Chapter 134: Don't Delay Her

Chapter 134: Do Not Lead Her Astray

"What are the true high-ranking Heavenly Maidens of the Maitreya Sect like?"

"They are all the dual cultivation partners of the sect leader Maitreya, with profound cultivation... Of course, there are also young girls who have just caught his eye, but they cannot wander about freely either; even if they do, they are heavily guarded by high-level protectors."

"Is there nothing else?" Zhao Changhe asked hesitantly. "Is there also a White Lotus Saintess, the kind who needs to undergo training in the outside world from a tender age?"

Wan Dongliu stared at him for a long moment, then slowly said, "Are you referring to something like the Four Symbols Sect? Preferably with a saintess disguised as a man, sleeping with you for a month or two?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Wan Dongliu continued, "The Maitreya Sect and the White Lotus Sect share the same origin. Although in our view, the White Lotus Sect is the more complete entity, outsiders cannot fully understand their internal distinctions. I was merely a collaborator before, not a member, and they didn't trust me enough to join... At least, I refused their Heavenly Maiden, which made me untrustworthy."

"Mm."

Wan Dongliu said leisurely, "So whether such a thing as a White Lotus Saintess exists, we don't know. But based on my basic common sense, if such a tender saintess existed, she wouldn't be at the Yangzhou branch temple taking orders from the Dharma Envoy, nor would she be arranged to seduce a mere Jianghu man ranked in the eighties on the Hidden Dragon List... If you said she was seducing Chi Li, I might believe it. Brother Zhao, you might have read too many storybooks."

Zhao Changhe retorted, "I'm ranked thirty-eight now, aren't I? Maybe others see I'm no ordinary fish and are investing early!"

Wan Dongliu looked him up and down, then, with an expression that said 'I'm too hurt to talk to you,' closed his eyes and refused to respond.

Zhao Changhe asked, "Are there any other similar sects? Ones that are... well, a bit more... provocative?"

Wan Dongliu said irritably, "There are countless chaotic sects and schools in the world. Even within a single sect, there are countless branches. Even I, your Azure Dragon and White Tiger, aren't necessarily in complete harmony. The White Lotus Sect alone has over a dozen branches. Who can answer that for you? If you want such a macroscopic understanding of the world's various schools, I suggest you go to a good place."

"Huh?"

"The Demon Suppression Bureau."

Zhao Changhe fell silent. Back then, Wu Weiyang had said that if he wanted to know such information, he should join the Demon Suppression Bureau. Indeed, the bureau knew best—not Gong Chaoqun, but Tang Wanzhuang.

Going to Mount Wu first or the capital first became a dilemma...

The matter of the Heavenly Maiden was just a confusion, not an urgent crisis. Dealing with the Blood Fiend Art was more important, so logically, he should go to Mount Wu first. But the problem was, Sect Leader Xue might not be easy to talk to. If she was unreasonable and wanted to kill him, his current strength seemed insufficient to handle it.

Actually, finding Chi Chi was the safest option, but in front of the Four Symbols Sect, he should distance himself from Chi Chi, otherwise it would harm her. Showing up like that would be asking for trouble. Not wanting to provoke Sect Leader Xue but ending up on the Vermilion Bird's radar—that would be a long-distance delivery of his head.

Wan Dongliu had no idea what he was thinking and instead brought up another topic: "I plan to release Ji Chengkong."

Zhao Changhe asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid he'll leak your secrets?"

"I was afraid before, mainly that the Maitreya Sect would suspect something and affect my plans. Now that everything is done, what does it matter if it leaks? Even if he runs around shouting that Wan Dongliu is a member of the Four Symbols Sect, where's the evidence? Who would believe him?"

"...So even if I leaked it, it wouldn't matter much, right?"

"You're different. Your words carry weight, at least in the eyes of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Don't tell me you have nothing to do with them; I'm not Tang Buqi."

"..." Zhao Changhe didn't pursue that and instead asked, "Then why are you letting him go? Aren't you just asking for trouble?"

Wan Dongliu sighed helplessly, "I didn't kill him before, not because I was soft-hearted, but because I didn't want to offend the Thieves' Guild to death. If every thief in the world came to snoop around my place for no reason, how could I get anything done? One must leave some leeway. Those of us with families and businesses sometimes envy your carefree ways."

"There really is a Thieves' Guild?"

"Not only does it exist, but Ji Chengkong is also a direct disciple. His master is the number one on the Earth List, the Thief Saint Ye Wuzong. Even those on the Heaven List are reluctant to provoke him—the fastest man in the world."

