Chapter 117: Wanna Play Werewolf? The Kind Where You’re The Only Villager
Jiang Ce’s words were of course perfectly fine, but his attitude was really too arrogant, making everyone present feel a clear hostility.
Gao Song saw that the visitor was hostile and did not act rashly, but instead gave a glance to an abbot beside him.
The latter took a deep breath and probed: “What is the gatekeeper doing here?”
Jiang Ce clasped his hands behind his back and paced like an old cadre, looking around while casually saying: “Can’t I just come take a look if there’s nothing going on?”
Gao Song sneered: “Come take a look? And injure so many of my disciples just for that?”
“That’s not my fault though.” Jiang Ce shrugged: “We’re all gatekeeper experts after all. It’s actually very normal not to be discovered when going up the mountain. They insisted we were breaking in, so we injured them all.”
Gao Song stood up and walked step by step to Jiang Ce, staring straight into his eyes, and asked:
“Can I ask what you really want by coming to our Lu Shan Sect?”
After a pause, he added coldly: “I don’t even give face to Cao Zheng. He wouldn’t dare do anything to me. What makes you think you can?”
Ku Zhen and Xuan Qing stood on either side of Jiang Ce upon seeing this, ensuring they could react immediately.
Jiang Ce did not answer, but couldn’t help laughing: “Everyone says Lu Shan Sect doesn’t get along with us. I always thought it was a rumor, but it turns out it’s really true.”
He seemed to have no fear, walked past Gao Song directly to his seat and sat down. Gao Song turned back, his gaze already filled with intense killing intent.
Jiang Ce naturally sensed this, but remained unhurried, speaking leisurely: “As far as I know, you only cause trouble in secret with minor frictions. You say you don’t give face to Cao Gong, but you’re actually very afraid. Once or twice when people ignore you, you push one’s luck. What a lack of pattern.
Think clearly. Not giving face to Cao Gong is for Cao Gong to handle. Those old trifles from before aren’t big deals either. But I’m the gatekeeper’s envoy, and this is your territory. You’d better think carefully before doing anything.”
“You’d better show some respect too. Since you know this is Lu Shan Sect, whether you’re an envoy or whoever, even if Cao Zheng came personally, the rules must still be followed!”
The abbot who had just spoken saw that Gao Song was losing face and spoke again to smooth things over.
Jiang Ce looked at him curiously: “I wanted to ask just now—who are you? I’m talking to the sect leader. What’s it got to do with you? You’re not even wearing Lu Shan Sect clothes. What, are you his boyfriend?”
“You!” That abbot was so angry his beard bristled and eyes bulged. He wanted to say more but was stopped by Gao Song.
“Since you’re an envoy, just say what you have to say straight. We have important matters to discuss and no time for you. Say it and get out.”
Gao Song said, forcibly suppressing his anger. Lu Shan Sect had inexplicably provoked the Gluttonous Ghost, which was already a big trouble. There was no need to offend the gatekeeper at the same time.
Just endure for now and find a chance to settle it later.
But while he thought that, Jiang Ce was not cooperating.
“Yo, quite the temper. Fine, fine, since you’ve said so, I’ll give you face.”
Jiang Ce leaned back in the chair and smiled helplessly:
“It’s actually not a big deal, just two things. First, fight the Gluttonous Ghost with us. Second, if you don’t want to contribute effort, that’s fine too—hand over some good resources to us.
Pick one. We’re not unreasonable. Once we get what we want, we’ll leave. You continue your meeting, no interference. I’m just the errand boy—don’t make it hard for me.”
Gao Song’s face darkened after hearing this.
You’re the unreasonable one. What’s the difference between this and bandits?
“Impossible!”
Gao Song bellowed:
“We’ll act against the Gluttonous Ghost, but absolutely not as vanguards for you gatekeepers. If there’s nothing else, get out. We have important matters, and I have no mind to argue with you about what you just did. But remember—you’ll regret this sooner or later.”
“Then there’s really nothing.” Jiang Ce nodded and pointed at the seven or eight abbots: “But can I ask who they are?”
“Heh? Can’t touch Lu Shan Sect, so you want to threaten them? That’s the gatekeeper’s style!”
Gao Song sneered:
“Fine, I’m not afraid to tell you—they’re all followers of Lu Shan Sect. If you do anything to them, it’s declaring full war on our Lu Shan Sect.
I may not be able to deal with the gatekeeper, but with so many from various sects watching, I don’t believe no one will speak up for us!”
