Chapter 738

Although the Du Xian Dao had retreated, their southward advance remained an imminent threat, a matter Li Ximing could not afford to disregard. Fortunately, after the battle on the river, direct disciples like Guan Gongxiao and Guan Lingdie were relatively unharmed. However, Gongsun Baifan and others had sustained significant injuries. The Du Xian Dao was not known for its healing arts; while Ming Yang could at least stimulate recovery, Ye Hui was likely even less proficient in healing, with their only advantage being their abundant vital energy.

"At least for now, there won't be any major movements. Once Shanji County is settled, the wilderness will become a protracted struggle. As for Ye Hui's other intentions, further investigation will be required."

"And Wen Hu's legacy..."

Knowing that the Mifan Monastery harbored a spiritual treasure on Xiaoshi Mountain, Li Ximing saw no reason not to claim a share. He immediately gave an order: "Bring Wen Hu up!"

At Li Ximing's command, Li Chenghuai swiftly ascended the mountain, borne by the wind. He carried a disheveled man whose iron chains clanked loudly, leaving a trail of blood.

Wen Hu had not endured much torture in the dungeon; only his cultivation had been sealed. Injuries sustained over a year ago had never fully healed. Although the Li family had provided some cursory treatment, blood occasionally still welled from his wounds.

This man possessed superior cunning and foresight. His past intention to let Hongfu Mountain fall into the Li family's hands directly contributed to the preservation of the Funan territory with minimal casualties. Surprisingly, he had managed to avoid any resentment from the Li family, minimizing his presence and leading a relatively comfortable life until now. Indeed, had he not possessed the legacies of the three Mifan sects, Li Ximing would not have even remembered him, leaving him to rot in the dungeon.

Now, looking at him, Li Ximing could only comment on his "poor luck." A thought even crossed his mind: "After I've extracted the legacies, I could use him to trade for An Siwei with Ye Hui. Given the involvement of Xiaoshi Mountain, Ye Hui might actually agree to the exchange... interesting."

He glanced at Wen Hu, whose cultivation was sealed and whose lips were bound, preventing any spellcasting. The divine light on Li Ximing's brow flickered, and he silently dismissed the idea. "This man is no ordinary individual," he mused, "and he's deeply involved with Xiaoshi Mountain and Mifan. Handing him over to Bai Ye of Du Xian Dao might pose too great a threat. It's better to kill him!"

Li Ximing casually unsealed Wen Hu's mouth. Remaining seated at the head of the room, he watched the man writhe on the ground, then struggle to his feet, speaking hoarsely: "The sinner Wen Hu bows before the True Lord!"

Wen Hu's alleged crime was merely "deceiving" the Purple Mansion, specifically regarding the absence of Daoist Chidu from the Du Xian Dao. The blame had been placed on him, the one who had made the promise. Wen Hu had never protested his innocence, silently accepting his fate.

Li Ximing remained silent, merely casting a glance at him.

Frankly, Li Ximing still felt a certain appreciation for Wen Hu's talent; after all, the man possessed considerable cunning and resourcefulness. However, this was a struggle at the Purple Mansion level, far exceeding what Li Ximing could decide on his own.

To a Purple Mansion cultivator, most Foundation Establishment cultivators were mere pawns. What truly mattered was one's reputation and standing. Wen Hu, being Master Ye Hui's subordinate, was a bargaining chip in Li Ximing's hands, but he could not be treated as a mere pawn.

If Li Ximing were to openly and ostentatiously take him in, it would undoubtedly create a deep-seated enmity. Not only would it forge a genuine feud, but it would also violate established norms. The moment Wen Hu appeared, it would be entirely reasonable for Ye Hui to personally tear open the void and reclaim him.

Yet, after that single glance, Wen Hu immediately grasped his perilous situation, with the metaphorical knife already at his throat. He bowed and said, "This humble one greets True Lord Zhaojing... The Mifan lineage never intended to disrespect the True Lord. I was merely conveying a message under the guidance of a senior, and I had no idea it would come to this."

