Eternal Saber

Chapter 570 - 176: The Scheme Within the Scheme

The ones rushing in from outside were several brothers from the Boat Gang, one of whom was Wang Xiang, who had previously escorted the Ba Mountain Sword Sect to Jingzhou.

"Gang Leader, there’s bad news!"

The group was gasping for breath, faces pale, as Wang Xiang shouted, "We’ve just received news that the Profound Celestial Sect’s army of over a hundred thousand has landed along the coasts of Wu and Jiang Provinces, intending to seize the two provinces, their momentum unstoppable. The coastal garrisons have collapsed without a fight and have abandoned their cities in flight."

"What!"

Jiang Feng’s expression changed.

Everyone present was shocked, their faces showing alarm.

Especially the disciples from Wu and Jiang Provinces, who heard the news and felt a complex mix of emotions.

They followed their Sect Leader to attend the Martial Arts Assembly, thus avoiding a calamity.

But how many of their sects can survive under the onslaught of the Profound Celestial Sect’s massive army?

Jiang Feng spun around sharply, fixed his gaze on the Drunken Elder, eyes blazing with anger, and shouted, "Old Shopkeeper, what a calculation! Using the Martial Arts Assembly to gather the elite of the Martial World here, leaving the Six States vulnerable, providing the Profound Celestial Sect’s army a chance to exploit!"

The Grandmasters present had experienced much, so they quickly deduced the key to the situation!

Fan Qing, with a cold gaze, slowly asked, "Manor Master Yun, this Martial Alliance was mainly orchestrated by you, are you involved in this too?"

In an instant, countless gazes fell on Yun Yifeng.

Yun Yifeng felt the pressure increase and quickly explained, "Brother Fan misunderstood, friends, please remain calm; I absolutely did not know about this! If I had known the Drunken Elder was connected with the Profound Celestial Sect, I would never have helped him organize this Martial Arts Assembly!"

Having spoken, Yun Yifeng glared at the Drunken Elder, demanding, "Old Shopkeeper, aren’t you going to explain yourself?"

The Drunken Elder remained silent, only a mocking smile appearing on his face.

"Manor Master Yun, given the circumstances, why not truly ally with us and control the Jianghu of Nanxia from now on!"

Shopkeeper He said with a deep voice, "Sword Pavilion’s Ye Xuan is injured, not a threat. Manor Master Yun, Isle Master Yan Yang, Sect Leader Yue, Sect Leader Yu, you four along with my father, facing those from Peach Blossom Valley, are not without a chance."

The Drunken Elder looked at Shopkeeper He, confident yet silent.

In this situation, no one can stay uninvolved; let him be.

Manor Master Yun, Isle Master Yan Yang, Yue Zhen, Yu Qingfeng—these four were once deceived by the Drunken Elder, but now would hardly side with the Drunken Immortal Tower due to Shopkeeper He’s mere words.

Yun Yifeng coolly responded, "Don’t forget, the Wu and Jiang Provinces’ garrisons are gathered near the Capital City, once they receive the news, they will surely retaliate; the Profound Celestial Sect may not hold."

"Haha."

Shopkeeper He chuckled, saying, "To be frank, the Wu and Jiang Provinces’ battlefield is merely peripheral; the real central battlefield is at the Capital City! Unsurprisingly, after the New Year’s turn, Nanxia will cease to exist; the Capital City will be transformed!"

"It’s up to the four seniors here and friends from the Martial World to decide how to choose."

Yu Qingfeng pondered, "The Profound Celestial Sect’s goal is to become the lone winner after the Northern Expedition Army, Jiangzhou Garrison, and Capital Imperial Guard all fight each other into mutual ruin, and then take over the Capital City, right?"

Shopkeeper He smiled, not replying.

Yun Yifeng and the four already guessed the outline.

Thus, the Profound Celestial Sect’s plan has three layouts: one at the Martial Arts Assembly, one at the Wu and Jiang Provinces, and the most important one at the Capital City.

The three layouts are linked and constrain each other.

Because of the Martial Arts Assembly, the sect forces in Wu and Jiang Provinces are empty.

Due to the chaos in the Capital City, the officials and soldiers of Wu and Jiang Provinces gathered at the Capital City.

Now, the affairs of Wu and Jiang Provinces are settled.

On the side of the Martial Arts Assembly, there’s a twist, and the outcome is undecided, ultimately depending on the attitude of the Grandmasters present.

And over at the Capital City side, it seems it’s already under the control of the Profound Celestial Sect!

