Chapter 1576: Chapter 802: The Wind Pauses, the Rain Rests

The one who arrived was none other than the leader of the Jiangnan Mysterious Sect, the Heavenly Master of the "Southern Heavenly Master Dao" — Zhang Jingxuan!

He stood with his hands behind his back, an ancient sword strapped to his back, exuding the demeanor of a Grandmaster.

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader looked towards the two figures behind him, his scalp tingling in alarm.

To the right was a burly elder, wearing an indigo blue magical robe, a five-colored Dharma Body around his waist, with a face chiseled with strength and determination. His eyes opened and closed, shooting sharp glints, his hair and beard like spears, exuding an overwhelming aura.

On the left stood an old Daoist with an ancient-looking face, white hair and beard. He wore the signature green cloud-pattern Daoist robe of the Maoshan Shangqing Sect, holding a horsetail whisk in his hand. His aura was ethereal. Though he seemed aged, he stood there like a towering mountain.

The Three Pure Ones Bell at his waist jingled, unsettling the heart of the Ghost Opera Troupe Leader.

"Leader of the Lushan Law Sect, Fire Cloud Taoist!"

"Maoshan Shangqing Sect, Linglongzi..."

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader gave a cold snort, "To trouble the three of you to come all at once, you must think quite highly of me."

His words were tough, but he did not dare make a rash move.

The oldest, Linglongzi of the Maoshan Shangqing Sect, swayed the horsetail whisk and spoke calmly, "Years ago, your Ghost Theater Troupe wreaked havoc everywhere, drawing the ire of the orthodox sects. I was young back then and participated in the pursuit."

"It’s a pity you weren’t completely eradicated, allowing you to rise from the ashes and cause more harm."

"Hahaha~"

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader chuckled with a sense of futility and spoke coldly, "Back then, I was sincere at heart, seeking guidance from various Immortal Mountain Cave Heavens. Yet you people, holding onto your orthodox Mystical Sect status, looked down on us side door pugilists and oppressed us unfairly."

"If not for this, how could I be your enemy?"

"Enough, the situation is as it is, let’s see what you can do!"

With that, he was about to form a spell.

"Why the rush, Daoist Friend?"

Zhang Jingxuan spoke with calm eyes, "If we wanted to kill you, there would be no need for words."

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader squinted his eyes, "What do you mean?"

"Let’s make a deal."

Zhang Jingxuan’s eyes held a deep meaning, "The Class Leader got involved in this matter mostly as another’s pawn. Our target is the hand that moves the pieces. We have some questions. If the Class Leader answers truthfully, you may leave today."

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader suddenly understood, "You’re looking for Zhao Changsheng?"

Zhang Jingxuan replied calmly, "This person intends to cause chaos in the Divine State, having laid down plans across Jiangnan. Something significant must be about to happen."

"We want to know, what exactly is his plan?"

The Leader of Lushan Law Sect spoke coldly from the side, "You must make a heart oath and tell the truth. Do not think you can deceive us!"

As he spoke, he held a special whip at his waist.

This whip was no ordinary item.

The Lushan Sect is famous for its many magic artifacts, the most special being the Dragon Horn Magic Conch, rumored to reach the heavens.

But this magic whip is also extraordinary, known as Master Wu, Ma Snake, and even called the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Spirits and Golden Whip Saint.

In terms of lethality, it is no less than any magic veins of the orthodox sects.

"The supreme in the heavens is the Jade Emperor, the most honored in the human world is the ruler. All the ghosts and gods of the world revere, only Lushan makes the decisions."

Such words are not spoken lightly.

The Linglongzi of the Maoshan Shangqing Sect offered a purple paper talisman.

This was a command token used for making a heart oath.

Unlike ordinary people, cultivators might not fear ghosts or gods, but they dread the heart demon.

After all, one’s Dao is linked to the temple built within. Once a heart demon fulfills the oath, the temple collapses, and years of Dao might be destroyed in an instant.

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader’s eyelids quivered, and beneath the grease-painted mask, no expression could be discerned.

Seeing that there was no way to escape today, he finally gave a cold laugh, took the talisman paper, recited the heart demon oath, and began to speak:

"Fine then, after this matter, Jianmu will no longer tolerate me, it doesn’t matter telling you."

"I don’t know the specific target, but their plan is singular: to disrupt the Divine State and scatter the incense offerings of the Great Xuan Dynasty."

"First, they want to unsettle Jiangnan. This region is a key area for tax revenue and grain, with many ports. Once chaos ensues, the pirates and red-haired barbarians will seize the opportunity to attack. As for the next step, only Zhao Changsheng and his men know."

"Unsettling Jiangnan..."

A cold gleam appeared in Zhang Jingxuan’s eyes, "Let’s see if they have that capability."

With that said, he slightly raised his hand, "Daoist Friend, please."

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader snorted and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Zhang Jingxuan suddenly spoke, "In the future, I will be stationed in Jiangnan. If I hear about the Class Leader again, I will find you, be it above the heavens or within the seas!"

The Ghost Opera Troupe Leader gave a light glance, exerted force underfoot, soared away with a swoosh, and disappeared into black smoke.

After his departure, the three fell into silence.

"Daoist Zhang, what do you think?" the fiery-tempered Leader of the Lushan Law Sect asked directly.

"This matter is not that simple."

Zhang Jingxuan mused, "Before I came, I gathered information from all sides; the source of this Jianmu Organization can be traced back to Xu Fu’s Eastern Expedition during the Qin Dynasty. For a thousand years, it has been intermittently active, with shadows behind the Mahayana Sect, Maitreya Sect, and at one time, the Great Song Ghost Sect ravaged openly, but always operated in darkness."

"Yet now they openly and brazenly strive to disrupt the Divine State regardless of the cost; it all boils down to one matter..."

Linglongzi of the Maoshan Shangqing Sect blurted out, "Reform of the Human Dao!"

"Exactly."

Zhang Jingxuan’s eyes were heavy as he looked up at the pitch-black rainy night:

"They each have a ’Earth Official’s Absolution of Sins Treasure Decree’; I fear there’s someone supporting them from behind..."

The Leader of Lushan Law Sect, Fire Cloud Taoist, said angrily, "It’s hateful that the court at this time chooses to stand by, disregarding the lives of the common people!"

Linglongzi from the Shangqing Sect replied indifferently, "The current Holy Emperor favors the art of balance. Previously, he sent a minor Thousand Households to handle matters in Jinling as a test to see if the orders are followed. Those two aristocratic families have been too comfortable for too long, thinking they control the officialdom in Jinling and sleep easy, not seeing the risks."