Chapter 31

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The horse did not stop to rest as the elder of the Thunderclap Sect rushed back to his sect in Tongzhou on a travel-worn journey.

When he returned to the mountain and asked about the sect master, a disciple told him that he was meditating in seclusion.

Wu Qiong’s heart thumped slightly.

A few times before, the sect master had snuck out to meet other people with the excuse of being in seclusion.

What about this time?

Wu Qiong moved toward the back of the mountain calmly.

Indeed, there were people secretly meeting and conversing in the mountain forest.

The Thunderclap Sect Master was shocked as he looked at the masked man in front of him.

“The Great Xuanwu General Du Kun and his army were killed in the deep mountains in Dragon Ridge?” The Thunderclap Sect Master paced back and forth a few times. “Only a few sects exist in the desolate mountains and wilderness of Dragon Ridge. They might be able to resist many troops. Did the Forgotten Truth Temple make a move?”

“The current situation is unknown. We need to find out the truth as soon as possible and report it to Master,” the masked man said.

The Thunderclap Sect Master seemed to recall something. “A few days ago, a disciple of our sect said he entered Dragon Ridge to pick herbs. I’ll go and ask him.”

The masked man nodded. “Get it done as soon as possible.”

While hiding cautiously, Wu Qiong could only hear their conversation intermittently.

His expression sank.

The disciple that the sect master mentioned was the one who had entered the White Cloud Abyss by accident and was captured by Chang’an Fortress before being released.

Wu Qiong had also gotten to know about the existence of Chang’an Fortress. As a result, he entered the mountains to investigate and ended up getting caught.

Wu Qiong had sent that disciple for official work outside previously.

Since the sect master was going to find the disciple and ask him, he would more or less suspect Wu Qiong.

Elder Wu’s gaze flickered.

He needed to take action as soon as possible.

After the masked man met with the Thunderclap Sect Master, he left the sect through the back of the mountain.

He sent a message through spirit birds that relayed from secret base to secret base before finally reaching the royal capital of Eastern Tang.

When a person in the royal capital received the secret letter, he secretly passed it to his master.

“Du Kun has been killed in Dragon Ridge and lost over ten thousand men?” In the house, a youth in Chinese clothing put down the letter and asked, “Besides the Forgotten Truth Temple, who else would have such significant power?

“The Forgotten Truth Temple probably has to guard its mountain entrance so that no one can get out alive.

“I’ve never heard of it shifting its base into Dragon Ridge.”

A pale, beardless eunuch beside the youth said in a soft tone, “Your Highness, what should we do next?”

The youth in Chinese clothing suddenly smiled. “Big Brother and the Forgotten Truth Temple should be the ones having a headache. Du Kun is Big Brother’s man, and Longbei County is the place where the Forgotten Truth Temple preaches.

“We’ll just see which way the cat jumps for now. This might even be an opportunity.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the eunuch said respectfully.

…

Two groups of people met on a road in the royal capital.

A leader of one group in white bowed to the other party. “Your Royal Highness.”

All the people on the other team were escorting a young man with youthful looks, but his temples were already slightly white. He was the Crown Prince of the Eastern Tang Dynasty.

“I am in a troubled period with tight manpower. I have to rely on the Mingguang Cabinet on many matters,” the crown prince said calmly.

The leader of the Mingguang Guards opposite him responded, “Loyalty to the country is our lifelong aspiration.”

The crown prince nodded. “Do you know what happened in Longbei County?”

The Mingguang Guard opposite him answered, “I heard that experts from an evil sect might have seized that place. It won’t be easy for the army to annihilate them. We need experts of similar cultivation levels to fight against them.”

The crown prince looked at him. “Since the Mingguang Cabinet is on a manhunt, I will hand this over to you.”

The Mingguang Guards responded in unison, “It is our duty. We will do our best.”

The crown prince nodded slightly and did not utter a word. He passed through with his people.

After walking far away, someone at the crown prince’s side said with his voice lowered, “Your Royal Highness, based on Du Kun’s last report, the experts of the evil sect in Dragon Ridge might be related to the Secret Cabinet.”

“I’m too busy to handle Longbei County. Just leave it to the Secret Cabinet. Such affairs suit them.”

The crown prince said calmly, “We need to explain to Father, and we will just keep an eye on it.”

Everyone around him understood and nodded.

After these Mingguang Guards watched the group of people leave, they continued on their journey back to the Mingguang Cabinet.

The Secret Cabinet, which terrified everyone and made countless court chancellors of the Eastern Tang Dynasty turn pale with fear, looked like an ordinary government office.

