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"Ning Suwen turned to Xu Suwen and said, 'Xu, what are your thoughts?'
Xu Suwen was the elder in charge of foreign affairs at Dragon Tiger Mountain, responsible for reconnaissance and intelligence work. Zhang Suting's earlier remarks clearly indicated that she had taken over his responsibilities, which naturally displeased Xu Suwen. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and replied, 'I have been in charge of foreign affairs for twenty years. Although I have been merely occupying a position without real power, entrusted by Chairman Zhang, I believe I still have some understanding of certain matters.'
After his humble introduction, he continued, 'The Laoshan lineage is a thousand-year-old sect that has been a rival to our sect for over a millennium. While it may have declined in recent years as Chairman Zhang mentioned, I believe that a lean camel is still larger than a horse. Moreover, Yang Na is not only cunning and treacherous but seems to have revitalized the snake-handling techniques of Laoshan. Last year, Lin suffered a setback due to him, so we cannot underestimate this sect. Unless we can uproot them with overwhelming force, if it turns into a war of attrition, it would be disadvantageous for us. Maoshan has always held the reins of our Peace lineage; although they haven't sent disciples out to act this year, they are certainly gathering strength in secret just like us. Therefore, launching an attack recklessly before understanding the enemy's strength is a major military taboo.'
'As for the Zhu You Four Lineages' current situation, Chairman Zhang probably knows only part of it. On the surface, it seems that these four sects have simultaneously declined, but the Zhu You School has always been interconnected; once one is touched, all are affected. Take the Wu Family for example; Chairman Zhang only knows about their Corpse Driver techniques, which I cannot agree with. As far as I know, several years ago, there were disciples from the Wu Family in Xiangxi who were studying Drought Corpse techniques. If they succeed in their training, it would pose significant trouble for our sect.'
Xu Suwen glanced at Zhang Suting, whose face was alternating between red and white at this moment, which made him even more pleased. 'Let me emphasize the Wei Family; as far as I know, Wei Xian Gui has awakened...'
'What?' As soon as Xu Suwen said this, the board members began whispering among themselves. Ning Suwen lightly coughed to regain their attention. Xu Suwen continued, 'However, everyone need not worry; he has set traps for himself that will keep him busy for now. The key focus should be on Wei Family's sole descendant—Wei Ning.'
'Everyone knows that the Wei Family possesses the Undying Bone. I once teamed up with Lin to try to seize it from him but failed due to Wang Chuyi's sudden appearance. However, we did gain some insights: first, although Wei Ning appears weak and easily bullied, he is inherently stubborn and can only be outsmarted rather than overpowered; second, Wang Chuyi has indeed mastered Drought Corpse techniques and will become one of our greatest enemies in the future.'
With Xu Suwen's bombshell revelation, the board members of Dragon Tiger Mountain erupted into chaos. At this moment, Lin Lingsu stood up and calmly said, 'I can handle Wang Chuyi on my own without troubling everyone else.'
Xu Suwen continued, 'To achieve our goals below, we must first eliminate both Maoshan and Laoshan lineages. Without the assistance of Wei Family's Thirteen Blood Corpses, it will be quite difficult to remove these two lineages. To obtain the Thirteen Blood Corpses, we must first acquire Wei Family's Undying Bone. Currently, Wei Family only has Wei Ning left alive; thus he is crucial for our sect's unification of the Peace lineage. I suggest that the board immediately capture Wei Ning!'
As soon as Xu Suwen finished speaking, Lin Lingsu—though mentally prepared—couldn't help but turn pale.
Xu Su looked at Lin Lingsu and said, 'Wei Ning is unruly; capturing him by force won't be easy. He has already mastered the powerful Five Thunder Palm and possesses the ancient artifact Golden Crow Eye. If we confront him head-on, I fear that Dragon Lake may pay too high a price...'
'Of course we cannot rely on brute strength; we can use strategy instead. Whether or not we can capture him depends on whether Lin is truly committed to this task.'"
Lin Lingsu was startled when Xu Suwen called out his name. Upon realizing that the gazes of the other eleven people were all fixed on him, especially Li Xin's intense stare, he felt quite uncomfortable. Clearly, everyone was waiting for him to take a stand.
With a sigh, Lin Lingsu said, "As a prominent sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain, do we really need to go against a pair of orphans and widows? Even if we ultimately unify Peace, others will mock us for our lack of honor in victory. I think..."
Suddenly, Ning Suwen interrupted Lin Lingsu coldly, saying, "The best strategy is to strike at the right moment and achieve the greatest victory at the least cost. Isn't that better? I believe Xu's analysis is spot on; this matter is settled. You need not say more."
