Chapter 896: Water Ghost's Smile, Life and Death Uncertain

Dongtian Royal City.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

The Sacred Divine Guards, pouring out from the Sacred Divine Hall, completely disregarded all the usual rules within the Royal City. Teams of soldiers moved across the sky, deploying with utmost urgency to precisely target the highest powers in various regions within the Royal City.

"What's happening?"

Everyone was alarmed. The highest-ranking leaders led the charge, unleashing their full power. Their formidable momentum was not concealed in the slightest; magnificent spiritual energies of various types surged over the major sects and forces. Even spirit refiners who were in seclusion were startled out of their retreats. As local powers in the Royal City, the various organizations and factions naturally had their own means of obtaining information. Within moments, someone had acquired information.

"They've gone mad!"

"The Sacred Divine Hall has suddenly gone insane, showing up at the doors of the highest powers with search warrants, refusing to listen to reason. The slightest resistance results in bloodshed on the spot!"

"Sects like the Grand String Heavenly Sect and Guiyin Pavilion… had barely managed to activate their protective formations, intending to argue."

"The Sacred Divine Hall didn't even waste time with pleasantries; they directly used Tai Xu cultivators to blast through the protective formations!"

"It's said that Sect Master Leng Qi tried to resist and ended up being strung up and interrogated while being beaten..."

All sects, large and small, within the Royal City were in a panic. Everyone only understood that the Sacred Divine Hall had suddenly made a major move, seemingly intending a large-scale purge. However, no one could uncover the slightest reason behind it. Rumor had it that sects with guilty consciences, who merely tried to stall for time and subtly inquire why the Sacred Divine Hall was acting, had half of their high-ranking members killed as a warning, and the other half immediately apprehended! People were taken away. The entire sect was left desolate.

In the Southern District, inside a small tavern whose signboard had been removed, an auction was in full swing. This was the former venue for the Spirit Gate Trade Fair. The small tavern contained hidden depths; such an excellent money-making venue wouldn't only be used during the biennial Spirit Gate Trade Fair. On normal days, various large and small auctions could apply to be held here, as long as they met the requirements. With Night Cat overseeing things from behind the scenes, the auction's safety and reliability were beyond doubt. At this moment, Yuan Haisheng, the Fourth Master of Night Cat, was still present, overseeing the smooth progress of the entire auction from backstage.

This venue had the strongest spiritual array protection. Once inside, people would lose contact with the outside world. Naturally, those inside were currently unaware of what was happening outside.

At a certain moment, inside the dark room, the only communication bead still able to maintain contact with the outside world hummed. Yuan Haisheng was surprised. This was the communication bead used to contact the Night Cat headquarters. It wouldn't normally activate; its current abnormal behavior surely meant something big had happened outside. Connecting the communication bead, Yuan Haisheng's expression grew serious.

"One-four."

"One-two!" From the other end came Nangong Yin's voice, extremely urgent: "Yuan Haisheng! I order you to immediately halt the auction. Within ten breaths, stabilize everyone at the venue and have them stand by. Within thirty breaths, activate the teleportation array and return to headquarters. Remember to crush the communication bead and initiate the teleportation array's self-destruct sequence."

Yuan Haisheng's mind went blank with a buzzing sound. What was going on? His real name was even used? He only paused for a second, asked no further questions, stopped the auction, and suppressed all protests with the grand formation. Then, alone, he activated the spiritual array and teleported to the headquarters.

It was still the dark room. In the pitch-black silence, there was no light for illumination, only a faint glimpse of a round table and seven high-backed chairs. Yuan Haisheng found the fourth chair and sat down, noticing that four people were already seated around the table; these were all regional managers. In addition, the remaining teleportation arrays lit up one by one. Soon, apart from the main seat, all six Night Cat Masters had gathered. Everyone was puzzled, but no one spoke, clearly waiting for something.

Yuan Haisheng's heart pounded faster. He had been with Night Cat for a considerable time, but compared to the veterans present, he was only a newcomer. He had only experienced a round table meeting gathering all managers once before. That time was also his first encounter with the First Master. It was clear. The only one capable of making all six managers drop what they were doing and gather was the First Master.

