Chapter 711: Infiltrating the Divine Dragon Gang
Chapter 711: Infiltrating the Divine Dragon Gang
After finishing the roast chicken and beef, Jin Banhua and her companions prepared to continue their journey south.
Before leaving, Jin Banhua held Su Rongrong and Li Hongxiu back, exchanging a few more words with them, and only then did she depart, glancing back repeatedly.
...
Upon reaching Huai'an, Hua Zhenzhen's expression turned slightly grim.
"What's wrong?" Jin Banhua asked.
"The Withered Plum Sect Leader has personally come to the Jiangnan region," Hua Zhenzhen replied.
At this news, Qu Wurong was startled, "I heard that the Withered Plum Master has not set foot in the mortal world for twenty years, and she's come down from the mountain for this matter?"
"Mhm," Hua Zhenzhen nodded.
Yan Dianhong sighed, "The Clear Wind Thirteen Movements are indeed worthy of being a secret Huashan technique, and the Withered Plum Master also values this matter greatly!"
Jin Banhua patted Yan Dianhong's shoulder and said to Qu Wurong, "You'll have to take good care of yourself from now on."
Qu Wurong smiled silently, her lips curving upwards.
Yan Dianhong turned back and asked angrily, "What's wrong with me?"
Jin Banhua shook her head and asked Hua Zhenzhen, "How many people from the Huashan Sect have come to Jiangnan?"
"Only four," replied Hua Zhenzhen, "besides the Withered Plum Master, there's Gao Yanan, Mei Yuhua, and Xu Jinxia."
"Are they all inner disciples who know the Clear Wind Thirteen Movements?" Jin Banhua inquired.
"That's right," Hua Zhenzhen's expression grew heavy.
"Could the traitor be among these three?" Qu Wurong frowned, looking at Jin Banhua, "You wouldn't suspect even the Withered Plum Master, would you?"
Jin Banhua turned to Hua Zhenzhen, "You didn't expect the Withered Plum Master to come to Jiangnan herself?"
Hua Zhenzhen paused for a moment before shaking her head, "I can't say I didn't expect it, after all, the theft of the Clear Wind Thirteen Movements is a significant responsibility on her part."
"You shouldn't suspect the Withered Plum Master, no matter who you suspect, right?"
Yan Dianhong frowned, "I've also heard of the Withered Plum Master's reputation. Back then, she fought fiercely against the Four Yin Swords on Huashan, protecting her fellow sect members. Later, to uphold the Huashan Sect's reputation, she challenged the Cold-Faced Maniac on Mount Tai, shaking the entire world."
Hua Zhenzhen thought for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief, her face brightening, "I was just being overly suspicious. After all, my purpose in releasing the information was to draw out the traitor, so when I suddenly heard that the Withered Plum Master had come out of seclusion, I was a bit uncertain."
Jin Banhua gave Hua Zhenzhen a sidelong glance, "What are you smiling about? Even if it's not the Withered Plum Master, the other three are still genuine Huashan disciples, right?"
Hua Zhenzhen immediately stopped smiling and glared at Jin Banhua.
...
Upon reaching Jiangnan, they heard more news about Chu Liuxiang.
"According to Ding Erxia, who returned to the Reed Flower Marsh, he saw Chu Liuxiang at the Cup Throwing Manor," Qu Wurong walked into the restaurant and sat down, "He originally went to the Cup Throwing Manor to discuss his nephew Ding Rufeng's marriage with Zuo Qinghou's daughter, Zuo Mingzhu.
But Zuo Mingzhu suddenly fell ill, and Zuo Qinghou's mood worsened. Moreover, the Beggar Sect sent word that Ding Erxia and Ding Rufeng's enemy had suddenly appeared in Jiangnan, so he hurried back."
Jin Banhua's eyebrows rose slightly, knowing that the plot of 'Ghostly Love and Chivalry' had reached its midpoint.
The first three parts of 'The Legend of Chu Liuxiang' were seamlessly connected, but the fourth part seemed like an extra chapter, and the rhythm was exactly the same as the fourth part of 'The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng' - 'The Silver Hook Gambling House'.
Zuo Qinghou and Xue Yiren were sworn enemies, and after challenging Xue Yiren to a duel, he promised his daughter Zuo Mingzhu to Ding Rufeng. However, Zuo Mingzhu had already secretly pledged herself to Xue Yiren's son, Xue Bin.
