Chapter 1136: Shocked Xiaoyao Sect

In the past, he had been forced to be cautious when dealing with Heaven's Palace and Beijia, but he would never let any opportunity that came his way slip by.

He told no one about these matters, not even Jingzi or Dong Rui.

At that moment, Jin Bai pulled out the Bo King's official letter from his pocket and ripped it open. The officers who had searched the bodies of the Shadowtooth Guards were illiterate and, assuming the bodies would be sent to a mass grave anyway, hadn't bothered to confiscate the letter.

Several pairs of eyes converged to read the letter together.

Although the letter's content was embellished with official, elaborate, and subtly worded language, its core message was clear:

The Bright Lamp would not be handed over!

Since it concerned the Bo King's bloodline and his realm, he would not easily surrender the Bright Lamp.

Jin Bai finished reading in a few swift glances. Thinking of the fallen Shadowtooth Guards, he couldn't help but sneer.

He Lingchuan, however, stated, "The Bo King producing this letter suggests he hadn't intended to kill us when we entered the palace."

This suggests that the Feather Guards accidentally killing the Shadowtooth Guards was indeed a sudden incident. Otherwise, the Bo King could have simply said "no" and been done with it; why go to such lengths?

Dong Rui asked, "Could the instigators have planted Mai Liansheng's belongings in the Shadowtooth Guards' guest room and then lured the officers and Feather Guards to raid it?"

"It's possible," He Lingchuan said, raising his water skin to drink. "But there's also another possibility: these individuals were embedded within the Feather Guards or among the officials themselves, and they planted the evidence while storming Ru Lin Inn to arrest the Shadowtooth Guards."

"These individuals?" Dong Rui said, realization dawning. "Are you saying they acted as a group?"

"How could anyone hope to oppose a monarch acting alone?" Even when He Lingchuan caused a major disturbance in Heaven's Palace years ago, he had to rely on the direct and indirect support of people like Madam Zhu, Dong Rui, and Fang Canran. "The fact that they dared to do this indicates they are very familiar with the methods of the Feather Guards and Nangong Yan."

Dong Rui chuckled, "Surely, any person from the Bo Kingdom would be familiar with their methods?"

When someone's methods and characteristics are too distinctive, they become easy to exploit.

Jin Bai gnashed his teeth, "Once I find this person, I will tear them to shreds!"

Seeing the murderous glint in his eyes, Dong Rui felt a shiver of apprehension for Cao Yanhua.

The Bo King had accused Elder Cao of stealing the treasure, and that matter had yet to be investigated.

Jin Bai sneered, "Perhaps it was the Bo King himself, acting with a guilty conscience, trying to silence us all!"

Dong Rui and He Lingchuan exchanged a glance and shrugged. Jin Bai was consumed by rage, but his words did present a plausible scenario.

He Lingchuan seemed to casually bring up, "All these unexpected events stem from the Bright Lamp. Commander Jin, do you know the purpose for which your country collects this tribute?"

This was the information he truly wanted to uncover!

Still fuming, Jin Bai answered without much thought, "That's a classified matter. The Emperor has never spoken to me about it."

As a subordinate, he merely executed orders and never spoke out of turn.

He Lingchuan then asked him, "How do you anticipate Emperor Mou will decide on this matter?"

"I shouldn't presume to speculate, but I believe the Emperor will not allow a mere petty state to disrespect us!"

Even in war, an envoy is not killed. Yet, the Bo King even intended to kill the Mou Kingdom's special envoy!

That was a grave disrespect to the Mou Kingdom.

The three walked silently for another half day before Jin Bai's mood gradually calmed.

"First, we'll go to Carefree Sect, then I will immediately send word of the Bo Kingdom's actions to the imperial capital!"

At this point, even if the Bo King presented the Heart Lamp to Jin Bai with both hands, he would not let the matter rest.

A blood debt must be paid with blood!

Perhaps the Mou Kingdom wouldn't either.

He Lingchuan glanced back at the Bo Kingdom, knowing that events were finally unfolding as certain individuals wished.

Carefree Sect is located in the northeastern part of the Bo Kingdom, bordering its territory.

