"What if they are rebels? Mr. Hu, after this, are you still not disillusioned with the court? The Zhou family has treated you and your father this way, don't you want revenge?"

In the eyes of the masked man, there seemed to be a crimson gleam flashing: "Besides... the current court is already corrupt. It's time to change dynasties and establish a new court, which is also the aim of our 'Iron Blood Society!'"

"I..."

Hu Wei wanted to say something, but his gaze gradually turned hazy and eventually became fervent: "Alright... let's do it!"

...

A moment later, the masked man left the factory.

He came to the suburbs, a low and secluded slum area, filled with mixed company, and squeezed into a dilapidated wooden shack on the verge of collapse.

Several twisted talismans were immediately activated, sealing off the surroundings.

In the center of the room, there was the figure of another robust middle-aged man.

"Master!"

The masked man immediately kneeled halfway in salute: "Everything you instructed has been accomplished. Hu Wei has fully agreed to our demands, although he is merely an ordinary person, yet requires so much effort from us..."

"Hu Wei may be an ordinary person, but his father is not a simple figure. Formerly a banner bearer for foreign affairs, he was granted the power to enter the palace for audience at any time... It hasn't been revoked yet. If not for him being under the protection of royal tribute, why would we have to approach his son?"

The middle-aged master sneered.

"The master's stratagems are unparalleled, I am impressed! It's pitiful that Hu family's child truly believes we are noble-minded people, little knowing that our 'Iron Blood Society' is merely a group gathered for revenge..."

The iron-faced man said savagely.

"Great Zhou..."

The middle-aged man also gritted his teeth: "Humph... this Great Zhou has committed many injustices. Initially, our 'Iron Blood Society' was bankrolled and founded by remnants of the former dynasty, and later, with continuous natural disasters and man-made calamities, corruption spread under Great Zhou's rule, causing countless families to perish, providing a fresh blood supply for our 'Iron Blood Society'... This time, it seems that fate is taking it down, as even that damned Huang Long died overseas, haha, haha... Truly, heaven assists us!"

"Master, can our plan proceed smoothly?"

The iron-faced man also rejoiced: "With Zhou Xuanhai, the leader of Tai Sui Society, gone, the court's control over Jinling's lower tiers is instantly weakened, which is our chance. We must not let this person advance successfully!"

"Naturally, as long as we infiltrate the Imperial Palace, there will be opportunities aplenty."

The middle-aged master laughed heartily.

"However... if we want to completely annihilate the Great Zhou imperial family, we may need to deploy a Great Saint... is the rumor true, that our Iron Blood Society possesses a Great Saint level of force?"

The iron-faced man, also a cultivator, knew of some secrets and suddenly said excitedly.

"This question... you'll naturally know when the time comes."

The middle-aged master smiled without answering.

...

'With Huang Long dead, foes quickly emerge... this Great Zhou court is crumbling, or perhaps... the deterrence of a Great Saint is just that potent?'

Zhong Shenxiu listened outside for a long time, roughly grasping the sequence of events, and shook his head somewhat helplessly, returning to the Tianluo County Princess Mansion.

To him, these matters were trivial and unrelated to him, merely a spectacle.

Just as he entered the gate, Zhong Shenxiu seemed to sense something and shook his head with a bitter smile.

...

Jinling City, Xuanwu Gate.

Cen Hongyue, dressed as a Daoist nun, was leading two little girls into Jinling: "Jinling has been prosperous since ancient times, I've wanted to visit this place for some time, Yingzi, Mo Gu, from today onwards, the three of us shall make a living near Jinling City..."

Previously, she eradicated the Five Passes Sect and, on a whim in Sea Village, inexplicably took on two disciples, and gradually grew fond of these two little girls.

Not only are they clever and obedient, but also alone and unaided, unknowingly stirring a maternal instinct in Cen Hongyue, prompting her to ponder their future.

And whether it's education, prosperity, enjoyment, or even security, Jinling naturally stands as the best.

With her capabilities, running a small Daoist temple in the suburbs would be a piece of cake.

"This is... Jinling?"

Yingzi looked at the wide streets, bustling crowds, and various stalls and craftsmen...at a loss for where to look.

Little did she know, this was already somewhat deserted after the bad news; otherwise, it would be ten times more prosperous in times past.

Yet, even so, it was enough to leave a group of country bumpkins agape.

"Indeed, this is Great Zhou's premier city, safely without fear... "

Cen Hongyue gently smiled, suddenly seeing a newsboy shouting nearby: "Extra, extra... coastal traffic severed, monster attacks city, coastal cities tremble thrice a day..."

Adhering to Daoist discipline, dining in the open, she naturally seldom read newspapers, leading to an uninformed Daoist nun, Hongyue, standing dumbstruck...

...

'What kind of situation is this? Clearly, Jinling is troubled, yet gravitating toward here?'

Inside Tianluo County Princess Mansion, Zhong Shenxiu felt speechless; 'But it's fine, even if she didn't come here when Daoist decree is issued, she wouldn't escape...'

"What is Saint Fang contemplating?"

At this moment, Tianluo County Princess raised her glass during the banquet and asked.

"Nothing... I was suddenly reminded of an old friend, particularly Nanhua Saint..."

Zhong Shenxiu casually found an excuse.

"I have heard... Nanhua Saint, the Daoist sect's top prodigy, was recently ambushed by the Heart Demon Prince, then saved by you?"

This topic, Tianluo County Princess naturally found intriguing, ignoring previous queries.

"Indeed, by chance, I rescued fellow Daoist Nanhua, though he and Li Xuan needed to promptly return to Daoist sect to rally all Saints, and couldn't accompany me..."

Zhong Shenxiu sighed inwardly.

This traitor had already thoroughly sold the Daoist sect's top secrets.

For instance, lately, not everyone in the Daoist sect can master the Daoist Skill 'Dream for a Thousand Miles', thus to contact or teleport Saints, one generally needed Meng Nanhua's labor.

If Zhong Shenxiu had intentions against the Daoist sect, Meng Nanhua as an insider could practically one-pot all Saints.

"The All Saints Conference is nearby, there will be opportunities, and I'll ask Saint Fang to introduce us..."

Tianluo County Princess listened, grew more hospitable, and proffered drinks.

Zhong Shenxiu smiled, raised his glass, and drained it in one go.

...

In such leisurely times, five days passed seamlessly.

One night.

Zhong Shenxiu observed Qin Weiyin, sensing that the maid seemed to be at the peak of the eighth realm Tongyou, starting to forge ahead toward the ninth realm Divine Transformation.

At this moment, he suddenly heard an explosion!

Bang!

Like muffled thunder, its direction was surprisingly the main gate of the Imperial Palace, shattering the night's silence...

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