Chapter 1474: Purge Operation

What was going on?

Everyone looked startled and uncertain.

Gong Lince had already turned around. Holding the secret letter respectfully in both hands, he presented it to the two Supreme Elders, Chun Xinliang and Tu Kuai.

The two exchanged a look.

Tu Kuai was impatient by nature. He snatched the letter, opened it, and leaned close to Chun Xinliang so they could read it together.

Their expressions grew solemn.

After the two exchanged another glance, Chun Xinliang took the letter from Tu Kuai and handed it back to Gong Lince.

“The two of us have already withdrawn from active affairs.”

“The Sect Leader and the elders may discuss this and make the decision.”

“We will follow the sect’s resolution.”

“Mm.” Tu Kuai gave a muffled grunt and nodded in agreement.

Gong Lince received the letter with both hands, then held it out with one hand for the elders to inspect.

Even the two Supreme Elders were unwilling to express an opinion.

Combined with their grave and cautious reaction, the elders immediately realized this was no ordinary matter.

Yan Li stepped forward first, took the letter, and moved back.

Fu Junrang, Yin Yide, and Mo Lingxue immediately gathered around him to read it together.

The moment they understood its contents, all four expressions changed drastically.

The message conveyed one essential point.

Misty Pavilion intended to eliminate the remnants Zhangsun Mi, Mu Lianze, and Lü Wushuang had planted inside the various sects.

In other words, all these people had originally been secret agents of Misty Pavilion.

But Zhangsun Mi, Mu Lianze, and Lü Wushuang had already fallen from power.

Why eliminate the agents?

The reason was easy enough to guess.

Huo Kong had also stated clearly in the letter that, according to reliable intelligence, these remnants were still passing information to the surviving forces once controlled by Zhangsun Mi and the others.

How could the present Six Sacred Venerables possibly tolerate people like that?

Farther down the letter was a dense list of names numbering in the hundreds.

The first name on that list was none other than Elder Yuan An of Zijin Cave.

Everyone finally understood why the Sect Leader had deliberately sent Yuan An away.

How could a matter like this possibly be discussed with Yuan An present?

Yan Li looked up in disbelief. “How could Elder Yuan possibly be a Misty Pavilion spy?”

Gong Lince glanced at him sideways.

Why could he not be?

Even Supreme Elder Zhong Guzi had been one of Misty Pavilion’s people.

Gong Lince asked in return, “You ask us. Who are we supposed to ask?”

“Whether he is or is not, Elder Yuan can explain himself afterward.”

“And he will not have the option of refusing.”

Everyone’s hearts were heavy.

Yuan An argued and competed with them inside the sect like anyone else.

Who could have imagined he was actually a spy?

Deep down, however, everyone understood that a list personally sent by Misty Pavilion was unlikely to be false.

Even so, the realization that Yuan An had been one of Misty Pavilion’s agents filled them with lingering fear.

Their hearts tightened again and again.

Some even felt cold sweat forming.

It was easy to imagine that the secrets discussed among Zijin Cave’s senior leadership might already be completely known to Misty Pavilion.

Who knew whether Yuan An had also passed along some of the less flattering things they had said?

Mo Lingxue said, “Within the sect itself, and within the sects throughout the forces under our jurisdiction, there are already several hundred Misty Pavilion eyes and ears.”

“And these are only the people belonging to Zhangsun Mi, Mu Lianze, and Lü Wushuang.”

“If we include the agents of the other Sacred Venerables as well, just how thoroughly have our ranks been infiltrated?”

Gong Lince said in a deep voice, “Elder Mo, be careful with words that should not be spoken.”

Mo Lingxue understood the warning.

Her gaze unconsciously swept over the others.

Even Yuan An had been a Misty Pavilion spy.

Who could guarantee there was not a second one among the people here?

There truly were some things that should not be said.

She immediately fell silent.

Gong Lince lifted the secret letter in his hand. “Misty Pavilion has now sent down the purge plan and the purge list.”

“So many people are involved that I cannot decide this alone.”

“If anyone has an opinion, speak freely.”

The hall remained quiet.

