Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1570: Chapter 649: Tie Kuang’s Night Visit

Chen San sat upright at the lower seat of the main position, with a delicate green porcelain cup in front of him. The spiritual tea had long gone cold, a few leaves spread out at the bottom of the cup, like deep green flat boats quietly moored in a cold pool.

Today he was dressed more properly—a blue-gray long robe, plain-colored waist belt, the cuffs washed clean and crisp, his hair combed impeccably. However, the shrewd air of a streetwise cultivator still couldn’t be hidden in his eyes, as they darted around in calculation.

Ning Zhuo’s orders to him were straightforward: come to this building, rent a private room, and openly gather all intelligence on the Heaven-reaching Hook and the Three Brave of Xiang Sect. The bigger the fuss, the better.

Three soft knocks were heard outside the box door, rhythmically measured. The guard cultivator pushed the door open, speaking softly, "Manager Chen, someone else has arrived. They claim to have an irreconcilable grudge against the Three Brave of Xiang Sect and wish to meet Young Master Ning."

Chen San put down the teacup, smoothing his cuff unhurriedly before speaking, "Please, invite them in."

The door opened.

A group of five entered in single file.

Leading them was a middle-aged cultivator, tall and thin as bamboo, dressed in an old blue robe whose hem was washed out and frayed, yet the jade pendant at his waist was extremely valuable—only marred by a crack meticulously mended with golden thread.

Behind him were four people of varying ages: a youth, a woman, an elderly servant with gray hair, and a one-armed cultivator. Their attire was neat enough, but the oppressive, long-repressed air about them was like the smell of rust from an old wooden trunk, instantly making the room’s atmosphere more stagnant.

The middle-aged cultivator cupped his hands in salute, "I am from the Gui Xiu Bai Family, Bai from Qingya."

Chen San stood up and returned the salute, his smile polite yet not overly warm, "Mr. Bai, please have a seat. Your presence honors my Young Master, and I thank you on his behalf."

Bai Qingya, however, did not sit immediately.

"In our Bai family, there was once a Nascent Soul Ancestor named Bai Wenxiao," Bai Qingya began, his voice neither loud nor soft, yet each word clear as if carved in stone, drawing all in the room to hold their breath in silence, "Thirty-four years ago, the Ancestor was hired to escort a scroll of Ancient Cloud Talisman. On the way back, the Three Brave of Xiang Sect, under someone’s employ, ambushed him at a wild crossing. The Ancestor fought valiantly but fell, perishing on the spot. All forty-seven accompanying clansmen were killed, leaving none alive."

As he spoke, the woman behind him suddenly reddened in the eyes, her fingertips gripping the sleeve edge tightly, knuckles turning white.

The one-armed cultivator let out a stifled breath from deep in his throat, sounding as though an old wound had been touched by the wind, aching dully within the bones.

Bai Qingya’s voice remained as calm as before, "With the Ancestor gone, the family lost its pillar, besieged by wolves on all sides. Territories, mines, herb gardens, connections—we could hold onto nothing. We chose to entrust our remaining holdings to the Myriad Images Sect, becoming their vassal, thus preserving our roots and the lives of our people."

Yet his eyes grew even deeper, like an unfathomable old well, "But because we entered the same sect, we could no longer avenge against the Three Brave of Xiang Sect—the sect rules forbid internecine fighting."

Chen San felt a slight tremor in his heart but displayed nothing on his face. He personally poured new tea, pushing it before Bai Qingya, steam curling up, "Mr. Bai, my condolences."

Bai Qingya looked at the slowly unfurling spiritual buds in the cup and suddenly smiled.

"Condolences for thirty-four years, Manager Chen."

He glanced up at Chen San, beneath the chill in his eyes, a spark was flickering, "This time, Young Master Ning wishes to fight the Three Brave of Xiang Sect. Though our Bai family has declined, we are willing to do our utmost to assist him."

Chen San’s expression turned serious, "What assistance can the Bai family offer?"

Bai Qingya took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.

The box lid opened, revealing a grayish-white Bone Pearl inside, its surface swirling faint cloud patterns, with remnants of whispers inside, yet listening closely, only emptiness remained.

The youth behind Bai Qingya, upon seeing the Bone Pearl, instantly reddened in the eyes, bowing his head, not daring to look again.

"This is a Cloud Bone Sensing Evil Pearl, refined from the Ancestor’s remains," Bai Qingya explained, "When the Ancestor died at the hands of the Three Brave of Xiang Sect, their unique Qi Mechanism lingered deep within his bones. This pearl cannot harm people, but within a hundred feet, it can sense changes in the three’s Qi mechanism, especially when the Life and Death Together divine skill is activated, the pearl will develop three gray lines pointing to the ones with the heaviest flow of Qi."

Chen San’s eyelid twitched.

A good tool! To discern the trends of the Three Brave of Xiang Sect in an ever-changing battle, even gaining just a slight advantage is enough to seize the initiative.

Bai Qingya closed the wooden box, "But this pearl cannot be given without terms. If Young Master Ning wishes to use it, he must sign a contract with our Bai family. Should he triumph over the Three Brave of Xiang Sect in the future, he must, within the sect rules of Myriad Images Sect, secure a chance for us to openly question the Three Brave of Xiang Sect."

Chen San quickly calculated in his mind.

This demand carries significant weight. An open questioning would bring the thirty-four-year-old case to the surface, potentially revealing who hired the murderers, who covered it up, who swallowed the Bai family’s land, and who benefited in the process.

That would be like stirring a hornet’s nest.

He did not decide on the spot, his smile unwavering like a rock, "Mr. Bai, your sincerity is noted, and I have remembered it well. Since this matter involves the essence of the contract, I have no authority to promise on behalf of my Young Master. I will return to the Cave Mansion this evening and report this matter in detail to the Young Master for his decision."

Bai Qingya watched him for several breaths, finally nodding slightly, "The people around Young Master Ning, I see they have their decorum."

Chen San cupped his hands, "My Young Master values the word ’decency’ above all!"

He personally escorted the Bai family out to the door of the private room.

The woman, as she was about to leave, suddenly turned to Chen San, her lips moving silently, yet carrying a heavy resolve, "Tell Young Master Ning, if he truly makes the Three Brave of Xiang Sect pay, our Bai family is willing to help, even at the cost of our last possessions."