Pluck Heart and Extract Gall

Having hung the hook in Qingyuan Mansion, the gramophone checked around once more. Confirming that Mister Kongfang had left behind no other tricks, she retreated into the office's inner room. Li Banfeng called over Qiu Zhiheng, Luo Zhengnan, Tan Jinxiao, and Bai Wusong, dividing up the Underground City's territories among them: "Starting today, the Human Market goes to Brother Qiu, the Earth Market to Brother Luo, the Sea Market to Brother Tan, and the White Crane Gang's inner sect to Brother Bai. What do you brothers think?" The group demurred one after another. Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan shared the same thought: they felt they had contributed too little to deserve such a vast territory. Li Banfeng thought it fitting. Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan were currently the most experienced and capable men among them; whether the Underground City could be held truly depended on their methods. Tan Jinxiao did not want to stay either. Sending the others away, he spoke from the bottom of his heart: "Seventh Master, I came to the Underground City and fooled around for all these years just to win a way out for my old brothers. Now that the job is done, it's time for me to head back. I have cultivation above the clouds and my own territory; if I keep lingering in the Underground City like this, both my land and my cultivation will go to waste." Li Banfeng said, "We've just taken the Underground City. We need someone familiar with the place to watch over things. Out of all of us, no one knows the Underground City better than you. How could you just walk away?" Tan Jinxiao recommended Bai Wusong: "Little Song is familiar with the Underground City too. Why not give the Sea Market to him?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "Bai Wusong hasn't returned to the Underground City in over twenty years. Besides, with his temperament, he isn't suited to be a big boss here." Tan Jinxiao still wished to leave. Li Banfeng sighed. "If I can't keep you, I'll just have to find someone who can." A voice came from the inner room: "Old Tan, haven't seen you in all these years and you've put on airs, haven't you? Even a place as fine as the Sea Market can't hold you?" Hearing that voice, Tan Jinxiao was struck speechless for a long moment, tears welling in his eyes. In front of Li Seven, he couldn't let those tears fall. He had so much he wanted to say, but in the end, only one sentence came out: "General, you're... still alive?" The gramophone replied from inside: "Aye, alive. Could you do me a small favor and grant me some face?" Tan Jinxiao turned back to Li Banfeng. "Seventh Master, I'll do as you say." Li Banfeng smiled and had Old Tan invite Bai Wusong inside. Bai Wusong's situation differed from the others; he truly couldn't hold down the White Crane Gang. After Bai Gu'an's death, the White Crane Gang was trying to hold Bai Wusong accountable; they certainly wouldn't support him becoming sect leader. By now, even the outer sect knew about it. Bai Wuchuan's side had even spread word that Bai Wusong had murdered his martial uncle Bai Gu'an just to seize the seat of inner sect leader, pinning the terrible accusation of betraying masters and destroying ancestors right onto him. Bai Wusong himself had no desire to take this leadership, and he wanted people pointing fingers at his back even less: "Seventh Master, I'll head back to Green Water City tomorrow and clear things up with Bai Wuchuan. If you ever have need of me in the future, just give the word." Li Banfeng said to Bai Wusong, "I've already sent someone to handle this. In two days, I'll have Bai Wuchuan come to Santoucha and apologize to your face." Bai Wusong shook his head repeatedly. "Seventh Master, that won't do! Please don't give my junior brother a hard time. He just doesn't know the truth of what happened." Li Seven gave a faint smile. "Even if that lie could fool me, can it fool yourself? Bai Wuchuan knows. He knows everything. He's just terrified you'll snatch his position, so he's deliberately smearing you." Bai Wusong sighed. He was an honest man, but being honest didn't mean being blind. Deep down, he understood Bai Wuchuan's motives well enough: "Seventh Master, I never intended to fight him for it." "I know you won't fight, but the principle must be made clear. From now on, the White Crane Gang's inner sect is in charge. Every major matter in the sect must receive the inner sect's approval. If Bai Wuchuan refuses, I will no longer look after the White Crane Gang." Bai Wusong grew frantic: "Seventh Master, that won't do!" Bai Wusong had also heard what happened to the Qingyun Society and the Baihua Sect; the moment Li Seven washed his hands of them, He Jiaqing would snap up the White Crane Gang immediately. The White Crane Gang was neither massive nor negligible; the foundation of Puluo Province's physical cultivators rested here. He Jiaqing