Chapter 931: Enforcer Xu Xiaoshou

With Lei Xier's Eye of Gods and Devils to seize the initiative, and Greedy God's Three Aversion Eyes for probing, Xu Xiaoshou felt truly at ease using "Soul Reading" for the first time.

The miserable Wang Chao, a dignified Red-clothed Throne with countless combat experiences, was utterly defenseless under this triple control, immediately falling into a semi-conscious state.

Three successive mental controls rendered Wang Chao unconscious and frothing at the mouth.

In mere moments, Lei Xier and Greedy God observed Xu Xiaoshou concluding his "Soul Reading" and returning to his normal state.

"How was it?" Lei Xier asked, tilting her head.

She knew Xu Xiaoshou had big plans bringing Greedy God along. However, targeting a Red-clothed Enforcer as the first objective was undeniably bold.

"No surprises," Xu Xiaoshou replied with a smile.

With the initial probe from the Three Aversion Eyes, there was almost no danger when he performed "Soul Reading," as he only needed to deliberately avoid Wang Chao's memories of watching the Saints fight.

In truth, even if he had genuinely delved into Wang Chao's memories of the Saints' battle, it wouldn't have mattered much. How would Dao Qiongcang and the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, during their fight, notice an unremarkable Throne Enforcer?

Still, to be safe, Xu Xiaoshou skipped those particular memories, reading only the information he needed.

For example, the Cloud Realm Array in the Yunlun Mountain Range was previously controlled by Yao Yao, but now Yu Zhiwen was in charge of it.

Also, the trial jade pendants were indeed what the Cloud Realm used to locate trial participants.

If a stowaway did not possess a trial jade pendant, the Cloud Realm could only locate them when they came into close proximity with someone who did.

Xu Xiaoshou had anticipated this. His storyteller portrait clone had roamed the streets for a long time before being discovered by the Red-clothed Enforcers.

Now that his hypothesis was confirmed, he felt more confident about their next moves.

Turning back, Lei Xier was still waiting for information. Instead of revealing everything at once, Xu Xiaoshou first lifted Greedy God high up again.

"Since the Three Aversion Eyes can manipulate others' souls and wills, can they erase this guy's memory of encountering us?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, looking back.

"Mm-hmm." Lei Xier nodded lightly, pointed a finger at Greedy God, and infused it with spiritual light, as if enlightening it.

Greedy God meowed, understood, and once again activated its "Three Aversion Eyes," completely erasing the unconscious Wang Chao's memories of encountering them.

The figure crashed to the ground, kicking up dust on the mountain path.

"That was too easy..." Xu Xiaoshou watched the scene, unable to help but sigh. This combination of two people and one cat was practically a cheating artifact for committing crimes.

A Throne... gone in a single encounter!

"Should we kill him?" Lei Xier suddenly fixed her gaze on Wang Chao, uttering the most cold-blooded words in the lightest tone. She held no affection for anyone from the Holy Divine Palace lineage.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyebrow twitched. He quickly said, "Since his memory can be erased, there's no need to kill him. Killing him would only trigger a chain reaction from the Red-clothed. We just need one item from him."

With that, Xu Xiaoshou drew in his spiritual energy, and the combat communicator from Wang Chao's earlobe flew to him.

He tucked the small device into his ear and used "Painting Mastery" to camouflage it, changing its color to flesh tone. An outsider wouldn't notice this detail unless they looked closely.

Lei Xier silently observed the scene, then asked, "Aren't you worried they'll track you via this communicator?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, gently touching the communicator. "No," he said, "I've scanned nearly ninety percent of Wang Chao's soul memories. The Red-clothed communicators are purely for communication; they aren't linked to the Cloud Realm."

"After all, these are internal Red-clothed devices, unrelated to the Royal City Trial. Furthermore, they wouldn't expect a trio like us to expend so much effort just to snatch a communicator they might not even know how to use."

"Meow!" Greedy God suddenly looked up and chirped, as if to correct its master's slip of the tongue. It was a noble cat, not a common human.

Lei Xier, again, was speechless.

Indeed, Xu Xiaoshou never played by the rules. Who else would inexplicably target a small communicator that might bring misfortune?

Yet, not only did he take it, but he also figured out how to use it. He even obtained the information that wearing the communicator wouldn't lead to him being tracked. Truly, he was still himself — his thought process was peculiar, and he had a knack for unconventional methods.

And somehow, they all proved useful!

"Meow!" Seeing its master's displeased look, Greedy God meowed again, then affectionately licked Xu Xiaoshou's palm: "Master, you're truly amazing."

"Hmph, flatterer!" Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes. After bending down and rummaging for a bit, he stroked the cat while gesturing to Lei Xier, indicating they should continue flying forward.