"Gurgle."

Shortly after everyone was seated, a mist rose from the main seat, finally coalescing into water and forming a human figure. The figure was clad in a black robe, wore a beast mask, and was enveloped in mist, making it impossible to discern their appearance or physique, like seeing flowers through a fog.

"First Master!"

Yet, as this person appeared, the six Night Cat Masters stood up in respectful alarm, bowing in greeting, even Nangong Yin, the Second Master. No one knew who the First Master was or what their cultivation level was; they only knew the First Master's codename was "Water Ghost," and they held everyone's information and fate in their hands. In Night Cat, betrayal was nonexistent. Anyone chosen as a manager not only had their own life, but also the lives of their wife and children, held in the First Master's grasp.

"Quiet." Water Ghost, the First Master, tapped the table twice with joined fingers, gesturing for everyone to sit, then began: "I've called you all here to say a few things. Just listen; no need to reply."

His voice was steady and powerful, slightly hoarse, possessing the unique charm of a mature middle-aged man. But that was all. No one could deduce the First Master's identity from his voice, as they didn't even know if the voice was deliberately altered. Everyone sat upright.

Water Ghost, the First Master, at the head of the table, slowly elaborated: "First, the latest intelligence indicates that the Chief of the Anomaly Department, one of the six departments of the Sacred Divine Hall, died in the Yunlun Mountain Range. The cause of death is unknown. Currently, only the Chiefs of the six departments and Rao Yaoyao, the Red-Robed Enforcer Lord, know this information. This is also the fundamental reason for the Sacred Divine Hall's sudden nighttime operation in the Royal City."

As he finished speaking, the hearts of the six managers around the table stopped beating with a thud. The Chief of the Anomaly Department, dead? Everyone immediately realized that a large number of people would likely die next. But the next second, they reacted. If only the six Chiefs and Rao Yaoyao knew this information, how did the First Master know it so clearly? Night Cat's reach was limited to Dongtian Royal City. Not to mention that the Yunlun Mountain Range, where the incident occurred, was somewhat remote compared to Dongtian Royal City, requiring a lot of time to acquire information. And such explosive information would surely be locked down by the Sacred Divine Hall headquarters. How did the First Master know everything? And so quickly! And so certainly, so precisely! Everyone was involved in intelligence work, and their minds immediately itched with curiosity. Someone shifted restlessly, about to open their mouth to speak…

"Tap!" Water Ghost, the First Master, tapped the armrest of the high-backed chair with a fingertip, and the sound of water droplets echoed in the dark environment. Everyone immediately remembered what the First Master had just said. Listen, don't speak. No one dared to act rashly now. At the head of the table, Water Ghost, shrouded in mist and with his true appearance hidden, made no unnecessary movements and continued:

"Second, the Sacred Divine Hall will investigate all forces in the Royal City, but this only concerns the death of the Anomaly Chief. They don't have much time to waste on us ants. So, be smart. You will all be questioned. Say what needs to be said, and don't say what shouldn't be said. If you can save your lives, then selectively state the facts on the premise of saving your lives. I don't need to teach you this."

Yuan Haisheng was meeting the First Master for the second time, listening intently, not daring to be distracted at all. Hearing this, he unconsciously nodded his head and lowly exclaimed, "Understood!"

The atmosphere instantly became awkward. "Understood…" "Stood…" In the confined environment, the echo lingered for a long time. The other managers quickly turned their heads, swept their gaze, then immediately turned back, returning to their original positions as if they had seen or heard nothing. Yuan Haisheng's face reddened, his scalp tingled, his hair stood on end, and even his toes, hidden in his shoes, unconsciously curled with such force that he almost broke a toe bone.

From the main seat, the First Master glanced over. Yuan Haisheng's spiritual sense detected it. He clearly didn't dare to look back, but his head involuntarily turned towards the main seat, and then met the First Master's eyes. A hum. His mind went blank on the spot. What kind of eyes were those? Vast as the sea, deep and boundless. Looking through the mist, Yuan Haisheng felt like a lone boat adrift on an endless ocean, where water met sky on all sides, and the surface was never calm. But the next second, the waves reversed, completely engulfing and devouring his soul. Helpless, lonely… Lost, bewildered… Only for an instant. The First Master shifted his gaze.