would certainly want to keep the White Crane Gang's brand, but he might not spare its people. Li Banfeng said, "Brother Bai, consider it carefully once more: will you take this leadership or not?" Bai Wusong said anxiously, "Seventh Master, if I become sect leader, I'm afraid that later on—" "Don't rush, I'm not finished yet. Once you take the position, there are two things you must follow my lead on. First, I heard the White Crane Gang only recruits physical cultivators capable of transforming into birds?" Bai Wusong said, "That is the sect rule. But I personally don't feel that way. So long as they are physical cultivators, they are all fellow disciples—including three-headed people." "Well said. They are all fellow disciples. From the day you become inner sect leader, this rule must be established: three-headed people must be permitted to enter your sect, and there must be people to protect and aid them. Can you promise that?" Bai Wusong pondered for a moment, then nodded. Li Banfeng continued, "Second: White Crane Gang disciples may not serve as local chiefs, nor may they have excessive dealings with local big bosses. As for what the local big bosses do, you are to keep watch over them. When they do wrong, you are to help correct them." The meaning of these words was crystal clear: Li Banfeng wanted the White Crane Gang to act as a check and balance against the local big bosses. Hearing this, Bai Wusong's heart settled. The White Crane Gang Li Seven envisioned was identical to the one he held in his own heart. Li Banfeng called everyone back inside and assigned three additional tasks. "First: every month, gather a shipment of grain, supplies, and weapons, and deliver them to White Falcon Commandery beyond the Boundary." Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan found themselves in a bind. They had heard of White Falcon Commandery, but did not know where it was. Tan Jinxiao was troubled as well. He knew where White Falcon Commandery was, but lacked a travel permit to cross the Boundary. Li Banfeng said, "I'll find a way regarding the travel permits, but the supplies must be delivered. Second: across the Underground City, including the area around Mount Luoxia, spread the news of the Sage's orphaned heirs. Third: allow people from other parts of Santoucha to enter the Underground City, and give them a chance to settle down here." Life in the Underground City was bitter, but in Santoucha, those able to enter the Underground City were considered fortunate. The people living above ground had it far worse than those down below. Qiu Zhiheng said, "Old Seven, that third task poses a slight difficulty. From what I know, the Santoucha Garrison Office severed the Human Market's outward supply routes. Business has become hard." The goods shipped outward from the Human Market were the Underground City's primary source of revenue; the Garrison Office clearly intended to choke the Underground City by the throat. Li Banfeng had already prepared for this: "In two days, I'll go have a chat with Liao Zihui. While I'm at it, I'll settle the travel permits as well." *** At the White Crane Gang's grand hall, Bai Wuchuan was furious. "What kind of bullshit is this? In all these years of the White Crane Gang, when has the inner sect ever had the final say? "Bai Wusong wants the seat of sect leader, so why didn't he come to me openly and honorably? Instead, he ran off to Santoucha and brought outsiders in to ruin our sect's rules! What kind of malicious intent is that?" Several hall masters beneath him were filled with righteous indignation, declaring one after another that Bai Wusong could not be let off lightly, and some even proposed purging the sect. One hall master, named Ji Xinrong, offered a word of counsel: "Gang Leader, we must consider this carefully from a broader perspective. This isn't just Bai Wusong's idea—Li Seven is standing behind him." Bai Wuchuan was still bristling over this: "I know it's Li Seven's idea! The outsider I'm talking about is him! His reach has stretched too far. The affairs of our White Crane Gang are not his place to meddle with!" Ji Xinrong said, "Gang Leader, permit me a word, then. He Jiaqing's side has sent us calling cards several times already. Who do you think we should turn to for backing?" Bai Wuchuan glared at Ji Xinrong. "Are you threatening me?" The other hall masters turned on Ji Xinrong as well: "Old Ji, did you take handouts from Li Seven?" "How much money did Li Seven give you? Enough to feed your whole family?" "I could tell long ago that you had dealings with Bai Wusong! You're a traitor to your masters and ancestors just like him!" Ji Xinrong waved a hand. "Gang Leader, I don't have the nerve to threaten you, nor am I the one threatening you. I'm merely offering a reminder: the chief heads of the Qingyun Society and the Baihua Sect have both been replaced, and He Jiaqing has sent us plenty of cards. If we truly tear up all face