Chapter 1365: With a Flip of the Hand for Clouds and Rain, Puppets on Strings and Chess Pieces' Self-Destruction

Zhou Lishi walked into the room, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"Xu Gongzi, there's no response from above."

"Any actions regarding Sheng Nu Shou Ye have been incorporated into the Tian Zu Plan, classified as the highest secret."

"With my authority, I can't access it... Uh, Xu Gongzi, what are you doing?"

Zhou Lishi approached and saw Xu Gongzi hunched over a piece of paper, sketching something. Without looking up, Xu Gongzi replied, "I know."

Not minding the intrusion, Zhou Lishi leaned in for a closer look.

The paper was covered in a crisscross of lines, varying in thickness and shade, densely packed like an incomprehensible heavenly script... or rather, a heavenly diagram!

Zhou Lishi felt dizzy and disoriented. "Xu Gongzi, you understand Ling Zhen as well?"

"My guard knows it. I just study it in my free time."

Zhou Lishi immediately recalled Xu Gongzi's earlier mention that the room's Ling Zhen had been tampered with, and he felt a secret shock.

Was it really Ling Zhen?

That guard's mastery of Ling Zhen must be quite advanced—at least that of a Ling Zhen Grand Master!

"This looks like a person," Zhou Lishi said, pointing to the diagram. Overall, the lines did form a human shape.

"You've summed it up quite aptly!" Xu Gongzi lifted his gaze in surprise, then rolled up the diagram.

"Heh..." Zhou Lishi realized he had made a foolish remark and quickly changed the subject back to business. "We couldn't get any clear information from above about the actions against Sheng Nu Shou Ye. What do you plan to do next, Xu Gongzi?"

"It's normal that we couldn't get anything. Just be more cautious from now on. If we could get it, I'd probably have to call you Zhou Zhuli instead." Xu Xiaoshou glanced at him, stood up, and said indifferently, then headed toward the door, clearly intending to leave.

Truth be told, for Zhou Lishi to ask a question, he had to step out of this room's Ling Zhen range and into another room—it was utterly pointless!

He didn't even need Xu Xiaoshou himself; with a single thought from the second true body, the entire San Zhuxiang would have no secrets in less than the time of three incense sticks burning.

Earlier, in that other room, everything Zhou Lishi had said was overheard.

He even figured out who San Zhuxiang's "above" referred to:

The person who responded didn't give their name, but based on their speaking style and Zhou Lishi's address of "Li Daren";

Combined with Zhou Lishi's earlier mention that San Zhuxiang's highest connection had been taken by the Yue Clan;

And the list of the new Ten-Person Council that Xu Xiaoshou had in his hand at You Gui Ge...

The answer was obvious.

The new Red-Clad Chief Enforcer, Yue Gong Li!

This was another name specially marked by Xiang Yi, noted as "the brother of Yue Gong Nu."

"Brother..."

"This Sheng Shen Hall is truly chaotic. Everything's just about connections!"

The second true body, disguised as Xu Gongzi, walked to the doorway, fanning himself as he said:

"Please stay here. No need to see me off."

"If there are any instructions from their side, remember to notify me right away."

"Oh, right!"

Pausing with one foot out the door, Xu Gongzi turned back with a half-smile:

"You didn't say anything extra, did you? Like revealing my identity?"

"Of course not, I swear!" Zhou Lishi replied with utmost seriousness. "Xu Gongzi and I are in the same boat now. I understand the principle of mutual dependence."

Of course I know you didn't... Xu Gongzi smiled and stepped away. "That's good. I asked Li Shu, and he said the same. Next time you contact your superiors, no need to avoid anything."

Zhou Lishi felt his heart tighten like it was being gripped, his mind going blank.

Li... Li Shu...

How is Xu Gongzi connected to that lord?

No!

How does he even know about "Li Daren"?

Oh, right—his guard is an expert in Ling Zhen. The other room I went to was probably useless against him?

Zhou Lishi stood frozen in place, unable to move.

Given his previous courteous demeanor, no matter what Xu Gongzi said, he should have escorted him all the way to the entrance of San Zhuxiang and watched him leave.

But now, his feet felt nailed to the ground, heavy as lead, impossible to lift.

"Jin Ren."

Xu Gongzi, outside the door, wasn't being polite. With a flick of his paper fan, he called out softly.

The next second, space rippled.

Xu Gongzi must have been teleported away by his guard, Jin Ren.

"A directional space jade talisman, equivalent to a small fixed teleportation array..."

"This is so extravagant for just traveling—he's really living it up..."

Zhou Lishi stared at the empty second-floor hallway, suddenly feeling an immense gap, his heart hollow.

Cloud and mud, pearl and moon...

These things can't even be compared, so how could they be mentioned in the same breath?

