Chapter 121: Reaction


    "Enough with the nonsense. Just tell us, how did youe up with spreading these rumors, and what is your source of information?" Zhou Shengkao interrupted Meng Zhang''s ttery and got straight to the point.


    As Meng Zhang admitted to spreading the rumors, his brain raced, thinking about how to handle the uing questions.


    Everything about the abandoned mine must not be revealed. He had to act as if he had no knowledge of that ce whatsoever.


    The thought that Twin Sess Valley might be involved with Ghost Path cultivators sent shivers down Meng Zhang''s spine.


    Despite Twin Sess Valley''s appearance as a righteous sect, when it came to crucial moments, they would have no hesitation in eliminating any threats.


    Meng Zhang didn''t want to end up dead without any rity surrounding his demise.


    When Zhou Shengkao asked about the source of the information, Meng Zhang provided a well-prepared exnation.


    "Brother Zhou, as you know, our Taiyi Sect and Zhao Family have always had conflicts. For many years, we''ve been secretly monitoring Zhao Family. I, being somewhat skilled in bewildering illusions, took the opportunity to deceive one of their cultivators during routine surveince, and I extracted information from him."


    ording to Meng Zhang''s ount, he encountered an isted Zhao Family cultivator while monitoring them and used illusions to deceive the individual, learning about the intelligence.


    The information was brief, indicating that Zhao Family seemed to have identally obtained a batch of spirit materials and nned to exchange them for Foundation Building Pills.


    Upon learning this, Meng Zhang was filled with fear. If Zhao Family managed to produce a Foundation Building cultivator, it could spell disaster for Taiyi Sect.


    Feeling helpless, Meng Zhang came up with the twisted idea of spreading rumors about Zhao Family to cause trouble for them.


    As for how the rumors escted beyond his expectations, that wasn''t something he could have foreseen.


    During the Foundation Building Dharma meeting at Forest Mountain School, Meng Zhang had encountered Zhao Family cultivators and used his innate Divine Ability, Mind Reading, to glean information about their internal situation, giving him some insight.


    So, Meng Zhang fabricated this lie on the spot, providing detailed and credible information to Zhou Shengkao.


    While spinning a web of lies to deceive Zhou Shengkao, Meng Zhang secretly activated Mind Reading to probe his thoughts.


    As both Zhou Shengkao and he were Refining Qte stage cultivators, Meng Zhang couldn''t ess deep thoughts but could grasp surface emotions, allowing him to adjust hisnguage ordingly, making his words more believable and in line with Zhou Shengkao''s desires.


    Meng Zhang spent a considerable time exining the entire incident.


    After listening attentively, Zhou Shengkao remained expressionless and didn''t say much.


    In his mind, Meng Zhang''s exnation seemed quite usible. After careful consideration, he couldn''t find any loopholes.


    Most importantly, Meng Zhang''s words were music to Zhou Shengkao''s ears, aligning perfectly with his thoughts and expectations.


    Once Meng Zhang finished speaking, he put on an act of guilt, while secretly using Mind Reading to read Zhou Shengkao''s thoughts.


    Zhou Shengkao''s mood was alright, and he didn''t harbor any ill intentions toward Meng Zhang.


    After a moment of contemtion, Zhou Shengkao asked Meng Zhang to repeat what he had just said.


    Listening patiently to Meng Zhang''s repetition, he asked several more questions.


    Meng Zhang''s answers were all on point and matched Zhou Shengkao''s desires.


    By this point, Zhou Shengkao finally confirmed that Meng Zhang wasn''t lying.


    Having believed Meng Zhang, Zhou Shengkao''s expression softened.


    "You little rascal, spreading rumors recklessly has caused a huge mess."


    "Do you know that three days ago, our sect sent an envoy to summon Zhao Yanbei, the head of the Zhao Family? However, they responded that Zhao Yanbei had already gone on a journey and wasn''t home."


    "Later, the envoy investigated and found that not only Zhao Yanbei, but most of the Refining Qte stage experts of Zhao Family had left the n and disappeared."


    Zhou Shengkao''s words brought joy to Meng Zhang. It was evident that his spread of rumors had worked. Twin Sess Valley sent an envoy to summon Zhao Yanbei because of the rumors.


    Zhao Yanbei not being at home likely meant that he was hiding out of fear of meeting Twin Sess Valley''s envoy.


    "Afterward, our sect found out that two of Zhao Family''s flying boats headed directly east after leaving their n."


    Hearing this, Meng Zhang understood. The east was Flying Swan Sect''s territory, and Zhao Family cultivators were probably going there to try and exchange for Foundation Building Pills.


    Regardless of whether Zhao Yanbei and the others intended to avoid Twin Sess Valley''s envoy, their actions had vited the taboo of Twin Sess Valley.


    As a vassal of Twin Sess Valley, they bypassed the Valley and went directly to deal with Flying Swan Sect, which was like pping Twin Sess Valley in the face.


    Regardless of whether Zhao Family could exchange for Foundation Building Pills or cultivate Foundation Building stage experts, after this incident, Twin Sess Valley would never tolerate Zhao Family again.


    Zhao Family was finished, and Taiyi Sect acquired a formidable enemy. Although the means were somewhat unsavory, they worked.


    While feeling delighted inside, Meng Zhang maintained a calm exterior.


    Seeing Meng Zhang''s feigned innocence, Zhou Shengkaoughed and scolded, "You lucky brat. Spreading rumors randomly, yet it happened to uncover Zhao Family''s treacherous actions."


    "Hmph, these opportunistic scoundrels only think about themselves when they gain benefits. They secretly collude with outsiders without considering their home, wanting to monopolize all the gains."


    As he spoke, Zhou Shengkao seemed somewhat angry.


    In his eyes, Zhao Family must have struck a stroke of luck, discovering arge number of spirit materials. Rather than offering them to Twin Sess Valley, they sought favor with Flying Swan Sect, which was a clear act of betrayal.


    Zhou Shengkao and Meng Zhang chatted for a while before ending the conversation.


    Before parting ways, Zhou Shengkao advised Meng Zhang to stay in Singing Sand City for the time being and not wander around, lest he bes hard to find.


    Exiting the courtyard, Meng Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. For now, the matter of the abandoned mine seemed unrted to him.


    After seeing Meng Zhang off, Zhou Shengkao also left the courtyard.


    He circled around in the alleyways before arriving at an inconspicuous house.


    Inside the room, Twin Sess Valley''s elders, Shan Ying and Dan Yihu, were seated cross-legged in the center. Standing nearby was a middle-aged man.


    "How did it go? What did that kid say?" As soon as Zhou Shengkao entered the room, Shan Ying asked urgently.


    Zhou Shengkao recounted his entire conversation with Meng Zhang, leaving nothing out.


    After listening to Zhou Shengkao''s ount, Shan Ying and Dan Yihu exchanged nces without saying a word.


    It was the middle-aged man standing at the side, Dan Yihu''s confidant named Li Zhanli, who questioned doubtfully, "Can we trust that kid? Senior Brother Zhou, are you sure he didn''t deceive you?"


    Li Zhanli yed a role simr to Zhou Shengkao by Dan Yihu''s side.


    There seemed to be somepetitive rtionship between them, as they appeared cordial on the surface but held resentment in secret.


    [Read at /maxnkoga , without ads and support the work.]