Yuan Haisheng, however, was like someone rescued from drowning, regaining his senses, gasping for air, his whole body drenched in cold sweat. "What immense power is this?" Yuan Haisheng was terrified. He was at the Wangzuo Dao realm. Due to his work with Night Cat, he had seen many Dao Slayers, and even interacted with a fair number of Tai Xu cultivators. Yet no one, with just a glance, had given him such a terrifying sense of oppression. "Definitely a Tai Xu cultivator! Moreover, the First Master is among the top tier of Tai Xu cultivators, possessing the most terrifying combat power!" Yuan Haisheng searched all his memories but couldn't find any Tai Xu cultivator who could exert such an imposing pressure on him like the First Master. Aura… This kind of thing is hard to explain, hard to articulate, and very difficult to cultivate. Only grandmasters who have held high positions for many years, possessing absolute self-confidence and certainty over all situations, could cultivate an imperial aura similar to the First Master's.

Yuan Haisheng suddenly thought of Elder Sword. That day, he had taken Elder Sword to the First Sky Mansion to conduct a transaction with Young Master Xu. After it ended, Elder Sword had once said that a great Buddha sat in the First Sky Mansion, whose single glance could scare him half to death. Perhaps, the First Master was such a being? Possessing absolute aura suppression over lower realms, and even any opponents of the same realm?

The round table seemed to fall into a long silence. But all of this was actually just a fantasy in the minds of the various managers. In reality, the First Master's words were merely interrupted; he unconsciously glanced at Yuan Haisheng, then withdrew his gaze and continued tapping the chair while speaking.

"The death of the Anomaly Chief can be a major or minor issue. You all know the significant impact of a Chief of the six departments dying in battle. Therefore, when you each return, say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done. As quickly and as much as possible, disengage from this matter and focus on the intelligence network in Dongtian Royal City. Understood?"

Everyone's heart trembled with dread, and they nodded silently. The death of a Chief of the six departments in battle had only happened once in decades. The former Chief of the Spirit Department, Yu Mo, known as the Great Demon King Yu Mo, was truly the strongest in combat among the six departments. He ultimately encountered the Eighth Sword Immortal, who cut him down to dust. The Sacred Divine Hall was enraged and took action across the five domains, eradicating countless dark forces. Back then, the casualties from that event were immense.

Water Ghost finished speaking, seemingly raising his eyes to glance upwards, then murmured lowly, "The time is almost right…" He lowered his gaze to the few people in front of him and said solemnly, "They are already at our doorstep. Go back, all of you. The time for your test has arrived."

Everyone immediately stood up. "Yes, Master!" This time, everyone responded in unison, then turned and left one by one.

"Fourth Master, stay." Water Ghost spoke.

Yuan Haisheng's steps halted, and his heart skipped another beat. Fourth Master, isn't that me? Being singled out by the leader to stay after a meeting was never a good sign, especially since he had overstepped during the recent meeting. Yuan Haisheng was filled with apprehension but could only watch as the others around him left. Nangong Yin gave him a look implying "fend for yourself," not daring to say another word, and also moved away.

In the quiet dark room, only he and the First Master remained.

"You are… Yuan Haisheng?" Water Ghost, the First Master, unexpectedly didn't scold him but instead greeted him with a calm tone.

Yuan Haisheng nodded uneasily, "Yes?"

"Haisheng…" the figure on the main seat murmured, a hint of a smile in his voice. "A very pleasant name."

Yuan Haisheng's heart pounded faster. What did he mean? Keep him back, praise his name, and then send him to his death? Surely not… While Yuan Haisheng was still lost in wild conjectures, Water Ghost composed himself and calmly asked, "Are you in charge of the trade route with the First Sky Mansion?"

"Yes." Yuan Haisheng paused, then immediately nodded. "This semi-sacred power's branch has a significant background. Young Master Xu, their leader, is very capable. As soon as he arrived, he established contact with the Goldore Merchant Guild, and now he's even forged a supply chain relationship with the Royal City Alchemist Association headquarters… The First Sky Mansion is involved in many things, and I currently treat it as our most important business." Although he didn't know what the First Master wanted to ask, Yuan Haisheng immediately said everything that needed to be said.

