Chapter 695: What Kind of Monsters Are Sitting at This Table?

"Xu Xiaoshou."

Liu Lu's voice came through the communication pearl.

Xu Xiaoshou was seated at the coffee table on the first floor. Xiao Wanfeng was attentively serving tea nearby, while Xin Gugu looked bored at his side.

"Hmm, go ahead."

Listening to the voice from the communication pearl, Xu Xiaoshou tapped the table lightly with his index finger. At the same time, he gave Xiao Wanfeng, who insisted on staying busy, a strange look.

This guy was incredibly resilient. Wasn't he afraid of dropping dead from exhaustion? He was already a Jianzong. If he died from overwork, he'd be the first Jianzong in history to go out that way.

Xiao Wanfeng couldn't decipher the odd look in Xu Xiaoshou's eyes. Seeing him stare, he just smiled back and gestured for him to drink his tea.

Xu Xiaoshou picked up his teacup for a sip, and Liu Lu's voice continued in his ear.

"It's like this, Xu Xiaoshou."

"Based on your request, we've investigated Jiang Xian's background. The data shows he has seven Wangzuo guards, one Zhandao, and no Taixu companions."

"On the surface, he only travels with four Wangzuo, but from our observations, today he has two unfamiliar faces among his Wangzuo guards."

"We suspect either those two familiar ones who usually follow him have gone on a mission, or they've been lost."

They had indeed been lost... Xu Xiaoshou responded silently in his mind.

So, that meant Jiang Xian only had five Wangzuo, one Zhandao, and zero Taixu left by his side.

It wasn't surprising that there were no Taixu guards.

What level was Taixu? It was on par with beings like Gou Wuyue or Cen Qiaofu.

Even storytellers like Haitang'er were only at Zhandao peak.

So, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't shocked at all that Jiang Xian had no Taixu guards.

Still, even without Taixu, the combat strength around this true Bansheng Chuanren was terrifyingly formidable.

A young disciple traveling with a Zhandao guard and seven major Wangzuo—it was basically on par with the top forces of a Linggong!

"But now, there are only five Wangzuo left..."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered this.

If he wanted to take the initiative, he could leave the Zhandao to A'Jie to handle.

But the remaining five Wangzuo weren't a force to underestimate.

Especially here in Dongtian Wangcheng.

If things got noisy, plenty of people would rush to help a Bansheng Chuanren in need.

So, following the conventional approach, he'd have to call on Mei Siyi.

But asking the Seven Jianxian to step in would be a huge favor, and for just dealing with a minor Jiang Xian, Xu Xiaoshou felt it wasn't worth it.

After a moment of thought, he asked, "Is the information accurate? Only one Zhandao?"

"Absolutely accurate!"

Liu Lu seemed to have gotten confirmation from higher-ups, speaking with full confidence. After a pause, he continued,

"But if you're really planning to make a move, Xu Xiaoshou, I have to add one more thing."

"The Bansheng families place a Xuemai Yinji on their younger disciples. If a Bansheng Chuanren's physical body is destroyed, not only will the imprint protect their spirit and keep them from dying, it will also lock onto the attacker and infuse them with a curse."

"So, generally speaking, a Bansheng Chuanren can't be killed."

"Even if you try, you'd have to sacrifice someone to act as a proxy."

"But the imprint searches the host's memories, and if the cover-up isn't perfect, the true mastermind will still be uncovered by the Bansheng family."

"Even after all that, the Bansheng Chuanren would only lose their body. As long as the imprint protects them, they can return to their family and resurrect unharmed."

"So... I don't know what grudge you have with Jiang Xian, but I'm just giving you a heads-up."

Xu Xiaoshou was a bit surprised. There were such methods?

He recalled the curse force that Jiang Tai had injected into his body when he self-destructed.

Even a Wangzuo guard had that kind of imprint, so the one on Jiang Xian must be even stronger.

As he thought about this internally, Xu Xiaoshou kept up his flawless facade, even if it was just fooling himself.

"Who said I was going to make a move? We're both from Bansheng families—I'm just investigating his background," Xu Xiaoshou said.

"Understood."

Liu Lu didn't argue.

How could he not know about the little conflict between Xu Xiaoshou and Jiang Xian at the Duojin Merchant Guild's entrance?

And those two Wangzuo who might have gone on a "mission" had vanished the night before Xu Xiaoshou raised questions. Anyone bold enough could guess what happened.

