Chapter 4085: Vault Division Made A Mistake

A broad smile appeared on Zhenyu’s face as he received Little Shrubby’s report.

The liger and the Yin Yang Twin Serpents had successfully captured Taegong along with the five cultivators escorting him, and the entire operation had been completed without attracting the attention of the Vault Division.

’Excellent work,’ Lin Mu praised them through their mental connection. ’Little Shrubby, I want you to bring Taegong to the location I’m sending you. Leave him there and return to the others.’

’Okay, Master!’ Little Shrubby replied eagerly.

Lin Mu transmitted a set of coordinates to the liger. The location was a secluded clearing several kilometers away from the Vault Division’s main compound, situated outside the region protected by its spatial sealing formations.

It was a place Lin Mu had identified while examining the surrounding wilderness.

’Make sure he’s still unconscious when you leave him there,’ Lin Mu added. ’And remove any talismans or treasures that might allow him to escape.’

’We’ve already taken those!’ Xiao Yang answered proudly.

’Good. Keep the other five captives secured. I might need to question them later.’

’Understood, Master!’ Xiao Yin replied.

Lin Mu was satisfied.

The operation had gone even better than he had expected. Taegong had been captured alive, and the masked cultivators who had accompanied him could potentially provide valuable testimony regarding the arrangements made for his escape.

More importantly, the Vault Division had no idea that its carefully organized transfer had already failed. Lin Mu glanced toward the High Elder standing before him. The old man was still maintaining his professional expression, though his eyes had begun to show traces of unease.

’Now then, let’s see how you explain this.’

The Vault Division High Elder was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

He had spent considerable time explaining the restrictions surrounding Taegong’s supposed assignment, and he believed that his arguments were perfectly reasonable. The regulations he had cited were genuine, and the dangers associated with cursed artifacts were well documented.

Even Daoist Bone Ruler would have difficulty dismissing the explanation without first examining the relevant records. Yet Mengli Zhenyu had been smiling throughout the latter half of their conversation.

The High Elder had initially assumed that the ancient body cultivator was simply amused by the bureaucratic procedures. However, the longer the discussion continued, the more peculiar his behavior became.

Zhenyu occasionally nodded as though agreeing with the explanation, only to ask another question that forced the High Elder to repeat himself. At other times, he seemed to be listening to something that nobody else could hear.

And now he was smiling as though he had just received particularly good news.

’Something is wrong,’ the High Elder thought and he glanced toward the administrative buildings behind him.

The arrangements for Taegong’s transfer should have been completed by now.

He had received confirmation that the elder had departed through a restricted teleportation talisman, and the other branches had been instructed to coordinate the subsequent movements.

As far as he knew, everything was proceeding according to plan. So why did he feel as though the situation was slipping out of his control?

"Senior Mengli Zhenyu," the High Elder spoke cautiously, "I hope my explanation has addressed your concerns regarding Elder Taegong’s assignment."

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Hmm. Yes, I’ve heard everything you’ve had to say."

The High Elder relaxed slightly. "Then perhaps we can arrange a formal meeting after the containment procedures have concluded."

"Unfortunately, I still have a few concerns." Zhenyu said.

The High Elder’s relief vanished. "Concerns, Senior?"

"Indeed." Zhenyu nodded gravely. "After listening to your explanation, I’ve realized that your Vault Division has made a rather serious mistake."

The High Elder blinked. "A mistake?"

Several of the Vault Division elders exchanged confused looks. Daoist Bone Ruler also turned toward Zhenyu. He had been waiting for the ancient body cultivator to reveal what he was planning, and the sudden change in his tone immediately caught his attention.

Zhenyu sighed. "A very serious mistake."

The High Elder frowned. "Senior, may I ask what mistake you are referring to?"

Zhenyu looked at him with an expression of exaggerated concern. "Well, you’ve spent all this time explaining how dangerous those cursed artifacts are, haven’t you?"

"That is correct."

"And how the sealing procedures require constant supervision?"

"Indeed."

"And how interrupting the research could cause the cursed influences to destabilize?"

The High Elder nodded. "Yes, Senior. That is precisely why Elder Taegong cannot be summoned at present."

Zhenyu clicked his tongue. "Then your mistake is even worse than I thought."

The High Elder’s expression stiffened. "Senior, I am afraid I do not understand."

Zhenyu shook his head slowly. "Youngsters these days. You have all these elaborate procedures and regulations, yet you still manage to overlook something so obvious."

The High Elder’s patience was beginning to wear thin. Nevertheless, he maintained his respectful tone.

"Please enlighten us, Senior."

Zhenyu raised one thick finger. "I believe you’ve assigned the wrong person to that cursed artifact mission."

Silence followed.

The High Elder stared at him. "The wrong person?"

"Exactly." Zhenyu nodded. "You keep telling me that Taegong is busy studying cursed artifacts, but I suspect you’ve made a mistake when assigning the researchers."

The High Elder frowned. "Senior, the personnel assigned to restricted containment research are carefully selected. Their identities and qualifications are verified before they are permitted to participate."

"Then someone must have made an error."

"That is highly unlikely."

"Unlikely?" Zhenyu chuckled. "Well, mistakes happen."

The High Elder took a deep breath. "Senior, I can assure you that Elder Taegong was personally assigned to the research. The relevant records have been properly maintained, and his participation was confirmed by the responsible officials."

Zhenyu raised his hand. "Hold on, youngster. You’re misunderstanding me."

The High Elder stopped.

Zhenyu’s expression became increasingly amused. "I’m saying that you think Taegong is working on those cursed artifacts, but the person actually doing the work must be someone else."

The High Elder stared at him in disbelief. "How could that possibly be?"

Several other Vault Division elders nodded in agreement.

They had already confirmed Taegong’s assignment, and the High Elder had repeatedly explained the circumstances. The suggestion that someone else had somehow taken his place seemed absurd.

Zhenyu’s smile gradually changed.

The amusement remained in his eyes, but his expression became noticeably colder.

"Because, youngster..." He leaned forward slightly. "Taegong isn’t where you think he is."

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