Minister Chen, his face solemn, placed a paper in front of Su Chen. "Our spies, planted within the Grand Chancellor's mansion, have uncovered some troubling clues," he said, his voice tinged with urgency.
Su Chen unfolded the paper and began reading it carefully. His eyes scanned the words, stopping when he saw a mention of the Grand Chancellor. The document revealed that the mansion had been regularly purchasing items related to immortals from various loose immortal cities and groups. The names of the products listed stood out—wraith stone, Yin powder, and several others. Su Chen's brow furrowed as he continued reading.
These products, he knew, were not mere trinkets. They were items often associated with demon cultivators—those who ascended through brutal, bloodstained practices. Sacrifices, devouring life forces, and other vile acts were the foundation of their cultivation methods. Su Chen's expression grew more serious with each word he read.
He handed the letter back to Minister Chen, his gaze sharp. "Is this information correct?" he asked, his tone now grave.
Minister Chen nodded firmly, his expression resolute. "Yes, we can trust this information. The source is one we planted in the Grand Chancellor's palace many years ago. We've kept a tight leash on him, and he can't lie to us."
Su Chen's gaze grew darker as the implications of the news began to settle in. He leaned back, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table. "If that's the case," he muttered, his voice laced with a quiet intensity, "then all the problems plaguing your country may very well be the work of demon cultivators."
Minister Chen's eyes narrowed as Su Chen continued. "Demon cultivators are notorious for hiding in the shadows of mortal societies, biding their time. They slowly execute their plans, remaining undetected until their schemes are too far along to stop." Su Chen's words hung in the air, a bit heavy.
Minister Chen's voice was laced with concern as he asked, "Then what should we do, Sir Immortal?"
Su Chen's eyes narrowed, and his tone remained calm but firm. "For now, don't scare the goose," he replied cryptically. "If they are executing their plans with such secrecy, they have likely prepared everything they need. Only the final stages of implementation remain."
He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "If we alert them too soon, it could backfire. The demon cultivator might become desperate, and in his panic, he could do anything—perhaps even trigger the sacrifice prematurely. If that happens, many innocent lives will be lost in the chaos."
Su Chen's gaze hardened as he thought of the consequences. "We must be patient. Our move should be calculated, not rushed. If we show our hand too early, we risk everything."
Su Chen's eyes gleamed with a calculating light as he spoke, his voice steady. "The best way," he began, "is to strike suddenly when the demon cultivator is in the midst of the sacrifice. They are at their most vulnerable during that time."
Minister Chen looked puzzled for a moment, then his expression shifted as he understood the logic. "You mean, while they are performing the ritual, when their focus is entirely on the sacrifice?"
"Exactly," Su Chen replied, his tone sharp. "Some demon cultivators rely heavily on the energy of the sacrifice to fuel their power, but during the process, they are deeply immersed in the ritual. This leaves them weak, exposed, and unable to defend themselves properly. It's the perfect moment to strike."
Su Chen's gaze hardened. "If we act decisively and without warning, we can cripple their plans before they have a chance to react. It's our best opportunity."
Su Chen's voice took on a more reassuring tone as he continued, "And you don't need to worry about the timing. When the sacrifice begins, it will produce a wave of energy that can be sensed by any cultivator in the vicinity. We'll know exactly when it starts."
He reached into his robe and pulled out a rectangular piece of jade, handing it to Minister Chen. "Keep this with you," Su Chen instructed. "This is a communication jade. I will send you a message through it when it's time to strike."
Minister Chen took the jade with a nod of understanding, examining the smooth surface. "Once I receive your signal, we'll be ready," he said, his resolve firm.
Su Chen gave a curt nod in return. "Ensure your soldiers are prepared to move at a moment's notice. Timing is everything, and when that signal comes, there will be no hesitation."
After giving his instructions, Su Chen turned and made his way back to his room. The door closed behind him with a soft click, and he walked toward the center of the room, where the dim light from the window cast long shadows on the floor.
He paused for a moment, his gaze settling on the darkest corner of the room. "Xiaohie," he said quietly, his voice calm yet commanding, "go and take a look at the Grand Chancellor's palace."
A faint ripple appeared in the shadow as though it responded to his call. It lingered for just a second, then faded into nothingness, leaving the room as still and silent as before.
Su Chen stared at the spot for a moment longer, knowing that his command had been carried out. Xiaohie would be gathering the information he needed without leaving a trace.
As Su Chen stood in the quiet of his room, the unsettling voice of Nyar echoed in his mind, laced with its usual mocking tone.
"Hehehe," it began, a sinister chuckle that sent a chill through the air. "Guess what? More than half the time they talked to you, they were lying."
Su Chen's expression remained unreadable, though his eyes darkened slightly. He remained silent, letting the words hang in the stillness. Nyar's voice continued, its amusement clear, as though it reveled in the chaos it sought to sow.
"You don't need to concern yourself with it," Su Chen replied firmly in his mind, his tone steady and resolute. "I never place my full trust in others whom I don't know ."
"We'll see," Nyar's voice responded, the amusement in its tone giving way to a chilling laughter that echoed in Su Chen's mind. "Hehahahaha."
The sinister sound lingered for a moment, then faded into silence, leaving behind an unsettling stillness