Chapter 158: Dagger Revealed

"This official knows, you may leave!"

Only Sun Xuan's voice could be heard leisurely drifting out from the Cultivate room.

Upon hearing this, the Town Demon Guard reservist who delivered the message immediately retreated.

"I'd like to see what kind of tricks you guys are trying to play!"

At this moment, Sun Xuan casually opened the door of the Cultivate room, and after murmuring to himself, he stood up and walked toward the reception room inside the Town Demon Envoy's residence.

This residence exclusively belonging to the Town Demon Envoy covered a considerable area, featuring not only houses for resting and Cultivate, but also Cultivate rooms, secluded chambers for closed-door training, and other facilities.

It was vastly different from the shabby small courtyards where ordinary Town Demon Guards lived.

Inside the reception room, Yuan Dong and the other four sat in the lower seats, softly communicating with each other at the moment.

After Sun Xuan's footsteps sounded outside the door, the conversation among the four stopped.

Immediately afterwards, after exchanging glances, the four of them stood up simultaneously and walked out of the reception room.

"Greetings, Lord Sun!"

Regardless of what the four were thinking at the moment, after seeing Sun Xuan in public, the necessary etiquette still could not be omitted.

Just as Sun Xuan walked to the door of the reception room, the four directly stepped forward to greet him, then bowed deeply towards Sun Xuan and spoke.

Seeing this, a trace of an inexplicable smile appeared on the corner of Sun Xuan's mouth, and then he spoke to the four:

"Everyone, spare the formalities."

"It's just that I wonder what business the four Deputy Town Demon Envoys have in coming to this official's place?"

Sun Xuan first raised his hand to signal that the four did not need to be overly courteous, and then calmly spoke to them.

"Lord Sun, a few days ago during the martial competition for the position of Town Demon Envoy, we have offended you greatly."

"Today, the few of us came here, firstly to congratulate Lord Sun on your promotion to the position of Town Demon Envoy."

"Secondly, the four of us have already set up a banquet at Qingyuan Restaurant, hoping to make amends to Lord Sun, and we sincerely hope that my lord will honor us with your presence!"

After Sun Xuan sat down in the main seat of the reception room, Yuan Dong spoke to Sun Xuan with a sincere expression.

Hearing this, Sun Xuan couldn't help chuckling inwardly:

"It seems this is a Feast at Hong Gate set up for me, but very well, let's take this opportunity to eliminate these four unstable factors, saving these four good-for-nothings from causing any trouble for me in the future."

Thinking of this, a smile couldn't help but reveal itself at the corner of Sun Xuan's mouth as he spoke:

"You four colleagues are too polite; the martial competition for the position of Town Demon Envoy that day was a fair competition among us.

There is no such thing as offense or no offense.

However, since the four colleagues have so warmly invited me, if this official does not go, it would make me appear unreasonable.

This banquet can also be considered a banquet for us to clear up our past enmities.

In the future, I hope the four colleagues will cooperate wholeheartedly in Qinghe County to jointly maintain order in Qinghe County!"

After Sun Xuan's voice fell, a flash of joy immediately appeared on the faces of Yuan Dong and the other four.

Upon hearing that Sun Xuan agreed to attend the banquet, the four of them happily thought to themselves: "It's done!"

Yuan Dong said to Sun Xuan with a smile on his face:

"Since that is the case, Lord Sun, please lead the way!"

As Yuan Dong spoke, he reached out his hand and made a gesture inviting Sun Xuan.

Seeing this, Sun Xuan did not say much more, but directly raised his foot and walked outside first.

Just as the group of five walked out of the gate of the Town Demon Envoy's residence, someone walked towards them head-on at this moment.

Everyone looked closely, and this person was none other than Chu Lin, the last eighth-rank Martial Artist among the Qinghe County Demon Suppression Guard, aside from Sun Xuan and the other four.

A trace of worry appeared in Chu Lin's eyes as he blocked the path of the five people, and then spoke in a somewhat stiff voice:

"Lord Town Demon Envoy, Lord Deputy Envoys, where are you all going?"

Chu Lin first looked into Sun Xuan's eyes with a trace of eagerness, and then spoke to everyone.

Hearing Chu Lin's words, before Sun Xuan could speak, Yuan Dong at the side angrily shouted at Chu Lin at this moment:

"Audacious!

Everyone present is either the dignified Lord Town Demon Envoy or holds the position of Deputy Town Demon Envoy.

A mere ordinary Town Demon Guard like you dares to block our path!

And you still boldly ask about our whereabouts, what do you think you are!"

Yuan Dong's words were extremely impolite, causing Chu Lin, who usually had a good temper, to reveal a trace of anger on his face upon hearing them.

"Hehe, Surname Yuan, what a grand official's prestige you have!

