“Since Du Chuan is stubborn, why don't we just eliminate him? Brother Ye, there's no need to be angry about this!” Bing Yao said from the side.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Bing Yao, shook his head, and said, “Killing Du Chuan is a small matter, but are the others really deserving of death?”
In Ye Cangtian’s opinion, the other hidden group guards were merely misled by Du Chuan. With proper guidance, they could still turn over a new leaf.
Besides that, there was another reason why he couldn’t resort to killing.
If all of them were killed outright, the matter would surely spread.
At that time, all factions would know that the hidden group had a large number of traitors, which would be a devastating blow to the hidden group's image.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Ye Cangtian had no intention of wiping them all out.
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian’s words, Bing Yao frowned deeply and said, “We can’t kill them, and they won’t willingly turn back. Brother Ye, what are you planning to do?”
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian fell silent, his mind racing with calculations.
After a short while, he looked up at the three women again and said, “Since one attempt at sowing discord didn’t work, I’ll try again. I don’t believe Du Chuan can explain it away every time…”
From what Hei Cheng had said, the sect master of the Five Poisons Sect was incredibly ruthless. Coupled with Du Xin’s appearance today, Ye Cangtian deduced that the sect master of the Five Poisons Sect must be suspicious by nature. Therefore, he believed that as long as he continued to sow discord, the sect master would eventually lose trust in Du Chuan!
In a farmstead in Jilong City.
Ye Cangtian knocked on the door with a steady rhythm.
The next moment, the door opened, and Zuo Bai appeared.
“Manor Lord, you’re here. Please come in.”
Ye Cangtian did not stand on ceremony and walked directly into the room, then sat down.
Seeing this, Zuo Bai quickly poured him a cup of tea, sat down as well, and then asked, “Manor Lord, do you have any instructions?”
“Mm.”
Ye Cangtian nodded, not concealing anything, and spoke directly, “I’m asking you, do you know the whereabouts of those people from the Five Poisons Sect?”
Zuo Bai nodded upon hearing this.
Ye Cangtian had previously instructed him to keep a close watch on the people from the Five Poisons Sect. Although they did not take action to eliminate them in the end, Zuo Bai was still monitoring their movements.
“Very good.”
Seeing his subordinate nod, Ye Cangtian gave him an appreciative glance and continued, “If you can eliminate them without causing too much of a stir, do you have the confidence?”
“This…”
Upon hearing this question, Zuo Bai hesitated.
He looked at Ye Cangtian and said, “Manor Lord, they are currently divided into two groups and stationed separately. I am confident in eliminating them, but it will be difficult to do so without causing a significant disturbance!”
Zuo Bai stated that even with them stationed in two locations, their numbers were considerable, making it difficult to prevent them from using signal flares for reinforcements.
“You are right.”
Ye Cangtian nodded in understanding and continued, “How about this, let’s modify the plan. Try to control the disturbances, but the action must be swift. Try not to expose too much…”
“Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will not fail the Manor Lord’s expectations!”
After hearing Ye Cangtian’s suggestion, Zuo Bai immediately responded. He then discussed the operational details with Death God, hoping for some guidance.
Only after the specific plan was finalized did Ye Cangtian return to the hidden group.
…
In a secret chamber within the hidden group’s branch.
In the secret chamber, a lavish meal was laid out on a table. Du Chuan raised his wine cup and repeatedly toasted Du Xin, hosting a welcoming banquet for him.
There was no other way, as Death God and the others were currently residing in the hidden group. To avoid being discovered, Du Chuan could only arrange this in the secret chamber.
However, for Du Xin, Du Chuan’s thoughtfulness was already enough to satisfy him.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Just as the two were halfway through their drinks and food, enjoying themselves immensely, a knock sounded on the door.
In an instant, a trusted guard of Du Chuan walked in.
The guard quickly approached Du Chuan, bowed his head, and was about to speak when Du Chuan raised his hand to stop him.
“Lord Du Xin is not an outsider. You can speak directly.”
The guard acknowledged and then said, “Lord Du Chuan, Lord Death God wishes to see you. He said he has something to ask you.”
“This…”
Upon hearing this, Du Chuan immediately looked at Du Xin with a troubled expression.
He was currently hosting Du Xin, and if he left like this, Du Xin might feel displeased.
But if he didn’t go, Death God might also become suspicious.
Sensing Du Chuan’s gaze, Du Xin was silent for a moment before finally saying, “You go. Remember to tell me what Lord Death God wants to ask you when you return.”
Du Chuan’s heart immediately felt relieved. He quickly agreed and then left the secret chamber with the guard.
Not long after, Du Chuan arrived at Death God’s room.
As soon as he entered the room and saw the table laden with delicacies, Du Chuan was stunned.
Didn't he say he had something to ask me?
What was this all about?
Could it be a Hongmen banquet?
As he thought this, Du Chuan looked at Ye Cangtian with confusion.
