"Does Lord Heavenly Sword know about this yet?"
On the way to the crime scene, Lianshan Xin suddenly spoke up.
"Du Jiu" halted in his tracks, casting aside the last sliver of wishful thinking. "I never imagined you truly possessed a Heavenly Eye. I underestimated you."
Having been seen through three times in a row, refusing to admit defeat would just be impolite.
This had been Thousand Faces' final struggle.
Now the verdict was in. The struggle had failed, and Thousand Faces calmly accepted reality.
Lianshan Xin's expression did not change. Forcibly suppressing his racing heartbeat, he managed to squeeze out a slight smile. "Not going to keep pretending?"
"There is no need. Continuing the act would be an insult to you, and an insult to myself," Thousand Faces said placidly. "Your mention of the Heavenly Sword was a reminder that while I could kill you, I would never be able to escape Zhang Aniu's blade a second time. If I could not even grasp a hint like that, how could I have roamed the martial world for decades?"
What could Lianshan Xin even say?
He could not even breathe a sigh of relief, let alone explain to Thousand Faces that his mention of the Heavenly Sword had merely been because seeking frequent instructions and submitting frequent reports were acts of loyalty etched into his very bones.
At present, the Heavenly Sword was the highest-ranking leader of the Nine Heavens in Jiangzhou. Lianshan Xin was bound to support him unequivocally and would never stand with the wrong faction.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that such an ordinary sentence would flush Thousand Faces out again.
*Aniu has led me astray.*
Lianshan Xin remembered it crystal clear. Zhang Aniu had previously told him with utter confidence: *"He took a strike from my sword, after all. He won't be stirring up trouble anytime soon."*
Is this what you call not stirring up trouble anytime soon?
The man had wheeled right around and launched a counterattack.
To be fair, Thousand Faces was undeniably formidable.
Suffering defeat at his hands twice, yet still daring to return.
That brand of sheer nerve was something Lianshan Xin genuinely admired.
"Lord Heavenly Sword told me that although you escaped with your life, you took another blow from his sword. Killing me would naturally be as easy as turning over your hand, but if Lord Heavenly Sword fails to keep you here four times in a row, it would severely damage his renown."
Lianshan Xin did his best to protect himself while simultaneously trying to remind Thousand Faces, "This time, Lord Heavenly Sword will claim your life at any cost."
"I know. That is why I had no intention of crossing paths with Zhang Aniu. This time, I came for you."
Thousand Faces took a deep look at Lianshan Xin. "I simply refused to believe the unbelievable. I refused to believe someone in this world could truly see through my disguises. But the facts speak for themselves. I have nothing more to say; I accept my loss."
Lianshan Xin gave Thousand Faces a nod of approval. "Though the righteous and demonic tread different paths, and our allegiances clash, your bearing as a Great Grandmaster remains intact. You have my respect."
"You are not bad yourself. Extraordinarily gifted, and you value loyalty and friendship."
Flattery smoothed all feathers. Lianshan Xin had bested him three times running, yet he spoke with such high emotional intelligence, knowing how to save face for him. That eased Thousand Faces' wounded pride somewhat, and he began heaping praise upon Lianshan Xin in return. "You saw through me earlier, yet you did not expose me in front of Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu. That proves you care deeply for your subordinates' lives, and you value the safety of Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu."
A twinge of shame washed over Lianshan Xin's heart.
*Granted, I am a decent guy, but I honestly didn't think that far.*
*Even now that you've outed yourself, I haven't had time to spare a thought for their safety.*
After all, he was in immense danger himself. While Lianshan Xin cared about his companions, that care could hardly outweigh the value he placed on his own life.
"Rest assured, if I wished to kill them, they would have been dead long ago. Soldiers face soldiers, generals face generals; I too fear the Heavenly Sword truly slaughtering ordinary disciples of our Sacred Cult," Thousand Faces said reassuringly. "My coming to the academy this time was, first, because the foot of the lamp is the darkest place. Zhang Aniu would never expect it."
