Song Qingpao shivered slightly; he didn't recognize the object, but he had seen this pattern before.
Every time the Helm Leader gathered them for discussion and conveyed orders from the Main Helm, the letters in the hands of the Blood Lion Ancestor had this pattern.
Zhang Ze saw Song Qingpao's expression and knew he had guessed right.
In Zhang Ze's exchange system, he could exchange for cultivation techniques from various sects, including those from the Demon Sects.
Before exchange, the cultivation techniques appeared as secret manuals. High tier techniques had words on the covers; if you couldn't afford them, don't touch or try them.
Other sects only had titles on the books, but the Hundred Demons Sect obnoxiously printed this pattern on all the covers of the high-tier Demon Sect techniques.
Last night, Zhang Ze had Chen Qin use the Thousand Mechanism Technique to create a token with this pattern for him.
As Zhang Ze had expected, this thing might not bluff the Blood Lion Ancestor, but it could certainly deceive this inexperienced small boss.
Seeing the token take effect, Zhang Ze didn't explain much. He casually found a spot to sit down while Chen Qin stood behind him, gently pinching his shoulder.
"So, are we chatting here?" Zhang Ze poured himself a cup of tea.
"I don't mind; your Cyan Thorn territory matters don't concern me. I just came here on orders from the Main Helm."
"Senior, please follow me."
Song Qingpao's base was interesting too, with a front appearing to sell wine, and the entrance to the base hidden in a storeroom in the backyard where barrels were kept.
Those from the Demon Path probably posed as laborers or wine merchants when entering and leaving the base.
This place was indeed well-hidden.
Entering the base, Zhang Ze lifted his head and stared at a carved beam for a moment, casually commenting, "Not bad."
Song Qingpao sharply inhaled; he hadn't expected this expert from the Main Helm to see through his hidden mechanism here.
Zhang Ze paid him no mind, merely walking alongside Song Qingpao, casually assessing the setups and furnishings along the secret passage.
"Average."
"Hm."
"Acceptable."
By the time they reached the usual meeting spot in the base, Song Qingpao was utterly convinced.
"As expected of an expert from the Main Helm... able to... see through everything."
Zhang Ze watched Song Qingpao's expression and chuckled internally, thinking he guessed right once more.
"My gaming skills were not in vain; can you really be more cunning than Old Thief Miyazaki?"
Zhang Ze sat down opposite Song Qingpao, and Chen Qin leaned beside him, holding his arm.
"So, tell me, what has that dumb dog Blood Lion arranged?"
"I wouldn't dare; the Blood Lion Ancestor, he..."
Zhang Ze listened to Song Qingpao's recounting and testing words, thinking this person was overly cautious.
But it's exactly people like this who would fall for such a trick.
He's really immersed...
"Qin'Er, what do you think?" Zhang Ze didn't answer but instead playfully tapped Chen Qin's nose.
Chen Qin blushed slightly and laughed, "So foolish."
Zhang Ze let out a chuckle, "Did you hear that? Stupid, indescribably stupid."
Song Qingpao maintained a neutral expression but felt secretly pleased, as if this senior was speaking on his behalf.
"It seems thorough, but in reality, as dumb as a pig.
"Sit down, and I'll teach you what to do.
"Starting tomorrow, send people to attack and kill other loose cultivator demon paths; choose those with clean backgrounds."
"Huh!?" Song Qingpao couldn't believe his ears.
"Why, don't you dare?" Zhang Ze sneered.
"I, I just don't understand," Song Qingpao lowered his head even more.
"First, this move conceals the eyes and ears of the Righteous Path.
"Second, the Cyan Thorn land, it ultimately belongs to our Hundred Demons Sect; the Spiritual Snake Helm must be reclaimed.
"Third, this is my plan; if you don't want to do it, listen to other people's arrangements."
After Zhang Ze spoke, he stopped talking and let Song Qingpao figure it out himself.
And indeed, Song Qingpao began to think deeply.
The Cyan Thorn land was vast, with only the Blood Lion and Green Snake as major Demon Helms. However, other loose cultivator demon paths or small factions were endless.
