The Witch Mountain Chief, also the Eldest Master Fierce Ghost of the Ten Ghosts of Wushan, was sitting imposingly in the grand hall, with several other masters seated on either side.

"Fourth Master, how is the tribute preparation going?"

The Witch Mountain Chief looked at the Fourth Master as he asked.

The Fourth Master, Chong Ghost, dressed in white attire and holding a folding fan, looked like a refined scholar. He smiled slightly and said, "Eldest brother, rest assured, this month's tributes have all been prepared."

"The envoy from Mother should be arriving soon?"

The Second Master, Hungry Ghost, asked.

The Witch Mountain Chief nodded and said, "Judging by the time, they should be nearly here. Instruct them to serve the food and drink."

"Alright!"

The Ninth Master responded and instructed the subordinates to start serving the dishes.

Soon, the servants of Wushan Village began to bring out plates of fruits and vegetables, placing pitchers of fine wine on the table.

After that, the servants bowed their heads and retreated.

Among them, four left the hall but did not go far. They exchanged glances and hid near the hall, listening intently.

As night fell, the four concealed themselves; unless one specifically searched, it would be difficult to discover them.

"By the way, is there any news about the deaths of the Sixth and Seventh Masters?"

The Tenth Master said, "The Ninth Master and I went to Qingcheng County to investigate. It's said that four young individuals recognized the Sixth Master's identity, infiltrated the County Governor's Mansion, and assassinated him."

"And the Seventh Master died in a dilapidated temple outside Qingcheng County. All the brothers he took with him perished without exception! Judging by the wounds, it's highly likely those four young people were responsible."

"Young people?"

The Witch Mountain Chief frowned slightly and said, "Who are they that they could kill the Sixth and Seventh Masters?"

The Tenth Master coughed lightly and said, "The four are named Dugu Qingcheng, Murong Haitang, Yuwen Heigou, and Changsun Jingren..."

"Hmph!"

The Witch Mountain Chief snorted coldly and said, "These are obviously fake names. How could the younger generation of the Four Great Clans gather together to cause trouble for our Wushan Village? Impossible!"

The Fourth Master said, "Regardless, let the brothers be cautious during this time. If they go out on a mission, it's best to have two masters accompany them, taking sufficient manpower."

"Hmm."

The Witch Mountain Chief nodded and said, "Continue to trace the whereabouts of these four individuals. As long as they remain in Bingzhou, even if you have to dig three feet deep, find them for me!"

"Haha, what kind of people have made the Village Chief so angry?"

At this moment, a light laugh came from outside.

Soon after, a group entered the grand hall, led by a person wearing a gray Taoist robe, looking like an immortal sage, with a duster in one hand, followed by a dozen disciples.

"Mystic Master Xu, it's an honor to have you. I have already prepared a banquet, just waiting for you, Mystic Master."

The Witch Mountain Chief quickly stepped down from his seat, and several masters rose simultaneously to greet them.

"People from the Profound Celestial Temple?"

Upon seeing Mystic Master Xu's attire, Chen Tang frowned slightly.

If there is some connection between Wushan Village and the Profound Celestial Temple, then the previous assurance by the Observatory Master in Qingcheng County that the Commander would be fine is no coincidence.

But how could the Profound Celestial Temple be associated with Wushan Village?

Chen Tang instinctively glanced at Yuwen Heigou.

The latter looked gravely thoughtful.

In the grand hall, after Mystic Master Xu was seated, the Witch Mountain Chief shook his head and said, "To be honest, the Sixth and Seventh Masters got into trouble; they were assassinated by four mysterious individuals!"

"Hmm?"

Mystic Master Xu frowned slightly and asked, "Have you identified them?"

"Not yet,"

the Witch Mountain Chief said, "All we know is that these four individuals are young, three men and one woman, all using fake names."

"Is there such a thing?"

Mystic Master Xu's face darkened, and after pondering for a moment, he asked, "Will there be a problem with next month's tribute?"

The Witch Mountain Chief quickly stated, "Rest assured, Mystic Master, Mother's tribute is already prepared."

Outside the hall.

Chen Tang and the other three were left puzzled.

Mother? Tribute?

"Mystic Master Xu, since you're here, have dinner and stay the night, don't rush away, enjoy yourself in the village,"

the Witch Mountain Chief smiled meaningfully, saying, "I've saved two premium tributes for you, just waiting for Mystic Master to taste them!"

"Oh?"

Mystic Master Xu's eyes lit up.

But soon, he shook his head and said, "Not tonight, the Observatory Master instructed me to return early, can't delay here, I'll visit again in a few days."

"Very well, then,"

the Witch Mountain Chief smiled, "Don't worry, Mystic Master, those two tributes are reserved for you."

"No problem,"

Mystic Master Xu stood up and said, "Take the tribute down the mountain; I'll head back as soon as possible."

"Have a drink first,"

the Witch Mountain Chief raised a full cup, trying to persuade Mystic Master Xu to stay.

"I'll pass on the drink,"

Mystic Master Xu waved his hand and said, "I also need to report the news about the Sixth and Seventh Masters to the Observatory Master as soon as possible."

Outside the hall, upon hearing this, Chen Tang and the other three frowned secretly.

The food on this table was poisoned by Dugu Qingcheng.

But Mystic Master Xu was in a hurry to leave. It seems none of the masters in the grand hall had touched the food and drink.

At this moment, several brothers from Wushan Village rushed in from not far away, looking panicked.

"Chief, something's wrong!"

One of them panted and said, "The brothers below just drank wine and fell in large numbers; it seems someone spiked the wine!"

"Hmm?"

The Witch Mountain Chief's face changed dramatically.

At this moment, in the grand hall, the Second Master, Hungry Ghost, and the Eighth Master, Drunk Ghost, who were at the end, staggered.

Stumbling, they only took a few steps before their eyes froze, their faces turning purplish-green, with a trickle of black blood from the corners of their mouths, and they fell to the ground with a thud.

Hungry Ghost was greedy for food, Drunk Ghost for wine.

Mystic Master Xu hadn't partaken of the food and drink, but the two had sneaked several bites of the food and drink moments ago, which was why they were the last to leave.

Who could have thought that a few bites of food and drink would cost them their lives!

Outside, Dugu Qingcheng, fearing collateral damage to the innocent girls kidnapped by the village, had not used lethal poison, just some anesthetics.

But in the grand hall, she had used nothing but deadly poison!

"Second brother, eighth brother!"

The Tenth Master exclaimed.

The Witch Mountain Chief turned back to this scene, looking grim, dread coursing through him, feeling a chill of fear.

Mystic Master Xu was also drenched in a cold sweat.

Had it not been for an unexpected twist of fate, in his hurry to leave today, he might have ended up dead in the grand hall without realizing!

Chen Tang and the others exchanged glances.

Although they hadn't poisoned more people, the situation exposed them soon enough.

If the effects of the anesthetic wore off, and most of the bandits in the village awoke, the four of them would face nearly a thousand bandits.

At that time, it would be even more dangerous!

The four, having been in sync through their time together, exchanged a glance. Without needing words, they acted simultaneously!

Chen Tang, Dugu Qingcheng, and Changsun Jingren leaped into action!

Yuwen Heigou was the first to flick his hand, sending several golden needles flying swiftly toward Mystic Master Xu!

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