Chapter 2229 - 2188: The Secret Is Out

The people in the Kitchen Room froze upon hearing the voice, except for Wang Xiaoqiang. The other five displayed looks of awe, as they recognized the speaker to be the Miscellaneous Servant Disciple Chairman Real Person, Hee Dakuan.

As the leader of all Miscellaneous Servant Disciples, Hee Dakuan is usually quite stern, but he tends to be more lenient towards those in the Kitchen Room, generally refraining from bossing around Zhang Dapang and the others.

After all, Zhang Dapang and his crew, taking advantage of their positions, often have opportunities to interact with the Sect Leader and elders, thus are closer in status to the higher-ups than other disciples. Hence the saying: "The pavilion closest to the water enjoys moonlight first." At least Zhang Dapang and his peers have the chance to report or lodge complaints, so Hee Dakuan dares not command them around.

But today, Hee Dakuan surprisingly barked orders at those in the Kitchen Room, an unusual occurrence that made Zhang Dapang and the five others change color, realizing something major was happening today.

"Stay calm, don't be afraid. Come, follow me outside and have a look." Zhang Dapang glanced at the five people, instructing them.

The Kitchen Room frequently embezzles items from the sect, like Spirit Rice, and because of their guilty conscience, Zhang Dapang and the others are always anxious, worried about being discovered and punished. Seeing the Chairman Real Person acting so out of character, their hearts naturally felt scared.

The six people walked in a line out of the Kitchen Room, with Zhang Dapang as the senior brother leading at the front, and Wang Xiaoqiang, as the junior brother, at the back.

Outside, they saw the Chairman Real Person, Hee Dakuan, riding a Pet Beast. Hee Dakuan is a practitioner at the First Decline of Heavenly Beings Realm, and his physical body started deteriorating when he entered the Decline Realm of Heavenly Beings.

Hee Dakuan has been unfortunate; his body has begun decaying from his right leg, which is now completely dead, resembling a disability, preventing him from walking. And using Sky Manipulation requires excessive Spiritual Power, hence he relies on the Pet Beast for mobility.

Although Hee Dakuan is disabled, his strength is formidable. His gaze swept over the six from the Kitchen Room, instantly forming an invisible pressure that made them feel heavy-bodied and slightly gasping.

Wang Xiaoqiang, though proficient in the Soft Water Technique and able to conjure water flows to counter oppression, didn't dare act in front of the Chairman Real Person.

"Chairman Real Person, we six from the Kitchen Room are all here. Do you have instructions?" Zhang Dapang cupped his fists towards Hee Dakuan.

Hee Dakuan surveyed the six, noting no changes in their cultivation bases, letting out a silent breath.

His visit was over the disappearance of Xue Xiaogui. After Xue Xiaogui went missing, the Chief Elder Spiritual Master Lingzhi first used Divine Sense to search the entire Five Elements Sect, then employed the Thousand-Mile Tracking Technique to investigate an area within a thousand miles from the sect. Finding no trace of Xue Xiaogui left him disheartened, knowing Xue Xiaogui was likely no longer living.

Xue Xiaogui, fond of playing, often ventured beyond the sect, but as his uncle, he had expressly forbidden Xue Xiaogui from traveling beyond a thousand miles outside the Five Elements Sect. Xue Xiaogui complied, never crossing that boundary. Now, he's been missing for three days, and absent within the thousand-mile radius. This suggests he may not be alive anymore.

Being his nephew, Spiritual Master Lingzhi felt heartbroken and extremely angry, determined to leave no stone unturned, find out who killed his nephew, and then skin and dismember them, grind their bones, and destroy their nine clans to avenge his heartache.

He surmised Xue Xiaogui's assassination might have been internal to the Five Elements Sect, so he gave face to the various chairmen of the sect, urging them to investigate first, and hand over culprits afterward. Otherwise, if he uncovered the truths himself, even the sect chairman would face censure.

