Chapter 83: Lan Ting’s Secret Mission

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

 

As they stood to the side, Lu Yang quipped, “This invisible force is everywhere, why not call it ‘gravity’?”

 

Lan Ting recognized the voice and looked up to see Lu Yang: “Oh, it’s you.”

 

“Let’s talk inside.” Lu Yang worried Lan Ting might reveal his true identity.

 

With her stunning appearance, Lan Ting standing at the door was very eye-catching, making it easy for eavesdroppers to overhear their conversation.

 

Once inside, Lan Ting noticed the ghosts busily skewering meat and realized they were the remnants left by the tiger demon.

 

The two spectres, seeing Lu Yang and Lan Ting walk in together, silently picked up their meat trays and skewers and continued their work at a table in the corner.

 

Their skilled movements led Lan Ting to wonder  if this had been their job in life.

 

Barbarian Bone, hearing the noise from the backyard, stopped his training and came to the hall.

 

Meng Jingzhou, after a day of wandering, entered the door exclaiming, “Have you heard? Yanjiang County has its own festival called the Spring Harvest Festival, just half a month away. It involves spring outings, mountain excursions, water play, and a poetry event at night with recitations and music, quite lively. People from nearby counties all come here.”

 

“Locals in Yanjiang County even get a three-day holiday.”

 

“I also heard that the brothels hike their prices during those days, making a fortune. Should we take this opportunity to have a big promotion to celebrate two months of opening our shop?”

 

Meng Jingzhou proved that his day out wasn’t just for fun; he was also gathering information, although it wasn’t particularly helpful for the three of them.

 

Barbarian Bone’s eyes lit up, ready to speak, but then he saw Lu Yang’s impassive gaze and silently shut his mouth.

 

Meng Jingzhou, noticing Lan Ting, was also surprised: “I remember you, you’re Lan Ting from the Moon Laurel Immortal Palace?”

 

For over a month, they had stayed here, ah, not correct, to infiltrate the demonic cult, they hadn’t left. What was Lan Ting doing here all this time?

 

“Indeed, it’s me,” Lan Ting replied softly.

 

Lan Ting also found Lu Yang and his friends interesting. She had been in Yanjiang County for over a month and had heard of this barbecue shop. However, being someone who preferred quiet, she hadn’t visited noisy places and only realized today that this shop was run by acquaintances, even disciples of a celestial sect.

 

It seemed these three were sincerely working on a big project in Yanjiang County.

 

Could it be that the tasks assigned by the Dao Seeking Sect included not just exorcizing demons but also starting a business to make money? Considering the sect’s reputation, it wasn’t impossible.

 

Lan Ting had heard from her sisters that the reward system in the Dao Seeking Sect even included a “Day as the Sect Master” experience, something the other four celestial sects didn’t offer.

 

“Staying in Yanjiang County for so long, are you on a mission? If you need help, just ask. We have well-connected bailiffs here, and we know people in the jail,” Lu Yang offered warmly.

 

As members of the five major celestial sects, they should support each other.

 

Now, Lu Yang and his friends had enough clout in Yanjiang County to cover the sky with one hand, ostensibly as helpful residents who had assisted the bailiffs in catching criminals. The bailiffs often dined here, and secretly, they were valued members of the Yanjiang subsect of the demonic cult, their true identities being core disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect.

 

In terms of background, who could compete with them?

Lan Ting was silent. She was on a secret mission and was not supposed to interact with outsiders; otherwise, she wouldn’t have just symbolically taken two tiger skins and left after helping Lu Yang with the tiger.

 

A month had passed with no progress, and she was anxious.

 

The three men before her presented an opportunity that might help her.