"Shouldn't we bother with him?" Lei Xier rose, but her gaze was fixed on Wang Chao, who lay on the ground, abused by Xu Xiaoshou and casually tossed into a large pit, stripped even of his clothes.

"No need to bother with him; he won't remember anything..." Xu Xiaoshou paused suddenly, recalling something. He asked, "Is there any possibility that someone whose memory has been erased by the 'Three Aversion Eyes' could have it restored with external intervention?"

Lei Xier pondered, then quickly replied, "Yes, first, a Taixu expert proficient in mental and spiritual arts could use a special spiritual technique, but this would damage the target's soul. As he's Red-clothed, he likely wouldn't be interrogated that way."

"Second, a powerful individual proficient in temporal and spatial abilities could bring Wang Chao back to this spot and use time reversal to see us."

"Third, a Half-Saint."

Xu Xiaoshou's lips curved upward. "Then there's no need to worry," he said with relief. "As far as I know, the Red-clothed faction in the Yunlun Mountain Range doesn't have anyone of the types you mentioned."

"Yi is dead, and the remaining people are either not proficient in mental and spiritual arts or only have a rough grasp, with low strength and no Taixu realm."

"As for temporal and spatial abilities, that's even more far-fetched; it seems even Yao Yao doesn't possess them."

"And a Half-Saint... haha, that's even less likely. If someone like that were to come specifically looking for us, whether we took Wang Chao's communicator or not, the outcome would be the same." Xu Xiaoshou shrugged.

Lei Xier tilted her head, staring at the face before her, listening to his orderly words, a flicker of surprise and doubt crossing her eyes.

She found it hard to imagine how Xu Xiaoshou had obtained so much information in just a brief moment.

Even during her "Mu Zixi" period, she hadn't seen Xu Xiaoshou possess such an ability.

"What spiritual technique is this?" Driven by innate curiosity, Lei Xier instinctively spoke.

But as soon as the words left her lips, she realized she was again being influenced by her past self. She immediately reverted to her usual cool demeanor and said indifferently, "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to say."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't hesitate, his lips curving upward. "Soul Reading. You can think of it as an enhanced version of spiritual sense, allowing me to perceive the other person's soul memories."

Lei Xier's eyes subtly shifted. This ability...

Xu Xiaoshou had spoken casually, but she could tell it was definitely one of his major trump cards!

Yet, he had revealed it so frankly?

Lei Xier's gaze suddenly became complex. She knew that, subjectively, Xu Xiaoshou still saw her as his junior sister.

However, the thought of what she would face after her awakening...

"Hmph." Lei Xier let out a soft breath, suppressing her thoughts and ceasing her overthinking.

At least, she would accompany him for this journey first.

"Near the Ninth Dragon Vein, which is in the direction we're heading, there's one Path-Cutting Enforcer and seven Throne Enforcers, all part of Wang Chao's team. The Path-Cutting one is their captain."

"I know their approximate locations, so we just need to avoid them on our way."

"According to Wang Chao's memories, the captain issues orders roughly every half a day, both to confirm the safety of his team members and, with similar frequency, to confirm they've found at least one stowaway, indicating it's time to gather for action."

"We don't have much time, so let's head straight to the Ninth Dragon Vein and see what's waiting for me there."

Xu Xiaoshou rapidly flew while relaying the information he had just gained through "Soul Reading" to Lei Xier.

Greedy God: "Meow!" Got it!

Ah Jie suddenly spoke up too: "Mama..." Got it...

Lei Xier nodded slightly, then pondered, "So, taking the Red-clothed combat communicator was also part of your plan?"

"Sort of." Xu Xiaoshou didn't know what Bazun An would give him, but he hadn't forgotten his main objective.

The aftermath of Yi's death was still unfolding. Only by acquiring internal Red-clothed intelligence could he better understand his enemies.

Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle; it's simply that.

As for the combat communicator, it was merely an unexpected gain after attacking a Red-clothed member.

Just then, the combat communicator, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly vibrated. A steady voice transmitted: "Area 42, suspected signs of a stowaway's intervention. Everyone, proceed to assemble immediately."

Captain Murong Ying's voice... Xu Xiaoshou instantly recognized it as Wang Chao's captain. The "Area 42" mentioned was a special internal designation used by the Red-clothed.

In fact, it was precisely his destination: near the Ninth Dragon Vein!

Had a stowaway gotten there first?

Xu Xiaoshou had speculated that Bazun An had left something good for him near Area 42; perhaps the Demon Sword had flown there.

That was a renowned sword! Even if he couldn't get his hands on it, it absolutely couldn't fall into the Holy Divine Palace's possession. Otherwise, someone might use the Demon Sword to hack at his Hidden Suffering later.

