So, having Ning Zhuo recruit Yuan Dasheng?
The success rate would be close to zero.
The four major factions could pressure him with their influence, but Ning Zhuo couldn’t.
He was merely at the third level of Qi Refining, a marginal figure within the Ning family.
The Monkey Head Gang already had nearly ten Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, not to mention the formidable Yuan Dasheng.
What reason would they have to join Ning Zhuo?
Form an alliance?
The same logic applies—what qualifications did someone as insignificant as Ning Zhuo have to negotiate cooperation with the Monkey Head Gang or Yuan Dasheng?
Reveal the Buddha Heart Demon Seal to display his real advantage?
In Ning Zhuo’s view, that would be an utterly foolish move! If he did that, he’d be gambling his life on the kindness of others.
Were the Monkey Head Gang or Yuan Dasheng kind?
A gang driven by self-interest, and a battle-hardened ape that had built itself from the ground up—kind?
The intelligence in Ning Zhuo’s possession was comprehensive.
One could say Yuan Yi and Yuan Dasheng’s pasts were inspiring, but judging them as kind-hearted? Quite the opposite.
The situation for Ning Zhuo was perilous.
He knew he was walking on the edge of a cliff, one misstep away from plummeting into a chasm of failure.
“I have to eliminate Yuan Dasheng in secret!”
This was the only solution Ning Zhuo could think of.
But how to kill him?
The Zheng family.
Two Golden Core cultivators from the Zheng family greeted Zhu Xuanji, with Chi Dun accompanying them. Zhu Xuanji inspected the bottle in his hand.
The bottle was nearly transparent, revealing a cloud of black smoke inside.
Golden light flickered in Zhu Xuanji’s eyes as he observed it. “This was crafted from Fire Poison.”
During a battle between Zheng Shuangjun and a Shadow Demon Cultivator, the latter managed to escape, but left behind some things.
One such item was this peculiar black smoke, which could seal divine sense, creating considerable trouble for Zheng Shuangjun.
Zheng Shuangjun had collected and stored a portion of it, intending to study and neutralize it in preparation for their next confrontation.
With Zhu Xuanji’s arrival, Zheng Shuangjun dared not keep it hidden and handed it over directly.
“It’s more accurately called Heart Fire Poison,” Zheng Shuangjun said.
“Five years ago, a Golden Core cultivator from the Sacred Ape Sect came to Fire Persimmon Immortal City."
"During his stay, he entered Qi Deviation, and his soul merged with his spirit pet, the Fiery Heart Ape.”
“We combined forces to defeat him in the Demon Lava Cave. However, before dying, the Fiery Heart Ape left a lasting impact on Fire Persimmon Mountain.”
“Many demonic beasts, spirit plants, geothermal veins, earth flames, fire poisons, and fiendish auras in the mountain absorbed his fury and underwent varying degrees of mutation.”
Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly, setting down the bottle.
He had come here to examine several items but had yet to find any useful clues.
“It seems I must personally venture to Fire Persimmon Mountain,” Zhu Xuanji said. “Daoist Zheng Shuangjun, please take me to the site of that previous battle.”
Zheng Shuangjun’s face filled with hesitation. “Is that really necessary, Divine Constable Zhu?”
“With the Lava Immortal Palace now in the open, the Demon Lava Cave from before has been destroyed. Though it may regenerate, the new tunnels are highly unstable.”
“Especially since the Lava Immortal Palace occasionally causes violent tremors, triggering landslides, lava flows, and the collapse of new passages.”
“To get there, we’d have to dig our own way and face intense geothermal heat, earth flames, and lava. Even worse, the local demonic beasts won’t leave us alone.”
Zhu Xuanji responded, “No matter the difficulty, we must see for ourselves. Daoist Chi Dun will also be joining to assist me.”
Chi Dun frowned but eventually nodded.
Zheng Shuangjun sighed.
As the original party involved, he had no choice but to go along. “Very well, I will accompany Divine Constable Zhu.”
Meanwhile, Ning Zhuo went to meet Sun Lingtong.
“This is the latest intelligence on the Monkey Head Gang and Yuan Dasheng that you requested.”
Sun Lingtong tossed a jade slip to the Mysterious Puppet Master, Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo’s voice was hoarse. “Thank you.”
“I also need monkeys. On one hand, buy more wild monkeys!"
