Chapter 227 Who is the Mole?

Chapter 227 Who is the Mole?

"Ah! Ah! Ah! You owe me for my pigeon! You owe me for my pigeon!!! Waaah! You big liar! That was my pet since I was little. I'll fight you to the death!!"

A piercing scream echoed from the courtyard.

Yuan's heart turned cold when she suddenly learned that her thousand-mile pigeon had been eaten. Recalling Lu Qian’s recent bullying and oppression, tears welled up in her eyes, and she momentarily forgot about their social hierarchy. She brandished a broom and charged at him, ready to fight.

Lu Qian dodged left and right, calm and composed: "Didn't I tell you? A big tiger ate your pigeon. It's all because you raised it too fat; it couldn’t even fly. How about I compensate you with a roasted chicken?"

Yuan swung the broom fiercely in her hands. If these were sword moves, she would have inadvertently revealed her martial arts style, but in her anger, she didn’t notice. She shouted angrily: "You look like a roasted chicken!"

"A roasted chicken isn't as handsome as me."

Lu Qian laughed, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes. He was almost figuring out Yuan’s sword style when a figure in green suddenly appeared between them. The figure grabbed Yuan’s broom and sternly reprimanded her: "Which courtyard do you belong to? How dare you attack the Chief Steward? Do you want a whipping?!"

It was Tang Su.

He usually got along well with Lu Qian and often protected him. After Lu Qian became the Chief Steward, he promoted Tang Su to Deputy Chief Steward. Despite Tang Su’s usual good-natured demeanor, he could be quite intimidating when angry. Yuan, frightened by this, took several steps back, her face pale, trembling and unable to speak.

Tang Su snatched the broom and threw it on the ground, then turned to Lu Qian, his brows deeply furrowed: "Did that yellow-haired girl hit you? These days, the servants have become rebellious and lazy."

Lu Qian shook his head, indicating no harm: "A little girl can’t have much strength. I was just playing with her. It was my fault for not taking care of her pigeon. No need to worry."

But inside, he found Tang Su’s actions unusual and gave him a few more glances.

Unaware of Lu Qian’s suspicion, Tang Su scolded Yuan a bit more and sent her to the outer garden to cut grass. Still angry, he said to Lu Qian: "I think this girl is too rash. Don’t let her work in the inner courtyard anymore, or she might accidentally offend the Lord and die without knowing how."

Lu Qian pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket, cracking and spitting out the shells. Since spies from various sects had infiltrated the servants, he developed this habit of lacking public decency: "No need. Even if the Lord is offended, it’s her who will die. Why worry?"

Tang Su stammered: "I... I just think she’s pretty and can’t bear to see her hurt."

Lu Qian drew out an "Oh," walked around Tang Su, and looked him up and down: "So that’s why you’re suddenly concerned. I thought you were being kind to protect your brother. Turns out you’re trying to win over a beauty."

Tang Su grew increasingly embarrassed: "Wasn’t I also worried about you getting hurt?"

Lu Qian spoke ambiguously: "Getting hurt is minor; getting killed is serious."

Tang Su was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Lu Qian suddenly lowered his voice: "I have a way for you to earn merit. Dare you do it?"

As the sun set and twilight fell, only they were in the courtyard. The swaying tree shadows made Lu Qian’s gaze seem dangerous yet seductive.

Tang Su: "... What way?"

Lu Qian’s tone was casual, but to Tang Su, it sounded like thunder: "I tested that girl’s moves earlier. They are similar to those of Tianyu Sect. She might be their spy. If you catch her and present her to the Lord, wouldn’t that be a great achievement?"

Tang Su suddenly looked up, surprised: "She’s from Tianyu Sect?!"

Lu Qian smiled: "I’ve been personally tutored by the Lord in sword techniques and know the styles of various sects. I’m sure I’m right. This chance to earn merit is yours. Dare you take it?"

"..."

Silence enveloped them. Tang Su struggled to speak: "She’s just a girl. If she falls into the Lord’s hands, she’ll surely suffer. Is it necessary?"

