Chapter 589: Lian Chengbi's Scheming
Chapter 589: Lian Chengbi's Scheming
"The Ge Shu Treasure?"
Zhao Wuji and Zhou Zhigang were obviously unaware of this treasure, but a gleam of curiosity shone in Zhou Zhigang's eyes, while Zhao Wuji's eyes sparkled with curiosity and greed.
The Pre-Heaven Infinite Gate was a renowned sect in Hebei, and Zhao Wuji himself hailed from an aristocratic family. Yet, who wouldn't want even more pleasures in life?
Moreover, Zhao Wuji was a connoisseur of the finer things. His attire was always extravagant, his accessories luxurious and refined. He drank the purest wines, dined on the most expensive delicacies, rode the finest horses, and slept with the most beautiful women...
All of this required money, and his family background couldn't sustain his lavish lifestyle. Thus, he had engaged in some clandestine activities.
This was also the reason he had been blackmailed by the Celestial Sect, forcing him to join their ranks.
As a result, he had a keen interest in matters of wealth and treasure.
"What is this Ge Shu treasure?" Zhou Zhigang asked.
Lian Chengbi smiled faintly. "Of course, it's the treasure of General Ge Shu. During the glorious days of the Tang Dynasty, there was a renowned general by the name of Ge Shu. He was a foreigner from the Western Regions, and his tribe was called the Ge Shu Tribe..."
Lian Chengbi went on to explain the story of the Ge Shu Treasure...
"This treasure was brought into the pass by a traitor from the Ge Shu Tribe, and it became the foundation of the Celestial Sect." Lian Chengbi's soft tone held a hint of enticement. "If we were to destroy the Celestial Sect, we might just get our hands on this treasure."
"Whoa..."
Zhou Zhigang and Zhao Wuji simultaneously sucked in a breath of cold air.
"The Ge Shu Treasure..."
"The Ge Shu Tribe had amassed a fortune over decades on the Silk Road..."
"...rich enough to rival a nation."
Zhou Zhigang sighed. "It's a pity that no one knows the identity of the leader of the Celestial Sect or the location of their headquarters. Otherwise, if the entire martial arts world were to unite and attack, I would love to join in the fray."
Lian Chengbi chuckled. "Are you short on funds too, Brother Zhou?"
Zhou Zhigang laughed as well. "The White Horse Manor can't compare to the Immaculate Manor in terms of wealth. These days, we're just getting by. Who would refuse an unexpected windfall?"
Lian Chengbi pointed at Zhou Zhigang and laughed. "I never took Brother Zhou for a straightforward man."
Zhou Zhigang joined in the laughter. "Let's keep this between us. If it gets out, I'll deny it."
Lian Chengbi and Zhao Wuji laughed along. Zhou Zhigang turned to Zhao Wuji and said, "Could it be that Brother Zhao isn't tempted?"
Zhao Wuji sighed. "How could I not be tempted? But it's useless. Just as Brother Lian said, whether we know about it or not doesn't make a difference."
At this point, Zhao Wuji's tone shifted as he directed his next question to Lian Chengbi. "Could it be that Brother Lian isn't tempted at all?"
Lian Chengbi replied nonchalantly, "Not really. I don't need the money."
Zhao Wuji: "..."
Zhou Zhigang burst into hearty laughter, slapping Zhao Wuji's shoulder. "The Immaculate Manor has been around for three hundred years. If nothing else, they have money!"
Zhao Wuji managed a forced smile before raising his cup to take a drink, subtly masking his emotions.
He had come to test Lian Chengbi's knowledge of the Celestial Sect's secrets, but he never expected to uncover such a massive secret.
Lian Chengbi offered a refined smile and took a sip from his cup as well.
If this news were to be released alone, it would easily arouse suspicion and gossip.
Is the news true or false? Is there any evidence? Is Lian Chengbi spreading false information out of fear of retaliation from the Celestial Sect, trying to create enemies for them and thus ensure his own safety?
However, if this news were to be revealed during a drinking session with friends, it would undoubtedly be true.
At the same time, Zhao Wuji's presence would also assure some members of the Celestial Sect that this was no fake news. Through this, the Celestial Sect members would not doubt the authenticity of the information.
Lian Chenbi, seeing the astonished expressions on Zhou Zhigang and Jin Fenghuang's faces, knew that with these two social butterflies, the news would spread like wildfire.
"Therefore, this information is actually most beneficial to those within the Celestial Sect," Lian Chenbi added. "Because many of them are being blackmailed by the sect leader, they have no choice but to serve the sect."
"What difference does that make?" Zhou Zhigang asked.
Lian Chenbi replied, "Of course, it matters. They don't serve the sect willingly, so they have no loyalty to it. They would feel no psychological burden when it comes to betrayal."
"If the people within the Celestial Sect unite and overthrow the sect leader, they can divide the Ge Shu treasure among themselves," Lian Chenbi said with a smile. "That's why I haven't publicized this secret. Outsiders might not even hear a whisper of it."
Zhou Zhigang nodded in understanding and quickly added, "I won't breathe a word of this!"
"I believe you," Lian Chenbi said with a smile. "And even if you do tell someone, I trust that it will only be to a friend."
Zhou Zhigang beamed, nodding vigorously. "Exactly!"
Zhao Wuji glanced at Zhou Zhigang, clearly not entirely convinced by his assurance.
Noticing Zhao Wuji's thoughtful expression, Lian Chenbi raised his cup. "Come, let's drink."
Zhou Zhigang and Zhao Wuji immediately raised their cups, and the three men shared a smile before draining their drinks.
"Who would have thought that the Celestial Sect inherited the treasure of the Ge Shu Tribe?" Zhou Zhigang marveled. "A wealth that could rival a nation—this is a secret that will shake the entire martial arts world."
"And the treasure must be real," Lian Chenbi continued in a soft voice. "Otherwise, the descendants of the Ge Shu Tribe wouldn't have been able to convince and unite forces from Tianzhu and Persia. They are planning to invade the Central Plains together."
"Indeed," Zhao Wuji agreed, following Lian Chenbi's train of thought. "So the treasure must be somewhere in the Central Plains."
"But no one has ever heard of this treasure, and the Celestial Sect just so happened to rise to power during this time, and no one knows their background," Lian Chenbi said casually. "It's as obvious as a louse on a bald man's head, isn't it?"
His logic was clear and irrefutable.
"So, the leader of the Celestial Sect is the traitor of the Ge Shu Tribe?" Zhou Zhigang asked, astonished.
"We don't know for sure yet," Lian Chenbi smiled. "In theory, to have the guts to blackmail so many martial arts experts into submission, this person should also possess considerable martial arts skills. I'm not sure if this traitor from the Ge Shu Tribe has such capabilities."
Zhou Zhigang nodded, "Perhaps the traitor was killed as soon as he entered the Central Plains, and the Ge Shu treasure fell into someone else's hands?"
Lian Chenbi neither confirmed nor denied, "That's also possible."
The secret that the Marquis of Xiaoyao was Ge Shu Tian would be kept for now; it wasn't time to reveal that card yet.
Zhao Wuji's heart stirred, "This leader of the Celestial Sect is truly a formidable figure."
"Of course," Zhou Zhigang said matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, how could they have discovered so many people's secrets and recruited so many martial arts experts?"
Lian Chenbi smiled, "But no matter how powerful they are, they are still just a person, aren't they?"
Zhao Wuji's face lit up as he smiled, "Exactly."
Zhou Zhigang raised his cup, "Come, come, let's drink!"
(End of Chapter)
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