"Xu Gongzi is someone I absolutely can't afford to provoke. Not reporting is just negligence, but reporting would mean certain death..." Zhou Lishi lowered his eyes and pulled out the communication bead he had used to contact Li Daren earlier.

He actually had a backup plan:

The Sheng Shen Hall's Ten-Person Council had just been reorganized, and the Tian Zu operation was newly established. He had just learned that the Tian Zu was targeting Sheng Nu, and right after, someone came to San Zhuxiang inquiring about Sheng Shen Hall's plans against Xu Xiaoshou...

Coincidence?

Zhou Lishi had lived long enough to know there was no such ridiculous coincidence!

He didn't even dare to speculate. He planned to stall Xu Gongzi for now and see if he could report it later.

At least, play both sides and survive by choosing the right moment.

That was the way for a small fry—like grass on the wall, swaying with the wind.

Now, holding the communication bead, it felt like a hot potato.

"Xu Gongzi, heir of the Eastern Domain's Zang Jian Tomb, with guard Jin Ren as an ancient sword cultivator..."

"Xu Xiaoshou, from the Eastern Domain's Sheng Nu, a quasi-Seven Sword Immortal, elusive and ever-changing..."

Zhou Lishi silently closed the door, taking long, deep breaths to calm himself, trying to hypnotize his mind. Don't think about it anymore.

I'm not worthy!

"Drip, drip, drip..."

The communication bead in his hand suddenly rang, like a death knell.

Zhou Lishi jumped like a startled bird, nearly throwing it away.

He steadied himself just in time.

This was a direct line to Li Daren. Had Li Daren noticed something and had urgent orders?

Zhou Lishi quickly activated the bead.

After the initial static, Li Daren's voice came through, just a short sentence:

"Any intelligence related to Xu Gongzi is to be classified as the highest secret."

The connection cut off.

Zhou Lishi slumped to the ground with a thud, unable to get up for a long time.

He blinked, feeling his eyes sting intensely, already wet with sweat.

Wiping his forehead, he found his palm drenched, enough to drip if he shook it.

"Li Shu..."

Zhou Lishi silently mouthed the terrifying title, his teeth chattering for a moment before he gave up all thoughts.

The snow was approaching Yujing City.

But if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.

Why should I do more? Isn't staying alive enough?

In the vanished world, Jin Ren's second true body stood with his index fingers and thumbs linked to form a frame.

Framed within was the most bustling underground black market in all of Yujing City.

It was filled with many hooded figures in black, various dark force outposts with simple designs, and some shady little shops conducting illicit trades.

Of course, this included the inconspicuous headquarters of San Zhuxiang, the assassins' sanctuary.

"Bang!"

Jin Ren mimicked an explosion sound with his mouth, then lowered his hands and laughed to himself.

The communication bead was already crushed.

It was only good for one use; using it again might give him away.

Not bad! The last communication Zhou Lishi received was one Jin Ren had sent!

As a "Tian Ji Sorcerer" who had even deciphered the techniques of the Tian Ji Divine Envoy, cracking a communication bead was no challenge.

Crucially, he had heard "Li Daren's" voice and analyzed the internal structure of the bead in Zhou Lishi's hand. Using weaving techniques, he swapped it out stealthily...

Sending a message from an external bead, posing as Li Daren, was as easy as drinking water or eating.

"What a disgusting show-off old Daoist!" Xu Xiaoshou thought as he used the Tian Ji technique, realizing that Cang Zhen wasn't exactly human for promoting such a technique meant purely to mess with people.

From then on, he resolved to be extra cautious.

As long as he was in the Central Domain and his opponents included Tian Ji sorcerers...

He couldn't trust anything he couldn't see with his eyes, hear with his ears, or verify personally!

Otherwise, today it was Zhou Lishi; tomorrow, it might be his turn, Xu Xiaoshou.

Of course, imitating Li Daren on the way out was just a side thing.

Zhou Lishi was a minor player compared to the Tian Ji Divine Envoy. Xu Xiaoshou wasn't about to be outmaneuvered by him.

The moment Zhou Lishi shifted, Xu Xiaoshou already knew if he was about to crap or piss.

"Li Daren, though, is interesting!"

Yue Gong Li was not to be underestimated.

According to Xiang Yi's intelligence, this person's evaluation was extremely high, whether in appearance, combat strength, or strategy... all top-notch.

This sleight of hand could fool Zhou Lishi, but it would only deceive Yue Gong Li for a moment.

Once Yue Gong Li sent another message and pressed for details on who was inquiring about the Tian Zu operation, a weakling like Zhou Lishi would crack and spill everything.

"But if many people report Xu Xiaoshou at He Ting Mountain, and some are also interested in the 'Tian Zu' plan..."

"Then Xu Gongzi's actions and motives would blend in with the crowd."

Jin Ren pulled out the diagram he had been looking at earlier.

Zhou Lishi's assessment was spot on—it was indeed a "person."