with Li Seven, where do we go next?" *** He Jiaqing sat in the office of the film company, glancing through the White Crane Gang's roster. "Who delivered this?" Duan Shuqun replied, "This is the pledge of loyalty sent by Meng Xiujie, hall master of the White Crane Gang's Fine Fowl Hall. He said he wants nothing else, only that once we take in the White Crane Gang, we keep him in his position as hall master." He Jiaqing chuckled. "How could we only keep him as a hall master? For talent like this, giving him a vice gang leader seat is only proper." Duan Shuqun nodded repeatedly. "Old Meng is a solid fellow; he really ought to be given important duties." Shen Rongqing was slightly worried: "The White Crane Gang has always been under Li Seven. If we take them in, won't that provoke Li Seven all over again?" He Jiaqing looked toward Duan Shuqun: "Have you investigated this matter?" Duan Shuqun nodded. "I looked into it thoroughly. Bai Wuchuan and Li Seven are having a massive dispute right now. Over in Santoucha, Li Seven wants to prop up the White Crane Gang's inner sect and even appointed a new sect leader for them. It both stripped Bai Wuchuan of power and slapped him across the face. There's no way Bai Wuchuan can stomach that." He Jiaqing chuckled. "If he can't stomach it, let him come to me. Go tell him that so long as the White Crane Gang submits to me, he will still be gang leader." "I reckon Bai Wuchuan has been waiting for those exact words. Jiaqing, just wait for my good news!" Duan Shuqun left cheerfully. Shen Rongqing, however, broke into a cold sweat on Bai Wuchuan's behalf. From her understanding of He Jiaqing, she could deduce what would happen next: He Jiaqing would let Bai Wuchuan serve as gang leader for two months to show he kept his word. But He Jiaqing never trusted outsiders; after two months, he would certainly make Bai Wuchuan disappear and arrange for someone else to take over the White Crane Gang. And who could this new gang leader be? Seeing how delighted Old Duan was, it would likely be him. "Rongqing," He Jiaqing interrupted her train of thought, "how are the preparations for the Brotherhood Alliance's initiation ceremony going?" Shen Rongqing answered, "There's one session at three o'clock this afternoon. Thirty-eight people in total, all meeting the entry standards. I've already prepared everything." He Jiaqing checked the time. "I'll attend this session. Big Head, make sure the initiation medicinal powders on your end are ready and delivered to the conference room's storeroom. Remember, prepare enough for a hundred people." Shen Rongqing asked again, "A few young female members said they felt rather lost about the future and wanted to meet with you privately to discuss the core essence of the new order. Jiaqing, will you go?" He Jiaqing frowned. "Discuss what insights with me? You are the foremost talented woman in Puluo Province—is discussing it with you not enough?" Shen Rongqing smiled, speaking with a touch of awkwardness: "Their way of discussing might be a bit different. Perhaps it's because they feel toward you—" He Jiaqing waved a hand. "The Brotherhood Alliance was formed for our shared dream. If they ever harbor such thoughts again, have them leave immediately!" This was what Shen Rongqing admired most about He Jiaqing: he could withstand temptation. With everyone busy with their own tasks, only Big Head remained in the room. He Jiaqing took out a box of elixir pills and handed it to Big Head: "Brother, what level is your cultivation at now?" Big Head said, "From my own feeling, it should be at the eighth layer!" He Jiaqing smiled. "How long have you even been in Puluo Province? Yet your cultivation has climbed three layers already. Such fine talent is truly rare." "Forget about talent," Big Head waved a hand dismissively. "It was all fed to me through your pills. Jiaqing, if I hadn't met you in this life, I'd be a nobody. I wouldn't have amounted to anything." "Don't speak like that. We're brothers; we ought to live with dignity!" Big Head lowered his voice. "I went sniffing around the Ghost Hand Sect recently. Xiao Qianshou is still searching high and low for you. Making frequent public appearances in Green Water City might not be wise." "It really isn't wise." He Jiaqing looked at Big Head. Among so many subordinates, the only one who constantly worried about his safety was Big Head. After a moment of thought, He Jiaqing said, "Go find our contact inside the Ghost Hand Sect and ask about Xie Juncong's recent movements." Big Head nodded and was just about to leave when He Jiaqing called him back. "Big Head, never mind asking the contact. Gather a group of men and prepare to strike the Ghost Hand Sect." Big Head nodded and was turning to go again when He Jiaqing halted him once more. "Big Head, wait!" Big Head turned back, looking at He Jiaqing with mild confusion. "Jiaqing, what's gotten into you?" He Jiaqing stared at Big Head for a long