"Hahahaha." Kong Yuhui got back into the car, having changed into a different set of clothes.

"Tan Song really believed he could bribe my brother Ding. Who would have thought he would get caught in a trap himself? Today's defeat means there's unlikely any place for him in the Tan family in the future."

Clearly, he used someone else's scheme against them.

"Father, is the trouble resolved?" Kong Siyan asked with a smile, her voice sweet and gentle.

"When your father steps in, it's only natural." Kong Yuhui chuckled confidently.

He then glanced at Zhang Rongfang.

"Brother Zhang Jing, we are almost at Wushan Prefecture. Why don't you tell us about the trouble you have? If it's convenient, we can help you resolve it together.

Speaking of which, my family is looking to hire a literature teacher to teach the Way Of Dao to two children for future development. You are proficient in Dao classics, perhaps...."

On the way, after talking in detail with Zhang Rongfang, he discovered that the other had a profound understanding of Daoist texts and was immensely knowledgeable in literary cultivation. This made him eager to recruit talent.

"Thank you, Brother Kong. As for my trouble...." Zhang Rongfang set down the chess piece in his hand, sighing softly.

"It has already arrived."

"???" Kong Yuhui and his daughter were taken aback by his words, not understanding what he meant.

Suddenly, a sharp shout came from outside the window.

"Who goes there!?"

Kong Yuhui's face stiffened, and he quickly opened the door to get out of the car.

He glanced around quickly.

Suddenly, his face froze, his body becoming rigid and immobile.

Before him, the official road had just been cleared of a battle scene, and now appeared strong figures all wrapped in black clothing.

Upon closer inspection, these black-clad figures were distributed in all directions, numbering no fewer than two hundred.

Most of them were armed with crossbow arrows, loaded and aimed in this direction.

The sharp arrows were like daggers suspended before their eyes, emanating an unparalleled aura of danger.

Even more startling was that among this group of black-clad figures, three people, though masked with black cloth, had completely bald heads, revealing their identity as monks!

One among them had a distinctive feature by the eye, and Kong Yuhui actually recognized him!

"The Thousand-Faces Monk, Master Jue Ying!!?" He couldn't help but blurt out the other's identity.

Jue Ying, a Super Grade master from the Western Sect of Buddhism, was one of the strongest in the entire Mountain Province.

Most Western Sect affairs in Mountain Province were handled by him.

Kong Yuhui had once seen him from a distance at a banquet and had committed him to memory.

And now.... the other had personally brought people here....

Gulp.

Suddenly, Kong Yuhui keenly noticed.

Master Jue Ying, whose forehead was already covered in cold sweat, was staring fixedly in his direction, his gaze tinged with a strange and inexplicable hue.

This master's throat kept swallowing something, and his body...

His body seemed to be... trembling!!

Trembling!?

How is that possible!?

Kong Yuhui suspected he was seeing things.

"Master Jue Ying... I am part of the Kong family caravan; you've met our patriarch previously at our family estate. If you brought people here, could there be some misunderstanding...."

Kong Yuhui suppressed the panic in his heart, immediately speaking to establish a connection and plead.

No one answered.

No one responded.

It was as if Jue Ying hadn't heard, standing there with the other two monks, motionless, staring at the ox cart as if Kong Yuhui hadn't spoken at all.

Clatter.

A slight noise.

Zhang Rongfang stepped out of the carriage, standing on the ground, his gaze falling on the three monks.

Whoosh!!

All at once, like startled birds, the three monks quickly retreated several steps back.

"Donor Zhang... We, Jue Ying, Jue Chan, and Jue Li of the Western Sect, are here to invite you to be our guest at Kongming Temple!"

Their actions clearly showed they were distancing themselves.

Though they were speaking, the black-clad people with crossbow arrows seemed even more nervous.

Kong Yuhui clearly saw that some of those holding crossbows had trembling hands.

Could it be??

Kong Yuhui suddenly turned his head to look at Zhang Rongfang, who had gotten off the carriage.

Could it be that these people came for him!?

Is this the trouble he mentioned?!

He was shocked.

What's going on!!?

What is Zhang Jing's true identity!?

Kong Yuhui's mind was thrown into turmoil.

The joy of having just set a trap to repel a rival was quickly extinguished by an overwhelming pressure. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Cold sweat suddenly seeped from his back, soaking his clothes.

What is happening!!?

On the other side.

The three monks looked at the robust figure stepping out of the ox cart, their sense of alertness and danger skyrocketing.

Previously, Shishu Kongchi had sent a message asking them to intercept and capture this Zhang Ying Daoist who had quietly left his post.

But now....

They couldn't make contact anymore.

Shishu Kongchi was completely out of reach.

The last message was Shishu saying to test his skills first.

Then....

When the group received the message, they were filled with unease. Someone quickly checked the background of this Zhang Ying Daoist.

The result..... one look almost scared them to death.

During his tenure in Citong, so many highly ranked Western Sect masters died on his watch, yet all were unrelated to him!

Even so, now in Qingchuan as well, just after this Daoist took office, any Grandmasters who crossed him mysteriously disappeared.

But these are Grandmasters!!

In general situations, it might take decades for a Grandmaster to die.

But this Daoist, wherever he goes, there just happens to be trouble.

Jueying and the others pondered for a long time, unable to contact Kongzhi. If they didn't come, they feared Senior Uncle Kongzhi would blame them.

