Chapter 539 - 451: Demanding People from the Moon Worship Sect

"Master..."

"What’s the matter? Speak." Pei Jian scolded, "Mr. Lin is not an outsider, say whatever you need to directly."

"We found people from the Green Blade Sect in the collapsed secret vault; most were buried under the rubble, though some are still alive," reported the official in charge of investigating the explosion and collapse of the secret passage.

"What?" Pei Jian cast a complex glance at Lin Miao. It was Lin Miao who discovered the secret passage and warned him to be wary of enemies potentially sneaking in.

He and Lin Miao conspired to feign ignorance of the passage and then quietly sealed it with bricks.

Last night’s violent explosion behind the mountain where the secret vault was located caused half of the mountain to collapse. He had known then that someone was attempting to sneak in through the secret passage.

They ended up being buried alive.

This tactic was too ruthless, and Pei Jian simply didn’t have the time nor anyone to carry it out, nor did he even know how the explosion-induced collapse occurred.

Yet it was certain that Lin Miao was involved. Truly, he had predicted everything.

Unexpectedly, the people from the Green Blade Sect who had been absent all this time were buried alive in the passage leading to the secret vault.

If they had coordinated with the enemy for a pincer attack, he surely wouldn’t have survived last night.

Thinking this, Pei Jian couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat, his spine tingling. Thankfully, Lin Miao discovered the passage and brought reinforcements.

Otherwise...

When had he, once just an easily dismissed little physician, grown to this stature, able to influence and command powers that even surpassed his own as the Prefect?

"Congratulations, Master Prefect. Now there’s no escaping the evidence against the Green Blade Sect for smuggling and treason," Lin Miao said, cupping his hands to offer congratulations.

"Thank you, Mr. Lin Chengde. Pei will surely reward you in the future."

"Please, focus on your duties, Master Prefect. I shall take my leave."

...

Lin Miao returned once more to Miao Manor. Night had fallen, and even if he hurried back, the city gates would likely be closed, even if he had a special pass signed by Pei Jian to open them.

But such a privilege should be avoided if possible.

After all, it wasn’t like he had nowhere else to go.

He could finally properly accompany Si Miaoxue this year, staying as if it were destined.

With Lin Miao there, Miao Manor bustled. The women, who used to eat separately, naturally gathered around one table to dine.

The dishes were also more abundant.

"Mr. Lin, only a small portion of the rescued women wish to return home; most do not," Si Miaoxue mentioned during dinner.

"Oh, why is that?"

"Some were trafficked from elsewhere, some are tainted and find it hard to marry even if they went back, and others simply have no family left."

"Those willing to return should be sent home gradually once they’re healthy. Those unwilling can stay and work at the manor. After all, you’re short of hands, and some with good qualifications could be sent to Yingfeng Valley’s Qilin Castle," Lin Miao nodded.

"That’s what I was thinking too. We’ll need many people in the future, and it’s better to trust those we’ve rescued than unfamiliar recruits."

"Master, arranging for these women is manageable, but what about the bhikkhunis? Surely you’re not planning to build them a temple in Yingfeng Valley?"

"It’s not out of the question. We could build a family shrine and have them chant prayers for us. Wouldn’t that be nice?" Yue Mei’Er suggested.

A family shrine?

What an idea. It seems to be quite favored among the wealthy and powerful families of the Great Yue Country to not only build ancestral halls but also family shrines to worship ancestors and deities.

Generally, only the affluent and influential families would do this; it’s become a trend, a fashion.

"They have their own temple, just can’t return right now," Lin Miao said. "Don’t mention this in front of Dingxian."

"Oh, understood."

"Master, our operations have expanded considerably; we need manpower. How about seeking assistance from the sect and having them send some young disciples?" Yue Mei’Er suggested hopefully. She still wished for Lin Miao to one day take over the Moon Worship Sect; at her core, she was a woman keen on power.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have changed her choices in the past.

She saw hope in Lin Miao. Even if she couldn’t sit on the highest throne, at least she wouldn’t have to humble herself before anyone else. She could control her own destiny.

"Even though we’re far from the center of power, the sect won’t abandon the Master. They will definitely send people over," Ji Fei’Er said.

"Fei’Er, what’s your mission?"

"My mission is similar to Mei’Er’s: to confirm the Master’s identity and bring him back as soon as possible. If we prolong it, elders might come next time," Ji Fei’Er replied.

Though their positions were special and they had certain privileges within the Moon Worship Sect, their rank was still slightly below that of the elders.

"Who do you think the lord will send?"

"We can’t predict the lord’s thoughts, especially since he still considers the Master to be the original master. If he insists on bringing someone back, it’s most likely Si Yuanli," Ji Fei’Er said, glancing at Si Miaoxue.

"Why are you looking at me? Although my surname is Si, I have little to do with the Si Family. They took me back because they saw my surname had value and sent me to be selected as a moon servant," Si Miaoxue said.

"Si Yuanli is your uncle, isn’t he?"

"In terms of seniority, he is, but I don’t acknowledge him. Besides, I’m considered missing right now; what does his coming or going have to do with me?"

"It might not even be Si Yuanli. When was the last time you received a message from the sect?" Ji Fei’Er asked.

Yue Mei’Er said, "About five days ago. Routine communication, nothing special."

"Nothing asking about the Master?"

"Yes, just like before. I said the young master is in seclusion cultivating and hasn’t planned to return to the main altar for the time being. There shouldn’t be any problem."

"Seclusion always has a time limit, Yue Mei’Er. It’s been a year since you found the young master, right? Using seclusion as an excuse once or twice might be believable, but what about three or four times? Will he keep believing it?" Ji Fei’Er retorted.

"So what do you suggest?"