Lu Qian raised an eyebrow indifferently: "Are we going to wait until she leaks all our secrets and the sects attack us? If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. Fine, I’ll do it myself."

He turned to leave, seemingly heading to report to Ying Wujiu. Suddenly, a gust of wind struck his neck. It was Tang Su making a move.

Among the blue-robed alchemists, few practiced cultivation, and if they did, they were at most at the Qi Refinement stage. Tang Su’s sudden attack revealed his spiritual energy and skillful moves, indicating he had reached the Core Formation realm—a well-concealed secret!

Lu Qian had intentionally provoked him and was prepared. He swiftly dodged the attack and grabbed Tang Su’s wrist, immobilizing him effortlessly. He said coldly:

"You’re indeed a spy from the righteous sects!"

Tang Su couldn’t move a muscle, his mind in turmoil. When did Lu Qian gain such power? He exclaimed in shock: "What did you do to me?!"

Lu Qian didn’t explain but stared at him calmly: "Don’t you have anything to say?"

Tang Su’s attack wasn’t lethal; he seemed to want to knock Lu Qian unconscious. Given their past, Lu Qian didn’t want to kill him unless absolutely necessary.

Tang Su’s expression changed several times before finally settling. He closed his eyes and sighed: "I was careless and exposed myself. Take me to the Lord."

Lu Qian: "Are you from Tianyu Sect?"

Tang Su actually smiled: "Do you not know Tianyu Sect only accepts female disciples?"

Lu Qian raised an eyebrow indifferently: "You should at least explain your background."

Tang Su: "If you’re so good at divination, why don’t you divine it?"

Lu Qian wanted to divine, but Tang Su’s life story hadn’t unlocked yet. He chuckled sarcastically: "You’re facing death and still won’t reveal your identity. Don’t you feel pathetic?"

Tang Su paused, then slowly spoke: "I am Tang Su, the ninth disciple of Master Tan Yue of Wuwang Sect, tasked with secretly investigating Elder Nantu’s death."

Lu Qian’s expression changed. Tang Su was a direct disciple of Wuwang Sect. Did he know the original self?!

Tang Su stared fixedly at Lu Qian and sighed: "Senior Brother Lu, although I know Elder Nantu sealed your memories and cultivation, why don’t you recognize me? And why are you so entangled with Ying Wujiu, helping the demon realm? Have you really surrendered to them?"

Lu Qian: "..."

What kind of undercover operation is this?

Do the righteous sects play such games now, sending core disciples as spies?

Lu Qian’s emotions fluctuated, but his expression remained unchanged. He spoke calmly: "The Lord has treated me with great kindness, far better than Wuwang Sect treating me as a pawn. Whether I surrender or not, anyone who tries to harm him will be killed!"

Though acting, his final words were delivered with deadly seriousness, making it hard to discern truth from falsehood.

Tang Su's emotions were complex as she looked at Lu Yan with a gaze that suggested she was dealing with an idiot. Clearly, she hadn't expected this person to be so love-struck: "The sect sent word yesterday that Elder Nanto died in the Demon Realm. Could it be your doing?"

At first, she hadn't suspected Lu Yan; after all, their strength was worlds apart. How could he possibly kill a high-level cultivator? However, after their recent fight, Tang Su realized she had never truly understood Lu Yan's capabilities.

Lu Yan's lips curled slightly, his purple eyes appearing mysterious and dark in the night: "He brought it upon himself. If you don't want to end up like him, tell me the purpose of Tan Yue sending you into the Demon Realm, and I'll spare your life."

Tang Su sneered: "Do you think I fear death?"

Lu Yan sighed: "Death is the easiest thing. I'm only worried about you falling into the hands of the Lord, where you'll neither live nor die."

Tang Su pursed her lips, her face pale, clearly recalling the many methods Ying Wuji used: "How can I trust you? What if you kill me to silence me?"

