Chapter 60: Too Many Clues

So, should Ning Zhuo try to recruit Yuan Dasheng?

The chances of success were almost nil.

The four great factions could use their power to coerce others—Ning Zhuo could not. He was only at the third stage of Qi Refinement, a marginal figure within his own clan.

The Monkeyhead Gang alone had nearly ten cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, not to mention formidable figures like Yuan Dasheng. Why would they ever be swayed by someone like Ning Zhuo?

Cooperation?

By the same logic, what right did such a minor figure as Ning Zhuo have to negotiate partnerships with the Monkeyhead Gang or Yuan Dasheng?

Should he expose his Buddhist Heart Devil Seal and reveal his true advantage?

To Ning Zhuo, that would be the height of stupidity!

If he did that, he would be wagering his life on the kindness of others.

Were the Monkeyhead Gang and Yuan Dasheng kind?

A gang that put profit before all else, a monkey who had clawed his way up from nothing—kindness?

All the information was laid out before Ning Zhuo.

It could be said that the stories of Yuan Yi and Yuan Dasheng were inspiring, but there was no way to judge them as kind! In fact, quite the opposite was true.

The situation was perilous for Ning Zhuo.

He knew very well he was walking on the edge of a precipice—one more step, and he would plummet into the abyss of failure.

“I must eliminate Yuan Dasheng in secret!”

This was the only solution Ning Zhuo could think of.

But how to kill him?

The Zheng clan.

Two Gold Core elders of the Zheng family appeared together to receive Zhu Xuanji.

Chi Dun accompanied them.

Zhu Xuanji examined the medicine vial in his hand.

The liquid inside was almost entirely transparent, making the black smoke within clearly visible.

Golden light flickered in Zhu Xuanji’s eyes as he watched for a moment. “This was made from fire poison.”

During the battle between Zheng Shuangou and the shadow devil cultivator, the latter managed to escape, but some things had been collected. For example, this strange black smoke: in battle, it could seal off divine sense and had caused Zheng Shuangou considerable trouble.

Zheng Shuangou had absorbed some of it and stored the rest, intending to study and break it down, to prepare for victory in their next encounter.

Now that Zhu Xuanji had arrived, Zheng Shuangou dared not conceal anything and handed it over directly.

Zheng Shuangou explained, “To be precise, it’s Heart-Scorching Fire Poison.”

“Five years ago, a Gold Core cultivator from the Sacred Ape Sect arrived at Fire Persimmon Immortal City. During a contest of power, he suffered a qi deviation, and his soul fused with the raging flame-hearted ape that was his spirit beast.”

“We joined forces and killed him in the Crimson Flame Demon Furnace Cave. But before the raging flame-hearted ape died, it still had a huge impact on Fire Persimmon Mountain.”

“Many of the wild beasts, spirit herbs, even the geothermal veins, earth flames, fire poisons, and baleful auras were tainted by its fury, undergoing various degrees of mutation.”

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly and set down the vial.

He had examined many items since arriving, but none had yielded any substantial clues.

“It seems I must venture into Fire Persimmon Mountain myself,” Zhu Xuanji said. “Fellow Daoist Zheng Shuangou, please take me to the site of the previous battle.”

Zheng Shuangou’s face turned troubled. “Is that really necessary, Chief Zhu?”

“The Lava Immortal Palace has already emerged. The former Crimson Flame Demon Furnace Cave has been destroyed. Though new tunnels and caverns have formed, they’re unstable.”

“Every time the Lava Immortal Palace erupts, it shakes the mountain, sends magma surging, and ruins most of the new passageways.”

“If we go, we’ll have to dig our own tunnels, and face endless geothermal heat, earth flames, and magma. Worse yet, some of the native beasts won’t let us pass unchallenged.”

Zhu Xuanji replied, “However difficult, I must see it for myself. Daoist Chi Dun will assist me as well.”

Chi Dun frowned but nodded in agreement.

With a sigh, Zheng Shuangou resigned himself. As one directly involved, he could not refuse. “Very well. I’ll accompany Chief Zhu on this journey.”

Ning Zhuo went to see Sun Lingtong.

“This is the latest intelligence you wanted, on the Monkeyhead Gang and Yuan Dasheng,” Sun Lingtong tossed a jade slip to the long-haired Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo’s voice was hoarse. “Thank you.”

