Chapter 787: Obtaining Intelligence

Jiang Fan stared at them as they left, his face dark.

He secretly congratulated himself that he hadn't revealed too many secrets. Otherwise, if the two Demon Empresses had seen more, it would have caused considerable trouble.

He checked the time. It was already the agreed-upon hour. He quickly gathered his belongings and went to the Mission Hall.

Ren Guhong was looking up, watching disciples on missions depart, riding their flying mounts. He seemed quite patient.

Wu Manyue's foxy, oval face was stretched long with impatience. Her pale, slender arms were supporting her ample chest. Her right foot tapped impatiently on the ground.

Seeing Jiang Fan approach from a distance, she raised her chin: "I thought you'd be reluctant to leave your beautiful wives and concubines, and back out at the last minute."

Jiang Fan scoffed, "You're a lonely soul no one wants, so of course you can be carefree."

Wu Manyue wasn't annoyed. She casually tugged at her thin collar, revealing a patch of smooth, fair skin. Instantly, passing male disciples immediately looked over. Some even stood on tiptoes, trying to glimpse more. Those with female companions pretended not to notice, but secretly peeked with their peripheral vision.

Wu Manyue closed her collar. She gently smoothed out her slightly disheveled appearance and said unhurriedly: "Junior Brother Jiang, say what you just said again."

Jiang Fan's lips twitched. There was no denying this woman's beauty. If she wanted a man, it would be incredibly easy. "Alright, you win. Do you have any plans for this trip? You're not just going to dive into demon territory and search for a needle in a haystack, are you?" Jiang Fan asked seriously.

Wu Manyue was in a good mood, having rarely scored a small victory against Jiang Fan. She intentionally showed off, saying, "Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Currently, the human race has very little information about the Hellish Desolate Beasts. Almost all intelligence comes from the demon race. Therefore, we plan to go to the demon territory first and find some reliable and useful information. Leave this aspect to me."

Jiang Fan looked at her suspiciously: "When did you ever deal with the demon race?" He recalled that Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciples rarely ventured out. During his half-year in the Nine Sects' territory, he'd only had the chance to meet Jian Linyuan, Wu Manyue, and others during the Border Mountain War.

When had Wu Manyue dealt with the demon race? Ren Guhong laughed, "Junior Brother Jiang, don't underestimate Junior Sister Wu. Her connections are quite extensive. She often knows unexpected people."

"Is that so?" Jiang Fan thought carefully. Wu Manyue indeed had a mysterious side that he couldn't quite grasp. For instance, the magic treasures she carried seemed inexhaustible. She always came up with something new and unexpected. Her having connections among the demon race didn't seem so strange anymore. "Alright then, we'll rely on Senior Sister Wu."

Wu Manyue proudly put her hands behind her back, her chest thrust out: "Don't worry. Leave it to me!"

Ren Guhong said: "Let's also set off quickly. Li Shangqiu, Ye Banxia, Wang Chongling, and the others will all go to the demon race first to seek reliable information. Whoever finds the information faster and more accurately will gain the upper hand."

Hearing this, the few of them dared not delay. After receiving a flying mount from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, they rode the wind away.

Traveling to the demon territory by land on spirit beasts would take at least five or six days. By flying mount, they crossed half the continent in just one day, arriving at the northernmost point of human territory: Border Mountain.

With the two races having completely ceased hostilities, Border Mountain had long been deserted. Only the lingering claw marks of demon beasts on the city walls quietly told of the fierce battles that once took place here.

At the foot of Border Mountain, on the demon side of the border, there were several Savage Elephants, towering fifty feet tall. They knelt close together on the ground, forming three high walls. Their raised trunks intertwined, creating a dome. Their tails spread out on both sides, like two doors. A natural encampment was thus formed.

Outside the entrance, several groups of Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciples and powerful figures from the Nine Sects had gathered. It seemed they were all seeking confirmation from the demon race about the latest whereabouts of the Hellish Desolate Beasts.

Jiang Fan immediately spotted familiar figures. They were Sect Master Yue Mingzhu of the Joyous Union Sect and Sect Master Gong Caiyi of the Spirit Beast Sect. Both had brought strong disciples from their respective sects.

"I'll go see some old acquaintances. We'll meet back here later." Wu Manyue nodded, "Perfect. I also need to activate my connections to find information."

Whoosh— Jiang Fan subtly flashed behind the group. He immediately heard Yue Mingzhu's complaints.

