I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 212 Nine Nether Sect

"Brother Gu, why don't we become sworn siblings?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming paused slightly and looked at Xia Mudan.

Her eyes were slightly red, and there was a hint of pleading in them.

"it is good."

He understood what she meant, nodded, and saw tears welling up in her eyes. She choked back sobs, "I'm sorry... I was too... happy..."

Xia Mudan turned her face away and said in a thick nasal voice, "Big brother, I... I'm tired..."

"Then you should rest well."

Seeing her shoulders trembling slightly, Chen Ming felt a pang of pity and wanted to reach out to comfort her, but he pulled his hand back halfway.

He hardened his heart, got up, and left.

Upon leaving the room, he saw the maid named "Zhiqin" still weeping bitterly against a pillar. Without disturbing her, he simply left.

……

Chen Ming returned to his small courtyard and was about to take out the visualization diagram to cultivate when Xiao He suddenly came over to report, "Young Master, a man named Deng Wei has come to the door and says he has something to ask to see you."

Deng Wei?

This is one of his prison guards.

What is he here for?
Although Chen Ming was puzzled, he still said, "Let him in."

Soon, Xiao He brought Deng Wei over. This guy was dressed in all black, and with his face covered, he was basically a night cloak.

Deng Wei stepped forward and bowed first, saying, "Your subordinate greets Your Excellency."

"No need for formalities, please sit down. Is there something you need from me?"

Chen Ming looked at this usually taciturn subordinate with some curiosity.

I thought he was there to give a gift, but he came empty-handed.

Deng Wei did not get up, but raised his head and said, "Your subordinate has come to present a great gift to you, sir."

"Oh?"

"I just don't know if you, sir, dare to accept this generous gift."

Seeing his intense gaze, so different from his usual honest and unassuming demeanor, Chen Ming became even more interested and said, "Tell me, what kind of gift is it?"

"This matter is of great importance, please dismiss everyone else, sir."

He waved his hand, signaling Xiaohe to go outside.

After the maid left, he said, "Now you can speak."

Deng Wei spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I have a way to lure out the demons of the Nine Nether Sect. As long as you make the necessary arrangements beforehand, you can wipe them all out in one fell swoop. This would be a great achievement. Are you willing to take the risk?"

Nine Nether Sect?
Chen Ming was taken aback and began to re-examine this usually quiet subordinate. He never expected that he would be connected to the Nine Nether Sect of the Longevity Cult.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked a question, "What are your conditions?"

Deng Wei resolutely said, "I don't want any credit or reward. I only beg you to spare my life, sir."

Chen Ming asked him, "You're betting your life and fortune on me. So why did you choose me?"

"Because my subordinates don't trust others!"

"why?"

"I suspect that someone else in the Six Doors has been bribed by the Nine Nether Sect. I dare not gamble. Only you, sir, come from the capital, are from a prestigious family, and are a genius rarely seen in the world. You would never stoop so low as to collude with the Nine Nether Sect!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll betray you after you've served your purpose, and later accuse you of colluding with the evil cult?"

"I have observed you these past few days, and you are by no means that kind of villain," Deng Wei said with a wry smile. "If I have misjudged you, I can only accept my fate."

Chen Ming laughed, "You've done a good job of flattering me. Get up."

This time, Deng Wei obediently stood up and sat down on the stool.

Chen Ming asked, "Tell me, how did you get involved with the Nine Nether Sect?"

Deng Wei then recounted a past event.

Two years ago, his only son was poisoned by a rare toxin that required a precious antidote. He searched everywhere but couldn't find it, and his son was on the verge of death. Then, someone approached him, saying they could give him the antidote.

In that situation, even though he knew this person wasn't a good person, he couldn't refuse.

His son recovered quickly after taking the antidote. But the incident remained a thorn in his side.

Not long after, the man indeed came to his door, asking him to do some things for him.

At first, it was just a trivial matter.

But later on, that person's demands became increasingly unreasonable.

Deng Wei smiled bitterly, "A month ago, he actually asked me to draw detailed maps of the Six Doors and the Great Prison. That's when I realized their wolfish ambitions. All I could do was stall."

“Two weeks ago, they took me to a place and confronted me directly. They told me they were disciples of the Nine Nether Sect of the Longevity Cult. I had no choice at the time; if I didn't want to die, I was forced to join them…”

After listening, Chen Ming remained noncommittal, only asking him, "You've already joined the group, so why did you come to me to betray us?"

Deng Wei said helplessly, "To be honest, sir, if it were any of the other factions of the Longevity Sect, I would have no choice but to accept it. But the disciples of the Nine Nether Sect have never been trustworthy. After the deed is done, they will definitely use my whole family to sacrifice to the demonic artifact. Either way, I'm going to die, so I might as well take a gamble and maybe there's a glimmer of hope."

Chen Ming found his words quite credible and asked, "If I weren't involved, who would you choose to tell about this?"

"Lord Hong, the Governor."

This answer was somewhat unexpected.

He asked, "Why not Lord Ruan?"