time. "Whatever I tell you to do, you just do it. Don't you ever stop to think?" Big Head didn't grasp what he meant. "Why would I second-guess you? You'd never harm me." He Jiaqing fell silent for a long time before saying, "Go home and pack your things. I'll have someone buy train tickets, and in a bit, I'll send your family to Yaowanggou." Big Head froze. "What would I go to Yaowanggou for?" He Jiaqing said, "I bought a residence in Yaowanggou and took over a silk shop. Hide out there for a while." Big Head said, bewildered, "Why should I hide?" He Jiaqing handed Big Head a cigarette. "I'm going to take a gamble. I want to settle things once and for all with Xiao Qianshou. If I win, we brothers will live dignified lives together. If I lose, stay in Yaowanggou and don't come out." Big Head's heart jumped. It had come down to a fight to the death with Xiao Qianshou. At a time like this, how could he leave? "Jiaqing, if we're gambling, let's gamble together! If I stay by your side, I can at least be of help." He Jiaqing shook his head. "This gamble is too big, and your cultivation isn't high enough. I can't let you throw your life away." "Then what about Old Duan, Shen Rongqing, and the others? Why don't they have to hide? Why just me?" "They were never involved in the grudge between me and Xiao Qianshou, but you were. Old Duan and Shen Rongqing have roots in Puluo Province; they have a way out. But you don't. Hiding you in Yaowanggou is our last retreat." Big Head shook his head. "I'm not going. Life or death, we brothers stick together—" "We can't stay together. You must live. Xu Han is in Yaowanggou. He has bad blood with Xiao Qianshou, and Xiao Qianshou doesn't dare cross him. You'll be safe in Yaowanggou." Big Head still shook his head: "I'm not afraid to die!" "You must live, brother," He Jiaqing kept his eyes fixed on Big Head. "You have to stay safe and sound! Safe and sound!" *** Having sent Big Head off, He Jiaqing rested for a short while and went to the meeting hall. Thirty-eight newcomers were waiting in the hall. The moment He Jiaqing appeared, everyone rose in unison and bowed to him. He Jiaqing pressed his palms downward, gesturing for them to sit. "We are all brothers; there is no need for formality." Originally fans of *Blood Blade Detective*, they had abandoned the bonds of family and ordinary life to become full members of the Brotherhood Alliance. After taking medicines to accumulate affinity with the Dao, and undergoing a period of rigorous training, they had reached the requirements for initiation. Once everyone was seated, He Jiaqing began: "Over these past days, you have endured hardships, weathered trials, gained growth, and earned the trust and fellowship between brothers. Now, the sacred moment has arrived. You will transition from novices of the Brotherhood Alliance into warriors of the Brotherhood Alliance. From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of the achievements each of you has made—" After delivering an inspiring speech, He Jiaqing sent Shen Rongqing to the storeroom to bring out the medicinal powders and distribute them. This task was originally Big Head's responsibility, but Big Head had already left for Yaowanggou. Fearing Shen Rongqing might make an error, He Jiaqing repeatedly instructed her to verify one thing: the powders had to be distributed strictly according to each person's name. "Everyone has made their own choice, and the Brotherhood Alliance has always respected the will of every member. Rongqing, you must not mix up the powders under any circumstances!" Shen Rongqing asked, "What should be done with the powders that don't have names marked on them?" He Jiaqing dropped his voice to a whisper: "Leave them in the storeroom for now, waiting for the next batch of newcomers." After checking repeatedly, Shen Rongqing handed the powders to everyone. Right before He Jiaqing's eyes, each member smeared the powder over their bodies. The powder caused genuine, searing pain. Though they had undergone rigorous training beforehand, many members present still cried out in agony. A young woman named Qian Sangxue bit her lip so hard from the pain that blood seeped out. He Jiaqing asked with concern, "Can you hold out? You can't take painkillers right now, or it will undermine the initiation's effect." Qian Sangxue shook her head. "I came here because I trust you, because I want to follow you, because I want to build a new order alongside you—an order where Puluo Province regains its dignity and regains its faith! For this, I will hesitate at no cost—" These were lines from the movie *Blood Blade Detective IX*. Reciting these lines now demonstrated Qian Sangxue's veneration of He Jiaqing, as well as her own character and loyalty toward the Brotherhood Alliance. With a resolute expression, Qian Sangxue declared, "Mister He, please set your mind at ease—" "Don't call me Mister He. We are all brothers from now on; just call me