Chapter 370: Are None of You Going to Tell Him?

It was indeed true that the diabolical sects did not care about their disciples.

This stemmed from the principles upon which the sects were founded. In the righteous sects of the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten, disciples felt a sense of belonging to their sects, which in turn supported and protected them.

But such principles did not exist in the diabolical sects. Members joined for profit alone, and the sects exploited their disciples without concern for their lives. Similarly, the disciples felt nothing for the sects. They were willing to abandon their allegiance if they didn't receive enough benefits.

As a result, the turnover rate of disciples in the diabolical sects was very high.

In fact, within the Dark King Sect, it was common for disciples to move from one faction to another.

Everyone in the diabolical sects found the concept of camaraderie laughable.

Nevertheless, people continued to join diabolical sects.

If these people could be disciples of the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten sects, none of them would join the diabolical sects. However, many were not talented enough to compete with the prodigies. In a fair competition for resources, they would only be able to watch the prodigies' backs and live as ants in the dust for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, some chose the crooked path, using various means that harmed others' interests to compete with true prodigies. This was the purpose of the diabolical sects' existence.

With the existence of competition in this world, there would always be those with insufficient talent and unscrupulous hearts, ensuring the legacy of the diabolical sect would never be cut off.

The way the diabolical sects sustained themselves and survived created an extreme estrangement between the sect and its disciples. Because of this, the undercover operation led by Chu Liang and his companions was able to proceed smoothly.

After leaving Mount Shu, the group dispersed, each heading to the gathering point on the outskirts of the Southern Regions mountains to meet up with Ghost Face.

Soon, every member of the Ghost-Face Chamber of the White-Bone Hall was fully assembled.

Ghost Face was dressed in a set of black armor with a flowing dark luster, exuding a sinister aura. This was a treasured armor, provided to each of the White-Bone Hall's guardians, and it possessed very powerful abilities.

"Is everyone here?" Ghost Face coldly glanced around.

"One is missing, probably had an accident. No need to wait," Chu Liang replied.

Chu Liang stood at the forefront, with the elite members of the Ghost-Face Chamber behind him.

Xiao Si, a genuine disciple of the diabolical sect, followed closely behind with his head held high and eyes sparkling. He was clearly eager to perform well on this mission and leave a good impression on his superiors.

"Alright," Ghost Face nodded and said, "Let me explain the mission details to you first."

"This time, we are going to hunt down an official from Kaoshan City in the Southern Regions. He will be escorted to the capital by the court's forces, and we will intercept him halfway. Under no circumstances should he reach the capital of Yu alive," he said slowly. "Understood?"

"Understood," the group responded in unison.

Monk Pushan quickly asked, "Old Chamber Master, why do we need to kill that imperial court official? This matter is of great importance. If it's not for something crucial, why provoke the imperial court? And if it's something important, why do we only need to kill the person?"

Ghost Face glanced at him and replied decisively, "You don't need to know."

"And..." Monk Pushan seemed to want to say something else.

"Shut up," Ghost Face shouted.

"But..." Monk Pushan opened his mouth again.

"Speak again, and I'll pull out your tongue," Ghost Face said viciously.

"

Mm mm mm,

" Monk Pushan shook his head repeatedly.

Ghost Face then got up and flew off while the group followed silently behind him.

Monk Pushan tugged on Chu Liang's sleeve and said with Voice Transmission, "There's a hole in the back of his pants. Are none of you going to tell him?"

Chu Liang pondered for a moment and replied, "Since he doesn't like to hear it, we should just keep quiet."

Monk Pushan looked back at the silent crowd, who were just watching and not making a single sound, and thought to himself,

We Buddhist disciples are too kind-hearted.

...

"Official Wei Xi of Kaoshan City?"

"That is me."

In front of the government office of Kaoshan City stood a majestic White-Feathered Golden Luan, two zhang tall and five zhang long. Its glossy body and slender, sharp feathers exuded an aura of dominance and pride, commanding the center of the long street.

Passersby could only gaze in awe before detouring around it.

In the cities of the Yu Dynasty, large demonic beasts were strictly prohibited, except for a few registered tame ones. Even those registered had to enter the city on foot and were not allowed to fly high. If they had done that, the city supervisors were allowed to shoot them down at any time.

However, there were exceptions being the Three Golds and Five Banners.

The Three Golds referred to three types of spirit beasts: the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, the Celestial Golden-Winged Horse, and the White-Feathered Golden Luan.

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon needed no explanation. It was the imperial guardian, a beast that carried the fate of the nation. This creature was only ridden by the emperor on very formal outings and might not have left the capital of Yu even once in a hundred years.

Only imperial family members or high-ranking officials on imperial orders were allowed to ride the Celestial Golden-Winged Horse. Wherever it went, officials and commoners would kneel at its sight.

Similarly, the White-Feathered Golden Luan also served the emperor, carrying envoys sent out to represent the imperial court.

The Three Golds represented imperial authority.

The Five Banners were the military banners hoisted by the five regional military towns. As these banners were hoisted, they signaled a call to action, demanding the unwavering support of every city they passed through.

And today, the White-Feathered Golden Luan, one of the legendary Three Golds of the imperial city, was stationed in Kaoshan City! This creature represented an envoy sent directly by the emperor, a rare sight that many might never witness in their lifetime.

