189: Profiting from chaos
"A person of noble status just entered the mountains. This humble god saw Dragon Qi coiling above his head; he is likely of the Great Gan imperial Bloodline."
"He brought many people with him and has already gone deep into the mountains. From what they said, it seems they plan to find trouble with the Taihang Mountain God."
"The Taihang Mountain God?"
Hearing this, the eyes of the White Lotus Sect members narrowed slightly.
Their informants and believers were spread all over Yunzhou; sometimes their intelligence gathering was even more detailed than the government's.
They had naturally heard of the Taihang Mountain Snake Demon that had been causing quite a stir lately.
In particular, the destruction of the Fengyang County City God Temple was a major event.
"To gather clouds and summon rain over an entire county... based on my estimates, that Snake Demon's strength is likely not low," the sword-carrying martial artist said in a heavy voice.
"Hmph, isn't that just perfect?"
The monk wearing human-bone prayer beads gave a strange laugh. "Let them fight to the death while we sit back and reap the spoils. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"No rush."
Su Qingqian waved her hand, her gaze falling back onto Zhu Gang.
Zhu Gang trembled all over, feeling as if his Divine Soul was being seen through.
"Earth God Grandfather."
Su Qingqian said softly, "This one has a favor to ask. I wonder if you would be willing to help?"
"Fai... Fairy, please speak. As long as This humble god can do it, I will... I will certainly comply," Zhu Gang stammered.
Even though he was a Yin God, he was unable to guard his mind against Su Qingqian's eerie methods.
Right now, even if Su Qingqian asked him to assassinate Emperor Jingtai, he would probably agree immediately.
"Don't worry, it's nothing difficult," Su Qingqian chuckled. "I'll trouble you to use your Divine Dao Seal to send a message to the Yunzhou Immortal Conferring Department or the nearby City God Temples."
"Send what?" Zhu Gang asked subconsciously.
"Just say..."
Su Qingqian enunciated every word, her voice crystal clear: "White Lotus Sect demons have appeared in the Taihang Mountains, intending to set an ambush and assassinate the Ninth Prince, Prince Ning, Zhao Ming!"
"What?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, they were like a thunderclap exploding in Zhu Gang's mind, instantly jolting him awake from his dazed state.
His eyes widened as he looked at the woman in white before him in disbelief.
Although his mind was a bit muddled, he knew how absurd this command was.
Where was the logic in a thief calling for the capture of a thief, reporting themselves?
Wasn't this just inviting trouble?
According to common sense, they should be acting stealthily, striving to strike without anyone knowing.
But now, this woman before him actually wanted him to take the initiative to inform the Fengxian Division?
Was there something wrong with their heads?
"Fai... Fairy, you're not joking, are you?" Zhu Gang said with a trembling voice. "If this news gets out, the experts of the Yunzhou Immortal Conferring Department and the Demon Slaying Division will surely mobilize in full force."
"Then it will become very lively here, won't it?"
Su Qingqian interrupted him, her smile becoming somewhat terrifying in Zhu Gang's eyes.
She leaned down and said softly, "Grandfather just needs to send the message. There is no need to ask about anything else."
"If you do it well, I will reward you handsomely."
"If you don't do it well..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning behind her words made Zhu Gang feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Yes! This humble god will do it right away!"
Zhu Gang didn't dare to refuse in the slightest.
He immediately pulled out a pitifully small, earthy-yellow seal from his robes, bit the tip of his tongue to spray a mouthful of Vital Blood onto it, and began to perform the Divine Dao messaging technique.
As a faint golden light soared into the sky and disappeared into the horizon, the message was sent out.
"Very good."
Su Qingqian nodded with satisfaction, no longer paying attention to Zhu Gang, and turned to look at the Protectors behind her.
"Saintess, although this move can disrupt the situation, it will also attract a large number of experts. If our whereabouts are exposed..." the sword-carrying martial artist began.
"We want them to come," the monk on the side laughed. "Previously, Qin Zhengqing was afflicted by witch poison and his injuries haven't healed for a long time, causing the border army's morale to show signs of wavering."
"But after experts from various provinces gathered in Yunzhou, they blocked the Northern Barbarians' offensive, making the situation increasingly balanced and stable."
"The more stable it is, the more disadvantageous it is for us. It's better for things to get lively in Yunzhou."
"Profiting from chaos is the true display of one's methods."
The scholar Protector tapped his palm with his folding fan and praised, "The Saintess is brilliant! If the Three Divisions of Great Gan learn the news, they will surely dispatch experts here."
"When the scene becomes chaotic, we can fish in troubled waters, take the opportunity to control Prince Ning, and even shift the blame to the demon king in the mountains or frame other forces. Truly marvelous!"
Su Qingqian's voice was ethereal: "After we succeed, the Three Divisions and the government will surely blockade the entire region and hunt us with all their might. Taking Prince Ning away will not be an easy task."
"But if we proactively expose our tracks, those experts who call themselves the Righteous Path will surely gather in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains."
"At that time, the mountains will have us, Prince Ning, the Righteous Path experts, and various demon cultivators..."
Su Qingqian's laughter was crisp and pleasant: "With several factions mixed together, the more chaotic the situation, the more beneficial it is for us."
"We can fish in troubled waters, complete the Demon Seeding amidst the chaos, and then leave calmly under the cover of the turmoil."
"Since we're going to make a scene, let's make it even bigger and more lively!"
"It would be best if the sky of Yunzhou completely collapses!"
"Let's go, the good show is about to begin."
With that said.
Su Qingqian waved her long sleeves and led the group of White Lotus Sect experts, gliding through the village like ghosts and disappearing into the vast Taihang Mountain Range.
In the wind, wanton laughter could be faintly heard.
"Liveliness is good; the more lively it is, the more people die!"
...After the White Lotus Sect and the others had completely disappeared.
The dazed Zhu Gang finally came to his senses.
He was horrified by what he had just done, and beads of sweat the size of beans broke out on his forehead.
"It's over..."
Zhu Gang wanted to cry but had no tears.
Leaking the whereabouts of a prince—if the higher-ups were to investigate.
He feared it would be hard to even have an easy death.
"What kind of sin have I committed!"
Zhu Gang struck the ground in grief and indignation, then scrambled into the earth, escaping back to his Yin Residence, where he closed off his five senses and fell into a deep slumber.