“I still want monkeys. On one hand, buy up as many wild monkeys as you can! On the other, keep hiring people—the more monkey pets from the Monkeyhead Gang killed, the higher the bounty I’ll pay.” Ning Zhuo tossed a storage pouch brimming with spirit stones.

“Understood.” Sun Lingtong grinned. “Little brother, you’re doing a fine job!”

“The Monkeyhead Gang is already on edge throughout. The Fire Persimmon harvesting business is immensely lucrative. Oust the Monkeyhead Gang, and you’ll rake in a fortune every year.”

“I love that you strike first. Your style really suits the taste of us at the Hollow Gate. You really should consider joining us.”

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, not the least bit pleased. “As long as Yuan Dasheng remains, the Monkeyhead Gang cannot be underestimated.”

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Sun Lingtong’s plump, childlike face. He made a chopping motion with his hand. “If you ask me, we should hire a few more devil cultivators, wait for an opportunity when Yuan Dasheng is alone, and take him out!”

“We must plan this carefully!” Ning Zhuo rejected the idea at once. “Yuan Dasheng is a battle-hardened veteran, far from simple. The clues all indicate he has a powerful trump card hidden away.”

Sun Lingtong craned his neck and spoke carelessly, “How do you know unless we try? We can always use devil cultivators as cannon fodder. Even if we fail, we’ll at least learn what tricks he’s hiding.”

Ning Zhuo frowned deeply. Sun Lingtong’s attitude made him uneasy. “If it were that simple to force out his trump card, why has no one succeeded all these years?”

“I’ll give you a piece of definite intelligence.”

“On the surface, Yuan Dasheng has no cultivation, but in truth, he practices demonic arts, and his true strength is not low!”

Sun Lingtong was visibly shaken.

Yuan Dasheng was already known as a Fire-Fused Demon Ape, famed for his ferocious close-combat prowess. If he unleashed his demonic arts, his battle strength would likely increase tenfold.

“The Monkeyhead Gang has also been granted permission by Fei Si to participate in the Fire Persimmon Festival. If we make too much noise, the City Lord’s Mansion will target us first,” Ning Zhuo added.

Sun Lingtong clicked his tongue and waved his hand. “All right, forget it then.”

But Ning Zhuo said, “We won’t target Yuan Dasheng, but we can attempt to assassinate Yuan Er. Before the attempt, send him a warning letter. The assassination must fail—it cannot succeed.”

Sun Lingtong’s eyes darted. “What are you trying to do, little brother?”

Fire Persimmon Mountain.

“Hurry, I can’t keep this up much longer!” Zheng Shuangou pushed his limits to maintain the temporary tunnel.

Chi Dun was soaked in blood, silently fending off a pack of frenzied beasts.

“Just a moment more, nearly there.” Zhu Xuanji’s eyes shone with golden light as his hands formed rapid incantations.

Zheng Shuangou felt like coughing up blood—Zhu Xuanji had said the same thing half an incense stick ago.

Chi Dun actually did cough up blood, leaving himself exposed.

A Fire Snake spotted the opportunity and lunged, its horned head driving forward.

This Fire Snake was akin to a fire flood dragon, bearing horns on its head. If it struck Chi Dun, he would be gravely wounded, perhaps even killed.

But in the very next instant, Zhu Xuanji finished his work, activated a talisman, and led the two Gold Core cultivators away in a streak of rainbow light.

In the span of a few breaths, the trio had escaped the volcano.

“We’re safe!” Zheng Shuangou exhaled in relief.

Chi Dun began tending to his wounds in silence.

Zheng Shuangou looked to Zhu Xuanji. “Chief Zhu, did you find anything?”

Zhu Xuanji smiled faintly. “A great deal. I used the Root Tracing Technique and saw that the one who bombarded the Immortal Palace was a Thousand-Pound Fire Essence. The fire essence was unleashed by a mechanical monkey.”

“When I return to Fire Persimmon Immortal City and use the Root Tracing Technique again, I’m certain I’ll find the people and items involved. The culprit is within reach.”

Zheng Shuangou and Chi Dun stared at him in astonishment.

Zhu Xuanji gazed up at the sky. “With my Golden Eyes, the true criminal will have nowhere to hide!”

Moments later.

Zhu Xuanji activated the Root Tracing Technique and used his Celestial Golden Eyes, staring in a daze at the many mechanical monkeys glowing red, scattered all over the city in his special vision.

“Chief Zhu, why have you stopped?” Zheng Shuangou asked in confusion.

Zhu Xuanji: …