Li Gang retracted his gaze and stared at Huang Weimin without fear.
He thought, 'He's hesitating—my bluff worked. But even if he hesitates, if I don't give him an incentive, he'll act. I'd be finished then.'
"I was sent here by Wang Xueyao. Before we make the transaction, let me tell you something: she's already a Rank 6 Warrior. I believe you tried to check her cultivation and failed when we entered the portal."
Huang Weimin's expression turned heavy. 'Yes—everyone tried, but they only found one person without cultivation and another who was Rank 1 late stage. But how can someone without cultivation enter this place?'
Although Huang Weimin found the claim somewhat believable, he remained suspicious.
Li Gang said, "Wang Xueyao asked for cooperation with you. She doesn't possess an information network like you do. In exchange for your information about the inheritances, she's ready to share 10% of the benefits with you and will make a move three times at your request."
Huang Weimin laughed coldly. "Do you think I'm an idiot? Do I need her to make a move, or do I need her to share benefits? I can obtain them on my own. And what proof do you have that she's a Rank 6 Warrior? Do you take me for a kid? Don't think I don't know she's only fourteen right now."
Li Gang looked at him and said, "She knew you wouldn't believe it. Look at this—it may help convince you."
As he spoke, Li Gang took out the body of a Rank 5 peak Spiritfire Wolf as proof.
Huang Weimin's face turned serious. Although there were many traces of attacks on its body, the blow that killed it was dealt in a single strike.
Li Gang didn't miss the opportunity and immediately tossed him a scroll—an incomplete Rank 9 Spiritual Cultivation Technique: Celestial Serenity Technique, obtained from Wang Xueyao.
"This is her sincerity for our deal. If you betray her, she'll hunt you down."
Huang Weimin looked at the scroll and burst into laughter. "You should've brought this earlier. Deal!"
Li Gang looked at him with disdain. 'Would you have believed me if I'd brought it earlier? You'd have just tried to snatch it away.'
Huang Weimin noticed his disdain, understood it, but ignored it. "Come, you're my brother from now on," he said cheerfully.
Current Time
Wang Xueyao looked at him in surprise. "I really didn't expect the Spiritfire Wolf I killed casually would be useful to you in this way. And you even wrote down part of the Celestial Serenity Technique to bluff him. Giving the complete technique would've been suicide."
"Impressive," she added. "I thought you used Ren Ying's disguise to fool him, but it was the opposite—you used Huang Weimin's help to get Ren Ying's disguise."
Li Gang smiled and nodded. "I didn't have any disguise technique. After allying with Huang Weimin, everything became easy. I asked him for a disguise method—and who could have better disguise techniques than assassins? Ren Ying was a spy of Thunderous Peak Faction, sent to the Shadow Phoenix Faction, but it was like showing off a trick in front of a master. He was caught and killed by Huang Weimin. I used his disguise and communication token to control the Thunderous Peak Faction."
Wang Xueyao nodded. "Now everything makes sense. But how did you manage to control those two idiots who still think they came together by fate?"
Huang Ling's eyes narrowed. Her focus instantly doubled, as if afraid to miss a single detail—so much so that she even forgot to keep Li Yuxong under control.
But Li Yuxong didn't move; he also wanted to know what had happened back then.
Li Gang laughed. "It was a coincidence. I learned about her from Huang Weimin. It was part of our deal—he wanted your help dealing with her. I also learned about the Bloodfiend Spring through the Shadow Phoenix Faction's information network, as per our initial agreement. Their communication tokens were reliable."
"This happened over two years ago, after I went to the Spirit Dragon Clan."
"I already had several reliable subordinates in the Li family—people I'd subdued with poison long before, during my experiments."
"The Bloodfiend Spring appeared at the perfect time. I had already joined the Spirit Dragon Clan and made a deal with them. I also learned they'd developed a map—but they refused to give it to me."
"So, I planned to kidnap some of their core members who might have it. With Huang Weimin's help and some inside information from the Spirit Dragon Faction, it was a piece of cake. Then, I leaked the map across all regions—but with one difference."
"I marked the Azure Faction on the map, near Region 23."
"The Azure members were scattered throughout this small world, but after seeing their faction marked as already established, they went to check it out. As they gathered, they decided to form a faction. In fact, Li Cheng was always wary of a scheme but had no choice—many members were still missing, and he didn't know when they'd come looking for the faction."
"That's why I deliberately delayed some of those Azure Faction members with help from the Spirit Dragon and Shadow Phoenix factions. Otherwise, once they'd all gathered, Li Cheng would've moved the faction elsewhere."
"I also leaked the news of my death beforehand. Given the distance, I figured it would take a while for that news to reach the Azure Faction."
"In the meantime, I used the Shadow Phoenix Faction to create a threat for Tang Liuyue—but I made sure her attackers were only Rank 3 mid-stage Warriors. At that time, Tang Liuyue was Rank 4 early stage, and the ones attacking her were five Rank 3 mid-stagers. There were also other Rank 4s and one Rank 5 to keep her protectors occupied."