 

Lan Ting paused for a moment, took two deep breaths, steadied her breathing, and said solemnly to the three people: “This humble girl is on a secret mission. You must not spread the words I speak today, as they concern my safety! Do not be surprised after you hear them!” (TL Note: The “I” here is a humble and traditional way of referring to oneself, which translates to “this humble girl” or “this little girl“ in English, reflecting a modest self-address. This term is often used in historical or period contexts to denote humility and sometimes lower social status. It’s used a few times in the next few chapters but translating it to this humble girl every time will make the translation weird)

‘

Seeing Lan Ting’s seriousness, they straightened up.

 

“I am to infiltrate the Everlasting Sect as an undercover agent!”

 

The three blinked in unison, thinking they had misheard.

 

Lan Ting continued, “This is reliable information obtained through special channels by our Moon Laurel Immortal Palace. Recently, the four major demonic sects plan to recruit followers en masse. The Solar Cult has already completed its recruitment, and the other three are in the process.”

 

“There is a branch of the Everlasting Sect in Yanjiang County, called the Yanjiang Rudder. Its leader is mysterious and unidentified; no one even knows his surname.”

 

“The Yanjiang Rudder ranks relatively low among all branches of the Everlasting Sect, with members generally having lower cultivation levels, making it suitable for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage like me to infiltrate. If planned properly, it’s possible to mix into the higher ranks of the Yanjiang Subsect.”

 

“My sisters are too well-known for their high cultivation levels and prominent reputations in the outside world, making it difficult for them to infiltrate. After discussion, the task fell to me.”

 

When Lan Ting mentioned her sisters’ fame, she was referring to their beauty which had made appearances in some forbidden books, satisfying some men’s fantasies.

 

Sighing, Lan Ting admitted, “However, I’ve been in Yanjiang County for over a month without finding the location of the Yanjiang Rudder or knowing if the recruitment has ended. I hope it’s not too late!”

 

Lan Ting looked at the three with hopeful eyes, especially at Lu Yang, whom she found very reliable, hoping they could offer assistance.

 

Silently, the trio pulled out the badges given by the subsect leader, with the words “Deputy Leader” prominently displayed.

 

“Sorry, we’re already with the Everlasting Sect.”

 

Lan Ting was shocked.

 

“Oh, don’t be nervous. What we mean is we’ve successfully infiltrated the Everlasting Sect,” Lu Yang added.

 

Relieved, Lan Ting thought they had defected, but then realized something was amiss.

 

“How did you enter the Everlasting Sect?”

 

Lu Yang found it difficult to explain. They had simply participated in the trials and successfully passed.

 

Proudly, Meng Jingzhou stated, “We performed exceptionally during the recruitment, and the Everlasting Sect saw us as very fitting to join, so they chose us.”

 

Barbarian Bone didn’t understand what Meng Jingzhou was proud of.

 

Lu Yang explained in layman’s terms how they found Qin Yuanhao’s letter in the tiger demon’s lair, located Qin Yuanhao, and learned about the recruitment and the location of the Yanjiang Subsect.

 

Regretting not acting alongside Lu Yang from the start, Lan Ting lamented the wasted month, having not even found the entrance to the Yanjiang Subsect while others had risen to its higher ranks.

 

“Perhaps, like Qin Yuanhao, you can recruit ordinary followers. Can you bring me in?” Lan Ting asked.

 

Lu Yang shook his head, “Ordinary followers don’t have access to the Everlasting Sect’s secrets. Frankly, I doubt you could pass their tests, and the risk of blowing your cover is quite high.”

 

Disappointed, Lan Ting lowered her gaze. Lu Yang then suggested, “However, we could forge an identity for you, saying you’re a distant relative coming to seek refuge. You can pretend to work at our barbecue shop while supporting us on the side, fulfilling part of your mission.”

 

“Really?” Lan Ting hadn’t expected such a favorable turn.

 

Barbarian Bone was surprised the barbecue shop was finally hiring new staff.

 

Lu Yang nodded, “Of course, your Foundation Establishment stage strength is a significant asset to us. Just, you’re too conspicuous; you might need to disguise yourself. Can you transform? If not, I can teach you.”

(End of the chapter)