"On the other, keep hiring people; the more monkey pets killed from the Monkey Head Gang, the higher the bounty I’ll pay.”
Ning Zhuo tossed over a storage pouch filled with spirit stones.
“Understood.” Sun Lingtong chuckled, “Brother, you’re doing brilliantly!”
“The entire Monkey Head Gang is on edge now.”
“The Fire Persimmon harvest business is highly lucrative. Replacing the Monkey Head Gang would net you a fortune every year.”
“This decisive approach perfectly suits my taste. You really should consider joining our Void Sect.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, without a hint of happiness. “As long as Yuan Dasheng remains, the Monkey Head Gang won’t be easy to topple.”
A hint of ruthlessness flashed across Sun Lingtong’s chubby face.
He raised a hand and made a slicing motion.
“In my opinion, why not hire a few more demon cultivators to take him out next time he’s isolated?”
“This requires careful planning!” Ning Zhuo immediately shook his head.
“Yuan Dasheng is highly experienced in battle. Numerous clues suggest he’s concealing a powerful hidden card.”
Sun Lingtong lifted his chin, unfazed. “How would we know unless we try? We could just hire some demon cultivators as cannon fodder. Even if we don’t succeed, we can test his hidden card.”
Ning Zhuo’s frown deepened; Sun Lingtong’s nonchalant attitude made him uneasy.
“If it were that easy to force out his hidden card, why hasn’t anyone succeeded over the years?”
“I’ll tell you a solid piece of intelligence.”
“On the surface, Yuan Dasheng has no cultivation, but in reality, he practices demonic arts, and his cultivation level isn’t low!”
Sun Lingtong was visibly shocked.
Yuan Dasheng, being a Fire Fusion Demon Ape, was already known for his incredible combat skills in close-quarters.
If he unleashed his demonic arts, his power might surge tenfold.
“The Monkey Head Gang also has Fei Si’s permission to participate in the Fire Persimmon Festival."
"If we make too bold a move, the City Lord’s Mansion would be the first to come after us.” Ning Zhuo added.
Sun Lingtong clicked his tongue and waved dismissively. “Then, forget it.”
But Ning Zhuo continued, “We won’t target Yuan Dasheng directly, but we can assassinate Yuan Er."
"Before the assassination, send him a warning letter. The assassination should fail, deliberately.”
Sun Lingtong’s eyes shifted slyly. “Brother, what exactly are you planning?”
Fire Persimmon Mountain.
“Hurry, I can’t hold it much longer!” Zheng Shuangjun gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain a temporary tunnel.
Chi Dun, covered in blood, silently fended off several raging demonic beasts.
“Just a bit longer.” Golden light blazed from Zhu Xuanji’s eyes as he formed hand seals.
Zheng Shuangjun nearly spat blood.
Zhu Xuanji had said the same thing half an incense stick ago.
Chi Dun indeed spat out a mouthful of blood, exposing an opening.
A Fire Snake, resembling a fire serpent with horns, charged headfirst toward him.
If it hit Chi Dun, he’d be gravely injured, even fatally.
But at that moment, Zhu Xuanji finished his technique, activating a talisman and leading the two Golden Core cultivators into a rainbow-hued escape.
Within moments, the trio had fled the volcano.
“We’re safe!” Zheng Shuangjun let out a long breath.
Chi Dun began healing in silence.
Zheng Shuangjun looked at Zhu Xuanji. “Divine Constable Zhu, did you find anything?”
A faint smile crossed Zhu Xuanji’s face.
“A significant discovery. Using the Origin Tracing Technique, I traced the essence of the Lava Immortal Palace’s explosion to Thousand-Pound Fire Essence."
"This Fire Essence was released by a mechanical monkey.”
“Once I return to Fire Persimmon Immortal City, I’ll use the Origin Tracing Technique again and should be able to identify the culprit. Capturing them won’t be far off.”
Both Zheng Shuangjun and Chi Dun stared at him in astonishment.
Zhu Xuanji looked skyward. “With my Heaven-Piercing Eyes, the real culprit will have nowhere to hide!”
Moments later.
Activating the Origin Tracing Technique and the Heaven-Piercing Eyes, Zhu Xuanji stared at his enhanced vision, observing the red-glowing mechanical monkeys scattered throughout the city.
“Divine Constable Zhu, why aren’t we moving?” Zheng Shuangjun asked in confusion.
Zhu Xuanji: …