Chapter 477 - 408: Plotting the Scheme (Part 2)

Chapter 477: Chapter 408: Plotting the Scheme (Part 2)

He had sealed her cultivation and Divine Sense just as a precaution.

In his eyes, having two Spirit Realm cultivators and one at Qi Realm Perfection—especially seasoned veterans like Bai San and Gossip, who had navigated the Jianghu for years—guarding a single person whose cultivation was sealed should have been simple.

He just never expected that even at such a disadvantage, Hua Wuxin could still take down all three of them.

’I really underestimated the intelligence and ruthlessness of those who can make a name for themselves in the Seven Kills Association.’

Just then, Li Sanli, who was standing to the side, carefully added, "Patriarch, there’s something else. People from the Celestial Sword Sect have also been asking around about the Netherworld Ship lately. They’re coming on strong and probably won’t give up easily.

Should we... strike first to gain the upper hand? We could set an ambush, lure them into the marshes, and wipe them all out in one go?"

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He was clearly quite irritated with the Celestial Sword Sect.

Chen Li glanced at Li Sanli.

’This guy, along with Bai San and the others... do they really think they have such profound Divine Abilities that they’re unrivaled across all of Jiangzhou?’

The Celestial Sword Sect was a first-rate Jianghu sect with a legacy spanning hundreds of years. Within Jiangzhou’s borders, they were the undisputed leaders.

In terms of deeply entrenched influence and profound resources, even the Jiangzhou Government Office likely had to yield to them.

Chen Li didn’t know the full extent of the Celestial Sword Sect’s strength, but it didn’t take a genius to know that a massive Sect that had stood for hundreds of years couldn’t possibly lack a few old monsters holding down the fort.

When a Martial Artist broke through to the Spirit Realm, their lifespan would exceed the mortal limit, reaching up to 150 years.

As their Realm increased, their lifespan would grow even further.

Chen Li could clearly feel that his own lifespan, even without counting the sixty years awarded by the system, was already approaching 200 years.

And this was without him ever having specifically cultivated a Life Extension Technique.

He wouldn’t be surprised in the least if experts at the peak of the Spirit Realm, or even powerhouses who had touched the threshold of the Dharma Realm, had lifespans of two or three hundred years.

Given the Celestial Sword Sect’s accumulation over hundreds of years, it stood to reason that even if they didn’t have a Dharma Realm Powerhouse, they would have several, or even more than ten, Grandmasters at the Guiyuan Pass level or higher.

Who exactly had come to Thunder Shock County this time? How strong were they? Were there even more formidable figures hidden in the background?

He knew nothing, so how could he act rashly?

He immediately shook his head. "The enemy’s situation is unclear, and we don’t know their strength. It’s not wise to attack rashly. Since they’re onto us, we should just avoid a direct confrontation for now. Shut down the Black Market for ten to fifteen days and play a waiting game. If they can’t find the ship, there’s nothing they can do."

A wry smile appeared on Li Sanli’s face. "Patriarch, I’m afraid... it’s not that simple. The merchants in the Black Market are all desperados driven by profit. Unless the Celestial Sword Sect actually attacks and causes a scene, forcing them to obey to save their own skins, they won’t listen.

Otherwise, if we shut down for ten to fifteen days just because of a potential risk, they’ll raise hell. Every day the market is closed is a day of lost profits for them. I might be able to keep them in line for a day or two, but ten to fifteen days... there will definitely be trouble."

He paused, then lowered his voice. "Besides, I’m not the only one who calls the shots at the Netherworld Ship Black Market. The other three... they probably won’t agree either."

Chen Li knew, of course, that the "three" Li Sanli mentioned were the three elders who had originally founded the Netherworld Ship Black Market.

Li Sanli had previously reported that while the three had gradually come to trust him due to his methods and abilities, entrusting most matters to his management, they never fully let their guard down and always held something in reserve.

The unfamiliar Grandmaster stationed year-round on the fifth deck of the Netherworld Ship had been invited by those three, ostensibly to maintain order, but in reality to keep Li Sanli in check.

However, Chen Li was unconcerned. "Since you don’t call the shots right now," he said, "then just find a way to make it so you do. Problem solved, right?"

Li Sanli was stunned. "Patriarch, you mean... we should make a move against them?"

But he immediately frowned and advised, "Patriarch, those three have been running the Black Market for many years. Their relationships with the wealthy merchants on the second floor and above are tangled and complex, and they control all the connections and resources. If we act rashly, I’m afraid it will backfire, causing turmoil in the Black Market and even alienating the other merchants."

"Who said I was going to make a move against them?"

Chen Li smiled faintly, a cold glint in his eyes. "If they refuse to cooperate and insist on opening for business... well, we can just go with the flow and let the Celestial Sword Sect do a little ’cleaning up’ for us. It’s not out of the question."

Li Sanli seemed to understand. "Patriarch, you mean?"

But Chen Li didn’t elaborate. Instead, he closed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.

His primary purpose for coming to Thunder Shock County was, after all, the True Intent of Martial Dao.

After all, whether it was leaking the clue about the Kao Mountain Cliff Little World or orchestrating the Opium incident, his main objective had been to attract the Court’s attention, muddy the waters, and temporarily pull himself and the Chen Family out of the eye of the storm.

Judging by the results, the plan had been a success.

The stir caused by the Kao Mountain Cliff Little World had clearly exceeded his initial expectations.

These waters were deeper than he had imagined.

The hasty departure of the Duke of England and Xu Yuanzhi showed that their attention was now completely captivated by the Kao Mountain Cliff Little World.

Meanwhile, the heavy responsibility of repairing the dikes had fallen to the Chen Family, which served as a protective talisman of sorts. Until the dikes were repaired, the Court would most likely refrain from making any rash moves.

This gave the Chen Family a precious opportunity to catch its breath.

Therefore, unless it was absolutely necessary, Chen Li was unwilling to proactively make more waves and get entangled in a direct conflict with the Celestial Sword Sect.

However, he was also well aware that even if he wanted to retreat, there was nowhere to run.

The affairs of the world are a game of chess, with two sides vying for a victory yet to be decided.