Chapter 20 – The Mystery of the Listening Device

Yun Shang urgently pressed: “Can you tell me more?”

The Black-Robed Man sighed helplessly: “Just follow him. Don’t you like her? Don’t you trust her?”

Yun Shang recalled what the ancestor had said when the contract was first made—the ancestor had also said to trust Su Ming. That should be right, then.

Yun Shang’s life had been miserable, truth be told. She lost her mother at four, arrived at the Heavenly Saint Sect at five, and had been treated as a tool by her master ever since, who refused to teach her any real skills.

The greatest kindness she’d received was either being raised for over a decade, or Guo Dong giving her the Pseudo-Black Tortoise as a token of face.

And yet, a proper saintess with no maid of her own, forced to do all the dirty work herself…

The Black-Robed Man turned to Su Ming: “Time for business.”

Su Ming looked at him, heart pounding with nerves. After all, the man before him was so powerful that even Sword Ghost was somewhat afraid.

The Black-Robed Man tossed the Mystic Ring to Su Ming: “I know you have someone on your side with exceptional skill in talismans and formations. But if you want to secretly break the saint’s formation, she alone won’t be enough. This will help you.”

Su Ming examined the Mystic Ring. It indeed carried a peculiar aura, but he had no idea how to use it. And he realized the Black-Robed Man was most likely referring to Mo Nian.

The Black-Robed Man: “Once you get that card, go buy something for me in Half-Ghost City. I’ll be waiting for you outside the city.”

Su Ming was puzzled: “What thing?”

The Black-Robed Man handed him the documents: “See these twin blades? Don’t get it wrong.”

Su Ming: “What’s so special about these blades?”

The Black-Robed Man: “There is.”

Su Ming was confused: “You’re just telling me all this? Not afraid I’ll keep it for myself?”

The Black-Robed Man: “Want to know where Azure Dragon is? I’ll tell you then.”

Su Ming was speechless. So he was counting on the fact that Su Ming definitely wouldn’t keep it for himself, huh…

Su Ming looked at the price: “Isn’t this a bit expensive? I don’t have money.”

The Black-Robed Man: “If I had money, would I be coming to you? Figure it out yourself.”

The Black-Robed Man inwardly: “Oh no, oh no, I accidentally snapped at the princess. What am I going to do now…”

The Black-Robed Man hurriedly left, setting the two back down in the room.

Su Ming looked at Yun Shang. He could go to Half-Ghost City, but what about Yun Shang? He couldn’t just leave her at the Heavenly Saint Sect, and he wouldn’t feel safe leaving her anywhere else either…

Travelers from afar had rented hotels nearby, and Su Lin had found a place to stay as well.

Su Lin calculated: once Su Ming and Guo Dong clashed, the moment Guo Dong used both the Pseudo-Azure Dragon and the True Black Tortoise simultaneously, he and the Black-Robed Man would take him down together, then take Yun Shang and leave.

Su Lin: “If only we could take out that jelly on the spot. Too bad that’s a bit difficult.”

Lord Lin entered: “National Preceptor, you called for me.”

Su Lin quickly helped him up. This man was Lin Qingmei’s uncle, which made him an imperial uncle as well.

Su Lin said respectfully: “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare. Just call me Little Lin.”

Lord Lin: “Never mind that. Tell me, why did you summon me? What’s the mission?”

Su Lin: “Lord Lin, here’s the situation. We’re planning something big at the Heavenly Saint Sect. But once my friend makes his move, the sect will likely activate its mountain-protecting formation immediately, and their army will pour out in full force. We don’t intend to use the spectators as hostages.”

Lord Lin: “They’re all citizens of the Zhou Kingdom. Killing them wouldn’t matter.”

Su Lin: “That won’t do. For our kingdom restoration, we still need the people’s hearts. Besides, our forces are limited—the best approach is to have public opinion on our side.”

Lord Lin said, “Alright, you’re more skilled at this kind of thing anyway.”

Su Lin replied, “Does Lord Lin think it’s easier to hold off the military for five minutes, or to break through the formation and hold for three minutes?”