Deng Wei said with a serious expression, "Lord Ruan is not reliable. Once, a disciple of the Nine Nether Sect let slip that there might be a spy from the Nine Nether Sect around Lord Ruan." Chen Ming was surprised at first, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt it made perfect sense.

The third level of the prison can only be opened by Ruan Caixiong and Lord Zhong. If the Nine Nether Sect cannot handle Ruan Caixiong, then all talk is out of the question.

He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you know the true identity of the Nine Nether Sect disciples?"

Deng Wei shook his head. "Every time I see them, they are all disguised and wearing masks. Apart from that demon prince, no one knows the identities of the others."

"What about the demon's cultivation level?"

"At least a first-grade official."

This was not unexpected for Chen Ming. Without sufficient strength, he would not dare to set his sights on the Six Doors Prison.

He said, "Here's what you'll do. Go back first, and don't let anyone notice anything amiss. I'll personally go to Lord Zhong about this matter."

Deng Wei made up his mind; such an important matter naturally needed to be communicated to this top-tier expert.

His rank was too low; if he wanted to see Lord Zhong, it would be too much of a commotion and wouldn't escape the notice of the Nine Nether Sect disciples. Therefore, he could only seek out someone of a higher rank for this matter.

Neither Old Man Zhang nor Lord Li will do.

It's even more unacceptable that Lord Ruan has spies around him.

As for those three first-rank governors, those two ambitious officials are both rather mean and ungrateful, and there is a high possibility that they will turn their backs on them afterward.

Originally, his only choice was Lord Hong Yuze.

Fortunately, we now have another option.

Taking the opportunity, Deng Wei asked, "Should we give them the map?"

Chen Ming said, "Let's stall for now. I'll report to Lord Zhong tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord."

Then, Deng Wei left.

Chen Ming sat in the room, pondering the whole matter, and finally shook his head: It's the Longevity Sect again, what a tragic fate.

First it was the Blood Demon Sect, then the Undying Demon Lord, and now it's the Nine Nether Sect.

Of the six major factions of the Longevity Cult, he has already dealt with three of them.

……

The next morning, after arriving at the Six Doors, Chen Ming immediately went to see Lord Zhong, only to be told that Lord Zhong was busy with official business and had no time to see him.

He quickly slipped a silver note to the gatekeeper and asked him to announce his arrival, saying, "I have something very important to discuss; I must see Lord Zhong."

The guard accepted the gift without batting an eye, then lowered his voice and said, "Lord Zhong is currently practicing his martial arts and won't be out of seclusion for at least ten days to two weeks. During this time, he won't see anyone. Please come back in two weeks."

"Half a month?"

Chen Ming's heart sank. Half a month later, it was too late.

He suddenly realized that the people from the Nine Nether Sect probably dared to break into the prison because they knew that Lord Zhong would be in seclusion.

Now, with both First-Rank Commanders of the Six Doors absent from the city and Lord Zhong in seclusion, only Hong Yuze remains, making this arguably the most vulnerable time for them.

He suddenly realized, "Oh no, the Nine Nether Sect will make their move in the next few days!"

How to do?
When Chen Ming returned to his office, Old Zhang asked in surprise, "Why do you look so preoccupied, sir?"

Instead of answering, he asked, "Lord Ruan didn't come today?"

Just then, Zhang Dingce ran over from outside. "My lord, Lord Ruan is looking for you."

"understood."

Chen Ming roused himself and went to see Ruan Caixiong.

……

"My lord, do you know where Miss Su is now?"

After Chen Ming met Ruan Caixiong, he asked...

In Xiazhou City now, the only person he could trust was Su Zhining. He just hoped she hadn't come alone.

Seeing his anxious look, Ruan Caixiong asked in surprise, "What do you want with her?"

"To be honest, Miss Su and I are old acquaintances."

That's true. Gu Xianyu did know Su Zhining. Although they had only met once, it was love at first sight, and he fell in love with her from then on.

Ruan Caixiong chuckled and teased, "Just old acquaintances?"

"Brother Ruan, please stop joking. I really have something urgent to tell her."

"It's not difficult for you to find her; she's currently at the Pavilion of Love and Righteousness."

"Thank you very much, Brother Ruan."

Ruan Caixiong said, "No need to be so polite. However, if I'm not mistaken, Miss Su already has someone she loves. A woman like her, once she has someone she loves, cannot have room for anyone else in her heart. Don't waste your energy."

Chen Ming nodded to show he understood, then changed the subject, "How did it go yesterday when you went to check on that demonic artifact?"

Ruan Caixiong said, "Naturally, everything is as usual. That sword has been suppressed here for five hundred years. Completely isolated from the outside world, it will be completely extinguished in another one or two hundred years at most. The Heavenly Alliance is really worrying unnecessarily. With me here, who can possibly covet that demonic sword?"

Chen Ming wondered, is it possible that you are the biggest flaw?

Of course, he wouldn't say that out loud.

"By the way, come to my house for lunch. My wife will cook for you herself."

"Ok."

(End of this chapter)