Chapter 74

New Subordinates

Moxiang arrived at the Xianxi Branch with eleven subordinates. Of course, among them was Chou Liubin. When Moxiang appeared, Xue Wuzhi politely greeted him and said,

"Welcome. Was your journey enjoyable?"

"It was somewhat interesting. But what’s the matter?"

"There was an assassin’s attack. Although we managed to eliminate the assassin, the ‘Shadow’ we set up as a decoy for the branch leader was killed. It was a highly skilled assassin."

"Any other casualties?"

"None. However, since the branch leader’s outing was supposed to be a secret, we handled it as if he was injured. Because of this, we were worried about a possible enemy ambush."

"Now that I’m here, it shouldn’t matter. Later, when I show my subordinates my well-being, they will start to be on guard. By the way, has Ma Hua arrived?"

"Yes."

"Was the martial arts competition successful?"

"Yes, we accepted about 2,000 skilled individuals. We are thoroughly filtering them out. However, there were surprisingly few outstanding individuals. Those who seemed competent were somewhat suspicious..."

"Well, that was something I expected from the beginning, so it can’t be helped. Speaking of which, how is the secret branch coming along?"

"The construction is almost complete. Since the probability of an enemy ambush was very high before the branch leader returned, we left about 100 people and moved everyone else there. Although we couldn’t obtain much information from the Demon Sect due to their tight security, there have been many changes on the righteous side. Please take a look at this."

Xue Wuzhi handed Moxiang a thick stack of paper.

"This is a report from the head of the Living Pavilion, Hong Jin. Currently, the martial world is engaged in a fierce covert struggle over the tomb of the great hero Juhui. In the worst case, it could escalate into a direct confrontation between the righteous and the evil. After all, he was the only Xianjing expert before the branch leader. Moreover, the Blood Sect has started to move, assisting the King of Zhenchuan. At the Battle of Zhengdongcheng, the Blood Sect’s experts inflicted significant damage on the imperial army. It is estimated that about 200 reanimated corpses were also deployed."

"Reanimated corpses are nothing special. What else?"

"Perhaps it’s nothing to the branch leader, but for ordinary people or martial experts, they are formidable opponents. According to our investigations, there are about 2,000 Blood Sect experts under the King of Zhenchuan, and about 1,000 reanimated corpses. They are likely hiding even more strength. The King of Zhenchuan took advantage of the Song’s main forces being deployed in the war against the Jurchens, and is now on a victorious advance. However, this momentum may not last long."

"Why?"

"Because it seems that the war with the Jurchens will end within a year. The Jurchens, having exhausted their forces in the conquest of Goryeo, are not performing well. Given the current rate of the King of Zhenchuan’s advance, a year is too short a time. Even with the Blood Sect’s assistance, it’s too tight a schedule.

Moreover, martial artists are also joining the imperial army, knowing that the Blood Sect is assisting from behind. The Martial Alliance has also persuaded various sects to send 2,000 elite warriors. However, they are not paying much attention to the King of Zhenchuan yet. Their focus is on the tomb of the great hero Juhui."

"2,000 elites... How strong are they?"

"They are mostly gathered to save face for the sects. They are not particularly outstanding. However, the imperial court, grateful for the martial artists’ help, has gifted them light armor and shields that protect their torsos, suitable for martial artists."

"By the way, did you prepare what I asked for when I left? I asked for a list of outstanding experts not affiliated with any sect."

"Ah... Yes, I have prepared it. However, there are some people you should meet first."

"Who are they?"

"Experts from the main headquarters. The Sect Leader sent them with a letter for you. They have been here for several days, so it would be impolite to keep them waiting any longer. You should meet them now."

"Alright. Send them in."

"Yes."

Xue Wuzhi instructed a waiting warrior.

"Bring them in."

"Yes."

The warrior ran out. A moment later, seven figures exuding a dark aura entered. Many of them were familiar to Moxiang.

"It’s been a while."

The Chief Elder of the Heavenly Saber King, Li Zhigao, representing the group, replied respectfully.

"Yes, how have you been? Deputy Sect Leader."

"I’m always well. So, what’s the matter?"

"The Sect Leader asked me to give you this."

Li Zhigao handed the sealed letter to a warrior standing nearby, who then respectfully passed it to Moxiang. Moxiang took the letter and asked,

"Do you know the contents?"

"No, I only received instructions to deliver it."

"Hmm..."

