Chapter 230 - 212: Nine Nether Sect
"Brother Gu, why don’t we become sworn siblings under different surnames!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Ming was slightly taken aback and looked towards Xia Mudan.
Her eyes were slightly red, filled with a hint of plea.
"Alright."
He understood her intention and nodded. He then saw tears streaming down her face as she choked up, "I’m sorry... I’m just too... happy..."
Xia Mudan turned her face away, speaking with a heavy nasal sound, "Elder brother, I... am tired..."
"Then you should get some rest."
Seeing her shoulders gently trembling, Chen Ming felt a bit pity and wanted to reach out to comfort her. But halfway through, he withdrew his hand.
He hardened his heart, stood up, and left.
Outside the room, he saw the maid named Zhiqin still sobbing sorrowfully against a pillar. He did not disturb her and walked away directly.
...
Returning to the small courtyard where he lived, Chen Ming was about to take out the visualization map to cultivate when Xiao He came to report, "Young Master, there’s someone named Deng Wei at the door, saying he has something important to discuss."
Deng Wei?
He is one of his prison supervisors.
Why is he here?
Even though Chen Ming was puzzled, he still said, "Let him in."
Soon, Xiao He brought Deng Wei over. Dressed entirely in black, with a covered face, he looked like he was in night attire.
Deng Wei approached and greeted him first, "Subordinate greets Lord Chen."
"No need for formalities, have a seat. Is there something you need to see me about?"
Chen Ming, looking at this usually silent subordinate, felt somewhat curious.
He initially thought Deng Wei came to deliver a gift, but he was empty-handed.
Deng Wei did not stand up but raised his head and said, "Subordinate is here to deliver a generous gift to Lord Chen."
"Oh?"
"However, whether Lord Chen dares to accept this gift is another matter."
Seeing the determined look in Deng Wei’s eyes, which contrasted sharply with his usual honest demeanor, Chen Ming became more interested and said, "Tell me, what kind of gift is it?"
"This matter is of great importance, so I ask Lord Chen to dismiss the others."
He waved his hand to send Xiao He outside.
Once the maid had left, he said, "Now, you can speak."
Deng Wei spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I have a way to lure out the traitors from the Nine Nether Sect. If Lord Chen prepares in advance, we can capture them all in one fell swoop. This is a great achievement. Does Lord Chen dare to take this gamble?"
Nine Nether Sect?
Chen Ming was startled and re-evaluated this typically quiet subordinate. He hadn’t expected him to be connected to the Longevity Sect’s Nine Nether Sect.
After pondering for a moment, he asked, "And what are your conditions?"
Deng Wei replied decisively, "Subordinate seeks neither credit nor reward. I only ask for my life to be spared by Lord Chen."
Chen Ming asked him, "You’re betting your life and everything on me. So, why choose me?"
"Because I don’t trust anyone else!"
"Why?"
"Subordinate suspects that others in the Six Gates have been bribed by the Nine Nether Sect. I dare not gamble. Only Lord Chen has come from the Capital City, hails from a reputable family, and is a rare genius who would never stoop to colluding with the Nine Nether Sect!"
"Aren’t you afraid I might turn on you afterwards and accuse you of conspiring with the demonic sect?"
"Subordinate has observed, and Lord Chen is not such a petty person," Deng Wei said with a bitter smile. "If I have misjudged, then I can only accept my fate."
Chen Ming laughed, "You’re pretty good at flattery. Stand up."
This time, Deng Wei obediently stood up and sat on the stool.
Chen Ming asked, "Tell me then, how did you get involved with the Nine Nether Sect?"
Deng Wei began recounting a past incident.
Two years ago, his only son was afflicted with a strange poison and needed a rare medicine to detoxify. He searched everywhere but could not find it and watched as his son was on the brink of death. Someone approached him, saying they could provide the antidote.
In such a situation, he knew this person was dubious but could not refuse.
After his son took the antidote, he quickly recovered. But this event lingered like a thorn in his heart.
Not long after, that person indeed returned, asking for some favors.
Initially, they were trivial matters.
But gradually, the demands became more excessive.
Deng Wei bitterly smiled, "A month ago, they even asked me to map out detailed layouts of the Six Gates and the Great Prison. Only then did I realize their ambitious schemes and could only delay them.
"Half a month ago, they took me to a place and revealed their intentions directly. They told me they were disciples of the Longevity Sect’s Nine Nether Sect. I had no choice and, not wanting to die, was forced to join..."
After listening, Chen Ming neither confirmed nor denied, only asking, "You’ve already joined them, so why come and inform me?"
Deng Wei helplessly said, "To be honest with Lord Chen, if it were with other sects of the Longevity Sect, I might have resigned myself upon boarding their pirate ship. But the disciples of the Nine Nether Sect are notoriously untrustworthy. After success, they will surely sacrifice my entire family to their demonic artifacts. It’s a dead end either way, so I might as well take a chance for a slim hope."
Chen Ming found his words quite credible and asked, "If not for me, who would you choose to inform?"
"Governor Hong, Lord Hong."