"I faked a scene where I bravely lured a beast to create chaos, and in the confusion, I took her away. Then I spent some time with her. Honestly, I regretted attacking her afterward—she was too innocent. I thought she started liking me, but thinking about it now, how could someone fall for me so easily? Just because I saved her? That's unrealistic. At most, she felt gratitude."
"Anyway, her protector Xu Zhi didn't trust me, so I made a bet with him. He needed Corpse Blossom to make a poison—a secret of their Moonlight Sect, which often uses poison in battle. I promised to help him get it, and in return, I asked for a few of their warriors' help."
"Then I went to Region 23 with some Shadow Phoenix disciples—Huang Weimin sent them as manpower and to keep an eye on me. I let them use the Bloodfiend Spring first, and I also used it until its power diminished. Then, I asked Huang Weimin to let Huang Ling learn about the spring—indirectly."
"I knew about her. Her cultivation increased too fast, so anything that could stabilize her foundation was an irresistible lure."
"I expected her to arrive sooner, which is why I weakened the spring beforehand—to delay her. She'd have to waste time hunting beasts and using their blood essence to improve its quality."
"After that, I secretly entered the Azure Faction, gave one of my subordinates a communication token, and left."
"I had already obtained a Corpse Blossom plant from the Shadow Phoenix Faction—they had plenty. One of them was immature, so I took it early and planted it nearby. With the help of those disciples, I created miasma around the area. Any expert would notice it was man-made, but those first-timers couldn't tell the difference."
"Then I leaked the news to the Thunderous Peak Faction. With some effort, I put out a task about the Corpse Blossom and spread word that many had failed, raising its price. All I had to do then was wait for someone to take the bait. As expected, Jin Lei and Cao Wei fell for the trap. It wasn't difficult to deceive them and join their team under a fake identity."
"As for luring Yuxong—it was simple. I know him too well. After hearing news of my death, he'd want to be alone and would likely leave the Azure Faction. Even if he didn't, I had other ways to make him leave."
"But those weren't needed. I manipulated him into entering Region 23 and directed his every move toward the cave of the Bloodfiend Spring. I couldn't let Shadow Phoenix members poison them with aphrodisiac—they wouldn't do it to fellow disciples—so I had the Moonlight members handle it. I summoned them using the communication token, under the pretext of gathering the Corpse Blossom."
Li Yuxong, who had been listening, shouted, "Impossible! I went there on my own! How could you manipulate me?"
Li Gang laughed. "Do you remember how many maps there were when you asked for one?"
Li Yuxong thought for a moment, then his expression changed. "Twenty-three," he said quietly.
Li Gang smiled. "Exactly. And when you were leaving, I had someone whisper 'twenty-three,' just loud enough for you to hear. The human mind is strange—whatever we hear stays in our subconscious and influences our next decisions. Even if you hadn't gone that way, I had other contingencies prepared."
"Even when you were running after we obtained the Corpse Blossom, I had Huang Shu spill blood to spread a bloody scent. Smelling that, you subconsciously remembered that cave and went there—after all, you'd already been there before. Your first visit to the cave was also directed by me, don't you remember? I also spread the pursuers across different routes—only the one leading to that cave was safe. I never allow unforeseen circumstances to interfere with my plans."
Wang Xueyao looked at him deeply. "I'm impressed. But it's a pity—you're going to die here."
Her gaze deepened as she thought inwardly, 'Let's see what you've planned to survive this situation.'
Li Gang closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right. Deceiving someone is easy, but seeing through deception—that's the true skill. It's a pity, but even if I fall, it won't be by your hand."
Saying that, he jumped from the cliff.
The wind pressed against him as he fell, cold and sharp, yet his expression remained calm. For a brief moment, he felt the weight of everything he had done—schemes, lies, and countless choices made in shadows. But regret was a luxury he had abandoned long ago.
His figure disappeared into the mist, leaving behind nothing but the illusion of an ending.
Wang Xueyao watched his falling figure, her eyes narrowing. Just to be sure, she raised her hand to strike—but Huang Ling stopped her.
"He's already dying. At least let him have his last wish."
Wang Xueyao looked at her, said nothing, and turned to leave.
No one noticed that as Wang Xueyao left, she had a knowing smile on her lips. 'So this was your confidence.'
Huang Ling spoke softly. "Even though I fell for his schemes, I still admire him. In less than two years, he manipulated five entire factions under a single identity."
Wang Xueyao paused, opened her mouth slightly, but said nothing. She walked away.
Li Yuxong was still in shock. He looked at Huang Ling and said, "Ling-er, I…"
"Don't think too much. We're together—that's all that matters," she whispered.
Li Yuxong wanted to say more, but his eyes widened as her lips sealed his.
He subconsciously wrapped his arms around her waist and closed his eyes.