Yet if they came, this Daoist seemed too enigmatic…

The three of them hadn't prayed to any deity, but only felt powerless and began to consider praying. They were still in the midst of rigorous cultivation, but now… instead, they felt that perhaps if they had prayed earlier, it might have been better.

At least their survival rate would be higher...

"So many people have come?" Zhang Rongfang was slightly surprised.

With a quick scan, he could mostly tell that the majority of them were monks with extremely short hair.

It seemed all these people were dispatched by the Western Sect.

His gaze fell onto Jueying and the others, and his tangible stare instantly made them tremble all over.

Martial Artists are not fools; knowingly charging to certain death is not bravery, but stupidity.

If they weren't afraid of Kongzhi blaming them, they wouldn't have dared to come here so boldly.

At this moment, Kong Siyan also got off the carriage with a bewildered look.

"What's going on…?"

She suddenly paused, seeing the people in the surrounding convoy take a stance, weapons drawn, ready for battle.

Meanwhile, in the surrounding forest, groups of black-clad figures encircled the convoy entirely.

But these figures all turned their eyes toward her.

Then, she saw her father beside her, his expression grave, with a slight sheen of sweat on his temples, indicating the pressure from those around him.

Following her father's gaze, she slowly looked towards Zhang Rongfang in front.

Could it be!!?

Her face instantly paled, piecing together the words she had just heard.

She suddenly understood everything!

This was the "little trouble" he mentioned!?

Looking at the black-clad figures surrounding the entire convoy, all armed with military crossbows.

And yet, these figures were trembling.

They seemed to be afraid!!

All eyes were focused on Zhang Rongfang.

Kong Siyan swallowed her saliva, not knowing what to say...

"Don't be afraid." Zhang Rongfang gently patted her shoulder. "I will take care of it."

After speaking, he didn't wait for the other side to respond.

"It seems my movements have become a sieve, and everyone knows it." Zhang Rongfang sighed; he didn't want to bring trouble to his sister.

So….

"Let's go, I'll go with you and see what this Kongming Temple is all about."

He felt he should have a talk with the people from the Western Sect.

All along, the Western Sect had caused him a lot of trouble.

If things continued this way, defeating the lesser ones will only lead to confronting the Grandmasters atop the chain.

This was not what he wanted.

A solution for a quick and thorough resolution would be best.

*

*

*

Wushan Prefecture.

Zhang Rongyu carefully supported her belly, now five months pregnant, making her appear more plump than before.

Not only had her belly grown, but the rest of her body had also gained weight.

In the garden outside the window, pink orchids bloomed brightly.

Sister-in-law Lu Meisha was happily watering a few clusters of her favorite flowers and plants.

"Life is getting better day by day, and soon, once the child is born, everything will be complete." Zhang Rongyu gently stroked her belly, her expression soft.

"The family has also proactively reached out, hoping I can return." Suda Heqi brought a cup of nourishing prenatal medicine from behind.

"Here, drink it while it's hot."

"Mm, thank you, husband." Zhang Rongyu leaned lightly in his embrace, a warm smile on her face.

She had worked hard all this time, precisely for a life like this.

Leveraging her husband's family, and utilizing her hidden connections. Taking control step by step, becoming someone of high standing!

The two quietly watched as the sister-in-law hummed and sang in the courtyard.

"By the way, Rongfang wrote saying he plans to visit me soon." Zhang Rongyu said.

"Really, what exactly is he doing now? Last time I sent someone to where he claimed to be, he wasn't even working there." Suda Heqi frowned.

"Little brother is grown up; after all, he has his own secrets." Zhang Rongyu laughed.

"This time he comes, we should try to keep him here for as long as possible; he has been gone for years, he has only you as family in this world, and he truly has a hardened heart." Suda Heqi said solemnly.

"It doesn't matter. He has his own ideas." Zhang Rongyu said softly. "The fledgling eagle will eventually soar."

She believed Rongfang would definitely take care of his own safety.

Last time he came back, she realized, he had changed.

On the other hand, it was a crucial moment for her; now that her husband's position was stable, it was time to step up...

On another front ... everything was almost set. Just waiting for the personnel to gather, the great event was foreseeable.

The current three teachings dispute was erupting, with the Spirit Emperor indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs.

It was the best time for them to take action!

Soon... very soon, she would be able to resolve everything, settle scores. By then, the momentum would be in her favor, she would have strength, confidence, not inferior to anyone!

As for Rongfang, he is still young, prone to recklessness, many things he does not understand, it can wait until everything settles to explain to him.

Mother's revenge... she would take it upon herself to exact it.

Looking at the courtyard full of pink flowers, Zhang Rongyu couldn't help but show a gentle smile filled with anticipation.

"Aren't you worried? What if Rongfang…." Suda Heqi couldn't help but ask.

"It's okay, don't we have each other?" Zhang Rongyu laughed. "With us backing him, no matter how much he bumps and bruises in the future, he will ultimately have a carefree life."

"Indeed…." Suda Heqi looked at his wife's smile, his worries gradually easing.

Although someone recently discreetly informed him that his wife frequently interacted with some Confucian sect people, he wasn't concerned.

His wife naturally had a penchant for literature and history, her background was also Confucian, having dealings with people from the Confucian sect was perfectly normal.