The so-called borrowing of the Heaven-Reaching Ladder is a use of the Celestial Ladder Skill. In addition, there are various Array Techniques. None of these are related to secret techniques; they are purely Jianghu methods.

Disciples of the Magic Sect have more or less learned some of these. When traveling the Jianghu and encountering various situations, one cannot rely solely on cultivation of secret techniques.

Disciples of the Xingshen Sect are most skilled in these, followed by the Qi Observation Sect. How could Yu Shangzhen and Wan Zhongle, as high-ranking members of the Magic Sect, not understand?

Wan Zhongle: "Since there's no clear guidance, we might as well pretend this never happened."

Yu Shangzhen shook his head and said, "It's useless. This is the most troublesome part of the Celestial Ladder Skill. Even if Qian Guran is merely guessing blindly, he has already told us, and there were others present."

What does this mean? Qian Guran told these two that, according to his guess, He Kao might be the secret disciple of Elder Jiang. Whether this is true or false, if they target He Kao again, it would mean disrespecting Elder Jiang.

The truth doesn't matter; the attitude does.

For example, if there is a businessman rumored to be the son-in-law of some influential figure, it cannot be disproved nor does it need to be because that influential figure doesn't even have a daughter.

Later, the rumors advanced, saying he was the nephew-in-law of that influential figure or married the illegitimate daughter of that figure… Under such circumstances, it would be impossible to confront the person involved for clarification.

Unless that influential figure personally indicates otherwise, anyone targeting this businessman on their own may offend him.

The logic is both fascinating and simple: even if that influential figure has no relationship with the businessman, if everyone is spreading it… do you deliberately targeting him imply you have an opinion about me?

Of course, playing this way is also risky, as it might anger that influential figure. Thus, neither the businessman nor those spreading the rumors should originate the rumors.

The same logic applies to He Kao and Jiang Daozhen; Qian Guran's use of the Celestial Ladder Skill plays exactly this card. The matter of secret disciples cannot be directly verified with Elder Jiang, or else it wouldn't be secret.

Wan Zhongle then shifted his tone and said, "I have two direct disciples whose whereabouts are unknown, and now your son Honglian is missing as well. If they have already been harmed, this enmity is irreconcilable! No matter what, no one can stop you from pursuing Honglian's whereabouts."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shangzhen's face changed: "To find Honglian, we must first find the Hidden Moth, but the Ancestral Hall has determined that He Kao is not the Hidden Moth."

Wan Zhongle: "But he is currently the only lead! Honglian initially approached He Kao, believing He Kao to be the Hidden Moth. This move alarmed the real Hidden Moth, whose actions were both retaliatory and a show of force."

Yu Shangzhen: "The Ancestral Hall has already released detailed intelligence about the Hidden Moth. The Hidden Moth Object cannot be seized. They have even extended an invitation to the Hidden Moth, hoping to restore the Hidden Moth Sect from a millennium ago."

Wan Zhongle: "The intelligence on the Hidden Moth is reportedly provided by Elder Jiang Daozhen. Since Elder Jiang knows so much, why didn't he speak earlier? If he had the Ancestral Hall announce earlier, Honglian wouldn't be in this situation, perhaps wouldn't even have come to Qi Yuan!"

This statement truly hit the mark for Yu Shangzhen, causing him to fall silent.

Wan Zhongle continued: "Our goal is not to seize the Hidden Moth Object. Searching for the Hidden Moth is merely to find the whereabouts of Honglian and others."

Yu Shangzhen: "Must we start from He Kao? Today, Qian laid a trap for us."

Wan Zhongle: "Given you and I are too noticeable and conspicuous. But Qian Guran's words were only told to the two of us. We shall never leak them, nor did anyone else hear!"

Yu Shangzhen understood Wan Zhongle's implication: suggesting they send someone else to keep an eye on He Kao, thus identifying the Hidden Moth's identity. Obviously, Steward Wan had not given up on this, nor was it likely he would.

They could send disciples under their sect, incite sorcerers still interested in the Hidden Moth, or even instruct ordinary people with no connection to the Magic Sect.

