Translator: Cinder Translations
After parting ways with Hao Kong, Song Wen transformed himself back into the mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator "Bie Chou."
He made his way to the Secret Records Pavilion. After instructing a maid to inform the appropriate parties, he was guided into a private chamber where he met Kang Jiang.
"Senior Bie Chou, what brings you here unexpectedly today?" Kang Jiang asked.
Since Kang Jiang had facilitated the transaction between "Cui Huo" and Hao Kong, he was rewarded handsomely by the Nine Palaces Sect. As a result, he held goodwill toward Bie Chou, who acted on behalf of "Cui Huo."
"I wish to inquire about someone through Manager Kang," Song Wen said.
"Please feel free to ask, Senior. If it’s within my knowledge, I will gladly share," Kang Jiang replied.
"The person in question is Yan Yiwen of your sect," Song Wen said.
"What business does Senior have with Elder Yan?" Kang Jiang asked in return.
"Her grandfather, Yan Zhengping, was once my sworn brother. We were as close as life and death. By seniority, Yan Yiwen should call me ’Uncle Grandmaster,’" Song Wen said with an expression of reminiscence.
Kang Jiang appeared surprised. "Senior Bie Chou, you share such a deep connection with Elder Yan?"
"Sigh..." Song Wen sighed deeply before continuing.
"Alas, the Yan family provoked the Corpse Demon Sect and was annihilated. I assumed the entire clan had perished until I learned Yan Yiwen had escaped to the Nine Palaces Sect. She was the sole survivor.
"Back then, she was just a girl of seventeen or eighteen, and with her family gone and no one to rely on, she must have suffered greatly within the sect. It is my failure as her uncle grandmaster that I could not protect her, and I owe her grandfather an apology."
Kang Jiang interjected, "Senior Bie Chou need not blame yourself. After joining the Nine Palaces Sect, Elder Yan quickly became a direct disciple of Patriarch Tai He. Her cultivation progressed smoothly, and she never endured hardship."
Hearing this, Song Wen appeared comforted. "That’s good to know."
"If Senior cares so much for Elder Yan, why not visit her at the sect?" Kang Jiang asked.
"I have visited your sect twice, but luck was not on my side. Each time, the disciples told me she was in seclusion and unable to meet visitors. That is why I seek Manager Kang’s assistance," Song Wen fabricated an excuse.
Kang Jiang nodded. "Elder Yan is indeed reclusive and rarely shows herself. Meeting her is quite challenging."
Song Wen added, "As a Golden Core cultivator and a direct disciple of Patriarch Tai He, she no longer needs my help. However, I once borrowed a secret body refinement technique from her grandfather, Yan Zhengping. I wish to return it to her as a token of respect."
"If Senior merely wishes to return a technique, I might be able to help," Kang Jiang offered.
Song Wen’s eyes brightened, and he eagerly asked, "Manager Kang, can you contact her?"
"I cannot contact Elder Yan directly, but I have a friend who works on Purple Cloud Peak, where she resides. He may have the opportunity to see her," Kang Jiang explained.
Song Wen produced a jade slip and handed it to Kang Jiang.
"This jade slip contains the Yan family’s exclusive body refinement technique. It is of great importance, so please ensure it reaches her safely."
The jade slip recorded an incomplete version of the Ten Thousand Poisons Body technique.
Kang Jiang accepted the jade slip and asked, "Does Senior have a message for Elder Yan?"
After a brief moment of silence, Song Wen said solemnly, "Just tell her this: The outer disciple who once inventoried the Rainbow Herb has returned."
With that, Song Wen handed a storage bag to Kang Jiang.
"Thank you for your trouble, Manager Kang. Once this matter is resolved, there will be additional rewards."
Kang Jiang glanced at the storage bag, a smile forming at the sight of its contents—100 mid-grade spirit stones.
"Rest assured, Senior Bie Chou. This jade slip will reach Elder Yan intact, and your message will be delivered," Kang Jiang said confidently.
Song Wen smiled faintly, bid farewell, and left the Secret Records Pavilion.
His elaborate scheme, involving Hao Kong and Kang Jiang delivering messages, was designed solely to lure Yan Yiwen into revealing herself.
Considering that Patriarch Tai He had once pursued him with deadly intent, their enmity ran deep. Song Wen sought critical information about Xue Mei from Tai He, and there were only two feasible approaches:
Use overwhelming force to compel Tai He to divulge the information. However, Song Wen’s current strength and background made this option unrealistic. Exploit Tai He’s vulnerabilities to coerce him into cooperating.
Yan Yiwen, or more accurately, her intense obsession with avenging her family against Song Wen, presented the perfect leverage.
To exact vengeance, Yan Yiwen willingly became Tai He’s furnace—a living conduit for his cultivation. Song Wen planned to use her life as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Tai He.
Meanwhile, at the Nine Palaces Sect, atop the summit of Purple Cloud Peak, in a stone hall:
Hao Kong and Tai He sat facing each other.
"Junior Brother Hao Kong, what brings you to my place today?" Tai He asked.
"I recently negotiated with Cui Huo, and he agreed to refine Tier-3 Thunder Talismans for us," Hao Kong reported.
Tai He’s expression brightened. "With Tier-3 Thunder Talismans, our chances of successfully exploring the Yin Soul Hall increase significantly."
"But," Hao Kong hesitated, "Cui Huo made a peculiar request."
"What request?" Tai He inquired.
"He asked me to deliver a message to Yan Yiwen," Hao Kong replied.
Tai He’s expression turned suspicious. "What message?"
Hao Kong relayed the words: "The outer disciple who once inventoried the Rainbow Herb has returned."
Tai He frowned deeply. "What does that mean?"
Hao Kong shook his head. "According to Cui Huo, he doesn’t know either. He was merely passing on the words of a Golden Core cultivator named Bie Chou."
"Who is Bie Chou?" Tai He questioned.
Hao Kong briefly explained the connection between Cui Huo and Bie Chou.
After listening, Tai He pondered and said, "It seems this Bie Chou has some prior acquaintance with Yan Yiwen."
"Should we relay the message to Yan Yiwen?" Hao Kong asked.
Tai He’s eyes flashed with sharpness. "Relay it? How? You know as well as I do that Yan Yiwen has long perished. Her body is now occupied by Xue Mei."
"What if Cui Huo refuses to deliver the Thunder Talismans? It could jeopardize our plans for the Yin Soul Hall," Hao Kong expressed concern.
"Ignore him. Just claim the message was delivered. What can he do? Verify it with a dead Yan Yiwen?" Tai He said dismissively.
Hao Kong nodded. "That will have to do."
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