Although Wen Hu spoke these words, his heart was filled with bitterness. He knew he had clearly sided with Bai Ye of the Du Xian Dao. No matter how he tried to explain away his stance by attributing it to his lineage or the Floating Cloud Cave, it would be difficult to earn Li Ximing's trust now.

As expected, he tried to shift the blame to the Floating Cloud Cave. Li Ximing, neither confirming nor denying, simply asked, "Where is the lineage of the Secret Cloud Cave?"

Wen Hu's heart pounded; he knew his end was near, and sweat streamed down his face. But what could he possibly do against a Purple Mansion cultivator? It was only because the True Lord was cautious, perhaps fearing karmic repercussions, that he refrained from an immediate soul search, thus granting Wen Hu a moment to speak.

However, he seized upon the name of the Secret Cloud lineage, his heart trembling intensely as thoughts raced through his mind. He quickly replied, "To answer the True Lord, the Secret Cloud lineage can be immediately transcribed for you. Furthermore, Wen Hu also has knowledge of the whereabouts of the other Mifan lineages on Xiaoshi Mountain."

Li Ximing's expression immediately became peculiar. While he had some inkling of the information Wen Hu was revealing, he also frowned at the cultivator's sharp perceptiveness. Silently, his killing intent intensified.

Li Ximing smiled. "Oh? And which lineage might that be?"

Wen Hu respectfully replied, "Reporting to the True Lord, I once cultivated in the South Sea under the command of Daoist Chidu, searching for traces of the Mifan lineage. I found some clues in Danrong Wuluo, but I secretly kept that information to myself; no one else is aware."

Li Ximing's suspicions arose as he discerned the man's narrative. He deliberately asked, "Why didn't you report this to Chidu?"

Wen Hu wiped away his sweat and replied, "To the True Lord, having received the Mifan lineage, I am not entirely ignorant. I also understood the schemes of the various True Lords. Therefore, I secretly communicated with fellow cultivators and chose not to report to Chidu..."

Li Ximing softly interrupted, "The Secret Cloud lineage."

Li Chenghuai immediately produced a jade slip and presented it. Wen Hu had no choice but to take the slip and swiftly began carving. After a quarter of an hour, a copy of the "Xiaoshi Lingfeng Duxin Jue" was completed.

Wen Hu continued carving on another jade slip while Li Ximing casually took the first one, reading it with his spiritual sense. The divine light between his brows flickered slightly.

"'Xiaoshi Lingfeng Duxin Jue,' a fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Hurricane Ghost Yin."

With his current divine abilities, Li Ximing could clearly discern any flaws in the cultivation methods. He waited for Wen Hu to finish writing again, and the next text was "Xiaoshi Tianqing Sanyun Jue," which, as Chang Yun had mentioned, was supposedly obtained by harming others.

"'Xiaoshi Tianqing Sanyun Jue'... a fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Floating Cloud Body."

Li Ximing deliberately asked, "Where did this come from?"

Wen Hu wiped away his sweat, his face etched with trepidation, and respectfully said, "It was obtained from Fudou. This humble one used certain methods to torture him, making him reveal everything quickly..."

Li Ximing then smiled. "I heard you only took a quarter of an hour to assault the mountain. Your skill is quite remarkable, then."

The man listened, terrified. He respectfully took the jade slip and began writing again. After the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, he presented another jade slip: "Yu Ke Yin."

Li Ximing finally showed some interest. This was a partial secret technique, and it appeared quite profound.

Wen Hu bowed, speaking with an unforced cadence. "This was passed down to me by my master before his death. He said an ancestor obtained it from a fallen direct disciple of a Wanling Upper Sect. It allows one to fold feathers into clothing and was originally an extremely potent body-protection technique..."

"As the True Lord can discern, this is likely a Purple Mansion-level spell, ranging from fifth to sixth grade. Only half of it remains now; the rest..."

He raised an eyebrow and added, "I secretly verified it, and the remainder might be with that direct disciple of the Mifan lineage in the South Sea!"

Li Ximing glanced at him, then put the item away. Watching Wen Hu kneel fearfully on the ground, Li Ximing spoke in a very soft voice, yet his words struck terror into Wen Hu's heart.

He said with amusement, "You dared to deceive me."