"I heard that the Zhenshan Sect and Yuanshan Escort Agency have both sent people to Sandaohui to discuss the current situation?"
Ji Yuan suddenly changed the subject, looking at Xu Liuqing, whose face was heavy with worry.
Upon hearing this, the latter nodded immediately, admitting that there was indeed such a matter.
The people sent by the two factions also wished to discuss a method with Sandaohui to resolve the current calamity.
Now that the four city gates of the county town were sealed, allowing only outsiders to enter but preventing the townspeople from leaving, anyone with discerning eyes could see that the person plotting in the shadows was about to make a major move.
And what was about to happen would inevitably engulf the entire Qianyu City. From the lowliest peddlers and ordinary citizens to the wealthy families and martial sects within the city, no one could remain aloof from this calamity.
"If there are no accidents, Sandaohui will be responsible for the fallen barracks, while Zhenshan Sect and Yuanshan Escort Agency will focus their attacks on the county yamen and the City God Temple respectively."
Xu Liuqing paused for a moment before relaying the arrangements that had been discussed by the three factions in the main hall of Sandaohui.
It could be said that the three factions had taken on the most challenging targets in the city, while other guilds and forces, large and small, were no longer of concern.
Although these forces had a large number of members, their martial prowess was truly lacking. The better ones might have one or two martial artists at the early stage of the Flesh and Blood realm, but most were ordinary martial artists who had practiced for several years, even decades, yet had still not reached that level.
Let alone dealing with malevolent spirits, even ordinary soldiers and constables could easily rout them.
For the three factions, as long as these forces did not cause trouble and stayed within their own territories, it would be the greatest help to the city's situation.
"Sandaohui has the largest membership and is well-trained, making it indeed the most suitable for dealing with the barracks disaster."
Ji Yuan nodded. "As for Zhenshan Sect and Yuanshan Escort Agency, one has more experts, and the other often travels the jianghu and knows some methods to deal with deities of mountains and rivers."
Although the three factions fought separately, the assigned enemies were quite reasonable, playing to their respective strengths and maximizing their advantages.
However, Xu Liuqing, as the third leader of Sandaohui, remained here with them instead of participating in such an important discussion, which made Ji Yuan somewhat puzzled.
"The enemies that each of the three factions need to deal with were decided this morning."
As if sensing his doubt, Xu Liuqing explained, "The content of the current discussion is merely about how to divide the spoils and the future situation of Qianyu City after this calamity, as well as how the three factions will support each other to prevent any accountability from the imperial court."
Speaking of which, he couldn't help but shake his head, seemingly uninterested, even faintly annoyed by these matters.
Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but frown, but they didn't say much. Although it might seem untimely to discuss such things now, human hearts were complex, and it was understandable that those people had made plans in advance.
"In that case, only Baiyun Temple and the Zhao family remain."
Shen Lang suddenly spoke, and at the same time, he subtly glanced at Huixin beside him.
Upon hearing this, Huixin instinctively raised her head, her eyes dim and complex.
When Baiyun Temple was mentioned, he didn't know how to face it. There was anger at his master's betrayal, hatred for the latter's willing descent into demonic ways, and some indescribable complex emotions.
"You and Fellow Daoist Zhao will go to Baiyun Temple, and I will go with Huixin to deal with the old locust tree at the Zhao family's residence."
Ji Yuan said, casting a deep glance at Huixin.
No one present objected to this arrangement. Qianyu City was fraught with hidden dangers, and the crisis could erupt completely at any moment. At that point, it would not be a matter of one or two individuals but would involve the tens of thousands of citizens in the entire county town.
At this juncture, there was no room for self-preservation. If one were to leave everything to others while preserving one's own strength, no one could escape the final reckoning.
About an hour later, everyone departed from the main residence of Sandaohui and headed towards their respective destinations.
Zhao Yuansong, along with four junior disciples, and Shen Lang, accompanied by seven or eight constables, went to Baiyun Temple. There were also dozens of Sandaohui members there who could provide assistance.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuan and Huixin, along with five guards from the Zhao family and Su Hongzhu and her two companions, headed back to the Zhao family.
Even they themselves did not expect that after escaping from there just a few hours ago, they would now have to return to danger. However, with Qianyu City on the brink of disaster, it would affect everyone in the city.
Therefore, even knowing the danger of this mission, they had no choice but to set out, if only for their own lives.
When the sun was high, nearing noon, the group arrived outside the Zhao family's residence.
Even at the time of day when yang energy was at its peak, the Zhao family's grand mansion was still shrouded in an eerie coldness, giving people a sense of dread and an instinctive desire to stay away.
Just gazing at it for a moment could instill fear, as if one were facing a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.
In fact, the danger within the Zhao family mansion was far greater than that of an ordinary tiger's den. Even cultivators or martial artists of the second realm would not dare to claim they could emerge unscathed.
"How does it feel?"
Standing outside the mansion, Ji Yuan turned to look at the young woman beside him.
Upon hearing this, Su Hongzhu closed her eyes to sense it, then opened them and said, "Very strong!"
She gazed at the mansion before her, her gaze seeming to penetrate the high walls and houses, to see the old locust tree coiled within.
