Chapter 129: Can Only Say The Coordination Wasn’t Great
Xiao Lin came out of the training ground and, with a gloomy face, wanted to find Jiang Ce.
But Jiang Ce had already found a room and lay down.
Xiao Lin was shocked that Jiang Ce at Third Rank could shock him flying when he was careless, and Jiang Ce was no better off; he too was quite surprised by such a result.
If he hadn’t seen that Xiao Lin was completely fine, he would really have had the illusion that he was invincible.
After all, Return to Origin Limitless being knocked flying was a scene with too much impact.
Jiang Ce crossed his legs, chewing Compressed Spiritual Medicine in his mouth, recovering the consumption of his body.
“The consumption is still too great; it’s best to use the Seven Star Sword Formation as little as possible.”
He pondered: “Since that’s the case, even if others in Unity of Heaven and Man make a move then, I probably still won’t be able to beat them, but self-preservation should not be a problem.”
Jiang Ce closed his eyes. Now with White Tiger Secret Teachings in body, he could gain cultivation just by hanging idle, no need to think about cultivation all the time. Before the sorcery he currently mastered reached a bottleneck, there was no place worth delving deeply. He hadn’t slept for several days; tomorrow there was big business, so it was better to rest well.
But after resting for just a moment, he suddenly remembered something, did a carp flip to sit up, rubbed his chin, and furrowed his brows tightly.
“No, you can’t call for help, but I can.”
Jiang Ce took out his phone and dialed the Old Celestial Master’s number.
After two or three rings, the call connected, and the Old Celestial Master said “hello” in a voice carrying some twilight weariness.
Jiang Ce first inquired about Gao Song’s situation.
The Old Celestial Master said everything had already been arranged.
Hearing the Old Celestial Master say this, Jiang Ce didn’t ask more. The Old Celestial Master, an old Jianghu hand for so many years, if he couldn’t even handle such a simple matter as framing, forcing a confession, and twisting the truth, he might as well quit. So he simply instructed: “Be careful not to kill him.”
“What do you take me for?” The Old Celestial Master immediately countered somewhat depressedly.
“Anyway, we can’t release him for now; keep detaining him. And this time I didn’t come to you just for this matter.”
The Old Celestial Master paused, then said gravely: “That’s enough; using Lu Shan Sect as a certificate of allegiance isn’t enough? Do you think I’m Lin Chong?”
Jiang Ce immediately smiled: “Old Celestial Master, don’t be angry; it’s serious business, really serious business.”
“Speak.”
Hearing this somewhat dissatisfied voice, Jiang Ce pursed his lips; it seemed the old guy was still quite unconvinced.
But he knew his place well, with good self-awareness, knowing that he was pulling the Gatekeeper’s tiger skin in front of the Old Celestial Master. Essentially, he was just a minor cultivator; the Daoist Sect leader being used as a tool by him, some dissatisfaction was understandable.
No matter; there would be a chance later to have a heart-to-heart.
So Jiang Ce suppressed his inner displeasure and told the Old Celestial Master the news that the Gatekeeper was going to move against Bai Qing.
But unexpectedly, upon hearing this news, the Old Celestial Master immediately became serious, even somewhat urgently asking for more detailed information.
Jiang Ce was a bit surprised, but soon remembered that in front of the Old Celestial Master, he wasn’t mentioning Bai Qing for the first time.
The first time he met the Old Celestial Master in the medicine field, after telling about Righteous Qi being dispersed, Zhang Ze Zhi had mentioned him.
It seemed he said that Bai Qing had killed someone from Celestial Master’s Mansion, and at that time Celestial Master Zhang Ze Xing couldn’t do anything to him, making him an enemy of Celestial Master’s Mansion.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ce seized the opportunity: “Old Celestial Master, although you stopped Uncle Zhang from continuing then, I investigated afterward and know Bai Qing has a grudge with you. So logically, I should keep this matter confidential, but I told you first thing; how about it, loyal enough, right?”
The Old Celestial Master didn’t buy it; he had long seen through what kind of person Jiang Ce was—pure villain, the type too lazy to even act. Not only good at not letting up when having the reason, but a habitual offender of pushing one’s luck. As soon as you engage him a little, he’d lead the rhythm, putting you at a disadvantage in the conversation.
So he didn’t answer at all, simply asking: “What do you want me to do?”
Jiang Ce was delighted inside: Ha, the old boy got smart.
He didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point: “No need for you to exert effort; just watch Bai Qing die. But there’s one point: I’m worried that while Wei Lao plans to eat them, they might have some layout too.
