“Chapter 167”

"Chapter 167"

"'What's going on here?' Shen Wang casually grabbed a familiar member of the special department and asked."

"The person didn't turn around, fixating on the people from Xian Mountain with an angry tone, 'What else could it be? These people from Xian Mountain are here to cause trouble!'"

"'As if we in the special department are pushovers!'"

"After a few more curses, the person turned around, about to say something, but upon seeing Shen Wang, his eyes lit up: 'Brother Shen!'"

"He didn't lower his voice, and his words immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the room."

"Shen Wang looked forward and saw the leader of the people from Xian Mountain, who was none other than the sect master of Xian Mountain, Yun Jiyong."

"Seeing Shen Wang, her expression shifted slightly."

"The office building of the special department was already cramped, and now it was even more crowded. Upon seeing Shen Wang, both confronting sides instinctively moved back, creating a path for him as if parting the sea like Moses."

"Standing next to Shi Yan, who was confronting Yun Jiyong, Shen Wang looked around and noticed that the number of people from Xian Mountain was significantly less than that of the special department."

"Upon closer observation of Yun Jiyong, her demeanor seemed somewhat weary, her gaze no longer as lofty as it was during their first meeting."

"Shen Wang pondered, 'Sect Master Yun, you didn’t come here to cause trouble, did you?'"

"Yun Jiyong paused, not saying a word."

"Shi Yan had no fondness for the people of Xian Mountain. Seeing this, he scoffed coldly, 'Sect Master Yun, the special department is not a place you can just waltz into. If you're here to provoke us with so many people, don't blame us for resorting to weapons.'"

"Faced with Shi Yan's threat, Yun Jiyong’s expression cooled, 'I’ve said, I have no intention of provoking.'"

"'Then why bring so many people?' Shi Yan eyed Yun Jiyong with suspicion."

"Shen Wang stroked his chin, thinking for a few seconds, then signaled Shi Yan, 'Let everyone disperse. I’ll have a private talk with Sect Master Yun.'"

"'What?' Shi Yan was startled, 'Brother Shen, that’s too risky.'"

"Yun Jiyong had been aggressively confrontational towards Shen Wang before; putting them together now could lead to a fight, potentially wrecking the special department's office."

"Shen Wang glanced at Yun Jiyong and her disciples, quiet as mice behind her, 'I know what I’m doing.'"

"Under Shen Wang’s firm insistence, the members of the special department reluctantly left one by one. Shi Yan, tense throughout, kept a vigilant eye on Yun Jiyong."

"Fortunately, it seemed that she really didn’t come to cause trouble and also dispersed her disciples from Xian Mountain."

"The only ones left were Shen Wang, Shi Yan, Yun Jiyong, and a Xian Mountain elder."

"Once in the office, Yun Jiyong finally revealed her purpose, 'I hope you can help me take back Xian Mountain.'"

"With those words, she dropped a bombshell."

Shen Wang and Shi Yan exchanged a look, with Shen Wang smiling slightly: "What do you mean by this, Sect Master Yun?"

Seeing their indifference, Yun Jirong took a deep breath and finally spilled everything.

It turned out that the celestial mountain was never a united front. There were different factions within, and Yun Jirong, due to his extraordinary talent and strength, became the sect master and suppressed dissenting voices.

But recently, with the sudden death of the savior Tang Jiu, the forcibly united celestial mountain completely split. A group secretly attacked Yun Jirong, injuring him and stealing most of the celestial mountain's treasures.

At this point, an elder following Yun Jirong spoke through gritted teeth: "These are treasures that have been passed down in the celestial mountain for hundreds of years! They dared to steal them, such audacity!"

Yun Jirong's tone was surprisingly calm, seemingly unfazed by the betrayal: "After stealing the treasures, they returned to the ruins of the celestial mountain."

"So, you want the special department to help you retrieve the treasures?" Shi Yan asked thoughtfully.

Yun Jirong nodded: "If the treasures are retrieved, I am willing to gift three of them to the special department."

Shen Wang laughed: "Three treasures in exchange for our lives? Sect Master Yun, you sure know how to bargain."

Shi Yan chimed in: "Sect Master Yun, you surely know why those traitors returned to the celestial mountain ruins."

Under the meaningful gazes of Shen Wang and Shi Yan, Yun Jirong's face turned slightly pale: "How do you know?"

The celestial mountain had existed for too long, with many secrets unknown even to the ordinary disciples.

Yun Jirong, with her extraordinary talent, had always focused on cultivation. After becoming the head of the Xianshan Sect, she gradually sensed an undercurrent within, despite the seemingly calm exterior of the remote Xianshan.

After discreetly investigating for a while, she uncovered the existence of a mysterious 'Supreme Elder' within Xianshan, around whom a significant hidden power seemed to be conspiring something.

With the prophecy of Tang Jiu, the savior, coming to light and the sect's formation breaking, Yun Jirong thought it an opportunity to cleanse the sect and uncover this enigmatic Supreme Elder.

Unfortunately...

"Tang Jiu is already dead," Shen Wang scanned Yun Jirong and said slowly, "Sect Leader Yun, three magical treasures for this deal is too unfavorable."

Yun Jirong, realizing Shen Wang wasn't outright rejecting her but indicating her offer wasn't sufficient, calmly countered, "What do you want?"

"Five magical treasures," Shen Wang stated bluntly, "plus cooperation between Xianshan and the special department."

"Xianshan can establish itself in the metaphysical world, but it must exclusively collaborate with the special department. For instance, Xianshan disciples can join the special department during their external training, and the elixirs produced by Xianshan should be first offered to them."

This proposition effectively bound the Xianshan disciples, represented by Yun Jirong, with the special department.

