Chapter 490: Undercurrents

Chapter 492: Undercurrents

Nanyue City, deep at night.

In the Situ Family mansion, there was an additional presence: an elderly man with white hair.

He sat at the table, expression grave. The tea on the table had gone cold, and he hadn’t even taken a sip.

Situ Fang’s brows furrowed slightly as she asked, “Elder Wang, what does the family say?”

The elder, named Situ Wang, frowned, shaking his head with a sigh: “The family can’t spare any hands…”

Situ Fang frowned. “Our Situ Family is at least a third-rank noble house. It’s impossible that not even a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators can be spared. Could it be that the family doesn’t fully believe it?”

Situ Wang nodded. “That is part of the reason.”

He sighed. “Eighty iron corpses, tens of thousands of walking corpses… this is just absurd…”

Even the entire second-rank state might not be able to muster enough strength to contend with them.

Situ Fang let out a small sigh. She didn’t fully believe it either, or rather, she didn’t dare to believe it.

But the information had been investigated by Mo Hua and delivered by the Bai siblings. Even if she doubted it, she knew it was highly unlikely to be false.

Mo Hua acted in unpredictable ways.

Though young, he could be audacious at times.

Yet his actions were often well-planned, considered in full.

Since knowing him, everything he said and did had proven reliable; it was unlikely to be false.

The only issue was whether others would believe it…

Situ Wang asked, “I heard this information was gathered by a young cultivator?”

Situ Fang nodded.

“How old is he?”

Situ Fang hesitated for a moment before quietly saying, “Thirteen…”

Situ Wang looked a bit speechless, helplessly muttering, “Thirteen… even if I believe it, the family won’t… Thirteen years old…”

He shook his head.

Cultivators lived long lives.

Family cultivators were often wealthy, well-supported.

Generally, anyone under twenty looked very young, still a child.

A thirteen-year-old discovering something this significant made Situ Wang uncertain.

But he and Situ Fang were of the same branch, and he had watched her grow up, knowing her character, so he had come personally to see the situation.

Situ Fang said, “Mo Hua is a first-rank formation master.”

Situ Wang blinked. “Who?”

“The young cultivator you mentioned.”

Situ Wang’s hand trembled. “Thirteen years old? First-rank formation master?”

Situ Fang nodded.

Situ Wang, letting go of his elder airs, quietly asked, “Is this true?”

Situ Fang sighed helplessly. “I wouldn’t lie to you. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Elder Jin.”

Mo Hua was young, with exceptional talent, easily provoking jealousy.

Situ Fang hadn’t publicized it; within the Situ Family, only she and the two elders who had met Mo Hua knew.

Situ Wang fell silent, murmuring, “Thirteen, first-rank formation master… how did this child’s mind develop like this…”

Situ Fang said, “Now his words should carry some weight…”

Situ Wang furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment before nodding slightly: “If that’s the case, we can’t treat him as an ordinary young cultivator. A first-rank formation master, even in a second-rank state, is a recognized figure and wouldn’t play with such matters…”

Situ Fang’s eyes brightened. “Then, Elder…”

Situ Wang shook his head. “I can only try my best, but whether the family agrees isn’t up to me.”

“Because of the corpse disaster?” Situ Fang asked, frowning.

“Yes…” Situ Wang sighed. “This matter is too dangerous…”

“Such powerful iron corpses, along with so many walking corpses, being controlled to form a tide of zombies, is extremely terrifying.”

“Zombies are different from ordinary cultivators…”

“Fighting cultivators, injuries can usually be treated with no major issue.”

“But fighting zombies, if you’re injured and bleed, the corpse energy infects you, the corpse poison attacks the heart, and it spreads—then the consequences are uncontrollable…”

Fear ran deep in Situ Wang’s eyes.

Situ Fang was also silent for a moment.

“Moreover, there’s another important factor…”

Situ Wang looked at Situ Fang, reluctant to speak, but eventually said plainly: “This matter brings little benefit to the Situ Family.”

Situ Fang paused at his words.

Situ Wang continued quietly, “Our family has always upheld strict principles, opposing evil… But, after all, a family must prioritize its own interests…”

“The benefits of this matter are limited.”

He paused, then added, “At least in the face of risk, the benefit isn’t significant…”

Truly eradicating the corpse mines and suppressing thousands of zombies would bring great merit.

But the costs and risks were many times greater.

The corpse king controlled the iron corpses and the tide of walking corpses. The Situ Family’s cultivators could easily be annihilated.

The Situ Family couldn’t bear that risk.

“And the Dao Court…” Situ Fang asked.

“The Dao Court is the same,” Situ Wang said. “Even if they know and believe it, weighing gains and losses, they might not act rashly.”

Situ Wang’s voice grew solemn. “The Dao Court is more complex than our family, with tangled power and interests…”

Seeing Situ Fang confused, he clarified: “In principle, following the Dao, slaying corpses and demons is correct.”

“But in practice, this matter is extremely difficult.”

“Eradicating the corpse mines requires Dao soldiers and spirit stones.”

“Who provides the Dao soldiers? Who provides the spirit stones?”

“Sending Dao soldiers requires logistics. If they are injured or killed, compensation is needed. All these arrangements rely on spirit stones.”

“If casualties are heavy, one must bear enormous responsibility.”

“If the mission succeeds, merit is achieved, but suddenly others will come to claim it, even unrelated people…”

“Risking so much, taking great responsibility, paying a huge price, only for the merit to go to someone else…”

“Who would want to do this?”

