Chapter 723 - 383: Did Tantai Mingyue Collude with the Demon Sect?
Chapter 723: Chapter 383: Did Tantai Mingyue Collude with the Demon Sect?
Mingyu Lane.
"Junior Martial Uncle Leng, the Tracking Technique has found the last trace of Junior Martial Uncle Tantai here."
Chen Yunfeng pointed to an ordinary courtyard in the alley and said to Leng Jing.
At this moment, by Leng Jing’s side were also Zhang Zheng, the Peak Master of Divinity Transformation Peak, and several disciples of the Zhenyang Sect.
Today, Suxin found Leng Jing, saying that Tantai Mingyue hadn’t returned last night and there’s still no news of her.
Feeling something was amiss, Leng Jing ordered everyone to search around. Chen Yunfeng used the Tracking Technique specifically for finding people, finally confirming that Tantai Mingyue lost her trace last night in front of a courtyard in Mingyu Lane.
Leng Jing walked to the gate of that courtyard and suddenly frowned: "It’s truly the aura of Junior Sister Tantai, besides her, there should be another person."
Chen Yunfeng bent down to pick up a piece of clothing corner on the ground and used the Tracking Technique on it, his face slightly changed:
"It’s Junior Brother Wang Dan from Danxia Peak. He wasn’t on the list for this trip to West Imperial City, why is he here with Junior Martial Uncle Tantai?"
Zhang Zheng also looked surprised, glancing at Leng Jing.
All these experienced Commanding Disciples knew that Leng Jing had feelings for Tantai Mingyue over the years, but the latter never accepted them.
Leng Jing should have some understanding of Tantai Mingyue’s activities.
However, Leng Jing was also puzzled: "I’ve never heard Junior Sister mention this."
Chen Yunfeng looked at the small house in the courtyard, frowning: "Junior Martial Uncle Leng, I always feel this courtyard is somewhat strange."
Zhang Zheng said: "What’s there to fear? We have so many people; even if the Demon Sect Saintess were to resurrect, we wouldn’t need to fear her!"
"Junior Brother Zhang, quiet!"
At the mention of the Demon Sect Saintess, Leng Jing’s face changed, and Chen Yunfeng’s expression became ugly too.
For those who participated in the battle at Celestial Ridge Mountain, this name was a taboo that hindered the Tao Heart.
Realizing he misspoke, Zhang Zheng coughed dryly: "Junior Martial Uncle Leng, should we go in?"
Creaaaak.
Suddenly, the courtyard gate opened by itself.
Everyone exchanged glances. Though they belonged to the top sect in the world and were elders and core disciples, a chill inexplicably rose in their hearts.
"Junior Martial Uncle Leng, this..."
Leng Jing gritted his teeth: "Enter!"
Everyone stepped through the courtyard gate, fully alert, until they reached the house, yet nothing happened.
Then, another creak, the house door also opened by itself.
Leng Jing’s pupils suddenly widened.
"Junior Sister Tantai?!"
On the bed inside the house, Tantai Mingyue lay there in a plain white long dress, her eyes closed, her face pale.
Below the bed was Wang Dan, covered in blood, seemingly already dead, his eyes wide open, staring at Tantai Mingyue in death defiance.
"Junior Martial Uncle Tantai!"
"Junior Brother Wang!"
Everyone rushed into the house, just about to rescue Tantai Mingyue, when a figure suddenly appeared before their eyes.
This person was wearing a cyan Tao robe, with a neat bun, elegant disposition, and a face full of righteousness.
Everyone exclaimed: "Sect Leader?!"
Leng Jing looked at Chen Qingmo in disbelief: "Senior Martial Brother Sect Leader? Weren’t you in seclusion?!"
Chen Qingmo sighed solemnly: "For the reputation of the Zhenyang Sect, I had to end my seclusion early."
Leng Jing was confused: "Senior Brother, what do you mean?"
Chen Qingmo looked at the lying Tantai Mingyue, with pain and sorrow:
"Tantai Mingyue, to avenge her private vendetta with the Western Empress, has secretly controlled Spirit Corpse Mountain over the years, cultivating her own forces, and even taking advantage of this Immortal Ascension Ceremony to collude with the Celestial Fall Sect and Red Cloud Mountain to assassinate the Western Empress."
"I had no choice but to intervene and restrain her, planning to bring her back to Zhenyang Mountain for punishment after the Immortal Ascension Ceremony ends."
Everyone was stunned, and Leng Jing immediately said: "Impossible! Junior Sister Tantai could never do such things! Senior Martial Brother Sect Leader, there must be some misunderstanding!"
Chen Qingmo sighed: "I also hope it’s a misunderstanding. When I found Junior Sister Tantai, Wang Dan had discovered her secret and was silenced by her. I arrived just a step too late."