"Although it has also just entered the second realm, its accumulation of spiritual power is equivalent to five or six of me, and it contains unimaginable life force."
Despite her confidence in her own strength, Su Hongzhu couldn't help but show a solemn expression.
In her perception, the old locust tree was like a raging fire burning in the darkness, while she was merely a small bonfire.
Ji Yuan nodded upon hearing this. The old locust tree had lived for hundreds of years, and the life force it had nurtured was naturally unimaginable. Moreover, it had slaughtered more than a hundred members of the Zhao family, absorbing their lives.
However, strong life force did not equate to equal strength; these two things were not closely related.
It was just that, compared to other existences, the old locust tree would be more difficult to kill.
"After we enter the mansion, you can go all out. If there are no accidents, we will not intervene."
After a moment of thought, Ji Yuan added, "Firstly, the terms of our transaction require you to defeat a second-realm enemy alone. Secondly, while Huixin's and my methods can indeed restrain the old locust tree, they will also affect you. After all, your origins are also related to a ghostly entity."
He originated from a Daoist tradition, and Huixin was a Buddhist cultivator. Once their methods were unleashed, they would not simply restrain the old locust tree but would also affect Su Hongzhu, as her roots were also tied to a ghostly entity.
As for the Zhao family guards, their combat power was not high. Only the middle-aged guard was at the mid-stage of the Flesh and Blood realm, and the young guard, Liao Qiming, possessed the strength of the early stage of the Flesh and Blood realm. The others were merely ordinary martial artists.
Furthermore, the main reason for bringing them along was as a precaution. In addition, having served as guards in the Zhao family for at least several years, they were certainly more familiar with the place than they were.
Su Hongzhu nodded slightly, then withdrew her gaze from the mansion and looked at the young Daoist priest beside her, as if waiting for him to give the command.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan did not hesitate. He nodded lightly and said, "Go ahead."
Because of the peculiar location of the Zhao family mansion, there were no ordinary residents nearby. Most of the properties were luxurious residences purchased by the wealthy families of the city. Normally, they were not even inhabited, let alone by servants.
Therefore, there was no need to worry that Su Hongzhu, in a fit of excitement, would disregard everything and affect the surrounding populace.
Upon seeing Ji Yuan nod, a red glint flashed in her eyes. Then, with a gentle wave of her hand, a streak of ghostly spiritual power shot out like a ribbon.
Boom!!!
Under the impact of this spiritual power, the entire gate of the Zhao family mansion instantly collapsed. Dust swirled up and dissipated with the whistling wind, leaving only rubble and debris on the ground.
Under Su Hongzhu's control, the young man and woman simultaneously stepped forward and rushed into the mansion.
As for herself, she walked slowly with an air of leisurely grace, even having the mood to admire the courtyard decorations and the architectural style of the houses within the mansion.
It was as if she were a wealthy lady choosing to purchase a residence, rather than here to slay a powerful enemy of the same realm.
Ji Yuan and the others exchanged glances and did not immediately follow. They waited until they were more than ten feet behind before slowly following.
If nothing unexpected happened, their purpose here would only be to supervise and bear witness. In theory, few of them would have an opportunity to act.
Not long after, the group arrived deep within the mansion. Even before approaching the courtyard where the main residence was located, they could already hear intense fighting from afar.
After a moment of thought, they leaped onto the rooftops and gazed towards the residence from a distance.
At this moment, the pair of men and women who had been refined into puppets were already entangled with the roots of the old locust tree. Even from a distance, one could see sword light flashing, severing many root tendrils as thick as a forearm.
Compared to their initial stage of enlightenment when they were alive, although their essence had been reduced after being refined into puppets, and their movements were far less agile than when they were alive.
However, their killing power had more than quadrupled, reaching the level of cultivators in the late stage of enlightenment.
Moreover, after becoming puppets, although their minds had been erased, they no longer feared death or pain. Their fighting style was enough to give any enemy a severe headache.
Just like now, although the two were occasionally hit by the old locust tree's roots or green leaves, and their wounds bled profusely, it did not affect their movements at all. Their attacks remained as sharp as if they were unharmed.
If it were an ordinary person, they would likely be affected to some extent and find it difficult to maintain their peak condition.
On the rooftop, Ji Yuan sighed silently after watching for a moment.
In a daze, he seemed to see a scene from a few days ago, on a secluded mountain path, when he first encountered them.
At that time, the two were following their senior brother Li Mufeng, heading towards Luohunpo to seek opportunities. They happened to meet on the mountain path, and these people immediately intended to force him to be a scout.
However, due to a twist of fate, Ji Yuan eventually left Luohunpo unharmed, while Li Mufeng and his junior disciples remained there forever.
At that time, Ji Yuan was still somewhat confused. He thought that the reason he didn't see this pair of men and women was that they had chosen to flee after realizing the danger. He never expected them to be refined into puppets.
As for the fate of the two, he could at most let out a sigh. He did not feel sorry for them, nor did he have any other emotions.
Judging by their demeanor at the time, it was inevitable that they had engaged in many acts of forcing others to be scouts or of extortion. Since they harbored malicious intentions, they should have been prepared for the day when they would fall.