Sensing the other’s gaze, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, extended his hand, and said, “Please sit down quickly. These were all personally made by Bing Yao to thank you for cooperating with our actions.”
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian’s nose twitched, and he then said, “What? You've been drinking?”
Du Chuan’s heart trembled, and he quickly replied, “Didn’t a friend come over earlier? I was hosting a welcoming banquet for him.”
“Oh?”
Ye Cangtian’s interest was piqued, and he smiled, saying, “So I’ve interrupted you. My apologies. How about this, why don’t you invite your friend over too? Let us get acquainted.”
“No, no.”
Du Chuan waved his hands repeatedly and said, “My friend has poor tolerance for alcohol and has already had quite a bit. I just ordered someone to send him back to his room to rest. Let’s not have him come over, lest he makes a drunken scene and spoils the Manor Lord’s elegant mood…”
To put it mildly, Du Chuan wouldn't dare let the two meet! Any slight misstep could lead to his own downfall.
On the other side, upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and said, “In that case, we’ll get acquainted another day!”
With that, Ye Cangtian raised his wine cup and began to drink with Du Chuan.
After several cups of wine, Du Chuan’s complexion visibly flushed.
Feeling the onset of drunkenness, Du Chuan knew he had to get to the main topic, otherwise, he might say something wrong later.
So he looked at Ye Cangtian and said, “Lord Manor Lord, I heard you have something to ask me. What is it?”
“No rush. After we eat and drink well, it won’t be too late to discuss it,” Ye Cangtian said with a smile.
Hearing this, Du Chuan quickly waved his hands and said, “If anything else, if my memory becomes muddled and I speak nonsense, it might delay the Manor Lord’s important affairs, which would be a grave offense. So, let’s discuss it now!”
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian did not insist. He nodded and then said, “I heard from the people of Imperial Dragon Villa that a group from the Five Poisons Sect entered the city today. Do you know about this matter?”
“This…”
With this question, Du Chuan, who was slightly drunk, immediately became alert.
Although Du Xin had brought many people this time, according to usual practice, the Five Poisons Sect’s operations were extremely low-key.
Yet, even so, they were discovered by people from Imperial Dragon Villa, which surprised him.
After all, the people from Imperial Dragon Villa were not locals, making any investigation very difficult.
But since the matter had already come up, he could only face it head-on.
As he thought this, he looked at Ye Cangtian and asked, “Lord Death God, is this news accurate? Is there perhaps a mistake?”
“How could something like this be mistaken!” Ye Cangtian glanced at him and said calmly.
Hearing this, Du Chuan feigned confusion and then said, “I haven’t received this news yet, and I truly believe the accuracy of the information is questionable, because once people from the Five Poisons Sect arrive, they will definitely attack the hidden group…”
Heh.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian sneered in his heart. This subordinate was truly pretending to be ignorant when he knew the truth.
As he thought this, Ye Cangtian looked at him and said, “Whether the news is true or false, since it has reached our ears, we should investigate it as soon as possible.”
“You are right.”
Du Chuan agreed with a nod and continued, “If it is confirmed, we can make arrangements early. If there is no such matter, then we need not be overly anxious. This matter can be handed over to our hidden group!”
“The Five Poisons Sect is not easy to deal with. Can your hidden group handle it?” Ye Cangtian glanced at him and asked.
Hearing this, Du Chuan smiled slightly and said, “If it were a direct confrontation, the hidden group might not be their match. However, if it’s just investigating some information, it should not be a problem. After all, the hidden group has good local support here!”
There was no other way. If the hidden group was responsible for the investigation, then everything would still be within his control.
He could put on a show, give a perfunctory result, and dismiss the matter.
But if Imperial Dragon Villa was responsible, and they discovered the people from the Five Poisons Sect, then Imperial Dragon Villa would surely eliminate them.
Therefore, he had to take this matter upon himself.
“Alright, this matter will be handed over to you.”
Ye Cangtian nodded and continued to warn, “You must be careful with this matter and proceed discreetly, lest you alert the enemy.”
“Lord Manor Lord, rest assured, the hidden group will not disappoint you.”
Du Chuan, while appearing resolute on the surface, was inwardly laughing heartily, even looking down on him. If this matter were entrusted to him, that person would never get to see the people of the Five Poisons Sect in their lifetime…
“Good, I will await good news here.”
Ye Cangtian smiled and then raised his wine cup, saying, “I’ll toast to your success in advance.”
Seeing this, Du Chuan quickly raised his wine cup and said, “Thank you, Lord Manor Lord.”
With that, Du Chuan downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and then turned to leave. The matter was of great importance, and he had to make arrangements immediately, otherwise, the other party would surely become suspicious.
Only after Du Chuan left did the smile on Ye Cangtian’s face disappear, replaced by an icy coldness.
Since you are determined to stand with the Five Poisons Sect, then do not blame me for being unrighteous…