190: The Demon Sect and the Eight Major Sects form an alliance

He turned around, his gaze falling on Han Zhen: "Since they want to invite a wolf into their house, let them.

Issue an order: in the Western Regions, all checkpoints and outposts should be outwardly relaxed but inwardly strict.

Let their spies come in and see how many 'like-minded' individuals they can contact.

Record the names of all those who secretly interact with the Demonic Cult, not missing a single one."

"Yes!" Han Zhen's heart tightened, knowing that the Gang Leader intended to use this opportunity to eliminate both internal and external hidden dangers.

"How are Zhuge Gang, Gao Xingkong, and Yan Shuangfei's training progressing?"

"The three Hall Masters train day and night, and the gang's elite combat strength has far surpassed what it was before. The newly recruited experts from various factions have also been dispersed and reorganized, placed under effective supervision.

With the Old Gang Leader holding them in check, they've all been obedient during the past six months of conquering various regions."

"How is the old man doing?"

"Since that battle, the Old Master, apart from going out to fight as a vanguard as per your orders, has spent the rest of his time procreating and not getting involved in affairs. Currently, twelve women are confirmed pregnant.

The Old Master's hair has grayed very quickly, and his martial arts have regressed; he's probably not even eighty percent of what he was back then!"

"It's just that he still listens to commands but not to summons, unwilling to come and see you!"

"Let him be." Lu Jiuyuan's tone was indifferent, "He enjoys his blessings, I wield my power. Mutual non-interference is for the best."

He paused, his fingertips tracing the rough bark of the old plum tree, feeling the subtle texture.

"As for his martial arts regressing... snort, as long as his Dragon and Phoenix Twin Rings can still kill people and bring prestige to my World Society, that's enough. You may leave."

"Yes." Han Zhen bowed and withdrew, and silence returned to the courtyard, leaving only the faint fragrance of cold plum and a trace of blood.

Lu Jiuyuan stood alone for a long time, his gaze seemingly penetrating through layers of pavilions, looking towards the distant Tianshan direction.

"Demonic Cult... Hua Zangkong... Eight Great Schools... Shen Lang..."

He muttered softly, each name carrying a different meaning, finally forming a look of anticipation on his lips.

"The Guhong Sword hasn't tasted blood in a year; it's already ravenous."

In a guesthouse deep within the yellow sands of the Western Regions border.

Candlelight flickered, illuminating faces that were either sinister, solemn, or fanatical.

Demonic Cult Leader Hua Zangkong sat in the main seat, dressed in an elaborate dark Xuan-colored robe embroidered with golden demonic patterns. His face was hidden in the shadow of his hood, revealing only a pair of piercing eyes.

To his left and right sat allies from the Central Plains Martial Forest.

The Eight Great Schools had not sent their Sect Heads in person this time; instead, they were represented by powerful Elders, such as Mount Hua Sect's "Iron Sword Gentleman" Wu Buming, Diancang Sect's "Flowing Cloud Hand" Elder Xie, and Kunlun Sect's "Qingming Zi," among others.

Each of them looked solemn.

Ma Kongqun, the Hall Master of Wanma Hall in Guandong, was disguised as a wealthy merchant, slowly turning a large jade thumb ring on his finger.

The representative of the Tang Sect from Sichuan was the Second Master Tang, known for his sinister use of poison and hidden weapons. He was small and gaunt, taciturn like a withered piece of wood, yet the occasional flash of light in his eyes sent shivers down one's spine.

"Gentlemen," Hua Zangkong began, "The bandit Lu Jiuyuan acts against the natural order, employs cruel methods, and treats his fellow Martial Forest practitioners like pigs and dogs.

The World Society's jianghu code appears fair, but in reality, every rule serves his dictatorial ambitions. Those who comply merely prolong their miserable existence.

Now that the northern and southern lands have all submitted, the next step is to clear away these 'scabies and diseases' in the surrounding areas, and then to deal with internal threats.

Waiting for death is absolutely not a good strategy."

Mount Hua Sect's Wu Buming snorted coldly: "Cult Leader Hua is absolutely right. However, the bandit Lu Jiuyuan's martial arts have reached the Transcendent realm.

His subordinates are as numerous as clouds, and he has ruthless individuals like Shangguan Jinhong, Jing Wuming, the fast sword A Fei, and the evil sword You Longsheng as his pawns.

Even top experts cannot last more than a few exchanges against them before perishing.

To fight him head-on is akin to throwing an egg against a rock."

"Elder Wu, why boost the morale of others?" Diancang Sect's Elder Xie interjected, "No matter how strong the bandit Lu Jiuyuan is, he is still flesh and blood, not a True God!

With our Eight Schools united, our foundation still remains, plus Cult Leader Hua's unparalleled divine skills, the assistance of the Demonic Cult's heroes, Hall Master Ma's infiltration, and Second Master Tang's unmatched poisons, can we still not deal with him alone?"