Additionally, Xue Yiren wanted to strengthen his relationship with the Shi family, promising that Xue Bin would marry Shi Yin, the daughter of the Shi family.
Coincidentally, Shi Yin also had someone she liked, the famous actor Ye Shenglan from the capital.
Several young people employed a "borrowing a corpse to revive the soul" strategy, using a dead female corpse to impersonate Shi Yin. Shi Yin faked her death to escape and elope with Ye Shenglan, while Zuo Mingzhu pretended to be possessed by Shi Yin's spirit, using the marriage arrangement between the Shi and Xue families as an excuse to marry Xue Bin.
With this arrangement, everyone was satisfied, and it was even possible that the grudges between the Zuo and Xue families could be resolved.
This was originally a simple story, and it was easy for Chu Liuxiang to uncover the truth. In the original story, he also casually discovered the true identity of Xue Xiaoren.
At this time, Xue Xiaoren had already been buried at the back mountain of the Divine Water Palace, so this case was even easier for Chu Liuxiang.
Jin Banhua didn't know that without Xue Xiaoren's interference, whether Xue Yiren and Chu Liuxiang would still fight.
Should they go and see? Jin Banhua looked towards Hua Zhenzhen, who had returned to the inn.
"The Withered Plum Sect Leader has arrived in Jiangnan. They are spreading out to gather information. The Sect Leader is with Gao Yanan in the Jiangnan and Zhejiang areas, while Mei Yuhua and Xu Jinxia have headed south to Minyue," Hua Zhenzhen explained.
"Have they found out anything?" Jin Banhua asked.
"Not yet." Hua Zhenzhen shook her head, then stared at Jin Banhua, "I want to go find Yun Conglong of the Divine Dragon Gang."
The Jiangnan and Zhejiang regions had two major water systems: the Yangtze River and the Huai River.
The Divine Dragon Gang controlled most of the interests along the Yangtze River, while the Fengwei Gang dominated the Huai River.
The Yangtze River was the largest, and it flowed directly into the sea from Songjiang Prefecture, so compared to the Fengwei Gang, the Divine Dragon Gang was more likely to know the secrets of the Sea of Gold.
Yan Dianhong volunteered, "Then let's go ask Wu Wei Yang of the Fengwei Gang."
...
The Divine Dragon Gang's base was located on an island in the middle of the Yangtze River. Since it was surrounded by the vast river on all sides, the defense wasn't particularly tight.
However, the Divine Dragon Gang had occupied the Yangtze River for many years, and its members were not weak. Yun Conglong was also a formidable fighter.
But for Jin Banhua and Hua Zhenzhen, whether it was the vast river or the Divine Dragon Gang's strength, it didn't matter.
The two took advantage of the night's darkness and silently sneaked onto the island. They effortlessly climbed over the main gate wall and quietly reached the heart of the Divine Dragon Gang's base.
A grand courtyard with blue tiles and white walls resembled a wealthy merchant's estate rather than the stronghold of the Yangtze River's overlord.
However, there was still light in the estate.
In the master bedroom at the back, a lone lamp stood out in the darkness of the night. An emaciated, withered, and aged man sat inside, his face filled with uncertainty and a hint of painful struggle.
This person was Yun Conglong.
It was said that Yun Conglong was a well-mannered and versatile person, but at this moment, he appeared to be filled with panic and anger.
"It seems we've come to the right place."
A young voice suddenly sounded from outside the window, startling Yun Conglong almost to the point of jumping out of his chair.
"Who are you?" Yun Conglong shouted sternly, but his voice wasn't loud.
"Who are we? Why don't you take a guess, Yun Bangzhu?" the young voice teased.
Yun Conglong's face changed, and his eyes, already reddened by the river water, were now filled with bloodshot veins, "You promised me ten days to consider. Why have you come so soon?"
Yun Conglong clenched his fists and emphasized, "I am, after all, the leader of the Divine Dragon Gang!"
Outside the window, Jin Banhua raised her eyebrows at Hua Zhenzhen, whose eyes were shining, and continued, "Yun Bangzhu, when you're in a bind, you know our rules and methods. Why continue to struggle?"
Yun Conglong couldn't help but laugh bitterly, filled with regret and hatred, "I shouldn't have accepted your invitation!"
(End of Chapter)
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