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Chapter 48: Issues with Our Information Gathering Disciples?
Chapter 48: Issues with Our Information Gathering Disciples?
In the side hall, Ying Hua, the Hall Master, stood up and addressed the gathered crowd.
"Last night, during my habitual patrol at midnight, I detected a faint stench of demonic creatures, followed by the discovery of their droppings. When I informed the on-duty disciples, their response seemed unusually clumsy and amateurish.
Our Yunyang Sect's on-duty disciples are usually those who have executed several Information Gathering missions on the Frontline. But their performance that night was abysmal.
I notified three on-duty disciples that night, and none of them detected the demons' traces. It was only after a demon injured someone and someone shouted that we discovered their presence."
The gathered Hall Masters understood the implication of his words.
"The issues on the Frontline have been circulating since last year. Subsequently, many of our disciples have engaged in combat with demons, successfully slaying them. Our disciples demonstrated proficient techniques and appropriate responses during these encounters, indicating their rich experience in dealing with demons."
As Ying Hua described the previous night's events, the crowd, comprising the Yunyang Sect's core members, understood the underlying message.
The Fifth Elder, seated at the front, stood up after Ying Hua finished speaking and addressed the crowd.
"Everyone has heard what Hall Master Ying Hua said, right? Our disciples' strength in combat against demons is not lacking. However, there's a significant problem with the demon traces detection at the watchtowers."
The Fifth Elder, I would like to speak with you privately."
The Fifth Elder, Sun Xue Rong, stood up and looked at the crowd again.
"Before coming here, I specifically spoke with the watchtower disciple on duty last night. They showed a complete lack of sensitivity to demon traces. One of them, who received an additional reward from the Sect for their outstanding performance during last summer's purge, is a disciple from Jin Wen Hall Master's Information Gathering team.
What is the truth behind our so-called elite disciple?"
As she spoke, Sun Xue Rong took a few steps forward.
"Hall Master Jin Wen, this disciple is from your Information Gathering team. During last summer's purge, it was your recommendation that brought him this honor."
At this moment, Sun Xue Rong stood beside Hall Master Jin Wen.
It was clear that she was seeking an explanation from him.
"Please give me some time, Fifth Elder. By the end of today, I will find the root cause. My Information Gathering disciples did perform exceptionally during last summer's purge, and this is witnessed by many. I will provide the Sect with an explanation for this."
Hall Master Jin Wen's response was a standard template, neither evasive nor dismissive.
Satisfied with the answer, the Fifth Elder nodded and returned to her seat.
"Let's take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind these issues. Before, those demons didn't dare approach our Frontline, and we could even purge them in the wilderness. But now, they have crossed the Frontline and dare to raid our Sect's territory!
This news will soon spread throughout the Great Zhou. If we don't feel ashamed, let's continue with our lax attitude!"
After the speech, the Grand Master Taiwu, seated in the center, began to make demands.
All the Information Gathering disciples from last summer's purge were to be brought forward.
They were to undergo examinations and tests, especially those who had received rewards, to be scrutinized rigorously to uncover the underlying reasons.
When Su Chen left the Yunyang Sect, demons were mostly eliminated unilaterally. But now, they have even attacked the Sect itself.
In just half a year, the situation in the Yunyang Sect has become increasingly dire.
Finally, the upper levels are starting to feel the pressure.
After the meeting, the various Hall Masters knew it was time to get to work.
The relaxed days of the past two years were long gone.
In the side hall, the Hall Masters had already departed.
The Grand Elder and the Sect Master, along with several Elders, remained seated in their places.
"I'm beginning to suspect that a large portion of our Information Gathering Disciples may not be up to par," the Grand Elder said, his brows furrowed with concern.
The Fifth Elder, sitting nearby, paused upon hearing these words.
"If our Information Gathering Disciples are problematic and incompetent, how was last year's Summer's End Purge so successful?"
As she spoke these words, Sun Xue Rong suddenly realized something.
But after a moment, she dismissed the thought as impossible.
It couldn't be because of a disciple who was despised by others and known for seeking credit.
As Sun Xue Rong considered this, the other Elders also came to the same realization.
Grandmaster Taiwu glanced at them and proceeded with the arrangements.
"Check and report the names of all those who left the Sect after the Summer's End Purge, not a single one should be omitted."
Hearing the Sect Master's words, the Elders nodded in agreement.
As they spoke, the Grand Elder seemed to recall something else.
"Sect Master, in addition to those who left the Sect, there are also many disciples who went out to support other Sects.
After the Summer's End Purge, many Sects invited us for guidance.
Many Hall Masters and disciples from our Sect have been away for some time."
The others nodded in agreement.
Sun Xue Rong felt a little more at ease hearing this.
It couldn't be Su Chen, he has extensive frontline experience, but it's unlikely he has that much influence.
She reassured herself, constantly reminding herself that Su Chen's departure couldn't be the sole reason for these issues.
Even if Su Chen had some abilities, it was impossible for him to affect the entire Yunyang Sect.
After this self-reassurance, Sun Xue Rong felt slightly better.
In the past, Su Chen's departure might not have impacted the entire Yunyang Sect.
However, over those two years, many had realized something.
Information Gathering missions could earn a significant amount of Contribution Points.
Furthermore, reporting the information they gathered was relatively safe, and most of the time, it was Su Chen's warnings.
The accuracy of their reports brought in a substantial amount of Contribution Points, and they earned a handsome profit.
This led to a situation where the Information Gathering missions in the Yunyang Sect became a sought-after task, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.
Amidst the competition, these missions were assigned to those with connections.
Disciples with close ties to the Hall Masters or the Team Leaders were the ones who received these Information Gathering tasks.
Over time, most of the Information Gathering Disciples in the Yunyang Sect became incompetent kin-disciples.
In the past, when Su Chen was still around, there was a concern about demon attacks.
Daily checks were conducted to identify potential demon activity and possible ambush locations.
This information was then shared with the watchtowers to ensure their vigilance.
But now, with Su Chen's departure from the Yunyang Sect, their true colors were revealed.
In hindsight, some issues should have been noticeable earlier.
The information provided by the Information Gathering Disciples during Su Chen's time was similar to what it is now.
However, Su Chen usually chose to report during periods of less demon activity.
And occasional errors in the information were understandable.
This problem had been hidden until now.
(End of Chapter)
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