Lin Lingsu understood Ning Suwen's temperament and could only sigh inwardly, falling silent.
Xu Suwen continued, "I believe that if we are to take Wei Ning down in one fell swoop, we must do so with overwhelming force before any other factions are alerted. I suggest that this matter be personally overseen by Chairman Ning, with Lin and me assisting from the side. We will put forth the full strength of our sect to ensure a decisive blow."
"I'll join too," Li Xin volunteered.
Xu Suwen nodded, "With Leader Li's involvement, this will surely be much more effective."
"Good," Ning Suwen said as he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "This operation will mark our sect's official return to action; we must make it a resounding success. I propose that every subsequent action be signaled by thunderous force to ensure total victory. Tonight at six o'clock, all disciples gather at Xianshui Rock; I want to pay respects to our ancestors."
Dragon Tiger Mountain is known for its ninety-nine peaks and twenty-four cliffs, lush with greenery and full of spiritual energy. It was where Zhang Zhenren attained immortality years ago and is regarded as the foremost sacred mountain in Taoism, celebrated as the first fairyland of the faith. The scenery at Xianshui Rock, known for its "Fairy Blossoms," is considered the most breathtaking sight in Taoism, where important rituals of the Dragon Lake lineage are held.
As night fell, two to three thousand people gathered at Xianshui Rock, filling the entire cliffside in a dense crowd yet remaining utterly silent and orderly, creating an atmosphere of solemnity. Suddenly, someone stepped forward from the crowd and announced loudly, "Please welcome the Chairman to pay respects to our ancestors." At that moment, the crowd parted to form a path down the middle as Ning Suwen led the eleven directors onto the high platform that had already been set up.
On the platform stood a large table covered with an apricot-yellow cloth, upon which lay an apricot-yellow flag and a dark red Peach Wood Sword.
Ning Suwen raised his head as he approached the table, with the eleven directors lined up behind him while three thousand disciples stood respectfully with their heads bowed in perfect order.
Ning Suwen's heart surged with emotion as he looked around. Since taking over as the leader, he had worked tirelessly for over twenty years to achieve the current grandeur. The might of Dragon Tiger Mountain today, while not the greatest in history, was still a rare sight in a century. He had navigated through the complexities of governance, military affairs, and commerce, never daring to slack off for a single day, which led to today's accomplishments. In the future, he would eradicate Laoshan and Maoshan, unifying Daoism under his name, which would be revered alongside Zhang Daoling and others for generations to come.
And now, this journey would begin today.
Ning Suwen scattered the talismans on the table, and they flew into the wind. He proclaimed loudly, "I humbly invite the Three Purities—Supreme Lao Jun, Zhang Zhao Erlang, Yue Wang Zushi Li Gong Zhenren, Dongshan Elder, Southern Mountain Sister, South Sea Guanyin, Fuxi and Shennong, Xuanyuan Emperor, Thunder God Emperor, Pangu Saint King, Earth Mother Yuanjun, Jade Emperor, Hengshan Qilong, Luo Shan Jiu Lang, Three Open Emperors, Five Sacred Mountains and the Earth, Celestial Realm Manor, Dragon-Tiger Xuantan Zhao Yuanshuai, Sanmao Zhenjun, Five Stars and Twenty-Eight Mansions—to bless this disciple Ning Suwen with a sincere offering of flowers. May you relieve the suffering of all beings, heal the sick and revive the dead, vanquish demons and eliminate evil, and protect us from wickedness..."
The disciples prostrated themselves on the ground and followed Ning Suwen in chanting the incantation. Their voices resonated like great bells, echoing around Dragon Tiger Mountain for a long time. This kind of momentum and power had not been seen in a hundred years.
Ning Suwen gazed at the Dragon Tiger Mountain he had nurtured with pride swelling within him. He was indeed the foremost contributor to its revival and felt he owed it to the departed leaders of Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Suddenly, a disciple rushed in like a gust of wind. Ning Suwen furrowed his brow; what kind of poorly trained disciple would disrupt such an important ceremony? Did they not realize they were ruining his grand occasion?
The disciple dashed up to the platform and knelt before Ning Suwen, breathless as he exclaimed, "Ancestor! The grave of our forebear has been dug up!"
"What?" Ning Suwen felt as if the world was spinning around him; he nearly choked on his breath. If not for someone supporting him from behind, he might have collapsed.
After a long moment, Ning Suwen finally regained his composure and slowly said, "This is an insult! A tremendous humiliation!"
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