When Shen Xiuhan's gaze landed on the seventh piece of intelligence, the smile on his face instantly stiffened slightly:
【Intelligence 7: He Tunan of Tingquan Academy, angered by the Ji family cutting off their annual retainer, intends to annex the Ji family's businesses. Fearing that your acquaintance with Zuo Muxian might interfere with his plans, he pulled strings to send you to the Precious Fish Pond, leaving you with no time to worry about the Ji family's affairs.】
Shen Xiuhan's pupils contracted slightly. The image of the young man he had seen in the Affairs Hall that day surfaced in his mind.
He Tunan... So, it was you pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Shen Xiuhan was certainly no stranger to this name.
Back then, Wang Xuanyang had invited him to switch to the Wang family at a restaurant, hinting that the Luo family wanted to make a move on the Ji Family Chamber of Commerce's fleet.
Shen Xiuhan had informed Ji Shuying of this news that very night.
And the He family was the backer the Ji Mansion had hired with a hefty sum.
Thus, Ji Shuying had immediately written to the He family for help.
Yet, while the He family was not polite at all when accepting the money, they feigned ignorance at the critical moment.
This act had thoroughly angered Ji Shuying, who immediately cut off the He family's annual retainer.
He had thought this grudge was already over... but now it seemed the He family had harbored impure motives from the very beginning!
“He Tunan...”
Shen Xiuhan silently noted the name in his heart, then looked at the final piece of intelligence.
But once he finished reading its contents, even Shen Xiuhan could not help but feel shaken!
【Intelligence 8: Zhang Jiuyang, the Chief Disciple of Kaiyang Academy, has a perversion for married women. He has long coveted Lu Zhaoyuan's wife, Song Rou, and especially enjoys the vile habit of forcing a husband to watch as he violates his wife. He has tempted and coerced Lu Zhaoyuan several times with precious pills and spiritual artifacts, but the latter was shocked and enraged, flatly refusing him.】
【Zhang Jiuyang was furious. Fearing Lu Zhaoyuan's wide network of connections within the sect, he did not dare push things to the extreme. Instead, he used his connections to demote Lu Zhaoyuan to the Precious Fish Pond, intending to use hard labor and punishment to force him to submit and agree.】
【Under the suppression and humiliation, Lu Zhaoyuan felt extremely aggrieved and resentful. A month ago, he accidentally met Weng Gui, one of the Six Cangwu Demons. Harboring their own hidden agendas, the two secretly struck a deal.】
【Weng Gui provides precious pills in exchange for the Precious Fish Lu Zhaoyuan steals from the Star-Plucking Sect's Precious Fish Pond. Through this method of embezzling public resources for private gain, Lu Zhaoyuan is secretly accumulating strength to plot his revenge.】
【Note: The third exchange will take place in ten days!】
Inside the bamboo hut, it was so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.
After reading the intelligence, it took a long while before Shen Xiuhan could not help but click his tongue in amazement.
“Truly... how bold!”
There was no need to say more about Zhang Jiuyang, the Chief Disciple of Kaiyang Academy. Relying on his status to run rampant, he was a complete lecher!
And though Lu Zhaoyuan is a pitiful man...
Pitiful as he is, betraying the sect and stealing fish completely crosses the sect's bottom line!
What's more...
His accomplice is one of the Six Cangwu Demons!
Although Shen Xiuhan did not know much about the Six Cangwu Demons, he had heard of their notorious reputation.
These six individuals were all from Cangzhou and had been active for years around Cangwu County under the jurisdiction of Guangwu Prefecture.
They committed arson, murder, rape, and plunder—there was no evil they would not do. They were true disciples of the demonic path!
There were even rumors among the public that these six demons had secretly joined the Yinsha Sect, a major demonic sect!
Lu Zhaoyuan's actions were no longer a simple matter of theft and embezzlement; it was a heinous crime of colluding with external demons, aiding the enemy, and betraying the sect!
In an orthodox sect like the Star-Plucking Sect, once such a crime was discovered, not only would Lu Zhaoyuan face certain death, but even Song Rou would not escape being implicated.
