Chapter 2241: Internal Conflict

Zhao Hai swiftly replied, “Replying to my Lord. We did indeed find something wrong with the people from the Moonfall Palace. The road from Demonheart City to Split River City should be very peaceful. The Blood Knife Gang only sent more people because we are afraid that the three gangs from Split River City would cause trouble. Normally, a 50 person team should be more than enough to escort a convoy to Split River City. But in addition to hiring us, the Moonfall Palace also brought 20 people. And these 20 people are at the Clone Stage, which is too much for the road ahead.”

“Also, the convoy leader looked cowardly. Halfway to Split River City, we were attacked by a small bandit group. We had enough strength to deal with those fellows. Despite this, the convoy leader had his team protect him instead of joining the battle. In the end, we managed to drive those people away without using our hidden troops. The people from the Moonfall Palace were just too afraid. Besides these two things, there isn’t anything weird about them.”

After listening to Zhao Hai, the Forbidden Path Sect cultivator nodded. Then he looked at Zhao Hai and said, “I heard that you had a conflict with the convoy leader. Can you tell me about it?”

Zhao Hai stared, then he immediately answered, “It’s not a big conflict. The convoy leader just wants to suppress me. When I arranged our resting place for the night, the convoy leader wanted us to follow his own choice. According to rules and customs of escorts, the convoy leader should be listening to us. Because of that, I told him that if he wants to stay someplace else, we won’t be responsible for anything that happens to them. After that, the convoy leader no longer said anything.”

The Forbidden Path Sect cultivator nodded, “Besides this, did you notice anything else? Do you know what they are transporting?”

Zhao Hai shook his head and said, “I don’t know. We are only responsible for guarding the carriages. We cannot inquire about what the client is transporting, that will be bad practice. It would only make the client distrust us. When the time comes, the reputation of the Blood Knife Gang would be tainted. Because of that, we won’t dare ask too much.”

The Forbidden Path Sect cultivator nodded, “While you were on the road, did you know that there are people protecting you in secret?”

Zhao Hai nodded, “I was aware. Before we departed, we made arrangements. I also met the Gang Master twice while on the road. It’s only to report the situation of the convoy.”

The Forbidden Path Sect raised his brow and said, “And what did you tell your Gang Master?”

Zhao Hai looked at the man in confusion but still replied, “I didn’t say anything else aside from the Moonfall Palace being a little strange. I told him that they brought much more than required, especially on the road that we are going through. I also told the Gang Master about the convoy leader’s attempt to suppress me.”

The man nodded, then he looked at Liu Zhen and said, “Alright, I’m done asking questions. If your Gang Master returns, have him report to the Forbidden Path Sect immediately. Tell him that we have something to ask him.”

Liu Zhen nodded at the cultivator from the Forbidden Path Sect. Then he said, “My Lord can be rest assured. As soon as the Gang Master returns, I will immediately tell him to go to the Forbidden Path Sect.”

The cultivator from the Forbidden Path Sect nodded, then took his men with him and left. After the cultivators from the Forbidden Path Sect left, everyone took a long breath. Plenty of them were wiping the sweat off their faces. The pressure brought by sect members was too big for a gang of their size.

Actually, the people who came weren’t very strong. They didn’t have a single Teleportation Stage cultivator, only an Earth Monarch. Normally, the Blood Knife Gang wouldn’t be afraid of these people. But since they had the Forbidden Path Sect behind them, the Blood Knife Gang couldn’t afford to offend them. They wouldn’t want to cause the Forbidden Path Sect to be unhappy.

The Forbidden Path Sect brought an incomparably huge pressure on rogue cultivators. The same was true for any sect in the True Spirit Realm.

Liu Zhen let out a long breath. Then he turned to everyone and said, “Alright, you can all go back and rest. Demonheart City has been quite chaotic. Minimize going out in the next few days. We’ll head out tomorrow to take missions, not only for the gang’s income, but to also leave the city temporarily.”

As soon as they heard this, the members of the Blood Knife Gang complied. Only a few people frowned without moving. Zhao Hai looked at these people and recognized that they were the other Hall Masters of the gang.

The Blood Knife Gang has nine Hall Masters. Liu Zhen was the master of the Battle Hall. He commanded the gang during wars, which gave him great power within the sect. Moreover, Wang Da trusts him. Liu Zhen was also known to care about his people. His prestige within the sect was very high. Besides Wang Da, nobody else was more respected than Liu Zhen.

At the same time, Liu Zhen was friends with five other Hall Masters. This allowed him to have high status within the gang.

Naturally, it was impossible for everyone to be Liu Zhen’s friend. For example, Yu Linfeng, Chen Feng, and Lie Xing weren’t compatible with Liu Zhen.

Now, upon seeing Liu Zhen taking command of the situation, Yu Linfeng felt uncomfortable. Because of this, he didn’t comply immediately. The same was true for Chen Feng and Lie Xing. The members of their halls also didn’t move.

Liu Zhen and the other Hall Masters noticed that they hadn’t moved. Liu Zhen frowned as he looked at Yu Linfeng and said, “Hall Master Yu, is there a problem?”

Yu Linfeng looked at Liu Zhen and said, “Hall Master Liu, I don’t know who gave you power to order us like the Gang Master. Now that Demonheart City has become chaotic, it is time for the Blood Knife Gang to show our fists. To let everyone miss this opportunity by taking missions, what are you planning?”

Hearing this, Liu Zhen’s expression changed. Then he said, “As for who gave me the power to take command, it’s naturally the Gang Master. Before he left Demonheart City, the Gang Master left me with the authority to act on his behalf. You’re asking about missing opportunities in the city? Do you think the Blood Knife Gang is stronger than the sect? The chaos in Demonheart City that we see is only happening on the surface. In reality, the gangs are all moving against the Moonfall Palace. Do you still want to grab advantages in this state? If we mess around right now, we will only be courting death.”