Lu Yan showed a hint of impatience. He had intended to save Tang Su's life, which was why he had talked so much, but he didn't expect her to be even more talkative: "If you don't believe me, I won't ask anymore. I'll kill you now, and we'll both be done with it!"

With that, he drew the frosty Chongyang Sword from his waist, ready to end Tang Su's life: "We've known each other for some time. I'll give you a quick death now."

Seeing this, Tang Su's expression changed, and she blurted out: "I'll tell you! My master sent me to infiltrate the Demon Realm for two reasons: one, to investigate the whereabouts of Heart Soul, and two, to eliminate the demon Ying Wuji. He feared I might expose myself, so he rarely contacted me, telling me only to stay hidden."

Lu Yan asked pointedly: "Then why did you help that girl from Tianyu Sect today?"

Tang Su seemed reluctant to mention it but still said: "I was originally from a poor family, with a young sister. Due to a great drought, the people had no harvest, and she starved to death. Later, I became a disciple of Wuwang Sect, thanks to my master's kindness. That girl has nothing to do with me, but..."

She paused, then whispered:

"They look very similar..."

After saying this, Tang Su fell silent, the night wind blowing against her green sleeves, making her shiver. Lu Yan neither fully believed nor disbelieved her. He placed the sword lightly on Tang Su's shoulder, silently threatening:

"Did the sect send word yesterday to investigate Nanto's death?"

Tang Su didn't hide anything: "Yes."

Lu Yan: "Since Tan Yue wants to eliminate Ying Wuji, there must be a plan. How much do you know?"

Tang Su smiled bitterly: "You overestimate me. He wouldn't tell me such important matters. I only know that my master values Heart Soul greatly and has calculated everything. While others are searching aimlessly, he predicted that Heart Soul is with Ying Wuji and had me infiltrate the Demon Realm long ago. And..."

Lu Yan narrowed his eyes: "And what?"

Tang Su hesitated before saying: "Next month, the Demon Realm will hold its annual Sword Inquiry Conference. Ying Wuji will definitely attend. My master seems to intend to kill him on that day. Beyond that, I know nothing."

Although Ying Wuji's strength was unfathomable, he was still frail. With Tan Yue being half-immortal, it's hard to predict who would win in a fight.

Hearing this, Lu Yan frowned, sensing the difficulty. He sheathed his sword and took a pill from his pouch, forcing Tang Su to swallow it: "I'll keep your life for now. If there's any news from Wuwang Sect, let me know immediately. If you play tricks, don't blame me when the poison kills you."

This pill was the Corpse Worm Pill created by Nanto, specifically designed to control disobedient disciples. It works with a silver bell; when the bell rings, the corpse worm inside starts feeding on the person's blood, usually remaining dormant.

Lu Yan killed Nanto that day and took his storage pouch, filled with various pills and treasures. He didn't expect to use them so soon.

As soon as Lu Yan finished speaking, the immobilization spell on Tang Su wore off. She stumbled back, fell to the ground, and started coughing violently but couldn't spit out the pill.

Lu Yan said coldly: "Go. When this matter is settled, I'll give you the antidote."

Tang Su glanced at Lu Yan with a complex expression, then staggered to her feet, bowed, and disappeared into the night.

The moon hung high, casting shadows across the trees. The Demon Realm had always been quiet and desolate, especially at night.

If Lu Yan had followed Tang Su, he would have found that she didn't return to her residence but headed straight for Xuanchu Hall. Feng Sha continued patrolling the walls as usual, ignoring Tang Su's presence, preoccupied with his own games, hoping for another fat pigeon to drop down for a snack.

Inside the hall, a perpetual lamp burned, emitting a soothing fragrance. The candle was made from the oil of a mermaid, lasting a hundred years and calming the mind. Sadly, the mermaid clan, skilled yet defenseless, had long since vanished.

The red curtains swayed gently. Ying Wuji sat behind a low table, reading scrolls. Suddenly, a figure appeared silently before him, bowing respectfully:

"This subordinate, Dianba, greets the Lord."

It was Tang Su, dressed in green.