The third transaction is in ten days...
Shen Xiuhan lightly tapped his finger on the window sill, his mind racing with thoughts.
What should I do?
Directly report Lu Zhaoyuan?
No...
The sect has a Martial Enforcement Hall!
How would a newly joined disciple like me know that Lu Zhaoyuan is colluding with the demonic path?
If I cannot explain the source of my information, not only will I fail to get credit, but I might even draw fire to myself.
That is a poor move!
Or should I pretend to know nothing and watch from the sidelines?
But colluding with demons is a major matter. If it gets exposed, the Martial Enforcement Hall will surely seal off Thousand Pools Island and conduct a rigorous investigation. Even if I have nothing to do with Lu Zhaoyuan, I will inevitably be detained and questioned.
If I miss the opening of the Blessed Land because of that, it would be disastrous!
Hmm... that is also a poor move!
It seems...
Shen Xiuhan's eyes flickered slightly. His tapping finger paused, then slowly clenched.
I can only find an opportunity to slaughter a demonic brat to clear myself of suspicion while earning another merit!
...
In the early morning, steam filled the entire bathroom on the second floor of the bamboo building at the center of the island.
Leaning against the boxwood tub, Duan Hongling scooped up a handful of warm water with her delicate hand, letting it flow slowly down her fair, smooth shoulder.
The bamboo window was half-open, facing the vast, misty waters of Xingyue Lake. In the distance, waterbirds could be seen skimming over the surface, their chirps clear and melodious.
It should have been a pleasant and leisurely morning, but Duan Hongling's slender brows were tightly knit, a deep anxiety hanging between them.
“Within thirty days... I must hand over one hundred Tier One Precious Fish and twenty Tier Two Precious Fish... Those old geezers in the Elixir Pavilion are truly mad!”
She calculated on her fingers for a moment, her expression growing increasingly unsightly.
“Currently, I am still short sixty-nine Tier One and twenty-four Tier Two... There are only about twenty days left. It is too far off! Far too far off!”
“Sigh...”
Duan Hongling let out a long sigh, her impressive chest rising and falling dramatically with her breath, but her gaze gradually grew ruthless.
I am already thirty-three years old... If I cannot break through to the Huajin Rank before thirty-five, I will be forced to leave the inner courtyard according to the sect rules. I will be dispatched to the outer sect or sent to manage some secular businesses.
Once I leave the core of the sect, I will likely never have another chance to break through to the Huajin Rank in this lifetime...
Although this position of manager of the Precious Fish Pond is difficult, the salary and rewards are extremely high.
If I can complete this task, combined with the savings I have accumulated over the years, I will definitely be able to exchange for a Pulse-Stimulating Qi-Rising Pill refined by Academy Head Wen himself!
I would rather die attempting to break through the barrier than live a mediocre life!
Biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, her beautiful eyes suddenly snapped open, a look of resolve flashing deep within them.
“It seems...”
“I must put more pressure on those useless fools below me!”
Just then, a voice called out from outside the building, “Senior Sister, several senior brothers have arrived.”
...
The sky was still early, and the morning mist had not yet dispersed.
Early in the morning, Shen Xiuhan was summoned to the center of the island by an outer sect disciple, who said the manager had orders to deliver.
By the time he arrived, Lu Zhaoyuan and Song Rou were already waiting there.
The former kept his eyes straight ahead, his face as cold as water, completely ignoring Shen Xiuhan's presence.
Standing behind Lu Zhaoyuan, Song Rou found it difficult to speak with her husband by her side. She merely curved her lips quietly, sending over a gentle and warm smile.
Shen Xiuhan remained expressionless, only nodding slightly in response before shifting his gaze away.
Within moments, two other inner sect disciples arrived one after another.
Both were men. One was stocky and dark-skinned, named Hu Rong; the other was as tall and thin as a bamboo pole with a plain face, named Xi Huai.
Once everyone was gathered, Duan Hongling finally pushed open the door and stepped out.
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