Xu Xiaoshou had witnessed the Demon Sword's power; it was so formidable that just a few slashes could even neutralize the arrows of the Evil Sin Bow!

If he had possessed this famous sword earlier, Elder Sang wouldn't have been sent to Holy Mountain Prison.

"There's activity." Xu Xiaoshou turned, pointed to the communicator in his ear, and told Lei Xier, "Straight ahead. We need to go there immediately."

Lei Xier glanced him up and down, asking uncertainly, "Are you planning to just waltz in?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. "Of course not!"

As he flew, he simultaneously cast "Disappearance Art."

When he reappeared, he had transformed into Wang Chao, even his clothes possessing Wang Chao's authentic scent.

"I'll go meet with the 'Captain' and act as an Enforcer for a bit. You remain a regular trial participant. You can approach, but don't get too close; manage the distance yourself." Xu Xiaoshou then firmly placed Greedy God into Lei Xier's arms.

The white cat greedily inhaled a couple of breaths of Lei Xier's life aura.

It hadn't actually been with Xu Xiaoshou for long; instead, it had spent more time with Mu Zixi while they were in the Yuan Mansion World previously.

Naturally, at this moment, it didn't mind switching masters to absorb life force. Both its male and female masters had abundant life essences anyway.

Lei Xier lowered her gaze to Greedy God, who had been unceremoniously shoved into her arms. She frowned slightly but said nothing more.

"Be careful," she murmured, then descended, switching from flying to walking.

Xu Xiaoshou watched Lei Xier depart, then looked down, caressing his black robes. He suddenly felt an inexplicable thrill.

The Imitator was incredibly useful!

Combined with "Soul Reading," the two abilities together were practically perfect cloning technology, allowing him to seamlessly transform into an Enforcer, participate in internal Red-clothed operations, and then cause trouble.

"Clearly, I'm just Xu Xiaoshou, a Saint Servant from a dark faction..." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, about to fly towards the mission objective, when his heart suddenly fluttered. He calmed himself slightly.

"Wait."

"Anyone daring to act in the Yunlun Mountain Range and still being discovered by Captain Murong Ying must be at least a Throne-level individual."

"Such a stowaway acting out either means they're a fool, or they possess absolute confidence and aren't afraid of Yao Yao's investigation."

"And would any stowaway who has survived until today be a fool?"

Xu Xiaoshou pondered, feeling that he shouldn't ignore his sudden premonition. This trip might entail great danger, so he needed a backup plan.

With a flash.

He paused in mid-air and summoned his portrait clone, Bazun An, from the Yuan Mansion World.

"If a special situation arises, I just need to call this portrait clone for help. Bazun An's face alone can handle both sides of the law, likely resolving ninety percent of difficult situations..."

Xu Xiaoshou mused briefly but still felt uneasy.

His life was precious. He then summoned another portrait clone from the Yuan Mansion World, Yao Yao, complete with a replicated Profound Azure Divine Sword.

"If I encounter other Enforcers or my identity is questioned, bringing Yao Yao out should directly suppress any unexpected situations from the Red-clothed side..."

Rubbing his nose, Xu Xiaoshou considered that he might be oversimplifying things.

He was mostly unaware of Yao Yao's abilities, so he couldn't imitate them. Relying solely on her face and a fake Profound Azure Divine Sword might lead to unexpected complications.

For instance, if this portrait clone appeared, the Red-clothed faction might be alarmed, deeming the situation serious, then directly initiate a full assembly, or even alert Yao Yao herself. What then?

"Yao Yao's portrait clone isn't very usable right now. I should save it for other situations."

Xu Xiaoshou mused, then recalled Yao Yao's portrait clone and summoned Red-clothed Shou Ye instead.

"Hmm, Shou Ye's rank is a bit lower, so he wouldn't alarm the higher-ups. But he's also Path-Cutting, on par with Captain Murong Ying, slightly stronger, and has more authority. Using him now should be sufficient."

"Perfect, this is the plan!"

And so, with Bazun An in one hand and Shou Ye in the other.

After making dual preparations for both light and dark paths, he dismissed both portrait clones as he had Lei Xier, then flew alone towards the assembly point.

Since he was already following Bazun An's "guidance," Xu Xiaoshou was very close.

In just a few moments, he arrived at the mission location.

"Wang Chao!" Among the mountains and wilds, behind a pile of scattered rocks, a black-robed figure, previously concealed within the Heavenly Dao, revealed his true form upon seeing a team member approach. He called out to the first arrival.

Suppressing his pounding heart, Xu Xiaoshou approached the black-robed man silently, bowing his head respectfully. "Greetings, Captain!"