Chapter 1101: Chapter 680 “The Black Hand”_3 Chapter 1101 -680 “The Black Hand”_3 “Again with the fishing nets and the Formation…” “I was careless for just a moment and got caught in the net, pulled ashore, then dragged into the woods and surrounded by those several stinky brats…” “It’s not that I was negligent, but that their actions were too meticulous.” Crossing River Dragon said, “I guess, they must have someone behind them, hiding in the shadows, secretly scheming, sinister and despicable, experienced in cunning tricks…” “Enough!” Mr. Jin said disdainfully, “You’ve slipped up, just admit it. Don’t make excuses for yourself; it’s not your first day out in the world.” Mr. Jin’s face darkened, “You’ve really messed things up, do you think the ‘Masters’ will listen to your explanations?” Mo Hua paused. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎 Masters…? Why are there Masters? And not just one, but Masters? This Mr. Jin, is he not the real Master? Hearing the word “Masters,” Crossing River Dragon indeed turned pale and his eyes filled with terror. “It’s… it’s my fault for being careless, for a moment I fell for those little bastards’ trick, nearly ruining the Masters’ plans.” “I am so foolish…” Crossing River Dragon said with sincere trepidation. Mr. Jin then nodded with satisfaction, but a moment later he frowned again, “How did those Sect brats find you?” Crossing River Dragon had a bitter expression, “I don’t know…” He practiced the White Wave Skill, and usually moved freely in the water, stirring the wind and waves, with unrestrained power. Unexpectedly today, out of nowhere, he got tracked, fell into an ambush, and was forcibly dragged from the river to the shore. Crossing River Dragon recalled the incident carefully, feeling a sinking feeling in his heart, “Could it be… someone has their eye on me?” Mr. Jin also looked displeased, but after pondering for a moment, he still shook his head, “It doesn’t seem likely…” “If someone really had their eye on you, they wouldn’t send a few brats to catch you.” “It’s more likely they took on a Sect’s rewards to earn some Merit Points… But to be able to catch you, these brats do have some ability.” Mr. Jin sneered, then looked at Crossing River Dragon indifferently, scolding, “I told you to act discreetly. It was just a killing, yet you were sloppy, leaving behind traces that allowed the Taoist Court to uncover your involvement?” “Otherwise, how could those Sect brats have gotten to you?” Crossing River Dragon had no choice, “I didn’t intend for it to happen. I just wanted to drill a hole in their boat, drag those people into the water, and let the Water Demons eat them…” “Unexpectedly, that Lin had a Water-Repelling Pearl on him, and the Water Demons couldn’t kill him. I had no choice but to use the Three Jiao Hooks to tear his throat, leaving behind evidence that the Taoist Court discovered…” Mo Hua’s expression shifted. Surname “Lin”? Among those six, was the dead family’s young master surnamed “Lin”? Mo Hua quietly noted this surname and continued to listen to Mr. Jin saying, “The situation has been tense recently. I will send you into the Taoist Prison later. You ‘die’ there, the Taoist Court will close the case on their side, seal your dossier, and once things cool down, you change your appearance and name to keep working for the ‘Master’…” Crossing River Dragon said: “Thank you, Mr. Jin, it’s just…” Mr. Jin said in a deep voice, “Speak.” Crossing River Dragon lowered his voice with an anxious look, “Why has the situation… become so adverse recently?” “Those brothers who swore blood oaths, one by one, either getting caught, killed, or scattering like bereaved dogs, not daring to show their faces…” “Those who are still breathing and can mix in the world can be counted on one hand…” “Even ‘Venerable’… just a step away from the Golden Core, with terrifying powers, even he…” Crossing River Dragon’s eyes showed terror, and he trembled uncontrollably. Mr. Jin’s expression turned solemn, and his eyes glinted sharply, “Mr. Tu speculates that we have been plotted against…” “For so many years, there have never been any mishaps or leaks, but in just over a year, those who pledged have fallen by more than half…” “…all because of sloppiness, leaving behind clues, being targeted by the Taoist Court, who then issued missions, and Sect Disciples took on the tasks in exchange for Merit Points.” “What’s more peculiar, the ones issuing the rewards in this process are from the Taoist Court, and those taking the rewards are ordinary Sect Disciples, who might not know anything about it at all.” “There are no apparent loopholes on the surface.” Mr. Jin’s tone was slightly cold, “Therefore, I guess… there must be one invisible, gigantic ‘black hand’ secretly manipulating all this…” Mr. Jin declared firmly. Mo Hua hidden in the tree couldn’t help but look down at his own soft little hands, blinking in confusion. Crossing River Dragon’s face was pale, his voice hoarse, he asked, “Can’t we find out who this ‘puppet master’ behind the scenes is?” Mr. Jin’s gaze tightened slightly, “Mr. Tu didn’t say, but in my heart, I already have a candidate…” Mo Hua was curious and couldn’t help but prick up her ears. Mr. Jin said in a deep voice, “This person is very likely… the Dao Court Canon…” Mr. Jin paused for a moment, his gaze sharp: “…Gu Changhuai!” Mo Hua was stunned. Mr. Jin continued, “The Gu Family, for generations, have held positions in the Taoist Court, with rigid and outdated manners, not our kind of people.” “This Gu Changhuai, he is from the direct lineage of the Gu Family, with Golden Core Cultivation, a solitary disposition, his moods are unpredictable, and his thoughts inscrutable.” “His Cultivation Technique is of superior quality; his strength must not be underestimated.” “He even possesses Forbidden Techniques. It’s said that Fire Venerable, deemed invincible below Golden Core within the Second Grade State Border, also perished at the hands of this Gu Changhuai!” Mr. Jin’s eyes carried a mix of hatred and wariness. “This Gu Changhuai, even if he’s not the ‘puppeteer behind the curtain’, must certainly be an extremely important ‘pawn’ in the hands of that person behind the scenes!” “This man, he is undoubtedly our mortal enemy!” Crossing River Dragon also agreed, nodding solemnly. Mo Hua didn’t know what to say… Mr. Jin glanced at Crossing River Dragon and spoke indifferently: “Remember my words, in these times, act with utmost caution.” “Times have changed; we can no longer afford to slip up, as it could draw fire upon ourselves, involving the young masters and spoiling the big picture. Even death would not come easily to you.” Crossing River Dragon pursed his lips and nodded tremulously. Still not reassured, Mr. Jin added another piece of advice: “Also… keep a tighter hold on your tongue.” “No matter who asks, you must say nothing. If they press you hard, you just directly…” Mr. Jin brought his fingers together and drew them across his throat, signaling to Crossing River Dragon. Crossing River Dragon’s face turned deathly pale. Mr. Jin patted his shoulder and said: “Physical death does not signify true death. You’ve seen some things; you should understand…” Crossing River Dragon looked panicked and remained silent. Mr. Jin nodded in satisfaction, “Remember what I’ve said…” There was a disturbance on the outskirts of the woods, as if someone was approaching. Mr. Jin flicked two Sword Qi’s from his fingers, shredding two Sound Isolation Formation Flags to pieces, then kicked Crossing River Dragon to the ground with one foot. Crossing River Dragon fell to the ground, feigning unconsciousness. After a while, the disciples of Sever Gold Sect who had been sent to search the area returned, respectfully saying: “Young Master, there are no traces of that monster’s accomplices around.” Mr. Jin’s face showed displeasure, but after a moment, he sighed and said: “Well, catching this one is enough. Find two people to escort this ‘Crossing River Dragon’ to the Taoist Court, and the rewards will be divided equally among everyone.” All the Sever Gold Sect disciples showed joy and bowed, saying: “Thank you, Young Master!” Mr. Jin gave a slight nod. Finally, he looked disdainfully at Crossing River Dragon one last time before leaving arrogantly. The other disciples followed behind him, leaving only two to carry the “unconscious” Crossing River Dragon to the Taoist Court. It wasn’t long before everyone in the small woods had left, and the surroundings fell into silence. Mo Hua, who had been hiding, finally jumped down from the big tree and left unnoticed. He had intended to head directly to the ferry to meet up with Cheng Mo and the others, but not long after leaving the small woods, he ran into Cheng Mo and his party. Cheng Mo and his group were lying in ambush in the bushes, eyes intently fixed on the small woods, seemingly waiting for him. Mo Hua felt a warmth in his heart and revealed himself. The four members of Cheng Mo’s party were shocked and asked in quick succession: “Mo Hua, are you okay?” “I’m fine,” Mo Hua said. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, then Cheng Mo asked, “Are we going back to the Sect now?” His expression was somewhat disheartened. Situ Jian and the others also shared a similar dim look. The hostage had been taken, and the original one hundred and twenty Merit Points per person were lost. But Mo Hua shook her head and said, “Not in a hurry, we can’t come all this way for nothing.” Everyone was startled and turned to look at Mo Hua. Mo Hua stated confidently, “A gentleman seeks revenge, it need not wait until the next day. They dared to take what is ours; now let’s go take what is theirs!”