After meeting with the squad leader of the Tianqi Legion, it was getting late, and both sides retired to rest.
Jiangnan Sect.
Ning Family.
The people from various families of the Jiangnan Sect were all gathered here.
The Jiangnan Sect was a sect formed by the alliance of multiple martial artist families, thus having considerable influence within the Suzhou-Hangzhou sphere of influence.
A dying old man was propped up by a maidservant on a grand tutor's chair.
The beautiful and enchanting Madam Ning sat beside the old man.
This old man was the sect leader of the Jiangnan Sect, but he had been critically ill for many years. The real power of the Jiangnan Sect was controlled by Madam Ning.
Madam Ning, seated above, spoke, "We are hosting the young master of the Shu Mountain Chen family tomorrow. Have all the necessary arrangements been made?"
The Earth Realm martial artist injured by the crippled old man spoke, "Reporting to Madam, preparations are complete. We guarantee that the woman Chen Jiuyang is after will die without anyone knowing, and no clues will be found."
"Madam, will that Chen Jiuyang truly hand over the information?"
Madam Ning replied calmly, "The Chen family of Shu Mountain is a reputable family; they won't go back on their word."
"You must ensure everything is done cleanly. If that Chen Jiuyang discovers we were the ones who poisoned her, and he brings the Chen family to retaliate against our Jiangnan Sect, it will be difficult to handle."
Almost every regional power consolidated into factions, presenting a united front against outsiders, such as Shu Mountain, the Demonic Path, and Suzhou-Hangzhou.
Fengcheng, where Chen Jiuyang resided, had Lord Xi Bu Tui stationed there for thirty years, so the martial arts world there had not unified. However, fortunately, Chen Jiuyang had managed to rally all the Marquis-level Grandmasters of the Earth Realm in Fengcheng with his Pure Yang Qi Replenishing Pills.
The Earth Realm Grandmaster replied, "We have prepared the Demonic Path's secret medicine, Soul Severing Powder. This poison is composed of three parts: taste, food, and water. Taken separately, none of them are poisonous, but when combined, they form a poison."
"Furthermore, this poison does not take effect immediately; it will take effect several hours later."
"This way, even if Chen Jiuyang's woman dies, no one will be able to trace it back to us, as he won't find any clues here."
Madam Ning slowly nodded, "Indeed. As long as we retrieve the evidence and eliminate this woman, this hidden danger will be resolved."
"Issue the orders accordingly."
The next morning.
Madam Ning, leading some members of the Jiangnan Sect, arrived in front of the Chen family villa in Suzhou-Hangzhou and waited, presenting a very proper demeanor.
"Creak—"
The main gate opened.
Chen Jiuyang, dressed in splendid attire, had the Chen family patriarch on his left and Ji Lengyue on his right, followed by Granny Hui and Fang Bahua.
The Chen family patriarch cupped his fists and bowed, showing a slight smile, "My apologies for keeping Madam Ning waiting. Our young master has been in seclusion and recently made a breakthrough. I only just called him out."
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang, Madam Ning's expression changed slightly, and she smiled, "Congratulations to the young master of the Chen family for breaking through to the Earth Realm. An Earth Realm Grandmaster at twenty-three years old is a rare gem in the entire Dragon Country."
The Demonic Path had initiated a selection competition for Dao Companions without publicizing it; it was an internal affair. Moreover, the Jiangnan Sect was not a top-tier force, so they had no idea that Chen Jiuyang had recently participated in the True Demonic Sect's Saintess Dao Companion selection competition.
Madam Ning simply assumed that Chen Jiuyang had truly broken through after being in seclusion for so long.
Otherwise, she couldn't explain how Chen Jiuyang's cultivation had advanced so rapidly.
Chen Jiuyang said faintly, "It was by chance."
Chen Jiuyang looked at Madam Ning's beautiful face and sighed inwardly, "A beautiful woman, yet a villain, and one who commits heinous acts like human trafficking! She cannot be spared."