Lianshan Xin spoke candidly, "Lord Heavenly Sword indeed did not anticipate this."
"Naturally. Zhang Aniu's swordcraft is passable, but his mind is lacking," Thousand Faces declared proudly. "He is no match for me. Only by joining forces with you does he barely qualify."
Lianshan Xin said nothing, merely watching Thousand Faces boast in silence.
"Du Jiu's" weathered face flushed slightly. Knowing that a defeated general was unlikely to convince the victor who held his natural counter, he proactively changed the subject: "The second reason was that I refused to believe the unbelievable. I still suspected that you had only bluffed your way through seeing through my identity earlier by pure fluke."
Lianshan Xin maintained his smile.
Thousand Faces let out a soft sigh. "Of course, I believe it now. All things exist in mutual generation and restraint. Although your strength lags far behind mine, your extraordinary innate talent happens to counter me. In terms of the workings of the Heavenly Dao, it is entirely reasonable."
"To brave such grave danger merely to convince yourself of reality—for that courage alone, you have my admiration."
Lianshan Xin labored to measure every word and phrase, making sure not to flatter so excessively that he degraded his own character, nor to sound so fearless in the face of death that he endangered his life.
This was truly a delicate craft.
Sensing Lianshan Xin's predicament, Thousand Faces offered further reassurance: "Be at ease. I am not the sort to bully the weak. My two prior personal attempts on your life failed, which already broke the rules of the martial world. Were I to strike again, I fear that when our Sacred Cult's younger generation travels the martial world in the future, every single one of them would end up beheaded."
Lianshan Xin believed only half of that.
If Thousand Faces truly adhered to the rules of the martial world, how had he dared to strike at him twice before?
It could only be said that Lianshan Xin's innate talent had earned him enough leverage to be worth winning over.
And Thousand Faces' two consecutive attempts had indeed begun crossing the red line.
Once or twice was one thing, but never thrice.
If Thousand Faces dared try a third time, the Nine Heavens would ruthlessly slaughter every youth of the Demon Cult without hesitation.
Lianshan Xin's two outright victories over Thousand Faces had already caused his status within the Nine Heavens to skyrocket.
Thousand Faces had dared kill the previous Lianshan Xin, but he might not dare kill the Lianshan Xin who now held favor with the higher-ups.
These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Lianshan Xin understood the situation thoroughly, but chose not to argue with Thousand Faces.
After all, one could never wager on an old demon not turning hostile out of sheer humiliation.
No matter how ferocious the Nine Heavens' future vengeance might be, Lianshan Xin had no desire to be the sacrificial lamb.
"Is Du Jiu all right?" Lianshan Xin steered the topic away.
Thousand Faces said indifferently, "Of course he is fine for now. If anything happened to him, I feared you would fight me to the death. Only while he lives would you chat with me peacefully. Lianshan Xin, you are a clever man. You clearly saw through my disguise long ago, yet chose not to expose me, which shows you wished to speak with me as well."
*The hell I did.*
*My Tianyancha was just stuck on cooldown.*
Of course, even if Tianyancha were available, Lianshan Xin would not casually cast it upon Du Jiu.
Thousand Faces' abilities were simply too overpowered—appearing and vanishing like a phantom, utterly impossible to guard against.
Lianshan Xin was beginning to appreciate the true caliber of the man he had defeated.
Though Thousand Faces had lost to him twice in a row, that did not mean Thousand Faces was weak; it only meant he himself was extraordinarily formidable.
"If possible, I would rather not have met you today." Lianshan Xin signaled for Thousand Faces to hurry up and leave.
Thousand Faces naturally caught the implicit dismissal, but showed no haste to depart. "Lianshan Xin, have you ever considered how long it will take for you to stand as an equal alongside the Heavenly Sword in the Nine Heavens? Twenty years? Or thirty?"
Lianshan Xin answered with confidence, "Ten years is enough."
Thousand Faces chuckled. "Ambitious. I appreciate ambitious youths like you. But ten years—do you not think that is far too long?"