Moxiang tore open the letter and read it, then looked at Li Zhigao with a bewildered expression.

"I can’t understand the Sect Leader’s intentions. Since you don’t know the contents, read this. Do you have the confidence to carry out these instructions?"

Li Zhigao read the letter and replied,

"The Sect Leader’s orders must be followed, no matter what. I swear my loyalty to the Deputy Sect Leader."

"I might have to fight the Sect Leader. Even so?"

"If such a situation arises, it can’t be helped. This is a direct order from the Sect Leader, and I received it personally."

Li Zhigao passed the letter to the others, who read it and then prostrated themselves before Moxiang, shouting,

"We swear our loyalty to the Deputy Sect Leader."

"Alright, Elder Li Zhigao."

"Yes."

"The part about ‘the subordinates I send this time are a gift to you, and I hope you will accept them as a Deputy Sect Leader’ is understandable. But the last part, ‘I will soon show you my sincerity,’ is confusing. What does this mean?"

"Well, according to the letter, the conflict between the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader is due to Zhang Jingjie’s machinations. The Sect Leader wants to reconcile with you and work together to remove Zhang Jingjie. Therefore, he is placing capable experts under your command."

Moxiang looked around the room with a mocking expression.

"Capable experts... You are already formidable. What more can he give?"

In front of Moxiang were the Chief Elder Li Zhigao, the Second Elder Snake Blood Heavenly God Hu Jie'e, the External Chief Withered Blood Demon Yu Guanba, the Left External Chief Hell Blood Ghost Tian Jin'e, the Right External Chief Lustful Xue Ruobi, the Blood Flower Palace Master Death Blood Plum Luo Youlan, and the Ten Thousand Evil Palace Master Ten Thousand Tricks Scholar Chen Tianyue. Except for the Chief Elder, they were all in charge of branch factions or had their own separate forces within the Demon Sect. Giving them to Moxiang meant giving their subordinates as well.

"Is the Sect Leader saying he will handle the internal conflicts while I handle the external ones? Or what? Why is he giving me 10,000 experts spread across the outside?"

Moxiang looked around the room with a suspicious gaze, and Li Zhigao hurriedly replied,

"As the letter states, the internal conflicts at the main headquarters are now unpredictable. Zhang Jingjie is openly gathering his followers. The Sect Leader wants your help from the outside. Currently, it’s unclear who is an enemy and who is an ally. But if you help the Sect Leader, he will win."

Moxiang replied with a mocking tone,

"But with what? The 10,000 Demon Sect members the Sect Leader gave me? That’s only one-twentieth of the main headquarters’ strength. If a real battle breaks out, the 10,000 outside members are useless. They might be good for making money, but they are too weak in combat.

So, does the ‘sincerity’ mean the Sect Leader will give me a new military force? Why should I believe the Sect Leader? He tried to kill me before, and now he wants my help to deal with Zhang Jingjie? Maybe he and Zhang Jingjie are plotting to kill me again. The gifts are too few to persuade me."

"That’s true. In peacetime, the external branches are effective for making money. But as the Deputy Sect Leader said, all the combat forces are concentrated at the main headquarters. However, you have the elite forces of the Heavenly Wolf Corps and the Flame King Corps. Together, they make up about 30% of the main headquarters’ strength."

"30%? Don’t be ridiculous. If I’m not here, the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Corps and the Asura Demon Corps could wipe them out in one night..."

"That’s true, but you are here, aren’t you? The Sect Leader is transferring forces with less influence from Zhang Jingjie to you because he doesn’t trust his own military forces. The Demon Sect follows the law of the strong. Once the forces are transferred to you, the Sect Leader believes you will separate them from Zhang Jingjie’s influence."

"The law of the strong is just a rule, but it’s not always followed. There are also ambushes and plots within the Demon Sect. If there are spies among the forces the Sect Leader gives me, it will be very troublesome. Anyway, I’ll accept them gratefully. I’ll deal with them later. Go back to your quarters and rest. And Elder Li Zhigao, stay a bit longer."

After the others left, Moxiang led Li Zhigao into a small meeting room. He then looked at Li Zhigao and said,

"I want to know the Sect Leader’s true intentions."

"Everything I just said is the truth. Your expulsion was due to Zhang Jingjie’s plot, and the Sect Leader discovered it. Knowing this, he can’t be deceived again."

Moxiang smiled with a hint of killing intent.

"Can you swear loyalty to someone who once tried to kill you? Someone weaker than you..."

