Chapter 719 - 218: 5 Deceitful Objects, Part 3

If it were anyone else asking, the inn’s Shopkeeper would not have dared to reveal a guest’s information. But the man standing before him was Daoist Si of the Observatory, and no one dared to hide anything from Daoist Si.

The Shopkeeper immediately told Shen Bai.

Shen Bai went up the stairs, came to the room, and knocked lightly.

A moment later, footsteps sounded from within.

Qu Yongfeng opened the door. He was slightly surprised to see Shen Bai.

Just then, Xue Caixiang in the adjacent room heard the noise. She opened her door as well and saw Shen Bai.

Shen Bai said to the two of them, "Let’s talk inside."

The pair didn’t know why Shen Bai was there, but seeing his solemn expression, they knew something important was afoot. Without another word, they led him into the room.

"Have you still found no clues about that old bastard?" Shen Bai asked.

Qu Yongfeng had just closed the door when he heard Shen Bai’s question. He replied instinctively, "The Jade hasn’t provided any clues or information yet. He’s probably stuck in Lingyun Dao. Or maybe he’s heard of Lord Shen’s reputation and doesn’t dare to set foot here."

Shen Bai poured himself a cup of tea from the pot on the table. "In the last few days," he continued, "three counties have been wiped out completely. As far as I know, it was all that old bastard’s doing. I’ve already dispatched Observatory members to conduct a carpet search. If you can’t find a trace of him, and I end up finding him first... wouldn’t that make you seem rather useless?"

As soon as Shen Bai said this, Qu Yongfeng understood why he had come to see them.

A bead of sweat formed on his forehead. He could feel the immense pressure emanating from Shen Bai.

The traitor was a problem born from the Celestial Pride Salvation Society, yet the Society had been slow to apprehend him.

To put it bluntly, since the man had caused all this trouble within Shen Bai’s Lingyun Dao, the Celestial Pride Salvation Society also bore responsibility.

Although Shen Bai was also a member of the Celestial Pride Salvation Society, his other identity was Daoist Si, the leader of Lingyun Dao.

There were some things Shen Bai didn’t need to spell out. Qu Yongfeng understood.

Xue Caixiang glanced from side to side and said, "Lord Shen, we’re at our wit’s end. Other than the Jade, we have no other way to find him."

Ever since the last incident, Xue Caixiang had swallowed all her pride.

Faced with Shen Bai’s questioning, she too felt the immense pressure.

They both knew that it had taken two attempts to get Shen Bai to join the Celestial Pride Salvation Society. The first time, he hadn’t been interested in the organization at all.

If that old bastard caused any more trouble, any goodwill the Celestial Pride Salvation Society had in Shen Bai’s eyes would likely plummet.

And whether Shen Bai would continue to work with the Celestial Pride Salvation Society after that was anyone’s guess.

They couldn’t afford to earn Shen Bai’s ire over this and jeopardize the Celestial Pride Salvation Society’s grand plans.

"Lord Shen, do you have a plan?"

Qu Yongfeng asked, "If Lord Shen has a plan, we will cooperate fully. We won’t hesitate, even if it means walking through fire."

It had to be said that when it came to reading people, Qu Yongfeng was far more perceptive than Xue Caixiang.

He had already sensed something was up. After all, for Shen Bai to come see them personally, it couldn’t be just to ask if they had clues. He must have a solution.

Shen Bai nodded. "I’ve already sent my men out to conduct a carpet search, but that alone is far from enough. The Observatory has many people in its State-level Cities, but the whole of Lingyun Dao contains countless states and counties. The area is simply too vast. Spreading out to search will take an enormous amount of time."

"I don’t want the people to suffer even the slightest threat any longer."

As Shen Bai spoke, Qu Yongfeng and Xue Caixiang nodded repeatedly, agreeing with everything he said.

Shen Bai set down his teacup, killing intent gradually coalescing in his eyes. "That old bastard must die, and he must die by my hand. I have to answer to the people of Lingyun Dao. So, I’ve come up with a plan. He wants to pass through Lingyun Dao, doesn’t he? Fine. We’ll let him."

"Let him pass?"

Hearing this, Qu Yongfeng looked confused.

He didn’t understand why Shen Bai would make such a choice, but he knew there must be more to the plan. He remained silent and waited patiently.

"He can’t linger in Lingyun Dao forever."

Shen Bai tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "In that case, I’ll employ a strategy: relaxed on the outside, vigilant on the inside. I’ll create an opening for him. I’ve already sent my people out in scattered search parties. The goal is to make it clear to him that my Lingyun Dao Observatory has dispersed its forces. He will certainly seize this opportunity to find a way through. What I need to confirm with you now is this: can your Jade cover the entirety of Lingyun Dao?"

Hearing this, Qu Yongfeng began to understand Shen Bai’s plan. He nodded.

"The Jade can cover the entire range of Lingyun Dao. So, Lord Shen, you mean that once the Jade locates him, the three of us will go and deal with him personally?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Exactly. I’m sending all my men away to create an opportunity for him to cross Lingyun Dao. He will inevitably take the bait and try to pass through. Once he does, I will use your Jade to pinpoint his location."

This was Shen Bai’s plan. Searching blindly would be like looking for a needle in a haystack; finding him would be impossible.

In a situation like this, it was far better to lure him into a carefully laid trap.