"Not at all. I am eighteen this year, so in ten years I will only be twenty-eight. To command a branch of the Nine Heavens at twenty-eight would be considered young and accomplished anywhere in the world."
Lianshan Xin's reply was thoroughly well-founded, but Thousand Faces acted as though he had heard nothing. "What if I had a way to make you advance far faster?"
Lianshan Xin had an inkling of what Thousand Faces was thinking, yet found it hard to believe. "Are you trying to turn me?"
"Is that not allowed?" Thousand Faces countered.
Lianshan Xin was speechless. "...I have a radiant future in the Nine Heavens. Why would I become a rebel who never knows where his next meal is coming from?"
"Utter nonsense! When have the disciples of the Sacred Cult ever lacked a meal?" Thousand Faces frowned. "The Sacred Cult never mistreats its disciples."
Thereupon, Lianshan Xin selectively recounted the tale of Master Dai having his salary withheld.
Thousand Faces first showed realization. "So that was what went wrong with Dai Yongzhen. To think he was also a member of our Sacred Cult."
He truly had not known that.
Immediately after, he said with deep resentment, "Blood Guanyin has led our Sacred Cult astray! Her lineage has always handled affairs unfairly, clearly offering her female disciples vastly better treatment than the males. If this continues, how can the disciples of the Sacred Cult ever maintain cohesion?"
Lianshan Xin asked curiously, "With things run like that, are there still male disciples in Blood Guanyin's lineage?"
"Yes, quite a few."
"Why?"
"Too many lechers."
Lianshan Xin was at a loss for words.
Calling them lechers felt like an insult to lechers.
It would be more accurate to say there were too many simps.
The death of a single Dai Yongzhen would change nothing.
"Surrounded by so many vermin, it is no wonder the Sacred Cult has consistently struggled to achieve great things. Your lack of optimism regarding the Sacred Cult is justified." Thousand Faces conceded part of Lianshan Xin's argument, but immediately promised, "However, rest assured, your monthly stipend will never encounter any issues."
"It is very hard for me to rest assured."
Thousand Faces advised him, "The Sacred Cult would rather wrong its own people than fail to pay your stipend in full. The cult's disciples possess unwavering loyalty and harbor no second thoughts, so they do not require excessively lavish treatment. You are different. The Sacred Cult must treat you exceptionally well for you to develop a stronger sense of belonging."
Lianshan Xin paused. "...With the Sacred Cult acting like this, are you not afraid of chilling the hearts of your disciples?"
Thousand Faces replied placidly, "Just do not let them know. These are all necessary sacrifices."
Lianshan Xin was left utterly speechless.
"I know that you also look down upon that meager stipend from the Sacred Cult."
Thousand Faces was not naive enough to think the Demon Cult's perks would sway Lianshan Xin.
"My invitation is sincere. Lianshan Xin, do you know how to advance your cultivation as swiftly as possible in the True Intent realm?"
Lianshan Xin thought to himself: *Kill princesses, of course. Princes work too.*
Yet he knew Thousand Faces certainly was not referring to that.
Glancing at Thousand Faces, Lianshan Xin felt a spark of curiosity. "I have only just broken through to the True Intent realm and have not yet studied it properly. Please enlighten me."
The guidance of a Great Grandmaster was worth thousands in gold.
After all, a single line of true transmission was worth ten thousand books of false teaching.
Thousand Faces did not hold back. "It is very simple. There are two paths to cultivating in the True Intent realm. The first is pursuing refinement; the second is pursuing breadth."
"Refinement and breadth?"
"Pursuing refinement means constantly seeking perfection. When you cultivate your Void Penetration True Intent to its absolute peak, the true qi within your body undergoes intense concentration, compression, and metamorphosis, ultimately undergoing a qualitative change to evolve into a higher-grade, far more destructive or defensive astral qi. That is the Astral Transformation realm. However, this path will be arduous for you."
"Why?"