Both sides, with their hidden agendas, wore smiles as they headed towards a hotel for the meal.
At the dinner table, both parties ate and drank merrily, enjoying themselves thoroughly. After the meal and drinks, Madam Ning stood up, picked up a wine glass, and toasted Chen Jiuyang, "Young Master Chen, my subordinate was too impulsive a few days ago and injured your woman. I apologize to you on behalf of the entire Jiangnan Sect."
Saying this, Madam Ning downed a considerable amount of white wine in one gulp.
Madam Ning was not a martial artist, merely an ordinary woman, but she possessed keen insight and cunning, which had allowed her to reach her current position.
"Madam Ning has a great capacity for drink!"
Chen Jiuyang applauded with a smile, then took out a USB drive from his pocket and placed it on the table, "This is the item lost by your sect. Today, I shall return it to its rightful owner."
Upon hearing Chen Jiuyang's words, Madam Ning's expression softened considerably.
Chen Jiuyang had been in seclusion for so long that he surely hadn't examined the contents of the USB drive yet. The next step was simply to eliminate the woman beside Chen Jiuyang.
Madam Ning flashed a beautiful smile, "Young Master Chen is truly magnanimous. Anyone else would surely extort me before agreeing to return this item."
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "Madam Ning, you are too kind. This matter was caused by my woman's prior mistake. When she was still a constable in the Six Doors, she was investigating a case, but unfortunately, her skills were lacking, and she investigated the wrong target, leading to this misunderstanding."
"Lengyue, quickly apologize to Madam Ning."
Ji Lengyue's pretty face showed a hint of arrogance as she reluctantly said, "Thank you, Madam Ning. I was in the wrong in this matter and wrongly accused the Jiangnan Sect."
"My dear sister, please don't speak like that. As women, we understand the difficulties women face. It was also my rough subordinate who injured you. Fortunately, you are unharmed, otherwise, I would truly have no face to stand before Young Master Chen."
"Heh heh... Madam Ning is too polite."
After another round of pleasantries, both sides, having achieved their respective objectives, began to disperse.
Madam Ning handed the USB drive to a subordinate for inspection, "Quickly check if the USB drive has been opened."
The subordinate took the USB drive, plugged it into a computer, and after a thorough check, replied, "Reporting to Madam, this USB drive has not been opened. The safeguards we left on the data have not been touched."
Madam Ning slowly nodded, then tossed the USB drive into the river, "This matter should end here. Now, we just wait for news of Chen Jiuyang's woman's death."
Mentioning Chen Jiuyang, a hint of apprehension flashed in Madam Ning's eyes. Chen Jiuyang was so outstanding. If he were still in the Profound Realm, she could still disregard him, but now that Chen Jiuyang had entered the Earth Realm, it was becoming troublesome. She hoped Chen Jiuyang would not discover that his woman's death was their doing.
Chen Jiuyang and his entourage got into the car. Granny Hui immediately spoke, "Son-in-law, that woman named Ning has poisoned your concubine with the unique secret poison of our Sacred Path, Soul Severing Powder."
"What? I'm poisoned?" Ji Lengyue's face instantly turned pale, and she no longer cared about Granny Hui calling her Chen Jiuyang's concubine.
Chen Jiuyang's expression was calm. He held Ji Lengyue's small hand and smiled, "I knew it long ago. Daring to show off such petty tricks in front of me?"
"It's truly like bringing a knife to a gunfight."
"I was just looking for a reason to deal with the Jiangnan Sect. Madam Ning truly sent a pillow when I was drowsy."
With that said, Chen Jiuyang channeled the Three Revolutions Pure Yang True Qi within him to Ji Lengyue. A wisp of white smoke immediately emerged from Ji Lengyue's body.
Chen Jiuyang effortlessly dispelled the potent poison afflicting Ji Lengyue.
Immediately, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes!
The butcher's knife was now raised against the Jiangnan Sect.
However, before that, he needed to see the effect of his two letters.
A cold smile played on Chen Jiuyang's lips.