-prepared, with the Six Paths Demon Eyes watching, Magic Artifacts for identification, and the moment someone with a Divine Splitting Technique approaches, it will be instantly detected. Additionally, three hidden top-level Heavenly Immortal guards are protecting him, with strong formations ready to be triggered at any moment; any offender is unlikely to harm the Third Young Master, nor escape easily. If worst comes to worst, additionally stationed troops in the vicinity can promptly come to aid."

Gong Youxiang suddenly shifted the topic, "How is the skill from the Holy Lady, how goes the cultivation realm?"

Liu Guang, who had arranged personnel to practice it, reported with a half-bow, "No anomalies, doesn't seem to be troubling."