"Hey, have you heard about that?"
"What, that? Are you talking about a Dark Cultivator being spotted not far from this city?"
"Yes, that one."
"I heard that the cultivator is planning to enter the city."
"That's going to be extremely bad."
"Should we just leave this place?"
"I think we should leave. After all, the Blood Madness Cult is on the verge of revival."
"Blood Madness Cult? I heard they are using people's blood to enhance their cultivation. Are they going to come here to get all our blood?"
"Things are not looking good. I wonder what the government will do."
A few women were busy gossiping on the street. Their voices couldn't help but be heard by the people around them.
No one knew where the rumors originated. Even the people from the government only knew that the South District was the one taking care of the matter, considering the cultivator was spotted south of the city.
People thought it came from the soldiers who observed the movement of the cultivator. Some believed that the South District Administrator had something to do with it.
However, they couldn't trace back to the source as the rumor had spread like wildfire.
As Hao Yu predicted, the women brought the news to the market. Merchants learned this information and panicked, wondering if they should leave the city or not.
Some of the men went to the red-light district just to relieve their stress from the threat of the cultivator. Last but not least, the young ones were curious about the Dark Cultivator, thinking that their city was threatened.
It was complete chaos inside the city. Although it was impossible to find the source of the rumor, it wasn't hard to know that it originated from the South District.
Hence, the Magistrate called Gao Ke to his office. "Gao Ke, come in."
Gao Ke politely cupped his hands and entered the Magistrate's office, maintaining a calm expression to avoid any suspicion.
"I believe you have understood why I'm calling you here." Magistrate Han's voice was cold as his eyes were squinted, observing Gao Ke's expression.
"I apologize for my blunder, Sir. I don't know where it leaked… I will do my best to suppress the rumor." Gao Ke apologized sincerely despite being the source of that rumor.
Han Shao fell silent for a moment before stating, "Currently, the other districts are affected by the rumors. There are a lot of merchants leaving the city. It's not a problem for the time being, but if it persists for a long time, the supply will be too low."
Gao Ke remained silent as if listening to what Han Shao had to say. Of course, he had predicted this situation after listening to Hao Yu's explanation. So, he managed to remain calm the whole time.
"We have to move fast. I want you to send information to the three sects in this kingdom to handle this situation," Han Shao stated.
"I understand, Sir. What should we promise them?" Gao Ke asked like he was oblivious to the effect. He was just playing dumb so that Magistrate Han didn't suspect him.
"No need. Just inform them about it. They are definitely going to handle this problem since the rumor is about the revival of the Blood Madness Cult. In the meantime, I want you to investigate the rumors from their contents to their origin. Once the representatives of the sects have come, I want you to guide them and assist them in their investigation."
"Yes, Sir." Gao Ke accepted the order. He never thought that everything went according to Hao Yu's words.
Without wasting any more seconds, Gao Ke escaped from the room, not wanting to be questioned by the Magistrate. Unbeknownst to him, Han Shao was actually narrowing his eyes as if he had seen through his lies.
"Playing with fire, huh?" The Magistrate let out a long sigh. "Whatever. It's a problem that can be easily solved anyway."
Outside, Gao Ke clenched his fists. He had gotten what he wanted. In fact, before seeing the Magistrate, he had sent the bird to deliver the information to the three sects. As predicted, the information had reached the city located right outside the sect.
As predicted, the information had reached the city located right outside the sect.
A young man was in charge of watching out for information that day.
"!!!" While looking at the sky, he noticed a black dot approaching the building. The black dot gradually became bigger, revealing its true appearance. It was a dove. There was a small scroll attached to the leg of this bird.
After taking it out, the man read the content for a bit before his face became pale. He rushed to another room where he found his superior. When the latter read the content, his superior said, "You remain on your position and see if there is more information. I will go to the sect."
"Yes, Sir."
The man rode a horse to the north of the city. There was a towering mountain before him, but a red gate separated the mountain and the city. There were two young men who suddenly stood in his way, stopping him.
The man reported, "I am Zhong Xuan, the Magistrate of this city. I would like to report to the elders of the sect that there is a rumor about the resurgence of the Blood Madness Cult. A cultivator from that cult is spotted near Fengyun City."
