Chapter 40: The Yunyin Society

“What questions does the Immortal have? As long as it is within Tang's knowledge, I shall answer without reservation!” Tang Tiannan said respectfully.

Liang Yan nodded and asked, “First of all, how did you know our identities?”

Tang Tiannan replied, “That is simple. When I arrived at the stronghold, I happened to see the two Immortals pursuing that Xu Fangke. The methods they used were clearly not mundane martial arts. The Immortals may not be aware, but the Imperial Family and the court officials in the capital are no strangers to cultivators. Among some princes and nobles, there are even retainers who are Qi Refiners, and the Imperial Palace itself often houses cultivators in the late stages of Qi Refinement.”

“Is that so?” Liang Yan asked in surprise.

“He is correct.”

Tang Diexian interjected, “It is just that our righteous cultivation world has always disliked interfering in mortal secular affairs. Therefore, there is a written regulation stating that cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage are not permitted to enter the capital, let alone interfere in government affairs at will. Thus, the highest level of cultivation in the capital is merely Qi Refinement, allowing the secular court to change freely. As the leading great sect of the Zhao Kingdom, our Yixing Pavilion even maintains supervisory disciples in the capital to prevent Foundation Establishment cultivators from interfering with the secular world.”

“I see,” Liang Yan nodded, then continued, “Two years ago, when you first arrived in Yongle Town and were heavily injured, were you hiding in the home of a man named Kong Xiang?”

“Correct!” Tang Tiannan nodded. “I know what the Immortal wishes to ask. In truth, I did not know before that Kong Xiang was a martial artist planted in Yongle Town by your noble sect, until that night...”

Tang Tiannan seemed to fall into a memory, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably with fear.

“Kong Xiang was a long-time friend of mine. After arriving in Yongle Town, I had been recovering in his family's secret chamber. Until that night, when many people arrived and slaughtered the entire Kong household, including the women, children, the elderly, and the young. The Kong family was also a martial arts clan; their retainers, disciples, and even servants possessed martial skills, yet they stood no chance against those people. They were slaughtered instantly, like chickens and dogs being butchered...”

Tang Tiannan stopped there, seemingly trying to gather his thoughts. Liang Yan did not interrupt him but waited quietly for his next words.

Tang Tiannan steadied himself and said apologetically, “Forgive me, that night was truly bloody. Although I was in the underground secret chamber and did not see it with my own eyes, I know that what happened above was a scene from hell.”

Liang Yan nodded. “Do you know the identities of these people?”

Tang Tiannan replied, “Those people are members of the Cloud Hidden Society.”

“The Cloud Hidden Society?”

“Yes. Because my injuries were severe, I was unable to leave the underground chamber at that time, and since there was plenty of food and medicine Kong Xiang had prepared for me, I remained in the Kong family's secret chamber. Later, I discovered that the group that slaughtered the Kong family seemed to be using the Kong residence as their secret stronghold. Every five days, at the midnight hour, they would hold secret meetings at the Kong residence to discuss matters.”

“Oh?” Liang Yan raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear clearly what they were discussing?”

Tang Tiannan nodded. “Although I did not understand everything, the general meaning was that there seems to be an unrevealed treasure in the lower levels of the spirit mine near Yongle Town, and they were acting on the orders of their President to excavate it. However, for some reason, the lower levels of the spirit mine are filled with baleful aura, which their cultivation levels cannot withstand. Fortunately, one of their companions had a basic understanding of formations, so they set up some kind of Baleful-Breaking Formation to slowly dig downwards. But this process takes a long time; even when I left the secret chamber three months ago, they seemed to have not yet obtained the treasure.”

“I see!” Liang Yan nodded with satisfaction. After Tang Tiannan’s explanation, many things he had previously been unable to piece together were now clear.

Tang Diexian interjected, “Since you were hiding down there for so long, did you hear how many people there were?”

Tang Tiannan answered, “Based on my observations over the year, there were a total of six people who came to slaughter the Kong family. They did not know each other's true identities; instead, they identified one another via jade pendants. They also addressed each other by codenames—numbers from 'Number Two' to 'Number Seven.' 'Number Two' was the strongest, and so on, with 'Number Seven' being the weakest. This seems to be a rule of the Cloud Hidden Society: members do not know each other and only recognize their identity tokens.”

Liang Yan said, “That is quite interesting. I suspect this Cloud Hidden Society is an organization of rogue cultivators, and it certainly wouldn't lack those with ill reputations who kill for loot. Naturally, these people do not want to be recognized, which is why they are issued jade tokens that can hide their cultivation aura. They only have interests in common; as long as the task is completed, they receive their reward.”

Tang Diexian also nodded. “That should be it. Although such organizations are not refined, they are the most troublesome. They consist of all sorts of people from every walk of life.”

Tang Tiannan suddenly thought of something and added, “As far as I know, there seemed to be more than six people coming to the town. There was also a 'Number One' who was as elusive as a divine dragon. It is said that this person is the strongest, but they never participate in the six-person secret meetings. Instead, they lurk within the town, operating alone and coordinating with the others from the shadows. They say this is also the operational style of the Cloud Hidden Society.”

Upon hearing this, Liang Yan and Tang Diexian looked at each other and smiled, both thinking to themselves: *“So the fellow we killed on the first day was this so-called elusive 'Number One'...”*

Liang Yan cleared his throat and said, “It is a good thing he was 'Number One' and did not participate in the six-person meeting, otherwise we would have been exposed long ago.”

Tang Diexian nodded. “However, now that the fortune-telling old man is dead, they will naturally find out at their next meeting.”

