"How dare you, you rampant villain, commit murder in public, showing no regard for us!"
Zhang Mingkong shouted coldly, fearing that Number One was not completely dead. He drew another talisman and unleashed a bolt of heavenly lightning, completely charring Number One into coke!
"Vice Sect Leader, what are you doing..."
Zhang Daoyuan had originally intended to capture the assassin alive, but he hadn't expected Zhang Mingkong to be so ruthless, turning the person into coke!
With this, let alone interrogating the assassin, it would be impossible even to determine the assassin's origin!
Silencing a witness?
Although Zhang Mingkong's actions made his motives highly suspect, Zhang Daoyuan had no concrete evidence. Moreover, the situation had been urgent, and none of the Heavenly Masters had intended to hold back. Zhang Mingkong's actions could barely be justified.
"The Sect Leader was in danger, and I acted out of urgency, perhaps a bit too forcefully,"
Zhang Mingkong offered a defense for himself, then changed the subject, "I never expected our Zhengyi Sect to have a mole, and it turns out to be the Grand Elder Zhang Daoxing... This is simply a profound disgrace!"
"I agree with Daoyuan's decision to thoroughly investigate the Zhengyi Sect and find all the spies!"
"Our Zhengyi Sect will not tolerate such a degenerate element!"
At this point, all Zhang Mingkong could do was sacrifice a pawn to save the king.
The newly established Red Dust Pavilion branch in Dao City had been destroyed, and they no longer had any support on Dragon Dao Mountain. If Number One had been captured alive, Zhang Mingkong's identity would have been exposed sooner or later.
Therefore, even though Zhang Mingkong knew his actions would arouse suspicion, he had no choice but to do so.
This way, he could at least buy himself some time.
The Red Dust Pavilion had also sent Zhang Qi. He still had hope!
At this moment, Zhang Mingyu dispelled the poison in his body. He glanced deeply at Zhang Mingkong, stood up from his chair, and said, "Since Mingkong agrees with a thorough investigation of the Zhengyi Sect, I suggest postponing the Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly by three months. Once our Zhengyi Sect has completed its investigation, we can reconvene."
Zhang Mingkong quickly retorted, "Sect Leader, absolutely not! Tomorrow is the day of the Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly. Our sect is currently hosting various factions from the circle. If we suddenly announce a postponement, it will likely damage the reputation of our Zhengyi Sect!"
Zhang Daoyuan also concurred, "I also believe this is not appropriate. The Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly is not just a matter for our Zhengyi Sect; it involves many extraordinary individuals from the circle. A hasty postponement will displease other sects towards our Zhengyi Sect."
"Moreover, the Zhuge family is currently demanding an explanation from our Zhengyi Sect. If we seal the mountain to investigate ourselves, it is likely that the Zhuge family will perceive us as guilty and declare war upon us."
With Zhang Mingkong and Zhang Daoyuan speaking, the other Heavenly Masters also disagreed with Zhang Mingyu's proposal to postpone the Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly. They suggested raising the security for the assembly to the highest level and then sealing the mountain for investigation after the assembly concluded.
Seeing that many Heavenly Masters opposed his proposal, Zhang Mingyu did not insist. He could only announce that the Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly would proceed as scheduled, while also instructing everyone to conceal the fact that Zhang Daoxing was a mole for the Red Dust Pavilion.
After finalizing the defense arrangements for the Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly with the Heavenly Masters, Zhang Mingyu dismissed them to rest and then summoned Zhang Daoyuan to stay behind.
Soon, only Zhang Mingyu and Zhang Daoyuan remained in the grand hall.
Zhang Mingyu surveyed his seat and asked Zhang Daoyuan, "Daoyuan, do you think there are still any traitors within our Zhengyi Sect?"
Zhang Daoyuan bowed and said, "Forgive my directness, Senior Brother, but I find the Vice Sect Leader's behavior very unusual."
Zhang Mingyu nodded, "Indeed, Mingkong is very abnormal. Logically, the assassin should have been captured alive, but Mingkong directly delivered the killing blow, even adding another strike, as if he were deliberately hiding something."
"No... not as if, he is deliberately hiding something."
"And..." Zhang Mingyu looked at the seat he was occupying, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Daoxing was in the sect all day today arranging the assembly matters and had no time to poison the Mingxin Hall.
"Everyone was busy today. The only one who could enter the Mingxin Hall was Mingkong, who was not involved in the assembly preparations."
Zhang Daoyuan asked in a deep voice, "If that's the case, why did you let the Vice Sect Leader leave, Sect Leader Senior Brother?"
It was clear that Zhang Mingyu had also begun to suspect Zhang Mingkong.
Zhang Mingyu shook his head, "Without evidence, rashly acting against Mingkong would cause internal strife within the Zhengyi Sect."
"However, after this incident, Mingkong should become restless. He will likely make a move against you and me soon, most likely at tomorrow's Heavenly Master Ordination Assembly."
"Tomorrow, I will deliberately expose a weakness to Mingkong to lure him into acting, and at that time, I will need your assistance from the side."
Zhang Daoyuan objected, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, you must not! The Vice Sect Leader's strength is not inferior to yours or mine. If you intentionally reveal a weakness, you might be taken advantage of by the Vice Sect Leader!"
Zhang Mingyu replied, "The rotten apples must be removed. Mingkong is an intelligent person. If I don't genuinely expose a weakness, he won't make a move."
"Having a Vice Sect Leader as a traitor is too dangerous."
"Understood!"
"It's settled," Zhang Mingyu interrupted Zhang Daoyuan, "I'm a bit tired. Daoyuan, you should go back and rest early. There might be a major battle tomorrow."
Zhang Daoyuan: "..."
Unsure of what to say, Zhang Daoyuan sighed deeply and turned to leave the Mingxin Hall.
Outside the Mingxin Hall, in the shadows, Zhang Mingkong stared at Zhang Daoyuan with a grim expression, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
After Zhang Mingyu had kept Zhang Daoyuan behind, he understood that he had been exposed.
From now on, relying on himself to assassinate Zhang Mingyu and seize the position of Sect Leader of the Zhengyi Sect had a negligible chance of success.
"You forced my hand. I didn't want it to be like this..."
Zhang Mingkong took out his phone, logged into the Red Dust Pavilion, clicked on Zhang Qi's avatar, then hesitated for a moment before finally closing the chat window and sending a message to someone else.
All of this was witnessed by Ye Ling, who stood on the rooftop in the distance.
"It seems the excitement is far from over."
Ye Ling's lips curved slightly. He did not choose to eliminate Zhang Mingkong and dissipated into the wind.
At this moment, the east was gradually lighting up with the pale white of fish belly. The Zhengyi Sect in the early morning was shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland.
In the dormitory.
Zhang Xiaoxia was sleeping, leaning against the edge of the bed.
Zhang Muya woke up from her bed. Seeing Zhang Xiaoxia sleeping soundly, she didn't disturb her. She got out of bed, walked to the table, and drew a talisman.
Then, she took out a small green bottle from her pocket and dripped a drop of liquid onto the talisman.
The talisman flew up and stuck to Zhang Xiaoxia.
Controlled by the talisman, Zhang Xiaoxia lay down on the bed in her sleep and was covered with a blanket.
After settling Zhang Xiaoxia, Zhang Muya glanced at the bottle in her hand. A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, which then slowly turned resolute.
She took a deep breath and drank all the liquid in the bottle!
Zhang Muya's entire body began to appear younger at a visible speed, and spiritual energy actually began to flow within her!
"Hoo..."
The rejuvenated Zhang Muya let out a long sigh, glanced deeply at Zhang Xiaoxia, and said, "Little girl, I'm sorry, but I have something important to do."
Zhang Muya whispered, took Zhang Xiaoxia's sword and talismans, and pushed the door open.