Chapter 846: Chapter 622: The Clue
Half an hour ago.
In a fairly spacious room, a candle flickered like a bean, and three people sat together, the leading elder’s eyes grim.
"Given the situation, I won’t hide certain things from you anymore, Nalan Shuo, Lou Huixiang, Fang Zhou, and the recently departed Chang Chuchu; they are all sacrifices in this mission. At least four people must remain in the courtyard to use the ashes to drive out the Ancestor and force him into the attic, paving the path for our final strike," Xiang Fengchen stated these words with an expression neither sad nor happy, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
A few seconds later, Xiang Fengchen turned his head, looking somewhat surprised at Yang Xiao, "You seem quite composed. I originally thought you’d blame me for the death of your Director Nalan."
"You’re not that stupid. With only seven of us left, if four were to die at once, the three of us might as well await death," Yang Xiao replied calmly.
Xiang Fengchen nodded, his voice somber: "You’re right. They won’t die; they just have to pay a price. It’s inevitable. I didn’t intend to kill anyone. Each and every one of you is essential to me, to this mission, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I refuse to give up on anyone."
"Senior Xiang, if you have something to say, just speak openly." It was soon Jiang Qingluan’s turn, and at this moment, her gaze fixed on Xiang Fengchen, it was false to say she wasn’t nervous.
Raising his hand to gently press downwards, Xiang Fengchen signaled to Jiang Qingluan to calm her mind, "Don’t be nervous, listen to me. According to my calculations, there should be six missing servants from Earl Mansion’s separate courtyard, corresponding to six Feng Shui positions. They didn’t burn Life Incense and lack our abilities, so they’re surely dead by now, and their bodies have become the Ancestor’s Ghost Substitutes."
"In other words, to find the true body of the Ancestor, we first have to eliminate these six Ghost Substitutes, and only on the seventh attempt will we find the real Ancestor."
"I know Nalan Shuo, and he shouldn’t make a mistake. The ashes can be used twice; assuming he identifies two substitutes, Lou Huixiang one and Chang Chuchu one, Fang Zhou is probably difficult, that makes four. Your task is to find the remaining two. Of course, better if you can find the Ancestor at the end, to save me the trouble."
"Jiang Qingluan, your task is to thoroughly check all four suspicious areas in the courtyard to ensure no accidents occur. If anything abnormal is discovered, it must be dealt with immediately, paving the way for Yang Xiao and me to corner the Ancestor into the attic."
"Of course, the likelihood of this situation is low. I have given specific instructions, with Life Burning Incense present, there is no risk of being killed instantly, but you must not be careless. After ensuring all four areas are problem-free, remember to leave a marker."
"When you enter the Sleeping Gold Pavilion, go from bottom to top, start with the first floor, where the frames are high and there are many blind spots, remember to pay extra attention to above your head."
"You are a young priest of the Yi Sect, there are some things you know without me having to say them."
Xiang Fengchen shifted his gaze away, looking towards Yang Xiao and let out a slight sigh. Yang Xiao didn’t seem to mind and candidly said: "It seems I’m not your top choice. In your heart, I must be one of the first four cannon fodder, replacing Director Nalan, leaving the final wrap-up to the three of you."
"Objectively speaking, yes, but it’s not feasible in practical operations. After all, we are humans, not machines without emotions or consciousness. Without your Director Nalan taking the lead, how could Lou Huixiang and Chang Chuchu be willing to plug the gap willingly."
"If you survive, remember to take good care of your Director. I’ve known him for many years, and he’s truly good to you..."
"What, you don’t want me to acknowledge you as a master anymore?" Yang Xiao suddenly laughed.
"If you’re willing, naturally you can. If you’re unwilling, I can’t force you. I will keep my promise, and you, focus on what you need to do now."
Senior Xiang’s expression was serious; it was evident that he had no time for anything else, and he was also deeply worried about whether they could get through this night.
"To tell you the truth, reporting back to Earl Mansion regarding finding the Ancestor is one thing, but time is crucial. I need enough time to use the Ancestor as the Array Eye to activate the Divine Turtle Shell and locate the hidden Great Mage’s position. Otherwise, even if we survive tonight, we may not live to the end. The Ancestor is not someone we can handle."
"Neither can we handle the people from Earl Mansion above us. Now they need us, but once the job is done, they’ll start against us."
"If you two can find the Ancestor, I have a 50% confidence of success. If not, and I have to spend time searching personally, then the outcome is hard to predict." Xiang Fengchen spoke earnestly, and Yang Xiao could feel that this time it didn’t seem like a lie.
The three agreed that after finding the Ancestor, they would not sound the gong, because once it rang, it would also mean notifying the people of Earl Mansion to pick up the Ancestor, which would leave Senior Xiang with no time to utilize the Ancestor.
When they find the Ancestor, they will proceed as if nothing has happened, waiting for Senior Xiang to make further plans.
"How many rods of Life Burning Incense do Director Nalan and the others have to burn?" This was about Nalan Shuo’s life, and Yang Xiao hoped for clarification.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Fengchen showed no interest in this question, only shaking his head, "I don’t know. I advise you not to think too much about it; you just need to know that if we accomplish this matter, then he will live. If not, even ten rods of incense would be useless."
With Xiang Fengchen’s words echoing in her mind, Jiang Qingluan, holding a lantern and facing the night, finally stepped through the gate of the Sleeping Gold Pavilion at Earl Mansion.
