Chapter 126: Misreporting Military Intelligence
That night, the anxiety that had lingered in Jiang Ce’s heart for several days finally vanished.
When a person has a fallback, many past troubles cease to exist and are no longer likely to cause a sense of being tied hand and foot.
This is the same reason that children from wealthy families never worry about the future; those who agonize are always the ones with only one path to take and only one chance.
One wrong step leads to eternal damnation, with no chance of turning things around.
Now Jiang Ce had already escaped this group.
Next was to strive to maintain good relationships with both the Gatekeeper and the Gluttonous Ghost sides, ensuring he could live comfortably no matter the situation.
Having resolved all lingering concerns, he could now cultivate with peace of mind and seize the time to elevate his realm to Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master.
Taking advantage of the early hour, Jiang Ce continued his cultivation of the White Tiger Secret Teachings.
He should have mastered this sorcery when he first cultivated Righteous Qi, but due to various reasons, he had already become proficient in the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium before starting to cultivate the White Tiger Secret Teachings.
However, everything has two sides; putting the White Tiger Secret Teachings on the agenda only now could not be considered entirely a bad thing.
Because the Righteous Qi had been shattered and reshaped before, its intensity and solidity had become more perfect, and after being tempered by the Five Thunder Pill, besides the initial corrosiveness, it had also gained the properties of lightning—not only greatly enhancing its destructive power, but also paralyzing enemies, making it even more effective as a surprise sneak attack.
Just these two properties alone made Jiang Ce feel that his current Righteous Qi was sufficient to rival some not-so-advanced Confucian sorcery used by Confucian Cultivators.
He was very satisfied with this, because the White Tiger Secret Teachings was not a sorcery for direct attack, but more like an external aid for passive cultivation, which thus compensated for his shortfall in Confucian Path attack methods.
Following the records in the White Tiger Secret Teachings, Jiang Ce closed his eyes and began constructing a new internal circulation within his body.
When he opened his eyes again, there was a bit more clarity in them.
Jiang Ce exhaled a breath of turbid air and revealed a comfortable smile.
Now he no longer needed to exhaust his Spiritual Energy by running wildly and then replenish it to feel it constantly strengthening; it was growing every moment.
Although the intensity increase was very slight, it was valuable for its twenty-four-hour uninterrupted automatic enhancement—left alone, he would still grow stronger, which was undoubtedly very satisfying for a lazy dog like him.
In addition, the internal circulation of Daoist Qi had connected with the internal circulation of Righteous Qi, allowing Mental Energy, Spiritual Energy, Daoist Qi, and Righteous Qi to constantly convert and complement each other, mutually reinforcing.
It wouldn’t be long before Big Brother Buddhist Charm’s status might be shaken.
And at that moment, Jiang Ce received a message.
It was from Wei Lao.
Seeing the contact name, before even opening the message, Jiang Ce’s heart skipped a beat.
Because he had just done something against Wei Lao after all, his emotions were somewhat complicated.
Hesitating, he opened it, first breathing a sigh of relief, but then rubbing his chin and frowning in thought.
The message content was simple, just one sentence:
Luocheng has changed, plan advanced, return immediately!
By the time Jiang Ce arrived in Luocheng with Xuan Qing and others, it was already evening instead of morning.
This was still because the incident was sudden and the situation urgent, with Lu Yun driving back while the others took a plane; if they had all driven back together, it would have taken three or four days.
Upon returning to Headquarters, Jiang Ce, Xuan Qing, and Ku Zhen were directly summoned to Xiao Lin’s office.
Although it was Xiao Lin’s office, the one sitting in the chair at that moment was not Xiao Lin, but Wei Lao.
“You’re back.” Xiao Lin nodded lightly to them.
Jiang Ce looked at Xiao Lin, then at Wei Lao, and asked: “What happened?”
Seeing Jiang Ce speak first, with Xuan Qing and Ku Zhen standing obediently on either side of him without finding it odd, a flash of surprise appeared on Xiao Lin’s face, but it was quickly concealed.
Wei Lao grunted: “Yesterday daytime intel reported that Bai Qing’s most capable assistant, the Luocheng Gluttonous Ghost Helmsman, died under unclear circumstances, and Bai Qing seems to have suffered a major blow. Right now the Luocheng Gluttonous Ghost is at its most disorganized, so we urgently called you back—the plan to purge Luocheng needs to be advanced.”
“But Wei Lao…” Jiang Ce gave a dry laugh: “You guys carry out the action, just call back Xuan Qing and Ku Zhen. Why call me back? I’m just a mere Third Rank—what can I help with?