"Relax." Water Ghost, the First Master, smiled slightly. "I'm not blaming you. I kept you back just to give you a word of advice."

How could Yuan Haisheng relax? When Water Ghost smiled, life or death was unpredictable. He was scared half to death, thinking he must have done something poorly to warrant the First Master personally advising him on how to conduct business. "I will strictly follow your orders, Master!" Yuan Haisheng bowed.

Water Ghost tapped the armrest of his chair, seemingly in thought, then after a long pause, said: "The trade route with the First Sky Mansion, everything remains as usual; handle it the way you have been. But when the Sacred Divine Hall questions you next, no matter what it is, if it involves the First Sky Mansion, divert the conversation in another direction."

Yuan Haisheng's pupils constricted. The implication of these words… The First Sky Mansion was connected to the First Master?

"Do you understand what I mean?" Water Ghost leaned forward.

Yuan Haisheng felt the overwhelming pressure and nodded vigorously, "Understood!"

"No, you don't." Water Ghost smiled again. "What I mean is, you don't need to go out of your way to protect the First Sky Mansion. Just subtly guide the conversation during your discussions with the Sacred Divine Hall."

"Furthermore…" Water Ghost paused, then continued, "Regarding the death of the Anomaly Chief, you, as a local power in Dongtian Royal City, know something."

Yuan Haisheng's knees went weak, and he almost knelt down: "I don't know anything!"

"I said, you know something!" Water Ghost repeated.

Yuan Haisheng froze, then understood the First Master's meaning.

Water Ghost said: "The King of Hell, Wuxu Grey Palace, and Sacred Slaves… these are roughly the major dark forces that have appeared in Dongtian Royal City recently. The forces capable of killing the Anomaly Chief are, in the end, only these few. I want you not only to know something but also to find a way to accurately provide the Sacred Divine Hall with the intelligence you have on these forces in Dongtian Royal City. Of course, as I said before, don't make the bias too obvious in your conversations; they will eventually suspect on their own."

After Water Ghost finished speaking, his eyes, peering through the mist, gazed directly at Yuan Haisheng. Yuan Haisheng's mind churned with immense turmoil. He had an inappropriate thought. Could it be… the death of the Anomaly Chief was also related to the First Sky Mansion? Otherwise, why would the First Master want him to subtly protect the First Sky Mansion while putting obstacles in the way of forces like the Sacred Slaves during his interactions with the Sacred Divine Hall? At this critical juncture, a single subtle misdirection from him could strongly incline the Sacred Divine Hall to target other groups. If they eventually found out the target wasn't right, he would be the one to suffer… Yuan Haisheng's head went numb. He felt it was all because of his "Understood!" earlier, but he couldn't disobey the First Master's words. At once, gritting his teeth, Yuan Haisheng solemnly promised.

"I will definitely complete the mission!"

There was no response. In the dark, secluded room, just like his sudden "Understood!" earlier, there was nothing but the echo. Yuan Haisheng remained bowed, sweat from his forehead ran past his eyebrows and into his eye sockets, making his eyes sting, but he dared not move an inch. He waited for a very long time. The First Master still did not respond. Only then did Yuan Haisheng feel something was amiss. He secretly raised his eyes, intending to peek. With one glance, the person at the head of the table was already gone.

"Gone?" Yuan Haisheng let out a breath and relaxed his body, but then suddenly noticed the wall behind the high-backed chair at the main seat. On the wall of the dark room, there was a carved relief of a cat's head, ferocious and menacing, blending with the surrounding darkness, with only a faint, eerie glow from its eyes, radiating an aura of death in the silence.

"Night Cat doesn't speak, but Night Cat is always watching you!" Yuan Haisheng recalled the organization's first creed, and goosebumps broke out all over his body. He straightened his posture, lifted his head high, and, alone in the dark room, saluted by thumping his chest, then declared thunderously:

"Rest assured, Master!"

"Yuan Haisheng guarantees mission completion!"