Chapter 251 : The Envoy
Chapter 251: The Envoy
Chen Ming returned once again to that grand hall. Night had fallen, and he did not light any fire. The vast hall was pitch black and eerily quiet—so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.
All he could hear was his own heartbeat.
This grand hall had top-tier soundproofing.
"Right now, the one who poses the greatest threat to me in Jin Yutang is the Third Elder. I need to find a way to get rid of her."
Chen Ming thought to himself.
Once the Third Elder was eliminated, he could leave this place behind—free as a bird beneath the vast sky.
But he needed to find the right opportunity.
An opportunity when the Grand Elder wasn't around.
"I need a pair of eyes to keep watch on the Grand Elder for me."
He immediately thought of Tang Yaoyang.
Perhaps, this person could be of use.
...
The next morning, just as the sky brightened, Chen Ming went out again. This time, an additional Second Grade expert accompanied him—a disciple of the Second Elder, surnamed Yan, given name Guanfeng.
Chen Ming noticed that the long spear the man carried was very similar in style to the Second Elder’s black spear.
This man claimed he was sent by the Grand Elder to protect him.
Protection in name, surveillance in reality.
Judging from his demeanor, it was clear he had no idea his master was already dead.
Understandable. The Grand Elder would definitely keep such news sealed. If it spread, the entire Jin Yutang would be thrown into chaos.
Chen Ming wandered around idly outside and, just before noon, arrived at the finest restaurant in Jiangzhou City. At the entrance on the first floor, he saw a maid from Jiang Yingsnow’s entourage.
Upon seeing him, the maid quickly approached and said, “Greetings, Miss Yuan. My lady is already waiting for you upstairs.”
“Mm.”
Chen Ming headed upstairs and arrived at the door of a private room. He turned and said to Yan Guanfeng, who had been following him the whole way, “Wait outside.”
“Yes.” Yan Guanfeng stood guard at the door.
“Big Sister Yuan.”
As soon as Chen Ming entered, Jiang Yingsnow, clad in a long white dress, rushed into his arms with a fragrant breeze. “I missed you so much!”
This time, he didn’t push her away. He simply patted her shoulder and gently said, “Alright now, I’m standing right here in front of you, aren’t I?”
“Let’s not be this damned sect leader anymore. I’ll go talk to Great-Uncle about it.”
“Silly girl, it’s not that easy.”
Chen Ming patted her arm. “Alright, sit down and listen to what I have to say.”
Only then did Jiang Yingsnow reluctantly let go and sit down, waiting for him to speak.
Chen Ming spoke via sound transmission, “I originally just wanted to find a suitable weapon to deal with that Du Rusong, but I ended up getting dragged into this whirlpool called Jin Yutang. I can’t leave for now. Stay put in the Jiang Family. Don’t go looking for Princess Mingyu like you did the other day.”
“I was just worried about you.” Jiang Yingsnow pouted, murmuring in defense.
“Still talking back?”
She quickly covered her mouth and shook her head, indicating she wouldn’t anymore.
Chen Ming couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, let’s eat.”
Besides the two of them, there were two maids present. That Granny Fang wasn’t around—who knew what trick Jiang Yingsnow had used to get rid of her.
“Oh right.”
While eating, Jiang Yingsnow suddenly recalled something. She gestured for a maid to bring over paper and brush, wrote something, and showed it to him: “Li Jinchuan of Baiyu Sect—he’s your friend, right?”
Li Jinchuan?
Chen Ming frowned and transmitted a message: “What happened to him?”
Jiang Yingsnow wrote: “There’s been an incident at Baiyu Sect. The sect leader was poisoned to death. Li Jinchuan is the culprit. He’s now missing. Baiyu Sect is scouring the city for him.”
What?
Chen Ming was shocked. “When did this happen?”
“Just two days ago.”
...
After finishing the meal, Chen Ming parted ways with Jiang Yingsnow.
Once he boarded the carriage, his expression turned grim. Too many things were happening lately. One upheaval after another—even Li Jinchuan had gotten into trouble.
There was something fishy about this incident.
Baiyu Sect wasn’t weak. If memory served, the sect leader was a Second Grade cultivator. To poison someone of that level required an extremely rare toxin.
Given Li Jinchuan’s strength, it was already strange enough if he could kill a Second Grade cultivator. But escaping from Baiyu Sect while evading all the experts? That was even more unbelievable.
It was all too far-fetched.
Chen Ming figured the likelier scenario was that Li Jinchuan had gotten entangled in some sort of conspiracy.
Unfortunately, he himself was too tied up at the moment—he couldn’t help even if he wanted to.
“Jinchuan, you’re on your own now.”
That afternoon, Chen Ming returned to Jin Yutang. As soon as he stepped into the main hall, someone came to report, “Sect Master, this is an invitation from Baiyu Sect. They invite you to attend the new sect leader’s inauguration.”
Baiyu Sect?
Chen Ming’s expression flickered. He replied coldly, “I’ve said it before—I don’t like attending such events. Waste of time.”
“The Grand Elder said Baiyu Sect has always had close ties with us. If the Sect Master doesn’t attend, it may hurt their feelings.”
“...Fine. Let me know when it’s time.”
After closing the door, Chen Ming thought to himself: So Baiyu Sect is actually a subordinate force of Jin Yutang.
...
Before he knew it, night fell once more.