The Chief Elder, also the Sect Leader's senior disciple, occupied a prominent position within the Five Elements Sect, second only to the Sect Leader. His word caused the chairmen of the four sects to break out in cold sweat, prompting them to act swiftly, meticulously scrutinizing within their jurisdictions...

Because Wang Xiaoqiang released the Spiritual Spring to conceal his cultivation, among the six, apart from senior brother Zhang Dapang who is at the Two Souls of Heavenly Beings stage, the other five are at the One Soul of Heavenly Beings stage.

Typically, someone at the Two Souls of Heavenly Beings stage can easily eliminate one at the One Soul of Heavenly Beings stage, but the reverse is improbable.

Xue Xiaogui, being at Two Souls of Heavenly Beings, wasn't likely killed by the remaining five. Only Zhang Dapang stood the chance.

Even for Zhang Dapang, killing Xue Xiaogui wouldn't be easy.

Hee Dakuan hoped the Kitchen Room wasn't involved in Xue Xiaogui's murder, as it'd implicate him in poor governance, prompting another silent sigh of relief.

Yet, suspecting a potential collaboration among the six to eliminate Xue Xiaogui, cautiousness resurfaced, leading to a stern inquiry, "Zhang Dapang, in the last three days, has Xue Xiaogui visited the Kitchen Room?"

Among the five, none were aware of news, but Wang Xiaoqiang's heart sank since he alone knew Xue Xiaogui was no longer alive.

Unaware, Zhang Dapang and his companions shook their heads in confusion, responding collectively, "No."

Wang Xiaoqiang, as a new disciple and junior, found remaining silent quite normal.

Hee Dakuan scanned the six again, despite Wang Xiaoqiang's silence, his gaze never lingered, assuming Wang Xiaoqiang lacked the courage or strength to commit such an act.

"I warn you all, if you lie, I'll not only kill you but also annihilate your nine clans." Hee Dakuan conveyed these grim words with a severe expression.

Stunned, Zhang Dapang's head broke out in cold perspiration, realizing the gravity of the situation, likely involving Xue Xiaogui's predicament. Otherwise, Hee Dakuan wouldn't behave in such a manner.

"Rest assured, Master, I, Zhang Dapang, pledge my life that none of us have seen Xue Xiaogui or heard any news about him in the past three days," Zhang Dapang solemnly vowed.

"Zhang Dapang, have you and Xue Xiaogui had any disputes?" Hee Dakuan still harbored suspicions, knowing Zhang Dapang relocated Xue Xiaogui to the Outer Sect against his will, potentially sparking fatal conflicts...

Zhang Dapang's face changed at these words, quickly responding, "Master, listen to me, when I relocated Xue Xiaogui, he was indeed dissatisfied with me. I expected him to confront me... but he never came..."

Having said that, Hee Dakuan felt slightly relieved, his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Dapang, proceeding to inquire further, "Zhang Dapang, have you truly not heard about Xue Xiaogui?"

Confused, Zhang Dapang replied, "Master, what happened to Xue Xiaogui?"

Seeing Zhang Dapang's genuine demeanor, Hee Dakuan let out a long breath, and said, "Uh, nothing, carry on with your tasks..."

Then, patting the beast he sat on, it turned its head and began running forward. Its speed was high yet incredibly steady, unlike a horse, resembling a swiftly moving and smooth little car.

"Wow, this Pet Beast doesn't look exceptional, but as a mode of transport, it's first-rate; no wonder Hee Dakuan chose it." Watching Hee Dakuan leaving, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a sense of relief, admiring the beast as he rode away.

Zhang Dapang and his companions, less inclined to appreciate Hee Dakuan's Pet Beast, remained dazed, pondering with disbelief. Seeing Hee Dakuan gradually depart, Zhang Dapang mumbled in awe, "What happened to that Xue Xiaogui? Has he been slaughtered?"