To put it this way, I suspect even the news of Bai Qing’s shadow dying might not be true. And Wei Lao can’t act; he has to guard against the Holy Envoy. So if Xiao Lin can’t protect me, I’m dead.
So either send the Celestial Master to be my bodyguard, or come personally. Anyway, if I encounter danger, you save me.”
Hearing this, the Old Celestial Master fell silent, but Jiang Ce wasn’t anxious, waiting patiently.
After a few breaths, the Old Celestial Master slowly said: “This… is tricky. You’re acting tomorrow, time is too rushed; afraid we can’t make it in time.”
“Cut the useless talk.”
Jiang Ce sneered:
“I give you face calling you Old Celestial Master; no face and I’ll make you fall into disgrace, got it?”
“What do you mean?” The Old Celestial Master’s voice turned cold.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking; you just wish I’d die. I know you hate me, but we’re on the same boat now. If I don’t have it good, you definitely won’t either.
Truth is, I’m prepared. If something happens to me, someone will publicize our matter.
Then forget you; Celestial Master’s Mansion won’t be able to mix in the righteous path afterward. Not even talking about being the leader of Dao and Buddha; Daoist Sect won’t have a place for you. Don’t forget, framing Gao Song makes you an accomplice.”
Jiang Ce warned viciously.
The Old Celestial Master clearly softened, explaining: “You’re overthinking; I’m just telling you the facts.”
“That’s none of my business; I don’t care how you do it, you just have to. Seeing you’re old, thinking of respecting the elderly and loving the young—nicely put, discussing with you; bluntly, notifying you, going through the motions, understand?
So don’t push one’s luck; no next time.”
Jiang Ce muttered: “Besides, Wang Chu Fan goes from Wudang Mountain to Celestial Master’s Mansion and back the same day. You find an excuse, make it a decent one. Zhang Ze Xing, a Return to Origin Limitless, or you, Perfect Enlightenment, can’t travel faster than a Unity of Heaven and Man?
Then Celestial Master’s Mansion is too lame, right?
How about this: if you really can’t, figure a way to get Wang Chu Fan over; damn mud that won’t stick to the wall.”
The Old Celestial Master’s evasive attitude openly expressed dissatisfaction, so Jiang Ce dropped the pretense and hit him with a combo punch to make him recognize his position.
After a long silence, the Old Celestial Master finally said: “Even Cao Zheng never spoke to me like this.”
“Then fuck off.” Jiang Ce shot back without thinking: “Originally without a handle on you, you’d treat you as a person. Now you’re in my hands, you have to accept it. You jumped into the pit yourself; who can you blame?
Right, don’t say I didn’t help you. I’ve arranged everything here. Whether you come or Zhang Ze Xing comes, after it’s done, I’ll give you a chance to perform. I’ve greeted Wei Lao; then I’ll subtly point it out for you, your attempt at a backstab will be past, everyone gets a way out.
And Bai Qing has a grudge with you anyway; if it spreads, everyone understands. Just personal grudge coinciding with cooperating with the Gatekeeper; back there, carry on as usual, they won’t suspect.”
Sure enough, slap then a date; the Old Celestial Master immediately wasn’t so angry, and thinking carefully, it seemed reasonable. Deeper thought: hiss, Jiang Ce actually keeps his word; promises good words and really does them.
“Alright, my status is sensitive, inconvenient to go out; I’ll have Ze Xing make another trip. He’ll set off tonight.”
In a daze, the Old Celestial Master agreed.
“Mm, no need for him to do anything; just hide in the dark and protect me.”
Hanging up, Jiang Ce let out a long breath.
Now it was steady; even if Xiao Lin wasn’t reliable, there’d be a backup.
Now on the surface, it was still just a struggle between Gluttonous Ghost and Gatekeeper; other righteous sects hadn’t formally entered. They wouldn’t rack their brains to think top combat power external aid would appear.
No matter the battlefield, one more high-end combat power was absolutely a decisive factor dominating victory or defeat.
As for the promised post-good words, he really wasn’t worried.
After all, being a messenger eunuch had some talent in it; what he passed between both sides was truth, just not 100% content. As long as not confronting directly, no matter how they probe or spar, they wouldn’t catch him. Plus, he’d likely be there then, able to subtly guide a bit; all happy easily.
He was also glad he hadn’t hidden it from Wei Lao; otherwise both sides would eventually communicate, and then it really would be tricky.
Soon, time came to the second evening.