"Your Void Penetration True Intent is too overbearing. In ancient times, during the golden era of cultivating immortality, whispers of it were heard on occasion, but looking at the present day, you have no predecessors to consult as a reference. You can only fumble and learn on your own, which will inevitably drag down your progress."
Lianshan Xin thought to himself: *Not necessarily. If I slaughter a few more dragon scions, reaching the Astral Transformation realm won't be an issue at all.*
Advancing Void Penetration True Intent relied on renown.
Advancing Dragon Slaying True Intent relied on dragon scions.
In truth, Lianshan Xin already knew how to elevate his cultivation in the True Intent realm.
Even so, he still wished to hear this Great Grandmaster's unique insights.
Thousand Faces indeed possessed his own perspective: "Pursuing breadth means mastering a sufficient variety of martial intents. As long as you grasp enough martial intents, you will be exceptionally formidable in the True Intent realm. Naturally, your true qi will undergo metamorphosis and transform into astral qi. Furthermore, the more martial intents you master, the more well-rounded the attributes of your transformed astral qi will be. Most martial artists across this world walk this very path."
Lianshan Xin fell into contemplation.
"Do you know who is the strongest in the True Intent realm in this world?"
The question virtually wore its answer on its sleeve.
It was just that Lianshan Xin found it hard to believe.
"You?"
Thousand Faces gave a proud nod. "Indeed. Now guess, why me?"
Lianshan Xin deduced it easily: "Myriad Phenomena True Intent can simulate ninety-eight percent of the martial intents under the heavens. Therefore, the martial intents you grasped in the True Intent realm were the most numerous, allowing you to soar to the heavens in a single step upon transforming into astral qi?"
"Clever. I truly enjoy speaking with clever people." Thousand Faces dangled his bait. "Do you want to learn it?"
It had to be said, Lianshan Xin's heart gave a sudden leap.
Although Qi Shiyun had claimed the *Myriad Manifestations Classic* was inferior to the *Dragon Subduing Immortal Art*, an assessment Lianshan Xin fully agreed with, every art had its specialty.
As long as he did not run into Lianshan Xin himself, Thousand Faces could still run rampant across the world; the might of the Myriad Phenomena True Intent was plain to see.
Moreover, the ability to adopt a thousand faces and myriad forms was simply too suited for traversing the martial world, killing people, and seizing treasures.
Mastering this would make many things vastly more convenient for Lianshan Xin.
Yet Lianshan Xin quickly cooled his excitement. "From what I understand, entering the gate of the *Myriad Manifestations Classic* is exceedingly difficult."
Even Qi Shiyun had been unable to learn it.
Lianshan Xin harbored no illusions about his own martial aptitude.
Thousand Faces burst into laughter. "For outsiders, it is naturally difficult to enter the gate. But with me personally guiding you, you will certainly succeed in cultivating the Myriad Phenomena True Intent.
"Lianshan Xin, you only need to tell me: do you wish to learn?"
Lianshan Xin exercised restraint. "Why must you teach me?"
Thousand Faces provided an exceptionally persuasive reason: "I wish to take you as my disciple."
"Huh?"
"If you become my true inheritor, the Holy Son meticulously groomed by our Sacred Cult, then when your identity comes to light in the future, the world will naturally assume that I intentionally threw the fight to you."
Thousand Faces made no attempt to conceal his intentions. "Lianshan Xin, I care about my face as well. Since I dare not kill you now, and my abilities are countered by your innate gift, I can only seek another way out."
*If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?*
Yet Lianshan Xin had no desire to collude with demons.
Based on his current understanding of the Demon Cult, the organization had no future to speak of.
"Lianshan Xin, do not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit," Thousand Faces snorted coldly. "If you refuse to appreciate my goodwill, I will be forced to use compulsion. Once you master the Myriad Phenomena True Intent, how will you ever prove your innocence?"
Using the fiercest tone to bestow the grandest gift.
This was Thousand Faces' prized bottom-line skill, yet he was giving it away just like that.
Looking at the blustering Thousand Faces, Lianshan Xin put forward an alternative proposal: "Are you interested in serving as my undercover agent within the Demon Cult?"