But some things were only pondered in silence; no one dared to ask outright.

For instance, when Liu Lu got the clearance to investigate, the first thing he checked wasn't Jiang Xian, but Xu Xiaoshou.

Yet, Xu Xiaoshou's background in the Northern Domain was still too mysterious—nothing came up.

Either his Xu family was even more powerful than the Jiang clan, with Yemao unable to dig up anything,

Or, there was only one terrifying possibility—fabricated out of thin air!

But everyone who looked into it chose to play it cool and not interfere.

Because if it was the latter, it might just expose a fact.

But if it was the former, they'd be offending a true hidden great clan!

That's why Liu Lu had taken the liberty to mention the "undying legend" of the Bansheng Chuanren to Xu Xiaoshou.

Unexpectedly, and yet logically, Xu Xiaoshou's focus wasn't on that at all—he didn't even respond further.

"Was he just respectfully listening to it all because he already knew about the 'undying legend' of the Bansheng Chuanren?"

"Or did he listen out of curiosity and then emphasize again, in a way that protests too much, that it wasn't him planning to make a move?"

Liu Lu didn't dare think about it, nor did he want to.

He just did his job.

He only knew that even if Xu Xiaoshou wasn't from a Bansheng family, he had that terrifying existence Jianlao mentioned behind him.

Maybe Xu Xiaoshou's background was fake.

But the people around him, backed by Jianlao's guarantee, were absolutely real!

So, why would a Xu family with guards stronger than those of the confirmed Bansheng Chuanren Jiang Xian need to fake their background?

The answer...

It was terrifying to even consider!

"Xu Xiaoshou."

Liu Lu didn't pause for long before sharing the final piece of information.

"From what we've learned, of the five guards left with Jiang Xian, only two are constantly by his side for close protection."

"The others are usually out gathering intelligence, and they return to report important information to him."

"We still don't know why Jiang Xian came to Dongtian Wangcheng, but it's probably not for the Shengmi Zhidi—it's for something else."

"His target seems related to 'San Yan Tong Mu'."

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up at the words.

Yemao's intelligence work was impressive—they'd even uncovered something like San Yan Tong Mu!

If they could find that, Jiang Xian's goals were likely exactly as he suspected: for the "Shen Mo Tong"!

"Anything else?" Xu Xiaoshou asked calmly.

On the other end of the communication pearl, Liu Lu seemed to hesitate.

Xu Xiaoshou knew he was probably waiting for him to ask what "San Yan Tong Mu" was, but since he didn't, Liu Lu could guess he already knew something.

So, he likely wouldn't waste words.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Liu Lu said,

"That's all the information. No matter who wants to make a move, the risks are just the 'undying legend' I mentioned and Jiang Xian's Zhandao guard."

"The rest, I believe you have a good handle on, Xu Xiaoshou."

Xu Xiaoshou was quite satisfied with what he heard.

He was very impressed with Yemao's work.

Especially Liu Lu's attitude—speaking when needed, advising when appropriate, perfectly balanced without overstepping.

The guy was sharp; he shouldn't be stuck as a minor player.

So, Xu Xiaoshou said, "Go tell your Yuan Si Tangjia that I'm recommending you for a promotion. From now on, you'll connect with me directly, no one else needed."

From the communication pearl came Liu Lu's voice, slightly excited but not overly so.

"Thank you for the recommendation, Xu Xiaoshou, but Yuan Si Tangjia said he already anticipated you'd say that, so he's promoted me in advance. I'm now part of Yemao's inner circle."

Xu Xiaoshou was taken aback.

That old fox...

Was this because he'd been intimidated that day and now held a grudge, using this minor move to turn the tables?

"Congratulations, then."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't mind and casually added, "Lastly, help me tell your Yuan Si Tangjia that I'll drop by his place when I have time. Make sure he cleans it up nicely—I'm serious about that."

Liu Lu was stunned.

He could sense a bit of the underlying rivalry in this high-level exchange.

But the "why" of it all was beyond him.

"Understood."

Liu Lu replied firmly, "I'll relay it word for word!"

Xu Xiaoshou ended the communication.

Xin Gugu shot him an inquiring look.

Though Xin Gugu hadn't been in the meeting room last night, from the Jiang Tai incident and Xu Xiaoshou's unguarded words over the communication pearl, he could piece it together.

Xu Xiaoshou summed it up: "Seven Wangzuo in total, two for close protection, three unaccounted for, and the last two..."

