Chapter 244: Chapter 241: "Real" Intelligence

The Imperial City Zhu Family controlled the Empire’s largest intelligence and assassination organization.

For this reason, the Zhu Family had become one of the powers in the Empire that no one dared to cross.

You never knew how many of your secrets the Zhu Family held.

You also never knew if the friend you drank with yesterday, the woman you slept with, or even your own parents and relatives were spies and assassins for the Zhu Family.

It was the unknown that was most terrifying.

As long as you could pay the price, the Zhu Family could get you anything short of the Empire’s most vital secrets.

Zhu Fan had been having a very pleasant few days.

During the Annual Selection’s journey Within the Pass, Mo Qi’s Medicinal Pills had allowed him to break through in his Cultivation, reaching the Mid-stage Purity Realm.

This elevated his Cultivation into the top ten of his generation in the Zhu Family, instantly making him a hot commodity and earning him the attention of the family’s elders.

As a result, he was sent to train at the intelligence headquarters to prepare him for greater responsibilities in the future.

In the past, Zhu Fan would have been ecstatic.

But after witnessing the performance of Mo Qi, Liu Hui, and Jin Sanpang Within the Pass, he felt this accomplishment was nothing special.

He suddenly found himself envying Qian Duoduo, who could toss aside all dignity to shamelessly cozy up to Mo Qi.

’If only I could do the same.’

Just as Zhu Fan’s mind was wandering, headquarters received a major client—Nangong An—and the case was, by chance, assigned to him.

"I wish to investigate someone."

To maintain an air of mystery, the Zhu Family’s transactions were always conducted in darkness. A special Array shrouded the area, so clients could neither see the family’s methods nor the face of the person assisting them.

"This person is the man Nangong Yan loves. He’s currently studying at the Imperial Academy. I need his complete file and personal history!"

In the darkness, Zhu Fan froze, startled by Nangong An’s request.

’The man Nangong Yan loves... Isn’t that Brother Liu?’

Only then did he realize that his client was the Grand Elder of the Nangong Family, Nangong An!

’So that’s it!’

Based on the intelligence he had, Zhu Fan instantly figured out Nangong An’s objective.

’This old bastard wants to kill Brother Liu!’

As a "comrade-in-arms" who had braved the Dragon Vein with him, and being deeply indebted to Mo Qi, Zhu Fan was naturally on Liu Hui’s side.

As a scion of the Zhu Family, a family that was open for business, he couldn’t sell a client false information.

’However, by omitting a few key details and using some clever rhetoric to guide him, truthful information can sometimes be far more damaging than a lie.’

"Five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones." Zhu Fan named an astronomical price.

"Are you kidding me?!" Nangong An was so shocked he nearly fell out of his chair.

Even as the Grand Elder of the Nangong Family, he was staggered by the price.

’Five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones... You might as well just rob me!’

"The intelligence you require is worth this price. Take it or leave it."

Zhu Fan was blunt. The Zhu Family monopolized the intelligence industry in the Mountain and Sea Empire. If Nangong An wanted information, he had to pay.

Zhu Fan knew this full well, which was why he could afford to be so firm.

Sure enough, after a moment’s hesitation, Nangong An gritted his teeth. "Fine, five hundred thousand it is. But the information you provide had better be worth the price!"

"You can rest assured on that point. We at the Zhu Family pride ourselves on our reputation; our dealings are always fair. Standard procedure: payment first, information after."

’You dare to move against my Brother Liu? Who else would I rip off if not you?’

Visibly pained, Nangong An tossed over a Storage Ring containing five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones.

After confirming the amount was correct, Zhu Fan began. "Liu Hui, seventeen years old. His parents were originally students at the Imperial Academy, but eleven years ago, his father mysteriously perished. He and his mother were driven out of the Imperial City. You, Grand Elder, should know more about that period than the Zhu Family does."

’So it really is that bastard!’ Nangong An thought, then said coldly, "Continue. I need to know what happened after he was driven out of the Imperial City!"

Zhu Fan continued, "Six months later, his mother died of illness. Liu Hui drifted to the Void Sect."

"As you know, Grand Elder, there is an agreement between the Four Great Sects and the Empire. The Zhu Family’s intelligence network is strictly forbidden from infiltrating them. Therefore, we do not know what Liu Hui experienced during his time at the Void Sect."

Hearing this, Nangong An’s expression darkened considerably.

He suppressed his anger and demanded, "If you know nothing, then why charge me five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones?"

If Zhu Fan couldn’t give him a proper explanation, he was prepared to cause a scene and demand satisfaction, even if it meant making an enemy of the Zhu Family.

Zhu Fan chuckled. "Patience, Grand Elder. I haven’t finished." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"For the past several years, Grandmaster Liu Hong has refused invitations from His Holiness, remaining at the Void Sect. No one knows the reason."

"What is the meaning of this?" Nangong An asked, clearly annoyed.

Zhu Fan continued, "The Zhu Family would not dare to speculate on the meaning behind Master Liu’s actions. However, I can provide you with a few pieces of information. You may draw your own conclusions."

"First, Liu Hui is close with Master Liu’s granddaughter, Liu Ruyan. Their relationship is profound."

"Second, Niu Kexin, the adopted daughter of the Imperial Academy’s Dean, Mu Kongfu, also comes from the Void Sect and knows Liu Hui. We have reports that Liu Hui calls her his sister."

"Third, Qian Duoduo of the Qian Family’s Direct Lineage and Liu Hui address each other as brothers."

"Fourth, there is a ninety-percent chance that Liu Hui possesses the bloodline of the Dragon Race."

"And fifth, besides the people I’ve mentioned, Liu Hui has two brothers who came with him from the Void Sect. One is named Jin Sanpang, and the other is... Qin Daye."

"Given Master Liu’s involvement, surely now you understand why this information is worth five hundred thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones."

Nangong An didn’t respond. His head was spinning from the complex web of relationships, and he was stunned by the revelations.

He had never imagined that Liu Hui possessed Dragon Blood!

’In that case, his Innate Weaknesses were most likely resolved by Liu Hong himself.’

’That would also provide a reasonable explanation for why Liu Hong has remained at the Void Sect all these years: he has taken a liking to Liu Hui’s talent and wishes to mentor him.’

’With things as they are, it will be very difficult to move against Liu Hui openly.’

’If not for the involvement of that important person from *that place*, I might even have given up the idea of killing Liu Hui.’

’No. The greater Liu Hui’s potential, the more reason I have to eliminate him quickly!’ Nangong An thought. ’I cannot let this drag on. If that esteemed person were to suddenly arrive and discover this, he would surely punish me.’

’But I’ve already tipped my hand. That last move against Liu Hui was far too reckless. He’s certain to be on his guard now.’

’With his connections to Master Liu and Mu Kongfu, a direct confrontation is out of the question. I’ll have to use a ploy!’

Under Zhu Fan’s deliberate "guidance," Nangong An "naturally" filled in many of the blanks himself, already pondering his next move.

"You mentioned Liu Hui has two brothers who came with him from the Void Sect. What is their relationship like?" Nangong An asked suddenly.

"As close as blood brothers," Zhu Fan replied, then added helpfully, "You’ve probably seen Jin Sanpang. He’s always by Liu Hui’s side—a massive fellow—and he’s also extremely tight with Qian Duoduo."

"But the other one, Qin Daye, is different. He’s reclusive and Liu Hui is his only friend. Lately, he’s been spending all his time alone in the Fighting Cultivation Room."

Nangong An’s eyes lit up at this. ’An opening!’

’I can use Qin Daye. Exploit their brotherly bond to lead Liu Hui to his death!’