"Huh?"
This time, it was Thousand Faces' turn to be utterly baffled.
Meanwhile, Lianshan Xin launched into his recruitment pitch: "Thousand Faces, are you interested in bringing your talents over to the Nine Heavens?"
Thousand Faces was entirely thrown off balance.
As one of the Four Great Elders of the Demon Cult, coming to turn a young man in the True Intent realm made complete sense.
Yet a youth in the True Intent realm had the audacity to turn around and recruit an elder of the Demon Cult? Was this not flipping heaven and earth upside down?
"You... want to turn me?"
When Thousand Faces spoke the words, he could hardly believe those words could even be strung together.
Lianshan Xin, however, was dead serious. "Remaining an elder in the Demon Cult is a dead end. Abandoning the darkness to step into the light at an early date is the only righteous path. When your Demon Cult's rebellion reaches its end, will you not simply establish a new dynasty? What difference is there between serving as an official in a new court and serving as an official in Great Yu? Serving as an official in Great Yu would even let you realize your ambitions ahead of schedule."
Thousand Faces was left thoroughly dazed by Lianshan Xin's pitch, instinctively feeling that what Lianshan Xin said actually made sense.
In truth, Lianshan Xin was right.
After all, the classic theories of the famous intelligence peddler Xie Ruolin never went out of style.
Seeing that this provincial old fellow was having trouble adjusting, Lianshan Xin offered patient guidance: "Two official posts sit right before you. Tell me, which one is noble, and which one is vile? Let me tell you: the post that lets you become an official is noble, and the one that prevents you from becoming an official is vile. Right now, I am offering you an opportunity to become an official ahead of time. Thousand Faces, consider it carefully."
Coming to his senses, Thousand Faces could not help chuckling. "Lianshan Xin, it seems I truly underestimated you."
"Underestimating me does not matter; just do not underestimate yourself," Lianshan Xin continued to guide him. "Thousand Faces, with your strength and standing in the martial world, if you submit with genuine sincerity, glory, splendor, wealth, and rank will all be yours. Why must you mix with those Demon Cult fiends?"
"You do not understand. The immortals backing Great Yu are already in dire straits, while Maitreya will truly descend upon the world."
Lianshan Xin truly did not understand the affairs of the immortals and buddhas behind the scenes.
What he did understand was human nature.
He understood reality.
"Thousand Faces, let us not deceive ourselves. As things stand, the Nine Heavens remains dominant, while the Demon Cult continues scurrying about in hiding. You cannot deny that, can you?" Lianshan Xin asked.
Thousand Faces truly could not deny it.
"Do you possess complete certainty that Great Yu will definitely lose, and your Demon Cult will definitely win?" Lianshan Xin pressed on.
Thousand Faces remained silent.
Having even a fifty percent certainty would be generous.
Deceiving others was fine, but he could not deceive himself.
"In that case, why not leave yourself an extra way out?" Lianshan Xin activated his recruitment skill. "Thousand Faces, you are different from the rest of the Demon Cult. Over the past decades, you have taught and educated people in the academy, keeping your hands relatively clean of blood. If you defect, all the students you have taught over these decades will be able to land safely within the imperial court. Furthermore, all of you can unite into a single force to realize your ambitions from within the court. Is that not precisely what you have been doing all these past years?"
Thousand Faces had to admit that his heart was somewhat stirred.
"Lianshan Xin, you possess quite a silver tongue."
Lianshan Xin shook his head. "My eloquence is ordinary; I have merely spoken to what lies in your heart. Were you someone like Blood Guanyin, whose hands are dripping with blood, I would never have made this suggestion. Thousand Faces, having spent decades teaching and educating students, and rarely dealing mortal blows to people from the imperial court—have you not, subconsciously, already been carving a way out for yourself?"
"Certainly not! I have killed countless people. Both Kong Ningze and Kong Ningyue perished at my hands!"
Thousand Faces never imagined that a day would come when he would have to prove he was a bloodthirsty devil.
