"Two families?" Han Feng chuckled, and the star-patterned stone suddenly emitted a sharp light. "You're being far too optimistic."
Zhang Jingtian frowned, his gray beard fluttering even without wind: "The Star Lord means..."
"If only one or two of the dozens of ancient martial arts families had been infiltrated," Han Feng leaned forward slightly, the light from the star-patterned stone casting a sharp shadow on his silhouette, "the Shangguan family wouldn't have been so brazen in their collusion with overseas forces."
Dongfang Lin's astrolabe had appeared in his palm without him noticing, its bronze pointer spinning wildly: "Divination available..."
"Divination can be deceiving," Han Feng interrupted, his fingertips tapping a peculiar rhythm on the armrest, "but humanity cannot."
The morning light streaming through the side window of the council chamber gradually intensified, casting long shadows of the three men onto the wall. Han Feng's shadow was particularly solid, with faint starlight flowing within it, contrasting sharply with the ordinary shadows of the other two.
"I would like to hear the details." Zhang Jingtian cupped his hands, his eyes gleaming.
Han Feng stood up and walked to the window, his back to the two men: "The method is simple. Once all the families have arrived, you only need to observe three kinds of expressions—" He held up three fingers, "First, those who immediately inquire about the purpose of the meeting upon arrival; second, those who deliberately avoid communication and huddle in a corner; third..."
He turned, his eyes gleaming: "After you announce the annihilation of the Shangguan family, those with terrified expressions or those pressing for details..."
Dongfang Lin's astrolabe suddenly stopped with a "click," the pointer pointing straight towards the hall: "Brilliant! Those with a guilty conscience will inevitably reveal their weaknesses!"
"That's not all." Han Feng walked back to the main seat, the star-patterned stone shining brighter as he approached. "You must point the finger at overseas forces as the cause of the Shangguan family's downfall. The real traitor will care about two things—who did it, and... whether any survivors were left."
Zhang Jingtian clapped his hands and laughed: "What a brilliant move to scare the enemy! Then, Star Lord, you..."
"I'll naturally observe from the shadows." Han Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Some snakes only emerge from their burrows when they feel absolutely safe."
Dongfang Lin pondered for a moment: "Should we arrange a secret room for the Star Lord to observe?"
"No need." Han Feng conjured a starlight from his fingertip, and with a gentle breath, it dissipated into countless specks of light into the air. "I have my own way."
Zhang Jingtian suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice: "If, as the Star Lord says, several companies have been infiltrated, exposing it on the spot could trigger a chaotic war..."
"I couldn't be happier." Han Feng's voice was as soft as a feather falling, yet it caused the room temperature to plummet. "Perfect for catching them all in one fell swoop."
A commotion arose outside the window; the first group of representatives from prominent families had arrived in the front yard. Dongfang Lin removed the soundproof barrier and exchanged a grave glance with Zhang Jingtian.
"Remember," Han Feng concluded, "When announcing the downfall of the Shangguan family, emphasize that it was an 'internal purge by overseas forces,' and especially mention that... the Shangguan family colluded with overseas forces."
The two elderly men gasped simultaneously, but quickly grasped the deeper meaning and nodded solemnly.
As Dongfang Lin and Zhang Jingtian left the council hall to greet the guests, Han Feng's figure had already quietly disappeared into the network of light woven from the star-patterned stones. Only the faint starlight remaining on the armrest of his chair proved that he had once lingered there.
The commotion from the front yard grew closer as representatives from ancient martial arts families, each with their own agendas, entered one after another. No one noticed that on the star map atop the council hall's dome, several previously dim stars were quietly lighting up, like eyes opening in the darkness.
After Han Feng finished giving his instructions, he went into hiding, while Dongfang Lin and Zhang Jingtian observed the facial expressions of the people present from behind the scenes.
Inside the main hall of the Dongfang family, people thronged. Representatives of ancient martial arts families in colorful brocade robes and jade belts gathered in twos and threes, conversing in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing toward the main seat—which was empty except for two maids standing quietly on either side.
"What's the Dongfang family patriarch up to?" The Chen family representative waved his folding fan, a hint of wariness in his eyes. "He suddenly convened a meeting, yet he himself has been nowhere to be seen."
The elderly man from the Ximen family beside him stroked his beard: "Didn't you know? I heard that the Shangguan and Nangong families are in trouble..."
Before he could finish speaking, the side door of the hall opened, and Dongfang Lin and Zhang Jingtian entered side by side. The previously noisy hall instantly fell silent, and hundreds of eyes turned to the two of them.
Dongfang Lin wore a long black robe, with gold-embroidered star patterns on the cuffs that shimmered as he walked. His expression remained unchanged, but as he stepped onto the main seat, he gave Zhang Jingtian a barely perceptible nod.
(Three houses in the northwest corner, five houses in the southeast corner, and a few more near the main entrance...)
Under the guise of adjusting his sleeves, Zhang Jingtian confirmed the suspicious individuals he observed one by one. When the name of the Shangguan family was mentioned, these family representatives either changed their expressions drastically or subconsciously reached for their waists—just as Han Feng had said, "they have a guilty conscience."
"Gentlemen," Dongfang Lin said, bowing slightly after he had stopped, his voice not loud but clear enough to carry to every corner, "I apologize for the intrusion, but I have important matters to discuss with you."
He paused deliberately, his gaze slowly sweeping across the room. Some people's breathing became noticeably rapid.
"You've all probably heard some news, more or less. The Shangguan and Nangong families were corrupted by a mysterious force a couple of days ago..." Dongfang Lin suddenly raised his voice, "...annihilated!"
A gasp erupted in the hall. Several teacups fell to the ground and shattered. Zhang Jingtian's sharp gaze immediately locked onto the distraught figures—the elder of the Beiming family's fingers trembled, the young man from the Gongsun family was deathly pale, and...
"Silence!" Dongfang Lin shouted softly, his voice, imbued with inner strength, quelling the commotion. "An investigation has revealed that this matter stems from an internal purge within overseas forces. The Shangguan family and the Nangong family..." He glanced meaningfully at the crowd, "...had colluded too deeply with certain foreign powers, ultimately suffering the consequences."
These words were like a drop of water thrown into a hot oil pan, instantly triggering an even bigger reaction. Several representatives of powerful families unconsciously took a half step back, cold sweat beading on their foreheads; others exchanged glances, their hands stealthily moving towards their weapons.
Dongfang Lin and Zhang Jingtian exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word. Han Feng's judgment was indeed accurate—most of these people exhibiting abnormal reactions were involved with forces from outside the region.
"Patriarch Dongfang," the representative of the Gongsun family suddenly spoke, his voice tense, "What exactly do you mean by 'overseas forces'? And how does the Shangguan family...?"
"You don't know about overseas forces? Or are you deliberately playing dumb?" Dongfang Lin bluntly threw out the name, pleased to see at least a dozen people's pupils shrink in surprise. "We've sent people to investigate, but as for the details, I cannot disclose them at this time."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com