Jiang Ce, who was in Xiao Lin’s temporary office lowering his head accepting reprimand, heard Wei Lao return, lifted his head sleepily, wiped the drool from his mouth corner; Xiao Lin slapped the table roaring: “You can sleep through this?”
“Impressive, right?”
“I’m praising you?”
Wei Lao hadn’t approached yet; Xiao Lin naturally stood, sat in the guest seat. Wei Lao sat, curiously asking: “Why did your office change places? Scolding him like this, do you have a relationship with him?”
“Ask him!” Xiao Lin gnashed his teeth.
Jiang Ce innocently: “Xiao Gatekeeper sparred with me, couldn’t beat me, sore loser, so.”
“Don’t ask him!” Xiao Lin bounced up from the sofa: “Ask me!”
Wei Lao suspiciously eyed Xiao Lin, feeling today’s Xiao Lin a bit off: “You really couldn’t beat him?”
“I must clarify: first, this wasn’t a spar, just me testing his current mental energy strength, so I didn’t exert force, just gathered a tiny bit of mental energy in my palm. First time, his mental energy couldn’t even approach me.”
Xiao Lin spoke quickly, then looked at Jiang Ce: “Right?”
Jiang Ce was somewhat speechless, hummed in agreement.
“Then second time, I let him go all out.”
Xiao Lin continued explaining: “Then his mental energy suddenly changed, not only splitting into seven mental energy light orbs far stronger than his current level should have, but containing terrifying Sword Intent, more terrifying than any Sword Immortal I’ve seen. I reckon, purely Sword Intent, it’s probably reached Communicate with God through Sword level.
So due to my carelessness, I took that Divine-Connecting Sword Intent with my flesh body and was shocked flying.
Right?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Jiang Ce nodded.
“What do you mean ‘that’s it’? That’s the fact, alright?” Xiao Lin got anxious.
Wei Lao thoughtfully looked at Jiang Ce, pointedly saying: “Divine-Connecting Sword Intent; I heard recently, Wudang Mountain’s Wang Chu Fan just surpassed Sword Immortal, reaching Sword God level. You’ve met him?”
“Sword God?”
Xiao Lin was stunned: “Wang Chu Fan really succeeded.”
Jiang Ce shrugged: “Yeah, simple as that. Wang Chu Fan predecessor saw I had Swordsmanship talent, imparted a bit of experience, hey, truly authentic! Guess what? Capped it!”
“Speak properly.”
“Comprehended Divine-Connecting Sword Intent from observing Wang Chu Fan’s left-behind Sword Intent like that.” Jiang Ce waved his hand: “Not worth mentioning.”
Wei Lao and Xiao Lin fell silent.
“You really don’t know what Divine-Connecting Sword Intent means?” Xiao Lin couldn’t help saying, tone with helplessness and envy.
Jiang Ce thought: “Didn’t before; knew after beating you yesterday.”
“Say that again?!”
Wei Lao laughed heartily, pleasedly patting Jiang Ce’s shoulder: “How you got it doesn’t matter, but practice sword more when you have time isn’t bad; might be your stepping stone to Half-Immortal.”
Xiao Lin was even more envious hearing this, but Jiang Ce’s heart tightened.
How he got it doesn’t matter?
Doesn’t that mean Wei Lao doesn’t believe what he said at all, knows there’s something fishy?
Looks like what Cao Zheng saw and told him about him is more than just a little.
Jiang Ce’s mind had one big word: Danger!
Just as Jiang Ce was pondering how to probe, Wei Lao changed topic: “Time’s about up.”
Jiang Ce perked up: Coming?
But Wei Lao’s next words were beyond his expectation.
“Xiao Lin, completely seal the branch; block all signals!”
“Got it.” Xiao Lin nodded, cast sorcery covering the whole building with a layer of transparent spiritual energy membrane.
Jiang Ce was stunned: “Wei Lao, what’s the situation.”
Wei Lao smiled: “Not acting today; notification was today, but real action time is tomorrow.”
These words were like a thunderbolt striking Jiang Ce’s mind.
“Why?”
Wei Lao smiledly explained: “We can infiltrate Gluttonous Ghost, they can infiltrate us too. Before was deliberately leaking wind, waiting for the mole to leak intel. I left yesterday to monitor Gluttonous Ghost’s movements.
Sure enough, they were preparing, so tonight we won’t really act, but send teams at different times to harass. Thus, first push strong, second waning, third exhausted; tomorrow when they’re out of sharpness, that’s when we truly strike!”
Jiang Ce was dumbfounded, screaming inwardly: Fuck! You’re playing military strategy now? Then what do I do? I told people it’s tomorrow!
