191: Set the net and wait for you to come!

World Society's main headquarters.

Lu Jiuyuan sat quietly in his study, tapping his fingers gently on the table, listening to Han Zhen's report.

"The Demon Sect Leader, Hua Zangkong, secretly arrived in the Central Plains three days ago and held a secret alliance meeting with the Elders of factions like Huashan, Diancang, and Kunlun, as well as Ma Kongqun of Wanma Hall, and Mr. Tang Er of the Tang Sect, at the Yellow Sand Inn on the border of the Western Regions."

"According to scattered information from an inside source, they plan a multi-pronged approach: disrupt the canal transport and salt routes to force our side to divide its forces; use the 'Conscription Order' deadline to gather experts near the main headquarters; the Tang Sect will attempt to poison us through a bribed cook; and finally, Hua Zangkong himself will personally lead the deployment of the Demon Sect's fierce formation, the Tianmo Great Formation, to encircle and kill us."

Han Zhen's voice was steady, but the content was breathtaking; he had investigated the details of their discussions so clearly.

From this, it seems there must be an informant among the 11 people who participated in the discussion.

After listening, Lu Jiuyuan's face showed no anger; instead, a playful smile appeared.

"Tianmo Great Formation? A bit interesting!"

"Gang Leader Lu, should we act preemptively and..." Han Zhen made a throat-slitting gesture.

"No need." Lu Jiuyuan raised a hand to stop him: "Let them prepare. The bigger the stage, the more actors, the livelier the show.

And the more thorough the cleanup."

"But... there's only a thousand days to be a thief, not a thousand days to guard against one... That dog thief, Tang Laoer, has extraordinary poisoning skills..."

Han Zhen's face showed worry. Although he was confident that among the world's top poison masters, he could rank in the top five now.

There were no more than four people in the world stronger than him.

But Mr. Tang Er, who used to be his Junior Martial Uncle, was one of those top four.

Although he had absolute confidence in Lu Jiuyuan, the opponent's meticulous planning clearly indicated they were well-prepared.

"What is a fierce formation worth mentioning?" Lu Jiuyuan chuckled, "No matter how fierce a formation is, it depends on who uses it. As for poison..."

He paused, a hint of cold mockery flashing in his eyes: "Can their poisoning methods be stronger than the Five Poison Child's?"

Han Zhen's heart tightened. Among the top five poison masters he listed, one was Lu Jiuyuan.

He didn't know how his Chief's poisoning skills were, but he knew that even the Five Poison Child, hailed as the world's foremost poison master, had never truly poisoned him.

Knowing that Lu Jiuyuan already had a plan, he said no more, bowing and saying, "This subordinate understands. I will intensify monitoring to ensure everything is under control."

"Mm. Go tell Zhuge Gang and the others to strengthen security at all strongholds and rest assured that they can fall into the trap."

"Yes!"

A sharp glint flashed in Han Zhen's eyes: "This subordinate will go now!"

Silence returned to the study.

Lu Jiuyuan walked to the window, pushed it open, and the evening breeze rushed in with a chill.

He looked towards the west, as if he could pierce through a thousand mountains and rivers, seeing the turbid currents secretly surging and gathering.

"Hua Zangkong... Eight Great Schools... Mr. Tang Er..."

He softly murmured these names:

"Very well, let this Jianghu, for the last time, boil over for you."

"Then, with your blood, thoroughly cleanse these chronic ailments and accumulated Disadvantages."

His fingertips, with invisible Sword Qi, silently shaved off a corner of the window frame, the cut surface smooth as a mirror.

Although the Guhong Sword was not unsheathed, its killing intent already reached the heavens.

As night deepened, the World Society's main headquarters was brightly lit, the patrolling gang members' footsteps were uniform, and their blades and swords reflected a chilling gleam under the lamplight.

In the side hall, Lu Jiuyuan was playing chess with You Longsheng. Black and white pieces were scattered on the board, with hidden killing intent, just like the seemingly calm Jianghu outside the window.

A Fei stood by, holding his sword, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the chessboard; he didn't understand this, nor was he interested.

Han Zhen entered softly and whispered, "Gang Leader Lu, Daoist Yuxiao has come to pledge allegiance."

"Daoist Yuxiao?" Lu Jiuyuan's hand, holding a piece, paused slightly, "Daoist Yuxiao, ranked tenth on the weapons ranking? He certainly knows how to pick his timing."

A Fei looked up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Coming at this time, he's either a spy or a thief."

Lu Jiuyuan gently pressed a black piece onto a crucial point on the chessboard and said indifferently, "Bring him in. We'll know if he's human or ghost at first glance."

"Yes." Han Zhen bowed and withdrew.

Soon, footsteps sounded. Han Zhen led a person into the side hall.

The newcomer wore a faded blue Daoist robe, with a lean and ascetic face, about forty years old, with warm eyes and a somewhat otherworldly aura.

Most striking was the jade flute in his hand, entirely emerald green, lustrous and glowing, clearly not an ordinary item.

His steps were unhurried, and facing the pressure of the World Society's main headquarters and the scrutinizing gazes in the hall, he showed no fear, but rather a relaxed smile.

"This humble Daoist, Daoist Yuxiao, greets Gang Leader Lu." The Daoist held one hand vertically, bowing slightly, his posture elegant and natural.

Lu Jiuyuan did not rise, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over Daoist Yuxiao's entire body, as if to see through him. "Jade Flute of the East Sea, I am very pleased that Daoist Priest can come to my World Society!"

Daoist Yuxiao smiled slightly, his voice clear and melodious like a jade flute's soft hum: "Gang Leader Lu's jianghu code has spread throughout the land, rewarding good and punishing evil, establishing rules, and restoring order to the Jianghu.

Although this humble Daoist is a person outside the mundane world, I also feel this is a great Karma. I have specially come to pledge allegiance, wishing to contribute my meager strength with the jade flute in my hand."

"Oh?" Lu Jiuyuan's tone was calm, "Daoist Priest is a renowned expert on the weapons ranking, accustomed to freedom and ease.

The World Society is not like others; it has rules and restraints. I, Lu, thank Daoist Priest for being willing to condescend."

"Under rules, one finds true freedom." Daoist Yuxiao responded calmly, his smile undiminished, "When I was young, I was ignorant, striving for strength and fighting. Only when I grew older did I realize these were mere empty titles.

Now, Gang Leader Lu wishes to purify the world and set things right; this is a matter of great righteousness. This humble Daoist wishes to join in and contribute to this grand endeavor."

A Fei and You Longsheng stood behind Lu Jiuyuan, eyes closed, afraid that the killing intent in their gazes would alarm him.