Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

He paused and looked around at everyone.

"My lord means that we must first secure our internal stability before we can resist external threats! We should concentrate our forces to purge internal traitors, stabilize our infiltrative networks, and accumulate strength. Once the time is right, the traitors have been eliminated, and the external pressure has lessened, then we can launch 'Operation Bloodstained Bird' and achieve complete success! This is the wise way of governing a country, which is beyond the reach of those with short-sighted vision!"

Once these evil spirit masters understood, their faces showed a mixture of relief and gratitude. Although they were fanatical, they weren't entirely brainless. Upon closer reflection...

The Faceless One's analysis was indeed reasonable. Activating that earth-shattering sacrificial array now would make them easy targets! When the higher-ups hastily issued the preparation orders, many were actually quite apprehensive, but dared not voice their concerns. Now, the Faceless One's decisive order to postpone it was tantamount to saving their lives and averting a potential catastrophe!

He also expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the rash orders previously issued by higher-ups. The contrast is stark! Those guys only cared about completing the mission, caring nothing for the lives of their subordinates. But the Faceless Lord truly cared for them, possessing both courage and wisdom!

"Your Excellency is wise!"

"Following Lord No-Face is the right path!"

"Those bastards who only care about their own achievements are not fit to lead us!"

"I propose that from now on, our brothers in the South and West Cities shall be under the command of Lord Wumian and Chief Tao Zuo!"

"Yes! We'll listen to Lord No-Face!"

Some people have even started clamoring to follow the Faceless One, showing a growing trend of undermining the existing superiors and forming a new faction centered around the Faceless One. Tao Zuo was overjoyed to hear these calls, but on the surface he quickly waved his hand, appearing as if he "dared not overstep his bounds," only emphasizing that he would follow the arrangements of the Faceless One.

This unusual "feast," or rather, a pre-battle mobilization and profit-sharing conference, lasted until the early hours of the morning. During this time, Tang Lan did not show up again, but through Tao Zuo, he "rewarded" several batches of not particularly precious but quite practical healing medicines, antidotes, and other supplies, which made the group of evil soul masters extremely grateful and their loyalty skyrocketed.

As dawn approached, these evil spirit masters, having eaten and drunk their fill, carrying elixirs, and filled with dreams of "making great achievements" and "receiving heavy rewards," quietly left the Guangyao Restaurant in batches, arranged by Tao Zuo.

Like drops of water merging into the ocean, they scattered back into every corner of Rose City. However, their next task would shift from aimless infiltration and sabotage to a mission with a clear objective—a frantic search for any clues about the "traitor who released the evil soul tool."

As the noise subsided, only leftover food and empty chairs remained in the luxurious yet messy private room. The air still lingered with the smells of alcohol, perfume, and that faint, chilling aura of a malevolent spirit master.

Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er emerged from the hidden observation post and stood in the center of the empty meeting room.

Wang Qiu'er looked at the messy table and pouted.

"A motley crew, easily fooled by the slightest benefit."

Tang Lan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm.

“A mob, if used properly, can become a sharp weapon. The key lies in how to motivate them and to give them goals and rewards they cannot refuse.”

Wang Qiu'er stood behind Tang Lan the whole time, and only after the two of them were left in the room did she ask Tang Lan about her plans. Her golden eyes looked at Tang Lan with a hint of inquiry.

"Hey, what are you planning to do next? Rely on this group of guys who've been bought off with pills and empty promises to investigate the origin of that soul tool? Do you think they can do it? And what about that 'Bloodthirsty Bird' formation? Are you really just going to ignore it?"

Tang Lan turned around, a deep smile on his face. His answer was simple, yet it contained astonishing ambition and long-term planning.

"Controlling the Holy Spirit Cult's branches, splitting the Holy Spirit Cult, infiltrating the Holy Spirit Cult... this is only a small step."

Seeing Wang Qiu'er's slightly confused expression, he explained further.

"By using Tao Zuo and this group of evil soul masters who are bound by interests, we can at least grasp most of the movements of the Holy Spirit Cult's infiltrative network in Rose City and the surrounding area, and may even be able to make contact with higher-level figures, such as that 'Vinacent'."

Using them to investigate the soul-guided device is far more efficient than us searching blindly, and it won't alert the real mastermind. As for the 'Bloodthirsty Bird'... postponing it for now is to our advantage.

Xu Yu is also investigating; we need time to locate and destroy the core node of the grand formation. Having the Holy Spirit Cult spread the 'postponement' order among their own people will both avoid alerting them and further sow discord within their ranks, allowing the 'Faceless' identity to gain more support from the lower levels.