He glanced toward the cultivation room.

Xin Gugu instantly understood.

The last two had met their end at Tian Shang First Tower.

Xiao Wanfeng sat to the side, eyes fixed ahead, staring blankly at the air as he listened to Xu Xiaoshou and Xin Gugu casually discussing the Wangzuo like they were counting items. He sensed that something big might be brewing.

But these matters probably had nothing to do with him.

After all, he was just an ordinary person...

He wondered why Xu Xiaoshou trusted him so much, discussing things without even signaling for him to leave.

Or perhaps...

Xiao Wanfeng suddenly recalled Xu Xiaoshou's earlier twisted remark: "If you become an accomplice, you can't be a traitor anymore."

Wait, was that it? Xiao Wanfeng panicked.

Others cleared the room for important talks, but Xu Xiaoshou did the opposite—kept people around for the serious stuff so they'd all be in it together?

What kind of twisted mindset was that?!

"X-Xu Xiaoshou?"

Xiao Wanfeng couldn't help interrupting the other two, holding up the teapot as he asked, "Shall I go add some water?"

"No need. You keep the tea warm."

Xu Xiaoshou took the teapot, used San Ri Dong Jie to chill it, then Hua Zhao Yuan Zhong to turn it back into water, and handed it back. Ignoring everything else, he said to Xin Gugu, "Besides that, there's one Zhandao guard—gone."

Xiao Wanfeng took the teapot, feeling as if he were holding a Zhandao, and his hands started trembling.

Xin Gugu signaled for Xiao Wanfeng to pour him some tea, then continued, "So, Xu Xiaoshou, you're planning to go after Jiang Xian?"

"Yep."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

This time, he was definitely taking the initiative.

As long as there was no Taixu, one Zhandao or two didn't matter.

Clang!

Just then, Xin Gugu's teacup was knocked over by Xiao Wanfeng's hand.

Both Xu and Xin looked down.

Xiao Wanfeng shakily righted the teacup, apologizing repeatedly, "Sorry, sorry, Xu Xiaoshou, Xin Gugu, I'll go get a new pot of tea?"

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even responded.

"You're going after Jiang Xian?"

A voice full of excitement came from the stairs.

Mu Zixi swooped in and landed in a seat, waving her hand to sprinkle a handful of tea leaves into a cup. She gestured for Xiao Wanfeng to pour her some, all while exclaiming eagerly, "Why didn't you include me? When are we moving?"

Xiao Wanfeng's eyes widened, and he froze completely.

He stared blankly at this Grandma Mu who casually summoned tea leaves.

"So, that's advanced wood attribute usage..."

Then, a shiver ran through him as he snapped back to reality.

With trembling hands, he pulled a new teacup from his spatial ring and stammered, "Gr-Grandma Mu, the cup you just used is Xin Gugu's..."

"Oh."

Mu Zixi pushed the cup away in annoyance, waved her hand to turn the scattered tea leaves and water into spiritual energy fragments, then pulled out another handful of leaves and said to the person behind her, "Get her a cup too."

Xiao Wanfeng turned to see the stern-faced young woman.

No surprises, it was Mo Mo.

"Gr-Grandma Mo..."

Xiao Wanfeng hesitated before speaking.

Mo Mo was startled.

Hearing that title, she paused mid-step, then smiled gently and said, "No need to call me that. Just Mo Girl will do."

A soft breeze seemed to blow through the wide-open door of Tian Shang First Tower, easing the tension and awkwardness in Xiao Wanfeng's heart in an instant.

Xiao Wanfeng gazed at that serene smile, which melted away the wind and snow, and for a moment, he was entranced.

He used to fear people like this the most.

But now, Mo Mo seemed to be the most normal human among Xu Xiaoshou's group!

Before he could fully settle on that thought, he saw Mo Mo approach the tea table, pull out a chair, sit down, and say to Xu Xiaoshou, "There's a Zhandao? Do you need me to handle it?"

Boom!

It hit like a thunderclap on a clear day.

Xiao Wanfeng's mind went blank, feeling the wind and snow return in full force, making him shudder.

What nonsense about a spring breeze or normal humans...

Wasn't Mo Girl just at the innate stage?

Where did she get the nerve to talk about taking on a Zhandao?

Xiao Wanfeng was shocked.

He glanced at the four figures around the table, each in their own pose—slouched or seated—and suddenly felt dizzy.

What kind of monsters were sitting at this table?