Chapter Forty: The Gathering of the Hidden Clouds

Tang Tiannan replied respectfully, "If you have any questions, Immortal, as long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything."

Liang Yan nodded. "First, how did you know our identities?"

Tang Tiannan answered, "That is simple. When I arrived at the stronghold, I happened to see the two of you pursuing Xu Fanke. The methods you used were clearly not of mortal martial arts. Perhaps you are not aware, but the royal family and the ministers in the capital are no strangers to cultivators. Some nobles even keep Qi Refining practitioners as retainers, and there are always late-stage Qi Refining cultivators stationed in the imperial palace."

"Is that so?" Liang Yan asked in surprise.

"He's telling the truth," Tang Diexian interjected. "But our orthodox cultivation sects have always refrained from interfering in mortal affairs, and there is a clear rule that any cultivator of Foundation Establishment or above must not set foot in the capital, nor meddle in state politics. Thus, the most powerful cultivators in the capital are only at the Qi Refining stage, so the worldly court can change hands freely. Our Chess Star Pavilion, as the leading sect of Zhao, has established supervising disciples in the capital to prevent Foundation Establishment cultivators from interfering with the mortal realm."

"I see," Liang Yan nodded. Then he asked, "Two years ago, when you first arrived in Yongle Town, you were gravely wounded and hid in the home of someone called Kong Xiang, is that right?"

"That's correct!" Tang Tiannan nodded. "I know what you wish to ask. In fact, I didn't know at first that Kong Xiang was a martial artist placed in Yongle Town by your immortal sect. Not until that night..."

Tang Tiannan seemed to sink into his memories, his body trembling uncontrollably with fear.

"Kong Xiang was a friend of many years. After arriving in Yongle Town, I stayed hidden in his secret chamber to heal. Then, one night, a group of people came and slaughtered everyone in the Kong household—men, women, children, all without exception. The Kong family was a lineage of martial arts, and even their servants and disciples were skilled, but before these people, they were helpless, butchered like livestock..."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. Liang Yan did not interrupt, quietly waiting.

After a moment, Tang Tiannan steadied himself and said apologetically, "Forgive me. That night was too bloody. Though I was in the underground chamber and did not see it with my own eyes, I knew what happened above was hell on earth."

Liang Yan nodded. "Do you know who those people were?"

Tang Tiannan replied, "They were members of the Clouded Shadows Society."

"The Clouded Shadows Society?"

"Yes. My injuries were severe at the time and I couldn't leave the secret chamber, but Kong Xiang had left me ample food and medicine, so I stayed there. Later, I found that those who had slaughtered the Kong family seemed to be using the residence as a secret meeting place. Every five days at midnight, they would gather there to discuss matters."

"Oh?" Liang Yan raised an eyebrow. "Did you hear what they discussed?"

Tang Tiannan nodded. "Though I didn't understand everything, I gathered that beneath the spiritual mine near Yongle Town, there was some extraordinary treasure. They were under orders from their leader to excavate it. But for some reason, the lower levels of the mine are filled with baleful energy they cannot withstand. Fortunately, someone among them knows some rudimentary formations and set up a dispelling array, slowly digging downward. But this was a protracted task, and when I left the chamber three months ago, they still hadn't retrieved the treasure."

"I see!" Liang Yan nodded in satisfaction. Tang Tiannan's account had clarified many things that had puzzled him before.

At this point, Tang Diexian asked, "You hid below for so long—did you figure out how many of them there were?"

Tang Tiannan replied, "From my year of observation, there were six who slaughtered the Kong family. They didn't know each other's true identities, only recognizing one another by jade tokens. They also addressed each other by code names, numbered from 'Number Two' to 'Number Seven.' Number Two was the strongest, Number Seven the weakest. This seems to be a rule of the Clouded Shadows Society—the members do not know each other, only recognizing the identity tokens."

Liang Yan said, "That's interesting. I suspect this Clouded Shadows Society is a group of rogue cultivators, likely including some infamous murderers and brigands. Naturally, they don't want to be recognized, hence the tokens that mask their cultivation. Their bond is purely one of profit—complete the mission, get paid."

Tang Diexian nodded. "That's likely the case. Such organizations are a mix of all sorts—difficult to deal with and full of unsavory characters."

Tang Tiannan suddenly recalled something and added, "As far as I know, there was actually a seventh person in town—a mysterious 'Number One' whose face was never seen. It's said this person is the most powerful, but never attended the meetings, instead operating alone in the town and covertly aiding the others. This is also said to be the typical style of the Clouded Shadows Society."

Hearing this, Liang Yan and Tang Diexian exchanged smiles, each thinking, "So the man we killed on our first day here must have been this elusive 'Number One.'"