He paused, his tone turning cold.

"The Holy Spirit Cult's influence is deeply entrenched, and simply eliminating one or two strongholds is not very meaningful. The best approach is to divide and disintegrate it from within, and even... control a portion of it for our own use. Rose City is our first testing ground. The identity of 'Faceless' is a wedge we drive into its ranks."

Wang Qiu'er was slightly shaken upon hearing this. Although she knew that Tang Lan had lofty goals, she did not expect that he had planned so deeply, not just to thwart a certain conspiracy of the Holy Spirit Cult.

She even intended to use this opportunity to infiltrate and even attempt to control a part of this behemoth! This audacity and cunning made her realize once again how terrifying and...reliable the man beside her was.

"You're a... monster."

Wang Qiu'er muttered something softly, but there was no fear in her eyes, only a hint of pride.

Tang Lan smiled but didn't reply, only saying...

"It's almost dawn, it's time for us to switch identities."

The next day, the weather remained fine. Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er used their soul guide masks again, changing into completely new, unremarkable middle-aged couple faces. Dressed in ordinary clothes, they left the Guangyan Merchant Guild like the most ordinary citizens, blending into the streets that were gradually becoming lively in the early morning.

Their destination was still that inconspicuous Chen's blacksmith shop.

Entering the shop with practiced ease, Lu Yun, who was tidying up his tools, was taken aback when he saw the unfamiliar couple. However, after Tang Lan subtly gave him a simple hand gesture, he immediately understood, put down his work, and respectfully led the two into the back room and then down into the secret chamber.

Inside the secret chamber, the lights remained on for several breaths. However, this time, besides Lu Yun who stood respectfully, there was another person in the chamber.

This was a man who looked to be in his early thirties, wearing a clean and tidy light blue scholar's robe.

He had a handsome face, fair skin, and regular features. A gentle smile played on his lips, and his eyes were clear and wise. He exuded a strong scholarly air, making him seem more like a well-read scholar or accountant than a Soul Master.

He stood quietly in the center of the stone chamber, his demeanor calm and composed.

Upon seeing Tang Lan and the other person enter, Lu Yun quickly bowed and greeted them.

"Sir, this is Mr. Su Bai."

Then he introduced the man in the blue robe.

“Mr. Su, these two are the officials who hold the ‘Tang’ token.”

The man in the blue robe, Su Bai, stepped forward upon hearing this, gave Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er a refined smile, and bowed slightly in greeting. His movements were neither servile nor arrogant, but composed and appropriate. His voice was gentle and clear.

"My name is Su Bai, and I am the chief intelligence and operations officer for the Tang Clan in Rose City and the surrounding three cities. I greet you both. May I ask your names, Elder? And which branch of the sect do you belong to?"

He addressed him directly as "Elder," clearly assuming that anyone possessing the highest-ranking token and present at this location must be an elder of the sect. At the same time, his questions carried a degree of caution; even with the token and Lu Yun's introduction, verifying his identity remained the top priority.

Tang Lan didn't immediately respond, but calmly observed Su Bai. The aura of an eighty-two-level Soul Douluo was extremely well concealed; if Tang Lan hadn't possessed extraordinary perception, she would have been almost completely fooled by his scholarly air. The person in charge of the Tang Sect's presence on the southwestern border was indeed no ordinary person; not only was his strength considerable, but his ability to conceal and disguise himself was also remarkably excellent.

Without saying much, he reached into his robes and casually tossed the ancient "Tang" character token, representing one of the highest authorities of the Tang Clan, to Su Bai.

Su Bai instinctively caught the token. It felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch.

When his gaze fell on the ancient and vigorous "Tang" character on the front of the token, and he felt the unique and unforgeable soul power fluctuations of the sect's core imprint inside the token, the refined smile on his face instantly froze, and an unbelievable shock burst forth in his clear eyes!
As the person in charge, he understood the significance of this token better than Lu Yun! It wasn't just about high status! This was the highest token that only the sect leader, deputy sect leader, and a very few core elders with outstanding achievements and extraordinary status were qualified to possess!
Seeing this order is like seeing the sect leader! The holder of this order has the right to mobilize all of Tang Clan's forces in this region, including Su Bai himself, without any explanation, and must obey unconditionally!

This shocked Su Bai. He never expected that the person who personally came to such a dangerous place as Rose City with this token was not one of the senior elders he had anticipated, but rather a middle-aged man who looked so...ordinary? But the token couldn't be faked!
He suddenly looked up and stared at Tang Lan again, his eyes now completely different, filled with utmost respect, doubt, and a deep sense of awe.