"So, when you're out in the world, nothing else matters as much as having a strong backing, right?"

Wan Dongliu chuckled, "Exactly. If your saintess backing or the Demon Suppression Bureau backing dared to show itself, you wouldn't be in such a tough spot. If that Cui family member acknowledged you, you'd be even more comfortable. You clearly have plenty of backers, but none can be used openly. Instead, they sometimes bring disaster, like this assassination attempt on me... Your fate is truly strange."

Zhao Changhe thought to himself, actually, could I say I have the number one on the Heaven List as a backer? Speaking of which, these messy backers aren't entirely useless to me. At least this ambiguous identity brings not just trouble but also many benefits, so I haven't outright denied it.

He was a bit puzzled, "You seem convinced that I'm involved with your saintess, and you don't seem to mind?"

Wan Dongliu said calmly, "From the perspective of the Holy Sect, what she's doing is unacceptable... But since you kept my secret out of affection for her, if I were to report you and betray you, that would be a petty act. I can't do that. Still, I advise you to restrain yourself. Cut it off if you can, or else if the Vermilion Bird Venerable finds out, she won't be as easygoing as I am. Isn't Yue Hongling good enough? Why be so greedy?"

"Don't you have a sect leader? Why is everything about the Vermilion Bird Venerable?"

"The Holy Sect has never had a sect leader, because the Four Symbols coexist—who would be the master? If there were someone worthy of being called the sect leader, it would only be from the last era... the Night Emperor."

Zhao Changhe's heart stirred. He had heard that term before, in the past vision at the bottom of Gujian Lake.

From what he heard then, the Night Emperor of the last era seemed to have fallen... And the page of the Heavenly Book in his hand should have originally belonged to the Night Emperor, somehow ending up in that woman's possession.

The Four Symbols Sect's search for that sword might not be a simple treasure hunt. This matter was somewhat connected to the Four Symbols Sect; presumably, their scriptures mentioned it in passing.

Wan Dongliu continued, "So we only have Four Symbols Saintesses or Saint Sons. When a saint or saintess reaches a certain standard, they become the embodiment of that symbol—the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger. The four venerables discuss major matters together. Currently, only two venerables exist; the Black Tortoise is so hidden even I don't know who it is. So the Vermilion Bird Venerable handles daily affairs, and it's not wrong to regard her as the sect leader. You can ask the Demon Suppression Bureau about all this; it's no secret."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "The Four Symbols Sect has remained dormant until now, probably because the upper echelons are vacant and they feel their strength is insufficient, right?"

"Exactly. Ideally, someone who can truly integrate all four symbols would appear to be revered as the sect leader. Or perhaps the true inheritance of the Night Emperor from back then? Anyway, Xia Chichi now possesses two symbols, giving her a great chance. The Vermilion Bird Venerable is not jealous but rather very hopeful. This is a collective priority for our Holy Sect. Brother Zhao, do not lead her astray."

Zhao Changhe remained silent.

The Four Symbols Sect's goal might not be the mortal realm.

Back then, the White Tiger Saintess was captivated by Xia Longyuan probably because she was desperate to find an Azure Dragon Venerable, and Xia Longyuan's heartless abandonment might have been to create a more severe rift in the Four Symbols Sect.

But now, both symbols converge in Chichi. The storm surrounding her might be heavier than previously imagined.

Do not lead her astray...

The two fell silent. Zhao Changhe didn't know how to explain this to Wan Dongliu. Feeling it was pointless to stay, he was about to take his leave when a guard and confidant of Wan Dongliu reported from outside: "Young Master Tang Buqi requests an audience."

Wan Dongliu asked in surprise, "What does he want now?"

"He says he's here to see Young Master Zhao."

Wan Dongliu looked at Zhao Changhe, who nodded, "Let him in."

Tang Buqi opened the door and entered.

The next moment, Wan Dongliu watched in astonishment as Zhao Changhe flipped Tang Buqi over, pinned him to the ground, and started beating him mercilessly: "You knocked very politely, but don't do it again! You still dare to see me? If I don't beat you to death, I'm not your uncle!"

Tang Buqi covered his head and screamed, "The Demon Suppression Bureau searched the White Lotus Temple and found a woman tied up in a storeroom, nearly starved to death. She claims to be the Picking Flower Heavenly Maiden! Uncle Gong specifically sent me to tell you, asking if you want to see her! And you're still hitting me!"

Zhao Changhe paused, withdrew the foot he was about to kick, and turned his fist into a dusting motion: "Cough, my nephew does have some loyalty. Where is she? Take me to see her."