A Xianshan elder, upon hearing this, widened his eyes in anger, exclaiming, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Since its establishment, Xianshan had always remained independent, never aligning with any force. He vehemently opposed this demand!

The Xianshan elder was seething with anger, yet Yun Jirong remained silent.

After a few minutes, as the elder grew increasingly anxious, Yun Jirong nodded lightly, "I agree to this deal."

"Sect Leader!" The Xianshan elder looked at Yun Jirong in shock.

Yun Jirong, having made her decision, glanced indifferently, causing the elder to catch his breath, stepping back a few steps behind her.

"Sect Leader Yun, I admire your intelligence," Shen Wang smiled satisfactorily, "Pleasure doing business."

"Pleasure doing business."

After swearing an oath based on their Daoist beliefs, both parties quickly agreed on a time for action.

When leaving the special department, the elder of Xianshan still couldn't understand why Yun Jiyong compromised: "Sect Master, although we are greatly weakened now, the strength of the secular world is mediocre. Even in our weakened state, we can still establish ourselves here."

There's really no need to please the special department.

"The situation in the secular world has changed. It's no longer dominated by the metaphysical realm, but by the official departments representing the nation," said Yun Jiyong, his face cold, patiently analyzing, "As long as we wish to rebuild Xianshan in the secular world, we must communicate with the special department representing the government."

Previously, because of the pursuit of Shen Wang and Gu Dongting, Xianshan had offended most of the metaphysical realm. Now, without easing relations, it would be difficult to move forward.

The elder's face changed repeatedly, thinking of the powerful weapons of the special department, he had to admit, Yun Jiyong was right.

Without magical artifacts, losing nearly half of Xianshan's disciples, and the stronger Yun Jiyong and several elders being ambushed and injured... Indeed, cooperating with the special department seemed like the best choice.

In the special department, Shi Yan also asked Shen Wang, "Brother Shen, now that Yun Jiyong and his followers are in trouble, isn't this the best time for us to kick them while they're down?"

Remember, these people from Xianshan once pursued Shen Wang and besieged Gu Dongting. Could it be that the vengeful Shen Wang had changed his ways?

Shen Wang patted Shi Yan on the head, "The person behind the scenes is related to Xianshan. That's their old turf. We need to investigate there. Isn't it more convenient with them leading the way?"

So... Shi Yan also realized: "We were planning to explore the ruins of Xianshan. Now, with them guiding us, and having taken five of Xianshan's magical artifacts..."

It's a huge gain!

Understanding this, Shi Yan immediately beamed with joy, "As expected of Brother Shen, always coming out on top."

After briefly buttering up, Shi Yan immediately went to report to his superiors and prepare for battle, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Shen Wang was used to his swift actions. After a few seconds of thought, he decided to look for Gu Dongting.

But in these chaotic times, with abundant dark energy and various spirits emerging, Gu Dongting was busy with missions everywhere, and no one knew his exact location.

Shen Wang, helpless, simply went to the Gu family's gate, planning to wait for the rabbit!

He didn't intend to disturb the Gu family, but just wandering outside their gate, he was immediately spotted by someone from the family: "Shen Wang!"

Shen Wang looked at the approaching Mr. Gu, then at the surveillance camera overhead.

Mr. Gu chuckled, "Ever since we were ambushed by the people from Xianshan last time, we've arranged for constant surveillance to avoid being caught off-guard by any incident."

Shen Wang nodded obediently, greeting Mr. Gu, "Hello, Uncle Gu. I have a task to discuss with him, so I came here to wait."

Mr. Gu paused for a few seconds, then continued smiling, "He won't be back until late. Why don't you come in and sit while you wait?"

For some reason, Shen Wang always felt something off about Mr. Gu. After observing for a while, he realized that Mr. Gu's smile maintained the same curve, unchanged from beginning to end.

It was a classic case of a smile that didn't reach the eyes.

A question mark popped up in Shen Wang's mind: Had he somehow offended Mr. Gu?

Puzzled and concerned that something might be wrong with the Gu family, Shen Wang was about to excuse himself but then changed his mind, "In that case, I hope I'm not intruding."

Entering the Gu residence, Shen Wang was surprised to find that almost all the Gu family members, except for the defected Gu San's family and Gu Dongting, were gathered here.

And all the members of the Gu family looked at him with a strange, eerie gaze. It seemed kind, yet carried a subtle scrutiny…

Shen Wang greeted each elder in turn, feeling something was amiss.

The eyes of the Gu family members crisscrossed, almost ready to jump out of their sockets.

Shocked, the younger Gu brother thought, 'How did he come to visit? Did big brother move so fast? Confessed yesterday and got him today? Wow, impressive.'

Mrs. Gu shook her head in secrecy, 'Given Xiaoting's personality, it's unlikely…'

After sizing him up, Grandpa Gu expressed satisfaction, "This young man looks decent, has a good temperament, and clear eyes. He doesn't seem devious."

Grandma Gu, however, worried about another issue, "This young man seems like a handsome and young fellow. Would he agree to pair up with Xiaoting for life?"

Mr. Gu frantically signaled to Gu Da with his eyes.

Clearing his throat, Gu Da stood up and said, "Shen Wang, I hear you’re skilled in cultivation. Let me learn a few moves from you."

As soon as he spoke, the Gu family members, each with their own thoughts, instantly stopped their eye contact and all turned to look at Shen Wang.

Shen Wang: "..."

Shen Wang: "No need for formalities. Exchanging a few moves is fine."

Setting aside the subtleties in his heart, and in consideration of Gu Dongting, Shen Wang decided to demonstrate his expertise and properly guide Gu Da.