Its area is less than half that of Mount Rong, and it is predominantly mountainous. Two mountain ranges converge here, and the highest peak, known as White Hair Peak, is where the Bright Lamp Grass grows.

Carefree Sect has very little flat land and produces scant grain, yet it is a natural treasure trove of medicinal herbs.

Upon hearing of Jin Bai's arrival, Sect Master Li personally welcomed the group into the mountain gate.

Carefree Sect, situated halfway up the mountain, was enveloped in clouds and mist today, truly exuding an ethereal, immortal aura.

White Hair Peak was located behind the sect. As He Lingchuan walked with him, he frequently encountered patrolling guards.

This was due to the instability of Flash Gold Plain, where thieves frequently infiltrated to steal herbs.

Sect Master Li listened to Jin Bai explain the purpose of their visit, his face a mask of shock.

"As the Bright Lamp approached maturity, the entire sect was on high alert, fearing any mishap. Elder Cao and I, for instance, patrolled the mountain multiple times a day. After Commander Jin successfully took the Bright Lamp, we all breathed a sigh of relief." Sect Master Li's brows were practically knotted. "I never expected something would still go wrong, and even more surprisingly, that the Bo King would accuse Elder Cao of being an inside traitor. It's unbelievable!"

"How so?"

Sect Master Li sighed, "In the five days after Commander Jin took the Bright Lamp, Elder Cao happened to be holding classes, explaining herb cultivation to his disciples. How could he possibly have had time to leave?"

"So, Elder Cao didn't leave Carefree Sect during those days?"

"He also came to me to discuss sect matters, and the disciples saw him too," Sect Master Li said, spreading his hands. "Unless Elder Cao truly possesses a cloning technique that allows his clone to be hundreds of miles away from his main body, it would be impossible for him to rush to Julu Port to steal the tribute from Commander Jin, then return to Xuncheng to sell it to the Bo King. Such a journey would take at least three or four days round trip."

He Lingchuan interjected, "But during those three or four days, both you, Sect Master, and the disciples, saw Elder Cao?"

"Exactly."

Jin Bai and He Lingchuan exchanged a look. The situation was becoming increasingly bizarre.

Soon after, Elder Cao, having received the news, hurried over.

The man was slightly stout but moved with surprising agility. Upon seeing Sect Master Li and Commander Jin, he didn't even pause to bow, exclaiming directly:

"It's absolutely not true, absolutely not true! The people of Bo are slandering me!"

Jin Bai, who recognized him, asked, "Why would they accuse you specifically, and not someone else?"

Cao Yanhua opened his mouth to speak, but for a moment, no words came out.

Indeed, why had the Bo King only falsely accused him?

He Lingchuan suddenly asked, "Does Elder Cao know the Bo King?"

Cao Yanhua was startled, shaking his head. "No, I don't know him, we've never had any contact!"

Jin Bai continued, "The Bo Kingdom's envoy claimed that after being refused by Sect Master Li, he was about to leave when Elder Cao rushed up from behind and proposed a transaction to him."

Cao Yanhua's face flushed with indignation. "Absolutely not! How dare they utter such baseless slanders!"

It was He Lingchuan who spoke again: "How long has Elder Cao been with the sect?"

Cao Yanhua answered without hesitation, "Thirty-nine years!"

Sect Master Li introduced, "Elder Cao joined the sect at the age of three. He spent the first half of his life practicing martial arts and cultivating here at Carefree Sect. His primary role is teaching disciples, and he rarely descends the mountain."

The income of a Daoist sect typically consists of at least two parts: one derived from its territorial holdings and another from its disciples.

The income from territorial holdings is self-evident; sects like Carefree Sect and Mount Rong possess their own domains and generate revenue through normal operations, much like a state or city. The other significant source of income is the acceptance of disciples.

High officials and nobles typically send their children to renowned sects. Ideally, their children would achieve enlightenment, but even if not, they could still establish valuable connections and broaden their networks. Therefore, this expense was considered essential.

An elder like Cao Yanhua, if not engaging in affairs off the mountain, would dedicate his time to teaching within the sect.