However, the place was not well lit, so it was still dark in the day.

A commander of the Mingguang Guards crossed a hall and courtyard and stopped at a small building in the backyard.

“Greetings, Cabinet Lord.” The commander knelt on one knee and reported that the few Mingguang Guards of the Secret Cabinet, who were hunting down the survivors of the Chen clan, had gone missing in Dragon Ridge and the general situation of the changes in Longbei County.

The wind blew in the bamboo forest in the courtyard, and bamboo leaves rustled.

A moment later, a gentle voice came from the dark building.

“Just as the crown prince said, the Mingguang Cabinet has an unshirkable responsibility. If you know yourself and your enemy, you will be ever victorious. Go and find out about the situation of the other party, as well as Du Kun and his army.”

The commander understood upon hearing that. “Yes, I will obey your orders.”

“Pay attention to the whereabouts of the Chen clan survivors and the Forgotten Truth Temple’s response.”

With that, silence filled the place.

The commander of the Mingguang Guards agreed and bowed before leaving.

The sound of the wind soon sounded in the Secret Cabinet.

…

The scattered survivors of the Chen clan hiding all over were going to regather.

Their direction was Qinzhou Prefecture in Longbei County, the southern foot of Dragon Ridge.

The Forgotten Truth Temple also sent someone to rush to Qinzhou.

“A young disciple of the Forgotten Truth Temple?”

Incarnated into Mister Black Cloud with black clothes, Zhang Dongyun looked at Hui Tianyu, who came to report to him.

The one-eyed young man before him said respectfully, “It is indeed a direct descendant of the Forgotten Truth Temple. He has reached Qingzhou and is at Cold Mountain, where our sect used to be.”

In order to avoid being attacked by the Tang Dynasty army, the Cold Mountain Sect had shifted to Chang’an.

After the deaths of Du Kun and his troops, the Cold Mountain Sect did not immediately return to Cold Mountain in Qinzhou.

Now was its time to benefit in Chang’an Fortress.

On the one hand, it was trying to establish a foothold in every aspect of Chang’an Fortress, and on the other hand, it was currying favor with the ruler.

Most of the higher-ups and core disciples of the sect stayed in Chang’an and did not leave.

A minority of them split up into groups and went down the mountains to return to Qinzhou.

The sect did not get carried away and slowly recovered its previous base.

Currently, a descendant of the Forgotten Truth Temple had gone to Qinzhou and went to Cold Mountain, wanting an explanation of the earlier events and the situation of Chang’an.

While the people of Cold Mountain Sect greeted him, they did not dare to cover up the truth and immediately reported it.

“What did you tell him?” Mister Black Cloud looked at the one-eyed young man in front of him.

Hui Tianyu’s tone was calm. “Our sect only follows Chang’an Fortress’s orders. We cut paths through the mountains, build bridges across the rivers… and draw our swords against enemies.”

Zhang Dongyun nodded slightly.

“The right people for the right jobs.”

With a wave of his hand, a tall young man appeared beside him. “I think that he is very suitable to represent all of you to receive the person of the Forgotten Truth Temple.”

This tall man was Cao Feng, Hui Tianyu’s senior brother.

He seemed to have already known that someone of the Forgotten Truth Temple had come, so he could not suppress the excitement on his face.

Upon seeing Cao Feng, Hui Tianyu took a deep breath and bowed to Mister Black Cloud. “I understand what you mean.”

Zhang Dongyun waved his hand, and the two people opposite him took their leave.

The Cold Mountain Sect Master waiting outside gasped when he saw the two of them come out together.

“Let’s go. We shouldn’t weigh down… Chang’an Fortress’s mightiness.”

Hui Tianyu and Cao Feng went down the mountains back to the Cold Mountain Sect.

Inside a house within the mountain forest, a Cold Mountain Sect elder was exchanging greetings with a young Daoist priest.

“It is good that you have feigned civility with Chang’an Fortress for the time being. Find out the details of that place as soon as possible.”

“Daoist Priest, it’s not that we want to shirk responsibility, but this matter is hard…”

The young Daoist priest frowned. “Don’t play petty tricks with me.”

“If we really have to speak the truth, I’m afraid it might be demoralizing for you,” a voice said loudly outside the house.

Cao Feng strode in, and Hui Tianyu calmly followed.

That young Daoist priest raised his eyebrows. “What are you trying to say?”

Hui Tianyu and Cao Feng first went to greet and pay respects to the sect elder.

Then Cao Feng looked at that young Daoist priest impolitely. “Someone has brought word over from Chang’an. They say that this is their territory. Get lost, Daoist!”