“So, can I take that to mean you’re all in the same pants, bound in life and death?”
Jiang Ce asked with a smile.
At these words, everyone was stunned.
What does that mean—take them all down?
“What do you mean?” Gao Song narrowed his eyes at Jiang Ce.
“Not a big deal.”
Jiang Ce waved his hand:
“On the way here, I heard some not-so-good rumors that your Lu Shan Sect has close dealings with the Gluttonous Ghost. If you don’t mind, can you explain what’s going on?”
Gao Song was first stunned, then roared: “Are you crazy? How could I possibly have close dealings with the Gluttonous Ghost?”
“Rumors—I said they were rumors. Don’t get so worked up.”
Jiang Ce stood up and looked down at Gao Song:
“I actually think these rumors are absurd too, mere grasping at shadows. But public opinion is formidable. If Sect Leader Gao knows anything, it’s best to say it so everyone can think of a solution together.
Clear it up if you can, or find the source of the rumors if not.”
At this moment, an abbot couldn’t hold back and explained for Gao Song: “Envoy Jiang, it’s not my place to speak, but I really can’t stand by. The matter of Sect Leader Gao having close dealings with the Gluttonous Ghost is utter nonsense.”
“Oh? What do you know? Come on, tell me—what’s the story?”
Jiang Ce looked at him encouragingly.
That person glanced at Gao Song, saw no reaction, and boldly continued: “If we really had ties to the Gluttonous Ghost, how could we be attacked by them?
We were all ransacked by the Gluttonous Ghost—what you’re saying is impossible.”
“So that’s why you’re all gathered here in the middle of the night for a meeting?”
Jiang Ce asked kindly:
“Were the casualties serious?”
“Casualties… weren’t serious. Just a few disciples with minor injuries.”
“What about property? Did you lose anything?”
“Seems… not.”
“Tsk.” Jiang Ce clicked his tongue, smiling without mirth: “You say the Gluttonous Ghost targeted you, no deaths, no losses—are you taking me for a fool?”
The other was stunned, then hurriedly swore: “It’s true, absolutely true! I swear that’s really how it happened.”
Jiang Ce made no comment and asked instead: “Fine, say it’s true. But how can you be sure it was really the Gluttonous Ghost?”
“Evil technique! He used an evil technique!” The man’s eyes were filled with fear: “I saw it with my own eyes. The leader said the incense burner in our temple courtyard wasn’t grand enough, conjured a purple Great Cauldron that directly crushed the incense burner. That Great Cauldron was full of evil energy—I absolutely couldn’t be wrong!”
“In that case, you should thank Sect Leader Gao.”
Jiang Ce looked at Gao Song: “Right, Sect Leader Gao?”
“What do you mean?” Gao Song frowned, clearly very impatient, not knowing what Jiang Ce was getting at.
“I’m telling them to thank you. If it had really caused deaths, the effect would be better. You must have thought of that, but didn’t do it, which shows you’re still quite merciful.”
Gao Song’s face darkened: “Are you saying those Gluttonous Ghosts were sent by me?”
Jiang Ce tilted his head: “Isn’t that the case?”
“Too much! You really think I don’t dare lay hands on you?” Gao Song finally couldn’t hold back and wanted to teach this babbling junior a lesson.
But at that moment, Jiang Ce raised his voice: “Sect Leader Gao, do you know where I heard these rumors from?”
“Who cares where you heard them?!”
Gao Song raised his hand to form a seal. Ku Zhen and Xuan Qing blocked in front of him, but he was undaunted. He didn’t believe his own Return to Origin Limitless couldn’t beat two Unity of Heaven and Man, let alone a Third Rank.
Jiang Ce didn’t even dodge, staring straight at Gao Song, and slowly said: “Celestial Master’s Mansion.”
“Celestial Master’s Mansion?” Gao Song paused and lowered his hand: “Impossible. The Old Celestial Master knows our Lu Shan Sect disciples were attacked by the Gluttonous Ghost. How could he think we have ties to them?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Jiang Ce sighed: “I’m a gatekeeper envoy, yet I get no respect here. At Celestial Master’s Mansion, they treat me like a kid.
So the Old Celestial Master told me nothing, just sent me to take a look, saying I’d find something. So here I am.
Tell me—should I believe you who always oppose the gatekeeper, or the Celestial Master’s Mansion that’s on good terms with us?”
Gao Song opened his mouth as if to explain, but Jiang Ce preempted: “Don’t say Celestial Master’s Mansion is framing you. The Old Celestial Master, leader of the Daoist Sect, doesn’t need despicable tricks to suppress you. Besides, he has no grudge against you.”
