Chapter 132

Chapter 132 - Undercurrent Surge

Many righteous sects sought the Sky Piercing Sect's headquarters, but even after many years, they found nothing. Teng Yu himself had to acknowledge that the Sky Piercing Sect maintained excellent secrecy.

Sky Piercing Pavillion and Sky Piercing Sect had names so similar that many people initially linked the two. However, when various sects investigated them secretly, they all reached the same conclusion.

On the surface, the owner of Sky Piercing Pavillion was the wealthiest person in the south, backed by the Duke of Qin, who oversaw the clan's residence.

From any perspective, these two seemed unconnected to the Evil Sect. Instead, the sects that sought trouble with Sky Piercing Pavillion suffered tenfold.

Over time, no one dared to provoke Sky Piercing Pavillion, and with full security at every location, ordinary people couldn't cause trouble even if they wanted to.

As Yin Xu listened to Teng Yu explain the complex relationships surrounding Sky Piercing Pavillion, he recalled the flute player he had seen the night before. To guard a Sky Piercing Pavillion, that person must hold a significant position.

If he had known, he might have spared him a few more days.

“Who is the Duke of Qin?” And what is the background of the Xiao Family?” Yin Xu inquired.

“The Duke of Qin is my uncle, the late emperor's youngest son. When my Royal Father ascended the throne, he was still young, so his life was spared, and he was given the title of Duke of Qin.

Originally, my Royal Father intended to send him to a feudal estate as usual, but the Duke of Qin declined, citing his lack of knowledge in government affairs.

This suited my Royal Father, so he was allowed to enter the sect as a Zuo Zong official. Later, when the previous clan head passed away, he took over.

The clan head is the Emperor, though he holds a high position, he wields little power. He is ideally suited to oversee the princes' old age, hence the Emperor allowed him to take over.

“As for the Xiao Family, they are the wealthiest in the south, initially gaining wealth through both legitimate and illicit means, later flourishing through maritime trade. A few years ago, someone connected with the Xiao Family, securing a ten-year salt monopoly, an immensely profitable business.”

“No wonder Sky Piercing Pavillion is filled with rare overseas objects,” Yin Xu commented, licking his lips. “The Xiao Family seems wealthier than the Wei Family.”

Teng Yu chuckled, patted his head, and joked, “What is the Wei Family? Even in Jiangnan, they are only a second-rate wealthy family. However, the Wei Family holds an advantage with the iron ore in Hui State under their control.”

Iron ore is essential for weapons, salt for livelihoods, and while money is crucial, iron ore is a resource highly valued by those in power.

“Does Sky Piercing Pavillion have any connection to these two families? If so, doesn't that imply the Duke of Qin and the Evil Sect are allied?”

Teng Yu shook his head regretfully, “I am unsure of the exact relationship. I only know that the Duke of Qin has secretly assisted Sky Piercing Pavillion before. Whether he is their backer, I cannot say. But the Xiao Family is closely tied to Sky Piercing Pavillion, with all the Pavillion's stewards coming from the Xiao Family.”

“Are you sure Sky Piercing Pavillion is truly unrelated to Sky Piercing Sect? I heard there's also an assassin business in Sky Piercing Pavillion. If it were just a regular merchant's house, they wouldn't cultivate a group of assassins, would they?”

“No, the assassins from Sky Piercing Pavillion originate from the Evil Sect; this is indisputable. In my opinion, the two families might be collaborating, and it's possible that the Xiao Family uses their wealth to support the Evil Sect. With such an excellent helper, it's worth any expense for the Xiao Family.”

Yin Xu thought about it but couldn't come to a conclusion as there was no evidence. Teng Yu had only speculated.

As the two conversed, they entered the house. Han Qing came to meet them and, after bringing them inside, reported, “Your Highness, we have found some leads on the matter you asked us to investigate.” Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

“Oh? What were the results?”

“As you suspected, not only is the Yun Family involved, but there's also another force. However, your subordinate couldn't identify who they are.”

It was just a light snowfall, yet several hundred people died. It coincided with the poison incident, leading Teng Yu to believe it was aimed at him.

