Chapter 2188 - 1186: Jian King City (3)

Yang Xiao understood immediately. The Esoteric Sect’s secrecy measures were excellent; apart from a few core members, others were told that Elder Sheng, the dean, had been poisoned and was in critical condition.

Yang Xiao naturally wouldn’t leak this intelligence, even if the other party was Tai Wenqin.

After sharing some thoughts, Yang Xiao brought the topic back to the mission. Tai Wenqin spread the map on the table, pointing as he explained to Yang Xiao:

"This time we’re not going to Lixuan City; we’re heading to Jian Royal City. Both the High Priest and Elder Sheng are there."

"Once the ship docks, we’ll first head to Mangla. That place is also the most dangerous section of this journey, as there are Dharma Sect’s spies there."

"We need to bypass Mangla, continue southwest, passing through Longluo and Jingkun, and finally arrive at Mengba Town."

"Once we reach Mengba, it will be in the area actually controlled by the Esoteric Sect. There will be someone to meet us and escort us to Jian Royal City to see the High Priest." Tai Wenqin directed on the map.

Yang Xiao stared at the map, exclaiming, "Taking such a detour, the journey will be more than twice as long."

"There’s no other way. The current situation is different from before; the Esoteric Sect has already clashed with the Dharma Sect at the border."

"As far as I know, they’ve already fought several times, with casualties on both sides. Now, both the Esoteric Sect and the Dharma Sect have imposed martial law in the border areas, allowing entry but not exit, treating anyone without a pass as a spy."

"Both sides continue to send more experts to the border. The Dharma Sect has sent four City Lords; a major battle is likely on the horizon." Tai Wenqin explained the current situation to Yang Xiao.

"Is it because of the situation with Elder Sheng?" Yang Xiao asked.

"Yes, that incident was a spark, but the root lies in the resentment accumulated between the two sides. Last time, to save someone, the High Priest crossed the border and killed one of the Dharma Sect’s Nine Great City Lords, the Vajra, Demon Lord. The Dharma Sect is bound to seek payback for that." Tai Wenqin introduced.

"How long has it been since that incident? How can the people of the Dharma Sect be so petty?" Yang Xiao hoped that the White Robe Dharma King of the Dharma Sect could magnanimity. After all, the dead cannot be resurrected, and things should be looked at moving forward.

Hearing this, Tai Wenqin smiled bitterly, "The Vajra, Demon Lord held a high status in the Dharma Sect and was one of the first to pledge allegiance to the White Robe Dharma King. To be killed just like that, in their own territory, you can understand why they can’t swallow it."

Suddenly, Yang Xiao vaguely sensed the flow of spiritual power around Tai Wenqin, exclaiming with joy, "Brother Tai, your improvement is fast. Your spiritual power level is now at the Upper Ghost Level, right?"

"This is all thanks to the High Priest looking out for me, giving me plenty of good elixirs, and also Boss Cui."

"Every time your people come to deliver goods, Boss Cui would always have someone specifically bring tight-supply goods from here that can’t be bought elsewhere. Boss Cui is a merciful person, the best boss." Tai Wenqin’s eyes lit up when mentioning Professor Cui.

His uncle’s character was, of course, impeccable and widely praised. In the past two years, Yang Xiao also received much guidance from Professor Cui.

As the two chatted, suddenly, Tai Wenqin signaled Yang Xiao to look at the monitor, where they saw the captain send someone to lure Bald Head and his group out of the cabin.

Then Tai Wenqin raised his hand to turn the knob below the small TV, causing the picture to jump until it finally settled on the outside deck.

At that moment, it had started to rain outside, and the picture was rather blurry. However, it could still be seen that the man who had left the captain’s cabin earlier dispatched Bald Head’s group with ease.

The woman with heavily drawn eyeliner tried to beg for mercy, but it was useless as her neck was swiftly twisted.

It took less than 30 seconds to kill four people, the execution clean and efficient. The guy’s skills were impressive, which Yang Xiao greatly appreciated.

With the help of the captain and several crew members, they first stripped the bodies of all valuables, taking everything including Resentful Eye’s cash, jewelry, and gold teeth from the mouths of corpses, before destroying anything that could identify them.

The final step was using a dagger to disfigure the faces and deftly tying large rocks to the feet and bodies of these corpses before the men kicked them off the ship, sending them tumbling into the pitch-black river.

It was evident that the captain and his men weren’t doing this for the first time; everyone played their part, performing the act as if it were second nature. The dumping site was also carefully chosen.

Indeed, having stayed so long at home, suddenly arriving in this region of Myanmar and Thailand felt a bit disconcerting. These guys couldn’t even be described as ruthless; they were utterly lawless.

But that’s the survival rule in the land of Myanmar and Thailand; Yang Xiao didn’t dare judge. This was a place where, if you don’t consume others, you’ll be consumed instead. Even the dead were perfectly arranged.

Professor Cui had a saying that rang true: this land is a godforsaken place, where there is no divine protection or justice, not even the most basic order exists, only the absolute law of cold-blooded survival.

"Brother Yang, there’s something you might not like to hear: you shouldn’t have saved them today," Tai Wenqin said, "You couldn’t have saved them."

"Such a father and daughter, without money or power, lonely and helpless, with a child in tow—once they get to Myanmar and Thailand, they’d be consumed completely, and die a far worse death."

"If I were them, perhaps jumping into the river was the best option now." Tai Wenqin’s tone was natural, as if discussing the most mundane matter in the world.

Yang Xiao knew Tai Wenqin’s good intentions and knew he was right.

But Yang Xiao didn’t regret what he had done; what was done was done.

Due to the weather, the boat was slightly bumpy, and it took more than an hour before it docked.