Chapter 494: Chapter 247: Trouble Comes Knocking! Once a Sovereign Reigned Over Dragon and Tiger, Revered by the World (5k-Word Mega Chapter)_2

At this moment, he suddenly recalled that day at the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance—during a minor probing, he ended up suffering a hidden loss at Zhang Fan’s hands.

"Zhang Fan, this isn’t Jiangnan Province, and there’s no Maoshan here to back you up."

Song Yunqi’s voice was icy cold, his gaze, intentionally or not, sweeping over Fang Changle.

"Tsk tsk, what the hell are you looking at?" Fang Changle raised an eyebrow and spoke coldly.

"Fang Changle, acting this lawlessly, he’s already bordering on the demonic path. You, as a Maoshan Inheritor, associating with this kind of person—aren’t you throwing away the face of generations of your Maoshan Ancestral Masters?"

As he said this, Song Yunqi’s gaze shifted, looking to the side.

"Zhang Fan, who do you think you are? The once-invincible Three Corpses Daoist, or today’s Transcendent Zhenren Pure Yang Wuji? Do you really think you’re above all law?" Song Yunqi let out a cold laugh, every word striking the ground with weight.

"Today I’m standing right here waiting for you to make a move. I’d like to see if you can get out of An Nan City—even step out of Huizhou Province."

Song Yunqi stood firm, and his imposing aura surged limitlessly.

As a member of the Divine Power Association, also representing the Daoist Alliance Headquarters, and being on Huizhou’s turf, he did have the capital to talk like this.

"Zhang Fan..."

Fang Changle’s brows drew together slightly, revealing a look of worry.

Huizhou Province was Qi Yun Mountain’s domain, and the other side’s backing was the Qin Family. If they acted here, even if they could temporarily fight their way out, they would be at a great disadvantage.

"Since we’re all fellow Daoists, why draw swords at the slightest provocation?"

Just then, a sonorous voice echoed from the distance.

Zhang Fan looked up and saw a young man slowly step out from the outermost car. The newcomer had a glint in his eyes, like stars and moon hidden within, and his aura, though subdued, lingered around him.

"Qin Ming!?"

Fang Changle’s eyes narrowed in concentration, recognizing the man instantly.

Zhang Fan was moved; he had heard Fang Changle mention that among the younger generation of the Qin Family, the most promising was this Qin Ming. From childhood he had cultivated at Qi Yun Mountain, and even Meng Qinghuan, who had recently awakened Divine Techniques, was his junior sister.

"Heir of Qi Yun Mountain!"

"Taoist Brother Qin."

Song Yunqi and Ji Haisan, upon seeing Qin Ming approach, both eased their expressions and stepped forward to greet him.

"Fang Changle, it’s been a while."

Qin Ming gave a nod and spoke softly, clearly acquainted with Fang Changle.

Both were outstanding talents among the new generation of the Daoist Sect—one a Maoshan Inheritor, one a Qi Yun Mountain successor—it was only natural they’d met before.

However, at this moment, Qin Ming’s cultivation seemed a notch higher; he had comprehended the profundities of the Mahayana Realm.

Firstly, his talent was exceptional and his fortune extraordinary, with the lingering blessings left by his ancestors of the Qin Family. Secondly, Fang Changle had wasted much time imprisoned for two years over that Wuwei Sect infiltration affair.

If it weren’t for that, how could he be so thoroughly overshadowed by the other now?

"Taoist Brother Qin..." Song Yunqi stepped forward, about to speak, but was halted by Qin Ming raising his hand. The latter’s gaze slowly settled on Zhang Fan.

"I already know what’s going on."

"I’ve heard this Fellow Daoist Zhang is a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain, from a prestigious lineage, and has close relations with the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance. My brother’s death may not have anything to do with him." Qin Ming’s words were righteous and clear, every word unwaveringly standing on Zhang Fan’s side.

"However..."

Just then, Qin Ming turned his tone: "The one who killed my brother wasn’t some ordinary expert. Zhang Fan’s cultivation is there for all to see—and he just happened to be at the scene of the incident. Under such circumstances, Taoist Friend Song’s suspicions aren’t unreasonable."

"So you’re saying I did it?" Zhang Fan said coldly.

"What I mean is, though it may not be your doing, since you’re under suspicion, you should stay to clear your name. Otherwise, rumors will abound, bringing harm to the reputation of both the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance and Zhenwu Mountain."

As these words left his lips, Zhang Fan’s eyes grew even darker.

This Qin Ming acted all impartial and upright, seeming to side with Zhang Fan, but every sentence carried double meaning—openly tying the honor of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance and Zhenwu Mountain to Zhang Fan, boxing him in with moral pressure.

In reality, they were all working together.

Song Yunqi and Ji Haisan played ’bad cop,’ while this Qin Ming played ’good cop.’

They pressured with one hand and cajoled with the other, directly roasting Zhang Fan over the flames—whether he stayed or left, either way, he’d lose.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang and Brother Fang staying won’t be as suspects. Rather, you will be guests of the Qin Family, simply assisting with the investigation, serving justice."

At this moment, Qin Ming raised his voice again, pushing Zhang Fan one step further.

First tension, then conciliation—advance and retreat, all played to perfection by him.

"Besides, in a few days, our Qin Family will unite with the Daoist Alliance Headquarters and Qi Yun Mountain to do a great deed. It concerns the Human Xiao of the last generation of Wuwei Sect. Brother Zhang and Brother Fang just happen to be here—if you can offer your strength, it’ll be a glorious contribution for your respective sects."

As he said this, a look of righteousness appeared on Qin Ming’s face.

"As disciples of the Daoist Sect, duty is ours to bear."

"The Human Xiao from the last generation?" Zhang Fan’s mind stirred—those four words alone fully seized his attention.

Qi Yun Mountain, Daoist Alliance, and the Qin Family—if the three are joining forces for some grand venture, could it really be connected to his mother!?

"Very well, I’ll give Taoist Brother Qin face." Zhang Fan nodded.

"Let me contact my family first. Just a few days ago, the Transcendent Zhenren was reminding me to visit him."

Zhang Fan said casually and, right in front of everyone, took out his phone.

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions twitched, revealing looks that were hard to describe.

"Transcendent Zhenren? You mean the old Pure Yang Wuji Immortal from Zhenwu Mountain?"

"He’s even got Transcendent Zhenren on Superwechat?"

"How old is Transcendent Zhenren now? Must be over a hundred, right? He knows how to use Superwechat?"

"Nonsense, he’s a Zhenren, not a corpse—of course he knows how to use it!"