Lianshan Xin smiled. "What does the death of Kong Ningze and Kong Ningyue have to do with our Nine Heavens? What does it have to do with the imperial court? On the contrary, you did not kill Tian Ji and Zhuo Biyu before, nor have you killed Du Jiu now. Thousand Faces, you are open to reason. You can certainly be loyal to the sovereign and love the country. Trust me, you can do it."
"I came here this time to recruit you."
Lianshan Xin conceded a step. "How about this: we each take a step back. You impart the Myriad Phenomena True Intent to me. That way, even if I were to jump into Fanyang Lake, I could never wash myself clean. In return, you leave a record with me. If the Demon Cult is defeated in the future and Lord Heavenly Sword seeks to execute you, I will personally step forward to plead for your life, informing Lord Heavenly Sword that you had long since joined the Nine Heavens. How does that sound? I can swear an oath to Heaven."
Pleading for his life was merely putting in a word, not guaranteeing his survival.
Lianshan Xin felt no psychological burden whatsoever.
And the proposal Lianshan Xin tossed out stirred Thousand Faces' heart uncontrollably.
After all, it sounded as though he had nothing to lose.
As for the Myriad Phenomena True Intent, even without this proposal from Lianshan Xin, he had already resolved to pass it to him.
Without turning Lianshan Xin into one of his own, there would be no way to explain his defeats in the martial world.
Conversely, if Lianshan Xin mastered the Myriad Phenomena True Intent, whitewashing the matter would become infinitely easier.
For a world-renowned Great Grandmaster like him, face mattered far more than substance.
"I too will take a step back and grudgingly accept your terms. However, this matter cannot be known to Zhang Aniu. You may only tell one person at most."
"Who?"
"The Heavenly Empress."
"Fine. Then I have a condition as well: you must not disclose my identity to anyone else in the Demon Cult."
Thousand Faces reminded him, "I must brief the Cult Leader on this."
Lianshan Xin knew that was likely unavoidable. "Fine. Then your identity remains restricted to me and the Heavenly Empress, and my identity remains restricted to you and the Cult Leader."
"Deal."
Thousand Faces reviewed the terms carefully and found he stood to lose nothing. There was truly no reason to refuse.
Looking at the rather self-satisfied Lianshan Xin, Thousand Faces even felt like laughing.
Lianshan Xin possessed not a shred of evidence regarding his defection; what could he possibly use to control him?
Conversely, with proof of Lianshan Xin practicing the Myriad Phenomena True Intent, he would hold leverage over Lianshan Xin's very throat.
*Gifted though he may be, he is still young after all. How could he possibly be a match for me?*
Thousand Faces soon discovered, however, that he had rejoiced a little too early.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"My room. I need you to write a letter of allegiance."
Thousand Faces refused outright: "Impossible. If the Heavenly Empress were to make it public, the Cult Leader would execute me on the spot, leaving me without a burial ground. Lianshan Xin, I do not trust you yet, and I trust the Heavenly Empress even less."
"Then you are showing too little sincerity," Lianshan Xin said with a frown. "If I learn the *Myriad Manifestations Classic*, the evidence against me will be ironclad. If you cannot prove that you were persuaded to defect, wouldn't it be all too easy for you to sell me out? I need a guarantee from you, or else we destroy each other."
"If I wished to kill you, why would I go to such great lengths?"
Seeing that Lianshan Xin remained dissatisfied, Thousand Faces thought to himself that this brat was also the type who would not loose the hawk until he saw the hare.
"How about this: I shall act as your Dao protector for a period of time, and agree to perform three tasks for you. How does that sound?"
Lianshan Xin exposed Thousand Faces' intentions directly: "You just want to hide in plain sight at my side to escape Lord Heavenly Sword's pursuit."
Thousand Faces smiled slightly. "Seeing through a matter does not mean you must voice it."
"Out of the question. Keeping you around puts me in constant danger. Nor can you remain in the academy, or I will not be able to explain why I saw through your disguise yet failed to report it to Lord Heavenly Sword."