Tang Tiannan, of course, did not know that this so-called "Number One" was already dead beyond any hope of revival. He did not understand the conversation between the two and merely stood to the side with his hands lowered in respect.

Then Liang Yan asked, “One last question: do you know when their next secret meeting will be?”

Tang Tiannan fell silent for a long time before speaking. “It has been three months since I left the Kong family's secret chamber. If they have not changed their pattern, calculating the time, the next one should be at the midnight hour three days from now!”

Liang Yan nodded with satisfaction. “Good. Your answers satisfy me greatly. I must also offer you a small token of thanks.”

As he spoke, he placed a hand on Tang Tiannan's back. Tang Tiannan felt a vast surge of spiritual energy sweep over him, circulating through his meridians and repairing his internal injuries. In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Tang Tiannan felt vitality return to his limbs, and walking no longer seemed strenuous.

Overjoyed, he bowed deeply to Liang Yan and said respectfully, “Many thanks for the Immortal's assistance. Tang is eternally grateful.”

Liang Yan disliked such formalities and reached out to help him up. He said, “There is no need for such empty rituals. We have merely made a transaction, each getting what we need.”

He continued, “The matter here is concluded. Lord Tang, please make yourself at home.”

Tang Tiannan bowed respectfully to him and then departed from the underground stronghold.

Liang Yan and Tang Diexian returned to the inn that night. Since arriving in Yongle Town, the two had hardly had a good night's sleep. Now that the investigation was finally clear, they both fell into bed the moment they returned to the inn, sleeping straight through until the sun was high the next day.

When Liang Yan woke up, Tang Diexian was already sitting by the window, grooming "Chu Ba's" fur. Her beautiful eyes were staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

Just as Liang Yan was about to speak to her, there was a sudden knock at the door.

He could only shake his head and walk over to open the door, only to find a man and a woman standing outside. The man was handsome and elegant, and the woman was charming and delicate—it was Chen Zhuo'an and Min Rou.

The two were standing side by side, and Liang Yan noticed they were holding hands; the subtle barrier between them that had been present a few days ago seemed to have vanished. Thus, he spoke with a smile, “Congratulations to you both on resolving your differences. I wish you a lifelong union and eternal harmony!”

Min Rou did not speak, but instead gave a small smile and gripped Chen Zhuo'an's hand even tighter.

Chen Zhuo'an gave her a tender look and said, “This mission was perilous. If not for the repeated assistance of Brother Liang and Miss Tang, I fear we would have become wandering ghosts. The two of us have come specifically to express our gratitude.” As he spoke, he straightened his robes, preparing to bow to Liang Yan.

Liang Yan hurriedly reached out to stop him, saying, “Brother Chen, there is no need for this. In truth, we had our own objectives; we merely lent a hand where we could.” He then looked at the two of them with a knowing smile. “You are here to say your farewells, aren't you? You have decided to leave?”

Chen Zhuo'an nodded. “After this brush with death, I have seen through the affairs of the Imperial Court. I owed Min Rou too much before; from now on, I must make it up to her.”

Min Rou also added, “We plan to live in seclusion together. From now on, the affairs of the martial world and the court will have nothing to do with us. As for this inn, I have left it in the care of Yue Da. He has been my trusted confidant for many years. Young Master Liang and Miss Tang can rest assured staying here; if you need anything, just ask him.”

Liang Yan smiled. “Then I thank you both. May you live in harmony and be blessed with children soon!”

Min Rou's face flushed red at his words, but Chen Zhuo'an laughed loudly. “Not bad, not bad! Brother Liang is absolutely right!” With that, he took Min Rou's hand, and without any formal parting words, the two walked away together, drifting off into the distance.

Liang Yan closed the door, only to hear Tang Diexian's faint voice from behind him

“Sister Min Rou is truly fortunate.”

Liang Yan sat down, poured himself a cup of hot tea, took a sip, and said with a rhythmic sway of his head, “What does a little girl know? They have had a long romance and have finally achieved their ultimate goal today. One could say their merit is complete.”

Tang Diexian's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up, and she said angrily, “You are my Sword-Guarding Boy, yet you dare call this young lady a little girl? I think you are tired of living!”

As she spoke, she made a move to pounce, and "Chu Ba" on her shoulder also bared its teeth and claws, snarling at Liang Yan with a fierce expression.

Liang Yan hurriedly stood up to dodge, repeatedly pleading, “Miss, spare my life!”

After a period of playful bickering in the room, they sat around the round table. Tang Diexian blinked and asked, “What do we plan to do next? The matter has been investigated. Can we return to report to the sect?”

After a moment of contemplation, Liang Yan said, “They have been lurking in Yongle Town for two years. Although Tang Tiannan said the baleful aura in the lower spirit mine is an obstacle, it will take us over a month to go to the sect and back. I fear they might have obtained the treasure and fled by then.”

“Then what should we do?” Tang Diexian frowned. “Yesterday, that fortune-teller walked into the trap by going into the deep mountains alone. The remaining five are currently in Yongle Town; it won't be easy to take them down one by one.”

Liang Yan smiled. “It's not that there is no way.” Having said that, he began to whisper in Tang Diexian's ear.

The more Tang Diexian listened, the more shocked she became. When Liang Yan finished, she stared at him with wide eyes and asked, “Is this method actually feasible?”

“We'll know once we try!” Liang Yan replied.

“Alright then!” A look of excitement appeared in Tang Diexian's eyes, her expression one of eager anticipation. “I'll go crazy with you just this once!”