"I think we can give the young master a reason to stay, for instance, staying behind for Miaoxue?"

"For me?" Si Miaoxue exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, the first person who found the young master was Miaoxue, and the first to contact him was also Miaoxue. The master detained Mr. Long to coerce Miaoxue, forcing her to become hostile towards the Holy Sect. The young master has a close relationship with Miaoxue, and unless the master pardons and releases Long Po, the young master is not likely to return to the main altar," Ji Fei’Er explained.

This...

Upon hearing this, Si Miaoxue was moved by the reason. If Ji You agreed, her master could gain freedom.

Even if Ji You declined, it could still buy Lin Miao some time.

To become a sect leader and a Tianyuan-level master is to be extremely proud and arrogant, so this kind of coercion obviously wouldn’t work.

Moreover, once you’re thrown into the Moon Worship Sect’s Black Prison, it’s hard to come out unscathed, anyone who understands the Black Prison knows this.

Unless Ji You’s health or the succession of the Moon Worship Sect encounters problems, they would never accept this threat.

"Let’s try first. If it doesn’t work, we’ll talk about it later. Anyway, until I break through and advance to Tianyuan, it’s impossible for me to go to the main altar of the Moon Worship Sect," Lin Miao considered and said. He knew that the Moon Worship Sect had a way to enable the Saint Heir to quickly break through to Tianyuan.

That is to enter the Moon Pool.

Successive sect leaders all broke through and advanced to Tianyuan after entering the Moon Pool.

This generation’s sect leader, Ji You, still has one chance left to open the Moon Pool, but he hasn’t entered it, just waiting for the Saint Heir.

Each generation of sect leaders enters the Moon Pool after the previous sect leader opens it, advances to Tianyuan, then sends off the old sect leader, succeeds as sect leader, and then has three opportunities to open the Moon Pool to send in elite disciples.

Three opportunities, a total of eighteen slots, only those under thirty and at Meridian Passage Realm can enter. After coming out, even if they can’t advance to Tianyuan, they at least reach Great Perfection of Meridian Realm, or even half-step Tianyuan.

Almost all the Tianyuan-level masters of the Moon Worship Sect came from the Moon Pool, with only a rare few able to reach Tianyuan without entering it.

The Moon Pool is the foundation of the Moon Worship Sect.

Only the sect leader of the Moon Worship Sect has the power to open the Moon Pool. It’s a matter of bloodline power, and no one else, even a Tianyuan master, can open it.

What’s inside the Moon Pool is known only to those who’ve been in, and they all keep silent after coming out.

Over time, the Moon Pool has become extremely mysterious.

"What about the manpower issue?"

"We’ll proceed simultaneously. Also, I need the Moon God Record for cultivation. If someone from the sect comes, have them bring it to me," Lin Miao instructed, requesting personnel from the Moon Worship Sect to reassure the sect’s high-level.

"Sir, the master never parts with the Moon God Record, so it’s unlikely they’ll allow someone to bring it to you," Ji Fei’Er said.

"Isn’t the Moon God Record just a book? Why can’t it be brought over? If not the original, at least a handwritten copy should be allowed, right?"

"Sir, the Moon God Record is a book, but it’s also a scepter and a key. It’s a supreme treasure of the Moon Worship Sect and has never left the main altar," Si Miaoxue explained.

"You never told me. I thought it was just a martial arts manual," Lin Miao chuckled. "Forget it then. Since that’s the case, let’s not mention it further. I recall that besides the Moon Servant, the Saint Heir has an exclusive Moon Guard group as well. Are they still around?"

"Yes, Yue Wu and Yue Shisan are members of the Moon Guard," Yue Mei’Er said.

"Oh, what about the others?"

"Other members are still around, but since the Saint Heir hasn’t been at the main altar these years, many have been assigned to other departments or missions. Currently, only a few reserves remain at the Moon Palace, around seventy to eighty, mostly young disciples from the sect, about the same age as sir," Ji Fei’Er explained.

"These are considered my subordinates, right? Can I mobilize them to work for me?" Lin Miao asked.

"According to protocol, you can. However, your identity isn’t confirmed yet. If you issue orders now, they might not come..."

"Let’s try it. Mei’Er, issue an order to them in my name to come over," Lin Miao instructed. "Consider it a test for them."

"Yes."

"Has Blood Fiend awakened yet?" Lin Miao asked, eager to know who had left Blood Fiend for dead.

That person killed Blood Fiend and buried him in a snowdrift, clearly not wanting Blood Fiend to be found immediately and trying to conceal their identity.

They probably never imagined that Blood Fiend was still alive.

"His injuries have improved somewhat, but he hasn’t woken up yet. I’ve hidden him in a special place and arranged for someone to take care of him," Yue Mei’Er said.

"Good. Once he wakes up, inform me immediately. I have some questions to ask him personally," Lin Miao nodded.

"Miaoxue stays, the rest of you may leave."

Yue Mei’Er cast a slightly envious look at Si Miaoxue, aware of what staying behind meant.

Si Miaoxue couldn’t help but blush. Lin Miao asking her to stay meant he wanted to share a moment of warmth with her before she returned.

"Miaoxue, I had some insights while guarding Mr. Helian’s breakthrough, and I’d like to discuss them with you," Lin Miao explained, taking Si Miaoxue’s hand.

"Sir, may I take a bath first?"

"A bath, very well, I’ll join you," Lin Miao paused, then smiled slightly. He genuinely wanted to discuss some ideas with her, but how and what they discussed was their own business.

Si Miaoxue took a deep, excited breath, realizing it had been a while since she and Lin Miao had shared a bath.

"Then, let Miaoxue serve you later," she said.

"Alright," Lin Miao nodded.