Chapter 250: Enduring for the Jade Cauldron Sect, I’ll Bear the Infamy

In the Governor’s Mansion of Yu Province, an imposing elder sat at a heavy wooden desk, his broad frame exuding authority.

Before him lay a war report from Mist Province, its contents eliciting a rare solemnity on his weathered face.

Since becoming the governor of Yu Province, it had been a long time since he had shown such an expression.

Standing silently to the side was his trusted general, Wu Renyin, who said nothing, his posture unwavering amidst the cold and oppressive atmosphere that hung in the room.

“The Demon Emperor personally acted, infiltrating the heart of Mist Province and annihilating five of its most prosperous cities,” the governor said grimly.

“From the highest humans to livestock such as cattle, pigs, and dogs, nothing was spared.”

“The governor of Mist Province and its two main sects didn’t even realize the Demon Emperor had entered their territory.”

The elder pushed the war report aside, rubbing his temples in frustration.

Wu Renyin picked up the report and carefully reviewed it.

“What are your thoughts?” the governor asked.

Wu Renyin spoke in a steady tone. “My lord, I believe Mist Province cannot withstand the advance of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom.

If we do not intervene, Mist Province will fall under the demon’s iron hooves in as little as three years, or as much as ten.”

The governor sighed. “You see more clearly than most.

The capital remains mired in luxury and celebration, convinced that the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom is no match for Jing Country.”

“They underestimate the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom and, more importantly, the ambition and strength of this Demon Emperor.”

Wu Renyin nodded slightly. “The Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom has lain dormant for 500 years, quietly amassing power. Now the time has come for them to strike.

Those in the capital, accustomed to their comfortable lives, have no understanding of this.”

The governor shook his head. “If only Yu Province were entirely under my control. I would issue an immediate order for all cultivators to march to Mist Province’s borders and hold off the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom.”

Wu Renyin said in a deep voice, “It is not too late. The Jade Cauldron Sect is already weakening as per your plans.

With one year remaining before the Fire Pill Palace opens, if we activate another hidden piece, the Jade Cauldron Sect will weaken further.

When the time comes, it will be easy for you to take control of the sect.

Once they’re under your command, you can throw them into Mist Province as cannon fodder. This will preserve the court’s forces while diminishing the sect’s strength.”

The governor shook his head and pushed a document toward Wu Renyin. “The Jade Cauldron Sect hasn’t weakened significantly. Look at this document.”

Wu Renyin took it and read. It was a record of trade between the governor’s mansion and the Jade Cauldron Sect.

Previously, the Jade Cauldron Sect had purchased large quantities of spiritual beast and demon beast materials from the governor’s mansion.

However, in the past two years, the roles had reversed, with the governor’s mansion buying such materials from the Jade Cauldron Sect instead.

At the end of the document was a note: both the Shangqing Sect and Pill River Sect had also begun purchasing materials from the Jade Cauldron Sect.

Wu Renyin’s expression darkened. “Is this because of Dragon Snake Mountain?”

The governor nodded. “Exactly. The Jade Cauldron Sect’s beast-taming industry has suddenly flourished.

Since the year they turned their losses into profits, their cost-effectiveness has far surpassed ours.

To the extent that, as the governor of Yu Province, it is now cheaper for me to purchase beast materials directly from them than to produce them myself.”

Wu Renyin remained silent.

The sudden strength of the Jade Cauldron Sect’s beast-taming industry was unexpected, even for him.

The governor massaged his temples, reflecting.

Blood Vine Valley had cost the sect 21 Nascent Soul elders, yet their revitalized beast-taming industry had replenished much of their losses.

Overall, the Jade Cauldron Sect had not weakened much at all.

Suddenly, the governor asked, “What about the human collaborators sent by the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom? Has the old flood dragon been swayed yet?”

Wu Renyin’s expression turned awkward. “No, there’s been no movement at all.”

The governor frowned deeply. “What happened? Report everything to me in detail, immediately.”

Wu Renyin lowered his voice. “According to our informants in the Jade Cauldron Sect, the stewards assigned to guard the valley of the old flood dragon were indeed replaced by those two collaborators.

However, after they entered the valley, they never came out again.

Our informants also reported that Shen Mo entered the valley that day.”

The governor’s frown deepened.

He was already aware of Shen Mo’s interactions with the old flood dragon.

He could roughly guess Shen Mo’s intentions: to curry favor with the old flood dragon and secure its backing as a powerful ally.

Chapter 250: Enduring for the Jade Cauldron Sect, I’ll Bear the Infamy

The old flood dragon, having lived for countless years, was far from a foolish creature.

Gaining its trust and support was a nearly impossible task.

The only way was to find its missing flood dragon egg.

But something that countless cultivators of the Jade Cauldron Sect had failed to accomplish over millennia—how could someone like Shen Mo succeed?

Because of this, the governor of Yu Province hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

Now, it seemed he had been wrong.

The relationship between Shen Mo and the old flood dragon had likely deepened to an extraordinary level.

The governor’s expression turned cold. “It must have been Shen Mo who interfered, causing this operation to fail.”

Wu Renyin nodded. “That is my assumption as well.”

The governor slowly rose and began pacing the room.

After a moment, he asked, “How are the arrangements for the Fire Pill Palace coming along?”

Wu Renyin responded respectfully, “Everything is in place. After 30 years of preparation, the underground fire in the Fire Pill Palace is now immensely strong and on the brink of eruption.

All it needs is the right trigger, and it will explode with a deafening roar, destroying the entire Fire Pill Palace and everyone inside.

This will send shockwaves through the Jade Cauldron Sect. Once they investigate, their findings will lead to a Four-Cauldron Elder, who is actually an undercover agent from the Pill River Sect.

At that point, the Jade Cauldron Sect and the Pill River Sect will inevitably come to blows, creating the perfect opportunity for us to intervene.”

The governor nodded slightly. “This time, everything must be done perfectly. No one can know that we were behind it.

Otherwise, it will only cause the Jade Cauldron Sect to direct their hatred toward us.”

Wu Renyin nodded emphatically. “Rest assured, my lord. I have meticulously prepared for this. No matter how thoroughly the Jade Cauldron Sect investigates, they will never trace it back to the governor’s mansion.”

The governor nodded. “Good. Get to it. This matter cannot be delayed.”

“As you command.” Wu Renyin bowed and left.

The governor gazed southward, his expression deep and contemplative.

Unifying Yu Province was already a monumental task.

Now, with the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom launching a massive invasion of Mist Province, Yu Province was burdened with the additional responsibility of providing support to the neighboring province.

It was an uphill battle.

Initially, he had planned to unify the three sects of Yu Province through gradual and peaceful means.

But now, that was no longer an option.

In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary actions.

Even if this matter were to be exposed in the future, causing an uproar in Yu Province and throughout the imperial court, he would still have no choice but to act.

“At this point, the Jade Cauldron Sect must suffer. I will bear the infamy,” the governor sighed softly.

One Year Later, Dragon Snake Mountain

On a barren plain, a figure clad in green practiced sword techniques.

Sword qi swirled through the air, sharp enough to seemingly tear through space itself.

What was truly remarkable, however, was the interplay of opposing energies.

Fiery, yang-infused sword qi intertwined seamlessly with cold, yin-infused sword qi.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of conflict between them.

Shen Mo slowly sheathed his sword, exhaling a breath of turbid air, his expression brimming with joy.

“Whew… The Two Forms Sword has indeed greatly enhanced the power of the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art.”

“More importantly, with the Two Forms Sword, even without mastering the third layer of the sword art, the Yang Sword Qi and Yin Sword Qi won’t conflict in the slightest.”

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel