In retrospect, these scoundrels have also learned to keep up with the times. Not only have they devised KPI assessments to motivate their subordinates, but they have also reflected on the actions of the Demonic Sect and other wicked factions throughout the past millennium.
Through a review of history, the high-ranking officials of the Demonic Sect realized they had made too many enemies in the past!
These wicked individuals were all capricious and violent, killing without hesitation at the slightest disagreement, even wiping out entire families!
Much of their bloodshed was entirely unnecessary, merely done on a whim. Once they killed, they killed.
Their actions had incited widespread anger, and the entire world viewed the wicked factions as monstrous calamities, joining forces to suppress them. Even when they knew they were no match for the wicked factions, they would still find ways to provide intelligence to the righteous alliance.
Now, the sect leader and high-ranking officials of the Demonic Sect understood that this must change. They should not provoke those monstrous existences without good reason. If possible, they should even try to recruit them; this was the path to victory!
"Alright, Liya, do as you said. However, I will be monitoring their actions from the shadows. If anything goes wrong with their actions, I will eliminate them completely!"
"Okay, thank you, Brother Long Fei..." You Liya threw a seductive glance at Gao Mu Long Fei.
...
On Mount Longpan, within the Taoist temple, the morning bells and evening drums, the burning of incense three times a day and night – this was truly a divine abode for cultivating one's character.
Old Master Wang Chunfeng had been living here these past few days. His life was very regular. Every day, he would wake up precisely at 6 AM, then join Ling Tian's third master for Tai Chi, the Five Animal Frolics, and to learn some breathing and circulation techniques for regulating the body.
Indeed, in just under half a year, the old gentleman's health had become even more robust than before.
One morning, after his morning exercise and breakfast, Old Master Wang, as usual, went to chat with Master Dao Yuan.
Master Dao Yuan greeted Old Master Wang warmly upon seeing him.
"Brother Wang, you look so cheerful. It seems you have something happy to share."
"Immortal Master, your eyesight is truly remarkable. You've hit the nail on the head..."
"That's not quite right, Brother Wang. Please don't flatter me. Your happiness is written all over your face; anyone could tell.
What is it that makes you so happy? Share it with us!"
"Ah, my granddaughter called last night and said she's flying back from the capital today to visit me.
I told her not to come, but she insisted. It's truly the child's filial piety." Wang Chunfeng's face was creased with smiles. Although controlling his emotions was easy for this old fox, Old Master Wang was very relaxed on Mount Longpan.
This was because he found that Ling Tian's masters were all extraordinary individuals. No matter how he acted or tried to hide his true emotions, they could see right through him.
Instead of wearing a mask every day, which was tiring and uncomfortable, he preferred to let loose, feel at ease, be in good health, and have a hearty appetite...
"It's a pity Ling Tian isn't coming back with her. I haven't seen that boy Ling Tian in a long time either.
Speaking of which, that Ling Tian is really something. With such a beautiful wife, why isn't he hurrying to have a child? I'm waiting to hold my grandson."
"Yes, yes, Brother, you're absolutely right about that. When Ling Tian returns, we'll have a good talk with him. It's really unacceptable. We old friends are also waiting to hold our grandchildren!" Master Dao Yuan said with a smile.
After chatting for a while, Master Dao Yuan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and casually drew a fortune stick from the nearby container.
However, Master Dao Yuan soon frowned because the stick turned out to be a very bad omen.
Master Dao Yuan placed the stick back into the container, then took out a cloth bundle from his robes. He opened the bundle, revealing several pieces of tortoise shell.
These tortoise shells were inscribed with various patterns. Master Dao Yuan chanted some incantations and then tossed the tortoise shells onto the ground.
As the tortoise shells landed, they formed a certain arrangement and angle. Master Dao Yuan's frown deepened.
This was a divination technique, said to have originated in ancient times. The origins of Chinese characters, oracle bone script, actually stemmed from divination.
In ancient times, people used tortoise shells, ox bones, and other materials as ritual objects for divination, especially before major events like sacrifices and wars. The results of these divinations were then inscribed on the tortoise shells or ox bones, which is how oracle bone script, and thus the origins of Chinese characters, came to be!
Upon seeing the results, Master Dao Yuan immediately summoned a young Taoist acolyte and whispered something in his ear!
...
Wang Bingxia flew back from the capital early in the morning. She took a car directly from the airport to Mount Longpan.
The car stopped at the foot of the mountain, and Wang Bingxia, accompanied by two bodyguards, headed up the mountain.
These two bodyguards, a man and a woman, were both highly skilled. The man, in his early thirties, was named Han Liang. He had served as a special forces soldier and undergone specialized training. If he were to engage in combat, it would be difficult for seven or eight people to get close to him.
The female bodyguard, named Lü Shuyao, was in her late twenties. She was also exceptionally skilled and was a disciple of the Misty Rain Pavilion.
The three of them ran up the mountain. Wang Bingxia hadn't seen her grandfather in a long time and missed him dearly.
The two bodyguards followed closely behind. They were somewhat surprised to see how agile Wang Bingxia had become. She moved as if on level ground on the rugged mountain path, her stamina was excellent, and after running for more than ten minutes, she was still as energetic as ever.
Suddenly, a large tree by the roadside crashed down, blocking their path. Han Liang and Lü Shuyao immediately leaped forward, shielding Wang Bingxia.
At that very moment, another large tree behind them also fell, cutting off their retreat.
The rugged mountain path was surrounded by forests and bushes, with only this single trail. With the path blocked, it was difficult for the three of them to quickly retreat to the side.
Just then, eight masked figures in black emerged from the surrounding woods.
These eight individuals were armed with swords, sabers, grappling hooks, and other weapons, and they surrounded Wang Bingxia and her two companions.
"What do you want?" Wang Bingxia asked coldly.
"Heh heh heh heh...
I didn't expect this little lady to have such a fiery temper.
Wang Bingxia, a certain important figure fancies you and wishes for you to be his guest. It would be best if you surrender obediently, and you won't suffer any physical pain. Your two bodyguards can also have a complete corpse!"
The person speaking was named Han Jifa, the leader of the Black Current Gang. This was a small gang with a history of several hundred years. Of course, these people engaged in all sorts of despicable activities, such as human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, and smuggling. They would do anything for money.
Naturally, such scoundrels of the martial world became targets for recruitment by these wicked factions.