Situ Wang sighed. “Unless the Lu family has really violated a major taboo, brazenly following evil paths, provoking the Dao Court’s wrath, only then would the court intervene decisively. Otherwise, everyone will avoid taking this hot potato…”

Situ Fang sighed in disappointment.

Situ Wang looked at her with concern.

Though her talent wasn’t exceptional, she was the most upright, ambitious, and responsible disciple in their branch.

Such a disciple was worth more than someone purely talented but flawed in character.

Moreover, they shared the same branch, and he was an elder. He didn’t want her to take risks.

“The waters of Nanyue City are too murky. Even if we can wade through them, there’s no need to get dirty…”

Situ Wang thought for a moment and gently said, “Fang, I think you should take this chance to leave…”

His brows were deeply furrowed:

“If the situation truly worsens, the entire city could become a living hell, and no one could guarantee your safety…”

“Cherish your own cultivation path…”

Situ Fang was startled but grateful. “Thank you, Uncle Wang!”

Yet she shook her head after a moment:

“I am the chief of Nanyue City. Even if my cultivation is not high, I must fulfill my duty.”

Situ Wang frowned. “But it may be impossible…”

“If it’s impossible,” Situ Fang said, “then I’ll reconsider leaving.”

Situ Wang was silent for a moment, then sighed: “It must be so.”

He then took out a jade slip, helplessly saying:

“I’ll write another message to the family, urging them to consider the bigger picture and send more people. The Dao Soldier Division will also be informed…”

“But how much help we get depends on fate…”

Situ Fang was overjoyed, bowing quickly: “Thank you, Uncle!”

Situ Wang felt both comforted and concerned, yet thinking of the corpse mines, his expression remained worried.

Eighty iron corpses, tens of thousands of walking corpses…

A small mistake could bring catastrophe to the entire state…

Situ Wang shook his head, sighing: “Difficult indeed…”

…

In Nanyue City, inside a smoke-filled teahouse of the Nanyue Sect.

The sect master of Nanyue Sect was in a private discussion with Elder Su.

The sect master, Zhao, was mid-Foundation Establishment, over 280 years old, and had led the sect for 110 years, holding considerable prestige.

“Do you know about the Lu family?”

After finishing their tea, Zhao spoke directly.

Elder Su frowned. “Master, what matter are you referring to?”

“The mines,” Zhao said.

Elder Su thought for a moment before saying slowly: “I’ve only heard some rumors…”

Zhao sipped his tea, silent.

Seeing no expression on Zhao’s face, Elder Su cautiously asked: “Does the Lu family really have a problem?”

Zhao glanced at him, calmly saying: “The Lu family has no issue. Could they control so many mines, open Jinhua Street, earn so many spirit stones, live in luxury? Ten out of ten times, excessive profit without labor indicates a problem.”

Elder Su’s expression darkened. “What could the Lu family’s problem be?”

Zhao shook his head slightly. “Just gossip, no facts. I can’t say for sure.”

He looked at Elder Su again.

“I know you have a connection with Lu Chengyun. I called you here to instruct you on certain matters.”

Elder Su respectfully said: “Please, Master, advise me.”

Zhao nodded, lowering his voice:

“Our Nanyue Sect has a good relationship with the Lu family, and has received many spirit stones from them…”

Elder Su frowned: “Master means that since we accepted spirit stones, we must side with the Lu family?”

Zhao shook his head, meaningfully: “I mean that even though we received spirit stones, we must not blindly align ourselves with them…”

Elder Su was taken aback. “Isn’t that somewhat unfair?”

Zhao shook his head. “The sect prioritizes interest, not fairness.”

“Spirit stones are an interest too, aren’t they?”

Zhao explained: “Spirit stones are short-term gains. The sect’s survival is the fundamental interest.”

“Spirit stones bring temporary prosperity, yes. But if they compromise principles and endanger the sect, one must decisively prioritize long-term benefit over short-term gain!”

Elder Su’s expression reflected deep thought.

Zhao sighed: “Many cultivators don’t understand this principle.”

“Thus, the Nanyue City sects and families rise and fall, yet only our Nanyue City sect has endured centuries.”

“The Lu family will not last as long as us.”

Zhao looked at Elder Su and instructed: “Know when to prioritize interest, know when to uphold principle. Don’t let interest ruin principle, or it will bring disaster!”

Elder Su nodded solemnly: “Master, I understand.”

Zhao relaxed, sighing in satisfaction:

“I’ve passed my prime. This position must eventually be passed on. Your heart may not be as sharp as others, but you are loyal and skilled in formations. With some honing, perhaps the position of Nanyue Sect Master will be yours…”

Elder Su, astonished, couldn’t help but ask: “Master, are you… promising me a future?”

Zhao glared. “Do you think anyone has the right for me to make such a promise? I have high expectations for you!”

Elder Su quickly bowed his head: “Yes, yes!”

Zhao then gave a few more instructions.

Before leaving, Elder Su still asked: “Master, what exactly should we do about the Lu family?”

Tearing ties with the Lu family is unwise.

But colluding with them is unstable.

Zhao pointed clearly: “If the Lu family stays out of trouble, we act as if we know nothing. Take spirit stones as usual—that’s prioritizing interest.”

“If the Lu family causes trouble, we must clearly cut ties, even act decisively to suppress them—that’s upholding principle…”

Elder Su suddenly understood.

Indeed, the sect master balanced interest and principle with remarkable skill.