Chapter 961: A Clean Sweep

Editor: Henyee Translations

Hong Feiyun surveyed her surroundings, “I know the entrance to the dungeon is here, but I’m not sure where the mechanism is.”

As she finished speaking, Mu Xiao’s voice echoed, “Keep a tight watch around, don’t let Tang Jinghong’s spies come in and rescue anyone.”

“Yes, Hall Master Mu.”

Hong Feiyun was startled. If Mu Xiao came in, they’d have a hard time explaining themselves.

At that moment, Chu Tang went to the back of the door, gesturing for Hong Feiyun to stand behind another door.

Left with no other options, Hong Feiyun complied.

Mu Xiao, unsuspecting of anyone inside, entered to inspect. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a bell, and his consciousness blurred immediately.

Chu Tang moved from behind Mu Xiao to in front of him, shaking the bell, “Go open the mechanism.”

Obediently, Mu Xiao walked to one side, took a straw hat off the wall, twisted a large iron nail, and a seamless door appeared on the wall, opening with a gust of cold air coming from inside.

“You can actually control people’s consciousness?!” Hong Feiyun was stunned by the sight, realizing she had underestimated Chu Tang’s abilities.

Without paying attention to Hong Feiyun’s reaction, Chu Tang headed straight for the door.

There were no stairs; the entryway led directly to the dungeon. It wasn’t very large, just a few cells, but each was occupied.

Guards, both visible and hidden, totaling about thirty, all skilled in martial arts, were present.

One guard approached, his expression stern, “Did the Left Emissary send you?”

“Look at this.” Chu Tang took out the bell, infused it with his spiritual energy, and shook it at the guard. A flash of light passed, and every person in the dungeon lost consciousness, standing motionless.

Hong Feiyun was also affected, her expression blank.

Controlling more people consumed more spiritual energy. Controlling the forty people here cost Chu Tang thirty percent of his energy. He put away the bell and walked towards Jiang Zhanglin.

He broke the lock with a tug, entered the cell, and touched Jiang Zhanglin’s forehead to awaken him.

Chu Tang stepped back and said sternly, “I am here under the orders of the Left Emissary to persuade you to join the Yun Organization.”

“Dream on!” Jiang Zhanglin shouted with vigor, “To join an organization that brings disaster to the nation, you might as well kill me.”

“Do you think we won’t kill you?” Chu Tang sneered. “We’re recruiting you just for your status; otherwise, who would want a scholar without the ability to tie up a chicken?”

Jiang Zhanglin was furious, “Should I be grateful then?”

“Indeed, you should be.” Chu Tang crossed his arms, “If you agree to join us, not only will you have gold and silver, but also beauty and power. You can have anything you desire. Why wouldn’t you want that?”

Jiang Zhanglin’s expression was cold, “What I want, you can never give.”

Chu Tang smiled slightly, “Then I am curious, what do you want?”

Jiang Zhanglin’s gaze was cold yet full of righteousness, “I want clear rivers, a wealthy nation, congratulations from all around. Can you give me that?”

Chu Tang was surprised by the scholar’s ambitious vision.

“If we get Yun Ye to the emperor’s throne, your great ambitions will surely be realized.”

Jiang Zhanglin shouted, “A group of thieves plotting to steal the country, so delusional!”

Chu Tang calmly replied, “How do you know it’s not possible without trying?”

“You…” Jiang Zhanglin was so angered by Chu Tang that he was at a loss for words, his lips turning white.

Yet, Chu Tang continued smiling, “Calm down, don’t get so agitated. I know we will succeed, it’s just a matter of time. Right now, we need someone like you who can govern the country. Won’t you consider it?”

Jiang Zhanglin was almost faint from anger, “Forget about it, you will not succeed!”

Chu Tang confidently said, “I wanted to kill you before, but now I don’t want to anymore. I will make sure you see the day we succeed.”

Jiang Zhanglin, “…”

Chu Tang snapped his fingers, “Sleep.”

Unable to control himself, Jiang Zhanglin closed his eyes, muttering as he did, “You will fail, you will definitely fail…”

“Such a loyal scholar should not die here.” Chu Tang switched the clothes of a guard with Jiang Zhanglin’s, preparing to take him away.

Just then, he noticed a familiar waist badge on a person in another cell. He took the badge into his hand, “Jinghong’s spy.”

In addition to Jiang Zhanglin, there were seven people in the dungeon altogether. Chu Tang checked each one. Three were Jinghong’s men; the identities of the other four were unknown to him.

He woke the person in the neighboring cell and asked directly, “Whose man are you?”

The young man, barely awake, replied, “I belong to the Brightness Organization.”

Chu Tang frowned, encountering yet another mysterious group, “What is the Brightness Organization about?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The youth spoke passionately, “It’s a force striving to restore brightness. Our leader hates the Immortal Ointment and detests the Yun Organization. We all do, so we joined to work against everything the Yun Organization stands for.”

This organization’s central ideology seemed reasonable. “Wait here for a moment; I’ll get you out soon.”

Proceeding in the same manner, Chu Tang asked everyone. Of the four, three were from the Brightness Organization, and the last one was a man from the Crown Prince’s camp.

He didn’t know the Crown Prince well and decided not to get involved with him. He had the others change into the guards’ uniforms. Transforming himself into Mu Xiao’s appearance, Chu Tang led the group out of the stronghold.

With Mu Xiao leading the way, the group exited the stronghold smoothly. Once outside, Jiang Zhanglin stopped Chu Tang, “Who are you? Why are you helping us?”

Chu Tang sincerely responded, “I can’t tell you who I am, but I also despise the Yun Organization, just like you. Seeing people with similar ideals, I couldn’t help but lend a hand.”

The scout, wary, whispered to Jiang Zhanglin, “This isn’t a place to talk, let’s leave quickly.”

Chu Tang nodded, “Go then, and perhaps we’ll meet again.”

After watching Chu Tang for a long while, Jiang Zhanglin finally left with the scout.

Using Mu Xiao’s appearance, Chu Tang returned to the stronghold, called Hong Feiyun, and they both went back to their rooms. They expected chaos soon and took the opportunity to rest.

Fifteen minutes later, those he had controlled regained their consciousness.

The guard responsible for watching the dungeon saw the empty cells and felt his own heart empty. He collapsed to the ground, unable to stand up for several attempts. When he finally managed to stand, he didn’t dare face the Left Emissary. He grabbed a knife and fled.

Seeing him flee, the other guards followed suit.

The Left Emissary was terrifying. If he discovered the empty dungeon, he would surely flay them alive. It seemed better to hide; maybe they could save their lives.

…

A subordinate approached timidly to report, “Left Emissary, our storehouse in the city was completely cleared out last night!”