Below the Golden Luan, a team of saber-wielding guards in scarlet robes stood ready. These were the Celestial Hunting Guardians, one of the seven elite units of the Night Dragon Hall.

The leader was a robust and imposing middle-aged man who stared directly at the city official in front of him, exuding a powerful aura.

"I am Zhou Gu'an, Banner Hoister of the Celestial Hunting Unit, commanded by the emperor to escort you to the capital of Yu," he declared with unwavering authority.

As he spoke, he raised a Celestial Hunting Guardian token.

"At your command!" The official in green robes hurriedly bowed, his face showing signs of age and a habitual humble smile. He added, "Thank you for your efforts, sirs."

Although his official rank was slightly higher than that of the Banner Hoister of the Celestial Hunting Unit before him, he knew these were the guards of the Night Dragon Hall! They were the emperor’s guardians!

Court officials held a rank higher than local officials, while the emperor's guardians stood yet another rank above the ordinary court officials.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

In the imperial bureaucracy, being two ranks lower was like being two generations apart.

Moreover, the Banner Hoister was here under imperial orders to bring him back to the capital. How could he not be respectful?

Wei Xi was nearly sixty years old and had always held a low-ranking official position in Kaoshan City. In his youth, he had practiced cultivation, but his progress stopped at the first realm, serving mostly the purpose of keeping him fit.

He had resigned himself to living out his days in this small city, but unexpectedly, an opportunity had arisen.

An opportunity that might allow him to rise to great heights!!

With overwhelming excitement, Zhou Gu'an took Wei Xi up onto the Golden Luan's back. The White-Feathered Golden Luan does not lower its head to welcome anyone; one either flies up themselves or is taken up by someone.

Whoosh—

The White-Feathered Golden Luan quickly flapped its wings and soared into the sky, leaving the citizens of Kaoshan City gasping and looking up in awe.

As the Golden Luan flew out of the area designated as Kaoshan City, Wei Xi smiled and asked, "Sirs, please don't laugh at me, but I have never been to the capital of Yu. How long will it take to get there?"

"We'll be there soon," Zhou Gu'an replied without turning his head.

"Ah?" Wei Xi was stunned.

Even though Wei Xi had never been to the capital of Yu, he knew it was far to the north, while Kaoshan City was in the south. The journey there and back was long.

How could they arrive soon?

Was the White-Feathered Golden Luan really that powerful?

As Wei Xi pondered the long journey ahead, he noticed the Celestial Hunting Guardians around him suddenly turning to look at him. Before he could question their gazes, a voice called out from afar.

"Wei Xi!"

The gentle voice seemed to strike his mind like a bolt of lightning. Instinctively, he responded loudly, "Here!"

In the next moment, he found himself wondering why he had answered this inexplicable call.

Soon, a young man in a scholar's robe appeared on the back of the White-Feathered Golden Luan, standing tall and graceful, with a kind face and gentle eyes.

"Zhang Chen, student of Ascending Dragon Academy, greetings to you all," he announced with a gentle smile.

"Zhang Chen?" Banner Hoister Zhou Gu'an stood up, his hand gripping the hilt of his saber. "Do you know that riding on the Golden Luan's back without permission is punishable by death?"

"Oh?" Zhang Chen met his gaze and replied in a gentle tone. "And impersonating the emperor's envoy is not?"

“What did you say?!”

The sharp sound of sabers being drawn filled the air, creating a cacophony of steel!

Wei Xi, paralyzed with fear, collapsed on the back of the Golden Luan. This sudden turn of events was beyond anything he had expected. What was happening?

From what this academy student implied, could it be that these Celestial Hunting Guardians were impostors?

Were they here to kill him?

Surrounded by these saber-wielding Celestial Hunting Guardians, the sense of security he had felt just moments ago suddenly turned into a sense of crisis. Fear gripped his heart as he realized he might be in grave danger.

But Zhang Chen showed no fear, forming a hand seal and chanting, "No staying on the back of the Golden Luan."

Buzz—

As soon as he finished speaking, the Celestial Hunting Guardians all trembled as if struck by a heavy blow. Each of them lost control of their bodies and involuntarily flipped backward, jumping off the back of the Golden Luan without hesitation!

Only Banner Officer Zhou Gu'an resisted the effect of the Spoken Divine Law slightly, but soon he too leaped off!

As the group of Celestial Hunting Guardians left the White-Feathered Golden Luan's back, they regained control of their bodies and immediately hovered in midair, ready to attack again.

But Zhang Chen had already stepped forward, grabbed the collapsed Wei Xi by the shoulder, and soared into the sky!

At the same time, he opened a page of a scripture in front of him, which instantly burst into dazzling light, seemingly opening a portal to a distant place!

Just as Zhang Chen was about to escape with Wei Xi, a black arrow filled with demonic aura suddenly shot from afar!

Whoosh—

The arrow, like a black meteor, shattered the teleportation scripture Zhang Chen had opened and continued straight toward him!

It was hard for Zhang Chen to dodge while carrying Wei Xi. Nonetheless, with his quick reflexes, he was able to raise a finger up and activate a row of twelve exquisite jade talismans. The talismans circled in front of him, blocking the formidable arrow!

Boom—

A thunderous explosion echoed in midair, and Zhang Chen and Wei Xi fell together!

A valley shrouded in thick mist was right below them!