Brother Qing." He Jiaqing nodded with approval, then turned to observe the other members. After half an hour or so, everyone was largely fine, and He Jiaqing had Shen Rongqing arrange lodgings so they could rest. Qian Sangxue lay in the film company's dormitory for over an hour, then ran to ask Shen Rongqing for leave: "Miss Shen, I want to take a walk outside. I chose the Travel Cultivator powder, and my legs just can't stop itching to move." Shen Rongqing blinked in surprise. "The powder truly takes effect fast. You're fine material for a Travel Cultivator. Go on and take a walk, then, but don't return too late. Tonight you still need to take more medicine—the kind to raise your cultivation." Qian Sangxue left the film company, circled the surrounding streets twice, and then went to Houtang. Arriving before an old residence east of Chenghuang Mian, she knocked on the door. Her knocking followed a distinct rhythm: seven long and eight short, repeated three times. The door opened. Without exchanging a word with the gatekeeper, Qian Sangxue went straight to the main hall. Xie Juncong, sect leader of the Ghost Hand Sect, sat in the main hall. Looking at Qian Sangxue, a faint smile surfaced on his face: "Girl, you're back?" "Junior pinch-hand Lü Qiaohua greets the master." Qian Sangxue bowed deeply. Who could have guessed that this bookish-looking woman, who spoke with such poetic literary flair and claimed to be utterly devoted to He Jiaqing, was actually a pinch-hand from the Ghost Hand Sect? "Girl, did you harvest anything today?" "Yes!" Qian Sangxue produced a small porcelain vial containing the initiation powder. She hadn't applied the powder at all; using Thief Cultivator arts, she had slipped it into the vial and hidden it up her sleeve. Xie Juncong asked, "He Jiaqing gave you this?" Qian Sangxue nodded. "Over thirty people, one portion each. A good deal was left over, stored in the storeroom behind the conference room. The conference room is the sixth room on the third floor." Xie Juncong inspected it carefully and nodded. "Genuine, first-rate stuff." Qian Sangxue smiled. Xie Juncong pinched Qian Sangxue's cheek and chuckled: "Girl, you've done a tremendous service. From now on, you're my goddaughter. No need to prowl the streets for work—just stay by my side." Qian Sangxue sat right on Xie Juncong's lap. "Your daughter thanks Father." *** Taking the medicinal powder, Xie Juncong went to a residence outside the city and found Xiao Qianshou. Kneeling before Xiao Qianshou, he presented the powder and recounted what had transpired. Seeing that the powder was authentic, Xiao Qianshou let out a succession of long sighs. "Little Xie, this is why I look down on all of you. That boy He Jiaqing truly has ability. I merely gave him a single piece of bamboo, yet he managed to crack the peddler's formula. Tell me, how is it that not a single one among you is half as useful?" Xie Juncong said, "Yet the man was born with rebellion in his bones. His heart is not with you, Patriarch." Xiao Qianshou looked down at Xie Juncong. "And is your heart with me?" Xie Juncong kowtowed. "This disciple is completely loyal to you!" "Good! I believe you. Once you return, have that plant of yours stay at He Jiaqing's side without giving herself away. Then gather your men, go to He Jiaqing's place, and steal all his medicinal powders for me. Leave not a speck behind." Xie Juncong froze. "Patriarch, what do you need those for? I heard He Jiaqing doesn't have powders for our pathway; powders of other pathways aren't of much use to us." Xiao Qianshou said, "They're useless to us, but of massive use to He Jiaqing. Just go and ask no questions. Once the deed is done, I certainly won't treat you poorly!" *** At two-thirty in the morning, inside the old residence of the Ghost Hand Sect, the old sect leader Xie Juncong summoned the pinch-hands from all territories under his command. "Tonight's job, you all know about it. It's tough work, but the rules remain unchanged: once the score is secured, do your best not to claim any lives." An older pinch-hand asked, "Master, striking at the Eldest Young Master... they won't settle scores with us later, will they?" Xie Juncong chuckled. "I'm going with you, so what are you afraid of? If the Patriarch settles scores later, he'll settle them with me first. We haven't cased the joint thoroughly this time, so be extremely careful when making your move. Whoever grabs the goods, don't even think of pocketing anything for yourself—everything must be handed over to me. Do you all understand?" The pinch-hands nodded one after another. "If you understand, then move out!" With Xie Juncong's command, around twenty pinch-hands set off. Thief Cultivators were swift on their feet, second only to Travel Cultivators, yet this group did not move quickly. These pinch-hands were all experienced veterans; for a job where the ground hadn't been cased, none wanted to lead the charge. Xie Juncong