"Ha, the demon race certainly puts on a show! We're helping them find traces of the Hellish Desolate Beasts, yet they're refusing to see us. If it weren't for the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's orders, I wouldn't bother coming to this freezing, godforsaken place."

Gong Caiyi said softly, "Bear with it. The demon race has their own bounty missions, so naturally, they're unwilling to easily share first-hand information. With so many people here now, they naturally have concerns. Later, we just need to get basic information, enough to determine a rough search area. Don't expect the latest news."

Yue Mingzhu stood with her hands on her hips. Frowning, she scoffed, "If it wasn't to help Jiang Fan get the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's reward, I wouldn't bother enduring these demons' attitudes. Hmph!"

Gong Caiyi subtly looked around, her expression slightly uncomfortable. Among the Nine Sects, they were the most enthusiastic in following the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's orders, apart from the Azure Cloud Sect. Because they were closer to the demon territory, they arrived earlier. Hearing Yue Mingzhu say that, she felt a bit guilty, like a thief. Oh no, I hope no one heard that.

Who knew? As she looked, she suddenly saw Jiang Fan not far behind them, with a half-smile on his face. "Ah?" She gasped softly.

Jiang Fan made a shushing gesture. He quietly moved behind Yue Mingzhu, reached out, and gently put his arm around her slender waist.

Yue Mingzhu's delicate body trembled. Without thinking, she elbowed backward, sternly rebuking, "How dare you!"

"Is it not allowed even if it's me being presumptuous?" The familiar voice made Yue Mingzhu's delicate body tremble again. She suddenly twisted her head around. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she said in surprise, "Jiang..." But then she remembered something. She immediately shook off Jiang Fan's hand and pouted, "Who are you?"

Jiang Fan held her shoulders and smiled, "Still angry?" He guessed she was still bothered by Xu Youran asserting her status as the main wife last time. That was ages ago.

"Don't touch me!" She shook off Jiang Fan's hand again. Jiang Fan tried to grab her again, but she slipped away. After several attempts, Jiang Fan simply couldn't hold her.

"Then I'll go touch Gong Caiyi." Jiang Fan ignored her and turned to walk towards Gong Caiyi.

Yue Mingzhu, infuriated, turned around, grabbed his hand, and bit it: "Bastard! You only ever pick on me!"

Jiang Fan chuckled, "Don't be angry, I have a gift for you." Yue Mingzhu pouted, "I wouldn't dare accept it! If Xu Youran finds out one day, she'll make me return it." As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears of grievance.

Jiang Fan took the opportunity to pull her into his embrace and asked, "Would you return it then?" Yue Mingzhu answered without thinking, "Never!" "Then there you go, right?"

Jiang Fan took out a roll of Celestial Mountain Silk, put it in her hand, and said: "When we dealt with the Blood Dragon last time, your Celestial Mountain Silk broke. I've always wanted to get you a new set. Here, take it."

Yue Mingzhu's eyes lit up, and she took it in surprise: "Ah! It really is! And there's so much of it, much longer than my previous one. Wait!"

Yue Mingzhu suddenly remembered a past event and said: "That day, when Xu Qingyang's Silver-winged Thunder Roc was stolen, was that you?" Xu Qingyang was convinced it was her, saying she used her unique Celestial Mountain Silk weapon. He even gave her a thorough scolding.

Jiang Fan shrugged, "Who told you to put a bounty on me?" "It was really you?" Yue Mingzhu playfully hit him, both amused and annoyed. "You truly are my nemesis!"

Jiang Fan chuckled, "Are you still angry then?" Yue Mingzhu let out a soft hmph, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I forgive you."

Suddenly, she noticed Gong Caiyi had turned her face away, too embarrassed to watch. She mischievously smiled and said, "Sister, aren't you going to come and meet our husband? You're Xu Youran's approved concubine. Unlike me, who's just a wild flower from outside."

Gong Caiyi's face flushed crimson, and she hurriedly said, "Sect Master Yu, you, you shut up! Don't talk nonsense!" She wasn't as shameless as Yue Mingzhu, kissing and hugging in front of so many of their own disciples and so many people.

Abruptly, a heavy thud echoed from inside the encampment, as if someone had slammed a table. "Can those outside please be quiet?"

Uh— Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. They looked at Jiang Fan and the two women in astonishment. To be honest, they weren't making much noise. The sound of the Savage Elephants breathing was louder than Jiang Fan and the two women talking. So many people conversing with each other were much louder than them. Yet, the demon in charge inside hadn't said anything. Why did Jiang Fan and the two women just flirting provoke such anger?