Yangguan Road, City South Pear Garden.
On stage, talented scholars and beautiful ladies, bustling with life.
In the private box, Chen Qin and Zhang Ze sat side by side, sipping the fragrant tea before them.
Zhang Ze didn't understand the elegance of opera at all, but at this moment he only felt at ease, and so he remained silent.
Chen Qin couldn't understand it either, but she felt happy just being next to Zhang Ze, and didn't feel bored.
The Sword Spirit was equally clueless; he floated around for a while, feeling he was perhaps in the way, and then left the box, opting to cool off alone on the rooftop.
Concealing his figure, he gazed over the roads of Yangguan, and the Sword Spirit found Zhang Ze truly inscrutable.
Seemingly carefree and detached, yet always firmly grounded. Every word seemed like a joke, yet none were jokes. Unrestricted, the only thing binding him was the righteous path in his heart.
He suddenly remembered Song Qingpao and couldn't help but laugh.
"That Zhang Ze kid never tells the truth, he didn't even reveal his name and yet he bamboozled that demon cultivator into a tizzy.
"That Song Qingpao probably still thinks he's serving the Demon Sect, dreaming about becoming a Helm Leader.
"I wonder what his expression will be when Blood Lion, even the Hundred Demons Sect is uprooted.
"I'd like to see it too."
...
Three days later, Yangguan Road, outskirts forest.
Lin Feng walked into a roadside tavern, squinting his eyes.
Within the tavern, there were five patrons, all cultivators.
Before long, several more arrived, all cultivators as well. At that moment, the wine server suddenly vanished, whereabouts unknown.
Song Qingpao stood on a nearby hillside watching for a long while, before finally speaking to his trusted aide.
"Bring them over."
Upon reaching the hillside, Lin Feng felt very calm. That day, the Sword Spirit Senior had already told him what transpired at the stronghold.
After hearing it all, Lin Feng felt as if he had awakened, and his admiration for Zhang Ze grew.
Knowing what was to happen in advance, along with newfound enlightenment,
Lin Feng resolved to become an emotionless, cold-faced assassin.
Although Lin Feng remained calm, some people were inwardly in turmoil.
The bald giant, He Jing, a disciple of the Righteous Path's small sect, Dharma Ring Sect, was sent by his master to infiltrate the Demon Path.
Bladesman, Li Jue, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, came to investigate the Spiritual Snake Helm and planned to infiltrate the Demon Path.
Boxer, Wang Ma, a disciple of the Medicine King Valley, who wandered around aimlessly, found a recruitment by the Demon Path and casually came to check it out.
...
A total of twelve people, with eight as Righteous Path undercover agents.
Song Qingpao's winery had opened.
Song Qingpao stood on the hillside, looking down on the twelve hidden talents before him, feeling very satisfied.
Although there was no strong music, Song Qingpao felt that the people before him were top-notch talents, especially among those eight who had quite promising potential.
Donning a mask and altering his appearance and voice, Song Qingpao approached the group.
"Serving the Hundred Demons Sect is your honor, but to earn trust, I need some evidence of loyalty."
Li Jue, He Jing, and the others felt a jolt in their hearts.
The Demon Path's proof of loyalty was simple; it usually involved the blood of innocents.
Though most of these undercover agents had some way to pass the first test, they couldn't bring themselves to kill innocents on the spot.
This was often why infiltration efforts between the Righteous and Demon Paths frequently failed.
Many in the Righteous Path held onto their Tao Heart, whereas the Demon Path...
It was simply because the Righteous Path had high entry requirements, only basically accepting people under sixteen, and naturally born Demon Seeds under sixteen were truly rare.
Even if there were such, they would likely be quickly redeemed.
Who would enjoy demotion to the Demon Path when they can thrive in the Righteous Path?
Just as Li Jue and the others were on guard, preparing for what was to come, they heard Song Qingpao's next words.
"In the ruined temple of the South Mountain, a stronghold of the Scorpion Foot Sect, I want the head of their leader, Ma Li. Do it cleanly."
Except for Lin Feng, everyone thought they misheard.
There was a strange beauty in the contrast.
Song Qingpao observed their reactions, inwardly sneering, feeling that while these people had potential, their temperament clearly needed more honing before infiltrating the Righteous Path.
He was only truly satisfied with one person, the young man named Lin Feng.
With no expression, and only indifference in his eyes, he was a born assassin, a good seedling.
"Only kill these?" Lin Feng asked without expression.
Hmm hmm hmm, you see, the Demon Path needs this kind of drive, where killing only feels inadequate.
Song Qingpao wanted to give a few pointers like before, but then remembered the Main Helm Senior whose name he didn't even know.
Emulating the senior's style, he waved a hand.
"That's your problem, I only want results."
Song Qingpao felt exhilarated after saying that, sensing there was so much more to learn from the senior, much more indeed.
Li Jue, Wang Ma, and the others exchanged glances, saying nothing.
Yet they all felt relieved inside.
Though they couldn't fathom why the leader of this Demon Path stronghold had such a mental lapse, exterminating the Demon Path was their rightful duty.
Wang Ma flexed his fists, displaying a broad grin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, first come, first served."
...
South Mountain's ruined temple.
The disciples of the Scorpion Foot Sect were helping each other inscribe scorpion tattoos on their calves.
The Scorpion Foot Sect's technique also belonged to Poison Skill, and cultivated to great success, one could use the Scorpion Transformation Technique.
It is said that the Sect Leader's cultivation had reached the Peak Foundation Establishment, Half-Step Golden Core mid-period peak tenth-layer great perfection level.
It is also said that his Poison Skill rivaled even that of the Spiritual Snake Helm Vice Helm Leader.
In short, the goons of the Scorpion Foot Sect felt their future with the Demon Path was promising.
It was now the time for senior disciples to draw arrays on the legs of new disciples.
The newly established Foundation Leader Ma Li was quite pleased, about to say something when suddenly he felt a pain in his right cheek and lost consciousness.
Wang Ma stood beside the headless corpse of Ma Li, bare-chested, surrounded by a blood mist.
As if he had used some evil technique sacrificing his own life for power.
"The effect of this Red Silk Flower potion mist is quite good, just a bit too bright. Next time, I'll try adding some Black Perilla."
Wang Ma decided, revealing a broad grin, approaching the others.
A few senior disciples barely took a step before suddenly feeling a chill in their backs. Li Jue and Lin Feng appeared behind them, blades piercing through.
Although Song Qingpao's winery people were fewer than the Scorpion Foot Sect, they were professional.
The battle ended with no suspense.
From afar, Zhang Ze and Chen Qin observed the battlefield under the aura concealment of the Sword Spirit.
"Why do I feel like Song Qingpao's team has some moles?" Zhang Ze remarked, looking perplexed.
"Besides Senior Brother Lin, are there others undercover?" Chen Qin asked.
"Just a hunch, particularly the fellow boxing, gives me a sense of pure beauty, much like Senior Sister Qiao."
Chen Qin observed for a while, then nodded, "Indeed."
[Hundred Demons' Leader mission progress increased...]
[Killed Demon Path Loose Cultivator X1]
[Killed Demon Path Loose Cultivator X2]
[The cultivation of the slain is too low, not counted in the True Monarch of Demon Suppression achievement statistics]
[True Monarch of Demon Suppression achievement, kill Golden Core Stage Demon Path (1/30)]
[Song Qingpao's trust in you has increased...]
[Concurrent progress on multiple epic tasks and achievements...]
[Stronghold control met hidden conditions...]
[Power System activated...]
[Basic rewards distributed.]
Huh?
Zhang Ze was startled as a string of information suddenly popped up from the system.