Yu Linfeng sneered and said, “You’re the only one saying that the Gang Master left you with power. Nobody has heard of it. The Gang Master is not here right now, so he can’t disprove your claims.”

Liu Zhen’s expression turned for the worse as he glared at Yu Linfeng and said, “Yu Linfeng, what are you implying? Although the Gang Master hasn’t returned, there will be a day where he will come back. When the time comes, everything will be clear. Are you thinking that I’m pretending to act as the Gang Master?”

Yu Linfeng sneered, “Liu Zhen, everyone can see that the Forbidden Path Sect is suspecting the Gang Master. Perhaps the Gang Master has the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Herb, in this case, will he still come back? If the Gang Master doesn’t return for a day, you will control the sect for a day. But if the Gang Master wouldn’t return for a year, does that mean that you will hold the sect for a year?”

Cultivators aren’t fools. Liu Zhen’s conversation with the cultivator from the Forbidden Path Sect was also heard by Yu Linfeng and the others. Liu Zhen and Zhao Hai twisted the narrative to mislead the Forbidden Path Sect into thinking that Wang Da himself found out about the treasure that the Moonfall Palace was escorting and decided on his own to steal it before disappearing. This way, the Blood Knife Gang would become safe.

However, Liu Zhen didn’t think that the narrative that he spun out would also convince Yu Linfeng and the others. They were now thinking that Wang Da wouldn’t come back. And now, they were using the power vacuum to snatch power from Liu Zhen.

Liu Zhen looked at Yu Linfeng and said, “Before the Gang Master returns, I will act as the substitute Gang Master. I can pledge here that if the Gang Master doesn’t return for one year, then I would no longer hold the position of substitute Gang Master. As for who will command the gang at that time, the members will decide for themselves. But in this year’s time, if anyone dares to disobey me, it will be the same as disobeying the Gang Master. Punishments will be give accordingly.”

Hearing Liu Zhen, Yu Linfeng and the others stared, then their complexion slightly changed. He knew Liu Zhen’s plan very well. Liu Zhen might have promised to let go of power in a year, but it was clear that Liu Zhen was simply using this as a buffer. In a year’s time, Liu Zhen would have the power to deal with any opposition to his influence. Then after one year, Liu Zhen would become the Gang Master, and nobody would say anything.

However, nobody would believe him if he told it out loud. Moreover, now that Wang Da was missing, the top power of the Gang was now beginning to dissipate. If Yu Linfeng openly disobeyed Liu Zhen at this time, he would cause the entire gang to be disgusted with him. In the end, he would be on the unlucky side.

The best move for Yu Linfeng right now was to retreat. Yu Linfeng knew what Liu Zhen wanted to do, but he could only agree. If he opposed at this time, it wouldn’t be Liu Zhen but him who would be ostracized.

Yu Linfeng’s face was pale as he stood in place. After glancing at Yu Linfeng, Liu Zhen said, “Alright, everyone, you can go back and rest. We will be taking missions tomorrow. Anyone who doesn’t listen will be punished according to the rules.” Everyone complied and then dispersed in groups of two or three. Yu Linfeng coldly snorted and then walked out.

At this time, Zhao Hai arrived beside Liu Zhen and said, “Brother Liu, how do you want to deal with these people? If you don’t deal with them, they will only cause trouble later on.”

Liu Zhen sneered and said, “Rest assured, they will be dealt with within a year. Yu Linfeng isn’t a fool. He also knows that I will deal with him within this year. He would be on guard. Moreover, I reckon he deliberately caused trouble today to show everyone that they’re against us. If something happens to him, the first suspect would be me. He wants me to be cautious in my actions otherwise I would take the fall. He wants to be a rat to protect himself.”

Zhao Hai frowned, “If that is the case, then it is indeed troublesome. It seems like Yu Linfeng isn’t a simple character.”

Liu Zhen smiled and said, “He’s smart. However, he forgot to take one person into account, and that is you.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hai stared. Then he looked at Liu Zhen and asked, “Me? What do I have to do with this? Brother Liu, do you want me to deal with them? I’m afraid I’m not strong enough.”

Liu Zhen smiled and said, “Why would I let you take action against them? We won’t resort to such barbaric methods. Little Ling, aren’t you planning to participate in the Forbidden Path Sect’s recruitment? I fully support you. In the next period of time, you don’t have to do anything. Focus on improving your strength. Once you join the Forbidden Path Sect, all of our problems will be solved. When the time comes, we only need a word from you and Yu Linfeng won’t have the guts to get rid of me.”

When Zhao Hai heard this, he couldn’t help but stare. He didn’t expect Liu Zhen to have this scheme. But he has to recognize that Liu Zhen’s plan was very good. If Zhao Hai could join the Forbidden Path Sect, then Liu Zhen’s position as Gang Master will be decided by a few words. Even if Wang Da survived, he wouldn’t dare snatch the position from Liu Zhen.

Seeing that Zhao Hai didn’t say anything, Liu Zhen patted Zhao Hai’s shoulder and said, “Little Ling, you have to work hard. As long as you join the Forbidden Path Sect, you will become a pillar of the gang. Once you reach a high position within the sect, don’t forget about the Blood Knife Gang. My talent is average, no sect will spare a glance at my direction. But if there is a chance, I hope that you can help the younger generation.”

Zhao Hai nodded and said, “Brother Liu can rest assured, I will do my best to join the Forbidden Path Sect. As for the future, I will never forget Brother Liu’s help. You don’t have to worry about this.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhen gave a satisfied nod and then patted Zhao Hai’s shoulder before leaving.

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