Chapter 322: 298 Provocation, Part 2

In the silent and desolate Wanghai Temple.

A figure resembling a towering iron tower stands quietly at the last place where Kongxiang was killed earlier.

He seems to be observing, yet also seems to be pondering.

“How is it? Did you figure anything out? Kongding.”

As the voice comes through.

Deep within the inner courtyard of the temple, a figure silently and suddenly appears again.

The person’s figure is slender, but they wear a wide robe; in the darkness, their face is indistinguishable, yet their eyes, reflecting the moonlight like two black crystals, are extremely striking.

“This technique… somewhat resembles an Extreme Realm Grandmaster,” Kongding, the iron tower figure, responds.

“Extreme Realm Grandmaster… Those Extreme Realm folks are truly vexing. Their traces are everywhere they go,” the slender figure sighs.

“But…” Kongding continues, hesitating slightly.

“What is it?”

“However, even if it is an Extreme Realm Grandmaster, their actions shouldn’t be this precise, killing in one strike.

If it were one of those Grandmasters well-versed in the sects’ secrets, it would be another matter.

But the traces here resemble more the full-force clash between two sects’ Spiritual Veins, followed by using mortal methods to kill Kongxiang.

Therefore, it’s very strange,” Kongding sighed.

“Where is Kongwu? He has now become a Grandmaster and no longer serves as the Sea Dragon King, let him come and handle this matter,” the slender figure instructed.

“Master, Kongwu is not very mobile and is somewhat too conspicuous,” Kongding reminded.

“Then you stay and assist him, Zhenyi Sect has also sent someone over. Also, there are some members from Sensing Sect sneaking around.

Nowadays, Citong is increasingly mixed with dragons and serpents, it needs enough power to ensure stability here.

Additionally, you mentioned earlier that you found out the goods held here were transported to an island?”

“Yes, who sent them, and where they were sent, is still being investigated.

However, from the traces here, they don’t resemble the martial arts marks of Thousand Teachings Alliance, but more like those of the Eastern Sect remnants, done by the Rebel Sect people.

But the Rebel Sect doesn’t have enough manpower to match Kongxiang and his group. So either they have another master backing them, or, it’s a deliberate smokescreen by Thousand Teachings Alliance,” Kongding replied.

“You and Kongwu handle it. If anything comes up, you can have the Taiqing sect people assist.”

“Understood,” Kongding nodded.

“I’ll leave this place to you; I can stay here for at most one week, the situation on West Yi’s side is becoming progressively chaotic, I must head over as soon as possible,” the slender figure said softly.

“Disciple understands,” Kongding bowed his head, solemnly saying, “Within a week, disciple and Kongwu will eliminate the main forces of the Rebel Sect here and investigate the clues. It’s just that this place has Taizhenzi and Zuo Han, disciple is worried….”

“Don’t worry, with me around, they will keep their distance,” the slender figure spoke softly.

“Yes.”

*

*

*

Two days later, in the morning.

Inside Agarwood Palace.

After breakfast, Zhang Rongfang was eating an orange, brows slightly furrowed, looking at a secret letter in his hand.

The letter was sent from Thousand Stone Sect.

Currently, he had quite a few experts under his command, which made Zuo Han increasingly close in contact with him.

“Moloch? What level is this?”

He knew little about the Western Sect, only understanding that the True Buddha Temple is the highest martial institution within the Western Sect.

They are mostly ranked according to generational characters.

And Kongxiang previously was one member of the Kong generation.

The secret letter is handwritten by Sect Leader Zuo Han, mentioning that due to a Grandmaster of the Yuan generation from the Western Sect arriving secretly at Citong, he should remain peaceful over the next few days, and must not make any movements.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Zuo Han’s tone in the letter is extremely grave, also mentioning that because this Moloch has a bad temper and dislikes people from the Sensing Sect, they must temporarily hide from him for a while. Only later would they return.

’Such a grandiose display, merely because of dislike, forcing others to proactively retreat and keep away, not allowing anyone to stay in a city….’

This kind of power makes Zhang Rongfang involuntarily think of one tier—the Grandmasters.

“I suppose only the Grandmasters level can make a Grandmaster retreat. In such a case, this Moloch would never come personally just because of Kongxiang’s death.

He must have some formal mission to come here and incidentally look into Kongxiang’s case.”

Zhang Rongfang touched his chin, feeling some newly grown stubble.

“I wore full body armor at the time of the act, and inside had a human skin mask, there should be no one who can recognize me.

In that case, just endure for a period; when my life exceeds two hundred, there should be new talents appearing….”

He thought expectantly.

Additionally, the main drug for Golden Toad Skill reportedly had its traces found, but for such a long time, the experts sent to find the drug still haven’t returned.

Possibly they either haven’t found it or ran into trouble.

At this level, the main drug required for the Chasing the Sun phase of Golden Toad Skill, each is an absolute natural treasure, exceptionally rare.

Encountering trouble is considered normal.

Just need to follow up and investigate further.

Carefully he burned, crushed, and destroyed the secret letter.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard.

“Daoist! Daoist! That Young Master Xue is here again!”

The old Daoist from Agarwood Palace rushed into the courtyard, bowing respectfully to Zhang Rongfang while urgently reporting, his tone anxious.

“What has this Young Master Xue done this time?” Zhang Rongfang’s face remained calm.

