Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 812: Baiting

Qin Sang emerged from behind the trees.

From the robes they wore, it was clear these two were disciples of Hanhai Sect.

He had initially assumed they had set their sights on him out of greed after noticing he was an outsider, but from their earlier conversation, it seemed matters were not so simple.

The two were startled, spinning around abruptly. Seeing Qin Sang openly reveal himself, noticing that he had discovered their tailing yet did not flee, appearing utterly unafraid, they immediately suspected a trap.

They kept a wary eye on their surroundings, but found no sign of anyone else. The taller cultivator’s expression darkened and he barked coldly, "Who are you? What is your intent in sneaking onto Bamen Island?"

Qin Sang gave a low chuckle. Reaching out toward the empty air, the space behind the two rippled, and an almost imperceptible shadow was instantly bound, then drawn back into his palm.

The sight made the two turn pale with fright.

This was their sect’s unique method of communication, extremely well concealed, yet this man had detected it with ease.

"You follow behind me with ill intent, yet dare to accuse me instead. I had no wish to cause too much commotion, but since you’ve delivered yourselves to my door, you can hardly blame me..." Qin Sang sneered.

Before the words had fallen, the two felt their vision blur, and to their horror realised they could no longer move. It was only then they understood that the man before them possessed terrifying strength.

Their faces twisted in fear; they could not even speak. Qin Sang then pressed a hand onto one man’s head.

The tall cultivator could only watch in dread as his companion had his soul searched and died a miserable death. The scene shattered his nerve entirely, to the point where he wet himself in terror.

"Hanhai Sect’s leader once sent people to secretly investigate the identities of all cultivators connected to Linggui Island Master. Not long after that, something happened to Linggui Island..."

The information extracted from the soul search made Qin Sang’s mind stir.

The Hanhai Sect's leader acted with great secrecy. Only a few core disciples in the sect knew of it, and no one outside was aware.

Even Sect Leader Wu of Three-Mountain Sect had no idea he had been investigated.

After the incident at Linggui Island, Hanhai Sect seemed to cease all action. It appeared as though nothing more had happened, and Sect Leader Wu and the others were still alive and well. Yet Qin Sang’s instincts told him something was amiss.

No matter whose orders the Hanhai Sect's leader was following, he would not have done such a thing without reason.

Sect Leader Wu being unharmed did not mean everyone else was safe.

Perhaps some were simply too low in cultivation to be worth targeting.

Senior Qingzhu’s lectures had spanned more than a century, and among those who had received his favour, several Core Formation Realm cultivators had emerged. Most had long been wandering the outside world.

Those people had already lost contact with others. If they died abroad, no one would know.

"The one commanding the Hanhai Sect's leader is most likely the true culprit. If I can find the Hanhai Sect's leader, the truth will come to light. His cultivation is not high, so capturing or killing him will be easy. The only concern is if the masterminds behind him have not yet left. It is best to lure him out of his mountain gate and strike on the road. Even if something unexpected occurs, I can still withdraw in time." Qin Sang’s gaze shifted to the tall cultivator.

Though this city was under Hanhai Sect's control, there were several other factions mixed in as well, and together they could not be underestimated.

These two were stewards sent by Hanhai Sect, and he could use them.

The Hanhai Sect's leader had once ordered them to watch for unfamiliar experts entering or leaving the market, especially Core Formation Realm cultivators closely connected to Linggui Island Master, and to report them to the sect immediately.

Because Qin Sang kept such a low profile, they had misjudged him.

An idea flashed in Qin Sang’s mind. Under the tall cultivator’s terrified gaze, he pointed at the corpse of the other man and said icily, "If you do not want to end up like him, you will follow my instructions and send a new secret message..."

***

Hanhai Sect.

Inside a wooden hall, a disciple was meditating.

Suddenly, a sharp birdcall rang out at the door. The disciple was startled awake and rushed outside, where he saw one of the sect’s trained spiritual birds holding a black insect in its claws.

The insect was actually a wisp of black qi, which, when dropped into the disciple’s palm, transformed into a secret message. Seeing the signature, the disciple dared not delay, and sped toward a cave dwelling in the rear mountain to present the message.

"Master, this is an urgent letter from Senior Brother He."

Within the cave dwelling, a middle-aged cultivator was meditating. Disturbed, his expression soured. He summoned the letter to his hand, and after reading it, flew into a rage. "Hmph! Those few old fools, what are they trying to do? They dare to obey in appearance yet defy in heart, meddling in matters they should stay out of. If not for Island Master Luo mediating two years ago, I would have eradicated them all long since. Do they think they can use Island Master Luo as a talisman to protect their lives? It seems it is time to cut off their claws and teach them a lesson."

He crushed the letter to dust and rose sharply to his feet. Yet when his fury subsided, he pondered for a moment before sitting back down, and said to the disciple below, "Still, out of regard for Island Master Luo, I cannot simply kill them outright. Go summon your senior brother from seclusion. Have him take men to secretly enter the market and aid your two senior brothers in verifying these people’s intentions. I will personally pay a visit to settle accounts later."

"Yes!"

The disciple hurried away.

Before long, Hanhai Sect’s mountain gate opened, and several figures flew out toward the market.

Once they had gone, Qin Sang’s figure appeared on a distant mountain peak.

Seeing that only a few Foundation Building disciples had been drawn out, he glanced toward Hanhai Sect and cursed inwardly at the man’s cowardice. Fortunately, he had already known a single letter would not suffice, and had prepared a backup plan.

To clear himself of suspicion and avoid attracting the attention of Senior Qingzhu’s enemies, Qin Sang was willing to go through the trouble.

The contents of the letter were not entirely fabricated.

Although Hanhai Sect was powerful, it did not have absolute authority on Bamen Island. The other factions would never obey them completely, so finding a bit of incriminating evidence was hardly difficult.

Those two stewards had already gathered some material, though it was nothing too serious. Qin Sang had simply exaggerated it until it seemed as though a rebellion was brewing.

When Hanhai Sect's disciples reached the market and quietly slipped into the city, they saw the tall cultivator.

"Junior Brother He, where is Junior Brother Ren? Why are you alone?"

Wei Yu, the most senior disciple of Hanhai Sect's leader, did not notice that in a corner of the main hall, a man was seated.

But Junior Brother He could see clearly. Naturally timid, now under Qin Sang’s control, he knew this was an act of betrayal against his sect, yet he dared not refuse. "Junior Brother Ren is keeping watch on the people from Demonic Tiger Mountain. I am here to await Master. Senior Brother, why has Master not come?"

Having rehearsed many times, his performance was passable.

"Master sent me to gather evidence first."

The senior brother saw no flaw in Junior Brother He’s behaviour. Presented with the damning evidence Qin Sang had meticulously prepared, he suspected nothing, ordered men to guard the market without alarming the targets, and personally took the evidence back to the sect.

After he left, Qin Sang captured everyone, then quietly trailed Wei Yu.

This whole manoeuvre had cost Qin Sang considerable effort, but thanks to the soul search, he knew Hanhai Sect and the market like the back of his hand. The tall cultivator could not deceive him, no matter what he tried.