Chapter 712 - 149: Contact

"What do you mean?" Shang Tingjie said.

"What do *I* mean? I should be asking what *you* mean. Don’t tell me you’ve been taken over by some old monster from a Holy Land in the Hongmeng Realm, through Possession or Soul Control, and are now specifically hunting down our Mysterious Man group?" Zhang Deming sent in a message.

Shang Tingjie: "..."

"The general policy was set a long time ago. The Nest and the Mysterious Men were to manage their own affairs, with absolutely no interaction, to prevent any unforeseen accidents.

But you? The moment you arrived at the Sect, you started clamoring to meet me. And now you even want to see the Enlightenment Dao tool I’ve spent years preparing.

Do you think every Cultivator in the Celestial Spirit Sect is blind, or that the Celestial Spirit Secret Group doesn’t have eyes on you?

From the moment you arrived, I was forced to notify the Sect. Then I had to deliver Array Cards to you. I’ve taken more risks in the last few days than I have in decades.

These past few days, I keep feeling like my sect brothers are looking at me funny, and I’m seeing more and more unfamiliar faces. And you’re not done yet? You want to expose the tool I’ve set up?"

Shang Tingjie: "..."

Reading Zhang Deming’s message, Shang Tingjie was utterly speechless. This Mysterious Man Number Three... his level of paranoia was so extreme... He was at a loss for words.

More importantly, he couldn’t even argue back. The other guy was just doing his job; it was his own requests that were out of line.

Shang Tingjie took a deep breath, composed himself, and replied, "It’s just that this stage is too critical, and I’m not confident about the situation with the tool."

"What do you mean? Are you questioning my operational skills or my professional competence?" Zhang Deming retorted.

"Er, I just mean it’s too important. I want to be sure," Shang Tingjie said.

"I haven’t asked you to send me the core algorithm for the Enlightenment Dao in advance for a look, have I? I’m the one who should be worried about your side!

For the last ’Oratory: Words’ Enlightenment Dao, if it weren’t for the other departments’ propaganda catching up, you guys would have completely botched it. With such terrible operational skills on your end, I’m not the one who should be worrying. And yet, here you are, worrying about me.

What’s your problem?

It’s clear your subordinates spoil you, but don’t bring those strange quirks to me. I belong to the Mysterious Men. We are one-man teams. My status is not subordinate to yours.

Have you been in Hongmeng for too long? Do you think being a Four-Ring Mage is such a big deal? That you get to act like some patriarch? Or do you think your rank as an admiral gives you the right to order me around?

Maybe you need to go back to the Celestial Universe and get your head straight!"

Zhang Deming’s rude words made Shang Tingjie freeze. A moment later, he replied, "Are you trying to start something?"

"Me, trying to start something? Ever since I came to the Sect, I’ve been the one taking all the risks. And you think *I’m* looking for trouble?

I don’t care how your Nest unit has managed to be so brazen all these years without getting exposed, but for us Mysterious Men—at least for me—if you want me to take a risk, it better be for something worthwhile.

You want me to risk it all just because you have a ’bad feeling’?

I’m not confident either, so how about you let me take a peek at the core algorithm Dr. Huaa came up with? You know, to put my mind at ease!" Zhang Deming’s tone remained just as blunt.

’This was intentional.’ The various departments of the Celestial Universe Federation clashing with each other was just a daily routine. It was normal for the big shots at the top to tear into each other, and for their subordinates to even come to blows.

’Besides, he was the one getting screwed over right now. If he didn’t proactively pick a fight, *that’s* when they’d really get suspicious.’

’As for a complete falling-out?’

’Sorry, but their two departments weren’t even supposed to be in contact. There was no ’falling-out’ to be had.’

’Even if they did, it wouldn’t affect the plan. They were all spies—the kind of people who would sell out a teammate without a second thought. It was impossible for a petty squabble like this to jeopardize the mission.’

Shang Tingjie took another deep breath. "Fine," he said. "We won’t meet. But if something goes wrong with the Enlightenment Dao, or if it can’t be completed at all, you’ll have to take full responsibility."

Zhang Deming replied, "Are you saying that if you took a look, you’d be able to take the blame for me if things go south?"

Shang Tingjie decided to drop the issue and changed the subject. "Aside from meeting to confirm the tool’s status, I want to know about the recent turmoil within the Celestial Spirit Sect.

We’ve obtained some intel, but it’s not as good as what you have on the inside. These so-called ’Five Elements Remnants’ seem to have a deep connection to our ’special’ research vessel from the early days, don’t they?"

Zhang Deming paused. ’A "special" research vessel?’

He was about to ask, but hesitated. The ever-cautious Zhang Deming held back and simply replied, "I’ll send you the information, but it won’t be very detailed. I’m just an Outer Disciple, after all.

It’s not that hard to enter the Inner Sect, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t pass the comprehensive background check required for entry, so this is as far as I go."

"Fine. It’s better than nothing. Also, the third phase of the Celestial Eye Parasite Plan—the parasite phase—was supposed to take place at Qingzhen Temple.

But we’ve heard that the Celestial Spirit Sect has acquired the ruins of the Five Elements Blessed Land and plans to create a High-Suspended Grotto Heaven. Given that the Celestial Spirit Sect is weaker, the plan would have a higher chance of success there. Can the tool you’ve selected make a move in the Chessboard Grotto Heaven?"

"The third phase? I haven’t received any related missions. We Mysterious Men only get access to data for our corresponding phase. I’m not familiar with it," Zhang Deming said, subtly fishing for information.

Shang Tingjie paused to consider this. "Alright. As for whether the plan changes or not, I’ll decide after I see the Enlightenment Disciples at the grand assembly."

Zhang Deming: "..."

’Aren’t you supposed to fill me in on the plan and then we discuss it, you bastard?’

’He’s just dropping it like that?’

’Dammit... Spies are the worst. You can’t use any normal tricks on them!’

"So, is there anything else?" Zhang Deming asked.

"Nope!" Shang Tingjie replied.

"So you demanded to meet me, and what earth-shatteringly important thing did you have to say? I took a massive risk just to chit-chat with you?" Zhang Deming tried again, attempting to squeeze out some information about this so-called ’third phase’.

Shang Tingjie: "..."

’I told you three important things, you bastard, and you shut every single one of them down!’

"Let’s leave it at that. We shouldn’t stay in contact for long, lest we be exposed. We’ll talk after I see the quality of your tool at the grand assembly." With that, Shang Tingjie directly shut off the Light Screen.

...