"This..."
Everyone looked at Wang Dan, who died with his eyes wide open, feeling their minds in chaos.
The world knew Tantai Mingyue as dignified and gentle, always kind to sect disciples, never oppressive even to ordinary people.
How could such a graceful and serene fairy be the master of Spirit Corpse Mountain?
How could she collude with Celestial Fall Sect and Red Cloud Mountain?
Chen Qingmo said: "Do you know, people from Celestial Fall Sect and Red Cloud Mountain have already infiltrated West Imperial City, and they’ll likely act today!"
"How could this be?!"
Everyone was shocked.
Chen Qingmo continued: "Moreover, Suxin is the daughter of Tantai Mingyue and the former Spirit Corpse Mountain Master. Tantai Mingyue also has a son, named Mo Sha, who is the Young Master of Spirit Corpse Mountain."
"Junior Martial Brother Leng, do you remember when Tantai Mingyue returned from West Imperial City years ago, she soon went into seclusion for a year and later claimed to have picked up an orphan named Suxin?"
Leng Jing, somewhat dazed, nodded: "At the time, the former Crown Prince of West Imperial City died, leaving Junior Sister Tantai disheartened, so she went into seclusion not long after."
Chen Qingmo said: "Because at that time, she was already pregnant and secluded for a year to secretly give birth to Suxin."
"How could this be....."
Everyone exchanged glances, with Leng Jing even more awestruck.
Chen Qingmo continued: "Tantai Mingyue used this to control Spirit Corpse Mountain. Wei Wan is her adopted daughter, originally named Ling, who posed as a maid beside Mo Sha. After Mo Sha’s death, Ling remained in Zhenyang Sect as Wei Wan."
"And He Zhiqiu of Divinity Transformation Peak, Ruo Mei of Danxia Peak, He Su of Xiyue Peak, Lan Yin, and the maid Xiaowu are all transformed using Cyan Lotus Sect’s Transformation Technique!"
"Their true identities are Loose Cultivator Qin Gengyun, a survivor from Cyan Lotus Sect Qiu Zhihe, Xia Qinglian’s maid He Su, Loose Cultivator Mo Xiaolan, and the first of the Beauty Ranking Yun Wu!"
"Tantai Mingyue knew all these matters. To avenge Lin Yuan, she allowed them, knowing they were related to remnants of the Demon Sect, intending to use them to stir up chaos in West Imperial City for her actions."
"After today’s Immortal Ascension Ceremony ends, Qiu Zhihe, Qin Gengyun, Mo Xiaolan, and others will unite the Celestial Fall Sect and Red Cloud Mountain to attack the Western Emperor Palace."
"Meanwhile, remnants of Cyan Lotus Sect will take advantage of the chaos to attack Chang’an Palace, avenging Xia Qinglian and Nalan Yan!"
"You are all targets of the assassination!"
Chen Qingmo’s words left Leng Jing and others stunned, incredulous.
"How...how could this be?!"
Leng Jing shouted: "Junior Sister Tantai always prioritizes the sect; how could she collude with people from the Demon Sect? She wouldn’t have relations with the Spirit Corpse Mountain Master!"
Zhang Zheng also said: "Senior Sister Suxin has devoted much to the sect over the years, and holds high prestige within it; how could she collaborate with remnants of Cyan Lotus Sect?"
Chen Yunfeng murmured: "Why haven’t we heard about the existence of Qiu Zhihe within Cyan Lotus Sect before?"
Chen Qingmo chuckled, and his next words were even more shocking:
"Qiu Zhihe has gathered figures from Cyan Lotus Sect like Xue Wu, Xue Wen today to take action, and according to my investigation, the Literary and Martial Two Demons show her utmost respect, suggesting this woman’s identity holds secrets; perhaps...she’s that person who’s supposed to be dead but isn’t."
Everyone exchanged glances. Zhang Zheng’s face turned ashen: "Sect Leader, are you saying Xia..."
Beside him, Chen Yunfeng suddenly grabbed him: "Since it’s not confirmed, we must not casually mention this name; it might cause panic."
Leng Jing was dumbfounded, looking at the unconscious Tantai Mingyue, as Chen Qingmo said to him:
"Junior Martial Brother Leng, I know your true feelings for Junior Sister Tantai, but you’re a Righteous Elder; your heart should distinguish right from wrong. Because of personal grudges with Lin Yuan, Junior Sister Tantai has developed a Heart Demon and made grave mistakes, causing pain; as her senior brothers, we must rectify her errors!"
Leng Jing looked up at Chen Qingmo, his chest heaving, finally bowing respectfully, solemnly saying:
"I obey the Sect Leader’s command!"