However, today I, Chu, will block you, what can you do about it!"

Chu Lin's tone carried a trace of coldness as he spoke to Yuan Dong unceremoniously.

"You are courting death!"

Seeing that Chu Lin was so unappreciative and even spoke disrespectfully to him, Yuan Dong immediately shouted angrily at Chu Lin with a furious expression.

Then, lifting his foot, he was about to make a move against Chu Lin.

"Deputy Envoy Yuan, you must think clearly before making a move; mutual slaughter among colleagues is a capital offense!"

Before Yuan Dong could make a move, a somewhat lingering voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

This caused Yuan Dong's movements to freeze instantly.

"Also, this envoy hasn't spoken yet, but Deputy Envoy Yuan is being so overbearing and meddlesome, isn't that somewhat out of line with the rules!"

Immediately afterwards, this voice sounded once again.

It immediately caused Yuan Dong to sheepishly retract his step, and then, a flash of covert killing intent passing through the depths of his eyes, he turned around and bowed his head to speak to Sun Xuan:

"Lord Sun, it was this subordinate who overstepped.

However, this subordinate saw that Chu Lin, as an ordinary Town Demon Guard, was so ignorant of what is good for him, so I just wanted to teach this ignorant brat a lesson on behalf of Lord Town Demon Envoy!"

As soon as Yuan Dong's words fell, Sun Xuan raised his hand and heavily slapped Yuan Dong across the face.

With a crisp "pa" sound, Yuan Dong, who was completely unprepared, was immediately dazed by Sun Xuan's slap.

As a dignified eighth-rank Late Stage Great Perfection Realm Martial Artist, under Sun Xuan's forceful slap, he actually had two teeth knocked straight out.

Streams of blood mixed with saliva immediately flowed out of Yuan Dong's mouth.

Under this slap, Yuan Dong's figure staggered two steps to the side, and a deep red handprint immediately emerged on his face.

Half of Yuan Dong's cheek swelled up visibly to the naked eye.

"Deputy Envoy Yuan, this slap is to make you remember that when facing your superiors, you must keep in mind what words should be spoken and what actions should be taken.

Today, for showing disrespect to a superior, this official considers that it is your first offense and is merely giving you a small lesson.

If there is a next time, be careful that your head won't stay on your shoulders!"

After heavily slapping Yuan Dong, Sun Xuan stared at him with cold eyes, speaking with a hint of chilliness in his voice.

"Ugh-ah…"

Coming to his senses, Yuan Dong's eyes instantly turned crimson, and letting out a beast-like low growl from his mouth, he was about to attack Sun Xuan.

Seeing this, the other three deputy envoys, including Liu Suo, immediately stepped forward and desperately pinned Yuan Dong down.

Then Liu Suo whispered a few words into Yuan Dong's ear, and Yuan Dong, who was dominated by humiliation and anger, barely managed to regain his sanity.

At this moment, Sun Xuan stared expressionlessly at Yuan Dong. After suppressing the anger in his heart, Yuan Dong actually stood up and bowed deeply toward Sun Xuan.

Then, with a somewhat hoarse voice, he spoke to Sun Xuan:

"Lord Sun, it was this subordinate who did not know propriety and was too impulsive; Lord Sun's lesson is right!"

Hearing this, a strange smile could not help but appear at the corner of Sun Xuan's mouth, and then he softly said:

"This matter is truly getting more and more interesting!"

After saying that, Sun Xuan no longer paid attention to Yuan Dong, but turned his gaze to Chu Lin in front of him.

"Brother Chu, blocking the road here, what is the matter?"

At this moment, under the sudden turn of events, Chu Lin was also stunned in shock.

Hearing Sun Xuan's words at this moment, he finally snapped back to reality, then opened his mouth, and for a moment, he actually didn't know what to say.

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Chu Lin then spoke to Sun Xuan:

"Lord Sun, this subordinate came here because I have some private matters I wish to discuss alone with Lord Sun.

I wonder if Lord Sun could step aside to speak."

As Chu Lin spoke, he glanced at Yuan Dong and the other four to the side.

Seeing this, Sun Xuan had already vaguely guessed what Chu Lin wanted to say.

Sun Xuan waved his hand at Yuan Dong and the other four, signaling them to wait here.

Then, amidst the somewhat worried gazes of Yuan Dong and the other four, he walked away with Chu Lin toward the distance.

After walking a certain distance, making sure that Yuan Dong and the other four could not hear them, Chu Lin spoke with a hint of eagerness in his tone:

"My lord, Yuan Dong and the four of them harbor malicious intentions; my lord must never spend time alone with these four.

These four became sworn brothers a long time ago, and the relationship among the four is profound.

Moreover, these four have coveted the position of Town Demon Envoy for a long time. In the past, when Town Demon Envoy Lü Qing was around, because his strength had reached the half-step sixth-rank Realm…

Therefore, these four did not dare to act presumptuously.