This Xue Ji, relying on his mother being the current Eleventh Princess, was arrogant and had been causing trouble at Agarwood Palace for two consecutive days.

He seemed convinced that Princess Yongxiang’s death was related to him.

At one moment, he ’accidentally’ smashed the storefront of the general store under the sect’s banner.

At another, he ’unintentionally’ collided with a cart of alchemy herbs purchased by Agarwood Palace, crushing and destroying a cartful of top-grade herbs.

Yesterday, he even allowed his guards to injure more than a dozen Welcoming Daoists from Agarwood Palace, claiming that these Daoists were disrespectful to him.

Today, who knows what he’s planning to do.

Zhang Rongfang remained unperturbed.

Earlier, he had planned to discreetly teach Xue Ji a lesson or two, but since a big figure from the Western Sect had arrived, he couldn’t act recklessly anymore.

“Daoist, please go and have a look. That Young Master Xue is now insisting that Miss Sun Chaoyue broke his Nine Transformation Glass Cup and demands a compensation of five thousand ounces!” the old Daoist said helplessly, his voice urgent.

“Let’s go and take a look,” Zhang Rongfang said calmly, standing up. He patted his robe and headed towards the courtyard gate.

Although big conflicts were not advisable, he was at least a master of External Medicine, not just anyone could humiliate him at will.

Following the old Daoist leading the way, the two quickly passed through corridors and paths, arriving at an open space between a shrine and the Welcoming area of the Agarwood Palace.

As expected, Xue Ji, with a cold expression, had surrounded this open space with a group of Great Spirit soldiers.

Beside him stood a strong and tall woman with her arms crossed, staring expressionlessly at Sun Chaoyue, who was surrounded.

“Today, you broke this glass. If you can’t compensate or afford it, that’s fine. According to the law of the Great Spirit, you will repay it with yourself, and henceforth, you will be mine.” Xue Ji’s voice was steady.

“I heard you’re one of Zhang Ying’s confidants, just wondering what his reaction would be without you.”

“Young Master Xue, what brings you to my palace today?” Before he finished speaking,

Zhang Rongfang’s voice came through the corridor from the side of the shrine.

A group of Daoists surrounded him as he walked over.

However, despite the number of Daoists, they were completely outmatched by the elite armored soldiers brought by Xue Ji.

In terms of momentum, they were greatly inferior.

“Your person broke my precious cup. Zhang Ying Daoist, see what you can do.” Xue Ji pointed at a broken ordinary wine cup on the ground, turning to look at Zhang Rongfang with a half-smile.

“Daoist, I didn’t! I….” Sun Chaoyue hurriedly tried to defend herself, but saw Zhang Rongfang raise his hand, signaling her to stop and keep silent.

Zhang Rongfang glanced at the cup fragments on the ground; it was an ordinary porcelain cup costing no more than one ounce on the market.

“Someone, bring five thousand ounces of silver notes! Since Young Master Xue’s precious cup was broken, we ought to apologize and compensate.”

The Daoists around were initially shocked, then began murmuring softly among themselves.

Clearly, there was no cup on the market worth five thousand ounces!

That’s five thousand ounces!

In an era where a head of plowing cattle cost forty or fifty ounces, five thousand ounces could buy over a hundred of the best plowing cattle!

Upon hearing Zhang Rongfang’s words, even Xue Ji was momentarily stunned.

He frowned, staring at Zhang Rongfang, as if trying to discern what he was up to.

But Zhang Rongfang remained calm, smiling with no trace of resentment.

His eyes carried a sincere apology.

Quickly, a Daoist retrieved the silver notes, a full five thousand ounces, and presented them to Xue Ji.

“Is Young Master Xue satisfied? I apologize for my lack of discipline, causing you trouble,” Zhang Rongfang said softly.

Xue Ji squinted, eyeing the pile of silver notes before him.

Five thousand ounces, even for him, was no small amount. Yet the other party had given it without hesitation.

He picked up the notes, examined them carefully, confirming they were indeed large denomination notes issued by the Great Spirit official bank.

They could be exchanged at any bank of Great Spirit.

“The Daoist has quite a temperament. However, as I mentioned before, three days.” He held up three fingers.

“Today happens to be the third day. I wonder what message you have for me?”

“Why must Young Master Xue be like this?” Zhang Rongfang sighed, showing a helpless expression, “In fact, when the commandery princess disappeared, I also searched for clues everywhere. But…..”

“But what?” Xue Ji asked coldly. “Do you have some unspeakable secret?”

“I was born poor, unlike your noble birth… Some things, even if found out, I wouldn’t dare to speak about,” Zhang Rongfang expressed a look of reluctance to say more.

“In front of me, you can speak freely. You should know, my mother is Princess Yunxi! If you speak, I will ensure your safety!” Xue Ji slightly raised his chin, looking haughty.

Zhang Rongfang sighed again.

“Young Master, could we step aside to talk?”

“Why not?” Xue Ji raised an eyebrow.

Before coming here, he was told that this Zhang Ying was not a good person, someone who could cover the sky with one hand in Cituogang Port, with immense power. He was likely the culprit behind Princess Yongxiang’s disappearance.

But now, seeing for himself, this Zhang Ying seemed to be a pleasant old man….

Not as domineering as he was told.

He had oppressed the other party so much, yet the other party still treated him so kindly.

This Daoist of the Great Dao Teaching, his self-restraint in Qi Gong was indeed extraordinary.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep