"What, the culprits who were executed were just scapegoats?"
In an exquisite study, Zhou Fan maintained a calm expression, even with a hint of a smile, standing respectfully. On the desk in front of him, Xu Tianchuan exclaimed with wide-eyed shock.
Qu Xiangfeng, on the side, also couldn't help but express his confusion, "So, the incidents of the massive disappearance of people still haven't been figured out?"
"Yes, but... there's no need to figure it out!"
"What do you mean?"
"Hehehe... human hearts seek stability. The incident of the massive disappearance of people caused great panic, how could people settle down? Fortunately, the incident of people disappearing happened only during that period, and after that, it was no longer an issue. I estimate that the culprits are already in hiding. If we want people to return to normalcy, we must find a scapegoat!"
With a sly smile, Zhou Fan neither confirmed nor denied, "The people I found were reasonably powerful in the Holy Domain and had notorious reputations. Even if it's said that they did something wrong, people will steadfastly believe it. So, the point is, character is essential. Otherwise, one day, when someone wrongly accuses you, you won't even be able to plead your innocence. Hehehe..."
Zhou Fan laughed calmly and brightly. The three men stared at him, utterly stupefied.
After a long while, Xu Tianchuan couldn't help but let out a sigh, saying, "This... it's really too dark. But Zhou Steward, how do I report this incident to the higher-ups with this jade slip?"
"It's simple, report the good news and leave out the bad!"
Raising an eyebrow, Zhou Fan said mysteriously, "Young master, now that the Imperial domain is stable, you just need to say that everything you've done is thriving and prosperous. Forget about the trivial details, especially the incident of the massive disappearance of people. Don't report it; otherwise, it will affect the reputation of the three masters!"
This...
There was a bit of hesitation, and Xu Tianchuan hesitated a bit, "Isn't this deceiving our seniors?"
Hollering, isn't he just a good boy!
"Young master Xu, this is not deceiving; it's filial piety!"
Smirking like an old fox, Zhou Fan coaxed, "Think about it, the seniors of the Holy Mountain are busy with myriad affairs. They usually worry about you. If you report such troublesome matters to them, won't you make them anxious? Since everything has passed, and the results are good, just focus on the positive. Why make them angry again? If they suspect your abilities, wouldn't that be worse?"
Hearing this, the three men exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and Qu Xiangfeng chuckled, "Uh, Steward Zhou Fan makes sense. Big brother, let's not bother our master with these troubles anymore. It's also a kind of filial piety!"
"Hehehe... exactly, filial piety comes first in all virtues!"
Nodding involuntarily, Xu Tianchuan, though embarrassed, also breathed a sigh of relief. Clearly, he didn't want to report his embarrassing affairs upwards, fearing that the other two would snitch on him. Now that the three of them had unanimously reached an agreement, it was excellent.
Especially this Steward Zhou...
Admiringly looking at Zhou Fan, Xu Tianchuan praised, "Steward Zhou Fan, you're truly talented. From now on, let you draft the jade slips for our reports!"
"As you wish!"
With a slight grin, Zhou Fan inwardly chuckled.
In this way, he could temporarily cover the eyes of the Holy Mountain, preventing them from noticing the specific changes in the Holy Domain. Anyway, now that their main rear area was established, once the Dragon Clan Alliance arrived, they could officially launch a surprise attack on the Holy Mountain. Hmph!
Zhou Fan had everything in control, seemingly ready for all contingencies. However, the success of this plan to lure the Eight Emperors, secretly erode the Imperial domain, and eventually compete with the Holy Domain revealed a slight flaw—something Zhou Fan was helpless about.
After all, he wasn't a god. He couldn't predict the future...
Swoosh!
At the Seventh Holy Mountain, a jade slip streaked across the sky, landing in the center of the main hall, in the hands of an old man with a fair complexion. After examining the information inside, the old man couldn't help but chuckle, passing it to the others, saying, "It seems the plan is progressing smoothly. Those young ones seem to be doing quite well. I was worried that they would make some mistakes when they entered the mortal world. Now, it seems that our Holy Mountain disciples are indeed the cream of the crop, suitable for high positions wherever they go. Hehehe..."
"Yes, let's release the three of them for an experiment. It seems the management of the Eight Emperors' territories can also officially be incorporated into the Holy Mountain's territory. In this way, when the destined one appears, we can seize the initiative!"
Following that, another old man nodded in agreement, with a faint glint in his eyes.
The rest of the people, upon hearing this, unanimously agreed and nodded with delight.
The Seventh Holy Mountain, established in the Holy Domain since ancient times, had always been the pinnacle representative of humanity. However, since a hundred years ago, when the heavens and earth underwent changes, it heralded the appearance of a new pinnacle for humanity, related to the Imperial Domain.
They couldn't tolerate a new human surpassing them, standing above them. Moreover, they wanted to explore the mystery of becoming an emperor. Therefore, controlling the cultivators who ruled the Eight Emperors at the lowest level was a necessary checkpoint!
Future experts of the Imperial Domain must be disciples of their Holy Mountain...
"Hey, where's old man Meng from the Sixth Holy Mountain? He's missing from our Seventh Holy Mountain's master meeting. Where did he go?" Suddenly, an elder looked at an empty seat, questioning.
The elder sitting at the head raised his eyes, smiled wryly, "No need to wait for him; he won't come today!"
"Why?"
"Don't you know? His son, near the Danxia Sect, was killed inexplicably. It's been almost a year, and the people below haven't found any clues. Now, he can't wait any longer and went to investigate himself!"
"What, investigating personally? A mountain master... He really has no capable subordinates anymore!"
"He used to have them, but now..."
"Now what happened?"
"Suddenly disappeared. No contact for a year. I'm afraid he might have been killed!"
"Oh?"
Frowning, the crowd exclaimed, "First, they killed his son, then his scouts. Is this targeting our Seventh Holy Mountain, or just him from the Sixth Holy Mountain?"
The long-bearded elder shook his head slowly.
"Alas, it seems the storm is coming. The signs a hundred years ago, I wonder if they're auspicious or ominous..."
At the same time, in the former Yan Emperor's domain, a burly man with a bamboo hat and a restrained aura walked slowly on a bustling street. Glancing around, he suddenly encountered a woman in Daoist robes. Swiftly, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
The woman was startled, turning to shout, "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Where is Yan Emperor?"
"I don't know!"
"You're wearing the Daoist robes of the Danxia Sect; how could you not know where she is? Speak quickly!" The man held the woman's hand tightly, like iron claws, impossible to break free.
Tears welled up in the woman's eyes, and they turned red from pain, "I... I really don't know. Master disappeared overnight, and many senior sisters also disappeared. Please let me go!"
"They've all disappeared, and you're still here?"
"I... I went to meet my lover that night. When I came back, they were all gone..."
His body slightly stiffened, the man looked puzzled, "How could this happen? Did this woman run away so fast? Could it be related to my son's death?"
Lifting his head slightly, revealing a face full of beards underneath, the man was undoubtedly the master of the Sixth Holy Mountain.
With a sudden wave, he threw the woman aside. The mountain master was about to leave but turned back to ask, "Before Yan Emperor left, did anything strange happen? Or did she have any strange behavior?"
"Nothing, just..."
"Just what?"
"Just that shortly after Master disappeared, people found that many cities nearby suddenly turned into ghost towns, with not a single person left. Later, the territories of the other emperors also experienced the same phenomenon!"
"What, all the people in the cities disappeared?"
Shocked, the mountain master became more puzzled, "So did the other emperors also disappear?"
"Yes!"
"Damn it, who has such ability, silently taking away the Eight Emperors, and even being able to snatch away all the people from several cities without leaving a trace?"
His brows trembled violently, the mountain master looked more puzzled, "Even if it's a saint, they shouldn't have this ability. Unless... everyone willingly followed him. But... who is this person?"
For a moment, the mountain master fell into confusion. Seeing this, the woman took advantage of an opening and quickly slipped away, inwardly cursing and sighing at the lunatic...