In the deep silence of the night, knocking sounds came from outside.
“Who is it?”
“Subordinate Tang Yaoyang, requesting an audience with the Sect Master.”
“What are you here for again? Didn’t I make myself clear last time?”
“I have urgent matters to report.”
Chen Ming paused for two seconds. “Come in.”
In reality, the door wasn’t even closed—he had been waiting for Tang Yaoyang to show up.
If he hadn’t come tonight, Chen Ming would have gone to find him the next day.
Dressed in night attire, Tang Yaoyang entered, dropped to one knee, and wore a hint of excitement on his face. “Sect Master, wonderful news—Second Elder seems to have gone missing.”
The guy had some skill—he’d actually gotten wind of the news this fast.
Chen Ming gave him a new level of respect. It seemed there were quite a few in Jin Yutang dissatisfied with Sun Chuxian, and some were even colluding in secret.
He replied flatly, “How is that good news? If the Second Elder truly met with misfortune, it’s a loss for Jin Yutang.”
Tang Yaoyang said, “That man showed no respect to the Sect Master—I saw it with my own eyes. He’s a blight while alive. It’s best if he’s dead.”
Chen Ming said, “You came today just to say this?”
Tang Yaoyang suddenly asked, “Sect Master doesn’t seem surprised by the Second Elder’s disappearance?”
This was clearly a test.
Chen Ming ignored the probe and said, “I need you to do something for me.”
Tang Yaoyang immediately perked up. “Sect Master, just give the order! Even if you ask me to assassinate the Grand Elder, I won’t hesitate.”
Chen Ming said, “Enough with the loyalty show. I only care about results. Keep an eye on the Grand Elder. The moment he leaves Jin Yutang, notify me immediately.”
“Yes, I’ll carry out the task to the letter.”
Tang Yaoyang responded solemnly.
“As long as you handle it well, you’ll be well rewarded.”
“To serve the Sect Master is this subordinate’s honor—”
“Enough nonsense. Go.”
Chen Ming cut him off and told him to scram.
Any more blabbering, and he might not be able to resist kicking the guy out.
Next came the waiting.
...
Over the next two days, rumors ran rampant throughout Jin Yutang. Despite Sun Chuxian’s best efforts to seal the news, the disappearance of the Second Elder still spread, aided by those with ulterior motives.
For a time, unrest stirred within Jin Yutang.
Over the years, of the original seven Grand Elders, some had disappeared, others had died—only two remained. No matter how one looked at it, the future of Jin Yutang was precarious at best.
It was also on this night that Chen Ming received a mysterious note.
On it was written: The Grand Elder just left Jin Yutang and is now missing.
“Finally, the opportunity has arrived!”
This was the chance to eliminate the greatest threat.
...
The westernmost part of Jin Yutang housed the residence of the Third Elder. Few ever visited the area.
The Third Elder was eccentric by nature. She preferred solitude and disliked being disturbed. No patrols were assigned near her quarters either.
Inside a bizarrely shaped building, the Third Elder—her face deeply wrinkled, appearing extremely aged—sat atop a high platform, gazing up at the starry sky.
Before her sat a ghostly black alms bowl, reflecting the night sky above.
Her fingers, thin like withered twigs, moved continuously in cryptic gestures as she muttered under her breath.
Eventually, she murmured, “A death omen? How can this be? This isn’t right…”
Just then, a voice came from outside. “The Grand Elder requests your presence.”
The Third Elder ignored it and began scratching her head furiously, tearing out a few white strands, still muttering, “Where did I go wrong?”
“Third Elder?”
The voice outside grew louder.
“Scram!”
The Third Elder let out a sharp shriek—a terrifying scream that blasted toward the door.
This scream carried a spiritual attack strong enough to knock someone out cold.
Boom!
Unexpectedly, the door exploded open, and a fierce sword light surged in, dispersing the spiritual attack.
“Taiyue Sword?”
The Third Elder whipped her head around, a fierce light flashing in her eyes. She grabbed the black bowl and hurled it with a spin.
Clang!
The sword strike was blocked. It failed to pierce the pitch-black iron bowl.
“Die!”
The Third Elder seized the moment to bite her tongue and spat a mouthful of blood onto the bowl. Immediately, the bowl radiated black light, transforming into a sea of violet ghostfire that surged forward.
What kind of technique is this woman cultivating?
Chen Ming didn’t dare take it lightly. With a flicker of his figure, he activated Phoenix Dances Through Nine Heavens and dodged the violet ghostfire.
“Phoenix Dances Through Nine Heavens?”
Seeing his movement technique, the Third Elder reacted as if she'd seen a terrifying entity. Her wrinkled face contorted with fear. “You... you’re the Island Master’s successor?”
She had recognized the technique.
Chen Ming also stopped, mainly wary of her bizarre tricks.
This trip, he had used disguise techniques to pose as an ordinary disciple of Jin Yutang, intending to lure her out and strike at close range.
Unexpectedly, she had attacked first. Thinking his cover was blown, he retaliated decisively.
Suddenly, the Third Elder dropped to her knees with a thud.
“Your subordinate greets you, Envoy! To think you had already arranged everything, taking the position of Jin Yutang’s Sect Master under a new identity—just waiting for Dai Dingbo to walk into your trap. Your strategy is flawless. This old one is in awe!”
“…”
Chen Ming was stunned.
She actually mistook him for someone from Elysium Island?