No one said a word.

Gong Lince asked again, “Does everyone mean we should refuse to carry it out?”

Fu Junrang gave a bitter smile. “Sect Leader, can we refuse?”

“Misty Pavilion made it perfectly clear. Anyone who neglects the order will be severely punished.”

Gong Lince asked, “What do the rest of you think?”

Yin Yide hesitated. “Some of these people belong to Lü Wushuang.”

“Lü Wushuang is still alive.”

“If we move against her people, will she come looking for trouble afterward?”

“But if we refuse to carry out the order, Misty Pavilion will not spare us either.”

“We are truly caught between two sides.”

Gong Lince said, “The deadline is already upon us. We cannot avoid making a decision.”

“Then let us vote.”

“Those in favor of carrying out the order, raise your hands.”

He raised his own hand first.

No one wanted to become involved in grudges among the Sacred Venerables.

But there was no longer any choice.

Once Misty Pavilion had decided to act, neutrality ceased to be an option.

Left or right was not actually difficult to choose.

Stand with whoever held power and possessed the greater force.

What other option was there?

An arm could not twist a thigh.

The moment Gong Lince raised his hand, Yan Li immediately followed.

The others sighed and raised their hands one after another.

Only the two Supreme Elders had yet to respond.

Gong Lince looked toward them questioningly.

Chun Xinliang repeated the same answer as before. “The two of us will follow the sect’s decision.”

Gong Lince nodded and turned back to the elders.

“Then it is settled.”

“We will carry out the plan and list provided by Misty Pavilion.”

“To prevent information from leaking, our first move will be to control Elder Yuan.”

Everyone’s hearts felt heavy.

Whatever grudges they might have had before, Yuan An had been their fellow sect member for many years.

Now, because of a single order from outsiders, they were about to turn their hands against one of their own.

Yet Yuan An might also truly be a spy.

The emotions involved were complicated.

Gong Lince observed their reactions, then suddenly warned them in a stern voice.

“None of you may leak even the slightest hint.”

“If the remnants of Zhangsun Mi, Mu Lianze, or Lü Wushuang escape because of us, Zijin Cave cannot bear Misty Pavilion’s reckoning.”

...

After leaving the sect to visit the Money House and handle some financial coordination for Zijin Cave, Yuan An returned.

He had no idea what was waiting for him.

He had barely arrived when a disciple came to pass on a message.

The two Supreme Elders wanted to see him and had asked him to go to the rear mountain, where they cultivated in seclusion.

Naturally, Yuan An hurried there immediately.

When he met the two Supreme Elders, the two seniors beckoned him closer as though they intended to whisper something privately.

Yuan An suspected nothing.

Thinking they had some confidential matter to entrust to him, he leaned in.

The two Supreme Elders suddenly acted.

Caught completely off guard, Yuan An was restrained on the spot.

“Why?” Yuan An cried out.

Tu Kuai held him down without saying a word.

A short while later, Sect Leader Gong Lince and several elders filed in through the doorway and stopped before Yuan An.

Yuan An struggled but could not break free.

He asked darkly, “Sect Leader, what is the meaning of this?”

Gong Lince’s face was expressionless. “Junior Brother Yuan, we do not want to do this either.”

“There is simply a matter we need to verify with you.”

Yuan An’s face was full of anger. “What matter?”

Gong Lince asked, “Apart from your identity as an Elder of Zijin Cave, do you possess any other identity?”

Yuan An froze.

He rapidly scanned the faces staring at him.

His heart lurched.

But he refused to admit anything.

“Sect Leader, I don’t understand what you’re saying. What other identity could I have?”

Gong Lince said coldly, “For example, a spy of Misty Pavilion.”

Yuan An erupted. “Nonsense!”

Gong Lince replied, “Then are the words of Misty Pavilion’s Presiding Administrator also nonsense?”

“Absurd!” Yuan An shouted.

He did not believe for a moment that the Presiding Administrator of Misty Pavilion would publicly expose his identity.

Gong Lince gave Tu Kuai a slight nod.

Tu Kuai released Yuan An.

There was no fear he might cause trouble.

