Chapter 34: The Thirty-Fourth Day as Cult Leader (Part 2)

As for Qian Xiaodou, who was at the center of the storm, he felt even greater pressure. His heart was beating so hard it almost leaped out of his chest. He only knew that no matter what, he had to deny this to the end and could not admit it. Thus, his voice trembled as he said, “What matter is the Cult Leader referring to? This subordinate has not passed any intelligence to anyone else. Every day, this subordinate only reports the intelligence he obtains to the Cult Leader!”

“Is that so?” Qin Ming furrowed his brows. Logically speaking, the System’s judgment should not be false, so he could not help asking more carefully, “Are you sure? Think again. Have you done anything similar to passing on intelligence?”

If one question was merely suspicion, then asking a second time meant he definitely had some clue in his heart. Everyone present shuddered inwardly. Combined with the murderous intent that spread from the Cult Leader’s casual glance, they felt as if their blood were freezing solid.

Qian Xiaodou felt as if his heart had already been seen through by the other party. If he lied again, forget luckily escaping—he feared he would even lose his life.

He no longer knew how to open his mouth. Telling the truth was death. Not telling the truth was also death. He wavered on the line of danger, his face ashen and his heart panicked.

“Reporting to the Cult Leader, this subordinate… this subordinate…” Just as he opened his mouth and had no idea what to say, Chen Lue suddenly stepped forward and calmly said, “Cult Leader, please forgive us. When you were not in the cult, this subordinate did indeed have Steward Qian pass on a piece of news, but there was no fixed target.”

“Oh?” Seeing Qin Ming look over curiously, that murderous intent also fell upon him. Chen Lue lowered his eyes. Even his tone did not change much as he merely said, “Because more than half of the cult’s disciples were absent, in order to prevent the righteous path from sending people to sneak attack our cult, this subordinate had Steward Qian spread the news that our cult had obtained peerless martial arts personally bestowed by the Cult Leader, and that our martial arts had advanced another level.”

“This news was only meant to intimidate those petty villains. However, this subordinate forgot to report to the Cult Leader in advance. Please punish me, Cult Leader!”

This detailed explanation of his was reasonable and well-founded, and with his completely un-deceptive expression, Qin Ming believed most of it. Recalling that the intelligence Qian Xiaodou had sent had indeed included news that the effects of the Demonic Cult’s martial art, the Breathing Exercise, had spread through the jianghu, Qin Ming nodded and finally understood how the System task had been completed. “So that’s how it was. Since I was absent, I handed the cult over to you to manage. It is not your fault that such a small matter was not reported in time. It is no issue.”

“But this subordinate truly failed to fulfill the corresponding duty.” Chen Lue, however, persisted in requesting punishment, looking exceedingly devout. “Why not have the Cult Leader reduce this subordinate’s merit points to set an example for the other disciples in the cult?”

Qin Ming thought even more highly of him and increasingly felt that he understood the bigger picture. He liked him very much. “You did well. Then let us do as you say.”

“Many thanks, Cult Leader.” Chen Lue respectfully saluted him. Only then did Qin Ming leave to pick another place to practice swordsmanship. However, he did not forget to remind them, “Do not always gather here. Go do more work.”

As his subordinates, how could they spend all day loafing around in a little grove?

Yet these words, which sounded just like something a black-hearted capitalist would say, became… a deep warning in the ears of the spies.

They seemed to hear the Cult Leader’s meaningful reminder, as well as his nerve-racking probes at every step.

Perhaps the so-called passing of intelligence was only the beginning of the Cult Leader’s warning.

The spies looked at one another, already pulling their psychological defenses to the highest level.

Thus, Qin Ming suddenly felt that, over the past few days, his capable subordinates had changed somewhat.

They had suddenly become enthusiastic and proactive about work!

Not only did they handle matters cleanly and efficiently with extremely strong execution, but they even scrambled to do tasks that did not belong to them. They even began actively and eagerly speaking up at the meeting held once every seven days.

It was just that what they said… was not anything good.

“Cult Leader! Should we not continue the plan to unify the jianghu?” Following Shen Fubai’s loud shout, the subordinates who had gathered in the little grove that day also began shouting one after another.

“Exactly! We should attack the next sect!”

“This subordinate proposes attacking Yantian Sect, capturing all their disciples in one fell swoop, and sending every last one of them to our cult to refine pills!”

“Don’t forget that Qingyue Sect is also a good choice! We still have two hostages in our hands!”

“As long as the Cult Leader gives the order, our cult will mobilize all members and break through the righteous sects!”