Hearing Jiang Ce invoke the Old Celestial Master, Gao Song’s momentum clearly weakened, but he insisted: “If it didn’t happen, it didn’t. I can confront the Old Celestial Master face-to-face.”
“You won’t get to see the Old Celestial Master.” Jiang Ce replied somewhat regretfully.
Gao Song frowned and looked at Jiang Ce without speaking.
Just as Jiang Ce finished speaking, a figure appeared in the hall.
Gao Song looked and was immediately shocked.
Xuan Qing was also stunned and blurted out: “Zhang Ze Xing?”
Hearing this name, even the abbots who had never seen the True Person changed color.
Why was Celestial Master’s Mansion’s current Celestial Master here?
Zhang Ze Xing stood in front of Jiang Ce but never looked at him, instead asking Gao Song with a stern but calm face: “Do you know your crime?”
“What crime?”
Gao Song’s face was extremely ugly; he was still utterly confused.
Zhang Ze Xing threw out a box and said disdainfully: “Open it yourself. Found in your courtyard.”
Gao Song opened the box puzzled and warily, then recoiled two steps in shock.
Inside the box were several black square blocks of unknown substance, like some pills, emanating intense evil energy.
An abbot recognized the familiar aura at a glance and looked incredulously at Gao Song: “Sect Leader Gao, how could you…”
Gao Song’s face turned ashen as he glared at Zhang Ze Xing and roared: “Why are you framing me?!”
“Framing you how? As long as it’s Daoist Sect, Celestial Master’s Mansion has always been impartial. Have we ever wrongly accused or suppressed anyone all these years?”
Zhang Ze Xing clasped his hands behind his back:
“My father received word that you were colluding with the Gluttonous Ghost and sent Jiang Ce to check. But given the tense relationship between the gatekeeper and you, my father wasn’t at ease and sent me to assist.”
With that, he suddenly sneered:
“If I hadn’t come, we probably wouldn’t have found this thing you’ve hidden.”
The sudden development left Liang Zhi Che and the others exchanging bewildered looks.
Lou Leshan and Liang Zhi Che shared a brief eye contact and reached a consensus—Jiang Ce was playing big this time.
Seeing the tense atmosphere and Gao Song silent, Jiang Ce sarcastically comforted the flustered abbots:
“Don’t lose heart, everyone. That’s just how the world is— even those who sleep together might scheme against each other for profit. Let alone you who don’t get to sleep with him?
I speak bluntly, don’t take it badly. Facts are facts. I don’t know what Sect Leader Gao plans, but from today, you’re basically orphans without father or mother.”
Gao Song clenched his fists tightly but ignored Jiang Ce, turning to Zhang Ze Xing: “If I say I really don’t know, will you believe me?”
Zhang Ze Xing understood and countered: “So do you think Celestial Master’s Mansion is framing you, or the gatekeeper is?”
Gao Song opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Zhang Ze Xing took a letter from his bosom and threw it at Gao Song’s feet: “Found in Daoist Priest Wu’s room.”
Gao Song picked up the letter, his face growing uglier as he read.
Jiang Ce curiously leaned over for a look, then secretly pursed his lips.
This wasn’t the one he wrote—it was clearly the Old Celestial Master rewriting it because he disliked his handwriting.
Though this version added many details, Jiang Ce wasn’t pleased; it felt a bit condescending.
“Do you have anything else to say?” Zhang Ze Xing asked sternly.
Gao Song took a deep breath: “Looks like someone is determined to put me to death.”
“If you’re truly innocent and clear conscience, then come with me to Celestial Master’s Mansion for my father to judge.”
Zhang Ze Xing said righteously:
“You should know that today, Celestial Master’s Mansion is the leader of both Daoist and Buddhist sects. We won’t wrong you.”
“Fine, a clear conscience fears no shadow. I’ll go!”
Gao Song didn’t hesitate at all.
If it were to the gatekeeper, he might have some qualms, but Celestial Master’s Mansion—he wasn’t worried. He already had suspicions in his heart. If the letter was found in Daoist Priest Wu’s room, it meant there was likely a mole, using such despicable means to frame him.
Ever since becoming sect leader, he constantly felt people coveting his status. Now it confirmed his guess.
Perfect chance to purge all in the sect who don’t submit to me!
Gao Song thought darkly.
Jiang Ce looked at Gao Song with a meaningful smile.