Yun Yifeng and the four looked at each other, intrigued.

Yet, Yun Yifeng’s gaze swept over Ye Xuan, and he felt a stir.

Ye Xuan was too calm.

Upon hearing these matters, he showed no signs of surprise!

Where did the wounds on his body and the bloodstains on the Sword Pavilion’s people come from?

Could it be the Capital City?

Since the Old Pavilion Master planted an agent in the Profound Celestial Sect early on, how could he not know about the Sect’s major moves this time?

Yun Yifeng said, "You seem to have forgotten the Sword Sect."

"Even if the Sword Sect emerges, there’s someone to counter them."

Shopkeeper He slightly chuckled, saying, "Since they’ve been planning for a long time, how could they overlook them?"

The crowd’s hearts trembled!

Even the Sword Sect has someone to deal with them?

Could it be, the Profound Celestial Sect has Grandmasters of Transformation Realm?

Everyone harbored their thoughts and whispered among themselves.

If it is indeed as Shopkeeper He says, and the Profound Celestial Sect takes over the Capital City, changing the order of things, how can they possibly contend with the Profound Celestial Sect?

It might be better to stand on the side of the Drunken Immortal Tower now, to avoid future retribution from the Profound Celestial Sect.

Yun Yifeng and the four hesitated in their hearts, remaining cautious and not making an immediate decision.

Ye Xuan remained silent throughout.

In reality, he was also waiting for the few to make their choice.

"Father, father!"

At this moment, a shout came from outside.

It was a group of people from the Celestial Horse Escort Agency rushing in, led by none other than the Young Leader Yang Jianzhi of the Celestial Horse Escort Agency.

He had once helped Chen Tang.

Behind him were several Darts Leaders and Darts Masters.

The group appeared flushed with excitement, holding a bamboo tube, exceptionally exuberant.

"What’s the matter?"

Chief Yang stood up, asking calmly.

"News from the Capital City, a pigeon message from Uncle Xiao!"

Yang Jianzhi spoke, his voice carrying a slight tremor.

The Celestial Horse Escort Agency managed to achieve the top rank in escorts in the martial world due to their own strength, and having ties in both legal and underground circles.

Chief Yang’s elder brother was the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Yang Kan.

Yang Kan, together with Northern Expedition Army Uncle Wang, had long led the Jiangzhou Army to move toward the Capital City.

Shopkeeper He furrowed his brows slightly, a sudden feeling of unease rising in his heart.

He subconsciously glanced at the Drunken Elder.

The Drunken Elder removed the wine gourd from his waist, rubbing it gently, lost in thought, unsure what he was contemplating.

Shopkeeper He’s heart gradually sank into the abyss.

Ye Xuan looked toward Yun Yifeng and the others, saying softly, "Manor Master Yun, lucky you didn’t make a mistake."

Over there, Chief Yang unfolded the secret letter from the bamboo tube and focused intently.

"Chief Yang, what’s the matter, tell us."

Yue Zhen was somewhat impatient, urging.

Chief Yang handed the secret letter to Yang Jianzhi, exhaled deeply, and said, "The Profound Celestial Sect is finished!"

"Ah!"

"What happened?"

Everyone pursued for more details.

"Jianzhi, you go ahead and explain."

Chief Yang granted his son the chance to shine.

Yang Jianzhi swallowed his saliva, took a deep breath, and declared loudly, "The Northern Expedition Army’s Commander, General Wang, had long noticed the Profound Celestial Sect’s ambition, planning a counter scheme to entrap them!"

Yun Yifeng realized and blurted, "Uncle Wang’s campaign against Shen Guobao was false?"

"That is true, there was indeed deep conflict between them."

Yang Jianzhi continued, "The cleverness of this scheme lies in truth mixed with falsehood; if it were all false, it would surely have aroused the Profound Celestial Sect’s suspicions. The alliance with Jiangzhou Army to campaign against Shen Guobao is true."

"Yet, General Wang secretly allied with Prime Minister Xia Daozi; the supposed battle between the Capital Imperial Guard and Northern Expedition Army was false! Together with Jiangzhou Army, the troops from three sides gathered at the Capital City, with only one goal—to completely wipe out the Profound Celestial Sect!"

A wave of exclamations emerged from the crowd.

"Xia Daozi and Uncle Wang have always been at odds, never thought they’d join forces."

"It’s more than just being at odds; the two have confronted each other in the Imperial Court, like water and fire."

Indeed, this outcome was unexpected to everyone.