"..."

Li Zhigao was speechless. While such a situation is rare, it is not impossible. In reality, there are also fools who hold high positions despite lacking skills, simply because they are favored by the Sect Leader.

Moxiang, observing the straightforward warrior’s efforts to understand his thoughts, smiled and said,

"You won’t learn much by looking at me. I don’t even know what I’ll do next. Let me make one thing clear, though."

"..."

"Can you truly swear loyalty to me alone?"

"..."

"Is the Sect Leader the obstacle?"

"If you become the Sect Leader, it’s different. But before that, it’s unavoidable."

"What if Zhang Jingjie kills the Sect Leader and becomes the Sect Leader? Many have deposed the Sect Leader and taken the position. So, is your loyalty to the position of Sect Leader, or to Han Zhongji as an individual?"

"Both, I think. I made a loyalty oath at his inauguration. If the current Sect Leader changes, my loyalty will be to the Deputy Sect Leader, who made the second oath."

"Alright. As long as the Sect Leader’s mind doesn’t change, you don’t need to die. Right?"

"No, the Sect Leader’s order was not to trust anyone. After leaving the main headquarters, you should not reveal the Sect Leader’s letter or anything, even if the Sect Leader appears in front of you. Therefore, your loyalty will naturally be to the Deputy Sect Leader."

"It’s a bit complicated, but at least you won’t betray me now. Hey, Xue Wuzhi."

"Yes."

"Come in."

Xue Wuzhi entered, and Moxiang asked expressionlessly,

"You heard what I just said. What should we do? Give me your opinion."

"The forces you just received are not combat forces of the Demon Sect. They might have spies. Therefore, the only way to handle them is to disperse and hide them quickly. If there are spies, they might be exposed and attacked, but not all organizations will be destroyed. First, separate them from the forces of the main headquarters and the Xianxi Branch. After all the conflicts end, they will be needed, so the enemies won’t bother to hunt down these weak forces."

"Alright, let’s do that. Elder Li Zhigao!"

"Yes."

"Tell Elder Hu Jie'e to hide all the branch forces and dispose of all their assets. Then, build new secret branches. Also, bring all the forces under the External Chief here. Even if they are not very useful, they will have some use."

"Yes, sir!"

A warrior, about 180 cm tall, walked with a light step, carrying two long swords, each about 120 cm long. He looked to be in his early 30s, with a rugged beard, and a strong aura of darkness and intense eyes. He wore a tattered, blood-red robe. He stopped in front of a large iron door and knocked four times. A small window with iron bars opened, and a face appeared inside. The warrior took out a red jade token from his robe and showed it, saying,

"There is one person under the sky."

The person inside replied,

"Who integrates the righteous, the evil, and the demonic."

The warrior then said,

"Will go on a boat ride."

The last phrase was strange, but the heavy iron door began to open, and the four warriors inside, who had half-drawn their swords, sheathed them and bowed.

"Enter with the mermaid... The Sect Leader is waiting for you."

The complex password system is designed to test both sides. The passwords change at least once a day, and the tests become more stringent as one approaches the Sect Leader. However, this hasn’t prevented Sect Leaders from being assassinated. The password system is a tradition that has been passed down since the founding of the Demon Sect, but it doesn’t have much practical significance. In reality, it just makes the guards feel like they are doing something.

The Sect Leader greeted the man as he entered the secret room. The man placed his two swords against the wall and approached the Sect Leader to bow. He couldn’t carry weapons near the Sect Leader.

"Have you been well?"

"Yes, come in quickly."

"Is there any message you want to convey?"

The Sect Leader took out two sealed letters from his robe and handed them to the man.

"Can you follow my orders without any doubt?"

"Yes."

"You will lead the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Corps to the Xianxi Branch."

"The Xianxi Branch, which Moxiang established...?"

"Yes."

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Corps, Elder Ouyang Yun, looked surprised and asked,

"Are you ordering me to attack him with just the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Corps?"

Despite Elder Ouyang Yun’s objections, the Sect Leader said firmly,

"The details are in the yellow envelope. Lead your subordinates to the vicinity of the Xianxi Branch and read the yellow envelope. Then, follow the instructions. Prepare for a perfect battle and set out as soon as you are ready."

"Yes, sir!"

"Do not tell anyone about your departure. Just say you are acting on my orders. I will handle the rest. Do not reveal your destination to anyone. The success of this operation depends on it."

"I understand."

After Elder Ouyang Yun