Chapter 2330: Change

Zu'an was startled. How did gunpowder get involved again?

Although this world was one of cultivation, gunpowder also existed. However, its power was far inferior to the thermal weapons of his previous life, and it couldn't compare to some skills of high-level cultivators in this world. Yet, it was widely used in armies and the mining industry due to its low cost and ease of acquisition.

As if sensing his confusion, Yun Jianyue explained, "The imperial court was transporting a batch of gunpowder to Yi County, which was supposed to be handed over by the King of Yan. However, it was intercepted en route. Jiang Zhong, the Embroidered Envoy responsible for investigating the case, later concluded that the gunpowder had been stolen by the Demonic Sect."

Zu'an remarked, "That conclusion would have been fine anywhere else, but he didn't know that the King of Yan and the Demonic Sect had already secretly allied."

Yun Jianyue glared at him, clearly displeased with his use of "Demonic Sect." "Indeed, we certainly didn't do it, and the King of Yan trusts us. So, the person who presented that conclusion is problematic. The King of Yan sent people to investigate him and found him being pursued by a group of mysterious individuals attempting to silence him. The King of Yan's subordinates rescued him amidst the chaos."

"Where is Jiang Zhong now?" Zu'an asked. Back then, after he realized Jiang Zhong was problematic, a group of people searched everywhere but couldn't find him.

"The King of Yan must have hidden him or silenced him," Yun Jianyue shook her head, clearly unconcerned about such a minor figure.

"The King of Yan later interrogated Jiang Zhong. At that time, he was at his wit's end and had no choice but to seek refuge with the King of Yan," Yun Jianyue replied. "It seems Jiang Zhong became addicted to gambling, lost everything, and accumulated huge debts. His engagement also fell through. As he spiraled deeper, the Phantom Tower found an opportunity to bribe him."

"Gambling truly ruins people," Zu'an thought to himself. He realized that the Embroidered Envoy system in Yi County also had issues, as they hadn't detected such problems with one of their envoys beforehand.

"However, Jiang Zhong didn't know the details of the Phantom Tower. He merely followed orders, and his contact had long since vanished," Yun Jianyue said. As the Demonic Sect leader, she clearly held some apprehension towards the mysterious Phantom Tower.

"What about the missing gunpowder?" Zu'an asked.

"After my investigation over this period, the last trace was lost near Purple Mountain. So I suspect this batch of gunpowder has already been transported there," Yun Jianyue stated.

"What?!" Zu'an was greatly alarmed. The sheer quantity of gunpowder used by the imperial court for military supplies was immense. If it was truly hidden in Purple Mountain, what were they planning? Considering the emperor was about to perform the Fengshan ceremony here, the motive seemed obvious.

"However, I don't know exactly where it's hidden. It would be almost impossible for such a large quantity of gunpowder to enter silently. Therefore, it must be protected by some influential figure in Purple Mountain," Yun Jianyue said.

"Are you suspecting Wang Wuxie?" Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. The entire Purple Mountain was his territory; he was the most suspicious person regarding such an incident.

"Wang Wuxie is indeed a suspect," Yun Jianyue nodded. "Additionally, it's not impossible for people from the Nine Daoist Sects to be involved. Many arrived at Purple Mountain early for the Grand Daoist Competition. With their assistance, the Zhengyang Sect would have difficulty investigating them."

"So, you've been disguised as Elder Peng from Kongming Island all this time, secretly investigating this matter," Zu'an mused, recalling recent events. No wonder he always sensed a familiar aura from Peng Wuyan. Luckily, he hadn't clashed with them these past few days; instead, he had helped them several times. Otherwise, they would surely hate him. "By the way, where are the real Elder Peng and Peng Wuyan?"

"I killed them," Yun Jianyue said flatly. "I am, after all, a ruthless demoness who kills without batting an eye."

Zu'an frowned. Although he knew her identity, his interactions with her hadn't revealed much of her cruel side. Hearing something like this still made him uncomfortable.

"Look how scared you are," Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, killing people like them would be a waste. I've imprisoned them. I'll release them after this matter is resolved, and perhaps even plant a spy within the Daoist sects."

Zu'an finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked with a smile, "How's the investigation going?"

"Honglei and I have been investigating this for days, but unfortunately, we haven't found anything," Yun Jianyue said, her expression somewhat enigmatic. "Sometimes, finding nothing can reveal a lot."

Zu'an was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I also suspected some of the other Daoist sects before, but they are merely guests here. It would be impossible for them to secretly hide such a large amount of gunpowder without me discovering it," Yun Jianyue paused, then continued with a solemn expression, "And the only one in the entire Purple Mountain capable of doing that is likely Wang Wuxie."

"He seems like a virtuous immortal, and as the Imperial Preceptor, he shouldn't be capable of such things, should he?" Zu'an recalled Wang Wuxie's demeanor over the past few days and couldn't discern anything unusual.

"Virtuous immortal?" Yun Jianyue sneered. "That's because you haven't seen his pathetic attempts to pursue the Ice Stone Maiden when he was young."

Zu'an: "..."

Yan Xuehen's charm was indeed great. It wasn't surprising that the previous generation admired her; in fact, it would be strange if they didn't.

Yun Jianyue's expression grew serious. "The reason I came to find you today is twofold: first, to plead on behalf of the King of Yan, and second, to remind you that the King of Yan has been meticulously building his power in Yi County for so many years. Did you truly think he would be so easily subdued?"