Lord Lin thought carefully and said, “What if I go cause some trouble at the military first, then break through the formation? Would that work?”

Su Lin expressed concern, “Lord Lin, wouldn’t that be too dangerous?”

Lord Lin said, “What’s there to fear? Don’t judge me by my age—I’m at the peak of the Eighth Realm. This is a trivial matter for me. However, for the sake of going undercover, I can’t help you openly.”

Su Lin instructed, “Then please be careful. I won’t say more, but I hope everything goes smoothly.”

Lord Lin slipped Su Lin a piece of paper and said, “This is some intelligence I’ve gathered on the Heavenly Saint Sect while wandering the streets. I won’t say much, but there’s one person you might consider.”

Su Lin took the paper and asked, “Who?”

Lord Lin said, “A man named Qing Yun. His strength is average, and I’ve had contact with him before. He’s extremely dissatisfied with the Heavenly Saint Sect—the kind who has real ability but is never given important roles.”

Su Lin asked, “Like Mo Yun?”

Lord Lin said, “Maybe worse. At least Yun Shang still has cultivation resources, even if it’s for that Pseudo-Black Tortoise. But Qing Yun relies entirely on himself.”

Su Lin said, “Alright. Though I heard that the Heavenly Saint Sect is sending Guo Dong, Mo Yun, and Qing Yun to compete this year. I’ll see his strength then.”

Lord Lin said, “But you should also be careful. Intelligence gathered from the streets could also be military propaganda. You should know about that.”

Su Lin said, “True. After all, the Zhou Kingdom has never stopped searching for us. Last time, we just killed a batch that nearly found our base.”

Lord Lin said, “Also, keep an eye on Shi Zhanlong, the director of the Security Bureau.”

Su Lin said, “I know. Shi Zhen’s father. He deceived Mo Shuang’s mother’s feelings and also seized Mo Shuang’s natal ghost.”

Lord Lin lit a cigarette and said, “I don’t think there’s anything else. Also, I don’t have any money on my end, so don’t keep asking me for money.”

Su Lin smiled and said, “Can’t help it. We’re short on funds everywhere. I’ll have to go to Half-Ghost City later to scrounge up some.”

Lord Lin said, “That reminds me of something. Qingmei now has two domains. Although the ghost domain is under military surveillance, the beast domain is fine. You can plant some spiritual herbs in there.”

Su Lin nodded, then bummed a cigarette off him and said, “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t know if she’s willing to accept her identity. So I still need to make her see the Zhou Kingdom’s true face in Half-Ghost City.”

Lord Lin snatched the lighter back and said, “I’m off now. Just make the arrangements. In one sentence—both protecting Qingmei and kingdom restoration must be accomplished.”

Su Lin said, “Alright, take care.”

With that, Lord Lin left. Su Lin glanced at the three military listening devices he had pulled out on the table and said, “Looks like they’re still chasing us hard! Whatever. I’ll see if I can extort the military later.”

Su Lin wasn’t stupid. He had told many people nearby about the listening devices, and now a crowd was causing trouble at the hotels. The front desks of the surrounding hotels were nearly torn apart.

Still, Su Lin was somewhat curious about who had such deep pockets that they installed military listening devices in every hotel room.

Although this competition was high-profile, with all participants being elites from the Four Great Academies—whether they won or lost, their futures would surely be bright—it still didn’t justify installing listening devices in every room.

It was inefficient, and any agent with a decent level of skill would think to check for them.

Su Lin remained puzzled: “How strange. Could someone have discovered something? Or are they afraid of something?”

Even Su Lin, as the national preceptor, couldn’t figure it out at once, especially since his informants in the military hadn’t previously mentioned any such situation.

Azure Dragon offered his own view: “Lord National Preceptor, what if it has nothing to do with us at all?”

Su Lin: “That possibility can’t be ruled out. After all, there has always been friction between the Security Bureau and the military, but neither the Security Bureau nor the military should be staying in hotels. So what are they setting this up for?”

Azure Dragon didn’t know what to say—if even the national preceptor couldn’t make sense of it, what more could he add?