Fourteen rebels were successively captured, later identified as disciples of the Cangsheng Dao. Three days hence, their heads would be displayed as a warning to others. A sliver of divine sense was drawn back from the transmission talisman in his hand, and Zong Shou was initially stunned into disbelief.

His first thought upon reading the message was that someone had grown impatient. They had broken cover and acted on their own initiative.

He had been confined to this hiding place for a full month without any indication of movement or special arrangements. Zong Shou knew the situation intimately; the so-called "elites" from the sect who had accompanied him were already grumbling incessantly, close to accusing him of deliberate dereliction of duty.

His decision to enter seclusion these past days was precisely to avoid such confrontations.

Then, a second thought struck him as wrong: with their mastery of mystic arts, who could slip past the four hundred Cangsheng Xuanlongshi undetected?

He continued reading and confirmed his suspicion: it wasn't that—some inner disciples from the sect had, for some unknown reason, also come to this Yancheng Pass.

Their original plan was to use an Explosive Spirit Array to assassinate the dignitaries and force the local Prefect to release the three million condemned people of Helian Tieshan.

However, before they could even begin, they were netted wholesale by the local city guard in Lewu County, seventy li away.

Cangsheng Dao had informants within Yancheng Pass, and after several relays, this news was transmitted to him via mystic arts.

A flicker of familiarity crossed his mind. Zong Shou pondered quietly for a moment, recalling the scheme he had overheard at the Shizheng Hall. A groan escaped him, and he felt a wave of utter weakness wash over him.

These people had actually gone through with it? Hadn't Han Fang assured him that sect elders were keeping them in check and preventing them from acting rashly?

How could this unexpected development arise when he already had a fifty percent chance of success?

These fellow disciples of the Cangsheng Dao were truly extraordinary in their absurdity.

Rubbing his brow, Zong Shou felt a debilitating headache coming on. He glanced around the cave; both Zhao Yanran and the other woman looked pale as death, and Xuan Shu’s expression was equally grim.

Zong Yuan Ruoshui, standing beside him, seemed remarkably calm, perhaps because she felt detached from the matter.

"How many others know about this? Is it possible to seal the news and prevent the others here from finding out?"

Xuan Shu frowned deeply, uncertain. "I will try my best! But we must find a way to save these fellow disciples. If we simply abandon them, it will surely chill everyone's hearts."

Zong Shou merely hummed in acknowledgement, offering no further comment. Countless thoughts raced through his mind; a direct rescue attempt was certainly out of the question.

If these dozen or so Cangsheng Dao disciples were set for execution in three days, it was highly likely a trap laid by Yuan Jiuchen, designed to lure them out.

As he pondered a solution, a loud boom echoed from the entrance of the cave.

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow slightly and looked over. Then, he saw the spiritual array barrier violently blasted apart by immense force.

Immediately, several figures walked in with grim faces. Leading them was Xie An, flanked by Luo Shi and Xuan Ye. Behind them followed over a hundred people, all wearing expressions of indignant fury, standing just outside the entrance. Though not entering with the three leaders, their collective sentiment was surging.

"Due to the urgency of the matter, we sought an immediate audience. We ask the Chief Disciple and the Commander to forgive our breach of decorum!"

The first to speak was Luo Shi. Although he was apologizing, there was not a hint of remorse in his tone. Instead, his sword-like brows were tightly furrowed, and he stared emotionlessly at Zong Shou.

"Chief Disciple, are you aware of the incident in Lewu County?"

Zong Shou sighed quietly. These people were truly well-informed. As expected, things rarely went one's way in this world. Judging by their bearing, they had clearly come to hold him accountable.

"I am aware!"

"Then, Chief Disciple, how do you intend to respond?"

Zong Shou swept a cool glance over Luo Shi, his own expression equally blank. "Those dozen or so disciples will be dealt with according to sect rules. It has nothing to do with us. If you have said your piece, you may leave."

Luo Shi choked back a response, then let out a cold laugh. "To say it has nothing to do with us! Chief Disciple, are you not afraid of disheartening the numerous disciples of the Cangsheng Dao? Never mind, Luo Shi still has one more question for you. How long do you intend to wait here? Until the sect gives up, and then you will simply return home? If you had settled things a few days earlier and taken Yuan Jiuchen's life, would these dozen disciples have fallen into the hands of those lackeys?"

Zong Shou felt a small surge of amusement internally. He hadn't expected Luo Shi to hold such a high opinion of himself. Yuan Jiuchen, who had caused the sect heavy losses and several setbacks, was treated by this man as if he were an easy target. It was as if the capture of those dozen men was also his fault.

His expression, however, remained calm, betraying no emotion. "Since I am in overall command of this affair, when we move is my decision! My plans as Chief Disciple are truly inconvenient to disclose."

Luo Shi’s face turned purple with anger, and he was about to step forward when Xuan Shu let out a sharp roar: "By the rules of the Cangsheng Dao, any who dare defy their superiors and betray their ancestors shall die!"

The sonic wave vibrated, and Luo Shi’s expression flickered momentarily. His gaze shifted with indecision before he finally flung his sleeve away and departed in indignation.