He quickly returned the token with both hands, his attitude even more respectful than before, even with a hint of trepidation.

"Your subordinate, Su Bai, greets... Your Excellency!"

He was momentarily at a loss for words, so he simply addressed him as "Sir." The person who possessed this token must have an absolutely terrifying true identity! He dared not even speculate further.

Seemingly understanding something, Su Bai stopped pressing Tang Lan about her identity. Sometimes, knowing too much isn't a good thing.

He only needs to verify the authenticity of the token and obey the orders.

This is the ironclad rule of the Tang Clan.

He took a deep breath to calm the turmoil in his heart, bowed again, and spoke with utmost solemnity.

"The token is genuine! Your identity, sir, is beyond doubt! Your presence in Rose City must be for important matters. Su Bai and all personnel of the Rose City branch are at your command! Whatever your orders, sir, please give them. We will do our utmost, even at the cost of our lives!"

His statement was concise and to the point, without any hesitation, demonstrating the qualities and decisiveness of an excellent leader.

Tang Lan took the token back, quite satisfied with Su Bai's reaction.

"Su Bai."

Tang Lan spoke, her voice returning to its original calm, but her tone naturally carried the authority of a superior.

"I have come to Rose City on important business. Next, you will need to mobilize all your reliable forces to assist me in completing several tasks."

Su Bai's expression hardened, and he straightened his back even more, speaking solemnly.

"Please speak, my lord! I will do my utmost!"

Tang Lan walked to the simple wooden chair in the stone chamber and sat down, with Wang Qiu'er standing quietly beside him. Lu Yun had already tactfully retreated to the vicinity of the door to stand guard, leaving the three of them alone.

"The first thing."

Tang Lan extended her index finger.

"Use all your intelligence networks and hidden personnel in the southwest region, especially in Yu City, the headquarters of the Guangyan Chamber of Commerce, and the surrounding area, to secretly investigate what exactly happened at the headquarters of the Guangyan Chamber of Commerce, and why its branches in more than a dozen cities have lost contact recently, and even the news of the president has been completely cut off."

He looked sharply at Su Bai.

"The whereabouts of Lin Yanhong's father, who is also the general manager of the Guangyan Chamber of Commerce, is a key focus of the investigation. I need to know whether this is simply a matter of business competition, revenge killings, or... something related to the Holy Spirit Cult."

Remember, conduct your investigations discreetly, without alerting the enemy, and especially avoid any potential Holy Spirit Cult informants. If necessary, you can utilize our informants within the Chamber of Commerce, but ensure their safety.

Su Bai carefully noted it down, thought for a moment, and nodded.

"Rest assured, sir. The Guangyan Chamber of Commerce has cooperation with our Tang Clan in some areas, and we have some informants planted in several of their important branches, including the headquarters in Yucheng. In addition, our independent intelligence network is also monitoring any unusual movements in the major cities of the southwest."

We have indeed received some scattered information recently regarding the activities of unidentified forces in Yu City and the surrounding area, as well as rumors of 'accidents' involving some of the Guangyan Chamber of Commerce's transport convoys and warehouses. I will immediately gather this information and deploy additional personnel to investigate this matter thoroughly, and provide you with a preliminary report as soon as possible.

"very good."

Tang Lan nodded slightly, acknowledging Su Bai's clear thinking and quick reaction.

"The second thing."

Tang Lan extended her second finger.

"I need you to use the latest batch of 'Soul Beast Inducers' developed by the Tang Sect."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Su Bai's eyes.

"Does Your Excellency mean... those 'directional pheromone diffusion soul guides' that are still in the experimental stage?"

"good."

Tang Lan nodded.

"According to the intelligence we have, the beast tide that attacked Rose City and the surrounding cities was controlled by a special evil soul tool, driving them into madness. But that control is not absolute; it is more about stimulating and guiding their frenzy."

The 'Agent' developed by the Tang Sect can simulate the courtship, warning, or kingly aura pheromones of specific soul beasts, releasing them over a wide area in a targeted manner. I need you to secretly deploy these agents in several remote areas outside Rose City, far from the main cities and major transportation routes.

He paused and continued.

"Then, adjust the pheromone type and release intensity of the inducer, and try to gradually lure and drive the hordes of soul beasts outside the city who have lost their minds but are driven by their instincts to those pre-set secluded areas, or... (End of this chapter)"