Chapter 787 -787: Gathering Intelligence
Jiang Fan glared darkly as he watched them leave.
Secretly relieved, he hadn’t revealed too many secrets.
Otherwise, if those two Female Demon Emperors noticed, it would’ve spelled big trouble.
He calculated the time.
The appointed hour had arrived.
He quickly gathered his belongings and arrived at the Task Hall.
Ren Guhong was standing there, looking up at the disciples executing their tasks, riding avian beasts away.
He looked fairly patient.
Wu Manyue, with her enchanting oval face, was visibly displeased.
Her snow-white, delicate arms supported her ample chest.
Her right foot tapped the ground impatiently.
From afar, seeing Jiang Fan rushing over, she raised her chin:
“I thought you’d be too attached to your lovely wife and concubines to back out last minute.”
Jiang Fan chuckled coldly, “You’re all alone with no one to care for you, so of course you can be carefree.”
Wu Manyue didn’t take offense.
Casually tugging at her thin neckline, she revealed a patch of smooth, snow-white flesh.
The passing male disciples turned their heads to glance.
Some even tiptoed to try and see further.
Those with companions by their side pretended not to notice but still stole glances with the corners of their eyes.
Wu Manyue buttoned up her neckline.
She smoothed the scattered folds lightly, leisurely said:
“Jiang Junior Brother, repeat what you just said.”
Jiang Fan twitched his lip.
He had to admit—this woman’s beauty truly was remarkable.
If she wished to attract men, it would be no effort at all.
“Enough, you win. Do you have a plan for this mission?”
“Surely it isn’t blindly charging into the Demon Race’s lands hoping for luck, right?”
Jiang Fan asked earnestly.
Wu Manyue, having won a rare small victory against Jiang Fan, was in great spirits.
She deliberately boasted, saying, “If you know your enemy and yourself, you can fight a hundred battles without loss.”
“Right now, our Human Clan holds very little information about the Hell Beasts.”
“Almost all intelligence comes from the Demon Race.”
“So, our plan is to head to the Demon Race and gather some reliable and useful information first.”
“This part—leave it to me.”
Jiang Fan’s eyes showed skepticism:
“When did you ever have dealings with the Demon Race?”
As far as he knew, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion disciples rarely ventured out.
In the half-year since he came to the Nine-Sect Land, opportunities to meet Jian Linyuan, Wu Manyue, and others were few—mainly during the Boundary Mountain battle.
Since when did Wu Manyue have dealings with the Demon Race?
Ren Guhong laughed: “Jiang Junior Brother, don’t underestimate Senior Sister Wu.”
“Her connections are quite unconventional.”
“She often knows unexpected people.”
Indeed, Wu Manyue had mysterious facets he couldn’t see through.
For instance, the magical treasures she carried seemed inexhaustible and unlimited in supply.
There was always some fresh, unforeseen artifact she brought out.
If she had connections within the Demon Race, it wasn’t entirely implausible.
“Alright, then I’ll be relying on you, Senior Sister Wu.”
Wu Manyue smugly clasped her hands behind her back, proudly puffing out her chest: “Don’t worry.”
“We should head out quickly.”
“Li Shangqiu, Ye Banxia, and Wang Chongling will all head to the Demon Race first to gather reliable intelligence.”
“Whoever finds accurate information sooner will gain the upper hand.”
The group dared not delay.
They retrieved an avian beast from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and soared into the skies.
The journey to the Demon Race’s territory would take five to six days by land, navigating through lesser spirit beasts.
Riding flying beasts.
In just one day, they crossed half the continent.
Arriving in the northernmost area of the Human Clan.
Since the complete cessation of conflict between the two races.
Boundary Mountain was abandoned long ago.
Only the claw marks left by demonic beasts on its walls quietly recounted the brutality that had once unfolded here.
At the foothills of Boundary Mountain, within the territory of the Demon Race.
Several Barbaric Elephants, each fifty zhang tall, crouched closely together, forming three towering walls.
Their raised trunks intertwined overhead, creating a vaulted dome.
On either side, their tails spread open like twin gates.
Thus forming a natural encampment.
Outside the encampment.
Several groups of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion disciples, along with elites from the Nine-Sect forces, had gathered.
Judging by appearances, they were waiting on the Demon Race to confirm the latest whereabouts of Hell Beasts.
Jiang Fan quickly spotted familiar figures.
Namely, Desires Sect Master Yue Mingzhu and Spirit Beast Sect Master Gong Caiyi.
Each leading formidable disciples from their sects.
“I’ll go meet some acquaintances; let’s regroup here later.”
Wu Manyue nodded: “Good timing. I too need to leverage my connections to seek information.”
Jiang Fan discreetly moved to the group’s rear.