Lianshan Xin patched his story in advance.
That way, whenever he failed to see through Thousand Faces' disguise in the future, Thousand Faces would assume Lianshan Xin was deliberately letting him off the hook, and would owe him a debt of gratitude.
"We will do as you said: agree to perform three tasks for me. How do I contact you?" Lianshan Xin asked.
Thousand Faces smiled faintly. "Pay a visit to Jianji Daoist Temple on Mount Kuang, and I will take the initiative to find you."
Lianshan Xin gave Thousand Faces a deep look and reminded him, "I remain a member of the Nine Heavens. If I cross paths with Demon Cult fiends, I will handle them strictly by the law and will never bend it for private favor."
"Naturally. In fact, I hope you become one of the Nine Heavens as swiftly as possible. That way, you will be my most outstanding student," Thousand Faces said with complete sincerity.
Lianshan Xin believed Thousand Faces' sincerity at this moment.
If one of the Nine Heavens belonged to the Demon Cult, the cult's prospects would increase immensely.
"Do you need me to provide you with several of the Sacred Cult's strongholds to help you rise through the ranks faster?" Thousand Faces asked.
Lianshan Xin pointed to his own eyes. "Do I need that?"
The Demon Cult fiends Thousand Faces mentioned were not true Demon Cult fiends.
Only the Demon Cult fiends certified by his Heavenly Eye were the real deal.
Lianshan Xin thought: *How could you possibly understand the Demon Cult better than I do?*
*I haven't even finished arresting the people on Master Dai's roster.*
Thousand Faces misunderstood, assuming Lianshan Xin could rely on his innate talent to see through them—which, from his perspective, was entirely sound. So he nodded. "In that case, is there anything you need me to do for you right now?"
Lianshan Xin's heart stirred. "When you were at the Prefectural Estate, you killed someone. Do you remember?"
"Kong Ningyue?"
At the Prefectural Estate, Thousand Faces had killed only that one person.
Lianshan Xin shook his head. "It was Zeng Ningbing, daughter of Elder Zeng from the Golden Scale Alliance."
Thousand Faces frowned. "When did I kill her?"
"When you tried to kill me, the aftershock of your inner energy killed her. Do you not remember?" Lianshan Xin asked curiously.
Thousand Faces shook his head. "I have no recollection. Why do you bring her up?"
"She is the daughter of Elder Zeng from the Golden Scale Alliance."
"I know."
Zeng Ningbing was reasonably well-known among Jiangzhou's younger generation of martial artists.
As a master of intelligence, Thousand Faces was no stranger to her name, though he had never laid eyes on her in person.
Of course, he never would now.
"Elder Zeng will definitely seek vengeance against you. I suggest you strike first to gain the upper hand," Lianshan Xin said.
Thousand Faces was no fool. He gave Lianshan Xin a deep look and decided to do him this favor.
"The Golden Scale Alliance actually collaborates with our cult," Thousand Faces said suddenly.
Lianshan Xin was not surprised, nor did he know whether Thousand Faces spoke the truth or a lie.
"However, Elder Zeng is currently not as important as you. Since this is the first task you have asked of me, I shall go and kill her once I leave the academy. Recuperating within the Golden Scale Alliance happens to be a fine choice as well."
Thousand Faces paused, then spoke again, "By the way, I must remind you: the Second Prince holds a very favorable impression of Zeng Ningbing. With you having killed Zeng Ningbing, the Second Prince will likely not let you off."
"Does the Second Prince collude with the Demon Cult?"
"Call it the Sacred Cult."
Thousand Faces corrected Lianshan Xin's phrasing before continuing, "That is not something you should be considering right now."
Lianshan Xin said in a heavy voice, "The Second Prince looks highly suspicious of colluding with demons to me."
At this moment, Lianshan Xin was unaware that the Second Prince had already set his sights on him. Of course, the Second Prince was primarily focusing on Qi Shiyun, Tian Ji, and Zhuo Biyu.