"I truly cannot fathom why the sect chose such an incompetent and cowardly individual to lead us! Luo Shi is utterly ashamed to be associated with you!"

Xie An also frowned deeply. He stood before Zong Shou for a long moment, his hand gripping his sword, then suddenly relaxing his grip. In the end, he did not draw it, merely saying coolly, "We ask the Chief Disciple to manage matters wisely!"

With that, he too walked away. Only Xuan Ye remained, his expression apologetic. After a moment of contemplation, he bowed. "I know the Chief Disciple is not one to stand by and watch others suffer. Though these fellow disciples were rash, their hearts are sincere. I implore the Chief Disciple to devise a sound strategy. Otherwise, the consequences will be unthinkable."

He then cast a meaningful glance toward Zhao Yanran and Xuan Yunlan before also leaving.

The crowd outside eventually dispersed in small groups.

Once the quiet serenity of the secluded cave returned, Zong Shou casually executed a spiritual art, restoring the seal at the entrance to its original state.

He then scowled, reflecting that the Cangsheng Dao's system for controlling information was far too antiquated.

In the military of later generations, such random spreading of news to destabilize morale would merit execution.

It was certainly different from the highly organized Cangsheng Dao of ten thousand years hence.

However, his impression of Xuan Ye, Luo Shi, and the others had slightly improved. Their anxiety just now did not seem faked; they were genuinely worried about the fate of those dozen disciples.

Although they might seem like a disorganized mob, they possessed a shared will—a truly peculiar sect.

Xuan Shu was also frowning, realizing that Zong Shou’s previous efforts to contain the news had come to nothing. A hint of annoyance crossed his face, which he forcibly suppressed as he advised, "Chief Disciple, please do not blame them. These disciples were merely concerned for their comrades. They meant no disrespect, and they truly do not dare to be insolent toward you..."

Seeming to find his own excuses weak, Xuan Shu coughed lightly. "What shall we do next?"

Zong Shou, however, seemed lost in thought, as if he hadn't heard. After a long pause, a faint chuckle escaped him.

"I nearly fell into a dead end. Forcibly rescuing them is definitely unwise. But that is not the only path. I wonder if the sect can find a way through higher channels—ordering the Prefect of Lewu County to postpone the execution by a full month? I heard the Emperor of the Great Shang despises our Cangsheng Dao to the bone. We could also have Lewu County escort these Cangsheng Dao 'rebels' to the capital."

Xuan Shu was clearly taken aback. So there is another way? Xuan Yunlan, who had been worried, brightened instantly. "This method is excellent! It shouldn't be hard to achieve, and it is perfectly justifiable. Not only would the Prefect of Lewu County dare not refuse, but even Yuan Jiuchen would be powerless. We only need to delay for one month. Once Yuan Jiuchen is dead, we can easily rescue those comrades. As expected of His Highness..."

Zong Shou smiled. To tell the truth, this method was borrowed from a future tactic. Three centuries later, the Cangsheng Dao used this exact method to rescue a 'rebel' whose fame shook the entire Cloud Realm and even alerted the 'Divine Emperor.'

Of course, he couldn't tell them that this idea came from the future leader of the Cangsheng Dao, an event that had caused immense embarrassment to the Righteous Sects.

He could only offer advice; the specifics of execution would require the Light Sound Gate to handle, as that sect, dwelling among the common folk and in pleasure quarters, possessed the strongest influence in the secular world.

Since Xuan Yunlan believed it feasible, Zong Shou finally set his mind at ease. However, that same night, before Zong Shou could finish practicing a full set of the Fetal Breathing Spirit Fist, several thunderous explosions echoed throughout the subterranean cave. Spiritual energy fluctuations vibrated incessantly, accompanied by faint sounds of clashing weapons.

When Zong Shou emerged from his assigned quiet room, frowning and wondering if Yuan Jiuchen had attacked them, he saw Xuan Shu standing at the entrance, his face deathly pale.

Zong Shou walked over, glanced around curiously, and immediately understood.

"Did Luo Shi and the others leave without permission?"

A trace of blood seeped from the corner of Xuan Shu’s mouth as he bowed to Zong Shou. "It wasn't just them; quite a few Cangsheng Xuanlongshi from the Three Sects and Six Gates followed them. This is my failure, Commander, for not keeping proper watch!"

Zong Shou felt no blame; instead, he let out a self-mocking sigh. Trouble never seemed to cease.

Looking at their attitudes earlier, he should have realized this sooner.

Indeed, he was not suited to be a monarch.

Xuan Shu alone was no match for the trio of Xie An, Luo Shi. Moreover, the majority of the Cangsheng Xuanlongshi hailed from the Three Sects and Six Gates, meaning their loyalty to their original sects was ultimately stronger than their allegiance to the Cangsheng Dao. Luo Shi's accusations had a greater impact. He had been careless; by constantly provoking them, those who had no other outlet could only choose to leave and act independently.

Zhao Yanran and Xuan Yunlan stood nearby, looking extremely displeased. Zhao Yanran watched the spiritual array fracture, and after a long moment, she stomped her foot hard on the ground: "These people truly accomplish nothing and ruin everything!"