Although recently intimidated by the Sword Sect's swift actions, over time, this group of killers would inevitably fill the void left by the Spiritual Snake Helm.
They might even challenge the Blood Lion Helm.
Attacking those demon paths would indeed expand the Hundred Demons Sect's power without drawing much attention from the Righteous Path.
Killing was just killing; there's no camaraderie between demon paths.
Doing so could even allow some of his subordinates to clean up their backgrounds, preparing to infiltrate the Righteous Path...
The Main Helm must be planning something big.
The lord said the Spiritual Snake Helm would return, and bypassing the Blood Lion Ancestor, directly assigned him this task...
And mentioned there were multiple envoys sent to Cyan Thorn, hinting at fiercer factional struggles within the Main Helm...
Could it be...
Song Qingpao was trembling with excitement, feeling that his opportunity had finally arrived.
The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish, choosing the right time and team to align with.
This lord dared to insult the Blood Lion with just a Golden Core cultivation, his status must be unfathomably high.
The Helm Leader... Song Qingpao saw the position of Helm Leader beckoning to him.
"Lord, I..."
"Shh, you don't need to share your thoughts with me, I only watch what you do," Zhang Ze said calmly.
"I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty," Song Qingpao knelt and prostrated on the ground.
"Hmm, good. The Hundred Demons Sect needs talents like you."
"Remember, I don't need your loyalty; you will always be loyal to the Hundred Demons Sect."
With these words, Zhang Ze rose to leave.
A few steps out, Zhang Ze suddenly turned back and tossed a Jade Pendant to Song Qingpao.
"I'm very busy and not particularly fond of your place."
"If there's anything, make sure to let me know." Zhang Ze nodded, signaling for Song Qingpao to pick up the Jade Pendant.
"My lord, what do you wish to know?" Song Qingpao asked.
"That's your problem, not mine." With that, he walked with Chen Qin toward the base's exit.
"It's so boring. Are we going to another base?" Chen Qin shook Zhang Ze's arm.
"No, I'll take you to the South City to watch a play later." Zhang Ze rubbed Chen Qin's head.
After Zhang Ze left, Song Qingpao's eyes were bloodshot. He tightly held and then slowly released the Jade Pendant several times, calming his emotions.
He, too, had a chance to become the Helm Leader, and once he obtained the legacy of the Spiritual Snake Helm, he vowed to make that red-haired old dog pay.
After pacing in the room several times, Song Qingpao put away the Jade Pendant and pulled out a list from his sleeve.
It contained over a dozen names, all promising loose cultivator marauders he'd been eyeing recently.
Lin Feng's name was prominently on the list.
"Now is just the right time for recruits, it's fine to take them all. If they have second thoughts, I can just let others do the dirty work and benefit like a fisherman," Song Qingpao sneered.
"Finally, my opportunity has come."
Yangguan Road, South City Market.
Zhang Ze, with Chen Qin in his arm, had walked far, planning things in his mind, forgetting to leave his role behind.
"Senior brother..." came Chen Qin's muffled voice beside him.
Hearing her, Zhang Ze panicked, realizing he was still holding the Sect Leader's precious daughter.
He hurriedly let go, but didn't see Chen Qin's look of anger.
Instead, there was a hint of...
Tender affection?
Zhang Ze sneaked a glance at the system character panel.
He found the affection level had skyrocketed.
It was a positive explosion; now in Zhang Ze's relationship graph, Chen Qin stood out.
After spending time together recently, Chen Qin, well-protected in her youth, not yet knowing the affairs of the world, had started understanding many things.
Today, after playing a scene with Zhang Ze, she seemed to immerse herself and began to realize some things.
Seeing Zhang Ze's dazed look, Chen Qin let out a coy huff, walked ahead of him.
"Come on, didn't you say you'd take me to the city to watch a play?"
Without seeing Zhang Ze's incredulous expression, only a certain...
Affectionate tenderness?
It's no wonder the Sect Leader couldn't resist back then.
I couldn't either.
"Even if the Sect Leader chops me to death, I've decided to pursue this junior sister."