The primary suspect had to be the Yun Family, and from the witness accounts, Yun Heran was indeed involved.

However, Teng Yu doubted that the Yun Family could mobilize so many people without anyone noticing. The Yun Family was under his scrutiny, and if he hadn't received any news of such a significant movement, then there must be another explanation.

It was fortunate Yin Xu had such strength; otherwise, he couldn't have carried the treasure even if it was right in front of him.

Teng Yu instructed Han Qing to place all these items on multiple treasure shelves. This mansion had just been bought, and besides the furniture, it was empty.

In a courtyard in Hui State City, Xiao Feng removed his mask and entered his inner room. He turned off a switch behind a painting and entered a secret room.

This was a division of Sky Piercing Sect, disguised as the residence of an elderly couple. The courtyard was small, and the house old, so no one had suspected it for a long time.

In the brightly lit secret room, more than a dozen men in black were cultivating. Upon hearing footsteps, they simultaneously opened their eyes.

Seeing Xiao Feng enter, everyone stood up and bowed, saying, “Leader.”

“Yes, did you relay the news?” Xiao Feng asked as he walked to the main seat and sat down, looking down at his subordinates.

These men were all trained by him and had to follow his commands. Unfortunately, he had suffered great losses at Shenlu Mountain last time; otherwise, he wouldn't have been reduced to losing his position as Right Protectorate.

However, if he could obtain the cultivation techniques of those two, in time, even the position of Sect Leader would certainly be his.

A man in black stepped forward and replied, “The pigeon has already delivered the message to the headquarters. I believe someone from the church will arrive soon... Leader, don't you want to handle this personally?”

“Hmph, fool! You've experienced the abilities of those two; how could the rest of us stand a chance? Since they think we aren't capable, let them take the blame this time.”

“Tomorrow, send another message back, saying that we discovered the Third Prince and the Seventh Young Master Huo were the main culprits behind the Sky Piercing Pavilion's murder and arson. Let's see how the Sect Leader reacts.”

“But if they offend the imperial government, the Sect Leader will likely blame them.”

“What are you afraid of? This isn't a complete fabrication. In Hui State City, besides those two men, who else has the ability to kill all the medicine men raised by the poison masters? Even he himself was beheaded. Who else could do it?”

This was true. The guards within the Sky Piercing Pavilion were strong; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to deter those martial artists with ill intentions.

“Then... Should we report this to the Sect Leader?”

Xiao Feng glanced at him with a stern expression, “Since when did Hui State City lack martial artists? There's no need to bother the old man with such a minor issue.”

“Understood.” Although the man in black felt this was inappropriate, since it was Xiao Feng's decision, he couldn't argue.

Xiao Feng flicked his cape and left a few words, “Continue with your training,” before entering his own stone room.

Sitting on the stone bed, a sneer formed on Xiao Feng's lips. He knew what those righteous people were planning, but there was no need to inform the leaders.

These people couldn't even find the main rudder; what could they possibly do?

Right now, his priority was to find a way to get the manual.

He wondered where the Third Prince's Flame Yang Spell came from and if Huo Zhengquan knew about it. Could it be that the Third Prince had already gained the support of the Huo Family?

No, that was impossible! If the Huo Family were so easily swayed, they wouldn't have endured for so long as the marshal's house. Even Emperor Dechang didn't allow this.

Was it passed down to him by the Seventh Young Master Huo? But could Huo Tian, an abandoned little bastard, really obtain the secrets of the Flame Yang Spell?

Xiao Feng couldn't understand; this matter was incomprehensible. If he was truly cornered, he might try leveraging the Huo Family. He believed Marshal Huo would be very interested in this matter.

He wondered if he could get a share by using this matter to threaten the Third Prince. However, he actually desired the secret method in Seventh Young Master Huo's possession more. It was a coveted technique in the Evil Sect, capable of absorbing a person's inner force for one's own use.

A look of longing appeared in Xiao Feng's eyes. Perhaps he should attack Seventh Young Master Huo alone.