urged them from behind: "This job was ordered by the Patriarch himself. If anyone slacks off and the Patriarch gets angry, there's no telling how he will deal with you. Think through the consequences!" Hearing this, the men still proceeded at an unhurried pace. Xie Juncong's words might frighten greenhorns, but they couldn't intimidate this bunch of old hands. Arriving at the film company, the group of pinch-hands only looked all around; none stepped forward voluntarily. Xie Juncong demanded, "What do you think you're doing? Planning to wait until daybreak?" An older pinch-hand said, "Master, they say the Ling family's film company is riddled with mechanisms and traps. Being cautious won't hurt us." Seeing that these people truly intended to stall, Xie Juncong had no choice but to take the lead himself. Avoiding the front entrance, he scaled the exterior wall to the third floor, pried open the bars on a window, and slipped into the corridor. The others did not lag behind, following Xie Juncong into the building, leaving two men outside to keep watch. These two lookouts were exceedingly sharp. One watched near the entrance, monitoring the doorman's movements while observing if anyone entered or left. The other hid by the roadside, watching passing pedestrians to prevent anyone from cutting off their retreat. Xie Juncong arrived outside the third-floor conference room door. Just as he was about to push it open, he hesitated for a beat and stepped back. A pinch-hand behind him whispered, "Master, are we pulling back?" "Pull back for what?" Xie Juncong glared at him. "I sense a mechanism here." Several pinch-hands probed around and shook their heads; they saw no sign of any mechanism. Someone counted twice from end to end: this truly was the sixth room; they hadn't gotten the wrong spot. Yet Xie Juncong still felt something was amiss. He gnawed on his thumb, chewing his thumbnail into a sharp point, and gently probed around the doorframe. *Click.* His thumb trembled; Xie Juncong had detected a thin filament along the doorframe. His suspicion was correct—there was indeed a mechanism on this door. Xie Juncong exhaled softly against the wall and observed closely for a long moment. This was a Thief Cultivator technique: Blowing Ashes to Find Seams, specifically used to discover hidden secrets in obscured places. This time, Xie Juncong clearly saw the filament on the wall. Thinner than a strand of hair, made of who knew what material. Xie Juncong flicked the filament twice with his fingernail, and the facade labeled "Conference Room" shifted, transforming into "Editing Room." The crowd gasped. It was an illusion. Counting again from the end of the corridor, the group finally realized that the room before them was not the sixth room, but the fifth. Under the illusion's influence, they had all miscounted earlier. The mechanism had been crafted masterfully, but Xie Juncong's skill was equally superb, dispelling the illusion in the blink of an eye. The conference room was next door. Two pinch-hands opened the door, and the group crept warily into the room, heading straight for the storeroom at the back. There were many candles in the conference room. All at once, every candle flared to life, flickered once, and extinguished. Beside the conference table, a figure slowly materialized. Xie Juncong was shocked. That silhouette was familiar to him. He turned to flee, only to find the walls on all four sides turned a vast, blinding white; no door was in sight. The men were terrified. They had just walked through the door—how could it vanish in the blink of an eye? Not only was the door gone, even the windows had disappeared. Nothing remained around them except white walls, through which faint light filtered, allowing them to vaguely make out the figure by the conference table. The figure spoke, enunciating every word with stark clarity: "I came here because I trust you, because I want to follow you, because I want to build a new order alongside you—an order where Puluo Province regains its dignity and regains its faith! For this, I will hesitate at no cost." It was Qian Sangxue. Qian Sangxue slowly rose from beside the conference table, staring coldly at the crowd. It was as though she did not recognize Xie Juncong, nor any of the pinch-hands present. From the shadows on Qian Sangxue's face, Xie Juncong deduced where the light originated. He slammed headfirst into the wall, smashing through the illusion and bursting out of the conference room into the corridor. He was about to leap through the window to escape, but his strength failed him. His chest felt freezing cold, and breathing became excruciatingly hard. Thief Cultivator technique: Pluck Heart and Extract Gall. Clutching a heart in his hand, He Jiaqing looked at Xie Juncong and asked expressionlessly, "Were you looking for me?" In the corridor, candles flared to life one after another. From beneath the doorframe, blood slowly seeped out.