If I’d become a Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master, fine, I could at least self-protect as bait under a sneak attack. But now I’m fragile as glass—this is just throwing me into the fire pit, isn’t it?”
“Third Rank?” Xiao Lin was stunned, then somewhat shocked: “You’ve only been gone less than a month, right?”
Jiang Ce glanced over casually, unconcerned: “A man who has been away for three days should be looked at with fresh eyes.”
“Fresh eyes? I’d have to gouge out my eyeballs to look that way.”
Xiao Lin said as if he’d seen a ghost.
Wei Lao stared meaningfully at Jiang Ce: “So reluctant to come back? Busy with something good, huh?”
Jiang Ce pursed his lips and silently turned to look at Xuan Qing, whose gaze awkwardly shifted away; Ku Zhen glanced without speaking, but based on Jiang Ce’s understanding of him, his current expression probably said: The Daoist Sect is like that.
Seeing this, Wei Lao sighed, his tone somewhat serious: “Don’t think I won’t know even if he doesn’t tell me—I have other channels. What you did was way too bold!”
And Wei Lao clearly hadn’t told Xiao Lin about the Dao-Buddhist Alliance and Lu Shan Sect matters, so the latter was baffled, looking puzzled at the now meek Jiang Ce and asking somewhat nervously yet numbly: “What good deed did you do this time?”
Wei Lao closed his eyes and sighed, picking up his teacup to sip the tea, remaining silent.
Xuan Qing pondered how to explain to Xiao Lin, but no matter how he thought about it, nothing seemed appropriate, so he spoke gravely: “For this matter, you need to prepare yourself mentally, it’s just that…”
Ku Zhen interrupted concisely: “Your home is gone, Gao Song is done for.”
“What the heck?” Xiao Lin’s eyes widened, like a CPU had burned out.
“Lu Shan Sect is gone.” Jiang Ce said as if it were none of his business: “Gao Song had ties to the Gluttonous Ghost and was taken by the Celestial Master’s Mansion for investigation.”
Wei Lao glanced at Jiang Ce and chose silence.
“Uh, how is that possible? He’s petty, sure, but I grew up with him and know his character—he couldn’t do something like that.”
Xiao Lin found it somewhat unbelievable.
“Gao Song is ignorant and narrow-minded, so naturally he lacks both the courage and ability for such things.”
Wei Lao finally couldn’t hold back, half-scolding and half-warning: “Jiang Ce, you still shouldn’t have used such an extreme method. Moreover, the Old Celestial Master isn’t a simple figure—on the surface he’s helping you, but whether it’s really boost-kill in his heart is hard to say.”
Jiang Ce awkwardly scratched his cheek with his index finger, ultimately not daring to say that old codger was now my Star Fury and wouldn’t dare have crooked thoughts.
But this was fine too—let Wei Lao and the Old Celestial Master keep suspecting each other, while he played the beneficiary, quietly making a fortune.
“What do you mean? You did it? You schemed against Gao Song with the Celestial Master’s Mansion? The Old Celestial Master agreed?”
Xiao Lin was full of doubts, finding more and more problems with every link the more he thought, nothing adding up no matter how he looked at it.
Jiang Ce couldn’t explain to Xiao Lin and could only laugh it off: “Hey, we’ve always heard you were aggrieved in the Lu Shan Sect. Rarely getting a chance to go out, and just happening to help the Old Celestial Master with a big favor, making him owe me one—thought I’d use the opportunity to help you vent.
Didn’t expect the Old Celestial Master to be so earnest, blowing it up this big. I thought at the time, when I used his favor to help you vent, he seemed surprised, like I was wasting a heavenly object. Indeed didn’t expect his favor to be worth so much.
But no matter, I’ve been under Xiao Zhi Men’s care for so long—repaying it is only right. Favors used are used; there’ll be plenty of chances to soar to success later. Repaying those who’ve helped me first is more important.”
Xiao Lin, upon hearing this, felt half moved and half sorrowful.
Moved because Jiang Ce had gone to such lengths to help him vent; sorrowful because the Lu Shan Sect was his former sect after all, for which he’d poured much effort.
This was also why he’d never mustered the resolve for revenge—there was some reluctance. With Gao Song’s incident, the impact on the Lu Shan Sect was devastating, so his mood was extremely complex.
Xuan Qing and Ku Zhen’s expressions also shifted slightly; they’d always wondered why the Celestial Master’s Mansion stepped in to help, even having the current Celestial Master Zhang Ze Xing vouch for Jiang Ce. But since Jiang Ce never said, they couldn’t ask; now they knew there was such a reason.