Once they heard 'Blood Madness Cult,' they hurriedly stepped aside while pointing to the foot of the mountain. "If you continue for another a hundred meters, there should be a middle-aged man. He is an Outer Elder. You should report to him about the situation and he will bring the news to the sect."
"Thank you." Zhong Xuan rushed inside, finding that outer elder. After reporting about the situation, the elder climbed the mountain. His step was light as he managed to climb the mountain like a superhuman.
It didn't take too long for the sect to handle this matter. If only a cultivator was spotted, they wouldn't be so serious about it. But the fact that there was a rumor about the resurgence, they had to send a few disciples to investigate it.
The mission was posted. Due to all the rush, there was no reward. Hence, the sect only provided Contribution Points, which could be used to exchange cultivation resources from the sect. And because the reward was quite high, it didn't take too long for the cultivators to take the mission.
For this mission, the Azure Lotus Sect actually sent a group consisting of four cultivators. The leader of the group was a 10-Star Qi Gathering Stage Disciple with the other three being 8-Star and 9-Star Disciples. This information was sent back to Fengyun City.
Obviously, Gao Ke received the information. Since he was the one keeping a close eye on the cultivator, he invited Hao Yu to discuss the continuation of the plan.
Once again, Zhang Xin had to step out of the room as Gao Ke explained, "We've received a confirmation from the Azure Lotus Sect. They have sent their cultivators."
"May I know their strength?"
"One 10-Star, two 9-Star, and one 8-Star."
Hao Yu looked down, contemplating. With their strength, it should be an easy job. However, what he feared was the unpredictable action of those cultivators.
"Does Administrator Gao have taken the precautions for their arrival?"
"I have gathered all the rumors, which should be enough for the explanation. For now, I will be explaining the situation to them and let them defeat that cultivator. They should interrogate him and return immediately."
"In that case, I would suggest two things. Since the cultivators are rushing to this place, it would be best if we prepare for their stay as well as prevention from interfering with their jobs."
"I have asked the best inn since it's an official request from the government." Gao Ke waved his hand nonchalantly. He had worked as an Administrator for a few years, so he had handled a few cultivators before. But one thing piqued his interest. "What do you mean by not interfering with their jobs?"
"Literally. Because the rumors are created from the air, if we interfere with them, there is a chance for them realizing that we're the ones deliberately creating the rumors instead of the people."
Gao Ke gently stroked his short beard, understanding Hao Yu's concern. "So, you want me to pull back all the soldiers?"
"No. I'm saying that they should remain, but not do anything. How about…" Hao Yu paused for a moment. "…letting me handle this problem? I will manage the soldiers while Sir Gao can take care of the cultivators."
"Hmm?" Gao Ke frowned. Managing the soldiers wouldn't give him any contributions, considering he would order the soldiers to do nothing. It seemed that Hao Yu was creating a reason so that he didn't get any achievement, resulting in him getting all the recognitions.
'He is so thoughtful.' Gao Ke thought, not realizing that he had been playing in Hao Yu's hand the entire time. After some consideration, Gao Ke said, "Alright. You have my permission."
"Thank you, Sir." Hao Yu bowed to him, expressing his gratitude.
Gao Ke smiled as if he felt blessed to have such a subordinate. He could continue using Hao Yu until he gathered enough achievement to become a Magistrate. Little did he know, that was precisely what he wanted Gao Ke to do.
As soon as he received Gao Ke's permission, he said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."
"Right now?"
"Yes. I have to personally convince the soldiers. So, it's better to do it now."
"Alright."
Hao Yu exited the room, finding Zhang Xin sitting on the bench in the corner.
"Are you done?" Zhang Xin asked, ready to return to the room.
"Yes. Unfortunately, I have to manage the soldiers. I hope that Secretary Zhang can help me handle some tasks of mine."
"Old Gao asked you?"
"Yes." Hao Yu made a wry smile as if he had no option but to do it. Seeing that pitiful smile, Zhang Xin patted Hao Yu's shoulders like he knew how hard it was for Hao Yu. But he commended Hao Yu's eagerness and said, "Don't worry. I'll take care of your works until you're done with that task."
"Thank you." Hao Yu immediately escaped from the building. Just like that, he managed to get what he wanted on the mission while letting Zhang Xuan handle his work.