Or rather, what remained after a person shed their flesh: a diagram of muscles, bones, and meridians.

Sacred Emperor Lv.0's weaving mastery had broken through long ago.

But on Void Island, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't find a good test subject or the time to realize the beautiful vision he had when he first drew the weaving mastery.

He remembered entering the weaving mastery illusion and seeing a divine hand weaving living beings, the great Dao, and the world from beyond the heavens.

From then on, Xu Xiaoshou paid special attention to "manipulating people." Weaving mastery came with an ability:

"Puppet Strings!"

This combined skills like "divided spirit control," "multi-needle spirit embroidery," and "spirit control finger," along with a deep understanding of the human "diagram," to make it work.

—Using a person as the diagram for direct manipulation!

"Yu Ling has used similar methods..."

"The water ghost has too. This seems to be a level only 奥义 power can reach?"

"But their medium is 'refined spirits,' while mine is 'Tian Ji technique,' or rather, 'weaving technique'..."

The imitator had dripped the water ghost's blood, so Xu Xiaoshou was quite familiar with this technique.

And as someone who had been manipulated before, experiencing the discomfort of losing body control, Xu Xiaoshou now planned to build his happiness on others' suffering and become an invisible schemer.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

With a wave of his ten fingers, invisible spirit threads shot out, like a spider spinning silk—this had once been one of Xu Xiaoshou's great joys.

This time, standing in the vanished world, his hands wove endlessly, becoming the unseen "divine hand."

One after another...

Soon, the spirit threads multiplied into thousands, piercing into the key acupoints of a certain red-listed assassin in San Zhuxiang.

If you looked closely, you'd see these threads entering the vital points of the target assassin's body, all marked on the diagram Jin Ren had held earlier.

Under the vanished technique, even if the threads turned into a palm slapping the assassin, he wouldn't feel a thing.

Because they existed in different realms, like yin and yang.

With Jin Ren's precise divided spirit control, the thousands of thread ends trembled lightly with the assassin's movements, staying perfectly attached.

After ten breaths of experience...

Jin Ren found it was simple to accomplish.

With his current mental strength, he could easily keep those threads bound to the assassin's acupoints indefinitely.

So, he released the vanished state of the thread ends inside the assassin's body.

"Uh!"

In San Zhuxiang, Gui Dao, who was heading to the mission board for new tasks, suddenly trembled.

He was horrified to find his soul trapped in a cage, with another presence invading his body and seizing control!

"Help—"

"There's a ghost!"

Gui Dao tried to shout.

But the sound only echoed in his soul's depths.

His body moved normally, appearing completely natural to outsiders.

A profound terror welled up from his heart, and even the gray mist hovering from the incense burner on the ceiling now seemed eerie.

Possession!

I'm being possessed!

Save me, someone save me!

"Gui Dao?"

"Hmm?"

"You seem a bit off."

"Do I?"

"Why... are you rolling up your pant leg and plucking your leg hair?"

"It's hot."

"Ah? But it's snowing outside..."

Gui Dao was aghast to realize his body was speaking on its own.

Worse, the voice wasn't his—it was an imitation!

Let me go...

I've killed many, but is this kind of retribution real?

Is this possession?

Who's possessing me? Who wants to possess me?!

Gui Dao's body walked to a deserted corner and suddenly turned his gaze to the sky.

In that moment, he saw the framed sky outside the four-cornered window, and in the unnoticed void above, a small white cat head slowly enlarged in his pupils.

In the cat's left eye, three patterns swirled and converged to a point, strangely ominous.

Gui Dao's eyes went dull, silently repeating something:

"Forget that you've been 'possessed'..."

"Forget..."

"Forget that you might feel a little pain next..."

"Forget..."

"Look straight at me..."

"Look straight at me..."

The cat head vanished.

Gui Dao's vacant eyes still stared upward, now toward the other side.

In the void on the other side, a pair of eyes appeared, their pupils emitting a dim light.

Soul reading!

Gui Dao's trembling soul, imprisoned in the cage, plunged into darkness, losing all senses of the outside world.

Gui Dao turned unsteadily in the corner, a smile curling his lips as he strode toward the second floor, soon knocking on a certain door.

"Who is it?" Zhou Lishi opened the door and saw an unfamiliar face, his brows furrowing.

"Zhou Lishi, it's me, Gui Dao. Do you remember?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Something big! I have a major discovery!"

"Speak."

"Is this really okay, right here at the door? Zhou Lishi, won't you invite me in? Let me bask in the second-floor glow, heh, and maybe have some tea..."

"Go look in a puddle—do you deserve it?"

"Uh."

"Say what you have to say, or get lost!"

"Uh, alright then, Zhou Lishi. What I want to report is, I discovered Sheng Nu Shou..."

"Hold on!" Zhou Lishi's pupils contracted.

"Ah?"

"Come inside to talk."