Hua Zangkong let out a low chuckle: "Elder Xie, please calm down. Elder Wu's concerns are not without reason.

The invincible Lu Jiuyuan is indeed not someone one person can contend with. Therefore, this operation requires meticulous planning, step by step, to achieve success in one fell swoop."

His gaze swept over everyone: "First, we need to lure the tiger away from its mountain, or divide his forces."

Ma Kongqun slowly spoke: "According to my information, the World Society's recent resource allocation is mostly concentrated on the Jiangnan canal transport and the Sichuan salt routes.

Perhaps we can create major disturbances in these two places, forcing him to divide his troops for rescue.

If one or two of the four great experts like Shangguan Jinhong and Jing Wuming can be diverted, Lu Jiuyuan's strength around him will be weakened."

"This plan is feasible." Hua Zangkong nodded, "For this matter, I'm afraid we'll need to trouble Hall Master Ma's loyal followers and the Jianghu friends secretly supported by your Schools."

"It's my duty." Ma Kongqun nodded.

"Secondly," Hua Zangkong continued, "we need to get close to him. Lu Jiuyuan has long resided in the main headquarters, living in seclusion and rarely accessible.

We need to create an opportunity where he has no choice but to show himself, or where we can reasonably approach him."

Second Master Tang finally spoke, his voice dry and grating: "The World Society's 'Conscription Order' deadline is approaching... perhaps there's something we can do there."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Hua Zangkong cast an approving glance at Second Master Tang: "Indeed.

We can unite a group of experts who have not yet submitted, or who have feigned submission, to collectively go to the World Society's main headquarters on the last day of the deadline to 'report'.

With a large number of people, the World Society, to demonstrate its 'rules', will certainly not kill them on the spot. At the very least, the Gang Leader will come forward to 'admonish' and accept them.

This is an excellent opportunity to approach him."

"However, its main headquarters are heavily guarded. How can we bring in enough force?" Kunlun's Qingming Zi frowned.

"If the open path doesn't work, there's always a secret one." A cunning glint flashed in Hua Zangkong's eyes, "My cult excels at digging tunnels and stealth techniques.

I have already ordered people to survey the terrain around the World Society's main headquarters for several months and found several secret paths that lead directly to its core area.

When the time comes, elites can infiltrate through these paths and lie in ambush nearby."

"Thirdly, there's the killing blow." Hua Zangkong's voice suddenly turned cold:

"Second Master Tang has already bribed the cooks within the Golden Money Gang, and now Lu Jiuyuan's diet is under our control."

Second Master Tang nodded: "However, he has Tang Zhen, a traitor from the sect, as his Protector, and his daily meals must be inspected.

Therefore, no exotic poisons have been administered for the past six months; instead, we've only figured out Tang Zhen's routine.

When needed, someone must sacrifice their life to divert Tang Zhen, allowing us to poison Lu Jiuyuan. However, his cultivation has reached the Transcendent realm, so ordinary poisons are useless against him.

We can only use a rare, colorless, and odorless poison from our sect that will congeal his Internal Energy and quietly corrode his Meridians.

This will prevent him from unleashing his full power."

Second Master Tang spoke these words expressionlessly: "Moreover, it has been seven years since Han Zhen betrayed the Tang Sect. It is unknown whether he still harbors any feelings for his childhood sweetheart.

There's no absolute certainty that he can be diverted."

"It doesn't matter." Hua Zangkong waved his hand, his gaze deep beneath his hood,

"Man proposes, God disposes. If there's a seventy percent chance, it's worth a try. Even if the poisoning fails, distracting his mind is still good."

He paused, his voice suddenly gaining a hint of ruthlessness and fanaticism: "Finally, and most crucially — the encirclement formation! When his power weakens, or the poison takes effect, or he is distracted, that will be the moment for a thunderous strike!

I will personally lead the cult's Left and Right Protectors, the Four Princesses, and the Four Great Dharma Kings to set up the Tianmo Great Formation for the encirclement and kill.

You all, in turn, must lead your elite disciples and the various righteous individuals you've contacted, to form a formation outside, blocking the World Society's reinforcements and delivering supplementary blows at any time.

We do not seek to defeat him in a one-on-one fight; we only need to trap him within the formation, wear down his strength, and eventually cut him down within the formation!"

"Since that's the case, we shall proceed according to the plan!" Diancang's Elder Xie was the first to declare his stance.

"Ma will definitely give his all!"

"The Tang Sect will not disappoint you all."

Everyone echoed their agreement, their faces appearing particularly solemn in the candlelight.

"Good!" Hua Zangkong suddenly stood up, his dark robe fluttering without wind, and a chillingly domineering Aura permeated the air, dimming even the candlelight.

"This alliance today swears to execute the bandit Lu Jiuyuan! And restore peace to our Jianghu!"

"Swear to execute the bandit Lu Jiuyuan!"

The low roar echoed in the secret chamber, killing intent condensed, piercing through the roof, and merging into the cold night sky of the Western Regions...