Restrictions had already been placed on him, and he could not use spiritual power.

“Read it yourself.”

Gong Lince flicked his hand and tossed over the secret letter from Misty Pavilion.

Yuan An caught it, quickly opened it, and read.

As he understood the contents, his face gradually became ugly.

Then his entire posture sagged.

A bitter, almost miserable smile slowly appeared.

A moment earlier, he had refused to believe Misty Pavilion would reveal his identity.

Who could have expected him to be dragged down by the internal struggle among the Nine Saints?

A moment earlier, he had also believed that even if the sect learned his identity, they would not dare do anything to him.

Would Zijin Cave dare kill one of Misty Pavilion’s people?

But the order to execute him had come from Misty Pavilion itself.

Now it was obvious.

Whether he admitted anything or not, the sect would still carry out Misty Pavilion’s decree.

Gong Lince reached out and snatched the letter back.

His voice sharpened.

“Junior Brother Yuan, we have not wronged you, have we?”

Disaster had descended from nowhere.

All the force seemed to drain out of Yuan An.

He gave a miserable smile and murmured, “I never intended to betray the sect.”

“Back then, when I was competing with fellow disciples for a deacon position, Misty Pavilion noticed me.”

“Once they had their eyes on me, did I still have a choice?”

“But I brought it on myself as well.”

“If I had not been so eager at the time, so easy to exploit, why would Misty Pavilion have singled me out?”

“I often regretted it in secret afterward.”

“I would rather never have taken that deacon position in the first place.”

“But once some mistakes are made, there is no road back.”

Now that he had admitted it, he had effectively proven the authenticity and accuracy of Misty Pavilion’s list.

Some of those present sighed.

Others remained silent.

Gong Lince suddenly asked, “Mu Lianze, Zhangsun Mi, Lü Wushuang—which faction did you belong to?”

Yuan An gave a bitter smile. “How would I know which of them I belonged to?”

“I don’t even know what they look like.”

“All I knew was that I had joined Misty Pavilion.”

“No one ever told me I belonged to any particular person.”

“Was I not simply one of Misty Pavilion’s people?”

“Before this, I had no idea there were separate factions inside it.”

“I don’t even know which side received the information I usually provided.”

“Sect Leader, I truly regret what I did.”

“Now that things have reached this point, I have no need to lie.”

Gong Lince replied, “Which faction you belonged to is not important to us.”

“We also have no desire to pry into Misty Pavilion’s affairs.”

“We only wanted to confirm whether you had been wrongly accused.”

He lifted the secret letter slightly.

“You have read it.”

“Misty Pavilion wants your head as an accounting.”

“The sect has no choice.”

“Do not blame us.”

Yuan An lowered his head dejectedly. “I understand.”

“Now that this has been exposed, even if you did not kill me, I would no longer have the face to meet the disciples of the sect.”

Gong Lince cupped his hands toward the two Supreme Elders.

“Supreme Elders, I’ll leave him to the two of you.”

“We truly cannot let anyone else see this, or we will alert the other targets.”

That was precisely why they had lured Yuan An into this secluded rear-mountain area before making their move.

The two Supreme Elders nodded.

Gong Lince immediately led the others away.

They continued discussing the details and began laying plans for the people on the list, starting with the purge inside the sect itself.

It took almost no effort.

That very day, every Misty Pavilion agent still inside Zijin Cave was swept up in a single net.

The operation remained completely secret and caused no disturbance.

There was simply very little difficulty.

No warning signs had appeared beforehand, so none of Misty Pavilion’s agents had any defenses prepared.

Just as with Yuan An, the sect only needed to summon each person under some ordinary pretext.

Once they arrived, they were quietly dealt with.

If anyone later asked why the person had disappeared, the answer could simply be that he had gone out on sect business.

Misty Pavilion had imposed a deadline.

Zijin Cave did not dare delay.

Once the core sect area had been purged, the elders immediately departed for the various territories under Zijin Cave’s influence and personally presided over the remaining eliminations.

And almost the same operation began at nearly the same time inside every great sect beneath Heaven.

[End of Chapter 1474]