Now Lord Sun and these four are both in the eighth-rank Realm; there is no guarantee that Yuan Dong and these four do not harbor evil intentions.

Lord Sun, the two of us previously shared a life-and-death bond of adversity; Chu swears to heaven that every word spoken is from the bottom of my heart!"

Looking at the eagerness in Chu Lin's eyes, a light smile could not help but appear on Sun Xuan's face as he spoke:

"Brother Chu, I believe your words, but even you can tell that these four harbor malicious intentions.

Do you think I haven't noticed that there is something wrong with these four?

I am merely playing along with their scheme, preparing to clear out these unstable factors within the Town Demon Guard."

Hearing Sun Xuan's words, the worried look in Chu Lin's eyes faded slightly.

However, after pondering for a moment, Chu Lin spoke to Sun Xuan once more:

"However, Lord Sun, the strength of Yuan Dong and these four is not weak. When the four of them join forces, their strength will rise by quite a significant notch.

Because the coordination among these four is extremely smooth, under their joint efforts, an ordinary seventh-rank Early Stage Martial Artist might not even be their match.

If Lord Sun intends to deal with them on this trip, relying solely on your own strength might be a bit thin, wouldn't it?

How about this, allow this subordinate to lend a hand in your plan?

Although this subordinate has just advanced to the eighth-rank Realm, in terms of strength, I do not fear any of these four.

Even against Liu Suo or Yuan Dong, who are the strongest among the four, this subordinate is confident in stalling them for a period of time.

In this way, the cooperative momentum among these four will be broken, and Lord Sun will be able to defeat them one by one."

Listening to Chu Lin's words and looking at the sincerity in his eyes, Sun Xuan broke into a smile and said to Chu Lin:

"Since Brother Chu is willing to wade into these muddy waters, then Sun will respectfully accept."

After saying that, Sun Xuan took Chu Lin and turned around, walking toward the direction where Yuan Dong and the other four were located.

"Lord Sun, how did your discussion with Brother Chu go? If there is anything important, why don't we all go to Qingyuan Restaurant to eat and talk?"

Seeing Sun Xuan and Chu Lin walking over, Liu Suo gave a dry laugh and then spoke to Sun Xuan.

Seeing this, Sun Xuan directly nodded and spoke to Liu Suo and the other four:

"Very well, since that is the case, let's go!"

After the words fell, Sun Xuan walked ahead, and Chu Lin followed silently by his side.

After Sun Xuan and Chu Lin turned around, Liu Suo and the other four exchanged sullen glances before following the two of them toward Qingyuan Restaurant.

Liu Suo and the other four's layout could be considered full of twists and turns this time, and a Chu Lin was even added in the middle.

However, Liu Suo and the other four didn't care much about it.

"There is a road to heaven which you refuse to take, but you voluntarily throw yourself into Hell where there is no door."

Yuan Dong, who had taken a slap from Sun Xuan, couldn't help thinking in his heart at this moment that since Chu Lin was courting death by himself, they couldn't blame the four brothers.

Just like that, the group of six led by Sun Xuan headed toward Qingyuan Restaurant amidst a silent and somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Qingyuan Restaurant was not located inside Qinghe County City, but rather on a small mountain not far outside the city.

This small mountain was surrounded by a clear stream, and within the mountain, there was even a lake nestled in the mountains.

This lake was named Qingling Lake. Although Qingling Lake was not large, the water quality was extremely clear, and there were quite a few various species of fish living in it.

Adorned by Qingling Lake and the stream, the environment of this small mountain was quite elegant.

Such a treasured place had naturally been occupied by someone long ago.

The master behind the person who occupied this place was none other than the Qingdan Sect.

The Qingdan Sect sent people to open a luxurious restaurant here, and year-round, a ninth-rank Martial Artist guarded the place to prevent demons or blind Martialists from causing trouble here.

Even though the Qingdan Sect's Origin Qi was severely damaged after that trip to the underground space, this secluded and picturesque small mountain was still not abandoned by the Qingdan Sect.

Because inside this luxurious restaurant, a large number of Martialists came to eat, drink, and spend money every year, making it a pretty good place to gather wealth.

Every year, a large number of out-of-town Martialists came here by reputation, among whom many were from the commandery city or even the prefecture city, all attracted by the serene environment of this place.

Therefore, for the Qingdan Sect, Qingyuan Restaurant was not only a good place to gather wealth, but also a location where they could build connections with big figures from the outside world and gather information from other regions.

Previously, the information about the Baihuo Cult branch going to Qinghe County to search for the true spirit artifact listed on the chaos myriad spirits ranking was obtained by the Qingdan Sect right here in Qingyuan Restaurant.