Liang Yan coughed lightly. "Fortunately, he was Number One and didn't join the meetings, or else we'd have been exposed long ago."

Tang Diexian nodded. "But now that the fortune-teller is dead, at their next meeting they'll know something is wrong."

Tang Tiannan, unaware that 'Number One' was already long dead, simply stood respectfully by, not understanding their exchange.

Liang Yan then asked, "One last question—do you know when their next meeting is?"

Tang Tiannan was silent for a time and then said, "It's been three months since I left the Kong residence. If they haven't changed their pattern, then the next meeting should be three nights from now, at midnight."

Liang Yan nodded, satisfied. "Very good. Your answers have pleased me, so let me give you something in return."

With that, he pressed a hand to Tang Tiannan's back. A surge of powerful spiritual energy flowed through Tang Tiannan's meridians, healing his injuries. In less than the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, he felt vigor return to his limbs, and walking no longer felt difficult.

Overjoyed, he bowed deeply to Liang Yan. "Thank you for your help, Immortal. I am deeply grateful."

Liang Yan was not fond of such displays and helped him up. "No need for such formalities. We made a trade—each got what they wanted."

He continued, "Now that everything is settled, you may go as you please, Lord Tang."

Tang Tiannan bowed again and left the underground stronghold.

That night, Liang Yan and Tang Diexian returned to their inn. Since arriving in Yongle Town, neither had slept well, but now that the matter was cleared up, they both collapsed into bed and slept until the sun was high the next day.

When Liang Yan awoke, Tang Diexian was already sitting by the window, grooming 'Chuba,' her pet, her beautiful eyes gazing absently outside, lost in thought.

Liang Yan was about to speak to her when a knock came at the door.

He shook his head and went to open it, finding a man and woman standing outside. The man was handsome and spirited, the woman delicate and charming—it was Chen Zhuo'an and Min Rou.

They stood side by side, holding hands. Liang Yan noticed that the subtle distance he had seen between them before was gone.

He smiled and said, "Congratulations on resolving your differences. Allow me to wish you both a harmonious union and a long, happy life together."

Min Rou only smiled shyly, holding Chen Zhuo'an's hand even tighter.

Chen Zhuo'an looked at her tenderly, then said, "This mission was perilous. If not for the help of you and Miss Tang, we would surely be dead. We came especially to thank you." Straightening his robes, he was about to bow deeply.

Liang Yan quickly stopped him. "No need for that, Brother Chen. We had our own reasons for helping, and it was within our abilities."

He looked at the pair, half-smiling. "You're here to say goodbye, aren't you? You've decided to leave?"

Chen Zhuo'an nodded. "After facing death together, I've realized how little court matters mean to me. I've owed Min Rou too much—it's time I made it up to her."

Min Rou added, "We plan to retire from the world. Neither the martial world nor the court will concern us anymore. As for this inn, I've entrusted it to Uncle Yue, who has served me faithfully for years. You and Miss Tang can stay as long as you like—if you need anything, just ask him."

Liang Yan smiled. "Then I thank you both, and wish you a happy union and many children!"

Min Rou blushed, while Chen Zhuo'an laughed heartily. "Well said, Brother Liang! Well said!" With that, he took Min Rou by the hand, and without further words, the two departed together.

Liang Yan closed the door, only to hear Tang Diexian sigh softly behind him.

"Sister Min Rou is truly blessed."

Liang Yan sat and poured himself some tea, sipping it with a shake of his head. "What would a little girl know? They've been in love for years, and now their dreams have come true—their karma is complete, you might say."

Tang Diexian's willow brows shot up in anger. "You're my sword attendant and dare call me a little girl? Have you grown tired of living?"

She made as if to pounce, and 'Chuba' on her shoulder bared its teeth at Liang Yan, looking fierce.

Liang Yan scrambled to dodge, pleading, "Spare me, Miss!"

The two of them played around for a while, then sat at the round table. Tang Diexian blinked and asked, "So what now? We've solved the case—should we report back to the sect?"

Liang Yan thought for a moment. "They've been operating in Yongle Town for two years. Even though Tang Tiannan said the spiritual mine is blocked by baleful energy, a round trip to the sect would take over a month. By then, they might have gotten the treasure and escaped."

"So what do we do?" Tang Diexian frowned. "Yesterday, the fortune-teller walked right into our trap, but the remaining five are all still in town. It's not easy to pick them off one by one."

Liang Yan smiled. "There is a way." He leaned over and whispered his plan.

The more Tang Diexian listened, the more astonished she became. When he finished, she looked at him wide-eyed. "Will that really work?"

"We won't know until we try," Liang Yan replied.

"All right!" Tang Diexian's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'll go crazy with you just this once!"