Immediately, he caught Yue Mingzhu’s voice grumbling.
“Ha! The Demon Race’s arrogance!”
“We’re helping them track Hell Beasts’ whereabouts, yet they shut the door on us.”
“If it weren’t for an order from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, I wouldn’t bother coming to this desolate, freezing place.”
Gong Caiyi spoke gently: “Be patient.”
“The Demon Race also has reward missions, which naturally makes them reluctant to share firsthand intelligence easily.”
“With so many people here now, they’re bound to be cautious.”
“Later, let’s just secure basic information—enough to pin down a general search area. As for the latest intelligence, don’t get your hopes up.”
Yue Mingzhu rested her hands on her hips.
Frowning, she huffed: “If it weren’t to help Jiang Fan win Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s reward.”
“I wouldn’t bother with the Demon Race’s whims.”
Gong Caiyi glanced around awkwardly.
The Pavilion Master’s orders had made the pair, aside from the Green Cloud Sect, the most proactive.
Because of their proximity to the Demon Race, they arrived first.
Hearing Yue Mingzhu’s complaints, she felt a bit guilty.
She hoped no one else overheard.
Her scanning gaze suddenly caught sight of Jiang Fan’s amused expression not far behind her.
She let out a small cry.
Jiang Fan made a silencing gesture.
Quietly, he approached Yue Mingzhu from behind, reaching out to gently encircle her slender waist.
Yue Mingzhu trembled slightly.
Without thinking, she elbowed backward and snapped, “Presumptuous!”
“Even my presumptions aren’t allowed?”
The familiar voice made Yue Mingzhu tremble again.
Quickly turning around.
Her eyes immediately lit up, surprised and delighted, “Jiang…”
But she suddenly remembered something.
She immediately brushed off Jiang Fan’s hand and pouted, “Who are you?”
Jiang Fan took hold of her shoulder, smiling, “Still mad?”
Judging by her reaction, she was likely still upset about Xu Youran asserting her status as the primary wife last time.
That was so long ago.
She shook off Jiang Fan’s hand yet again.
Jiang Fan tried again, but she slid away once more.
After several back-and-forth attempts, Jiang Fan couldn’t pin her down.
“Fine, I’ll go bother Gong Caiyi instead.”
Jiang Fan turned away, heading toward Gong Caiyi.
Yue Mingzhu, furious, twisted to grab his arm and bite him:
“Always bullying me!”
Jiang Fan laughed heartily, “Don’t be angry; I have a gift for you.”
Yue Mingzhu pouted, “I wouldn’t dare accept it!”
“If Xu Youran finds out, she’ll demand I give it back.”
Speaking of this, her reddened eyes grew misty with grievance.
Jiang Fan embraced her and said, “Will you return it?”
Yue Mingzhu responded without hesitation, “Not a chance!”
Jiang Fan pulled out a roll of Heavenly Mountain Silk and handed it to her, saying:
“Back when dealing with the Blood Flood Dragon, your Heavenly Mountain Silk snapped.”
“I’ve always wanted to gift you a new set.”
Yue Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled as she received it, exclaiming, “Ah! It really is!”
“And so much more than before—it’s even longer!”
Suddenly recalling something, Yue Mingzhu blurted:
“Was it you who snatched Xu Qingyang’s Silver Winged Thunderbird?”
Xu Qingyang was sure it was her, accusing her of using the unique Heavenly Mountain Silk weapon.
He even cursed her thoroughly.
Jiang Fan shrugged, “Who asked you to issue a warrant against me?”
“So, it really was you?” Yue Mingzhu laughed bitterly but couldn’t resist smacking him lightly.
“You really are my nemesis!”
Jiang Fan teased, “Still mad?”
Yue Mingzhu snorted coquettishly, then stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek.
She noticed Gong Caiyi shyly turning away, unwilling to look at them.
With a mischievous grin, she said, “Sister, why don’t you come greet our husband?”
“You’re the officially recognized concubine by Xu Youran.”
“Unlike me, still just a wild flower drifting outside.”
Gong Caiyi blushed deeply, exclaiming, “Sect Master Yu, you—you watch what you say!”
Unlike Yue Mingzhu, Gong Caiyi simply couldn’t act so shamelessly, embracing and kissing in front of so many disciples and people.
A heavy sound of slamming the table came from within the encampment.
“Can you all be quiet outside?”
The group exchanged puzzled glances.
They looked at Jiang Fan and the two women in shock.
Truth be told, they hadn’t been particularly loud.
The breathing of those massive Barbaric Elephants alone was more noticeable.
The chatter among so many people was far noisier.
Yet the master inside hadn’t spoken up about any of that.
Why did Jiang Fan and the two women’s flirtatious banter immediately spark his anger?