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. "You mean..."

"The King of Yan commands tens of thousands of elite soldiers. Once incited, they could easily cause trouble," Yun Jianyue continued. "Furthermore, as far as I know, you haven't captured the King of Yan's Heir or his Prime Minister, Sun Xun, have you?"

"Do they actually dare to rebel?" Zu'an's expression changed slightly. With Zhao Hao still in power and the imperial court strong, wouldn't raising an army now be like striking a rock with an egg?

"You can't assume everyone is rational. When pushed to desperation, nothing they do would be surprising," Yun Jianyue said slowly.

Just as Zu'an was about to speak, his heart stirred. He took out his Embroidered Envoy's golden token, which relayed a message: The King of Yan's army had surrounded Yi City, demanding his release, and the city was on the verge of falling.

Zu'an's heart sank. Although he knew these individuals couldn't cause major waves and would certainly be swiftly suppressed by Zhao Hao and the imperial court, the common people of Yi City, along with Xiao Jianren, Zhang Zitong, and others, might not survive the turmoil.

"I'm going to Yi City!" Zu'an stood up.

"I'll go with you. After all, without the King of Yan's support, life wouldn't be easy for the Sacred Sect either." Yun Jianyue also stood up, putting Elder Peng's mask back on.

Xie Daoyun was pacing anxiously outside. Zhang Zijiang chuckled, "Don't worry, Miss Xie. Master Zu's cultivation is peerless; he won't be in any danger."

Xie Daoyun's face flushed slightly as she whispered, "It's not that I'm worried, but Elder Peng is a senior Daoist, capable of training such a formidable disciple as Peng Wuyan. Her cultivation must be unfathomable. Master... Master Zu is still quite young after all."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Zu'an and Yun Jianyue emerged.

Xie Daoyun hurried forward, and Zhang Zijiang, abandoning his casual demeanor, also looked at Zu'an with anxious concern.

"I'm fine. I need to go out for a while. Take care of yourselves," Zu'an replied.

"Is there something urgent, Master Zu?" Xie Daoyun asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, there's a small issue in Yi City. I'll go resolve it; there's no danger," Zu'an casually reassured her, not wanting her to worry.

Xie Daoyun finally breathed a small sigh of relief.

Zu'an had originally intended to ask Zhang Zijiang to investigate the gunpowder in Purple Mountain, but then he reconsidered: wouldn't it be perfect if Zhao Hao were blown up? Why should he worry about him? This thought brought him relief, and he waved goodbye to the two.

After they left, Yun Jianyue suddenly chuckled, "That Miss Xie seems quite concerned about you."

Zu'an chuckled sheepishly, "Friends, it's just friendly concern."

"Friends again? You seem to have quite a few beautiful female friends around you," Yun Jianyue sneered.

Zu'an glanced at her in surprise, his expression somewhat playful. "Elder Sister Yun, are you perhaps... jealous?"

Yun Jianyue's face flushed, and she glared at him fiercely: "Get lost! I'm just sticking up for my Honglei."

"What are you laughing at? Do you believe I'll tear your mouth apart?!"

"Still laughing?"

After they descended the mountain, Zu'an took out his Wind-Fire Wheels and invited her to join him.

Yun Jianyue hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, saying, "I can fly on my own." Clearly, she intended to maintain her distance from him.

Zu'an thought to himself that she truly lived up to her reputation as Yan Xuehen's arch-rival; their thoughts were identical.

He didn't press the matter. After they took to the sky, he tried to make conversation. "By the way, was that turtle spirit in Blackwater Pool also arranged by you?" It was because the turtle spirit mentioned that a woman had thrown the body of Gold Medal Seventh into Blackwater Pool that night that they began to suspect the Carefree Pavilion.

Yun Jianyue was taken aback. "What turtle spirit? The King of Yan only knew you had investigated and found such a woman, which is why he had Jiang Zhong lead you towards the Carefree Pavilion."

"You don't know about the turtle spirit?" Zu'an was startled. He had always thought the turtle spirit was arranged by the King of Yan to deliberately mislead him towards Tang Tian'er, only missing a crucial step because he didn't know Zu'an's relationship with Tang Tian'er. But now, hearing her words, she seemed completely unaware of the turtle spirit's existence.

"Indeed, I didn't know. I was wondering how you knew that Gold Medal Seventh was involved with a woman before his death. Was it because there was a turtle spirit in Blackwater Pool?" As the Demonic Sect leader, Yun Jianyue was well-traveled and knowledgeable, naturally aware of spirit creature legends.

Zu'an recounted the events at Blackwater Pool to her. Yun Jianyue frowned, and after a moment, suddenly spoke: "Have you ever considered that the turtle spirit might not have actually lied to you?"

Zu'an was stunned. "Then why did it run away guiltily and leave that message?"

Yun Jianyue smiled faintly. "You're usually quite sharp, boy, but why are you so muddled now? Think about it: if you were that turtle spirit and there was someone who could take your life at any moment, would you dare to stay there? As for things like incense offerings, they're simply not worth mentioning compared to life. As long as it's alive, it can slowly re-accumulate them. There's no need to risk staying there. And as for the message it left behind, given such great losses because of you, it's quite normal for it to get a little dig in, isn't it?"

Zu'an: "..."

Too many thoughts flooded his mind at once.