Looking at his impassioned subordinates, Qin Ming thought: ?

He had not seen them get this excited when they attacked famous righteous sects in the past. What was going on?

Even Zhang Daniu, who had always drifted outside the world, and Yang Xu, who only ever smoothed things over, now supported attacking the righteous path… Had they eaten something that ruined their brains?

Qin Ming was deeply worried. Originally, it was one thing that only some radical elders wanted to attack famous righteous sects. Now his other subordinates had also changed one after another. Why were there so many scourges in his sect?

Fortunately, because he had just mobilized half of the Demonic Cult’s disciples to attack the Blood Blade Sect, this time Qin Ming had a sufficient reason to refuse.

“Let us set this matter aside for now. Our cult has just attacked the Blood Blade Sect, and quite a few disciples suffered some injuries. For now, focus on practicing martial arts and cultivating yourselves.” Qin Ming spoke lightly, then began today’s consultation. “I wish to improve the intelligence pavilion. Ideally, it should be able to gather more and more intelligence. Does anyone have any thoughts?”

When everyone heard this, they were all startled. Although the Cult Leader did not plan to deal with famous righteous sects, he was secretly collecting information on all the famous righteous sects. Was he planning to obtain intelligence first, then catch them all in one net afterward?

Thinking back on this period of time, whenever the Cult Leader did not act, nothing happened, but once he acted, he inevitably stirred the jianghu into a storm of blood and violence. The spies could not help feeling their hearts tighten.

But right now, they were also at a moment of crisis concerning their lives. They could only first echo the Cult Leader to obtain his trust, then discuss the matter later.

Thus, the spies began presenting strategies again.

Qian Xiaodou keenly found the problem of manpower. “Our school has been open for a while now. Those inside who can read may be sent to the restaurant to help. In addition, the beggars and displaced people inside and outside the city will do anything with just some silver, so they can also be used to obtain some intelligence.”

Qin Ming could not help nodding.

Chen Lue suddenly suggested, “Merchants have always traveled more widely than others. We can also borrow merchants’ ears to inquire about more news.”

Qin Ming looked thoughtful.

Yang Xu hurriedly looked for a sense of presence. “We can also release word that we are spending silver to buy top-secret intelligence! There will definitely be people who take the initiative to gather intelligence for us for the sake of silver!”

Qin Ming suddenly saw the light.

Zhang Daniu suddenly said something shocking. “I think spies are the best at this kind of thing!”

The moment these words came out, the hall instantly fell silent. The spies lurking in the Demonic Cult stared at him in shock, as if they were looking at some sort of devil.

Only Shen Fubai narrowed his eyes and suddenly added, “That is correct. We can place various spies into every sect and faction to gather information, establish a complete route for transmitting information, and have intelligence continuously sent back every day. In this way, we can form a meticulous intelligence network and obtain first-hand intelligence!”

…

Silence. Still a deathly silence.

Yang Xu and Xu Sheng nearly fainted from anger at these words. In their hearts, that familiar sentence could only ring out: Shen Fubai, that dog thief! Dog thief!

How were the famous righteous sects supposed to survive now?

But once the Cult Leader’s faint yet seemingly scrutinizing gaze swept over their faces, as if probing which of them were the spies, they could only work hard to squeeze out smiles and clap in praise. “Deacon Shen’s plan… is truly excellent!”

Only Zhang Daniu clapped sincerely and cheered, “Deacon Shen is right!”

…

To be fair, based on Shen Fubai’s and Zhang Daniu’s words alone, the Cult Leader trusted them ten thousand percent. They really looked far too much like members of the Demonic Cult.

The problem was that Qin Ming was also an undercover agent in the Demonic Cult!

As soon as he heard Shen Fubai’s words, he directly could not keep his expression from stiffening. Good heavens. Other people verbally claimed they wanted to rule the jianghu, but in reality, they were only painting a grand empty promise. Only Shen Fubai was wholeheartedly thinking up ways to bring disaster to the jianghu! As expected, this person was far too terrifying. Terrifying!

Qin Ming’s hair immediately stood on end. With a stiff face, he found an excuse and said, “Although this plan is not bad, our cult currently does not have that much manpower. For now, follow Qian Xiaodou’s and Chen Lue’s suggestions. Shen Fubai, you will be responsible for it.”

New Main Quest Activated: Improve the Intelligence Pavilion. Progress: 10%.

Quest Reward: One red-quality martial art. May be freely selected.