He had not yet realized that the true culprit was that most inconspicuous brat in the intelligence reports.
"If you have no other matters, I shall impart the Myriad Phenomena True Intent to you first."
"How will you impart it?"
The corner of Thousand Faces' mouth twitched. "I shall use the power of a Great Grandmaster to initiate you directly through empowerment, transmitting the methods of cultivating and applying the *Myriad Manifestations Classic*, including the Myriad Phenomena True Intent."
"Initiation through empowerment?" Lianshan Xin looked at Thousand Faces in astonishment. "You are making that great a sacrifice?"
Empowerment was equivalent to an expert pouring their cultivation into another person without reservation, a process that inherently wasted at least half of the energy.
For the expert themselves, the depletion was immense, and could even cause their cultivation realm to regress.
Thus, in most cases, even a biological father would be reluctant to grant an empowerment initiation to his own son.
Typically, only masters on the verge of death would ever perform such an act.
Lianshan Xin had assumed Thousand Faces possessed some unique method of practicing the *Myriad Manifestations Classic*, never expecting his method to be so unadorned and straightforward.
"Otherwise, why do you think the *Myriad Manifestations Classic* is so difficult to cultivate?" Thousand Faces said in a deep voice. "Lianshan Xin, you are making a massive profit. Although I harbor calculations of my own, what you gain will far exceed your imagination."
Lianshan Xin could only marvel at how much a Great Grandmaster was willing to sacrifice just to salvage his dignity.
Reflecting further on how Blood Guanyin would rather let her simp raise Dai Yueying than raise the girl herself, Lianshan Xin arrived at an epiphany.
It seemed that in the future, once he finished dealing with Thousand Faces and went up against other Great Grandmasters, he could make good use of their obsession with face.
A young man like him could afford to lose.
Those accomplished old Great Grandmasters seemed entirely unable to bear the loss of face.
One had to realize that once Thousand Faces completed the empowerment initiation, fighting Zhang Aniu again would be near-certain death.
"Return to your room. Once I finish the empowerment, I will head straight to the Golden Scale Alliance."
Thousand Faces also felt a sense of crisis.
He was already injured. After imparting the empowerment to Lianshan Xin, he estimated that without a month of rest and recuperation, he would never regain his peak condition.
Naturally, Lianshan Xin would not refuse such a windfall dropped from the sky.
Although it involved entanglements with the Demon Cult, for the sake of the thousand faces and myriad forms granted by the *Myriad Manifestations Classic*, Lianshan Xin deemed the risk worthwhile.
Once he mastered the *Myriad Manifestations Classic*, he could find an opportunity down the line to set Thousand Faces up to die—and who could then say he wasn't one of the Four Great Elders of the Demon Cult?
Pulling his mind back from these reveries, Lianshan Xin sat cross-legged upon his bed moments later.
Thousand Faces began conferring the cultivation through empowerment.
An hour later.
Lianshan Xin opened his eyes, already sensing that he had grasped yet another martial intent.
When he looked back, he found the room entirely empty.
Without his noticing, Thousand Faces had quietly departed.
Half a day later.
The Golden Scale Alliance.
Elder Zeng's quarters.
Thousand Faces dripped Corpse Dissolving Powder onto Elder Zeng's body and murmured under his breath, "I was entrusted with a task by another, and I remain faithful to my word. If your soul perceives anything in the underworld, remember to seek vengeance against Lianshan Xin."
His condition was currently very poor, and he needed a disguised identity to lie low and heal.
Elder Zeng held high status but little actual power within the Golden Scale Alliance, and lived in seclusion—making her an ideal candidate to replace.
And so he had struck without hesitation.
Even Lianshan Xin would never have imagined that Thousand Faces would keep his word so faithfully.
What Lianshan Xin could imagine even less was that the moment Thousand Faces replaced Elder Zeng, he received a request for an audience from the Second Prince's men.
***
"Elder, His Highness has dispatched the two of us to escort you to Shenjing. His Majesty wishes to see you."
Thousand Faces: "?"
Chapter 85