For investigations resembling private detective work, secret techniques might not be necessary; perhaps ordinary people are better at handling this.

Currently, everyone is aware the Hidden Moth Object cannot be seized, yet some persist. One reason, as with Yu Shangzhen, is because of personal vendettas.

Another reason, not voiced by Wan Zhongle but likely in his plan, is that while the Hidden Moth Object cannot be seized, the person of Hidden Moth can be controlled. Controlling the Hidden Moth equals mastering his Invisibility Ability.

If Gu Yunteng were alive, he'd surely remark how everyone thinks alike.

This was exactly what Gu Yunteng did back in the day: after identifying Zhou Du as the Hidden Moth, this secret became leverage to have Zhou Du work for him.

If they did proceed, two possible outcomes exist: being killed and silenced by the Hidden Moth or controlling the Hidden Moth. Wan Zhongle was confident that with his methods, knowing the Hidden Moth's identity would allow him to manipulate the person.

Yu Shangzhen, silent for a long while, pondered deeply before finally sighing, "Since Junior Brother Wan has an idea, proceed as you see fit. I will pretend I didn't hear anything just now."

This sounded like a refusal to participate, but looking from another angle, if Yu Shangzhen also wished to proceed, he'd likely not want Wan Zhongle to know, to avoid any leverage over him.

Wan Zhongle chuckled and said, "Let's pretend I didn't say anything earlier. In any event, Brother Yu, follow your own ideas."

Yu Shangzhen changed the subject: "Steward Wan's leg hasn't healed yet; let me give you some support. For now, you are restricted from using techniques, but sealing penalties do not prevent others from using secret techniques to heal you. I'll help heal you these days."

Wan Zhongle: "Thank you so much, Senior Brother Yu! To be honest, other sectmates have been helping heal me, otherwise I wouldn't be moving about so quickly. But with someone of Senior Brother Yu's caliber, I couldn't be more grateful!

Your cultivation level is likely to soon break through Tier Six, and you will then join the ranks of the Ancestral Hall Elders."

Yu Shangzhen modestly shook his head: "Among the Ancestral Hall Elders, each Technique Sect has only one rotating position, ranked among the seven Sect Leaders... even when that time comes, my cultivation and prestige can't compare to Senior Brother Gu Chun!

However, Elder Ye Phoenix of the Observing Body Sect, people have long disapproved of his temper and behavior. I've vaguely heard that back when Uncle Qi Nansheng of your Alchemy Sect left, it was due to Elder Ye's provocation... Are you still in touch with Master Qi today?"

Wan Zhongle sighed: "Master Qi always took great care of me when he was in the sect. Later, due to conflicts with Elder Ye, he left the Ancestral Hall in a fit of anger.

In recent years, he has been wholeheartedly cultivating and ignoring worldly affairs. His cultivation may soon reach Tier Seven Grand Pharmacist, and we do keep in contact. If it weren't for my leg injury, I'd have visited him by now."

The Uncle Qi Nansheng they mentioned was a predecessor from the Alchemy Sect, a Tier Six Pharmacist, and once an Elder of the Ancestral Hall. But he left five years ago, reportedly due to a clash with Elder Ye Phoenix.

Rumor has it, he provoked Elder Ye first, and then Elder Ye came to scold him, driving him away. Elder Ye is indeed difficult to deal with, but if you can't provoke him, can't you at least avoid him?

By saying so, Wan Zhongle was actually flattering himself. For years, he had actively reached out to Master Qi during festivals and sought opportunities to visit and present gifts, but Qi Nansheng never contacted him first.

Yu Shangzhen glanced at his leg, "I suggest you visit him in your current state because your injury was caused by Elder Ye..."

Yu Shangzhen supported Wan Zhongle as they moved away. At this time, He Kao was also called upstairs by President Qian over a phone call, supposedly for work reporting.

Upon reaching the vice-presidential office, Old Qian warmly welcomed him in, handed over a cup of tea, sat with him on the sofa, and first asked with concern: "Xiao Kao, your relationship with President E recently going well?"

**

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