Qin Ming felt Shen Fubai was extremely useful, so he subconsciously handed every matter over to him. However, in the eyes of the spies, this was the symbol of Qin Ming’s favor toward Shen Fubai. As expected, had Shen Fubai’s vicious scheme earned the Cult Leader’s approval?

In that case… should they also become… a little more vicious?

The spies all began scheming over their next strategy in dealing with the Cult Leader.

After Qin Ming gave them a simple entrustment of the remaining tasks, he patted his backside and ignored everything, continuing to practice swordsmanship.

As the saying goes, when the people above move their lips, the people below run until their legs break. Shen Fubai was busy to the point of being utterly overwhelmed, and the others also had their own matters to do. What was more, they were fighting to do them.

For example, Yang Xu took the initiative to take charge of the two injured Qingyue Sect disciples. Previously, Yang Xu had still been worried over what the Cult Leader intended to do after capturing his junior fellow disciples. Only after hearing that they would merely be treated and then released once their injuries recovered did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At first, he was somewhat surprised as to why the Cult Leader was so benevolent. It was Chen Lue who reminded him, “The Cult Leader is so ruthless, unscrupulous, and deeply calculating. How could he possibly be simply trying to save people? Think about how, after the Nanxiang Sect disciples were released, the Demonic Cult obtained an enormous favor. Then it is nothing strange for the Qingyue Sect disciples to be released this time as well.”

Only then did Yang Xu suddenly understand. He kept shaking his head and sighing. The Cult Leader’s thoughts were simply deeper than water. Every single thing he did had deep meaning. It was truly too terrifying.

But no matter what, being able to send his junior fellow disciples back was a good thing. Yang Xu hurriedly arrived at the disciples’ quarters where the two junior fellow disciples were healing. From afar, he just so happened to hear their furious roars.

“Let go of me! Even if we die, we will never join forces with the Demonic Cult, much less serve the Demonic Cult! Give up on that idea!”

Speaking of it, it was rather miserable. The two Qingyue Sect disciples had woken up to discover that they had been saved and felt extremely grateful. After obediently recovering from most of their injuries, they cupped their fists and wanted to thank their saviors. So they asked the person responsible for caring for them where this place was.

Then they heard the terrifying news: “This is the Demonic Cult.”

The Qingyue Sect disciples visibly lost their joy. Next, they became so desperate that they would rather die than stay in the Demonic Cult. In their eyes, what was the difference between staying in the Blood Blade Sect and staying in the Demonic Cult? Both were scourges of the jianghu!

Who would have thought that in the face of their unyielding temper, the Demonic Cult disciple responsible for watching over them merely waved a hand in disdain. “Let me ask you first. Do you know how to farm?”

The Qingyue Sect disciples froze. “No.”

The Demonic Cult disciple asked again, “Then do you know how to build walls?”

The Qingyue Sect disciples said, “No.”

The Demonic Cult disciple finally asked again, “Then do you know how to teach?”

The Qingyue Sect disciples said, “No.”

The Demonic Cult disciple’s face was full of contempt. “You don’t know this, and you don’t know that. What are you staying in the Demonic Cult for? To waste food? Since your injuries have healed, then hurry up and get lost. Don’t stay here getting in the way!”

“…”

The Qingyue Sect disciples were first stunned, then flew into a rage. “You dare look down on us! It’s only little things like building walls and farming. Who wouldn’t know how? We can learn after watching once! What’s so great about it?”

“You?” The Demonic Cult disciple snorted coldly through his nose, completely unwilling to bother with them. “You talk better than you sing. You can only move your lips, can’t you?”

This made the Qingyue Sect disciples unable to endure it any longer. They rolled up their sleeves and prepared to go to the back mountain to grab hoes and give it a try. “You don’t believe us, right? Then we’ll go to the back mountain and try right now. Let’s see who exactly can’t do it!”

“…”

Yang Xu watched the entire process in shock and hurriedly stopped the impulsive Qingyue Sect disciples. “Wait, you can leave now. Hurry and go down the mountain!”

“We’re not leaving!” The Qingyue Sect disciples were furious. “This dog thief actually dares look down on us! We Qingyue Sect disciples have never suffered such humiliation before. Today, we are definitely farming this land!”

Yang Xu: …

And just as Yang Xu was worrying himself bald over these few stubborn Qingyue Sect disciples, Qin Ming also received a rather unexpected piece of news.

“?” Qin Ming put down the soft sword in his hand, surprised. “People from the government office are waiting at the foot of the mountain and want to see us?”

Wait. When had they provoked officials?

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