Xuan Qing had participated throughout the Daoist Grand Ceremony and knew Jiang Ce’s hardships; Ku Zhen, just hearing the descriptions later, could sense the dangers as a Buddhist Sect native. Thus, Jiang Ce’s explanation seemed reasonable to them.
No wonder Jiang Ce had targeted Lu Shan Sect people from the first encounter—now they understood it was all for Xiao Lin. Though unspoken, the lingering prejudices they had toward Jiang Ce in their hearts finally dissipated.
Wei Lao, knowing the real reason, silently watched Jiang Ce’s performance but couldn’t say anything.
He knew full well that Jiang Ce fundamentally wanted to drag the Celestial Master’s Mansion into the water with this, binding them to the Gatekeeper’s chariot—not seeking the Old Celestial Master’s favor for help, but forcing him to aid the tyrant.
Until he finally couldn’t watch anymore, waving his hand to signal Xiao Lin to drop that pitiful kitten face, while subtly glaring at Jiang Ce, who stuck out his tongue and shrank to the side.
“What’s done is done. The Lu Shan Sect had long crossed the Gatekeeper’s bottom line anyway; it was only overlooked due to Xiao Lin wanting to handle it himself. Giving them a show of color is no big deal. Have you tied up all the loose ends?”
Jiang Ce shook his head: “Not yet, waiting for word from the Celestial Master’s Mansion side.”
Wei Lao was speechless again.
Seeing Jiang Ce’s face full of sincerity, Wei Lao fumed, knowing the truth yet unable to directly suppress Jiang Ce’s arrogance—infuriating, but no way around it.
He could only pointedly say: “Then hurry them along; results should be out soon.”
“Mm, with Wei Lao saying that, it should be soon.”
“Back to business.”
Wei Lao no longer looked at Jiang Ce:
“Regarding the purge of Luocheng Gluttonous Ghost, intel from the inside man confirms it’s real.
We plan to act tomorrow night, but Cao Gong can’t move, and I need to watch for the possible hidden Holy Envoy, so can’t act openly either.
Thus, only this branch’s Gatekeepers can move, which is why we urgently recalled you—every bit of combat power is crucial, especially you two, Xuan Qing and Ku Zhen, with your Unity of Heaven and Man.
As for you, Jiang Ce, no need to worry about your low strength posing danger; Xiao Lin will ensure your safety then. Just use the Blood Curse on you to lure out Bai Qing, and Xiao Lin can keep him from targeting you.
Spot your chance and retreat, and the mission’s complete.
Originally we wanted you to cultivate to Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master before returning, because Bai Qing’s right-hand man, his shadow Tong Chou—anyway, hidden in the dark as his third hand. Xiao Lin can handle Bai Qing, but another Tong Chou spells trouble. Only at Heaven-Reaching Dharma Master could you survive under him; his cultivation method is special, and besides relying on yourself, no other way.
But now no need to worry, since he’s dead, allowing the plan to advance and sparing us a big trouble.”
“So that’s how it is.” Jiang Ce nodded: “What do I need to prepare?”
“Nothing, don’t be nervous—mainly adjust your mentality.”
Wei Lao stood, patting Jiang Ce’s shoulder: “What you need to do is believe—believe everyone will protect you, and entrust your back to them with peace of mind.”
Jiang Ce hesitated briefly, then said firmly: “Alright, I understand.”
Leaving Xiao Lin’s office, Jiang Ce first returned home.
But because Wei Lao said he should go and return quickly, only safe at the Gatekeeper Branch otherwise, strictly speaking Jiang Ce shouldn’t even go out—but he reluctantly got Wei Lao’s agreement by saying he hadn’t been home in too long and wanted to see it.
But his real purpose was naturally not that simple.
He immediately contacted Song Yuntian.
Half an hour later, Song Yuntian appeared at his home.
“What’s up, calling me so soon?” Song Yuntian was somewhat surprised, but then seemed to recall something, eyeing Jiang Ce suspiciously: “You’re not just bored and messing with me, are you?”
Jiang Ce had no mind for banter, glanced out the window, and used his far superior detection methods, covering a one-kilometer radius around with Mental Energy to confirm no suspicious people outside, before urgently saying: “Long story short, can’t stay long—go back and tell Yan Yi that Xiao Lin plans to hit your Luocheng branch the day after tomorrow; prepare early.”
“For real?” Song Yuntian’s expression turned serious instantly.
“Mm, just got the news. Don’t be too obvious, don’t let Xiao Lin sense a leak.”
Song Yuntian took a deep breath and nodded: “Got it, know what to do. Be careful.”
“No need to worry about me.” Jiang Ce waved it off, emphasizing: “Remember, the evening after tomorrow—don’t prepare early, lest you alert the snake.”