This answer was somewhat unexpected to him.
He asked, "Why not Lord Ruan?"
Deng Wei spoke with a serious face, "Lord Ruan is not reliable. Once, that disciple of the Nine Nether Sect let it slip that there might be a spy from the Nine Nether Sect around Lord Ruan."
Chen Ming was initially surprised, but after thinking carefully, he found it unsurprising.
The third level of the Great Prison could only be opened by Ruan Caixiong and Lord Zhong. If the Nine Nether Sect couldn’t get hold of Ruan Caixiong, then everything would be in vain.
He pondered for a while and asked, "Do you know the true identity of the Nine Nether Sect disciples?"
Deng Wei shook his head, "Every time I see them, they are all in disguise, wearing masks. Except for that Demon Child, no one knows the identities of the others."
"What about the cultivation level of that Demon Child?"
"At least First Grade."
This did not surprise Chen Ming, as without sufficient strength, no one would dare to target the Six Gates’ Great Prison.
He said, "Alright, go back first and don’t let anyone notice anything unusual. I will personally report this to Lord Zhong."
Deng Wei felt assured, knowing that such significant matters required notifying this unparalleled powerhouse.
His rank was too low, and attempting to meet Lord Zhong would create too much commotion, undoubtedly alerting the Nine Nether Sect disciples. He could only seek someone of higher rank for this matter.
Old Zhang and Lord Li couldn’t do it.
There was a spy beside Lord Ruan, so he was out of the question.
As for those three First Grade Governors, those two ambitious lords might turn against him once they crossed the river.
Originally, his only choice was Lord Hong, Hong Yuze.
Fortunately, there was now another option.
Deng Wei took the opportunity to ask, "Should we give them the map?"
Chen Ming said, "Delay it for now. I will report it to Lord Zhong tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord."
Then, Deng Wei left.
Chen Ming sat in the room, contemplating the whole situation, and couldn’t help but shake his head: It’s the Longevity Sect again, what a tangled fate.
First, it was the Blood Demon Sect, then the Immortal Demon Venerable, and now the Nine Nether Sect.
Among the six main branches of the Longevity Sect, he had already come into contact with three of them.
...
The next morning, after Chen Ming arrived at the Six Gates, he immediately requested to see Lord Zhong but was told that Lord Zhong was busy with official duties and could not see him.
He hurriedly slipped over a silver note, urging the guard to report, "I have something very important and must see Lord Zhong."
The guard discreetly accepted it and then whispered, "Lord Zhong is cultivating and will not finish for at least ten days to half a month. During this period, he will not see anyone. Come back in half a month."
"Half a month?"
Chen Ming felt his heart sink; in half a month, everything might already be over.
He suddenly realized that the Nine Nether Sect people must have known that Lord Zhong would be in closed-door cultivation, which is why they dared to attempt to breach the Great Prison.
Now, with the two First Grade Governors of Six Gates out of the city and Lord Zhong in closed cultivation, leaving only Hong Yuze, it could be said to be the most vulnerable time.
He suddenly realized, "This is bad, the Nine Nether Sect is likely to act in the next few days!"
What should he do?
Chen Ming returned to the office, and Old Zhang curiously remarked, "My lord, you seem so preoccupied."
He answered with a question, "Lord Ruan didn’t come today?"
Just as he was speaking, Zhang Dingce came running from outside, "My lord, Lord Ruan is looking for you."
"Understood."
Chen Ming collected himself and went to see Ruan Caixiong.
...
"My lord, do you know where Miss Su is now?"
After meeting Ruan Caixiong, Chen Ming immediately asked.
In the current State City, he could only trust Su Zhining. He just hoped she hadn’t come alone.
Ruan Caixiong, seeing his urgent look, asked in surprise, "Why are you looking for her?"
"To be honest, Miss Su and I are old acquaintances."
This was not wrong; Gu Xianyu did know Su Zhining. Although they had only met once, it felt like a lifetime, and he had been captivated ever since.
Ruan Caixiong chuckled, teasingly, "Just old acquaintances?"
"Brother Ruan, don’t joke around. I really have urgent matters to discuss with her."
"It’s not difficult to find her. She is currently at the Emotion Pavilion."
"Thank you, Brother Ruan."
Ruan Caixiong said, "No need to be polite. However, if I am not mistaken, Miss Su probably already has someone she favors. A woman like her, once she has someone in her heart, can think of no one else. Don’t waste your efforts."
Chen Ming nodded, acknowledging the advice, and then changed the subject, "How were things with the Demon Artifact yesterday?"
Ruan Caixiong said, "Everything is as usual. That sword has been suppressed here for five hundred years, completely isolated from the outside world. In another hundred or two hundred years, its Demon Nature will be completely eradicated. The Celestial Dao Alliance is worrying unnecessarily with me here. Who can possibly plot against that Demon Sword?"
Chen Ming thought, is there a possibility that you are the greatest flaw?
Of course, he wouldn’t say this out loud.
"By the way, come to my house for a simple meal at noon. My wife wants to personally cook for you."
"Alright."